Some Sizzling Scintillating Speculations

DNA Midday Sunday Midday Bombay Times and the other supplement of Sunday Times Hindustan Times Asian Age The Hindu Deccan Chronicle (though I didn't read these last two) That's just a small list of papers that I could easily get in Dubai(thought not necessarily buy, of course, for reasons cited below) but, that draw blank stares from the newsstand vendors in Baroda. In fact, the TOI has come out with a new weekly paper, Crest,that I'm sure will be available in Dxb, but, the agent here again looked at me blankly when I asked him about it. Thank heavens for e-versions of these papers. On to the circulating library. I haven't seen Society, Savvy, Health, Hello, Showtime,...to name a few on the library guy's stand here, and, used to get them easily there at the library. So, what's the reason? Is it that people in my friendly city here don't read as much as they used to? Or, do they all read the e-versions since they're cheaper(I can't really agree to tha...

(Note: Pic is from the net and only for reference) Did I ever write here about the born salesmen we have in India? Although they are a limited few, they can still ensure that you buy what they want you to buy. Two of these people are fruit-sellers. The first one, I met last week. Was buying some guavas. And, they looked somewhat dirty, and, had some sort of notches on them. I told the guy that these did not look suitable, since they had these indentations. And, he says 'Arre, Saab- e to popat chaanch maare ne, etle Amrud mitthoo hoye. Jema chaanch naa maare, e mitthoo na hoye'. (Oh, Sir- when the parrot puts his beak to it, the guava is sweet, otherwise not). I did end up buying that one, and, really speaking, it was sweet..so, that was a nice sale and a nice bargain for him and me. The other fruit seller- I was buying apples- he was putting 1-2 pieces in the tarazoo(Yes, they still have that central balance with the weights on each side, one for putting weights, one for puttin...

'Hurrrrr Hattttt'- I heard this shout just in time, in between changing of the songs on my mp3 player, while I was on my morning walk. There I was, walking at my usual quick pace, the song'Dhan Te Nan'(Kaminey) had just ended and the next one was about to begin. I turned around, thinking it was a familiar shout, and, what do I see? 5 mega(Read'fat') cows, in 1 ahead of 2 ahead of 3 formation, and the first one just beginning to run, so that in the next 30 seconds, it would hit me(They never think, do they? Jo raaste mein aaye, kuchal daalo- whoever comes in the path, trample them) followed by the others who, naturally were about to follow their leader. And, behind them was this cowherd on a bicycle, who had done the shouting(It wasn't to warn me, though..haha). I was just able to cross over to the other side of the road in time and save myself a visit to the hospital.(And, one cow actually followed me, but the cowherd herded it back in time) That's jus...

Wishing everyone a Very Happy Diwali and a Bright, Prosperous, Scintillating New Year and Many More to come!! I read this in the local papers last week. We have all sorts of 'betsmen' in our great State. They bet on everything, from number of sixes and fours by a team, by players, in a cricket match to whether it will rain as normal or less or more during the rainy season. They even bet on the registration plate number of the next vehicle that passes by, as they sip tea at the highway dhaba. But, this one takes the cake, along with the icing: People actually bet on the number of squares (checks)that will be visible on the common man's shirt in the daily cartoon on the front page of Times Of India- the R.K. Laxman cartoon, which is always so timely, which says a lot and provides the first laugh of the day for many people including me!! A Honda City actually drives up in the wee hours of the morning, to meet a truck as it unloads bundles of Times of India in Rajkot and snaps ...

(Random pics from the net) I'm mystified. Travelling on Baroda's roads nowadays, I wonder why people want to honk so much? Even if the road's empty, they still go beep-beep,parp-parp,doggie bow-wow or some shrill noise which irritates the ears. Are they just trying to say 'look, I own a vehicle'? Similarly, if there's a traffic jam, they know that until the first vehicle moves, the ones behind won't be able to. Still, instead of waiting patiently, people from the second vehicle begin honking, creating a cacophony of at least 60 dB. Reminds me sometimes of the animals in Sayaji Park in the morning hours- one feels hungry and lets off a roar, and the rest follow suit, like a 'bhed chaal'(Sheep following the leader) --- Come to think of it, why don't the inventors of PC/video games make one on the traffic of a non-metro city like Baroda? It would be a sure-fire hit. Based on just my experiences in the last one week, we could have: ...

Just one of the amusing experiences I had on the flight: This one was as soon as we boarded the flight: - Ole Gujju Uncle(to steward): Chai-coffee kuch milega?(Will we get some tea or coffee?) - Steward(Who was non-Indian,but,knew some Hindi): It will take some time,Sir. - Ole Gujju Uncle: (Not hearing what was said): Chai kab milega? -Steward: Sir,I can't promise you,but,let me get all passengers seated and then I'll try and get you some. - Ole Gujju Uncle(Still not hearing): Look,this is my ticket- we have come from London and are going to Ahmedabad via Dubai. This is why I need some tea. - Steward: Let me see,Sir. - Ole Gujju Uncle: It is free of cost,ne? (those who are in touch with gujjus,will associate 'ne' with 'right'. Right,ne,Austy?) hehehe! More coming up soon.

Hi all! I'm in Baroda now. All as planned-reached at 08 AM yesterday. Lots of interesting things observed during the flight and at the airports. More on that shortly. So, hang in there. Will be around your blogs,soon. Need a good broadband service for home. Any suggestions? A service which also provides service after selling it.

I always get a nice laugh when I read the instructions on some products. This one is a gem: The – brand EMZ is we company excogiate a new series products. Its use convenient and novelty shape. In order to easily for you to use it, please read following instructions carefully before using: 1. Product characteristics: Function: Kill mosquito or winged insect, and lighting. Battery :High capacity free maintain Charge voltage: AC220V/50 Hz, Work voltage: about 2200 V Have electrical source protect switch, much more security Bulb: 4.2V/0.2A 2. Usage Instructions: a. Battery charge: Push the electric source switch to OFF direction, and push the plug perfectly in the socket of AC 220V/40 Az. And keep charging about 12 Hours that recharging direction light lighting. b. Before make use of it for the first time, please charging about 2-8 hours c. Kill mosquito method: Push the electric source switch to ON direction, p...