Ok...first one to name the song reference gets 100 rupees.
So March Madness doesn't have quite the same appeal to my Indian cohorts as is does to those back home in Ctown and the Chi. I've still stayed up into the wee hours of the morning to watch my Dookies stave off elimination and advance to the SWEET 16. It's been a while since I've been able to say that and am currently savoring the flavor.
With that being said I've attempted to put my time to decidedly better use. Getting back to the gym, attempting to regulate my sleep routine (definitely the most physically challenging task I've encountered here); I now have an even greater appreciation for my mother working 3rd shift for 30 years so that she could be home when my sister and I arrived from school and to make dinner every night. Even cutting back on the cigs in a genuine effort to quit.
In an attempt to propel this change into my social life I decided to volunteer my time at a local orphanage this past weekend. I arrived at the ASPA orphanage Saturday afternoon not really knowing what to expect. In the rickshaw ride there I pictured a dilapidated building with malnourished, scantily clad children who had been cast off into the banes of society. What I came to find was quite the opposite.
After introducing myself to several of the other volunteers and exchanging pleasantries it was time to get to work. We started by passing out boxed snacks (which included juice boxes, tuna sandwiches and muffins to my disbelief) to every child. The notion of malnourished kids clothed in tattered rags quickly went by the wayside. These kids were healthy and happy. Wearing either their school uniforms (eerily reminiscent of my parochial school past) or the most western of wear (think Nike tee's and Levis). How could they be orphans?
The children were divided up by age group in different classrooms, and the volunteers were given the choice as to who they wanted to interact with. Most were suckers for the younger kids (ages 2 - 10) and really how could you blame them? Cute little Indian kids longing for attention...not really a tough sell. I decided to venture upstairs to see what the older kids were up to. The scene was no different than from that of a high school in Anytown, USA. Boys either teasing girls that they actually pined for or picking on each other to determine the alpha male of the group. The girls fending off the boys "immature" advances while immersed in the latest gossip.
They welcomed me in immediately and I was quickly awash with questions. Where are you from...are you married...do you like India...how did you get such blue eyes...what's your favorite food...do you play cricket?
Do I play cricket...no, but I've wanted to try it.
So it's time for sports and activities and basically two games are going to start; futbol (soccer) or cricket. I decide to continue today's theme of stepping outside my comfort zone...cricket it is!
I'll sum up my cricket experience with the following exchange between one of the kids on my team and myself.
Kid: "Do you play baseball?"
Me: "Yeah, well, I did when I was your age"
Kid "I can tell"
...This was not meant as a compliment.
Two games of cricket, a few kicks of the soccer ball and a quick dancing session which I was lured into by a girl of about 8 and it was time for lunch.
Abbey, the organizer of the event, quickly appointed me "biriyani trowler". I was elbow deep in chicken biriyani for the next hour, and it gave me a great opportunity to see just how thankful and polite these children were. Please and thank you came from every mouth and were usually accompanied by a wide smile. The simple act of serving these kids lunch was the highlight of my day and is one that I will not soon forget.
Time for arts and crafts. The event was built around this portion of the day. Each child and volunteer would be given a blank white t-shirt which they were to paint, with the top 5 kids in each class receiving a prize for the most creative and artistic final product. I teamed up with 3 teenagers in the corner of the room and after some quick brain storming we were off and painting. I decided that my shirt would be a visual representation of my day. From the rickshaw ride, to the boxed snacks, cricket bat and ball, a plate of biriyani and finally a paint brush and color palate. Anyone who knows me understands that my artistic aptitude is less than prodigious and ultimately my shirt looked liked it was painted by one of the 4 year olds in the classroom downstairs. So be it...at least one of the kids in my group won a new soccer ball for his self portrait, depicted from behind, standing under an arch of the words "Street Boys"...the groups "gang". When I inquired about the "gang" it became clear that their activities involved chasing girls, watching Bollywood movies and playing cricket...pretty much what I expected.
After a few pictures with the group, goodbye handshakes and hugs it was time to go. As I was walking out a boy of about twelve stopped me and introduced himself. He had an obvious speech impediment but made sure that he thanked me for coming and hoped that I would return. I told him that I enjoyed the experience and that if given the opportunity I'd be back for certain. As I started to walk away he noticed my t-shirt and asked if he could have it. I didn't even have a chance to process why he didn't have one as the word "Sure" came cascading from my mouth and the t-shirt from my clutch. I tossed it to him "Mean Joe Greene style" and walked off.
As much as I sometimes long for a Budweiser, a burger, or my girlfriend; India certainly has it's moments.
3.06.2009
How To Disappear Completely...
Exhibit A:
"So I walked home carrying my snazzy winter coat because it was 63 degrees today and when I got home I totally wished you were here. Not that I don't ever wish you were here but today in particular because I wanted to grill out since it's warm. That's it"
Exhibit 2:
"Thank you Uncle Bri for my Indians hat and my beach set!!! I love them. I am going to open the other present at my party on Saturday so you can see me on the web cam! I love you and miss you!!!
Exhibit D:
"Dan Auerbach solo at the Beachland tonight!"
Yeah....India rocks...
"So I walked home carrying my snazzy winter coat because it was 63 degrees today and when I got home I totally wished you were here. Not that I don't ever wish you were here but today in particular because I wanted to grill out since it's warm. That's it"
Exhibit 2:
"Thank you Uncle Bri for my Indians hat and my beach set!!! I love them. I am going to open the other present at my party on Saturday so you can see me on the web cam! I love you and miss you!!!
Exhibit D:
"Dan Auerbach solo at the Beachland tonight!"
Yeah....India rocks...
3.02.2009
Guess I Should Update This
I really didn't have much intention on updating this blog as I assumed no one read it...and for the most part I'm think I'm correct in that assumption. However, as I perused over insideciavshead.com I noticed that he was following my blog (well at least he read it once) so this one's for you Ciavy.
A lot has changed both here on the subcontinent and in the contiguous 48 since I last wrote. A new president has taken office, an economic stimulus plan has been approved, the Big 3 may actually survive and the US might just get out of Iraq before the next decade.
I'm still managing the same project here in Bangalore but have gotten some "assistance" from some other management types at the call center. I am proud to say however that we just closed February and it was the most profitable month in company history. That along with my new pay structure means I'm actually saving some bank for the first time in 29 years instead of spending like Chuck Barkley at an Arizona bar.
I also found a wonderful young lady (actually she's my elder by 56 days) back in Chicago who decided that we should date. I had no real say in the matter as she blindly attacked me on my home turf while my guard was down. I tried explaining to her that I would be living in India for the better part of the next two years and that it's very difficult to be "intimate" from 10,000 miles away. This did not heed her advances and ultimately led to me falling in love with her...persistence is sexy. So I got that going for me (copyright
Carl Spackler).
The World's Cutest 11 Month Old will become the World's Cutest 1 Year Old on Thursday...and I miss his smiling face, screams of hunger, shrieks of joy and just starting to talk mumbled garble more everyday.
Other than that my hobbies haven't changed much since moving here. Hoops, Pearl Jam, Tiger Woods Golf, King Fischer, Guitar Hero (mixed with some real guitar after a few King Fischer's) Cooking, and of course FB & GChat. Thank God for technology.
If you haven't heard snuggiepubcrawl.com is apparently the biggest thing going in America at this point in time and I'm proud to say that I was a participant in the stupid conversation at its inception. Explaining to my friends and co-workers here that "Getting dressed up in a blanket with sleeves to go out in public and drink really is what we do for fun in Chicago" must make me sound like an alien...or an asshole.
On the music front I can't wait for Lollapalooza this summer. Don't know who the lineup is yet (I'm basically hoping for a repeat of the 2006 show) but it really donesn't matter, always a great time with good friends and plenty of smuggled Smirnoff. It's probably my favorite 3 days of the summer. As far as new music goes, if you haven't already check out citizendick.org. A blog written by 3 talented guys who know their shit when it comes to new tunes...and I don't pass out compliments like that all willy nilly.
Back to work...lots of interviews to conduct today. I'll be sure to update this a little more often as I know that someone is reading.
Cheers
A lot has changed both here on the subcontinent and in the contiguous 48 since I last wrote. A new president has taken office, an economic stimulus plan has been approved, the Big 3 may actually survive and the US might just get out of Iraq before the next decade.
I'm still managing the same project here in Bangalore but have gotten some "assistance" from some other management types at the call center. I am proud to say however that we just closed February and it was the most profitable month in company history. That along with my new pay structure means I'm actually saving some bank for the first time in 29 years instead of spending like Chuck Barkley at an Arizona bar.
I also found a wonderful young lady (actually she's my elder by 56 days) back in Chicago who decided that we should date. I had no real say in the matter as she blindly attacked me on my home turf while my guard was down. I tried explaining to her that I would be living in India for the better part of the next two years and that it's very difficult to be "intimate" from 10,000 miles away. This did not heed her advances and ultimately led to me falling in love with her...persistence is sexy. So I got that going for me (copyright
Carl Spackler).
The World's Cutest 11 Month Old will become the World's Cutest 1 Year Old on Thursday...and I miss his smiling face, screams of hunger, shrieks of joy and just starting to talk mumbled garble more everyday.
Other than that my hobbies haven't changed much since moving here. Hoops, Pearl Jam, Tiger Woods Golf, King Fischer, Guitar Hero (mixed with some real guitar after a few King Fischer's) Cooking, and of course FB & GChat. Thank God for technology.
If you haven't heard snuggiepubcrawl.com is apparently the biggest thing going in America at this point in time and I'm proud to say that I was a participant in the stupid conversation at its inception. Explaining to my friends and co-workers here that "Getting dressed up in a blanket with sleeves to go out in public and drink really is what we do for fun in Chicago" must make me sound like an alien...or an asshole.
On the music front I can't wait for Lollapalooza this summer. Don't know who the lineup is yet (I'm basically hoping for a repeat of the 2006 show) but it really donesn't matter, always a great time with good friends and plenty of smuggled Smirnoff. It's probably my favorite 3 days of the summer. As far as new music goes, if you haven't already check out citizendick.org. A blog written by 3 talented guys who know their shit when it comes to new tunes...and I don't pass out compliments like that all willy nilly.
Back to work...lots of interviews to conduct today. I'll be sure to update this a little more often as I know that someone is reading.
Cheers
12.01.2008
Sporting Speculations
10 - 6...
Had I seen this string of characters prior to the '08 -'09 NFL season I would have presumed this would be the Cleveland Browns record as we rode into the playoffs fresh off stomping the Stealers at Heinz Field
12-1-08 (Bangalore,India)
Well, turns out 10-6 is the score by which the Cleveland Browns lost to the Indianapolis Colts on this very winnable last day of November in Cleveland, OH. 4 - 7...should be the score of a bags game on Gallagher's roof in July. Instead, it's the Browns record and the impetus for this Blog (God, I really hate that word)
After a less than auspicious start to the season the Browns looked like they were finally coming together when they defeated the defending Super Bowl Champions on MNF..."Best overall game this team has played in over a deacade" I told Matt "Better than the Falcons game"
*EDITORS NOTE*
{Matt, I and everyone else who attended that game in the winter of 2002 hold it in the highest of esteem. It was our first home playoff game...at least it felt as if it was...the feeling of that stadium waking up after over 10 years of hibernation was metaphysical. I haven't felt it since.}
Since then the Brownies have gone on to loose 5 of 7 games with the only thing standing between them and the basement of the AFC North being the hapless Cincinnati Bungles. Wouldn't Beanie Wells or Malcolm Jenkins look great in the brown & orange? 4 - 12 should get us one of those two.
Speaking of THE Ohio State University Football Team, another year is in the books. I was devastated after being destroyed by Helen of Troy and disappointed after falling apart to Joe Pesci's great grandfather in Happy Valley. This team was supposed to be better than the previous two teams that reached the National Championship game. Alas a high ankle sprain and some questionable coaching decisions have given the Buckeyes a 10-2 record, second place in the Big 10, birth in a non-BCS Bowl Game and a 42 - 7 lashing of Michigan on senior day at the shoe. Hopefully T Pryor doesn't go Mo Clarett, and we get to appreciate his unhuman athleticism for another 2 years.
14 - 3...
Now that's more like it. The Cavaliers are off to their best start in team history. FINALLY! Isn't this what we've been waiting for. LeBron...well, he's a monster, no need to really elaborate on that. Let me sing the praises of Danny Ferry and (gulp) Mike Brown for finally combining top notch talent, a nine man rotation, an actual offensive strategy and tenacious defense.
My Cavaliers addiction has gone into pseudo rehab as I've only been able to watch portions of a few games. I'm sure I will fall off the wagon when I return to Cleveland in late December.
7 - 0...
Certainly Duke is Duke. But with wins over Presbyterian, Georgia Southern, Michigan(to win the Coaches vs Cancer Classic) and Montana. I believe I'll wait till January to kneel down at the alter of Coach K.
-Cheers from India
Had I seen this string of characters prior to the '08 -'09 NFL season I would have presumed this would be the Cleveland Browns record as we rode into the playoffs fresh off stomping the Stealers at Heinz Field
12-1-08 (Bangalore,India)
Well, turns out 10-6 is the score by which the Cleveland Browns lost to the Indianapolis Colts on this very winnable last day of November in Cleveland, OH. 4 - 7...should be the score of a bags game on Gallagher's roof in July. Instead, it's the Browns record and the impetus for this Blog (God, I really hate that word)
After a less than auspicious start to the season the Browns looked like they were finally coming together when they defeated the defending Super Bowl Champions on MNF..."Best overall game this team has played in over a deacade" I told Matt "Better than the Falcons game"
*EDITORS NOTE*
{Matt, I and everyone else who attended that game in the winter of 2002 hold it in the highest of esteem. It was our first home playoff game...at least it felt as if it was...the feeling of that stadium waking up after over 10 years of hibernation was metaphysical. I haven't felt it since.}
Since then the Brownies have gone on to loose 5 of 7 games with the only thing standing between them and the basement of the AFC North being the hapless Cincinnati Bungles. Wouldn't Beanie Wells or Malcolm Jenkins look great in the brown & orange? 4 - 12 should get us one of those two.
Speaking of THE Ohio State University Football Team, another year is in the books. I was devastated after being destroyed by Helen of Troy and disappointed after falling apart to Joe Pesci's great grandfather in Happy Valley. This team was supposed to be better than the previous two teams that reached the National Championship game. Alas a high ankle sprain and some questionable coaching decisions have given the Buckeyes a 10-2 record, second place in the Big 10, birth in a non-BCS Bowl Game and a 42 - 7 lashing of Michigan on senior day at the shoe. Hopefully T Pryor doesn't go Mo Clarett, and we get to appreciate his unhuman athleticism for another 2 years.
14 - 3...
Now that's more like it. The Cavaliers are off to their best start in team history. FINALLY! Isn't this what we've been waiting for. LeBron...well, he's a monster, no need to really elaborate on that. Let me sing the praises of Danny Ferry and (gulp) Mike Brown for finally combining top notch talent, a nine man rotation, an actual offensive strategy and tenacious defense.
My Cavaliers addiction has gone into pseudo rehab as I've only been able to watch portions of a few games. I'm sure I will fall off the wagon when I return to Cleveland in late December.
7 - 0...
Certainly Duke is Duke. But with wins over Presbyterian, Georgia Southern, Michigan(to win the Coaches vs Cancer Classic) and Montana. I believe I'll wait till January to kneel down at the alter of Coach K.
-Cheers from India
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
