If I raise my head a little more and look towards the left, I can see the surface of the blue tranquil sea. And if I push myself a little higher and turn my gaze to the right, I can see a complete view of a lamppost that hangs by the hammock by the serene lake. And I asked myself, is this real?

Sometimes I am thankful to God that I am not a pretty girl. It saves me the trouble of being vain and over the years has helped me build an extremely uninhibited perspective of all things beautiful. As a child maybe I wished I was pretty but now I am more assured of the fact that nature’s beauty completes me. I am a part of this resplendent world that defines who I am. Right now, all I can hear is the chirping of birds and playful waves hitting the shore, sometimes in zest and sometimes in pain. Which reminds me, I watched the sunset alone last evening. And you won’t believe it, I was the ONLY person on the entire beach. Not a soul was around!

I wanted to click a picture but you know, it took me a moment to realize that this moment will be my moment and mine alone. I put my phone away, rolled up my linen pants till my knees and walked into the water. And then I stood still. The sun that shines for everybody, was setting only for me today. The moment was as beautiful as it was heart wrenching. I was overwhelmed with the magnificence of the sea and the insignificance of my presence. I had tears rolling down my cheeks because I was so happy that I was so sad. Do you know what I mean?

I have come to believe, after numerous such incidents, that there are certain memories that find their way back into your mind in your most lonely and vulnerable moments. It was like a brief flashback of so many memories… My first bicycle, my first heartbreak in school, passing away of my granny, passing away of my best friend, playing with my brother, my mother combing my hair, my father returning from one of his tours and all the unnecessary mockery that some of us faced in school… Strong, vivid memories strung together to create a brief story of my life… Being screened only for me in my loneliest of moments.

No, don’t get me wrong. I was more alone than lonely.

Anyway, if I had my way, I would really fight my fear of water and one day maybe swim in the sea! I am a doer and I want to make this wish come true… Let’s see!

Some trips are fun trips, and some bad but my favorites are the ones which give me the space and time to internalize. To be with myself, sitting on this secluded beach which really is such a marvelous art of nature I can’t even begin to describe.

Last night, we were sitting on the beach and chit chatting away like best friends often do. While my husband is not a romantic at all, to me, everything has a little bit of romance in it. The crescent moon, seducing its own reflections on the fluttering waves that tease the shore with their satin touch… My God what a sight! And before we knew it, the familiar starry sky was moving in on us… Right in the middle of the sea we could see blinking lights of the fishing boats parked for the night, on our right we could see the gorgeous moon above that tiny island and right above us was this gathering of thousands of stars. Now tell me, if this is not outrageously enticing and divine, then what is?

Clearly, beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder and I am so glad that I behold such beauty in my eyes. Until later, live beautiful mi amigos!

Love.
Shubs

So here’s a list of my top ten favorite inventions of all times!

1. Camera Obscura
My all time favorite invention by human mind – you can trace this invention back to somewhere in the early 1800. I love the camera. The fact that you can actually freeze a moment in time as a memory which is not just an impression on your mind, fascinates me to bits. So clearly, this tops the list.

2. The Pencil
Imagine a world without pencil! And no, pens came way later! If I am not mistaken, Conte invented the pencil in late 1700. Absolutely spellbinding.

3. The Internet
TimBL’s gift to the human race has altered the way we think, function and even dream. The Internet is a revolutionary invention and only grows to surprise us by the day.

4. The Telephone
Graham Bell’s invention of the telephone has changed the way the world communicates. Telephone has to be considered a great work of man’s imagination. Wow. Can’t imagine a world without phones, can we?

5. Jeans!
OK, I think a pair of jeans is one of the best things ever! In 1880s, Strauss gave the world ‘serge de Nimes’ (denims) and I swear to God, this is one of the best gifts to us lesser mortals.

6. The T.V.
As much as I hate to admit, I think the Idiot Box was a miracle invention. Truly fascinating! I can’t recall who really invented the Television coz I remember there was some dispute about it. But nonetheless, it is definitely one of my favorite inventions.

7. The Braille System
Louis Braille, who refused to let circumstances get the better of him, formed a world of dots that has given a purpose of life to many of those who are visually impaired. Could anyone ever imagine that blind people could actually read? Take a bow!

8. The Bulb
Yes, Edison’s invention lit up our lives forever. Thank you for this absolutely fantastic invention!

9. The Zero
Thanks to Aryabhatta, the world will always remember our contribution to numbers. The Absolute. The Zero.

10. The Steam Engine & The Airplane

Fine! I give up. No matter how much I didn’t think I would, the damn Steam Engine is definitely one of the most useful contributions to mankind. But sharing the space with the Steam Engine is the Aeroplane. Thanks to the Wright brothers, the world became more believable and accessible. And also now, home’s only 2.5 hours away.

So what’s your favorite invention? Tell me!

The thing is, if you are a doer, then somewhere, you will stop thinking and actually get to work! Just maybe?!

Anyway, post a conversation with an equally frustrated friend, here are my seven reasons why some people will definitely fail. Maybe not today, or tomorrow… But in the bigger scheme of life, these people will definitely fail. So if you’re nodding your head at even five of these points, thinking of someone (hopefully not yourself!) then, well you will know!

1. You’re too busy working on whimsical excel sheets instead of working on the goal.

2. You effortlessly piss off the people who could potentially help you.

3. You have way too many complex ego issues.

4. You are the unanimously chosen “Mr All Talk No Action”.

5. Your instant recipe to feed your fragile ego is to put others down.

6. You lack tact.

7. Your discernment of success is different from the rest.

While there is no sure shot way to success, there are sure shot factors that will lead to your downfall – oh, which by the way, equals to failure of sorts.

Apple does it again. And this time puts the entire publishing industry in a delirious uncertainty. I was on Twitter most of the day following this big announcement. Most people are not happy with this news, clearly because they are against Apple trying to monopolize the eBooks market. Apple with it’s strict policies, unfriendly software configuration and arrogance (that I love), has a strong segment in the market that revolts against anything it comes up with. All said and done, what they come up with is absolutely out of the world! Tell me, when touch phones were already a rage and the eBook market booming, why does it take only an Apple to come up with self-authoring tools that redefines publishing? Because it’s Apple! And they are like Gods of technology invention.

They say Apple’s intention is to increase its iPAD sales and guess what, give it some time and it will happen! They really might be the leaders in education technology.

Why am I writing about this on my otherwise very random blog? I happen to work with a publishing technology company that has been working with a lot of great publishers across the world. We have been building Apps for the iPad, iPhone, Android tablets and phones etc. And yesterday, as a company who has been only focused on the publishing industry for over a decade now, this announcement made us sit up and take notice. The revolution has already gone a notch higher. This announcement might create a lot of unsteadiness in the industry but publishers should keep in mind one thing – you can empower teachers to pick and choose content, but the skills set required to create interactive iBooks will have to be either built, or entrusted to experts. Author may allow you to create your own books, but from design point of view, keeping in mind how it will influence and help a child learn, will require expertise. And iBooks Author is not an easy-to-learn software, they say.

Well, I love Steve Jobs and I love everything that Apple does but for now, I am waiting to see how the real players – publishers – react to this news.

From our end, we are already geared
up to offer solutions and services that enable publishers to get their iBooks on iBookstore!

Where do I work? Impelsys
Our brand? iPublishCentral
If you want to hear from the experts, connect with us through info at ipublishcentral.com or,
Visit us! www.ipublishcentral.com

Almost everything that could go wrong, did go wrong.

1. The Place

It was a very last minute plan to take off. We all gathered the night before to discuss and decide where we could go, with what budgets and how. I have been to Pondicherry 4 times already so Pondy wasn’t even an option. However, its only whimsical to expect that we would dial in on 30th Dec hoping to get a swanky place for the New Year’s eve in ANY getaway destination near Bangalore.

And hence Pondy. A friend figured out a place and we were informed in the afternoon that we are going to Pondy. Well. I was not too kicked about it and the flashing news of Thane, the cyclone that was about to hit Pondy on 30th freaked me out even more. But Pondy it was.

(Oh by the way, I hadn’t taken our car even to the Bangalore airport until now and suddenly I was told I should be prepared to drive down to Pondy coz it’s going to be convenient and fun. Please note, I was palpitating by this time.)

2. The Journey

So we set sail right in the morning. Oh wait, before that we wasted about two hours trying to wake two of our friends up. X-(.

It was drizzling in Bangalore. On a gloomy, wet Friday morning, with grumpy faces that didn’t get enough sleep, waiting for two friends who were snoring away to glory was not a very happy thought.  Anyway, ten of us somehow got together and started our journey. I drove on the highway, absolutely freaked out but I loved it. The weather was fantastic and we had some great music playing in our car. And then, when I was driving at a 110, I almost rammed into a speeding truck that decided he wanted to take a detour and come the wrong way! I froze. My heart was pounding and I couldn’t feel any worse. Sigh.

And then in heavy rains I drove on roads that were built around potholes. It was quite frustrating.  After the drivers were switched and I took a break, I was reading up on updates about Thane. And that gave me the chills. The photographs were scary and I was getting paler by the moment. As we got closer to our destination, we got a glimpse of the disaster that had already struck. Force of nature in all its glory. Technically, only fools do what we did. While most people were heading out and getting away from Pondy, we were the only two cars driving straight into the catastrophe. Foolish. And bold.

As soon as we slid into Pondy, we were all dumbstruck to see what had become of that beautiful town. It was a ghost city. I felt like we were in a movie where only a few surviving cars drive into damaged lanes, looking at the destruction with disbelief, fear and despair. Fallen trees, ripped out electric poles, damaged houses… water everywhere and then the constant cold rains to make the whole scene overwhelmingly epic. The Pondy we knew had disappeared. Amidst all of this mess, we walk into the place we had booked only to discover a discredited hotel which would  have been quite charming otherwise. By now, we were all extremely tense. There was no electricity. No source of water and food. And finding a place to stay the night looked impossible.

So we split. One car went about the town looking for a place to eat and stay and the other (mine) parked right in front of the beach that was struck by the fury of Thane. Sitting in the car I kept thinking to myself, are we really that foolish or do we think we are invincible. Nature is unpredictable. No matter what you plan, it takes one solid gush of infuriated winds to shatter everything that you build.

3. The Turning Point

We were told that they have found a place where we could stay the night and guided us how to get there. All the roads were flooded and we didn’t know which direction to drive in. In that state, none of us realized that we were actually driving towards the Pondy beach and soon enough, we were on the beach! And then the turning point. Our car goes straight into an open pothole. Next thing I know, my friend and I are jumping out of the car because the car was in deep water only to realize that the wheel arm of the car was damaged. The car was immobile. Picture this, heavy rains, in a cyclone-hit town, ON the beach, in knee deep water and stuck. At that moment I knew all the predictions of 2012 were true. And that ‘this is it’. The car was damaged and we called for help from the Road Emergency Help people who told us they would come in an hour’s time but got there only next morning. We were on the beach waiting by the car for almost six hours in the night but no help came. Anyway, we got help and managed to keep the car secured. And we left it there for the night, at God’s will.

4. The Random 

Everybody was worked up. And we were all trying to keep our calm. Obviously that doesn’t always help. But we decided that the worst was over and that we should usher in the New Year with happy faces. So we headed to Satsanga where we had booked a table for ten. As soon as we got there we saw that the table we had booked was given to a group of French folks. And we instantaneously knew this was going to get worse. They charged us a bomb for the buffet but half of us didn’t even get any food to eat! It was chaotic and frustrating. Like the last straw that just becomes the tipping point. The only good thing about that night was the live band that was playing some excellent progressive jazz. FANTASTIC. Anyhow, we did what we had to, got back to our rooms and played DC till we dropped dead. The original plan was to leave at 12 but for some reason or the other, we kept getting delayed. And further delayed. By the time we got in the car, it was 4:30. I was so apprehensive about driving in the night on the highway… and that’s exactly what happened. We got home only at 2 in the night and I swear to God walking back into our house was the highlight of the trip.

You know, life teaches you lessons. And I did learn a thing or two on this trip as well. While threats posed by nature are beyond our control, at times even other controllable issues can also take a toll on you. It was a trip I can’t really say I liked or disliked but I surely don’ t want to do this again. There were a few good moments too and we did have a fair amount of fun but the atmosphere of Pondy was not conducive for any  kind of celebration. And somewhere, we all knew we were trying too hard…

‘Eventful’ is a tricky word, you know. Anyway, here’s to life and all the big & small things that come with it.

Happy New Year!

Here’s hoping 2012 is super awesome for everybody… Oh, by the way I have a very interesting story to tell. Watch this space for an update!

Until then, rock n roll!
Love.

Here’s to those who made a difference, and even if they didn’t mean to, left an ever-lasting impression on my mind. This list is not in any order but is just a small gesture from me.

Rest in peace, you all

Andy Whitfield

17 July 1972 – 11 September 2011

Shammi Kapoor

21 October 1931. – 14 August 2011

Dev Anand

26 September 1923 – 3 December 2011

Steve Jobs

February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011

Amy Winehouse

14 September 1983 – 23 July 2011

Gary Speed

8 September 1969 – 27 November 2011

Jagjit Singh

8 February 1941 – 10 October 2011

Tim Hetherington

5 December 1970 – 20 April 2011

Elizabeth Taylor

February 27, 1932 – March 23, 2011

(Un)fortunately, I am in Marketing. I love it. I live it. I don’t think I can ever do anything else. Maybe some day I would want to write a book, or open a boutique restaurant but for as far as I can imagine, I doubt if any of that will happen soon. Marketing is core to any organization. While most people see it as a money-spending bunch of cool, rebellious guys, those who understand the value of Marketing, appreciate it. You can build a great product, or create a masterpiece software, if you don’t have a strong Marketing channel to make the world aware about it, you might as well put it back in a box and forget about it. Marketing has some basic ‘fundas’ but mostly it’s about staying creative, being tactful and ensuring that you’re highly resourceful. And I strongly feel that while Sales is a tact and Marketing is sheer ‘attitude’. Either you have it or you don’t.

The sad part about this awesome profession is everybody else around you thinks they can do a better job of it. Since it ‘mostly’ requires ‘printing pretty brochures’ and having a fancy stall at events, it gives easy access to all and sundry to claim they can do a better job of it. And since Marketing professionals are all about the right attitude, more often and not, they avoid mud slinging and unnecessary conflicts to counter such perceptions. In fact, we never claim that our ideas are ultimate! They may not be!

You know, I have a very nice Product team in office, and most great ideas are born while talking to them. They do the real ‘brainstorming’ and not ‘brainsquashing’. And you know why that is? Because to birth and nurture a product, they need to be creative as people. Creative in their thoughts, imagination and instincts. And this creativity is backed by craftsmanship and technique. And that’s what creates a great product. And the good thing here is, even if we don’t reach common ground, there are no ego issues and vicious retorts! There is grace in how we interact and I really like it!

Another very common (perceived) confusion is Marketing and Branding. Some people think Marketing gets in business, and Branding is pointless. But the thing is, a Marketing effort, as hard as you may try may not be measurable in parameters of money. It can support/add to Sales, but can it take ownership of it? I have my reservations. How then, do you propose to measure Branding? Yes it’s important to ensure your efforts and bringing in results but you cannot smother it! And when you talk about Marketing and Branding as mixed up, let me tell you, they are like conjoint twins – inseparable yet have very distinctive individual identities. It is beyond my limited, under-developed understanding why people mix up the two all the time!

I was talking to a friend about this and she strongly agreed. The thing is, we are pretty cool as people. And we are emotional. If we were cut throat and shrewd, we would be in another team! And as dramatic as it may sound, if you try killing our creative instinct and horn in everything we do, we get cautious and already start visualizing despicable caricatures of you in our heads. And trust me, it happens all the time.

Marketing is not a craft that you can up-skill yourself to, it’s an art you have the instinct for. Marketing is not mindless, it is about experimenting. Marketing is not politics simply because creativity and politics don’t get along well! Marketing could be your interest, but whether or not you have it in you, c’mon, you should know… It’s as simple as that!

Try this – if you can’t count two people in an organization who even like you, how do you envisage you can win over the world? A Marketing professional may not be unanimously loved, but trust me, he usually is amicable, talks to everybody and has left a good, lasting impression on their minds (and hearts). If you can’t market your own self well, you won’t do a god job marketing anything else. Oh, you could however sell yourself outright by shoving yourself down into people’s head. But that’s not Marketing.

On that note, to a very pissed off morning, here’s wishing you all a great day!

Well. Moving (moping) on… This year has been quite an interesting one, so far. Too much has already happened and some of it has made way for things to happen in the next year. As a kid I used to make New Year resolutions and stick them up in a secret place somewhere in my room. But what I also used to do was to make chits of all the crap I did through the year, and burn them. Haha, it was sort of saying sorry to God that I regret what I did and shall not repeat it again. It was also kinda melodramatic. But well, that’s me. A little bit of drama in everything I do

Soo, December Started with bidding adieu to my boss, attended the much awaited wedding of my cousin, reunion with my friends, husband’s new job, Christmas shopping, Secret Santa and a lots of get togethers planned for the last week of the year!

Houses in Rustambagh are all well-lit… and we can also hear Christmas carols being sung at the Church. There is a nip in the air and it’s all so winter-y and Christmas-y! It’s kinda nice to know that amidst all the stress and worry of ‘how to’ and ‘what if’, you can always take a minute off to look around and absorb the aura. Joy is infectious but a smile is contagious! It’s like, almost automatic! And that’s what I love about humans. I don’t have to personally know the people I smile at Be it the biker guy at the red light who told me to increase the volume of ‘Light my Fire’ playing in my car, or the pregnant lady who can’t stop grinning! It’s sort of cool, this thing…

The best way to live life, is to live every emotion to the fullest. Be it joy or sadness or hurt or passion… If you live it to the fullest, you will never have regrets. I guess that’s why they say ‘cry your heart out’… it gives a comforting closure. Likewise for laughing… it makes you wanna dance!

OK, now I am on a complete ramble-trip. So I am going to log out and get to some business.

Merry Christmas people! Hugs n Kisses and lots of Smiles

I clicked the lights’ picture at my cousin’s wedding. And these Smileys in the office today…

So the other day we went to this place called Chez Mariannick in Whitefield… It was a lazy, sunny December afternoon when five of us drove to Varthur main road hoping that we find this nondescript place.

Well we did find it and nondescript is not the right word. It’s a nice quaint, quiet place, a little off the main road amidst a huge, unoccupied area of land. I liked in instantly. There is a nice seating arrangement in the open but since it was unbearably (and unbelievably) hot, we chose to sit inside.

The first thing I noticed were massive ovens and a cook pulling out freshly baked pizza out of it. That kind of set the tone of my expectation from Chez. The place is owned by a rather friendly couple who claim to have built this place all by themselves. He owner told us that the place is named after his wife. I asked them why did they choose a far off location like that but somewhere I knew that the charm of this place would easily get trampled over with the bling of the city. If you want to spend a relaxed afternoon, or even laze around on late Saturday night and eat some delicious pizzas and desserts under the stars, maybe you should try out this place. It might just work for you!

Our pizzas were quite nice. Very exotic!

But what my favorite part of the food was the desserts. We ordered chocolate cheese cake, caramel custard and a strawberry tart. Chocolate was delicious but the hidden surprise was the tart. I am not a big strawberry fan but woaa! The dish blew my mind! Soon we were all gloating with a strawberry joy never known before. Mindblowing!

If anyone happens to go there, the strawberry tart is a must-have!

For chocolate freaks like me, here’s a picture of the divine chocolate cheese cake I had

Here’s the address! Go!

Chez Mariannick Bakery & Cafe/Restaurant

Vurthur road, behind Sorbet, Siddapura,

Whitefield, Bangalore, Karnataka 550066 097 39 406536 ‎