A bridge... no ok, Srirangam. Well, its hard not to think of Trichy when planning for a weekend road trip from Chennai. That's exactly what we did, and Trichy's where we landed up, last Saturday.
We decided to take the much talked about NH45 to visit the temple town (well, in TN that means almost all towns, talking about Trichy here) from Chennai on an early Saturday morning. Thanks to the really good highway and well planned by-passes, our only delays came from figuring out which exit to take to reach transit stops when we wanted to stop for food during the drive.
Talking about Trichy, it is true on that old adage which says to the equivalent of all roads lead to Srirangam. Visiting the temple after a long time, forgot how big and special the temple was...
There's one part of the travel that really is going to grate Trichy folks - coz I'm going to make sure I pass on this piece of info to everyone who's ever traveled to Trichy, if they haven't realized it themselves. Here's a Do-It-Yourself trivia if you ever visit Trichy. Ask for directions to any landmark/place in Trichy, this is what you can expect!
'There's a bridge that you have to cross straight ahead, after the bridge turn right/left.'
How many bridges are there?? This happened Every single time when we stopped for directions - five times! Go figure, And the best part is, there's no Cauvery water in town!! Everywhere we went, our inside joke was to ask for directions to a random stranger, and you would get the 'bridge/flyover' thrown in directions at least once, guaranteed!! :) If you already have visited Trichy, you know what I'm talking about... All roads lead to...
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
And again
I've typed a lot of blogs which has thankfully never been posted. One such blog which I remember writing about a year back, but screened it as inappropriate to blog (at that time) was this deal about having intent not the content. I vaguely remember it was a reasonably long blog, but don't remember anything else from it, except the reason why I chose not to post it, and, yeah, that I definitely remember.
Today, as I tried to sit down and think of some random ideas, I couldn't get into the right frame of mind. So I picked up my notes, some dated more than 5 years back, and I actually made some progress in terms of adding on to scribblings in an obscure CA notebook. Which brings me to this blog, and the reason to recycle this topic. Those days it seemed like all plans and no action... nowadays it seems like rehashing old plans into action, but no new plans - just can't think of any. Just the amount of progress that I have made in terms of some of my old plans is in itself a great achievement for me, giving me the much needed boost & belief (again!) that things have a way of taking care of themselves, if only we let it be.
Note to self: Just let it be!
Today, as I tried to sit down and think of some random ideas, I couldn't get into the right frame of mind. So I picked up my notes, some dated more than 5 years back, and I actually made some progress in terms of adding on to scribblings in an obscure CA notebook. Which brings me to this blog, and the reason to recycle this topic. Those days it seemed like all plans and no action... nowadays it seems like rehashing old plans into action, but no new plans - just can't think of any. Just the amount of progress that I have made in terms of some of my old plans is in itself a great achievement for me, giving me the much needed boost & belief (again!) that things have a way of taking care of themselves, if only we let it be.
Note to self: Just let it be!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Vetty season
My routine roughly goes like this (no particular order)
personal hygiene, eat, sleep, TV, books, email, iPhone, friends, games, sports, google, news, finance, radio, beach, travel, and maybe shopping.
Amid this hectic schedule, I've been postponing many un-important things which just didn't fit in my schedule.
I guess I will have time for those later, right now its vetty season.
personal hygiene, eat, sleep, TV, books, email, iPhone, friends, games, sports, google, news, finance, radio, beach, travel, and maybe shopping.
Amid this hectic schedule, I've been postponing many un-important things which just didn't fit in my schedule.
I guess I will have time for those later, right now its vetty season.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
The week that was
Monday. Observed US Independence day. Had a hangover the next morning.
Tuesday. Picked up last few Mumbai memories. Catching up on old times in the evening.
Wednesday. First death anniversary of granddad. Hard to believe a year flew by. Caught up with uncles early morning, and had the big function lunch spread. Came back home after selling my house.
Thursday. Early morning catch up with sis and b-i-l. Memories of that day are checkered with silly discussions at insane hour, getting up late, anti-social coz of upset stomach, meeting friends.
Friday. More family & friends time. Went to the newly built express ave mall in royapettah. Picked up sis and family from blore.
Uncles visiting over weekends, outdoor baby sitting strategies (meaning mall again), unpacking, meeting new acquaintances, Beach walks and visits, Sunday Brunches, and finally world cup finals, which i slept through the crucial part of the match (thanks to the Brunch!).
Nephews were highlights of the week.
Tuesday. Picked up last few Mumbai memories. Catching up on old times in the evening.
Wednesday. First death anniversary of granddad. Hard to believe a year flew by. Caught up with uncles early morning, and had the big function lunch spread. Came back home after selling my house.
Thursday. Early morning catch up with sis and b-i-l. Memories of that day are checkered with silly discussions at insane hour, getting up late, anti-social coz of upset stomach, meeting friends.
Friday. More family & friends time. Went to the newly built express ave mall in royapettah. Picked up sis and family from blore.
Uncles visiting over weekends, outdoor baby sitting strategies (meaning mall again), unpacking, meeting new acquaintances, Beach walks and visits, Sunday Brunches, and finally world cup finals, which i slept through the crucial part of the match (thanks to the Brunch!).
Nephews were highlights of the week.
In Transit
July, the time for a new season, and for the much needed and long pending spring cleaning. For a journey which began soon after Boghi, it was ironical that the seeds of a new harvest were also planted around its anniversary. Eventually ensured smooth off-boarding from corporate career and transitioned into a quiet phase before the next set of challenges in life. Last week, I used my time to store some of my past memories, and also soaked in some unexpected moments of opportunities and challenges. Suddenly, everything seems to be a whole new deal which makes me wonder, have I buried my head in the sand for so long, or am I now burying my head in sand? As I look forward to finding out about differentiating real deals from raw deals, I'm eternally thankful for these choices & experiences which makes life richer. Or something like that.
But, before I leap into the future from the past, there's the present to deal with, which doesn't teach or promise anything. No expectations, just a permanent vacation!
But, before I leap into the future from the past, there's the present to deal with, which doesn't teach or promise anything. No expectations, just a permanent vacation!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Everyone's a hero!
Nothing is as tough or as easy as we think it to be. Saw one of the world cup matches, where a single commentator was weaving a story around the entire match so seamlessly, that I just was struck at how much of effort he must have put in not just before the match (probably had his share of ‘helpers’ who feed him the data, still its only good if you have the presence of mind to apply it at the right place and right time), but also his ability to pick up the general tempo of the whole game when he sees something happening during the match, and also think and comment as to what would happen after the match.
The best in business are good, everyone knows that. But why? I can imagine his 'player list' full of stats, interesting trivia, a few ‘did you know’ scribbled or printed out next to each player, coach, staff, team, crowd, country, and even sometimes against the television audience themselves. And the ability to pick them and bring them out as a casual point requires not just background prep, but also constant presence of mind, and observation. For example, one of the matches, when one of the subs missed the ball completely and got the defender in front of him, the commentator remarked ‘and that’s the first contribution of the newly subbed xxx, I’m sure the coach didn’t send him in to do that!’. And it was a South Korean player, all of whose names sounds so similar.
The commentators are one of the unsung heroes in making the matches more interesting, sometimes more controversial, but mostly helping the audience keep up with the pace of the match, however fast or slow it might be. Always thought commentators job was the easiest, maybe not that easy after all…
The best in business are good, everyone knows that. But why? I can imagine his 'player list' full of stats, interesting trivia, a few ‘did you know’ scribbled or printed out next to each player, coach, staff, team, crowd, country, and even sometimes against the television audience themselves. And the ability to pick them and bring them out as a casual point requires not just background prep, but also constant presence of mind, and observation. For example, one of the matches, when one of the subs missed the ball completely and got the defender in front of him, the commentator remarked ‘and that’s the first contribution of the newly subbed xxx, I’m sure the coach didn’t send him in to do that!’. And it was a South Korean player, all of whose names sounds so similar.
The commentators are one of the unsung heroes in making the matches more interesting, sometimes more controversial, but mostly helping the audience keep up with the pace of the match, however fast or slow it might be. Always thought commentators job was the easiest, maybe not that easy after all…
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Epic Novels
List of favorite sequels / series of novels over a period of time….
Children Fantasy: HP series; Artemis Fowl;
Sci. Fi: Star Wars
Comic Sci Fi/Fantasy: Hitchhikers Guide to Galaxy
Fantasy: LOTR,
Tragic Fantasy (for the way the series fantastically started and tragically lost the plot somewhere along the way): Wheel of Time series, Song of Ice & Fire series (not bad, could have been better)
Fiction: Yes Minister, Yes Prime Minister. Jack Reacher series + other crime fiction series based on detective
More to add, that’s all that I can think of for now….
Children Fantasy: HP series; Artemis Fowl;
Sci. Fi: Star Wars
Comic Sci Fi/Fantasy: Hitchhikers Guide to Galaxy
Fantasy: LOTR,
Tragic Fantasy (for the way the series fantastically started and tragically lost the plot somewhere along the way): Wheel of Time series, Song of Ice & Fire series (not bad, could have been better)
Fiction: Yes Minister, Yes Prime Minister. Jack Reacher series + other crime fiction series based on detective
More to add, that’s all that I can think of for now….
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Keeping Count
It's officially 101, but hey who's keeping count.. this one's a special one, just my old rant style... disclaimer: "My blogs are mostly impulsive, so hope no permanent misunderstandings occur as a result of them. That usually happens in person."
Things I should do and I’m not doing. I think this would be a way to keep score of what matters, and to settle score when time’s right.
1. Keep score. Lost count of the times when I’ve just let go of slights. Always thought and believed that it was the right thing to do. Unfortunately it seems the world doesn’t always work that way.
2. Do my own thing. There’s a difference between knowing the path and walking it (Matrix!!). I thought the gap can always bridged based on trust, and doing it myself or along with others doesn’t matter, as long as it can be done by people I trust. Never trust anyone to do what you’ve set out to do yourself. The thing which hurt the most is not the lack of effort, rather the indifference when it comes to things that you hold dear. It hurts, and it’s time to put an end to it.
3. Burn, and burn some more. Nothing worth is achieved without getting burned. The bigger it gets, the more painful it’s going to be. Grin & bear it, but be ready to be burned, burned real bad. Eventually it’ll make sense.
4. Keep posting. Going to keep this a regular event, every time a good thought, bad thought, indifferent thought, inspired thought or just no thought comes to head. This should help in keeping score rather than random blogs.
5. Opinions? Got to establish a ‘circle of trust’ for sounding & receiving opinions on what works for me. Got to weed that part out of the system of actually receiving ‘opinions’. Can’t expect any understanding, everyone’s got a life of their own to be bothered about other’s life, unless they stand to gain from it.
6. Life’s a ride, enjoy it while it lasts. No point keeping eyes shut and then talking about it after it’s over. No point describing it to others, feeling right should be good enough. Enjoy the feeling and life’s a whole new ball game.
7. Money? It’s got to be pocket change. Never gone after it, never will. It was, is, and should always be only means to end, not the end itself. Hope this part of me never ever changes.
8. Fall for the right reasons. For reasons that matter to me, willing to fall. For anything else, there’s the door, don’t hit yourself on your way out, I'm not the fall guy!
9. Doing good. Why? Because I can, because I want to. Because it matters to me. ‘Never cause any harm, at the same time never let anyone cause harm to you’ was the motto till now. From now onwards, it’s got to be do what you believe in, and along the way do good to people who believe.
10. Learn: the day I stop doing this, is when I have given up cherishing life. Still years ahead, learn everyday till then.
Things I should do and I’m not doing. I think this would be a way to keep score of what matters, and to settle score when time’s right.
1. Keep score. Lost count of the times when I’ve just let go of slights. Always thought and believed that it was the right thing to do. Unfortunately it seems the world doesn’t always work that way.
2. Do my own thing. There’s a difference between knowing the path and walking it (Matrix!!). I thought the gap can always bridged based on trust, and doing it myself or along with others doesn’t matter, as long as it can be done by people I trust. Never trust anyone to do what you’ve set out to do yourself. The thing which hurt the most is not the lack of effort, rather the indifference when it comes to things that you hold dear. It hurts, and it’s time to put an end to it.
3. Burn, and burn some more. Nothing worth is achieved without getting burned. The bigger it gets, the more painful it’s going to be. Grin & bear it, but be ready to be burned, burned real bad. Eventually it’ll make sense.
4. Keep posting. Going to keep this a regular event, every time a good thought, bad thought, indifferent thought, inspired thought or just no thought comes to head. This should help in keeping score rather than random blogs.
5. Opinions? Got to establish a ‘circle of trust’ for sounding & receiving opinions on what works for me. Got to weed that part out of the system of actually receiving ‘opinions’. Can’t expect any understanding, everyone’s got a life of their own to be bothered about other’s life, unless they stand to gain from it.
6. Life’s a ride, enjoy it while it lasts. No point keeping eyes shut and then talking about it after it’s over. No point describing it to others, feeling right should be good enough. Enjoy the feeling and life’s a whole new ball game.
7. Money? It’s got to be pocket change. Never gone after it, never will. It was, is, and should always be only means to end, not the end itself. Hope this part of me never ever changes.
8. Fall for the right reasons. For reasons that matter to me, willing to fall. For anything else, there’s the door, don’t hit yourself on your way out, I'm not the fall guy!
9. Doing good. Why? Because I can, because I want to. Because it matters to me. ‘Never cause any harm, at the same time never let anyone cause harm to you’ was the motto till now. From now onwards, it’s got to be do what you believe in, and along the way do good to people who believe.
10. Learn: the day I stop doing this, is when I have given up cherishing life. Still years ahead, learn everyday till then.
Yesterday's blog
I’ve blogged enough about the choices and how it matters! Yep, I agree with whatever I’ve written (it’s 100, so gotta be true!). Still there’s a feeling of obsessing over a particular phase of life and focusing on it in detail. The part that matters is sure this, but there’s more to life than just thinking about choices. Here I go, having a different opinion on myself. In the process of talking about things that I know, things I think I know, and things that I don’t know and doesn’t want to know, I left out one important ingredient - The thought process. These thoughts don’t occupy my head everyday, it flits in and out occasionally, and sometimes I hold on to these, and sometimes to others.
Education or lack of thereof, experience, and some lessons that my parents have always insisted that I imbibe in my life, all add up to life lessons till now
(1) Respect elders! They are what they are today because of the paths that they chose to take. They have their own set of reasons, opportunities and circumstances which determined their course of life; it’s not for me to judge them based on that. Besides, some of the best lessons on life I have learnt are because of looking at elders with that respect. Every time there is a clash of thought between the ways I see it and the way others see it, I would like to ‘engage’ them through arguments to modify or solidify my perception of things.
(2) Learn! Every day, every minute there is something happening, life is happening, not just mine. By just keeping my eyes, ears and mind open I have benefited in understanding how people are, and what values they cherish. Mouth needs to be shut, but unfortunately my parents didn’t insist enough on this, so I keep rattling a lot of nonsense as a course of habit. Not that I’m complaining – sometimes when I say things out loud is when I realize that this is the output that I get when certain ingredients are fed into my brain, so I learn from that too!! Whew! Got to be consistant!!
(3) Constant activity! Only constant for me in my life is now. I realize that I make far too many mistakes, & I could either spend a lifetime making & obsessing over them, or make things at double speed when I am still agile, and then choose to slow down at times when I feel is right. Life matters, but at the pace that I want it to be, not at the pace which others deem fit for me. So I keep pushing & sometimes pausing, to keep learning, to keep making mistakes, to keep moving on, to making newer mistakes.
(4) Be all inclusive by default. i.e. don’t choose, just be and let be. This I ‘earned’ through the process of being always the quiet guy, my way reaching out to ‘like minded’ folks. This is a funny phenomenon, I can’t quite place where I know that someone’s going to be a good friend to me or not. Generally I estimate the kind of ‘space’ that a stranger needs to make them comfortable and rarely breach that….. I’ll save this for another blog. Point is I don’t write off someone based on first impressions, most of the time I form an opinion (as I mentioned in Pet Peeves) but don’t close the door.
(5) Know the good side and the bad side! (It was something that I learnt about a decade back). I might have said this before, but yeah, I believe that forming opinions about someone based on one encounter is not something that I prefer to do. I tend to add experiences of knowing, seeing and moving with the person to fill their character (most of the time clouded by my bad judgment). It all goes for a toss if they upset this stack of dominoes. But my ‘fuzzy logic’ is that the longer it takes, people tend to get more comfortable. They then start being more consistent with their character. Then the ball is in my court to take it or leave it, & I’m fine as long I have space to be myself as well!
All of the above can be manipulated to anyone’s advantage, but then that’ll be a lesson in itself!
Education or lack of thereof, experience, and some lessons that my parents have always insisted that I imbibe in my life, all add up to life lessons till now
(1) Respect elders! They are what they are today because of the paths that they chose to take. They have their own set of reasons, opportunities and circumstances which determined their course of life; it’s not for me to judge them based on that. Besides, some of the best lessons on life I have learnt are because of looking at elders with that respect. Every time there is a clash of thought between the ways I see it and the way others see it, I would like to ‘engage’ them through arguments to modify or solidify my perception of things.
(2) Learn! Every day, every minute there is something happening, life is happening, not just mine. By just keeping my eyes, ears and mind open I have benefited in understanding how people are, and what values they cherish. Mouth needs to be shut, but unfortunately my parents didn’t insist enough on this, so I keep rattling a lot of nonsense as a course of habit. Not that I’m complaining – sometimes when I say things out loud is when I realize that this is the output that I get when certain ingredients are fed into my brain, so I learn from that too!! Whew! Got to be consistant!!
(3) Constant activity! Only constant for me in my life is now. I realize that I make far too many mistakes, & I could either spend a lifetime making & obsessing over them, or make things at double speed when I am still agile, and then choose to slow down at times when I feel is right. Life matters, but at the pace that I want it to be, not at the pace which others deem fit for me. So I keep pushing & sometimes pausing, to keep learning, to keep making mistakes, to keep moving on, to making newer mistakes.
(4) Be all inclusive by default. i.e. don’t choose, just be and let be. This I ‘earned’ through the process of being always the quiet guy, my way reaching out to ‘like minded’ folks. This is a funny phenomenon, I can’t quite place where I know that someone’s going to be a good friend to me or not. Generally I estimate the kind of ‘space’ that a stranger needs to make them comfortable and rarely breach that….. I’ll save this for another blog. Point is I don’t write off someone based on first impressions, most of the time I form an opinion (as I mentioned in Pet Peeves) but don’t close the door.
(5) Know the good side and the bad side! (It was something that I learnt about a decade back). I might have said this before, but yeah, I believe that forming opinions about someone based on one encounter is not something that I prefer to do. I tend to add experiences of knowing, seeing and moving with the person to fill their character (most of the time clouded by my bad judgment). It all goes for a toss if they upset this stack of dominoes. But my ‘fuzzy logic’ is that the longer it takes, people tend to get more comfortable. They then start being more consistent with their character. Then the ball is in my court to take it or leave it, & I’m fine as long I have space to be myself as well!
All of the above can be manipulated to anyone’s advantage, but then that’ll be a lesson in itself!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
365-14 (part 2)
A year ago, I posted this blog about a 14 day week. That’s what I’m counting down to now…. Times change!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Raavanan - review
Time for another update.. this time on Raavanan… Saw the movie, managed to get tickets for ‘first day, first show’ at PVR, Goregaon. The best part was the movie, the not so good part was the before and after efforts to go through the tedious process of getting up at 8 am for a 9.30 am show.. we managed to get in about 5 minutes late, but still awake and curious. and now the rest of the day is like being in zombieville.
The movie’s first half was an attempt to keep the viewers guessing, with deliberate curiosity created at times, with bits and pieces of information. The overall story as such reminded me of Raavana Prabhu (Mohanlal), which was also based on the same theme – I guess every movie made of guy kidnapping girl and trying to woo her in his roguish way, could be categorized as such….. Ravanan! Anyways, the plot of it was rather predictable, so the surprise value had to be in terms of the visuals and the modern day adaptation of it. The characterization of Vikram/AB Jr., I believe is loosely based on the Naxal type of an anti-hero. Whatever it is, it touches briefly on the issue itself, but rather uses the character to narrate the story.
Second half is where the story picks up. There are episodes of sheer technical brilliance in the movie which also helps move the film forward. Apart from that, Vikram as Raavanan is great, but I chose to watch this version first so that I can understand most of what would go on at the Hindi version. Though the tamil version sure looked like it was not their original choice of medium (it released here with hilarious subtitles) the cast was weak (in Tamil), and the dialogues could have been much better written and spoken. Some clear areas where the spirit of the movie was maintained (& sometimes lifted) were in the music dept, the cinematography, Vikram – absolutely brilliant (I’m a bit biased since I watched most of his movies), and Mani himself – the thoughts behind creating and narrating a story which connects and portrays such a story without visibly compromising on the tempo, or plot must surely be a work of a genius. The efforts and hard work of the filmmaker also stands out. I want to watch the hindi version and I hope overall verdict should be good for the efforts – it sure wasn’t a let down for me.
Initial reviews suggest that its all style and no substance… to all those ‘critics’ and film reviewers, just one thing to say… get off the arm chair commentary and try imagining or creating these sequences. The movie hits me hard because of its bewitching beauty, style, and also the simple way of weaving a story without stretching itself. Somewhere you’ve got to draw a line at how far you are willing to go to narrate and just let the visuals express them and hope the audience appreciates the lack of a forced narration. I think in that aspect this movie deserves better than what the initial ‘critics’ judge it to be worth.
The movie’s first half was an attempt to keep the viewers guessing, with deliberate curiosity created at times, with bits and pieces of information. The overall story as such reminded me of Raavana Prabhu (Mohanlal), which was also based on the same theme – I guess every movie made of guy kidnapping girl and trying to woo her in his roguish way, could be categorized as such….. Ravanan! Anyways, the plot of it was rather predictable, so the surprise value had to be in terms of the visuals and the modern day adaptation of it. The characterization of Vikram/AB Jr., I believe is loosely based on the Naxal type of an anti-hero. Whatever it is, it touches briefly on the issue itself, but rather uses the character to narrate the story.
Second half is where the story picks up. There are episodes of sheer technical brilliance in the movie which also helps move the film forward. Apart from that, Vikram as Raavanan is great, but I chose to watch this version first so that I can understand most of what would go on at the Hindi version. Though the tamil version sure looked like it was not their original choice of medium (it released here with hilarious subtitles) the cast was weak (in Tamil), and the dialogues could have been much better written and spoken. Some clear areas where the spirit of the movie was maintained (& sometimes lifted) were in the music dept, the cinematography, Vikram – absolutely brilliant (I’m a bit biased since I watched most of his movies), and Mani himself – the thoughts behind creating and narrating a story which connects and portrays such a story without visibly compromising on the tempo, or plot must surely be a work of a genius. The efforts and hard work of the filmmaker also stands out. I want to watch the hindi version and I hope overall verdict should be good for the efforts – it sure wasn’t a let down for me.
Initial reviews suggest that its all style and no substance… to all those ‘critics’ and film reviewers, just one thing to say… get off the arm chair commentary and try imagining or creating these sequences. The movie hits me hard because of its bewitching beauty, style, and also the simple way of weaving a story without stretching itself. Somewhere you’ve got to draw a line at how far you are willing to go to narrate and just let the visuals express them and hope the audience appreciates the lack of a forced narration. I think in that aspect this movie deserves better than what the initial ‘critics’ judge it to be worth.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
The thought train
Thought process flows from emotions. It’s as freewheeling as it gets. Sometimes it’s a necessary evil, sometimes it’s an unnecessary burden. While letting the occasional thought control you is ok in my book (I haven’t reached the state which Vivekananda or any other great men have talked about), it’s also important to observe the mind at work during these times. The following is an attempt to follow the journey of one such ‘thought train’…
Time: Late at night.
Place: At home, staring out blankly on a rainy night….
The ‘thought train’: While it doesn’t take much to swing my emotional pendulum, I also realized that even at these moments I have a choice at hand, and exercising the choice might not be a bad move if I understand the consequences of my action, rather than just letting my emotion carry me. Sometimes I need to change the current thought process in a way to get charged, like doing the opposite thing of what I am used to doing, if I’m not feeling good about what I’m doing.
I’ve been trying to find the source of all thoughts, the origin of which is needed to understand my ‘constant’ state of mind, not just the emotional part. One source, the true essence of every person that makes a person unique, is in their core, like a seed. Along the way we may sprout a lot of branches, and even bend or break a few of these branches, but the tree’s core is always true, and what we want to base our life. At least I believe that…
A thunder catches my eye, back to now... Presentation over, time for Q& As on above…
Q&A:
Q: ‘Have I found it, ‘the core’?’
A: That’s a tough one to answer – I guess I believe I have, but then my truth might be different from life’s truth. Only life has to prove me wrong. I’m not going to let that worry me, at least for now.
Q: ‘how do I know I’ve found it’?
A: Whenever I think (more like meditate) on the options at hand, and the choices that I might take, for some ‘choices’, I feel that something lets go and thoughts and ideas begins to flow much more freely, without any control imposed. And I look back at the choices that I have made in life, in career, the one common factor is the ‘letting go’ aspect. When I enter I have no expectations, just that I should earn my spot, belong there. Then eventually, the stopper comes and corks the flow. Either ‘corked’ by others, or the aspect of other roads, other options which I feel are necessary to explore.
Q: Why?
A: I often ask myself ‘why am I not content with what I have?’ And the answer varies based on my emotional state of being. When I am content in my career, that’s when ‘the road not taken’ seems more of a need than a luxury. Constant need to change, evolve would be my best guess for a reason (although it sounds pathetic), or ‘pursuit of happiness’, or destiny/fate…
Thoughts help only in understanding about me, not about understanding the external factors at hand. I’ll settle for 50% contentment & understanding any given day.
Q: Lots of loose ends, vague answers in the above thoughts. Is it that I don’t complete these thoughts, or that I complete them, but ‘censor’ them?
A: Like I said, for me many of the thoughts when I meditate are about exploring choices. Sometimes I realize that as I think through and plan to execute on thoughts, I might reach a crossroad of choices there and beyond. Sometimes the crossroads are early on in the journey, sometimes it’s later on. Like life’s purpose, I have only eye for the destination, and the journey is just means to the end. So when I start off, I tell myself I reasonably expect to travel in such and such way. Whenever in crossroads its usually the judgment of what seems to be the best course to reach the purpose that determines the path. Before getting ahead to all that, its important that it becomes a reality only if I actually action my thought. Not if it’s all just thought! So yes, some are deliberately vague, and some I know I much choose from the choices only after I travel that path, not before.
Q: A little bit more on the ‘presentation’. So what do I want to base my life on?
A: Well, I don’t want to be deliberately vague on this one, so will try to best explain my thought train: Starting point for everyone is always the roots of their ancestors. I believe from my own experiences I have learnt a lot on the choices and actions of my cousins, my uncles, basically my family, and friends on the paths they have chosen. So in essence I have travelled a parallel path on what many have travelled in their journeys. Now when I reach crossroads and see the trails of their paths cris-crossing, I am confident that I have so far chose to walk in the paths which are consistent with at least some of the choices that elders before me have experienced. That’s on the journey till now. I’m not saying that I followed one path or the other, but that I made occasional choices consistent with the thought process of the people that I respect.
Q: ‘Emotional pendulum’. So how do I base choices on if I can feel good about something and yet feel bad about the same thing later on?
For me, the learning part excites me, but the stagnation part feels constrained / contaminated. I feel if I don’t completely empty parts of life when I’ve reached a saturation point, I might become stale without constantly learning. It’s this constant need to keep both doors open, to allow fresh insights into my life and empty the parts which I don’t want to keep, is what keeps me going. So I don’t feel good or bad about something, I feel the need or lack of to be associated with it. That’s what I base my choices on. I feel that if there are some aspects which I like that I might lose as a result of my choice, then I try to (a) do something about it if its worth it, (b) fix it if its broken as a result of my action, (c) carry the memory, if its good but immovable, or (d) let it go - lay it to rest and move on. Again all of these choices and actions, I have in my control.
----------------------------------
Another thought, another day...
Time: Late at night.
Place: At home, staring out blankly on a rainy night….
The ‘thought train’: While it doesn’t take much to swing my emotional pendulum, I also realized that even at these moments I have a choice at hand, and exercising the choice might not be a bad move if I understand the consequences of my action, rather than just letting my emotion carry me. Sometimes I need to change the current thought process in a way to get charged, like doing the opposite thing of what I am used to doing, if I’m not feeling good about what I’m doing.
I’ve been trying to find the source of all thoughts, the origin of which is needed to understand my ‘constant’ state of mind, not just the emotional part. One source, the true essence of every person that makes a person unique, is in their core, like a seed. Along the way we may sprout a lot of branches, and even bend or break a few of these branches, but the tree’s core is always true, and what we want to base our life. At least I believe that…
A thunder catches my eye, back to now... Presentation over, time for Q& As on above…
Q&A:
Q: ‘Have I found it, ‘the core’?’
A: That’s a tough one to answer – I guess I believe I have, but then my truth might be different from life’s truth. Only life has to prove me wrong. I’m not going to let that worry me, at least for now.
Q: ‘how do I know I’ve found it’?
A: Whenever I think (more like meditate) on the options at hand, and the choices that I might take, for some ‘choices’, I feel that something lets go and thoughts and ideas begins to flow much more freely, without any control imposed. And I look back at the choices that I have made in life, in career, the one common factor is the ‘letting go’ aspect. When I enter I have no expectations, just that I should earn my spot, belong there. Then eventually, the stopper comes and corks the flow. Either ‘corked’ by others, or the aspect of other roads, other options which I feel are necessary to explore.
Q: Why?
A: I often ask myself ‘why am I not content with what I have?’ And the answer varies based on my emotional state of being. When I am content in my career, that’s when ‘the road not taken’ seems more of a need than a luxury. Constant need to change, evolve would be my best guess for a reason (although it sounds pathetic), or ‘pursuit of happiness’, or destiny/fate…
Thoughts help only in understanding about me, not about understanding the external factors at hand. I’ll settle for 50% contentment & understanding any given day.
Q: Lots of loose ends, vague answers in the above thoughts. Is it that I don’t complete these thoughts, or that I complete them, but ‘censor’ them?
A: Like I said, for me many of the thoughts when I meditate are about exploring choices. Sometimes I realize that as I think through and plan to execute on thoughts, I might reach a crossroad of choices there and beyond. Sometimes the crossroads are early on in the journey, sometimes it’s later on. Like life’s purpose, I have only eye for the destination, and the journey is just means to the end. So when I start off, I tell myself I reasonably expect to travel in such and such way. Whenever in crossroads its usually the judgment of what seems to be the best course to reach the purpose that determines the path. Before getting ahead to all that, its important that it becomes a reality only if I actually action my thought. Not if it’s all just thought! So yes, some are deliberately vague, and some I know I much choose from the choices only after I travel that path, not before.
Q: A little bit more on the ‘presentation’. So what do I want to base my life on?
A: Well, I don’t want to be deliberately vague on this one, so will try to best explain my thought train: Starting point for everyone is always the roots of their ancestors. I believe from my own experiences I have learnt a lot on the choices and actions of my cousins, my uncles, basically my family, and friends on the paths they have chosen. So in essence I have travelled a parallel path on what many have travelled in their journeys. Now when I reach crossroads and see the trails of their paths cris-crossing, I am confident that I have so far chose to walk in the paths which are consistent with at least some of the choices that elders before me have experienced. That’s on the journey till now. I’m not saying that I followed one path or the other, but that I made occasional choices consistent with the thought process of the people that I respect.
Q: ‘Emotional pendulum’. So how do I base choices on if I can feel good about something and yet feel bad about the same thing later on?
For me, the learning part excites me, but the stagnation part feels constrained / contaminated. I feel if I don’t completely empty parts of life when I’ve reached a saturation point, I might become stale without constantly learning. It’s this constant need to keep both doors open, to allow fresh insights into my life and empty the parts which I don’t want to keep, is what keeps me going. So I don’t feel good or bad about something, I feel the need or lack of to be associated with it. That’s what I base my choices on. I feel that if there are some aspects which I like that I might lose as a result of my choice, then I try to (a) do something about it if its worth it, (b) fix it if its broken as a result of my action, (c) carry the memory, if its good but immovable, or (d) let it go - lay it to rest and move on. Again all of these choices and actions, I have in my control.
----------------------------------
Another thought, another day...
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Past, Present & Future
Whenever in doubt, I reflect on my past choices that has brought me here in the present, and I’m immediately reassured of facing the future!
Friday, June 04, 2010
Why I am not a great fan of TOI (hate is too strong an emotion for a newspaper)
Reason 1: Syndicate news: It’s rare to find an original article written in the paper, almost like searching for a needle in the haystack. Don’t believe me, try this simple exercise – if you read a great article one day, just google up the article and you’ll find the same story in various international papers, and would have probably originated somewhere in a small time newspaper in America or Europe, or an online article. True story.
Reason 2: ‘Glamour sells’ is their motto: They feed people with pictures and gossip rather than well written articles. So first thing in the morning whether I like it or not, my mind’s not the one that’s stimulated… WTF? No wonder this city’s going to the dumps.
Reason 3: Commercial to the core: Whenever they do find an original idea, its usually reader suggested, or some activist / social cause motivated. It’s a great effort, if you are not profiteering from it. Don’t tell people what to think and then make yourself the banker and pocket the money. I loathe their efforts in trying to ‘change India’.. To what? To something that they like, that they can sell?? Yes, they are good at Marketing – valid point, but it doesn’t mean that you replace creativity and opinions with marketing materials!
And the list goes on.. sure I like the odd gems that sometimes shine out from the big pile ofs… hay, but hey who am I kidding. Never realized newspaper was essential part of the day until I started reading TOI!
Reason 2: ‘Glamour sells’ is their motto: They feed people with pictures and gossip rather than well written articles. So first thing in the morning whether I like it or not, my mind’s not the one that’s stimulated… WTF? No wonder this city’s going to the dumps.
Reason 3: Commercial to the core: Whenever they do find an original idea, its usually reader suggested, or some activist / social cause motivated. It’s a great effort, if you are not profiteering from it. Don’t tell people what to think and then make yourself the banker and pocket the money. I loathe their efforts in trying to ‘change India’.. To what? To something that they like, that they can sell?? Yes, they are good at Marketing – valid point, but it doesn’t mean that you replace creativity and opinions with marketing materials!
And the list goes on.. sure I like the odd gems that sometimes shine out from the big pile of
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Self-belief
Warning: Shaking the very foundation of one’s identity can have unexpected, and often disastrous consequences…
If only life comes with such warning labels. A seemingly meaningless and harmless thread of thought, when pursued, sets a chain of events which unravels more than bargained for. This isn’t a blog about the ‘butterfly effect’ or any other theory that might sound similar to what I’m writing, it’s my life… or the realities that I surround myself with.
So my pointless blog here doesn’t have a beginning, middle or end, or a chain of events. Rather I’m right now sitting in the auditor’s chair (Autopsy might be more closer to home), analyzing and examining exactly what made me pursue that dogged line of thought, which has since then left me more confused than clear.
All I can say at this point about the topic at hand is that there are choices and choices. I believed, and continue to believe in taking up choices based on my capabilities - even if the journey at hand doesn’t show any clear path or destination. Very rarely have I compelled myself to slug it out because I could see the end destination. It just doesn’t have the same feel as when plowing it out in the unknown, at least to me.
Anyway, there was this thing which I set out to do, and I think I did it, but then after walking the path I’m surprised to find out that it went exactly as I thought it would. So now my mind is conflicted, moving in two different directions, two different realities, and two different identities. Damn, I am confused right now. But I can’t play the other reality card out in the open, not now, not without any preparation, or can I?
If only life comes with such warning labels. A seemingly meaningless and harmless thread of thought, when pursued, sets a chain of events which unravels more than bargained for. This isn’t a blog about the ‘butterfly effect’ or any other theory that might sound similar to what I’m writing, it’s my life… or the realities that I surround myself with.
So my pointless blog here doesn’t have a beginning, middle or end, or a chain of events. Rather I’m right now sitting in the auditor’s chair (Autopsy might be more closer to home), analyzing and examining exactly what made me pursue that dogged line of thought, which has since then left me more confused than clear.
All I can say at this point about the topic at hand is that there are choices and choices. I believed, and continue to believe in taking up choices based on my capabilities - even if the journey at hand doesn’t show any clear path or destination. Very rarely have I compelled myself to slug it out because I could see the end destination. It just doesn’t have the same feel as when plowing it out in the unknown, at least to me.
Anyway, there was this thing which I set out to do, and I think I did it, but then after walking the path I’m surprised to find out that it went exactly as I thought it would. So now my mind is conflicted, moving in two different directions, two different realities, and two different identities. Damn, I am confused right now. But I can’t play the other reality card out in the open, not now, not without any preparation, or can I?
Windows 2010 v 5.17
Sometimes a random thought creeps inside my head, only to linger and eventually take control of my entire thought process. This time around the theme was - my birthday. I’ve never felt about a birthday the way I felt this year. Couldn’t shake off the thoughts and feelings – I had random thoughts regarding the choices that I took in the past, the choices that I am taking, and the path that I’m headed in life. The sequence of thoughts was so eerily bizarre that I actually had to get up, close the book that I was attempting to read, pause the music that I thought I was listening, and take a walk around just to clear my head; it was as if the thoughts themselves were trying to tell me something.
Well, I guess what I want to say is that my life is good, in fact so good that if I mix and match my life experiences, it still makes a great story…. :)
Seriously, who am I kidding? Perhaps another day ….
Well, I guess what I want to say is that my life is good, in fact so good that if I mix and match my life experiences, it still makes a great story…. :)
Seriously, who am I kidding? Perhaps another day ….
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Follow your train...
When was the last time you had a fresh unguided thought? There’s usually an unknown element which brings some ‘angle’ to thoughts. What is that? Is it in the way the thought is approached? Or is the problem/solution/destination that determines what we say?
Many a times some folks have a tendency to repeat themselves, without realizing. This is a crime. Your responses shouldn’t be automated, but should be based on the ‘reality of now’, i.e. realize what we say, when we say it. If not, you’d end up with many a contradiction, and at the receiving end of animosity for no conscious fault of yours (if you don’t realize you are saying the same things to the same folks, they’d feel that you didn’t really notice/care who was listening the first time). Guard your thoughts and words, it’s essential.
Some folks, the wise ones (I’ll explain why I call them this), knowingly explore same topic to the same audience or slightly different audience at a time when the responses of people would be triggered by other circumstances, or other events, leading to a different direction of conversation (different outcome). Some would feel ‘baited’ at the end of this, but in all fairness, fishing is a sport only when the fish bites. Knowing the time and place to say things is crucial.
Now, these ‘wise’ ones do not have control over other people’s thoughts, rather they realize that certain thoughts expressed at certain times might be guarded. Their experience teaches them to realize (or feel) an unknown/incomplete element of conversation when others are guarded. So they prod and probe with similar questions when the time is ripe, and take the learnings from the responses. The smart/shrewd ones use it to their advantage, albeit a short lived one.
Bottom line? - "There are no accidents." Sigmund Freud. Exercise regularly, work out your grey cells actively to process thoughts, evaluate options, and follow your train of thoughts till it reaches a station. I have reached mine!
Many a times some folks have a tendency to repeat themselves, without realizing. This is a crime. Your responses shouldn’t be automated, but should be based on the ‘reality of now’, i.e. realize what we say, when we say it. If not, you’d end up with many a contradiction, and at the receiving end of animosity for no conscious fault of yours (if you don’t realize you are saying the same things to the same folks, they’d feel that you didn’t really notice/care who was listening the first time). Guard your thoughts and words, it’s essential.
Some folks, the wise ones (I’ll explain why I call them this), knowingly explore same topic to the same audience or slightly different audience at a time when the responses of people would be triggered by other circumstances, or other events, leading to a different direction of conversation (different outcome). Some would feel ‘baited’ at the end of this, but in all fairness, fishing is a sport only when the fish bites. Knowing the time and place to say things is crucial.
Now, these ‘wise’ ones do not have control over other people’s thoughts, rather they realize that certain thoughts expressed at certain times might be guarded. Their experience teaches them to realize (or feel) an unknown/incomplete element of conversation when others are guarded. So they prod and probe with similar questions when the time is ripe, and take the learnings from the responses. The smart/shrewd ones use it to their advantage, albeit a short lived one.
Bottom line? - "There are no accidents." Sigmund Freud. Exercise regularly, work out your grey cells actively to process thoughts, evaluate options, and follow your train of thoughts till it reaches a station. I have reached mine!
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Wanted to remember this.....
"The Road not Taken" A Robert Frost one....
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
two roads diverged in a wood, and I --
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
two roads diverged in a wood, and I --
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Let's get out of here
Very rarely have I walked out of movies. Compared to the average movie watcher, I can safely say that I have a high tolerance level for movies. I can distinctly remember one movie for which I walked out of within 30 minutes, after the director just wouldn't talk about anything else except knocking the door each and every resident in a village and 'establishing characters'.... It was a Bharatiraja movie, and I think that movie marked the beginning of the end for him in terms of making successful movies.
As young kid, I was told that 'just because I don't like something, I must not assume the same for others', as it might be insulting (i.e. take one for the team; your opinion doesn't count for jacks#@t when you are with others, etc. etc.). I sat enduring a patient 30 minutes, squirming in my seat in silent agony, and finally mustered up courage to say those dreaded words, "Let's get out of here" or something to that effect. I remember feeling guilty immediately (felt like a rebel), but the speed in which my friends agreed relieved me of that guilt.
We actually walked out of a movie, which was an experience in itself to all of us. After that we would have spent an hour sitting at the beach (one of my earliest memories of very many future beach sittings!), generally abusing the movie, while one or two of them sat quietly, more affected by the movie.
There's always a good which would come out of every bad (or in this case pure evil!). The movie eventually provided to be a great platform for us to know each other better, and endure each other over years as good friends. Whenever someone crossed an invisible line in discussions, all that had to be said was the name of the movie, which meant: change topic. As with the movies, as we discussed more over years the tolerance levels went up, with a lot more freewheeling discussions and debates (and more bad movies!!!! that is a different topic saved for another day, but suffice to say that we've pegged down the one who constantly 'selects bad movies' in our group! Any movie suggested/rave reviewed by him, watch at your own risk!!!!).
We've all now drifted apart, pursuing life or lack of it, on our own terms, but still keep in touch.
Its been probably a decade since this movie happened and a song from that movie, now on TV reminds me of that day...
As young kid, I was told that 'just because I don't like something, I must not assume the same for others', as it might be insulting (i.e. take one for the team; your opinion doesn't count for jacks#@t when you are with others, etc. etc.). I sat enduring a patient 30 minutes, squirming in my seat in silent agony, and finally mustered up courage to say those dreaded words, "Let's get out of here" or something to that effect. I remember feeling guilty immediately (felt like a rebel), but the speed in which my friends agreed relieved me of that guilt.
We actually walked out of a movie, which was an experience in itself to all of us. After that we would have spent an hour sitting at the beach (one of my earliest memories of very many future beach sittings!), generally abusing the movie, while one or two of them sat quietly, more affected by the movie.
There's always a good which would come out of every bad (or in this case pure evil!). The movie eventually provided to be a great platform for us to know each other better, and endure each other over years as good friends. Whenever someone crossed an invisible line in discussions, all that had to be said was the name of the movie, which meant: change topic. As with the movies, as we discussed more over years the tolerance levels went up, with a lot more freewheeling discussions and debates (and more bad movies!!!! that is a different topic saved for another day, but suffice to say that we've pegged down the one who constantly 'selects bad movies' in our group! Any movie suggested/rave reviewed by him, watch at your own risk!!!!).
We've all now drifted apart, pursuing life or lack of it, on our own terms, but still keep in touch.
Its been probably a decade since this movie happened and a song from that movie, now on TV reminds me of that day...
I.e.-reading!
Ever since I indulged myself with an Iphone, one of the things that I've been OD'ing on is the online EReader app. I never thought I'd be one of the e-books user, I hated the online pdf books, but heck my I-ereader is really good. Been downloading books randomly to rediscover the simple pleasures in reading. One such random book was on Psychology - "How to Analyze people on Sight" (sounds really cheesy right?).
Pop Psychology generally doesn't interest me, but this was on top download list since last week and wouldn't go away, so I downloaded it!
Well the book is, atleast to me, big time pop psychology, its sweeping generalizations and basing its thesis on so-called 'scientific facts'. Well, I don't know quite about their conclusions coz I skimmed thru' those parts. But what got me hooked is that on first read, some of the way in which they characterize folks is based on experienced observations, and a honest documentations. I mentioned in my earlier blogs that some bloggers have the ability to hit the nail on the head in terms of saying things they want to say. I thought that was the hardest ability, now I think these kind of narratives also are equally difficult.
If I borrow some of the terms used by them on people types: "never two minutes the same" to describe a type who area always a wee bit thrilled by everything he sees, hears, touches, tastes, or smells, as it gives him such keen sensations that he lives momentarily in some kind of adventure. These type of folks finds monotony unbearable, and they have an uncanny ability of being quick thinkers, and have a much 'better decision making batting average'.... Some areas where these could hamper them is their problem in eliminating non-essentials - things which steal their time, strength, money and energy.
Another type: describing "a practicalist" - folks characterized by their ability to work hard, who are reluctant speakers, except when deeply moved when they talk well, bringing simplicity and plain talking.
One sentence which sticks out.... "in private conversation he is inclined to use the verbal hammers too much and to be too drastic in statements, accusations, etc. But he means what he tells you, no more, and usually not much less. He avoids long words and complicated phrases even when well educated and speaks with directness and decisiveness".
Well, they have written so much more, oh, there was a 'dreamer' type also discussed, much to my shock, for I blogged about that just couple of weeks back, before I downloaded this book (was thinking about getting the Iphone then).
As a under-educated post-grad I can assure you that I haven't read any psychology books before this, and probably not many more if they continue to try to convince you that they really know what they are talking about on the basis of 'science'! But maybe, in the fools hope of finding some more well written books I might get more such books. Leave you with this para from the book:
"I am open to conviction but I would like to see the man who could convince me", and "I don't know what it is but I'm against it". This type often unconsciously refrains from making a decision about a thing till the other fellow makes his. That settles it; they take the other side.
Pop Psychology generally doesn't interest me, but this was on top download list since last week and wouldn't go away, so I downloaded it!
Well the book is, atleast to me, big time pop psychology, its sweeping generalizations and basing its thesis on so-called 'scientific facts'. Well, I don't know quite about their conclusions coz I skimmed thru' those parts. But what got me hooked is that on first read, some of the way in which they characterize folks is based on experienced observations, and a honest documentations. I mentioned in my earlier blogs that some bloggers have the ability to hit the nail on the head in terms of saying things they want to say. I thought that was the hardest ability, now I think these kind of narratives also are equally difficult.
If I borrow some of the terms used by them on people types: "never two minutes the same" to describe a type who area always a wee bit thrilled by everything he sees, hears, touches, tastes, or smells, as it gives him such keen sensations that he lives momentarily in some kind of adventure. These type of folks finds monotony unbearable, and they have an uncanny ability of being quick thinkers, and have a much 'better decision making batting average'.... Some areas where these could hamper them is their problem in eliminating non-essentials - things which steal their time, strength, money and energy.
Another type: describing "a practicalist" - folks characterized by their ability to work hard, who are reluctant speakers, except when deeply moved when they talk well, bringing simplicity and plain talking.
One sentence which sticks out.... "in private conversation he is inclined to use the verbal hammers too much and to be too drastic in statements, accusations, etc. But he means what he tells you, no more, and usually not much less. He avoids long words and complicated phrases even when well educated and speaks with directness and decisiveness".
Well, they have written so much more, oh, there was a 'dreamer' type also discussed, much to my shock, for I blogged about that just couple of weeks back, before I downloaded this book (was thinking about getting the Iphone then).
As a under-educated post-grad I can assure you that I haven't read any psychology books before this, and probably not many more if they continue to try to convince you that they really know what they are talking about on the basis of 'science'! But maybe, in the fools hope of finding some more well written books I might get more such books. Leave you with this para from the book:
"I am open to conviction but I would like to see the man who could convince me", and "I don't know what it is but I'm against it". This type often unconsciously refrains from making a decision about a thing till the other fellow makes his. That settles it; they take the other side.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Pet Peeves
Wiki borrows from Webster in defining "A pet peeve (or pet hate) as a minor annoyance that an individual identifies as particularly annoying to them, to a greater degree than others may find it."
That's about right in as much as words can put it. Sometimes, not always, things that people do or say rub me the wrong way, and in my mind a battle line has been drawn. Either I take them aside and politely put it in words which I hope would get through to them, or sometimes find the best way to deal it is in their own terms, confronting it by handing them a dose of their own medicine.
For instance, one of the first few impressions of a person for me is always through not what they look like, or sound like, but based on how they carry themselves..... The things that they speak, the things that they take liberty in doing, how comfortable or uncomfortable they make others around them feel, are to me some of the things that either impresses me or in a way insults or offends me. Wrong foot, first fault, first strike or whatever you call it, it starts there in my mind. I don't close my mind about these folks, but won't miss an opportunity to confront my 'pet peeves' with them to understand why they feel they have the right to trample around.
Many a times this causes agony to the other party, when they might feel that I might have unduly insulted/injured them, but in my mind I am right since, 'you drew first blood'.
The above has been an extract from Chapter 1 of the upcoming 'Book of self destruction - how not to make friends, and/or how to make enemies' (working title), authored by Yours Truly.
That's about right in as much as words can put it. Sometimes, not always, things that people do or say rub me the wrong way, and in my mind a battle line has been drawn. Either I take them aside and politely put it in words which I hope would get through to them, or sometimes find the best way to deal it is in their own terms, confronting it by handing them a dose of their own medicine.
For instance, one of the first few impressions of a person for me is always through not what they look like, or sound like, but based on how they carry themselves..... The things that they speak, the things that they take liberty in doing, how comfortable or uncomfortable they make others around them feel, are to me some of the things that either impresses me or in a way insults or offends me. Wrong foot, first fault, first strike or whatever you call it, it starts there in my mind. I don't close my mind about these folks, but won't miss an opportunity to confront my 'pet peeves' with them to understand why they feel they have the right to trample around.
Many a times this causes agony to the other party, when they might feel that I might have unduly insulted/injured them, but in my mind I am right since, 'you drew first blood'.
The above has been an extract from Chapter 1 of the upcoming 'Book of self destruction - how not to make friends, and/or how to make enemies' (working title), authored by Yours Truly.
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Larger Game
In a surprise move, BJP has thrown its weight in support of Congress on the Women's Reservation Bill. But with a rider, that there should be a debate on the House.
This has been by far the biggest stakes game seen in the floor of the house on an issue with Cong Allies threatening to derail the Govt on this issue, and they finding an unlikely ally in the biggest opposition party.
Considering the threat at hand, Congress is in a dilemma, whether to risk its Govt for the sake of getting their manifesto fulfilled, while if they fail to do so, would be barbed through out election campaign for failing to deliver on this issue. 'Political risk', that's what's being said in the news.
So what if they decide to go through. Well, my guess is that if they do, then a victory is still not guaranteed, as the outcome of the 'debate' might be more stalling and giving more time for the allies to withdraw support to the Govt and reduce Cong to a minority party.
Beyond that, would the Bill be passed? My guess is that BJP will ask Cong to first prove its strength as a majority or call for elections, effectively killing the Bill tabled at the house.
So the big question is, is Cong willing to take the Womens Reservation Bill issue to the electorate? Or will they play it safe?
One thing though, BJP's smart play ensured that Cong has much more at stake than BJP on this issue, and BJP might still end up looking moderate on this issue, thereby alienating the smaller allies in the eyes of voters, if it comes down as an electoral issue.
Time will tell.
This has been by far the biggest stakes game seen in the floor of the house on an issue with Cong Allies threatening to derail the Govt on this issue, and they finding an unlikely ally in the biggest opposition party.
Considering the threat at hand, Congress is in a dilemma, whether to risk its Govt for the sake of getting their manifesto fulfilled, while if they fail to do so, would be barbed through out election campaign for failing to deliver on this issue. 'Political risk', that's what's being said in the news.
So what if they decide to go through. Well, my guess is that if they do, then a victory is still not guaranteed, as the outcome of the 'debate' might be more stalling and giving more time for the allies to withdraw support to the Govt and reduce Cong to a minority party.
Beyond that, would the Bill be passed? My guess is that BJP will ask Cong to first prove its strength as a majority or call for elections, effectively killing the Bill tabled at the house.
So the big question is, is Cong willing to take the Womens Reservation Bill issue to the electorate? Or will they play it safe?
One thing though, BJP's smart play ensured that Cong has much more at stake than BJP on this issue, and BJP might still end up looking moderate on this issue, thereby alienating the smaller allies in the eyes of voters, if it comes down as an electoral issue.
Time will tell.
Friday, March 05, 2010
Entourage
I love everything about this show, The Cast, the Theme, the LA Life, the Soundtracks, Ari, the Highs, the Lows, everything. It took a while to accept it for what it was, but what keeps me hooked is the fact that the series has so much life in itself. Get a load of this if you haven’t already, watch Season 1, it’s slow beginnings, but if you stick through till the end of Season 1, you will fall for the show hook, line and sinker! The ‘Ari Gold Quotes’ side box is just a teaser, its way better actually seeing him saying those.
Meaningless
Meaningless banter, or missing a piece. I often enjoy sharing meaningless conversation with others. Okay, maybe not enjoy, sometimes I feel really stupid afterwards. 'What purpose does it serve?' a question which often pops into my mind.
Recently saw the other side of the coin, when someone else was discussing his 'meaningless rant', as he put it. Without going into details of the conversation, it was an issue that sort of was hitting an invisible wall to his eye, but as he was talking about it in frustration, the next step formed to me with a clarity that probably came from relating to a similar prior experience. I found out this week that my suggestion worked in solving his issue, and he was thankful for the 'insight'.
Got me thinking about the entire exercise, though I enjoy my meaningless conversations, I often think them to be futile. Maybe I'm just missing a piece, or then again maybe not.
Recently saw the other side of the coin, when someone else was discussing his 'meaningless rant', as he put it. Without going into details of the conversation, it was an issue that sort of was hitting an invisible wall to his eye, but as he was talking about it in frustration, the next step formed to me with a clarity that probably came from relating to a similar prior experience. I found out this week that my suggestion worked in solving his issue, and he was thankful for the 'insight'.
Got me thinking about the entire exercise, though I enjoy my meaningless conversations, I often think them to be futile. Maybe I'm just missing a piece, or then again maybe not.
Friday, February 19, 2010
That's not what I meant to say....!
What we think we are saying, and what we might end up saying, are often not the same. Amen!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Dreamer
I've been told that I was a 'dreamer' type. I never understood then what made folks say that about me. Recently I realized through a freaky coincidence, that some of my past actions (not recent past) have followed as a consequence of my 'dreams', i.e. its belief rather than logic that's got me going. The times that I've been able to weave my dreams into reality has got me where I am.
So what about the 'recent past'.?.. well, yes the 'dreams' are there, more on muted terms, on a minuscule level that what it used to be. I thought maybe that was part of growing up.
Recent random thoughts ranging from Basketball to Bhutan, close friends, & KC (cousin in US), visiting temples, my blog, and heck even Camcorders (I thought that I outgrew that one). Makes me think - Is the dreamer back?
So what about the 'recent past'.?.. well, yes the 'dreams' are there, more on muted terms, on a minuscule level that what it used to be. I thought maybe that was part of growing up.
Recent random thoughts ranging from Basketball to Bhutan, close friends, & KC (cousin in US), visiting temples, my blog, and heck even Camcorders (I thought that I outgrew that one). Makes me think - Is the dreamer back?
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
The Young Cagers?
Seriously, the Indian Basketball team needs a different name.
This probably might might be old news for some, but India lost to Afghanistan in SAG finals held in Dhaka on Feb 6. I've been trying to find out blogs, and articles about the 'loss' but couldn't read up much, not more than a couple of paragraphs mentioned about the team reaching final... guess b'ball isn't respected enough in India yet. But then, we lose to Afghanistan, probably don't have much to complain on lack of coverage.
According to 'official reports', reaching finals is going to 'help' us prepare for FIBA Commonwealth Basketball Championships to be held in Bangalore this year. Well, I'm not sure how losing to an un-ranked team will help 49th ranked India. Time will tell.
Meanwhile, the national team's sure changed over the past few years. Can't seem to find the friendly neighborhood Robinson, Shabir, etc. who used to play for 'IOB club' in the T Nagar (Chennai) annual tourney, as well as used to play in India team; nor the grumpy ol' Parminder Singh Sr. from Punjab Police (invariably the other finalists in the tourney, whenever they played). Sure looks like a lot of players went through the national team in a hurry (no surprise that Sr. must have retired, but Robin? Unless injured, he should have still been around....). Hope for India's sake that the Asian All-Star is doing great in some league abroad, he was a phenom to watch.
This probably might might be old news for some, but India lost to Afghanistan in SAG finals held in Dhaka on Feb 6. I've been trying to find out blogs, and articles about the 'loss' but couldn't read up much, not more than a couple of paragraphs mentioned about the team reaching final... guess b'ball isn't respected enough in India yet. But then, we lose to Afghanistan, probably don't have much to complain on lack of coverage.
According to 'official reports', reaching finals is going to 'help' us prepare for FIBA Commonwealth Basketball Championships to be held in Bangalore this year. Well, I'm not sure how losing to an un-ranked team will help 49th ranked India. Time will tell.
Meanwhile, the national team's sure changed over the past few years. Can't seem to find the friendly neighborhood Robinson, Shabir, etc. who used to play for 'IOB club' in the T Nagar (Chennai) annual tourney, as well as used to play in India team; nor the grumpy ol' Parminder Singh Sr. from Punjab Police (invariably the other finalists in the tourney, whenever they played). Sure looks like a lot of players went through the national team in a hurry (no surprise that Sr. must have retired, but Robin? Unless injured, he should have still been around....). Hope for India's sake that the Asian All-Star is doing great in some league abroad, he was a phenom to watch.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Tragedy...
is best explained in Tamil movies. The format is simple, hero is a happy-go-lucky, simple, mischievous, funny (or tries to be), loafer dude until a life changing tragic episode for self/family/friend turns him to a man with a mission who finally succeeds, not before lecturing bad guys with bunch of punch dialogues on values,morality etc. etc.
The headache is often increased with mindless songs, comedy (more messaging again!), some pointless senti-minti side story with no meaning except to irritate viewers further. Phew! No story seems complete without a tragedy!
Try this simple test if you don't believe me.... watch any channel for a sequence of 6-8 'hit' songs. It took me 4 to write this blog.
The headache is often increased with mindless songs, comedy (more messaging again!), some pointless senti-minti side story with no meaning except to irritate viewers further. Phew! No story seems complete without a tragedy!
Try this simple test if you don't believe me.... watch any channel for a sequence of 6-8 'hit' songs. It took me 4 to write this blog.
Friday, February 05, 2010
Web of inactivity
There are periods in life when things seem to be moving on. Then Reality Bites. Now those periods look rather like a fly struggling in a web. Sure, there is activity.....
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Batman lives.....
"... Either You Die A Hero Or You Live Long Enough To See Yourself Become The Villain....." that's when your things don't go according to your original plan, and you end up reaching your goal but not without sacrificing some of your core values, somethings that people respected you. The more you 'survive', the more you seem to be different in other people's eyes. Things change, and this change represents something that they didn't equate you with. Quote from the movie Batman: The Dark Knight.
Unalterable commitments
Success to many depends on executing plans based on carefully planned strategies and having options and contingencies. Every backup requires a certain amount of sacrifice of the core values, to gain the end result. Sometimes, along the way comes a factor that cannot be factored for, unalterable commitments. The best laid plans often go awry when met with such a barrier. Best thing to do is to see if the path is beneficial for all concerned, or cut off loss and leave it at that.
Immovable forces are there for all - certain things cannot (& should not) be ignored, or swept under the carpet.
I have encountered many personalities in my life and cherish meeting one of the few real 'successful' professionals. Only Achilles for those kind of people is getting caught up with their 'followers' and being blinded and disregarding others who understand and respect them. Perhaps time and experience would teach them to be more grounded and surefooted. Adios!
Immovable forces are there for all - certain things cannot (& should not) be ignored, or swept under the carpet.
I have encountered many personalities in my life and cherish meeting one of the few real 'successful' professionals. Only Achilles for those kind of people is getting caught up with their 'followers' and being blinded and disregarding others who understand and respect them. Perhaps time and experience would teach them to be more grounded and surefooted. Adios!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Lessons from the sea
Growing up in a coastal town, I used to love going to the beach, and the sea. The vast Marina, Santhome, later Elliot's & Thiruvanmiyur beaches were often our 'cost-effective' hang out places - no entry charge, sit down and talk for hours, a refreshing breeze, and a warm sea..... always a rejuvenating experience which money can't buy! I loved it, and I guess in many ways roots to some of my long lasting friendships are in those beaches. Serious discussions, heated debates, pondering deep thoughts on life, etc. etc., All gone with the wind by the time we headed home, but the 'friendship', along with the sand grains, got stored in my head.
The sea too was often a sight to behold. I remember countless sunrises in Elliots, when I used to just watch the sun come up. The glimmer on the water, the waves cruising by, the steady winds hassling me & my friends...... Where would I be without some of the lessons from the sea...... A wave would set off a big talking point in the midst of our silent awe of the sea, and we would often compete to see who could spot the first wave rising furthest from the sea, or guess which wave covers a lot of ground at the beach. Mostly I'd just stand there and look at the sea and its waves.
Like the waves, sometimes my life seems just meaningless, often fizzling out to nothing, only to form another wave. But sometimes when I look at other waves which start too late and don't make much of an impact, I feel maybe just meaningless ups and downs early can have a sense of fulfillment when I finally reach shore.
Damn it, lost the plot somewhere in the middle, just like a wave!
The sea too was often a sight to behold. I remember countless sunrises in Elliots, when I used to just watch the sun come up. The glimmer on the water, the waves cruising by, the steady winds hassling me & my friends...... Where would I be without some of the lessons from the sea...... A wave would set off a big talking point in the midst of our silent awe of the sea, and we would often compete to see who could spot the first wave rising furthest from the sea, or guess which wave covers a lot of ground at the beach. Mostly I'd just stand there and look at the sea and its waves.
Like the waves, sometimes my life seems just meaningless, often fizzling out to nothing, only to form another wave. But sometimes when I look at other waves which start too late and don't make much of an impact, I feel maybe just meaningless ups and downs early can have a sense of fulfillment when I finally reach shore.
Damn it, lost the plot somewhere in the middle, just like a wave!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Growing up?
I've said this before in an earlier blog, that some people have the ability/talent to be economical in their ways to get the point across. Well, I'm not one of them! Talking seems to be a constant necessity to understand what is really transpiring inside own head, and many a times saying it out loud makes a difference. So far haven't cast any boundaries to that, thankfully, but started saving certain thoughts for a valuable future use. People around me immediately get suspicious if I keep quite, so some constant activity to keep myself busy.
Is this part of growing up? Whatever, as long as I end up reaching where I want, I'm more than happy to be this avatar.
Is this part of growing up? Whatever, as long as I end up reaching where I want, I'm more than happy to be this avatar.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Down the memory lane
It took a sprained ankle to realize that a decade back, the same ankle twisted while playing basketball. I began to remember some memories of my life at that time. Why? My memories are generally events and important things as a point of reference, some stored to use in future, some to learn from, and some to avoid repeating the same mistakes. This wasn't one of them (at least I thought that time, as it was relatively uneventful and the recovery period was really boring), I've not even thought of it since then.
Began re-reading a few of my posts, it was like flipping through my own not so private memories. Parallels are there in many of my posts too, like going through cycles of similar issues, different causes (or maybe not, I seem to be a constant).
Feels like a vacuum filled, don't have an answer as to how to solve the issues, but part of this 'cycle of issues' seems to be taking an uni-dimensional path. I am not a great follower of astrology and its insights, but something that I've heard a lot about me is on the Taurus/Libra effect (my sun and moon signs). We are after all victims of our beliefs, which is based on our behavior patterns. While I try and travel down the 'weighing issues and tackling them' memories, the distinct trample marks of Bull is also visible in many of my decisions of past & present. Bull decides, Scale (தராசு) weighs them. Yin-Yang!
Began re-reading a few of my posts, it was like flipping through my own not so private memories. Parallels are there in many of my posts too, like going through cycles of similar issues, different causes (or maybe not, I seem to be a constant).
Feels like a vacuum filled, don't have an answer as to how to solve the issues, but part of this 'cycle of issues' seems to be taking an uni-dimensional path. I am not a great follower of astrology and its insights, but something that I've heard a lot about me is on the Taurus/Libra effect (my sun and moon signs). We are after all victims of our beliefs, which is based on our behavior patterns. While I try and travel down the 'weighing issues and tackling them' memories, the distinct trample marks of Bull is also visible in many of my decisions of past & present. Bull decides, Scale (தராசு) weighs them. Yin-Yang!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Its not just words
Argue for the sake of arguing.
Is it healthy? or is it an addiction some just can't get out of??
Healthy, but learning it comes with a cost. Every thing has a price, every word said or not said, is always being weighed in someone else's scale. And arguments generally bring out the strongest form of viewpoints, so many times tip the opinion scales in the others minds. With such high payout, the flip side of the coin is a big price to pay.
The very best negotiators use strong expressions to convince the other person to their view point, and generally do not take the high ground when listening to the other person's point of view. In the other person's mind, it creates a feeling that the negotiator is acting very reasonable.This ability to shake the belief and create a doubt just through words is what makes him a negotiator.
Is it healthy? or is it an addiction some just can't get out of??
Healthy, but learning it comes with a cost. Every thing has a price, every word said or not said, is always being weighed in someone else's scale. And arguments generally bring out the strongest form of viewpoints, so many times tip the opinion scales in the others minds. With such high payout, the flip side of the coin is a big price to pay.
The very best negotiators use strong expressions to convince the other person to their view point, and generally do not take the high ground when listening to the other person's point of view. In the other person's mind, it creates a feeling that the negotiator is acting very reasonable.This ability to shake the belief and create a doubt just through words is what makes him a negotiator.
Declaration of Independence..
"But when a long train of abuses and usurpation, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty to throw off such government and provide new guards for their future security." -Declaration of Independence.
"It means, if there's something wrong, those who have the ability to take action have the responsibility to take action".
(Quote from the movie National Treasure)
Monday, January 11, 2010
420 local has arrived in Platform 1
Every now and then some random thought keeps creeping in, festering until it becomes an idea, and finally a story that has to be told. here's one thought that's kept me awake to blog at 4am on Monday.
As I grew, I evolved myself as an identity based on how much I can and cannot do. Folks say that you learn from your mistakes. Sure, but I also learnt a bit from my successes. I've been one type of person at school, another different identity at work and a different person at home. Yes, I know we all are (atleast most of us?), But why?
This year, when I look ahead, the baggage of the failures of the past suddenly seem to slow me down, more than my usual enthusiasm at taking on the challenges. I realized it just took a small slow down in life, as I paused to consider the options at a crossroad, for the failures of past to come ramming onto me. I now know that they never really left me (I just never stopped to look back), and it just takes a small pause for a small snowball to become an avalanche of all issues, and even deferred decisions to force itself to be decided upon.
Losing sight of oneself is sometimes the key to realizing who we really are, or who we aren't....
My time's up, the juggler of thoughts is back in the house - can't seem to blog more, this thought has left the building, other 'ifs', 'hows' and 'whys' juggling in my head as I try to sleep.
As I grew, I evolved myself as an identity based on how much I can and cannot do. Folks say that you learn from your mistakes. Sure, but I also learnt a bit from my successes. I've been one type of person at school, another different identity at work and a different person at home. Yes, I know we all are (atleast most of us?), But why?
This year, when I look ahead, the baggage of the failures of the past suddenly seem to slow me down, more than my usual enthusiasm at taking on the challenges. I realized it just took a small slow down in life, as I paused to consider the options at a crossroad, for the failures of past to come ramming onto me. I now know that they never really left me (I just never stopped to look back), and it just takes a small pause for a small snowball to become an avalanche of all issues, and even deferred decisions to force itself to be decided upon.
Losing sight of oneself is sometimes the key to realizing who we really are, or who we aren't....
My time's up, the juggler of thoughts is back in the house - can't seem to blog more, this thought has left the building, other 'ifs', 'hows' and 'whys' juggling in my head as I try to sleep.
Saturday, January 09, 2010
My cup of life
I used to believe that to fill up your cup of life it has to reach a certain level of happiness and success, and have been somewhat contemptuous of those who say they have filled their cup, or on their way to filling it. I always thought that their measuring cup must be pretty shallow, but now I see that their values itself is different. They measure their cup by different ingredients which I can never fully comprehend, as I haven't lived their life, but sufficient to say that most of us aim to fill up our life by the things that we long for, and we value most. For some its money, for some its to rise above others, for some its being included, for some its understanding and love, for some its just understanding their purpose in life.... I could go on, but I'll just be making up some more random things anyway.
My point is, at some point in time, we stop to think about how much of the cup really needs to be filled, and how and when would we even begin to fill it? Oh well, I honestly don't know what my cup really needs, so I am just filling it with whatever I see, and hope that I get a good feeling from it. Maybe that is my purpose then.
You spin my head right round.
My point is, at some point in time, we stop to think about how much of the cup really needs to be filled, and how and when would we even begin to fill it? Oh well, I honestly don't know what my cup really needs, so I am just filling it with whatever I see, and hope that I get a good feeling from it. Maybe that is my purpose then.
You spin my head right round.
Forgive me God, for I have....
Dear God, its confession time again.
One of my more harmless (or not) hobby/peeves is picking brains. Most of the times its harmless, just a curiosity to understand the thought process of others when they say one thing and mean another. I admit to doing my bit to play along, some times dropping the right questions at the right time, to sift away their false plots and decoys, so as to get to the meat of what they really want to say. But more often than not, my brain tends to use this knowledge and plant a few false trails of its own.... It tends to be a 'pay back' for their pathetic attempts to do the same to me of course, but that doesn't justify it.
Put me back in Coach, I'm ready to play. Even if the ref doesn't call it fair.
One of my more harmless (or not) hobby/peeves is picking brains. Most of the times its harmless, just a curiosity to understand the thought process of others when they say one thing and mean another. I admit to doing my bit to play along, some times dropping the right questions at the right time, to sift away their false plots and decoys, so as to get to the meat of what they really want to say. But more often than not, my brain tends to use this knowledge and plant a few false trails of its own.... It tends to be a 'pay back' for their pathetic attempts to do the same to me of course, but that doesn't justify it.
Put me back in Coach, I'm ready to play. Even if the ref doesn't call it fair.
Prepare to learn....
....and nothing will surprise you. Prepare to teach when nothing surprises you.
Friday, January 08, 2010
The showmanship culture
It’s the bug of the millennium. The key to survival has quickly transcended to 'I need to show people I know what I'm doing (most times even if I don't know how to do)' from 'I survive because I know what I am doing'. With seemingly endless technology changes, lifestyle changes, and never seen before opportunities arising, the leading survivors don't seem to be the ones who fit, but rather the ones who run the fastest. From eras of test matches to ODIs to T20s, many are caught gaping at the changes, and few still languish clinging on to the 'old school values'.
Change is upon us, and opportunities are ripe and aplenty for the ones who are really fit and ready to run! Run the marathon of life.
Change is upon us, and opportunities are ripe and aplenty for the ones who are really fit and ready to run! Run the marathon of life.
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