Mind Blogger

Fundamental Wrongs

2012-01-26T12:44:00.000+05:30

The right to equality binds us together,
yet fairness creams sell like hot cakes.
Having the freedom of speech, but we’d rather
talk obscene, with malice and harm nation’s stakes.

We can’t stand exploitation, criticise it,
but don’t we often witness child labour?
Humanity is lost when to riots religions submit,
And secularism is exalted for votes’ favour.

For our own culture we demand growth,
while insult and demean other ethnicities.
Can we sincerely stand before law, take an oath
and profess all our actions and iniquities?

The Constitution was made for us, by us,
includes both – duties and rights.
Yet, for every right we’re ready to make fuss,
but do we even keep our responsibilities within sights?

Let’s sow peace in every Indian soul

Let’s spread cleanliness beyond our homes

Let’s make preserving natural resources a prime goal

Lets’ promote integrity and unity

Let’s protect national heritage & monuments

Let’s lead a dignified life and allow others to do the same

Let’s take our nation to new heights

Let’s make India proud!

Chilly & the children

2012-01-23T13:44:00.000+05:30

Oh, what a winter! Waking up for work every morning is a task, of course done out of compulsion. The chilled water brings back my senses and helps my eyes to finally open wide. Bathing in cold water is fun, but then my mother doesn’t like the idea. After a cup of hot tea and a quick breakfast, I put on a sweater and step into a foggy, cold atmosphere.

Walking with a scarf looped around the neck, already thinking about the time when I return back home in the evening, I see so many children standing with their mothers, waiting for their pick-up to drop them at school. Some as small as 3-4-year olds! All of them wearing their woollens, few still seem drowsy while most of them their chattering normal self.

I, a 26 year old, suddenly realised the contrast of my complaining about the stinging wind and my numb skin, and those cute little faces with scarves and mufflers around them. The warmth of their smiles echoed on my face. Though it didn’t lessen the chilly breeze but strengthened my mind. If these kids can brave the winter, why can’t I?

Have a cheery winter!

Kindness, I know you exist :)

2012-01-21T15:47:00.004+05:30

Life is unpredictable. And so are humans. You meet different kinds of people; some treat you nicely, while some stab you in the back or punch you in your face.

Often I am surprised at things that happen. When I anticipate that everything will be fine, suddenly there’s a storm. And when am waiting for the worst to take place, there’s calm.

There was a time when I was expecting someone to understand my plight and help me with my problem, a few harsh words made me realise that fate necessarily won’t come to my aid. And once again, I was standing at the same crossroad, wondering what will happen now. I knew that things aren’t going to go my way. Yet I prayed, shunning such thoughts from my mind. Yes, my prayers were answered not just with humility but not a question was raised!

I have come to the conclusion that the world is filled with the kind and the unkind. But don’t let your experience make you believe that the other kind exists no more. People may hurt you and bring tears to your eyes. Beware of them. Ignore them, pray for them. Treat everyone as you would want to be treated. For you will come across some good souls and be blessed for even the little goodness you’ve shown.

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." James 4:10

An ode to my copy colleagues – Priyanka & Mansi

2011-10-20T10:29:00.002+05:30

Too short deadlines, yet another brief.
To your woe, time is a thief!
Stealing away your forty winks,
Over a brand that stinks.

Briefs taken, work delegated,
Within hours the copy to be created.
You both always do your best,
Quite before the CS team’s request.

But there’s work for you not meant.
It’s to be done by Shruthi, who is absent.
Yet, you complete it all,
But never bother her with a call.

These days, seems like she’s fine,
May be about her health she won’t whine.
She does come late every day,
She know it’s not okay.
She’ll try again to come on time.
(Am sure you’re tired of this rhyme.)

I thank you both – Priyanka & Mansi – from the bottom of my heart,
For being such wonderful colleagues and bearing with me!

Freedom is calling. Will you answer?

2011-08-15T13:11:00.001+05:30

We, the entire nation, celebrate this day as our Independence Day, together. Yet there are some conspirators, who sow evils like discrimination, regionalism, corruption, etc. in the society, for their own political or personal gains. The sad part of the story is that it's people among proud Indians who believe these schemers, respect them, follow them and support them. If each one of us thinks independently, without being under the influence of any make-believe speeches, we will truly be free – free from being manipulated, cheated or betrayed. Respect & believe the truth. Free yourselves. Happy Independence Day!

If you wait for tomorrow, it'll never come!

2011-05-31T23:45:00.001+05:30

Decide today. Get rid of the evil for the sake of a better life. And at least you'll stop being a slave.

Hmm... next question please!

2011-04-18T15:37:00.002+05:30

This is not something that I’m just making up. These questions are thrown right in your face and you are left wondering eh… what? The world is filled with enough wise people and twice their number- are a bit of less sensible people like me who have to put up with the big brained scholars. Never mind. Let me put forth these intelligent queries that atleast gets me thinking about some serious issues they bring to my notice rather than thinking over some trivial matters which are merely just important in my life.

Situation: You’ve had a hair cut. The length has been reduced drastically, lets say from waist length to boy cut.
Question: Had a hair cut?
Answer: No, its winter and I’m shedding! / Oh God! My hair has shrunk!!!

Situation: You are just leaving from home and meet someone at your doorstep.
Question: Are you going somewhere out?
Answer: Is this the way out? Eureka I’ve finally found the right door for exit in this
maze I’ve been living for years!

Situation: You get a call from some unknown person (an obvious: wrong number) on your cell phone.
Question: Which place does this number belong to?
Answer: Well, right now I’m standing on ‘planet earth’. So I assume this number belongs to the same place.

Situation: You are sitting and reading a book or a newspaper.
Question: What are you doing?
Answer: I am right now trying to save the world from my anti-social intents by burying myself into these manuscript that I can’t read.

Situation: You trip and fall down or bang into something and pretty obvious, you hurt yourself.
Question: Did that hurt?
Answer: Not at all. I’ve heard Judas Priest’s ‘Painkiller’ a hundred times and since then nothing hurts me. I suggest that you must try the same therapy.

I know these are just rhetoric questions or may be just some common questions. But they are done to death. You come across them time and again and they don’t deserve to be answered at all. But then you just have to live with them for they'll meet you time and again.

Crazy little thing called Love...

2010-03-27T21:25:00.000+05:30

They were the most lovable couple. Hand in hand is how you would find them all the while. Well, they did live together all their lives.
Crazy little thing called Love...

She liked him. He did not. She wanted him. He did not. He was getting married to someone else. She committed suicide.
Crazy little thing called Love...

He saw her for the first time, he fell in love. He asked her out. After a few dates they got married. And after a few years, they filed for a divorce.
Crazy little thing called Love...

She never saw him, neither did he. They never spoke. They agreed to get married because their parents wanted them to. Today, they can't live without each other.
Crazy little thing called Love...

He always wanted her to hug him tightly. He didn't like if anybody else even touched her. But as he grew older he understood that no one would snatch his mother away from him.
Crazy little thing called Love...

Crazy little thing called Love...
Crazy little thing called Love...
Crazy little thing called Love...

Top 5 things about the IPL 2009

2009-05-25T16:08:00.001+05:30

1. The Vodafone ‘Zoozoo’ ads.
2. The Passion Pro ad. (I like the track, 'Kuch bole bin, kahe sune...')
3. Everyone shouting out loud when the trumpet is played.
4. Kings XI Punjab not making it to the semis.
5. And finally, it’s over!

Back again

2009-05-06T18:11:00.000+05:30

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged. My schedule since the day I’ve joined my job is the main reason for my absence on the blog scene. Try as hard I may, I find it difficult to spare even a few minutes just for the sake of one post at least one month.

Determination can bring down mountains and create regular blogs. Laziness can help put off a thing for a day… or months… or even make a blog defunct. I’ll not let that happen to my blog. I will try to post minimum one per month. And if I’m not too lazy, it may rain posts on this blog. (Dream on, girl :P)

Wish me luck.

Think Green...

2008-07-29T00:24:00.001+05:30

Jukebox.

2008-07-21T23:37:00.001+05:30

I was walking along the road the other day when a car went past me. The speakers blasted some familiar music. Then I realised it was some track from the Backstreet Boys. Two young guys in a car on the streets of Bombay listening to Backstreet Boys in the year 2008! I wanted to roll on the floor laughing but then for some reason (doing so on the streets would give them a reason to laugh at me too) I just giggled and walked away. I recall another similar situation which happened just a couple of days back [please, girls (and boys?) from the Enrique fan club, do not send me any hate mails]. I was in the train standing at the footboard waiting to get off at the next station, when some girls got in at Kurla and stood behind me. One of them put on the speakers on the cellphone and played some Enrique numbers. I so much wanted to jump off the train! But an accommodating (as well as sane) person that I am, I refrained from doing so.

I know, I might be sounding a hypocrite. I too listened to BSB when in school. But that was in 1995 I suppose. Now my taste in music is completely different. Everyone evolves and so does their taste and preferences. (Well, this is just my assumption and I do not have any facts or figures to show it as a proven fact.) However, there may be some exceptions and I prefer to ignore those.

I mentioned that I am accommodating, but that does not mean my patience can be taken for granted. I will appreciate the amount of labour put into making some music which I don't listen to, but that doesn't imply that I listen to it. It would be unfair or rather violate my rights :P

I do not even listen to music 4x7, let alone 24x7, but it depends on my mood and my memory (strange, but true. Many a times I forget to put on the music. Silly na?) that I occasionally play my set of songs which mainly comprise of the following:

Aerosmith
Bon Jovi (by this I meant Bon Jovi before 'Its my Life' :|)
The Beatles
Deep Purple
Pink Floyd
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Queen

Bonus tracks: Hollow Years (Dream Theatre), Enjoy the Silence (Lacuna Coil), That Thing You Do (The Wonders)

Well, pretty short list. Apart from these, I've heard to different bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, The Doors, Guns n Roses, Megadeth, Metallica, etc. and found them good but for no apparent reason these don't make it to my list. Actually my sister is into Rock and Metal a lot so I get to hear these bands and many more.

There are likely to be changes in my list anytime, anyday. But the only genres that don't find place are Hip-hop, rap, RnB and the kind. I am not sure if Jazz comes into this 'not likely' list or not.

Though music isn't life for me, it is strange to imagine life without it. Though we don't have background music in our lives (glad that our lives aren't a scene from a movie!) a song or a tune always keeps playing in our thoughts/ mind (if its in your ears and you aren't wearing any ear phones, you need to see an Otologist) until the day the music dies...

(ABBA- Thank you for the music)

So I say
Thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing
Thanks for all the joy they're bringing
Who can live without it, I ask in all honesty
What would life be?
Without a song or a dance what are we?
So I say thank you for the music
For giving it to me.

Where the hell was I?

2008-07-09T15:51:00.002+05:30

Hmmm... one whole month (i.e June) I thought of taking a self imposed hiatus. So I went on a guilt trip.

This was my first sole excursion and I forgot to carry a map with me. And predictably I lost my way. I did not know where I was heading to nor my way back home. I sat there looking for someone to guide me and take me to my safe haven, my home.

Somebody saw my plight and assured me that I will be taken to a safe place. He dropped me at the 'Lost and Found' department in the city of dreams. I stayed there waiting (not for a knight in a shining armor) and trying to chalk a way out of my misery... and it seemed to be an eternity.

Well, then heaven knows what happened later? I am as clueless as you are!

P.S. Its too complicated for any sane soul to understand the gist of the matter this partly lunatic dame is blurting out :| May be I'll regain my senses soon and get back to writing some better nonsensical posts.

Strange encounters of the same kind- Part III

2008-05-24T13:45:00.001+05:30

This happened when I was a kid and had not begun my schooling.

I had been to Chowpatty beach along with my family and some guests. It was evening and the whole place was lit up. There were balloon sellers, some peddlars selling some toys. I was so excited that I couldn't help smiling. But the best was still unseen.

In those days we did not have Animal Planet on TV and I used to like monkeys. So the sight of a monkey on the beach was so very delightful to me that I began jumping and clapping shouting 'monkey monkey...'

What do you expect then? If anyone calls out your name and behave like your own kind, you do respond. And so did the monkey!

It came close to me, caught hold of the hem of my frock and began tugging at it. I screamed. This was not what I had thought of. I began crying out loud with the monkey still by my side. I don't remember what happened next. I guess the owner of the monkey came and took it away.

Since that day I stopped monkeying around :|

A cut above the rest.

2008-05-24T13:26:00.006+05:30

Yesterday I bumped into my college friend, whom I never met after the TY exams. Strangely, her first reaction was, 'Hey, your hair have grown pretty long. You look different.' Coincidently, this was the same comment I received some 15 days back from another friend who studied till class 12th with me. She had not recognised me in first place.

It is not that I am obsessed with how I put up my hair or leave them open. But it does matter to others, I assume. I always liked them short. I still remember I used to pester my dad every now and then by seeking 'permission' to cut my hair short. But he never would budge. However, once finally after succumbing to my constant bugging, he gave me a green signal. I did not wanted to let go the opportunity before he could change his mind again. I had my exam the next day in the afternoon, but I still went to get a hair cut. And everyone's jaw dropped when they saw the cut. Boy cut! They exclaimed. Even my teachers were shocked and asked me why did I do so. But it didn't matter to me.

On two occasions, I was even mistaken for a boy (that was during schooldays). And I took those as compliments ;) In college too, when I had a mushroom cut (my favourite) I was always met with the question, 'Why Shruthi why?'

And I ask people 'Why?' Why are they so concerned what others do with their own hair? Some Bollywood director commented, "Women must wear their hair long. It is like a jewelery that adorns them." This is one of the lamest comment I've ever heard. Some like it long, some like it short. What bothers him? He can ask his woman to be Rapunzel if he wishes to.

P.S : Ah, this post is a case of 'Much ado about nothing'. I ended up writing this stupid post just because I am in two minds 'to snip or not to snip' :|

Who cares!

2008-05-12T17:22:00.005+05:30

You think they care. They show they do. But do they really? They show concern for you. But what they do is feign all the goodness that they aren't. They care a damn what you think.

Don't be hurt. They never 'meant' to hurt you. Do not expect too much from others. Or still, expect nothing from others. You are on your own. Only the ones who genuinely care will stand by you anytime you need them.

Throw back your head and laugh upon all the bad things the world has done to you. Then you will realise that you never needed them. Happiness is just next to you. And you've been looking for it all over the world.

Everybody Hurts- REM

When the day is long and the night, the night is yours alone,
When you're sure you've had enough of this life, well hang on.
Don't let yourself go, everybody cries and everybody hurts sometimes.

Sometimes everything is wrong. Now it's time to sing along.
When your day is night alone, (hold on, hold on)
If you feel like letting go, (hold on)
When you think you've had too much of this life, well hang on.

Everybody hurts. Take comfort in your friends.
Everybody hurts. Don't throw your hand. Oh, no. Don't throw your hand.
If you feel like you're alone, no, no, no, you are not alone

If you're on your own in this life, the days and nights are long,
When you think you've had too much of this life to hang on.

Well, everybody hurts sometimes,
Everybody cries. And everybody hurts sometimes.
And everybody hurts sometimes. So, hold on, hold on.
Hold on, hold on. Hold on, hold on. Hold on, hold on.
(Everybody hurts. You are not alone.)

When the wild calls for help...

2008-05-06T00:46:00.004+05:30

Of similes and metaphors.

2008-04-24T11:32:00.001+05:30

As cold as a cucumber... like an animal... all the world's a stage...

Of course you studied the figures of speech in English grammar class and you know what a simile and a metaphor is. And no, I do not intend to take a grammar class here. What I mean by using these figures of speech is 'comparison'.

Comparing words or things in literary works is fine. But I think comparing two persons should be a crime. Every individual has his/ her own identity. They are unique. So, who has given us the right to draw comparisons between them?

I came across this featured article on Yahoo! India.

East-West, cricket-football, IPL-EPL, Beckham and #8230; Dhoni? Football clubs in Europe are synonymous with some of their most celebrated players. And now that India has its own IPL, the comparisons are natural.

Which cricketers will become synonymous with their team, and who shares traits with our pick of popular footballers? DAVID BECKHAM = MS DHONI Beckham rocks. He's flamboyant, changes his look, especially his hairstyles, regularly, and his contract with Los Angeles Galaxy broke all records of salaries given to any player on the team.

He finds a perfect match in Mahendra Singh Dhoni, captain of the Chennai team. Dhoni was the most expensive player at IPL (auctioned at $1,500,000).

He's got style and sex appeal and he changes his hairstyle often too. Both are fashion icons.

Christian Vieri = Yuvraj Singh The Italian striker who plays for ACF Fiorentina has a lethal combination of attitude, talent and good looks. He's been in a string of high-profile relationships, which makes him a perfect match for Yuvraj Singh, who has dated many a Bollywood beauty.

Combine the Bollywood magnetism (sic) with a hot body and aggressive demeanour, the Mohali man rocks both on and off the field. Cristiano Ronaldo = Irfan Pathan With his curly hair and dimpled smile, Irfan Pathan can best be compared to Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United, football's perfect pin-up poster boy.

Both have the looks that drive girls crazy as well as the magic touch with the ball, making them potent adversaries on field. ALESSANDRO DEL PIERO = RAHUL DRAVID Rahul Dravid's calm, composed demeanour matches that of Alessandro del Piero of Juventus.

Both del Piero and Dravid have been praised for their gentlemanly conduct on the field. More importantly, both are masters of their game.
(Also check this blog post: Blasphemy !)

Makes any sense? If yes, then I'm a numskull.

Comparing people is not just limited to celebrities. We have been compared with others in our own lives too. Comparison drawn with respect to our grades in school, mannerisms, looks, tastes & preferences, success in profession, relationships... and sky is the limit for this list.

What is the outcome of this irrational act of drawing inferences by comparing two or more non-similar entities? The one who compares alone knows.

Next time, before to sit and use your similes and metaphors, just imagine yourself being compared to Paris Hilton. If it is alright with you, then go ahead with your silly comparisons.

A Shark Tail.

2008-04-22T13:47:00.004+05:30

Being the one who 'wanted' a fish tank, the task of cleaning it is solely my responsibility. I've currently got four fishes in my tank. One Kisser Fish, a pair of Sharks and a 'Sucker fish'. Yesterday, when I was cleaning my fish tank, I remembered an incident that had occurred last month.

Morning at 9, I put food for the fishes. I just moved away from the tank and I heard a thumping sound on the roof of the tank. Was the shark was jumping and hitting the roof, I wondered. I peered through the glass tank but could not see one of the sharks. I at once opened the lid on the roof and was prepared to catch hold of it incase it leapt out.

However, the shark was not jumping but it was stuck in the ring meant for holding a light bulb and was struggling there hitting the roof with its tail. Though I did panic for a second, I had to rescue it. I tried pulling it out gently, since it must not be hurt in the process. But my shark, instead of co-operating with me went on pushing itself more further into the ring.

I thought it was no use now pulling it in the opposite direction since it had pushed the fins on the other side too. Thus, I began pushing it. A couple of minutes and alas, to my relief, it was back in the water again! And there it swam like nothing ever happened.

I immediately got rid of the unused ring in order to avoid furthermore circus perils in future. Where did it learn the trick from? It seemed like a 'Free Willy' scene gone wrong. (No, the whale never tried jumping through a ring, so didn't get stuck in it.)

Six years of owning a fish tank with numerous fishes in and numerous out, those few minutes of rescue nearly had my heart in my mouth. Having a pet is like nurturing a kid. But you can't punish fishes for their mischiefs.

Strange encounters of the same kind- Part II

2008-04-08T12:25:00.004+05:30

This incident occurred when I was doing my PG from K.C college at Churchgate.

My lecture got over at 8:00 PM and I had a train at 8:45 from VT. I used to take my own time and walk all the way from KC to VT instead of taking a cab or bus to avoid waiting at the crowded platform for some more time. But try as I may, I used to reach the platform by 8:20. And standing on VT platform is the worst part. People stare at you like you are an alien. I stand there below the indicator wondering which platform the train would arrive at. Suddenly a guy came and said 'hi!' I took a step back and looked at my either sides trying to figure out whom he is talking to. Yet he looked at me and asks, "Mind if I stand next to you? You see, my friends there (points in some direction and I don't bother to gaze in that direction) asked me to stand next to you as a dare."
Me: So?
He: If you don't mind, can I stand here for just 5 mins?
Me: Alright. (As though I own the place and he seeks permission just to stand next to me.)
He: Thanks.
I just smiled and looked ahead.
He: How can we just stand like this? Can we talk?
Me: *blinked my eyes* Talk?
He: Yeah. My name is ... (I don't remember.) You are? Its okay, you can give any fake answers.
Me: I'm Shruthi.
He: So Shruthi, are you from Xaviers?
I nod.
He: TYBA huh?
Me: Yes.
He: Prepared for exams? Did you join any coaching classes?
Me: (Confidently) No.
He: Oh! You should've had. Its very difficult. You'll have problems with... blah... blah... blah...
Me: Listen. Thanks for the advice. But I'm not in TY. It was all fluke, like you suggested.
His face was flushed. He looked at me in sheer disbelief.
He: Oh! Okay... 5 mins are up. Thanks Shruthi.
He shook hands and walked away... I don't know where to.

What was he expecting me to do? Spill out my whole life in front of him? Someone whom I hardly even know.

Giving it a second thought... may be I would, if he were wearing an Axe deo! The Axe effect, you see. :P

Strange encounters of the same kind - Part I

2008-04-08T11:39:00.003+05:30

This happened when I was in school, may be in class 8th or 9th.

I was walking along with my sister on the street. We saw a van with a little buzz around it. On a closer look we saw it was from ZEE TV. And there were few people in uniform who were questioning the passersby.

A girl and a guy approached us. They asked us whether we watch a show called 'Jeena Isika Naam Hai'. And we said 'No'.
Then they explained that celebrities come on this show and... well, they said something about it. They told us Laloo Prasad Yadav is going to be their next guest. So they will ask us something about him and if we answer, we get a gift. Okay. So the question they asked was "Laloo kis ghotala se jude hain?" [What scam is Laloo associated with?]

My sister immediately replied, " Fodder scam."
They looked puzzled, "Nahi. Ek aur try?"
Me : Fodder scam right answer hain.
They : Thank you. Par yeh wrong answer hain.
We : Okay.
And they left. We took a few steps ahead and we met my friend. She was very happy. Holding a cap she said, " Look what I won."
Me : Okay. So, you answered the question correctly and you won a 'Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai' cap! So, what was the answer?
She : Chara Ghotala. [Fodder Scam!]
Me : Chara Ghotala? Thats what we said! They should've mentioned if the answer was supposed to be only in Hindi.

All this just for a cap. Who wants it anyway?

New ads on the block.

2008-04-03T15:36:00.003+05:30

'Happy Birthday!' How happy your birthday would be if you had it the 'Axe' way. As usual Axe ads are one of a kind and always smart. Guys would love it if it actually worked and what a b'day present it could be. But fortunately, it doesn't. :P

The Virgin Mobile ads make you sit up and take notice. Be it the girl revealing to her parents about no interest in guys or the traffic cop & papa one or even the Foxxy one, it surely creates a good brand recall and even has got potential customers interested in the product. Seriously, Think Hatke.

It was a pleasant surprise to see Baichung Bhutia in the new 'Nike' commercial. Tired of watching cricketers, Sania, etc. in each and every ad. Someone is paying attention to Indian football and it is getting a new turf, literally.

Here is the worst of all! Amul Macho sequel takes the cake. The man's brief fits the orangutan to a tee! (It was merely an observation and you may crack up if you wish.) Lousy ad :| It does hit you right between the eyes, but I find it an eyesore.

I've got a weak memory. I sat down to write this post and all I could remember are these recent ads. May be I should listen to V. Anand and try Memory Plus. What say?

Lost in Translation.

2008-03-18T16:46:00.003+05:30

It was 6:00 PM. I put on the TV. One of my favourite cartoons had begun.What! My eyeballs popped out. (Not literally tough or you would watch me on Ripley's Believe it or Not.) What happened? I wondered. The Mask turned into Naqab... Stanley Ipkiss into Sachin Sabnis... Milo to Miloo. Darn! The whole language had changed. Cartoon Network had been dubbed into Hindi.

While this happened years back, until today this thing exists. When Ed says, "I love chickens, Eddy", what do we have is, "Mujhe murgi chahiye, murgi." Gross!

This is not only restricted to cartoons. I happened to watch a scene from Reservoir Dogs while flipping through channels and what do I hear? Harvey Keitel telling a bleeding Tim Roth, "Aao main tumhari kangi karta hoon" (or something like that). Hearing this, Quentin Tarantino might probably suffer a heart attack.

Well, things are not over yet. Have you ever heard match commentaries in Hindi? I've not heard something worthy to mention about in cricket, but this guy named Sunil Taneja was commentating on a football match and the worst goof up was him referring Wes Brown as Michael Silvestre throughout the game. All this happened while Michael was on the bench and not even on the ground. And I'll not even get into other details about his commentary. I used to end up watching those matches on mute. That says it all.

I'm thinking, what if we try translating a Hindi song in English? Lets try... taking 'The Jungle Book' song (the Japanese anime version, dubbed in Hindi series) for instance-
Forest, forest, the word is out, we got to know
Forest, forest, the word is out, we got to know
Hey, wearing an underwear a flower has bloomed, a flower has bloomed!
Hey, wearing an underwear a flower has bloomed, a flower has bloomed!

Nah! Spoils the whole fun. Here's the original one-

Jungle, jungle baat chali hai pata chala hai,
Jungle, jungle baat chali hai pata chala hai,
Arre, chhaddi pehenke phool khila hai, phool khila hai!
Arre, chhaddi pehenke phool khila hai, phool khila hai!

A Little Learning is Dangerous?

2008-03-17T13:39:00.002+05:30

"What is Rooney doing?" asked my mom as I watched Wayne's foul on another player. I immediately turned and looked at her in surprise. She is not much into sports and atleast not football. My mom recognizing one of my favourite players from my fav team was like an achievement for me. The only other player she knew earlier was Drogba :| And by the time I sit down to write this post, she now knows Ronaldo (Christiano) and Lampard too.

Its easier to get influenced by the people around us and in the process learn new things. Football was an alien sport to me. I just knew that the ball goes into the net and thats a goal. I had neither heard about an Lb, Rb, center forward and winger nor did I know what an offside was! But I've been following the game closely and this is my second season [ya, just second! :( ] and learnt a lot about it. Though I'm no football pundit, but know the basic things someone must atleast know. A little knowledge about something is an important step to go further. And now I'm taking long strides to keep going ahead.

However, I've not been much of a learner when it comes to my mother tongue. Malayalam is a foreign language to me even today. The only words I've learned so far are a handful ones which can't even help me to frame a sentence. Some words that my friends have taught me. When people ask me, "How come you don't speak your mother tongue?", I say, "I don't speak Malayalam, but I can manage to converse in Konkani." I assume that qualifies as an answer.

We also learn numerous things unintentionally... like in school- the capitals of countries, world history, the earth's rotation, revolution, etc. Oh no, learning these had an intention- the sole intention of passing in exams and going to the next class. Speaking about educational learnings, I still haven't taken off Pluto from our planetary system. Did I study about Pluto only to be told some 15 years later that it is no more a planet! But considering that I was alloted marks then, it hardly matters to me today.

Apart from these itsy-bitsy things I've (or what I claim to have) learnt, there are so many things I still am willing to learn. Playing the drums, learning many languages, jiving (it'll come in use during family weddings), a lot about what I know a little of... etc. etc. etc. to name a few. (Whether I actually take lessons for these or not is altogether a different question.) Well, so many things on my list but time teaches me to be patient.

I beg to differ with whosoever said that 'A Little Learning is Dangerous'. I don't think that incomplete learning can ever be dangerous... unless you fly a plane thinking you know to but later realise that you haven't learnt to land it yet! Well, now that is dangerous.

Learning to Fly - Pink Floyd.

Into the distance, a ribbon of black
Stretched to the point of no turning back
A flight of fancy on a windswept field
Standing alone my senses reeled
A fatal attraction is holding me fast
How can I escape this irresistible grasp?

Can't keep my eyes from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted just an earthbound misfit, I

Ice is forming on the tips of my wings
Unheeded warnings, I thought I thought of everything
No navigator to find my way home
Unladen, empty and turned to stone

A soul intention, that's learning to fly
Condition grounded but determined to try
Can't keep my eyes from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted just an earthbound misfit, I

Above the planet on a wing and a prayer,
My grubby halo, a vapour trail in the empty air
Across the clouds I see my shadow fly
Out of the corner of my watering eye
A dream unthreatened by the morning light
Could blow this soul right through the roof of the night

There's no sensation to compare with this
Suspended animation, a state of bliss
Can't keep my mind from the circling skies
Tongue-tied and twisted just an earthbound misfit, I

Its a Girly thing.

2008-03-04T21:32:00.002+05:30

'Do I look fat?' asks the anorexic model.

'My boyfriend is too possessive. I fought with him over this issue. Sorry, I can't come for the movie. He flatly refused.'

'Honey, how does this black shoe look?'
'But you've already got 5 black ones!'
'This one's a close pair. The ones I've got are stilettos, sandals and a pair of boots. You guys don't understand!'

'Do you know she told me that she thinks that it is me who is spreading that news about her. How could she even accuse me! *pauses for a second* Wanna hear more about the rumours doing round?

'Which dress should I wear for the party?'
'Wear that red one.'
'Which red? The crimson, scarlet, venetian or vermilion red?'
Points and says 'That one.'
'Oh! Except that. I had worn it last month at another party.'
'Ok. And that one?'
'No. Thats out dated now. It was in 3 months back.'
'Alright. How about this red dress?'
'Are you crazy? This red dress would look great for a brunch, and not an evening event.'
*Rolls eyes* 'That leaves you with this red dress alone. Problem solved.'
'No, Jane will be carrying this same shade of clutch. So, this one is out too. Hey, how about shopping? I'll buy a Cardinal red dress.'

'Is she prettier than me? Its fine, tell me' means 'If it is so, better lie to me!'

'Oh! I heard you broke up with your rich boyfriend. Thats really sad... Is he still single?'

'How could you forget Poochie's birthday!!! She will be so sad that you didn't wish her for her 3rd birthday.'
'I'm sorry. I didn't know it was your dog's birthday.'
'Its Poochie. Don't call her a dog. When will guys learn to respect females?'

Woman- Without her, man is nothing!

Truth about guys & only guys.

2008-03-04T21:30:00.001+05:30

A guy can leer at every girl he comes across, but would not tolerate any other guy even stealing a glance at his girlfriend or even his sister.

When his sister is seeing somebody, he'll ask thousands of questions about the guy, but he is answerable to none when he's on a date.

Not even his best friend can flirt with his sister, but he checks out every female friend his sister has.

If a girl is interested in sports, it is assumed that it is because the player is some hunk. Whereas, a guy's sudden interest in Tennis (women) or Women's Wrestling is obviously due to the love for the sport and has nothing to do with the length of the players' clothes.

Girls are vulnerable to each and everything. It takes big things to hurt a guy. For example, his ego!

When asked who is the Brand Endorser of Sprite, 80+% of the guys recalled Mallika Sherawat. (Believe me, this was the result of the survey we had taken for our project. And if you guys still think you are right, I'm sorry. Its Sania Mirza. Mallika endorses 7UP :D)

Booze and babes top the wishlist of every man. If you find anything other than this, you got the fake list.

Guys say they like smart girls. But hold it! Not smarter than they are. In such case, they would easily settle for a dumb babe.

Woman, without her man, is nothing!

What a weekend!

2008-02-25T21:46:00.003+05:30

23rd Feb & 24th Feb.

Manchester United thrashes Newcastle United yet once again. 5-1 is a terrific score. But the earlier meet had ended with Man Utd 6- 0 Newcastle. But then Sam had just left from St. James Park.

Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur clash at the Carling Cup finals was another match to watch out for. The winning goal was scored during the extra time at Wembley after the 90 mins had ended with 1-1. While my sister cheered on for True Blues, I went on backing the Spurs with 'Berbatov, Berbatov!' Celebrations at the White Heart lane!!!

Arsenal's drew the game against Birmingham before our match. Now there's a gap of just 3 points between us and the 'current' table leaders Arsenal. I did not watch the Arsenal-Birmingham match but got to know about Eduardo's horrible injury from my communities and read about it in the papers the following day. Though the act had been brutal, that may even jeopardize the career of the Brazilian-born Croatian, one can't simply curse Taylor for the horrendous accident.

Fellow red devils are trying to decode the omens that have come up lately. Spurs won the League Cup in 1998-99 and Liverpool not among the top 4 in 1998-99(as for now almost not in top 3) seems to predict something... TREBLE! Well, these signs work or not, going for Treble is surely what we want. Er... Arsenals can complete the prophecy by coming second ;)

I'm tired of Circus.

2008-02-22T11:42:00.005+05:30

This is sheer absurdity! Where other sports in India are vying for essential facilities and amenities, leave alone attention and recognition, there is money spilling on the cricket field. The whole situation seems a laughing stock to me. Though its a tragedy.

The highest bid for Dhoni! People have surely lost their minds. That is the most illogical decision. And while there are even more unjustified things associated with this ludicrous scenario, I prefer to leave them on their own. Like I care! But my only concern lies with the media attention they are gaining. Already 3/4th (actually its even more) of the sports section in any newspaper is reserved for cricket while the other sports just get some 'honorable' mention here and there. The sport is already in the limelight, yet it will steal even the ray of light seen by other sportsmen.

Now what more are we in for? Launch of new channels like ESPN Cricket, Ten Sports Cricket, etc. that still wouldn't suffice to air the ICLs and IPLs. Well, I just hope they don't come up with lower division leagues in years to come. This much cricket is far enough.

P.S. The owner of the 'Mumbai Team' isn't a Marathi Manoos. Good that no ruckus was created.

Innocence Lost!

2008-02-08T20:43:00.000+05:30

They're cute... they're adorable... they could get out of any serious situation by just smiling or making a puppy face at you. No, I'm not talking about dogs or kittens. Its all about the human off-springs! Babies or even toddlers are the cynosures of everyone's eyes wherever they are. They make no efforts to grab your attention but hey, can you stop just observing what they do? Put a baby or a dog in the bath tub with a bar of soap and you've got a great home video ready.

However, the halo above their head doesn't last for long. Suddenly you'll see a mischievous grin appearing on a perfectly angelic face. Something is really wrong. The little tot has been upto some big mischief. Its not that these innocent kids turning notorious bothers me. But the thing is that their parents are least interested to keep a check on what they've been learning and vices they've been picking up.

I don't imply that parents must impose military regimen to discipline their kids. But they shouldn't even spare the rod and spoil the child. I have seen instances where kids throw tantrums and raise hand on their mothers even in public places. And while the mother will be calling the child sweet names calmly and taking it all in face, the child creates a big scene without even having a sense of understanding. Taking a step further, the child lashes out at any other person trying to intervene and coax him to bring about peace in this already problem-laden world. Here, I don't appreciate the mother's 'patience' (is it even patience?) at all. Instead I would like to tell her that take this kid home and teach him/her some manners.

I did not have a spat with such spoilt brat to make me write this post. But mere seeing kids troubling someone else made me mull over this matter. When I was traveling in the train, today, a little girl sat next to a woman. That child, barely 2 years old, asked the lady to give her cellphone to her. The woman sweetly replied back that she will not give her the phone. To this the girl began wailing and demanding for the phone. While the mother effortlessly told her that she could go home and play with her father's cell, the girl wouldn't budge.

Well, not every other person would be polite and put up with some child's silly tantrums. Isn't the scenario not ugly enough addition to which some outsider questions your parenting and embarrass you among strangers? Why don't people teach their kids to be well behaved in public, while we care a damn that they create a pandemonium at home! While we all like Dennis the Menace, would we enjoy his mischiefs given that we step into the shoes of Mr. Wilson? Scary thought huh?

Watching kids talking gibberish, trying to act like some wise sage gets me infuriated. They're supposed to act like kids... full of innocence... crying at one moment and filling the air with their giggles the other. Finally, every child grows up and becomes like one of us with innocence completely lost in this mean world.

Let Her Go!

2008-01-29T23:58:00.000+05:30

Rockers rejoice! Iron Maiden is kicking off their 'Somewhere Back In Time' World Tour '08, beginning with India, tomorrow (1st Feb 2008).

Maidenheads couldn't contain their euphory last March when Maiden had performed live at Bangalore. Well, they're lucky enough to catch their fav Brit band twice just within a year's timing. Isn't it amazing?

Speaking of Amazin', Aerosmith had been to India last year. Also Sepultura and Scorpions lined up for concerts at the end of 2007. I've heard that Megadeth will be visiting around March this year and today's Bombay Times' front page announces that Def Leppard, too, is coming in May.

So, is India's turning to a head banger's ball? With so many ardent rock & metal fans at present, it surely makes sense that these bands mark India as the destination for their tours. Earlier it took a Michael Jackson, Shakira or Akon to have a concert here. Looking at the multitude of the fans of rock genre, even Beyonce couldn't lure a decent crowd for her recent concert. Yet, she and the 'others' get superfluous media exposure.

Most of the college going people will be saving on for the tickets and other expenses (say traveling and booze!) Last year for the Maiden's concert it was like 'Chalo Bangalore'. More than half of the turnouts had been donning a black tee or/and long tresses.

However, there are some who would be despondent due to their inconveniences to be part of this swarm of revelers. Some of them may be preparing for their exams (its almost term end and dates of board exams are at hand), some tied up with important work, some are short of money, some under-aged kids not given permission, someone suddenly fallen ill, etc.

Honestly, I've recently been to MMRDA grounds when Joyce Meyer had come there a couple of weeks back and while returning we couldn't get even a rickshaw to drop us to station. And it being a religious gathering, most of the crowd contained families which almost cuts down the possibility of some untoward incident. On the contrary, a female attending a concert possess risk with a handful of troublemakers hanging around (apart from the mosh pit). Given the mentality of the people here, they are ready to pounce on the victim by saying, "Who asked them to go to such horrible concert in the first place?" Even the caretakers of law will publicly criticize her for 'staying out of her home so late' and thus inviting trouble! This is truly absurd. Curbing the freedom of a woman by stating such reasons for no fault of theirs is utterly idiocy.

Anyways, all those who are going to have the time of their life, make the most out of it. Though I'm not much of a metal head, I've been a bit influenced by this genre with the credit going to my sister. She, too, can't make it to the concert. So, I've got three words for her- Still Keep rocking!
This one is for you sis.
Here goes her fav Iron Maiden song:

I'm waiting in my cold cell, when the bell begins to chime.
Reflecting on my past life and it doesn't have much time.
'Cause at 5 o'clock they take me to the Gallows Pole,
The sands of time for me are running low.

When the priest comes to read me the last rites,
I take a look through the bars at the last sights,
Of a world that has gone very wrong for me.

Can it be that there's some sort of error?
Hard to stop the surmounting terror.
Is this really the end, not some crazy dream?

Somebody please tell me that I'm dreaming,
It's not easy to stop from screaming,
But words escape me when I try to speak.
Tears flow but why am I crying?
After all I'm not afraid of dying.
Don't I believe that there never is an end?

As the guards march me out to the courtyard,
Somebody cries from a cell "God be with you".
If there's a God then why does he let me go?

As I walk my life drifts before me.
Though the end is near I'm not sorry.
Catch my soul, it's willing to fly away.

Mark my words believe my soul lives on.
Don't worry now that I have gone.
I've gone beyond to see the truth.

When you know that your time is close at hand,
Maybe then you'll begin to understand
Life down here is just a strange illusion.

Yeah, yeah, yeah...Hallowed be Thy name
Yeah, yeah, yeah...Hallowed be Thy name
Yeah..................................

Ad Mad 2007.

2008-01-25T16:51:00.000+05:30

The National Creative Directors have taken their pick. The year 2007 had some brilliant ads. I've listed down their top favourites for the year and added my opinions to the chosen ones. Source: See here (I wish that some of my ad lands up in this list somewhere in future.) The following list of ads are in no particular order.

I-pill TVC, Network Advertising- The topic of contraception has been woven around subtly. The execution is very nicely done.

Airtel 'Border' TVC, Redffusion DY&R- Lovely ad. Two kids, barbed wire border, a football... simple things to show breaking barriers of communication.

Vodafone Alerts TVC, Ogilvy & Mather- Mobile alerts cannot be put more competently than this. Hutch had a very good brand recall. The branding of Vodafone with the same Hutch pug wasn't that convincing. But here, O&M again grabs your attention with a brilliant 'alert' campaign! The best I like is the Astro alert one with the guy in the elevator and the song is again beautiful.

Reliance Infocomm TVC, Mudra- I'm a bit confused wondering which ad this is. But recently Reliance ads are worth watching. Especially the kids in the ad are adorable. Reliance ads have come a long way since their 'Sehwag ki maa' ad (which I never liked!) to their latest ones.

VIP briefs 'Adjust' TVC, Lowe Lintas- Innerwears ads used to be the worst. But this one makes some sense and does not even have some person just modeling the product and girls going ga-ga over them! Well done.

Airtel 'Indiana Jones' search TVC- It's a creative concept. But for some reason I prefer the Hutch 'Eskimo' search TVC over this one. However I like the concluding part of the ad wherein Jones says he's retiring.

Happydent TVC, McCann-Erickson- There are hardly any words to describe this one! This award winning ad is surely unforgettable. 'Tera dil roshan... tera mann roshan...'

Motorokr TVC- Abhishek Bachchan surely can sway his head well. Excellent execution.

Tanishq Diamonds, Lowe Lintas - Beautiful ad. Lovely track (Badan pe sitare...)

Havell 'Shock Proof', Lowe Lintas- Though I haven't seen this specific ad, but went through the storyboard on Agencyfaqs. Fairly done.

ABN Amro One 'Transparent Credit card TVC, Publicis- A banking institution ad never had funny twist to it. A refreshing change!

Madhya Pradesh Tourism, Ogilvy & Mather- I don't remember this ad.

Neo Sports 'T20', Ogilvy & Mather- Neither this one.

Idea TVC, Lowe Lintas- The concept is nice. Trying to portray casteism as social evil and also shows the reach of network in villages.

Bingo Launch Campaign, Ogilvy & Mather- Truly hilarious! One of our professors said that she was taken aback that O&M had done such work, while we disagreed with her. Honestly, I loved the Bingo launch campaign.

Tata Tea 'Jaago' TVC, Lowe Lintas- Surprisingly glad to have a different concept for a tea powder ad. Liked it. Jaago sounds more refreshing than the done-to-death taaza.

Nike's Street Cricket TVC, JWT- Sports brands have had great international advertisements which, I guess, were never related to the India's most beloved sport. This ad is one of my favourites.

Surf Excel's Traffic Fight TVC, Lowe Lintas- Kids in ads grab your attention any day. Earlier it was the kid bashing the puddle and here we have two little boys picking a fight with each other to stop their fathers from arguing. Aptly the ad ends with the baseline- Daag achhe hain.

Greenply's 'Courtroom TVC, Lowe Lintas- Good ad. Justifies the USP of the product by conveying the message of long lasting wood.

Tata Sky 'Einstein' campaign, Rediffusion DY&R- Wonderful to have so many Einsteins in a school by mere installation of Tata Sky at home. Concept is unmistakably good, but I don't like the baseline! (Isko lagaa dala toh life jingalala! :X)

Fevikwik, Ogilvy & Mather- Again one of the ads I haven't watched on TV, but seen the storyboard on Agencyfaqs. It seemed okay, not some mind-blowing concept. Satisfactory. O&M had better ones earlier.

This sums up the year 2007 favourites. Hope 2008 churns out even greater concepts.

The Racial Row.

2008-01-10T12:01:00.000+05:30

My father is surfing channels on TV. He pauses on TIMES NOW, watches it for sometime until there's a commercial break. The next moment he's watching Aaj Tak, later CNBC TV18, after that Zee News and so on. Reason? Indo-Australia test match (or rather controversy) updates.

I would love to quote this- 'A gentleman's game no more a gentleman's game'. Seriously, all these years cricket enthusiasts boasted about the manner of the game and today the world is talking about how ungentlemanly the game has turned into, and the credit goes to the Down Under guys. The issue has got much more attention than even the infamous 'Zidane head-butting Materazzi' incident. Do actions really speak louder than words? Well, but here, the word 'monkey' beats a 'head-butt'!

Racial abuse surely is coming under light with the help of the media. Most of the cases heard are from sports which show the un-sportsmanship of the players. But why do people have to racially abuse each other? These abuses are actually a tactic to weaken your opponent's mind. The person loses concentration and even his/her cool. Or may be they have some better reason to do it, right? I don't study human psychology (neither animal psychology), yet I believe that abuses can be of any kind. In India itself we have people describing some dark skinned person as 'kalia' (and if I'm not mistaken, there's a movie too going by that name.) Now, does this count as a racial slur? Not to forget that a firangi (foreigner, preferably white skinned) gets so much attention and has a good demand in the country (remember Yana Gupta).

I remember I had seen some show on TV years back when I was a little girl. I have a faint memory of it. But I'd like to share whatever I remember. The story goes as follows:

A small village scenario. Some family is happy about their son going to abroad for further studies (or he's got a job there?). Later they receive a letter from him conveying that he met a girl (a foreigner), fell in love with her and they exchanged vows at the altar. Now, they were coming down to the village as the girl wanted to meet her in-laws. The whole family as well as the village goes berserk. They are preparing everything possible to welcome the new bride especially that she is not an Indian. The D-day arrives when they come to India. Everyone is so excited to see the bride that they wait with bated breath as she alights from the car.

The smile on their faces vanishes within the next second as the bride steps out with her palms joined and says 'Namaste'. She is dark skinned! The guy's mother angrily walks away and locks herself in her room to show her disapproval. The son follows his mother, obviously crossed with his mother's behavior. He knocks at the door questioning the reason for her attitude. She opens the door and angrily yells back saying that everyone were so excited to meet the 'foreigner bahu' whereas he brought home a dark skinned girl. Their month old excitement had died away.

The son explains her that she's so wrong. The bride is a very lovely girl and asks what has it got to do with the color of one's skin? He tells her that while she's regretting over her efforts getting wasted, what about the girl who took pains to learn a bit of Hindi and traditions to please her new family. She even wore a sari especially for them.

At this, the mother realizes her fault and sends in for her new daughter-n-law to come into her room. The new bride enters and bends down to touch the mother's feet and says, "Pai lagoo maaji" her accent intact. Everyone was happy.

And the story ended there.

Isn't this the real picture in India? There are even more issues that are as worse as racial abuse. Aren't the Sikhs the butt of jokes even when they protest against it? Is the nation free of all the caste system and does not differentiate between upper castes and lower castes? Why do communal riots take place in India while we claim 'Unity in Diversity'? Holy places being razed down, priests are murdered, common man being targeted during violence, innocents killed... Are these just minor examples?

Having said all this, I would like to point out that before we raise a finger against anybody, why don't we keep in check the vices that lie in our own backyard?

The bottom line is- ‘Fight against racism and every kind of discrimination that differentiates a man from a man.’

Black Eyed Peas- Where Is The Love:

What's wrong with the world, mama
People livin' like they ain't got no mamas
I think the whole world addicted to the drama
Only attracted to things that'll bring you trauma
Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin'
In the USA, the big CIA
The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate then you're bound to get irate, yeah
Madness is what you demonstrate
And that's exactly how anger works and operates
Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love, y'all, y'all

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love
The love, the love

A Virtual World.

2008-01-08T15:36:00.000+05:30

Spending time is easy these days. Thanks to social networking sites, once you're connected to the internet, you've got loads of things to do.

I first had got an invitation to join 'Tagged'. Unknowing what actually was it, I created a profile. I hardly went online then, and found it very boring. Later my mailbox had many other invitations which I overlooked viz. Hi5!, Orkut, Yaari, WAYN, Shelfari, Desi Martini, Facebook, Minglebox, etc.

I logged onto Orkut. It was fun getting in touch with old friends and the communities were the reason that I got addicted to it. I had vowed not to join anymore networking sites. But then, after certain time Orkut got monotonous. Sometime later one of my friends told me to sign up on Facebook and claimed it was much better than Orkut.

Being often congenial, I believed her and joined in. She had already warned me that it may seem too cluttered at the beginning. And it surely was an eyesore! But when I explored the applications, it turned out to be pleasing to me. There's so much to do on it. I simply can't stop playing the 'Never ending movie quiz' as much as I had got hooked to the 'Music Trivia'. Christmas was wonderful as I could set up a Christmas Tree on my profile and also give presents to friends for the occasion. Worthy to mention are the points I get for cheering for Manchester United and I created my own team for the Fantasy League.

All I can say is that Facebook as for now is fascinating. I understand this will be short-lived. But then, I assume, something else might keep me wrapped up.

They say technology has made the world a smaller place to live in... and I wonder how even more smaller is it getting? A virtual world- something we dreamt of?

Jamiroquai- Virtual Insanity.

Futures made of virtual insanity
now always seem to be governed by this love we have
For useless, twisting, our new technology
Oh there is no sound for we all live underground

Living - Virtual Insanity
Living - Virtual Insanity
Living - Virtual Insanity
Living - Virtual Insanity

Virtual Insanity is what we're living in!

License to Thrill.

2007-12-18T14:43:00.000+05:30

"The name is Bond. James Bond." The spy who can kill foes with his gadgets and women with his looks. Pierce Brosnan was a hunk. But Daniel Craig is Ooh la la! Matt Damon aptly played Jason Bourne. No, this not about the eye candies from Hollywood but altogether a 'secret' story.

I was reading Robert Ludlum's The Prometheus Deception and was imagining the prospects of working with the Intelligence fraternity. So very thrilling. So enthusing! You're on a mission- a secret one. You travel around the world under aliases. Your 'colleagues' know you by your field names. You as a field operative have prowess of speaking different tongues to camouflage your true nationality. Hair-trigger action, near fatal decisions, armed or unarmed- but dangerous... you sure can't plan your next move.

But being a girl, it only means limited assignments. Something like 'Charlie's Angels' and not 'Jason Bourne'. This implies not too extreme breathtaking stints. You can't expect a femme to make way into a terrorist camp even in disguise, easily. There are some more occupational hazards being a spy.

Unlike a 9 to 5 job, you can't call in sick as the whole task has been planned precociously. There is no way out once you are in. And how does it feel looking death in the eye! Interesting? Or intimidating? Surely not for the faint hearted! Also, it is very obvious you can't go telling anybody (even friends and relatives) that you are on payroll of the CIA or Mossad or KGB or M15 or whichever. Isn't it tough to keep such secret unknown from people those who matter?

So I think its okay that I'm not now being briefed about an assignment at Langley, but here writing this post without any worry of catching a special flight within the next hour and God alone knows to where.

The Idiot Box.

2007-11-30T17:29:00.000+05:30

John Logie Baird must've been blessed by a lot of people. After all he had invented the television. It was the 'big thing' and video surely killed the radio star. It has been a part of our life for almost more than half of our age. There was a time when we had nothing more to watch other than Doordarshan. Still we sat glued to the TV set and watched whatever was shown. Today, I doubt if anybody still watches it except when cricket matches are telecasted only on DD.

As of now, we have around more than 90 channels which we can surf through. But yet I've hardly got anything to watch. Out of those 90+ channels, most of them are regional channels. And these don't come in the list of channels I watch. Whenever my dad switches on Asianet or Surya TV and I'd rather take the newspaper and solve a crossword or surf the net. (No, its not about 'I-don't-watch-regional-channels attitude, but language problem.)

Do you have the count of news channels? BREAKING NEWS flashing on every news channel. But what is the news? Some unworthy news that would be better placed on the 3rd or 4th page in the newspaper. But they have to increase the TRPs in order to secure their position in the budding competition. Talking about TRPs, who else takes the cake than the soap queen- Ekta Kapoor. Love her, hate her, but you can't ignore her. Even though her serials are ridiculed by many of us, she's having the last laugh. No doubt she is ruling the Television set.

Another thing that is a craze on television these days are the Reality shows. We have American Idol, Dancing with the stars, Big Brother, etc. in our own desi style and several other clones of such shows. Duh! The drama on these shows portray more emotions than the soap operas. Spare me! I still love my Tom, Jerry, Dexter, Ed,Edd and Eddy any given day.

So what else is left worth viewing? Mtv and Channel V don't play the kind of songs I want to hear. That zeros in to some footie matches and movies. But thanks to load-shedding in our city, I have to even miss out the joy of 90 minutes at times :X Lucky if I am, some good movies on HBO, Star Movies or even Zee Studio will do for me.

Is that all? Yeah. What else can a whiner get? So, I'll stop complaining and get back to work.

Blink 182 - 'TV':

When I'm at work, ya, I always rush right home for lunch
So I can check out what's up on the Brady Bunch
And when I'm walking through the front door at night
I gotta see who's winning on The Price is Right, oh

I never dreamed that I'd spend my days
Staring at some tube emitting cathode rays
I need my TV

What's happening in this world, I don't care at all
But it better not pre-empt Monday Night Football
I can't even come up with my own views
I'm taught how to think from the evening news, oh

I never dreamed that I'd spend my days
Staring at some tube emitting cathode rays
I need my TV

La la la...

What is it ´bout men?

2007-11-19T16:38:00.000+05:30

I am surprised! Read it in the papers: Today's the International Men's Day- celebrated today(19th Nov) in India, on February 23 in Ukraine, on March 9 in Otlenia and never in Sweden. See here

Never heard about it before. How ignorant am I! But do they really need any official day dedicated to themselves? As far as I know all the 364 days in the year belong to them... the one day spared to women is 8th March- International Women's Day. And also think what do they do on this day? They themselves won't be able to come up with some special way to celebrate. What a waste!

Okay, I've come up with a list of what men can do on International Men's Day.

1. Hold a seminar discussing about the rights and privileges men should have in equality with women. Also discuss about the plight of men and the crimes against men by women.

2. Call up all male buddies and colleagues wishing them 'Happy Men's Day'!

3. Hang out with buddies at some local joint and party the night away.

4. Arrange a screening of some live match (if one's there or else some nice flick) and enjoy it over booze with pals.

Its so sad, I can't even come up with more than 4! And talking about these 4...

1&2... Hahahahaha... What a joke!
3&4... Huh? Whats new about it?
Men will be men!

There you see. Nothing can be done on IMD. Anyways, if you can think of some way to celebrate this day, do let me know:)

Heres wishing every male on the planet- HAPPY MEN'S DAY!

Party headlines.

2007-10-31T23:44:00.000+05:30

SCENE I:

A socialite throws a 'bash' for her husband who gets a meaty role in a 'K-serial'. (As though they need reasons for a bash!) All the big names of the Television industry are invited for the do. And some out-of-work film personalities too. Where else can they get some limelight? So, at the party-

Mrs. Hostess: Oh Mrs. Khanna! *mwah-mwahh* Its been so long. You look so very young even at 37.

Mrs. Khanna: 37! Honey, I just celebrated my 32nd birthday last week. It was really wonderful. Just me and Anand (Mr. Khanna) and the beautiful beach in Schylles. I could not ask for more!

Hostess: Wow! Yes. We had been to Schylles too last year. We may plan something for this year too. Harry was asking for you. Simran! Your attire looks fabulous! *hugs and kisses*

Simran (a wannabe model): This one? Yeah! Bought it from Gucci when I had been to Paris. You should've checked the Paris Fashion Week. It was amazing. Some model co-ordinators met me and are willing to keep me in mind for the next fall.

Hostess: Aww! I missed it. (Bitch! No Indian designer will be willing to hire her and she's talking about Paris. Wait till I tell Pinky about it. Gucci! Must have borrowed it from some down-market boutique.) What about your boyfriend? I've been hearing some rumours lately.

Simran: He's a dog. A good riddance! Anyways I'm seeing this another guy *blushes* Don't let anyone else know about it. I'm just telling you. I consider you my closest chum, you see. Hey! Isn't that Khanna? What has she done to herself? She thinks she's some 30 year old!

Hostess: Oh! She? Everybody knows she's already going under the knife. Whom does she think she's fooling? I heard that Anand is straying away past one year.

Simran: There's Jiya. I'll just catch up with her. She had some urgent work with me. Good that you arranged this party. Where is Kunal? (Mr.Host)

Hostess: Actually, Kunal is caught up with shooting. You see, he plays such an important character in the serial. He'll be coming after a while.

(Simran heads towards Jiya. Hostess tries calling up Pinky, but there's no response from her side. She then gets back to attending guests.)

**********
Tyra(a sociallite. Her ticket to parties are dating celebrity guys.): Hello Mr. Raj. Nice to see you here. I've heard that your new movie is set for release next week.

Raj: Ya. I'm pretty much excited about it. Its a completely different story. I play the lead guy who is in love with a rich girl and her family disapproves. We've shot mostly in Uk and Switzerland. People are gonna love this story.

Tyra: Interesting story. I've also heard your director uncle is looking out for new faces to be casted?

Raj: If you want, I can refer your name. Meet me sometime soon. I'll surely try to push you in.

Tyra: That will be so very nice of you. Wish you luck for the movie. (Damn I hope the papers have my pic with him. His girlfriend will ditch him then. I'll be no more be single again.) *smiles her best smile*

**********
Jiya: Just look at that slut! Hooking some another bakra. Simran, do you know What I saw last week?

Simran: What?!

Jiya: Kunal and Pinky were leaving a nightspot together. They were walking hand in hand.*giggles*

Simran: Don't tell me! *in disbelief*

Jiya: Why do you think they're missing from the party? Anyways, how is Anand? Will he not even speak to you in midst of other people?

Simran: *sigh* I myself have called for it. Forget it.

**********

Kunal and Pinky enter the room. His wife goes to greet them. Pinky smiles at her and walks away. Kunal seems to be already sloshed.

Hostess: What is wrong with her? She's be behaving like this for past few days.

Kunal: Why the hell are you asking me? She's your friend.

Hostess: Behave yourself Kunal. Keep your voice low.

Kunal kept ranting, while everyone now looked at them in utter silence. His wife was almost into tears. One of the hostess' friends, Samir, intervened. But Kunal shoved him in a fit of rage. Samir went ahead and punched him in the face. And the argument turned into a fist fight. Everyone now gathered around them.

The cameras went click-click... a woman shrieked, another was trying to make it to the exit. Most of the men were busy trying to keep those two apart while the hostess was continuously wailing. Someone took Samir and left the party. The remaining too left the scene after a couple of minutes. Kunal had bruises on his face and a blackened eye. But he still was hurling abuses. His wife went to her room and locked herself in sobbing and packing her bags. She may go to her mother's place.

**********

The next day the paper had carried out this news on its Page 3 section with the headline-
" A 'Bash' to remember!"

SCENE II:

Ramu lived in a slum. This had been a very special day for him. It was his son's first birthday. His wife had earlier given birth to 4 daughters. But finally, he had a son who would proud to carry his 'lineage'. So on completing a year, the son 'deserved' to be celebrated. His daughters' birthdays had never even seen a cake beneath a candle or even new clothes. But here the whole moholla was invited. Lights were put up and the loudspeaker blared the top most bollywood numbers and had all the kids dancing the evening away.

Everyone were given a paper plate with some wafers in it. He sat among his friends and boasted how lucky he was to have a son. His friends agreed with him and merrily drank the country liquor he had bought for the occasion. All men drank and sang and danced along the track Himmesh was crooning from the speaker.

Suddenly, one of the men fell on a woman. Her husband reached to the man and hit him. In no time there was a brawl with every man trying to get their hands on each other, slapping, snatching, punching, kicking. The music died out and profanities filled the air. Women dared not to pull their husbands away. Little children cried clinging to their mothers while elder ones looked in horror. Teenagers were excited. Some cheered the group, some tried to resolve the conflict and some themselves got into the riot.

Suddenly there was a sound of police siren and some motor bikes. The police had arrived as well as some scribes. Several people were detained by the policemen.

**********

The news was carried on in the crime section of the newspapers with the headline-

"Big brawl in the city slums."
Several detained by the police.

Mis(s)quote!

2007-10-20T16:10:00.000+05:30

These days I had some proverbs on my mind. Great people have had their say. Well, those great sayings have gotten a face-lift... er... rather a meaning-lift. Whatever! In layman's terms- I've messed these sayings. These may not go down in history. (I doubt even if it goes down well with the readers.) Who's line is it anyway? Here you go!

(1) Barking dogs seldom bite, while they bark.

(2) Necessity is the mother of invention.
Laziness is the father of hibernation.

(3) Alls fair in love and war... and hatred and peace and fun and bullying and bossing and politics and... the list continues.

(4) All that glitters is not gold. Today its known as bling-bling, baby!

(5) The grass is always greener on the other side. Let loose some cows in there for grazing.

(6) Its no use crying over spilled milk. Do with black coffee for now.

(7) Every dog has its day. You're lucky if you lead a dog's life then.

(8) Curiosity killed the cat. You look curious too.

(9) Alls well that ends well. Then there's another bad beginning.

(10) All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. And today he's a millionaire.

(11) Don't count your chickens before they are hatched. You may yearn for an omelet before that.

(12) Appearances are deceptive. You look smart.

Tomorrow if some Language experts sue me for all these, I'll have to eat my words. And sadly these are hard to digest. Uh-oh! I had forgotten to alert the readers to take a digestive tablet (preferably 'hajmola') before going through the post. The error is regretted.

THATS ALL FOLKS!!!

Inspirational Movies!

2007-10-02T22:40:00.000+05:30

In a country where cricket is a religion and movie stars are worshiped, it takes a movie to spread across some message to the mass. Just imagine, you've got chocolate wrapper in your hand and it is very obvious that you would not hold it till you find a dust-bin around you. You will without hesitation throw it on the road or where ever you are. (This is not applicable incase you are at your home under any circumstances. Why?) Who am I to ask this? Right? Do I stop someone from littering the street? No. But atleast I don't even litter it myself. (Believe me.)

Oh! The topic suggests something else, right? No. It wasn't meant to lure you into reading this. That is in reference to 'Lage raho Munnabhai' movie. Yes, the Gandhigiri one. (Ah! What a coincidence, I'm writing this piece on the 2nd of October.) After the movie had come out, I was surprised to see that many people actually stopped littering. I surely was more than glad. But every happiness is short lived. People got back to their usual self. For those whom 'Gandhigiri' was in, it was again a subject of some time-pass movie.

How much can a movie change the world? Or even lets take the nation only. Do we need a movie to make us ponder over such things? So that it remains on the top of our minds till its running in the theatres and later gone with the wind? Why do we don't have a sense of our own? Why do we get impressed by such things, but when it comes to getting practical... Who cares? Was just like some another movie.

'Chak de India' is something that is the craze of the nation. Currently. (Though I haven't seen the movie and not even intending to.) The movie is based on 'Hockey' (supposed to be our national sport!). But has it helped? Our hockey team was winning then, and what do papers have to say? The movie had inspired the team to win. Wow! The movie sure gets the credit. And what about the players? Do they even get recognition? People who don't even watch cricket know some (or even most) of the players because they grace the television by their presence (of course the commercials)!

Aren't the 'other' players playing hard enough? Or winning is a child's play for them? They don't even get enough infrastructure than the cricketers. The only other Indian sport that is sometimes in limelight is Tennis.And when asked if there is any partiality between the treatment met to these cricketers and the others, what do people have to say? They say that the cricketers have to even bear the ire of the fans after their loses just like the worship and celebrations after their victories. Justified? Absolutely lopsided! These cricket aficionados can go to any extent to defend their love for the game.

I don't know whats on my mind right now. Just been reading about the recent treatment meted out to these players and so its all here. Things are going to be as it is. This was only a vent to my thoughts. In the end I want to see some kind of equality among the sports in the country. As long as India wins, who is complaining? And trust me, I won't, even if we lose.

P.S. People please stop littering.

Growing Issues.

2007-09-09T22:12:00.000+05:30

Those were the times when I used to crib about restrictions. Those were the days when I wished I were 'big'. I had only one thing on my mind- When will I grow up? Grow up to enjoy the freedom, to make own decisions, to get a peek into the real world, and so on. How very wrong was I! Years later realization dawned upon me, that with freedom comes responsibilities. With an ability to be part of the real world is the task of survival of the fittest.

All we did was attend school, do homework, play for some while and then the day comes to an end. Exams, ofcourse, were what we dreaded every time, but then it was a routine and we got used to it. Play time was the most awaited one. Once done with the daily lessons, off we went to let ourselves wild. Watch endless cartoons, read comics, think about things to be done when we grow up... so many thoughts that filled our minds leaving no room for an idle phase.

And today... sure have no time to be idle. Fretting over work, enslaved by work pressure, miserable commuting experiences, and a million other woes sums up an entire day. But one thing is still the same- the eagerly awaited holiday. Why don't we have a Sunday every alternate day? I've begun to sound like a kid now! But I really don't mind. A most welcome change.

I wonder if I could be a kid again. Its not aging that bothers me. I'm 22 and have no qualms about disclosing it (But you see, people say that you mustn't ask a woman her age. How funny!). But still I miss the joy of being a kid... the carefree attitude... the real excitement on discovering something new... *sigh* And all we have are fabricated expressions. We have learnt to camouflage our real self behind fake demeanor.

I'm pretty sure that if I were a kid, I wouldn't have written stuff like this. You can see for yourself what 'growing up' has done to me. For those who haven't changed even a bit, good! But hey, I've not turned that worse. There's still a child in me who loves cartoons & comics. And the character I adore is Calvin. As quoted by him, "Happiness isn’t good enough for me! I demand euphoria!" Thanks Bill Watterson :)

Here goes a childhood song:

"When I was just a child in school,
I asked my teacher, "What should I try?
Should I paint pictures?
Should I sing songs?"
This was her wise reply:
Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be."

Booked to read.

2007-08-20T13:01:00.000+05:30

Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read.
-Groucho Marx

Books are man's best friend (yes, apart from a dog!). Or atleast mine. Oh no! I'm not talking about those which we used to detest as school kids. (Again, atleast me.) Well, what I'm talking about is novels, storybooks, or anything except the ones which you have to study for examinations.

It all began with comics. Yes, the ones like Tinkle, Champak, Archie's, etc. What else would you expect a 2nd standard student to read? Encyclopedia? May be. But I wasn't a wonder kid. Oh! I forgot to mention the fairy tales. How could I ever forget the 'Lived-happily-ever-after' ones! Those are really nice childhood fiction books. A must read.

Ah! Forget about those. Lets get serious. I mean some real books. Nancy Drew, Secret Seven... Hell! I don't even remember any of those name vividly. But truly they were some 'detective' stuff at that age. Yes, I had stopped reading them a decade ago. We had a school library which had a pretty decent collection of such books. I still remember in my last year of school (10th grade), I went to collect an Agatha Christie book. The librarian was a bit reluctant to give me the book and insisted that I take some Test series. And why would I? I never visited the library for study materials in all my 10 years at school. He had to give me the novel.

Later I read some truly great authors like John Grisham, Robert Ludlum, Dan Brown and Sidney Sheldon. These authors are a must read for Fiction lovers. Some book I would never want to read is the Mills & Boons series. The romance was so intense, it made me want to throw up! Ugh! I didn't have anything else to read at that time. I've read only one classic so far - Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. The story was good. But I found it slow paced and too detailed at times. Oh! Did I not mention William Shakespeare? Hmm, I did read some stories and honestly did not like it that much. Well, the fiction story ends here.

I do not read non-fiction as much as fiction. Or as a matter of fact, hardly any. I did read the autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi - 'My Experiments with Truth'. The other two which I read are the Dictionary and the Bible. Period.

Oh! And I do still love comics. Calvin & Hobbes are the best. I read every comic strip in the newspaper except for the superheros strips. They are always the one I look forward to whenever I get my hands on a newspaper. Even if its been repeated any number of times.

One thing I'd like to tell you all out there is that if you ever borrow a book from someone, please make sure to return it back after reading and that too, in a proper state. The lessons' over for the day. So, Happy Reading!

Literature is a luxury; fiction is a necessity.
-G.K. Chesterton

Never judge a book by its movie.
- J.W. Eagan

Rainy days should be spent at home with a cup of tea and a good book.
- Bill Watterson

GOAL!!!

2007-08-02T00:01:00.000+05:30

When in school, I was a big fan of Cricket. I knew all the players of every national team by heart. My friends and I would collect these cricket trump cards and boast about our collection to each other. I would religiously watch almost every match. Yes, every over, every ball and every break. Phew! Today I wonder how did I sit and watch one day matches, let alone test match.

But I'm glad I switched over to FOOTBALL! Its not been many years, but I am in love with the game! I remember my dad used to watch World Cup past midnight. I was in school then, and we were not supposed to stay up till late in the night. My early college years were also never spent watching the game. FIFA World Cup 2002 was when I was exposed to soccer. Though I did not watch the matches, I caught up with it through the newspapers and heard the scores on the radio. I even had paper cut-outs of the players for every match. After this I might have watched only a few of League matches. And fortunately I watched Manchester United in action.

Only when the World Cup was back (yeah! After 4 years of wait) I began following this game till date. I succeeded in continuing with the game and saw English Premiere League and Spanish League throughout the season.

Though I cannot boast about the years I've been following the game or being a RED DEVIL, I possess decent knowledge about football and am not just someone who likes it just for namesake.

One thing is sure- I am going to be a footie freak all my life!

GLORY GLORY MANCHESTER UNITED!

Word's Worth!

2007-07-30T23:38:00.000+05:30

"Wassup?"
One word alone means a lot- what have you been up to; how are you; anything new... Well, depends on how you want to answer this. Nothing specific.

But isn't that supposed to be 'what's up'? Yes. We do know that. All of us have learnt the same A to Zs, recited almost the same poetry's and even read the same text books. Never heard or read this word then. On the contrary this is how you greet your pals with. So where did this word spring up from?

I don't know either. Of course might have heard it from someone and since then its been stuck to your tongue. You know, its kewl to use such lingo. 'Kewl'? Ah! Now I understand not the origin of the language but the reason for it to be part of our vocabulary. I'm pretty sure that such words will be included in the dictionaries too! Well, if bootilicious could make it then why not these day-to-day words.

Oh! I'm not complaining. But I am surprised how soon the lingo catches up with us! A few years back a person would raise eyebrows if he or she used the 'F' word. And just picture this! Today even teenagers cannot complete their sentence without it. So they use it when they are excited, when they are annoyed and not to forget even to abuse someone. One slang word communicating multiple expressions. Impressed? I'm rather confused. How are they supposed to control their tongue in formal situations further in life? Say for instance... interviews, official meetings... Better curb your enthusiasm then or simply swear under your breath!

Where is all this heading? Nowhere. Language does not belong to anybody. But every word you speak, makes an impression. Everyone wants to speak up their mind. So who's stopping you? Word is a weapon to hurt as well as lovely things said can melt the toughest heart. Just make sure what words you are using.

Now I am at a loss for words, so catch 'ya' later!

"...You think that I don't even mean,
A single word I say...
It's only words
And words are all I have
To take your heart away!"
- Boyzone.