Time for those lists which just HAVE to be made at the end of each year. I promise myself, this post’s gonna be the last for quite some, because I really need to study for the pre-Boards. However, I just HAVE to put this up, as I said…

• The School Vid: Year 2007 started with that for me, missing loads of classes to work on a not-so-great video (because we were forced to work in a short time on not-so-great equipment on a not-so-great Windows Movie Maker, as Adobe Premiere had gone kaput). It also lead to the great tome The Shakespeareans by Rach (1 2 3 4), with inputs from me and Vivek.
• Cheesy Titles: Last year’s CW prez and a good pal of mine, Anshul had asked for a nice title during farewell. Since it was around the time we were working on Ze Vid, but mostly because thinking up a good title is tough work, me and Rach came up with a nice PJ in the form of ‘Agent CoDI Banks’. I know, most won’t get it, don’t bother. He ended up getting ‘Congenial Code Cracker‘ or something along those lines. What an insult! Calling him a cracker! It makes me shudder about the title I’m going to get this year. Lord of not, Vader’s gonna go down if I get something stupid. ‘Happy Feet’ will do nicely, but then, I don’t want a title I suggested myself either, no fun.
• Pony’s Retirement: Pony left for the greener pastures of As(s)ton University, Birmingham; and got a knew nickname too. Boy was a he fun quiz partner.
• Missed Classes, And More Pressure: Among all the quizzes saw me missing from action in class sometimes (it’s an exaggeration, and which way it tilts, you know that). Why don’t they do something like this for schools too? I thought of putting up a notice on my usual (empty) seat in class with my photo and the words ‘Missing, presumed fed’ written below it. Which reminds me of…
• …Ratan Noora: Man, that guy’s a psycho psychic. Mr Noora told me the other day that I seem to’ve something going on in my mind all the time, ‘cuz I always have a smirk on my face when looking at him. Bulls-eye, dude. Hats off to you. They weren’t kidding after all when they called you a baba.
• The Almighty Benevolent Notes Giving Goddess and Xerox Corporation: Not much woulda been accomplished by me this year, without these two. Apart from the blessings of the Holy Pasta, that is. No seriously. I’d have been DEAD.
• The New Domain: A classic April Fools’ joke, executed to perfection. I shifted to my new domain www.ankurb.info right on 1st April this year; and had a blast spamming people via text messages / emails telling them to check it out. Naturally, everyone very sensibly thought I was joking, and I got their goat when they saw that I’d *actually* shifted! Boy, that was fun. I even conned many people into subscribing to my feed on that day that they’ll get Pizza Hut vouchers / Airtel recharge coupons, which well I WAS joking about, but people fell for it, since many thought that I HAD been speaking the truth about my domain.
• Microsucks Windoze Vista: Six years in the coming, and then, we get this. ‘Nuff Vista-bashing has been done already, but the disappoint runs deep. Why shouldn’t it? A file which takes 30 seconds to copy from my pen drive on my Linux box takes 2 minutes on Vista, because it needs to fucking *calculate* the estimated time, then transfer data at a rate which gives me ’nuff time to get a stubble.
• 300 / Die Hard 4.0: Absolutely r0xxing movies. 300 showed that you can earn money, lots of money, by showing muscled hunks slash flesh in ballet-like sequences; and show why it rocks to be a human with a dick. Die Hard 4.0 on the other hand, showed that you COULD make a nice movie based on a real threat, and that bald is IN. Plus, how can I ever dislike Lindsay-lookalike Mary Elizabeth Winstead. I’ve heard they auditioned Britney Spears too, thank the Holy Pasta that she wasn’t cast. And of course, Mr Bean retired; we got a new sucky Potter movie to watch, and an amazing Potter book to read.
• RAmendan: Then came the Real Revelation (no, it’s not a new juice flavour) midway through the year - that the world was actually created by a drunk spaghetti. A Flying Spaghetti Monster, in fact. Pastafarianism rules, RAmen!
• SAT For It: Gave the SAT, and learnt that using Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy humour in a writing section isn’t a froody thing to do. It hurts. Oh well, nothing more to do than forgetting it by getting bit by a NowWhattian boghog and moving on.
• Quizzing: Sigh. Gets me sad again, that I’m gonna be leaving the school quizzing scene now, after so many years. And the tech events’ scene. It’s been a wacky ride - loads of sweet stuff like Exun, Access, Warp, Matrix, ATF, Don Bosco, InQuizItive, RoboKnights; some not-so-sweet like MINET, Heritage India, Columban Open…oh man, list is too long to speak of. It’s meant SO much to me for these many years, quizzing, and I feel sad about that fact that school quizzing is over for me now.
• Code Wars - soBIG.F***: The biggest and best Code Wars ever probably, with the largest turnout ever, and some of the best prizes we’ve given away. Not to mention some really crazy events, and one of the best quiz / crossword events ever. iPhone-laden video (courtesy Waris) that had everyone drooling, with an equally good soundtrack. All that, because of the untiring efforts of all Code Warriors, especially…
• …Lord Vader: Dorth Vader joined our school, I dunno if I had influence on him about this one. I did try to lure him to the Dark Side of the Force, and we got a good, nah, bloody brilliant Code Warrior who actually studies. There’ve been rumours he’s turning from the Dark to the Dork Side of the Force, but I’ve faith in my young apprentice. The Chancellor wishes you the best, may the Force be with you.
• Blown Out Of Proportion: No, I’m not talking of Pamela Anderson’s ‘Silicon Valley’. I’m talking about my new cellphone, LG KG300 Dynamite. At times, I wonder whether it really holds up a candle to my beloved old Nokia 3220; which I *swear* I saw in the hands of a vegetable vendor in the RKP Sector 12 market one day. The Dynamite sucks, big time. Loads of fun things, like allowing you to browse other phones’ memory without their consent built-in, but a seriously sucky Java machine spoils the party. Everything else is OK, but sucky T9 and Java - I can’t forgive.
• Inspirational Stuff: Got quite a few people to take up blogging. It’s the year end, so I’ll be modest and not mention them. Yay, I made people give up the Jedi way of life!
• ‘42!!!’: The latest IN joke at Exun. It seems IC is so busy studying these days that Exunites need to turn to ME for their staple of PJs. So here’s one, dedicated to you guys. It’s a question, but what the heck, it’s a big PJ, WHEN you figure it out, that is. It goes like this…
  

  Why are there so many Sardarji jokes on a jolly old fellow from the North Pole?

• Ubuntu Gets Even Better: Freespire’s release cycle of constantly delaying their release date got me irritated, and I shifted to Ubuntu. When I’d used it earlier, it was hardly fun to use, but it’s getting better. All it needs to do now is to get rid of the annoying green spots. Try Linux Mint for a fresher AND functional experience which releases ON TIME. 2008 will be THE year when Linux *arrives* in the consumer segment, that’s my tech prediction for the year.
• Boy, He’s Getting Boring Now: Long posts. Really long ones. Which just go on and on. Even when I’ve run out of content. No really. Nothing more comes to my memory, although if anything escaped my attention, I’ll have a look at that after my pre-Boards get over on 14th January. But I would like to say goodbye to dear old Netscape. And then, the beast fell…

Statue of Liberty image courtesy David Reeves.

Phew! Finally! Dispatched the supporting documents for my NTU application today. I couldn’t help not noticing the NTU’s address…

Nanyang Technological University
Student Services Centre, Level 2
42 Nanyang Avenue
Singapore 639815

I wanna get into NTU…

The Board datesheet came out recently; and I understand that times like these are VERY stressful for students. Moreover, even the pre Boards are around the corner. At times like these, people speak spiritual guidance. However, I feel that current setups don’t really address real life issues. Thus, I introduce you to the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, and it’s religion, Pastafarianism.

Pastafarianism is a religion which believes in the existence of a great Spaghedeity, an invisible and undetectable being with His Holy Noodly Appendages. It talks of how the Earth was created by his Noodliness after a bout of heavy drinking (which is the reason why the word faces some itsy-bitsy troubles today).

The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster then goes on to speak of the condiments commandments of the religion which we’re supposed to follow, known as The Eight “I’d Really Rather You Didn’ts”:

1. I’d really rather you didn’t act like a sanctimonious holier-than-thou ass when describing my noodly goodness. If some people don’t believe in me, that’s okay. Really, I’m not that vain. Besides, this isn’t about them so don’t change the subject.
2. I’d really rather you didn’t use my existence as a means to oppress, subjugate, punish, eviscerate, and/or, you know, be mean to others. I don’t require sacrifices, and purity is for drinking water, not people.
3. I’d really rather you didn’t judge people for the way they look, or how they dress, or the way they talk, or, well, just play nice, Okay? Oh, and get this into your thick heads: woman = person. man = person. Samey = Samey. One is not better than the other, unless we’re talking about fashion and I’m sorry, but I gave that to women and some guys who know the difference between teal and fuchsia.
4. I’d really rather you didn’t indulge in conduct that offends yourself, or your willing, consenting partner of legal age AND mental maturity. As for anyone who might object, I think the expression is go fuck yourself, unless they find that offensive in which case they can turn off the TV for once and go for a walk for a change.
5. I’d really rather you didn’t challenge the bigoted, misogynistic, hateful ideas of others on an empty stomach. Eat, then go after the bitches.
6. I’d really rather you didn’t build multi million-dollar churches / temples / mosques / shrines to my noodly goodness when the money could be better spent (take your pick):
   1. Ending poverty
   2. Curing diseases
   3. Living in peace, loving with passion, and lowering the cost of cable.

   I might be a complex-carbohydrate omniscient being, but I enjoy the simple things in life. I ought to know. I AM the creator.

7. I’d really rather you didn’t go around telling people I talk to you. You’re not that interesting. Get over yourself. And I told you to love your fellow man, can’t you take a hint?
8. I’d really rather you didn’t do unto others as you would have them do unto you if you are into, um, stuff that uses a lot of leather / lubricant / Las Vegas. If the other person is into it, however (pursuant to #4), then have at it, take pictures, and for the love of Mike, wear a CONDOM! Honestly, it’s a piece of rubber. If I didn’t want it to feel good when you did it I would have added spikes, or something.

As you can see, the Condiments, er, Commandments are very serious and practical in nature as to how you should handle stress and all. There’s a lot to be learnt from Him, that’s what I end with. RAmen.

Shudder. The Class 12 Bored Board Exam Datesheet is out. Gee, need to start studying guys, it’s NOT getting cancelled after all. Sigh. There go my hopes. It also makes me wonder - how many topics on EARTH do the class 12th Boards have! I mean, Mechanical Engineering? Engineering Science? IT Systems? Radio and Audio? Why have I never heard of these courses before? Where are they offered anyway!

DAY ,DATE AND TIME, SUBJECT NAME, SUBJECT CODE

Saturday, 01st March, 2008 10:30 AM
CHEMISTRY 043
OFFCE PRAC & SECT 604
MARKETING 613
STORE ACCOUNTING 618
CASH MGMT & H-KEEP 619
APPLIED PHYSICS 625
MECH. ENGINEERING 626
FABRICATN.TECH-III 631
ELECTRICAL ENGG. 637
MILK & MILK PRODS. 639
VEGETABLE CULTURE 642
B THERAPY &H DR-II 654
BIOLOGY-OPTHALMIC 657
LAB. MEDICINE 660
FUND OF NURSING II 663
RADIATION PHYSICS 666
ADVANCE FOOD PREP 675
CLOTHING CONST 686
BASIC DESIGN 687
FOOD PREPARATION 690
INDIA-TOURIST DEST 693
FOOD SCI.& HYGIENE 696
LIB. ADMN & MGMT. 702
PRIN &PRA-LIFE INS 705
POULTRY NUTR & PHY 716

Monday, 03rd March, 2008 10:30 AM
FASHION STUDIES 053

Tuesday, 04th March, 2008 10:30 AM
BUSINESS STUDIES 054

Wednesday, 05th March, 2008 10:30 AM
HISTORY 027

Friday, 07th March, 2008 10:30 AM
PHYSICS 042 (LOL, just look at the subject code!)
STENOGRAPHY-ENG 608
STENOGRAPHY-HINDI 610
ELE.COST A/C & AUD 612
SALESMANSHIP 614
LENDING OPERATIONS 620
ENGINEERING SCI. 622
RADIO ENG.&AUD.SYS 635
M PROD TPT &M COOP 640
FLORICULTURE 643
COSMETIC CHEMISTRY 655
OPTICS 658
CLINICAL BIO-CHEM. 661
COMM. HEALTH NURII 664
RADIOGRAPHY-I GENL 667
TEXTILE SCIENCE 684
ACCOMODAT. SERVICE 691
TRAVEL TRADE MGMT 694
BUSINESS DATA PRO. 700
CLSFN.& CATLOGUING 703
COMPUTER& LIFE I A 706
POULTRY PDTS& TECH 717

Saturday, 08th March, 2008 10:30 AM
POLITICAL SCIENCE 028

Monday, 10th March, 2008 10:30 AM
ENGLISH ELECTIVE 001
FUNCTIONAL ENGLISH 101
ENGLISH CORE 301

Tuesday,11th March, 2008 10:30 AM
DANCE-KATHAK 056
DANCE-BHARATNATYAM 057
DANCE-KUCHIPUDI 058
DANCE-ODISSI 059
DANCE-MANIPURI 060
DANCE-KATHAKALI 061
DANCE-MOHINIYATTAM 062
MULTIMEDIA & WEB T 067

Wednesday, 12th March, 2008 10:30 AM
HOME SCIENCE 064
MARATHI 109
MIZO 198

Thursday, 13th March, 2008 10:30 AM
ACCOUNTANCY 055
SECT PRAC & ACCNTG 605
STORE KEEPING 617
ELECT APPLIANCES 624
AUTO ENGINEERING 627
CIVIL ENGINEERING 629
FABRICATN.TECH-II 630
AC & REFRGTN-III 632
ELN.DEV.& CIRCUITS 634
D E MICROPROCESSOR 638
MICROBIOLOGY 662
RADIOGRAPHY-II SPL 668
BAKERY SCIENCE 697
TPT. SYSTEMS &MGMT 712

Friday, 14th March, 2008 10:30 AM
PHILOSOPHY 040
ENTREPRENEURSHIP 066
GERMAN 120
TYPEWRITING-ENG 607

Saturday,15th March, 2008 10:30 AM
BIOLOGY 044
OFF. COMMUNICATION 606
TYPEWRITING-HINDI 609
FINANCIAL ACCNTG 611
CONS BEHV & PROTCN 615
MGMT OF BANK OFFCE 621
ELECTRIC MACHINES 623
AC & REFRGTN-IV 633
TV & VIDEO SYSTEMS 636
DAIRY PLANT INSTRU 641
POST HARV TECH&PRD 644
YOGA ANATOMY &PHYS 656
OPHTHALMIC TECH. 659
MAT.&CHILD H.NURII 665
ESTB & MGMT OF FSU 677
DESG & PAT MAKING 685
DYEING & PRINTING 688
FOOD & BEV SERVICE 692
TOUR MGMT & MP PLN 695
CONFECTIONERY 698
DTP CAD & MULTIMED 701
REFERENCE SERVICE 704
POULTRY DISE & CNT 718

Monday,17th March, 2008 10:30 AM
SOCIOLOGY 039
BIOTECHNOLOGY 045
AGRICULTURE 068

Tuesday,18th March, 2008 10:30 AM
PUNJABI 104
MANIPURI 111

Wednesday,19th March, 2008 10:30 AM
URDU ELECTIVE 003
MUSIC CAR.VOCAL 031
MUSIC CAR.INS.MEL. 032
MUSIC CAR.INS.PER. 033
MUSIC HIND.VOCAL 034
MUSIC HIND.INS.MEL 035
MUSIC HIND.INS.PER 036
URDU CORE 303

Thursday,20th March, 2008 10:30 AM
MATHEMATICS 041

Monday,24th March, 2008 10:30 AM
PHYSICAL EDUCATION 048

Tuesday,25th March, 2008 10:30 AM
PAINTING 049
GRAPHICS 050
SCULPTURE 051
COMMERCIAL ART 052

Wednesday,26th March, 2008 10:30 AM
ECONOMICS 030

Thursday,27th March, 2008 10:30 AM
SANSKRIT ELECTIVE 022
BENGALI 105
TAMIL 106
TELUGU 107
SINDHI 108
GUJARATI 110
MALAYALAM 112
KANNADA 115
ARABIC 116
FRENCH 118
PERSIAN 123
NEPALI 124
SANSKRIT CORE 322

Friday,28th March, 2008 10:30 AM
PSYCHOLOGY 037
I T SYSTEMS 699

Saturday,29th March, 2008 10:30 AM
HINDI ELECTIVE 002
ORIYA 113
ASSAMESE 114
TIBETAN 117
PORTUGUESE 119
RUSSIAN 121
LIMBOO 125
LEPCHA 126
BHUTIA 195
SPANISH 196
KASHMIRI 197
HINDI CORE 302

Monday,31th March, 2008 10:30 AM
INFORMATICS PRAC. 065
COMPUTER SCIENCE 083

Wednesday,02nd April, 2008 10:30 AM
GEOGRAPHY 029
ENGG. DRAWING 046
AUTOSHOP REP& PRAC 628
MEAL PLNG & SERVIC 676