Raining love

Raining in Chennai? Nah, i aint talking about that!! This is a different kind of rain.. One that i have been blessed with thanks to the adorable sweet caring bunch of people i call Friends!!!

Must be something i did in my previous birth, or just plain luck- i have found some amazing people who've stuck by me for years!!! Not to forget some of whom i've met only recently, but with whom i connected quite well [Through blogs, other sites, and in person]

1. Last week, was exchanging text messages with a new friend, when suddenly he sms'd saying- You are one genuine person. Do you even know that? Has anyone told you that? .. It left me stumped, and i was so moved & touched!!! :)

2. A friend, Kavz had just moved to chennai. I finally met her at Mamma Mia !! Yayy!! Was damn exciting!! Anyways, the next day she messaged asking if i knew of any carpenter who can custom make stuff.. Since i dint know, i threw the net out and a friend replied instantly with his details, which i promptly fwded to Kavz.. She was so grateful and replied saying - "hugs.. that was kwik, sweets..Thanks!! "

3. 3days back, my hi school friend Vid called around 10pm and said she and a friend were coming over to pick me up and we were going to Subway!! Was surprised, but nevertheless looked forward to it and went ahead , got ready!!

They came, and as we were driving towards Subway, she thrust a bag in my hands saying - "That's for you da" -

It was a gorgeous Fasttrack watch [purple strap] and a divine perfume- Nautica- Bermuda Blue!!

Me: But, Its not even my bday yet

R: For your bday, we'll get you something better/bigger

Vid: We've been meaning to get you something da, after all the help you did with R's website!!

Me: ........ [speechlesss and touched] :) err.. thanks guys!!

R & Vid: Chill woman!! chk it out and see if you like it!! :):)

Me: Oh, wow.... Yummmy!!!

4. Was gonna go for a movie with R and Anita, and last minute decided to take Anita out to lunch.. Its been ages since just the 2 of us did that!! She is married with a baby now... Went to Cream Center and enjoyed the quiet lunch.. post which , we discovered movie wasnt happening cos of some ticket issue.. What the heck!! We then headed to her place and i spent time playing with her son, after which i sat and completed the movie Last Chance Harvey, while Anita caught up on some sleep ... She woke up and said "Thanks da machan, am glad you came over.Was so stressed out, needed this break.."

On a different note... Today morning was awesome fun!! Dint do anything wacko.. Just went to Amethyst with Lakshmi and we chilled out for a couple of hours!! I think this is the 1st time we were catching up like this and it was quite nice!! :)

Looking fwd to the weekend already!! Cant wait... leaving Chennai Friday morning and should be back Tuesday or Wednesady!! Yoohooooooooo !!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Skywatch Friday - Sky shimmers!!!

 in the morning

As we walked along the streets

filled with young and old

Lost in thoughts and prayers

The church loomed large

White and pristine

reaching for the sky

Beautiful and Majestic

It left us in awe!!

(c) Aaarti 3rd July '09

 

@night!!

The Santhome Church [also referred to as the Pencil Church] is truly one of Chennai's landmarks!! Went into this magnificient place of worship as part of the Peacock trails 2weeks back!!

Click here for more Skies!!

Friday, July 3, 2009

Building a brand....

This appeared in the Harvard Business Review newletter.

_______________________________

How Michael Jackson Became a Brand Icon

10:17 AM Friday June 26, 2009

Countless books advise how to build your personal brand. Michael Jackson was so unique that he cannot realistically serve as anyone's role model in that effort. Yet Jackson was unquestionably a brand icon and there are lessons to be learned. Here are the top ten factors that explain his icon status.

 

Start early. Michael began entertaining at the age of four. His career as the uniquely young lead singer in The Jackson Five began with the Motown label at the age of 10. National recognition came with his appearance on the Ed Sullivan show.

Let go. Jackson went solo in 1972 at the age of 13. As with Diana Ross and the Supremes, there came a point where the group constrained rather than aided the further development of his talent.

Break out. Jackson was a multidimensional entertainer. His expert dancing could be showcased via the new medium of music videos. MTV and Jackson rose in tandem when MTV premiered the Jackson video "Thriller" in 1982 from the album of the same name. The album went on to sell over 100 million copies.

Get help. Jackson benefited from his long-term professional relationship with producer and songwriter Quincy Jones. He often acknowledged the inspiration he received from James Brown, Diana Ross and other artists.

Be visible. All memorable brands have their unique visual trademarks. Jackson understood brand image and how to build it with his fans. The moonwalk that we could all try to imitate. The glove. The uniform. Neverland.

Go global. Jackson's music and videos easily transcended national boundaries, as well as race, age and gender. "We Are the World", written by Jackson and Lionel Ritchie in 1985, cemented his global appeal. Jackson sold almost half his 750 million titles outside the United States.

Crown yourself. Elvis was already "The King", so Jackson christened himself "The King of Pop." The professional contributions--including 13 Grammies--were so substantial that the moniker stuck. The flawed personal life - the lawsuits, the failed marriages, and the Wacko Jacko incidents like dangling his child from a Berlin hotel balcony - chipped away at Jackson's professional brand equity but never eroded it.

Be vulnerable. We cannot relate to icons without imperfections. Jackson was quirky, eccentric, mysterious. For all his wealth and professional excellence, he was - perhaps understandably - flawed, misguided, and sad, but none would say unkind.

Give back. Denied a normal childhood, Jackson was amazingly generous to disadvantaged children. Some 39 charities benefited significantly from his support. He also collaborated on Live Aid with other entertainers.

Die young. The sold-out 50 concert tour of Europe to start next month will never happen. The likelihood of a Jackson comeback will forever be debated. Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe James Dean, and now Michael Jackson - all leave to our imagination thoughts of what might have been. When a brand icon is torn from us prematurely, unexpectedly, it figures even larger in our collective memory.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Time flies

Its Friday and i dont know where the week went by. Seems like the days are floating by way too fast for me to savour them. I work, i play, have some fun and voila, the week ends!! :)

This week was awesome fun cos uncle, aunt and cousin had come down from Delhi and i had a ball with them!!! Cousin is all of 4yrs old and she talks, talks and talks some more.. Oh, not to forget her endless energy and thirst to know more.. Questions just keep coming one after the other, testing your patience and knowledge!!  Miss u L!! :D Hugsssss 

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Work - Its been good.. cant complain!! AM not crazy busy, but liking this work schedule.. Working on 2 projects now - 1 related to events, and other to do with Case studies [ my 1st attempt, taking baby steps and learning the ropes as i go along..quite interesting i must say!! ]

Love travelling- though its been 2 weeks since i explored some new terrain..hopefully come July, i should be set to pack my bags once again and explore new terrain, catch up with friends and unwind!!! 

Feasting on movies- Ah, i managed a few this month - 

• Angels And Demons, quite good i must say!!
• Nights at Rodanthe- Richard Gere once again sizzles the screen... good one for those who love Gere and romantic mushy mushy movies... Based on a book by Nicholas Sparks[ review shall happen in a few days on my other blog:)]
• Masilamani - For some reason, i was drawn to this movie.. and when S suggested another english movie, i said -why not go for this one instead.... !! and we did... its one of those brainless comedy/masala.. good time pass!!! :)
• All good ones are taken - yes, that is a movie title.. a dvd i picked up couple of mths back... Managed to watch it tonite!! Interesting, but i wouldnt really reccomend it to anyone!! :D
  

Relishing words across pages- Yep, been doing that too every day..religiously... :) Yayyy!! just wish i had more space to store the books am tempted to buy ... 

• Just finished reading Jeffrey Archer's Path of Glory - well written!! 
• A grasshopper's pilgrimage [by  Manjushree Abhinav ] - ahem,. quirky novel...
• Reading Paulo Coelho's The Winner Stands Alone - Shall complete  the book and then tell you about it!!
  

Fun - oh, i get a good dose of this every single moment... be it with myself or in the company or family/friends!!!

• Mother's day lunch and Father's day dinner was at The Crown, Residency Towers... Good fun, spending time pulling pranks, making fun and savouring yummy treats!!! Not to forget bumping into more family right there... :)

• Went to the beach not once, but twice in 2days... Whatte fun!!! Once to Marina beach and 2nd time was Elliots, which ended over dinner at Murugan Idli shop
  

• Took up aunt on her invite to join in on the Peacock trails - 21st June - The tour wasnt great, but we had fun... Woke up bright and early on sunday only to be shown around Kapaleeshwar temple, mini walk down the road adjoining the temple, and a ride to the Santhome Church... the finale was the fun part... we were tired and semi pissed off [ cos we thot there would be atleast 20odd ppl, but alas it was just the 4 of us plus the lady and her daughter who were from Story trails... Breakfast at Saravan Bhavan was delicious and just the thing to boost our moods.... lolz!!!
  

• Going to a friend's house today... Lunch/Brunch/Coffee.something!!! :) Made her something i know she and that mad hubby of hers will love!! they had better!! :D
  

Today morning started off not so great.. Woke up to the news of Michael Jackson passing away.. Sigh... dont know why, but i feel this unexplainable sadness within me... dont think i've felt this way for any other celebs passing away.... He seems to have that kinda impact on me.. and am sure many others as well!!! 

 Michael - You shall live on in our hearts.. forever!!!!

{Tuned into Chennai live- listening to each and every word uttered about MJ and listening to his songs back to back!!! }

Friday, June 26, 2009

Errr.. Ummmm...

Thursday, June 25, 2009