Latest
Forbes X Under X
A guide for the rest of us, who missed 30 Under 30, 40 Under 40, and possibly basic compounding.
Personal archive. Occasional relapse.
Writing that refuses one shelf.
Essays, stories, cricket, office absurdity, small-town memory, technology, music, and the minor civic hazard of thinking in public.
Recent
The archive, still warm.
All Writing
Everything else, waiting politely.
- 5 min
Bloody Indians in Vegas
As mentioned in the previous post, here’s another twisted tale of telephony. First, the disclaimer: Unlike other incidents on this blog, this one is n...
- 3 min
It Really Doesn’t Matter
A menu-card confession for people whose strongest preference is outsourcing the decision.
- 3 min
Stupid Tit-Bits
1. Phantom Fetish Long ago, when there used to be not more than a single hit per day on this blog, I would check each visitor’s location and referring...
- 3 min
Goa Trip : Introduction
So how was the trip ? Words one expects to hear are : "Awesome", "Fantastic"," Disaster" ... I am going to use similar words in a chain of posts devot...
- 1 min
Five Whatevers
1. Object Thou shalt not steal. Else, you are a thief. And the object, Stolen. 2. Work Rose, “I shall have the glory”. Thorn, “I too, will be in the s...
- 4 min
Shadows of the mind
Since last quarter of an hour I’ve been wondering about the value of right hand. When no amount of money succeeded in luring me into parting with it,...
- 4 min
In Praise Of Routine And In Glory Of Life
The skin is getting its colour back. The blood is pure red now; gallons of alcohol have drained off. Sometimes though, the eyes yearn for the watery h...
- 5 min
The Alchemistress
Stella was on the hospital bed. Her left leg plastered. This had to be the worst day she has had in years. She slipped over the stairs as she was leav...
- 2 min
For Chameli, whenever I may find her
Terror is what I was craving for last night. It had been quite a long time since I woke up in the night fear struck with a nightmare. I live alone . T...
- 5 min
Her Diary
Everyday life for a female is never easy in a conservative society. Being a werewolf doesn’t help. Waking up naked beneath the park benches, even if o...
- 2 min
We The People
Scenario 1 : Two kids with their Mom Mom : Sonu, Monu ! Come let's go to the Tagore Academy. There's an exhibition on Chola dynasty sculptures. Sonu :...
- 3 min
Ten Years in Industry
This June 17th, I will be finishing 10 years in industry. The duration is almost a dog life. A kid born 10 years ago would have learnt to eat, talk, r...
- 2 min
God's Own Child
There were impatient knocks on my door this morning. I stopped Eminem swearing loudly on my Laptop, opened the door and found the delivery boy from Ga...
- 2 min
Please Vote For Me
I need your votes for the 'Chief Blogger' Contest for Royal Challengers Bangalore. The 'Chief Blogger' gets to travel with the team and blog about the...
- 1 min
Mother
Mother, do you think they'll like this song? Mother, do you think they'll try to break my balls? Mother, should I build the wall? $1
- 1 min
Things a man endures every morning
$1
- 3 min
Bee and the Beast
I saw brightness shimmering through the window glasses of his house on that rainy night. Then he opened one of the windows to smell the wet soil; the...
- 3 min
Helpless
I have come to accept that no matter how much I reason, I am not immune to the whims of surroundings. How else to justify the Bournvita milk I have be...
- 4 min
Trip Home
Lull is a funny word. And that’s what this place has been going through for a long while now. I have forgotten how to structure a post to the level th...
- 2 min
How we learnt "English" over the last few decades.
Year 1958 . Well, first the basics . Movie : Dilli ka Thug C.A.T. Cat, Cat Maane Billi, R.A.T. Rat, Rat Maane Choohaa Matlab iska kaho tum kya huaa. M...
- 5 min
The Happening
Wednesday evening. Around 9 PM. I called up Chitto to discuss about the Goa trip that we three (third one being Pravu) had planned for the first weeke...
- 3 min
A Word Game
I’ve got almost three hours left, as these very words are typed, before I default on the grand promise made to myself of writing at least one post per...
- 3 min
A Tree, A Lizard, And A Dementia
This is not a “proper” post, in a sense that it is being done just for the sake of discipline. Am working on something interesting (hopefully) which i...
- 5 min
Dilli Ka Thug : Part 2
Here goes the analysis of the first incidence in the Tricks of Trades series. I turned. It was him. Statistics: When I look back, I think he had me ev...
- 2 min
Riders On The Storm
I had a shocker today morning while driving. As soon as the radio was turned on, these were the words that fell on my ears: Into this house we're born...
- 2 min
Demon : Short Story Contest Entry
Yesterday as the room service lady delivered the laundry to my room, I hesitated, “This bra is not mine”. “Of course not, sir.” She slammed the door o...
- 4 min
How not to get duped at the petrol pump
It’s that time of the month again when Vinnie needs her food. I usually get the tank full at the petrol pumps for three reasons. This avoids extra tri...
- 3 min
Coming Back To Life
I’ve been rediscovering myself for the last few days after the stay with RCB in Windsor Manor got over. Following facts have made themselves clear: 1....
- 4 min
Facebook Agony Aunt
Pokers Q. I am being poked and tickled a lot. Yesterday, a classmate I haven’t met for seven years pinched me. How do I react? A. It would have helped...
- 4 min
Rage Against The Tags
I have been busy doing nothing for the entire week. As a result, the blog suffered blatant neglect. Time to make amends. First, a few important acknow...
- 3 min
Men In The Mirror
Everyday as I drive to office, I dread that one minute, the time to be spent in the lift. The lift in my office has reflecting surfaces on all four si...
- 4 min
The Profound Lie
A solitary word spoken for the entire day and that too was a lie. Optimizations, in daily life, have been stretched too far I guess. Probably, I need...
- 1 min
Zakmhi Shayar ke Sher
1. Gaane the , taraane the, Sunane ke liye kai afsaane the, Magar wo zamana aur tha, Un dino hum zaraa diwaane the 2. Haqeequt ne ye kis bazaar me laa...
- 6 min
Tina
Damn the vulnerabilities of daily existence. Just when I was going to coin the term Pseudo Swines for those who were cashing in on the flu mania to st...
- 5 min
The Twisted Telephonic Tales
Rain Gods, all over the world, have developed quirky little sadistic tendencies in response to the Global warming. But those in Bangalore seem to have...
- 1 min
So kid, what do you want to be when you grow up ?
$1
- 1 min
Spoilt For Choice
Bed is the clear favorite, of course.
- 1 min
Three silly, but very short stories
1. Droplet "I would prefer a blackhole to a sponge", said the suicidal droplet. A river devoured it. 2. Shoes Twins. Both one legged. One had the left...
- 2 min
"Ascension" Short Fiction Contest
There's this cool short fiction contest going on here. You'll find some fantastic works there. None of the stories are more than 250 words; short flin...
- 5 min
Handshakes, Dating And Succumbing
Observing last few posts, I felt that the blog is getting too analytical and didactic. So the second part of the previous post has been postponed to n...
- 4 min
Don’t cry over spilt milk
Four babies are being born every second. Scientists at ISRO are toiling hard for nation’s first mission to moon this month. Rules are being rewritten...
- 1 min
In Top 9 For Chief Blogger RCB
Just saw the results here. and I am shortlisted in top 9 for the post of chief bloggers. Extremely relieved and happy right now. I must thank you all...
- 3 min
My Jazz Album
A completely serious jazz album from a man still negotiating with Smooth Jazz on 91.9 FM.
- 3 min
What Happens In Dewas Stays In Dewas
After six long years, I celebrated Diwali with family in my home town Dewas (fondly called Las Dewas by expatriates). “Aa gaya wapis ? Kya kiya Diwali...
- 2 min
So Far Away
Beautiful Joanna lays naked on the beach, sipping her Pina colada from the crystal glass. Sky is blue and the water green. Waves come and go, and thei...
- 3 min
Cheerleaders in T20 : An analysis of poll results
Following are the results of a poll conducted on RCB blog : If I were Pratibha Patil, I would invite the WCWHB party to form the government. The singl...
- 2 min
Unborn
Before she died, she had one last look at the sky. She has been sleeping since then, only to keep waking in another dream. Now she found herself on an...
- 5 min
Good Old Days
After every seven years, you are a new biological person. Defining the boundaries of a new generation is a difficult question and doesn’t have any obj...
- 5 min
My New Place
I am moving into a new house this decade end. It’s a little duplex, an independent two bedroom house, not far from where I stay currently. At 900 sq f...
- 7 min
VAT 69
Centuries ago, strange events occured in abundance simply because there was no one to report them. They laid the foundations for many anomalies we obs...
- 2 min
The Chief Blogger of Royal Challengers Bangalore
Yes Guys. Click here for the announcement. Met Anil Kumble. Got the "Letter of Appointment" in a press conference with cameras clicking all around. Th...
- 2 min
Eight Seconds
“Not much of a hobby mate.” Johnny whispered loudly through the bushes. “Ummm?” said Pete distantly. His eyes fixed on the sky, as always. Always. “Bi...
- 6 min
Radiosyncrasies
One of the many reasons why car pooling won’t quite work for me is that I am too whimsical with the radio while driving. I don’t have TV as part of my...
- 1 min
The Usual
So this guy walks into this pub. With swagger and all. Looks around. Three chicks drinking. None good enough for him. Goes straight to the bar. “The u...
- 5 min
Ghanshyams vs Fairbrothers, and Bala goes to Singapore
The Ghanshyams are at it again.Dark fat bastards. The barbarians hit each other harder and harder. Each blow brings a cry with pain and their shrieks...
- 3 min
The Fitness Band
Last month, I bought a fitness band for 2,347 rupees. The odd number should have been the first warning sign. The band promised to track my steps, mon...
- 5 min
I Think Therefore I am
Don't know why, but I find myself in an academic mood today. Please pardon me for these feeble attempts at explaining things that are too profound for...
- 3 min
Short Story Contest and An Indecent Ending
Here’s an entirely useless piece of information for more than 6 billion humans and the entire Ostrich species. I am going home this weekend for a week...
- 5 min
Dilli Ka Thug : Part 1
This is the first anecdote in the series “Tricks of trades” introduced in an earlier post. Part 1 describes the incident while Part 2 would be analyzi...
- 3 min
Hello World
This poor thing has been starving for months. And so, here’s an update on what I was up to during this time. Not that I expect/wish/accept that anyone...
- 3 min
Tooth-Fairies And Soap
Yesterday I helped the cause of a budding barber. Although my right ear still hurts, I am satisfied with my readiness for an impromptu “Who has the sh...
- 5 min
Careful With That Axe, Eugene
Carla, the cat, was having a bad tail day and to top that, no one had noticed how well her new green nail polish went with her eyes. Being an Animal R...
- 3 min
The Trip to Chilka Lake
Couple of weeks ago I went to my friend Chitto’s wedding in Bhubaneswar. Yes, another man down. Back in Kharagpur, his room number was C 209, mine was...
- 2 min
All Apologies
I did this guest post here at Preeti's blog last week. And then Atrisa has tagged me with honest scrap here. Thank you Atrisa :P. The post fits in wel...
- 2 min
Big Banger with his poems and other art forms
The Big Banger An aimless evening stroll. In my head, I am a man on his first day out of prison after serving twenty years of sentence (falsely accuse...
- 4 min
Tricks of trades: Introduction
Friday night. Music was exploding inside Vinnie as she zipped through the traffic at dangerous speeds to bring me back to home from work. All bills ar...
- 3 min
Infinity and beyond
Another rain filled lazy afternoon on the bean bag in good old Bangalore. A little while later I am gonna have some coffee at the nearby Darshini shop...
- 1 min
The Restaurant
I picked up the menu card. The first page said ‘For Gents’. A bit odd, but you never know with these upscale restaurants. “Can I have My Youth Back?”...
- 4 min
The Oversight
“The Consultant”, read the board. An arrow mark on the board pointed to the first floor. One might mistake it to be an arrogant declaration of unchall...
- 5 min
The year that wasn't
This has been a dull year for me. Not a great way to start a post but I do find myself questioning “Did I simply sidestep and let the driver of the bu...
- 5 min
Demographics and Sports : Part 1
1. Why Indian Cricket team is likely to remain amongst the top three for decades? 2. Why England has won relatively low number of championships in mos...
- 4 min
Valid Excuses For A Pseudo-Break
I would be relatively inactive in blogosphere for the next fifty days. Various reasons are listed down later in the post. Have been fairly disciplined...
- 7 min
Brought To You Bai
My maid is on leave this week. Her absence is becoming noticeable day by day. Apart from executing her designated duties, she also acts as a worst cas...
- 1 min
Breaking the Jinx
Image : Dale Steyn & me chatting with the fans during the RCB vs Cape Cobra Match Friends, Royal Challengers must win in tomorrow's match to go the Le...
- 7 min
Pride and Prejudice
I just booked the air tickets to my place for Diwali. A dozen kilo has been deducted from my credit card. I’ve traveled the same distance in less than...
- 1 min
Six Whatevers
Tete a tete “Nice wig.” “Takes one to know one.” “Mine is special. All hair in it belongs to my clients.” “Same here” “I know all the barbers here. Wh...
- 2 min
Truth in Wine
A life’s work continues to conjure questions well past the funeral. Take Arthur’s case. His son was convinced that trash can is the rightful place for...
- 4 min
Behavioural Inefficiencies
1. Here’s a puzzle with straightforward answer but many come up with incorrect solutions in real life: Imagine yourself seating on a chair (not extrem...
- 2 min
Vagina Monologue
Younger Bro bought an expensive mobile against my pragmatic advice. As is often the case, big brother was right. The mobile would sometime allow only...
- 2 min
Everyone’s self-centered; it’s the radius that matters.
Tonight I claim what is mine, as it seems to be growing in popularity. To know more, you will have to click here and here. Apart from the pages that a...
- 1 min
A few Snaps of the trip in Goa
Here are a few snaps. I am waiting for more from friends who may be kind enough to mail them at prashantdhanke@gmail.com if at all they are reading th...
- 3 min
Four Whatevers And A Song
Saying Hi To The Dead Get yourself a plain sheet of paper and a pen. Find an ant if the dead was a nice fellow. Else get a tiny spider. Contact me if...
- 2 min
My Sweet Family
Refrigerator: Hi, my name is Calvin. This chap bought me three years ago. I have seen few things in life: Apples, milk, coke, beer and whisky (why whi...
- 2 min
Facebook Status Messages If Your Boss Is In Your Friend List
You can’t escape having colleagues and bosses in your Facebook friend list. Why not make the most of it. Have status messages which show how much you...