Safe

One thing about being in school for so long means that you get used to a different kind of reality. You don't really have to watch what you say unless you're facing a committee of professors. You don't have to look and behave like a normal nine-to-fiver, unless, once again you're facing the said committee. People argue aggressively, vociferously with another and yet there's usually no ill feeling at the end of it all. Abusive language is a necessary part of making a strong case to back up your arguments and views. Basically, it's a different world where a lot of the norms that exists in the life outside of the sphere (or any other volume) of influence of a university aren't exactly adhered to. And that's putting it politely. In most circles, some of which I have been involved with and have been an active participant of, those "outside world" norms are downright derided.

But at some point, you have to leave your safe environs and step outside. Leave your cheap apartment where your roommates and neighbors consisted of other poor students, graduate or undergraduate and move to better areas so you can be closer to work. At some point, think about getting rid of your cheap car - the one you love, loathe, respect, abuse and fear in equal parts. Stop wearing crumpled T shirts, and smelly, old worn-out pairs of jeans. Stop ogling at people thinking that you're complimenting them by doing so. And most importantly - watching what you say real hard. You will have to do all of this when you leave those safe university environs and start living in what's called the real world.

It's like when you leave the theatre after a movie or a play that you really enjoyed watching, and found yourself immersed in. Once you open the wide exit doors to step out on to the street you're suddenly brought back to reality, rather rudely sometimes, with the sounds of dozens of cars and the jarring music blaring from them, people milling around in front of the ticket window talking, shouting, cell phone ringers going off. It's a "Welcome back to reality, bitch!" experience.

The longer you are in the theatre, the longer it takes for the effect of the alternate, make believe world you just escaped to, to wear off and for you to come back to reality. School's like that.

When you step in to the real world outside, you've got to start looking, dressing, acting and moving like you belong to it so that other real-worlders can accept you, and not be scared of you, and maybe even like you - although that last part is perhaps stretching it a little. And why all this is important, is because the real world is where the money is - and to make it in there you've got to make the adjustments. And sometimes it takes really long for the adjustment to be made. It's not that school doesn't equip you with the tools to adjust. It's just that the adjustment is a drastic one sometimes. Some look forward to it. Some don't. Most though are unprepared - no matter how they've prepared themselves.

I find myself at that curious transition state of having left that shade of the large tree I was living under and making my way into what's waiting for me on the outside. All that I've studied in school doesn't prepare me though for the complex terminologies spoken in outside circles, like the APRs, 401K's, etc. I pretend I know what they mean. I even understand what they speak of in those circles sometimes. But mostly I just end up realizing that I'm hopelessly out of my depth. And all I end up doing is pissing people off with my posturing that I don't care about what I don't understand, while what I'm really trying to do is get a handle on the fact that I don't know jack really.

Yup. I am hopelessly lost. Now, just where did I put my drink down.

Randy Executives

NYTimes ran this article,which made it to their most emailed list, and which is where I saw/found it. The piece is on Ayn Rand and her legacy - how several successful folks in higher up positions in corporate America had, in their youth, read books written by Rand and how their lives were never the same again from that moment on. That pattern (of young lives being changed irrevocably once they picked up Ayn Rand's books) is hardly unique to these guys. I first read "Atlas Shrugged" and then "The Fountainhead" while in college getting my Bachelors degree in Engineering. I identified with all her characters - both strong and weak - and, in my own way, I know I have imbibed portions of her message and rejected other portions. I daresay my life did change in some ways. I also saw others around me - around the same age as I was - who too were... well... mindf**ked a little after reading either one of the two afore mentioned books. Now, looking back, I don't really know if I couldn't have done without having read them.

The whole thing sort of reminds me of those slick military commercials glamorizing military life for recruiting/propaganda purposes. They prey on young, impressionable minds, showing them all the "good parts" of being a soldier: a life full of adventure, lots of shooting automatic rifles and acting all bad-ass, and oh yes! protecting your country from "the enemy", and finally getting your Dad to show some respect to your formerly good-for-nothing ass for once. All that just to get them to sign up and do their bidding. These kids may end up seeing the life they imagined they'd be living as soldiers, or just doing just the exact opposite - depending on whether they enrolled to shoot up people or save innocent folks, parachute stealthily behind enemy lines or dig trenches for human waste, making a difference with their lives or dying needlessly. Whatever.

Ayn Rand and her books are recruiting tools for the corporations. Some examples are in the linked article. Her books justify, glamorize and deify idealism and greed to ambitious young people who believe in personal success above everything else. Corporations want and need such driven foot soldiers who will one day push the corporate agenda near and far as a means to get to their own individual, grand successes. Just as army soldiers who one day discover the difference between early perception and ground realities though, I suspect several of these future execs never prepared themselves for the fact that when naked ambition collides with naked ambition, nasty things happen. Stuff they never planned for.

And besides - if you do take me as an example - it's clear that Rand's voodoo doesn't always work. I've yet to see the personal success she inspired the other folks to accomplish. Take that - big corporation executives!

Radio GaGa

A list of some of my preferred FM radio stations when driving, either in and around the Raleigh-Durham area, or on the interstate. It's good (for me at least) to know that a lot of these stations can be streamed too.

Don't know what your preferences are but I think a lot of you may find a decent station in the list below. For those thinking of finding a good contemporary pop station here, I suggest you quietly navigate away and I won't ask you what kind of music you listen to - and then make fun of you.

Note: This list is NOT a ranking of any sort.

1. WUTK New Rock 90.3 (Listen Live)

WUTK is a station based in the University of Knoxville, TN playing mostly alternative rock music (commercial free for the most part). I discovered this station while I was temporarily in Knoxville in the early part of the year. This is a great radio station playing quality rock music - super to listen to at work or while driving (if you're in the Knoxville area).

2. WKNC 88.1 The Revolution (Listen Live)

WKNC is NC State's radio station, broadcasting from the NC State campus in Raleigh, NC. I never really thought the station played any good music until Rohit really made me listen to it for a while. WKNC specializes in mostly "Underground" music. That also means that they cover a broad gamut of genres. Only it's not the usual ditzy music playing on every other station. I tend to enjoy their evening and late night material ("After Hours on WKNC") more than their daytime material however - that's when they play reggae, rap and electronica and metal. If you're listening to at work in India - chances are high that you'll be listening to their "After Hours" music.

3. WUNC 91.5 (Listen Live)

WUNC is the station for North Carolina Public Radio broadcasting from Chapel Hill, NC. During the day they mostly play NPR (National Public Radio) programs. Late nights - it's usually news from the BBC Worldservice. And on weekends it's "Backporch music", which essentially means a whole lot of Blue Grass music. Regular news and information programs during the day keep you updated with the latest happenings. Tuning in to NPR stations on long drives also helps keep sleep away, for those who haven't tried it yet. Then again if you have satellite radio, don't tell me about it and make me all jealous and mad.

4. WNCW 88.7 (Listen Live)

WNCW is a radio station broadcasting from the Isothermal Community College, Spindale, NC. They play a mix of different genres and the station itself has a pretty good range too. First discovered it on one of my several road trips to Knoxville, TN. Since then, I tune in on every trip to Knoxville and back.

5. WSHA 88.9 (Listen Live)

WSHA broadcasts from Shaw University, Raleigh, NC. They mostly play Jazz during the day, but also play the Blues, Reggae and Latino music - especially on weekends. My cousin Pradeep played this station often in his car - that's where I first heard it. WSHA's range isn't that great which is probably it's only disadvantage.

Other notable: 96 Rock (FM 96.1) , a commercial rock station playing in the Raleigh-Durham area. They play a lot of really good rock music. They also play a lot of bad rock music from a plethora of sissy rock bands. No names for now though - that's for another day. Another bad thing - the commercials, of which the first five stations have almost none.

Happy Listening!