$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?
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
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..)