The Paradox of choice

March 10th, 2011

When visiting New York I experienced a reverse culture shock.

From shopping in my local Indian supermarket where I can only sometimes get decent cheese if a Frenchman has smuggled some in his underpants – I was presented with an overwhelming choice of items in the American grocery stores.

When buying a toothbrush – I was faced with a wall of toothbrushes, when getting a cereal – a whole isle of cereal packets. It really was overwhelming and left me dazed and confused.

The experience reminded me of a TED talk I saw on the paradox of choice. More choice doesn’t make us happier but more dissatisfied.

Name’s not Andrew you’re not coming in

February 22nd, 2011

I had forgotten that even if you have a physical invitation to a club, Chennai jobsworth doormen wont let you in.

Anyway, eventually I got into the club – and made the centre pages of the newspapers.

Tabloids

Andrew?

Things I had forgoten about India

February 15th, 2011

So a 2 week trip to USA turned into a 7 month period away from India, but now I am back. A few things that had slipped my mind.

  1. Having a mosquito net and having to take a bottle of water to bed.
  2. Power cuts
  3. Electric shocks
  4. Ants in the kitchen
  5. The internet not working more than it works
  6. Anything purchased 6 months ago will have rusted
  7. Lots of people will stare at me.
  8. What floor our office is on.

Hey Snowy…

February 5th, 2011

Having spent so long in a hot country its been quite refreshing to have so much snow!

Ice-Berg right ahead !

Car

Bicicle

Chickens

Land of the free

December 2nd, 2010

It’s fairly sickening to listen to the rubbish the American right come out with in relation to the leaked cables. Yes a slightly more serious post than usual, but relevant to me being in USA.

Last night I saw a pundit on Fox news saying that the release of the cables wasn’t whistle blowing as it wasn’t revealing illegal activity. Seriously?

And then today I have read that a presedential hopeful has called for capital punishment for the person who leaked the files and Sarah Palin spouting that Julian Assagne should be hunted down like al-Qaeda.

Surely this contradicts their hallowed first ammendmnet?

We are lucky to live in a world where the internet cannot be surpressed and the truth can be told.

The return of Barry one leg

December 1st, 2010

I was fairly surprised to see Barry One-Leg had found my blog, unfortunately he hadn’t taken Dave’s comments too kindly.

Barry – feel free to return to my blog and abuse Dave whenever you want.

Cunting

NSFW

Ooh to be a…

November 18th, 2010

Arsenal vs Spurs – 7.45am on Saturday.

Too early for a pub? I don’t think so.

Mind the bed bugs..

November 16th, 2010

Fortunately, I haven’t encountered any but I am worried the more hotels I stay in the more likely it is that I will.

So far I have stayed in:

Holiday Inn Mount Kisco

Crown Plaza White Plains

Smyth Hotel Tribeca

Hotel Benjamin

Hilton Embassy Suites

The Empire

Grand Hyatt

The Chandler

The Carlton

On the Ave

St Giles

Gild Hotel

Soho Grand

The Kitano

Fashion 26

The Iroquois

Although some people would find the constant upheaval a pain, I am enjoying the changes and getting to see lots of New Yorks hotels !

Fall

November 14th, 2010

I have found a new appreciation for Autumn, which I am putting down to one or more of the following:

  1. I haven’t seen Autumn for 2 years
  2. The “Fall” is particuarly colorful in the New York State (yes, i left the “u” out on purpose)
  3. I am getting old.

Either way, the views are quite beautiful – its a shame I only have my camera phone – which doesn’t do it justice.

Leaves

The Fall

Note to self . .

November 14th, 2010

Don’t walk around office on laptop on skype video chat – you cant see where you are going.

At first I thought I had got away with my clumsiness, then a cartoon bruise rose from my face.

Blackeye

Ouch.

Marathon

November 9th, 2010

There was a point last year when I debated running the NY Marathon with Dave- but didn’t think I would be able to make it to NY (let alone run 26 miles)

Anyway, Dave completed the Marathon in a very respectable 4.06.

dave

Go Dave!


Marathon

Give me a "D"


Marathon

Team Weeds !

2 years..

November 4th, 2010

I have just realised that its 2 years since I moved to India. How appropriate that I ate last night in an Indian – destiny must have been calling !

The time has flown by – I wonder where I will be 2 years from now.

I like Diwali, everybody does . .

November 2nd, 2010

Unfortunately I am missing Diwali – last year was one of the best party’s in Chennai.

Copying the Sex Therapist posters which are all over Chennai we made our own Diwali posters – although our plans to put them up all over Chennai didn’t come into fruition.

Needless to say it was a legendary night.

Sex Poster

Sex Poster

Party Poster

Party Poster

If Carlesberg did DJ Booths

If Carlesberg did DJ Booths

Uncle Sam

November 2nd, 2010

So after 6 weeks of searching i finally struck gold.

I went to an Indian restaurant in midtown for dinner last night, and as the waiter I approached I analyzed his appearance – dark skin, belt wrapped round one and a half times – so far so good.

Having been burnt many times before, I asked him if he was from India or Bangladesh.

“India Sir”

Game on.

“Where abouts?” I innocently inquired.

“Chennai”

He then got 3 months pent up Tamil all at once, complete with head wobbles.

“Thank you, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven,eight, nine, ten, my name is nick, masala dosa, welcome”

His puzzled look turned to a smile and he introduced himself, ” My name is Saravanan – call me Sam”. No Sam, call you Saravanan.

Anyway, made me realise how much I miss India – I’m gonna eat there everyday till I leave.

Sri Lanka

November 2nd, 2010

Earlier in the year, Austin and I went to Sri Lanka. We only had a few days, most of which I spent attempting to kite surf, but hopefully I will get a chance to see more of the country.

In my ignorance I didn’t know that Sri Lanka is predominantly a Buddhist country, but below are some photos of the Asokaramaya Buddhist Temple.

Buddha

Buddha

Buddha

Buddha

Buddha

Buddha

Gets my vote

October 20th, 2010

Its been a while since I posted – I will be catching up over the next few weeks.

I am in New York now, spending on average 3-4 nights in a hotel, before moving to the next cheap deal that I can find on the web. It would be better and easier to stay in one hotel, but I can because …

*courtesy of Joel. Ep.

Consipracy!

October 14th, 2010

I was walking along the street in NY and saw a country’s name in the glass reflection of a building.

I turned around to see what was reflecting to give that impression – and it was Americas National debt ! Which proves they rule the world etc.. (insert bullshit here)

Israel

Israel

jew'd have thought it...

Happy Birthday John

October 8th, 2010

In central park is a small memorial dedicated to John Lennon, in an area called Strawberry Fields (named after the song – not vice versa)

As it was what would on been his 70th birthday, a fairly large crowd gathered, to with guitars and a full drum kit (!) to sing his and Beatles songs.

I didn’t know any of the songs, it was really crowded and then just as I left they played a classic. Just my luck.

strawberry

Forever...

Lennon

Starwberry Fields

New York

September 18th, 2010

What is it with my trips to America? I seem to be followed by Tornados!

Happy Birthday to me.

August 26th, 2010
Birthday

Great card Dave 🙂

Milwaukee

July 26th, 2010

Last week – with rather short notice – I was asked to go to the USA. After a few days in New York we headed to Milwaukee where we learned there was a Tornado warning.

I hadn’t really thought the implications of this through – and it was only in the morning when we saw the devastation of the storm that we realised leaving Milwaukee could be a problem.

The whole airport was deep in water and closed till late in the afternoon when they managed to drain the water.

Flood

Flood

Flood

Flood

Flood

Flood

Cheryl Cole

July 8th, 2010

I havent had any antimalarial drugs in the last 18 months, I do sleep under a net but still find myself being bitten a lot (probably because I dont put repellent on)

Unfortunately my house mate has caught Malaria – hopefully it wont be too severe and he will recover soon.

Mozzy

Waka waka eh eh - This times malaria. . .

Sunrise

July 8th, 2010

There have been quite a few sunrises that I have woken up early to see (ahem) but this was by far the best over the last 18 months.

Sunrise

Everybody Loves the Sunshine !

Sunrise

Every Little Helps . .

June 17th, 2010

There is a lot of litter in India – particularly plastic carrier bags and plastic bottles.

So, it was nice to see my local supermarket had got some eco friendly bags – especially as they look so similar to a UK supermarkets version.

Tescos

Every Little Helps

Wanted..

June 12th, 2010
Ladyboy

Yes, i find that funny.