Just five photos from my album, no big deal.

• March
• 25

Thought I will share some photos, of course nothing great in these. All taken by me, that is the only problem ! Please click on the thumbnail images and you can see enlarged view.

This is what happens when you keep the windows open and allow fresh air to come in. Some Pigeons will also come along with the air and will sit on your monitor. If you have no plan to flew her off after taking the photo, you will have to clean monitor with liquid soap too ! Taken 2 years back, using my mobile phone. Location : My computer room.

You might have seen people painting their body for fun and for publicity. Now see this photo. Taken at a place near Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India. The kid painted his body (or someone else ?) and begs. It is not fun. The paint he used is the one we use for painting metal sheets and pipes. Very harmful and he is standing under the hot sun. Only thing I could offer him were - can of soft drink and some money. Yes, shame on me and it is one of the most embarrassing and sad moment in my life.

When the cat does not sit ready and pose for the camera, what will you do ? (Goobi, you are not supposed to answer as you are a cat expert ! ) Get a small plate, put some milk, give her some biscuits. Thats all ! See how friendly she sits now. Ready for any pose ! Planning to write a guide on cats.. Location : Munnar, Kerala, India

Monkey taking photo of another monkey ? Yes, that is correct. This is the photo that I took while coming from Wayanad. and you thought only human beings care for their kids ? See how animals care. Motherly love. There is no place safer than mother’s lap. Really liked it. Location : Wayanad ghat section, Kerala.

Truck on train ? Yes, this is not something new for the people near Konkan Railway route. Was on a trip from Mangalore to Goa and then to Mumbai. Vehicles helping vehicles ! And drivers too. Thats is really good. I see most people write only the negative side of Indian Railways and now this is something what I would like to call - Positive. Location : Konkan Railway Route, India.

Taare Zameen Par - an excellent movie

• March
• 23

Watched the movie Taare Zameen Par yesterday. Actually my wife asked me many times to watch it with her but I postponed. Finally I decided to watch and the least to say - it worth the time. An Excellent movie from Aamir Khan who does not act in every movie he come across. I think thats the secret of his success. He make only one or two movies in 2 years and that becomes a hit. I loved the movie. It made me cry many times, yes I admit it. It took me back to my school days. It reminded me how lucky I was. To spend time with my loving parents, my favorite friends from all strata of the society, great teachers of my school, no school bus, no barding school, walking 2 miles every morning to the school, no pressure, life was - Bindaz !

Major part of the credit goes to the little hero - Darsheel Safary - he is really amazing. I think, just like in the movie, Aamir comes only second compared to him ! He does not speak a lot in the movie but every word he say, every movement he makes, the emotional scenes, everything will remain in our heart for long.

Every scene of the movie will touch you. Never miss the movie. Please watch it at least once and I am sure you will like it. If possible, watch it with your kid. It is a great lesson for parents who make the kids ready for the race from Age 1. It will sure make them think there are some other things in a kid’s life than getting admission in the best school in the city or getting high marks in every grade or getting some costly gifts or toys for them. As the movie says - every kid has a dream. Evey kid has talent too. Sadly most of the parents and teachers never tries to find what it is.

The movie reminded me two of my friends. One just like Ishaan in the movie, but very good in sports and games, but not that good in studies. When he get gold medals in sports, his parents never cared. They will say - there is nothing great in getting a medal in sports, look at your elder brother who got the first rank in the school. And just like in the movie, they put him in a hostel. I really hope his parents see this movie and at least they realize their mistake.

Thank you Aamir, this is really a nice movie. Motivating, fascinating, inspiring and beautiful. If anyone in this world read my blog, I strongly recommend them to watch this movie.

Currency conversion syndrome

• March
• 21

This happens to people going abroad, mostly for the first time. Right after one week they start sending email to all their friends.

Everything is fine here. Life is great. We visited XYZ place with friends, find the photos in my web album. The only thing I am worried is the cost of living. It cost Indian Rupees(INR) 1200 for a hair cut. Thats really terrible isn’t it ?

Guys who cut their hair in India for Indian Rupees 30 or 50 or maximum of 100 read this and says - WOW. Now, please stop this. We had enough ! We all know this is something happens to people go abroad for the first time. Happens mostly to people go to US or Europe. This syndrome does not seems to be affecting people going Middle east though (they are happy telling the excellent condition of roads in Dubai or about DSF). Think about this. You get a salary of Indian Rupees 10000 here. You spend 100 out of it for a hair cut. That comes to one percent of your salary right ? Now, in the US you get minimum of USD 4000. You spend USD 30 for a hair cut. Compare it, comes less than one percentage right ? Now for God’s sake stop the comparison ! When you are abroad (that is when you are on a job and not on a vacation trip), do not start calculating and converting the currency every time you go out for shopping or every time you go for a hair cut. Even if you do, please do not send email to all your friends telling this ! Do not make calls to home telling - Mom, my hair is so long, but I do not want to spend a lot of money for a hair cut (now why not learning hair cut ? Not a bad idea for sure. There must be a Do it Yourself guide somewhere)

The same dream two hundred times

• March
• 19

I have seen this strange dream at least two hundred times ! Yes, that is correct. Sometimes the location changes, sometimes the persons change. But the main theme remains the same. I have no clue why I see the same dream again and again.

Anyway here it is. This is what I see in all dreams.

I am going back to my school. Oh my God, I just can’t imagine it now, going back to Grade 10! but thats what I see in dream. The reason being, I didn’t pass for some subject, so I have to re-appear for the exam. Re-appear for exam after 16 years ? No, no questions are allowed in a dream. Thats the rule. One thing is, I never write the exam, all I see is, going to the class, sitting with the students who are 16 yrs younger than me (man, it is not fun), and then all of a sudden I wake up and find myself in the bed! Sometimes I go back to my Engineering college, meet my teachers, attend the class, again, can’t write the exams. May be one day I need to write the exam at any cost in the dream, should be alright then. I know most of my dreams are related to some incidents in my life, like when I was a child, I wished for a bicycle. And in my dreams, I get that. I could pedal the cycle very fast and sometimes the handle bar disappears, sometimes the cycle starts flying. WOW, thats was really nice.

I was not that bad in studies, starting from Grade 1 to Engineering college, I failed for exams only two times. Once in Grade 8 and Once in Engineering college. First time, it was not the final examination, like a terminal exam. And the Engineering college one, I couldn’t study well as I had jaundice (good excuses ?). I tried my level best to recall and link some incident in the past to this dream. But every time I failed miserably. I know it is not a big deal, still its disturbing me slightly. Two hundred times the same dream. Do I need to consult some Psychotherapist to avoid seeing it for one more time ? At least I can see some new dreams instead of seeing the same thing again and again.

Dear Mr.Analyst, can you figure any thing out of it ? I am so confused.

On Vacation From May 19th

• May
• 17

I am on vacation from May 19th 2007 to May 25th 2007. To my all-time favorite place - Wayanad. Family trip. Planning to meet my friends, teachers, family friends etc.

Will keep you updated ….