Extra Confusion on the Extraterrestial

Nothing goes better than a hot exciting thriller novel on a rainy day for me. A big thanks to my dear husband for getting me the Micheal Crichton's famous sci-fi thriller, 'The Andromeda strain'. I was so engrossed and didn't do any other thing till I completed reading it. It was really very good. It was about some unicellular organism being brought to earth by a space probe device which starts taking on human lives for its survival. Its encounter with the human beings and the human beings fight for survival and finally winning the deal was dealt in the book. A very interesting time pass when I was forced to curl indoors, thanks to neelam's visit to Chennai.

I started imagining about the aliens and pondered whether organisms really thrive in environment not suitable for human existence. My thought waves moved to one of my favourite of Steven Speilberg, the E.T. I have watched the movie many times. Even then, every time my eyes moisten automatically at the part where E.T fights for its survival. The phrase 'Be Good' turned to be a common teaser for many during farewell after the movie.

I felt strange. For kids, aliens means friends and harmless. The Hrithik Roshan starrer super hit Bollywood blockbuster 'Koi Mil gaya' too conveyed the same thing. As we grow up, almost all fiction stories about E.T portray them as foes, waiting to be pounce on earth to take it up. Does that simply mean as we grow up, we forget our harmony and teach each other fighting for survival, or we teach kids some gullible stories about aliens but in real, they are actually monsters.

Though studies on E.T is under limelight for many decades now, no correct light has been shed upon their mere existence or their purpose and intention so far. In this case, till this extra confusion on the extra terrestial is resolved, I guess it will be better for us to adopt the kid's version of the aliens and remain in harmony rather than defending ourselves for an unknown enemy, though interesting.

My confessions as a shopaholic :p

I dream of myself in a beautiful dress set with matching accessories, hand bag and a dazzling slipper. What do I do now? Login to a shopping portal and check if my dream dress is available anywhere. After a long search, eureka, I got it. That makes my day. I authenticate my bank balance to the shopping site, and after Computer ji accepts it, its over. I will get my dream dress delivered to me in the next 5 - 10 business days. :)

This is not limited to just dress. I can dream of any possible thing and as long as Google is present, I can find umpteen shopping portals to find my wishlist.

I get whatever I want but am I not missing the happiness I get from each 'phase' in physical shopping. Shopping physically inflicts joy in its various phases starting from planning to procurement.So shopping's definition does not restrict to just getting things whatever we require. Its much more, actually, so many strings attached. :) :) LOL.

It starts with a deep intimation or carving for a particular product, then plan budget for it, the dates to go for shopping, plan for the right shop and even a perfect attire to go and finally means of commutation.

Once all these plans are made, we are set to go. Then comes the 'Implementation Phase'. There is an assured thing that except for one or two plans, all others will have a major deviation. Still cant leave out the joy of the planning phase. :)

Reaching the shop, greeted by the Salesman/Woman, getting shown to the appropriate section, touching and feeling the displayed wares, the aroma of the new thing filling our nasal cavities with mind racing and heart judging if it matches our tastes.:P

 Once the heart gives its judgement, hands automatically grope the price tag, fingers crossed to check if it is within our budget. The joy we get in finding our dream thing at affordable price is just unexplainable. :) :) :)

Stumbling upon various online shopping portals to see the latest trend for Xmas, I was kindled to write this blog. Not to forget to mention that I have got my dream dress for Xmas, my first Xmas after wedding. :p So just thought of sharing my joy of shopping. :)

Advance Happy X'Mas all of you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!





 

Beyond Da Vinci Code

The best seller of Dan brown’s work Da Vinci code ,no doubt, turned to be the favourite of so many ardent mystery book lovers. I am no exception. The book caught me in clutches when I read it first. Still when i read it, it keeps me from getting distracted.

After reading the book, I started exploring more and more on the Templars, Constantine, Roman and Jewish Practices. Any book shop I go, these books catch my attention and end up in my book shelf at home. One such book is ‘Beyond the Da Vinci Code’.

When Dan brown confirmedly declares Jesus would have got married, this book focuses on all the Practices, rituals of the Jews at that timeline and concludes saying Jesus may or may not have got married. I would not term it interesting; it was a big hard bound book full of facts. It changed my complete view on Leonardo of Vinci.

But what intended me to share in this blog is not about Dan brown or his works. When I was pondering over all these, something struck hard in my thoughts. Being a Christian and grown in beliefs, virtues and values of Christianity, with faith in Christ, why do I show much interest on something that defames my root of faith and that too not proven anywhere. But meagre interest I have on the realism.

There are so many silent achievers in my surrounding and family which I am not aware of. And the history of India is the richest in the world. I never had the urge to know about all that till now. Is it human tendency? Are we following whatever he has said, the good virtues, and the life of a perfect Samaritan? The answer is big no. Then why feel betrayed that our root of faith is misled?

There are so many intrusions of other cultures in our lives today. Are we satisfied with any Indian brand for any product we use? We always look out for an international brand. When the life of a common man is deeply influenced by other cultures, imagine the impact of the contemporary cultures on Christianity.

It is best to explore Bible and learn to live on its discourses rather than trying to find the family life of Jesus Christ. I don’t care a thing if Jesus is married, had a kid or any sort. I had, have, and will have faith on the man who walked the very earth I am living now, and gave excellent principles for human beings to live ethically, and shed his blood to save the lot from their sins.

A day in my life with an Earthquake of Richter scale 5

When the earthquake at Indonesia carried its impact till Chennai, it was the first time I encountered an earthquake and it was the very first time I ever realised how much I valued my life.It all started after lunch on that ‘D-day’. I remember I had so much work and post lunch, I was busy continuing them. Suddenly, my friend Anu pinged me in the MOC and asked whether my chair is shaking. I thought she was kidding. I turned back and asked Pradeepa whether she experienced anything. She too laughed at this.

But there started a commotion, when all the people who experienced this got agitated and wanted to move out. It was, by then, I realised a little movement. I got literally scared out of my wits. I started feeling a bit of nausea. Then all of us took the emergency exit and assembled at the safe point. All were so sceptic and wanted to know if their dear ones at home are safe. They wanted to reach them but in vain.

Only one mobile had network. 3 Guesses who. Yes, it was mine. Idea 3G. :) Such a great work of the Idea sir Ji to have a good connection at my office. All the while, we were chatting, made fun of all, and reacted like school kids who were just announced a holiday but I felt the worst is not over. I called up my aunt to check if she is fine and she said there has been a tsunami alert.

My thought was just one thing. It’s going to be my last day on earth. Well, believe me folks, I am not exaggerating, you see, my office is at the OMR and most probably affected, when, I should say, if ever Tsunami hits.

A while later, fed up of waiting in the hot sun and thinking of the pending work to complete, we made our way back to cubicles. I was so relieved to see a mail from the management saying the worst is over and things have restored to normalcy. My dear brother George was calling me every ten minutes asking me to leave office ASAP as it was very close to the sea.

As I was answering his calls and reading the mail again, I experienced the same shaking again. I was confused. Should I believe the mail or my senses? I voted for my senses. (Of course I trust myself alone :) ). I decided to flee.

Then we got the news that our buses would ply in another half an hour. I couldn’t run immediately as I had work to complete. Finally completing everything at a speed equal to the speed of light, (ok ok, I accept, less than that :P ) we ran towards the bus bay.

It was more crowded than usual (Obvious). I was so lucky to have got a seat in my bus after which there were around 20 standing. Now another problem. The traffic was just too much. The driver declared he would reach the destination in about 3 to 4 hours or even more which would usually take 1 and a half hour.

Though shocked, I was relived to reach home. I plugged in my earphones to tune my FM to check the news. What I heard in the radio that day, I can never forget. The RJ was eagerly interviewing an earthquake victim about his experience. Then she said Please call to this number and share your experience too and you may win couple movie tickets to the recent movie released. ROFL.:) :) :)  (Well, actually I couldn’t really roll on the floor as it was crowded)

I called up my people back home and said I may turn up very late but that I was safe. Two guys suddenly declared in my bus that they know a different route avoiding the traffic. The driver agreed and with the help of them we started along ‘the path less travelled.’ The road was very bumpy. All along the way so many people were jeering at us, saying run run run tsunami is approaching. I felt bad. How can people behave like this in such a situation? The real reason was that the tsunami alert was withdrawn quite a long time back, I later realized. :)

Wonders of wonders, I reached home much earlier than my usual time, thanks to those two guys. I learnt two important things in life that day.

Life is not permanent and I cannot hold on to it as long as I wish. Anything can happen at any time. Be prepared.

Secondly, when just for an earthquake on a scale of 5, my scare level broke the scale; imagine the people who have suffered the worst in their lives. So, help those who are not that blessed as I am, as much as I can.

Earthquake news has taken the back seat very long back and I can understand your reaction at me for sharing this now. Couldn’t help it.  :)  

C&S Most welcome. 

Chubby Cheeks kids and Size zero teens of 2012

Every Monday I have a habit of checking my weight at the food court of my office. The mood of the rest of my week depends on the results displayed. When it is high, I used to scold myself now and then, cut all oily food (for one day alone, of course :P) and check my food habits for some time. Then 2 days will pass by, having planned a big diet chart.

Exact opposite when my weight has got reduced. I will be on seventh heaven. Will call up all my colleagues and convey this great news and even start advising diet tips to all. Though I too feel all this comical, it has become a routine. But a great relief comes to me when I see a particular kid in my neighbourhood. Always seen with a packet of kurkure, she has the chubbiest cheeks I have seen of kids of her age and very obese. Whenever my weight goes up I search for her on my way home. Seeing her, I would heave a sigh of relief thinking am not that fat at least.

To my surprise, I found myself spotting some more kids of same chubby nature. It was not the exact chubby cheeks I recall from my nursery rhymes. It was some sort of ‘chips’ cheeks. I mention chips cheeks because of all the kids I have spotted, none of them I could recall without a chips packet at hand. Also, they don’t have any physical activity. (My assumption, of course). I can never hear any outdoor activity nearby when I used to be at home during weekend. All I can hear is screaming and fighting sound when the power goes off. They seem to be glued to their television sets or play station or video game sets. Maybe that explains their obesity.

Exact acronym for describing the kids when they enter the teen age. Now that I don’t fall under the teenage category, ( :-( hmm became old) I can happily share comments about them. They all seem to be perfect size zeros, as bollywood names them. When the high obese kids enter teenage it is an alarming surprise on how they lose weight all of a sudden when shedding just a kilo seems impossible for me.

I started a conversation with a college going girl at my bus stop. The things she shared really shocked me. She has just one idly in the morning and has curd or dal rice for lunch and skips dinner. No chocolates, no fat fried foods or no junk. And once her weight sets as per her choice, She has a pizza or some other food when she goes on outing with friends.

I really felt so bad. Still now, whenever I go to a supermarket to get my kitchen shopping done, my hand
automatically adds chocolate to my basket. I wonder how they resist the small small happiness they can get at their age. But really marvel at their self control.

A serious question. Is it not unhealthy? This entire affair. Spending childhood glued to a spot with
unhealthy food habits and suddenly leaving all those to seem perfect among the peers. Who is to be blamed here? Is it the kids or the parents?. Should they not encourage them to do a bit of physical activity now and then, than getting them latest gizmos and spoiling their health and eye sight.
And as a college going teen, they do require lots of strength to do their bit. Unhealthy stringent diet and the makeover they use, I guess the parents are to be blamed more.

Are we losing the strength of our pillars of society? It’s better to start strengthening it rather than see it
wading away. I think I have started a bit of advising in my blog. But can’t help it guys. I see this as our responsibility of us as beacons of light to the future generation. As great programmer , coders and debuggers , why can’t we concentrate on this thing too and get our future installed in a healthy way.

Why this Kolaveri?

After watching a big ad fight between the TOI and The Hindu, I decided to read both the papers. Both contained the same news but the prioritisation and the size of column for each category of news were the ones that made a difference. But this is not what I am going to blog now.
An Advertisement of a furniture mart really caught my attention today. I don’t remember the tagline exactly, it was something like, ‘This will definitely win your neighbour’s jealousy’. Did they think we will buy their furniture to get great pleasure in seeing the rush of envy in our neighbour’s eyes than the comfort of their product?

Almost all other ads carried the same news. Fairness creams said, use me. All will look at you with envy. Garment shops said the same thing. Electronics stores said ‘Get things from my shop. You will save more than others and all will feel jealous on you.

One recent popular sentence came to my mind after seeing all this. ‘Why this kolaveri?’
Gone are the days when we went to get things we require. Marketing skills should be to list the advantages of a product and to tell the consumer to get it. It has now become like ‘I am better than this and that. Get me’. But do we think we really need it?

Also, we have started something like a race and a stream of jealousy between us and our surrounding. When we get a cushioned chair to sit comfortably, why should we think our neighbours feel envy about it? Getting a flawless skin should be for health reasons and not for a ‘fight for survival’ with the other gender.

This hatred goes on with nothing positive coming out of it. Day by day we lose every healthy relationship surrounding us with all those stupid idiotic illusions. The TV ad jingles are the first thing a kid learns to speak when his/her parents are ardent TV watchers. So, is it not the right time we learn to sit and think about the products we buy by just seeing the ads and educate the upcoming generation.

Please do start thinking friends.

My New Year resolution (Part 2)

When my dear younger brother said in his unusual teasing tone that he expected an update blog by Jan 22nd, I got reminded of my new year resolutions. Forgot all about it this year too.
Drinking water and saving are the only resolutions I have already started following. Stop biting nails, as usual, is an utter flop, as usual. I hope to follow it in the upcoming days as my friend at office is always reminding me to stop.

Getting up at 6 and catching 6.30 bus makes no time for all my yoga and exercise. I should tune my alarm a bit anticlockwise, I guess, to achieve this.
I don’t want to miss out my resolutions this year too. Maybe we can move this to follow from march 1. :P

Expect a blog again on Mar 22nd(no, no, no bad words pls :P)
Keep watching. :)