Dhoni v/s Kobe

Times Square, they say, is the meccah of the advertising industry. During my visit there, I was amazed, as I was supposed to be. After the hectic journey through the Manhatten, quick ferry to the statue of Liberty and a brisk walk in the Central Park, when my tired legs and over-excited mind took me to the Times Square, I expected more glitz than what I saw. Yet, there couldn't be a better fitting finale to that day.

New York stood up to my expectation, and it was the first time, I realized how much wealth exists in the U.S.

Going back to the business of advertising, I thought except for billboard business, US advertising industry was definitely ages behind as far as creativity and innovation goes. In India one could watch the advertisements with satisfaction, especially if there is a new one released. There is as much drama and thrill in those as that in the program they are interrupting. It's not at all true of the U.S. They jokingly criticise the game of football (or soccer, to be correct) for not having any commercial intervals integrated by virtue of rules of the game. The American Football, Basketball and their best pass-time Baseball, all have regular advertising breaks. However, the advertisement don't really catch the viewer's attention.

At times, an advertisement is just like a documentary (especially, if it's about some medicine), more like the teleshopping programs we have here. Hardly any highly-paid actors or sports celebrities endorse any products publicly (or at least, that was my first order observation). In India, it's all driven by the celebrities: Deepika ji (not Padukone) who played the role of Goddess Seeta in Ramayan, advertised for Nirama detergent bar! If you consider these facts more carefully, they are hilarious. Just recently, Indian team's captain Dhoni was seen promoting Big Bazar. 

Now, imagine Manny Ramirez or Kobe Bryant shouting the slogan "Save Money, Live Better," or Nicole Kidman telling you to buy Tide Detergent because she has used it herself for years now... It just doesn't happen in the U.S.

On the other hand, they have some unknown faces (which, over time look very familiar) barking information about $10 products, telling you to call right away so that they can double your order. That kind of advertising just won't sell in India.

I guess, in India, we-the-people look up to our Heroes with much respect. And in the U.S., I think, they-the-people just don't care! They prefer their celebrities doing their business as usual, and don't appreciate any interference with their private preferences...

Fly Away Home

It's not that often that someone gets a chance to return to one's home-country. In my particular case, it has happened only twice, and the experiences for the second time have been more intense than the first time (when I was away only for three days and two nights!).

So, the particular case I am referring to, is about my return from the U.S. of A. It was after seven months and a few hours that I set foot on my beloved country. The seven months' stay abroad had definitely changed me, and I could reflect the changes in everything I came across once I was home. I was already warned about the smaller sizes of cars, tomatoes and (of course) people! However, I guess seven months is not such a long period that I should be reminded of this warning every now and then I met a person or an onion for that matter. I was smoothly integrated in the system, so to say.

However, since then, I have been trying to imagine how I'd do certain things if I were still in the US. For example, how I'd drive my two-wheeler if I were in the US, as compared to how I was actually driving it on the crowded roads of Bangalore. In those seven months, I had honked only once (that too, at the DMV inspection to get my driving license). I guess, I honked even before I kick-started my bike here! Same goes to lane crossing. I was amazed at my ability to maneuver my tiny vehicle in the sea of people, three cows, thousand vehicles and a few smokey clouds.

Some of my other habits needed some polishing as well. I was still smiling when I was way off in the taxi that took me away from the airport. Reason: I almost banged into the driver, trying to sit in the passenger seat on the left side! Other cultural shock was delivered by emotionless face of a darshini sagar when I smiled, said hi and ordered a masala dosa. (well, here it's me who is to take the blame--- perhaps I expected a waitress who would ask us to follow her to the table!)

I can go on explaining the disciplinary differences between the traffics, or respcting the red light or may criticise the 'crude' mannerisms; but in conclusion it was a great feeling to be back.

Yes. The US may have treated me well, may have explained the real meaning of prosperity and at times may have enticed me to stay back; but once back, it was a fantastic feeling.

Just as fantastic as when I landed in the US, or maybe a tad better!

License to Drive

The traffic laws (or rules, or whatever) in the US can get pretty complex. The exam that I passed before getting a valid driver's license had a lot of crazy questions. One of them was about a snow-scenario, at sight of which I froze. Although, Arizona has never seen the white of natural snow in centuries (maybe during the previous ice-age?) the DMV must have thought through the scenario of me going up to Chicago or Boston during winter and coming across this severe proposition. Anyway, I passed the exam, and obtained my driver's license, which is an old story.

But only the other day, a cat failed me while I was driving. (I should thank the cat-God that she did not decide to come down to Earth when I was actully taking the driving test back in April).

It must have been past 7 O'clock, and the Sun had recalled its messangers. I was driving at a casual pace towards the office recreation center where a prior appointment with a friend for a game of table tennis was on. I was in no particular hurry and was frustrating every driver behind me by driving exactly at the speed as stipulated by the Law in this part of the planet. I came to a complete halt at a stop sign (this is my daily route, so I was not surprised that a big octagon should turn red on seeing my car). There I spotted a cat. Now, cats, as immortalized by their great Hero Garfield, are supposed to show signs of lethargy. But as every living thing should, it showed signs of movement. It was, now I think in hindsight, a pre-planned movement. I don't mean to be sexist here, but I had no way of knowing if it was a she-cat or a he-cat, so let's just call it a she-cat. So, I was describing, she showed sudden urge to move.

I had my headlights switched on (again, owing great respect to Law of the Land), yet, I must admit I was a little careless in not stopping for that extra second at the stop sign. So, I hit the gas pedal before I was forced into repentence. There she stood, right in the central zone of the road, basking in the head-light, staring at me. I must say she had fierce cat-eyes. In that split-second she hissed at me, and after giving a slight jerk to her neck, fled at cat-speed.

That hissing gesture and that tiny jerking motion spelt much to me. And that much, I must spell to the law makers.

I strongly suggest, Law number, whatever, must be ammended and reworded as, "Yield to pedestrians, and by definition, pedestrians include any living thing along with humans." I expect to send a copy to that cat to make peace with her.

And better yet, next, I am going to ask the authorities to create a new sign-board with cat-sign on it (you must have already noticed horse, deer and cattle signs, I am sure). How about that?

Some humour precipitated during the day---

• On the roadside, a sign reads "Huge Moving Sale ---->": Obviously, something to run for, as the sale itself is advertised to be moving.
• "Oh, long time, my friend! I think your voice has changed!" a friend is excited. "No mate, it must the new phone I bought yesterday," I say in the same breath.
• The tandoori chicken we had for lunch barely looks tandoori-ed. It is wearing pink colour; and I mention to a friend (she, just a minute back was cribbing about too many artificial colours being used in the Indian restaurants around here), "When was Holi? Last week, the leftover colours are showing!" "EEEEk!" she frowns. And another friend wins the battle of wits, "Or maybe the chicken played too much colour!"

A shocker!

Well, I guess, just going by the title of this post the reader must have prepared herself for one :-)

I would not be exaggerating if I say, entering the United States of America for the first time has to be a shocking experience for the individual under travel. At the same time, I must however add that it could be equally (or worse) shocking if the person happens to be traveling to the Europe as well.

Now, I know, the italics above need some explanation.

The world calls the 'States' a dynamic nation: in terms of the economy (!), social and political thought, and what not. But as far as my first impression counts, I found it pretty static. I mean, wherever I went, I would accumulate this static charge on my body, boots and clothes. This so-called charged up body of mine would then dispose itself of this wealth accumulated over the period; giving me sense of a shock. For almost a week I must say, I felt touched by this new environment, yet I was scared to touching everything (including a file in UNIX environment!). Sooner than I thought, I got used to the conditions; and the impact has been on decline of late.

And that's why, gentlewomen, (and gentlemen, too) I must say that the experience around here is quite shocking.

Or maybe I should have been more careful in my approach, and should have mentally prepared for it: Yes. I must have held my head high, and yet kept my humble feet rooted to the ground realities!

In any case, until I got used to it, it indeed was a shocking experience!

A word on words

A word is dead
When it is said,
Some say.

I say it just
Begins to live
That day.

--Emily Dickinson

Walking among the books of the Chandler Public Library, I came across this wonderful poem by Emily Dickinson (I had read it before too, yet it sounded so new to me!). I was still admiring the collection, when a friend casually mentioned, "well, you can search for books online if want, too!". And the reply came to me almost naturally, "well, but then where is the surprise element? Nothing compares to the pleasure of coming across a book!" Search would just say, "book found in database," I doubt if the search-engine really found the book!

That apart, the whole concept of public libraries with free (again, free) access to all, is just mind blowing. And what's even better, the whole concept works here!

Walking in the aisles with book-racks filled with exciting topics and varied range, I admired Dickinson's words again. Perhaps ages ago, or maybe just the last month, all these words were said, were written. And then they came alive, of course! Who the hell said, "a word is dead; when it is said"? He must be the most boring creature around.

Or he may well be a dumb search engine, mentioning, a search is dead once found?