Finest Posts- June 2008 Winner!

Dear friends,

June was a jaunty month that saw much inquiry and introspection in IL. And in that spirit of soul searching, the FP contest also needs a half yearly analysis of the good, the bad and the ugly. Fortunately, we are spared large doses of the latter two. IL is blessed with an appreciative set of members who run their eyes and mind through the heavy traffic of posts, pick and choose those posts that are worthy of nomination- posts that contain something of substance and/or style worth sharing.

In nominating, the only criterion should be that the post has something that the nominator feels should get more visibility. FP is neutral whether the post is from a long term ILite or from a new comer with less than 2 posts. The number of posts completed by the winner, the number of nominations received by a post along with the number of views and replies- all these may be valuable indicators. But in the FP contest - only quality matters.

And when we are confronted with posts that are equally impressive, Kamla and I seek an expert opinion. FP is grateful to Cheeniya sir for his evaluation of the short listed posts to pick out one sterling post as winner FP June.

Nostradamus 2008 by Balajee

Congratulations, Balajee!

Nostradamus 2008 is a post with a lot of visible humour and a lot of invisible philosophy and psychology in it. Balajee excels in a natural and facile style of writing, infusing humour gently without deliberately trying to be funny. Style apart, Balajee has picked a topic that is so much a part of modern ‘living’ (pun most intended)! Who among us is free from the dictates of Vastu, FengShui, numerology, astrology or even simple wind signs reading?? Vaastu experts abound in every family, colony and club. Almost any malady (imagined as Balajee puts it, as opposed to imaginary) can be attributed to a mistake in Vaastu, and then corrected by a remedial Vaastu antidote. And the only ones who guffaw at the end of a session are the experts, who laugh all the way to the bank.

Often times, we give systems such control over our lives, and belief in our values, that a piece like Nostradamus 2008 which leads to introspection with a smile, a wry smile albeit, is what we need, is what IL needs at this moment. For when we learn to look at ourselves, flawed and fullsome with a smile, we become better human beings. And in that step, Nostradamus 2008 by Balajee has helped us a lot.

As a site of woman power , we are just a wee bit piqued that Balajee has portrayed his wife as the Vaastuphile!! And then just as glad, that this site of feminine Shakti has honoured for the first time an XY person as the winner of FP!

Way to go IL, it is a boy this time round!!!!

Congrats! Balajee and Nostradamus 2008!!

The special gift to Balajee for winning the "Finest Post" contest:



Regards
Kamla & Vidya

Hi..Vidya..Suspense is over..Congratulations Balajee..

Dear Balajee,
My hearty congratulations.
Your post ,Nostradamus 2008,richly deserved to be the Finest Post.
Regards
mithila kannan

Congratulations Balajee!

You seem to be making quite a wave here at IL. I have yet to get a peek into your writings. I guess I will start with reading the winning post.

Good going and keep it up.

SS

Dear Balaji
My warmest congratulations to you on this well deserved honour! It was like reading some vintage stuff of PG Wodehouse. Your humour is subtle and unhurting. I loved every sentence of this post.
I do hope that you will continue to enthrall us with your tongue in cheek humour!
Sri

Congradulations, Mr. Balajee.

Dear friends,

It is always a sense of relief and joy to announce the FP winner of the month that just was by.

Congrats! Balajee. Nostradamus 2008 is a post that brought a chuckle and a frown to our faces at the same time! A great piece, one I am sure that we will all enjoy reading and re-reading.

Congrats also to all the members who came in with nominations. Some dropped in for the first time, some came back faithfully reminding us that they still love us! Thank you all, Finest Posts is dependent on all of you for survival and is immensely grateful!

And special thanks to Anandchitra for being the first to nominate Nostradamus 2008! A special T-shirt with the powerful IL logo awaits you!

June was a month that saw a flood of nominations. All the posts were worthy, telling us a story, or teaching us a lesson of life. And June had one encompassing speciality in that we saw many nominations from the Pets Forum. Posts by Mithila Kannan, Paulina, and Shardha- all spoke of the world of four legged, winged and plumed friends, beings that instil the warmth of human kindness in all of us.

And in that genre, we should make a special mention of the post ,’Began at three---‘ by Malspie, a post that narrated the story of a child’s open heart to a doggie, inspite of the mother instilling a sense of fear and caution against dogs. This post was a strong contender for the finest post, since the topic chosen was very warm and heart warming.

Yet another post that deserves special mention is Rajmi Arun’s,’Our Trip to the south’. This travelogue is quite the IL version of the lonely planet guide to the south of India. Rajmi has packed this post with punch and power. She has described sites, temples and locales with precision. She has included all details and tips that will guide future travellers and attached friendly pictures, endearing her family to all of us. A post that took the travelling ease and enthusiasm of all ILites, thank you Rajmi!

Uncannybal- our uncannily nerve hitting newer blogger on the block had two nominations of the two parts of his ‘Conservative Upbringing’. A piece very close to reality and real characters, we now know that Uncannybal is a writer to watch out for. Another post by Uncannybal exploring the perils and privileges of marriage as an institution, and the scope for an alternate system of human social relations was also nominated and note worthy.

And no contest can be complete if it does not touch on topical, human reality. Devika Menon’s post, 'Be Prepared for Brickbats as well', is a post that all parents need to read. A post that reminds us of the dangers of reality shows on television, this post is a warning that we all need to heed.

As always, our ILites have taught us all that there is to know in the world of the word!

regards
Vidya

Balajee Thambi
so very very happy that you won
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!! YOU ROCK my friend
As soon as I read it I knew it was a winner... truly incredible.. so glad you continue to write for us.. Good luck to you and God Bless:)
(so when's the party?????)

Dear Balajee,
That was one hilarious post which I just now completed reading. I have been facing one type of computer hiccup or the other throughout the day (they are in severity no less than Vaasthu hiccups and Computer Nostras are a way more expensive than your Nostra) and reading your post made me laugh, laugh my heart out.
The sense of humour just hits your face every other line. My colleague now thinks that the computer problems have "unnerved" his boss. I need to tell him one day about Balajee and his humorous writings in IL.

Congratulations, Balajee. I have amended my daily calendar to accommodate reading "Balajee Stuff" at least once a day. At 50 plus, you cant take risks, you know?

Love,

Dear Balajee,

Welcome to the exclusive club of the FP winners!

Congrats!

Your Nostradamus was a treat and may he remain with his unkempt looks and demeanor for the benefit of women like me..(refer: Ms Sen!)

I look forward to many more delightful blogs from you.

L, Kamla