This blog has gone to the dogs – quite literally! I managed to snap this one on my camera-phone while idling in traffic this morning. Anybody care to comment on this photograph? A creative caption perhaps?
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Doggone!
This blog has gone to the dogs – quite literally! I managed to snap this one on my camera-phone while idling in traffic this morning. Anybody care to comment on this photograph? A creative caption perhaps?
Saturday, February 9, 2008
At the blocks.
Six and a half years at the "blocks" came to an end on 31st January 2008. And what a tenure it was. Through the years I have seen ups and downs and some talented individuals too. Upto date it has been my longest stint and it in itself speaks volumes. Many a times I have almost been tempted by what appeared to be greener pastures. But on each of those occasions I have decided to stick with "blocks" which allowed me to contribute more effectively. So no regrets.
It is now time to open another chapter - nothing against "bankers", but I feel it is no longer a challange. Therefore I'm off to take the bull by the horns... so to speak. Hoping for a bull run anyway. So much for the "exchange" lingo... I guess I'll need to catch-up a bit.
Adios IB!
It is now time to open another chapter - nothing against "bankers", but I feel it is no longer a challange. Therefore I'm off to take the bull by the horns... so to speak. Hoping for a bull run anyway. So much for the "exchange" lingo... I guess I'll need to catch-up a bit.
Adios IB!
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Who dares Facebook?
The latest craze in online social utilities seems to be Facebook. I'm not the sort of fellow who spends hours on end online. But after several of my friends raved about it, I finally decided to try it out.
Although I use less than 10% of facebook's various tools and functionality, I have already hooked up with several of my long lost friends thanks to it's vast reach and great search engines. I find it to be a great "friend locator" than anything else.
There are some who registers but avoids putting their profile details including photographs due to privacy concerns. Maybe they have a point,.. but I guess without such profile details, it defeats the whole purpose.
Although I use less than 10% of facebook's various tools and functionality, I have already hooked up with several of my long lost friends thanks to it's vast reach and great search engines. I find it to be a great "friend locator" than anything else.
There are some who registers but avoids putting their profile details including photographs due to privacy concerns. Maybe they have a point,.. but I guess without such profile details, it defeats the whole purpose.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Three-wheels will do.
What has got three tiny wheels, has a two stroke petrol engine with barely enough horsepower to run a toy aeroplane, a handlebar from a 1970s Italian scooter and a flimsy metal cage covered with cheap vinyl? A pile of junk you say? No,.. it is what we South Asians call a trishaw (aka “poor-man’s wheels”, “tuk-tuk” or “three-wheeler”). It is one of the best things to come out of India since Sunil Gavaskar.
When used properly, the “trishaw” can be an excellent and the most efficient mode of transport on busy and congested roads of metropolitan Sri Lanka. And I emphasize the words “when used properly”! ‘Cause most often than not, they are the worst traffic offenders ever.
Ever seen a trishaw trying to overtake a vehicle which is fifteen times more powerful than itself? It ain’t a pretty sight. You can’t help feel for the poor trishaw driver… even a staunch roadhog will stop or slow down his or her car and let the trishaw move ahead before the trishaw’s engine burns out. But once in a while, one would indulge in a little game called “whatever-you-can-do, I-can-do-better”. Let’s admit it; all of us have done this at least once, right?
If there is one thing that trishaw drivers can’t seem to tolerate more than anything, it would have to be idling in traffic. The dude or dudette (come to think of it, I’ve never seen a female trishaw driver) will try to inch away into any available space, not really thinking of a way to come out of it. For some reason it always reminds me of running WinZip on my harddrive.
If you have ever traveled in one of these mobile play-houses you would have come across a whole set of new experiences.
Let’s just say it would rival the scariest theme park ride you’ve ever been to, sometime complete with sounds and neon lights too. Still, it will give you a unique experience that would leave a lasting impression. Must be the reason why a certain South African cricketer nearly ended up with more than he bargained for after his trishaw ride through Colombo. Even with all the brickbats we throw at them, on a rainy and dark night, especially when you are late and don’t have your wheels with you, I’m sure you would be glad the step into a trishaw. And don’t forget, not so long ago a trishaw driver did manage to get elected as the mayor of Colombo City. So they must be doing something right.
One little piece of parting advice though; make sure you agree on a fee with the driver before you step into the trishaw.
When used properly, the “trishaw” can be an excellent and the most efficient mode of transport on busy and congested roads of metropolitan Sri Lanka. And I emphasize the words “when used properly”! ‘Cause most often than not, they are the worst traffic offenders ever.
Ever seen a trishaw trying to overtake a vehicle which is fifteen times more powerful than itself? It ain’t a pretty sight. You can’t help feel for the poor trishaw driver… even a staunch roadhog will stop or slow down his or her car and let the trishaw move ahead before the trishaw’s engine burns out. But once in a while, one would indulge in a little game called “whatever-you-can-do, I-can-do-better”. Let’s admit it; all of us have done this at least once, right?
If there is one thing that trishaw drivers can’t seem to tolerate more than anything, it would have to be idling in traffic. The dude or dudette (come to think of it, I’ve never seen a female trishaw driver) will try to inch away into any available space, not really thinking of a way to come out of it. For some reason it always reminds me of running WinZip on my harddrive.
If you have ever traveled in one of these mobile play-houses you would have come across a whole set of new experiences.
Let’s just say it would rival the scariest theme park ride you’ve ever been to, sometime complete with sounds and neon lights too. Still, it will give you a unique experience that would leave a lasting impression. Must be the reason why a certain South African cricketer nearly ended up with more than he bargained for after his trishaw ride through Colombo. Even with all the brickbats we throw at them, on a rainy and dark night, especially when you are late and don’t have your wheels with you, I’m sure you would be glad the step into a trishaw. And don’t forget, not so long ago a trishaw driver did manage to get elected as the mayor of Colombo City. So they must be doing something right.
One little piece of parting advice though; make sure you agree on a fee with the driver before you step into the trishaw.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
7th Year bash!
In August, Interblocks turned 7. How best to celebrate than organizing a party… food, drinks and music,.. ahhhh Good stuff!
We all headed down to the Mt. Lavinia beach last Friday night. Invitations were extended to our customers as well. And they turned up in numbers. A four-piece calypso band was in full swing when I arrived. Drinks were flowing and all sorts of mouth watering smells were emanating from the Barbecue grill.
We were mingling with the customers and also a few former members of our staff when the music changed from live Calypso to a more night-clubby DJ type (complete with disco lights and a make-do plywood dance floor). Soon a few brave souls, doubtlessly with slightly higher levels of alcohol in their systems, started showing their moves on the plywood. As the night went on, the drinks kept coming, the food became more and more non vegetarian, and the music turned from Dance/Funk to Reggae to Baila and even to good ol’ big-match Papare.
We wound up earlier than usual – Thanks to an impatient DJ (I say, bring back “Curzon DJ”). Apart from a minor injury to our graphic designer’s left Shin, which he insists was caused by a misjudged step on the stairs onto the sandy beach, the worst damage were a few tired feet. We had a good time. Kudos to the organizing party. My only regret is me failing to capture that prized photograph of 17 empty Smirnoff bottles on the ledge behind the bar tables.
Cheers to all the participants!
We all headed down to the Mt. Lavinia beach last Friday night. Invitations were extended to our customers as well. And they turned up in numbers. A four-piece calypso band was in full swing when I arrived. Drinks were flowing and all sorts of mouth watering smells were emanating from the Barbecue grill.
We were mingling with the customers and also a few former members of our staff when the music changed from live Calypso to a more night-clubby DJ type (complete with disco lights and a make-do plywood dance floor). Soon a few brave souls, doubtlessly with slightly higher levels of alcohol in their systems, started showing their moves on the plywood. As the night went on, the drinks kept coming, the food became more and more non vegetarian, and the music turned from Dance/Funk to Reggae to Baila and even to good ol’ big-match Papare.
We wound up earlier than usual – Thanks to an impatient DJ (I say, bring back “Curzon DJ”). Apart from a minor injury to our graphic designer’s left Shin, which he insists was caused by a misjudged step on the stairs onto the sandy beach, the worst damage were a few tired feet. We had a good time. Kudos to the organizing party. My only regret is me failing to capture that prized photograph of 17 empty Smirnoff bottles on the ledge behind the bar tables.
Cheers to all the participants!
Friday, September 21, 2007
Do you know him?
He is big..ahem.. well..er..hefty! Athletic at times - especially when playing badminton. Drives a mean Honda City. Has a special connection with Africa, to be more precise, with Nigeria. Yes, you all know who I am referring to… The Nigerian white-boy of course!
Sad to see you go Suresh. It was a pleasure working with you. Have a good one!
Sad to see you go Suresh. It was a pleasure working with you. Have a good one!
Friday, June 15, 2007
Food for Thought.
Yesterday was one of those bad days where nothing seemed to go my way. So right after work, we decided what better way to drown your sorrows than some good grub at one of our favorite restaurants.
We ended up at the German Restaurant (Bavarian Barn). Located at "Galle Face Courts, Colombo 03", it is a nice and cozy little space with plenty of atmosphere and authentic German food. We haven't been there for years and pleasantly surprised to see nothing has changed all this time. Service was excellent, food was never too late and the portions were just the right size. Oh,... and the food was smashingly tasty too!
It was a bit pricy I must admit. But then again, you’ve got to spoil yourself once in a while at least.
Recommendation: Beef Stroganoff with buttered noodles and tossed salad. A glass of good full bodied Spanish Red to wash it off with.
We ended up at the German Restaurant (Bavarian Barn). Located at "Galle Face Courts, Colombo 03", it is a nice and cozy little space with plenty of atmosphere and authentic German food. We haven't been there for years and pleasantly surprised to see nothing has changed all this time. Service was excellent, food was never too late and the portions were just the right size. Oh,... and the food was smashingly tasty too!
It was a bit pricy I must admit. But then again, you’ve got to spoil yourself once in a while at least.
Recommendation: Beef Stroganoff with buttered noodles and tossed salad. A glass of good full bodied Spanish Red to wash it off with.
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