Romance - A glimpse into the future

This post is written for Blogeshwar and Anubhooti.

It was a nice sunday morning. Abhi woke up from his bed after being disturbed by his violent alarm clocks. These clocks were programmed to wake up Abhi from his deepest sleep. They danced, jumped from one corner to another and they emitted a kind of sound that would disturb the human sleep. With much hesitation Abhi woke up and Firefly came infront of him. Firefly is Abhi's robo cat that had a bright neon blue tail that glowed in the dark.

Firefly - "Hi Abhi, good morning. Its 9am and you are an hour late for the skywalk."

Abhi - " Not today, I saw a terrible dream."

Firefly - "What happened? Do you want me to change the ambiance of this room".

Firefly started pressing the remote control of the room. For every key press the room would look different. He selected "Nature" theme and it changed the appearance of the room according to the current season. It was fall season and the room was filled the images of fall leaves, trees and the fall colors. It looked pleasant. Abhi went to get freshen up. He was still feeling drowsy. Abhi was 30yr old but he was still single. Instead of making real girlfriends he believed more in virtual world where he could dump any girl he wanted. He was constantly looking himself in the mirror, he sighed deeply and started to play around with his hair. He was loosing lot of hair lately and so he got one of the scientifically formulated hair solution that would artificially plant some hair strands. By applying this it will fill the hairless regions on the scalp with hair follicles that would grow eventually to hair strands. He sprayed radiation block on his hair to prevent hair from further damage due to the crazy radiations from outside.

"I should make some money and get some gene therapy done" he murmured in front of Firefly. "Life is so boring. Look at me I am 30 years old, still single and I just have computer to talk to. Isn't that sad Firefly?". Firefly nodded in return and expressed sympathy. But technology wise his life wasn't that bad.

He purchased a truvision glasses that would help you in escaping from the real world.

He had a 60Terabyte per second internet connection.

He had a premium membership to virtual wonderland.

He went outside in his corridor to smoke his electronic cigarette and trying to be social. He saw his neighbour with a bag of groceries. She was looking very pretty with a fluffy scarf and a nice leather jacket. "Wow, you made my day with your appearance" he said. She quickly went inside her apartment and his boyfriend overheard Abhi's

comment. He was about to hit him when he quickly keyed in his access code and disappeared in his hermit hole. His heart sank. Then he took a heavy drag of the e-cigarette and that released its pleasant cocktail of mood regulators. Then he sat on his sofa and wore his TruVision glasses. Then he grabbed the bottle of pills that were heart shaped and tasted like cherries. Consuming these would relieve him from the stress and submerge his mind in the virtual world. He was letting his mind to focus on the electronic sensations. He relaxed as the dose of those heart shaped pills shut out the real world and brought the colors and electronic impulses to the vivid life. Now everything felt more real to him.

He found himself in virtual wonderland's one of the chatroom. Depending on the choice the rooms varied from 17th century palaces from sleazy hotel rooms. Abhi's choice was the hotel room with red decor, a virtual bed with satin sheets and roses on them. The walls were red and covered with erotic photos. After flipping through the menu he chose Ashley Sommers, one of the costliest 17 yr old blonde with a sweet smile. Ashley was one of the virtual girls who would please any customer of virtual wonderland.

She came out of the virtual mall and started humming "fly me to the moon". She had a long hair that fell gently on her back. Her skin was flawless and she looked beautiful. Abhi stiffened for a little bit. "you look great" he said. She blushed and said thanks to him. "Are you virgin?" he asked her. "Ofcourse, I am programmed to be virgin" she said. He moved closer to her. She blushed, smiled and said " I like you too". He felt like she touched him and he started going further in the virtual world.

Two hours later he found himself lying on his sofa and

his pills were ineffective now. He found himself out of that virtual world. He took the pills again and found himself with Ashley. She said " Hi, can you let me handle the conversation? you almost slept last time." They soon picked up the conversation and he came to know that she wanted to be an artist. She decorated his room virtually and made it look like a night club. "Wow you are an angel. You are so perfect." he said. Then she kissed him. He thanked god for making him meet Ashley. He secretly prayed in his greenroom in wild ecstasy that he wants Ashley to be with him always.

Somehow, Abhi's pills turned ineffective and brought him back to reality. He checked his messages before going to bed and saw a message from virtual wonderland. The subject was: Please submit your review for Ashley Sommers.

He read one of the user review - sweet girl. loves being pampered. I love the way her eyes light up when you say I love you to her.

He tore off his TruVision glasses and tried to hold his feelings. He was crying but his neighbor couldn't hear him since she was busy with her boyfriend.

Then he spoke to firefly " She is a program. She can't think. She can't have human feelings. She is just a complex series of algorithms. She is a human A.I. Men all around the globe have had relationship with her. They all are being told by her that they are loved. She is not real..." He started crying his heart out. He couldn't do anything since Ashley was not real.

P.S. This is just a glimpse of what 25th century would be. I hope it shouldn't be this way though.

Dreams gone wrong -- well not mine!

Sitting at my computer one night, I decided to login to yahoo messenger and join a chat room for the first time. I searched for a chat room of my interest and the moment I joined I got an instant message popped at my screen. At first I got a little weirded out, since I didn't know who she was. She started off with a simple "Hi, would you like to chat with me?". I went ahead and started chatting with her. She checked my profile online and said that my interests were quite unique and she liked that. We chatted couple of hours and discussed about our likes, dislikes and stuff like what we do do, from where do we come from and she somehow got my attention.

Slowly, my mornings started with her "Good morning" messages and nights ended with her good night kisses. Yes, we started an affair. But wait a minute, we never met each other but somehow I felt attracted towards her. The romance became intense between us and I asked her to send me her picture. I had never seen her but I could imagine how she would look like. She was my dream princess. I imagined her to be extremely beautiful, with long hair flowing in the air, she would have a sweet fragrance that would spill in the air and make the atmosphere magical. I was in my deep thoughts when I got disturbed by her sms and she replied that she won't be able to mail her picture. I felt disappointed but waited patiently for another day. When I opened my email I found picture of her hair locks. I was surprised and asked her the reason for which she said " I want you to see me gradually and not all at once." I liked her long hair and now I was convinced that she would look like a princess.

After a month's wait, we decided to meet each other face to face. Instead of being happy I was little nervous as it would have been our first formal meeting. I know everything about her but why was I feeling so nervous. she told me that she would be wearing a blue jeans and pink top.

I blinked twice when i reached the coffee shop. It has to be her.. She was the only one wearing pink top. But her hair was looking longer than I had seen in the picture. Well, I thought lets go and ask if she was Alisha. She said nodded while drinking coffee. Wow, she was so cute.. much much sweeter than I had imagined about her.

"Hey, I came early. How did you know I would be here?" she asked me.

"Well, I thought we were supposed to meet at 2pm. right?" I was checking her out.

Her face was little thinner, she had beautiful lips which were right now covered with coffee. We initially hesitated how to proceed talking to each other. "Can I know your real name?" she asked. "Well, its Adam Muller" I said. I don't like to put my real name in my email ids. She slowly told me about herself and what she does and somehow I was sensing that she was little different than how I knew her and how I dreamt about 'Us'. But her beautiful face and long hair would make me forget about that.

We met again, and again for the rest of the week. We both felt like we discovered a new person. It is little different chatting with a person online and meeting someone in person. Soon on Friday afternoon I opened my email once to check any messages. It had been like a week and I didn't check my messages. The last message was from Alisha and she mentioned that she wanted to meet me today at 'Li's bar'. Well, what to say she read my mind and I wanted to take her over there. I thought instead of calling her why don't I just go there and wait for her. It took around 30mins to call me. "Hey, where are you? You were supposed to take me somewhere" she said. "But I thought I already informed you. Or rather it was you who decided where we should meet." I was getting anxious now. "Okay. No more puzzles. Where are you?" she said. "I am at Li's bar. Just come over, I am waiting for you baby" I said.

Now, I was feeling disturbed. Mainly because she was not the person I thought about and secondly about this confusion. With this dilemma I went to the Men's room and while coming out I brushed past a woman who was hurriedly entering the bar. "Excuse me, she said and she dropped her purse." "Mam, you dropped your purse!" I screamed but she didn't listen to me. While my girl 'Alisha' arrived and we sat on the table. "So, Adam what is this all about?" she asked me. I wanted to answer her but I thought I should first take care of the wallet I had. I opened the small purse and found the driver's licence. Also, I saw the name 'Alisha simpson' inscribed on it. I was shocked! What the hell's happening to me. I wasn't even drunk.

Soon, the confusion was clear. I went to coffee shop on that day and met another girl who claimed to be Alisha whom I met on yahoo chat. But surprisingly she also met someone online called Bob and it was supposed to be their first date. But we never revealed each other what we used to chat/text message each other. I saw the real Alisha with whom I spent my time chatting and dreaming about. She was a simple girl with short hair and medium built. She wasn't much attractive as I had seen the other girl. It was my chance to either hide the fact from the real Alisha that I am Adam or be bold enough to go and face her.

I chose to do the latter. "Hi Alisha, so this confusion happened for the whole week. You are a very good person that I have known till then. But the girl I dreamt about all the time wasn't you. It was this other girl 'Alisha'. When I saw her I thought my dreams have come true and I have found the right girl. But now I feel everything went wrong!" I tried to express her everything while the second 'Alisha' had already left the place. "See, I understand Adam. I know this online dating is not a fair game. We dream about someone and start living in that dream believing that it is true. But there is a different world out there where even though we refuse to go , we have to deal with it. So, please without bothering about me go and get your girl. It's nice of you to stop by me and tell me the truth but I want you to go and get the girl of your dreams" she gasped. I could understand what she was feeling but I never wanted my dreams to go wrong. I ran out quickly and started to search for 'Alisha'. I screamed her name and searched for her. She came running to me and crying. 'I love you Adam' and she hugged me.

Since then we are together. So, I guess my dreams didn't really go wrong!

P.s. This post is written for Blogeshwar and Anubhooti

Cultural Shock

People live within the framework of the culture they create. As a member of human race it is interesting to note the different cultures on this earth. The term 'Culture shock' came in 1960s and basically it is a condition affecting someone who is suddenly been exposed to unfamiliar way of life or attitudes. It's an experience of moving from native culture to an unfamiliar culture.

The effects of cultural shock triggers various emotions like anxiety, paranoia, excitement and shock. These are mainly experienced by people who visit other countries for various reasons like further studies, jobs, immigrants and visitors. People have their own experiences with culture shock. It may be because of the food they ate in that country, attire of the people, common gesture, unacceptable standards of cleanliness, language or accent. So, when I chose to write on this topic, I thought of writing about my own experience. Its really just my observations. This is my experience when I landed to united states for the first time.

Let me divide my cultural shock experience in five stages and explain what kind of shock I experienced in each stage.

Stage I - It is the excitement I felt when I was flying to a different country and how I got fascinated with the new culture and customs. The moment I came out of the airport, I saw all "white" people everywhere. I agree I missed seeing Indian faces!! . The concept of "Being in" a foreign country started sinking up in my brain. When I met my Indian friend who picked me up, the phobia went away. But when we drove back to the place where I was supposed to live, the phobia kicked in.. Reason?? Roads, flyovers..... now highways were being called as 'Freeways'.. crossroads were addressed as 'boulevards or intersections' ..Argghhh !

This is how I entered into Stage II of cultural shock..

Stage II - My excitement turned into a big disappointment as I couldn't relate myself to the way people were living here. When I walked out of my apartment, I saw students walking with a sandwich or burger in their hands, going on skateboards.. wearing weird clothes like wearing shorts, cap (reversed), listening to music, hanging a backpack... It was totally opposite to how I used to go to a college in India. I used to dress up properly, comb hair, go in a discipline. It was totally opposite here !

Next, were the restaurants. Being a staunch vegetarian since my childhood I found very disturbing menu items in the restaurants here. Plus, I didn't know how to order food properly :( Oh god.. where did I come ?? How will I survive here... were few of my questions which i asked to myself each and everyday.. I started getting disoriented with the cultural difference here. The symptoms of these - my mood was mostly irritated, more calls were being placed to India (calling cards) and I was getting short of money since I didn't had any on campus job over here yet, sleepless ness (coz of jetlag) and because of this anxiety I didn't feel hungry quite much.

Stage III: After making lot of Indian friends who were in the same boat as me, our views started changing towards this new culture. We slowly started appreciating their culture. There is openness in their culture which was difficult for us to digest. Few initial things we learnt were :- we learnt how to order food in any restaurant we go ! We started understanding their English accent which was quite different to what we speak. Although we never tried to speak in their accent, since it looked difficult to us. We Indians tend to speak very fast and because of the difference of accent, we should try to speak slowly when we speak with any American. It took almost a month to understand this ! Results - phew.. lost 3 on campus jobs because the interviewer didn't quite understand what I was talking about...

Stage IV: Now, after couple of months I got accustomed to the culture, language and general trends here. I made couple of american and mexican friends. I got exposure to international friends and learnt how people respect our tradition too. Slowly, I started sorting good and bad views of this new culture and decided to adopt lot of good things that I was missing. For example, exercising regularly, eating salads and green leafy veggies (sorry but this is the most common vegetarian option here), being independent, managing finances, leaving shyness and being outspoken...

Stage V: This is the stage when I came back to India for my vacation and I felt the initial euphoria, dissatisfaction and confusion. However, I was so excited to share my initial experiences with my family , friends etc..

This was my journey. A basic tip to adjust with cultural shock is being observant and realizing why the culture and customs were created before judging how different others are.

This post is written for blogeshwar

Mystic Nature

This post is written for Blogeshwar and Anubhooti.

In this post I would like to describe compilation of few of my interpretations related to vivid nature. One of which is my recurring dream and the other ones are my imaginations. But writing a post on nature itself is an honor to me.

Higher and higher, the altitudes of snow clad mountains giving way to silent, silken mist. Protruding from the mountain, a sheer cliff in the very shadow of the summit. Slowly and gently the tendrils drape themselves over the edge, blanketing the world below. Overlooking all this my gaze goes into the unknown. My view is obstructed by the mist that is rising gently in the morning calm, a drowsy white blanket of cloud stretching out over the very horizon.

I turn and try to look up. There are rocks and rocks, up the mountainside to the summit. The glacier folds and retreats towards the sun, establishing the northern face in a grasp of ice. Above the layer of the mist, the land seems to be stretching out, wild and unguarded. The world below the mist is unknown. What lies beneath the mountain, what lies beneath the mist is mysterious nature. The mist is gradually rising and I can see that the two worlds are about to meet each other. If this is what Alaska looks like than imagine the coastal areas in our world.

Whenever I close my eyes and imagine that I am near an ocean, I can see this image clearly running in my mind. The sun glistens down its light on the water, silver and lustrous. The waves gently crashing against the rocks below the cliff. I can hear a soothing sound that is comparable to the tranquility of the silence of the night. Even the wind seems to be whistling slowly, creating same quiet sound. This is something which many people in today's world need.

Even when the night arrived with the moon and stars, the tranquility prevailed. The moon sat bright and magnificent. The quiet rush of the waves still whispered, the wind still whistled to soft melody created by the twinkling rhythm of the stars. The scenery didn't change, it is still as beautiful as it would be once the sun began to peek above the horizon.

Imagine under the deepest and darkest part of the forest, under the ever growing canopy of palm tree leaves and cluttered vines, I am exploring the joy of hiking. I am struggling through the potholes and venomous plants, moving slow yet so fast. I am enjoying the sweat beads that are popping on my forehead. I am going deeper and deeper in the forest, passing by the enormous trees and swinging vines. Then I see the rays of the sunshine filtering through the leaves, creating vibrant and shimmering light above me. After involving deeply in nature's beauty I hear the chirping of birds, screech of the mountain lion, a raging river, and rhythmic pounding of tribal drums. It has become rare to see or experience this kind of dense and thick forest. We need to travel too far to experience this natural pleasure. We need to conserve trees and animal habitats.

This is the what 'Nature' is to me, very very tranquil. These are kind of the places which come in my mind when I feel and imagine about the mysterious nature.

Lost in the Jungle

[This post has won the first prize in blogeshwar 6.0]

The world moved faster around me as I was running faster, between the trees, rocks and pebbles in the forest. "Someone please help me!" I screamed. I was camping and suddenly saw a bear started chasing me. I had learned that bears are vegetarian but may be my knowledge was wrong. The bear was making scary noises and showing its teeth. Suddenly, my foot got hurt as I stepped on a rock on its curved edge and bang.. I started rolling down in the valley. Now the world seemed to be spinning around me as I started tumbling. After I finally reached the ground I found darkness everywhere. I felt a pang of fear as I heard the bear roaring on the top of the valley. I saw my car lying under the tree. I was wondering where I can spend that night. My family would be worried to find me missing from the camp site and will start searching in the forest.

I wanted to get up and find a place but my body was in pain and it was difficult for me to get up and find a place for shelter. The moment I decided to rest for sometime I heard the crinkling of the leaves. Slowly, the crinkling sounds came closer, closer and louder. Suddenly, I found something crawling on my neck. " Oh my god.. " I shouted and opened my shirt and found some kind of insect trying to suck blood from me. Panic struck to me right at that moment. I was all alone and lost in this forest. I had to run from that place since it wasn't a safe place anymore for me. My heart was pounding fast and I was short of breath. My mind was running in all the directions and sweat beads were popping on my forehead. I somehow managed to get up and start walking faster. To my surprise I found a house in the valley and the lights in the house were glowing. I felt relieved but my heart sent a sudden shock to my brain - Is this a haunted house?

I have heard about haunted houses before. They are more than just being scary. They are creepy, disturbing and terrifying as well. I went near the house and opened the gate. It made that same old cranky sound as they show in the horror TV serials. I stepped inside the lawn, there was nothing. The trees were deserted without leaves or flowers. It was a decent size house. The lights were on but no one was there in the house. I knocked the door twice and with the cool breeze blowing outside the door opened with a swing. "Alright, be brave you have seen lot of TV serials" I thought.

"Is someone in there?" I started shouting. But there was no answer from anyone. The sounds of the bats hovering around the house was disturbing. I wanted to shut the door but it was a bad idea. I saw a massive stair case that was circular. I don't know where it ends but there were hallways and rooms. I checked the room near the steps but there was no one. The bed was nice made and the color of the cushions and the bedsheets were exactly like those of mythological serials where a King sleeps in his big bedroom. I got tempted but scared as well. So, I decided to climb the stairs. I checked the first hall way but there was no one. The stairs made a weird noise, may be they were too old! Fear gripped me from all the directions. My only interest at that time to find someone in this house.

I saw that light on one of the rooms were just turned off. The stairs were leading to the attic room. I climbed up and saw the room. The windows of that room were small and the curtains were all frayed out. I turned back and suddenly saw an image created on the wall because of a torch-light. I screamed to my top of the voice but saw a lady appearing from the darkness. She giggled and said " Who are you?" I was frightened and she could sense that. I narrated my dreadful incident of bear following me in the Jungle and how I ended up coming to this horror house. She said " You are in the state of panic and shock together. You need to calm down". Her soothing voice comforted me.

I asked her " Are you stuck here like me?" "No, this is my ancestor's house. I came to get this painting." She showed me the portrait. We suddenly heard some noises from outside. I got scared. She suggested to go to the cellar immediately. Since no one will know if there is a cellar. Hurriedly, we reached the cellar door. She slid the door and there was a staircase again. She stepped into the cellar first and she started stepping down through the stairs. There was a yellow fluorescent shade lamp glowing in the cellar. Meanwhile, the distinct voices became more clearer to me. It was my family who were in search of me. Before I could go to them the lady started saying "come here I am stuck. Lets go out together." But I thought of bringing my family here first so that they don't get lost in this mysterious house.

"Are you alright Rajiv?" My mother asked me. "yes mom, thank god you all came here. I thought I will die with fear and paranoia." "By the way how could you all find me here?"

My mom told me that they were worried since it was night 12.30 and I didn't return to my campsite. So, they contacted the forest security guys. They told her that a wild bear was chasing people around in that particular part of the jungle where I was taking some night pictures. From there, they understood the story and immediately came to this house. I asked the officer about the story. He said "Long time ago, there was a family living in this house and it used to be a vacation house for them. One day, their daughter Percy was going to come from London. But on her way back she was attacked by a bear and she was injured. By the time she came home she found her family dead. There was a terrible earthquake and that killed them when they were partying in the cellar. She was living in this house for quite sometime but she died because of illness. Surprisingly, the house looks good even though the earthquake took lives of the people. But the lights in the house is always illuminated. So, this happens every year and someone who is attacked by the bear appears to be coming to this house and never coming out of it."

It suddenly stuck me now the whole story about the girl and why she was calling me to the cellar. We rushed out of the house as fast as we can and we sat in the jeep with the security officials. After this incident I am always afraid to go to any forest. But those spine chilling memories are always fresh in my mind. The bear chasing, dark jungle, haunted house and of course 'Percy' too. I see Percy in my dreams sometimes.

This post is written for Blogeshwar and Anubhooti.

Break up Letter

Humor can be defined in many ways in our life. We see humour in one or other form and it still gives smile on our face! Total absence of Humour renders life impossible.(my orkut fortune predictor)

Some lines on Humour -

Humour is not always amusing,

Humour is beyond a joke,

Humour is in the spontaneity of the moment

So, here I would like to narrate a story which is based on the real life humour.

*******************************************************************************************

Tom and Jill were in a relationship for more than a year. They both loved each other but they unfortunately had many misunderstandings between them. Main reason for all this was Jill's suspicion on Tom. She always had a theory that Tom is seeing other girls. In order to confirm this she tries many things on daily basis. So, one day Jill calls Tom on the phone.

Jill: Tom do you love me?

Tom: what kind of a question is that Jill?

Jill: See if you had loved me you cud have told me - Yes i love you instead of asking a counter question? It proves there is something wrong.

Tom: Oh my god! You are on again. Jill for heaven's sake I love you dear and there is no one else in my life.

Jill: Okay. Shall we do a webcam chat.

Tom: No I am busy right now.

Jill: Whattttttt... Aaaghhh.. you never have time for me...

Beep... she hangs up the phone..

Next day Tom was in a restaurant with his colleague. Tom gets a call from Jill.

Jill: Hi baby, where are you?

Tom: I am in a restaurant with my colleague.

Jill: You know i missed you so much.

Tom: Me too baby

Jill: Really ! I love you.

Tom: yes, me too ( whispered)

Jill: Why can't u say that you love me.

Tom: I thought i told you just now.

Jill: No. Tell me "I love you"

Tom: I can't I am with a co-worker. (whispered)

Jill: No. You are dating someone else and that's the reason you don't wanna say this.

Tom: For christ's sake Jill. I don't wanna argue on this again.

Jill: yes because i am sure you are with some girl.

Tom hangs up the phone. He talks to his colleague about what's happening with him & Jill.

Tom: She is a nice girl. Very funny and kiddish many a times. But she always suspect me and thinks I don't love her.

Jack: Wowww.. So, you are always under a test..

Tom: Yeah..Last night she was online from a different ID and trying to see if I am flirting with other girls.

Jack: Hmm...

Tom: She is sweet.. I don't feel like breaking up with her.. but I don't want her to be insecure.

Jack: Hey I got an idea.. Why don't you type a breakup email to her.

Tom: Are you serious!

Jack: Yes, but hey.. try to write the most funniest email and convey that once for all.. she is your love..

Tom: Okay.

Tom thinks a lot for couple of days and then one day he types this email to Jill.

Dear Jill,

After a lot of thinking i have typed this letter.

You fight a lot with me, but the love I have for you,

is gone and I find my dislike for you

is growing with each fight you put up with me and

I don't even want to meet you,

The only thing that I want to do next is,

look at other girls. I never wanted to,

marry you. Our last conversation

was very disturbing and

has now made me to think and take this decision.

You always suspect me with someone else.

If we get married, I know that I would find

it very difficult to deal with you and will have no

pleasure in living with you. Because of your

suspicions, arguments and

silly fights I would really find it very

complicated and un-

interesting to deal with it everyday.

I sincerely want you to understand that

I am telling you the truth from my heart. Do me a favor

If you think this is the end, do not try

to write back to me. Your words will be full of

revenge and will have no

true love for me. Believe me!

Please don't think that

"I am still your lover"

-Tom

P.s After reading this could you please read again from the beginning but alternate lines(1,3,5,7) starting from "you fight.." That is what I actually feel about you.

Tom's phone started ringing. He picks up in dilemma.

Tom: uhh.. hello is that Jill

Jill: Yes Tom, I didn't know till now how much you loved me.. even though i always fight with you.

Tom: yes Jill. This humour keeps our relationship alive. I realized that.

Jill: I want to meet you right now..

They meet at a restaurant where Tom proposes to her with a ring. She says yes to him. Seeing all this one lady comes to Tom and asks him to give Jill a red rose. He takes the rose from that lady and Jill sees this from a distance. She gets frowned on this and goes to Tom and says.

Jill: Tom.. this is why I always suspected you.. things never changed.. you are still the same.

Tom: Jill listen to me please...

Jill walks away from the restaurant.. The lady who gave the rose feels bad and stands up to say sorry to Tom. But Tom smiles and says in excitement.. " hey this is not the end.. this is going to be my daily routine now"...

Tom screams: Jill.. please wait.........

And their story continues.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We should try to take some real life experience things differently and we can still find humour lying over there and then suddenly the life becomes so colourful.

This post is written for Blogeshwar and Anubhooti.

The Enchanted Encounter

This is a fictional story. This post is written for Blogeshwar and Anubhooti

My hands were digging and clawing at the concrete. I slowly opened my eyes and saw the sun shining brightly. There was no one in that part of the city except me and the trees. I pushed myself up partly and saw the blood stained shards of broken glass around me. What happened to me? I was almost in the arms of that beautiful blonde haired girl. Where is she? Thinkkk...I saw a shattered door from nowhere in between the trees. What happened just few moments back?? .. And the pieces of memories started to recollect.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I was sitting in the coffee shop which was in the market street. I finished my studies and I have offers to join Air force, I have money to start my own business(which i am scared if it might fail) or atleast to take care of my farms. But i didn't know what i was going to do with my life. So, I started sitting in this coffee shop since few days and ogling on the passer byes.

A few moments passed. I sipped my coffee and started reading a magazine when i saw a beautiful girl with blonde hair passing by. She was talking to someone on the phone. I noticed her pretty hair that was locked partly with a pin. She was wearing a teal coloured dress. She looked like a fairy angel to me. I ran towards the window and saw her ransacking her purse, facing my way. What if she saw me observing her? A cool breeze lifted her hair and dropped it on her face, but she gave it a quick shake and tossed it back. She was so charming and beautiful, I instantly fell in Love with her. She looked up straight into my eyes through the window and I was shocked for a moment. But she gave me a sweet smile that fluttered my heart ! She turned around and walked in the opposite direction.

She appeared again in few minutes walking fast, may be purposefully to get my attention. She stopped and turned all the way back to me and smiled again. Why? What does she want from me ? I couldn't move from my seat. Beads of sweat started popping through my forehead. Her eyes started speaking to me. My heart started beating fast and I thought, what does she want to say? She suddenly raised her arms and she waved towards me. "NOOO. It couldn't be possible" I thought. Her smile faded and she dropped her hand. Her face looked sad and she started walking again. My legs lifted me as if they want to say "Go David, she is the one you have always been waiting for". Within few seconds I walked outside the door but I didn't find her. I walked to another shop but she wasn't there. Did she run away from me? Yes, of course. Who would like to talk to me?

Suddenly i saw a glimpse of her near the street. "Hello ! Please wait" I shouted. But she started walking faster after listening to my voice. I hurriedly reached on the street and started running towards her. I felt like a strong whirlwind has started to blow and in no time I reached to a place that was surrounded by the trees.

She stopped right there for a moment and my heart slipped off ! She looked extremely beautiful and flawless if only i could hold her and adore her beauty. But she instantly disappeared into a magical door which was there amidst the trees. She appeared on the other side of the door. Meanwhile the whirlwind kept raging, causing me to think and think. At this moment I knew that my LiFe's answer is in the reflection of that girl. I was still not believing that this girl was interested in me ! I leaped from the outside world into the glass door in no time. I knew I was going to get hurt but i didn't care.

The moment I entered the door I found myself with that girl. Then I had a conversation with her that changed my entire life.

"Most people just walk in here, but you are the first one to crash the door" She said.

"Where am I?" I said

"You don't know where you are? You wanted to come here David" She said.

I am sure I wanted to come, only if i could believe the possibility of this dreamland being real.

"You're in the dreamland David and I'm here to make all your dreams come true. But you will have to believe in yourself and believe in your actions" She said holding my hands. Her eyes opened wider. She was so pretty.

"B-E-L-I-E-V-E" I closed my eyes and kept on saying this word and kept trying to - BELIEVE.

"You must have believed it David, else you wouldn't have come here" She said with a smile.

"Yes for a while before I came here. But now I don't believe it" I said. I wish I shouldn't have just said that.

The whirlwind started to blow again. But this time it was in the other direction.

"You must believe in yourself David, else you cannot stay here" She said. The wind intensified.

"Believe in yourself and believe in your actions" She started chanting these lines like a Mantra. The wind was crushing me from inside and I started shouting "I believe!", "I believe". But within no time I was thrown out of the glass door on the sidewalk with broken glass, broken dreams and BLOOD...

Her words got stamped in my head. "Believe in yourself and believe in your actions".

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"After few days I dared to start a small company of my own. Later on with my efforts and my belief I was able to establish my business and earn some recognition. After few years now when I am a successful person I owe major part of my success to those enchanted memories that TOOK MY BREATH AWAY !!! " I told this in the award function, where I got the best businessman of the year award :-)

Identity Theft - Shred your paper or regret about it later ??

Identity theft has increased a lot these days. It is very common in USA and it is also spreading in other countries like India. This is a type of crime that doesn't kill you physically but it can take away from you everything that you have earned so far - money, credit history and social reputation. Identity theft can be done by high tech cyberspace hacking and also by low tech dumpster driving.

So, in order make everyone aware of what common mistakes they do and how can a identity thief steal all your valuable information, here is the story.

This is the fictitious interview of an identity thief when he got caught red handed.

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It was 3A.M in the night, time for my usual dumpster diving. I am Just 23yrs old and i like the life i am leading right now. I like to make use of people's ignorance and I am hoping to build a mansion of my dreams. I am very smart and intelligent.. Aww you think that i am very over confident right. Very true.. But that night was the last day of my life when i could say such a statement.

I went near the dumpster of an apartment complex and tried to grab my steal i.e. trash which people throw every week. I went there before the actual garbage removal agency came to do their part. I jumped into the dumpster to scan the required items and keep it in my car. But alas i got caught red handed by the cops after i dived off from the dumpster.

Police Interrogation -

Officer 1 : What is your age ? When did you start doing this ?

Me: I am 23 and I am stealing people's identity since 3-4years.

Officer 2: What is your name ? What do you do ?

Me: John Atkins*

Officer 2: Real name plz... we also know you by Tony Rivera*.

Me: Michael Johnson and i am doing my major in computer science.

Officer 1: So Mike.. tell us how did you start doing all this..

Me: Well i was in a casino and I lost all my money. I wanted to play more but i didn't had enough money so i went out of the casino dejected and thought wish i get some money from outside.. even if it is a dollar. I searched everywhere outside and there i found a man's wallet. He had his debit card, ssn and credit cards. He even had the pin number for debit card in his wallet. I felt like i won a jackpot ! I cashed around $3000 dollars and started playing blackjack. I started using his name and made purchases using his credit card.

Officer 1: He never reported to the bank about his cards being stolen ?

Me: Yes he did after a week. But by that time i used his credentials and opened a secondary account connected to his card which he was unaware. For some days i was John. I changed the name at my apartment, pay checks and even on my credit cards. I diverted John's billing statements to my address. I could do anything now using his name. But after couple of years i had to let it go since he became aware and he cancelled every card carefully. I didn't have his social security number that was the reason why i couldn't continue this for long time.

Officer 2: So, what did you do next ?

Me : I search for my prey even by using the latest technology. I downloaded a software tool on that could scoop up the data from computers that are connected to my wireless and using that I can get the contents from their computers. For this reason I disabled password on my wireless router and made it unsecured. I was able to get some information from few people's computer when they were connected to my wireless. I got hold of their bank accounts and i then changed their password. I got their addresses. I became the flyer guy and distributed flyers in the community. I got the access to the mail boxes and i found mails from credit card companies who had pre-approved them. I called those companies and started accessing those credit cards. I somehow got information about the social security number as well. See its interesting how people can get so much information by hacking their laptops with our wireless connection !

People throw most darnedest things on earth such as their job application mails, pre approved cards, credit card billing details, electricity or internet bills etc and i get the most out of this. I can get information about the other cards by calling such companies and posing with that identity and i say "Hey i don't remember which visa card i used last time to pay my bill?" and its unbelievable what they tell me.

I love when the new credit cards appear in their mailboxes. I write their credit card number and wait until that is activated. In some cases, i activate it myself !

Officer 2: Wow.. that's amazing piece of information. How about if banks do take care of these thefts. What are the other ways for you to steal people's identity ?

Me: Well, i usually go the grocery stores and walk in the line to pay my bill. People confuse me with a guy talking over the phone, but when they take out the credit card i take a snap of it using my phone camera and boom.. i start using their card from the very next day. People usually don't check their account within 30days so yeahh i enjoy with their card atleast for the next thirty days....Sometimes i call people pretending to be an insurance company dealer or other financial institution who is giving them a cash prize.

Officer 1: What do u do when people catch you near their dumpsters ?

Me: If they catch me in the daytime, i tell them i came to visit my friend and my girlfriend threw her engagement ring here. So I am searching for that. Or i say that i lost my car keys. Otherwise i drive through their neighborhood at 3am on the trash day and fill my trunks with the trash that is valuable to me.

Officer 2: Okay. Mike the game is over and you need to relax your mind a little bit. You know you are very smart and clever but unfortunately your efforts won't be recognized. You are going to be in the jail for sometime of your life.

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Identity theft is an increasing crime. It has been added as one of the federal law clauses. Best ways to avoid identity theft are:

• Check your bank accounts and credit card statements every week.
• Check your credit report regularly to limit the damage caused by the identity thieves.
• Shred all your documents that contain important information.
• Make sure to disinfect and clean your computer with latest antivirus software and run it regularly.
• When you find that your identity has been stolen report immediately to the police, notify your credit card companies to take care of any fraud or disputes.

Awareness is the best weapon to fight against identity theft. Be aware of how your information is stolen and how you can help yourself to protect against it. By doing this we can make the job of identity thieves very difficult. We can fight against this crime by educating our friends, family and community.

Note : Above interrogation is based on the interviews of former identity thieves who were caught in New York, Florida and Virginia.

ps: This post is for the Blogeshwar 3.0 contest as well.