Me With Myself

Time for Break!

2011-08-05T12:53:00.000+05:30

Well its been quite a time with this blog. I am embarking upon a new journey. I would like to share the thoughts of the transformation on new platform. So I will not post on this blog for a while. The new postings will be at www.exploringlimits.wordpress.com

Visual Resume

2010-12-16T17:07:00.006+05:30

Was trying to do some thing creative... So created my Visual Resume.

(BTW, If anyone interested in creating one for them, I can help)

Milestones

2010-11-30T17:25:00.001+05:30

I'm a step closer to one of my milestones. I love the sound of a milestone passing by. These things keep you alive. Also, I don't want to continue my existing professional career. I've decided something for me and want to pursue that. But there is another 10 months delay to that. Don't know what should I do.

Careful with your Wishes and Thoughts

2010-04-26T20:00:00.004+05:30

I’ve been trying to control the thoughts. Identifying What I DON’T WANT. I’ve been identifying on the things that I want to feed my greed. And also, that would not be any good for me. In this high flying world, everyone wants to be an achiever, but very few of them know what they’ll do once they achieve THAT THING.

I’ve been doing thinking what I want and how much of it - Education, Money, Fame. Everything has its own importance and bringing out balance is not a bad idea.

Education provides you the tool to understand how the utopian world operates. It provides the way a person thinks and helps putting one’s a potential to a maximum use. Plato once mentioned, “Life is education” and nothing can be far from true. I’ve to define what I need to learn, what I need to unlearn and what I need not know about exists.

Thoughts on money are always welcome. No one can deny the importance of it in any form and whatever you do, you can’t ignore it. As Zig puts it, ‘money is just close to Oxygen’; and I agree to it. I also agree to Any Rand when she says money is a tool that provides “Value for Value”. It’s the essential that we need without any curbs on it. But I don’t want more than my wants. And that’s where I’ve to do the thinking – How much do I want. But the inflow of it surely gives the happiness (and pride). Money can corrupt or bring more out of people. It all depends on the user. In capitalism and consumer driven economy, the money you have is directly proportional to your success. But then there is catch to it – It doesn’t directly identifies person’s worth.

The least of the three, but the most dreamt of – Fame! From very young ages, humans start looking upon their heroes and wannabe them. At times they ignore the downsides. Once you’re there, everyone is inquisitive about everything you do – which hand did you use for brushing your teeth, the soda can that you didn’t put back in the fridge, the armpits that you didn’t shave. As rightly put by someone, “The higher the monkey goes, the more of it’s a** it shows”.

And that’s why I want to control my thoughts. I need to define what I want and How much. As they say, ‘be careful for what you wish for; You never know which one will come true.’

Keep wishing!

PS: Stevie Wonder singing - "I Wish"

Looking back on when I, Was a little nappy headed boy
Then my only worry, Was for Christmas what would be my toy
Even though we sometimes, Would not get a thing
We were happy with the, Joy the day would bring

I wish those days could come back once more,
Why did those days ev-er have to go,
I wish those days could come back once more,
Why did those days ev-er have to go,
Cause I love them so

Don't predict future; Look out of window

2010-04-20T21:12:00.003+05:30

Have you ever been to an art gallery; or for that matter, gone through any art work? Some leisure time gave me to do just it. And I was amazed by the fact that different pairs of eyes observe the paintings differently.

If you want to predict the future, the only way is to create it. Another way, as per Drucker, is to stop predicting it. As you know, Drucker is so in for me. 100 yrs on and the theories are still so live. On more than one occasions, he’s asked to look out of window. Observe the obvious instead of predicting it. You’ll be amazed by the results. The most important part is to be with the observation. If you want to be part of the future, observe and then swiftly act on your observation. It’s like an artist thinking on couch and then with quick strokes of brush, he realized his dreams.

So next time you go out, observe! But beware! Often, nuances are painted in bright colors to take your eyes off the big picture.

PS: Mariah Carey - When You Believe

There can be miracles, when you believe; Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill,
Who knows what miracles you can achieve; When you believe, somehow you will,
You will when you believe!

Know the ‘Role’ and ‘Purposeful Abandonment’

2009-12-27T14:30:00.003+05:30

Peter Drucker is the flavor of the month!Born in Vienna in 1909, he migrated to the land of cheese and opportunities (US) in 1937. Since then he’s studied the organizations like people, and earned himself the title ‘father of management’.

As per Drucker, in effective organizations, employees know their roles. Any journey of self-exploration, he believed, should begin with five essential questions.

What is our mission?
Who is our customer?
What does the customer value?
What are our results?
What is our plan?

As it turns out, a little pondering over these questions will bring about the value creation framework for our customers. In other words, the framework tells us to take care of our customers, and the business will take care of itself.
For me, apart from these 5 questions, I ask the 6th one as well –

Are we the number 1 or 2 service provider to the customer?

In this era of multi-vendor sourcing, there is very much unlikely a case, where I’m the sole service provider. In such scenario, I’ve to ask myself whether I’m the top service provider in the chosen area. If not, Exit!

Drucker’s theory of ‘Purposeful Abandonment’ outlines this - "The first step in a growth policy is not to decide where and how to grow; It is to decide what to abandon. In order to grow, a business must have a systematic policy to get rid of the outgrown, the obsolete, the unproductive."

I believe the learning should be same for ‘Brand Me’ as well. We should strive to be at the top of what we’re best at. What says your opinion?

Inspired from the article on

www.inc.com

Objectivism!

2008-11-09T17:28:00.003+05:30

“You remember, you said once that we had the same root somewhere in both of us, because we both believed in life? It’s a rare capacity and it can’t be taught.”

Finished WE THE LIVING by Ayn Rand, the lesser known one from her arsenal. A lot has been said about the author and her philosophy of OBJECTIVISM.

I’m out of words for this writer. If at 25 she can think of something at this depth, this is disturbing. Now Objectivism holds that there is no greater moral goal than achieving happiness; that reality exists independent from consciousness. Though still at my first step towards learning, I believe world today can’t be in more need of Objectivism than before.

We’ve seen Socialism, which refers to a broad set of economic theories of social organization advocating state or collective ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods. We’ve witnessed Capitalism, the economic system in which the private ownership of property is protected by law. Now both these are good enough to give a rosy picture but they don’t touch the lives of ordinary and don’t increase the averages.

Objectivism is a philosophy for living in this material world that promotes values like love, friendship, wealth, and comfort. It respects science, technology, and innovation. It emphasizes reason and clarity. It values purposefulness, achievement, and success. It reveres passionate living, and pursing the greatest heights. It sets personal happiness as your goal, and gives you the tools to figure out how to achieve it.

It’s more of an optimistic approach. The idea is to focus more on life and add or subtract the factors to improve it.

PS: AR Rehman again weaves the magic:
Aaja main hawaaon pe bithaake le chalun;

tu hi toh... tu hi toh meri dost hai!

Aaja main khalaaon mein uthaake le chalun; tu hi toh meri dost hai;

Awaaz ka dariya hoon, behta hoon main nili raaton mein.

Main jaagta rehta hoon neend bhari jheel si aankhon mein.

Awaaz hoon main...

And hubby cooks the chicken!

2008-10-08T23:12:00.004+05:30

She has been awake since 5 in the morning. Starting the day with the regular chores – taking care of extended family, preparing for husband’s day and readying her daughter for the school. “Rehaan!” she asked “Can you please drop Mehul to school today?”. “Not today”, he replied. “I’m busy with this presentation. Have to deliver it today.“ And she thought, for how long she’s to take this way. Turning on the ignition she thought if it was a tad better.

The thoughts kept on creeping during office hours as well. It was a long Friday and she never waited for weekend so long. While paying for chicken, she thought if there was someone with whom she felt comfortable with. She’s always tried to fill colors in the blank canvas even the day had been grey and dull. But not a single relationship tends towards infinity.

Mehul came running and smiling as she entered the home. “How was the day honey?”. “It was good moma! We tried colorbook today”. Rehaan was in the sofa working on his laptop. “What’s for dinner tonight?” he asked. “Got chicken”. And Rehaan commented “you better get some good stuff. Tomorrow is parent-teacher meeting”. “But ain’t you going for it?”. “Not this time. I’ve got this urgent work to finish by this weekend”.

Life seemed hollow to her. Lying at her sister’s home she was thinking ‘Why can’t there be a day of smiles with someone who cares for me’. There he was pondering in the kitchen while cooking chicken for his dinner ‘What did I do?’.

PS: The song in the background -
Here I am, lost in the light of the moon that comes through my window

Bathed in blue, the walls of my memory divides the thorns from the roses

It's you and the roses...

Touch me and I will follow in your afterglow

Heal me from all this sorrow

As I let you go I will find my way when I see your eyes

Now I'm living in your afterglow...

Here I am, lost in the ashes of time, but who owns tomorrow?

In between the longing to hold you again

I'm caught in your shadow, I'm losing control

My mind drifts away, we only have today

Touch me and I will follow in your afterglow

Heal me from all this sorrow...

Morally Corrupt

2008-08-31T09:15:00.003+05:30

“Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things... I am tempted to think that there are no small things in life” - Unknown

I live in morally corrupt city. I wonder why can’t we change a tiny bit, adjust a little to be role model across the globe. Listing out a few disruptions that should be brought about for moral conduct. I’m open to any updates to this list.

1. Chivalry never hurts.
Does it take too much to show courtesy at public places. We all do it with our closed ones, then why not with the unknowns? Will opening a door for a follower delay our schedules? Or smiling at something wrong happened dent our egos?

2. Queues and Orders are always welcome.
I believe in order and think it’s pretty cool stuff. Don’t you?

3. Following lanes makes my mind less cluttered.
A very simple thing can make our life much easier – FOLLOW THE LANE DRIVING!
And please understand the purpose of lane changing signal. It is even available in toy cars these days. Then why not use it? Or are you afraid of Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs)? At least do it for the humanitarian cause!

4. Honking helps you reach home early. Is it?
I wonder why we have horns in our vehicles. Everyone is sick of it but still use them where it does no good. You know there is nothing 'quiet' of these horns and we all peace loving. You know what I mean! You can scream instead of blowing it "For the sake of humans! GO! GO! GO!"

5. No spitting and littering please.
If you go to foreign country, you guys follow the rule. And as you land back at home, you forget to keep the place clean. I wonder what the rationale behind that is.

6. Smiling has more advantages than bad effects!
This one is tough especially with so many things going in life but that should be in code of conduct as Chinese did during Olympics. Why not smile a little more at strangers. I know it can be trap – a girl will say that guy is constantly smiling at me. But then it may be an ice breaker. So two birds with a single shot – more friendliness in the air and world will be at more ease with us! At least I'm trying to be more molar-to-molar; you should also laugh your way.

I hope this won’t be too tedious a list to follow!

PS: Song in the mp3 player - Oh Life by Desiree!
So after all's said and done, I know I'm not the only one
Life indeed can be fun, If you really want to
Sometimes living out your dreams, Ain't as easy as it seems
You wanna fly around the world, In a beautiful balloon
Life, oh life..... Oh life, oh life

Do silly, not great things!

2008-06-22T07:58:00.003+05:30

If people never did silly things, nothing intelligent would ever get done. - Ludwig Wittgenstein

I’m going through ‘Blue Ocean Strategy’ by Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne. It’s an impressive read from two of the known scholars in the Business World. What fascinates me is that things mentioned there are not very out-of-the-box but overlooked ones. And that brings us to today’s topic – Gotta become great? Do silly, not great things!

And as Calvin thinks, there’s an inverse relationship…

Though Euro Cup is the flavor of the month, but I still like to read about Tennis. Roger Federer is The Master. He covers the court like a ballet dancer. But Novak Djokovic is winning the hearts it seems. His fan following growth rate is far above than the industry average it seems. I especially liked the humor he brings to the competitive and serious game. Have you ever seen the imitations he does? Watch out a couple at:
http://elgringocolombiano.blogspot.com/2007/09/novak-djokovics-imitations.html

And the most wonderful thing is his persona on and off the court seems to be the same. Check out his diaries at the below link (These do tell something about the guy! Don't they?).

http://www.novak-djokovic.com/eng/diary_list.php

These days am thinking to take up doing silly things; maybe every first Friday of the month. I’ve made the Eliminate-Reduce-Raise-Create grid for charting blue oceans of silliness. I would like to have the ideas from you, readers, to add to my grid.

PS: Song on lappy – A Thousand Miles (Vanessa Carlton)
Making my way downtown,Walking fast,Faces passed,And I'm home bound.

Staring blankly ahead,Just making my way,Making my way,Through the crowd.
And I need you, And I miss you, And now I wonder...
If I could fall, Into the sky; Do you think time, Would pass me by
'Cause you know I'd walk, A thousand miles If I could, Just see you… Tonight!

Instant Liking

2008-06-15T21:32:00.011+05:30

I think this happens with everyone Calvin!

People say sometimes they’re scared of approaching someone. What makes them think so? Are their faces so wrinkled and they have a myth that wrinkles are contagious? Or they don’t like the perfume someone is wearing? Why one person easily attracts while other repels? Though approach and liking is somehow linked, I used to think that Force is directly proportional to body masses! We’re taught that only: F = G.m1.m2 / r^2 Isn’t it?

First impression is an important culprit here I believe.
Matt: I don’t like blue color Jenna coz it reminds me of Monday blues.
Jenna [to her]: He hates blue and my deep eyes. Sigh!
See the First Impression should consist of multiple small initial impressions :-)

Second culprit is human brain. You tend to like someone more like you. Apparently opposites seldom attract and maintain the same scale of Attraction-Index.

Third to be blamed is Chemistry - It’s kinda a funny how you start liking the things at first instance. And it happens with everyone and everything – Songs, Content Management Product, Cars, Colors, Shoes, Face(s) etc

PS: Mind still thinking on the formula F = G.m1.m2 / r^2 and laughing;
r is the distance between two bodies. Thus as we reduce r, F will tend to infinity. Thus two bodies with concentric centers will have an infinite force. Rest up to you to deduce!

PPS: Liking in an instance – Kabhi kabhi Aditi (A R Rehman still weaves the magic. It’s a typical Rehman song – you see and listen in parts; no big deal till then. And then you listen to it on FM and then you want to listen to it more... then you start humming it… and then you repeatedly listen to it!)

Kabhi kabhi Aditi zindagi mein yuhi koi apna lagta hai.

Kabhi kabhi Aditi wo bichhar jaaye to ek sapna lagta hai.

Aise mei koi kaise apne aansuo ko behne se roke?

Aur kaise koi sochle everything's gonna be ok?

Kabhi kabhi to lage zindagi mein rahi naa khushi aur naa mazaa.

Kabhi kabhi to lage har din mushkil aur har pal ek sazaa.

Aise mein koi kaise mushkuraye, kaise hasde khush hoke?

Aur kaise koi soch de everything gonna be ok?

Soch zara jaaneja tujhko hum kitna chahte hai.

Rotein hai hum bhi aggar teri ankhon mein aansu aate hai.

Gaane to aata nahi hai magar phir bhi hum gaate hai.

Ke Aditi maan kabhi, kabhi saare jahan mein andhera hota hai;

Lekin raat ke baad hi to sabera hota hai.

Yash!

2008-06-07T22:51:00.004+05:30

This strip reminded me of my nephew – Yash! Cutey baby is what he is!

Last summer we were at his house in Chandigarh. And boy he’s so full of life even at three half. The chap likes to go on car rides with his dad. During one of those, he put his fingers in the parking brake and his dad unknowingly put them on. Poor fellow hurt his fingers badly. He was not able to bend his thumb due to bandage. Ask him ‘Yash, what happened’ and the reply came “Though dad was not at mistake but he put on the brakes. Mujhe lag gayi and cannot bend fingers”.

Yash’s mom tries to inculcate the best values in her son. When he was 3, she taught him to throw waste only in trash. We used to ask “Yash, where did you throw the chocolate wrapper?” and he used to reply - “dumptbin” [dustbin].

Yash has recently started going to school. Ask him who is the best teacher and he names the smartest Punjabi lass as his favorite. All others, as per him, are not interested in teaching (DNA gone wrong?).

The time we were coming back, I asked “Yash! wanna go to Delhi?”. ‘No’ came the reply “but mere liye bada wala bataka lana” (fire cracker). So this time when we go to Himachal or Chandigarh, Yash will have his ‘bada wala bataka’.

PS: Song in the mp3 player - Kiss Me (Six Pence)
Kiss me out of the bearded barley;
Nightly, beside the green, green grass;
Swing, swing, swing the spinning step;
You wear those shoes and I will wear that dress.

Oh, kiss me beneath the milky twilight; Lead me out on the moonlit floor;
Lift your open hand; Strike up the band and make the fireflies dance;
Silver moon's sparkling; So kiss me...

What happens when a Piscean works till late

2008-05-30T23:35:00.004+05:30

The weather couldn’t be better in May heat. It was drizzling and unlike other summers in Tokyo, the cherry blossoms looked awesome. Rehan thought of his yoke fellows and good times spent with them. It’s been quite some time – everyone has settled in their lives and moved on. This Friday evening he was thinking of leaving everyone behind. He slipped out of the office, turned the ignition on and left the hustle and bustle behind. All he wanted to do was to disappear in twilight.

Neon was nearly full – crowded with football lovers. The deciders are always nail biting. Neon was a musical place otherwise; but on this particular day, it’d put the live match and drinks were on house. The whole place was divided into two. Though they may not pronounce Bonjour, but they’re supporting French and though they would have only seen Brazilian beaches and bikini clad women in pictures, they were painted yellow and singing Brazil.

Kaka was phenomenon as always. ‘He’s so cute’ thought Neha. After all this was one of the days when she was not feeling like going home. Japanese homes are boring for singles and one feels trapped at times. She’d asked Asuka to join her and pass away the evening – giggling, eating and cheering. Theiry missed the goal by whisker and whole of Neon filled with boos. As the silence drowned over the place, two sounds simultaneously came - “Damn It! You’ve to pay for it Theiry.” Both looked at each other with compassion. Rehan has never felt it that way. He walked over to Neha, looked in her deep shiny eyes. He brought his lips near to hers and said “Don’t you ever talk that way for French” and went back. Crowd stood there watching the two and clapping!

PS: Found this interesting plot over internet :-). So you can decide in which corner you can be substituted.

No Links

2008-05-27T18:58:00.006+05:30

I wish everyone carries on this kind of optimism and curiosity while growing up. Life would’ve been so much fun. What we all do is spend time trying to be the part of the system. I know it’s easy saying rather doing it!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

‘Do make me laugh, and I’ll do anything’; somehow the thought passed by her mind. Anu stood tall with hair lazing over her overcoat and eyes shining bright. Gare de Bruxelles Central was crowded as on any other Friday evenings. The train to Luxembourg Ville was due in another 10 minutes. In 2 hours and 37 minutes precise, she would be in seclude – not very long slice of time when compared to life long journey.

She had waited for this weekend for some time. The station was bustling and everyone wanted to leave the place for ever. It seems no one ever wanted to come back. She checked her Blackberry for the last time before switching it off – No New Mail. And somehow the words slipped out of her light lips – “Is there anyone who at all cares?”

The daughter and dad were enjoying the wait. “This is so much fun papa” and the dad smiled back “Anything for you Hon”. Anu wondered what made them enjoy the moment. The daughter was carrying a paper slip in her hand. As Thalys passed by the slip flew and Anu laid her hands on it. As she was about to take note of it, she heard the words “Take it off slowly dad”. Dad was removing the artificial leg of the daughter. And she felt thoughtless.

As Dad took his daughter to Thalys, Anu moved opposite to her train.Express was there. She settled down in the first class and waited for train to chug along. The paper in the hand read – ‘There are people who love to be cared and then there are people who love to care!!!’

PS: Beautiful number by Alison Kross (though copied so many times, I still love it in AKs voice)

It’s amazing how you can speak right to my heart,
Without saying a word you can light up the dark,
Try as I may I could never explain,
What I hear when you don’t say a thing;

The smile on your face lets me know that you need me,
There’s a truth in your eyes sayin’ you’ll never leave me,
The touch of your hand says you’ll catch me if ever I fall!

You say it best when you say nothing at all!!!

Creativity has its time

2008-05-17T14:17:00.008+05:30

Even six year old knows it! And grownups mind is no different :-)

Still I’m not able to place the blocks in order. Am not sure if that happens with everyone. I sometimes want to be on different dimension than the others. Yes that’s true! I want to zoom past when everything is still. I want to shout when silence is everywhere. Strange what may you call it! But am sure you would have also, at one point or the other, wanted to be part of this crankiness. We won’t delve into WHY; I want to talk about HOW!

I really admire the people who are creative in their fields - from Business Case preparation to Java coding to proposing someone, I like creativity. But its easier said than done. How to differentiate yourself from others?

Now being creative is a talent, but it can be skilled by knowing more about the subject. One very exciting way is to open a dictionary. Pick any word and try to formulate anything that comes in your mind that encompasses that word. Let your mind juices flow.

Little Amy was too creative. On the eve of the test she studied the essay on cow. “I’ve white cow. It has four legs and horns. It has a long tail. It gives milk…”. When she sat for the exam the next day, to everyone’s surprise, the teacher asked students to write the essay on ‘The Coconut Tree’. Now Amy was creative. She started: “We’ve a coconut tree in our house. It’s very high. My mother ties my cow to it. The color of cow is white. It has four legs and horns. It has a…”. You see! That’s what creativity is J

Another way of being creative is to listen to be humorous. And let it out at the suitable time. Creative people look at the same situation as the others do. The only difference is that their perception is on different planes.

So guys you tell me... Don't you ever want to be different? Have you ever forced yourself to be different? If yes, tell me the stories. Am waiting!

PS: The song buzzing (So Young - The Corrs):

We are taking it easy, Bright and breezy; We are living it up, Just fine and dandy,

We are chasing the moon, Just running wild and free,

We are following through Every dream, and every need,

And it really doesn't matter that we don't eat,

And it really doesn't matter that we don't sleep,

It really doesn't matter, it really doesn't matter at all;

Cause we were so young then; We are so young, so young now

And when tomorrow comes, We'll just do it all again...

It’s Inflation honey

2008-05-10T14:01:00.014+05:30

Look Hon! Its increasing like a mountain. Oh. It’s shot off the chart.

The inflation is taking toll on everyone – from CEOs to sis. Increase in prices of basic necessities is taking its toll. And dollars are not helping even. Forget OPEC nations, even the customs people have stopped taking bribes in dollars. They prefer Gandhi to Washington. True – Dollar is not going far these days.

Now what is inflation – In layman terms it’s a black hole kind a monster. You leave the office with 500 Rs and by next morning its actual value is 480 Rs. Hope you got that! I must say it’s still better than Zimbabwean trauma.

People are finding different ways to beat the monster. The other day sis and her group went for a movie. Now being into HR she’s aware of inflation and its impact on employees lives. The movie set (tickets, corn, nachos & water) was around INR 350 the quarter before. It still costs 350 if you remove water bottle from that set. So to cover up, the group was asked to bring water bottles from home. Remark was simple – ‘Trying to beat it!’

Till now GV was not having much impact of rising prices. He always used to fill the petrol for Rs. 500. But now it’s visible to him and he’s suffering from hypertension. All those onsite trips have lost their charms to him. By the time you hit back home, the foreign currency losses half its value.

Now for some, rising prices is opportunity to cash in. Simply amass the scarce resources. Johnny did it that way. Rice was being sold in Pakistani market at 45 per kg. Once export restrictions were put in by the countries, the price shot up to 90 per kg. Our little Johnny smuggled it in his stomach, made a wad and bought the Beemer.

It seems the world is tied in ‘Too much but Too Little’ syndrome. Societies can spend billions on high rises, space and an undersea exploration, but production per hectare is still stuck on that in 1980s. I wonder if the world has gone berserk. Don’t they’ve something better to discuss in forums than quotas for minorities, sale of F15s, China’s military might and Italian Pasta? It seems world leaders are getting more like the simulator installed in NASA - It shakes you for some time, tilts you to 90 degree, makes some weird noises but takes you nowhere!

PS: Are you trying some weird ways to overcome high prices? Or have you seen anyone doing so? Lemme know!

PPS: Song on the lappy (beautiful number from 'Jab We Met'):

Naina tere kajrare hain, naino pe hum dil hare hain

Anjane hi tere naino ne, waade kiye kaie saare hain

Saanso ke lay.. madam chale.. tose kahe

Barsega saawan, Barsega saawan, jhoom jhoom ke, do dil aise milenge
Aaoge jab tum ho saajna, angana phool khilege...

I fantasize

2008-04-21T13:27:00.003+05:30

Everyone fantasizes - some more and some less.

I also fantasize about lot of things – a utopian world. One of the things I sometimes dream of is what kind a life other person will be living? Oh c’mon. Don’t call me insane this time. What’s the life being sane? Any good to the world is done by insanity coz only those have the kind of passion required to move the society. So yes! I do wonder what kind a world the other person has weaved for her/him self.

I wonder what if humans can develop a time machine (only past) and allow you to go back to decades or centuries back. What if you’re driving on a lonely highway and the car goes to another era and you’re confronted with the Romans trying to capture Naples? How would it to be surrounded by Romans yelling ‘Hey you sissy… can you give us a ride till Napoli’

I also often dream of future. It’s true that world is progressing because few people are so nefarious that they don’t want to see happiness. But what if everyone is happy and content – There won’t be any need for weapons and what developed nations will sell? OK we won’t go that far. How about Delhi with proper lanes, pleasant traffic with no honking and everyone driving in lanes? How about people respecting others and using metro to go to each and every place? How about having parks and green cover, having pedestrians tracks and vehicles stopping to let people cross the residential lanes? Is it too much to ask for?

There is an interesting quote:
“I think computer viruses should count as life. I think it says something about human nature that the only form of life we have created so far is purely destructive. We've created life in our own image.” - Stephen Hawking

You may say that I’m having abulia and am losing my mind, but am glad that I’m unaware of it J and I sincerely hope that you’ll continue reading my posts!

Confessions in 30s [37 A window seat]

2008-02-28T23:40:00.008+05:30

Well Calvin, every person waits for less obvious solutions.
Disclaimer: This entry was written in heaven and solemnized on earth!
It’s been 20 hours in plane. Delhi is still 4 hours of flying time (currently passing by Keiv). So just thought of scribbling a few words. Even this journey as that of life has nothing to boast about, but it has been the one which many would have longed for while growing up.
OK! So I’m leaving my 20s – YES – Those giggling, carefree, responsibility less 20s; the ‘will do something’ attitude 20s. I’ve heard that as far as best years of life go, nothing beats the twenties - The decade where wishes were fulfilled and dreams challenging the reality. And as I leave them for unchartered waters of 30s, I decided to ponder over last decade.

So twenties started with some light moments spent with project partners in the hostel canteen discussing the intricacies of Java and getting an unexpected gift from someone. The day also kicked the interests in integrating computers and business. I don’t know who ran fast – Me or Time. But in a moment I was on the other side with an engineering degree and that false air of ‘world at my feet’.

MOMENTS:
* Walking to Engineering Drawing block and being asked by someone beautiful and intelligent to be part of her project team.
* Taking moped rides from day scholars on early off days

In a blink we were delivering the code to customers. The chasm between dreams and reality started to appear. It’s a fun when a large group joins an organization. The freshness, the energy, the smile here and there and participation in events – Why do people tend to lose them over time? I still wonder!
MOMENTS:
* Running for snacks when office bus used to snarl in traffic jams
* That ‘antakshri’ and chat sessions at the last seat of the bus and that ‘giri huyi harkat’ at flyover near Chirag Delhi
* Those coding sessions from 9:30AM to 5:00 AM for a month and then dropping dead in the bed after work

And then we met life! Layoffs and dot com bubble burst made us to think. But we used to be hopeful (that’s a feature; not a bug in the system). The piece that was supposed to be part of the story was no more there and an unknown part of puzzle fitted like never before. Those were the times that laid the foundation of professional journey.
MOMENTS:
* That desperate interview from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
* That unbelievable salary figure from HR person @ 8:00PM
* Those bike rides where I used to be in air for quite a time on speed breakers.

It’s a funny thing – People toil so hard to achieve something and then they don’t take time to cherish the results. It happens with me often. Mid twenties brought times that’re part of most middle class dreams. A friend took me along (forcefully) to buy a car. The time also brought the first across-sea journey – travel to the land of burgers and opportunities: USA.
MOMENTS:
* That look on the face of candidate and my boss after the first interview I took as part of technical panel with my BOSS.
* The eyeful sight over LAX from Thai airways with Cars zipping past at 150 kmph on LA freeways

And then everything became a routine. I forgot to keep track of moments. The only thing I kept track of was ‘Mahatma Gandhi’ and ‘Benjamin’.
And so as this part of journey nears its end, I wonder what I should do to capture the moments. It shouldn’t be about one thing honey! Let’s have a blast. There are a lot of better things to do in life J I’m looking forward to them.

PS: Q. What is the craziest thing you’ve done in life that still brings smile back on your face when you think of it?
A. Putting a clip on the nose of someone sleeping loveable
B. Propose data structure’s professor’s daughter or Boss’s spouse
C. Those unexpected coffee machine breaks
D. Losing your pajamas in general compartment of a long distance train
E. Hell! I don’t have a smiling face.
And this time do put your other answers as well. After all we’re talking of a decade here.

PPS: The song on the player from salaam-e-ishq:
silli silli tapti raaton mein, jalta hoon main barsaton mein,
ddoba dooba har pal yaadon mein, dil kya kare!
apney mein hi khoya rehta hoon, kehna hai kuch kuch kehta hoon,
pain ajab sa sehta hoon, dil kya kare!
ho...aakhon aankhon mein; ho... baaton baaton mein;
le gaya koi, de gaya koi,
salaam-e-ishq ishq ishq salaam-e-ishq

I'm hit!

2008-02-25T09:28:00.007+05:30

Who says it’s a big world? It may be wild, but it definitely is a short one. I even got a hit from Africa (snapshot). So either it’s a small world or I’m getting famous (though second is not yet near to reality).

I recently happen to Visit the state of North Dakota in the US. The time I’ve come down to the cruising altitude from where I can see the land, I’ve not seen the color GREEN. It’s a white place in winters with temperatures hovering around -30 deg C and it’s been two months. After my trip here I’ve started appreciating the Delhi weather. But the slogan for North Dakota is ‘celebrate the spirit’. And that’s why they’ve some of the weird laws (at least used to have) Ref. http://www.totallyuselessknowledge.com/laws.php

And since I was in North Dakota, I read the ones over there specifically. Now the interesting one is ‘It is illegal to lie down and fall asleep with your shoes on’. Boy! what if I happen to go over to my girlfriend and in hurry I forget to take off shoes. Will they put me in jail for that? I’ve already put a poster in front of my bed – ‘Shoes or jail? Which one will you take off?’

All jokes apart, this is a nice place; so what if temperature is freezing. It’s so freezing that if one happens to spill a glass of water outside, it will become ice before it hits the ground! And what if we have to drive to Minneapolis for 6 straight hours to have ‘naan’ and ‘chicken curry’. At least one can visit the biggest Mall of America.

Whatever happened, we do celebrate the spirit (the alcohol) here in North Dakota.

PS:

The consultant humming the beautiful number by Shreya Ghoshal from Cheeni Kum (I love Shreya's voice):

Baatein hawa hai saari; Saari ke saari

kyun hai kyun hai kyun hain kyun

Rukhi si khaali; khaali ulti hi duniya sari

kyun hai kyun hai kyun hai kyun

pata nahin

2008-01-02T22:18:00.000+05:30

machalte paani par behaki si dhoop, jhoome yunhi,
aavesh mein le lo mujhe, kahe hawa kahin.

dekhe nahin rang naye, na aisa manjar kahin,
choti si tasveer ki, dundhlahat lage nayi.

tum chale, sang hum, aur chale rang kai,
zindagi ki tasveer, yunhi hi banti gayi.

I want to...

2007-12-21T20:42:00.000+05:30

The question of the week - btw every week meself think about nothing but questions. OK so the question is: Why do we loose the trait of getting happy over small things while growing up? The road is busy allowing cars reaching the destination, people crossing and buses honking. And at the traffic signal sight stops at about 4 year old happily playing with paper aeroplane.

Even in the dark one can see the shine of joy of flying paper. Whole day it's pouring and in the evening the sky echoes with the giggles of 6 year olds. They are intoxicated by the sheer joy of their paper boat outshining the others'.

And this all cultivates a thought in me - Do we forget to enjoy small things as we grow? And if yes, Is it a skill or habit that has to be cultivated? My take on this is that it's a habit and we've to conciously work on it. And we've to work till the time it comes out naturally. Don't they say that life is a sum of small moments?

I'm waiting to watch the movie - Taare Zameen Par (http://www.taarezameenpar.com/)

So, as a ritual, pick your answer:
[A.] Enjoying that last drop of hot water while bathing, I also believe that finding happiness in little things is the way of life.
[B.] Happiness for me is achieving something big - owning an apartment, flying a personal jet.
[C.] Ha Ha Ha. Very funny. Who gets the time to think over these petty things. I've my bills to pay off!

PPS: The track on lappy (Somehow I love this song): The corrs: Breathless

The daylight's fading slowly
but time with you is standing still
I'm waiting for you only
The slightest touch and I'll feel weak

I cannot lie; From you I cannot hide
I'm losing the will to try
Can't hide it (can't hide it) Can't fight it (can't fight it)
So...

Go on, go on, come on leave me breathless
Tempt me, tease me until I can't deny this
loving feeling, make me long for your kiss

Go on, go on
Yeah, come on...

Confuselive...

2007-12-13T21:32:00.000+05:30

I often wonder, is it me ONLY? With doubts and fears or does it happen with everyone? The cautious me wants to break free at times. I wannabe ruthless, blunt and sharp.

The big question these days - how not to expect and compare :-) The only two things that erode happiness from life to a major extent (Pareto's 80:20 principle). And the next question is - how to be carefree. Should there be persuit for happiness or it comes naturally. I want to be some of the Swamis of life:

Boss : What's the status of project?
Swami: Well on track Sir but I need a bit more time.

Boss : Where is the presentation I asked for?
Swami: Well on track Sir but I need a bit more time.

Boss : What happend to revenue figures?
Swami: Well on track Sir but I need a bit more time.

You see what I mean? Swamis are some tension free souls who luckily have found something more motivating than the challenging code. I want to be Calvin - Why be snooty when you can be Impossible!!!

PS: So people tell me whether I should,
[A.] Be ruthless and blunt
[B.] Allow life take it's course
[C.] Dammit, I need the same answer!

PPS: Britney Spears - Everytime

Everytime I try to fly, I fall

Without my wings, I feel so small

I guess I need you, baby

And everytime I see you in my dreams

I see your face, it's haunting me

I guess I need you, baby

Link to google maps

2007-08-24T20:42:00.000+05:30

Tried to link google maps from blog. And this is how it looks:

View Larger Map

And this is where I'll be heading back to:

View Larger Map

Pride

2007-08-02T06:34:00.000+05:30

Not only Calvin, seldom is someone happy with the cards dealt to him/her :-)

Posting after a long break - not from work though!

Overheard the conversation between a part time assistant at the motel and the front desk executive - "WHAT HAPPENED TO PRIDE".There talk about taking pride in someone's work made me ponder. Yes! We've forgotten the sense of pride in our work. We're proud of jobs well done, but failures?But what's the reason - Are we doing which we don't want to do? Or is it that we don't give it that much of a thought?

So whose responsibility is it? Individual or Employer? I could gather three things that are responsible for that lovely feeling:

Your Work
Your Team
Your Organization

And the irony is though all of the above are chosen by individuals, most of them are not satisfied. So who is to blame? Does this happen everywhere to everone?

The only few who may think that they're doing some stuff are our hardly working policiticans trying to build their son-in-law's mansion on taxpayers money or builders trying boasting of how much cement they can save in an apartment.

Self-importance leads to satisfaction, with satisfaction comes pride and that leads to success. But how many times I've put up with this thought!!! What about you?I believe givin 100% to what you do is different from taking pride in what you do. The latter leads to former always but not vice-versa.

Whatever happened to 'Pride-In-Work', one thing is for sure, some hard working individual has for sure lost it! The only thing we ever focus or think of is riches.

PS:

A question pops-up in my head: Will there be any one in my society who feels that (s)he is doing a wonderful job and is satisfied? Or only money is the index of success?

[A] I can be happy borrowing from my girl friend - moeny doesn't count in love or Pride

[B] Damn! Again we're talking about a delicate balance (Pride, Money, Happiness)

[C] Bull $h!* Money makes me go around; To hell with PRIDE.

Comment me!

PPS:

Jaane kya dhoondta hai yeh mera dil,

tujhko kya chaiye zindagi...

Cocktail (1988) - When he pours, he reigns! Life is worth living a dream; Tom Cruise, Bryan Brown

Board Room A0

2007-05-30T19:46:00.000+05:30

I like dictatorship only when I'm not at the receiving end; else I love democracy. And I love meetings too. Especially late night ones when one can make fun of life even at 11:59:59 PM :-). It's kind a funny. I was doing some thinking (Doc has asked me to workout my grey cells), and discovered that all the meetings (with more than 9 participants) are common in one aspect - The types of participants. If you keenly observe, these attendees can be classified (or generalized) into 4 types:

(Please Note: I'll be using the masculine gender most of the times, though feminine gender can be aptly placed in the categorization)

1. The Beast: He is the king of the jungle, the Boss. The beginer who tries to make people talk constructively and most of the times fails in that. He's the one who sometimes buries his head in the hands (his, not Monica's, u cheapster! :-)). But he's the one who reaches to some conclusion.

2. The Crocodile: He is there to counter act and to talk. For him opening the mouth is synonymous with putting forth the opinion, or in their own words, contribution. He is there to kill. You'll often notice his thumping of palms on the table. If murders were legal, those will be the ones on top of your list.

3. The Hyena: He is only there to push the meeting. Just toss a ball (question) to him and relax and enjoy your cofee. He'll start from software, move to Risk and Change Management and fly the topic from Iraq to drought in Australia to FIFA's proposal on not playing football at high altitudes to Islamic Banking and back to bug list of software.

4. The Elephant: He is there only to help himself with the biscuits and potato chips. For them such meeting is a chance to save money on snacks. There will be times when he will nod or give a soft smile (as if Global warming will force Jennifer Garners of the world to wear short skirts with Noodle strip tops). But take my word, these are totally harmless creatures.

So the appraisal time is around and meetings will be held. Next time you participate in such a meet, do classify the participants and try to find some other types as well. Till then happy increments.

PS: Next time in meeting, try to visualize people in other's faces. Say your Boss as Mike Tyson in the ring!

Query in mind: Can any one have a complete control on life? Or luck plays it's part?

[1.] It surely does [2.] It's all your effort honey [3.] What control? I don't like sharing my under pants

PPS:

When you're looking in her eyes you can see forever,

You're captured by the beauty of her soul,

You know you're never gonna find a woman like this again

So don't let go oh, don't let go;

Will she love you tomorrow like she loves you today

She can keep your heart guessing but she's yours if she stays

And that's what it feels like.....To love a woman!!!

- (Lionel And Enrique)

Basera

2007-05-06T21:52:00.000+05:30

And nobody told me of Property Boom :-(

Yours truely thought of buying a house... errrr sorry a 2 BR flat. Since in Delhi my budget won't even buy me a bathroom, I made a move towards South West - Gurgaon. Gurgaon, as everyone, knows is the BPO and the millenium city. Sahu was telling me that everyone is running there to buy a property. Rumors are that even Dubya is hunting for something over there.

So this flat was at 9th floor. Still under construction, the property dealer smilingly told about the property being Vastu compliant. I was wondering what is meant by this compliance. Hearing my thoughts, the dealer promptly mentioned that the property is designed in a way so that the garbage fill is at the back of the premises and not at the front. Only then I realized how much thought process we Indians put in planning!

The layout was as if a 3 year old has placed 3 lego bricks alongside. I still wonder if this is called as modern design! And then came the bomb - Price. The dealer put on a face as if he's telling some secret: "People are lining up for this deal. There is a huge demand in the market... blah blah blah". The price - 45L for that 929 sq ft box that too with 4-5 hr power cut. As if in the morning seller's wife told him today's price is 40L! And this time Sahoo thought out loudly - what if a person gets stuck inside lift during a power cut? The dealer confidently told that helpline numbers of security and call centre will be there in the lift; thus providing 24 x 7 service. And I immediately realized we're in a BPO city.

Phew! I told Sahu, "yaar, Don't you think we're at wrong place? I think we should look for some penthouse with a glass ceiling and a personal pool with ultra-high speed lifts". We left the place with dealer following us, "Sir woh bhi arrange ho jayega". I share the grief of a middle class man trying to own a house!
So after visits to 12 different sites, the author gladly shelved off the decision to buy a property. Instead, I've to now call the dealers to show me something on rent. And for the next few days it'll be same old story - vastu compliance, power back up, water supply, security.... but this time for RENT!

Trodding alone, I ask myself why?

Smiles have wrinkles, the faces dry;

Journey is long, I wish I could fly,

I've to go, where earth meets the sky!

PS:
The question in mind is: If two apples or tomatoes are plucked from the same branch and packed together, what is the probability they'll reach the same consumer? :-)
Does anyone have an answer interesting? Do comment!

PPS:
kitni der tak tum baahar rukogi, kitni der tak mein rukuun yahaan

kitni der tak tum sochati rahog, yeh mein bhi dekhunga

kitni der tak tum, mujhe na kahogi, apane sheher aane ko

kitni der tak, dhundana hai bahaana, tumhe kisi bhi tarah chhune ka..

kitni der tak, kitni der tak, aaj shaam ya savere tak...

Rabbism :-)

do kadam aur sahi...

2007-05-01T20:14:00.000+05:30

:-) Oh Dear Calvin! I definitely would like to continue with my dad, but there sure are things which I would like to change. And I'm sure everyone must have some kind of 'things-to-change' list always ready with them. Btw, killing a bug is not a change!

Who wants to change the things they're comfortable with? Who ever said 'Get out of the comfort zone' must have been sitting in the AC for too long. If you could have named yourself, what would it have been? :-)

But then we miss out the shots we don't take (I try hard to make myself understand this, but as am a hopeless procastinator, by the time I make my mind to catch up with life, it's time for a new change). When I was 10, I missed the shot because I could not CHANGE the darts. So you see dear people; in this fast moving world, the idea is to embrace the change we value, rather than playing catching up with every thing! I would try to follow this in every walk of life :-)

PS:

You tell me how should we know it's time to change?

[1.] change before everyone changes; [2.] try to follow the leader; [3.] when your t-shirt starts stinking; [4.] What the heck, life is going fine;

PPS:

Remember Sonu Nigam's 'do kadam aur sahi'?

zindagi haath mila…saath chal, saath mein aa;

umr bhar saath rahee

do kadam aur sahi…

koi suraj ki dagar, koi sone ka nagar;

chaand ke rath pe chale, jahaan thehre yeh nazar;

dhup dariyaaon mein hai, phir safar paaon mein hai, dil ka aawara diya, doosre gaaon mein hai

aao chale hum wahi
do kadam aur sahi…do kadam aur sahi…do kadam aur sahi…

About this blog

2007-04-28T21:36:00.000+05:30

Well...In the last post I mentioned about the blog going nowhere. Since then have been thinking of making it more meaningful. This blog has grown like a personal diary, which now I somewhat feel should not be the case. Thus yours truly is now working on some idea, which, if implemented, will make this page more interesting to read. I will try my best to make it see the light of 'publishing'.

There has been only one person who has given some comments and that too is anonymous. I would very much like to know this person and share the thoughts. So if you're reading, dear reader, don't blur the image under 'Anonymous'.

PS:

Prepare yourself for truth: Deja Vu (2006) - Denzel Washington, Paula Patton

At the heels of Life

2007-04-26T01:25:00.000+05:30

Calvin is right. Life’s weird. And I’m a weirdo!

Well this hour is not passing so quickly but the last hour slipped out of my hand like sand. More I tighten the grip, the more I loose. So, again on philosophical note, simply trying to play; trying to not to waste too much thought on life and outcomes.

I’m still thinking of how to shape up this blog. It ain’t going anywhere. Any ideas? This week has seen a lot of things – meeting dealers, registering domain, attending cousin’s marriage and reading. Talking of marriage – no one answered to my questions from previous post. If there are some hits, then there should be some comments as well.

Well I don’t want to play a spoilsport over here, but a question keeps coming – How can one define happiness? What if a person is happy and if I tell him that the other person has got more than him, will her/his state of happiness continue? Why do we keep on worrying for inconsequential things?

The essence is why I can’t compartmentalize the life - Maybe because compartmentalization is hard to achieve and is a sign of maturity. How can I prevent happenings in my life to follow sine curve? It’s hard to detach oneself from the dreams, his/her work, and his /her love. The problem is when he/she can’t achieve as per his thoughts; when he/she can’t detach from the life.

PS:

Everyone longs for love – Artificial Intelligence (2001), Haley Joel, Frances O’Connor

Q: [A]. Is ‘Caring and Sharing’ same as that of loving someone?
[B]. Can one be satisfied with the unconditional love?

Can't help writing the lyrics of this beautiful song:

When you love someone - you do anything,

You do all the crazy things that you cant explain,

You shoot the moon - put out the sun, when you love someone...

You deny the truth - believe a lie,

There'll be times that you'll believe you can really fly,

But your lonely nights - have just begun, when you love someone...

When you love someone - you feel it deep inside,

And nothin else can ever change your mind

When you want someone - when you need someone, when you love someone...

When you love someone - you sacrifice,

You'd give it everything you got and you wont think twice

You'd risk it all - no matter what may come, when you love someone...

You shoot the moon - put out the sun, when you love someone...

Bryan Adam's voice does wonders to it!

Thoughts in a traffic jam

2007-04-19T22:56:00.000+05:30

Was stuck in traffic for 2 hours today. It's a pity that to cover a tad 30 km stretch, my Flora (Hyundai Santro) takes 2 hours on Delhi roads. Had it been some freeway, it would have been a such a pleasant (makhan) ride. Though I love to drive, I love to be at helm of affairs, but these days I loathe being on driver's seat.

Anyways, when you're alone and stuck in traffic, your thoughts wander. They move through the happenings of the day, what you could have done better, how you'll respond to the questions thrown by Today and how it would have been great if there was some cola and chips in the car (and a nice chick to talk to) :-).

But then I realized that God parceled all the beauty to Belgium, things have improved over the week and secrets were shared with the Known-One. Apart from these I also realized that:

- Expectations hurt; Only if they're out of your sphere of influence.

- Life is a puzzle; In retrospect, each piece falls into it's place.

- Dreams do come true; Only that one has to work towards them without much expectations of the result.

- Know how to react; It's the reactions that shape up the life.

- Life meets at corners; But working hard is what prepares and pays.

- Fight; Quitting is not an option.

- Sorting out wrinkles is tough; But then smiling gives power.

PS:
One dream is enough to light up the whole sky - October Sky (1999), Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper

Q: Why do we marry? [1.] Just that age is catching up with me, Or [2.] I want some company, Or [3.] My parents forced me, Or [4.] I want to have a legal physical relationship and raise kids..., Or [5.] That I found someone for whom I can do anything and want to see her/him smiling at any cost?

I vouch for an unconditional love! What about you?

Don't get mad, Get even

2007-04-18T21:01:00.000+05:30

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." - Mahatma Gandhi

We all love heroes - irrespective of culture, caste, nationality. Am not different from others and I too am touched by the heroic deeds of the others. For me, KNOWN-ONE is the source of booster doses. I got one more - "Don't get mad, get even". This made me think -

At least God gives you something (though I now do accept that His ways are different), and
How to develop the 'Never say die' and 'fighting' attitude?

I'm not worried about the hard work I've to put to achieve the targets. The problem with me is that I let go off the things so easily that I sometimes feel helpless. And as put by Russell Crowe, I feel terrified, petrified, mortified, stupified by life. But now I want to change this. I want to getup and start all over again if I hit the bottom.

To begin with, for every problem, solutions will be figured out; decisions will be taken INTIME; and no repenting upon them. And then fight will be given in all the things - from Table Tennis matches to the discussions in the boardroom; from Kabaddi to wooing a girl.

Hence onwards, a transformation will be brought about. Life is the function of you and your actions. I'll give fight, no matter what. Who knows, someone might be watching me!

PS: Remmber the Titans (2000) - Denzel Washington, Will Patton

I can watch this movie any number of times.

Q: What is the goal in life? Does planning for the goals help? (I'm only talking about long term ones).

Of the games and stories

2007-04-15T18:40:00.000+05:30

Inner voices voted out the dragging of life in this state. Everyone has the option to select and the paths to choose. Trying to identify my sphere of influence and trying NOT to bother about the circle I can't control. Though the second option seems bit difficult at this hour. No wonder these thoughts take over you. Only if I can start this game all over, I wonder if I would have played any differently. I also wonder how someone else would have faired. But then am not a renegade one.

Just to distract the thoughts, thinking to cultivate the skill of story telling. Somehow there are not many links in my grey cells, and I only end up with facts instead of links and fiction. But then one must admit that story telling is an art and I wonder if this can be cultivated anyway or only the ones having quotas get them.

We all do stories - to children, to friends, to colleagues, in a sales pitch, to ourselves! There should be something while telling the tales - the roles should come to life; they should talk and sing and move. The rules are simple - one starts with an introduction, moves to tell the tale and then adds the punch line which makes it one of the best things listeners ever heard. Doing the research lead to the following points to make the difference (src http://www.storytell.com.au):

Adjust the delivery by selecting tone, loudness, rhythm, expression, movement. Voice should shape the words to figures of fancy.

Choose your words and style

Check what audience wants

As with other skills, Practice

Carefully select the stories to tell i.e. choose your content

Try and refine

So just try and mesmerize all those who come in the vicinity of your words.

PS: A Beautiful Mind (2001) - He Saw The World In A Way No One Could Have Imagined; Russell Crowe, Ed Harris

Listening to 'lamha lamha doori kyon pighalti hai, jaane kis aag mein yeh shabnam jalti hai...' from gangster.

PPS: I dream of being with the KNOWN-ONE !

Love me the most when I deserve it least

2007-04-12T18:51:00.000+05:30

Someone was so true in saying:

"Love me the most when I deserve it least"

Love here is a feeling, a belief, a reassurance; son asking mother, follower asking God, he asking her, a friend asking the other! I look around and far, only to find crowd. I think and dream.

Love me the most, when I deserve the least,
Hold my stern, if I wad away...
Show me to rise, when I'd a fall...
Be there to light my world, when they're leaving all,
when time comes to halt and life cease to exist,
Love me the most, when I deserve the least !!

There are people who deserve life; there are others who've in abundance. Chris at least had a goal in 'The Pursuit of Happiness', I don't have any in sight.

The Pursuit Of Happiness(2007) - Will Smith, Jaden Smith

Please pray for me

2007-04-11T20:15:00.000+05:30

Committed one of the biggest mistakes of my life on 10th Apr! The tensions and strains of one part of my life erupted at someplace else. I wish I could have more control over outburst of emotions and have more luck at my side (maybe everyone thinks that way). I wish I could think before any action I take. I would go to any length to sort it out but then every one has a truck loads of wishes. Whose will come true?

This is not a stressed out soul talking. It's the life missing something which others won't even notice. And then I question myself "am I among the few who crib for it or is there anyway to make life better without having it?".

But some times life hurts; and it hurts badly. This one touched my life as well; I've done some irrepairable damage. I wouldn't have done that in my dreams. I don't want to loose those goneby moments; they are so few in my life; only during breaks or sometime during chat sessions. Such is the immaturity level that I still dream of a fairy coming and taking me into the woods.

Things have gone from bad to worse since the last post. They say prayers have great power. Please pray for me that everything goes back to what I left as on first week of April.

tere naina talash karein jise

2007-04-02T22:05:00.000+05:30

Listening to beautiful number sung by Manna Dey. It goes "tere naina talash karein jise woh to hai tere paas diwaane... tere naina..."

More than 95% of people would be ready to trade places with me in life, but still something is missing. What is that I'm looking for? Why at the end I've only this LCD screen to talk with? Ain't these are the days about which we dreamt of in our enigineering hostels? Why am I hollow? Are the smiles around me fake? Or is it that I'm the only one discontent? Is it same way with everyone?

Why is it so that life doesn't tread the path I want? Why is it so that I'm always being reminded that it's not your game? And from where I get the energy to push and jostle, to fight for the things I want, but the very next moment I feel helpless? Is it same way with everyone?

I know the hard work is the mantra... or some will say smart work is the punch. But why i get the positive outcomes in only quarter of cases? Why I want to have something which can't be mine? Why I long for the lost moments? And for the moments which can't be there? Are these too much of expectations and dreams? Is it same way with everyone?

The Step

2007-04-02T20:19:00.000+05:30

Afraid of taking first step. It's always a big one and one fears of falling down into the depths. But chasms can't be crossed with two small steps; it has to be A big one! Let's story.

Anant was sincere and a hardworking fellow working for an advertising agency. Neha was dynamic and giggling, always donning that 'she's an angel' smile. Both were working on same assigment for nearly 3 months for now. The results were good, they were meeting milestones as planned. It was a warm evening, both walking past the high rise official complex:

(A): we seem to be on target. This project is going as scheduled. I don;t want any hiccups at this stage. We've working like hell.
(N): Yes. you've put a lot of effort. Wanna coffee?
(A): Sure. How about the demo to the Mr. V (Boss) some time tomorrow?
(N): Suits me!
(A): How is mom doing back at home?

They njoyed sharing the words, thoughts, joys and sorrows; this has been the 10th evening they're coffeeing together in past fortnight. It was (N) who asked (A) out at first; and the only answer she got from (A) was "at 7 PM".

Somehow in good times everyone wants to hold on to time. It always seems in hurry. Even I wish I could cling on to it! They wished the same as street lamps passed over their heads.

Six months passed by and the ad was a roaring success. Everyone in the office talked about their hardwork. Time came for the official word. To A's surprise, N was given credit of the success of the ad. The last 10 months A has worked like hell and all he got was "continue with the same spirit", while N was showered with praise and hike.

There are times when a moment seems to take years, as if afraid of moving forward. The cold jittery winds were blowing, both walking by as street lamps watched the shadows drooping by.

Should these things matter in life?

Common Problems and ways to generate revenue

2007-03-07T20:45:00.000+05:30

Lane Driving

Can anyone imagine driving in lanes in Delhi or for that matter any where in India? Well I tried to and it was such a nice feeling. Why can’t our traffic cops enforce the rule to drive in lanes (if there are any)? As per the study, when someone drives in lanes, the average time to reach the destination is less than that of not following the lanes. Then why should not we preach LANE DRIVING IS SAFE & FAST DRIVING?

Solution: If implemented, it’ll be a money minting scheme for DP. Put the cameras at various points on the highways and next day send the tickets to the defaulters.

Number of vehicles in Delhi’s road = 2.6 Million (as per 2005 survey)
Number of passenger cars on Delhi-Gurgaon road per day = 150,000
http://www.roadtraffic-technology.com/projects/delhi-gurgaon/
Lane Driving violation fine = 500 INR
Net revenue per day on Delhi-Gurgaon road = INR 7.5 crores

Do this for a week and you’ll be generating cool INR 52.5 crores. And this will be just for one road in NCR J. DP should give some kind of medal to me.

Right of the Ways for Ambulances

Ever happened to be in situation where no one listens to ambulance sirens and ambulances stuck in traffics? I personally feel guilty about it. So why not we preach ‘give way to ambulances’?

Solution: This will be another solution of which DP will be proud of me. Put the cameras in front of ambulances. The erring drivers can be pictured by drivers at will. The camera will be operational only when the ambulance is on move and siren is wailing.

Right of the way for Ambulance violation fine = 1000 INR (after all it’s a matter of someone’s life)
Average number of vehicles in front of Ambulance daily = 1000
Net monthly revenue per ambulance = INR 1,000,000

Ideas Rule - Fundoo Idea # 1

2007-02-03T22:40:00.000+05:30

In India, more and more counts are enjoying coffee. We're so getting used to it that while driving people feel like coffee-ing. Well the great business idea is to open a coffee chain. Nothing new till this point, right?
Well this chain will be a drive-through & take-away chain. The idea is to setup coffee shops near busy roads (say Delhi - Gurgaon). People can drive through and njoy the sip. The coffee bars will be open 18x7.

Infrastructure: The area will be a 2 storeyed spiral with 5 converging lanes. Vehicles will enter the viccinity at one level and leave from the other. Thus at a time 5 cars can be served. Furthermore, the cashless transactions will be encouraged; coffee cards will be provided for say 1, 5, 10... drinks. Thus serving time will reduce (maximum serving time has to be less than 2 mins) and people can njoy steamy hot drink during drives in winters.

Tech Help: Technology will be of help as well. Consumers will be able to place the order on mobiles. Once the consumer drives in, the order will be passed on to the corresponding mbl number.

So anyone for partnerships? I hope people will pass me on the royality if they happen to steal the ideas.

PS: Think about going back home sipping spiked coffee. All my tensions evaporated at the mere thought of it!

Serendiptiy

2007-01-27T21:28:00.000+05:30

Someone said it very appropriate - "Life happens at corners". It's one of the premises which can be taken as a premise or axiom to prove the happenings in the life. If one turns back towards life, in retrospect, everything falls at place and completes the picture.

Getting philosophical - ain't it! But why should not I. Why most of us are worried in taking that FIRST step? Even if we've our innerself chanting 'you can do it'!

Looking for the answer to the question -

DO THE THINGS HAPPEN AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO? If not, then why do we have serendipity?

Serendipty: John Cusack, Kate Beckinsale (2001)

Where in Japan

2006-07-06T10:25:00.000+05:30

Just thought to add some important links for all the terrified, petrified souls traveling to or are in Japan!

About Japan:
http://www.japan-guide.com/

Train route search, fare, travel time:
http://grace.hyperdia.com/
http://www.tokyometro.jp/e/index.html

Phone Cards:
www.bwi.jp/en/mci/mci-about.html
www.brastel.com/Pages/eng/home/

Japanese Language online basic course:
http://www.guidetojapanese.org/
www.sf.airnet.ne.jp/~ts/japanese/cover.html

Classifieds:
www.classifieds.japantoday.com/
www.tokyonoticeboard.co.jp/classified.html

Indian Restaurants:
www.indiandinner.com

Tourist Organization:
www.jnto.go.jp

For Parents:
www.tokyowithkids.com

News:
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/

Misc:
www.goo.ne.jp
http://www.zone81.com/

Accommodation:
http://www.timeout.com/tokyo/accom.xml?ar=7&cg=1

Crystal Village
1-2-10 Arai, Nakano-ku (3388 7625/fax 3388 7627/crystal.iijima@nifty.ne.jp). Nakano station. Credit AmEx, MC, V.

Fontana
3-31-5 Chuo, Nakano-ku (3382 0151/fax 3382 0018/fontana@gol.com). Shin-Nakano station. No credit cards.

Hoyo
Tokyo Hoyo Daini Bldg, 4-19-7 Kita-Shinjuku, Shinjuku (3362 0658/fax 3362 9438/hoyo-tokyo@md.neweb. ne.jp). Higashi-Nakano station. No credit cards.

Sakura House K-1 Bldg 8F, 7-2-6 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku (5330 5250/fax 5330 5251/info@sakura-house.com/ www.sakura-house.com). Shinjuku station. No credit cards.

Tokyu Stay 8-14, Shinsen-cho, Shibuya-ku (3477 1091/fax 3477 1092/www.tokyustay.co.jp/english/shibuya/). Shibuya station. Credit AmEx, JCB, MC, V.

J & F (Japanese & Foreigner) Apartments http://jafnet.co.jp/plaza/monthly/monthly/monthlye.html

U & I House http://home.att.ne.jp/sun/U-I_house/

LeoPalace21 http://www.leopalace21.com/asia/english/index.html

Morris International? http://www.cdnetguide.ca/international/Japan.htm

For everything else, there is google!

Software to Rags to Riches

2006-06-27T02:02:00.000+05:30

Am in Aquarian & Piscean cusp and a dreamer! (Nice statement to start with)
Am not sure but as per Linda Goodman, Pisceans like to dream - from 'heading the nations' to 'roaming in Beemers' to 'Saving chics (read abala naris) from villans' - they really like to dream. Though I don't dream to that extent but at least Linda put it that way - Pisces are dreamers and have a lovely [:-)] imagination!
.....
.....
Piscean (P): Bass! Project is NOT possible in 6 person-months.
Boss (B): I know P, you can do it. I'll help you but we've to complete this in 6 months. I'm with you.
Boss to Unit Head: Bass! P thinks project is doable within 6 months and is an exciting opportunity for him and his team.
UH: Good... Good...

6 months later...Project need another 4 person-months
P: Bass! I told you it's not possible.
B to UH: Bass! P was not able to keep the deadlines. He should be fired.
UH: Good... Good...

P is fired. He's not able to find any job (no demand for Project Leaders) and is forced to take on to cab-driving. One day, after the gruelling night shift, P sees a Merc alongside the road with driver busy replacing a flat tire.

P: Need help?
Driver (D): Memsaab ko office ke liye late ho raha hai.
P: Ma'am! Want me to take you to the office?
Ma'am (M): Thinks (P angrezi bol raha hai). OK
As it turns out, M is a CxO in a self startup
P: Ma'am! What are you reading?
M: Not able to solve this piece of code.
P: Ma'am! Can I've a look?
M: Thinks (Cabbie kya dekhega? Anyways de deti hoon)
P handsover 5 pages of code...
P: Ma'am! Is this a Web Service in a Service Oriented Architecture interface? Line # 45 has bug - Ismein to inner for loop break nahin kiya?

Ma'am checks out, impressed...
M: Would you like to work for me?
P: I would love to. Partners?
M: Done. Join from tomorrow.
P: am grateful Ma'am.

After 6 months...
M: P! You'll look after these 3 verticals - Retail, Aeronautics, Automobile!
P: Gladly... Thank you ma'am... You recognized my potential.
M: Don't call me Ma'am, call me Sheila!

Roomie(R): Abey uth ja!
P: Was I dreaming?
R: Did you manage to estimate the effort for the portal for auctioning refurbished hankies and socks?
P: Oh S***... Bass is going to fire me today!

Boooossssssssssss!

PS: I do realize that my thoughts are not making heads and tails! But that's what Pisceans do at 3'o clock in the morning!

Cherry Blossoms

2006-06-26T08:25:00.000+05:30

Ney has always been a bundle of energy, and today it radiated on his face. It was a beautiful Saturday morning in April, the best possible time of the year in Tokyo. The day in the calendar read 'Meet Kito' and was marked in pink.

If one likes flowers and dreams, he's to be in Japan in April. The month marks cherry blooms across the country providing an eyefull of sight. The white, the pink, the not-so-pink; in the parks, adjoining railway tracks, along with canals, on the mountains - every kind of cherry flowers and everyplace.

Ney looked at the watch which was sheepishly striking five past 9 in the morning. He still has 2 hours for the moment he's been waiting for a fortnight. He picked up his crutches and started a long walk towards the train station. There was somekind of pattern in his walk - his steps wobbled as if he was trying to balance something heavy - a mark on deformity. Life has been challenging ever since he left the playground in his nursery class - left for being ridiculed and physically handicapped. Ney catpulted this setback to success and was about receive his Doctorate in Algorithms and Design.

Kito was a cheerful and smiling face, that was not so easy to forget in the theatre. To add the charms of the mole, she was known in the university for her Financial Mathematics' genius. She'd this uncanny ability to solve mathematical problems which left everyone with a gasp - Students and professors alike.
Though Ney and Kito both were famous in the university and the city, they never got a chance to meet each other. Except for the degrees they held, neither of them knew anything about the other.

Ney boarded the train which will take him to the destination, another 1 hour away and he let his thoughts wander. With a clean Sudoku puzzle in hand, he was trying to find trying to device an algorithm to solve the Sudoku in least number of passes. Something struck him when he looked at the lady in the adjoining seat.
She'd some aura of logic and intelligence. He held his sight, which was now directly colliding with hers. Attracted by his presence, she came to the seat besides him and asked "Can I've a look at the sheet?" He handed over the sheet to her and mentioned "OlogN passes but I'm confused about the constant". In no time both were busy with algorithm and Sudoku as if they're working on it for quite some time.
...
...

The journey came to end. It was time to go. Both disembarked off the train - He holding her hand and she held on to the puzzle - her hair shining bright in the April sun. Her mole increasing her beauty manifolds.

Pricey Possessions

2006-06-23T07:37:00.000+05:30

Japan has a nice chunk of population using cycles for daily activities. Infact, near every train station, there are large bicycle stands, capable enough of stocking 3000-5000 bicycles. There are daily, weekly and monthly passes available for these stands. This infrastructure allows more and more people to use public transport. It has the second largest number of Passenger Km/year - 391billion (first is India - 404 Billion). fyi area of Japan, including nearly 3000 islands, is one-ninth that of India.

Talking of bicycle reminds me of our pricey possession. We'd a bicycle - Avon 22" Black color - which was a marvel at it's time. It was the part of our family and tradition. When in Chandigarh, it used to rest under the guava tree. It was taken to everyplace - from canteens to markets to schools to playgrounds! It was also the mode of journey to office for my dad. The Saturday evenings were meant for scheduled cleaning and oiling. On Sunday mornings, it was taken to the grounds to watch us play cricket (Sector 19 vs Sector 20), though all the players were from the family - young, not-so-old, thin, fat, males, females. After match it used to be time for lunch. Evenings were meant for temples or gurudwara or market. Those were fun filled days.

Then dad was transferred to Delhi and as with us, our 'Avon' got a room for it's own. But as it happens with everyone in such a big city - Avon has grown lonely and time took its toll! Life was moving too fast for her and we're not able to do the justice with Avon. Then came the 'ankhon ka tara' Santro (Flora). Ever since Flora took the place - part of the family - the Avon was completely neglected. Then came a time when Avon refused to move, forget about running. And came the tearless end to Avon - it was given off to someone - Someone whose eyes shone as he watched at it gleefully. Who rode it as if Avon is the most precious belonging he has. And now Avon is the part of his family!
Am glad for her!

PS: btw Australia reached last 16. Can we hire Guss Hiddink for our cricket team?

Samurani Blue - Japan at Worldcup

2006-06-14T19:47:00.000+05:30

As am in Tokyo these days and actively glued to TV set watching a sphere being kicked here and there in beautiful lush green striped marvels of german engineering. Yes the 18th edition of FIFA world cup has started. Brazil won the record 8th game in the world cup. Japan and Korea, being the hosts of 2002 FIFA world cup, automatically qualified for the finals. Game between Australia and Japan was on the watch list for two reasons:

1. Can Guss Hiddink do to Australia what he did to Korea

2. How the Japanese can beat Australian defenders

By the end of game, both the questions were answered.

btw here are some interesting facts:

a. India though never qualified for the world cup, was asked to join the 1950 world cup. But Indians couldn't attend it coz the rule was to play with shoes on while Indians were used to barefoot play.

b. The Berlin stadium (where the Brazil played their first game this time) is the one where 1936 Olympics took place (Hitler was the one to flag off those games).

c. The world cup balls are Made in Pakistan.

d. The winner will pocket the cool $21.5 million.

Yosoko Japan

2006-06-14T16:59:00.000+05:30

Japan - The Land of Rising Sun!

Sitting besides the window in The Maharaja, I was thinking of encounters I'm going to make for the next 6 weeks, which ultimately were extended to 8 months (more on that later). Though I've been to Osaka during transit, but the the real world is beyond the airport walls (or glass for Osaka). So there I was going to Tokyo and was excited to be in the land of Samurai and Gizmos. I was about to be in the place where everything will be miracle and sci-fi. After all who won't be awed by the the Tokyo footages shown on the TV (which always is one of the three locations in Tokyo - Shibuya or Shinjuku or Ginza).

But the Dreams were shattered immediately after keeping the foot on NARITA INTERNATIONAL. Though everywhere there are signboards in English, but I bet you'll agree with me that whichever be the place, you need to ask the people for directions if you're visiting it for the first time. And this is a place where still most of the educated people don't know the Royal language. But in the begining itself I would like to give more than full marks to the Japanese society - These guys try to help you out - genuine help. At the Airport Limo counter, all you've to do is present the address and they'll let you know the nearest hotel where the Limo will drop you off! I took a cab from the hotel to my apartment where the next shock was awaiting me.

As I entered the apartment, I remembered Arshad Warsi from Munnabhai MBBS - "Bhai yeh room to shuru hote hi khatam ho gaya'. Due to space crunch, the mansions and apartments in Tokyo are very very small (I could touch the opposite walls of a room while straightening up). So my dear friend, if you've been to USA's of the world, do curb your expectations.
If you're not blessed enough and are going without any known soul in that place, you can rely on McD, Pizza Hut, 7-11, Laswson for food till you start hating every item on the menu starting with P and B.

Slowly and steadily you start to appreciate the amount of thinking gone behind any task. Traveling in Tokyo is not a thing to crib! Beautiful mesh of trains cover the entire city with a station within 1km or radius at any point. You can top up your mobile and use it at any station and some of the vending machines. Inside the train, a screen above every door shows the next station, the connecting trains and the door which will open - mihi (right) or hidari (left). One will also notice the escalators and width of stairs is dependent on the number of people passing through it! Another observation was that the airconditioners are nearby gates because that is the place where most of the people stand. For each platform, a different sound is used to notify the arrival and closure of gates of the train.

Tokyo has various options for food-lovers (if you are OK with non-veg). Ranging from Sushi and Soba to Italian and Indian - everything is available. Though you gotta try Japanese Pizza(Okonomiyaki) and should go for Yakitori. There are various places around Shibuya and Shinjuku. If tired or sad, you can dish out your frustrations at Roppongi. The area is frequented by foreigners (everyone speaks english here) and houses various clubs and bars.

April is the month of Cherry blossoms and Sumos. Japanese enjoy the cherry blooms and organize drinking parties under the cherry trees. Again due to the space issues, it might be the case that you're having a can of beer, under the cherry tree, in a large cemetry! But in and all a pleasant experience. Sumo is the Japanese form of wrestling. Sumo has its roots in the shinto religion. The matches were dedicated to the gods in prayers for a good harvest. The wrestling match is all about pushing or throwing the opponent out of the doyo - the ring - or to bring the other guy down on the floor. There are 6 grand Sumo tournaments each year. The highest ranking is 'Yokozuna'.

contd...

Am I lucky?

2006-06-14T16:57:00.000+05:30

Was asked to NEVER EVER GIVE UP!

Have I joined the race?

2006-06-13T18:08:00.000+05:30

Have I joined the race? Phewwwww... I'm blogging!