So Everything Happens For A Reason …

I’ve been watching this TV show called ‘Flash Forward’ for a few weeks now. Have you ever seen it or heard of it ? I didn’t know about it until I ran out of things to watch on the HD – and saw that my bro had this particular series saved.

To summarize – the world is hit by a global blackout for just over 2 minutes; everyone passes out and gets a glimpse of their lives 6 months in to the future.

The night before last - it was as if I had a mini-epiphany or a ‘eureka moment’ ! (not that I’d know that but you get my drift) It may not be for some but for me it sure as hell felt like it. I’ve had a crazy busy few weeks and have been exhausted. And just as I was dozing off – it all kinda made sense.

Whatever happens – happens for a reason and is a consequence of our actions. We have created the paths that we walk on; and as much as we can change our path; and try new ones – we will end up wherever we were meant to be. Wherever fate / destiny wants us to be.

And ironically enough – I got this quote come through my inbox which I think is perfect for this post :

"The self is not something ready-made, but something in continuous formation through choice of action."
-- John Dewey

I’m not someone who gets drawn by horoscopes, astrology etc – sure I check my star sign out every now and then when I scan the papers but it’s not like I go out of my way to see what ‘destiny’ or the the higher powers have in store for me for that day … Perhaps about a week or ten days ago – my sister (also same star sign) gave me something to read and she is firm believer in destiny and ‘angels’ amongst other things … slightly conflicted reading material but overall positive news for my star sign along with lots of specific dates provided.

So the point of this post … well there isn’t one really – it’s just that the other night – it all fell into place and I just ‘accepted’ that everything happens for a reason. In my mind – I got that little eureka moment just so I could write this post (haha conceited I know but what the hell).

Oh well – madam NC will be happy to know that I might just have to ‘accept’ the fact that I am in this particular city for reasons beyond my comprehension (and perhaps I will never know why); and that I will TRY not to send out the negative energies that she insists I send out all the time =P

Music Monday #21 Alanis Morissette - Ironic

This is really quite the perfect song for this Monday (at least for me) … The last few weeks have been hectic; and over the past few days everything was coming together … the hospitality list and flight list for my clients’ upcoming wedding was in order thanks to NC and it seemed that our work just got cut out for us …

Until this morning … it’s like everything had developed a mind of it’s own and decided to cause havoc with all of NC’s good work and add to that some more drama !!! Today was one of those – WTF – days !!

Oh and now it’s POURING with heavy rains, with lots of thunder and lightning for effect ! and we’re at mid-November in Mumbai !! Even Mother Nature is having a bad today from the looks of it !

How has your Monday been so far ? What song would describe your day today ? Don’t forget to add your link if you are participating in Music Monday.

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. Rules are simple. Leave ONLY the actual post link here and grab the code below and place it at your blog entry. You can grab this code at LadyJava's Lounge Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.

Sexy Saturday – Vin Diesel

Vin Diesel was born Mark Sinclair Vincent; July 18, 1967 is quite a multi-talented man …Not only is he an actor but also is a writer, director and producer.

He changed his name to "Vin Diesel" while working as a bouncer at an NYC night club; Vin was the short form for Vincent and Diesel came about due to his constant energy.

Something about his badass role in XXX appealed to me (it could have been the snow boarding scene); and then who can forget him as Dom in Fast & The Furious !!

By the way – he has a TWIN !! I wouldn’t mind him (or the twin) crossing my path anytime !!

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Wordless Wednesday #20 Waterfall Views

I wish I was back at this waterfall ! I was in Mauritius last week for an Edu-Tour of some new properties for events; and we went out for a picnic in the nature reserve … tucked away within 10 hectares of nature – this was 1 of 5 waterfalls on the reserve.

I didn’t have my bikini with me – otherwise I would have been swimming in there ! but I did cross into the falls and get up to the rocks and managed to get some of that fresh water splashing all over me =)

Have you been to any nice waterfalls and where ? Don’t you find them to be soothing ? I love to just sit down on the grass or some rocks – soak my feet in the water and watch the water flow from the top of the falls down into the rock pools or streams. 

Have a lovely Wednesday ! Don’t forget to share your #WW link if you are participating !

5 Mobile Apps for Finding Great Movies

….. and my brothers’ company AppSpark which developed the app ‘MoviesNow’ and Movies Now HD is featured in Mashable’s ‘5 Mobile Apps For Finding Great Movies’ !!!!

As stated in the article :

In North America, two of the most popular online movie ticketing services are MovieTickets.com and Fandango.  MovieTickets.com has an unofficial (and beautifully executed) app by way of Movies Now HD

The MoviesNow app lets you find upcoming showtimes in your area and purchase tickets from participating theaters.   Movies Now HD is $1.99, works on the iPhone and iPad and can conveniently link to your MovieTickets.com account.  It also offers upcoming films, trailers and synopsis info.

I’m soooo proud of my baby brother KC =) and my younger cousin Namco as well (he is also one of the co-founders of the company alongside my brother); and KBM as the director of the company.

If you are into your mobile phone apps – then make sure you follow & like them on the MoviesNow Facebook Fan Page and don’t forget to follow them on MoviesNow on Twitter 

And before I get accused of being biased – here are the other 4 apps featured in the article :

1. Movie Night Out - a free app for the iPhone and Android that is designed to help answer the question, “what do you want to do tonight?
2. Entertainment Weekly Must List has also made this information accessible on the iPhone and iPad. Using the app, you can watch trailers, read reviews and get release information all from within the app.

3. Miso is free and available for iPhone and Android; and the concept is similar to FourSquare .. basically you check out what your friends are watching to decide what you should watch.

4. Clicker is a web service and iPhone and Android app that lets you find out what type of content is available to watch online, as well as what your friends are watching.

Have fun with the apps guys ! and show some support for the Diva’s siblings if you are an iPhone or iPad user ;)

Music Monday #20 Matchbox 20 - Bent

I just realized that on my 20th Music Monday – the artist I have chosen has the #20 in their name =)  … and no I didn’t do it on purpose.

Did you know that in Europe - ‘bent’ meant ‘gay’ and this was around the time the posters of the tour featured the lead singer in tight pants and eye liner !  In UK it’s a term used as being troubled, someone with a few issues.  I like the fact that fact that the term used is ‘bent’ and not ‘broken’ … bent is more likely to be fixed .. broken has to be mended ..

When you first hear the song and really listen to the lyrics – it could come off as a relationship between two people who are a bit messed up but being together would mean that they are ok – because they are together.  A possibility ?

What if it’s just a reflection of all the things one has been through ? The ups-and-downs; the good & bad .. someone who is searching for the one who won’t judge his/her past but just take them as they are and be there through the next rollercoaster ride .. but instead of getting off – be willing to go for the ride again and again … ? 

The lyrics are amazing – quite romantic in their own way – without being mushy.  Of course I want someone to hold me again .. and then again some more .. so what if I have issues :P

I’ve always liked this song .. it’s one of those few ‘lyrics-based’ tracks that I enjoy listening to =)  Every time I hear it – it stirs a different emotion in me (and the guitar intro gives me crazy goose bumps EVERY time without fail)… takes me through the various phases of my life … I’ve learned a lot about life, relationships and people over the years .. and as ‘perfect’  as one may appear to another  no one is really perfect … then again maybe I like to believe that because in my own way I’m pretty ‘bent’ ;)

What are your thoughts ? Do you like the song ? What do you think about it ? and what’s your pick for this Music Monday ?

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. Rules are simple. Leave ONLY the actual post link here and grab the code below and place it at your blog entry. You can grab this code at LadyJava's Lounge Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.

An Environmentally Safe Diwali – Is It Possible ?

Today, being Diwali, I couldn’t help but think back to one of my first few posts that I wrote on this blog titled ‘Festival of Lights … or Endangering The Environment’ … I had just moved to Bombay and was experiencing my ‘first real Diwali’ and I was just left in a state of shock !

Don’t get me wrong here … Diwali holds a significant meaning to the Indian community and is a form of a celebration of the new year.   Diwali is the ‘festival of lights’ and is often associated (and celebrated) with fireworks and bright lights.  However – I still can’t get my head around WHY we (the educated population) need to celebrate a festival with something like fire crackers that have such a detrimental impact on the human body AND the environment ?

Has it ever crossed your mind just how destructive this joyous festival can be ? Has it ever occurred to you that you could be aggravating and/or creating a health issue for yourself ? Have you ever stopped to consider just HOW SCARED animals must be with the loud bursts of the crackers ? 

With the increased levels of global warming, have you given any thought to just how much pollution we are adding to the natural environment ?  In my original post, I wrote about how the skies were filled with drifting smoke behind the light of the fireworks … we are BREATHING those very fumes and slowly damaging our lungs.

According to Dr Rajesh Chawla of Apollo Hospital in Delhi, the particles left over from fireworks can cause eye, throat and nose problems which may not be felt immediately but can develop into serious health hazards in the long-term.  

I was happy to read that the ministers of various states in India have been trying to promote a ‘green Diwali’.  Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal appealed to children to say no to crackers and celebrate Diwali with lights.  Dhumal said indiscriminate use of crackers alarmingly increases the level of toxic chemicals in the air and noise, which is not only detrimental to the environment but also affects the eyes, throat and respiratory system. 

The human ear takes in sound at about 60 decibels – and the majority of fire crackers can create more than 80 decibel noise – which can cause temporary hearing loss, restlessness, anger, and over-reaction to situations.  We are in essence  creating physiological damage for ourselves.  Did you know that on Diwali day the noise levels from the use of fire crackers etc can reach a deafening 140 decibels !! 

Imagine the state of animals (pets & strays alike) that have the ability to detect sounds that are too faint for the human ear cannot hear … they start to tremble; try to run away and hide .. at least our pets are safe .. but the strays .. my heart goes out to them ! I have seen some children (beggars & from good families) tie fire crackers to the ends of dogs / horses tails causing them to run in fear and hurt themselves ! It’s INHUMAN to this and is an act that is punishable by law. 

I could go on and on … but the point I guess I'm trying to make is that - the fireworks look great for a few minutes but have we ever really given a thought to the consequences that our bodies and the natural environment encounters after those few minutes ? 

Related Articles

1. Celebrate An Environmentally Safe Diwali by Manisha Gutman
2. Crackers or Quakers by Ratna Khemnani
3. Firework Pollution by Madhumitta Dutta
4. A Must Read for Pet Owners : Dogs & Fireworks – Fear & Anxiety

Happy Diwali

"Deepawali" literally means a row of lamps (in Sanskrit "deepa" = lamp and "aawaLi" = row, line).  In due course, the popular name has shortened to Diwali, especially in northern India. While Diwali is popularly known as the "festival of lights", a more appropriate significance is "the new year of luck and wealth" and it is celebrated with a variety of fireworks.

So here’s wishing all of you out in Blogosphere and your families a  very Happy & Prosperous Diwali !

Dazed Poet : Adieu

I came across another old piece of writing / poetry which I had posted up when I first started this blog back in the summer of 2008 … I’d like to share it with you all and get your thoughts on it …

I might have subconsciously selected this one … some of you know that I lost my grandfather a few months ago .. even now to put that down in black & white brings tears to my eyes … so perhaps that’s why I connected once again with this piece of writing … 

Adieu

The final goodbye
is somewhat
similar to a
first hello

Uncertainty, anxiousness
a slight fear
overcomes you

The first hello
is rewarded with
a bright smile

The final goodbye
is said with
the moist glistening
in the eyes;
the hard lump
at the back of the throat

This goodbye is
forever in death
yet not so final
in memory....

© DazeDiva

I’d like to know how you feel when you read this ? What image comes to mind ?  Do the words express what happened in that image ?  Have you experienced something similar ? Are you able to relate to this ?

There are references to a first hello and a good bye which could be taken in two ways … losing a loved one from a personal relationship i.e. break-up, separation or losing someone by way of passing on …

Whether you like it, love it, hate it or think it’s not real poetry – I’d really like to know .. so don’t be shy with your comments !