Hello Stranger

Yeap, "Hello Stranger" is what my blog is telling me. OK, so I get the message, hang my head in shame and accept this sarcastic but apt remark from my dear blog. I'll take it a like a hmmmmm...a true blogger. I'm sure lot of you would have heard this from your own blog so you know what I'm talking about.

It's been over 7 months since I wrote any thing here, Actually to tell you the truth it's been almost same time since my last visit here :(. I know i know...I am nasty. Heard that before a plenty, tell me something new. So, what happened? Follows here in this posting is an attempt to justify my absence here so that we - my bog and I - can make peace and start over. If this doesn't interest you any more, pls come back later for some juicy blog entries. And if you do want to read further, beware I did warn you :-D

So here I go....

My Dear Blog,

Initially it started with a writer's/blogger's block. You know what that is, right? Good. I thought, "ah! don't worry, it will come to you...chill pal" but a week turned into couple and then a month . Around this time I started taking Facebook bit seriously. Facebook gave me a new avenue to express myself by it's status update feature. So whenever I had something to say -but not more than a line - I started using that feature. Also, a google group I created to keep in touch with my near and dear ones in Adelaide was taking it's shape and gave me another avenue to share news which excited me or express myself. I also got a new job contract and became very busy at work. And then, I bought the best thing ever, Ok...Ok...2nd best thing..otherwise the laptop i'm typing this on will start to throw tantrum]. 2nd best thing I was talking about is my DSLR cam which gave me another avenue to express myself. And before I know it was August already and....

Oh, wait...got to go...Aarnav is crying, missus is calling.

[An hour later, I'm back after failing miserably at my fatherly duty and handing back the crying baby to his mother.]

ok so where was I?? ...hmmm...yeap and then August came and you know what happened in August, don't you? No, not 15th Aug - India's independence day celebration. I mean after that. What, you don't, how come? Oh!! crap...how will you...I didn't post any pic or didn't write anything about it here. Now I know why you are so upset.

Anyways, you must be thinking how come I'm back? Why now? What changed? None of the above things have changed much. I'm still short of time and yes, I still love posting on FB, my DSLR, my email groups but somehow I miss you. I have lot many things to say to the world through you. So without further adieu pls forgive me and I'm sure I'll keep in touch with you regularly [but just don't act like a pesky little jealous girl friend...I didn't say that, did I? But I'm sure the thought came to me so had to write.]

Cheers,
Your Creator

Whatever Happened Is Justice

Just found these set of videos on utube and thought you might like it too.
It's in Gujarati but if I understood (almost) then you will too :-)

And even though it's a story from Lord Mahaveer's life, don't worry it doesn't talk about Jainism ;-)

Best thing I loved was the visual - simple but effective.

Whatever Happened Is Justice - Part1 - 7:36 mins


Whatever Happened Is Justice - Part2 - 6:46 mins


Have a Great Easter Break. Be Safe.

Yeh G1 Hai

Google's first ever Android phone from HTC called "G1" is being released in Australia tomorrow and in one of those quirky moments, I came up with parody of the original Hindi song "Yeh Jeevan Hai" from movie 'Piya Ka Ghar'.

ORIGINAL Yeh Jeevan Hai, Is Jeevan Ka Yahi Hai, Yahi Hai Yahi Hai Rang Roop Thode Ghum Hain, Thodi Khushiyan Yahi Hai, Yahi Hai Yahi Hai Chaon Dhoop Yeh Jeevan Hai... Yeh Na Socho Isme Apni Haar Hai Ke Jeet Hai Ise Apna Lo Jo Bhi Jeevan Ki Reet Hai Yeh Zid Chodo, Bandhan Jodo. Har Pal Ek Darpan Hai Yeh Jeevan Hai... Dhan Se Na Duniya Se Ghar Se Na Dwar Se Saason Ki Dor Bandhi Hai Preetam Ke Pyar Se Duniya Choote, Par Na Toote, Yeh Aisa Bandhan Hai Yeh Jeevan Hai... Yeh Jeevan Hai, Is Jeevan Ka Yahi Hai, Yahi Hai Yahi Hai Rang Roop Thode Ghum Hain, Thodi Khushiyan Yahi Hai, Yahi Hai Yahi Hai Chaon Dhoop Yeh Jeevan Hai...

MODIFIED Yeh G1 Hai, Is G1 Ka Yahi Hai, Yahi Hai Yahi Hai Rang Rooop Touch Screen Hain, Qwerty Keyboard Yahi Hai, Yahi Hai Yahi Hai Rang Rooop Yeh G1 Hai... Yeh Na Socho Isme Apni Lack of Privacy Hai Ise Apna Lo Jo Bhi Andriod Ki Reet Hai Yeh Zid Chodo, Bandhan Jodo Har Pal Ek Google Hai Yeh G1 Hai... Apple Se Na Nokia Se Moto se Na Sam[Sung] Se Mobile Ki Dor Bandhi Hai Google Ke Dwar Se PhoneLine Choote, Net Na Toote, Yeh Aisa WebPhone Hai Yeh Jeevan Hai... Yeh G1 Hai, Is G1 Ka Yahi Hai, Yahi Hai Yahi Hai Rang Rooop Touch Screen Hain, Qwerty Keyboard Yahi Hai, Yahi Hai Yahi Hai Rang Rooop Yeh G1 Hai...

Happy Morning

I'm in the process of learning to say "Happy Morning" instead of "Good Morning", especially when I really mean it. This has been passed on to me by my dad-in-law who has come over to visit us these days. So, does it work? Yes, I must agree.

Saying "Good Morning" has become so routine you deliver it without even giving a second thought and hence it's also received in a same way. And when you change the way you greet people, it comes out more genuinely, make the opposites person take notice and brings smile on their face.

So, next time when you really mean to say "Good Morning", try "Happy Morning". Spread the happiness.

Have a Happy Morning Every Morning, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.

Small Change Big Impact

The Petition

There Will Be Blood

Over a year ago, I changed by job and had to work at a client's place which is right next to Red Cross office. Everyday in the morning, I walked across their office and thought to myself, I should donate blood. After about couple months, I got letter from Red Cross politely reminding me of blood donation - I was registered with them couple of years back when I went for my first ever donation. I thought to myself, now that their office is just next door I do not have any excuse of not to donate. Next day I went to my office was determined to visit them during lunch time. Unfortunately, work was hectic and I couldn't do it that day.

Couple of days went past, days became weeks, weeks became months and months turned into a whole year. In between this, I heard that it takes long time in there , ie., at least an hour, if you go to donate during office hours. Also, I thought of asking some colleagues, friends and ex-colleagues who work close by and see if they are interested to go and donate as a group but I never gotten around to do that either.

Now everyday when I walk past their office I think, bloody hell you haven't been in there yet. Also, seeing their adverts at bus stops or on the buses I take everyday didn't make my life any easier. And last weeks event in Mumbai has just compounded my guilt. I fooled myself all these days by saying, "will definitely do this today", but that today never came.

I'm not sure why I haven't done this yet. How can I not take some time off to go and talk to them and arrange some time to donate? Is it becoz I have turned into this unsympathetic monster who doesn't care? Is it becoz no one close to me has yet required blood and hence I'm unaware of the importance of donation or gravity of the blood shortage situation? Or Is it that I'm thinking what difference does it makes if one person doesn't donate? But then if everyone thinks in this way and I am sure most of them are, then who will donate?

So today, I'm gonna courageously call up Red Cross and will take an appointment to donate in a weeks time. Also, will email all my close friends and colleagues and see if anybody is interested in joining me. Yes, this time I promise myself that I'll donate blood and do it regularly and as usual I'm "sticking to my...".

Quote Hanger

Here is where I hang my original quotes. You can rent them for free, but an acknowledgment would be nice.

1. Babies are nature's clever marketing & packaging trick to get us to buy into.
2. Sometimes, ignoring is bliss.
3. Why does it take life-threatning-moment to change our life around?
4. Ask not if it is right time or wrong. Ask if it is your time or not.
   

You like them or hate them, I am "sticking.." of quotes.