Friday 14 December 2007

1:18 to Lilydale



I got on to a train to come back to Uni, after some small business in the city. It wasn't rush hour so I easily found an empty seat at the front of the compartment. Just a few feet away from me were two middle aged men engaged in conversation, apparently friends who bumped into each other on this very train.

With one of these men were a young lad of about 20 years of age. Despite his healthy appearance one could easily see that something wasn't quite right with him. He had a very distant look in his brown eyes, which betrayed his good looks. He was holding a bottle of Coke and standing near his companion despite the numerous empty seats around him. "Why don't you take a seat?" asked the man to which the boy replied "I'm alright here" in a loud voice, but did sit down next to him even before finishing the sentence.

Then his companion's friend addressed the boy and asked him how he was, to which he replied "alright" and straightaway inquired back

Boy: When's your birthday?
Man: August Xth (didn't quite catch the date)
Boy: Which year??
Man: 1951

Boy: You were born on a Saturday

Man: That's right

The man probably knew about this boy's speciality that he didn't show any surprise..

Boy: Your next birthday is going to be a Thursday
By now, he had gained the attention of the whole compartment. Apart from those who had their ipods stuck in their ears (too bad!!)

The people who were bent over books were peeping over their books, the ones who were just staring out the window were glancing in this direction.....all the while pretending that they are not really looking at him..

Boy: The year after next, it'll be a Tuesday

And with that his distant eyes wandered off to something on the compartment wall....

There was a few seconds of total silence, with only the continous rumble of the train. The man got up to get down at the next station.

Man: You are doing very well boy

Boy: Yeah, I'm going to graduate next year
Man: That's excellent!!


With that, he said his good byes and got off...

The boy kept on staring at something else on the wall which attracted his attention....

Oh!! I'm also supposed to get down here!!!

I grabbed my stuff and got off before the doors could close.

Thursday 6 December 2007

The Adventure of English



Ever wondered why English is so complicated?

This is the fascinating story about how a tribal language in a remote corner of Europe came to be spread throughout the world; across Asia, Europe, Africa and America.

The story begins in the far north of what is now known as Netherland, and travels to England around 500 AD. From there on the language of English slowly takes form, but the journey is far from being smooth.


The constant invasions from foreign armies pushes the use of the language to its limits. Sometimes wiping out English speaking communities and sometimes supressing the use of the English language by the order of the foreign king.

Despite the hindrances the language of English survives, adapting to different conditions, borrowing words and expressions from the foreign invaders and thereby making it stronger and more flexible.

During the early Viking attacks, words like "ill" entered the English vocabulary creating a synonym for the existing "sick". During the Norman conquest thousands of French words took to English, but were mostly confined to the high society. Therefore the "cows" the farmers worked with became "Beef" at the rich man's table (Boef in French).

Throughout the ages English which has its roots in German had borrowed words in their thousands from Latin, French, Spanish, Gaelic and many more. Adding to its versatility as well as complexity.

After the renaissance (which is also a French word) and the developments during the industrial revolution Britian begins to form its empire across the world.......... and so does the language.

But the journey is far from over; not only does English travel to new countries and continents like Australia and America, where they take on a unique dialect of its own, but in the unsuspecting depths of India, one of the earliest relatives of the English language is discovered.......Sanskrit.


Some interesting words borrowed from the Dutch


This story is most fascinating, entertaining and sometimes astounding. Tracking the evolution of the English language through some of the most prominent times in history, and discovering the impacts it had on the language, from the Anglo Saxon tribes to Sheakspear, Wordsworth and Burns.

This work of magic was created and presented by Melvyn Bragg from the BBC. And is one of the most incredible documentries I've ever encountered. There is also a book in the same name also written by Bragg.

Saturday 1 December 2007

In loving memory



After being a part of our family for more than 11 years, Bingo passed away yesterday.




Bindu looking sad over Bingo's grave...



Photos courtesy of my bro