Hey Morning… How are you – I greeted her, my colleague. She was not in office for past a week.

Aru is not well, she replied. Aru is her daughter of age 5. Must be due to the weather change – I thought. How is she doing now and what happened actually - I asked in a low voice. I noticed, she is yet to get settled on her workstation. Neither she had gone to pick up tea-coffee nor had she gone to get drinking water. Pucho mat yaar! She looked at me. The dark circles & her fret look made me concerned. Rina [name changed] is a jolly and love-to-be-happy lady. What’s bothering her now. Debs… could hear Rina calling me. Tell me da, what’s troubling you [sounded as if I own the magic wand to help her :D]. Aru is not well. I heard that. But could you please tell me how is she doing [That was rude and I bet, you all would agree – Debs needs to go for a mentoring to learn how to speak]..

No idea Debs [is she seeking my help to provide her help on what to say :D] We have done all the tests that doctor had prescribed but still… I was not sure how do I make to feel better. Shall I praise the doctors early morning with some lovely words or try to calm her. Is Aru fine now [damn how many times can I repeat the same]. Yes, she is fine. She has got rash al-over her body. The first day we didn’t take it seriously but next day onwards the condition deteriorated and we had to consult a skin specialist. Despite having all the tests done, doctor is not able find the reason. She briefed me the situation.

She is under medication Rina and would be fine soon – I try to console her. Don’t worry. Kaise worry naa karoon Debs? The rash is going to leave a mark on her skin. Ladki hain Aru. Tomorrow we need to get her married. With the scar allover, don’t you think it is going to be difficult?

Chill Rina, she is under treatment. She is just five and you are talking about her getting married! Good medicines are available these days. Don’t worry she would be perfect shortly. I know dear, she replied while typing her login credentials, but am more worried as she is a girl.

AS SHE IS A GIRL! The words just punched my ears. We are all going gaga while welcoming the first lady speaker of Lok Sabha. Today we are out of that chhuimui ladki image & have established Women Power across.

But I feel, it is time for a reality check. As WOMAN – do I really believe the World around is changed! I am educated & at work because I believe ‘the World is changed and it is time show what I can bring a difference’ or it is just because I don’t want to sit at home spending time with my kids & in-laws? I speak about liberation but inside – in my thought process still believe the miserable part of Cinderella? The horses, the prince… the fairy part is good to me only as a bedtime story…. Ladki hoon naa!

It was another Sunday morning, but special for someone. It is the time to live the trance … 31st May’09.

Heavy rain the previous night couldn’t dampen the spirit, getting up at 12 o’clock during weekend - thought was just vanished.

How would the roads look like? Would traffic be completely restricted? How would the traffic signals look like? While thinking about all these a peek at the clock indicated it was 6:45 Am. Oops! Need to leave now! Traffic in Bangaluru could be showstopper anytime.

7:30 in the morning and namma Bangaluru is already active. Why not? Afterall it is another important day for her! 10K Sunfeast marathon is going to kick start shortly! The entrance of Kasturba road is blocked & the entire traffic is forwarded the other side. Managed the parking part! Looks like, another expo fair is going on in Kanteerva Stadium. Folks of all ages, with their bibs were heading towards the stadium. I followed the crowd. Well, it was Debs’ debut to 10K Sunfeast marathon this time : )

Few people were busy in stretch works / warm-ups before entering the starting point. And other participants entered the stadium.

It was a gr8 experience seeing people of all ages running along. And the best part was no vehicles seen around. Sun on the sky which is not so scorching [it is relatively rare here], no pollution and people on both side of the road cheering / few with drums & various placards - of course, it was amazing experience. Especially when saw people around [someone without hands, a lady running in her burkhaa, an old couple singing & motivating each other while running] … The kids & crowd [cheer leaders], needless to say – were another integral part of the entire event. Endlessly they kept cheering the participants : )

Frequent water / medical booths made it easier for the participants. But, the view of empty water bottles allover – was little terrifying. The energetic volunteers were all around with smile on their face. Also, noticed few groups running for a social cause – carrying big placards & wearing Ts with some message to convey.

9:40 and I made it to the finishing line, at the stadium entrance. Stood there for some more time to see the smile on participants’ face. It was a good to see the reaction of the ones who came along with the participants! The view made me to realize, how even the presence of a near & dear brings difference.

Yeah! Am high … It is Runners High!!

What's there in a name… I remember Raj’s post on this topic few days back & I replied ‘A Rose would be a Rose whatever you name’. And now Faisal’s post What's my MS ID? What is my NEW MS ID? – stole my siesta masti & made to write this post!

We are well aware about celebritites changing their names [yes, at time due to modification with letters do change the name]. Like Viveik or Eisha or Kekkkkta Kkkapoor!

Not just a guess who would opt for which id – but ‘shall I opt for a new id too?’ also would be in air soon. Oh, the ones known by their id with those small profile photo [everyone is not as BOLD as monoo to put such clear ones] – are entitled for an id change!

Think about bildebej… Along with his writing skills he is eminent cos of his unique id. Now if he chooses to change his id to lalit or lalitp – I mean come-on – that sounds so funny … And no-one can recognize him with the display photo, as he is not ready to give away his First position of ‘farthest photo taken’ competion. At the same time I would like to know are we permitted to swap our IDs? Nah! Don’t think about Ajnabee type swapping :D

Now, here comes the podium to express your ideas on ‘who would opt for which id’ along with rationale…

So, let .. set … start!

Ghonchu… That’s how usually I address him …

It could actually be a story, the way we knocked each other. I was quite freaky on Orkut those dayz… joining new communities, evaluating various unknown profiles – who had sent me add request. One day I noticed someone had shared some easy recipe and tried it the same day as my cook was on leave those dayz. Didn’t miss to leave a THANKS note on the profile…
Frequent messages… followed by add in friend list ... chat list and then sharing phone #. A stranger to a close buddy - Journey was interesting. But am sure all must be wondering why am sharing all these on MS. Well, MS is an integral part in our journey. We wanted to meet each other over a trip: ) [one from Bengaluru & the other from Hyderabad.] Browsing options for various places, the accommodation … frequent calls made & being online continuously on instant messenger – also, got to hit a url called www.mouthshut.com frequently. Endlessly he kept sending me various MS-urls, Wah! Useful site. People do share their experiences – good / bad / to be avoided – all type-a experience. It didn’t take much time to register & share our experience too ….
When I completed my 2nd year of journey on MS - I felt, it is time to leave a THANKS note for Ghonchu, who brought me here : )

PS: Much info on journey yet to hit MS pad !!!

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong!!

My rakhi brother was in town sometime back. It was the first time since the wedding season passed. Walking memory lane n remembering all the naughty stuff during college dayz, lot-a chit-chat, cracking jokes, remembering old friends were the highlights. As usual we decided to freak around the way we used to do before [during our college dayz]. After a sumptuous dinner @ Punjabi Times we headed to other end of the city in search of desert [we also were looking for a place where we can sit late]… Headed for Atria [keeping in mind they have a 24 hr café].


Wao, parking is available there on Saturday night. Hmmm … People have become wise & decided to spend time at home during weekend. The parking area there is little uneven n not a concrete one. Also, there was not much light in parking [planned haan ;)].

Oooooooooooooooooooooo …. We four just stood stand-still. It is Bentley – parked just in front of reception! Who carez if someone is noticing us or not! Just started scanning the car like small kids crowd over the gola [crushed ice with flavored syrup] guy after school. Couple of click-click [with the secret desire to own one someday :D] Such a spacious car [till now had seen it only on television or computer screen] …

The registration # indicating Delhi, automatically it made us to get into some info collection task. The owner is from Bangalore, into Real Estate business [sahi time he bought the car :D]

Well, the cafe was closed and we had to move to another place in search of desert – but then experienced something, which I shall [rather all four] remember throughout…

Was checking old files n found the photos this afternoon and you know : ) … Here comes a post!

A few years ago, British Rail had a real fall-off in business. Looking for marketing answers, they went searching for a new ad agency - one that could deliver an ad campaign that would bring their customers back.

When the British Rail executives went to the offices of a prominent London ad agency to discuss their needs, they were met by a very rude receptionist, who insisted that they wait.

Finally, an unkempt person led them to a conference room - a dirty, scruffy room cluttered with plates of stale food. The executives were again, left to wait. A few agency people drifted in and out of the room, basically ignoring the executives who grew impatient by the minute. When the execs tried to ask what was going on, the agency people brushed them off and went about their work.

Eventually, the execs had enough. As they angrily started to get up, completely disgusted with the way they'd been treated, one of the agency people finally showed up.

"Gentlemen," he said, "your treatment here at our Agency is not typical of how we treat our clients - in fact, we've gone out of our way to stage this meeting for you. We've behaved this way to point out to you what it's like to be a customer of British Rail. Your real problem at British Rail isn't your advertising, it's your people. We suggest you let us address your employee attitude problem before we attempt to change your advertising."

The British Rail executives were shocked - but the agency got the account! The agency had the remarkable conviction to point out the problem because it knew exactly what needed to change.

As Yogi Berra once said... "Before we build a better mousetrap, we need to find out if there are any mice out there."

It is time for one of our dear MSian to ctrlX his BIRTHDAY CAKE cake and share with all of us ... Ofcourse with the first bite to Anoushka [his daughter] ...
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Any guesses? Who is this MSian? Lemme give a hint!

Recently he was up with all GEMS [she] in his cirle ... Come-on ... enough hint!

It is our favourite Sajith's B'day today!!! Don't miss to wish him & make him feel special ... Needless to mention let's all flood his gift-rack too ...

Many happy returns of the day Sajith :)

… Nourish the child in you: inquisitiveness, wonder, joyfulness, spontaneity, energy, simplicity, love, genuineness, innocence, learning, living in present moment ….And Flourish as adult....

I said – ‘Think Different’…

That reminded me Apple computers. I repeated ‘Think Different’…

These days we hear a lot - think different or think out of box…. And this Diwali it was time to be different… This being the first Diwali after our marriage – it is different! And we wanted to celebrate in a different way!

Light, Cracker and sweets are just irresistible for all during Diwali. I am not DIFFERENT : ) But still I said ‘Think Different’…

We picked up clay diya. And decided to be eco-friendly, hence no crackers. We wanted to celebrate with the ones who are deprived in life, so sweets for them … Spent the evening in an orphanage, with small kids there… The glow on their face seemed brighter than the diya-flame and the giggle sounded much soothing than the cracker ones!

Could there be a better way to go eco friendly this Diwali?