Monday, November 03, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Bryan Adams Top 5
(A prologue would be a misfit here!)
Everything I do: My personal favorite :-)
Look into my eyes - you will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart - search your soul
And when you find me there you’ll search no more
Don’t tell me it’s not worth tryin’ for
You can’t tell me it’s not worth dyin’ for
You know it’s true
Everything I do - I do it for you
True love & passion. Perfect combo of lyrics, guitar and vocals . Well, easiest way to your dear one’s heart :-)
Summer of 69: Classic, (half) the world recognizes Bryan Adams by this song. A song filled with energy, passion and the thirst for fun.
Love the way it starts and keeps the tempo going till the end. This is a song that you can listen to all the time.
It has a certain mysterious quality. Can pick up the mood any time of the day :-)
Please forgive me: If this song doesn’t touch heart then what will? A beautiful love song, probably one of the best ever. Eternal vocals, great guitar notes, and lyrics, mushy at places, sentimental at some, a complete love song.
Have you ever really loved a woman: Anyone who wants to learn how to win over a girl’s heart must listen to this song :-)
His voice never sounded better. And the entire lyrics go here
To really love a woman
To understand her - you gotta know her deep inside
Hear every thought - see every dream
N’ give her wings - when she wants to fly
Then when you find yourself lyin’ helpless in her arms
Ya know ya really love a woman
When you love a woman you tell her
that she’s really wanted
When you love a woman you tell her that she’s the one
Cuz she needs somebody to tell her
that it’s gonna last forever
So tell me have you ever really
- really really ever loved a woman?
To really love a woman
Let her hold you -
til ya know how she needs to be touched
You’ve gotta breathe her - really taste her
Til you can feel her in your blood
N’ when you can see your unborn children in her eyes
Ya know ya really love a woman
When you love a woman
you tell her that she’s really wanted
When you love a woman you tell her that she’s the one
Cuz she needs somebody to tell her
that you’ll always be together
So tell me have you ever really -
really really ever loved a woman?
You got to give her some faith - hold her tight
A little tenderness - gotta treat her right
She will be there for you, takin’ good care of you
Ya really gotta love your woman...
Here I am: Just when you thought Bryan Adams magic’s fading, here came this song and I have been listening ever since… even as I write this…
Everything I do: My personal favorite :-)
Look into my eyes - you will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart - search your soul
And when you find me there you’ll search no more
Don’t tell me it’s not worth tryin’ for
You can’t tell me it’s not worth dyin’ for
You know it’s true
Everything I do - I do it for you
True love & passion. Perfect combo of lyrics, guitar and vocals . Well, easiest way to your dear one’s heart :-)
Summer of 69: Classic, (half) the world recognizes Bryan Adams by this song. A song filled with energy, passion and the thirst for fun.
Love the way it starts and keeps the tempo going till the end. This is a song that you can listen to all the time.
It has a certain mysterious quality. Can pick up the mood any time of the day :-)
Please forgive me: If this song doesn’t touch heart then what will? A beautiful love song, probably one of the best ever. Eternal vocals, great guitar notes, and lyrics, mushy at places, sentimental at some, a complete love song.
Have you ever really loved a woman: Anyone who wants to learn how to win over a girl’s heart must listen to this song :-)
His voice never sounded better. And the entire lyrics go here
To really love a woman
To understand her - you gotta know her deep inside
Hear every thought - see every dream
N’ give her wings - when she wants to fly
Then when you find yourself lyin’ helpless in her arms
Ya know ya really love a woman
When you love a woman you tell her
that she’s really wanted
When you love a woman you tell her that she’s the one
Cuz she needs somebody to tell her
that it’s gonna last forever
So tell me have you ever really
- really really ever loved a woman?
To really love a woman
Let her hold you -
til ya know how she needs to be touched
You’ve gotta breathe her - really taste her
Til you can feel her in your blood
N’ when you can see your unborn children in her eyes
Ya know ya really love a woman
When you love a woman
you tell her that she’s really wanted
When you love a woman you tell her that she’s the one
Cuz she needs somebody to tell her
that you’ll always be together
So tell me have you ever really -
really really ever loved a woman?
You got to give her some faith - hold her tight
A little tenderness - gotta treat her right
She will be there for you, takin’ good care of you
Ya really gotta love your woman...
Here I am: Just when you thought Bryan Adams magic’s fading, here came this song and I have been listening ever since… even as I write this…
Monday, October 13, 2008
Raghu Dixit: Indo-World_Folk-Rock: Music that's Really Different and Definitely Rocks
One fine morning on the way to office, “Ninna Poojege Bande mahadeshwara...” a fresh, deep, throaty/grungy voice, burst from FM.
Beats were western, but a voice that’s folksy!...
Interesting, but I still tried ignoring it as some crazy chap/one song wonder, as is the norm these days in the world of reality shows/3 minutes fame.
But when I heard it the second time, I just got hooked. There’s something magical about it that it’s so enchanting.
I couldn’t help googling and got introduced to the world of Raghu Dixit
Raghu Dixit at "Namaste India” in Tokyo, thanks to my friend Prithvi for the photo :-)
Raghu Dixit’s music is a seamless amalgamation of Indian beats and sounds from around the world, befittingly labeling his music as Indo World Folk Rock.
A gold medalist in Masters in Microbiology and a proficient Indian classical dancer in Bharatnatyam, Raghu Dixit, is now a self-taught guitarist-singer-composer-songwriter, strumming guitar wearing colorful lungis, anklets and beads!
His successful first band Antaragni(meaning ‘the fire within'), that was the rage at college festivals and music tours, and shows, finally broke up in 2005. In his own words “We were always on the edge of something great. That itself was a great turmoil. Despite all this, we would perform mostly for free or very little money.”
Not the one to make compromises in music, he still kept that ‘fire within’ burning and after 9 long years, the album, finally produced by Bollywood musician duo Vishal-Shekar was out in February 2008.
Words of Vishal and Shekar sum it the best.
“Raghu Dixit makes music that we love to listen to. It's honest, beautiful and moves one in an almost primal way. You can feel each note, each word, and each texture of his soul! The sound, the energy, the fury, the passion, the emotion, the simplicity, everything that music should be about is right here in this album. Raghu has this huge voice and sings unlike anything you've ever heard before. Backed up by a band that obviously feels his music, this album is truly a self-propelled, irresistible creative journey through the uniquely personal vibe of Raghu Dixit.” - Vishal and Shekar
Here’s a review
“I confess I was desperate to get my songs heard. When a musician says ‘I play for my own joy and satisfaction’ I don’t believe it one bit,” he says. After Antaragni disintegrated, he decided he won’t have a fixed band. The Raghu Dixit Project today is a floating group of musicians who play together, with each song left to the musician’s interpretation.
His debut film music, in Kannada, Psycho has created a sensation and the song ‘Ninna Poojege...’ is the current rage.
Namma Kannadadha huduga antha swalpa jaasti khushi :-)
He has a cult following & he's on a world tour as well.
Well I hope, as they say, it’s just the beginning.
The dude makes music that’s really different and definitely rocks.
And the world is waiting...
Beats were western, but a voice that’s folksy!...
Interesting, but I still tried ignoring it as some crazy chap/one song wonder, as is the norm these days in the world of reality shows/3 minutes fame.
But when I heard it the second time, I just got hooked. There’s something magical about it that it’s so enchanting.
I couldn’t help googling and got introduced to the world of Raghu Dixit
Raghu Dixit at "Namaste India” in Tokyo, thanks to my friend Prithvi for the photo :-)
Raghu Dixit’s music is a seamless amalgamation of Indian beats and sounds from around the world, befittingly labeling his music as Indo World Folk Rock.
A gold medalist in Masters in Microbiology and a proficient Indian classical dancer in Bharatnatyam, Raghu Dixit, is now a self-taught guitarist-singer-composer-songwriter, strumming guitar wearing colorful lungis, anklets and beads!
His successful first band Antaragni(meaning ‘the fire within'), that was the rage at college festivals and music tours, and shows, finally broke up in 2005. In his own words “We were always on the edge of something great. That itself was a great turmoil. Despite all this, we would perform mostly for free or very little money.”
Not the one to make compromises in music, he still kept that ‘fire within’ burning and after 9 long years, the album, finally produced by Bollywood musician duo Vishal-Shekar was out in February 2008.
Words of Vishal and Shekar sum it the best.
“Raghu Dixit makes music that we love to listen to. It's honest, beautiful and moves one in an almost primal way. You can feel each note, each word, and each texture of his soul! The sound, the energy, the fury, the passion, the emotion, the simplicity, everything that music should be about is right here in this album. Raghu has this huge voice and sings unlike anything you've ever heard before. Backed up by a band that obviously feels his music, this album is truly a self-propelled, irresistible creative journey through the uniquely personal vibe of Raghu Dixit.” - Vishal and Shekar
Here’s a review
“I confess I was desperate to get my songs heard. When a musician says ‘I play for my own joy and satisfaction’ I don’t believe it one bit,” he says. After Antaragni disintegrated, he decided he won’t have a fixed band. The Raghu Dixit Project today is a floating group of musicians who play together, with each song left to the musician’s interpretation.
His debut film music, in Kannada, Psycho has created a sensation and the song ‘Ninna Poojege...’ is the current rage.
Namma Kannadadha huduga antha swalpa jaasti khushi :-)
He has a cult following & he's on a world tour as well.
Well I hope, as they say, it’s just the beginning.
The dude makes music that’s really different and definitely rocks.
And the world is waiting...
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Just One Last Thing
You won a series against a strong Pakistan team single handedly at Toronto. Well, against Pakistan, it's always more special.
You taught us how to celebrate, after winning the Natwest series finals. It was more than just winning a cup, it was a statement, after being bullied for years, on the world stage, 'Now, it's our turn'
You had the guts to stand up to the ugly Aussie and beat them in their own game of so called ‘mental disintegration’, in 2003. Like you once famously said “We know, and they know, that we can beat them” and then beat them and how...
You lead from front and set the tone at Brisbane with a back to the wall, blistering 144. India playing in Australia has never been the same again.
You didn’t give up during that worst phase of your life, and made a deserving, fairy tale comeback. Simply heroic
Yes we agree that, on the off side there’s God and then there’s you.
And when you came charging down the track to those spinners, we never had an iota of doubt, going up screaming “SIX”, and you never let us down.
Well, with you more than the stats(&controversies!), it’s always the emotional connect.
You always wore your heart on the sleeve, never backing away from a fight, with the visible passion and the naked aggression that made us stand up from seat and shout, “GO, GIVE IT TO THEM”.
Thanks to all those moments of sheer joy.
When you go out for the last time, head held high, we owe you a standing ovation.
Goodbye dear Sourav Ganguly.
The memories will stay.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Storytelling...
Here's Bhimsen (episode 10), Mahabharata from the point of view of the Pandava Bhima , an English-language re-telling of M T Vasudevan Nair’s Randaamoozham, as a series of blog posts, by Prem Panicker.
It’s just brilliant.
Archives in sequence here
(Note: the website is problematic, so refresh/reload a couple of times if it doesn't open at first try.)
I am hooked to it, events unfolding as if real.
Takes me back to childhood days, reminding me of my grandpa, a narrator par excellence. Apart from Ramayana & Mahabharata, which he translated to mother tongue from Sanskrit, he had his own amazing hunting experiences to narrate, which’s still so vivid in my memory.
With the choice of words, voice modulation, gestures and pauses, storytelling is an art tough to master and listening to a master storyteller is such a wonderful experience. Ah, those days...
It’s just brilliant.
Archives in sequence here
(Note: the website is problematic, so refresh/reload a couple of times if it doesn't open at first try.)
I am hooked to it, events unfolding as if real.
Takes me back to childhood days, reminding me of my grandpa, a narrator par excellence. Apart from Ramayana & Mahabharata, which he translated to mother tongue from Sanskrit, he had his own amazing hunting experiences to narrate, which’s still so vivid in my memory.
With the choice of words, voice modulation, gestures and pauses, storytelling is an art tough to master and listening to a master storyteller is such a wonderful experience. Ah, those days...
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Road Trip Diary - 8 Days, 8 People, 2 Cars, 2478.3 kms and some 1000 snaps :-)
One of my close friends, Raghu, moved to USA, last weekend and this one's for him, wishing him fun filled times ahead :-)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We had 8 people packed in 2 cars and a draft plan for 8 days, to start with and by the time we were back in Bangalore, we had loads of moments for lifetime.
‘Live For The Journey, Not The Destination’ never sounded more true.
Route:
(31-08-08 6 AM) Bangalore -> Belgaum -> Amboli Ghat -> Ganapathi Phule -> Mahabaleshwar -> Panchgani -> Pune -> Ganpati Temple -> Lonavala-> Sinhgad –> Kolhapur-> Davangere -> Bangalore (07-09-08 9 PM)
Instead of covering the entire stuff (which deservers too many words/photos and still can’t do justice) here I recall few moments.
1) 2nd day of the trip, lot of travelling, and not much fun (yet), first spot ‘Amboli Ghat’ wasn’t all that great and we were heading to Ratnagiri. And after reaching Ratnagiri, we realized that we actually had to go to Ganapathi Phule beach. Desperate to hit the beach for sunset, we kept on travelling on the narrow road, heading nowhere. No sign of beach yet. With sun about to set, our energy levels dipping, patience running out asking for directions, inconsistent signposts only adding to the frustration, mood was blue. All of a sudden, out of the blue, road took a curve and then we screamed with glee...
Magnificent Sea, behind the greenary, beautiful sand & beach, Sun turning orange and about to set. Clouds covering half the Sun.
It was like nature wearing a sari, hint of clouds hiding a part of the beauty, or was it revealing the other half? :-)
A moment in memory, that’s forever.
2) 3rd day, driving to Mahabaleshwar through never ending scenery, after lot of stops & snaps at picturesque locations, it was evening and sun was fading, we thought we had seen everything...till we saw it. As the cars screeched to halt, if sky’s the canvas, that’s the most beautiful painting we have ever seen, with sun setting behind the mountain, and sky, and there were all shades of blue, white, orange…well, all colors possible. One of us wanted to see stomach full before taking any pictures and other one quipped, taking a photo is doing injustice to the scene. And then magically there was cloud and mist/fog covering everything. Those few minutes were enough to wash away from the soul the dust of everyday life :-)
In the background nature played music, interrupted once in a while by passing vehicles with their lights fighting to pierce the fog, a battle which fog won hands down. It’s the most wonderful drive ever, with nature revealing herself in all her unhidden beauty and the ghat section roads - silently screaming – 'Come but be gentle on my curves'...
3) 4th day, Mahabaleshwar to Panchagani, lot of view points, but the Kate Point’s the one that takes your breath away. It’s a place which has almost everything you can ask for in a view point. River, mountains, hint of roads through them, streams and waterfalls, a dam, rock, trees & fields, flowers…and of course monkeys make it complete!
We saw the cloud filling in and covering the entire area, clearing again to tease us and re fill and hide the beauty. As we left the place truly on ‘Cloud 9’, there was more. We saw the sky painted with rainbow, well 2 of them together….
Bhagavan Jab Deta Hai, Chappar phad ke deta hai!
This was a day I think we should have gambled! We were walking through famous ‘Table Land’ in Panchgani which’s around 2km stretch. Suddenly, as is the norm in these areas, it looked like it’s going to pour. There was no shelter in sight & we had no umbrellas/rainwear. Just then we saw a sign board pointing downwards, to a cave hotel, right there where we were standing. As we reached inside that amazing place it started raining hard. We had fun inside with tea & snacks, walk through a cave inside and photo session. After nearly 2 hrs just when we were contemplating having to make a dash in the rain, it did stop, just before the deadline :-)
It was one of the days, lady luck kept smiling at us.(As a matter of fact, one of us did gamble and win, a water bottle by throwing a ring :P)
4) 5th day, on the way back from Lonavala - Sahara City, we stopped beside the road, in a scenic location, though it was hard to see anything beyond 10 meters in the mist. As we were making merry in the cold breeze, a voice shot from behind the mist!
“Saab, Chai?”
“YES 8 cups” screamed our collective voices, though we couldn’t see where the voice’s coming from. And we couldn’t actually believe our luck until a person appeared from mist and delivered tea!
Tea can never taste better….as we sipped slowly…well sometimes you really don’t have to die to be in heaven :-)
There were moments aplenty and I have tried hard to relive some of those, but the end result seems to be an exposure of my limitations as a writer :-(
Well, beyond that considering the fun we had, wise man would end saying 'words and languages (& photographs) have limitations...' :-)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We had 8 people packed in 2 cars and a draft plan for 8 days, to start with and by the time we were back in Bangalore, we had loads of moments for lifetime.
‘Live For The Journey, Not The Destination’ never sounded more true.
Route:
(31-08-08 6 AM) Bangalore -> Belgaum -> Amboli Ghat -> Ganapathi Phule -> Mahabaleshwar -> Panchgani -> Pune -> Ganpati Temple -> Lonavala-> Sinhgad –> Kolhapur-> Davangere -> Bangalore (07-09-08 9 PM)
Instead of covering the entire stuff (which deservers too many words/photos and still can’t do justice) here I recall few moments.
1) 2nd day of the trip, lot of travelling, and not much fun (yet), first spot ‘Amboli Ghat’ wasn’t all that great and we were heading to Ratnagiri. And after reaching Ratnagiri, we realized that we actually had to go to Ganapathi Phule beach. Desperate to hit the beach for sunset, we kept on travelling on the narrow road, heading nowhere. No sign of beach yet. With sun about to set, our energy levels dipping, patience running out asking for directions, inconsistent signposts only adding to the frustration, mood was blue. All of a sudden, out of the blue, road took a curve and then we screamed with glee...
Magnificent Sea, behind the greenary, beautiful sand & beach, Sun turning orange and about to set. Clouds covering half the Sun.
It was like nature wearing a sari, hint of clouds hiding a part of the beauty, or was it revealing the other half? :-)
A moment in memory, that’s forever.
2) 3rd day, driving to Mahabaleshwar through never ending scenery, after lot of stops & snaps at picturesque locations, it was evening and sun was fading, we thought we had seen everything...till we saw it. As the cars screeched to halt, if sky’s the canvas, that’s the most beautiful painting we have ever seen, with sun setting behind the mountain, and sky, and there were all shades of blue, white, orange…well, all colors possible. One of us wanted to see stomach full before taking any pictures and other one quipped, taking a photo is doing injustice to the scene. And then magically there was cloud and mist/fog covering everything. Those few minutes were enough to wash away from the soul the dust of everyday life :-)
In the background nature played music, interrupted once in a while by passing vehicles with their lights fighting to pierce the fog, a battle which fog won hands down. It’s the most wonderful drive ever, with nature revealing herself in all her unhidden beauty and the ghat section roads - silently screaming – 'Come but be gentle on my curves'...
3) 4th day, Mahabaleshwar to Panchagani, lot of view points, but the Kate Point’s the one that takes your breath away. It’s a place which has almost everything you can ask for in a view point. River, mountains, hint of roads through them, streams and waterfalls, a dam, rock, trees & fields, flowers…and of course monkeys make it complete!
We saw the cloud filling in and covering the entire area, clearing again to tease us and re fill and hide the beauty. As we left the place truly on ‘Cloud 9’, there was more. We saw the sky painted with rainbow, well 2 of them together….
Bhagavan Jab Deta Hai, Chappar phad ke deta hai!
This was a day I think we should have gambled! We were walking through famous ‘Table Land’ in Panchgani which’s around 2km stretch. Suddenly, as is the norm in these areas, it looked like it’s going to pour. There was no shelter in sight & we had no umbrellas/rainwear. Just then we saw a sign board pointing downwards, to a cave hotel, right there where we were standing. As we reached inside that amazing place it started raining hard. We had fun inside with tea & snacks, walk through a cave inside and photo session. After nearly 2 hrs just when we were contemplating having to make a dash in the rain, it did stop, just before the deadline :-)
It was one of the days, lady luck kept smiling at us.(As a matter of fact, one of us did gamble and win, a water bottle by throwing a ring :P)
4) 5th day, on the way back from Lonavala - Sahara City, we stopped beside the road, in a scenic location, though it was hard to see anything beyond 10 meters in the mist. As we were making merry in the cold breeze, a voice shot from behind the mist!
“Saab, Chai?”
“YES 8 cups” screamed our collective voices, though we couldn’t see where the voice’s coming from. And we couldn’t actually believe our luck until a person appeared from mist and delivered tea!
Tea can never taste better….as we sipped slowly…well sometimes you really don’t have to die to be in heaven :-)
There were moments aplenty and I have tried hard to relive some of those, but the end result seems to be an exposure of my limitations as a writer :-(
Well, beyond that considering the fun we had, wise man would end saying 'words and languages (& photographs) have limitations...' :-)
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Random
Giving directions
a) Take right in second dead end :P
b) Take the next left, this is ‘No Way’ ! (one way sign)
Humor in anger
a) @ service station, incensed mechanic, giving it back to the car owner, when the owner didn’t buy his explanation. “Nanna Hajama andko bitya?” and then realizing that owner doesn’t understand Kannada, he translates, “Do you think I am a barber?”:P
b) @ a small hotel, as the customer screamed at the owner/cashier/waiter(all in one), that it’s 20 mins since his order etc, owner calmly retorts “Have you paid advance? Get lost”!
c) @ a studio, the girl scolds the owner/photographer “photo chennagi bandilla”, he screams “Nimma mukha estu chennagide?”!
Namma Bengaluru
Yeah, lakes are disappearing, only around 65 left out of around 400 at once
But as TOI says, from just 100 parks in 2000, there are 508 now and more coming up...
Random Thought
While doing International Finance assignment
What value is financial industry adding to society?
a) Take right in second dead end :P
b) Take the next left, this is ‘No Way’ ! (one way sign)
Humor in anger
a) @ service station, incensed mechanic, giving it back to the car owner, when the owner didn’t buy his explanation. “Nanna Hajama andko bitya?” and then realizing that owner doesn’t understand Kannada, he translates, “Do you think I am a barber?”:P
b) @ a small hotel, as the customer screamed at the owner/cashier/waiter(all in one), that it’s 20 mins since his order etc, owner calmly retorts “Have you paid advance? Get lost”!
c) @ a studio, the girl scolds the owner/photographer “photo chennagi bandilla”, he screams “Nimma mukha estu chennagide?”!
Namma Bengaluru
Yeah, lakes are disappearing, only around 65 left out of around 400 at once
But as TOI says, from just 100 parks in 2000, there are 508 now and more coming up...
Random Thought
While doing International Finance assignment
What value is financial industry adding to society?
Friday, August 08, 2008
It Happened Again!
After this, nothing happened for some time now and I was about label the ‘books section in Landmark’ safe zone.
Terror struck again! & how!
I had forgotten the incident and peacefully browsing the magazines area, when I heard it…
One chap using the same pick up line ‘Do you like magazines’ and the other chap falling for it and they went on to discus, about work etc…
Slowly I moved out of that danger area and went to new arrivals books section.
As I was taking a deep breath, there he came…
“Do you like books? I like, I have read some of these”…
Ha!
I was still recovering from the shock, when he went on with intro “I am so & so, I work with so & so…”
I had to shake hands and exchange pleasantries.
I was as uncomfortable as Dravid facing Mendis (:P) but he didn’t seem to care.
Then he went on to deliver the timeless/classic line “I have seen you somewhere, before, that’s why…”
Ouch! It did hurt.
I kept on walking slowly and when the distance was safe enough to make a dash to the door (just in case!) I waved bye to him and came out with my friend, who by now joined me.
I guess it’s one of those personality development camps, creating havoc @ Landmark in Forum Mall. (Or is it a pickup area? :P) They must be the people let loose by some personality development coach, to practice talking to strangers/make friends/network.
Since Landmark’s one of my favorite frequent hangouts, I will unravel this.
I WILL.
Watch this space.
Terror struck again! & how!
I had forgotten the incident and peacefully browsing the magazines area, when I heard it…
One chap using the same pick up line ‘Do you like magazines’ and the other chap falling for it and they went on to discus, about work etc…
Slowly I moved out of that danger area and went to new arrivals books section.
As I was taking a deep breath, there he came…
“Do you like books? I like, I have read some of these”…
Ha!
I was still recovering from the shock, when he went on with intro “I am so & so, I work with so & so…”
I had to shake hands and exchange pleasantries.
I was as uncomfortable as Dravid facing Mendis (:P) but he didn’t seem to care.
Then he went on to deliver the timeless/classic line “I have seen you somewhere, before, that’s why…”
Ouch! It did hurt.
I kept on walking slowly and when the distance was safe enough to make a dash to the door (just in case!) I waved bye to him and came out with my friend, who by now joined me.
I guess it’s one of those personality development camps, creating havoc @ Landmark in Forum Mall. (Or is it a pickup area? :P) They must be the people let loose by some personality development coach, to practice talking to strangers/make friends/network.
Since Landmark’s one of my favorite frequent hangouts, I will unravel this.
I WILL.
Watch this space.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Links
Two recent must watch movies
Kung Fu Panda
Dark Knight
This one’s awesome. One of the best movies of all the time, close to cinematic perfection, belongs to the rare category of 'Critically-Acclaimed Blockbuster'.
The third one I am waiting for (yet to be released in India)
Wall-E
And some real good books @ Personal MBA
Kung Fu Panda
Dark Knight
This one’s awesome. One of the best movies of all the time, close to cinematic perfection, belongs to the rare category of 'Critically-Acclaimed Blockbuster'.
The third one I am waiting for (yet to be released in India)
Wall-E
And some real good books @ Personal MBA
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Sigh
Bangalore's traffic never ceases to amuse
But one of the most annoying scenes is -
Ambulance stuck in the traffic, tense faces inside, and the stone faced ambulance driver trying hard to reach the hospital faster.
People making way between the inches of space they have and the poor traffic police making way ignoring the red signal.
As the ambulance goes past the traffic, to everybody’s relief...
There’s the bunch of vehicles, zooming behind it...
Disgusting...
When the scarcity of food hits, these will be the first ones to turn into man-eaters.
But one of the most annoying scenes is -
Ambulance stuck in the traffic, tense faces inside, and the stone faced ambulance driver trying hard to reach the hospital faster.
People making way between the inches of space they have and the poor traffic police making way ignoring the red signal.
As the ambulance goes past the traffic, to everybody’s relief...
There’s the bunch of vehicles, zooming behind it...
Disgusting...
When the scarcity of food hits, these will be the first ones to turn into man-eaters.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Leading by example
Twice I had to miss the ‘Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na’ after booking tickets.
Finally 8th July, Tuesday’s the day.
After a long day’s work, I drive with my friend to Forum Mall, hoping to get into PVR by 9.45 and grab something there.
To my surprise traffic’s less & we reach with around 40 minutes to spare.
Tired, hungry but excited to watch the movie, we walk into the Pizza Hut.
We get a seat straight away and a waiter delivers menu in no time.
We decide what to eat, then wait and wait impatiently for more than 10 minutes.
Not in a mood to miss the beginning of the movie, we decide to walk out.
A waiter comes by now, we ask him how much time our order will take?
He says 15-20 minutes.
So we proceed on our way out.
There comes the ‘Manager’ (not sure of designation, the one seemed to be managing there).
I tell him, we waited more than 10 minutes, none took the order, and now it seems it’ll take 20 minutes and we are getting late.
He keeps his cool and asks ‘getting late for 10 PM movie? Don’t worry sir, I‘ll make sure your order is delivered within 10 minutes, please be seated’.
We take his word; and he delivers the plates, fork, spoon & tissues immediately.
He then comes back with some extra tissues.
Hmm…, good start, perhaps to show that he cares for customers, I think.
And then he comes with ‘Iced Tea’, within 5 minutes the bread, and serves Pizza within 10 minutes as promised. He also manages to ask ‘How’s the Pizza Sir?’(It wasn’t really great but I was forced not to complain by his customer service)
As we paid the bill, I had to thank him, & ring the bell :-)
As we walked out, I couldn’t help but wonder.
May be it’s a small gesture from his part, but it had a bigger impact.
Firstly, he did was to satisfy & retain two regular customers.
Secondly, instead of giving excuses or scolding the waiters in front of us, he, himself just went on to serve.
A lesson which they’ll probably remember for quite some time.
Isn’t that leading by example all about?
Finally 8th July, Tuesday’s the day.
After a long day’s work, I drive with my friend to Forum Mall, hoping to get into PVR by 9.45 and grab something there.
To my surprise traffic’s less & we reach with around 40 minutes to spare.
Tired, hungry but excited to watch the movie, we walk into the Pizza Hut.
We get a seat straight away and a waiter delivers menu in no time.
We decide what to eat, then wait and wait impatiently for more than 10 minutes.
Not in a mood to miss the beginning of the movie, we decide to walk out.
A waiter comes by now, we ask him how much time our order will take?
He says 15-20 minutes.
So we proceed on our way out.
There comes the ‘Manager’ (not sure of designation, the one seemed to be managing there).
I tell him, we waited more than 10 minutes, none took the order, and now it seems it’ll take 20 minutes and we are getting late.
He keeps his cool and asks ‘getting late for 10 PM movie? Don’t worry sir, I‘ll make sure your order is delivered within 10 minutes, please be seated’.
We take his word; and he delivers the plates, fork, spoon & tissues immediately.
He then comes back with some extra tissues.
Hmm…, good start, perhaps to show that he cares for customers, I think.
And then he comes with ‘Iced Tea’, within 5 minutes the bread, and serves Pizza within 10 minutes as promised. He also manages to ask ‘How’s the Pizza Sir?’(It wasn’t really great but I was forced not to complain by his customer service)
As we paid the bill, I had to thank him, & ring the bell :-)
As we walked out, I couldn’t help but wonder.
May be it’s a small gesture from his part, but it had a bigger impact.
Firstly, he did was to satisfy & retain two regular customers.
Secondly, instead of giving excuses or scolding the waiters in front of us, he, himself just went on to serve.
A lesson which they’ll probably remember for quite some time.
Isn’t that leading by example all about?
Monday, June 16, 2008
3 Types of diarrhea & Remedy!
Well this is about a different kind of diarrhea, that the IT companies suffer from. What? Read on...
Disclaimer: Any resemblance to companies/persons is purely unintentional and no offense meant. These are my personal views. Comments are welcome.
They say what an MBA degree does to you, is to change from Verbal Constipation to Verbal Diarrhea :-)
(Well, no offence meant to MBA community, In fact I am pursuing one)
But as far I have seen IT companies suffer from 3 types of diarrhea.
1) Verbal Diarrhea - Yeah it's true that communication skill is the key in this industry, but that doesn't mean you blabber around corporate lingo , tech jargon or management gyan.
Mostly the management suffers from this and it's contagious, so those who are on the verge of getting into management roles watch out!
The repetitive talk about company culture, personality development (aka mentors), management gyan, how different your team or company is etc… de motivates the employee and reduces the weight your words carry, in addition to complicating everybody's life involved.
P.S. if a company's website's too wordy, that's a sign of things!
I am sure as you read this you are relating to some of your mentors/reporting managers.
Remedy: Keep away as far as you can. Try cutting the crap with a nod saying yea right, absolutely, I get it. (Don't be rude. It's a tightrope walk. If you get into bad books of a person with verbal diarrhea, it's dangerous, remember he/she can easily shit around, and you will have to clean it!)
Second point you do well to remember is that if that's the culture around, your work is hardly recognized unless you make some noise.
2) Process Diarrhea - There are methodologies, like SDLC, XP and then there are standards like, CMM, ISO.
Instead of means, i.e. guidelines to increase effectiveness of individual/company, it becomes end in itself. The religious practitioners of process go about it with a hypnotic trance, where more emphasis is on process & effort's wasted on documents than the actual work.
The other common hazards are dress code to look more professional, timesheet to measure productivity and a template each, that needs to be filled, for everything that you do…leading to a pile of documents which nobody reads.
And then there is protocol/policy/process on, what time you can eat or play, what you can carry to office, etc...
Also metrics, right from your contribution in the designated role, to, your intangible contribution to company... leading to over accumulation of data, but there's only so much you can measure with data, like it's said, "If your one hand on fire and other one's in freezer a statistician would say on an average you are very comfortable".
Some companies even have a process & template in place for innovation. Bwa haha.
Too much of process kills creativity.
Remedy: Don't be a rebel. "To change the system, you have to be in the system".
Appreciate the stuff in place, follow, and then suggest gentle changes to simplify things.
If you want to try something new, for which it's hard to go through process, well, do it and then say sorry :-) (Deep down the founders/at least some of the top management will be creative souls, who would have taken the road less traveled by)
3) Meetings Diarrhea - Team meet, status update meet, daily focus meet, weekly one on one meet, individual KPA meet, review meet, brainstorming meet, well, if you find yourself dragged to meetings all the day, be worried, because you are surrounded by people who hardly get anything done.
Such people will be busy appearing busy, more meets you conduct/attend more important you are!
Never fall into this trap.
And when you are made to wait for long periods during the interview process, that's when you should think twice.
Remedy: Take the lead if you can in the meet & take action, try avoiding if you can't.
I am not against any of the above. They are good when within limits. I am just against the overdose. Constipation of any of the above is bad too.
Compared to any other industry people are mature & meritocracy prevails in IT industry.
And software development is neither rocket science nor pure art. (But it's silly to compare it to assembly line production.)
If you hire mature people, with right attitude, there's minimal need of the above. It's said "Rules are made for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men".
For example when the admin is forced to send mail, asking to flush the toilet after use, you know you have hired some people who really stink.
Hiring the right people is THE solution. Because building software can probably compared to architecture, yeah there are basics which's science, then beyond that it's more art than science which makes it all more important.
And it's not just money, (Of course if you pay peanuts you get monkeys), the companies where people flock to work have the best people, are more open with less rules, and obviously they are successful.
If you find yourself in a place with people suffering from the above, my prayer's with you. Since it is contagious, move on before you catch Diarrhea.
Disclaimer: Any resemblance to companies/persons is purely unintentional and no offense meant. These are my personal views. Comments are welcome.
They say what an MBA degree does to you, is to change from Verbal Constipation to Verbal Diarrhea :-)
(Well, no offence meant to MBA community, In fact I am pursuing one)
But as far I have seen IT companies suffer from 3 types of diarrhea.
1) Verbal Diarrhea - Yeah it's true that communication skill is the key in this industry, but that doesn't mean you blabber around corporate lingo , tech jargon or management gyan.
Mostly the management suffers from this and it's contagious, so those who are on the verge of getting into management roles watch out!
The repetitive talk about company culture, personality development (aka mentors), management gyan, how different your team or company is etc… de motivates the employee and reduces the weight your words carry, in addition to complicating everybody's life involved.
P.S. if a company's website's too wordy, that's a sign of things!
I am sure as you read this you are relating to some of your mentors/reporting managers.
Remedy: Keep away as far as you can. Try cutting the crap with a nod saying yea right, absolutely, I get it. (Don't be rude. It's a tightrope walk. If you get into bad books of a person with verbal diarrhea, it's dangerous, remember he/she can easily shit around, and you will have to clean it!)
Second point you do well to remember is that if that's the culture around, your work is hardly recognized unless you make some noise.
2) Process Diarrhea - There are methodologies, like SDLC, XP and then there are standards like, CMM, ISO.
Instead of means, i.e. guidelines to increase effectiveness of individual/company, it becomes end in itself. The religious practitioners of process go about it with a hypnotic trance, where more emphasis is on process & effort's wasted on documents than the actual work.
The other common hazards are dress code to look more professional, timesheet to measure productivity and a template each, that needs to be filled, for everything that you do…leading to a pile of documents which nobody reads.
And then there is protocol/policy/process on, what time you can eat or play, what you can carry to office, etc...
Also metrics, right from your contribution in the designated role, to, your intangible contribution to company... leading to over accumulation of data, but there's only so much you can measure with data, like it's said, "If your one hand on fire and other one's in freezer a statistician would say on an average you are very comfortable".
Some companies even have a process & template in place for innovation. Bwa haha.
Too much of process kills creativity.
Remedy: Don't be a rebel. "To change the system, you have to be in the system".
Appreciate the stuff in place, follow, and then suggest gentle changes to simplify things.
If you want to try something new, for which it's hard to go through process, well, do it and then say sorry :-) (Deep down the founders/at least some of the top management will be creative souls, who would have taken the road less traveled by)
3) Meetings Diarrhea - Team meet, status update meet, daily focus meet, weekly one on one meet, individual KPA meet, review meet, brainstorming meet, well, if you find yourself dragged to meetings all the day, be worried, because you are surrounded by people who hardly get anything done.
Such people will be busy appearing busy, more meets you conduct/attend more important you are!
Never fall into this trap.
And when you are made to wait for long periods during the interview process, that's when you should think twice.
Remedy: Take the lead if you can in the meet & take action, try avoiding if you can't.
I am not against any of the above. They are good when within limits. I am just against the overdose. Constipation of any of the above is bad too.
Compared to any other industry people are mature & meritocracy prevails in IT industry.
And software development is neither rocket science nor pure art. (But it's silly to compare it to assembly line production.)
If you hire mature people, with right attitude, there's minimal need of the above. It's said "Rules are made for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men".
For example when the admin is forced to send mail, asking to flush the toilet after use, you know you have hired some people who really stink.
Hiring the right people is THE solution. Because building software can probably compared to architecture, yeah there are basics which's science, then beyond that it's more art than science which makes it all more important.
And it's not just money, (Of course if you pay peanuts you get monkeys), the companies where people flock to work have the best people, are more open with less rules, and obviously they are successful.
If you find yourself in a place with people suffering from the above, my prayer's with you. Since it is contagious, move on before you catch Diarrhea.
Monday, June 02, 2008
The Last Lecture
A lot of professors are asked to give “The Last Lecture” as if it’s their last.
On September 18, 2007, when, computer science professor Randy Pausch stepped in front of an audience of 400 people at Carnegie Mellon University to deliver a last lecture, he didn’t have to imagine it as his last, since he’s diagnosed with pancreas cancer with few months of life left.
But the talk he gave “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams” wasn’t about dying.
It was about living one's childhood dreams, enabling the dreams of others, and some lessons.
In short it was about living.
Randy’s lecture has become a phenomenon and so is his book based on it. Here’s the pdf & video.
Inspiring.
On September 18, 2007, when, computer science professor Randy Pausch stepped in front of an audience of 400 people at Carnegie Mellon University to deliver a last lecture, he didn’t have to imagine it as his last, since he’s diagnosed with pancreas cancer with few months of life left.
But the talk he gave “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams” wasn’t about dying.
It was about living one's childhood dreams, enabling the dreams of others, and some lessons.
In short it was about living.
Randy’s lecture has become a phenomenon and so is his book based on it. Here’s the pdf & video.
Inspiring.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
India - Slogan
Poor to ‘Developing Country’
Third World to ‘Emerging Superpower’
Land of Snake Charmers to ‘IT Giant’
While ‘India Shining’ is by now cliché, the tourism department’s
‘Incredible India’ is catchy, but what suits best is
India - Under Construction
:-)
Third World to ‘Emerging Superpower’
Land of Snake Charmers to ‘IT Giant’
While ‘India Shining’ is by now cliché, the tourism department’s
‘Incredible India’ is catchy, but what suits best is
India - Under Construction
:-)
Monday, May 05, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Presentation Zen
Isn't it pain to sit through everyday presentations where the bullet points are read from slide after slide? Why is the presenter required, when you can read it yourself? Moreover, reading and listening at the same time distracts you, that’s if you are awake!
But that’s the easiest way, in the form of ppt you have the handout, document for later reference and also no preparation required since you always have the ppt to fall back on and read through.
Sounds ridiculous? But that's how 99 out 100 presentations are done and unfortunately that's how we present too.
Because that's normal practice!
While it's easy to fall into this trap, here comes a masterpiece.
It says use slides as visual aid. Don’t be used by the tool, use it.
While those innumerable features, like arrows, bullets, cheesy clip arts and sound etc can be blamed for forcing these bad habits to an extent, you still can improve and be different says Garr Reynolds the author of Presentation Zen.
Zen is about simplicity of life, presentation is an art.
This beautiful book has the following sections.
Introduction: Presenting is transfer of emotions, in today’s ‘Conceptual Age’ where right brain thinking is as/more important than left brain thinking.
Preparation: Start with a childlike wonder/enthusiasm. Do not force thoughts, take time away, solitude energizes your creativity. Then plan analog, use pen & paper/whiteboard and let the ideas flow.
What’s your point, why does it matter?
Think from audience’s point of view, keep asking ‘so what’ while you prepare.
Design: Simplicity is the key, learn from the comics. Lengthy is better, is so old school, use pictures, tell a story, cut the fluff and leave audience wanting more.
Delivery: ’The highest level of martial and spiritual skill is only attainable through No Mind’. Be totally present in the moment, connect with the audience, be passionate and more importantly lighten up.
Next step: The journey begins.
When presenting about pollution in your city, what is better
a) Four bullet points about pollution data
or
b) Photo of bunch of dead birds, and talk give this information enclosed in four bullets.
If the answer’s b), then this book’s for you.
I guess the book's not in India yet, being a fan of his blog I managed to get a copy. The least you can do is to go here.
But that’s the easiest way, in the form of ppt you have the handout, document for later reference and also no preparation required since you always have the ppt to fall back on and read through.
Sounds ridiculous? But that's how 99 out 100 presentations are done and unfortunately that's how we present too.
Because that's normal practice!
While it's easy to fall into this trap, here comes a masterpiece.
It says use slides as visual aid. Don’t be used by the tool, use it.
While those innumerable features, like arrows, bullets, cheesy clip arts and sound etc can be blamed for forcing these bad habits to an extent, you still can improve and be different says Garr Reynolds the author of Presentation Zen.
Zen is about simplicity of life, presentation is an art.
This beautiful book has the following sections.
Introduction: Presenting is transfer of emotions, in today’s ‘Conceptual Age’ where right brain thinking is as/more important than left brain thinking.
Preparation: Start with a childlike wonder/enthusiasm. Do not force thoughts, take time away, solitude energizes your creativity. Then plan analog, use pen & paper/whiteboard and let the ideas flow.
What’s your point, why does it matter?
Think from audience’s point of view, keep asking ‘so what’ while you prepare.
Design: Simplicity is the key, learn from the comics. Lengthy is better, is so old school, use pictures, tell a story, cut the fluff and leave audience wanting more.
Delivery: ’The highest level of martial and spiritual skill is only attainable through No Mind’. Be totally present in the moment, connect with the audience, be passionate and more importantly lighten up.
Next step: The journey begins.
When presenting about pollution in your city, what is better
a) Four bullet points about pollution data
or
b) Photo of bunch of dead birds, and talk give this information enclosed in four bullets.
If the answer’s b), then this book’s for you.
I guess the book's not in India yet, being a fan of his blog I managed to get a copy. The least you can do is to go here.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Snapshot from ‘Life at a Traffic Signal’ :-)
That evening I was driving back from office and waiting at the signal.
There were office buses carrying the stressed out people back home. There were overloaded trucks and city busses.
Left to me was a young chap in a swanky BMW with a sexy babe.
Lucky bastard!
Right to me was an old man on a bullock cart carrying Iron rods, with a little boy sitting on it.
Also there was Ratan Tata's inspiration for Nano, a family on two wheelers, husband, wife, luggage & 2 children.
Then I noticed the Auto, first, the smoke coming out like a chimney, and then, the young couple in it getting cozy unaware of the surroundings, in their own world. Hello!
The line of vehicles behind was growing as far as I could see.
There were beggars, transgenders and people selling some stuff, knocking hard on the car window.
There was a sense the frustration in the air.
Out of the crowd around, ironically, the old man, with sweat & dust, looked more at peace, with a look of detachment on his face.
Everybody seemed to be in a hurry, trying to squeeze ahead in whatever the little space available.
Two wheelers were moving ahead in footpath harassing the pedestrians and the few stuck up were taking rest removing their helmet (the ones who were wearing).
The uncle on scooter was busy talking or rather screaming trying to beat the noise!
I tried to move ahead a bit to get a better view of a pretty girl in the two wheeler ahead. :-)
But no, there was no sign of moving ahead, looks like there's some minor accident & showdown on the road.
Btw you can hardly spot spotless vehicles in Bangalore.
There were hoardings of products and banners of politicians.
People were crossing the road, getting into/down from vehicles.
Aunty was fighting the auto driver on fair/change.
RJ on the FM was giving traffic update in between blabbering about her show.
I could as well turn off and listen to the music from punk fellow's loud music from the car ahead!
And then there's this new car, complete, with plastic covers on the seat, L board and at least a week old garlands!
Finally the vehicles seemed to start moving & there was collective sigh of relief.
The cab behind me started honking even though I was nearly 20th in the line!
By now uncle had done with the phone call & struggling to kick start the scooter.
Right in this chaos someone had coolly parked the vehicle and nowhere to be seen, invoking different kinds of honking.
As I started to move, the chap on the left most with his right indicator on and loud musical horn, frantic waving of hands, wanted to take a right turn & proceeded halting everybody.
Thanks to the experience of driving in Bangalore traffic for years, from being frustrated I have developed a Zen like calm :-)
As I almost made to the signal, the vehicle in front of stopped suddenly.
I just stopped too, ensuring I didn't hit him and no one banged me from back!
With a sense of irritation as I was figuring out the cause of this sudden stop, I couldn’t help a smile
It was a bunch of cows crossing the road, obviously not reading the signal lights and not caring about the poor traffic police's attempts to stop them. Holy :-)
Pizza man in front of me somehow made space between the cows & rocketed ahead!
Then I moved....well, to the next signal...
There were office buses carrying the stressed out people back home. There were overloaded trucks and city busses.
Left to me was a young chap in a swanky BMW with a sexy babe.
Lucky bastard!
Right to me was an old man on a bullock cart carrying Iron rods, with a little boy sitting on it.
Also there was Ratan Tata's inspiration for Nano, a family on two wheelers, husband, wife, luggage & 2 children.
Then I noticed the Auto, first, the smoke coming out like a chimney, and then, the young couple in it getting cozy unaware of the surroundings, in their own world. Hello!
The line of vehicles behind was growing as far as I could see.
There were beggars, transgenders and people selling some stuff, knocking hard on the car window.
There was a sense the frustration in the air.
Out of the crowd around, ironically, the old man, with sweat & dust, looked more at peace, with a look of detachment on his face.
Everybody seemed to be in a hurry, trying to squeeze ahead in whatever the little space available.
Two wheelers were moving ahead in footpath harassing the pedestrians and the few stuck up were taking rest removing their helmet (the ones who were wearing).
The uncle on scooter was busy talking or rather screaming trying to beat the noise!
I tried to move ahead a bit to get a better view of a pretty girl in the two wheeler ahead. :-)
But no, there was no sign of moving ahead, looks like there's some minor accident & showdown on the road.
Btw you can hardly spot spotless vehicles in Bangalore.
There were hoardings of products and banners of politicians.
People were crossing the road, getting into/down from vehicles.
Aunty was fighting the auto driver on fair/change.
RJ on the FM was giving traffic update in between blabbering about her show.
I could as well turn off and listen to the music from punk fellow's loud music from the car ahead!
And then there's this new car, complete, with plastic covers on the seat, L board and at least a week old garlands!
Finally the vehicles seemed to start moving & there was collective sigh of relief.
The cab behind me started honking even though I was nearly 20th in the line!
By now uncle had done with the phone call & struggling to kick start the scooter.
Right in this chaos someone had coolly parked the vehicle and nowhere to be seen, invoking different kinds of honking.
As I started to move, the chap on the left most with his right indicator on and loud musical horn, frantic waving of hands, wanted to take a right turn & proceeded halting everybody.
Thanks to the experience of driving in Bangalore traffic for years, from being frustrated I have developed a Zen like calm :-)
As I almost made to the signal, the vehicle in front of stopped suddenly.
I just stopped too, ensuring I didn't hit him and no one banged me from back!
With a sense of irritation as I was figuring out the cause of this sudden stop, I couldn’t help a smile
It was a bunch of cows crossing the road, obviously not reading the signal lights and not caring about the poor traffic police's attempts to stop them. Holy :-)
Pizza man in front of me somehow made space between the cows & rocketed ahead!
Then I moved....well, to the next signal...
Monday, April 14, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
Do you like magazines?!:-)
The other day, I was lazily browsing through magazines at Landmark, Forum mall.
Suddenly the person next to me asked, 'Do you like magazines?'
I was like yea right?!
And he continued, 'I asked since you are browsing them'
Ha!
Strange! Was it a way of striking a conversation? Any network marketing? (Or was it his pickup line? sorry, am straight!)
I thought of hugging and telling him, 'no, actually, I like you' :D
But then instinctively I shrugged and asked 'how about you?'
He said proudly 'I like cars', showing me the AutoCar magazine he's holding.
I just cracked a VPJ saying 'it's just a magazine' before moving with my friend, quickly! :-)
Suddenly the person next to me asked, 'Do you like magazines?'
I was like yea right?!
And he continued, 'I asked since you are browsing them'
Ha!
Strange! Was it a way of striking a conversation? Any network marketing? (Or was it his pickup line? sorry, am straight!)
I thought of hugging and telling him, 'no, actually, I like you' :D
But then instinctively I shrugged and asked 'how about you?'
He said proudly 'I like cars', showing me the AutoCar magazine he's holding.
I just cracked a VPJ saying 'it's just a magazine' before moving with my friend, quickly! :-)
Sunday, February 03, 2008
The life of man upon earth is a warfare
The 33 strategies of war by Robert Green 'From the bloody battles of history, strategies for winning the subtle social game of everyday life', the book’s sinfully charismatic.
It’s a distillation of the timeless wisdom contained in the lessons and principles of warfare. The strategic ideal in the war - being supremely rational and emotionally balanced, striving to win with minimum bloodshed and loss of resources - has infinite application and relevance to our daily battles.
Drawing on incidents from history and then taking you through the minds of greatest strategists, this brilliant book, helps you with insights, from grey areas to classic dilemma of life 'to hold on or to move on?'. From basic classical warfare to the dirty, unconventional strategies of modern times, and not just from warfare but also from sports, politics and business, the book has it all and the strategies can be applied to struggles of every scale: organized warfare, business battles, and politics of a group, even personal relationships. This is not a ‘how to’ book, instead it presents with so many ideas with examples that each gets to choose his own.
The book has 33 chapters each devoted to a strategy and divided into five sections under
1. Self-Directed Warfare
2. Organizational (Team) Warfare
3. Defensive Warfare
4. Offensive Warfare
5. Unconventional (Dirty) Warfare.
The last section is the longest and most relevant!
Well, we live in interesting times :-)
It’s a distillation of the timeless wisdom contained in the lessons and principles of warfare. The strategic ideal in the war - being supremely rational and emotionally balanced, striving to win with minimum bloodshed and loss of resources - has infinite application and relevance to our daily battles.
Drawing on incidents from history and then taking you through the minds of greatest strategists, this brilliant book, helps you with insights, from grey areas to classic dilemma of life 'to hold on or to move on?'. From basic classical warfare to the dirty, unconventional strategies of modern times, and not just from warfare but also from sports, politics and business, the book has it all and the strategies can be applied to struggles of every scale: organized warfare, business battles, and politics of a group, even personal relationships. This is not a ‘how to’ book, instead it presents with so many ideas with examples that each gets to choose his own.
The book has 33 chapters each devoted to a strategy and divided into five sections under
1. Self-Directed Warfare
2. Organizational (Team) Warfare
3. Defensive Warfare
4. Offensive Warfare
5. Unconventional (Dirty) Warfare.
The last section is the longest and most relevant!
Well, we live in interesting times :-)
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
In Hindi and Kannada too :-)
Cafe Coffee Day is one of my favorite hangouts but this really is stupid
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