Taggity Tag!!

Picked this one up from Mann.....

1. Name one person who made you laugh last night?
Isha, by doing something really kiddish... can't remember what but does manage to be a kid when around me!!

2. What were you doing at 0800?
Sleeping… and probably snoozing the alarm!!

3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
Talking to Isha....

4. What happened to you in 2006?
Nothing remarkable..... but met a great girl called Isha.

5. What was the last thing you said out loud?
OUCH!!!! Coz, someone had pinched me really hard!!

6. How many beverages did you have today?Coffee in the morning and a glass of water a few minutes back.

7. What color is your hairbrush?
Don't have one.. but my comb is coloured white!!

8. What was the last thing you paid for?
An egg sandwhich today evening.

9. Where were you last night?
At work and then home.

10. What color is your front door?
Yellow.

11. Where do you keep your change?
In my wallet…

12. What’s the weather like today?
Pleasant… past sunset now and the cold breeze has started to blow....

13. What’s the best ice-cream flavor?
Dark Chocolate of Ti-Amo. Mecroche comes close...........

14. What excites you?
Ummm… I would tell but then I’d have to kill you. (Sorry, mann.. had to take this from you!!)

15. Do you want to cut your hair?
Unless I have no option!!

16. Are you over the age of 25?
No. I wish I was.... can't tell you why though!! :D

17. Do you talk a lot?
Ummm.... at times yes.. it depends!!

18. Do you watch the O.C.?
No. Am not much into the idoit box, least of all the soaps!!

19. Do you know anyone named Steven?
No… Who's he?

20. Do you make up your own words?
Haven't made any note of such activity till date!!!

21. Are you a jealous person?
Ummm..... I don't think so!!

22. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘A’.
Now that's tough..... I mean can't name a single one outright now.... but then.. lemme think.... Ananya!!

23. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘K’.
Can't recall anyone as such with 'K'

24. Who’s the first person on your received call list?
Isha.

25. What does the last text message you received say?
"Pyramid n sphinx need 2 be seen n experienced - specially at night - spectacular, its difficult 2 describe - we r now on way 2 alexandria". can't tell u who sent me that.....

26. Do you chew on your straw?
No… if ever i use one that is!!

27. Do you have curly hair?
No… never!!

28. Where’s the next place you’re going to?
Mumbai.

29. Who’s the rudest person in your life?
Yet to qualify someone for that category!!!

30. What was the last thing you ate?
Vada-sambar.

31. Will you get married in the future?
Yes as soon as someone agrees!! ;)

32. What’s the best movie you’ve seen in the past 2 weeks?
Jhankaar beats… that was a few nights ago... love to watch it again and again!!! :D

33. Is there anyone you like right now?
Yes.

34. When was the last time you did the dishes?
Last night.... I'm on my own!!

35. Are you currently depressed?
Yes… I’m dying to get my code working but the stupid query gets a timeout…

36. Did you cry today?
No...

37. Why did you answer and post this?
Cause I felt like it... why do you wanna know?

38. Tag few people who would do this survey.
Oh anyone game enough... if you feel like it.. go ahead!!!

Like some other person!!

We forfeit three-fourths of ourselves in order to be like other people. - Arthur Schopenhauer

Came across this quote a few days back, and it somehow got me thinking. How often is it that just to be acceptable we end up changing things about us? You know, just so that you would be part of the in crowd.... a tendency predominantly found among adolescents and young college-goers. But then come to think of it isn't it what everyone is? I mean, if I'm to look back at myself say 7 years ago, then I'd say I've changed. Now, change is constant can't deny that one. But when does the change make us turn into someone else and drive further away from who we really are. I'm a bit fuzzy on this on and would like your inputs regarding it.

So, tell me what do you think, when does change for the sake of change or for some superficial need take place? How does it affect the personality?

Kolkata Burning!!!

I'm not sure whether you have read about this or not, but I think it was high timne people started to look into it... at least know about it. Read this snippet from IBN-LIVE.

Nandigram Fire Spreads to Kolkata

Do let me know what you think after reading it. More will follow...........

Daakiya aaya!!! (The postman's here!!!)

For those who have been fed to quite a diet of Hindi programmes based in an era gone by... or may be languishing in some remote corner of the country... this cry of a child would be quite familiar.

There was a time when e-mails and telephones were not part and parcel of our daily existence. It was during those times (read: a few thousand yrs) that the hand written letter was what carried the words from one person to another over distant lands. There have been other modes of communication but more of that later. So this snail mail was what people used to look forward to when they had someone close staying far away from them. It was during times like these, that children used to look forward to the postman. Because that meant a letter, a smile on someone's face.... The range of emotions that a postman or may be one can say a snail mail could cause has oft been chronicled but I suppose it's full import can only be experienced. So, I was saying, this snail mail business was so important at one time. I mean, like we grew up with snail mail. I still remember exchanging letter every month with my first cousin Rima for nearly four years on the trot, till we passed out of school. After that....

After that it was the e-mail and phone calls!! That's the beautiful truth for everyone. Or is it really beautiful. Though we've learnt to accept those e-mails in lieu of the hand-written letter, does it really convey the same message? Can someone tell me why do people still their love letters and send them via mail of hand over personally, rather than an e-mail or phone call??

The reason is simple. "Elementary, my dear Watson", is how Holmes would have said. The import and feelings conveyed by the hand-written letter is way too personal. It somehow allows one to peek into the heart of the person who wrote you that letter.

Sadly enough, the snail mail is losing importance. I mean, I don't remember the last time I received one, except for the greetings cards and stuff like that... I'm talking of letters!! I don't remember the last time I sent one.

So what do you say?? Wanna write a letter.... may be to the person you go back to everyday!!

-----------

The post was in reponse to David Mcmahon's post on snail mail.

Trivia: Here is a link to the history of Indian Postal Service

Blogging in my sleep!!

Not really!! I'm st8ill awake but ready to plop down the moment I get a chance. Anywyz, it's 3:00 am now, and if you are wondering how come I'm online and blogging... let me enlighten you... I'm at work!! YUP!!! At work.... life of an IT professional!! Grrrr......

Anywyz, here I am, I really dunno what to write about if you ask me, just typing what ever is fleeting across my mind.... I dunno if it's making any sense. Now Thanks to this wonderful work timing of mine (5:30 pm - 3:30 am), Saturday night was a complete washout.... Sunday would be spent sleeping away.. and whoosh.... Monday is here!! Now how great is that??

And to top it all there is a Bloggers Lunch tomorrow... oops today afternoon at Mumbai, which I wanted to attend... but have to give it a miss... cause either I attend it and stay without sleep.... or sleep and conveniently forget about it.. coz it's not possibel for me to take it on while I'm still in Pune. Life can get so boring a times....

Anywyz, just to cheer myself up.. I'll post few pics of Kolkata, I caught the last ime I went to Kolkata... And one of my workplace at Pune early in a winter morning.... take a look!!

Kolkata Tram

Kolkata City Centre

My workplace, early morning!!

Anything for you, ma'am

Now this one is for all you people in Love out there, who have seen/been through the agonies distance can cause to two fluttering hearts. How many times. I ask you guys, have you told your lady love "Anything for you..."? And how many times have you beautiful ladies, held your breath when you heard your prince charming utter those syllables? Let me guess, every time.... You may not have believed him then and uttered a "tchah!!" the effect of which best known only to those who have heard it...... and then one fine day he does something... at quite a risk... just for you... and that's when you believe him... more than anyone else... you know that he would really do anything for you..... ANYTHING!!

That dear readers, is the magic of Love. Ah!! I see some people out there groaning inwardly!! You must be thinking "What's wrong with this guy? Amongst the scores of topic out there why does he dwell on love??". I have only one thing to say: "Love always coz there is nothing more beautiful!!".

Now drifting back to the actual topic.... "Anything for you, ma'am", is one of the sweetest stories that one could have read about a guy facing all odds just to meet his sweetheart. It is an IITians love story.. as they say on the cover, but then once you are through with it, the only thing you'd say (I hope..) is "That could have been me!!". That's the beauty of this story.

An easy flowing style of writing, and the ability to travel back and forth in time is what marks this book with a signature style. And for all those P.G.Wodehouse aficionados, this book might just make you reach for the next Jeeves you can lay your eyes upon. The travails of the the protagonist, Tejas from Delhi to Chennai, would force you to read the book at one go.... The college life, the travel.. and finally the meeting.... it is what dreams are made of.... and in line with Tejas's philosophy I'd say... "What's Life without some spice??". Yup!! You have loads of spice.... read it.... and in a way it would take back to your campus days, when all as fair in love and war!! Along with Tejas one gets to meet some very interesting characters who end playing significant parts in all the mishaps/plans, the prominent being Mr. Fate. Now that's all I'm gonna tell you... now go ahead and grab a copy...NOW!!

The author Tushar Raheja wrote this book while still in college. A 2006 graduate from IIT Delhi. For more details, check out his web page.

Dhanteras!!

Well.... as a passing thought I thought I'd tell people about some of the stuff being done in India on account of Diwali day after tomorrow. So here goes the first day - Dhanteras....

Dhanteras

Dhanteras marks the first day of five-days-long Diwali Festival. Dhanteras Festival, also known as Dhantrayodashi or Dhanwantari Triodasi, falls on the auspicious thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik (October/November). In the word Dhanteras, "Dhan" stands for wealth. On Dhanteras Goddess Laxmi is worshiped to provide prosperity and well being. Hence Dhan Teras holds a lot more significance for the business community.

Dhanteras Legends

A very interesting story about Dhanteras Festival says that once the sixteen year old son of King Hima. was doomed to die by a snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage as per his horoscope. On that particular fourth day of his marriage his young wife did not allow him to sleep. She laid all the ornaments and lots of gold and silver coins in a big heap at the entrance of her husband's boudoir and lighted innumerable lamps all over the place. And she went on telling stories and singing songs.

When Yama, the god of Death arrived there in the guise of a Serpent his eyes got blinded by that dazzle of those brilliant lights and he could not enter the Prince's chamber. So he climbed on top of the heap of the ornaments and coins and sat there whole night listening to the melodious songs. In the morning he quietly went away. Thus the young wife saved her husband from the clutches of death. Since then this day of Dhanteras came to be known as the day of "Yamadeepdaan" and lamps are kept burning throughout the night in reverential adoration to Yam, the god of Death.

According to another popular legend, when the gods and demons churned the ocean for Amrit or nectar, Dhanavantri (the physician of the gods and an incarnation of Vishnu) emerged carrying a jar of the elixir on the day of Dhanteras.

Dhanteras Preparations

To mark the auspicious day, houses and business premises are renovated and decorated. Entrances are made colorful with lovely traditional motifs of Rangoli designs to welcome the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. To indicate her long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the nights.

Dhanteras Traditions

On Dhanteras Hindus consider it auspicious to purchase gold or silver articles or at least one or two new utensils. It is believed that new “Dhan” or some form of precious metal is a sign of good luck. "Laxmi-Puja" is performed in the evenings when tiny Diyas of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. "Bhajans"-devotional songs- in praise of Goddess Laxmi are also sung.

Dhanteras Celebrations

Dhanteras is celebrated with gusto and enthusiasm. "Lakshmi-Puja" is performed in the evenings when tiny diyas of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. Bhajans ir devotional songs- in praise of Goddess Laxmi are sung and "Naivedya" of traditional sweets is offered to the Goddess. There is a peculiar custom in Maharashtra to lightly pound dry coriander seeds with jaggery and offer as Naivedya. In villages cattle are adorned and worshiped by farmers as they form the main source of their income. In south cows are offered special veneration as they are supposed to be the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and therefore they are adorned and worshiped on this day.

The festival of Dhanteras is also known by the names of Dhantrayodashi and Dhanvantari Trayodashi (Dhanwantari Trayodashi). It is the festival that marks the beginning of the diwali celebrations and therefore it is considered the first day of five days long festivities of diwali. The term 'dhanteras' consists of two factors 'dhan', which literally means wealth and 'teras', which means thirteenth. Here thirteenth is meant to indicate the day 'Trayodashi', on which dhanteras falls. Dhanvantari Trayodashi (Dhanwantari Trayodashi) is celebrated on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha, of the Hindu month of Kartik, that is two days before diwali.

I hope I have been able to guide you a little into the world of Diwali - "The Festival of Lights".

First Meeting...... Or the Last!!

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any person living or dead is purely incidental and not intentional. So, treat it lightly :)

His Story

He sat there in the cafe fiddling with his mobile. A calm demeanor had enveloped but deep within there was a tempest of emotions. He couldn't believe that the day had finally arrived. A moment long awaited was finally about to engulf his senses. Will things turn out to be just the way he had imagined them to be. Will he live up to expectations? A cold sweat broke out as he walked out of the cafe. The weather was hot and humid. Should he just sit there and wait? How long would he have to wait? He was supposed to be there at 7:00 but he had arrived a good 15 minutes earlier. And that seemed to be lasting through ages. He stared at his mobile. A simple one with nothing but the basic functions that one would need! But, it had led him to his source of joy, his elixir of life. He thought of calling but what if the line on the other end was busy, what if the voice at the end said it would take a little more time. He knew the voice worked hard, very hard. At times he thought it was killing her, but then he couldn't do much about it, not when he is 2000 km away. But today he was just a few hundred meters away, and they seemed to stretch beyond the horizon. Time was passing about so slowly. He noticed his clammy hands and wiped it against his pants. He checked his reflection in a glass. He did seem alright. Not weather beaten, given the weather of this city it was natural to look that should one be using the public transport to commute. And this was his first visit to this city as a grown up. And definitely a first to this part of the city! He glanced at his watch. Still 5 more minutes to go before the BIG moment arrived.

His thoughts took a time travel back to their first conversations and marveled for the umpteenth time how things had changed between them from casual conversation to flirting and finally much beyond. From just another friend, she became his most essential reason for living, his very essence of existence. And surprisingly all this without ever meeting each other!! He couldn't believe his luck for as per him he had found his dream girl, accidentally but he had found her. And She would be walking through the parking lot in front of him any minute now. They had got on with each other like a house on fire right from their first words. A call supposed to last for just 10 minutes had gone on for more than a few hours. As this became more of a norm than an exception, they started spending virtually every moment awake with each other. Every aspect of the other person was clearly etched in the other’s mind. “Can this be real?” he often thought! Guess it was, else he wouldn’t have been standing here in a distant land just because of a girl who was the perfect woman in his eyes. He thought back to the moments when they had their tiffs and how she had fought back to claim him more ferociously than ever. The fiery little girl had everything that he had ever asked for in his prayers.

His prayers were answered. His search was over; there she was calmly walking towards him across the empty parking lot looking radiant, a shy smile playing across her lips, her eyes twinkling (or were they really shining bright??), her beautiful mane falling over face. She tosses her head to one side and finally stops in front of him. He was rooted to the spot. He shook her hands to confirm that he was not dreaming. And as they walked back to the coffee shop, he pinched himself to be assured once more that he had finally met her. The heart was really set alight to hover miles over the earth into a different world of its own.

********

Her Story

She couldn't believe that after months of talking she was finally going to meet the very guy who had swept her off her feet, without ever setting his eyes on her. The very thought that in a few minutes he would be staring straight into her eyes was making her knees go weak. Will he be as subtle as he had always portrayed himself to be? Will be the guy she had imagined him to be over the past few months? A dozen questions chased each other across her head. He had called a few minutes back. He was here. She wanted to rush out immediately and meet him, but something kept her rooted to her seat. This seemed to be so unreal. It still felt like as if they’d come to know each other a few days back, yet it had been many a months since that day. The butterflies in her stomach had gone into an overdrive. She got up, checked into a mirror, was she looking alright. It had been a long day at work, and she just hoped that the fatigue didn’t show. But would he really care about that? After all, this fellow simply knew how to cool her down after the most horrendous of days. And his voice…….. She simply loved his voice. Somehow it had the ability to keep her on her toes, and at times soothe her when she had frayed nerves. Would he be just like that in person? She checked the time, 5 more minutes to go before she met him. She started walking towards the meeting spot.

Her mind went back to the first time she had called him up on a cold winter night. Right from the very beginning it was like he knew everything that there could be about him. Did he fit into her idea of the perfect guy?? She was surprised that she was asking herself this question. And the first thing that she fell in love with him was his voice. It was just the way she had always thought a guy should be having. And the way he modulated to allow the maximum impact of his words. Very early on she realized he could play with words and twist things to his advantage. A fighter to the core, she loved losing to him. It was perhaps a silent submission from her end, but then neither of them realized it till they had gone far ahead into a relationship which was perhaps the sweetest that could ever be. She couldn't forget all those times when she had gone extremely disturbing phases and how the fear of losing him had gripped her a few times. Yet he had never gone, he had stayed around, assured her of that soothing her frayed nerves and made sure she was alright. He was always patient with her. And the way he knew her made her think he was some sort of a magician. Yet, it was he who called her a Black Magic Woman, for according to him; she had cast her magic on him, and didn’t want to break free of it. Yet, she felt, he too is guilty of the same. Else, how could a fiercely independent girl be so much in awe of a guy she had never met? After months of planning to chalk a free schedule thanks to their busy schedules, they were meeting today. Looks like her search might be over.

And then she saw him, standing with a lost expression on his face, staring straight at her. He was the splitting image of what she had imagined him to be…. tall, dark and ordinary looking fellow, nothing special about him except perhaps his voice and his intellect. As she walked towards him, he stared at her as if she was a dream. Was this really the first time they were meeting? It sure did feel awesome, but definitely not the first time. Yet, the realization had to kick in. And it did, when he shook her hands. The very sense of his gentle touch sent a shiver down her spine. It was him. Finally, the fellow who had made her smile at the most stupidest of things was there in front of her eyes. And when he said “Hello”, the same voice that had mesmerized her all these day threw her into a tizzy and she felt like saying a hundred things. Yet all that she managed to say was, “So, finally our first meeting.”

********

And Then…

And then their story flew into the deep abyss of the night, to be shared and known only by those two souls. Moment which would leave them longing for each other more than ever would perhaps never be known by anyone, but then some things are to be experienced and not shared.

And Now

But then some love stories were never meant to be. The needle pierced her soul one day and tormented her beyond imagination. Unable to take in the pain she sought to break away, but then he was not a man to give up. A tumultuous period followed during which they came together and then apart, until one day the the thread snapped. Ironically their first meeting was their last, and perhaps the moment of their greatest avowal of love that they could be capable of. They still love each other but then the phones never ring now. She lives with a remembrance of a sweet love... and he with the hope of her return. Will things work out in the end? We'll never know, until they script their story again.

Love never dies...... circumstances do

P.S. Well this one is to tell you all that this story was written about 3 months back. So don't fret and link me to it. However I'll continue a little for the sake of a happy ending!!

Currently

They patched up... Yes!! They did... the phone rang... she returned... He had set free what he loved the most and she came back.. stronger than before. Life seems smooth and the future beautiful. The regular shades of uncertainty will remain... but then love truimphed and ruled their hearts!! And they are now happily enojying the onset of the Indian winter.

Love honestly..... and you shall not be deprived of it.

Check them and out!!

Well, I just thought I might let you about these post I've put up!! Check them and out and let me know what you think....

A Strike & Early at work !!

Cheerio!!!

Early to work!!

"Perfect formal attire!!", that's what a youngster thought while checking himself out in the elevator. He was on his way to work. He steps out, walks through the open glass door and then enters he secured area of his work. The same white tiles, light, wall. A yellow and blue board separating the employees and thus creating open cubicles. There is an openness about the atmosphere and yet there was something about it which doesn't lift the spirit!! It wasn't like this in the old one now!! Anyways, some things have got to be dealt with. It was then something struck him. The entire office was nearly empty save for a few souls who could be seen scattered here and there. Did he turn up on a Saturday or Sunday by mistake?? Usually when he comes in the office is abuzz with activity. What's wrong then today?? He checks his watch for the date. Yup!! It was Monday. Then what? It was then that he notices the time. It was 9:00 a.m.!! Turning up at work so early was not a requirement for him before today. You see till date he had to come in at 2:00 and then leave after 10:00. That had changed his lifestyle a great deal. And now he has to turn up this early, for a week.

As the import of such an activity in the long run sunk in, he couldn't help but grumble. Turning up at different times of the day on a regular rotation basis would affect him a lot. He knew it. His sleep would be the one which be most affected. But what should he do now get rid of such a work time?? Absolutely disgusted he begins another mundane day at work!!

Any suggestions??