Apple Redeems Itself!

Apple Redeems Itself!

You may remember this post, where I complained at length about my iphone screen dying on me - several days after the expiration. Well, after returning to Chicago, I immediately headed to the apple store to see if they would help.

Unfortunately for me, there is only 1 apple store in all of downtown Chicago, so the lines are LONG. I set an appointment for 4 hours later, and went shopping. After finally being seen at the ipod bar, I was pleasantly surprised. They agreed to order me a brand new phone (or maybe it is refurbed?) as a replacement. The best news - free!

So, yesterday, I went back to the store & picked up a new phone. I guess some firms still believe in great customer service.

One Small Way You Can Help!

One Small Way You Can Help!

Two of my friends in Delhi just started an effort to raise funds for a project at the Pardada Pardadi Girls School.

The idea is to help raise funds for this school to develop a business selling affordable menstrual pads to low income girls & women in India. Unfortunately, the cost of these goods in India is so high, that some women may not have access to clean & sterile pads, and so there are high rates of infections leading to infertility.

If you feel so inclined to find out more, click here to donate: http://www.ragstopads.com/index.html

Pardada Pardadi is registered as a non-profit organization under Society's Registration Act and FCRA for Foreign Contributions. It is registered in the US under 501(c)(3) for tax exemption there.

According to Pardada Pardadi, most rural Indian women and girls catch numerous vaginal infections after attaining puberty. The reason is because they use dirty or unsanitized cloth during menstruation -- because they cannot afford hygienically-prepared sanitary pads.

This project has four goals:

1. To train students about health and hygiene issues related to menstruation.
2. To provide hygienic sanitary pads
3. To create income-generating activity for two Pardada Pardadi graduates.
4. To minimize the incidence of vaginal infections.

cruel twist of fate...

cruel twist of fate...

I'm in Kohler Wisconsin now. There is a big resort here called The American Club. It is the Midwest's only AAA 5 Diamond Award Winner. Needless to say, the place is pretty posh. The hotel is in the town where Kohler has been manufacturing toilets and bathroom fixtures for years. There is even a museum here - dedicated to the toilet.

It is of course only fitting that it is here, that my body decides to reject all food in a spectacular bout of Delhi Belly.... Yep, I'm stuck with Delhi Belly in the home of Toilets.

Back In The Saddle Again

Back In The Saddle Again

Just settled into the patio of the Starbucks at Diversey & Sheffield. Enjoying mild summer weather. For once, I've not sweat through all layers of clothing & am remembering what a cool breeze feels like.

Around Chicago all week - hope to catch up with some of you.

Scott

Negotiation Station

Negotiation Station

Russel Peters is a popular Indian/Canadian comedian. He had a sketch in which he would describe why he believed it was tough to do business with Indians. Specifically - he stated that they would never buy anything, unless they got a deal.

I always assumed this was one of those bad cultural stereotypes that were largely untrue. However, I've noticed that this is certainly a trend. For instance, today my colleague offered to buy me lunch as I've bought the team lunch on a few occasions. We settled on a local restaurant and I gave him my order. As he placed the order for delivery, I realized he was haggling over the price. He insisted that in order for us to place the order, that a discount must be extended.

After several minutes, a price was settled upon & my colleague hung up the phone. I asked him if he indeed was able to negotiate a new price. Of course he was, eventually 20% was knocked off the bill. As impressed as I was, he reamained upset as he failed to score the free dessert course he really wanted.

Honda City it is!

Honda City it is!

After renting a car/drive for the last 6 weeks, I finally settled into a long term rental situation - where I will retain the car 7 days a week. Plus, I'll be able to drive it on Sundays... I settled on a Honda City ZX in a crisp champagne color - I think I'll name the car Cristal.

Unfortunately, though I have a car - I now need to find a driver. As is the case with most things in India - the very fact that I'm white - or rather a foreigner - means that all drivers believe they can get twice as much as they should from me. So - as much as I've enjoyed my driver Durgesh - I had to tell him I wouldn't be ponying up his desired rate. So, when I arrive back, I'll be searching for a new driver.

It is a bit like dating really - I will have several come over and visit with me. I'll be comparing them and perhaps asking them to try out for a week. If they aren't to fast - or to slow, I'll keep them longer. If they talk to much - or to little, I'll probably keep looking.

With that in mind - after 6 weeks of being driven, I think I've figured out the ideal candidate profile.

1) 28-35 year old (I can't have a cougar of a driver... but seriously, young is probably better)
2) Speaks English - or Hinglish will do fine
3) Owns a motorbike - harder than you would think!
4) Willing to keep my hours - late night Friday, Saturday
5) Available for the occasional weekend trip out of town

Quiet Riot

Quiet Riot

I've been quiet again - sorry.

A lot has been going on since Sunday. For starters, I'm sitting in the executive lounge at Indira Gandhi International Airport. I'm heading home for a week. I present in the final round of a business plan competition at CareerBuilder this week - so details to come on how that goes. If I were to win, you'll be pleased to know that my idea is India centric - so the blog isn't going anywhere.

In other news, a few key partners at work were finalized this week & two key customers came on for a trial. So those 4 things have kept me very busy. Not that it is any excuse - but I guess when you are working late - it is hard to find new pieces of observational humor to share. I guess it really is a sign that I'm settling in nicely here, I'm reclaimed my work-a-holic roots.

I'll likely be quiet for a bit in the states - but will try to use that time to catch up on missed posting opportunitites. Look forward to re-entry in Gotham.

SEH

Stovetop Pizza

Stovetop Pizza

One of the things I miss here, is an oven. Since electricity is expensive & unreliable - most folks cook with propane. They have it delivered in tanks like you would use back home for a grill & it is connected to the range top in their kitchen. Most kitchens are not equipped with a stove, probably as a result of the propane tank situation & the fact that most Indian dishes can be prepared over an open flame.

Of all the things I don't have access to, the Oven is one I notice most often. I guess I never realized how useful it is to have one. After all, if you want to bake cookies, a pizza, lasagna, enchiladas.... you really need an oven to do it right.

I was telling Sally about how much I miss having one - especially since I would love to make homemade pizza or calzones like I would at home. Sally recommended I try augmenting a recipe for a grilled pizza and attempt to make it on the range top. I decided to go for a simple cheese pizza, before going through the hassle of caramelizing onions & warming prosciutto. After 2 attempts, I think I actually managed to get a workable pizza. Here are the steps to making it work.

First, make your pizza dough as you normally would. I used quick rising yeast - so it is pretty easy whip up a batch of dough. Just be sure you let it rise as long as possible - you'll notice in my first attempt I tried to cut corners.

Next, add some olive oil to a skillet over medium heat. Roll the dough out & place the crust in the pan over open flame. Do not cover, simply cook for 4-5 minutes - or until the dough is golden on the down side.

Now flip the dough like you would a pancake & quickly add sauce, toppings & cheese to the pizza before covering. After another 4-5 minutes, you should have a pizza that has melted cheese & a crispy crust. It might take a few attempts to get the timing right - you really need to time the crust browning & cheese melting perfectly - or else you end up with a crispy crust & cool cheese.

Here are some photos of the process:

Attempt # 1 (too thin)

Attempt #2 - Proper Crust - too light on cheese
I put it back on w/ more cheese to even it out

Finally - it is JUST right!

Batman was great - So was Intermission

Batman was great - So was Intermission

Yep, Intermissions are big here. Even in the hollywood films.

Seriously though, I enjoyed the movie. Much lighter than some of the other Batman films - well not in storyline - but it was nice to see Chicago in daylight for a change. I felt like I was on a tour of my old stomping grounds. I'm sure I saw Gene & Georgetti's, Plenty of River North, LaSalle & our Chicago Office were all over it. Plus - I think they used Union Station for at least 5 sequences.

Perhaps my favorite scene was the supposed Hong Kong meeting, which from what I can tell was actually shot at McCormick Place overlooking the Hyatt & the new exposition hall. I guess all those random nights of closed roads, floodlights & crew trucks parked all over the neighborhood were worth it. Chicago looked great!

Since I'm required to comment on Heath Ledger, I will say I found him pretty good in the film! I don't think he'll get an Oscar or anything, but I legitimately can say I believe he would have had a long strong career had he not died this year.

Delhi's Water Problem

Delhi's Water Problem

Delhi has a water problem. Mainly, lack of clean water & an ever shrinking supply of underground water. And yet, water features prominently at upscale malls in the form of outdoor fountains, reflecting pools etc.
After the movie today, my friend Sam pointed out this contradiction to me. I hadn't noticed all the fountains outside the mall - but had just seen an public service ad about water conservation a few hours earlier on the road. We discussed the India class divide situation, a frequent topic here in India. And after watching her go of in an Auto rickshaw, I headed back up to the mall to wait for my cab.
As I walked up, 3 tankers pulled in. At first, I thought nothing of it, until I realized these tankers were there to replenish the water in the fountains outside. Yep, in a city where folks living in slums have little to no access to clean water, here were 3 tankers out to keep the water level high in reflecting pools. There is a certain irony in it all, isn't there.