Off to the land of plenty and there are plenty of reasons I will find to eat and make merry!
The BIG MAC – there is something about this poor imitation of the original beefburger. The thing is – it satisfies every single time. I can feel the pickle on my tongue already and the whole family will head to this All American icon first thing on arrival!
The clam chowder at Boston and the Vietnamese restaurant at Harvard Square, the hot dog at Central Park – these are the things that good food memories are made of. And what is an early morning drive out without a Coffee Coolata and a BEHC sandwich from Dunkin Donuts? And the yucky candied apple at Disney looks so appealing that I have to absolutely bite into it. The sickly sweet Cinnabon is another must have. Not to mention the generous portions of steak and chicken! And the yummy ice creams and frozen yoghurts! And the deli cuts and cheese. And the Thai, Chinese and Indian also thrown in for good measure.
This feeling that I will not get to eat this food again never leaves me on a holiday. And the humongous portion sizes fit my greed every single time. Fatigue eating hits an all time high driven by fatigue from enjoying at the theme parks and fatigue from shopping too much! Then I eat coz I am happy and I eat coz I am angry about something.
The land of aplenty has gorgeous fruits and salads too – Come again? My mind switches off to those possibilities atleast!
So I will eat and come back many kgs heavier and look at the weighing scales in horror. And tell my self – I don’t know what happened!!!
And get back to trying to lose these kgs before starting to lose the weight I had put on last summer!
Oh.did I mention that I will also get two different sizes of clothes – one to fit into now and one that I will fit into six (eight, ten ) months later!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
Getting away scotfree?
Does anybody really go scotfree? I believe not. Even when the law of the land does not catch up with you, there is a higher power that makes sure that life evens out. Has Warren Anderson walked away scotfree? Well our dirty politicians that took money to help the white skin (actually it could be any colour as long as the money was deep and smelt good!) and he has never stood before an Indian court to be dealt a punishment. Now despite the fact that media and others are baying for his blood, chances are that Anderson will kick the bucket before anything comes of it.
But he has not gotten away scotfree. Even if his conscience does not bother him, people around him would view him with suspicion and he would never have been above reproach. Maybe nobody spoke up in front of him about killing those poor brown Indians, but worse, they would have discussed it behind his back. And I wonder what his kids and wife thought of him. Surely it is not a pleasant feeling to not be above suspicion.
People such as these enjoy no goodwill. The Ansals got away lightly in the court, but a lot of people I know dropped them from their social lists. I have no positive thoughts for them and really, as a business family they have not gone anywhere. Tytler and other perpetrators of the ’84 Sikh riots are not a happy lot and have spent a lifetime trying to escape the noose.
Karma works – every single time. You only need to look around you to see it work. Justice happens and happens well. I am always reminded of what Rose Dawson said of the people who got saved after the Titanic sank. “Afterward, the people in the boats had nothing to do but wait. Wait to die. Wait to live. Wait for an absolution that would never come.”Even a non believer like me believes in this.
But he has not gotten away scotfree. Even if his conscience does not bother him, people around him would view him with suspicion and he would never have been above reproach. Maybe nobody spoke up in front of him about killing those poor brown Indians, but worse, they would have discussed it behind his back. And I wonder what his kids and wife thought of him. Surely it is not a pleasant feeling to not be above suspicion.
People such as these enjoy no goodwill. The Ansals got away lightly in the court, but a lot of people I know dropped them from their social lists. I have no positive thoughts for them and really, as a business family they have not gone anywhere. Tytler and other perpetrators of the ’84 Sikh riots are not a happy lot and have spent a lifetime trying to escape the noose.
Karma works – every single time. You only need to look around you to see it work. Justice happens and happens well. I am always reminded of what Rose Dawson said of the people who got saved after the Titanic sank. “Afterward, the people in the boats had nothing to do but wait. Wait to die. Wait to live. Wait for an absolution that would never come.”Even a non believer like me believes in this.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
What would I do?
Jessica Lal and Ruchika Girhotra - Two young girls, who lost their lives to the system. A system that lets people abuse their power and not bring timely justice to the ones affected. I have a young daughter, who I love tons – more than my life indeed. I never say no to her and indulge her coz I don’t know what tomorrow will bring for her. I hope she will find a guy who will love her to distraction and pamper her to distraction. I hope she will study and create a niche for her self and earn lots of her own personal money !
But sometimes I wonder what would happen if someone did something to her? Would I take that person / persons to the court to demand justice? I would have to run pillar to post for years in the court. If the perpetrators would be someone powerful ,my daughter will be branded the whore. Media would also indulge in defamation and mud slinging .
And thus in the Indian system, the victim would be further victimized, until she would lose whatever perspective , self esteem and confidence she will have.
What would I do therefore? I don’t think I would approach the police or the courts. There is a parallel system of justice that does exist and I would utilize that. Whether that would mean beating the guy senseless or skinning him alive, castrating him or killing him I would do it. I would protect my daughter and deliver justice to her. And the world be damned!
But sometimes I wonder what would happen if someone did something to her? Would I take that person / persons to the court to demand justice? I would have to run pillar to post for years in the court. If the perpetrators would be someone powerful ,my daughter will be branded the whore. Media would also indulge in defamation and mud slinging .
And thus in the Indian system, the victim would be further victimized, until she would lose whatever perspective , self esteem and confidence she will have.
What would I do therefore? I don’t think I would approach the police or the courts. There is a parallel system of justice that does exist and I would utilize that. Whether that would mean beating the guy senseless or skinning him alive, castrating him or killing him I would do it. I would protect my daughter and deliver justice to her. And the world be damned!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
LOOP Mobile - How to lose a client in six weeks?
LOOP Mobile - How to lose a client in six weeks?
Have you ever wondered how you can lose a loyal customer to another company? Look no further – it is called bad customer service.
Week 1
Have been a loyal BPL / Loop mobile customer for almost seven years. The phone lines don’t drop as much as Airtel and reception is good most of the time. The number has been my lifeline for ever now. But is for ever, really forever?
Week 2
Two years after Praneet quit Piramal, someone in Loop or Piramal finally woke up. Mine is no longer a company phone, so it must be put on the personal account. Get a call from Loop to change the account into personal. Must send proof of address and Praneet’s photo since the phone is in his name.
Week 3
Phone service stalled. And like an ass, I kept looking at my phone thinking that there was a problem at the service provider’s end. Much later at night ‘bati jali mere dimag mein’ and I called Loop mobile. ‘Sorry Madam, but we needed your photo so we disconnected the phone’. Huh? How about informing me first? ‘Government policy’ madam.Ok, so where do I give the photo in Bandra?’ Uh, you have to come to Mahim Madam.’ First round of shouting and someone activates the phone and comes home to collect the photo.
Week 4
Go out of town and my phone does not work again. What now? Am phoneless for three days. In the meantime Mom from Nigeria panics coz I am unreachable. She calls sister in Thailand who calls daughter’s Vodafone number and checks on me. When I come back to Mumbai and call Loop Mobile, I am told that I don’t have roaming on my phone. Pray tell why? ‘This is a new account Madam. If you want to apply for it, you have to pay 2,500’. I rationalize – this is an old number and I have been a customer forever and ever. ‘Yes, but now this has been transferred on your name so we will treat it as a new account. Government rules’
Much shouting, to no avail. Atleast in Mumbai the phone is working. And on my weekly visits to Karjat, I don’t have to be accessible to anyone!
Week 5
Dial Mom’s number in Nigeria. Cant get thru. Call Loop again. ‘Sorry Madam. You don’t have ISD either’. OK! How do I get it? ‘You have to pay Rs.6000 to activate this. Cant you add it to my bill. No Madam we can’t. Government rules. ‘Ok, say I . where do I pay? ‘At the Mahim Branch.’
Good thing I think. Will call from Praneet’s phone and avoid clocking up a huge bill of my own.
Week 6
Get a message at 12 in the afternoon saying that my ‘credit limit of Rs.1500 has been exhausted. Please pay to avoid disconnection’. At 6 in the evening on my way home, the phone is not working again. Call the customer service people to be told that I have to pay asap for the account to start. But, I protest, you need to give me atleast a 12 hour notice..I cant handle this while I handle other things in office. Also , when my phone usage is Rs6000 on an average, why would you give me a credit limit of Rs1500. Am I supposed to visit the Loop Mobile place every week? ‘Sorry Madam, Government rules.’
Now Government and Loop Mobile be damned. I am going to another service provider. And their collection agents can chase me for an year now. After all I have had to come into office today when I could have chilled at home because of the railway men strike. And I did not get the message on my suspended account!
Have you ever wondered how you can lose a loyal customer to another company? Look no further – it is called bad customer service.
Week 1
Have been a loyal BPL / Loop mobile customer for almost seven years. The phone lines don’t drop as much as Airtel and reception is good most of the time. The number has been my lifeline for ever now. But is for ever, really forever?
Week 2
Two years after Praneet quit Piramal, someone in Loop or Piramal finally woke up. Mine is no longer a company phone, so it must be put on the personal account. Get a call from Loop to change the account into personal. Must send proof of address and Praneet’s photo since the phone is in his name.
Week 3
Phone service stalled. And like an ass, I kept looking at my phone thinking that there was a problem at the service provider’s end. Much later at night ‘bati jali mere dimag mein’ and I called Loop mobile. ‘Sorry Madam, but we needed your photo so we disconnected the phone’. Huh? How about informing me first? ‘Government policy’ madam.Ok, so where do I give the photo in Bandra?’ Uh, you have to come to Mahim Madam.’ First round of shouting and someone activates the phone and comes home to collect the photo.
Week 4
Go out of town and my phone does not work again. What now? Am phoneless for three days. In the meantime Mom from Nigeria panics coz I am unreachable. She calls sister in Thailand who calls daughter’s Vodafone number and checks on me. When I come back to Mumbai and call Loop Mobile, I am told that I don’t have roaming on my phone. Pray tell why? ‘This is a new account Madam. If you want to apply for it, you have to pay 2,500’. I rationalize – this is an old number and I have been a customer forever and ever. ‘Yes, but now this has been transferred on your name so we will treat it as a new account. Government rules’
Much shouting, to no avail. Atleast in Mumbai the phone is working. And on my weekly visits to Karjat, I don’t have to be accessible to anyone!
Week 5
Dial Mom’s number in Nigeria. Cant get thru. Call Loop again. ‘Sorry Madam. You don’t have ISD either’. OK! How do I get it? ‘You have to pay Rs.6000 to activate this. Cant you add it to my bill. No Madam we can’t. Government rules. ‘Ok, say I . where do I pay? ‘At the Mahim Branch.’
Good thing I think. Will call from Praneet’s phone and avoid clocking up a huge bill of my own.
Week 6
Get a message at 12 in the afternoon saying that my ‘credit limit of Rs.1500 has been exhausted. Please pay to avoid disconnection’. At 6 in the evening on my way home, the phone is not working again. Call the customer service people to be told that I have to pay asap for the account to start. But, I protest, you need to give me atleast a 12 hour notice..I cant handle this while I handle other things in office. Also , when my phone usage is Rs6000 on an average, why would you give me a credit limit of Rs1500. Am I supposed to visit the Loop Mobile place every week? ‘Sorry Madam, Government rules.’
Now Government and Loop Mobile be damned. I am going to another service provider. And their collection agents can chase me for an year now. After all I have had to come into office today when I could have chilled at home because of the railway men strike. And I did not get the message on my suspended account!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Pot Calling the Kettle black?
I am a bit fazed and confused by this whole Lalit Modi drama. The issue seems to be simple - there was pots of money being made from the IPL - some legal and some below the radar. There might have been match fixing and teams being allocated to friends . Lalit Modi may have used his private aircraft and billed it to IPL. IPL may also have been paying out large sums of money for his four seasons suite. And so on and so forth.
My point is - what is new? Is that not what everyone in this country and every other country do the same? Where there is money, pots of it to be made, do these things not occur? Look at our holier than thou politicians. In this very generation, most of them have become super duper rich. They own vast tracts of land, they have business interests in everything.And they don't even deliver value. When was the last time, a politician acknowledged and said 'I am not sorry to have stolen your money. I am arrogant about it too.This country is my personal fiefdom and I use the money to further my family's interests .I really see no reason why I should give you anything in return. If you act smart with me, i will bump you off. '
The story about Praful Patel's daughter 'chartering' out planes and about Pawar's daughter's stake in one of the franchisees has been quietly buried.Tharoor has been told to resign and cool off.
Atleast Lalit Modi delivered - and how. IPL is big, brash , over the top and great fun. It makes one optimistic that in the coming years, the sports infrastructure will improve so that Indians can perform better. A whole new generation of young indians got an opportunity to play with the big wigs of International and Indian Cricket.
The fuddy duddies of BCCI have been fuming for a while. But they really need to look within their hearts and ask themselves if they could have pulled off an IPL like Lalit Modi?
Politicians with all their foul money and bureaucrats with all their power cannot have done this. This required a person like Modi who is widely travelled, has a taste for good things and a vision to have executed this project impeccably.
So lets not hang him!
My point is - what is new? Is that not what everyone in this country and every other country do the same? Where there is money, pots of it to be made, do these things not occur? Look at our holier than thou politicians. In this very generation, most of them have become super duper rich. They own vast tracts of land, they have business interests in everything.And they don't even deliver value. When was the last time, a politician acknowledged and said 'I am not sorry to have stolen your money. I am arrogant about it too.This country is my personal fiefdom and I use the money to further my family's interests .I really see no reason why I should give you anything in return. If you act smart with me, i will bump you off. '
The story about Praful Patel's daughter 'chartering' out planes and about Pawar's daughter's stake in one of the franchisees has been quietly buried.Tharoor has been told to resign and cool off.
Atleast Lalit Modi delivered - and how. IPL is big, brash , over the top and great fun. It makes one optimistic that in the coming years, the sports infrastructure will improve so that Indians can perform better. A whole new generation of young indians got an opportunity to play with the big wigs of International and Indian Cricket.
The fuddy duddies of BCCI have been fuming for a while. But they really need to look within their hearts and ask themselves if they could have pulled off an IPL like Lalit Modi?
Politicians with all their foul money and bureaucrats with all their power cannot have done this. This required a person like Modi who is widely travelled, has a taste for good things and a vision to have executed this project impeccably.
So lets not hang him!
Friday, February 5, 2010
TERRORIST THACKERAYS
I am feeling pissed and let down. Why the hell is there so much bandobast for Rahul Gandhi? Don’t get me wrong..he is the best thing that could have happened to Indian Politics and he has killer dimples and looks. But the Centre and State machinery have been deployed; Rahul’s schedule changes because the powers are anxious about the Sena acting up. If this is the haal of the First Family what hope for regular manoos? Why is the Thackeray family not being arrested and tried for treason? Since when did they get the divine right to inherit Mumbai?? They have consistently gone against the Indian identity and focussed on the Marathi Manoos. They have not won the mandate from the Marathis either. They cause immense trauma to the very same people they purport to support. So, should Mumbai become their playground and when any Thackeray barks, this nation of the argumentative one billion and its politicians shut up? Charge them with terrorism and try them for treason. And make them pay for doing this to Mumbai every single time.
But maybe they are actually doing Congress a huge favour. These stupid acts will increase membership in the Congress drive in the City! I am going to register!
But maybe they are actually doing Congress a huge favour. These stupid acts will increase membership in the Congress drive in the City! I am going to register!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Letting it go!
I am one of those people who find it exceptionally hard to let things go. It could be a roadside mawali who is eve teasing, a boss who is unreasonable or even a relationship gone sour. I persevere at the stupidest of things till I find closure. And that closure can sometimes take forever!
One thing that I want to let go of and that won’t leave me is my weight! Slowly but steadily I have built it up on one pretext or the other – that I am the mother of two, kids need a cushion and not a stick to cuddle into, after 35 it is impossible to lose weight, I have to eat comfort foods coz my lifestyle is so stressed, I am khatte pitte ghar ki , Serdi women look pretty with stretched glowing skins blah blah blah. I think the biggest problem is that I don’t perceive myself in my thoughts as ‘fat’ person. I am not even pleasantly plump when I think of myself. I am slim and sexy!
But this world belongs to slim women – I swear! No store stocks my size, men of my age eye slim women and I suspect, slim women also have an unfair advantage at work.
So I have decided to lose weight. And I am pitting myself against Ashish Jagtiani who is also chronicling his attempts to lose weight in Mumbai Mirror. So let’s see if I do manage to lose weight till my birthday (hmm – ok – only 5 kgs!)And If I do lose more weight than Ashish (aka Jaggu of the Jaggu –Tarana fame)!
Wish me luck!! And I will post my progress!
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