What do you do, my lovely?

So, today someone asked me - what do you do when you get back home from work? I was like...huh!! what do i do? hmmm...donno...nothing...something! Gosh! never really thought about that! 
The girl who asked me was quite surprised at how wasted I was!!

Now, what does everybody/anybody do at home back from work?
When I get back I dump my stuff on the sofa, change clothes, switch on my lappie/TV and get back to mails, left over work, social networking, blogs, TV shows, news, etc. And, of course keep calling (read pestering) T to check when he gets back...and this goes on till T is back and we feel hungry. And, then I make myself really really super useful :) I heat the food that the cook made and I serve us :) That done, we both are back to our lappies, reading, watching, and yapping each other, till its time for us to go to bed... EOD...yaaawwwnnn


But, we don't really get bored. We talk, pull each other's leg, watch movies/shows, argue, have fun...but it seems one should be doing 'something' man! hmm...


I mean what do you guys do when you get back from work? Some people sound really busy and caught up and happening at home! Im curious to know what it is that people really do at home..except relax, eat, and sleep!!!

My sins against gender stereotypes

Masood tagged me here and i need to list my sins against gender stereotypes. 

1) My favorite color is black/blue/red. Not pink. Please spare me pink. I do not like that color. Not for dresses, not for shirts, not for dupattas, not for my bedcovers, not for my curtains...nothing. Period.
2) My favorite games, which I have played a lot are rugby and baseball.

3) My favorite shows are Gadget Guru, Auto Show, Cell Guru, Tech Toyz, We the People, CSI, Seinfeld, Friends, Man vs Wild.  But, yes I must admit I love sex and the city and can watch it forever...and i can chew all of you who mock at sex and the city!

4) The RSS subscriptions on my phone & favourites on my laptop are engadget, mashable, digital inspiration, gizmodo, discovery and  news channels. I read and research on new tech stuff a lot and pass on the gyaan to hubby and friends/family when they need help buying/researching. But to keep the so called girlie spirit alive, I have a Cosmopolitan susbcription too. More than fashion, they have articles that I find so bloody hilarious :-p

5) I research and make all my investements myself in stocks/funds/real estate for the last several years.

6) Im not very fond of dressing up and putting on elaborate makeup. I have no nail polish on my nails ever and my makeup is limited to a kajal and gloss for most occasion. I've always watched in awe at the girls who spend hours on selecting and wearing those shiny clothes and putting on heavy makeup. I mean they look nice and all, but somehow I couldn't manage all that so well. Ive tried few times on my mom's /friends insistence, but have failed gladly :)

7) I can live and die in my jeans. Mom gave me 4-5 suitcases full of expensive sarees/suits for my big fat wedding, which are even now lying wrapped in the packing they came in. Haven't opened those 61 dresses in the last 4 years! With the lakhs mom spent on those clothes, I could have bought a bigger macbook than my present 13 inch or a new LED TV :(

8) My trips to the parlor are limited to 2-3 in a whole year that too when im dragged by friends/family. Just don't have the bloody patience to sit for a facial/manicure/pedicure for 3-4 hours...grrrr...boringgg...I could have chatted with T or played with my phone a bit more in that time! Android has such awesome apps for their phones :-D

9) When T and I go out together, I always end up driving, he just sits next to me like a showpiece checking mail on his blackberry, changing music, humming and generally trying to be a stud!! Men! i tell you....grrr
10) I love fixing and figuring out things. Just crash the comp or give me stuff to install or configure machines/TVs, etc...i will be lost in that for hours.
11)Im very frank/outspoken and have never really shied away from voicing my opinions and thoughts, taking my own decisions, whether somebody likes it or not. Neighbors/family would always say I am my dad's son! Dad/mom consult me/discuss things with me before they take big decisions. My brother lives with them, but my folks still discuss things with me when and where it matters for my opinion.

12) Ok, this one is funny. I eat more than many guys...Lolll...No, seriously guys in office/other friends have told me: "Maria, you have quite an appetite." In the office canteen when I order my food, the guys standing in the queue find it very amusing...sandwich, chapati/rice sabzi,/chicken, dal, juice, sometimes sweet dish/ice cream! A few days back i was out with hubby and another guy for dinner and these 2 men had finished their main course and i was just about getting done with my tandoori prawns, salad, an soup...main course still far away! Can you imagine how much they teased me! Just FYI im not obese yet- in kgs...late 50s, but getting heavy on the scale every month :-(

13) Ok, final one, I dont know how to cook. I try off and on...sometimes its yum, other times not so great! But, I really do miss my mom's cooking and want to learn some of her recipies. Ive already started my recipe book, so probably this point should soon fall out of this list :)


After all these, I hope ive not been ticked off the list of women. I do love being a woman. I do love shopping endlessly for clothes and shoes and bags. I do love gossiping with my girl friends ,the outings with girls, those giggling sessions and late night chat with dosts and cousins. And of course i love diamonds :)

Now, if you like the tag, please take it up and let me know, so I can hop over and read your sins.

One Bedroom Apartment

I found this in my mail today morning, and thought it was worth sharing. Food for thought for all of us in this mad materialistic cut throat world. When you have  a few minutes...

A Bitter Reality

As the dream of most parents I had acquired a degree in

Software Engineering and joined a company based in USA, the

land of braves and opportunity. When I arrived in the USA, it

was as if a dream had come true.

Here at last I was in the place where I want to be. I decided I

would be staying in this country for about 5 years in which

time I would have earned enough money to settle down in India.

My father was a government employee and after his retirement,

the only asset he could acquire was a decent one bedroom apt.

I wanted to do some thing more than him. I started feeling

homesick and lonely as the time passed. I used to call home and

speak to my parents every week using cheap international phone

cards. Two years passed, two years of fast food at McDonald's and

pizzas and 2 years watching the foreign exchange rate getting 
happy whenever the Rupee value went down.

Finally I decided to get married. Told my parents that I have

only 10 days of holidays and everything must be done within

these 10 days. I got my ticket booked in the cheapest flight.

Was jubilant and was actually enjoying hopping for gifts for

all my friends back home. If I miss anyone then there will be

talks.

After reaching home I spent home one week going through

all the photographs of girls and as the time was getting

shorter I was forced to select one candidate and get 
married in 2-3 days, as I will not get anymore holidays.

After the marriage, it was time to return to USA, after giving some

money to my parents and telling the neighbors to look after

them, we returned to USA..

My wife enjoyed this country for about two months and then she

started feeling lonely. The frequency of calling India increased 
to twice in a week sometimes 3 times a week. 
Our savings started diminishing.

After two more years we started to have kids. Two lovely kids, 
a boy and a girl. Every time I spoke to my parents, they asked

me to come to India so that they can see their grand-children.

Every year I decide to go to India... But part work part

monetary conditions prevented it. Years went by and visiting

India was a distant dream. 

Then suddenly one day I got a message that my parents
were seriously sick. I tried but I couldn't get any
holidays and thus could not go to India ...
The next message I got was my parents had
passed away and as there was no one to do t
he last rights the society members had done
whatever they could.
I was depressed. My parents had passed
away without seeing their grand children.

After couple more years passed away, much to my children's

dislike and my wife's joy we returned to India to settle down.

I started to look for a suitable property, but to my dismay my

savings were short and the property prices had gone up during

all these years. I had to return to the USA...

My wife refused to come back with me and my children refused to

stay in India... My 2 children and I returned to USA after

promising my wife I would be back for good after two years.

Time passed by, my daughter decided to get married to an

American and my son was happy living in USA... I decided that

had enough and wound-up every thing and returned to India... I

had just enough money to buy a decent 02 bedroom APT in a

well-developed locality.

Now I am 60 years old and the only time I go out of the APT is

for the routine visit to the nearby temple. My faithful wife

has also left me and gone to the holy abode.

Sometimes...

I wonder was it worth all this?

My father, even after staying in India,

Had a house to his name and I too have

the same nothing more.

I lost my parents and children for just ONE EXTRA BEDROOM.

Looking out from the window I see a lot of children dancing.

This damned cable TV has spoiled our new generation and these

children are losing their values and culture because of it. I

get occasional cards from my children asking I am alright. Well

at least they remember me.

Now perhaps after I die it will be the neighbors again who will

be performing my last rights, God Bless them.

But the question

still remains 'was all this worth it?'

I am still searching for an answer.................!!!

START THINKING

IS IT JUST FOR ONE EXTRA BEDROOM???

LIFE IS BEYOND THIS ....DON'T JUST LEAVE YOUR LIFE

START LIVING IT .........

LIVE IT AS YOU WANT IT TO BE .......

If we didn't make money, would we still be valued? -Updated

A very bright, well qualified and experienced colleague quit her job and while leaving she said, "I hope my husband supports me in every way and takes care of me". Her words really rang a bell and all of us women were suddenly plagued by that thought. What if we quit our job and made no money, will we still lead the life we lead now? Will the quality of our lifestyle suffer? Will we be treated any differently or looked at in a different way?As women these are important thoughts/fears for us...and of course none of us girls had any definite answers!


Thanks to our good education, we have cushy jobs and make good money. We can buy almost anything within our reach and catches our fancy. Most of us do not depend on our husbands to finance our needs. We are independent women, taking several decisions. We are equal providers and care takers in the house and family. Today working women are on an equal footing in terms of finance with the husbands...But what if tomorrow the equation gets lop sided?


Today, I pay hefty EMIs for the house and my car. I buy new clothes, shoes, bags, cosmetics whenever I want to. I make my own investments. I buy my own tickets to fly back to my mom's place as and when I wish to. I can buy expensive gifts for my husband on special occasions. I can help my family if the need arise. Basically, the possibilities that come with financial freedom are many and to think if all this came to end one day, where would that leave us?


Would our husbands feel the pinch and crib about it? Will they start shouldering all the responsibilities that we earlier shared? Would they happily take over our EMIs? Would we still be able to shop and will all our needs be taken care of happily? Will we still get the same security, love, and affection without any nagging and arguing? Above all, will we be respected and valued as partners. Again, the questions are many and most of us just wonder what it would be like to be on the other side and how we would make that transition.


I believe that a good education, career, and financial freedom should be prime for all women. Believe me, marriage and family can wait! There are too many sad stories out there where women are mistreated by husbands and in laws and such women have nothing to fall back on and often end up at the mercy of the husband and his family. (TBG shared some real life stories of women who are going through very difficult times- 1 and 2).

Girls, all of us need jobs and need to be financially independent and save for any calamity. Life is unpredictable and the best placed people can face severe odds. We all need to be respected and valued for who we are. Sadly, money has become the most important factor based on which society values and gives importance to people. But, so be it...we have to beat the system and come out with our heads held high up!

What is the national language of India?

GK question: What is the national language of India?

Cmon, you know this one...every kid knows it. 

So, what is it? Did you just say Hindi?

  

You are so wrong my darlings. In fact, India has no national language. Neither the Constitution of India nor the Indian law specifies a National language.The constitution merely states that Hindi is the official language along with English. See - http://india.gov.in/knowindia/official_language.php and http://india.gov.in/outerwin.php?id=http://www.rajbhasha.gov.in.

Surprised? me too! I've always accorded the national language status to Hindi. Dam! how come I didn't know this!

I think for most of us, especially the North Indians, Hindi is the Rashtrabhasha..and we don't care and accept any other argument contrary to this! I don't know who put this in my mind, but, i think its our schooling system, where we learn that Hindi is our national language and after that we have regional languages...but Hindi is what every Indian should know. Books too mention the same. I bet many school teachers also live in the belief that Hindi is the national language. 

I've had the language debate with many people several times, especially with my husband - T, who is a kannadiga. I've always argued and wanted to know why people in the south of the country are so uptight about using Hindi...after all its our national language and they mighty well know it...and even when they know it, they ignore when somebody talks in Hindi! And now, after so many years, I get to know, that we don't have a national language at all! And the majority Hindi speaking class wants to force it on everybody. No wonder we have people like Raj Thackeray and the anti hindi mentality/protestors in South India rearing their head and fighting for their space.

But, all said and done, inspite of all the diversity, I  do think we should have a national language. Something common that should have been similar all over the country. Language is to aid communication, so a common language that would be spoken and understood from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Today when I go to Chennai, i have problems communicating and asking for simple things like directions/negotiating with a rick guy. There is just too much non cooperation when I speak Hindi. Although, English seems fine to some of them!

Hmmm, but then another thought...the national sport is Hockey...no IPL for it, the national bird is the peacock...nobody cares for that, the national animal is the Tiger...only 1411 left, the national song, Vande Mataram...hardly unites people today! So, maybe branding something national really doesnt help! What say you?

Guilt vs innocence - tag from Chanz

Got this tag from Chanz. I've been tagged a few times before, but never really got down to doing them. This one looks simple and fun...so my first go :)

RULE 1- You can only say Guilty or Innocent.

RULE 2- You are not allowed to explain anything unless someone messages you and asks!

RULE 3- Copy and paste this into your notes, delete my answers, type in your answers and tag to your friends to answer this.


Asked someone to marry you? Guilty

Ever kissed someone of the same sex? Innocent

Danced on a table in a bar? Innocent

Ever told a lie? Guilty

Had feelings for someone whom you can’t have back? Innocent

Kissed a picture? Guilty

Slept in until 5 PM? Guilty

Fallen asleep at work/school? Guilty

Held a snake? Innocent

Been suspended from school? Guilty

Worked at a fast food restaurant? Innocent

Stolen from a store? Innocent

Been fired from a job? Innocent

Done something you regret? Guilty

Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose? Guilty

Caught a snowflake on your tongue? Innocent

Kissed in the rain? Guilty

Sat on a roof top? Guilty

Kissed someone you shouldn't? Guilty

Sang in the shower? Guilty

Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on? Innocent

Shaved your head? Innocent

Had a boxing membership? Innocent

Made a boyfriend cry? Guilty

Been in a band? Innocent

Shot a gun? Innocent

Donated Blood? Innocent

Eaten alligator meat? Innocent

Eaten cheesecake? Guilty

Still love someone you shouldn’t? Innocent

Have/had a tattoo? Innocent

Liked someone, but will never tell who? Innocent

Been too honest? Guilty

Ruined a surprise? Innocent

Ate in a restaurant and got really bloated that you couldn’t walk afterward? Guilty

Erased someone in your friends list? Guilty

Dressed in a woman’s clothes (if you’re a guy) or man’s clothes (if you’re a girl)? Guilty

Joined a pageant? Innocent

Been told that you’re handsome or beautiful by someone who totally meant what they said? Guilty

Had communication with your ex? Innocent

Got totally drunk on the night before exam? Innocent

Got totally angry that you cried so hard? Guilty


This was fun, simple and really fast. Felt like some type of Karan Johar show ;-D

Folks, take up the tag if you would like to. Consider yourself tagged :)

The unique desi gene

The Indian gene is unique, colorful, loving, and spirited. Our common traits bring us together and help us identify with each other. We can spot a desi in any corner of the world, thanks to our unique traits and some things like these -

The IST (Indian Standard Time) - Seen any self respecting Indian come at the time printed on the card? What a looser, if you do! Also, this is how Chief Guests feel important. Reaching time pe is such a waste man! and tongues will be wagging - kuch kaam nahi hai kya isko? So, for your own izzat please at least a 2 hour delay will keep you in high esteem and your precious izzat and pride intact.


Overtaking from the wrong side on the road hurling some maa behen expletives - Oh! cmon road hai yaar! I pay tax and i will drive left, right, center, obtuse angle, whatever...depends on my frame of mind and the music/beats playing in my car...i need to match that too na boss! And for you - bach sako to bacho..hum toh aise hain bhaiya!

Spitting and peeing on/by the roadside - I mean what do you expect? Bladder was bursting! Let it burst and kill myself, huh? Of course I let the Ganga flow...and all those stupid anti peeing slogans on the dividers are not gonna stop me, you stupid pseudo intellectuals! And, why bother about spitting...im not spoiling your new dress madam! The pan i had was very bad! Huh! get out of my way, else...!

Belching and picking nose in public - Now, c'mon belching se ki farak painda hai? Hain?? Its the body saying had a good meal, thank you! You cant stop nature, can you? If no belching, then farting...so better belch...ab farting and belching both not allowed - i will by god ki kasam explode!
And haan picking nose and plastering that on the wall is bad, very bad! Primary school teachers said so...ab its been so long...forgot na..sorry madam! Next year se will make a resolution not to do...abhi sab changa?


Licking your fingers - Another tell tale sign that i had yummy kukkad and dal makhni. Appreciate kar rahe hain ji. Being a chatora is a joy in itself. Ok, all of us indulge in this :) lets leave this one here :)


Fighting for 2 bucks with the veggie vendor is our birth right - Oye! ki keh rahe ho? Those 2 bucks are gonna get me my next diamond ring for god sake! And i want that free dhania patti too! Boond boond se hi sagar banta hai...samjhe khote de puttar!

Counting the jewelery pieces on the bride - Arey! for what did we come to shaadi for? Ab itna toh size up karna hi padega na. Next week kitty party, I have to give an update also! And what if Gupta jee is not giving his daughter, Pinky 10 kgs of gold! haww! This is so shameful! Community mein kya muh dikhayenge? Izzat ka toh faluda ban jayega na!


Being a nosy parker - again a birth right - Beti, aajkal bahut late night you come back home, boy friends shoy friends..hain (wink wink). And aajkal many friends are coming home? kuch/koi khaas? batao batao (nudge nudge). Ab poochna and taking care toh neighbors ka right hai na. And, ye dress na thodi si revealing hai puttar, shawl le le..hain na?


Flaunting brands - Its from Tommy dude! And the watch from Tag! My last trip to NY man! Holy Shit! watch your step! you're stepping on my manolos us ass! Oooohhh aaaahhhh the lace and clips too are branded...don't even get near me you loosers, my body has been rented by the brands! I am the brand diva, bow down.


Ok, now i realise this list can go on and on. We are such interesting people, nobody gets near us :)
I saw this nice video on being an Indian. Check it out, you'll like it.

Begaani shaadi mein abdullah deewana

The shaadi of the season - Sania Mirza

This seems to be the hottest and most controversial topic in the last few days. I fail to understand why. Kisi ki shaadi and hum sab ki pareshani! Completely baffles me...anyway read on.

Shiv Sena says they have major objections to this marriage (Me: yea? why? who are you? Are we supposed to bother about what you think? This moral brigade should anyway be banned! They terrorize me no end)


A Hyderabad MP says he is not going to allow this marriage and will not give the Hyderabad ki beti to Pakistan (Me: Who do you think you are? Do you know this is a free country? Are we even supposed to ask you before we go to pee)


News Channels are busy gossiping about Sania's and Shoaib's past! (Me: Are you guys even serious about journalism? Do you even know what it is? Let the poor girl marry or not marry whoever! Get a life and stop repeating Sania ki 5 sautaney wala program)

Read some of these comments posted on message boards:

Marriage to a Paki means betraying INDIA. (Me: And marrying an American, a Brit, and Australian? What does nationality have to do with love? My friend, when it comes to love, it does not see religion, region, country, skin color, language...And why should anybody give up their love or well thought out life for your whims and fancies?)
 
She is marrying a person from a terrorist land. There are so many Muslims in India too, she could have chosen them. (Me: Why only Indian Muslim? She could have married anybody? It is her choice! This is a free country and does not work on your fancies and morals.)

Sania, why the hell you have to marry that Paki Punjabi Langoor? I am sure there are enough qualified Indian young man suitable for you. (Me: Well she likes Langoor...you have a problem with that? and what do you do? Run a marriage bureau?)

Indians should realize these type of Muslims are agents for Pakistan. Many muslims like Sania mirza family are having soft corner for pak. (Me: Muslims are as Indian as you or anybody else in this country. They are not going to prove their love and loyalty for the country to you! And marrying somebody does not mean you have a soft corner for his/her country/region/caste/religion..whatever. And by the way, whose agent are you?)

If an educated Muslim girl from India is ready to go into the arms of a Pakistani...it shows that she loves her religion...and does not care about India. It is a huge security risk for India.We can imagine the mind set of millions of uneducated Muslims in India. (Me: 1. She isn't going into the arms of Pakistan..only Shoaib's...why is your ass burning? 2. There is nothing wrong in loving ones religion. We are a secular country ! 3. Thank god, such useless people like you are not defining/guiding Indian security. 4. And since Education is a fundamental right from today - Its the right time you get yourself some education!)


I am really surprised at this kind of sentiment and mentality. I mean we are a free secular country. Why is there such an uproar. Is there a law that says an Indian cannot marry a national of a country with which India doesn't have good political relations with? I just dont get it? What if Shoaib Malik was an Australian, American, Chinese, XYZ?  Who she marries, this guy or another, or doesn't marry at all or divorces 5 times...it is her business and life. Who cares man!
 

I am concerned about the growing strength and influence of the moral brigade in this country. It is impinging on our rights. And more often than not women are in their shooting range! Today it is Sania, tomorrow it will be you and me who will be questioned on our moves and every decision. 

Who we marry, love, live with or what we wear is only our business! Meri marzi, meri life....will do what i have to and want to! Go jump in a well if you don't like it!

What's this country coming to?

Seriously, what's happening? I know crime and politics and all that stuff is all over...but these 2 people in news today:

Mayawati:

Spends 200 cr on celebrations yesterday (yes, in all probability it's our hard earned money) Gets a garland made of notes ...about 5cr is what i hear (in the pic)! 

Gets bitten by bees and orders the DIG to probe how dare the bees reach her!! Im serious! She actually has ordered a probe! So, the DIG  (who has no other work) will interrogate the bees and jail them? where?!!! This is insane that we are even discussing such things!

This is not even funny anymore! Even the bees are now hostile to Maya behenji (the DAULAT ki beti -Digvijay Singh gave her this new name). This woman is beyond me! She is shameless with a dead conscious, and no respect for democracy and power!
Such people need to be stripped of their power! UP ki Dalit junta jaago!

Reference: http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20100315/818/tnl-rs-5-crore-garland-for-mayawati.html

http://www.ndtv.com/news/india/bees-at-mayawati-rally-police-to-investigate-17847.php

Baba Ramdev

Baba Ramdev plans on entering politics. Wants to launch his own party. Plans to put up 532 candidates in the next elections. Starts a nation wide search ! He says the nation needs him.



Whhhaaaat!!! who needs him? we?? people u really need him to run this country? Imagine what his election symbol will be? His churning tummy image/yogic positions??


Maybe his haddis are giving up on him now and yoga is tiring him out and probably also figured out sex is dangerous for swamis these days! Whats left - Politics! Dilli chalo!

Reference: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/88597/India/Ramdev+to+begin+Bharat+Swabhiman+campaign.html)
Note: image - courtesy google. If the image belongs to you, please let me know. I will remove it.

And by the way both of these 2 specimens are hitting out against each other on news right now! Hah!

I mean WTF!!

This is us!

This is exactly the scene at my place. T is soooo like this, doesn't believe in moving a muscle for anything...This is so our story any time of the day!

Sex, lies, and godmen!

So, first we had the Visa god and thanks to TBG we found out the real purpose the place served.
Next, in line misusing God's name to mint money is Ichchadhari Sant Swami Bhimanand Ji Maharaj Chitrakoot Wale! (Gosh! u believe that name??!!)


God and sex sure sells the most and if both get together under some garb - boy! that's double whammy!!
So, the godman in question has been caught by Delhi Police for carrying out a prostitution racket for the last 10 years. (Prostitution?? Yes! Yes!) The Swami serviced very high profile shareef citizens of Dilli inside a temple he had built! (Inside the temple?? Yes! Yes!).  His network is believed to consist of dozens of girls...including models, college going girls, and air hostesses. (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Godman-nabbed-with-six-women-sex-racket-busted/articleshow/5622097.cms)


On the other hand the Swami was a revered godman and had many many followers. The police say they had a tip about him for the last many years, but because he was a godman and had high profile clients and contacts it was very difficult to nab him. And then the fear of backlash from his followers. Very well done cops, you finally got the spine to act!

Religion is the opium of the masses and this is the reason that people like this swami and many others misuse God's name and mint money. They establish a clean reputation for themselves and carry on all sorts of business and earn money by hook or crook. The veil of god is too clean and pure for common people to even doubt what goes on behind.  


It is sad and very unfortunate that God's name is used the most by people who have to hide things, carry on illegal activities, crime, or create divisions in society. Look at terrorists, godmen like this swami, politicians - all are masters at misusing God's name for their own good and misguiding people.




If you are interested, these are some more links i found about godmen:

Lot of speculation about Sri Satya Sai Baba and sexual abuse. BBC does a piece on this. The internet is full of stories on this.

Godman arrested for trampling on infants to cure them. The image in there is very disturbing.

The famous Chandraswami 

Swami Amrita Chaitanya held for rape, making pornography, and duping a woman of 50 lacs.

Godman held for keeping 3 young sex slaves

 

Godman Srikumar arrested on rape charge

Srikumar also held for posessing tiger skin!

Godman Ahsok Jadeja arrested for 1800crore fraud! 

Godman Tararchand held for rape 

Mohammed Maodood Ahmed Khan who calls himself god is arrested for duping people of lakhs

 

A report - http://ibnlive.in.com/news/godmen-turn-conmen-taxman-red/39860-3.html

A report - http://app1.chinadaily.com.cn/star/2002/0926/fe20-1.html 

Baba Piara Singh who claimed to be an incarnation of God

Of sundar kanyas and old haggard men

Overheard in office - a group of guys chatting over coffee:
Guy 1: Yaar, what cream do you use?
Guy 2: Koi nahi, any moisturizer.
Guy 3: I steal some from my wife. She uses ponds mosturiser and raat mein anti ageing cream lagati hai
Guy 1: Abey! wo ladkiyon ki cream hai.
Guy 3: Who cares! Nobody makes anything for us poor men!
Guy 2: Haan yaar, ki farak painda hai...humko bhi to young dikhna hai.


(I was almost bursting by this time...trying really hard not to make it obvious. I walked away trying to hide my amusement.)


In the night I was telling T about this and he said - you know, come to think of it...those guys were correct. Nobody thinks about us 'bechara' men. Anti ageing creams are all targeted for women, the fairness creams are again being sold to women. All the masks and peels in the stores are all for women. And then declared - Maria im using all your stuff from now on. And i was like - What the heck!! And was staring at him - ye bhi shuru!! Allah hi reham, maula hi reham :)

And he was correct...going by the ads on TV - Oil of Olay is targeted for women who can't ever stop talking about the deadly 7 signs...as if without that cream we would be the ugliest walking talking ducks around and people would die of heart attacks seeing us. Ponds age miracle talks about how the husband falls in love with his wife coz she is using the damn cream (huh! only if love was so easy). Fair and lovely makes the girl a beauty queen and a winner (damn these fairness creams)! The industry hasn't even speared the soap - Dove - scores of women how good it is and how feminine it makes them feel using Dove!! (Whaaatt!! Huh!!! feminine? Guys, this one is seriously  not for you..don't even try)


Actually, if you have observed when you enter a store - lets say Westside or Shoppers Stop. What do you see first? 9 out of 10 times, its gonna be women clothing and accessories, make up, perfumes, and jewelery. Its like the grand store is just for us :) and the men's section is tucked away in some dark small corner or on the 1st floor of the store.Its like an after thought..and they have fewer trial rooms too :) (Guys, yes im poking fun at you!). Similary, beauty salons - the bigger ones do cater to men...but again in a much more limited way. Guys you are still away from the more fancy treatments,  facials, and manicures. We rule here too!


So what we learnt today - Women are the ones who need to be the gori sundaris and the men can sit on that couch and stink and fart while watching TV ;-D
 

OK, I received this in mail...it is education and important. Open it up and read it. 

And guys, don't loose heart, this one product is especially for you...take it away..all yours :)

Kitna badal gaya insaan!

Video of the day...food for thought!
Just found this browsing you tube today...some visuals may be disturbing and some images towards the middle seem misplaced/not in the best spirit. Somebody could have done a better job by being more careful in selecting the pics and campaigning for world peace.

But you get the big picture and the message.

The 'ex' syndrome

So, yet again its the big day world over - Valentine's day. Hearts are popping out from anywhere and everywhere. Turn the TV or radio on and you have mushy movies and songs playing. Go to a restaurant and they have a special V day spread. Go to a cafe, and they have special V Day coffee and muffins...Gaaahhhh..pink pigs are flying out from everywhere and being single is almost a crime!

Ok, so we all are surrounded and hounded by the V day posters and the red hearts. So, im not gonna talk about this at all! V day brings me to another topic...yea not V day specific...but for some reason it comes to mind!

Whats with people wanting to be friends with their ex(s). I’ve never really understood this. Whats the logic behind this? Ok, so you broke up with your boy/girlfriend and moved on in life...got yourself another arm candy/ wife/hubby and then you still think of keeping in touch with your ex, befriend them on social networking sites, see their pics,  exchange messages, calls, and meetup.

What do the spouses think of this? Is it something they don't mind or digest with great difficulty or does it wreck them up completely. How many spouses..if any, actually accept this relationship? What would be the thought behind comfortably accepting it..I would like to meet one such person..who has absolutely no problem with their partner being pals with their ex.

Knowing that your man/girl was into a relationship with this person would it be wise or even practical for the spouse to be in touch regularly? Also would it not remind constantly of the good and bad times you have shared with that person. Would that not affect your relationship with your current partner? Wouldn’t it be easier for you to start relying on your ex more easily or falling back on them? Is it like  convenient way to carry on the relationship without any expectations, strings..and the comfort of knowing that the person is still around, while you have another new person.

I know none of my girlfriends would fall for this crap if their husbands had to offer this option. There would be absolute chaos and married lives would turn upside down. Come to think of it, he/she was your boy/girlfriend, you shared a mental, emotion, and physical relationship with him/her and now you share that relationship with your current partner and you think that your current one can accept the old one happily in her /his life?

 
I am firm believer that your past and present should not be mixed up. What is past is gone and a new life is what you have today. So do not complicate. I have seen some relationships gone sour becasue people tried putting both of them together in one collage. 


Call me judgmental, narrow minded, old fashioned, etc if you may...but its something I cannot understand too well...just my opinion.

Else, there will be no Sher Khan

You leave your 2 month old baby at home and go to work

And you are shot and killed...never to return home to your baby, your family, your world

Your 2 month old baby...keeps waiting- hungry, lonely, scared, and vulnerable...

Watch this clip and have a heart. A life is a life...human or animal...just the same.

Save our tigers...1411 left and probably going down fast. 

Lets get together and save our Sher Khans, else our children will never know who Sher Khan was or never see or hear the roaring shers!

Click here and here to see what you can do.
Click here to read what i wrote about Sher Khan on my other blog.

Tips for a DIY holiday

I've had enough with travel companies cooking itineraries for me, offering me packages, and planning my trip. So, this time when we decided on Egypt, I decided to do it all by myself...and it's been the best trip ever...in all ways...we had the *mostest* fun and the logistics and finances were better than the best.

So, these are my tips, if you are planning a holiday on your own.

1. Planning - Research, research, and research. You are gonna thank yourself for this. Once you decide on your destination, find about these things:

• Places to visit/see - Make a list of the must see and must dos. Check costs - entrance tickets of places, costs of excursions you may want to take with local agencies there. Decide on the number of days this would take you.
• Travel - Mode of transport available (cabs, metros, buses). Are there cabs available on call or you can hail them on the streets. Are there tourist buses? Do they have a specific point to point service?
• Where you would like to stay...right in the center of the city or a little away. It makes sense to stay near to locations you would like to spend time at. But, keep in mind that city center/downtown accommodation would be more expensive then  hotels a little bit away.
• Find out the good places to eat/party/shop. 

2. Getting there - Once you have finalized your dates, get around looking for airfare.  I suggest looking up several websites. Check the airline websites and compare the fare with travel company websites. You may get discounted airfare on sites like yatra.com, makemytrip.com. Booking online maybe cheaper and more hassle free.
For your visa, i recommend that you still take the help of your travel company. They will take their fee and take care of the running aorund to the consulate.

3. Staying there - Look up the hotel sections on websites like - yatra.com, makemytrip.com, thomascook.co.in. You can search by the city and you will be surprised at the cheap tariffs you can get for the best of 5* resorts and hotels. Again, compare the tariff with the hotel website. Specially, if you are traveling abroad...the tariff available for hotels to Indian travel companies are pretty low.
Also, very important - go and read real tourist reviews of the hotels you shortlist on websites like - tripadvisor.com and virtualtourist.com.These are extremely helpful website and give you a very real picture of things to do, tourists traps, where to shop, eat, and stay. You can ask your questions to travelers and get fast replies based on their experience. I swear by these sites.

4. Get your travel insurance. Again, go online, check the premium, and buy a policy...It's that easy. If you want to compare policy quotations/premiums...i found this quite useful - policybazaar.com. I compared the premiums and found what suits me and then went to that insurers website and bought my policy online.

5. Reconfirm - Once you have got your tickets, hotel vouchers, insurance policy...call up the airline and hotel and check/confirm your reservation. Place any special requests you may have with the airline or hotel.

With all these basics covered, you should be packing you bags and be good to go. Also, it would be good if you got yourself a handy map and a travel book, or betters till you can download information from the internet about the places you wanna visit.


Our DIY trip this time was awesome and everything went as planned and very smooth. We took our holiday at our pace and time and did not have to rush through or visit places we did not want to go to. We stayed at the best of places, which the travel company was not offering us in the package deal. We ate, made merry, slept, lazed, danced, shopped...everything we wanted to do! We had lots of fun and got a chance to meet locals and see their life.

And you will be surprised, in terms of finance we saved between 50% - 60% on the total cost that the travel companies gave us for a package tour. We had got package quotes from 4 travel companies and they were all too inflated. Im happy we did it our way and could spend that extra cash on shopping  :)

This makes me wanna plan another trip soon :)

Midnight romance

Me and T trying to sleep...T very tired n sleepy and me chirpy like a bird.

Me: Today in office...blah blah blah

T: Hmmm

Me: At lunch...blah blah blah

       he and she resigned...blah blah blah

       (silence...no reply...i check..dude u awake na?)

T: Hmmm..ya babe

Me: TV shows hav gone nuts man!....blah blah blah

        In the movie...guess who was the killer...blah blah blah

T: Babe lets sleep...need to get to office early tomorrow again

Me: No yaa..pls...suno na..u never listen to me...u never have time for me

T: Will lsiten to it tomorrow...pucca promise...abhi plsss sleepy time

Me: Ok, let you sleep...first sing me a nice romantic song

T: Now? 

Me: What then if not now...ya cmon na...of course now...waitin

T: Meri bhains ko danda kyon maara..wo apne khet mein charti thi

Me: Arrrrghh...u ass...u half witted man...some more expletives...(not for public consumption)

        

(Totally pissed, I huff puff and move my pillow away from him and turn the other way)

[10 minutes of silence follow...i think i heard some slight snoring also]

After some time...my ear is sort of ticklish

T: Chandan sa badan

    Chanchal chitwan

    Dheere se tera wo muskana

    Mujhe dosh na dena jag walon

    Ho jaoon agar mein deewana...

Me: :) :) :)

Good night world :)

Bouncing around my head

Too much running through my mind...garbled thoughts

• Im in office and when do i start working? Holiday hangover i guess....
• Are these really ergonomic chairs? I mean my shoulder and neck aches everyday, when i sit on the chair in my cube...nah! i need a change...talk to boss
• Why don't i dream as often when i sleep. Daydreaming is all i do...duh!
• Whats the best pillow in the market? Like the ones which are comfy and good for people like me with spondylitis! From where do the hotels get such comfy beds and pillows...i always wonder...the last hotel had something called 'featherfree' i think...it was awesome!
• What crap she made for dinner today!! Who the hell ever has aalo gobhi for dinner on tuesday night!!
• When will i find a good cook...who can make yummy non veg stuff...and no maharashtrian khana plsss
• OK...stop eating...hogging...stop! stop!!
• Get a doc appointment for T. Drag him for an endoscopy (tough job...he cries like a baby..awww)
• I need to go to Central and ask for my free wrist watch....I had to get it free with the sun glasses i bought from there last week...Yea, I need that free wrist watch
• Fix the car servicing appointment.
• Update status on FB and plough my farm...Farmville is my food
• What time does he get back today?? Call! Call! Call!!
• Call HDFC car insurance guys and ask for my premium refund...You believe it, they sent me a torn cheque 2 weeks back! I sent it back and need a fresh cheque! Call, call, call!
• Call mom...to ask if they all saw the cat's pics i posted! 
• Ned to drink water! yea...i hardly take in 2 glasses in day...
• Rann has released..mayb go and watch it...yea on Wed you buy 1 and get the other ticket free on bookmyshow (for citibank cards)...see a great tip :)
• How will the papyrus painitng look when its framed. Need to get that from the framer on Sat! Remind me!
• Patao T in the evening so he can give me a good shoulder and neck massage! Very very important for my well being...TOP PRIORITY today!!
• Sync my ipod.
• Sync phone
• Dig out some old pics
• Go get a tropicana from the cafeteria.
• Restart gyming...get the gym bag out!
• Shortlist good pension plan for T. HDFC pension plan inching close. Anybody, any reco? (but seriously will v live that long?)

Getting too much now...still running through...

Egypt, my love!

I have visited quite a few places in Europe, South East Asia, America...but what Egypt did nothing did it ever! The beauty, mystery, culture, food of that country haunts me now. If there is a place i would want to be now...it would be on one of the Red Sea beaches...aaaahhhh....blissss

To start with let me do away with some myths...Egypt is an Islamic country but do not get any negative ideas about it. 



The country and people are very very open towards tourists and very welcoming.
Cairo is a very modern city and you can find the best of international chain of hotels, restaurants, night clubs, discos, brands...just about anything you want.
  


The night life is magical and amazing and you can spend the night singing and dancing away...or shopping...the malls, bazaars, and cafes are open till 2am at least. yes, 2 am...clubs are open till about 3 am or even later...The city swings man! it swings!


Liquor is freely available at hotels and restaurants. Heineken is all over and many shops too where you can buy your bottle. The city is safe and you can find cabs at any time in the night and the city is alive!

Let me add a line about their infrastructure. The roads are wide, smooth, clean, and without any bumps...Indian roads...shame shame!! Cairo and Sharm El Sheikh (beachtown on the Red Sea coast) had wireless internet almost everywhere..and let me add its 3G or 3.5G if i read correctly.Its a shame we are still struggling with downloads in kb. Duh!! C'mon India, auction that 3G !!

The Red Sea area is blooming with the best resorts and full of European tourists. Red sea is breathtaking and you want to be there forever. The beaches are awesome, corals and fishes plenty. It is one of the best sites in the world for snorkeling and diving. Its just beautiful.

For clothing, you can wear what you want...there are no restrictions and locals do not say or comment on anything. So, you have bikini clad women all over the place. Well, even some nude sun bathing at our resort!! Yea, men...you may like that!

But apart from that it would be wise to dress modestly if one was visiting the churches or mosques. The Egyptians are extremely nice people and if you respect them and their ways, they do the same and do not object or cause you any problems.

So, once you have removed any misconceptions or negative ideas about the country...enjoy the place, weather, people, history, mystery, food, belly dance...

The Pyramids and the Sphinx, have to be seen to be believed. They are grand, imposing and hauntingly beautiful. To think that they were made 5000yrs ago and still stand tall and awe you....is amazing...I mean you just have to experience them.

There is also an amazing sound and light show at the Pyramids in the night. Do not miss it!

Enjoy a cruise on the Nile in the night. The magical Nile will leave you wanting more. The Marriott and Oberoi do very good cruises. We took the Oberoi and loved it.

As lucky as we could get, in Sharm El Sheikh, we were upgraded for free to a sea facing suite on check in...yea you get lucky sometimes...yayy! And the view from the balconies were to die for. It was like I had died and gone to heaven...

One had to just get a few feet on the water to see the corals...it was a jungle out there...beautiful. We had the most beautiful and colorful fishes swim up to us at the beach and kiss our feet :)

Ok, enough said, writing does not do justice to that experience. I should plan for another trip soon:). Will leave you with a few pictures...soak in...

And and and...what did i get from there - Papyrus painting, Egyptian perfume :) in love with them :) :)