INTERNET ON SADDA - PHONE...WORKS BEST WITH VODAFONE :-)

Statutory Warning : Laughter is subject to your mood. Please check your bladder, patience level and phone for messages before investing (your time !!! )

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When you are singing "You and I, in this beautiful world" and skipping on the green grass under the blue skies with your smartphone :-) , you are surely suffering from the IIFOV (Internet is fun on Vodafone) Syndrome.

Internet on smart-phones and mid-tier phones has certainly opened up a plethora of engaging and exciting gateways that can transmit you to worlds full of music, videos, news, games and lot more.... With the advent of 3G in India, "Munni" can be "badnaam" and "Sheila" can be "jawaan", not only on the multiplex screens/TV/Desktops , but also on the smart-phone of a Bollywood music connoisseur who is travelling from Vashi to Bandra via AC bus :-)

Here is how, in all actuality, according to me , Internet on Vodafone is fun , because Internet on Sadda (Read : my) Phone, works best with Vodafone :

• We all know how much fun , the Big Fat Indian Wedding is....Sweat, Fire, Laddus and Loose Dhotis aside, a wedding in the family, is one hell of an event. My girlfriend's sister attended her brother's wedding live from Los Angeles via Skype...The element that streamed the happy pictures from the Himalayan Republic to Uncle Sam's backyard, was an iPhone 4, dutifully carted around by relatives to capture the action over Vodafone's robust 3G network that penetrated even the the underside of the buffet table (where the groom's shoes were hidden) . She witnessed everything first hand and even tried to touch her brother's face, carried away by all the emotions.(After some time she realised that it was futile because it was actually the PHONE she was touching). She laughed and cried and had the most memorable time.

• I booked a movie ticket for the most kickass movie in recent times..Avengers (!!!!!), in my boss's cabin via the Book My Show app and availed the Vodafone Tuesday Movie discount offer, while my other colleagues were engaged in activities like nose digging, bird watching and throat clearing...I then came outside, downloaded the Movie trailer while I poured myself a coffee from the vending machine, downloaded "Temple Run" while I bent down to tie my shoe-laces and asked my girl-friend out for the movie over "WhatsApp" ..by the time I reached my cubicle...Now this is serious fun :-)

•  Challenged the big, beefy co-worker (who was stealing credit for all my work) to a bout of Modern Combat 2 over our iPhones and derived every bit of the sadistic pleasure that was on offer, as I slaughtered his army with a ruthlessness that is only reserved for Hide n Seek biscuits (when they fall prey to my cruel stomach on a late night snacking mission). I laughed my head off maniacally for the next few weeks whenever he crossed my cubicle... only to see him whimper with terror and resentment.

• Created my slides for this post using my phone, uploaded them to my Picasa Web Album over Vodafone's wonderful network with superior uplink capabilities, poked two absconding friends on Facebook, commented on Manchester United's abysmal performance on Twitter and engaged in a verbal duel with my friends...(so much so, that our abuses would have given Queen Elizabeth a heart-attack and would have driven a stake into the heart of Shakespeare in his grave), downloaded this beautiful song that I heard on the radio (while I waited for my Maggie to cook ), emailed my friend some long-pending stuff and checked out a new shop to buy Manchurian Masala from (cause according to my mom, our local grocer was ripping us off !!! the Blasphemy !!! ) using Location Based Services ...and finally streamed the episode of "Bade Achche lagte Hain" so that my Mom could be at peace after having missed it the previous day (cause she was threatening make me wash my stale pile of used clothing right away !!!)

• And finally (phew !!!), I used Mobile Banking to transfer money to my mom's account , used "WhatsApp" to inform her that my Brother's tution fees for the next semester was now aggregated (only to hear her bless me :-) ), shot a picture of the local lassi wala and tagged my friends in it, only to have them arrive at the location within the hour and create fond memories of our entire group sporting "lassi moustaches" (which was uploaded as our Cover picture on Facebook soon-after), looked up a couple of emergency quotes for a toast at a friends wedding (THANK YOU GOOGLE !!!) and found my way home after looking up the BEST bus timings (GOOGLE !!! I AM A FAN !!! MARRY ME !! ) and plonking myself in the home-ward bound AC Bus.....

Now, that is why I think "Internet Over Vodafone" is good, great and serious fun. I 'd love all my readers to spare a few more seconds and have a dekko at the slide show below. In my own mad, funny (read : pathetic) and innocent (yeah right !!! ) way, I ll try and end with some of Ravi Shastri's favourite dialogues that have been moulded to suit this post.... 

" Internet over Vodafone...has travelled like a tracer bullet. They have the license to go the full monty here and THEY HAVE DONE IT !!!! Ten Dosas and Uttapams to you , Vodafone !!!! " :-)

If you want to ignore whatever I have written and try to sue me in court for indecent "expo...." oops !!! I meant ...indecent promotion, I suggest that you go to www.vodafone.in/fun and confirm the truth in my blabberings. Here's power to you :-)

Thank you Vodafone and thank you, Deepika Shrivastava :-)

Cheers and Ciao...

Images :
Internet is fun on Vodafone - Courtsey : Vodafone

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This blog post has been submitted as an entry for the "INTERNET IS FUN ON VODAFONE CONTEST" powered by Vodafone and Indiblogger.

MY SMART PHONE'S WIFE : VODA-NET

I am back :-) After a long hiatus :-) The intermediate time space was wonderful. I enjoyed my blog-less sabbatical like an archaeologist who has stumbled upon a new Raptor fossil.

I made a few acquisitions in the  interim ... notedly an iPhone and...its grown up cousin...the iPad. As a concerned device parent, I immediately began my search for a suitable bride that would transform my gadgets into powerful Jedi Knights (I am on an exaggeration trip here, so, please bear with me :-) )

 Since I am a stickler for quality, I stick with Vodafone for most of my telco needs...And even in this regard, I consume their internet data packs at a frenzied pace, faster than rabbits can multiply (Thank you, Navjot Singh Siddhu :-) ) Mostly it is the Rs 99 for 1GB of data, pack, that I go for...It more than covers my browsing and entertainment needs...

The thing about Vodafone that makes me so loyal to the brand is the plethora of services that they provide in an encapsulated customer-delight centric package. That is what makes Internet over Vodafone fun :-)

Since the entire country has jumped onto the 3G bandwagon, one cannot but feel tempted to be a part of the revolution...and I more than count on the Zoozoo masters for my 3G needs. Fast, dependable and excellent..Vodafone 3G is a class apart from other operators.. 

I ll now cut to the chase and talk about the benefits, like Gandalf the Grey talks about "Frodo Baggins" :-) 

1. I gave my old Nokia smart phone to my mom (who after hours of vehement protests regarding her inability to handle "such a big phone" , conceded defeat and accepted my offer) and set her up with one of the applications that is creating such a huge ripple across the app space... "Whatsapp" !!!! Now my mother is online 24 x 7 and keeps me updated about her work (she is a librarian) by sharing pictures of her workplace and sends me recorded audio notes that consist of scoldings to make me eat on time and dire warnings that keep from speeding home on my bike. 

                                              

Plus add to it, my football friends who keep pinging me whenever their damned clubs have triumphed against Manchester United or my female friends who send me pictures of the "pretty pair of shoes on sale" that they happened to stumble across in the mall :-)

In essence, I feel like a spider, sitting at the centre of my web, that entangles all my near and dear ones...whenever someone quivers..I can feel the tremors :-) Sounds kinda gross, doesn't it? But I hope you get the picture (I can imagine the language purists going , "Ermmm ... no...we dont get it" ) 

Vodafone's Connectivity and download speeds makes downloading apps a breeze.....It might seem to be a very generic and boring use-case...but trust me, it is so much easier to instantly download the app onto your device if a friend recommends their favourite game or app during a hang-out session.Football scores, Cricket Scores, News and blogs are now much easier to access...

For eg. After watching an episode of "The Big bang Theory", I downloaded this "Whipcrack" app, that is a fun tool to use when you want your colleagues to pay attention. All you have to do is jerk your hand (holding the phone of course) in a whip-like motion..and you will be the proud producer of the most authentic whip sound ever produced by a digital device :-) Its kinda fun to wield the whip (if you know what I mean :-) )

2. Where would the world be without Angry birds?? or games like Temple run ??

Using Gamecenter, I can post my scores online and have the satisfaction of beating my friends (evil cackle)

3. I simply could not write a post based on this topic without including : 

As I am a Facebook addict and my posts and status updates are as important to me as a drug addict's little box of cocaine, the internet on my phone gives me the power to be online and be socially-virtually present all the time :-) I am sure this is one of the major benefits that everybody enjoys... Posting pictures and sharing them is quick and fast, thanks to Vodafone's superior uplink network.

This coupled with sat-nav, GPS and photo-tagging are some of the services that I frequently use whenever I am on foot or exploring. They are extremely useful tool to possess if you are in an unknown location and if you suffer from the I-AM-PAINFULLY-SHY-AND -I-CANT-ASK-RANDOM-STRANGERS-FOR-DIRECTIONS syndrome.

4. Now when it comes to Videos :-) I have a hobby for creating music videos and poetry recitals ( I am a straight Poetry lover :-) ) ... (Find me on youtube@superabhik).. Sharing Videos over Facebook and email becomes a treat...Getting reviews and comments from my friends about my videos is so much more easier...Catching the latest trailers and clips on Youtube is convenient and a great way to pass time (when you are travelling in AC buses with an hour to kill). The streaming quality is superior thanks to Vodafone's strong GSM coverage.

5. Accessing E-mails and responding to them has become one of my most favourite features on my phone. What's the big deal about it? :-) Let me explain....

It is ok if you are using a common email service provider like Gmail, but when you are using an exclusive office mail client like IBM Lotus Notes, the scenario takes a 360 degree phase shift. Having a permanent internet connection and a Lotus application means that I can access my office mails any-time and anywhere...and can promptly reply much to the chagrin of my office mates who can only access their mails only via their office desktops....It is also a lot of fun to reply to mails, late at night, and poke fun at your friends by telling them that you stayed back late ;-D

I realize that my points are now progressively getting generic and boring and might be putting my readers to sleep...therefore, I will present my last and most touching point :-) (I am a shameless sympathy gainer ;-) )

6. One of my very good friends who went abroad to study, stumbled upon me by happy accident recently (No, he HATES FB [unbelievable !!!]  ). This happened via an app called Draw Something (Yes, I suffer from OCAUD- Obsessive Compulsive App Using Disorder :-D ). My friend, who has an iPhone as well, was using the app, when he asked the system to find him a random opponent for a game. The system then delved into its database and selected me as an opponent (Yayyyyy !!!! ) Nowadays, we play almost a couple of hours a day and I have had the chance to ask him for his e-mail address. I love happy endings :-) (I am sounding like a girl in pink shoes now !!!! )

Internet over Vodafone is the perfect match for my mobile device...I have my family and friends near me, my favourite apps..a couple of swipes away and a host of services that make my day a lot easier...fun and naughtier :-)

PS : I happen to have a Vodafone connection by coincidence..Go to www.vodafone.in/fun  and find out how you can be a happy father/mother-in-law to your mobile device and the internet :-) 

CIAO :-)

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This post has been submitted as a part of the "Internet is fun" contest powered by Vodafone and Indiblogger.

Of Playbooks and Plays

Delhi provides a fascinating advantage for me that Mumbai does not... Resourceful friends :-) That apart .... getting my hands on the new Blackberry playbook was easier than I expected. Now being an iPad owner as well, I was immediately taken aback by the size difference.The playbook is almost 2/3 rds the size of my iPad and size wise, almost put me off at the first glance.





But what surprised me the most was the OS that powered this unassuming little thing. QNX developed by a Canadian Software firm was one of the most delightful mobile operating systems I had ever used up to date...I have jostled with Andriod, iOS, Symbian, Linux and Windows and therefore can proudly say that I am well aware of the pros and cons that each of them has to offer....



The ring-master is a dual-core, 1GHz TI OMAP processor that's efficiently caressed and used by the QNX OS. QNX is a decidedly efficient and water-tight operating system that fuels everything from alien-space ships to, well, little black tablets...



A five megapixel camera juts out the back, while a three megapixel module handles front-facing duties. That later is tucked under the glass and situated just above the seven-inch, 1,024 x 600 display that will threaten neither rods nor cones when on maximum brightness. It does, however, deliver lovely clarity and good viewing angles.



Graphics are taken care of by a PowerVR design, which quite handily offloads video decoding and gaming acceleration from the processor, enabling this thing to decode and display 1080p video over HDMI while still crawling along quite smoothly and running productivity apps on the seven-inch display. Not a hint of dithering or pixelation, of course. Apps load quickly, tend to be impressively responsive, and switching from one to the next is effortless.



To switch from one app to the next you can swipe inward from the left or the right, which pops the app out of full-screen and lets you move forward or back in the queue. A tap then maximizes your new favorite app. Or, a swipe up from the bottom gives you an even higher-level view of your running apps, which you can again zing your way through. Grabbing one and throwing it upward sends it to the garbage collector, or you can tap the tiny X that appears next to its name.



It's something of a serious tablet when compared to the competition running software from Apple and Google and, while it certainly has games, its biggest strengths are rather more boring. It does a really great job at displaying PowerPoint presentations, for example, and has the security chops to keep last quarter's dismal sales figures from falling into the wrong hands....



An impressive battery life of upto 7 hours (my iPad beats that...10 hours hahahahahaha ) lets it do its thing.



Over all, a great thing to pair with your blackberry handset (I do not have one Sob !!! :-( Symbian Zindabad !!!) but I managed to get hold of a friend who has one and used the impressive BRIDGE feature...



All in all....a nice little treat....(I stole adoring glances at it while it was tucked away in my bag :-) )



Now talking about plays..... (Again...thank you Delhi :-) )...

If you ever can (unlike me who had front row passes *gloating laugh* ) watch Frankenstein by Danny Boyle....It is in one word STUNNING !!!!!!!!!!!!

The use of technology to bring the stage to life is absorbing, riveting and super to say the least....






Cumberbatch (top left) alternates roles with Lee Miller (Top right) in Boyle's production who play both Frankenstein and the monster. The stage adaptation is a far cry from Mary Shelly's novel that I had received for standing first in class VI (lol)



Miller, however, strikes me as the more disturbing and poignant monster, while Cumberbatch undoubtedly has the edge as the scientist.



Danny Boyle's extraordinarily haunting production is set on the notion of alternating the two leading actors in the roles of Frankenstein and his brilliant handiwork.The role-reversal makes deep thematic sense because it highlights the irony whereby the son becomes the father, the slave the master.



It is a hell of a production. This taut, thrilling play runs to its awful conclusion without an interval, indeed with hardly a moment for breath.



I nearly fell out of my seat at the shock bridal-chamber scene. Twice.



As for now, I am recovering from the shock of having seen a masterpiece and twiddling away at the playbook with my thumbs...



Not often that you get to see the Playbook and a play based on a book all in the same time span, do you?? :-)



CIAO all :-)

SEPTEMBER....

I recently felt an urge to go and purge myself of all emotions bereft of any remorse J Granted that this emotion does not come knocking on your door everyday….but when it does…you do end up with a lump in your throat… I ended up typing some familiar lines on my laptop….I felt like sharing them with nobody in particular…so I decided to share it with everyone :-)

Wait until you are finally set free…
Don’t you worry, life will carry on…

Just take it slowly…

Cause the love you used to feel, is still there inside…
It may be a faded photograph, but I know that you care…

So don’t hide…
If you are scared….I am here beside you…
If you get lost…I am here to guide you…
I ll give you peace when peace is fragile…
Love is all the good in you…
Love is peace when peace is fragile….

How the time passed away…

All the troubles that we gave

And all those days we spent out talking to each other by the window pane..

Has it all gone to waste?

All the promises we made….

One by one, they vanished just the same…

All the things I still remember

Summers never look the same

Years go by and time just seems to fly

But the memories remain

In the middle of September

We still play out in the rain…

Nothing to lose but everything to gain…

Reflecting now on how things could've been

It was worth it in the end…

Now it all seems so clear

There is nothing left to fear

So we made our way by finding what was real…

Now the days are so long

That summer's moving on…

Reach for something that's already gone…

We knew we had to leave this town

But we never knew when and we never knew how…

We would end up here…the way we are

All the things I still remember

Summers never look the same

Years go by and time just seems to fly….

But the memories remain…

.In the middle of September

We still played out in the rain

Nothing to lose but everything to gain…

Reflecting now on how things could've been

It was worth it in the end….

I realized that I was part of a relationship…that was so, so pure, passionate and unique that I felt blessed to have been a part of it….
What can one do…when he loses love ? :-)
Mope and wait….
Mope and wait….
:-)
Cheerio….

EYESPEAK....

I keep sitting lost in your thoughts...
I keep asking myself the same questions over and over again...
I wanted to say so much to you...
You are cuter than before :) ...
I want our eyes to do the talking...I want our eyes to communicate our heart's messages...I want us to get lost in each other's eyes...

I just want to keep looking at you...
I want time to freeze...
I do not know what to say and what not to say...
I want you to understand what I cannot say...

My only wish is that you remain mine forever...
I want you by my side in reality...I have dreamt of it enough already...
I just want to lose myself in your eyes....

The moon and all the stars pale in comparison to you...
They reflect your radiance, your glow...
I do not know whether I will ever get this opportunity again...
Nobody has seen tomorrow...
Let us share the path which leads us into the future...
I do not want to have any regrets..
This is what love actually means..

When the eyes speak and the heart listens...

Missing you T :(

SKETCHES....OF AN HOUR GLASS...GRAINS FROM BEYOND THE MEMORY TRAIN..

My little brother and a sleepy eyed me :) His tummy is the softest pillow in the world :D



In front of the historic Char Minar



All at sea :D , literally and figuratively :D



Sachit, me and Gaurav obviously find a flower vase something to gawk and stare at...because the Loch Ness monster is now extinct :D



Looking out of the window is the cheapest ticket to a theater full of memories and recollections :)





There are times when you want a bigger slice of the pie :D and the world is your stage... That's something (from the left) which Sachit, Usha and I decided to do this year :D





Doing something different for wellllllllllll... the very first time in my life :)




The family (they are friends no more, they are family :D ) that went with me to IBS, Hyderabad.




The most innocent and adorable and the cutest part of my family :D

Arziyaan ................. :)

I have written all my prayers on my face and have come before you,
What should I ask for ? I think you know what I desire....
My lord, My god.....
My Lord, My Creator

My brain is full of cracks my lord....
Repair it, revitalize it....

I have been created by you, you can erase me, I bow before you...
Repair it, revitalize it.....
Whoever has come and bowed before you,
You have filled them with unbound happiness my Lord...
They came in search of a glass of water and you provided them with the entire river.....
You showered them with gems, you drenched them with the rubies of contentment...
My Lord, My God ......

My brain is full of cracks my lord....
Repair it, revitalize it....

Whoever has come and bowed before you ,
You have filled them with unbound happiness my Lord...
A sweet smell fills our noses....
We become addicted to that heavenly perfume...
Your magic is as smooth as silk...
I am in awe of it....
I became aware of it when I stepped into your alley my lord..
That the perfume was always within me..
I just had to awaken and smell it....

My brain is full of cracks my lord....
Repair it, revitalize it....

I know how to break down and get blown away by the winds of time,
I also know how to recognize your presence...
Give me shelter my lord, I want to stay under your shadow forever...
If you refuse me....I will permanently dissociate and disappear...

My brain is full of cracks my lord....
Repair it, revitalize it....

I have wished for several things,
I have dreamt about many things and tried to accomplish those dreams,
When you came before me my lord, I could not look you in the eyes...
I bowed before you and suddenly...all my dreams were accomplished....

My Lord, My God...

My brain is full of cracks my lord....
Repair it, revitalize it....

Bring my loved one close to me,
Bring the one I love close to my heart...
May the person I love be mine...
May I love that person unto death......

My Lord, My God....

My brain is full of cracks my lord....
Repair it, revitalize it....










To watch the video of Arziyaan : Follow the link by clicking on the star row: ***********

AND...THE OSCAR... I MEAN ZE ABC AWARD GOES TO....

The award list :

* For Pseudo Intellectual , the bestest girl I know and adore :D . Your blog inspired me to start blogging in the first place :) Thank you :)


* For INsanely sane....surviving qualmless and Pseudo Intellectual :


* For my special "No Mute spectator " :) :



* Finally...for MADS MAD MESS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :


This in my humble capacity, is my appreciation for people who really make blog reading pleasurable :)

CIAO ALL :)

S

It was when I first saw you....that I really felt good about myself :) You were singing on stage and you looked ever so beautiful with your eyes shining and your hair billowing in the soft breeze... I cannot understand why my heart thumped when I picked up your register which you had forgetfully abandoned in the Electrical Networks lab. I did not have the courage to give it back to you, so I passed it on to my friend who did the honors :)

It was when I saw you dancing on stage during the college festival that I realized how beautiful you really are... I had goosebumps and I could only watch on, my eyes wide apart and my body numb to the world...the feeling was ethereal :)

It was when we first met.... and I was a mess, stammering, blabbering non sense and staring down at my toes....

I still remember the time we spent together.. just the two of us in one of the empty rooms in college, where we talked for hours....where we communicated so much in those lovely snatches of time...

It was when I held your hand to help you climb onto the stage during this college festival.....

It was when you put your head on my shoulder after your dance performance telling me that you are so nervous... It was when you blushed when I congratulated you for winning :)

It was when I gave you a rose with a broken stem :D before we went on stage to host an event together :)

It was the hour we spent outside our classes after bunking our lectures :)

It was the concern I felt when you left for home so very late that one night

It is what I feel when whenever we meet......

Sigh.... Tis can never be :)

Just wanted you to know S :)

I am missing you and I care about you :)

HEART ACHE............. :(

This post has been written just to let out my bottled up emotions out .... cause today , the long night cum dawn of the 29th of May is f***ing my brains out :(

I do not not what to do :(

I have written one post already ...... :(

I feel terrified...for an unknown reason, I am scared beyond words, I am so very restless, I cannot lie down and go to sleep :( I just cannot close my eyes peacefully....even death would be welcome :(

I am missing you J..... I am really missing you a lot :( .. I messaged you yesterday night but you did not reply... I so so want to meet you again and make you laugh over the cup of coffee we promised ourselves 3 years ago. I remember that you once asked me to have a cuppa@CCD, but due to unavoidable circumstances I could not join you. I promise you that we will have a cup soon in each other's company...All the same I am missing you so very much.. I hope that you are smiling girl :) Deja Vu' :)

I am thinking about you Sitanshu. I am thinking about the cricket we played outside your house, the times when we solved those mock IIT papers at each other's houses, am thinking about the time I watched Dil Chahta Hai at your house and felt that our friendship could last the apocolypse, I am missing the way you used to end up outside my house on your Activa and call out to me from under my window, I am missing the times when we used to meet up during the morning assemblies, I am shedding tears on remembering the one time when you landed up at my house to teach my brother on the eve of his maths paper even though it was pouring cats and dogs, I am looking at the diary you gifted me and I cannot control my sobs :( You mean everything and a lot to me brother..... I am missing you so very much :( I cannot wait to see you again :(

I am thinking about you F, you are not picking up the phone...Are you ill, are you unwell ?? Has your mood gotten better ?? Missing you dear :( Wanna meet up with you as soon as possible.. and give you the hug I should have given previously :) I hope that the sweet girl is smiling :)

I am thinking about you too S, why are you so sweet to me ? I think ,we both know that we do not have a path in front of us which we can cross together.. Still, I care about you a lot :) am missing you horribly as well :( although I keep seeing you from time to time :)

Missing you Dad, am really horribly missing you :) Please come back soon and scold me... I want you to beat me up :) but please sit down and laugh with me while watching the news channels together.... Missing you dad :( I wanna hug you as soon as you come..Do not worry...Everything will be fine :)

I am missing you Usha, your big brother needs to see you smile everyday... and that is not happening :(

Sorry for imposing this on you people :( I am feeling very lonely and sad :( I do not know what to do :(

This post lifted some grief of my chest for the time being.......