Ticketless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday 21 September, 2007
Monday 10 September, 2007
The Above Average
I am reading this book currently, wella, its been a while now. It is well written, simple and enjoyable. I am not used to dissecting a book more than this except for "Wuthering Heights" and "Great Expectations" which were part of School curriculum :)
Well, I got hold of this book from the book reading by the author in Crosswords, and the author gave me an autographed copy and one of the special moments when the moment gets onto me and I come up with seemingly Dumb questions ;) not that bad ....
Well, this book talks about the life and aspirations of an average educated middle class family based out of Delhi. The characters and the events and the emotions are ones which can an average or educated or middle class or delhite can connect to. You can draw parallels too when you try and recollect old buddies from school and the like. the best part being it does not tickle your grey cells much nor does it give your brain much work. :D
Another Review
Well, I got hold of this book from the book reading by the author in Crosswords, and the author gave me an autographed copy and one of the special moments when the moment gets onto me and I come up with seemingly Dumb questions ;) not that bad ....
Well, this book talks about the life and aspirations of an average educated middle class family based out of Delhi. The characters and the events and the emotions are ones which can an average or educated or middle class or delhite can connect to. You can draw parallels too when you try and recollect old buddies from school and the like. the best part being it does not tickle your grey cells much nor does it give your brain much work. :D
Another Review
Rofl :D
Well, I am involved with the Dramatics and Creativity Club ( a funky name for the old mime club or rather -SKIT ;) ) of my organization and had been brainstorming for a while for some jokes.
Recycling old jokes, fitting it in a new perspective, new fundas are called for in these sessions and I must say it is fun. And of late, unlike college days, i have been short of an audience to try these jokes or rather pester.
Some jokes,
Q: Spell BLIND BIRD
A: B-L-N-D B-R-D
Q: what ? what happened to the two eyes, i say ...
A: Sir, BLIND BIRD no EYEs( 'ii's )
Beat that.....
More n more.....
Recycling old jokes, fitting it in a new perspective, new fundas are called for in these sessions and I must say it is fun. And of late, unlike college days, i have been short of an audience to try these jokes or rather pester.
Some jokes,
Q: Spell BLIND BIRD
A: B-L-N-D B-R-D
Q: what ? what happened to the two eyes, i say ...
A: Sir, BLIND BIRD no EYEs( 'ii's )
Beat that.....
More n more.....
Friday 13 July, 2007
Heidelberg!!!
This is my base of location in germany for the next couple of days. Last time around I was put up in Manheimm, which is more of a commercial place with many a mall and cars and activity. Heidelberg is more of the old scottish or german town with a schloss..Oops..castle and many an old houses and mueseums, universtiy and old houses, tourists flock to this place and is definitely not an affordable place to live. I was told that a lot of Americans and Mediterraninans stay in some parts. Its got fields and schools and a lot of students and pubs, yet to visit any of them though.
Well on the lighter side.. I shall update this space with closer to life snap shots of the city.
The US soldiers having a shot at their Fu-Fu amongst all the usual army banter, the kid with the diabolo, Falafel - the arabic special dish, Morocoan mint tea, watching Indian Tourists being escorted to closed churches and mueseums..courtesy a packaged tour group from India (Thomas Cook ;) Jayanth and me decided, this is what we might get to see when taken on a European tour on one of them. rofl ).
At the moment, I am off to the Holiday Park for the summer summit or rather family day of my organisation.
More to on Heidelberg ....I promise....
Well on the lighter side.. I shall update this space with closer to life snap shots of the city.
The US soldiers having a shot at their Fu-Fu amongst all the usual army banter, the kid with the diabolo, Falafel - the arabic special dish, Morocoan mint tea, watching Indian Tourists being escorted to closed churches and mueseums..courtesy a packaged tour group from India (Thomas Cook ;) Jayanth and me decided, this is what we might get to see when taken on a European tour on one of them. rofl ).
At the moment, I am off to the Holiday Park for the summer summit or rather family day of my organisation.
More to on Heidelberg ....I promise....
Manfried - The Cop
I would like to pen a few words about this person whom I got to know on my trip to Germany. Manfried, the cabie who picked me up from the Frankfurt Airport.
When I bump across someone new especially in a new setting, I cannot control my strong urge to
refrain from having an engaging conversation.
Well, Manfried is German. He is 60. He is a retired cop. He is working as a Cab Driver to keep him busy during his retired years. He has a son who is also a cop and a daughter who is an 'underground' cop.
I had notes written on him....
Will fill this space....
When I bump across someone new especially in a new setting, I cannot control my strong urge to
refrain from having an engaging conversation.
Well, Manfried is German. He is 60. He is a retired cop. He is working as a Cab Driver to keep him busy during his retired years. He has a son who is also a cop and a daughter who is an 'underground' cop.
I had notes written on him....
Will fill this space....
Thursday 12 July, 2007
Presentation to the German Colleagues...
So, the day finaaly arrived when the presentation had to be made to the German counterparts. The topic could not be more technical and boring than E-SOA.
Well on the eve of the talk, I sat with my mentor, Thomas Pike, to note down tips to make it appealing to a German audience, who were mostly above 40, had been in the IT industry for over 10 years.
Thomas is British but brought up in Germany as his father was a teacher in a German Highschool. He moved out of Germany soon after his schooling in Germany to UK and spent a few years there where he went to Universtiy and later to Yemen and Middle East and back to UK for working in a financial firm and then later found that attraction to the land where he spent his younger days quite compelling and thus moved to Germany.
Some interesting tips Thomas gave me:
1. An interesting presentation according to him was one where the speaker could speak without looking at the slides, the slides having less text.
2. In India, its the job of the speaker to make sure that the audience has captured his idea but out here the speaker just goes on with what he wants to say not necessarily checking whether he has been understood or not. If somebody has a doubt or rather does not understand he is expected to ask. If the speaker repeats himself over a couple of times the audience might find it rude and offensive and might think that the speaker considers them to be dumb and this turns them off.
3. English has to be slow.
4. If there are questions asked, its a sign that they are understanding it.
5. The crowd is emotionless, so gauging as to how the presentation is being percieved is not so similar to how it is done in India.
6. The crowd does not have a good sense of humour. To crack up the crowd I tried a joke which was reciprocatted by cold, blank and puzzled looks which gave way to chuckles, which were far away from being effortless, when I gave my bit of canned laughter to my own joke. Phew!!! I had never done that before.(The term "pressured to laugh" might be more appropriate here).
7. Whatever is spoken, its the tone and the rythm that captivates the audience.
8, Its not easy to get the crowd in splits or to initiate them to join in on a conversation as simple and "irrelevant" as, How many of You have been to McDonalds ? during an official presentation.
The Topping on the Pizza (I more close to Italy, so I would quote Pizza rather than the cake ... :) ) was when couple of the members said it was interesting and gave some suggestions while I was on my not so keen for feedback but still fishing for compliments mode.
:)
Well on the eve of the talk, I sat with my mentor, Thomas Pike, to note down tips to make it appealing to a German audience, who were mostly above 40, had been in the IT industry for over 10 years.
Thomas is British but brought up in Germany as his father was a teacher in a German Highschool. He moved out of Germany soon after his schooling in Germany to UK and spent a few years there where he went to Universtiy and later to Yemen and Middle East and back to UK for working in a financial firm and then later found that attraction to the land where he spent his younger days quite compelling and thus moved to Germany.
Some interesting tips Thomas gave me:
1. An interesting presentation according to him was one where the speaker could speak without looking at the slides, the slides having less text.
2. In India, its the job of the speaker to make sure that the audience has captured his idea but out here the speaker just goes on with what he wants to say not necessarily checking whether he has been understood or not. If somebody has a doubt or rather does not understand he is expected to ask. If the speaker repeats himself over a couple of times the audience might find it rude and offensive and might think that the speaker considers them to be dumb and this turns them off.
3. English has to be slow.
4. If there are questions asked, its a sign that they are understanding it.
5. The crowd is emotionless, so gauging as to how the presentation is being percieved is not so similar to how it is done in India.
6. The crowd does not have a good sense of humour. To crack up the crowd I tried a joke which was reciprocatted by cold, blank and puzzled looks which gave way to chuckles, which were far away from being effortless, when I gave my bit of canned laughter to my own joke. Phew!!! I had never done that before.(The term "pressured to laugh" might be more appropriate here).
7. Whatever is spoken, its the tone and the rythm that captivates the audience.
8, Its not easy to get the crowd in splits or to initiate them to join in on a conversation as simple and "irrelevant" as, How many of You have been to McDonalds ? during an official presentation.
The Topping on the Pizza (I more close to Italy, so I would quote Pizza rather than the cake ... :) ) was when couple of the members said it was interesting and gave some suggestions while I was on my not so keen for feedback but still fishing for compliments mode.
:)
Tuesday 22 May, 2007
Dress Code for Women !!!!!
"These women who appear in public like decadent models endanger the security and dignity of young men"
" Men see models in the streets and ignore their own wives at home. This weakens the pillars of family"
- Reasonings from top Govt officials in Tehran, so as to dissuade women from taking on to fashionable clothes other than the 'Burqua'.
Well I was wondering how it would be If I were asked to stick to such rules. I can't even take it when I had to follow a dress code in my previous organisation.
One of the common denominators of all these rules of conduct and attire associated with societies, communities or religion is that they have been conceived by the 'Male Mind'.
View of the unknown have more or less been the Male Mind's usage of hyperboles to articulate his deep rooted fantasies or desires.
Take for example, "Heaven" - a place where there is no pain, you get what you want, lotsa food, and women dancing around .There are many more instances. This just brings about the fact that there was a dearth of women artists, philosophers around the age in history when religion or socioeconomic orders were taking shape.
Of late, with women slowly making a constant effort or rather struggle to play an active and effective role in carrying out and conceptualising theories and execution for the social order, I believe, the socioeconomic fabric is on the cusp of transition.
" Men see models in the streets and ignore their own wives at home. This weakens the pillars of family"
- Reasonings from top Govt officials in Tehran, so as to dissuade women from taking on to fashionable clothes other than the 'Burqua'.
Well I was wondering how it would be If I were asked to stick to such rules. I can't even take it when I had to follow a dress code in my previous organisation.
One of the common denominators of all these rules of conduct and attire associated with societies, communities or religion is that they have been conceived by the 'Male Mind'.
View of the unknown have more or less been the Male Mind's usage of hyperboles to articulate his deep rooted fantasies or desires.
Take for example, "Heaven" - a place where there is no pain, you get what you want, lotsa food, and women dancing around .There are many more instances. This just brings about the fact that there was a dearth of women artists, philosophers around the age in history when religion or socioeconomic orders were taking shape.
Of late, with women slowly making a constant effort or rather struggle to play an active and effective role in carrying out and conceptualising theories and execution for the social order, I believe, the socioeconomic fabric is on the cusp of transition.
Thursday 17 May, 2007
The Greatest of the Journeys...
Well have been seeing this quite often of late,
"The Greatest of the Journeys are the ones that take you home"...yeah of "The Namesake" fame.
A couple of years back I would have concurred with those lines..those days when I was far faaar away from home and used to get home twice in a year..loved to get drenched in the rain, being inside the train heading home after the summer heat in the north indian plains, the greenery, those lovely lakes, fishermen, the sunset.......n the tak-tak-tak-ta-tak of the Super Fast train...
Well of late I am getting a bit tired n bored of all these n getting used to it...n have felt on many an occassion that....
"The Greatest of the Journeys are the ones that take you AWAY from home"
Rofl :)
"The Greatest of the Journeys are the ones that take you home"...yeah of "The Namesake" fame.
A couple of years back I would have concurred with those lines..those days when I was far faaar away from home and used to get home twice in a year..loved to get drenched in the rain, being inside the train heading home after the summer heat in the north indian plains, the greenery, those lovely lakes, fishermen, the sunset.......n the tak-tak-tak-ta-tak of the Super Fast train...
Well of late I am getting a bit tired n bored of all these n getting used to it...n have felt on many an occassion that....
"The Greatest of the Journeys are the ones that take you AWAY from home"
Rofl :)
Tuesday 15 May, 2007
Tuesday 8 May, 2007
Monday 7 May, 2007
Those were the days!!!!
Been wanting to quote this line whenever I hear an old buddy, whose just had a tantalising brush with the 'Good old days' of yesteryears and is on a 'high' from those ' old days', tell me with a sigh, "Oh man, Those were the days!!! This place gives me a high!!!"
" ...sentimental nostalgia that elevates Good Old days to a spurious perfection..."
Well, I never penned those words!!!! :)
" ...sentimental nostalgia that elevates Good Old days to a spurious perfection..."
Well, I never penned those words!!!! :)
Thursday 3 May, 2007
WIIFM The world's biggest FM
Tid bits abt Smart Presentations.....
The World's largest FM is always at work...that being WIIFM - What's In It For Me - If the speaker can address this for most of his audience the job is half done.
:)
I like the presentations by Steve Jobs. He follows the Zen principles and the 10/20/30 rule.
Its mostly stories.
These days I love the chance to make a presentation to my team in India and I am really looking forward to that chance to make it to my German Counterparts.
:)
The World's largest FM is always at work...that being WIIFM - What's In It For Me - If the speaker can address this for most of his audience the job is half done.
:)
I like the presentations by Steve Jobs. He follows the Zen principles and the 10/20/30 rule.
Its mostly stories.
These days I love the chance to make a presentation to my team in India and I am really looking forward to that chance to make it to my German Counterparts.
:)
Out of my comfort zone.........
Steve Waugh's Autobiography... A must read for all cricket enthusiasts....
Truly inspiring!! The book runs through his cricketing years on and off the field. A lot of insights to the Aussie outlook to the game. I really liked his scribbles on India.
This book elevated my respect for this cricketer and an admiration for him.
I have always been ticked on by what goes on "Behind the Scenes" be it cricket, bollywood not movies in particular, people and so on.
Well Steve's admiration for India is dealt to the detail in his work. His travel around the subcontinent. I try and emulate him while I travel, rather than sit in the confines of my hotel lobby or a pub, I would venture out and get to search the spirit and soul of the place and people I am in. His take on the Indian cricketing side and his reasoning for their attitude and approach to the game are stunning and reveals the indepth analysis the Aussies does before they take to the field.
He throws light to the team meetings before crucial matches that his team played.
Quite an interesting read. And a good gift to anyone who embodies a leadership spirit within!!!
Truly inspiring!! The book runs through his cricketing years on and off the field. A lot of insights to the Aussie outlook to the game. I really liked his scribbles on India.
This book elevated my respect for this cricketer and an admiration for him.
I have always been ticked on by what goes on "Behind the Scenes" be it cricket, bollywood not movies in particular, people and so on.
Well Steve's admiration for India is dealt to the detail in his work. His travel around the subcontinent. I try and emulate him while I travel, rather than sit in the confines of my hotel lobby or a pub, I would venture out and get to search the spirit and soul of the place and people I am in. His take on the Indian cricketing side and his reasoning for their attitude and approach to the game are stunning and reveals the indepth analysis the Aussies does before they take to the field.
He throws light to the team meetings before crucial matches that his team played.
Quite an interesting read. And a good gift to anyone who embodies a leadership spirit within!!!
Wednesday 2 May, 2007
In praise of Google!!!!
Microsoft owns the desktop....But Google controls the user experience!!!
Software should hide its complexity and be Simple to consume.
Simplicity....
Software should hide its complexity and be Simple to consume.
Simplicity....
Wednesday 11 April, 2007
Decisions....
Decisions Hurt!!!!
Decisions are neither 99-1 nor 90-10 but '52-48'.
This is one GYAN I realised as time went by....
In the younger years I always thought decisions were 90-10 whichever be the case but in due course of time I realised decisions in life were somewhere in the 52-48 range and this strikes you on your face a little late in the deal....
:)
Wella, I was eavesdropping .... Lol.....
Decisions are neither 99-1 nor 90-10 but '52-48'.
This is one GYAN I realised as time went by....
In the younger years I always thought decisions were 90-10 whichever be the case but in due course of time I realised decisions in life were somewhere in the 52-48 range and this strikes you on your face a little late in the deal....
:)
Wella, I was eavesdropping .... Lol.....
Tuesday 3 April, 2007
Stage vs Screen.....
The Screen is a Director's Canvas and The Stage is an Actor's Canvas!!!
Hmmm....
Tid bits abt theatre :)
Hmmm....
Tid bits abt theatre :)
Tuesday 27 March, 2007
K Soaps....
I am thinking of taking to K Soaps of late :) I have missed a TV in my life for the past couple of years... n these days K Soaps seems to be more interesting a watch than those dull world cup matches...K Soaps too have rich backdrops, stylish costumes, stars, unique camera angles, ads in between, slow motion n camera retakes, drama n analysis, Bedis n Sharmas and predictable unfold of events....rofl ;)
Cricket matches are a bit depressing to watch once India got kicked out... It was a dream for me to watch India play well in the World Cup in the luxury of my own apartment, lazing out on the couch, gobbling a pack of chips n sipping a drink. :) ... The last time around was still in college and caught up with all the matches as it the pre psenti semester.. Instru CDC sem II :(... can still rem the buzz n noise that filled the CR of VishwaKarma Bhavan lol...with the EDIC test book and a scrap book in hand..trying real hard to conncentrate on the game... The Ind - Aus Final in the Audi....Phew!!!.... later had to catch the cricket matches standing before one of the TV outlets on CMH road :) or over those looong looong sips of capuccino in one of those CCDs....
This time around when all the luxuries were in place....Goshhh...the team failed to make it...
Well World Cup Fuzzbball 06 was quite a unique experience, My company sent me to Deutsche land to catch the matches ;) ..well not exactly ...but kinda... saw the match in Deutsche land with Deutsche commentary...phew ;)... saw the excitement all over Germany ... caught that Germany vs Sweden match with my german cousin whom I was meeting for the first time in my life :)
I am waiting to see what the Olympic Games '08 has in store for me.....
;)
Cricket matches are a bit depressing to watch once India got kicked out... It was a dream for me to watch India play well in the World Cup in the luxury of my own apartment, lazing out on the couch, gobbling a pack of chips n sipping a drink. :) ... The last time around was still in college and caught up with all the matches as it the pre psenti semester.. Instru CDC sem II :(... can still rem the buzz n noise that filled the CR of VishwaKarma Bhavan lol...with the EDIC test book and a scrap book in hand..trying real hard to conncentrate on the game... The Ind - Aus Final in the Audi....Phew!!!.... later had to catch the cricket matches standing before one of the TV outlets on CMH road :) or over those looong looong sips of capuccino in one of those CCDs....
This time around when all the luxuries were in place....Goshhh...the team failed to make it...
Well World Cup Fuzzbball 06 was quite a unique experience, My company sent me to Deutsche land to catch the matches ;) ..well not exactly ...but kinda... saw the match in Deutsche land with Deutsche commentary...phew ;)... saw the excitement all over Germany ... caught that Germany vs Sweden match with my german cousin whom I was meeting for the first time in my life :)
I am waiting to see what the Olympic Games '08 has in store for me.....
;)
SSSsssssssshhhhhhh........
"Nishabd".. A Must ! (Watch)...
Typical Ram Gopal Movie...dark backgrounds, unusual camera angles, dialog delivery with that pregnant pause...well I cant remember the ending. One of his bold, unusually different, not so great flicks...Dialogues lacked the gravity that suited the star cast he employed. He could have done a better job..The movie went on well till the first hour or so..
Now Don't ask me why I watched this....
Since I had watched the inspirational source of the movie looong loong back, in a shanty theatre in the capital (read Paharganj Rly Stn, Nai Dilli) while on transit, was but dumbstruck at the end of the show...
Take Light!!!
;)
Typical Ram Gopal Movie...dark backgrounds, unusual camera angles, dialog delivery with that pregnant pause...well I cant remember the ending. One of his bold, unusually different, not so great flicks...Dialogues lacked the gravity that suited the star cast he employed. He could have done a better job..The movie went on well till the first hour or so..
Now Don't ask me why I watched this....
Since I had watched the inspirational source of the movie looong loong back, in a shanty theatre in the capital (read Paharganj Rly Stn, Nai Dilli) while on transit, was but dumbstruck at the end of the show...
Take Light!!!
;)
Friday 9 March, 2007
Coach Carter
An year back, watched this flick - Coach Carter. Hmmm, liked it really well.
Wont tell you why lol ;).
http://www.coachcartermovie.com/home.html
Its still fresh in muh mind.....
Wont tell you why lol ;).
http://www.coachcartermovie.com/home.html
Its still fresh in muh mind.....
I am thy fan...
Shai Agassi:Fiery Orator, Suave, Simple.
Dream: Would want to make a presentation on E-SOA to Shai.
The best thing I like about his talks, absolutely simple and full of ideas.
:)
Wednesday 7 March, 2007
Diamonds.... ;)
They say Silence is golden,
My take, Senseless Banter is Diamond,
N of late they say, Diamonds are a Woman's Best Friend..
So there lies the connection mebbe :)
Ahem.............. ;)
My take, Senseless Banter is Diamond,
N of late they say, Diamonds are a Woman's Best Friend..
So there lies the connection mebbe :)
Ahem.............. ;)
Friday 2 March, 2007
Leaving on a Jet plane :)
Long back a friend told me these lines that We Meet to Part and we Part to Meet. :)
Parting with some have never been that painful except for the very first time, bcos somehow deep in my mind I know, I simply can't part with them.
There are times I have felt, that your closest friends are the most useless of your possessions, as they are never there by you when you need them the most, but ya, they are all there for you always....lol....
:)
Parting with some have never been that painful except for the very first time, bcos somehow deep in my mind I know, I simply can't part with them.
There are times I have felt, that your closest friends are the most useless of your possessions, as they are never there by you when you need them the most, but ya, they are all there for you always....lol....
:)
Thursday 22 February, 2007
The lil Imps I Love !!!
In the autumn of 05 when I had hit on one of life's elusive high, they taught me the meaningof what I call joyous depression. Its not so often for me to be that cordial and buddy to kids
but then they are family so I better connect to them.
The elder one is more or less like me in the way she thinks - thinks too much :), cares - caring for younger ones, questions - asks too many questions ;) and a cancerian - cautious, bothers too much,ends up doing nothin but worrying ;) ; the sole difference being she tops her classes which I never did in that age ;). I consider her my lucky charm. Whenever she touches base, its one of those pinnacles of my life. Whenever I look back to those sweet moment her naughty n ever smiling face and laughter is inevitable.
Ya, its not so strange that we connect well, as her mom brought me up and still connects well with me, so I guess it all runs in the blood. Those days when she walked into my room and promised me to make me a "chundari"..beautiful ;) , those times when she asked me whether I have kissed a girl, n the times when she called me boring :( .
The younger imp is straight out of Cartoon Network. She enjoys trekkin - well on humans when they dont put on Cartoon Network, she is Bob the Builder and goes on her mission to find that gadget she calls a 'hemote' :),
her life is straight out of one of those cartoon clippings, when she goes near my mom who is sleeping and draws up her eyelids to ascertain whether she is asleep or not as Jerry opens the eyes of Tom to check his state.
Two weeks of fighting, games, food, complaing, stories n later when they left, they took the wind out of my life, I swear, I felt very low that evening, looked up at the fading dark evening sky and wondered why I felt so depressed when things were going so good for me in life after a long long time. Their noises echoed in my ears, their laughter reverberrating through my ears made me miss them more. And in a flash, those moments of Joyous Depression struck me hard. I couldn't take it for a while. Kept mum, Looked far into the open sky, Heard nothing but the death of silence, Felt the biting loneliness......for once I vaguely felt not understood how parents feel when their children leave them.... a lil later I felt was overwhelmed with joy, yes I brighten the life of my parents.
We are powerful beyond measure and we are child to one, and our serving small does their world no good.
Meenu n Chinnu, Thanks a million for that sweet lil lesson.
Thoughts ....
A Thought is but a Comet.
It whizzes past, leaving behind a long tail of Emotion....
:)
Waah Waah !!!!!
It whizzes past, leaving behind a long tail of Emotion....
:)
Waah Waah !!!!!
Vagabond :)
Travelling has always been and it still is my ruling passion and the joy of my heart. In my boyhood and in a man's estate I have always been a traveller and I stand to it that it is the very sunshine of my existence.
:)
Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:)
Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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