..AND INSIDE LOOKING OUT (for music related posts, please follow the link 'My Jukebox' listed under the blogs on this site) :)

Friday, June 30, 2006

TIME GONE BY
This has been a long tough month. By far one of the busiest here. Time has flown, a month has gone past, and some work has been done. Some learning has happened. My blog has received relatively little attention and all I can find are scraps here and there, interesting bits of information I found here and there. No time to think for myself and generally mull about the state of things. Some sense making needs to happen, when and how, I do not know. Some rest, some time to reflect, relax and wonder about the path one is on and the place where one needs to go.
Learning yes, that's the only thing I can call this past month. A month of learning, a time spent on understanding how to do certain things, how to go about reading, writing, analysing, thinking. Although I can in no way claim to have achieved something great, I have spent this time in working on a few things, some things I like, some I do not like but are still part of my role as a student.
Some changes are in the offing with regard to my current house, and changing home is something that changes one's life in several ways. In ways that I can only anticipate, but cannot express yet, since I have yet to experience the change first hand. For better or for worse, we move on, learning in a whole new way.
That seems to be the only word I can think of right now. 'Learning'. Psychologists say that an experience can be called learning only when it changes our behavior in a significant way. I wouldn't know about the 'significant' part, but yes, this past month has certainly changed the way I relate to my work in a small way. Doing what one likes is never a problem, since one already likes what one does, so its by choice, by volition. Trouble starts when one does not like or has no interest in what one does, and is still supposed to do it as part of one's job. How does one go about doing it then?
This month I had to do something that I had neither the interest nor the expertise to carry it out. But slowly and steadily, I learnt how to go about working on the problem. I spent a lot of time on it, thinking and even dreaming about the problem and the hitches in the project. I spent a lot of time reading up on it and working on several alternate ways of solving it. Eventually I did finish the task I was supposed to do, and I did submit it. And I realized that I still had fun doing it. I was surprised. Since here was a project I didn't like for several reasons. But I still was able to put that aside and come up with a decent output. I have yet to get external feedback for it, but a big part of what one does in life should satisfy us personally, professionally and intellectually. That satisfaction should be enough motivation to carry on. And that is what has happened. That is what I have learnt.
So I think there is something good in everything. Even in things we do not like at first! It's not always Love at first sight, sometimes its a whole lot of work before one can begin to like it. Its the journey that turned out to be fun, irrespective of the destination! :)
Happy learning!
WINDS OF CHANGE
As I stand before this road today, I know I have no map, no guide, no compass,
The road ahead is a long and arduous journey uphill, towards a destination that I cannot see yet,
'Will I ever make it?' is a question I often ask myself,
Its a pretty natural state, fellow travellers tell me, those before me who have been on this road,
They say its natural to feel this way and think the way one does.
Looking around, I can see winds of change, that bring a new hope,
A hope that perhaps shall guide me to reach the goal, one that perhaps will make the journey more interesting and fulfilling,
I think the learning is in the journey itself, it is in all the questions we ask ourselves and of life,
The learning is in the effort we put in, minimal on a daily basis maybe, but it all comes together, fits in in the end
Is there really an end or just the beginning of another journey?
I wonder....

Saturday, June 24, 2006


Need I say more?! ;)

Thursday, June 22, 2006

What I'm listening to:

The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart.

Majestic. :)

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Saamne ye kaun aaya dil mein hui halchal...

Listen here

Lyrics here

Great song! :D
A touching story from NDTV.com

Reaction to the story above from the government. Overwhelming.

Way to go, Garima!

Hats off to NDTV!

Tuesday, June 20, 2006


Here is what the Time Magazine says about India in this week's issue. Worth a read.

Cheers!
Quotes from Jerry Seinfeld, one of the most brilliant comedians of all times and one of my favorites.

Saturday, June 17, 2006

Erratica by Bachi Karkaria-a review

Bachi Karkaria is one of my favorite journalists. I have grown up reading the Times of India and Ms. Karkaria's writing has been staple reading for me for most of my life. Her writing is creative, humorous and has a wit and style that I have found quite interesting to read. She is entertaining and informative. She is able to draw the reader into her world and to be concerned about whatever issue she is addressing in her column. I have often wondered how she writes the way she does. Her recent book 'Erratica' is a collection of her articles published over the years in the columns of the TOI. The book contains her observations on life, culture, politics and society. I have read the book several times over, and each time her writing still remains fresh and new like its the first time I am reading it. That, according to me, is a mark of a gifted writer.
Ms.Karkaria, here's looking forward to many more years of your incredible writing! :)
What I'm listening to..

Rock n roll soniye, dole ye man tere liye!

Shankar Ehsaan Loy back with this great song number from the new movie KANK. Just this song that I liked from the soundtrack. I expected a bit more from the gifted muscial trio, I guess I might like the rest of the soundtrack after I listen some more. Let the music grow on me types. As of now, this one song is worth posting about! ;)
I wonder who performs the song in the movie. I just hope its SRK and AB together..that would be complete paisa vasool for the movie! ;)
This song goes out to dudee..enjoy! ;)
Mohabbat bade kaam ki cheez hai.. Yahan suniye..Yahan padhiye..

This amazing song by Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar and K. Yesudas is an interesting debate on the ways of love put into song. Listen in for yourself and decide whom you agree with! ;) It is from the movie Trishul (1978).

Quite meaningful if you think about it! ;)

Remember that old song program on Doordarshan a long time ago? Chitrahaar?! yeah! This song used to play often on chitrahaar. ah..those were the days..the time that TV was just introduced...we had very few programs to choose from..and chitrahaar was one of them..it was either a choice between watchin Jumping Jack Jeetu doing his jig with Sridevi..(remember 'Tohfa Tohfa..laya laya"?! haha!!) or watching some bored newscaster doing the daily news on the latest roundup of news/sport/other things I couldnt possibly care for! Chitrahaar it was for me, even today I might pick chitrahaar given a choice. No choice as of now, coz no TV for the past few years. :P Daily source of infotainment therefore comes from the internet..boy have times changed or what?!

Tuesday, June 13, 2006


Calling all Dilbert fans! :)

Monday, June 12, 2006

Some thoughts on the real world by one who glimpsed it and fled. Here.

By Bill Watterson

Sunday, June 11, 2006

SOMEWHERE IN INDIA
The morning begins at 5 am
The melodious notes of the Suprabhatam waft through the air
The world awakens slowly
Courtyards getting washed and decorated with rangoli
The newspaper boy delivers the world at the doorstep
The milkman calls out to the lady of the house
Children getting ready for school-half excited, half sleepy
Are adults going to work any different?!
The morning traffic jam
Noise, crowds, skillful driving on the road
Papers to be signed and filed away at work
Time for a snack?
Time for lunch?
Time for coffee...
Time to return home before you know it!
Time with the family, pleasant and cheerful
The events of the day exchanged
An evening out with the family
Watching the sunset with a loved one
Time for quiet reflection, unspoken thoughts understood, minds read..
Time to rest for the day
To dream of things to come
To wake up refreshed to face another day..
Somewhere in India..

Friday, June 09, 2006

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS

A ray of sunshine
A breath of fresh air
Pouring rain

The smell of coffee freshly made
A new morning
A new beginning..

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

SOMETHING GOOD
The pursuit of excellence
Kindness towards all
A generous spirit
Laughter joy and cheer
Optimism, a positive outlook
Something good..
(I'd written this a long time ago and saved as draft, just publishing it now coz I feel I could use 'something good') :)

Monday, June 05, 2006

WORD OF THE DAY
col·lu·sion: A secret agreement between two or more parties for a fraudulent, illegal, or deceitful purpose.

Sunday, June 04, 2006

Hindi Song Title: Tadbeer Se Bigdi Hui
Hindi Movie/Album Name: BAAZI
Singer(s): GEETA DUTT

Hindi Lyrics:

hey hey hey hey, hey hey (2)
(tadbeer se bigdi hui taqdeer banaa le, taqdeer bana le
apne pe bharosa hai to yeh daanv laga le
laga le daanv laga le) 2

hey hey, hey hey
(darta hai zamaane ki nigaahon se bhala kyun
nigaahon se bhala kyun) 2
insaaf tere saath hai ilzaam utha le, ilzaam utha le
apne pe bharosa ... daanv laga le

hey hey, hey hey
(kya khaak woh jeena hai jo apne hi liye ho
apne hi liye ho) 2
khud mitke kisi aur ko mitne se bacha le, mitne se bacha le
apne pe bharosa ... daanv laga le
hey hey, hey hey

hey hey hey hey, hey hey
hey, toote hue patwaar hain kashti ke to hum kya
haari hui baahon ko hi patwaar bana le, patwaar bana le
apne pe bharosa ... danv laga le
tadbeer se bigdi hui ... daanv laga le

Listen to the original track here
Selective Amnesia or early onset of senility??? I dont know which one it is, but a strange thing happened to me today. Went for my weekly groceries and on my way home stopped by the ATM to withdraw some cash. So I just put in the card as usual and well then comes the screen that asks me for my PIN number..and guess what? I had FORGOTTEN IT! It is one of the most regularly used numbers for me, its like forgetting one's phone number, and no I didn't do the "smart" thing by making my date of birth my PIN number! Anyways, I tried every possible combination, but nothing worked. Came home and frantically searched my papers, and lo and behold I had the answer staring in my face! Thank God for an organized paper filing system! ;)
Funnily enough I could remember ATM Pin numbers I had had in the past, say a few years ago-I even remember my IITM Bank ATM Pin number, but the current one just vanished out of my short term memory, it was like someone had erased that bit of information from my mind! Well, I since then been able to locate my number, it is ********! ;)
It is said that when one is preoccupied, one's brain, limited as it is in its storage capacity tends to forget the most important things. And guess what, there have been things on my mind, so much so that my afternoon nap isnt complete without a dream or two about it!
This too shall pass..hopefully!
Moral of the story: People reading this blog, please ensure that you have your essential numbers stored in multiple locations, do not rely on any one single source for all that info-your brain has limits to what it can take!!!! Mine sure does!

Saturday, June 03, 2006

LESSONS IN LIFE..CONVERSATION WITH MYSELF
  1. Know whom to trust.
  2. Network. Network. Network.
  3. Know your strengths, accept your weaknesses and work with them.
  4. Accept responsibility for your work.
  5. Be aware of what is ethical and what is not.
  6. Be clear on your stand and on your ideals-people might blame you for something you didnt do, or didn't intend to do in any case-learn to draw the line between what is acceptable and what is not.
  7. Be grateful for what you have.
  8. Strive for your goals. Aim high.
  9. Work hard.
  10. Disappointment and failure are part of every journey, every endeavor. When they happen, it can be very demoralizing. Learn to see beyond them. Know that nothing is final, and one always has the opportunity to correct the mistakes.
  11. Evil might confront you. Accept its presence, and use it as an opportunity to appreciate the Good that there is in this world.
  12. When you face injustice, do your best to learn from it. You may not be in a position to change the way others behave, but surely use that as an opportunity to know how NOT to conduct oneself in life.
  13. Know that there is a Greater Force that protects us. Surrender to it, place your faith in it, and know that it will guide you to a better tomorrow.
  14. There is the Good, the Bad and the Ugly all around us. Learn to tell the difference.
  15. Fear might engulf our imagination when we are weak, remember that fearful thoughts are just imagination, and remind yourself that you are capable and strong to deal with the reality of the situation, which may or may not be what you imagined.
  16. Therefore be prepared.
  17. Be patient.
  18. Stay focused.
  19. Be happy. Laugh a lot. Take care of yourself. Indulge.
  20. Keep the faith!

(Note: This list is by no means exhaustive, and will be updated periodically.)

Being Cyrus
One of the most unusual movies I have come across. It is hard to place it in any particular category. Saif Ali Khan is great in his role as Cyrus Mistry, and the rest of the star cast is truly gifted too. The director has appropriately cast Dimple Kapadia, the great Naseeruddin Shah, Boman Irani and Simone Singh-they fit their roles to a T, and deliver memorable performances. Unexpected in places, the story takes its own life as it takes the audience through many a surprising turn. With lines such as 'Life is like a game of chess, once it is over, the king and the pawn go back into the same box', the script has been well crafted, peppered with a lot of wit and dark humor.
One of the few English films in India with a mainstream star cast. I hope the first of many more to come! Indian cinema has come a long way, and I hope we will continue to see movies such as this in future.
Bottomline: Go watch it!

Friday, June 02, 2006

Couldn't help but smile at this. Something to cheer about on a cloudy day. :)
THE KNIGHT AND THE DRAGONS-PART II
The Knight returns from battle, battered and bruised. Sword broken, armour dented, riding on a tired steed. Its time to rest now. The dragons have been vicious, but have not been able to break the spirit of the Knight. The female Dragon has been the most dangerous, her allies secretly empathize with the Knight, but are in her vicious grip-trapped, just like the Knight. The wounds might slowly heal and disappear and the memory of the battle will become a distant dream. The Knight will remain noble, faithful and loyal-the Dragons might raise their ugly heads again, but the Knight remains hopeful that the Dragons won't make that mistake. So far the Knight has been patient, it would be a mistake on their part to underestimate the might of the noble Knight.
For now, peace prevails. The battle is over. Rest. Cheer. Celebrate.