Not so "Friendly" Friend

Hey Listen, Your "Friend" just called up.

Have you heard any of your really close friends or your husband or boy friend say this to you in a sarcastic tone? If you have then you know what I mean here. For others, let me put it in a few words. The "Friend" mentioned here is some person whom you do not get along with, or cannot stand or do not like to see. Now the person mentioning this is a person who will be pretty close to you and in good terms with you.

When or why did people start mentioning a non-friendly person to you as your friend? I started contemplating on this after my friend said a similar line to me "Yah she is your close "Friend" right!!"
to mean a girl who is not in good terms with me. Just the stress and sarcastic tone changes the whole meaning of this word. This is not the only word and most certainly it exists in almost all languages. The more I thought about this I came up with more reasons for this. May be the first time someone had to mention it, they were afraid what if that person they are talking about hears this? Or may be the repercussions of the corporate culture where people like to see the glass half full, all the positive thinking stuff... Or it could be because we ran out of negative words or the mind was not quick enough to get one.

However strange it may feel while analyzing this, when used in a normal situation it brings out a secret smile and may be in a while that "Friend" person might soon become a real friend.

Well Said by Us!

I am not going to talk about the current economic trends, why the market went down and all. This blog is all about appreciation. My intention though is not to do a free advertisement, but that could happen. Also No offense meant for any other Nation.

Are you one of those who like to read the morning newspaper (Hindu, Indian Express etc.,) with a nice cup of coffee to begin your day? Or may be the lazy Sunday News paper reader? Or infact a tech savvy person who likes to reduce paper wastage and gets his news from the web? Either ways you might have noticed the language depth and expanse of vocabulary in the articles. I have been reading the online versions of our Indian journals and the American ones like Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Time Magazine etc., I don’t get to read every word or sentence it says but I do read in detail about certain News and some articles as time permits.

Recently I happened to read about the Nexus One release by Google on almost every news site possible. I was trying to gather as much information as possible to consider a possible buy of the cell phone. While doing that I stumbled upon this news on Economic Times. Now, I am not sure if it is the same version that came in the printed copy, but the one on the website was by far the best one about "Nexus One". I felt the author had really given crisp points about the phone and the editor has done a wonderful job pulling it together . In some American counter parts I saw spelling errors, grammar errors and worse - even information errors. Same way I was reading this article today again on Economic Times. Normally this topic will be written more or less like a "Chicken Soup for Office Politics Hater's Soul", but the way this article was written I was simply amazed. If you are interested check it out :).

Reading this, thoughts poured in. We have mastered an international language and are producing works that would stump even the native speakers. Is that because of the fact that our country ranks on top for the most number of official languages (22) and in the 4th position for the most number of languages spoken (427)? Or we did that because we are always surrounded by languages and over years we got it in our nature to master them :). Just a possibility!

"Curb" Appeal of Maharashtra Government!

I was randomly browsing the News Headlines on Times of India. This caught my eyes. 3-idiots in ragging row My first thought is - What the heck is wrong with this government

First, why do even politicians bother commenting on a movie? Is it not just an entertainment industry? Do they do it for all entertainment fields? If so then how is it entertainment... doesn't it become a government controlled show? For any industry to grow it needs some freedom. That’s why some industries in India prosper and grow. Not because the government helps there, but on the contrary they keep themselves out of it, especially because they do not understand those fields. 3 idiots is one of the well taken movies in recent times. I have heard people even say that the movie is comparable to most Hollywood movies for the picturisation and all. With good movies becoming a rare occurrence nowadays why do our politicians always find it amusing to pick on crowd applauded movies mentioning words like ragging, violence etc especially where it is totally unrelated?
Second, when the government (rather politician) promotes violence themselves in different ways during elections, bandh, strikes, in the parliament when they hit each other with chairs, during internal border issues (like telengana and belgaum) etc., how can they even think about pointing fingers at the Movie Industry? Even morally what rights they have to do that?

Third, don’t they have better work to do? Maharashtra the second largest in population in India has umpteen issues that the government really needs to worry about. Every time it rains Bombay is flooded, traffic is slow, and can they spend this time taking steps for those things. To appeal the crowd, instead of curbing "Scenes" from movies, they should curb "some poverty and illiteracy" from their state. Please someone let me know, if there is a way to open their brains and put the right thoughts in.

I feel not just this government, it is true with even Tamil Nadu and a few other state governments. Lately they seem to think they can take up silly things and make it an issue and get some publicity by that means - Wake up Government! Your people are smarter than you think, it’s high time you get there! mmm will it be interesting if we can curb and criticize the government the same way they do to the movies or other silly issues.

New Year & Blue Moon @ the Crossroads of the World!

Last Saturday a lazy afternoon my friends were making plans for the New Year's Eve. In the TV they announced it is a blue moon day and that faintly hit my brains. I made a mental note to check on it when I have time. Then after an hour's vague discussion we finally decided the weather is not good so skiing would be a bad idea. The thought rested for 2 days. On Tuesday we gathered again to take a final poll on the New Year's Eve. Work was getting to us, its year end, we wont have holidays for another 5 months solid... so all these made us decide lets go to New York City. So what to do there? Then we came up with the Ball drop idea! How about going to the Ball Drop? Immediate thoughts were - the weather is bad, it will rain, we will not be able to stand 7-8 hrs, is it worth it, what if we feel cold, once we are in we cannot come out, how to manage nature calls, we came up with an answer for all questions as we were determined to make it (atleast one of us :)).

On Wednesday night we hit "Wal-Mart" and bought hand warmers, ponchos (not my idea), thermals, protein bars etc, read different websites and blogs for tips (were scary), and prepared for the grand day. I was not all that enthusiastic and went to bed. The Grand Day finally came - The end of the Year, I was all excited about the plan. We had to leave our home by 11:30am to make it to the ball drop, so I woke up early started cleaning my house (its just me), one of my friends went to work by 6:30am, the rest of us worked from home. By 10:30am my friend calls me and he was like "Can you check outside the window?” OMG! It was snowing so much. We had checked NYC weather but did not check our own place. We again huddled on the phone and since the determination level was high we decided to go with it.

As planned we left home by 11:30am waddled our way through the snow keeping the car on the road in a low speed drove to New Haven. When we reached it was about 1:30 pm. Our hearts were contemplating on if we will make it or not. We took a to-go lunch from "Subway" and hit the train @ 2:33pm - the earliest we could manage. It’s the slowest train journey of my life. First, I have never traveled in a train (not subway) in the US; Second I am used to trains in India (comparatively much faster). After a bumpy, hour and half drag it reached Grand Central, NYC. We jumped out, got ourselves dressed for the weather, bought final stuff and started walking to Time Square at 4:30pm. It was already crowded, the streets were busy, the Sun went down and we were worried if we will get anywhere close to the ball.

We had to walk down to the 52nd street after a few enquiries with the cops and I was already saying it’s alright, not so bad and all that - the general morale was somewhat low; crowd was everywhere trying to get to the square. Finally we entered - walking, running, screaming to the 47-48th st pen. We were glad to be atleast that close, overjoyed we looked at the clock and it was 5:30pm - 6.5hrs to go. The Ball was hoisted at 6. We barely heard the things going on in the stage, then saw the crowd around - there were a LOT of Germans, students, Indians, Chinese and people from around the globe. Initial chattering was there... 2 more count down happened and it was 8. We were all happy until - the ice rain. It starting slow and then to a down pour - our ponchos and rain proof jackets kept us safe to the envy of the crowd. Some of them even asked if we have one more of it. No bags allowed, so Sorry!

By 9:00 pm we were all exchanging chocolates, thoughts and interests, the crowd started getting familiar and we were moving forward with in the Pen. We then decided to go even further and jumped a Pen, and we loved it between 46 & 47, the stage sounds were much clearer and we got to talk to a different crowd. Slowly it was 10:30pm. The ice rain changed to snow, then normal showers and again ice rain. The weather got colder, my legs were freezing and lower back was aching. Another chocolate this time with a different group and some water kept the spirits up again. It was 11:00 pm :). The last hour of the year... in my mind I was replaying the important incidents of the year... my friends were all waiting for the last minute, Hey not so bad we are there and then it was 11:59... the last 1 min was so fast with the count down. I was screaming so loud every one was taking photos, there were proposals, shouting, hugging, kissing, a mad frenzy in the chaotic showers of confetti - the glorious moment lasted for about 10 mins, completely worth every minute of the wait. The other end of the road gleamed with fireworks, 2010 has BORN!!!! I could not believe I was there at the cross roads of the world (Time Square) on a Blue Moon New Year’s Day (even caught a glimpse of the moon hiding between clouds), once in a life time experience.

The thought filled me up until I got back home at 6:30 am and even now. Hope each one of you had a blasting New Year start, all geared up to face the 365 days of challenge ahead! Once again "Happy New Year!!!"

The Secret Behind Braiding.

Braiding is also known as plaiting. In India it is not a big deal to see a braided hair, infact till I finished my high school I used to braid my hair every single day to school as it was the rule if you have long hair. After I came to US I did not find many braided hairs and I cut my hair short too so I stopped braiding too.

So what made me write this? Of late I saw quite a lot of braided hair styles. First my recent trip to India, then the Movie Avatar and the ski resort in NH. Well it was very common to see braided hair styles in India (though it has reduced considerably). I too braided my hair when I was at home during my vacation.

In the movie they showed the Aliens to be wearing pig-tails braided. Everyone both male and female, young-old had their hair braided. Well it’s a movie so let’s hold that thought and move on to the next one. The Ski Resort - well that came as a surprise to me. Most of the women who had (short/long) hair had braided their hair, the visitors and the workers their alike. I did not realize the reason until the fair end of my own skiing down the hill.

Now the reason - In the movie it is that way because if you look closely they would have taken a lot of the culture from tropical regions like South America and Africa, and people there braid their hair to escape humidity. Yes. The same reason in India too. Earlier we did not have so much of conditioner and women used to have long hair. So to save the hair our ancestors came up with this brilliant braiding idea. It locks in moisture and the hair is not spoilt that much because of natural elements. In the ski resort also they did it because of the cold climate and convenience. It is easy to ski down with your hair braided because if you fall (which you would) the hair will not be spoilt by the cold weather, also it keeps the hair out of the way.

Some things done by our ancestors are worth an applaud.

Its the Holidays!!

Whereever you go on the roads, across the corridors, amongst the houses, in the shops, oh infact even in the office cubicles, you can see the grandeur of colourful lights and festive decorations spreading the joy of the holidays. Yes it is the Christmas - New Year week and my blog comes a bit late for wishing you all a Wonderful Holiday Season and a Grand New Year! Hope you all had a Merry Christmas too :)

Parties, Celebrations, Dinner and Shopping is all you will hear.. Kids will be overjoyed with the amount of chocloates they will get and the meeting of family members, exchanging wishes and memories with food. Being Monday today, instead of the usual hustle and bustle, there was no traffic on the roads, empty parking lots, silent office and all meetings cancelled. I was even wondering why on earth I am heading to the office. The holiday mood has grabbed me in full swing but with the cold winter and the pouring rain outside I can only pray I get to enjoy the New Year's eve as much as I did the Christmas. So what was so special for christmas? I went skiing down the slopes of Bretton Woods, a fine ski resort in NH. The weather was beautiful with highs in the 30s, no rain, clear skies and no wind. Could not ask for a better day! Hey I am only a novice and got lot more to learn in this sport, this winter I am determined to do that. Well determination brings me to another point.. Whats your New Year resolution or determination? Stay tuned to know mine.

The Joy Ride!

During the rush hour say around 8:30- 9:00 am, when you get into the Elevator you will find so much of life going on... I generally hop into it in the ground floor and ride up to the 13th floor. Usually there will be 7-8 ppl everyone trying to get to their desks. The most annoying ride will be when all 8 ppl have to get down at 8 different floors (my floor is the last :)). Mostly the 8 ppl will be of 8 different personalities. Very rare to find 2 of the same kind, Yah never will make a poker hand. Someone will be listening to an ongoing status meeting on the mobile headset pressed against the ears. Another will be loud on the phone talking to his/her family across the ocean or answering in a status meeting… whatever it is you will hear every word of it for you to decide.

In a corner will be a man trying to get out of the elevator as soon as it reaches his floor even if it means pushing the person in front, because he would be late for the meeting. Also will be a person who would run to the fair end of the elevator with a laptop, a coffee and may be a New York Times in his hand even if his floor is the next. Another elderly lady in a pink palette with white pearls and a shining smile will be standing patiently awaiting her turn weaving in and out of the elevator letting other people out. There will sometimes be a couple either married or unmarried catching up on the missed discussion in a low voice. The ride could even last up to 4 minutes. I get the feeling of going in a crowded morning train once in a while. If you listen carefully you can catch up on the local town news, on the stock market prices and how stinking the government gets day by day, how they bought a new dog, even about their daughter's first words...oh and the scent of the morning coffee.. so much of information will be thrown at you.

But today I felt lonely. I hopped into the elevator as always but at 7:30 am and got to ride all alone for a min and reached my floor, but I missed the crowd, the chatter, the information especially as the NFL season is here, the world series final is going on and the stock market is turning upside down everyday. And it is the Monday after Halloween weekend! mm… Looks like I got used to, what I felt as an annoyance once!