Be an example !

I recently came across a forward which related 2 incidents (real life stories). I would prefer you to go through it and arrive at its essence.


STORY NUMBER ONE

Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago. Capone wasn't famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy city in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder.

Capone had a lawyer nicknamed 'Easy Eddie.' He was Capone's lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie's skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time.To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well. Not only was the money big, but Eddie got special dividends, as well. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago City block.

Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocities that went on around him. Eddie did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddie saw to it that his young son had clothes, cars, and a good education. Nothing was withheld. Price was no object.

And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong. Eddie wanted his son to be a better man than he was. Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he couldn't give his son; he couldn't pass on a good name or a good example.

One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Easy Eddie wanted to rectify wrongs he had done. He decided he would go to the authorities and tell the truth about Al 'Sacrifice's Capone, clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great. So, he testified.Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago Street. But in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he could ever pay. Police removed from his pockets a rosary, a crucifix, a religious medallion, and a poem clipped from a magazine.

STORY NUMBER TWO


World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant Commander Butch O'Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific.One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank. He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship. His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet..

As he was returning to the mother ship, he saw something that turned his blood cold; a squadron of Japanese aircraft was speeding its way toward the American fleet. The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was all but defenseless. He couldn't reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet. Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger. There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them from the fleet.

Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 calibers blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until all his ammunition was finally spent. Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible, rendering them unfit to fly. Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction.

Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier. Upon arrival, he reported in and related the event surrounding his return. The film from the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch's daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft.

This took place on February 20, 1942 , and for that action Butch became the Navy's first Ace of W.W.II, and the first Naval Aviator to win the Congressional Medal of Honor.A year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29. His home town would not allow the memory of this WW II hero to fade, and today, O'Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man.

So, the next time you find yourself at O'Hare International, give some thought to visiting Butch's memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor. It's located between Terminals 1 and 2.

SO, WHAT DO THESE TWO STORIES HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER?


Butch O'Hare was 'Easy Eddie's' son.

Talking Captions and Topic Captions

A lot many captions coming up, isnt ??? Well that is one of the things we were taught in our communication class. At first glance,it doesnt seem very different from each other, but to an observative eye, it reveals a lot more. The daily application of these are evident in the newspaper's where each article essence is captured in the subject title. For instance,the title "Economic Survey 2008-2009" would be an Topic Caption since it just tells the reader that the article is about the Economic survey 2008-2009, but stops at that. It doesnt go on to tell in more detail about the Economic Survey etc.

Compare it with a title "Air India’s bailout: is there light at the end of the tunnel?". From the caption itself, one could infer that Air India had got into financial trouble and that it had approached a regulatory body for bailing it out of trouble. And the article maybe describes if there is any end to the problem faced by the Air India.. One single topic gives us so much information that its almost like its talking to us. I know thats an exaggeration yet in the second case, the article topic is similar to someone talking and telling about itself. more like self-explanatory. in contrast, the other topic was more static and just introduced the topic.

Now that you have spent much time in reading this,what significance does this hold to you. here comes the most important part. The knowledge of what we write and its ability to express itself, can help us be more self aware while writing. This is most useful while writing resumes, wherein instead of Topic sentences if one could use Talking sentences it would reveal a lot more about oneself. And believe me, this is a major factor in resume writing. Now that you have become conscious of this fact like me,you could be more resourceful with your words usage while making your resumes or writing articles.

The Revival

I was tempted to include 'Phoenix' in topic name of this article. something like "The revival of Phoenix" or "Back from the inertness". And it would have been apt too. For a simple reason,that i have been estranged from the blogging world for more than 1 and half months.Not a single day goes by wherein i tell myself that i will blog today. and as if the world had plotted against me, i would invariably be held up by some work and eventually i end up not doing what i intended to do. Anyhow, there is something which i had learnt after coming to IIML and that is the fact that I need to improve my time management capabilities. Well, one always keeps learning something and iam learning the nuances of it.

The last 2 months here @ IIML have been quite memorable. There have been enjoyable moments, stressful moments,sleepless moments,hellish moments as well. The routine,the schedule and your life becomes such that one becomes quite impervious to the happenings of the outside world. The only connect with the outside world is through the globally connecting World Wide Web ! Everyday brings with it one learning or the other and the faster you learn them, the quicker you can grow. I have loads to share with you all, the culture ,the extra curriculars,the acads, the funny things etc. Hopefully my new resolution about blogging a little more frequently would hold stead. Lets see what all things i would be sharing with you. 1st 30 days after coming to IIML, Start of 1st term, Frenzy within the campus, Haunting 1st Mid terms etc.

Just penned this post to break the jinx of the in activeness which has been holding me back for such a long time. Not much content in it for now. Anyhow, for my dear friends who have been checking if iam still penning post, i thank you for your interest in following my blog. I would strive to compensate for the lost moments :)

Would like to sign off with a nice quote i had come across few days back.

"Opportunities multiply as they are seized"

Here's wishing good health and mind to all.


Peace :)