It is great sometimes to take an early day off from work and spend some time at the Boston Symphony's  Chamber Orchestra. A friend from work and I decided to do precisely that on this perfect Friday afternoon.

The weather was warm and sunny with cool breeze. We left work just past one in the afternoon, rode the public transportation from Harvard to Symphony Hall. It has been indeed too long since I wandered around my ole' neck of the woods (I graduated from Northeastern University). The next hour  (hour and half) we ate some sweet and savory crumpets, sipped coffee, hob-nob-ed with some oldy-goldies in attendance and listened to Latin and Celtic combinations in Violin. What a perfect lazy afternoon.

So Tranquil, So Content

This was taken in the Garden Conservatory of the Gaylord Opryland (Nashville, TN). I felt compelled to just sit down and relax. Peace is such a good thing

Y'all, I am back from Nashville. It was a quick trip with mostly work and some play. I did not stay back couple more days (as I usually do when I am in a new place). I was going to write more, but then decided that pictures are worth a thousand words. So, here are some highlights from the trip.

	With 85+ degree temperatures in Nashville, spring has already arrived in Nashville. One of the few times when we got out of the hotel, we wandered around in the neighborhood. Right outside the hotel is the Grand Ole Opry (Nah! Not a country music fan) and next to it is a huge mall. This shows the spring blossoms in front of the Grand Ole Opry.
	The Gaylord Opryland is an extraordinary hotel. It feels like being in a terrarium. There are multiple buildings/sections called the Cascades, Magnolia, Delta, Convention Center and the Garden conservatory. All these buildings have roof covers which allow plenty of day light, but keeps the outside at bay. Under these covered sections, the hotel has developed the Epcot like Southern architecture buildings and moat, complete with boat rides and an entire garden conservatory with palm trees and waterfalls, pathways, orchids and dining around the conversatory. This picture shows the Epcot like town re-creation.
	... continuing in the Delta section is the moat and waterways.
	... and the garden conservatory..
.... More pictures on their website.

Amber (left) and Duke (right) are insanely royal. They have pretty much taken over the home. They are the owners and I am the tenant. This is one of their favorite morning spots, in the living room over the couch facing the sunniest window. They love to nap in front of this window, as it also gives them a birds eye view to... er.... birds, cars and general hustle bustle outside.

I love to play card games
I enjoy good alcohol
I have also had alcohol while playing card games

What I have never done (well, until now), is play card games involving drinking. The record has been broken! Second day into the event in the evening, the powers that be and the hotel organized the simple affair with pizza (yuck), chicken fingers and bottomless cases of Heineken, Bud Light, Miller Light, Beringers White Zinfandel and some other beers and wine. As we lounged after the long day of running around, giving directions and being 'on' constantly, this was the time to let the hair down and relax and enjoy each others company. The average age for this group is about 25 years! And one of them just turned 21!

The suspects


So, one person was sent off to look for a pack of cards. I hadn't the faintest idea of what I was getting into. This is what we played:

First Game: Kings Cup
The rules: A empty glass is placed in the center of the table and all players sit in a circle around it. This is the Kings Cup. All cards are shuffled and spread out face down around the empty glass. All players in turn pick a random card and turn it over. Based on what the face value of the card the following actions need to be done.

Ace: Waterfall. When this card is drawn, the all players starting from the players left (including the player) starts drinking in succession, that is each person waits for the player on their right to start and does not stop until the player on the right stops drinking. This is lots of drinking.
2: Is for You. The player who draws this card picks someone in the circle to drink.
3: For Me. The player who draws this card, drinks.
4: Touch the floor: All players must touch the floor, the last one drinks
5: Guys drink: All guys drink
6: Chicks drink: All the girls drink
7: Raise hand to heavens: Everyone must raise hand to the heavens, the last one drinks
8: [Best one] The player decides on a rule and implements it anytime, and other players have to watch and follow suit, the last on drinks. (The only rule that got made was: Thumb on the table. This meant whenever the player who decided the rule, invoked it, the others had to follow suit...needless to say, who remembers when you are all tipsy and there is lots of nudging going on to remind people).
9: Bust a Rhyme, The player starts a rhyme, and player on the left must add a new sentence that rhymes.
10: Category: The player who pulls the card, decides on a category, such as car models, dog breeds, name of people/places etc) and then each player in the circle starting from the left of the player, has to give and example of the category such as for the category car models it could be Toyota, Mercedes etc etc. If the player cannot come up with an example, stalls or mentions something duplicate, the waterfall of categories stops and the player drinks.
Jack: Back, person to the left to player drinks.
Queen: Question. The player drawing this card, picks another player and asks a question (any random question). The recipient player turns someone else (who has not been asked) to ask a question to another player. This goes around, until either the player cannot remember to ask the question, or answers the question instead of asking forward, or asks a person already asked.
King: The player that draws the King, pours (any amount) some of the drink into the center glass. Each time the king is drawn, the drawing player will add to the center glass.... So depending on the crowd and what the mix of drinks that are going around, the center glass can be a serious drink. The last person to draw a king (one deck = the fourth king), then that player has to drink from the center glass.

Second Game: Up the river & down the river. This one has a very high get-drunk and buzzed factor.
This game involved a full deck of cards and about 11 people. It is usually played with 6 people per deck, but we were too many people and not enough cards. So we played a drastically modified version.  We played with the following rules:
1. Everyone sits in a circle including the dealer.
2. The dealer in turn asks each player in turn: "Red card? or Black?". The player has to guess if the card to dealt will be from the red or black suit. If the player guesses correctly, then player asks anyone in the circle to drink and if the guess is wrong the player drinks.
3. Round 2 dealer asks: "Over or Under?". The player has to guess if the card value to be dealt will be over or under the first card dealt to the player. Again if guessed correctly, player asks anyone in the circle to drink, otherwise drinks themselves.
(Of course, nothing stops the other players simply drinking).
4. In the next round the dealer asks: "Inside or Outside?". The player has to guess whether the next card to be dealt will be within the two cards already dealt or outside the two cards. If it is value is same as either or both cards, then it is considered inside. The drinks go up in this round. If the player guesses correctly, then player can asks any two other players to drink (player can also ask just one other player to take two drinks.... nasty!).
5. Onto the next round, Eight cards a placed face down. Each is earmarked as (a) Give one (b) Take one (c) Give two (D) Take two.... you get the picture..... until the last two cards are Give four and Take four. Two other cards placed face down are marked as Drink Half and the other Drink Full. (Dang!) Each card is flipped over, and all players who have the same card face value, have to follow the earmarked instructions. So for example, if the face up card was earmarked Give Three, then the player with the same face value can dole out other players three drink requests. All three could be to the same player or split up with other players.

The third game.... by now, I must have had a whole bottle of wine and was a bit tipsy, but no buzzing in the head and that's when my super boss joins the party and introduces a vegetable game (nothing to do with cards). In this game, each player had to pick a vegetable that would be the players' given name. One player starts (funnily it is my boss) and the idea is to repeat your given vegetable name twice and pick some other name from the circle and repeat their name twice. Sounds easy? well, it ain't, because rule two is that you cannot show your teeth. So I could say "Corn Corn, Zuchinni Zuchini" (I was corn). The player named Zucchini would then have to respond with "Zucchini, Zucchini, <some other veg> <other veg>" And so on and so forth. Why is this game ludicrously funny? It is because, remember we have already played two drinking games, so everyone is already mostly drunk and on top of that the only way to really talk without showing teeth is to wrap the lips over the teeth.... and that alone maketh for jocularity.

And.... so on and so on.... by 10:30PM.... I was ready to call it day and head back to my room.

Yesterday, I got home by 9:30PM. It marked the end of very long week. In the past week, Monday to Thursday, the days were long and emergencies cropped up every which way, and burning bushes needed fire fighting. So, really at 9:30PM last night, I should have been dog tired, and should have gotten into bed and stayed there at least for next 8 hours. But, alas! at my door step was a movie from Netflix.... and I made the mistake of opening it!

The movie: Archangel.
The actor: Daniel Craig!

I scrambled some eggs with some asparagus for dinner and stared at the Netflix white sleeve at the dinner table. All the while I was eating, I debated whether I was so tired that I should sleep, or I was so tired, that another 2 hours & some odd minutes is not going to make me more tired. I asked kitties for advice, they responded with Meow and Purr.... heavens knows what that means. I voted at the end of dinner to get some sleep. As within next 24 hours, I will be zooming off to Nashville, TN (for work) for the next five days and the more work, when I get back. So, next relaxing day will be next Saturday!

As I walked upstairs to the bedroom... each step was successively harder. I thought I was tired, and resolved to get to sleep. Finally half way up, I stopped, turned, walked down, put the DVD in and turned on the TV and decided to watch half the movie and then watch the other half in the flight to Nashville. I settled happily on the couch with comfy pillows, with a nice throw at my feet, and confused kitties (I am not a night person, so it throws off my kitties, when I do something weird....like keep awake reading or watching movies) to watch the movie.

Ten minutes into the movie, I found myself sitting up straight up, bent forward and completely engrossed by movie. Forget seeing just half of the movie, I would have been devastated, if I could not see the whole movie. I watched the whole movie and finally around 12:30 the wee hours of Friday finally got to bed, but this time I was not tired!

Archangel is a gripping thriller novel written by Robert Harris adapted into a drama series by BBC. I think the editorial review on Amazon captures it beautifully:

"Fluke Kelso [played by Daniel Craig] is a middle-aged scholar of Soviet Communism with a special interest in the dark secrets of Joseph Stalin. For years, rumors have circulated about a notebook that the aging dictator kept in his final years. In a chance encounter in Moscow, Kelso meets Papu Rapava, a former NKVD guard who claims that he was at Stalin's deathbed and says that he assisted Politburo member Beria in hiding the black oilskin notebook just as Stalin was passing. Before Kelso can get more details, Rapava disappears, but the scholar is energized by the evidence Rapava has provided. As Kelso begins to pursue his historical prize, however, his investigation ensnares him in a living web of Stalinist terror and murder. It soon becomes clear that the notebook is the key to a doorway hiding many secrets, old and new"

For some absurd reason I kept thinking I have come across the name of Robert Harris somewhere before. And, further research led to the fantastic discovery that he also wrote "Enigma".

So, if you like thrillers, do see this one. It is like a great book you have to keep turning pages. A fantastic thriller and so darn beautifully filmed in Russia (I think). And to top that, it is Daniel Craig... the current favorite! 

Alrighty people! Here is your chance to win two Loews premium tickets from me! [Edit] Ah! for those who are not in the US, or where Loews is not in your neighborhood, equivalent gift awaits your answer)

Answer this question: What do you think, I should do with my Tax Refund this Year?
Hmm... I was hesitant to put any dollar amount to this, but my friend brought up a great point. The suggestions could be vastly different based on the the amount involved. So, without further much-a-do, the amount = $2,000.

Rules:

• Email, phone or post in this cool blog. If you call in or email me independently, please note that I reserve the right to post it in this blog.
• Entries, should be submitted by March 31st, Midnight. (Alright, April 1st morning).
• You can submit multiple entries and no limit on the number of entries.
• April 1st, I and (of course Duke and Amber) will make the decision on the best entry and the party will be notified.
• If you are my financial comptroller/financial advisor or tax advisor, then sorry your entries do not count! But don't let that stop you from suggesting.
• If there are no entries, then by default.... I win!
• If there are more than one 'Best' entries, then...... Duke and Amber get the final say.

Definition of Best Entry: I think I am going to say that the best entry is the entry that would make me think about it, perhaps laugh, perhaps implement. :)

Psst: By no means the two tickets imply that you have to take me to the movies!

 

Daniel Craig is insanely gorgeous! Ever since, I saw him as Alex West in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, I knew I liked the blond dreamboat with blue eyes.

I watched Casino Royale in theatres in January and could not wait to get my paws on.... er....the DVD. The 2-disc version would be released on March 13th, 2007, 8-week wait. It was weird! I have wait patiently for many a DVD, but this one tried my patience like none other. Perhaps it was because, I was getting out of hibernation and wanted things to move a bit faster. For the past week, I have been visiting Amazon frequently, hoping that it would ship faster! Finally, Amazon shipped it on the 11th, I received it on the 14th. Of course, last night became the movie night of the week and it reflects today.... I am half asleep and half in dream world. (A great day if you want something from me..... in most likelihood won't be turned down!)

My very own: Layer Cake, Lara Croft: Tomb raider and now, Casino Royale

In netflix queue: Archangel.

Awaiting eagerly: Bond 22 (releasing sometime 2008)

Other insanely gorgeous actors: Gerard Butler, Matthew MacFadyen.......

(Interestingly, all these yummy actors are across the pond!)

Wow! It has been 10 years since a jet-lagged, slightly tipsy, wide eyed kid was transported from Bombay to Beantown!

Year: 1996
This kid was given six-month loan to make it this country. Perhaps a tall order, but then perhaps not so. This kid starts school at Northeastern, picks two easy courses to get couple of A's and applies for Teaching Assistantship. It is indeed a frightening and interesting time, as future is unknown (perhaps the one and only time this kid has gambled!). Kid talks to Dean and other professors and is amazed at getting small odd jobs at school and the first earnings of $12.00 was a day to remember! This kid also gets Teaching Assistantship! Kid cannot help think: "Somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good" (quote from Sound of Music). By the end of the year, courses are picked, homework is completed and submitted, bunch of 'A's received, loan repayment is well on its way, friends are multiplied, enemies are divided, apartment rents and utilities are paid, new apartment is found, move is done and life is good! Teaching graduate school has settled into routine. One fateful December evening, kid attends a graduate school pizza party, and is hit by the thunderbolt and now kid hates pizza with a vengence.

Year: 1997
The student year continues for the kid, with more courses, more homework, more teaching, and now something new preoccupies the mind ;). It is weird and confusing and danged depressing time. Some friends are good as gold and some are plain idiots. Kid's elder sister gets married in summer in Maryland and their Uncle's place. This starts a whole bunch of travel. Before the wedding celebrations, the kid and the sister drive from Boston to New Jersey to Maryland, doing a whole bunch of touristy things. Whilst in Maryland, they visit the US Capital and the Mall and Museums. Alongside, enjoy the company of uncle and aunty and the little niece, and plan for the wedding. After the wedding, the kid travels for six weeks to India.  In India, there is packing and moving the parents from a huge house to a rental space, while their new home is getting built. This is bittersweet farewell to the place always known as home. The new place wouldn't be the same. Back to Boston via Amsterdam, this kid dreams one day to visit Netherlands and picks up liquors, chocolate and brochures. Returning 'home' the kid jumps in headlong into the job hunt. Folks! This is 1997, and the demand for computer engineers is insanely high. Many interviews are done and flights are taken to Seattle, New York City (multiple times), North Carolina, and San Francisco and of course within Massachusetts. Many trips are taken for the trip sake and not for interview (shhh!). During this year, Beantown is explored in all available free time, Museums are visited, Freedom trail is walked, North end is explored and Beantown is adopted as home!

Year: 1998
The student graduates, and becomes an employee! The student takes one week vacation before starting new job, mainly to get clothes for the corporate-consulting world. Family (sister and brother-in-law) come to celebrate graduation. All outstanding loans are repaid and closed, and promptly a new loan is taken out (welcome to the American way of life). The new loan is for a car! Yes, the kid learns, researches, and negotiates for six hours to buy a brilliant blue pearl Toyota Corolla, with the works (well, most of relevant ones anyways). The first few weeks of owning the car are petrifying, simply because the kid never owned something that expensive (until then at least) that sits out in the cold hard rain. Kid moves once again, sans any dopey roommates to a studio apartment. Life is vastly improved with financial independence and emotional too! A new motto for living is born; live life, repay loan and save for a house.

Year: 1999
The year starts and ends as a employee. The office moves to from Wellesley to Cambridge. The commute is now on T versus driving. Kid decides and starts the process to get permanent residency in the country. Kid stumbles into stain glass art and invests time and energy into developing the art.

Year: 2000
The kid becomes an aunt to a little one (kid's sister has a baby boy). Kid's mother visits to help taking care of the little one and is based in California. For 10 days, when autumn is at its peak, kid's mum and kid take a road trip in central New Hampshire. The best 10 days ever!. Life on the other hand continues with its nuances and its ups and downs and sideways.

Year: 2001
Wacky and scary year, the dot in the dot-com world is going bust. 9 layoff later, the kid is still gainfully employed, but goes into work each day to give 100% and the neck in a live guillotine. Who knows when the axe will fall?

Year: 2002
This was the year of perpetual darkness! Halloween! Kid's mother passes away. Nothing good, bad or ugly matters in this year.

Year: 2003
This is the second year after 2002, to be the year of turmoil; September brings sad news of kid's grandmother death. It is also the year for job jumping! Finally the axe falls on the consulting company and one morning the company heads swarm down and decide to close the office. Funnily enough the office is 'officially' closed, but no one is asked to leave, no doors are locked, no security access cards revoked! Nothing! Simply because there is too much work to be completed before the office can be closed. So, twenty two odd employees are given all different dates when their last day will be. Interestingly during those days/weeks, all these employees are hired. This kid decides to take a weekend off before starting the next job. The next job is brutal, messy and worst and kid jumps ship and goes to the third company. All this jumping around and no vacation, leads to a emotionally frazzled kid, but solid bank balance for buying house and research is started in earnest. This year will also be remembered as the year, when this kid finally blooms into a more confident, strong and self-reliant, simply because Homeland Security blesses the permanent residency application. Kid is free to flip burgers for a living (not that the kid would want to)! Kid also begins to believe that there is a dawn after darkness. Kid's father decides to visit the family.

Year: 2004
Kid uses the 5-year savings to buy a house and sets plans in motion to make the house a home. The home life takes adjusting financially, emotionally, physically and whatever other -ally's you can think of. This is year of settling into the new job, new commute and new house.

Year: 2005
Life simply just is! A planned trip back to India happens, and a week in Lakshadweep (one of the coral reefs) is just what the doctor ordered. Once again as flight takes the kid via Amsterdam, thoughts of travel in Netherlands prevail. But the commitments of home, are still settling so no planned trips until more of the house and garden is settled. Work is just it work! Thoughts sometimes revert to the fateful December pizza party (yes, still hates pizza!). Stain glass work comes into its own as a home based business. Commissioned work, restoration and couple of craft fairs are done. Simultaneously, old craft - knitting is resurrected. Creativity is at its all time high. Kid becomes an aunt for the second time round.

Year: 2006
Kid plans for home and garden renovation. After emptying some of the savings, the yard looks better, and following year schedule for planting is figured out. Kid accepts invitation and goes to board game parties (something not done in a long while) and actually has fun. Kid goes out with friends again! This one is huge, step back into some social life! Against most the family's disapproving emails and conversations, Kid adopts two kitties and showers them with loads of love. The year of living life, growing up, and setting up and accomplishing goals.

Year: 2007.... and many more
So, wherever you are, whatever you are doing, if you read this, raise a glass and wish me (the kid) luck for the next 10 years, wherever it finds me.