Ahem

                          Letter: Health and Nutrition-Feb'10

                           Letter 2: Good Housekeeping-Feb'10

Will post soon ..got some great topics...feel quite glad that the writing hobby's picking up again..:)Why don't you join in and try your hand at writing to mags, all of you readers?I know each of you has the talent and the will...(now,if only the laziness could be cured...oopsss....well, that was said just to encourage u to put pen to paper,I mean, fingers to keyboard)

Memories: Sursagar Lake

Here's some news from Baroda:

- Boating was restarted at Sursagar Lake. And, a near disaster was averted- some of the invitees were getting into a boat, one of them sat too close to the edge and the boat tilted dangerously, followed by the floating ramp on which people were standing, also tilting. Ultimately, two of the councillors fell overboard, but luckily, no-one got hurt. And, the courageous councillors still took a boat ride after the incident, just so that the wrong signals do not go out to people and they avoid boating in the lake.

(Pic courtesy Vadodara's page on FB)

Incidentally, boating was stopped some years back, when a boat had capsized in the Lake due to overloading, and some poor people had lost their lives.
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For those who'd like to know more, Sursagar Lake is in the heart of Baroda City. Sur-Sagar stands for 'Seven Wells'- there're seven deep spots in the lake, which are marked so that they're easily visible.

The lake has an awe-inspiring statue of Lord Shiva in the centre(Click the pic to get a better view). The Lake's a source for everything- from the dhobis who use it to wash clothes(I'm not sure whether they still do) and themselves(bathe, I mean..LOL),  to the fishermen who stand at dark corners, catching fish,to being used for Holy Immersions, like at the end of the Ganesh Festival, where Ganesh Idols are immersed in the lake, to young (and middle-aged and old) couples sitting on the ledge which runs all around, just watching the peace of the waters, and the occasional huge turtle which surfaces now and then.There're two temples(One can be seen in the Pic- the Red topped one- that's the Hanuman Temple which has a lot of devotees thronging to it regularly). I believe even the fire brigade people close by, use the water for their machines- to wash (and to fill, too?).

There's also a school behind it, that always remains in my memory, because we had our Xth Board Exams there.Board exams are always held in a different school than the one where you study, even today-why, I never understood...Is it because kids from the same school would always know where to hide the 'kaaplis'(As those scrap pieces of paper/notes were called')- in their classroom, the toilets,et al? Or, is it to have a different environment,etc?)What memories- going first, a day earlier, to check the classroom location and the table where our first tryst with study destiny would take place,  parents coming to drop their kids, waiting patiently on the two-exams-in-a-day days, with a thermos and sandwiches et al for their wards(who, obviously, would be too nervous to think of eating anything). Ahem- I did top in our school in Xth, so that's another nice memory I associate with the school.But, that's a post for some other day.

Unfortunately, the Lake's also been used for wrong purposed, like committing suic*de, since it's pretty deep even at the periphery- I remember at least 3 incidents when I saw bodies being pulled out by the fire brigade. Somehow, the theory of suic*de never seems clear to me-what could cause such a drastic step?

There's also the Uncle Scrooges who always fly their kites from the periphery only upto the centre of the lake, during Uttarayan time- why? Because they do not want anyone else getting their kite or their maanja(thread).

Besides this also, there's so many memories of the place- taking walks round it, standing at the city busstop during school days(even bicycles were luxuries back then) and waiting for the bus to Karelibaug- our standard bus number was GRS 7613-till it was unceremoniously retired as being too old..:)..also, memories of all the eateries that used to be strewn around it- where you'd get the most scrumptious matla kulfi and sugarcane juice.These guys have since been relocated, some to the opposite side, some to other locations in the city, in the bid for beautification, since they used to cause a lot of  mess by leaving their left-overs and rubbish at night, leading to all sorts of illnesses,courtesies flies,mosquitoes,et al.

There's also two of the city's oldest halls right next to it, Prince and Pratap...old but still going strong. And, who can forget the grand ole Nyayamandir, bang opposite- the main Court of Baroda.

Austy, any more memories you can think of, of this grand lake?

I came across this tidbit one today, on a website: Earlier the Sursagar Lake was known as Chandan Talao. The lake was rebuilt with stone banks and masonry in 18th century.(Am not sure how accurate it is)

Ah well, this was one of those 'memory' posts, with not much of my usual humour built in.
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Among other interesting things happening around here- the traffic police found a great way to improve traffic in Fatehgunj area- it used to be concentrated max at the roundabout- so they removed the roundabout itself..:) But, I still feel the traffic in this area has increased ten-fold since 2002.
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For those who missed their regular laughs, here's some jokes that made me really LOL when I read them first:
-------

Doctor, doctor, I feel very flushed. 
You must have flu. 
No, I walked.

 -------

Books: "Fallen Underwear" by Lucy Lastic

 ------

Melanie (age 5) asked her Granny how old she was. 

Granny replied she was so old she didn't remember any more. 

Melanie said, "If you don't remember you look in the back of your pant*es. Mine say five to six."

(So cute-the logic of these kids,na- can almost imagine a kid really talking like this to her Granny)
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Till next time, cheerio and take care!

Pas*words

Have you ever tried to change your netbanking pas*word online? Well, here's my experience with one, some time back.(After logging in):

Enter old pas*word.
- I enter old pas*word


Enter new pass* word twice
- I enter new pas*word twice


Pas*word cannot be all numerals
- I enter new pas*word twice


Pas*word cannot be same as last pas*word
- I enter another new pas*word twice


Pas*word cannot be same as last 2 passwords
- I enter another new pas*word twice


Pas*word cannot be same as last 3 pa*swords
- I get bugged and enter' Yousuggestthepassword'


Pas*word cannot be only alphabets. Enter alphanumerical password
- I enter a totally new pas*word


Pas*word accepted.

Then, I went to Dxb for some time, and logged on after a month.

-I login
Incorrect pas*word
- I enter again(I'm sure it's the correct one since I noted it)
Incorrect pas*word-you have two tries left
- I enter again
Incorrect pas*word-you have one try left
- I enter again
Your netbanking account is blocked.

I go to the bank.
'Sir, if you don't log on at least once a month, your pas*word is disabled.'


I apply for new one.


It comes after 7 days.

I logon again.
Enter old pas*word
- I enter the one they sent
Enter new pas*word twice.
- I enter an alphanumeric pas*word, which I'd decided on 15 minutes earlier.
Pas*word changed successfully.

Whew- is this what they mean by 'Live and Learn'?


Clarification: The '*' symbol is to avoid any spam mails getting attracted (like the anopheles mosquito gets attracted to people in Baroda) to this post, and a bunch of these mails lining the comments box, with links on how to generate, delete,hack, etc, where pas*words are concerned.

Do you speak English?

Hi, all...There's a reason for the header. Keep reading.

So, there I was- all ready at 7 PM...the Hotel people dropped me off at the airport. Reached the check-in counter(Smooth walk with the well-oiled trolley- no baggage screening so far. Checked in the baggage, did a big of Duty Free shopping. Reached Gate 217, from where our flight was due to leave...and, waited...no, not for the boarding call, but for the fun to begin. And, begin it did.

"Excuse me, do you speak English?"- I turned and saw this 80 yrs+ Grandmom types, typically U.K. based. I was quite astonished-no-one's thought me to be looking so rustic that they'd wonder whether I know English, you know..anyway, so, I said'Yes'(After debating whether to say' Me no speake da English', a la Mind Your Language). And, she says 'Are they allowing passengers to board?'. Me:"No, the lady at the counter said' after 10 minutes'...Grandmom: 'Ah, thanks.' (Probably quite pleased to see that I spoke good English...LOL)

Later, after going into the waiting Hall where were waiting  for the Boarding call, I was feeling half asleep, when in walked Grandmom again(BTW, she was in trousers and shirt and cardigan, which is what made me think she's Brit), whistling a Hindi tune. And, then she began chatting with a co-passenger in, yes, Hindi. Then, realization dawned-she's probably one of those Indian settlers who went to the U.K. when they were 10...haha.

Just as I was about to doze again, in walked a group of 5-6 Gujarati guys of the 30-40 age group. All with a carrybag saying 'Tang'- I guess they got a discounted package and a bulk package discount as well. (Wonder why, though, since Tang's available easily even in Baroda)..so, anyway, suddenly, the middle one says out loud so we could all hear' Muttarvun hoye to mutardi tyaan chhe' (Gujarati for 'if you want to pee, the peeppe house is over there') ...it sounded so funny, I couldn't resist smiling away. (Reminded me of another experience- this colleague of ours in my first Co- we had gone to a 5-star hotel for a gathering(One of the rare occasions when I'd gone..I hate these seminars where people starve themselves for 2-3 days so that they can hog after the seminar)..and this colleague suddenly says ' Sandaas kahaan hai' (They call the toilet 'Sandaas' in crude language)..and, the Indians around looked at us, astonished.(Frankly, I loved that- stuffed shirt execs like the crowd there need such dialogues to loosen them up)).

They finally made the boarding announcement. Now, Emirates is very systematic. So, people are called Zonewise,after the business and first class. So, Zone F and G were called first- and, expectedly, everyone rushed forward and the guy had to see each one's boarding pass and tell them 'no, you're not in Zone F and G'...after that commotion, my Zone came and I walked in calmly...reached my seat and quickly put up the bags, ready for the next show.(They never fail me, it always happens).

In came a group of people, but, all holding boarding passes in different seats- and then began the bargaining(Not with me, though..thank heavens) with people seated next to their seats...'Uncle, could you shift to Row 6G', and so on...and, then, shouts- hey,.....(their friend's name)...Uncle's coming there, give him your seat and come here'. Finally, all friends were seated close to each other(At midnight, I have no idea why anyone would want to sit together, unless they were deviant where their preferences were concerned). One of them thought 'Let me check, is my bag still there'- so, he got up and walked to his original seat to check...and, 2-3 others followed suit. Yet another remembered that his pen was in his baggage above and would be required to fill the 'disembarkation card', and he pulled his bag down.Finally, the plane began moving, and I could see some of the 'friends' still walking here and there, till the air hostess told them to sit.

After a while, they suddenly served the juices first...reason? It turned out that one of the passengers had insisted on drinks beforehand(You know, we're from Gandhiji's land where liquor is forbidden, na? So, the guy wanted to make the most of it)-before the dinner. So, they were serving them first, and all of them were annoyed. As a result, they took their revenge by not serving tea after dinner.(Coffee is not usually asked, in a Gujju dominated plane)...could see the sad looks on the faces of some of the oldies. And, felt sorry for them...they must've skipped their 3 PM tea at home that day, to enjoy the midnight tea in 3-4 cups, I was sure).

Well, after 2 and a half hours(10 minutes early), we were about to land in Ahmedabad, and the chattering started. The Mommy telling Sonny' Guess what- Pappa is coming to pick us up', or' What will you eat when you reach Dada's house?'(After dinner, they still wanted to eat? At 4 AM? Whew)..we landed, and out came the businessmen's mobiles- chips had already been switched...and, they began talking(Maybe they didn't have any connection..just showing off- which employees work at 3 PM, except call centres and 1-2 others?) 'We've landed. I'll finish the formalities and be there'...or' Driver, have you reached?'.

We touched down and the plane began taxiing. Some excited people jumped up and began opening the overhead lockers(As usual) and the air hostess had to shout(she was still seat-belted)' Sit down, please'...the excited ones sat down, ready to jump again. And they did, as soon as the plane slowed....and, again they had to sit since it was just making a turn towards it's final stop.

Then- mayhem. 60% of people got up and began pulling down their luggage. And, the friends who were together ran around (Imagine running in that aisle) trying to think where they kept their baggage originally. Those who couldn't, were shouting to others 4 rows away' Hey, pick up my bag too when you move, em(Em as in the Gujju exclamation)!' And, the friend grumbled as to how many kgs were in the bag...LOL...suddenly, another 80 years+ aunty got up and began prodding around with her walking stick..then, finding no way to move, she sat down again, exhausted...this one probably wanted to tell her grandchildren all about the great time she had in Dubai and maybe U.K., if she was coming from there).

Wonder when someone will tell these people that the flight won't take off again with them so soon. LOL..Anyway, I finally got up when the queue began to move. One or two of the buses had gone towards the main building when our turn came. We reached immigration, the same long queue as always(No S Flu check this time, thank goodness) with people who rushed ahead, ahead of us. I still grinned away, coz I knew' justice will be done'...and, done it was.. I reached the baggage area, and counted at least 7 of the eager beavers still waiting for their baggage.

And, waiting they still were, even after I got my baggage and walked, smiling, towards the Green Channel. The pick-up taxi guy from Baroda(We know him since I was in BSL) was waiting, as usual...no need to call him from the aircraft to check whether he had arrived, you see..:))

And, thus endeth another great journey from one airport to another. :):)

Next post coming up soon!! Till then, ponder over this:

' We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are'....and, let me know whether you agree-all those annoying moments, anger, bitterness....did those negative emotions resemble your own self, somehow? As I say ' Don't worry, be happy'..and leave the rest to the One Above.

Dubai Diary

Date: 26th Jan'2010.(Happy Republic Day)
Time: 09:09:10(it'll be 10:10:10 in an hour and one minute?Happens everyday, btw, so don't look so astonished..LOL)

That day went off just perfect. As I said, it'd be a day of laughs, and it was...saw two fun movies- One Two Three- a comedy with @ 12 comedians starring..right from Sunil Shetty to the Office Office gang people...it's all about three people with the same name, Laxmi Narayan- all go to Pondy from different parts of India. They stay in the same hotel. One has to buy a vintage car for his Co, the other wants to exchange lingerie designs(This one was Paresh Rawal, so you can imagine) with a lady designer, the third one has to murder someone. Photographs of the people each one is supposed to meet, get mixed up...and, you can imagine the laff riot that ensues..not as good as the natural acting in Hungama, but naturally...but still..it's not a new movie,btw..it's probably a 2008-2009 release.

Later, the National Channel (DD- what to do- the Hotel has barely 5 Indian channels)..was showing 'Mere Baap, Pehle Aap'...Again, Pareshbhai playing an ageing Dad who wants to get married....saw a bit of it and then fell asleep, with humorous dreams running through my mind.If only every day could be like this.

I read about tweeple(People who tweet on twitter, for the uninitiated)..who're making weird tweets these days...a lady put up a pic of her drowning kid, another did something equally bizarre...seems like people get mentally deranged sometimes...will write more on this article next time.

Also, came across a piece on columns from India's top stand up comedians(Know why they're called that?) in Hindustan Times(which we get in Dubai but not in Baroda)..and the articles from some of them really made my morning today...will put up some of the highlights next time.

Just two more days to return to Baroda...at this time on Thursday, I'll be at the airport doing my usual observations on the shennanigans of people travelling to Amaaro Gujarat. The land of NaMo(Narendra Modi, as many fondly term our excellent CM) and Nano.

More updates coming up later...cheerio and TC. Tell me, what made you laugh today? Or smile?Or snicker?:)

Dubai Diary:23.01.10

Today's going to be a day of humour..I can feel it. Let me narrate the events so far...it began with me getting a pretty good nite's sleep...fell asleep with TV and room lights on yesterday, at @ 930 PM. Woke up at 5 then at 6....(It being a holiday here) and was feeling totally fresh.

Asked room service for the traditional tea...and, switched on the TV-and, it's a Woody Allen movie- Hollywood ending...filled with typical WA humour. He's a film director, goes blind with temporary psychosomatic disorder, directs the whole film without people guessing he's blind, except his close associate and his ex-wife. So, the cameraman has to shoot tables instead of the people, and so on since WA points in that direction for locating the cam.- hilariousThe film flops there,but, is a hit in France(He says' Thank God for the French) and he gets united with his ex-wife,too.

Went for breakfast. Salad, muesli, wholemeal bread slice(only one), one spoon mashed potatoes on the slice, and a dosa, followed by light tea(Did I ever tell you, my tea is more of tea flavoured milk than tea flavoured tea)...in walks this Chinaman. He probably saw an Indian wedding where they greet you at the entrance with tea or juices, so he coolly picked up a half cup of tea lying at the counter. A waiter embarassedly followed him and asked him where he got the tea...the guy couldn't understand his English, but the waiter finally told him to wait while he got him some 'fresh tea'...then the guy understood...I was grinning away in my muesli, in the meantime, if you know what I mean. The guy sneaked a glance at me to see if I was laughing,but I maintained a poker face at that moment,thankfully.

Then, entered this guy with the 'chor pocket'(anti-chor,I mean...) of his track pant hanging out from the top of his pants(Not the regular pocket)...was wondering what was wrong, when I noticed him putting his cell phone into it. Good Lord...what a way to save on buying a case for the cellphone.

Coming back to the Chinaman, he couldn't understand what 'dosa and sambhar' meant. He went there once, opened the vessel, checked it, closed it. Same thing second time. Finally, he decided it was too big a risk and went and took the omelette from the other serving vessel, which he must've trusted more.

So, you see, today's surely going to be a fun day. Let me recall yesterday evening's visit to a restaurant too. They have 'Thursday Friday' specials  listed on a page on a stand on each table. Two of the items had me wondering whether they were serious or whether they were typos..(I checked 2 tables, and it said the same):

-- Veg Khola Puree(gravy)

-- Crispy Veg Noodless (I was tempted to ask them whether they served Noodles without their Noods), but decided otherwise and ordered my favourite 'mini tiffin'.

Will update you later in the day, as to how things go and how much I laughed. Hope you all also had a smile on your faces reading this. Cheerio and take care.

Waah-life ho to aisi

Hi,all!Been more than a week since I came here....let me just describe a working day for you, so you feel a bit envious..don't worry- you will surely have some great days very soon, in this New Year...my good wishes are with you.:)

Get up-5 AM. Lazily roll the feet,curl the toes et al....and a bit more of the 'good spinal cord  ke liye' exercises... Brush, etc- till 520-530...

Room Service- could you please send one tea to room 315? Yes, Sir...

In 5 minutes, there it is- one small kettle of tea without milk,one mini jug of milk...both steaming hot(It's cold weather here,you know...hehe..)...the free(Hotel service,ok? The paper's price is 3 AED, i.e. 38 Rs roughly- 2 papers and it makes a month's TOI subscription in India...but then, for subscribers,it's much cheaper here...nearly free...ask me...I was one, till I left the flat in November...haha) paper's there,too..read the main news...and, it's usually cheerful news, unlike our papers that insist on the headlines being only about disasters or killings...(Two opposites, I feel..each can take a cue from the other).Watch TV (The few channels in the Hotel's bouquet are- Zee Aflam(Hindi Movies,for the M.E.), National, 9XM, B4u Music, Star Movies, Fox Movies and 1-2 more...rest are mostly local channels)..

Finish tea...do some more stretching...read a Perry Mason/watch MYL....

Take a relaxing bath.

Off to buffet breakfast(included in Hotel room rates) in their restaurant- sign the register with a flourish-I'm usually the first or second person there, even on Friday.. there's :(Hold your breath):

-Juice of a different type everyday, from orange to mango to cocktail ...
- Then, salad bowls - cucumber,carrot,tomato....with honey/sauce/curd(I think).
- Next is cornflakes with cold milk.
- Wholemeal bread(Or, for those who want alternates-there's croissants,buns,white bread), jam,butter, with baked beans/omelette)
-One S. Indian dish like Idli/Appam/Dosa,etc...
-One form of potatoes(today was garlic,yesterday was mashed)which I just take a bit of(But naturally...diet and all, you see...ahem!!)
- And a choice of tea or coffee to get you totally awake.

I take a bit of the veggie stuff only...(but still, it lasts me from 715 AM to noon)....maybe I'll take a pic or two before going just for this blog. Believe me,I'm not a foodie, but this healthy breakfast has enchanted me!

Let me finish the food description during the day:

Lunch is usually a brown veggie sandwich and watermelon juice.

Dinner is either skipped(If I'm too zapped out at work-happened twice in 8 days) or it's juice of some kind, or a pick of  salad from Lulu's hypermarket/spinneys, or maybe a plate of idli. Only once this week, I had chapatti.(They make them from Maida,most of the restaurants here...so I avoid it)

So, my food routine these days is,  like the saying goes, breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, dine-ner like a pauper. Haha.

 I finish breakfast at 715...walk briskly to the place where our Co bus comes at 730-735....I usually reach 10 minutes early. Observe the' lake' of humanity(It used to be a sea, but now there's considerably less people-maybe on holiday, or maybe sent home?sigh) passing by-many look worried(@ their jobs,I'm sure), 1-2 ladies carrying their less-than-a-year old kids with them-probably to leave them at a creche while they go to work(probably compulsory, to make ends meet.Sigh.), the Phillipinos, some in their skimpy best work clothes(No eyebrow raising please!!LOL). The Metro rolls by on it's elevated platform- it's already become a part and parcel of daily life for many people.

The work day flies by, with a lot to be achieved, in these 16 days(8 are gone already)...and,a lot is already achieved(Somehow, I always need to justify to myself that I've done my job well at the end of each day).

0530: The bus is back...we used to reach in an hour, @ 1 1/2 year back. Yesterday, it took 8 minutes...again an indication of less people and of course, vastly improved traffic management.

Reach home..err,the Hotel. Call Housekeeping- the guy's in, in a jiffy- in 15 mins, the pillow covers are changed, the blankets neatly tucked in, the bathroom's spruced up, the room looks like I'd just moved in..(I swear he brings in a coke/pepsi bottle or two in his basket, to do the bathroom cleaning- I wonder if it's the real thing he uses,to clean the tiles,et al? Will take a closer look, soon)

I go for a nice walk- at least an hour or so if I'm not too tired. Sit at the net on the way(like I'm doing now) if I'm feeling up to it.

 Return, watch a bit of TV/read/hook up a DV player(I kept one from the time I was in the rented flat) and voila-it's time to think of sleep. Sheer,blissful sleep....till it's 5 AM again.

Waah-life ho to aisi, huh?!! ...busy yet relaxing, relaxing yet busy..:) No headaches of keeping track of when the next rent cheque will be deposited by the landlord, no tension of having to do the jhaadu-pochha on Friday’s holiday and causing a sneezing fit, no tension of wondering whether the gas burner was switched off while leaving the house…..we should all live in hotels, I think.(Especially when the rates are so close to rental rates out here).

But, again,I'm already missing Baroda,and my morning trips to the E.M.E. Temple, the walk in the park, the panchamrut mini cup afterwards. :)

What did I do on the last Fri-Sat? Will tell you-on this Friday..So, hang in there...just one more work day in between.Cheerio and take care.