I recently purchased MS Office Professional 2007 and was pleasantly surprised to find MS Word's integration with Blogger. Guess Live Writer's integration with Blog providers has made it into MS Word (or, vice-versa?). A very welcome feature. Testing this out to see how well it works. Also purchased MS Project 2007, and plan on flirting with Project Management around a few test-worthy home-based projects.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Click to confess
Surfing through Indiatimes Spirituality, my sight fell on a link that beamed me up. It was a virtual confession box. I have yet to look around if similar sites exist on the net. Personally, I think a virtual confession box is a very very powerful idea.
There is and will always be a side to every individual that even the closest of confidantes wouldnt know. There will be something grueling from the past or something confounding in the present or something a person is apprehensive about for the future. At times, we are just not ready to share our inner conflicts, burdens, feelings, aspirations or something as simple as a thought for the fear of being ridiculed, or laughed at, or judged. I am not saying that these elements may be something despicable or lowly. No. It could be something that we are extremely joyous about. It could be something we are so looking forward to. We want to share it and yet, we may not be ready to share it with someone we know. We need a place, real or virtual, where we can go and be ourselves. Where nobody is watching us except ourselves. Where the fear of being judged, defied, ridiculed, questioned does not exist. A place where we can be ourselves without the anxiety of being rejected.
It may sound like escapism, but it is not. It is that testbed where you train yourself, before you can cross over to the fortitude of proudly accepting yourself as you are - with your follies and your triumphs.
There is and will always be a side to every individual that even the closest of confidantes wouldnt know. There will be something grueling from the past or something confounding in the present or something a person is apprehensive about for the future. At times, we are just not ready to share our inner conflicts, burdens, feelings, aspirations or something as simple as a thought for the fear of being ridiculed, or laughed at, or judged. I am not saying that these elements may be something despicable or lowly. No. It could be something that we are extremely joyous about. It could be something we are so looking forward to. We want to share it and yet, we may not be ready to share it with someone we know. We need a place, real or virtual, where we can go and be ourselves. Where nobody is watching us except ourselves. Where the fear of being judged, defied, ridiculed, questioned does not exist. A place where we can be ourselves without the anxiety of being rejected.
It may sound like escapism, but it is not. It is that testbed where you train yourself, before you can cross over to the fortitude of proudly accepting yourself as you are - with your follies and your triumphs.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Gotta write something!
Nothing eventful today. Just a few things cos I'd to blog! Ok, lets go.
Times of India - I had given up on their site. I cant even faintly recollect when was the last time I paid a visit to their site. Their web presence didnt even reflect close to what they stand as the national newspaper of India. And then, a couple days back I bumped into them again. And what a pleasant surprise! TOI sports a new look! And you know what, having set such low expectations, it sure is commendable. I like the organization of the page and the content too. One complain though. For a newspaper of TOIs stature - its legacy, its readership which I am sure translates into good revenue, can someone tell me why on earth do they need Google Ads. They could do much more with that screen real-estate than displaying Google Ads. And then, its not about money. Its about the image! I heartily welcome their long-due new look, but to me, having Google Ads on their main page shows that there is something seriously flawed with their branding model. Keeping that complain aside, I think they got me back! Good job, TOI.
On a more jubiliant note, India is now a trillion dollar economy! What I learnt today was that India has been the 10th largest economy all along. And, it is the fourth largest economy in terms of PPP (Purchasing Power Parity). TOI's article does a kind job of explaining the term for a layman like me. Here goes:
In purchasing power parity (PPP) terms - which converts rupees to dollars on the basis of what the two currencies can actually buy in their respective economies rather than on what the nominal exchange rate is — India has been for some time the fourth-largest economy in the world behind the US, China and Japan and its size is closer to $4 trillion.
Yesterday, I learnt that Toyota raced past GM for the quarter's top car manufacturer of the world. What surprised me, was my ignorance - GM reigning as the world's top car manufacturer so far.
I read today that Sony launched PS3 in India at the price tag of Rs. 39,900. Their target, which is modest, aims to sell 10,000 units of PS3 in the current finanical year. Per Sony folks, the Indian gaming market which is currently at $50 million, is expected to grow to $425 million by year 2010. This left me completely speechless. Now I know what they mean when a desi returning from India says, "Mannn, India is changing!". However, one thing that amazed me is the tag on import duties companies in this segment have to pay: a whopping 35%.
In comparison to Sony's price tag, Microsoft Xbox's premium version sells at Rs. 27,990. Nintendo's Wii still awaits its launch.
This to me spells the bell tolling for a major cultural shift. Not that it is not underway, but being in this part of the world, where governments give TV ads asking kids to go out and play, obesity levels rising, school shootings on the rise, I am not sure how would I want to qualify this. Never mind, thats a story for another day.
Times of India - I had given up on their site. I cant even faintly recollect when was the last time I paid a visit to their site. Their web presence didnt even reflect close to what they stand as the national newspaper of India. And then, a couple days back I bumped into them again. And what a pleasant surprise! TOI sports a new look! And you know what, having set such low expectations, it sure is commendable. I like the organization of the page and the content too. One complain though. For a newspaper of TOIs stature - its legacy, its readership which I am sure translates into good revenue, can someone tell me why on earth do they need Google Ads. They could do much more with that screen real-estate than displaying Google Ads. And then, its not about money. Its about the image! I heartily welcome their long-due new look, but to me, having Google Ads on their main page shows that there is something seriously flawed with their branding model. Keeping that complain aside, I think they got me back! Good job, TOI.
On a more jubiliant note, India is now a trillion dollar economy! What I learnt today was that India has been the 10th largest economy all along. And, it is the fourth largest economy in terms of PPP (Purchasing Power Parity). TOI's article does a kind job of explaining the term for a layman like me. Here goes:
In purchasing power parity (PPP) terms - which converts rupees to dollars on the basis of what the two currencies can actually buy in their respective economies rather than on what the nominal exchange rate is — India has been for some time the fourth-largest economy in the world behind the US, China and Japan and its size is closer to $4 trillion.
Yesterday, I learnt that Toyota raced past GM for the quarter's top car manufacturer of the world. What surprised me, was my ignorance - GM reigning as the world's top car manufacturer so far.
I read today that Sony launched PS3 in India at the price tag of Rs. 39,900. Their target, which is modest, aims to sell 10,000 units of PS3 in the current finanical year. Per Sony folks, the Indian gaming market which is currently at $50 million, is expected to grow to $425 million by year 2010. This left me completely speechless. Now I know what they mean when a desi returning from India says, "Mannn, India is changing!". However, one thing that amazed me is the tag on import duties companies in this segment have to pay: a whopping 35%.
In comparison to Sony's price tag, Microsoft Xbox's premium version sells at Rs. 27,990. Nintendo's Wii still awaits its launch.
This to me spells the bell tolling for a major cultural shift. Not that it is not underway, but being in this part of the world, where governments give TV ads asking kids to go out and play, obesity levels rising, school shootings on the rise, I am not sure how would I want to qualify this. Never mind, thats a story for another day.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Today's tidbits
Work hours have changed for the temporary. The work-day now starts off at 6:45 AM and is theoretically expected to go until 4:00 PM. Given the early shift, my day starts at 4:00 AM. Do I like it? Sure. Anyday. Ask me about rising early and I take that very personally. It's a self-improvement challenge for me, a life-long one to wake up early.
Though this appears a one-week stint, I am seriously contemplating about adapting it into my schedule. Start the day early, end the day early. That gives me time to head home early and spend some good time with family. Lets see how this works out.
A gradual feeling of addiction towards blogging is inconspicuously making inroads into my blood stream. I always loved writing. I always loved expressing. Most times in the past when I couldn't express something in public or to the close-ones, I used to pen it down. That gave me an opportunity to chat with myself as I articulated my thoughts on paper, and called for introspection in the process. I wouldn't be honest if I said that blogging replaces my notes completely, but it does go a fair length in satiating my expressive self.
By the way, our personal TV turn-off week fared, well, average. I would give a 6/10. Though I resisted the occassional tantrums my son threw, my wife and I once gave in to watching the last episode of KBC online. Damn, that wasnt even worth messing with our resolution. On the positive side, the turn-off did give us an opportunity to play together and read.
That reminds me, I haven't formally sat down and watched a movie in the last few weeks. Guess thats the power of a thought. Which again reminds me I have been wanting to right a post on two things I was thinking about - intention and action. See, I wasn't wrong when I said I was getting addicted to this stuff.
Though this appears a one-week stint, I am seriously contemplating about adapting it into my schedule. Start the day early, end the day early. That gives me time to head home early and spend some good time with family. Lets see how this works out.
A gradual feeling of addiction towards blogging is inconspicuously making inroads into my blood stream. I always loved writing. I always loved expressing. Most times in the past when I couldn't express something in public or to the close-ones, I used to pen it down. That gave me an opportunity to chat with myself as I articulated my thoughts on paper, and called for introspection in the process. I wouldn't be honest if I said that blogging replaces my notes completely, but it does go a fair length in satiating my expressive self.
By the way, our personal TV turn-off week fared, well, average. I would give a 6/10. Though I resisted the occassional tantrums my son threw, my wife and I once gave in to watching the last episode of KBC online. Damn, that wasnt even worth messing with our resolution. On the positive side, the turn-off did give us an opportunity to play together and read.
That reminds me, I haven't formally sat down and watched a movie in the last few weeks. Guess thats the power of a thought. Which again reminds me I have been wanting to right a post on two things I was thinking about - intention and action. See, I wasn't wrong when I said I was getting addicted to this stuff.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Sheryl's manifesto
Warning: This is stinky!
On my morning commute, flipping through 24hrs, I came across Sheryl Crow's endeavour to make the world a better place to live in. Being environment friendly in easy ways by reducing the consumption of toilet paper is how she envisions contributing towards the solution to global warming.
With all due respect to the environment, the hazards that global warming poses and all the sincere citizens who are striving in their own ways to make this planet a better place to live in, I could not resist posting a statement I found rather funny. Courtsey 24hrs, as Sheryl Crow states on her blog:
"Although my ideas are in the earliest stages of development, they are, in my mind, worth investigating." Her toilet paper manifesto would limit how many squares of toilet paper Americans use in a sitting. "Now, I don't want to rob any law-abiding American of his or her God-given rights, but I think we are an industrious enough people that we can make it work with only one square per restroom visit, except, of course, on those pesky occasions where two to three could be required," she wrote.
As I read the word pesky, I started laughing out loud in the transit. I'm sure people around may be thinking I have gone crazy. Sure I was, as my imaginative faculties started spreading their wings.
As if this wasnt enough for someone starting the day, 24hrs' daily Poll asked readers if they could make 1 square of tissue work for their visit. I turned the page.
Update: 83% declined with a strong No Way to the Poll!
On my morning commute, flipping through 24hrs, I came across Sheryl Crow's endeavour to make the world a better place to live in. Being environment friendly in easy ways by reducing the consumption of toilet paper is how she envisions contributing towards the solution to global warming.
With all due respect to the environment, the hazards that global warming poses and all the sincere citizens who are striving in their own ways to make this planet a better place to live in, I could not resist posting a statement I found rather funny. Courtsey 24hrs, as Sheryl Crow states on her blog:
"Although my ideas are in the earliest stages of development, they are, in my mind, worth investigating." Her toilet paper manifesto would limit how many squares of toilet paper Americans use in a sitting. "Now, I don't want to rob any law-abiding American of his or her God-given rights, but I think we are an industrious enough people that we can make it work with only one square per restroom visit, except, of course, on those pesky occasions where two to three could be required," she wrote.
As I read the word pesky, I started laughing out loud in the transit. I'm sure people around may be thinking I have gone crazy. Sure I was, as my imaginative faculties started spreading their wings.
As if this wasnt enough for someone starting the day, 24hrs' daily Poll asked readers if they could make 1 square of tissue work for their visit. I turned the page.
Update: 83% declined with a strong No Way to the Poll!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
What is there in a name?
Deap posted his rant on the naming of Indian movies. Here is mine (those intellectually sensitive are hereby warned). I am pretty sure Shakespeare had no idea what a few intellectually challenged can do to a name. For your reading pleasure; your's truly could not resist the temptation of adding his own feedback - italicized.
1. Ek Chalis ki local train (tera movie le ke jaayegi)
2. Khanna And Iyer (Producer and Director)
3. Kya Love Story Hai (Khood hi tareef karega ya phir audience ko bhi kuch bolne dega)
4. Good Boy Bad Boy (You could have added Ugly as well from where you stole Good and Bad)
5. Khallas (The name sealed the movie's fate)
6. Life in a Metro (Must be a documentary)
7. Pangaa Na Lo (Audience ke saath)
8. Say Salaam India (Ok!)
1. Ek Chalis ki local train (tera movie le ke jaayegi)
2. Khanna And Iyer (Producer and Director)
3. Kya Love Story Hai (Khood hi tareef karega ya phir audience ko bhi kuch bolne dega)
4. Good Boy Bad Boy (You could have added Ugly as well from where you stole Good and Bad)
5. Khallas (The name sealed the movie's fate)
6. Life in a Metro (Must be a documentary)
7. Pangaa Na Lo (Audience ke saath)
8. Say Salaam India (Ok!)
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
TV Turn Off Week
In a bid to introduce some level of decency to our otherwise sedentary and brain dead evenings & weekends, I made a call this Sunday evening to sever our ties with the tube for a week. We had been realizing that we were going a bit too far succumbing to the inertia that the deadly combination of our couch and the television set brought. My son, realizing that this was a no contest situation, immediately resorted to diplomacy. "But what about Mom's weather reports", he quipped. I pointed him to the patio. "Walk up to the patio, look outside and you should be able to find out whats in store." I explained that it wasn't just him, but all of us who were not able to draw the line. We've just been a day into this so I'll report our progress as we head into the withdrawal phase.
Interestingly, on Monday morning, as I flipped through the pages of the free daily (24 hours) on my commute, I bumped into this article harping the same tune. Amazed at the concurrence, I read on. And lo! I was not the only one to put my foot down. And if you good folks are anywhere close to making a week worth of resolution, you are not the only one.
Its only a week! How bad can it get. I am challenging myself to help uncover what my options are. I am not saying watching television is bad. Anything intelligently regulated is always entertaining and adds value. It is my personal discipline thats gone bust. If any of us feel the same, I would suggest trying this out for a week. After all, we can always get back to our friendly couch and programming the following week.
Check out www.tvturnoff.org for more on the upcoming TV Turn Off Week!!! It may not be the most glamorous website, but then, thats not the point.
Interestingly, on Monday morning, as I flipped through the pages of the free daily (24 hours) on my commute, I bumped into this article harping the same tune. Amazed at the concurrence, I read on. And lo! I was not the only one to put my foot down. And if you good folks are anywhere close to making a week worth of resolution, you are not the only one.
April 23-29 is the TV Turn Off Week!!!
Its only a week! How bad can it get. I am challenging myself to help uncover what my options are. I am not saying watching television is bad. Anything intelligently regulated is always entertaining and adds value. It is my personal discipline thats gone bust. If any of us feel the same, I would suggest trying this out for a week. After all, we can always get back to our friendly couch and programming the following week.
Check out www.tvturnoff.org for more on the upcoming TV Turn Off Week!!! It may not be the most glamorous website, but then, thats not the point.
Earth hour, my hour
I came across this excellent feature, thanks to its posting on Kedu's blog (dont miss the video). Named Earth Hour - it was a call to Sydneyites to express their commitment towards reducing global warming.
Essentially, on March 30th from 7:30 to 8:30, more than 2 million residents in Sydney, Australia turned off their lights and appliances responding to a call for Earth Hour. As per Energy Australia, this dropped the energy consumption for the Sydney area by 10.2%.
Unfortunately, I wasn't part of it. However, it did set me thinking. Thinking on different lines than the quest to reduce global warming. I closed my eyes and tried to visualize an hour late in the evening in darkness. No lights, no TV, no music, no cranking from the dishwashers or the washing machines. No screeching from the elevators. I almost started hearing the sounds of a cricket chirping, or biased by the climatic zone I am in, a frog croaking. As I write, I realize that I haven't heard these sounds for quite some time now. Our lives today are mostly drowned either by the sounds of commute or iPods blaring into our ears or the television ignorantly running in the background. We long for a quiet walk or to plan a camping trip into the serene wilderness. We jump at the first opportunity to take a ride through the countryside. We pine for a dark star-lit sky, devoid of any light pollution that the progressive metros inflict.
I eagerly await that one hour of darkness to reach Vancouver. While it will go a long way in contributing to the ever affectionate and forgiving mother earth, it will give us frantic racers time to slow down, sit with ourselves, introspect and help us see things in the light of darkness. At the very least, it will allow us to tune into the clock of nature and may set us to ponder that after all, each evening, the sun does go down for a reason.
Essentially, on March 30th from 7:30 to 8:30, more than 2 million residents in Sydney, Australia turned off their lights and appliances responding to a call for Earth Hour. As per Energy Australia, this dropped the energy consumption for the Sydney area by 10.2%.
Unfortunately, I wasn't part of it. However, it did set me thinking. Thinking on different lines than the quest to reduce global warming. I closed my eyes and tried to visualize an hour late in the evening in darkness. No lights, no TV, no music, no cranking from the dishwashers or the washing machines. No screeching from the elevators. I almost started hearing the sounds of a cricket chirping, or biased by the climatic zone I am in, a frog croaking. As I write, I realize that I haven't heard these sounds for quite some time now. Our lives today are mostly drowned either by the sounds of commute or iPods blaring into our ears or the television ignorantly running in the background. We long for a quiet walk or to plan a camping trip into the serene wilderness. We jump at the first opportunity to take a ride through the countryside. We pine for a dark star-lit sky, devoid of any light pollution that the progressive metros inflict.
I eagerly await that one hour of darkness to reach Vancouver. While it will go a long way in contributing to the ever affectionate and forgiving mother earth, it will give us frantic racers time to slow down, sit with ourselves, introspect and help us see things in the light of darkness. At the very least, it will allow us to tune into the clock of nature and may set us to ponder that after all, each evening, the sun does go down for a reason.
Staying away from Tagged.com emails!
Alright, I had other things I wanted to blog about, but then this seemed imperative and hence its here. This has been pestering me for quite some time to warrant a rant (nice rhyme, eh!).
Lately, for a month now, I have been receiving this emails from Tagged.com representing folks I know. I went through the standard invite emails (all spiced up with a ready-to-serve guilt trip if you didnt accept the invitation) and resisted hopping onto another social networking bandwagon. I am already on a couple and am having a hard time staying loyal to either of those.
So, for a little backgrounder for all those who have been spared this invite or have been resolute enough like me not to give in and press the Yes button:
1. You receive an email from a person you know saying s/he has Tagged you :)
2. When you open the email, here's what you see. I have removed the name for obvious reasons.
3. You dont respond to this and you are served up a fresh reminder every few days!
Fortunately, I have not gone past this. And so, I really can't say more. However, I came across a couple blogs who have been bitten by this and I definitely didnt want myself or my address book participants to go through this. Feel their pain here:
http://shiftlessmind.com/2007/03/22/taggedcom-sucks/
http://dotnet.org.za/thea/archive/2007/04/09/i-hate-tagged-com.aspx
So, in conclusion, for all of you nice folks from whom I've received these mails, I just want you to know that I love you, I am your friend, but no, I wont say yes to this glorified, twisted spam.
Phew! With a clear conscience, I'll now go and delete all those mails from Tagged.
Lately, for a month now, I have been receiving this emails from Tagged.com representing folks I know. I went through the standard invite emails (all spiced up with a ready-to-serve guilt trip if you didnt accept the invitation) and resisted hopping onto another social networking bandwagon. I am already on a couple and am having a hard time staying loyal to either of those.
So, for a little backgrounder for all those who have been spared this invite or have been resolute enough like me not to give in and press the Yes button:
1. You receive an email from a person you know saying s/he has Tagged you :)
2. When you open the email, here's what you see. I have removed the name for obvious reasons.
3. You dont respond to this and you are served up a fresh reminder every few days!
Fortunately, I have not gone past this. And so, I really can't say more. However, I came across a couple blogs who have been bitten by this and I definitely didnt want myself or my address book participants to go through this. Feel their pain here:
http://shiftlessmind.com/2007/03/22/taggedcom-sucks/
http://dotnet.org.za/thea/archive/2007/04/09/i-hate-tagged-com.aspx
So, in conclusion, for all of you nice folks from whom I've received these mails, I just want you to know that I love you, I am your friend, but no, I wont say yes to this glorified, twisted spam.
Phew! With a clear conscience, I'll now go and delete all those mails from Tagged.
Friday, April 13, 2007
What did I learn today - paraskavedekatriaphobia
First things first. The credits for the title What did I learn today must go to Andy. His blog has a section with a very similar name/tag and I couldn't find a more fitting categorization. Going forward, I shall try and post more of what I learn each day to the same category. Andykaka, please treat this imitation as the sincerest form of flattery and let me know if you would like me to change it.
Coming to my learning for the day, is a word - paraskavedekatriaphobia. This entry is very fitting for today. It means the fear of Friday the 13th. The word is a derivation from triskaidekaphobia which means the fear of the number 13.
I was amused to learn that this fear or if you may call it a superstitious belief, existed much wider in geography than just India.
As I surfed more about it, I came across some astonishing details. Here is an interesting snippet courtsey an article on National Geographic.
"It's been estimated that [U.S] $800 or $900 million is lost in business on this day because people will not fly or do business they would normally do," said Donald Dossey, founder of the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina.
And some remedies.
Folklore offers other remedies, however. One recommendation is to climb to the top of a mountain or skyscraper and burn all the socks you own that have holes in them. Another is to stand on your head and eat a piece of gristle.
For a more detailed read, visit the complete article on National Geographic site.
Coming to my learning for the day, is a word - paraskavedekatriaphobia. This entry is very fitting for today. It means the fear of Friday the 13th. The word is a derivation from triskaidekaphobia which means the fear of the number 13.
I was amused to learn that this fear or if you may call it a superstitious belief, existed much wider in geography than just India.
As I surfed more about it, I came across some astonishing details. Here is an interesting snippet courtsey an article on National Geographic.
"It's been estimated that [U.S] $800 or $900 million is lost in business on this day because people will not fly or do business they would normally do," said Donald Dossey, founder of the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina.
And some remedies.
Folklore offers other remedies, however. One recommendation is to climb to the top of a mountain or skyscraper and burn all the socks you own that have holes in them. Another is to stand on your head and eat a piece of gristle.
For a more detailed read, visit the complete article on National Geographic site.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Tamara ahin aaj - Gani Dahiwala
This is one of my, well, almost every Gujarati literature lover's favourite.
I was introduced to this ghazal in the first year of my college. This may not sound very surprising at first, however, the reason why it invites a special mention is because the first time I heard the ghazal, it was from my English Professor, Shri Kirit Trivedi, in our English class! I have to say that he has been one of the very few and fine educators/teachers/mentors I have across. He made learning a joy and did something that I strongly believe is the most fundamental element of education - aroused the curiosity to learn! My most sincere gratitude and respect to you, Sir.
ઉપવને આગમન
તમારાં અહીં આજ પગલાં થવાનાં,
ચમનમાં બધાંને ખબર થૈ ગઈ છે.
ઝુકાવી છે ગરદન બધી ડાળીઓએ,
ફૂલોની ય નીચી નજર થૈ ગઈ છે.
શરમનો કરી ડોળ સઘળું જુએ છે
કળી પાંદડીઓના પડદે રહીને,
ખરું જો કહી દઉં તો વાતાવરણ પર
તમારાં નયનની અસર થૈ ગઈ છે.
બધી રાત લોહીનું પાણી કરીને
બિછાવી છે મોતીની સેજો ઉષાએ,
પધારો કે આજે ચમનની યુવાની
બધાં સાધનોથી સભર થૈ ગઈ છે.
પરિમલની સાથે ગળે હાથ નાખી-
કરે છે અનિલ છેડતી કૂંપળોની,
ગજબની ઘડી છે તે પ્રત્યેક વસ્તુ,
પુરાણા મલાજાથી પર થૈ ગઈ છે.
ગની દહીંવાલા
Courtsey: Kavilok
I was introduced to this ghazal in the first year of my college. This may not sound very surprising at first, however, the reason why it invites a special mention is because the first time I heard the ghazal, it was from my English Professor, Shri Kirit Trivedi, in our English class! I have to say that he has been one of the very few and fine educators/teachers/mentors I have across. He made learning a joy and did something that I strongly believe is the most fundamental element of education - aroused the curiosity to learn! My most sincere gratitude and respect to you, Sir.
ઉપવને આગમન
તમારાં અહીં આજ પગલાં થવાનાં,
ચમનમાં બધાંને ખબર થૈ ગઈ છે.
ઝુકાવી છે ગરદન બધી ડાળીઓએ,
ફૂલોની ય નીચી નજર થૈ ગઈ છે.
શરમનો કરી ડોળ સઘળું જુએ છે
કળી પાંદડીઓના પડદે રહીને,
ખરું જો કહી દઉં તો વાતાવરણ પર
તમારાં નયનની અસર થૈ ગઈ છે.
બધી રાત લોહીનું પાણી કરીને
બિછાવી છે મોતીની સેજો ઉષાએ,
પધારો કે આજે ચમનની યુવાની
બધાં સાધનોથી સભર થૈ ગઈ છે.
પરિમલની સાથે ગળે હાથ નાખી-
કરે છે અનિલ છેડતી કૂંપળોની,
ગજબની ઘડી છે તે પ્રત્યેક વસ્તુ,
પુરાણા મલાજાથી પર થૈ ગઈ છે.
ગની દહીંવાલા
Courtsey: Kavilok
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Why books?
It is a thought that has been crossing my mind for the past few days. Though I have recently been at a distance, I've loved reading books for quite some time now. When I think about the kind of books I like, it is very hard to classify them by genres, authors or any category. From the way I have been reading, I have enjoyed books spanning a wide variety. For me, I believe, it boils down to the way it is expressed, the way it is narrated.
And that brought me to think why do I love reading books. Why do I love watching movies. I am not sure but I feel it may apply to a vast majority of readers.
I love being told stories. I love being taught. I love being mentored and guided. As we grow, the figures in our life that teach us, that guide us, that show compassion for us, people that we turn to, are not with us anymore (rather, we are not with them anymore :) ). We have grown up, instilled beliefs, notions, developed mindsets and frameworks we live within. Nevertheless, whether we express it or not, we still need our mentors, our father figures, people we can talk to without being judged, people who can look into our eyes and tell us that we have faltered, people who can pat on our back and say, Good job!, people we know will be there for us inspite of us taking them for granted.
We need all of those wonderful selfless folks who we can turn to with the same child-like innocence we once had.
Unfortunately, depending on where we are at in life, emotionally, geographically or in terms of age, we dont have them.
And that is why I believe we turn to books, movies - our surrogate mentors, teachers, friends and more, filling in for the void of compassion, knowledge, wisdom and most importantly, a shoulder to lean on.
And that brought me to think why do I love reading books. Why do I love watching movies. I am not sure but I feel it may apply to a vast majority of readers.
I love being told stories. I love being taught. I love being mentored and guided. As we grow, the figures in our life that teach us, that guide us, that show compassion for us, people that we turn to, are not with us anymore (rather, we are not with them anymore :) ). We have grown up, instilled beliefs, notions, developed mindsets and frameworks we live within. Nevertheless, whether we express it or not, we still need our mentors, our father figures, people we can talk to without being judged, people who can look into our eyes and tell us that we have faltered, people who can pat on our back and say, Good job!, people we know will be there for us inspite of us taking them for granted.
We need all of those wonderful selfless folks who we can turn to with the same child-like innocence we once had.
Unfortunately, depending on where we are at in life, emotionally, geographically or in terms of age, we dont have them.
And that is why I believe we turn to books, movies - our surrogate mentors, teachers, friends and more, filling in for the void of compassion, knowledge, wisdom and most importantly, a shoulder to lean on.
A walk through the park
Central Park is right across the building where I work. Right when I started working, I was cautioned about walking through the park in the evenings enroute the nearest transit terminal. Since then, being new to the area, I never bothered venturing into the park.
Today, desperate for a stroll and some quiet time, I aimlessly walked into the park. It didnt turn out to be the least bit scary as I had conjured it up in my imagination.
It was a very pleasant walk through the towering firs, passing by the startled squirrels staring at you, a nice quite pond with geeses and just the right number of people walking/jogging/running through the park. I walked for the most part and than sat down at a bench for a few minutes before resuming my walk again. I didnt bother to look at my watch trying to figure how much time had I spent.
Such moments are few and far when I get to sit with myself without thoughts racing, priorities clamouring to find their place, tasks popping from the perpetual ToDo list and the brain racking to be on top of things to never miss the balance. These are hence, very treasured moments.
These are moments when you talk back to yourself. These are moments when you listen to yourself. It is when you strike a conversation with someone inside you. Not that I dont talk to myself rest of the time. In fact, I talk to myself all the time. But compared to these serene, quiet moments, you realize that it is mostly chatter when you are rushing to work, on the transit, in the elevator.
I dont see how this time that you spend in communion with yourself is any different from meditation. I believe the essence is striking a chord with something within you that makes you feel - ah, full circle. I think now I sort of understand what they mean when they say that you are not at peace with yourself. No wonder these things are hard to explain and only experiential.
Today, desperate for a stroll and some quiet time, I aimlessly walked into the park. It didnt turn out to be the least bit scary as I had conjured it up in my imagination.
It was a very pleasant walk through the towering firs, passing by the startled squirrels staring at you, a nice quite pond with geeses and just the right number of people walking/jogging/running through the park. I walked for the most part and than sat down at a bench for a few minutes before resuming my walk again. I didnt bother to look at my watch trying to figure how much time had I spent.
Such moments are few and far when I get to sit with myself without thoughts racing, priorities clamouring to find their place, tasks popping from the perpetual ToDo list and the brain racking to be on top of things to never miss the balance. These are hence, very treasured moments.
These are moments when you talk back to yourself. These are moments when you listen to yourself. It is when you strike a conversation with someone inside you. Not that I dont talk to myself rest of the time. In fact, I talk to myself all the time. But compared to these serene, quiet moments, you realize that it is mostly chatter when you are rushing to work, on the transit, in the elevator.
I dont see how this time that you spend in communion with yourself is any different from meditation. I believe the essence is striking a chord with something within you that makes you feel - ah, full circle. I think now I sort of understand what they mean when they say that you are not at peace with yourself. No wonder these things are hard to explain and only experiential.
Law-enforcing family values
Courtsey: Link above and 24hours Vancouver print edition
Beijing - A county in central China planned in-depth checks on how its
officials' treated their parents, with those who were nice to their mum and dad first in line for promotion, Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday.For more, click on the link above.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Take this
What a killer! Had to post this:
"There are thoughts which are prayers. There are moments when, whatever the posture of the body, the soul is on its knees..." ~ Victor Hugo
"There are thoughts which are prayers. There are moments when, whatever the posture of the body, the soul is on its knees..." ~ Victor Hugo
This week inaction!
Following up on the previous post, yes, I did take a day off - the much needed break. It was a good call. What did I do? Not much really. Watched Departed. Oscar material? No. Good movie? Yes. Jack Nicholson's performance is a highlight.
Later on however, I picked up Blood Diamond and that made my day. Leonardo DiCaprio has done a stupendous job with his acting and boy, what accent. If at all I get to buying diamonds, I'm gonna make sure they are not conflict.
Hems shared a youtube video of the MotoRokr ad featuring Abhishek Bachhan. Commendable. Take a look.
Dilipbhai shared a funny/sarcastic video on the Indian call-center business. The start is ofcourse hilarious.
Well, why am I blogging. I just got off an eight-week ordeal featuring an average work day of 17 hours, weekends included! Not one day off. All that craziness abruptly nosedived to a regular day where I now have to manage a release 7 weeks into the "future". Someone asked me, how do I feel? My answer: I feel like one of those CIA trained post-war Afghans; lost.
Reading hasn't been very inviting lately. However, from whatever reviews I have been through there is one book thats stands out - Confessions of an Econimic Hit Man by John Perkins. If you have read this book, your comments are very welcome.
For now, looking forward to the Easter weekend! Cheers!
Later on however, I picked up Blood Diamond and that made my day. Leonardo DiCaprio has done a stupendous job with his acting and boy, what accent. If at all I get to buying diamonds, I'm gonna make sure they are not conflict.
Hems shared a youtube video of the MotoRokr ad featuring Abhishek Bachhan. Commendable. Take a look.
Dilipbhai shared a funny/sarcastic video on the Indian call-center business. The start is ofcourse hilarious.
Well, why am I blogging. I just got off an eight-week ordeal featuring an average work day of 17 hours, weekends included! Not one day off. All that craziness abruptly nosedived to a regular day where I now have to manage a release 7 weeks into the "future". Someone asked me, how do I feel? My answer: I feel like one of those CIA trained post-war Afghans; lost.
Reading hasn't been very inviting lately. However, from whatever reviews I have been through there is one book thats stands out - Confessions of an Econimic Hit Man by John Perkins. If you have read this book, your comments are very welcome.
For now, looking forward to the Easter weekend! Cheers!
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