The Fantastico morning of a #TrophyWife

January 25, 2016 , 3 Comments

The door bell rang! It was 6:30 am in the morning and very unlikely for anyone to come. Half awake I opened the door to find the milk packet placed near the door. It must be the milkman, I thought, picked the packet, wiped it with a washcloth and carefully placed it inside the fridge.

Being slept at 1 in the night and wishing to catch some more sleep, I went back to  bed. Sleep devoid, I found myself continuously distracted with the ticking sound of the clock. “Time is flying” I said, gathered myself up again and rose towards the kitchen. It is time to prepare the breakfast. I opened the drawers and refrigerators to find some options but confused, went to husband asking what he would like to eat. “Anything” he said. “Anything” I knew does not exists. I hurried to chop some greens and onions and beat up the eggs. Another glance at the fridge reminded that there were only 3 eggs between the two of us to eat. Time to bring up some food creativity, I took out some oats, added some veggies and spices to make a Peppy breakfast.



I navigated through fruit basket, picked up some apple and packed for him. I was happy with my creation and handed the breakfast plate to husband in anticipation for some compliments. Surprisingly, he took the plate, ate the food mechanically and left for his office.

I picked up the plates, tidied the room and went inside the kitchen to make some tea. The doorbell rang. It was the Dhobi who came to pick clothes for ironing. I dropped the idea of making tea, dash inside other room, scourged for the clothes, and handed over to the dhobi as he counted them in. I closed the door and went inside the kitchen to pick my breakfast.

Had bites of breakfast and the doorbell rang again! It was the maid who rushed in to wash utensil, in a great hurry as usual. After instructing her, I came back to my breakfast when the bell rang again. This time, it was phone wherein a telemarketer wanted to sell a personal loan. Before I could let the line go, I heard a loud noise coming from the kitchen. I rushed in to find the broken ceramic on the floor. It slipped from maid’s hands with such an impact that broken it into pieces. Before I could ask, maid started blaming the poor quality of Imported Corelle glass and complaining how this cleaning up will delay her further from meeting Obama. Not very surprised with this, I left my breakfast in the sink as I lost my appetite by now.

I switched on the shower and favourite music on player. What a Fantastico morning I had!




This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.
_______________________

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The #TrophyWife Series and The Blog Marathon

January 24, 2016 , 5 Comments

Holla! If statistics and readers feedback has to be believed, a lot of it suggests that humor and sarcasm is one of the most liked genres of numerounity blog. We started our journey on humor and fun, and it is about time we not just continue but create more ripples on that front.

Irony of life is that it may not be fair to you but it will definitely leave you a lot of time amused and humored. While I am being humored by the similies and metaphors of life, I am gearing to up my ante and infuse more humor to things I write. Off course, sarcasm won't go anywhere. It belongs to the hopeful cynic that I am.

Brou ha ha... Let the laughter begin, fun roll and set in tinkles all at the same time. Enjoy life.

The #TrophyWife Series



First in series is the "TrophyWife" series that my sarcastic self, wants to humor you with. Na na it is not completely fictional. It bores some resemblance to my life, others and does have elements of little storytelling in me. Yes, this is for my friend who Piu who says I am bad in making stories or storytelling, and how I need to better my game if I ever want to write a book or see myself getting published. So Piu, this is for you [ the poet in me can't stop rhyming] 

The Blog Marathon
Do not worry, I have seen my activity skills when it comes to blogging. I am sure that I am going to continue my snail speed unless I get further into brand collaborations. Thankfully, Haute Kutir is being well handled by my partner [s] and I am happy with my occasional "makers-checkers" role there [in my dreams]. Let us come back to our blogging /writing/ humoring/ foo-frawing passion with Numerounity. If there is a word "foo-frawing" in English cobuild.

You may see some of my #TrophyWife series stories for Indiblogger and Zica Marathon too [Drawing inspiration from their words- Music, Peppy, Navigate, Impact and Fantastico.

Gear up, belt up, pants down and start reading #TrophyWife Series ...who knows this could be the story of your wife oops life too?






This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

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There is more to the Woman in Me!

January 18, 2016 , 9 Comments



We live in one dimension world,
one way perception,
two way street
that is only
black or white


I am a woman
harrowed down in my own imperfection
battling daily aperception.
of lame prejudices
and second hand opinions.

A woman is the mirror of her society
A living embodiment of entirety.
Look close, beyond my usual reflection.

There is more to me
then my flesh and skin,
this side or the other
why the glass is akin?

Why do you always see
the nakedness of my body?
finding that one flaw
that may not define me broadly.

why am I just a muse for your painting
An object of your applesauce screening?
There is more to me
There is more to me,
then what you can just absorb,
reflect, mirror or see.

____________
This poetry is an original work and draws references based on prompts given by-

Picture: Magpie 302
3 Word Wednesday 462: Lame, Harrowing, Imperfect
ABC Wednesday- Apperception, Applesauce
Poetry Pantry

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The Girl Who Loved a Man

January 13, 2016 , 10 Comments

photo by Ed Ross
I met this girl on my hallway, her name was Rose. She told that it was the original name given by her Parents and she does not like to be called by that name anymore. I asked her what is the good name that she liked to be called by? And she replied- Call me by any name as it doesn't matter to her anymore. I was taken aback by her cold stance. She was a pretty girl to look at. With Big eyes, full lips and a translucent skin tone, she looked every word the name her parents gave her. I turned my gaze to her eyes and could see a sea of emotions there. There was something about her that made me freeze in that moment and I kept looking at her face. 

There was something about Rose
Her dreamy eyes,
her long nose.
Her closed lips, close red fuller lips
wanted to tell me something.
Something that I wanted to ask her,
something she wanted to tell
but yet words failed us.

I looked in her eyes
Her deep brown eyes
Once full of dreams,
were grave as stone
her eyes haunted me.

They had love,
They had Passion
yet they were so devoid
of hope and expression.

I asked her what is she doing so late in the night and whom does she live with. She told she lived with her husband and many a things-

I live with my husband
man I once counted as my friend.
so deep was our relation
that can't help falling love.
Love that made her sail
Away from where she hail
to the man she loved,
the man she entrusted
all her heart,
her happiness and her future.
all the dreams she nurture

I asked what went wrong?
and she said-
Marriage.


Her one word told me a lot many things. I did not want to probe her hurt or add to her injury. Neither did I know how to help her. Indeed, I was concerned for her. 

Her eyes spoke many things 
without her talking,
her face was tired and white
due to all meaningless walking.
I asked her to return home 
it is not safe for her to roam. 
She nod in affirmation
and a resilient confirmation.

Her eyes spectacular of her pain
her beautiful face could not sustain,
the miseries that love brought to her
and as she said
She will never be self again.

She did not know what went wrong
even when there is love,
how could hatred prolong
Hence, she is searching for her answers
walking on that dark street alone.

She continues to wander every night,
pondering about her romantic twilight.
I often find her around
nursing her unseen wound.

The girl who loved a Man
the girl by name- Rose
or any other name you may call
A Rose is a Rose, is a Rose

If you meet her, do help her find the road to her home.
__________________________________________

Written this broadway freestyle prose and poetry for The Magpie Tale


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Relearn to Deploy the 5S principle from Japanese Management

January 11, 2016 , 1 Comments

There is something about Japanese way of management that is impeccable, great to learn, easier to adopt and very fulfilling when followed. There are many leading management theories and principles in Japanese books of management that always comes handy irrespective of era or business you do. One such Management Principal is- 5S Methodology. 

I have taught the 5S Methodology in a recent workshop and here's a recap of it those who missed it. 

What is 5S Methodology- It is a simple workplace organization method that uses a list of 5 Japanese words starting from S. The 5S are-


  1. Seiri
  2. Seiton
  3. Seiso
  4. Seiketsu
  5. Shitsuke
The 5s is a guiding principle to foster organizing the work place to drive in more work place efficiency and effectiveness. It is basically an organizing and decision making tool that comes handy even at your personal front. Here's what the 5 S means-

  1. Seiri or To Sort : It is about keeping the required and removing the unnecessary items, and disposing them properly. Basically, to mean segregation and waste removal
  2. Seiton or Set: It is about setting, streamlining all the sorted items to facilitate easy spotting and usage 
  3. Seiso or to Shine: This means to sanitize or scrub the resources in order to ensure that they are in proper working condition, clean and safe to work. The shine is also about the pleasing looks.
  4. Seiketsu or Standardize: This is where decision making come sin. Seiketsu means to standardize the best practices in the work area, maintain orderliness and standardized every process.
  5. Shitsuke or Sustain: Organizing is not a one time activity. So while you have Soreted, Scrubbed, Streamlined and standardized your equipments and processes, it is very important to ensure sustainability and continuity of the same "without being told". 



Why 5S is important: We all know about "business time to market" and to ensure that 5S comes as aguiding principle especially in businesses like manufacturing which has large, complex processes and limited time. It is one the important tool to enable "Just In time" manufacturing. 5S can be used from manufacturing to health care, education, Government and other industries. 


It is quite universal and enriching that I often use it at my home, kitchen and other activities too.

Well that's all for today folks. Do mail us if you want to write about any other managerial/ education subject/topic of your choice. If you want us to conduct a workshop for your students or employees, you can ping us too. Till then, live up the organized life.

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Angel On WheelChair #SpreadTheVibe

January 10, 2016 5 Comments

I am sharing a story from life to #SpreadTheVibe and highlight the good in this world, for Indiblogger and Youth Ki Awaaz.

___

It was a cold, rainy day in monsoon. I was working late in office as a major client escalation was going on and I was required to handle it personally ensuring the timeliness is not lost during delegation. I did not realize the time and when I stepped down from my office, I was surprised to see an unexpected heavy downpour. 


Though my office was not very far from my home, getting a conveyance was big challenge though. There will be a lot of autorickshaws near the compound but they won't budge unless they get a fare greater than 10 KMS. Commuting from work to home was one of the biggest challenges that I faced every day where in irrespective of weather, I needed to wait for hours below my office in search for a conveyance that will go from Malad west to Kandivali west. My attempt to offer additional Rs 50 for the ride was in vain too.

Murphy's Law at best
They say when something has to go wrong, it will nevertheless go wrong and, go wrong in all possible ways. Well, that was the day which perfectly lived to this adage. I was not keeping well and had a long day in office while resolving the escalation. The escalation was resolved amicably but left the bruised and unwell me totally drain of my spirits. Besides, the harsh Mumbai Rains and the crude breeze made it difficult for me walk on the under construction, lightless road near my office. Given the rain situation the availability of autorickshaw was scarce and I have to get home anyhow. That time even my parents were not staying with me so I could have asked them to fetch me and my husband was away on a tour. So I was helpless from all direction and have to give on my faith.

Rain-Rain go away
I stood on the road with my half battered spirits for long, half drenched in rain, seeing the passersby go. That moment I really cursed my inability to drive and lack of s support system. If only if I have left early, I would have got an auto and would be home but that would have made my business client out of his telephone network for another few hours in spite of him being a sweet and genuine person.

As if the heavy rainfall did not do enough damage by faulting the subscriber's network, it continued to play Brutus. I hoped for a cab to appear miraculously but on that dark road, forget the cab, there wasn't any bird visible either. My heart started to sink thinking about the horror stories

My Angel On Wheelchair
My thoughts and fear were rested by a familiar voice calling me- Ekta Mam', Ekta Mam ...from a distance. I turned around to look at the direction of the sound and found a wheelchair laden girl standing near an auto calling my name, signaling me to come. Apparently, she saw me waiting there, struggling for a conveyance and wanted me to offer the only hope that she got for herself to reach her home. I recognized her face and moved towards her direction. The road was slippery and I was very cautious while walking with my own injured leg. She came forth in her wheelchair, offering me her hand to cross the water laden road. I was really touched by her gesture and thanked her profoundly. However, seeing her condition I refused to take the auto alone and offered to come along till the main road. Since we have to go in the different direction she insisted that I take her autorickshaw and she will be able to cajole other driver given her wheelchair status. I knew how difficult would that be as people around are quite insensitive to other's problem except mocking it off. And in no situation I wanted to leave this angel alone at the road at that situation and suggested to go together till a mid-point in the pretext of meeting my doctor. She agreed and we hopped onto an unforgettable ride.

That one instance filled my heart with great love and respect for that girl who in spite of her disability offered me help.  The girl's name was Vidhi and she was wheelchair bound due to polio. Vidhi has done something many well-abled people cannot do. She worked in my office and met me occasionally. I reprimanded her few days back when I heard complain about her work that I feared will come in her way of progress and career growth. Being a disabled, I understand the importance of being financially independent for a girl and admonished her few weeks back for leaving her studies in mid-way.

So when she offered me help that evening, I saw a whole new part of her personality and could not thank her enough. She said that in world of hire and fire, she was completely taken away by my selfless concerns for her and the fact that I was the only one who ever stood for her amid a non-relevant conflict that she had with a bullying colleague

You know what, this restored my faith is good deeds. Out of 10 conflicting people, there will always be 1- 2 people who will appreciate your goodness and live by example. All you need to do is to #SpeadTheVibe, spread the good Vibe.

_______

Disability/deformity is such a low blow in society. Unfortunately, irrespective of our modern outlook, we all see disability with one frame glasses only. We must realize that disability is nothing but a dynamic situation and can happen to anyone, anytime. Only a good cheer and positive vibes can steer us through. It is high time we need to change our outlook and spread good vibe in society at large.

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Educate your daughter

January 10, 2016 2 Comments

We often read in primary books
that taught us to read and write
it taught us about actions,
early learnings that we all imbibe.

It read-
"Kamla paani la"
"Ram school ja"
"maa khana bana"
"Pita kaam pe ja".

Education sets us free
it is meant to liberate our souls.
Education shows us the way
Education teaches us about the world more.

Then why liberation, freedom and education
should be restricted to selected few?
why the thing that brings us from darkness,
should be enlightened to select few?

Education is not male or female
instead, education is a right
an equal opportunity for all the people.
let them avail, do not deprive.

Educate your daughter,
your wife, your neighbour, your sister.
educate the girl child

UNICEF

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Pandeymonium by Piyush Pandey- Book Review

January 08, 2016 6 Comments

pandemonium  [pan-duh-moh-nee-uh m] noun




1.Wild uproar or unrestrained disorder; tumult or chaos.
2. a place or scene of riotous uproar or utter chaos.
3. (often initial capital letter) the abode of all the demons.
4. hell.

pandeymonium

[pan-dey-moh-nee-uh m]noun


1.A Great read, juicy, succulent and something that you will bite with all your teeth.
2. a good read on advertising, advertising via Piyush Pandey Way.
3. Engrossing book, Unputdownable 

He Wrote a Book, Look at his Mooch


I'm not great fans of autobiographies as such but when I heard about the book by Piyush Pandey, the new age advertising legend, I was quite kicked about reading this book. Being in an early aficionado of advertising and a marketing professional myself, advertising is something very close to my heart. I read this subject with great interest.

The few things that I anticipated was an ever brilliant presentation, tongue in cheek writing style and loads of interesting anecdotes into the creative world of our ad-man. I secretly hoped it to become no 1 bestseller so it may make me come out of my "not reading much" shell and review.

Nevertheless, with a little help from Penguin Random house team, I picked the book to read. Here's my quick review of the book.

What: The Book- Pandemonium
Author - Piyush Pandey
Pages- 239 pages
Price- Rs. 531 [Amazon India]
Genre: Advertising/ autobiography

Pandemonium is Piyush Pandey' take on contemporary Indian advertising, his own straight from pen experiences and it also talks about the myriad influences that shaped the career of this advertising legend, decade after decade. 

The book is segmented into 5 parts viz-
1) Everyone and everything around you is a teacher
2) Kindergarten Truths about Advertising
3) So much Complexity is found in simplicity
4) Ogilvy & Me
5) Advertising Today and Tomorrow

Language- the book is written in a bonhomie, easy way and borders on being a totally addictive read. It is inundated with suitable pictorial references at many points and is an absolute page turner. To break the monotony of my reading, I picked different chapters randomly and some of my most liked chapter is- "Don't forget the child in You" and "Lala is not a four-letter word"

You can read few excerpts here


About The Author- Piyush Pandey is a name to reckon with in Indian Advertising [Ogilvy & Mather]. We need not get in who is Piyush Pandey, rather let me tell you about his work which speak for itself. Some of his works are- "Cadbury Kuch khaas hai cricket ad", "Fevicol campaign" [He is the guy who made Fevicol famous before Kareen Kapoor], "Vodafone Happy To Help Campaign", "MP Tourism", Limca, Center fresh, Satyamev Jayate TVC amongst others.


The book begins with his early life including his kleptomaniac traits wherein he would borrow ideas from his mother, wife Nita including one of the most popular campaign "Googly Wooghly wooksh". The book fluidically progresses to other stories including the storyboards and interesting behind the scenes from the numerous ads he created. The storytelling ends with author answering the quintessential question "Will he start his own agency". Needless to say, the book doesn't disappoint me and in spite of being, self-claimed meager reader, I was all hooked to it.


What I felt that the book lacked: The book talks about his inspiration and the great campaigns that he created/ executed. However, one thing amiss was the lack of in-depth detailing behind the creative process [few at least]. While there were hints and mentions, it at times appeared more like his muificent, festoony, thanksgiving fare to his client [which he should] but with lesser meat as expected. It was his first book [Thank you Mr. Rangaswami for coercing] Nevertheless, I am pretty sure a lot of that will come in his next books.

The Book gave me many a deja vu moments. A lot of things that he said like retaining the child in you, family as best google for answers, thinking out of ivory tower are things that I always believed in. "Good clients gets good work" takes the cake.

The cover page and overall design is prepossessing. All kudos goes to Suresh Natrajan [cover image] and Rajiv Rao for the clinquant design.

The book will surely transport you back in advertising times, talking about campaigns that were creatively crafted from heart including my recent favorite one on "Fortune Cooking oil"- Teri aanch ka utara, juban se chakh liya [revered the food cooked in your kitchen by you mom] campaign. 

I do not want to give away a lot about the book here. Go ahead and treat yourself with this book-gasm and do let us know what you feel.

Highly Recommended!!!

And yes, he wrote a book...Look at his Moustache!

Numerounity
AKA
Ekta Khetan

@numerounity [Twitter]
@ektakhetan [instagran]
@inumerounity [google+]

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The Departed

January 07, 2016 3 Comments

Charing Cross Road, 1937 by Wolfgang Suschitzky

The streets were Dark
with night and downpour,
drenched, dry,
grumbling and sore

she ran till her shadows follow
"stop, cease, do not go"
she screamed in pain and cry.
drenched in the rain
yet feeling high and dry.
the souls were in tearing hurry to go.

you can chase but not follow
the souls that wanted to return home
You can run but cannot escape
the cold clenched hands of mortalility
and the cruel games of fate.

______________________________________________
This poem is a humble dedication to Magpie Friend Berowne who passed away on December 26th. May his soul rest in peace.

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