Lost and Found

In college I had this habit of collecting poems I liked and I used to keep them in a diary. I recently found that diary in a junk of books ;).

Here are some of the verses from the diary:

Ketan Valand: Burning the Passions

To me she's no angel, thats' for sure
But this love as I know has no cure.
Every hour the feelings are there
Burning desires and passions to bear.

Loving the smiles, laughter and dreams,
Sharing the tears and life as it seems
Brushing away each other's grief and sorrows
Touching each other's present and tomorrow.

I can see the fire kindle in her eyes
Now I know for sure that there wont be any more good-byes.


Borrowed from my College Friend:
:) (Thoda filmi hai but I still like it !)

For the world you might be someone,
But for someone you are the world.

Don't marry someone you can live with,
Marry someone you cannot live without.

Everytime I meet you
I take a decision that
That I should never meet you again
For to meet you again
We need to part
And that makes me fall apart. :)))

Staying watching you
For a long long time
Is a pleasure unsurpassed
And whatever I do
You are on my mind
"My Permanent Passtime"

Love is an endless pit
Once you fall in love
You get deeper with time
There is no way you can climb out of it!!

(P.S: For that friend who wrote the above: in case you are reading the above: Hi da long time
...whatz up in life! Had collected some of the stuff written by you in our first or second year dont remember!! Letz get back in touch daa! cia)

Love Across the Salt Desert

"Love Across the Salt Desert" was the Title of one of the best stories in our Standard XII syllabus English text book. I am quite thankful to the NCERT (National Council for Education ? ?) for compiling lovely short stories and for introducing us to great authors like Oscar Wilde, RK Narayan, Khushwanth Singh, Rudyard Kipling etc.

This particular story I am talking about is set in an Indian village at the borders of India and Pakistan in the Salty Deserts of the Rann of the Kutch (somewhere in Gujarat or Rajasthan). The village is totally parched and dry and it has not rained there for years together. Many villagers earn their livelihood by smuggling goods across the border braving the BSF(Border Security Force) , Pakistan Army and bringing back goods from Pakistan as exchange. Our hero and his father too smuggle stuff into Pakistan and bring back spices from a Pakistan Village.

On one such visit The Hero meets the Spice Seller's daughter. "Eyes Meet, Love at First Sight" - Kannum Kannum Nokia - The Eyes do all the talking and it is understood that the Hero will come, "aur Dulhania Le Jayega". The Hero returns home with his father then informs his mother of his love and that he will be going to bring home his bride. As do standard Indian Movie mothers she wants her son to be happy, but his concerned of his safety and finally she courageously sends off her son with some food and jewels. Our hero braves the border forces in style and reaches the Pakistani village. The Spice Seller is hesitant but he sees the love in their eyes and does not stand in between their love. The Hero brings his lover in style, back to his village and it rains for the First Time after long long years. The village hails the girl as the saviour, and All is Well That Ends Well!!

Subham

(:) was watching Veer Zara for a while yesterday and thatz what prompted to write this entry.

Enlightening talk

I had been to Swami Swaroopananda's (Chinmaya Mission) talk on "The Art of Medidation - and The Power of Gayathri Mantra" . I should say it was really a enlightening talk. Though some concepts that he covered were OHT (Over Head Transmission) most of the contents of his talk were very practical and relevant to day to day life. After my upanayanam I was religiously doing the "Sandhyavandhana" [which I have currently discontinued ;) ] but now after attending this lecture I really feel that I have not done justice to it, even while doing it. One lesson that I have learnt is : just uttering prayers etc. and repeating shlokas are good but only to serve the purpose of chaneling the wavering mind and streamlining our thoughts so that we can concentrate on particular thing. The true power of meditation is to achieve greater mind control. I just tried a simple test, I counted how many different thoughts that crossed my mind in just 10 secs : I counted about 8 + 1 counting process = 9, that makes 9/10 = ~ 1 thought process per second. In Computer Science a well established fact is that "Context Switching is Expensive". Thus I have come to realise that I lose so much time in unnecessary context switching overheads. If I can tune my mind to concentrate on a particular thought without distraction for longer periods of time then I could be much more productive and efficient.

Happy New Year!!!!

Wish you all a very Happy New Year!!
Fireworks At Sentosa (Siloso Beach) 12.00 A.M 1st January 2006



Books in the Last Month:
One Night at a Call Center (Chetan Bhagat) : A decent read and could associate with all the places in Gurgaon and brought back nostalgic memories of my shorts visits to Gurgaon while at Pilani.

Movies in the Last Month: (Rated according to my liking)
1. Parineeta: Awesome movie - Story was great, songs were great, Vidya Balan Roxxx.
Dil Ki Jo Baatein Hain
Baatein Jo Dil Ki Hain
Dil hi Mein Rakhna Piyaan
AAnkon Ne Sab Key Diyaa!!
Piyu Bole Piyaa Bole Kya Yeh Bole Janoona :)

2. Kanda Naal Mudhal : A different kind of Tamil movie, Re-recording by Yuvan was enjoyable.
3. Paheli : Shah Rukh + Rani Mukherjee starrer - Liked the Folk Story concept and the authentic Rajasthani background captured in the movie.

Yet Another Travel Blog

It is great to be going back home and this is yet another blog from the airport. I am going home after a period of six months and looking forward for my stay there. These six months were quite good. I just got into groove into my first job and it has been a great experience till now. Having good fun other than work too with lots of sports like Tennis, Badminton, Bowling, Pool etc.
Planning to get a bit more serious with life after I get back as a New Year Resolution :))

Have fun and TIG

DNR - Do Not Resuscitate

Prolonging life artificially through Life Support and Euthanasia (Mercy Killing) have always been a subject of debate. From the patient's point of view Euthanasia seems valid, but from a general perspective saving a person's life even so be it for a small duration is still worth the effort.

Just came across this terminology called DNR - Do Not Resuscitate. If a patient at the time he is admitted has a DNR order it means that he wishes that his life not be prolonged artificially or he wishes that his life not be revived artificially in case he suffers from any attack.

Came across this interesting article where a retired nurse has tatooed a DNR on herself.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2819149.stm

SFO in a Different Light

Some interesting snaps clicked in San Francisco.

Bushwhacked!!














Smoke Pots of different shapes














Pile of crabs Fisheman's Wharf















American Heroes on Harley Davidsons














The Modern Day beggar














Marilyn Monroe and Mickey Mouse

Java Rocks

This is a name of a cafe in Haight Street in San Francisco. I totally agree with what it says. Java Rox and it earns me my bread now :)

Sindhubhairavi

Simple yet touching:

Poomalai Vangi vandhan pookal illaye
He got a garland but alas it had no flowers!

Sevi Illai ingoru Isai Edharku
Without the ears what is the use of music

Vizhi Illai Ingoru villaku Edharku
Without the eyes what use is a lamp

Naalum Naalum Aval Ninaivil Ivan Azhudhu!!
Day by day he is pining in her memory

Poo malai vangi vandhan pookal illaye!

In Rememberance of the Almighty

I am really indebted to GOD for whatever he has given me. I am ever grateful to HIM.


I have always felt that chanting mantras and slokas helped me concentrate and gain focus.

Came across this wonderful site with all important Sthothrams and Slokas:

http://mailerindia.com/slokas/mantras/index.php?mantrahow

Orchard Photographs Lee Hsien Loong

Wow man!! Amazed at the Christmas decorations at the Orchard Road Singapore. Really lovely and gives a nice happy feeling. To add to the joy was a photography exhibition on the Road pavements. Mind blowing pictures clicked all over the world. Anyone in Singapore at this time should definitely visit Orchard as soon as possible to catch the Photo Exhibition as well the festive lightings and decorations. Also by chance spotted the Prime Minister of Singapore Mr Lee Hsien Loong on the roads looking at the photo exhibition. He was just another person among the busy Orchard Road crowd and though he had security, one could not really notice them unless anyone observed carefully.

I Walk a Lonely Road

Really touching song ....

Loved the song as well the the lyrics... song by a band called GreenDay

I walk a lonely road
The only one that I have ever known
Don't know where it goes
But it's home to me and I walk alone

I walk this empty street
On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Where the city sleepsand
I'm the only one and I walk alone
I walk aloneI walk alone
I walk aloneI walk a...

My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
'Til then I walk alone
Ah-ah, Ah-ah, Ah-ah, Aaah-ah,Ah-ah, Ah-ah, Ah-ah

I'm walking down the line
That divides me somewhere in my mind
On the border lineOf the edge and where I walk alone

Read between the lines
What's **ed up and everything's alright
Check my vital signs
To know I'm still alive and I walk alone
I walk aloneI walk alone
I walk aloneI walk a...

My shadow's the only one that walks beside meMy shallow heart's the only thing that's beatingSometimes I wish someone out there will find me'Til then I walk alone
Ah-ah, Ah-ah, Ah-ah, Aaah-ahAh-ah, Ah-ah
I walk aloneI walk a...

I walk this empty street
On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Where the city sleeps
And I'm the only one and I walk a...

My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
'Til then I walk alone

Call It Conservative Call it Chennai

Being born and brought up in Chennai, I have experienced the conservative way of living in the City. I would say that this conservativeness is in a way necessary and good to inculcate moral values and ethics into the people (especially for children and adoloscents). But this recent case on Khushboo, Suhasini etc. has really crossed limits and so much hullaballoo on this is totally unnecessary and nonsensical.

Read this Article from Times of India on this Issue:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1298218,curpg-1.cms

What is the most ironical about this Khushboo issue is that the people who are raising their voice
against her (White-Dhoti Politicians and as much black on the inside) constitute the least moral and unethical people who are known for their polygamy, affairs, and various other shady businesses and have no business talking about Tamizh Panpadu (Tamil Ethics and Culture).

I Love My Job

Found this poem recently: was really funny. Has a sarcastic note to it. Sure does not reflect my opinion though: I love my job in the right sense!!

The Lost Dr Seuss Poem

I love my job, I love the pay! I
love it more and more each day.
I love my boss, she is the best!
I love her boss and all the rest.

I love my office and its location,
I hate to have to go on vacation.
I love my furniture, drab and gray,
And piles of paper that grow each day!

I think my job is really swell,
There's nothing else I love so well.
I love to work among my peers,
I love their leers, and jeers, and sneers.

I love my computer and its software;
I hug it often though it won't care.
I love each program and every file.
I'd love them more if they worked a while.

I'm happy to be here. I am. I am.
I'm the happiest slave of the Firm, I am.
I love this work, I love these chores.
I love the meetings with deadly bores.

I love my job - I'll say it again -
I even love those friendly men.
Those friendly men who've come today,
In clean white coats to take me away!

In Transit

Taipei September 10 2005

This is probably the first time I am going on such a long distance journey alone and probably that is the reason I feel quite bored. I have to kill ten hours of my time in this place ... man one instance where idling away makes you feel tired.

What do people generally do while travelling alone:

Read books
Listen to music
Blog :)
Work
Watch movies
Pick up a conversation with co-passengers

All this while I have been kind of doing a mixture of all the above things, and currently due to lack of sleep I am too bugged to do anything but blog.

Met this guy called Jeff from Denver in the transit lounge. He was travelling with his three year old kid from Manila to Denver. His kid's name was Kimberley. She was really cute, and had the combined looks of her filipino mother and a caucasian father. We hit upon almost all the topics in the world, like politics, oil exploration, Katrina, linguistics and world langugages, travel experiences, Linux vs Microsoft, Apple and Steve Jobbs etc etc. Overall it was a really good conversation. Jeff was of swedish origin and he told me how immigrants in US after one or two generations forget their native language and that he hardly knew swedish. He was born in Boston, educated in Colorado and now works for an organization called SWCA (www.swca.com) as an Environment Consultant. His specialization was Archaeology and survey. Aged around 40 he is still looking forward to taking up a Phd. One thing I am really amazed by the educational system in US is that most people pursue a career in their own interest area, however commercially inviable it may be and also that the country does offer employment opportunities in all areas. Recently I believe in India too the focus is moving away from engineering and IT and more and more students and willing to explore the arts and science field.

While in India I was under this impression that IT is the THE THING and is really cool. Only after a bit of experience and exposure to others viewpoints have I come to realize that IT is just a tool or means by which one can improve the process and make business processes faster and efficient. An IT company can never match a Brick and Mortar kind of organization and this is also reflected in fact that the world's top two companies are Exxon Mobil (Oil Giant) and GE (almost all possible sectors). Even the IT and Services Giant like IBM cannot compare to these organizations in terms of their huge presence in the world, and market value.

Flightellogue

This is my second blog from the Airport. Blogging is really a good way to kill time in the airport, especially if you are travelling alone. Had a nice hot cup of coffee from Deli France. I am surprised that you get much better coffee from Deli France rather from exclusive coffee outlets like Starbucks or Coffee Bean. Have 20 min more before boarding, and I am quite paranoid about how I am going to kill 10 hrs in Taipei airport. Shall try and get a transit visa there and would like to see the current tallest building in the world, before it is overtaken by the Dubai tower which is under construction and also the Memorial Building over ground zero in New York. Even if I cant get a transit visa I guess it should be fine, cos' I have more than 500 pages of design specifications to read before I reach "Silicon Valley". :)

Talk of the week:

Katrina and its devastation - Emergency in New Orleans

Iflex majority shares bought over by Oracle

Now Reading: LION BOY THE CHASE - Zizou Corder

Have a long journey to make

signing off

SPAM DELIGHT

Having the privelege of a very common name as my gmail account, I have received umpteen e-mails that were not meant for me. I once even got a marriage proposal asking when to schedule a marriage and conveying that all in the bride's family were happy with the alliance!

The following is an e-mail that I received today and I felt quite happy after reading it, thought it was not meant for me ;)

Dear Rajesh,
It is my pleasure to inform you that you have been accepted into the
doctoral program in Biophysical Sciences and that Dr. Sachs has agreed to
be your mentor and to provide both stipend and tuition support for you
while you pursue your doctoral studies in his laboratory.

Malcolm Slaughter
Department of Physiology and Biophysics
124 Sherman Hall
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY 14214

Suttum Vizhi Chudare : Ghajni

Code Meets Verse

This is supposedly the theme song of our previous product release:
Really cool, lyrics!!

Why do birds suddenly appear
every time you are near?
We've only just begun to live.
White lace and promises,
a kiss for luck and we're on our way.
We've only begun.
Before the risin' sun we fly.
So many roads to choose,
we start out walking and learn to run.
And yes, we've just begun.
Sharing horizons that are new to us,
watching the signs along the way.
Talking it over just the two of us,
working together day to day, together.
And when the evenin' comes we smile.
So much of life ahead,
we'll find a place where there's room to grow.
And yes, we've just begun.
Sharing horizons that are new to us,
watching the signs along the way.
Talking it over just the two of us,
working together day to day, together, together.
And when the evenin' comes we smile.
So much of life ahead,
we'll find a place where there's room to grow.
And yes, we've just begun.

Thought Constellations

Lakshya
Independence Day
Tri-color
Embassy
Late
Office
CrimsonLogic
Pressure
SMA
Awesome
Fun
Canadian Pizza
Movies
Chupke Chupke
Amitabh Bachchan
Kajra-re
Aish
Kuch na Kaho
Home
Palm Gardens
Computer
Forgot Mac-Power PC lugs
Linux
Caldera
Pilani
Ak 248
Common Room
Cooler
Water ...
Thatz enuff...

Bye to RedHill Close

It has been almost a year in Redhill now. The name does sound exotic right, like Beverly Hills, or Malabar Hills (Mumbai). I have now moved from this quite nice locality and it has been quite a memorable stay here. I just finished seeing the last season of Friends ( Season X). It was quite a touching episode. In this episode too Monica and Chandler move away from the In-City-apartment. I also found myself in such a situation. But change is an inseperable part of life. Just a day since I have shifted and already so many changes.

Change Number 1 : Got up quite early at 8 and reached office by 9:15 or so... Wow!! I am quite pleased with that.
Change Number 2: Came back from office and jogged on the treadmill for 3 Km. :))
Change Number 3: Cooked (or rather watched my flatmates) and ate home cooked food (Parathas and a nice subzi) and this is supposedly the regular plan. I surely plan to be a part of this cooking and revive my culinary skills.

Now playing... Khali Hai Tere Bina Dono Akhiyaan Tum Gaye Kahan
(Both my eyes are empty without you... where art thou have you gone...)