Thursday, February 26, 2009

Are we becoming Alone ?

I Was just getting bored at work today as there was less work.I dont get these kind of days regularly. Therefore started reading something, as usual. And happened to come across a link through aol and read an article that is apt for todays world. The article was about the loneliness a person experiences living in todays world because of the way we communicate has undergone a drastic change. Mobiles, internet, i-pods with their VAS 's like 3g,Gps,Gprs and HDMI all are actually disconnecting us from the whole world instead of making us come in contact with the people around us.

It is a very common sight to find people with their mobiles phones, some still do it just to appear COOL. I don’t understand that why should a person talk too much to the one who is miles and miles away from him when the one sitting or standing right next to him/her feels left out and is neglected. The article cited such an example : two friends were strolling in a park one fine and beautiful evening, enjoying the nature around them and the conversation and the phone of one of the friends rang and he got busy breaking the conversation theirs. During their whole walk the other friend silently kept walking.

Once I heard my cousin making fun of his mom when her phone rang. He told me to rush and give the phone to his mom. I asked,”but why are you telling me to rush?” He said “Her phone hardly rings, so let her pick it up”. Today not to have enough calls is regarded as something that is out of fashion.

Why go far and give examples of others. Though I am not much addicted to my cell phone but I am certainly addicted to internet. When ever I get time, I am on internet. This has lessened my book reading as well. And believe me I am really upset by it. Mom always yells why do u sit in front of your p.c and spoil your eyes but I have been failing to listen to her. On the contrary I insist her to learn. But I know she is never going to learn it.:)

Last week, my comp broke down and had to give to the repair man and it took almost a week to come back to my house. For one or two days I was really finding it hard to kill the time without my companion. And wasnt even comfortable at all without checking my mails and blogging. It sort of irritated me , knowing fully that such irritation shouldnt happen over a thing like internet. Daily before going to bed I use net and then read and then go to sleep. But since last week p.c wanst there , I actually went out with my family or watched T.V with them. During this interval of not using p.c , atleast I got to watch “ the x-files”, which I now watch regularly. I realised that time we spend is to be spend beautifully doing things that gives us pleasure and not making us their slaves and taking us away from our family.

That week really taught me that there is a life beyond internet. Not that I sit for hours and hours on net. But whatever amount of time I spend on it shouldn’t become an addiction to me. Thank God it certainly hasn’t.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Valentine’s Day tips for those recession hit lovers !!!

In 2008 it may have been the most romantic day ever, but face it, man, 2009 is the year of the big R! Sorry mates, I don't mean Romance, I mean the Recession. Now's probably not the time to splurge on that extravagant Valentines' day treat for your special girl. But with a little help from me (my ideas), you may be just be able to salvage a few brownie points, even on a shoe string budget ............... indha matter romba mukiyam thambi !

It's not what you do, but how you do it

The most overused line in the history of gift-giving,idha solli solli yae ethanai dhadava kaalathai ottirupom ! but thats TRUTH for all of us. You may have given her a diamonds (appadiya ) or even the moon (nejjama naan kuduthaen ) in better times, but that doesn’t take the charm away from the little, sweeter things in life. This could be the time for a little adventure. A little effort could go a long way here, if you have a knack for the typical.

Dig into your own treasure of talents

Scratch your brains a little bit (valikum ... irunthalum paravalla ). Can you paint? Write poetry, maybe? (namma kai ezhuthae appadi thanna irukum. aporam enna doubt ? ) Go out there, buy yourself a box of paints and some good material to paint on (paperlaya vadu, in the worst case), Thank God for abstract art and start off. Draw up a few ‘master-pieces’, get the best one framed and hope she falls for it! (nambunga innum indha kaalathu ponnungaluku indha mathiri kalai ellam pudikumnu naan bookla padichaen ) You may have a classic in your hands that cost you around Rs50/- if not less( adigapachaaam ). The best part is, even if she hates the painting, she’ll probably adore you for the effort. Plus, poets and artists rate high on thinking women’s lust-lists…let’s just call it an added advantage if you pull it off!( work out aagum machi )

Surprise her, in public

Show up unexpected at her office on the eve of Valentines’ day, with a quaint little bouquet (neraya rose irukanum) in hand. Flowers can be expensive, especially at this time of the year, so choose carefully according to your budget. In front of the office crowd, give her the flowers, with a message on the lines of, “Of course I know it is not Valentine’s day, but I never need a reason to tell you how much I love you”.(indha scene podanum...... illa mappu ... unnaku aaapu dhaan di ) Ideally, whisk her away for a quick lunch, out of the blue, to a good place and pay the bill (vera vazhiyae illa ). Any roadside dhaba / namma tiffin kadai would also seem like a personal island in that mood. Summa namma "Minnalae" padthullla Reema sen mathiri .. " innoru plate paani poori nu " ivallum solluva !. But a word of caution,( romba mukiyam ) make sure it is not a bad day at her office or she may just throw the flowers in your face.(aporam namma Kounder Manni dialog dhaan "great the mistake !") And if the timing is right, you may even get a few new admirers in her office ( aiya Jollly ). Every woman loves a man who can be impulsively romantic .

No anticipatory bail

She knows you have problems at work, or that you are a victim of the meltdown. But you don’t have to rub it in every now and then, feeling sorry for yourself and using it as an excuse to not spend too much on the Valentines’ gift. She may be willing to pamper you with sympathy, but believe me, that will take its toll in the future. Just calm down and give her whatever you can afford. If she’s worth your while, she’ll definitely understand and love you all the more for it.( I dont lie... )

Avoid follow up ........... after effect .....

So you finally found a gift within your budget and gave it to her. She seemed happy and made it worth your while. So let’s forget this as soon as we can, ok? Once the situation improves, maybe on the 14th of next February, don’t pester her with questions like, “Why don’t you ever wear that beads necklace I gave you last Valentine’s Day?”. She may have thrown it away for all we know, but the important thing is, she did not throw it in your face when you gave it to her( mariyadai , mariyaadai therincha ponnu ). Appreciate her for understanding your circumstances and promise yourself you’ll get her something fancy to make up for it when you can ........ for sure ! ( illa maganae dappa dance aaadidum )


What do you have in mind for this Valentine’s Day? Send in your thoughts and plans too in the commments column....



puriyuudhu ....... Yaenda unnaku idhellamanu neenga kaekaradhu ,irunthalllum .............. social service na naaanga mattaiya madivom la ......