Versatile Blogger Award

My co-blogger ZRADAR had tagged me for this fantastically sounding "Versatile Blogger Award".  I am honoured and humbled that despite not writing for such a long time, my blog is not completely vanished out of the radar of my co bloggers (pun not intended).  Thanks a ton ZRADAR for tagging me. 

The rules for the Versatile Blog Awards are:

• Nominate 15 fellow bloggers.
• Inform the bloggers of their nomination.
• Share 7 random things about yourself.
• Thank the blogger who nominated you.
• Add the Versatile Blog Award picture on your blog post.

So, I have to nominate 15 fellow bloggers.... here goes the names of my favourite bloggers..

Prathama http://prathama-raghavan.blogspot.in -She writes from her heart, so honest and so sensitive and covers a lots of topics, many of which are not even known to me.

Reema http://opinionsandexpressions.wordpress.com - She is so full of life despite being a busy professional and her spirit is visisble in her posts on movies, books, life etc.

Sharbouri http://sharbori.wordpress.com - A wonderful person who has deep insights in the minds of people due to her profession as well, she writes as she thinks. She is away from blogging these days, hope this post brings her back.

Vaish  http://www.vaish143.blogspot.com - She is my blogging sister! Lovely and simple at heart.. she writes about various things which touch her life - books, travel, photography and photography! Love to read her!

Harish (Conscientous reflections) http://diaryofaragingbull.blogspot.com - A voracious reader who writes about book reviews and movies and life. There is not just a simple review, but a certain in depth analysis about the states of things. Its always enriching to read his blog.

Psych Babbler http://www.overacuppacoffee.com Whatever little i know about her is due to her posts,which are so straight out of her mind... and i feel i know her somehow.  She too has a great understanding of things and people and expresses them without mincing words. She is an amazing and versatile blogger.

Vee http://psychesvisage.blogspot.com He had been there since i started blogging..is my blogger pal... writes about things which affect his life..his work... his friends... his books and movies. He too is not blogging.. i hope to hear from him after i tag him!

Prateek http://prateek-bagri.blogspot.com  - A spunky young boy.. who makes his reading go ROFL and sometimes sit up and think... he is wonderful blogger pal.

Anshul http://aestheticblasphemy.blogspot.com - Is very very versatile and unpredictable.. as far as his posts are concerned! Has a great fan following too!

Uncle Jack http://niceguy251.blogspot.com 'Uncle' as all his readers address him affectionately, is a grand pa, but its really nice to see a person do blogging and write about his expereinces of life around him.  Many a teenagers visit his blog regularly for his pearls of wisdom. Regards... uncle.

Rocksea  http://www.rocksea.org He is a professional in the field of science... an observer... his posts.. and photographs speak for themselves. He too can write about anything.. u can't guess it! 

Niket http://niketgupta.blogspot.com The ever cheerful young man Niket had been a blogger pal for a long time now. Reading his blog is life reading him...he too writes about things that affect him... which are so varied.

Pooja Desai  https://poojashahdesai.wordpress.com Blogging sister....writes from her heart... and its always so soothing to read her blog.

Nikhil Garg http://nikhil-garg.blogspot.in A versatile blogger, a young guy who writes with so much joy and excitement.

Restless Souldier http://restlesssouldier.blogspot.in We share a common word in our profile name... that's how he reached my blog! He writes wonderfully.. and topics can be so different each time... travel... his mean machine...and yes he won a prize in a contest where he wrote about something like what is real beauty...he is amazing. Again away from blogging... hope this brings him back!


A special mention : I haven't tagged u BookWorm, but u r and remain the person who showed the way to blogging, and always wrote encouraging and honest comments on all my posts...even when i never gave feedback on urs.  You had been lending me ur books.. and i had been keeping them for long shamelessly! And now i am watching ur movie collection...thanks a ton for being such a huge support. Thanks :)

I will inform all of you, and hope that u pick up the tag, if u have not done it already.

Sharing 7 random things about me :

1. I am a "to do list" and "Reminder" person.  In fact, i keep reminders in my phone, write in my diary about things to do today, by the end of the week, or by next month.  I live maximum for next six months.

2. I can't remember numbers!  Although, I store all birthdays and anniversary dates in my mobile as I cannot remember dates.

3.I love mountains to much that I want to die in a small cottage in some hills.

4.I love nail paints and well groomed nails and hands! 

5. I consider myself as a very effective car driver ( take a lot of pride in this, as women are considered bad drivers)

6. I cannot tolerate very hot and very cold weather.  Both make me irritable.

7.  I love to (read have to!) moisturize my skin meticulously, as I have a very dry skin (but u can't tell that seeing it!)

RESTLESS


PS: Made certain changes in the content later.

Just Wanted To Say - Thanks!

Actually initially I had not intended to write a post so soon, but I couldn't help myself as I really wanted to say a big thank you to my dear blogger pals!  Thanks a ton for saying those caring, affectionate and wise words to this restless soul. Thanks for taking time out for me.  Despite the fact that I was not able to blog or read any blog since last two months, my blogger pals turned up to me.... visited this blog and did write to me. I feel truely happy that through blogging I have been bestowed with an emotional support system... well, that's the  best way I can put it.

Thanks!

RESTLESS : )

RESTLESS

I know I am beginning this post on a negative note. But here, on my blog, in this little space of mine, I want to be true, I want to be honest. For last two or three months, I am not happy and not in peace with myself. In fact, I am what I blog user name is "Restless".  For once I am not happy with this state, because this has dragged for too long this time.  Earlier I knew that my restlessness was something unique, as it kept me on my toes, doing things, thinking and reading. But, now it's feeling like a heavy weight on me.  I had not been blogging for quite some time.  This is the longest ever gap I have given since the beginning of the blog.

I wish and in fact I believe that this phase will also pass.... the phase of unexplainable restlessness..... of mind, of heart and of soul.  As they say - This too shall pass.

I have written about why I call myself restless and what does it mean to be restless in this and this and this post.  And surprisingly, I got some overwhelming responses from some known and some unknown (to me) bloggers.  It was heart warming to read their take. Suddenly, I felt we belong to a cult of "restless souls".

This time of my life the restlessness is at its peak once again.  Each time it has happened, I think it has pushed a little up in the ladder or say the pyramid of self realisation.  This time too there is a deep unrest.... the sound of the emptiness of inner self is echoing in me.... its some fear.... fear of losing the ground beneath my feet.... fear of losing myself in the whirlpool of nothingness.... which surrounds me.... despite having everything in life.

I am trying to unload myself of the weight of this strange noise of eerie silence around me by writing in the blog post of mine.  I don't know whether it makes any sense to anyone.... but this is it.

And how had you been dear blogger pals? Would love to hear a word or two from you about your well being in the comment form....

RESTLESS

An Ode To The Blog Comment Spammers- Part I

My heart is filled with gratitude as I, so full of emotions, type out about the most under rated guys on the blogosphere and other social net work sites.  They work day and night to make us bloggers feel special, writing glorious comments, praising us with all their might, going gaga over our scribblings, and yet they never get their due.  Their labour of love, their comments are trapped in our spam boxes of Blogger.  They are identified by their IP addresses and their suspicious looking writeup hiding that hyperlink underneath their sweet mumble, their honey bunny words.  Today, my heart sings an ode for all the spammers who filled (or at least tried to fill) my blog  with their sweet nothings! Hope you'll enjoy reading their love letters to me! You can also share the loveliest love letter received on your blog... muuaaahhh ;)

  

Category - I

The Mushy mushy spammers who made my day!!

1.   Considerably, this post is really the sweetest on this notable topic. I harmonise with your conclusions and will thirstily look forward to your incoming updates. Saying thanks will not just be sufficient, for the phenomenal clarity in your writing. I will directly grab your rss feed to stay informed of any updates. Admirable work and much success in your business dealings!  Please excuse my poor English as it is not my first tongue. 

(OMG!!!! u'll look forward thirstily?!!!)

2.  I can not thank you adequately for the posts on your web site. I know you’d put a lot of time and effort into them and hope you know how much I appreciate it. I hope I’ll do exactly the same for someone else at some point.

(No, i didn't know sweety!!)

3.   Read this article, so I learned a lot of understanding, thank you! 

(good boy!)

4.   Spot on with this write-up, I really think this website wants far more consideration. I’ll probably be again to learn way more, thanks for that info.

5.   You pretty much said what i could not effectively communicate. 

6.   Great blog! I truly love how it’s easy on my eyes and the details are well written. I am wondering how I could be notified whenever a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your rss feed which ought to do the trick! Have a nice day!

(What's the trick about it boy?!)

7.   Wonderful points altogether, you just gained a new reader. What would you suggest in regards to your post that you made some days ago? Any positive?

8.   brinkka2011 says: Would love to perpetually get updated outstanding web blog !

9.   brinkka2011 says: Hi there We are very excited,  we discovered this weblog, I really located you simply by accident, when We was searching upon Yahoo for something else, Regardless We are here plus We would just want to tell you thank you for a incredible post along with a all round enjoyable blog. Mmm... did you hear Egypt wonderful announcement?

(I wanna know who this Brinkka is?? grrr...)

10.  brinkka2011 says: Congratulations on possessing certainly one of one of the vital sophisticated blogs Ive arrive across in a while! Its just superb how a lot you'll be capable of think about away from a thing mainly simply because of how visually gorgeous it is. You've place collectively an incredible weblog site space –nice graphics, films, layout. This is definitely a should-see web site!

(I don't care who u r! am happeeee my blog is so sophisticated!!! hippeeee!!!!!)

11.   Tuneful fitting post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to command that I get in the final analysis enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I' ll be subscribing to your board and I hankering you transmit again soon.

( You wanted to ' command'??... anyways... so r u hankering to hear from me?! not bad!!)

12.  Hello once again, that I found your blog I think became blog budies lol! Apart all Jokes nice page!I'm Marco I'm newbie at this web surfing stuff! Enjoyed a lot here.

(Blog buddies?? very funny!)

Enjoy!

RESTLESS

Stray Thoughts

I was clueless as to what should be the title of this post.  

To begin with, I wanted to write why I have gone quiet, in blogging. But the happenings around us affect us so much (especially when it is a bomb blast in your city) that I can't stop myself for speaking about it. 

Delhi experienced yet another bomb blast yesterday at the Delhi High Court, the heart of the city area and at a time when the security was already there due to the Parliament session.  But no avail for the common man.  The bomb ripped through many lives and many families.  The pain is indescribable.  What does a common man do? Should he learn to live in fear, constant fear... not knowing whether he'll return to his home safe in the evening or not?  There were a lot of discussions going on, on the TV yesterday.  I really wish something concrete comes out of the discussions, debates and statements issued.

My heart goes out to all the innocent people, common people like you and me who lost their lives and or got injured due the bomb blast yesterday.

Coming to myself, I am experiencing the phase of my life when all I want is to be quiet.  I don't want to speak, or express what I think or feel.  At times in life, you have to be really silent to hear what others are saying. Or may be, I should say, at times, you want to sit down and analyze as to where are you heading? what are you  up to? how correct you were in your choices and more importantly, how correct you were in following a certain ideology for leading your life?  Now is the time for me. I'm in doubt... about my beliefs, belief systems.

I think the best way, I think, a person can deal with this mental state is to - speak to a friend, get a clear and honest feedback.  Second, to slow down and pull out of the situation which is troubling you.  And thirdly, do some self analysis, and if that hurts a lot,  rejuvenate yourself by things like listening to music or reading good books or anything which soothes you.  

I'm undergoing the phase, which I've gone through earlier too. I'm questioning myself and unlearning a few things, to make way for something new to be learned. So, I know, it's toughening me and sculpting me for better. Better - only to make me fitter to survive in the world where it pays to be fake and street smart.  Although, this is surely not my destination, but I guess, I'll HAVE to pass through this stretch.

 

Have you ever questioned your choices? your beliefs? Have you  ever felt forced to evaluate as to what went wrong when your intentions were not bad in dealing with a person or a situation in personal life or in work life?

Do share your honest thoughts...

RESTLESS

What do I Say???

While I was thinking of writing something, only these words came to my mind " What do I say?"  Once you stop writing, somehow the expression inside you dies down.  It's happening with me. 

 I'm even asking myself, first that are we be held accountable one day for what we write on our blogs and the comments people leave on our blogs and second, does it make sense sharing about your life and your thoughts in the cyber space? Do these thoughts come to your mind too? Huff! All this is my self talk, so don't bother much about it!

Actually, I had been very very busy all this time.  Although I love to work but this time it was full of stress as well, the bad stress I mean! (Remember my post on Stress - Eustress -Distress?) And it took me a long time to cope with it, and find a way out of it.  I have not just neglected by blog, but have also neglected my health.  I need to begin my daily Yoga soon!

I am grateful to my fellow bloggers, who keep visiting my blog frequenlty and make it a point to leave a comment on the topic concerned, thereby leaving a mark of their foot prints on this blog!  Really, I check my blog only to see what you had to say!

Meanwhile, I think i missed out on telling that "My World - My Perception" has been selected as an "Excellent Blog" by "Indian Top Blogs -2011".  Thanks a ton for that!

By the way, how had you been? Yeah, you the reader?!

RESTLESS

I miss Blogosphere!

I think today I'm going to write a very brief post on my blog! I just think so!

I'm keeping extremely busy these days and I know that the forthcoming days are going to be equally busy.  I'm not able to view any blog.  I had been devoting whatever time left with me on my blog, posting something or replying to the wonderful comments of blogger pals.  What all did I not do for the love of blogging!  I bought a laptop and a USB internet connection solely for blogging and of course some more browsing, but it seems even that is not helping me much.

I never knew I'll be jotting down how busy I've become of late, in my blog! But really, work, home and kids and yes social commitments are keeping me away from blogging.

Every morning while reading newspaper I think about what to write today!!  So many things i wanted to share... but it seems I'll be writing about them when the phase is over.... phew....

Anyways... just wanted to share that work and lots of work is keeping me away from blogging and I'm looking forward to the time when I can spend lots of time blogging and reading blogs.

Till then,

Take care and enjoy!!

RESTLESS

My Blog's First Anniversary!

Wow! I can't believe that I have completed one year of blogging. 



A painting by Raja Ravi Varma



A person so unpredictable that I am, I never knew I will stick to blogging.  Being sensitive can be such a pain at times that you don't even know from which side of the bed will you wake the next morning.  Dealing with my sensitivity and using it in a productive manner was a challenge for me.  Also, giving an outlet to my thoughts and expressions was a need which had to be addressed.  Another, most important thing was that I needed an anchor.  I found mine in my blog, or rather blogging.  Because my blog alone ( like a stand alone PC) won't have helped me.  Only, and only hearing from other people, through comments, sometimes through email, on various forums like Indiblogger and Blogadda made the experience so rich, and so satisfying.  It's a networked PC now!

I wrote my first post on 21 June 2010 titled My World - My Perception.  Today, when I read it, I smile.  I guess, my words speak for themselves.  Today, I feel mellowed down, soften down.

Often, when I wrote a lively, bubbling post, somewhere I was disturbed from inside.  They say words have power.  And I do believe in it.... strongly.  Words change the way you feel.  I tried never to bring in my bad state of mind on the blog, rather concentrated on writing something positive, something nice, something interesting.  After writing a post, the comments that followed from blogger pals would brighten up my day.... howsoever low I felt.  Each morning, when I turned on my PC and logged in to Blogger.... the dashboard would open up and say "10 or 8 or 5 comments" waiting moderation.  Somewhere you feel, you are being heard.  Somewhere you feel your views are being reciprocated - in agreement or disagreement.  Especially for us, the psuedoanonymous bloggers who know no one in the blogosphere and nor they would share their blog with their friends, it's an amazing feeling to be liked for what you write.  To be liked for your expression from unknown people.

Today, I'm a one year old blogger, a more happy person and in love with my blog completely. Can I ask for something more?!

How did you feel when you completed the first year of blogging? Do share your thoughts on how did blogging affected your life.

Take care

RESTLESS

I Got Disqus!

I was thinking to change the commenting form of my blog. Finally, I have installed Disqus commenting form.  Through this post I want to share how I did it. 

It's very simple if you have a normal blogger template.  You just have to go to Disqus, create an account and install the code, which will automatically be added to your blogger HTML template.  But, since I had used a template which was not of Blogger, I could not install it automatically.  For this purpose, if you have knowledge about HTML code, then you can simply use the "Universal Code" of Discus and place it at appropriate place.  But, in case you don't have much knowledge about HTML ( like me), then you can first take a back-up of your current HTML of blogger template in your PC hard drive and revert to the default template of Blogger. Now, go to Disqus and install the commenting form.  Later on, you can use your favourite template (non Blogger one).

After disqus is installed, it shows the comments as "0" !! This can shock you!! Don't worry, you can import all the comments and then choose to synchronize all the future comments by doing some settings in Disqus.

Now, the funny part was that I was looking for my dear blogger Pal's comments in my blogger dashboard!!! While the comments were getting stored on Disqus Dashboard!!!! psst! I didn't know that!!

I like this commenting form, as I can quickly reply to comments without shuffling through all the posts on my blog.  Also, it helps bring out a logical discussion, as I can reply on the relevant comment at the appropriate place.

Since, I encourage healthy and open discussions on various topics ( I really like it, when you write for me!) using a commenting form like this is very beneficial.

I have heard that Disqus takes a lot of time to load?? Are you also feeling the same??

Do let me know what you think about it? and about the look of the blog.

I would look forward to your suggestions :)

RESTLESS

100 posts - 100 Blogger Pals!

I had been keeping an eye on the numbers.... I know, women always keep an eye on the number of the weighing machine and the waist size of their jeans.... for I, like all my blogger pals here, was keeping an eye on the number of articles I have posted in my blog since its beginning ( ie., in 21 June 2010).

My little son scribbled this for me on my birhtday card!

Yesterday, I've completed my 100th post, feels good.  But, I feel even better, as I've tried all this time to write something meaningful... something of use to those many people searching for information on Internet.  I know that at least half of what I've written is/will be useful to some people. (Of course, I write small little things wich are making me sad or happy or anything, at times!) I can say that with conviction because, I keep checking the search words used to find my blog on Internet.

Initially, I was surprised to read the search words, but later, it gave me all the more reason to write with responsibility.  It has inspired me to write the content which can be referred in case of need, although I'm way behind my goal, but I'll still try.  Just have a look at the search words used in last 8 months for which I had been writing :

my teacher hit me

my perception of world

what is a good girl ?

teacher punish me

child punishment

lonely life

a good girl is

home made remedy for black hair

what to do teacher hit me

my perception of marriage

lonely

These are to name a few... I've only brought out the relevant one's.  Although, there had been a lot of search for other things too.

Evidently, my posts on corporal punishment, marriage, live ins, changing perceptions of relationships, gender etc was being read and I'm glad for that.

Also, coincidentally, there is another number on my blog which has reached to a 100!!! It is the wonderful blogger pals (followers) list.

Anyways, coming back to blogging, I can only say that blogging has given an outlet to my thoughts and my expressions, and I'm deeply indebted to this blog world who accepted me, read my posts, wrote back, agreed/disagreed with me, gave their opinions and feedback to me, thereby giving a lot of their time and energy to me.  Thanks a ton!

Hope to spend more such creative time with you all!

I wanted to thank and say a few words to my blogger pals for quite some time. So, definitely in this post, I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you, who have a mention below and many more bloggers whom I didn't/couldn't  mention.

A special thanks to

Prashanth (who motivated me to blog and made sure I stick to it!!),

Vee (who had been with me throughout, since he commented on my 'Dream' post. right Vee?! thanks a lot dear!)

Vaish (We haven't met, but it seems we know each other! thanks dear!) ,

Jack (Unlce, you always give your pearls of wisdom, thanks for  being there) ,

Niket (You have been there from almost the start of the blog... and I always look forward to read ur comment and views!)
Prateek Bagri (You're such a supportive person, often updated me with info useful to me, which I was clueless about! thanks dear!) 
Blasphemous Aesthete (love your take on my posts!),

Book worm (You always add value to whatever I write, thanks a ton for being there!),

Vikram Karve (Sir, your comment means a certificate for me!),

Desh (You are well informed, so a comment means, loads of info) ,

Purba (for your affectionate support always) ,

Harish ( Always valued what you wrote for me),

Zephyr ( Our common interests make us click!!) ,

Pooja ( Reading you is so comforting for me) ,

Nikhil Garg (We disagree mostly!!! but still we stick around!!)  

Alka Gurha (woman power, and excellent writer) ,

Vivek Chamoli (Really appreciate the time you give to comment on my posts) ,

Varsha - My sweet friend, she is!
Reema - a lovely blogger pal! (help me with the link dear)

Pratibha and Geeta Singh( u two are really a sweet heart!),
Addy - Indiblogger pal!

Subtle Scribbler (new reader, but I think we think alike!) ,

Victor Guerra (Love ur sensitive take on issues) ,

Rocksea (Really like ur pics and the write up is straight from ur heart!) ,

Arpana (sensitive, like me!) 

Neeha, Raindrop, Always Happy - Young bloggers! thanks! you make my day!

I tried my best, but think I must have missed out some names here, please forgive me for that.

Have a great time!

RESTLESS :)

PS: actually completed 101 posts, but didn't have the time to write an elaborate post on it, so writing it now!

I'm Back!

It was quite a long break, I guess.  Suddenly, I am fumbling for words.  Not that I have nothing to say, but suddenly I don't know where to begin with.  My blog is really my sweet heart!

On the wings of the silver bird, I'm coming home to you!

When I was away from it, I was always thinking about it (read thinking about what to write in my next posts!).  You just won't believe it, that while I was studying for my exams, reading the chapters of Sociology (yeah, I want to be a student all my life), I was relating things to blogging, all the time! 

In one of chapters of Sociology, the structure and functionality of society is explained and understood through various ways, means and types of communication patterns people have set with each other.  It classified communication as subjective, objective, manipulative etc (not the exact terms, I am using) but believe me, while reading all that I was thinking about you - ie., all my co-bloggers and their blogs!! 

How, many of us write, sharing experiences and thoughts (Jack, you know that!) and some write very objectively. Of course, there would be many who write as if giving an impression of something, as if highlighting some aspect of their personality which would be liked by all.  (No, dear, am not pin-pointing on anyone here!) But surely, I found some connection of Sociology with Blogging.  And yes, why not, because blogging is again communication, with the whole world - known and unknown people around us, who write back to us through comments, who connect with us by empathizing with us, who laugh at our jokes, who share stories of their lives.  When we thought, we were alone feeling bad about things around us, we just had to write something, and we had so many people around us to tell - "they felt the same".  And we were not lonely anymore.

We agree and nod when there are things which affect all of us, as a society.  We disagree and argue, sometimes, bitterly to prove our points.  At times, we get in touch with a friend, by dropping into his or her blog, only to write some sweet nothings.  We know it! We do it at times!

Because ultimately, blogosphere is a social circle, it's a social network (suddenly these two words have a different meaning to us, first after the rampant use by all and sundry of Facebook, twitter etc and secondly because of the movie of the same name).  But, what I meant, when I said Blogosphere is a social network, is that it's a society again, it's a bonsai society.  You will disagree, may be.  True, that more and more people are getting connected through Internet now, even Govt organisations are waking up to it, and this circle is increasing day by day.  But, let's not forget that this is just the urban story.  Education is yet to reach the corners of our country.  So, I would say, it's a Bonsai Society, a little sample of real society.

Don't you see those patterns of blogging? Following, reciprocating comments, building a blog, an image of the blog and ,of course, writing and communicating how YOU would like people to see you.  We wear masks here too.  Well, many a times, we have to and many a times, we can avoid it and be real.  This reminds of another term used in the course book "Impression Management", yes, it was again a theory understanding the social behaviour, yes, it does cross paths with psychology, may be that's why it interested me so much. 

So, now you know, my blog and my co-bloggers were never out of my mind all this time!  I was thinking about it all the time!

But, let me say this naughty thing to you, that the way you feel when you meet your sweetheart after a long time, I was feeling the same for my blog, I was just, so....hmmm.... shy to speak! (Read, so blank to write a post!)  that I kept thinking what to write for last 3-4 days, when I got free from the work, for which I took  the blogging break.

Hey, does that happen with you too?! When you gave blogging a break for sometime, did you feel how I was feeling last few days, thinking what to write??

Or else,

You may read the question like this too, that, "do you also feel so shy and speechless meeting your sweetheart after a long time?"!!! ( am just kidding!)

Do write to me....

And yes, I missed you all so much... will be visiting my blogger pals blogs soon...

Take care

RESTLESS :)

PS: By the way, I'll be writing about why am I RESTLESS, in my next post!

Blogging and my life!

Hello dear Blogger Pals and readers!

My life is really hectic these days due to many factors altogether. Since,  I believe in giving my best to whatever I do, I'd be taking a little break for a week or so from blogging.  

Bloom like a flower!

Although, I miss my blog like the way you miss your sweetheart!! I keep checking comments once or twice a day and try to reply to them too ( it's like checking your mobile for his/her sms!!).  My blog is a great place for me to live in it because you all are there! Be there, dear readers and fellow bloggers :)

 I am also not able to read my fellow bloggers blog posts due to my preoccupations and I am missing reading and commenting on their posts!  But will definitely be back in a few days!

Till then, take care and have a great time!

Delhi is getting really really cold now, my blogger pals from Delhi and other Northern States of India, do take care!

with love,

RESTLESS :)

My World-My Perception at The Asia Mag!

Dear Reader,

I am truely happy to tell you that my post on Karva Chauth, Karva Chauth - A Modern View On An Ancient Ritual has been chosen by the Asia Mag ,  and has been published in their current edition. 

About The Asia Mag - theasiamag.com is a platform  that showcases good writing about Asia from the people who live in there. Its aim is to present the continent through the diverse perspectives of those from different parts of this vast continent.

Certain changes have been made in my post to make it understandable by people who are not familiar with this Hindu ritual.  The post has been titled as "For Your Well-Being, I Forego Food Today".  Here is the link to the post.  http://www.theasiamag.com/perspectives/for-your-well-being-i-forego-food-today .

Dear reader, if you find some time, do visit my post there and please give your feedback there.

It is an amazing feeling when people whom you don't even know find you and appreciate your work.  I am thankful to The Asia Mag for this.  I am also thankful to my dear readers who encourage me to write better with each passing day, by writing comments on my posts.  That really motivates me!Your feedback is like support for me. Be there!

And, the readers who do not comment, you are equally important - you clicks on my blog make my day! 

take care,

 

RESTLESS :)

Thank You, DESICRITICS Team!

Dear reader,

It feels so good to tell you that Desicritics has honoured me by making my blog at the Desicritics, the Featured Blog (September 2010). 

Do check it out yourself to see why a comparatively new blogger like me has been given this honour.  Especially, see this post.

A special thanks to Sumanth, who expressed his views on gender issues, though with a lot of aggression! And ct, for giving a very balanced view towards the issue.

RESTLESS 

Sometimes Being A Fake Blogger Also Pays!

This is some news making the rounds in last 2-3 days.  All this time, we had been talking about being genuine in our blogs, writing things we have knowledge and interest in, and overall speaking from our heart and mind and soul and blah blah !

Anupam Mukherji

Here is an example where being fake also pays!  Anupam Mukherji, a Delhi boy and working as a freelance advertiser in Bangalore used to write a blog with the name of FAKE IPL PLAYER when IPL 2 started and wrote on till now.  He became a hot favourite among the cricket fans (which are huge in numbers anywhere in the world) and has a follower list of 8,434 bloggers/users!  He used to give the inside stories about the cricket world and players, and fans started believing him.

When asked how did he manage all this, he replied that he was inspired by the movie "Hoax" and only with the help of Internet and TV did he mange to be a sensation in the cricket world and became a talked about blogger!  On gaining popularity, he even wrote a book "The gamechangers" (well, quite a game player!)

This is an amazing success for a blogger, no doubt.  Now, he is out of the anonymity, I mean he decided to and he is on the front page of The Times of India (29 Aug 2010) for the world to know that the fake IPL player was actually Fake.

This is quite an achievement, whatever way, but he is popular because of his tact and his mind.

As a blogger, I feel elated!  whenever I read about a blogger achieving in some way, it definitely brings a smile on my face!

Cheers to Blogging and all the bloggers!

RESTLESS

An Ode To The Blogosphere

Engrossed!

Its going to be two months since I started blogging.  When I began I was alone, all alone, quiet, very quiet. But inside of me there was a turmoil, a storm, a stream of questions troubling me all the time. I was disoriented, middle age crisis?! ( now I wonder).  I was obviously unhappy, with myself, with my situation, basically myself.  Looking for an anchor in life to hold on to. I was slipping deep, I was slipping deep into depression.  The nothingness, this loneliness was killing me silently.  No, don't get those ideas, I have a lovely family, a good job, a comfortable lifestyle.  God has been kind, He made me suffer, work and wait, before He gave me the material comforts that I wanted for a normal (middle class) life.

So, in my unhappiness, I applied for a distance learning course, (I have to appear for the Entrance Exam also). Then began to read some books.  I read Caulo Paulo's Veronika Decides to Die (title was really appealing to me!) and the Alchemist,  I loved the books.  Then the third book was and is Eat, Pray Love by Elizabeth Girlbert.  You must be knowing there is a movie coming up featuring Julia Roberts.  This book brought out a change in me!

The author, known as Liz by her friends, and now by me too, was depressed, very very depressed.  Ah, she was much more depressed than me! A divorce, no children, and then a breakup.... ah serious heart ache..... Liz was crying, she was crying in the middle of the night, sitting in the bathroom like mad.  Suddenly, I could relate to her, I too was depressed!

But then she decides to go on a tour, all alone to Italy, then India and then to Indonesia.  She travelled, she ate, she prayed, and now she is in love in Bali! (presently I have finished the book till here)

Anyways, I started feeling better after reading her, seeing her so depressed. (So next time You are depressed, find another person who is more depressed than you, and you will feel better!) I made friends with her actually! When she stayed in Ashram in India, she became very spiritual, she learned to meditate (I already know it wow!), she introspected about her failed marriage and her failed relationship.  She learnt to forgive her ex-husband.  She transformed as a human being, I mean she felt a change of heart.

I would read the book, in the morning before going to work, and at night before I slept, sometimes early morning.  One night I even dreamt about my life, on the lines of the story. I knew I was living the book.  Her simple style of writing and understandable words ( I never used a dictionary for a single word) inspired something in me.  I wanted to express like her, I wanted to write about the small and the big things around me, about the things I learn, about the things I love and hate, just like her.  Something in me kept on churning,  my mind was on fire.  I already knew about blogging, it was not new for me.  One day I decided I want to write my blog.

And that was 25 June 2010, when I wrote my first post.  I was all alone, no friends here, no one knew RESTLESS existed, in fact she was just born, there were no joyful words welcoming her arrival (that was just a joke OK!). Then I wrote a post saying that I am a self talker, as there were no readers at that time. I had decided none of my friends or known people to be here, so that I can speak my heart and mind out without the consciousness of they being around or their watchful and curious eyes weighing my words and reading between my lines (our own people can be so judgemental  sometimes, what do you say?).

But today, Now , I am a happy, mentally and physically occupied person.  Feel elated because I have a medium to reach out to other people and share my thoughts with them. I am so grateful, I have a blog, Internet, a PC (or may be in the reverse order!), I am so thankful, I have made friends with so many blogger pals Purba, Divz, Addy, Varsha, Restless Souldier, Desi Girl, Vee, Sharbouri and many more with whom I interact through commenting and on forums. There are many many more bloggers with whose blog I like, and I interact frequently, they are becoming my friends slowly. 

It changed my life completely.  Its unbelievable for me. I am a happier person, though the challenges of life don't leave you, but somewhere I know I have a little world of my own, where I can write about My World My Perception.

Thanks to all my readers and my followers and the ones I follow for their support, their patience to read my rather long posts and giving their time to me to write those valuable and sometimes very lovable comments. 

A Restless Heart With

A Sensitive Mind !!!