Double Standards

I saw the following while driving through a strip mall in Waterford, MI. A well built, tall, caucasian man emptying his shopping cart filled with Wal Mart plastic bags into his huge Ford F-150 which sported a big sticker saying "Lost your job yet? Keep buying Foreign"

MYCAR gets me Dirty Looks at Work

At grad school, I decided to break the trend of buying cars that had seen more owners than Lindsay Lohan's one night stands and buy something that was under 3 years old, had only a few miles on it and was owned by just one person before me. The year was 2004 and all data suggested a certain import as the no. 1 car in America. So pretty soon, I was the proud owner of a 2001 Import whose name when jumbled gives MYCAR. As luck would have it, I soon landed in a state which was the home to the BIG-3 US auto makers and started work at one of the largest auto suppliers in the world. No one gave me a hard time on my choice of transportation because my company also did business with the foreign auto maker whose symbol adrorned my car.

As luck would further have it, I was transferred within the same company and asked to relocate to an office in one the largest proving grounds in the world which is privately owned by the largest domestic auto maker. Now the only reason this were possible is because my current company used to be a part of that auto maker in a previous life. This proving ground is very closely monitored and all traffic in and out has to pass security. One can be randomly selected for scrutiny at any time while leaving the grounds and thanks to MYCAR, my probability of getting pulled up was pretty high. Still, no biggie, well no biggie until now....

I now have started noticing weird looks from people all around who work here at the grounds. At the cafeteria building, I try and park as far away as possible and when I return to my car, I can see fingers pointing and people talking about it in angry tones. I am beginning to wonder when things will get out of control and these otherwise normal people will rise to a MOB and attack me. It is all very exciting ...

These are tough times we are living in for many, but I don't see what they should not be exciting!

U. A.in't W.elcome

I work for a company that until a few years ago was one of the largest automotive suppliers in the world. It had spun off from a company that used to be one of the largest auto manufacturers in the world. As a parting gift, they inherited a sizable portion of a workers union that is one of the largest in America. Since I was not at the table when union executives discussed compensation and benefits with the auto executives and have not read the details of that signed document, I will not comment or pass judgement on who is right or wrong. I am not intelligent enough to judge if the auto execs have caused the union to suffer or if the unions are the reason the auto company is suffering. I will however point out that the above mentioned union absolutely hates foreign auto companies. They feel that imports are the biggest threat to their livelihood and the primary reason for the misfortune their members find themselves in. For years now they have promoted and supported the "Buy Local" mantra. They have literally reached a tone that sounds threatening as seen in the picture. Now, far be it from me to pass judgement (infact I support people who believe strongly in a cause), but I could not help but point out the hypocrisy.

The above picture was taken by me, in front of one of my company manufacturing plants. I would now like to mention that about 40% of my company's revenue is from foreign auto manufacturers. So it is safe to say that the sign was only put up in anger after things started to go awry in this country. All I can say is "Guys, I feel your pain, but globalization is here to stay, whether you like it or not". If you actually think about it, it was you, your friends, your relatives, etc. who indirectly voted for it!

Avoid

Making blog entries when you are angry - you appear more cynical that you really are!

PS: Biggby coffee still sucks!

Coffee - Note to Self

If I get hit by a bus and suffer from temporary memory loss, this is a note that should come in handy (assuming I stumble upon this blog which is unlikely but not impossible).

When looking for plain coffee in the US

1. Starbucks bold blend $1.64
2. Carribou Coffee robust blend $1.70
3. 7-11 Coffee - any blend, you better be really desperate $1.20 + $1.06 for gum + $1.05 for soap
4. Speedway Coffee - European blend, you have reached a new low and recovery will be achievable albeit really slow and painful $1.15 + $1000 for the shrink
Biggby Coffee - If death is the only other option and you are not yet 90

If US economy is in a funk and needs stimulating or you are feeling generous, replace regular coffee with Cappuchino

1. Carribou Coffee: Small $2.86 - Thank them for the default double shot
2. Starbucks: Tall $2.70 - Ask for the free extra shot since the machine makes two shots by default and they throw the second shot anyway. If they refuse, tell them they lost your business because of their wasteful policies. Be polite yet mention how their shop just lost $2.7 times 365 = $ 985 which could very well mean cuts are imminent.
Biggby Coffee - If you want to spend large sums of money for two sips of substandard coffee and homeless shelters everywhere are reporting windfall excesses

I Like Starbucks Coffee - There I said it!

I have many addictions and one of the lesser unhealthy ones is Caffeine. Yes, I said less unhealthy because while everyone knows it is bad for one's teeth and breath, could result in acid reflux, promotes insomnia, subdues hunger etc. I have also seen studies that it delays the onset of prostrate cancer. Anyway, I digress...

I am no coffee connoisseur, I just like drinking coffee without necessarily bothering to understand the details, technique, or principles of art that go into bean selection, grinding etc. and neither am I competent to act as a critical judge who can discriminate and appreciate the subtleties in flavor, smell or taste. Having said that, I am no nincompoop and can very well tell the difference between a 99 cent gas station blend and the stuff that sells at Starbucks. In my humble opinion, pay the extra 50 cents and go to Starbucks.

My addiction was primarily fueled by circumstances that forced my one-way commute to work to increase from a comfortable 15 minutes to a pretty disgusting 1.5 hours. One Monday, 10 mins enroute and still sleepy, I decided to stop at Starbucks (6:45 AM) and see what the fuss was all about. After 5 mins of waiting in line (yes, people are actually up that early and don't mind waiting in line!), I reached up to the counter and ordered a small (read tall, go figure!) coffee (bold blend), paid up $1.55 after taxes and got on the road. Honestly, I did not particularly take to the taste but for the next 45 minutes, I had good company in the form of that drink. I decided to do it again the next day and this time liked the taste a little more. By the end of the week, I was no longer complaining about the long drive and I actually thought the coffee tasted pretty great. The crappy office coffee would no longer do for me, it had to be Starbucks. So my manager and I pooled resources and would brew Starbucks at work much to the envy of everyone else. "Look at these showoffs", "Who do they think they are, drinking Starbucks from their fancy cups", "Why can't they drink crappy coffee like the rest of us", "Do they think they are superior to us" are some of the comments I have to still contend with at work. Hey people, hello, we never told you not to help yourselves. You have the choice. Anyway, I guess people are naturally wired to be envious.

I also noticed that Starbucks bashing is envogue. I have read many a blog and newspaper article about how Starbucks has killed mom and pop coffee shops by setting up shop at every possible corner on every possible street. I also heard Jay Leno make a joke about a Starbucks location so big that there was another Starbucks at a corner inside. Personally, I feel Starbucks is no Wal Mart. They do not exploit low wages (and hence poor human rights, poor environmental regulations etc.) in one part of the world to bring you a substandard product at a cheaper price. They are still expensive enough that people interested in saving 20 cents could use a mom and pop shop. They are simply conveniently located for those in a hurry and provide a decent ambience for those who want to sit down and relax with friends or by themselves. If mom and pop stores can't compete with that, then too bad! Again, It is simply a matter of personal choice, but I notice that people who still frequent mom and pop shops tend to have an air of superiority that personally I think is repulsive.

I know that we live in a time where you cannot speak what's on your mind, unless you are politically correct (or Rush Limbaugh). Also, not supporting the underdog makes you an instant pariah as I noticed when I supported the Lakers in 2004, the Patriots in 2008 and McCain in the last election. Well who are we if we are not allowed to be ourself! So consider this my small, yet significant opposition to the ever growing trend of "It's better to be dishonest than politically incorrect", I LIKE STARBUCKS COFFEE- there I said it.

It has been years since that day and I still think the Starbucks (Caribou Coffee is a close second, but Big-gby sucks Big-Time) brew is my favorite brand. Yes my teeth are yellower, my breath ocassionally smells coffee (note to self - buy extra strong gum today) but here's hoping that my prostrate goes strong for a long long time.

Upside or Downside?

The upside to owning a blog that no one knows about is the lack of pressure to keep updating it.

The downside to owning a blog that no one knows about is the lack of pressure to keep updating it!

Bhagwan Vs. God Vs. Khuda

I love Hindi movies. I have watched so many and watch them so often that I start observing trends that most people would not pay heed too. Here is one simple observation.

Almost any movie out there will have a female character, not Bollywood lead actress cadre but reasonably famous, skilled in melodrama, unconventionally sexy but dressed down to represent someone with virtue and aspirations of joining a convent. Invariably, a scene will come along which gives her an opportunity for an Oscar performance. 50% of the time her marriage got called off due to insufficient dowry (out of these, 75% of the time her father, also the lead actor's dad hangs himself, but I digress...), 20% of the time, her loved one is in serious trouble (e.g. accident, kidnapping etc.), 10% of the time they guy she loves does not know she exists, 10% of the time she is carrying a child out of wedlock and finally 10% of the time she is raped (it's true even if I sound callous). She will invariably find herself at the house of God and subject him to her rant. This scene which is the cornerstone of many a Bollywood flick can go one of three ways.

Movie type 1

Girl enters Temple crying. As she rings the bells (more than the customary once), she looks the idol in the eye and says "Bhagwan akhir yeh kyon huva?, mujse kya galti hui hain jo apne yeh saza di? Bachpan se maine apki puja ki hain. Ab mujhe insaaf chaiye"

A passerby Pujari hears her cry. He will invariably be topless, dressed in a white dhoti and sports a black shane-di (desis will get me). His reply is always as follows. "Beti, Bhagwan pe bharosa rakhon. Bhagwan ke raste hum insaan se alag hote hain. Bhagwan gyani hain, unteryaami hain. Ab rona bandh karo, sab theek ho jayega.

Movie type 2

Girl enters Church crying. She walks up to the front, selects a pew, looks the Lord Jesus in the eye and says "Bhagwan akhir yeh kyon huva?, mujse kya galti hui hain jo apne yeh saza di? Bachpan se maine apki puja ki hain. Ab mujhe insaaf chaiye"

A passerby Priest hears her cry. He will invariably be dressed in typical white vestments and sports a grey goatee . His reply is always as follows. "Beti, God pe bharosa rakhon. God ke raste hum insaan se alag hote hain. God gyani hain, unteryaami hain. Ab rona bandh karo, sab theek ho jayega.

Movie type 3

Girl enters Mosque crying. Girl is somehow dressed appropriately. She finds a comfortable place, genuflects and says "Bhagwan akhir yeh kyon huva?, mujse kya galti hui hain jo apne yeh saza di? Bachpan se maine apki puja ki hain. Ab mujhe insaaf chaiye"

A passerby Mullah hears her cry. He will invariably be dressed in green garments and sports a full white beard. His reply is always as follows. "Beti, Khuda pe bharosa rakhon. Khuda ke raste hum insaan se alag hote hain. Khuda gyani hain, unteryaami hain. Ab rona bandh karo, sab theek ho jayega.

It's always the same advice. Some times I wonder if it's the same actor. Just my two cents.