Job insecurity or a change in lifestyle?

Is that a choice? The economic uncertainty has certainly seen stress levels rise in all of us. Projections say by 2011 it may better. That is another goddamn 2 yrs or more!

The slowdown first touched me when I was in London. The family of 5, I was staying with had already lost 2 jobs. The youngest son was trying hard to get employed. Women in the family were juggling both emotional and financial support. They ran a laundry. Work never ended till late evening when actually London stops work at 5!

Not knowing what the ‘credit crunch’ had in store for India, I convinced dad to invest in an exclusive property in South Bangalore. But exactly 6 months later we started to hear about job losses, salary cuts and the price cuts.

On my quick trip to Singapore to handle management issues I heard from every cab driver what a struggle it was and no one knew how they would emerge out of this. They were frustrated and their anger was fierce. I didn’t think that I might not visit Singapore for a while, post that trip. The clients had tightened their purse strings and the tourism business by itself had crumpled. When I spoke to an insider in the Singapore Tourism Board, he mentioned how they were trying to promote education and no more ‘destination tourism’ was their key focus.

Marketing strategies changed. Business propositions were tweaked. Offerings were more focused with keeping the downturn in mind. Plenty of advices from industry leaders on how to survive the slow down started to trickle in.

Greeting people starts with ‘Has the downturn touched you’? ‘Have you cut down on your traveling?’ ‘Oh yes, its definitely stopped me from thinking about getting married!’ was something. I haven’t met anyone who has smiled it away or even didn’t worry about it in the near future.

A Malyali in office working away form home decided to look for a match. His folks back home obviously insisted the girl be from their village in Kerala. After a long search for over 3 yrs he approved of a girl.
Within 2 months of the engagement he got a frantic call from the girls side with a zillions questions on their mind. ‘Can you support the girl with the current economic scenario?’ ‘We need to talk to someone who can take responsibility and be responsible for the wedding?’ I couldn’t stop laughing. Poor he. They eventually got married though.

Did this bring about a lifestyle change? I have seen friends; the big spenders watch every move of theirs. Late night dinners in star hotels, afternoon brunches every Sunday or even simply catching up over a drink every evening after work -not happening anymore!

But really, it is a reality check. If not for this period the gap between segments of people would have widened and there would be no end to expectation. This period gave each one of us time to sit back, realize and plan. The fear of when its going to end and the worse that can happen stays on.

PINK MIST RETREAT goes live

Finally my dancing dandelions go live!

http://www.pinkmistretreat.com

Need a title

Is someone playing games? I like games. Unpredictable! People you know, now are far. Someone you disconnect with is dining with you. Your neighbor drives you around but you don’t care about each other. Friends surprise you and are over joyed by your do! It’s a superlative feeling when someone thrice your age emails you. Flowers and cakes more than once a week! Wine with love!

NOW I wish time holds still! Last evening, when I decided to party after long, I also decided I didn’t want to be driven. How about a bike ride? I knew the feeling instantly. But when I was just rushing across to say my last good bye for the evening, I bumped into someone EVIL! ‘No’ I said to myself, ‘keep the good going’.

Getting excited about small things keeps me going week after week. Yes it’s an awesome feeling. But back of my mind I have alert sirens ringing, only to warn me about my fading decibels of laughter.

I came back after an exciting shoot in Mangalore. Shot the Kambhala, buffalo race. The shoot was fantastic - The people warm and affectionate, that's what I enjoy most! I was looking forward to Holi in Mathura, but that didn’t happen.

Now next on my agenda is a Mahabalipuram! But my friends have warned me that I will not be taken if I lug my camera along! :(

Coming back to games, 7 of us spent over two hrs on a game of pictionary. A pictionary party can be loads of fun, especially when the guys I know have to draw!

Some people like to be a part of your joy, the rest miss out! To some I don’t know what happened! YES this post was about the various people I know and I connect with! Phew (few) things are unpredictable?

the Aero India 09….

I was there! All excited. We guys decide to get there early. My early was 8.30ish, his was 7!!! So breakfast on location! But the best….he packs the most interesting food! Cakes, wafers, chocolates, biscuits (I got those animal shaped) and knife and spoons too!!

Sukhois and MiGs. MiGs and Sukhois. No, that was not all. Tall dark and handsome men in their aviators!! Crew cuts, jump suits and the attitude!! Over dose!

I guess Kingfisher beer being served in the food court was the biggest attraction at aero 2009 and people queued at subway not knowing they have setup shops permanently in India! There was a horrible rush!

The show itself was a treat! We got seats. Front row! The guard stopped us at the entrance; our tickets did not allow us to enter the arena with chairs. 2 guys argued until the guard gave up! We followed. My floral umbrella was pretty. The sun not very bright. We sat through the piercing sounds of jets playing ‘find me’ games.

Outside, people climbed every hill, every building and every hoarding to catch a glimpse. The cops did their best, ten at least at every intersection. I wish they start to wear aviators too :)

Easy getaway

I had to share this. Quick and short…

I got off my car with lots of stuff, 3 shopping bags from the front, huge boards from the back, my phone and my handbag and a cover with heavy prints. I was turning towards the car and was busy figuring out how I could do carry it all in one trip.

I watch a gang boys walking towards me from a distance. Orange pants, adidas stripes, floaters, bandanas, swirling keys in one-hand…‘straight out of bollywood’ types! One soft voice from the gang, probably the dude amongst them all, whispers ‘need any help’! Obviously not expecting any reaction and total ignorance from my side.

I couldn’t resist and it had been long since I took any panga! I turned around and said, ‘yes, how could you help’ bringing my hands forward and pretending to hand all the stuff over.

I had no clue which guy amongst them it was. But thank god they didn’t react to it and walked faster. All I could see was hands pointing at one guy and no one dared to turn around!

:)

Would you say you are:

A. Surprised
B. Embarrassed
C. Shocked
D. Pissed Off

More C than A.

I casually stroll into office at my usual time, which is earlier than anybody else’s. But, boss makes it earlier than I do! I have to record my in-time and pass through a long corridor which smells horrible in the morning. Prema smiles while dusting the office. I pass her and I enter the creative room where I see a large floral arrangement placed on my table. I have a funny face when a colleague turns around and smiles too. I ask him, ‘Who’s is this!!!’ It wasn’t my birthday or any occasion I remembered. He is still smiling. I start wondering if something was funny.

The card gave me four options. A, B, C or/and D. No name. I suddenly remember the Ohana (fine flowers) shoot that was scheduled for Saturday. I thought the lady decided to bring them in a day prior to the shoot. But, no. I was informed the courier was for me.

The entire office quizzing me and smiling endlessly was absurd. But I felt good. The flowers were the prettiest I had seen for long. The whites and blues were divine. It was special. The scent filled the office. But I had no clue who had taken the pains to send it. Maybe there was another bouquet on its way that would reveal the name!


The rest of the day was spent trying to find out ‘who had swiped the card on the net’!

I know now who it is :) Thanks.

Almost there

Was on a cleaning spree at work after a weeklong birthday celebration preparation. Wanted to tidy up the bookshelf, so we could keep a check on the expensive branding books and the fancy photography magazines. No idea why I take responsibility, not that I had nothing to do. While I sat with two other girls to make a checklist, I saw a not so thick novel, with a fun cover design. I kept it aside and told them I needed to borrow this. Had never heard about Advaita Kala.

Couple of others saw me with the book, girls, and smiled. ‘Oh you will love it’ ‘Everybody is talking about this one, have you read it?’. I hadn’t even started! Still wondering why I laid my hands or even my eyes on it?!
T was very excited; she started talking about ‘Almost Single’ and that she loved it. Most of the conversation was giggles and the super feeling of being a woman! I guessed what I had in my hands. Isn’t the name a dead give away. A female fiction! T had warned me it was an advanced version of M&B

I got home late that evening. Usually would crash in the next ten minutes, cos I would have eaten out. But I had to read something at least a chapter. I couldn’t stop at chapter 1. I was in love with way it was written. It wasn’t hilarious but the ‘twang’ was familiar! I too would hate it if someone used the word ‘free’ instead of ‘complimentary’!

Fun and easy read.