Some Holiday Cheer!

What is better than a three day work-week? A two-day work-week of course! Imagine my happiness when I discover today morning that I don't have to come to work tomorrow.

Shiny gift wrappers and satin bows litter peoples' desks from opened presents while there are people walking around with gift bags with yet undelivered goodies. I can even spot a few Santa hats around. There is definite holiday spirit in the air. Who would feel like working when you know that you have a 12-day vacation coming up? I can see my people's eyes glazing over with holiday plans as they stare at the computer screens in front of them (well...at least mine are!).

I love this time of the year- yes it sure is cold, but a holiday wish shouted down the hallway or a brand new unexpected gift sitting on your table warms you up like butterbeer (Courtesy: Harry Potter). There is something about giving and receiving gifts- the feeling that you are remembered - that gladdens you immensely, don't you think?!

Have fun people! Happy Holidays!

"Priceless"- a la Mastercard

Last Friday was one of the worst days you could have picked for going on a long drive. It snowed pretty much the entire day which transformed to freezing rain by the end of the day, which I assure you is no better. And one thing I have not understood about Long Island is how these guys (I mean the municipality or whatever you call them here) are never (never ever!!) prepared for things like this. There is very little salt on the roads (do they run out every year?!!!), no snow plows in considerable abundance, and minuscule amount of emergency vehicles. On top of this another thing that vexes me beyond belief is the attitude of some drivers at times like these. I mean when everybody is doing 15-20 mph these guys zoom past you at 50 mph on the highway burying your windshield in sleet and slush putting themselves and people around them in danger (they have the nerve to honk at you and flash their lights as if it were you that was holding them up). Anyways as I was saying on a day like this you don't choose to go on a scenic drive- pretty much everybody who can, works from home or those who are unfortunate like me, go to work, but leave early like smart people should and get home to a cozy cup of coffee and warm socks.

So why did I drive 40 miles through inches of snow and sleet, you ask. I was going to see my niece - in 4D to top it (the 4th dimension is time-as in Einstein's space-time frame). That's right - my sister is having a baby girl and we all wanted to see how she looked. She is beautiful and she put on a terrific show for us- yawning, stretching, kicking and smiling :). Awesome!!!!

Conclusion: Gas for driving 40 miles-$3.00. Mental aggravation-beyond measure. Skill for negotiating frozen roads and irate drivers-quite considerable. But that one smile of her's- aah priceless!

The following is an extract from a blog entry that I wrote on June 26th, 2007 in Rediff.

Why?

"I am writing after a long time. Though I claimed to be lazy and killed my previous blog, I needed to vent out. I do not want any comments, no sympathy, no advice. I am simply writing for my own needs.

Yesterday's incidents have left me with a feeling of absolute helplessness. Innocent bystanders getting killed in bomb blasts for some far fetched reason that only the most screwed up of human minds can conceive is simply beyond me. I fail to understand the purpose behind waging a war against people who are least connected with it. It leaves me with absolutely no hope in the ways of right or wrong.

And there comes the ever present debate where was God when these many people got massacred? It shakes up my permanent belief that there is somebody looking over us all and is there to set scales straight. But somehow I get the irrepressible feeling that this is an all consuming vortex, and I don't know when and how all this will end"

Sounds like a nightmare from hell..Only this time there was a sequel on November 26th and more casualties than before. I could not do anything but watch in horror at what was happening.