Bye February!!

So... Feb ended with exactly 14 blogs, every alternate day (almost... except the days I cheated). How was it? Okay I would say, nothing special. I am still jobless,yeah I am... Still mostly bored... And yeah, have hurt so many parts of my body by Taekwondo. Started with left knee, then face, then right foot & now right wrist. I guess it's part of the game (or I am just too enthusiastic/stupid). Had to finish another assignment today... and this one was Bad!! Not multiple choice like last time but had to write descriptive answers. Which means writing/typing full thing and even worst, now I need to really read before writing. But I managed to complete it in time & treated myself again, this time at Cheesecake Factory and it was fine (but really expensive!!). Well, that's it for Feb then... Bye February, Welcome March (with Holi)!!

Happy Birthday Dearest Sister... Meri Kavita

Sachin hits Double Century

Sachin made a not-out double century in One Day International Cricket, the first ever by any cricketer ever (Click here for detailed news). He already has the most number of centuries & runs in both one days & tests, isn't he just the best.. ofcourse he is!! People have doubted him & his talent at many occassions, but he has always come back and proved them wrong. He's the living legend of the game of cricket. I have always admired him, he's not just a greatest player but a great star, great celebrity & great person. Congratulations Sachin, great job... we are all proud of you & All the Best!!

Study just before exams, watch movies after!!

So the I had my 1st mid-terms for a subject called Financial Markets & something-something (yeah, I still  am not even sure of the name). I had to submit it by Sunday-Midnight. I had known about it for more than a week; and also known about upcoming midterms since I started this class 1.5 months back. 8-10 chapters (I am not exactly sure) have been completed and this mid-term was covering 6 chapters. I had not even read the first one completely. And as usual, I was delaying it since so many days that I'll do it later (called procastination). And the Sunday came but I had not even started; Sunday evening happened and I had not even started.. WOW!! I finally started at 5 in evening and finished it by 8, yeah I did!! I read the chapters, found out the answer (luckily this was an objective type multiple choice questionnaire to be filled). This reminded me of old college days actually. Waiting till the exams time to start studying... we never studied the whole semster (but always thought during these exam study times that next semester onwards I'l study from begining, but it never happened ofcourse!!) but started the day-night exercise of extensive studying few days before the exams. Once I called one of my lecturer 2 days before the exams asking him the syllabus of his subject, you can guess how excited he was. However, always managed to pass first-class and good grades. But anyways, this was worst. 1.5 months study in 3 hourson the day of mid-terms.... wow!! ANother assignment submission is on coming Sunday, lets see how I do this time!! And yeah... after finishing the assignment, I treated myself with movie (we used to treat ourselves with movie even those days afterall). I watched My Name is Khan (my review can be read here) & Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief; both in theatre (by my formula of watch as many movies as you can with one ticket, lol). Percy Jackson was a nice movie, something like egyptian take on Harry Potter maybe.. it was fine!! So... I had fun writing assignments & then watching movies, that's life... Thanks for reading & keep visiting!!

My Name is Khan (2010 Movie)

I finally saw My Name is Khan, all by myself & alone. How cool is it to go to watch a  movie alone?? Well, I have done that in past. And I don't like talking during the movie anyways, or being stopped to laugh at jokes or being asked what was just said. So watching movie alone works for me. But the whole idea of going to watch a movie alone kinda sucks, kinda (that's not even a real word)!!

Well, I would say it is 7/10 movie. Yeah... some of you would be like, "that's too much for a SRK movie" and some would be like, "it deserves way more" (many would be like, "who are you to even say anything" lol). The idea & concept behind the movie is nice; Racial Profiling (my personal experiences), days in US after 9/11, effects of terrorism, Islam and lot more. There has been lots of movies in past all over the world touching this subject. But you don't expect that from Karan Johar. However, this has lots of emotional drama like any Johar's movie (none has made me cry/smile as much as K3G though). Movie is quit predictable as you know that's gonna happen. Hero will definitely get his mission (of meeting President) accomplished. There Bush look-alike was better than Obama look-alike though. Shahrukh's performance is nice, but I am not sure that was appropriate for Asperger Syndrome; he was acting kinda retarded (oops, I meant mentally challenged). At some places his acting is touching but kinda weird at some places as well. Kajol looks great even after so many years, actually looks better now; good performance as well. Zarina Wahab's performance as Shahrukh's mother and Tanay Chheda's performance as junior Shahrukh is really appreciable. Jimmy Shergil is good as usual; he's a nice actor and everything but only does good in supporting roles. Sonya Jehan is really good, in looks and acting both. But hey, Sumeet Raghvan & even Vinay Pathak in such meaningless roles. Vinay was still fine in his small but impactive role but Sumeet?? Dude, you were Mr Sarabhai, c'mon yaar!! No song and dance as well in the movie, some background scores which are just okay. Some portions & scenes are really good but some are just too obvious, over done or too slow. All I say is that if the movie si really good, you'll feel that good. And if you don't, then something is lacking. Overall, a decent movie but SRK, Kajol & Karan's trio could and should have done better... However one great message, "Any kind of discrimination based on race, religion, sex, nationality, origin or anything else is wrong; because there are only two kind of people in this world... Good or Bad!!!"

Falana-Dhimkana: Nanhi Jaan

Here's link to one of my latest entries of an excellent poem, on my Falana-Dhimkana Blog...

Tujhme Rab Dikhta Hai... Really???

Valentines Day??

So... what's all the buzz about V-Day? I have never celebrated V-Day... & why? Why do you need a day to celebrate love? If you have true love in your life everyday is V-Day; else a day doesn't do anything. It's just a day for Gift & Card Companies to make money... right? I don't hate V-Day but I don't love it either. I remember days in India when some religious fanatic groups (like shiv-sena, bajrang-dal) used to threaten couples if they hang out or if they see roses in a girl's hand. That's just stupid, you can't force people for such things.. it's wrong. I hope it's not so anymore. But still, V-day is just so commercialized that there's no feeling of true love anymore. The guys are just concerned about buying right gifts and girls are concerned about getting theres. Or if you don't have a valentine, you are just concerned about getting someone, anyone.... they just don't want to be alone. I celebrate V-days sitting home, relaxing. With family or even alone. Because where there is love, support, relaxation and peace.... that's where everything is. You don't need a V-day to be happy, you just need happiness.... Or maybe just visit and read my blog more!!!!

Om Namah Shivaya... Jai Mahashivratri!!

I am really Stupid/Smart

Well.. there are so many times when we think so about ourselves. Lets start with the stupid part... You know it's been snowing here like hell (not sure how much it snows in hell though!!). And I had my Taekwondo classes today. he trainer said that he'll be open all week but I still  called him before the class to confirm, no one picked. So I got ready and walked all the way to the place in thsi freakin cold & snow. There was 2 feet snow still accumulated & still snowing when I walked out. But i still went, see my dedication. But the freakin place was CLOSED!! Yeah, it was damn closed. I was so angry on myself, really angry. There are times when we do stuff and then we say to ourselves 'that I told you dont do this, but you didn't listen'. I was feeling so Bad & saying, "I am really stupid!!"

Anyways, now the smart part. As many of you know that I was sleeping on floor... Well, not really cuz I had a futon and I was still not sleeping on it but I was using the nice mattress to sleep. But no real hard bed, I don't even have that yet. But I bought this Aerobed's Air Sofa-Bed. It's 4-in-1 which means can be used as sofa/recliner/small-high-rise-bed/full-queen-size-bed. I filled the air and already used it for 3 days and air is still fine. It's even comfortable & nice, I like it. Smart purchase, "I am really SMART!!"

Dulha Mil Gaya & Pyaar Impossible

yun to humara zikr hua, her fasaane mein... kya hua gar thodi, der hui aane mein!!

Well, I am no shayar & not becoming one either (I do write though, read Falana-Dhimkana). After being snowed in for the weekend (click here & read for details) I decided to watch hindi movies. First one was Dulha Mil Gaya, I would say 6/10. The movie is not bad, Shahrukh is his usual good (however, PRG was from punjab he said. really? Gandhi in Punjab!!); Sushmita is amazingly great, she looks stunning & performs great in role of a super model (saying Tom Cruise is too short for her) she should be doing lot more comedy; and the new girl Ishita is fine too. Fardeen?? I don't know how & why anyone decides to make a movie with him? He cant act ofcourse, poor dialogue delivery & grave expressions... dunno why he's in any movie!! & hey, Johnny Lever in a character role?? When did that started happening? A comedic genius like him for nothing in the movie... why? Even storyline is predictable. But movie has its points & Sushmita is just soooooooooo Good!! Worth a watch once, try it!!

Next one was Pyaar Impossible, a movie written by Uday Chopra & directed by Jugal Hansraj. I think Uday should focus more on writing because he's writing good, comes in blood I guess. I give the movie 8/10. Yeah... I liked the movie. Both the ladies in the movie have done good job, Priyanka Chopra & the lil girl who played her daughter. Good acting & good looking, appreciated. Both the men in movie have done surprisingly good job. I am not big fan of Dino Morea but he looks & performs good as a villian in the movie. And Uday is actually nice, looks nerdy & has performed fine (I like him Dhoom movies too though). Specially the storyline of movie is sweet & nice & interesting too. Good Job!!! 

Snow! Snow!! Snow!!!

It's not as fun as it looks in our bollywood movies where in midst of the day or whatever is happening, suddenly the song starts and our hero & heroine are in a beautiful place filled with snow. The hero is wearing big jackets & woolens but our lovely heroine is singing & dancing just in a lovely saree with sleeveless blouse. They sure don't feel cold, do they?? But this awful lot of snow is not as much fun in real. That's what my experience says. It's been snowing last 2 days awfully here with more than 2 feet of snow outside. There was snow outside the door and half of the door was covered. The car was topped with 2 feet snow, all covered. It took me more than 2 hours to clean snow off the car and around to take it out. Streets and roads around the house are not clean ofcourse, we have just cleaned the bare minimums needed to get out of house. Created valley with snow mountains on both the sides. And ofcourse its chilling cold too, unless you are shovelling the snow which makes you hot!! Even the main roads & highways are not clean. The car was sliding on the roads withut any control, just so scary. Read my last blog "Driving in Snow/Ice" for tips to drive in snow. Just planning to sit home and enjoy some bollywood fun with dance in fake snow. Be safe & Take Care!!

blogging every alternate day...

So... as you can see that I am planning to blog every alternate day now... done with everyday (remember my last blog). Everyday blogging didn't help in anyways, no new/more readers, no great feedback/comments. Nothing!! So lets slow down a litle... actually half the speed!! Question is... Why do I write? For myself!! Really?? For you!! REALLY???? Well, I don't think it's such an easy answer. I write for myself, it's my blog. But it's a blog... and I want people to read it, appreciate it (means comment on it and praise it too). January was like a diary entry though. But I remember how it goes with diary entries. I started writing daily diary when I was a kid (yeah, I was a kid once!!) in school. My dad bought me a diary and I was soooooooooo excited, having a personal diary was even better than having a girlfriend. It's yours only, no one else can claim a right to it or even see it without your permission. I used to write every night before sleeping. Write about what happened all day and how was it & what's going on and all that. First few days were very exciting. Then sometimes I forgot but I went back and wrote that day's entries later, even if I didnt remember much, I'll still write something. Later it got even better, I just used to write "woke up in morning, brushed mt teeth, took bath. got ready for school & went to school, day was okay. came back, ate dinner, watched TV & going to sleep... Good Night Diary!!!". YEAH!! This is what happens. Like I write my blogs later by manipulating dates, I do that!! Maybe this one is same, LOL!! And anyways, I am no Amitabh or Shahrukh (yeah, sorry to disappoint you... I bet you didn't know that, lol)that people are interested in what I ate & when I slept. So.... alternate day blogging from now on and lets see how that goes. Thanks for reading and keep visiting... Take Care!!!

Me-Jana

It's a lebanese restaurant in Arlington, VA where I went yesterday. How was it? It was fine. There hummus was not too good though but overall decent food. Service was not excellent though, kinda slow, lazy & not very responsive. Driving to Arlington was not as bad as I thought. Rt 267 (which is toll road of $1.75) was not too busy. But while coming back I took I-66 and it was even better. I was following GPS both the time & it took different ways both times. But GPS are good, really nice actually!! turn by turn direction with spoken strret names. Another women's voice guiding you in your life, right? I remember once I was going with my friend somewhere in VA only. The GPS asked us to make a right. And... there was no right. There was a wall actually on the right. And it kept saying, take right! take right! WTH?? Bump into the wall or what stupid lady... But it mostly works & works really well. I need to buy one soon, any suggestions?? Thanks in advance!!!

blogging everyday...

I've been blogging everyday this month, one blog every single day of the month. 31 blogs in this month, in 31 days. People used to tell me I should be more regular, there should be something new to read everytime someone visits. Really?? Didn't seem to work that well. I am still getting almost same number of readers and No comments at all actually!! Probably quality of my writing has detoriated because of too much writing?? Over working i snot good afterall..... But I wrote some god stuff as always. Anyways.... Thanks for coming & reading and please keep doing that. Bring on more raeders too... & keep commenting. Thanks!!!!

Driving in Snow/Ice

It's been snowing all day today, all day!! When I woke up in morning I saw everything around the house covered with snow, including my car. And it was still snowing with chilly cold out there. I didn't have the snow-scrapper for car so I borrowed it form my housemate & cleaned the car. Took me 10-15 mins because there was so much snow!! I was frezing out there. And then driving in snow, or ice which is worst.. hmmmm!! Few things to take care while driving in snow/ice:

• Drive Slow. Be 10-15 miles below the speed limit and probably drive on the side lane or where you see road with less snow/ice. Don't worry if there's traffic beind you, just go as slow as you feel comfortable.
• Keep distance. Keep enough distance from the car ahead of you, curbs, signs, sidewalks & ofcourse people. If you see people, just slow down or stop & let them pass by.
• Do not apply sudden brakes, apply them slowly. Good to have TCS & ABS at such times.
• Pay attention on the road. No phone calls, distarcting music or anything. You need to know what's happening around you!!.

Being careful while driving in snow/ice is very-very important. I learned that from experience. I bought a snow-scrapper from CVS yesterday for $8 but I might return it as I am not sure if I need to use it. Anyways, Enjoy Snow & Drive Safe... to everyone else, PEACE!!

Charlie Chiang's & Breakers Sky Lounge

I went to Charlie Chiang's at Worldgate for lunch & to Breakers Sky Lounge at Herndon Clock Tower (yeah, same place where the racial profiling stuff happened, read here for details) for dinner. I like Charlie Chaing, they have some Asian-Fusion food includinf some nice Korean, Mangolian, Chinese, Thai etc kind afood. There lunch buffet is like $12 which is fine. The food options are good but they have no decent desserts. Just the lame jelly which I don't like. Breakers is not known for great food, it's a sports bar/lounge afterall. I tried quesadilla (pronounced as 'kussediaa' or /ˌkeɪsəˈdiː.ə/), it was okay. I saw that bartender again & he apologised for that day (the card thing!!). I said it's okay as long as it was not for the wrong reasons!! He said too many young guys come here & he has to be over careful sometimes. I accept his apologies and wul djust take it is a compliment that I look really young (legal age to drink in a bar in US is 21). So that was my day, fooding & fun outside.... Bye!!!

Falana Dhimkana: Kya Aaj Bhi Wo Din Aayega?

For Republic Day, I published a poem on my Falana Dhimkana blog which I wrote more than 12 years back (my 1st kavita), click & read it here & Enjoy!!

Racial Profiling/Discrimination in US, Again!!

I wrote a blog about Racial Profiling 2 days back & here comes another incident today itself. I went to this sports bar called BREAKERS here in Herndon, with my four new friends from my college. I go to the bar & the bartender (a bald young guy, ofcourse white!!) asks me for my ID. I show him my driving license which I got in Kansas. He checks it & denies accepting it saying it doesn’t looks real. What???? Really?????? WTF??????????? A valid driver's license issued by legal US Authorities, the DMV Kansas looks fake to that dumb stupid guy. I mean, really?????? I have had that card for more than 1.5 years and no one, no one ever has questioned it ever. At any damn place!! This is a card issued by US Authorities and any person with even a minute level of intelligence or little brain would and should understand that. But not for a real jerk standing at the bar as a bartender!!!! The douchebag, even denied my friends license from DMV Alabama. What's happening here?? He sees four brown people entering a bar and he doesn’t likes it, right?? Well... I went to the manager and he knew me already as I go there often, he accepted the mistake and said he'll fix it. I don't think he apologized actually, but he was cool. He kinda knows me and was okay. But the reason I am writing this blog is, what is this?? It never even happened in Boston, which I say is the most racist city I have seen. I will go to Breakers again and have fun as usual. But this incident was surprising, annoying and disturbing as well. Didn't expect this in Virginia… That guy, the bartender there tonight, was really @%$#! (I can't think of a bad word which I can write openly) Afterall, This is not our Country!!

Happy Republic Day!!!

Racial Profiling/Discrimination in US... First Time!!

Just thinking here about being of a different race in US, not a white or black or.... I had my first incident of mild Racial Profiling for the first time in USA when I was coming to Virginia from Boston in Amtrak. What happened? I was sitting in train watching movie when a Police Officer suddenly came & asked me, "Can I talk to you for a min, Sir". Yeah, he called me Sir. I said sure & went with him towards the train doors. He asked for my ID & started asking questions about me, where I am form, what I do where am going & why. Tells me that there are lots of police on the train and he's doing a random security check (really?? all the randomness makes you pick just a brown south East Asian guy!!). I answered all his questions and he was noting all that information in a notebook. I said I understand that he's just doing his job for our security and it's okay. He didn't bother me much though & asked how was my first Amtrak ride & I said it was okay (till then!!). Anyways, it wasn’t too bad & mostly it's okay. Boston sucked big time though, seemed like most racist city in world I have seen. These things are part of being a so called Alien. After all, it's not our country!!!! Read more here...

Tyson's Corner... Shopping Malls

I went to Tyson's Corner in Mclean today. It's one of the biggest shopping mall in the area. Tons of shops are squeezed in this huge mall and it seems all full. Tons of maps at every corner so that you don't get lost, they know you can get lost. These super huge malls are really overwhelming. And ususally things are so damn expensive in malls. Specially in India... You can find similar stuff for way less in retail outlets etc. I remmeber the days when there were no malls and we used to go to our town markets (bazaar) and buy stuff at usual stores. The regular bargains and stories of being a regular customer. There was only one mall inDelhi, Ansals Plaza. All the bollywood movies shooting for shopping mall in India, used to go to Ansals. We used to go there sometimes just to hang out. We could not even think of buying stuff there. Just get an ice cream at Mcdonalds usually, or stuff like that. Now there are malls just everywhere.  Malls, Malls & Malls!!!

Resume vs Curriculum Vitae

I didn't know that Resume and Curriculum Vitae (CV) are different. I thought my beautiful 5 page document was a nice resume. Turns out I was wrong!! A resume has to be 1 or 2 pages at max. I found this at my college class, so they are actually teaching us something... Resume is just a short document which summarises your career & experience. CV are more detailed and elaborate. I checked it online and this information is correct. No one ever told me that till now.... Well, I am updating my 5 page CV to 2 page resume now. Also creating a cover letter which I always thought was lame. But I am in job market searching for job now, so I need to all the right things. So this was about my 3rd lecture at college. I went in my car like last week, driving at almost 70 miles/hour (110+ km/hr) on the freeway. Reached there in less than 30 mins cool. Fun of the car, it's nice!! Everything else is nice as well.... Take Care!!

Geico vs Allstate

Just like having a car is fun, so much comes with it. I mean the not-so-fun part. Like the regular money for gas (petrol, you should remember that by now!!); maintenance, decoration, cleaning & everything else. I have been spending money like crazy since I got my car. Decorating it in & out and doing all that. And yes, the Insurance!! When I applied for insurance from ALLSTATE, they said that I do not have any insurance history in US so 1st time it's going to be $1000 for 1st six months which they may reduce later. I bought it knowing nothing. But then I called GEICO. They said they can do he same, or actually better insurance for less than $600. See... Allstate was ripping me off, or whatever. So I bought that & canceled the insurance with Allstate. Hopefully, now I am in good hands (without Allstate). But yeah, its so damn expensive to have a car. I need a job ASAP. Money in my account is going down like anything (what goes down very fast?? our politician's character & moral values maybe)... Everything else is okay. It was raining today & yesterday a lil. Weather is fine & so am I. Take Care!!

Falana Dhimkana: Kharbooje Ka Rang

Another entry on Falana-Dhimaka Blog bout how kharbooja changes the color with other kharboojas. Details later...

Tae-Kwon-Do

I joined martial arts classes today, for Tae-Kwon-Do. I have been looking forward to do some high level cardio for perfect fitness and wanted to go for either Kick-Boxing or Martial Arts. I picked this because it is close to my house for now and I have always had interest in Martial arts (baiscally, become & being called a black-belt). Hopefully it will be nice. One nice thing though.... when I was leaving, the master asked, "Are you driving home?". I said :yes (ofcourse in my new awesome car". He asked me "how old are you?". I said "** (I am not revealing it here)". he said "Ohh, I thought you maybe 16 or something (so not legal to drive)". So.... either the guy (the master/trainer) is too bad of a judge of age, or I look too young. I'll pick the second and just be happy. So, bye for now.... HAAA!!

Rajdhani Temple & Dollar Tree

Today is Tuesday and I keep fast on Tuesdays. For part religious & part health reasons. Religious as in its a day of Lord Hanuman and people fast for that (you'll get a nice husband they say, considering the fact that Hanuman Jee was baal-brhamachaari how exactly does that happenes??). I understand that fasting once a week is good for health. it cleanses body and makes us stronger. I just eat fruits & milk today. No grains specifically and no sugar, salt, spices or any oil/fat as well. I've been doing it for more than an year now and I am quite fit as you know (Really??). I also went to Rajdhani Temple today (3rd time in 4 days, I didn't go even once when I stayed here earlier.. wow!!) and particicpated in Arti/Puja, it was nice. I remember Hanuman Chalisa completely so sung it aloud and other bhajans-keertans as well. Took the prasadam laddu which I can't eat yet as I am on fast (was almost tempted to eat that besan ka laddu, yum!!).

Then went to Dollar Tree. OMG, Dollar Stores suck... why? They have a board at entry that 'pick a cart, because you will need one'. And yeah, the cart was so full by the time I was half done. Everything there is for one dollar, grocery, food, utensils, home stuff, bathroom stuff, decoratives, medicines.. I mean everything!! And I just keep picking stuff seeing it's so cheap so I can definitely find some use for it somewhere. Atleast ends up spending 40-50 dollars. Well, they are not bad as they have some nice stuff for so cheap. Just too bad for someone like me who has addictive shopping, specially at cheap deals or great bargains. Yesterday I did nothing actually. Just cooked my famous Pachranga/Gamda Daal, it was actually nice. Nothing special I think so I'll close for now. Thanks & Take Care... JAI HANUMAN!!

Falana-Dhimkana: Car bina Bekaar, Car mili Sakaar

Click here & read my small & sweet Hindi Poem (Kavita) I wrote on the auspicious occassion of my car purchse on my other awesome blog FALANA-DHIMKANA. Thanks in advance & Enjoy!!

I bought a CAR... Awesome!!

Well, if you read my blogs you would know this already that I bought a Car, my first car in US (if not then click here & read and check out features/pics here). One of the most awesome cars actually. Everybody who has seen it or driven it has just loved it. Some say its like Mercedes, some say Bentley or Jaguar. It is actually a KIA AMANATI. Really an awesome car. As first thing, I took the car to Rajdhani Temple yesterday. My first visit to any temple in Virginia (it was not like the priests and others were just waiting for my visit, no flower shower on me or jai-jaikaar yaar), I never went when I was here earlier for such a long time. Then went to college in my car (not like our bollywood movies though, where I get out of awesome car & just start singing/dancing with 100s of other students joining me in chorus like thats all we have been studying/practising forever), awesome!! And also went to a club later in night in my car (No wonders here as well, I was no star of the night at the club like our heroes who sing/dance better than those poor paid performers of that place). Well, all accomplished, lol.... I am so happy to have a car and that too such an awesomely (is that even a word?) great one, really just Awesome!!

Kia Amanti, my Car's features & PICS...

Features: 2nd Row Bench Seat with accessible trunk, 4-Wheel ABS/TCS, 4-Wheel Disc Brakes, AM/FM Stereo, Adjustable Steering Wheel, Alarm, Aluminum Alloy Wheels, Auto-Off Headlights, Auto-On Headlights, Auxiliary Power 4 Outlet (front, mid & rear), CD player with 6 CD Changer, Cassette, Child Safety Locks, Climate Control, Cup holders (front & rear), Digital display at dashboard (external/internal temperature, trip statistics, left fuel/miles, current mileage, average speed etc plus day/date/time), Leather Seats & Interior with wooden finish, Cruise control, Driver Air Bag, Driver Lumbar, Dual Zone A/C (individual control for driver, passenger & rear), Emergency Trunk Release, Fog Lamps, Front Floor Mats, Front Reading Lamps, Front Wheel Drive, Full Size Spare Tire, Heated Exterior Driver Mirror, Heated Exterior Passenger Mirror, Heated Mirrors, Heated Seats, Keyless Entry, Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel, Pass-Through Rear Seat, Passenger Air Bag, Power Door Locks, Power Driver Mirror, Power Driver Seat (with two memories), Power Passenger Mirror, Power Passenger Seat, Power Steering, Power Sunroof/Moonroof, Power Windows (all fully automatic), Premium sound system (by Infinity), Rear Body Air Bag, Rear Floor Mats, Rear Head Air Bag, Rear Seat Heat Ducts, Remote Trunk Release, Remote fuel-lid release, Side Air Bag, Side Head Air Bag, Steering Wheel Controls (music/sound, cruise etc), Tires - Front All-Season, Tires - Rear All-Season, Vehicle Anti-Theft System and many more....

My CAR

First Car in US

Another first amongst so many in my life these days... Turns out the biggest news of the year till now is "I bought a Car". What? Yeah, I finally found a car today and bought it as well, today itself. Really? Yes, really. Wow!! When? Today ofcourse, as I just said. Ahh, okay. How? Hmmm, went to a dealer, saw the car & just loved it. Then I drove it and loved it even more. Metallic silver color big car, can fit 5 people comfortably. With all leather interiors, wooden finish, all power, all automatic, front & rear seat AC, driver passenger dual climate control sunroof, premium sound, ABS/TCS, Airbags, & on top a V6 3.5 engine. There is so much I am still missing to say. I mean it has just everything I could think of, a real luxury car. So I just bought it today. I can't believe I did it. Can you? LoL, Congrats Rahul... Thanks!!

Happy Makar Sankranti!!!

Makar Sankranti is celbrated all over India with many different names. In Uttar Pradesh it's called "Khichdi", in Punjab its "Lohri", in Andhra it's "Bhogi", in Assam it's Bihu, in Tamil Nadu it's "Pongal", in Gujrat it "Uttarayan" and many such different names in diferent states of India (if you didn't know, there are 28 states in India). It's basicaly a harvesting festival where people come together and celbrate the harvest or just celebrate (cuz not many farners these days but we all love to celebrate). Every place has there own rituals & ways actually. But I remember it as the day of eating lots of nice stuff like ghazak, gudpatti, chikki, moongfali with revari and what not, mmmmmm (I am getting water in my mouth while writing this). Ofourse missed all that being here in USA but I did my first cooking here this year and enjoyed myself. However just had one meal s didn't get time to cook whole day because my car search being on. But eveing food of awesome egg-curry was finally great. Well everyone, HAPPY SANKRANTI!!

Happy Lohri!!

Lohri reminds me of the nice lohri campfire and great music playing really loud, dancing around, throwing groundnut & popcorn into it and just having fun. Specially in Delhi or in Punjab where this is a major festival. Traditionally, by the end of the first week of January, small groups of boys go ringing doorbells and chanting some kind of doggerel with each line ending in “HOYE” (in chorus). Lohri songs are rhymed nonsense, at times very funny. For example:

Saalee paireen juttee

Jeevey Sahib dee kuttee

Kuttee no nikalya phoraa

Jeevey sahib da ghora

Ghorey uttay kaathee

Jeevey sahib da haathee

Haathee maarya padd

Dey maaee daanya da chajj

(My sister-in-law has slippers on her feet/ Long may live the Sahib’s bitch./ The bitch developed a sore/ Long live the Sahib’s horse./ The horse has a saddle/ Long live the Sahib’s elephant/ The elephant let out a loud fart/ It gave the old woman a start.) Happy Lohri to all my Readers. Have fun!!

Dulla & Lohri Song

I lost my map...

Yeah, I mean the visitor map... where it used to show millions and billions of my visitors (I can say any number I want now). Turns out yesterday they archived it because I had completed an year with them. Ummmm.. I can understand that I guess. Just keep on adding red dots to that map & all what will be left soon is just red dots and no map (maybe not with the nuber of visits I used to get). Why is it important?? To see who all are visting you and from where, to cater to taste of your audience, to brag about your number of visits on the blog (if it's good, or just lie if you can)... but honestly just because it's cool to have it. Well as anything else, or manythings else... a new vistor map has started and hope it does even better than the last one. Until then, Thanks a lot all my dear visitors & readers!!

First lecture/class of College in US

I had my first lecture/class for my MS course today (Saturday, 01/09 actually. So it is technically yesterday but I am still up tonight!!). How was it?? Ummmm.. let's see. Turns out there is no public conveyence on weekends in the area where I live in Herndon. Only one bus runs i.e. Fairfax connector 950, and I am not on there route. What do they expect? That no one dares to go anywhere on the weekends in my area? Or we can work on weekdays but just sit at home in wekeends, unless I have a car or enough money to take a cab/taxi? I don't know... Again, my friends came to my rescure and my dear friend Harish picked/dropped me for today. So... I need a car or need to change the place. Considering the fact that I found this place after so much trouble & pain (everything I do is a lot of pain & effort ofcourse!!), I'll try to stick to the place for now and look for a Car. That's the dilemna of living in US, you NEED a CAR. You can only survive without a car in Big Cities, like New York or Boston or Chicago or maybe DC. That too only if you have to travel or commute inside the city. As soon as you step out side the city you are lost...

Well.. the first class was fine actually. No ragging for sure, that's an Indian thing it seems.Bad thing is I won't get to rag my juniors as well. The classrooms were usual and our first class was actually in the library. The young professor introduced us to hismelf and the course. He just took 1 hour out of 4 hours allocated to him so we got free early. There was only half attendance which was surprising but cool. He said that he'll usually take 2 hour classes only & I am happy about that too. Nothing special again though. Just a cool day... Take Care!!

Falana Dhimkana: Veer

Well, this is not about Sallu's movie Veer, this is about the great poem we read in school called "Veer tum badhe Chalo" by Dwarkaprasad Maheshwari. Isn't it just easy to sit & write such motivational () poems but not do anything yourself, lol. Anyways, poem is nice so click here & read it on my other blog Falana-Dhimkana.

Found a place & moved

After my huge efforts (everything I do is considered a HUGE effort afterall) for searching a place to live in VA, I finally found a place here in Herndon and moved. Rent is $410 with all utilities (water, electricity etc are considered as utilities). Found this place on Craigslist, whcih is a townhouse (basically an individual house, not an apartment) with 3 bedrooms & I'll have one of the bedrooms. Bathroom, Kitchen, Dining room, Living Room etc is shared between the three housemates. Just moved tonight, lets see how it goes....

Searching for a place to live in Virginia/DC

Its my 5th day in VA now & last day of the first week of year 2010. The next struggle is to find a place to live. Craigslist & sulekha.com is the place to do it, not like old days when we need to wander looking for "To-Let" signs (which we used to think of as Toilet, lol). I did it recently in Boston & managed to find a place somehow where I survived for a month.... I mean lived for a month. It was actually fair enough. had nice roommates, decent place, a bed of my own in a room of my own (living room actually, but designated to me. how cool is that!!). The days of corporate living are gone, where I had 1 or even 2 bedroom fully furnished apartments (I mean really furnished, with everything from bed, linens, drawers, sofas, TV, everything in kitchen... i mean just everything for a luxury housing) just for me. With latest corporate cars from corporate rental with gas (in US, petrol is called gas. As we kow that they like to do things different from rest of the world) paid as well. So those days are gone & the new days are on, Full-On!!

Falana-Dhimakana: Taste of Iron

How do words evolve into a poem,

Look, try to identify...

Man himself, tangled in the web of letters.

Did you hear...

Is it the sound of iron Or blood spilled on the soil?

Don’t ask the blacksmith about the taste of iron...

Ask the horse, who has it in his mouth.

Transalation of a Hindi poem (kavita) by "Dhoomil", read my other blog FAlANA-DHIMAKANA for more...

First Day of College in US....

I thought this would be a long & special blog, but..... Yesterday was first day of college actually, in US.... first day of college again after almost 10 years (you think I must be sooooooo OLD)... wow!! can you imagine how it was?? ummmmm... lame!! lol!!! i mean nothing special really.... All day wasted in orientation & registration, picking courses, paying fee & all that..... long day actually!! Why do they have so much paper work & form filling on first days. In school, in colege, in job, in anywhere... why?? (What do you expect, just take people in without any paper work & proof etc, just because they want it??) I have opted for weekend classes, so next/first class is on this Saturday. That's it, nothing else to tell.... it was just a fair day!! The First Day of College in US....

Falana-Dhimkana: Itni Shiddat Se

Itni shiddat se tujhe paane ki maine koshish ki hai,
Ki har lamhe ne mujhe tujhse milaane ki saazish ki hai.
(For more click & read here on my new blog, Falana-Dhimkana)

Boston to DC.... my first Amtrak Tour!!

So I moved to Virginia... Why I say DC? Arrey yaar, to go to VA (where I live, now) I need to go to Union Station at Washington DC and I am 30 mins away from there. So I took my first Amtrak ride from South Station in Boston. I had 5 bags: 3 large bags, one carry on bag each 50+ lbs & one laptop bag which was 20+ lbs (My backpack laptop bag's awesome & I use it like anything for my travels). Amtrak allows two 50 lbs 21" bags as carry on & three 50 lbs 36" bags for check in (larger bags but still same weight as carry on even for check in, huh!! But I managed to squeeze 50+ in all bags. & It's awesome thing considering the fact how much I suck at packing :). You need to check in your bags 30 mins before departure & as usual I was late by few mins (when was the last time I was on time?? I guess I was born on time as expected.. or not!!!). So, they didn't let me check-in my bags, all requests were useless on those american Amtrak ears. However, they allowed me to take all those bags as carry on... so nice of them naa!! But... imagine carrying 5 heavy bags alone in a train as carry ons, UGH!!! But the amazing me managed to do that, I got all the bags in the coach by myself & placed them (they have really huge compartments to place bags there, i guess they make everyone carry check ins as carry ons), got a seat close by to my luggae, doors & toilet too (you can sit anywhere you want, no assigned seats). Amtrak ride is okay, fine seats & all that. They even have power ports so I plugged my laptop & watched two movies, Blue (it was just okay, 5/10. they spent hell lot of money on under water scenes, special effects maybe & start cast but forgot to put in the story properly I guess. Ohh, it turns out they had American writers for this, lol!!) and Moon (was fine, 7/10. they had american writers heer too probably but it was interesting concept about deranged clones working on moon). The train reached DC at time in morning and I got my luggage out of coach by myself. On the platform I got a Red-Cap (they are like porters/bellboy & help to carry your luggage on a big trolley and they wear red caps). He kept my luggage on trolley & took me to the gate (I tipped him $5, yeah I did that) where I waited for my friend to pick me up. I don't understand one thing though, why the hell they don't have trolleys on train stations. They allow so many heavy bags as luggage but don't think people would need a trolley to carry those bags, WTF?? Well... My friend Harish came up to pick me 7 o'clock in morning in the damn cold of DC, thanks!! Like my friends Emon & Anand came to drop me at Station in Boston; that's what real friends are for, thanks guys!!

Also I had my first incident of mild Racial Profiling for the first time in USA. What happened? I was sitting in train watching movie when a Police Officer suddenly came & asked me, "Can I talk to you for a min Sir". I said sure & went with him towards the train doors. He asked for my ID & started asking questions about me, where I am form, what I do where am going & why. Tells me that there are lots of police on the train and he's doing a random security check (really?? all the randomness makes you pick just a brown south east asian guy!!). I answered all his questions and he was noting all that information in a notebook. I said I understand that he's just doing his job for our security and it's okay. He didn't bother me much though & asked how was my first Amtrak ride & I said it was okay (till then!!). Anyways, overall it was a decent ride & decent experience on Amtrak. I finally moved to VA & lets see what happens next, lets just keep our fingers crossed & hope for the best!!! Well, the question is why do we cross our fingers & what does it do??? lol.... bye friends & thanks for stopping by!!!

NYE celebrtion in Boston & leaving MA to VA for MS in IT... Cool Naa!!

So, what's this (actually, the previous blog)?? Just webdings fonts saying "HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010!!!!!!!!!!", cool naa!! However the direct link takes you to my new awesome blog "Falana-Dhimkana" about poetry & prose by me or liked by me, started this new year..... So, what did I do for new year? I went to Boston's First Night Celebration. Wasn't bad, it was nice actually. Thay had lots of shows (like bhangra dance, bands, music, improv comedy etc) at Hynes Convention Center. All you needed was the Button ticket for the Event which was $18. I got it for $5 only by buying it from another person, cool naa!! Then they had some band performing at Boston Commons as well, which was kinda lame but okay (means I like lame, huh!!). But they had lots of Ice Sculptures all over the city which was really cool (now what the hell do you expect, ice sculptures to be hot?? huh!!). I like ice sculptures & sand sculptures too, cool naa!! Then went to a Nightclub after midnight. And as expected, the club was full but lame as always (& I didn't like it which means I dint like lame, huh!!). Boston Nightclubs are lame & I hate them & Boston too. But the NYE in MA (Massachusetts, such a tough word that I can never get it right without spell check. Even now, huh!!) was good, cool naa!!
So... many of you might be thinking. What next? What am I doing? (if not then please do think yaar, read this). I am moving to Virginia (VA). I'll be doing MS there in IT. Why Virginia? Because I like Virginia, i love it. I spent long time there in 2007-08. Sweet memories, lots of friends, goood place. Why MS in IT? Because that seemed most suitable thing to do right now for me, that's it. I am moving tomorrow so details will follow soon. Till then wish me luck & Thanks... cool naa!!

An Year Starts... HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010!!!!!!!!!!

An Year Ends with Last day at Job... Goodbye 2009!!!!!!!!

An year ends where so much happened, so much!! Today was my last day at work, I resigned from my current job... How does it feels? Well, it's not a national disaster or natural calamity and you are no TV reporter to ask that. And I brought it onto myself, a well thought decision. But it does feels lil sad, a pinch in the heart. I joined on July 24, 2006. I remember the 1st day, even the day of interview & the excitedness (is that even a word??) of getting this job. And then spending these 3.5 yrs filled with adventure (IT adventure), fun, sometimes pain/sorrow/anger (you know who/what I am talking about) and all that. I got a lot here... training, knowledge, experience, support & people's love. There must have been some hatred too probably, I don't really hate anyone though (I am such a saint, right!!). I'll miss it... probably not... maybe a lil.. umm, I don't think so. The life moves on & so do we. And we keep on adding such shining memories and we carry on the rewards of such excellent experiences all through our life.

What else happened... I learnt Trading & Risk Management which gave birth to my TRM Blog (who no one reads & even I don't care about it either). Came to Boston & found out that I hate Boston (Finally I said it.... I really do, umm, maybe not. But I don't like it for sure). One of the meanest & rudest & coldest people I have met. And one of the coldest weather I have seen (Is it because of cold weather? There brain gets frozen or something!!). No fun here atall!! Well, you can find lots of information about my '2009' at my blogs here, I wrote 75 blogs this year. More than 3.5 times increase than last year's 21. The best thing about 2009... My dad came to Boston (US) and lived with me for almost a month. It was one of the best times I have had in a long time. It was really fun. We hanged out in Boston & also went to DC & New York. It was really different from being alone or even being at home in India. A nice awesome experience... I was almost tempted to go back to India but I resisted the temptation to pursue my goals & plans. 2009 was a fine year.

Goodbye 2009!!!!!!!!!

3333 visits...

3333 visits since Jan 9, 2009. Almost an year, lil less actually. Very small number in the blogging world, but I am still really happy. For myself & you, who read this. I'll try to do a better job of writing and maintaining this blog for me, you & all of us. & just to say... THANKS!!!. Now enough of my crappy speech for 3333 visits (What the hell will I do when I get Oscar, Filmfare, Bharat Ratna, Nobel etc. God save the world from my speech!!). Visits from 78 different countries (yeah, I counted them, I do not even know name of these many countries) with 1794 visits from India (my home) & 929 from US (& my 2nd home); then major visits from UK, Canada, Philippines, UAE, Australia, Singapore & Pakistan too (with 18 visitors, wonder how they stumbled on my blog. just kidding, you should visit more too). And 1 visit each from 20 countries like Estonia & Malta (didn't know there were countries with that name). 1 visit from Afgahnistan too, is it Osama?? LOL... I am talking like these number are so precise/exact and I am doing some Statastical Analysis (that's a damn tough word right there). Whatever, I really need to shutup now!!!
So, let's see... What have I been doing lately... As most of you know (or should know, read my blogs yaar!!) I watched 3 movies in theater (not theatre, it's british. you think I am wrong, read here) last weekend (3 Idiots, Avatar & Sherlock Holmes) but what else I did?? I watched 5 more movies at home, yeah!! Hey wait... 1st today's sad story... I lost $80 check (yeah, in US they call it check & not cheque, you won't ask for proof again, I am wikipedia guy!!). How?? I had put it in my front pocket to deposit it & now I can't find it. So it must have dropped somewhere. How much it sucks!! Why do we lose stuff, important stuff (like money, or whatever??). Why does it happens? & Why does it happens to me?? That's what most of us think. I am really disappointed at me... & god too. Ofcourse. That's the point of being a believer, you can always blame god for all the bad things. Right? Why did you do this to me?? But... it could have been worse. I could have lost more, or something more precious. Again the benefit of being a believer, or maybe to console yourself I guess. What happened, it happened to avert something worse... what a thought!! Ugh.. where am I heading here... Lets just go back to movies.
So, I watched 5 movies. 9, District 9, Paranormal Activity, The Final Destination, & UP (this ain't Uttar Pradesh friend, that's my birth place though. & both the UPs are awesome!!). They were from average to good, nothing excellent or too bad. My ratings will be like 5, 7, 6, 5 & 8 (like anybody cares, lol. well map them to movies if you care & watch em too). Tomorrow is New Year's Eve/Night. I am in Boston so let's see what I do. Maybe I'll go to Boston First Night, or something. Until then.... have fun, be safe & enjoy... Happy New Year 2009 in advance... oops(I actually did this mistake somewhere else too)!! In advance, Happy New Year 2010!!(& Hey, do not forget to click here & watch this awesomely nice Christmas video as well!!)

Sherlock Holmes (2009 Movie)

Avatar & Sherlock Holmes both in one day and were actually nice & fun. How two movies in one day? Just buy ticket for one watch that and then go into the next movie at which ever screen it's playing. I always thought of it but never did it, but turns out couple of my friends and lots of people do that here. Pay for one & watch as many as you can. It's like paying once for cold-drink (or soda as they call in US) & then refilling as many times as you like. No one asks anything so you can do it & enjoy, free-will!!

Sherlock Holmes is cool, Robert is a very nice actor & has done a good job. Especially Jude Law as Dr Watson is very good (he looks more like Sherlock Holmes though). The movie does not exactly represents what you might have thought of Holmes by reading the books, looks lil different. That was expected as it's a Guy Ritchie movie afterall. But it's definitely interesting & visually stunning as well (the fight on bridge is great). I wasn't sure of Lord Blackwood as he's not a character from real stories (more of a character because of Holme's interest in cult) but seems Professor Moriarty will be back in upcoming sequels. Finally I would say: 7/10.

AVATAR (2009 3D Movie)

I was actually excited but doubtful about Avatar, because of it's video game looking character & so much hype. But undoubtedly James Cameron is a great director & film-maker. The movie had some visually stunning scenes & effects, i really liked Pandora & loved the Na'vis. But the best thing is that the movie has a story, that too an interesting & nice one. It feels surprising that while watching the movie, when do we leave humans side & get on to the Alien's side. As the colonel said, how does it feels to betray your own race!! Finally I would say: 9/10

Well... this weekend has been a movie watching weekend with three movies I watched in theater & all turned well. Except that, I have been watching Flashforward at home (on hulu.com) and I like that too, waiting for more!!

Merry Christmas 2009 & Happy Holidays!!!

3 Idiots (2009 Movie)

I watched it & I liked it. Aamir has done a great job in his role of Rancho, looks young & acts young. His body language is amazing as well. He perfectly suits in the role of a young rebel student who wants to gain knowledge to become educated and not just a literate. Madhvan & Sharman as his freinds have done a great job in there own roles. Madhavn is one of the most under-rated actors in north. He's a great actor (I remember him from the days of Sea-Hawks on DD) and still not very successful in main leads. He suits his role of undecided youngster who wants to be a photographer but parents want him to be an engineer (it always happens in India, doesen't it??).Sharman is great in these kind of suporting roles. He's talented and also lucky that he's getting such great opportunities with Amir (remember RDB) and he always keeps upto it. His tragic family drama of poor family, working mother, unwed sister showed in Black & White is really funny. Kareena looks great and knows how to act (when she gets the right director) and usually good at over-acting roles. Boman is our next Ashok Kumar, great comedic timing and good in character roles as well. He suits the role of Strict Dean (again after Munnabhai, not as funny but nice!!). What was Javed Jaffrey & Mona Singh (aka Jassi)doing? Is this her big break?? Overall a very suited cast and well performed by everyone. And Yeah, Omi Vaidya is a good surprise package, looks good as both young & old Chatur and very balanced acting, good job!! the story line is good sarcastic view of the education system where we just want to make students cram & get good grades even if they learn anything or not. Knowledge is not as important as Degrees. Rajkumar Hirani is really good, knows how to make a nice fun movie with social message but still maintain the entertainment value, lots of drama & overacting at places but all planned & part of fun (well the child delievry was lil over the top though). Looking forward for Munnabhai-3.

So, I really liked it!! Nice take on Chetan Bhagat's novel (it was an adaption of Five Point Someone, right??) or on today's India's education System? Sweet music? Movie that gives you enjoyment but still makes you really think at the end? Finally I would say: 8.5/10. You know, I took the Idiot Exam on the movie's website & scored full. Passed all the semesters/rounds with great scores. Am I an Idiot? A genius Idiot?? LOL!!

I got fooled... by myself!!!

I know, some of you might be very happy to hear this, that I got fooled & that too by myself. You would be thinking that it's obvious that it should happen to me. What am I talking about?? Well... turns out I have some haters too. How do I know?? People making hate comments on my blog. Really!! It's so sweet n cool!! Why?? Firstly... when people start hating you & criticizing you, it means you are making progress in life. Secondly... it's amusing to see that people have so much time to waste there energy on me for negative things. I mean I don't have enough time & energy to hate anyone, what good does that do except giving me extra tension. But... it's cool. The point is I accept that I got fooled by myself. But I am only a human, or am I??

I am a Man... who's actually a Woman.... who's actually a Horse!!!

I left from work at 6 today and was expecting to reach home in 30-40 mins as usual. I got on the metro train from Park Street to Davis Square (here's the link to the metro plan). I had my awesome Sony-Walkman with cool noise isolating headphones on. Enjoying some new songs I got from Dulha Mil Gaya & Pyaar Impossible. Songs are actually nice, but I loved songs from Radio... (yeah Himesh haters, I again like his music & voice. It's think its still lil nazal but with a new pinch!!). Well, Davis square is 6 stops away from Park Street & Central Square & Harvard square are on the way respectively. The train came really late today, I waited almost half an hour for train at Park Street. I got on to train & kept enjoying my loud musinc with no outside noise disturbing me, so I was really in the rhythm & mood shaking my head & tapping my feet. By the time we reached Central Square, I saw that there were 2 girls sitting next to me and they were looking at me & smiling too. Seemed like one was about to say something but just didn't, I was lil happily surprised. I thought they might be liking my music (if they can hear) or linking my style of listening to music or maybe they just like me. Again, the train was taking long pauses at the station today but I was happy enjoying my new music (& the company of 2 pretty girls). The train reached Harvard Square and it seemed the girl said something to me but I didn't pay attention (why did i do that??). Now both of girls were looking at me enjoying my music & smiling. It took long time for the doors to open this time &the girls got off with all other people. Few people got it but the train kept standing for long time & I kept enjoying music further (not thinking of those girls!!). Now the door closes & the train starts heading back... yes, the train starts heading back to Park Street. I was like, what the hell happened?? Am I dreaming or what??. It's already 1.5 hrs almost for a 30 mins ride & now this. I immediately took off my headphones & got off at Central Square really pissed. But now I hear the announcement that there is some technical problem (or derailment) because of which trains are not going ahead of Harvard Square & they are running free shuttle-bus from there to Davis Square. They kept making that announcement at regular intervals. I had to wait another 30 min for next train to arrive & they had announcement playing in train too (with sincere apologies from MBTA & asking for patience!!). So... it turns out that the announcement was on all the time & I was just not ready to hear. Even when (supposedly) those girls tried to tell me. I just kept plying cool & enjoying the music. It totally costed me 3 hrs to reach home because of all this. It happens though, humans do mistakes & I am just a human... or am I??

I am a Man.... who's actually a Woman.... who's actually a Horse!!!

Boston is really bad, COLD...

Today with the maximum temperature of 28 degrees & minimum of 9, you can understand what I am talking about. Ohh, I am talking in Fahrenheit & not Celsius, so it is -2 max & -13 min. And with the wind & chill factor, it actually feels 10-15 degrees worse. I am not sure why in US it's called Fahrenheits. Like why is it Miles & not Kilometers, Gallons & not Litres, Pounds & not Kilograms... just WHY??? US likes to be different, or something like that. Well, I am getting used to both now, so it's not bad. But either it's 32 degree Fahrenheit or 0 degree Celsius, both are freezing. And so are the Boston winters. And n top of that it rains & snows too. Roads are getting bad, you can't walk easily with snow & ice & water all around; gotta be very careful. And the freezing wind makes any open part of body just dead numb. Like hands when they come out of pocket/gloves, or poor face which is always exposed. An 85+ degrees on AC is also not helping the cold room. I guess snow & snowfall are only so beautiful in Indian movie songs when the poor actress is running around in a sari or skirt with the guy draped in jackets or coats. They are singing, dancing & enjoying it and so do we. But not in real here, you just want to get hell out of it, or get it over with. Sunnier days are even worse, it looks from inside home that it would be sunny & warm or atleast less cold. But the moment you step out not well prepared, it's damn freezing. I have been fooled so many times by sunny outlook. Boston winters are really bad & COLD!!

Koshish Karne Waalon Ki Kabhi Haar Nahi Hoti...

लहरों से डर कर नौका पार नहीं होती,
कोशिश करने वालों की कभी हार नहीं होती।

नन्हीं चींटी जब दाना लेकर चलती है,
चढ़ती दीवारों पर, सौ बार फिसलती है।
मन का विश्वास रगों में साहस भरता है,
चढ़कर गिरना, गिरकर चढ़ना न अखरता है।
आख़िर उसकी मेहनत बेकार नहीं होती,
कोशिश करने वालों की कभी हार नहीं होती।

डुबकियां सिंधु में गोताखोर लगाता है,
जा जा कर खाली हाथ लौटकर आता है।
मिलते नहीं सहज ही मोती गहरे पानी में,
बढ़ता दुगना उत्साह इसी हैरानी में।
मुट्ठी उसकी खाली हर बार नहीं होती,
कोशिश करने वालों की कभी हार नहीं होती।

असफलता एक चुनौती है, इसे स्वीकार करो,
क्या कमी रह गई, देखो और सुधार करो।
जब तक न सफल हो, नींद चैन को त्यागो तुम,
संघर्ष का मैदान छोड़ कर मत भागो तुम।
कुछ किये बिना ही जय जय कार नहीं होती,
कोशिश करने वालों की कभी हार नहीं होती।

- हरिवंशराय बच्चन

Mat Kaho Aakaash Mein Kuhra Ghana Hai...

मत कहो, आकाश में कुहरा घना है, यह किसी की व्यक्तिगत आलोचना है ।

सूर्य हमने भी नहीं देखा सुबह से, क्या करोगे, सूर्य का क्या देखना है ।

इस सड़क पर इस क़दर कीचड़ बिछी है, हर किसी का पाँव घुटनों तक सना है ।

पक्ष औ' प्रतिपक्ष संसद में मुखर हैं, बात इतनी है कि कोई पुल बना है ।

रक्त वर्षों से नसों में खौलता है, आप कहते हैं क्षणिक उत्तेजना है ।

हो गई हर घाट पर पूरी व्यवस्था, शौक से डूबे जिसे भी डूबना है ।

दोस्तों ! अब मंच पर सुविधा नहीं है, आजकल नेपथ्य में संभावना है ।

- दुष्यन्त कुमार