First Day on the Job!

First Day on the Job!

Today was the first day of my non-student employee life. It was quite the experience. Things I've learnt...........

1. A hell of lot of time is spent in meetings than you are usually used to.
2. As a result of that a lot is discussed. You're not on your own. Words like planning and design actually seem to matter.
3. The word 'Management' has so much more to it than i thought. There are so many things happening and so many people involved that it all needs to be coordinated. And its no mean task. No wonder MBAs make all the big bucks. A new found respect for all the managers out there.
4. There are committees for everything. And there is a policy governing each one. In order to get a project started, a proposal has to pass through a million committees and has to undergo an even larger amount of changes to be approved.
5. Dress Code. A sudden change from wearing whatever I want to formal wear (shirt, pant, tie.....the whole package) .........I better get used to it quickly. what's more I need to do some shopping unless I want to be known as the "same-tie" guy.

I haven't even gotten used to the place yet..........looks like its going to be a week of revelations..........bring it on!

Tap show - part deux!

The Shim Sham shimmy

Its appropriate that I post this on National tap dance day. It was that time of the year(er sem) again when our tap dance class performs at the Southern theatre. Last time, the show turned out to be amazing although our routine was not all that memorable( we cant help it if our instructor forgets our music......we were just beginners). So, this time we were the tap level 2 class. slightly more technical, more style, verve and all that jazz. We performed the 'ocapella' which is a piece without music except for the rhythm of our feet choreographed by our own instructor. Basically no one screwed up and we got through the routine in one piece.....woohoo! Watching tap 6 perform was really energising though. They had such a cool routine and it was super-technical. Of course, 2 tap and a jazz performance later, we all shimshammed together. For those of you who dont know, the Shimsham shimmy is the anthem of tap. Its got a zillion variations. We usually do the one conceived by Leonard Reed. Its the most enjoyable and fun routine in all of tap and when more than 30 people try to do it on stage that is not meant for more than 10, its absolute mayhem!!

Check out the snaps! You might also make another interesting observation.........

The Weather Gods must be crazy

The Weather Gods must be crazy

I missed the morning bus to campus, but I wasn't complaining as it was nice and pleasant and ideal for a walk.........a lovely Spring day!! By the time I came out of a meeting in the afternoon, it was snowing...........yes, it snows in minnesota at the end of April!! The forecast predicted it but we all trashed it saying its just not possible. I mean what are the chances. Its like saying the summer in chennai has been bearable this year. Fast forward to late afternoon. Its nice and sunny, warm almost. So much so that I had took take off my jacket. Are we having an early summer this year? But wait, that wasn't the end to the madness.

If all this wasn't enough, around 6pm, it starts raining. After which, it got windy and was cold!! I mean what's going on here. This is like one of the last scenes in the Truman Show. Is somebody messing with the weather gods.

All this was just too much for a day. I suddenly have an urge to listen to Vivaldi's four seasons.

moodmagic

moodmagic

Ben and Jerry's has now officially become my favourite icecream place. I dont think anyone could get bored of their flavours except they themselves but hey, we aren't complaining. The more choices the merrier. In keeping with the theme of "An icecream for every mood" , come 4 different flavours which capture not just your imagination but also evoke different moods. I have been exposed to a lot of chocolate icecream in this country. Trust me, there is no lack of choice or flavour when it comes to chocolate here. But if you're still not satisfied, then you probably need medication for that insatiable craving. Aptly named "Chocolate therapy", it has chocolate icecream, chocolate brownie, chocolate chips, chocolate cookies and fudge. Trust me, it is not for the faint of heart.......and if you aren't terribly fond of chocolate dont even come near. It was a bit strong even for a choc lover like me. If this can't satisfy your need for chocolate then nothing can. The mood here is aggression.

But my favourite is "The Last Straw". The flavor has a hint of vanilla covering a light undertone of strawberry which gently stimulates your tastebuds. I was a kid again. It brought back so many memories. I just realized how much i've missed strawberry icecream. I started remembering little incidents when I used to absolutely enjoy strawberry icecream. It gave me a feel of remembrance, of carefree joy, of introspection. The mood was nostalgic.


I still haven't tried the other two flavors, one of them named "Apple-y ever after". The beauty of the whole thing is that it is bound to evoke different moods in different people. It truly is magical.

The crucible

The crucible

When I heard that the World championships of Snooker may not stay at the crucible, I went "What are the organizers thinking?" Its been its home for the last 25 yrs. I can't imagine it being played anywhere but Sheffield. I agree that metros like London and Manchester are more cosmopolitan and hence are a marketing dream but I mean comeon. If a World Cup is played in England, can you imagine the final not being played at Lord's. I think you now understand what I'm saying.

Glad that they decided to not move it. All this hoopla luckily hasn't distracted the crowd from one of the most exciting tournaments in years. I mean almost every match has been so tight. Just wish I could have watched the 147 from the Welsh southpaw Mark Williams. Too bad he wont be lifting the trophy this year. There are a few interesting new faces this year including Shaun Murphy who really has been a revelation. But my money is on King Hendry. I think he has gone long enough without a title. Once he is past Stevens I think he should be safely through to the final. O' Sullivan seems jaded this year. He may still make it to the final. But to be on top come Sunday, he will have to up his game.

Whatever the result, whoever the players, The Crucible will be the place to be this Sunday evening!

A little kindness can go a long way!

Wednesday was free cone day at Ben & Jerry's. Being right in the heart of the U of M campus, u are bound to have a mad rush for it. Why would a business do such a thing? Why give away free icecream for an entire day especially right in the middle of campus where students are ready to try out all the flavors on offer even if it means standing in long queues. This may not run you to bankruptcy but is surely not going to be profitable by any stretch of the imagination. What did they themselves have to say..........."It is our way of saying Thank you". Cool, I'm not complaining but i just failed to see the reasoning behind it. Its almost laughable.

Atleast till today. Ever since then, I dont know if its just me, but this place has gone ice cream crazy......more specifically Ben & Jerry's crazy. The people coming in and out and the number of people on the road with icecream cones just seems to have suddenly gone up. Whenever I walk on the road just a couple of blocks to the bus stop I see atleast 5 people with icecream cones in their hand. Its unbelievable. Wonder how just one cone made such a difference. For regulars like me, it was just another icecream but it seems to have done the trick on most people who otherwise wouldn't have even come near the place otherwise.

Now I wonder who is laughing all the way to the bank!!!