Showing posts with label Funny. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Funny. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Tandem writing at its best!

This is one of the most hilarious stories I've EVER come across. I almost died laughing over this one... I got this some 4-5 years back, most probably over e-mail; so much so, that I can't even remember who sent it. Its a tandem writing exercise i.e. one person writes a paragraph, while the next one is written by another person.


THE STORY:

(first paragraph by Rebecca)


At first, Laurie couldn't decide which kind of tea she wanted. The
chamomile, which used to be her favorite for lazy evenings at home, now
reminded her too much of Carl, who once said, in happier times, that he
liked chamomile. But she felt she must now, at all costs, keep her mind
off Carl. His possessiveness was suffocating, and if she thought about
him too much her asthma started acting up again. So chamomile was out of
the question.

(second paragraph by Gary)

Meanwhile, Advance Sergeant Carl Harris, leader of   the attack squadron
now in orbit over Skylon 4, had more important things to think about
than the  neuroses of an air-headed asthmatic bimbo named Laurie with
whom he had spent one sweaty night over a year ago. " A.S. Harris to
Geostation 17," he said into his transgalactic communicator. "Polar
orbit established. No sign of resistance so far..." But before he could
sign off a bluish particle beam flashed out of nowhere and blasted a
hole through his ship's cargo bay. The jolt from the direct hit sent him
flying out of his seat and across the  cockpit.

(Rebecca)

He bumped his head and died almost immediately, but not before he felt
one last pang of regret for psychically brutalizing the one woman who
had ever  had feelings for him. Soon afterwards, Earth stopped its
pointless hostilities towards the peaceful farmers of Skylon 4.
"Congress Passes Law Permanently Abolishing War and Space Travel,"
Laurie read in her newspaper one morning. The news simultaneously
excited her and bored her. She stared out the  window, dreaming of her
youth, when the days had passed unhurriedly and carefree, with no
newspaper to read, no television to distract her from her sense of
innocent wonder at all the beautiful things around her. "Why must one
lose one's innocence to become a woman?" she pondered wistfully.

(Gary)

Little did she know, but she had less than 10 seconds to live. Thousands
of miles above the city, the Anu'udrian mothership launched the first of
its  lithium fusion missiles. The dim-witted wimpy peaceniks who pushed
the Unilateral Aerospace disarmament Treaty through the   congress had
left Earth a defenseless target for the hostile alien empires who were
determined to destroy the human race. Within two hours after the passage
of the treaty the  Anu'udrian ships were on course for Earth, carrying
enough firepower to pulverize the entire planet. With no one to stop
them, they swiftly initiated their diabolical plan. The lithium fusion
missile entered the atmosphere unimpeded. The President, in his
top-secret mobile submarine headquarters on the ocean floor off the
coast of Guam, felt the inconceivably massive explosion, which vaporized
poor, stupid Laurie.

(Rebecca)

This is absurd. I refuse to continue this mockery of literature. My
writing partner is a violent, chauvinistic semi-literate adolescent.

(Gary)

Yeah? Well, my writing partner is a self-centered tedious neurotic whose
attempts at writing are the literary equivalent of Valium. "Oh, shall I
have  chamomile tea? Or shall I have some other sort of F--KING TEA???
Oh no, what am I to do? I'm such an air headed bimbo who reads too many
Danielle Steele novels!"

(Rebecca)

Asshole.

(Gary)

Bitch

(Rebecca)

F__K YOU - YOU NEANDERTHAL!

(Gary)

Go drink some tea - whore.


(TEACHER)

*A+ - I really liked this one.*

Monday, March 16, 2009

Manifestations of tension

The last week or so has been trying to say the least... and will be so till 31st March.

We have been working on the trot, without a break, and will do so till 31st March.

And the tension, fatigue and lack of sleep is manifesting itself in different ways in different people.

For my part, I am increasingly annoyed, frustrated and with a general frown on my face. At least, more than usual. Deepesh is getting crankier by the day, with enormous mood swings from affection (!) to hatred for the woman kind in my college. Vivek too is increasingly irritable, talks less and generally disappears from the usual haunts.

Some others are more subdued, others have begun plotting for the exams. Some other have become increasingly artificial, have been buttering the faculty way (!!!) more than usual, and are simply irritating to have around. Even with no CP, some people's mental acidity comes out as verbal diarrhoea in class!

"The days have gone down in the west... How did it come to this?"

Friday, September 26, 2008

Lehman ke naam pe bill faado

Ever since Lehman Brothers' obituary was carved on their tombstone in Wall Street, it has become fodder for all B-school discussions and ammunition for B-school lecturers to spice up their usually boring lectures.

Unbelievably, lecturers from 5 different subjects (and that means 5 REALLY different subjects) openly ascribed Lehman's demise to some concept in their subject. And even I could make out that that was totally arbitrary!

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

When the lights go out...

I have observed this phenomenon at many places; home, building, school... even Planet - i. But it is all-the-more striking here, at Planet - i.

Power cuts happen often, around once in 2 days, for about 15-20 mins each time. The generator takes about 5 - 10 secs to kick in. During this short timespan, the entire institute is blacked-out.

Everytime this momentary black-out takes place, and I mean everytime, people start hooting!

I just don't get it! I really didn't expect such juvenile reactions from a place where the average age f student is 24 years.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Some new terminology - CP, Class Participation

This isn't a new phenomenon. I have seen it before, in varied forms, and in worse degrees too. I have done it at times (mostly to save my ass; look good after being caught goofing off!), but never have I performed or seen acts of arbitrary vocal expression as abundant as in my daily lectures.

Well, it's called CP. Class Participation. Turns out that 5% of the subjects marks are allotted for Class Participation. That actually includes marks for regular attendance (which is of paramount importance at Planet - i), and for mental presence in the lectures, which, supposedly, manifests itself in the form of questions and answers one gives in class.

Now, I am an outgoing person, and I have a view on anyone and everything. And I am not afraid to voice it! Naturally, I question a lot of what is taught in class. Consequently, even answer some. And mind you, never with CP in mind. Never!

But there are a few characters in class, and 2 weeks is time enough to identify such goofs, that continue to indulge in, what we call, 'arbit talk', just to pass on the impression that they are listening and actively involved in the class. Random questions, paraphrasing answers, repeating points already written by the professor, general sentences trailing into silence (!!!!), digressions from topics just to show your general awareness... phew!!! You cannot imagine how irritating it gets.

Just yesterday, the Organizational Behavior lecture was on and the professor was discussing the changing aspects of business that will impact OB in current times. CSR was one of them. Within a matter of exactly 3 minutes, we were discussing legislations on Carbon Credits!!! WTF!!! How the hell are carbon credits related to CSR??? I fail to realise.

Some of us have now decided to take the matters into our own hands. Every time someone tries to digress (for reasons of 'arbit-CP'), we shall strike him/her down! Lets see how this new idea turns out... later for the result...

Monday, May 12, 2008

'Swades' style

Something eerie happened the other day.
I was travelling back home from Hadapsar, and caught a shared 6-seater on the way. These are diesel auto-rickshaws, larger in size than the regular ones, and supposed to seat 6 people (including the driver). They actually fit 11 including the driver!
But what the heck, it's fun riding one if you get to sit at the back, with one leg and your ehad outside the rickshaw. So, anyway, this time I didn;t get my favourite seat. i was squashed on the inside of the rear section, with the shabby man smelling of country liqour. As usual, I had my MP3 in my ears, and quite oddly enough, it started playing 'Swades'. The setting was perfect, the situation was almost the same, and so was the transportation! Phew, eerie!!!

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

How embarassing is this???!!!

Happened to notice this rather embarassing incident (fortunately, I wasn't the subject).

I was waiting at a road divider to cross. The trafffic on the road in front of me was yet to stop, while the ones behind me had already halted. There was this cute girl riding pillion with most probably a boyfriend. Now we all know that most Indian signal/street junctions have urchins selling anything from cleaning mops to Harry Potter novels. So here there were these two girls selling roses.

Often, they are ready to pounce onn lovey-dovey couples and almost compel them to buy roses. And we try to shoo them off. Now, I observed, this girl saw the urchins and was longingly looking at the roses. As the urchin girl advanced in their direction, I could see a smile come across her face, hoping she would be asked, and maybe she would buy them too.

But to my utter surprize (and her utter discomfiture), the rose seller simply overlooked her, walked passed, and got busy with something else!! Now how embarassing is that!!!

Monday, April 7, 2008

Somedays... things just don't work out

Friday past was one such day. Had to come to Mumbai, so went to office early, by the 9AM bus. It's only later I realised that I did not have access to many applications, which means no spreadsheets, no 'Help', no mails and no manuals! Of course, the first 2.5 hours of the day would go waste.
So i accompanied some collegues for breakfast. During and animated conversation about a movie called (strangely enough) 'Mr. Azad', I was my usual playacting self, and in one animated motion, managed to spill a jug fulll of water onto the other side, in the process drenching Pritika and Snehal. I don't know if my most imploring and serious apologies (look, really, I was sorry) did any good. Both were really sweet and put me at ease, but boy! was that an embarassing situation. I'm sure I've been barred fromm the canteen then on.
The rest of the day went as usual. Some ups, more downs. Bad systems, worse food. Towards the end of the day, I managed to laeve a little early, and headed to catch the bus home. Luckily for me, the window closed as soon as I reached the counter, because the 'Mahabus' was full. It lucky, cause the 'Mahabus' takes and absolutely convoluted route. Next up was the 'Shivneri', faster nad more comfortable. And as luck would have it, I got the first and the best seat!! And as some more luck would have it, it still took me a good round 4 hours to reach Mumbai, well over the usual 3-3.5 hours.
SO you see, some days, it just doesn't go your way. Just doesn't.

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Godmen, Godwomen and their works

I'm not an athiest, but my utter contempt for godmen and godwomen alike is legendary. I mean I bore my audience to death if such a topic comes up. I don't have anything personal against them, it's just that I'm cynical.

Recently, a Mata came a'visiting. They occupied the Exhibition Ground near my home in Mumbai, and filled it with busloads of people and speakers that blared music and Amma's praises till 2Am the next morning.

The same evening, Mihir was trying to convince me over coffee, that some of these godfolks do have good intentions at heart, and not all deserve the wrath of my cynicism. So it seems that this Amma gives individual attention (yeah, sounds like 12th standard tuitions) to all her 'Bhakts'. Mihir found out today the exact ruotine behind this individual blessing charade. It seems that people queue up at the stage to meet her. A lady holds a tissue to your cheek, wipes it clean and asks you for a language you understand. Then the 'Bhakt' proceeds to Amma and she hugs him, and whispers in his/her ear in your language of choice - "You are my son/daughter".

And, well, thats about it. Then you are supposed to feel happy about yourself and go back.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

The Strange case of the Missing Florists

This is strange. Rather strange.
I have lived where I live for more than 18 months now. And I have realised that there are NO florists, or atleast flower shops of some repute or credit in the entire of Karve Nagar, Pune!!!

I mean, it is a such a dilemma when I need to go to visit someone on a special occasion, and I can't even carry flowers. Sheesh!

But, think of this. It tells you something about the people here. If there are no florists in KarveNagar, it clearly means there is little or no demand for special bouquets and flowers to be gifted to others. Knowing that Karve Nagar is inhabited by a large number of decently well off people, it reflects rather poorly on their attitude. I mean, it shows that people here don't gift flowers to others, probably hardly visit others on occasions, and even if they do, they don't have the courtesy, love or common sense to carry an innocous bouquet of flowers!!! BAD...

Saturday, August 25, 2007

"Yeh thi khabrein Aaaj tak, intezaar kijiye kal tak"

Oh how I YEARN to hear that line!!!

Ever since 'Aaj Tak' joined the 24*7 news bandwagon, it has pioneered the use of crass hype as a means of creating headlines.

And the worst part is that we are forced to watch these 'Breaking News' during lunch. It so happens that the bumbling canteen contractor has taken a fancy for India's answer to CNN. Probably we wrote too many caustic complaints in the Suggestion Book and this is his way of getting back. Whatever may be the reason, all 12 TVs in the canteen broadcast 'Aaj Tak' throughout the day!

And this was yesterday's feature story. They telecast programs with names like 'Sansani!' and 'Khauff!' during the afternoon lunch hours (and the names are quite self expanatory - on the lines of m/s Ramsay Bros & co.). The head line said "Ayyash Bauna Chor" (which translates into Fun-loving Dwarf Thief)!!!!!!!

And the best part is it was accompanied by a 15 minute story, with interviews of eye-witnesses and cinematic recreation too!!! WOW!!!

Thursday, August 9, 2007

'Puneri Patya'

So the legend continues...

For the uninitiated, Puneites, the denizens of the historic city of Pune, are known for their curtness and acidity of speech, only when you get on their nerves (that's my escape route if a Pukka Punekar reads this). And this terrific causticness of speech and thought, manifests itself in the form of information signposts, or 'paatya', as we call them in Marathi, that Punekar's put up in their shops or homes or from wherever they ply their trade.

There are an immense number of these doing the rounds in e-mails, which makes me doubt their authenticity. But this one I saw myself, and could help but give a wry chuckle at what must have motivated the author to say somehting so absolutely mean!

It goes like this:

At Parvati, the mountain-top palace abode of the Peshwas, the earstwhile rulers of Pune, is now a heritage structure. It houses the main Palace with the central temple, and outside the sqaure ramparts are other smaller associated structures. One of them is, quite predictably, converted into the Peshwe Museum. As you walk out of the exit to this structure, there is an entrance to your left, barred by a metal door with a smaller door serving as the sole opening. It is used as office quarters for the trustees or administrators of the place.

Now, this could have been easily stated in simple words asking people to stay out, but nay... in 'assall' Puneri tradition, a signboard hung on the door says "Aat baghynasarkhe kahi hi nahi ahe, tyamule aat dokavu suddha naye" (There is nothing to be seen in here, so don't even try to peek in)!!!