A Titular Matter

When this blog was started, back in January 2004, I had given it a name. Unfortunately, I don't remember it now, so anonymous was it. I can guess that it would have been an effort to display my knowledge of either science fiction or academics or high flown literature. Then in January 2005, as an impoverished graduate student, the blog was renamed - "Poor Indian Graduate Student". I had less than 500$ in my bank account, and graduation was nowhere in sight. Fortunately, I bailed out in May 2006, and so the title had to become "Poor Indian Graduate Student ", with an additional line of "In the US of A", by way of further explanation of my status. Now, as it turns out, in a few weeks "In the US of A" might need to be amended to "In the US of A UK".

They own the night

Mr. Family Orientation has been driving for the last 30 years. Enjoys talking to and observing the variety of people he meets. Will retire in 4 years and head to his newly constructed home in Puerto Rico. Plans to run his own little rickshaw company there, importing bright yellow rickshaws from India. Loves to watch discovery channel. Knows about the Bombay meal carriers. Told me among all the people he has met, he finds Indians to be the nicest. He likes them because they are family oriented. Feels happy that Indians in the US are going out a lot more than when he started driving; they are better integrated into society. Thinks Indian girls are very pretty, especially when they free their long straight hair.

Mr. Part Time has been driving a cab for the last 3 months. Brazilian who was traveling through the US and decided to stay. Has been working odd-jobs for the last 2 years while studying for his degree in art. Barely knows the routes, and very polite; not at all used to the ways of a cabdriver. Apologized when he missed the intersection, and offered to take 4$ off the bill. Asks me what I think of the United States. Thinks that Americans are too conservative and boring. Is learning to speak English, Portugese being his native language.

Mr. Chevrolet has roamed the city's streets in his yellow Caprice Classic since the year 2000. Came from Uganda. Thinks that there is good money driving a cab in the city. Loves cars. Asks me what car I like most. I say that the Audi is a car I like. He likes American cars. Thinks the Mercury is the best car. Spacious, big, fast. Also likes the Lincoln. Thinks European cars are too small - not good value for money.

Mr Big Shot has been driving a cab ever since he came to the US from Pakistan about 10 years back. Is a Civil Engineer. Owns a business. Drives a cab for excess money. Tells me that life is good in the US. Lots of money to be made. Asks me what I do. I tell him I work on a computer. Asks me how much I make. I tell him. Says that I dont make enough. Tells me I should change jobs or work as a consultant paid by the hour.

A post

It looks like the posts are becoming increasingly sporadic. Lets make a little market shall we.

What are the other odds:

1) The next 12 months will produce > 24 posts

2) The next 12 months will produce >=12 and <=24 posts

3) The next 12 months will produce <>

At the end of 12 months, all those who bet over the mean would pay those who bet below the mean. This would be "AR's BlogSwap". I expect this product to take off so quickly and the speculative trading in it to be so reckless that the stability of the world economy will be in question.

Speaking of world markets in terrible jeopardy, have you ever realized how screwups tend to be highly correlated. When things are appearing to get bad, they usually soon get worse. Case in example, rental car broke down on Friday night right before a weekend trip to Madison, and as a result we had to wait 2 hours for the tow truck, and then spend another hour taking the train to midway for a replacement car, which gave us the opportunity to be bumped by the attendant there who had no spare cars, and which in turn had one of the guys bailing out, which in turn increased the likelihood of a sucky trip. However, the trip turned out to rock. Upstate Wisconsin can kick upstate New York's ass (note content of previous post.). Rolling woods, lakes, hiking trails, fall colors - yellow, violet and red, long winding roads and quaint towns.

I have come to note that increasingly, people I know are either married, engaged or in the process of getting engaged/married. I am growing old. When I finished undergrad and entered graduate school, the senior graduate students looked OLD. It felt like it would be eons before I would be where they were (like never). Though I am not currently in graduate school, many of my friends are in the last legs of their phd. Another sign that indicates the passage of time. Another even more shocking sign is the fact that I have come to accept that I will be old one day. Brilliance at its most lustrous.

Thank you for your time. Now go do something more useful!