I got my first Credit card 3 months after I started working. It was a Gold card. I was very happy with it, flaunted it to my friends. Was proud about it. Alas! as everyone else, I learnt it the hard way.
I have 2 issues which I think is not unique to me alone.
Nuisance
I always believe that its all in your hands to handle stuff. One cant really blame anyone else but you. I have had more than 1 credit card; its never been a problem for me to use them prudentially. I am a spendthrift, yet I have always paid my bills on time. You know; the bills - i.e. exact amount that you swiped for; which is negligible but other exorbitant fee like interest, service charge, hidden charges and all other blah..blah...blah...
One particular Indian bank really does this well. Today morning, I get an alert on my cell phone
"Dear Customer, effective 06 May 2009, the cash limit on your XXXXX Bank Credit Card xxxx007 will be Rs 0 and the total credit limit will be Rs.. XXXXX/-"
I did not care as I cut the card into 4 pieces and threw it away long time ago. The account was still active though. This particular bank has been doing dubious stuffs; and I have always taken it. They would charge extra amount and quote it as defaulter fine and so on.
One more instance2 years ago - I received 2 credit cards from the bank at different intervals. It was attached with a Congratulatory message - "As you are our privileged customer....blah..blah..blah....we are offering you an extra card....."
I called them to enquire why they sent the card as it was nothing special. As such, the account and the credit limit is still the same. This was something like an Add-on card. Whats the hoopla about it? I asked them why didn't they intimate me before sending and why didn't they have the courtesy to ask me if I would require it?
Phat comes the reply from the customer service executive - "We called you ma'am. You approved it and hence we sent it".
I asked when was the call date and to which number I was contacted.
He mentioned "21st August 2006, Ph number 91xxxxxxxxxx". (My cell phone)
The truth was that I was not in India at the mentioned date and I had got my phone service suspended during my absence in India.
I thought enough of this and never really used those 2 cards. Recently I got a mail from the credit card department that as my card was inactive, they are going to suspend it. What big deal! Go do it!
Yeah, so after all these nasty experiences, I decided to confront them today after I received this message. The executive told me that they review the payment history regularly and it is bank's policy. They have decided to nullify my cash limit but my credit limit remains the same. He also added that this would get affected only if I used the card to withdraw cash.
Even though I did not use the card anymore, I wanted to know the solid motive behind it. I persisted and said "I might want to withdraw cash during emergency. And moreover, I have been holding the card for almost 4 years now. Was there any payment delay from my side? Whats exactly the reason? You guys did not even intimate before deciding on this. Do you only review credit and payment history to strip off privileges? You have never increased my credit limit while other banks have done it"
Having said this, I asked them to cancel my account and the card. Anyways, I learnt the hard way of having these cards and their nuisances. They charge huge interest and all other nonsensical changes.
The executive has sent my case for review and to see if my cash limit will be revoked - in spite of me being adamant to cancel the card.
Non-acceptance
Due to the recent market downturn, lay-offs and in these times of credit crunch, everyone prefers hard cash. If you are someone who prefer plastic when it comes to spending; it might leave you fuming when you figure out that the restaurants, lounge bars, malls, don't accept credit cards anymore; flashing your card would rather leave you embarrassed.
Otherwise also, there are these so called technical glitches, power failures, phone lines down and so on. Aren't they supposed to intimate as soon the patrons walk in rather than put them in an awkward position later?
Talking about one such experience, when it was time to pay the bill at a coffee shop, the waiter came back with my card and said "Its barred madam". It was so embarrassing. He said it loud enough for everyone to hear. I immediately called the card's customer care and they assured me that the card was fine from my end. It ought to be that the swiping machine was probably malfunctioning
I had to pay through cash later.
Maybe, these new rules and updates are due to recession!! They want to save themselves from paying tax as much as possible as card transactions mean that the money is routed through bank, making if accountable for tax.
PS : My ethical sense has restricted me from quoting the bank's name but I am very disappointed with them.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
F7 anyone?
The triip was varyy intersinf...
This is how a sentence would be if there were no Spell Check feature. But there's cons attached to any stuff you take right? This spell check sometimes beats you up dead.
Official mails which are copied to important people, and you are careful to choose right words, and do a thorough check to make sure everything is correct.
You use this deadly tool; which is supposed to correct your spelling errors but in turn turns the table. You become a laughing stock. Few mails here just to prove that.
An engineer had to send a reminder mail to his team mates reminding them of the team meeting. So after composing and spell check, this is what we got to read -
"Mating starts in 5 minutes in 4th floor conference room"
Spell check of the line "The ESX issue is still pending" suggested thus
"The SEX issue is still pending"
By the way, for the uninitiated; ESX is an enterprise-level virtualization product offered by VMware, Inc.
Another blunder that we laughed out loud was a mail from a colleague. It was to suggest we can sit around and discuss; which when we received was thus -
"We can shit around and discuss....."
I am not sure if this was a result of spell check or human error.
So next time after your F7 and before clicking the "Send" button, make double sure if the spellings are what you really want it to be.
This is how a sentence would be if there were no Spell Check feature. But there's cons attached to any stuff you take right? This spell check sometimes beats you up dead.
Official mails which are copied to important people, and you are careful to choose right words, and do a thorough check to make sure everything is correct.
You use this deadly tool; which is supposed to correct your spelling errors but in turn turns the table. You become a laughing stock. Few mails here just to prove that.
An engineer had to send a reminder mail to his team mates reminding them of the team meeting. So after composing and spell check, this is what we got to read -
"Mating starts in 5 minutes in 4th floor conference room"
Spell check of the line "The ESX issue is still pending" suggested thus
"The SEX issue is still pending"
By the way, for the uninitiated; ESX is an enterprise-level virtualization product offered by VMware, Inc.
Another blunder that we laughed out loud was a mail from a colleague. It was to suggest we can sit around and discuss; which when we received was thus -
"We can shit around and discuss....."
I am not sure if this was a result of spell check or human error.
So next time after your F7 and before clicking the "Send" button, make double sure if the spellings are what you really want it to be.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Getting Influenced
At some point of time in life, each of us have been influenced by someone, some incident, some thing. The ma'am who taught Math at school, neat - always in neatly pressed Cotton Saree; always punctual and kind but strict with the students; or the Chemistry professor whose attitude was as effervescent as the chemicals in the laboratory; or the young and handsome Computer teacher whose fingers moved flawlessly on the keyboard, your omnipotent-potent mom who always kept things in order so that you or dad were never late to school or office or your neighborhood 20 something handsome hunk on his sleek motor cycle.......we wanted to be like them at one point of time.
We are impressed with someone or something, for no particular reason. Its the basic human trait to copy, get influenced. We aped the monkey and polished our traits better, and thus; here we are condemning each other, making fun of each other. The traits are within us.
So is it about losing your own self? Your identity? You forget what you are and try to be someone else? Does that hint you are of a weak personality, who lack confidence in you?
Not at all, its after all basic human nature; just as you yawn seeing some one else yawn. Some of the tactics you learn by aping someone actually does you good. It helps you gain a skill, isn't that why you are actually influenced in the first place? Because you liked something and felt good about having the same skill.
Generally the "getting influenced" thing happens mostly in your growing up years when you are a kid. You get attracted towards things that entice you and hence want a part of it. Getting influenced by a cartoon character, by a movie; This happens when you are in no position to judge whats right and whats not.
"I want to be a Spiderman!" yells a kid while bringing both the palms forward and trying to emulate the way Spiderman does to shoot webs from his fingers...."tweetch...tweetch..."
"I want to be a pilot" because your uncle is a pilot.
Few days later, "I want to be a doctor".
Else "I want to be a police officer. Look, how the officer chases the thief and shoots him down. I want such a gun too".
Further down, "I want to be a film actor. They can be doctors and pilots and engineers and police officers as they like. So a film actor!"
But as we grow, our paths become clearer. We know our own pros and cons, we realize that was all a fantasy, part of growing up years. One realizes that one cannot be like his/her teacher. She was unique, a charming persona. The boy realizes he cant be just like his neighborhood hunk...maybe much better than him huh! Why not?
In a culture like ours, where we are molded to be "guided" and with oodles of suggestions and advices, we do get influenced no matter we are young or old.
Getting influenced at work. Trying to imitate a person's working habit. It may not suit all. Many a times, it strikes back and affects you. You cant be someone who you are not, thus bringing down your confidence further down and affecting you overall.
Sometimes, getting influenced can turn you into a disaster. I was always put in a fix whenever I have got influenced. I was under influence of my English teacher's pronunciation at school. So I would emulate her to impress her. Whenever my pronunciation of "education" was EDU-CATION, she would change hers into EJU-CATION and vice-versa. Same thing with "schedule". It was SKEDULE for her when it was SHEDULE for me and vice-versa...My bad luck.
And I have struggled more than once whenever I have tried to copy my friends' eating style. These guys had a large appetite and can gorge in anything like a pig; yet remain slim and fit, thanks to their wonderful metabolic rate. Whereas me, would have to struggle to slim down!!
Getting influenced can turn the events funny and thus make you an object of ridicule. Posted one such event long time ago. Find it here. The gentleman got influenced by the American accent.
Another funny incident of getting influenced happened with my friend.
A colleague of ours at our work place has this habit of adding "y" to few words while speaking. Something like - "I love that thingy".
This colleague and my friend had a cultural practice for one of our events at office on a weekend. Conversing with her had such influence on my friend that at the end of the practice session, he had to change to his pants and shirt and head home. He uttered thus -
"I will be back, have to change my panty!"
Heights of Getting Influenced huh?
We are impressed with someone or something, for no particular reason. Its the basic human trait to copy, get influenced. We aped the monkey and polished our traits better, and thus; here we are condemning each other, making fun of each other. The traits are within us.
So is it about losing your own self? Your identity? You forget what you are and try to be someone else? Does that hint you are of a weak personality, who lack confidence in you?
Not at all, its after all basic human nature; just as you yawn seeing some one else yawn. Some of the tactics you learn by aping someone actually does you good. It helps you gain a skill, isn't that why you are actually influenced in the first place? Because you liked something and felt good about having the same skill.
Generally the "getting influenced" thing happens mostly in your growing up years when you are a kid. You get attracted towards things that entice you and hence want a part of it. Getting influenced by a cartoon character, by a movie; This happens when you are in no position to judge whats right and whats not.
"I want to be a Spiderman!" yells a kid while bringing both the palms forward and trying to emulate the way Spiderman does to shoot webs from his fingers...."tweetch...tweetch..."
"I want to be a pilot" because your uncle is a pilot.
Few days later, "I want to be a doctor".
Else "I want to be a police officer. Look, how the officer chases the thief and shoots him down. I want such a gun too".
Further down, "I want to be a film actor. They can be doctors and pilots and engineers and police officers as they like. So a film actor!"
But as we grow, our paths become clearer. We know our own pros and cons, we realize that was all a fantasy, part of growing up years. One realizes that one cannot be like his/her teacher. She was unique, a charming persona. The boy realizes he cant be just like his neighborhood hunk...maybe much better than him huh! Why not?
In a culture like ours, where we are molded to be "guided" and with oodles of suggestions and advices, we do get influenced no matter we are young or old.
Getting influenced at work. Trying to imitate a person's working habit. It may not suit all. Many a times, it strikes back and affects you. You cant be someone who you are not, thus bringing down your confidence further down and affecting you overall.
Sometimes, getting influenced can turn you into a disaster. I was always put in a fix whenever I have got influenced. I was under influence of my English teacher's pronunciation at school. So I would emulate her to impress her. Whenever my pronunciation of "education" was EDU-CATION, she would change hers into EJU-CATION and vice-versa. Same thing with "schedule". It was SKEDULE for her when it was SHEDULE for me and vice-versa...My bad luck.
And I have struggled more than once whenever I have tried to copy my friends' eating style. These guys had a large appetite and can gorge in anything like a pig; yet remain slim and fit, thanks to their wonderful metabolic rate. Whereas me, would have to struggle to slim down!!
Getting influenced can turn the events funny and thus make you an object of ridicule. Posted one such event long time ago. Find it here. The gentleman got influenced by the American accent.
Another funny incident of getting influenced happened with my friend.
A colleague of ours at our work place has this habit of adding "y" to few words while speaking. Something like - "I love that thingy".
This colleague and my friend had a cultural practice for one of our events at office on a weekend. Conversing with her had such influence on my friend that at the end of the practice session, he had to change to his pants and shirt and head home. He uttered thus -
"I will be back, have to change my panty!"
Heights of Getting Influenced huh?
Monday, April 27, 2009
You drive me Laazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Yaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn...................
My organization has bestowed upon us 5 days of holiday.....Yiieeeppppeeeeeee!
Well, ......yaaaawwwwwwwwwwnnnnn......
Folks, I am very sleepy, so each time I yawn while I am writing this, I am gonna "yawn" here.
For the effect you see.
I slept whole night. Woke up at 9 AM. Read morning's paper. Went back to sleep again. Woke up just now. My cell phone shows the time as 16:28....Hmmm....No food yet... I have this abnormal ability to make myself hungry when I want to, else I can go into hibernation as long as I would like to be. That's unhealthy...yeah....
These are one of those times when....yaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnn.....you just don't wanna do a thing. Nothing at all..Zilch. Lazy to watch TV, lazy to eat, lazy to read. lazy to clean yourself...yeah that Super Laziness. I have DVDs to watch, lotta pending books to read, pending chores to take care of, yet I don't want to do anything.
Yaawwwwwwwwnnn....This was a small one just now.
Yeah, I was telling about the holidays my org has given us all....Yawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnnnnnnn........The usual recession effect, 5 days of forced holiday, cost cuts, power....yaaaaaawwwwwwwnnnnnnn....savings.
Its a feel lazy factor for me here. All day at home, bored of same ol' "Air Force One", "Gothika", "Bringing Down the House", "Shall we Dance", "Raising Helen", "Ocean's Eleven", "Epic Movie", "Con Air", "The Rock"..................again and again on TV.
Yawwwwwwwwwwnnnn......
Queen Latifah in a red chiffon and denim micro mini stands seductively on a stair case. Oh, That was the scene that just went by from "Bringing Down the House" as I blog.
I have been...yaawwwwnnnn......doing nothing since 3 days. The past 15 days were very hectic for me, I had to slog on weekends to finish off a critical stuff and I was really looking forward for these holidays. Now that they have come, I am bored.
Mind's blank...yaawwwwnnnn.....the gray and the white matter sleepy, few of them awake to process further signals of "Hit the bed, you *****.
Mind you, the asterisks there are to be replaced with a parliamentary word...no slang huh. As I said, my brain ain't working, so I did not get a proper word to replace over there.
I visited a blog sometime back. There were references of how this particular blogger doesn't approve of poems with no rhyming, blogs with less than 3 paragraphs and other things. Good read. But each one has a different take.
Are there any definite rules for blogging? All I know is that this is a ...yaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnn....place to share what you feel. Few people prefer to keep it short, throw in pictures, few prefer to drag and drag and make a simple one algebraically complex with some cos, theta and calculus thrown in.
I have always been in a dilemma while writing something. How long should this post be? Is this too short? Is it too long? Would this post deviate the reader? Would this be a drag? Oh what about the pictures? They are copy-rights. Can I use them here? And what about the choice of words? Is it gaudy or is it too very sophisticated to fly beyond one's teeny-weeny brain? Can I write this? Is it not offensive? And so on and on and on........
People, read it if you like it else; junk it. Give suggestions and opinions and criticize and praise.
What the heck! Recently, I read a statement by one of the two Google's founders. I don't remember if it were Larry Page or Eric Schmidt. It went something like this - There are about 30 million registered blogger out there. They are their own readers.
You like it, read it, laugh over, post a comment. Else just wander away. There are a group of people who don't respond to the comments they receive. That's very rude and mean. Whaddya expect?
And yes, there are few who are extremes. Who can only praise for every junkie out there; or only criticize for anything and everything.
There are others who remain passive through out, read in and take in everything, get a chance, blow a horn. Passive yet aggressive.
There are others, visitors who visit the blog, don't read a thing. Just come to advertise their stuff. Disgusting!
Oh by the way, I did not yawn for quite some time. But my mind is blank yet. Maybe a hot cuppa would do, the weather is hot, so what? Anytime a hot cuppa.....
PS : Composed this when my brain was sound asleep, so might not make much sense. But comments welcome as always.....
My organization has bestowed upon us 5 days of holiday.....Yiieeeppppeeeeeee!
Well, ......yaaaawwwwwwwwwwnnnnn......
Folks, I am very sleepy, so each time I yawn while I am writing this, I am gonna "yawn" here.
For the effect you see.
I slept whole night. Woke up at 9 AM. Read morning's paper. Went back to sleep again. Woke up just now. My cell phone shows the time as 16:28....Hmmm....No food yet... I have this abnormal ability to make myself hungry when I want to, else I can go into hibernation as long as I would like to be. That's unhealthy...yeah....
These are one of those times when....yaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnn.....you just don't wanna do a thing. Nothing at all..Zilch. Lazy to watch TV, lazy to eat, lazy to read. lazy to clean yourself...yeah that Super Laziness. I have DVDs to watch, lotta pending books to read, pending chores to take care of, yet I don't want to do anything.
Yaawwwwwwwwnnn....This was a small one just now.
Yeah, I was telling about the holidays my org has given us all....Yawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnnnnnnn........The usual recession effect, 5 days of forced holiday, cost cuts, power....yaaaaaawwwwwwwnnnnnnn....savings.
Its a feel lazy factor for me here. All day at home, bored of same ol' "Air Force One", "Gothika", "Bringing Down the House", "Shall we Dance", "Raising Helen", "Ocean's Eleven", "Epic Movie", "Con Air", "The Rock"..................again and again on TV.
Yawwwwwwwwwwnnnn......
Queen Latifah in a red chiffon and denim micro mini stands seductively on a stair case. Oh, That was the scene that just went by from "Bringing Down the House" as I blog.
I have been...yaawwwwnnnn......doing nothing since 3 days. The past 15 days were very hectic for me, I had to slog on weekends to finish off a critical stuff and I was really looking forward for these holidays. Now that they have come, I am bored.
Mind's blank...yaawwwwnnnn.....the gray and the white matter sleepy, few of them awake to process further signals of "Hit the bed, you *****.
Mind you, the asterisks there are to be replaced with a parliamentary word...no slang huh. As I said, my brain ain't working, so I did not get a proper word to replace over there.
I visited a blog sometime back. There were references of how this particular blogger doesn't approve of poems with no rhyming, blogs with less than 3 paragraphs and other things. Good read. But each one has a different take.
Are there any definite rules for blogging? All I know is that this is a ...yaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnn....place to share what you feel. Few people prefer to keep it short, throw in pictures, few prefer to drag and drag and make a simple one algebraically complex with some cos, theta and calculus thrown in.
I have always been in a dilemma while writing something. How long should this post be? Is this too short? Is it too long? Would this post deviate the reader? Would this be a drag? Oh what about the pictures? They are copy-rights. Can I use them here? And what about the choice of words? Is it gaudy or is it too very sophisticated to fly beyond one's teeny-weeny brain? Can I write this? Is it not offensive? And so on and on and on........
People, read it if you like it else; junk it. Give suggestions and opinions and criticize and praise.
What the heck! Recently, I read a statement by one of the two Google's founders. I don't remember if it were Larry Page or Eric Schmidt. It went something like this - There are about 30 million registered blogger out there. They are their own readers.
You like it, read it, laugh over, post a comment. Else just wander away. There are a group of people who don't respond to the comments they receive. That's very rude and mean. Whaddya expect?
And yes, there are few who are extremes. Who can only praise for every junkie out there; or only criticize for anything and everything.
There are others who remain passive through out, read in and take in everything, get a chance, blow a horn. Passive yet aggressive.
There are others, visitors who visit the blog, don't read a thing. Just come to advertise their stuff. Disgusting!
Oh by the way, I did not yawn for quite some time. But my mind is blank yet. Maybe a hot cuppa would do, the weather is hot, so what? Anytime a hot cuppa.....
PS : Composed this when my brain was sound asleep, so might not make much sense. But comments welcome as always.....
Friday, April 24, 2009
Wickedly Yours...
Dear B Log,
I hope you are healthy and active and are generating decent traffic. I learnt that you have sensible readers who appreciate you and criticize you for the better. Things are fine by me. But there is one stuff that twitches my brain from time to time since few days and its driving me to guilt.
Kids, as you know are very innocent and naive. They are pure in their thoughts and actions, maybe they do commit mischief but those are not intentional. But as a kid, I was wicked. I was cunning and bad. Please let me share my actions with you. It would soothe my heart.
This one happened when I was in my Upper Kindergarten. A girl in my class had a tiny toy which made noise as it snapped. It was to be held in the thumb and to be snapped. I liked it a lot. It was not that I did not ask her to lend it to me. She showed it off but would never let my hands on it. So I devised a plan. When she was away, I stole it and behaved as if nothing happened. When she realized that she lost her toy, she searched in vain and cried. I took secret pride about my successful actions. As soon as I went home that day, I hid it in a closet. My mom noticed it and investigated. She punished me hard and later, I never stole a thing, I did not even take anything from my home without letting my mom know.........Well, at least for few years.
Some other time, I vented out my anger on a friend for denying me what? I don't remember. You want to know what I did? I cut the strap of her new bag! And I seemed happy when she was crying!
I told you I stopped stealing after my mom punished me on the first occasion. Well, that was only for a few years. When I was in grade 3, we started collecting these greeting cards for the fun of it. What started as a fun, went on to become an obsession. We used to exchange cards depending on mutual likings and preferences. It was during one such day that I eyed upon a beautiful card with a friend. She did not part with it. I patiently waited until the class hours ended. We commuted in the same bus. When we were in the bus, I stealthily unbuckled her bag and pulled out the card that I wanted partially; waited for us to alight. When we alighted, I just pulled that one card out, hid it with me. I would have been still a good child had I left it at that. I was fuming at her denial and I pulled out other cards too in such a way that they started falling off from her bag as she walked away. :-(
The most cunning stuff I have ever done is this. I and my class mate would go to the same private tuition where I was the teacher's favorite. To be noted was that I knew her since my lower grade and was quite a close friend. At school, I took advantage of both these facts and would hijack things from her by blackmailing the poor girl that if she denied, I would complain to the tuition teacher. The girl was always scared as the teacher had a reputation of being strict. She would get annoyed about my act but yet would relent. I got my free supply of pencils, erasers etc from her.
These things really make me feel sick about myself as a kid. More than anything, I feel sorry for my actions and want to apologize to these victims. I was very wicked and cunning. But I have grown up now and I am no more the wicked kid. These were the only times I were wicked, but otherwise I was a good child. I hope those girls would not mind now.
Hmmm....finally; I shared these thoughts with you and I can be peaceful henceforth.
I hope you are healthy and active and are generating decent traffic. I learnt that you have sensible readers who appreciate you and criticize you for the better. Things are fine by me. But there is one stuff that twitches my brain from time to time since few days and its driving me to guilt.
Kids, as you know are very innocent and naive. They are pure in their thoughts and actions, maybe they do commit mischief but those are not intentional. But as a kid, I was wicked. I was cunning and bad. Please let me share my actions with you. It would soothe my heart.
This one happened when I was in my Upper Kindergarten. A girl in my class had a tiny toy which made noise as it snapped. It was to be held in the thumb and to be snapped. I liked it a lot. It was not that I did not ask her to lend it to me. She showed it off but would never let my hands on it. So I devised a plan. When she was away, I stole it and behaved as if nothing happened. When she realized that she lost her toy, she searched in vain and cried. I took secret pride about my successful actions. As soon as I went home that day, I hid it in a closet. My mom noticed it and investigated. She punished me hard and later, I never stole a thing, I did not even take anything from my home without letting my mom know.........Well, at least for few years.
Some other time, I vented out my anger on a friend for denying me what? I don't remember. You want to know what I did? I cut the strap of her new bag! And I seemed happy when she was crying!
I told you I stopped stealing after my mom punished me on the first occasion. Well, that was only for a few years. When I was in grade 3, we started collecting these greeting cards for the fun of it. What started as a fun, went on to become an obsession. We used to exchange cards depending on mutual likings and preferences. It was during one such day that I eyed upon a beautiful card with a friend. She did not part with it. I patiently waited until the class hours ended. We commuted in the same bus. When we were in the bus, I stealthily unbuckled her bag and pulled out the card that I wanted partially; waited for us to alight. When we alighted, I just pulled that one card out, hid it with me. I would have been still a good child had I left it at that. I was fuming at her denial and I pulled out other cards too in such a way that they started falling off from her bag as she walked away. :-(
The most cunning stuff I have ever done is this. I and my class mate would go to the same private tuition where I was the teacher's favorite. To be noted was that I knew her since my lower grade and was quite a close friend. At school, I took advantage of both these facts and would hijack things from her by blackmailing the poor girl that if she denied, I would complain to the tuition teacher. The girl was always scared as the teacher had a reputation of being strict. She would get annoyed about my act but yet would relent. I got my free supply of pencils, erasers etc from her.
These things really make me feel sick about myself as a kid. More than anything, I feel sorry for my actions and want to apologize to these victims. I was very wicked and cunning. But I have grown up now and I am no more the wicked kid. These were the only times I were wicked, but otherwise I was a good child. I hope those girls would not mind now.
Hmmm....finally; I shared these thoughts with you and I can be peaceful henceforth.
Wickedly yours,
Insignia.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
India's Natural Wonders
If you thought that I am going to list India's natural monument or landscapes or a natural site then you are in for a surprise!
I am not denying the fact that there are no such wonders in India. India's vast and uniqueness has no dearth for such natural wonders. We actually have them abundant. But my list is a bit hatke.
1. Speed Breakers
You don't require to manufacture them and don't need man power to maintain them on our lovely Indian roads. They are available for free and are mobile!! Yes they are none other than stray dogs and cattle on our roads roaming aimlessly and thereby providing a natural speed breaker.
Image from lpc1.clpccd.cc.ca.us/lpc/torf/geog2.htm
2. Graffiti with organic paints
Graffiti are an artist's way of expression. They are abstract, yet beautiful, some times rebellious yet subtle. But one thing that we Indians differ is we are environment conscious. So no synthetic but paints that are organic and environment friendly. Just simple.
Chew the pan or the betel leaves and lime, just spit the red liquid all over the road and on the newly painted wall. Its trendy and low cost. See you created a mind-boggling graffiti.
Image from http://www.indiamike.com/india/chai-and-chat-f73/best-cities-in-india-t30299/
3. Rhythmic music
India is the land of Carnatic and Hindustani classical. Its the birth place of great musicians like Tansen and many others. Its the cradle of many musical instruments like the Veena, Tabla etc. But what can beat the incomprehensible utterances that is definitely music but we are not intelligent enough to grasp them. I am talking about the various phonetics that people utter when they are frustrated, annoyed and angry.
Cheeeeeeeeeeee........ - Annoyance
Oyeeeeeeeeeeeeeee......Hooooooooiiiii............ - To call out loud in a crowd
Aaaaaaaahhh................Thoooooooooooo......... - To lower a person's esteem/scold
These are best understood when heard in those specific situation.
4. Pee-ntain
This one is an errr.....natural fountain. Awww, come on, the guys are helping clean our streets and walls. You see, someone needs to wash away the graffiti isn't it? For free......... Anytime and anywhere......Yes, attending nature's call in full public view. Reliving oneself without a care for the world. Yeah its fine! as I said, they are helping the environment by saving precious water which could be used for better life saving purposes than go wash a graffiti on the wall.
Image from photos.ibibo.com/.../2997690
5. Aroma therapy
Why spend thousands of rupees to go to a spa or an ayurvedic holistic center? Get onto the streets you lazy folks. Its therapeutic. Which aroma you may ask? The point that its a combination of all in equal proportions that makes it uber rare and expensive!!! Rotten organic waste, feces, sweat, synthetic wastes everything combined to give a rich odor that you cant forget the pleasant experience forever! therapeutic and free!!!
Image from greensomethings.typepad.com/green_somethings/
I am not denying the fact that there are no such wonders in India. India's vast and uniqueness has no dearth for such natural wonders. We actually have them abundant. But my list is a bit hatke.
1. Speed Breakers
You don't require to manufacture them and don't need man power to maintain them on our lovely Indian roads. They are available for free and are mobile!! Yes they are none other than stray dogs and cattle on our roads roaming aimlessly and thereby providing a natural speed breaker.
Image from lpc1.clpccd.cc.ca.us/
2. Graffiti with organic paints
Graffiti are an artist's way of expression. They are abstract, yet beautiful, some times rebellious yet subtle. But one thing that we Indians differ is we are environment conscious. So no synthetic but paints that are organic and environment friendly. Just simple.
Chew the pan or the betel leaves and lime, just spit the red liquid all over the road and on the newly painted wall. Its trendy and low cost. See you created a mind-boggling graffiti.
Image from http://www.indiamike.com/india/chai-and-chat-f73/best-cities-in-india-t30299/3. Rhythmic music
India is the land of Carnatic and Hindustani classical. Its the birth place of great musicians like Tansen and many others. Its the cradle of many musical instruments like the Veena, Tabla etc. But what can beat the incomprehensible utterances that is definitely music but we are not intelligent enough to grasp them. I am talking about the various phonetics that people utter when they are frustrated, annoyed and angry.
Cheeeeeeeeeeee........ - Annoyance
Oyeeeeeeeeeeeeeee......Hooooooooiiiii............ - To call out loud in a crowd
Aaaaaaaahhh................Thoooooooooooo......... - To lower a person's esteem/scold
These are best understood when heard in those specific situation.
4. Pee-ntain
This one is an errr.....natural fountain. Awww, come on, the guys are helping clean our streets and walls. You see, someone needs to wash away the graffiti isn't it? For free......... Anytime and anywhere......Yes, attending nature's call in full public view. Reliving oneself without a care for the world. Yeah its fine! as I said, they are helping the environment by saving precious water which could be used for better life saving purposes than go wash a graffiti on the wall.
Image from photos.ibibo.com/.../
5. Aroma therapy
Why spend thousands of rupees to go to a spa or an ayurvedic holistic center? Get onto the streets you lazy folks. Its therapeutic. Which aroma you may ask? The point that its a combination of all in equal proportions that makes it uber rare and expensive!!! Rotten organic waste, feces, sweat, synthetic wastes everything combined to give a rich odor that you cant forget the pleasant experience forever! therapeutic and free!!!
Image from greensomethings.typepad.com/Monday, April 20, 2009
INDI-gnity
Well, yes, I was a mute spectator hearing to the ignorant and appalling conversation of two middle-aged (un)gentlemen. I am not sure if I could have changed the situation for good.
I take the public transport to commute to office and home. On my way back to home after work, the buses are crowded. Typical evening on a weekday as in a crowded Indian city when people run hither-thither and always n a hurry. My commute most days are uneventful because of the fact that my ipod is on with volume just enough to sail me away from the chaos and noise in the bus.
But that day, I plugged out my earphone to hear what the commotion was all about. A young girl probably in early 20s was shouting at a man. He seemed to be in his mid-50s. As you know, there is a problem always in a crowded bus when guys hijack the place meant for women. The women folks have to bear the brunt of having boarded a crowded bus, what would they do? They need to get home to tend to their family after a hard day at office!
The situation was something like this - the girl felt the man was moving closer towards the girl, intentionally or unintentionally was not the issue. The issue was the girl was feeling awkward and thus politely asked him to stand a bit farther.
The man just started shouting, making a scene of it. It was obvious that what the girl told made sense. The guy was disregardful towards her, which she could not take anymore and started giving it back. Now, would a typical Indian alpha male having a pseudo-quasi egotism keep put? No! Never ever! His attitude was even more callous to the fact that he started pointing out how the young girls of this generation lack respect and culture sense. The girl yelled back asking the man to treat her with respect.
Oh yeah, forgot to mention that he was not alone. There was one more man who was also in his mid-50s who was fueling his conspiracy. The outrageous thing was that the folks around witnessing the conversation were asking the girl to suppress and to act respectfully towards those men but no one asked these two men to stop bad-mouthing and behave with respect towards her.
Did these guys keep quiet once she alighted from the bus? NO. That's when their sheer ignorance came to picture. Sample this.
Person 1 : You know, these girls have all spoilt. They don't respect their parents at home too. Why would they? As soon as they are out of college, they get into call centres and earn good money.
Person 2: Yes. They feel they are independent and act according to their whims and fancies. Look at the dresses these girls wear. Their attitude is shocking.
Person 1: We did not have an easy life like them!
And this continued so on.....
Today's generation may want to ask what easy life are they talking about? Are they not aware of the pressure these guys face? Don't they know the struggle these people go through to earn whatever money the so-called Call Centres pay them? The stress to perform, working during nights and eating at odd-hours, disturbing the biological clock and hence the health! What do they mean by independence and attitude! Are they not proud that this generation handles struggle with poise, go through the grind and yet appear cool and chilled out!
This attitude is the one that makes these men jealous! They cant handle the fact that the girls and women are being independent. They cant take in the fact that today's generation can stand up, take on the world by storm.
Didn't they understand what they lacked when the girl handled the undignified behaviour all by herself with no one to support her?
I take the public transport to commute to office and home. On my way back to home after work, the buses are crowded. Typical evening on a weekday as in a crowded Indian city when people run hither-thither and always n a hurry. My commute most days are uneventful because of the fact that my ipod is on with volume just enough to sail me away from the chaos and noise in the bus.
But that day, I plugged out my earphone to hear what the commotion was all about. A young girl probably in early 20s was shouting at a man. He seemed to be in his mid-50s. As you know, there is a problem always in a crowded bus when guys hijack the place meant for women. The women folks have to bear the brunt of having boarded a crowded bus, what would they do? They need to get home to tend to their family after a hard day at office!
The situation was something like this - the girl felt the man was moving closer towards the girl, intentionally or unintentionally was not the issue. The issue was the girl was feeling awkward and thus politely asked him to stand a bit farther.
The man just started shouting, making a scene of it. It was obvious that what the girl told made sense. The guy was disregardful towards her, which she could not take anymore and started giving it back. Now, would a typical Indian alpha male having a pseudo-quasi egotism keep put? No! Never ever! His attitude was even more callous to the fact that he started pointing out how the young girls of this generation lack respect and culture sense. The girl yelled back asking the man to treat her with respect.
Oh yeah, forgot to mention that he was not alone. There was one more man who was also in his mid-50s who was fueling his conspiracy. The outrageous thing was that the folks around witnessing the conversation were asking the girl to suppress and to act respectfully towards those men but no one asked these two men to stop bad-mouthing and behave with respect towards her.
Did these guys keep quiet once she alighted from the bus? NO. That's when their sheer ignorance came to picture. Sample this.
Person 1 : You know, these girls have all spoilt. They don't respect their parents at home too. Why would they? As soon as they are out of college, they get into call centres and earn good money.
Person 2: Yes. They feel they are independent and act according to their whims and fancies. Look at the dresses these girls wear. Their attitude is shocking.
Person 1: We did not have an easy life like them!
And this continued so on.....
Today's generation may want to ask what easy life are they talking about? Are they not aware of the pressure these guys face? Don't they know the struggle these people go through to earn whatever money the so-called Call Centres pay them? The stress to perform, working during nights and eating at odd-hours, disturbing the biological clock and hence the health! What do they mean by independence and attitude! Are they not proud that this generation handles struggle with poise, go through the grind and yet appear cool and chilled out!
This attitude is the one that makes these men jealous! They cant handle the fact that the girls and women are being independent. They cant take in the fact that today's generation can stand up, take on the world by storm.
Didn't they understand what they lacked when the girl handled the undignified behaviour all by herself with no one to support her?
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