On assignment in the Lone Star state

I recently returned from a consulting engagement in Dallas, Texas and the above is the view from my hotel room, which was what I called 'home' for 6 days and 5 nights. Of course it was nothing like home, lacking in the usual creature comforts and the routines that come with home family life. There was no pyaar or emotional support that radiated from the 4 walls of my room. My only link to the outside world, apart from my daily visits to the client, were the room TV, the high speed internet connection and of course, my cell phone. Otherwise, I think I would have (as the Brits call it) 'lost my marbles'.

On another level observations I noted in general about Texan life:

a) Texans love their food (even by the excessive standards of North America). Every day of the week, the restaurants were packed. And it would appear that the concept of 'vegetarianism' does not exist in these parts.....now don't get me wrong, as a red-blooded Punjabi shere (hahahaha) I enjoy meat too, but not to the extent that Texans devour the stuff with the appetite of a resident of Jurassic Park.

b) Maybe related to the above, the average waistline of the Texans I met were 2-3 inches wider than their Torontonian counter-parts...I kid you not amigos. :)

c) I guess my appearance confused some of my Texan clients - both Anglos and Hispanics. The only Indians most Texans have had dealings with are the south Indian software coolie types (LOL) or watching Apu on the Simpsons. North Indian types are a rarity in their world. They automatically presumed I was of Latino origin, and occasionally a Spanish phrase would come my way awaiting an expectant response. And I suppose it was even more disorientating for them when I opened my mouth and sounded more like Hugh Grant in About a Boy rather than Manuel from Guadalajara...lol. :)

d) Overall, Texans are a very friendly open bunch of people whom I'd gladly invite to my next backyard barbecue. :) (Though I'd probably want to filter out the bible preaching types).

e) Texas is a big place. Even Dallas airport has it's own 3 lane highway connecting between the different terminals.

That all said, glad to be back in Maple Leaf country. :)

Review: V for Vendetta

Have to say I totally enjoyed this movie based on the book of the same name. Set in a totalitarian fascist Britain, the film follows the story of 'V' a political anarchist whose reasons for his violent actions are gradually revealed through a series of flashbacks of his past life. At one level the film is a very human drama with all kinds of emotions on display. Yes, there is violence too, but thankfully it is all in the context of the plot.

The film diverges significantly in parts from the book which I read a while back, but that is okay as allows the viewer and reader to have two different comparative interpretations. Interpretation is a subjective thing, and one of the messages I took away is that sometimes it is harder to free yourself from the prison of your own mind than it is to break free from the bricks and mortar kind.

A most definitive 10/10.

I am Canadian !

After almost 2 long years since applying, I finally became a Canadian citizen last Thursday. The sense of belonging is now complete. Things would definitely have been quicker had it not been for the events of 9/11. Still, I can now show my Canadian passport at Pearson Airport without the usual accusatory glances from Canadian/and or onsite US immigration officers wanting to know where I'm going, where I'm coming from, why am I going/arriving etc. The times when a British passport would inspire awe and head-bowing respect from the natives have long since gone.....LOL. :)

The citizenship ceremony was interesting enough. There were 127 people from 28 countries represented at the Mississauga Citizenship Office. The oath of allegiance could do with some updating though......4 of the 5 lines were all to do with swearing allegiance to the Queen and her successors. Once all the speeches were done and we received our citizenship certificates, we were asked to congratulate folks sitting on either side and you could sense the genuine happiness and warmth of the occasion.

After that, it was a fast drive to the passport office to apply for my new shiny blue passport.