A Superb quote I read on the wall of a children's hospital..

Playtime with my One year old

My 1 year old is a busy body. He is always on the move, picking up things, throwing others around and  tasting everything he can get his hands on.
Playtime with my son are especially special!. Its amazing what little things can amuse a baby!.. For instance, the other day, i had lined up all the stainless steel spoons/bowls/ tumblers/ plates along the kitchen floor, that he hammered to his heart's content for a good half an hour. The "Kitchen Orchestra" is one noisy game!. But beware of irritable neighbors when you do this, least you have someone calling you over the intercom!. Another favorite with my son, is "See- Saw", on my legs- it works as play as well as good  exercise for the last few pounds of fat on my tummy." Dressing up Teddy" is fun too- he hates sharing his clothes- the game invariably ends as "Undressing Teddy".
Simple distractions like ringing a bell, playing with jingling key chains and making dance patterns to smoothing music on a blank wall with a torch light are a hit with my son.
A terrace ladder is fun too!. Its like an infant "jungle gym". He goes dizzy with happiness as he sticks his head in and out between the ladder steps.
An evergreen play idea is "Peek-a-Boo". He never tires of it.
Babies don't often play what you want them to play!.. Watching them play is fun too!. My son can go on for ages just pulling things out of boxes and throwing them back in!.

Social Networking.. boon or bane?

I sometimes wonder if social networking is really a good thing after all.. on the good side it does help to reconnect with ol' friends and it is a easy interface to keep in touch.. but on the flip side .. like everything else about our times, i wonder if it is pressurizing people to look/act/feel a certain way, invading privacy, and making fake projections of people rather than show them in their true light.

For instance, who hasn't selected their best looking pics to upload on to their profile.. more likely ones that have been digitally modified in some way!. A weekend trip is now a photo shoot for some- just to take cool pics to post on their pages. There is always a constant pressure to "look" or "make a show " of being a" successful" or "cool" personality- and the best part it is not easy to "pretend" to be having a lot of fun/success. A ol' college batchmate- you didn't even bother giving him a second glance while in college- posts a pic of himself standing proudly next to a Merc- and you wonder how in God's name did "he " of all people shoot up the ladder of success so fast! A rather conservative girl from school posts a picture of herself in a revealing outfit-somethin' you could never think you would wear yourself!. Are these all fake?- you question yourself. Sure, people change- but why do they all love exhibiting it online?? This alarming attitude of many social net-workers to weave a blanket of "fun- success- money" around themselves and the pressure on their peers to follow up with the same is troubling.

Working with the Right Attitude

Every morning as i park my car in the hospital parking lot, a smiling face greets me with a salute and an enthusiastic "Good Morning Madam!"- the parking lot security man.. an aged gentleman, impeccably dressed in his smart uniform, always sporting a cheerful face and attitude. He has the same smiling face and greeting for all the doctors who come his way and at whatever time of the day it might be. I am always struck by the attitude of this old man. His is a thankless job, bearing the heat and rain, he sits on a tiny curb adjoining the car park, "guarding" the cars. Its a boring job of 8 hours, on most days, with nobody giving his as much as a second glance. Yet this man, never seems bored or tired while on the job. He jumps up to guide any driver while they steer the car back or front, chases after young truants who try to get near the parking lot, and never misses to say a few words of small talk to every doctor through their car window. This simple man with the right attitude towards his job, has left a lasting impression on me.

A job, however small or insignificant, deserves its due attention and when we work with the right attitude, we can accomplish greater goals..

Eleven Men and One Ball

What is it about men and football! This obsession amongst our men folk has baffled me! I used to subscibe to the traditional women's contention- "What fun is it watching 11 grown up men run after 1 ball!!"

That was till last sunday. 

My husband is a complete football fanatic!- that is a gross understatement actually.. in fact i think he is possessed slave of the gods of football! His loyalties are to Arsenal- for me, a nicely named team of red-shirted players with a coach whose name has an umbilical cord like connection to the team name!(Arsene W). 

Anyway, there was this FA cup semifinal on TV this sunday between Arsenal and Chelsea. We have an unspoken and unwritten agreement when it comes to football matches- he gets to watch all his Arsenal matches at whatever times without a fight for the remote as long as I get to watch whatever I want at othertimes. But this sunday i wasn't exactly happy about surrendering my powers on the remote. Still a promise made, is a promise kept. So i sat there, rather gruppily, slouched on the sofa.. forced into watching the match, for i had nothing else to do. 

Now i have never actually watched a football match from start to finish.. But this time, i was hooked!.. the match was actually captivating especially if have a side to support. It was a duel betwen the strengths of opponents- a test of power and mindplay. The emotions were palpable.One moment, you would cheer for your player when he nears the goal to shoot and the next moment, raise your hands up over a missed oppurtunity. What more, you never have comercials interuppting the play session! like in cricket! Also the commentary is fast-paced, not the usual small talk they make like in cricket.

My husband quickly filled me in on the rules of the game as it rolled on- and come to think of it, when you actually understand the sport, it makes great entertainment!.I guess, i was always in the dark about football, since women don't exactly "play" football in school/college..its regarded as a male sport for the most part. Unlike tennis/hockey/badminton.. women really haven't percolated into football in a big way- part of the reason that women turn their noses up at their partners wanting to catch the match!

Anyway, Arsenal lost the match 1-2, despite my husband swearing by his lucky Arsenal jersey and dribbling an imaginery ball  with his feet, like his gods on TV! But the larger point- it was a great fight to watch.. although Arsenal seemed sloppy at some point.

And for my final message- for all women folk- watch football!..its definitely more entertaining than those ridiculous soap operas or staged reality shows!..In fact Football Rocks!

The Funniest Diary Ever!

Im not a major fiction fan..although an avid reader, I prefer periodicals and non-fiction paperbacks to reading a novel.. . so if I'm recommending a storybook.. it must really be special. Recently, while visiting my local lending-library, i came across the book "Bridget Jones Diary". Having seen the movie, I reluctantly picked it up and flipped through a few pages. Hmm.. it seemed interesting enough.. so i brought it home to read. And I landed up reading it cover to cover, without a break, laughing to my self, all the way. It was simply hilarious!. Every woman (and man) must read this masterpiece of comical writings. It is written like a diary.. as the name goes.. each day's entry starts off with her weight/no of ciggis she's had/ no of glasses of alcohol she's consumed/ and her remarks about the same!. I think every woman can identify (at least in part) with BJ's life- her mistakes in love, her obsession with her appearence/weight, her friends and their advices, her parents and their concerns and most of all her never-dying resolution to change (for the better!). Badly need a laugh?? Get you hands on this book!

Be more Persuasive

Have you ever had a conversation with someone when you start off saying something and after the course of the conversation land up agreeing to the complete opposite?! Well this is one of my biggest weakness. 

Its not that the other person is being malaciously manipulative.Its just that, i give so much leverage, (so much for being polite), that i often hesitate to say something that might upset the other person. Its a big disadvantage. I think i should talk first and talk more.. maybe that will help. But sometimes we just run into "walled" personalities, who don't want to hear anything to the contary of their opinion, that it becomes difficult to convince them of anything. There are others who selectively choose what is convenient for them, and ignore the rest. These two personalities are the hardest to combat. They are invariably pessimsitic  and moan at every hurdle.

Here's something i read about handling these kinda people..and being more persuasive at a conversation..

• First do the work of defining what you really want your audience to know. Otherwise you will simply get lost in your words and either give up or come out the other end not knowing what it is you were trying to say.
  
• eliminate what is of no importance. Why? Because just as you don't want your key ideas to get lost in details, you certainly don't want them to get lost in elements that have no business being there in the first place.
  
• Say what needs to said in minimum number of words.
• People will listen to you better if you show them what they gain by listening to you.
• Display logic and give presise information..it will immediately get the attention of others.

How difficult is it to keep in touch ladies?

Of late im peeved by old friends who dont keep in touch. I have a friend of 14 years (yes 14 years!).. somebody i spent my entire chilhood (and teenage years) with. We spent everyday of those years together-sitting on the terrace and having endless discusssions about our crushes, playing on the streets in front of our houses, going cycling around the colony, watching all the movies that came to town- that all ended when she got married and left with her husband to live on another continent. It was easier for her, i'd say, since at least her world was new and she had a husband for company. For me, I was left all alone without my soul mate to share my woes/joys. Well eventually, as life moves on, you move along, and I left for different places and made new friends.But she was always my special friend- somebody i so proudly used to say to everybody was so like me. I knew she wasnt the sentimental kind and initially it never bothered me that i never got any replies to my mails/ calls. But as time went, it became an increasing frustrating one way communication. Life was full for her- new friends, family and then later even a son. I gave her many chances, taking the busy life of married women into consideration. I would devise innnovative ways to get in touch with her- second and thrid degree common friends.I would wait till the 20th ring of my 5th call till i hung up the phone. But all i got was a once -in-a-blumoon superficial -inquiry -call back. 

Now, i have given up. 

What is it with girls who get married and think that..marriage/family/career..thats their sole mission on earth..to hell with old friends..to the extent that they begin to avoid all old contacts??..its an emotional draining experience for the poor old friend. I've also noticed that this a predominantly female syndrome.. women never bother to keep in touch with their ol pals.. while the men folk regularly make plans with their childhood buddies.

Its high time women get social with their old friends.. again.

What Martians need to know about Venusians!

I always have my male friends running to me for advice about "handling girls". Although there are innumerable self-help guides on book shop selves, gender relationships these days are more strained than ever. Well, i may not be an authority on this subject, but there are some things i would like to tell the male bastion out there on how to handle the fairer sex- emotionally, physically and interllectually..here goes..

1. Never go out with a girl just for the heck of it/because everyone else is doing it/for sex only/because it makes u look more appealling/sensitive to others etc. Trust me guys, 90% of girls are looking for commitment..(even when they say otherwise!) maybe even marriage..so if u are a "commitment-phobic"type of guy.. ur better off staying away from girls.
   
2. Never give ur shoulder to cry on to a girl who has just gotton out of/or is in a bad relationship- unless u are serious of getting into one with her!- because thats when girls are most vunerable and go ga-ga over the first Adonis they meet.
3. Never reveal bits of ur physically/sexual activities to any common friends (better not to reveal them at all)..it always messes up a relationship.
4. Listen, Listen. Listen or at least pretend to!..thats a BIG turn on for girls.. makes them confidant that they have got the guy's attention.
5. Never go out with a girl who already has a BF, unless ur confidant that u can be a better (not sexually) and longer-lasting BF
6. Never rush/force sex on ur girl..go slow..go wild.. and always cuddle at the end.. that shows u care about matters beyond sex (even if u dont really)
7. If ur girl knows more about something than u, dont take it for a insult.. appreciate her for it and self congratualate urself that such a smart girl picked U for her beau..also there will be a zillion other things that u will defintely know more about than her
8. Let her be free .. dont restrict her/crush her ambitions/be possessive..its amazing how wonderful this can be for ur relationship..if she's truely ur girl..she'll know how to handle the freedom to the advantage of ur relationship..and u'll reap the benefits
9. Help her with the house work/errands.. a women always love it when the man does things that are traditionally branded as "women's work".. its just like the thrill men get when they see a women fighter pilot.. only women feel no intimidation!
10. Whenever ur girl asks u "How do i look?" or "Am i looking fat in this?" always give a positive booster first, and then subtlely drop a hint, if u think otherwise (better to forget the hint somethimes)..like if u dont like the dress say "Its lovely.. makes u look so radiant..but not quite as the one u wore for.. blah ".. or say " u dont look fat..not like  Miss X (who ur wife/GF hates/envies).. u look voluptious.. thats such a turn on!.