Once a 'is' ....now a 'was'!

Fingers tip-toeing on the keyboard, I'm trying to gather words to begin the saga that my family.

So said Fr. Paul, "Once a man leaves his human body, his spirit needs to be set free. Hate him, for he needs the love of God to embrace him into his paradise." Now that was some serious bul#*&^. No, I could not hate you.

So I'm still trying to resume life. In poetic and writer language, I'm trying to gather the pieces!
The priest and the husband, made me get rid of your 'spectacles'. They said, those pair of lenses made you linger around me. Isn't that great?

But I don't feel you around anymore. It feels you've taken another form. You don't make me feel wanted anymore.

Are you upset I tried cutting you out of my human life after all?
Thousand apologies. I had to. They said I had to set you free!

So I get to play the kid you always wanted me to be. A responsible one at that.

Yes, all's well, and you  know it because I can describe it in words. Its happier to write about you than to remember you. So take your memories with you, in case you're still around.


I'll manage.

This happens when you are nervous! I swear it does!

The topic of this arbitrary post was essentially suggested by the ex-boss (Hi, Sudish!!) One of the very-very few people I've come across who believes in recounting the 'routine' (happens-to-all kind of stuff)

Nervousness & its coded mannerisms!

There are signs that bail out on your nervousness at public spots. In case you are a pro' at the same, you get away by sailing through.

My personal favourite is the 'Mobile Phone'. Being the overtly self-conscious person that I usually am, I resort to my dear mobile phone, in case of avoiding people/situations.

Let's list some very common incidents that tend to make you nervous/edgy/conscious (a bit may be)

1) When at a party and you've stepped in without company.
2) First day at work (or maybe a few weeks).
3) Entered a group discussion (wherein the groupies are strangers to you).
4) Being the third person between a two-people fantasy fight.
5) Desperately awaiting someone's arrival at a restaurant/garden/lane/general store.
6) Passing a bunch of guys who are busy invading your privacy (you know what I mean).
7) When you've slipped and tripped on a staircase. (People are looking, remember?)
8) When you're trying to find a rick and the oldies nearby smirk at your 'efforts-in-vain' situation.
9) (Only for the feminine race) In case you are buying smokes.
10) When you ask for Sanitary Napkins, and exactly 3 men stare into your eyes. (This is true)
11) When you try to avoid confrontation with that one person you are awkward around or
intimidated by. (But your friend doesn't)
12) When you've mispronounced a word and get corrected in public.
13) Whilst a discussion and you seem unaware of the topic in question. (Joey nod?)

 

And now, moving to the coded mannerism:

1) Your PHONE. Make a quick call / text someone. (Continuing it till the moment has passed)
2) Rubbing your sweating palms and twitching fingers.
3) Nail-biting. (It's said to be a very feminine thing). Very sorry, it's not!
4) Dig out a book if in a public transport.
5) Put on the head-phones. (Definitely makes you invisible)
6) Clutch on to the hand-bag/satchel (Indiana Jones just went derp)
7) Pretend to look for something in the bag.
7) Get conscious about your attire.
8) Enter the near-by general-stores & move out when composed!

Yes. These are true. These happen to all (I'll take my chances here)
Feel free to update new ones, if you've known any.  

#TrueStory.

Did some one mock you over your Facebook Post?

Ok. So the next time, someone mocks you about expressing affection/anger/emotions on Facebook, ask them to relax. Ask them to take a deep breath, and right then (dramatically) pop the million-dollar question, "I'm sorry. I missed out on reading the Facebook Terms & Conditions; do you have a copy of it?"

Naannsense! (Anushka Sharma says it better)

Even if Mark Zuckerberg said he found my act of articulating love on Facebook foolish & attention-seeking, it still wouldn't dissuade me from posting another one. Because, let's get a little rational here.
A public platform. Facebook is a public platform. For every kind of public that exists.

Why is that you won't step back in ridiculing a fellow Facebook user when he/she posts 'affectionate statuses', but go ahead and share/post your outlook/thoughts via 'Aunty Acid' or 'Your E-cards'? 

Haven't we heard of opinions? If you can have one, so can the other (Some sage did make sense when he/she said this). It's simple; Have a problem? Block the person or unsubscribe from their newsfeeds. That's definitely no rocket-science! (My two best friends got me out of their favourite-friend list, and I'm bloody as hell proud of them)

Yes. I know exactly what's running through your Einstein brain right now. Whether or not I have been victimized? Yes, I have been. Because, apparently it's a mortal sin & I refuse to take it low.

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I did mull over this antacid behaviour doing the rounds & thereafter concluded; there ought to be 3 rationale explanations as to why a certain someone would do that one thing they rather should not.
1) Either you wish to blend into the 'stereo-typical' voices of today and be one of them. (In short, be cool) - (peer-pressure)
2) Either you are jealous (I'm being subtle) about the love those two share (can be a couple, two friends or a gay couple for all you care)
3) Or, you genuinely dislike it. Just that!

Very few, and I mean it, only a few belong to the 3rd category (My two best friends do, remember?). Moreover, if you did belong to the 3rd category, you'd plain block the person or unsubscribe, irrespective of a friend/sibling/mom/dad/boss.

Are you thinking what I am? Unsubscribing /un-friending is not an option! (Because people do take Facebook seriously) (*lowers head in shame* BUT *personal choice hain* *Respect*)
Un-friending, not liking a picture, not commenting on a status may not be taken sportingly by some. But why do you care, you genuinely dislike "Public-display-of-verbal-affection", so go ahead, do the ethical. You'll be blessed a thousand folds.

Ahhaaa...No you won't!  Someone once said, be yourself. And if this is you, there's no shame to it. 

Because once said my Creative Head...

It's not the same all through. Advertising as a process is a devastated one. Devastated because, interference is the weapon that most advertisers resort to. Don't believe me? Think about it!

If you are an Art Director;

A layout is created, with the best designs and colours on the palette. The brief is adhered to and the copy placed. Now what? Is it parceled to the client as is? No...No...No. Never happens. You may have a copy guy/girl who'd pour in the best framed 'suggestion' (as it is called) because aesthetically they don't think it's appealing. Then you'd have the servicing personnel (bravo) whose comments complete the circle of life. Then may be the planning struts in with grace and presents a PPT to explain to you, why the layout needs to be something else. And the best part, if the Creative Head decides to have a look at your 'work of art', then maybe it's a 'Save As'.

Repeat a similar process with the right denotations for; if you are a Copywriter, if you are a Planner, if you are a Client Servicing executive, if you are the Xerox copy guy, and so on.

But let's pause for a second and reflect; are you that naive or pompous a person to suppose that you may not need suggestions from fellow colleagues? That your piece of work may not require alterations on some levels?

Let's try and keep an open mind, let's be a little receptive to opinions and comments thrown our way. Because, let's face it, suggestions and opinions never hurt anyone. May be it's time you open a gateway to the 'Benefit of Doubt'. Let's respect our fellow colleagues as we learn to respect their opinions; and not judge them by their 'Designations'.

P.S: And if you are dealing with an arrogant, scornful and bitch-face of a person; then may be all of this need not be considered! :)

As one of my Creative Heads once said, "All you need is some skills of People Management and confidence to approve your work and you are pretty good to go."

If you are an advertiser you must read this, at least once!

It all started with reading 'The Copywriters Handbook', last evening. (Still going strong on the reading)

Most of 'MY' generation advertisers or professionals (as they like to be referred to), believe that reading books such as these is too cliche. Well, then the surprise here is, most advertisers like myself see this as a learning. A learning that has been lost amidst the clutter of the last decade, or may be 'Glamour Advertising'.

I'll keep this post very short and simple. Or rather just quote a few learning's that came from the advertisers who helped their client sell and make enormous business. That's what it's all about. Get business for your clients, help them make money & add value to the money they spent on 'YOUR' advertising campaign. Don't just write clever copy, make the seniors smile & your clients grieve. (Yes, they grieve!) Write clever copy but also ensure your client benefits, because you are HIS advertiser. Also, because your clever and amusing copy does not get him business, all the time. It sure dose get you a raise though.

Whatever product you market or advertise, there are several others that cry for attention too. You are not the only one. No reader or viewer has the time or inclination to read 'All of them'.

"As a creative person, you naturally wish to write clever copy and produce fancy promotions. But as a professional, your obligation to your client is to increase sales at the lowest possible cost and is you believe your clever copy can do that go prove it. If a classified ad works better than a full page ad, use it. If a simple type-written letter gets more business than a colourful brochure, mail the letter." - Robert W. Bly

"Once you realize the goal of advertising is selling, you'll see that there lies creative challenge in the way you write simple copy that sells. Selling challenge differs from artistic challenges."

"Being artistic in nature, advertising writers naturally like ads that are aesthetically pleasing, as do advertising artists. But the fact still remains, just because an ad is pretty and has clever and satirical copy, it still does not serve the purpose of "Why do I buy this product" or "What's in it for me". It does not persuade the "Buy this now" proposition." -- Luther Brock

In all forms of advertising, the first impression is the last one.
In a print advertisement - The headline and the visual.
In a brochure - It's cover.
In a radio or commercial - The first few seconds.
In a direct mail pack - The envelope copy or the maybe the first few sentences of the letter.
In a sales presentation - The first few slides or slip charts.

No matter how persuasive your body copy or well-written for that matter, you ad does not sell if it has not attracted the customer to his/her wits. Many copywriters believe that clever wordplay, puns and cute copy make for great copy. No. It's NOT. There too lies an art is making sales out of such copy. - David Ogilvy.


Although you attempt writing copy with pun and wordplay, ensure it's something your TG understands and 'buys'. - David Ogilvy


You did fall for the 'I'll keep this short and simple'. Didn't you? This is what advertising is about. Don't just get them excited, but also get them to buy. That's when you garner happy clients and a thriving business.


More on the 'Copywriters Handbook' in the next post.

I Object Your Honour!

So, after a bunch of mindless posts (my brother says so), i'm attempting to type-down (can't say pen-down) a very cliche one. Actually, thanks to an incident this morning, I was forced to think and smile about how somebody else's life is judge-able to you! Although, the truth being, it happens to each of us (I mean almost), say about 60% percent of the living population. Very common, very cliche, very teenage (may be adulthood too). But it persists!

"Falling for more than one person". Have you? (You just thought of two names, may be) #JustSaying :)

So may be you have. Acted like a total vegetable. If it's happened in college, you have tried to cross their paths at a particular classroom. canteen, foyer, main-gates, libraries, until you have a glimpse of them. Floors you, doesn't it?

If it's happened in your colony, your timings to play in the evenings, to move out, to be standing around them and just smile. Your office, your school, your friend-circles, drinking groups etc.

So who do you like the most? Decided yet? One, sets your pulse racing at just one sight. The other makes you smile, like all the time, with just their conversations, as mindless as they can be. How do you decide? I mean come on, not every one can make your heart beat (literally) faster and slower at the same time. And, where do you find that one person, who you just love spending hours, just talking to. Yes, it is a life-altering decision at 20. Life does that to you. Actually, you do that to yourself.

Thinking about them, your life with them. Funny that you think about two people you wish to be with. (Polygamy is not an option here) And you still find the time to judge another somebody for their actions? Hasn't it crossed your mind that someone else too can be in a situation as you are?

I may have started off with something and ended with a completely different topic. But that's how we all prefer it. Start off with one and end with a whole new chapter!


It's ok to not judge. It's ok to be confused. It's ok to have a crush (until no one knows of course). It's ok to be wrong. It's ok.

(So, which are the two names you just thought of?)

A life support system called Music.

Each of us has one. A song to reminisce.

1) When you feel sad, and like you're betrayed and alone (whilst you have a family of 8); you have a song that plays atune!

2) When you are walk around a college campus, or an office hall, pretending to look the prettiest - a ramp walk happens with the best foot-tapping music (try Hotstepper the next time)

3) When you're attire is a pretty Indian outfit, teamed with the best accessories - You have a song going "Aankhon mein teri, Ajab si"

4) When you seem happy and lively and energetic, the recent song would be, "Suraj ki Bahon mein" - Zindagi na.....

5) When a mountain has crushed your feelings and the love of your life has......... your radio-head plays " Avril Lavigne - Im With You.

There may be many more. We definitely have a song for every moment that plays our life wheels. We even have a alarm song that wakes the fuck out of us and makes us smile. A morning breakfast song. An evening chai song. The coke studio hours. The best friend - "Jaane kyun dil jaanta hain" song!

And why not, it's the reason we exist. It's exactly the reason why our headphones never leave our sides. I love the fact I'm never seen without headphones!

As of now, I'm playing, Coldplay - Paradise, because it's Rains again my friend. It's Music.