Variety is the spice of my work-life

One of those days at work when I wonder why I just didnt stay home, as I have nothing to do at work! Well, why waste a day-off when I can laze around in front of the TV at work as well! (Though here, I need to atleast pretend that I'm doing something useful) I guess typing this out looks like I'm working! :D

Well I certainly work with an interesting bunch of people. (None of who know about my blog and I plan to keep it that way!) There a guy from Turkey, an Afro-Am gal, a Swedish gal, a Candian born Chinese guy, an Aussie-wannabe, an Irish-Am turned jew(!) and ofcourse an Indian guy. (We have to be the one that breaks the ranks!) In diversity comes variety- the lunches we go out for, the water-cooler topics and ofcourse the culture-shocking conversations are just some of the reasons that get me to work on a Monday morning.

Just talking to these people make me realise what diversity is all about. In India, we boast a multi-religion/cultured society. But to be truly multi-cultural there needs to be interaction and positive vibes between them all! Personally, I feel we're lacking in them, categorizing people by state, religion and even caste! ("Salah Madrasi", "Patel trips" and "Arrogant Delhi-ites" are some of the common terms I hear ...)

And to think I've heard these very terms only after I set foot on American soil. Hows that for irony?

It makes the world go round ...

You can find it all around you. When did cynicism become such a staple in our lives? Everybody is quick to judge. Infact even if I take a few minutes, I dont think I could come up with a single person I know who isnt on a judgemental high-horse! Take Simon Cowell- the ultimate in judging who doesnt know a thing about singing, he said so himself! Well his only excuse is- thats his job!

What about the rest of us? I try, hard, not to judge people by their lifestyle choices, after all whatever works, works right? Wrong! Each and every one of us have this perfect-idealistic idea about life and how it should be lead. Who says I cant have that extra brownie from the breakfast tray at work? If I choose to live in the suburbs in a condo, does that imply I dont visit the city often? If I'm a tourist in a new place, why isnt it 'cool' to do touristy things?

Heck, I judge people too! Its become more of a moral fight with my alter-ego these days- I'll pretend I dont hear it, while it does its thing.

I can only infer that the 'simple-life' is not in style anymore. I get a 'ho-hum' if I say, " I stayed home this weekend, just relaxed." Maybe I should try, "I actually bungee-jumped off a bridge only to realise I'd forgotten to strap myself to the cord but then I remembered I could swim so I dived into the water narrowly missing a passing cruise ship!"

How droll! Oh and did I mention, I feel cynical today?

Promise me rain (and snow?) next year too!

We've had an amazing winter- a few snow storms that caused life to come to a stand-still (Think un-official day off from work!) and now we're heading into summer, skipping spring all together. Thanks to global-warming, I can now snigger and feel all smug inside, thinking about the people in Texas, Oklahoma and Ohio being snowed upon in April! (Hmmph and they tell me, "I hear it rains a whole lot and is gloomy in Seattle")

Seattle-ites take their sun very seriously. What else could explain the rush of people out on the trails and in the parks at 7pm on a Thursday? Not a mean feat considering I see almost as many out on the same trails jogging with a flourescent vest and and a water repellant hoodie on the aforesaid 'gloomy' days.

I dont think I've ever experienced the sun so pleasant on my skin. Its more like a warm touch as opposed to the scorching blaze of the middle-east and south-india that feels like you're walking into an open furnace. Maybe such a summer needs the rain...

I'd take the drizzle of Seattle anyday, if I'm promised the summers that follow... (Global Warming aside I'm sure!)