Aaaaargh!

You know, there are some things that irritate the hell out of me. I am not usually one to actively display too much emotion.......er, okay, I do do that a lot, but still. I think what I am about to tell you is one of my pet peeves. So, if you are one of the providers whom I shop for services and are reading this, sit up and take notice (which is unlikely).

I HATE WHEN YOU CHANGE MY SERVICES WITHOUT MY PERMISSION!

Jesus! What's wrong with these service providers? Nowhere do I mention that I want something that is working perfectly fine changed, so why do you have to go ahead and make my life a living hell?

Let me tell you what happened. I have been using this credit card for the past 6 months. First off, I had to search high and low for a company that would even THINK about giving me a credit card. Some crap about me not having a credit history in the US. Er, excuse me dimwits? New to this country? New SSN? New everything? Ring any bells? Ring a ting ting!

So, I finally find a company that will give me a card to build my history. In short, they'll give me a card with a measly credit limit so that I can use it to look goody goody for the creditors. Anyway, two and a half weeks ago, while I am abroad, my card stops working for no apparent reason. I am like, WTF, mate?

Then, five days later, I receive an e-mail saying that the company has sent me a new card on an address that will not accept letters/mail until 10th August, and that I have to activate the new card. WTF?!

Today I receive another e-mail saying that I need to activate my card by 11th August to continue "enjoying uninterrupted services". Seriously, WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU GUYS?

The previous card was working perfectly. I never put in a request for a change of card. I even called you and asked you what the eff was wrong and you told me this was routine? Like Hell! Why wasn't it not intimated to me beforehand. Why did it take you FIVE freakin' days to send an E-MAIL?! And WHY the HELL isn't my OLD card still WORKING?

Aaaaaargh! Now, if only they would increase my credit limit on the card without asking, I would not complain. At least they will be giving something in return for all the headache they are putting me through! Until then...

Aaaaargh!

It feels good...

...when you decide to do something and actually go through with it. There is a sense of satisfaction, of accomplishment, that is unparalleled to anything. For a long time now, almost more than a year, I have been feeling guilty of the fact that my physical activity has gone down by a lot. A year ago, I used to play sports, ride the bike, and always take the stairs. A year before that, I used to be a regular player of soccer, badminton and used to visit the school's swimming pool often.

I left all of that once I left high school, though. At AU, the most physical activity that I do is walk from class to class. I take the elevator instead of the stairs and the longest run that I ever went on was from Tenley to Main Campus or from Main Campus to the Berks, and that too only once or twice.

I knew I was woefully out of shape and it was eating me up. That's why I decided to start running again. Now, if anyone knows me well, they'd understand that it's a long way for me to decide to do something like this and actually do it. I, like everybody else, have had a long list of "resolutions" that I have failed to adhere to. Still, I was determined to at least try. 

 

This decision was three days ago.

I kept putting it off. Kept trying to placate myself by saying that I will do it in the evening, or tomorrow. And with each passing day, it became obvious that I was just procrastinating (an activity that I am great at, btw). So, this evening, I resolved to go for it and before I could let anything else distract me, I donned my sneakers and set out with my new iPod shuffle. 

To say that I was out of shape is an understatement. I was winded after half a kilometer and was struggling to go on after one. But, I was determined to complete the circuit, which was a little short of a mile. 

 

And I did.

Which brings me back to my point of the sense of accomplishment. It feels great. It also feels awful because now every muscle in my body is crying afoul. I hate lactic acid! Ugh! Despite that, the "good" feeling outweighs the "awful". Now, I just need a little more encouragement to continue this regimen.

 

If only I could have someone run for me....hmmmmm....

Lol...

Ciao

~Bikram

Some Surveys Can be Ridiculous

It is a known fact that I use my cell phone a lot. As a matter of fact, I am using my phone at the moment to write this. I have been using cell phones since 8th grade and internet since 6th. Both used to be a novelty at their respective times. Now, though, they are a part and parcel of my (our) daily lives. Infact, I feel empty when I don't have access to these two basic amenities. Yes, they have become a necessity, so much so, that Netherlands has made internet access a fundamental right! I still can't believe that!

Anyway, back to the topic that brought me back to the blogosphere. I frequently use internet on my phone. While in India, it is usually the slower 2G GPRS version, but in the US, it is the faster 3G version. As a browser, I use Opera Mini, probably the best for Symbian phones. Also, probably the only third-party browser. Lol So Opera had this lifestyle survey they wanted me to take. And no, not THAT kind of lifestyle...lol...my internet/technology usage lifestyle.

So, as I was answering the questions (I am in the middle of summer vacations, and bored, so yeah, I took the survey), I was surprised to see questions like - 

"Have you ever read a newspaper in print?"

"Have you ever looked for a book in the library?"

"Have you ever sent a handwritten letter in mail?" and

"Have you ever used a public phone?"

I don't know about y'all, but seriously, what kind of questions are these? We're not living in those ultra-hi tech sci-fic movies where seeing a book in papyrus is a huge effin' deal. I am sure most of you would have done most, if not all, of these things they asked above. You know, I felt seriously OLD while answering those questions because I can understand kids born in the here and now answering those questions in the negative, not those of us born in the 90s, or even early 2000s. Hell, in most countries of this blue world, people will
still answer yes to those quedtions.

I just wonder what we're coming to. It makes me think that are all those 'futuristic' movies like Babylon AD, Terminator, etc really futuristic?

I think this is enough cynicism and deep thinking for 2 in the morning, right?

Ciao
~Bikram

--
Sent from my mobile device

I'm bored, so....

RULE 1 
You can only say yes or no. 

RULE 2 
You are not allowed to explain anything unless someone messages you and asks! (So people reading this, if you want an explanation.. comment.) 
-- 

Asked someone to marry you? - YES

Kissed one of your Facebook friends? - YES 

Danced on a table? - YES 

Ever told a lie? – YES

Had feelings for someone whom you can't have back? - YES 

Ever kissed someone of the same sex? - YES

Kissed a picture? - YES 

Slept in until 5 PM? - YES

Fallen asleep at school? - YES 

Held a snake? - YES

Been suspended from school? - NO

Worked at a fast food restaurant? - NO 

Stolen from a store? - NO 

Been fired from a job? - YES

Done something you regret? - YES 

Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose? - YES 

Caught a snowflake on your tongue? - YES

Kissed in the rain? - YES 

Sat on a roof top? - YES 

Kissed someone you shouldn't? - YES

Sang in the shower? - YES 

Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on? - YES

Shaved your head? - NO

Slept naked? - YES

Had a boxing/gym membership? - YES

Made a boyfriend/girlfriend cry? - NO

Been in a band? - NO 

Shot a gun? - YES

Donated Blood? - YES

Eaten alligator meat? - NO 

Eaten cheesecake? - YES

Still love someone you shouldn't? - NO 

Have/had a tattoo? - NO 

Liked someone, but will never tell who? - YES

Been too honest? - YES 

Ruined a surprise? - NO 

Ate in a restaurant and got really bloated that you cant walk afterward? - YES 

Erased someone in your friends list? - YES 

Dressed in a woman's clothes (if your a guy) or man's clothes (if your a girl)? - YES 

Joined a pageant? - NO

Been told that you're handsome or beautiful by someone who totally meant what they said? – YES 

LOVE Someone? - YES 

Get totally drunk one night and you have an exam tomorrow morning? - YES

A total stranger treat you by paying your public transportation fare? - NO

Get totally angry that you cried so hard? - YES

Why Indian kids are popular as know-it-alls!

Taken from the internet:

 

It was the first day of a school in USA and a new Indian student named Chandrasekhar Subramanian entered the fourth grade.

The teacher said, "Let's begin by reviewing some American History. Who said 'Give me Liberty , or give me Death'?"

She saw a sea of blank faces, except for Chandrasekhar, who had his hand up:?'Patrick Henry, 1775'he said.

'Very good! Who said 'Government of the People, by the People, for the People, shall not perish from the Earth?''

Again, no response except from Chandrasekhar. 'Abraham Lincoln, 1863' said Chandrasekhar.

The teacher snapped at the class, 'Class, you should be ashamed. Chandrasekhar, who is new to our country, knows more about our history than you do.'

She heard a loud whisper: 'F*** the Indians,'

'Who said that?' she demanded. Chandrasekhar put his hand up. 'General Custer, 1862.'

At that point, a student in the back said, 'I'm gonna puke.'

The teacher glares around and asks 'All right! Now, who said that?' Again, Chandrasekhar says, 'George Bush to the Japanese Prime Minister, 1991.'

Now furious, another student yells, 'Oh yeah? Suck this!'

Chandrasekhar jumps out of his chair waving his hand and shouts to the teacher, 'Bill Clinton, to Monica Lewinsky, 1997'

Now with almost mob hysteria someone said 'You little shit. If you say anything else, I'll kill you.' Chandrasekhar frantically yells at the top of his voice, ' Michael Jackson to the child witnesses testifying against him, 2004.'

The teacher fainted. And as the class gathered around the teacher on the floor, someone said, 'Oh shit, we're screwed!' And Chandrasekhar said quietly, 'I think it was Lehmann Brothers, November 4th, 2008'.

You Know You Are An Army Kid......

I received this via a Facebook message and fell over laughing! This is so true! Thanks, Teju for sending me this! :)

YOU KNOW YOU ARE A PURE BREED FAUJI KID IF: 

1 You were born in a Military Hospital 
2 Half your toddler years were spent being looked after by Bhaiyas (no xplanation here) 
3 You went to school either on Bhaiya's cycle or in a Shaktiman or a 1 Ton 
4 You know what a shaktiman is. (No! it isnt the TV serial about half man and half machine starring AB lookalike) 
5 Jeeps & Jongas don't excite you - they were your regular mode of transport! 
6 The only alternative to the Central School was the Army School. 
7 You always called Kendriya Vidyalaya Central School. Gosh even today that sounds better! 
8 Your entire family could survive in one room temporary quarters with 25 trunks, wooden crates, the dog, the bedroll and two bhaiyas flitting around. 
9 The smell of Brasso & shoe polish was regular staple. 
10 Mess was not what you created in your room, it was where you went every Friday for the free "english" movie. 
11 The "English Movie" was very often a western and you couldnt follow a word! Sometimes you just went for the samosas and the local drink that they insisted was Cola. 
12 At the end of the month your dad had to pay for many pink slips showing how many samosas and local drinks that they insisted was Cola you had consumed. They never missed any!!! 
13 You attended many May Queen Balls before you knew what Miss India was. 
14 Your mother regularly got dressed, perfumed and disappeared for the Ladies Club. 
15 You knew towns like Mhow, Wellington, Deolali and Bhuj
16 You werent a millionaire but hey you had Swimming, Horse Riding, Squash, Tennis and Golf!! 
14 You thought the main reason to have a Golf Course was to have a Holi Bash. 
15 You can still take one quick look at the epaulets and figure out the rank. 
16 You discussed wednesday's Chitrahaar in the Shaktiman.
17 You can still recall the special & particular smell of the CSD canteen! A special prize for the correct concoction - mine is - it was a mix of Hamam Soap, Ponds Dreamflower Talc & Surf i think. In some corners it had overtures of Brooke Bond red Label as well. 
18 Your vacations were a package deal consisting of D-forms, Sharma Uncle Ka jonga and Signals Mess ka kamra.

 

I really miss the Army life...I haven't had the pleasure to experience the fun, frolic and mayhem since sixth grade. Those weekly parties at the Officer's Mess, the Children's Nite every year, the Tambola Nights - everything!

I miss it all! Sigh!

~Bikram

I was counted!!

For those of you who don't know, the US is conducting is census this year. Like India, the US also does its census every 10 years, and 2010 is one of that decade. 

So here's the funny part. I just filled out my census! O.o Apparently, EVERYONE is counted, even legal aliens like me. But, in the form, there was no option for me to state that I am not a citizen of the United States. I don't know what that means, but I think I might have just been counted twice in the population of the world (since India did its last census in 2001 and I was counted there. 

Another irony - I'm going to be in India in 2011 when India does her census again. I will be counted there too, and legitimately, because I will be an Indian citizen living in India at that time. I think I just burst my brain trying to think too much about alla this immigration stuff!

Talking about immigration, let me tell you how awful this whole system is here in the US. I can't work off-campus for payment at all. If I have to work off-campus, I have to do it for academic credit. But guess what? American University requires all its students to PAY for receiving academic credit!! I mean, WTF, AU? Why would I want to pay to work? Not only am I not getting any stipend for doing an internship, I have to pay the university an exorbitant amount just so it goes on my record! Money making machines, I tell you!

Let me not get started on their credit-hour policies, 'cause that is a rant of its own!

~Bikram

South Park Takes on Facebook

American animated sitcom South Park took on Facebook a few days ago. With parodies, it explained how ridiculous Facebook, and its users, have become.

I blogged about Facebook a few months ago talking about how Facebook actually makes you unsocial. My view hasn't changed a bit since then. I still come across Facebook "friends" in real life having no idea that they know me. I am guilty of that sin as well. Having more than 1000 friends can make you like that. :D

So, a good blog put in a collection of South Park clips on Facebook. They are really good...check 'em out here

Oh, and South Park also took on Chatroulette. Here's the clip for that. Hilarious and relevant.

Hahaha...

~Bikram

P.S
I also don't wanna see dudes jacking off on CR. That's probably why I don't go there at all! :D

I'm Coming Home for the Summer...

You heard it right folks. It has finally been confirmed that I will, indeed, be going back to India for the summer. Right now, I am trying to look for an internship in Chandigarh. I will also be taking an online class with AU over the summer. Intro to Int'l Relations Research. It is a requirement and I do not want to waste my time taking such a class during my regular semesters.

 

As far as internships go, I have got in touch with AISEC Chandigarh and it looks like they might have something for me. Hopefully, I'd be able to get a job AND get academic credit for it. Too much hope, but a boy can dream, can't he?

On other fronts, I have a lot to blog about. Starting from Facebook's new policies, to AU's credit-hour policies, to AU's proposed changes to the Student Handbook, to various other news pieces around the world. If only I can find the time to write about alla this. hahaha

Exams are gonna start in two weeks and the end-of-semester craziness is in full swing. So, I think I should stop procrastinating and get back to studying.

~Bikram

The Bitch is Back!!

After a lot of thought and debate on whether I should do it or not, I have decided to bring back my blog and resume posting. So, stay tuned for the sassy, bitchy, and sarcastic rendition of all that is happening around the world, in my life, and at AU! Let the shit-show begin! -Bikram