The 'Idiot' Box

Why is TV called the ‘idiot box’ ? Is it because idiots appear in it, or because only idiots watch it? There are no prizes for answering this, as the answer is ‘all of the above’. I am reminded of Kerala entrance type questions which looks more or less like, which came first, egg or chicken?
a. Egg
b. Chicken
c. All of the above
d. None of the above

Sure they expect us to answer that in less than a minute. No wonder my partners in crime and myself scored bigger ranks than anyone else in our school (Obviously, we were watching too much TV). The ever-curious aunties and uncles who are forever in hibernation surprisingly sprung to active mode when the results were published. After all the skin of the Notorious Nine at Holy Angels’ is unyielding competition to the rhinoceros himself.

Coming back to TV, I don’t mind being called an ‘idiot’ for watching it. There are informative channels also...but I really don’t know whether it is available in our package or not.

As I was enjoying a lazy siesta on a Saturday afternoon in my couch flipping channels, I came across some ads and I decided to give them a serious glare.
Rani Mukherji teaches us how to eat Munch Pop chocs. Listen everyone…now don’t follow any other method to eat the chocolate.
The method is… ‘ Open, Take, and Eat..’
Thurakkoo Edukkooo Kazhikkoo…Oh sweet Jesus, what an enlightening piece of information! Does anyone who is reading this, know any other method to eat munch…or leave it…anything for that matter?

Now comes a tea ad. The ABC tea ensures all the idiotic viewers , a happy and stress free life , as, the magical molecules of the tea powder would be relished with the innermost senses and it would guarantee joy and bliss every minute of the day. Oh something bad happened to you today? You must have forgotten to drink ‘ABC’ tea!
I seriously feel, ‘Wherever you go, I am there – Gadha Jam’ makes more sense.

Pythogoras theorem is made remarkably interesting if the teacher uses ‘Tinz’ talcum powder. All these days the students were groaning and bawling under the disturbingly stinking supermodel cum school teacher, who made situations worse with the boring theorems. The talcum powder sure brought a difference to the theorem itself! (Why oh why dint they tell me this earlier? *sob* )

Axx deodorant – Do u, girls out there actually throw yourselves at men who use this deo? By the way, did the creators of this ad think that women have super sensitive sensors?

Here’s the worst of its kind…a typical third rated mallu ad.
Contestant: ’14 aam raavudichathu maanatho kallayi kadavatho….’
Judge: ‘Nannayirunnu mone.. pakshe…14 oo? 17 alle kutta?’
This ad, I tell you, generates in me, an intense urge to bang my head against the wall.

A lady blessed with long and healthy tresses now appears, and detaches a piece of wall with just her hair and walks away proudly. Even the dinosaurs in the Lost World couldn’t accomplish this feat. Kudos to you, young lady! By the way, that was the ad of a shampoo. (This one however, blows up a nightmare of me trying to do what that lady did ,and getting bald during the act).

The axx deodorant comes in a new version, and this time it is a chocolate man walking the streets. Girls at the background screaming, howling, screeching and squealing as if they were deprived of food over the week is visually atrocious. But I made sure that my husband doesn’t use it. ;)

Hey, I am not negatively criticizing the above ads ! Gone are the times when we actually had good ads around, simple and precise ones. Yeah odd ones like these still existed, which made viewers look at each other and smirk. But nowadays imaginative brilliance is wasted, that’s what we actually conclude from such visual ‘threats’. Although Vodafone ads are always on or above a standard, the connection obviously isn’t. But, ads are ads. When I started noticing the ads itself, I knew…it is content for a blog post. From my previous posts it is quite evident that my mind does NOT wander into the loneliness of the sky,counting the odd and damaging moments of life , brood over it, drag myself into traumatic mood swings , and waste my life on it. I believe life is too short, and youth is even shorter for all that, and I believe in ‘live and let live’ concept. Next time I come across some such silly stuff, its again gonna be my blog content! Keep waiting for more nonsense!

Kissing Point, ferry wharf (Theme Day: Empty)

The Kissing Point ferry wharf is on the north side of the Parramatta River, in the north western suburb of Putney. It is quite empty after the ferry has just departed.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants of the theme day
Click here to view all participants of Watery Wednesday

Rowlfing

In getting that image of Rowlf the Muppet Dog the other day, I came upon this piece of trivia: in 1993, BMG released a Rowlf solo album entitled "Ol' Brown Ears is Back" and consisting of 14 songs recorded in 1984 by Jim Henson.  The album contains some classics, including Billy Joel's "New York State of Mind" and Paul Williams' "Bein' Green"; and what's striking is the real feeling in the singing.  Muppet though he may be, Rowlf's got soul.  

Circular Quay, night

Circular Quay and Sydney skyline at night from the Overseas Passenger Terminal at The Rocks.

Circular Quay sits between the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge and is a transport hub for harbour ferries, suburban trains and city buses.
Click here to view all participants of My World Tuesday

Hanes-Hanes Beefy-T Ringer T-Shirt @ Hanes

Hanes Beefy-T Ringer T-Shirt @ Hanes

A classic tee with a sporty side; Pure ultra-soft cotton feels super-soft; Contrasting trim along cuffs and neckline, for an authentic look; Neck tape and two-needle trim add durability; Full cut for a roomy, comfortable fit; 30-1/4'' long; Light Steel: Cotton/polyester; Remaining Colors: 100% cotton.

List Price: $9.00
Current Price: $2.49
Coupon: Price after $4.50 coupon savings at checkout!
Coupon Code: 50OFF1
Discount: 72%

View More Mens Clothing Deals, Mens Clothing Coupons at DealRocker

Netaya-$50 off orders over $200

$50 off orders over $200
Netaya Coupon Code: YE50
Expires: Ongoing Promotion

View More Coupons, Coupon Codes, Promo Codes at Netaya

Great Christmas Gifts You Can Buy Online

Looking for Christmas Gift ideas for your loved ones? With this little guide you can easily choose a suitable Christmas gift for your friends and relatives. Online Shopping for christmas gifts rather than going to a local shop is very interesting. When you send christmas gifts online, you save both time and money. Its also an easy way to shop for friends and family overseas. Finding high quantity gifts for christmas is not a difficult task. Its only a matter of a few searches and mouse clicks. Let me show you what's best for you to buy online with different types of Christmas Gifts to choose. Read More>>

For latest Gifts Items, Gift Baskets deals and bargains, visit DealRocker

How Credit Cards Work, Part 3

So, you pay your credit card bill promptly every month.  You have no annual fee.   What use are you to the banks? 

Believe it or not, even if you always pay in full, I was shocked to discover the bank still makes money off of you.  BECAUSE, for every charge that you make, the bank takes 2-3% of the amount charged from the seller.   This is the cost for the stores of the doing credit card business, if you will, the charge the banks demand for the service.   And top of that, banks also charge a transaction fee, a flat rate of 30 cents or more.  If you ever wondered why some stores demand a minimum charge of $10-20 in order for a buyer to use a credit card, this is the reason.  Maybe it's also the reason that candy bars are so darn expensive at gas stations -- if they only charge 60 cents, bank costs gobble more than half their fee.  

A cheap Snickers may satisfy you...but probably not the BP. 

So, that's how credit cards work. As I said at the beginning, there's a lot of talk out there at this point that banks are beginning a variety of strategies to try and milk more money from them, ranging from the restoration of annual fees to the truly outrageous moves of changing the dates the bills are due without due notice or changing the interest rates dramatically, and doing it all right now so as to get in before the new credit card reform law goes into effect. The New York Times noted in an article last week that the banks being given the most in the bailout are, of course, the ones demanding the highest fees.


A last thing -- you know how when you sign in for a credit card, the information sheets they give you are so complicated and convoluted, they make it pretty near impossible to actually know what the fees are? Well, a number of graphic designers have suggested a simple form very similar to a nutrition label. The full article, which is very short and worth reading, is here.

And here's the label they suggest:

How to club exercise and entertainment.

When the new night dress failed to hide my paunch, my heart sank. The depression set in not because of the bulge but the fact that I may be asked to do aerobics didn’t quite agree with my hectic schedule.

Yes, I know that there are machines like treadmill, ellipticals and exercise bikes that are widely used these days by work at home women, but still, I have to allocate time for the workout bothered me.

My husband had a serious talk with me and assured me that he loves me irrespective of my shape. His argument that by using treadmill at our home,

I don’t have to worry about rain or hot sun outside.

He then showed me an innovative treadmill that also entertains while working out. The ProForm Perspective looked to me the most advanced entertainment treadmill I have heard about.

The treadmill comes with a 7" flat-screen television that allows one to watch news or listen to music while keeping your legs and lungs busy.

Hmm... it is alright but…

My husband knew that I was worried about the cost. He then showed me an easy way out that convinced me to buy the treadmill.

Hey, this easy way is available for everyone.

I Stand Corrected (Already)

Since writing yesterday, I've heard the following things in passing: As a form of protecting a number of local trees (not rare trees, mind you, just trees of the area) which were going to be cut down, a number of Berkeley residents, including students, lived in those trees for over two years.  

A recent PhD candidate at a nearby school entitled their dissertation, "The Tyranny of the Nuclear Family".

And, a major fault line runs right through the part of Berkeley through which I live. (The whistle on my house key chain, I am told, is to allow me to indicate my position if I am trapped in a building that has collapsed.) As a cherry on top, nuclear material is being handled regularly in the hills directly above us.  (Think "The Simpsons".)

Point being, maybe this isn't quite so like the worlds I've come from after all...

I also discovered yesterday that Berkeley has another nickname: the "Athens of the West", in honor of the cultural and artistic achievements of Cal-Berkeley.   This put me in mind of Omaha, which I've also heard called the Athens of the West by its natives, as well as the more florid "Diamond Stickpin in the Bosom of the Midwest". We Midwesterners, we do have a way with words. 

Not Only In Berkeley

I have just arrived in Berkeley, California. It’s a town with many names, among them Berzerkely, The People’s Republic of Berkeley. When people talk about California as the Left Coast, it’s often Berkeley and nearby San Francisco of which they speak.

And so, walking the streets of Berkeley for the first time this afternoon, I had certain viewing expectations, most of which I’m sure you could rattle off yourself: pungently-scented big-bearded men with dreadlocks, Bob Marley T-Shirts and Rasta hats; skateboards, panhandlers, free love, and earth mothers; organic foods, art house cinemas, smoke shops, independent booksellers; crystals, piercings, graffiti, tattoos and solar powered everything.

But I must say, the reality was quite tame. Shattuck Avenue, a main thoroughfare near the campus of UC Berkeley, certainly has an independent feeling to it, with far more self-owned sorts of businesses than chains, including the wonderful Pegasus Fine Books, the Tony Award-winning Berkeley Rep Theater and Bowzer’s Pizza, which hosts on one wall photos of such famous dogs as Toto, Astro, and Rowlf from the Muppets.

Muppet Cool.


There are also skateboarders, tattoos and people asking for money. But really, what’s notable at first glance is not the community’s outrageousness but its sensory stimulation. The hills of Berkeley are an Edenic land of vibrant hues, spectacular vistas and rich, sweet scents that turn your head. Walking here you begin to appreciate what it must be like to be a bee in springtime, every flowerbed, a new, irresistible seduction.

Flowers in a Berkeley nursery.  


Still, the perception of Berkeley as radical is not simply a visitor’s point of view. One California friend told me that everyone selling marijuana on the streets of Berkeley was a cop, an idea that seemed to take a bit of the grunge-sparkle out of the Berkeley image.

Likewise, walking home today across the Berkeley campus, I came upon a group of college age students, looking as though a part of some sort of orientation. As I passed five or six college-age Asian men from the group, in button-up shirts and dress slacks, ran forward, hollering loud and awkwardly, mentally looking over their shoulder as they raced to a finish line to complete some sort of ice breaking exercise. I turned to find myself approaching a heavy set African American man in baggy clothes, carrying a triple ply garbage bag as big as himself filled with cans. He grinned at me and shook his head. “Only in Berkeley, son.”

And I thought of how often I’ve seen this very scene enacted at orientations on other college campuses. Or of how Cambridge, Massachusetts, too, is also known as the “People’s Republic”, and how before finals week at Harvard, the entire student body descends on the Freshman quad and screams over and over in the darkness, while, if you can believe it, freshmen race in a circle around the quad, naked. Known as the Harvard Howl, the whole thing plays out like a (really creepy) scene from Dante.

I thought all these things, and I grinned back and nodded politely. It all seems pretty tame, but then again, it’s only my first day.

Living frugally doesn't mean depriving yourself

When some people here about someone trying to live frugally they picture... wearing 15+ year old clothing, living off of kraft dinner (more like mr noodles now a days), driving an old rusted out car... etc... well if that is what living frugally meant why would want to live that way. I would have thrown in the towel a long time ago trust me.

To me living frugally not settling for just the easiest solution without putting much thought into it... it means being wise with our money and not wasteful with our purchases. It also means use what you have already... being resourceful. I could go on but you get the idea.

I never buy everything one store as this is not being wise with my money when I can save so much more by purchasing at other stores. I don't make special trips but if I am in the area of the other store then I pop in and get what sale items are worth purchasing. I no longer obsess over the flyers that come in the mail. I know a couple of stores that usually have really good pricing and stick to them but I do ... look at the front pages of all the flyers looking for the really big loss leaders I might want to pick up espically in the meat area. I am trying to feed a good size family on very little here.

One thing we did was cut back on convenience food... it is loaded with preservatives and other things that really saving the time on it is not worth compromising our health. It really does work out to be cheaper to bake some muffins, make an egg on toast compared to buying it. Save money and eat healthy!

One thing I am trying to do is cut back on meat meals... and meat in general. Meat is very expensive and when it comes down to it... we can't afford it plain and simple. So I am looking for some good bean recipes... so I can put more beans into our diet.

Okay.. off to find some good bean recipes... I have not really tried my hand at cooking beans... but that is going to change... :)

Sydney Harbour Bridge, night

The Sydney Harbour Bridge at night, from the Overseas Passenger Terminal viewing platform at Circular Quay (above) and from near the Sydney Opera House (below).

The Rocks, Vivid Sydney, tunnel and trees

The Smart Light installations in The Rocks included Rocklights by Ingo Bracks (above) which was in the Argyle Cut, reflected on the roof of the road tunnel. The coloured light in the trees (below) along Argyle Street, outside the tunnel, were viewed from the top of the Argyle Stairs.

MJ...!!

Yesterday I woke up to the news of MJ’s death, and it sent shockwaves down my spine. Legends like him are taken for granted, scandalized and scorned at and mourned upon after death. Many legends like him have had the same fate. Whatever it is , ‘Bad’, ‘Thriller’ and ‘Dangerous’ are the most sought after albums for dance shows even these days, in spite of music albums being released every minute of the day by thousands of artists worldwide. It is hard to realize that he was 50 and fighting cancer, even though he appears supremely energetic and invincible in his music videos and in the back of our minds. MJ was the reason for pop music and ‘break-dance’ as we call it, to become so popular in this part of the world, and he is known among people who don’t know A.R.Rahman. The music and its beats are foot tappers, hip-shakers, stress-busters and whatever one may call it. The world missed his greatest comeback which was scheduled in July at London. If he was alive, it would have been celebrated all around the world; channels broadcasting it live, setting the world rocking away to the tune of his magical performance. I guess the world dint deserve the comeback of the legend. His name is engraved in the history of pop music, dance and in our hearts and will live on forever n ever!!
Love u , MJ!!

Most touching lyrics from one of his best choruses:

There comes a time ..
When we head a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
And it's time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all

We can't go on
Pretending day by day
That someone, somewhere will soon make a change
We are all a part of
God's great big family
And the truth, you know love is all we need

[Chorus]
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me

Send them your heart
So they'll know that someone cares
And their lives will be stronger and free
As God has shown us by turning stone to bread
So we all must lend a helping hand

When you're down and out
There seems no hope at all
But if you just believe
There's no way we can fall
Well, well, well, well, let us realize
That a change will only come
When we stand together as one..

The Rocks, Vivid Sydney, flowers and rainbow

These colourful Smart Light installations were located within close proximity of each other at The Rocks, near Circular Quay.

Vessel of (Horti) Cultural Plenty (left) by Warren Langleys was located at Cadman Park and Rainbow (right) by Mark Hammer and Andre Kecskes was outside the Billich Gallery.

Miss Me!

My friend Tonya Zunigha used to always say "miss me!" whenever you were leaving her presence. So that's what I'm saying. MISS ME blogging sphere! I'm on the beach!

The advantage of having a TV cum PC.

Only when I saw an advertisement in the television in which I came to know that I can order pizza from my television, I contemplated about buying a Direct TV System. My God, I have been living in Stone Age by ignoring the satellite TV entertainment.

Another feature of the Direct TV that my son wanted was Internet accessibility through TV. He explained to me patiently the advantages of having a TV cum PC and that made sense to me.

I gathered several of my old newspapers and magazines and started digging for ads related to offers from Direct TV Service providers. Well, the task of choosing the best direct TV service provider was not difficult really as there was not much of a competition.

Since I wanted only to view family safe channels, my monthly budget is also not very high. With family safe channels and parental controls, I patted myself for a god selection of channel package.

Then I gained some insight on the advantages of satellite TV over cable TV just to impress upon my neighbor that I am not a complete novice about Direct TV.

Smart of me-eh? (Smile)

Vivid Sydney, stairs and bats

Looking up at these Smart Light shots during the Sydney Vivid festival offer a glimpse of the night sky. Nothing Left To Guess (left) illuminated the sandstone steps at East Circular Quay. Cloud of Bats by Trent Middleton, Ruth McDermott and Ben Baxter (right) was hanging beside the sandstone wall on Watson Road, near Observatory Hill.

Click here to view all participants of Skywatch Friday

Sydney Opera House, Vivid Sydney, Luminous

More views of the Sydney Opera House during the Vivid Sydney festival between 28th May and 14th June. The artwork on the sails was photographed from the western side of Circular Quay around The Rocks or from the Overseas Passenger Terminal.

Green Thumb

I was looking through the pictures on my iPhone and saw how puny my flowers first looked when I planted them. Now all my flowers are huge and growing like crazy. Here is just one example:

Just planted.....
Today - they are hanging several feet over the planter in every direction. I'm so glad I didn't kill them! :)

Campbells Cove, Vivid Sydney, Fire Water

Fire Water during the Vivid Sydney festival was a theatrical spectacle that combined flames and the harbour.

The show at Campbells Cove at The Rocks was a recreation of the fire that sank the convict ship The Three Bees in 1814 and sent its canon balls blazing across the harbour. The performance included an Aboriginal smoking ceremony and live music performed by Coda.

Click here to view all participants of Watery Wednesday