Thursday, February 22, 2007

Mission ‘Uninstalling Internet Explorer 7 a.k.a. IE7’

Wow Internet Explorer 7!!! It is Awesome!!! Tabbed look, RSS feed viewer, Search box, Quick Tabs, Stronger Security, and lots of other things. I feel blessed. day dreaming

Days passed & nights passed with blessings all around. But hold on what’s that? Is that a fly in my soup? IE7 doesn’t work with this software; IE7 doesn’t work with that software. Phew!!!

idea
Googling...

Oh, it’s not the IE7; it’s the software which is not compatible with IE7. Seems like they need to release new versions. But until that happens, it seems that I need to adieu to IE7. I will miss you.

Anyways, let me uninstall the IE7. How do I do that? IE7 doesn’t have any uninstall option in the Start Menu entries. Oh, you are a dumbo Ro. You need to go to Add/Remove Programs from Control Panel. Scrolling the big list…here it is Microsoft Internet Explorer 7. Let me click on it to get the Change/Remove button. Where is the button? Hey. Hello. Where are you? Let me see others in the list. They have the button. Why it’s not on the IE7?

Let me go the Microsoft way….Reboot the machine.

Restarted -> Logged in as Local Administrator to avoid permissions issues -> Went to Add/Remove Programs. Uff, It’s not there still. (God!!! Time to file a ticket to IT Helpdesk?) day dreaming

Googling...

Oh, I need to select “Show updates” on the top of the Add/Remove dialog box. I selected it and then could see few updates under IE7. YES!!! They have the buttons. Seems like I have to uninstall the updates first to get the button on IE7 item. Smart concept!!!

I uninstalled the 2 updates. Rebooted the machine. Went to Add/Remove box. broken heart . Fainted! No buttons yet. Now what is the problem? Who took the button?

Googling...
Googling...
Googling...
GREAT!!! peace sign Long live Microsoft!!! It’s a known Bug. bug

Microsoft believes that after installing IE7 on your machine, if you get a Change/Remove button in the Add/Remove Dialog box for IE7, you are lucky. If you don’t, you are in the mass, just like me. Read this: KB923721. The page reads: “You cannot uninstall Windows Internet Explorer 7 Beta 2”. What a title! Though the page speaks about problems with IE 7 Beta 2 only, but it is true with the IE7 Final version too. I used the Final version only.

The suggested workaround: 7MB download cost on the network. nailbiting . You need to download the Internet Explorer Uninstall Tool package.
The uninstaller uninstalls the IE7 and you get back your IE6. At last! (I am feeling better now. I will sleep well tonight. Thanks KB, thanks Microsoft.)

This is the first time I have come around a software which asks you to download the uninstaller separately. I wonder Microsoft didn’t release any patch for this too.

Lesson Learnt: When you download IE7 installer, make sure you download the IE7 Uninstall Tool too.

Cheers!

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

ASL Plz

I nvr tho8 dat it wud end lke diz. Scrabbled? Read ahead….

I hate using shortcuts such as hru, sm1, gr8, etc. in sms, chats. Still there are some selective ones which I use such as ttyl, asl and kit. I use asl as everyone else does for getting a stranger's introduction during online chats (which I seldom do). But last week happened a strange but funny incident.

Read this small conversation…..

Italiano (name changed): Hey!
Ro: who is this?
Italiano: I am from Italy.
Ro: not interested.
Italino: sad
Ro: straight face
Italiano: Can I chat with you.
Ro: Tell me a thing first, how did you get my id?
Italiano: yahoo directory
Ro: I see.
Italiano: Can I chat with you.
Ro: (thinking)
Italiano: ??
Ro: (thinking)
Italiano:crying
Ro: ok.
Italiano: kiss
Ro: worried
ASL plz.
Italiano: asl means???????????????
Ro: Are you new to chat?
Italiano: asl means???????????????
Ro: Age Sex Location
Italiano: blushing
Ro: (confused what did I write wrong. Let me see again what we talked. Why this blushing symbol.) What was there to be Blushing in it?
Italiano: Hmmmm, You are naughty.
Ro: Don’t be fishy with me.
Italiano: blushing
Ro: at wits end Why this blushing symbol? Is anything funny going on here?
Italiano: No you said na “Sex Location”. You are very naughty blushing
Ro: (grrrrrrrrr kit kit kit kit kit)

Ro has signed out!!!


Lesson learnt: “Never use shortcuts with strangers. NEVER!!!”

Thought it was annoying to me at the time but I remember I smiled so many times after signing out thinking about the incident. And even now when I am writing this post I am smiling again. Now the scene is that anytime I read the word “ASL” I am rofl. Rofl means rolling on the floor laughing rolling on the floor. I wsh I m nt wrtng shrtcts nymre. nailbiting

Before ending this post a strong advice….avoid using shortcuts with those who you don’t know, else my best wishes with you.

CA (Come Again). peace sign

Monday, February 12, 2007

Love is just Love

It was more than 2 years back, 26th August 2004 to be specific, when I wrote these lines of thoughts. I remember I was undergoing my graduation exams at that time and during the small breaks from studies, I used to add more lines to this. [don't worry, I topped the exam :)]. And this is how this entire thing came up. Why I wrote it?......that is a completely different story. May be in another post some time?

I don't know whether I should call it a poem or not, but as for me these lines sings by themselves so I call it a poem, My First Poem. I hope to write many more in the coming days, when I am in mood.

As I am writing so many other things on this blog site I thought of putting this one too. So that it could be found anytime. And what could have been a better time to add it to this site than this week. A week when Love is in the Air all around. So, here it goes...."Love is just Love."


Love is just LOVE


Love is……………a Mystery.


Love is the language through which
two hearts express the intangible.
Love is an ocean of immense ecstasy
where one sinks deep
to soak soul in drops heavenly.


Love is the smile that sparkles
in someone’s presence.

Love is the tear that trickles
when one cares for someone.


Love is the immeasurable faith
that sprouts when
when one finds the other half.
Love embraces without pretenses.


Let me remain me
Let you remain you…
Let’s unite to become one forever.

Is this what Love says?


Love is the song that is sung
at the silent beats of heart.
Love is the divine rhythm
at which soul dances recklessly.

Love is a treasure of enticing pain
where one longs for someone
countless nights and days.
Love is infinite
expanding beyond the cerulean sky
and carrying in it the whole of existence.


Love is the string which ties
two souls in eternal bond.
Love is completion
with a streak of emptiness in it;
emptiness that is fulfilled
only in the presence of the beloved.


Love is the creation of a creator.
Love is the poem of a poet.
Love is the painting of an artist.
Love is the symphony of a musician.
Love is the religion of a lover.
Love creates but never destroys.
Love is a faith which never betrays.

Love is a rainbow
that embellishes eyes
with its myriad colors.

Love is the blooming flower
whose sweet fragrance
intoxicates the senses.

Love is a drop of water
on the heart of parched desert.
Love is a beam of light
flashing in vast darkness.


Love is the breath
that carries wisps of scented air.
Love is the sigh one takes
in remembrance of someone.


Love is a shower of rain
sprinkling around boundless bliss.
Love is life flourishing
in its most awesome form.


Love is Everything
and Everything is Love
yet words fail to delineate
what
Love is.


Love is
ineffable

inexpressible
indefinable.

Love is beyond words.


Love is the ancient wine
with its flavor beyond description.

Falling in
Love entails rising …
Falling and rising together…

A puzzle it is... isn’t it?


Love is a feeling
that one may have for a moment
but whose essence lasts forever.


Love happens once in a lifetime
but it’s tough to recognize it
it just happens…happens by itself.


Love is the purest virtue, the highest power
a dais where once you step,
you leave behind all selfishness and desires

as Love increases, desires decrease.


Love nurtures soul in a bliss.
Love doesn’t know give and take.
Love just shares…beyond boundaries.
Love doesn’t bind;

its sets one free
removing bars and inhibitions.


Love is beyond logics..

Love is beyond deductions….
Love is beyond understanding……
Love is beyond comprehension…….


A riddle that can be solved
only when one falls in
Love.
So…………

Fall in Love

to see how Love elevates soul to higher terrains.


And as any other word would fail to describe
what Love is
So…………..

let it remain the way IT IS.


Love is just Love.
Nothing below nothing above……
Love Is Just “LOVE”.

Love is a gift. A feeling, an inspiration which can raise someone to the sky from the ashes.

If you love someone Express it. For, an unexpressed love can turn out to be a poison, a poison that will not kill you, but would make you suffer each and every moment. Don’t worry how your beloved would respond to you, because you didn’t ask him/her before you started loving. He/she might not respond to you at all. Never mind, if you loved honestly your duty is to just keep on loving. You never know when stars turn your way and starts shining on you with their full strength. You never know when the cupid hits the bull’s eye. You never know.

So, express your love, express your feelings to the person who matters the most in your life, i.e. your beloved.

Wishing you all the very best of luck.

With Lots of Love.

Ro

Sunday, February 04, 2007

When in India do as the Indians do

3 attempts.
1st) 6 hours in line. 1st counter: cleared. 2nd counter: rejected. Result: 2+ hours sitting on stairs thinking what to do.
2nd) 2 counters: cleared. 3 verifications: negative. Result: 2+ days sitting in dark thinking what to do.
3rd) Bribe (read ‘donation’). Result: Passport in hand.

Lesson learned: “When in India do as the Indians do”. Welcome to India Ro!

I know most of the people reading this post will say, “It is alright, Ro. It happens here daily. And after all, all is well that ends well”. Agree.

But this was one thing which kept me worried for over a year since I took the 1st attempt. When I first filed the application for my passport 12 months ago, I had doubts in my own mind but someone vowed me his strong back-support (what was the word: “contacts”). And the words after the result, “Come back, let’s plan the next attempt”. I vowed, “I won’t with you”, and I didn’t. 3 months back I filed again through an agent (the word this time: “care”). And the words after the results, “You should have made some offerings too”. I talked to myself “I have never done it. I don’t want to either. Let’ see if things can be done without dirtying my hands”. Then came the third attempt with the same agent a month back; the weapon this time: bucks. And it worked. Congratulations!!!

Even still today I am unable to believe that I did such things to get things done. And I don’t know whether I should feel happy or frustrated. I had heard it many times that in India (at least) you need to pay the officers some money ‘too’ to seek happy ending. But I thought that there are only few people who expect such. But I was wrong. All men are same. I don’t know if I have got this mentality of donating injected in me now, but at least I will not be showing a cold shoulder to it if needed. Life has again been very educating through these attempts.

And today when I am writing this post, one of my friends is suffering the same problem. No offerings have already resulted in a negative feedback. Time for another warm Indian welcome, hun?

I was reading an Article in the Times of India (Newspaper, India) last week. The front page headline read “India: World’s No. 1 Bribe Payer”. No wonder to me as India has always been at the top of these lists. But this time I said to myself, “I am also a part of it, now”.

I contributed just for my passport. People do it for so many other things, everyday, everywhere.

Corruption is far dangerous than diseases like Cancer and AIDS today. Rather it would be a foolish act trying to make any comparisons. We all have read it so many times in printed media and have seen on electronic. But what are the reasons behind such bribing all around us? Who are responsible? Let’s check out the viruses:

Virus I: The Politicians. Every 1 out of 3 politicians today are charge-sheeters. No wonder that they are great inspirations to the public. And it seems like we love them so much hence re-elect most of them.

Virus II: Judicial System. 365 days in a year, 730+ scams. Lots of hearings, lots of accusations and lots of escapes (read: clearance). No big player goes to jail. Another great source of motivation.

Virus III: Population: Everything in India can be cursed to population. Too little jobs and too little average household income. Most of the people in public departments are not paid properly; hence they are forced to take bribes (officially?). Too many applicants and fewer seats; hence they are forced to make bribes (officially? Yes.) and get in. Officially because institutes/schools call it “donation”. Bribe got this official name long long ago.

Virus IV: You and Me.
Most of the people today have “I don’t care” attitude. It seems like we have become used to it. We don’t really care anymore and are ready to pay bribes as it would speed up our work. And those who don’t or can’t bribe, never raise their voices against it. I hear people say, “Who wants to take the pain of shouting, is it worth? I will find another way myself”. Seems like we all believe in system at first, don’t we?

I won’t quote lengthy on this topic because everyone knows how things work or how to make things work. So I am skipping those great stories here.

Though I personally feel (read: believe) that there is no solution to this bug but if there is any it has to be a change in our attitude. Not just me, not just you, everyone.

Time for self-check: Have you ever bribed someone in any way? (I can already see you nodding yes so many times). Feel free to share your brave endeavors with us here.

Right now, I am also in a fight with an apex Educational institute. Once it’s over, I will share the story.

With the hope that our ranking goes down.
Signing off.

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Platonic Friends. What’s wrong with my friendship?

This post is over 1700 words. So if you are running short of time, feel free to exit. But if you think you can give your 5 minutes, you may enlighten us with your views on this.

Who is your best friend? Ahem! My best friend is Shalini/Rita/Priyanka. I suppose this is the most impromptu answer expected to such a question. Why? B’coz in our society being best pals with someone of opposite gender is yet not too acceptable a thing. So Rita (name changed) pushes her best friend Amit to the back of her mind and declares Shalini as her best pal. Strangely, it is to Amit she turns when she is in dire straits or when she needs a shoulder to weep on. It is with Amit who she celebrates her latest A grades. But still these answers come, it happens very regularly. Do these sound familiar to you too?

Even though we declare ourselves from a rapidly developing society which claims to be having a broad minded thinking, the common view still is that friendship can not exist between a boy and a girl b’coz if your best friend is a girl then she is a ‘girlfriend’ and if you are a girl and your best pal is a boy he is your ‘boyfriend’.

And it is so rooted to our culture that a dialogue on this had become the best dialog of the decade years ago. It was as “Ek ladka aur ladki kabhi dost nahi ho sakte” (A boy and a girl can never be friends) from the movie Maine Pyar Kiya (India, year 1989).

Why it is so? Why can’t we think beyond this sick-minded-ness and regard this healthy and pure relationship. Why can’t we just let two people live their own lives? Or why can’t we mind our own business first?

I know reading this post till this point you would be thinking that it is pity that people have such a narrow mind. We are in the 21st century and should think broad now. But time for a self-check, be honest to yourself and think: how many times you have seen a boy and a girl sitting on bench in a park and have not raised your eye-brows? Even when you don’t know any of them and have no ideas what they are talking about. How many times you have seen a boy and a girl talking in the ground floor and have not passed comments when you go up to your colleagues? “You know what, just when I was coming up, I saw Rita with a boy downstairs. They were quarreling. It seems the boy was her boyfriend”. Don’t you do so too? Be honest, b’coz I don’t want to comment on this now b’coz if I do I will add 1000-2000 more words to this post.

I read a verse from Chanakya few days ago, “There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no Friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth.”. I think he is true and I think it is not bitter even it is good that there is some self-interest. Why? B’coz if you don’t have an interest in something you will not think of it, you will not work for it, you will not feel for it.

You breathe b’coz your interest is in your life, you eat b’coz your interest is in your health, you work not for the success of your company but b’coz your interest is in your career and your prestige, you invest b’coz your interest is in a secure future, you love b’coz your interest is in removal of loneliness and you cry that is also b’coz your interest is in letting go off the pain. Are these interests wrong?

You meet some one and befriend her. That is also due to some self-interest and it is that you need someone when you are down, you need someone when you want to shout at, you need someone to talk to when there is no one to listen to your funny stories, you need someone to make a call to when you find your are bored and also you need someone at the time when you see others happy with their own companions.

Are these self-interests wrong as per you my friends? If yes, I tell this to ALL my friends, I am wrong too I am totally wrong. B’coz my friendship with you was, is and will be only and only b’coz of my self-interests. What is that self-interest that may vary for one to the other. For someone it is that I want him to get over the illness immediately so the next time I see him I don’t lose more faith in god (b’coz I don’t want to turn an atheist). For someone I want her to see at the top of her career. What purpose that will serve me? One day, it may make me say, “you see that girl, yes the one with the prize in her hands, she is ‘my’ friend. And I am proud that we are friends”. That will give me immense happiness. But hold on...it is scientifically proved that when you are happy, some useful chemicals are produced in your body that is good for your health. Here also self interest. Justified, isn’t it?

But hold on here again, had that been a boy you would have gone on stage to congratulate him but as she is a girl you will sit silently and wait for the ceremony to get over so that you can meet and congratulate her separately. Why? B’coz if you go on the stage to congratulate her, there would be more people talking of this incident then people talking about her getting a prize.

What is the solution and who is responsible for such mentality? I will talk about the latter first b’coz after that the former will not need much talking.

Responsible…the society, the education and the individual him/her-self.

The society…and by society I mean the people of it. It is they who spread rumors, it is they who talk about these on every nook and corner for hours when their family needs them badly. “You know I saw Amit & Rita sitting in a temple. I suspect something is fishy here”. Or, “This boy comes to Rita’s house very regularly, seems like some thing is cooking here”.

The education, b’coz we from our very young age have been taught rather instructed that as a girl, you should play with girls only and vice versa. Young minds already molded at so early stage, how can we expect them to think differently now?

And The individual…that is YOU. Yes you are responsible too. If you are honest and what you are doing is not wrong, why it bothers you what others ‘may’ or do say. Why can’t Rita go ahead and say that yes Amit is her best friend and he is always there when she need him. Why can’t it happen that when people point fingers on your true & platonic relationship you can’t stand tall to defend it with all your force? If you value your friendships you should, else do one thing my friend, free it off.

I know if this post is being read by an Angel, she would say, “Ro, you are a boy and if a boy says that his best friend is a girl then it might not raise problems but I am a girl. If I say this it will be like calling troubles and lots of questions to self. B’coz in our society girls are known to be in Limits and we can’t ignore those raised eyebrows and snide remarks around ourselves”.

Why do we want to bind ourselves by these taboos? Why can’t we go ahead and break the shackles. Why? B’coz I feel we don’t have courage to do so. It takes great courage to raise a problem but it takes one’s heart to go ahead and fight against it.

I personally also have also gone through a lot of these comments & rumors and that too repeatedly but I don’t care until it comes to me directly. I believe that there is no point calming down barking dogs b’coz they are all around me but when one tries to bite me, it would never be able to bite ever again. Many times it comes directly to me too, multiple times BUT it has never been from the same person. Why? I defend it so strongly that the person listening can never raise the question again. Why do I defend? Simple, b’coz I value that friendship. I want that to grow and I am in no mood to let any one outsider come and cast an evil eye on it. People even come and say dirty things b’coz they envy me sometimes for such a close friendship, but ask me if I care. Why should I? Is what I am doing wrong? Is what I am doing not justifiable? When I know that what I am doing is not wrong I should not care what people say of it and I don’t. And the day I feel that what I am going to do is wrong, I will not do it in the first place.

Now the time for the solution. I will not say much on this b’coz I want the readers to leave solution to this as a comment (please do let me know that is it same at your place too or is it only in India?). Hence, I will stay short. For me the solution relates to the most complex thing in the universe, The Human Mind. Our heart is not bad, it understands the feelings of an individual, but our mind has been so polluted from ages that we can’t think beyond these things. What we need is proper guidance, proper counseling and above all proper education; out-house as well as in-house education. And rather than the toddlers it is the time when grown up people need these more. Even though we have co-education schools today the story has not changed much.

We need to make people feel that it is perfectly alright if a boy and a girl is talking over phones, it is perfectly alright if they are meeting regularly, it is perfectly alright if they are counting on each other, it is perfectly alright if they are friends.

As healthy competition is encouraged among all age groups and all genders, so should friendship.

With a hope that our mind, our mentality will change for the betterment of an individual and friendship flourishes around us.

Straight from the heart of a person who be-live-s in friendship.

Friday, December 08, 2006

Let’s Talk About Sex

Ha Ha Ha. Before you start thinking too much, let me be clear. It’s not a post that talks about various issues/concepts related to sex. But rather I wrote this post to share a very un-common song that I heard recently. Un-common because it talks of a topic which is not commonly talked about in our society.

I found this beautiful track 2 days back in a music portal that I was surfing as I am an avid music lover. And I must say after hearing the song I was impressed. Hence, I thought of sharing this song with all of you. I loved this song b’coz of its to-the-point-speaking-style, the topic selection, the music, and mostly because it hammers on conservatism, something I hammer too. :)

I don’t know if you will like this or not, but still give it a shot. And let me know if you like the song by posting your comments here.

Some of the comments that I have received:

AV:


  • “I heard this song for the first time…..but I must admit the song is really good…..both in terms of music and the lyrics…..actually too good b’coz it speaks of a serious topic in a most beautiful way…..”


SM:


  • “Thanks for the song...its catchy to ears really. ‘Lets talk about sex baby’, its nice. Good for my aerobic exercises also, very beautiful.”


You can download this song (size: 5.22 MB) from the link here (UPDATED):

Download LetsTalkAboutSex MP3


In case the site (tripod.com_ is blocked at your place, you can go via various proxy sites as below and enter the actual url (http://personalispolitical.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/letstalkaboutsex.mp3) in the text box there ;) :

http://www.calculatepie.com/
http://www.mathtunnel.com/

Or just let me know, I will forward you the mp3 via e-mail.


Let's Talk About Sex - The Album history



"Let's Talk About Sex" is the name of a song by the American R&B/hip-hop trio Salt-N-Pepa. It was released as a single from their Blacks' Magic album in the year of 1991. The song, which was certified Gold by the RIAA and peaked at #13 at the Billboard Hot 100 chart, talks about safe sex, the positive and negative sides of sex and the censorship that sex had around that time in American mainstream media. It also highlights the conservative thinking towards this topic.

Its peak on the Billboard Hot 100 was perhaps lower than its sales might have suggested, possibly because of cautiousness over playing hip-hop/rap singles on some radio stations at the time. In the purely sales-based UK Singles Chart, the song hit #2, and in the German singles chart, the song hit #1, the first original song by an American hip-hop act to achieve that feat.

--- Song Lyrics ---


[Spinderella, cut it up one time!
Hit me
Come on]

[Punch it, Hurb)
Yo, I don't think we should talk about this
Come on, why not?
People might misunderstand what we' tryin' to say, you know?
No, but that's a part of life
Come on

(chours)

Let's talk about sex, baby
Let's talk about you and me
Let's talk about all the good things
And the bad things that may be
Let's talk about sex

Let's talk about sex for now to the people at home or in the crowd
It keeps coming up anyhow
Don't decoy, avoid, or make void the topic
Cuz that ain't gonna stop it
Now we talk about sex on the radio and video shows
Many will know anything goes
Let's tell it like it is, and how it could be
How it was, and of course, how it should be
Those who think it's dirty have a choice
Pick up the needle, press pause, or turn the radio off
Will that stop us, Pep? I doubt it
All right then, come on, Spin

CHORUS

Hot to trot, make any man's eyes pop
She use what she got to get whatever she don't got
Fellas drool like fools, but then again they're only human
The chick was a hit because her body was boomin'
Gold, pearls, rubies, crazy diamonds
Nothin' she ever wore was ever common
Her dates heads of state, men of taste
Lawyers, doctors, no one was too great for her to get with
Or even mess with, the Prez she says was next on her list
And believe me, you, it's as good as true
There ain't a man alive that she couldn't get next to
She had it all in the bag, so she should have been glad
But she was mad and sad and feelin' bad
Thinkin' about the things that she never had
No love, just sex, followed next with a check and a note
That last night was dope

Let's talk about sex, baby (sing it)
Let's talk about you and me (sing it, sing it)
Let's talk about all the good things
And the bad things that may be
Let's talk about sex (come on)
Let's talk about sex (do it)
Let's talk about sex (uh-huh)
Let's talk about sex

Ladies, all the ladies, louder now, help me out
Come on, all the ladies - let's talk about sex, all right
(repeat)

[Yo, Pep, I don't think they're gonna play this on the radio
And why not? Everybody has sex
I mean, everybody should be makin' love
Come on, how many guys you know make love?]

CHORUS

Spinderalla cut it up one time

What we have here is subject to controversy
A three-letter word some regard as a curse, see
He may fiend and have a wet dream
Because he seen a teen in tight jeans
What makes him react like that is biological
The skem of gettin' in those jeans, it's diabolical
But of course he does it, and she gives him rap,
and before you even know it, they jump in the sack
As a matter of fact, sometimes it's like that
But anyway, ready or not, here he cums
and like a dumb son-of-a-gun, oops, he forgot the condom*hey!*
"Oh well," you say, "what the hell, it's chill,
I won't get got, I'm on the pill"
Until the sores start to puff and spore
Down your drawers
He gave it to you, and now it's all yours

CHORUS

--- ---

Let me know if you like the song. Your honest comments would be awaited & valued.

Cheers!!!

Monday, December 04, 2006

Hit me, kill me, but do not lie to me.

(Unedited)

If there is anything which is worse than a sin then, as for me personally, it is Lie. I HATE LIES or I better say DISHONESTY/CHEATS and I will continue to hate it as long as I live. And in all the places further when I use the term ‘Lie’ I would essentially mean ‘Dishonesty’.

It is very difficult for me to forgive a person who lies/lied to me. Because for someone who is so emotionally attached to people around him, feelings value. And when feelings are hurt, you cry. If you are beaten physically you would only suffer physical pain, if some comes and cuts your legs/hands off you will be handicapped physically. But when someone hurts your heart, your inner spirit, it is worse. Something that can never be repaired. It is an old saying that once a mirror is broken it can never show the complete image even if it is joined somehow. There will always be a scar. Scar on body can be cured or covered, but scar on heart can only be covered never cured. And I face the fear around me always, be it my colleagues, my contacts, my well wishers, or even my true friends.

In my short life of 7 years, 7 because I believe I came to life only since 1999. It was the time when I realized (though not understood ever) what is life all about. I started knowing people, their out(s) and their in(s). I came to know what is wrong, what is right, what is a crime, what is a sin. I came to know when and how much to value someone’s word. I came to know who should I talk to and who should talk to me. And when all these happened at once, my list of people around me got shorter suddenly. I am sad (but not sorry) that it happened. When I came to know the reality of some of my friends my inner self did not allow me to continue any touch with them. And since then I have been very selective when it comes to making friends. Some people consider it as my shyness but I wish that they read this post before creating judgments on my behavior.

For me friends are not just people around you who you see, smile, wave, part & then forget. They are people who you think of when they are not there with you, people you want to know about, people you care for, people you want to help by any means, people you long to meet, and people you would love to be with in your next life too. Not to mention that those people should have same set of feelings towards you. I know you must be thinking of your many friends right now and trying to figure out how many fit into these standards. Don’t be sad. And that is why my friend list is very small. And rest people come to another list which I call “Contacts”. I would like to reveal here that people have always caught me hanging around on my mail box, over instant messenger or talking over the wireless media continuously. If it is so it is because of those beautiful gifts that I have received from god in the form of friends. And I am proud to call them friends, real friends. I am also proud that I am caught talking to them. And honestly it will continue, as long as I live and as long I have such people with me.

I know it might sound that why from the subject of lies I have diverted towards friendship. It is because when I hear a lie I can’t help think of those people who are honest. My friends (people in the 1st list) don’t lie to me. Not because they are very honest internally (no one can be 100% honest), but god’s grace they try to remain honest to me.

And I am strong enough to say that if I come to know of some one’s dishonesty, there would be a big scar on my friends list and another small one on my heart once more. I feel I am used to this. Why? That is a different story.

This very personal and very close to me post of mine is also read by my such friends and I say them openly, “I expect you to be honest.” I may sound rude but this the way I am. If I treat some one my friend, I think I have the right to expect honesty from them. And I assure that my honesty will remain as it has been till now.

This post is comparatively longer than the rest of the posts here and reason is simple, myself. I want to note down all this here, which I and others can read today or in the days to come.

In our religions, jainism in particular and hinduism is general, we are taught that speaking lies is a sin. I feel proud to be a part of such a community which seeds such values within us from our childhood. Still many people forget them, either due to situation or due to their own will, but those who remember, sooner or later feel the importance of it.

When one lies he/she has to keep a lot of things ready to face. He/she prepares the answers of the probable questions which can be asked. And sooner or later they have to rope in more lies in order to support the former ones. And this vicious circle, continues, continues and continues. And if there remains some sense of maturity, sooner or later he/she realizes the mistake and feels sorry for that. But the sooner, the better. Because time once gone can never be rewind. And all that is left is sorry and frustration.

I have always come to such situations where people have given me a lot of hope through their ‘honestly’ spoken words. Either they show it while describing a sensitive incident which happened or when they give away promises or when they agree to carry on some plans. But how many times they have followed their words and how many times they haven’t? As per my experience, especially since I developed a better sense of understanding the situation and people, I will say 1/10 times. This figure may sound too small to you but to me its something which still makes me happy, happy for the first part of it. At least every ten things I hear or every ten things that are said to me; one of those will be exactly like that, word by word. I know in this world of uncertainty where you don’t know what is going to happen to you in the next moment, its hard to expect even 1/10 to be carried in the manner it was said, leave alone 10/10. But if things are said with the sense of true honesty & true responsibility, it should. It will also help the anger, the anxiety, the frustration and the dejection caused later on to be brought down.

And as per my personal experience and what I have seen around myself, I know how great a loss false words cause. People are forced to do things they don’t want to. People are forced to do things which are not correct. People are forced to behave rudely. Why? Because their confidence, their respect for others and specially their respect for themselves have been broken. I use the word forced because it is something which is the effect of something, something which is caused not selected. And in most of the cases the losses of these effects are caused to you and only you. No one else will suffer. Or even if some one suffers of it, it would be temporary. But you, you will lose yourself for ever. So if people do not lie or make false promises, you would have been escaped.

Some one may argue that when you lie for someone’s benefit it is not a sin rather a good deed, because that will help him/her in some way or the other. But I believe it is only for those people who are weak and not ready or strong enough to face the truth, the fact. And I am not one of those. I believe that it is always better to know the facts, the truth, the bad things and cry rather than being happy and then get hit suddenly later on which may cause death to someone, mentally and sometimes physically too.

I don’t know, neither do I suggest that one should have any contact with those people who don’t mean their words. Because if you do so, you will be alone. And even at times You yourself have to lie (intentionally, unintentionally, forcefully, helplessly, etc)...so you are more alone. Rather it would be better to first find out about some and then believe. “It is always better to judge and act than to act and judge”. And I admit here that I lie too, but I am never dishonest.

Though I have skipped lots of things here either because they are too personal to me or because they are of no importance to you. But whatever I have said here is straight from my heart, one which prefers to be killed than being cheated.

I am different, I think differently. And so is you, he, she. Hence people will have different opinions to this entire post. But their comments are always welcome. I would like to know what do they feel/felt when some one lies/lied to them.

With a hope (still) to find more honest people around me.

Signing off,

Ro

There is one thing which never betrays and that’s your inner self. Live with it and live for it. You will never cry. I do the same. Do you?

P.S. This post is written in a very plain language because I wanted to dot down each and everything. And hence could not put in enough time to write it down in a professional/formal language. You may also feel that the points are not in a proper flow. But I hope I have been able to speak my heart here, honestly.

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Confidom – The first female condom of India



Confidom – The first female condom of India


I heard about this product on a local FM radio few days back and thought of finding out some more details. I came to know that the product was released some time back but as I don’t have access to television at my home, I didn’t have any idea of it whatsoever. And I wonder how many people are aware of this, so thought of writing this on my blog.

There has been a big buzz in the media about the release of female con-doms from a long long time. And finally it is out. It’s being marketed by HLL (Hindustan Latex Ltd.), one of the most trusted brands in India. It has partnered with a US health company called –The Female Health Company to market their female con-doms in India under the brand name – Confidom. The name symbolizes the motto “Confidence”.

And just for some facts: The female con-dom was first introduced in Europe and the US in 1992 and 1993 and was introduced in Asia only after 2000.

As it’s just the first launch in India, the price range is pretty high. It will cost Rs. 250/- (US$ 6) for a pair. It gives an impression that it’s targeted to the elite classes only. And as per the information available it can be reused too. In order to popularize the product the Government has already placed an order for 500,000 con-doms that will be distributed either free or at a subsidized price of Rs.5 per piece to the s-e-x workers.

Right now it’s only available in 8 cities in India: Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Erode, Namakal, Salem and Mapalayam. And as the time passes by, it should be available in other parts of the country too.

You can find more details about this on the official site: http://www.confidom.com. I know most of the people will think twice before clicking this link. Not because they are worried what will be there, but it’s more because they are worried about what if others catch you browsing this site. I think we need to come out of this conservativeness. And no wonder why I am not expecting many comments to this post :)

To get the list of retail stores vending Confidom in your city, visit http://www.confidom.com/pleasuredom.aspx and click on the city name on the page.

We hope that this initiative by HLL will work to secure more indians.

Be safe, be confident.

Cheers!

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Deutsche Bank Online Login Blues - Here is a trick

Wow! I just got my brand new Bank a/c with Deutsche Bank and immediate I went to its site https://login.deutschebank.co.in/ to check out it's online banking feature.

I noticed that the login page had a totally new thing called "Virtual Keypad" (picture below), which is used for entering Passwords. I realized that it's there to secure your login details as any Key-Logging software can track your typed password and do havoc to your bank a/c as well as your life.


At the very first look it looked Damn Impressive to me. And I went ahead to enter my password with the help of that Virtual Keypad. But just 30 seconds later, I realized the hitch involved in it. It's not only time taking but very tiresome. And to add problems, every time you visit the login page, the keys in the virtual keypad are shuffled.

I was stuck and thought of finding an easier way, I typed the password in a notepad and tried copying & pasting but it also didn't work. I was puzzled. But as I always believe that all puzzles have answers, I tried the other way round. And here is what I settled with at last.

Though this is not fully secure but still it's a good way out for me and I am perfectly happy with it. Read ahead to get an idea.


Virtual Keypad Alternative - Step By Step

Generally when we login to a site we type in the ID first & then the password, but in this case we go in the opposite order. Here is how:

1. Open the login page and type your Password in the Customer ID field. (make sure no one is peeping at your monitor).

2. Now select the entire password (just press Ctrl+A)


3. Drag the selected text with Mouse and drop it on the Login Password field.


4. Now enter your Customer ID in the Customer ID field as you normally do.


5. Click Login! And you are done.


Hope it helps you.

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Come on stupid, I am just a human!

Some people say I am good, some people say I am bad. Some love me the most and some of them hate the best. What to do?

Let me remind everyone, I am just a human like you. And If you like/love me for some reaons its because of those areas/standards where I score over others and I feel blessed for that. But if you hate me for anything, its because you are looking at my negative side :).

I am human and as a human its my fundamental right to make mistakes. So If I make one, why can't it be accepted by people around me? Is it because people are expecting too much from me or is it because I have got my own standards which I always try to stick to; and people have got accustomed seeing me follwing them? If its the former, I must tell Its their mistake to expect this much from me. Dont keep too high a standards for anyone. Else when broken, you will feel yourself floating in the sea wihtout a life boat, specially when you dont know how to swim and the sea is full of sharks.

And if its latter, comeon man, I can break my own rules at least, can't I?

So next time I give you reasons to hate me ask yourself the remedy not me. And I promise, I will keep giving LOTS of reason like that in the future. (Tongue out)

Catch you later.

Cheers!



P.S. Feel free to post your comments here. Those are most valued. (Just click on #Comments below)