tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177998022024-03-13T02:01:13.618-04:00Coffee & ConversationA lot can brew over a cup of coffee. Endless hours of procrastination, long hours of work, gossip, sleepovers, and business deals are all incomplete without coffee. I am not championing a cause I just love good Coffee and great Conversation.Dhivyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16068535241353272380noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17799802.post-55745392465133710462014-08-13T08:45:00.002-04:002014-08-13T08:46:04.962-04:00Pregnancy Announcement <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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When V and I announced our
pregnancy, response from family and friends was overwhelming and emotional, and
it still continues to be. The news itself garners a lot of momentum and that
too pretty quickly. While we are excited, the thought of being responsible
adults is nerve racking.</div>
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I was never the kind to pick up a
crying baby or even make a feeble attempt to pacify one; my first instinct was
always to run. Yes, call me heartless, but I never considered myself maternal.
I was always annoyed when babies cried on long haul flights, rolled my eyes at
over fussy parents and even cringed when invited to go to birthday parties thrown
for one year olds (surprisingly there have been many of those recently).</div>
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Luckily for me, V always felt the
same way, although in a much less obvious way. So naturally when we got
married, we always had an excuse for why we did not want to start a family.
Most of my conversation with my mum would end in an argument and she would say –“We
had you Dhivya, despite how you turned out!”</div>
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Conversations with the in-laws
were a lot less confrontational. Every time we face time or Skype, which is
usually once a week, they would tell us about some of their friends having
grandchildren and how they look forward to a similar time in their near future.
At this point, V and I usually squirm on our couch or simply pretend like we do
not comprehend. After a period of subtle hints (although Indians are never
subtle about these things), they resorted to more aggressive methods.
Mysterious children started appearing on our calls, they would either be
holding them or baby talking to them, it was also revealed to us that they were
indeed grandchildren of their friends. Rest of the call would then be spent in
trying to get the baby or toddler to smile or talk to this bored looking uncle
and aunty in Canada. In the end we would get a grunt or have an irritated child
in another corner of the globe.</div>
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Unfortunately for us, social
noise surrounding babies and toddlers was also inundating our lives. It became hard
to get away from the increasing number of Facebook posts of friends having
children, or the volume of invites we got to baby related events – shower,
naming, birthdays. It was similar to the deluge of wedding related events and activities
that was unavoidable a few years back, there was always some random auntie’s
daughter getting married (a constant news every time I spoke to my mum)or your
Facebook page engulfed by the wedding frenzy. There was always a friend who would
post an album, or several albums of over 300 pictures each, covering every
detail of their wedding. It had cheesy names like - ‘being swept off my feet’,
‘happily ever after’, ‘our first week married’ or ‘man and wife’. Sometimes if
your friends didn’t post them they would like them! Ugh, the world almost
ridiculed you for being single or still worse felt sorry for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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This year, with both of us
turning 30, our parents turned the heat on us, losing all sense of tact and
diplomacy. They started groping around at issues that I would rather not
elaborate on this blog. In our effort to tackle the changing tactics of our parents,
V and I went with “we are trying”. Our naivety obviously warranted more
trouble. We got everything from sympathetic glances to intruding questions ‘Any
problem?’ from family and strangers. The sordid details of all the advice we
got calls for another post.</div>
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It is not like we have not been
thinking about it, but we wanted to take our time with it. I am glad we waited
for this long and that it happened when it feels appropriate for us. So you may
wonder, are we ready to deal with a wailing baby, sleepless nights and dirty
diapers? Frankly, no, but we are at least looking forward to the ride.</div>
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PS: I don’t intend to be a cheesy
mom (cringe), but if I do become one I would blame the damn hormones!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Dhivyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16068535241353272380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17799802.post-24775196165046623792011-07-08T20:39:00.003-04:002011-07-09T10:51:10.986-04:00Growing Pains of an Immigrant Life<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XOc1NjVpxSM/Thel2oQd5oI/AAAAAAAADO0/6ms5k5izZWI/s1600/cartoon34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XOc1NjVpxSM/Thel2oQd5oI/AAAAAAAADO0/6ms5k5izZWI/s320/cartoon34.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">An Immigrant life is often challenging albeit amusing</span></i></b>. Though I immigrated to another country I can’t speak on this topic with authority, let’s just say I am one of the worst immigrants one has ever come across. This blog post is not to scrutinize my total inability to cozy up to a new place but to cheer all those funny and bizarre experiences that made me smile through my toughest phase yet. I must warn you though; I may need to resort to twisted ways to extrapolate my theory.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">Knowing your phone etiquette is half the battle won:</span></b> No one told me this and it is one of those dark mysterious secrets of an immigrant life. As an Indian, I knew where to get Indian groceries the day I arrived. I also got lectured by my fellow Indian friends (who had just arrived a few days earlier) on all sorts of odds and ends like where milk is cheap or where I can buy my winter clothes. Mobiles phone etiquette in North America however, remained in the oblivion. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I learnt, very brusquely, not to get excited and call all my jobless friends during the day to willfully endure myself to any pearls of wisdom they may have about coping in a new country. When you call during the day you’ll notice that your polite Canadian friends will answer the phone and stick to a succinct conversation. Your new found Indian friends (the same those who freely and eagerly gave you long sermons on every way to make your dollar last) on the other hand, will be out right rude and not answer your phone. And while you scratch your head and wonder what you did just within days of landing in a new country to rub someone the wrong way, you will discover, after 5.00PM, that incoming calls are charged during the day. Yes it was only after my husband found the phone bill, and had a minor heart attack, did he explain to me the wacky concept of being charged for incoming calls. It was totally unheard of in India and I didn’t even know you could be charged for it. Clearly, I was a cell phone abuser back home and the rest of the country was no better. I only wish these mysterious charges could be applied in India I could have avoided half my calls under this pretext. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><b>The mobile concept in the west is far more complicated than meets the eye</b></span>. As if this restricted calling was not bad enough, I had to learn a whole new chapter in my life - voice messages. Since I was never in the habit of leaving or receiving voice messages, I found this to be very strange and left a lot of weird and abrupt messages or simply didn’t leave one at all. Well again most of my immigrant friends were in the same boat. Not only did I have to do it for my mobile phone but also my work phone!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As Indians we jumped when mobile phones were introduced, we took to them like fish to water. However, in all the mobile frenzy, one habit never died - we still yell on the phone like during the painful days of trunk dialing. I have seen my grandmother do it, then my mother. <i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">I come from a family of yellers</span></b></i> and I speak with a lot of gusto. Talk softly, the line is perfectly clear whether you are calling your next door neighbor or your distant relative on the other coast. When you conquer the art of talking softly on the phone don’t shove your new found habit down your mother’s throat, it will have severe consequences (remember, she is a yeller)!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Immigration will teach you what bankruptcy feels like: I felt very confident that we had shown sufficient funds to earn us a Canadian visa. It is only when I got here did the reality of it all sink in. The healthy balance that I saw in my bank account in Bangalore, which could have easily paid for nice vacation and several pairs of shoes, was an illusion. For it diminished to less than quarter when I came here. It is when I learnt the most crucial lesson of all; do not count your chickens before they hatch. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A typical Indian is very indiscreet about his finances and also loves to pry into his neighbours’ as well. I have lost track of the times a rather annoying mama (uncle) has asked me how much I make. And when I state my abysmal media salary his expression would show absolute contempt. He would then flaunt his Techi grandson’s astronomical salary, and lecture me on what I can do to better my poor career choices. Now, I will probably never meet this fictitious grandson, neither does the poor boy in question know his bank balances are doing rounds in the Mylapore kacheri circle. The point being, this indiscretion shows its ugly head in many weird ways in a new country. Your Indian friends will always ask you how much you spend on your grocery, phone bill, clothes to just about anything and they will be happy to share all these details with you. Initially, it drove me crazy and then I would state the price before stating what I bought! Don’t take this annoying habit with you to work; you’ll be surprised what a different perspective your Canadian friends have on spending. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><b>Housing, and more so rent, was another hot topic amongst us – the new immigrants</b></span>. It was very competitive and the lower rent you pay the greater heights you will scale in the immigrant circle echelon. I pay 800$ in rent, which is a real bargain for a downtown apartment, however, for the first few months I nearly died every time I had to write out the cheque. That brings me to my next point, when it comes to money do not convert, it will only give you an ulcer! Everyone around will convert for you. For instance I spent a decent chunk of money to get myself a really warm cozy winter jacket, although the jacket kept me warm and will continue to do so for several winters, (provided it does not go out of fashion) <b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">I lost all my sanity over it!</span></i></b> Every Indian friend of mine would promptly convert and rebuke my choices. Some would be more tactful than others but being diplomatic is certainly not one our best strengths. Your fellow immigrants will convert and will consider it a blasphemy if you spend 150$ for a pair of boots (but I love it). Yes! That was another one of my brave indulgent purchases for which I was never spared! My defaming decisions have evicted my husband, who could no longer be in the running for ‘poster boy’ of the new immigrant community. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Even though I poke fun at my Indian friends, I am truly grateful for having them around. I clung on to them for my dear life in a new country and found some solace in knowing that they really understood what I was going through. It’s amazing how this opportunity pushed me to meet people from my own country, who otherwise would have been misfits in my delusional world that I built for myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Immigration teaches you a lot of things and I prescribe it to everyone. Every day in a new country is a challenge but I have learnt, in a very painful and agonizing way, to make the best of both worlds. Embrace the new values and make it your own by immersing it in what you already know. Above all my friend, be proud of who you are and stop faking your accent within days of getting here!</span></span>Dhivyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16068535241353272380noreply@blogger.com8Toronto, ON, Canada43.657205863658021 -79.32085000000000743.643794863658023 -79.345727000000011 43.670616863658019 -79.295973tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17799802.post-48872036800738760092010-08-23T12:01:00.002-04:002010-08-23T12:34:51.845-04:00The Last Laugh: Book Review<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/THKaNcsRA_I/AAAAAAAADG8/aJ7iNkscQUA/s1600/n125854539640_6784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/THKaNcsRA_I/AAAAAAAADG8/aJ7iNkscQUA/s320/n125854539640_6784.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">I love short stories. They are always an easy read, written to accommodate interruptions of daily life and yet leave you fulfilled. Sometime ago, a friend of mine sent me ‘The Last Laugh’, a collection of stories penned by a debutante author <em><span style="color: orange;">Ramya Sethuraman</span></em>. I quickly read it, cover to cover, over two train journeys to work. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: orange;">Ramya‘s stories deftly illustrate the intricate human emotions of love, friendship, deceit, guilt and sometimes of its shortcomings.</span> Her writing is simple yet eloquent. Her words evoke sensations, of smell, sight and flavor. Her characters are well established and her attention to detail is remarkable. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">In ‘The day I became Krishnaa’, my personal favourite - An aspiring writer, Krishnaa, pens the story of the two women she adores the most. Her grandmother, Lakshmi a strong-willed, compelling woman steeped in her traditional way of life. And her mother, Nalini, a soft-spoken, bashful but intelligent daughter-in-law. In her quest of self discovery Krishnaa understands the tumultuous dynamics of caste system and the unspoken bond of love that links her mother to her grandmother. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">Her title story, ‘The Last Laugh’ however, lacks the finesse observed in some others. For me the emotions felt contrived and the story failed to build up characters that are quintessential to the book. Having said that, I enjoyed Ramya’s portrayal of the fiery, passionate Raji in ‘Silambattam’, the delicate, faithful Radha in ‘Radha and I ‘and the apprehensive, chatterbox Radhika in ‘The prophecy’.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">While most of the stories employ an exotic south Indian backdrop and bring to life ordinary plots, some stories reveal the author’s confusion in the landscape. For instance, in ‘Letting go of Anand Nivas’, the setting is ambiguous with its reference to Urdu ghazals and turbans that is predominantly popular in the north and the unfitting filter coffee which is radically south. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">With its predictably happy and tear jerker endings, ‘The Last Laugh’ has all the awkwardness of a debutante author. And while the book may stop short of becoming one of your go to books, there are moments that make you believe that the striking story teller Ramya Sethuraman is someone to watch out for. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On the whole, this book makes for a quick read and I would give it a rating of 3.5/5</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">You can also visit Ramya’s blog <a href="http://whimsicalraconteur.blogspot.com/">http://whimsicalraconteur.blogspot.com/</a> and read about her upcoming projects and her other works of fiction. ‘The last Laugh’ is available on all the websites listed on Ramya’s blog.</div>Dhivyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16068535241353272380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17799802.post-50077281280463392892009-10-01T12:48:00.006-04:002009-10-01T19:50:10.704-04:003 is a Crowd<p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><span style="color:black;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">When they say 3 is a crowd,</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"> </span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">it really is a crowd! </span></i>Especially when it<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>is<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>you,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>your mother and mother-in-law.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Today,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I am a victim of mamtha (motherly love),<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>endowed generously, doused with extra toppings of paternal advice<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>by 2<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>of the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>most highly<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>opinionated,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>influential<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>women in my life.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><br /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><span style="color:black;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><span style="color:black;">In the last 8 years of my life I have done the moving, packing, shifting, settling and even finding my feet in a new city,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>on my own.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>But since<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>the time<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I have been married my<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>survival credibility has been questioned at every step.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><br /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><span style="color:black;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><span style="color:black;">Moving to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Toronto<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>has probably been the most harrowing experience of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>my life.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Not because I had any trouble with<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>my<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Visa or immigration, but because my mom and mom-in-law had taken it upon themselves to help me<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>move and settle.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>And<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>as the saying goes,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>there is going to be fire when you see<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>smoke.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><br /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><span style="color:black;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><span style="color:black;">I<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>had to pack<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>a suitcase full<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>everything my mother felt I would need for the kitchen<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and home.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><br /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><span style="color:black;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i>Me -</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i>‘Mom this is too much, I have enough vessels to cook for an army’</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i><br /></i></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i> </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i>Mom -</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i>‘What would you know?</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i>Tomorrow</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i>I don’t want your mother-in-law to complain that I didn’t teach you anything.</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i>Dhivya,</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i>you</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i>are</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i>going to</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i>need</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i>these. Like</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i>this size vessel</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i>is perfect</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i>to heat milk in</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i>for</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i>2 people.</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i>And please keep one vessel to make</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i>your</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i>masala food that reeks of garlic and</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i>a</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i>separate one for our Tamil Brahmin kind of food.</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i>Make sure you</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i>don’t mix the two.’</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><span style="color:black;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><span style="color:black;">During my bachelorette days I only had the utensils my mom never wanted,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I<span class="apple-converted-space"> would </span>use<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>them as I pleased.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><br /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><span style="color:black;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;">Me -</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"> </span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;">‘AAAAaaaaarrrrggggghhhhh what is this?’</span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i><br /></i></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"> </span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;">Mom -</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"> </span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;">‘That’s a coconut scraper. You need it to make avial.’</span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i><br /></i></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"> </span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;">Me -</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"> </span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;">‘I hate avial.’</span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i><br /></i></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"> </span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;">Mom -</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"> </span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;">‘So you’ll starve poor Vivek?’</span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i><br /></i></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"> </span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;">Me -</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"> </span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;">‘Like avial was the only food he would ever eat’</span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#999999;"><i><br /></i></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><span style="color:black;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><span style="color:black;">My mom and I had a million arguments about my way of life, cooking and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>house<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>keeping before I got to Toronto. She wasn’t sure if I would<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>pass my mother-in-law’s<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>(who on her part set up the kitchen with another set of pots and pans that she thought I would need to feed her son) scrutiny.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><br /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><i>By no stretch of my imagination did I ever see this coming. My mom and mom-in-law helping me</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><i>settle</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><i>into</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><i>my newly wedded life with someone I have known for nearly a decade.</i></span><o:p></o:p></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><i><br /></i></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><span style="color:black;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><span style="color:black;">From day 1,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I was given a crash course on<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>everything -<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>stocking masalas, making rajma, quantity and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>proportion, types of rice, laundry, ironing, doing dishes, seasoning, cooking for more than 2 people, tips on what to pack for lunch when I start working, what does Vivek like, preparing grocery lists, oils and their use<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>how to plan my day. Every other<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>advice<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>that they could find from their own experiences of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>good house keeping<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>was doled out<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>to me<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>for free.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><span style="color:black;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><span style="color:black;">And if this weren’t bad enough they marched me<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>to various grocery stores from Walmart, Value mart, No Frills, Fair Price, Dollorama,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and to every<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Indian store<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>we could find in Little India,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>like Ambal grocery<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Padma<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Stores, where prices were painstakingly compared and lists were made on where to buy what for cheap.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Now I<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>truly know why Indian advertisers are<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>so<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>desperate to woo the Indian house wife, she knows her deals at the back of her hand.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; color:white;"><br /></p> <p color="white" style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; "><span style="color:black;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p color="white" style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; "><span style="color:black;">What’s ironic is,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>in all this,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Vivek seems to be getting all the sympathy votes.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>The general thought at home being, </span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><i>“poor Vivek has so much to study, what</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><i>would</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><i>Dhivya</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><i>lose if</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><i>she made</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><i>one more dish?”</i></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p color="white" style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><i><br /></i></span></p> <p color="white" style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; "><span style="color:black;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p color="white" style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; "><span style="color:black;">My fingers are sore scribbling recipes and preparing lists and my head throbs every time I am faced with a mind-numbing pop up quiz at a grocery store about<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>types of rice<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>available,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>but I know I am settled and these two women are to be credited for it. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I may bitch, complain, whine and vent about my predicament,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>but the truth is<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>they have worked extremely hard to make my transition<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>into<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Toronto and my new life<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>extremely easy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p color="white" style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; "><br /></p> <p color="white" style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; "><span style="color:black;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p color="white" style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background- background-position: initial initial; "><span style="color:black;">Even though I do not know<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>what to do with half the stuff in my kitchen I know<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I’ll figure it out. And about the recipe book,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I hope to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>add a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>few<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>pages<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>of my own. Because when my day comes to play the harrowing part,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I want to be just as good as these 2 wonderful women.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Dhivyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16068535241353272380noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17799802.post-32458173264300478662009-07-29T02:27:00.005-04:002009-07-29T02:37:22.552-04:00After a Hiatus<div align="justify"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/Sm_tpHFA4DI/AAAAAAAAC0o/gWzh90rxydM/s1600-h/relaunch.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363766971752046642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 82px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/Sm_tpHFA4DI/AAAAAAAAC0o/gWzh90rxydM/s200/relaunch.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I am back from my hibernation. The world feels changed (it even smells different, Oh wait! Someone here farted), I feel changed. About the world – Everyday we are losing parts of MG Road to the Metro, <span style="color:#ff9900;">India coffee house</span> shut down after a lifetime of existence, General elections were held, there was the IPL and then the T20, Michael Jackson died, and Delhi high court in a landmark judgement legalised homosexuality.</span> </div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">On the personal front – I moved from advertising to brand and communication research (I am loving it), I got married, I am moving to Canada, I quit a job I love, I am a wannabe long distance runner - I ran at the Auroville quarter marathon and then at the Sunfeast world 10K, my new favourite brand of <span style="color:#ff9900;">beer </span>is <span style="color:#ff9900;">Hoeggarden</span>.</span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Having said this, <span style="color:#ff9900;">Some things haven’t changed</span> – I still love the smell of freshly baked bread, I am still a foodie, I still think my first boss was the best boss ever, I love my current job and am traumatised at the thought of quitting it, I still get excited by social media trends, I still suffer from shoe fetish, above all I still love blogging and this is my revival post.</span></div>Dhivyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16068535241353272380noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17799802.post-26334759055217947682009-07-14T13:13:00.011-04:002009-07-15T00:42:06.091-04:00Rains in Mumbai floods Twitter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/SlzIM_oTC0I/AAAAAAAAC0Q/H5-1wZquhKg/s1600-h/%23mumbairains.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358377782228486978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 140px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/SlzIM_oTC0I/AAAAAAAAC0Q/H5-1wZquhKg/s200/%23mumbairains.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.twitter.com/">Twitter</a> saw a flurry of tweets as the rains lashed out in Mumbai for 30 hours. <span style="font-size:+0;"></span>The response was almost overwhelming, as people all over Mumbai and even outside reached out and helped one another by posting tweets (tagged <a href="http://search.twitter.com/search?q=mumbairains">#mumbairains</a>) on water logged areas.<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><br />The Mumbai Rain tweets were peppered with news reports and personal accounts. It covered the geographic lanscape of Mumbai and was the trending topic of the day<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/SlzN1_A4X5I/AAAAAAAAC0Y/G7yYSdF1wvI/s1600-h/twist.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358383983995936658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 257px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/SlzN1_A4X5I/AAAAAAAAC0Y/G7yYSdF1wvI/s400/twist.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,153,102); FONT-STYLE: italicfont-size:85%;" >Twitter Tends http://twist.flaptor.com/</span>Dhivyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16068535241353272380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17799802.post-69562605716218739182008-11-23T23:33:00.005-05:002008-11-23T23:56:50.049-05:00Amrutanjan makes funniest home Video<div align="justify">Aches and pains are hardly funny but Amrutanjan begs to differ. The 100 year old pain reliever brand, with its candid camera style ad, has brought in a wave a of slapstick humor into the category.<br /><br />Imitating the candid camera genre of unscripted humor, the film opens with a man on the diving board. He accidentally slips and has a nasty, undeniably OUCH’ fall. Cut to a woman at a pool side restaurant. She pulls up a chair for herself, and to her horror the chair slips at the proverbial moment. What follows is a comical picturisation of her struggle to stay heads up. Alas! She goes into the pool, with a table for companionship. The 30 second depicts multiple comic bloopers to emphasize the fact that accidents can happen anytime and one ought to be ready. Ready, in this case means, keeping a pack of Amurtanjan Balm handy.<br /><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iSaUptGM8RI&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iSaUptGM8RI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />The comic mishap of the lady falling into the pool really looks like a candid moment while the one with the construction worker, who while passing bricks accidently gets thwacked in the head with one, looks contrived.<br /><br />The raw feel of a home video convincingly conveys the simple brand proposition - be ready. What’s even more wonderfull, each individual blooper can lend to a small 10 second edit.<br /><br />Interestingly the ad crafted on a low budget by Mudra Communications, was shot on hand held camera by Footcandles Film to lend it the right amateurish feel.<br /><br />This ad definitely takes me back in time when old funny home videos of people, falling off slides or landing in funny postures, would make me laugh till my sides hurt. Surprisingly they do manage to garner a decent TRP even today, otherwise one wouldn’t find old reruns and hindi edits of these videos on air eve today. Well, just to give you an idea of what exactly I am referring to here, let me give you an example. A really, and I mean really, old imported comedy show that used to run on DD. Didi’s, or was it Dee Dee’s, comedy show.<br /><br />Although I have outgrown home videos and may not necessarily find the ad funny, I have to admit that this particular treatment may actually pull off a stunt that could succeed in turning a fuddy duddy brand like Amrutanjan into a far younger brand.<br /><br />The ad would probably make competition go right back to their drawing boards and figure out something new to replace the run off the mill strategy of ‘we relieve you of your pain faster than others’.<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#ff9900;">Over all production value:</span> Excellent<br /><span style="color:#ff9900;">Creative strategy:</span> Excellent<br /><span style="color:#ff9900;">Viral capabilities:</span> Too early to tell<br /><span style="color:#ff9900;">Ease of understanding: </span>Average</em></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="color:#ff9900;">Final Verdict:</span> Although not ourageously funny, the ad might just work for an otherwise depressing category</em></div>Dhivyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16068535241353272380noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17799802.post-35090377112471251472008-06-05T00:43:00.015-04:002008-06-05T02:52:28.228-04:00Brand IPL on the Blogsphere<div align="justify"><span style="color:#ff9900;"><em>Perfectly timed, hogging the prime hours of the Indian summer, IPL gave us more than one reason to stay glued to our television sets.</em></span> This one sporting event has taken cricket as a game to a whole new frenzy. Cricket enthusiasts have become fanatics, and the cricket fanatics, well the less said the better. Even the grumpy grandfather, who crinkled his nose for crippling the game from the glorious matches straddling over days to a mere 20 overs joke, is smiling in approval. He is also secretly envious of the multitude of opportunities young cricketing talents have today. And with Bollywood showing generous amounts of interest, we as marketers will only be too glad to put our monies on the table without batting an eyelid.<br /><br /></div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208276827385414162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="312" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/SEeELgw0whI/AAAAAAAABTo/4Q9BFYecYfs/s400/IPL+3.jpg" width="422" border="0" /><span style="font-size:85%;"><em><span style="color:#ff6600;"> Indian Premier League managed 16, 500 posts in 45 day</span></em></span><em><span style="color:#ff6600;">. </span></em></p><p align="justify">Each of the 8 teams chosen to play, in the past month, has managed to exhibit certain personality traits unique to the team. The teams have managed to create substantial buzz on the blogsphere. Consumer Generated Media has been voraciously following everything about IPL form the fat pay cheques to Sachin’s injury to the skimpy skirts of the cheerleaders ;), nothing is being spared.<br /><br />Clearly blogs and bloggers have their own biases, and some teams have been doing the rounds far more than others. </p><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208277659790638674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/SEeE79tsflI/AAAAAAAABTw/NGfZTWC7y-U/s400/IPL+1.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;"><em>Despite not qualifying for the semis, Knight Riders managed to rake in maximum number of posts in the blogsphere. Is it the SRK Magic or Kolkatta's ardent support for their team?</em></span></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208277658032246226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/SEeE73KdjdI/AAAAAAAABT4/1IStykyEcXs/s400/IPL+2.jpg" border="0" /></p><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;"><em>Rajasthan Royals, the winner and the least expensive team of the tournament, </em></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;"><em>got noticed by blogs towards the last leg of the tournament. Fianlly their Stellar performance got noticed!</em></span></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;"></span></em></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#999999;"></span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#999999;"></span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#999999;">I made a few observations, some scary, some surprising and some just bowled me over<br /></span></strong><br />- A team’s performance alone is not enough for them to tide the blogsphere.<br />- Although <em><span style="color:#ff6600;">‘Eat cricket. Sleep cricket. Drink cricket’</span></em> still holds true, Bollywood continues to remain the unbeatable baap of entertainment<br />- An individual gets far more recognition than a team as a whole<br />- Particular incidents picked up by media, like SRK smoking or spending too much time with his team or Vijay Mallya firing Chaaru Sharma, can spike the trend chart. </div><div align="justify"></div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208281264571334546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/SEeINykYv5I/AAAAAAAABUA/Vf_MC2KxP9I/s400/IPL+4.jpg" border="0" /><span style="color:#ff6600;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>The flamboyant Mallya and the bollywood king SRK have made bigger dents on </em><em>the </em><em>blogsphere than the shrewd Amabani </em></span></span></p><p align="justify">- IPL ads have also contributed to certain amount of noise on the blogsphere.<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#ff9900;"><strong>IPL or no IPL cricket will always be a favourite topic on blog.</strong></span></em> But this one event has created a lot of gossip value for the sport. Even non-cricket bloggers like me are blogging about it. From an extravagant opening ceremony to Bajji allegedly slapping Sreeshant, blogs and bloggers have been reveling in all the juicy details.</p><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208281296622169314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/SEeIPp95rOI/AAAAAAAABUI/XoMtVEJmKoQ/s400/IPL+5.jpg" border="0" /><em><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#ff6600;"> Do i need to elaborate this :)</span><br /></span><br /></em><strong><span style="color:#ff9900;"><em>A lot of brands are piggybacking on the noise IPL has managed to stir</em>.</span></strong> It has positive influence on readership and viewership. Media has put the 45 day event on the front page and prime time of news channels. What’s more, it has decided to stay put there for the entire course of summer alluring readers and viewers. Despite all the degraded voyeurism, the sponsors are thrilled, as they are getting more than their monies worth. </p><p align="justify"><br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208281296168613026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/SEeIPoRw9KI/AAAAAAAABUQ/TrU2Y0oc-gw/s400/IPL+6.jpg" border="0" /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;"> Who is the popular Captain?</span></em></p><p align="justify"><span style="color:#ff9900;"><strong><em>Thanks to Bollywood, IPL was executed in a rather filmy style full of action, drama, masala, and yeah we did manage to catch a glimpse of good cricket somewhere along the way.</em> </strong></span>Without Bollywood’s fervent support the cricketing fraternity alone wouldn’t have managed to pull off a 45 days fanfare.</p>Dhivyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16068535241353272380noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17799802.post-48288338954037712542008-01-09T09:28:00.000-05:002008-01-11T12:27:52.071-05:00Fastrack 2.0: The Social Media Logic<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R4UI50W9AFI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/tRtSjVkPKCI/s1600-h/untitled1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R4UI50W9AFI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/tRtSjVkPKCI/s200/untitled1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153535137995882578" border="0" /></a>After <a href="http://axeunlimited.co.in/">Axe</a> and <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.sunsilkgangofgirls.com/">Sunsilk</a>, <a href="http://www.fastrack.in/">Fastra</a><a href="http://www.fastrack.in/">ck</a> has decided to test itself in the web2.0 space. It was the obvious next step for this youth fashion brand from the house of Titan. Fastrack has gotten the chemistry going, they created quite a buzz with their ‘how many you have man?’ campaign. Operating in an attractive price band, Fastrack had vibrant designs at the other end of the buzz, waiting to flatter the eager customer. And none were disappointed. <p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Today Web 2.0 is a gregarious place to be in. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R4UJDUW9AGI/AAAAAAAAAdY/15-3hv-WKSs/s1600-h/sunsilk.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R4UJDUW9AGI/AAAAAAAAAdY/15-3hv-WKSs/s200/sunsilk.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153535301204639842" border="0" /></a>The blogs, forums and communities are bursting with youth and eclectic conversations and a brand that targets them ought to be in it. The density of players in this field is light and most are still grappling with the social networking phenomena. So it only makes sense to make hay while the sun shines. Although some brands have made a brave foray into this dynamic space where the consumer controls the communication, most Indian brands are still reluctant and skeptical since they have no means of analyzing the ROI that web 2.0 is bringing in.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R4UIpkW9AEI/AAAAAAAAAdI/ok8J1hYpqBs/s1600-h/fastrack.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R4UIpkW9AEI/AAAAAAAAAdI/ok8J1hYpqBs/s200/fastrack.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153534858823008322" border="0" /></a>Fastrack has however, struck the right chord with the internet savvy youth. Axe, which clearly set up the first virtual campus, now has Fastrack on its heels. Both the brands specialize in different subjects one borders on the art of seduction and the other on fashion. The spunky new space on the web has made Fastrack a new cool place to hangout while online. The collection displayed in a diary on a chaotic desk caught my fancy. The brand has lunged headlong into social networking, they even have fan clubs on orkut and facebook.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R4UHVEW9ADI/AAAAAAAAAdA/QDXOAu6LDBU/s1600-h/fast3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R4UHVEW9ADI/AAAAAAAAAdA/QDXOAu6LDBU/s200/fast3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153533407124062258" border="0" /></a> </p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">The brand’s foray into eyewear was another strategic move. Fastrack eyewear signed John Abraham as their brand ambassador, a perfect fit for the brand. A biker who endorses bike brands is now endorsing a bikers’ accessories brand. It couldn’t get any better than this.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">The new collection of neon disc watches has been a tad bit<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R4UHI0W9ACI/AAAAAAAAAc4/IyPbRs45WhY/s1600-h/fast2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R4UHI0W9ACI/AAAAAAAAAc4/IyPbRs45WhY/s200/fast2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153533196670664738" border="0" /></a> disappointing. After watching the catchy 15 seconder on air, I went to the store to check out the new line, somehow it doesn’t come across as innovative or new. However, a brand like Fastrack, that has gotten everything right in the past, is allowed a few tasteless slips.</p>Dhivyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16068535241353272380noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17799802.post-52085754246217458512007-12-29T06:34:00.000-05:002007-12-29T23:54:40.114-05:00From Sassy to Plain Jane<div><embed src="http://apps.rockyou.com/fxtext.swf?ID=19187960&nopanel=true&stage=false" quality="high" scale="noscale" wmode="transparent" name="rockyou" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" height="83" width="263"></embed><br /><a style="padding-right: 1px;" target="_BLANK" href="http://www.rockyou.com/?type=fxtext&src=emry&refid=19187960"><img alt="RockYou FXText" src="http://apps.rockyou.com/link/logo.gif" border="0" /></a><a style="padding-right: 1px;" target="_BLANK" href="http://www.rockyou.com/fxtext/fxtext-create.php?src=emcr?refid=19187960"><img style="border: 0px none ;" src="http://apps.rockyou.com/link/create_own.gif" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">With this year end I have decided to restore the template of my blog to the standard blogger template. The truth is, ever since I started Travel Tadka, I have been tempted by the easy features blogger templates offer. Grappling with long code turned out to be quite sticky. It would take eons for me to add a new widget for the code had to plugged in seamlessly and all the appropriate tags had to be closed. When something would go amiss, it would seethe to the surface defacing my blog and restoring it would be an excruciatingly painful exercise (clearly a non techie issue here). Finding an easier way out, I sold myself to blogger.<br /><br />In the process of shifting or migrating I did loose links to many of my favourite blogs. The good part however is, the damage is not too sever. Thanks to Sakshi (She’s got a blog mine, anything happening on the blogsphere or Bollywood she’s the first to know) I was able to refurbish my blogroll with some really interesting blogs. It allowed me to delete blogs I had stopped following, or those that were outdated, deleted or stopped existing. I even managed to kick out some pointless widgets.<br /><br />I would, sometime later, look for a template that is crafted for me and my inane musings, but for now and till I can afford a designer its going to be 'Hail Blogger'.<br /><br />The new look is definitely a whole lot cleaner, chirpier and clutter free. The paper scribble look of the old template was chaotic; it did not support many functions and was not really blogging friendly. However, I do miss the energy and the kind of nonchalance it had. I am also going to miss the ‘oh so fantastic template’ comments. But I am nearly 25 now and my blog ought to stop looking like schools girl’s diaries (I know I am consoling myself). Although I wonder if people who really know would be convinced by a template change:).<br /><br /></div>Dhivyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16068535241353272380noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17799802.post-3469547526441397432007-12-27T02:35:00.000-05:002007-12-28T11:19:07.713-05:00The Big Fat Punjabi Wedding<span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">Punjus are a class apart</span>; they are noisy, campy, colourful, flamboyant and loud and have no qualms about it. I envy them for that. A community that is the biggest consumer of practically everything from scotch to mercs has every right to be as cuckoo as them. <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">A week after attending my best friends wedding I am still reveling in the grandeur an authentic Punjabi wedding has to offer. I landed in the subdued town of <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Bariley</st1:city></st1:place>, but subdued is not a word I would use for the wedding and definitely not for a <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">Punju wedding</span>. </p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">The invite read cocktail evening, followed by cocktail and wedding the second day. So I was assured booze is going to be on the house for the next 2 days. The evening was nippy, a distant faint music was getting louder as we drove on and I could hear the music clearly <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">“balle balle oh balle balle… sharabi…”</span> humming along I smiled to myself knowing this was going to be one crazy evening.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R3NZD0W8_kI/AAAAAAAAAYI/uwBcrYC8sy8/s1600-h/P1010834.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R3NZD0W8_kI/AAAAAAAAAYI/uwBcrYC8sy8/s200/P1010834.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148556721144004162" border="0" /></a>When we entered, the party was in full swing. It was only <st1:time hour="21" minute="0" st="on">9.00pm</st1:time>, the Baggas (the bride’s side) and the Batras (groom’s side) had already gotten their guests dancing and tipsy. After a quick round of introductions we headed to the bar and had to fight our way through burly Punjabis. My bloody mary seemed meek amidst all the <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">double large scotch and </span><st1:place style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 153, 0);" st="on"><st1:city st="on">Patiala</st1:city></st1:place><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 153, 0);"> shots</span>. </p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">One had to be a Punjabi to drink like a fish and still be able to pull off a graceful balle balle on the dance floor. As the latest bollywood numbers began to reverberate in the hall, thousand rupee notes started f<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R3NYt0W8_jI/AAAAAAAAAYA/xyKeCx2dDVk/s1600-h/P1010829.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R3NYt0W8_jI/AAAAAAAAAYA/xyKeCx2dDVk/s200/P1010829.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148556343186882098" border="0" /></a>lying all over the place. The party went on till the wee hours of the morning, punjus drank and danced relentlessly until they were forcibly asked to stop. The non punjus, well we were no competition, we passed out early on.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R3NZokW8_lI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/wl9KuW5UpaI/s1600-h/P1010842.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R3NZokW8_lI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/wl9KuW5UpaI/s200/P1010842.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148557352504196690" border="0" /></a>I am in the habit of calling my friend Neha, Bagga. When I met her on her wedding I called out to her in a rather girly high pitched voice, and had about 20 baggas turn around and look at me questioningly and then everyone knew me just like that. I loved it, punjus have a big heart and they accepted people warmly. Then all evening I had people fawning and fussing over me wanting to know if I had eaten, or if I was enjoying myself. I found food being sent to our table constantly and my glass being filled as quickly as its contents were being emptied. The buas and the mausies all hugged me and asked them to join me in their dance. In all the alcohol infused haziness guests weren’t forgotten, they mad<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R3NaREW8_nI/AAAAAAAAAYg/-RIG7l5pD48/s1600-h/P1010861.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R3NaREW8_nI/AAAAAAAAAYg/-RIG7l5pD48/s200/P1010861.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148558048288898674" border="0" /></a>e me feel a part of the family, I was truly moved.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Now punjus have an unwritten wedding rule that I unraveled</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> during the c</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">ours</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">e o</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">f the 2 days. Alcohol and dancing precedes </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">and succeeds every little ceremony. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R3NdMUW8_oI/AAAAAAAAAYo/I1BaWHdjhGU/s1600-h/DSC_1280.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R3NdMUW8_oI/AAAAAAAAAYo/I1BaWHdjhGU/s200/DSC_1280.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148561265219403394" border="0" /></a>The second morning I was surprised to find the Bagga family looking fresh as daisies despite having pelted countless double larges. We were groggy and hung over and every muscle in our bodies ached from all the dancing, while the Bagga family went around greeting us and the others chirpily. I was wondering if they were the same people who were wasted the previous night, if they were they showed no signs of it. After a hearty breakfast, I was quickly ushered next to the bride for the bangle and haldi ceremony. </p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">These bangles are a symbol of a newly wed bride. One can spot her from miles away, the bright red colour of the bangles and its jangle always gives her away. To the red bangles the women tie a variety of golden trinkets. She later walks around clapping her hand on heads of young girls of marriageable age and when the trinkets fall on some<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R3Ne7kW8_pI/AAAAAAAAAYw/oay3GF6syVE/s1600-h/DSC_1309.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R3Ne7kW8_pI/AAAAAAAAAYw/oay3GF6syVE/s200/DSC_1309.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148563176479850130" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R3NiPEW8_rI/AAAAAAAAAZA/xBDRQqBKEPw/s1600-h/DSC_1326.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R3NiPEW8_rI/AAAAAAAAAZA/xBDRQqBKEPw/s200/DSC_1326.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148566810022182578" border="0" /></a>girl’s head, it means she is going to be wed soon, similar to throwing the bouquet. We then smeared haldi on her face, arms and legs. Haldi has a lot of special properties, one of which is supposed to give the bridal glow. Later in the evening when I saw Neha ready to take her wedding vows I saw her glowing I don’t know if it was the haldi or excitement or both. </p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R3Ng-EW8_qI/AAAAAAAAAY4/fEodyxfEz-Q/s1600-h/DSC_1312.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R3Ng-EW8_qI/AAAAAAAAAY4/fEodyxfEz-Q/s200/DSC_1312.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148565418452778658" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R3UcrUW8_wI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/w2kriHCECtQ/s1600-h/DSC_1343.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R3UcrUW8_wI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/w2kriHCECtQ/s200/DSC_1343.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149053279492964098" border="0" /></a>Like you guessed, after the haldi we danced again and the liquor flowed freely. This time I chose to stick to orange juice. The lunch had a huge spread and was very rich. Yes there was the <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">butter </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">chicken</span>, dal makni assortment of rotis and rice but there also was the rather succulent mutton, vegetables, salad, raita, pappads and pickle. For dessert I had the yummy halwa and iceream and then decided to hit the sack for an afternoon siesta while the festivities continued. Balle balle was my lullaby that afternoon, I slept to the sound of laughter. </p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R3UbREW8_vI/AAAAAAAAAZw/9fvs8vasdUk/s1600-h/DSC_1371.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R3UbREW8_vI/AAAAAAAAAZw/9fvs8vasdUk/s200/DSC_1371.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149051729009770226" border="0" /></a>The evening of the wedding was the same as the previous evening, only 3 times more grand. There was a long queue of starters and snacks stalls that housed everything from pani purri to the Punjabi version of masala dosa. I obviously didn’t spare a thing, except the dosas, coming from the land of dosas I was only too happy to skip its punju version. The booze counter was bustling with activity when the groom arrived on a white horse. The <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">dancing barath</span> of the Batra clan were welcomed by the Baggas with garlands and host of refreshments and beverages. So you can say the drinking started at the gate only to stop at the mandap at 2.00 in the night. </p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">The Baggas, the Batras, the Mehtas, the Chopras and the Aroras did what they knew the best, danced and drank away joyously to the music and enjoyed every moment of it. I reveled in the festivities and was left in awe for the punjabis. By the end of it I was ready to become a bagga or a chopra.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R3UfGEW8_yI/AAAAAAAAAaI/G4yV8HwuV7U/s1600-h/DSC_1434.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R3UfGEW8_yI/AAAAAAAAAaI/G4yV8HwuV7U/s200/DSC_1434.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149055938077720354" border="0" /></a>As the night wore away the crowd dwindled till only close family and friends, i.e., us, remained. In the presence of these few the bride and groom took their wedding vows - the <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0); font-style: italic;">Sath Phere</span> and then the bride left to her new home. The Baggas were in tears, so was I to see my best friend married off.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">This blog has been really long for it is not the insipid Tam Bram wedding that can be captured in lesser words, it’s a carnival, it’s the big fat Punjabi wedding.</p>Dhivyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16068535241353272380noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17799802.post-3887647513198815162007-12-14T07:15:00.000-05:002007-12-25T12:55:39.834-05:00Peacock Trails<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Grandmum’s tales would be insipid without the brave maharaja, the wily snake charmer or the playful elephant, and so will our mythology itself. These tales, so much a part of every Indian child’s growing up, are still echoing in the quaint streets of Mylapore. Be it the thriving temple economy or vibrant kolams adorning door steps or the colorful gopuram of the Kapaleeshwar temple, each has its own share of stories to tell. And what better way to savour the city than through its stories. One such story teller is ‘<a style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.storytrails.in/">Peacock Trails</a>’, a journey of unraveling these little traditions and customs that makes Chennai so kitsch.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The trail, starting outside, the <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">Kapaleeshwar</span> temple in <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">Mylapore</span> traverses many myriad rituals associated with the temple, the teeming life that has stemmed around the temple.<span style=""> </span>It takes you to the tomb of the St. Thomas, the apostle who brought Christianity to, <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">Santhome</span> and ends with a grand breakfast at <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">Saravana Bhavan</span>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">A lot caught my fancy, for one the Jennal Hotel (Window hotel). It has been around for the last 50 years (like a lot of other stores in Mylapore), dishing out piping hot sambar and idli in the morning and a tiffin (light evening snack) in the evening. Living up to its name, the restaurant has no tables or chairs. It is not even what you would call ‘a stand and eat joint’. It’s an old Brahmin serving food from a window. The tradition has been handed down from father to son, and what’s more, the prices still haven’t changed much since then. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Ever noticed the intricate patterns decorating the threshold of houses? It’s what we call a ‘Kolam’ in the south, Rangoli in the north, but unlike the Rangoli the Kolam is not just for cosmetic value. It is an indication that all is well in the house. Incase of a death in the house the family stops putting kolam outside their homes so passers by would know they are grieving. The rice flour used in the kolam also serves as food for ants. The otherwise white kolam comes alive during temple festivals with the women of the house trying to outdo others with huge intricate patterns splashed with colour.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">They have a story for everything – why do we have so many gods to why we go clockwise around the temple. <a href="http://www.storytrails.in/"><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> Story Trails</span> </a> will even tell you the right place to get your ancestral veena repaired to how to drink your filter coffee. They believe stories show you the way of life. Flavoured with traditions, these stories have grown and evolved with civilization, dynasties and people, and continue to remain relevant even today. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Vijay</span> (founder of Story Trails) and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Vishna</span> (our storyteller) are like Scheherazade of Arabian nights. They have a thousand and one stories to tell, one just has to keep listening.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">With a riot of colours, seasoned with the idiosyncrasies of the tam bram community, the wafting smell of filter coffee mingling with incense, the journey is exhilarating and intoxicating.</p>Dhivyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16068535241353272380noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17799802.post-27895276156835620292007-12-11T11:25:00.000-05:002007-12-11T11:32:21.411-05:00Technicolor Dream<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">Totally over the top and completely bizarre is Farah's new found signature style and with the success of Om Shanti Om I am guessing it's for keeps. The movie is totally bling with its giddy music and psychedelic colours. It was a complete treat to the senses. After a seismic speculation I've decided not to get in to the glaring loop holes in the plot or reviewing the complete lack of story line. But I must say, I loved the movie. So what is the plot? You're clearly reading the blog this is just film appreciation.</p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">The film was a celebration of the 70's as Bollywood painted it, a world of flashy make up, elaborate hairdos. The film has glorified all Bollywood stereotypes - the ma, the sindhur and the dialogues are cheesy, but really funny. The lines were oozing with melodrama and kiran kher has done full justice to it with all the necessary overacting. I would have never known you can keep the audience enthralled for three hours without a story!</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> </p> <br /><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">Looking all dolled up was the debutant Deepika Padukone. She was a decent actress and good dancer although I must admit she didn't have a crucial role, she made her presence felt with those perfectly timed and dimpled smiles. It's a movie reveling in everything typical to the tinsel town – the red carpet stroll, award ceremonies, gossip and bitching.</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> </p> <br /><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">What's worth a mention here is the filmfare awards ceremony, my personal favourite sequence. 'we are just good friends' haven't we heard that a zillion times before but Farah's movie has a different take on it. SRK, Akshay and Abhishek starring in films like Dhoom 5, Return of the Khiladi and Phir Bhi NRI are competing to clinch the best actor title, this one is a laugh riot. One can find the clip below.<br><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2xkBHIWmwOw&rel=1"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2xkBHIWmwOw&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> </p>After the super fun first half the second half was a tad stretchy. After all we are on real time again, but the song and dance sequence salvaged it. Ok, what Farha is really known for is here creds and for that let the drums beat and red carpets roll out, and let the real heroes take the stage. It's worthy of another post.<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"> </p>All said, it's a fun colorful film, and that too coming from a person who is not an SRK fan. I am sure that says a lot.Dhivyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16068535241353272380noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17799802.post-25007381568768339982007-12-04T13:15:00.000-05:002007-12-04T13:24:35.455-05:00On a break!There is going to be a lull at coffee and conversation but let me assure you It is only till the 11th of december. Then the blog post will be pouring in with renewed vigour. I off to Uttranchal and on the way manage to catch a colourful Punjabi wedding loads of yummy food, restaurants, jim corbett, chole bhature and experience on road. I'll have something to feed my new blog Travel Tadka as well...:)<br /><br />CheersDhivyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16068535241353272380noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17799802.post-23414682975303690992007-11-26T10:51:00.000-05:002007-11-26T11:40:46.510-05:00Bollywood on the Blogsphere<div style="text-align: justify;">Bollywood is probably the most bizarre, the most melodramatic, the most unprofessional and the most unorganized industry and yet between their song and dance sequence one could learn a lesson or two on marketing. A lot of debate has been brewing on the web about the big banner movies hitting the box recently, and I was curious to find out how much Bollywood has impacted the Consumer Generated media (CGM).<br /></div> <br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The results were surprising at times and predictable at most others. The cumulative marketing efforts by production houses and films had a trickle down effect on the blog. For instance Om Shanti Om(OSO) had started doing the rounds in the media almost a year before its launch. To top it all there were a zillion promotions, interviews, contests, 70’s line being launched at Shopper’s Stop and hype leading up to the day of its premiere. News like the release of the film across an unprecedented 2000 plus screens worldwide, and the Manoj Kumar fiasco further drove the film towards a box office success.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R0ruUC3S2KI/AAAAAAAAAPM/7HA9v9badKo/s1600-h/6+months+analysis.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R0ruUC3S2KI/AAAAAAAAAPM/7HA9v9badKo/s400/6+months+analysis.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137180353103059106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:85%;" >The chart indicates the presence of both OSO and Saawariya in the blogsphere over the past 6 months and clearly OSO has had a head start over Saawariya. My guess would be the latter is here only because of the former.</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:85%;" > </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R0rvvi3S2LI/AAAAAAAAAPU/cCpt_zpSUqE/s1600-h/3+month+analysis.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R0rvvi3S2LI/AAAAAAAAAPU/cCpt_zpSUqE/s400/3+month+analysis.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137181925061089458" border="0" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:85%;" >Three month tracker of OSO and Saawariya starting almost 2 months before release on November 9th till 20th of November.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R0rwkS3S2MI/AAAAAAAAAPc/qgl-TesdcWU/s1600-h/over+a+month.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R0rwkS3S2MI/AAAAAAAAAPc/qgl-TesdcWU/s400/over+a+month.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137182831299188930" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:85%;" >OSO and Saawariya have managed to get over 50% of their blog posts in the last month alone, a time little before and after the launch.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">One can only applaud the Integrated Marketing Campaign since its ROI has been tremendous. Despite the lack of any real story the movie has been a box office grosser and it’s a buzz on the blogging space with a total of 7669 blog posts only over the last 3 months alone. Some say, a great story doesn’t need over the top marketing, but I say it wouldn’t kill it either.<br /><br />Its rival Saawariya hasn’t been doing too badly either. My guess would be that the two big budget films were pitted against each other by the media and the drama that followed was exciting and saw a nail biting finish for both. The numbers also indicate that despite a more sober marketing campaign the media hype saw Saawariya to a great start and still sees about 53 blog entries a day. The Razzle Dazzle of Farah’s Om Shanti Om still rules the roost and the blog pulse is an indication enough.<br /><br />Another flick, Jab We Met by Imtiaz Ali that hit the silver screen on 26th October manages to scrape an average of 38 posts. The film with its fantastic story line and music tracks came only third to Om Shanti Om or Saawariya.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R0rzby3S2NI/AAAAAAAAAPk/QU75BCrjAI0/s1600-h/3+movies.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R0rzby3S2NI/AAAAAAAAAPk/QU75BCrjAI0/s400/3+movies.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137185983805184210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:85%;" >In the last 3 months Jab We Met has lesser posts than what OSO had in the last month alone.</span><br /><br />The Maduri Dixit starrer - Aaja Nachle has been averaging 10 blogs over the last 3 months, and this month alone the average has been 13 plus. Now I hope there is a change of tide and the numbers are just as racy as her Jhatkas Matkas. Not only is she looking better than where she left off personally, I feel she hasn’t lost her edge despite competition. Madhuri’s return and her being the mother of two is causing quiet and uproar. She has everything going for her; great looks, dazzling smile, and what seems like a great story. What better come back could the Ek, Do, Teen gal look forward to?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R0r00S3S2OI/AAAAAAAAAPs/L5Xbwnj_e5E/s1600-h/aaja+nachle.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R0r00S3S2OI/AAAAAAAAAPs/L5Xbwnj_e5E/s400/aaja+nachle.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137187504223607010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:85%;" >Aaja Nachle is likely to rake in more posts as its edging towards its release. One can only wait and see if it challenge the astronomical numbers of OSO.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Author’s Note: </span>I have used two tools to do the tracking one is <a href="http://www.icerocket.com/">IceRocket</a> and the other <a href="http://www.blogpulse.com/">BlogPulse</a><a href="http://www.blogpulse.com/"> </a>(a service of AC Nielsen Metrics). I liked different features in each of them and hence have used both. In Ice Rocket the results are neatly tabulated and indicate average posts per day, average percent of all blog posts and total posts till date. Where as, Blog Pulse allows me to see a trend over a longer period of time. However, what both the tools lack is the ability to track really old data, so one is unable to track the growth or trends that have impacted the blogsphere over a couple of years. These tools are really useful nonetheless.</span></span><br /></div>Dhivyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16068535241353272380noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17799802.post-40109642957840715092007-11-22T01:14:00.000-05:002007-11-22T01:26:40.847-05:00Art Attack<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Sprucing up my blog was always a big challenge for me. At coffee & conversation I can’t let the caffeine levels dip or the interesting conversation dry out.<span style=""> </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">I am constantly looking for alternatives to keep my blog bursting with energy and voila! I found another one of those small tools that’ll salvage it from monotony – <a href="http://sketchcast.com/">Sketchacast</a>! A fun way to animate a doodle and bring alive an idea or just add that little zing to your blog. So if you thought blogs were all about text, think again.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">It’s simple and really cool to use. Just register, doodle and publish! There are very few tools to deal with, which makes in simpler. One could add audio as well while drawing and explaining something hence it conveys the message better than a long prose. A sketchcast can be embedded <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.youtube.com">Youtube</a> style on your blogs or the URL could be shared.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">I attempted 2 such sketchcasts. I admit they look retarded and my creativity should not be judged based on these. The first one is ‘faces’, oh it was a struggle to keep the pen on the canvas.<br><br><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://sketchcast.com/swf/player.swf?id=x4z0464"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://sketchcast.com/swf/player.swf?id=x4z0464" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object><br><br><br />The second one is a scoop of popcorn and a film reel which I intend to use for all the movie reviews.<br><br><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://sketchcast.com/swf/player.swf?id=br4Y8ZE"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://sketchcast.com/swf/player.swf?id=br4Y8ZE" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object> <br><br><br />There’s more to come soon. But in the meanwhile, you can review my doodling. I should try a yoga sketchcast that would depict the yoga asanas Well that’s for another rainy day.</p>Dhivyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16068535241353272380noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17799802.post-11293481385020652632007-11-21T06:07:00.000-05:002007-11-21T06:36:00.645-05:00Feed a mouthful<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R0QX6i3S2HI/AAAAAAAAAO0/V5C3tENVxNU/s1600-h/freerice.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R0QX6i3S2HI/AAAAAAAAAO0/V5C3tENVxNU/s400/freerice.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135255769667786866" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I am skeptical about writing product or service reviews even if I find it particularly interesting. Simply because reviews are viewed as paid-for promotions. I have been accused in the past for doing so (If only people knew how difficult it is to make<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R0QWSS3S2EI/AAAAAAAAAOc/YFBovwmRz6A/s1600-h/120_240_Vertical.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R0QWSS3S2EI/AAAAAAAAAOc/YFBovwmRz6A/s320/120_240_Vertical.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135253978666424386" border="0" /></a> money out of personal blogs). There is this one service that caught my attention <a href="http://www.freerice.com/">www.freerice.com</a> a program launched by <a href="http://www.poverty.com/">www.poverty.com</a> to battle hunger and starvation.</div><div> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">The rules look pretty simple, it’s a multiple choice of synonyms and the idea is to choose the closest fit. For every word you get right, 10 grains of rice is donated to the <a style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);" href="http://www.wfp.org/english/">United Nations World</a><a style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);" href="http://www.wfp.org/english/"> Food Program</a>.</p><div> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">The points are indicated by a bowl that collects rice. The words are challenging and it gets tougher as you advance. This is perfect for GRE and CAT aspirants and the best part is you don’t need to register.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">You can also extend your support for the cause by plugging in one of their assortment of banners into your blogs and websites. I am hoping one of my more technically adept friends will help me do so.</p>Dhivyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16068535241353272380noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17799802.post-89714704026108315322007-11-20T04:18:00.000-05:002007-11-20T04:36:26.511-05:00Salt n Pepper Generation<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R0KpnC3S2CI/AAAAAAAAAOM/tydzdA6pNgs/s1600-h/jsin96l.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R0KpnC3S2CI/AAAAAAAAAOM/tydzdA6pNgs/s320/jsin96l.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134853013404571682" border="0" /></a>For a long time fifty meant edging towards peaceful retirement, turning to Holy scriptures and planning endless pilgrimages. But today 50 marks a beginning. It’s time to catch up with life, no more worrying about kids, no more work pressures… and the salt and pepper generation are totally living it up. So what if they couldn’t travel or scuba dive or learn to cha cha in their youth they are signing up for them now. The 50 plus are ready and raring to go and their age, oh they have made peace with it.<span style=""> </span> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">At my dance studio a couple past their fifty enrolled for salsa. They were extremely graceful and energetic on the floor and if I may add very funny as well. A lot of dance schools and gyms have special programs and course plans charted out for the 50 plus generation.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">“It’s my time and there is so much I want to do. I am not restless or insecure. I have no worries about competition and I don’t have to worry about getting somewhere in my career all the time.” My 55 year old aunt told me and boy was I jealous or what.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">My yoga instructor herself is woman on the other side of fifty who runs Yogarakshana, a yoga school. She started the school only a decade back and works there from 8.00 in the morning to 6.00 in the evening teaching Yoga and Vedas to both young and the old alike. Her Yoga also takes her across geographies and she does get tired when she has foreign student visiting her for a crash course, and it’s only then that she allows herself a days rest.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R0KpvC3S2DI/AAAAAAAAAOU/umvD4d0f-Rs/s1600-h/ist2_244056_dancing_old_man.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/R0KpvC3S2DI/AAAAAAAAAOU/umvD4d0f-Rs/s320/ist2_244056_dancing_old_man.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134853150843525170" border="0" /></a>Travel portals are also working over time and no they are not booking tickets to Varnasi or Kasi or Rameshwaram. The fifty plus are signing up for nature treks, adventure trails and jungle resorts in both local and international destinations.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">This generation had to also grapple with technology, having to learn to use the internet and the mobile only in their forties. Today they are adept with web services like email, online ticket booking, blogging, uploading photographs, or checking out travel portals. They have no intentions of being left behind.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">There are lots of interesting people still popular in the media who show no signs of tiring despite being way past fifty - Shobha De, Amitabh Bachcchan and heck the grand old Zohara Sehgal. </p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Here is a generation that is waiting to be explored, pampered and indulged. The Silver scalps know that happiness is not the monopoly of youth. Despite having to deal with the inevitable signs of aging and the changes it brings with it they are probably living their most creative, productive and dazzling era of their lives. They are on a high and living each day with wisdom, zest and that thing called fun. <span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);">Mark Twain</span> rightly said <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 153, 0);">"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Image Source: </span><a href="http://www.cartoonstock.com">Cartoon Stock</a></p>Dhivyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16068535241353272380noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17799802.post-9899230841510445672007-11-13T02:39:00.000-05:002007-11-15T00:35:12.218-05:00Agony Aunt 2.0<div align="justify"><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/RzlVdTgSvJI/AAAAAAAAANs/fPorNUKuxXY/s1600-h/internet.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132227212305677458" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right;" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/RzlVdTgSvJI/AAAAAAAAANs/fPorNUKuxXY/s320/internet.gif" border="0" /></a>The WWW has been around for a while, and has grown to become our pillar of support of sorts. Our best friend (as corny as it may sound) to be precise. Its incredible how one can turn to the net to complain, to whine, to celebrate, to connect, to reach out and to make a difference. And, in return, the internet has shown its relentless support by listening. Sadly marketers haven't explored its potential, they haven't been able to put their finger on the thump that is getting stronger and louder.<br /><br />True the internet has propelled a whole lot of things, but it has also been a favourite medium for grouse. I did a rather juvenile search <a href="http://broadbandforum.in/hathway-broadband-service/10227-hathway-sucks/">‘hathway sucks’ </a>(now that would clearly spell out my intentions). There were some 100 odd groups bitching about the service provider, while I was <a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/RzldDjgSvKI/AAAAAAAAAN0/bHvg8sSLNNI/s1600-h/link-to-me.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132235566017068194" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/RzldDjgSvKI/AAAAAAAAAN0/bHvg8sSLNNI/s200/link-to-me.gif" border="0" /></a>contemplating which one to join I searched for many other such angst portals. There are like a zillion of ‘this is terrible’, ‘that is horrid’ websites. However, there is not a single platform trying to play aunt agony. There are too many conversations but no one listening.<br /><br />Today almost any service provider promises a great customer experience that is for keeps. I often wonder if ‘customer delight’ is their chosen pursuit or is it just a sexy term straight out of a management textbook. There is hardly any delight in dealing with the customer care officers, for starters they rarely ever get on the phone, which is extremely frustrating (especially if you have to lend a ear to the tireless electronic voice). And when they do get on the phone they are rude and insensitive. <a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/RzldgDgSvLI/AAAAAAAAAN8/ZOQasIKmTRM/s1600-h/cartoon%25201.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132236055643339954" style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right;" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/RzldgDgSvLI/AAAAAAAAAN8/ZOQasIKmTRM/s320/cartoon%25201.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Blogs, social media and communities are mushrooming all over the internet and consumers are splashing the pages with their angst. It has become critical for corporates to hear what is being said about them more than just pretty PR articles. I chanced upon a <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/oct2007/db20071017_277576.htm">BusinessWeek article</a> that made me write this blog and conduct many childish searches. A brand like DELL truly found itself by listening to blogs. The ROI of blogs and social media has been proved without a doubt, atleast in my head. All corporates need to do is put a little money and ear on the thump to plug the hole. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Image source:</span> <a href="http://www.weblogcartoons.com">We Blog Cartoons</a>, <a href="http://geekandpoke.typepad.com/">Geek and Poke</a></div>Dhivyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16068535241353272380noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17799802.post-88753351628466176642007-08-06T15:10:00.000-04:002007-08-07T04:40:56.587-04:00The Great Indian Brat<div align="justify">Just the other day I was having a really quite nice date at a swanky restaurant in Bangalore. It is a charming restaurant on the thirteenth floor with a lovely panoramic view of the city. This is the last place one would bring their children to. Somehow Indian parents insist on bringing children to late night dinners at expensive restaurants and wreck everyone else's privacy. </div><div align="justify"><br />'Aunty, what is this?' I turned around to find a little kid tugging at my skirt. </div><div align="justify"><br />'It's nothing baby. It's just a fork,' I smiled and turned to concentrate on my date.</div><div align="justify"><br />'Aunty, is this your mobile?' the cuteness was fast fading for this brat had pulled out my mobile from my hand bag.</div><div align="justify"><br />'Yes it is and now would you be a good boy and give it back to me?' I forced a smile.</div><div align="justify"><br />After much deliberation the kid dodged me and ran with my mobile to his mother who was sitting two tables away. Politely but firmly I asked the mother if she could get me my mobile back as it was important. Instead of being apologetic she tells me kids are like this only and that I ought to be more tolerant.</div><div align="justify"><br />I mean seriously, as much as we feel proud that our little Bunty is an active child bursting with energy, or love to see our little Chintu sing "Twinkle Twinkle", the rest of the world is under no obligation to indulge them. Parents should stop thinking they are entitled to some special rights.</div><div align="justify"><br />Even at the movies I happened to get seats next to a boisterous family who had bought all the junk available at the multiplex and the kids were fighting over it all through the movie despite several refills. Also each kid by turn kept wanting to go the washroom, and each time he would have to cross me. I don't think I caught a word of what Captain Jack Sparrow was saying! </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">I don't know what we are proud of. We make monkeys of our kids. Feed them all the junk and make the world listen to them singing Jack and Jill a zillion times over, and force them to clap and cheer. So we all have sung Baa Baa Black Sheep, it has been the most natural part of our growing up, cute as it may sound it really is no rocket science. </div><div align="justify"><br />So I think it's time to impose a few rules, Children below the age of 13 should not be allowed to </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#ff9900;">-Fancy restaurants at dinner. Even if they do allow children it should clearly mention they are 'child-friendly' or whatever, so that the rest of us can stay away. </span></div><p align="justify"><span style="color:#ff9900;">- At the theaters for all shows from the evening show. The parents can rent the DVD and watch it later.</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="color:#ff9900;">- At the beauty parlours where I like to get a my head massage done without having to hear pesky kids running around and trying to handle the equipments.</span></p><div align="justify">I don't have kids of my own, I am not even married. When I do I'll ensure they follow all these rules but right now I don't want be deprived of a good movie or a great dinner. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><em>Published first at : </em><a href="http://desicritics.org/2007/06/03/003955.php"><em>Desi Critics</em></a></div>Dhivyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16068535241353272380noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17799802.post-56154688990804261182007-07-14T03:58:00.001-04:002007-07-14T04:37:05.799-04:00TVC Hots & Nots - Parachute Advansed<div align="justify">I totally love the new 'Parachute Advansed - Gorgeous Hamesha' commercial that has been on air recently. The ad doesn't directly talk about the product yet the intrensic benefit of the product comes through very clearly. Its feel good track and simple execution makes this commercial an example of great advertising, that helps build strong brand vaules for the company and phenomenal recall for the product.<br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7hAPpEnsgCY" width="425" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed><br /><br />The ad resonates well with its consumers, with its base line 'Gorgeous Hamesha' this ad makes me (their target consumer) feel really good about myself. And the whole stickness and phobia associated with hair oil is very clevery masked. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">A clutter breaking ad that has all the right ingredients to strike the right chord with its consumers and to build a great brand.<br /></div>Dhivyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16068535241353272380noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17799802.post-1158844565243691172007-07-11T02:34:00.000-04:002007-07-11T02:34:53.199-04:00F-C-U-K Fashion<div align="justify">The attention-grabbing marketing ploy of naughty-but-nice British fashion retailer French Connection, reborn in 1997 under the brand "FCUK" borrows shock tactics in equal measure from 1970s punk rock group the Sex Pistols and rival clothing retailer Benetton, The controversial campaign was an enormous success for several years<br /></div><div align="justify"><br />French Connection is a clothing company first established in United Kingdom in 1969 and was mainly aimed at the youthful demographic. Over the last decade it has reinvented itself for the new generation shoppers and has now evolved to be a cult brand world over under the name FCUK which they claim is the acronym for French Connection United Kingdom. The company has recently announced the 'fcuk' label is to be phased out.</div><div align="justify"><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div>Their communication is a ...<img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8141/1724/320/advertising.0.jpg" border="0" /></div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8141/1724/320/words4.jpg" border="0" /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8141/1724/320/words2.jpg" border="0" /> <img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8141/1724/320/words5.jpg" border="0" /> <div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><em>Word Game<img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8141/1724/320/jumbled%20words2.jpg" border="0" /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8141/1724/320/jumbled%20words.jpg" border="0" /></em></div><p><em>Misspelt words</em> - whoever said one has to know his spellings<img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8141/1724/320/misspelt.jpg" border="0" /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8141/1724/320/error.jpg" border="0" /> </p><p><em>Attitude</em></p><p></p><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/8141/1724/320/in3.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="justify">Their advertising oozes with controversial, rebellious, and blatantly kinky attitude. Be it enormous billboards or their store display the brand has tantalized and infuriated people with words. It raised the bar for young advertising professional. </p>Dhivyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16068535241353272380noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17799802.post-32806796085651186732007-07-10T08:44:00.000-04:002007-07-10T09:06:02.043-04:00Setting up a President<div align="justify">In India, politics has always been a drama that helps in sustaining competitive TRPs for news channels. The new issue that is gripping the nation is the rat race for the highest chair of honour. Who is going to be appointed as the next president of India? There seems to be a surge in jingoistic spirit and everyone is feeling compelled to contribute his 2 paisa worth to this issue.<br /><br />Politics for me has been a source of entertainment, being a silent spectator I have thoroughly enjoyed the nastiness enveloping it but this one event triggered me to write about it.<br /><br />Our domestic help called to say she was not coming to work. My mum being irked by this asked her to justify her reasons.<br /><br />‘Madam some lady who is going to be the next president of our country is going to be in town. I am going to get fifty bucks and food for sitting through the ceremony. A bus is coming to pick up people from my slum and will drop us back when the function is over. If I take my whole family I’ll get more money than you pay me for the whole month!’<br /><br />50 bucks and a plate of chicken briyani is all it takes to climb the Indian political ladder! The UPA and left will go any length in setting up their candidate, Pratibha Patil as the country’s next president and guess who is talking about it.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085553157309776114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/RpODpvPQwPI/AAAAAAAAAM8/MllniGv9sNA/s400/topical.jpg" border="0" />Dhivyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16068535241353272380noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17799802.post-36880459220872073182007-07-08T15:21:00.000-04:002007-07-09T15:04:25.622-04:00Bangalore Bloggers Meet Part 1- Prelude to the Barcamp<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/RpE-ZPPQwNI/AAAAAAAAAMs/IgpNUXPfc9s/s1600-h/Mumbai+Mirror+Clip.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084914057586196690" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/RpE-ZPPQwNI/AAAAAAAAAMs/IgpNUXPfc9s/s400/Mumbai+Mirror+Clip.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div><div align="justify">With two bloggers meet being organised simultaneously (initially, both oblivious of each others existence) the blogging junta found itself in a confounding situation, clearly questioning the motives of both these meets. Nonetheless, this confusion lend itself as an ice breaker for the bloggers meet on Saturday evening, the gathering had a good laugh over it.<br /><br />Before we were through with that we found ourselves in an even funnier predicament. The venue, café coffee day flatly refused to accommodate the overwhelming response we received from the blogging community. As people started trickling in it was evident for an impromptu meet the number was looking really promising. Then we did a little walk to Koshy’s and finally settled at Koshy’s Chill out (yes not the best of places, but we were getting a little desperate after having spent 40mins hunting for a place).<br /><br />This meet was a prelude to the <span style="color:#ff9900;">Barcamp Bangalore 4</span> (BCB4). So after initial round of introduction, <a href="http://www.harinath.softrel.org/">Hari</a>, BCB4 organiser introduced many of us to the Bar camp concept. He further went on to explain that this year a bloggers collective was being introduced at BCB4 and that it was upto us to take it forward. <em><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#ff9900;">Bangalore Mirror, July 8th 2007</span><br /></span></em><br />There were a lot of concepts thrown back and forth. One thought in particular that hogged most of our time was how the bloggers need to probably be more socially conscious. Sridhar on that note suggested we start a web NGO. Interesting, the idea could be explored and would probably even get support from many non bloggers.<br /><br />Also how Non tech bloggers like Sanjukta and myself be given a few lessons about the web and the various tools we could probably use. I agree with this one, I find so many bloggers doing really neat stuff with their blogs and would really like to use a few on my own.<br /><br />We had reporters from <strong><span style="color:#ff9900;">the Times Group - <a href="http://metroworld.blogspot.com/">Niranjan</a> & Balanarayan </span></strong>attending the meet besides the following bloggers.<br /><br /><a href="http://sanjukta.wordpress.com/">Sanjukta</a> – who also organised the meet<br /><a href="http://www.harinath.softrel.org/">Hari</a>, <a href="http://www.prayank.net/blog/">Prayank</a>, <a href="http://srinix.wordpress.com/">Sridhar</a>, <a href="http://anandbora.blogspot.com/">Anand</a>, Sukumar, <a href="http://sodidi.blogspot.com/">Ram</a>, <a href="http://jovemac.blogspot.com/">Jothi Vel</a>, <a href="http://mytravail.blogspot.com/">Amith</a>, <a href="http://vinu.wordpress.com/">Vinu</a>, <a href="http://meninweb.blogspot.com/">Cipson</a> (I hope I haven’t missed anybody)<br /><br />Like expected I was a part of the minority one of the only 2 girls and one of only 2 non techies. However, Hari did go out of his way not make us non techies feel a little more important..<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#ff9900;">I was amazed how 13 strangers had so much to share and discuss. Frankly, I loved the attitude of these bloggers everyone wanted to use this medium of blogging to bring about a positive change. And in my opinion that’s a great start.</span></em> Thanks <a href="http://sanjukta.wordpress.com/">Sanjukta</a> for organising this one<br /><br />The next meeting on <strong><span style="color:#ff9900;">July 21s</span><span style="color:#ff9900;">t</span></strong> at <strong><span style="color:#ff9900;">Brewhaha</span></strong> will be to freeze the agenda for the barcamp, we are hoping to see a lot more people.<br /><br />To join kindly edit this wiki page – <a href="http://www.bangalorebloggersmeet.pbwiki.com/">http://www.bangalorebloggersmeet.pbwiki.com/</a> </div><div align="justify"><br />I will update photographs once people send it across to me but I have put up what Bangalore Mirror had to say about the meet.</div></div>Dhivyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16068535241353272380noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17799802.post-13582308907237740032007-06-26T08:26:00.000-04:002007-06-26T08:48:40.344-04:00Window Of Controversy<div align="justify"><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/RoEIR8k8MXI/AAAAAAAAAMM/ou_M2fyQeag/s1600-h/lee-1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080350959062495602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/RoEIR8k8MXI/AAAAAAAAAMM/ou_M2fyQeag/s320/lee-1.jpg" border="0" /></a>Lee jeans are straight and this has been the reason for the furor. Lee has recently unveiled its straight fit collection and they didn’t don a celeb to mark this momentous occasion. What they did was to go for a drastic <span style="color:#ff9900;">window display makeover</span> and that stirred up a controversy.<br /><a title="lee-1.jpg" href="http://www.pepperminttrails.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/lee-1.jpg" rel="lightbox"></a><br />So they said <em><span style="color:#ff9900;"><strong>'No matter which way you bend Lee fits you straight.'</strong></span></em> The gay activists not getting the joke staged quite a protest. They claimed the communication was down right insulting and cheap and that Lee had no right to insult homosexuals.<br /><br />In India homosexuality has been quite taboo, and is considered to be a <a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/RoEJRck8MYI/AAAAAAAAAMU/RGc4e85oaT0/s1600-h/lee-2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080352049984188802" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_xqOm9rjiLi8/RoEJRck8MYI/AAAAAAAAAMU/RGc4e85oaT0/s200/lee-2.jpg" border="0" /></a>criminal offense were one can be subjected to upto 10 years of imprisonment. We also view it as a bad influence of the west, when in actuality same sex love has been around since the time of the Kamasutra. So are the Gay activists overreacting after the harsh treatment they have been subjected to for years, or is it just to gain sympathy votes?<br /><a title="lee-2.jpg" href="http://www.pepperminttrails.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/lee-2.jpg" rel="lightbox"></a><br />Whatever the case may be in India, homosexuals must realise that their chosen path is not a bed of roses and they can be subjected to nasty treatment. It is time they look at the broader picture and not go around calling the rest of the world narrow minded for just about anything, and definitely not for this. </div>Dhivyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16068535241353272380noreply@blogger.com12