I have come to the conclusion that I can't have any habit. I tried several times to set up a routine, like wake up early in the morning, finish work out, get into work by 8.30 am, get out by 6.00 pm, cook nice warm dinner, spend sometime reading books/watching tv, get a good night's sleep. Unfortunately, hasn't quite happened. I manage to do some one day and the rest the other day, not all the same day. Anyway, holidays time! I believe a lot of offices have allowed their employees to work from home next week until Jan 2nd 2008. It was weird leaving work today. This would technically be my third new year at this client site. As I look back, I've crossed some miles(tones), learnt some things, frustrated at some more. I wonder how the next year will look like.
As I started my car, I realized a tiny feeling of excitement in my stomach. This was like the one I used to have after I hand in my last exam paper. With that funny feeling in my tummy, I used to walk out of the exam hall reminding myself the list of things to do before I pack my bags and leave the campus for the semester. To say I miss those days doesn't quite capture the feeling.
Anyway, back to 2007, I am excited about this break. It might not be a real break, as I would be still working. Nevertheless, to me it means waking up and not doing the same things over and over again (or feeling guilty of having missed doing a few things). It means doing things that I might never do on regular days. I am definitely looking forward to these days. I am hoping that when I get into the train to get to work, I will think of these days as one of the most wonderful times of all.
So Happy Holidays everyone! Hope you find happiness and spread it as you go along.
Cheers!
ps: I think my car is growing bigger day by day. I find it difficult to park into my carport with ease ( I used to be able to do it before). Isn't supposed to shrink in winter?
Friday, December 21, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
is it me?
May be it is me being a woman, but I am just UNABLE to see the beauty in these ladies to figure them out Super Models! Other than Alessandra, I do not see the beauty in any other of the models..bah!
Monday, December 10, 2007
more vices
As the festival season approaches, I am picking up more bad habits. Recently discovered tastiest combo:
- pop tarts and coffee (one pop tart the size of a playing card is 200 calories!)
- baby carrots and ranch (150 calories a serving out of which 140 is from fat!),
- one tiny spoon of pnb in the morning with coffee (calorie count too evil to write)
- marshmallows dipped in chocolate fondue fountain!
too guilty to reveal more such indulgences..
- pop tarts and coffee (one pop tart the size of a playing card is 200 calories!)
- baby carrots and ranch (150 calories a serving out of which 140 is from fat!),
- one tiny spoon of pnb in the morning with coffee (calorie count too evil to write)
- marshmallows dipped in chocolate fondue fountain!
too guilty to reveal more such indulgences..
Thursday, December 06, 2007
How confident?
So the new reports indicate that Iran stopped nuclear weapon development technology in 2003. All eyes are now focussed on the Intelligence Analysts in CIA to substantiate the 180 degree flip in the results of their analysis. After having just made a huge boo-boo (read Iraq), the CIA is just as nervous about the report as a newly wedded bride.
Even two weeks ago, I heard on the radio that US was pressing the UN to issue sanctions against Iran. Words as strong as 'avoid WWIII' (gosh, it is scary even to write this out), 'axis of evil' were used.
Well, now that the CIA turns around and say ' hey, Iran isn't immediate trouble', I wonder how US is going to react. Of course, there wasn't any mistake, right? Be aware, reports state that CIA was moderately confident (as opposed to strongly confident?) that Iran was enriching uranium for development of nuclear war heads (for violent purposes). And now, they are firmly confident that the enrichment has stopped in 2003, but cannot be firmly confident that the activities wouldn't begin again. I can see a smug on your face by now.
This is the same CIA whose reports triggered an extremely serious decisions - the Iraq war. There are other views that that CIA was under pressure to 'make their reports' support the current administration which already murmured about attacking Iraq.
It makes me wonder several things. No matter how much pressure was mounted on the analysts, wouldn't the chiefs/heads just close their eyes and imagine the chaos in the lives of civilians due to the war? What about the implications on the economy? The war is costing (optimistic estimate) more than $2 trillion (with a 'T'!), the huge elephant(that is being ignored)- veteran's health insurance and care, separated and changed forever families, just to name a few. How could one sleep after having caused such a big change in the world? But seems like they learnt from the past. Reports on the radio/tv/internet, indicate that the CIA employed 'new' techniques during analysis of the data. Specific highlight seems to be on the employment of this group to play the Devil's advocate. Forgive me here, I have someone playing that role for decisions as small as changing my hair style! Are you just telling me that this wasn't used while considering invading Iraq? Has human life become such a commodity that has value lesser than a new hair cut? I couldn't help but wonder.
So, does this mean that US invaded Iraq as the intelligence reports were 'firmly confident' but in case of Iran, they are only 'moderately confident' and hence would wait?
Well, of course, Word -play? Are we gauging the level of confidence with a confidence-o-meter?
Even two weeks ago, I heard on the radio that US was pressing the UN to issue sanctions against Iran. Words as strong as 'avoid WWIII' (gosh, it is scary even to write this out), 'axis of evil' were used.
Well, now that the CIA turns around and say ' hey, Iran isn't immediate trouble', I wonder how US is going to react. Of course, there wasn't any mistake, right? Be aware, reports state that CIA was moderately confident (as opposed to strongly confident?) that Iran was enriching uranium for development of nuclear war heads (for violent purposes). And now, they are firmly confident that the enrichment has stopped in 2003, but cannot be firmly confident that the activities wouldn't begin again. I can see a smug on your face by now.
This is the same CIA whose reports triggered an extremely serious decisions - the Iraq war. There are other views that that CIA was under pressure to 'make their reports' support the current administration which already murmured about attacking Iraq.
It makes me wonder several things. No matter how much pressure was mounted on the analysts, wouldn't the chiefs/heads just close their eyes and imagine the chaos in the lives of civilians due to the war? What about the implications on the economy? The war is costing (optimistic estimate) more than $2 trillion (with a 'T'!), the huge elephant(that is being ignored)- veteran's health insurance and care, separated and changed forever families, just to name a few. How could one sleep after having caused such a big change in the world? But seems like they learnt from the past. Reports on the radio/tv/internet, indicate that the CIA employed 'new' techniques during analysis of the data. Specific highlight seems to be on the employment of this group to play the Devil's advocate. Forgive me here, I have someone playing that role for decisions as small as changing my hair style! Are you just telling me that this wasn't used while considering invading Iraq? Has human life become such a commodity that has value lesser than a new hair cut? I couldn't help but wonder.
So, does this mean that US invaded Iraq as the intelligence reports were 'firmly confident' but in case of Iran, they are only 'moderately confident' and hence would wait?
Well, of course, Word -play? Are we gauging the level of confidence with a confidence-o-meter?
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Facevalue sur Facebook
$10 billion to $15 billion..seriously, are you kidding me? We aren't talking about monopoly money here right?
News has it that MS and Giant G are vying for their share on Facebook at the above mentioned value. And in what joy?
The valuation is a huge bubble ready to burst. There is young traffic spending significant portion of their time on the website, I agree, but the revenue that can be generated from this traffic hasn't been estimated. What surprises me is that Google is interested in this networking site while it hosts/supports its own - Orkut. I do believe MS also has its own gig going on in this arena.. I do believe Mark Zuckerberg turned down the first buy out option, which was a wise thing to do. Yet, the current valuations seem senseless.
On another track, Giant G's share prices are ..well, is there anything above roof top?Apple more than tripled in its share price..are we are inside another bubble?
News has it that MS and Giant G are vying for their share on Facebook at the above mentioned value. And in what joy?
The valuation is a huge bubble ready to burst. There is young traffic spending significant portion of their time on the website, I agree, but the revenue that can be generated from this traffic hasn't been estimated. What surprises me is that Google is interested in this networking site while it hosts/supports its own - Orkut. I do believe MS also has its own gig going on in this arena.. I do believe Mark Zuckerberg turned down the first buy out option, which was a wise thing to do. Yet, the current valuations seem senseless.
On another track, Giant G's share prices are ..well, is there anything above roof top?Apple more than tripled in its share price..are we are inside another bubble?
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Karma Kitchen
Over the weekend that went by, I finally got out and started doing somethings that I've been wanting to do since a really long time: charity and volunteering.
Sat evening, B and myself decided to help out at this interesting place called Karma Kitchen. A good one hour drive to Berkeley with music. I did not use the time to reflect..I was just stressed at the thought of spending 6 full hours in a restaurant. Restau? yah..Karma Kitchen is actually run at a small and cozy restaurant in Berkeley. Every sat evening, a group of enthusiastic, skeptic or just curious volunteers meet up at this cozy place and spend the next 6 hours just 'spreading joy'.
We were greeted by energetic Viru, Pavi and Lalita. Don't get me wrong, I don't connect with people easily. I am cautious and skeptic in the beginning(I know, not a great way to start off). I stood there waiting awkwardly silent. I am usually awkward only when I am silent! :). It means I am uncomfortable and don't know what to say or do. Pavi and Viru's team was a blessing. They instantly got down into business and started with some moving around things, just to get us all warmed up.
At around 4.00 pm, we all round up and sat down for introductions. We had an interesting group..we were 2 husband-wife teams, one brother-sister team, couple of enthusiastic old timers..and a quiet and observing reporter. Each of us gave our 2 cents and it was interesting to note how the 'invisible hand' gently pushed us to volunteering that specific evening at Karma Kitchen.
By 5.00 pm, we were given roles (which we could switch after couple of hours) and were ready to serve with generosity. It was indeed a different experience. I started out waiting tables. That is when I realized how much a waitress needs to do; Fill Water, Smile, Ask how they are doing; Hand out menu; Smile ; Give them a few mins to have a look...check back to see if they have any questions; take down orders for salads; check if they want to order the rest; if not give leave them one menu and take the remaining;place order for salads; check if any other table is filled and ready for you;chit chat with your table; serve salads (gracefully)..you get the idea. B found it hard (and I must admit, I did too!) to remember which ones were vegan, which ones preferred non buttered naan, which ones did not want peas..and so on. But one big attitude difference, the relationship was not based on transaction. Our customers were not upset, they were not rushed, they were not impatient. We did have a table that was waiting for nearly 45 mins before one of us served them!It wasn't the craziest of nights, I was told, but it still seemed quiet bustling and busy to me..
So, what is different?Small acts of kindness to brighten someone's day. The theme for the entire evening was random acts of kindness. We were there to serve people, that was it. There was no other agenda, no selling of any other ideas, no 'vote for XXX', nothing..it was plain and simple. Our customers were not customers, they were our guests. We spread happiness through food. They were not obliged to pay. The idea is that the guests before them already paid for their food. If they chose to they could pay for someone else's meal. Simple, isn't it? One tends to wonder how this concept works. Amazingly enough, Karma Kitchen was self sustaining for over 6 months! Everyone who serves on Sat nights were volunteers. We were all there to serve, sans ego, sans grudge, sans prejudice..and it was a down-to-earth, warm fun!
We all ultimately wound up at around 11.00 pm. After a quick round of 'how was the experience?', we bid adieu and went our ways. Somehow, the idea stuck to my head. Badri couldn't resist paying for the next person in line at the toll booth. We couldn't exactly see the driver of the car behind us. But I am sure he/she first had a perplexed expression..and then may be a smile wondering what was wrong with us.
But trust me, it seems to work..I tried small things ever since and it is a great feeling..so go ahead..Spread some kindness and make this world a better place to live in (well, may be if not the world, your community..)
Sat evening, B and myself decided to help out at this interesting place called Karma Kitchen. A good one hour drive to Berkeley with music. I did not use the time to reflect..I was just stressed at the thought of spending 6 full hours in a restaurant. Restau? yah..Karma Kitchen is actually run at a small and cozy restaurant in Berkeley. Every sat evening, a group of enthusiastic, skeptic or just curious volunteers meet up at this cozy place and spend the next 6 hours just 'spreading joy'.
We were greeted by energetic Viru, Pavi and Lalita. Don't get me wrong, I don't connect with people easily. I am cautious and skeptic in the beginning(I know, not a great way to start off). I stood there waiting awkwardly silent. I am usually awkward only when I am silent! :). It means I am uncomfortable and don't know what to say or do. Pavi and Viru's team was a blessing. They instantly got down into business and started with some moving around things, just to get us all warmed up.
At around 4.00 pm, we all round up and sat down for introductions. We had an interesting group..we were 2 husband-wife teams, one brother-sister team, couple of enthusiastic old timers..and a quiet and observing reporter. Each of us gave our 2 cents and it was interesting to note how the 'invisible hand' gently pushed us to volunteering that specific evening at Karma Kitchen.
By 5.00 pm, we were given roles (which we could switch after couple of hours) and were ready to serve with generosity. It was indeed a different experience. I started out waiting tables. That is when I realized how much a waitress needs to do; Fill Water, Smile, Ask how they are doing; Hand out menu; Smile ; Give them a few mins to have a look...check back to see if they have any questions; take down orders for salads; check if they want to order the rest; if not give leave them one menu and take the remaining;place order for salads; check if any other table is filled and ready for you;chit chat with your table; serve salads (gracefully)..you get the idea. B found it hard (and I must admit, I did too!) to remember which ones were vegan, which ones preferred non buttered naan, which ones did not want peas..and so on. But one big attitude difference, the relationship was not based on transaction. Our customers were not upset, they were not rushed, they were not impatient. We did have a table that was waiting for nearly 45 mins before one of us served them!It wasn't the craziest of nights, I was told, but it still seemed quiet bustling and busy to me..
So, what is different?Small acts of kindness to brighten someone's day. The theme for the entire evening was random acts of kindness. We were there to serve people, that was it. There was no other agenda, no selling of any other ideas, no 'vote for XXX', nothing..it was plain and simple. Our customers were not customers, they were our guests. We spread happiness through food. They were not obliged to pay. The idea is that the guests before them already paid for their food. If they chose to they could pay for someone else's meal. Simple, isn't it? One tends to wonder how this concept works. Amazingly enough, Karma Kitchen was self sustaining for over 6 months! Everyone who serves on Sat nights were volunteers. We were all there to serve, sans ego, sans grudge, sans prejudice..and it was a down-to-earth, warm fun!
We all ultimately wound up at around 11.00 pm. After a quick round of 'how was the experience?', we bid adieu and went our ways. Somehow, the idea stuck to my head. Badri couldn't resist paying for the next person in line at the toll booth. We couldn't exactly see the driver of the car behind us. But I am sure he/she first had a perplexed expression..and then may be a smile wondering what was wrong with us.
But trust me, it seems to work..I tried small things ever since and it is a great feeling..so go ahead..Spread some kindness and make this world a better place to live in (well, may be if not the world, your community..)
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Paris..
..signs a few autographs outside of Les Deux."
Remind me again, what is she famous for? What did she do/is doing?
Remind me again, what is she famous for? What did she do/is doing?
I might be late..
But I am sure glad that I discovered Google extensions to firefox. I've always hated printing directions where I know most of the part, but need only a small part of the directions. Now I can simply select the parts of directions I need and sms it to myself. How neat is that? I don't have to feel guilty anymore for throwing away hundreds of directions..
long live Google idea!
long live Google idea!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Good ol' days
When friends from your past years visit you, time flies! Three friends met up on the 17th floor at a downtown swank.
It was wonderful, that word seems a little too small to describe exactly how we felt. Somehow, we were taken back in time through a time machine. It felt like 8101 MB, three friends talking about everything under the sun. It was innocent, vicious, vindictive, naive..I was actually unwell and my friends made their way from the other end of town just to be with me. I felt precious and secretly felt lucky to have such group of friends. We spoke our hearts out, I had nothing to hide, nothing to be diplomatic about..our conversations touched every little dot in a line of life..glimpses..
Us1 - Hey! have I gained weight?
Us2 - well..yeah! you need to make sure to take those pounds away before the big day
Us3 - don't eat junk, you tend to like those too much..
Us2 - work out damn it, move your a$$ to the gym and shake off some lbs
Us1 - do you remember how skinny I was at college?
We laughed our hearts out, truly from inside our heart.It has been quite sometime since I enjoyed some company as simple as this. It was simple, that is exactly what it was. Each of us knew each other well enough to know that we are good people, doesn't matter what we say or do. Sometimes, I find that as we grow up(well, I consider myself still growing to be an adult), the relationships we forge are pretentious.
It was wonderful, that word seems a little too small to describe exactly how we felt. Somehow, we were taken back in time through a time machine. It felt like 8101 MB, three friends talking about everything under the sun. It was innocent, vicious, vindictive, naive..I was actually unwell and my friends made their way from the other end of town just to be with me. I felt precious and secretly felt lucky to have such group of friends. We spoke our hearts out, I had nothing to hide, nothing to be diplomatic about..our conversations touched every little dot in a line of life..glimpses..
Us1 - Hey! have I gained weight?
Us2 - well..yeah! you need to make sure to take those pounds away before the big day
Us3 - don't eat junk, you tend to like those too much..
Us2 - work out damn it, move your a$$ to the gym and shake off some lbs
Us1 - do you remember how skinny I was at college?
We laughed our hearts out, truly from inside our heart.It has been quite sometime since I enjoyed some company as simple as this. It was simple, that is exactly what it was. Each of us knew each other well enough to know that we are good people, doesn't matter what we say or do. Sometimes, I find that as we grow up(well, I consider myself still growing to be an adult), the relationships we forge are pretentious.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Holidays
Depressing to realize that we have only 7 public holidays per year! Out of that 4 are already gone!!
I am afraid
To start a list of things I would like to do. I am afraid, I might be greedy, get disappointed, realize I don't have enough time to do all I want to do, might sound very self centered.
I don't want to have strategic vision as I fear I might not make it there..
ignorance is bliss!
I don't want to have strategic vision as I fear I might not make it there..
ignorance is bliss!
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
vacation..
Is vacation worth it if planning is all stressful?and after all the planning, if u had to cancel it all!!
Monday, August 27, 2007
Monday, August 13, 2007
I'll advertise
your product through my social network. Would you pay me?Here is a quick look at all my avenues:
1. Messengers
- MSN
- AOL
- Y!
- Google
- Any other web messenger I use
2. Social Networking
- Orkut
- Facebook
- Hi 5
- Friendster
3. Blog (Well, I guess I am kinda covered here by Google Ads)
I believe I have a business here :)
1. Messengers
- MSN
- AOL
- Y!
- Any other web messenger I use
2. Social Networking
- Orkut
- Hi 5
- Friendster
3. Blog (Well, I guess I am kinda covered here by Google Ads)
I believe I have a business here :)
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Dialogue
My BIL has a very interesting perspective about reading and attitudes of readers. Here is an excerpt from our recent conversation:
Suga: coz i have 47 hits on my blog and not one new commment...grrrr
I was intrigued by this analogy. It throws a completely new dimension to reading, relationship with the author. I like his view, may be thoughts would take a completely new dimension, opinions would take a brand new shape, writing will take a whole new form with dialogue with the author. I wonder if future books in 2030 will include this intelligence. Then we might be able to exchange the same book with each other to read different stories..
Suga: coz i have 47 hits on my blog and not one new commment...grrrr
Me: so, u expect a dialogue with your readers
Suga: i do...i mean would u want someone walking by ur cubicle staring at u and leaving?
u'd rather want them to say hi right?
I was intrigued by this analogy. It throws a completely new dimension to reading, relationship with the author. I like his view, may be thoughts would take a completely new dimension, opinions would take a brand new shape, writing will take a whole new form with dialogue with the author. I wonder if future books in 2030 will include this intelligence. Then we might be able to exchange the same book with each other to read different stories..
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
a dozen reasons to miss..
1. my petite cafe au lait
2. my long walks down the boulevards and the rues
3. my fresh croissant et espresso. freshly baked baguette and sometimes aromatic cheese
4. my fresh crisp french newspaper along with #3, the paper that I read pretending to understand it all. But it reality just pick words I know and glance thru'
5. my rushing thru' metros, picking the wrong direction sometimes and running back to get to the right one
6. my 3 hour lunch, more talking less eating. les fetes for no reason whatsoever
7. my half a day run/walk/trek thru' les forets
8. my impulsive indulgence at the patiesserie
9. les bavards in french
10. french radio/news in french
11. Friends from other parts of the world. proximite to london and milan at the same time
12. gazillion more things that cannot fit into one blogpost
2. my long walks down the boulevards and the rues
3. my fresh croissant et espresso. freshly baked baguette and sometimes aromatic cheese
4. my fresh crisp french newspaper along with #3, the paper that I read pretending to understand it all. But it reality just pick words I know and glance thru'
5. my rushing thru' metros, picking the wrong direction sometimes and running back to get to the right one
6. my 3 hour lunch, more talking less eating. les fetes for no reason whatsoever
7. my half a day run/walk/trek thru' les forets
8. my impulsive indulgence at the patiesserie
9. les bavards in french
10. french radio/news in french
11. Friends from other parts of the world. proximite to london and milan at the same time
12. gazillion more things that cannot fit into one blogpost
Monday, July 23, 2007
We apologize
"For the continued delay in the service of your call. Please remain on the line for the next available nurse.."
I was listening to this voice time and again for more than 30 mins as I held the line for my insurance provider.
I heard the message " All of the available nurses are servicing other customers" and it is just sheer numbers that strongly makes me believe that the message I hear is simply not feasible.
What is the possibility that many other colleagues of mine were actually on the line talking to nurses to help them with their insurance details at 2330 hrs (PST).
I wouldn't definitely mind (let me say mind so much) holding the line for other services like hotelling or air travel. But for something as time critical as medical insurance, this is a big 'tsk-tsk'. I thankfully wasn't passing out while waiting, but for others who are possibly in that situation, a 24X7 support has completely lost the whole purpose of its existence with such extended wait times..Is there some where I can voice these thoughts to have an effect?
I was listening to this voice time and again for more than 30 mins as I held the line for my insurance provider.
I heard the message " All of the available nurses are servicing other customers" and it is just sheer numbers that strongly makes me believe that the message I hear is simply not feasible.
What is the possibility that many other colleagues of mine were actually on the line talking to nurses to help them with their insurance details at 2330 hrs (PST).
I wouldn't definitely mind (let me say mind so much) holding the line for other services like hotelling or air travel. But for something as time critical as medical insurance, this is a big 'tsk-tsk'. I thankfully wasn't passing out while waiting, but for others who are possibly in that situation, a 24X7 support has completely lost the whole purpose of its existence with such extended wait times..Is there some where I can voice these thoughts to have an effect?
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
G forces - Alert!
It has been a while since I said anything about this company. But now I am. Has anyone been following kayak (www.kayak.com). I have been pretty impressed with their service since about 2 years now. Kayak helps me get the best deals without having to pay an additional service fee (like Orbitz or Travelocity) and even better, no additional cancellation fees (that $30 that is charged by Orbitz). Kayak apparently directly pings the SABRE database for flights and shows you the price. The cool features I like about it is the fare history, interface to change the search criteria, the host of options with Flights/Hotels/Cars/Cruises/Deals etc. I understand they are pretty strongly funded, stable and have the best and the brightest in the travel industry on their board. So this is the next pit stop for our G-force! Yes, the algorithm is the core competency and they need to leverage it whenever/wherever they can. By now, it is obvious that I am talking about the forces of Google!
Simple, buy Kayak->have a single sign on through G-mail -> enable payment through Google Checkout -> allow searches through past purchases -> add some artificial intelligence to make suggestions for the next vacation trip, show deals, personal search (leverage iGoogle) -> enable posting pics through phone directly to picasa online web albums, the possibilities are endless
Viele Grusse!
Simple, buy Kayak->have a single sign on through G-mail -> enable payment through Google Checkout -> allow searches through past purchases -> add some artificial intelligence to make suggestions for the next vacation trip, show deals, personal search (leverage iGoogle) -> enable posting pics through phone directly to picasa online web albums, the possibilities are endless
Viele Grusse!
Friday, April 27, 2007
Mentors and Cooking
I got confused a little at work and paid a quick visit to my mentor. As I was describing my talk to my friend, well, I'll let you read on:
sowm (2:06:51 PM): so all motivated aa
me (2:07:04 PM): nah..more confused :))
me (2:07:13 PM): coz I realized I am not yet having a strategic vision :d
sowm (2:07:40 PM): sometimes i wonder if they just throw those words out
me (2:07:59 PM): not really, this guy seemed like he was talking out of his experience
me (2:08:09 PM): but don't laugh, I think it is like cooking
me (2:08:18 PM): you can read the recipe, you can hear the recipe from someone else
me (2:08:28 PM): but that doesn't mean you know the make the dish
me (2:08:45 PM): only when you personally make it with your hands, u know the various intricacies involved
me (2:08:50 PM): of course, you can take in suggestions :d
me (2:08:54 PM): enna solara? ;)
sowm (2:09:36 PM): vaah
sowm (2:09:36 PM): that was deeppppp
me (2:09:50 PM): ;))
me (2:11:09 PM): but true illa ya?
me (2:11:09 PM): ;)
sowm (2:06:51 PM): so all motivated aa
me (2:07:04 PM): nah..more confused :))
me (2:07:13 PM): coz I realized I am not yet having a strategic vision :d
sowm (2:07:40 PM): sometimes i wonder if they just throw those words out
me (2:07:59 PM): not really, this guy seemed like he was talking out of his experience
me (2:08:09 PM): but don't laugh, I think it is like cooking
me (2:08:18 PM): you can read the recipe, you can hear the recipe from someone else
me (2:08:28 PM): but that doesn't mean you know the make the dish
me (2:08:45 PM): only when you personally make it with your hands, u know the various intricacies involved
me (2:08:50 PM): of course, you can take in suggestions :d
me (2:08:54 PM): enna solara? ;)
sowm (2:09:36 PM): vaah
sowm (2:09:36 PM): that was deeppppp
me (2:09:50 PM): ;))
me (2:11:09 PM): but true illa ya?
me (2:11:09 PM): ;)
Heaven and Hell
Yah, I know this is strange, but I just realized that it is true. We need to have different kinds of Heaven and Hell.
The case is simple. As civilization progresses or evolves, the acts that are considered incorrect, bad, unethical are different. I can't exactly comment if it is good or not. But the truth of the matter is it is happening, it will continue to happen. Well, so coming back to my point: my reasoning is simple. What was considered an act of evil in the past isn't exactly an act of evil these days or vice versa. The bars of tolerance could have gone up or down. For example: racial remarks/discrimination based on caste or sex or color weren't considered evil in the paste but these days it could get into serious trouble with law. Similarly alcohol is one area where the bars have changed (literally).
May be, God and Devil together need to model Heaven and Hell for every 10 years. Why 10? Cause that age gap is what is a good generation-gap, that difference in time is what underlines the difference in ideologies, outlook, style of life, acts of goodness and evil.
I rest my case.
The case is simple. As civilization progresses or evolves, the acts that are considered incorrect, bad, unethical are different. I can't exactly comment if it is good or not. But the truth of the matter is it is happening, it will continue to happen. Well, so coming back to my point: my reasoning is simple. What was considered an act of evil in the past isn't exactly an act of evil these days or vice versa. The bars of tolerance could have gone up or down. For example: racial remarks/discrimination based on caste or sex or color weren't considered evil in the paste but these days it could get into serious trouble with law. Similarly alcohol is one area where the bars have changed (literally).
May be, God and Devil together need to model Heaven and Hell for every 10 years. Why 10? Cause that age gap is what is a good generation-gap, that difference in time is what underlines the difference in ideologies, outlook, style of life, acts of goodness and evil.
I rest my case.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
more confused
This would be a bold statement to make, but what the heck, I am so I write.
Honestly, the group of people more confused than ABCDs (as we desis refer to the second generation Indian Americans) are actually the migrants here in their first generation.This thought suddenly struck me and the realization dawned on me that this couldn't be more true.
In the normal story a regular, plain vanilla Indian comes to the US for this Masters. By this time, he probably has some years of work experience on him/her. During the Masters, we still remain within our indian circles, going for potlucks, some bhangra nites, some DVD/Cassette movie nites, trying to celebrate the Indian festivals in small groups trying to follow whatever little we can of the actual festival rituals.
We then land with jobs, our group gets split. We move to different parts within the huge country, live in different time zones and try to stay in touch as much as one can. Even in the new town, we still try to find our Indian group of people to hang out with. This is probably the phase of life we get a little more 'Americanized'. Our memory slowly begins to fade. We no longer remember our l'll Indian acts as clearly as we did the day we landed( try and see how many times you hand out things with your left hand these days) . We still do festival get togethers, movie nights etc. The thing is though we have the resources to do a full fledged celebration, we do it to the extent we are comfortable with. Our non-Indian friends aren't sometimes sure what to invite us to and what not to. They are sometimes surprised with our opinions on some topics and for a flash we can see them realizing that we aren't 'true' Indians anymore. Many a times, our heart tells us one thing and so does our mind, but our culture doesn't exactly :).
The question is: Do we pretend to be Indians or do we pretend to be 'Americanized' Indians..which act is the pretense?
Honestly, the group of people more confused than ABCDs (as we desis refer to the second generation Indian Americans) are actually the migrants here in their first generation.This thought suddenly struck me and the realization dawned on me that this couldn't be more true.
In the normal story a regular, plain vanilla Indian comes to the US for this Masters. By this time, he probably has some years of work experience on him/her. During the Masters, we still remain within our indian circles, going for potlucks, some bhangra nites, some DVD/Cassette movie nites, trying to celebrate the Indian festivals in small groups trying to follow whatever little we can of the actual festival rituals.
We then land with jobs, our group gets split. We move to different parts within the huge country, live in different time zones and try to stay in touch as much as one can. Even in the new town, we still try to find our Indian group of people to hang out with. This is probably the phase of life we get a little more 'Americanized'. Our memory slowly begins to fade. We no longer remember our l'll Indian acts as clearly as we did the day we landed( try and see how many times you hand out things with your left hand these days) . We still do festival get togethers, movie nights etc. The thing is though we have the resources to do a full fledged celebration, we do it to the extent we are comfortable with. Our non-Indian friends aren't sometimes sure what to invite us to and what not to. They are sometimes surprised with our opinions on some topics and for a flash we can see them realizing that we aren't 'true' Indians anymore. Many a times, our heart tells us one thing and so does our mind, but our culture doesn't exactly :).
The question is: Do we pretend to be Indians or do we pretend to be 'Americanized' Indians..which act is the pretense?
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
new level of advertisement
What if I could use these for advertising and get paid for it?:
1. my msgr status online or offline
2. the ringing time when someone calls me ( in india, I know they have these caller tunes where one is allowed to choose any song that would play when you call!)
more ideas will flow..
1. my msgr status online or offline
2. the ringing time when someone calls me ( in india, I know they have these caller tunes where one is allowed to choose any song that would play when you call!)
more ideas will flow..
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Friday, March 30, 2007
ifs and buts of life
I was recently going through my old photos, my written scripts, scribblings in my notepad, emails from past and I just wondered..How different would it be if this hadn't happened or if this had happened. How would it be if I had said sorry or if I had accepted the apology. How different would it be if I had stayed or if I had left..well, I smile. Because, that is all I can do now. I smile, because it was in the past. I smile because it happened the way it did. I wouldn't deny the little smug and the twinkle wondering otherwise..
Happy Weekend People!
Happy Weekend People!
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Oh..we got rid of..
sooo many things when we moved. Moving is the right time to get rid of the stuff you don't want.
How many times do you think I have heard this line the past couple of weeks? But I just realized that for some strange reason, this is not coming true for B n me.
I started packing last sunday. How good a packer am I?Ok, take this. Back in the days when I used to study in a college, I manage to finish the last exam for the semester in the afternoon/late evening. Scram to my room, pack for a 15 days vacation, grab dinner and be ready for 6+36 hours of travelling. I repeat that 4 times a year (atleast!). If I am going for a summer break, the travail gets more burdensome. I had to pack my ENTIRE room up in ONE BOX ( I am serious here), drop the box in the common room, ensure that my bike is parked at the right spot and hand over the room properly. On top of this, I had to pack a suitcase for stay at home for 3.5 months!..ok you tell me you have something to beat this?May be not this time :)...
Anyway, so I started packing with my kitchen. It already dawned on me that I wasn't throwing anything par se. I continued on, till yesterday and trust me, haven't thrown more than 5 lbs! I took a reality check this morning. We still seem to need every little piece of entity sitting in our home.
I am pretty sure I am going to throw something big..atleast so that next time someone asks me about my move, I can say what everyone else is telling me..
Oh, we got rid of..
Shall let you know how my move "actually" went!
How many times do you think I have heard this line the past couple of weeks? But I just realized that for some strange reason, this is not coming true for B n me.
I started packing last sunday. How good a packer am I?Ok, take this. Back in the days when I used to study in a college, I manage to finish the last exam for the semester in the afternoon/late evening. Scram to my room, pack for a 15 days vacation, grab dinner and be ready for 6+36 hours of travelling. I repeat that 4 times a year (atleast!). If I am going for a summer break, the travail gets more burdensome. I had to pack my ENTIRE room up in ONE BOX ( I am serious here), drop the box in the common room, ensure that my bike is parked at the right spot and hand over the room properly. On top of this, I had to pack a suitcase for stay at home for 3.5 months!..ok you tell me you have something to beat this?May be not this time :)...
Anyway, so I started packing with my kitchen. It already dawned on me that I wasn't throwing anything par se. I continued on, till yesterday and trust me, haven't thrown more than 5 lbs! I took a reality check this morning. We still seem to need every little piece of entity sitting in our home.
I am pretty sure I am going to throw something big..atleast so that next time someone asks me about my move, I can say what everyone else is telling me..
Oh, we got rid of..
Shall let you know how my move "actually" went!
realized!
I just realized that I am willing to pack in 10 calories more for better "dippability" of a cookie! Yikes!
Monday, January 29, 2007
The world of 3D imaging
I was recently looking and playing with the new tool of Google (well, atleast to me): Google Sketchup.
Imagine the endless possibilities of this tool. If we can model our homes (well, have the patience to learn the tool and then more patience to model our home), furniture shopping would be so much of a delight. It might be a shocking concept to us women - going to shop knowing EXACTLY what is needed. But for all we know, it isn't that much of a sin! The tool is owned by Google, so we could have a choice to save our models onto their server (much like we upload our pics on picasaweb or even this blog for that instance). I am not sure if you want to let other people search through these models, but it is not a bad idea after all. Google can allow ads of different furniture providers posted on their website. Pick the store and pick the piece of furniture from their website! Fit it in your 3D model. Voila! You have a miniature of your home being prepared. This can be accessed anywhere in the world! Once you have decided the exact furniture, you could either order it online (from the website itself) or you could walk into the store, pull up your model and purchase your piece. Now, I am wondering if I should extend this to actually using a 3D printer..well, that is a different thread.
The second application I can immediately see is in Clothes Retailers. Just as simple as your customize your Y! avatar (i.e if you use Y! msgr. Well, if you don't, I suggest you go to avatar.yahoo.com and have a look at the funky play tools). You can provide your vital stats, color of skin, hair, eyes, weight etc and get a 3D model of yourself. Wanna upload it, why not, feel free. Use this model while searching for clothes. Want to try the clothes? the concept should be as simple as Clink-n-Fit! Although the women folk might still not love the idea, I am sure the men would be thrilled to shave "valuable hours" off their shopping experience :).
More to come..in bits and pieces. Use your 3D tool to put them together :p
ps: Wonder why we don't have emoticons yet with Blogger..
Imagine the endless possibilities of this tool. If we can model our homes (well, have the patience to learn the tool and then more patience to model our home), furniture shopping would be so much of a delight. It might be a shocking concept to us women - going to shop knowing EXACTLY what is needed. But for all we know, it isn't that much of a sin! The tool is owned by Google, so we could have a choice to save our models onto their server (much like we upload our pics on picasaweb or even this blog for that instance). I am not sure if you want to let other people search through these models, but it is not a bad idea after all. Google can allow ads of different furniture providers posted on their website. Pick the store and pick the piece of furniture from their website! Fit it in your 3D model. Voila! You have a miniature of your home being prepared. This can be accessed anywhere in the world! Once you have decided the exact furniture, you could either order it online (from the website itself) or you could walk into the store, pull up your model and purchase your piece. Now, I am wondering if I should extend this to actually using a 3D printer..well, that is a different thread.
The second application I can immediately see is in Clothes Retailers. Just as simple as your customize your Y! avatar (i.e if you use Y! msgr. Well, if you don't, I suggest you go to avatar.yahoo.com and have a look at the funky play tools). You can provide your vital stats, color of skin, hair, eyes, weight etc and get a 3D model of yourself. Wanna upload it, why not, feel free. Use this model while searching for clothes. Want to try the clothes? the concept should be as simple as Clink-n-Fit! Although the women folk might still not love the idea, I am sure the men would be thrilled to shave "valuable hours" off their shopping experience :).
More to come..in bits and pieces. Use your 3D tool to put them together :p
ps: Wonder why we don't have emoticons yet with Blogger..
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Fun?
I had an awakening yesterday. B was simply thinking out aloud. He said "I want to do something fun". So, I asked myself, what would I do for fun? and guess what? shocked myself as I drew a blank..so seriously, What do you do for fun?
I started thinking about those days when I had fun without realizing I was having fun. It meant taking your mind off work, your finances, your things-to-do, your regular routine, fitness schedule, classes, assignments, projects..just anything that you are compelled or self motivate to do.
I am still thinking hard and wondering if I ever have such an activity these days..Well, may be I do. I enjoy shopping..err.. I guess. But many a times, I have looked through 4 floors and found nothing. I enjoy dining out..well, I am not sure. Sometimes, the food doesn't suit me. Ahh, you know what? I enjoy bluff, the game where all of us have a hearty laugh for no reason. I enjoy travelling, but then this cannot be as spontaneous so no longer belongs to this category. May be music, singing, dancing...there is no preparatory steps there. (Pause..long pause..thinking hard..bright smile..) ah! yes, I enjoy cooking too especially making up my own recipes with the available ingredients..
I strongly resolved I need to stop and smell the roses. So ask yourself, what do you do for fun? Are you thinking as hard as I am..may be it is time for you too to free your mind of all the daily trivialities of life. 50 years later, it is not the daily chores that you will raccount to your future generations (well, frankly if you did, I don't think you would likely have an audience). 50 years later, it would be the fun times that you can vividly draw a picture and entice your families. It is the "I was the only one who.." words that would bring the little ones closer to you and beg you for more of those tales. It is the "remember that day when..(laughter)" that you would share with your remaining few friends which would brighten your days..
So go forward, live a life you would be not only proud of, but also happy about..
I started thinking about those days when I had fun without realizing I was having fun. It meant taking your mind off work, your finances, your things-to-do, your regular routine, fitness schedule, classes, assignments, projects..just anything that you are compelled or self motivate to do.
I am still thinking hard and wondering if I ever have such an activity these days..Well, may be I do. I enjoy shopping..err.. I guess. But many a times, I have looked through 4 floors and found nothing. I enjoy dining out..well, I am not sure. Sometimes, the food doesn't suit me. Ahh, you know what? I enjoy bluff, the game where all of us have a hearty laugh for no reason. I enjoy travelling, but then this cannot be as spontaneous so no longer belongs to this category. May be music, singing, dancing...there is no preparatory steps there. (Pause..long pause..thinking hard..bright smile..) ah! yes, I enjoy cooking too especially making up my own recipes with the available ingredients..
I strongly resolved I need to stop and smell the roses. So ask yourself, what do you do for fun? Are you thinking as hard as I am..may be it is time for you too to free your mind of all the daily trivialities of life. 50 years later, it is not the daily chores that you will raccount to your future generations (well, frankly if you did, I don't think you would likely have an audience). 50 years later, it would be the fun times that you can vividly draw a picture and entice your families. It is the "I was the only one who.." words that would bring the little ones closer to you and beg you for more of those tales. It is the "remember that day when..(laughter)" that you would share with your remaining few friends which would brighten your days..
So go forward, live a life you would be not only proud of, but also happy about..
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Favorite Passtimess
One of my favorite things to do, while distracting myself from anything else I am doing, is to scrouge the net for travel deals. I keep checking on Lonely Planet, websites of big airline companies, check my luck on priceline, kayak, and the list goes on. I hear the calling from the far away lands, yet to be visited. I become painfully aware of those unvisited territories. I become humble after realizing my ignorance about those cultures yet to be experienced. I begin to yearn to tingle my taste buds with those unheard of spices. I get filled with the excitement of a whole new experience, look forward to the life changing voyage. I wish to get lost in translation, struggle with directions in strange languages, wish to be so tired of everything new, wish to be dying to get back home only to pack my bags and leave again.