Race this Queen

The Bursting Bubble Forecast!

The Bursting Bubble Forecast

Once in a few years, comes a point, when reality check is about to happen.

Which bubble will burst: The latest FB and IT spending bubble

Why: Cause once people realize that spending money on orangutan type server upgrades to support your status update is less important that building a Hyperloop!

How: Only if the investor and venture capital see a beyond the sugar rush of this blue F (facebook) and black i (iphone).

When will it happen: Anytime after I update this on my fb using my iphone. (guilty).. :D

That 70's Show .. Show of a lifetime.. !!

Hanging out,

by the street,

doing same old thing,

that we did last week.. !!!!

These are the opening lines of one of the best Sitcom's I have come across..












Show lasted 8 seasons ie: 8 years of running time.
All the characters started from their school times and went up to their adult hood.
Many of the show actors got into major movies too.

Best part is that you can relate your self to it at some point of time.
Theme - 5 friends, 1 war veteran uptight masculine dad, 1 over protective mom, girl next door, a foreign guy, a dim wit, raging hormones, pranks, small town setup with nothing better to do..
Location - Wisconsin state US.
I have been to that place several times. Its still not fully ravaged by commercialization, that place got many awesome outdoor activities, severe winters. A land of adventure sports and theme parks. A perfect holiday or vacation place.
Time line of show - 70's era. The show starts on 1 Jan 1970 and ends on 31 Dec 1979. The entire backdrop of show, sets, costumes, script, the life style depicted is perfect 70's.


Characters:

Eric Foreman - Played by Topper Grace (later acted as black spidy in Spiderman-3). Eric is a nice guy at heart. He is also generally geeky, physically weak, and somewhat clumsy and a lightning porky mouth.

Michael Kelso - Played by Astun Kutcher. He shot into stardom, did more than 2 dozen movies and is now hitting Demi Moore.. Smoking ..!!
On the show is Tall, lanky and long-haired, oversexed, dim-witted pretty-boy of the group, coasting through life on his good looks.

Donna Pinciotti - One thing is that, she is a hot chick.. !! That's enough to know about her.. :D

Stephen Hyde - Stoner, masculine, self made man who has seen a rough side of life soon. One who cares but does not voice or bends too much.

Jackie - The prettiest chick, Preeti Zinta's duplicate, a russian born starlet and already stole many hearts. Loved her on screen presence.
She is rich, spoiled, conceited, and supposedly annoying, chatterbox, materialistic.

 Fez - A awesome character in show, who runs things when many story aspects run low. He himself is a big star. Like all FOB's he is trying to learn the ways of USA and laughs on bad timings. Bad accent, foreign branded, pervert, superb dancer.. He does steal the show many times.. !





The show never has any loose ends and covers almost all major time lines in 70's.
Every episode will have u crack up laughing more than once..!

The best part is that at some point you can relate your self to any one of these characters.
I am close to Stephen Hyde most times..

Which one are you .. ???

Personal connection to show - Well I got the luxury of watching all the seasons / episodes back to back with my close buddies on Christmas vacation of 08. Slowly it became a ritual with all my close friends coming down to watch it. The show brought us together. We used to watch it on freezing days, blizzard nights in a small one bedroom apt 6-8 frnds on a TV that wasn't even ours..

..And like all good things it got over with pushing us back to reality..

Grass is always greener on the other side..

Human psychology - the grass is greener on the other side.

In this blog i will compare the stages of lives of sides i have seen and will justify the Human Psychology "Grass is greener on the other side.. :D





To better explain the phenomenon I have used my own time line and world from my eyes and calling each case as an analogy..

Adult-Child analogy - When you are child, the grown up world seems to be one without boundaries, instead we all know what happens when we grow up.. Its a one way ticket..

School-College analogy - When you are in school, you want to be in college for freedom and do all those things you see in movies about college life. Later end up writing journals, ragging, college politics, future worries etc and always laugh on school time jokes with school time friends. For me, I was close to suing movie industry for my college life was no where close to the one promised in all the movies.

Birthday Cake analogy - Every year when i cut my Bday cake (thanks to my friends) .. and compare what i have now Vs where i was last year while cutting my bday cake.. Its always that i feel i was more happier last year compared to this. (It happened every year, you too try it out).

Job-College analogy - Your job gives you money to sustain, survive, pay your bills, but takes away the day dreams, gangs of frnds, point less arguments, senseless pursuits. From a lower stand movie ticket with 30+ collge frnds to 3 PVR tickets with office frnds. From a time when Maggie and mess were enough to banquets and buffet's unsatisfying platters. From bruises, sun tan, local brand shoes, kits of college times to sports shoes, brands, bulge, aches and eventually no time / company to play. The list is long, and end less.

Single-Comitted/Married analogy - (now things are becoming interesting)
Although I am not an expert on this.
The single guys group togather and party like no one's watching but deep inside wish they too had some one. Committed/Married people wish for once no one's watching.. ;) I will leave this topic open for interpretation..

Onsite - Offshore analogy - This is a very vast topic i ll cover in my other blogs.

India - USA - Dont get me started on it.

ABCD Vs NRI analogy- There is nothing green here.. :P

Its like always people move to another step thinking it will take them forward in some thing.
Always having a small regret of leaving their current present which could be their comfort zone, or want to take a risk for some thing better.

Always thinking that there is some thing better than what they already are holding on to..

But its the human nature to push and look for more than what they already have, to explore more possiblities and always look beyond what they already have .. makes them move on .. and keep the evolution in progress.. :)
And its always one's own descision to sit and wait for a miracle to happen or search or it.. :)

So.. keep looking for new pasturs..

Liverpool FC - You will Never walk alone - Since 1892

Liverpool Football Club - A.K.A- Liverpool FC. - "You will never walk alone." A.K.A - The Reds.


To know about Liverpool FC - one needs to know about EPL (English Premier League).
To know about EPL you need to know about football or soccer as known in America...

FIFA is the governing body of international football as org and is officially the most popular game / sport in the world. FIFA has 208 member associations, which is 16 more than the UN three more than the Olympic committee.
Now this was just about football.

About EPL - It is a contest of 20 English Footballing clubs by a system of promotion and relegation. With combined revenues of £1.93 billion ($3.15bn) in 2007–08 this is one of the most lucrative and watched event.


Liverpool FC - Its a football club. Not just any football club but its LIVERPOOL FC.
Its 118 years old..!
More number of trophies among any other club.
Its one for only club that has won a treble ie: Champions League, UEFA and FA cup.
This club has a history as well as consistancy and tremendous fighting spirit...!
Named after the city of Liverpool in England - home of another legend "The Beatles".

Altough Manchester United has got the highest in brand value, Liverpool has the largest and most active fan following with record attendance levels average 94.8%.

Like a traditional english club it nurtures talent, many great players like Michael Owen, Steven Gerrad etc grew up here...
With least number of "star" players Liverpool will have the most consistent performance as a team.
Thats what the game is about - Team ..!!

The Big Four Era - Ever since early 2000's the entier European football circuits are dominated and thundered by 4 english teams - Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.
These teams have been on top of every competition or league or even news.

Recent form - Liverpool had its one of the best runs 2005, 2008 and 20+ years worst in 2009.
But it retain its position as giant killers - this team although lost against minions or start up clubs, it always ravages any big side.
The Arch Rival and best spectacle to watch is a game on Man Utd side.
Man Utd in peak of its form (08 champions) often find stumbling against this club. Also Real Madrid faces music (0-4 defeat).
Coach Rafiel Bartez and few notable gems have got the most crooked strategy ..!
Although currently the club's performance is very jittery and unpredictable, yet its a spirit of team to fight, to stand, to face and to win kept it winning for 100+ year and will stand many such trials of time.

Liverpool -
"You will Never Walk Alone."

So its Chicago..

There is a Magic in the air.
A sensational survival story.
God at work.
Men at work.
Women at work.
Money at work.

Bliss full Summer,
Mystical Winter.

This is Chicago.

About the place:
Location - Its on central north of US.
Climate - Summer's about +30's degree centigrade. Winter's about -30.
Rain / Snow - Its rains quite a lot .. Never measured snow.. it looked good tough.. :D
Landscape - flat plains.

This is one place tough to describe. Its an assimilation of many many things and each entity different from other.
There are races, people, cultures, scenery, weather, crime on one end, security on other.
A mature human society at peak of its evolution, guess that's what whole America is about too.

Timeline has many changes from once a imp dock on lake michigan to red indians final hold out.
From financial capital to corruption epicenter.
Money, power and politics took charge as Barack Obama from Chicago went to center stage of world.

What to expect in Chicago?
Depends where are you from.
One thing is - This place is cold.

Check out the below snap from my office, same place one on the right is taken at 15 Oct at 3 PM and one on the left taken on 15th Dec 3PM.

Summers are luke warm and 7 months winters are test of one's patience at times.
People are not too friendly but talk just what's req. High living standards.
For Desis like me, very active Indian coumminities. Open socity and lots of places to have fun.
Not a perfect place for people from tropics.
But it sure makes up for being a Winter Wonderland.

For first times, visitors to residents, hope u check out these places.

• Navy Pier
• Chicago river tours
• Millenium Park
• Will's Tower
• Skydeck @Will's Tower
• Museums
• Shredd Aquariums
• Brookfield Zoo
• Chicago Air and Water Show - happens during Aug every year.
• Six Flags Great America
• Chicago Bear's Stadium - Soilder Field
• Wriggley Stadium - Chicago Cubs
• Devon Street - Its like mini India - Pakistan
• Naperville - a Suburb with a picture perfect plan.
• Chicago Loop area Night life.
• White Christmas, Winter Wonderland
• Even in worst of weather, best of days life goes on
  

What can be bummer:

• Traffic is real strict (nt like NY or NJ style)
• Winter could be too boring too tolerate if ur not creative enough
• Food is super fattening
• Rent is high
• Local train transit is too confusing, there are red green blue line .. and what not, i prefer to drive
• Uptight life
• Limited outdoor in winter (if u can brave the cold then its heaven .. :) )
  

Check out for concerts and events in the city .. This place is happening .. !

The Longest Weekend

Well I did got carried away telling stories about my greatest time and ones which I had the most revelations about myself, strengths ,weaknesses n above all felt like living more..!!

As a proof of all that I said and done:
Below are the links to my coorg trip.. It still gives me thrill thinking about it- http://picasaweb.google.com/div.al29/CoorgFall2007

And this link is about my same friend who went on ride all alone. Well he was the only one who would surpass me in crazy stuff. Wayanad Bike Trip, I planned it last year with him but could not make it as there were personal probs and of course I paid more attention to Office projects, "eBank", thought to be on that hall of fame, the life I lost, and GMAT dream I traded for life of a developer. I gave up my GMAT that year. I still regret those descisons. Now my friend made that trip alone. Check out the album in Wayanad Bike Trip: -
:http://picasaweb.google.com/harsha.cs1

There is another guy named Ayan - who is every thing we are now. Calm, sober, the gentleman.
Nishu - He is a guy tangentially out of even our under standing. The Brotherhood representative. Mix of italian and punk style.
Pratik - The geek guru among us.

And about the blog its true n genrally I like to keep a low profile and share these things only those who are interested in it.: You can still check it in satyam blog site, and mouthshut.. N ways m pasting one part of the entire 7 part series that was second of the most hit ones. N today looking back I strongly feel that I am in a very wrong profession.

Didn’t knew you too were interested in stuff like these. Well I ll remember to ask you or count you in anytime else I am game for things like these.

Blog:-



Intro:
All characters are real and the scenario narrated is as true as u and me.
Characters (these are the names we call each other with):
Divyansh - Self (Colonel Al).
Nishant - Captain T.
Ayan - Bangadu / Frodo Hobbit.
Pratik - Gupte/Alien.
Harsha - Genral/WarLord.
.
.
.
.
7 â€" The Blurr.
I was laying face first and felt as if I am moving. It took me a good time to realize where am I. Slowly I open my one eye, from its corner I could make out I am on a top berth of a train. Next, a shrill of passing freight brought me to senses enough to speak my name. As I felt life so did I feel pain. First things was that I checked for my kidneys .. off.. no cuts on my back but my body felt as if its was crushed under a road roller. Couldn’t lift my arms and legs.
Where, What, How were the questions I was interested but preferred to hold em. As I closed my eyed a frames came on my mind in slow mo.. .. Jumping in ice cold water fall. Screaming while zapping @ 160 KMPH. Missing ppl and trees by millimeters in those, Sleeping by a camp fire. Climbing a vertical cliff on a clear day.
Yeah Hell right.. I peaked down to see Bangadu and Capt T. dozing off to glory.. Time was 6 am and we were heading to Hyd.- the karam bhoomi. How I felt was .. simply smiling for no reason.
The biggest reason: For the first time in past months I was Happy.
Prolouge:
This write up is about a bunch of Average Joe’s who decide to meet up and spend up an entire weekend together.
Since they are average, so no special background, all are friend since their memory started, studied together till schooling but never let go of their pasts.
Apart from that we all have one more thing in common. - We all lacked in muscle cordination recation activites. In short we all sucked in sports. So we took up trekking as the best we all can do despite the mindless, sense less crap that all have a gift of.
Present is:-> Me, Bangadu and Capt in Satyam, HSBC and Dell in Hyd. Alien from Pune Infy now in IIT Chennai and General a Top Notch Lawyer in B’lore.
Location: Hyd -> Bang -> Mysore -> Bylakuppe (Tibetian Settlement) -> Madikeri -Tipu Sultan's Fort (Coorg) -> Virajpet (Coorg) -> Napokulu Coffee County (Coorg) -> Tadiyandermol Peak (Karnatak/kerala border, tallest one in south india) -> Rajiv Gandhi National Park -> Yashwantpur ->Hyd.
36 hours.
750 Km by flight, 850 Km by Train, 700 Km by Car, 48 Km on Foot and 1 Km Boat + Swim.
Coming up:
In the same order
Chap 3 -Cruising. (Mysore, start of trip, leisure ride site seeing).
Chap 4 â€"Breezing. (Actually planning for the days and enjoying the sun, wind and trees).
Chap 2 â€" The plan & The Food. (Tried 14 different new things eaten by actual people and not in restaurants, from crabs, proks on wood fire, momo's by tibetians, Oyesters etc… tasted it just for the heck of it).
Chap 5- 4*4 Guts. (The 21 hour treck, drinking water from river streams, swimming to cross the river, elephant crossing, sleeping on grass, climbnig cliff's.
Chap 6 â€"Showdown. (Chased by wild bulls, ran like hell for 4 km with all bags to catch last train out, driving at 160Km on indian roads to make it. All this with the best,oldest friends whom u can trust with your life).
Epilogue

Live Life a quarter mile at a time..


Div