Beauty and self-esteem

One more ad that caught my attention was the Dove Self Esteem Fund ad.

This one shows a photo-shoot. There is a model facing the camera. Loads of make-up follow - foundation, mascara and the likes. Finally the photograph is loaded in to a computer for post processing. The image is then touched up using image editing software.

The facial features are enhanced - the chin and cheek bones are chiseled to perfection. The face is cleaned and not a single spot is seen. The eyebrows are enhanced.

And then goes on to ask –“How did our idea of beauty become so distorted?"
Watch the video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hibyAJOSW8U

Although they claim to be advocates of natural beauty, they are still selling their product. In the process, they are trying to create a positive brand image. Interesting!

This also brings to mind the recent movement against thin anorexic models, followed by fashion shows featuring fat (Oops! wrong choice of word...) - 'average/regular' models representing the general population.

I’m loving it!

Mumbai's Lifeline

Traveling in Mumbai's local trains is a rewarding experience in itself. Well if that is not an understatement, it definitely says a lot about the culture of Mumbai. If you have never been to Mumbai before or are planning to visit Mumbai, please make sure that you don't miss the local trains, dubbed 'The Lifeline of Mumbai'.
In fact I would recommend anyone who is new to Mumbai to go ahead and travel in the local trains. This is a sort of a training programme. Believe me, if you can survive the local trains, you will be equipped with all the skill-sets essential for surviving in Mumbai. Let us see how.

Let us consider the case of a guy who has just arrived in Mumbai from some remote unknown village if India. He dreams of making it big in the city. He alights at Dadar terminus with a twinkle in his eye. Ah! The sweet smell of Mumbai... (whatever that means!)
The next moment he sees a crowd running around in all directions. People like you and me, people from different walks of life; the rich, the poor, the sophisticated, the naive - everyone seems to be so short of time. This makes our newbie in Mumbai wonder why everyone's seems to be running. "Maybe they are too busy. They must be really important people. I'll be one of them someday!"

Yet another dream is born. Mumbai, 'the city of dreams' gets a new dreamer...

Night shifts

It is 4 a.m. on a Sunday. I am lying awake on the bed. I am trying hard to sleep, but I simply can't.
Guess it's my body. It has got used to real stretching. Have worked a lot in shifts.

What should I do? Listen to music? Try sleeping? Read a book? Nay!!
After giving it some thought, I just woke up and switched on my PC.
I thought what a good time to check email. [Passing thought: The internet is such a good thing - you really don't have to disturb anyone, just connect and you have a whole new world right in front of you!]

I start researching for some information. Click one link go to another. Some social networking websites open up, read mail. I came up across a couple of articles and posts related to night shift workers - especially nurses. They have to work night shifts - probably we relate to them more than anybody else. [Passing thought: What a noble profession - the patient needs some care even at night and the nursing provides an answer to this]

Insomnia, ulcers, disruption to the natural body clock, high blood pressure, no social life, the list goes on...

This list gave me some jitters.
I thought why not post this here and talk about it...