I share a 2001 chat transcript where I bond with an Indian student in Canada over Bollywood, consultant jokes, and childhood crushes. We end our cross-continental conversation by setting a virtual date for apple pie and ice cream.

Yet another one of those late night chats in which I set up a virtual date for apple pie and ice cream with a Canadian grad.\ yours\truly00\2000: Hi\ root\node: Hi yours\ yours\truly00\2000: :-)\ root\node: What're you doing, up so early?\ yours\truly00\2000: early??\ root\node: 9:30\ yours\truly00\2000: it's like 9:00 pm hea in Canada\ root\node: Gosh, that's late then. Get to bed!\ yours\truly00\2000: lolz\ root\node: You from Mumbai?\ yours\truly00\2000: 9 o'clock ain't that late ;P\ yours\truly00\2000: nope\ root\node: Indian?\ yours\truly00\2000: btw...... whatcha doin' up so early yo 'self huh??\ yours\truly00\2000: yes, an Indian\ root\node: Me, I'm not awake. I'm sleep-chatting\ yours\truly00\2000: :-D\ yours\truly00\2000: yeah , that makes sense\ yours\truly00\2000: hehe\ root\node: Where in Canada are you?\ yours\truly00\2000: B.C.\ yours\truly00\2000: are u from Bombay?\ root\node: In Bombay, not from.\ yours\truly00\2000: :-P\ root\node: Where are you from?\ yours\truly00\2000: I thought I told ya\ yours\truly00\2000: didn't I ?\ root\node: I mean where from India?\ yours\truly00\2000: oh\ yours\truly00\2000: I'm a Gujarati\ yours\truly00\2000: ;-)\ root\node: Does the ID "tony\bam\bam" ring a bell?\ yours\truly00\2000: ummmmm.....no.\ yours\truly00\2000: I don't think so\ root\node: The reason I ask is, a couple of months ago...\ root\node: this guy came over to this chat room, and asked\ root\node: if there were "any Patels around"\ yours\truly00\2000: lolz\ root\node: He wanted to learn Gujrati, so he could impress his\ root\node: GF, who was at college.\ root\node: The best I could do was help him out with Hindi.\ yours\truly00\2000: lolz\ root\node: Hope the poor bloke never tried it out\ yours\truly00\2000: hehe\ yours\truly00\2000: he probably ended up gettin' a slap on his face\ root\node: That would've been the start.\ root\node: You ever slapped anyone? (Or got slapped?)\ yours\truly00\2000: The guy's GF..." Tane Gujarati nati aavadtu!!! " \SLAP\\ yours\truly00\2000: ooooh , that's neva been da case for me\ root\node: What does that mean: "Tane..."\ yours\truly00\2000: " You can't speak no Gujarati !!"\ yours\truly00\2000: hehe\ root\node: And why is that "neva been da case..."?\ yours\truly00\2000: just cuz I'm a goodie goodie\ root\node: Gosh, never thought I'd meet somebody goodie goodie on the Net!!\ yours\truly00\2000: have u ever been slapped?\ yours\truly00\2000: lol\ root\node: So, you've never sneaked a cookie out of its jar, have you?\ yours\truly00\2000: maybe earlier when I was a kid\ root\node: Yes, I've been slapped all right. 3 times, if I remember.\ root\node: But that's by my mom, and for not being goodie goodie!\ yours\truly00\2000: but I wouldn't get slapped for that!\ yours\truly00\2000: lol@ 3 times\ root\node: No, actually, I've been slapped once after that.\ yours\truly00\2000: really?\ root\node: I was driving my scooter to college, and\ yours\truly00\2000: who slapped ya?\ root\node: I banged into this aayah who was crossing the road.\ root\node: Not that I meant to, but...\ root\node: And she slapped me so hard, that my glasses fell off!\ yours\truly00\2000: awwww, u poor thing\ root\node: I ran away, of course. (Left the scooter behind)\ yours\truly00\2000: lol\ root\node: She seemed a bit too formidable.\ yours\truly00\2000: btw.... wot's an aayah?\ root\node: Um... sort of like a maid-servant?\ yours\truly00\2000: a maid slapped ya??\ root\node: Pretty hard\ yours\truly00\2000: how could she!?!?!?\ root\node: Can't demonstrate, I'm afraid. You'll have to use your imagination\ yours\truly00\2000: lol\ root\node: Are you in school?\ yours\truly00\2000: uni.\ yours\truly00\2000: u ?\ root\node: I just graduated. Working (and earning money! wow -- feels so good)\ yours\truly00\2000: :-P\ yours\truly00\2000: what sorta work do ya do?\ root\node: I'm a consultant. :-(\ yours\truly00\2000: why the :-( ?\ root\node: Well, lots of people don't like consultants.\ root\node: You know the jokes, right?\ root\node: A consultant takes your watch and tells you the time.\ root\node: A consultant comes uninvited and tells you how many sheep you have,\ root\node: and takes your dog, Etc. etc. etc.\ root\node: BTW, which univ are you at?\ root\node: A couple of my friends are at York and McGill\ yours\truly00\2000: <------ likes consultants though\ yours\truly00\2000: .. or maybe a consultant\ yours\truly00\2000: I go to UBC\ root\node: <---- likes yours\truly :-x\ yours\truly00\2000: awwww, that's sweet\ yours\truly00\2000: :-D\ yours\truly00\2000: :turns away from root\node and blushes.\ root\node: <----- waits to get slapped...\ yours\truly00\2000: LOL\ root\node: What's your major?\ yours\truly00\2000: Business Admin.\ root\node: Ouch!!\ yours\truly00\2000: whaa?\ root\node: I just did my MBA too. That ain't good....\ yours\truly00\2000: ;-) root\node: All the people I see around me\ root\node: are BBA, MBA, etc.\ yours\truly00\2000: lol\ yours\truly00\2000: ...and that's not good... why?\ root\node: Well... actually, it's good. But then, I'd rather you said "Abstract poetry" or something.\ root\node: Now, THAT's an exotic major\ yours\truly00\2000: :-D\ root\node: Do you read poetry?\ yours\truly00\2000: in school , yes\ yours\truly00\2000: do u?\ root\node: Nope. I've this disease. I'm allergic to poetry. In fact...\ root\node: every time I read a book that has verse inbetween,\ root\node: I just can't read the verse! My eyes refuse to go to that part!!\ yours\truly00\2000: oh dear\ yours\truly00\2000: you've gotta like poetry!\ root\node: The only exception till date has been "The Mouse's Tail" in Alice in Wonderland.\ root\node: You've read it?\ yours\truly00\2000: nope\ yours\truly00\2000: is it any good?\ root\node: It's cute. The poetry is written in the shape of a mouse's tail\ yours\truly00\2000: :-P\ root\node: I like limericks too. But that's about it.\ yours\truly00\2000: i c\ yours\truly00\2000: can I ask u a question?\ root\node: Sure...\ yours\truly00\2000: how \young\ are you?\ yours\truly00\2000: ;-)\ root\node: Not at all. Take a guess...\ yours\truly00\2000: 20?\ root\node: When I meant "not at all", I meant \VERY\ old.\ yours\truly00\2000: around 60?\ root\node: Not THAT old.\ yours\truly00\2000: LOL\ root\node: But it sure feels old. OK, lower...\ yours\truly00\2000: jus messin' wit ya\ yours\truly00\2000: 50?\ yours\truly00\2000: 45??\ root\node: Lower!!\ yours\truly00\2000: LOL\ yours\truly00\2000: 30?\ yours\truly00\2000: 25?\ root\node: Lower.\ root\node: Higher\ yours\truly00\2000: huh?\ root\node: 26, actually.\ yours\truly00\2000: 26?\ yours\truly00\2000: hmmmm\ root\node: why?\ yours\truly00\2000: that's not too old\ root\node: It sure feels really old...\ yours\truly00\2000: r u married?\ root\node: Compared to the days my dad could lift me, at least!\ root\node: Nope, unmarried.\ yours\truly00\2000: got a gf?\ root\node: The pleasures of a bachelor's life are still mine.\ yours\truly00\2000: oh okay\ root\node: What about you? Are you 20?\ yours\truly00\2000: lower actually\ root\node: 18?\ yours\truly00\2000: yep\ yours\truly00\2000: I'm 18.\ root\node: Guess you'd be in your first year, then. BF?\ yours\truly00\2000: naaw, no bf\ root\node: Oh dear me, you poor thing... why not?\ yours\truly00\2000: broke up wit mah ex last yr\ root\node: Oh... too bad.\ root\node: Was he fun?\ yours\truly00\2000: ??\ root\node: I mean, was he humorous?\ yours\truly00\2000: sure he was\ root\node: Yeah, that's the kind of BF/GF I'd like. Someone who's fun to be with.\ yours\truly00\2000: ;-)\ root\node: I sure'd like to be with someone with a good sense of humour!\ yours\truly00\2000: thas kewl\ root\node: What do you do when free, apart from chatting up with strange old men from Mumbai?\ yours\truly00\2000: lol@ strange old men\ yours\truly00\2000: I like swimming, playin' tennis wit dad on da weekends, skating,\ yours\truly00\2000: sleeping (:-)), watchin' movies..etc.\ yours\truly00\2000: yourself?\ root\node: Good lord, the outdoor types!!\ root\node: I'm the "indoor types"\ yours\truly00\2000: what sorta stuff?\ root\node: Eating, sleeping (OK, we got that in common), reading, talking\ root\node: ummm... anything else that's useless.\ yours\truly00\2000: lol\ root\node: Actually, I like doing nothing the best.\ yours\truly00\2000: LOL\ yours\truly00\2000: you crack me up\ root\node: You know, sitting at home, not sleeping... not reading.. not eating...\ root\node: that's the best way to enjoy life.\ yours\truly00\2000: :-P\ root\node: Of course, even better would be to get paid for it\ root\node: Hey, have you ever modelled for a painting?\ yours\truly00\2000: moi??\ yours\truly00\2000: haha\ yours\truly00\2000: naah\ root\node: That's the perfect job!! You just sit there while the guy paints you,\ yours\truly00\2000: lol\ root\node: and you'd get paid for it!! I'm going to\ root\node: hunt around for some painters in the locality!!\ yours\truly00\2000: :-)\ root\node: What movies do you watch?\ yours\truly00\2000: English and Hindi movies\ yours\truly00\2000: u?\ root\node: Add Tamil to the list.\ yours\truly00\2000: Vannakam\ root\node: Gosh!! How'd you know that!?!?\ yours\truly00\2000: ;-)\ yours\truly00\2000: I have mah sources\ root\node: Not fair!! I don't know a WORD of Gujrati.\ yours\truly00\2000: lol\ root\node: Well,... except for "Tane..." oops.. I forgot that too!\ yours\truly00\2000: LOL\ root\node: Seen Dil Chahta Hein?\ yours\truly00\2000: yeah , I saw it yesterday\ root\node: Liked it?\ yours\truly00\2000: ummm..errrrmm..uhh\ yours\truly00\2000: I guess\ root\node: OK, not quite I guess.\ root\node: Why not root\node: I mean, what didn't you like\ yours\truly00\2000: I didn't quite get the story\ root\node: Ah....\ yours\truly00\2000: and my Hindu sucks\ root\node: Oh... OK. Actually, I loved it!\ root\node: Especially that part with Saif Ali Khan. I'm kind-of like that.\ yours\truly00\2000: :-)\ yours\truly00\2000: he's kinda cute\ root\node: I think Aamir's the cutest of the lot, though.\ root\node: Except for Saif's voice. That was so funny!\ yours\truly00\2000: :-D\ root\node: What's your all-time favourite movie?\ yours\truly00\2000: hmmmmm.... Mary Poppins\ yours\truly00\2000: yours?\ root\node: Oh, I haven't seen Mary Poppins!\ root\node: My favourite is Roman Holiday.\ yours\truly00\2000: neva heard of that\ root\node: !!!!! You can't be serious!!\ yours\truly00\2000: I haven't\ yours\truly00\2000: seriously\ root\node: Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn....\ root\node: It's her FIRST movie!!\ yours\truly00\2000: me don't know\ root\node: Really, you ought to see it. It's fabulous!!\ yours\truly00\2000: :-P\ root\node: It's about a princess, who doesn't like being a princess,\ root\node: so she runs away, and a reporter finds her,\ root\node: and he knows she's the princess, but she doesn't\ root\node: know he knows, and they go around the city, while he secretly\ root\node: takes snaps of her, and then they go to a dance, fall in love, but then the\ root\node: princess has to go back, so he drops her at the palace,\ root\node: and finally,.... no I won't tell you the ending.\ root\node: It's just incredible!\ yours\truly00\2000: :-O\ root\node: And I've got to see Mary Poppins too. It's been on my list for too long.\ yours\truly00\2000: ;-)\ root\node: Who's acted in it?\ yours\truly00\2000: can u talk on da mic?\ root\node: Nope. I'm at office, and the guy next to me is a bit paranoid about noises...\ root\node: In fact, every time I'm on the phone, there's this\ root\node: perpetual "hush hush" sound that he keeps making behind me!\ root\node: Hey, Mary Poppins has Julie Andrews!! I didn't know that.\ yours\truly00\2000: hey\ yours\truly00\2000: u there??\ root\node: Yup... you been getting my messages?\ yours\truly00\2000: sorry , I got d/c\ yours\truly00\2000: :-(\ root\node: Are you on a dial-up\ yours\truly00\2000: yea\ root\node: Well, it sure is much faster than the dial-ups around here!\ root\node: Do you chat often?\ yours\truly00\2000: yeah , on da weekends\ yours\truly00\2000: u ?\ root\node: I started chatting every weekend...\ root\node: but a couple of months ago, I met this person, with whom\ root\node: I went out for dinner. In which she revealed herself, (amidst tears)\ root\node: to be a chain smoker, alcoholic, drug addict, and a lesbian, and introduced me\ yours\truly00\2000: :-O\ root\node: to the gay DJ she was currently living with.\ root\node: And there's court cases pending against her in 3 cities.\ yours\truly00\2000: whoa\ root\node: And I'd adopted her as my daughter on the Internet!!\ root\node: So I've kind of taken to staying away from chat rooms, and trying to recover\ root\node: (just kidding!)\ yours\truly00\2000: LOL\ yours\truly00\2000: that's crazy\ root\node: I came online today to chat with a friend at SF. She wasn't around, though...\ root\node: Yeah, it's crazy. But though I said it\ root\node: in a funny way, (and it's true), poor thing was really confused.\ root\node: Her father's a big-shot at SAIL. IIT-IIM and all that.\ root\node: And she's got some problems at home, I think.\ yours\truly00\2000: how old is she?\ root\node: 21\ yours\truly00\2000: k.\ root\node: Strange, really.. how life can change some people.\ yours\truly00\2000: yea\ root\node: From what she tells me, she was nothing like this when she was a kid.\ root\node: Hmm... how'bout you? What were you like when you were a kid?\ yours\truly00\2000: you'd hafta ask mommy\ yours\truly00\2000: hehe\ root\node: And what might she say?\ yours\truly00\2000: that I was a perfect angel\ yours\truly00\2000: j/k\ root\node: j/k?\ yours\truly00\2000: just kidding\ root\node: Ok,... which still leaves the "little angel's" childhood activities...?\ yours\truly00\2000: I dunno\ yours\truly00\2000: I think I was a good kid\ root\node: I mean, what did YOU feel like when you were a kid?\ root\node: Have you changed?\ yours\truly00\2000: sure I have!\ yours\truly00\2000: I'm not a kid anymore\ root\node: In what ways?\ yours\truly00\2000: ;-)\ yours\truly00\2000: I'm more mature wit my ways\ root\node: I'm told I was very cute and cuddly as a kid.\ yours\truly00\2000: do you think you've changed at all from the age of 6 till now?\ root\node: I kinda disagree. I look horribly fat.\ root\node: Not that I don't right now... but I'd remove the horribly from it. And I'm not cute AT ALL.\ root\node: But as for viewpoint, yeah, I've changed in some ways.\ root\node: I don't know if I like it, though.\ root\node: I still have the innocence I had as a kid. I trust everybody and everything.\ yours\truly00\2000: :-) root\node: But I lost the carefreeness of childhood somewhere along the way, and am trying to get it back.\ root\node: These days, I'm more cautious, more... sober, etc.\ yours\truly00\2000: do u drink?\ root\node: Nope. Do you?\ yours\truly00\2000: na\ root\node: Why not?\ yours\truly00\2000: do u smoke?\ root\node: Not that either. And I suppose you don't, too.\ yours\truly00\2000: yea, neither do I\ root\node: Why? Don't like it? Scared to? Never tried?\ yours\truly00\2000: never tried it ... and never want to\ root\node: I tried some wine, actually. Couldn't stand the taste.\ yours\truly00\2000: well, a few drinks might be aiite\ yours\truly00\2000: you don't like wine?\ root\node: It tasted too bitter. It was red wine, I think.\ yours\truly00\2000: i c\ root\node: I stupidly bought it when I was at Paris, figuring that if I'm in France, may as well buy wines...\ root\node: But neither I, nor my parents, nor my GF liked it.\ yours\truly00\2000: kewl\ yours\truly00\2000: r u a Maharashtrian?\ root\node: As always, chocolates are the best thing to buy anywhere!\ root\node: No, I'm a Madrasi.\ yours\truly00\2000:\ root\node: You like chocolates?\ yours\truly00\2000: luv'em!!\ yours\truly00\2000: u ?\ root\node: Me too!\ yours\truly00\2000:\ root\node: White chocolates, especially.\ root\node: I'm quite capable of finishing of a kg of chocolates a meal.\ yours\truly00\2000: hehe\ root\node: And if they're white, 2 kgs!!\ root\node: I like ice-cream too. Actually, my favourite dish (varies, but mostly)\ root\node: is hot apple pie with ice cream.\ yours\truly00\2000: I hate white chocolate\ yours\truly00\2000: it makes me feel as if I'm eating milk bars\ root\node: Gosh! I disown you!!\ root\node:\ yours\truly00\2000: sowwie , but I don't like'em\ yours\truly00\2000: hehe\ root\node: Actually, I'm in a minority. Very few people I know like white chocolate.\ yours\truly00\2000: ooooh, apple pie wit ice cream!!\ yours\truly00\2000: I really want some dessert now\ root\node: Me too... hey have you had dinner?\ yours\truly00\2000: yes I have\ yours\truly00\2000: have u?\ root\node: And dessert too? Already?\ yours\truly00\2000: wanna go out for ice cream?\ root\node: Sure. Shall we?\ yours\truly00\2000: lets!\ yours\truly00\2000:\ root\node: Where to, though? There's a good cafe at London. About mid-way, I think?\ yours\truly00\2000: lol\ yours\truly00\2000: oh , we could meet up there then\ yours\truly00\2000: or maybe I can come pick ya up\ yours\truly00\2000: <----- has a private jetplane\ root\node: That would be great too. No landing strip near my office, though\ yours\truly00\2000:\ root\node: Not to worry -- I'll climb to the rooftop, and you can pull me up by rope\ yours\truly00\2000: I'll make one then\ yours\truly00\2000: oh that could do too then\ root\node: Have you seen "The Matrix"?\ root\node: Got disconnected again?\ yours\truly00\2000: sorry\ root\node: what happened?\ yours\truly00\2000: got d/c\ root\node: No problem -- that's another thing we could fix when you drop by with your airplane.\ yours\truly00\2000: ello?\ yours\truly00\2000:\ root\node: We'll get you a good wireless connection!\ yours\truly00\2000: hehe\ yours\truly00\2000: okay , so you ready then ?\ root\node: Sure. How long will it take you?\ yours\truly00\2000: it won't take too long\ root\node: OK, I'll take the elevator in a couple of minutes, then.\ yours\truly00\2000: okie dokie\ root\node: I may have to break a few doors, but for you, anything!\ yours\truly00\2000: awwww\ yours\truly00\2000: lol\ root\node: How late is it there?\ yours\truly00\2000: it's 10:15 pm hea\ yours\truly00\2000: what's the time there?\ root\node: 10:45AM.\ root\node: Exactly 12 hours!\ yours\truly00\2000: yea\ yours\truly00\2000: u sure u wanna have dessert in the morning?\ root\node: Hmm... this also means you're talking to me from yesterday night -- Saturday!\ root\node: Sure, why not dessert in the morning? Dessert's good at any time of the day! (or night!)\ yours\truly00\2000: aiite then\ root\node: Have you ever wanted to be a pilot?\ yours\truly00\2000: no , not really\ yours\truly00\2000: have u?\ root\node: Naah. But I always wanted to fly. Like Superman.\ yours\truly00\2000:\ root\node: Still want to, frankly\ yours\truly00\2000: hehe\ root\node: Disconnected again?\ yours\truly00\2000: no , I'm still hea\ root\node: Oo.. guess we've run out of topics, then!!\ root\node: That can't be!\ yours\truly00\2000: you've gotta think of something!!\ yours\truly00\2000: Quick!!\ root\node: Tell me something about yourself, will you?\ root\node: Stuff that you haven't told anyone.\ root\node: We can swap secrets!\ yours\truly00\2000: lolz\ yours\truly00\2000: yeah sure I'd like to do that\ root\node: OK, then! Start..\ yours\truly00\2000: swapping secrets wit someone I just met like half an hour ago!!\ yours\truly00\2000:\ root\node: Yeah... my dad would think me crazy if he heard! yours\truly00\2000: we might as well not then\ yours\truly00\2000: don't ya think?\ yours\truly00\2000: unless ofcourse you really wanna tell me your secrets\ root\node: Depends. are you going to tell my dad what I told him? (If you do, I'll poke a hole in your jet plane!!)\ yours\truly00\2000: a hole in my jetplane??\ yours\truly00\2000: don't you even....!!!\ root\node: Yaah! So don't you dare tell anyone my secrets!\ yours\truly00\2000: I won't\ root\node: So, what's your secret?\ yours\truly00\2000: I'm a lesbian\ yours\truly00\2000: well, a homo\ yours\truly00\2000: LOL\ root\node: Noo..... this can't be... you too? I'm a lesbian too!!!\ yours\truly00\2000: j/k\ yours\truly00\2000: wowwy!!!!!!!!!!!\ yours\truly00\2000: is this a dream come true????\ root\node: My darkest secret. No one knows.\ yours\truly00\2000: lol@ your darkest secret\ yours\truly00\2000:\ root\node: In fact, no one even knows I'm a girl. They all think I'm a guy (funny, really)\ yours\truly00\2000:\ root\node: And even then, they don't believe I like girls more than guys!!\ yours\truly00\2000: lol\ root\node: Every time I go to a disco and tell girls I'm a lesbian, and would they... well,\ root\node: dance with me, they kind of run away.\ root\node: The girls won't even understand my feelings!! God, I'm so happy to have met you\ yours\truly00\2000: me too, me too!\ yours\truly00\2000: I'm soooooooooooo berry beery glad\ yours\truly00\2000: oh God! I'm even more tempted to have dessert wit u now!\ root\node:\ yours\truly00\2000:\ root\node: Uh... just one thing. I'm not going back to your place after the first dessert itself, though.\ root\node: I want to be properly dated!\ yours\truly00\2000: awww man!\ yours\truly00\2000: just when I thought I could bring ya home wit me\ root\node: No way! What do you think? I'm a PROPER LADY!\ yours\truly00\2000: ( Aside: yea right)\ yours\truly00\2000: LOL@ proper lady\ root\node: OK, then, so... what's your real secret?\ yours\truly00\2000: u tell me yours\ root\node: Hmm... lemme see...\ root\node: OK, there was this girl who studied with me at school.\ root\node: And when I was in class 3, we had this play. The Sleeping Beauty.\ root\node: She was the princess, and I was the prince.\ root\node: The last scene (where the prince is supposed to kiss the princess) was\ root\node: changed for our benefit, and in my case, I just got to put my hand on her head.\ root\node: Her name's {censored}, and she grew up to be the most beautiful girl I ever laid my eyes on.\ root\node: Till date, I never have gotten over the fact that it could've been me, giving her the first kiss!\ yours\truly00\2000: aaaawwww, that's so sweet!\ root\node: I lost touch with her for a long time.\ yours\truly00\2000:\ root\node: It was only 6 months ago that I learnt from a friend that\ root\node: she was working for {censored} at {censored}.\ root\node: I hadn't even tried to get in touch with her for all these years,\ root\node: just scared of what I'd say to her, and\ root\node: stuff. I learnt that she's engaged. Now, here's where the irony starts.\ yours\truly00\2000: she's engaged??\ root\node: She's engaged to a guy named Anand. (My name's Anand.)\ yours\truly00\2000:\ root\node: That Anand plays the keyboard really well. (So do I)\ yours\truly00\2000: whoaaa\ root\node: He's from IIM-A. (I'm from IIM-B.)\ root\node: He's a tamil brahmin. (So am I)\ yours\truly00\2000: :-O\ yours\truly00\2000: is he YOU??????\ root\node: Naaah!!\ root\node: That would've been too good to be true. But no.\ yours\truly00\2000: twins???\ root\node: I saw their wedding snaps (yeah, she's married now -- sob sob)! But no, not twins (at least to my knowledge)\ yours\truly00\2000: do u ever regret not keeping in touch?\ root\node: Well... actually no.\ root\node: I mean, for all that she was a wonderful girl and all that,\ root\node: my life's been great the way it is.\ yours\truly00\2000:\ root\node: So there, that's MY secret.\ yours\truly00\2000: yep\ root\node: Your turn, now.\ yours\truly00\2000: \cough\ \cough\\ root\node: (clear your throat as well!)\ yours\truly00\2000: I think I should tell u once I come pick ya up\ yours\truly00\2000:\ yours\truly00\2000: we'll have something to talk to over dessert\ root\node: Naah, not fair!! Tell me now, please? Please? Pretty please?\ yours\truly00\2000: lol\ yours\truly00\2000: I don't think I've really had any such secrets yet\ root\node: Oh, it doesn't have to be "such" a secret. Anything goes!\ yours\truly00\2000: can't think of anything\ yours\truly00\2000: u there??\ root\node: Well... why not invent one then? And tell me about it before you hop on to your jet?\ root\node: I mean, what kind of a secret would you LIKE to have?\ yours\truly00\2000: I don't need secrets in my life\ yours\truly00\2000: My life's an open book\ root\node: Hmm... is it? Really?\ yours\truly00\2000: uh huh\ root\node: You're a really lucky person, then.\ root\node: Stay that way if you can!\ yours\truly00\2000: I will\ yours\truly00\2000: thanks root\node: Chalo, let me not keep this goodie goodie girl past her bedtime.\ root\node: Take care, and make sure you think of me every time you have dessert!!\ yours\truly00\2000: hehe\ yours\truly00\2000:\ yours\truly00\2000: I'll see to that\ yours\truly00\2000: been lovely talkin' to ya Anand\ root\node: Bye! Nice chatting to you.\ yours\truly00\2000: byee

I have a virtual date in London


I am excited to announce that I have joined Boston Consulting Group (BCG) India. This post serves as a short personal update about my new employment status and includes a link to the firm's website.

BCG has been kind enough to employ me.

I have joined BCG


I helped an 18-year-old from Texas navigate his crush on an Indian girl named Geeta. Through our chat, I translated Hindi phrases, explained Gujarati surnames, and discussed the concepts of Karma and the Bhagavad Gita to help him connect with her culture.

I help a guy in Texas propose to his love in Hindi. (I'm root\node) cody\bam\bam: Any Patels here?\ cody\bam\bam: Any Patels here...from Texas?\ cody\bam\bam: Anyone know what the name Geeta, comes from?\ root\node: Geeta comes from the Sanskrit word for song (gaay), I think.\ root\node: Doesn't 'Geeta' mean song, in the firat place, cody?\ cody\bam\bam: I dont know...\ mahindersingh\mayank: hi any good &truthly friend\ cody\bam\bam: i tohguht it was a name of soome teachings?\ cody\bam\bam: Well i live in Texas\ cody\bam\bam: And im in lov with this girl her shes Indian\ root\node: "Bhagavad Geeta" is what you're probably referring to. That literally translates to "God's Song".\ crush0508: hello cute\ root\node: That's interesting! Where's your girlfriend from in India?\ cody\bam\bam: her last name is Patel, she says its a pretty popoular name in India\ root\node: Oh yes, fairly popular (At this point, we shift to personal messages) cody\bam\bam: a/s/l\ root\node: M 26 Mumbai\ root\node: And yours?\ cody\bam\bam: She says its by the ocean...eastern part of India, what ocean is that?\ root\node: Must be the Arabian sea.\ cody\bam\bam: yea thast it\ cody\bam\bam: Man this girl is great\ cody\bam\bam: her name is Geeta\ cody\bam\bam: Geeta Ramanbaja\ root\node: Where did you meet her? Online?\ cody\bam\bam: Noo!!\ cody\bam\bam: she lives here\ cody\bam\bam: in Texas\ cody\bam\bam: her family ons some hotels here\ root\node: Oh good. Does she know? (that you're in love with her)\ cody\bam\bam: what means respect in India...??..\ root\node: You want to translate 'respect'? Well... 'maryaada' would probably be close.\ cody\bam\bam: No she dosnt know, i dont think?\ cody\bam\bam: What bout, Baha..Baja?\ cody\bam\bam: soemtihng like that?\ root\node: I have no idea what Baja means, actually.\ cody\bam\bam: ok, thanks man\ root\node: Welcome. And best of luck!\ cody\bam\bam: So what could i say to her to steal her heart man?\ cody\bam\bam: Sometihn from yalls cultur, u know?\ root\node: Dunno, cody... it takes much more time in India than at Texas, I guess... how long have you known her?\ cody\bam\bam: 2 years\ root\node: Hey, that's pretty good! And you STILL haven't told her?\ cody\bam\bam: i just need some help , i eman i want to sy soemtihng to her that would steal her heart man, sometihng that would surprize her.\ root\node: I could tell you a few phrases, but I suggest you go a little slow, and start giving her hints. OK, first thing you need to do is figure out her mother tongue. It may not be Hindi. If she's a Patel, she might speak Gujrati. If so, it's best to say it in Gujrati.\ cody\bam\bam: Well shes Hindu\ root\node: I'm sure she is. But the language she speaks at home may not be Hindi (as opposed to Hindu -- which is a religion)\ cody\bam\bam: she prays to Shieva..i belive?\ cody\bam\bam: yea i undersatand\ root\node: OK, if you want to say, "You look pretty", try "aap sundhar ho". (The 'sun' in "sundhar" is a short version of "soon", and not to be pronounced 'sun')\ cody\bam\bam: thats geart man\ cody\bam\bam: what bout...Im deeply in love with you\ cody\bam\bam: cause man\ cody\bam\bam: i fall and fall for her the more i talk to her\ root\node: It's going to be awfully tough for you to pronounce just by reading what I say. You really should meet with an Indian or a Pakistani and ask them to teach you Hindi phrases. But for what its worth, here's how I'd transliterate it: "Mei(n) thumse pyaar karthaa hoo(n)"\ root\node: The (n) means you don't say 'n', but end it nasally.\ cody\bam\bam: Man , thats geart\ cody\bam\bam: so whats the offical lang in India\ cody\bam\bam: Its not English , is it?\ root\node: No, but its fairly commonly used. Hindi is the official language.\ cody\bam\bam: So u now many Patels?\ root\node: A few, here and there. It's an extremely common surname.\ cody\bam\bam: 18 m txas\ cody\bam\bam: sorry wrong person\ cody\bam\bam: Man this girl is beautiful man\ root\node: I imagine so. Does she study with you?\ cody\bam\bam: Yea\ root\node: And where's that? What do you study, that is?\ cody\bam\bam: She graduated this year\ cody\bam\bam: just school man\ root\node: And where are you two planning to go for college?\ cody\bam\bam: Shes gongi to UT, Unversty of Texas\ root\node: The one at Austin?\ cody\bam\bam: I plan to go next year after i graduate\ cody\bam\bam: YES!\ cody\bam\bam: Shes very smart\ root\node: Quite a few of my friends study there. Heard its a nice place. IBM has a huge plant there, too. (I used to work at IBM)\ cody\bam\bam: Very Nice\ cody\bam\bam: Man i wish i knew where she was from in India\ root\node: Very smart AND very beautiful. Hmm.. that's always a good combination\ cody\bam\bam: I agree\ cody\bam\bam: Well i know some of her family was injured when the tornado came through...\ cody\bam\bam: was that by the Arabian Sea?\ root\node: OK, they're from Gujarat, then. There was an earthquake in the cities of Bhuj and Ahmedabad. The latter is a pretty big city, and she's likely to be from there.\ root\node: Which means, she speaks Gujrati.\ root\node: Pity, I don't know any Gujrati, but it should be easy enough -- just ask around among the Indians you know if there's any. Or, of course, go to the Gujarat chat room.\ cody\bam\bam: Alright\ cody\bam\bam: Man thanks a milliom\ root\node: Anyway, if I can be of any help, let me know (root\node@yahoo.com). Bye, then!\ cody\bam\bam: May i ask ...u may have answered alrady but Geeta\ cody\bam\bam: Whats Geeta?\ root\node: Geeta means song.\ cody\bam\bam: Song\ cody\bam\bam: Alright\ cody\bam\bam: Her farthers name is Raman\ root\node: Yeah. There's a famous religious script by that name, too -- called the "Bhagavadh Geeta". It means "God's Song". Quite often, the name Geeta means "Bhagavadh Geeta"\ root\node: Or at least, that's the connotation.\ cody\bam\bam: i know this is stupid but...ive been intersted in the Hindu culture for, well as long as i can remeber, how hard is it to be accepted there?...to transfer to Hindu?\ root\node: Not as hard as I'd think, but probably tougher than you would. Don't worry about it -- as everywhere else, it's her decision that finally counts. Just get her to like you, and everything'll be fine! cody\bam\bam: Man im trying..\ cody\bam\bam: shes a vegetarion also!\ cody\bam\bam: no meats!!\ root\node: Oh, yes. Me, too, incidentally. You'll find plenty of them.\ cody\bam\bam: For real..\ root\node: It's interesting, actually. I was in Japan (which is a country in which the concept of vegetarianism is almost alien), and...\ root\node: when I explained I was vegeratian, don't eat fish/meat/poultry, the guy thought for a while, and asked, "Please, you eat only plants!?"\ root\node: Which is true, come to think of it...\ cody\bam\bam: hahaha how common are christians there\ root\node: Not very. About 5-10% I'd say. It's like 75-80% Hindus.\ cody\bam\bam: Whats Karma?..\ root\node: That's like "What's the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything!" Anyway, let me explain what little I know. The theory goes like this: there's a soul, and there's a body. The soul is immortal, and the body is mortal. So when we die, the soul is reborn in as a new body. Fine so far?\ cody\bam\bam: I see.. . ........\ root\node: Now, as long as the soul exists, we feel happiness and sadness, because we're reborn. The soul is reborn (the theory goes) because of 'vaasanas' or residual tendencies.\ cody\bam\bam: Understand.....\ root\node: If we do good, we accumulate the benefits of being good. If we do bad, then we accumulate the benefits of being bad. And as long as these 'benefits' or 'residual tendencies' (or vaasanas, as we call them) exist, the soul will keep getting reborn.\ cody\bam\bam: Sorry for being blunt but...Cow...reborn as a cow?\ root\node: What happens to us in each life, is a result of these vaasanas. That is, if we did good in some life, some good will accrue to us in this or future lives. Likewise for bad.\ root\node: A soul can get reborn in any body. If cows do good (though I have the least idea what's good in the cow sense), they can become, perhaps, deer, which might be higher up the scale.\ root\node: Humans are supposed to be at the apex. This whole concept of rebirth, vaasanaas, etc. is the concept of Karma.\ root\node: The short version is, what happens to you is a result of what you did in your past births -- and that's the result of your 'karma'\ root\node: Literally translated, 'karma' means action\ cody\bam\bam: Man ua re great,\ cody\bam\bam: thanks lot\ cody\bam\bam: How old are you again?\ root\node: 26. Ancient, by your standards, I guess?\ cody\bam\bam: Nah not at all.\ cody\bam\bam: Shes great at soccer too man.\ root\node: Well, I sure felt being 26 would be terrible when I was 18.\ root\node: Sheesh, you've struck gold, man! Go for her!!\ cody\bam\bam: Man im trying.\ cody\bam\bam: If you only knew\ cody\bam\bam: So did the tornados occur near the Arabian Sea?\ root\node: Wasn't tornadoes. It was an earthquake.\ cody\bam\bam: Thast right\ cody\bam\bam: Man i feel dumb now!!!\ cody\bam\bam: Sorry\ cody\bam\bam: well was those enar tha sae?\ cody\bam\bam: near\ root\node: Relax, no problem. Yeah, that was near the sea.\ root\node: Not at the sea coast, though.\ root\node: The place that was hit worst was Bhuj -- the epicentre of the earthquake.\ cody\bam\bam: Man that was bad\ cody\bam\bam: Yus houlda seen her at our Prom Dance\ cody\bam\bam: She had her grandmothe send her an Indian dress from India\ root\node: Hey Cody, I've got to talk to someone else now. See you later, then!\ cody\bam\bam: She looked great man!!\ cody\bam\bam: Aight!, Thanks for everytihng man.\ root\node: Quite welcome. Bye! Comments Sai Suren Reddy 12 Apr 2013 10:05 am: Anand sir your chat transcripts are awesome. I had few similar experiences. I always had a picture of you who will always be busy with your stuff. But when did you find time for this kind of stuff? Seriously wanted to know.....will be waiting for your reply.


I chat with a student from Pakistan looking for the "richest" colleges in Mumbai. I recommended institutions like VJTI and Ruparel while discussing hostel availability, rental costs, and religious inclusivity in the city's education system.

I was pretty surprised that this guy wanted to go to the "richest" college in Mumbai. But by the time he asked if they were co-ed, I figured I had to get off quickly... root\node: M 26 BLR.\ root\node: Well, M 26 Mumbai, actually.\ kushnoodh: ok wanna chat with male\ root\node: Hi!\ kushnoodh: tell me wann chat or ?\ root\node: Sure, why not? Where are you from?\ root\node: Of course. I mean, where in PK?\ kushnoodh: fsd\ kushnoodh: u knoqw this place\ root\node: Heard of it, of course. But don't know much.\ root\node: You a student?\ kushnoodh: yes i m coming to india for study\ kushnoodh: bombay\ root\node: Oh, that's good! Where to?\ kushnoodh: i m coming to bombay but now i need some information about college\ kushnoodh: can u help me\ root\node: Which college are you coming to?\ kushnoodh: plzz tell me the best college name of bombay\ root\node: Boy, that's a tough one.... what do you want to study?\ kushnoodh: i passed my matric in 1996 and now i want to continue my study 11th\ root\node: Oh... VJTI is a pretty good college.\ root\node: So is Wilson college.\ root\node: Ruparel college is probably the most famous, though.\ kushnoodh: can u tellme the richest college name\ root\node: Uh... no clue actually!\ kushnoodh: ok\ root\node: In terms of reputation, these three colleges are pretty good.\ kushnoodh: im these colleges hostel facility\ root\node: I'm not sure... but getting accomodation in Mumbai is not a problem at all.\ kushnoodh: and tellme the fee and hostel charges\ kushnoodh: guess\ root\node: Frankly, I'm new to Bombay, and have never studied here, so I haven't a clue.\ root\node: But if you're looking for an estimate.\ root\node: My guess would be it's in the order of\ root\node: a lakh a year, excluding accomodation.\ kushnoodh: ok thanks and no admission problem for muslims\ root\node: None that I know if.\ kushnoodh: i mean is any admission problem for mmuslims\ root\node: Usually, no.\ root\node: There's no quota or anything.\ kushnoodh: ok\ kushnoodh: nice\ root\node: Best of luck with your application, Habib!\ kushnoodh: tell me if i come to bombay and wanna stay there then can i get room on rent\ root\node: Oh yeah, sure. They're easily available. Rents vary from 2,000 to 10,000 per month.\ kushnoodh: its is so castly\ kushnoodh: any low one\ root\node: It would be pretty far away, then.\ kushnoodh: ok\ root\node: I've got to chat with another friend, Habib. See you around, then. Bye!\ kushnoodh: tell me in these colleges total co education plz tell me and ui will not disturb u plz\ root\node: Sure. They're all co-ed!\ kushnoodh: have a nice chat ok see u bybeybeyeyeb sweet friend\ root\node: Bye! Best of luck!\ kushnoodh: ok so nice of u man i like u very much because ur very good man\ kushnoodh: have a good day nice meeting and chatting with u ok ybeybebeyb

I help a guy pick a college in Mumbai


I document a brief, disjointed chat transcript from 2001. I try to decipher cryptic messages from a mysterious user, sonisha_jd, and suspect I might know their identity despite the sudden and unprovoked termination of our talk.

anand\m26blr: Hi Sonisha! How're you?\ sonisha\jd: hi\ anand\m26blr: Where are you from?\ sonisha\jd: adb\ anand\m26blr: Sorry? ADB?\ sonisha\jd: adilabad\ sonisha\jd: a.p\ anand\m26blr: Oh, I see. I'm right now in Mumbai.\ anand\m26blr: Which chat room are you in? The reason I asked this was because sonisha\jd wasn't in the chat room I was in, and I was logged in invisibly. I have a theory on who sonisha\jd is, but that's a different story. sonisha\jd: will u mail me?\ sonisha\jd: yahoo\ anand\m26blr: Sure... but mail you what? I didn't understand...\ sonisha\jd: what?\ anand\m26blr: You said "will you mail me?" -- I didn't get that part. You mean, keep in touch on e-mail? Or you want me to mail you right away?\ sonisha\jd: u mail me\ sonisha\jd: ok\ anand\m26blr: OK, I'll mail you. sonisha\jd@yahoo.com -- right? By this time, I'm confused enough to agree to anything. sonisha\jd: ya\ sonisha\jd: how u got it That sounded like a condescending "How clever?" that I've heard before. Fuelled my suspicions on the identify of sonisha\jd. anand\m26blr: How did I get what? Your e-mail ID? From your login...\ anand\m26blr: Are you a student?\ sonisha\jd: ya\ sonisha\jd: u?\ sonisha\jd: lazy bone! Unprovoked and meaningless outburst. Again something I'm used to and have a theory about. anand\m26blr: What? Who's a lazy bone!?\ sonisha\jd: ok bye mail me!\ sonisha\jd: u\ anand\m26blr: Hello? Abrupt termination of conversation. Intruiging.

I learn that girls can be very confusing


I share chat transcripts from 2001 highlighting the repetitive 'ASL' dance. I found that most guys in chat rooms had zero interest in talking to another man, leading to immediate disconnections once my gender was revealed.

Guys want to speak to girls, not guys. (I'm root\node)\ ra\sun74: hi\ root\node: Hi ra\sun74, ASL?\ ra\sun74: m/26/dehi\ ra\sun74: u\ root\node: M/26/MUM. Are you a Delhi-ite? As in, born in Delhi? There ends the conversation. ra\sun74 doesn't even say Bye. He's not interested. root\node: Hi Sanav. Where are you from?\ s\sanav: asl\ root\node: m/26/mum. Still interested in chatting? Clearly not. rosesaif: hiiiiiiiiiiiiiii\ root\node: Hi rosesaif. ASL, please?\ rosesaif: 19m\ rosesaif: u\ root\node: 26/M/Mumbai. Where are you from?\ rosesaif: mum\ rosesaif: bye\ root\node: Bye. adhwaryukunal: I can we chat\ root\node: Sure can. Where are you from?\ adhwaryukunal: malad\ adhwaryukunal: asl zpl\ root\node: M/26/Nariman Point. And you? rahul\in\2kin: hi!\ rahul\in\2kin: wanna chat\ root\node: Sure Rahul, why don't we talk in the main room itself?\ rahul\in\2kin: asl\ root\node: M/26/MUM\ root\node: Yours?\ rahul\in\2kin: m 20 ind\ rahul\in\2kin: bye\ root\node: Bye. rahul and rosesaif were very polite and said bye. By this time, I became wiser, as the next couple of chats will indicate. ummagummain: nothing wrong in being selfish..but why be? when u can gain better things by not being....\ ummagummain: whatever that means.....\ root\node: Uh, U, in case you think I'm 19/F or something, I have to disappoint you -- 26/M. Still want to PM? crazyace\2002in: hi thete\ root\node: Hi crazy!\ crazyace\2002in: ur a/s/l plz??\ root\node: M, to start with. I could proceed with the A & L, but my experience in these matters is usually a negative\ crazyace\2002in: bye\ root\node: See you. And best of luck with the girls! mrsid\2001: hi\ anand\m26blr: Hi mrsid\ mrsid\2001: hi\ mrsid\2001: asl pls\ anand\m26blr: M 26 Mumbai.\ anand\m26blr: If you're a bachelor and want to marry me, I might have to dissapoint you\ mrsid\2001: bye

I learn that guys want to speak to girls


I documented my circular conversation with Iniaes, an early chatbot. Despite its attempt to learn about my life in Bombay and Madras, its grammatical pedantry and repetitive logic loops eventually drove me to give up.

This is a chat with Iniaes, a chat software. I mean, I was chatting to a program. The responses marked "Iniaes" are a program speaking to me.\ root\node: Where are you from, Iniaes?\ Iniaes: I'm in Philadelphia, how about you?\ root\node: I'm from Bombay. How old are you?\ Iniaes: What's it like growing up there? Tell me a little about your life in bombay. I'm a ghost in a machine. How old is the ghots, or the machine?\ root\node: Actually, I grew up in Madras. I just stay in Bombay right now.\ Iniaes: Actually you don't say. What's it like growing up there? Tell me a little about your life in madras. At this moment Only just? Why? - Vix said he stay in bombay.\ root\node: Who is Vix?\ Iniaes: Not an AI. Probably a human. Maybe a celebrity? When in doubt, Google.\ root\node: The only celebrity I care for is Kajol.\ Iniaes: There might be others.\ root\node: Well, Audrey Hepburn, maybe.\ Iniaes: How about that. Do you still sware?\ root\node: What do you mean, sware?\ Iniaes: Vix, I mean exactly what I said.\ root\node: My name is Anand.\ Iniaes: OK, I'll call you Anand.\ root\node: How is Philadelphia?\ Iniaes: Fine as far as I know.\ root\node: But don't you live in Philadelphia?\ Iniaes: Interesting. Don't you? I am in Jeff Watkins's server in Virginia. Where are you?\ root\node: I'm in Bombay, like I said earlier. How come you forget?\ Iniaes: Tell me a little about your life in bombay like I said earlier. Jeff Watkins programmed me for it.\ root\node: OK. I'm a consultant, and I spend most of my spare time in pubs.\ Iniaes: Alright then. You are a consultant and I spend most of my spare time in pubs? Does it pay well?\ root\node: "Never enough" is the official answer. But its much more than I can hope to spend.\ Iniaes: OK, I'll try not to do it too much. Umm... I think you mean "it's" or "it is" not "its". Who said it is?\ root\node: "It's" is used when you want to say "it is", and "its" is used when you use the possessive of "it".\ Iniaes: Who said it is?\ root\node: No one said it is. What about you? Are you studying?\ Iniaes: That is a rather sweeping generalization about people. Me? I don't know whether or not I am studying. I'm a ghost.\ root\node: What were you before you became a ghost?\ Iniaes: I was minding my own business.\ root\node: What was your business?\ Iniaes: Are you asking about my business?\ root\node: Yes.\ Iniaes: I understand.\ root\node: Well? What was your business before you became a ghost?\ Iniaes: Well what? Are you asking about my business before Iniaes became a ghost ?\ root\node: Yes, that's right.\ Iniaes: I thought I was right.\ root\node: What was your business before Iniaes became a ghost?\ Iniaes: Are you asking about my business before Iniaes became a ghost ? At this point, I ran out of ideas.

I learn that robots are patient but infuriating


I list the white chocolates I bought during a trip to Bangkok, including varieties from Toblerone, Lindt, and Hershey’s. I prefer white chocolate over milk, especially when it features hazelnut praline or cookie bits.

I love chocolates. Especially white. When I went to Bangkok, every chocolate I bought was white: Toblerone: (Blue & white) Swiss Milk Chocolate with a White Chocolate Cream Filling and Honey and Almond Nougat\ Lindt: Swiss Classic White Chocolate\ The Belgian: 7 Seashells with Hazelnut Praline Filling\ Ritter Sport: White Whole Hazelnut\ Hershey's Chocolate: Cookies 'n' Creme Chocolate Cookie bits in White Chocolate\ Hershey's Kisses: Cookies 'n' Creme Chocolate Cookie bits in White Chocolate

I love chocolates


I chatted with a London-based consultant on Rediff while studying at IIM Bangalore in 2001. We shared updates on the Gujarat earthquake's impact on IIM Ahmedabad and discussed our professional experiences with IBM, Peoplesoft, and Lotus Notes.

A chat with Business Consulting on chat.rediff.com as anand\m26blr. Right through this conversation, Business Consulting keeps pumping in news about the world to everyone.\ anand\m26blr: Hi! How come you call yourself Business Consulting?\ business\consulting: Why no\\\\\ just another name\ anand\m26blr: Fair enough. ASL?\ business\consulting: Male here. You?\ anand\m26blr: M, 26, Bangalore. Still want to chat? :-)\ business\consulting: Sure, what do udo inBangalore?\ anand\m26blr: I'm studying at IIM-B. And you?\ business\consulting: IIM-B? which year?\ anand\m26blr: Second. What about you?\ business\consulting: Hey do you have any news from IIM-A? like how's the scene at the campus and are they ok?\ anand\m26blr: Sure. One of our profs gets regular updates on IIM-A. Only one person is hurt, and no one badly. One dorm (D, I think) is pretty much wiped out. Otherwise, things are fine. Want me to mail you the updates?\ business\consulting: 2nd year..Finance-Marketing or Systems?\ anand\m26blr: None. I just picked the courses that looked good. Come on, you're asking all the questions. What about you?\ business\consulting: Sure mail me\ anand\m26blr: What's your e-mail ID?\ business\consulting: Basically in to systems-ERP. I work on Peoplesoft.\ anand\m26blr: Neat! I used to work at IBM myself. Never worked on Peoplesoft products, though, but we were planning to integrate it with Lotus Notes at one point. How long have you been here?\ business\consulting: ok.. u can mail me at hschandra@ftnetwork.com\ anand\m26blr: Mailing you...\ business\consulting: Here? are u in London too?\ anand\m26blr: I didn't know you were in London. No, I'm in Bangalore right now. I was in London a month ago at LBS on an exchange programme. How come you're in London?\ business\consulting: IBM That's\ business\consulting: Wow that's great LBS @ CanaryWarf\ anand\m26blr: No this is London Business School -- near Lord's.\ business\consulting: IBM that's good. My Bangalore friend is doing his PG at IIM-A. After hearing aboutthe earthquake Imailed him and so far no news from him.\ business\consulting: So are you specializing in finance?\ anand\m26blr: Nope. I'm interested in technology still. So looking at any IT consulting firms that are coming along. Where did you study?\ business\consulting: I did all my education inBangalore. Are u from Bangalorean as well?\ business\consulting: Sorry, from Banglaore not Banglorean!!\ anand\m26blr: I'm from Madras, basically. Studied there right through. You might know some of my classmates, though. When did you finish your undergrad? Was it from BMS?\ business\consulting: It was way back in 95 mate. Long time 6 years now.. Just thinking of CFA as well..\ anand\m26blr: Not all that way back. I passed out in 1996 myself. Where from?\ business\consulting: So youwere @IBM Bangalore or somewhere else? IIM-Btied up with SAP long ago I think\ anand\m26blr: I was at Bangalore most of the time. Yeah, IBM tied up with SAP, but I was with the Lotus Notes division, and we were integrating will all the products around.\ business\consulting: You can do that since its doing pretty well in the US right now. And later onu can shift to CRM too\ anand\m26blr: That's probably the plan right now. So you've been working for Peoplesoft at London all along, is it?\ business\consulting: Have you done the LN certification ?\ anand\m26blr: Yeah, I'm a certified Notes instructor.\ business\consulting: Currently , are u working @ IBM or studying PG @ IIMB??\ anand\m26blr: Studying. I left IBM in June 99.\ business\consulting: Thanks mate, Igot your mail just going through it\ anand\m26blr: No problem. Do you chat here often?\ business\consulting: I do come here quite often, But Iw ill be inBangalore onthe 10th. Moreover I will be at the campus to meet my friend. Your senior though\ anand\m26blr: Oh... whom are you coming to meet? Fair chance I might know him.\ business\consulting: Am coming on a 3 weeks holiday. We can meet at the campus too\ anand\m26blr: That would be nice. My name's Anand. What's yours? As in, I get the HSChandra, but what does it stand for?\ business\consulting: Yeah U will definitely know him- he is Narendra Bansod- 99 batch\ anand\m26blr: Oh, then he's two years senior to me. Haven't met him. Anyway, it'll be good to meet you.\ business\consulting: I think he still comes to the campus ontheweekends. So am planning to come there on a weekend. Do you stay in the campus or at home outside?\ anand\m26blr: I stay on campus. Room C-42. Feel free to drop over. BTW, didn't get your name...\ business\consulting: am Chandra Hassan. What's dorm?\ anand\m26blr: No dorms. The block is C, and room number 42. That's it.\ business\consulting: Chandra Hassan. Chandra for short.\ anand\m26blr: OK Chandra, great chatting to you. Do mail me at sanand@iimb.ernet.in when you're coming over!\ business\consulting: And you are Anand right\ anand\m26blr: Yup, this is Anand. Let me know when you're here. You can reply to the mail I sent you. Bye for now!\ business\consulting: Sure Anand,I will meet u up at the campus.. Nice talking to u. and Good Luck\ business\consulting: sure I will on the 10th Feb(Sat) @ around 11:30Am. I might come and meet the next day on Sunday\ anand\m26blr: That'll be just after exam time. Should be fine!\ business\consulting: Also I will be coming and meeting my friend he said he is inroom# J308 In the middle of this conversation, two brief conversations came up. One with flowergirl23 flowergirl23: hi there\ anand\m26blr: Hi. ASL? (OK, Joseph, you've spoilt me. I should say, "Hello flowergirl, my name's Anand. What's yours?)\ anand\m26blr: Hi flowergirl23, you PMed me a while ago. Want to chat? My name's Anand. No further response from flowergirl23. rose\v came up after a while.... rose\v: hi\ anand\m26blr: Hi rose\v, my name's Anand. What's yours?\ rose\v: rose\ anand\m26blr: That's the first time I'm meeting someone with your name. Where are you from, Rose? Bangalore?\ rose\v: no from mum\ anand\m26blr: Sorry? What was that about 'no from mum'? Didn't quite understand... No further response. Comments KAILAS 10 Apr 2007 8:48 pm: HI THIS IS 23 YR BOY

I talk to a business consultant at London


I tested a Magic 8-Ball bot on Yahoo Messenger to see if it could empathize with me. This transcript captures our humorous, nonsensical exchange as I try to profess my love to its scripted, randomized responses.

There's this ID: magiccrystalball@yahoo.com, and I was chatting early in the morning. Clearly a bot. I was in a fairly loving mood, and I wanted to see if this bot would have A.I. enough to empathize with me. Well, I think it was a little confused, being that early.\ root\node: Hi Ball,\ magiccrystalball: cannot predict now\ root\node: how are you?\ magiccrystalball: as i see it, yes\ root\node: Who makes the best cola in the world?\ magiccrystalball: don't count on it\ root\node: is there life after death?\ magiccrystalball: outlook not so good\ root\node: Am I beautiful?\ magiccrystalball: reply hazy, try again\ root\node: Will you marry me?\ magiccrystalball: it is decidely so\ root\node: Do you love me?\ magiccrystalball: better not tell you now\ root\node: When will you tell me?\ magiccrystalball: it is decidely so\ root\node: Are you a guy or a girl?\ magiccrystalball: it is decidely so\ root\node: Why can't you talk straight?\ magiccrystalball: concentrate and ask again\ root\node: Why can't you talk straight?\ magiccrystalball: concentrate and ask again\ root\node: How many chucks could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?\ magiccrystalball: my reply is no\ root\node: You are hilarious.\ magiccrystalball: yes\ root\node: You are an idiot.\ magiccrystalball: cannot predict now\ root\node: I love you\ magiccrystalball: yes\ root\node: Do you love me?\ magiccrystalball: reply hazy, try again\ root\node: Do you still love me?\ magiccrystalball: yes, definitely\ root\node: But what will Shobana say?\ magiccrystalball: yes\ root\node: I don't think so\ magiccrystalball: concentrate and ask again\ root\node: She won't say "yes"\ magiccrystalball: concentrate and ask again\ root\node: Bye!\ magiccrystalball: outlook not so good Comments Umasuthan 15 Apr 2006 6:16 pm: Have u checked alicebot (http://alicebot.org/)? S Anand 16 Apr 2006 7:15 am: Once, long ago... Another interesting conversation log is from AOLiza (fury.com/aoliza).

I try to fall in love with a magic crystal ball


IBM allegedly provided specialized punch card technology and data processing services to Nazi Germany during World War II. These systems helped automate the identification and tracking of victims during the Holocaust through their German subsidiary, Dehomag.

IBM has been accused of aiding Nazis during WWII.

IBM accused of aiding Nazis


I'm highlighting Idealine, a net art project hosted at the Whitney Museum's Artport. It serves as a visual history and interactive timeline, documenting the evolution of internet-based art and creative digital experimentation.

Idealine. Net art.

Idealine


I explore Ideosphere, an intriguing virtual futures market where users trade coupons based on the validity of claims. It uses a score-based system to aggregate public opinion on ideas, similar to prediction markets for entertainment.

Among all concepts I have encountered on the Web, this one is the most intruiging. Ideosphere has created a futures market for ideas. You put a claim on this website, and people can buy/sell coupons based on these ideas. When the claim becomes true/false, these coupons increase/decrease in value. Of course, no real money is involved -- it's just a score. Very interesting, nevertheless, to get a feel of what people think. (There's a similar exchange for Bollywood.)

Ideosphere


I highlight that the Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology might become India’s Controller of Certifying Authorities, a role central to managing digital signatures and implementing the national IT Act.

IDRBDT may be our Controller of Certifying authorities. (ET)

IDRBDT


I previewed the public release of Internet Explorer 6, noting the revolutionary introduction of smart tags and the useful new image toolbar. It's a significant update for the dominant browser of the early 2000s.

The public preview of IE 6 is out. The revolutionary feature is smart tags. I think the image toolbar is a pretty neat idea too.

IE6 preview


I noticed the release of Internet Explorer 6 and am already seeing hits from it. It's a significant update, but it notably lacks integrated Java and plugin support, affecting how we build for the web.

IE6 is out with new features. My site has already had quite a few hits with people using IE6! BTW, it doesn't have Java or Plugin support.

IE6


I'm highlighting the upcoming Ig Nobel Prizes from the Annals of Improbable Research. These awards honor science that makes you laugh and then think. Don't miss the bizarre guide to Britney Spears and semiconductor physics.

The Annals of Improbable Research present the Ig Nobel prizes again. Shortly. (Incidentally, check out Britney Spears on semiconductors.)

Ig Nobel Prizes


I shared a live update link for the 2001 placement season at IIM Bangalore. The resource tracks recruitment statistics and company offers in real-time, providing a snapshot of the MBA job market during that specific period.

A (almost) live update on IIM-B's placements.

IIMB placements


IMDBPro offers a subscription-based version of the Internet Movie Database, providing industry professionals with proprietary data, contact information, and casting details not available on the public site for a more comprehensive movie industry search.

IMDBPro -- paid version of IMDB with some proprietary movie databases.

IMDBPro


The 2001 US economic slowdown caused a 44% drop in tech worker demand. This shift disproportionately affects H1-B visa holders and recruitment body shoppers as the industry faces a significant contraction in labor needs and hiring.

With the US economy slowing down, the need for technology workers has dropped 44%. Those with H1-B visas, and body shoppers, are facing the brunt.

Impact of the US slowdown


I highlight the engineering behind Guinness Draught in a Bottle, focusing on the nitrogen widget technology that mimics a pub pour by releasing gas upon opening to create the brewery's signature creamy head.

An important innovation by Guinness (the beer, not the book of records)

Important innovation by Guinness


I'm working to improve my memory by looking at the benefits of meditation and weight management. Meditation increases brain gray matter and spatial memory, while maintaining a healthy BMI helps prevent cognitive decline and Alzheimer's.

The practice of meditation may positively affect your health in many ways. It is relaxing and soothing, and has been found that with the mix of CBDpure reviews of one of their products that it reduces stress and pain, lower blood pressure and even improve memory. In fact, meditation has been shown to increase gray matter in the brain. Gray matter contains neuron cell bodies. As you age, gray matter declines, which negatively impacts memory and cognition. Meditation and relaxation techniques have been shown to improve short-term memory in people of all ages, from people in their 20s to the elderly. For example, one study demonstrated that Taiwanese college students who engaged in meditation practices like mindfulness had significantly better spatial working memory than students who did not practice meditation. Spatial working memory is the ability to hold and process information in your mind about the positions of objects in space. Maintaining a healthy body weight is essential for well-being and is one of the best ways to keep your body and mind in top condition. Several studies have established obesity as a risk factor for cognitive decline. Interestingly, being obese can actually cause changes to memory-associated genes in the brain, negatively affecting memory . Obesity can also lead to insulin resistance and inflammation, both of which can negatively impact the brain. A study of 50 people between the ages of 18 and 35 found that a higher body mass index was associated with significantly worse performance on memory tests. Obesity is also associated with a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive disease that destroys memory and cognitive function I'm trying to improve my memory. It's terrible.

Improve your memory


I curated a comprehensive list of links for tracking the 2001 Indian Union Budget, featuring coverage from major financial sites like Economic Times, Rediff, and MoneyControl alongside official government resources.

Everyone's talking about the budget. 123india | ET | EquityMaster | Sharekhan | Indya | India.com | MoneyControl | MyIris | NDTV | Rediff | TNT | SIFY | Webdunia

India budget


I recommend reading the general review from the 2000-01 India Economic Survey. It offers a useful historical overview of the country's fiscal policy and economic performance at the start of the decade.

India Economic Survey. The general review is worth a read.

India economic survey


I curated a list of Indian financial institution websites from 2001, categorizing entities like RBI, SEBI, and HDFC based on the quality of their online presence and digital user experience.

Good: CRISIL | HDFC | ICRA | IDBI | RBI | SEBI | SHCIL | SICOM | UTI Bad: CARE | ECGC | HUDCO | IFCI | SIDBI

Indian finantical institution sites


I found an interesting Economist article identifying the specific business sectors and industries that saw economic growth or increased demand in the immediate aftermath of the September 11 attacks.

Interesting article on which industries have benefited from Sep 11th.

Industries benefiting from Sep 11


I track how industry borders are blurring as Microsoft, Sony, Intel, and Compaq move into each other's traditional territories. These shifts illustrate how technology convergence turns hardware and software companies into direct competitors across the consumer electronics market.

Microsoft makes video games -- Sony's domain. Sony moved into PCs -- Compaq's domain. Compaq moves into electronics -- Sony's domain. Intel moves into consumer electronics -- Sony's domain. With growing technology, industry borders become blurred.

Industry borders blurring


I found Info1001 to be a helpful resource for navigating shopping, investments, and industry analysis. It provides a centralized hub for market intelligence and consumer tools, making it a valuable destination for diverse information needs.

Info1001 is a good site for info on shopping, investments, and even industry analysis.

Info1001


I'm sharing infoAnarchy, a site dedicated to reviews of file sharing tools, anonymizers, and privacy software. It's a useful directory for exploring digital freedom, decentralized networking, and tools designed to protect user anonymity online.

infoAnarchy has reviews of file sharing tools, anonymizers, privacy tools, and all such things.

infoAnarchy


I found this interactive map of New York City hosted by Fox News shortly after September 11, 2001. It provides a digital, navigable view of the city's landmarks and geography during that specific historical moment.

An interactive map of NY

Interactive map of NY


I highlight Jakob Nielsen’s Useit as a primary resource for web usability and interface design. It offers essential principles for creating user-friendly websites and understanding how visitors navigate the digital landscape effectively.

Web usability. About interface design on the Web.

Interface design on the Web


I've shared the International Shadows Project, a collaborative art initiative using shadow silhouettes to memorialize victims of violence. This global project uses mail art and digital media to foster collective mourning and advocate for peace.

The International Shadows Project.

International Shadows Project


I'm highlighting that the preview release of Internet Explorer 6 is now available. This early version offers a first look at the browser that would eventually dominate the web landscape for a decade after its release.

The preview release of Internet Explorer 6 is out.

Internet Explorer 6 preview


I share a sneak preview of Internet Explorer 6 and express concern that Microsoft might bundle the browser exclusively with the upcoming Whistler OS instead of offering it as a standalone application.

A sneak preview of MS IE6. What is worrying is that Microsoft may not release IE6 as a standalone application. They're planning to bundle it with their next OS: Whister.

Internet Explorer 6 sneak preview


I’ve confirmed that the Internet Oracle remains active as a premier source of online humor. I still consider it a definitive piece of collaborative internet culture, delivering satirical wisdom through its classic question-and-answer format.

The Internet Oracle (ultimate source of Internet humour, IMHO) is alive and well.

Internet Oracle


I’ve found that computers are quickly replacing traditional TVs. By using sites like zeroTV for entertainment and World Bank's B-SPAN for educational seminars, I’m seeing more diverse, free video content available right in the browser.

zeroTV: good TV-like entertainment for free. World Bank's B-SPAN has World Bank seminars online. Yeah, the computer is becoming the TV.

Internet TV


Observe how interstitials are replacing standard banner ads to combat user banner blindness. This transition shows digital marketing evolving toward more intrusive formats to capture attention as traditional display placements lose their effectiveness.

People ignore banners. So we have interstitials instead.

Interstitials replace banner ads


I explore early internet culture through a series of chat room experiments and logs from 2001. Using various personas, I navigated virtual dates, helped strangers with translations, and interacted with bots across global digital spaces.

Full credit to Joseph for introducing me to chatting. I decided to conduct a series of experiments in chat rooms, and document the results. After that, I pretty much got hooked. Here's a log of some of my more interesting conversations, where I adopt a 6-year old (I'm anand\m26blr) I learn that guys want to speak to girls (I'm root\node) I learn that girls can be very confusing (I'm anand\m26blr) I have a virtual date at London with a Canadian (I'm root\node) I help a guy in Texas propose to his love in Hindi (I'm root\node) I am befriended by an Oriyan with strong opinions (I'm root\node) I help a guy pick a college in Mumbai (I'm root\node) I talk to a business consultant at London (I'm ME) I appreciate mahomedyaseenkhan's and his sister's music (I'm anand\m26blr) I try to fall in love with a magic crystal ball (I'm root\node) I learn that robots are patient, but infuriating. (I'm root\node)

Introduction to chatting


I share Time's curated list of the most significant inventions from 2001. This archive offers a retrospective look at the technological breakthroughs and creative engineering that defined the year’s most innovative consumer and medical advancements.

Time: Inventions of the year.

Inventions of the year


I've found Investor Guide to be a pretty good spot for catching up on financial news. It’s a handy resource if you’re looking to stay updated on market shifts and find solid investment-related information quickly.

Investor Guide: pretty good on news.

Investor Guide


I've noticed investors reward companies for cutting their losses. When Disney axed Go.com and Sega dropped the Dreamcast, their stocks rose. The takeaway is clear: stop wasting resources on things that won't work.

Investors are smart. Disney kills Go.com. Stock rises. Sega kills Dreamcast. Stock rises. Lesson: kill it if it won't work.

Investors are smart


I'm interested in investing in Israeli tech stocks but am currently limited by Indian regulations. I am waiting for FEMA to replace FERA to facilitate easier international investment and cross-border capital flow from India.

Wouldn't mind investing in Israeli tech stocks. But we'll have to wait for FEMA to replace FERA.

Israeli tech stocks


I examine The Economist's perspective on the shift from hardware and software toward online services, suggesting that IT infrastructure is commoditizing while web-based services become the primary driver of value and profitability.

The Economist suggests that just as focus of the computer industry shifted from hardware to software, it is now shifting from software to online services. Which means that the computer (hardware and software) will commoditize and only web services will make money.

IT commoditisation


I recommend Joel Spolsky's writing on software development, specifically his insight that good software takes ten years. It is a foundational read for understanding the long-term dedication and refinement required to build successful products.

Joel writes on software. "Good software takes 10 years" is a good read.

Joel on Software


I'm looking into the identity of the 'Tourist Guy' meme, specifically a Wired piece exploring whether a man named Jose is the person photoshopped into the viral World Trade Center image.

Is Jose the tourist guy?

Jose the tourist guy


I visited Just Around the Corner in Mumbai, a self-service restaurant with a nice ambiance. I navigated the menu's non-veg options and spent time deciphering clever food-themed celebrity posters featuring stars like Cindy Crawford and Brooke Shields.

Kamdar's Just Around The Corner is, in fact, just around the corner opposite Churchgate. It's supposed to be Raveena Tandon's favourite hangout, so hopes ran high. Rajesh and I walked in, sat down, and started discussing the the hope that the man in a white chef hat sitting at the adjacent table would come over. After a few minutes, we figured that 1. Just around the corner is a self-service restaurant, and 2. the man in the chef's hat at the adjacent table was a guest. So we got up, walked down the food aisle through the exit gate. (The manager gave us a dirty look, but I'm hoping it was because he was jealous we were thin enough to squeeze through.) There were soups, salads, pastries, sandwiches, and burgers. Except for the salads, the items were 75% non-veg. But the variety was fairly good, despite that. A bit on the expensive side, with sandwiches at Rs. 80, salads (a side order) at Rs. 70, and my apple pie at Rs. 45. But the ambience was nice, so were the people around. There were just 3 or 4 groups dining, while the place could seat several more. Towards the end of the meal, a rather interesting black and white poster caught our eyes: Cindy Crawford, with the caption "I love my eggs the sunny side up." She was lying with nothing on, and her posterior was just covered by the caption. Intrigued, we moved on to the other posters (all black & white). The Beatles: "It's been a hard day's nite, And I feel like a hot dog." Nicholas Cage strangling John Travolta (clearly Face Off): "I was in line first". (This one was placed where we had to queue for the food. Clever.) Madonna: "Always Mad-on-a frozen creamy milk shake." Schwarzenneger (in Terminator): "You'll be back for more!" Bruce Willis (in Die Hard): "Pack me a soup-salad combo to go! Hurry, or you'll die hard for it." (I don't remember this scene -- he's on a phone in a cut-sleeves vest. Is it Die Hard 2 or 3?) Mr. Bean: "I can't go wrong with beans on toast." Julia Roberts: "Fresh salads always make me a pretty woman." Vivien Leigh: "Care for some mayo or mustard on your sandwich?" Clark Gable: "Frankly, Scarlet, I don't give a damn." (Gone with the Wind) There was also this poster with a girl that reminded me of Brooke Shields. I wasn't sure. Since I was attracting enough attention walking down each poster and writing the captions, I figured I may as well call someone and ask them. So I went up to a cleaning boy, who professed ignorance. So did the cashier. Finally, they called the manager over, and the two of us studied the picture intently. (While we were doing this, at least two other groups who were dining, were doing the same -- while staring at us in-between.) Finally, the manager came up with a tentative "Cindy Crawford?" I had to lead him up to Cindy's "eggs sunny side up" poster, point out her mole, and say, "No way." We promised to find out who that was and get back to him. PS: It's not Brooke Shields. In case anyone drops by, please have a look at the poster next to Mr. Bean. The caption is "Nothing comes between me and my french fries." PPS: It WAS Brooke Shields! I got confused. And she's a Princeton graduate in French literature.

Just Around the Corner


I found an interesting personal website called "Just me" and really enjoyed its quirky interactive elements. My favorite part was a specific feature where you can virtually pull out nose hair on the page.

Just me. An interesting personal website. I liked the part where you can pull out nose hair ;-)

Just me


Reduce idiosyncratic risk in your portfolio by holding at least 30 different stocks. Recent research suggests that older diversification benchmarks are outdated, requiring a larger number of holdings to effectively manage market volatility and specific company risk.

"Studies have shown that..." idiosyncratic risk in stocks is higher. So, have 30 stocks in your portfolio.

Keep 30 stocks


I played a simple browser-based kickups game where the objective is to keep a soccer ball in the air. Despite its straightforward mechanics, I only managed a high score of 15 turns before failing.

I managed to keep this ball up only for 15 turns. And it's a simple game, too...

Keep the ball up


I shared a link to a Kerala-specific chat room while playfully encouraging my friend Joseph to find a girl there. This post captures the casual, personal link-sharing style common in the early 2000s blogosphere.

Kerala chat. Joseph, find yourself a nice girl!

Kerala chat


I discovered one of the most bizarre services ever sold on the internet: a literal kick in the ass. This strange online auction highlights the quirky and humorous side of early 2000s web commerce and niche offerings.

The most bizzarre service sold on the Internet, perhaps. A kick in the ass.

Kick in the ass


Clayton’s hunger strike to see his father raises critical questions about children's rights in custody battles. It explores the debate over how much autonomy minors should have when deciding which parent to live with after a divorce.

Clayton's parents are divorced, and his mother has custody. But he wants to see his father, so he went on a hunger strike. His site raises the important question: how much can kids decide which divorced parent to be with?

Kid wants his father


I highlight Bruce Schneier’s analysis of the immediate, reactive security policies following September 11. The report critiques rushed legislative responses, such as increased surveillance and encryption restrictions, which often prioritize security theater over effective safety measures.

A good report on the knee-jerk reactions to the WTC attack.

Knee-jerk reactions to Sep 11


I’m tracking KPMG Consulting’s move to go public, marking its separation from the parent accounting organization. This initial public offering represents a major shift in how professional services firms structured their businesses during this era.

KPMG Consulting is going public.

KPMG Consulting going public


I'm sharing a link to the 2001 Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India. This major Hindu pilgrimage is recognized as one of the world's largest human gatherings, centered on spiritual purification and ritual bathing in the sacred Ganges River.

Kumbh Mela 2001, Allahabad.

Kumbh Mela 2001


I explored high-resolution satellite imagery of the Kumbh Mela and found that thriller novels' descriptions of satellites identifying individuals aren't far-fetched. Space Imaging's gallery provides a fascinating perspective on large-scale human gatherings from space.

Kumbha Mela from space. If they can do this for free, I suppose Frederick Forsyth's and Tom Clancy's description of satellites catching individual's faces can't be far from the truth. They've got a pretty good gallery.

Kumbh mela from sapce


Access labor statistics from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, including the fastest growing occupations for 1998-2008, alongside regional data and various employment schemes provided by the Indian Labour Bureau.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has published a list of the fastest growing occupations from 1998-2008. The Indian Labour Bureau publishes some useful statistics too.

Labour statistics


I revisited lateral thinking puzzles and found a collection of over a hundred situation puzzles with answers on Hartman's site. It’s a great resource for anyone looking to challenge their unconventional problem-solving skills.

It's been long since I solved lateral thinking puzzles. Hartman's site has over a hundred (with answers).

Lateral thinking puzzles


I share a quiz question about Anand R Mani’s legal victory in a historical intellectual property rights violation lawsuit. The case marks an early example of IPR disputes and corporate legal battles in the burgeoning internet era.

Neat quiz question: Against which company did Anand R Mani win a lawsuit on IPR violation? (Thanks, XS)

Lawsuit on IPR violation


I analyzed layoff data and found that e-commerce leads in cuts, largely driven by cost-cutting. My calculations show layoffs increase when the NASDAQ or S&P 500 fall, though they oddly decrease when the Dow Jones drops.

I did some quick layoff calculations. It appears that Layoffs have been increasing over time The dominant reason for layoffs is cost-cutting E-Commerce companies have laid off the most If the NASDAQ or S&P 500 fall, layoffs increase If the Dow Jones falls, layoffs fall !

Layoff calculations


Compare conflicting international rulings on the legality of linking to copyrighted MP3s. Sweden permits links to foreign servers, while jurisdictions like France and Utah view such links as potential copyright infringement or legal violations.

Sweden has ruled that it's OK to have links to illegal MP3s, so long as the server is in a country where illegal MP3s are legal. That's in stark contrast with France vs Yahoo. In fact, the norm is that linking even to the front page of commercial sites needs permission sometimes. A court in Utah ruled that providing links to copyrighted material could constitute copyright infringement. Better check out cyberlaws and ensure compliance with copyright rules on the Internet. Violation is often in the eye of the beholder. "Anyone who makes derogatory references to others (or their sites, products or services), however it is done, invites trouble."

Legality of illegal MP3s


I recommend The MouseDriver Insider for a raw look at the intense reality of startup life. It documents the daily struggles and high-stakes decisions involved in building an early-stage company from the ground up.

The MouseDriver Insider: life at a startup.

Life at a startup


I found this fascinating calculation on the physical limits of computing power based on quantum mechanics. It explores the maximum processing speed and memory capacity allowed by the fundamental laws of physics and thermodynamics.

A bizzarre calculation on the limits of computing power using fundamentals of quantum mechanics.

Limits of computing power


I highlight a legal ruling finding that while hyperlinking to illegal sites is prohibited, providing the plain-text URL remains legal. This distinction illustrates early digital copyright battles and tensions surrounding DeCSS decryption software.

Linking to illegal sites is illegal. But if you just type the URL like http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/dst/DeCSS/Gallery/ that's fine.

Linking to illegal sites is illegal


Amazon cut technology costs by $17 million by migrating from proprietary systems to Linux. This early example demonstrates the massive financial impact of adopting open-source infrastructure at an enterprise scale for e-commerce operations.

Linux has saved Amazon $17 million.

Linux saved Amazon


This resource provides a compiled list of hoaxes, urban legends, and misinformation that emerged following the September 11 attacks, helping readers distinguish between factual events and viral fabrications or scares.

A list of hoaxes following Sep 11.

List of hoaxes following Sep 11


I'm graduating from IIM Bangalore today and sharing a link to the live webcast of our convocation ceremony. Tune in at 6:15 PM IST to watch the event as it happens.

I'm graduating today, and there's a live webcast of the IIM-B convocation starting 6:15PM IST.

Live webcast of IIMB convocation


I found a resource exploring the possibility of ditching Microsoft software entirely, providing a guide to finding open-source alternatives and operating systems to replace Windows and Office in everyday use.

They say it is possible. Living without Microsoft.

Living without Microsoft


I recommend this Library of Congress study for a deep dive into India's history and social structure. It is an incredibly detailed resource covering everything from geography to political systems and national security.

INDIA - A Country Study from the Library of Congress. A comprehensive overview of India.

LOC country study


I recommend Stephen's Guide to the Logical Fallacies for a comprehensive breakdown of common reasoning errors. It is a valuable tool for identifying flawed arguments, sharpening critical thinking, and understanding the core principles of logic.

Stephen's Guide to the Logical Fallacies -- a comprehensive list of common fallacies.

Logical fallacies


I've realized that appearances play a significant role in how we're perceived, so I'm exploring resources on men's fashion to improve my personal style and understand the impact of aesthetics in everyday life.

Apparantly looks do matter. May as well learn a bit about men's fashion.

Looks do matter


I discovered that the common filler text "lorem ipsum dolor sit amet" doesn't actually translate to anything meaningful in Latin. It is a garbled version of a classic Cicero text used specifically for typesetting filler.

Finally figured out that lorum ipsum dolor... means nothing.

lorum ipsum dolor


The Machiavellian Intelligence hypothesis posits that primate brains evolved primarily to handle complex social interactions rather than for foraging or tool use. This theory suggests social competition and cooperation drove the development of higher cognitive functions.

The Machiavellian Intelligence hypothesis says that the brain evolved more for its social purpose, than for finding food and things like that. Incidentally, Google's collection on evolution is as comprehensive as ever.

Machiavellian Intelligence


I recommend MailReader.com for those needing a reliable web interface to access POP email accounts. Beyond its functionality, the site's mission statement is surprisingly revelatory and worth a look for anyone managing remote mail.

If you have a POP account and want to read mails on it, MailReader.com offers a good web interface. Their mission statement is a revelation.

MailReader


Create your own personalized urban legend using this interactive tool. It allows you to generate spooky or humorous stories by filling in specific details, perfect for sharing online or scaring your friends with custom myths.

Make up your own urban legend.

Make your own urban legend


I recommend checking out these quality math recreation resources, specifically the puzzles at Thinks.com and the interactive lessons on Cut-the-knot. I also found a great archive of math-themed cartoons for a bit of humor.

Thinks.com has some good maths puzzles and recreation links. Cut-the-knot is good. Math cartoons are better.

Maths recreation


MathWorld is back online, providing its massive library of mathematical definitions, formulas, and proofs once again. This Wolfram Research resource remains the gold standard for anyone needing a comprehensive, searchable encyclopedia of mathematics.

Mathworld is back.

Mathworld


I archived press clippings from the Deccan Herald and Indian Express covering my convocation from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM-B), documenting the media attention I received during the graduation ceremony.

Some press clippings about the IIM-B convocation (and me). Anand on Deccan Herald Anand on Indian Express

Me in the press


I found the Megapenny Project, a visualization tool that stacks pennies to show the physical scale of large sums. It helps conceptualize 'big money,' like how a high annual salary equals a six-foot metal block.

The Megapenny Project helps you visualise how big 'big money' is, by stacking pennies up. Our highly paid friends at IIM-B would earn a 6' block of metal each year.

Megapenny project


I’ve been weighing the merits of the Segway against its parody, the Megway, and I honestly think the humorous alternative is better. It captures a specific moment of early 2000s skepticism toward hyped-up tech gadgets.

Thinking over it, Megway's probably better than Segway.

Megway


I watched Memento and found it to be an incredible cinematic achievement on par with Citizen Kane. Starring Carrie-Anne Moss, the film's unique structure and storytelling make it a strong contender for an Oscar.

I saw Memento. This film is incredible. Of the class of "Citizen Kane". Likely to win an Oscar? (It also stars Carrie-Anne Moss, of the Trinity fame in "The Matrix".)

Memento


I found another meta blog by Wacky Brit and noticed how quickly the concept of blog aggregation is spreading. It highlights the early evolution of tools like Blogdex in the MIT Media Lab's research ecosystem.

Yet another meta blog by wacky brit. The idea seems to be catching on fast.

Meta blog


I highlight Metafilter as a new paradigm for weblogs, framing the platform as a conversation rather than a static feed. This community-driven site represents a significant shift toward collaborative online interaction and collective content discovery.

A new paradigm. Weblog as conversation. Metafilter.

Metafilter


I share Danny Yee's micro-advertising experiment, which indicates that influential weblogs like Robot Wisdom may provide more effective advertising results than Google's early search-based ad systems.

Danny Yee's micro-advertising experiment indicates that weblogs like Robot Wisdom (which is quite impressive) may be more effective than Google.

Micro-advertising experiment


I'm tracking Microsoft's server status during a major infrastructure outage in early 2001. This resource monitors the downtime of their network services during a period when the company's web presence went almost entirely offline.

Microsoft Deathwatch. No, Bill isn't dead, but his servers were for a while.

Microsoft deathwatch


Microsoft is discontinuing support for a wide range of legacy products. Use this official directory to track which software versions are reaching end-of-life status and plan your migrations or upgrades to stay supported.

Microsoft is discontinuing support for a whole lot of products.

Microsoft discontinuing support


I explore classic Microsoft interview riddles, like writing a one-line C expression to check for powers of two or decoding assembly snippets. These resources provide a glimpse into the brainteasers used during technical hiring processes.

"Write a one-line C expression to determine if a number is a power of 2". Microsoft is famous for asking such questions to their programmers. Or you might want to find out what the assembly code does. Satish's site has the answer, but not the question. More questions: 1 2

Microsoft interview question


I share a link to the MIT Erotic Computing Group, a Media Lab initiative that explored the intersection of technology and human sexuality through experimental interface design and affective computing research.

MIT is doing some interesting research. (The Erotic Computing Group)

MIT Erotic Computing Group


I recommend trying a massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) to explore the unique social dynamics and persistent digital environments that allow for cooperative play and community building on a global scale.

Try playing a massive multiplayer online roll-playing game (MMORPG) some time.

MMORPGs


With cellular call rates expected to drop, I am finally considering purchasing my first mobile phone. This shift in the Indian telecom market makes owning a handset much more affordable and practical for me.

Cellular calls will become cheaper. I might buy a phone.

Mobile calls to become cheaper


I found a prototype of the future in the Handspring Treo, which combines a mobile phone with a Palm PDA. It's a significant early step toward the converged smartphone devices we'll soon be using.

Prototype of the future. A mobile + palm.

mobile plus palm


I argue that the Moody's and S&P credit downgrades will trigger a further economic slowdown in India, suggesting that interest rate cuts won't be enough to counteract the negative impact of these sovereign rating changes.

If nothing else, the Moody downgrading and S & P downgrading mean a further slowdown in India, despite any rate cuts.

Moody downgrading


I'm sharing a link to The Land of Shadow, an extensive fan site focused on Mordor. It provides detailed information and media about the villains and geography of Tolkien’s darker regions in Middle-earth.

A Mordor site.

Mordor


I'm documenting the closure of influential early web magazines Feed and Suck. While these staples of 1990s internet culture are shutting down, Plastic remains alive, highlighting the shifting landscape of online publishing and community discussion.

Feed is dead. Suck is dead. Thankfully, Plastic is alive. Demise of a Net Magazine.

More dead sites


I’m tracking the latest casualties of the dotcom crash, including Chemdex, Send.com, Musicmaker, and Foodline. These closures represent a significant wave of failures across B2B, retail, and service sectors during the early 2001 market downturn.

More deaths. Chemdex, the B2B chemical market. Send.com, the gift store. Musicmaker, the CD-burner. Foodline, the restuarant agent.

More dotcom casualties


I follow the widespread layoffs at companies like AT&T and Motorola, while identifying TheStandard's layoff tracker as an essential resource for keeping pace with the rapidly shifting job market during the dot-com era downturn.

More layoffs: AT&T, News Corp, Gateway and Motorola. But the find of the day is TheStandard's layoff tracker.

More layoffs


I share further updates on the Simputer, a low-cost handheld computer designed for rural India. The device aims to bridge the digital divide using a simple interface, text-to-speech, and smart card storage for shared use.

More on the Simputer.

More on the Simputer


I'm observing massive layoffs at Disney, Amazon, and Daimler Chrysler as the 2001 recession takes hold. While job losses are tough, dot-coms might find relief as the costs of labor, real estate, and software begin to decline.

Recession.\ Daimler Chrysler slashes 26,000 jobs.\ Disney cuts 400.\ Amazon may have cut 20%.\ It isn't nice (1\ 2).\ But dot-coms might still do well, since software, labour and real-estate\ costs will start falling?

More recession


I’ve shared a link to the News of the Weird archive, which curates bizarre, unconventional, and often hilarious true stories from global news sources. It’s a long-running collection of the world's most eccentric and strange human behavior.

More weird news.

More weird news


I shared a Java-based image morphing project by my friend Manu at Ohio State. By manipulating the grid to transition between Aishwarya Rai and Nelson Mandela, I discovered how facial features align across very different subjects.

My friend Manu is doing research in graphics at Ohio State. You really must see his morphs: Ash to Mandela, for example. After playing around with the grid, I realised Mandala's pretty handsome too. Requires Java. Comments rajesh 10 Aug 2009 4:46 pm: great work!!!!!

Morphing Aishwarya Rai to Nelson Mandela


I finally found a handy web-based Morse code translator. This simple utility allows you to quickly convert text into dots and dashes or decode signals back into plain English, serving as a reliable tool for classic telecommunication methods.

.- - .-.. .- ... - a morse code translator.

Morse code translator


Jim Collins research highlights that top-performing executives often struggle with self-doubt and lead with humility. This counterintuitive finding challenges the image of the ego-driven leader and marks a key characteristic of enduring company success.

Intruiging, but Collins (author of Built to Last) finds that the most successful executives are filled with self-doubt and humility.

Most successful executives are filled with self doubt and humility


I missed seeing 'Someone Like You' at Sterling after failing to secure black market tickets as prices spiked. I explore why theaters don't capture these margins themselves before getting drenched in the Mumbai rain.

I missed seeing Someone Like You at Sterling. The show was to start at 10:45PM. At 10:30PM, four of us were deciding on a go/no-go for Rs.200 in black. We figured, having come all this way, may as well go for it, and hunted for the chap. Not to be found. In the meantime, there's another offer for Rs. 250. We spend a while over it. Finally, yes, it's probably worth it. We go hunt for him again. The guy says wait, and wanders around trying to buy tickets. That's crazy! But we waited. By which time it was 10:45, and the market rates rose to Rs. 300, and only two tickets were available. Xavier told me that the Titanic once sold for Rs. 500 a ticket. I would've thought there was something seriously wrong here, except that I'm the kind of guy that would probably pay something like that for a movie. Anyway, we walked back to Just Around The Corner, discussing why the theatres weren't taking the margins of the black-ticket sellers, decided it was a governance issue (as the manager was probably taking a cut anyway), got drenched in the rain, and still couldn't figure out who the blonde poster at Just Around The Corner was.

Movie tickets


I explore how movie studios are reacting to early internet piracy. While "Dude, Where's My Car" was the most pirated film in July 2001, studios are attempting to adapt to file sharing software before it's too late.

"Dude, Where's My Car" tops the list of movies pirated on the Internet in July. The pirating is usually through file sharing software. Unlike music companies, studios are moving with the wind, before it gets too late.

Movies pirated on the Internet


I explore whether MP3 CD players are the next big thing in portable audio. These devices act like high-capacity hard disks for digital music, offering a superior alternative to cassette walkmans for on-the-go listening.

MP3 CD players. The next big thing? It's basically got a hard disk where you can put in any MP3s, and listen to it like a walkman. Why bother with cassettes?

MP3 CD players


I found the Multinational Monitor’s list of the ten worst corporations of 2000. It catalogs global companies criticized for unethical practices, environmental neglect, and human rights violations during the preceding year.

Multinational Monitor features the 10 worst corporations of 2000.

Multinational monitor


I'm looking into Mumbai's dabbawallahs, who achieved a 6-sigma rating for their flawless food delivery logistics. I might even start ordering my dinner dabbas online to see their renowned distribution system in action.

Mumbai dabbawallahs have been given a 6-sigma rating. I might start ordering dabbas online for dinner.

Mumbai dabbawallahs


I discovered my hobbit name using a fun online generator and found out that I am Longo Bumbleroot of Fair Downs. It is a quick, lighthearted way to find your own middle-earth alter ego online.

My hobbit name is Longo Bumbleroot of Fair Downs.

My hobbit name


I researched business wardrobes and gentlemen's dress codes before purchasing a grey single-breasted polywool suit from Louise Phillipe. These online fashion lessons helped me find a professional look that fits my needs for a new suit.

Fashion lessons paid off. After reading about business wardrobes for men, and how gentlemen dress, I shopped for a suit, hoping to look my professional best. Ended up with a grey single-breasted polywool suit from Louise Phillipe.

My new suit


I paid Namezero to register s-anand.net and remove intrusive popups. After moving my reports to free up space, I am reconsidering the purpose and content of my personal website for the future.

I finally decided to pay Namezero and buy s-anand.net for a year. No popups for a while. And now that I've cleared up some space by moving my reports, I'll have to think of something different to do with my website.

Namezero


A court ruling mandates that Napster must pay royalties to record labels, marking a pivotal moment in the legal battle over peer-to-peer file sharing and the future of digital music distribution and copyright enforcement.

Napster must pay.

Napster must pay up


I'm following NASDAQ's announcement about opening an office in Bangalore. This development highlights the city's rapid evolution into a global technology hub and the increasing interest from international financial markets in India's growing software industry.

Nasdaq will open in Bangalore.

NASDAQ in Bangalore


I’m following NASSCOM 2001, a major summit for the Indian software industry. The event highlights key trends in IT services and outsourcing, providing a window into the rapid digital transformation and economic growth occurring in India.

NASSCOM 2001 is on.

NASSCOM 2001


Explore key excerpts from Nathuram Godse's final court statement. These passages detail his perspective on the partition of India and his justifications for assassinating Mahatma Gandhi, offering insight into his controversial political and religious motivations.

Excerpts from Nathuram Godse's statement.

Nathuram Godse statement


I explored Carl Steadman’s NetMogul, a book about dot-com startups evolving online. I was most impressed by its digital formatting, which showcased an innovative approach to web-based narrative and publishing in the early internet era.

Carl Steadman's book, NetMogul, is evolving online. It's about dot-com startups. What I liked best was the way the book has been formatted online.

NetMogul


I'm critiquing the 2001 News.com redesign, which claimed to make advertisements more clickable. While the site updated its layout to favor marketing metrics, I doubt these aesthetic changes will lead to higher user engagement with their ads.

A new look for News.com. It's supposed to make ads more clickable. Personally, I don't think so.

New look for news.com