Between Friends...

Hey there

2010-05-21T10:29:00.000+05:30

Hi, Ishi and anyone else who's reading this.....I was pleasantly surprised to see 'new post' showing on BUF when I logged in to blogger, today. And, hey, great to see your post...I'd love to see BUF revived. It always has a special place in my heart, for having found me so many nice people from round the world, and a great outlet to write.

Do,do plan to revive it...or, send me the emails of all...I'll drop them a line.:)Cheerio!

Long time...

2010-05-15T03:18:00.000+05:30

Just a shout out to any BUFers who still visit :)! There's been no activity here for a while but I drop by to read through old posts and relive some of the memories of those days. This space was special :) ... always will be!

2009-06-20T06:06:00.003+05:30

Once in a lifetime, you find a beautiful person
Someone who truly cares, someone who never forgets...
Once in a lifetime, you find a special soul
One that is gold, and one that is rare...
Once in a lifetime, an angel appears
That keeps you alive, that makes you smile.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARLING ISHI! We wish for you sunny days, beautiful memories, heartfelt moments, truthful smiles, neverending hope, plenty of joy, good health, longlasting peace and most of all LOVE!

*MWAH*

Chandni Chowk To China To Crashing Way Way Down At The Box Office

2009-01-18T13:41:00.003+05:30

I can confidently advise you to not waste your precious time and money (what, with recession and all!) and watch Chandni Chowk To China.I was dragged to watch it like a dead carcass with no feet and half way through I, the dragger, dragged the dragees out of the movie theatre.Akshay Kumar movies are usually known for senseless, yet entertaining banter but this one was just senseless.It was quite clear that the director had no basic plot.It was just a big huge enmeshed blob of confusion.
It had a little bit of Kung Fu Panda and Seeta Aur Geeta. Thats one combo I thought I'd never see!
And whats with Deepika Padukone and signing up for movies only with double roles? She is of mixed parentage in the movie; one, a Chinese mafia type girl, and the other, a ditzy Indian model.What cracked me up(only cause everything else was so lame) was Chinese Deepika's underworld name-Meow Meow.Everytime she came on screen, the sound effects produced a screechy 'Meeeeoowww'.

Akshay Kumar plays a vegetable cutter in Chandni Chowk who is mistaken by very dumb Chinese villagers to be the re-incarnation of their historic warrior.It thus involves the journey of a flabby paratha seller's son who eventually takes revenge by taking down the guy -crime master Hojo (lol) that bullies the villagers and that killed Akshay Kumar's dad and destroyed Deepika's family.Trust me, after all the boredom, you might look forward to the one on one action between the villan and Akshay, but you will be DISAPPOINTED.I'm a huge fan of martial art ass kicking scenes( I'm currently in my second year of Thai Kickboxing) and the scenes in Kung Fu Panda got me more riled up than this movie.Oh! Don't miss out on the super exaggerated cosmos energy move.Thats just dope.Bruce Lee must be spinning in his grave.

Movie Review: Slumdog Millionaire

2009-01-04T01:36:00.002+05:30

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

How many times has it been that you've day-dreamed of being a millionaire?

How many times has it been that you've felt things happen because that's how they are supposed to happen in our lives?

How many times has it been that you've felt that things happened around through a stroke of luck?

"Slumdog Millionaire" is one such story. It is the story of how an impoverished Indian teen Jamal Malik became a contestant on the Hindi version of "Who Wants to be A Millionaire?" -- an endeavor made without prize money in mind, rather, an effort to prove his love for his friend Latika, who is an ardent fan of the show.

The beautiful, and at times horrible, twists and turns of Jamal's life which brought him to the hot seat and which inexplicably also helps him win the prize money and find Latika for good, would surely leave bound to your seat for the two hours.

A well paced movie with no meaningless time squandering around that is sometimes on view in movies which have the most innovative of concepts.

Give it a watch. It should be on your list for 2009.

An open letter to the Prime Minister of India.

2008-12-27T13:00:00.004+05:30

Dear Prime Minister

By now, I am sure you know none of us envy you. Atleast the educated-not-wanting-a-ministerial-chair, sane minded ones amongst us.

You indeed are surrounded in some murky environs:

Fellow politicians with an expertise in the foot in mouth syndrome to put even good old Dubya and Paris Hilton put together, to shame.

A motley crew of alliance members with a 'DEEP' understanding of the current geopolitical and security situation. Incidentally they would all be out of their depth even in a parking lot puddle.

You had to give up your best man in the worst financial meltdown thanks to Shivraj Patil finally waking up to the fact that it’s time he put his political chair holding ambitions to sleep.

An opposition that beats even Ekta Kapoor’s knack of thriving on human misery to release advertising using terror attacks as a subject (ironically, their reign on the chair wasn’t a bed of roses for the country either).

A coast guard system that makes the Indian shores seem like the open gates of Appu Ghar on Children’s Day.

A stickler for protocol, neighboring leader of state who actually believes that your external affairs minister called him on the cell phone to make ‘phraindsheep’ with him and then threaten dire consequences unless his demands were met.

Laloo Yadav. Maya “bhenji” Wati. Vijay Mallya. Barkha Dutt. And a demanding lady boss.

The list goes on.

You really don’t have an easy life, I know. But since you are the leader of the nation, we have no one else to turn to.

We do not want a war Mr. Prime Minister. We want peace.

We do not want to hurt Pakistan. We want to annihilate extremism. And that does not involve normal citizens of any country. Or any faith.

We do not want bravado. We need alertness. Where every time something goes wrong, those who are at fault have more to say than just ‘ooops’.

We do not want blame takers and resignations on moral grounds. We want accountability. And some basic testicular fortitude in those who hold offices.

We do not want Barkha Dutt. We want news. She alone can give the entire opposition a tough fight for Ekta Kapoor’s throne of the ultimate human misery exploiter. Asking people who have just lost their kin “what are your feelings right now”. And yes, the gem: asking the NSG commander as he is entering the Nariman house amidst heavy firing “what is your strategy”?

Barkha-e-Tauba ! I hope the UN puts her on the list as well.

We do not need war. No we don’t.

For all the people who died in Mumbai on 26/11 and the million others in the acts of terrorism that ravished this land, do not send more Indians to the battlefield.

Because then, this will all go on.

This is what I suggest you can do:

Tighten our borders. If they cannot get in, they cannot cause harm.

Pay our security forces better. If they cannot be bribed, they cannot be breached.

Be clinical and ruthless with the politicians. You know, I know and we all know who are the ones who need this treatment. (Have Ram Gopal Varma make a new political potboiler – DeshMoorkh. The rest of the star cast is a ready set of asteroids led by R. R. Patil. This set of politicians will go far. The sooner they start, the better.)

Implement into law a bill that makes every politician with an ambition to hold office, hold a basic education first. The Prime Minister being educated enough, making up for the entire cabinet and political system doesn’t work.

Make public the ‘evidence’ you have. There is little to be gained with secrecy and protocol. As it is, we are on cell phone - first name basis with Zardari. Let the world know who they are, where they are and who shelters them. Remember it is politicians and power brokers who you need to target. Not innocent citizens. If innocent citizens are the collateral damage for our objectives, we are no different from the ones who did 26/11.

Be nice to Asif Ali Zardari. It is not his fault that he is brainless, spineless and powerless. Probably you can send Barkha Dutt as your special envoy with all the evidence to convince him if you have to. And threaten to keep her there till they get their act together. Atleast one of the two national issues we face everyday will be surely solved.

I have lots more to say, but as I said, I am aware of your tight schedule and tighter leash.

I hope these suggestions help. Till you do something about it, all we can do is pray for peace and seek sanity by staying away from NDTV 24x7.

I recommend..AmitL

2008-12-24T08:03:00.006+05:30

I recommend(For those wanting to come to Dubai for work purposes and to save money as well for your budhaapa(old age)):

Only accept a job which offers a minimum salary of AED 10000/- (Current conversion: Rs 12.5 or so, fluctuating daily) Anything less than that in these days of high rents and inflation is hara-kiri, unless you want to come at AED 5-6000 and not save anything. Of course, if accommodation is offered by Company, the lesser salary would be all right, but, it usually isn’t, even to the goras/goris. Do not be misled by agents telling you- oh, you’ll get Rs. 50,000/- or some such figure.

Bring a back-up amount of minimum AED 6000/-, if you’re not sure of getting an advance from your company/establishment. This will go in paying room rent(Today, even sharing accommodation by way of bedspace, costs @ AED 1500/- and they ask for 2-3 months in advance), as well as buying the basic necessities of life, including a TV set(@ AED 400) and a CD/DVD player(@ AED 100, cheapest)

In fact, you might need more than that amount. Rents are expected to fall, but,at present, landlords want 2 rents in advance, and, if through an agent, then, his cut is another 2-4%, depending on demand in the area.

If you’re bringing your family in and your company is not sponsoring them(Even if it is, I still recommend this), then, don’t..at least not for the first six months. Settle in, save a bit, and then call them. You won’t know how fast the greenbucks go, when running after mandatory medical examination, residence visa, school admissions(If applicable) and all the related paraphernalia which goes with admission, from uniforms to books to what not.

Besides this, be ready to shell out @ AED 200(Water and electricity), 89( TV channels), 165(Mobile phone connection)+ talk time which will surely soar in the first few months or even later)

Once you move into your accommodation, you’ll need to get: The drinking water bottles( They cost 8 dirham for a 20 litre bottle and you need at least 6 per month), the manual/motorized pump to attach to bottles (25/-) or a normal+hot water dispenser(40/- min), tea kettle (If you’re in a non-cooking sharing accommodation) for boiling water(@ 65/-), mugs, tea bags. Milk of course will be a regular item, too. (1 litre costs AED 5.5/- to 6).

Food: If you don’t cook or are not allowed to, count @ AED 15 per day for food(If you scrounge, really, and pay just 8 or so, it’s your choice, but, why take chances with your health?

Don’t fall prey to all that glitters, and, this includes, immediately buying a hi-fi cellphone costing upwards of a 1000 dirhams, to watches to branded clothes, to the best in Reeboks to a Canon digital camera.

You might also need to buy furniture, from beds-mattresses-pillows to a computer table(Also a computer, of course), a small cupboard or two, et al.

In fact, I don’t recommend buying anything which is not a bare necessity or, alternatively, which you don’t intend to take home. Otherwise, whenever you are returning, you will sell them all at a much lower price.

Also, in these times of recession and pink slips, I really recommend that you first get your confirmation that your visa is under process, and then only quit your job(If it’s existing) in your home country. I’ve heard cases of people who quit their safe job, and, when they were about to come here, they were told to ‘forget it’, as there was a freeze on recruitment.

It's Been A Week Of Tears...(Keshi)

2008-12-04T06:58:00.005+05:30

Instead of hatred, darkness and unrest, let there be love, light and peace always. Be the radiance that you want to see in others...it all starts with self.

~~In memory of all the innocents who perished in the last week's senseless Mumbai attacks. May your souls find comfort, rest and peace wherever you are now~~

2008-11-26T23:30:00.000+05:30

Hey All!!

I heard about attacks that took place in Mumbai (India) today. I hope you and all your family and friends are fine!

Lots of Love,

Loon Gal

An update on my life(AmitL)

2008-11-25T06:35:00.003+05:30

Hi,all!! Been a mite bugged,literally...first it was the usual cough and cold. Followed by a severe backache(Lumbar sprain is what the doc called it) which didn't allow me to sit for more than 10 minutes at a stretch. But then, sprain is always better than something spinal,right? As always, whatever happens is for the best...so, I got a bit of compulsory rest last Fri-Sat, and, now,things are nearly back to normal. Now, of course, the first day of the sprain makes me LOL- imagine bending down to pick up the paper and then having to get up holding the door frame? So glad it was 5 AM, otherwise any neighbour spotting me would have been embarassing.LOL

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Amongst other updates: The day goes nowadays, hearing about slowed/ stalled projects, people being evicted from banks and real estate companies.(Now, this eviction is pretty harsh- unlike the evictions which took place from the Bigg Boss house in the second season on Colours channel). I heard about a friend's friend- he quit his job in Mumbai, and was packed and ready to move to Dubai when the Bank he was joining called him and said they were not sending his visa, since there was a freeze on recruitments. Another story was about a girl(came in the papers)who quit her job at a telecom company here, and went to a new company- when she reached there on the first day, the HR people told her that her post had been cancelled.Pretty depressing, hearing/reading about such events. Here's praying that these people get a good job,or,their old jobs back. Harsh realities of today! How about you? Did you experience anything of the sort amongst friends/relatives?Everyone's suggestion these days- stick to your current job.Don't think of moving out till the situation improves. (Just like they say'stick to your current flat/room/studio', out here..coz a new place,a new rent would be killing)

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Reminds me of a recession joke. There's this guy who feels nervous these days when a bank returns his cheque citing 'lack of funds' as the reason- he doesn't know whether it refers to his account or to the bank's funds!

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Besides that,not much to update-except that I'm leaving for India tomorrow,for two weeks!!

Back (vipul)

2008-11-15T23:09:00.002+05:30

Sorry for this impromptu post but all i wanted to let you people know was that i am back.
Yes back on BUF as well as on my blog Nostalgia . Time through thick and thin has taught me a lot and at times i used to ponder -"There is something missing in me". To this day i think of the same with the only difference being that i have made up my mind. Made up my mind that at least i can loose a bit of this emptiness by blogging. So thou shalt be regular blogger!

Thanks
You peeps rock!

Music, the food of love. Play on. (Jitendra)

2008-11-05T11:07:00.004+05:30

Been a while since I posted anything on BUF. No excuses. Pure laziness.

I am about to take an even longer break as I leave for Saudi in a day. So instead of blabbering non-stop, I ll just keep my word. I remember I had promised long back that I would torture you guys with my 'phata-baansuri' voice. So here goes..escape if you can.
(here is the original, in case you are curious)

I Recommend(AmitL)

2008-10-31T16:41:00.009+05:30

Hi,all!!I'm sure you all had a Happy Diwali and a Dazzling New Year!!On to the interesting topic of the month:

I recommend:

- Smiling in the dark when you wake up in the morning.

- Drinking 3-4 glasses of water before brushing your teeth.

- Saying a prayer before distracting your thought processes with TV/radio/newspaper

- Reading at least one positive thought, like' Life is like a ten-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use'

-Exercise for 15-20 minutes-be it walking/jogging in place,walking outside,stretching,et al.

- Now,my favourite-have a cup of tea.

- Think about one thing/person you're grateful about, in life.

- At work/office/college/school: If someone's annoying you,think of one good part of their personality. Your responses to their spoken words will make you the winner.

- After lunch,i.e. the afternoon period,when your efficiency's going down: Think of your motivation for the day/week: Could be something you plan for the evening,or for the weekend. It could be salary day coming up. (Of course,if that doesn't work, a painkiller pill like Combiflam is the last option...at least for me..LOL)

- In the evenings-now,this one's really difficult,unless you're a forced bachelor/ette like me- keep some 'time out' for yourself- for a calming bath/shower or to read a book you've been meaning to since quite some time or to listen to 'Chak De Phatte' kind of songs which can't fail to put your feet in tip-tap motion,to sit in silence for a few minutes.....endless possibilities.

- During anytime of the day,you can also try 'palming'-i.e. covering both eyes with your palms while keeping the eyes open and looking at the endless blackness...does wonders,sometimes,but,only if the mind is not too tense.

- Before going to dreamland and after taking the relaxing bath/shower: Close your eyes/pray and Thank God for letting another day pass by without any major health issues,any major problems,except,of course,for those petty nuisances(Colleagues arguing,kids shouting/fighting,wifey cribbing,friends ignoring....LOL) which,when you think of it, are what really make your life worth living-bringing the variety which adds spice to what would otherwise be a dreary existence!!:)

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Post script::If you can follow even half of the above tips, hats off to you!!I haven't been successful to that level so far(Except for the prayer parts) !!!And,then,again,maybe that's again what brings variety to life-being happy doing some of these things,and,being unhappy because I lost my temper/felt sad,etc!!Life's too precious,after all!

Happy Diwali!

2008-10-27T15:25:00.000+05:30

It's your life... live it up!!

2008-10-21T04:16:00.004+05:30

Hey folks!! I have been away... a long time from blogsville. Despite having hit a block amongst other worldly matters, Ishi's suggestion hit hard: "I recommend". I didn't really have to think about it. I simply knew... such is the simplicity of the topic. So without much ado lemme plough ahead.

In these past few months, while I have been running around to get a few things done and finally moving to a distant land, I lost touch with a few things. It was during the 10 hr flight from Kolkata to London, watching Kung-fu Panda 36000 ft above sea level, I was lost in introspection. I took a stock of my life in the past 3 years and tried to come tally out the good and bad incidents during that phase. Soon, I realised... somewhere along while I did find a part of me, whose existence I had doubts upon, I had also lost out on parts which were mine. Good riddance?? I dunno!! But, I had changed enough to have a high blood pressure, losing my temper at the slightest of pretext, had become more demanding or may be exacting!!

And when I compared them to the better things in life I've had during that time, I chanced upon what I would say, I have adopted as a fundamental principle and would love to follow all my life.
And this is what I recommend everyone:
Get out... think out of the box... life is not meant for conventional thinking... you have only one life!!
Be bold, be brave... stand up for what you believe in!!
Party hard, sing like it its your last, dance like no ones watching you!!
Smile always... love every moment!!
Someone has hurt you? Fair enuf!! Move on.. don't brood!!
Let love happen to you.... step out and get drenched in the rain!!
Love someone as if this is the last chance you'll ever have!!
You may not achieve all that you want, but make a success out of what you get!!
Last, there's a lot to do, lot to see, loads to laugh about, loads to cry about, dozens to moan about, scores to win over.... but time is at a premium. So don't spend your life stuck at one point!!

I may have missed a few points here... but this is what I firmly believe in. Silently I might have been following most of it, but this may be the first time I'm jotting it down!!

Cheerio
It's your life... live it up!!

Topics(AmitL)

2008-10-17T13:22:00.007+05:30

Firstly, welcome back to Ishi-reading your post,and, noting that you were always 'in touch'with BUF, during the past few months,brought a smile to my face, as also Keshi's warm welcome comment to the post.

===

Topics- that's certainly a nice'topic' suggested by Keshi. The first thing which comes to mind is people- people who can talk on any topics, who can link any word you say, with a whole stream of talk on that word,nee,topic. Sometimes, I admire such people and their gift of gab. At other times,particularly when I'm trying to concentrate on something else, I feel like asking such people' what will make you shut up?'(But, naturally, I don't-instead, I follow the age-ole dictum of 'ignorance is bliss'- just stare blankly at the person or the wall behind him while he/she is gabbing, and they'll get the message pretty fast.

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Let me give an example of such 'topical experts: (I'll try one of the above topics with them, one of these days-always good to get a bit of GK)

- Friend: This guy,whether he's solo or when we are in a group. If I make polite talk by saying' Isn't the weather improving?'- there, that's the signal for him to go off into a discourse on how the weather changes from exceptionally hot in the five summer months, to cool in October-Nov to cold for the next three. (Of course, he forgets that I've been here for six years). He even talks about the cloud seeding which they do here to bring rain, which also is something I know. So, to change the topic, I talk about traffic fines- and, off he goes, talking of how the fines and charges for visas and so on are continually making life difficult for people. So, again, I change the topic to movies. And, off he goes- how can one spend 300 bucks(it's 25 dirhams, here, for a ticket) on a movie you might not even enjoy? blah blah I prefer to watch TV instead blah blah....

- People in India: It's the same with some people in India, too....they can flit from topic to topic with ease- right from the prices of kaanda-batata(onions n potatoes) to inflation in general to train fares to stinking toilets at railway stations to school fees to how government servants continue to take bribes to rising electricity bills to petrol costs ....ad infinitum- the sky's the limit for these people. And, particularly, if you're coming from abroad, they're even more keen to show off their general knowledge of the world to you. And, I just hate to prick their bubble of happiness, when they ask a question like ' Are you in proper Dubai?', as if they're veterans of this Emirate. (Incidentally, the answer is 'there's nothing like proper or improper Dubai, the Emirate is just like one of our Metro cities, and everywhere you go, is a part of Dubai only)...but,me being me, I just politely nod my head and tell them where I stay,work,etc,and they nod understandingly like I'm talking of Chinchpokhli or Borivali.

But then, all said and done, let me admit-I feel envious of such people- why?No reason-maybe because I've always been more of an avid listener than a talker? Maybe because I prefer to talk only when I feel it makes sense to exercise the vocal chords and make people listen?Maybe because I'm more of a writer than a talker? Ahahaha! Anyway, give me time-maybe I'll master the gift of the gab one of these days!

Cheerio and let me say'I'm already working on Ishi's brilliant topic suggestion'I recommend'. Keshi, I wonder, will you post before I do?*challenging,rolling eyes*.

Better late than never (Ishita)

2008-10-16T09:45:00.005+05:30

About time I put up a post here!!! I meant to do so earlier but got caught up with stuff at home (been updating my blog with whatever's on with me)....

BUF is one blog that I have followed through out my self imposed break. There were days when I would get to BUF even without going through my own blog :) ... I must thank those of you who still get here for sustaining it. Though I do miss the ones who well aren't around. But then I tell myself just as I had reasons to stay away, I am sure they have theirs.

I won't put an update on my life. Most of you know it all :)

I will however make a topic suggestion. It's quite a simple one really. How about a topic called "I recommend..." so basically u can write about whatever u want to recommend to people...a book, a dish, a movie, a blog, clothes, places to visit, suggestions to improve BUF!, blogging tips....u have an idea to recommend...just go ahead write about it!

I'll get back once I work on mine :) ...

Of course apart from Kesh and Amit no one's been posting regularly here...but BUF's a blog and even one person is enough to make it work :) ... I'll do my bit and send out a mail to everyone (just presuming that some don't get here at all and hence don't know what's going on...or if anythings on at all!)

That's it for now :) ... I'll be back!

Miss Me When I'm Gone

2008-10-07T11:32:00.002+05:30

Hey everybody! It makes me sad and annoyed about how I haven't been able to regularly follow up with this place.I guess when you set your mind on something, you pretty much devote all your time to it till you achieve it.

The past few months haven't exactly been a joy ride.Sometimes, getting chronically obsessed with something takes quite a toll on you.

I know, what I'm doing has its pros and cons but I'm growing along with all the change and kind of learning in the process so I guess thats ok.

I'm going to be applying for SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies), London either in 2010 or 2011 for my Masters and Phd in Applied Japanese Linguistics and I have another year of intense studying to do till my credentials prove worthy of that college.I have to sync my getting in with a lot of things going on in my life and worrying about it pretty much brings me down horribly.I have been working really hard and this is pretty much something that I want REALLY REALLY BAD.In order to get in, I practically have to devote all of my time to studying and I haven't had much time for friends.In fact, I almost forgot I turn 19 in a week!

So, thats what I've been upto.I know I won't have 'friend' problems there.With Loony and Sam there ;-). I need all the support from everyone here at BUF! :-)

My life after the advent of the internet(AmitL)

2008-09-19T18:33:00.005+05:30

Quip for above pic: A shape of things to come?(Or, have they already reached this stage?)

Hi,all!It's been great,seeing some of the BUFers around,regularly,specially Keshi,Vishesh,Sam(who was going to post in 15 days:)),..... and, now Ishi's back,too- a big Welcome Back, Ishi.

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Life after the internet.To go into the depth of this topic,let's look at life before the internet. I think it began in around 1996. And, at that time, it was a total enigma. Before the net, the PC had just started making inroads, with 'mega memories like 256 MB RAM being looked at as 'high', while a hard disc of 500 MB was a luxury.

Those who had a net connection,were considered affluent. I remember looking at my cousin's PC, in Delhi, wistfully, when I would see him chatting on msn messenger,wondering whether I'd ever get net-savvy enough to chat.LOL.

Only after two-three years,did places like Baroda,really get onto the bandwagon,with ISPs like Satyamonline being on the forefront.I remember,that was the most popular one.So,anyway, I got my first net connection somewhere around y2k, I believe-with a year's subscription costing Rs. 3600/-, for a dialup, little knowing the princely phone bill it would jot up parallelly. But, as I saw later, it was all worth it.

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Yahoo and msn were probably the two most popular websites,and anybody who was anybody, had an email id there. So, naturally, I followed suit, and opened my first id on hotmail, which was ayeayeal(Any guesses,those who don't know, what the ayeayeal stands for?My cousins get confused and type in three-four ayes,sometimes and get 'id does not exist), and a slightly modified one on yahoo(alayeaye). I still have a soft corner for these two ids, just like we have a soft corner for the stuff we buy with our first salary.hehe!

A year or so later, there was no looking back. Even though the net was pretty slow in those days,compared to today's standards, it was a delight to log on, check emails,read Bollywood sites, look for encyclopaedic answers,enter competitions on contests2win and hungama, and so on. I think those were my four must-open sites,at that time,on a daily basis. (Won quite a few prizes as well, via c2w and hungama.I think both sites are still going strong. Will check them out tomorrow ).

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One very big advantage of the net, besides the messengers, was that we could keep in touch-with friends, relatives,make new friends...all at the touch of a button,via email/messengers. No more buying stationery(nice letter pads,pens,et al) , writing letters,going to post them, et al.

And, for someone who was/is a regular LTTE(Let me clarify,that's Letters To The Editor,people,before Keshi's eyes go wide!) guy, writing 30-40 letters a month, it was a boon, to have mags and papers giving their email ids. Till then, I used to have a Godrej typewriter, on which, it was a real task to adjust the postcard,and utilize it to the maximum. Today, I'm sure, if their email ids had not been there, I would not have been able to keep up with even the 30-40% of my writing hobby that I manage to do, since I came here).

Then, there's the wealth of info available on the net,on sites like wikipedia,or, English-based sites like fun-with-words , the newspaper websites of TOI, Hindustan Times, IE. And, then came the like youtube,which, today is fast becoming my favourite site, for locating my favourite songs/comedy serial extracts,etc. Unlimited possibilities, honestly.

And, of course,how can I not mention my main hobby these days,which is so 'alive' (and,in turn,keeps me alive and motivated)only due to the internet,namely,blogging. I'd been missing my writing hobby, back in 2004, when I chanced upon rediffblogs,and thought of giving it a try. And,the rest,as they say, is history- writing, uneditedly(If that's a word), moving over to blogspot in frustration when rediff began conking off, discovering BUF,discovering so many par excellence bloggers with a wealth of talent......all have been 'voyages of discovery', and, each day on blogs, remains such an exciting voyage into uncharted waters,even today. I never know when I'll log on to a blog and find the writer in a pensive/good/sad/happy mood, and what they'll write. And,that's what differentiates blogs from magazines,where you can still predict what you'll find in a particular magazine.:)

So , all said and done, life after the internet has been one memorable event, continues to remain so, and, I hope,will continue being so in the coming years.Things can only get better,as they say.

Living e-Life On The Edge (Keshi)

2008-09-17T08:04:00.016+05:30

First of all, sincere apologies for the late post. I had tonns of work to do last few weeks, hence I didn't have a clear mind and enough time to write a post here. Finally here it is.

Only a Mouse-click away...
The Internet and Blogging has made me a better person in many many ways. It has enhanced my personality, made me more understanding and patient in ways I can't finish expressing here. The variety of people, thoughts, experiences, stories, lessons and wisdom that I come across through a great many blogs on a daily basis, has basically made me a live knowledgebase of Life :). I have grown in ways that it's magnitude is impossible to put down in words. Why? Cos some things simply can't be written but can only be felt in your heart. I can only explain it this way...if I take myself 4yrs ago (before I started Blogging) and compare it with who I am today, it'll be a flat-ground and a mountain that I'm comparing. Yes, my spirit is soaring new heights and touching the skies now, which it couldn't do before. Wisdom brings you ultimate freedom.

A Treasure Island...
All I can say is I count my blessings every single day, no matter how hard life may be. I thank life for giving me the Internet, for giving me sight, for giving me the ability to read and write, for giving me so many friends from across the world, for giving me a rich heart by all the wisdom I come across through blogs...and for giving it all FREE of charge. There are still so many people in this world that have never experienced the Internet, have no access to wisdom and knowledge like we do, have never been this connected with people, have never had the privilege to read or write, have no eye-sight, have no money or the freedom to blog, have no one to listen to what they have to say etc etc. Therefore we need to be thankful for what we have...we have a huge treasure island here, with treasures of love, understanding and light. Living the e-life has added color and beauty to my being that is priceless, and can never be traded with anything else in the world. I hope it has been the same for you. Live life for today, and appreciate what you already have.

September Topics Suggestions(AmitL)

2008-09-06T14:16:00.009+05:30

Hi,all....it's 'Come September', a month we look forward to in Dubai,courtesy, it signals the end of the summer heat n humidity, towards the third week. Let's hope there's no postponement of good weather. How about the following topics, if everyone concurs:(Ishi, I wish you'd return soon..besides your posts(of course), the top bar needs to be changed(still shows May topics)

1) Continued from last month: An update on my life

2) My life after the advent of the internet(Thanks, Keshi)

3) Topics(Thanks,again, Keshi)

(I know you said the third one was just a joke, Keshi,but,seriously, think over it. 'Topics' as a topic in itself has so many possibilities. I can think of a nice post or two on it, definitely. And,I'm sure other BUFers will,as well!!

Let's make a slight change,this month. The honour of writing the first post, goes to the one who first suggested these topics....so, over to you, Keshi, for topics 2 and 3.:)(Topic 1 is a carryover from last time.heh heh). And, the rest of us,duly inspired,will follow!!:)hehe!!

Update of mah Life (vipul)

2008-08-31T00:03:00.004+05:30

Phew! Been a while since i posted anything. And yes i had this urge to post something that has been happening lately in my life. OK i will serve you all with a snazzy menu with a seven course menu so grip on and prepare for the ultimate feast cuz whatever i say here isnt gonna be good. Let me warn you in advance that this post is going to be too long...

Life for sure has steady ups and downs but at certain points you do get bumpy speed breakers.
I was away for my internship in Pune so that is what kept me occupied for the most. And i must admit my four months lonely stay away from home was both a great experience to a new life as well as a bitter end to an old life. It was tough surviving alone but yes its here i inculcated the theory of darwin "Survival of the fittest". No i am not talking about any undergarment fit its just about how i struggled.
The starting day was a menace in pune with a Finicky landlady, who was charging money even on the consumption of water i was forced to leave the house and to switch onto another.
Life wasnt easy as the basic necessity in Maharashtra is that you should know Marathi which unfortunately i didnt. I had no friends, no support nothing but still somehow i managed to survive for 4 months, got appreciation from the company, bagged the best student award from the college and yes came back home with a winning smile....

It is said that when success comes at your doorstep and you welcome it with all the required rituals, it wont leave you till your death. How true it was. I got great marks 9.29/10 as my GPA yup the year topper i became, got a scholarship of around Rs 1 lacs (TILL DATE INCLUDING EVERYTHING AND AFTER DEDUCTING TAXES) , somehow managed to bag 75k from the company even though i used my brains rather than working hard...Ya life had so many rewards for me...My friends kept on asking me for treat but ya i know how finicky i am.

Well???? HAPPY ENDING RIGHT!

Sounds really chessy isnt it... Unfortunately that fun part isnt the total story. There is more to it. Besides the good facts let me come to some bad ones that are really shocking!
Let me call this story the AWAKENING

Once upon a time there were two lovers in a relationship since 5 years. Everything went cool until the day, the guy came to pune and landed at the girl's place for 2 days just to meet her parents. The girl's parents had no problems with the guy whatsoever, but the girl's father never liked the guy since the beginning. Ofcourse he cannot reject the guy directly so he planned a real dirty game. He invited the guy to their house, it went all good the guy came back to pune happy as ever, only to know that the grudge in the girl's dad's mind took a new fold when he told his daughter that the guy is lacking this , that blah blah! Thats the first part of the AWAKENING. Later on the girl had this thing in her mind that i did so much for this guy and what he did for me?What sacrifice he did for me?? Its obvious but that WHAT factor shouldnt come should it??
Anyway so the girl started torturing the guy and the guy spent sleepless nights and kept on crying for days, for months, four months! His parents came to know about it and they called up the girl. But she didnt like it! She started going on her own path! One peculiar thing about this girl was the way she termed the word FRIENDSHIP. Is friend someone with whom you roam around throughout the day, you spend time for just one HIM and you dont give any time to your guy?? That is still acceptable but it hurts when you are ashamed of telling anyone that you got a guy. Well this isnt the first time but its been a repetitive process. It is a shame for me to think like this but yes everytime i was right. She got close to her friend, in particular just one GUY FRIEND. She started drinking day and night long, used to stay with that friend and used to return at 3-4 am. Well its painful for a guy to gulp that fact. Anyway the GUY even went on the verge of lowering his self-respect. Now the FRIEND the girl roamed around with fell for her. The most disgusting thing was, that you have a boyfriend but you are not willing to tell that fact to anyone. You can tell everything in this holy shit world including your family, your bra size (NOT LITERALLY, Just a pun to say every damn thing!) but you cant tell about your guy. Anyway the guy bent down. He had to cuz he had this guilt that he screwed up things at her house. Now the lover of the girl, got to know about the girl's boyfriend, so he started sending GOONS to attack the guy. The guy was beaten, battered what not. But he didnt say a word just because the girl was alone without her parents and her lover shouldnt touch or harm the girl. Such was the committment of the guy. The girl knew about everything but she didnt do anything in particular. She went on the verge of staying with that guy in the same room, just to get to know why is he doing this with the guy, but no fruits were reaped out. The girl had a touch for dogs, so the guy bought a puppy for the gal. The lover got to know and got the puppy KILLED! The guy was in shock,pain, sheer disappointment and was broken. After four gruesome months, the guy returned back home. That day he wanted to talk to the girl but the girl was just not willing to talk, she had to drink go out with friends and Booze forever. She promised the guy that she will come to his house for two days then said sorry she cant she will come the other week for the whole week. The guy was excited filled with new hope. The guy's position was not good as crying and under so much depression he skipped his medicines for a month, had a mental depression and a nerve fissure. But he didnt care. All he cared for was the girl. To cut the story short now cuz most prolly am boring you guys, the girl didnt come to the guy's house, because that lover created yet another misunderstanding. The girl told the guy we cannot be togather as i am sick of you. The guy tried and tried his level best to patch things up. He tried lying as well thinking that one lie if it brings your love back wouldnt harm but that didnt make things go right. The guy even went on the verge of cutting his nerves but the girl just laughed thinking it was yet another lie. The guy smsed the girl from his friend's cell certain lies. The girl called his friend and talked for about an hour. The girl even told his friend that she had physical relations with the guy. Well who can fall to this verge telling a third person whom you dont even know about your sexual life?? CHEAP!

That was the Second part of the AWAKENING.

The guy realized that if the girl cannot support a guy at this phase how can she support him for life. When the guy used to ask the girl about marriage she said i wont marry anyone and i will love you forever. When earlier the guy asked about Engagement the girl said it would be just between me and your family. The guy, who could leave his family for the girl thought that why should he leave his family??? A mother who bore the bliss of keeping the guy in her stomach for 9 painful months?? How can he leave someone who were with the guy forever in his good/bad times. SOMEONE WHO SHARES YOUR HAPPINESS IS MOMENTARILY BUT SOMEONE WHO SHARES YOUR SADNESS REMAINS WITH YOU FOREVER. The guy realized that if a girl is so drunk not in her senses that people have to carry her, how can she carry the responsibilities once she gets married. The guy also kept stone on his heart. If a girl is so indecisive that for a moment she says I want to be with you and the other moments she is away what can the guy expect?? A DIVORCE ??

He cried and cried until his eyes refused to shed more tears. Its not even a month since this happened.

What surprises the guy today is that how can someone he trusted so much fall for money?? The lover of the girl gifted her with a puppy (He killed the guy's gift)...And a few days back the guy got to know that she is getting engaged with the lover! The guy saw their photograph on orkut and the lover looks like someone of her dad's age. He is 27-28 and she is 22. It isnt been a month and she can do this. Then ofcourse it is all for money and power. Cuz her lover is fuckin rich earning like 6 lacs a month. The time when the guy used to ask the girl about engagement the girl used to shudder but it didnt even take a few days for her to get engaged with the same person who tried to kill her boyfriend(EX).The girl said that she will not marry anyone??Huh!!...Thats what i call a Whore in making!

I know i shouldnt say such a thing for someone whom i loved so much but what is this? A joke on love or what??? 5 years of bodily pleasure and you leave the guy for someone who is rich??

Anyway as they say there are always two sides of the story so i am noone to comment.
It is painful yet i smile from outside. I am really happy in life(Supposedly) and it is impractical that you wont marry anyone...Someday i am gonna marry a girl and i know that , she will be the luckiest one:)Cuz i know myself...Whats the past can never be brought back and till this day if she comes back to me it will be a big NO! If you cant be faithful to one person you cant be faithful to anyone...
Today only i got the news that i got a scholarship of Rs. 38,000 and i am really happy! Atleast i get to pay 3/4th of my loan now!!

Its career and career only and i would marry once i make my own house! Thats my dream and a promise i made to myself!

Nice story eh?? So less happening with a 22 year old!

I just pray to god that everyone remains happy be it her or her lover or anyone! And i really need all your blessings to achieve my goals! Its like i am on a mission now...

Till the next post take care and adios!

-------------------------------------------THE END-------------------------------------------

Updating Sam..... (Sam)

2008-08-21T14:30:00.006+05:30

Phew!! ok.. it's been a while. No wait... It's been a long time, since I wrote a word on blogsville. Life has been moving at a hectic pace and frankly am starting to feel a little breathless. I'll trace back six months since that's how long I have been off the map (almost). Firstly, MBA apps had started bombing. I had targetted UK and that was a fatal mistake with about 3 years of work ex (Loony, you might want to remember that!!), coz the excuse was it was too less. Anywyz, meanwhile dad shifted to Chennai, to take over a some real-estate firm. Am really happy for him as he has reached where he should have been about 10 years ago, had not played being the ideal family man. Better late than never is what I say!! :)

Finally in May, while being interviewed for MBA by a UK uni, I was offered a seat in the MSc programme. I decided to wait on it while they took their decision on the MBA. While I got rejected for the same I got the formal invitation to join the MSc programme. However, their was a catch. I had to get an academic recommendation and had just 14 days left for it to reach them. What followed a hurried travel form Pune to Sikkim, via Kolkata and Siliguri and then a dispatch to the uni. A few weeks later the conditional offer came in. I accepted!! :)

Now, if you thought the action was over then the answer is NO!! It was far from it...

The uni required my transcripts which the college couldn't dispatch thanks to the Gorkhaland troubles. On tenterhooks, I remember placing frantic calls to the Sikkim Manipal University. Finally the documents were submitted to the uni a week before deadline. All proceedings done. It was time for visa application. That meant a two week travel to Kolkata. It was while in Kolkata, that at a British Council organised pre-departure meet I came across a long lost friend. She was off to Leicester. Good!! :)

Since then visa app has been approved, last few days at work being celebrated, Gini came around to Pune for a visit and basically am busy packing bags. Oh and the internet policy at work has bit an all time low, with blogger being blocked out. Am using the client network to post this!!

Future update: 8th I leave Pune for Chennai, 15th I reach Kolkata, 1st October I reach London.

I don't know what my status on connectivity would be there so I make no promises!!

Oh, and I'm going to study at Tanaka Business School, Imperial College London

Till then everyone, take care and stay beautiful!!

Cheerio!!

An update on my life..(AmitL)

2008-08-18T23:29:00.010+05:30

Hi,all-it's been great,reading updates from everyone on what's happening in their lives-in fact,perhaps we should have this as one of the regular topics each month,since it was fun reading about how Keshi's been feeling like a'live ornament' on a shelf(Loved that pic,Keshi),how Jitendra has been feeling happy at not having to see the 'naturally covered' Nigerians,Mich's been teaching Japanese and missing poetry lessons,21-year young Loon Gal's been working 12 hrs a day and still managing to go to the gym...awe-inspiring,all the posts.:)

By comparison,I'd say my life's just been moving along merrily,as always-the happiness being as I want it to be,the serenity being as I want it to be.i.e. me trying to control my emotions,rather than it being the other way round.

So,what's been happening since I returned from my one month sojourn in Baroda is:

- A whole pile of papers ,emails,crisis at work(amazingly,everywhere I've worked,I've seen that my work always remains where it was when I went on leave-except for maybe 5% of the S.O.S.part which gets taken care of...LOL)..but,then, that's what makes work all the more challenging.

- We had some of the most awful weather of the year- once the mercury touched 51 deg C. And, the last two weeks,it's been 43-45 deg C,with humidity levels touching 70+. It's pretty easy to imagine what happens at such times. Just imagine yourself in,say, Mumbai/Delhi- you go down for a short while,maybe to the nearby grocer, and, there's a sudden shower...so,you're left drenched n uncomfy...well,out here,we don't need the rains for this-the humidity does the job.hehe.

- I have a whole collection of books which I brought back from India-right from 2-3 Perry Masons,to Shantaram(a 900 pages or so tome,which I need courage to even begin reading-but,since it's supposed to be excellent,I'll go ahead,may be next month),the joke books (but naturally)like Then Unofficial jokebooks of Advance SMS, then, India Chalo(the book,not my slogan),Once upon a timezone,anything for you,ma'm,why men lie and women cry,Brida(Paulo Coelho)The Present(Spencer Johnson)....but,the past month was so hectic that my only spare time went in either the walks with the mp3 player providing good company,or,watching TV with mind half-closed.LOL. Can't complain,really- I'd prefer this any day,rather than sitting idle and musing.

- Watched two movies- Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na(I won't give any review-Happy,Amrita?..for those not clear about this remark,please be visiting Amrita Ma'm's blog) and Singh Is Kinng. The second one was a good timepass-right from Akshay Kumar's unique style of humour down to(No pun intended) Katrina's prancing around in minis of the micro kind. But,then, they suit her,and she still manages to smile,so,it's all for the best! The hall was also just half-full,since we(me and a friend) went for the morning show and,after a week of it's release)

-And,of course,I've been upto my favourite pasttime-reading my favourite bloggers' blogs,being in awe of the immense talent around blogworld and updating my teensy weensy blog,too,when i can!:)

I guess that's enough of an update on what's been happening in my life! And,what's about to occur-well,next month being the holy month of Ramadan out here,we(non-fasting) work 2 hrs less than normal,(Those fasting work just 1/2 day)if the previous 'rules' are followed this year too!And,all work out here slows down,like it slows down this month in Europe,when everyone's on a three week holiday) So,that's something to look forward to-catching up on reading,music,movies,health,walking,treadmilling....:)

Awaiting the next BUFer's update!!

An update on my life ... (Loon Gal)

2008-08-15T02:57:00.000+05:30

Interesting Topics! I know I haven't been around in ages now .. and have probably missed out on a zillion birthdays!! But somehow life's been so busy! (Noo! Not another excuse!)

I was one of those people who can remain online all their life! But things have been very different lately. I am back to full-time work in the same bank I worked for. Learning a lot of new things there and have been offered a permanent post there (yay!) but after an IT degree do I really want to get into banking? Moreover ... an Indian bank in the UK? Job scene is not very great at the moment ... August being one of the softest months and then the credit crunch! Aah! And hey! did I mention .. I am a graduate now! Unfortunately, the graduation ceremoney is going to be in January (stupids!) ... so no pics yet! Plan is to go for an MBA after 2-3 yrs of experience.

I turned 21 in the month of June and life's not been same ever since! Everything seems to be changing at the speed of light! At the personal front, things couldn't be better! My weight loss regime is going good ... have lost 15 kgs so far and target says 9-10 more to go and then I'll be fit! Routine is the same ... I work from 9 am - 7/8 pm and hit the gym until 9.30pm .. and by the time am back home its about 10.15pm. Have my dinner, check my mails and enter the dreamland!

Mom's health has been worrying lately ... she had chest pains a few weeks ago and had to be taken to the hospital in emergency. Thankfully the results are alright ... am just hoping everything's fine considering her dad died of heart attack at the age of 40 and her mom suffers from very high blood pressure! My health has not been its best ... stomach's become super-sensitive and body aches (thanks to working out!) .. but am coping up :)

Confidence levels are at its peak (for a change!) and am really looking forward to things now. There's been very frequent visits from guests from all over the world ... as a result of which we haven't been able to plan out our holiday (in ages!) .. and this so sucks!

Weekends .. am either shopping .. or out with guests or studying for interviews! lol! I know sad life .. but I don't know am so content for a change! Summer never came here ... its back to being chilly .. and in the month of July-August we were/are all clad in jackets and jumpers! (yuck!) Shopping has been SUPER-AMAZING! I can call myself a high-maintenance chick now lol! Dior Sunglasses ... Jones Shoes ... Nine West Bags ... posh formal suits and dresses!

There are a few pictures I've clicked recently ... check them out! (Most people have seen them already on Orkut/ Facebook) but others can see what I've been upto :) I'll try to be more regular here ... and hats off to all those who've not given up ... you all inspire me!!

Update (jitendra)

2008-08-14T22:25:00.005+05:30

I can see that my name in the little fade-o-meter on the sidebar below is starting to fade given my infrequent posts here. Soo I better make up for it..

Couple of months ago, I was to supposed to go to Nigeria and Saudi for 4 months (for business trip). Living in California had surely spoilt me.. so it would have been a good way to see what it means to not *see* any female specie for 4 months (in Nigeria, they are naturally covered by black.. in Saudi, they are artificially covered. No offence. Thats the way it is.) Somewhere down the line, the big bosses in Nigeria felt too bad to put me in such female-less-ness condition and postponed my Nigeria trip for sometime later next year. Ok, jokes apart.. there was a major unstability issue in Nigeria and bombs were being targeted towards oil companies' expats as if selling aaloo-gobhi. Strike. Conflicts. Unrest. And the result: trip postponed indefinitely. So now I am still in sunny california waiting for my Saudi trip in November.

Work has pretty much taken a front seat over the past few weeks. And when I am not working or working out, I am with friends who soo irritatingly keep asking me about my marriage plans like 50 yr old aunties. Sometimes I wonder how could I spend my whole life with *just* one woman. I mean, come on, everyday I ogle at 10s if not 100s of hotnesses.

On another note, I have started to feel that mental training (calmness/focussing/fierce concentration) differentiates successful people from the lesser mortals. Just observe Michael Phelps before his finals. You ll know what I mean.

cheerio!

Faltering and Giggling (Michelle)

2008-08-13T11:52:00.003+05:30

Hello everyone! The topics are perfect given the weather and a lot of people being A.W.O.L (including me). But I DO have excuse(s). I still am stuck in this time warp which only allows me to work and absolutely NOT have time for anything else other than my books.So, all that gives me all the more reason to update all you nice people that actually want to know whats up with me! :P

Firstly,

A BIG HEARTY HUG AND LOTS OF BEST WISHES TO ISHITA, RAJIV AND VEDANT for little ANURAJ! The pictures I saw were adorable and I can tell he is going to make a lot of girls swoon.So, Vedant has competition now.

This is one of the few days that I have gotten to view my computer screen so please cut me some slack :-( . I can tell that I really have no time cause I haven't changed my facebook display picture in over a month!! :-O

Yes, I still am teaching Japanese and I have been buried in my books cause my exams are coming soon and I must beat my previous score in order to not gouge and scratch everyone in sight.Things have also been depressing lately because I HATE THE RAINS and my favourite teacher is on leave for 3 months and I simply cannot imgaine studying poetry without her.

''Absence decreases mediocre passions and increases great ones; just like the wind extinguishes candles and the fans fire''

Me and my guy completed 2 years in July which was quite unbelievable...in fact, I still don't believe it.Another thing that has gotten me ecstatic is how amazingly me and his mom clicked.Its like shopping sprees and hugs X 2. :D

Right now, I wish life would slow down a little and I wish I could be lying down on a hammock and sipping a smoothie :-( but I am going to make use of this long weekend coming up.I'm bringing in Independance Day in Mumbai!! Even though the weather is TERRIBLE, I shall still have fun and just relax.

Have a great weekend guys! Jai Hind! :-)

Kitty Flying Cold! (Keshi)

2008-08-09T18:28:00.011+05:30

This is what I'm like at the moment...crippled by a small accident and feeling immobile and quite like a live ornament kept on a shelf...

What I wanna do right now is fly...fly in full freedom like an angel with no emotional attachments...

Amit I just had a shower so please don't ask me to take another one or even dream of one in this extremely cold Winter! Add John Abraham to it, I might reconsider it lol!

August Topics(AmitL)

2008-08-07T21:46:00.004+05:30

Hi,all...seems everyone's still busy. So,to spice things up a bit, how about this topic from Keshi:

1)An update on my life (Thanks,Keshi,for this lively topic..it will surely tell us what everyone's been up to and is/are up to!!

As part 2 of the above topic, how about continuing it with:

2)...And,what I'd like to be doing right now.(Since no-one covered that topic last month,including me)

3) And,how about this as funny 'Word'of the month: Shower: Let your thoughts run wild,tell us what you interpret by the word,what you sing in there,whether you stare at and admire yourself in the mirror,et al. LOL..of course, I was referring,innocently as always,to the current season in India- of monsoon showers.

So,who's first? Keshi,I feel!! *claps*

Ishita's baby boy..

2008-07-31T03:39:00.004+05:30

Tiny Laundry...
Tiny Shoes...
Tiny Smiles...
GREAT BIG NEWS!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

A baby is a blank cheque made payable to the human race."
~Barbara Christine Seifert

On-and-off hookup with the popular iPhone (Amrita)

2008-07-29T11:01:00.002+05:30

[I didn't suggest this topic for the month just because I will get to flaunt my iPhone ;) lol]
I got an iPhone around January 2008. It's been about 7 months and I'm in a love-hate relationship with it. I never seriously coveted the gadget may be because I never realised its impact on the people, just happened to buy it this because someone needed my old phone and I ended up having a new one. When I started using it, though, I felt power-packed. Even in New York City where every other person has it, still makes you feel good when you carry it around. Agreed the size is too big to fit in a girl's palm, but then again don't we make fashion statement with huge handbags (which are too big even for the maximum stuff we girls might want to carry)? When a friend had flaunted his gadget by showing me a YouTube video in Central Park, I had thought, "I dont need it, I need to infact stay away from so much internet and technology so I can give some time to actually looking at trees/nature or people-watching than staring at a techie hand-held." The surge of happiness I felt when I actually heard "ye jeena hain" from Khatta Meetha on my phone on the bus to my college: all thanks to the makers - Apple!

There is an easy access 'weather' feature which is really important a deal when it comes to dressing up for the day, so I just check it on the phone. There's 8 GB for my songs, so I don't have to carry an ipod along. There is internet, calender, thousands of photos (from my last india trip saved on my phone!) and the very cool Maps feature. Last time I took my mom to the Flushing temple, I had forgotten to take directions online, so I took them from the phone. Now, which other thing has ever impressed moms so much after spending $400 on them?

Though, about the 'hate' part, there are too many things like you cannot forward an SMS (which is so important for the desi mentality because we need to share cool jokes thru sms, even if it charges you!) How else are you going to cheat on an open-book exam in-class if not with fwding each other the answers? The camera quality is good, but it will not zoom in! And I miss the girlyness of my red colored Blackberry Pearl. It was so systematic, and it has a to-do list feature which kept me happy. The reminders were easier to set and it never gave any trouble. I've had to take this phone to Apple when the screen had jammed and wouldn't move. Apple refused to give me any service from my warranty because there was a slight scratch on the back of the phone. Its the kind of back it is, no matter what, it will definitely have scratches - you need to buy a cover, which makes it even bigger to handle!!

Phones of my past: I only had a basic Motorola in my 11th and 12th class in India (which was handed down to me from an uncle). It wasn't very expensive, but it was so elegant that I didn't feel too awkward to keep it on the table while out with friends, unlike the temporary very basic Nokia made me feel. It may not matter to us, but the onlookers, these college kids they have so much competition for rich gadgets and stuff.

My Cellphone Saga: AmitL

2008-07-25T13:00:00.007+05:30

Hey, Vishesh, I waited for a week for you to come up with the first post. So, now you need to post on both topics together to make up.*smiles*

The cellphone I carry and how/why you love it:

Two years back, when I returned to Dubai on my second job, I decided to change the traditional Nokia phone I had and got the Samsung I320, after a lot of deliberation on whether to move away from Nokia’s familiar keypad and functions.

Initially, it was really confusing- when I picked up the phone, I’d switch off an incoming call, since the button was in a different location, I’d dial a number and press disconnect. But, the phone’s been worth all the teething troubles.

Why?

- It’s ultraslim, exactly like I always wanted my phone to be.

- It’s lightweight-just 95 grams, so I don’t even know I’m carrying it(That's a drawback, in a way, since I tend to forget things if I've not got them in my pockets/on the waist in a case. Touchwood, it hasn't happened yet).

- And, it’s got a QWERTY keypad, which is perfect for sending smses quickly. Can’t imagine how I used to sit and go through the ‘press same key thrice to type C’, for example, in the routine phones.

- Amongst other features, it can play mp3 songs on it's built in features, it's got Windows mobile 5...but, I can't wax eloquent about them since I hardly use them. In fact, even today, I keep it on silent most of the time. (Why, you ask? Well, that's a topic for another post. Those who read my blog,would remember my talk sagas from previous posts. Rest assured, I still consider it something like what they call men's ties in slang- a 'kanth langot'(tight diaper for the neck). Or, the proverbial bell around the neck. heh heh)

Yes, the phone’s been about to die on me two-three times. Once when it got too affected by humidity, another time when the battery decided to die out, and I thought there was something wrong with the charger.( Purchased three of them in the bargain, since even the repair shop people would say that the charger was not working. Hehe).

----
Now,a bit on my cellphone saga of the last few years:

Cellphones-that extreme luxury item of the nineties. People would flaunt it like it was the most wanted gadget in the world. Even though the phone would weight half a kilo or more, they would still be carrying it in their pockets or in their hands. Kids would not be allowed to touch it, a slight scratch would lead to the person’s mood being off for the rest of the day. Even I remember looking at my cell-phone owning relatives with awe, wondering how they decided to fritter away 25000 rupees or more on a frivolous object.

When I landed in Dubai in 2002, I was astonished to see that even our building watchman would be busy most of the time, chatting away on his cellphone. Still, for the first three months, I kept avoiding buying what I termed the equivalent of the proverbial ‘tying a bell around the cow’s neck’ so that it’s owners could find it easily. One of the Brit bosses in the office was quite astonished that I had not purchased a cell even after three months. And, his frustration was all the more so, because he loved to contact project people only after 9 PM, to discuss, followup, check, et al. Finally, during one of the internal company meetings, he put it down as one of the Minutes Of Meeting points as ‘ AL to buy cell phone’. Arghhh!! And, the rest, as they say, is history.

I started with the very basic model, the 3310. I used to hate it, and would glare angrily whenever it rang after (Forget after, even during) office hours. But, the stone was cast, the deed was done. I was trapped in the ‘cell phone vicious circle’. The next phone was a 6610, I think. Compulsorily purchased, again, because the 3310 had very less memory, and I couldn’t store all the suppliers’ phone numbers in it.

So, I gave the 3310 for a nominal sum to a poor worker in our company who had just come to Dubai. And, the next one was the Nokia smartphone of the slider type. Don’t even remember the model- I think it was the 7650 . It became obsolete pretty soon, but, I loved the way I could stylishly slide the screen up and dial.(Still have the phone stashed away somewhere for emergency use or for one of those exchange schemes) A fatso of a gadget, which I now wonder how I ever handled. This worked for a year or so.

And, I got the 6680, which was being sold in India with the lively song ‘Saamne Yeh Kaun Aaya’ playing in the background. This one was quite a fascinating phone, and, I’d spend quite a bit of spare time adding wallpapers and themes to it. It also had two cameras, but, I soon realized their futility because that’s useful only if the opposite person also has a similar gadget.

And, now, the moot point- except the 3310, I never purchased a new cellphone. I still think there’s no point in spending a fortune on a phone. There’s this former Boss I had, who loves cellphones. So, each time a new one comes out and he buys it, he lets me know that his former one is ‘for sale’ at a great special price for me(usually about 30% less than the market price) LOL. But, I don’t think I want to change from the I320 to another in the near future. After all, bells around the neck are always the same, whatever shape or colour they come in, na!!

July Topics:Suggestions:AmitL

2008-07-16T22:32:00.003+05:30

Hi,all!! Since we're nearly midway into July,there's just two topics...hope everyone has something to write about them:

a.The cellphone you carry and how/why you love it..(Thanks,Amrita,for the suggestion) OR: My cellphone saga!

b. What I'd like to be doing right now(Besides writing this post)

So,who's first?

10 things I'd like to do in this lifetime: AmitL

2008-07-14T18:49:00.015+05:30

Hi,all. A very cheerful week to everyone!!

This is a 'June topic' which only Mich touched upon last month,and very nicely,too!I hope everyone read it. (Though, I see only a few comments)

It’s a topic I did want to write about. After all, wish lists are always nice, na? Of course, I’m not too much into the ‘Moh Maaya’(materialistic things) kind of stuff, so, let’s see how many I can think of. (They are not in 1 to 10 order)

(1)Attend a Filmfare awards nite. Only the front row seats, please, so that I get the best view. Take this time, with SRK and Saif as the comperes. Both these stars are always hilarious , especially this time, with their take in blue towels, on ‘piya piya oh piya piya’. Also lively are the dance performances, every year. Now, this one shouldn’t be too difficult to attend, as long as I’m earning in Dubai dirhams, should it? (I mean, the *into 12* phenomenon is always nice, when worked the other way round, na?like, 12000 Rs is just 1000 Dirhams.LOL)

(2)Have my own successfully running bookshop, a la Crossword. Sheer bliss. No more headaches of the Contracting line. I’d, of course, probably be the highest spender at the shop every month.

(3)Visit Holland again, in the Oct- Dec period, which, I feel is the best travel period. ( I didn’t mention Matheran and Kodaikanal, my other two favourite places, since I know I’ll visit them, sooner or later)

(4)Write a novel about a blogger(But,of course!!), with Amrita and Keshi being assistant ghost-writers. *Sudden brilliant idea*-We’ll compile a lot of it from Keshi’s blog and the zillion comments which appear there. If Keshi doesn't mind, of course.(Would you mind,Keshi??)

(5)Compile a joke book and see if I can find a publisher who’d stop laughing after reading the first few pages. (Perhaps that’s why I’ve been adding on to my jokes blog since ages)

(6)Go ‘Around the world in 8(0) days.

(7)Meet Kitu Gidwani(Those who don’t know the lil lady, kindly go to google images)

(8)Meet members of the BUF team, preferably at a BUF Meet where everyone’s present, or, individually,like, Ishi in Delhi,Keshi in Australia,Amrita in NY/Nasik,Sam in Pune(Am I right, Sam?), coz I doubt that we all could congregate together at one place at the same time.

(9)Travel on a private jet, just to see what personalized service is all about.

(10)Spend my last moments lying down with a serene smile on my face, contented that I’ve seen what I wanted to see, I’ve done what I wanted to do.*wink wink- please don’t ask ‘what’?*.

Whew-that was tougher than I thought!!!

Book Review (non-fiction): Benazir Bhutto's Autobiography (Amrita)

2008-07-07T11:35:00.003+05:30

"Daughter of Destiny" is an autobiography of Benazir Bhutto. It's a very empowering book in a sense that its a real-life tale of a fight for democracy, and basic rights for the people of Pakistan. Benazir writes about her father Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, how much politics meant to him and how involved he was in bringing a secular government to the countty. She writes about her childhood in Pakistan, her family life, her siblings, her education at Harvard and Oxford, then coming back home to Pakistan after graduating. She describes General Zia-ul-Haq very calmly, but you get the sense of how he had tortured, and murdered her father on the basis of wrong charges. I dont know how can one suffer so much and still stand upright. How much she herself endured, losing her family members one by one. She never gives in, she has the courage and it shows through her experiences. Even in the maddening Solitary Confinement for months, she maintains her sanity. There's a lot to learn and feel in this book, and its all fact, its non-fiction, so you get a taste of what really went on in Pakistan, with its people and with Bhutto family from July 1977 to August 1988. A full decade of military rule, forced on Islamization which was a twisted version of Islamic rules just to rule the people and terrorize them if they wanted to go against the Martial Law.

You cannot put the book down without its having a tremendous effect on you. I hadn't known Benazir's life and her work the day I saw the news of her assassination, I had felt sad but I did not grieve on the news. Now when I've known a woman of that courage, of that nobel nature to give even her life to at least give the people some basic human rights by democracy, of fighting against the bad, I now feel deeply hurt. What bold hopes she must have had to return to Pakistan in December 2007 when she knew how close she would be to death. Her life is an example of kind of an ideal life, read it, see for yourself that the life worth living is only a life of courage and honour and truth. She was assassinated on December 28, 2007 in a country where she had come back from exile, back to get into polictics and elections, with denied security from the President.

This is an auto-biography to read! It's not hard-core politics, so even if you're not at all political, its a smooth read taking you into the lives of people, their powers and their effects.

Almost Single (Book review) - Sam

2008-07-02T14:08:00.001+05:30

After another mundane day at work, I really wanted to chill out and while my time away. So, I hopped across to the nearest Crossword and after ambling across its aisles for like hours, I decided on a few books (Yes, I'm a compulsive book-shopper and books are my therapy). One of these was "Almost Single" by Advaita Kala. I went through the back cover and it seemed promising. I flipped open to sneak into the plot and it was more to form an opinion about the author's ability and making sure it just wasn't any other book. I must say I wasn't dissappointed.

This is what the back cover read:

“Wickedly irreverent and laugh aloud funny, Almost Single is a delightful romp through the five star world of champagne brunches, gay soirees, and the dilemmas of hip, young girls on the look out for love and matrimony”

That and a realistic, in your face kind of introduction of the female protagonist, Aisha Bhatia, hooks me to the book.

The book takes you through the trials and tribulations a single, unmarried woman in her late twenties might go through. In between there is a sneak peek into the lives that others lead around Aisha: from her gay friend to her divorced friend, a love crazy but vengeful friend to the irritating boss. And then there were a more characters. Read to find out more as Aisha embarks on her journey to find a groom with her friends and comes across all sorts of people.

The best part about the novel is the ease with which the characters unfold and present themselves, neither would it make you feel alienated from them. On the contrary you might just know exactly what they are talking about. The laughter riot in the book can leave you chuckling for days on. Full marks to Advaita for portraying such real life characters with a distinct style and elan which would leave many readers pining for more. The way the novel ends is unpredictable, a touch unconventional, rebellious to the more tradition oriented and yet funny. Tingles you mind for comedy as well as romanticism.

Go read it!!

Published in July, 2007, I wonder what made me buy this book so late in the day!!

You can also read Advaita at her blog: http://www.advaitakala.com/

10 Things I'd Like To Do In This Lifetime (Michelle)

2008-06-27T13:28:00.000+05:30

Wow.So many BUF-ers born in June! Hope all you guys had amazing birthdays!

Anyway, 10 is too small a number to compress the stuff I want to do in this lifetime.Then again, 100 is too big a number :P

1. Steal all of Sarah Jessica Parker's clothes and shoes

I will not rest till i own either more or all of the clothes she does because having that much of amazing fashion in one wardrobe is just not fair to the world!

2. Have photographer Nigel Barker click my pictures

He could make a monkey with constipation look gorgeous! It would be the best day of my life if he made me do all kinds of things with 'props' and used all those amazing effects! :D

3. Do all the possible adventure sports

Bunjee jumping, white water rafting, skiing, scuba diving etc etc.Hopefully come out alive though.

4. Run the amazing race!!

That would be a total rush!! Taking in the customs and culture of soo many countries whilst managing a tight budget is something I really need!

5. Own a Porsche, Lexus, Mercedes and customise it to being SUPER GIRLY!! Interiors et al!

6. Act in an action comedy and kick the bad guys' asses :P

This was inspired by watching 'Get Smart' and seeing Anne Hathaway in super ass kicking mode and looking hot at the same time! I know that would never happen in real life cause there would be a bullet hole in my Burberry trench coat.

7. Meet Russel Peters

Just to tell him that even though his jokes slay me, he needs to come up with more cause listening to the same stuff gets a little annoying

8. To be able to finish a big Burger King burger! :P

Till date I have never been able to finish one entirely

9. Buy my Mom a house

Dont go 'aww' cause I know right now our house is a compilation of all family members' ideas and my mom hasn't got her way with everything :P so I would like to buy one for her so that she can decorate it as she pleases ;-)

10. Headbutt Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt

We don't need more posers.

Holiday Spots that stole my heart:AmitL

2008-06-26T17:45:00.004+05:30

(Note: This post might be 'add'ited in a day or two)

Hi,all!After a brief hiaitus, I'm back..and,let me say,I really missed checking out BUF daily...firstly,happy birthday again to all the June celebrators...Keshi,Ishi,Jeetendra,Loon Gal!!:)

Thinking of holiday spots, I love Rajasthan,as I said in my comment on Sam's post.But,the three holiday spots which really stole my heart,were:

1. Matheran:

This dream place..for those who don't know about it, it's a place in Maharashtra.There's a special train which goes from Neral(near Mumbai) to Matheran, somewhat like a toy train, which sometimes goes so slow that you can hop off and on at will,but,the picturesque route makes up for the slow speed,totally! During monsoons,the route is closed,to avoid accidents.

Once you reach the bottom of this hill station(the entry point), you can forget one of your modern amenities,i.e. anything with an engine,be it cars,scooters,rickshaws...the mode of transport is either cycle/hand drawn rickshaw or horses.

Once you enter this quaint hill station,you wonder which year this place stopped reacting to civilization...it's just like one of those quaint towns in Enid Blyton books. No pucca paths to speak of, no multi-storeyed concrete towers...

There are hotels to suit every budget,right from a jhuggi type to a five-star type, complete with pool,suites,et al. Of course,as is the case at most hill stations,restaurants,and all the stores,curio shops,et al,have prices which are much higher than normal. But then, people think-we don't come here everyday,so,why not splurge?

There are a number of 'points', like echo point,panorama point,King George point,et al, where they take you on horse back(If you have a bad back,better you walk). And,of course,when you reach there,there's the vendors waiting with open arms to sell you everything from Makkai to cold drinks to chips.

So,ok,the place is commercialized,yes,but,the absence of any motor vehicles is such a great plus point! I wouldn't mind retiring there someday!
---
2. Kodaikanal:

We had been to Kodaikanal quite a few years back,and, it was right after visiting the highly commercialized Ooty(once the favorite shooting location of all Bollywood movies.). We were put up at Hotel Kodai International,and had the pleasure of meeting the owner,a very NTR-type orange robed politico guy, who used to greet all his guests personally.The place,at that time,was totally natural. Very less concrete,lots of waterfalls(I remember one particularly lovely,gigantic waterfall),lots of greenery...something like a 'back to nature' experience. Wonder if it's still the same? Anybody been there recently?
---
3. Holland:

I was always a fan of Radio Netherlands,back in college days. Little did I know that I'd have the good fortune to visit this lovely place one day.It's everything that the tour books promote. Unpolluted atmosphere, trams taking you around the place, smiling locals who welcome visitors,the waterways with the houseboats,the glass lined boats that give you a tour of the place,while serving free cheese(Holland cheese-slurp,in spite of diet restrictions) n a few other knick knacks.

There were,of course,the shocking places,too-right from the s*x museum to the s*x shops to the torture museum,right down to(No pun intended) the red light area which had red rotating beacons placed all around. Our guide told us to avoid taking any pics in this zone, to avoid hassles with touts. Imagine our astonishment- the,err,business ladies would be visible behind a full glass panelled window,and, once someone stuck a 'deal' with them or their tout,the curtain would be drawn, for further necessary action..and,we actually saw a 11-12 year ole bargaining with one of them..whew!

There were also the fields where the famous Holland windmills are installed, which also added a lot of charm to their countryside.

Can you imagine,it was 3 deg C the day we were there,it began raining and still none of us fell ill or even got a cold. Definitely,a place which can elongate your life,if you can afford to stay there.

Perhaps I'll put up a snap or two of the place,which I had taken,when I edit this post. I have to locate them first.

Till next time, cheerio!

Birthday Wishes for the ever-special KESHI! :)

2008-06-25T12:10:00.006+05:30

Wishing you the best always and all the love, happiness and joy you wish for!

"Instead of counting candles,
Or tallying the years,
Contemplate your blessings,
As your birthday nears.

Consider special people
Who love you, and who care,
And others who’ve enriched your life
Just by being there.

Think about the memories
Passing years can never mar,
Experiences great and small
That have made you who you are.

Another year is a happy gift,
So cut your cake, and say,
"Instead of counting birthdays,
I count blessings every day!"

By Joanna Fuchs

Someday we're going to sit together and share a yummy yummy birthday cake, what say Kesh? :) ... *hugggzzz*

Happy Birthday :):):) Ishitha... ( Uttara )

2008-06-20T13:03:00.005+05:30

Another day to celebrate... *smiles*

yessssssss none other than our favvvvvvvvvvv person ishi pishi's budday :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISHI :)

she is special.. yes a special friend of mine.. i'll treasure her till the end :) muaaaaaah

do i have to say anything about her here??? :) Isn't she beautiful in and out?? :)

here is something for her ;) i loved this poem.. ( copy pasted from Ishita's Creative Corner)

Fresh is a feeling
a feeling divine
a new begining
something like
a new bottle but old wine :)

Fresh is a feeling
a sweet and pure fragrance
leaves me smiling
something like
the aroma of our friendship
untouched by pretense...

Ishi.. wish have a gr8 day I miss being ard.. i rem our party time, the cake , the WINE ...lol *winks* and loads of fun.. i miss u guys...

U ROCK MY WORLD :)

happy birthday sweetheart .. hope u have a rocking day :)

"U R SPECIAL :)"

PS: Hope you like this song ;)

Happy B'day Jitendra :) ... ( Uttara)

2008-06-19T10:44:00.003+05:30

Hey buddy.. wishing u a Happy Birthday ( belated though.. )

hope u had a grt day.. :)

Happy Birthday Loony :) (uttara)

2008-06-13T14:29:00.008+05:30

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY "

a reason to celebrate..
a reason to smile...
a reason to party...
a reason to be happy...

Today is our dearest loony's birthday :)

Wishing you a happy birthday cheesy aka loony aka ummmm ( i donno how many nick's you have) :p

Some secrets about her *winks*

Here i go :D....

She is smart, honest, sweet, blunt, caring, loving, emotional, intelligent, sexy, hot, ummm bitchy ( i donno :P) beautiful, honest, wise, freak at times *winks*, loves to pose n pose n pose.. ;), cute, kiddish, loves pizzas, chocolates, clothes,she has a fetish for shoes, bags, accessories, etc etc... It seems she is short tempered... ( she said so ) but what the heck she is still a darling who makes everyone smile and laugh..:)

So let's wish the GORGEOUS girl a very HaPpY BiRtHdAy and loads and loads of luck..

loony: pst pst ... Apunko pizza treat mangta hai kya :p

PS: Ishi ain't ard and I took the honor of putting this post for our lovely lady out here.. *smiles*

I wish was there.... (Sam)

2008-06-12T17:03:00.005+05:30

When talking about holidays, one thing which i repent the most despite having toured many a places, when I think back I always claim I don't know that place. This is something which I feel is so necessary. But then, when travellin or on vacation one has to think about budgets and other timelines... reminder of the life that you are taking a break from.

Anywyz, here is a list of the places I wanna visit again... (and yes!! I loved all of those places) coz, simply I wanna know them better.

1. Rajasthan: Nothing beats the style and oppulence of the Rajputs. The history of the land is laced with blood and passion. The house of Mewar being most prominent. How many can forget the battle of Haldighati, between Maharana Pratap and Akbar?? The sheer architectural beauty that you get to see in the darkest of its alleys.

Having stayed in Jaipur for a year, I daresay I do have a feel of the land. Visited Udaipur, Ajmer, Pushkar, Mt. Abu, Chittor, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer during the stay. Sadly though, Bikaner, Bundi and other such spots were missed out.

Should step into those magnificient havelis and palaces you could feel history weighing down upon you. Walk through those passages and you might actually imagine the Queen rushing through to greet the King, you might sit the Meera temple adn imagine how Meera would have sung hundreds of years ago in that very complex, or how Allaudin Khilji would have stolen that fateful glance at Rani Padmini which led to Chittor's downfall, or just how Rani Padmini and a thousand ladies committed "jauhar", or may be imagine an army 13000 horsemen trotting through teh 12 gates of Chittor to battle they knew they'd never return from and yet laugh all teh way to death.... History seeps from its walls... Honour and loyalty before anything... Death by glory!!

If you escape the magic of Rajasthan, do let me know.. and I'll tell you about Rajasthan!!

2. Sikkim: Spent 4 years there pursuing my graduation and yet there remain mountians to explore, rivers to see, falls to bathe in. An amazing land for flora and fauna. There are numerous places to visit there. One needs around two weeks to really go around without missing a beat and even that may nto be enough!! :)

The nearest airport to Sikkim is Bagdogra, and station is at New Jalpaiguri. One can travel via Kolkata or take a train to Guwahati which would stop at NJP.

3. Kalimpong: a quaint little hill-town off the NH-31A. A must visit if one happens to visit this part of the country. The cheese here is quite famous.

4. Goa: Though I spent sometime there, I would have loved a little more to soak into the culture there not as a tourist but as a local guy.

5. Singapore: Somehow I feel the trip there was a bit hurried. Just when the city was beginning to sink in, we had left. Needed some more time there.

6. Bangkok: Again a city which has a lot of history behind it. a little more than a day is not enough. Rushed through most of the spots in the city, but then the soul remains unstatisfied.

Places I want to visit:

1. Assam

2. Andaman and Nicobar Islands

3. Lakshwadeep

4. Kerala

5. Ladakh

6. Egypt

7. Greece

8. Italy

9. Austria

10. Berlin

11. France

12. UK

.. OK... I would like to be a globe-trotter?? Does that suffice?? :D

Cheerio!!

PS: This one is really hurried, so couldn't upload pics or links, will update on that later!! :)

Topics For The Month Of June (Michelle)

2008-06-11T13:06:00.002+05:30

I agree that the summer vacation hiatus is a good excuse for not too many posts, but guess what people? The summer is OVER! So stop lazing around and start BUF-ing!

Anyway, Amit suggested some really interesting and write-able (is that even a word?) topics for this month so get scribbling!

10/101/1001 things you would like to do in this lifetime

The holiday spot(s) that stole your heart

Happy monsoons! What better atmosphere to write? ;-)

Book Review: The Three Mistakes of my life by Chetan Bhagat: AmitL

2008-06-10T14:31:00.003+05:30

Hi,all..I just finished reading my first book of the holidays, amidst re-tiling work going on at home, the search for a new flat and getting rid of all the dust accumulated in the house,in the span of a year.

I've been a Chetan Bhagat fan,since I read his 'One night at the call centre', and, later,'Five Point Someone'. The reason? I can identify with his writing...perhaps because it's so day-to-day activity related, told in a simple style, and also because he's an ex-Ahmedabad-waasi. This book,in fact,is based in Ahmedabad.

The background is created by Chetan getting an email from someone,who tells him that he is going to commit suicide. And, Chetan calls his ex-professor,to get the guy located. He also lands up in Ahmedabad, to find out more. And,then,the story begins through the eyes of Govind, the protagonist. A brief review, just to around interest,without revealing the whole story is as follows:

There are three friends, Govind, Omi and Ish. Govind is the baniya businessman of the lot,and, beginning with a small sports shop in the premises of a temple, he dreams of making it big. He even invests in a shop in an upcoming'Navrangpura Mall', only to find his dreams dashed to pieces when the quake of 2001 struck. However, he recovers, bit by bit, and begins earning in the thousands again.

Ish, his friend, is a cricket-fanatic, he also takes a 12-year old Muslim under his wing,to train him for the Indian cricket team.He also has a sister who first takes Maths tuitions from Govind,'graduating'to falling in love with him, etc(The 'etc' is self-explanatory).

Omi is the other friend, but, he is more in the background than in the foreground, except when he gets killed.

In between the story of progress of the three friends, is weaved in the trauma of the burning of the coach of a train near Godhra around the same time, the winning of the cricket match by India against Australia at Kolkatta(And, the soaring sales of their sports shop after each win, highlights how fanatic most of us Indians are about cricket..if India loses a match,their sales fall..grin).

Also intertwined into the story is the post-train coach burning riots, the wild anger in the minds of the people out for revenge,and, the innocents who were affected by it.

Take my advice-read it..it's un-putdownable,especially since it covers so many true events!!

Moliere (2007) Movie review by Red Soul

2008-05-29T00:58:00.005+05:30

I just saw Moliere (2007). Didn't know it was a French movie.. I was expecting English dubbing at least. This was my second French pick-up after La Dolce Vita, which was also picked up by mistake. I didnt finish watching La Dolce.. but I enjoyed Moliere, even in French. Well I did have english subtitles.

I always wanted to read the French playwright's other works after I studied his "The Misanthrope" in my Art of Drama class. He wrote comedies and farces. In this movie, he wants to write a tragedy, but the strange events lead up the way how Moliere became what he became, the master at comedy!
The plot is a fictional account of his disappearance for a while from the public society. The time when he was away from his acting troupe, is what is the movie about. He meets people who later form characters in his plays. The movie is filled with sweet dialogue, picturesque scenes, and sensible acting. My favorite part was when Moliere, played by Romain Duris, acts out three different horses to teach acting. He says "acting is more about feeling than appearances" to teach a very shallow guy Mr. Jordain. This Mr. Jordain is so awkward, totally tactless. Even the villain was great.

I totally loved watching it. Couldn't help myself but watch the making of it too on DVD. Makes me want to learn french right now so that I wont have to rely on subtitles for other such movies.

My 'Crowning Glory' day: AmitL

2008-05-28T00:24:00.006+05:30

My Crowning Glory Day.

Let me go back in time- to a bit of ‘history’(Pun intended)…I was in Xth Board. As is the case with most students, parents, teachers, relatives, our friends, friends of family, literally psyche us out with their theory of how ‘crucial’ this year is, that our future depends on how we score in the Xth Boards. (And, history repeats itself in XIIth Boards). So, anyway, I was also equally psyched out, and, totally sure that passing Xth with flying colours was a matter of life and death.

The year just flew by. Since I didn’t feel the need to go for tuitions(and, perhaps, we couldn’t have afforded them either), I had to rely on our school teachers, my parents, the second hand Navneet guidebooks, and, the tuition class notes which my friends used to so obligingly lend me, in exchange for my English notes. (Yup, I’ve always been lucky enough to have a minimum five strong friends’ circle, be it in school or college, and, the rest of the students were also, well, quite friendly). Incidentally, I also can’t think of any school year, when I was so relaxed, too, during my free times- going to see the occasional movies, be they Bruce Lee or James Bond or Blue Lagoon-ish, listening to the radio(Tape decks were a dream- unaffordable), reading Hardy Boys, Alfred Hitchcock, Tintins, Archies, etc.

There was one guy who was tipped to be the topper, courtesy his good command over Science and Maths, and, his excellent handwriting, as also the fact that he had tuitions in the important subjects. But, when the exams came, something happened, he supposedly fell ill in between, and, continued for a month after the exams too.

Anyway, the results came. And, guess what, I’d topped in the school. Just when I was feeling exhilarated about it, reading the results on the notice board, our English teacher came and congratulated me- for coming second in Gujarat State, in Higher Level English(as a subject), something unique for the school. I cannot think of any other day which more befits the title of ‘My Crowning Glory Day’, than that special day! I couldn’t believe my eyes and ears. It brought life to the phrase' floating on Cloud 9'.
(I hope that I'll be able to visit my ole school this time, during my Baroda visit beginning from Saturday).

Subsequently, I got a letter from the Principal, telling me that they wanted to honour me by presenting me with a prize on Independence Day. But, even that day was not so precious,as the day of declaration of results.

Incidentally, this friend of mine, the tipped to top-per, came 4th. And, one day, he sheepishly admitted to me that it was only because he’d done below his expectations at the exams, that he’d feigned this prolonged illness. Good Lord, I’d thought- what agony his parents were put through in that period, when a simply truth would have sufficed.

Other ‘Glory Days’ I can think of:

- Being selected best boy of the class, by the gals, in Class VIIth. (ROFL- I can’t forget that day- at that age, I was so shy(still am, somewhat!) that I went beetroot red, and just remarked’ how’d the girls know?’, and the class teacher burst out laughing.
- Being selected Class Monoitor in 9 of the 12 years I was in school.
- Getting admission into Mech Engg , in Baroda, without any hassle, courtesy a decent Std XIIth score.
- Topping in Mech Engg in final year, getting a medal to boot.(And, still wondering whether I’d have been better off having taken English Lit, rather than engineering)
- Being selected in my first company, as the sole selected candidate out of 164.
- Getting my first salary, on Aug 01, of 1.5 months- a princely sum of Rs. 3650/-. (Now, fresh graduates wouldn’t think of joining any firm at anything less than 4-5 times that much).
- Growing from G.E.T. to Sr. Engineer to Asst. Manager to Manager- Engg, in the same co.
- Being selected for a three months deputation to Abu Dhabi from the same co. This trip also gave me the courage, the impetus to move to Dubai in 2002. Otherwise, I’m sure, I’d still have been rooted in Baroda.
- There’ve been glory days in Dubai, too, but perhaps that deserves a separate post on my blog.*smiles*.
- Being invited by Citadel mag, Pune, in 1994, to do a feature for them, on them, for their annual. Still have the mag and a PDF of it, if anyone's interested.

Crowning Glory days on blogs-they deserve another post-perhaps part II??

When I think back to all these events and others not mentioned above, I cannot help thinking how thankful I should be and am to God, for all these special days and for keeping me fit and fine all these years till date. And, yet, on some days, I wonder what I’ve achieved and what I’ve lost in all these years!! And, ponder on whether my existence is justified. Amen! Perish such thoughts!

And, that’s what I was expecting people to write about, when I suggested this topic- it really made me feel good, I hope you enjoyed it, too. And, do write about your crowning glory day- I’m sure it’d make for interesting reading, and, at the same time, would surely make you feel ‘great to be alive’, when you remember those 'magic moments'.Cheers!

Birthday

2008-05-21T15:43:00.007+05:30

Dedicated to:A Special Person Who Loves to do Something Different Everyday!

Instead of counting candles,

Or tallying the years,

Contemplate your blessings,

As your birthday nears.
consider special people

Who love you, and who care,

And others who’ve enriched your life

Just by being there.
Think about the memories

Passing years can never mar,

Experiences great and small

That have made you who you are.
Another year is a happy gift,

So cut your cake,

and say,"Instead of counting birthdays,

I count blessings every day!"
By Joanna Fuchs

--------------------------------------------------------------

Did you know that on this day in history:

1927: Charles Lindbergh became the first person to fly across the Atlantic(from New York to Paris) in his monoplane, The Spirit of St. Louis.

1956: The first hydrogen bomb to be dropped by air exploded over the Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean.

1991: Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a suicide bomber.

1994 Sushmita Sen, 18, of India, crowned 43rd Miss Universe

2008: Amrita,who turned 2_(The second digit is a secret,unless she wants to tell!LOL.), has her first birthday celebration on BUF.

Special birthday quotes:

- "The first sign of maturity is the discovery that the volume knob also turns to the left."- Jerry M. Wright
- We are all born nak*d and screaming and if you're lucky that sort of thing won't stop there --Unknown (That one's a shocker,huh?But,it was eminently LOLlable)
-A birthday is just the first day of another 365-day journey around the sun. Enjoy the trip. ~Author Unknown

Word:Race:AmitL

2008-05-18T18:54:00.007+05:30

The first thoughts that come to my mind, when I see the word 'Race':

Life in this world. It’s a race. A mad race. It reminds me of the craziness depicted in ‘It’s a mad, mad,mad, mad world’ , where people go nuts trying to outsmart each other, in the belief that they are going to be the only ones to unearth a hidden treasure trove of USD 350,000/-. (Should I have said ‘Cash’, to cover the other topic?*muses*)

Isn’t it the same situation wherever you turn? Someone’s hurrying down the street, late for an appointment, someone else is shouting down the cell-phone at his subordinate, someone else is rushing to keep an appointment with his GF(Or, the other way round), someone doesn’t know why he’s rushing but, he keeps glancing at his watch to show how busy he is.. ..everyone's part of a race.

Forget that, even when people are out for their morning walk/jog, they have to act like they're in a race. At 6 AM, they carry their cellphones with them, they run for some time, then they keep staring at them every 10 minutes as if the phone's gone mad. The most unique,of course, was the guy standing outside a cafeteria,a cuppa tea in one hand,a banana in another and a ciggie in his mouth. And,trying to finish all three together. Hope he succeeded in his race.

So, who do we all participate in this mad race which ultimately leads to nowhere?(From ashes to ashes, dust to dust, as the saying goes). Khaali Haath aaye the hum, khaali haath jaayenge hum, as the song goes.(We came empty-handed,we will go empty-handed..translated for Keshi's benefit)? Perhaps it's our forever competitive natures,perhaps it's the challenge of taking part and coming first in the race,or,perhaps it's just the 'bhed chaal'(herd mentality)-everyone's racing,so let me also race,why should I be left behind?

The way some people are constantly in a 'state of race', though, does make me feel sure that they’re sure that they will be taking all their valuables with them, when they 'race up to God'. So, they’re busy bargaining to the point where the trader says his chaddi-baniyaan is also gone and he cannot discount any further, they’re busy fighting with the rickshawalla for charging a rupee extra, they’re taking change back from the beggars bowl in a hurry, since they do not want to be so compassionate.

Perhaps what they say in the first lines of title song of our very own Bollywood movie, Race, says it all ?It goes:

Race Saanson ki (Race of the breath)

Race chahat ki (Race of liking)

Race Dhadkan ki (Race of heartbeats)

My heart is racing on!

(Sounds really funny,when translated,na?)

Till part II of this post,it's Byeeee!

c2c ppl? (Keshi)

2008-05-16T12:22:00.006+05:30

Trust me I'm a total alien in my family. Cos of the net lingo I use to txt/email people, they all think I'm some new-age weirdo. They don't blog, and even though some of them chat online and have social n/w accounts such as Facebook etc, they are not so net-lingo savvy as some of us here are.

I find it very interesting though. Languages -all means of communication have always received my devoted attention, including Sign language (cos of my deaf cousin bro). And to convey emotions/messages using smileys and chat lingo online is just an advanced form of how people used to communicate from years ago. Meaning, the conversations remain the same, only the ways we communicate change. And it's very interesting to observe those changes over time and needs.

I don't chat online at all..not anymore. I got bored with it within 3months or so. Blogville is where I picked up alot of net slang. Most of you already know the popular terms (WTF and LOL are my favs and I use them alot, LOL! you see :)) but have you ever heard of these IM acronyms?

aak

kol

phq

ygg

Don't cheat. Let me know if you've ever heard of these ones and know what they mean. CYL! ;-)

Instant Messaging and Me: Part 2: AmitL

2008-05-15T18:42:00.008+05:30

As I said, IMing, always teaches me something new. So, after reading the posts from Loon Gal and Mich, I decided, it’s a Thursday, I’ve finished my planned tasks at work for the day and the week, so, why not do a bit of research on IMing words.(Read this as:Not tax my brains too much,and still come up with a post) So, here goes what I came across on some of the famous acronyms which I’ve also grown so used to utilizing or coming across in IM, blog posts, blog comments, et al.

- Famous first acronym: LOL:

It's original definition was "Laughing out loud" (also written occasionally as "Lots of Laughs"), used as a brief acronym to denote great amusement in chat conversations.Depending on the chatter, its definition may vary.

The list of its meanings includes, but is not limited to:

1) "I have nothing worthwhile to contribute to this conversation."

2) "I'm too lazy to read what you just wrote so I'm typing something useless in hopes that you'll think I'm still paying attention."

Other definitions:
the ultimate conversation ender, means laugh out loud, people say it even though they dont laugh at all
dude 1:hey man i saw so and so today

dude 2:lol(silence)

In truth the term "lol" is actually an acronym for "let's order linguini".
Person A: Damn, I'm hungry.

Person B: LOL! (Insinuating that Person A and Person B should both order linguini, a tasty pasta)

- Famous Second Acrynym: ROFL:

ROFL is an internet accronmym for Rolling On Floor Laughing, and like all things internet it has adapted to nerd culture and has taken on new real-life use, though usually in a satirical way.ROFL can be merged with other acronyms also.

Some examples of the merged accronyms are as follows:

ROFLAARP: Rolling On Floor Looking At Assorted Rodent P*rnography

ROFLEW: Rolling On Floor Laughing whilst Eating Waffles

Yo dude, these waffles are sweet! rofl.

Are you ROFLEW?

Nah dude! I'm totally eating them at a table.

- Famous Third Acrynym: LMAO

Laughing My Ass Off. Used online only.
Matt: Bill fell off the horse and injured his pelvis in 6 different places.

Joe: LMAO!

- Famous Fourth Acronym: BRB:
1. Acronym for Be Right Back 2. Acronym for Bathroom Break
1. brb. mom's calling.2. brb. i really need to pee.

- Famous Fifth Acronym: WTF: (Keshi, u reading this one and going WTF?haha)
1. What the f*ck.2. World Tae Kwon Do Federation
Guy #1: Dude! I'm going to the WTF world tournament!Guy #2: Uhh... what do you do in a "What the F*ck" tournament?

- Famous Sixth Acronym,nee, slang: Ha Ha:
I read two definitions for this one:

a) something very funny
that guy just drank too much beer and fell over with a dopey grin on his face. It was pretty ha ha.
b) Slang term for going to the loo. Though the reasoning for calling a bowel movement a "ha ha" is generally unknown, it is speculated that the reason invovles the comic value of pooping.
-Mom, where is grandpa?-Oh, he's going ha ha.

Footnote:

Confession: I really did not tax my brains for this one. All the knowledge is courtesy urban dictionary. Till next time, ROFL, LOL, BRB and awl zat Zazz.

IM ME ASAP! (Michelle)

2008-05-15T12:37:00.002+05:30

I have always been a huge instant messenger user.My loyalties shifted to MSN a very long time ago because most of my friends use that but now you can add people on YAHOO! on your MSN which is very cool.That way, I get to keep in touch with everybody! There was a point when I was completely addicted to IM-ing.It was the phase where I had to burn the midnight oil and ''study'' for my boards but I was too busy learning new IM words.

I remember using shortforms was totally in vogue at one point.A person was considered super cool...or should I say -''kewl'' (I never understood the use of this one.It sounds so silly!) if they knew all the shortforms to words.

I remember I had sent my friend a text message once and she sent me a reply saying ''Michelle, I did not understand a word of what you typed, how about typing it in english?" I have to admit, it was quite hard typing the entire word!

We're living in such a fast-paced world now, everyone is in a hurry.We don't even have time to write entire sentences!

I think the word that has become universally put to use is LOL.If you really think about it, saying ''laugh out loud'' to something that isn't that funny, is pretty stupid...but I use it anyway! Of course, it is also a very handy acronym as Loon Gal pointed out- you can use it when you have nothing better to say! So, now you know why I ''LOL'' so much ;-)

LMAO.

2nd law of thermodynamics and Internet chats (Jitendra)

2008-05-15T11:02:00.005+05:30

I am back.. and I ll take an 'easy' path here and copy-paste a blog that I had written some 3 years back on internet chats. Here goes..

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"If internet be the food of love, chat on." Thats what a net-savvy Shakespeare would have said.
I first came to know about this concept of internet chat during my first year of college, almost 5 years back(2000). Guys used to gapingly sit in front of a computer for hours in a state of battle-readiness, ready to pounce onto any 'girl' who logged into the chatroom. Not only that, many guys came online for an internet-date, so to speak, every evening. I was one pathetic soul who didnt even have an email-id at that time, and I used to frequent the computer rooms just to get an email account opened, but these netmanaics never left their keyboards even for a second. I pitied them, because I couldn't really understand the funda of deriving pleasure - all in the mind - just out of this random chat with a 'girl'. They had no idea if the person is a he or a she. With the advent of yahoo messenger, chatomania was elevated to an altogether new hysteric level. Again, I was the only 'dumb' guy who used to come - only once in a fortnight - to check my inbox, which almost always read "You have 0 unread messages".
However, one year later, my curiosity triumphed over my seemingly rational 'dogma'. One fateful morning while surfing on the net, I entered a chatroom, just for the heck of it, to see what 'kicks' do people get out of internet chats. For the first ten minutes, I struggled hard to get a single response to my 'Hi'. My bruised ego was all the more irritated by some mindless sweet-sweet-nothings being exchanged by the 'chatters'. I was about to log-off, but Lady (Mis)Fortune had something else in store for me. A 'girl' finally replied to my 'Hi', and within ten minutes we were having an online-blast, getting along like a proverbial house on fire - online fire. Such an irony that I forgot all my strong opinions against 'chatters'. The girl even asked me for my number, and she actually called. I was on cloud nine over my 'dream-debut'. This experience was sufficient to make me a chatomaniac, and it did, although temporarily. For the next few weeks, I was addicted to net as if I wound't live to see another day. I made many chat-friends during this period, who were supposedly girls. Suddenly, from nowhere, my practical-self popped up and things got cloyingly sweet, so much so, that one year later my friend-list had zero virtual friends. The story which started in a Sehwagian style ended with a thud.
It is generally believed that only introverts, who usually keep to themselves in the real world, prefer a virtual medium to unleash their feelings. But thats not really true. I have seen all kinds of people - introverted, extroverted, ambiverted - having fun in the virtual world for all different reasons. Some desparately looking for girlfriends, some just want to break through the shackles of a monotonous 'real' life, while some - and they form the majority - are there just for kicks. The only commonality among all these people is that they have an uncanny urge to talk to strangers who can neither see them nor hear them. That brings up an important question: why do people - even the so-called extroverts - shy away from 'real' people? Why this enchantment for the virtual world? I personally feel that since it is virtual and hidden by definition, one can take liberties and get away with it. Funny though it might sound, but it can be explained 'technically' by classical thermodynamics. If human body is an isolated system - which is a reasonable assumption - its entropy will always increase according to the second law of thermodynamics. In layman words, human nature is such that humans cannot hold things with themselves beyond a point. They are always on a lookout for a vent to let these 'things' flow out of their system. And from the second law of thermodynamics, we know that we need gradients to make things flow. Internet chatroom is one such gradient-inducer, which the real world might not necessarily provide.

I am IMin'!(vishesh)

2008-05-13T13:16:00.002+05:30

lol :)
brb in 2.....
am back :)
yes??

ha,yes i have been chatting for the past three years or sumthin'.it all started of with yahoo! from then on...i have had a lot of interesting chats with a lot of people...have fought with a lot ...have forgiven and become frnds...but of late i have shifted more to goggle..have lost touch with the yahoo...too many memories and too boring....

but more than chatting it has been blogging of late for me....but chatting is spl in't's own sense..whenever you need a phone no...or say info...just catch someone online...you can't call a person at 11 for fun...but if they are on you can buzz 'em....you can also send 'em links and all and get going....now face bk has added a chat and am going to get to that...

so anyway gtg :)
catch ya later :)
tc :)

Instant Messaging and Me - Amrita (Red Soul)

2008-05-12T09:11:00.002+05:30

I started chatting online when I was in high school. Since then, I've seen Rediff Bol, Yahoo Messenger, MSN, GTalk etc, and avoided some like AIM or AOL because they never really crossed path with me. It was a wonder in the beginning for me because I had never communicated openly with even my friends in school, and here I was: just username and password away from millions of fascinating people, all over the world, as if just sitting there, typing away to talk to me about their culture, their countries, their lives, their college grades or boyfriends/girlfriends. When it comes to something new, I always get greedy about it. I want to have it all. And such a platform was just what I needed to really start the process which I loved so much - observing people going through their lives.

I made some really great friends through IMs. With it, I've lived red and blue times (happy and sad times.. lol). At times in India, when my internet package used to get over, it felt like I was so far away from the world - I had to reconnect to my space, to my comfort zone which I had created in my messenger list, to keep in touch with my best friends that I had made online.

Instant Messaging and me are like best buddies now. I've shared good music through it, movie reviews and updated my to-read books lists all the time through chatting with friends. These days, who really has the time and energy to talk on phone. IMs are very convenient to keep relationships intact, without letting a lot of distance come between the people who mean a lot to me. I have grown as a better person through the things I have learnt from people, strangers or friends through this little chat software. I love Technology when it is used in the right way. (This is how I would have concluded my school essay on "Science - a boon to the society or otherwise?" :p ) Way to go IMs!!

P.S. Oops I missed Skype!! I remember I once had a chat with an elderly African American man who was still enraged at every mention of a blonde because of all the racism against blacks in the early years. It gave me an insight to a black American man's feelings in current world and it shook me. This was just before I was preparing myself to come to US to study. So you can imagine how IM touches you.

Mother Nature (Keshi)

2008-05-11T05:25:00.014+05:30

Happy Mothers' Day especially to Ishi from BUF, and all the mums in the world! Here are some great quotes about Mothers by some very great people.

All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his. ~Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest, 1895

Thou art thy mother's glass, and she in thee
Calls back the lovely April of her prime.
~William Shakespeare

I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life. ~Abraham Lincoln

Mothers are fonder than fathers of their children because they are more certain they are their own. ~Aristotle

Here's another quote by a not so great person :)

We are a part of our Mothers, and that means they never really die.
~Keshi

Have a good one with your Mums, Grandmums, Aunts and Friends all you BUFers!

Instant Messaging and Me (Loon Gal)

2008-05-10T15:16:00.004+05:30

I have to thank Amit for thinking of such innovative ideas! I've still got my exams going on but it was hard to resist myself!

Instant messaging and I have come a long long way! It all started the day I got MTNL dial-up internet connection at home, back in Mumbai. It took me ages to download Yahoo Messenger and mom kept shouting for keeping the phone busy for so long! I transferred the chatting bug to all my classmates and I remember how my friends used to call me up just to say "hey! come on Yahoo!". It was funny in a way because even though we could have talked on the phone, we preferred the digital media more! My typing speed got so much better and gradually the number of "friends" in my list reached a new height! Initially my mom was quite happy about how technology had developed so much but soon she realised that her daughter was getting addicted to it. Parents were complaining to our teachers! I would chat all the time, day and night, and it changed my life completely!

I found myself saying 'lol' on the phone instead of actually laughing! I had codes with friends, e.g., I would change my font colour if my mom was standing next to me! Not to forget the flings on the internet, writing things like "I miss you" which actually meant "my keyboard craves for u .. my mouse desires u and my monitor misses u". The days when I tried to look cool by using as many acronyms as possible, by using 'mah for my' and a billion others. Photosharing, games, avatars ... so much to get you addicted to the damn thing!And now when I've controlled myself a bit, I find my mom following my footsteps (how funny is that!). She's on Skype or YM all day talking to her sisters and brothers all over the world. Our university computers have blocked all the Chat Messengers, so web messengers come handy! And at work the substitute is IP Messengers!

No doubt it has helped us connect with old and new friends but at the same time, no matter how clichéd this might sound, it has its own disadvantages too. I seem to be suffering from split personality now as I hear people saying "Your chat personality is very different from your real personality!" Now whatever that means!

Instant Messaging and Me: AmitL

2008-05-07T18:46:00.005+05:30

Yahoo!!(Pun intended) Instant Messaging! Anytime, anywhere- on your PC or your laptop or your cellphone. If you don’t use any of the messengers, you are looked at with pity. Like you were an untouchable. As if you’re not from this planet. Why, anybody who’s somebody has a messenger id and chats with his or her family, girlfriends,boyfriends, pals,even unknown people thusly, be it a three year ole or a thirty three year ole or even a seventy year ole. Who has the time or the inclination to go to Archies, buy some stationery, some good fountain pens and then pen down a letter, for heavens sake?(That is a monologue I heard from someone, some time back. For me, that’d still be a pleasant event.)

Today, instant messaging is all the rage. It’s the quickest form of communication with anyone around the world. When the internet and IMing first became popular(Was that in y2k or earlier?*muses*), I remember actually being afraid to log on to YM or MSN. Perhaps it was the fear that it would bring with it a virus which would foul up the precious computer(And, believe me, even a Pentium I was more precious than the latest models today) which I just couldn’t have afforded to get removed.

I also remember being thrilled to bits, about having created my first yahoo and hotmail ids. And, it was even more of a thrill to know about msn messenger and yahoo messenger, which were totally new concepts.

In the beginning, conversations used to last for hours, with all the developments of the last few days being discussed with friends/ family, down to the minutest details, including how the neighbour’s cat had run away with the other neighbour’s dog.

Conversations range from the most inane to the most serious to the most humorous, depending on who you’re chatting with. Someone could be chiding you for not keeping in touch, someone could be conveying their happiness at being able to keep in touch. (I usually stay in invisi mode on them, so it’s usually the first one. LOL).

----

Footnote: IMing is a boon for expats who're alone out here, with their families at home. Every week, they have an hour or two or three fixed, when they give a missed call to their wife/GF/BF/anyone, and that's the signal - come on line.They settle themselves at the cyber cafe with or without a cuppa coffee, and begin their chat with everyone they know- Bhai,Behen,Kaka,Kaki,Mama Mami,Dada, Dadi...the cam's definitely switched on,and,I can imagine everyone on the other side being thrilled as well.

----

On the inane side, what would you make of such gibberish, if you were not used to messenger- ing lingo:

BTW, AFAIK him, he must be ROFLLHAO at how we us. LOL.

Anyway, I’ve GTG now. TTYL, in the next post. HWP.

(Anyone willing to decipher the above, without googling? If you do, you're a true messenger user)

The Good and the Bad.... (Ishita)

2008-05-07T09:17:00.015+05:30

::: Hey Amit… I know you had a post ready for today but I’ll be off again till next week, so here’s one from me :)

A few lines about BUF before I get on with my choice of topic!

Once upon a time there was a blog with a whole lot of faces – familiar and new. With bloggers who wanted to share and be part of a group with a common love for writing and expressing their views. Some were old friends, some didn’t really see eye to eye. What seemed like a successful idea then turned ugly when opinions clashed and personalities overshadowed the basic premise of friendship. Bruised egos walked away and some who simply didn’t get involved but despised the constant bickering, preferred to stay away. What remains now are a handful (?) of people genuinely interested in the idea of keeping a space called “Between Friends” and some who silently stay on for they feel walking away would seem so frivolous and probably they feel their non involvement is a way to keep out of unnecessary conflict.

Anyway… every time I get back to do a post here on BUF, I can’t help but make an observation on the rather dismal state of the blog and us who seem to be waging a losing battle to keep it going….as they say *sigh*…

So if you’ve managed to read through the last two paragraphs without rolling your eyes and going “not againnnn ishiii!!”, here’s my take on one of the several interesting topics put up by Amit :)

I’ll write about the first one “Compliments and Brickbats” but in a different context. I’m simply going to narrate two instances here in blogsville where I felt really good and one which made me think about what could be termed as an observation that made me look within and change myself.

The first one is rather easy and has to do with a random comment I received for one of my blog posts where a guy had put up one of my posts (in fact my only attempt at writing a story) in his blog and spoke of how reading it had inspired him to take up blogging too. Coming from a complete stranger, this one instance gave me a whole new high :) and of course a lot more confidence in my ability to express myself in words! It made me believe that through my words I can make a difference…

The second instance of a negative situation has a lot to do with the way I handled BUF and still do. And here is where I have learnt a lot about myself and my sensitivity to issues which at times I should have simply let be. To get so passionately involved in a diverse group is bound to give rise to some unpleasant situations and put us in situations where we find ourselves making difficult choices or forcing others to do the same. It took me time to learn to think and not to simply feel… or should I say use my head and not my heart to define my equations with people. That I guess saves us from a lot of emotional upheavals and constant hurt.

Either instance – positive and negative – worked towards making me a better individual. I may never be satisfied enough to say I am happy with the kind of person I am but I know that IF I am constantly learning and getting better, I think that’s more than enough to keep me feeling positive and hopeful about each new day!!

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

- Maya Angelou quotes

Race to Cash... (Sam)

2008-04-30T15:55:00.002+05:30

Don't go by the name!! Honestly, can anybody race to cash??? Ummm.... well.. I think you can. No come to think of it, Race and Cash individually were really awesome movies. Okkk.... not so much for Cash, which was just about OK.
Other wise what does Race signify?? Competition?? Or your ancestry?? To me race reminds of nothing but some power packed cars and bikes. Vroooooooooooom!!!! hehe... to each his own I suppose!!!
Cash... ah well!! that which we seek so much in life. Some say it isn't important to them and yet you'd fine them hankering for that rise or for that extra 5 bucks the cabbie asked for dropping them off some remote corner of the city or may be while tipping the waiter after a good meal!!
Frankly is that all cash reminds me off?? May be... I guess after some insight into the ways of the world I can safely vouch.... "Money matters honey!!"
And yeah, in case you haven't heard the title track of Cash, do listen to it. The song does hit quite close to home there!!!

Happy Birthday!!! (Loon Gal)

2008-04-29T18:07:00.006+05:30

The ^_^ BUFer from Japan who's passionate about her friends, music, books, coffee, yoga, nature, loves the smell of aroma candles, loves writing letters, listening to healing sounds and daydreaming was born today, on the 29th of April, I don't know how many years ago!

So here's wishing her a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY on behalf of all the members of BUF!!!

CLICK ON THE PIC ON THE RIGHT TO FIND OUT WHO SHE IS!

May: Topics: Suggestions: AmitL

2008-04-24T14:48:00.010+05:30

Hi,all-how about these topics for May?

- The best compliment(s) I ever received and gave. And, The worst brickbat I ever received which helped me grow.

------------------------------------------------------------------

- Word: Race

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- Word: Cash
(Inspired topics,courtesy Bollywood, but, what do you associate immediately with these two words?)

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- My 'Crowning Glory' day

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- Instant Messaging and me

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Opinions, please,people!And, if acceptable, POSTS, please,people! ROFL-you may consider this my first post,on all the topics together!!:)

Laughter Yoga Institute (Keshi)

2008-04-18T08:05:00.004+05:30

Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to Dr.Amit's Laughter Yoga class!

As they say 'Laughter is the best medicine'. If there's ever a place to laugh and feel lighter and relaxed, it would have to be Dr.Amit's Laughter Yoga Institute (click on the link to check out his humorous site too). Dear friends, you have made the best choice ever. This will be a life-changing experience for you and it'll make you a more positive and a less stressed being on Earth. This fantastic new revolution to soothe your body and mind was founded by Dr.Amit (Phd in Laughter, Lmcd, Frls, Blc, Lght, Lch, Llc etc etc etc). Dr.Amit has studied Laughter for many years and has come to the conclusion that in this day and age, Laughter is a much needed 'exercise' in everyone's life. But it's sad to realise that not many people want to laugh these days, and they spend only about 5mins per day to even try and smile. According to Dr.Amit, Laughter improves blood circulation. A regular 20 minute laughter session can have a profound impact on our health and wellbeing. Laughter is a gentle exercise. It fills your lungs and body with oxygen, clears your breathing passages and exercises your lungs. What other way can be better and enjoyable than this to improve your health? So stop frowning and whinging, come to Dr.Amit's Laughter Yoga Institute and go singing and laughing! Cos,

Laughter is the best medicine!

Mala's Glass Boutique (Messy)

2008-04-17T00:31:00.005+05:30

mala.. the girl with a lovely smile... everyone here knows we meet up once in a while... and whenever we are at a barista or a restaurant or a cafe shes always looking for lovely glasses... well shaped glasses with coffee or hot chocolate or maybe some mocktail in it... she insists on clicking pics of the glasses whenever she likes something...

so i thought why not give her a glass boutique??

(ps... i know i havent been around for ages... but its just a phase in life where i dont know what inputs to give in here... sorry ishi...

and thank you for my anniversary wishes... its going to be 7 years of blissful living...)

pps... ishi... your query is answered...

Gaming Machine(Michelle)

2008-04-15T11:06:00.004+05:30

Only two people have posted on the game suggestion? Tch Tch *shakes head*.So, my computer almost died which is why I haven't been around much.Anyway, the game thing sounds fun so I'm going to give it a shot.

Loony's London Couture

I'm high on fashion, she is high on fashion.Our very own Loon Gal has amazing fashion sense and her clothes just keep me bawling and calling her all sorts of names cause all the stuff she has is just so pretty! My friends, here in Pune, love her sense of fashion even though they don't really know her and we often sit and admire and drool over the stuff she puts together( That doesn't make us sound very good does it?) I personally think she'd do great in the couture field.She'd put Valentino out of business.May it be boots, dresses or chuddidars.This girl is top notch! ;-)

Silvara: Howdy Partners!

2008-04-15T04:47:00.001+05:30

Hello BUFers and the world!! It’s been a while again since I last posted and the guilty feelings have been gnawing away at me for so long that I HAD to see what had been happening. Since I last dropped by And what do I find when I take a peek but a whole new template!! Very nice…I like pink – it reminds me of fairy floss and we could all do with a bit of sugar in our lives.

Been looking at the topics from the last update and the last time somebody pulled a prank on me (despite it NOT being April’s Fools) was this morning when the café where I get my morning coffee told me that they no longer served skinny lattes!! While I was hyperventilating at the thought of having to go full-cream (it’s not that big a deal but you know me – I like to exaggerate just a teeny bit) the guy serving me just winked and said he was Just Kidding. I have to admire his balls though. Joking with me before I’ve had my caffeine fix and ABOUT my coffee was a very brave thing to do. He is lucky he didn’t see my baaaad side :P

As for the other topic on the last time I cried tears of happiness…well….it might get a little too intimate for this blog and shoot the rating up to saying ‘WARNING: Mature Content’ but then I could just say it and all the people who blush at the thought of an orgasm can go giggle away.

Anyways….moving on.

In my life – I finally started my new job at a huge firm and have been on training for the last MONTH. That was boring as hell for the most part but every day we got a catered lunch that consisted of different varieties of gourmet sandwiches which was fine for the first few days but eventually we got sick of the sight of bread and different insides. And I have finally discovered Friday Night Drinks which makes for very interesting times.

I have been devouring books by the dozen having discovered my local library (I moved suburbs after I got married) and have been amazed again and again with the calibre and intensity of Indian authors. I have read most of the books written by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, Amulya Malladi, Anita Nair and have discovered and fallen in love with my homeland all over again. I have read about NRI’s looking for love again in India (so Indian chick lit lol), heartbreaking stories of the Partition and massacre at the Golden Temple in Amritsar (which caused me to bawl like a baby), and stories of brave women breaking the mould of a ‘good Indian woman’. So it’s hard to pick just one of the books to review but the current one I am reading - ‘The Sari Shop’ by Rupa Bhajwa is very good and I might come back with that one later.

So this is my quick update on love, life and blogging….

Keep coming back y’all…!

The BUFer game:AmitL

2008-04-14T15:17:00.003+05:30

Hi,Vishesh-a big smile at your reminder for posts!! It seems that people are busy with year endings, exams, holidays……!!!! Come on, guys and gals, wherever you are, on your hols or on duty, I’m sure you’ll have net access, na? Penning a few thoughts is always a great change from the routine of work/study life . At least, I find it so! J:)

I thought and thought- which fellow BUF-er to pick? Thought about character traits- of everyone I’ve met via BUF- Ishi, Loon Gal, Mich, Vishesh, Raj, Sam, Uttara, Silvara,…… ran (read)through people’s ’10 things about me’. And, expectedly, came up with one logical answer-Keshi. It reminded me- that although everyone here is a good,nee,great friendly friend, character traits cannot really be judged unless you’ve me that person or, the person writes from the heart, about everything, like Keshi does.

So, what’d I name after Keshi?

The Institution: Keshi’s Friends’ Society (KFS, in short-does it rhyme with a food chain?*muses*).

What’d it have? All kinds of sections, to match everyone’s mood! For example, I can think of:

The Friend’s Lounge at the entrance, where Keshi, the happy proprietor, would be sitting on a special heart-shaped chair with a big smiley painted on it, feeling thrilled to be welcoming everyone!( and tiring out her voice box in the bargain. grin)

The Music Lounge: On the left side, would be a soundproofed room containing 8-10 music systems with Bose headphones attached to each one for everyone’s dreamy listening pleasure. The wide variety of music choices would be of the kind that Keshi loves, but, yes, also all other varieties as well, since she never imposes her views/songs on anyone and is happy to let them choose their favorites.:)

The Bloggers Lounge : Would be a section with a multitude of computers, all net-connected. Where people could blog to their heart’s content. The home page would be Keshi’s blog, but naturally. And, Keshi’d soon have to remove the ‘comments moderation’ part from her blog, since the comments would be flowing in at 100 per minute. (I think they flow in at that speed even now!grin!)
There’d also be an ‘updated blogs’ 42” plasma screen on the wall, showing a list of the latest updates on Keshi’s friends’ blogs.

The Photography Lounge: Where all of Keshi’s albums would be on display- pics of her with her favourite people, favorite bloggers, favorite kids…. There would be a ‘Friends’ wall’ as well , where visitors to KFS could put up their authgraphed pics, as well! For those who did not bring their pic, thoughtful Keshi has made arrangements for a ‘quick pic’ (Jhatpat Photo, as they call it in India) cubicle. The wall would have to be extendable, of course!

Just when you are feeling that you have entered heaven and could stay in this cozy place forever, you’d come to the exit door, saying ‘Thank you- do come again’.

Keshi, err, any additions I should have made?:)

PS People have been known to exit, and reenter once again from the main door, since they cannot bear the thought of leaving such a nice place.

Till the next post, Cheerios!!Awaiting some posts from everyone on the April topics, now!

Smitten Kitten (Keshi)

2008-04-14T09:47:00.004+05:30

Saying a little Hello...making some noise...taking a small peek...of a beautiful sight.

Hope everyone is keeping well. HUGZ!

excuse me

2008-04-12T16:11:00.001+05:30

its been more than a week since anyone posted! excuse me! anyone planning to post?

amit ambani anytime anyone anywhere advertisment

2008-04-03T20:54:00.002+05:30

so i become the first to take the "game" :) seems quite fun.(Amit hope you like this).All of Amit's post have some interesting joke/pic,so basically everyone is attracted to it.he also seems to be every candid and comes up with the goods,he also has a style for telling his stories/anecdotes.even when i am busy with exams,his posts get me here and also the frequency of his posts here is amazing :) hmmm....what else ,i think thats about it....:) amit ambani anytime anyone anywhere advertisment

AmitL The last time someone fooled me

2008-04-01T12:41:00.002+05:30

The last time someone fooled me was in the nineties. I used to write very regularly to magazines and newspapers, and enter lots of contests. So, somewhere or the other, my name and address would crop up in a magazine/paper, and that is what started the ‘ how someone fooled me ‘ saga. (That was the first and last time --that I’m conscious of..otherwise, every time I buy something, I can’t help wondering about it’s real cost and how much we’re being fooled, by paying much higher, when buying it..LOL)

There was this guy, who turned up one fine morning at our ancestral home. He claimed that he had come from Mathura, worked in the Railways, and was in Baroda for the admission of his son in Medical or Engineering. He projected himself as a regular reader of my letters and claimed that he’d also written to me once(There was no email then). But, since I used to get oodles of letters from penpals and radio stations, I didn’t recall anything. Being the polite guy that I was at that time, I also agreed with him and said that I had indeed received the letter.(Had it been today, I’d have just said, ‘No, I didn’t receive anything, I don’t know you.LOL). And, then came the whammy- he wanted some financial assistance in order to secure the admission, since his wallet had been picked on the way in the train. He was willing to leave his Railway badge as verification, if I wanted. Of course, being Mr. Gullible then, I glibly said, ‘No, no problem’ and gave him the 200 Rs. He was asking for. He went off singing my praises and thanking me profusely.

Imagine my surprise when, two days later he again turned up, saying that they were asking for more money. And, another 3 days later, he again turned up. After 5 such visits and Rs. 1500 later(That was quite a big amount, then! Bigger than it is in today’s inflationary times, I mean!) from him, I began to suspect a rat and just told him that I didn’t have any more to give him and he should look for help somewhere else. So, he went away, giving his address, etc, so that we could be in touch in future.

And, that was the last I saw or heard from him. I did drop him 2-3 letters, asking him to return the money, but, there was no response. I could imagine something in a bubble going ‘Hee Haw Hee Haw’ , the way it does in ‘Chhupa Rustom’ or comedy movies.

Well, the conclusion was ‘ You live and learn’.(It's better that way than to cry over spilt milk,na?)
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Incidentally, this reminds me of a RJ’s joke played on someone, two years back.

They called up this poor guy at 700 AM (We were in a Co. bus, enjoying the dialogue). It went something like this:
RJ: Hello! Is this Mr…..?
Mr. J(Let’s say): Yes. Who is this please?
RJ: We are calling from Dubai customs. We have been keeping some people under close observations since some time and it has been observed that you have been purchasing large amounts of gold recently.
Mr. J: (Light panic in voice): Who? Me? Not really. I’ve just been purchasing a big of gold.
RJ: Don’t lie. You have been observed closely and you have purchased more than ‘a little’.
Mr. J: (Feeling trapped): Well, you see, I am from India. I am a poor man. But, in my country, the dowry system is there and I am purchasing for my daughter’s wedding as I have to give it to her as dowry.
RJ: That may be so, but, we cannot allow you to take this much gold out of the country. We know exactly how much you have purchased.
Mr. J: (Now, in slithery form of voice, but, displaying full panic mode): Look, can’t we settle this in some way? I can meet you and we can reach a settlement. I just have to get this gold sent to India. I did not know it is illegal to buy so much gold here.
RJ(Now, bursting out laughing): Mr. J, you are on Radio. Your friend, Mr…… wanted to wish you ‘Happy Birthday’ and ‘WE WISH YOU A HAPPY BIRTHDAY’.
Mr. J: (I could imagine him crying tears of relief): Hahahahahahaha. Thank you.
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Someone sent me the first April Fool joke of the day. It’s an email titled’ 101 ideas for 1st April’. When you open it, it says ‘This is one of them. Remaining 100 will be mailed later!’
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Cheers!Happy April Fools' Day!And,many more to come!

April - Topics and Announcements (Ishita)

2008-03-31T10:18:00.002+05:30

A new month and time again to write on some new topics!!!

I won't be around much this month - got my parents coming to visit and the whole house moving happening. But before I disappear yet again, let me announce the new topics :)

1. A suggestion came from Loongal...I'm simply taking the liberty to copy paste it here :P coz I don't think I can explain it better :)

"How about a little blog game where everyone writes a post for a fellow-BUFer, where he/she names a shop / store / institution / organisation/etc after that BUFer based on his/her personality and traits."

An example she shared was - "Since Michelle is such a fitness freak, someone could name a fitness centre after her called Michelle's Fitness Club (actually should be something more interesting) and then describe the place according to his perception of Michelle's lifestyle."

2. The second suggestion is from Amit and has everything to do with April 1st :D

"The last time someone fooled me! or I fooled someone!"

Happy Posting ppl :)

Ps: I didn't make a formal announcement of Suchi's B'day (22nd March) here on BUF... but we celebrated it together and had a lovely time :) ... I baked her a chocolate cake (that's her favorite) and we spent the wkend together celebrating her special day and also Holi - the festival of colors :)

This month Neha (Messy) celebrates another year of wedded bliss on 18th April. Here's wishing her a lovely anniversary! and this is also the birthday month of a BUFer who's long since disappeared but yet left us with fond memories :)... Yes Kathy, Happy Birthday girl (29th April).

For the birthday and anniversaries that I might have missed...I'm truly sorry guys. Blame it on my continued absence from the blog I miss the most!

Last time I cried tears of happiness:AmitL

2008-03-24T15:26:00.005+05:30

The year: 2003. The month: January.

It was nearly one year since I had joined my previous company, here in Dubai, as a greenhorn, in spite of my having had a long work experience in India. (Also, within two months of joining, I’d changed my forte from engineering to Engineering-based-Procurement, which made me more of a greenhorn that first year. LOL)

My leave application had been discussed, negotiated, debated, dissected. mulled over and any other words you can think of, before it was passed. It had gone to the extent of being told ‘You are an engineer. Engineers don’t take leave’ and ‘Why 30 days? Go for ten days and come back’. But, after all the haggling, and, seeing that I remained firm to the extent of saying 'Either I go, or, I GO (forever),(In fact, this threatening was something I continued every year, otherwise I'd have grown old here and forgotten what Baroda was like) they had finally signed the application and the clearance for me to be paid my LTA.(The Procurement Mgr, the HR Manager, the Finance Manager, the MD- all signed). That was the first ‘tears of happiness’ I had in private, that evening, when I returned to the studio flat where I was staying. I know it sounds silly, but, when you have been away from your family and relatives and all, for the first time in your life, and that too for a full year, such emotions do come into play, however, err, mature you tout yourself to be.

Anyway, after days of anticipation, of shopping (At that time, electronic gizmos, gift items, et al were still not so easily available in India as they are now, in the dollar shops, the Rs 49-99 shops, and even with the friendly neighbourhood larriwallah), of numbering (this gift for this individual, et al-after all, it was the first trip back to India), et al, the day dawned. Rather, the night dawned, err, fell. I was at the airport 4 hours before the flight, and, once the entry was permitted, I spent a pleasant time doing a bit more last-minute shopping and more of window-shopping at DDF(Dubai Duty Free)(Shucks, I might as well say this- at that time, in the first year, I’d not saved much, as is normal for anyone setting up a ‘second home’ anywhere, and all this shopping had put another dent(happy dent?) into the savings.)

Along with all the other ‘mad’ people, as soon as the boarding announcement was made, I rushed with my cabin baggage to stand in the jostling crowd(Now, I don’t rush sooo much, naturally!) and heaved a big sigh of relief when I entered the plane- no-one could call me now for work-related issues(The calls had continued till the airport). After observing the co-passengers(the villager who sat with his feet up on the seat in a squatting position, for example- you get these sorts when you travel AI, even today, I’m sure), and settling down, the time flew by, and suddenly, the announcement came-‘ We shall be landing at Mumbai’s CST airport in thirty minutes…’

…and, THAT was the moment (the last time I can remember) when I had tears of happiness in my eyes. All kinds of dramatic things, like wanting to bend down in prayer on landing on Indian earth and picking up a mound of earth(Mere desh ki dharti, so to speak), shaking hands with all the passengers, dancing around at the airport to express my joy crossed my mind. (Of course, I didn’t do any of them.Or, did I??*muses* )

And, then, the plane landed.

Tears Of Joy (Michelle)

2008-03-20T12:12:00.004+05:30

This was a real toughie for me cause I'm the type that starts bawling at anything even remotely related to sensitivity/emotion.So you know what to come prepared with the next time you want to take me for a mushy movie.But since its supposed to be recent, I remember an incident that happened few months ago.

My dog, Romeo, is a huge 6 year old doberman who looks like a meanie but hes a softie at heart.He runs under sofas and beds ( with his butt sticking out) when either of us raise our voice.My cousin's cat whacked him once and hes also pretty scared of cats ever since.Hes anything BUT a guard dog.He'd rather dress up in a tutu than chase cats.

My mom is an asthama patient and she started gettting attacks very frequently everytime my dog was around her.It went on for months when finally the doctor discovered that it was because of my dog.

We had to give him away.That was the last thing that I could ever think of doing because I've had him for 6 years and even though hes huge, hes such a baby at heart! My mom's deteriorating health left us no choice and our vet started spreading the word to clients that he thought would be interested.Around 90% of the people we spoke to seemed like freakin airheads.Finally, we found someone that already has two dogs and a huge place on the outskirts of Pune.Being a doberman, Romeo needed a lot of exercise and since we don't live on a farm or whatever he can't run around without kids squealing and running into their homes like a mad bull has been set loose.I fell in love with the place when I saw it.The people seemed to fall in love with him the instant they saw him and he became instant friends with the labrador and pug that they already owned.The day he left, I thought I wouldn't be able to deal with it.But,when I saw him there and how happy he was, I couldn't help but cry and be happier that he was in a place which he loved much more.I still miss him terribly, and I know he does too.He still jumps like a maniac the times I have dropped in to visit and I know he'll always be my Romeo wherever he is.

missing sunday!!!(vishesh)

2008-03-16T10:35:00.003+05:30

my sunday is gone missing,
it has left me thinking.

my sunday is gone missing
i am left wishing,
that it will think of appearing;
without it our lives will miss something
that can range from nothing
to charity giving,
to everything.

my sunday went bye-bye,
now thats not fair i haven't said hi!
sunday is a special day,
like and yet unlike monday
to succeeding day.
sunday is a special day,
unlike Saturday
the preceding day!

my sunday is not there,
any one out there,
to come with me and dare,
to see where
sunday went?

sunday is mostly a holiday,
that makes it a holy day.
does an absent sunday
mean an extra monday,
that i don't want-no way.

my sunday is missing
amd i am left thinking.

here comes Amrita..

2008-03-16T06:18:00.006+05:30

Hello friends at BUF,

I am Amrita, your new fellow blogger here on this space. I live in New Jersey and study at a college in New York City. I'm 20 and interested in English literature, more than my major which is computer science.

Usually, I can talk at length about myself, but somehow this introduction post is something awkward to write. Probably because I've been surrounded a lot by other unwanted writing assignments like emailing professors or writing cover letters for the internships I want.

My birthdate is May 21 (Gemini) and my marriage anniversary is Nov 19. I love reading and I can remember favorite songs, quotes, dialogues etc. My college is very interesting because I had to take a variety of classes like Psychology, Philosophy, Contemporary History, Art of Drama etc. Except for these classes, college is a bore. lol.

I talk to my parents in India in about two days so you can tell how much a parents' daughter I am. You will know more about me through my posts here.

Last but not the least (Oh I so hate that cliche, but continuing) I am here on BUF because AmitL invited me to join this amazing new group of people who express themselves with words. Thanks Ishi for this opportunity to blog at BUF. I am looking forward to making a lot of good friends here. I'm keeping me real name as my user name here because I want to "keep it real", New York style. :)
I also blog as Red Soul.

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Current topic: My favorite time of the day

Choosing topics like this and writing about them is a very nice idea of removing the writers block. Let me see how my favorite time of the day as I write this post.

I guess it has to be the night (time of the day?). Yes, the time when I come home after a long day in the city and in college, is my favorite time. Around 11pm I come home and then there is dinner time and TV time! I believe I am a good eater, in a sense that I like to savour the flavour with each bite..

This time is very relaxing and refreshing because I get to watch my favorite TV sitcoms - Sex and the City, Fraiser, Will and Grace, Celebrity Apprentice, Lipstick Jungle, Comedy Central, just to name a few ;) .. This time is my own time, I get to paint my world with my colors, my favorite music or my thoughts - through the things I can do at my comfy little home.. I blog in this time, summing up the happenings of the day, I call home in India and speak to parents..

I love the peace of the night, and I study better somehow in that time. lol, I hope "night" can be counted as a "time of the day".

Response to Book Review: AmitL

2008-03-15T23:24:00.005+05:30

Hi,all. I had written to shivkhera.com regarding the book review I'd done a few posts back and I just got this email reply,which I wanted to share with everyone:
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Dear Mr Amit Loiwal,

Greetings from Qualified Learning Systems !!We express our heart felt thanks for your kind words and appreciate posting book review on the blog.Thanks once again for sharing your success story with us.We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.Together let us make our country proud.

Best Regards,

Suneera Anand
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Feels good,na!!

Last Time I Cried Tears of Happiness... (Aakash)

2008-03-15T02:32:00.003+05:30

Last time I cried tears, the
viscous trickle of molten happiness, is
a time I don't want to remember.
For I fear, that I'll think of you. That
the touch of your warm moist breath and
the smell of your skin will linger
reminding me once again
of the hungry vaccuum you left behind.
Emptiness filled with the fact
that you are not with me.

(I am silent, but I am not yet gone.)

Last time I cried tears of happiness (Loon Gal)

2008-03-14T18:34:00.003+05:30

The last time I remember being really really happy about something was the birth of my nephew(sister's son) a year ago. I was in the middle of submitting 2 very important assignments when I got this news. My happiness knew no bounds and I was sharing it with everyone I met on my way! Finally made myself comfortable on a bench in a nearby park and cried my eyes out *khushi ke aansoon*! I knew how much everyone wanted this! I was so proud of my sister ... because she had become a mother today! I had teased my sister all my life as to how I would spoil her kids so that they would love me more than her ;p!

I have always loved babies (as long as they don't cry and pee) but this time it was a completely different feeling! I had become a 'maasi' to someone and I was/am awfully happy about it!
The doctors nicknamed him Tintin because his hair apparently resembled the cartoon character Tintin ;p and need I say ... I absolutely loved it!

Its funny, as I'm writing this post I see the paper near the keyboard getting wet :)

Tintin's birth gave me an insight into a mother's life. How suddenly all her priorities change and there's automatically a sense of responsibility! How a mother loves and brings up a part of her body! It made me realise what I would be missing in my life ... and it made me realise how unfair He has been to me.
Since I couldn't go see Tintin right after his birth, I went to India after 3 months for his naming ceremony. There were loads of relatives surrounding my sister and each one of them demanded a gift before getting out of my way. Finally when I got to see him, I couldn't resist kissing him madly and playing with him! [No wonder he looks so traumatised in the pic! And aah please ignore my hair, disasters happen! lol]
Everytime when I see him on the webcam, I notice a change in him.
He claps his hands, dances, can say "papa", "mumma" and "yo"! I've been trying to make him say "maasi" but invain!

He exercises daily unlike his maasi (with the exercising cycle).
Here's a few pics, sorry they're blurred because I took screenshots from a video.

Now you know what I meant right? ;p

He's got a sweet tooth like his Mom, recently he was ill and wasn't ready to eat anything BUT cakes and anything sweet! His eyes tell how naughty he is.
He loves to dance on bollywood songs, favourite being Mauja hi Mauja from Jab We Met! He claps when Om Jai Jagdish (Aarti) is being sung/played at the temple.
Every little thing about him is so cute! Even when am talking to my sister online and he pulls the computer cable!! And when am on the phone with her and he's singing "kakakakakaa" , "aaaaaaaaaaaa" in the background. When I'm talking to her and he screams at her for not giving him adequate attention! When he dials the last dialled number on my sister's phone and it rings here at 2.00 a.m!

I'm not sure if this was an appropriate post for the topic, but this is all I could think of :)

3 levels of "Ogle" (jitendra)

2008-03-14T12:02:00.003+05:30

Apologies for the digression but this was way too *interesting* a pic to ignore..

I just bumped into this pic at a friend's orkut album (click on the image to enlarge):

Our cricketers are displaying 3 classic levels of ogling ;)

Yuvi: ogling with a 'straight bat'
Karthik: ogling cover-drivingly

Uthapa: third man

Sachin is beyond moh-maaya. (apparently)

These are few of my favorite "times" (Ishita)

2008-03-13T16:19:00.003+05:30

I mentioned it in my comment in Amit’s post that my fav time would ideally be mid morning! Yes it’s when I am alone and free do what I please at my own pace and in my own space … But, when I sit down to give it a serious thought, my fav time is not a certain time of the day but rather made up by moments in a day which could come up at any random time :)

What’s that you ask? Simple! It’s made up by moments when Vedant gets all cute and cuddly with me, when he’s being indulgent and the times when he says the funniest things. These happen spontaneously and can make me smile just like that!

Nowadays there’s yet another feeling and that’s when I feel the lil one move in me (not kicking yet but more like a fluttering feeling...sometimes a like a nudge :P). It’s a familiar feeling that I’d forgotten in the past many years and one that has me as excited each time as I was the first time I felt it!

It’s also in time spent with R when we’re simply talking about stuff and watching a show we like or munching on our fav snack along with our fav cup of tea!

Of course, when friends drop by and time spent with them chit chatting, sharing a meal and better still when they stay over :) … more the merrier!

And having our extended family visit us!

I guess people, occasions matter to me more because I spend a lot of time by myself at home and unlike others who lead a hectic working life, I don’t crave solitude. I get a fair share of that after all!

But a few months more and I will be back to a hectic schedule…back to sleepless nights…and days!! And a long wait to a regular, monotonous schedule!

So I guess till then, I’m gonna savour every moment of my “alone” time once R and V leave for work and school respectively… :) … writing random posts, surfing good ol blogs, watching my fav shows on TV, reading a book, munching on snacks, sipping my cup of milk, playing “spider solitaire” or “scrabble”….chatting with friends online or on the phone… *sigh*…time flies right? :)

Favorite Time of the day: AmitL

2008-03-12T18:36:00.005+05:30

GOOD MORNING

My favorite time of the day, is surely the first 1.2-2 hours after waking up. The main reason is, of course, that I’m an early bird(to get the proverbial worm?LOL), so, I’m as energetic at this time, as I am tired by the end of the day(sometimes). So, what makes these morning hours so memorable?

First and foremost, of course, the reason is- it’s my time. I can schedule what I want, when I want. (Just like ‘my blog’ and I can write what I want, when I want. Heh heh.

(That's the perky feeling which mornings bring)

Once the mental alarm goes off at 0500 AM or so, I wake up, do a quick , err, ‘limb check’ to ensure all systems normal and functioning like they were the day before- the arms, legs, etc( and Thank God for the same!)

At a leisurely pace, I then enjoy( one by one, of course) ½ a lemon with two glasses of lukewarm water.(Clears any irritation in the throat), followed by:

- Making tea.

- Sitting and enjoy the half cuppa tea sip-pa by sip-pa.

- Reading either the morning paper(boy, do I miss TOI/ IE out here in the mornings? Indeed I do), or a Perry Mason or a Archie Digest or a mag, while sipping tea. This is followed by:

- Continuing to read – especially Perry Mason, if it’s an engrossing part. OR

- Doing some stretching exercises OR

- If in mood(which is most of the time), I go for a nice brisk walk, mp3 player in place. Enjoy the morning sights(or, the absence of them), the reduced traffic.Flick a copy of 7days from somewhere on the route(this is a paper distributed free here, but they drop it usually outside shops). If I walk in the garden, it’s always nice to see the greenery(normal and two-legged), then, there’s this couple who always bring food for the cats that inhabit the place, there’s some people doing yoga, some fast asleep on the benches……

- Reach home, bathe, get ready- by this time, it’s 0715 AM.

- Other occasional ‘enjoyments’ during this time:

- Breakfast of upma or idli or wholemeal bread or branflakes with milk, with a fruit. (This is the only time I feel hungry during the day)

- Watching repeat of ‘CID’ on Sony TV(On Sunday)

- Checking out my blog, BUF, others, emails, news!

- Deciding to take a day off and going back to sleep!

And, that(When I leave the house to go to office), as far as I am concerned, is the end of the day, during a (working) weekday. From then to catching the bus to returning home to falling asleep, the time just flies by. ……and, then, voila! it’s a lovely, beautiful morning again!!

(Pic: E.M.E. temple, Baroda)

Add-on: When in Baroda, the additional good part of the morning is joining in the morning prayers at the serene EME temple, one of my favorite places. For more on this and other places in Baroda, see here.

Waiting for other people's 'favorite time of the day', now!Loon Gal, Keshi, Sam..everyone-perk up,puhlease!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUF! (Ishita)

2008-03-11T09:38:00.004+05:30

"3rd March was the day it all started a year ago. Where was I this time? Caught up with my life like most of us BUFers...atleast those who still get around here sometimes. Well, I can't believe I let it slip away unannounced...*sigh*

A year completed. A year drifted away...

With a wish of love and happiness for all the people who were, are and will be a part of this...space...I can't help but wonder if this is simply the beginning of the end of what was once a beautiful blog to be a part of and which still tugs at my heart making me long for the people who once made it the crazy funfilled place it was...

But hey, we still have some of us who still find time to share our thoughts, lives, ideas, creativity with each other :) and I've always been one to believe in what we have rather than get negative about what's no longer there!

It takes a lot to walk past differences, to be your own person and yet accept the differences in others...for those who survive in BUF, it shows you guys are special and believe in making things...ideas, relationships....work.

Thank you all and although belated :)...wishing us all

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUF! and BUFers!!! "

Reflections (Suchi)

2008-03-09T11:20:00.008+05:30

A lie about that truth of life

The truth about that lie to self

A feel of those tears

The tearing feel of that pain

A sigh of relief when all was calm

The relief of sigh which I'd named mine

A life that I made all my life

The made up life I once lived in

The laughters of joy forgetting my woe

A joy filled with laughter to keep me go

All these and more, this way or that

mean the same or maybe not

I have to move on with every beat

this way or that, I've to beat defeat

Reflections of life or this is simply me but

I believe in the person whose Reflections in the mirror I see

I might be late for this topic but 'Reflections' seemed just right to come back to BUF with .....

fav time-!(vishesh)

2008-03-07T20:17:00.003+05:30

ha well i saw time :) and well this is what came to me first:

time and life

life is embedded into time-
life is a tool in time.
life is a mirror in time.
life is an illusion.

birth and death are cycle.
life is in a circle.
everyone seeks a pinnacle.
we need to trust our miracle.

time moves.
life moves.
the end has no end.
the start has no start.
in circle ,seeking the
pinnacle is the pilgrimage.
time the static force,
is an illusion.

hmm...then i saw time of the day? still thinking which one to say ...:P maybe be the time at school spent sleeping at the last bench? or midnight football?or blogging...still thinking...

UPDATE!

2008-03-07T19:56:00.004+05:30

Thanks for sharing the wonderful book reviews, many different reflections and your takes on if a sunday went missing! It was fun reading it all!

New topics (you are free to add any if you think of it as a better topic)

The last time you cried tears of happiness (I know I'm corny and cheesy so give me a dose of your cheesiness :P)

My favourite time of the day

Get creative people! Happy writing!

Book Review: AmitL

2008-03-07T10:47:00.004+05:30

'Winners don't do different things. They do things differently'.- that's the quote on the cover of one of my all-time favourite books, which I never stop waxing eloquent about,to all and sundry. There have always been skeptics who would go 'Oh,I don't believe in these self-help books-they're a load of crap', but, sooner or later,they would get back to me and say 'Thanks for recommending the book'. By a conservative estimate on Shiv Khera's website and on the cover of the book, it has sold a million copies. Now,that might be a few years' ole estimate,and,that too,of the official copy. I've seen oodles of pirated copies,in Baroda,Mumbai,et al,and,even those are best-sellers.(Quite an antithesis-a pirated best-seller!). I'm sure many BUFers must've read it too?

On to the book: What's it about? It's about you,us,our lives,simple examples which usually don't open our eyes.It has chapters from 'building a positive attitude', to, 'winning strategies',to'what is holding us back' and, 'values and vision'(doing the right things for the right reason). Nowhere does the book say that you Must do such-and-such, in order to succeed. It moves along in it's lucid way,giving examples and letting you see for yourself, how you can be a better human being.

---

Some of the quotes from the book which I found inspirational:

- 'The foundation of success, regardless of your chosen field, is attitude.' The example is given of David and Goliath-the 17-year old shepherd boy is not scared of the giant Goliath(while all others are terrified),and says' He is not too big to hit,he is too big to miss', and proceeds to kill the giant with a slingshot.Same giant, different perceptions.

- TQP: Total Quality People- what organisations need- people with character,integrity,good values and positive attitudes.

(And,believe me, it makes a difference,if you're one of these people- for some time, chamchas(spoons) of bosses might rule the roost, but,finally,what brings rewards is your honesty,dedication and positive attitude-that's my years' of experience- AmitL)

- In a positive environment, a marginal performer's output goes up. In a negative environment, a good performer's output goes down.

(I put this one into practice wherever I work- I avoid the negative people who's main job is to crib all the time, and keep company with the positive ones)

- People with positive attitufes are caring, confident,patient and humble. They have high expectations of themselves and others. They anticipate positive outcomes.

(Think- how much does this apply to yourself, either at home or at work?AmitL)

-A negative attitude causes: bitterness,resentment,a purpuseless life,ill health, high stress levels for themselves and others.

(So,next time you feel angry or bitter,think-is a negative attitude the cause?AmitL)

- Doing it now: Simply expressed by a short poem:

He slept beneath the moon,

He basked beneath the sun

He lived a life of going to do

and died with nothing done.....James Albery

-Develop an attitude of gratitude. Take time to smell the roses. There is a lot to be thankful for.Many of our blessings are hidden treasures- count your blessings and not your troubles.

(One person I can always associate with such an attitude most of the time,is Keshi- who is usually positive in all her posts, replies to comments,et al,and,still remains a sensitive human being!Thanks,Keshi,for being a 'positive blogger!)

-Build a positive self-esteem- the way you feel about yourself.When we feel good, our performance goes up, and our relationships improve,both at home and at work.

(Now,isn't that the truth and nothing but the truth? And,yet,we(including me) end up feeling bad/deprived/angry many times, leading to a drop in performance.AmitL)

I think I'll end this book review now. There's so much I've highlighted in it,things which have helped me come out of the worst of moments in the past few years. There's just one last comparison which I need to mention:

'Winners v/s losers'(there's a whole list of points,these are the ones I found best):

- The winner is always a part of the answer. The loser is always part of the problem.

- The winner always has a program. The loser always has an excuse.

-The winner says' Let me do it for you'. The loser says' That is not my job'

(Albeit, use this phrase at your own discretion at work-you could end up doing everyone's job)

- Winners make it happen. Losers LET it happen.

----

And,yes, for those of you who can't get hold of the paper copy, I do have an ebook which I can email to you. Let me know. Happy reading!

Reflections (Loon Gal)

2008-03-01T17:25:00.007+05:30

I've always believed in the phrase 'The Only Constant is Change'.

Being a Gemini, I get bored of things/people very frequently and constantly need changes in my life. Might not sound very appropriate to most of you, but this is what I'm made of.

But lately, I've not been very comfortable with my own self. It happens so often that I look back and make a mental note of the changes that have taken place. And trust me the list is LONG!
I've become so complacent with time. There's a feeling of self-righteousness and jealousy. I feel like am not getting what I deserve and am never content! There's a want for more and more and most of the times its for something unattainable - perfection!
People say I've become "nagging and insecure!"
I've lost all the friends I never had.
I feel so left out, completely clueless where I'm heading towards in life.
Feel like a bad daughter.

People talk to me for a while and comment "Hmm! A lot has changed!"
I've had "You need to slow down in life" sort of comments from people who I know don't judge me but care for me.
Things that made me happy a while ago, irritate me now.
I get pissed at little things.

To put it clearly, I feel lonely in a crowd ... I feel like an outcast! This is coming from someone who was known as a "people's person" once upon a time.

People who didn't matter to me sometime ago, their existence itself has an intimidating effect on me now.

Am scared of any more changes now, because I know I just won't be able to take it!

Call of the Wild

2008-02-27T16:03:00.002+05:30

No!! This is not about a trip to the wild jungles and stuff like that. This is about what's there and what we are going to loose, what our future generations may never see. A couple of weeks ago I saw this report on NDTV (I guess) where they were talking of the diminishing number of Tigers and Gharials. While the number of Tigers have gone down, its the Gharials who are really the matter of concern. With an alarming death of more than 100 at the Chambal Sanctuary in the past couple of months for reasons unknown, the Gharial is now one of teh critically endangered species. I've been trying to dig up more on them, but its a painstaking work, what with our daily obligations in place. Anywyz, amidst all this I came across one such enthusiast, Apoorva Joshi, who has actually gone out there and is trying to do something about this. Please go through her blog: the wilderness n its wild kid.

Now after all this talk, I'd like some inputs from you as to how we can contribute to such issues. We can write, yes!! But apart from that, what?? Speak out, I don't care how absurd your ideas are, how naive, impossible illogical they are. Provide information if you have any. And if you are already involved do tell us about it. Every thought that you'd share counts. It's because of us that they are in the condition that they are!!!

This is not about us, it's about the environment that we live in. It's about the ecological balance. It's about what we pass on to future generations. Please, let's do something about it.

Missing Sunday (Loon Gal)

2008-02-26T15:58:00.000+05:30

If a Sunday went missing in my life:

I'll probably take the Monday off because I've gotten so used to relaxing on Sundays aaah!
Mom cooks rajma chawal (red kidney beans & rice) on Sundays and the tradition has been on for a long time now. But we'll have to miss that :( and I'll be really upset :(
Sunday is one of the very few days when I can have the luxury of sleeping till late and having a luxurious bath, will have to give up on that!
Sundays are designated for internal cleaning of my room. Although I'm a very clean person ... but most of the times I clean the room just so that it doesn't appear messy to people who look at it from outside. Then Sundays are meant for the internal sorting out of my clothes, etc (which fall out when mom opens my cupboard on a Saturday ;p)
Missing Sunday means no photo sessions! :(
You must think am jobless, but I get dressed on Sundays in all my new/old clothes and ask mom/dad to click pics for me (On the side is the pic I clicked last Sunday. BTW anyone here good with photoshop?)

The topic was pretty good ... but somehow I couldn't think of anything better to write :-|

Miss Missing Missed! (Keshi)

2008-02-25T11:50:00.005+05:30

If my Sunday went missing, this is how I'd be praying on Monday to give me 2 extra Sundays to cover up the mess done by the crazy Week-management God! No I'm not gonna sit and cope.

BRING BACK MY SUNDAY!

Book review: "Execution: The discipline of getting things done" (Jitendra)

2008-02-25T06:50:00.004+05:30

Before I start, I must say this is not one of those 10-ways-to-improve-XYZ category of books.

Not a voracious reader of novels, I took up this book solely on the reputation of its author. I must say I wasnt disappointed.

This book is a clear and crisp elaboration of the whys and the hows of corporate success and failures. The book mainly talks about "how to get things done" in business. The people who are great visionaries need not be great doer of things, according to Ram Charan, the co-author of the book. He very logically dissects the saga of every major company from Xerox to Dell to GE. Why did Xerox decline? Whats so special about Dell's business model? How are great CEOs thinking and executing differently? He answers all these questions logically. He presents before his readers the shallowness of the upper management in the corporate world and even goes to the extreme of saying that majority of the CEOs today have no idea what exactly to do to get things going. They are "clueless", he says. I do agree with this because most of the senior management talk that I have come across sounds like full of complex jargons that are apparently made to made to confuse their shareholders.

Charan then goes on to explain how behind every company's fall from grace there was a glaring careless on the part of the CEO. He groups these carelessnesses and calls it execution issues. He then classifies 6 broad "building blocks" to execution in as simple and jargon-free a way as possible. So much so, that even to a technical guy like me, they made sense. Most of them were common-sensical. For example, setting clear and realistic goals, having right people for the right job, rewarding top performers. Simple though it might seem, but these are the very things that the top bosses seem to take for granted. He talks about how a company like GE that places importance on performance (related note: Jack Welch of GE started this tough trend of laying off the bottom 10% employees every year) brings good shareholder returns.

It is an easy read and you dont need to be a CEO to understand it. It is in many ways a reflection of Charan's simple and straightforward personality. I would recommend this book to everyone - even if you have no interest in business because its not applicable only to business as the title suggests. The book talks about problem solving and logical thinking - something that is needed in all aspects of life.

Now coming to the author. Admittedly, I started reading this book because of a sense of fascination I had for its author - 67 yr old Ram Charan, a consultant-guru. I have rarely seen a guy who is almost a flesh-n-blood replica of Ayn Rand's famous character, Howard Roark. Originally from Meerut, he went to Harvard Business School where on the very first day he showed his business skills when he brought down his room rent (after much 'bargaining') just because there was some disruption in the floor below. So much was his dedication to consulting that he left his full-time professorship at HBS and started doing consulting for firms. Today, he earns a cool $20,000 a day (acc. to some sources), doesnt own a house, doesnt have a driving licence (although he is a US citizen), lives and sleeps mostly in flights/hotel-rooms, and has recently rented a small apartment in Dallas so that his staff could Fedex him his ironed clothes whenever required. Not only that, he chose to remain unmarried just because he didnt want to be distracted. Lata Mangeshkar is one of his idols but he doesnt listen to her or to any other form of music because he believes music would make him sentimental and that sentimentality is going to distract him.

He is called the CEO coach. And no, he doesnt play golf with them or go for drinks or socialize. All he does is work. I for sure wouldnt be able to live a life even remotely close to his, but for some reason, I have always been in awe of people who could control their emotions for things that really matter to them. Hence I chose to read that book which was worth its every cent. Check this rare interview out to get a peek into the life of such an intriguing personality.

reflections III(vishesh)

2008-02-24T18:20:00.003+05:30

well here's what i feel about truth and lies....its not that i don't lie,but i try to avoid.I will not lie when it really matters.I don't care even if ti is life or death.I believe in telling the truth and being frank,but then sometimes you have to be more discreet,according to the situation.Why all this about truth,donno,just thought about this.Why do certain people lie.As a "kid" sometimes "adults" feel its alright to lie to.I am teen now and still you can find people not being all that straight on the face.I think telling the kids the truth will help get away from unwanted things.Now if the parents of kids who go around shooting has told the kids that ragging and teasing are a part of life and had been truthful in the efforts to help them out then there wouldn't have been problems...

but how truthful is the world to itself? we all lied to ourselves about so many things and now we face so many problems...

anyway here's a poem...

truth and lies

from nowhere came lives

and from no where come lies.

the truth is hardly to be spoken

lies are the best presentable token.

life has turned into full of gambits-

you cannot survive without wits.

truth and lies are knit,

so that they perfectly fit.

if you want to be,

the very best,

and have cash in the bank’s chest,

and push away from the rest,

then lies are the best.

if you want to be

the trusted friend-best,

then learn to guard people like chest,

and don’t push way calling them rest.

truth is the best.

truth has no form,

so people might think it is wrong.

we belong to a throng,

yet have to sing our own song-

for life isn’t too long,

and sometimes its just prong.

but till our swan song,

we need to believe truth will live along.

or life’s worth will be gone.

this is one of fav songs:-

Missing Sunday: AmitL: Part I

2008-02-18T18:17:00.008+05:30

HELLLP! I have a vague recollection of some events. Let’s see…I got up at 530 AM, went through the routine err, routines, coming to office, and then it began. A veritable bombardment- phone calls followed by phone calls followed by- you guessed it still more phone calls…from the landline to the mobile to the landline to the…In between, I have a vague recollection of eating salad and LF curd, and, then it was back to the bombardment as soon as I returned to what appeared to be my desk. Did I also manage to do some work in between?*muses*…I also remember walking and cycling sometime after that, in a despo attempt to forget the ache in my ears…

Did it happen? Did I dream it all? Or, was it all an extended Saturday night dream, and I slept through the whole of Sunday?

…and, today is Monday, when I’m alive and awake and feeling much fresher.

LOL. It happens, it happened yesterday, it could happen in the coming days as well. A Sunday gone missing, I mean. And, I’m left wondering whether the vague recollection was an illusion, a dream which I'm remembering nicely or reality.

Of course, it has happened with me only in Dubai. What happens is, Sunday is the first day of the working week here(Fri, Sat being off). So, all those suppliers who have also had two days off, or, those who could not contact me on Saturday( I avoid picking up the cellphone on Saturdays), have me on their ‘hit list’ for Sunday. So, from the cell to the landline to the cell, the day flies by, clubbed with the usual paperwork and all related project works, many times, the day ends before I can say ‘Ahchoo’.

At the end of it all, this is what it feels like, wondering how Sunday flew by:

Cheers! A bit more on Sundays, in the next part.

A Thousand Splendid Suns (Michelle)

2008-02-16T14:58:00.003+05:30

After The Kite Runner, I knew I was a Khaled Hosseini fan.I had decided that I would read A Thousand Splendid Suns, come what may! The way Kite Runner tugged at my heartstrings made me positive that every book he writes would leave me overwhelmed.I got to admit, reading A Thousand Splendid Suns got me so hooked to his intricate ways of weaving through words that every page was a new thrill, every scene formed into virtual pictures.It takes you to the reality of a world that exists, out there, in Afghanistan.Far away from our day to day comforts.
It narrates the story of two women.Mariam and Laila, who are brought together by fate, to hold onto eachother through the series of events that present themselves that are beyond horrifying.Its during this time, that they find solace in eachother.

Khaled Hosseini also sheds light on the culture in Afghanistan, the different dialects, the people, the food.
I finished the book in 2 hours because I just couldn't put it down! At the end, I cried.It took me on such an emotional journey.
To think that girls my age, go through a lifetime of pain and sadness and things that I can't even imagine!
I would totally suggest everyone to read this book.I can feel the emotion with which the author has written the book.I can't wait for his next one!
For a more detailed synopsis, go to

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Thousand_Splendid_Suns

* Kite Runner has also been made into a movie, so be sure to watch it.Its in Farsi with English subtitiles

reflections-II (vishesh)

2008-02-15T15:34:00.003+05:30

these are reflections to whats happening around the country.(yup yup...you know it is ...its a matter of the tongue..) i know many of you live in Mumbai and i am the only BUFer from Chennai,i might not be in the middle of things,but i have been reading a lot about it...so well here are my thoughts and what i think we need...

If not now maybe never.

in need for unity,

trying to forget animosity.

in need for comradeship

and love beyond friendship-

in the land of a billions,

the land which showed resilience-

to the empire which never set.

the land which did not rest

now has forgotten what is the best.
we are in search of a leader,

who is not a wager -

who will not gamble

with our preamble.

we built our land

with sweat in our hand,

now we fight our kind,

we have almost lost our mind,

we are in search of a leader,

who is a peace-maker.
all we ask for is one among

all in the throng

to rise and fight

be wise and protect our right.

we all are looking-searching

for one human being.

unity is something we never won,

though we import petrol-a million ton.

brotherhood is something bubble,

the US is ready to give us missile.

language has become our barrier,

KFC and Mc have hit our carrier.

we all are ready to pick a side,

we slaughter animals for their hide.

to ourselves we have lied,

chevy and ford have become our ride.

there are many filthy rich,

poor earn selling fish.

few indulge in champagne

others end up in political campaign.

we have left no one,

soon there shall be no son,

one-who will call this land home,

we all will then be left to moan.

brands have become world wide,

we will have no place to hide,

guns and barriers forged again,

everyone will have nothing but pain,

our homes will all be boo-thank you nuke,

if you have survived it is by fluke,

music will never be the same again,

we all will wonder why this bane-

on the brink of sanity,

unless we forget enimity,

we all shall die,

before we know why.

all we need is unity,

and we need a personality,

why not you ,

why not me,

are we to afraid

and counting fate?

this can be the last sing-song,

very few have done wrong,

there are lots with cloths torn,

while others have borne,

what a few have thrown.

We need a unity,

forget your eccentricity,

we have in our blood,

one common mud.

together we can rise and defend,

it maybe our last chance to mend.

poem originally posted here.

me again with all smiles(uttssyy)

2008-02-14T19:31:00.005+05:30

Reflections, Sunday missing n Smile.. somewhere all these 3 go hand in hand.. wonder how???

if Sundays weren't in existence i wouldn't have smiled cos it's a reflection of my mind :)... I wouldn't be able to out for weekend trips.. whoaaaa

Meaning i wouldn't have been able to meet many of them during weekends.. Not do what I want to do ( which I usually do on weekends)... n mostly Shopping.. hehehe... It's just like the way i did this time :P.. i went to Ahmedabad for my personal work but. how the hell I couldn't have met up with Rajbir :p.. it was just way too rejuvenating whenever I meet him.

"Thank you for showering all the love and care you shower and putting me up at your place.. It was just way too sweet of you and your hospitality if awesomeeeeee" .

Also.. I really can't forget the bed tea (i'm not used to ), breakfast and lunch which he prepared.. yummyyy.. i still remember the taste.. :D.. long drive in the chilly night .. hmmmmmmmm thank u soooo much once again :) muaaaaah (peck on ur cheeks .. copying u :D) hehehehhe

Ain't I'm happy with all these? yes it's the reflection of a happy heart, a lovely person showers all the love, who makes one feel sooo comfortable and special..

Now you all agree with my first statement? :D "Reflections, Sunday missing n Smile.. somewhere all these 3 go hand in hand.."

Happy valentine's day to you all :) :) :)

Happy Valentines Day BUFers, Friends ... :-)

2008-02-13T23:17:00.003+05:30

Wishing you all love, happiness and joy!

Silvara: Reflections

2008-02-12T07:43:00.000+05:30

I wonder what my life would have been like if I was different. If I wasn't Indian. Or Australian. If the colour of my skin was different. If I was taller. If I was the same but born in a different place. Like Europe. Somewhere where the world was more connected. Would I be the same person?

What if I was an only child? Or the youngest, instead of the oldest?

Would I love science and art and fashion and history?? Or would I hate maths??

Would I still retreat into the world of books when I was lonely? Would I like the same books?

What if I was born poor? What if I had to scrimp and save for everything - where survival was more than just making in the business world - it was surviving life?

What if I didn't have one parent - or either? Would I be the same?

If I took away everything from my life that had the potential to shape me - who would I be? Just another human - like an empty canvas, void of anything.

It almost is exciting to think about the potential of starting over again - fresh and new. But what about what makes me now - would I change that to have a second chance?? I don't know.

Tell me what you think.

Is it the journey that makes the person, or the person who makes the journey??

reflections (vishesh)

2008-02-11T15:44:00.000+05:30

need i say anything?

isn't it beautiful?

btw.I have changed my "home"...well my blog address has changed - This is vishesh