http://outlawconsulting.com/sites/all/themes/outlaw/pdf/GenYFinal.pdf

It’s always interesting, and occasionally upsetting to become aware of how we are perceived by others. It can be even more distressing when our character is determined by the generation which we belong to…a mere but professing alphabet (Y) that declares the story of our very existence, attitudes, and ethos. FYI, Generation Y includes those who were born in and between 1979-1997.

The link above is to a 31-slide PowerPoint presentation (which I suggest clicking through) from a marketing company called Outlaw Consulting, Inc. based in San Francisco. They are a qualitative research firm specializing in Gen Y and trendsetters. I’ll give it to them; their work and philosophy are incredibly intriguing. They claim that they are “in the club with hipsters one day and in the boardroom with marketers the next” (as cheesy as that is, it says so on their website) all in an effort to delve into needs of consumers everywhere.

Either way, this slide-show is post-worthy because it identifies many revealing facets of society and its citizen majority, Gen Y…dun dun dunnnn. Obviously, what I take to be true from this presentation is only what I can relate to directly or indirectly through the traits of those whom I know. How true is it to you? 

rotflmao :].
C

I miss travelling. At lunch the other day, my co-workers and I were discussing our ideal trips or vacations. The first dream that came to mind was a month-long (at the least) backpacking journey around India; north to south and everywhere in between.

I’ve never been to India (mind you, that can be considered a big deal being that I am Indian). Although my Gujarati-speaking and Hindi-speaking skills are lacking significantly, what better way to learn, right?  I’m sure I’d feel the culture shock to a more concentrated degree without being able to communicate effectively with those around me and therefore (among many other reasons); I’d stand out like Yao Ming in China. But oh well, those experiences sometimes make the juiciest of memoirs, sour or sweet.

This post was inspired by National Geographic’s list of “133 Destinations Rated” (most recommended places to visit) from all over the world. Rajasthan made roll at #64 and stood out to me as I browsed through the lengthy tab of mysterious and magnificent locations. Ragasthan was deemed as “India’s Tuscany” with a “strong sense of cultural identity” and “remarkable appeal and mystique.” How ironic…that’s exactly what I love to be exposed to! The photo to the left of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India, was taken by “dwrawlinson” on flickr.com. His photo collection is amazing and definitely worth a peek.

If it’s not a month-long (plus) trekking trip on Indian soil, I would love to go spend some time in South Africa with my family. It’d also be great to pay tribute to my motherland’s gem-locations that are commonly revered, furtively hidden, and culturally authentic. I can’t even imagine the kind of memories that would flood my mind if I were to revisit the places I had been to when I was a child. There’s also so much that I don’t know and haven’t seen; wisdom which I’ve mutedly encountered in others’ fascinating stories and appealing photos.

However, an expedition that is more attainable, which I’d like to see in the nearer future, would be to span my current home: the good ol’ US of A. From west to east; major cities beyond the borders of the golden state, superfluous culture and customs of their own, diversity encapsulated, and (inevitability) seasonal weather that ranges from the prime meridian to the equator.

So many places to explore…

शांति
Chetna

Video Snippet of the day: Joanna Krupa & Derek Hough’s Paso Doble from “Dancing with the Stars”

Thanks to DVR, we literally rewound to rewatch this dance approximately 10 times last night after it aired. And now, thanks to YouTube, we can all watch it a few times more. :]

Also, a minor plug on “Dancing with the Stars” and how amazing of a show it is: It’s brought to my awareness so many different kinds of dances, choreography styles, and music from all over the world. The costumes are always so beautifully designed and constructed, the dancers and guest performers are hardly short of entertaining, the live singers are on point with the song covers, and the hosts and judges (when they’re not completely off with their scores) are witty and hilarous. I highly recommend checking it out!

Paz Doble.
C

One of my favorite lyric of all TIME…

“Yes, I am the inescapable, the irresistable,
The unnegotiable, the unchallenged
I scroll in measurements, control the elements,
I hold the evidence, I tell the story
I know no prejudice, I bare no sentiments
For wealth or settlement, I move forward
You can’t recover me, conceal or smuggle me,
Retreat or run from me, crawl up or under me,
You can’t do much for me besides serve
Me well and have good dividends returned to you
Or attempt to kill me off and have me murder you
Many have wasted me but now they are facing me,
Treated me unfaithfully and now endure me painfully
Plaintively, I wait to see what history will shape to be,
Whose hearts will never die inside the sake of me
Angel’s scribe the page for me,
Keep a full account of all the names for me”

[Mos Def's verse in "Hurricane"]

Tick tock…
Chetna

Emma Watson for Burberry?! Nice!

I don’t know if this is a recent trend, but browsing through Vogue and Elle, I’ve noticed that there are so many more actresses and/or musicianistas whom are strewn across white bedsheets, caressing perfume bottles, or sporting the latest, lavish accessories in editorial advertisements for the high-end players; i.e. Madonna for Louis Vuitton, Scarlet Johansson for L’Anti Marilyn and Dolce & Gabbana, Keira Knightly for Chanel, etc.

Emma Watson is my fav. though!

Muggle…out.
C

Foto Flick of the day: “Ma’der desert – Morocco” [By http://chromaphobia.deviantart.com/]

This photograph reminds me of Sharbat Gulav, the mysterious Afghani girl with the unforgettable, green eyes who graced the cover of National Geographic a few years back.

Speaking on Sharbat Gulav, and being that Halloween just passed….

HAHAHAHAHA…I don’t even know who this person is but this is just GREAT…

Eye revoir.
Chetna

I saw a play called “Groundswell” at the San Jose Repertory on the evening of Halloween with my parents. We had the best seats in the small but accommodating theatre; orchestra seating, smack-dab middle of the second row. So pretty much we could see every bead of sweat on the actors’ foreheads and the spit sputtered with every bellow.

Despite the play’s modest cast of three actors, a 1 hour 40 minute act, and minimal sound effects; the intermingling of three forlorn South African characters from very different backgrounds and pasts led to an interesting and subtly profound performance.

The play takes place in modern day, post-Apartheid South Africa, in the dining room/lobby of a cottage villa in the middle of nowhere off the beachy west coast. Although a portion of the dialogue was in Afrikaans and each of the characters came from diverse and predominant backgrounds and classes of South Africa (Kosa, Afrikaner, and South African Brit – mind you, the American actors had an impeccable impression of each of their character’s accents, in my opinion), this performance could appeal to any audience from any continent. The diamond trade business went mentioned in the play; however, its details were muted. The post-Apartheid life was a more present focus throughout the scene but every major theme entrenched in this story ultimately related back to human nature; what people do when they feel guilty, helpless, desperate, in denial, or in need of compensation or even redemption for themselves.

Every character displayed a strong yet personal impression of how they and their people should be treated in present, post-Apartheid South Africa. The surprising thing is that there was a lot of overlap…each of them felt that they should be compensated in some shape or form for their experiences in the past because of the Apartheid or the results of it, further proving that people are still trying to find their identities, roles, and responsibilities in society today.

Below is a behind-the-scenes interview with the three actors and the director. I would definitely recommend seeing “Groundswell!”

Vrede.
C

Foto Flick of the day: Sharon Gannon & her marvelous yoga-master skills.

Stay Sassy.
Chetna

If you’re looking for guidance or challenge in regards to yoga, I highly recommend “Power to the Peaceful Yoga” with musician, Michael Franti, and yoga gurus Sharon Gannon and David Life. Michael Franti is the creator and lead vocalist of a band called Michael Franti & Spearhead. He is also an outspoken supporter for a wide spectrum of peace and social justice issues, which is apparent in this DVD. Sharon Gannon is a yoga master, author, animal activist, and artist with a commitment to yoga as a path for spiritual activism and activation. Both she and David Life cofounded the Jivamukti Yoga Method, which emphasizes vinyasa, scriptural study, devotion, prayer, music, and meditation, as well as animal rights, veganism, environmentalism, and political activism as paths to enlightenment.

I’ve been following “Power to the Peaceful Yoga” for almost a year now and I still feel enlivened by it.  Although it’s at an intermediate level, it provides clear direction and insight. It treats yoga as so much more than a routine to burn calories or tone up. I think it stays true to the origins of yoga…a practice of cleansing and improving oneself internally outward; a discipline to attain a more considerate and inclusive perspective on that which is larger than ourselves.

Keep the Peace
C

Project Inform: A Night of Hope 2009.

Themes of the noche:
The tasteful infusion of condoms and fashion
A different take on couture night gowns
Culinary bites courtesy of the Four Seasons Hotel
Live auction and gay humor a la Alec Mapa
*Raising money in support of AIDS/HIV victims

I recently participated in this very event that was sponsored by City Model Management, and organized by a non-profit based in SF called Project Inform [www.ProjectInform.org]. Proceeds from this event will benefit the organization’s advocacy, policy and treatment information program, which has offered support to people living with HIV for the past 24 years.

The affair consisted of a fancy dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel in the city, a live auction which included an African Safari and various other posh prizes- some of which were sold for up to $2500, the risqué humor of the Master of Ceremonies, Alec Mapa (an award-winning actor from the show Ugly Betty), and a “condom couture” fashion show exhibiting a charismatic collection of innovative and entertaining garments, all made partly or completely of condoms. Photographed to the right is Alec Mapa with the project coordinator of the event, Henry Lucero.

I got the opportunity to collaborate primarily with one of the 12 participants, Catherine Jane [www.CatherineJane.net], an incredibly talented and fun local designer who happened to be a veteran of this annual event. She created a beautiful crème and golden strapless gown, fluttered with hand-painted, glittered-gold condoms, and an ample yet graceful train affixed to the bottom. All was divinely accompanied by Russian Red lips and Retrospeck golden eyelids, courtesy a la MAC Cosmetics and its team of eccentric artists.

All of the designers used the textures, shapes, and colors of the condoms in numerous and artistic ways; painting them, knotting them, stretching, bundling, and cutting them…so many of the pieces looked nothing like latex!

Overall, it was a fabulous experience and I’m glad to have been a part of it.

Wear a gown made partially of condoms to raise money for AIDS/HIV…Check!

Keep it safe.
Chetna