Loud Cries To Faint Whispers

(continued from previous post dated 8th September '06)
It was surprising the way conversations and mails progressively
reduced. Or was it a normal phenomenon? Missed online
meetings, delayed wishes, general slackness.......all were
pointers to the monotony that was steadily creeping into our
respective lives in this virtual medium..............and heading
towards inevitability.


ash - To answer your query on what goes on at NJ and NY,
yesterday I made a quick unscientific survey. New York is unique
in many ways. Amusing, imaginative, adventurous, here everyone
reads in the buses and trains. Of the seven folks in my row on the
train, six were reading. The remaining soul was dozing – can’t
blame her, it was early. That’s pretty much the daily trend. So
what are they reading? Here are a few observations and
generalizations. During the morning commute, its primarily the
newspapers, New York Post, Daily News, Wall Street Journal,
Financial Times (London) and New York Times. Metro readers
usually finish it in a few minutes and then go back to their novels
or whatever else. The other newspapers appear to have more
meat to occupy the readers. Particularly during the morning
commute, more guys read newspapers or magazines and girls
read novels. During the evening, both genders are equal novel
readers. If a woman is reading a newspaper, she is likely to be
dressed in business attire as well. Only a small percentage read
magazines: Time, Newsweek, Economist (London) and New
Yorker. Occasionally a clothing catalog. Noticed a few people
reading the bible - exclusively women and more generally of
African-american heritage. Yesterday for the first time, the lady
next to me in a head scarf pulled out a small green volume of the
Koran and started flipping through it. Never saw the Bhagvad
Gita, or the Ramayana. Reflecting the academic crowd on the
subway that I take, it is common to see students of all ages
reading college textbooks and doing homework. Many more are
reading photocopies of journal articles – usually the post-docs or
serious academic types. A few may be thumbing through
dissertations. Morgan Stanley Report: “Assessing Insurer’s
Terrorism Risk,” so much for the large financial services industry
here. In the train and bus, what are they talking about? Ha Ha
Ha, that could be a whole dissertation.



kband - Had been to Mumbai for a last-day-of-the-financial-year
rush job on the 31st of March. The next day, upon my return, was
overjoyed to see your mathematical package in the mailbox..more
so coz it was of the cerebral variety (not to mention the lecherous
tinge)! But i was well n truly stumped when i got an innocuous no.
when i was expecting my sperm count as the surprise answer ;-))
The perfect beginning to a glorious day!!
Heard about the beginning to a new equinox (or whatever)...does
that mean u would be coming to office an hour earlier, like those
good ol days? Getting tired of not having you around, time for you
to show up soon, ok?



ash - Yeah our clocks springed forward an hour. An xtra hour of
sun should mean some more fun but the weather is not getting
any better. The winds and chills just dont appear to respite. I'm
almost sick of being all bundled up even so in April. I'm getting a
bit restless too w/o you around. Lets set up an online meeting.
How does the last hour at your office look like tomorrow? Did I
just hear 'sounds good' ? well then I'll see you first thing @ 9 am.
until then, take care.



kband - It's been a couple of days since I'm back in delhi. feeling
a deep sense of void at not having received a single mail from you
during this period. hope u r ok. how about meeting online on Fri,
the 4th of June? eagerly awaiting ur comeback.



ash - For the past three weeks, I had been procrastinating reading
an article on ‘How to Avoid Procrastination’. All this time, the
magazine lay on my bedside table. Therefore, I reserve the right to
the title ‘Slack Queen’. The article proved to be insightful. One of the
psychologists opined that women often procrastinate taking life
altering decisions because of the fear of displeasing loved ones and
causing tension. This point really hit me hard. Also, it revealed that
my view that I perform better under stress is a myth. The logical
explanations behind this made me see my erroneous ways. Now, I
plan to pull up my socks and do some self improvement. All the
best to me and I'll definitely see you friday june 4th.



kband - Hi Invisible Queen,kept waiting for an hour but now i'm
givin up. Is it your son's therapy or sumthin else that kept u away?
This sure is gettin a bit jinxed. Send me a line as n when u can
sneak in here. Broken-hearted King.



ash - Extreme apologies for missing on today's date. There was an
unexpected call from son's school and I had to meet his teacher
this morning re: some service issues. Got late on my way at work,
I did think abt you while on the bus, wish it was that easier to dial ur
no. and inform you :) how abt monday 6/7, I promise my visibility
online. have a nice weekend.
************************************************************

Here's wishing you the Happiest of Birthdays ever and many many
more to come...and I'm hoping that the coming year is full of
everything that you have wanted and wished for. I know a mail too
mere thwacks my plans (if not your aspiration) I had for your
birthday. There is something, to my eyes at least, more exceedingly
pleasing, to appear neat and clean in your inbox..........and if that is to
be on your birthday, then i find whatever mighty i may do, may
simply be not enough. These lines are to wish you Many Happy
Returns of the Day. I pray that may God bless and protect you and
keep you sound in body and soul for many many more years to
come. And may you continue to work for the cheer you bring on the
faces of people confederated with you. May your own world be
successful and well as the plans you are maturing for yourself.



kband - Some of the best gifts that one can receive are those that
come from totally unexpected quarters!!! What adds to their
pricelessness is the sincerity of expression and glitter in their
feelings :-) Thank you very much for your warm wishes....
Diwali has arrived and streets, houses, not to mention the minds of
young n old alike, are being lit up with joy! May the same cheer
spread to you, your kid and family while we soak in the festive
spirit. Wish you - Eid Mubarak - in advance, our office remains
closed for the next 4 days. Have a wonderful time ahead.


ash - I remember I had missed your birthday last year. You
prolly thought I would heedlessly fail to remember this time
around too :) Thanks for the eid wishes, altho I didnt observe
a single day of fasting this ramdan I still will feast on Eid -:)
Wish you and your family a Happy Diwali and a prosperous new
year filled with warmth, joy, content and peace. take care.