Necessities

(Running) Water - the most basic of them all.

It just seems so bizarre that an entire city, especially Bombay; the biggest city in India; would have a water cut for a day. We all hope that this work completes soon and that we get back to our normal lovely smelling selves. See a badly written article here - I get bored when articles descend into individual examples of the effect of an event rather than good old-fashioned analysis of it.

But I have to ask this question: whoever designed the sewage/water supply system in Bombay clearly never heard of failure points! The little design I've worked on ensure that failure points are identified and if possible the risk would be mitigated. You know, something like a parallel pipe or alternate route(?). Tsk, tsk engineer dude. Testing wasn't that thorough was it?

Last night was a long night - was at a friend's wedding in Delhi and these Punjabi's often have the actual wedding late at night. So similarly, we didn't get back from the wedding till late and didnt shower hoping to reach Bombay and go home for one. I sit here dreaming of a nice hot relaxing tub bath, but I suppose that is a bit of an extravegance at other times too. I just pity all those around me who have had to bear the brunt of this unfortunate situation, though will try to see if i can have a shower after dinner.

Unveiled: my DVD Collection

From now on stored here -> DVD_Library.xls

Why?

Because I keep "losing" DVDs to "friends". There's even a column listing out people whom I've lent DVDs too. Yes, that makes me a bitter miserly bastard. But I love them like my own children (the difference being I can actually toss one against the wall and get away with it)

It has the additional advantage of being good for analysis. For example, what does it say about me that only roughly 7% of my DVD's have been classified as Comedy? Did I hear a bitter miserly bastard? Of course, the TV Series make the figure a lot more respectable, but still an interesting thought.

Liverpool Takeover Talk

Liverpool are apparently poised for a takeover - this one looks a bit more serious than the others so far. Not sure what to make of it to be honest, If it happens and a lot of money is thrown at good players then that does improve our chances of a League title (and other competitions) win which is frankly long overdue.

But honestly I don't like the idea of Liverpool turning into another Chelsea (sans the lack of real fans). I would much rather the club buy smartly over the next few years and build on the improvements made under Rafa Benitez. Although reality probably is that maybe things are going too slow and a title isn't possible in the near future. And that this sort of boost is just what the club needs. Still, I would much rather languish in underachievement then buy success, thank you very much.

I suspect (and hope) that the club will strike the right balance - reasonable investment for new players, especially investing in youngsters with potential. Liverpool FC just has too much character and history to lose its identity.

E.T Came Home

Nothings Changed here.

But why would it, I was only away from Bombay for 5 weeks. But I feel a bit different. The obvious one being that my previously subdued tummy has by now re-stated its claim to being an obvious identifier. I'm not a digital camera virgin anymore. And admittedly, I do enjoy the work I do more, which doesn't say that much but its a start. It really is odd how most people compare ex-girlfriends or boyfriends but I compare old jobs.

So the camera invested in is the Canon IXUS 800IS, more expensive than my original intended buy - the Casio Exilim Z60, but from a firm known for cameras rather than a general electronic company. Here is a photo from my Desert Safari in Dubai:

Anyway the true judgement of a camera is always the results of photos taken during a night of heavy drinking. To be done fairly soon I hope!

Not quite sure whether I should upload photos to Flickr, Blogger, my website (limited space) or not uploaded at all. Facebook is another option but just isn't accessible or easily linkable either. The conundrums of modern human existence. I suppose its better than wondering whether to hunt for four legged or winged creatures back in the days where mating involved using a club rather than going to one.

Wrapping Up

Today was officially the last working day on my trip. And celebrated with a relaxing lunch and a bit of shopping for DVDs and a Liverpool Jersey.

In the past month besides Ali G (very funny!), the last film I watched was The Departed, which was bloody but nothing special. However, there was this DVD shop at the mall - never been able to resist them. Or leave without buying any DVDs. So I shortlisted and bought only three - The Squid and The Whale, Paradise Now and West Beirut. The latter two sounded a bit more "intense" than the first, so I ended up watching The Squid and The Whale.

Last night I finished reading Blink by Malcolm Gladwell. Essentially it talks about using our unconscious judgements (or instinct) well, giving examples of it being both good and bad. Anyway the same applies to The Squid and The Whale. I won't give away much (Guardian Review does a good job of giving away important bits of the story), but I just finished that film and I like it but I don't know why. It has dark humour, an interesting plot but most importantly brilliant performances from all the leads. But still is so messed up and at times disgusting! Definitely a must see, just be prepared for some squirmy scenes.

To celebrate though I invested in a Cohiba Pirámide (Limited Edition 2001). A very pretty Cigar (shaped like a torpedo), its smell is intoxicating and probably as thick as a Robusto. I considered going out to a club tonight but would rather stay in watching a DVD. Besides, drinking alone can be done in a hotel room too.

I Rock. Clearly.

Exit Music

No, not that song by Radiohead. This is a happy occasion - leaving The Kingdom for my next destination - Jordan. Except there is no music in this room, bar some whirring of the PC's fan.

So it has been two weeks in The Kingdom - first Dammam, then Riyadh and lastly a week in Jeddah. Jeddah is a fairly large market for our business (agri-commodity export from India) so it is a good destination, but not your first choice for a holiday for sure. Admittedly the Corniche (sea front) stretches for an impressive 84 KM and is quite peaceful and pretty. Al-Hamra district has some pretty good restaurants too, but the city just does not compare to Riyadh for vibrance and character.

Interestingly enough though i missed a really rare chance - to see a public execution. They execute their criminals facing capital punishment by beheading them in public outside a Mosque that was actually just across from my Hotel. Unfortunately for me though, the government have shifted executions from Fridays to working days and hence I missed watchign the 3 Pakistani drug smugglers losing their heads.

Can't hide my excitement to board the flight - not sure whether it is because Jordan permits alcohol & bars, or whether it is the thought that I head back home in a week. Either way blogging at 6.20AM doesn't seem so bad.

P.S. - Can anyone figure out why NONE of the public toilets in The Kingdom have Urinals!??! Yes, the Gents toilets, I'm not confused (in either sense).