The Apprentice

The Defiant Ones

Yes, this post is just 100% an excuse for me to use this photo of Snoop and me. But, also…

funniest moment of the day (month/year?).

Today I got a phone call from a magazine fact-checker. It’s for an article having to do w/ex-reality TV people…

Him: spell your name
(me): S-u-r-y-a Y-a-l-a-m as in monkey-a-n as in nancy-c-h-i-l-i

simple stories. and simple people.

I want to share a musing on The Apprentice because it ties in nicely with a personal reflection that’s been in my thoughts a lot lately.

I’m still amazed at how similar main elements from The Apprentice are to every day life. The Apprentice…

Surya on The Apprentice: how it all began.

How did I end up on The Apprentice? This story is as interesting as anything that came after.

It’s the first Thursday in the eighth month of 2004 in Cincinnati. I’d been working and living in Ohio for a little over a year and had…

answering a ? no one asked.

I’ve now been through my fair-share of interviews. They’re actually a lot of fun. I’ve enjoyed them so much, that I’m now going to answer some questions that I haven’t been asked — but wish I was. Or maybe this is all just pretense for a random blog entry. Either way:

my turn: on apprentice fan culture.

Part of the bargain of being on TV is being out there for “public consumption.” And consume the public does. It’s a trip digesting everything directed your way: the public’s judgment, leaps of logic, mocking, and even undue praise. Whereas once confined to living…

this isn’t that hard.

It’s raining in Cincinnati, and after spending all day in a spreadsheet, I’m kind of cranky. So this is a quick entry.

For the past 2 weeks, a very interesting phenomenon has occurred. And by “interesting,” I actually mean “terribly annoying.” Strangers constantly…

The Apprentice: my favorite memory.

What was my favorite memory from The Apprentice? There were actually quite a few moments where I caught myself thinking: Is this really happening? I was just asked this question on a radio interview a few weeks ago. Once I spoke the answer, I knew that it wasn’t just…

The Apprentice: looking at circumstance & outcomes.

I’ve got a series of thoughts on the Apprentice that focus more on my emotional reaction towards the other contestants. I don’t want to write about any of that stuff for at least a year, until I have more distance with time. But a frequent…

my debrief on the apprentice…

An Introduction
I want to start by thanking my friends and family. I couldn’t ask for better. Frankly, you’re all better than I deserve. Your kind words of support (and your anger at your TV’s!) have helped me escape this bizarre experience relatively sane (or as sane as…