Ah, the blessed long weekend is here finally! I spent the whole morning allocating work for Monday to various team members. Thank God we breathe automatically or else I would have died of suffocation because there was simply no time to breathe ;-)
I will log off with a thought that I saw on one team member's chat Status today:
If I never met you, I wouldn’t like you.
If I didn’t like you, I wouldn’t love you.
If I didn’t love you, I wouldn’t miss you.
But I did, I do and I will.
This message is for my beloved India. Happy Republic Day Everyone! :-)
Friday, January 22, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
The sun has just gone down on another day. And for no apparent reason I am thinking of the Himalayas. Sounds weird, doesn't it? You might even think I am losing it. :-) But the truth is that I have been increasingly feeling that I need to go up North to have a peek at the Sentinel which for centuries has been guarding our border. God willing, I will do it this year. :-)
Let me sign off for the day with another beautiful Sher that was forwarded to me:
अर्झ किया है...
उस शख्सको तो बिछडनेका सलीकाभी नहीं फ़राझ
जाते हुए खुदको मेरे पास छोड़ गया
Let me sign off for the day with another beautiful Sher that was forwarded to me:
अर्झ किया है...
उस शख्सको तो बिछडनेका सलीकाभी नहीं फ़राझ
जाते हुए खुदको मेरे पास छोड़ गया
I was hopping mad yesterday because I have been asked to make a client presentation once again without sufficient training - and this despite my clearly stating, well in advance, that I need product training for any future presentations. Maybe I am a perfectionist, I don't know.
What I know is that if you ask for time or training, people take it as some kind of mental block or lack of confidence. It is much better (and less headache-causing!) to manage things as they are - even if that means you will not be able to do your best.
And that set me off yesterday because I don't want to be like that. I don't at all want to accustom myself to this "it will always be like this here" attitude. But I understand that it is necessary for my peace of mind. Hell, if you cannot change people, adapt yourself.
I agree that it will be tough behaving like that in the present job and yet to retain my true attitude of always asking for whatever is needed to do the best job, hoping that it will be appreciated in my next job.
But I am going to give it a shot.
What I know is that if you ask for time or training, people take it as some kind of mental block or lack of confidence. It is much better (and less headache-causing!) to manage things as they are - even if that means you will not be able to do your best.
And that set me off yesterday because I don't want to be like that. I don't at all want to accustom myself to this "it will always be like this here" attitude. But I understand that it is necessary for my peace of mind. Hell, if you cannot change people, adapt yourself.
I agree that it will be tough behaving like that in the present job and yet to retain my true attitude of always asking for whatever is needed to do the best job, hoping that it will be appreciated in my next job.
But I am going to give it a shot.
I am glad to see that better sense has prevailed and the Maharashtra CM has backtracked his earlier decision of allowing only those cabbies who speak Marathi to operate in Mumbai. I am a Maharshtrian and proud of my culture as well as language. But I will always condemn any move which would effectively create a barrier between me and my fellow Indians.
When I saw the news about his earlier decision yesterday, I wondered what would happen if the Southern states decide to only allow cabbies who knew only their local language to operate in their states? It will be a nightmare for someone like me who cannot even figure out what south Indian language someone is speaking. It is okay for the ministers to issue such decisions from their Ivory Towers. After all, their red-light flashing cars can halt traffic anytime to zoom away to their destinations. Life will be miserable for us mere mortals called the "Common Man" who have to take public transport.
I think the cabbies across India should know Hindi - leave aside the dispute on whether it's the national language or not. But it will be tough imposing that in the Southern States. :-(
When I saw the news about his earlier decision yesterday, I wondered what would happen if the Southern states decide to only allow cabbies who knew only their local language to operate in their states? It will be a nightmare for someone like me who cannot even figure out what south Indian language someone is speaking. It is okay for the ministers to issue such decisions from their Ivory Towers. After all, their red-light flashing cars can halt traffic anytime to zoom away to their destinations. Life will be miserable for us mere mortals called the "Common Man" who have to take public transport.
I think the cabbies across India should know Hindi - leave aside the dispute on whether it's the national language or not. But it will be tough imposing that in the Southern States. :-(
Finally found some time to breathe since morning so I thought I will take a moment to post here.
It's a shame to know that the Pakistani players were deliberately shunned during IPL3 auction. I can understand the government's inability to guarantee any security because it is impossible to guard against any fanatics - be they Hindu or Muslim. But if this were the case, they should have clearly communicated it to the Pakistani players. I think the government's behavior is disgraceful :-(
It's a shame to know that the Pakistani players were deliberately shunned during IPL3 auction. I can understand the government's inability to guarantee any security because it is impossible to guard against any fanatics - be they Hindu or Muslim. But if this were the case, they should have clearly communicated it to the Pakistani players. I think the government's behavior is disgraceful :-(
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Sometimes it is so difficult in life to know what is right. I am not even sure if this experience is worth sharing as many in Mumbai must have had the same one.
It so happened that I was out for my usual evening walk yesterday evening. As I crossed a particular street I saw ahead of me a family standing on the pavement - a husband and a wife carrying their daughter in her hands. It looked like they had come from some small town and seemed lost. In a minute, I knew what was in store for me. But since the traffic had picked up I couldn't have crossed to the other side. So I marched on.
When I passed next to them, they stopped talking and the woman turned to me. I stopped in my tracks thinking that there was still a chance that they could be looking for directions to some place. The woman started telling me that they had just come from some village and that her husband doesn't have any job yet in the city. I knew that my worst suspicions were confirmed. I have heard the same story from others on the same road. It has become a new money-making business.
I shook my head and marched on. A little distance away and I wondered that perhaps I should have waited to see if she mentioned the "M" word. I was sure that 99% she would have. But I wasn't sure I had done the right thing by not taking that 1% chance. They could have been in genuine need though I had no means of making sure of that. But in any case, if she had asked for money I could have said that I was out for my evening walk and wasn't carrying any.
I have resolved to do just that next time I find myself in a similar situation.
It so happened that I was out for my usual evening walk yesterday evening. As I crossed a particular street I saw ahead of me a family standing on the pavement - a husband and a wife carrying their daughter in her hands. It looked like they had come from some small town and seemed lost. In a minute, I knew what was in store for me. But since the traffic had picked up I couldn't have crossed to the other side. So I marched on.
When I passed next to them, they stopped talking and the woman turned to me. I stopped in my tracks thinking that there was still a chance that they could be looking for directions to some place. The woman started telling me that they had just come from some village and that her husband doesn't have any job yet in the city. I knew that my worst suspicions were confirmed. I have heard the same story from others on the same road. It has become a new money-making business.
I shook my head and marched on. A little distance away and I wondered that perhaps I should have waited to see if she mentioned the "M" word. I was sure that 99% she would have. But I wasn't sure I had done the right thing by not taking that 1% chance. They could have been in genuine need though I had no means of making sure of that. But in any case, if she had asked for money I could have said that I was out for my evening walk and wasn't carrying any.
I have resolved to do just that next time I find myself in a similar situation.
Okay, so Australia's former military chief agrees that the attacks on Indians are racist. (Attacks on Indians are racist - Australian general). I wonder if he would have expressed the same candid opinion if his title hadn't included the word "former" :-(
Erich Segal passes away
I was amused that the news item referred to Segal's "Love Story" as tearjerker. Looks like the reporter who filed the piece hasn't had the good fortune to watch old Bollywood movies starring Nirupa Roy :-)
I had read "Love Story" and "Man, Woman and Child" (I think the Bollywood movie 'Masoom' was based on this one) long time back. I still have them somewhere in my collection. Guess it would be a good idea to fish them out and read again. What say?
It is sad to know that the author is no longer among us :-(
I had read "Love Story" and "Man, Woman and Child" (I think the Bollywood movie 'Masoom' was based on this one) long time back. I still have them somewhere in my collection. Guess it would be a good idea to fish them out and read again. What say?
It is sad to know that the author is no longer among us :-(
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
I did a double take when I read that Saif wants Kareena to lose flab. From where exactly, may I ask? As if her size zero (or is it negative infinity?) hasn't done enough damage to the sanity and health of gullible women across India already. As to her question of whether she needs to gain weight, the answer is a resounding "YES"!
Am I the only one or does anyone else here feel odd about players being bid for and sold like cattle? :-( I am talking about IPL3 Auction. And as if that wasn't enough, the TV channels would be flashing the names of all those who weren't bid for. Not exactly chicken soup for those players' souls, huh? :-(
We Indians are too fond of stories that end in the leading pair marching off happily into the sunset to give any thought to what might happen to them after the popcorn is all gobbled up :-) Here's someone who has thought it over: And they lived happily ever after?
Oh, how I wish we could all live in reel life :-)
Oh, how I wish we could all live in reel life :-)
I am reading Paulo Coelho's "The Witch of Portobello" these days. And frankly, I am not sure what to make of it. :-( I mean I know I don't have much sympathy for someone who rushes into marriage at the age of 19-20 just because if she delays it further she will not be able to be a friend to her child. That's one of the weirdest reasons anyone could come up with for entering into motherhood. What has age got to do with being friends with your child?
Okay, then there is divorce of course - no surprise there. Then some philosophy about Calligraphy, which, frankly, I didn't much understand apart from the fact that it needs loads of patience. I remember once doing a beginner's class of Calligraphy and know that it is true. Since patience has never been one of my virtues, I had wisely given up.
So anyways, now the portion that I am reading talks about when the protagonist, Athena, meets her Gypsy mother. Let's see what's in store. But frankly, I am hugely disappointed. :-(
Okay, then there is divorce of course - no surprise there. Then some philosophy about Calligraphy, which, frankly, I didn't much understand apart from the fact that it needs loads of patience. I remember once doing a beginner's class of Calligraphy and know that it is true. Since patience has never been one of my virtues, I had wisely given up.
So anyways, now the portion that I am reading talks about when the protagonist, Athena, meets her Gypsy mother. Let's see what's in store. But frankly, I am hugely disappointed. :-(
Jan 18, most depressing day of year?
Just when you think you have heard the weirdest things that the researchers and scientists could come up with, they surprise you with more. If you need a hearty morning laugh before you start your day, check this out: Beat Jan 18, most depressing day of year.
I would really really like to see this pseudo-mathematical formula based on weather, debt etc. I wonder why he didn't include traffic snarls, weighing scale readings, about-to-be-missed deadlines and melting glaciers as the variables in this formula. :-)
I would really really like to see this pseudo-mathematical formula based on weather, debt etc. I wonder why he didn't include traffic snarls, weighing scale readings, about-to-be-missed deadlines and melting glaciers as the variables in this formula. :-)
Monday, January 18, 2010
7 tips to be happy in life
Last week a friend forwarded following SMS:
1. Never be late
2. Do not cheat
3. Live simple
4. Expect little
5. Work more
6. Always smile
7. Have a good friend circle
I already seem to be following 1, 2 , 3 and 7. :-)
Though I constantly try to tame down my expectations from life, it is a difficult task. I work hard but think that I can work harder. Of course, this will be a tightrope walk between work and life.
I am not one with a dour face but it's true that smiling doesn't come easily to me. And I find it highly irritating when people smile at every other sentence during a conversation. :-)
So, I need to work on 4, 5 and 6. No problem - that's what life is for, isn't it? ;-)
1. Never be late
2. Do not cheat
3. Live simple
4. Expect little
5. Work more
6. Always smile
7. Have a good friend circle
I already seem to be following 1, 2 , 3 and 7. :-)
Though I constantly try to tame down my expectations from life, it is a difficult task. I work hard but think that I can work harder. Of course, this will be a tightrope walk between work and life.
I am not one with a dour face but it's true that smiling doesn't come easily to me. And I find it highly irritating when people smile at every other sentence during a conversation. :-)
So, I need to work on 4, 5 and 6. No problem - that's what life is for, isn't it? ;-)
The track record of the Pakistani Intelligence is such that any statement made by them should, at best, be taken with a bucket full of salt. But in this case, I would so like to believe them. Looks like the terrorist who was responsible for killing Pan Am Air-hostess Neeraja Bhanot has finally met his end. (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/24-yrs-after-Pan-Am-hijack-Neerja-Bhanot-killer-falls-to-drone/articleshow/5454295.cms)
How I wish it were Indian Commandos who had gunned him down instead. But it would be a comfort to know that he has breathed his last.
How I wish it were Indian Commandos who had gunned him down instead. But it would be a comfort to know that he has breathed his last.
For those of you who have been trying to make sense of the fanatics who are ready to blow themselves up so that innocent civilians can die, the program "The Cult Of The Suicide Bomber" on the History Channel will be an eye-opener. An ex-CIA person anchors this program as he travels the world over to understand the various aspects of this new breed of terrorism.
Yesterday he asked a relative of one such suicide bomber as to what can put an end to this all. The relative said that Allah's rule was the only answer. I could only stare with my mouth wide open. I wonder why that anchor did not storm out of the room. There is no logic applicable in the face of such fanaticism, is there?
I hope and pray that Pakistan has such people in minority. Otherwise the peace process will never succeed. :-(
Yesterday he asked a relative of one such suicide bomber as to what can put an end to this all. The relative said that Allah's rule was the only answer. I could only stare with my mouth wide open. I wonder why that anchor did not storm out of the room. There is no logic applicable in the face of such fanaticism, is there?
I hope and pray that Pakistan has such people in minority. Otherwise the peace process will never succeed. :-(
In my earlier job, a close friend and colleague used to always complain about the frequent trips she had to make to Aus-NZ. One day I had asked her if she would rather go to Haiti. She had smiled at that.
And now that country is devastated by a major earthquake. What do you do when the very Earth on which you have built your life shakes beneath your feet? What do you do when all that you see everywhere is collapsed houses, shattered dreams and death staring you in the face? What do you do when life as you knew it ceases to exist?
I cannot even begin to fathom what the people there must be going through. It is heartening to see the countries world over rush to their help but it's going to be one long painful process.
What can you and me do? Sadly, I no longer trust donating money for such disasters because I don't know if it ever reaches the victims. So all I can do is pray - that they get the strength to take in this loss , to rebuild their country and that those who lost their lives find peace. Amen!
And now that country is devastated by a major earthquake. What do you do when the very Earth on which you have built your life shakes beneath your feet? What do you do when all that you see everywhere is collapsed houses, shattered dreams and death staring you in the face? What do you do when life as you knew it ceases to exist?
I cannot even begin to fathom what the people there must be going through. It is heartening to see the countries world over rush to their help but it's going to be one long painful process.
What can you and me do? Sadly, I no longer trust donating money for such disasters because I don't know if it ever reaches the victims. So all I can do is pray - that they get the strength to take in this loss , to rebuild their country and that those who lost their lives find peace. Amen!
BBQ Chicken Salad at TGIF
Over the weekend, I had been to the TGIF outlet that has opened up in Palladium at High Street Pheonix. The BBQ Chicken Salad was excellent - except that, in my opinion, they need to put a bit more BBQ sauce on it. But with lots of veggies, few juicy chunks of chicken and no cheese, it made for a delicious healthy lunch. I am glowing already :-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
