Category Archives: Personal

U2 at the Wembley

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Wow. August has been a pretty hectic and exciting month. My Birthday’s around the corner and the celebrations have already begun, starting with a surprise gift last week. A Nintendo Wii. I had another surprise in store as I was gifted a U2 concert. Not just that, I got two Wii games as gifts as well, (Guitar Hero: Rock Band & Ashes 2009). Thanks people, for all these wonderful gifts.

Anyway, the U2 concert was a killer experience. It was the biggest concert I have ever attended. Going by the previous day, when U2 claimed the record for highest audience with 88, 000, I am very certain that this was no less. The main reason why Wembley could accommodate so many fans is because of it’s radically designed £15 – £20m worth concert stage. The giant claw shaped structure has a 360 degree view and unlike most gigs is centrally placed to ensure it’s wider field of view within the statium. It also has a 360 degree screen providing the audience with live close-up feeds of the event. This meant that most parts of the stadium could be used for audience. This also meant that the concert is possible only in Tiered stadiums. Apparently, the structures, which take as many as 60 trucks for transporatation, are to become gig venues in parks around the world.

U2 360 Concert at the Wembley

U2 360 Concert at the Wembley

The Giant Claw Stage

The Giant Claw Stage

The gates were supposed to be open at 5.00 PM yesterday and we only got there around 6 PM. There was a support act on. I have forgotten their name, but they were pretty good. Then we had Glasvegas, a Glaswegian band belting out a few good numbers. Then the U2, the longest serving and successful full band were on stage and they transported the audience to a different world. The beginning itself was fantastic with a count down being run on large 360 degree screen, before the U2 band men, Larry Mullen, Adam Clayton and Edge taking up their signature positions, followed by Bono. During the concert, couple of metal bridges on the sides of the stage started moving to the middle and Bono and Edge frequently walked the bridges encouraging the crowd to croon with them, occassionally joined by Adam.

It was an incredibly exhilarating brilliant experience and one of the best concerts I have ever been to. U2′s Wembley 360 Degree songlist for the Wembley night:

  1. Breathe
  2. No Line on the Horizon
  3. Get On Your Boots
  4. Magnificent
  5. Beautiful Day
  6. Until The End Of The World
  7. New Year’s Day
  8. I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
  9. Stay (Faraway, So Close!)
  10. Unknown Caller
  11. The Unforgettable Fire
  12. City Of Blinding Lights
  13. Vertigo
  14. I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight
  15. Sunday Bloody Sunday
  16. Pride (In The Name Of Love)
  17. MLK
  18. Walk On
  19. Where The Streets Have No Name
  20. One
  21. Bad
  22. Ultraviolet (Light My Way)
  23. With Or Without You
  24. Moment of Surrender

House Warming, Accident, DIY, Tinkering….

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It’s been a hectic month. Our new abode is finally ready. We had a house warming ceremony and during the run up to the occasion, I managed get involved in a small accident which damaged my mother’s car. And foolishly, I forgot to exchange forms. So, couldn’t really claim for an insurance. Anyway, the car had some cosmetic dents and I decided to correct it myself. I ordered suction dent puller from eBay, a few cans of metallic wine red paint and some emery paper. I followed the instructions and managed to pull a couple of dents. I rubbed some emery paper to the damaged parts and sprayed the paint on to it and I managed to ruin the paint…. :-(

Although it was supposed to be a similar shade as that of the car, the difference in paint was clearly visible signalling the end of my DIY days… Moral: If you have a dent on your car, take it to a professional to set it right.

The Great Indian Passport Renewal Saga

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Indian PassportFinally some news about my passport. After standing in long queues in the blazing hot sun everyday for the last four weeks, I managed to get an audience with the Regional Passport Officer. While waiting for my time with the RPO, I met another individual who had similar issues as mine with regard to renewal. However, this particular inidividual had to be abroad within the next week as he had won a sponsorship to represent India in one of those scholarly meets in Zurich. Now, c’mon people, if not for me, please give him his passport at least. Don’t stifle intelligence!

Anyway, I met up with the RPO to enquire the status of my renewal application. After a few anxious moments, the RPO called someone from the Records Section on the intercom and called her to the office to clarify my case. Now, this lady walks in, checks my paper in front on me and tells me that she wasn’ t sure as to why my birth certificate has to be verified for renewal of my passport!!!! Strange, the very people who told me it needs verification!!! She apologised repeatedly and she said she’ll post it for verification the same day.

After a week’s time, having heard nothing from the Passport Office, I went back to the RPO, to find out that they are not in receipt of the verified report from the Registrar of Births & Deaths. I personally had traveled to Registrar’s Office to ensure that it reaches the Passport Office within a day through speed post. I was sent back to the records section, and was advised to check with the Post Office. I went to the Postal Delivery Office and got a confirmation for the delivery only to find that the post at the Passport Office had been unopened for over a week. After haggling for another week, I finally have my shiny new Passport issued. It took six long weeks…..Hurray!!!

March 2009 Updates

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Still in India…trying to juggle with so many different things mentally and physically. Squeezing in nearly 10 hours a day working remotely for AF and a new five week project, spending some time at our new abode as well as trying to catch up with friends and relatives.

Renewal of my passport is being unduly delayed despite numerous letters, faxes and phone calls.

Another quite month for blogging and tweeting.

Apple Wishlist: Would iPhone 32GB be a parting gift at Macworld? | Long Hop

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Macworld ExpoUnlikely. There are many other likely contenders for Apple‘s final goodbye to Macworld Expo. A number of rumours as well as expectations from enthusiasts on what Apple could announce have being doing the rounds for the past few weeks, including some really weird and outrageous ones.

Apple Cinascape

Personally, I have mixed emotions about Apple’s participation at Macworld. I am a recent adapter to Apple’s products and although I was aware of Apple’s presence at Macworld, I was a tad bit ignorant about the fact that new products are announced in every event. I have only realised the importance of these events to Mac enthusiasts after my last Apple purchase.

Blackberry PearlI got my first 5th generation, uninsured white 30 GB iPod in August 2006 which was stolen from right under my nose after 11 months of life. Within a week of loosing it I replaced it with another iPod and a month after my purchase, Apple restocked the entire range of iPods with a newer version. Then in December 2007 I bought an iPod Touch which was  upgraded with new features in February 2008. In October 2008, I treated myself to a Macbook Pro, only to see a newer Mac come out a few weeks later. I have been keen on buying an iPhone for a while now, but I had decided to hang on with my otherwise brilliant Blackberry Pearl until the Macworld Expo. Just when I was adapting to the Apple Community, Apple decides to bunk Macworld.

Strategically, the reasons Apple’s decision to move away from Macworld Expo could be various. While Steve Jobs’ health has often been rumoured as one, I would like to believe that trade shows simply do not fit into Apple’s future vision. Also, it has always affected the company’s sales during the peak Christmas period, with a vast number of consumers staying away from Christmas purchases with an expectation of an announcement of improved Apple products during the event. The company has a loyal customer base and the social influence of its customers is unmatched in comparison to any other product in any niche. As per the company’s own statement, it is reaching out to customers in more ways than ever before and probably doesn’t need trade shows to strengthen its brand. Apple is a financially sound company with large cash reserves and has done exceedingly well even under the current economic conditions world over.

However, given the turbulent and dynamic environment, it needs to reassess it’s strategies and I guess by pulling out of Macworld is one of the many decisions the company had to make. As an event, Macworld, supported by customary keynote by Steve Jobs, offered an incredible opportunity for third party developers and vendors to showcase their products and Apple’s decision seems to be severe blow to their prospects.

Steve JobsAlso, it is a huge disappointment for thousands of Apple fans who have faithfully clocked in hundreds to thousands of miles for the event with high expectations. Coming back to Apple’s final participation in Macworld 2009, the company has confirmed that Phillip Schiller, Senior Vice President of Marketing will be stepping into Steve Jobs’ shoes for the keynote. So would this mean that there are no likely announcements for new products? There could be two ways about this. Either there is no product or there is something as a parting gift for all Apple disciples. If it is the latter, which of Apple’s products are on line for an upgrade? A couple of my personal choices are listed below based on rumours circulating in the web world.

The first of the biggest rumours hitting technology publication sites and blogs on the webworld is Apple’s purported entry into the low cost mobile industry with the launch of a 4GB Apple iPhone. It could well turn out to be a killer move for Apple as it could end up selling a lot more mobile phones than any of the industry leaders. Despite Nokia, Motorola, Samsung & Sony Ericsson’s iPhone like phones, they all tend to be in expensive brackets, which has to bought with a contract to offset the costs. A 4 GB iPhone could give iPhone access to the lucrative PrePay mobile phones market.

Product (Red) iPhoneMy personal favourite is a Product (Red) branded iPhone. (Red) is an initiative by U2 front man Bono and activist Bobby Shriver, to raise money for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. If announced, I might even forego my existing contract with Vodafone and move over to O2. Product (Red), despite it’s criticisms, for the campaign has cost nearly five times more than what it has raised so far, it appeals to me for its vision as well as it’s value as a brand.

Either that, or a 32 GB iPhone with HD capabilities. If announced, that’ll surely rock the event. Clearly, Apple already has a 32 GB iPod touch which is based on a similar NAND flash based memory used in iPhone. However, iPod Touch uses two units of 16 GB rather than a single unit used in iPhone, making the iPod Touch slightly bulkier than the iPhone. However, in the recent days, Toshiba, Samsung and other companies have released 32GB single unit NAND memories, which fits in easily into an iPhone. Technically, a 32GB iPhone is not far off. Just a matter of how long it would take for Apple to come out with one. I am sure to go either on a (red) iPhone or a 32 GB iPhone. It would be an incredible bonus if Apple launchs a 32 GB Product (Red) iphone.

Anyway, there are a number of other rumours, including an updated version of a Mac Mini, a new iMac and an extended range of Apple Cinema displays, as well as an improved version of Leopard, Apple iLife or even Snow Leopard.

As a parting note, the legacy of Apple brand continues to grow (literally) in uncharted territories. A Japanese farmer has grown a new kind of Fuji apples with Apple and iPod logos inscribed on them, by using stickers to shield the sunlight. More about that here and there’s a picture of Apple branded apples below (Courtesy: Gizmodo).

Apple Branded Apples

The Power of Email Communication – How to Win People

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For a marketing professional, I am rather quiet and reserved, though I am aware that I need to be bit more outgoing to nudge ahead of my career. So for the past few days, I have been reading a few self-development books and one of the first ones I picked was the much celebrated self-help classic by Dale Carnegie, “How to Win Friends and Influence People“. Although I believe that soft skills are often intrinsic, this book certainly has the right ingredients to change your approach towards people. Not that I have been conscious of how I have interacted with people, but it certainly is an interesting read. What makes it interesting is that I relate to the book more often now, particularly when people around me approach others.

A couple of days back, I got an email from an individual selling a affiliate services. Though I was least interested in pursuing it further, the email was so compelling that I decided to respond with a polite refusal. A couple of days later I got a reply pushing the service further without being imposing. The first section of Carnegie’s book which speaks about “Fundamental Techniques of Handling People” encourages readers to use a similar language which is sure to win people. In Carnegie’s terms it is important to “arouse in people an eager want”. Had it not been for our previous experience with companies offering similar services with a slightly different marketing language, his emails are extremely convincing.

Here’s our correspondence:

I hope that you don’t mind me emailing out of the blue – I have just ordered my second bunch of flowers from Arena, I love the quality of the products, and thus I sought out your contact details to see if my company could help you grow online sales even further.

I’m sure that you’re using an affiliate network at present, but my company “XXXX” is the “XXXX XXXX XXXX” and we have been winning many clients from the UK over the past 2 years.  I would love to have a quick conversation with you when you have 5 minutes to highlight a couple of differences that we can make, and also our experience in the flower sector.

Best number is always my mobile and I’ll look forward to hearing from you Adarsh.

For which I had replied that it isn’t feasible for us to join another network as it adds little value in terms of incremental sales. And I got another reply highlighting how the network could improve our sales. Also, there’s a catch. He wants us to consolidate our services with other companies to his company, which means that we have to terminate our existing contracts with the networks we already participate in.

Thanks for your reply, and I am indeed not surprised to hear that your additional networks have not provided an incremental increase in sales to warrant the additional resource.

This unfortunately is standard across affiliate networks in the UK market, and something that our clients experience before joining “XXXX”

We work very differently for our clients and being the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, our experience in the online florist sector I believe will interest you.  Perhaps though only if you were willing to consider consolidating your other two networks into “XXX”, I could showcase the strategy to provide the missing incremental increase in sales.

Is there a number that I can reach you on Adarsh, or a meeting that we can schedule for next week with your colleagues and co-decision makers to propose a solution?  I can only reiterate that I am a firm believer in the Arena service and see a clear opportunity to help you grow sales further.

On a personal note, the email is certainly baiting the recipient and I find it to be an incredible example for email marketing. It certainly livens Carnegie’s fundamental principles.

Updates Galore!

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There have been quite a few updates since my last post.

  • I finally replaced my stolen white iPod with a brand new black iPod without the laser engraving
  • Somtime ago, I went on a short two day trip with a few friends to Zurich, Geneva and Interlaken
  • Immediately after, I left to Bangalore for my annual leave till today.

Basically, this post is a reminder service to get me back into the groove. But getting back to work is worrying me…Google still doesn’t seem to be done with its PR update and our main keyword positions have remained the same for the last few months. On an interest barometer, my performance has largely been static. Disappointing!

I have plenty to share…watch this space!

Dissappeared!

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My over ambitious intent to unleash my creativity backfired. Instead of writing content for my next blog, I am filling in for a previous blog. I decided to tweak a line of PHP coding to improve the aesthetic feel of my blog, without backing up my database…result – My two hours of wordy comfort…disappeared in two secs!

An inauspicious beginning…never mind, now that I have added blogging for SEO as a part of my job profile, I will have so much to write. Yes, I am blogging about the Importance of buying ethically sourced flowers for an All Green Blog, in exchange for a link to our website. A quality Link.

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