Everyone in this world is waiting for something or someone, at some points of time. I find myself held in the grip of this feeling, especially the last couple of months.
When I moved to M'bai and joined a new company, I had accepted that it will be a new environment both personally and professionally. I had made up my mind that I would use this time to build my professional capabilities, take up actions on my long pending activities, restart my studies, explore the much hyped M'bai... and the list was, and is endless.
Reality however is starkly different. I am regrettably in an interminable vicious circle of work, home and dreams which are in "pending state". My personal to-do list keeps increasing and I blame it all on not finding time. I need to wake up from this self-induced stupor. Who do I expect will change the circumstance for me?What am I waiting for? I know this is what go-getters do - they wake up from their brief stupor and take the step and I know that for me, day is not far off.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Nagging wife
Today's amusing musing:
How does one become a nagging wife? To what extent of being involved in your spouse's life get you to the 'nagging' state?
Does checking on your spouse every hour of the day make you a loving, caring person or does it make you a suspicious other (better??!!) half? Is this suspicion called nagging? Or is it when you know your spouse is uninterested in certain topics, you still bring them up and hope there will be a honest, from the heart feedback?
If this is nagging, do you give enough space to your spouse? How much space is 'enough' space? Does that make one person's nagging wife another person's muse?
Questions and questions. . . No wonder, we are moving to a phase of robots because relationships are so difficult to understand!!
How does one become a nagging wife? To what extent of being involved in your spouse's life get you to the 'nagging' state?
Does checking on your spouse every hour of the day make you a loving, caring person or does it make you a suspicious other (better??!!) half? Is this suspicion called nagging? Or is it when you know your spouse is uninterested in certain topics, you still bring them up and hope there will be a honest, from the heart feedback?
If this is nagging, do you give enough space to your spouse? How much space is 'enough' space? Does that make one person's nagging wife another person's muse?
Questions and questions. . . No wonder, we are moving to a phase of robots because relationships are so difficult to understand!!
Friday, October 29, 2010
Life - hoping for technology
A time comes in everyone's life when we take pointers from our technology driven life and hope there is a "restart" option!! Imagine the ramifications of having a format and reboot option!! How much of our lives would we change if we had this option?
A year back, around the same time, there were so many changes happening in my life that I wished I had a 'Pause' button in my life and I could take a breather and understand the ramifications of the events. Today, I wish I had a fast forward button which could add some action in my life. Is this what is known as the ups and downs of our life? Did the Lord above hear me and instead of the 'Pause' button, hit the 'slow motion' button? Lord, if you are hearing my wishes, then here I go (Chandler Bing, pardon the copy+paste) - "Wish I had a million dollars to spare" !!
A year back, around the same time, there were so many changes happening in my life that I wished I had a 'Pause' button in my life and I could take a breather and understand the ramifications of the events. Today, I wish I had a fast forward button which could add some action in my life. Is this what is known as the ups and downs of our life? Did the Lord above hear me and instead of the 'Pause' button, hit the 'slow motion' button? Lord, if you are hearing my wishes, then here I go (Chandler Bing, pardon the copy+paste) - "Wish I had a million dollars to spare" !!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Children will choose their own
The lunch table conversation at office today was about how fast paced today's world is and how children are way ahead of where we were when we were their age. I could only comment based on my experience in interacting with other's kids and some of my interactions was when these kids put their best foot forward. However, some interesting thoughts were being thrown around and I was amused.
While one of them felt that she would be well placed today if her parents had provided more guidance during her childhood, another felt that everything in her life was dictated by her parents - what she chose as her hobby, who she played with, what subjects she studied - everything. I was left to wonder if she understood at that time that she was being guided or did she just feel stifled? Did she realize that she did not have the liberty to choose only later in her life?
Now in her own parenting days, she has decided that she'll let her child choose his/her own way. This led to another stream of interesting discussions. Is there any exemplary instance that can help establish the notion that children who were left to choose their own have been able to judge and choose right? Who decides what is right for the child? Is it the prerogative of the parents and society to ensure a child grows to respect the community, the system and what is generally acceptable behavior or does a child in today's fast paced world already know what is right for them? By choosing not to choose for her children, hasn't she already made a choice?!! Messyyy!!! Now, whether she will really let her children choose their way or will a dash of her guidance let her children choose the right way is left to be seen. Nevertheless, parenting is a sweet nightmare. Wish there was a step-by-step manual to guide us - which begs the question again - do we need to be guided at all times or do we know enough to choose right?
While one of them felt that she would be well placed today if her parents had provided more guidance during her childhood, another felt that everything in her life was dictated by her parents - what she chose as her hobby, who she played with, what subjects she studied - everything. I was left to wonder if she understood at that time that she was being guided or did she just feel stifled? Did she realize that she did not have the liberty to choose only later in her life?
Now in her own parenting days, she has decided that she'll let her child choose his/her own way. This led to another stream of interesting discussions. Is there any exemplary instance that can help establish the notion that children who were left to choose their own have been able to judge and choose right? Who decides what is right for the child? Is it the prerogative of the parents and society to ensure a child grows to respect the community, the system and what is generally acceptable behavior or does a child in today's fast paced world already know what is right for them? By choosing not to choose for her children, hasn't she already made a choice?!! Messyyy!!! Now, whether she will really let her children choose their way or will a dash of her guidance let her children choose the right way is left to be seen. Nevertheless, parenting is a sweet nightmare. Wish there was a step-by-step manual to guide us - which begs the question again - do we need to be guided at all times or do we know enough to choose right?
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Work satisfaction
What gives us work satisfaction? Does the contentment come from having accomplished a difficult task or does it come from having done the right thing at the right moment? Or does it come from getting a 'pat on your back' by your boss? Does it stem from a sense of personal achievement or does it stem from an achievement that is recognized by others?
Occupation literally means, something that occupies your mind. Very frequently, work is chosen based on what one knows and not based on one's potential. This can displace the person and while they can excel at what they do, they cannot excel at having a complete life. Work satisfaction is also often confused with motivation. Organizations make grand plans to motivate their work force but providing work satisfaction takes a backseat. Being a people manager would mean understanding what works for each of your people, it would mean understanding the potential of each person and helping them use their potential. In today's fast paced, number crunching world, more than half of the workforce do not even use 50% of their true potential because their profession is based on 'what they know' and not based on 'what they want to do'. Like Vijay Amritraj has said - "I have been incredibly lucky because I have earned money doing what I like best. My one nightmare is doing something I hate just to earn enough to keep my family secure. I hope it never comes to that." It is a shame very few people can claim to be happy doing what they do.
So, take a moment, sit back and contemplate this question - Do you have work satisfaction?
Occupation literally means, something that occupies your mind. Very frequently, work is chosen based on what one knows and not based on one's potential. This can displace the person and while they can excel at what they do, they cannot excel at having a complete life. Work satisfaction is also often confused with motivation. Organizations make grand plans to motivate their work force but providing work satisfaction takes a backseat. Being a people manager would mean understanding what works for each of your people, it would mean understanding the potential of each person and helping them use their potential. In today's fast paced, number crunching world, more than half of the workforce do not even use 50% of their true potential because their profession is based on 'what they know' and not based on 'what they want to do'. Like Vijay Amritraj has said - "I have been incredibly lucky because I have earned money doing what I like best. My one nightmare is doing something I hate just to earn enough to keep my family secure. I hope it never comes to that." It is a shame very few people can claim to be happy doing what they do.
So, take a moment, sit back and contemplate this question - Do you have work satisfaction?
Monday, July 19, 2010
'Inception' of dreams
Christopher Nolan returns to messing with your minds with "Inception" after Memento and The Dark Knight. This movie is a must watch for movie buffs, especially a sci-fi thriller.
The movie's plot revolves around dreams and organizations that hire 'extractors' to bring out thoughts, ideas and secrets from your subconscious mind. The plot thickens when DiCaprio is asked by Ken Watanabe if he can 'plant an idea' in a person's dream as well as he can 'extract' !! Imagine someone stealing your ideas and secrets or planting their thoughts and ideas while you are peacefully resting !! Unbelievable yet cogitable.
The story has strong casting (DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Ellen Page, Ken Watanabe, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, , brilliant cinematography and perfectly stimulating, spine-tingling storyline. There is no narration and everything seems to be a discovery as the story proceeds and you quite often are left guessing, comprehending or having an aha! moment.
The team pitted against the plot of dream extraction and inception into the minds of Fischer has an expert extractor, an engineer, a forger, an architect, a chemist and a visitor - a perfect team. Tom Hardy and Joseph Gordon-Levitt provide an occasional wit to an otherwise serious movie.
This gripping story has you on the edge of your seat throughout. The science behind the fiction is well moulded into the storyline - how you can dream about an entire month or lifetime in the span of a 2 hour dream or how you never remember the beginning of all dreams but can only remember being in the middle of the dream. How you see projections of people who you have never met in your dreams. How often the dreams are so real you are not sure if you are dreaming or if you are in reality.
A word of caution - the movie may leave you worrying if it is safe for you to close your eyes and dream. Go on, dream on :)
The movie's plot revolves around dreams and organizations that hire 'extractors' to bring out thoughts, ideas and secrets from your subconscious mind. The plot thickens when DiCaprio is asked by Ken Watanabe if he can 'plant an idea' in a person's dream as well as he can 'extract' !! Imagine someone stealing your ideas and secrets or planting their thoughts and ideas while you are peacefully resting !! Unbelievable yet cogitable.
The story has strong casting (DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Ellen Page, Ken Watanabe, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, , brilliant cinematography and perfectly stimulating, spine-tingling storyline. There is no narration and everything seems to be a discovery as the story proceeds and you quite often are left guessing, comprehending or having an aha! moment.
The team pitted against the plot of dream extraction and inception into the minds of Fischer has an expert extractor, an engineer, a forger, an architect, a chemist and a visitor - a perfect team. Tom Hardy and Joseph Gordon-Levitt provide an occasional wit to an otherwise serious movie.
This gripping story has you on the edge of your seat throughout. The science behind the fiction is well moulded into the storyline - how you can dream about an entire month or lifetime in the span of a 2 hour dream or how you never remember the beginning of all dreams but can only remember being in the middle of the dream. How you see projections of people who you have never met in your dreams. How often the dreams are so real you are not sure if you are dreaming or if you are in reality.
A word of caution - the movie may leave you worrying if it is safe for you to close your eyes and dream. Go on, dream on :)
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Source of Energy
This morning, as I was cleaning up in the kitchen after our morning breakfast, Niranjan asked me, "where do you get so much energy from". Now, if you think about this question, there are several ways I could have answered. Nevertheless, my answer to this simple yet poignant question was "I get energy from what I eat" !! I know, I know. I'm rolling my eyes too.
The minute I blurted this out, an imaginary buzzer went off in the frontal lobe of my cerebrum and said, the correct answer is . . . Unfortunately, the context was such that there was no opportunity for the poser of this question to ask me, "are you sure? lock kar diya jaye?". So, now the moment has passed but it gave enough of fodder for the scrupulous part of my brain.
What is the source of our energy? I do not mean the nuclear, thermal, tidal, hydro or wind and neither do I mean the text book answer that I gave Niranjan - "Glucose and carbohydrates are the primary source of human energy". If glucose could weave the magic, there would have been a booming business of manufacturing glucose and you'd see ads for Glucose in the lines of Sachin Tendulkar saying "Glucose is the secret of my energy" and Kapil Dev adding "our energy". If Glucose could do the trick, why is that only few people have scaled the Mt. Everest? How do people accomplish some of the seemingly insurmountable tasks? Definitely, the glucose and carbohydrates were corroborated with someother ingredient.
So, what is the source of my energy? A restful sleep? A morning cuppa chai? The drive to complete all work? I look back at the normal activities on a normal morning and realize, I prepare breakfast, lunch, run a load of laundry, clean the house and after this if I get to see appreciative look from Niranjan, I get energized to do the next round of activities. So, is the source of energy our need to please someone, even if that someone was ourselves, sometimes? Should I have told Niranjan that my source of energy is him? The moment ofcourse has passed but the thought remains.
The minute I blurted this out, an imaginary buzzer went off in the frontal lobe of my cerebrum and said, the correct answer is . . . Unfortunately, the context was such that there was no opportunity for the poser of this question to ask me, "are you sure? lock kar diya jaye?". So, now the moment has passed but it gave enough of fodder for the scrupulous part of my brain.
What is the source of our energy? I do not mean the nuclear, thermal, tidal, hydro or wind and neither do I mean the text book answer that I gave Niranjan - "Glucose and carbohydrates are the primary source of human energy". If glucose could weave the magic, there would have been a booming business of manufacturing glucose and you'd see ads for Glucose in the lines of Sachin Tendulkar saying "Glucose is the secret of my energy" and Kapil Dev adding "our energy". If Glucose could do the trick, why is that only few people have scaled the Mt. Everest? How do people accomplish some of the seemingly insurmountable tasks? Definitely, the glucose and carbohydrates were corroborated with someother ingredient.
So, what is the source of my energy? A restful sleep? A morning cuppa chai? The drive to complete all work? I look back at the normal activities on a normal morning and realize, I prepare breakfast, lunch, run a load of laundry, clean the house and after this if I get to see appreciative look from Niranjan, I get energized to do the next round of activities. So, is the source of energy our need to please someone, even if that someone was ourselves, sometimes? Should I have told Niranjan that my source of energy is him? The moment ofcourse has passed but the thought remains.
Monday, June 28, 2010
The weekend frenzy
This week I wondered what made a 'weekend' so special. Frequent the blogs/social websites between a Friday and Monday and you'll see that more than 50% of the posts will be related to a weekend - the wait, the plans and the activities of the weekend - it isn't the same intensity that exists for the 'work week'! Thursdays and Fridays the conversations are centered around 'what's up for the weekend' and Monday and Tuesdays are around 'how was your weekend'. . .What is it about these two days of the week that garners so much attention during the entire week, I wonder. . .
I remember my school days when the teacher explained how the Lord needed rest after a long work week and He took Sunday as a 'rest day'. What has changed since those days that a majority of us now have the privilege of having two days of rest? Has the Lord finished most of the work that needs to be done in this world that we now can take two days of the week to rest or are we so tired by day 5 of the week that we have to take rest on 2 days to recuperate? Whatever maybe the reason, we seem to be priviledged and maybe that is why the hue and cry over the 'weekend'.
About a decade ago I do not remember having the weekend to spare. Sunday was the 'maintenance & fun day' when you finished all the chores and prepared for the next week - during school days it was a day to play from dawn till dusk, the shoe polishing, pressing clothes for the next week etc. Such mundane activities formed a weekend and never did I get the feeling that the weekend was unfulfilling. Weekend was a day when mom cooked special dishes which has reversed now - weekend is the day when you eat out!Life was just fine even then so why the special focus on 'weekend' now? Why the anticipation, the humungous effort of preparation to make sure you had a 'good weekend'? At the end of every weekend, we are still left with an unsatisfactory feeling and maybe that is the reason for the detailed planning for the next weekend hoping that it will be better than the last one? What would change in the next decade that would fill this void, I wonder. . .
I remember my school days when the teacher explained how the Lord needed rest after a long work week and He took Sunday as a 'rest day'. What has changed since those days that a majority of us now have the privilege of having two days of rest? Has the Lord finished most of the work that needs to be done in this world that we now can take two days of the week to rest or are we so tired by day 5 of the week that we have to take rest on 2 days to recuperate? Whatever maybe the reason, we seem to be priviledged and maybe that is why the hue and cry over the 'weekend'.
About a decade ago I do not remember having the weekend to spare. Sunday was the 'maintenance & fun day' when you finished all the chores and prepared for the next week - during school days it was a day to play from dawn till dusk, the shoe polishing, pressing clothes for the next week etc. Such mundane activities formed a weekend and never did I get the feeling that the weekend was unfulfilling. Weekend was a day when mom cooked special dishes which has reversed now - weekend is the day when you eat out!Life was just fine even then so why the special focus on 'weekend' now? Why the anticipation, the humungous effort of preparation to make sure you had a 'good weekend'? At the end of every weekend, we are still left with an unsatisfactory feeling and maybe that is the reason for the detailed planning for the next weekend hoping that it will be better than the last one? What would change in the next decade that would fill this void, I wonder. . .
Friday, June 25, 2010
Caught in the Act
"Caught in the Act" - This is how the story unfolds in the new book of Harlan Coben - a reporter trying to make it big by means of a 'sting operation'. Little does she know the amount of havoc she would wreak on the lives of everyone around her including Dan Mercer.
Harlan Coben's new book, "Caught", weaves a gripping story around a neighborhood in New Jersey that is witness to a pedophilic scandal. It covers in very stark detail, the way society responds to these news stories and very well depicts instances of how 'innocent until proven guilty' is a societal farce. The intricate details of each personality, the complexity, the flaws, the righteousness is the best part of a Harlan Coben book. Constant introspection by the characters helps us to understand that we are all very well aware of our flaws and yet put up a brave and 'acceptable' facade for the society. This book has a very poignant way of conveying how small meaningless incidents have a way of changing the future and the importance of forgiveness and how it affects every individual's life.
The characters have represented so many stereotype yet complex conflicts - to trust your instincts or to trust what is presented as facts and proofs, to forgive and move on or to wallow in anger and revenge, to stand by what you think is right or do what is 'acceptable' to the society. Each one has been ingrained in the characters very well and true to Harlan Coben's style he does not dictate what is right or wrong.
A book that covers pedophilics, drug and drinking problems, GPS, Facebook, viral marketing, money embellishments, with its symbolic wiseass wit and humor, twists and turns will make sure you have a roller coaster ride all the way! When a story starts with "I knew opening that red door would destroy my life.", it gaurantees a sleepless night so be careful when you begin the book and be ready to give up sleep because you'll not be able to put this down until the last sentence. Buy a copy today and get 'Caught in the act' and do not forget to 'Articulate' :).
Happy reading!
Harlan Coben's new book, "Caught", weaves a gripping story around a neighborhood in New Jersey that is witness to a pedophilic scandal. It covers in very stark detail, the way society responds to these news stories and very well depicts instances of how 'innocent until proven guilty' is a societal farce. The intricate details of each personality, the complexity, the flaws, the righteousness is the best part of a Harlan Coben book. Constant introspection by the characters helps us to understand that we are all very well aware of our flaws and yet put up a brave and 'acceptable' facade for the society. This book has a very poignant way of conveying how small meaningless incidents have a way of changing the future and the importance of forgiveness and how it affects every individual's life.
The characters have represented so many stereotype yet complex conflicts - to trust your instincts or to trust what is presented as facts and proofs, to forgive and move on or to wallow in anger and revenge, to stand by what you think is right or do what is 'acceptable' to the society. Each one has been ingrained in the characters very well and true to Harlan Coben's style he does not dictate what is right or wrong.
A book that covers pedophilics, drug and drinking problems, GPS, Facebook, viral marketing, money embellishments, with its symbolic wiseass wit and humor, twists and turns will make sure you have a roller coaster ride all the way! When a story starts with "I knew opening that red door would destroy my life.", it gaurantees a sleepless night so be careful when you begin the book and be ready to give up sleep because you'll not be able to put this down until the last sentence. Buy a copy today and get 'Caught in the act' and do not forget to 'Articulate' :).
Happy reading!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Experience Mumbai
Its been 3 weeks from the time I've come to Mumbai and I'm still amazed by the multi-faceted yet conservative lifestyle. Sometimes, it feels like I have moved to a different country and not just to another metro of India.
So far, I've seen the harshest of summer and the heaviest rainfall in the last 10 years! Remember the multi-faceted city I referred to earlier? I had heard and read about the way "life goes on" in Mumbai. It took a lot of getting used to the summer however, I saw people not being bogged down by the severe heat. It appears the heat adds a gusto to what they are out to accomplish. The rain has no dampening effect either. The metros are crowded, people still queue up for the buses and autos do not ask for double the price! Such a stark difference from what I had experienced in Bangalore.
I'm yet to experience the traffic in its true sense in Mumbai. In contrast to Bangalore traffic, there isn't a restriction of timings for the trucks to ply the roads. Don't be surprised if you happen to be behind two trucks trying to maneuver the uphill ride on the national highway at a speed of 5-10 KMPH! Add to it a slipper road on a rainy day, like today! Crawling would be the best word to express your speed behind these trucks.
I miss reading lots of international, generic and current news in the morning newspaper. I have seen that majority of the pages are dedicated to news of Mumbai/Navi Mumbai (mind you, they are treated as two separate states and not just two separate districts!). There are very limited sections of the paper with news related to science, auto etc. I remember reading the Wimbledon results or an exciting India-Pak cricket match result/review in the next morning newspaper, warming to a cup of chai - maybe a small section on the first page - do not get that anymore and I miss it!
Fashion and business sense is fabulous here. I wonder about the energy reserve and enthusiasm of people to be so fashion savvy here. Need to learn one or two things here.I'm sure there are a plethora of other tidbits about this fascinating city I need to explore. Just gives me more topics to blog. So, wait and watch this space.
So far, I've seen the harshest of summer and the heaviest rainfall in the last 10 years! Remember the multi-faceted city I referred to earlier? I had heard and read about the way "life goes on" in Mumbai. It took a lot of getting used to the summer however, I saw people not being bogged down by the severe heat. It appears the heat adds a gusto to what they are out to accomplish. The rain has no dampening effect either. The metros are crowded, people still queue up for the buses and autos do not ask for double the price! Such a stark difference from what I had experienced in Bangalore.
I'm yet to experience the traffic in its true sense in Mumbai. In contrast to Bangalore traffic, there isn't a restriction of timings for the trucks to ply the roads. Don't be surprised if you happen to be behind two trucks trying to maneuver the uphill ride on the national highway at a speed of 5-10 KMPH! Add to it a slipper road on a rainy day, like today! Crawling would be the best word to express your speed behind these trucks.
I miss reading lots of international, generic and current news in the morning newspaper. I have seen that majority of the pages are dedicated to news of Mumbai/Navi Mumbai (mind you, they are treated as two separate states and not just two separate districts!). There are very limited sections of the paper with news related to science, auto etc. I remember reading the Wimbledon results or an exciting India-Pak cricket match result/review in the next morning newspaper, warming to a cup of chai - maybe a small section on the first page - do not get that anymore and I miss it!
Fashion and business sense is fabulous here. I wonder about the energy reserve and enthusiasm of people to be so fashion savvy here. Need to learn one or two things here.I'm sure there are a plethora of other tidbits about this fascinating city I need to explore. Just gives me more topics to blog. So, wait and watch this space.
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