My blog has moved. Actually, it moved a while ago. It's been in http://www.hamishjoy.com for a LONG time now. In case some of you still come here, well... go to the new site instead. Stay fresh.
:)
The clock ticks & life moves on. In the cosmic sense, nothing matters. It might be this profound philosophy that drives the me to see the lighter side of routine.
I wish!!
The more popular theory is that Hamish Joy is simply nuts.
So I think crazy. It’s not something I can help. It’s just me. And it’s time my thoughts invaded cyberspace. And this blog serves that noble purpose. The invasion of the Hammy mind.
From: Bangalore, Karnataka, India
About me: Movie fanatic and music addict. A self contained sense of humor, which is to say I laugh at my own jokes... pretty much by myself. I dabble in music, poetry, creative writing, and a lot of petty junk on a fairly continual basis. Infamous for writing incomplete sentences, I am also a great
Veni, Vidi.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Spice Up Yours
A cellular phone is more or less the norm for the people of today. You can't throw a brick around Bangalore without knocking off somebody's cellphone, crushing the teeny lil thing and eventually getting sued for a helluvalotta money. It is the cultural norm and a workplace necessity; the default gadget of popular askance. When people ask ME whether I have a mobile phone, however, I get to answer "yes" as well as "no" without compromising on my honesty. I have a mobile phone, yes, but I have been using the service of Spice Telecom.
Now Spice is a special service available only (continue reading)
Now Spice is a special service available only (continue reading)
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
I've been tagged
So it finally happened. I got tagged. The lone crusader Arvind, a.k.a. Don Osiris from Whabook sent me the message that he has tagged me.
Lest I got anxious and started fixing up an appointment with the doctor, Arvind calmed me down and explained how this was not a bad thing. I just need to answer a few questions. That's not so bad, is it? I used to do decently well back in school.
My blog has moved to hamishjoy.com, but Arvind tagged me at this address. I don't know why. You simply don't go around questioning the motives of Arvinds. Or that's all you'd ever have time for.
In any case, bring in the questions. I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God.
Ok, ok. So maybe I can't resist a little hyperbole here and there, but I'll try my best to stick to facts.
1. LAST MOVIE YOU SAW IN A THEATER:
Taare Zameen Par. Of course I'm not counting any movies I've seen on dad's Home Theatre system.
2. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?
"The Rants" by David Miller. It's outdated, but it's still worth a read. Of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.
3. FAVORITE BOARD GAME?
Battleship. And JUST between you and me.... psssst... I cheat. But don't tell anyone.
4. FAVORITE MAGAZINE?
It has to be The Readers Digest. But I haven't read many magazines lately. The last mag I actually read was probably October 2007's India Today.
5. FAVORITE SMELLS?
I'm a bit addicted to the smell of petrol. Of course it's no fun when it is showered on you, but in minor doses, it has it's own charm. The smell is unique. It's a clear divide as far as this smell is concerned. Some people love it, and some people hate it. I haven't seen anyone yet who took a midway stand...
6. FAVORITE SOUNDS?
Music. Absolutely all genres. Hans Zimmer's music takes control of me. I can get lost in some of John William's compositions...
7. WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD?
When you break your back for some people, and then realize that those people don't even care enough to thank you for your efforts.
8. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU WAKE?
Dammit. I have to get up now(?)
9. FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE?
A nameless thatched roof restaurant near my college residence.
10. FUTURE CHILD'S NAME?
Haven't thought that far ahead. I just hope I will have better sense than getting drunk and naming him/ her Jeremiah Fitzgerald Joy or something like that
11. FINISH THIS STATEMENT. "IF I HAD A LOT OF MONEY I'D...?
...get up to date tech gadgets, get a couple of homes, invest in multiple businesses and automate work process. Then I'd just travel around, write books, enjoy life, and eventually kick a very full bucket.
12. DO YOU DRIVE FAST?
Apparently I do. I didn't realize it until I got comments to that effect. I still drive slower than most, but I do tend to speed up whenever I can. btw, I still believe I drive with a reasonable speed. It's other people who complain...
13. DO YOU SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL?
I sleep LIKE a stuffed animal... a stuffed animal who snores.... a stuffed snoring animal whp talks in his sleep once in a while... well, you get the drift.
14. STORMS-COOL OR SCARY?
Absolutely cool. As long as I can stare at them from a distance, from the inside of a glass mansion, sipping my coffee, gleeing at not having any appointments to tend to while the sky rages on...
15. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR?
I believe I had a few HotWheels cars once. Not really sure. Have to check with my dad.
16. FAVORITE DRINK?
Vodka Martini... shaken, not stirred.
Seriously, I want to try that. Never got around to it. As of right now, peach schnapps seem to be a good bet. Or Malibu Rum, on the rocks... No clear winner here.
17. FINISH THIS STATEMENT, "IF I HAD THE TIME I WOULD
work on my site, my songs, my artwork, my stories, my poems, visit my friends, etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc...
18. DO YOU EAT THE STEMS ON BROCCOLI?
Yes I do. I like broccoli.... the non 'Albert R' kind. I love the chinese preparations where you use these
19. IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY COLOR, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR CHOICE?
Hmm... I'd keep mine black. Thank you for asking.
20. NAME ALL THE DIFFERENT CITIES/TOWNS YOU HAVE LIVED IN.
Lived in... not visited. Well, that gives me just Cochin, Vadakara, and Bangalore.
21. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Rock, paper, scissors. Why? Cos it gets over quick. Allows me to get back to my movies faster.
22. ONE NICE THING ABOUT THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU.
Honest, daring, go-getter...
23. WHAT'S UNDER YOUR BED?
Shoes, travel bags, and other assorted junk...
24. WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE BORN AS YOURSELF AGAIN?
Absolutely. I pity those poor mortals who never had the luck to be me.
25. MORNING PERSON, OR NIGHT OWL?
Night owl. I stay up weally weally late... watching sitcoms and movies.
26. OVER EASY, OR SUNNY SIDE UP?
Over easy. Fry em, and I will have em... That's been my motto...
27. FAVORITE PLACE TO RELAX?
In front of dad's home theatre system...
28. FAVORITE PIE?
3.14159265.....
29. FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
Chocolate.
30. OF ALL THE PEOPLE YOU TAGGED THIS TO, WHO'S MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND FIRST?
Oh... I don't know. I doubt if any of them will respond at all, actually...
Lest I got anxious and started fixing up an appointment with the doctor, Arvind calmed me down and explained how this was not a bad thing. I just need to answer a few questions. That's not so bad, is it? I used to do decently well back in school.
My blog has moved to hamishjoy.com, but Arvind tagged me at this address. I don't know why. You simply don't go around questioning the motives of Arvinds. Or that's all you'd ever have time for.
In any case, bring in the questions. I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God.
Ok, ok. So maybe I can't resist a little hyperbole here and there, but I'll try my best to stick to facts.
1. LAST MOVIE YOU SAW IN A THEATER:
Taare Zameen Par. Of course I'm not counting any movies I've seen on dad's Home Theatre system.
2. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?
"The Rants" by David Miller. It's outdated, but it's still worth a read. Of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.
3. FAVORITE BOARD GAME?
Battleship. And JUST between you and me.... psssst... I cheat. But don't tell anyone.
4. FAVORITE MAGAZINE?
It has to be The Readers Digest. But I haven't read many magazines lately. The last mag I actually read was probably October 2007's India Today.
5. FAVORITE SMELLS?
I'm a bit addicted to the smell of petrol. Of course it's no fun when it is showered on you, but in minor doses, it has it's own charm. The smell is unique. It's a clear divide as far as this smell is concerned. Some people love it, and some people hate it. I haven't seen anyone yet who took a midway stand...
6. FAVORITE SOUNDS?
Music. Absolutely all genres. Hans Zimmer's music takes control of me. I can get lost in some of John William's compositions...
7. WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD?
When you break your back for some people, and then realize that those people don't even care enough to thank you for your efforts.
8. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU WAKE?
Dammit. I have to get up now(?)
9. FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE?
A nameless thatched roof restaurant near my college residence.
10. FUTURE CHILD'S NAME?
Haven't thought that far ahead. I just hope I will have better sense than getting drunk and naming him/ her Jeremiah Fitzgerald Joy or something like that
11. FINISH THIS STATEMENT. "IF I HAD A LOT OF MONEY I'D...?
...get up to date tech gadgets, get a couple of homes, invest in multiple businesses and automate work process. Then I'd just travel around, write books, enjoy life, and eventually kick a very full bucket.
12. DO YOU DRIVE FAST?
Apparently I do. I didn't realize it until I got comments to that effect. I still drive slower than most, but I do tend to speed up whenever I can. btw, I still believe I drive with a reasonable speed. It's other people who complain...
13. DO YOU SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL?
I sleep LIKE a stuffed animal... a stuffed animal who snores.... a stuffed snoring animal whp talks in his sleep once in a while... well, you get the drift.
14. STORMS-COOL OR SCARY?
Absolutely cool. As long as I can stare at them from a distance, from the inside of a glass mansion, sipping my coffee, gleeing at not having any appointments to tend to while the sky rages on...
15. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR?
I believe I had a few HotWheels cars once. Not really sure. Have to check with my dad.
16. FAVORITE DRINK?
Vodka Martini... shaken, not stirred.
Seriously, I want to try that. Never got around to it. As of right now, peach schnapps seem to be a good bet. Or Malibu Rum, on the rocks... No clear winner here.
17. FINISH THIS STATEMENT, "IF I HAD THE TIME I WOULD
work on my site, my songs, my artwork, my stories, my poems, visit my friends, etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc...
18. DO YOU EAT THE STEMS ON BROCCOLI?
Yes I do. I like broccoli.... the non 'Albert R' kind. I love the chinese preparations where you use these
19. IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY COLOR, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR CHOICE?
Hmm... I'd keep mine black. Thank you for asking.
20. NAME ALL THE DIFFERENT CITIES/TOWNS YOU HAVE LIVED IN.
Lived in... not visited. Well, that gives me just Cochin, Vadakara, and Bangalore.
21. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Rock, paper, scissors. Why? Cos it gets over quick. Allows me to get back to my movies faster.
22. ONE NICE THING ABOUT THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU.
Honest, daring, go-getter...
23. WHAT'S UNDER YOUR BED?
Shoes, travel bags, and other assorted junk...
24. WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE BORN AS YOURSELF AGAIN?
Absolutely. I pity those poor mortals who never had the luck to be me.
25. MORNING PERSON, OR NIGHT OWL?
Night owl. I stay up weally weally late... watching sitcoms and movies.
26. OVER EASY, OR SUNNY SIDE UP?
Over easy. Fry em, and I will have em... That's been my motto...
27. FAVORITE PLACE TO RELAX?
In front of dad's home theatre system...
28. FAVORITE PIE?
3.14159265.....
29. FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
Chocolate.
30. OF ALL THE PEOPLE YOU TAGGED THIS TO, WHO'S MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND FIRST?
Oh... I don't know. I doubt if any of them will respond at all, actually...
Sunday, March 16, 2008
As wet as wet can be
It seemed like any other day... My work for the day was done, I had grumbled enough about having to work on a Saturday, and it was evening. My brother and I began the customary search for a place to snack. He had a bike... So geography wasn't a boundary. We can go anywhere within reasonable limits... try someplace new. The debate was still going on in full swing when suddenly... it started to drizzle. This rather helped the decision making process. Our choices were suddenly given boundaries. Boundaries of proximity...
An unexpected rain is rarely seen in a positive light. Mostly, the reactions tend to be based around "Goddamn it!!", "Oh, no. Here goes the day", and "Holy Beelzebub, Batman. It's raining!!". Ok, so not everyone would hate the rain... I'm sure that a lot of farmers would start singing in joy, pausing to kiss the mud in reverent thanks to the rain god... And some braindead Bollywood addict would take the opportunity to run (continue reading)
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Life in a faster lane...
There is no doubt about it. We live a fast world. We are obsessed with an overwhelming need to save time. We want fast cars, fast food, express freeways, accelerated growth plans, quick answers, speedy remedies, executive summaries, swift justice, express deliveries, snappy comebacks, instant messages, quick routes, minimal delays, (continue reading)
Sunday, March 02, 2008
A cause-effect analysis
Yesterday was a bad day. Little demons with big pointy sticks poked the insides of my skull; Tiny clones of Himesh Reshammiya sat next to my eardrums and shrieked at the top of his irksome nasal voice; my old economics professor popped up like an inebriated jack-in-the-box every time I blinked, just to ask me questions like "If you take the GDP of the country and measure a diminishing return on it against your current salary, then how long do you think this sentence needs to be to before you start questioning your own sanity?"
In other words, I had a headache.
No. It wasn't one of your ordinary run-of-the-mill headaches. It was the kind that (continue reading)
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Saving Face - For Your Eyes Only
Ok, I’ve thought about this long and hard. I think I’ll do it. I’m going to trust you with a secret. But shh… not a word to anyone. Like I just said… It’s a secret. It’s a teeny tiny incident that happened a couple of weeks ago. I haven’t told a soul. And I haven’t told a soul because it’s embarrassing. Oh my god, what am I doing? This is a mistake. I shouldn’t write about this. Let me write about something else… like… errr… cricket. Ya. India scored, like a ton of points… or goals… I mean… bah… who am I kidding? Me writing about cricket is like George Bush writing a book on ethics.
What the hell. I think I can trust you with my secret. But first, you have to swear you won’t tell anyone. No, no one. Absolutely none. Mum’s the word, and no, you’re not telling her either. This can’t be one of those ‘i-swear-i will-never-drink-again‘ or ‘no-new-taxes‘ kind of promise. No. This time, you must mean it. Pinky swear.
Ok. So this happened a couple of weeks back. Whatever (continue reading)