Point of Reflection

Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment.

The Bong Geek Torture

Recently we had a new joinee  who has been allocated the seat, an open cube which is perpendicular to my cube..

Currently there has been a lot migration of bong geeks from Kolkatta.

Which is all good. More power to the Bongs and for a change it is nice to hear a language which I love to speak and I love to be.  In all its glory of food, human discomforts and general bong advice.

So it was all nice to here a familiar tone talking familiar subjects.  But slowly it started to really get on to my nerves.

I like to think I am a ok kind of tolerant soul unless my trigger is set off right from the start. At least as I am growing in years the tolerant quota is slowly but surely increasing.

I repeat. I like to think that about myself.  It could totally be an illusion. :)

I think its been about 3 odd months or less and my level of patience is in the process of drying up.

I tried venting it out by posting in Facebook and Twitter thinking that my frustration would get over.

Phone call 1 : ( assuming he is talking to his wife)

Almost everyday as we start work.. this has got to be a trend…

hello : ki korcho. Pujo shesh. Appel ta kheye niyo. ( what are you doing ? Puja over ?? Have that apple)

This continues to when he will have lunch and when he will be back.

Phone call 2 : ( Tata Sky )

Getting all excited, his house got a tata sky, he calls his wife and tells her over the phone what to say to the Tata sky guy.

Amake khali Bangla channel lage. oke bolo this and that and this.. ( I want only Bangla channel and tell him this and that)

and the conversation goes on loudly for some time.

Phone call to his friends : This individual has got decent amount of friends who he regularly calls. Methinks that his group are all migrating from Kolkatta.

So he calls and talks to one of his friend. Telling him about himself and how he is settling down. Then he asks, where he got the job. The friend answers. And then he does not stop at that.

Accha bol to, tor salary koto. ( tell me how much salary are you getting ?? )

The friends hmms and hawwwss.. ( I am assuming)

Now our pal is not satisfied. He goes on asking about his salary.. I think he asks about 4 to 5 times.  Till he gets an answer and typically says..

Eito !! if you would have asked me before negotiating, I would have given you a higher figure. You have to bargain for it.

And on and on and on..

Recently, one of his friend is leaving his job I think… and our pal goes on and on convincing him why he should not leave and since he is married, he should think about both of them..

Blah blah blah !!!!!

Phone call on Vomit : ( yes that is there too)

One morning he picks up the phone and tells in a weak voice that he cannot go to lunch with him that day since he has vomitted some number of times. Goes on to relay when he puked.. and how many times.

And how he had some food over the weekend and it went haywire..

and thats why he says he will have to be careful

Phone call on ticket cancellation : ( this is a funny one)

Now this is what happens when we do too much of “Jugad”. Dont know the word in Bengali. This bugger calls up a friend to cancel  one of his tickets or some of his tickets via train to Kolkatta.  He sits in a no worry mode where things will be taken care of.

Then he gets a call that  the job is done and ALL the tickets have been canceled.

He is shocked and does not know what to say. Keeps soclding the fellow and immediately calls his wife to relay this new turn of events. And he keeps bemoaning this fact on and on.

Finally he decides to book plane ticket..

I could not help but giggle silently while on the other hand being frustrated at yet again having been privy to this conversation.

Phone call on his breakfast : ( “deem shidho” – boiled eggs)

One day he went on and on about his food and boiled eggs and fish and boiled eggs and fish and boiled eggs and fish

I was like hungry just listening to him talk so much and me is not very happy when hungry and there is no food.

Buhahahah !!! :) :):)

When does this bugger work ?? If he talks from morning to afternoon to evening..

So after listening to his private ins and out and his so called meanderings between friends, family and his food habits.. and his loving concern for the “aappel” that his wife has to have everyday..I talked to another Bong Manager who is a good pal as well and sits on the other side of the cube and told him to help me out.. by telling him to keep it down and to take a conference room

Seriously I really dont need to hear or form an opinion about someone’s personal life and their doings..

I am ok with bits and pieces of phone conversation which we all have during the day. It does not invade..

But to go on and on and on and on .. after a while, it takes me away from my work and the mind gets stuck into that which is no business of mine.. :)

FINALLY today !!! there is quiet and limited quiet conversation.

Thank you Bangali Babu.. !!

Appreciate it  !! I can work in peace..

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Ahoy !!

and BANG we are in the beginning of a new week.

Weekend went off well.. I loved playing hooky around town..

Drove aimlessly went from one point to another.. window shopping never seemed so playful..or exhausting.. I think I have a thing for shoes.. he he he!!

200px-Wake_up_sidWake up Sid was just the right movie for the weekend. Armed with my caramel popcorn and Frooti, I went up to my seat and settled down without expecting much from the movie.. I am still warming up to Ranbir Kapoor. So I loved the way Ayan Mukerji played out the tale.. Nothing strong, nothing sensual, just life and sometimes, one would remember the days we went through during that phase of our life when we were carefree..

I loved the decor and the costumes for the movie.. I infact loved Sid’s T shirts.. I am sure Rocky would have loved it too since he is a super hero and comic book fan.. I need to figure out where to get these T shirts now..

Konkona Sen was a little cold and I did not see the chemistry happening always but for some parts. Maybe it was deliberate and maybe it wasn’t but it did not pull one away from the story. Her tone of the role in this movie reminded me of Luck by Chance somewhat.. I dont know why though.. !!

All in all it was a no brainer, light and flirty story which pleased the senses  and well left you feeling kinda light.. as well.

But if one compares it to similar films like Dil Chahta Hai, Jaane Tu…,  I would still give a Thumbs up for Dil Chahta hai.. It had woven the story better.. but maybe it caught the attention because it was new.. and fresh..and paved the way for similar movies.. so Wake up Sid in effect would not be an invention but a carry forward of something which started and sustained the attention of the urban youth and life of the urban youth..

Having said that I am glad that it did not have music that grated on the ears. Its divine to hear the classical touch to modernism. Like in Luck by Chance, we had this lovely song Sapno se bhari naina.., we have Iktara here..

And also lyrics which had some relevance to the movie..

Some thoughts

With the festivals coming up one after the other, its good if we make some time to give to the ones who deserve your kindness.  I am sure we do this everyday in some way or the other, but yes if we consciously do it, it makes it all the more worthwhile. In Buddhism, the art of giving is defined as giving something which is very precious to you to someone who you would like to have it. Its difficult to do that sometimes. We usually think about buying the best for us and of course what we think is best for others.. :)

Sometimes, its nice to try and give your friends something which you think is best for you.

Having said that, its always important that while you give, be aware that you are open to receive what others have in store for you.

I have seen with myself and many people that we have this feel good factor with giving and doing things for others but when it comes to ourselves, we are very closed about receiving whatever our friends and strangers give us.

So have that thought of balancing it out..

Give as well as receive.. a hug, a listen, a compliment, a smile..some sweets,

It warms one from inside out.. and then it is worth completing that art.. :)

I found that when I travel to US the best thing about that place is that at work or at a marketplace.. is that people make the effort of saying Hi and smile and exchange common courtesy which makes one feel really nice..

Now do that in India.. you might just be slammed for eve teasing.. hahahaha !! :)

Even if you try smiling at someone for the heck of it, they look at you weirdly.. LOL..

Yes. I tried it and I got loads of frowns or ” who are you”  kind of look .. I look the other way.. and walk away..

But sometimes, I do get a response and it does warm the heart..

have a good week people !!!

3 Comments »

its friday.. wheeee

Well I just felt like shouting that..

The mind per say is a funny tool.. when one least expects it, there are some ping pong which plays up BANG comes up the impulses..

So well I acted on it and I am happy.. he he.. I love listening to my impulses..

The serious part encouraged me to try Ayurveda so went and enrolled myself for a treatment..

Methinks that its always good to take care of oneself.. and since I have not tried Ayurveda.. well lets do it.. and I did it..

And now I have some weird tasting medicines to take in the morning and the doc has promised me of some deep rooted recovery.. or whatever.

Now I am not a fan of medicines specially of the Allopathy nature.. but yes.. natural remedies always is good. .

The doc was good and the treatment sounds encouraging..

It did burn a hole in the already holed pocket.. ( lets not ponder there)

But health is wealth so here I am.. the paper kind comes  and goes..

Grocery Shopping has now become complicated.

I think I have not reached that mindset where I do a detailed research on what I buy.. Nope I buy by instinct and of course the date on the packet.

Now when I go browse the rice, lentil, grains, pulses and beans, section , I am flummoxed by the local variety, the organic variety and the normal variety.. WAHHHHH !!

Now this purchase which used to take me seconds..  now takes me couple of valuable minutes.. Why why why… I am like what do I take.. organic – well that seems to be the fad.. and healthy as well and expensive.. – local – hmm could be good.. – normal – whats the diff.. I usually take that..

Now you can see me with my tiny hands on my chin… pondering upon this rack with the concentration of deliberating over a critical life and death decision..

I caught myself at it and could not help berate myself for being so fussy.. Gosh !! and POP I go and choose an organic packet of Black Channa and normal Dal and another local Dal..

Well !!! ,  me says to myself,  that should do it !! I have the best of all the three.

Result : When I come home..

  • local – is ok..
  • Normal is normal..
  • Organic is interesting – the channas look good but inside its full of insects which has eaten it hollow..

Well there goes my choices.. I will stick to the NORMAL.. for now..

I think this organic concept has not been understood well or the product was bad.. whatever.. !!! OR my vision is also going bonkers. The packet looked just fine when I picked it up..

Anyway..Now I am back to seconds.. in shopping.. :)

Medians on the road are made for a purpose..

Bikers of the generic kind.. the commuter variety and not the passionate variety… Why do you think your 100- 150 cc bike can go over a well placed median just to avoid riding normally and taking a U turn..

We are all doing that.. Heck my baby can cross the median well but we have rules and its logical why they have been put there..

But no.. we have bikers who painfully cross the medians sweating, gyrating and then BANG the bike does not start.. and I go SCREEEEEECCCHHHHH to save from plowing onto him..

It is madness and I felt like getting out of the car and giving him a punch on his face.. for giving me such a heart attack.. GRRRRRR

Next time I will blow my already loud horn and give him a piece of the heart stop that I get..

And they say that women drivers are a menace..

I think we women can teach them men something.. buhahahah !!!

So all well you have  a good weekend..

I am doing some movies, friends, dentist.. and all that blah…  he he :)

6 Comments »

Baruah Chronicles : Of Thothkuts and Axis Bank… :)

Auto rickshaws in Bangalore
Image via Wikipedia

The THOTHKUT

On Friday I had an urgent appointment I had to go to..and well, since it was important, I thought I would take the good old auto rickshaw. Driving to this unfamiliar area would take up time and stress and well taxis are expensive.

So I came to work, and while I was entering, I saw this kind of old man sitting by his auto and told him to wait as I would need his service.

This man was very glad.. and well I was glad too since I got something so fast.

I walked quickly and boarded the Auto. And I repeatedly told him where to go. I had to go to Place A. And I had been given specific directions. Once I told him, I sat back thinking about the appointment and generally trying to get by the day in my mind with the list of pending tasks.

After a while I saw that the auto took a completely opposite direction to what I had told. And I have decided that no matter what I will not lose this this time and going forward.

So I asked him : “Sir, where are you going ? I have to go the other way.”

Auto Driver : Nods and tells me to wait by showing the hand and I keep silent thinking there must be a way which I did not know and who knows I might Place A faster.

I sit back and relax. Then I see we are going further and further away from the route that I had to take.

I am a wee bit apprehensive but I let it go since I am reading in Buddhism content that one has to let go moment by moment by moment.

Suddenly the traffic stops at a red signal and I slowly and softly ask him not intending to offend him. Since I would also personally not like being asked so many questions if I would be driving through a busy route. Suddenly he turns and says with a toothless smile and with lot of patience.

Madam, thith ith tthe thothkut. I am thaking you thuu the thothkut. We ahn here. You wanth tho gho there. Ith is 5 km away from here. I thake you thuuu tha thothkut. I thow you a thothkut.

Me : OK OK, I am new to this area so I will trust you.

I smile at him telling him that he can go on. But I did think that it was the other way.. if there was a shortkut, well all the more better. (in my mind praying that whatever cut it was and whichever way I went, I would reach on time )

He takes me through some “THOTHKUT” and though the road was good, we came out through an opening which was way way ahead of Place A.

And incidentally, all the landmarks near Place A matched this place but my instinct and my little knowledge ofthe route told me that we had gone to a different place.

And meanwhile, the auto driver started pointing out big buildings to the left and to the right.. and well I let him think that I did not know anything and was grateful for the extra knowledge.

Auto Driver : Ttheee madam, thith is ABC, here all young people come and thudty. Tthee tthee madam, here is the hothpithal you said. But oh no, no pethol bunk

Me ( as patiently as possible) : See Sir, we need to go back and figure out the hospital and petrol bunk.

Auto driver : Buth madam, you give me wrong address then. I thake you thuu thothkut and you tthell me thith road..

Me : Ok. I did tell you to go the other way. You came this way.. now alls well, its all fine and see you showed me so many new buildings. Please take me back this route and get me to Place A.

Auto driver ( appeased by the fact that I praised him): Thanth you madam. ( big smile) I thow you more. Then you thee whith ith your building. ( very happy )

Me : Ok lets go.

And finally we reach Place A. I had asked him to take me back as well so he did and he never missed one single landmark giving me explanation of what happened where.

Chrith College : bhery good college

Follum : thith ith a mall. loth of thops.

Dially Thirtle, kollamangala, Thaint thojhns.. : thith a big hothpithal.. you come here ??? You muth come here if you are thick.

I thanked him and gave him more than was required because he was so patient in explaining so many different parts of bangalore. Also he was kind enough to help me cross the road thinking that I was a helpless female.. in need of help.

May God bless him.. and keep him free from suffering. I had a smile on my face the whole day.. remembering the kindness of this guy and well thanked God that inspite of the Thothkut, I reached on time.

Goes to say, that if one just enjoys the moment the moment suddenly flows and becomes very easy to bear.. and in fact one ends up feeling good about that moment.

At the movie theatre :

Standing in the queue for the ticket to Kaminey.  Just one guy with his wife ahead of me. I am getting impatient as the movie is about to begin in 10 minutes.

Guy A with Wife talking very slowly : Madam……… do you have tickets for movie abc……. ?

Ticket counter Woman : Yes sir, please tell me how many tickets you want and for what time ?

Guy A talking very slowly :  Madam……… ( taking out some card from his pocket)  Madam………. I want to pay by Axis Bank Card……….this ……….this card has 30 percent discount on tickets…… Pause…….. I have a debit card…. Pause..

I donot have a credit card…….. but I want to pay by this card only…….. ( then his wife nudges him tells him something which he takes another 2 mins to talk) … madam… I want… I mean … I dont have cash… but I want to buy ticket by this card only……….

Me : ( GAHHHHHHHHHHH )  trying to signal the woman at the counter to give me two tickets fast….the woman also responds..  and before she starts, I get a ping from two gentlemen who want to sell their two tickets since their friends could not make it..  Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee !!!

And I leave the guy A saying … But … Madam…… Axis Bank card….. madam………..  …………..  ……..  ………….

And Than tha naaaaannnnnnnnn

Kaminey.. happened… and let me say that the movie was not outstanding but it was a good timepass entertainer.. you would not give acting credits to anyone here.. it was teamwork… the scene, the dialogs..

I loved the Fha… dialogs.. How Fweet !! hahahah !!

Lunch at Kobe Sizzlers

  • Location
    Kobe Sizzlers
    15, 5th Floor, Garuda Shopping Mall, Magrath Road, Bangalore, 560025
    +91-80-41124363
  • Hogged on some amazing sizzlers at Kobe’s.
  • Good for once in a while..
  • The food is good if you like sizzlers.
  • Go early to get a seat.
  • One plate is more than enough for one.
  • You also get hamburgers.
  • Ambiance is ok ok.. not that great.. if you are hungry.. you will not notice it.. :)
  • Service is somewhat slow.. but look at the menu to see the time for your dish.
  • A meal for two with sizzlers (mixed grill and pepper steak)  and lime soda came upto 800/-

Hope you have a great week ahead.. !!!

1 Comment »

Sunshine :)

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
Sunshine almost always makes me high

If I had a day that I could give you
I’d give to you a day just like today
If I had a song that I could sing for you
I’d sing a song to make you feel this way

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
Sunshine almost always makes me high

If I had a tale that I could tell you
I’d tell a tale sure to make you smile
If I had a wish that I could wish for you
I’d make a wish for sunshine all the while

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
Sunshine almost always makes me high
Sunshine almost all the time makes me high
Sunshine almost always

@John Denver

Ok so today I fired my cook. It is so good to do things for oneself.. So I am free free free of having someone wake me up early morning

Of thinking and planning on what to have everyday.. Food is joy and really does not need so much planning. Sigh.. Or maybe I am crazy

She was good for my parents.. and well it became uncomfortable when she started to take me or granted. just because I dont believe in fighting with her everyday for  missing her work twice a week and coming late when I really need her to come early..

I really bless that soul who helped me when I needed her..

But I am glad I am back on my own… Rocky’s cooking and my cooking.. more time to experiment. .We really bonded over who gets to make whats new.. hahahah !!! I love sharing my recipes with Rocks as well..

Ummmm… freedom.. and yeah.. its nice to be on our own..

But I am not devauling her services. Am glad I got her when I did.. Bless her..

But yeah.. sunshine..

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