Online People...

So ‘Red’ broke up. Pretty sad, I know. I wish I could do something, but sometimes it is best to let life take its course and not plan anything. And that got me thinking.

We've got technology, we've got the gadgets. We have got everything to make the day easy and the distance short. We have everything we dreamt of and more. People can stay connected to anything and anyone, anywhere. If it exists, you can have access to it. Get the best music, best movies, sitcoms and anything you would like to watch and watch it anywhere. We tweet moods, thoughts, facts, news, discoveries, conversations, creations, pictures, movies, jokes, the good times and the bad. We link and network to anyone and everyone on Facebook, we share, we say, we comment, we play, we laugh and sometimes just exist as alter personalities. We can choose who we want to be, anyone we like or want to exist as, if not our own selves.

We text and we talk, we Skype and we blog. We say so much and hear so much and feel so much and block so much. And we can live complete parallel lives online. Reality has blurred online and offline. I see my friends glued to their Iphones and BBs n middle of movies, conversations, drinks, and functions and parties and dates and work. All this connectivity presents a respite, an outlet you can access whenever you want to come up for air. It represents ideas, the new, the shiny and the fancy.
It presents ‘a connect’ where I can instantly get any information I want, if the people out there have it. It presents a forum to say and be heard.

So the question is, we are connected 24X7 and to everyone we care about, but do we get any closer? Are our relationships any better? Do we trust better, confide more and stand by our loved ones better now? Are we there for them, now that we don’t have time, communication and distance constraints? Do long distance relationships work now, better than 20 years ago? Do we listen better, reach out more and hold on more? Now that we can connect and talk about anything to anyone, anywhere, do we talk our hearts out easily? Do we let people in easily? Has it become easier to ask someone out, make it work across continents and time? Do we forgive and forget better now that all we need to do is block, unfollow or delete? Are we more sincere in our love, now that we don’t need to put major effort or money to keep in touch and keep up with time differences and space?

Would Raj in DDLJ do things very differently now, given that he doesn’t need to fly down all the way to Punjab? They could just Skype!!  And Simran could just tweet all the time and be on Facebook. They could share playlists and blog. Would they need to fight as hard today as 20-30 years ago to be together? I doubt that. And yet, it makes me wonder if they would fight as hard today even if took much less effort.

Or I guess Raj would want to do a Harvard MBA and Simran would be a journalist wanting to work in Iraq. And then two of them would get so wrapped up, that all this tweeting and texting would not fill the gap, Love Aaj Kal types.
So the question is, with all this ‘connect’, are we really getting any closer?

p.s: Image courtesy Kaurwakee: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaurwakee/

I see.

Every pic tells a story. You just need to know where to find it. Some may call this being trigger happy, I call this collecting moments. Most people are so conscious in front of the camera always wondering if they are looking pretty, if the angle is right and the light makes them thinner. I find it funny.

To me pictures are stories someone catches you in the middle of. A lens is the ink and the camera is the paper on which they get published.

I saw some pictures. And God knows I dont write anymore. But this one time , I just had to.

It amazes me how we both still look at the same picture and think of the same thing. Read the same story, pick the same thread and know the same secrets. There are very few people on earth who can do that with you. (Touchwood! :))

We see the color of emotions. We see the life in the assorted and in the incomplete. We see the belief in strange faces, the glimmer in light and the shine in the symmetry. We see the human in the alien, the joy, the celebration. We see the canvas and the focus, the expanse and the 'larger than life'. We see life and the burnt, the tattered and the stacked. We see the unconventional and the eccentric. We see the order and the mess. We see perfection and the reality.

We see the faces of life, of time and the whole journey. We see the struggle, the distance and the goal. We see the dance, the heels and the rythm. We see the satiation of the thirst and the eternal hunger. We see old in the new, the twist in the rule. We see the layers and the hidden. We see the stranded and the apparent. We see songs in the stories and the memories in your theories. We see the eclectic in the masses, the cynic in the prayers.

We see the broken and the stolen and the 'fought for'. We see the holding on in the rejection. We see emotions in the eyes and the starvation in the smiles. We see the search and the loneliness, the reflection and the light in a soul. We see the torn and the shredded, the worn and the dreaded. We see the wisdom and the puzzles, the paints and the colors. We see the shoes and the pain in the journey, the walk and the goal.

We see the spice and the heat, we see the road and the dream. We see the wait and the freedom, the gang and the kingdom. We see the sun and the blue and 'the one'. We see the hearts and the mischief and the toil. We see the innocense and the wild, the impatience and the child. We see the offer and the choice and the return on the price.

We see the glass half empty and a life so full.

See if you can see what i see : Kaurwakee

Its only words...

Stumbled on these lines... its a song. Had to put them up here..

Have you ever seen a one trick pony in the field so happy and free?

If you've ever seen a one trick pony then you've seen me.

Have you ever seen a one-legged dove making his way down the street?

If you've ever seen a one-legged dove then you've seen me...

Then you've seen me, I come and stand at every door.

Then you've seen me, I always leave with less than I had before.

Then you've seen me, bet I can make you smile when the blood, it hits the floor...

Tell me, friend, can you ask for anything more?

Tell me can you ask for anything more?

Have you ever seen a scarecrow filled with nothing but dust and wheat?

If you've ever seen that scarecrow then you've seen me.

Have you ever seen a one-armed man punching at nothing but the breeze?

If you've ever seen a one-armed man then you've seen me.

Then you've seen me, I come and stand at every door.

Then you've seen me, bet I can make you smile when the blood, it hits the floor.

Tell me, friend, can you ask for anything more?

Tell me can you ask for anything more?

These things that have comforted me, are driven away...

This place that is my home I cannot stay.

My only faith's in the broken heart and bruises I display.

Have you ever seen a one-legged man trying to dance his way free?

If you've ever seen a one-legged man then you've seen me.

If you have seen someone give a pound of their heart's flesh away..Then you have seen me.

Then you've seen me, I always leave with less than I had before.

Recession and Love Life...

‘Pink’ just announced that she was dating an investment banker and its going rather well (knock on wood! now!!). I am so happy for her. Atleast someone is getting somewhere. :)

The thing about dating an investment banker, is that you are pretty much dating the world markets. Yup, the global markets. The status of stock exchanges around the world defines his moods at the end of the day. And his moods affect your relationship.

And we all know this is the most horrible time to be dating anyone from the Financial Services industry anywhere in the world. I agree, this is a high risk industry with high returns. And like all good things in life, nothing comes with a guarantee. A high risk , if played well, in most cases brings high returns. Positive returns or negative is just your luck.

See that's the thing about relationships, they are like stocks. If good and carefully invested in, they bring in huge positive returns. If not, they both tear us apart in millions of ways. And like Lehman, some may never recover.

This other friend of mine – BLUE - has had some pretty intense and high investment/risk relationships. Happy and really heady returns initially. But, I am afraid, in atleast one case she hasn't even recovered completely from the relationship crash. The returns were wiped out and it sent her into this dizzy spiral of a string of zero investment relationships. It took a lot of investment by others into her stock to get her to recover completely. And there are times when the fear does resurface. She has completely sworn off high risk investments/ relationships and plays safe. Never betting on the unsteady, high promise guy/stock. I am still figuring out if that's the right thing to do, but its sure a saner approach.

If finance and relationships are similar why do we keep investing?

So PINK is happy with this new guy and I know that if all went smooth, this is the ’ONE’ for her. She revealed it to me in a moment of drunken weakness. Shhh..

But will the markets let it be the ‘ONE’? Additionally, low markets create job insecurity across the world across industries. This affects men’s need to be the ‘Bread winner’ for the family. So all the men who were thinking of settling down and proposing to their steady ‘love of their life’ are now thinking twice or postponing the plans. God knows how long they will have their jobs. Practical, but not good for the fairer sex.

As it is we all know men have this fear of commitment. God knows how long all of them took to even come close to thinking of settling down. And here we go again. Its back to the drawing board.

Recession is hard financially and emotionally. And now ‘Pink’ is all flustered. Not just the mood swings but even the overall stability of the relationship is questionable. As if she doesn't have her own set of worries with her boss and her job.

My advice is what will be will be. So hopefully their relationship will outlast this financial recession. If not, I know there will be some other stock to bet on some day which will be right for her and worth the risk.

Maybe that's the thing. The dream of happy returns is way higher than any losses you can ever make. It's the hope, that some day it will be so good that it will wipe out all the historical losses. And maybe that's the addiction with risks. Because you never know the outcome. Hence, most people hope for a happy outcome even if the numbers/logic/facts dont add up. Its easier to live that way, its easier to bounce back from times like today that way and its easier to believe that way.

That some day the return on the right investment/risk will wipe out a lifetime of miserable relationships/finances.

Risk is the price for ‘Hope’.

I am the money.

I like Daniel Craig. I like all 5’and 10’’, muscled bit of him and he is the first Bond who is short and I don’t mind it.
I loved Casino Royale and liked Quantum of SOLACE in a different way. Also, I am a bit biased due to the Gold class I watched it in with food and wine and awesome couches. I liked him in Tomb Raider (Yes he has acted with Lara Croft Jolie and no one seems to remember). The Aston Martin chase was awesome, man he’s got taste in Cars! I liked him for his little role in the Golden Compass where our Ms. Kidman really managed to send shivers down my spine. She is the true ice princess cold and heartless and now I am digressing.

Oh I know.. I could have made this into a fan article but more importantly it’s the conflicting reviews I get from guys for this movie. A gentleman told me it is no fun because the BOND is no longer ‘cool’. He reacts too much, looks so vulnerable and there aren’t any gadgets. He seems to be all muscle driving things around with sheer physical force. He lacks finesse and looks like Rambo!

OK guys... I know BOND movies have historically been about gadgets, slick action and women are purely ornamental and disposable. I get it and I don’t mind it. Conceptually it is not so bad that he goes through women like accessories because it is an occupational hazard for a spy to get emotionally involved. Also, he is a superhuman who never gets killed, never falls in love and never gets seriously hurt or crippled while all the women seem to fall in love with him and land up dead! Additionally he doesn’t even have to try hard to woo women. I know most men like the idea and love that thought. And sorry that this last one seems to prick your cosy bubble.

And I admit I like the gadgets and high speed chases too. But let’s face it, sometimes they get way too unreal. To me Pierce Brosnan playing the Bond was a little bit gay. Somehow he defies my image of a Bond and he does not even look 6’ and 2” on screen playing a M16 SPY!! Brosnan’s not rugged enough, not fit enough and not inconsolably raging enough for the 007 name.


I know a lot of women like Daniel. This one comes closest to Sean Connery as a Bond and I would like to congratulate the film makers of having at least tried to match him. And his eyes are intense which we women like. As for the target audience he seems to be impressing women more than men. Also for once the new Bond does get involved with them and is vulnerable. This one seems to be in the Bourne Ultimatum genre which I am definitely not complaining about. The more the better. Matt Damon has definitely done a great job in that series.

There is another friend of mine and he likes Daniel Craig as the new Bond. He says this guy is real, forceful and flawed. This makes him endearing. It is better watching someone do their own stunts and hanging from cranes than watching some gizmo flying over sea just because your graphic design team is hi-fi. That doesn’t entertain him. The whole movie and every chase is way too real. He loved it.

So guys - Do you like the new Bond or do you hate him? Women (most) like him.

But men as usual, seem to have trouble committing either way.

Performance Appraisal Techniques..

I know its been around for a while but just couldnt resist it! Its HILARIOUS!

In the world of romance, one single rule applies to the men : Make the woman happy..... Do something she likes, and you get points..... Do something she dislikes and points are subtracted..... You don't get any points for doing something she expects. Sorry, that's the way the game is played.
Here is a guide to the point system:
SIMPLE DUTIES
1. You make the bed (+1)
2. You make the bed, but forget the decorative pillow (-2)
3. You throw the bedspread over rumpled sheets (-1)
4. You go out to buy her what she wants (+5) In the rain (+8) But return with Beer (-5)
5. You check out a suspicious noise at night (0)
6. You check out a suspicious noise, and it is nothing (0)
7. You check out a suspicious noise and it is something (+5)
8. You pummel it with iron rod (+10)
9. It's her pet (-50)

SOCIAL ENGAGEMENTS
1. You stay by her side the entire party (0)
2. You stay by her side for a while, then leave to chat with a college buddy (-2)
3. Named Rita (-4)
4. Rita is a dancer (-6)
5. Rita is single and is really beautiful (-80)

HER BIRTHDAY
1. You forget her birthday (-50000)
2. You take her out to dinner (0)
3. You take her out to dinner and it's not a sports bar (+1)
4.. Okay, it's a sports bar (-2)5. And it's all-you-can-eat night (-3)
6. It's a sports bar, it's all-you-can-eat night, and your face is painted the colors of your favorite team (-10)

A NIGHT OUT
1. You take her to a movie (+2)
2. You take her to a movie she likes (+4)
3. You take her to a movie you hate (+6)
4. You take her to a movie you like (-2)
5. It's called 'DeathCop' (-3)
6.. You lied and said it was a foreign film about orphans (-15)

YOUR PHYSIQUE
1. You develop a noticeable potbelly (-15)
2. You develop a noticeable potbelly and exercise to get rid of it (+10)
3. You develop a noticeable potbelly and resort to baggy jeans and baggy Hawaiian shirts (-30)
4. You say, 'It doesn't matter, you have one too.' (-8000)

ENJOY THE 'BIG' QUESTION
1. She asks, 'Do I look fat?' (-5) [Yes, you LOSE points no matter WHAT THE ANSWER IS]
2. You hesitate in responding (-10)
3. You reply, 'What do u mean?' (-35)
4. Any other response (-20)

COMMUNICATION
1. When she wants to talk about a problem, you listen, displaying what looks like a concerned expression (0)
2. You listen, for over 30 minutes (+50)
3. You listen for more than 30 minutes without looking at the TV (+500)
4. She realizes this is because you have fallen asleep (-10000)

Unintentionally Profound..

What if humans lived for more than a couple of centuries?? What if the average life span of human beings was 200 years?

That could be a good thing and bad.
The people we love would be around forever. We could take time growing up and finding our love without worrying about biological clocks, time running out, children growing up, parents growing old. Would the concept of love change? Atleast we would need a ‘love’ that holds for a couple of centuries.
We would be less afraid to make mistakes as we would have a longer time to correct them. And as a result, maybe live more free (Or reckless??). We would have more time to pursue our interests and things we feel passionate about. You could spend 20-30 years just traveling the world.

Memories would span a couple of hundred years; you could devise ways to preserve history forever. Would fashions and fads be as short lived or have longer cycles? Longer I guess.
You could oversee development over a couple of lifetimes. Imagine the kind of progress we could have if the scientists lived 200 years on an average! You could take 50 years to become an adult and another 150 to date and marry and raise kids and the last 50 years of old age.
Would it get boring living through the same things over such a long period of time? Would we get more out of life that we now cannot? Or would we become lazier (relax!i know thats not a word) knowing we have all the time?

The relationships would be longer. I don’t know if that’s such a good thing especially for bad relationships. Also, it would be difficult to start over or have new beginnings. Or maybe easier knowing you would be here longer. We would need to work harder to make relationships work and last over 150 years or more.
The grudges could be held forever. The love - hate relationships would last over centuries. Dictators would need to be manually finished off to end tyranny. And wars could last forever.
You would need prisons to hold people longer. The infrastructure would need to outlast the human age span which in itself would be a challenge.
An economic crisis like the current one could be just a small blip in the long lives of most people. Would we still attach so much value to being young when we could be young for around 150 years?

Would we progress any faster or slower? Since we have so much time at our disposal we could take forever to develop something that we now complete in 20 years due to stress and the knowledge that we don’t last forever.

Would the values change? Would you treat women as equal to men? Would you not discriminate on race? Would we stop working hard at our relationships or get bored as quickly as we do now? Would we stop the violence? Would it be easier to overcome differences? I have a feeling it would be harder to reconcile differences as peoples’ memory would no longer be that short.
Would we forgive easily when we remember the gruesome brutalities of communalism/ riots/ wars or terrorism forever? How would you forgive if you will never forget? Would human race be wiser? I have a feeling it would just be older and none the wiser. Only time would loose its importance.

Would you value Einstein if you could meet him today and also know that he’ll be around for another 200 years? The romance of the past is in knowing its long gone and has taken its mysteries with it.

Would you be interested in Titanic if everyone aboard had survived and is around today to tell you how it went?

Life is in the transient. We love the ‘heat of the moment’ because we know the moment will pass. The high of an impulsive action is in knowing that it doesn’t last forever, in the chase of wanting more in a time span that’s fast evaporating.

If you don’t do it now, you might never get a chance to do it again. And that is why it is so precious. If you make a mistake, you might never get a chance to set it right ever again. If you don’t forgive, you will forget once you die. So others CAN start over.

The beauty of life is in the fact that it perishes; it’s a bubble in the vast sea of time.

It is the knowledge of death that gives LIFE its true meaning.