John Blanchard stood up from the bench, straightened his Army uniform, and studied the crowd of people making their way through Grand Central Station. He looked for the girl whose heart he knew, but whose face he didn't, the girl with the rose. His interest in her had begun thirteen months before in a Florida library. Taking a book off the shelf he found himself intrigued, not with the words of the book, but with the notes penciled in the margin. The soft handwriting reflected a thoughtful soul and insightful mind.
In front of the book, he discovered the previous owner's name, Miss Hollis Maynell. With time and effort he located her address. She lived in New York City. He wrote her a letter introducing himself and inviting her to correspond. The next day he was shipped overseas for service in World War II
During the next year and one-month the two grew to know each other through the mail. Each letter was a seed falling on a fertile heart. A Romance was budding. Blanchard requested a photograph, but she refused. She felt that if he really cared, it wouldn't matter what she looked like.
When the day finally came for him to return from Europe, they scheduled their first meeting - 7:00 pm at Grand Central Station in New York.
"You'll recognize me, " she wrote, "by the red rose I'll be wearing on my lapel." So at 7:00 he was in the station looking for a girl whose heart he loved, but whose face he'd never seen.
I'll let Mr. Blanchard tell you what happened: A young women was coming toward me, her figure long and slim. Her blonde hair lay back in curls from her delicate ears; her eyes were blue as flowers. Her lips and chin had a gentle firmness, and in her pale green suit she was like springtime come alive. I started toward her, entirely forgetting to notice that she was not wearing a rose. As I moved, a small, provocative smile curved her lips. "Going my way, sailor?" she murmured. Almost uncontrollably I made one step closer to her, and then I saw Hollis Maynell. She was standing almost directly behind the girl. A women well past 40, she had graying hair tucked under a worn hat. She was more than plump, her thick-ankled feet thrust into low-heeled shoes. The girl in the green suit was walking quickly away. I felt as though I split in two, so keen was my desire to follow her, and yet so deep was my longing for the women
whose spirit had truly companioned me and upheld my own.
And there she stood. Her pale, plump face was gentle and sensible, her gray eyes had a warm and kindly twinkle. I did not hesitate. My fingers gripped the small worn blue leather copy of the book that was something precious, something perhaps even better than love, a friendship for which I had been and must ever be grateful.
I squared my shoulders and saluted and held out the book to the women, even though while I spoke I felt choked by the bitterness of my disappointment. "I'm Lieutenant John Blanchard, and you must be Miss Maynell. I am so glad you could meet me; may I take you to dinner?"
The women's face broadened into a tolerant smile. "I don't know what this is about, son," she answered, "but the young lady in the green suit who just went by, she begged me to wear this rose on my coat. And she said if you were to ask me out to dinner, I should go and tell you that she is waiting for you in the big restaurant across the street. She said it was some kind of test!"
It's not difficult to understand and admire Miss Maynell's wisdom. The true nature of a heart is seen in it's response to the unattractive. "Tell me whom you love," Houssaye wrote, "And I will tell you who you are."
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I agree on what you are saying. Definately Orkut etc are far more advanced version. In order for us to be at that level, we need to relook at our draft, programme, software, sponsers etc. Although nothing is impossible but its not going to be easy either.
You and me can give ideas but we will need some professionals to implement it.
Any ideas, where to start from.
Anurag. --- On Sat, 9/27/08, n_khoda <no_reply@...> wrote:
From: n_khoda <no_reply@...> Subject: Shimla - Newsletter Re: Its been a long time To: Shimlahangout@... Date: Saturday, September 27, 2008, 6:49 PM
Hi Anurag, Well, I feel one of the reasons why this has happened is due to onset of Orkut, Facebook etc, which are more interactive, but then yahoogroups has been one of the oldest community site around. In my opinion, a few things that we can do include sending proper mails to the group instead of forwards, the amount of forwards that are sent here by a few people is mind boggling. If just 10th of that time is spent on writing a mail, it'd be much better. also, whenever someone sends messages like "I want to make friendship with you", they can tell group members something about themselves. A proper English constructs would be a plus but, as long as the message is personal, I guess it'd be okay. Also whenever there are mails that are thought provoking, like the ones Varun keeps sending on and off, such mails can trigger discussions on the group. But then these are just my views, if you have something on
it, please do share, then lets see how we can take it forwards. Regards Neetika --- In Shimlahangout@ yahoogroups. co.in, Anurag Jaichand <anuragjai@. ..> wrote: > > Hi Nitika, > I agree with you on this. How do we take this forward. > Anurag. > > --- On Wed, 9/24/08, n_khoda <no_reply@yahoogroup s.co.in> wrote: > > From: n_khoda <no_reply@yahoogroup s.co.in> > Subject: Shimla - Newsletter Its been a long time > To: Shimlahangout@ yahoogroups. co.in > Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2008, 3:54 PM > > > > >
> > Hi People, > I am not sure how many of you remember me... I have been a member of > the group since 2003 and have been a moderator ever since. And yes, I > am related to the other, more active Khoda on the group. > Of late I haven't been active in the group even though i regularly > visit the group and still do my share of moderating. > The content of the group has been on a downslide for quite some time > now. All I see are forwards and "will you my friend" sort of messages. > Rarely do I see the messages we used to have in the bygone time, when > Varun, & Nitin were less occupied and much much more active in the > group. I will not shirk my responsibility and take my share of blame. > But if you ever get time, do read the archives of the group, you'll > see the transition in many a members of the group from insecure twenty > somethings to confident
adults, just as when you stick a tad too long > on Mall, you tend to see your compatriots changing, just as you change > yourself. > This is really is a Mall on the Net, as it has been since the start. > Congratulations nitin for sticking to the spirit of the group. > ~Neetika >
Hi Anurag,
Well, I feel one of the reasons why this has happened is due to onset
of Orkut, Facebook etc, which are more interactive, but then
yahoogroups has been one of the oldest community site around.
In my opinion, a few things that we can do include sending proper
mails to the group instead of forwards, the amount of forwards that
are sent here by a few people is mind boggling. If just 10th of that
time is spent on writing a mail, it'd be much better.
also, whenever someone sends messages like "I want to make friendship
with you", they can tell group members something about themselves. A
proper English constructs would be a plus but, as long as the message
is personal, I guess it'd be okay.
Also whenever there are mails that are thought provoking, like the
ones Varun keeps sending on and off, such mails can trigger
discussions on the group.
But then these are just my views, if you have something on it, please
do share, then lets see how we can take it forwards.
Regards
Neetika
--- In Shimlahangout@..., Anurag Jaichand
<anuragjai@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Nitika,
> I agree with you on this. How do we take this forward.
> Anurag.
>
> --- On Wed, 9/24/08, n_khoda <no_reply@...> wrote:
>
> From: n_khoda <no_reply@...>
> Subject: Shimla - Newsletter Its been a long time
> To: Shimlahangout@...
> Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2008, 3:54 PM
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Hi People,
> I am not sure how many of you remember me... I have been a member of
> the group since 2003 and have been a moderator ever since. And yes, I
> am related to the other, more active Khoda on the group.
> Of late I haven't been active in the group even though i regularly
> visit the group and still do my share of moderating.
> The content of the group has been on a downslide for quite some time
> now. All I see are forwards and "will you my friend" sort of messages.
> Rarely do I see the messages we used to have in the bygone time, when
> Varun, & Nitin were less occupied and much much more active in the
> group. I will not shirk my responsibility and take my share of blame.
> But if you ever get time, do read the archives of the group, you'll
> see the transition in many a members of the group from insecure twenty
> somethings to confident adults, just as when you stick a tad too long
> on Mall, you tend to see your compatriots changing, just as you change
> yourself.
> This is really is a Mall on the Net, as it has been since the start.
> Congratulations nitin for sticking to the spirit of the group.
> ~Neetika
>
--- On Fri, 26/9/08, Pankaj Mohan <mohan_pankaj88@...> wrote:
From: Pankaj Mohan <mohan_pankaj88@...> Subject: Re: Shimla - Newsletter (unknown) To: Shimlahangout@... Date: Friday, 26 September, 2008, 1:29 AM
hello i am pankaj doing mba from gurukulbut i m from paonta sahib the guru nagri n im searching a life long good friend. do me a favour to show my frnd ship. Thankyou n bye to all of u
--- On Sun, 24/8/08, Manoj Chauhan <manojchauhan34@ yahoo.com> wrote:
Dear All,
Recently a spate of disasters have struck our state. Be is Malana
fire, Naina Devi, Chirgaon cloud burst and more recently land slides
in Delhi region. Are we really prepared in terms of disaster
managements. Well we are starting a debate to this regard which we
will then forward to concerned government functionaries on your
behalf. Kindly give your feedback and suggest solutions at
http://www.himvani.com/news/2008/09/26/measuring-calamity-in-good-measures/1659/\
opinion/himvani/
with warm regards
Varun Rattan Singh
+91 98160 76772
The Voice of Himachal
http://www.himvani.com
To know me better follow this trail http://www.himvani.com/maverick
hello i am pankaj doing mba from gurukulbut i m from paonta sahib the guru nagri n im searching a life long good friend. do me a favour to show my frnd ship. Thankyou n bye to all of u
--- On Sun, 24/8/08, Manoj Chauhan <manojchauhan34@...> wrote:
From: Manoj Chauhan <manojchauhan34@...> Subject: Shimla - Newsletter (unknown) To: shimlahangout@... Date: Sunday, 24 August, 2008, 9:30 AM
Hello Shimla this is Manoj from kullu.Here to find cool friends..... ..
I agree with you on this. How do we take this forward.
Anurag.
--- On Wed, 9/24/08, n_khoda <no_reply@...> wrote:
From: n_khoda <no_reply@...> Subject: Shimla - Newsletter Its been a long time To: Shimlahangout@... Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2008, 3:54 PM
Hi People, I am not sure how many of you remember me... I have been a member of the group since 2003 and have been a moderator ever since. And yes, I am related to the other, more active Khoda on the group. Of late I haven't been active in the group even though i regularly visit the group and still do my share of moderating. The content of the group has been on a downslide for quite some time now. All I see are forwards and "will you my friend" sort of messages. Rarely do I see the messages we used to have in the bygone time, when Varun, & Nitin were less occupied and much much more active in the group. I will not shirk my responsibility and take my share of blame. But if you ever get time, do read the archives of the group, you'll see the transition in many a members of the group from insecure twenty somethings to confident adults, just as when you stick a tad too long on Mall, you tend to see your
compatriots changing, just as you change yourself. This is really is a Mall on the Net, as it has been since the start. Congratulations nitin for sticking to the spirit of the group. ~Neetika
Now that calls for some treat. One of the oldest oldtimer is here. Well I gonna have a gulab-jamun today at the Baljees, celebrating the 'return of the khoda with a n'.
Great to hear from you. Hope you are doing great in life. That was a beautiful post. I liked the one, mentioned below. Nothing describes better than this.
Keep writing
Nitin
--- In Shimlahangout@..., n_khoda <no_reply@...> wrote: > But if you ever get time, do read the archives of the group, you'll > see the transition in many a members of the group from insecure twenty > somethings to confident adults, just as when you stick a tad too long > on Mall, you tend to see your compatriots changing, just as you change > yourself.
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.nityin.com/"><span style="font-weight:bold;">My Blog - http://www.nityin.com</span></a>
----- Original Message ---- From: mukesh bhatia <mailmukesh2003@...> To: Shimlahangout@...; slims_mba2007-09@yahoogroups.com; smartteens@yahoogroups.com; STUPIDJOKE@yahoogroups.com; Sri_Madurai_veerar_Kali_Hanuman_devotees@yahoogroups.com; tamilfriendz@yahoogroups.com; veganindia@yahoogroups.com; vizagfriends4ever@yahoogroups.com; sweet_jokes@yahoogroups.com; PROUD2B_INDIAN@yahoogroups.com; incometaxpracticeinindia@...; indianscommunityinkorea-owner@yahoogroups.com; DallasIndians@yahoogroups.com; socialist_pakistan_news@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, 19 September, 2008 11:41:55 AM Subject: Shimla - Newsletter Scientific verification of Vedic knowledge in hinduism...
Dear moderators, please note that I have not personal benefit if you forward this to the group the only reason I am forwarding these things are that we should be proud of our culture and to our educate children about the great Indian culture so that they can follow it with more confidence, I have done my duty towards preservation of our culture by forwarding this to you now its your turn
Hello Everyone,
Here is scientific explanation of Indian Vedic culture and our immortal heritage, it is a must see for all
Hi People,
I am not sure how many of you remember me... I have been a member of
the group since 2003 and have been a moderator ever since. And yes, I
am related to the other, more active Khoda on the group.
Of late I haven't been active in the group even though i regularly
visit the group and still do my share of moderating.
The content of the group has been on a downslide for quite some time
now. All I see are forwards and "will you my friend" sort of messages.
Rarely do I see the messages we used to have in the bygone time, when
Varun, & Nitin were less occupied and much much more active in the
group. I will not shirk my responsibility and take my share of blame.
But if you ever get time, do read the archives of the group, you'll
see the transition in many a members of the group from insecure twenty
somethings to confident adults, just as when you stick a tad too long
on Mall, you tend to see your compatriots changing, just as you change
yourself.
This is really is a Mall on the Net, as it has been since the start.
Congratulations nitin for sticking to the spirit of the group.
~Neetika
Dear moderators, please note that I have not personal benefit if you
forward this to the group the only reason I am forwarding these things
are that we should be proud of our culture and to our educate children
about the great Indian culture so that they can follow it with more
confidence, I have done my duty towards preservation of our culture by forwarding this to you now its your turn
Hello Everyone,
Here is scientific explanation of Indian Vedic culture and our immortal heritage, it is a must see for all
A loving heart, a gentle smile, a warm and tender touch, We give many things in life but nothing means as much.
A little inspiration when someone loses
hope, a kind word of encouragement when they no longer seem to cope.A simple phrase, "I love you" when no one else is
there, taking hold onto a hand in a little heartfelt prayer.Love is never silent, it has so much to say, And it is our greatest blessing when we give it all away.
Shimlian is rocking
Get an email ID as yourname@... or yourname@.... Click here.
hey I happen to see the hoardings, its been quite some time, i guess
little around two years, obviously you can make out Indian Rail and
BEST(Mumbai bus service) are photoshoped but others are real, and that
was all over mumbai, JET and King fighting over....a true spectacle
reg........
viplav@...
--- In Shimlahangout@..., NITYIN <bnityin@...> wrote:
>
> A forward which I could not resist posting on the group.
>
>
>
> Subject: Now dats called
> COMPETITION !!
>
>
> U want to know ….what competition is????? …..
>
> Here is a little glimpse of that……
>
>
> This is a hoarding Jet Airways put at a busy road in Mumbai (bandra
road )
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> SEE WHAT HAPPENED NEXT ………
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> AFTER A FEW DAYS ...
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> and FINALLY ...
>
> the most happening……
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
> Version: 8.0.169 / Virus Database: 270.6.16/1654 - Release Date:
9/5/2008 1:24 PM
>
>
> Connect with friends all over the world. Get Yahoo! India
Messenger at http://in.messenger.yahoo.com/?wm=n/
>
This is a hoarding Jet Airways put at a
busy road in Mumbai (bandra road )
SEE WHAT HAPPENED NEXT ………
AFTER A FEW DAYS ...
and  FINALLY ...
the most happening……
Â
Â
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
Version: 8.0.169 / Virus Database: 270.6.16/1654 - Release Date: 9/5/2008 1:24 PM
hai! alla of you
I am searching nice job. iam from UNA & done graduation & also done
one year diploma of computer science. iam missing not only shimla
but also himachal where everythings are so beautiful. which is never
be forget me. --- In Shimlahangout@..., rajesh kumar
<rajcomver@...> wrote:
>
>
> dear all. hi my name is rajesh. i am currently staying in bangalore
for the past 2 years. i am working here in a call center. basically i
am from shimla. actually i was searching for my friend gautam
chandala. he stays in khalini. anyone out there who knows him kindly
give him a message to contact me at the earliest.
>
> i am missing shimla a lot. hoping to come home very soon.
>
> see you all very soon
>
> luv raj
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Do You Yahoo!?
> HotJobs, a Yahoo! service - Search Thousands of New Jobs
>
Well 'aam admi' like most of our readers can help by becoming volunteers
just follow the link http://mtbhimachal.com/volunteer_programme.htm
what's more every volunteer gets a Crew T-shirt and Crew Cap and I am
very interested it-the race.
and do help by spreading the word
Obviously as Varun mentioned, you may contact Akhil Puri on his cell or
mail for sponsorships...also its Akhil's birthday today(Aug 31)
regards,
viplav
viplav@...
--- In Shimlahangout@..., "Varun Rattan Singh"
<varun.ratan@...> wrote:
>
> THE EVENT
>
> "MOUNTAIN BIKING HIMACHAL" is the only event of its kind in the Indian
> subcontinent, and takes precedence from similar events around the
> world, notably "The Trans-Alp Challenge" in Europe and "The
> Trans-Rockies Challenge" in Canada. The race format in India is more
> adventurous and challenging owing to the grandeur and scale of the
> Himalayas. The average altitude is 2300mts, and the endurance
> challenge goes through some of the most exquisite Himalayan terrain in
> the backcountry of Himachal Pradesh, trails meandering through free
> flowing streams and verdant valleys, the best as it can get anywhere
> in the world to pursue the sport of Mountain Cycling.
>
> In its 4th edition, the route is almost similar to the one in 2007;
> though expect more challenges and stages as well as time trials. The
> adventure becomes more adrenalized and much tougher than its preceding
> avatars. The chequered flag goes up on the 26th of September at
> Shimla, the start of the adventure and the finish podium is set at
> Manali on the 5th October. The total kilometers of the route this year
> almost remain the same; 731kms however expect more stages, time trials
> and very tough hike and bike sections.
>
>
> LOGISTICAL GIANT
>
> The race is a huge logistical and organizational enterprise, owing to
> the difficult terrain, and undertaking the boarding and lodging of
> riders and officials. Riders and officials stay in Tent villages every
> night which are erected one day prior to arrival at each campsite. All
> these villages are fully quipped with facilities for hot showers,
> eco-friendly toilets, presentation area, bike parking lot, dining
> area, kitchen area. The entourage of the event consists of
> approximately 170-180 people.
>
> Enroute the event is monitored by wireless equipped official jeeps,
> keeping track of each rider and their location. The whole route is GPS
> mapped prior to the event. To provide for nutrition of the riders,
> which such a race demands, there are four feeding stations at
> equivalent distances everyday, serving nutritional drinks (Stamina,
> Gatorade etc), fruits, and Glucose etc. the 2nd or the 3rd Feeding
> station everyday serves as the lunch halt. For safety of the riders
> and officials, there are four fully equipped ambulances with 8
> doctors. To meet any on road or trail emergencies there is a 12 men
> strong rescue team, well trained from the western Himalayan Institute
> of Mountaineering, Manali. To relax those tired muscles, there is even
> provision for massage at the campsites every night. The feeding
> stations are manned by trained marshals as are the time control zones.
>
>
> MEDIA COVERAGE
>
> In the previous years the race has been widely covered in national
> media. CNN IBN, DD SPORTS, AXN, ZEE NEWS, ZEE SPORTS, NDTV all gave a
> 30 min airtime to the event. Major outdoor magazines like Outlook
> Traveler, Adventure World carried features and pre-event
> advertisements for the event. Also national dailies were forthcoming
> in covering the event and providing with much mileage. Last year
> Indiatimes was the official media sponsor which carried a series of
> advertisements across its "Times of India" publication throughout the
> country. Radio Mirchi was the official radio partner running a series
> of jingles for the promotion of event.
>
> Himalayan Adventure Sports & Tourism Promotion Association (HASTPA) is
> looking forward to organize the 2008 edition with much aplomb and
> greater media hype, to take the event and the sport of mountain
> cycling to the next level amongst the people in India and abroad. The
> official website statistics show an upsurge in the number of hits and
> visits from India. The team is looking forward to close the event this
> year with a rise in participation, as confirmed entries from army (16
> riders), Australia (11 riders), England (6riders) have been received.
> As and when the promotional campaign begins for the event the numbers
> are expectedly going to swell with the entries being closed at 80
> riders.
>
>
> SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
>
> As a first race of its kind in India, a lot of opportunities exist for
> prospective sponsors to leverage the event and use it to enhance their
> brand image. A simple message to be connected with such an event would
> be to promote, safe, minimum impact, eco friendly adventure, which is
> healthy (Cycling as a healthy sport) has a social value (a sustainable
> tourism initiative for the local populace of Himachal Pradesh) and
> creates value for its associates (the first event of its kind in the
> country, helping to lay the foundation of a new sport in the country)
> which has a youth feel to it (keeping in view that according to a
> recent survey India is a young nation with approximately 75%
> population under 25).
>
> For sponsorship enquiries kindly contact Akhil at 92185 00122 or send
> a mail to akhilp19@... with a CC to my id or call
>
> Carpe diem !
>
> Varun
>
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Shimlian is rocking 
