1. I rather dislike the fact that people don't actually read the letters in the name, but simply take one glance and make an attempt to pronounce it. My name is Gautam, not GUatam. I'd say about a good 80% of people who see my name for the first time--and who are not indian--automatically say, "Guatam". I guess when you've never seen the name before, you're likely to draw comparisons with other similar names or words that you HAVE actually seen before: Guatemala, Guacamoly, Guantanamo Bay (yes, I've been called that before). I've had a co-worker (still my co-worker) for the past 1.5 years still call me, "Guatam", because I figured it would prove a futile endeavour to correct her now, despite the fact that she's heard everyone else call me, "Gautam" and it's yet to register.

2. I am quite different in real life as opposed to my internet persona. On the internet, I trash-talk, I act like an ass and pretty much disregard people's opinions at will when I feel the need. I've improved upon that as of late; however, it's an integral part of me. What I don't appreciate is when people assume that's how I am in real life and then take stabs at me when they want to. I don't take stabs at people in person--with manu being a clear exception--and I expect the same in return.

3. If someone has an opinion, I expect it to be backed up with sufficient proof. What kind of proof? The kind that isn't subject to personal discrepancies. If an argument lacks validity, I will not only reject it, but I will continue to reject that person's opinion among other things unless they can give me sufficient proof to think otherwise.

4. If a friend upsets me, I expect an apology. If I have upsetted a friend, I will not hesitate to apoligize. If mutual apologies must take place in order to fulfill the aforementioned, then I have no problem with that. I have enough friends--good friends at that--that I can pretty much dispose of anyone who I deem to be an unworthy cause in my social endeavours.

5. I believe strongly in pro-choice. This is not just in regards to abortion rights, but extends to euthanasia; the right to life-style choices; the right to be different even for the sake of being different; the right to say, "fuck it" in a crisis situation and many other cases of which I can't think of currently.

6. I believe in never kissing ass. Taking shit is not the same and it is not to be confused with kissing ass. I can't even count the number of times I've seen others kiss ass in situations that I would have none of it. They may be ahead in life, but integrity isn't something I am willing to compromise. Now, I think sometimes it's important to take shit; not because high-level beaurocrats deserve respect, but because there's a time and place for everything. In doing so, however, there is no reason to kiss someone's ass while they're reaming you from behind. Take the garbage when dealt, but don't ask for more and then expect respect in return.

7. I don't believe in political correctness. I hate saying His/her or he/she whenever I am trying to construct an opinion. When I am thinking of an example to explain a point, I have a particular image in mind and it is usually gender specific. For example, "if someone rapes a child, then I believe HE should be punished severely for it". I wouldn't say "he or she" because I am thinking of a specific image that more accurately resembles what I am trying to say. Why would I even mention "she" in a sentence like that? For political correctness? get fucking real. Yet if I did say "he", no one would object, because people expect a male to be responsible in that situation. However, if I were to say, "if a CEO does well for the company, he would rake in a lot of money", people may be more likely to object to that statement. Not saying they will, but it's a bullshit double standard. I hate using "he or she" (though I have to) to make a point; it's not like I am referring to a transvestite, so why the fuck?

8. Some things are and somethings are not--the end.

That ends this post.