New year wishes

I wish to see

• Fewer conflicts
• Fewer kids on the streets
• Happier people
• Better lives
• Better leaders
• Better roads in Bangalore :-)
• Cleaner air and water
• Greener Earth
• More friends
• More smiles
• Fewer tensions
• Fewer cricket matches :P
• Fewer calamities

in 2006. Wishing everyone a very very happy new year.

The year gone by

Its that time of the year again, when we dutifully look back, trying to figure out what we have done with our lives during the past year, and then make plans, build hopes for the year thats just waiting by the door. I wanted to write this tomorrow, but not sure if I'll get the time. Let's see, what did the year 2005 do to me? Well, this year Murphy's law caught up with me and everything that could go wrong went wrong. Only last friday, I was sort of relaxed, having tea with my friend, thinking that at last, the year is coming to an end, only one week to go, nothing else to go wrong now, and I was so happy hoping for a better year, when my sister called and asked me to come to hospital, my nephew was being admitted there. Four days, that little fellow went through hell, and I was like what the bloody heck ........ But no, this is not the time for whining. Count your blessings remember? So I gotta count now. The biggest blessing for me is that I've been reminded to count my blessings :-). Got carried away a little I guess, stopped counting and started asking for more. But now, I even stopped asking why me? Only to a certain point you see. After that, one almost stops caring. So, here goes a list of all that I've been blessed with in the year gone by -

• Money to spend on books, dvd player, dvds and a computer :-)
• Joined guitar classes, bought a guitar and started practising
• Strength to withstand everything without ever breaking infront of others
• Survived a couple of accidents, Thank you God
• Minor health problems, could have been worse right?
• Prayers answered with a Yes :-)
• Some dear friends' problems were solved and wishes came true
• A harmonica, learnt to play a couple of tunes on that
• Lots of memories to live with and fight against

That's quite a lot more than what I had hoped for. Looking forward to another wonderful year. May God bless one and all. Happy New Year to myself, all the people I love, all the people who love me and to everyone else :-).

Happy birthday sweetie

Tomorrow is my cousin's birthday. Want to wish her a very happy birthday and many more such birthdays to celebrate. Wonder how old she is now, should be 10 I guess. Dont know why it seems girls grow up faster than boys. I used to play with her a lot when I went home. Can't believe she's already 10. And her sister, she is already in her 7th standard. And it feels like only last year that they used to rush towards the gate whenever I went home, and both used to skip school whenever me or my sister visited. Last time I took them to fun world in may, they had a blast. Haven't spoken to them since. Wonder if she's missing me. So, here's to my sweet little sister. Happy birthday sweetie. Wish you many many happy returns of the day. Wish you every happiness in the world and more.

The Fountainhead

After reading through the first chapter, I felt like Ayn Rand is too predictable. It's always going to be the same plot - one guy - fiercely individualistic, whole world against him trying to force him into submission, one guy who symbolises all the evil in the world (in the name of collectivism) and knows that, one guy who knows something is wrong with him and the world in general, doesn't know what it is but he can feel it when he sees the hero, the girl who thinks very much like the hero, loves him and punishes him/herself/both for that, the all powerful guy who acts against his every belief to accumulate all that power, who knows whats wrong with the world and uses it to his own advantage, and all the other characters supporting either the hero or the villain, who are mere spectators/listeners, just there to emphasize their beliefs. It was the same in Atlas Srugged, and in We the living. Wonder what she has gone through in the Soviet Union that she hates the idea of the collective so much. But this novel is different in that it depicts the conflict more vividly. That might be because this is the first novel in which she presented her idea of the heroic in man. In Atlas shrugged, the readers are expected to be already familiar with her ideas, and when I read that first, I was totally baffled. It took a lot of effort to gather and understand what was happenning and why it was happenning. But after reading this, I can identify lot of similarities between the two and I can make much better sense out of the former as well. Overall, a good read and there are certain passages that make me wonder how in the name of hell could she write something like that. But there's a little paradox I see here. Seems the novel became an instant classic. And people in the novel say if we can't comprehend what she is writing, it must be something great, about a character who happens to be a writer. Now could this be the reason why this book became a classic :P?

Nice one

Will definitely lift your spirits

God : Hello. Did you call me?
Me: Called you? No.. who is this?

God : This is GOD. I heard your prayers. So I thought
I will chat.
Me: I do pray. Just makes me feel good. I am actually
busy now. I am in the midst of something.

God : What are you busy at?
Me: Don't know. But I cant find free time. Life has
become hectic. It's rush hour all the time.

God : Sure. Activity gets you busy. But productivity
gets you results. Activity consumes time. Productivity
frees it.
Me: I understand. But I still cant figure out. By the
way, I was not expecting YOU to buzz me on instant
messaging chat.

God : Well I wanted to resolve your fight for time, by
giving you some clarity. In this net era, I wanted to
reach you through the medium you are comfortable with.
Me: Tell me, why has life become complicated now?

God : Stop analyzing life. Just live it. Analysis is
what makes it complicated.
Me: why are we then constantly unhappy?

God : Your today is the tomorrow that you worried
about yesterday. You are worrying because you are
analyzing. Worrying has become your habit. That's why
you are not happy.
Me: But how can we not worry when there is so much
uncertainty?

God : Uncertainty is inevitable, but worrying is
optional.
Me: But then, there is so much pain due to
uncertainty..

God : Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.
Me: If suffering is optional, why do good people
always suffer?

God : Diamond cannot be polished without friction.
Gold cannot be purified without fire. Good people go
through trials, but don't suffer. With that experience
their life become better not bitter.
Me: You mean to say such experience is useful?

God : Yes. In every terms, Experience is a hard
teacher. She gives the test first and the lessons
afterwards.
Me: But still, why should we go through such tests?
Why cant we be free from problems?

God : Problems are Purposeful Roadblocks Offering
Beneficial Lessons (to) Enhance Mental Strength.
Inner strength comes from struggle and endurance, not
when you are free from problems.
Me: Frankly in the midst of so many problems, we don't
know where we are heading..

God : If you look outside you will not know where you
are heading. Look inside. Looking outside, you dream.
Looking inside, you awaken. Eyes provide sight. Heart
provides insight.
Me: Sometimes not succeeding fast seems to hurt more
than moving in the right direction. What should I do?

God : Success is a measure as decided by others.
Satisfaction is a measure as decided by you. Knowing
the road ahead is more satisfying than knowing you
rode ahead. You work with the compass. Let others work
with the clock.
Me: In tough times, how do you stay motivated?

God : Always look at how far you have come rather than
how far you have to go. Always count your blessing,
not what you are missing.
Me: What surprises you about people?

God : when they suffer they ask, "why me?" When they
prosper, they never ask "Why me" Everyone wishes to
have truth on their side, but few want to be on the
side of the truth.
Me: Sometimes I ask, who am I, why am I here. I can’t
get the answer.

God : Seek not to find who you are, but to determine
who you want to be. Stop looking for a purpose as to
why you are here. Create it. Life is not a process of
discovery but a process of creation.
Me: How can I get the best out of life?

God : Face your past without regret. Handle your
present with confidence. Prepare for the future
without fear.
Me: One last question. Sometimes I feel my prayers are
not answered.

God : There are no unanswered prayers. At times the
answer is NO.
Me: Thank you for this wonderful chat. I am so happy
to start the New Year with a new sense of inspiration.

God : Well. Keep the faith and drop the fear. Don't
believe your doubts and doubt your beliefs. Life is a
mystery to solve not a problem to resolve. Trust me.
Life is wonderful if you know how to live

There are some answers that are real good which I've highlighted. My favorite - at times the answer is NO. To end it I'd like to add, Today is a gift, that's why it's called present. Life is wonderful if we know how to live.

Looking for a house

is not easy :-(. Am scared by just the thought that I have to start looking, and start soon. May be will start from this sunday. Hope I can find one quickly. Then moving would be another headache. Got to vacate the current one by end of next month. That reminds me, I forgot to give the spare key to our owner. He had asked for it so he can show the flat to other prospective tenants :P. I bet if anybody sees the flat in its present condition, they wouldn't even enter it :-). He was asking if there were any valuable things in the house. Ofcourse, there are many. My keyboard, guitar, music system, all my CDs, cassettes, books and the harmonica presented by Jd. Other than these, I wouldn't mind if anybody took anything else :-).

Out of office

Physiotherapy is over. No significant difference. The therapist seemed very disappointed. He was a nice guy. He did his best and I'd like to thank him for everything. Didn't get to see the doctor today. Got to ask him what I'm to do now that the therapy has totally failed. Left office at the usual time thinking I'll see the doctor and go home from there. But since he was not available, I came home early. Was not prepared to go back to office :P. Haven't written anything in the past week, so I thought I'd rather spend sometime here. So I came along, to an internet center and it is from there that I'm writing this. This reminds me, I had decided many months ago that I'll buy myself a computer and get an internet connection so I'll not miss this place when Im not at the office. Why didn't I do that yet? That would complete my personal entertainment collection and ensure that I'll never feel bored at home again.

Dilbert's principles

Got hold of it yesterday. The fountainhead is almost over. Will finish it today. Got Angels and Demons too but I dont know why I bought it. I'm not at all interested in reading that. Saw this one last week only but those guys were not ready to bargain. And though I very much wanted the book, I couldn't take it without bargaining :D. Finally, yesterday, I got it for what I wanted. Looking forward to a fun weekend :-)

I feel so sorry

for Ganguly. This is definitely not what he deserved. To me, it looked like he came to terms with his ego, understood what was wrong with him and showed the will, the determination to change things. And look what he got for it. It wouldn't have been so painful had he not been considered for the series at all. He would have worked harder. Tried harder. It wouldn't have been so painful had he not performed in the match, had he got out cheaply, tamely as he did on a lot of prior occasions. India won the match and he played his part. He showed that he was willing to change. He looked comfortable in the crease. He showed the world and himself that all was not over for him. And he gets dropped. Now what would he say to himself? How would he convince himself? Must be really hard on him. The reasons this time - he's not consistent with the bat, he is not threatening enough as a bowler and his fielding is a liablity. And to think that he was taken as an all-rounder for the first two tests. Didn't they know it then? Or as Gaurav said here, are they scared that they may not get a chance to sack him later if he comes good in this series? Whatever it is, I wish Ganguly wouldn't take it to heart and show the bunch of jokers what is the stuff he is made of. All the best Dada.

Congratulations Sachin

What a moment that was. Thought will have to wait till tomorrow. But suddenly he approached the magical figure so fast. Almost lost my breath when he edged the ball to the slip on 99. And then it came. The punch in the air. The jubilation of everyone in the ground. What a man. What an achievement. Hats off to Sachin Tendulkar.

Take care and all the best

Jack's landed in London. He left on tuesday. Flight was sometime early in the morning yesterday. He called yesterday night. Seems everything was cool. Wanted to write a bon voyage post for him. But I took off on tuesday and yesterday I was too busy to come this side. And what with the physiotherapy thing, I dont have enough time left to work in the office. Got to leave at 4:30 everyday. And there's so much work piling up. So I guess I'll have to stay away from my favorite place for a while now. So, I thought I'll write this one last thing as soon as I reach office today and then I'll get back to work. He may not be back again for an year. So, here's wishing him all the very best. You rock pal. Take care.

The results are out

Now I know what's ailing me. And I'm so relieved. Got the MRI reports today. Went through the report while waiting to meet the doctor. Was so glad to find the word normal written at so many places :-). The findings - straightening of the lumbar spine - that the doctor had already told me - that my lower back somehow had straightened itself, it was supposed to be curved; And a mild scoliosis with convexity to the left side. Whatever that is, the word mild gave me immense relief. The result of the pain is a bulge in the disc which is pressing the nerve that goes into my left leg. The doctor advised physiotherapy for a week. Depending on how I respond to the treatment, further course of action will be decided. Now that doesn't mean there is no cause for worry. Because, this seems to be the final stage before the disc comes out. That is what we call slip disc. And then I'm doomed. So, I got to be very careful from now on. Take good rest. No lifting anything. No riding bike :-(. Got to cut down on that. Take good care of my back. And attend the therapy sessions without fail. When the doc said physiotherapy, I remembered that, sometime ago, when I went to another doctor in another hospital, even he had advised the same but at that time, the pain wasn't so much and I neglected :D. Had I taken the therapy then, I guess this situation wouldn't have come. It could have been worse. Thank God it isn't. Anyway, I got to take good care of myself from now on.

Shaayari

log laut jaate hain gam hamara dekh kar
jaise lehar laut jaata hai kinaara dekh kar
mat kandha dena mere arthi ko tum
kahin zinda na ho jaayen tera sahara dekh kar

source: Bhagwant mann on the Great Indian laughter Champions

A test where copying is encouraged!

Well well well. Iam no big follower of the open source movement though I like the idea very much. The reason for putting this up here is that three of the 5 young engineers Moinak Ghosh, Pradhap Devarajan, Venkata Kishore, Sriram Popuri and Gangadhar Mylapuram mentioned in this article happen to be my classmates in college. So proud of you boys, way to go.

Kanyasulkam on TV

Starting this sunday, kanyasulkam is going to be aired on MAA TV. And Gollapudi is going to play Girisam. I had thought so many times earlier that he fits that role. Madhuravani is going to be played by Jayalalitha. Now I'm not very convinced with this. Not sure how good an actress she is to pull off this role. But I'm sure Gollapudi would do a wonderful job. Its a must watch.