My Life On My Blog

A Sad Sad Day.... (10/05/2011)

2011-10-07T11:13:00.000-05:00

Words can't express the sadness this day brought to the world. The legendary Steve Jobs passed away. In one way or other he impacted every one. His loss is a loss to all human race, especially for the world of technology.

RIP Mr. Steve Jobs. The World will Miss You.

Top 10 Funny Instructions on Packed Items

2010-08-20T10:20:00.003-05:00

We come across a lot of funny instructions on the items that we buy.

Here are my TOP 10.

1. ON HAIRDRYER INSTRUCTIONS;
- Do not use while sleeping. (Really... While Sleeping.. lol)
2. ON A BAG OF FRITOS:
- You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside. (Are we supposed to open up the packs in the store and not buy??)
3. ON A FROZEN DINNER:
- Serving suggestion: Defrost. (Thanks for the Suggestion)
4. ON MARKS & SPENCER BREAD PUDDING
- Product will be hot after heating. (WOW.. now that is what I will not expect)
5. ON PACKAGING FOR A ROWENTA IRON
- Do not Iron clothes on body. (How about Iron clothes on "Some body")
6. ON NYTOL (A SLEEP AID)
- Warning: may cause drowsiness. (Take it with a Redbull and there will be no drowsiness.. Oh wait.. )
7. ON A KOREAN KITCHEN KNIFE
- Warning keep out of children. (WHAT.. WHAT.. WHAT??)
8. ON A STRING OF CHINESE MADE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
- For indoor or outdoor use only. (Is there a 3rd door??)
9. ON A JAPANESE FOOD PROCESSOR
- Not to be used for the other use. (What other Use??)
10. ON AN AMERICAN AIRLINES PACKET OF NUTS
- Instructions: open packet, eat nuts. (And then be a nut case???)

What I don't understand is that how can they come up with such lines...

LOL..... Enjoy your Day!!!!!

The Top 10 - Places to go in Texas!!

2010-06-25T13:27:00.008-05:00

Well guys,
Its been long since I have posted something on my blog. With life becoming busy and lot of things to do other than blogging :)... I could hardly find any time to update my blog frequently.

Anyway that said I will be regular to my blog from now on and try to post more frequently now onwards. I am starting 2 different trends in my blog. 1. The Top 10 and 2. 1000 places I went before I died.

Well since I have been in Texas for so long I wanted to start off with Texas. People say there are very less places to see in Texas but I differ.

Here are the Top 10 Places to see in Texas :

1. The Reunion Tower, Dallas : The main attraction is the Globe like look and the revolving restaurant on the top which takes 53 minutes to complete one rotation.
2. Cowboys Stadium, Arlington : The new Cowboy's stadium in Arlington is a Must-See. Doesn't matter if you are a football fan or not.
3. State Capitol, Austin : The largest State Capitol in United States.
4. Sea World, San Antonio : Shamu, the killer whale is the top attraction but the other attractions are very good too.
5. NASA Space Center, Houston : The place where u can actually touch a rock from Moon.
6. Fort Worth Zoo, Fort Worth : The best things I liked here was the Komodo, Silver-back and their Snakes collection.
7. Guadalupe Mountain National Park, West Texas : Yet to visit.
8. Dinosaur Valley State Park, Glen Rose : There are real dinosaur foot prints here in this state park.
9. Natural Bridge Caverns, New Braunfels : Such an amazing caves with formations. Its just mind blowing.
10. Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Canyon : Yet to visit.

There are lot more places to visit in Texas but these are the Top 10 that make my list. Do u have a list??

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

2010-02-13T18:43:00.003-06:00

Hello friends....
Wish you all a Happy Valentine's day!!! The time of the year is here again when the "Love is in the Air." Well folks.. Have a wonderful Valentine's day with your loved ones.

Happy New Year!!!!!

2010-01-01T09:04:00.003-06:00

Hi Friends....
Wish you all a very happy and prosperous new year. May this new year rock your world. Wish you all the best in 2010.
Happy New Year....

My Trip to the WWE Monday Night RAW!!!!!

2009-12-13T15:22:00.004-06:00

It was one of the things on my to-do list before I die. Yes, WWE (was WWF when I was a Kid) has always been a interesting entertainment for me and my brother from our childhood. As kids we always enjoyed watching it on TV and always wondered would it be possible for us to see this sport in real arena??

Well that day finally arrived on 9th dec when me and my brother went to the live WWE event in American Airline Center, Dallas. And I can just say it was awesome. Seeing all those superstars whom we used to watch on TV was just amazing.

The atmosphere was electrifying... So much crowd. The arena was packed. John Cena and the DX were the favorites. It was totally a different experience to see those guys in live. Though it is know that everything a fake and scripted but it was amazing to see people jumping from the top ropes, breaking tables, getting stunners.. It was just so awesome. Only thing I missed was the presence of Undertaker.

So now I can strike off "Watch WWE" from my to do list. :)...

UNT Home Coming!!!

2009-10-22T00:01:00.000-05:00

Last weekend I went to a collage football game. UNT vs FAU. It was a home coming game. Never knew that the homecoming games are so much fun. There was a small size fair near the ground. There were games, food... and above all free t-shirts. (Well free t-shirts are like hot cakes.. ;)). Though I don't go to school at UNT but my brother goes to UNT and I was supporting his school's football team on their home coming.

This was the first football game I went to watch. The crowd was great. Though the game started at 7:00 pm, the celebrations began way before, at about 2:00 pm. There was a cool parade of cheerleaders, army trucks, vintage cars, scouts, veterans, cheerleaders, cheerleaders, cheerleaders ..... ;). It was a nice parade. Me along with my brother and his friends followed the parade to the fair grounds.

This is where the fun stated. The whole place was filled with people. Then there were fun games, food, people painting their faces. There were grills all over the place in the parking lots. It was like a celebration. I don't know what they were celebrating.. :) ... Well I too became a part of it. Spray painted my hair green, had a tattoo on my hand.. and went to the game.

For long time I wanted to go to a football game. Actually wanted to go to cowboys game but never got a chance. So finally went to a college football game. The kickoff was at 7:00 pm. The stadium was almost fully packed. So much noise. People shouting. I too shouted alot .... (After the game I had a sour throat..) .. Anyway the home team lost the game but I watched till half time only. Though I watched only half the game but still it was fun.

I had so much fun by just watching a school game. Now I am imagining watching a pro game... It will be a hell of an experience. Though I didn't had any knowledge of football before I came to US, now I love the sport. Though it hasn't reached the place in my heart that cricket holds, it is still one of the top 5 sports I like. Hopefully I will see cowboy's game this season.

♪♪ Engineering Rocks ♪♪

2009-10-06T13:10:00.003-05:00

So after the school days then comes the engineering days.... well one more fun filled episode in ones life... Four years of engineering.... What wonderful days... Even though school days are the best... engineering days too constitute in the fun filled days of life... Once you are out of there.... The reality kicks in... Well I believe most of my friends are engineers and guess they will agree with most of the stuff in this post....

So well lets see .... The 25 common things in any engineering collage...

1. The lecturers don't teach. The students don't study. The only guy who benefits is the one who owns the 'dhaba' next to the college.. (S S S Hostel Dhaba).
2. Deadlines are made to be extended... (Always).
3. Promises are made to be broken... (Most of the times).
4. Guys always think the chicks in other department are more beautiful...(Kya pottiya hai rey CSE mein).
5. The nerds are the most pampered ones... (During mid-terms).
6. The lab assistants are the most respected ones.... (During the lab exams).
7. There is always a lecturer in the college who can't speak proper 'English'... ("Are you understand?").
8. There is always a lecturer who throws your lab report outside the window... ("Is that a transistor?").
9. The principal is the person most abused and insulted... (Of course behind his back).
10. Dropping subjects is the 'coolest' thing... (Really??).
11. Night-outs and one-day batting are the important tools to ace the exams.
12. Whereas the most important tool.... is the 'chit' in which the words can be understood only by the person who wrote them.
13. The freshers are the most sought after.... be it in the canteen, the 'free' periods or for completing the records, assignments.
14. The second-years are the ones with the 'I am the don-of-the-college' attitude.
15. The third years are the ones with the 'so-many-backlogs' feeling.
16. The fourth years have no connection with the college whatsoever... All they want is '1st-class' tag attached to their memo.
17. There is always a dumb fresher who asks a 2nd year where the canteen was, and even dumber one who follows that senior to canteen.
18. Practicals are mostly for 60-90 minutes in which a considerable amount of lab equipment is destroyed and finally the readings are copied from others.
19. The common dialogues after an exam are "70% of the paper was out of syllabus".. or "It was the worst set of paper I got".
20. There is always one girl in the collage who writes her cell number instead of the 10 digit hall ticket number.
21. Assignments are solved by a few and then... (Well you know what happens).
22. There is always 'Critical Calculation' after the exam to see if you can score 28 out of 80.. (The cut off).
23. The first three years are spent in cursing the college,the people there,the system.
24. The common feeling after completing engineering is....... "Thank God. Survived Engineering".
25. But on the farewell day, people tend to feel nostalgic about the pure unadulterated fun they have had for 4 years. Now the very system they disliked, the very canteen they cursed, the time that they spent there, the birthday bums they suffered.. all these seem like heaven.

To me personally, engineering was a fun filled 4 year holiday.. Though it had its ups and downs I had lots n lots of fun... Though the college was awful, but the memories that I look back to, the friends I made there and the degree that I obtained... will be cherished by me... always !!!! "Engineering Rocks" !!!

I dedicate this post to all my engineering buddies... Especially to 1999-2003 batch of SSIET.

Happy B'day Chinni (Rahul) !!!!

2009-09-30T00:01:00.002-05:00

Dear Chinni,
Its your birthday today and I wish you a very Happy Birthday.. May all your dreams come true. Thought I missed a lot of your birthdays there were a few which I remember the sweetest being your 1st. Even though with time we became busy with our lives and may not be spending a lot of time together, I know we will be there for each other in the time of need... I am very grateful to have a brother like you.

May you enjoy this day to its fullest and and many more happiness that will come your way... Thanks for being a kido brother that you are...

There are three hundred and sixty-four days in a year when you get all kind of un-birthday presents.. And only one day for birthday presents... So here's a special present from me to you... Hope this is the best present you ever got on your birthday ;).. Have a wonderful time and may you celebrate lots more birthdays like this.

Here's you Birthday Present.. Have a blast !!! Once again wish you a very Happy Birthday!!!!

Gone are the Days !!!!!

2009-09-14T21:49:00.014-05:00

I think the school days are the most memorable days that we have in our childhood... The days we miss the most... When I look back to my school days which I spent mostly in Tinsukia (Assam) and Jamshedpur (Jharkhand) I always miss those days.. It always makes me think....

Gone are the days.....

...When the school reopened after summer, and we settled in our new places in the ...new classroom.

...When we look for the best desks and benches in the class which is nearer to the ...exit door.

...When we queued up in book depot, and got our new books and notebooks with ...Ashwariya's picture on the cover.

...When we wanted no Mondays and every Saturday holiday not just 2nd, yet ...managed to be in the line daily for the morning assembly.

...When we learnt writing on slates, with pencils, progressed to fountain pens and ...ball pens.

...When we began drawing with crayons, colour pencils and moved on to sketch ...pens.

...When we started calculating first with our fingers, then tables and then with ...Clarke's tables and advanced to calculators, scientific calculators and computers.

...When we chased one another in the corridors in intervals, and returned to the ...classrooms drenched in sweat, yet wanted a longer reccess.

...When we had lunch in classrooms, corridors, playgrounds, under the trees.

...When we awaited P.T. period more eagerly than the monsoons.

...When we played cricket with long-books as bats, and socks rolled into balls.

...When we simply played "book cricket" in the history period..

...When we fought but had no conspiracies, competed but had seldom jealousy.

...When we listened to live cricket commentary in the last bench.

...When we rushed as soon as the bell rang to "Conquer" window seats in the school ...bus.

...When we had one-month long preparations for sports day, and the annual school ...day.

...When we spent almost the whole year of Xth an XIIth writing revision tests.

...When we studied just to pass.

With so much fun in them, so many friends, so much experience , all this and more... I still feel that... gone are the days, but not the memories, which will be Lingering in our hearts forever.

I think most of you have the same opinion..

25 Random Things About Me!!!!

2009-08-25T21:40:00.004-05:00

25 random things about me.. Well these are the 25 random things that most of u guys don't know about me. Well this is the latest trend going on the facebook right now. So I decided to bend the rules a little bit and instead of posting in facebook I am posting it in my blog. In facebook you have to tag 5 friends and they have to write 25 random things about them. But in my blog I am tagging everyone who is reading my blog.. :) .. So go ahead and if you have a blog post 25 random things about yourself and leave me the link in the comment section.. ;) ... If you don't have a blog.. don't worry.. post the 25 things in the comment section of my blog.... ;) .....

So here we go....

1. My middle name is Kalyan. Though it was my first name, which my parents gave me, my grandmother named me Gokul. And my parents kept both the names.. Hence Gokul Kalyan Potluri.

2. The first day while learning how to drive I drove my Dad's car over the divider to the other side of the road.

3. I once drew a picture of a dinosaurs, named it "Our History Teacher", and stuck it to our Principal's saree but never got caught.

4. I can speak 5 different languages fluently and can understand 2 other languages.

5. The oldest memory I have is the one when my uncle slapped me for trying to light a cigarette from his pack.. I was 3.

6. I love trains. Real and toys. Always wanted to have a toy train setup at home.

7. I once accidentally set my maternal grandmother's house on fire.... I was 4.

8. I love to travel. I have been to 26 states in the United States and to places where I never thought I would.

9. I have a photographic memory. I don't easily forget anything.

10. The first time I went to a dentist when I was 8, I cried so loud when the dentist brought the syringe near my mouth, that 2 other kids who where next in line started crying and left. I also left without my tooth taken out.

11. I once broke my brother's chin while I was pushing him on a swing and the swing broke.

12. I am crazy about Angelina Jolie & Megan Fox.

13. I always wonder what was I in my past life, if there is one?

14. Pyramids have always amazed me. Want to go to Egypt atleast once before I die.

15. I am a Numismatist.

16. The first movie I ever saw in a theater was "Sholay". I was so scared when Gabbar cuts off Thakur's hands.

17. I never came across another Gokul till now in person.

18. I once held a loaded machine gun of an Indian Army Jawan when I was in school that was in an army base.

19. I love thrill rides.. The best being the ones I rode on the top of Stratosphere in Vegas and at the edge of the Royal Gorge in Colorado Springs.

20. I am Thanatophobic of a Heart Attack.

21. I am very careless when it comes to eating healthy and being fit.

22. I got 2nd prize in a healthy baby contest and I still have the car they gave me as the prize.

23. I have a hobby of collecting shot glasses. Its weird because I don't drink.

24. I want to get a tattoo but probably will never get one.

25. Lastly, I am a perfect Gemini.

So I bet these are some of the random things that people don't know about me ;)... So as now you read mine... you are now tagged.. so go ahead and post your 25 random things ....

Best Things in Life!!!!

2009-08-18T19:38:00.007-05:00

Life is so short but yet there are so many cool good things that are there in life.. I thought of making a list of all the good things.. But the list seemed too big and never ending.. So with life so short and so many good things, I thought to take the time to live it... Life changes on day to day basis... And sometimes it comes at you fast.. :).. So I decided to make a shorter list and name it "Best Things in Life".Well experiences may vary but I guess lot of people will agree with me on this list.

So here's the list.....(Top 10)

1. Falling in Love.. (Hell of an experience..)..
2. To wake up and realize that you can sleep for another hour (But ended up sleeping for another 3)..
3. Smile at yourself and realize that people around you are looking at you.. (Oops..)..
4. To find money in the jacket you wore last winter... ( I bet everyone agrees)..
5. A phone call at the middle of the night.. (Of course depends on who calls..)..
6. Meet an old friend and see that they didn't change... (Some do change)..
7. Waiting to hear from someone special.... (Always one eye on the phone)..
8. Wake up everyday and see the sun rise... (Ok.. don't judge me..)..
9. A SMS that read "My sweetest memory - Our meeting."..(.....)..
10.Last but not the least... Spend time with someone who makes you forget time.. (why can't there be another 5 or 6 hours in a day)..

So this is my list for the best things in life... and of course they are free.... What are yours??

Happy Independence Day

2009-08-15T02:36:00.010-05:00

Hi frnds..
Today is the 63nd Independence day of India. And celebrating it away from home sucks.. Been like 5 years since I was in India the last time it was August the 15th. There is no flag hosting here in US in the way it is in India... Missing India on this wonderful day!!!!!!

I still remember the days when I was in school and we had to go to school though it was a national holiday. We had to dress in white. Stand in line.. Either the chief guest or the principal will host the flag... We sang Jana Gana Mana... which is the National Anthem and then some programs.. and finally couple of sweets. It was such fun.

Though its not the same here but people celebrating this day in US try to bring back that home-like feeling. I have been in Dallas for 5 years and the Indian community in and around Dallas celebrate this day on the weekend. Its termed "Anand Bazaar Mela". It is always a pleasure to see the crowd in a mela style. But every year some thing came up and I wasn't able to go to see the Anand Bazaar. Hope fully will go this year.

Whether I am there or not... The day brings joy and happiness in me.... Wish you all a Happy Independence day !!!!! Jai Hind!!!!!

Happy Friendship Day !!!

2009-08-02T08:08:00.004-05:00

The first Sunday of August is officially celebrated as the friendship day all over the world. And that day is today.. I wish all my friends Happy Friendship Day.. Thanks you all who know me, yet love me.. :) Enjoy the day guys... HAPPY FRIENDSHIP DAY...

A nice pictorial representation of why its important to have friends...

New World !!!!

2009-07-29T19:52:00.000-05:00

Everyone on this planet needs a friend. Not only humans but all life forms on earth needs someone to be there for them when they need them. To share their happiness.. to share their sorrow... to be there for them.... We come across so many people in our life and we choose plenty people to be our friends... But we trust just a handful to be with us in our joy and pain... And just a couple who know everything about us.

We always want to pick friends with caution.... But sometimes end up picking the wrong type. But as its said... We never know whats in store for us. Either its good or bad. Sometimes the best of the kind are always next to us but we always look for them in the wrong place. But sometimes we pick someone who change everything around us.

I always wondered why we make so many friends... Well I figured out one thing with so many friends in my life that we keep so many friends only because if one is lost there is always someone else. I have been in so many places till now and I really have a big circle of friends. While moving from one place to another (I moved all over India when I was a kid), I lost many friends. But the new places always brought me new ones...

In those days when there was no Internet and we had to relay on postal service, we used to write letters a couple of times to friends... but slowly everything stops. And we are more involved in the new life. But now with Internet around... and emails... and instant delivery... its much easy to communicate with friends.. Not only communicate with present friends but finding the old ones whom we might have met long ago.. For me orkut was the savior. I found so many old friends whom I remembered but had no touch.

Out of all the friends, someone represents a different world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born, which changes our life..

Some Just Don't Worth It !!!!

2009-07-22T17:43:00.016-05:00

I read a blog post somewhere and I do remember a couple of lines on a blog. I quote "Don't pay attention to people who don't pay attention to you. Don't give importance to those who don't give importance to you." I guess thats true sometimes, but all I can say is humans are sentimental fools. Sentiments run so high in humans that sometimes they do things for others embarrasing themselves.

Anyway one thing I learnt from people around me is that we shouldn't do things for people who don't know the importance of favor or have no gratitude for what you have done for them. For example, if someone helped me pack and ship my stuff because I am leaving town the next day, its a minimum courtesy on my part to tell them before leaving the next day. If I think its not necessary to tell them then I don't deserve their help.

One more thing that I learnt watching people around me is that never do things for people if they don't ask for it. Some people don't worth it. The more you do for them the more you become cheap to them. And by the time you realize it, you have already become a laughing stock. The more you do for them they just keep using you. And the most ridiculous is when they tell you that they never asked for it. And you just did it because you wanted to do.

So I think caring about people is well and good. But some just don't worth it. We just have to look out for the unworthy type before its too late. Or one day after 3 years you get screwed.

P.S. : The views of the author are mostly by observing others and not personal. :P

2012 - What's inside the Box?

2009-07-13T22:30:00.000-05:00

December 21st, 2012..... The day set for the earth to expire as some say it, while some call it the doomsday, some call it time of transformation, etc., etc. But the real question is what really is going to happen on that day. Will earth see the 22nd of December, 2012? Or is it just a hoax and everything will be funny the next day just like Y2K?

So what going to happen?? There are many theories, The Mayan calender will end. The planet X will collide with earth, then there is the theory of pole reversal, and so on. I don't know what to believe. Well can wait 3 years and then know for sure. But why is this so focused on? Is it just a coincidence and 2012 is just a random number?

So whats to do? Just sit and wait for the day to come? Or do we have to prepare ourselves for the upcoming event? Here is the list of possible things that can happen in 2012 that I found in some 2012 websites....

HUMAN	FROM SPACE	FROM EARTH
Flu Pendamic	Nearby Supernova	Global Warming
Nuclear War/WW-3	Gamma Ray Burst	Ice Age
Nuclear Accident	Planet X Collision	Magnetic Pole Shift
Rise of the Machines	Solar System Falls Apart	Supervolcano
Religious Apocalypse	Cosmic Rays	Crustal Pole Shift

And there is also the possibility of nothing happening and we get up on 22nd Dec and just forget the whole thing. But if something is going to happen wouldn't we be already seeing signs? And if so how will be the signs appear? Will it rain fire? Will the water turn red? I am so confused.... And thinking of it just makes me to dig more.

Found a lot about it but this little piece of information from one site almost made me believe that its going to happen. Check what different cultures believe will happen in 2012.

Hopi : End of Fourth World and beginning of the Fifth.
Mayans : Call it the 'end days'.
Maoris : Merging of the physical & spiritual worlds.
Zulu : Whole world will be turned upside down.
Hindus : Kali Yuga (end time of man).
Incas : Age of Meeting Ourselves Again.
Aztec : A time of transformation. Creation of new race.
Dogon : Say that the spaceship of the visitors will return.
Pueblo : Acknowledge it'll be the emergence into the Fifth World.
Cherokee : Calendar ends exactly at 2012 as Mayan calendar.
Tibetan : Prophesies left by Buddha about the Golden Age.
Egypt : Present time cycle ends in year 2012 AD.

Don't know if the day will bring an end to earth or not but all I know is that life will go on like this. People who believe will keep believing and people who think this is non-sense will make fun. But I think I will just go on with my life as it takes me till the day and if nothing happens you guys can read my post on 22nd Dec, 2012.

Fireworks at UNT Stadium!!!

2009-07-07T10:16:00.004-05:00

The fireworks video shot by my brother and group and edited by Raghav. Didn't knew my camera can record such nicely.. :)

4th of July fireworks!!!!

2009-07-06T00:38:00.004-05:00

Well the 4th of July is the Independence day of USA. Its not about how the day begins.. its about how the day ends here.. well its holiday for sure.. called long weekend.. Then there are some events here and there.. people take a picnic basket and go out along with family and friends.. but the main attraction of the whole evening is the fireworks show.

The show is organized by the city hall or may be a university in the town. Well I was at the University of North Texas, Denton this 4th of July and was able to witness the fireworks. Well it started at around 9:30 and ended like for about 25 minutes. The UNT has a football stadium and the even took place in the stadium. By the time we went some music programs were going on.. After reaching there we found seats at the top of the arena. The lights went off... The whole stadium went dark.. And the show started.

I have to say for a small town like Denton it was a pretty nice show. The fireworks were awesome. This is my first firework show in 5 years. Never got a chance to see any 4th of July show before. It was nice to see so much crowd enjoying the Independence day watching the fireworks in the sky. Miss the Diwali days in India though. Its a totally different experience to watch the fireworks and to actually light up with our own hands.. Here everything is automated.

Anyway Happy Independence Day to USA.

Little Johnny Wants to Settle Down!!!

2009-06-30T14:58:00.002-05:00

Little Johnny and Little Lisa are only 10 years old, but they know that they are in love. One day they decide that they want to get married, so Johnny goes to Lisa's father to ask for his blessing.

Johnny : Mr. Jones, me and Lisa are in love and I want to ask you for your blessing.
Mr. Jones : Well Johnny, you're only 10. Where will you two live?
Johnny : In Lisa's room.
Mr. Jones : Why in Lisa's room? Why not yours?
Johnny : It's bigger than mine and we can both fit there nicely.
Mr. Jones : Okay then how will you live? You're not old enough to get a job.
Johnny : Hmmmm...
Mr. Jones : How will you afford food and rent?
Johnny : With our allowance. Lisa gets 5 bucks a week and I get 10 bucks a week. That's about 60 bucks a month, and that should do us just fine.

By this time Mr. Jones is realizing that Johnny has put much thought into this. So, he thinks for a moment trying to come up with something that Johnny won't have an answer to.

Mr. Jones : Johnny, it seems like you've got everything all figured out.
Johnny : Yes I did.
Mr. Jones : I just have one more question for you.
Johnny : What is it?
Mr. Jones: What will you do if the two of you should kids of your own?
Johnny (shrugging his shoulders) : We've been lucky so far.

Mr. Jones faints.

The King of Pop, MJ.

2009-06-26T14:29:00.003-05:00

King of Pop, Michael Jackson is no more. He died of Cardiac Arrest on 25th June, 2009. He was 50. The whole music world is in shock and so am I. Though he was surrounded by lot of controversies, he is a legend. The King of Pop.

I still remember when he toured India and his album History came out. I asked my dad to buy me the cassette and my father said.. "What is there in it? He's just shouting and we can' even understand what he's singing." It was 120 Rs. in those days (Well was in India then and 120 was a lot of money in those days). And of course there was no Internet for free download... :).... Anyhow I ended borrowing the cassette from my friend and listening to it.. and it was just awesome.

His performance at the MTV awards in 1996 was the best I ever saw and I can't comment on his moonwalk. Even words are too less for the act. He is one of his kind. The Legend. The world will miss the great pop singer and his moon walk. I dedicate this post to the greatest Pop singer of all times. MJ may your soul rest in peace. The world will miss you.

Here is the video of his album History teaser....

Srikar's 1st B'day

2009-06-20T21:54:00.004-05:00

Today is Srikar's first birthday. We decorated the house with ribbons and balloons. Srikar cut the cake in the evening and we all wished him best wishes on his B'day. We didn't celebrate it in a grand way because he recently had surgery and we don't want him to feel stressed. To know Srikar better check his blog here.

Many Many Happy Returns of the day Srikar. Happy Birthday. Wish you all the happiness in the world.

My Phone, iPhone (OS 3.0)

2009-06-17T17:46:00.002-05:00

Well well well.. The long awaited iPhone OS 3.0 is out.. I had to try for a long time installing it on my iPhone.. but it was giving me the same error again and again.. "Servers are unavialabe. try again later.. blah blah blah... " So tried again and again.. but didn't work.. So some how my internet got disconnected.. and suddenly I saw on my laptop it was installing... So by some network trick.. my iPhone got upgraded..

So the trick is .. if while updating ur iPhone to OS 3.0 it says that servers are not avilabe just disconnect your internet connection.... it works... but remember you have to disconnect your internet only after you click update in ur iTunes.. Once you do this.. your iPhone is all ready with the new OS 3.0..

So whats so good about this OS 3.0.... The best feature is ofcourse the copy and paste option which was missing all this time.. The other one is the voice recording.. now that is also a cool feature that is added to the iPhone.. The new address book is good... the call history is different.. you can now see the dialed called and received calls in a different way.. better than before.. hmm.. what else? oh ya.. another cool feature.. you can now shuffel while playing your songs just by shaking your iPhone.. cool ain't it..

So over all the new OS 3.0 is good.. But anyway my contract is getting over in another 2 - 3 months.. I am eyeing the new iPhone 3gS.... hopefuly I will buy that one...

My Social Networks and Blogs

2009-06-11T00:30:00.001-05:00

With so many social networks around I remember the first time I opened an account in Orkut. I always felt its waste of time for creating so many accounts in so many different networks like myspace, facebook, Hi5, etc..., etc.... I still get requests from my friends to join these networks but never felt like joining these networks. I feel its too much effort to open so many accounts in every network.. My friends say facebook is good.. and so is myspace.. but I never had interest in them.. only orkut is the social network which I use... here's my profile link from orkut.. Click Here.

Now regarding blogs.. when I first came to know about blogs... I thought as I don't have a lot of writing skills.. why bother... but opened an account any how.... well comes along with your gmail account so whats the harm.. first few days... full posting in the blog.. then in the middle... total stop.. then again I don't know what happened... seeing some blogs online.. I really felt I write much better... thus this blog... which is more frequent now a days..

Recently I also stated another blog.. its called "My Photo Blog." Well its not exactly my photos.. :) but it will also contain the pictures of places I have been too.. ... ;)..... its just a fun blog.. with more funny pictures I find online.. or pictures that come to me in emails.. Click Here... Viewer Discretion is Advised.. lol :P

So one day I was watching news and on Larry King saw that Aston Kutcher crossed a million followers on twitter..I was amazed.. WTF is twitter?? So went to twitter website... tried to figure out what twitter is.. 140 characters is too less I thought.... and finally I have a twitter account too.. To follow me just Click Here... Twittering if fun.. just login when you want and just type whats going on.. its just that simple.. Although I have just 10 followers right now, Hopefully I will have a million followers one day... lol....

My B'day Gifts !!!!

2009-06-07T23:13:00.005-05:00

So B'day is over and its time to share with you guys what I got on my b'day... Well first of all I want to thank my brother who bought me a lovely cake. Thanks bro. Then I want to thank my cousin and sister-in-law and nephew (Srikar) who also bought me another lovely cake.. and my nephew gave me a lovely card with his hand prints and foot prints on it. Thanks Srikar..

I would like to thank all the friends of my brother and his roommates who attended the party. I thank all my friends and family members who wished me.. on phone, on orkut, on my blog, in YM and in person... Thank you all for wishing me on my b'day.. means alot to me...

So now lets open the gifts.. what did I get on my b'day..

Well as I told my brother gave me a wonderful cake, a gift card and a 1000 bucks.. thanks bro.. my cousin and sister-in-law gave me two shirts.. thanks annaya and vodina.. and the best one came from my nephew.. a nice card that says.. "to my favorite UNCLE"... with his cute little hand prints and leg prints on it. thanks Srikar...

Well you people don't have to feel bad.. you guys can still send me gifts... I accept belated gifts too.... :)... Just kidding.. Wishing a person on their b'day is as good as getting them a gift. B'day is one of the happiest day in one's life and being a part of it is the nice gift you can give them.. Just wanted to show you guys the cute card my nephew gave me... Hence this post... And he is just 11 months old.

Happy B'day to me !!!

2009-06-05T01:31:00.006-05:00

So another year over... I got a year older... And what have I achieved... hmmm... well I won't say nothing but not up to the mark.... Anyway hope this year brings happiness to me.... (I thought that last year too but didn't work out the way I wanted)...

So was at my brother's place for this b'day... He is still at school.. So was thinking about my b'day when I was at Arlington. Remembered those days with cake on the face, coke on the hair, buttermilk, milk, sauce, mustard paste, eggs, tomatoes, oh my god.. oh forgot the main thing.. After everything thrown into the swimming pool... Well that was all not there this time... Just a little cake to my cheeks this time.... :)

Well my brother is a rich guy.. So he gave me a 1000 bucks for my B'day and also a Old Navy gift card. Thanks bro.... So I cut a nice chocolate cake, which is my favorite... and his room mates and a couple of his frnds from other rooms came... All were cracking jokes.. Was feeling good.. Was just like the times when I was in school..

I was just thinking where was I for the last five b'days....
2008 - Was in Plano, Tx.. My brother came to my place..
2007 - Was in California. Didn't cut a cake this year.. Don't know why..
2006 - Was at school... BT-218... Miss those days...
2005 - Was at Tirupathi, India.. Lucky me..
2004 - Well no clue.. forgot where I was...

5 resolutions I want to take from this b'day..
1. Get a Job... (Too long on bench..)
2. Buy a car.. (Ferrari.. anybody buying??)
3. Reduce weight.. (But how??)
4. Think more about my life than others..
5. Get married before 30.. hehehehe.. :)

I don't know how many of above I can accomplish.. Lets see.... ;)

In the end I wish myself a very very Happy Birthday!!!

Lack of Knowledge!!!

2009-06-03T00:54:00.005-05:00

Hi,
Lot of misunderstandings arise due to lack of proper knowledge and lack of communication. The other person tend to tell something and we understand something else if we are not sure what the person is talking about and vise-versa. If we are telling something to someone and they have no idea about what we are telling it may be confusing and may lead to misunderstanding. I came across a very very funny story and wanted to share.. Have fun...

In the days when you couldn't count on a public toilet facility, an English woman was planning a trip to Africa. She was registered to stay in a small guest house owned by the local schoolmaster. She was concerned as to whether the guest house contained a WC. In England, a bathroom is commonly called a WC which stands for "Water Closet". She wrote to the schoolmaster inquiring of the facilities about the WC.

The school master, not fluent in English, asked the local priest if he knew the meaning of WC. Together they pondered possible meanings of the letters and concluded that the lady wanted to know if there was a "Wayside Chapel" near the house . . . a bathroom never entered their minds.

So the schoolmaster wrote the following reply:

Dear Madam,
I take great pleasure in informing you that the WC is located 9 miles from the house. It is located in the middle of a grove of pine trees, surrounded by lovely grounds. It is capable of holding 229 people and is open on Sundays and Thursdays. As there are many people expected in the summer months, I suggest you arrive early. There is, however, plenty of standing room. This is an unfortunate situation especially if you are in the habit of going regularly.

It may be of some interest to you that my daughter was married in the WC as it was there that she met her husband. It was a wonderful event. There were 10 people in every seat. It was wonderful to see the expressions on their faces. We can take photos in different angle. My wife, sadly, has been ill and unable to go recently. It has been almost a year since she went last, which pains her greatly.

You will be pleased to know that many people bring their lunch and make a day of it. Others prefer to wait till the last minute and arrive just in time. I would recommend your ladyship plan to go on a Thursday as there is an organ accompaniment. The acoustics are excellent and even the most delicate sounds can be heard everywhere.

The newest addition is a bell which rings every time a person enters. We are holding a bazaar to provide plush seats for all since many feel it is long needed. I look forward to escorting you there myself and seating you in a place where you can be seen by all.

With deepest regards,
The Schoolmaster.

The Woman fainted reading the reply........and she never visited Africa.

So if the English Woman had written clearly what a WC means the schoolmaster had replied in a different way and if the schoolmaster had a knowledge of what WC means there would been a proper reply and we would not been laughing so badly as we are right now... :P

Proper Grammar.

2009-05-31T19:59:00.004-05:00

One day in grammar the teacher was teaching how to write sentences in proper grammar. She wrote a sentence on the backboard : "I ain't had no fun in months."

Teacher : I ain't had no fun in months. Now how could I correct this?
Lisa : I don't had fun in months.
Teacher : No that's not correct. Johnny you tell. How could I correct this?
Johnny : Get yourself a new boyfriend.

Teacher Fainted. Little Johnny did it again.

Anger Ruin Lives!!!

2009-05-27T01:39:00.005-05:00

Anger ruin lives.... Anger is like a hot rock that we intend to throw on others. But in the end, the only person it burns is us. The action undertaken in anger and the harsh words spoken in anger leaves scars long after the emotion has subsided. Of course anger is never without a reason, but seldom with a good one. Sometimes we do things or say harsh things in anger which hurts both the giver (of course later) and the receiver. We say a lot of things in anger which we don't mean but sometimes they leave a scar on the other person. And by the time we realize its too late.

Here is a short story I came across on how anger is a bad thing and how it effects to the person around us.

There were 2 friends, call them X and Y. X had a very bad temper and will say whatever came to mind when angry to Y. So one day Y gave X a bag of nails and told X that X should hammer a nail in the fence whenever angry. First day X hammered like 30 nails into the fence. Over a few weeks X managed to control anger and the no. of nails into the fence gradually decreased. And a day came when X didn't had to hammer a single nail in the fence.

So X told Y "I'm able to control my anger". Now Y suggested X to pull out one nail each day X didn't loose temper. The days passes by and finally one day X told Y all the nails are gone. Y showed the fence to X and said, " You have done well my friend but look at the holes in the fence. It can never be the same. When you say things in anger they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there."

X realized how Y felt all the time whenever X lost temper and said harsh things to Y. X said "I hope you can forgive me for all the scars I left in you." Y smiled and replied "I guess I can." And after that day X never lost temper on Y again.

Well that was the end of the story with a happy ending but I don't know how many times that happens.. :). Well the point is if you are angry on someone try to pacify your anger. Don't say harsh things to the person. Even if you don't mean it, it leaves a scar just like the holes in the fence and by the time we realize its too late. A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one.

Well I have to admit there were times when I lost my temper too.. but I hope I haven't left any holes. And if I have please forgive me.

Why on hell did I stop drinking soda?

2009-05-19T19:03:00.007-05:00

No idea why I suddenly on 01/01/2009 decided that I will not drink soda for a year. Well before that I used to drink so much soda. I told myself "No Soda". My motto "No Soda". Whenever I saw soda "No Soda".

Well the thing is I was gaining weight. So decided to cut down on calories (Well guys who know me very well, try not to laugh). So the new year resolution was "No Soda, No Potatoes". Well yes, no potatoes either but that lasted only for may be a week. (Big fan of fries). If given a chance I would have taken the place of Morgan Spurlock in Super Size Me. :)

Anyhow that thing aside so I decided not to drink soda. Said to myself, "Let's be strong Gokul. We can do it." Lot of my friends encouraged and made fun of me. Some said good for you. Some said well we will see how long you can stand. Some said I bet u can't pull it off. One even said as I recall, "Who on Earth stops drinking soda, you should go to Hell."

Well last night its over. So after 5 months and 18 days I finally drank a Pepsi last night and need to tell you guys, it was like "WOW". Really when we don't taste something we like for a while and have it after a long time its just awesome. I was thinking, "Why on hell did I stop drinking soda?" Anyhow I wasn't going to drink soda for another 6 and half months but I was sick for a couple of days and my sister-in-law suggested I should have a soda that will give me some relief. She even brought sparking soda for me. But I thought I better have a Pepsi.

Well the point is when we miss something in life that we love a lot and we get it back its always very special. The pain and suffering we go through in the process simply worth it. Mark my word.

Weird, Sad, Bad.

2009-05-16T15:33:00.004-05:00

Well I was thinking what to write in the post. Nothing much to write so I decided to share some of the things I came across in news in the last few days that felt weird, made me feel bad and above all sad.

Here are the top 3.

1. Man throws a 3 month baby from moving car on the interstate killing the baby. What kind of monster can do that? This happened in Tampa, Florida. Check the link here.

2. Teacher kills a 10 year girl hitting her with a duster to her head. Well punishing kids is a common thing in Indian schools but shouldn't there be a limit to it. This happened in West Bengal, India. Check the link here.

3. Son kills father for not voting for the party he voted for. Well what can I say? Killing father for a vote, I wonder what kind of crazy people(fans) are there. This happened in Andhra Pradesh, India. Check the link here.

There are lot more news like these which makes me think why do people do what they do? Just felt like sharing some little facts.

Litlte Johnny

2009-05-14T11:13:00.002-05:00

Hi.. Sure laughter is the best medicine. And for that reason I am introducing to you little Johnny. He is a 3rd grader just like our South Park kids.. but of course better than them (No offense intended to South Park Fans :P) . Little Johnny will appear once in a while to make you laugh with his day to day life at home and school. So have fun.

Well Johnny is a very very naughty boy. All the things he say are purely his own. I am not responsible for his bad behavior.

Here's his first one

One day at school Teacher was telling the class the story of Mahabharata. The chapter was about the birth of Krishna.

Teacher: The Voices from the heaven told Kansa that child of his sister will kill him. Kansa locked his sister and her husband in the dungeon.

Little Johnny raised his hand from the last bench. Well little Johnny was well known for his dirty mind. But the teacher thought what can he possiblly have in his twisted mind.

Teacher: Yes, what is it Johnny?
Johnny: So Kansa knew before hand that his nephew will kill him.
Teacher: Yes he did.
Johnny: Then why on hell did he put his sister and her husband in the same cell?

The teacher fainted.

My First Baseball Game

2009-05-10T11:30:00.007-05:00

So this trip to Baltimore has been a little productive for me. I have been on my first train ride, first cab ride and last night first baseball game. I went to a baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees last night here in Baltimore and that too for free.

Well we are staying at this place in Baltimore called the Children's House. They had some tickets and offered us and we went. It was under lights and it was awesome. The game was almost a sellout. So much crowd. People shouting, drinking, cheering, booing, all kinds of people. Well we got almost the perfect seats. Nice view to the ground. I wish I was watching Cricket for a view like that.

Although there was a baseball ballpark very near to where I went to school in Arlington, but never really got a chance to go and see a Texas Rangers game. Always thought can go some other time. But somehow we never had time to go or something. I guess if something is near to our place we just keep it aside or later (Well my roommates always thought I never came along anywhere with them which of course is not true).

Anyhow, so went to the game last night. Had a lot of fun. Took some nice snaps. Cheered with the home crowd (Well now I am having a sore throat, hadn't have shouted that much). It was fun then and pain now :).

So now next game to go is to an American Football Game. Hopefully I will in this year. And hopefully Dallas Cowboys.

Hospitals, Depressing Place on Earth!!!

2009-05-07T21:47:00.005-05:00

The last few weeks have been very hard on our family. As you guys know my nephew, Srikar is at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore for the last four weeks I too am here at the hospital with him and his parents. The atmosphere of the hospital, as all of u know is some what dull. There is always something going on. Siren of ambulances going on, people moving around in beds, wheel chairs, its very scary.

One such experience is this post. After Srikar's surgery he was moved into the ICU. Well it was not just an ICU it was the Pediatric ICU. Yes, only kids. The first time I walked through the doors of the PICU a chill ran through my spine. There were rooms to the right of the walkway. Srikar was in the last room. I had to cross all the rooms. All the doors were open. Seeing kids like that I can't tell u guys how I felt. It was a horrible sight. Kids like newly born were all hooked up with God knows what. Wires, tubes, IVs, somethings that I don't even know. I walked slowly to Srikar's bed. He too was hooked up with lot of wires and tubes.. We counted. There were 10. A second wave of chill hit my spine.

Well people say that graveyards, cemeteries, funerals are the depressing places. Well I feel hospitals are. I rate hospitals as the most depressing and disturbing places on earth. Seeing small kids with all those things hooked up to their tiny bodies just seemed wrong. At this small age? What did they do? The other day a Dr. who came to see Srikar said,"Hospitals are not good places." Well even doctors feel it. I don't think any other place is as depressing as a hospital's PICU. That too when you have to go visit someone in there. I wish I don't have to go to a place like this ever again. May God keep everyone healthy and away from hospitals.

The White House !!

2009-05-02T20:01:00.008-05:00

Couple of days ago I went to Washington D.C. with my cousin. We had some time so we decided to go and see the place where the world's most "powerful man" lives... Yes the "White House". There were a lot of people taking pictures of the White House. We were standing there taking pictures and suddenly we heard some slogans. In the park on the other side of the sidewalk I saw some people wearing the prisoner's clothes, the orange ones and faces covered with black masks.

Seeing all this was like a new experience to me. People actually protesting that too infront of the White House. The place started getting busy and crowded. SWAT teams came into place. Police cars, Secret Service Vehicles, everything was like I am in a movie. The people protesting which was about closing of the Guantanamo Bay started moving towards the White House. The stood right outside the wall and the SWAT people started moving other people away from the sidewalk.

I was also on the same side of the sidewalk when a SWAT person shouted, "This sidewalk is closed. Move to the other side." I was thinking," Oops !! This is going to be fun."

Everyone except the people who were protesting started moving to the other side. In all this there was this guy holding a board that read "Indict Bush Now". Now only the people in the orange suits were on the other side. Now from no where a bus came into the scene. Its all happening right there, like in a movie. Now there was an announcement. "This sidewalk is closed. Anyone on the sidewalk will be arrested." No one moved. They started arresting people. Putting handcuffs, removing their masks, taking pictures, all happening right there.. and I was taking pictures.

Oh.. what a day.. saw the White House, the action, the suspense and the drama. Of course, no Obama.

All we can do is take Pictures!!!!

2009-04-28T10:04:00.003-05:00

I recently got a chance to go to the Museum of National History in Washington D.C. I got to admit its very nice and a very beautiful place. There are lot of wonders there. Some things that we can't see anywhere else.

But when I came across the Hope Diamond it was a whole different feeling. Sign below it read "Hope Diamond, 45.52 carats, India" I felt like why here?? why not its in India? I felt all the goodies from India are kept across the world and all we can do is go visit and take pictures.

Same is the case with Kohinoor diamond in London. And so is the Shah Jahan's Peacock Throne also in London. Well true is the fact that these things were brought from the countries which were ruled by other nations but truly they belong to the county of their origin.

The Hope Diamond is the Center piece attraction in the Gems collection in the Museum. Its the most famous piece of the entire collection. Actually myth runs that it was stolen from the eye of an idol of Indian Goddess "Sita".

The room was crowed with a lot of people. All around the glass case trying to take a picture of the Hope Diamond. Seeing the precious diamond in the glass case in the center of the hall surrounded with people trying to get a glimpse of it all I was thinking, "All I can do is takes pictures and go home."

The Rubik's Cube Guy!!

2009-04-19T10:37:00.010-05:00

We come across lots of people while we are travelling. Some are ok, some bore us and some entertain us. Well something like that happened to me on the way to DC from Dallas.

Everyone knows about Rubik's cube. Its a puzzle cube which has 6 colors and we have to arrange all the colors by twisting and turning the cube. The biggest I ever saw was a 3 x 3 x 3 cube. Now they have 7 x 7 x 7. Well I didn't knew that.

So I was sitting in my seat and an Asian guy may be from China or Japan came and sat next to me. I was solving sudoku from the book in the aircraft. This guy opened his bag and took out a big cube. I was thinking " Is that a Rubik's cube? hmm.... Let me count how many colors... OMG 7. Do they make that". He started solving it. I stopped my sudoku, kept the book away (It looked stupid in front of the cube).

35 minutes passed and I can see its almost done. 45 minutes its over. He kept the cube down on my side of the tray and drank his tomato juice and said to me "Can you scramble it for me?" I said "Wait let me take a picture first". I took a picture and then scrambled the cube. Then I said " How does it look? Do you think you can compete it before we reach DC?" He replied "Let's see. Its pretty messed up though".

30 minutes later I can see the colors arranging in the pattern. 50 minutes he finished it again. Man I was amazed. In a flight of two and half hours he finished it twice. I said "You are quick." He replied "I screwed in the middle otherwise it would have been over long back". I asked " So I think you can finish the 3 x 3 x 3 cube in like what 5 minutes." He replied "Actually 2 minutes." I am like oops that was a dumb question on my part.

So I took a picture of the guy with the cube. I thought well that was a good entertaining flight for me. Hopefully I will come across people like him I future flight where there will be a free show of skill and talent.

My First Train Ride in USA

2009-04-17T20:21:00.005-05:00

Hi frnds,
Its been nearly 5 years I been in US but it was on 14th of April 2009 when I had my first train ride. I can say its been a fun ride.. but nothing is more fun than train ride in India. I felt a little bit like I was in India but there was no "chai chai.. kafee kafee... garam garam samosey" guys in the train..

I went to Baltimore a couple of days but I got a ticket to DC for cheaper rate. So I had to take train to Baltimore.. Actually I had to take 3 trains to go to Baltimore. While I was on train I felt something like I was in India. Ofcourse nothing is fun like in a 2nd class compartment in Indian trains but looking outside the window I felt.. "Ahaaaa!!! I miss Indian Railways".

There was ofcourse a Ticket Collector in the train with a hat and was funny. He shouted " All abroad" just before the train left the station.. Well that is something new for me.. The ticket was more like a filght boarding pass. It was a nice expirience for me to board a train in US.

Srikar's Surgery

2009-04-16T20:32:00.005-05:00

Hi..

Yesterday was my nephew, Srikar's Surgery.. I am in Baltimore and everything went fine.. He is in the ICU and is doing well. I request you all to please keep Srikar in your prayers and pray for his quick recovery.. thank you.

You can visit Srikar's blog to see his progress

http://www.srikarpotluri.blogspot.com

Gokul.

Life isn't always fair!!!

2009-04-11T09:42:00.005-05:00

Hi friends,
You guys remember my nephew, Srikar. A few months ago Srikar was diagnosed with a rare brain condition known as hemimegalencephaly. Hemimegalencephaly is a rare condition characterized by the enlargement of one-half of the brain. Children suffering from this condition often suffer from intractable seizures. To learn more about it you can visit wikipedia.

We came to know about his condition in his 3rd month. Since then life isn't very smooth going for our kid nor for us. Lots n lots of doctor visits, lots and lots of tests, MRIs, CAT scans.. oh gosh. Children with hemimegalencephaly must undergo a Hemispherectomy to stop seizure activity.

Hemispherectomy is a surgical procedure where one half of the brain is removed or disabled. In Srikar's case his left side brain is bigger and has to be removed. He is undergoing surgery on 15th of this month i.e., on Wednesday at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Even the thought of it runs chill in my spine.

Well srikar is leaving for Baltimore tommorow morning. We are so worried, for the kid had to go through all this at this small age in his life. Life isn't always fare, I guess. I pray to God to give him strength and couage to pass through these hard times. And I have a request for you guys too.. Please keep him in your prayers too. This is the time when he can use all the support and well wishes of family and friends.

May God bless you Srikar and be by your side all time during these hard times.
luv Babai...

We are starting a new blog for Srikar which will update details of his surgery. The blog address is www.srikarpotluri.blogspot.com

Happy Birthday Venki !!!!

2009-04-10T00:00:00.002-05:00

Hi Venki..
Many More Happy Returns of the Day... HAPPY BIRTHDAY.. Bava !!!

Hope you have all the happiness in the world and success be at your feet.

Here is a small something I guess U will like.. A couple of pictures for sure.. ;)

Guess U liked one picture better than the rest.. Have a nice and wonderful day..

Happy Birthday !!!!

Earn Cool & Free Stuff on Club Live !!!

2009-04-08T20:04:00.003-05:00

Hi frnds..
Well here's an cool thing I wanted to share with you guys.. Microsoft's Live Search Club (http://club.live.com) is an fun website to earn free stuff by playing word games. The games are free and the prizes are free. It is definitely not a scam and no strings attached. All you guys have to do is register at club live and start playing.

I have already received two prizes a XBox 360 wireless controller and a Xbox 360 game in the mail from the Website. Not only do they have great stuff to win, but they are also quick on shipping the items. I received both items within four weeks of cashing out my tickets.

A player can earn a max of 1000 tickets per day. That may be a bummer for hard core players but for most players it won't matter. I have only reached the 1000 ticket per day 2 or 3 times. I usually average around 400 tickets per day. You guys can play during your coffee break, tea break, lunch break, etc., etc... Well I am aiming for a Zune which is not that far..

Have fun playing games.. and winning prizes...

Happy Birthday Vodina !!!

2009-04-06T07:21:00.003-05:00

Many Many Happy Returns of the Day Vodina...... "HAPPY BIRTHDAY"
Where's the party?? Srikar was asking.. not me..
Have a wonderful day.. May all ur wishes come true...

A small video for you...

Grand Theft Auto - IV

2009-04-04T12:02:00.004-05:00

So I finally completed GTA - IV yesterday. It took me lot of time to complete. Although I completed the main missions long back but the side missions which contribute for 100% completion of the game took a lot of time. The most boring was the one where I had to find 200 pigeons in Liberty City and kill them. GTA 4 is the best so far the best GTA game released.

Here is the trailer for the game. PC version is also out. I played it on XBox 360.

WIsh U a Happy Married Life Swapna !!

2009-04-03T10:16:00.003-05:00

Recently my cousin got married last month. Wish you a happy married life Akka. Congratulations to you both and much happiness on your wedding day. May your love shine warmly forever.

Good Old Times !!!!!

2009-04-01T00:07:00.004-05:00

Well today I was going through my old hard drive and somewhere in the middle I saw a video file by the name Goli Soda.. well 'goli' means marble in Telugu. I opened the file this was what was in there. So I thought of uploading it to the youtube and share with you guys. These were the good old time in Border Trail 218... well that was the apartment no. when i was in school. Ok for those who don't know what a goli soda is.. It is a soda especially from south India. It has a Marble in the middle like a lid to the bottel... keeps the pressure in.. Now we got a chance to get it in US.. So we thought to shoot a video.. well the person opening it is Venki and camera man is ofcourse me.. :)...
Check it out and leave ur comments.. well the third person's identity is unknown ... :D....

Well guys.. miss those good old times...

Happy Ugadi !!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-03-27T13:14:00.004-05:00

Hi Friends,
Wish you all a Happy Ugadi.... May the new year bring u and your family happiness and joy..

Srikar Potluri !!!

2009-03-25T10:47:00.006-05:00

Well friends,
This is my nephew Srikar. This is his 9th month Birthday picture. We are celebrating his birthday every month on 20th. Well its his birthday but we enjoy the cake :)...

Celebrating birthday every month for the first year is like a new tradition now a days I guess.. and its always nice to have new traditions, if you are getting a nice big piece of cake every month.. :).. ofcourse choice of ur flavor...

This month I was the one who made him cut the cake and ofcourse pick the flavor I wanted... :P..

Well Srikar..
HAPPY 9th Month BIRTHDAY...

Happy Holi

2009-03-10T19:59:00.005-05:00

Hi Friends,

Wish you all and your family a happy and colorful Holi.

Here is a nice holi song for you guys.. Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!

US State Quarters Collection

2009-03-07T20:10:00.015-06:00

At last I finished the 50 US State Quarters collection. Each year for the last 10 years US Mint has been releasing quarters with US states on them. The program started in 1999 and with last year being the final year of the program the series of Quarters ended.

Each year Quarters of 5 different States were released. First being release in 1999 and last one in 2008. The last one was Hawaii. Well it released sometime in late 2008 but I couldn't get it till now. My friend Chakardhar Rao gave it to me when he came across one when we was about to do laundry.

Till I came to US I never knew about all this. My roommate Manoj Patnaik (Dada) used to collect them. Seeing his collection I got intersted. So I started my own. It was easy to collect the old ones which were already in circulation but from 2005 onwards it was like I have to wait for every new one. And atlast in March 2009 I finally completed the collection.

Here are the pictures of my collection.

"I choose love"

2009-02-25T03:24:00.003-06:00

"We have a choice to choose hate or love. I choose love."
Well these were the words of A.R.Rahman after he received the Oscars... He created history by winning 2 Oscars by any Indian. Well Rahman u make India and Indians proud.. keep up the good work. This is only the beginning and lots to come... "Jai Ho" ..

Happy Valentine's Day !!!!

2009-02-13T21:56:00.004-06:00

Hi Friends....
Once again Love is in the Air.. This is the time of the year when love is simply around everywhere.. Well as I always say on to my friends on every valentine's day..

" To all my friends who has a special person in their life.... HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY..... well for the rest of you... HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY... :) "

I came across this picture while surfing.... Well it truly summarizes the day... Some are lucky.. and some may be blank.. but there is always an arrow for every heart... Just keep trying to hit the Bull's eye... and one day it hits right on the one...

Well guys....
"To love is Nothing...
To be loved is Something....
To love and to be loved is Everything... "

Have a wonderful Valentine's day...

Happy Republic Day !!!

2009-01-26T15:02:00.002-06:00

Hi Friends.....
Wish you all a Happy Republic Day !!! Jai Hind !!!!

There are no Stupid Questions

2009-01-18T11:34:00.010-06:00

I recently went for a dental exam as I was having toothache for the last couple of days. Well everything was fine till the doctor arrived. Ok I don't understand why people sometimes ask questions that already have answers. So I was in the chair. He took pointed thing and started pressing it hard on the tooth. Now I went to see him for the pain. He asks me "Does it hurt?" I said "yes". Again he pressed the sharp thing on the tooth and again same question "Does it hurt?" Me.... same answer.. He did the same for 6 to 7 times.. Same question again and again.. What I find funny is why he had to poke the same place again and again asking me the same question?? "Does it hurt??".. felt like answering.. "Actually why don't we change palces and let me try the same... You can find out urself.." :)

Now if we think, we come across these type of stupid questions all the time.. Here are some with really straight answers..

1.You're at the movies and you bump into a friend and this question hits you right away. "What are you doing here?" What do you think I'm doing here?
Ans : "Having my car washed, of course."

2.Why do people bother asking the waiter this question? "Is the pasta in white sauce you serve here good?"
Ans : "It tastes like boiled white shoelaces but it's better than any of the other trash we have on the menu."

3.When a person askes a dentist when he has a two-bit drill in his mouth "Is this going to hurt?".... hahaha... Now's not the time for this question.
Ans : "Should have thought about it before eating all the candy."

4.When you cut your hair, people never forget to ask "Did you have a Haircut?"
Ans : "No. I tend to shred my hair on time to time basis.

And my personal favorite.....

5.When someone calls you at 4am and asks "Were you sleeping? Did I wake you up?"
Ans : "Me? Sleeping? At 4am? Heck, no. I've set aside this special time to research the marital traditions of Zulu tribes in Africa."

Happy New Year !!!!

2009-01-01T14:03:00.003-06:00

Hi frnds,
Wish you all happiness, prosperity and good times to end all year.... HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!

A Night at a Casino

2008-12-28T19:46:00.005-06:00

Hi frnds,
Recently I went to Ohio to meet my cousins. We decided to go to a casino which is like 100 miles from their place. Ok casinos are not legal in all the states in US. So there are no casinos in Ohio.. So we had to go to West Virginia. Casinos are fun place to win money as well as loose money.. Before this I went gambling only once in Vegas. So i was not sure if I want to play or not.. but after like 30 mins or so, seeing my cousins and their frnds i decided let me play for some time.. I didn't put a time frame for myself.. Now that was a bad thing.....

Gambling is a addictive thing.. We reached there at around 1:00 am. Since i didn't assign myself with a time limit....I gambled for a long time.. now not long time.. it was very very long time.. i gambled for about 6 hrs.. not with no sleep and using my brain for that long made me a little restless and made me take some stupid steps which led to the downfall of my wallet and made me loose all that I won..

Now I heard this before that people win and loose a lot.. its the timing when you walk away from the table.. either you should have a timeframe or a money limit.. but I forgot abt it.. So I kept playing and playing... I kept winning and loosing.. but the funny thing was whenever I bet low i won.. higher bet I lost.. And that was annoying...

But in the end I lost all the winnings I had.. I wasn't that disappointed.. But surely felt bad for losing the money. So now I decided that if I go gambling in future (not sure if I will) surely i will have a time limit.. and will try to leave the table before its too late...

True Lies

2008-11-03T00:01:00.004-06:00

I am often surprised by the fact that how easily, we humans lie. We just lie without thinking about the after effects... And one lie leads to another and that to another and the chain continues.

Well some say sometimes we lie to loved ones b'coz, Truth hurts. But what if they find out the truth from someone else?? Wouldn't that be painful.. Will your loved one trust u again?? Can they ever talk to the same way they use to.. Can they have the same amount of faith on you as they had before.

I guess the answer is NO... There is no place for lies in a relationship.. No relationship can stand on lies... It makes the foundation of the relationship weak... Love and trust are inseparable. One can't exist without the other... Once the trust is gone.. the other vanishes..

I can say one thing for sure... of course TRUTH HURTS.... but LIES KILL.

All I can say is never lie to you loved ones.. maybe truth hurts... may be they will feel bad for a day or two or a week knowing the truth but a lie will keep them hurting for the rest of their life..

Hi Friends...

2008-09-03T22:32:00.002-05:00

I know.. long time.. . no posts.. quite busy .. :)... doing nothing....anyway.... lots going on.. and lot of catching up to do... posts will not be regular.. but will surely be frequent.. keep watching my blog..
have fun and a very nice day...

Office Boy or Millionaire

2008-03-31T15:47:00.003-05:00

A Jobless man applied for the position of "office boy" at Microsoft. The HR manager interviewed him then watched him cleaning the floor as a test. "You are employed" he said. Give me your e-mail address and I'll send you the application to fill in, as well as date when you may start.

The man replied "But I don't have a computer, neither an email".

"I'm sorry", said the HR manager. If you don't have an email, that means you do not exist. And who doesn't exist, cannot have the job."

The man left with no hope at all. He didn't know what to do, with only $10 in his pocket. He then decided to go to the supermarket and buy a 10 Kg tomato crate. He then sold the tomatoes in a door to door round. In less than two hours, he succeeded to double his capital. He repeated the operation three times, and returned home with $60.

The man realized that he can survive by this way, and started to go everyday earlier, and return late. Thus, his money doubled or tripled everyday. Shortly, he bought a cart, then a truck, and then he had his own fleet of delivery vehicles.

5 years later, the man is one of the biggest food retailers in the US. He started to plan his family's future, and decided to have a life insurance. He called an insurance broker, and chose a protection plan. When the conversation was concluded the broker asked him his email.
The man replied, "I don't have an email."

The broker answered curiously, "You don't have an email, and yet have succeeded to build an empire. Can you imagine what you could have been if you had an e mail?!!"

The man thought for a while and replied, "Yes, I'd be an office boy at Microsoft!"

MORAL OF THAT STORY:

Moral 1
Internet is not the solution to your life.
Moral 2
If you don't have Internet, and work hard, you can be a millionaire.
Moral 3
If you received this message by email,
you are closer to being a office boy/girl,than a millionaire….......

So… let’s close this internet & going to sell tomatoes!!! :)

What am I living for?

2008-03-13T12:47:00.003-05:00

Hey frnds....

A couple of months ago I was working on a project with Motorola. The project was at the ending stage and as everyone knows how hectic it gets during the last days of the project as there is always a deadline to be completed. I met a guy who was at a high position in Motorola and been working for more than 15 years. We were working on some issues togeather and it was quite late. He went out to have a smoke and I also went out for giving a call to my friend.

So as I finished my call, he asked "Cigarette?"

"Thanks, I don't smoke", I said.

"So I guess you don't drink either", he asked.

"Nope", I said with a smile.

"Then what are you living for?", he questioned.

Since that day I am questioning myself, "What am I living for?". And till date I don't have an answer.

I asked the same to a friend and when I asked him "What are living for then?" he replied "For my parents". Now that is an answer that people will more often give. "For my parents", "For my wife", "For my kids", For my family", "For my friends" are some of the more often answers I got over the time I asked my friends. But I am not sure if these answers are correct... No one has given me an answer "I am living for myself".

I guess people think if they say they are living for themself it will make them look selfish. But as I feel, its we what we are living for. And it should be that way. We are here in this world for ourself. We have to live our life. Neither can we live for our parents, friends, kids nor could they for us. Ofcourse they are a very important part of our life but at the end of the day their life is their life and mine is mine..

NEVER make decisions when angry!

2008-03-11T12:41:00.007-05:00

Hi guys.. Here's a thought.. Have you made any decisions when you're pissed? Never make decision when you're mad; This is what I usually remind myself everytime I get angry. And from time to time, I've proved that it was the right thing to do when I am in a state of anger and frustration. Whatever we are angry on, in my view, is a minor tragedy - a cheating of oneself. When you find yourself felling that way, shut it off, go away, chill out. Wait a day or at least however long it would take you to flatten. Then come back, and face the problem with patience and a clear mind.

Anger is a very bad thing. It blinds the path of right thinking. Never make decisions or take major action when under the influence of any major emotion - depression, despair, self-doubt, anxiety, you name it. Heres what you can do when you a really very very angry. Go away and do something else, whichever takes your mind away from the situation that is making you angry. Then come back with a fresh view on the matter. And most of the time it helps.

I myself made so many decisions in my life when angry and ofcourse they didn't do me any good. But as it is said "We learn from out mistakes" I am learning ;).... So friends all I say is don't make decisions when angry.

The Woodcutter - "Enhanced"

2008-03-04T19:37:00.008-06:00

Hi frnds,
I guess we all have heard the story of the woodcutter in our childhood. For those who haven't it happens as follows.

One day, while a woodcutter was cutting a branch of a tree above a river, his axe fell into the river. When he cried out, God appeared and asked," Why are you crying?" The woodcutter replied that his axe has fallen into water. Then God went down into the water and reappeared with a golden axe. "Is this your axe?" God asked. The woodcutter replied, "No." God again went down and came up with a silver axe. "Is this your axe?" he asked. Again, the woodcutter replied, "No." God went down again and came up with an iron axe. "Is this your axe?" God asked. The woodcutter replied," Yes." God was pleased with the man's honesty and gave him all three axes to keep, and the woodcutter went home happily.

This is the story we were always told. Now that is not the end of the story. Here is the rest of the story.

Then again one day while he was walking with his wife along the riverbank, the woodcutter's wife fell into the river. When he cried out,God again appeared and asked him, "Why are you crying?" "Oh God , my wife has fallen into the water!" God went down into the water and came up with Jennifer Lopez. "Is this your wife?" he asked. "Yes," cried the woodcutter. God was furious. "You cheat! That is an untruth!" The woodcutter replied, "Oh, forgive me God. It is a misunderstanding. You see, if I said 'no' to Jennifer Lopez, You will come up with Catherine Zeta-Jones. Then if I also say 'no' to her, You wi l l come up with my wife, and I will say 'yes,' and then all three will be given to me. But God , I am a poor man and I will not be able to take care of all three wives, so that's why I said 'yes' this time."

Moral: Whenever a man lies, there's always a very strong reason behind it. :)

Be Patient & Listen Carefully

2008-03-01T10:46:00.010-06:00

A man – let´s call him Ben – uses his vacation for visiting the deserts in Africa. On the evening of the first day he and his tourism group leave the hotel in order to have a long walk outside and to see the dawn. Ben looses is party and now has to find back to the hotel on his own. After walking through the sand the whole night Ben feels pretty thirsty. He needs something to drink.

At 9 a.m. he notices an old wooden barrack on the horizon. Therefore he walks a bit faster. When he arrives at the house he asks the occupant (an old lady) whether she could give him something to drink. And she replies: “I am sorry Sir, because I need all my water for myself, but I could give you a cravat as well. It later could warm up your mind a bit.” Ben is confused: “Are you joking? I simply asked for something to drink. If I´d be looking for a cravat I´d surely have enquired for one directly.”Without listening further Ben walks on.

At 10 a.m. he feels nauseous and a bit dizzy as well. In the distance he remarks a tent, which seems to be a kind of counter with all of it´s advertisements. Ben moves a bit faster again and after arriving at the tent he asks the owner: “Sir, could you offer me something to drink?And the salesman replies: “I am sorry, Mr., but I can´t. I just am able to sell you a cravat. Look at this one. Doesn´t it look elegant? You´ll surely be welcome in every hotel if you wear it.”Ben rejects: “Listen! I simply asked for something to drink, a glass of water or something. I don´t want your cravats.”And without listening further Ben walks on.

At 11 a.m. it´s pretty hot and Ben sweats a lot. Suddenly he remarks a rider on a camel, coming nearer and nearer. And when the camel is standing right in front of him, Ben asks:“Sir, may I probably buy a bottle of water from you.And the stranger replies:“I would sell you some water, but unfortunately I have forgotten my bottle at home.”The stranger rides further. Now Ben becomes very angry and shouts:“What´s the matter with all of you? Can´t anyone provide something to drink for me? And if noone can, why don´t you simply tell me where the next hotel is? A hotel always owns and sells water!”So the man on the camel turns around again and answers very friendly:“Well, there´s no need to scream, Sir. About 500 metres in this direction you will find a hotel, but you´ll need a cra…”But Ben doesn´t listen anymore. He´s in a hurry now and runs the whole way althrough the sand, looking forward to enjoying a cool drink, sitting at the pool.

When he arrives at the hotel´s entry a doorman holds him back. Ben´s totally desperated:“Sir, please let me in. I really need something to drink. It´s urgent!”And the concierge answers:“We´d surely give you some water or anything else you´d like to drink, but without wearing a cravat I can´t let you in.”

And what we learn from this story is:
Sometimes it´s better to be patient and almost ever it´s advisable to listen carefully to what otherones say.

INDIAN : Not enough?

2008-02-23T14:23:00.009-06:00

Hi frnds,
I read Indian newspaper everyday, either Times of India or The Hindu, online. For the last few days all I was seeing in the newspaper was about how north Indian people are fleding from Nasik, Maharastra. And surely it made me think, why? Have you have to be a Maharastrian to be in Maharstra? Is being Indian not enough?

After reading the news I was feeling bad to see people being killed and ousted for not being Maharashtrian. I don't know what people behind all this really want to imply?? Are only marathis supposed to live in Maharastra? So what about the marathis who are living in other parts of India? Should they go back to Maharastra? I don't know how people can act so foolish? Things like this will ofcourse make life difficult for the marathis in other parts of the country even if they have nothing to do with this.

I don't know whats worng with people doing all this but am sure that if things like this continue we will soon have to get visas to go to other states and will have work visas for working in the states other than "Our State". And as of now we say " I am proud to be an Indian", will soon be modified to what state we are from.

GOD, I still don't understand somethings in America!!!

2008-02-21T11:30:00.015-06:00

Hey guys.. Its been 4 years since I been in US and there are some things that really surprise me even now.

The first thing that caught my eye on the very first day here was, everything is opposite to what I am used to before. Driving is on the other side, switches work the other way... hmm.. made me think US is different... I adjusted alot in the last 4 years but somethings still makes me laugh when I come across... You will also find this funny.... :)

1. I have seen people ordering couple of double cheese burgers, large fries and diet Coke.. hmm.. I don't get it.... "diet coke"??

2. Go to any drugstore... they make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front... hahaha.. amazing ain't??

3. In banks they leave both doors to the vault open and then chain the pens to the counters..... ya right... they are going to get the pens.. hmm...

4. Cars worth thousands of dollars are left in the driveway and the garage if full of useless junk... "no no that is not junk.. "

5. Turst me I have seen banks that have drive-up ATM machines with Braille lettering.... "can anyone explain pls??"

There are lot more things like these which surprise me.. but these are my "top 5".

U got some??

Shake It Off!

2008-02-20T10:46:00.011-06:00

Hi friends.. Let me tell u a story.

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally he decided the animal was old and the well needed to be covered up anyway, it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey. He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.

At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement, he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off!

So my friends, the moral is, Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping stone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up!

Shake it off and take a step up!

Happy Valentine's Day.

2008-02-13T15:04:00.007-06:00

Hi Friends,
To everyone out there who are having a Valentine, "Happy Valentine's Day". And friends who don't have one, don't be sad "Happy Independence Day" to u all.. hahahaha...

This topic I am writing especially for the ones who are still single at this time of the year. Anyway its not a sin, but as I have seen lot of people feel low at this time of the year. Here are somethings I think "we" single people can do. (Ya, I am single too.. for now).

If you really think you like someone, don't wait to be asked. Ask them out. Even if it's someone you think of as "just a friend," you'll still have fun going out and celebrating.

Eating chocolate is good. The higher the percentage of cacao, the better. I think dark chocolate will be a good idea.

Watch a nice romantic movie. I personally suggest "Love Actually". It is a great movie. It shows that romantic love is important, but other kinds of love are just as important, such as the love of family and friends. Don't let Valentine's Day be co-opted by couples. Send valentines to all the people you love in your life!

Last but not the least, remember this is just ONE valentine's day. Maybe you've been single for one V-day. Maybe you've been single for ten. Don't get completely discouraged and project into the future that you are going to be single for every Valentine's Day to come. No one has a crystal ball and life has a way of surprising us. Help make a good surprise more likely by keeping a positive attitude and being persistent about finding the healthy, happy relationship you want.

And above all.. Happy Valentine's Day.

Top 21 Things Indians say when they return to India from the U.S.

2008-02-07T00:09:00.001-06:00

Hi Friends,
Here are the 21 things that people do when they return to India from US. Just for fun...

21.Tries to use credit cards in a road side hotel.
20. Drinks and carries mineral water and always speaks of being health conscious.
19 .Sprays deodorant so that he doesn’t need to take bath.
18. Sneezes and says ‘Excuse me’.
17. Says “Hey” instead of “Hi”, ”Yoghurt” instead of “Curds”, ”Cab” instead of “Taxi”, “Trunk” of “Dicky” for a car trunk, ”Candy” instead of “Chocolate”,”Cookie” instead of “Biscuit” , ”got to go” instead of “Have to go”.Says “Oh” instead of “Zero”, (for 704, he will say Seven Oh Four Instead of Seven Zero Four)

16. Doesn’t forget to complain about the air pollution. Keeps complaining every time he steps out.
15. Says all the distances in Miles (Not in Kilo Meters), and counts in Millions. (Not in Lakhs)
14. Tries to figure all the prices in Dollars as far as possible (but deep inside multiplies by 44).
13. Tries to see the % of fat on the cover of a milk pocket.
12. When he needs to say Z (zed), he never says Z (Zed), instead repeats “Zee” several times, and if the other person is unable to get it, then says X, Y Zee(but never says Zed)
11 . Writes the date in MM/DD/YYYY. On watching traditional DD/MM/YYYY, says “Oh! British Style!!!!”
10. Makes fun of Indian Standard Time and the Indian Road Conditions.
9. Even after 2 months, complaints about “Jet Lag”.
8 . Avoids eating spicy food.
7. Tries to drink “Diet Coke”, instead of Normal Coke. Eats Pizza instead of Dosa.
6. Tries to complain about any thing in India as if he is experiencing it for the first time. Asks questions etc. about India as though its his first visit to India .
5. Pronounces “schedule” as “skejule”, and “module” as “mojule”.
4. Looks suspiciously towards any Hotel/Dhaba food.

The final 3:
3.. From the luggage bag, does not remove the stickers of the Airways by which he traveled back to India , even after 4 months of arrival.
2. Takes the cabin luggage bag to short visits in India and tries to roll the bag on Indian Roads.
1. Tries to begin any conversation with “In US ….” or “When I was in US…”

So friends, if you are going to India in near future... this is your "not to do" list...

Seniors vs "Young Team".

2008-02-01T11:44:00.001-06:00

Hi Guys,

I know... What a shame. Atleast India managed to cross 73 which is the lowest score in T20 by Kenay. Don't be that happy.. its just 74. India were bowled out for 74 in 17.3 overs and Australia won the game in just 11.2 overs. Dhoni's statement that with young players in team atleast there will be a difference of 25-30 runs beacause of fielding seemed relavent when he said that, but now the question is if there aren't enough runs on board to defent will that make a difference? And that was clear from the last night's T20 game in which the over-confident Indian team was trashed with a 9-wicket victory by australia.

The young team surely seems full of energy and also seems to be very very over-confident. The way the players came to bat and went back was like flash. "Oh I think he was walking in a minute ago. What happened? Is he having a stomach Ache? Oh sorry, he's OUT." Remove score of Pathan and the scorecard of the India team looked as a phone number "9 0 8 1 8 9 6 1 0 3". Impressive.

I know its just one game. You can say what when the same team won the World Cup. Ya true. But it wasn't the same team. Its "World cup winning team+Over confidence". If the over-confidence continues, no doubt the results from the one-days would all be the same.

From last night's game, the lack for senior players in the team was surely felt. The need of the "Big 3", Sachin, Ganguly and Dravid, was felt badly. In the way the indian batting lineup collapsed, surely couple of senior players in the team might have controlled the situation. "The Wall" may have a low stike-rate, but he might have done some repair work. "Dada" might have given away 5-10 runs away in fielding, but surely he would have scored atleast 10 more than anyone else. And Sachin's expirence would have come handy. All the 3 are in great form.

Dhoni is surley over-confident. The way he declared that fielding will be great with young players and they will make a difference of 25-30 runs on the board was a very very worng statement. How does it make a difference if there aren't many runs on the board to defend. And giving the statement that the T20 is a practice match shows how over confident this Young Indian team is.

Now the question is "Is the decision of transformation of the team at this time a right decision?" Can we risk it at this time when BCCI and CA are at a war? Can we risk to lose the games against Australia in view of buliding a team for future world cup 2011? Seems like indian team right now needs some expirenced players. Afterall, "Old is Gold".

Marriage- What do you think?

2008-01-29T23:28:00.001-06:00

Man: Is there any way for long life?

Dr: Get married.

Man: Will it help?

Dr: No, but the thought of long life will never come.

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Why do couples hold hands during their wedding?
Its a formality just like two boxers shaking hands before the fight begins!

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Wife: Darling today is our anniversary, what should we do?
Husband: Let us stand in silence for 2 minutes.

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It's funny when people discuss Love Marriage vs Arranged. It's like asking someone, if suicide is better or being murdered.

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It is difficult to understand GOD. He makes such beautiful things as women and then he turns them into Wives.

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There's a way of transferring funds that is even faster than electronic banking. It's called marriage.

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Man receives telegram: Wife dead-should be buried or cremated?
Man: Don't take any chances. Burn the body and bury the ash.

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Prospective husband: Do you have a book called 'Man, The Master of Women'?

Salesgirl: The fiction department is on the other side, sir.

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There was this guy who told his woman that he loved her so much that he would go through hell for her. They got married and now he is going thru hell.

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Fact of life: One woman brings you into this world crying & the other ensures you continue to do so for the rest of your life!

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Q: Why doesn't law permit a man to marry a second woman?

A: Because as per law you cannot be punished twice for the same offence!

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Getting married is very much like going to a restaurant with friends. You order what you want then, when you see what the other person has, you wish you had ordered that.

D A B D A.

2008-01-21T02:09:00.001-06:00

Hey friends,
I know, you guys may be thinking what is this D A B D A. I recently read an article somewhere about this DABDA and after reading my first expression was "How True". Let me tell you about this DABDA.

Also known as Stages of Greif, DABDA stands for Denial Anger Bargaining Depression Acceptance.

It is described as the emotional and psychological responses that many people experience when faced with a life-threatening illness or life-changing situation or loss of something very close and important.

The first thing that comes to one's mind, when hearing of a loss or life-changing situation is DENIAL. They don't believe it. They denay it. This is the denail stage. "No this can't be happening. I don't believe this." This is what one goes through during this phase.

The next stage is the ANGER stage. In this stage people basically show anger. They are angry on everyone. They are angry on God, people, everything. "How can you do this to me? How dare you do this to me?" are the first things that come to mind. In this period of time people are basically blinded by anger.

The third stage is the bargaining stage. In this stage people try to bargain things out. People try hard to get things back. They try hard to get things right by bargaining. One offers all kinds of bargains to set things right. To God, especially. "Please God, Please."

The fourth stage in this process is the depression phase. In this stage, understandable, people are in depression. They try to spend most of the time alone. Not talking to anyone. Try to avoid everyone. Try to cut off from the world. But this is the time when one should be strong. A weak person can do anything in this stage. This stage is the most dangerous phase of the whole package. One who can overcome this phase can sort off all the troubles and problems.

Now the final stage is Acceptance. This stage is all about a new begining. People leave behind the past and move with the present. They accept whatever they are left with and move on accepting the facts. And accepting a fact relieves all the denial, anger, bargain and depression on that fact and the person walks in a new direction.

So friends, if you come across any life-changing situation or loss of something very close and important, which you hopefully wouldn't, don't be upset. Life is a roller coaster ride with lots of ups and downs. So just move on.

Comments are always welcome. :)

What Goes Around Comes Around!

2008-01-19T14:15:00.001-06:00

CONGRATULATIONS INDIAN TEAM. What a comeback by the Indian team. Great game. India beat Australia in perth which was always been a graveyard for the sub-continent teams. India won the third test by 72 runs. What a great comeback. The way India palyed, they never gave a chance to the hosts. Breaking to 16-win steak by Australia once again, bringing them back to ground. After the sydney test, where like 99% of the people were not seeing a win coming at perth for India, and were expecting a 4-0 series whitewash saw some great cricket. I watched each and every ball of the test and I have to admit the way Indian players played was simply great. With lot of bad moments in the last game I wasn't expecting such a good result. Honestly, I admit, I was expecting a draw atmost, but a win by India never crossed my mind, not till the 2nd day. But on the end of the 4th day, its all over for Australia. And all over for Ponting too. I am happy the way India took revenge over the Aussies. The expected 4-0 suddenly is looks like chaning to 2-2. A series draw. That will be great. Another nail into Aussies coffin.

Hope that India will not be carried away with this moment and put a full effort in the oncoming test to make the series 2-2. The Ausies will come back hard and by hard I mean real hard. But as Adelaide is the place where India beat Australia last time when they were in Australia I hope India squares it all.

Truly said : "What Goes Around, Comes Around". Beware Aussies.

600 & Counting

2008-01-17T16:15:00.001-06:00

It was an amazing sight. By picking the wicket of Andrew Symonds in the 3rd test match in Perth Anil Kumble became the 3rd person to join the 600 wickets club. It came in his 124th test. Congratulations Mr. Kumble. Hope you reach many more milestones. India is proud of you. Happy Hunting .... :).

Funny Love Letter

2008-01-15T11:37:00.001-06:00

New style of writing a love letter :

My dear FAIR and LOVELY (ek chand ka tukda),

After WIPRO (Applying Thought) so much, I dare to say that you are my TVS SCOOTY (First love) and my AIWA (Pure passion). I always BPL (Believe in the best) and you are SANSUI (Better than the best). You are DOMINO'S PIZZA (Delivering a million smiles) for me. This is a COLGATE ENERGY GEL (Seriously fresh) feeling for me. I want you to be my life partner but I think you are worried about your father who is KAWASAKI BAJAJ CALIBER (The Unshakable) and my father who is CEAT (Born Tough) but don't worry as I am also FORD ICON (The Josh Machine) and rest of our family members are KELVINATORS (The Coolest ones). If they say no, we will run away and marry and PHILIPS (Let's Make Things Better). They will feel MIRINDA (Zor ka jhatka dhire se lage) but I believe in COCA COLA (Jo chahe ho jaye). For our marriage SAMSUNG DIGITALL (Everyone's Invited) and after marriage we'll be WHIRLPOOL (U and ME - The World's best homemakers) Trust in God who's always NOKIA (Connecting people) who love each other. And we are WILLS (Made for each other). Now that HYUNDAI (we are listening) the song of love, you must know that love is DAIRY MILK (Real taste of life), SATYAM ONLINE (Fun, Fast, Easy) and PARX (Always Comfortable). So never forget me. Ok bye! I wrote little but PEPSI (Yeh dil mange more).

LG (Digitally Yours)!!!!!

bye bye

Sankranti Subhakankshalu !!!

2008-01-14T01:18:00.001-06:00

Hi Friends.. Wish you and yours a very happy Bhogi and Sankranti!

In Andhra Pradesh, it is celebrated as a three-day harvest festival Pongal. It is a big event for the people of Andhra Pradesh. The Telugus like to call it 'Pedda Panduga' meaning big festival. The whole event lasts for four days, the first day Bhogi, the second day Sankranti, the third day Kanuma and the fourth day, Mukkanuma.

So wish you all a HAPPY SANKRANTI.

What a disappointment !!!

2008-01-13T11:13:00.001-06:00

I was watching the Cowboys-Giants game today and sure was disappointed by their performance in the game. After having a wonderful regular season of 13-3 the Cowboys couldn't make it to the NFC Championship game.

The New York Giants shocked the Dallas Cowboys in a close game in Dallas and made it to the NFC Championship. The Giants beat the Cowboys 21 to 17 to face the Green Bay Packers next sunday in Green Bay.

The Cowboys couldn't validate a 13-3 regular season. This matched the best in team history. The Giants beat Dallas for the first time this season and advanced to the NFC Championship game.

The Cowboys were down 7 in the 1st quater and managed to bounce back to 14-14 by the end of first half. In the third quater Cowboys managed to get a field goal and by the end of 3rd quater Dallas was leading 17-14. But a touchdown by the Giants in the fourth quater left Dallas with 17-21 and the Giants made it to the NFC Championship

In the end all I have to say is it was really a disappoinment to see the Cowboys lose today. Hope they do well in the next season.

What a Mess!!!

2008-01-12T12:17:00.002-06:00

The latest hollywood flick I watched is the much awaited movie of the holidays "AVP-R".

Yes.. Aliens Vs Predator - Requiem. I went to the movie with a lot of expectations. But I was so disappointed. The movie wasn't even near my expectations.

The first part which I thought was maybe ok was far better than the sequel. The way the plot brings the two iconic monsters, in the first part, onto the same time line was incredible. Whereas the sequel was nothing near to the first one. The movie opens with the last scene of the first part and thats it. After that you can't understand what's going on. The plot stinks, the acting stinks and totally the movie stinks. And the ending is worst. There is no story, nothing. And the funny part is the main Alien (The Villan #1 from the aline side) is a hybrid of Alien and Predator. How intresting!!!

So if any of you are planning to go to the movie, please don't go with a lot of expectations. And don't forget to take some asprin with you :). Have fun.

Rating : 0.5/5

I am SORRY!!!!

2008-01-11T09:40:00.002-06:00

Hi Friends...

Here I am again with some thoughts. "I am Sorry". hmmm... why do we say that? Sometimes even the fault is not on our side we tend to say that. I think WHY? And the person on the receiving side really don't listen to you. That particular person starts ignoring you. You try to persue the person more and more and they don't even try to listen. Recently I came across a couple of lines somewhere I read and understood why it is so hard when you try to apologige to a person they keep pushing you away.

"Unfortunately, these days, when someone apologises, it is seen as either a sign of weakness or an admission of guilt."

So this is the reason. Now I understand. So my friends, the next time you apolozige to someone think twice before you do it. Is it really my fault? Does the person really worth it? And above all Why am I apoloziging? Remember everytime you are apoloziging you are becoming weak.

NOTE: Comments are always welcome.

Is this Funny?

2008-01-10T03:34:00.001-06:00

Hey guys,

This is my first post.

I am a big fan of Cricket. But over the last one week I am so disappointed that I wish I should have never loved cricket. The Sydney test match between Australia vs India ended in a disaster. The test that will be remembered for all the bad moments but none for good. Lot of bad feelings for both the sides, umpiring "errors", sledging, racism remarks... Oh My God.. what has cricket come to?? I keep reading all the articles and comments from people on different sites, fourms, blogs and all I see is statements filled with hate for the person on the opposite side. I have been across so many blogs, newspaper columns, fourms but lately I came across a couple of posts those made me write this.

The Courier-Mail, an Australian newspaper published a picture of Australian Cricketer Andrew Symonds with his face superimposed on Lord Hanuman's body on Monday, 7 January 2008. "Symonds is just Divine; That's no Monkey" ran the caption on the photograph in the Courier Mail.

In another fourm regarding the T-shirts that are being sold in India over the racism issue. This was posted in the newspaper"TheAustralian." http://media.theaustralian.com.au/multimedia/2008/01/09-tshirts/index.html. At first I thought these are funny but I thought over it twice and feel something is not right. Is this what Cricket is all about? Is this how game is played? I am not sure. But I really feel bad about all this. Hopefully people will leave behind all this at some point of time and forget all that has happend in the 2nd test but there will always be a little bitter taste left in the mouths of both the sides which will be always there everytime when these "Titans" Clash in future. Hopefully the next time the Oz tours India they better not have Symonds in their 16.