tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7260332372161884702024-03-14T11:42:55.536+05:30Rising From The AshesPhoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17251337214235995581noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726033237216188470.post-56129945323846286672014-12-16T23:30:00.000+05:302014-12-17T11:03:00.176+05:30MRF NV Mix<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Music is something that appeals to all of us. But everyone has a different taste. What might be noise to one person may be a headbanging metal sound to another. Similar, what might be a howling noose to some might be a beautiful opera song to another.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">For bikers, their bike is not less than a beuriful lady; and every sound it makes, is music to their ears</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Taking this though forward, MRF created the <a href="http://www.mrfnv.com/" target="_blank">MRF NV Mix</a>. Here, the bikers can mix the sounds of various elements of the bike and turn it in to a tune. Yes, these sounds were recorded from the actual bikes and they ain't some electronially developed fake noise. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">The fun doesn't just stop here, one can also download these and set it as rightone. And if you think you've created a Grammy-winning track, shsre it with your friends and collect votes. The track with the most votes and judges' marks stamds to win a Honda CBR 250R.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">In order to win the bike of your dreams, here's what you need to do:</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Step 1: Go to <a href="http://www.mrfnv.com/">www.mrfnv.com</a></span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Step 2: Create your profile using FB or G+</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Step 3: Create your mix. For this:</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">I. Select the type of track (Hiphop, Bollywood, EDM or Rock).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">II. Select the type of tyre (MoGrip for Offroading OR Zapper for City sounds).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">III. Select the biking elements' sounds that you wish to add.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">IV. Compose everything.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Step 4: Share the track with your family and friends, and ask them to vote.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Step 5: Pray.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">MRF NV series tyres are designed for high performance bikes with displacements 150cc and above. <a href="http://www.mrfnv.com/nv-series" target="_blank">NV Series'</a> Mogrip and Zapper are top of the line two-wheeler tubeless tyres engineered to perform more and for a wider range of motorbikes, off as well as on the road. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Still reading this post? Head over to www.mrfnv.com and start producing those foot-tapping numbers. </span></div>
Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17251337214235995581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726033237216188470.post-59887539723158889222014-06-20T23:00:00.000+05:302014-06-21T11:47:43.306+05:30#JodeyDilonKo Experiences During My Ladakh Trip<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Today is 20th June, 2014; exactly a year ago, on 20th June, 2013; I reached Leh on my bike. As I'm writing this, I'm reminiscing about my ride and nostalgia has surrounding me with the memories of that 43 day journey - a journey of a lifetime, nonetheless. Here's how it happened.</div>
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They say, the biggest of ideas start with a thought, a side
note on a post-it, a scribbled comment on a tissue paper, a funny suggestion to
get around a serious problem or a curious intrusion. For me, it was neither of
it. For me, it started with a tweet. The thought that I would want to visit
Ladakhi wilderness, was planted with the below tweet in 2010 when I was
contemplating the meaning of life while sitting at my filthy desk in my ugly
office doing mundane work.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Initially it was just a tweet - a mindless jabber like all
my other tweets. But then I started googling more about this elusive place, I
started reading blogs, travelogues and "best season to go to Ladakh"
articles. I spent next few weeks cursing my work and reading more and more
about the Himalayan region. It was still 2010 and in few weeks, I had become a
pro at answering Leh-related-FAQs like "what to wear", "where to
stay", "what to see" and "how to go." And that too,
sitting at same filthy desk in same fugly office doing the same mundane work.
Soon, the dream became a desire which turned to passion and later an
obsession. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I spent the next three years, moving from once filthy desk
to another and from one ugly office to another, doing a different type of
mundane work; but the obsession stayed with me. Now it was a dormant volcano,
calm from outside but heating up inside, waiting to explode and consume me. In
the meantime, I saw the movie that defined me - 3 Idiots. The song "Behti
Hawa Sa Tha Woh" in the opening sequence and the visuals of Manali-Leh
highway aggravated it even further. In the summer of 2013, the volcano finally
erupted. I knew that I had to go to Leh. I mean it when I say that 'I actually
heard a calling from Ladakh. It was some place I knew I absolutely had to
visit.'<o:p></o:p></div>
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Finally, in the summer of 2013, I started preparing for it.
I started asking friends to accompany me - and when I say friends, I mean,
friends who're good riders, competent and people whom I can rely upon - this
criteria significant shrunk the number of people I could go and ask. Ladakh
commands an impression that everyone says "yes" initially; but later
on everyone started pulling out citing reasons ranging from "Won't get
leaves from office" to "A relative's ill, I need to be home" and
everything in between. Unfazed, I decided to go on my open. The biggest
obstacle in doing so wasn't going to be Himalayas, the biggest obstacle in
going to Ladakh solo were my parents. I knew that they'd never allow me to go
there alone; in fact, the very reason I wanted my friends to come is not
because I wanted to company, NO, it asked them so that my parents would feel
safe enough to permit me. But well, fate took its course and I had to convince
my parents to let me go on my maiden voyage to Ladakh. Can't explain in words
what it took for me to convince them but many days later, they finally agreed.
Thence started the process of prepping for the trip. The longest riding trip I
had done till that point was 1000 km. Mumbai - Ahmedabad - Mumbai; which pales
in comparison to what I was going to attempt. Everything from riding jacket to
toolset, from dual-weather tyres to altitude sickness tablets became a part of
my shopping list. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Day 1: Finally, on 9th June, I loaded my bike on the train
and left for Delhi. I knew that I won't be case of IF anything goes wrong,
it'll be more like, WHEN? And it didn't take too long for the anticipation to
come through. In fact, I faced issues (with administration) even before I rode
my first kilometer of the ride. The reason? Well, I had no bike to do that
first kilometer. My bike had reached early morning, while I reached in the afternoon
via another train to Delhi. <span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">I spent next two 2 hours, carrying more than 30 kilos of luggage, wearing
a double-layered riding jacket in searing Delhi heat and running back &
forth five times between the 16 (that's right - SIXTEEN) platforms of New
Delhi Station, searching for my bike.</span> <o:p></o:p></div>
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Day 3: After spending two nights in Delhi, I set forth on my
trip in search of the elusive heaven they called Leh. First stop: Ambala.
Ambala was a total contrast to the Delhi. Instead of a hotel room, I stayed at
a family friend's place. I met them for the first time, yet I was welcomed with
opened arms and was treated like they've known me since childhood. <i>It was truly a #JodeyDilonKo Moment in Ambala.</i> But the icing on the
cake was the night. I experienced something that I had never experienced before
or since visiting Ambala - their house was just a few kilometers from the
Ambala Cantonment and I was treated to the heavenly music of supersonic jets
late in the night. <a href="http://travelanddreaming.blogspot.in/2013/08/day-3-commencment-of-ride.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">As I rested my head on the pillow, I heard the sweet sound of the MIGs
and Sukhois taking off from the nearby Ambala Air Force Base, as if singing
sweet lullabies to me.</span></a> <o:p></o:p></div>
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Day 4: Early morning showers meant that I could start my
ride only as early as 11 AM. Leaving the confines of a loved one's home - knowing
that from then on, every night will be in an unknown city, in an unknown hotel,
in an unknown bed - I set off towards Manali. Since I started my ride late,
could only manage to reach the town of Mandi. It seemed like all the bikers in
India had descended upon the small town. There was almost zero vacancy. I
must've asked every single hotel, guest house and lodge; looking for a room,
but no luck. My search finally ended when I was forced to stay in the last
vacant room in the town, which also happened to be costliest. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Day 5: Next morning, I was greeted by the Rain Gods. My
entire 160 km. ride between Mandi and Manali was marred by rain. Cold, drenched
and shivering; I finally reached the picturesque Manali. Learning from my past
experience, I got whichever room I could find - big mistake. Crappy food,
crappier service and rude owner meant that I had to relocate the very next day.
The next hotel - Himlayan Country House was a total contrast. Great room, helpful
owner and amazing location meant that I thoroughly enjoyed the next two
days. Incidentally, I was the only Indian in the entire hotel. Except me, rest of the hotel was booked by a French group, who, just like me, were riding to Leh. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Day 6: After sightseeing around Manali, I decided to have dinner at a nearby cafe. I was sitting at the bar, all alone, planning of the next day. I started chatting with a group on the next table and soon I learnt that they're also from Mumbai. I spent the rest of the evening with them on their table with great food and great conversations. Till then, I had only heard that people meet total strangers at pubs and become friends and have a great time, but for the first time, I experienced it first hand. <i>My #JodeyDilonKo Moment in Manali.</i></div>
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Day 8: I started riding towards my destination on the
infamous Manali - Leh road. My first hurdle: the infamous Rohtang Pass. Soon
after starting the climb towards Rohtang, my bike - being a modest 150cc city
commuter - started misfiring. Halfway between Manali and top, I stopped at what
looked like a tiny settlement. I asked a soldier who was working on his army
SUV to help, he said, "Give me any car, I'll fix it in 15 minutes but I
know nothing about bikes. Either you go ride back 25 km. to Manali or go to
Leh, there's nothing in between." I switched to plan C - rely on my grit.
Offoaded the luggage, took out the spanners and the spare air filter and mended
the bike. For this hardwork, I was rewarded by mother nature in the form of
snow! That was the first time I had seen snow in my life. Cannot describe in
words how gorgeous was that sight - almost like a scene straight out of a
movie. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In this mayhem, I met this biking group from Mumbai whom I told my issue with the bike and since I wasn't sure if I've mended the bike properly or not, they asked me to ride with them so that if anything goes wrong they can help me out. We rode together till the next town. Enroute, all of us even stopped by at a check naka to have maggi and a hot cuppa. <i>That was my #JodeyDilonKo Moment of Rohtang Pass.</i></div>
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Riding through the breathtaking walls of ice and pulling my
bike through ankle-deep mud, I finally ascended down and hit the valley. Soon I
reached the famous Tandi petrol pump, which is famous for this sign. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Armed with 11 litres of exrtra fuel and a fuel tank I
reached Keylong. As it was getting dark, I decided to stop for the night. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Day 9: Next morning, I headed towards Sarchu. While leaving from Keylong, I met another group of bikers from Thane. All of them were elder to me and theirs was a very well-planned trip. They had a support truck with a mechanic. Since I was alone, they insisted that I ride with them and if I ever needed any help, they'll be there with me. <i>#JodeyDilonKo Moment of Keylong.</i> Enroute Sarchu, I
encountered the most beautiful mountain pass I've ever seen - Baralacha La
Pass. Over there, as far as my eye could traverse, all I could see was a white
blanket of snow. As the sun shines on the glistening white snow, the upper
layer melts just enough to give it a silky texture, conspiring to tempt you to
stay here forever. Despite the freezing conditions, I too wished to spend the
rest of my life in that beautiful wilderness. The cloudless sky was dominated
by the bright sun and exactly opposite to it was our very own moon. It seemed,
Mother Nature had gathered up an "all stars" event at Baralacha La
and I had the priviledge to witness of them - the Sun, the moon, the blue
skies, crystal clear lake and the snow-capped mountains - in all their
glory. <o:p></o:p></div>
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After being mesmerized by Baralacha La's beauty, I asceneded
to the valley and headed towards my destination for the day - Sarchu. Sarchu
doesn't have a single mortar and brick structure, just a bunch of camps where
travellers can sleep at night. There are mountains, open grasslands, a highway
cutting through these grasslands and these temporary/seasonal camps on the
grasslands. I took shelter in one of these for that night. Since it's in such a
remote location, mobiles don't work. Suprisingly, DTH reception is crystal
clear since that's satellite transmission and not cellular tower one. At this
point of time, I should remind you that last year, thousands lost their lives
in flash floods at Uttarakhand. I was travelling around the same time. At
Sarchu, they had one television (and DTH) in their main dinning tent. There I
saw the news of Uttarakhand disaster for the first time. Every night, I'd call
my parents upon reaching the next town but here, I couldn't. Obviously, they
started panicing.</div>
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I went to sleep hoping that I get mobile reception or I
could find STD somewhere along the way. Correction: I tried to sleep. I have
never experienced such cold atmosphere in my entire life; mind you, I'm someone
who'd never complain about air-condition being too cold. I love winter, and
yet, I barely slept a couple of hours that night, because it was that damn
cold. Besides the two thick blankets that I was provided, I was wearing two
thermal inners, a full sleeve tee and my double-layered biking jacket. Yet, the
chill was too much to sleep peacefully. </div>
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Day 10: In the morning, after my breakfast, I decided to
head towards Leh. But there was a problem: the bike won't start. The overnight
cold had frozen the engine. My bike doesn't have a kickstart. My only option:
Drag the bike, run with it, shift it in first gear and jump start. After 10
minutes, I finally managed to get it started. Off I went! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The hill where I had my worst fall of the ride.</span></td></tr>
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Reaching to the top of Pang was really mind numbing. Roads
seemed to take forever. I decided to take a short cut and go off-roading
UPHILL. Bad idea! 3/4th way up the hill, the bike gave up and couldn't go up
anymore. I applied brakes but since the surface was fine gravel, I started
sliding backwards, downhill. Fall was inevitable. I slid with the bike half way
down the hill. Thankfully, there was no injury except a bruised ego. I life the
bike which was perpendicular to the slope, hence, I couldn't get my left down
on the ground while my right feet was bent due to the degree to slope. I
somehow managed to get the bike down and decided to continue on the normal
(albeit, long and boring) road. But shockingly, I realized that the fall broke
rear brake's foot rest. I tried the old duct-tape method to fix it but it
didn't work. I tried my best to keep right foot in the air but obviously it
kept falling on the brake, wearing out the rear drum. As I reached Pang, I met that same Thane biker group whom I had earlier met in Keylong and Sarchu. They had a mechanic
with them who helped me fit the passengers footrest to the front. Had it not been for them, I might not have made it to Leh. It was the friendship that I developed with them the day before, that they helped me out.</div>
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Still no STD booth in sight, I carried on. Up through the
mind-numbing Gata Loops, I reached Moorey Plains. This Virgin Land of Ladakh
was miles and miles of vast expanse. Just open field and mountains in the
distance and road in the middle of nowhere. For the first time in days, I was
able to open the throttle and fly. But my joy was shortlived. If first 30 km.
was heaven on tarmac, next 30 was road to hell. From three-digit speeds in
first section, I came down to 20 kmph and even then I had a difficult time
controlling the bike. I somehow managed the base of Taglang La Pass. But my
trauma was just getting started. Tanglang La was undoubtedly one of the worst -
if not the worst - passes during my entire trip. It was a hybrid of coal mine,
cement factory and hell. Many many hours later, I finally reached the top of
Taglang La and the following words welcomed me: "You're passing through
the second highest pass of the world. Unbelievable isn't it?" Those words
just made it all worthwhile. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I ascended Taglanga La and reached the quaint little village
called Rumtse. I stopped at the first STD booth that I could find and called up
my parents to let them know I was safe. They heard my voice after two days and
finally felt a sense of relief. Due to Uttarakhand floods, they had reached
panic level 100. They were on the verge of sending a search and rescure party
for me. Upon assuring my parents that I was totally safe and that I was
just 100 km. from Leh I marched on. Rumtse, Upshi, Gaya - one after the other,
I kept crossing these picturesque villages; riding next to rivers and passing
through the gorges, I was getting ever so closer to the land I had promised
myself of visiting. Soon, I came to a turn with a board that read, "First
view of the Ladakh Valley." I stopped there for few seconds and marched
on, ever so hungry and ever so eager to reach the elusive city. On day 10, at
6.30 PM arrived the moment I've been awaiting for so long. </div>
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I made it!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I reached the hallowed land !!<o:p></o:p></div>
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FINALLY, I GOT LEH'D!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I saw a number of bikers returning from Leh on that road;
everyone would show a "thumbs up" sign or just wave. It's a part of
"Unofficial Bikers Code." Leh is definitely the holy grail for all
the bikers. Everyone going to or returning from knows how treacherous the
journey is. The "thumbs up" is a gesture of respect and appreciation.
Also, anytime you see a biker standing at the side of the road, you stop by to
ask if he needs help. Because everyone knows that the nearest mechanic or
petrol pump could well possibly be a couple of hundred kilometers away, hence,
if a biking brother or sister breaks down, you always stop to help him/her.
That's called the brotherhood. And riding to Ladakh certainly made me a part of
it!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Day 11: On my first day in Leh, I decided to explore the
monastaries around this beautiful city. I visited the famed Thiksey Monastery
where I met one of the Lamas. He was a 26-year-old young boy - like any you'd
find in the city - curious about the world. I clicked his pictures and promised
to send it back to him. I even met one of the elderly Lamas who is the caretaker of the Protector Temple, which is considered to be a highly respected position at the monastery. While leaving, I met an Asian girl. After talking to her, I realized that she's not a tourist but a teacher at a school at the foothills of the monastery, and she's here from Singapore to teach the poor kids of the village. What a noble gesture! I congratulated her for what she's doing and asked her to keep up the good work. While leaving, I thought of grabbing a bowl of their local delicacy - Thukpa, at the monastery cafe. There, I was an older American lady interacting with the young 6-8 year old Lamas. After talking to her, I realized that she too is a teacher and she teaches English and Mathematics to the Lamas of the monastery. I truly felt humbled for what these people were doing for my countrymen. I took her card and promised to stay in touch with her. <i>If this not a #JodeyDilonKo day in heaven, then I don't know what is?</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Day 12: I started riding to one place that I wanted to see
the most - the world famous Pangong Lake. At the Karu filling station, I met
this couple from Delhi who looked confused. They had just landed to Leh and
hired a bike to Pangong thinking it'll be an easy ride. I told them that we can
ride together and helped them with gloves - an extra set of wollen gloves that
I had with me. They had their camp accomodation booked in advance while I
decided to spend the night at a homestay.<br />
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Enroute, we passed by World's Thrid Motorable Highest Pass -
Chang La. There we met the world's cutest+friendliest dog - Shintu! He's army
pet over there. He would play with all the tourists and eat whatever they'd
feed him. When he's hungry, he'd come to you with the most adorable puppy face
you can imagine; so much so that, you'd give him whatever food you have even if
you were starving of hunger. <i>#JodeyDilonKo moment with the cutest puppy ever!</i></div>
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Pangong is truly on the most magical places you'll ever see
in your life. The innumerable shades of gorgeous blue and torquoise that the
Pangong waters exemplifies is simply breathtaking. Luckily, the evening that I
reached there, it was just one day before the Full Moon Day, hence, the moon
was nearly complete. The moon's reflection on the crystal blue waters of the
lake was truly a sight to behold. </div>
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After being lovestruck by the beauty of this astounding
place, I finally decided to retire to my room post dinner. The homestay over
there means four walls, a bed and a candle light. Since Pangong is in such a
remote location, there are no petrol pumps and hence, one needs to carry their
own fuel. For this same reason, petrol is the costliest thing in that
wilderness. I had kept my petrol cans in my room. As I lie in that tiny room, I
just realized one thing: a tiny room + 10 litres of fuel + petrol vapours
everywhere + candle light = sure disaster. I got out of the cozy blanket and
took the cans out of the room and put them in the corridor. I'd any day prefer
being stranded without petrol and buying them at black market rates than being
burned alive. Thankfully, nothing happened.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Day 13: Pangong's sunrise is one of the must-see things to
do when in Ladakh. Despite a tiring ride the day before, I woke up at 4.50 AM
(sun rises really early in Northern India), to catch this beautiful spectacle.
As the sun peaked from behind the mountains and as the first rays hit the
calm waters announcing its arrival, I stood theere in awe of the brilliance of
the conductor who has choreographed this moment in time. <o:p></o:p></div>
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After breakfast, I bid my final goodbye to this place which
had been the main protagonist of my day dreams for years. My new friends
invited me for dinner at their hotel after we returned to Leh from Pangong. Next day was their first anniversary; for that, I took printout of their photos that I had clicked the day before while doing to Pangong, and gifted them. I talk to them often and whenever they visit Mumbai, they visit me. <i>That day was a #JodeyDilonKo moment in Pangong.</i> Post dinner, when I returned to my hotel, I realized there was no electricity.
I walked out to ask the caretaker for a candle, just then, I met an Isreali.
Upon realizing that I was all alone he said in a heavy Isreali accent, "What
are you doing alone? Come, join us in our room, we're having party."
Apparently, I was the only Indian in that eight-room guest house. Rest of them
were Isrealis. So there I was, in Leh, partying with eight Isrealis in the
middle of the night. That day, the phrase that my friends often use, "You
can't understand me or what? Am I talking in Hebrew?" actually came true.
Most of the times they'd talk in Hebrew and then suddenly they'd realize I'm
them so they'd get back to their broken English. But even then, it was a
memorable night. <i>#JodeyDilonKo moment with Isreali friends.</i></div>
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Day 14: I was supposed to ride to Nubra Valley but I decided
to rest for one more day and check out the surrounding places. Again, I bumped
in to one of the Isreali couples with whom I was partying the night before. We
had breakfast together and I headed on to visit Shey Palace and the Druk Lotus
School - famous for being "Racho's School" in the movie 3 Idiots.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Day 15: I started for Nubra Valley. To reach that, I'll have
to eclipse my biggest hurdle yet - Khardung La Pass. At 18380 feet, Khardung La
is World's Highest Motorable Road. It also happens to house the World's Highest
Cafetaria. Surprisingly, there's a mobile tower at the top hence, you get
mobile network. I called my parents and proudly said, "Guess where I am? I'm
at 18,380 feet!!!" It's an altitude where aircrafts fly with pressurized
cabin. I was there, braving the weather with just my bike, riding jacket and
helmet. Earlier I was sceptical if I'd be able to handle the altitude but
gladly, except for a mild headache for 10 minutes during the climb, I didn't
feel anything. I descended Khardung La and reached the tiny village of Diskit
where I spent the night. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Day 16: After visiting the 16th century Diskit Monastery,
106 feet tall Maitreya Buddha Statue, the museum next to it and the bedroom
where His Holiness Dalai Lama sleeps when he visits Diskit; I went to Hunder
which is famous for housing a desert at over 10,000 above the sea level and
being home to the exotic double-humped camel. I became friends with a Delhi
group and spent night with them at a camp site. A German girl was also travelling with them, I exchanged email ids with all of them and decided to stay in touch after the trip too. <i>#JodeyDilonKo moment in the desert of Hunder.</i></div>
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Day 17: I went 77 km. further to Hunder and went to Turtuk.
This picturesque village is unique in itself. It was a part of Pakistan till
1971 and after the '72 war, India took over. While going to Turtuk, I was
riding next to the Indus river. I stopped by at a bridge and took out my camera
to click pictures. 100 meteres away, I saw an army jawan waving at me and
asking me not to click. Being an obedient citizen, I kept the camera inside and
started riding towards him half expecting to be yelled at. But instead, he
addressed me as "Sir" and told me that, that bridge if very important
from strategic point of view. It's one of the only links between the northern
border in Turtuk and the military base in Leh. It's an enemy target and hence,
for security reasons, it's not allowed to click. He even invited me inside his
cabin for some snacks and tea. I politely decided, in the mean time, another
soldier brought out a tray with a clean glass filled with Tropicana/Real orange
juice. He said, "Sir, yahan pe pahadon mein aur toh zyada kuch nahi hai
hamare pass. Garam pakode toh nahi milenge, lekin biscuits hai, aapko chahiye
kya? " (Translation: Sir, in this wilderness, we don't have much. We don't
have hot pakodas but f you want, we have some biscuits too. Would you like
some?) Then he added, "Aur koi hamare layak seva ho toh bataiye?" (Do
let us know, if we can serve you in any other way) I was floored at the respect
with which they treated me. I told him, "You're already serving the
country in the highest possible manner, that is, by putting your lives on the
line and protecting us. I can't possibly ask for anything more from
you." <o:p></o:p></div>
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Dumbstruck by this experience, I moved on and reached
Turtuk. I went 10 km. even further, as far as I can possibly go. They stopped
me at a particular army checkpost. They told me that that was the furtherst I
could go and civilians weren't allowed to go past that point. I didn't protest.
But I started asking the army guy about the life over there and the border. He
told me about how difficult it is to climb to certain check posts and other
things which I can't share on a public forum like this one. He specifically
said, "I shouldn't have told you some of these things but since you're a
serious traveller and you've come from so far (Mumbai), and because I can't let
you go any further, I thought of giving you some dough and tell you about
interesting things to make you trip worthwhile in whatever little way I
can." <o:p></o:p><i>#JodeyDilonKo moment at the border.</i></div>
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While returning back, I stopped at the same checkpost where
they had earlier offered juice to me. I stopped and without looking, I told the
army guy, "I'm back!" Uh-oh! That was someone else. It wasn't the
same guy. Their duty had changed. Apparently, this guy was even more talkative
and friendlier than the pervious one. He too told me about his escapades of
living on the border and certain incidents with shelling and gunfiring across
the border on Diwali nights to disrupt the celebrations and bunch of other
things. It almost seemed like a ritual at this check post, that they'd offer
juice to the passerby. This guy again offered me juice from tetrapack. I told
him that I already had juice few hours back, to which, like a brother he said,
"But you rode all the way to Turtuk and came back. You must be tired. You
still have many more miles to go before you reach Diskit. This juice will give
you some energy." <o:p></o:p></div>
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He asked me if I could recharge their mobile phone since I
was going to the village - Diskit. I agreed. He was giving me money, I told
him, "No sir, you treat me with so much of respect, I can't take money
from you. Also, you're serving our nation by putting your life on the line,
you're staying up so that we can sleep; there's no way I can take money from
you. Our politicians eat away crores of our tax payers' money, as opposed to
you guys - who're the real heroes of the country, don't get any credit. For
once, I'm getting a chance to do something in a very small way. Let me. Just give
me your number and tell me for how much amount you want me to recharge, I'll
get it done." He gave up the argument and shared his number with
me. <o:p></o:p><i>#JodeyDilonKo moment at an Army check post.</i></div>
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As opposed to popular perception that riding in J&K is
dangerous and bikers are harrased at every check point, this was completely
opposite. Apparently, when they see people from other states, they're
especially helpful towards them. Looking at my biking attire, my MH series bike
and the way I spoke (like a person who's from the big city of Mumbai), they come
to know that you're a harmless tourist and you're there because you love India
and love travelling in India. Also, I noticed that when I told people that I'm
from Mumbai, they (especially army and police) would treated me with a lot more
respect; may be because, they realized that someone who travels from Mumbai all
the way to the northern-most border, has to be a serious enthusiast; and
looking at my protective gear also, they know that I respect traffic rules and
hence, I'm not someone who'll create trouble.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I rode back to Diskit, thinking how lucky I have been to
have had these humbling experiences. I truly felt that my purpose of BOMBAY TO
LEH trip was met. These truly were "money-can't-buy-you experiences."
You may pay lakhs and vacation in French Riveria in five-star luxury, but
still, you'll never get to experience what I did. Simply because, I gave up my
comfort zone, took my bike and went out to explore the world - not knowing what
will follow.<o:p></o:p></div>
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While all these thoughts were brewing in my head - in the
Nubra Valley where you could see miles and miles of open surrounding in front
of you - I could see a brown wall coming towards me from a distance. If you've
seen the movie "The Mummy," you'd be familiar with the way the
sandstorm scene. That exactly how it looked like. It indeed was a sandstorm and
I was going towards it head-on. With each passing moment, we were ever so
closer and 10 minutes later, I braced myself for impact. I felt a wall of sand
pushing me backwards. Visibility dropped to less 30 feet. I was riding in 4th
gear, yet, my bike could only manage 50 kmph. Thankfully I was wearing riding
jacket and gloves; hence, it didn't hurt me. Had it not been for the gloves,
I'm sure, my knuckles would've been bruised by the sand particles. Half and
hour later, the storm passed. <o:p></o:p></div>
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YES, I WEATHERED THE STORM! LITERALLY!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Day 18: I stayed in Diskit for one more day and revisited
the gorgoues Diskit Monastery.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Day 19: I rode back to Leh via Khardung La.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Day 20: Stok Palace is at a distance of about 10-12 km. from
Leh. It's the current residence of the royalty of Ladakh. A part of it is
converted in to museum. I was having snacks in the cafeteria of the museum
after my tour. The cafeteria manager told me if I've ever tried Chung. I had no
clue what that way. He told me that it's the homemade beer that the locals make
it during festivals and wedding. Unlike Feni (desi alcohol of Goa), Chung is
not sold openly in wineshops. I went in the village looking for it. I stopped
by at a general store and ask the lady if she could tell me where I can get
Chung. She took me to a house next door. At first, the owner, but then, I put
my neck in the big wooden door and requested. They let me in and I started
chatting with them. The shopkeeper left and I was there in my biking attire,
standing in their porch. Theirs was a typical village house, where the goats
and cows. Later, the head of the house - grandmother realized that I'm not a
trouble-maker and instructed her daughter-in-law to get some Chung for me. She
got a bucket which was filled with beer and poured it in a mug! At that time,
all I could think of were the travel writers like Ian Brown and Anthony
Bourdain, who'd walk in to a far flung village and eat with the villagers. <o:p></o:p><i>#JodeyDilonKo moment in Stok.</i></div>
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Next morning I bid adieu to Ladakh and started my ride back,
which took another 23 days to return.</div>
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Day 21: I started my ride towards Kargil. I stopped at the petrol pump before leaving the city of Leh where I bumped into a couple of guys whom I had met at Khardungla Pass. There, when they had looked at my "MH" number plate, they were surprised and started asking me about my ride. Upon realizing that I'm doing this solo, they were mighty impressed. When they saw me at the petrol pump, they started chatting up about where I'm going; fortunately, they were also going to Kargil and they already had accommodation. They insisted that we go together and they even offered me to stay in the tent with them. </div>
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Enroute Kargil, we visited Alchi and Lamayuru Monastries. At dusk, we finally reached Kargil. Evening was spent sharing stories and chatting up with my new friends till late in the night.</div>
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Day 26: After visiting Jammu and Srinagar, I headed towards Himachal Pradesh. One of the most incredible people-related experiences I had was in McLeod Gunj. The quaint little hill station situated 10 km. from Dharmshala is a hit with the foreigners. I've always preferred staying with non-Indians just to know about their culture and traditions. The guest house where I was staying, there, besides me, there was just 1 other India. In rest of the room, there was only foreigners. It was one of those cozy guest houses run by a family. And the best part was that all the guests would keep their room open and would always greet you with smile when you walked by. On the very first day, I became friends with more than half a dozen of them and for my entire duration of the stay - 4 days, we would have dinner, go on hikes, party, listen to music and just chill in eachother's rooms. Over the period of time, I became friends with more and more foreigners from different countries.</div>
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There's a cafe in McLeod Ganj known as Munchies. Every night, some Spanish musicians would jam their and rest of the crowd would just listen. The centre of the cafe has on-the-floor seating where about 30 people would fit in. On one evening, I calculated the number of nationalities over there, and I could count atleast 10 confirmed nationalities (because I knew those 10 people belonging to different countries); this included Indian, Russian, Spanish, Guatemalan, American, Romanian, Iraqi, Israeli, German and French. Out of those 30 odd people having a gala time at the cafe, I was the only Indian. <i>That evening was truly a #JodeinDilonKo type of moment.</i> And the best part is that I'm still in touch with many of them via email and social media.</div>
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At the end of my BOMBAY TO LEH bike trip, I ticked off the
following off my bucket list:</div>
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Go to Ladakh. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Go to Ladakh on bike. </div>
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Ride from Delhi to Mumbai / Mumbai to Delhi. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Ride the bike in mist. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Ride the bike in snowfall. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Ride the bike in sandstorm. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Ride the bike uphill while it's off, powered only by the
Magnetic Hill. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Watch Sunrise at Pangong Lake. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Conquer world's 3 highest passes - Khardung La, Taglang La
& Chang La. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Become friends with strangers. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Go on a vacation without knowing when I'll return.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Meet travelers from different countries and know their
story. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Chat with an Indian soldier at a remote army post in the
mountains and know his story. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Click an unknown kid on the streets. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Chat with a Buddhist monk, know his story, take his address
and send him back his printed photos. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Knock on an unknown door in a village and ask them if you
can have their homegrown beer. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Stay on a houseboat. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Stay in a palace hotel. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Travel to the "middle of nowhere" and hear the
sound of silence. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Yes, it's true that I went to Ladakh alone but I came back with dozens of new friends and innumerable #JodeyDilonKo experiences.</i> Meeting a family friend for the first time and feeling totally at home, experiencing great hospitality courtesy of army jawans stationed in the middle of nowhere, riding with biking groups in Himalayas who're from Mumbai, sharing tents with then-totally-stranger-now-friends from Delhi, riding to Pangong lake with a newly-married couple and gifting them photos on their first anniversary, meeting Shintu - the super cute dog, clicking a toddler in the middle of the street and noting down the address from the family and sending them photos, knocking on a villagers' door and drinking their homegrown beer with their family, partying in dark room with 8 Israelis in event of power cut and learning a new cards game, being friends with more than a dozen foreigners at McLeodGanj, having Indian food with couple of foreigners and explaining them the concept of finger bowl, having lunch with an Israel and an Iraqi and discussing Middle East in a peaceful manner, discussing bikes and cars with the owner of heritage hotel who happens to be a prince of a Rajasthani town and seeing his car and bike collection; all of these and many more were #JodeyDilonKo experiences that I will never ever forget!</div>
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<b><i>To enjoy more of these #JodeyDilonKo experiences, do watch <a href="http://zindagitv.in/">zindagitv.in</a>.</i></b><br />
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Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17251337214235995581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726033237216188470.post-11260342528190909672013-10-28T02:56:00.000+05:302013-10-28T03:05:38.702+05:30Festival preparations: Why we do it?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Humans have celebrated festivals since time immemorial. Festivals are the most important as well as the most basic form of celebration. From the earliest humans of 10,000 BC to the mobile-phone-slave of today's era, festivals have always been an intricate part of our species. Festivals define us, our identity and our civilization. Festivals tell the world "who we are" and what "we're capable of!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In addition to culture and celebrations, festivals have also been used to signify power and strength. In Spain, <i>encierro</i> OR Running of the Bulls - a practice that involves running in front of a group of bulls is observed on the seventh day of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Ferm%C3%ADn" target="_blank">Sanfermines</a> festival. Many African tribes tattoo themselves or go hunting during special festive days, to show their physical prowess.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Festivals are also a reason for all the ecstasy and fun. In fact, it is this happiness that makes us want to sweat a bit more in planning for the festivities so that we can enjoy them on the big day. Imagine how much planning it would go in organizing the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Tomatina" target="_blank">La Tomatina</a> Festival. Can you think of the logistical nightmare that organizers of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oktoberfest" target="_blank">Oktoberfest</a> go through before the beer-chugging kicks off?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Samba dancers starts their choreography for the Rio Carnival, months in advanced; and an elaborate and detailed groudnwork goes in to prepare for the Chinese New Year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not just that, even in India, the sculptors start working on Ganpati and Durga idols months in advance, before Ganeshotsav and Durga Puja. We start polishing our kite flying skills from as early as December, before the Makar Sankranti arrives on 14th January. And who can forget being dragged in the Diwali cleaning work by our mothers when all we wanted to do was play with our friends during 3 week Diwali vacation!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Irrespective to where you live, which religion you follow and what customs you observe; one common festive activity binds us all is the preparation! Everyone wants to celebrate their festival in the best possible way and hence, we work tirelessly to make sure the big day is celebrated in the most spectacular fashion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Irrespective of how exhausting and hectic it gets, in the end, when it all comes together and you see your loved ones appreciating your efforts and enjoying the festivites that YOU planned, it all pays off!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's notable that while we make sure everything is aesthetically pleasing during the festivals, we often overlook the sense of smell. But now, there's a fairly easy way to do it. Just one "swish" of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/godrejaer" target="_blank">Aer</a> and your guests will smell the festivities even before they see it. Have you tried it yet?</span></div>
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Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17251337214235995581noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726033237216188470.post-1793596529044597272013-10-22T02:21:00.000+05:302013-10-22T10:58:42.702+05:30How do we associate fragrances with festivals?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What is Nostalgia? The feeling you get when you see, hear, smell or feel something that makes you realize that you've already seen, heard, smelt or felt something similar.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By this definition, fragrances are integral to your memories. They hold the DNA of the very memory that's preserved in your mind. When we encounter a familiar scent, it acts as a catalyst; the brain goes in overdrive and starts opening file cabinets associated with that scent. Thus triggering a backlog of emotions in the head, which is too large to process on time. The result: half-awake, half-asleep sense of nostalgia where the person loses his sense of time. This nostalgia might last a micro second, a minute, an hour or even a month. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nostalgia is like a drug, it makes you do the things that you can no longer do and go to the places that no longer exist. But it's not necessarily as bad as it may sound. And just like every drug, this one also make its user (all of us) addicted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, what if I told you that you experience nostalgia on a daily basis without even realizing it? There are so many smells around you, that reminds you of life's biggest and most joyous moments.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The most joyous moments in anyone's life are festivals. That's because weddings and births happen just once in a while but in our culture-rich country the festivals a lot more often. Each festival has a unique flavour - an peculiar aroma, attached to it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Imagine! You're walking by a shop and you smell the unique scent of a brand new piece of clothing; and it instantly reminds you of <i>Durga Puja</i> and when bought a new <i>saree</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Imagine! You stop by at a <i>dhaba</i> along the side of the higway and truck driver next table orders <i>thandai</i> and you're instantly transformed back in time when your uncle prepared <i>bhang</i> for your and your friends during <i>Holi</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Imagine! A <i>baarat</i> is dancing on the streets hampering the flow of traffic. Your car crawls next to the dancers who couldn't be less bothered by who's watching them; suddenly, the traffic comes to a screeching halt because someone decides to fire a series of 5000 minibombs in the middle of the road. The smell of the burnt gunpowder throws you back in time when you were 9 and couldn't hold your excitement knowing that the evening before your <i>Diwali </i>vacation, your dad were going to bring firecrackers for you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But now, you don't have to pass through a crowded market place, eat at a dhaba or get stuck in a traffic jam to relive your memories. Whether you're at home or in the car, the gorgeous scents that keep you happy and can be with you, by your side, always. And this has been possible thanks to the brainy people behind the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/godrejaer" target="_blank">Godrej Aer</a>. Check out their entire range of fragrances and see which one throws you back in time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, what's your drug, again!</span></div>
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Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17251337214235995581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726033237216188470.post-40809240066096117872013-10-21T02:57:00.000+05:302013-10-21T02:58:22.386+05:30Indian Festivals and Scents<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">There's no denying that Indian festivals are a visual delight. The grandeur, elegance and pride that every festival brings with it is inimitable. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">From the glittering</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;"> night sky of Diwali to the colourful skies of Makar Sankranti and from zealous anticipation of Santa on Christmas to the auspicious moon sighting on Eid; t</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;">hese unmistakable sights and sounds have been hardwired in our brains. However, there is one more important aspect of our festivals that we often disregard, that is, the sense of smell. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Close your eyes and try to imagine what you'd smell when you celebrate various festivals.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;"><b>Makar Sankranti:</b> It's the 3rd week of January and the Winter is in its full bloom. The morning mist accentuating the sweet fragrance of tulips as you get ready to hold battles in the sky with your sharper-than-a-ninja-sword <i>maanja.</i> </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">The chemicals in the thread, and the mild sense of glue on the kites rushes you with that extra dose of adrenaline to 'seize the day.'</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;"> Contrasting sweet smells of apples and sugarcane gets you through the day as you celebrate the triumph with the best of winter vegetables whose flavoursome smell has meddled the air.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Holi:</b> It's quite easy to overlook the sense of smell when you're surrounded with the entire array of rainbow spectrum. But try to remember what you smelt in that split second when someone poured a bucket of water over your head and you closed your eyes. You smelt colour. You didn't just feel the texture of powder and water being applied on your skin, you also sensed it with your nose. That day, while immersing yourself in the festive spirit by having the famed <i>bhaang</i>, you first smelt it before you even saw it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Ramzaan:</b> Ramzaan doesn't follow the weather pattern and seasons, however, the sense of smell is the strongest during this holy month since fasting and feasting are two sides of this holy coin. Take a walk outside a mosque after the evening prayers and you'll smell the best <i>kababs, nalli niharis & seviyans</i>. Chances are, you'll get a whiff of a delicacy even before you'd see it. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Diwali:</b> The festival of lights is a treat for the eyes. But even in all this, the aroma sits behind the optics, quietly, helping it in enjoying the festive spirit even without letting it know. The unmistakable smell of the burning ghee in <i>diyas</i>, the saliva-inducing aroma of <i>mithais</i> and the familiar smell of fireworks all tells your brain that you're taken over by the Diwali spirit.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Each year we strive harder to celebrate our festivals in the best possible way. We do it by buying new clothes, renovating our houses, buying gifts, eating delicious food and doing a host of other things. What if I told you, you can enjoy the festive spirit year round? Yes. Godrej has brought you </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/godrejaer" style="font-size: 15px;" target="_blank">Aer</a><span style="font-size: 15px;"> to keep you rejuvenated</span><span style="font-size: 15px;"> and spirited irrespective of the time of the year. Not only that, they also add to your festivities with those mystifying scents. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Indian festivals are not just rich in culture and traditions; they're an attack on your sensory organs, but in a good way! They're a visual treat, a musical delight and an aromatic exuberance. Let's celebrate them with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/godrejaer" target="_blank">Godrej Aer</a>!!</span></span></div>
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Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17251337214235995581noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726033237216188470.post-60500373863326777612013-09-30T22:08:00.000+05:302013-10-01T05:42:07.164+05:30Off to the Land Far Far Away<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #454545; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">My favourite adventure was
the time we went to the Land Far Far Away.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Bruce Wayne, Clark Kent, Peter Parker & I have been best friends
since childhood.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #454545; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">All of
us were excited about this trip since we were planning it since a long time but
all of us were busy with our work, saving the world, fighting villains and
being friendly neighbourhood superheroes. We finally managed to take out time
from our busy and mildly exciting schedule and decided to head to the exotic
land of Land Far Far Away in Tata Safari Storme. </span></span></span>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PzwHDQgXhZI/UkmttV6C7GI/AAAAAAAAAVw/iAC2g23bQ7A/s1600/IMG_1463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PzwHDQgXhZI/UkmttV6C7GI/AAAAAAAAAVw/iAC2g23bQ7A/s640/IMG_1463.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white;">At the break of dawn, we set off. Since Bruce
and I are insomniacs, we were sleepy during morning time and hence Peter decided
to take the wheel. He was in for a treat. The car's fantastic handling and the
ability to run over potholes meant, one would never want to leave the driver's
seat. At first, we thought it was Peter's condition wherein
his fingers get stuck to any and every object is making him control
the steering so well. But i later found out, it was all thanks to the beautiful
leather finish on the steering wheel that lets the driver grip it beautifully
and stay in total control. </span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #454545; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Few hours into the drive, we felt Dinosaurs in our stomach; hence,
decided to grab a bite or four. We stopped at Restaurant StaleFood. From the
name, we had absolutely no idea what type of food we’d get. The waiter whose
name was R. Gandhi suggested we try Rahul Roy Spring Rolls. When asked what
they were, he told us that the chef made these Kebabs lipsmackingly good the
first time he cooked but has never been able to repeat the same taste. We
skipped those and instead ordered Bhagyashree Samosa. They looked good from
outside but were fairly undercooked from inside. They were more-or-less just a
flash in the pan. After filling our stomach with a bowl of Saunf (Fennel
seeds), we marched on.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8s8u8oZKk0A/UkmzdKKHcfI/AAAAAAAAAWw/GmlDsv2BiXQ/s1600/WP_000225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8s8u8oZKk0A/UkmzdKKHcfI/AAAAAAAAAWw/GmlDsv2BiXQ/s400/WP_000225.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #454545; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Soon, Clark Kent started developing green rashes all over his face. It
turned out, all the Saunf (Fennel seeds) that we hogged on to, to fill our
stomach; was responsible for it. Fennel seeds are rich in Potassium – K. The
‘K’ replicated the effects of Kryptonite, the only substance he’s allergic to.
We stopped the car and got Clark out in the sun so that he can regain some of
his strength. Instead, he became unconscious, fell down, hit a rock and
ruptured open his forehead. We were in the Corny Dog district and there was no
civilization in sight. As a quick-fix, Peter Parker weaved a web on his
forehead to close the skin opening and stop the blood flow. Being the best
driver amongst us, Bruce Wayne took the wheel and started zipping mile after
mile.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PlAg8H_UVqc/Ukmw9poEjAI/AAAAAAAAAWc/6R45Vrb5Yzo/s1600/IMG_0356+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PlAg8H_UVqc/Ukmw9poEjAI/AAAAAAAAAWc/6R45Vrb5Yzo/s640/IMG_0356+copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #454545; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Soon we reached the village of Giggling Hyenas. As we entered the
village we saw a </span><span style="background: white; color: #454545; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">shepherd who was playing with his pet
bird while his sheeps were grazing in the grassland. He introduced himself, and
told us his name was David while his pet is called Dickie. He became concerned
opon learning about our situation, he gave us directions to the house of the
village's only hakim - Doctor House. While leaving he told us that the way to Land Far Far Away is full of obstacles and only the most ardent travellers will be able to reach there. We left for Doctor's clinic as David
shepherd continued playing with his Dickie bird. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3KvaLJDqxD0/UkmwNyqVK3I/AAAAAAAAAWA/OUxWDSz7rAc/s1600/IMG_0382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3KvaLJDqxD0/UkmwNyqVK3I/AAAAAAAAAWA/OUxWDSz7rAc/s400/IMG_0382.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">*knock knock*</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #454545; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dr. House: “Go away, kids. I’m out of candy.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #454545; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Me: “Doctor, we need your help. Our friend is sick.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #454545; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dr. House: “This trick won’t work on me, again. Go away.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #454545; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bruce: “Doc, help us. You’re our only hope.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #454545; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dr.: “What’s wrong with your voice? Did you drink phenyl?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #454545; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bruce: “No, this is my actual voice.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #454545; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Doctor: “If your voice is not the issue then what is it?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #454545; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bruce: “Another friend of us have an outburst of algae on his face?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #454545; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">*Dr. House opens the door*<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #454545; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Doctor: “What?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #454545; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Peter: “Yeah. Look at him.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #454545; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dr. takes a look at Clark and says, “You idiots, it’s not algae. It’s
just a case of greenosymphomitis. Meaning, he’s allergic to most things green.”
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #454545; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Take this red velvet cup cake, it’ll balance out the green,” he added.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #454545; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Within no time, Clark’s rashes disappeared. We thanked the doctor and
got going.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Manier miles down the road, a giant 230 ft. cow-statue atop a 150 ft.
plinth welcomed us. It was the town of the Holy Cow. Any travellers who pass through the Galactico Highway 666 doesn't cross over before offering 1111 coconuts to the Holy Cow temple. But since we didn't have time for it, we struck a deal with the head priest of the temple. We promised him to get a 1112 likes on his temple's facebook fan page. All we had to do was post a picture of the cow with the message, "LIKE Holy Cow Official Fan Page or else bad luck will haunt you for 7 years." Within 93 seconds of posting this message, the FB Page got flooded with fans to the tune of tens of thousands. To celebrate this momentum occassion, the head priest declared it to be a National Holiday in Holy Cow. Holy Cow!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">The priest wanted us to be a part of week long festival to celebrate 50,000 facebook fans but since we were getting late, we respectfully declined their invitation. Also, Bruce starts shaking uncontrollably upon seeing more than 19 people in one place.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">We kept heading North thinking we'd reach Land Far Far Away in no time. But nature had other plans for us.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8IHzIlDsHZE/Ukm4HjBkanI/AAAAAAAAAW8/Kceg2aZIzhk/s1600/WP_000374+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8IHzIlDsHZE/Ukm4HjBkanI/AAAAAAAAAW8/Kceg2aZIzhk/s640/WP_000374+-+Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">The terrain kept getting uglier by each passing kilometer but the Tata Safari Storme just soldiered on without battling an eye.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5gC0Qglw5xQ/Ukm4KJ77k6I/AAAAAAAAAXE/nbiZJZNvFXE/s1600/WP_000377+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5gC0Qglw5xQ/Ukm4KJ77k6I/AAAAAAAAAXE/nbiZJZNvFXE/s640/WP_000377+-+Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Even on steep slopes where the gravel would make it impossible to grip for normal cars, Safari's Hill Assist Control kept the driver in total control.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I-oZQNkQReA/Ukm5mt_0yrI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/GmFwzmOWJkw/s1600/WP_000371+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I-oZQNkQReA/Ukm5mt_0yrI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/GmFwzmOWJkw/s640/WP_000371+-+Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">We kept on driving for days and nights at end but the Land Far Far Away kept getting further and further.</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyfaN9AeTVjtZ3Z9DBvJeoAkukpCy8LiRrVgS9m7ax_xqCQMGt6TGHqYBTR-ZmSaA-e2vLUnqSVNML--ekHqA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">From chills of snowpeaked mountains to heat of barren land, Tata Safari Storme braved everything that was thrown at it.</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzNGsO5DvysVwYM913hQESo3XzcIjBMqGbqharZUHwlWwThNfV2DfxAxs4U8pdV0rmD_pGDtAopsM22aueKag' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">We kept going and reached far off places but never the place we wanted to be at - the Land Far Far Away.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-edg8eYuHAj0/Ukm6puvc32I/AAAAAAAAAXY/BncEibo7qx0/s1600/WP_000411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-edg8eYuHAj0/Ukm6puvc32I/AAAAAAAAAXY/BncEibo7qx0/s640/WP_000411.jpg" width="546" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">We went to Lasha and asked about Land Far Far Away, they said, they haven't heard of it.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OkVXCdLbn8o/UkoO8EQjwAI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/wHRr6TPcqKo/s1600/IMG_1099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OkVXCdLbn8o/UkoO8EQjwAI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/wHRr6TPcqKo/s400/IMG_1099.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">We went to Hong Kong and asked about Land Far Far Away, they said, it was a place that shouldn't be talked about.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OSeZUDrw9WQ/UkoS5dGhjwI/AAAAAAAAAa4/GBiV3mhY0AM/s1600/IMG_1350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OSeZUDrw9WQ/UkoS5dGhjwI/AAAAAAAAAa4/GBiV3mhY0AM/s400/IMG_1350.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">We </span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">went t</span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">o Beijing and asked about Land Far Far Away, they told us that it was a forbiddened land and one shouldn't go there.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aNysTfMmjuE/UkoSSvz7ZkI/AAAAAAAAAaw/wBa0B0f6LDI/s1600/IMG_1370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aNysTfMmjuE/UkoSSvz7ZkI/AAAAAAAAAaw/wBa0B0f6LDI/s400/IMG_1370.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">We went to Kuala Lampur and asked about Land Far Far Away, they asked us to return back since we'd never reach there.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VkJ9D5ZARxo/UkoPFzCtELI/AAAAAAAAAaY/UyOL1ImcNMQ/s1600/IMG_1088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VkJ9D5ZARxo/UkoPFzCtELI/AAAAAAAAAaY/UyOL1ImcNMQ/s400/IMG_1088.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">We </span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">went t</span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">o Bangkok and asked about Land Far Far Away, they warned us that that journey shouldn't be attempted.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nr2SmUDpEls/UkoPIB3thOI/AAAAAAAAAag/JpcUTFd6Caw/s1600/IMG_1407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nr2SmUDpEls/UkoPIB3thOI/AAAAAAAAAag/JpcUTFd6Caw/s400/IMG_1407.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">We went to Shanghai and asked about Land Far Far Away, they threatened not to set foot on the hallowed land.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ki7Vypr_X5A/UkoRmB3B8zI/AAAAAAAAAao/d4l68Ggtqog/s1600/IMG_1291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ki7Vypr_X5A/UkoRmB3B8zI/AAAAAAAAAao/d4l68Ggtqog/s400/IMG_1291.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">We went to Taipei and asked about Land Far Far Away, they told us that it's a land that's not supposed to be found.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TaRXS8x24qA/UkoO6UbWCLI/AAAAAAAAAZw/dRP0Nr0b4LA/s1600/IMG_1098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TaRXS8x24qA/UkoO6UbWCLI/AAAAAAAAAZw/dRP0Nr0b4LA/s400/IMG_1098.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">We went to Tokyo and asked about Land Far Far Away, they informed us that we'll find the place ONLY if the land wants to be found.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_m6yI8yBtZQ/UknsEgXIbuI/AAAAAAAAAZc/o3m_RLXf78o/s1600/WP_000440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_m6yI8yBtZQ/UknsEgXIbuI/AAAAAAAAAZc/o3m_RLXf78o/s400/WP_000440.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">With honest intentions, we soldiers on, for days, weeks & months at end in search of the Land Far Far Away.</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxwpHkq-CoauxUnrVjA3rI1-WX8MSxkrJVbaReVsQGn8SFV1UUnRy64TsW9Nfxi4C2ex8vqsmLMakRd3x_JzQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">We crossed many deserts, mountains, bridges and rivers; braved many snowstorms, avalanches, snowstorms, landslides and thunderstorms. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P6-4PRLgqtw/UkoS6HUGsOI/AAAAAAAAAa8/VGZeVZ_QmPI/s1600/IMG_1386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P6-4PRLgqtw/UkoS6HUGsOI/AAAAAAAAAa8/VGZeVZ_QmPI/s400/IMG_1386.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">The nature tested us in every which way, but in the end, it revealed it's most beautiful secret - the Land Far Far Away!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SP2Qyg4jhJE/Ukm9Y_VgJEI/AAAAAAAAAX8/DlHHRZUyZWk/s1600/IMG_0746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SP2Qyg4jhJE/Ukm9Y_VgJEI/AAAAAAAAAX8/DlHHRZUyZWk/s400/IMG_0746.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">We reached the destination on the full moon night, and the entire landscape was bathed in pearly white glow.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pal4HsZdD2A/UknGe-asrAI/AAAAAAAAAZM/xYhI9dnWvuY/s1600/IMG_0756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pal4HsZdD2A/UknGe-asrAI/AAAAAAAAAZM/xYhI9dnWvuY/s400/IMG_0756.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">But it was in the morning that we completely noticed the beauty of this place which has been the stuff of the legends.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n9I083FyKWg/Ukm-to8g1AI/AAAAAAAAAYg/Y6ShFPqn4Zc/s1600/IMG_0757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n9I083FyKWg/Ukm-to8g1AI/AAAAAAAAAYg/Y6ShFPqn4Zc/s400/IMG_0757.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As the first sunbeam hit the land, the nature's most beautiful spectacle came to life!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">From a small crevice through the tent, I peaked out and saw flutter of some prayer flags</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7mCj9_mms0E/Ukm9VNWWhnI/AAAAAAAAAXw/dCvCmVjLf5g/s1600/IMG_0794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7mCj9_mms0E/Ukm9VNWWhnI/AAAAAAAAAXw/dCvCmVjLf5g/s400/IMG_0794.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">I went out and saw God's messenger fly above me; as if congratulating us on our exploration. Just then realized that it was none other than Dickie bird. Wait a minute, does that mean that David shepherd is God?</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gCdErj5eg9g/Ukm9aryowsI/AAAAAAAAAYI/d5lCIUZvTbM/s1600/IMG_0836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gCdErj5eg9g/Ukm9aryowsI/AAAAAAAAAYI/d5lCIUZvTbM/s400/IMG_0836.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Is that why David told us that if we ever reach the Land Far Far Away, he'd be there since he could easily beat us in a race to the Land Far Far Away? Is it possible that this is the same shepherd who walked the earth 2 millenias ago? Well, we'd never know. All we knew was that all four of us were at the most beautiful place on the earth, that is, IF we were still on the earth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">We decided not to think too much about it and just enjoy dance of the sunshine on the pristine blue waters.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">It's believed that these flags carries the prayers to the heaven. Well, I don't really believe it. Simply because, HEAVEN IS THIS! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">There can't possibly be a more beautiful place in all of the three worlds. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;">For sure, this journey wouldn't have been possible without the fantastic Tata Safari Storme. To know more about this beast of an SUV, log on to </span><a href="http://www.tatasafari.com/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;">www.tatasafari.com</a><span style="color: #454545; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;"> and check out what more inhuman feats it's capable of doing.</span><br />
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Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17251337214235995581noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726033237216188470.post-38514352233362291462013-09-14T23:32:00.004+05:302013-09-15T06:43:28.024+05:30Future Of Shopping<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over the past few months mankind has done a lot of stupid things and people have started to wonder if we as a race have already peaked. Let's keep that for discussion for another. For now, let's talk about what's good about our species as agreed upon unanimously but the entire population: 1. Jennifer Lawrence 2. Aston Martin 3. Curiosity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Welcome back! Now, since you're back after drooling over #1 & #2's images on Google, let's talk about #3. Curiosity is one of the best things about human kind. It is this curiosity that makes us want to ride a tractor on Mars, dive to the bottom of the ocean to find out Kate Winslet's sketches and give Miley Cyrus a chance to perform on stage to find out the depth of the human stupidity. All these won't have been possible without us being curious. People have often been curious about their future. In fact, this has given rise to a new industry consisting of astrologers, palmists, face readers, tantriks, tarot card reads and others. Though it's not yet officially recognized, according to a research the "Curiosity Industry" is 10 times more profitable than IT, Pharma, Petroleum, Infrastructure and Auto Industries combined.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The other day, I also got curious to find out what curiosity feels like. I started wondering about future and how we the every aspect of our daily life would be different than what it is today. Say, in the year 2030 how would be eat, shop, communicate, commute and work. I believe a bunch of these issues will be solved by eBay.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Picture this:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>- You wake up. You go to brush your teeth, but you're out of toothpaste. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So what'll you do? You'll log on to eBay, and choose whichever toothpaste you're looking to buy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since we'll be a lot more environment conscious, we'll never throw away our empty toothpastes but just refill it. That too from the comfort of your home. Just place it in a toothpaste vending machine and the chemicals in the machine will blend in the toothpaste of your choice and refill it for you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Based on whichever toothpaste you want, you will buy it from the respective company, say, Pepsodent, and then that company will send a set recipe (closely guarded secret of the company) of the paste to your TVM, which will then read the instructions and blend all the ingredients+chemicals and churn out the paste for you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>- Now it's time for your morning coffee. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So will you make it? </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Simple, go to your eBay and buy yourself a coffee.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Go to the eBay shop of your favorite cafe - Barista, Cafe Coffee Day, Starbucks or any other. Select your cafe and your fav. coffee and after check out, your system will instruct your coffee machine via bluetooth as to which coffee to make and how to make it. Hence, you never have to worry that your homemade cappuccino never tastes as good as Starbucks'. Once you've bought the coffee, Starbucks will tell the coffee machine the type of beans to grind and the amount of milk and water to add and voila! Your cuppa is ready!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What's more, you don't have to take the pains of selecting the coffee every morning when you're getting late for work. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just set up a monthly pack of Cappuccino and set the time in your Account settings and everyday, without you logging on, the Coffee Machine will be make the coffee and will be ready for you when you wake up. We do have coffee machines with timers available but this one will give you coffee from whichever cafe you want. You can even program upto 30 different settings for different days of the week for different members of the family. So now, on Mondays, you can have capuccino from CCD while your wife can have Decaf from Barista, while on Tuesdays, you can have hot chocolate while she's have black tea. And with so many different settings (30 in total), you can even program it to have different types of coffee on different days. All of this courtesy of eBay.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Okay now you're hungry and looking for some breakfast.</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So what'll you do?</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Simple. Stand in front of your wall - which also projects images from internet , and by tell whisper it to the voice assistant hidden in the wall to take you to eBay. (Not to mention, the phrase "deewaron ke bhi kaan hote hai" will became a reality in 2013).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since it's your breakfast time, a simple "hand to mouth" gesture will be sufficient for eBay to take you to your fav. deli/breakfast place list. Once there, select whichever breakfast you feel like having. Just like the coffee, here too the bluetooth will send instruction to your automated 3D food printer. The food printer is capable of reproducing from a combination of 18000 textures, 42000 smells and 57000 colours. Any combination of these textures, smells and colours can be processed instantly by the Intel i91 chip that's inside. The 3D printer has edible dyes and edible paper to replicate real food to 99.97% detail. Not just that, just so that you also get nutrients with your food, the 3D Food Printer will inject vitamins, minerals, carbs, fat, proteins, amino acids etc. in the food that the product coming out of the food printer will be exactly like the real food even in nutritional value.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Guess, what? As an exclusive feature to eBay, you can even tune the nutritional value. So, just because you're on a strict diet doesn't mean you can't have a rich pastry. eBay's partnership with all the fast-food and restaurant franchisee ensures that you get the exact taste what you'd get outside but without feeling guilty. So now, for the first time, you'll have liberty to eat that cheesy burger and those fries but with 90% less fat content. Diabetes is no longer going to stop you from having that chocolate mousse. All thanks to 3D Food Printers and eBay.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>- So breakfast is done, what next? You're right, next is riding a horse.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But wait, you don't have riding shoes. Nor you have riding pants and riding jacket. So, what should you do? Simple, head to eBay and c</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">heck out the latest range of shoes and attire. And what next? No, you're wrong. It'll be stupid to have a bluetooth enabled giant textile machine and a shoe maker (or whatever it's machine is called). Why would you even thing about that? So after you've chosen you shoe, just place the order. The webcam which till 2013 was used for Skyping, now also scans you from head to toe and takes exact measurement of your body. This info is now sent to nearest automated garment factory. This one factory will be able to sew any type of cloth in any fashion in minutes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This means, 1. Not bothering that an item bought online might not fit you. 2. Never having to worry about a particular store not stocking all the items.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Designers' showrooms will be replaced by state-of-the-art, fully-automated garment factories which would be much more efficient. Since the transportation of ready-made clothes is out of the question, the clothes will be much more cheaper. No itinerary overhang, hence, you don't have to worry about a store stocking out-of-fashion garments but last season's stock ain't sold. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, the entire collection is online, everything is in stock and everything fits. Just choose your garment and leave the rest to eBay and the designer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>- So what will you do after the horse riding? No, you're wrong. Not lunch. You feel off the horse and broke your ankle. You don't know how to ride a horse, remember? So now, it's hospital time.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The doctor thinks your ankle is badly injured. He needs titanium plates to insert in your hell and ankle. But since the nation is planning to launch a rocket to JackSparrow - 4th planet of the star NinjaAssassin, the titanium is scarce. Due to this scarcity, it's prices have gone so high that to buy you, the doctor might have to sell your liver. So now it's a battle between football and vodka. Just then, doctor has an eureka moment and decides to buy those titanium cufflinks that Sir Ravindra Jadeja wore in his 15th 007 movie 'From Rajkot With Love', that are up for auction on eBay. He used those cufflinks to hold your ankle in place. Because, why not? If they can hold His Highness Sir Sri Sri Lord Ravindra Jadeja's sleeves in places, can't be just stick a mortal human being's bones?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since the surgery took so long, you access eBay app from your mobile - a piece of foldable screen twice the size of a credit card, and order Chicken Tikka from Copper Chimney. But since doctor has asked you to cut down on spice, you customize your food - tune down the masala factor and raise the proteins & vitamins. And when you reach home, all you have to do is hop (like, literally) to the 3D Food Printer, take out hot food and eat it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a typical day in the life of a homo sapien sapien bluray.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is about 2030. However, if you're curious to know how you can buy on eBay right now, check out: <a href="http://bit.ly/eBayCheck_Extention">bit.ly/eBayCheck_Extention</a></span></div>
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Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17251337214235995581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726033237216188470.post-41414121683312058372013-09-05T05:36:00.000+05:302013-10-05T00:44:17.020+05:30The Mud Rush Monsoon Edition: Downright Dirty And Fantastic<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is a general consensus that Monday is the worst
of all the weekdays while Friday is the best one. And if you’re asking, “Why is
that so?” then you probably are a toddler or an alien. Or someone from Middle
East; in which case, for you, Saturdays are Mondays and Wednesdays are Fridays.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Either way, weekend is when people get an
escape from their routine, mundane work life and recharge their batteries. With regards to that, there are two types of people in the world:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">1. Those who curl up in bed with a book or a stock
pile of DVDs and relax all through the weekend. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">2. Those who set off on an adrenaline-pumping
adventure during the weekends, and get ready for upcoming week in full spirit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This post is about those 3000+ Type II people who
participated in the Monsoon Edition of The Mud Rush. Mud Rush is for those who like
to usher in the new week with a testosterone busting weekend adventure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Mud Rush is a military boot-camp style run where the runners encounter various obstacles throughout the course of the run. As a run, you need to cross these to the best of your ability by either climbing, jumping, sliding, crawling, swimming or any which way possible. After the tremendous success of the first edition of The Mud Rush which took place at Kolad, the bigger and better second edition of The Mud Rush was organized on 31st October, 2013; at the picturesque Jadhavgadh Fort. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The 6.3 km. long obstacle course at this 300 year old fort tested the participants physical as well as your mental endurance. In this edition of The Mud Rush, the runners were made to overcome 21 obstacles. This was a significant rise in the number of obstacles from the first edition of The Mud Rush which had only 15 obstacles.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K4-6BmX0K1Q/UifVZZOQEqI/AAAAAAAAAU4/aernm09T0tY/s1600/IMG_2860+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K4-6BmX0K1Q/UifVZZOQEqI/AAAAAAAAAU4/aernm09T0tY/s400/IMG_2860+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NBhf28RQh9g/UifV1A6FvsI/AAAAAAAAAVA/wjSKA95XpTE/s1600/IMG_2861+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NBhf28RQh9g/UifV1A6FvsI/AAAAAAAAAVA/wjSKA95XpTE/s400/IMG_2861+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While the course was designed to test your stamina; the sequence, placement and the type of the obstacles made sure the participants stayed interested & entertained till the end. The run is not time-trial, so that not only participants take their own sweet time to finish the course, they also get to enjoy every minute of it. The run also promoted team-building since you not only run for yourself but you also motivate and cheer for others. Grabbing a stranger's hand to pull them out of the ditch, showing others the best technique to clear an obstacles and cheering a rusher who's struggling soldier on were some of common scenes played through the entire day. The Mud Rush is a place where the strangers become friends and friends become motivators.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fa7t7bIUqcs/UifUfEs_QuI/AAAAAAAAAUw/0f2Bk6qrvSI/s1600/IMG_2889+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fa7t7bIUqcs/UifUfEs_QuI/AAAAAAAAAUw/0f2Bk6qrvSI/s400/IMG_2889+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you thought that The Mud Rush is only for the youngistan, you're mistaken. There was a 65 year+ grandma crossing the obstacles like a pro alongside her daughter and other family members. It's scenes like these that make the entire event worth it.\</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And at the end of the race, every participant with rewarded a medal - as a token of appreciation of their grit. And not to forget - a chilled beer. You start the run with Red Bull (gives you wings!) and you end it with a Kingfisher; with so many wings around, how can you NOT have a heavenly experience? (Okay, I know, bad joke. Sorry.)</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5CWB7BzwwOo/UifKxcSqJAI/AAAAAAAAAUM/uDtFca9NVlA/s1600/Milind+Soman+at+The+Mud+Rush+(TMR)+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5CWB7BzwwOo/UifKxcSqJAI/AAAAAAAAAUM/uDtFca9NVlA/s400/Milind+Soman+at+The+Mud+Rush+(TMR)+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you thought The Mud Rush is only about fun and frolic, you're mistaken. The good guys at The Mud Rush partnered with Multiple Sclerosis Society of India (MSSI) and their brand ambassador Milind Soman was present at the event to spread aware about this deadly disease.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YtcIY2OZ16k/UifXeCSjSPI/AAAAAAAAAVM/TsJf3waRsXo/s1600/IMG_2910+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YtcIY2OZ16k/UifXeCSjSPI/AAAAAAAAAVM/TsJf3waRsXo/s400/IMG_2910+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Clement D'Souza</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: justify;">The rush didn't just end there. The rushers were rewarded with some foot-tapping, booty-shaking, electrifying music. At the EDM Sundowner Party, </span><span style="text-align: justify;">Clement D'Souza, Anish Sood, SEQU3L and Ajit Pai's tunes</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> kept the crowd grooving for the rest of the evening.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jDif03w3adY/UifZsAgsfvI/AAAAAAAAAVc/h8x--cbfUEU/s1600/IMG_2940+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jDif03w3adY/UifZsAgsfvI/AAAAAAAAAVc/h8x--cbfUEU/s400/IMG_2940+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Anish Sood</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cZZFX18r3L4/UifZsMwgnsI/AAAAAAAAAVY/c07ETcZMfpA/s1600/IMG_3094+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cZZFX18r3L4/UifZsMwgnsI/AAAAAAAAAVY/c07ETcZMfpA/s400/IMG_3094+-+Copy.JPG" width="318" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Anish Sood</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Needless to say, The Mud Rush Monsoon Edition was one helluva experience. I got bruised, tired, even bled; and by the end of it, got downright dirty, in literal sense. But honestly speaking, I wouldn't want it any other way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">P.S. Thank you to <a href="http://www.photokatha.in/" target="_blank">Photokatha</a> for associating me with the Mud Rush and arranging for the transport.</span></div>
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Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17251337214235995581noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726033237216188470.post-47859561919485416772013-08-29T04:00:00.001+05:302013-08-29T07:43:42.286+05:30Social Media Week Reporter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Reasons why I should sit on the flight to London from Mumbai as be your Social Media Week Reporter:<br />
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I have ISO:9001 certified social as well as media skills. During my visit, I will spread Indian culture (social skills) in UK using various mediums (media skills). Both the countries can learn so much from one another For starters, here's what UK can learn from India (and this is strictly from social & media point of view):<br />
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1. On the wall of Buckingham Palac, it should be written "Do not pee here." << Social message</div>
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2. Britishers should find new mediums of communication. Like Indians, Britishers should also make good use of graffiti to pass messages. Eg: Writing "I love you Sonal" on Stonehenge is an new way of communication that Britishers have not known before. Not to mention it's environmentally friendly.</div>
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3. While the world is going crazy about Google Adwords & Facebook ads, there's a lot that can be learnt from the way Indians do marketing. Imagine, after riding in the London Tube, you realize that there's an imprint of Kaya Hair Clinic, Andheri (East), Mumbai; on our palm because you had grabbed the handle? At the SMW, I can not only be the report but can also teach & introduce such marketing techniques to British entrepreneurs so that they can make their brands more social. And in this case, a lot more personalized too. Literally!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e6QeXcJOywQ/Uh6WhZU4dvI/AAAAAAAAATs/EOdjYfpwKyw/s1600/39pkx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="383" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e6QeXcJOywQ/Uh6WhZU4dvI/AAAAAAAAATs/EOdjYfpwKyw/s400/39pkx.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
These were some ideas I thought of from the top my head. If you want more ideas, I'll make a presentation about it on the Mumbai to London flight and we'll go over it once I touchdown at Heathrow. Capisce?<br />
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Besides these, here are my additional skills:</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">1. I can write. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">2. I can tweet.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">3. I have typing speed of 50 WPM. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">4. I can click pictures.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">5. I'm good at selecting filter. So much so that even my dreams have filter effects. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">6. I can talk to girls looking at them in the eye.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">7. I love Manchester United (English Club).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">8. I love Force India (based in England).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">9. I love Rolls Royce, Jaguar & Aston Martin (British cars).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">10. I love Top Gear (Britain's no.1 show). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">11. I have experience in live-tweeting big events and writing long blog posts on a daily basis at the end of the event. Yours truly has been the official blogger of Force India's One From A Billion Hunt - karting championship. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">12. I can stay up for long hours. (Personal record: 46 hours)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">13. Jet lag doesn't happen to me. I happen to jet lag.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">14. I'm not too fussy, I can even stay in Fawlty Towers.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">15. I'm not too fussy, I can travel by Business Class
if First Class is full. If both are full, a small private jet would do
just fine.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">16. Having won contests previously, including a Nokia
contest, I'm not new to winning and can easily handle the fame. (This
blog won the first prize in the <a href="http://ashesanddunes.blogspot.in/2012/08/nokia-apptasting-indiblogger-meet-punny.html" target="_blank">Indiblogger meet review</a>)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">17. I eat and drink everything, hence, no chance of offending the waiter or bartender, at the event.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">18. Our family have always been Nokia loyalist. Right
from my first phone 3310 to the Lumia 800 that I'm using right now, I've
never used another phone. Ditto with my parents.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">19. My concentration level is equivalent to a family of thoroughbred Gold Fish.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">20. I was also been invited as a tweeting partner to a social media workshop organized by <a href="http://www.digitalvidya.com/" target="_blank">Digital Vidya</a>, hence, I've mastered the art of networking as well as being social and courteous to people I have no intention of talking to.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">21. My IQ level is more than INR value </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">£ </span><span style="font-size: small;">of although the later is trying real hard to bridge the gap.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">22. I'm a biker at heart. Last month I returned from a <a href="http://www.redbull.com/in/en/motorsports/stories/1331607629102/mumbai-to-leh-%E2%80%93-precursor" target="_blank">43 day, 5300 km+ Mumbai to Leh solo biking trip</a>. If the event is far from the hotel and there's a jam, I can bike my way around the traffic and reach on time. Resourceful, right?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">23. Having written <a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/technology/WebService-Reviews/A-to-Z-guide-to-Google/SP-Article1-734207.aspx" target="_blank">technical articles</a> earlier also, I'm now a pro at typos and errors. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">24. I'm not a Claustrophobic. I can sit in a conference hall and listen to someone talk without screaming and running out like a maniac.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">25. I don't know how to operate guns hence, irrespective of how much I get tortured listening to the boring speaker, I won't kill anybody.</span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Still not convinced? Check out these testimonials from some of the greatest people from the world technology, who had the pleasure of gaining my insight and knowledge, and make billions with it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">1. He is simply fantastic, when it comes to technology. It was him who suggested that we should keep the "i" small. What a brilliant idea! ~ Stephen Jobsite</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">2. We were going down. Nobody respected our phones. But once when we were sitting at a bar, he arranged this tile pattern with coasters and that gave me us inspiration. Just then, at that moment, I told Terry, "This will be our next (mobile) OS." ~ Billion Gates</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">3. He's like the Dark Knight, he doesn't like taking the credit. He kept sending me these short SMSes about his daily chores - what he's having for breakfast, going to market, his interaction with the cute waitress, and such other stuff. When I got restraining order against him, that's when it hit me. He wanted me to build a micro-blogging site. It was his idea all along. ~ Business Stone</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">4. I've known him since the University. He used to ask me for numbers and photos of girls from my campus. I got of introducing him and the girls over the email. I wanted an alternative to "cc" & "bcc". After being his wingman for so many months, I decided to create this site and become everybody's wingman. All thanks to him. ~ Marcus Zuckerburger</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">5. That boy has got a fire in him. You must see the light in his eyes when he talks. To be honest, THAT has been the inspiration behind our Fire HD tab. Back in 2005, he visited our HQ once; our bottom showed "Green" during that brief 15 minute period. Since he couldn't come to California, we got to him; and that's exactly why we started the .in India website. ~ Geoff Buzy</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">These folks believe in me, and so should you. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--p3OKpm2BFM/Uh6GfDS9BfI/AAAAAAAAATQ/m9MAnLmRjnU/s1600/39o14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--p3OKpm2BFM/Uh6GfDS9BfI/AAAAAAAAATQ/m9MAnLmRjnU/s400/39o14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Despite my above accomplishments, I'm fairly modest. Hence, I humbly request you to send me to London as your Social Media Reporter. </span><br />
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I've been working on this blog since weeks. In fact, I've been planning my post since a years. Ever since you started sponsoring Social Media Week, I knew that one day you'll organize a contest and will give me a chance to show case my <strike>meme</strike> creative/social media talent.</div>
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Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17251337214235995581noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726033237216188470.post-51883171032413540482013-07-31T23:40:00.002+05:302013-08-01T00:04:09.851+05:30Idea Caravan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Since childhood we've been taught to develop our brain to think of new ideas. As kids when we used to watch cartoons - Tom & Jerry, a *light bulb* would go off in Jerry's brain and even at that tender age of 6, we'd understand that that means a "Brilliant Idea!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There already been too many cliches about Idea being used in daily life, from your boss telling asking you to "Get new ideas - think out of the box"; and the catch phrase, "An idea can change your life"; to the famous TVC slogan, "Get Idea!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cliche or not, fact remains, Ideas make the world go round.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Recently, the prestigious TEDx event was organized in Mumbai. And as everyone knows, TEDx is information & knowledge sharing. The good people at Franklin Templeton Investment had this amazing idea to partner with them and share the ideas of the speakers not just with a bunch of people attending the event but with everyone through videos.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Out of all the ideas presented at the event, I really loved this one particular presentation by one Mr. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=42i1sIZ-9kQ" target="_blank">Evan Grae Davis</a>. It's about the discrimination towards girl child. Gendercide</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is one of those subjects that I've always been against - the killing of girl child. And the presentation of Mr. Davis has truly revealed the dark truth behind this heinous crime going on in the society.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's not something that's happening in dark alleys or in a mafia don's den or in top secret government facilities. This is going on between us, within our society, within the four walls of our houses and in front of our families.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here are some of spine-chilling facts revealed by Mr. Evan Grae Davis.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">- In india 5 million girls are aborted every year</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">- India & China abort more girls than those born in United States.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">- Mortality rate for girls under the age of 5 is 75% higher than boys of same age.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">- UN estimates that as many as 200 million girls are missing in the world today. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The presentation showed video of a lady who told the Mr. Evan and his grew that she killed 8 of her daughters right after their birth with her own hands because they were not boys. Here's an old village lady, who looks like she'd gladly give food to a stranger if the lost traveler knocked on her door, but she's also someone who'd kill 8 of her kids for being girls with her own hands. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is all because of a culture where male child is held up on a pedestal while the female child has been frowned upon. And what is the root cause of all this? Dowry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's not just because of this <a href="http://www.indiblogger.in/topic.php?topic=84" target="_blank">Indiblogger contest</a> that I got interested in this issue. I've always been a staunch opponent of female infanticide and dowry. Just last week I returned from a 1 & half month long trip of North India. I became friends with many fellow travelers along the way. While I was in McLeodGanj, I met this Gautemalan lady who was fascinated with Indian culture and mythology. We got talking and I told her a bunch of stuff about Indian mythology and stuff. The conversation slowly moved to present day and the plight of women and when I explained her the concept of dowry and female infanticide, she was shocked out of her wits. It was difficult for her to grasp the concept that the father of the bride would give gold & money equivalent to the groom's qualifications, and how this is making parents kill the girl child because they know that 25 yrs later they won't be able to pay dowry to their daughter's in-laws.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Another incident took place with an autorickshaw driver in Mumbai. I was returning from a late night party and since I knew I was going to consume alcohol I chose not to take drive my vehicle, instead opted for public transport. While returning, I got chatting with the driver and turned out he was from UP. He told me that he was returning to his village next month and he was gonna get married. I asked him about dowry and he told me that his in-laws would give him money since he educated. I lectured him about how he shouldn't accept it and how dowry is a bad practice, to which he told me that he's not going to ask for it but in their village even if the guy doesn't ask, the girl's family gives dowry with the fear that if they won't their daughter will be treated badly by her new family. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And believe me, this was not the first time that I got talking to an autorickshaw driver and lectured him about dowry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I may not go from one village to another and tell the elders to change their age old practice but I try my best to talk to such not-so-literate people from villages and change their myopic opinion about such issues. Maybe, you should do it too. One person telling them that what they're doing is wrong, may not change their view but if 10-20-50 educated people tell them the same thing, they'll rethink and maybe the new generation will stop this age-old inhumane act.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's about time we take a stand and kill this practice instead of killing our daughters.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As Mr. Evan rightly said, "The three deadliest words in the world: It's a girl" You can find out more about his documentary <a href="http://www.itsagirlmovie.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.franklintempletonindia.com/" target="_blank">Franklin Templeton Investments partnered with TEDxGateway Mumbai in 2012.</a> You can find the links to all the videos over <a href="http://www.ftideacaravan.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17251337214235995581noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726033237216188470.post-16050368162486750842012-09-18T23:35:00.001+05:302012-10-09T21:30:20.143+05:30Melbourne: The world's most liveable city<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Isn't it funny that whichever city you live in becomes the most liveable city in the world, for you? To settle this dispute few level-headed people decided to conduct a poll to see which is the world's most liveable city. Not surprisingly, Melbourne took the crown. This means, every single soul who doesn't hold the title of Melbournian wants to visit it. But the questions is, how exactly do you go about the city? There's a difference between the 'city with the most tourist footfalls' and 'the most liveable city.' Visiting the former is simple, you only need to do the usual touristy stuff and a 2 nights, 3 days, 9 meals, 20 photos visit would suffice; but for the former, you need to stay long enough to feel the essence of the city in your soul. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-opE9aBQ5w_U/UFjuuLxst3I/AAAAAAAAAPM/30uSR_L2SCo/s1600/melbourne2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-opE9aBQ5w_U/UFjuuLxst3I/AAAAAAAAAPM/30uSR_L2SCo/s400/melbourne2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The only way to know Melbourne - the world's most liveable city, one needs to know what makes the city that it is. And by that, I don't mean the you need to know that stats like population, timezone, languages spoken & the name of mayor. Definitely not. These details you can get from Wikipedia. I mean to say, to know Melbourne, you have to live there and fill your senses with the flavor of Melbourne. This feeling can't be captured with a bunch of photographs or explained to you by a tour guide, this is something that can be acquired only when your open and submit yourself to the city.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K7mLzQSRrR4/UFj84GNpB_I/AAAAAAAAAQM/hrhmViyc2H0/s1600/6904625918_18a9f804e3_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K7mLzQSRrR4/UFj84GNpB_I/AAAAAAAAAQM/hrhmViyc2H0/s400/6904625918_18a9f804e3_b.jpg" title="Image Courtesy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/brassynn/6904625918/" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: justify;">In order to open your heart and mind to the city, you need to take these 4 scientifically designed trails. It's not like I just sat down and just made this up; these trails have been calibrated thanks to years of research and hard-work of self-appointed geniuses who've worked at NASA . Not sure about you, but I have full faith in NASA (National </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alibag" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: justify;" target="_blank">Alibaug</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> Sindhi Association) & I'm going to take these 4 trails without an iota of doubt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. The Melbourne Identity: This trail will take you through the toughest touristy terrain. This trail is about the 'identity' of the city that's shown in brochures and Facebook albums. Here you will experience and see what your 'average tourist' takes back home. The major tourist spots would include the usual suspects - museums, zoo, heritage walk, few skyscrapers & landmarks, the shopping district and a couple of iconic hotels/restaurants. Most tourists go back home after checking out this scenic identity. But Melbourne is not your average tourist city. In fact, this is where you see the real distinction between a tourist and a traveler. A tourist will stop at the Melbourne Identity; but a traveler will go beyond, complete the <strike>36</strike> 4 chambers of Melbourne and attain nirvana. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. The Melbourne Supremacy: While Melbourne Identity was only about seeing stuff, Melbourne Supremacy is about doing/experiencing it. Here you will take back experiences, and not just photographs for your Facebook album. I want to swim with the <a href="http://www.visitmelbourne.com/Activities-and-attractions/Nature-and-wildlife/Wildlife-and-zoos/Dolphins.aspx" target="_blank">dolphins</a>, learn to surf the <a href="http://www.visitmelbourne.com/Regions/Mornington-Peninsula/Activities-and-attractions/Outdoor-activities/Water-sports/Surfing.aspx" target="_blank">waves</a>, feed the nature's original teddy bears - <a href="http://www.visitmelbourne.com/Regions/Mornington-Peninsula/Activities-and-attractions/Outdoor-activities/Water-sports/Surfing.aspx" target="_blank">koalas</a>, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">stroll on the beach with the </span><a href="http://www.visitmelbourne.com/Regions/Phillip-Island/Activities-and-attractions/Nature-and-wildlife/Wildlife-viewing/Penguins.aspx" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">penguins</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> a trip to the <a href="http://www.visitmelbourne.com/regions/Melbourne/Activities-and-attractions/Tours/Food-and-wine-tours/Chillout-Travel-Winery-Tours/Wine-Cheese-and-Chocolate-Tour.aspx" target="_blank">vineyards</a> and exploring a </span><a href="http://www.visitmelbourne.com/regions/Goldfields/Activities-and-attractions/History-and-heritage/Gold-rush-history/Central-Deborah-Gold-Mine.aspx" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">gold mine</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. I want to do all this and much more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. The Melbourne Ultimatum: This trail is about YOU. It's not about what the tour guide says or what the sightseeing book recommends, it's about what YOU wish to do. I'm a sports junkie, and I want to enjoy Melbourne as a sportsman. I want to be right in the middle of the action. I want to hire a car and trace the F1 circuit map at the <a href="http://www.grandprix.com.au/" target="_blank">Albert Park</a>. Agreed, I have to abide by the traffic laws, but knowing that fact that I'm driving on the same tarmac and turning around the same corners that F1 drivers zip past on their mutli-million dollar machines, will give me a different high. One thing that strongly links India and Australia is Cricket. So, how about a game of cricket at the famous MCG? No, I don't want Brett Lee to bowl at me, but I'd love to be a part of a local club side in a friendly game. Can I get to practice a set or two at the <a href="http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/index.html" target="_blank">Melbourne Park</a>? Maybe someone can help me improve my backhand. And when you're in Melbourne, how can you miss the beach? If I can manage to gather 3 mates, we can participate in a 4-a-side Beach Volleyball matches at <a href="http://www.vicbeach.com.au/" target="_blank">VIC Beach</a>. This is my choice, yours could vary. Whether you like culture & arts, heritage, nature & wildlife, sports, farms & vineyards or party zone, Melbourne won't disappoint to cater to your special needs. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In fact, Melbourne offers something for everyone. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uz6Leh23IEo/UFj6AxAd41I/AAAAAAAAAP8/rIk1-rRw86Y/s1600/MCG_r_819x283_MCG-MUST-APPROVE+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="137" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uz6Leh23IEo/UFj6AxAd41I/AAAAAAAAAP8/rIk1-rRw86Y/s400/MCG_r_819x283_MCG-MUST-APPROVE+(1).jpg" title="Image Courtesy: www.visitmelbourne.com" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: justify;">4. The Melbourne Legacy: Melbourne Ultimatum was all about ME, Melbourne Legacy is all about the Melbournians. I want to travel the way Melbournians travel, eat the food that they </span><a href="http://www.visitmelbourne.com/Regions/Phillip-Island/Activities-and-attractions/Food-and-wine.aspx" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: justify;" target="_blank">cook</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: justify;">, have coffee at the </span><a href="http://www.visitmelbourne.com/Regions/Melbourne/Activities-and-attractions/Food-and-wine/Cafes.aspx" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: justify;" target="_blank">cafes</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> they visit and party the way they party. And don't forget thy </span><a href="http://www.visitmelbourne.com/Regions/Melbourne/Activities-and-attractions/Food-and-wine/Bars.aspx" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: justify;" target="_blank">watering holes</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: justify;">. I want to travel by the trams and get lost in the bylanes without a GPS. I want to mingle with the locals and find my way back. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For more information on what else to do Melbourne, visit this link: </span><a href="http://www.visitmelbourne.com/in" style="background-color: #f1f1ef; color: #0369a9; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">www.visitmelbourne.com/in</a><span style="background-color: #f1f1ef; color: #111111; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've decided to go to Melbourne, so should you. Believe me, it's your time to visit Melbourne NOW! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">P.S. This blog's been written for Indiblogger contest, details of which can be found <a href="http://www.indiblogger.in/topic.php?topic=63" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17251337214235995581noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726033237216188470.post-75379448958101662572012-08-21T18:53:00.003+05:302013-01-14T03:56:37.672+05:30Nokia Apptasting IndiBlogger Meet: A Punny Evening<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Many nights ago, I received an email regarding the Nokia Apptasting IndiBlogger Meet. Not being the type who'd miss <strike>out on free food</strike> a bloggers' meet, I instantly registered for it. Also, it being the first Mumbai meet where "drinks" would be served, you really can't say no, right? If I didn't know better, I'd think that Indiblogger.com was trying to create anarchy; a drunk person with a blog at his disposal - can you possibly get a more potent combination? Turns out, Indiblogger & Nokia were just being gracious hosts, and were serving drinks so that everyone can have a good time. Also, there are unconfirmed reports that one Mr. <a href="http://www.wildphoenix.in/" target="_blank">Wild Phoenix</a> who trolled the Indiblogger team for organizing the <a href="http://www.wildphoenix.in/2010/08/indibloggers-meetup.html" target="_blank">Mumbai meet on 15th August</a>, issued a "Fatwa" against Indiblogger team, warning them not to organize any more meets on dry days. Finally the meetup was scheduled on 19th August, and to make sure the hungry people coming from as far as Thane, Ethopia & Sierra Leone (It's a country, you idiot; not Sunny Leone's sister) can get a ride back home early, the timing was adjusted such that the event would end by 10.30pm.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-svkxWxM2TEA/UDN9DTL0F3I/AAAAAAAAAOc/KxBlekBKsU8/s1600/WP_000418+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-svkxWxM2TEA/UDN9DTL0F3I/AAAAAAAAAOc/KxBlekBKsU8/s640/WP_000418+-+Copy.jpg" title="Nokia Apptasting" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The day before the meet, I got a call from Vineet who wanted to confirm my attendance. Being a good friend that I am, I volunteered to reach early and help them <strike>empty the bottles</strike> with the event. When I reached the venue - Taj Lands End, it was familiar sight. Nostalgia, I was welcomed with the same "freeloader" look from the guards, that I received at the Hotel Sea Princess on 15th August, 2010. That's because, the only person who is less looked down upon than a guy who gets down from an autorickshaw and makes his way to the entrance of a 5 star is a guy who's sitting at home </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">on a Tuesday afternoon</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> writing a blog about an event he attended on Sunday. Erm... nevermind. You see, when you WALK in to 5-star hotel wearing jeans & tee with a backpack, and tell them you're there for a bloggers' event; the doorman doesn't let you inside the hotel fearing you'd steal flower vase from the lobby. Instead, he'll direct towards the banquet through an outside entrance. As a social experiment, go to the same hotel in a car, wearing a blazer; a gorgeous lady with the sweetest smile will welcome you, and you'll be given a seat next to a 1700 year old vase from the Ching Dynasty. Bloody clothists.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After the wardrobe discrimination, I reached the Ballroom entrance and found myself in company of Indiblogger staff. After exchanging pleasantries, we made our way in the Ballroom which was lit up in Nokia Blue. As more and more people started coming in, the conversation more-or-less revolved around one topic - "Apptasting." While the foodies thought they're in for a treat with hoards of appetizers, the tech+grammar nazis were frowning at what they thought was a typo. Some people just don't get the f(p)un part. (You saw what I did there? Did you? No? Okay.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Soon the evening kickstarted with chants of "Hurr Hurr Hurr", which sounded more like the mating call of </span><a href="http://www.cryptomundo.com/wp-content/uploads/ring-tailed-lemur.jpg" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">ring-tailed Lemur</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> found in Madagascar. Indiblogger's Anoop (who was a bit tipsy) took the center-stage along with the Indiblogger team and gave a brilliant tribute to the city of Mumbai. After hi5's and warm hugs, everyone got seated and embraced for an evening of fun & frolic. Masterchef & Gadget Guru are two adjectives that have been used a zillion times for these learned men but there's really no better way to describe the 'Masterchef' Vikas Khanna & the 'Gadget Guru' Rajiv Makhni. One makes makhni, while the other one is himself Makhni (okay, I stole that line from Vikas). Guys who couldn't get a seat next to a girl were regretting, but once Vikas & Rajiv took the stage, those who actually managed seats next to a girl(s), were regretting even more since all the ladies couldn't get enough of giggling and drooling at the hosts. Can't blame them given the fact that one was voted the hottest chef in New York and the other, hottest anchor on Indian television.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It being a Nokia event, the duo showcased the new apps and technology developed by Nokia in recent times. Being a Nokia (Windows Phone) user, I've always been interested in the new apps being developed in Nokia's labs. Must say, with the technical expertise of Microsoft and Nokia, some the new apps that are being developed are simply spectacular.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This event was attended by 3 types of people - 1. Tech freaks 2. Foodies 3. Free-booze lovers. Knowing this, Nokia had developed apps that would interested all three cults.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One of the apps showcased was <b>Nokia City Lens</b>. I'm familiar with this app ever since Rajiv featured it in his show few weeks back. Since then I've been waiting for it, and from the Nokia sources I've learnt that it'll be available from 28th of this month. Finally. Using this app, you can simply point the phone in any direction and can get a list of places nearby in that direction. You can even get the address and phone number of the place. Sounds great. Now I can get the phone number of that hot chick living down the lane by simply pointing my phone towards her apartment. Heck, why stop at her, I can even get Katrina & Deepika's phone number. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In which case, I'll give this app 5 stars.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As far as foodies are concerned, there's a <b>Food and Wine Pairing</b> app which will help them pair their food with wine. IMO this app will be particularly useful for people like me who swear by their beer & whiskey but doesn't know a thing about wine except for their color. It's apps like these that lets you sit next to a 1700 year old Chinese vase. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When Vikas & Rajiv asked the audience about their dream apps, people went berserk with their thought process and came up with apps ranging from a politically correct app that can enable one to vote to an app that can find the perfect man; and everything in between. Yours truly suggested an app that can determine how drunk you are. Thankfully, Nokia already has an app for it called <b>Alcohol in Blood</b>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Obviously, I was the lab rat to test the app and since Rajiv thought I was too drunk to drive home, I was given a consolation gift - a Portable USB Charger by Nokia. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And when you get a prize, you always have that one friend who will ask you something totally dumb and irrelevant. Looking at this charger, an Indiblogger friend (name withheld on request) asked that if he connected that USB at the top with micro-USB at the bottom, will it charge itself? No points for guessing that he's single and desperate to mingle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I hope others who won prizes didn't went through such torturous questions. Oh yes, I said prizes. There were many, many prizes. '30 seconds of fame' - one of the quintessential sessions of every indiblogger meet was given a new twist this time around. Randomly, bloggers were called up on the stage and were required to choose a side - foodie (Vikas) or techie (Rajiv), and tell everyone why they're foodie or techie. Wittiest ones won prizes. This session was allotted 45 mins and when Indiblogger team learnt that when you give 30 seconds to 250 people, in some cultures, that takes more than 2 hours, they decided that only a handful of lucky people (randomly selected by computer, or so we think) will get a chance to showcase their witty side. One question that Vikas & Rajiv asked every blogger who came to the stage was, "What do you think connects Food & Technology?" I'm surprised no one could come up with the right answer. It's simple.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What connects Food & Technology? - Instagram.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Another contest included chopping onions in a particular fashion as displayed by Vikas. While a female won it hands down, few guy participants made the onion look like Hiroshima. As they say, 'the hand that chops the onion, wins the prize.' It's difficult not having a quiz competition when you have the quiz masters in house. Rajiv & Vikas hosted a hilarious quiz consisting of 4 teams. This was the first quiz witnessed by me (and probably, everyone) where you'd get extra points for dancing and where a True or False question, if answered incorrectly, can be passed on to the other team. At the end of tons of falling-off-the-chair laughter and a blind fold guess-the-ingredients test, an all-girls team won this tech+food quiz. They won Nokia Lumia handsets. Not bad for guesswork.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This meet also marked 5th year Anniversary (I wonder why it's not called 5th Birthday?) of Indiblogger. Everyone celebrated this occasion with a huge cake (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151026384677883&set=a.10151026383107883.426323.67564062882&type=3" target="_blank">Indibaby</a> thought this was a football pitch made of chocolate) and a group photo.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4DjPl-zq_Jc/UDN8Fnd9i7I/AAAAAAAAAOU/hz3blGocr00/s1600/336814_10151026511322883_513922741_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="385" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4DjPl-zq_Jc/UDN8Fnd9i7I/AAAAAAAAAOU/hz3blGocr00/s640/336814_10151026511322883_513922741_o.jpg" title="IndiCake (Image Courtesy: facebook.com/indipage)" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After the cake, it was time for a stampede to get photographed with Rajiv & Vikas. And then dinner, which was delicious. Had a fun post-event interaction with both - Vikas & Rajiv; it was great to see how down-to-earth and humble both these guys are, despite their stature. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In short, it was an evening well spent courtesy Indiblogger, Nokia, Rajiv Makhni & Vikas Khanna; despite the fact that I wasn't allowed to go near the 1700 year old vase.</span></div>
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Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17251337214235995581noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726033237216188470.post-69391143458693718762012-04-29T13:15:00.002+05:302013-05-17T18:35:51.066+05:30Reclaimed My Soul<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This post, it's been a long-time coming: 1 year, 2 months and 10 days to be precise. 1 years, 2 months and 10 days ago, India faced Bangladesh in the first match of the tournament that went on to become the best tournament in the history of Indian Cricket. And on the same day, I returned from my honeymoon, i.e. honeymoon with my bike - Blackbird. We set off for the honeymoon on 15th Feb, exactly 1 day after the Valentine's Day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When you're on the honeymoon with a girl, it's about the destination; but when it's your bike, it's about the journey. The highway is your bedroom and the sweet sound of the engine is the sound of love. Well, our bedroom was 500kms+ long NH8s stretching from Mumbai to Ahmedabad. Ahmedabad is not exactly a honeymoon-ey destination if you're with your wife but my word, the tarmac on NH8 is as orgasmic as it can get. Now, some of you smarty pants would ask, "But why you went to Ahmedabad? You could've take the Konkan belt and gone to Goa or explored the Sahyadris." Well, the reason I went to Ahmedabad is because that's where my childhood friend was getting married, and I could've taken flight, train or bus, but I didn't. Had I done that, I wouldn't be able to write this post, right? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Besides, the journey that I took, it stood for everything that I am and everything that I believe in. That journey didn't just got me to Ahmedabad, it got me back my soul. I took that journey just days after leaving a boring desk job which most others thought was a "lucrative job" with "exciting prospects." No prizes for guessing why I prostituted my soul and took up that job in the first place: To earn enough money to buy myself the bike. Yes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In simple words: Sold my soul >> Took up the job >> Earned money for bike >> Bought the bike >> Kicked the job on it's ass >> Went out on the NH8 >> Got my soul back. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Understood?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And for those of you who're thinking, "you're lucky, your parents give you the freedom," let me bust it for you, that it took days of pestering, arguing and convincing to get OKAY from them (Dear foreign readers, in Indian family system, we do take our parents' permissions before embarking on a journey that may end your life). That OKAY came at the 11th hour, literally; it was 11pm when I got the green signal for the trip that I would eventually embark on 7 hrs later. After 11pm I packed my bags, got 5 hours of sleep and set forth on my way without knowing if I will make it in one-piece. Because everything got finalized at the last minute, I never bothered getting my bike serviced, oil changed or pack any spares; it was just me, a full tank of fuel and the open road. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">At this point of time, I would like to show a middle finger to all the "kuch toofani karte hai" & "darr ke aage" commercials, who pretend to be too macho doing CGI stunts. Guys, try taking the open road. The one which you've never traversed before. Without any preparations what-so-ever. And do it for 500 kms. On the bike. All alone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Getting the the go-ahead is the easy part, the difficult part is the road itself. Nothing can ever prepare you for a 500 kms solo bike trip. Absolutely nothing. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As much as it's fun, it has it's fair-share of pain as well.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Especially when it's your first one. The sweet pain, as the virgins would say it. But nothing can compare to the feeling you get when you come out on the top (pun unintended). </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Open Road & YOU</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Mumbai - Ahmedabad:</b> Tied my bag behind me on the pillow seat, tanked up the bike, checked the tire pressure and I set off. As far as Mumbai is concerned, February is not exactly "wintery" but trying riding to Manor (about 80 kms. from Mumbai) at 7am and you will feel the chill in your bones as your traverse through the sea of dense fog with 100 meters visibility. It took me less than 100 kms. to realize that it's not going to be a rosy ride. 95 kms. from the Mumbai, got the tire punctured. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Thankfully there were a series of garages alongside that mended it.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Tip: </b>If you have tubeless tires, don't waste money paying the mechanic for the puncture. On the highway they rip you off charging as much as Rs. 140-180. My local mechanic told me, that you can get a small strip of the puncture material for 300-400 and you can use it 8-10 times, get that and mend it yourself.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Five kms. down the road, heard a big "phussshshhhshhh" & flat went the rear tire, on the spot. Bike speed: 95 kmph. Apparently, the mechanic thingy had done a shoddy job. Thankfully, right in front was petrol pump with a mechanic under it's shade. The puncture had become too big for the tire to go on with another patch. Either I had to get a new tubeless tire, nearest place to get it was 100 kms. away at a Yamaha showroom in Mumbai OR to convert my tubeless to a tube-tire thingy using the old tire (with half a dozen punctured patches) that he had. Oh, did I tell you he had never worked on a Yamaha FZ before and hence it was a trial-and-error for him to get the real wheel detached? I finally got down and got my hands dirty (literally!) and helped him remove the real wheel and get it affixed as well. But not before he would keep me awaiting for 1 & half hour while he would fix up the truck tire. Given the fact that he was the only mechanic in a radius of five kms., I had little choice but to sit there and look at the cars zipping by. I was 6 hours in to the journey and I had covered a total distance of 100 kms., had 2 punctures, bike's real wheel was no longer tubeless and it now contained an old tube from Hero Honda Karizma which had been punctured about 457 times before. I spent next 6 hours covering the remaining 400 kms. 405 to be precise. In that, I took exactly 3 pre-planned stops. One stop every 100 kms. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Tip: </b>While taking long distance journeys, stop your bike once every 100 kms. or every 1 hours, turn off the engine and let it cool off for 5-7 mins. Meanwhile, get off the bike and get some blood circulation going in your feet and also stretch yourself before your back crescents permanently. Keep someone (parents/friend/spouse) informed about your trip and call them every time you take this mini-break and update them about your latest position, so in case something goes wrong, they know where to look for you.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Since I wanted to reach before dark, couldn't afford to take a food-break. It was 500 kms. without a grain of food. Finally reached the destination at 6.30 pm, i.e. just after sunset.</span>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Tip:</b> Avoid night journeys on bike. If you can't take food break, keep yourself charged up with chocolates or energy bars. You can have a chocolate bar, once every hour when you take the break. Won't take up your time and it'll keep you energized. Drink water to keep your hydrated but not so much that you'll need to take frequent loo-breaks.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you thought, this was the end of the hardships, let me tell you, this was just a warm up. The 500 kms. return journey was yet to come and Mr. Murphy had new plans for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Ahmedabad - Mumbai:</b> The return trip started with an auspicious event called stomach ache. The stomach motivated the whole body to shiver since I started my journey even before the sun woke up. Also for the first time I got a first hand experience of how you can fall asleep while driving/riding. I still don't remember how I covered the distance between Ahmedabad and Baroda. At the A'bad-Baroda Expressway & NH8 intersection, stopped by a took out a tee from the bag and covered myself in double layering. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Tip:</b> Make sure you wear a thick jacket or a double layering or at least a thick tee during early morning else even if it's a pleasant day, during early mornings when you're riding at 80-100 kmph, you will catch cold and/or shiver and fall sick.</i></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spot the Sun.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">That was the first of many unscheduled stops. Through the rest of the journey my stomach decided to take more breaks than my back. Had to stop a thrice for loo-breaks, twice for soda/lemon juice and once to buy medicines.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Tip:</b> Always carry medicines and glucose powder.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Just when it seemed that my stomach is holding up and I'm on the home stretch, about 70 kms. from Mumbai, on the ghats, in the middle of nowhere, a 3 inch nail decides to kiss my rear tire. I had to push my bike with an upset stomach and fever, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2.5 kms.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">uphill</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> before I managed to find a mechanic. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Tip:</b> On NH8, you'll come across many sign boards of towing services and their numbers, in case you break down. Make sure you note them down. Also, keep the number of the NH8 Emergency Services handy.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Once I mended my bike, for the very last time, I jammed the headphones in my ears and set off towards the final destination. On the playlist was <i>'21 Guns'</i> & <i>'Time Of Your Life'</i> on loop.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>"When you're at the end of the road</i></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>And you lost all sense of control</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>And your thoughts have taken their toll</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>When your mind breaks the spirit of your soul"</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>"<span style="text-align: center;">So take the photographs, and still frames in your mind</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>For what it's worth it was worth all the while</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: center;">I hope you had the time of your life.</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: left;">"</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Finally, 1009 kms, 102</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">⁰</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> fever, 3 punctures, 3 loo-stops & 1 rear wheel later I was back, back to being a free soul!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"Wind in the air"? - Cliche.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"Open road"? - Vague</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"Biking god"? - Irrational.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"World is at my feet"? - Sounds like a dictator.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"I feel like God"? - Subjective.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Nah!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Honestly speaking, no adjective or phrase used in any of those bike commercials or brochures can possibly describe the feeling that you get at the end of your honeymoon with your bike. The sense of freedom, rebelliousness and superiority that you feel, cannot be described by mortal words.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Objects In The Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Honestly, I don't really think so anyone will read this thesis that I've written in the name of the blog. Even if no one reads it, I'm glad I managed to tell this story which I was willing to share since a long time.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Keep riding!!!</span></div>
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Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17251337214235995581noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726033237216188470.post-17751886289346115662011-08-19T13:17:00.000+05:302011-09-05T01:03:28.710+05:30A - Z of G+<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="color: #666666;"><title></title> <style type="text/css">
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</style> </div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;">A – Another Social Networking site – Another social networking site, or should I say, another social networking site from Google. *phew* After Google Wave failed to create any waves and everyone asked Google Buzz to Buzz off, this is Google’s third attempt at taking Facebook head on (not considering Orkut as it was developed before Facebook became famous).</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;">B – Businesses (separate acc. Strategy) –Google doesn’t want any company, business or product to have an account on Google+. Not right now, at least. They’re completely clear with their strategy and currently, all the accounts are only for Homo sapiens. Google+ has a separate strategy for businesses and they’re right now busy refining the last bits. In Product Manager, Christian Olsten’s words, “</span><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;">We have been watching Google+ take shape over the last week and we’ve seen some really great companies get involved. But frankly we know our product as it stands is not optimally suited to their needs. In fact, it was kind of an awkward moment for us when we asked Ford for his (or was it her?) gender!”</span><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;"> </span> </div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;">C – Circles – Google+ lets you add all your friends in different circles hence you can safely post that NSFW video and share it with your College Circle without worrying that your aunt from Amritsar will see it. You can also tell all your friends that you’re chilling in Goa while keeping your boss who’s in the Do-not-share-anything-with-Boss Circle, under the impression that you’re down with viral. Here are some other circles you can possibly use to categorise your friends. Facebook friends circle, Twitter friends circle, Real life friends circle, Colleagues-to-be-included-in-conversation-while-ranting-about-office circle, Family-members-you-can’t-tell-you-like-DK-Bose-song circle. </span> </div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;">D – Direct Messages – One of the most unique feature of G+ is how to Direct Message or Inbox someone. Technically speaking, there is no ‘Inbox’ feature. You never go in that shell where you feel safe, secure and private to make personal conversations like Facebook, Twitter & Orkut. Everything stays on the Timeline. Only difference is, you share the post only with that particular person(s) instead of sharing it with ‘Public’ or a circle. It can be classified as Direct Message in a way, but it will take some time and plenty of near-misses getting used to it, as that security of conversing in private folder cocoon is out of the window. </span> </div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;">E – Equinox – Here, equinox can be referred to as that site which has found a balance between Facebook & Twitter and have engineered their way in combining best (functionalities) of both world, which in a parallel universe caters to the entire spectrum of users. </span> </div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;">F – Following/followers – “People in your circles / People who’ve you in their circle” sounds more like “People you’re following / People who’re following you”. Google+’s friend list resemble Twitter more than Facebook. </span> </div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;">G – Gtalk – Users have faced awkward situations where they’re being pinged on the Gtalk by people they’ve never added in the first place. Turns out, when you mutually add each other on G+, they get automatically added to your Gtalk. Given the fact that Google already has Gtalk, you don’t really expect them to program a new chat server, do you?</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;">H – Hahaha gifs. They logged on, they uploaded and they left. Since the first day, G+ has been littered with gifs and jpgs of how G+ has kicked FB’s butt. It’s either a cheap marketing ploy by Google where they’ve asked their employees to circulate these images or they’ve been created by anti-facebookers who’ve been waiting for someone to do come up with something that can rival FB. </span> </div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;">I – Invitation – This yawn-worthy marketing tactic have now official earned a ‘cliché’ status. Like every new website/product wants you to think that they’re going to let only a select few mere mortals have the honour of testing their new thingy and to earn that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, you will be required to cry out loud on Twitter and Facebook a million times to gain a so-called ‘invitation’ which will catapult you to Megatron levels of stardom and will change your life forever, even Google+ created the same noise where people were ready to give up their one limb to earn that coveted invitation to be one of the first people to have an account on Google+. Google+ created hype by giving out only a few thousand invitations in first few days which have now swelled to millions. In fact, Google did the same with Buzz and Wave. Grow up Google, instead of using such tactics, just make a great product, user base will take care of itself.</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;">J – Joke’s on MySpace – MySpace which was acquired by News Corp for $580 million & valued at $12 billion at one point of time, was recently sold for a mere $35 million. We all know that Google silently prays to Santa that Facebook also spirals down like MySpace. Whether Facebook goes down MySpace’s path or Google+ meets its cousins Buzz & Wave in hell, remains to be seen. But, as it stands today, MySpace is a Social Networking joke. </span> </div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;">K – Kleptomania – Maybe. Although, G+ has tried to stay away from the Facebook structure as much as possible and despite using terminologies as different from Facebook as possible, similarity to FB is pretty obvious. It's evident that G+ is nothing but a lovechild of Facebook and Twitter from features point of view. </span> </div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;">L – Links – As of now, for an average user there is rarely anything to do on G+ apart from checking out tons of links that everyone is forwarding on G+. There are hardly any photos or any unique updates about friends which you haven’t read before on FB and/or twitter. It will take some time till the site gets populated and one can actually think of spending (read wasting) substantial amount of time on Google+. </span> </div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;">M – Mute – All those people who’ve regretted congratulating a friend on his new relationship status after being bombarded with half a million notifications, will love this feature. In short, all of us. Mute allows us to mute notification about comments that people post on the same updates which we’ve commented on, hence, you will no longer feel shy to comment “RIP” on your friend’s “Getting married next week” update.</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;">N – No thanks, not interested in Auto Upload – That’s what the users of Android App for G+ seem to be saying. It seems that Auto Upload ON is the default setting for the Android App and hence ever single photo clicked from the phone gets uploaded to G+, which at the end of the day is hurting the user in terms of data usage and money. It isn’t necessarily cool to see even your blur and just-to-kill-boredom photos being uploaded. So, if you’re an Androidian, be sure to turn the feature off.</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;">O – Orkut - The fact that Google decided to develop a new site altogether to take on Facebook despite having Orkut in its arsenal says scores about Google’s faith in Orkut. It seems Google also agrees that Orkut is just that, ‘Orkut’ aka. A poor man’s Facebook. </span> </div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;">P – Plus one – Plus One or +1 is equivalent to Facebook’s ‘Like’. But +1ing on Google+ won’t make it appear in your +1 section, so you needn’t worry that your family will come to know that you’ve +1ed Tara Reid’s Wardrobe Malfunction video unless you +1 it anywhere on net. </span> </div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;">Q – Quintessentially minimalistic – Like everything Google, G+ too followed Google’s classic design philosophy and kept the site to bare minimum. Let’s enjoy the neatness and spaciousness that the site offers, till Adwords fills up the empty space. </span> </div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;">R – Reality Check – Google+ is the fastest growing website but still it’s far from catching up with Facebook’s 750+ million users. And Facebook is just one step away from Gmail once @facebook.com mail id starts working in its full fledged avatar.</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;">S– Sparks– There are no fan pages on G+ instead they have something known as Sparks which is essentially RSS feed of things that interests you, which may range from anything from “Aston Martin” to “Hot pics of Katrina Kaif”. Google seem to have employed some complex algorithm which probably takes into consideration page hits/rank from a little know search engine known as Google.com, to decide which news/links to throw up for your Sparks</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;">T – 25 Million users – Google+ has already crossed the 25 million user mark is the fastest social networking website to reach this mark. Don’t get impressed by the fastest-social-networking-site-to-reach-25m-mark award, yet. Given Google’s might and the fact that it only took a Gmail account to register for Google+, it’s no surprise that they’ve achieved that feat in only a month’s time. The so-called “by invitation only” was only a marketing gimmick. </span> </div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;">U – Unlimited photos – 1 album = 1000 photos. Unlimited albums = Unlimited Photos. Wohoo!!! </span> </div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;">V – Video Chatting – Video Chat or Hangout as they call it, has to be G+ ‘s “deal maker”. The fact that one can video chat with up to 10 people at the same time is for sure a big plus. </span> </div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;">W – Why should I be on G+? What’s the point? – That’s question you will be left asking yourself…So, what’s the point of G+? Well, let me ask you, what’s the point of any social networking site? Photos, Connectivity, News, Interaction, Staying in touch, Status Updates…. ? It’s the same with Google+. It’s just a case of old wine in new bottle. Facebook or Google+, or both. Whatever you suits you. </span> </div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;">X – Chromosome X – Google+ does seem to have that air of prejudice where it already considers itself better than anything else. But, despite everything, it seems, Google has finally found that Chromosome X lying in some corner of their Mountain View Office which can possibly make G+ capable of throwing a serious challenge at the reigning Heavy Weight Champion - Facebook.</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;">Y – Young – G+ is still in its early days, almost an infant from a social networking point of view. Although, initial signs may point at G+ to be a prodigy but it’s premature to call it a “Legend Killer”. Give it some time and let the kid breath and stop jumping to conclusions yet. Let the time speak…!</span><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Z – Zuckerberg Mark – Mark Zuckerberg has been added in circles by highest no. of people </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">461698* on G+</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">. This figure is more than the combined strength of Google founders Larry Page (</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">272604*</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">) & Sergey Brin’s (</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">184897*</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">) followers</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">. That’s like someone crashing in your birthday party and becoming the most popular guy in the house. It seems Mr. Zuckerberg, whose bio reads “I make things”, is keeping an eye on the competition. No harm in being a little cautious, right Mark?</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="color: #666666; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">*indicates follower count at the time of writing this article</span></span></span></div></div>Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17251337214235995581noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726033237216188470.post-31822620872881775212011-02-03T04:20:00.004+05:302012-12-17T21:39:59.718+05:30Contented Remorse<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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3rd April 2010, wasn't a typical Saturday afternoon. There was an air of discomfort and yet the day was a special one. Being a football lover, I was waiting for that day since many weeks, if not months. On that day, Manchester United were going to play against Chelsea. The championship had more or less been a 2 horse race from the beginning and the two sides were going neck & neck. The football pundits had predicted that, that match would decide the fate of the championship and so it happened.</div>
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Given the gravity of the situation and the fact that the match was scheduled for an early kickoff (5.30 pm IST), I almost fought with my boss while telling him a not-so-real story about an imaginary friend meeting with an unreal accident requiring me to leave early. Call it karma or the usual bad luck that I carry around, my not-so-imaginary friend Alok with whom I was going to watch the match over one too many beers, screwed up the plan at the 11th hour stating some excuse of him visiting an imaginary relative in some unrealistic hospital.</div>
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Nevertheless, I went ahead with the plan, as my house was getting renovated and there wasn't any possibility of watching television at home. Hence, I reached the Sports Bar and hopped onto one of those stool thingy they have at the bar and ordered first of many pints I had that evening. In fact, going all alone proved to be in my favor, as I got the bar stool, right in front of the screen. Had that bastard Alok been with me, we would've struggled to find a table with a good view of the screen as most of them were taken. Now, this is what I call, ditched yet happy. *ding* Two opposing forces!</div>
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Barely few minutes had passed in the first half, Man United missed a close chance to score.</div>
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"Dammit!!!", I exclaimed out of rage, banging my fist on the bar almost spilling whiskey of the guy sitting next to me.</div>
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"Sorry.", I said. He was still perplexed. Turned out, it was more 'cause of the fact that we missed a goal than my physical exclamation.</div>
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"Shit, just missed.", he said.</div>
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I asked, "What the goal or the drink?" We both had a laugh over the pun. As a matter of fact, guys easily bond like chaddi-buddies over drink & sports. Being ardent Manchester followers, both of us started enjoying the game together with hi-fives over goals and "ohhhs" & "ahhhs" over missed chances. The match ended in a disappointing loss for Manchester and a big blow to their title hopes, which Chelsea went on to win at the end of the season.</div>
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While finishing our drinks, Vivek & I got into a typical post-match analysis like boys generally tend to do. Conversation moved from football to cricket and later to F1; to which he told me, he was planning to watch Abu Dhabi GP that year. That's when I learnt, he's basically from Dubai and he's here on a personal trip.</div>
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Just then his phone rang..."Hello". "Oh, you're here, already? Great! Come inside, I'll finish the drink and we'll leave in 5-10 minutes." Not being the nosy kind, I never bothered asking, who it was. Just then a gorgeous yet familiar face walked towards us. He got up and gave her a warm hug.</div>
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Introducing us he said, "Remember, I told you, I'm here on a personal visit? She's the reason I'm here. My fiance, Khushi. It's her birthday today!!!"</div>
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Dumbstruck I became. Of course, I remembered it was her birthday. How can I ever forget? Her birthday was the very reason I was disturbed since morning. 2 years back, on the exact same date, she was holding MY hand at the time of cake cutting. Till 1 and half year back, she used to be in MY arms at parties. The hug that he give, I used to gave thoat to her every day at the college. An avalanche of memories overloaded the heart.</div>
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Even she looked stunned. I guess she too couldn't believe her eyes that I was standing in front of her. With the amazement, I could also sense her discomfort and fear. </div>
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In the mean time, Vivek finished the last sip of his drink and said to her, "Give me just 2 minutes sweetheart. You just wait here with him, I'll quickly go to the restroom and then we'll leave."</div>
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As he left, Khushi looked at me and asked, "How you've been?"</div>
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"How do you think, I've been? Alive, I guess.", I replied angrily.</div>
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She asked surprisingly, "Why are you talking like this? You used to be one of the most ambitious & positive guys I've known. Now look at you. You look a pale shadow of your ownself. What happened?"</div>
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I answered shockingly, "What happened? You of all people should know what happened?"</div>
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Khushi: "Please don't tell anything about us to Vivek, we're going to get married soon. Besides, it was all in the past. It's been more than a year, since you and I..."</div>
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"Irrespective. Love & feelings are not bounded by time frame, my dear. Sadly you'll never understand those things," I said angrily.</div>
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Khushi: "You mean you still...??"</div>
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The conversation was broken by Vivek's arrival. "So what are you guys discussing, huh?", asked in a happy & curious tone.</div>
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Silence, all around. Neither of us, said a word.</div>
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Vivek broke the silence saying, "So we'll leave now, it was nice meeting you buddy!"</div>
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We shook hands. I moved my right hand towards Khushi and said, "Happy Birthday".</div>
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Her trembling hand met mine and with a deep nervous voice, she said, "Thank you."</div>
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At that moment, I looked into her eyes and everything stopped. Seemed like, I was thrown back in time. She was struggling to maintain eye contact. Out of nowhere came out the words, "I'll miss you, Khushi. I still do..."</div>
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These words are hard to digest for any guy who loves his fiance. "Hold on", said Vivek. "You guys know each other?" he inquired in a strong voice.</div>
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Khushi, "No."</div>
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Some how I garnered the courage and said, "Yes, we do." All the trauma and sadness that I've gone through because of her, pushed me into a state of trance and I yelled out the bitter truth, "Apparently, we dated. We loved...no, correction, <b>I</b> loved her. She...ummm...she only passed her time. Your beautiful fiance at that time was only looking for a companion to pass her time till graduation. I was ready to do anything to be in the place where you are right now, but she would never marry her college sweetheart. She only wanted a boyfriend to enjoy the college years, and later on go and marry a rich NRI businessman to enjoy material pleasures of life. Money over Love. You over Me. That's her. And if you think, I'm lying, maybe you should try to search for truth in the tears that are rolling down her cheeks right now." Stunned silence. She couldn't believe that I told Vivek everything. Even Vivek couldn't believe what he was hearing.</div>
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"Vivek, I've been wrong only once in my life in recognizing a person. And from our interaction today, I can tell that you're one of the nicest guys around. So, whatever you do with your life, think about it once again. All the best."</div>
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I looked towards Khushi and said, "I request only one thing from you, whatever you do in your life never break a man's heart. You wouldn't know, but it hurts. It really does. Really badly. Take care." and I stormed out of the bar, hoping never to see her again.</div>
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I don't know if they're still together or not, but as I walked out, there was an indifference on my face and peace in my mind. The restlessness brewing inside me since 1 & half year was all gone. I was surprisingly calm.</div>
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There was guilt of probably ruining someone's life but also a contentment of paying back to someone who almost ruined mine. I still don't know if I was satisfied or filled with remorse, I don't know if I did it out of love or hatred, I don't know if what I did was correct or not...nonetheless I did it. No looking back now.</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">This post is written for Close Up "Fire-Freeze" <a href="http://www.indiblogger.in/topic.php?topic=33">Contest</a> on Indibloggers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">I suggest everyone to log on to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/closeupindia">Close Up fan page</a> on Facebook and Like it and post similar stories of yours where you had experienced two opposing emotions at the same time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Also, if you liked, what I've written and if you have lil time, you can go my contest entry on Indibloggers and vote for it there. Here's the <a href="http://www.indiblogger.in/indipost.php?post=46871">link</a>. I hope you do this as I don't like to ping (spam) friends individually with my blog link asking them to vote/comment for me. Thanks in advance.</span></div>
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Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17251337214235995581noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726033237216188470.post-32627463802370678342011-01-22T03:14:00.001+05:302011-01-22T03:25:42.650+05:30Audi A8 L 3D integrated campaign<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Audi A8 L 3D integrated campaign</b> is actually a campaign about Audi A8's latest model that is as long as the name of the campaign itself. Don't take my word for it, look at the <b>"L"</b> in the name, that signifies it's Long. <i>Long Wheelbase</i>, to be precise. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Being an auto enthusiast, I was excited about it ever since Srinivas informed me about it. Anyways, so this campaign was organized by Creativeland Asia at PVR, Juhu who takes pride in having waterless toilets.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TTn5ce1oyuI/AAAAAAAAAL4/nuzD05slqtw/s1600/180120112145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TTn5ce1oyuI/AAAAAAAAAL4/nuzD05slqtw/s400/180120112145.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The event being on the fifth floor of a multiplex, it was nothing like a traditional car launch which I earlier misunderstood it to be.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TTnCWxregII/AAAAAAAAALc/x5VAcwufF9g/s1600/AudiA8Launch-10-600x400.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TTnCWxregII/AAAAAAAAALc/x5VAcwufF9g/s400/AudiA8Launch-10-600x400.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And no, the campaign was nothing like it's shown in the above pic.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TTnCZri5wWI/AAAAAAAAALg/hps5slg-XkM/s1600/audi-comp1-600x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TTnCZri5wWI/AAAAAAAAALg/hps5slg-XkM/s400/audi-comp1-600x400.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nope, she wasn't present there either. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Between you and me, actually we don't go to public functions together. She went to the Australian launch while I went to the 3D campaign here in Mumbai, so that, neither of us miss the event, at the same time the paparazzi doesn't clicks us together. Jennifer looks gorgeous in this LBD isn't it? Ya, I know. I keep telling her the same.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Coming back to the event; so finally I reached the 5th floor where the event was taking place, not before being frisked thrice on my way to the 5th floor. Damn, people seriously don't believe that a 20 something guy can actually afford an A8. Maybe, they're right. Heck. So upon arrival, I was greeted by this guy wearing a Creativeland Asia Tee who asked me where I'm came from (he meant company/publication probably)? Apprehensively, I told him I was a blogger and pointed out my name in the list. Much to my relief, I wasn't thrown out, instead was asked to wear this particular friendship band.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TTnbXjqxdsI/AAAAAAAAALo/VmMQ0zWPcto/s1600/200120112155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TTnbXjqxdsI/AAAAAAAAALo/VmMQ0zWPcto/s400/200120112155.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">While heading toward the open bar to <strike>drink some daru</strike> interact with other bloggers, ran into a pretty girl called Malvika, (the very girl who mailed me the event's invitee) who educated me more about the event.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just then I met <a href="http://twitter.com/srinistuff">Srinivas</a> (who was carrying a camera) & <a href="http://twitter.com/sudeepshukla">Sudeep</a> (who was carrying a beer mug). After the casual hi...hello, we thought of going inside the screening hall and take seats but were stopped as liquor wasn't allowed inside. Sudeep had to finish his beer in about 27 seconds (not his personal best though). Thankfully, Srini didn't had any such problems with his camera. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As we entered, the organizers gave us 3D glasses. The entrance was lined with photographers and cameramen. *Phew* Paparazzis, I tell you.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Inside the hall, there were black boxes and grey folders (containing press release & a DVD) under which seats were placed on which we were supposed to sit.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TTneTGhLqKI/AAAAAAAAALs/RmmtQTjJFBg/s1600/200120112148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TTneTGhLqKI/AAAAAAAAALs/RmmtQTjJFBg/s400/200120112148.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Soon, Raj who happens to be some big guy in Creativeland Asia, started the proceedings with introductions and gave us all a thorough why, what, who, whom, where, withered, without, watered, whaddup & what not regarding the whole 3D campaign which inshort was the world's first 3D integrated campaign and it was about Audi A8's newest version, the Audi A8 L (2011 edition). Raj would either talk about the campaign (which he did for a time period which in mathematical terms was 2.57 eternities) or would get into Philosophical mode and talk about peace of mind, contentment, yoga, higher level of existence, chastity (okay maybe not chastity) & blah blah. Whatever happened to focusing on the product?!?! It was almost like the owner of the Opera House coming out and talking about the effort he and his crew put in, in vacuuming the carpet and the seats, instead of welcoming/felicitating the musicians. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Along came, Michael, Director of Audi India, who seemed to be a jolly good fellow & more importantly, talked about things that were less boring. Finally, someone spoke about the product. About the company. About the car. About Audi. About A8.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">At first, they showed us an advert/short clip of the new car in 2D and then later on in 3D, with the glasses on. More on that later. First, let me tell you, what that mystery black box contained. Nopes, it didn't contain a scale model of the A8, unlike my high expectations. Instead, it had this... </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">*tadaaaaa*</span></i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TTnozXx77wI/AAAAAAAAALw/i8OoM3Y5OhM/s1600/200120112149.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TTnozXx77wI/AAAAAAAAALw/i8OoM3Y5OhM/s400/200120112149.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's a pair of 3D glasses for home viewing their website. :-S</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Funny thing, this one is. It actually has two different colored glasses (blue & red). It looks more like the glasses used to track Mr. India's invisbility. The box also contained a 3D picture booklet of A8 which looks like its misprinted given its 3D appearance. Well, it's supposed to look that way if you see it without wearing those 3D glasses.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Coming back to the short clip, I'd say it's one of the coolest adverts ever. And no, I'm not paid to say this. Well, not yet atleast (someone listening?).</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">From what I understand, the advert is actually about this guy... </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TTm_-Ltat2I/AAAAAAAAAK8/N0kPBo0azg8/s1600/3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TTm_-Ltat2I/AAAAAAAAAK8/N0kPBo0azg8/s400/3.png" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">...who has Rajnikanthesque superhuman power; who, if bothered can inhale from the bottom of his stomach in such a powerful way that it throws him backwards...</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TTnARN1uZaI/AAAAAAAAALA/L8JQ8RpZzJc/s1600/4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TTnARN1uZaI/AAAAAAAAALA/L8JQ8RpZzJc/s400/4.png" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Not only that, but his inhaling is so powerful that all the components of the car are drawn towards him...</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TTnAmUTvBOI/AAAAAAAAALE/Vh8jKxaqH9c/s1600/5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TTnAmUTvBOI/AAAAAAAAALE/Vh8jKxaqH9c/s400/5.png" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Seats, headrest, suspension, c pillars, arm rests, wing mirrors...</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TTnBLgug79I/AAAAAAAAALI/vt59JVPX4ig/s1600/6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TTnBLgug79I/AAAAAAAAALI/vt59JVPX4ig/s400/6.png" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">steering wheel, satnav, clock, volume & AC controlling knobs, jumbojet-takeoff-shifter-lookalike gear lever...</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TTnCSdA30mI/AAAAAAAAALU/g9VyycnTUFI/s1600/9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TTnCSdA30mI/AAAAAAAAALU/g9VyycnTUFI/s400/9.png" width="400" /></a></span></div></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> headlights, windshield, bonnet, wheels & all the remaining bits and pieces come together and make this beautiful car.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TTnBqax5dsI/AAAAAAAAALM/sQdza4oOOAk/s1600/7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TTnBqax5dsI/AAAAAAAAALM/sQdza4oOOAk/s400/7.png" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Not to forget, this was all done by a single breath...infact half a breath. Do, notice how the car levitates in air for a while.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TTn0XKZu2JI/AAAAAAAAAL0/_ZpGREnTSg4/s1600/10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TTn0XKZu2JI/AAAAAAAAAL0/_ZpGREnTSg4/s400/10.png" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And the car drops to the floor, only once he's done breathing in & is about to exhale. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">WHAT. A. CAR! </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">& more importantly</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">WHAT. A. MAN!</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hence, I wonder, why they made the whole thing around the car when it was this gentleman who was responsible for it all? Confusing souls these creative people are.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Click <a href="http://www.audi-a8.in/">here</a> to see the clip. Or <a href="http://www.audi-a8.in/index.html">here</a> if you hate intros.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">After the clip, there was a small question-answer session with Michael to whom, yours truly asked a couple of questions about Audi starting their single make races in India too, to which he replied that, they're looking at racing aspect in India but would take a more concrete decision once F1 track is laid down later in the year.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Post presentation was the drinks session, where I waited the entire length 2 wine glasses for Richard to get done with the interviews, so the petrol head in me can go up and talk to him one on one and ask a few more questions but sadly by the time I reached 3rd starter, he had left. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nonetheless, it was an interesting experience! Now, just waiting for the invitation for the official launch of the car where the car is present in physical sense and I'm not made to wear some funny glasses to get the feel of it.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TTnBt7-yHMI/AAAAAAAAALQ/S4GSAmmVM9I/s1600/8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TTnBt7-yHMI/AAAAAAAAALQ/S4GSAmmVM9I/s320/8.png" width="320" /></a></div></div>Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17251337214235995581noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726033237216188470.post-37594910612276316412011-01-18T19:07:00.001+05:302011-01-18T19:14:04.683+05:30Ahmedabad Traffic (non)Sense<div style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">So last week, I was in Ahmedabad. Went there after almost 15months. IMO Ahmedabad has the highest potential difference between the best roads and worst drivers. I'd stick my neck out and say, the roads over there are even better than what we have here in Mumbai but the people over there have driving sense (or should I say 'driving nonsense') of Mr. Neanderthal.</span></span></span></div><div style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-align: left;">I hate to admit it but most Mumbai autorickshaw drivers are angels compared to 97.37% Ahmedabadis possessing a driving license. Ahmedabad has great infrastructure, no doubts about it. But, after laying awesome tarmac, the local<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">authorities over there undid all of it by constructing huge circles instead of traffic signals at most of vehicle-overflowing crossroads. You know, you use circles instead of traffic signals only at places where people have basic understanding of how turn signal & rear view/door mirror works. Also, it seems that the guy in charge of switching on the traffic lights is on a sabbatical & hence you feel you're in the middle of some 'Die Hard 4' movie. Also at places where the traffic lights ARE working, the traffic police exercises their VETO power. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="color: black; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-align: left;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">Speaking of traffic police, I believe they're the unfearfullest traffic cops I've ever seen. I mean, here in Mumbai whenever you see a traffic cop, you go through a mental check list of things you should have - license, helmet/seat belts, Insurance, PUC... and if even one box is unchecked you keep a low profile and drive/ride to the extreme right hiding behind a lorry/truck & try to get away. It's not the same in Ahmedabad. They're not bothered if you're wearing helmet or not or you jump a red light when the traffic from the other end is slim. In Jeremy's words, Ahmedabad's like Greece; the authorities have given roads saying, "Look here's the road, you drive. If you get mangled, don't come crying to us". If you ask me, that's how it's supposed to be. Give us great infrastructure, leave it to us, how we wanna use it w/o the guys in uniform stopping us every 27 meters. :P<br />
All in all, I'd say, Kudos to infrastructure in Ahmedabad but 4 thumbs down for the drivers. Combine Ahmedabad roads with Mumbai traffic sense and you have an Epicwin, other way around is Apocalypse.</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande',tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"></span></span></div>Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17251337214235995581noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726033237216188470.post-15882448095814692792010-12-26T02:07:00.007+05:302010-12-28T00:49:50.977+05:30Ignite Mumbai 2<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Firstly, this post is a bit late. Generally, people start writing a blog post about any event/meetup/concert within 83 seconds after visiting it. I've exceeded those 83 seconds a lil bit....by 7...errr...days. Heck, who cares, no one's gonna read it anyways. In any case, you're reading this, I do feel sorry for you.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Anyways, so this was the second edition of Ignite Mumbai which I attended for the first time. Incase, you dunno what Ignite Mumbai, you can check out their <a href="http://www.ignitemumbai.com/">website</a>. Or continue reading. Or do both.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;">So, the second edition of <a href="http://twitter.com/ignitemumbai">Ignite Mumbai</a> was held this place which aptly describes the state of mind of everyone who doesn't know what Ignite is - <a href="http://mumbai.burrp.com/listing/wtf_versova_mumbai_bars-pubs/1875857722">WTF.</a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TRYtzT2eDCI/AAAAAAAAAKs/yPZWYxutrBI/s1600/ignite-wtf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TRYtzT2eDCI/AAAAAAAAAKs/yPZWYxutrBI/s320/ignite-wtf.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: right;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>*Don't kill me for copying this pic from Ignite Mumbai's <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=35069&id=106802602674650">facebook page</a>.</i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;">And according to the some of the <a href="http://ignitemumbai2.eventbrite.com/">attendees</a>, the place should be modestly called BC-WTF-MC, due to it's strategic location which many of them found a little less than simple to reach. Like one Mr. <a href="http://twitter.com/_vishalg">Vishal</a>, who kept on collecting murderous stares whenever he told the fullform of WTF to everyone whom he asked the <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=J.P.%20Road,%207%20Bungalows,,+Mumbai,+Maharashtra+400061+India&hl=en">location</a> who asked him in return, "What does WTF stand for? We might be able to help you." </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Nonetheless, its DoubleU Tee Eff for now.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Ignite as you might expect was a concept first started in some American <a href="http://www.seattle.com/">city</a>, famed for mistakenly welding a <a href="http://www.spaceneedle.com/">space ship on top of a pole</a>. At Ignite, you can talk about anything you like, but should be accompanied by a low quality presentation consisting of 20 slides each of which will shift their ass in 15 seconds. Ignite people like to smartly describe it as "T20 of presentations and geeky fun", while I'd lamely describe it as "Ppts on weed."</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;">While, Vishal was making his way through the death wishes and chanting the venue name like some urban slur, I managed to find few tweeps ( <a href="http://twitter.com/rushikeshgk">Rushikesh</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/si0007">Sampath </a>& <a href="http://twitter.com/indiareckoner">Navin</a>) to strike a conversation with, not before sitting like a dodo for few minutes.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;">After a while saw a pretty girl waving at me from a distance. I looked away thinking she's waving to someone behind me, apparently it was <a href="http://twitter.com/actionink">Snigdha</a> whom I didn't recognize from the distance who was infact hi-ing to me. Sorry Snigdha, my bad. This is exactly what happens, when you're not habituated to beautiful girls coming upto you and saying hi.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Also, happened to meet <a href="http://twitter.com/ritikadarira">Ritika</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/mohitnanda">Mohit</a> & <a href="http://twitter.com/harmanjit">Harmanjit</a> over there. But the most interesting person has to be, <a href="http://twitter.com/aviraj">Aviraj</a>'s grandfather. As our table was right in front of the screen, he came to us and politely asked, like a thorough gentleman, if he can join us. I had the pleasure of exchanging few words with him before the whole thing started. The 82 year old (if I'm not wrong) gentleman firstly asked us, if we (young people) would be comfortable sitting with an old man? It was our pleasure to have him there amongst us. The ex-journalist told us that he likes being around youngsters and loves to find out new things (like Ignite) that we come up with. That was a learned, experienced and a highly respected man telling us that he has great confidence in us - the today's generation and according to him, we'd do wonders in coming years. Thank you sir, we'll do our best to live upto your expectations. Love your attitude and your thoughts, salute!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Just then, the faulty mic got warmed up and the speakers started presenting their work in something that can be best described as techno. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;">There were about 8 <a href="http://www.ignitemumbai.com/2010/12/speakers-and-topics-for-ignite-mumbai-2/">speakers</a>, or 9. Don't remember 'em all though. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Here are some excerpts from the pep talk.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Life is About Getting to the Hill-Station</i> – <b>Arjun Nair</b> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://twitter.com/NairtheLiar">Arjun</a> started the thing with a snapshot of a long winding road comparing destiny/goal as the hill station and life as the journey. According to my calculations, he used about 3.2 quintal metaphors. I think Yoda takes his inspiration from Arjun's slides.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>God is Back. And How!</i> – <b>Rohan Babu</b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://twitter.com/rohanbabu">Rohan</a> spoke something about God and inspiration and faith and God and something. In words of <a href="http://twitter.com/ChamatkariBaba">Chamatkari Baba</a> all he heard was "blah, blah, something, Fuck you god, something, blah..."</span>. </b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Well, one of the characters in Rohan's ppt did say "Fuck you god" only to have his faith restored later on or something like that. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;">According to a <a href="http://twitter.com/beeayeanoowhy/statuses/16122123965693952">tweet</a> by someone who's more knowledgeable than most of us, "Rohan Babu is more than fluent,he's a tongue on steroids.Too fast 4 listeners to ponder over his xtraaaa philosophical points.." </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Nonetheless, good talk for those who're more spiritually inclined.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><i></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>There Once Was a Man</i> – <b>Ashtiaq Dalton</b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">All I can say about Ashtiaq is that his presentation was a collection of horny 4 liners. </span></b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">P.S. Mr. Dalton, if you're reading this, do post your quartet or whatever its technically called in the comments section or direct us to the blog/scribd page where you've published it (in case).</span></b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Pimp my Rickshaw Ride!</i> – <b>Achint Parekh</b></span><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://twitter.com/achint"><b style="font-weight: normal;">Achint</b></a> was greeted with loud cheers from many ladies as he grabbed the mike. I'd like to believe they all were his rakhi sisters if not cousins. This guy turned out to the <a href="http://www.dcdesign.co.in/">Dilip Chhabaria</a> of rickshaw union. He showed ways in which a boring rickshaw can be made more fun (incase, you still haven't figured that out from the title).</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Design Fascinates Me</i> – <b>Ayush Saran</b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://twitter.com/ayushsaran">Ayush</a> seemed to be a guy who's more artistically blessed than I am. He spoke about designs - good, bad, ugly and some really interesting ones. One of the points he made was that one should be creative enough to design your original designs (there wasn't any other way I could put it) and not to copy it from others; else you'll end up being an adivasi tribe on some island in Pacific.</span></b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Surviving <b style="font-weight: normal;">the</b> Shopping Trip</i> – <b>Rohan Joseph</b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I think we all should laud <a href="http://twitter.com/rohjose">Rohan</a> for taking up this sensitive topic, something that's almost a taboo to be spoken about out in open. It was really bold of him to discuss how to deal with a shopping trip with girlfriemd, without caring about the fact that he shunned any and all chance of getting laid again without paying for it. Bravo!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Whatever!</i> – <b>Sudeshna Das</b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Memory lapse on my part is what best describes this one. Don't think, it was forgettable one but I'm somehow having a hard time recalling this one. Maybe I was busying tweeting or maybe it was just that - whatever. Still, I'm sure Sudeshna did a great job in it.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Making Pasta Like a PRO</i> – <b>Shaheen Peerbhai</b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Everyone who hogged like ummm hoggers after the meet can actually blame <a href="http://twitter.com/PurpleFoodie">Shaheen</a> and those delicious pasta pics in her presentation. Some dumb heads failed to understand that her presentation was never meant to color an autorickshaw OR teach you how not to stare at lingerie section while shopping with your girl OR how to write horny poems. It was about food. And the reason many found this one lil' less interesting is because the previous presentations had set a LMAOing tone. Had this one been the first presentation, it would've fetched a much better response which it rightly deserved. You go girl!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Being Bawi</i> – <b>Mahafreed Irani</b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://twitter.com/mahafreed">Mahafreed</a> was truly the icing on the cake. She went to some length to describe how Parsi community may very well become the Dinosaur of 21st century. They're actually an endangered species and everything is being done to increase the population of their race. The sad part is, everything is being done by the oldies which is kinda pointless (pun intended). </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Funnily, every Parsi I can name, is either an oldie (Ratan Tata) or a hot VJ (Ramona, Nauheed, Shehnaz) getting married outside their race. I didn't name Cyrus considering he's now adopted by a family of goats.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;">All in all, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/IgniteMumbai">Ignite Mumbai</a> was fun but at the end of the meet you ask to yourself... "hmm..now what?" As in, what's the purpose of this? Is this just to get rid of your stage fear, to be able to make better presentations, to give someone a chance to write horny poems, to bid goodbye before extinction, for some social cause, to make better pastas, to encourage us to use google maps to find a difficult location OR just for fun?? Just for fun, is something that according to me, somehow doesn't add up in the equation.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Only time will tell, how things take shape from here. Till then, have fun!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ignitemumbai.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/ignitemumbai-site-logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ignitemumbai.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/ignitemumbai-site-logo.png" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</div>Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17251337214235995581noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726033237216188470.post-21079520187126616482010-11-25T03:49:00.005+05:302010-11-25T04:14:11.287+05:30What if women ruled the earth? - Part 1<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Q. What if women ruled the earth?</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A. Blackberry Boys would be replaced by Strawberry Girls.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Even the famous Blackberry Boys jingle would be rewritten.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>In a world run by men....</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We wear cool suits</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We wear shiny Shoes</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We’re the Blackberry Boys</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Oh yeah</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We’re the Blackberry Boys</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We’re special, we’re clever</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We’re very very clever</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We’re the Blackberry Boys</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Oh yeah</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We’re the Blackberry Boys</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We do chat</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and we do mail</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We do surf</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We do all on the move</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Oooo, ooo, ooo, hoooo</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cos We’re the Blackberry Boys</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Oh yeah</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We’re the Blackberry Boys</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Na na na</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We’re the Blackberry Boys</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Oh yeah</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We’re the Blackberry Boys</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> <i> </i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>In a world run by women... </i><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div></div><div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We wear cool clothes</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We wear shiny gloss<br />
We’re the Strawberry Girls<br />
Oh yeah<br />
We’re the Strawberry Girls<br />
We’re hot, we’re sexy<br />
We’re very very lazy<br />
We’re the Strawberry Girls<br />
Oh yeah<br />
We’re the Strawberry Girls<br />
We do gossip<br />
and we do bitching<br />
We do makeup<br />
We do all on the move<br />
Oooo, ooo, ooo, hoooo<br />
Cos We’re the Strawberry Girls<br />
Oh yeah<br />
We’re the Strawberry Girls<br />
Na na na<br />
We’re the Strawberry Girls<br />
Oh yeah<br />
We’re the Strawberry Girls</div><br />
<div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here's the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPZH4OysGZI">video</a>. Guys, I dare you to sing it with new lyrics.</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If any guy actually manages to sing the new lyrics perfectly in sync with the video...go get yourself a butterfly tattoo on your belly next to that pierced belly button. NOW.</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">*Disclaimer: Girls you know I still love you all, right? This post was probably posted when my account was hacked or maybe when I was stoned. Either ways, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ4axo9rmJY">it wasn't me</a>. ;)</div>Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17251337214235995581noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726033237216188470.post-49390540378390785432010-11-22T17:30:00.007+05:302010-11-22T18:37:01.866+05:30Theory of Karma<a href="http://wikipedia.org/"> <img src="http://i2.squidoocdn.com/resize/squidoo_images/250/draft_lens2935882_1235747132oxford_dictionary.jpg" style="float: left; margin-right: 40px;" /></a>According to Oxford English Dictionary<br />
<br />
KARMA<br />
<br />
noun (in Hinduism and Buddhism) the sum of a person's actions in this and previous states of existence, viewed as affecting their future fate.<br />
<br />
- DERIVATIVES karmic adjective.<br />
<br />
- ORIGIN Sanskrit, "action, effect, fate".<br />
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<a href="http://wikipedia.org/"> <img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/meta/2/2a/Nohat-logo-nowords-bgwhite-200px.jpg" style="float: right; margin-left: 40px;" /></a><br />
According to Wikipedia<br />
Karma (Sanskrit: Karma, - "act, action, performance") is the concept of "action" or "deed" in Indian religions understood as that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect (i.e., the cycle called sa%u1E43sara) originating in ancient India and treated in Hindu, Jain, Sikh and Buddhist philosophies.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Different theories of Karma</b></span></u><br />
<u><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></u></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>THEORY 1 :</b> This is the most wide spread theory rooted inside everyone's psyche, that your actions and your deeds determine what you get in return. As quoted in a popular English saying</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>AS YOU SOW,<br />
SO YOU REAP!</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>THEORY 2 :</b> I would like to call this one as, "THE CARRY FORWARD THEORY".</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The way you've lead your past life based on that the blessings/luck/favor are determined for this life.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>THEORY 3 :</b> The good & bad deeds that you've performed in this life gets you into either heaven or hell after your death.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i3.squidoocdn.com/resize/squidoo_images/250/draft_lens2935882module18055312photo_1235746904Ying_Yang_XP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i3.squidoocdn.com/resize/squidoo_images/250/draft_lens2935882module18055312photo_1235746904Ying_Yang_XP.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u></u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>THEORY 1</u></b></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND!!!</i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">From our childhood we have learnt that whatever we do to others, good or bad, we receive the same treatment in return. We always receive the <i>fruits</i> of our labour in this life only. If we hurt or betray someone, we receive the same treatment in return. If we help an old lady by carrying her groceries, we would surely be rewarded at some point time for that good deed. Sure, its always nice to be ummm...nice.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>But...<br />
Do you seriously think that is true?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yes???</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Okay, lets have a closer look.</div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><u><b><i>Contradiction 1.1</i></b></u> : So, have you every used the words, "hard luck", "oh, that was really unlucky" or "luckily, he got the job" ???<br />
So, then, if <i>LUCK</i> too plays an important role in getting you a job or making you miss the train by a few seconds because of bad traffic on the way to the station; then how come karma which is supposed to be the "core of life" let luck interfere in its personal matters.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li><u><b><i>Contradiction 1.2</i></b></u> : Now, lets switch our attention to something else, something which every damn human being wants to achieve after he's done and dusted i.e. the heaven (or hell in certain cases).<br />
Every religion, may it be Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism or any other religion, all have one thing in common, actually its two...heaven and hell.<br />
<br />
I don't understand that if we get the fruits of our deeds (good or bad) here only, on the earth itself than on what basis will we be going to heaven/hell after our death? No government (except for the Taliban) or court of law gives two punishments for the same crime. This is in direct contradiction to theory no. 3.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li><u><b><i>Contradiction 1.3</i></b></u> : But, what about theory no. 2? Well, well, well... there can't be a greater contradiction between two theories (except for the theory of gravity and earth sucks theory) than the one found between theories 1 & 2. Now, if you carry forward your sins/deeds from your past life and based on that you get the ripe or rotten fruits in this one, then how come the karma or should I say <i>'instant karma'</i> (the one pertaining to this life exclusively) actually exist?</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>THEORY 2</u></b></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>CARRY FORWARD THEORY</i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">According to this theory, the sins I did in the past life will screw up this life and the good deed of the previous life would make me be that envy-of-all / born-with-silver-spoon / million-dollar-baby from the day I was born.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well, that explains some being born with blue blood while the rest of us trying to make those extra few dollars here & there by bloging and adding Google ads on the right hand column.</div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><u><b><i>Contradiction 2.1</i></b></u> : But, if this is true than what about the widely accepted "Instant Karma" Theory? If this theory is true than how would you explain some one born in poverty and living the same way for the rest of his life inspite of being completely honest while some one else lives a very luxurious & extravagant life even if he's a drug mafia, hit man or a terrorist?<br />
But, this is in direct contradiction with theory 1 and infers contradiction 1.3, that there is something apart from karma that determines whether you are born as a slum dog or a jet setter.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li><u><b><i>Contradiction 2.2</i></b></u> : If theory 2 is accepted then it directly eliminates any remote possibility of the existence of heaven & hell i.e. theory 3. A person won't be serving his time in heaven or hell simply because he will be doing it in his next life. In other words, as soon as a person dies, a complex calculation is done about the deeds he acted upon in his life and based on that, after a while at the very next possibility he is born in a form and life closest to his resulting average character, back on the face of the earth (i.e. if you don't consider the aliens) or maybe somewhere in the universe (i.e. if you do consider them).</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>THEORY 3</u></b></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>THE JUDGMENT DAY THEORY</i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As far as I know all the religions in the world believe that there are 3 worlds, namely; the earth, the heaven and the hell. Now, in order to determine whether you'll be going to serve your sentence in heaven or hell, this is what is done. Once you're dead, a simple arithmetic is done, between your good and bad deeds.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Say, you've done 40% sins and 60% virtues in your lifetime; you will be having 60-40 = 20% virtues to your name. Now, multiply the average virtues to those 20%. Say, your average virtues were 10 vpd (virtues per day), for a period of 50 years, then your time in heaven would be 20 * 10 * 365 = 73,000 heaven units*.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lets say, if it's the other way around. 40% virtues and 60% sins with an average of 5 spd (sins per day), for 50 years, you'd be serving in hell a total of 20 * 5 * 365 = 36,500 hell units*.</div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li><u><b><i>Contradiction 3.1</i></b></u> : If theory 3 holds true then there is no point bothering about the instant karma. Whatever it is, good or bad; we would be receiving it after our death in heaven or hell. That completely falsifies theory 1.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li><u><b><i>Contradiction 3.2</i></b></u> : If theory 3 is true then why would we get hurt or why would something bad happen to us? Anyways, our soul would be getting the punishments for any wrong doing upstairs then why should we suffer in the human form too? One might argue that as the sins of the other person, but in anyway, that is inflicted upon us which cannot be completely justified by theory 3.<br />
<br />
</li>
<li><u><b><i>Contradiction 3.3</i></b></u> : Also, if the past life's deeds have any say in the current one then we can completely abolish the existence of and serving in heaven and hell, inferring contradiction 2.2<br />
</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><i> </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>* hell units/heaven units can be anything like seconds, minutes, hours, days, months or years; depending upon the guidelines laid by the hell or heaven master respectively.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><h2 class="module_title" id="module_id18564092_title" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Deeds - Subjective or Objective?</u></span></h2><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">You see there are 2 types way of judging any competition or sport or else anything else, that can get you some kind of reward.</div><ol style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">
<li>Objective<br />
</li>
<li>Subjective</li>
</b></ol><div style="text-align: justify;">Objective is something that can be counted. A reward is based on a clear cut set guidelines which earn points on achieving certain objective. Say, a Formula 1 race, it has objective results. The first person to finish the race is the winner, even for that matter he has the worst looking car....it doesn't insignificant. This rule is standard all over the world. Thus, we all love objective type of ruling and judgments, simply because of its fairness.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On the other hand, subjective judgment, varies from person to person. A beauty pageant can be called as subjective. Different judges would be having a different winner in his/her mind. The collective points of these judges would give an average lead to one of the competitors and thus crowned the winner. But, such subjective judgments are often criticized for being biased or unfair at times in view of someone or the other.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I could've easily omitted the above 2 paragraphs and would've saved you from the misery of reading it, but I still went ahead and wrote it, just to make you feel a bit disinterested only to bring your interest back in the next paragraphs and surprise you!!! :)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Or maybe not... :-S</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyways, so since we are thorough with the concept of <strike>beauty pageants</strike> subjective and objective judgment lets move forward and find out whether deeds are subjective or objective.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="color: dodgerblue; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1em;">Well, logic says that the deeds need to be objective in order to derive a proper and unbiased result for subjective out comes!!! </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But here, the logic would be <b>DEFIED...</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yes, its true, deeds ARE subjective. Let us take a minute and switch our attention to something else...<b>SOUL</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is said that....</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A body can die, soul can't.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The soul is not big or small...from the smallest insect to a microbe to a human being, they're all equal.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well well well, what do we have here....<b>ALL SOULS ARE EQUAL</b> ?!?!?!?!</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Let's grill this statement further and look for more evidences....shall we? :)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Okay, so all the souls are equal. Whether its a human being, a platypus or a tadpole...all have equal souls. So, that directly translates as....killing a mosquito is the same as murdering someone on the streets. Only difference here would be, that the mosquito would be flying and the person walking. If souls are equal, then why do people consider killing a person a lot more sinful than killing a mosquito? Shan't we understand that its just the body that is different in size, but the soul's not. It remains the same and will always be, may it be for a blue whale or a bacteria.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Could that mean, that getting rid of an ant's nest in your backyard is equivalent to a massacre of a hundred thousand people? Or is there something more to it?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i></i><br />
<i>Of course, there is.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">How can we forget that deeds <b><i>ARE</i></b> subjective and so killing a living organism (read a soul) is different for different living beings based on their size. From our childhood we have been taught that all souls are equal at the same time it was engraved into our minds that killing an ant is not a big deal but killing the neighbor's dog..surely is.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, is it possible that killing an ant would earn you 2 sin points (that would be later converted to sins in percentage on the judgment day as explained in theory 3) while killing a human would earn something like 2500 sin points and a blue whale maybe 43,000 sin points?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, I think it would be be safe to say that even though we've been taught that the soul doesn't have shape, size or structure and that all the souls are equal, still they are discriminated based on the shape, size and structure of the body they acquire in visible form.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Also, a conclusion could be drawn that, doesn't matter how objective and justified the structure or calculating deeds may look like, it still is very much subjective and unjustified.</div><br />
<div style="background-color: powderblue; border: 2px dotted rgb(0, 191, 255); padding: 5px; text-align: justify;">Doesn't matter how conscious we are of our rights, we are still pretty much unconscious of the very thing that we should be conscious of i.e. our after life conclusion architecture.<br />
We might calculate and fight for those redeemable brownie points that we earn after the Christmas shopping or we might keep a track of the no. of credit miles we have left on our petro card, but ironically, we are completely illiterate about the calculations of the no. of miles that we would be covering on the most important journey of our soul i.e. our after life journey.</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>GHOSTS/SPIRITS</b></span></div><br />
<div style="background-color: grey; corner: round; font-family: Century Gothic; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px; padding: 10px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><b><i><b style="text-align: center;">"Let me tell you a story to chill the bones</b></i></b></b><br />
<b><b><i><b style="text-align: center;"> About a thing that I saw</b></i></b></b><br />
<b><b><i><b style="text-align: center;"> One night wandering in the everglades</b></i></b></b><br />
<b><b><i><b style="text-align: center;"> I'd one drink but no more</b></i></b></b><br />
<b><b><i><b style="text-align: center;"> </b></i></b></b><br />
<b><b><i><b style="text-align: center;"> I was rambling, enjoying the bright moonlight</b></i></b></b><br />
<b><b><i><b style="text-align: center;"> Gazing up at the stars</b></i></b></b><br />
<b><b><i><b style="text-align: center;"> Not aware of a presence so near to me</b></i></b></b><br />
<b><b><i><b style="text-align: center;"> Watching my every move..."</b></i></b></b></div><b><b><i><b style="text-align: center;"> <br />
</b></i></b></b></div><b><b><b style="float: right;">- Dance Of Death</b><br />
<b style="float: right;">Iron Maiden </b><br />
</b></b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The above excerpt are not just lyrics but something that took place last night. After writing the first few paragraphs till "Deeds - Subjective or Objective", I went out next day and then what took place is depicted in the above lines. I met a ghost who...<br />
Before telling you the events of last night let me that this opportunity and tell you that, ghosts these days have become really smart and technologically advanced. They actually surf net and read stuffs written around and in some cases comments to. Well, I know that because, that's exactly what that ghost told me. He said that, he was online other day and read this blog and had a few questions for me. Here's how our conversation went...<b><b><b style="color: gold;"> </b></b></b><br />
<b><b><b style="color: gold;">GHOST : "Hey there..." </b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: coral;">AUTHOR : "Hi. Who are you? And why are you translucent?"</b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: gold;">GHOST : "I am Mr. G." </b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: coral;">AUTHOR : "Mr. G? What's that supposed to mean? G-spot...(laughs)"</b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: gold;">GHOST : "(laughs) I always knew you're funny, could make that out from you blog. Actually it's G for ghost. People often freak out when I say that I'm ghost, therefore, I introduce myself as Mr. G." </b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: coral;">AUTHOR : "(freaks out) Youuuuu....w...w...w...what?"</b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: gold;">MR G. : "(smug) See!!! Just like that." </b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: coral;">AUTHOR : "(still freaked) Ghost...And when did you read my blog?"</b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: gold;">MR G. : "Late last night. But, I have some questions." </b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: coral;">AUTHOR : "(scared and confused) What question? And do you guys read that stuff? Don't you just h(a)unt at nights"</b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: gold;">MR G. : "Nopes. Not anymore." </b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: coral;">AUTHOR : "Why not?"</b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: gold;">MR G. : "Recession, you see (smiles)" </b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: coral;">AUTHOR : "Recession? How come it affect you guys? (saying to himself) I must be really high right now. A ghost hit by recession? :phew: It can't be possible...no ways!!!"</b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: gold;">MR G. : "(laughs)No, you're not high and you're not imagining either. and please don't say 'ghost', it hurts. Call me Mr. G. You see, during recession, people don't go out for late night drives, so we don't get our daily dose of people haunt. And also there are many unemployed people (read investment bankers), committing suicides so the competition is also increasing." </b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: coral;">AUTHOR : "Man, that's terrible. So what you guys do now?"</b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: gold;">MR G. : "Didn't I just tell you. We get online, chat, surf, read blogs and stuff. And that's when I came across yours...and..." </b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: coral;">AUTHOR : "(scared)And? And what....?"</b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: gold;">MR G. : "And wanted to ask you...what about us?" </b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: coral;">AUTHOR : "(confused)What about you?"</b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: gold;">MR G. : "Well, you've mentioned people, animals, heaven, earth, in short, just about everything but us. If you consider either theory 2 & 3 then we, would never get the fruits of our labor that we did in the past life." </b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: coral;">AUTHOR : "Oops...!!!"</b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: gold;">MR G. : "(angry)Oops??? Is that all, you're gonna say?" </b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: coral;">AUTHOR : "(shaken)Well. I dunno what to say or do."</b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: gold;">MR G. : "Give us a fair trail, that's what you can do." </b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: coral;">AUTHOR : "How? There's nothing in my hand. I presented the 3 theories of karma just to show their contradictions. I don't make the rules."</b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: gold;">MR G. : "If we don't make the transition from one life to the other then how are going to get the fruits of our labor? We are neither going to the next life nor we are getting to do our gig at the heaven/hell, then how are we supposed to get what we deserve" </b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: coral;">AUTHOR : "Well. I think in that case you'll have to ask the God, maybe."</b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: gold;">MR G. : "Well, if he was ready to negotiate with us in the first place, then we wouldn't be lying here in this state in the middle of nowhere." </b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: coral;">AUTHOR : "Hmmm...that's true!"</b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: gold;">MR G. : "(with a sad face)Of course, it is." </b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: coral;">AUTHOR : "Don't be sad, dude. There must be a way out."</b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: gold;">MR G. : "No, there isn't (and start crying)" </b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: coral;">AUTHOR : "Hey, please don't cry."</b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: gold;">MR G. : "(tears)It's been so long can't even remember must be 40-50 years" </b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: coral;">AUTHOR : "I can understand"</b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: gold;">MR G. : "No, you can't you're not haunted. You're sober!!!" </b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: coral;">AUTHOR : "(thinks for sometime) Ya maybe. Can I do something to make you feel better except for bending over?"</b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: gold;">MR G. : "Ya, just write about me on your lens. And dude, please not you...I am straight (frowns)" </b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: coral;">AUTHOR : "(sighs) Me too!!! And now for heaven's sake or rather graveyard's sake, just stop being so emotional. Be a man damn it or for that matter a ghost or whatever it is that you are!!!"</b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: gold;">MR G. : "All right, I'm good now. Thanks. So long pal" </b></b></b><br />
<b><b> <b style="color: coral;">AUTHOR : "Adios!!!"</b></b></b><br />
<br />
<b><b> </b></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><b> </b></b></div><div style="background-color: dimgrey; font-size: large; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1em; padding: 5px; text-align: justify;"><b><b>I am sure that Mr. G must be reading this from his Apple iDeath laptop while listening to some death rock on his Apple iGrave player and smiling right now. But on a serious note, what about those souls, who've parted from this world but never made it to the other one upstairs or made the u-turn back here???</b></b><br />
<b><b><br />
</b></b><br />
<b><b><b style="color: black;">Don't they deserve a fair trial too?</b></b></b></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Finally, I think it would be safe to say that we don't really know how Karma works if at all it exists in the first place, but all we can do is follow our heart and be a better human being without thinking about how full/empty is the barrel that holds our good/bad deeds.</b><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">P.S. : If you feel that you've already this one, then you very well possibly have. This is the first blog post I ever wrote. I thought of putting it here as many people know this site so thought of sharing with everyone over where. You can still find the original post over <a href="http://www.squidoo.com/lensmaster/new_workshop/theoryofkarma">here</a>.</span></div>Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17251337214235995581noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726033237216188470.post-78373752840685158542010-11-03T00:41:00.007+05:302010-11-03T00:54:32.364+05:303G Life<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">There's too much buzz going around these days about 3G mobile technology coming to Indian shores and all. But, I still can't seem to forget how humbly it all started. No, I'm not talking about Mr. Bell, I'm talking about how the mobile phones were once projected as something only a person capable of buying a Mercedes could afford it. I still remember that day when my father was riding me to school and on the way, I saw a man talking on a mobile phone for the first time and thought "Wow...that guy must be really loaded. The day I could afford a mobile phone, I'd consider myself to be rich." Those were the days when an outgoing would cost you as much as Rs. 16 per minute & Rs. 14 per minute for incoming.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Not sure, if everyone has vivid memories of how & when they saw mobile phone for the first time but I'm sure everyone still remembers having child like excitement on beating someone else's top score in a humble game of Snake.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">We all have come a long way since then...but now, what next?</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The answer is...</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">3G Life.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>So, what is this 3G?</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Unless you're above the age of 43 or living under a rock, you'd already be knowing what 3G actually is. In either case, I don't need to tell you about 3G; as at that age there's no way, you'd not know what 3G actually means and still manage to find a link to his blog (unless you happen to glance over your son's shoulder when he's reading this blog) nor it's possible to get an ISP to provide net connection under that rock your living currently, Heck, I'll still explain it anyways. So, it's basically 3rd Generation Mobile which will provide you a host of features which you can't even think of, or maybe you can. And no, it doesn't mean Gorilla Gangs of Guatemala. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Video Calling</b><br />
<br />
<b></b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Video Calling is something homo sapiens have fantasized ever since they made the first cave painting. <a href="http://www.tatadocomo.com/life-on-3g.aspx">Tata Docomo</a> has finally made that dream come true for Mr. Neanderthal with 3G.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Apart from Mr. Neanderthal asking his wife, which tree she'd like him to climb, there a bunch of other random things that you and me can do via Video Calling.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TM-G46Yal6I/AAAAAAAAAJw/jYoCjF-p_aU/s1600/td4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TM-G46Yal6I/AAAAAAAAAJw/jYoCjF-p_aU/s320/td4.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">So, its proven 3G spreads love, salvages relationships & reduces the number of break ups. In other words,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">3G is a Cupid's insurance policy.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">For those of you, who don't have a boyfriend/girlfriend...you can use 3G more wisely like this fellow here.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TM-LA4VcHQI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/LD8Y7W5Af48/s1600/td1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TM-LA4VcHQI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/LD8Y7W5Af48/s320/td1.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Mobile TV</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Have you ever felt that you have a one too less television sets in your house?</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Have you ever been dragged to a boring weeding of your mother's cousin's younger brother's father-in-law's neighbor's nephew's tailor's son?</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Do you often find yourself fighting with your mother, sister, wife and/or maid (if you're a female, read father, brother, husband and/or milkman) for controlling the remote control?</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">If you answer YES to one, two, three or all of the above questions then look no further; 3G is all you require.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Don't believe what I'm saying, listen to what this guy over here has to say...</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TM-S4ExXNWI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/AGVKmslhLV8/s1600/td9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TM-S4ExXNWI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/AGVKmslhLV8/s320/td9.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Remote Surveillance</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">When on a vacation, how many times have you felt that... "Did I switch all the light off?", "Have I closed that tap properly?", "Did I put the toilet seat down?", <strike>"Have I locked that porn movie folder in C drive after watching it last night?"</strike>, "Was the front door properly locked?" ??</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> If such questions bother you, then 3G is THE thing for you. All you need to do is to put up a prison rivaling surveillance cameras in your house and connect the thing with internet and bham!!! You can monitor and check your couch, utensils, pillow, toilet paper and everything in between right from your mobile phone. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">This is exactly what this guy has in mind. Well, not exactly, but, more or less.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TM-ZEpNaNLI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/Q2SFwn3C2bk/s1600/td11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TM-ZEpNaNLI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/Q2SFwn3C2bk/s320/td11.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
<b>High Speed Data Transfer</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The biggest problem in our country is that everything runs/works/happens with breakneck speed; that includes traffic, internet speeds, infrastructure projects, legal matters as well as getting a certification saying the said person has left this planet, Amen. And with breakneck speed I mean, nothing gets done till you get frustrated and break someone's neck or vice versa. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">But with 3G, that's gonna change. You'll no longer age between page visits. You will no longer grow a child by the time a movie gets downloaded. No longer will you spend doing the chores around the house by the time your new DP gets uploaded. Never again you'll weave a mattress till a 3min youtube video gets buffered. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TM-mouQdEII/AAAAAAAAAKA/aqODeYsJEns/s1600/td7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TM-mouQdEII/AAAAAAAAAKA/aqODeYsJEns/s320/td7.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
<b>Video On Demand</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Wouldn't it be great if you could record the live cricket match and then watch it laters when you're free, unless you happen to be as lucky as this fellow who has all the time in world to watch it, possibly even in 3D?</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TNAkrLV-IKI/AAAAAAAAAKE/EcQwrTNavTQ/s1600/td12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TNAkrLV-IKI/AAAAAAAAAKE/EcQwrTNavTQ/s320/td12.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">What would you do if you're tired and sleepy and can't stay up for that late night Barcaleno match, as you'll be having a semi important presentation next day? Just record it and watch it next day or just demand it as & when you need it. Yes, you CAN demand your favorite football game, k-serial, Miss Universe or that particular episode of Koffee with Karan that you missed while boozing with your friends at the bar.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Video Gaming</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Now, thanks to 3G, gaming is not just geek forte. Everyone, can now get a piece of the uber cool gaming industry. Now you can drive a Formula Car, diffuse a nuclear bomb, shake a leg Elvis style, save the world from zoombies & much more...all thanks to Tata Docomo's 3G Life. And what more, you do compete against that 8year old kid from Tokyo who considers himself a Gaming God. So, are you ready to kick some Japanese ass?</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TNAqxcjdWdI/AAAAAAAAAKI/aOsizWEzyqw/s1600/td16.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TNAqxcjdWdI/AAAAAAAAAKI/aOsizWEzyqw/s320/td16.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Apart from these cliche advantages, there are many other individual specific benefits too...</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Don't trust me? Check out for yourself.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>E-schooling</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TNBHM-frkoI/AAAAAAAAAKM/z3UI0CcNW8s/s1600/td2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TNBHM-frkoI/AAAAAAAAAKM/z3UI0CcNW8s/s320/td2.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Staying in touch with specially gifted people</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TNBHwKt_4xI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/fybrXaA3JLY/s1600/td3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TNBHwKt_4xI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/fybrXaA3JLY/s320/td3.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Rural India connectivity</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TNBIBeNY6rI/AAAAAAAAAKU/2E8hzTIvHaU/s1600/td5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TNBIBeNY6rI/AAAAAAAAAKU/2E8hzTIvHaU/s320/td5.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Traffucked? Not anymore</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TNBIZhFCdFI/AAAAAAAAAKY/TCD6sBGNvWE/s1600/td8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TNBIZhFCdFI/AAAAAAAAAKY/TCD6sBGNvWE/s320/td8.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Reduces Corruption</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TNBJeCfJKZI/AAAAAAAAAKc/FF73la_LsaY/s1600/td14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TNBJeCfJKZI/AAAAAAAAAKc/FF73la_LsaY/s320/td14.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Makes you spiritual</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TNBKOCSAAhI/AAAAAAAAAKg/vykewmc4nWs/s1600/td15.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TNBKOCSAAhI/AAAAAAAAAKg/vykewmc4nWs/s320/td15.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
<b>Make you go crazy</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TNBL2K5-PaI/AAAAAAAAAKk/hXqpZ-0iA2s/s1600/td13.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TNBL2K5-PaI/AAAAAAAAAKk/hXqpZ-0iA2s/s320/td13.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
So now you see, how excited this universe is about 3G? Infact, so exicted were the blokes at <a href="http://www.indiblogger.in/">Indiblogger</a> that while putting up the Tata Docomo banner on their site, they got all teary eyed out of excitement and the anxiety of a cheap 3G plan made their fingers tremble so much that at first they got the contest end date a lil wrong. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TNBS81yPgYI/AAAAAAAAAKo/dZFBpVa_Y3c/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="102" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TNBS81yPgYI/AAAAAAAAAKo/dZFBpVa_Y3c/s320/Untitled.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">But worry not, a cold shower and half a dozen pints later they realized their silliness and changed the end date from 5th August to 5th November.<br />
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So, what are you waiting for? Go get yourself a <a href="http://www.3glife.com/">Tata Docomo 3G</a> connection, now.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>STATUTORY WARNING: </b><i>This blog is strictly written in public interest. Well, actually it's written for this <a href="http://www.indiblogger.in/topic.php?topic=30">contest</a> but I'd like to consider that it's written in public interest as I'll not only be competing for this contest but also imparting knowledge, making the sponsors of this contest happy and the blokes at Indiblogger a bit richer. All the proceeding from the prize money will go towards protection of mankind as I won't go crazy and kill the judges and voters for not winning some mollah. So if you're registered user of Indiblogger, I'd request you to <a href="http://www.indiblogger.in/indipost.php?post=37856">vote for <b>ME</b></a> inorder to keep my violence in check.</i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">P.S. The twitter images shown in this blog have all been a part of the <a href="http://twitter.com/#search?q=%23My3GLife">#My3GLife</a> # tag, that was launched by <a href="http://twitter.com/tatadocomo">Tata Docomo</a> as a part of an online competition, hence, I'd like to thank Tata Docomo and all the participants for the same. Or not.</div>Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17251337214235995581noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726033237216188470.post-52574331510929328882010-09-23T05:43:00.002+05:302012-04-27T06:11:04.920+05:30Why Indian Toilet is better than Western Toilet?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;">People who have Italian marbles, Jacuzzi & luxurious bath fittings often look down on those who have simple Indian toilets & not "stand-up" English Toilet. Today, let us ponder on the reasons why Indian toilets are better than their English counterparts and laugh at their faces & toilet papers. :P</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Here are 10 reasons, why Indian Pot is much much much better than the Western Paradigm...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>1. Better digestion</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">When you sit in the position that you do, your whole digestive system is being pressed hence the food gets churned, down to the last ounce giving you a more uniform slurry, as a result you get a much cleaner stomach.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">2. No long queues</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">You see, the Indian toilet was designed by the same guys who engineered the Great Pyramids, built the Rome & drew Nazca lines. They had great know-how about architecture as well as human anatomy and various other fairly uninteresting things like building a giant 3D triangle on top of someone's grave, et al. They used this knowledge and made this ingenious design where you have to sit in squat position, giving just enough time to make you get your things done but not long enough to take a newspaper and read it all day long while others in the queue are holding their bowels. By the time the small bucket next to you gets filled up, you're feet will be starved of oxygen and you'll be compelled to finish the job at hand soon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Although, there have been reports of few seasoned players who sit through the excruciating pain and soon enough, they can't feel their feet and experience levitation, but those are truly exceptional cases.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">3. Leg workout</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">As mentioned above, some people who've managed to live through the pain have actually never had any knee/calf/leg muscle related issues. On the contrary, some have even managed to make our country proud. (point in case, P. T. Usha) :P</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">4. No unwanted NRI relatives.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">We all know how irritating it is, when that irritating cousin from New York or that baldy uncle from London drops by and stay for weeks at end, just cause only YOU of all the relatives happen to have his favorite "English" toilet. You can do away with all of this trouble by swapping the good 'ol English toilet with a brand new Indian one.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">5. Keeps you Humble.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">You'll never have any sort of attitude, as even during your Nirvana moments, you'll always stay down to earth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>6. Protects the wild life.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Yes, its a fact. Wild life love Indian toilets. Here's why?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">India Toilet = No English Toilet = No Toilet Paper = No Cutting of Trees = Green Forest cover = Thriving Wildlife</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">7. Look & Feel.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">A toilet paper or a water spray can never replace the human touch.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">8. Platform Independence.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Geeks will understand this one better. Indian Toilets are not platform dependent. You need not always have a pot under your ass. On road trips and during emergencies, your body will subconsciously take 'that' shape (at the side of the road, on railway tracks, at the edge of a cliff or by the river) and before you know, you would've relieved yourself from the cluthes of your kidney. This is not possible in case of English Toilets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>9. UnPeek-A-Booable</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">As the Indian Pot doesn't provide any sort of stool like base for one to stand up on it, hence in public restrooms, it's near impossible for someone is the adjoining confines stand up and spy on you when you're at your innocent best. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">10. Fun</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Let's face it, it's a lot more fun. The grown ups too get a chance to be so close to the ground without being embarrassed. :P</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>UPDATE:</b> This blog made it to the list of "Must read" blogs of the week on BlogAdda's Spicy Saturday Picks - Sept. 25 '10: http://bit.ly/I91qg7. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">HAIL!</span></b></div>
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</div>Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17251337214235995581noreply@blogger.com447tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726033237216188470.post-86166344480054092292010-09-12T02:52:00.002+05:302010-09-12T03:24:05.892+05:30Ramzan Trail<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you happen to be in Mumbai and a nonveg worshiper or a bicurious (with bicurious I mean, someone who's curious about veg as well as nonveg delicacies), you have to, I mean absofuckinlutely have to visit Mohammed Ali Road atleast once during the holy month of Ramzan. It's almost like a ritual for nonveg lovers. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, after the Mohd. Ali Road plan getting screwed up multiple times, our stomachs did a round table conference for full 127seconds and finally decided to go there on Wednesday night (about 4 days before Eid). </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'll start from the time when I reached Grant Road Station as <a href="http://twitter.com/Miilee">Miillee</a> <i>(ex Miss Safedi ki Chamkar from <a href="http://ashesanddunes.blogspot.com/2010/08/indibloggers-meetup.html">Indibloggers meetup</a>)</i> suggested that its nearer to MAR (Mohd. Ali Road) compared to Churchgate. Guess she was correct, or maybe not. Anyways, so she being a sweet girl that she is (not), she reached before time. She had told me that she's bringing her sister alongwith, which was one of the rare good news I heard from her in a long time. So, I being a gentleman came perfectly on time at 8.30ish. Apparently, we both were looking for some cash and so decided to meetup at this particular ATM. I walked towards the said place and there she was, standing in blue jeans, bluish top & a turquoise umbrella with <i><b>FRILLS</b></i>. :O</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Knowing the kinda nice guy I am, Miilee never bothered to introduce me to her sister, <a href="http://twitter.com/janhavi_desai">Janhavi</a> and so I had to introduced myself with casual hi-hello. Since the girls came before me, they utilized the time well by using the ATM and it was my turn now. Apparently, the ATM was already occupied by a fat lady who was taking more time to take the cash out then it would take for you to read this crap that I've written. At this point I thought of going and telling her that since she's taking so long, she can take out some cash for me as well. My bad, she heard my loud mental thoughts and rushed out. Anyways, so after taking out the cash & knowing the per capital income of Dharavi in the form of my bank balance, we took a cab and headed towards MAR. In the cab, a very genuine and formal discussion took place between me and Jahanvi as to why we both think that Miilee is a "blonde". </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">In a while we reached some place leading upto MAR and owing to the smooth traffic, we decided to leave the Cab and walk with half a million other people towards MAR to meet all the other guys who were waiting for us. Finally, we reached Suleiman Mithaiwala and met <a href="http://twitter.com/ranjeet_walunj">Ranjeet</a> <i>(the man-in-charge)</i>, <a href="http://twitter.com/R113">Rajesh</a> <i>(the guy with the car)</i>, <a href="http://twitter.com/mohitnanda">Mohit</a> <i>(a typical engineer. *hi5*)</i> & <a href="http://twitter.com/harmanjit">Harmanjit</a> <i>(the guy who thought he was <a href="http://twitter.com/harmanjit/statuses/23922249719">duped</a>, as he was the first & only one to reach at one point of time)</i>. :P</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">From there Mr. Ranjeet took the charge and informed that, we'll be starting our food endeavor not from this tourist place where all the amateurs eat but from this other place called Baarahandi or something, which is less crowded and where all the pros hog. Sounded like a plan. Indeed it was. Walked through the traffic for a while and reached at this quite looking lane where a couple of food joints were visible. Ranjeet told us that this where we'll start bothering our collective digestive systems and so we obliged.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Anyone who's even partially aware about having food at road side stalls know that the sensitivity of your tastebuds is directly proportion to your distance from the drainage. Okay, please stop making those weird faces and be honest, we all know the source of water in which they cook those delicacies and honestly speaking, the "water" adds a peculiar flavor without which it'll taste just like our home food (healthy & tasteless). :P</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Anyways, so the same thing happened to me. At baara handi we ordered <b><span style="color: #ffd966;">Paya Soup</span>, <span style="color: #f6b26b;">Nalli nihari</span></b> & but ofcourse <b style="color: #b45f06;">Baara Handi</b>. While everyone else were indulging in the food I could barely taste let alone smell it, only to realize that I was sitting at the furtherest end of the table barely a chair away from the drainage opening. :-S I somehow tried to squeeze myself towards the inside of the table and away from the coverless drainage opening and literally buried my nose (well, almost) thrice into the food and finally jump started my taste buds. <b style="color: #b45f06;">Baara handi</b> simply means 12 bowls. It consists of 12 different types of curries whose taste I can't describe it to you, as my tongue was hibernating at that time. Then I tried <b style="color: #f6b26b;">Nalli nihari</b> which is basically the thigh bone according to Ranjeet. They told me, its tasty but what I ate was certainly a thigh bone of a leprosy patient. At this point of time, Mohit told us a creepy story about his childhood. When his mom used to make <b style="color: #f6b26b;">Nalli nihari</b>, he'd eat the meat off the bone and use thigh bone as straw to drink the curry. Wow, now that'll make any schizophrenic bone collector proud. :| Though I tasted <b style="color: #ffd966;">Paaya Soup</b>, I'm not the right person to tell you, how it tastes? I'm not a soup person, so it's better you try it out yourself.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">After that funny experience, as we were about to move, it started pouring. So all the wise men (baring me ofcourse) decided to give their valueable belongings like wallet, mobile phone & Rajesh's bone shattering Blackberry to Miilee as she was the only one who had a big bag and a bigger umbrella (with <b><i>FRILLS</i></b>).</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just 25 yards later we saw this place....</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TIqQxSKF-tI/AAAAAAAAAJU/wHyRtXyV2j0/s1600/080920101721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TIqQxSKF-tI/AAAAAAAAAJU/wHyRtXyV2j0/s320/080920101721.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">...and couldn't resist sitting by the hot grill in crazy rain. We had 3 different types of chicken - <span style="color: #6aa84f;">green</span>, <span style="color: #cccccc;">white</span> & <span style="color: orange;">saffron</span> colored; which was aptly named Chicken Tiranga. I, being a chicken enthusiast hogged onto it till everyone stood up from their seats making me look like an Ethiopian drought victim. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just then Ranjeet announced that its time for all of us to bid adieu to the lane of pros and head back to the more famous, tourist lane for more food. This post is already too long, so without boring you guys (those, you've managed to read this far without fainting, sleeping or killing themselves) with the route that we passed by and the number of steps we took, I'll direct take to the destination.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>*Cut to the famous lane on MAR where most people hog.*</i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our food guide, Ranjeet ordered couple of <b style="color: #7f6000;">Khichdas</b>. For those wondering, what it is? It's basically <span style="color: #ffd966;">Khichdi</span> on steroids. In other words you can say, it's the nonveg loving hubby of <i>Khichidi ben</i>. :P</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Since 6 of us were sharing 2 <b style="color: #7f6000;">Khichdas</b>, I never got the actual meat piece which is the essence of it and so my opinion towards <b><span style="color: #ffd966;">Khichdi</span></b>, <b style="color: #7f6000;">Khichda</b> & their kids is indifferent as far. In the middle of all this Miilee drank all the remaining liquid from the bowl showing us what a <b style="color: #7f6000;">Khichda</b> sucking pest she is. I know, you could've lived your life without reading that line, but it was such a nice phrase that I had coined for Miilee at that time, that I couldn't resist putting it here. :P </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Sorry Miilee. *hi5* Jahnvi)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Following which we went to the next lane to a downmarket restaurant as we thought it was a bit too filthy to sit outside, only to come and sit outside a minute later for reasons yet not known to mankind & me.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">While Ranjeet was still busy outside, trying to figure out where else we can eat. The rest of us thought of ordering a couple of things just so that we're allowed to sit in the wet chairs instead of standing in the rains. So, we ordered <b style="color: #660000;">Chicken 65</b> which strangely had only 15 pieces. No kidding. :/</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Also, the manager thought that it'll be cute if he'd order half-cooked <b><span style="color: #e06666;">Kheeri </span></b>for us. To add to the misery, when asked for green chutney, he gave us a Chlorine based flourescent green pesticide. Impressive!</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TIqf1kwFscI/AAAAAAAAAJk/DEEadZ-bnpo/s1600/080920101722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_egbKg0lAMxs/TIqf1kwFscI/AAAAAAAAAJk/DEEadZ-bnpo/s320/080920101722.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">These is the second of the two pics I could take before which my cellphone battery passed out.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">After tasting some Chlorine, we had a genuinely genius idea of learning about a goat's anatomy by tasting its different organs. Hence, we moved to a food stall next door and had <b style="color: #b45f06;">Bheja Fry</b> <i>(yes its actually a dish and not just a lingo that Harmanjit thinks it to be),</i><i> </i><b style="color: #f6b26b;">Gurda Fry Masala</b><i> (after putting the goat on dialysis)</i> & <b style="color: #134f5c;">Kaleji</b> <i>(cut a goat's heart out, add salt & masala & fry it. Basically its the same thing that your exes have done to you).</i></span> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">By the time, we finished our goat, our media friends <a href="http://twitter.com/abhinn">Abhinn</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/anilchintz">Anil</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/shubhashish">Subhashish</a> & <a href="http://twitter.com/prasanth_menon">Prasanth</a> had arrived with their colleagues . Much to their horror, we were almost done by then and so they had to hog on their own without any help from us. And while they were at it, we made ourselves diabetes prone by heading over to Noorani Mithaiwala. Everyone outside of me had <b style="color: #cccccc;">Lassi</b> and I being a non-sweet-toothed creature, tasted <b style="color: #f1c232;">Malpua</b> as if obliging. Huh, lucky them! :P </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">After this we all unanimously agreed that we shouldn't have anything more else the blog post will become harrowingly long and so we headed home. The contents of what happened after leaving MAR till we reached home would not be disclosed by any of us, as agreed upon. :P</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">N</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">ote: The font colors are not just for show or to keep the readers anchored to the blog, they automatically appears as I write the name of any food item, representing the ideal color of that delicacy.</span></i></span></div>Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17251337214235995581noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726033237216188470.post-59808242381516129092010-08-28T12:41:00.003+05:302010-08-31T01:32:54.654+05:30Twilight - Review<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Finally, I can say, I've seen it. *sigh*</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">After almost 2 years of its release, I finally saw Twilight on television courtesy, Star Movies. Girls don't make that :O face, ask the boys who're reading this post, they'd agree that no self respecting, level headed, "straight" guy has wasted his money to watch this movie on the giant screen. Unless, he took his girlfriend or was dragged by his wife to watch it. In either case the said guy creature has walked ut of that door with the big green <span style="color: lime;">EXIT</span> symbol, utterly disappointed. Why you'd ask? - well that's because if he has taken his girlfriend to the movie, she ummm...saw the movie ONLY; and if his wife has dragged him, then...well that's self explanatory.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I'm one of those fortunate souls who was spared of this misery.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Anyways, so I watched it on television and it was a disaster as expected. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Now don't look at me and ask, why did I watch the movie? Okay, go ahead, you can ask. Well, the reason being, whenever I tell any girl "oh that's a hideous movie!" She'd turn back and ask, "How do you know, you haven't even seen it. Have you?"</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">So today, I finally decided to go through that mental torcher to tell all the chicks that...</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"YES I'VE SEEN TWILIGHT AND ITS HIDEOUS!!!" </b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Ha, see now I got you by your tails. Wait, that's not your tail...oops sorry.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Now, let me also add insult/abuse to injury by describing it to your algae textured tiny lil brains, why I hated it?</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Here it goes... So, the story basically starts when this semi-cute chick Isabella (henceforth described as Bella) moves to this new town called Fork which is actually a cross between a windows' meadows wallpaper and <a href="http://www.movies-photos.com/images/wallpapers-sleepy-hollow.jpg">Sleepy Hollow</a>. She takes admission into this new high school where a bone complexioned pervert guy - Edward, starts stalking her. At this point, you can also make a note of the fact that his acting skills are slightly better than a reindeer and his face is as expressive as a stone.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Then there are scenes of them doing timepass in some lab with a microscope & Edward talking to Bella around the lockers as confidently as a dork & so on...</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Moving on, they both get talking and the same old story good girl-falls-for-the-bad-guy shit, happens. Bella gets especially impressed when a black "<a href="http://www.macobserver.com/columns/freeonitunes/2007/06/20070608yomomma1.jpg">yo momma</a>" dude, trying to do <a href="http://www.psp-themes.net/data/media/12/Tokyo%20Drift.jpg">drift</a> his pickup truck almost runs into Bella. Almost - that's because Edward (from across the parking lot, or so Bella claims) jumps right in front of her and stops the pickup with his left hand crushing the side front door panel. (man, those panels are costly :/ ) That's Twilight equivalent of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99nSd2StbSw&feature=related">Peter Parker saving Mary Jane's lunch</a> with his quick reflexes.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">After getting bored of Edward's broken pickup lines, Bella just thinks of poking him on facebook but sadly he's not there. So, she watches some good ol' porn and googles stuff randomly</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Okay I made that up, some of it. But, yeah she does google stuff about blood sucking vampires and by some logic not known to mankind links a homicide that happened in their town to google links and Edwards color-changing eyes and figures out that Edward is infact a Vampire. *tadaa*</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">At this point of time, you're probably bored of this post and wanna leave it, but I suggest you hang on as there's some hot romance coming up.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Moving on. Bella counters Edwards and he accepts he is indeed a "guilty as charged" Vampire. She tells him that she loves him and he takes her for a ride. Okay, not that ride you pervert, but a real one. Asks her to sit on his back (yes with her clothes on) and zooms to the top of the mountain to show her how his skin sparkles in sunlight thanks to a new facepack & body scrub (available only for the Vampires).</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Impressed, she tells him how she want to be with him forever. All in the name of a facepack & a body scrub?? Women, I tell you!!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
In between, like a typical Indian middle class family style, Edward explains how he's a strict vegetarian in Vampire terms, i.e., he only drink animal's blood. And boy, was she glad? Meaning, if he turns non-veg, she'll be his first meal. To me that sounded like a vegan falling in love with a pig & kissing her too. :-S</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Which reminds me, he apprehensively kisses her once (and once in the end) & that's about it. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Also, he introduces her to his vegan family where a couple of recently converted vegans figures out she'd be an awesome delight to cook, but still they curb their desires for Edward. At this point, we feel sorry for the family for all these sacrifices that they're making. This'll remind you of <a href="http://www.zastavki.com/pictures/800x600/Movies_A_Adams__family_002799_.jpg">the Adams Family</a>, but slightly less realistic.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">After a couple of days, <strike>the Adams Family</strike>, Cullen family all of a sudden gets all recreational and decided to have a game of baseball. This was the only part, that'll be of lil interest to any dude, relatively speaking, that's cause it looked more like <a href="http://a3.vox.com/6a00cd970e4cda4cd500d414287c8b685e-500pi">Shaolin Soccer</a> with Baseball.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Just when they seemed to be having fun, few (3 to be specific) nonveg Vampires arrive and like a new neighborhood kid asked "You mind if we join you? Pleeejjjj..." In the mean time, the diehard nonvegetarian - James, smells his food and tries to pounce on Bella. As a result, rivalries take place and from here you can almost guess it all.</div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Then, the usual merry-go-round, hunt/protection for Bella commences. The bad guy, James pretends to have Bella's mother in captivity and forces her to come out of her cave and meet him at the said location without informing the Cullen family, Police, CIA, FBI, Interpol or Scotland Yard. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Finally, Bella goes to meet James to free her mother with her blood as ransom only to find that he was bluffing. Must say, if he was bothered he'd make millions in Poker. But till the time she realised the setup, it was too late and after a little swearing, crying and pepper spraying, James gets to take the first bite. Just then Edward arrives, takes in charge of the situation and with help from his family kills James. RIP.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">But, the venom from vampire bite was spreading into Bella and only way Edward could save her was by sucking it all out from the same wound which he did. Which, technically means that Edward and James smooched, indirectly...ewwww...gross. :-S</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Finally Bella got well with a broken leg piece and they lived happily ever after. Actually, only Edward lived "ever after", <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=imo">IMO</a> Bella died few decades later; unless she too was converted to Vampirism which remains to be seen in another equally pathetic sequel. :P</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;">All in all, this movie was nothing but a boring conglomerate of several interesting blockbusters put together just to show everyone <b>HOW CAN A VAMPIRE & A HUMAN INTERBREED?!?!</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><i><b>VERDICT: I'll give this movie one middle finger out of five. :P</b></i> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>P.S. Nothing against gay, I specifically mentioned straight in first para (now don't scroll up to read again) only because I know chicks and gays fantasize this Edward guy.</i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Apologies, for promising hot romance in between. I lied because I wanted you guys to read through the post. Nothing ever happened in the movie. Even the lips barely spread a couple of times, let alone the legs.</i></span></div>Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17251337214235995581noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726033237216188470.post-40349929782633153562010-08-21T03:44:00.006+05:302010-08-21T04:08:55.614+05:30With Great Power Comes Great Responsiblity<div style="text-align: justify;">First of all let me clarify, I think we all got off on a wrong foot here. Most of the people who've already read my other posts think that I just blog about random, shitty, unnecessary, stupid stuff. So, I just thought of writing this post and showing it to everyone that I do & can take sense; and CAN give useful advice like others.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This post is for all those who're low on confidence and who think that they're pathetic-filthy-good-for-nothing-slimy-pests-on-the-face-of-this-earth. Incase, you're not one such creature then let me save you some time and inform you in advance that this post will do no good for you. You needn't waste your time reading it and this thing IS infact pointless like you thought it would be.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Back to pests. You see, you guys ain't that pathetic, you all are actually quite responsible people. Infact, each one of you (and if I think harder, I guess I too) is responsible; unless you happen to be a 3 year old or a serial killer serving your life sentence, in which case you don't have access to the internet and you're not reading this. Implies, each one of you IS infact responsible. Wait, where was I?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nevermind, so now the question arises, how come each and everyone of you is responsible? - Well, that's because...</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1. The very fact that you've made an attempt to better your lives by reading this post.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. You ain't serving a life sentence for killing anyone.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Point #2 is of utmost importance. You see, all of us has the power to kill. Look around, every single object around us can be used as a weapon to kill someone, but we don't. That implies, we're responsible enough to take care of our actions (wipe the blood stains from the floor, if it goes out of hand).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you're a working professional reading this from your office, look around, look at that pen on the desk; you can totally use it to stab your boss, but you don't. Partly cause, you don't want him to die such a painless death. Anyways whatever the reason, still you don't.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Incase, you're a student follow these steps:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1. Copy paste the above paragraph. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. Replace office with school/college.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">3. Replace boss with teacher/professor/principal.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">4. You got my point.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Exception: If you're a student and you still didn't get my point, congrats you're a geek. :P</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And if you're a housewife, take a look at that knife and tell me what comes to your mind first? If its a cabbage, congrats you're responsible. But, if blood come to your mind, sorry to say you need psychiatric help. If neither of it comes to your mind then sorry to say your family needs a cook. Right now.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But in case, you're neither a working professional nor a student or a housewife and still reading this then I'd propose you stop wasting your time on forwarded links these and go look for a job.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Most of you can drive a car or ride a bike. Say, a mentally blind person all of a sudden jumps in front of your vehicle, what do you do? You brake. - RESPONSIBILITY</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">At times you see a jerk standing at the edge of a cliff/bridge trying to be a hero. You can totally push his ear lobe with your pinky and he'd go supermanning over the edge BUT you don't do it. - RESPONSIBILITY</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The same holds true with the use rather lack of mis-use of a hammer, screwdriver, stapler, chopsticks & a toothpick. - RESPONSIBILITY, RESPONSIBILITY, RESPONSIBILITY, RESPONSIBILITIES & RESPONSIBILITY, respectively. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Responsibility is not only in not killing but also saving a life. Start with your own, charity begins at home. You could be powerful enough to overpower yourself and get yourself killed, but should be responsible enough to know that it might hurt and hence should not be done.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I guess at the end of this post, I would've enlightened you with these 4 things -</div><div style="text-align: justify;">BE POWERFUL, BE RESPONSIBLE, FIND MORE PAINFUL WAYS TO KILL THE BOSS/PROFESSOR & GET A COOK.</div>Phoenixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17251337214235995581noreply@blogger.com8