No no …don’t worry I don’t plan to kill myself… not yet atleast… kicking the bucket is literally kicking the bucket (list) that I made years ago… I haven’t achieved 80 % of the things that I’d listed down… why, beats me… I don’t understand it myself… but it has gotten me depressed…so much so that I have decided to get rid of the bucket altogether… na rahega balti na hogi depression… but alas I cant seem to kick the bucket off… I really want to do all them…but where when how with whom (!!) is a question that I have no answers to…sigh!
Well I can atleast share the list …
1. bungee jumping
2. sailing
3. skiing
4. Skating a bit better than a first timer.
5. firing a rocket launcher
6. owning a gun…hey I’m a single woman, its for protection
7. exercising every day
8. swimming 3 times a week
9. playing a sport – basketball, volleyball, etc
10. Learning how to play TT, Pool.
11. getting 6 packs … this was way before srk made it famous
12. buying a suv
13. having a house of my own
14. Having a bank balance (no, 2k doesn’t count… btw that’s my current balance… I’ve working since the past 8 years, wat did I do with all the supposedly hard earned money??)
15. Heading a network
16. Traveling… I still have not been to the north east, srinagar, ladakh, andamans, jodhpur, jaisalmer, backwaters, Japan, Fiji Islands, Australia, Antarctica, Egypt, Berlin, Moscow, etc
17. Making perfect round chapattis
18. Jiving
19. Playing the drums
20. Visiting Macchu Picchu with my boyfriend
21. Boyfriend??!!
22. Being nice to my sis
23. Being there for my parents
24. Talking to my bro without bullying him
25. Cooking for my parents, sis, extended family
26. Going on a trip/picnic with my family…never enjoyed the trips when I was young… hope that this time it will be fun
27. Visiting all my friends who have been married (all) and I haven’t met them for more than 6 months
28. Buying myself some decent clothes… can’t live in jeans forever, now…and while am at it some decent shoes.
29. Not losing focus
30. Not losing patience when people talk…why can’t everyone be concise and to the point?
Well can I remain at the same age till the next 5 years… take an annual leap every 5 years like all the saas-bahu soaps so that I have more time to do all these... help, plz.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Friday, April 11, 2008
Grass is greener on the other side.
Grass is greener on the other side.
The other day I was chatting with a friend who also happens to be a Major in the Indian army. It was more of a pep talk and agony aunt kind of conversation... he was really dejected with the way the army was treating him. He said that neither was the organization paying him at par with other industries, nor giving him a real posting in siachen but was making him do some exercises in some situation which he felt were not productive enough and on top of it the armed forces were being compared to the civil servants, paper pushers at the most.
That conversation made me very restless and i started thinking (one of the rarer phenomenons in this world) about why Major Saab thought the way he did. If the person responsible for my security has self doubts then I need to be very worried. And on top of that, I saw a story on Times Now that 25 out of every 32 army personnel are deserting the organization. Is this something to lose sleep over, coz i definitely did and am still disturbed. What is the solution for this?
It is a fact that the 6th pay commission has increased the pay packages of the armed forces by 33 percentage excluding allowances. Now lets play devils advocate with whatever little information that I have.
a) Armed forces get 60 days of leave as compared to the corporate sector which get around 30 days of leave per annum.
b) Armed forces get medical facilities for their entire family unlike the corporate sector.
c) Armed forces get subsidized FMCG products and liquor unlike their corporate counterparts.
d) Armed forces can easily avail loans than their corporate counterparts.
e) The kids of armed forces can get admitted in sainik schools unlike civilians who have to pay huge amounts of donations.
f) And to top it all, the armed forces are the least corrupt organization as compared to the civil sector
g) Last but not the least, the respect & charisma that the armed forces command in their uniform can be rivaled only by poster boys like John Abraham.
So why the dissatisfaction?? Is it something to do with the idle mind being the devil's workshop... earlier we had battles to fight and were busy, now with all the free time (yes there is a major counter insurgency operation and fire fighting against natural calamities which are increasing... but that is a separate story)
Or is it the media who is responsible for highlighting the achievements of the corporate sector with reports of starting salaries of IIM grads and/or the the exploits of the Ambani Brothers. It is bound to get in dissatisfaction.
At the same time, comparison with IAS officers who generally do not have threat to their lives (unless they are in some scam and run the risk of being lynched by the public, media or their counterparts) rankles a lot with the men in uniform.
The solution for this is two fold-- one explaining to these rough n tough guys that the grass is greener on the other side... yes it is... i would gladly risk being shot by Pakistani Soldiers than listen to mindless news stories of Naag-Nagin frolicking somewhere (I work for a news channel...hence listening to such stories is part of my job profile... I wish I could switch off the TV). The other solution albeit a bit ambitious is to get a petition and formally make an official protest/complaint against the authorities.
The thought of donating a part of my salary to the army welfare did come to my mind, but better sense has prevailed and I have decided against it. Reasons for not being on their side... I think army people have an easy life... They are waited hand & foot by their orderlies/batman during peace posting. Since, they have field postings every 3 years, in some godforsaken place, they don't have to maintain a lifestyle that we have to. And the biggest factor, they don't have to buy clothes every fortnight, they have uniforms...I waste 10 min every morning deciding what to wear....its a criminal waste of time, considering that I don't end up looking great like the model advertising the same clothes which is why I bought them in the first place... And then, the subsidized liquor rates... why do I have to pay for double the market rate, plus service tax, plus leave a tip, not to mention that whenever I go to a pub, its always with a friend whose tab I'm obliged to pick up... give me army mess any day...hic!
Well, even though I have filled reams of paper against these poor men in uniforms, I know that deep down that they deserve more. They are risking their lives for us so that we can crib about subsidized alcohol and agonize over our clothes. They spend nights waiting in extreme conditions without proper equipment or clothes. Is this why we pay taxes so that the government spends it in throwing stones at each other during assembly sessions.... I am a firm believer of the fact that the government has enough funds to run this country but has dimwits who siphon off the same.
Aarrggghhh... I have lost the thread of what i started out to say... the bottom line is that lets all be honest and sincere in our work ... and follow the sayings of the Gita... Kaam Kar par Phal ke icchah mat rak... in essence one should do one's duties in life as per his/her dharma, or duty, without concern of results. And let their be free flowing alcohol (subsidized or otherwise) to enable this without any hiccups...hic!
The other day I was chatting with a friend who also happens to be a Major in the Indian army. It was more of a pep talk and agony aunt kind of conversation... he was really dejected with the way the army was treating him. He said that neither was the organization paying him at par with other industries, nor giving him a real posting in siachen but was making him do some exercises in some situation which he felt were not productive enough and on top of it the armed forces were being compared to the civil servants, paper pushers at the most.
That conversation made me very restless and i started thinking (one of the rarer phenomenons in this world) about why Major Saab thought the way he did. If the person responsible for my security has self doubts then I need to be very worried. And on top of that, I saw a story on Times Now that 25 out of every 32 army personnel are deserting the organization. Is this something to lose sleep over, coz i definitely did and am still disturbed. What is the solution for this?
It is a fact that the 6th pay commission has increased the pay packages of the armed forces by 33 percentage excluding allowances. Now lets play devils advocate with whatever little information that I have.
a) Armed forces get 60 days of leave as compared to the corporate sector which get around 30 days of leave per annum.
b) Armed forces get medical facilities for their entire family unlike the corporate sector.
c) Armed forces get subsidized FMCG products and liquor unlike their corporate counterparts.
d) Armed forces can easily avail loans than their corporate counterparts.
e) The kids of armed forces can get admitted in sainik schools unlike civilians who have to pay huge amounts of donations.
f) And to top it all, the armed forces are the least corrupt organization as compared to the civil sector
g) Last but not the least, the respect & charisma that the armed forces command in their uniform can be rivaled only by poster boys like John Abraham.
So why the dissatisfaction?? Is it something to do with the idle mind being the devil's workshop... earlier we had battles to fight and were busy, now with all the free time (yes there is a major counter insurgency operation and fire fighting against natural calamities which are increasing... but that is a separate story)
Or is it the media who is responsible for highlighting the achievements of the corporate sector with reports of starting salaries of IIM grads and/or the the exploits of the Ambani Brothers. It is bound to get in dissatisfaction.
At the same time, comparison with IAS officers who generally do not have threat to their lives (unless they are in some scam and run the risk of being lynched by the public, media or their counterparts) rankles a lot with the men in uniform.
The solution for this is two fold-- one explaining to these rough n tough guys that the grass is greener on the other side... yes it is... i would gladly risk being shot by Pakistani Soldiers than listen to mindless news stories of Naag-Nagin frolicking somewhere (I work for a news channel...hence listening to such stories is part of my job profile... I wish I could switch off the TV). The other solution albeit a bit ambitious is to get a petition and formally make an official protest/complaint against the authorities.
The thought of donating a part of my salary to the army welfare did come to my mind, but better sense has prevailed and I have decided against it. Reasons for not being on their side... I think army people have an easy life... They are waited hand & foot by their orderlies/batman during peace posting. Since, they have field postings every 3 years, in some godforsaken place, they don't have to maintain a lifestyle that we have to. And the biggest factor, they don't have to buy clothes every fortnight, they have uniforms...I waste 10 min every morning deciding what to wear....its a criminal waste of time, considering that I don't end up looking great like the model advertising the same clothes which is why I bought them in the first place... And then, the subsidized liquor rates... why do I have to pay for double the market rate, plus service tax, plus leave a tip, not to mention that whenever I go to a pub, its always with a friend whose tab I'm obliged to pick up... give me army mess any day...hic!
Well, even though I have filled reams of paper against these poor men in uniforms, I know that deep down that they deserve more. They are risking their lives for us so that we can crib about subsidized alcohol and agonize over our clothes. They spend nights waiting in extreme conditions without proper equipment or clothes. Is this why we pay taxes so that the government spends it in throwing stones at each other during assembly sessions.... I am a firm believer of the fact that the government has enough funds to run this country but has dimwits who siphon off the same.
Aarrggghhh... I have lost the thread of what i started out to say... the bottom line is that lets all be honest and sincere in our work ... and follow the sayings of the Gita... Kaam Kar par Phal ke icchah mat rak... in essence one should do one's duties in life as per his/her dharma, or duty, without concern of results. And let their be free flowing alcohol (subsidized or otherwise) to enable this without any hiccups...hic!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
NDNC
As with all democracies, policies are floated on a trial and error basis. This directly affects the hapless citizens on whom the policy is tried. One such is the national do not call scheme.
All of us must have faced the pesky telemarketer calls and dealt with customer support executives of various services that today’s world demands be fulfilled through the ubiquitous mobile cell.
But how does one deal with them??? They do not understand the problem, have no solution and know only one sentence “I am really sorry for the inconvenience caused to you.” Angrez chale gaye sorry de gaye.
It is really frustrating to these people and how does one get through this giant industry and talk to somebody who understands and solves the problem. Why do we not have a consumer service industry?? Even when one is subscribed to the national do not call service, one still gets telemarketing calls, and how does one deal with the situation. Does that mean that I have to leave all my day to day activities and pursue another never ending telephone calling, getting transferred from one place to the other and being on hold for an eternity to bring the problem to light? Or do I take 5 min out of my hectic schedule and hear out the telemarketer (hell they are just doing a job) and then politely say no or take out 10 min from my life and yell and abuse them….how does one deal with them??
Is there etiquette to be followed?? I am at my wits end… somebody plz help… Or maybe I should start my own telemarketing business... they say if you can’t beat ‘em…join ‘em!!
All of us must have faced the pesky telemarketer calls and dealt with customer support executives of various services that today’s world demands be fulfilled through the ubiquitous mobile cell.
But how does one deal with them??? They do not understand the problem, have no solution and know only one sentence “I am really sorry for the inconvenience caused to you.” Angrez chale gaye sorry de gaye.
It is really frustrating to these people and how does one get through this giant industry and talk to somebody who understands and solves the problem. Why do we not have a consumer service industry?? Even when one is subscribed to the national do not call service, one still gets telemarketing calls, and how does one deal with the situation. Does that mean that I have to leave all my day to day activities and pursue another never ending telephone calling, getting transferred from one place to the other and being on hold for an eternity to bring the problem to light? Or do I take 5 min out of my hectic schedule and hear out the telemarketer (hell they are just doing a job) and then politely say no or take out 10 min from my life and yell and abuse them….how does one deal with them??
Is there etiquette to be followed?? I am at my wits end… somebody plz help… Or maybe I should start my own telemarketing business... they say if you can’t beat ‘em…join ‘em!!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Being Charu
I dont know how being Charu feels like... but from a 2nd person perspective, it looks like fun. Yes trust me, I know her since the last 2 years only but it feels like I have known her for eons. This is the same person who can be extremely rude and bitchy if you are not on her side or team and extremely caring and fun if you are.
Let me take you through the exciting world of Charu from an insiders point of view... she gets up in the morning and heads to the gym class where she learns horrendous aerobic steps, which she diligently shows off to unsuspecting fans like me. Then she has her breakfast around midday and heads off for coffee by the sea. Once, seated in the nice corner of the coffeeeshop she places her order after religious deciding to not repeat yesterdays order. But being the eternal embodiment of confusion and greed, she ends up ordering the same coffee and thoroughly confusing the poor waiter who is happy to run away. Once coffee n catching up on recent gossip is done, she heads home to watch TV or trouble her son Abeer. If Abeer's exams are on, then heaven forbid--- she insists on teaching the poor kid, who is already exhausted from various tutorials. And wonders of wonders...she chooses to teach him Chemistry having never studied the same. She keeps on quizzing her kid and doesnt even know if the answers are correct or not.
Satisfied on having done her bit in the education sector, she moves on to the food problems of the world (read- her stomach). Having gorged on some tidbit she decides that she will skip lunch. In the evening, some hapless fan like me drops by and is forced to sip some wine or subjected to some amazing cocktails (entirely her connotation). All the while sharing some interesting tidbits. Then she insists on having dinner early as she wants to hit the bed early.
Thats a day in her life, very idyllic ...but what makes her an interesting person is her madness... her forget fullness... she starts a conversation in her mind and continues midway in actual sound... so the person gets even more befuddled and when tries and gets some semblance of clarity... she is already traipsing on another completely disjoined topic.
How can one describe or define what Charu is?? I tried to but I guess I didnt capture even half of her essence. She is a wonderful person, a friend, an elder sister, a mom, a punching bag, a clown, a wonderfull cook and a great (ahem!) dancer....a supportive spouse (for Pankaj) and a crazy mom (for Abeer).... I will miss her when she moves to Bangkok... I wish she didnt have to... although it opens up my window to Bangkok... I have already managed to wriggle a vacation at her place ther... but I will miss landing up unannounced at her place and staying with her post dinner, drowning drinks with her, exchanging theories ranging from world peace to bollywood with her, badgering her with my PJ's and expanding my millitant fundas at her socialist attitude... I have grown so used to her that I shudder at the thought of a life without Charu and wish Pankaj didnt have to get transferred to Bangkok.
Let me take you through the exciting world of Charu from an insiders point of view... she gets up in the morning and heads to the gym class where she learns horrendous aerobic steps, which she diligently shows off to unsuspecting fans like me. Then she has her breakfast around midday and heads off for coffee by the sea. Once, seated in the nice corner of the coffeeeshop she places her order after religious deciding to not repeat yesterdays order. But being the eternal embodiment of confusion and greed, she ends up ordering the same coffee and thoroughly confusing the poor waiter who is happy to run away. Once coffee n catching up on recent gossip is done, she heads home to watch TV or trouble her son Abeer. If Abeer's exams are on, then heaven forbid--- she insists on teaching the poor kid, who is already exhausted from various tutorials. And wonders of wonders...she chooses to teach him Chemistry having never studied the same. She keeps on quizzing her kid and doesnt even know if the answers are correct or not.
Satisfied on having done her bit in the education sector, she moves on to the food problems of the world (read- her stomach). Having gorged on some tidbit she decides that she will skip lunch. In the evening, some hapless fan like me drops by and is forced to sip some wine or subjected to some amazing cocktails (entirely her connotation). All the while sharing some interesting tidbits. Then she insists on having dinner early as she wants to hit the bed early.
Thats a day in her life, very idyllic ...but what makes her an interesting person is her madness... her forget fullness... she starts a conversation in her mind and continues midway in actual sound... so the person gets even more befuddled and when tries and gets some semblance of clarity... she is already traipsing on another completely disjoined topic.
How can one describe or define what Charu is?? I tried to but I guess I didnt capture even half of her essence. She is a wonderful person, a friend, an elder sister, a mom, a punching bag, a clown, a wonderfull cook and a great (ahem!) dancer....a supportive spouse (for Pankaj) and a crazy mom (for Abeer).... I will miss her when she moves to Bangkok... I wish she didnt have to... although it opens up my window to Bangkok... I have already managed to wriggle a vacation at her place ther... but I will miss landing up unannounced at her place and staying with her post dinner, drowning drinks with her, exchanging theories ranging from world peace to bollywood with her, badgering her with my PJ's and expanding my millitant fundas at her socialist attitude... I have grown so used to her that I shudder at the thought of a life without Charu and wish Pankaj didnt have to get transferred to Bangkok.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Heroes
I love Heroes... of all kinds, shapes and sizes... who wouldn't...but the thing which has caught my fancy rite now is Heroes the show -season 2. I am amazed at the kind of effort that goes into the show... with so many characters, so many locations, etc... it must be a nightmare top produce it but if the end product is this good then it is worth all the effort.
But then, I keep on wondering which of these heroes would I like to be if I get an oppurtunity... Hiro is the first person that comes to my mind... not because he is soooooo cute with his innocence of saving the world and being a superhero.
But then, I keep on wondering which of these heroes would I like to be if I get an oppurtunity... Hiro is the first person that comes to my mind... not because he is soooooo cute with his innocence of saving the world and being a superhero.
Then comes sylar... the bad ones always leave a lasting impression. Then comes Monica... there is something about copycats with us Indians, so she scores more than Peter Petrelli and others... Hey I wud even love to get into somebodys mind and read their thoughts... on second thoughts no... it would drive me crazy!
Till the next episode of Heroes then,
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