Chit Chat

The bugs that bug me...

2012-02-06T00:07:00.000-08:00

Bugs (usually irritating and unwanted creatures) all around me, in different shapes and sizes. Bugs in the garden, in code (the sorts that can be detected and corrected), ones that I can live with and one’s that I can deal with at work, and those that I don’t want to deal with but have no choice. Don’t they all cause me stress? ‘Bugging me’ entails the bug’s pleasure!

Am I a bug? Do I bug others – off course I do, like the honey bee (except that I rarely sting/bite).

The only bug that I LIKE – the Volkswagen Beetle. J

The Middle Ground

2011-05-31T08:47:00.000-07:00

Waiting for other folks to join the chemistry lab at high school, he attempts to make polite conversation to kill the choking silence. A snob that she was, she'd hardly make conversation with strangers. Suddenly the rest of the gang joined in but it wasn't surely the end. From there they got chatting taking lunch breaks that blossomed in to friendship which seemed serendipitous at the end of it all.

Like friends would, they hung out for coffee, a roof top drink or two, din din, long drives, travel and late night walks in the serenity of the locality they resided in. Little did they know that friendship was walking another path. Friends who enjoyed each other's company yet were getting to be more than friends though not in love.

Everyone said they were in love, at times they joked themselves as well. Come what may they decided to be friends despite the seemingly weird equation they shared. If you look at them, either from a distance or up close, they always appeared in love. Strangers or friends saw them getting too close. Were they the victims or were they engulfed? That’s a question that is better left unanswered. Bets were placed as to whether they would fall in love or not, but in the end like always if the friendship is not shallow it prevails. A meaningful friendship concocted by emotions like the colors of the rainbow; they delved in it, lived the present and enjoyed every passing moment. The so called moralistic, pretentious society lost and they remained ‘friends for life’.

Surreal as it was, geographical distances did em apart (education took priority), while cherished memories kept bringing em back together!!!

Danke

2011-05-04T19:47:00.000-07:00

Thank you for being there,

Thank you for being YOU,

Thank you for lifting me up,

Thank you for looking me in the eye and speaking your mind,

Thank you for all the good times and bad,

Thank you for your presence in my life,

Thank you for loving me and

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to know you and love you!

My definition of love - All those who made me feel beautiful from the inside, either for a short or a long span of time!

The Cloud: Writer's Block

2011-03-09T05:03:00.000-08:00

Thoughts scattered all over the place, but the cloud called the writer's block just doesn't seem to let go me. How many more incomplete drafts before my next published post, I wonder?!

Oh cloud - go away and let me write, will you?

Miracle

2011-01-11T01:22:00.000-08:00

Explore the unknown (life), appreciate small things of life;
Enjoy natural wonders, behold the joy around;
Focus on the inner self in a state of thoughtless awareness;
Connect with the universe!

Indeed a recipe to a much desired and always welcomed 'Miracle'!

Arranged integrity

2010-12-13T00:52:00.000-08:00

What is this world coming to? Is it not important to be true to an interviewer, doctor, lawyer and life partner to be?

It appalls me when people I know (educated, young, modern with liberal views - so called, eh?) do not tell their partners to be/prospective (scenario: Indian arranged marriages) about their habits like drinking, smoking, eating non-veg and about a past if they have had one. Is not the basis of such a relationship based on trust and faith? When the very basics are not in place, how will the relationship bloom and last?

The other may not like and approve of your habits being a teetotaler or an animal lover and might make efforts to change you but at the end of the day should one not respect the other, as it is a personal choice? As for a past, what's the harm? Many of us do have a past and coming out clean is my take. Don't share gory details but you did not know this new person then, so...?

On the other extreme I know of others who are frank to the extent of sharing details that are serious and cause concern. Kudos to em!

The pessimist in me says: the former do well for themselves, eventually!

This is life in the big, bad world!!!

Disclaimer: This is an opinion being shared and not an accusation. Nor is the blogger trying to be the world's Moral Police.

Rant...

2010-10-26T05:05:00.000-07:00

A list of random thoughts with absolute disconnect, from the draft folder.

Does it make sense to use the phrase 'To each his own'? How practically feasible is it to apply the same in reality? Every individual has his/her own perception and take on everything in life but is life not all about compromises and adjustments?

Thus, ain't there a contradiction?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Does sharing come naturally to humankind or do we try inculcate the habit? Sharing includes materialistic goods as well as life’s. I really wonder if we can do so with no compulsion and for life?

Does the horizon really exist?

Can you draw a parallel? Is it not about how the mind is conditioned? Get the drift?!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
It happens only in India: A few things that exasperate and annoy me no end:
- A chappal on the middle of the road

- A bus/truck with a branch or a stem of leaves hooked on to it t
indicate a break down.

- The payroll/finance team (outsourced entities) at corporates.

This list is incomplete, will be updated periodically.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
How many lives do we possess? Does every life on planet Earth possess a previous life and another to come? Is it all about religion, faith and belief or is there any scientific proof behind all of this?

Heaven is where the good people go and hell is where your bad deeds take you. Agnost, Pessimist and Sadist that I am, I have no clue if God exists or not, nor do I know who goes to heaven or hell and why but I sure can say that good people are not as happy as they ought to be and vice versa!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Solitude and me? I love it. To lunch by myself, spend time with myself, although with technology around me and not completely by myself. It's fun to do so....dunno why people find it strange, weird and out of the normal.

Solitude does not mean brooding, it can imply introspection or just enjoying one's space.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mockery in the name of the almighty

2010-09-30T06:05:00.000-07:00

This is not about an agnostic like me questioning the existence of God (truth, reality in other words) but I can't help but ask - Is God numerous in number? Is God male or female? Does God believe in 'divide and rule'? Who created the various religions, castes, etc? Has anyone seen or felt God?

The very division of God into religions and cases like the Babri Masjid at Ayodhya only helps further lose sanctity of the divine. Sad to know that man can stoop to such levels just for political advantage. Is this not mere mockery of the supreme at the cost of life's of the general public?

Where are we heading? God help mankind!

Social Media and me

2010-09-13T20:37:00.000-07:00

This is not really about my take on Social Media. I have very mixed feelings and views about Social Media (will save that for later) but this one Expert Speak Session that I did arrange for and had Jessie Paul over at the organization I work for, to talk on Brand Building in the age of Social Media, was possible because of twitter. Social Media sure helps network and share information but I do concur with the HP Labs report that states: 'Having a large number of followers does not imply you are an influencer'. Doesn't one lose one's space and privacy on sites like Facebook, etc?

To say the least, thanks twitter!

Life's lessons

2010-08-20T00:53:00.000-07:00

While we tread the unknown path - Life, it remains to be a constant learning process. Typically one learns from one's mistakes and experiences, yet there are exceptions like me. I am learning but time will tell how I implement and learn to differentiate and deal with different people and situations.

A couple of decades into this process and I continue to seek answers to the below questions:

Why me? Why does this happen only to me while others remain happy?
Every thing that happens in life has a reason, attribute it to Karma/destiny or otherwise. As beautifully conveyed by Daily Om in the article Letting Go of Understanding: "Sometimes we are not always meant to know the deeper meaning of certain occurrences and need only move forward." Do your duty and leave the rest to the universe.

While this is all nice to read and talk about, how practical is it for a normal human to actually accept such reasoning for ones unhappiness or uneventful life?
Who really are my well wishers?
Isn't that tricky? Yeah, very tricky especially for the likes of me, who by nature are critical about small aspects of life and tend to fall for any individual who speaks well and seems transparent. A very hard question to answer. All that glitters is NOT gold.

A friend once said, "I trust very few people, I count the number". I was appalled at the thought and argued. I NOW realize and can't agree more.

You think and believe...you know all, you are at peace and one with universe through meditation, you are content with life and it's ways, you are one of the biggest achievers,.......

   sadly you are mistaken. I a victim and hence an observer beg to differ
   from your opinion, irrespective of your age, experience,
   attitude, thoughts which I have possibly appreciated at some
   point in time in the past and possibly still value.

   I might have been affected or put off, but I will get over it and learn
   thereby. What about you? You are cheating no one but
   yourself.  Time to introspect and follow by action?

To be an open book - bad idea:
Don't share every little detail with all those YOU consider trust worthy and close to you. The same may not apply vice-versa. It is fine to blindly trust a mutt but not another human (not a smart move by any standards).
To be attached yet detached:
Sounds weird? Well, I know it does but ma first told me this, and then a friend shared the same thought. It doesn't seem to make sense and is hard to explain. Again, don't apply this to all and sundry, pick the select few. I leave it to you to figure out what it implies.

Jealous:
Another article on Daily Om, conveyed something that we all are aware of but probably don't pay attention to - the positive aspect of Jealousy. It helps you realize your inner desire for a certain object/situation.
Learn to NOT expect from the other, accept that the other is NOT you, the other is DIFFERENT. Focus on the self and identify your strength:
To not expect is easier said than done, as it a natural human tendency that occurs in the unconscious. As for the latter, I am telling myself to accept that the other is different from me and hence not to expect an action or reaction like mine.

Gurdjieff used to say to his disciples – the first thing, the very very first thing, “Find out what your greatest characteristic is, your greatest undoing, your central characteristic of unconsciousness.” Each one is different.

Why do I write such posts?
It helps vent, gather my readers views if any and last of all when I re-visit this page at a later time to recall what I learnt from those around me. This is not a bitter me but a gullible, naive me trying hard to adapt the worlds ways instead of feeling let down when others don't live up to my expectations. While this may involve most anyone I personally would like to exclude immediate family and loved ones. As for friends I won't comment as only time and situations tells you who really is genuine and always there for you. Yes, this is popsie who always believed her life to revolve around friends. Annoyed I am but not caustic, life's lessons are better learnt than left untouched!

Disclaimer: The intent is not to disrespect big achievers or those who are closer to the universe and are spiritual in nature. I am surrounded by umpteen such souls and respect them all for various such aspects, this is a mere observation that I believe I have the freedom to express.

Judgmental me

2010-07-09T02:16:00.000-07:00

Fat people don't realize the repercussions leave alone the cosmetic value.
Don't like animals, especially mans best friend? Tells on you!
Attitude, Conceit for no reason or rhyme - personal choice, eh? Need a mirror?
Technology slave - you need help.
Possess a stereotypical, run of the mill attitude, mindset? Ritualistic? Call for a Shrink!
Judgmental, Critical (like me) - Change is the need of the hour.
Open to criticism, change - way to go!
Balanced (head on your shoulders) - Can't get better!

Note: This list will be updated from time to time.

Thinking aloud...

2010-07-03T22:26:00.000-07:00

Man is engulfed by relationships, some by birth others by choice or chance. Each beautiful, deep and timed in its own way. I learn, cherish and respect them all at different levels. They linger as memories with me until my grave and beyond!

Siddhagiri Wax Musuem

2010-07-02T04:41:00.000-07:00

Why oh why, did I travel all that distance to Madame Tussauds, New York while my sister refused to come in and waited outside? I wasted 30-40 dollars and came out to admit and agree that she did a smart thing of never visiting the wax museum despite living in the country and traveling the globe.

Even if one does want to visit a wax museum I'd suggest that all Indians living in India visit the Siddhagiri Museum in Kolhapur. It sure is much closer and cheaper and the museum tries to depict the confluence of a self sustainable village life and nature.

MLTR - live in concert

2010-06-20T20:41:00.000-07:00

Yes, another item (a rock show) on my wish list has finally been struck off. That's right Michael Learns To Rock - a Danish Soft Rock band was back in Bangalore, India on the 20th of June, 2010 for the third time to promote their new album 'Eternity'. The show started with the first number being 'Wild women on the back door, followed by Sleeping child, Sweetest surprise (from the new album Eternity), Actor (their first biggest hit), Paint my love (got the loudest cheer), That's why you go away and finally ended with Someday somewhere. The band went off stage and on public demand-request came back to play 'Breaking my heart'.

It's been a really long wait, with a huge crowd missing but that didn't matter to me. I was there with my friends listening to one of the bands that I liked a lot, way back in school. Every moment of the evening was spent in nostalgia, humming and swaying to the tunes of MLTR.

Style Statement?!

2010-06-14T02:55:00.000-07:00

Body Piercing, Tatoos, Hairgel, Spiked, Coloured Hair and more - what kind of a style statement are you trying to make when all and sundry do just the same?!

Feel Good Factor: Ego Search

2010-06-02T05:59:00.000-07:00

Ego search is so apt a term for googling oneself. In addition to my various profile (linkedin, FB, twitter, etc) results which I don't consider a result of my effort, I do have a handful of articles to my credit online in addition to my two blogs (I recently started contributing to a third blog (group), will essentially be cross posting from my travel blog).

It sure feels good, though my blogs are not thrown out in the search because I do not use my real name on my blogs but that does not matter. To see ones name or nick name in print undoubtedly gets you high! :-)

On love and Obligation...

2010-05-05T01:27:00.000-07:00

Oblige is to favor, love is to set free
Obligation and love never cross paths.
I love thee, thus say not 'to oblige'!

Professionalism...Ramble...

2010-03-12T01:08:00.000-08:00

Do we(Indians) lack professionalism? Undoubtedly, YES.

It's a small world out there, so many of us know so many others in common. Does that mean we go about discussing someone else's professional and personal lives with people who are not connected? I am not referring to GOSSIP(which is humane and natural).

Scenario1: Common friends may be colleagues in the past, present or future. It is sad to find A and B(who were colleagues in the past) discussing X (B and X are now colleagues, while A and X were colleagues in the past but never did A, B and X work together). Cut X, some slack.

Scenario2: A placement agency who is essentially an intermediary between a potential employee and an employer, communicates (amounts to a complaint) to commonly known people(who have whatsoever, no role in the process) about the candidate not accepting a position.

Oh c'mon, where's your so called 'Professionalism'?

Aren't the HR of an organisation exasperating enough for employees to handle and sustain? We need no more of your kind.

Work-life balance: Do we understand the meaning of this term? Majority of us spend, 9-10hrs a day at work in addition to a minimum of 3hrs a day commuting to and fro work(in a city like Bangalore, especially) in an environment that is no less than a jail. Firewall and other tools in place that do not let you access the internet or any other external sites. Yes, you are there to do your job, yet to be caned and tied up like a dog(how fair is that)?

Even worse, is the concept of vacation. An employee has the right to take vacation. He slogs his ass out and then has to wangle for approval of vacation from his superior.

To Stretch: does it imply efficiency, productivity? Efficiency - from no angle, in my dictionary.

Acknowledgement of Receipt: Why is it only a one way process? Why do organizations/corporates/institutions only collect but refuse to provide 'acknowledgement of receipt' to individuals? An example I can instantly recall:

When an employee leaves an organization he/she has to return the ID card, failing which a certain amount will be deducted during the 'Full & Final Settlement'. While this is acceptable, what supporting evidence does the employee have for having submitted the same? TRUST, eh? Sorry, does not work, NOT ACCEPTABLE. It's about a mere system as against trust in a certain individual. The person accepting the ID card would probably not be with the organisation tomorrow, how will trust help in such a situation? Why don't they get it? Simple logic, ain't it? Even worse, why do majority of us(employees) accept and not question the same? It is so bloody annoying, to fight such systems that function on DOUBLE STANDARDS.

Intimation of Regret: Why do majority of organizations not intimate a potential candidate if one is not selected(must one wait endlessly)? Doesn't basic courtesy demand so? Unfortunately, such is the case in an arranged marriage scenario, as well. A Tamil saying that reads "Mownam Samadham" which means "Silence amounts to acceptance" works conversely here.

Shifting from rambling about work culture in India to People, their attitudes and complications....

No one is perfect, me included. Fidelity, lifestyle, opinion, etc are choices to be made in this democratic land while courtesy, basic manners and culture is an expectation(not a choice) from most anyone when you visit and stay at someone's place. It's after all not your place or your best buddy's place. Carry essential stuff like toiletries and sufficient cash(ever heard of the word - 'self respect'?), spare your hosts(after this experience can't wait to watch 'Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge') the use of fowl language(at least consider their age, generation, background), stop making CONTRADICTING, BLANKET statements. Introspect, go get a life!

I can rant away about several such instances, but it's a big bad world and discussing such people, ain't worth your time or mine. Realization of people around and the self (introspection) seems to be creeping in. I believe the outcome, are several valuable lessons learnt(one being: Be your own best friend, expect nothing from anyone whatsoever) and with that I take a break from rambling (cribacious and critical that I am) for the temporary present.

An Ode to You

2010-02-28T22:08:00.000-08:00

Felt good to know that there were others as well (fellow blogger: Kartik) who arose at unearthly hours(4.30a.m) and let their creative side take over. Here goes the creative me...

I took you for granted
I let you down

I disappointed
  nagged
  hurt
  annoyed
  upset You (so did you)
Yet, I can't stop loving thee(you).

I love, cherish every moment, Good, Bad and Ugly, that went by.
You are an eternal part of me, be it physical or abstract in form!

Love does not: Possess,
   Scare,
   Cease.

Oh mother nature!
Bestow upon us the strength to accept life,
   not get bitter,
   maintain mutual respect.

Men will come , Men will go
I will love (wish you the best) thee (you) until my last breath in every birth to come!

Tuk Tuk on CyberSpace

2010-01-23T19:34:00.000-08:00

Yep this post entails yet again - Singara Chennai.

I've been wanting to blog post about the Autorickshaw Trauma in Madras, that is perennial and exists since time immemorial. While I save that post for later, here is something I came across.

An Auto driver from Madras also has his own space in the cyber world: Tuk - Tastic. No bigge, eh? Ah, well: rather interesting and innovative! Only wonder what his rates are: like any other Rick in Madras or does he actually turn the meter on?!

The Chennai Sangamam

2010-01-18T01:43:00.000-08:00

A weird sense of happiness and belonging sets in each time I go back to the city I grew up in and I just can't stop loving every little thing about it. I have been away for a few years and chanced upon the Sangamam this last time I was visiting.

Scheduled during the harvest season, for the period January 10th-16th, 2010 this open festival is set in parks, streets and beaches. I did not catch a glimpse of Sivamani(not sure if he did perform this year) nor did I get to drink the Jil Jigar Dhanda(a Madurai speciality) but I did hog on Goli Bajje(Mysore Bonda) and witnessed D.K.Pattamal's grandaughter Nityasree perform at The Nageshwararao Park.

A much needed break with a classical touch and feel that reminded you of your roots(where you come from and belong). What a rich heritage!

2010-01-07T00:29:00.000-08:00

Verbal diarrhea is the worst possible disease after blind trust!

What is your Carbon Footprint?

2010-01-05T05:13:00.001-08:00

Carbon Footprints and Global Trade, opening up of an economy go hand in hand. With all the research and scientists around did we not realize that in the process of making life simple using electronic goods and producing tetra packs amongst the several other carbon generating products that this would harm the climate and result in Global Warming?

All over the place, all you read is - Go Green, plant saplings, use earthern pots in place of refrigerators, opt for car pools, use cloth/jute bags instead of plastic, switch off your computer and other elctronic gadgets while not using them instead of putting them on the standby mode, reduce your refrigerator's temparture during winter, etc.

How many of us will stringently follow this? Where have we got ourselves and what will we really do about it?

Calculate your Carbon Footprint.

It's all in the mind...

2009-12-02T00:58:00.000-08:00

I am in the midst of reading a book called "The Secret" which essentially talks about positive thinking and the law of attraction. While I agree and have personally experienced that positive thinking sure helps one feel happy and relieved for the least if not resolves issues, I wonder how one can be positive 24X7(is that the pessimist me)? It sounds like what Osho recommends: Live in the present like there was no yesterday and there is no tomorrow, think and live for today(that's to sum it up and not the exact phrase). Beats me, how can you not think of tomorrow?(Let me not digress any further)!

It sure makes sense to say that what one emits(thoughts) to the Universe is what one gets back and attracts. 'It's all in the mind', be it - attitude, mindset, beliefs, morals, perspectives, etc. One must feel gratitude to what one has in one's life and visualization(what I call day dreaming) gives the person temporary happiness to believe that you already possess a certain something that you always wanted. Wonder if it is something to do with the psyche? A psychological aspect of the mind that is being tapped?

Nothing could be as apt as this quote from 'The Alchemist': "When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person realize his dream."

What I fail to understand and am unable to draw a parrallel between is: The Secret and the Science of Astrology. If applying The Secret can enable a person to determine his/her life exactly the way he/she wants, then what role does Astrology and planetary positions during the time of one's birth and entire lifetime have to play in determining the good's, bad's and not so good/bad turn of events in an individual's lifetime?

Can a life subscribe to both concepts simultaneously?

The crux is all about belief and faith which amounts to the thought process in one's mind. Let me read on(the book - 'The Secret') and see if I can try figure out what I have in store for the rest of my life from here on......

Factory Made?!

2009-09-24T14:22:00.000-07:00

To the Left: Genetically Engineered Capsicum, To the Right: Farm Fresh Capsicum

The Jaunty Albatross

2009-09-01T15:59:00.000-07:00

Do you like Traveling and reading Travelogues? If yes, then you must visit The Jaunty Albatross

Yes, you guessed right! The Jaunty Albatross is the other side to me - my travelogue. I like to travel, though I haven't managed to do much so far. I am trying to explore planet earth!

Take a peek....

The IRCTC Website

2009-08-04T21:36:00.001-07:00

Cross posted here.

What with the world wide web enabling e-commerce, we'd love to book tickets and plan our travel at the comfort of our homes but invariably the Indian Railways website(IRCTC) is always down. The IRCTC site is meant to be of convienence to the public while it acts otherwise, more often than not. Patience(an understatement) and perseverance are the keys to using this site. There is no denying that I have used the site umpteen times to plan my travel yet often feel that travelling physically to the ticket booking counter will produce a faster result than using the railway website.

Why can't we use this boon(the internet) to it's optimum with better planning and no resource crunches?

Stain Glass Painting

2009-07-03T20:43:00.000-07:00

I am rather thrilled with my first attempt at glass painting though it is not so special yet for someone like me who does not possess drawing skills at all, it is an achievement(though small) of sorts. I am known to leave stuff incomplete. :P :)

Corporate Citizen’s Voice - Communication and Knowledge Sharing in Global Organizations

2009-05-08T20:05:00.000-07:00

Introduction: Organizational dynamics and management thinking are rapidly changing in the globalized environment. Large globally distributed teams are fast becoming the norm and communication patterns have to change to accommodate this trend. Human capital or employee knowledge is becoming one of the greatest organizational assets. The global and mobile knowledge professional requires multiple channels of expression. Studies indicate that learning, innovation and a growth oriented environment are amongst the highest motivators. Open communication where ideas and not position matter are perceived as performance enablers. It is therefore important to understand what motivates people to share knowledge? Which technologies act as enablers? How best to harness these technologies? This paper discusses some of the people, process and technology related issues that need to be considered while planning a communication and knowledge sharing strategy.

The evolution of the internet and web2.0 technologies has facilitated open communication channels and knowledge sharing. These technologies if used well can create transparent flow of information and globalized communities of interest. The corporate world has started utilizing some of these technologies behind the firewall and is meeting with varying degrees of success. The intranet often houses discussion boards, knowledge portals, weblogs etc. It is important to understand internet sharing behaviors in order to build effective organizational processes.

What Drives People to Contribute Content in the Corporate Space? According to a recent McKinsey research study conducted in Germany the top reasons people contribute to intranet forums are:
- Hunger for fame and identity
- Desire to have fun
- Desire to share experiences with friends
- Compensation for contributing(people studied weren't paid for contributions)

The study also found that a few users posted the most popular content - 5 to 10 percent of the users added 75 percent of the content. These findings suggest that executives pursuing such projects should start by identifying and nurturing the small percentage of users who post quality content. At one Cable Company studied, for example, more than half of the installers who contributed to an internal wiki said that social factors such as reputation building, team spirit and community identification were the main factors motivating them to contribute. Only 20 percent cited the possibility of a financial bonus as their main driver. To encourage well-connected employees to post ideas to the wiki, managers at the company examined its internal e-mail system to identify key staffers with wide social networks. They then encouraged these employees to post suggestions about improving the company's processes. Identifying thought leaders and promoting their participation boosted the number of contributions and improved the quality of the postings. Other companies strive to make collaboration fun: at Google, for instance, employees place online bets on the likelihood that particular ideas will be adopted. Intuit uses a rotation program that invites selected staffers to contribute to the company's internal online dialogues. Managers should also consider taking a page from video sites by tapping the power of tools that let users share relevant content easily. Likewise, companies should make sure that their employees can access collaborative tools with a minimum of bureaucratic hassle. These intranet based tools also work as glue that binds a geographically distributed team.

What processes can the organization use to enable effective use of knowledge sharing technologies? Corporate wikis and content sites (such as Wikipedia) gain popularity when new visitors discover and contribute high-quality content, which in turn makes the sites worthwhile for other newcomers. In order to improve the quality of internal wikis, organizations could follow quality assurance practices of open-source coding projects and appoint quality auditors. Organizations should also create transparent and enforceable guidelines to prohibit unethical or illegal behavior, such as the posting of copyrighted material or proprietary secrets. They can learn from the examples of YouTube (which attempts to review content for obscenity before posting) or Wikipedia (which has committees that review entries for quality) and adopt similar review procedures for their corporate content.Incentivizing contributions and usage is another important aspect to success. Organizations need to tap the right incentives to encourage sharing behaviors. As demonstrated by the Mckinsey study financial incentives are not the greatest motivators. Peer recognition, status and learning should also be built into the incentive program.

What are the technologies available today?
There are several methods to encourage and gather the voice of employees, while providing them with an incentive. The employees of an organization form a “society’. The growth of web.20 technology enables this “society” to express, share, agree, disagree, and suggest using web based mediums such as:

- Discussion Boards on MS SharePoint
- Blogs(web logs), Wikis
- KM libraries
- Online learning systems
- An online forum to contribute ideas that will help the organization benefit and in turn reward the employee with a prize as an incentive and recognition
- Podcasts, Video-sharing sites
- Corporate Social Networks (CSN) on the lines of Facebook, Myspace behind the corporate firewall.

While all of the above listed Web2.0 tools have their set of advantages in bringing people together, they have their disadvantages as well.

For instance a CSN like Facebook may help reveal basic information about employees of an organization while at the same time not many employees will be open to revealing a lot of their personal data on a professional network (CSN). This will lead to a dry interaction and thus limited knowledge sharing. According to a recent McKinsey research study, organizations are planning to invest 37% in CSN.
Unilever was exploring the idea of setting up a CSN in October, 2007 alongside their existing people directory.

On the other hand the discussion board on a MS Sharepoint site. Since MicroSoft Applications are built in a manner that enables them to interact with each other the MS Sharepoint discussion board can be set to alert an user by email in his/her MSOutlook inbox. This will let the user know that a certain action has taken place on the discussion board, which will then enable the user to take the necessary action.

Weblogs: are personal journals published on the world wide web or an intranet. Every post is assigned an individual URL that can be archived. Each post can contain text and images. Weblogs can be used as a knowledge journal, personal knowledge inventory, collaborative sharing forum that sparks off a discussion which is searchable. They are written by specifically identified members of the organization - senior management or employees with large social networks and can be used to generate interest and institutionalize the process. According to a recent McKinsey research study, organizations are planning to invest 32% in weblogs.

Wiki: refer to collaborative knowledge sharing platforms. They can be used to create and share knowledge. They are a very effective way to bring new members in as members can contribute to a topic. Important to have a reviewing committee that approves contributions and checks for validity of information posted. According to a recent McKinsey research study, organizations are planning to invest 33% in wikis.

A McKinsey research study on corporate investments in web2.0 indicates that the interest in India towards investment in Web2.0 technologies across various verticals like Retail, High Tech, Telecommunications, Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals over the next three years is high.

SharePoint: an online collaborative tool that is used mainly as a repository and for collaborative document creation. It has discussion boards that are searchable but not as effective as a wiki or a weblog, as it is designed like a repository and does not provide a personal feel.

Video blogs: messages could be posted once a fortnight or once a month featuring an employee of the month (some one who has contributed value or has an idea to share). This is a powerful tool for employee voice but will require huge infrastructure and processes which could be different from the other forums.

Conclusion: Thus choosing a Web2.0 technology tool to enable employee voice will depend on several factors, such as: People, Process, the ROI, Value Add, Need, Incentive and Motive, that will vary from business to business.

References:

Martin Roll. Distributed KM – Improving Knowledge Workers’ Productivity and Organization Knowledge Sharing with Weblog-based Personal Publishing

A McKinsey Global Survey: How businesses are using Web2.0

Jacques R. Bughin, Mckinsey Research, 2007

ROI of face book – Toby Ward, intranet global forum

Note: This was an assignment that I worked on as a part of an interview process in February 2008 and hence data provided may be obsolete. I intended to get it published but got too lazy(to update the data and to persue publishers) and hence decided if not anywhere else, at least my blog.

Dhriti Bhatia - The Wonder Kid

2009-05-05T18:34:00.000-07:00

I don't usually spend a lot of time in front of the idiot box but try not to miss Jai Shri Krishna on Colors not for the story of lord Krishna but purely to watch the child star Dhriti Bhatia. This toddler is not just cute, adorable and a bundle of joy but a splendid actress at the age of three(she started acting when she was 2yrs and 10months old).

I do hope the kid is not over worked and has enough time to play and be her normal self. Watch the small wonder in action on YouTube. Here she is all set for the shoot!

My First Meme

2009-04-16T03:45:00.001-07:00

I have seen the concept of a 'Meme' do the rounds on the blogosphere and hope that I have got it right. I copied this meme from Terra Shield's blog, who in turn found it on Sunday Stealing.

So, here I go....

1. How did you come up with your blog title OR what does it mean?
I blog about almost everything and anything under the sun in this
blog and also welcome comments from my readers. Thus I felt 'Chit
Chat', would be the apt title for my blog.

2. What are your general goals for blogging?
Helps vent, express my opinions, understand and learn others views on
various subjects.

3. Do people “in your real life” know that you blog and do they
comment on your blog OR is it largely anonymous? How often do
you post (x per week)?
Yes, people in my real life know that I blog and do comment as well.
Infact, I pain them till they leave a comment, most often. :P

I used to blog often in the past but not anymore. Anywhere between
1-5 posts a month is all I manage now. Once a week is a little too often,
don't manage to maintain such frequency any more.

4. How often do you read other blogs (x per week)?
Almost everytime they update it as the same reflects on my blogroll
unless offcourse I am pressed for time or if the blog post is lenghty.

5. How do you select blogs to read (do you prefer blogs that focus on certain topics or do you choose by tone or…?)
I go by the content, tone, style, look and feel of the blog.

6. Do you have any plans to copy your blog entries in any other format, 0r do you think that one day, you’ll just delete it all?
I do wonder at times if I should move my blog to a different application
but I don't think I will do so. I do change the template from time to
time and have hidden my blog but will never delete my blog.

7. What are the things you like best about blogging?
Freedom of expression with no constraints or rules.

8. What are the things you don’t like about blogging?
Nothing that I can think of at present.

9. How do you handle comments?
I try respond to most comments, though not always and try not get personal.

10. Do you have any burning thoughts to share on blog etiquette?
Avoid usage of the blogger's real name and preferably use the blogger name while posting comments.

11. Any desired blog features?
Umm... thinking.

12. Have you suffered blog addiction?
Absolutely, when I first started out. I thourughly enjoyed blogging and still do (though many people think I can't write for nuts). The number of blogposts would prove my blog addiction but they are not visible anymore as I thought many of them deserved to be archived.

Self

2009-04-15T19:16:00.000-07:00

Are we humans selfish? In a sense 'yes' and in a sense 'no', is how I see it. We constantly think of what we want. Work, career and thus money that leads to material comforts. We shop, eat for ourselves and feel good. In the process we satisfy ourselves, so we are selfish? At the same time we tie ourselves down by society and relatives. We live for parents, spouse, children and extended family, making sacrifices and doing things we don't like. Are we compelled to or do we give in? Some of us do return to the society, from time to time in our own small way.Do I still label ourselves as selfish?

What is wrong if one says one wants to go 'incognito'? To be in disguise or a false identity does not sound right or nice but what if one wants to be away from all those who one knows and is tuned to be responsible and answerable to? It is not about escapism. As for right and wrong, there is no such thing, it is all grey and again it is society(us humans) that decides and defines the 'right' and the 'wrong'.

Why can't we think beyond the self and yet do things for the self the way one wants to without being bound by ties and society?

At this point, I can only quote Robert Frost:
“The woods are lovely, dark and deep
But I have promises to keep
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.”

Life is Purposeless and Meaningless

2009-03-22T10:35:00.000-07:00

We humans eat, sleep, breathe and excrete because our system requires the same from us in order to function well, these things are not completely in our control and but natural. That is how our biological clock and system works. In addition we re-produce. We crave for material assets that give us some kinda weird pleasure but this can't be the purpose of life or does life have a purpose at all?

To do things that one likes, appreciates and enjoys is an experience not a purpose. Life in itself is an experience.

Like mentioned in an earlier post, life undoubtedly is a path that leads to the unknown.

A friend of mine says that it is when one feels joy and happiness from within,can connect with the cosmic energy and feels secure and protected by this cosmic energy is then that one has attained the purpose of life or is that Nirvana? Life's purpose is also to help others attain or come some where close to feeling this happiness from within, one step at a time, she says.

I can't quite comprehend and relate to this while another friend says, our mind is tuned to and can only understand logic and not irrational stuff. This is the reason why many of us tend to provide some kind of an answer as the purpose and meaning of life or existence. No matter what answer one provides, the next question that will arise is 'Why'. Why is xyz, the purpose of life, if that is answered it will be followed by another question 'Why so'. Hence there is no final answer for this question.

Why do people who have attained peace with themselves still need to earn and possess those material comforts? May be, this inner peace is a state of mind that exists only for a period of time(from one time to another) and does not last forever or is that not the case? What on earth is this peace from within? Again this friend, says that according to him it is about doing things you like, enjoy and are passionate about and enjoying every bit of what you do, sitting back and appreciating the world around you and not just being part of the rat race. This is not the definition but could possibly be somewhere close.

To me life, is abstract, bizarre and so is it's purpose and meaning. Guess it lacks both!

Chit Chat's Second Birthday!

2009-02-26T01:37:00.001-08:00

Happy Second Birthday, Chit-Chat!

In the year that went by not much had been said nor done. Chit Chat was re-vamped and given a new look.

Hopefully the third year witnesses more meaningful n fun blog posts.

You've always helped me vent, irrespective of whether I published the post or not.

Thank you!

Borrow/Lend = Return/Not Return?

2009-02-23T21:02:00.001-08:00

To Borrow or lend implies that the commodity is supposed to be returned, right? So when people borrow stuff, especially money(irrespective of the amount - big or small) why do they conviniently forget to return, more often than not?

As a principle I beleive in returning every pie I borrow, if at all I do ever happen to borrow. I try avoid such transactions, unless inevitable and hence expect the same incase I lend. I believe money can mar a relationship irrespective of how close you are with the other person. It's not about how much(I have had people telling me "it is such a small amount, why do you care?") but about the principle.

Nature only knows whether such people have a conscience!

Culture or Chauvanism?

2009-02-16T01:48:00.000-08:00

What is the Ram Sena upto? What Indian culture are they refering to? Do they even realise what "culture" means? No individual has the right to intervene in another individual's life. How one dresses, socialises, etc is not any other individual or groups business. As long as the legal framework is adhered to, who is the Ram Sena to tell any life bearing body in this country what to do or what not to do? Whether one apes the west or not, is one's personal prerogative.

It is sad and unfortunate to see such anti-social elements and their acts in this land of Khajuraho and KamaSutra. These are merely a group of ill-informed(half-baked knowledge) people who stoop to any extent for mere poltical gain. To remain in power, you use the public? How sad is the state of this democracy?

I like the approach(ahimsa) that the Pink Chaddi campaign adopted to. :)

Lil does the Ram Sena realize that there are youngsters out there who took advantage of their announcement about getting couples seen in public on Valentine's day married off. Who knows, how very mature, sure were these individuals about their decision or themselves? What right, authority did the Ram Sena have to decide their future?

Gandhiji sure must be turning in his grave.

Public Display of Respect

2009-02-06T22:42:00.000-08:00

In a land like ours(India), respecting your elders, goes without saying. It is grilled into us from childhood but how important is it to display the same?

Is it true that you value your elders only if you address them with phrases such as "bhaiya/anna","didi/akka", suffixed to their names or by falling at their feet every time you meet them? I am not saying that one MUST NOT do such stuff. Infact I have observed over time that most(not all) elders find a certain pleasure when you ask for their blessings and fall at their feet(I don't lose anything by giving them that happiness and so I do so, when required i.e. on occassions). Yet, I feel that respect is something one must feel from within towards the other irrespective of age, relationship and displaying respect is NOT MANDATORY. In other words, if you don't fall at your elder's feet or address them in a certain manner it does not mean that you DISRESPECT them or that you are ILL MANNERED(some people strongly think otherwise).

I think the same applies to PDA!

Follow your heart and do what you believe in. Simply suit yourself!

Non-related Stuff: I finally visited the Race Course and it was a beautiful sight to see those majestic, handsome horses run the last lap in reality as against watching the same on the idiot box. But for the bad crowd and sadly maintained Turf Club, I'd sure love to visit the place more often!

Stereotype

2009-01-26T22:33:00.000-08:00

Is it convinient or cool to be a Stereotype?

Who decides/decided the below(Society)?

- The kind of clothes a man should wear and the way he should
carry himself.
- The kind of clothes a woman should wear and how she should
carry herself.
- Women are meant to be well groomed.
- Women take care of the household and family(yes that is implicit
even in the 21st Century).
- The man must be older than a woman in a relationship(married or
otherwise).
- The man is the head of the family.
- The man should be taller than the woman.
- The man must possess a higher qualification than the woman.
- The woman must look beautiful no matter how ugly the man is.
- The list continues.....

The list is lengthy and exhaustive.

What is it that influences this mindset? How difficult is it to break away from this stereotypical mindset and yet be part of such a society? I am sure it is easier said than done!

What is your take on this?

New Year and A Ritual?

2009-01-01T23:16:00.000-08:00

The most common questions that do the rounds as new year's eve approaches and until a few days after we are in to the next year are: "What are you doing for New Year's Eve?" or "How did you welcome the new year?"

When a certain action is repeated, does it not become a ritual(not in the sense of a religious ritual)? Aren't rituals boring and meaningless?

While every weekday repeats itself, once every seven days, every month repeats itself once every year, so does every year repeat itself once every 365 days. What's so special about a New Year? It is just another day, another year that will soon roll by. A calender whose leaf is turned. Does it not become a ritual to celebrate and welcome the new year, year after year? It is a mere excuse to party, let your hair down and spend time with loved ones while Clubs make their profits(that is perfectly fine, warranted and acceptable). Then why so much ado about nothing? It is a ritual at the end of the day, ain't it?

The Year That Was(2008)

2008-12-26T19:18:00.000-08:00

It is time to bid farewell to 2008 and welcome 2009. 2008 wasn't a great year for starts. It started on a bad note, while a close friend went through a difficult phase on the personal front(which hit me hard), followed by the loss of my most favorite grand-uncle. I switched jobs, which I badly needed to do but it didn't make much difference in terms of learning and growth, though otherwise I definitely found more time for leisure. Planned a vacation or two abroad but in vain.:( Made my first big(considerably big) purchase followed by a few other small gadgets. Did not see much of a change on the personal front(neither for the good nor the bad).

Not to forget the increasing acts of terrorism in the country and world over, Global Warming, the Economic Slowdown and it's after effects making their presence felt more than ever before.

I can't believe that I am almost done with two years of blogging and my blog got approved by WBC. Time has flown by and so has 2008!

Life goes on and I continue to try and take life as it comes, one step at a time!

North Vs South

2008-12-19T22:32:00.000-08:00

A lot of us must have faced scenarios where in collegues, aquaintances and even friends at times mock South Indians. I am not denying the fact that the case is vice versa as well. I also admit that we are all Indians at the end of the day and belong to one nation.

But, is that how we see ourselves unless and until there is a major mishap(terrorist activity of sorts)?

This is on account of what I have witnessed and am not out here to condemn, demeen or use derogatory terms against North Indians or Non-South Indians. I infact until recently always had a soft corner toward North Indians for reasons unknown.

I am appauled by the audacity of people who possibly don't consider themselves as INDIANS but also make fun of South Indians - their skin color, accents, style of speaking, pronunciation, habits and food while they(the non-South Indians) live in South India to earn their bread and butter. This annoys me the most. If you can't respect others for what and who they are the least you can do is not make fun of them(more so while you reside in their land). For the North Indians, South India equates to Madras(thanks to Bollywood as well) and black people as they refer to us. Black implies Dark, that is the right word in English for Kala(in hindi). Didn't you know?

A gujju once said:"There are snakes in the hole", he meant "There are snacks in the hall". A bong said:"There are babes in the water", he meant "There are waves in the water". A Punju said: "I am com-for-table" he meant "I am comfortable". What about those of you who replace the word "THINK" with the word "HOPE" in every other so called English sentence of yours("I hope you are frustrated"!, boy what was that? Well it means "I think you are frustrated")? Do we speak of achievers from various parts of India? Well I am not getting in to that. One can go on, but like I earlier said I am not out here to make fun of anyone but to express my views and disgust towards such people who make fun(unless done in good spirit) of others irrespective of wheather they are from the South or the North of India.

Disclaimer: My intent is not to target North Indians or Hindi speaking public(fellow Indians) through this post. I am trying to put across what I have seen and how South Indians(implies Madrasis) are victimised. I will be more than happy to read/hear from you about instances that work the other way round(though I never did or will deny the possibility and the reality). Neither am I generalising that all non-South Indians possess such an attitude towards South Indians nor am I trying to claim that South Indians do not have a problem and/or are very friendly, forthcoming and approachable towards non-South Indians.

Shoe Fetish

2008-12-18T04:31:00.000-08:00

I ran through my archived posts and was surprised to note that I have not written about my fetish for footwear. Not that it is of prime importance or interest to my readers but sure will suggest that this is a gift that I will most happily accept(in addition to many others like Perfumes, Chocolates, etc). :P

Mind you, I am rather finicky about my choice of footwear and hence a gift voucher will be the best bet. I really liked Terra Shield's blog template(though I think it is a lil loud) but since she already had it in place, I decided to opt for a different template.

I totally totally love to shop for footwear and though I don't possess too many(20pairs) yet, will look forward to acquiring more with time.

Yes, I am completely out of ideas to blog about and hence all these crazy pictures and posts on my first page. First time visitors rather look at archived posts.

Lucky Draw

2008-12-09T19:15:00.000-08:00

Hey people, guess what? Yes, after all those gift vouchers I won a lucky draw.:-)

The fact that I am not sure about the genuinity and authenticity about the same is a separate issue, I am enjoying the present moment!

I happened to walk in to a mall that is a stones throw away from work, with my colleagues. Someone out there handed me this form to fill and drop into a box. I did so providing as less information as I could about myself and a few weeks later I received a call saying I won the draw.

And what did they have to offer? Accomodation for two(I was verbally told for four) for seven days in a 5 star resort, in either of the below mentioned places:

- Goa
- Kerala
- Srilanka
- Indonasia(Bali)

They also said that they will bear 20% of the food expeneses.

I was and still am super thrilled and excited about the idea of visitng Bali but am wondering if it is a hoax considering the fact that the information provided verbally as against that on the actual voucher does not match. There is no mention of the 20% food discount on the voucher.

The voucher was presented by Country Vacations and is valid from April through Sepetember 2009.

It seems like a marketing ploy to me. Anyone, aware of this? Do share your inputs and experiences, if any.

WBC Approved

2008-12-08T02:37:00.000-08:00

My blog has been reviewed and approved by the World Blog Council. Thank you WBC, Frau von Sauertraut and Colonel Reginald Fotherington-Blogworthy!

"A left-handed, canine-lover bringing us light-hearted observations about love, life and the world around her." - The description is soooooo apt and so me.:-)

It was fun to read Colonel Reginald's comment about my often changing blog template. I truly like to experiment with templates but this past week, I spent almost all my time on the internet messing with my blog and it's template, as I was tired of the standard templates Blogger has to offer. This current template is here to stay for a while(so I think and believe).:P

Hinglish or Inglishu or Yungleesh or Angrezi

2008-11-30T19:26:00.000-08:00

I could not resist sharing this image(a forward) that I chanced upon.
Hinglish or Inglishu or Yungleesh or Angrezi or whatever!
Whoever said that copy cannot be an art form.
The copy writer, along with a sense of humour also suffers from a sense of tumour!!(Pun intended).

New look

2008-11-28T03:12:00.001-08:00

The above was the intended new look of my blog(I loved it), but unfortunately the template did not support several features that existed in my blog and thus I had to be content with this alternative new look!

SouthPaw

2008-11-12T19:05:00.000-08:00

Some of the famous(and infamous) southpaws:

- Mahatma Gandhi
- Napoleon Bonaparte
- Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan
- Jim Carrey
- Tom Cruise
- Pierce Brosnan
- Robert De Niro
- Charlie Chaplin
- Keanu Reeves
- Drew Barrymore
- Kim Basinger
- Whoopi Goldberg
- Goldie Hawn
- Angelina Jolie
- Nicole Kidman
- Marilyn Manroe
- Demi Moore
- Julia Roberts
- Oprah Winfrey
- Queen Elizabeth
- Prince William and Prince Charles
- Michelangelo
- Picasso
- Da Vinci
- Henry Ford
- Marie Curie
- Albert Einstein
- Bill Gates
- Neil Armstrong
- Bach and Beethoven
- Jimmi Hendrix
- Paul McCartney
- Ricky Martin
- Ronald Reagan
- Bill Clinton
- George H.W. Bush
- Osama Bin Laden
- Jack the Ripper
- Boston Strangler
- Barrack Obama
and
- Yours Truly! :-) ;-)

Look-a-like

2008-11-03T23:47:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately I do not have pictures of myself at those instances when I resembled the above mentioned people nor do I have a digital picture of my grandmother and hence had to make good with what I could lay my hands on.

Thank you - Mota and Zaphod Beeblebrox for suggesting and helping me decide on a title for this blog post.:-) I was confused and thus went with the title that won the poll.

Disclaimer: I was told that I resembled the above individuals at various points in my life and this is not what I personally claim, though I may be in conjunction with those who told me so.

Twinkle Twinkle....

2008-10-18T04:34:00.000-07:00

The girl(the nightingale of our class and school) in the pink suit in the video was my classmate from school.:-)

Cows in a Globalized World

2008-10-04T03:24:00.000-07:00

Ever heard/seen cows that eat Biscuits, Chocolates, Ice cream, etc out of choice and not out of starvation(Yes, there are several cows that eat the glue(made of rice batter) behind posters on the road and from dustbins because of hunger)?

Such are the cows that belong to the NJR family in Madanapalle of Chitoor District, Andhra Pradesh, India. They prefer BRITANNIA TIGER biscuits. Taste buds in action?;-)

Take a look: Click on the hyper linked title.

Aren't they adorable? The cow on the right hand side at the start of the video has an EGO issue, or does she seek attention? Try feeding her after you are done with feeding the rest of the cows and she will refuse to eat, try vice versa and it works. Amazing?:-)

Disclaimer:Ah well, I am aware that they are completely and terribly pampered but I sure am not interested in reading comments about how good or bad it is for Cows to be eating such food.

Tamilian Deliciacies to go with Curd Rice

2008-09-04T00:50:00.000-07:00

I am not quite a foodie, yet I can't not mention some of the delicalies of Tamil Nadu that go with Thair Sadam(Curd Rice).

Narthanga
Veppalakatti
Mormozhga
Mavalikazhang
Mavadu

Yummmmm, delicious is an under statement. I sure have missed a few and am trying to recall...

Fauji - My All Time Favorite Television Series

2008-08-23T23:32:00.000-07:00

Yes, "Fauji" is my all time favorite television series. Thanks to Youtube(and my sis who told me to check it out there), did I get to catch up on the 13th, last and final episode that I missed that was aired on T.V years ago, as I was on my way to Hyderabad. Like my sis said the 'magic lasts till today'.

Can any ardent fan and follower of this T.V series forget Abhimanyu Rai(not to forget this was what gave ShahRukh Khan a jump start to his career) and Buddy Varun('I Say Chaps')? I wish there is a repeat telecast. I just loved them!

Freedom - Independence and Republic Day

2008-08-14T02:22:00.000-07:00

Ever pondered on this?

Why is it that only as Independence/Republic Day is approaching, do most of us:

Start spamming each other's inboxes with forwards about Azaadi, Hamaara Bharath Mahan, etc?

Buy and pin flags to ourselves?

Wear clothes that contain the tri-color(Is that not disrespect to wrap the flag around)?

Telecast and watch so to speak Patriotic movies and Jai Jawan?

Recite the National Anthem(while we don't stand in attention and respect the anthem)?

The list is endless. It seems more like a forced ritual than something that comes from within. Why don't we otherwise think of the soldiers who pledge their life for the nation? Why does the government award them much lesser than software geeks when it comes to monetary benefits. There is no comparison to there services. Why does not the Indian government make it mandatory for every boy and girl to serve the nation for a minimum period of at least two years?

I believe there is no profession that can match the Forces(with all due to respect to them), be it Pride or Dignity.I understand, empathize and have great regard, as I come from a Defence family and always, wanted to join the Forces. Call it Fate, Destiny or Luck was not with me. :-(

The Irony of a Career in the Pvt. Sector

2008-08-02T05:02:00.000-07:00

This is not just an affected, irritated, experienced and annoyed me writing this post but I am more than sure that there are umpteen folks out there who will nod their heads in agreement to my views.

It's bloody frustrating, as long as you are in the system you can't say a thing neither about your boss, manager, HR(Human Resources) guys, for fear of being screwed(be it getting fired or performance or whatever crap) and then you tell yourself that whenever you leave you will slash back at each and everyone of them. And finally, when you bloody leave you can't say a thing because you want the reliving letter, you want the final settlement to come through peacefully and worst of all your next employer will contact your previous employer/manager for reference. The system sucks!

It's not that I am just hot headed and a chicken. When it comes to my professional life I sure am not a chicken. I vow that I will give it back every single time(and have done so on several occasions if not all), there is no point cribbing to friends and family and putting up with shit.

Thanks to ma blog - I manage to vent for the temporary present!

Stomachless!

2008-07-22T23:57:00.000-07:00

Stomachless - What does this mean? I ain't have a great stomach? Frequent stomach upset issues, a poor eater/bad apetite, can't stomach things?

Well, I think it's predominantly the latter followed by the second(poor eater):-(. I sure can't keep secrets about the self and small, not so important stuff about others(between friends). I am so unlike a true Scorpion, when it comes to keeping secrets. Does that mean you can't trust/confide in me? Naaaa...definitely not, though it would be better off when others say so. If it's a serious issue, you can stay rest assured that my lips are sealed and that your secret will die with me.

Like some idiots crib, complain, paint their faces and hog all the time, I yap away to glory, most often than not(that's the problem, or do I say culprit)? :P Well, I admit so and am working on the issue, but what the hell it's between close buddies(common friends, needless to say)!

Lethargy, Procrastination and Me

2008-07-16T22:24:00.000-07:00

Lethargy and Procrastination are words synonmn to me. Lethargy has set in big time, since the past few years. I sit around like a fat slob,complete couch potato and do no physical work/exercise. Absolutely no discipline, energy or spurthi as is said in Hindi and Sanskrit. No matter how much my folks yell, explain and try endlessly, I remain the same.:-(

In addition to this I procrastinate like no body's business. From the smallest to the biggest decisions in life, I put them off. Realization has set in but what I will do/not do to deal with Lethargy and Procrastination is something only time will tell!

Douglas Bader

2008-07-05T00:06:00.000-07:00

A bruise, a cut, an injury, a pain of any sort - in the neck, ear, gums, back, legs, each time I feel the inscrutable pain of one over the other. I wonder what strength, motivation and determination went in to Douglas Bader and his efforts. Douglas Bader an ALL TIME HERO, the movie "Reach For the Sky"(on him), one of my favorites. He indeed did reach the sky!

God, Creation and Evolution?

2008-07-04T23:20:00.000-07:00

Ever thought of this? It's rather interesting, the difference between creation and evolution and how the two are inter-related? If god created(completed to a full point) then how is the world continu
-ing to evolve(an ongoing process)?That brings us to the question, of the existence of god!

A friend of mine(an ardent Osho fan) came up with this other interesting theory about god's existence(if the creator and the creation are two separate entities then who created the space where the creator was while creating the creation?) , that I will leave for him to explain in his comment(hopefully he does). Hope I got that theory right.

Osho says God is a consolation, fiction invented by man.

All of this sounds true but this man created consolation, illusion(GOD) stands to be the cause of fear and respect amongst millions.

May be I am a follower of agnosticism, an agnostic.

2008-07-01T00:14:00.000-07:00

Like...

My beautiful face
Madras
Best Friends
Bambino
Blogging
Alwarpet
Alcohol
Aalu
Bessi
Bullet
Choclate
Dogs
Ice Cream
Italian Food
Boys
Dressing up
Chit Chat
Phone
Internet
Computer
Idiot Box
Monogamy
Pani Puri
Space
Tennis
Variety

Dislike...

Religion(won't get in to specifics):P
Spectacles
Orthodoxy
Polygamy
Sarcasm
Human Resources
Snakes
Lizards
Smoke
Cigerattes
Nosy people
Osho
Society
Boss
Exams
Cricket
Double Standards
Arrogance
Dishonesty

Colloquial Tamil

2008-05-27T20:18:00.000-07:00

Jalsa
Jilpa
Alwa
Vennai
Pazham
Kennai
Lolu
Kundu
Tunu
Kotiko

Swear Words:
Kasmalam
Panare
Tevediya

I have missed on loads of other words....tell me?

Traffic Today!

2008-05-02T00:53:00.000-07:00

How does it feel to ride in today’s traffic, especially in an urban area? Riding a two wheeler or driving a four wheeler is no more a pleasure in any of the cosmopolitan cities, it is more of a necessity and a convenience factor.

Everyone is zooming away, irrespective of size, capacity and horsepower. Everyone is in a hurry and everyone thinks the road is a racecourse/racing arena. What with the banks offering vehicle loans day in and day out, there are several thousand vehicles registered every day. An increase in population and India Shining(opening up and growth of economy) has lead to a vehicle overload on the roads today.

There is absolutely no road sense, be it an educated/uneducated person riding/driving, be it a richster/poor man, be it a man/woman, be it a teenager/old person. Invariably people don’t follow rules. Everyone think they are super smart and try break the rules thereby causing traffic jams, accidents and chaos for themselves. For instance when it comes to overtaking, you have people overtaking you from both sides and they don’t honk while they overtake, while that’s when they need to let you know so. And freak what about those idiots who ride on the right side of the road….ever wondered why? That’s cause he/she has just returned from the United States of America you see, will take a while for the individual to get accustomed to the Indian rule of riding/driving on the left hand side of the road. What with the kind of turns they take, people who want to turn left, stand at the extreme right at a signal and cut across the rest. Annoying or what? Even better, at a signal/traffic jam, the horn is used to it’s maximum. I turn to tell the bloody fool to ‘fly over’ me, if s/he is blind not to see that there is no where I can move.

I ride very slowly and hence am ridiculed but I care two hoots. My life is precious and I believe in following the rules and riding safe, cause all around me are senseless idiots, who possess the power to purchase and have a machine to accelerate. They have no bloody brains, all they can do is fight, create chaos, add to NOISE pollution, help add fowl language and words to one’s vocabulary and ensure that others become BP patients at the EOD.

To ride/drive and handle traffic on Indian roads with all kinds of vehicles, big and small(bullock carts to Volvo buses), is not just a huge task but a skill by itself. What do you think?

Human Resources @ Corporates

2008-05-01T05:18:00.000-07:00

What is your first reaction when you hear the word "Human Resources"?

Well well I have been meaning to write this post for a while now but a heated argument with someone I know has lead me to do so finally(THIS IS NOT INTENDED TOWARDS ANY INDIVIDUAL IN SPECIFIC).

For several unknown unfortunate reasons I personally have always had not so great experiences with people from the HR world at organizations that I have worked with so far. I always thought it is with that specific individual or that HR lot in that specific organization but NO that's not how it is. Experience and time tells me it's the same almost everywhere. I know it's not good to generalize, criticize, judge and comment on people. I am not perfect, no one is perfect but this is an observation and an opinion that I am entitled to express with a certain clan, leaving aside a few exceptions. I sincerely hope that I do come across those exceptions at the earliest.

This is not just me speaking but several of my colleagues, ex-colleagues, friend's etc are on the same page when it comes to this issue.

My best friend, cousin and a few other friends and acquaintances are in this field, with due respect to all of them and their professions I as an outsider to their family feel and believe so. In fact I did once ask my friend:
"Why do you HR guys have such attitude? In fact I have noticed most of you are not aware of your own subject, work and stuff and still have that attitude".

This is what she said in response:" It's the feeling of power, because we hire and fire"

I then told her:"It's not you who decides to hire and fire, you are only the medium used to hire and fire".

For whatever reasons we left it at that. I once had an issue with my HR rep during my exit process. She intimates me of the 'exit interview' through chat(MSN) and not through an email. Mind you this organization follows and has a procedure in place to even move a chair from one position to the other and because I asked her 'Why she did not formally intimate me?', she snapped at me. Boy! what attitude and why(I fail to understand)? Firstly you are at fault and instead of admitting it you get back at me? Yes, I agree we all make blunders but to be arrogant while you are at fault?

What can I say.....I only hope I come across the real nice HR types(and not the smooth talkers) soon.

Disclaimer: I have nothing personal with anyone from the world of HR, be it my friends, family, HR colleagues, etc and thus this post is not directed towards any particular individual.

Godly Men & Women – Are they Real?

2008-04-29T01:24:00.000-07:00

Ever wondered about the various religious/spiritual leaders(Baba’s, Guru’s, Mai’s and mother’s)? Well I am not gonna take names as this is a very sensitive and personal issue. Do we need a guru who shows and leads us through the holy path to godliness? Does God exist(that’s separate topic by itself, that I will not get into now)?

Meditation, Concentration, Focus, Spirituality, Saint-ism/hood are they all to be taught(agreed it is a personal choice)? Can’t one learn and attain them by oneself? No harm in learning them from a Guru, as one may not get to see a perspective on various issues of life by oneself. There again, is one not restraining oneself to the perspectives and ideas held by one’s guru, alone?

How many of these guruji’s and mataji’s(of different discipline’s and religions) today are genuine? Are these so called spiritual leaders saints in their daily lives? Are they honest to themselves? For some reason most of them appear fake to me.

Why is it necessary for them to attain a certain kind of avatar? Why must they wear a certain colored robe(orange, white usually), long beard(in case of men) and huge bindi’s with a weird hairstyle that is left lose(in case of women). Is it not just a form of livelihood for them at the EOD at the cost of the general public?

I continue to seek answers….

Is Man Meant to be Monogamous?

2008-04-25T20:05:00.000-07:00

I observed that it's all around me, in the papers, online, discussions on television, everywhere....all that you get to here about these days is - the change in culture and hence a culture shock. Is it Western influence on India or is it about the natural side of humans that's coming out? Live-in relationships, polygamy, infidelity, etc?

Ever wondered why all other animals have several sexual partners/mates except humans? Is it natural to be monogamous? Looking back and giving it a serious thought - it doesn't seem to be the case. Being faithful and to have one partner for a lifetime, is what society has binded on us for convenience. An institution like marriage helps children grow in a secure environment and with a balanced mind. It's for financial and emotional security that man seems to have laid these rules.

It is but natural for a human(man or woman) to be attracted to more than one human in his/her lifetime? Why did the kings and queens or the men and women in the tribal era, have multiple partners? That was natural and humans being human like any other animal.

Thus with financial independence, liberalisation, freedom and rise of women power in a nation like ours, society is witnessing and will continue to witness a change(that seems like a rebel of sorts) in marriages and relationships. The statistics indicate a sudden and high rise in the number of divorces and single parents off late especially in urban areas.

Unfortunately the concept of fidelity and one man - one woman is so drilled into our heads that despite understanding reality it is NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE to accept the same in reality leave aside putting it in practice.

Has society(in the past) made life difficult for it's future generations(us and the generations to come) by setting such rules(it is invetible that the rules will be broken, it is only a matter of time)?

First Blog Anniversary!

2008-02-26T18:39:00.001-08:00

It's been a year since I started blogging! Today is my first blog anniversary! :) Feels good to have maintained an online diary of sorts...when I first started, I blogged way too often and then slowly the frequency reduced. I have blogged about various topics from sensitive issues, my favorite people to the craziest of things under the sun. It sure helped vent and express my various thoughts and emotions! It was interesting to know what others felt and thought about my blog posts - some agreed, some disagreed while others had different POVs.

The blog has been a great friend. I plan to continue to blog away.:)

Happy B'day My Dear Blog!:-)

Wg.Cdr.KalyanSundaram - My Darling!

2008-02-13T03:51:00.000-08:00

This post has been due for a while, I don't know if it was a coincidence, an indication or a premonition of sorts. A week before his demise(05th February, 2008) I wanted to write a blog post on him, hoping he'd read my blog that way, at least. I wanted to gift him something really nice, for reasons unknown to me. Lil did I know that his end was near and that a few days down the line, I'd have to face and handle the bitter truth of life.:-(

I wanted to write this post about one of the few men:
- I loved and will always love
- Who made a difference in and to my life(whose presence and even name always brought a smile on my face.I considered him an idol)
- I adored and adored me

And this man is Wg.Cdr. KalyanSundaram(was awarded the VSM by the IAF) alias Ramani alias Speedy(as he was known in the Indian Air Force), my Rthatha(my favorite granduncle). I knew this would be an instance that would be very hard to handle but I still was not prepared and did not expect it to happen the way it did. His demise was unexpected and thus a shock and blow to the family and friends, yet beautiful.

He was LIVELY as can be.He electrified the place, no matter where, what and who were there. Untidy and shabby that he was, yet lovable and adorable:-). HOSPITALITY was ALWAYS AT IT's BEST at his home, like no others!(Kudos to R, Manjamma, Sudhapini and Bhushanmama). They ALWAYS ROCKED!

Was he intelligent or what? He was an Engineer(mechanical/aeronautical) by profession but not a trained Computer/Software Engineer but ask him anything about the comp(absolutely any issue - a technical snag, the internet, any kind of software, the i-pod and system compatibility, etc) and bingo - he had the answer! As he used to say my PC goes kaput.

Who will:
- I now ask for all the comp related help?:-(
- now fix me a drink(Bloody Mary)?
- tell me to run away and ask him for tickets when I do so?
- address me as "ai you so-and-so"?
- ping me on MSN at 8PM while I am at work and repeatedly tell me to leave for home, while I don't stop telling him that my office cab does not leave for home before 9PM?
- burn all those Dean Martin and Harry Belafonte songs for me?
- cook delicacies for me?
- buy me Tirnalvelli halwa?
- I listen to chant the VisnhuSahasranamam?

From Sudoku, Crossword, Detanators, to the engine of a Microlite he'd solve em all in a jiffy.

Did he know to live life to the fullest or what - be it while in the Indian Air Force or otherwise? People at work, IISc, family, friends and even the kids(special children) at his wife's school(Swayamkrushi) loved and adored him.

He lived a beautiful life on his terms and died an even beautiful death on his bed at his home in his sleep(as he desired). He went away with such dignity, with no pain/illness and trouble to anyone.

Lord give all of us whom he has left behind the strength to accept his LOSS(it's still not sinking in).

MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE! Love you ALWAYS and MISS YOU like CRAZY Rthatha.

Old is Gold - Always?!

2008-01-23T03:47:00.000-08:00

Is Old always gold? Why is it that humans crib, crib and crib when it comes to their workplace, colleagues and immediate boss(this so applies to me :P) and when they eventually move to a new place of work or a new team they keep saying that the organisation they earlier served or the team/boss/colleagues they worked with previously were way better than the present?

I wonder if it is:
- about never being able to be happy with what one has?
- about cribbing that leads to temporary solace/relief/release of negative energy(won't Catharsis help better)?
- about Late Realisation that happens for the moment(temporary)?
- about getting used to the idea of your colleagues, nature of work, immediate boss and workplace atmosphere?
Or
- a combination of all of the above?

I continue to wonder...

Love, Trust, Moral Values - where have they gone?

2008-01-17T04:26:00.000-08:00

What is LOVE? I believe TRUST forms the essence of LOVE. Do we misuse the word LOVE?

What with independence, economic progress, liberal thoughts and dminishing moral values - where are we heading?

To say you are in love and then to betray, to evade commitment - are these signs of a cultured human?

If you are not ready for commitment, do not believe in the institution of marriage, then fool around with as many people(either of the same sex as you or the opposite sex)but why involve an individual who does not think like you and fool him/her? Find a partner who thinks like you or fool around with as many with no strings attached whatsoever but why target a married soul? What do you get by traumatising another individual and breaking another family for your temporary pleasure?

Are we not to be cultured animals, who have evolved with time?

Lord, save the Human Race!

Gift Vouchers!

2008-01-07T03:25:00.000-08:00

My first post in the year 2008!

Well the year has started on a no-note(neither good nor bad) but yes, the one nice thing for sure has been the gift vouchers that I have received at the end of 2007 and at the start of 2008!:-)

I have been rather lucky and it feels great because I am not used to winning such vouchers. It was one of those days when I was jobless at work that I tried my hand at re-arranging a clothes line on the Miss Players(the women's collection by John Players) website and few days down the line I received a gift voucher!

What with all the reality shows on television? I randomly sent out a few votes from my mobile and bang, I received a voucher from Giftmate. What more I could I ask for???:-)

In addition I got a few vouchers from work, one of em for my b'day!

I hope such vouchers keep pouring in all through the year and may all my dreams and wishes come true(in 2008))! Bless me and those of you who often visit my blog and post comments that are apt! :P

Artdinox - Stainless Steel

2007-12-25T22:16:00.000-08:00

Could I have ever wondered that Designer Stainless Steal would also come into existance? I am sure there are umpteen brands but an example is Artdinox (from the Jindal Steel group) that I came across and simply fell in love with. I sure plan to own a dinner set if not more when I have a place of my own.

My Choice of Reincarnation - Man's Best Friend!

2007-12-11T03:34:00.000-08:00

Is reincarnation a fact of life? Ever thought about it? Ever thought of what you would want to be born as? I undoubtedly would like to be a male Labrador amongst a loving family that pampers and loves me, no end.

No worries what so ever. I will grow with no responsibilities to take on and be pampered for ever. No career blues, partner and marriage trauma, teenage hue and cry.

I can play as much as I want, tear stuff and yet not get spanked...umm... eat all the goodies:) and live life to the core..with all the attention and remain as loyal as ever(that's the true me).

Sounds stupid, doesn't it? Well the only disadvantage is of being dumb, but that's ocay, I can still bite.;)

What's your choice?

Sailing

2007-11-19T06:00:00.000-08:00

I feel like the boat sailing away with the sea breeze hitting against me.

I feel like the sail fighting the storm not letting myself topple.

The company of the boat beside me feels like you are beside me
giving me all the strength to move forward!

The Face - A Reflection of the mind

2007-11-17T11:36:00.000-08:00

Tierd of fighting against the odds of life
She looks old, haggered and lifeless

Unhappy as can be at her workplace
Seeing no progress on the personal front
It all reflects on her face.

Lucky n blessed is she with a supportive family n prospective partner
Yet constrained by society n it's laws
Her face gives it all away

Lazy, pampered and a casual attitude as ever
No physical exercise and regular routine
Her face n amorphous shape says it all

The fear that she will lose the one she loves the most
Shatters her from within n her face thus reflects her mind

Effort, faith n belief is all she is left with
Hoping that her patience will eventually pay off
Before it is too late!

Blog-ink

2007-11-07T06:36:00.000-08:00

I love to blog about anything and everything under the sun, however weird, sensible, sensitive, creative, idiotic, meaningless, philosphical, technical it may be.

I haven't been able to blog in a while (though not very long, but as per my standards and frequency, it sure has been a while). I either think of issues that I need to do some homework on before I blog to support my statements for which I don't find time, or I think of something I wana blog about and it later slips my mind. I scratch my head but just can't recall:(. Guess I should create a blog post on the list of stuff I wana blog about - how jobless could I get?

I wonder why I invariably like to and end up blogging while at work rather than when am home and free. Guess the excitement, thrill n kick in doing something you are not expected to at a certain time is what makes the difference;). To break the rules n get away - feels awesome, doesn't it?!

I think my obsession for blogging is slowly fading. Neverthless, I will continue to do so. Hey Trauma Queen, I guess I owe this to you. You got me to start bloging:).

I'll stop now and will get back later to continue bloging all the way!!!

Nothing Lasts Forever

2007-10-25T03:31:00.000-07:00

Bheemeshwari

2007-10-16T18:33:00.000-07:00

Bheemeshwari is 105kms from Bangalore and is a stretch of the Cauvery river. I finally went river rafting here on the 14th of October, 2007. Rafting was not half as exciting as the water level wasn't too high and the rapids not a of a high grade either. Nevertheless to be lost amidst nature and it's serene beauty was a break I deserved and badly needed.

The entire trip was good though rather exhausting. I jumped into the river and tried to check if I was still in touch with my swimming skills but couldn't stay in the water for long out of fear for crocodiles (I was paranoid). We did a short trek up to the watch tower from where the view was beautiful. The trek made me realize that I am only growing fatter by the day and possess no stamina whatsoever :-(.

We got to see, mommy n baby elephants, deers and kites. I wish the rapids were many, that sure would have made the adrenalin rush. It still was a good experience for first timers. Meeting and spending the day with a group of strangers was an experience by itself (though I hardly did any talking).

I definitely need more such breaks from time to time and am looking forward to the next one!:-)

Workplace

2007-10-06T06:10:00.000-07:00

How important is workplace ambience? Is it as important as the people, nature of work, brand, etc? I for sure find even the thought and idea very hard to accept.

Or is it a switch over from a brand that has the ambience to a small place? May be a shift the other way round would be better. Is it to be looked as a price to pay for a better career path and future?
Isn't travelling 3hrs a day not a price paid?

Loads of such questions, that remain unanswered.

Any thoughts?

Things I want to do before I kick the bucket

2007-09-29T00:18:00.000-07:00

This list will be updated from time to time. Thanks to Princess Fiona for the idea;)

1)Live life on my terms
2)Try as many possible adventure sports possible...I'm dyin to do so
3)Find a job that suits my needs in every which way (never managed the Forces :( )
4)Gift ma n pa a world trip
5)Work with a NGO and know what it feels like to be involved in social service and start my own small way of charity
6)Own a lab if not several of em... the most adorable and faithful animal on planet - man's best friend and help my sis build her dream home for dogs
7)Shed those extra tyres and thus do justice to my height and beautiful face :P
8)Walk the ramp (made a mess way back in college once and denied the offer to model once earlier) and make heads turn :P . Actually model for the print media rather than walk the ramp NOW.
9)Visit Disney Land
10) Learn Salsa, jive and other dance forms n take part in one of those couple dance contests :)
11) Meet Pete Sampras, Steffi Graf, Boris Becker, John Mcnroe and loads of other tennis stars n ~~watch a grandslam live (at the tennis court not on the idiot box) with my jeej~~ :)
12)Travel/Trek to the Himalayas
13) To Gamble:

~~Punting (Horse Racing)~~
~~Cards (Teen patha, Rummy, Bridge)~~
at Las Vegas (~~Gambled at~~ ~~Mohegan Sun~~ ~~on the East Coast of the United States of America~~)

Tired!!!

2007-09-24T01:36:00.000-07:00

I am tired!

Tired of:
- work,
- commuting to work,
- leading a monotonous boring life,
- knowing what's gonna happen next on a daily basis,
- not knowing what the future (at length) holds in store for me (both on the personal and career
front),
- being patient and waiting endlessly for the unknown to happen,
- trying to be mentally strong,
- hoping for the best
and
- treading the unknown path - Life!

Phew!!! - am exhausted:(

Hilarious!!!

2007-09-05T05:48:00.000-07:00

To Convert 'for' and 'in' Love?

2007-08-30T01:03:00.000-07:00

True love is meant to be undconditional, with no restrictions, no expectations. It goes to the extent of not being possessive, jealous of the other and not controlling the other human. It's all about mutual respect, understanding, enjoying and loving the company and presence of the other. Right?

Then why does religion come in to play? Do we love the person for what s/he is? Is it not the soul that matters? Why do some people agree to convert and why do some others expect their so called future better-half to convert?

Why succumb to socitial pressure? Why not respect each other's religion and each other as individuals?

God is after all one(worshipped in different forms) for those who believe in the existence of the supreme-supernatural power. As for atheists it should not make a difference.

Will people ever change? Will the world ever change?

Crushed

2007-08-28T07:25:00.000-07:00

Crushed not as in pained, hurt, upset, dissapointed here but I am surprised to know that there were boys way back in school who had a crush on me!!!

Feels good, I know my ego does..considering who and when :P

I first come to know six years after school that a guy stalked me, from pillar to post, he knew the date on which I moved my residence, where I moved to and all the other possible details. He knew my bike number too - can you beat that (thanks to him I used the same trick years later when I stalked someone :-))? Guess what, this guy who was bonkers - turned out to be my friend's fiance and later husband. You can imagine what friction happened when I actually came to know about all of this, years later(6 to be precise) through my friend.

Used to get a lot of crank,blank n weird calls those days - wonder who it was ;-)

I now get to know 10years after school that this chocolate faced boy(actually not chocolate faced, he doesn't like it, consider's it derogatory), real cute and sweet friend of mine today was attracted to me. Not in my wildest of dreams would I have dreamt so.

He thinks I looked cute with my specatcles on, I thought I was plump n rolly polly but this guy calls me very pretty, attractive n a private person:-).

What would have happened if I knew of all of this back then, would I have been elated or would I have freaked out?

But alas, am I flattered or what today?! :-) [ I wonder how many more such revealtions I will come across as time goes by!;-)]

How Does It Feel To Be Numb?

2007-08-25T02:35:00.000-07:00

Ever wondered about how it would be to be thoughtless, desireless, aimless? All of human kind spend most of our lives
desiring something, working towards acquiring it(be it physical possession or otherwise),meeting ends, thinking about people, relations,
food, commodities, money and at times spiritual and mental plaesure.

How would it be to live with none of these things? How will it be to not get spiritual and not appreciate beauty and nature or criticize
anything and anyone around us?

Tried it? Wana try it?

Very difficult it seems but try living life with no wants and expectations, no criticisms, it'll seem much more simple and beautiful.

Feels great to feel numb?! [Fyi - This thought was re-kindled from www.brainyfellow.blogspot.com]

To Move On

2007-08-23T03:01:00.001-07:00

Life is a path that leads to the unknown, that all of us tread. There are different phases in an individual's life - good and bad. I learnt to face the ups and downs and learn to take them in my stride. I realised as every phase will pass(it's only temporary and only change is constant)it is but natural to move on.

Not only is it natural but also vital to do so. It's a part of one's evolution. I moved from one class to another while in school, I moved from one job to another during the course of my career, I made new friends while I lost a few but I still moved on. Life did not stop. Like the saying goes " Time and tide wait for none", similarly neither does life wait for anyone.

To move on is undoubtedly hard but the fact remains that we have to and we do. Is it a relative term? I don't quite think so.

Moved on???

My First Try At Writing In Love

2007-08-21T08:16:00.000-07:00

"Sitting by the shore on this moonlit night
Nothing comes to my mind but for you..."

I racked my brains but could not recall anymore than that off the first and probably last love letter that I wrote to my first biggest crush(sweet 16 I was back then). Wish I kept a copy for myself...can't believe I could get so creative.

Phew time flies and so has my memory!! :-(

To You My Friend!!!

2007-08-21T08:11:00.000-07:00

Thy was a lonely bird whose flight was direction less
Until thou flew with me and taught the sense n purpose of direction

I kept treading the path unknown (Life) with no direction, no meaning and no passion
It is you who taught me what passion, life, interests meant and how much they mattered

Love I thought was about loving thyself and thus the other
Until you told me that jealousy and possessiveness are not the true facets of Love.

I lead a rigid life with rules, conditions and pre-set notions framed by society
Thank you for teaching me that - life is not meant to be bound by such norms

To break-free from the rigid run-of-the-mill thought process (like mine) is like fighting the tides that are always coming your way
To possess a clear, unbiased, unconditional thought process (like yours) is as serene and beautiful as nature can get

I am not a poet, I am not an artist
I am learning, I thank this friend
This friend who taught me to look at life so differently
In such a different perspective, that life turned all vibrant
Vibrant is this friend, the vibes I get when you are around
All around me, Bliss is all I can feel, Friend
Friend I dedicate this to you!!!

Outsourcing - A Curse or A Boon?

2007-08-20T02:25:00.000-07:00

Are you a part of Outsourcing? Yes, am referring to 'Business Process Outsourcing'. Being a part of the services industry do you see yourself as blessed or cursed?

Outsourcing refers to the delegation of non-core operations from internal production to an external entity.

Outsourcing has provided ample job opportunities and revenue to the country and thus might be viewed as a boon/blessing.

Outsourcing helps an individual lose his/her ability to think out of the box. The grey cells get rusted, if I may say so. Thus, is it a curse?

Well to each one his own, I guess.

2007-08-02T07:31:00.000-07:00

Romantic Quotes (by a friend - the most atrocious yet romantic)

2007-08-02T07:19:00.000-07:00

u r in my heart, i would luv to hear anything u have to say to me princess

u r the reason why the world goes around me amore !!

u r the light at the end of the tunnel

u r the sweetness that sweetens the world

u give meaning to a meaning less existance

u sticking ur tongue at me is so sweet and entrancing

u r sweeter that the sweetest fruit god ever made !!!

u r beauty makes me wonder about ur true existance on earth: are you just a mirage to a romantic or are you an angel sent from heaven ?

ur beauty and sweet words have left me senseless and completely incapacitated.

yes my darling, i am your slave, your every word my command, ur ever wish my gospel.

and finally he says: I am as original as ur beauty is in this world !!!

2007-08-02T06:46:00.000-07:00

Nasty Side Of A Woman

2007-08-01T04:13:00.000-07:00

A woman can be an angel, a mother, strength and support to her, spouse friends and family. She can aim to destroy too.

How cunniving do some women get? Wot's the bloody kick they get out of doing so? Scheming - is an understatement. Manipulative, ployfull,negative - all the adjectives one can possibly think off.

Why and when do women do such things and to whom? The target-victim is most often another woman. A woman suffering from an inferiority complex that she refuses to accept be it cosmetic, beauty, brains or anythin else...she aims at destroying the other or atlest the relation of the other with certain people.

Believe me this vindictive woman can do so no matter how strong the bond-relation between the two individuals is. She gets a kick out of it and helps her soothe her complex.

Does this swine realise what she is upto? Will she ever be happy? I pray and hope she never will be....not one like her atleast. She is a shame to humanity and womanhood.

There exist umpteen such of em, the best bet isto ignore such pests. It ain't easy though.

Thanks to the blog, it is sure is not equivalent to slapping her left-right and centre but is helps atleast in venting out .05% of that anger.

Woman - when shall thou learn to improve???!!!

2007-07-07T01:10:00.000-07:00

वो यारों की मैहेफील, वो हसीं पल
भुला नही सकते, वो भीता हुआ कल

कभी गुज़रती थी ज़ींदगी वक्त बीताने में,
आज वक्त गुज़र जाता है ज़ींदगी को जुटाने में

Compassion for Animals

2007-06-26T01:09:00.000-07:00

I am a Dog lover and thus realised it's high time I get back to helping the strays in whatever way I can. I used to assist my sister in helping the strays and taking care of em. My expereince so far tells me that 'mongrels' are way more intelligent and smart in comparison to good breeds. This I can't vouch for though, as it is only a personal observation.

CUPA - Compassion Unlimited Plus Action an NGO founded by Crystal Rogers for animals in October, 1991. Since it's inception CUPA has grown to be the largest and most active animal welfare organization in Bangalore.

Activities of CUPA

Shelter
Large animal program
Animal Birth Control
Awareness Building

Foster parent an animal, provide newspapers, old clothes, etc and donate to CUPA.

The work done by CUPA is commendable. I would love to work as a volunteer with them and hence I've volunteered. Hope it comes through:-)...Finally somethin great to look forward to.

My All Time Favorite Sport and Players

2007-06-26T00:26:00.000-07:00

It's time for the next grandslam - Wimbledon, once again. My all time favorite sport that I would have loved to learn but somehow never happened. To be honest I used to follow the sport religiously until my favorites(McenRoe, Navratilova, Chris Evert, Becker, Sampras, Steffi and many others) retired from the sport. That's when I wondered was it the sport or the sportsmen/women who interested me???

Who is it gonna be this time? The current rankings are as below:

ATP Tour
1. R. Federer
2. R. Nadal
3. A. Roddick
4. N. Davydenko
5. N. Djokovic
6. F. Gonzalez
7. T. Robredo
8. A. Murray
9. J. Blake
10. T. Haas

WTA Tour
1. J. Henin
2. M. Sharapova
3. J. Jankovic
4. A. Mauresmo
5. S. Kuznetsova
6. A. Ivanovic
7. S. Williams
8. A. Chakvetadze
9. M. Hingis
10.D. Hantuchova

My All Time Favorites

Stiff competition between Federer and Nadal amongst the men and Serena seems to stand a good chance too.
I pray and hope I get to watch one of the Grandslams live in this birth of mine.:)Let's wait and watch.....

My Visual DNA!!!

2007-06-04T05:37:00.000-07:00

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Safety First!!!

2007-05-29T03:16:00.000-07:00

Ego Personified!!!

2007-05-25T23:56:00.000-07:00

What is Ego?
An inflated feeling of pride in your superiority to others.

Ego and Super-ego are terms that offer a description between the conscious and the unconscious according to Sigmund Freud.

Every one of us have an ego within. How does it work and affect us - is what calls for concern. I think I have an ego that is not too huge but off late people tell me and so have I started to believe that I am Ego Personified! :(

No matter who says a thing that contains a pinch of criticism, I lose it. That's not a good sign at all...for the present I console myself saying that at least after I relax and cool down I think about what the individual has said and try make sense out of it. I most often agree to what has been said specially if it comes from loved ones or very good friends. Is it natural for the ego to get hurt at the first shot? Well, I need to work on it big time. Sooner the better.

Is it true that the Ego is related to a certain complex or lack of confidence from within? I don't see that to be the case with me at least. May be it could be because one is not happy with the way life is going for oneself. I am not getting into the psychology of the EGO.

Phew!!! three posts at one shot....thought I will pen down another but I think I must stop else I burn out!

Culture Shock - Changing Times??

2007-05-25T23:18:00.000-07:00

People say it is not right to be judgmental but is it not natural to do so?

Is it a culture shock that I refuse to accept? I am a mod maami of sorts! For those of you who understand what that means- great going and for the rest keep guessing. :P

Why and how do people use each other? Heights of selfishness? Where has the sensitivity disappeared? Is it about morals and ethics or is it an individual choice and desire? Use and throw is the trend of the day!(not to forget having a back-up, back-up in love, ridiculous?!)

To get more specific I am referring to relationships in today's world(India). It's a personal choice agreed....but why do people consciously get into something viewing it as time pass? Fine, you get into it because of the desire and the urge within and also due to other factors like peer pressure(that sounds weird considering people in their late 20's who are expected to be mature also succumb to peer pressure). Alright get into a relation and go with the flow, I agree there is a biological need that one requires to satisfy and I am not saying that getting physically intimate with your partner before marriage(time pass or otherwise) is right or wrong. There is no hard and fast rule.

What beats me is that in our country today, women get physical within a very short span of knowing the guy. God! give me a break, do you even know each other well enough as people? Is that the level of frustration and desperateness or do you call it a natural process? I won't comment on the same on how a guy views it because know matter how much I discuss this with the opposite sex, I can't personally experience how they feel. It seems more like a barter system - you get me gifts and I'll give you fun! I understand that there are instances where there is a very high level of attraction(what they call fire..sparks) between two individuals that things just happen before they even realize what is going on. That is not the kind of case I am referring to. Here the individual is very clear in the head as to what he/she wants from the relation. If it is a no strings attached scenario from both ends - nothing like it.

I don't respect such women and may be men too(I am not excusing men but like I said I am not sure as to how it works for men and hence won't be able to comment). Get to know each other and then take things forward - that's my funda!

Again talking of relationships why is it hard to accept the past of your partner? Why does one refuse to do so? Why are we not sensitive to the others belief, thoughts and feelings? When two mature individuals part ways they can keep in touch - no harm in that, it is absolutely fine as long as the third and fourth individual's in their respective life's do not have a problem. Agreed, that one needs to learn to deal with things and handle one's own issues but that does not mean the other becomes insensitive.

Don't suffocate the other while in a relation, don't impose, don't control and don't possess(we are not objects to be possessed - so a friend of mine says)! Accept the person as he/she is.

Am I making sense at all?

The fact remains that there is no HARD & FAST RULE and this is purely my perception!

Beliefs of Convenience?!

2007-05-25T20:28:00.000-07:00

Being religious, superstitious, and fanatic and hence being logic and reason less is an individual choice! Why force it on others? Why habituate people at home from childhood? It is ANNOYING!

Astrology is a SCIENCE, which means there must be some truth to it. False notions that your horoscope tells you everything about your future, past birth and next birth! Is there anything like a NEXT OR PAST BIRTH - I wonder!? To say it's all about destiny! What is destiny? When things go right or wrong one says: "It happened the way it did because it was meant to happen!"

YOU DEFINE YOUR DESTINY!

I am not an atheist, I do believe in the existence of a supernatural power but to say all god is one and that we worship different forms of him/her - very weird! Why is it that we can't see or physically feel god if he/she really does exist? A force under which the human race can take shelter. A belief in the force - a convenience?

To say that the position of planets at the time of one's birth makes all the difference. If that is the case why must I bother to do something to improve my life or fulfill my wants/desires? Shouldn't the planets be taking care of them? The existence of a certain star, positioning of a certain planet, influence of a certain star in another individual’s birth chart with whom you are associated, and the list does not ever end - makes a difference in why and what is happening/happened/will happen in your life. Conducting a certain religious ceremony and fasting will help evade the evil.

Don't wear or do new things on a certain day, a black cat that crosses you, the lamp that burns out and a glass of milk that slips off the hand and breaks, a mirror in the house that cracks, etc - all indicate evil. It's a warning, an indication-sp tehy say.

While I question all of the above I wonder at the same time why is that I visit places of worship (not too frequently but I do so) and resort to prayer and fasting at times. Is it helplessness, frustration or the feeling of being desperate? I suppose visiting a place of worship can be justified since I am not an atheist and since I find peace and solace in such places.

Heights of idiosyncrasies and reason less blind belief – God will take care of everything (Why fear when he is around!) . With all due respect to an individual's belief - The entire concept beats me and I fail to understand!

To Stalk and To Be Stalked

2007-05-22T04:40:00.000-07:00

How does it feel to stalk or to be stalked for a WOMAN and for a MAN?

Stalking can be annoying,creepy,very discomforting and scary! I think it can be fun too as long as the victim is not being harmed in a BIG WAY! It's a thrill that you feel within that can't be expressed while it's a torture for the victim. Stalking can NEVER BE JUSTIFIED!

"Majority of stalkers have been in relationships with their victims, but a significant percentage either never met their victims, or were just acquaintances - neighbors, friends or co-workers"

What's the psychology behind Stalking? Does the stalker feel a thrill/kick while the victim feels a chill down his spine? Why does one want to stalk and become a stalker? What's the thrill? How harmful can stalking get?

Why does statistics prove that more women stand a bigger risk than men as victims?

Is it fine to stalk someone in a manner that only annoys the victim and nothing more?
OR
In a manner such that the victim does not realise he/she is being stalked?

Types of Stalkers: Intimate partner stalkers, delusional stalkers and vengeful stalkers.
For more on the types do visit: http://www.antistalking.com/aboutstalkers.htm

Are you being stalked or stalking someone? How do you identify a stalker - by his behaviour (that's but obvious).

This site will help you with identifying behaviour: http://www.stalkingbehavior.com/default.htm

Would I liked to be stalked?Ummm NO!(to be phone stalked, gawd! it's annoying) but may be if I am unaware.. it won't really matter...or if the stalker is someone really cool n cute but still - to be stalked?!hmmm.. Would I like to stalk someone? Ummm......May be, may be not!

It won't be right to comment or be judgemental. The best person to describe how it feels will be one who has been a stalker and has been stalked, which means 'popsie'. I choose not disclose more than that and hence can't and won't comment!!! :) :P ;)

Good or bad - it's an experience by itself!!!