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Adding Value to Others–is it Ghost Protocol? Beta!
Beta: currently this blog entry is under review for language consistency and grammar.
Ratings Alert: This blog entry is rated PG 13 and is an exception to my regular blog rules. Readers may use their discretion.
New Year Day Confession on Vices and Habits:
I must confess. Yes, I am in state of love. My ochre-robed grandpa used to often quote from his English literature class of 1920s...
"Acquaintance into friendship, friendship into intimacy; intimacy into that extraordinary sentiment called love"....Going by that, I am in love. I met her few weeks ago in November 2011 for the first time and over these days we got acquainted, our friendship developed and we got into that state of intimacy. Now, we are closer than ever.
OMG, she is awesome and vibrant. I lost myself. I am ashamed to make this confession on New Year day 2012. But, I have to share this to someone so that I am retrieved.
The habits on my morning commute had changed topsy-turvy in the last few weeks. No more Gayathri Japa or the company of nice positive mental attitude books on my commute. The gold-ornate Rudhraksha is conspicuously absent around my neck.
It was the last working day of 2011. I walked briskly to the train station from across the road in that chilly morning. I was one of the few people who went to work that day. The train station wore a deserted look. The main parking lot was almost empty. Oh…I could have parked in here… My decision to park in the usual spiller lot across the road was being reviewed in my mind. But, I enjoyed that walk sipping awesome citrus flavored XS Energy Drink with the other hand in the warm clasp of her. So, no regrets. She was wearing a color matching my shirt and sweater - a tinge of orange. A bright hue for the bright day with some clouds here and there around 34 degrees Fahrenheit. We settled in that isolated corner of NJ Transit train at Jersey Avenue station a full ten minutes ahead of scheduled departure.
We had loosed a bit when I held her by the neck with all the passion. Her responses to my gesture and slight caresses were infectiously permissive. The closeness with just two of us was very kindling but all I could do is to relish her beauty. I am ok with that. Her thin and sleek creation is perfectly fitting my taste and I have no complaints. The creator must have been in perfect mood of creativity, I would suppose.
I am reminded of those "famous" lines in that song from the Tamil movie Jeans – Anbe Anbe Kollathey. Here is the clippet for those with challenged memory! (Tamil version of this song is epic and poetic. Hindi version of this song is flat ordinary lyric compared to Tamil.)
Pennae Unathu Mellidai Paartaen Adadaa Bhramman Kanjanadi(He appreciating her hour glass figure says, "looking at your waist, I thought Brahma, the creator, was a miser")Satrae Nimirndaen Thalai Sutri Poanaen Aahaa Avanae Vallaladi(Looking a bit up there, OMG, I was overwhelmed, I would vouch Bramha is a great bestower)Minnalai Pidithu Thoorigai Samaiththu Ravivarman Ezhhuthiya Vadhanamadi(You are epic painting of the great painter Raja Ravivarma , did he paint you with lightning as his brush)Nooradi Palinkai Aaradiyaakki Sirpigal Sethukkiya Uruvamadi(Honey, the sculptors made you, did they sculpt your 6ft from 100 feet marble)Idhuvarai Mannil Pirandha Pennil Neethaan Neethaan Azhagiyadi(Till now, you are the most beautiful among the women born on this earth)Ithanai Azhagum Mottham Saernthu Ennai Vadaippadhu Kodumaiyadi(why do you torment me with all these elements of your beauty together , honey)
Her totally unblemished face is a remarkable beauty. I dont think she was born in the USA but she was raised here. I am sure it would take a while before we understand our accents and style. I am ok with that challenge. While talking, her beauty shines more than ever. So, I love to enjoy her expressiveness than engaging in conversation. Sometimes, while talking, I love to draw her close to my cheek. It is fun watching her blind herself in close proximity and the resulting peck.
Today, the bright orange clad beauty mesmerized me sooner. Enjoying her beauty with all my eyes, my hands automatically petted her on the back. And, in few moments, my mind was humming that famous song of Shakira. I leave that song to your guess.
For those curious ones only, here is that song:
Over these days, I came to know that she has the same kinds of challenges which I had a few years ago. So, I know how she would feel. I would go to Macy's, Target, Sears, JCPenny's, what not... to buy my dresspants and would return empty handed. Because, I was one size less than the lowest waist size available. I was not a popular size in this part of the world and had to go through that challenge. But, I know I am handsome and look like Tom Cruise from a distance ( My Tom Cruise look alike picture is coming soon! But, till such time, I have uploaded a teaser) .
Scaling the 10 feet high rock - Enjoy it as though I am scaling the Dubai Tower
So, the lack of choices in my outfits never knocked me down. I was biding my time. That experience helped me counsel her today. I told her not to worry. “You will grow in stature. Even the bricks with no shape and with their stoic look on their face have field day. But, you will have yours soon. With all your dynamism and refreshing look all the time, you are the best! You are a beauty inside out, honey! Anybody looking at you will be stunned by your beauty and if they get a chance to interact with you, they will understand your greatness. Companies will start making stuff for you, soon.” I boosted her up.
The legitimately illicit relationship has thus been intensely growing of which even Jaishree got wind of. But, have I audaciously taken the privilege of assuming Jaishree is ok with it? I guess she is letting me loose only to pull the leash and rein me in before it gets out of hands. Huh... I shudder to think of the day Jaishree will eventually do that. But, let me enjoy this to the hilt till it happens.
With nobody around us in that car, I told her to sing 'Ennamo Yaedho' to suit my mood and there she goes. When she sang, the words sounded more lovely and I was totally carried away. As I said already, she may not be able to speak intelligently like others of her class do but her singing is so perfect. My love for her swelled multifold.
Ennamo Yedho, Sikki Thavikkudhu Manadhil
Rekkai Virikkudhu Kanavil, Vittu Parakkudhu Tholaivil
Eno Kuviyamila Kuviyamila Oru Katchi Pedai
Oh Ho.. Uruvamila Uruvamila Naalai ...Yedho
Eno Kuviyamila Kuviyamila Oru Katchi Pedai
Oh Ho.. Araimanadhai Vidiyithu Naalai
Neeyum Naanum Endhirama, Yaaro Seyyum, Mandhirama Poove
Muthamitta Moochu Kaatril, Pattu Pattu Kettu Pone
(Translation coming soon)
Only Couple of "years" (??!!!????) :) ago, on the day of my marriage to Jaishree, this happened. Jaishree, along with her relatives, came to the section in that marriage hall where we - the groom side - were staying to invite me for the "Nalangu" – the fun part of the wedding.
For those who want to relive those moments or educate themselves on Nalangu, here is a very good video:
I asked her to sing "Nee Daya Radha" when she came to invite me for Nalangu.That song has my name in it. I was mesmerized at the sight of Jaishree blushing when she had to say my name Kalyanarama in anu pallavi of that song.
Coming back to the present, I was enjoying the voice of my secret love the same way I enjoyed Jaishree's beautiful voice. Because, I am in love – passionately in love with my train mate. I was totally carried away when she whispered the lines "Neeyum Naanum Yandhiramai..." in my ears. (you and me like robots).
Next she sang a song for me from Kireetam. WOW…I got a bonus from her. She knows that is one of my favorite songs. When she sang the lines "Andhi pagal unnaruge naan vaazha vendum" (which means - Night and day, I should live with you), I suddenly realized the profoundness of her words and panicked inside. Yet, I chose to continue my downward spiral. I was immersed more and more in her beauty and singing.
The sudden burst of noise around me was startling enough to bring me back to the world. I can't help but I have to shut off my Phone - Windows Phone - yes my new found "she" I was talking about all this time. (Okay… you are furious… I am furious, too. For the benefit of those who missed several contexts in my illicit relationship, I have also added a Dummies guide (.....coming soon......) )
The noise of the public address announcing the departure and the passengers walking the aisles panting heavily as they ran to catch the train forced me away from my Windows Phone and I had to shut it. It is a heavy feeling like a newly-wed husband asked to go on a business trip alone. I bid adieu and put her in my pocket.
A new habit, a well-entrenched addiction, has already been added to my life. With this confession, I am hopeful of redeeming myself from her for ever and get back my habit of reading a good PMA book on the train.
Corporate Images and Brand Endorsement:
With my phone inside pocket, I could see those last minute passengers still walking past me. Moreover, I was sitting reverse direction in that double Decker NJ Transit train. And, there came a female probably in her twenty's still out of breath from her running. She slowly waddled past me with her all-pink coordinates... purse, winter coat, shoes and of course her tote bag. The tote bag was revealing a secret - it read "Victoria's Secret".
Mmm...that is really a proclaiming secret..as a study says the human mind is bombarded with 60000 thoughts in a day, my mind started reeling out asthiras, an unsettling thought variety. ... Oh come on – I was thinking only about that tote bag ;-).
My thought was....Where in the world will someone want to announce that secret? Did that company Victoria's Secret, out of their own superiority complex, determine people would flaunt their name on a tote bag despite their line of business or is it the low self image of that person made her think carrying it will uplift her self image in the eyes of beholders! One or both the above statements are true.
She vanished from my sight. But not my thoughts, alas! I even forgot my love. When she whistled inside my pocket announcing an incoming SMS, I had just nipped a thought in bud - me carrying a tote bag proclaiming Jockey or any specialty brief and vests alone brand – BTW, is there a shop for men? Anyways, I realized, Victoria’s Secret is no longer a brand confined to lingerie but they have expanded and rebranded into a wholesome clothing and accessories brand. But, there are people still alive who know what that brand had been and still holds its legacy image.
But, this young ambassador carrying that tote bag fulfilled the company's goal. Though she paid a heavy price to get her needs fulfilled, she acted as a free advertisement model for that brand. I have seen their magazines.
I am sure those models were paid heftily. But, our friend on the train carrying that tote had to pay and then advertise free. My mind can’t help but compare her to the giant billboard vehicle crawling on US1 or the on the air crawls as part of campaigns.
The train reached Edison. One Tamil Mama and Mami managed to get in beating that office going crowd. The Mami had a Pothy's bag (Pothy's is a Chennai based super store). I guess, I got into syndrome of counting brown shoes today. Now, till I reached office, I was consciously looking for the totes and brand image people choose to boast or boost. I saw another tote by Shop Rite. Some of the Edison techies were wearing winter jackets/fleece/bags by Oracle, Microsoft, IBM, etc. All these are crawls they carry for those companies. Some of them got such jackets or bags by attending a conference their employers paid for. But, the people are happy to crawl it. My mind switched to think about brand images and perceptions. Would that person wearing IBM logo do that 100 years back when IBM was a maker of meat slicing machines. How, they have transformed now. Moreover, those who knew IBM was into meat slicing appliances are all dead and gone. Even its mainframe computer image is fast fading as they rebrand themselves into a software technology and consulting service provider. Today, Gen X hardly think about IBM’s present leave alone past. Nor do they care about the idea of Apple Computers being a borrowed (stolen??) from Xerox. All they care about is the usability and coolness which Apple and Google provide them fully.
http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/vintage/vintage_products.html
This rebranding of just the name or business model applies to many companies:
- Apple Computers –> Apple, Inc. to suit their business model changes as consumer electronic company
- BackRub –> Google, Inc. –> search engine to softwares to telecommunication to Internet media and social networking company
- Drake’s Drink –> Pepsi
- Datsun –> Nissan
- SBC and American Telephone & Telegraph Corp –> AT&T
- American way –> Amway –> changed from door to door soap selling company to wide ranging online company in health, beauty and cleaning products plus controlling interest in Metagenics, Inc., ( a prescription herbal supplement company) and Interleukin Genetics, Inc. (a leading cardiovascular genetic research test company)
- Avon –> Changed from door to door Bookselling business to cosmetics
- Berkshire Hathway – Textile company to Investment company
http://articles.cnn.com/2009-10-02/living/mf.famous.companies.first.products_1_berkshire-hathaway-warren-buffett-textile?_s=PM:LIVING
Adding Values to people around you
That was end of a hectic day at work in the previous week. The loud clicking noise proclaiming the approaching Jersey Avenue station forced me to bid adieu to my Windows Phone ... I have to get off shortly. The double decker train screeched to a halt. The warmth I had accumulated while on the train gave way to chilly drizzle. I walked to the parking wet and shivering.
The bright LED light inside my van welcomed me. The vehicle has already started to warm up since I had remote started it while walking but it has not warmed up enough .The remote start had automatically turned on seat heater as the outside temperature was below 35F. In a few seconds, the seat heated up enough. The warmth in my lower back was soothing. My vehicle was rolling out of parking slot and it had just moved into the aisle when I noticed I need to fill gas. I was in a hurry to attend the seminar by BWW. But, I didn’t want to drive with that irksome fuel icon lit. I pulled my Windows Phone and asked her to find nearest gas station. She showed one in half a mile with the map. I am familiar with the area. I shut her off and drove to that gas station.
I pulled my car into the Gas station where I saw that attendant, a youth with all the passion and excitement, filling gas for many cars darting from one pump to another. It was my turn.
************
"Fill up, silver plus" I says.
"Sure" he says grabbing the card from my hand.
What a bubbly youth – I thought while hearing him talking to someone loud only to be startled by his question "what's your zip code?"
“08852, you are very excited it seems” - I blurts out.
"Yes, I was trying to set up a date with that girl" he replies.
"Way to go buddy. BTW, are you working here fulltime or do you go to school? Your energy is very refreshing!”
"I work here all the time…." he continues "I was going to school but got into a situation and got incarcerated. I lost my aids."
Oh boy! I am sorry to hear".
"I am planning go back to school. One day, I will have my business." he spurts his passionate dream.
"Oh really, that's wonderful! You must read this book 'the mentor' a small book about a boy like you." I suggests.
"Yea, I have read that book, nice one...they gave me in jail" he says as he darts across to finish another transaction. "oh he is lucky to have read that book, great." I told myself while he appeared again to continue the conversation. "I’ve read a lot of books while in jail. It’s experience" he says handing my card back.
"yes, buddy. It s important to get up and move ahead. Proud of you." I encouraged him and handed him a couple of dollars as tips.
"By the way, do....."
I saw a burly man with deep loud voice standing in front of us cutting the conversation short.
"Sir, you can't keep your vehicle for ever and hold my attendant back. There are other vehicles right behind you"
Realizing his boss was not happy about our prolonged chat he shouts with apologetic look as my car moves "I work here all the time, see you again."
***********
I pulled the car out and as I waited to merge into that busy road thought, "How blessed I am to be associated with BWW and be part of their book of the month subscription program. I am able to read 100s of such awesome books.
On the day Jaishree and I heard Tracy and Kimberly Eaton in Ocean City, MD in Dec 2011, we also saw a 20 year old boy and his fiancé of same age from New Jersey being interviewed. They live in an area which is easily vulnerable to drugs and crimes. But, they chose to follow a better path in life. They both were in business attire and as young entrepreneurs are in line to earn over $100,000 in 2012. Last year, this 20 year old Hispanic couple earned over ~ $70,000 with BWW’s help in online marketing of energy drinks, cosmetics, supplements and sports nutrition.
Not only that. In that young age, they had already helped 2 other Gen X people earn ~$40,000/ per year each and had come to that conference of BWW with a team of over 100 Gen-X team members to meet with Tracy and Kimberly Eaton. Tracy Eaton was an NFL pro player. These two 20 year old kids mentor over 100 others of their age group on success principles, living healthy life, taking ownership of life.
Those 100 GenX are, in turn, being trained to be change agents to 1000 of others kids in a commercially networked environment. Of course, they have the help of BWW with over 100000 person years of experience in helping people accomplish their dreams and be free. These kids, in stead of spending their time in social networking and empty gossiping there, they chose to invest their time to build legacy for their family.
Easily, in their 40 years of existence, BWW would have helped well over 10000 moms around the world to retire young and be with their kids. They have helped 100s of men retire young and be wealthy.
Look at what Raj Shah said in 1994 and how he is in 2011. The Eyewitness newscasters had their doubts about what he said. But, all his words about living great life style, being able to play golf during weekdays, living by the golf course etc have become a reality now.
Should that be a ghost protocol anymore! Let the world know the power of BWW.
My van merged on the evening traffic heading to the BWW weekly seminar while my mind was checking out from the archive an incident of 2009 as given below:
When I published my Desiwinner SPV (Winner 1), I received this message on my Hotmail. It is a confirmatory mail from Facebook for a comment my friend posted on the link to that blog entry:
-----Original Message-----********************** What happened next ******************????
From: Facebook [mailto:notification+meg2kkkx@facebookmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 4:41 PM
To: Kalyan Venkat
Subject: [********** name redacted] made a comment about your link...
[********** name redacted] made a comment about your link:
"Hi Kalyan,
Thanks for helping a deserving person like SPV and sharing his success story. It is really inspiring to read. I liked the videos of "Shivaram Kumar" and your writing style.
[********** name redacted]
"Hi Kalyan,
To see the comment thread, follow the link below:
[**** link redacted]
Thanks,
The Facebook Team
___
This message was intended for vkraman@hotmail.com. Want to control which emails you receive from Facebook? Go to:
[**** link redacted]
Facebook's offices are located at 1601 S. California Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94304.
Probably because my friend learnt Kumar is from BWW/Amway within 6 minutes, the words “I liked the videos of "Shivaram Kumar" and your writing style.” changed to :
Thanks for helping a deserving person like SPV and sharing his success story. It is really inspiring to read. I like your writing style.Should the good words of someone be disassociated as though they are in ghost protocol?
July 28, 2009 at 4:47pm · LikeUnlike
If you are curious about those videos of Kumar, one of those is here - More in that blog entry of SPV:
