Race for Literacy

I meant to do this on Monday but ever since I got back, I have been swamped with work. Finally forcing myself to put it down before its too late. This is especially for those of you around the bay area .. and for those of you away from it too.

India Literacy Project is a non-profit organization having an aim to make India 100% literate. Having recognized the problems associated with illiteracy, it now actively seeks to spread awareness, identify organizations in India working for the cause of literacy, and raise funds to support these organizations.

Visit the website. Initially I thought they are a bunch of over enthusiastic desi housewifes in the US .. who need something like this to mark them apart from the usual desi housewifes of the US and to make them feel that they are indeed doing something special. But no. I was grossly mistaken. And I apologize. These people are doing good stuff, and they are doing it because they want to do it. They have practical, well set out goals for ILP, USA and for ILP, India.
The website is pretty well maintained and reflects the transparency within the organization. They have a list of on-going literacy projects and a list of funds sent to Indian NGOs.

The ILP holds an annual 'Race for Literacy'. They have a 5K walk/run and a 10K run. The race is this weekend in the Bay Area (Mountain View, CA). So, if you are in the area and can run.. then go for it! Else .. visit the website, find out more about them. They have various ways in which we can help if we feel like it.

Recharged

Had a refreshing vacation in San Jose. The weekend was spent with 10 friends from UMD and I enjoyed it a lot. Time well spent. Met roommates and almost-roommates. Realized how well these people have come to know me. Well, after all they are my friends. Also .. those who were there .. lets hope we never forget the 'sweet-meat shop story' ;-)

I'm not working!

Listen to this!! I got to know of this second hand. But its true nevertheless. I have this friend. Now this friend has another friend who works in a nice software company back in India. So let this guy be Guy Working in Nice Software Company [GWiNSC]. So GWiNSC has been a software professional for a number of years, ultimately doing the same kind os stuff for a major part. He was not really satisfied with what he was doing and wanted to shift to some new stuff. So, GWiNSC did what any GWiNSC would do and told his boss that he wanted a to change tracks somewhat. Nothing doing. Boss said you stick to this line .. you do it well. This went on for some time but no progress. GWiNSC got really frustrated. He was sick and tired of doing that work for x number of years and wanted to do anything but that. What do you think he did?
GWiNSC stopped working.
Yes, thats right .. he just stopped working. So one day his boss comes to him and this is the gist of their convo -
Boss: Hey GWiNSC, we need that module pronto I hope you have completed the final part
GWiNSC: No, I am not working. [by now he was feeling mighty cool and was ready to stick it out .. you know how it is right .. you go to do something stupid/bold/exciting and you are nervous, but once you start doing it you get the guts]
Boss: What do you mean you are not working?
GWiNSC: I am just not working. I am tired of doing this. I dont want to do it.
Boss: But this has to go today!!!
GWiNSC: Nope, I told you lots of times I dont want to continue in this, you guys didnt listen. Now, I am not working.

He got his transfer after a while.

Asian-Indian-Puneri

I registered as a bone marrow donor yesterday. There was a drive by the Indians residing here to register desis as we are hardly in the national database and when it comes to search for donor/matches its a huge disadvantage. The guy said all I have to do is fill a few forms and give some samples of blood. Fair enough.
Now two things notable in the entire process ..
1. We are now 'Asian Indians' [to distinguish from American Indians / Native Americans]. One would have thought just Indian would suffice .. but no, Asian-Indian it is.
2. Under 'Have you ever been refused as a blood donor before, and if so, why' I put 'Yes, Not a US Resident / Travelled outside the US'. Which is quite true .. they have a policy here which says they cant accept your blood, if you have visited some countries in the past 3/5 (I forget which) years. [For fear of you having borne some disease there]. So now..
Desi Lady Incharge of Form-filling Process [DLIFP]: you are planning to stay in the US now arent you?
Me: What? How can I say that, and why does it matter?
DLIFP: You are not a resident? See, the national database guys spend $75 on each application, testing the blood, adding it to the database, it is all subsidised here (sic).. you are not paying for it. So, if you are leaving the country then your sample would be of no use.
Me: [thinking: Damn right it is subsidied .. cos if it were not .. noone would be ready to register as a donor while paying 75 bucks!] See, I have not decided to stay in the US permanently, and I cannot vouch for that.
DLIFP: But we need to be sure you will be staying here.
Me: Look, if my not being a resident is a problem; and if you want me to guarantee my stay .. then I would just like to withdraw my voluntary donation. I wont give my blood sample, please return my filled forms.
DLIFP: No no, what I mean is you will be hear for a short time atleast na?
..and that is how it went. Could have sliced the thick cold frost now developed betn us. Fortunately there was a different dude to take your blood sample. As I was leaving later, DLIFPs about to say something. I stop.
DLIFP: Thank you. Where are you from by the way .. in India. I'm from Bombay.
Me: [knowing what was coming]. I'm from Pune.
DLIFP: (to lady beside her) I knew he was from Pune. One can tell Pune people almost immediately (from their behaviour).
Me: I knew you'd say that. Thank you.

stressedout

Have you ever been in this situation - its like you are sooo tired .. you have worked all day and just want to relax now. You are stressed out, ur neck and shoulders are aching .. you get the picture. Just about dead. And you come home and dont feel like relaxing. You, of all the freaking times, want to do something .. anything right then! The body needs a rest, the brain needs to cool down .. but just wont let you. Heading towards a heart attack, I tell you.

The downside of sunny calif

I called up my auto-insurance company and asked for a re-quote as I have shifted. This is how the conversation went:
she: Sir, your premium will change as a result of your change of address. It will go up.
me: Okay shoot .. just give me the quote.
she: Sir your current premium is $x for six months. Considering the change in your address, your new premium would be $3x for six months.
me: WTF????????? You have just told me a figure 3 TIMES the amount I was paying earlier
she: Sir, thats what the system gives me. You were in the Midwest earlier where premiums are low. The zip code you have given has a high rate of accidents and vandalism.
me: Well, this is totally unexpected. There must be something we can do to reduce it.
she: Sir, are you still single?
me: very much so.
she: no girlfriend or anyone like that? because if we put you as married, we can easily cut 15% off your premium.

Now, I pondered over this. This was a totally unseen of advantage of having a girlfriend / marriage. I would have to mull over this when that smashing hottie asks me out next time.
Also, considering the rude shock I had just received over the whole premium thingy; I also almost asked the girl over the phone to marry me. There and then. I am serious about this. Well, not marry me .. but also almost asked her if she was single and available at that time. Why almost? Because I, dear reader am shrewd. Very shrewd. I realized their game. I saw through their plan which [very like Hari Seldon, I must say] leaves me with only this path .. of asking this particular girl .. with the very sexy voice .. out. I do that .. and wham!!! They triple my premium once more. Something along these lines probably:

she: Sir, I cant believe you just asked me out over the phone. The system tells me your premium is now $9x for six months.
me: whaaaaaaa?? What'd I do?
she: Sir, you demonstrated that you are a not only the typical single male, but you are also a very prolific risk taker. The system takes that into account as well.

It pays to keep your mouth shut. It does. Also, needless to say, I changed my insurance company.