Everyone falls for a chocolate

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 08:59:52 GMT

Atleast everyone I know and want to fool :-). I have too many times in school. I had then forgotten all about that trick until Kiran reminded me one fine April 1st when I was in Engineering. I make a good victim for that trick because all my friends know my weakness for chocolates. Kiran usually never misses playing a prank on me this day every year but he hasn't contacted me yet. Well, the day isn't over. So, I better be on my toes.

Yesterday, I made a note in my mind not to fall for any gags today. But this morning when I woke up, I had no idea what the date was until... Vini pinged me this morning and sent me a slide show of Aishwarya. While she was coaxing me to open it, I had already seen it and was dodging her comments about how beautiful Ash looked. I didn't even admit to having opened the file.

Now, I wanted to fight blood with blood... errr gag with a gag. First let me share a tip or two. When you want to fool someone, ensure you make that person aware that you are not planning on fooling anyone. Say things like, 'Its boring' or 'I am too old for it' or 'One prank I played cost me too much, I have mended my ways since then'. And then pounce on your unsuspecting prey when they least expect it. And when you send something, don't follow up. Let them take thier time. They will open in time and realise your prank. I mean, don't make it obvious.

Ok, now for the gag. Every afternoon post-lunch Vini and I go for a walk... generally to get the stomach churning and to talk about everything under the sun, over too. And we have this tradition of buying roasted peanuts or eating chocolates. And since I usually have a packet of Cadbury's Eclairs in my drawer, I take one for her when I feel like having one too. So, I did that today only the chocolate was replaced with a paper roll. Oh and just so it looks authentic, I was munching on a real chocolate when I offered the 'fake' one. She held it and felt different but like me, had forgotten the day. She opened it and was surprised. Ah! revenges are sweet and this was literally so :-). And I danced my way through the aisle. Na na na na na.... Nananana Na Na (Kuch kuch hota hai ishtyle)

She wrapped the paper roll in the chocolate paper again and said she'll find another bakra. Office-mates beware. She might just get you. Oh and by the way, I sent that slide show of Ash's to her die hard fan Mads and he fell for it. Yay Yay!

Wishing everyone a very happy and laughable Fools day!

Valentine's Day or not

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 05:24:01 GMT

I read this blog about the author's non-belief in Valentine’s Day, advantages of celebrating Valentine's Day on another day et al., here. Following is my two cents to the discussion.

Let me make it very clear at the outset that I am neither for nor against Valentine's Day or its celebration. I am agnostic and I am absolutely non-ritualistic. And I am very tolerant of people who do and do not believe in/celebrate Valentine's Day. Debate welcome.

I absolutely agree that all these multinational gift companies have ganged up to make Valentine's Day popular and spend-worthy. (I am desperately avoiding taking names here. But, you know.) Adding fuel to the fire are the music companies that religiously release music CDs of the same mushy songs, just jumbled in a way, every year. And then there are the fancy restaurants that promise to dish out delicacies "just for the couple", of course with a hefty price tag. And joining the bandwagon are multiplexes that will reserve "couple only" seats with snacks, drink and all the jazz for exorbitant prices. Last and certainly not the least are the flower-walas who shower your loved one with the best blooms ("Imported Maidam") in town and advertise it as the "best offer" in town.

Ok now getting back to the blog linked above - advantages and beliefs aside, why would one celebrate a day? Any day, not just Valentine's Day. Could be Independence Day, Republic day, Ganesha pooja, Diwali, whatever.

By the same logic as in the blog, what if the government decided to celebrate Republic day in the month of April, say. Look at the advantages. It is not bang in the middle of freezing Delhi winter, hence much better. The schools would have closed; hence the cultural events practice will not disturb their studies. If you club Republic day with Independence Day, Wow! You can save a lot of money that is being spent on two occasions now. Besides, isn't that a great way to reduce security threats even if it is just by an ounce? The terrorists are always targeting these two days in particular.

Coming to other festivals. Advantages of celebrating Ganesha festival a week before the actual date. A great selection of idols is available. The flowers and other ornaments for God aren't as pricey. The lakes are not crowded and clean as well. (You get to pollute it first. Yay!) So, idol immersion is no hassles at all. What about celebrating Diwali a week later? All the left over crackers are available for a cheaper cost. No no, they won't be damp if you buy crackers from some good companies. Now, don't tell me these festivals are not commercialized. Please, just because God is involved doesn't mean it is pure and from the heart. In fact, we are looted in the name of God. We know it but have trained our minds not to accept this bitter true fact. Whats the best thing about this setup? You get to enjoy the holidays without bothering about the frills of celebrating the festival, yet celebrate the festival at your leisure and pace. See, that’s like hitting two birds with a single arrow.

Ofcouse, I am talking about Indian festivals and Valentine's Day in the same breath. That's like chalk and cheese. Valentine's Day is not an Indian festival. It is a bad western influence on the minds of young (yet-to-be-moulded) Indians. Please, give me a break. Today, we talk about a world with no boundaries. When we love Shakira as much as B Jayashree, when we wear Pepe as much as apna Arvind mills, when we decorate the X-Mas tree and exhange gifts exactly like the west, when western formals is recommended in office, when we wear blazers and tie in May and switch the AC on, why this bias against celebrations?

The point here being, you don't really need a day dedicated to worship/pray/ask/thank God. Just the same way, you don't need a day marked to celebrate love. Then again, if you believe in one particular "special" day, you might as well believe in all special days.

Under the Rainbow: Festivals/Occassions

Everyone falls for a chocolate

Valentine's Day or not