It has been over a month now at AIIM but we seem to have lost all count of time. So much has happened that it is quite difficult to pen them all down. Check out the link to Life @ AIIM under my photographs section for a sneak peek. For the sake of summing up, let's just say, it has been an extremely fulfilling experince so far. An amazing lineup of faculty and TESTS and TREATS!!!! I have never attempted so many tests in so short a time ever!

Considering the breakneck speed of knowledge distribution and overflow at AIIM, we decided to continue the same routine for our first relatively free weekend. Result = Movie marathon!!!

Verdict of the Movie-Marathon weekend...

- Tere Bin Laden = A comedy of errors

- Expendables = With Sylvester, Statham and Arnold all in the same movie.... we definitely need subtitles! What is with these action heroes and their speech???

- Once upon a time in Mumbai = Whoever told Ajay Devgun that he was hero material?

- We are f...amily = Something is wrong with us for even thinking to watch this after stepmom!

A very interesting talk

Aatishchoooo !

Why do they call it 'snuff' powder?

On ungainly assets

I am just an ordinary girl in many ways. I love my clothes, trinkets, random and regular shopping activities just like any other girl and have quite a distinctive taste of my own in all of the above.

When it comes to cars however, let's just say my taste is not so discerning. A car to me is just an enclosed carriage that needs to deliver me from one point to the other while protecting me from sunburn, rain or inopportune accidents. Hence, is definitely not something that I like to fuss about.

My team members have been after my life these last few months over why I do not own a car of my own yet and prefer to just hire one. It is difficult to explain to guys why/how I failed so miserably at the driving lessons from my dear dad. Hence, using a comfortable facade of - "I am meant to be driven and not drive" - has served me well so far.

Don't get me wrong. While I can well appreciate the comfort of a luxury car, it would never concern me deeply while buying my own car (if I ever feel so inclined). My vehicle(s) of choice is simple and short -

1. Maruti 800 (a/c would be nice) for the average Indian road.
2. Second hand autorickshaw for the Hyderabad roads (no frills required).

An asset that depreciates faster than the weather and is associated with high recurring costs, I consider an economic liability. To those who are still gloating over your latest acquisition of a white elephant, best wishes from 'your's truly'.

The Happily Deluded

The traffic on Hyderabad roads follow certain strict rules. Coming back from work last night, I had a glimpse of what fundas lie behind some these rules. Let me list the rules first and desecrate some of their making as we trail along.

Rule 1
While on Hyd roads, a road is a road. There are no lanes!

Rule 1
While on a Hyd road, every slow moving traffic has all the permission to take the right path (lane...if I may)

Rule 1
If you have a two-wheeler and happen to be in Hyderabad, the roads are automatically your 'Baap ki Jaagir' (lawful inheritance). Feel free to swing, dance, run or crawl...oh and of course...use the right lane by all means :)

Rule 1
You must always stay ahead in the race. The Hyd crowd takes this dictum very seriously and apply it to their driving too...literally.

It is ok to start late...but shame on you if you fall behind in traffic.

Rule 1
The APSRTC buses are the indomitable Dadas aka DONS of the Hyd roads. No Gandhigiri for these bhaiyas though. At their benevolent best, you are allowed to trail behind them. However, since they suffer from more bad hair days than not, be prepared to incur their wrath & risk getting crushed anywhere/anytime.

Rule 1
A footpath is only an extension of the road for the discerning Hyderabad traffic players. Nothing more nothing less. If you can drive, by all means use the footpaths whenever you wish.

Rule 1
So what if you couldn't get your mono-flying license? All you need to fly on the Hyd roads, is a yellow bike with a pointy end and a girl to bring up your rear end. That's it... and you are ready to take off!

Rule 007
On Fridays and Saturdays, no two/three wheelers drive on the left side of the road. These are the 'Hafta Wasooli' days. Every law abiding traffic policeman worth his salt (or sugar, butter and the like) can be found on the streets. Don't worry about breaking a few traffic rules here and there...as long as you are not stopped by the police...you are doing well :)