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Showing posts with label insights. Show all posts
Showing posts with label insights. Show all posts

… and no I don’t think it sucks =P

It;s 5:01 a.m as I start this post and I’ve had a REALLY long few days .. been working from 10 a.m to 10 p.m as of yesterday on the documentary shoot and some client meetings; rushed home to get ready and head over for an Xmas party at a friends’ apartment by 11 p.m; got back around 4 a.m and I’m still awake !

So now that I’ve filled you in and you can appreciate my state of mind … I was blog hopping around the neighbourhood when I came across a tweet to 10 Reasons Why Your Blog Sucks by Edward Khoo.  The reasons come about pretty obvious when you read them but the perception described comes about in a really harsh manner.  If someone had to feel so angry or disgruntled after reading my blog – I would come away feeling pretty shyte ! I won’t put it all here but will give you a summary instead.

10 Reasons Why Some Blogs Suck =(

  1. You use syndicated content. You cut & paste articles from sites across the net onto your blog.  You can, but you shouldn’t. Without unique content your blog is nothing.
  2. Your blog is boring.  Write about topics that your reader, not topics that interest you.
  3. Your blog revolves around your person. Stop talking about yourself already. Readers don’t know you personally, and couldn’t care less about your ramblings. Tell them Facts or stories, not boring personal stuff
  4. Oh no, not your favorite music on auto-play!  Don’t add music to your site. Half the people won’t like it and the other half will find it’s a distraction.
  5. You use clip art
  6. No search boxes or archives.
  7. Bad Grammar, typos, misspelled words, and poor punctuation.
  8. Spinning Articles.  You write the same things others do that belong to your niche.
  9. Irregular posting.
  10. Your blog looks like 12023532989 other blogs.

Why My Blog Does NOT Suck

  1. I don’t use syndicated content. I swear ! Last time I checked, I hadn’t copy-pasted anything other than my scribbles from my word docs to Live Writer once I got it downloaded.
  2. My blog is NOT boring ! At least no one has said so or sent me ‘yawn’ comments.  I like to think I’ve got a variety of topics on hand ranging from Music; some Blogging Tips; Poetry new blog discoveries; and some deep & meaningful reflections as well.
  3. My blog revolves around my person.  Why ? Because I am more likely to relate to things that interest me – impact me – and hence better able to convey those thoughts to my readers.
  4. I don’t have any music on auto-play.  I have blogged about some of my favourite music and the Magic Of Melodies by using links and video streams but none are on auto play. 
  5. I use any and all sorts of videos and images that I feel will enhance my sporadic thoughts and help you relate to whatever it is that I am writing about. And that includes clip art.  I don’t own a personal database of over a billion images representing all walks of the universe.  That’s what the Gods of Google are there for.  However I’ve been lucky enough to capture some real Mumbai Moments as well as some great shots on my camping trip with my own camera so that should count for something !
  6. I have a search box on the top right corner of my blog !  I also have a really cool tool-bar (that took me forever to find) at the bottom of this page.  And even if the feature was not available – there’s always the CTRL F feature right there on your keyboard !
  7. Did yuo konw taht as long as teh frist and lsat letetrs of a wrod are palced coerrclty tehn you can from the snectnece wihtuot any turolbe.  I got an A in English through my schooling years.  I am quite a stickler for good grammar so not only do I use spell-checks when writing posts – I have also added certain words such as ‘woohoo’ to the dictionary just so that I have less errors during the spell-checks =P  Being a blogger is about being able to express yourself at leisure, or even whilst on the move – and hence small errors every now and then is still acceptable. Aaznmig, huh? Yaeh and I awlyas tghhuot slelinpg was ipmorantt!
  8. I don’t spin articles – at least not intentionally.  I write about anything and everything (although I probably will never be able to write about ‘everything’) and considering there are over thousands of similar articles and posts across the blogosphere – there are bound to be similarity to my posts as compared to those who write with no fixed agenda.
  9. My blog has been around for about 1.5 year and 152 sporadic thoughts old.  There were 28 posts between July ‘08 – Dec ‘08; and as of today excluding this post – 124 posts between Jan ‘09 and Dec ‘09 which is about 10 posts per month and 2-3 posts per week.  I’d like to think that makes a pretty regular blogger.  Ofcourse I could always try to write more .. but I can’t because I really can’t find the time to always be able to make a note of ‘everything’ that could perhaps be the most interesting content one would ever read.  I blog when I can – about whatever it is that I can – because I just ‘can’.
  10. Some people actually like my blog and that’s good enough for me. I don’t blog because I’m trying to become an expert in my niche - I don’t even have a niche !  I’ve managed to receive awards from fellow bloggers – and  it was a total dazed blur of awards for me when I got 3 in September.  A few people out there thought my blog worthy of an award in the form of a JPG image which is pretty cool =) In fact one went on to call me an Awesome Girl too :)  My newbie blogger ego got the better of me at the start of the year and I nominated myself for the Bloggers Choice Awards (just for fun) and I’m proud to announce I got 18 votes – out of how many thousands I don’t know – for Best Blog About Stuff !
  11. Various Blog Communities have given me some sort of decent ranking – even though I never asked to be ranked.  Don’t most of us belong to various blog communities or have been reading blogs for a while and hence got encouraged to write ?? because that’s how I got into blogging.  Besides the ranking status or Cyber Highway Traffic (as I like to call it) sort of gives one an idea of how other bloggers perceive their blogs.  I am not an expert – I’m not trying to be one – but I’d definitely like to know how I stand in the overall realm of things in blogosphere.
  12. Lastly I’m not writing this post because I think my blog is ‘the bomb’ – that’s Bombchells department =) It’s not because I think that my blog is a Bitch Fab blog – that title totally goes to the Fab Bitch herself :) But the main reason that my blog doesn’t suck is because it’s MY blog and it’s all about My Sporadic Reflections =)

I heard this phrase for the first time the other night whilst watching ‘How I Met Your Mother’ … and it made such an impact that I actually replayed the scene to jot down the definition onto my phone.

Basically the cheerleader effect occurs when you see a group of girls (or guys) and they look ‘hot’ … BUT when you see each person ‘individually’ they are NOT ! So really they only appear hot as a collective group and NOT as individuals.  The phrase ideally is used for women however can apply to groups of men too.

I found it quite funny the way it was described in the show and turns out that the Urban Dictionary does have a definition for the phrase as well ! The Cheerleader Effect is also known as the  Sorority Girls Syndrome or the Bridesmaid Parado; for a brief window in the mid 90s the Spice Girls Conspiracy...SCARY Spice, indeed :P Oh and according to TheHappyGoat the PussyCat Dolls are another group of hotties who actually cause us to fall victim of the Cheerleader Effect

cheerleader effect pcd

Jillian Wertheim recently wrote about the The Cheerleader Effect and has gone on to suggest that it is closely related to the Distance Dispute a.k.a where an individual looks appealing from afar but becomes less so as you approach.  I’ve known of this particular theory but never quite knew its name. 

So for you to really catch my drift – check out the video from the TV Show

Have any of you experienced the Cheerleader Effect ?  I’ve always wondered why is it that some of friends (guys and girls alike) – have pointed out groups of men who are sitting at private booths at clubs looking like total stud muffins (I love this word) and groups of women at the bar / dance floor who ooze sex appeal – and whenever I’ve managed to have a look at them – have never felt the same way.  My mates put it down to me being very critical.  Don’t get me wrong – I’m ALL for appreciating a good looking man or woman but lately it just seems that there are none around these days. 

I suppose that just means I’m not privy to the cheerleader effect and the power on my lenses are correct – I’m not mistaking fake hotties for real hotties =P  So if you have ever fallen victim to the cheerleader effect – don’t let it get you down – and definitely don’t let let it prevent you from ever approaching a group of ‘supposed’ hotties ever again. 

Just follow Jillians’ advise and instead, keep in mind how easily our senses can be deceived, and your chances of becoming a victim of the Cheerleader Effect will go way down

Normally I reserve that line for myself … I’m so simple – it’s apparently complicated (for others) !

But no – my experiences in Bombay have just made me realise how bloody complicated other people ! And really – compared to them – I am pretty simple and straight forward !

So here’s the general gist .. and please feel free to give me some feedback on this – because I don’t get it !  About 2 months ago – I met a guy – Banker Boy – at a mutual friends’ party – and turns out we worked in the same office building on different floors and we exchanged contact details (either on FB or at the party) .. although I think it was on FB after someone tagged his picture …

That same week, we exchanged a few text messages, agreed to meet for lunch and the same night – he invited me to join his friends for a party.  I did meet him but only as I was attending a party at a venue next door to where his group was.  After that – we’ve met up once a week either for lunch or in the evening for coffee and a drive (and mind you he’d moved offices as well so it was an actual effort on both our parts to meet up).  Then as you all know – I had my nasty flu – and he even came by my place to check on me when his crew went out to the bar below my building; and also drove 13 kms out of his way to come and take me for lunch whilst I was stuck at home for those 10 days. magnetic attraction

Now during this time – I’ve noticed a few things … He always initiated the day / time that we would meet up; he would make the effort to link up with me at a party that I would be at in the evenings – even for 15 minutes and then leave to go on to whatever other party he was attending with his friends; we would text / sms each other close to 15 times a day AND even talk for short bursts (5 min convos) during the course of the day …. however we have never even kissed … we’ve flirted and teased and flirted more .. and that’s about it … and being the kind of person I am – I would like to know what’s going on … ‘cos really it didn’t seem very ‘buddy buddy’ …

Last week we were supposed to meet up for Sunday lunch – and circumstances turned that he left his phone with a work colleague when they went out for the weekend, and totally ditched me for lunch and I obviously didn’t hear from him till Monday … And I was quite irritated.  No one likes to be stood up without explanation right ?

So on Thursday or Friday I sent him a text suggesting isn’t it about time that he makes up for ditching me for lunch … He replies and its positive – and he even mentioned how he thought I was pissed off and hence took a few days to reply to me.  Now check this - HE has initiated that we meet up on Sunday for lunch, dessert and a movie !  I haven’t even said anything about what we should do etc. It’s all HIM !

He picks me up on Sunday – we go for lunch to a nice restaurant – have a glass of wine – we’re flirting – we’ve held hands – gone for dessert – I’m feeding him brownies whilst he’s driving … we’ve even done the hand-on-hand whilst on gear as well … He drops me home – says goodbye to me in the car – 3 times with a hug … and sorta tweaking my nose … Mind you, throughout the afternoon, he has complimented me a few times, suggested plans to meet up over the next week which include going for a play and to teach me investments AND even to meet me the same night AFTER he was done with his family commitments  … so I took the bull by the horns and suggested that we meet that night and I’d give him a kiss good night too …

First step taken … sent him a text message later telling him that I really did have a good time and that I was being serious about meeting up that evening – after all I had fed him brownies and as a p.s. note I added that his boys would cuss him if he ditched on such an offer … I was making a joke and being playful about it …

His response – which came almost 2 hours later … see below and let me know if you can make head or tail sense of it …

“Hey had a great time too.  That’s a very sweet offer and although my boys would be pissed with me for saying no to an offer like that, they understand that I am more interested in being friends.”

Seriously …. that’s what he sent me … digest it …

It’s such a simple response – and very nicely done as well mind you – but seriously – what the fuck ??? Sure friends – do all the things – him and I have done … but not always one-on-one …. Him and I are not best buds nor are we friends from donkey years … we actually met up once at a party and after that it has been one-on-one interaction between the two of us …

So of course my response to him covered my ass and his ass too so as avoid any future embarrassment … I actually told him that we were friends and he ruined my moment of being able to hand him a Hersheys Kiss chocolate bar … and that I’d talk to him later as I was watching Scrubs …

That should have been the end of it … Had I not heard from him after that – it would be fine … but guess what …

scrubs 2“Ya know, I’m sure you’re gonna agree. I really relate to JD in Scrubs. I’m as goofy and stupid as him. Enjoy Scrubs”

Have you ever watched Scrubs ? Do you know JD’s character ?? That was the icing on the cake because ironically I had just finished Season 6 of Scrubs and had started season 7 where JD realises that he is a “self-sabotager” and how he freaks out when any relationship becomes serious !!!

Give me a break …. of all the characters on TV shows – he picks JD as his reference ??? It was such a simple response … he should have just left it … but no … lets make it complicated with that reference !

Why make that reference ?? Does that mean he is interested but not sure ‘how’ interested ? or does it just mean that he’s got issues with an ex flame that he’s not over ?

At least his initial message was ‘just want to be friends’ … it’s another perspective to look at and think that his actions didn’t exactly reflect those of a friend … Honestly – I have lots of friends – and even with my close guy friends here in Bombay – I don’t exactly spend the one-on-one weekly quality time with them … yeah sure we hang out – more like once a month properly or as a group – not always as individuals …and even more unlikely that I would make time & effort to meet a new person that often if I didn’t think that there was something ‘more’ to it … know what I mean ??

Conclusion : Indian Men have way too many complexities to even be considered simple !

Over the last few days, the topic ‘everything happens for a reason’ has cropped up numerous times with different groups of people. 

I suppose I really started believing or acknowledging this theory after a chat with my mate SK – who also writes at Iguana Road … He’s the mad man that introduced me to the concept of metaphysics.

infinte universe Basically we are all specks in an infinite universe … There are various parallel universes co-existing simultaneously as our own.  As individuals, we can only see as far as our visual reach – we can only comprehend the actions of others that are visible to us – we only know our own life in and out and the obvious … we do not know what goes on in the day-to-day lives of our friends, family or colleagues once they are out of our present sight.

Those daily grinds that others experience are part of an alternate ‘universe’ beyond our own.  Now think about how many billions of people this takes place for.  That’s a huge spectrum to cover – and as far as we on an individual level are concerned – we aren’t able to digest that.

I’ve always believed that each of us lives in our ‘own universe’ … when I was a kid, sometimes I felt that that everything that happened in my life was like a book – that God was reading out.  With time – I still feel sometimes that my life is made up of various chapters and someone out there is getting a great read :)

To put it simply – we are a part of this broad spectrum called the universe – and our very existence is defined by the universal energies surrounding us.  In essence there’s nothing that is right or wrong – good or bad – there are just events which occur out of the actions of people and these events happen to anyone and everyone.

There is almost an unsaid predetermined set of events that are the consequences of our actions.  Someone famous – Newton- once said ‘For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction’.  That’s pretty much how the universe works … well kinda if I have understood this correctly … actually maybe that quote doesn’t work too well LOL

All our actions and thoughts have an energy flow attached to them which the universe understands – the more positive energy we have – the universal energies come together for you .. and the more negative energy we have – the universal energies just move away from you …

So for everything we say, think or act out – there is a flow of energyuniverse comprehension which goes out there into the universe and attracts some sort of force which eventually finds its way back to us … good or bad depends on what we thought, said or did …

Maybe that’s why the concept of karma came into place.  Do good to get good right ?? If you get a chance to read Iguana’s blog – you might get a few more pointers out of it – and I didn’t want to do a copy & paste job … Ironically everytime I am motivated to write something inspired by SK – he happens to ping me online !!! that’s the law of metaphysics !

The thoughts we think are carried out and if we genuinely mean our thoughts – they will find a way to make things happen :)

If you want to really understand this concept then perhaps the book (which I have NOT read as yet FYI) The Universe and Multiple Reality by Professor M R Franks might bring some insight into the topic.  I came across it whilst browsing the net and will definitely have to pick it up.

Over the past few weeks I have come across some websites which support good causes – primarily addressing the Hunger issues faced by many people across the globe.

Whilst browsing online today – I came across an Univited Writer who I think would be a great addition to our amazing neighbourhood in Bloggerville; and she is also a Cyber Supporter for Good Causes.

What is a Cyber Supporter and how do you join the club is probably what you are thinking right about now …. I am aware that not all of us have the free time or funds to continuously support good causes such as ‘Feed a Hungry Child’; ‘Adopt a Dolphin’; or even donate clothes … but all of us have access to Internet (otherwise we wouldn’t be out here in Bloggerville), and all of us have the ability to point our mouse on a ‘CLICK’ button.

Here are some great websites that you can visit and show your support for humanity, animals and the rain forests too – all with the simple click or tap of your finger.

Free Rice is not only a website that supports a good cause – it also helps us improve our general knowledge skills with multiple choice game broken into various subject areas. As with Uninvited Writer, I also enjoy the Vocabulary game and have reached level 30 and have been able to donate (today) 500 grains of rice to feed the hungry.

I have added various banners to my blog page to show my support of these causes, which include :

  • The Hunger Site where every click gives 1.1 cups of food to feed the hungry;
  • The Breast Cancer Site site which allows women to avail of a Free Mammogram;
  • The Rainforest Site which aids in protecting endangered habitats – so a must visit for any nature lovers out there;
  • The Animal Rescue Site where every click counts towards giving free food and care for animals that have been abused or abandoned;
  • The Child Health Site where your click allows sponsors to provide free health care for those children in need; and
  • The Literacy Site which provides free books for children so that they can learn to read and write just like you and me – a click from us and we can help a child attain literacy.

As my fellow neighbours in Bloggerville– I’m sure you understand the value of what we could achieve if we all showed support – together – for such good causes. Granted – it won’t necessarily make an immediate impact but if you also spread the word, somewhere out there a child, a woman, an animal and perhaps even endangered species will be sending us blessings for our support.

Have you shown your Cyber Support today ??

I’ve been doing a lot of online lurking lately and really just losing myself into a whole other literary world out there in cyberspace.

bloggerchoiceawardsA couple of days ago – I came across this website, Bloggers Choice Awards which quite appealed to me.  I got down to thinking … so I’ve been writing for a little while now – nothing OTT; not obsessively – just whenever I get the chance … and I’ve been getting some  really good feedback and reviews via Link Referral … so I thought .. Why Not ??

After all – what have I got to lose ? I must be doing something right – I’ve got 29 neighbours who are willing to drop by and check on how things are going on my end; to gather up a bit of info from my insights into life; not to mention quite a few hundred passerby’s over a period of few months.  So really it can’t be all that bad to register myself as a Blog to consider … right ??

So can you imagine my sigh of pleasure when I noticed that my neighbour over at BusinessVartha Street had left me a note on another post and had basically voted for my blog !! I got my FIRST vote  - and it wasn’t ‘me’ voting for ‘me’ ! Woooooohoooooo !!!

Now I’m going to do some shameless self-promotion – and ask all of my neighbours – to consider voting for my blog which has been nominated for Best Humour Blog and Best Blog About Stuff.

My site was nominated for Best Blog About Stuff! My site was nominated for Best Humor Blog!

 

You don’t have to vote.  Only if you feel like it.   You will vote for me .. right ?  Ok.  At least pretend you voted for me then for the sake of my ego.

 

p.s. if you have been nominated; or have been inspired to participate – then please let me know so I can go and drop my support to you =)
I came across this blog title from Carol over at Balsam Ponds and Shibu and thought it would make for some great reading as well as gaining some blogger insights.

First off - I quite like the term 'Bloggerville' ... When I first read the posts - I thought I might want to label my title as 'Welcome to Blogsville' - but since Blogville already exists - decided to continue the trend of keeping the same title.

As Shibu puts it - what is Bloggerville ? As far as I go - is a large community (albeit cyber) where the many blogger residents come together - if not on a daily; at least a regular enough basis - and set their thoughts free !

It's home to those who find themselves laden with a never ending train of thoughts that need articulating in some way or form lest they be forgotten in the chaos of day-to-day living.


Think about it this way - if you went to work one day and blurted out every thought you had - people around you might just be dialing a crisis helpline ! There are people we encounter who are unable to process or fathom how one is able to consider a thought or opinion that is solely based on their on personal ideology and is not inspired by traditional books; facts or figures.

Carol and Shibu have got it quite pegged down ... In this vast cyber space - there will be blogs in Bloggerville that we as individuals will enjoy; agree with or disagree with; some that make us laugh; others that show you pain; and some that show you great insight into a topic that you might not know about.

The more you look into the insightful chapters of those in Bloggerville - the feeling that you are not alone out there in your thought process is reassuring - comforting - admit it - it's a huge sigh of relief - that there is someone else out there with a completely unknown and unrelated background - who 'gets' what you mean.

The Bloggerville Residents are non-judgemental - they accept you as the parcel that you are - and provide in their own little ways - that it is in fact OK to be saying, doing or thinking what you are. They also impart and share knowledge - thus giving our mind that much needed exercise when the monotony of 'every day living' becomes just a tad too predictable !!

So I take this opportunity to Thank You - the Residents of Bloggerville; my neighbours who follow my journey of Sparodic Reflections - for taking the time to stop by my Blog and spending a few minutes soaking in whatever I have to offer; and for taking me down your subconscious avenue of insights.