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From the huge collection of improbable images(courtesy photoshop?) 

here is one, a bit grotesque but it connects...

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What's Your Rashee?

"You can see your life laid out inside your mind, but that doesn't mean that you're in the mood to share it -- or even do anything about it. Today is all about reflection, so find the time to take stock"

So reads a typical horoscope for the day. I just love these concoction of one / two liners. I find it very interesting to see the amount of care and love that goes into drafting these predictions for everyone. The wordings amply indicate that the writer of these words really cares about each individual reading them.  

 Sometimes I get a feeling that these statements are not actually written by astrologers. Reading some of the unique combination of words and juxtapositioning images of those astrologers known to me as yet, it's hard to see any link or logic. Of course I am yet to meet any five star astrologer face to face. I have seen a few flashy guys only in movies but otherwise I only know the average guys one gets to see now and then. 

In movies they take care to show these guys dressed in flowing silk robes, so meticulously groomed and sometimes, they look even better than the father's of the lead pair. They always wield so much power over people's lives and bring in sordid twists in the tale in most instances. The murkier the twist in the story, the more polished the guy looks and more lavishly dressed. 

But the point is, these sentences definitely bring to our minds images of  a motivational speaker.

On most days, we get to read words that uplift our spirits. They go all the way in lighting up the reader's mind. Instant focus beams. Considering that they have the limitation of having to use just one sentence or two, the overall effect they achieve is amazing. They bring in a feel good factor along with economy of words.

Even on those rare days when they decide to predict some negative shades, it is done delicately to downplay the overall negativity. There will always be some spring of hope, few positive spots of light, a set of positive strokes at the end of the sentence. It could just bee a simple word that we hear daily but in that particular combination, that simple word manages to give us enough glimmer of hope. A hope that assures us, 'look, you can handle it', no matter what the previous sentence said to you.

 No matter what your rashee is, just read your predictions and cheer up!

There are days

It's proving to be a good week.  A number of huge tasks are getting completed. Nice to start and complete tasks. Feeling the excitement. It's really surprising that the more you get done, you just get into a rhythm and flow. On such days, one can just let loose and get anything done as if nothing is impossible.  Come on, give me more :)

And then there are those days when even the simplest of tasks look taunting. There just doesn't seem to be any more drive left in the mind or the body. Sapping off the inner energy silently.

Have you ever got tired doing nothing? Know how it feels? 

May be the outcome is not that important but on certain days one can ask, so what, let me get over with it. But on other days, it doesn't seem worthy of even attempting to do anything about it.

Weekends are meant to celebrate the week's accomplishments or even planned as a charger for the next week. 

My next week will be charged up. 

I have already decided that :)

Made in India

Was working up a bit seriously when this mail popped up from a friend..instantly lightened me up!

There was a Japanese who went to India for sightseeing.

On the last day, he hired a cab and told the driver to drive to the Airport.During the journey, a Honda drove past the taxi.

Thereupon, the man leaned out of the window excitedly and yelled, "Honda, very fast! Made in Japan!!!

After a while, a Toyota sped past the taxi and again the Japanese man leaned out of the window and yelled, "Toyota, very fast! Made in Japan!"

And then a Mitsubishi sped past the taxi. For the third time, the Japanese leaned out of the window and yelled, "Mitsubishi, very fast! Made in Japan!"

The driver was a little angry, but he kept quiet. And this went on for quite a number of cars.

Finally, the taxi came to the airport. The fare was 800 rupees!!!!

The Japanese exclaimed, "What?? So expensive!"

There upon, the driver yelled back, "Meter, Made in India VERY VERY FAST !!!!!

2009 in progress

The first quarter of 2009 is over and how! It just zipped past at such an amazing speed. Suddenly amidst the financial year end activities, it dawned upon me that yes, three months have already gone! That's what our mind does to our world. It shows the world through our actions. All said and done, I am really sorry that in these three months there was no time for any of my leisure time activities. Hoping to catch up with friends and personal activities soon..

The Tata Nano has launched. It's all over the newspapers..and the debate about it has undoubtedly shifted towards the positive. Interest free loans, new outlets...the whole city is abuzz...Auto drivers want to upgrade to Nano...citing increased safety at the same cost per kilometer...and above all..they smell the possibility...thanks to the vision of one man who engineered their dreams into reality. Quite obviously, it is one of the momentous launches in Indian automobile industry. Where are those critics? Any news?

Sadly, Maruti 800 may not be available in some months time. That is a good car for all it's worth; it was a revolution when launched. It was my first car and I am still fond of it. It pained a lot when I sold it; it had travelled half way across India with me, many times taking me to home sweet home. I will miss the faithful 800. Omni will also be stopped for production, but then, only the call taxi operators would miss it. Even they have almost upgraded to the Logans.

Come on Nano, a million Indian and a few more forign dreams are waiting for you.

The recent ads on the TV are increasingly goading people to switch off their cars at the traffic signals. How about a signal less junctions so people don't stop unnecessarily at all?

Shoes have started taking off in deadly trajectory's aimed at politicians. Foreign as well as Indian. It's in vogue now..and looks like it is not stopping any sooner. Talk about symbolic protests! This is disgusting irrespective of the target.

The weather is getting hotter by the day. The city feels a lot hotter than it was the same time last year. Not good at all.

Install Love

This piece from today's Times of India is a great one under The Speaking Tree. A great way to express a wonderful truth. Will definitely want to store so I can read while visiting again...and again.

Install Love, It Is Really Quite Simple (E-mail forward)

Tech Support: Yes, how can i help you?

Customer: Well, after much consideration, i’ve decided to install Love. Can you guide me through the process?

Tech Support: Yes. I can help you. Are you ready to proceed?

Customer: Well, i’m not very technical, but i think i’m ready, as long as you walk me through the steps. Tell me now, what do i do first?

Tech Support: The first step is to open your Heart. Have you located your Heart?

Customer: Yes, but there are several other programmes running now. Is it okay to install Love while they are running?

Tech Support: Er... what programmes are running, can you list them for me?

Customer: Let’s see i have Past Hurt, Low Self-esteem, Grudge and Resentment running right now.

Tech Support: No problem, you can go right ahead. Love will gradually erase Past Hurt from your current operating system. It may remain in your permanent memory but it will no longer disrupt other programmes. Love will eventually override Low Self-esteem with a module of its own called High Self-esteem. However, you have to completely turn off Grudge and Resentment. Those programmes prevent Love from being properly installed. Tell me, can you turn those off?

Customer: Umm... let me see. Actually, i don’t know how to turn them off. Can you tell me how? Please help.

Tech Support: With pleasure. It’s really quite simple. Go to your start menu and invoke Forgiveness. Do this as many times as necessary until Grudge and Resentment have been completely erased.

Customer: Okay, done! Wow, Love has started installing itself. Is that normal?

Tech Support: Yes, but remember that you have only the base programme. It’s quite basic. You need to begin connecting to other Hearts in order to get the upgrades.

Customer: Oops! I have an error message already. It says, ‘Error — Programme not run on external components.’ What should i do now?

Tech Support: Don’t worry, relax. It means that the Love programme is set up to run on Internal Hearts, but has not yet been run on your Heart. In nontechnical terms, it simply means you have to Love yourself before you can Love others.

Customer: So, what should i do?

Tech Support: Pull down Self-acceptance; then click on the following files: Forgive Self; Realise Your Worth; and Acknowledge Your Limitations.

Customer: Okay done. That wasn’t too difficult.

Tech Support: Now, copy them to the ‘My Heart’ directory. The system will overwrite any conflicting files and begin patching faulty programming. Also, you need to delete Verbose Selfcriticism from all directories and empty your Recycle Bin to make sure it is completely gone and never comes back.

Customer: Got it. Hey! My heart is filling up with new files. Smile is playing on my monitor and Peace and Contentment are copying themselves all over My Heart. Is this normal?

Tech Support: Sometimes. For others it takes a while, but eventually everything gets it at the proper time. So Love is installed and running. One more thing before we hang up. Love is Freeware. Be sure to pass it and its various modules around to everyone you meet. They will in turn share it with others and return some cool modules back to you.

Customer: Thank you, thank you so much.

http://spirituality.indiatimes.com

Tag of many things

Here's wishing everyone a happy Chithirai 1.
It's not the new year, remember! so I cannot wish anyone a happy Tamil New Year.

Got this really interesting tag from Priya.
Thanks Priya, I have tried to do justice except for passing it on.
Hope you allow me to skip passing it on :)

1.LAST MOVIE YOU SAW IN A THEATRE:
Taare Zameen Par

2. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?
Knowhow by Ram Charan

3. FAVORITE BOARD GAME?
Nothing in particular

4. FAVORITE MAGAZINE?
Week, Ananda Vikatan

5. FAVORITE SMELLS?
Old Spice, the ghee from pongal at home

6. FAVORITE SOUND?
Flute, Santoor and of course the waves breaking against the rocks, water falls

7. WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD?
Lack of self respect, fear of another human being

8. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU WAKE?
Where is the clock? ( to silence the alarm!)

9. FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE?
Murugan Idli Kadai,( if you can accept Idli as fast food) Tastes heavenly! When I run my own Company, they will be the official cateres!

10. FINISH THIS STATEMENT. "IF I HAD A LOT OF MONEY I’D...?
Retire into a philanthropic career

11. DO YOU SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL?
No. Neither stuffed, nor alive.

12. STORMS-COOL OR SCARY?
Scary.

13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR?
Maruti, what else! My third one won't be from the same stable, though.

14. FAVORITE DRINK?
Tender Coconut; a life rejuvenator!

15. FINISH THIS STATEMENT, "IF I HAD THE TIME I WOULD...
Reach out to a book..if still left with more time..then it would be friends.

16. DO YOU EAT THE STEMS ON BROCCOLI?
Should I ?

17. IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY COLOR, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR CHOICE?
Any colour is ok as long as it is black.( a bit old fashioned!)

18. NAME ALL THE DIFFERENT CITIES/TOWNS YOU HAVE LIVED IN.
Salem, Pune, Mumbai, Assam, Hyderabad, Bangalore.

19. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Football, Basketball, Surfing, Cricket ( occasionally)

20. ONE NICE THING ABOUT THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU.
She writes from her heart; and touches others’ hearts :)

21. WHAT'S UNDER YOUR BED?
A Pair of dumbbells and a carton full of old books- will never get around to disposing them

22. WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE BORN AS YOURSELF AGAIN?
Oh yes...definitely...on second thoughts, may be with some additional grey matter :)

23. MORNING PERSON, OR NIGHT OWL?…
a midnight owl, to the core.

24. OVER EASY, OR SUNNY SIDE UP?
Sunny side up

25. FAVORITE PLACE TO RELAX?
The bedroom, beside the reading table

26. FAVORITE PIE?
Nothing in particular

27. FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
Anything by the name of ice cream goes.

28. OF ALL THE PEOPLE YOU TAGGED THIS TO, WHO'S MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND FIRST?
Oh..sorry….I may not tag anyone. Hope it's allowed?

Fun and frolick, soaked in colour

I know for sure that my life is currently under the influence of a powerful conglomeration of planets working in a cartel formed in cosmic space. I can also vouch that these planets are the most vengeful and aggressive ones ever known to our astrologers, for what else can explain the fact that I had to go to office on such a 'made-for-fun' day.

Thankfully, I managed to wind up around mid-day and could return home. All along the way back, the sight of groups of colour soaked people cheered me up quickly to the festive mood. Even at spots where there was no one, the pools and puddles with 'can-you-find-my-shade' colours reminded everyone of what had happened there.

The people waiting at the bus stand looked tired and their appearance, right from each strand of hair till the soles of their shoes, was broadcasting their morning escapade with colour. There was silver, green, yellow but mostly it was red and pink. They have had their fun and their faces had that most unbelievable expressions but fun seemed to pour out from every single pore. I am sure that even if an empty bus were to stop there, none of them will sit down. They would definitely stand laughing at each other all through to their destination.

Down the road, a group of boys and girls were laughing at each other standing around a coconut vendor. The coconut in their hands was the only thing about them that was of single colour. Otherwise, their dress, hands, feet, the bikes and scootys and even their teeth were all telling the frolicking abandon with which they had played. There is no doubt that the revelry will continue once the tender coconut water manages to refresh them.

Along the way, entrances to most homes had that beautiful mixture of myriad colours bearing witness to the sheer fun people had visiting houses and colouring everyone around. Vibrant colours, painted faces and multi coloured people moving around in groups; Joy, laughter and great fun!

*

Wow! What a bright and youthful canvas the holi brings to our life! Though I am from Tamil Nadu where Holi doesn't carry much of a punch, years of working outside the state had rubbed me off with wonderful memories of this festival. This is one of those festivals celebrated across barriers of state, religion and language.

*

Over a period of time, most of the traditions around holi would have died down but the gaiety and bonhomie that it brings about has never failed to impress any fun loving individual. There is supposed to be the burning of holika to symbolises Prahlad's triumph but the image of Krishna, Radha and the Gopis playing with pichkaris is the one that seems to be more acceptable for the sheer youthfulness it portrays. Most of the Krishnas and the Radhas I saw today on the road did not carry pichkaris though. The city roads too appeared festive wearing a cocktail of colours.

And then I reach home...the concrete parking lot I left in the morning was now so brightly wet and colourful with various sizes of bare feet imprinted all over it in different directions...I can almost feel the groups waiting to pounce with buckets in their hands...I take the vividly coloured steps that had become slippery due to paste, powder and anything people managed to lay their hands on...and peep in to look at familiar faces with unfamiliar textures...no prizes for guessing what happened next.

*

Wish you all a fantastic Holi!

2008 - Nothing new about it

The new year started off in a very innocuous way. I mean, nobody could have imagined that the initial days will be loaded with so many negative incidents that stare at us in our face and ask us "Where in the hell are you?"

First, there was this ugly incident in Mumbai about a newly married couple getting roughed up by an unruly crowd. The small group of people wanted to have a taste of new year celebration in India but they ended up being immediately surrounded by the wrong group of people. Whatever happened in Mumbai on that new year night, can bring any Indian to shame.

The couple were right in refusing to come back to Mumbai for the identification parade of the suspects ...the police should be congratulated for allowing them the privacy they wanted post the trauma.. what was more deplorable were the photos of molestation being splashed across the pages of most papers and news web sites the next day. Do we need to see graphic details of a young woman being molested by an unruly crowd to know the news? What kind of guys can sit and select suitably exposed photos to accompany a story on molestation? That is really sad indeed. Talk about respecting individuals and granting their right to dignity.

Then, the channels were awash with images of a class ten student gunning down a class 8 student over an unknown issue within a month of another such incidence in a Delhi School earlier. What are our schools turning out? How can the parents be so careless about how they store weapons at home allowing free access to children? Who taught these kids to use a gun?

Then there was this murder inside Shantiniketan...this one seemed to be a case of settling personal score but guys, do you realise that the name of the Institution stands for such a respectable tradition and is almost respected like a temple by the whole world? To let such incidents happen inside a University of such repute is itself a shame on our system.

And now, whatever channel one turns to, there is this cricketing controversy involving the India & Aussie teams. Anyone who is someone is in the news on some channel or the other giving verdicts and throwing free advice to BCCI, ICC or anyone about how they should run the business. There were city wise, and (Sic!) Genderwise polls about what should the BCCI do - most people said India should pull out of the tour and come back to India immediately. How unfortunate. I don't think so. Surprisingly, the Australian media had turned agianst Ponting's behaviour and 61% of Australian respondents said they want him sacked.

I liked Sanjay Manjrekar's view that the Indians should rather reply through their game rather than any other means. Play them and defeat them at their own game in a straight forward game. He said that will bring them to their knees more than an orchestrated settlement or revokement of sentences by match refree. By end of the day the world got to learn that Bucknor is out, Bhajji is in, Hogg is in the red light for verbal abuse, the series will go on and Bhajji can play but the verdict on him is pending and what not...Gentlemen, can a sport be played like a sport, please ?

And, by the way, don't we have any thing more important to analyse on TV shows?

Sincerely, the way TVs sensationalise daily events is taking more and more of comic proportions than real value.

What a beginning to a new year :---( ( a long, long very long face .)

This 'n that

Suddenly South is sizzling, politically.

The TN Govt is in the middle of a number of controversies for their statements and their actions which do not seem to align with their coalition partner....In KN, the situation is so volatile and uncertain...Hope all these issues are sorted out soon...Hope they all find peace & harmony in their day today life so that the governments, whoever they are, can think of the interests of common man!

Sometime back I mentioned about the offers by Orange properties for their customers. Well, this week it got even more interesting....it seems those who booked three bed room flats will get half a kilo of ...no, not sweets, but pure gold ! Wow, now that's interesting! Who said we are a poor nation?

The traffic has become ...no I wouldn't select a word now...the traffic control team are trying out a number of changes in the flow but yesterday, it backfired so badly that entire localities got flooded with static automobiles. No amount of stoic silence or the melodious songs from FM can compensate the hour and half time taken to cover just two kms :( May be they are testing the breaking points...

The audio tracks of Sawariya are absolutely stunning! Shaan's voice in 'Jab se mere nainaa' is sheer magic. That is definitely a positive impact while getting stuck in traffic...one can hear this song atleast once in thirty minutes across three different FM broadcasts. No time for movies.

14th November

There cannot be a duller title than this for a post!

Today is Children's Day. Once again all the newspapers have published the usual set of photographs. Once again the schools have taken the children through the same routine. Tomorrow, yet again, life will go back to 'normal'. The vision of the man behind all this? Oh, we will think about it, the same day, next year! After all we are so generous to dedicate one full day every year, right?

The only other leader in India who raised the level of importance for children is Dr. Abdul Kalam. While in office, he was very popular for meeting school children and interacting with them. He had a knack of eliciting their vision for the future. Igniting the young minds and setting them on wings of fire! Once, he got down from the podium and mingled right into a group of 1000 school children and personally answered their queries that were being thrown at him from every possible direction. That's some conviction and courage.

It was a surprise to learn that almost 37 countries celebrate children's day on various days of the year!

Learning the tweaks

The festive mood is thickening; people are relaxed and are having real fun. Malls are packed, roads are unbelievably choked but everyone is in good humour. That's what the anticipation of a festival as colourful as Deepavali does to individuals at all levels.

The newspapers are now weighing almost three times more with all those advertising supplements and beautifully printed colourful handouts. And nothing you buy seems to be coming alone; there is something free for everything! The biggest offer I saw today was for one Orange properties - they offer helicopter services and a free Audi A4 car for those booking a villa by this Sunday. Can marketing schemes get any better?

I too was in a relaxed mood - only those planning to book a villa in Orange properties need to be in tension about where to land the helicopter on MG Road : ) Generally, I hate spending time in front of TV ... and today the programs were particularly bad...guess the channels are all reserving their best for the festival day...and so thought I would hit the laptop.

Till now I was content with playing around with changing templates for the blog but today, as there was time, I started searching around for some information on the net...and boy,did I find information! Millions and millions of pages loaded with hacks, codes and do-it-yourself tips...mind blowing...numbingly excessive... complete knockout.

What is so amazing is that all those experts are eager to help others and have posted every trick in the world for free ! Within the first five minutes in Google, it was clear that all one needs is a willingness to learn and connectivity.

To cut a long rambling short, inspite of zero background in editing templates, today I was able to load a minima three column template, hide the header text and load my custom image in its place! All in a single sitting : ) May be it is nothing but the value added by the net is so genuine and powerful.And once the template was in place, I was playing around with the codes for another couple of hours like a kid in his favourite sweet shop; at one point I got so reckless ( and to my surprise over confident too) that everything collapsed. I had to start all over again but it looked easy the second time around!

Hope you are all getting ready for a wonderful Deepavali celebration. Here is wishing you all great peace & prosperity, perhaps a villa in Orange Properties :)

An interesting pic

Got this from a friend...

Why do these birds look into the tap when there is a vast body of water available across the wall?

Any connections to one's attitude?