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Tags: shopping mall, shopaholic, woman

I like you just the way you are….
How many women would love to hear these very words sung so beautifully by Billy Joel? 

I have read and enjoyed the book 'Bridget Jones Diary' by Henry Fielding , a hilarious comic satire. Renee zellwager has acted the part brilliantly in the movie co-starred by Hugh Grant (his impish smile knocks me senseless every time !) and Colin Firth. Bridget the spinster in her 30s is not a slim, attractive hot chica but a bumbling, overweight single babe who is intelligent, talented and bubbly . She chooses Mark Darcy (played by  Colin)  over the manipulative Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) because he tells her …’hey I like you just the way you are!’. 

While it is natural and obvious that every woman wants to look beautiful, and luckily today there are various ways and means available to beautify a less perfect face and body with beauty treatments, make up tricks and the right clothes, what is disturbing is the fact that men and women are obsessed with perfect looks. Why can't people be just  comfortable in their own skin.? 

The tension and the worry a woman undergoes to keep her man to herself is seen to be believed.  Some husbands taunt their wives and make them insecure by making unfair comparisons with models and actresses on their looks. While it is fair that everyone should aim to remain slim for healthy reasons why should one go and completely lose one’s individuality by getting tummy tucks, nose jobs , hair transplant and the like done? Each one of are unique and special in all God’s creations. 

Millions of rupees are spent by anxious and insecure ageing , wealthy women on botox , cosmetic surgery and the like to chase that elusive fading beauty..to catch the youth for eternity …all in vain. The wrinkles do show, the hair does grey again and the clothes do go out of fashion. The cosmetic giants cash in on this very insecurity. 

The teenagers swayed by the anorexic models refuse to eat in order to remain skinny .Added to that the ad world feeds the young and guillible minds that its not enough to be intelligent and talented. You got to have fair skin too. So there you see the brown, dark skinned girls queue up for those deceptive creams that they hope would one day make their dreams of making it big come true. The added bonus would be winning that prize trophy of a rich and handsome husband .! 

Beauty and talent are God given gifts. When we look around us not all the most successful men and women have the classic looks. They are shining because of self esteem, inner confidence in themselves and a positive attitude towards life and a never say die attitude. 

And the bottomline is…someone likes them for what they are and not how they look! They have held them close and given assurance….I like you just the way you are!

Tags: self esteem, beauty, cosmetics

I have been tagged…for better or for worse. That too for a very interesting topic-Lip lock delirium …Too tempting for me to still be in hibernation. So Dagny, Chitra and Raghu have managed to wake me up from my cozy hideout where I hoped to spend my winters. If I am imagining that I have been tagged then I take Gary’s request for volunteers! 

I always knew with a woman’s instinct that the lovers lip lock would both be a pleasure and a pain. My adolescent years were spent only in reading and imagining how it would be to be kissed on the lips by a tall dark handsome dude straight from Mills and Boon. Those were the days of absolute unforgivable ignorance about erotica and sex education. No normal girl from a decent middle class family is expected to even talk about kiss leave alone experience it. It was a taboo. I even spent a few teen years in utter terror about kissing because I let myself into believing one of my misguided classmate (pseudo love guru) who told us stories about how so and so became pregnant because she was kissed by a boy!!!! 

That didn’t stop me from agonizing over how and who and when I would be kissed. I was raring to witness a kiss atleast in a movie. But our over moralistic film censor board never allowed them to screen a kiss episode between the hero and the heroine. The camera would pan on her wet sensuous body and her hot lips which she would keep biting with the hero approaching her with so much desire ..I would sit on the edge of the seat full of anticipation. Lo and behold ! two flowers would appear from nowhere and touch each other and the next minute the heroine would run across the fields laughing with the hero chasing her. Damn! 


Then came the opportunity to watch old English movies especially Alfred Hitchcock’s movies.. My eyes opened wide and I sighed almost audibly much to the amusement of my friends when handsome and charming Cary Grant kissed the lovely Ingrid Berman so sensuously in the’ Notorious’. She would lift her pretty face to him and he would bend down and lock lips with her and the classic pose still haunts me at times. I got so carried away by his famous lip locks with an array of beautiful,, elegant and talented women like Audrey Hepburn, Deborah Kerr, Grace Kelly, Sophia Loren who were swooning in his arms during the intense kiss scenes.  

I watched various 007s in those James bond movies kissing away all their pretty women to death. My obsession with kiss increased manifold. I read every possible literature I could lay my hands on. I even let my overdriven imagination to think Henry Kissinger (Henry kissing her?)must have lived up to his name and should be a good kisser. My vocabulary on kiss expanded with years…tongue kiss, French kiss – a la franchise – all theory and no way to practice ofcourse. 

Now, now am not going to kiss and tell how and when that first kiss happened, if the lip lock was just like Cary Grant-Ingrid Bergman style. All I can say is a kiss is forever and my ringtone would vouch for it with Lionel Richie crooning… I’ve been alone with you inside my mind and in my dreams I’ve kissed your lips a thousand times…Hello! Is it me you are looking for????

Tags: love, kiss

Tags: snow, spring

Tags: mother nature

Life throws a surprise at you at the most unexpected moment. It was a day like any other . Being new to Bangalore, I was feeling a bit lost and lonely. As I logged on fropper, there was a message from CJ. She had all along thought I was still in Delhi and expressed her happiness that I’m now in Bangalore. We exchanged phone nos. 


The next morning the phone rang. I heard a friendly hello on the other side. I could immediately sense (we women have this uncanny instinct) I’m speaking to someone who is fun, genuine, warm and friendly . As we spoke we realized we were in the same part of town. She had an appointment in one of the best beauty salons and she offered to take an appointment for me too. We agreed to meet at a place and proceed from there on. 


In exactly an hour I was on my way to meet CJ and we met like long lost friends. She was what I had imagined…a cool person living every moment to the fullest. Imagine my surprise when she said she was going to show me the best places in the city and treat me for lunch at one of the famous restaurants. That was not all! She had tickets for RUSSEL PETER’S show for the evening !!! Ofcourse time and again people say fropper is the coolest hangout and I have reasons to believe it now. The tickets were courtesy one of the fropper friend of hers who in a quick move had managed to send her not one but five complementary tickets for the show!!! 


You see, men would have taken a much longer time to become good friends. That is why I feel all countries must have females at the helm of foreign affairs. The women ambassadors would have bonded well and the countries would soon have nuclear disarmament policies in place even as they are getting their facials done at the same beauty parlour. LOL 


I am sure you will all agree there is a huge (no pun intended) presence of intelligent women in fropper who sure are not a threat but a friendly lot who make a difference to our lives with their wonderful blogs on various issues. They sure add to the fun factor with their antaksharis and game tags to destress you and make fropper a great hangout place. 


Needless to say,CJ and I had a great time exchanging notes and I got to say hello to many of her friends . This is what I call the KISMET CONNECTION nay FROPPER CONNECTION. I wouldn’t have even dreamt of making so many good friends in such a short time. 

The RP show was hilarious as we expected. He was funny, took a dig at Indians and other nationalities in his own style . But he sure gave a lot of back handed compliments to our technical prowess and a balanced culture. Ofcourse, it was a show for adults only as he used the four letter word much more frequently than his stand up comedy one liners. I found it a bit over the board but surely no one goes to RPs show expecting him to sing Bhajans. It is not easy I tell you to be on the spotlight , to sense the mood of the audience hanging on to your every word who expect you to come out with quick humour. And to think quickly on your feet and keep the audience engaged for 2 hours!!! I must say the Banglaore audience were a great sport. They took all his digs in their stride and laughed their heads off at all his jokes. 


It happened to be the birthday of CJs best friend’s son. A memorable dinner with them and coffee at my place later I wound up for the day. CJ and I simply let our hair down ( no its just me as CJ has cut her hair short with fabulous highlights at the parlour) Bangalore still smells of the red paint announcing our presence in town that day!! And there are red herrings to cover the track so we leave no trace . LOL Thanks Fropper and CJ for making my day and stay memorable!

Tags: russel peter, fropper

Even the most balanced and cool super woman of today living in a metro city or a big town, who can handle the most complex situation at office and home with ease can lose her balance and tear her hair in desperation when it comes to one of her own species…”THE MAID SERVANT .” Gone are the good old days of ‘Ramu Kakas’ of Hindi movies. It is the era of ‘Kanta bai’s. 

On working days, if the lady of the house has a 9 to 5 job, at 7 am sharp she starts looking anxiously at the clock and at the door alternately for the VIP ‘Kanta bai’s arrival. It is hard to explain the feeling of relief the memsahib experiences when Kanta bai rings the doorbell jarringly. It is music to ears I tell you. The first mug of coffee or tea and the plate of food goes to Kanta bai as the VIP has to be kept in good humour for doing the work. 

Kanta bai wields the power of making or breaking the family’s day. Right from the husband to kids all would offer to go and find her if she is late as they know very well they are the ones to face the brunt of the lady’s frustration and anger. No one wants to have a burnt toast and sugar less coffee for breakfast.!!! 

Kanta bais come in different shapes and sizes. She may be 4 foot nothing but she is more intimidating than ‘The Great Kali’ of WWF fame. She is the only one who is capable of keeping her ‘ memsahib’ on tenderhooks. The lady attends to her every whim and fancy, grits her teeth and bears her lest she plays truant at the most crucial moment, that is when guests are about to arrive. 

Kanta bai is never happy with what you give her. A special fund apart from her salary, food and other goodies needs to be kept aside for her. Not to forget her demands for a new saree and a hefty bonus during festival times. You never know when she will ask for that advance or loan which she will promise to return or tell you to cut in her monthly salary. When the time comes , she will conveniently demand a higher wage and will give instances of how so and so memsahib offered her such and such a wage and how much she is in demand in the neighbourhood . Only because she pities you and is fond of you, she is doing a favour by staying back. Your heart is filled with gratitude and quite pleased by her magnanimity you give a loan waiver then and there. The woman sure has mastered the art of manipulation. 

The way she does work is really commendable. She is in love with your mosaic flooring and would no nothing but caress it tenderly with the broomstick . The dust and dirt will remain then and there . The vessels would cry if they have voice. Depending on her mood she would bang them while washing or just show them under water and pile them aside with the grease and stain intact. If you point it to her she would label you as a ‘kit kit’ memsahib and you have to face the accusing eyes of her friends when you go out. 

Dare you throw her out! She has a strong union. She has a lot of spies around . If a new ‘Shanta bai’ comes looking for work she would know immediately. She would weave such a horror story about the ‘kit kit’ memsahib Shantha bai will have no choice but to retreat. Swallowing your pride, you need to get her back into the house ofcourse on her own terms this time.

But for all this, she will surprise you when she takes your side and scold your ‘baby’ or ‘baba’ if they dare to fight with you. She will bring a sweet little gift for the children if it happens to be their birthday. She would tell you the latest gossip in the neighbourhood inspite of your repeated admonition. She would trust you with her money and request you to open a bank account for her so that she can keep aside some for a rainy day 

Kanta bai sure copes with more pressure in her life than you. She has to  wash, clean, mop and even cook in so many households every day without fail. She is always running a marathon covering the whole neighbourhood working in as many houses as she can. She has to put up with a drunkard husband who beats her up black and blue when he returns home drunk. She has wayward sons, lazy daughters and is the single earning member of the family who keeps it going. Still she has her dreams of educating her children in the finest of schools and making it big someday . 

The tug of war between the “memsahibs’ and the ‘Kantabais’ is here to stay. No winner or loser in this game – both require each other for survival. If the memsahib feels kanta bai is too much to put up with, then she better learn to cope with some dirty floors and unwashed vessels in the kitchen – “ITNA PAISA MEIN ITNA ICH MILENGA”!!!

Tags: memsahib, maid servant

Technology has entered our homes and our lives and is here to stay. But the digital divide is still visible and with a new improved gadget introduced everyday, the time is not far when Generation X would outwit us in the use of gizmos. 


When TV entered our homes in the 80’s, it was like magic. As kids we would rally around it and were immensely pleased to see whatever was shown on it. Doordarshan channel with viciousness would dish out boring programmes but we were quite awed and didn’t mind even watching ‘krishi darshan’. I used to wait for ‘Chitrahaar’ programme beamed on Wednesday, 8pm . I was overjoyed at being able to see the heroes and heroines running around trees and romancing , all the time squirming under the disapproving looks of my dad who would sit right there and pretend to read the newspaper. There was no way he could change channels in those days . Thank God for that!!! 


I used to watch with fascination how Sulma Sultan read news without moving her lips.The single rose on her hair and the way she drapped the saree around her shoulders (she used to manage a perfect ‘V’ )became my style statement for some time.. 

Another newsreader Shammi Narang would never fail to keep his pen in his coat pocket (no laptops in those days ) once he finished with the news and said Namaskar. We couldn't understand much of what he said but would wait with bated breath to see if he would forget to keep his pen in his coat  pocket . The minute he would put his pen in his pocket we would burst out laughing... Not a single day he had missed this ritual.  Oh! the good ole days of DD news!

My grandmother could never comprehend that men and women on tv cannot see us . She would refuse to change clothes in a room where the tv is on and would shout at us to switch off the tv as the shameless newsreader guy is watching her. 


Even now some of my older friends have just not taken to technology. When they see any of the new tech gadget they are bewildered and flabbergasted as to how to use it. But they do have a computer at home and are trying their best to use it. One of them laughed so loudly when I told her computers have viruses. She asked me if I feed my computer with an analgecic if it catches fever. Another friend who got a mobile phone as a gift came to me with it to learn how to use it. I called her number and she held it to her ears to listen to my voice and brought it to her mouth and spoke to me as if it was a walkie talkie!!! 


Internet is an amazing place and the ones on the other side are fully using it to their advantage. Now just to tickle your funny bone( I found the hard way that getting hit on funny bone is really not funny though LOL) I’m sharing some jokes I came across on net about the technologically challenged. Even if you have read it before read on if you are in the mood as you can always do with few laughs!! 


Why we should feel sorry for tech support people:

A woman called the Canon help desk with a problem with her printer. The tech asked her if she was "running it under Windows."
The woman then responded, "No, my desk is next to the door. But that is a good point. The man sitting in the cubicle next to me is under a window, and his is working fine."
*******
Tech Support: "OK Bob, let`s press the control and escape keys at the same time. That brings up a task list in the middle of the screen. Now type the letter `P` to bring up the Program Manager."
Customer: "I don`t have a `P`."
Tech Support: "On your keyboard, Bob."
Customer: "What do you mean?"
Tech Support: "`P` on your keyboard, Bob."
Customer: "I`m not going to do that!"
*******
Customer: "Can you copy the Internet for me on this diskette?"

I work for a local ISP. Frequently we receive phone calls that start something like this:
Customer: "Hi. Is this the Internet?"
*******
Customer: "So that`ll get me connected to the Internet, right?"
Tech Support: "Yeah."
Customer: "And that`s the latest version of the Internet, right?"
Tech Support: "Uhh...uh...uh...yeah."
*******
Customer: Hi, this is Celine. I can't get my diskette out.
Tech support: Have you tried pushing the Button?

Customer: Yes, sure, it's really stuck.
Tech support: That doesn't sound good; I'll make a note.

Customer: No, wait a minute... I hadn't inserted it yet... it's still on my desk... Sorry....

*******

Tech support: What kind of computer do you have?
Female custome r: A white one...

Tech support: Click on the 'my computer' icon on to the left of the screen.
Customer : Your left or my left?

**********
Tech support: Good day. How may I help you?
Male customer : Hello... I can't print.

Tech support: Would you click on "start" for me and...
Customer: Listen pal; don't start getting technical on me! I'm not Bill Gates.

**********
Customer: Hi, good afternoon, this is Martha, I can't print. Every time I try, it says 'Can't find printer'. I've even lifted the printer and placed it in front of the monitor, but the computer still says he can't find it...

**********
Customer: I have problems printing in red...
Tech support: Do you have a color printer?

Customer: Aaaah....... ......... ....thank you.

**********
Tech support: What's on your monitor now, ma'am?
Customer: A teddy bear my boyfriend bought for me at the 7-11.
**********
Customer: My keyboard is not working anymore.
Tech support: Are you sure it's plugged into the computer?

Customer: No. I can't get behind the computer.
Tech support: Pick up your keyboard and walk 10 paces back

Customer: OK

Tech support: Did the keyboard come with you?
Customer: Yes

Tech support: That means the keyboard is not plugged in. Is there another keyboard?
Customer: Yes, there's another one here. Ah...that one does work...
**********

Tech support: Your password is the small letter "a" as in apple, a capital letter V as in Victor, the number 7.
Customer: Is that 7 in capital letters?

**********
Customer: I can't get on the Internet.
Tech support: Are you sure you used the right password?

Customer: Yes, I'm sure. I saw my colleague do it.
Tech support: Can you tell me what the password was?

Customer: Five stars.

*********

Tech support: What anti-virus program do you use?
Customer: Netscape.

Tech support: That's not an anti-virus program.
Customer : Oh, sorry...Internet Explorer.

**********
Customer: I have a huge problem. A friend has placed a screen saver on my computer, but every time I move the mouse, it disappears.

**********

Tech support: How may I help you?
Customer: I'm writing my first e-mail.

Tech support: OK, and what seems to be the problem?
Customer: Well, I have the letter 'a' in the address, but how do I get the circle around it?

Tags: internet, technology, tv

Friends
This time I want to share with you all an article sent to me by a friend of mine…its about the confident, and secure super woman of today . This is like a tribute to all my counterparts out there who can identify with what is being said here and know in their hearts that it is quite true. My intention of copy paste of this article is purely because it can reach out to many. If you have already come across this article, please spend your valuable time reading another blog.:)


THE SEVEN SECRETS OF A CONFIDENT AND SECURE WOMAN
By Scott Smallwood

1. A confident & secure woman REPOSITIONS HERSELF 

A confident woman never forgets the one thing that never changes –THINGS CONSTANTLY CHANGE.
With the winds of change ever blowing, a secure woman realizes that she may not currently possess all the tools that will take her to her goal, but she's always ready to learn what she needs to know in order to get there. This may mean going back to school, changing job or vocations or even moving to a different location, but she is ready, willing and able to adapt to changing circumstances.

2. A confident & secure woman KNOWS HOW TO GIVE AND TAKE 

A confident woman understands that the gift is in the giving. She knows the laws that tell her what she gives will return to her several times over. She will give her time, energy and even her heart to those who need her. However, she also knows that she is not a super human and she does not over-extend herself. She regularly takes time for herself! She also recognizes that she has limits and, at times, finds herself in a position of needing assistance and is not afraid to ask for what she needs.

3. A confident & secure woman LIVES IN THE PRESENT 

Dwelling on the past or worrying about the future is the bread of idleness that a confident woman refuses to eat. When recalling the past, she does not allow herself to dwell there but, rather, refocuses on the here and now. She understands that her past experiences, whether joyful or painful, are a part of her and have made her the confident person that she is today. She learns from the past and uses that information for current decision making. She has hopes for the future and engages in the occasional daydream while keeping herself solidly in the present tense of her life.

4. A confident & secure woman KEEPS HER EYE ON THE PRIZE 

Not everything we do comes up roses. To expect perfection is cavalier, but to know that mistakes are a part of the journey is wisdom. This knowledge allows the confident woman to refuse to pity herself when something doesn't turn out as she'd hoped or expected it would.

5. A confident & secure woman KNOWS HOW TO SAY NO 

Women have too little time and too much responsibility. The demands of jobs, child care, household duties, etc. are often draining. Having time to herself seems to be a far-fetched dream for many women.

The confident woman knows her limits and her need for self care. She understands that in order to be able to accomplish all that she wants/needs to do, she MUST have adequate energy reserves from which to draw. While sympathetic and even flattered when her phone rings off the hook with others making requests of her, she is able to pick and choose those people or causes to which/whom she will devote her time and energy. She knows when she needs to politely decline so that she will have time to recharge herself or to ward off becoming overwhelmed. She also does not feel a need to offer apologies or excuses for needing to do so.

6. A confident & secure woman TRUSTS HER INNER VOICE 

While she may occasionally feel uncertain or seek the counsel of others, the confident woman knows deep down that her own heart will give her the direction she needs. While this intuition may be said to be a characteristic of all women, it is one that becomes refined only with age, wisdom and experience. The secure woman will carefully consider all the information at her disposal, seek advice from those she respects and then turn to that little voice inside of herself and become her own best counsel.

7. A confident & secure woman DOESN'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF 

If we allow ourselves to think too much about something or consider every little thing that could possibly come up or go awry, we can soon make mountains out of molehills. The secure woman is able to separate the chaff from the grain and focus only on those things of primary concern to her in any situation. She does not micro manage herself or her affairs. Rather, she focuses on the broader picture along with the key ingredients that are needed to solve her problem or reach her goal. She possesses inner strength and the wisdom to be able to create, change and adapt as necessary. 

On a lighter note ....two quotes

I think of myself as an intelligent, sensitive human being with the soul of a clown which always forces me to blow it at the most important moments."
---Jim Morrison 


"I'd much rather be a woman than a man. Women can cry, they can wear cute clothes, and they are the first to be rescued off of sinking ships."
---Gilda Radner

Tags: woman