Monthly Archives: September 2009

Books I’ve read recently


Gives a very good understanding of the China most of us don’t know anything about.
Quite apocalyptic in its view of China, but the failures its predicted don’t seem anywhere close as yet. Still, knowing the closed nature of China, one may never know until it actually happens, like the oft quoted quote from Leon Trotsky in the book – “Revolution is impossible until it becomes inevitable”.


A dark comedy recounting the events around General Zia’s 1989 plane crash. Gives a good glimpse on the role of the army in Pakistan’s society. Very funny at times.


Autobiographical story of a ‘white trash’ girl who gets trapped in a weird Island tradition. Dreaming of becoming an artist as a child, she instead gets married to a guy from an Island and ends up becoming a part of an Island prophecy which repeats once every few generations. Didn’t really like it much…seemed interesting initially but it never really picked up pace.


Great. Totally different kind of writing. Where Forsyth writes without much emotion, Le Carre’s writing is full of compassion. George Smiley, interestingly described as having “the cunning of satan and the conscience of a virgin” is completely different from any other spy fiction protagonist I have come across.

65 Questions You’ve Probably Never Been Asked

(From Susie’s blog)

1. First thing you wash in the shower?
Hands…to check if the water is warm enough

2. What color is your favorite hoodie?
I don’t have one

3. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?
No

4. Do you plan outfits?
Usually plan them while in the shower

5. How are you feeling RIGHT now?
Normal…nothing special

6. Whats the closest thing to you that’s red?
My phone

7. Tell me about the last dream you remember having?
Got stuck between Voldermort and the Twilight vampires. Was relieved to wake up alive!

8. Did you meet anybody new today?
Interviewed a guy for a post in my company who’s resume read like “I want to apply for Update Target Designation at Update Target Organisation” (He used a template and forgot to update these fields!!!”

9. What are you craving right now?
Nothing

10. Do you floss?
No

11. What comes to mind when I say cabbage?
Just had cabbage parathas for dinner!

12. Are you emotional?
I’m usually at stable equilibrium…even if disturbed get normal quickly

13. Have you ever counted to 1,000?
Maybe in school while writing “I won’t do this again” kinda notes when punished…but don’t remember reaching 1000.

14. Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it?
Usually lick but bite when its melting too quickly in case of a cone

15. Do you like your hair?
They certainly don’t like me

16. Do you like yourself?
I love myself!

17. Would you go out to eat with George Bush?
Definitely. He’s a very funny guy 😀

18. What are you listening to right now?
Eyes on fire – Blue Foundation

19. Were your parents strict?
Strict when I was a kid…reduced as I grew older

20. Would you go sky diving?
Maybe

21. Do you like cottage cheese?
I love it

22. Have you ever met a celebrity?
Yes, many.

23. Do you rent movies often?
Nope. Download or watch at a cinema.

24. Is there anything sparkly in the room you’re in?
Nope

25. How many countries have you visited?
One

26. Have you made a prank phone call?
Yes

27. Ever been on a train?
Many, many times. Done 48 hour journeys several times.

28. Brown or white eggs?
Doesn’t matter as long as they’re done well

29. Do you have a cell-phone?
Yes

30. Do you use Chapstick?
Use occasionally during winter

31. Do you own a gun?
No

32. Can you use chopsticks?
Never tried

33. Who are you going to be with tonight?
My family

34. Are you too forgiving?
If you think you’re too forgiving, you aren’t really forgiving.

35. Ever been in love?
Yes

36. What is your best friend doing tomorrow?
Working through the day…probably meeting me in the evening

37. Ever have cream puffs?
Had a few times. Didn’t like much.

38. Last time you cried?
Last week…

39. What was the last question you asked?
Dont remember…

40. Favorite time of the year?
September-November…love the festival period

41. Do you have any tattoos?
No

42. Are you sarcastic?
Yes

43. Have you ever seen The Butterfly Effect?
Only first few minutes

44. Ever walked into a wall?
Yeah…I do that when I’m in deep thought and lose sense of my surroundings

45. Favorite color?
Everything has a right color…I don’t like when its out of sync

46. Have you ever slapped someone?
Yes, long ago

47. Is your hair curly?
No

48. What was the last CD you bought?
I download music 😀 Last album was the RocknRolla OST…great music!

49. Do looks matter?
Yes, not the look a person is born with…but how he/she chooses to look

50. Could you ever forgive a cheater?
Yes, if they are genuinely sorry

51. Is your phone bill sky high?
Bit high these days due to the data plan

52. Do you like your life right now?
Yes

53. Do you sleep with the TV on?
Very rarely

54. Can you handle the truth?
Yes, as long as its factual and not subjective

55. Do you have good vision?
Yes…6/6 when I last got a test

56. Do you hate or dislike more than 3 people?
Yes

57. How often do you talk on the phone?
Often

58. The last person you held hands with?
Shantanu…but it was more like a hi 5!

59. What are you wearing?
A tee and shorts

60.What is your favorite animal?
A lolcat 😀

61. Where was your Facebook picture taken?
Hogenakkal

62. Can you hula hoop?
Never tried

63. Do you have a job?
Yes…one full time and a lot of freelance consulting

64. What was the most recent thing you bought?
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by John Le Carre, a Python programming book, and several magazines

65. Have you ever crawled through a window?
Yes