Between Friends...

2025 Feb 15th

2025-02-15T18:16:00.005+05:30

This plant is like me. It shows progress little by little., shedding it's leaves the old rotten ones which are of nee use anymore to give life to new tender ones which bring hope, joy and a warm reminder of a beautiful life ahead.

I love this plant and don't want ro give up on it. For it has withstood the harsh winter, the Hugh speed winds, the dust from the constitution, the sounds of the busy roads.. yet it blossoms a few tender leaves and keep shooting for the sky exhibiting a never give up attitude.

We will heal together, love together and live a better life together where we will evolve into a new a replenished world ❤️❤️

Hey there

2010-05-21T10:29:00.000+05:30

Hi, Ishi and anyone else who's reading this.....I was pleasantly surprised to see 'new post' showing on BUF when I logged in to blogger, today. And, hey, great to see your post...I'd love to see BUF revived. It always has a special place in my heart, for having found me so many nice people from round the world, and a great outlet to write.

Do,do plan to revive it...or, send me the emails of all...I'll drop them a line.:)Cheerio!

Long time...

2010-05-15T03:18:00.000+05:30

Just a shout out to any BUFers who still visit :)! There's been no activity here for a while but I drop by to read through old posts and relive some of the memories of those days. This space was special :) ... always will be!

2009-06-20T06:06:00.003+05:30

Once in a lifetime, you find a beautiful person
Someone who truly cares, someone who never forgets...
Once in a lifetime, you find a special soul
One that is gold, and one that is rare...
Once in a lifetime, an angel appears
That keeps you alive, that makes you smile.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARLING ISHI! We wish for you sunny days, beautiful memories, heartfelt moments, truthful smiles, neverending hope, plenty of joy, good health, longlasting peace and most of all LOVE!

*MWAH*

Chandni Chowk To China To Crashing Way Way Down At The Box Office

2009-01-18T13:41:00.003+05:30

I can confidently advise you to not waste your precious time and money (what, with recession and all!) and watch Chandni Chowk To China.I was dragged to watch it like a dead carcass with no feet and half way through I, the dragger, dragged the dragees out of the movie theatre.Akshay Kumar movies are usually known for senseless, yet entertaining banter but this one was just senseless.It was quite clear that the director had no basic plot.It was just a big huge enmeshed blob of confusion.
It had a little bit of Kung Fu Panda and Seeta Aur Geeta. Thats one combo I thought I'd never see!
And whats with Deepika Padukone and signing up for movies only with double roles? She is of mixed parentage in the movie; one, a Chinese mafia type girl, and the other, a ditzy Indian model.What cracked me up(only cause everything else was so lame) was Chinese Deepika's underworld name-Meow Meow.Everytime she came on screen, the sound effects produced a screechy 'Meeeeoowww'.

Akshay Kumar plays a vegetable cutter in Chandni Chowk who is mistaken by very dumb Chinese villagers to be the re-incarnation of their historic warrior.It thus involves the journey of a flabby paratha seller's son who eventually takes revenge by taking down the guy -crime master Hojo (lol) that bullies the villagers and that killed Akshay Kumar's dad and destroyed Deepika's family.Trust me, after all the boredom, you might look forward to the one on one action between the villan and Akshay, but you will be DISAPPOINTED.I'm a huge fan of martial art ass kicking scenes( I'm currently in my second year of Thai Kickboxing) and the scenes in Kung Fu Panda got me more riled up than this movie.Oh! Don't miss out on the super exaggerated cosmos energy move.Thats just dope.Bruce Lee must be spinning in his grave.

Movie Review: Slumdog Millionaire

2009-01-04T01:36:00.002+05:30

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

How many times has it been that you've day-dreamed of being a millionaire?

How many times has it been that you've felt things happen because that's how they are supposed to happen in our lives?

How many times has it been that you've felt that things happened around through a stroke of luck?

"Slumdog Millionaire" is one such story. It is the story of how an impoverished Indian teen Jamal Malik became a contestant on the Hindi version of "Who Wants to be A Millionaire?" -- an endeavor made without prize money in mind, rather, an effort to prove his love for his friend Latika, who is an ardent fan of the show.

The beautiful, and at times horrible, twists and turns of Jamal's life which brought him to the hot seat and which inexplicably also helps him win the prize money and find Latika for good, would surely leave bound to your seat for the two hours.

A well paced movie with no meaningless time squandering around that is sometimes on view in movies which have the most innovative of concepts.

Give it a watch. It should be on your list for 2009.

An open letter to the Prime Minister of India.

2008-12-27T13:00:00.004+05:30

Dear Prime Minister

By now, I am sure you know none of us envy you. Atleast the educated-not-wanting-a-ministerial-chair, sane minded ones amongst us.

You indeed are surrounded in some murky environs:

Fellow politicians with an expertise in the foot in mouth syndrome to put even good old Dubya and Paris Hilton put together, to shame.

A motley crew of alliance members with a 'DEEP' understanding of the current geopolitical and security situation. Incidentally they would all be out of their depth even in a parking lot puddle.

You had to give up your best man in the worst financial meltdown thanks to Shivraj Patil finally waking up to the fact that it’s time he put his political chair holding ambitions to sleep.

An opposition that beats even Ekta Kapoor’s knack of thriving on human misery to release advertising using terror attacks as a subject (ironically, their reign on the chair wasn’t a bed of roses for the country either).

A coast guard system that makes the Indian shores seem like the open gates of Appu Ghar on Children’s Day.

A stickler for protocol, neighboring leader of state who actually believes that your external affairs minister called him on the cell phone to make ‘phraindsheep’ with him and then threaten dire consequences unless his demands were met.

Laloo Yadav. Maya “bhenji” Wati. Vijay Mallya. Barkha Dutt. And a demanding lady boss.

The list goes on.

You really don’t have an easy life, I know. But since you are the leader of the nation, we have no one else to turn to.

We do not want a war Mr. Prime Minister. We want peace.

We do not want to hurt Pakistan. We want to annihilate extremism. And that does not involve normal citizens of any country. Or any faith.

We do not want bravado. We need alertness. Where every time something goes wrong, those who are at fault have more to say than just ‘ooops’.

We do not want blame takers and resignations on moral grounds. We want accountability. And some basic testicular fortitude in those who hold offices.

We do not want Barkha Dutt. We want news. She alone can give the entire opposition a tough fight for Ekta Kapoor’s throne of the ultimate human misery exploiter. Asking people who have just lost their kin “what are your feelings right now”. And yes, the gem: asking the NSG commander as he is entering the Nariman house amidst heavy firing “what is your strategy”?

Barkha-e-Tauba ! I hope the UN puts her on the list as well.

We do not need war. No we don’t.

For all the people who died in Mumbai on 26/11 and the million others in the acts of terrorism that ravished this land, do not send more Indians to the battlefield.

Because then, this will all go on.

This is what I suggest you can do:

Tighten our borders. If they cannot get in, they cannot cause harm.

Pay our security forces better. If they cannot be bribed, they cannot be breached.

Be clinical and ruthless with the politicians. You know, I know and we all know who are the ones who need this treatment. (Have Ram Gopal Varma make a new political potboiler – DeshMoorkh. The rest of the star cast is a ready set of asteroids led by R. R. Patil. This set of politicians will go far. The sooner they start, the better.)

Implement into law a bill that makes every politician with an ambition to hold office, hold a basic education first. The Prime Minister being educated enough, making up for the entire cabinet and political system doesn’t work.

Make public the ‘evidence’ you have. There is little to be gained with secrecy and protocol. As it is, we are on cell phone - first name basis with Zardari. Let the world know who they are, where they are and who shelters them. Remember it is politicians and power brokers who you need to target. Not innocent citizens. If innocent citizens are the collateral damage for our objectives, we are no different from the ones who did 26/11.

Be nice to Asif Ali Zardari. It is not his fault that he is brainless, spineless and powerless. Probably you can send Barkha Dutt as your special envoy with all the evidence to convince him if you have to. And threaten to keep her there till they get their act together. Atleast one of the two national issues we face everyday will be surely solved.

I have lots more to say, but as I said, I am aware of your tight schedule and tighter leash.

I hope these suggestions help. Till you do something about it, all we can do is pray for peace and seek sanity by staying away from NDTV 24x7.

I recommend..AmitL

2008-12-24T08:03:00.006+05:30

I recommend(For those wanting to come to Dubai for work purposes and to save money as well for your budhaapa(old age)):

Only accept a job which offers a minimum salary of AED 10000/- (Current conversion: Rs 12.5 or so, fluctuating daily) Anything less than that in these days of high rents and inflation is hara-kiri, unless you want to come at AED 5-6000 and not save anything. Of course, if accommodation is offered by Company, the lesser salary would be all right, but, it usually isn’t, even to the goras/goris. Do not be misled by agents telling you- oh, you’ll get Rs. 50,000/- or some such figure.

Bring a back-up amount of minimum AED 6000/-, if you’re not sure of getting an advance from your company/establishment. This will go in paying room rent(Today, even sharing accommodation by way of bedspace, costs @ AED 1500/- and they ask for 2-3 months in advance), as well as buying the basic necessities of life, including a TV set(@ AED 400) and a CD/DVD player(@ AED 100, cheapest)

In fact, you might need more than that amount. Rents are expected to fall, but,at present, landlords want 2 rents in advance, and, if through an agent, then, his cut is another 2-4%, depending on demand in the area.

If you’re bringing your family in and your company is not sponsoring them(Even if it is, I still recommend this), then, don’t..at least not for the first six months. Settle in, save a bit, and then call them. You won’t know how fast the greenbucks go, when running after mandatory medical examination, residence visa, school admissions(If applicable) and all the related paraphernalia which goes with admission, from uniforms to books to what not.

Besides this, be ready to shell out @ AED 200(Water and electricity), 89( TV channels), 165(Mobile phone connection)+ talk time which will surely soar in the first few months or even later)

Once you move into your accommodation, you’ll need to get: The drinking water bottles( They cost 8 dirham for a 20 litre bottle and you need at least 6 per month), the manual/motorized pump to attach to bottles (25/-) or a normal+hot water dispenser(40/- min), tea kettle (If you’re in a non-cooking sharing accommodation) for boiling water(@ 65/-), mugs, tea bags. Milk of course will be a regular item, too. (1 litre costs AED 5.5/- to 6).

Food: If you don’t cook or are not allowed to, count @ AED 15 per day for food(If you scrounge, really, and pay just 8 or so, it’s your choice, but, why take chances with your health?

Don’t fall prey to all that glitters, and, this includes, immediately buying a hi-fi cellphone costing upwards of a 1000 dirhams, to watches to branded clothes, to the best in Reeboks to a Canon digital camera.

You might also need to buy furniture, from beds-mattresses-pillows to a computer table(Also a computer, of course), a small cupboard or two, et al.

In fact, I don’t recommend buying anything which is not a bare necessity or, alternatively, which you don’t intend to take home. Otherwise, whenever you are returning, you will sell them all at a much lower price.

Also, in these times of recession and pink slips, I really recommend that you first get your confirmation that your visa is under process, and then only quit your job(If it’s existing) in your home country. I’ve heard cases of people who quit their safe job, and, when they were about to come here, they were told to ‘forget it’, as there was a freeze on recruitment.

It's Been A Week Of Tears...(Keshi)

2008-12-04T06:58:00.005+05:30

Instead of hatred, darkness and unrest, let there be love, light and peace always. Be the radiance that you want to see in others...it all starts with self.

~~In memory of all the innocents who perished in the last week's senseless Mumbai attacks. May your souls find comfort, rest and peace wherever you are now~~

An update on my life(AmitL)

2008-11-25T06:35:00.003+05:30

Hi,all!! Been a mite bugged,literally...first it was the usual cough and cold. Followed by a severe backache(Lumbar sprain is what the doc called it) which didn't allow me to sit for more than 10 minutes at a stretch. But then, sprain is always better than something spinal,right? As always, whatever happens is for the best...so, I got a bit of compulsory rest last Fri-Sat, and, now,things are nearly back to normal. Now, of course, the first day of the sprain makes me LOL- imagine bending down to pick up the paper and then having to get up holding the door frame? So glad it was 5 AM, otherwise any neighbour spotting me would have been embarassing.LOL

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Amongst other updates: The day goes nowadays, hearing about slowed/ stalled projects, people being evicted from banks and real estate companies.(Now, this eviction is pretty harsh- unlike the evictions which took place from the Bigg Boss house in the second season on Colours channel). I heard about a friend's friend- he quit his job in Mumbai, and was packed and ready to move to Dubai when the Bank he was joining called him and said they were not sending his visa, since there was a freeze on recruitments. Another story was about a girl(came in the papers)who quit her job at a telecom company here, and went to a new company- when she reached there on the first day, the HR people told her that her post had been cancelled.Pretty depressing, hearing/reading about such events. Here's praying that these people get a good job,or,their old jobs back. Harsh realities of today! How about you? Did you experience anything of the sort amongst friends/relatives?Everyone's suggestion these days- stick to your current job.Don't think of moving out till the situation improves. (Just like they say'stick to your current flat/room/studio', out here..coz a new place,a new rent would be killing)

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Reminds me of a recession joke. There's this guy who feels nervous these days when a bank returns his cheque citing 'lack of funds' as the reason- he doesn't know whether it refers to his account or to the bank's funds!

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Besides that,not much to update-except that I'm leaving for India tomorrow,for two weeks!!

I Recommend(AmitL)

2008-10-31T16:41:00.009+05:30

Hi,all!!I'm sure you all had a Happy Diwali and a Dazzling New Year!!On to the interesting topic of the month:

I recommend:

- Smiling in the dark when you wake up in the morning.

- Drinking 3-4 glasses of water before brushing your teeth.

- Saying a prayer before distracting your thought processes with TV/radio/newspaper

- Reading at least one positive thought, like' Life is like a ten-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use'

-Exercise for 15-20 minutes-be it walking/jogging in place,walking outside,stretching,et al.

- Now,my favourite-have a cup of tea.

- Think about one thing/person you're grateful about, in life.

- At work/office/college/school: If someone's annoying you,think of one good part of their personality. Your responses to their spoken words will make you the winner.

- After lunch,i.e. the afternoon period,when your efficiency's going down: Think of your motivation for the day/week: Could be something you plan for the evening,or for the weekend. It could be salary day coming up. (Of course,if that doesn't work, a painkiller pill like Combiflam is the last option...at least for me..LOL)

- In the evenings-now,this one's really difficult,unless you're a forced bachelor/ette like me- keep some 'time out' for yourself- for a calming bath/shower or to read a book you've been meaning to since quite some time or to listen to 'Chak De Phatte' kind of songs which can't fail to put your feet in tip-tap motion,to sit in silence for a few minutes.....endless possibilities.

- During anytime of the day,you can also try 'palming'-i.e. covering both eyes with your palms while keeping the eyes open and looking at the endless blackness...does wonders,sometimes,but,only if the mind is not too tense.

- Before going to dreamland and after taking the relaxing bath/shower: Close your eyes/pray and Thank God for letting another day pass by without any major health issues,any major problems,except,of course,for those petty nuisances(Colleagues arguing,kids shouting/fighting,wifey cribbing,friends ignoring....LOL) which,when you think of it, are what really make your life worth living-bringing the variety which adds spice to what would otherwise be a dreary existence!!:)

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Post script::If you can follow even half of the above tips, hats off to you!!I haven't been successful to that level so far(Except for the prayer parts) !!!And,then,again,maybe that's again what brings variety to life-being happy doing some of these things,and,being unhappy because I lost my temper/felt sad,etc!!Life's too precious,after all!

Happy Diwali!

2008-10-27T15:25:00.000+05:30

It's your life... live it up!!

2008-10-21T04:16:00.004+05:30

Hey folks!! I have been away... a long time from blogsville. Despite having hit a block amongst other worldly matters, Ishi's suggestion hit hard: "I recommend". I didn't really have to think about it. I simply knew... such is the simplicity of the topic. So without much ado lemme plough ahead.

In these past few months, while I have been running around to get a few things done and finally moving to a distant land, I lost touch with a few things. It was during the 10 hr flight from Kolkata to London, watching Kung-fu Panda 36000 ft above sea level, I was lost in introspection. I took a stock of my life in the past 3 years and tried to come tally out the good and bad incidents during that phase. Soon, I realised... somewhere along while I did find a part of me, whose existence I had doubts upon, I had also lost out on parts which were mine. Good riddance?? I dunno!! But, I had changed enough to have a high blood pressure, losing my temper at the slightest of pretext, had become more demanding or may be exacting!!

And when I compared them to the better things in life I've had during that time, I chanced upon what I would say, I have adopted as a fundamental principle and would love to follow all my life.
And this is what I recommend everyone:
Get out... think out of the box... life is not meant for conventional thinking... you have only one life!!
Be bold, be brave... stand up for what you believe in!!
Party hard, sing like it its your last, dance like no ones watching you!!
Smile always... love every moment!!
Someone has hurt you? Fair enuf!! Move on.. don't brood!!
Let love happen to you.... step out and get drenched in the rain!!
Love someone as if this is the last chance you'll ever have!!
You may not achieve all that you want, but make a success out of what you get!!
Last, there's a lot to do, lot to see, loads to laugh about, loads to cry about, dozens to moan about, scores to win over.... but time is at a premium. So don't spend your life stuck at one point!!

I may have missed a few points here... but this is what I firmly believe in. Silently I might have been following most of it, but this may be the first time I'm jotting it down!!

Cheerio
It's your life... live it up!!

Topics(AmitL)

2008-10-17T13:22:00.007+05:30

Firstly, welcome back to Ishi-reading your post,and, noting that you were always 'in touch'with BUF, during the past few months,brought a smile to my face, as also Keshi's warm welcome comment to the post.

===

Topics- that's certainly a nice'topic' suggested by Keshi. The first thing which comes to mind is people- people who can talk on any topics, who can link any word you say, with a whole stream of talk on that word,nee,topic. Sometimes, I admire such people and their gift of gab. At other times,particularly when I'm trying to concentrate on something else, I feel like asking such people' what will make you shut up?'(But, naturally, I don't-instead, I follow the age-ole dictum of 'ignorance is bliss'- just stare blankly at the person or the wall behind him while he/she is gabbing, and they'll get the message pretty fast.

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Let me give an example of such 'topical experts: (I'll try one of the above topics with them, one of these days-always good to get a bit of GK)

- Friend: This guy,whether he's solo or when we are in a group. If I make polite talk by saying' Isn't the weather improving?'- there, that's the signal for him to go off into a discourse on how the weather changes from exceptionally hot in the five summer months, to cool in October-Nov to cold for the next three. (Of course, he forgets that I've been here for six years). He even talks about the cloud seeding which they do here to bring rain, which also is something I know. So, to change the topic, I talk about traffic fines- and, off he goes, talking of how the fines and charges for visas and so on are continually making life difficult for people. So, again, I change the topic to movies. And, off he goes- how can one spend 300 bucks(it's 25 dirhams, here, for a ticket) on a movie you might not even enjoy? blah blah I prefer to watch TV instead blah blah....

- People in India: It's the same with some people in India, too....they can flit from topic to topic with ease- right from the prices of kaanda-batata(onions n potatoes) to inflation in general to train fares to stinking toilets at railway stations to school fees to how government servants continue to take bribes to rising electricity bills to petrol costs ....ad infinitum- the sky's the limit for these people. And, particularly, if you're coming from abroad, they're even more keen to show off their general knowledge of the world to you. And, I just hate to prick their bubble of happiness, when they ask a question like ' Are you in proper Dubai?', as if they're veterans of this Emirate. (Incidentally, the answer is 'there's nothing like proper or improper Dubai, the Emirate is just like one of our Metro cities, and everywhere you go, is a part of Dubai only)...but,me being me, I just politely nod my head and tell them where I stay,work,etc,and they nod understandingly like I'm talking of Chinchpokhli or Borivali.

But then, all said and done, let me admit-I feel envious of such people- why?No reason-maybe because I've always been more of an avid listener than a talker? Maybe because I prefer to talk only when I feel it makes sense to exercise the vocal chords and make people listen?Maybe because I'm more of a writer than a talker? Ahahaha! Anyway, give me time-maybe I'll master the gift of the gab one of these days!

Cheerio and let me say'I'm already working on Ishi's brilliant topic suggestion'I recommend'. Keshi, I wonder, will you post before I do?*challenging,rolling eyes*.

Better late than never (Ishita)

2008-10-16T09:45:00.005+05:30

About time I put up a post here!!! I meant to do so earlier but got caught up with stuff at home (been updating my blog with whatever's on with me)....

BUF is one blog that I have followed through out my self imposed break. There were days when I would get to BUF even without going through my own blog :) ... I must thank those of you who still get here for sustaining it. Though I do miss the ones who well aren't around. But then I tell myself just as I had reasons to stay away, I am sure they have theirs.

I won't put an update on my life. Most of you know it all :)

I will however make a topic suggestion. It's quite a simple one really. How about a topic called "I recommend..." so basically u can write about whatever u want to recommend to people...a book, a dish, a movie, a blog, clothes, places to visit, suggestions to improve BUF!, blogging tips....u have an idea to recommend...just go ahead write about it!

I'll get back once I work on mine :) ...

Of course apart from Kesh and Amit no one's been posting regularly here...but BUF's a blog and even one person is enough to make it work :) ... I'll do my bit and send out a mail to everyone (just presuming that some don't get here at all and hence don't know what's going on...or if anythings on at all!)

That's it for now :) ... I'll be back!

Miss Me When I'm Gone

2008-10-07T11:32:00.002+05:30

Hey everybody! It makes me sad and annoyed about how I haven't been able to regularly follow up with this place.I guess when you set your mind on something, you pretty much devote all your time to it till you achieve it.

The past few months haven't exactly been a joy ride.Sometimes, getting chronically obsessed with something takes quite a toll on you.

I know, what I'm doing has its pros and cons but I'm growing along with all the change and kind of learning in the process so I guess thats ok.

I'm going to be applying for SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies), London either in 2010 or 2011 for my Masters and Phd in Applied Japanese Linguistics and I have another year of intense studying to do till my credentials prove worthy of that college.I have to sync my getting in with a lot of things going on in my life and worrying about it pretty much brings me down horribly.I have been working really hard and this is pretty much something that I want REALLY REALLY BAD.In order to get in, I practically have to devote all of my time to studying and I haven't had much time for friends.In fact, I almost forgot I turn 19 in a week!

So, thats what I've been upto.I know I won't have 'friend' problems there.With Loony and Sam there ;-). I need all the support from everyone here at BUF! :-)

My life after the advent of the internet(AmitL)

2008-09-19T18:33:00.005+05:30

Quip for above pic: A shape of things to come?(Or, have they already reached this stage?)

Hi,all!It's been great,seeing some of the BUFers around,regularly,specially Keshi,Vishesh,Sam(who was going to post in 15 days:)),..... and, now Ishi's back,too- a big Welcome Back, Ishi.

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Life after the internet.To go into the depth of this topic,let's look at life before the internet. I think it began in around 1996. And, at that time, it was a total enigma. Before the net, the PC had just started making inroads, with 'mega memories like 256 MB RAM being looked at as 'high', while a hard disc of 500 MB was a luxury.

Those who had a net connection,were considered affluent. I remember looking at my cousin's PC, in Delhi, wistfully, when I would see him chatting on msn messenger,wondering whether I'd ever get net-savvy enough to chat.LOL.

Only after two-three years,did places like Baroda,really get onto the bandwagon,with ISPs like Satyamonline being on the forefront.I remember,that was the most popular one.So,anyway, I got my first net connection somewhere around y2k, I believe-with a year's subscription costing Rs. 3600/-, for a dialup, little knowing the princely phone bill it would jot up parallelly. But, as I saw later, it was all worth it.

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Yahoo and msn were probably the two most popular websites,and anybody who was anybody, had an email id there. So, naturally, I followed suit, and opened my first id on hotmail, which was ayeayeal(Any guesses,those who don't know, what the ayeayeal stands for?My cousins get confused and type in three-four ayes,sometimes and get 'id does not exist), and a slightly modified one on yahoo(alayeaye). I still have a soft corner for these two ids, just like we have a soft corner for the stuff we buy with our first salary.hehe!

A year or so later, there was no looking back. Even though the net was pretty slow in those days,compared to today's standards, it was a delight to log on, check emails,read Bollywood sites, look for encyclopaedic answers,enter competitions on contests2win and hungama, and so on. I think those were my four must-open sites,at that time,on a daily basis. (Won quite a few prizes as well, via c2w and hungama.I think both sites are still going strong. Will check them out tomorrow ).

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One very big advantage of the net, besides the messengers, was that we could keep in touch-with friends, relatives,make new friends...all at the touch of a button,via email/messengers. No more buying stationery(nice letter pads,pens,et al) , writing letters,going to post them, et al.

And, for someone who was/is a regular LTTE(Let me clarify,that's Letters To The Editor,people,before Keshi's eyes go wide!) guy, writing 30-40 letters a month, it was a boon, to have mags and papers giving their email ids. Till then, I used to have a Godrej typewriter, on which, it was a real task to adjust the postcard,and utilize it to the maximum. Today, I'm sure, if their email ids had not been there, I would not have been able to keep up with even the 30-40% of my writing hobby that I manage to do, since I came here).

Then, there's the wealth of info available on the net,on sites like wikipedia,or, English-based sites like fun-with-words , the newspaper websites of TOI, Hindustan Times, IE. And, then came the like youtube,which, today is fast becoming my favourite site, for locating my favourite songs/comedy serial extracts,etc. Unlimited possibilities, honestly.

And, of course,how can I not mention my main hobby these days,which is so 'alive' (and,in turn,keeps me alive and motivated)only due to the internet,namely,blogging. I'd been missing my writing hobby, back in 2004, when I chanced upon rediffblogs,and thought of giving it a try. And,the rest,as they say, is history- writing, uneditedly(If that's a word), moving over to blogspot in frustration when rediff began conking off, discovering BUF,discovering so many par excellence bloggers with a wealth of talent......all have been 'voyages of discovery', and, each day on blogs, remains such an exciting voyage into uncharted waters,even today. I never know when I'll log on to a blog and find the writer in a pensive/good/sad/happy mood, and what they'll write. And,that's what differentiates blogs from magazines,where you can still predict what you'll find in a particular magazine.:)

So , all said and done, life after the internet has been one memorable event, continues to remain so, and, I hope,will continue being so in the coming years.Things can only get better,as they say.

Living e-Life On The Edge (Keshi)

2008-09-17T08:04:00.016+05:30

First of all, sincere apologies for the late post. I had tonns of work to do last few weeks, hence I didn't have a clear mind and enough time to write a post here. Finally here it is.

Only a Mouse-click away...
The Internet and Blogging has made me a better person in many many ways. It has enhanced my personality, made me more understanding and patient in ways I can't finish expressing here. The variety of people, thoughts, experiences, stories, lessons and wisdom that I come across through a great many blogs on a daily basis, has basically made me a live knowledgebase of Life :). I have grown in ways that it's magnitude is impossible to put down in words. Why? Cos some things simply can't be written but can only be felt in your heart. I can only explain it this way...if I take myself 4yrs ago (before I started Blogging) and compare it with who I am today, it'll be a flat-ground and a mountain that I'm comparing. Yes, my spirit is soaring new heights and touching the skies now, which it couldn't do before. Wisdom brings you ultimate freedom.

A Treasure Island...
All I can say is I count my blessings every single day, no matter how hard life may be. I thank life for giving me the Internet, for giving me sight, for giving me the ability to read and write, for giving me so many friends from across the world, for giving me a rich heart by all the wisdom I come across through blogs...and for giving it all FREE of charge. There are still so many people in this world that have never experienced the Internet, have no access to wisdom and knowledge like we do, have never been this connected with people, have never had the privilege to read or write, have no eye-sight, have no money or the freedom to blog, have no one to listen to what they have to say etc etc. Therefore we need to be thankful for what we have...we have a huge treasure island here, with treasures of love, understanding and light. Living the e-life has added color and beauty to my being that is priceless, and can never be traded with anything else in the world. I hope it has been the same for you. Live life for today, and appreciate what you already have.

September Topics Suggestions(AmitL)

2008-09-06T14:16:00.009+05:30

Hi,all....it's 'Come September', a month we look forward to in Dubai,courtesy, it signals the end of the summer heat n humidity, towards the third week. Let's hope there's no postponement of good weather. How about the following topics, if everyone concurs:(Ishi, I wish you'd return soon..besides your posts(of course), the top bar needs to be changed(still shows May topics)

1) Continued from last month: An update on my life

2) My life after the advent of the internet(Thanks, Keshi)

3) Topics(Thanks,again, Keshi)

(I know you said the third one was just a joke, Keshi,but,seriously, think over it. 'Topics' as a topic in itself has so many possibilities. I can think of a nice post or two on it, definitely. And,I'm sure other BUFers will,as well!!

Let's make a slight change,this month. The honour of writing the first post, goes to the one who first suggested these topics....so, over to you, Keshi, for topics 2 and 3.:)(Topic 1 is a carryover from last time.heh heh). And, the rest of us,duly inspired,will follow!!:)hehe!!

Updating Sam..... (Sam)

2008-08-21T14:30:00.006+05:30

Phew!! ok.. it's been a while. No wait... It's been a long time, since I wrote a word on blogsville. Life has been moving at a hectic pace and frankly am starting to feel a little breathless. I'll trace back six months since that's how long I have been off the map (almost). Firstly, MBA apps had started bombing. I had targetted UK and that was a fatal mistake with about 3 years of work ex (Loony, you might want to remember that!!), coz the excuse was it was too less. Anywyz, meanwhile dad shifted to Chennai, to take over a some real-estate firm. Am really happy for him as he has reached where he should have been about 10 years ago, had not played being the ideal family man. Better late than never is what I say!! :)

Finally in May, while being interviewed for MBA by a UK uni, I was offered a seat in the MSc programme. I decided to wait on it while they took their decision on the MBA. While I got rejected for the same I got the formal invitation to join the MSc programme. However, their was a catch. I had to get an academic recommendation and had just 14 days left for it to reach them. What followed a hurried travel form Pune to Sikkim, via Kolkata and Siliguri and then a dispatch to the uni. A few weeks later the conditional offer came in. I accepted!! :)

Now, if you thought the action was over then the answer is NO!! It was far from it...

The uni required my transcripts which the college couldn't dispatch thanks to the Gorkhaland troubles. On tenterhooks, I remember placing frantic calls to the Sikkim Manipal University. Finally the documents were submitted to the uni a week before deadline. All proceedings done. It was time for visa application. That meant a two week travel to Kolkata. It was while in Kolkata, that at a British Council organised pre-departure meet I came across a long lost friend. She was off to Leicester. Good!! :)

Since then visa app has been approved, last few days at work being celebrated, Gini came around to Pune for a visit and basically am busy packing bags. Oh and the internet policy at work has bit an all time low, with blogger being blocked out. Am using the client network to post this!!

Future update: 8th I leave Pune for Chennai, 15th I reach Kolkata, 1st October I reach London.

I don't know what my status on connectivity would be there so I make no promises!!

Oh, and I'm going to study at Tanaka Business School, Imperial College London

Till then everyone, take care and stay beautiful!!

Cheerio!!

An update on my life..(AmitL)

2008-08-18T23:29:00.010+05:30

Hi,all-it's been great,reading updates from everyone on what's happening in their lives-in fact,perhaps we should have this as one of the regular topics each month,since it was fun reading about how Keshi's been feeling like a'live ornament' on a shelf(Loved that pic,Keshi),how Jitendra has been feeling happy at not having to see the 'naturally covered' Nigerians,Mich's been teaching Japanese and missing poetry lessons,21-year young Loon Gal's been working 12 hrs a day and still managing to go to the gym...awe-inspiring,all the posts.:)

By comparison,I'd say my life's just been moving along merrily,as always-the happiness being as I want it to be,the serenity being as I want it to be.i.e. me trying to control my emotions,rather than it being the other way round.

So,what's been happening since I returned from my one month sojourn in Baroda is:

- A whole pile of papers ,emails,crisis at work(amazingly,everywhere I've worked,I've seen that my work always remains where it was when I went on leave-except for maybe 5% of the S.O.S.part which gets taken care of...LOL)..but,then, that's what makes work all the more challenging.

- We had some of the most awful weather of the year- once the mercury touched 51 deg C. And, the last two weeks,it's been 43-45 deg C,with humidity levels touching 70+. It's pretty easy to imagine what happens at such times. Just imagine yourself in,say, Mumbai/Delhi- you go down for a short while,maybe to the nearby grocer, and, there's a sudden shower...so,you're left drenched n uncomfy...well,out here,we don't need the rains for this-the humidity does the job.hehe.

- I have a whole collection of books which I brought back from India-right from 2-3 Perry Masons,to Shantaram(a 900 pages or so tome,which I need courage to even begin reading-but,since it's supposed to be excellent,I'll go ahead,may be next month),the joke books (but naturally)like Then Unofficial jokebooks of Advance SMS, then, India Chalo(the book,not my slogan),Once upon a timezone,anything for you,ma'm,why men lie and women cry,Brida(Paulo Coelho)The Present(Spencer Johnson)....but,the past month was so hectic that my only spare time went in either the walks with the mp3 player providing good company,or,watching TV with mind half-closed.LOL. Can't complain,really- I'd prefer this any day,rather than sitting idle and musing.

- Watched two movies- Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na(I won't give any review-Happy,Amrita?..for those not clear about this remark,please be visiting Amrita Ma'm's blog) and Singh Is Kinng. The second one was a good timepass-right from Akshay Kumar's unique style of humour down to(No pun intended) Katrina's prancing around in minis of the micro kind. But,then, they suit her,and she still manages to smile,so,it's all for the best! The hall was also just half-full,since we(me and a friend) went for the morning show and,after a week of it's release)

-And,of course,I've been upto my favourite pasttime-reading my favourite bloggers' blogs,being in awe of the immense talent around blogworld and updating my teensy weensy blog,too,when i can!:)

I guess that's enough of an update on what's been happening in my life! And,what's about to occur-well,next month being the holy month of Ramadan out here,we(non-fasting) work 2 hrs less than normal,(Those fasting work just 1/2 day)if the previous 'rules' are followed this year too!And,all work out here slows down,like it slows down this month in Europe,when everyone's on a three week holiday) So,that's something to look forward to-catching up on reading,music,movies,health,walking,treadmilling....:)

Awaiting the next BUFer's update!!

Faltering and Giggling (Michelle)

2008-08-13T11:52:00.003+05:30

Hello everyone! The topics are perfect given the weather and a lot of people being A.W.O.L (including me). But I DO have excuse(s). I still am stuck in this time warp which only allows me to work and absolutely NOT have time for anything else other than my books.So, all that gives me all the more reason to update all you nice people that actually want to know whats up with me! :P

Firstly,

A BIG HEARTY HUG AND LOTS OF BEST WISHES TO ISHITA, RAJIV AND VEDANT for little ANURAJ! The pictures I saw were adorable and I can tell he is going to make a lot of girls swoon.So, Vedant has competition now.

This is one of the few days that I have gotten to view my computer screen so please cut me some slack :-( . I can tell that I really have no time cause I haven't changed my facebook display picture in over a month!! :-O

Yes, I still am teaching Japanese and I have been buried in my books cause my exams are coming soon and I must beat my previous score in order to not gouge and scratch everyone in sight.Things have also been depressing lately because I HATE THE RAINS and my favourite teacher is on leave for 3 months and I simply cannot imgaine studying poetry without her.

''Absence decreases mediocre passions and increases great ones; just like the wind extinguishes candles and the fans fire''

Me and my guy completed 2 years in July which was quite unbelievable...in fact, I still don't believe it.Another thing that has gotten me ecstatic is how amazingly me and his mom clicked.Its like shopping sprees and hugs X 2. :D

Right now, I wish life would slow down a little and I wish I could be lying down on a hammock and sipping a smoothie :-( but I am going to make use of this long weekend coming up.I'm bringing in Independance Day in Mumbai!! Even though the weather is TERRIBLE, I shall still have fun and just relax.

Have a great weekend guys! Jai Hind! :-)

Kitty Flying Cold! (Keshi)

2008-08-09T18:28:00.011+05:30

This is what I'm like at the moment...crippled by a small accident and feeling immobile and quite like a live ornament kept on a shelf...

What I wanna do right now is fly...fly in full freedom like an angel with no emotional attachments...

Amit I just had a shower so please don't ask me to take another one or even dream of one in this extremely cold Winter! Add John Abraham to it, I might reconsider it lol!

August Topics(AmitL)

2008-08-07T21:46:00.004+05:30

Hi,all...seems everyone's still busy. So,to spice things up a bit, how about this topic from Keshi:

1)An update on my life (Thanks,Keshi,for this lively topic..it will surely tell us what everyone's been up to and is/are up to!!

As part 2 of the above topic, how about continuing it with:

2)...And,what I'd like to be doing right now.(Since no-one covered that topic last month,including me)

3) And,how about this as funny 'Word'of the month: Shower: Let your thoughts run wild,tell us what you interpret by the word,what you sing in there,whether you stare at and admire yourself in the mirror,et al. LOL..of course, I was referring,innocently as always,to the current season in India- of monsoon showers.

So,who's first? Keshi,I feel!! *claps*

On-and-off hookup with the popular iPhone (Amrita)

2008-07-29T11:01:00.002+05:30

[I didn't suggest this topic for the month just because I will get to flaunt my iPhone ;) lol]
I got an iPhone around January 2008. It's been about 7 months and I'm in a love-hate relationship with it. I never seriously coveted the gadget may be because I never realised its impact on the people, just happened to buy it this because someone needed my old phone and I ended up having a new one. When I started using it, though, I felt power-packed. Even in New York City where every other person has it, still makes you feel good when you carry it around. Agreed the size is too big to fit in a girl's palm, but then again don't we make fashion statement with huge handbags (which are too big even for the maximum stuff we girls might want to carry)? When a friend had flaunted his gadget by showing me a YouTube video in Central Park, I had thought, "I dont need it, I need to infact stay away from so much internet and technology so I can give some time to actually looking at trees/nature or people-watching than staring at a techie hand-held." The surge of happiness I felt when I actually heard "ye jeena hain" from Khatta Meetha on my phone on the bus to my college: all thanks to the makers - Apple!

There is an easy access 'weather' feature which is really important a deal when it comes to dressing up for the day, so I just check it on the phone. There's 8 GB for my songs, so I don't have to carry an ipod along. There is internet, calender, thousands of photos (from my last india trip saved on my phone!) and the very cool Maps feature. Last time I took my mom to the Flushing temple, I had forgotten to take directions online, so I took them from the phone. Now, which other thing has ever impressed moms so much after spending $400 on them?

Though, about the 'hate' part, there are too many things like you cannot forward an SMS (which is so important for the desi mentality because we need to share cool jokes thru sms, even if it charges you!) How else are you going to cheat on an open-book exam in-class if not with fwding each other the answers? The camera quality is good, but it will not zoom in! And I miss the girlyness of my red colored Blackberry Pearl. It was so systematic, and it has a to-do list feature which kept me happy. The reminders were easier to set and it never gave any trouble. I've had to take this phone to Apple when the screen had jammed and wouldn't move. Apple refused to give me any service from my warranty because there was a slight scratch on the back of the phone. Its the kind of back it is, no matter what, it will definitely have scratches - you need to buy a cover, which makes it even bigger to handle!!

Phones of my past: I only had a basic Motorola in my 11th and 12th class in India (which was handed down to me from an uncle). It wasn't very expensive, but it was so elegant that I didn't feel too awkward to keep it on the table while out with friends, unlike the temporary very basic Nokia made me feel. It may not matter to us, but the onlookers, these college kids they have so much competition for rich gadgets and stuff.