As I was amidst these thoughts seeing the muddy waves and thinking if ever India would see the clear blue waters, my friends honked the car as we were on our way to watch some of the best Ganapati idols around the area.

The 1^st idol was the famous GSB mandal Ganapati and oh boy! What an idol it is! Its loaded with gold and some of the best master piece carvings that I had seen. Its been as beautiful as it has been every year. And as we completed our rounds of the other idols, one sitting on a huge peacock, the other on the earth, the third loaded with flowers and the fourth standing amongst the fountains, I just realized the spirit of the festival. The sentiments over the huge idols, their creation and their maintenance. The cries when they are submerged and non-festive mood when they are gone. The feeling of HIS ALMIGHTY around you and the sweet smell in the air around. It all made sense but the question still remains what about Mother Nature? Can we do anything about it? Its upto us to keep the spirit of this amazing festival going and making sure it damages less of nature.

Happy Ananth Chaturdashi to all - Mana!!

Your eyes would become moist while laughing..

Your words would be lost while talking..

There is nothing to get scared about...

Somebody is remembering you, that's all!!

U see so many faces on the roads while walking...

They would look alike after you start watching...

You would see just one person all around...

The world would have only 2 souls & nobody around

There is nothing to feel Lost about...

Somebody is remembering you, that's all!!

U would feel the mobile is ringing, even before it rings...

And u would feel like reading the older messages to the brink...

The feeling gets sadder when the day is about to end..

And the breathe will become heavy with every step you take...

There is nothing to feel feared about...

Somebody is remembering you, that's all!!

You might get a killing Hiccup while eating..

And ur mom would say how often do you keep getting....

Hiding your face, Wiping tears and drinking some water,

And checking your voice before you reply to your mother....

"There is nothing to worry about...

Somebody is remembering ME, that's all!! "

-Mana

They are daughters and princess...
And mothers and mistress...
They are Amazing Creatures...
Moulded with Dazzling features...

They are an object of Mystery...
Having a place in History...
They are the heavenly treasure...
And epitome of human pleasure...

They are simply delicious...
Beware they can be serious...
Especially when they are suspicious...
And turn Mrs. Vicious...

Without them no more noises on bus...
Without them no one to make the fuss...
Without them who will teach the owners of Mars...
Not to misbehave and not race cars...

Without them would this earth survive...
Imagine how many would deprive...

Yes they are here...
Owners of Venus...
And the shining stars of your life...
Happy Women's day to all the men who have them in your life!!!

-Mana

1. Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

2. Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

3. Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end fine.

4. Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!

5. Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing . ( Refer back to #3 for the meaning of nothing.)

6. That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

7. Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or Faint. Just say you're welcome.

8. Whatever: Is a women's way of saying &@!# YOU!

9. Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking "What's wrong?" For the woman's response refer to #3.

*Send this to the men you know, to warn them about arguments they can avoid if they remember the terminology.

*Send this to all the women you know to give them a good laugh, because they know it's true.

-----Mana-----

Every Dog has his day...And every one has one day equivalent to a stray dog!!

Well it's a very bad attempt to making a phrase, but what I mean to say is, there is one day in the entire year.which can be termed as "JUST NOT MY DAY!!" Everything goes wrong and is completely against you.

So here was my worse day of the year, at the start of the year 1^st Feb 2008

The day had already been bad as I had a fight with my closest friend and the fight was not even based on anything strong to fight over. So it had been one lousy day and I had a party to attend in the evening. I had been looking forward to this party, but the day had drained all my energy with my over packed work schedule and a fight over the phone. I finally took a rick at 7:15 from my workplace to reach a destination which was termed as the most hectic traffic region. And to worsen things up, I did not know the exact location. So when I finally reached the place, the rick guy had almost showed me half the town, it was well past an hr and a half, I had taken atleast 6 u-turns after getting into the wrong lanes, my bro-in-law on the other side of my cell, giving me directions was frustrated and I am sure the Rick man was swearing at me in silence. Finally with very bad attempts to the most popular landmark of the town (Mr. Big B's bungalow), I managed to see my bro-in-law, mother and sister impatiently waiting for me and fighting with the rick man for not knowing the routes in the most popular area. After giving him half the fare on his meter and humiliating him for taking advantage of my ignorance to routes, we left the rick man, now swearing at me loudly behind my back.

After a heavy meal which lasted over hours all 14 of us at the party left at around 11:30 and were in search of the ricks dying to hit the sacks. The first rick arrived and I promptly got into it with my new "Coach" bag on my lap, my mom's hand over its handle and tying a scarf on my head. And then, I heard a loud accelerating noise, a few seconds of shock and silence, 3 of my aunties shouting "chor chor" and an empty lap. I was so shocked I didn't even realize that I had been robbed and when it struck me, there I was running on foot behind them in a chase gap of over miles. They were gone in a fraction of second on their speeding Yamaha which exhausted so much smoke that it was impossible for the 14 of us and the rick guy to even view the bike number.

My brother, sister, bro-in-law, sis-in-law, 3 sets of uncles and aunties, my mom and my younger sister along with the kiddos in my house look at me with an ex-pression of grief, sorrow, pity and anger all at the same time. So after a few moments of silence, finally the question was what did I loose?

"Did u loose ur credit-cards? We would need to contact them immediately. " No I don't carry Credit cards, was my answer.

"So lets call the bank and inform them that the debit card's gone." No I didn't have that either in the bag.

"How much cash?" None, I carry money in my pockets.

"Cell phone?" Its in my pocket too.

"Ok, so u din quite loose anything expensive, no cards, no cell and no money, so what do u carry in such a huge bag and what are u feeling sad about?"

What followed after a couple of days in the family: Were a lot of jokes like "Mana did you find the route?" and "Is your bag intact?" and "Did u dream about them?"--à Well yes I did dream that the thieves came back and returned my bag. It was haunting me over and over again, remembering how they had easily snatched my bag. That was followed by my thoughts which raced: "if only I could have got down and hit my heavy shoe at them, probably they would have fallen off", or "I should have thrown the water which the rick guy was drinking at the moment of eve, on their faces, probably they would have fallen off", or " I should have howled real loudly and they would have fallen off".my main aim was to get back at them. But its impossible to think, blink or react at that moment and all you got to do is "forget and forgive.and curse them a bit".

Anyways, if you guys are wondering what I lost in the entire event, well a very expensive handbag (whose worth they would never realize and sell it off for a few 100 bucks), 2 shades of lipsticks(which they can gift to their girlfriends, if they have 1), a new pair of glares(which would not suit either of them), my company access card(which is in "denied access" status at the moment), a 1^st-class train pass(which was due to expire in 3 days), food coupons worth 500 bucks(and I am sure they would not realize what those tickets are) and a couple of handkerchiefs which they can use to wipe off their tears for planning such a perfect plan, executing it and not getting its worth!!!!!!

--------Mana ------

Its a forward...but I couldnt help pasting it here. I have loved the movie, but I couldn't help wondering what the movie would be like if the following directors had directed it!!

If Karan Johar made Taare

The film would be titled 'Kuch Taare Zameen Par .'

If Sanjay Leela Bhansali made Taare

The film would cost 60 crores.

If Farah Khan made Taare

The film posters would have a big SRK with the tiny image of the kid in the background.

If Rakesh Roshan made Taare

The director would make sure Hrithik gets to show all his abilities. This would mean a scene with Roshan jr flexing his muscles, and a dance competition in the end, instead of an arts competition.

If Priyadarshan made Taare:

And of course, Paresh Rawal would emote like an epileptic himself making us question the boy's mental abilities anyway.

Where are the days all gone,
When a blow of whistle was enough,
To gather friends that lived flats apart,

Where are the days all gone,
When hours were spent in getting dressed,
For a party that lasted only 2 hours,

Where are the days all gone,
When we walked miles in a crowd,
To just get a pair of shorts,

Where are the days all gone,
When we planned for weeks,
For a picnic or nite overs,

Where are the days all gone,
When we spent sleepless nites,
Gossiping and bitching about others,

Where are the days all gone,
When we laughed over silly jokes,
And chased each other on dried dams,

Yes I guess thats what it is,
Every1 fears to loose their age,
Yes I am growing old and I dunn wannna say!!

________________Mana___________________________________

Anytime tea-coffee in a day,

B'day bumps,

Accentuated English,

FM in buses/mobiles,

Late night parties,

Those sleepy weekends,

Crush on HR/colleagues,

Fight for appraisals,

Die-hard friendships,

Tears for love,

So much money, but so li'l time,

People call it CORPORATE..!!!

We call it Life....!!!!!

Mana....