Have you ever caught yourself saying to yourself or maybe others "I am too busy", "I am too stressed", "I need to get a life" well I have and I seem to be saying this way too often to my disbelief and others disappointment.
I have this sneak suspicion that along the way to reach my goals by working literally my butt off, constantly being online or on my official email id to be "on top of things", skipping meeting a friend for lunch/coffee for the fear of missing out an important mail/work or a minute of constructive work time--I seem to have gotten disconnected with none other than well with "ME".
I thought technology was supposed to lessen the burden, help me educate myself, help me stay connected (facebook,you tube, gmail chat) , well my friend for me it does all this and more but at what cost? Is it even worth it I think sometimes? I wonder how people survived when they did not have a blackberry, did not have access to computers and mobiles..well the answer is simple they did "survive" so why can't we?.
I did a little experiment this Sunday I took time off - I went for a walk without the radio blaring in my ears, did not touch my computer until right now, tried not sending any text and calling people up did not quite succeed but at least I tried and I quite liked it. While I walked I noticed well the sky, greenery around me, children cycling, the wind blowing on my face/hair enjoyED the feeling and ya a couple walking hand in hand totally oblivious of anything and anyone ..how cute!
Since the morning I have had at least a dozen panic attacks by not checking my personal id/official id, facebook, texting etc and you know what nothing earth shattering has happened, no body died including me! So I have come to the conclusion that I will have to take time off -You know take out time to do nothing at all..lounge around..read a book..just sit on my terrace and observe everything around me -FYI one of the peaceful and calming things I can vouch for it!!
I would like to someday extend this experiment to a weekday keeping aside the worry of getting fired or beaten up or worse. In the meanwhile I think this has been one of my most relaxing Sundays and I wished to share it with someone and then realized sometimes the only person you needed was right there.. it was "ME"......
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Note to myself
Went to SN with friends on Saturday...finally came to the conclusion that I share a love and hate relationship with Sarojni Nagar market(SN). For the benefit of those who do not know about this highly popular export market in South Delhi..it is like a mecca of highly affordable, trendy and latest collection of apparels and what not! See most other people or should we say girls/women are in love or swear by the international brands (Dior , Mango and zara of the world) no such problem like that with me ..Still whenever I have gone there..Looked at the colorful display..made the right noises ...ohhhh ahhhh..so coolll...totally hawwwt ...I have to my misery returned empty handed. I don't seem to understand the problem maybe need to see a doctor or quack. Anyways went to Ambience mall Gurgaon and vasant kunj and guess what spent a fortune...note to myself “go figure”.
Watched Delhi Belly.. Barrel of laughs for sure…heard a group of 2o’s something discussing the movie.. note to myself either the coming generation is way ahead of it’s time , faster and more chilled out than even ice itself or I am suddenly grown very old…waiting for the white hair to appear soon..siggghh.
Finished two books in a week “I heart Paris” and the other one I can’t seem to recall enjoyed myself to the hilt..note to myself “need to start reading more” another note to myself “ for god’s sake get over the chick lit phase” .hmmmm scratch that so whaaat atleast I am reading!
Been trying to motivate myself the whole of last week about starting a new exercise regime…bought a new swimming costume ..looks amazing on me ..downfall the price not so amazing. Result it is lying somewhere in the back of the cupboard…damn it! Also borrowed a tennis racquet from a friend..it is yet to see the light of day..Thinking about walking …note to myself “I think I am running out of options so I better move my butt ..”literally” and start doing something..anything”.
I think I write my most interesting and funny blogs when I am feeling low… ironical to say the least ..note to myself “I need to figure out another way to motivate myself to write otherwise Dude this is soo not working out”.
Note to myself “write another blog soon and soon for crying out loud means soon. Note to myself stop writing note to myself..pheeewww!
Watched Delhi Belly.. Barrel of laughs for sure…heard a group of 2o’s something discussing the movie.. note to myself either the coming generation is way ahead of it’s time , faster and more chilled out than even ice itself or I am suddenly grown very old…waiting for the white hair to appear soon..siggghh.
Finished two books in a week “I heart Paris” and the other one I can’t seem to recall enjoyed myself to the hilt..note to myself “need to start reading more” another note to myself “ for god’s sake get over the chick lit phase” .hmmmm scratch that so whaaat atleast I am reading!
Been trying to motivate myself the whole of last week about starting a new exercise regime…bought a new swimming costume ..looks amazing on me ..downfall the price not so amazing. Result it is lying somewhere in the back of the cupboard…damn it! Also borrowed a tennis racquet from a friend..it is yet to see the light of day..Thinking about walking …note to myself “I think I am running out of options so I better move my butt ..”literally” and start doing something..anything”.
I think I write my most interesting and funny blogs when I am feeling low… ironical to say the least ..note to myself “I need to figure out another way to motivate myself to write otherwise Dude this is soo not working out”.
Note to myself “write another blog soon and soon for crying out loud means soon. Note to myself stop writing note to myself..pheeewww!
Friday, June 17, 2011
Vans and Abhay Deol come to town...
10th June,2011, the day we were launching a brand that is known world over for it's cool and fun quotient. Vans--iconic sports inspired (mostly skateboarding) footwear and apparel brand came to town and the exciting part we were the ones who bought them home. That my friends was not the only exciting bit me as in moi went back stage and got to rub shoulders (okay not literally) but had a face to face conversation with cutie Abhay Deol!!
Now I have heard a lot about starry tantrums and celebrity “nakhras” and after a long day of work was dreading to be at the receiving end. As it is the whole evening was yet to unfold including us handling him along with the press and his fans which can get quite ugly as anybody who is in PR or events will be able to tell you.
Imagine my surprise when the actor comes across as a gentlemen and a professional to the core. No hang-ups, no looking in the mirror every two minutes, no whining he just went about his job like clockwork which in turn made our lives so much easier. In the span of 45 minutes that I spent around the actor .. I was impressed!! Not because he made girls go weak in the knees and literally throw themselves at him while he patiently and politely extracted himself from them, not because he just did not stand at the stage but went right up to the audience to shake hands and click pics with teenage girls screaming out his name, not because he took time out to shake hands with the store boys and security guards but because of all that and more.
Most importantly his down to earth behaviour the way he spoke with the journalist, PR team(us), the bouncers..not once did the “actor impact” show just a normal guy going about his average day doing average work. Which in this case was not true at all as he certainly wasn’t a normal guy and his behaviour “not normal”, work would absolutely not qualify as a normal job? The event was a success with other elements of the show in itself quite exciting with performances by Vans skateboarders, Sheetal Mallar -the model and Anushka Manchanda and we returned home feeling a sense of euphoria on a job well done.
Like always I like reliving memories and introspecting, it always brings key learning and so many times a smile on my face and at other times a tear in my eye. This one time was no different –smile on my face remembering how not only teenage girls, boys but grownups could not stop themselves from clicking pics with the Actor. Learning’s-- how as I followed the actor with his swarm of bouncers and his agent with cameras and flash bulbs following us in tow it seemed like déjà a vu and I realized how difficult it must be to remain sane and grounded among such devotion, chaos , love and euphoria.
I will never in my life be a star or remotely inspire the kind of crazy love and following that Mr Deol had conjured up and quite frankly nor do I even aspire to but I do hope that a few people take a leaf out of his book. No matter how big, important and powerful you become the important quality that will always shine through is how humane and humble you remain. Hmmmm a little profound thought but on a lighter vein he came, he smiled that cute dimpled smile of his, he conquered and he left… leaving me with only one thought …maybe I should have gotten a picture clicked with him when I had the chance ……doesn’t matter there is always a next time * wink wink*
Now I have heard a lot about starry tantrums and celebrity “nakhras” and after a long day of work was dreading to be at the receiving end. As it is the whole evening was yet to unfold including us handling him along with the press and his fans which can get quite ugly as anybody who is in PR or events will be able to tell you.
Imagine my surprise when the actor comes across as a gentlemen and a professional to the core. No hang-ups, no looking in the mirror every two minutes, no whining he just went about his job like clockwork which in turn made our lives so much easier. In the span of 45 minutes that I spent around the actor .. I was impressed!! Not because he made girls go weak in the knees and literally throw themselves at him while he patiently and politely extracted himself from them, not because he just did not stand at the stage but went right up to the audience to shake hands and click pics with teenage girls screaming out his name, not because he took time out to shake hands with the store boys and security guards but because of all that and more.
Most importantly his down to earth behaviour the way he spoke with the journalist, PR team(us), the bouncers..not once did the “actor impact” show just a normal guy going about his average day doing average work. Which in this case was not true at all as he certainly wasn’t a normal guy and his behaviour “not normal”, work would absolutely not qualify as a normal job? The event was a success with other elements of the show in itself quite exciting with performances by Vans skateboarders, Sheetal Mallar -the model and Anushka Manchanda and we returned home feeling a sense of euphoria on a job well done.
Like always I like reliving memories and introspecting, it always brings key learning and so many times a smile on my face and at other times a tear in my eye. This one time was no different –smile on my face remembering how not only teenage girls, boys but grownups could not stop themselves from clicking pics with the Actor. Learning’s-- how as I followed the actor with his swarm of bouncers and his agent with cameras and flash bulbs following us in tow it seemed like déjà a vu and I realized how difficult it must be to remain sane and grounded among such devotion, chaos , love and euphoria.
I will never in my life be a star or remotely inspire the kind of crazy love and following that Mr Deol had conjured up and quite frankly nor do I even aspire to but I do hope that a few people take a leaf out of his book. No matter how big, important and powerful you become the important quality that will always shine through is how humane and humble you remain. Hmmmm a little profound thought but on a lighter vein he came, he smiled that cute dimpled smile of his, he conquered and he left… leaving me with only one thought …maybe I should have gotten a picture clicked with him when I had the chance ……doesn’t matter there is always a next time * wink wink*
Sunday, May 8, 2011
LUXURY....
This word has been torturing me for the past one month and I finally thought what the hell just write about the damn thing and get it over with. Abusing this word can have almost disastrous consequences since most of my clients breathe and live in this bubble every day of their lives and most importantly my pay check comes from here Dude!
So we have luxury brands, we have luxury food , luxury apparel, luxury malls and for India the next buzz word is.. you guessed it "LUXURY". I mean it almost seems like that if you are seen buying or indulging with something which does not spell luxury "God save you" you are just not with it worse still your future looks gloomy verrry gloomy ..ok I do tend to exaggerate a bit not that gloomy but you got my drift right!
Any which ways if you have it ..flaunt it and it better spell and look luxury if the latest Indian's fascination or obsession is anything to go by. For me it just well sort of irritates me ..I was reading an article in Fortune magazine which said India's tryst with the luxury bubble is not new, is not a fad and is very much here to stay(help me god) because to begin with it has always been here..Maharajahs and their fine Maharanis would always have the Louis Vuitton collection as part of their trousseau. Yes can you believe that...our Maharajahs would get specially ordered jewelery from Cartier's.
It seems we have come a full circle ...as most things in life do ..I am not happy about it ..for the life of me why should I be "I can't afford the bubble " or maybe the bubble doesn't appeal to me because I feel it comes at a price. You reach that level and baby you aint coming back!! It is only up and up but beyond a point where will you go. That is why I like to stick to basic things not to say that if someone gifts me a Louis Vuitton bag I wont take it(ya ya Megha u keep dreaming) but I find happiness at the most unlikely places. I mean it is luxury when I see the whole family laughing and eating together considering all of us are working. I think it is luxury when I can catch those 10 extra minutes before I need to jump out of the bed. It is luxury when i get to eat that whole bar of chocolate without feeling guilty.
Seems like my definition of luxury is quite screwed but hey this is what makes me happy.I am sure the people who indulge in what I would like to refer to is the "bubble" are actually after the very same sentiment "happiness". To each it's own I always say though I won't mind running an experiment here at this point of time..
Let someone gift me a Cartier or maybe a Dior and let me see what happens..the ecstasy ..the joy ..I also want to experience it. So are there any noble and kind souls who will help me in my experiment by gifting me the "bubble"..any takers...any body..somebody????
So we have luxury brands, we have luxury food , luxury apparel, luxury malls and for India the next buzz word is.. you guessed it "LUXURY". I mean it almost seems like that if you are seen buying or indulging with something which does not spell luxury "God save you" you are just not with it worse still your future looks gloomy verrry gloomy ..ok I do tend to exaggerate a bit not that gloomy but you got my drift right!
Any which ways if you have it ..flaunt it and it better spell and look luxury if the latest Indian's fascination or obsession is anything to go by. For me it just well sort of irritates me ..I was reading an article in Fortune magazine which said India's tryst with the luxury bubble is not new, is not a fad and is very much here to stay(help me god) because to begin with it has always been here..Maharajahs and their fine Maharanis would always have the Louis Vuitton collection as part of their trousseau. Yes can you believe that...our Maharajahs would get specially ordered jewelery from Cartier's.
It seems we have come a full circle ...as most things in life do ..I am not happy about it ..for the life of me why should I be "I can't afford the bubble " or maybe the bubble doesn't appeal to me because I feel it comes at a price. You reach that level and baby you aint coming back!! It is only up and up but beyond a point where will you go. That is why I like to stick to basic things not to say that if someone gifts me a Louis Vuitton bag I wont take it(ya ya Megha u keep dreaming) but I find happiness at the most unlikely places. I mean it is luxury when I see the whole family laughing and eating together considering all of us are working. I think it is luxury when I can catch those 10 extra minutes before I need to jump out of the bed. It is luxury when i get to eat that whole bar of chocolate without feeling guilty.
Seems like my definition of luxury is quite screwed but hey this is what makes me happy.I am sure the people who indulge in what I would like to refer to is the "bubble" are actually after the very same sentiment "happiness". To each it's own I always say though I won't mind running an experiment here at this point of time..
Let someone gift me a Cartier or maybe a Dior and let me see what happens..the ecstasy ..the joy ..I also want to experience it. So are there any noble and kind souls who will help me in my experiment by gifting me the "bubble"..any takers...any body..somebody????
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Thank You Life..!!
Few people have the pleasure of saying this but my work place is like 15-20 odd minutes away from my house...see I said it ;). Normally I love to walk down to office and back coz lets face it that's the only exercise that I am getting these days and god only knows whether this is helping or not. On the odd day I don't feel like walking or I am sinfully late I like to take the cycle rickshaw(and no I am absolutely not embarrassed like some people are about admitting this one ..I love the cycle rickshaw rides..it's fun people!).
Three weeks back I ran out of my house..late again..praying that I could find a rickshaw asap..that's when I saw him ..standing between 3-4 rickshawalas ..chatting away to glory..this young boy about 5 feet nothing. He looked like a child among all those burly men..filthy,grubby ..looked like he had not had a bath in weeks maybe months..skinny like hell..don't know why as I ran up to this group thanking my lucky stars ..my eyes seemed to notice only him.Thankfully his eyes seemed to be the only ones noticing my plight as one by one they all refused to take me.
Maybe it was the desperate look in my eyes or maybe he took pity on me as he said..mein leke chalta hoon na madam ..kahan jana hai. As I gave him directions to my destination I felt a little guilty..he was a child after all and if I was not so extravagantly late I would have never taken him..the words child labor kept coming in my mind. I don't know why but there were more things that I kept noticing about him as the wind whipped past us in a frenzy ..his face darkened with filth and muck, a mischievous smile played on his face like a little adorable monkey and his teeth were white shining like stars on a dark night..can you Imagine!
As we passed a corner, a delicious aroma of fresh samosas being fried struck my nose and so did his..he gave a hungry look at the samosa and quickly glanced away..Come to think of it,I don't know why it had skipped my notice that he looked kinda hungry and weak.I don't know what came into my head at that moment but I made him stop the ricksha ..got down and bought some of the samosas..it smelled divine. Since I was anyway's a minute away from my workplace I decided to walk but before that I went up to him and held out the packet towards him..Guess what he did..it shocked me as he shook his head smiling all the while as he said "nahi nahi rehene dejiye"! There he was this little chap refusing the very samosa's he had been drooling over a minute ago. I felt a strange tug at my heart and my throat suddenly seemed so constrained..I managed to croak .."Le lo garam hai...thanda ho jayega". I thrust the packet literally in his hands as I walked away..for some strange reason my eyes felt moist ...I felt a pair of twinkling eyes staring at my back ..I couldn't muster the courage to look back at him.
That day seemed to pass away in a daze quickly.. it was no different than any other day except that I felt somewhat happy ,contended and thankful towards my life. I learnt a very hard lesson that day ..a lesson that I am hoping will be like a talisman for my coming days ahead..days when I feel frustrated and I feel like giving up..days when I feel like a looser and I crib and I rave and I rant ..I hope that I can look back on that day and remind my self how fortunate and blessed my life truly is! :)
You know u always keep reading about this phrase "Always count your blessings" that day I think I did and I had so many things to be thankful about, that it could fill books. You don't have to have a supremely amazing life to be happy.. you just need to take a look around at people ..the sweeper on the road, the beggar at the red light, the child selling books on the pavement.
So many things to be thankful about...your life might not be great but remember it's not that bad either....
Three weeks back I ran out of my house..late again..praying that I could find a rickshaw asap..that's when I saw him ..standing between 3-4 rickshawalas ..chatting away to glory..this young boy about 5 feet nothing. He looked like a child among all those burly men..filthy,grubby ..looked like he had not had a bath in weeks maybe months..skinny like hell..don't know why as I ran up to this group thanking my lucky stars ..my eyes seemed to notice only him.Thankfully his eyes seemed to be the only ones noticing my plight as one by one they all refused to take me.
Maybe it was the desperate look in my eyes or maybe he took pity on me as he said..mein leke chalta hoon na madam ..kahan jana hai. As I gave him directions to my destination I felt a little guilty..he was a child after all and if I was not so extravagantly late I would have never taken him..the words child labor kept coming in my mind. I don't know why but there were more things that I kept noticing about him as the wind whipped past us in a frenzy ..his face darkened with filth and muck, a mischievous smile played on his face like a little adorable monkey and his teeth were white shining like stars on a dark night..can you Imagine!
As we passed a corner, a delicious aroma of fresh samosas being fried struck my nose and so did his..he gave a hungry look at the samosa and quickly glanced away..Come to think of it,I don't know why it had skipped my notice that he looked kinda hungry and weak.I don't know what came into my head at that moment but I made him stop the ricksha ..got down and bought some of the samosas..it smelled divine. Since I was anyway's a minute away from my workplace I decided to walk but before that I went up to him and held out the packet towards him..Guess what he did..it shocked me as he shook his head smiling all the while as he said "nahi nahi rehene dejiye"! There he was this little chap refusing the very samosa's he had been drooling over a minute ago. I felt a strange tug at my heart and my throat suddenly seemed so constrained..I managed to croak .."Le lo garam hai...thanda ho jayega". I thrust the packet literally in his hands as I walked away..for some strange reason my eyes felt moist ...I felt a pair of twinkling eyes staring at my back ..I couldn't muster the courage to look back at him.
That day seemed to pass away in a daze quickly.. it was no different than any other day except that I felt somewhat happy ,contended and thankful towards my life. I learnt a very hard lesson that day ..a lesson that I am hoping will be like a talisman for my coming days ahead..days when I feel frustrated and I feel like giving up..days when I feel like a looser and I crib and I rave and I rant ..I hope that I can look back on that day and remind my self how fortunate and blessed my life truly is! :)
You know u always keep reading about this phrase "Always count your blessings" that day I think I did and I had so many things to be thankful about, that it could fill books. You don't have to have a supremely amazing life to be happy.. you just need to take a look around at people ..the sweeper on the road, the beggar at the red light, the child selling books on the pavement.
So many things to be thankful about...your life might not be great but remember it's not that bad either....
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