http://www.balki.net/blog .... musings on .NET, iPod, life, humor and travel Thu, 26 Jun 2008 03:21:49 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Man's neighbor and many others in the community are getting ready for the "community garage sale" over the weekend.  Neighbor's home is closer to the street within the cul-de-sac and so is more visible to the passers-by. Neighbor: Are you doing the garage sale this year? Man: ... http://www.balki.net/blog/2008/06/25/inappropriate-comment-series-garage-sale-in-the-neighborhood/ Man and his geek colleagues have nothing better to do.  So, the conversation steered towards the upcoming new version of iPhone and eventually turned to a discussion on the "dream features" in an iPhone. Geek Colleague #1: I have been waiting for the GPS for a while; I am ... http://www.balki.net/blog/2008/06/06/inappropriate-comment-series-dream-features-in-the-new-iphone/ Man goes to Starbucks during the busy hour (which is pretty much anytime of day or night).  He orders his favorite drink (Caramel Machiato) and food (Eggs Florentine). Barista: Do you want your receipt? Man: No, that's fine. Barista: Oh, but you have been ... http://www.balki.net/blog/2008/06/04/inappropriate-comment-series-1000-survey/ Man and his wife go to the hospital for their umpteenth appointment during the pregnancy process.  The receptionist directs them to go meet the "Patient Billing" Clerk (PBC) first. PBC: So, you get ABC benefits as part of your insurance, your out-of-pocket max is $XYZ ... blah blah blah... ... http://www.balki.net/blog/2008/06/01/inappropriate-comment-series-patient-billing/ Man, his pregnant wife go out to dinner with two of their best friends and their wives.  Incidentally, the friends' wives are also pregnant (more so than our man's wife).  Although, the man's wife is pregnant, they are not ready to disclose that to the world since she is in ... http://www.balki.net/blog/2008/05/26/inappropriate-comment-series-pregnant-belly/ Man and some of his colleagues are attending an overview training explaining the new product-line offered by their company.  All the products are focused on making it easier for a person to self-service / automate his banking transactions. Trainer #1: Our latest product lets a business banking customer to ... http://www.balki.net/blog/2008/05/13/inappropriate-comment-series-electronic-banking/ Man and friends are playing Loaded Questions.  The inevitable question that begs for an inappropriate answer/comment comes up (in fact, every question and work begs for a politically incorrect answer for our man!): "What is the one thing you wanted as a child but never got?" Friend #1: Butter!  ... http://www.balki.net/blog/2008/05/12/inappropriate-comment-series-dinner-on-fridays/ Our man is working really hard to win a competition at work where the total steps are counted at the end of 8-week period and the teams (of 4) with highest step count win prizes (and more importantly bragging rights). Man is finding all sorts of desperate ways ... http://www.balki.net/blog/2008/05/03/inappropriate-comment-series-increasing-step-count-while-chasing/ Man and his wife plan to meet a bunch of other friends at the restaurant.  One friend and his wife come to the table and the wife immediately goes to the restroom while the friend is still settling down at the table... Man: Why don't you squeeze in closer ... http://www.balki.net/blog/2008/03/16/inappropriate-comment-series-let-me-rephrase-that/ Our man and a bunch of friends go to an exotic Mediterranean restaurant.  Everyone enjoys a sumptuous dinner and its time for dessert. Aaron, the waiter: Would you like to look at our desserts menu? Everyone: Yes, please! He comes back with the dessert ... http://www.balki.net/blog/2008/03/16/inappropriate-comment-series-licking-the-desserts/ Man is talking to the boss about mid-year performance review.. Boss: So, what have you accomplished in the last 6 months?Man: Lots of different things; I changed a lot of stuff in the department for the better.Boss: What kinds of stuff?Man: So, "stuff" is not specific enough for you? http://www.balki.net/blog/2008/03/02/inappropriate-comment-series-stuff/ Man is in the office kitchen preparing his breakfast on a Monday morning.  One of his (female) colleagues walks in.... Man: How was your weekend?Colleague: It was good except that I did not do anything other than lie on the couch and watch TV all day...Man: That is not so ... http://www.balki.net/blog/2008/02/17/inappropriate-comment-series-i-am-a-good-girl/ Man and colleague meet up in the break room.  Colleague starts complaining about his travails in the dating world... Colleague: Yesterday I went out on a lunch-date with this really cute girl.  But...Man: Is she already married?Colleague: No.  But she is already in another relationship.Man: Oh!  Does she have any ... http://www.balki.net/blog/2008/02/15/inappropriate-comment-series-rough-dates/ As some of you know, I always am ready for an opportunity to do my share of community service; when I saw an event on MiPL seeking volunteers to help sort books at School House Supplies (SHS), I signed up in earnest! I was pleasantly surprised at the big turnout ... http://www.balki.net/blog/2008/01/19/volunteering-at-schoolhouse-supplies/ Man and his wife are shopping at the Indian grocery/movie store and idle-chatting with the check-out clerk.  A traditional-looking yet friendly lady rushes into the store and announces "Do you have any good movies?" Man: There are a lot of new movies on that shelf over there.Lady: Which movies are ... http://www.balki.net/blog/2007/12/23/inappropriate-comment-aka-unwanted-advice-series-man-offers-advice-on-hindi-movies/ Over the years, I have tried various international call providers including BigZoo, Reliance, Vonage and SargamDirect.  The prices decreased dramatically (they went from 60 cents/min to India in 1999 to almost 5 cents/min with my latest favorite RebTel) and the call quality improved significantly.  However, each of these providers had ... http://www.balki.net/blog/2007/12/22/rebtel-my-new-favorite-provider-for-international-calls/ I appreciate US Airways for all the amenities and entertainment they provide in their flights (see my recent blog posts for details).  But the credit card sharks in all the airport terminals really get to my nerves.  So, this is my tribute to all those who hate the US Airways ... http://www.balki.net/blog/2007/12/11/inappropriate-comment-series-what-state-are-you-in/ Have you browsed the SkyMall in-flight magazine lately?  Holy molly!!  The magazine is filled with enough electronic gadgets to bankrupt me overnight.  Each tool claims to automate or entertain you in ways you could not imagine in your wild dreams!automate some activity! Here's a short list of geeky gadgets that ... http://www.balki.net/blog/2007/12/05/geekfest-in-the-sky/ I got a chance to board a US Airways flight after a long time when I flew from Portland to Chicago last weekend.  I was instantly hooked onto the fun trivia quiz on the overhead Televisions courtesy of Cranium (and "travelQuest" on another US Airways flight).  While Cranium's questions were ... http://www.balki.net/blog/2007/12/05/craniums-in-flight-trivia-on-us-airways-flights/ 2007 CTA Holiday Train http://www.balki.net/blog/2007/12/01/cta-holiday-train-my-first-youtube-video/