Lazy Friday means I talk to you folks.

Here I am wasting time at work on Friday afternoon. I guess this is what it’s like at any new job. You spend the first couple weeks reading annual reports, exploring the intranet, meeting with various group-heads, ordering business cards and a cell phone, setting up e-mail and phone, etc. The problem is that I’ve completed these tasks and am now eagerly awaiting the real work. I’ve met with probably twelve managers from various different teams and I’m excited about the work I’ll be doing. Some of the groups have opportunities for me to gain some ridiculous experience! Any of the Integrated Business Units (IBU’s), such as Communication Service Providers (CSP), Banking and Capital Markets (BCM) and Retail and Consumer Packaged Goods (RCPG) are creating some fascinating campaigns where they integrate several different types of media and channels. (As you’ll notice, everything in India is an acronym. Takes some serious getting used to.) Some of the channel oriented groups are very interesting. The PR team is obviously a place I would fit in well considering my experience, but I would really like to gain some a more diverse skill set. The online team really intrigues me. Everyone has been extremely knowledgeable, very sophisticated and quite helpful. I have had every opportunity to ask many questions and they don’t make you feel like an idiot, which has been my experience other places I’ve worked. We went out for dinner and drinks with the marketing team last night and had some really interesting conversations with drunken Indian coworkers. One of the Group Managers, a fairly senior exec, explained to me that he does not discriminate between alcohols, so he drinks a lot of everything.

“Keep in mind, there are many paths to God.”
“Whoa! Just give me one second, cuz you just blew my mind!!!”

The culture barrier at work is almost non-existent, except for the food. There are several food courts on campus. Two of them have traditional Indian food, which is usually very good; I just can’t eat it everyday. Today I had an Indian breakfast that consisted of steamed rice patties what resembled a doughnut. Even these dishes were meant to be dipped in a curry sauce…for breakfast! I have no idea what any of the dishes on the menu are, so I just go with someone who knows what they’re getting and I order the same thing. I’ll learn soon enough. There’s also Domino’s pizza, which is pretty good. Food Court 27 offers more “American” fare, such as chicken burgers, pizza, French fries, etc. They also have Chinese and Thai dishes that aren’t bad. I thought the Kung Pao chicken was great. The Chinese interns I sat with, however, berated it till they eventually convinced me of its mediocrity. Oh well. Today we are going to Le Terrace, which is in the hotel on campus. It’s a bit more expensive ($3 rather than $1), but it is run by the 5-star chef, Jean Michelle, that I’ve mentioned before. Stay tuned.

I found out about the other 5 marketing execs that are arriving in about two weeks: one guy from Cornell, a girl from Smith College, a guy and a girl from Georgetown and a guy from Harvard. Not a bad team and a good mix of gender. Way to go, Josh! It will be nice to have that many Americans to work/hang out with. And no, Winnie, I’m not saying that you’re getting annoying.

I’m looking forward to going out tonight. A friend of mine from Northwestern University, Farah, will be in town. She also has friends to introduce me to. I feel like it can be a huge advantage to have native Indian friends. Right now all of my friends are from literally every country in the world BUT India. She is a native Bangalorean and is going to show me around the city. I’ve also heard that the bars and clubs are going to stay open later beginning this weekend! I haven’t gone out since Tuesday, so I’m getting a bit antsy! I didn’t end up going out Wednesday night because I ate a piece of fruit that made me sick. I was fine once it was out of my system, but certainly didn’t want to go out drinking afterwards. My stomach is still getting used to some of the food here, but that’s to be expected. Think about it: your stomach gets accustomed to your schedule of meals and the types of food you eat. So my stomach is all like:

“What the fuck, Nate?! You’re stuffing me at 4:00 in the morning with combinations of spices that could kill a cow!!!”

I’m all like:

“Shut up, stomach! Not only will you accept the crazy food I feed you, but you will also be assailed with native Indian beer and whiskey three nights a week! What’s that you say, stomach? The Royal Challenge whiskey I buy from the guy on the street for 250 Rs. eats away at your lining? Tough shit! Don’t make me get Indian food from a street vendor! I don’t even know what that fly-infested shit is, but it’s sold by an unsavory fellow who mixes it with unfiltered well-water. As Ganesh as my witness, I WILL do it!”

Sorry. Went a bit overboard with that imaginary conversation with my stomach. Remember what I said about looking forward to having more Americans to talk to.

>>>>FAST FORWARD 1.5 HOURS

Just got back from lunch at Jean Michelle’s restaurant. It was really good! Might have even been worth the 150 Rs.

So this weekend is Dan Hess’ 22nd birthday party. “Hey brother!” It pains me deeply to think that I will be missing this. I will, however, do something really outrageously stupid on Saturday evening in honor of my good friend and compatriot. I’ll keep you updated. Those guys are going to have a ridiculous time in Chicago. Happy birthday, bro. It’s been nice that I’ve been able to talk to people from Evanston in the past couple days. I’ve been getting on AIM Express around 9:00 AM when I get to work, which is about 10:30 PM in Chicago. I’ve talked to Bruss, Hess, Jessica, Tony, Sheyner, and even Kannelis and Jepson. It’s nice to be able to discuss what I’m missing in the states, although my friends do not even realize what they are missing here. If I haven’t talked to you yet, get online around 10:30 and drop me an IM.

Also, many people have been requesting contact information, so here it is:

Nate Linkon
Adarsh Gardens, Unit G702
Jayanagar 8th Blk, 47th Cross
Bangalore 560082
Karnataka, India

Cell phone: +91 98 8689 8078

I believe you have to dial “00” before the country code, which is “91.”

I’ll post a link where you can find cheap calling cards to call me if you so desire. My parents found a card that gives them a 6.1 cent/minute rate. So gimme a call!

Here is your moment of Zen: (this may become a regular addition)

Jason and I at Taika.