Monday, August 13, 2007

High Hopes

(Next time you're found with your chin on the ground)
(There's a lot to be learned, so look around)

Just what makes that little ole ant
Think he'll move that rubber tree plant?
Anyone knows an ant can't
Move a rubber tree plant
{But he's got hi-i-igh hopes, he's got hi-i-igh hopes}
{He's got high apple pi-i-ie-in-the-sk-y-y hopes}
Oops, there goes another rubber tree plant !!!

So, any time you're gettin' low, 'stead of lettin' go, just remember that ant
So, any time your feelin' bad, 'stead of feelin' sad, just remember that ant

(When troubles call and your back's to the wall)
(There a lot to be learned that wall could fall)

(A problem's just a toy balloon, they'll be bursted soon)
(They're just bound to go pop)
Oops, there goes another problem ker-plop !!!

(A song by Frank Sinatra ...)

Sunday, August 12, 2007

"Living on the edge"

'Living on the Edge'


My 2nd creation using MS Paint ... drew this in a couple of mins while on the phone ...

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

PEOPLE COME INTO OUR LIFE

People come into our life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When we know which one it is, we will know what to do for that person. When someone is in our life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need we have expressed. They have come to assist us through a difficulty, to provide us with guidance and support, to aid us physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason we need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done or vice versa. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.


Some people come into our life for a SEASON, because our turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring us an experience of peace or make us laugh. They may teach us something we have never done. They usually give us an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.


LIFETIME relationships teach us lifetime lessons, things we must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Our job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what we have learnt to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

(Copied from a piece I read online)

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

THE SIMPLE TRUTH ...

Sometimes the easiest way to lose someone is when u want them the most !!!

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Amazing Stuff - Ten Dimensions !!!

I thought imagining the 4th dimension is hard ...

See this video by Carl Sagan, one of the greatest cosmologist of the yester era ... see how he tries to explain how we can visualize the 4th dimension ... he tries to make it simple by viewing the 3rd dimension from a 2D perspective ("Flatland" as he calls it ) ... interesting video indeed ... check it out

Flatlanders

But what I found later is really amazing ... check the videos below ... the prophets of science now claim to understand the world in 10 ... yes u read it right ... TEN DIMENSIONS ... see the video below to try and comprehend what they mean ...
(Part 1) , (Part 2)

... I have been reading stuff about 'theoretical time travel' , 'big bang', 'super-string theory' and all the hi-funda sounding stuff ... So u can expect to see some of that here soon ... Keep looking !

Saturday, June 23, 2007

THINGS ONLY A MOM CAN TEACH ...

THINGS ONLY A MOM CAN TEACH

My Mother taught me about ANTICIPATION:
"Just wait until your father gets home."

My Mother taught me about RECEIVING:.
"You are going to get it when we get home!"

My Mother taught me to MEET A CHALLENGE:
"What were you thinking? Answer me when I talk to you... Don't talk back to me!"

My Mother taught me LOGIC:
"Because I said so, that's why."
&
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to The store with me."

My Mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE:
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."

My Mother taught me to THINK AHEAD:
"If you don't pass your spelling test, you'll never get a good job."

My Mother taught me ESP:
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you're cold?"

My Mother taught me HUMOR:
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

My Mother taught me how to BECOME AN ADULT:
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

My Mother taught me about SEX:
"How do you think you got here?"

My Mother taught me about GENETICS:
"You're just like your father."

My Mother taught me about my ROOTS:
"Do you think you were born in a barn?"

My Mother taught me about WISDOM OF AGE:
"When you get to be my age, you will understand."

My Mother taught me about JUSTICE:
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you. Then you'll see what it's like."

My mother taught me RELIGION:
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL:
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

My mother taught me FORESIGHT:
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

My mother taught me IRONY:
"Keep crying and I'll *give* you something to cry about."

My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS:
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper!"

My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM:
"Will you *look* at the dirt on the back of your neck!"

My mother taught me about STAMINA:
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is finished."

My mother taught me about WEATHER:
"It looks as if a tornado swept through your room."

My mother taught me how to solve PHYSICS PROBLEMS:
"If I yelled because I saw a meteor coming toward you, would you listen then?"

My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY:
"If I've told you once, I've told you a million times: Don't Exaggerate!! !"

My mother taught me THE CIRCLE OF LIFE:
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

My mother taught me about BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION:
"Stop acting like your father!"

My mother taught me about ENVY:
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do!"

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Power of Visualization ...

(Modified from an article I stumbled upon while browsing ... worth a read !!!)

So how many of u all known defeats??? ... Are afraid of many circumstances ... shy and ignorant..... tired and lazy... Do you have any idea who created all these... You ...

The mind reflects when light is incident upon it... good thought, good reflection; bad thought, equally strong bad reflection ...

People who have known success in their lives have adopted this simple yet powerful method.
The only thing is to practice it ...

The process of visualization

Visualize what U want in your life...the dreams U want to accomplish ... and essentially to live happily ...

First u need to relax your mind and let go of all worries... then take few deep breaths by which u will automatically be relaxed... then visualize as if it (your dream) is happening in reality at this very moment...

For eg. Imagine U are standing before a huge audience and giving a powerful speech, by which the people are cheering u every moment ... Imagine U have become a leader, a kind and generous person ... Imagine all good and be amazed by the result ... Be it in any aspect of your life, try to apply this and be free of worries ...try this for a while and u shall definitely notice the +ve effect it has on U.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Beautiful Sadness ...

How does a Break-up feel and how to deal with it?!

... She steps on my heart ... It sure does hurt ... I m sad, but at the same time, I also love life ... I m happy something can make me feel this sad, it makes me feel alive, it makes me feel human ... the only way i can feel this sad now is if i felt something really gud before , so i have to take the bad with the gud , so i guess wat i m feeling now is like a 'beautiful sadness' ...

"I like liking life a lot more than hating it" ... "There are going to be a lot of painful times in life ... v hav to learn to deal with it the right way" ... I shall live on ...

Cool quote ...

"Take your life in your own hands, and what happens? A terrible thing: no one to blame." - Erica Jong

Sunday, June 3, 2007

Zindagi ne zindagi bhar gham diye ... gr888 sad song !!!

... Song which I heard recently and have been listening to it ever since ... Its from the movie 'The Train' and is supposedly sung by Atif ... (some say Mithun), but I care more about the way it was sung and the lyrics ...



Watch it here -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70vGZqIjVQc

(Ping me if u need a copy of the mp3) ... Enjoy the song !


[Zindagi Ne Zindagi Bhar Gam Diye
Jitne Bhi Mausam Diye Sab Nam Diye] - 3

[Jab Tadapta Hai Kabhi Apna Koi,

Khoon Ke Aansu Rula De Bebasi] - 2

[Jee Ke Phir Karna Kya Mujhko Aisi Zindagi] - 2


Jisne Zakhmon Ko Nahi Marham Diye
[Zindagi Ne Zindagi Bhar Gam Diye
Jitne Bhi Mausam Diye Sab Nam Diye]

Zindagi Ne Zindagi Bhar Gam Diye


[Apne Hi Pesh Aaye Humse Ajnabee,

Waqt Ki Saajish Koi Samjha Nahi] - 2

Yeh Maana Kuch Khatayein Humse Ho Gayi


Raah Mein Patthar Meri Har Dam Diye
Zindagi Ne Zindagi Bhar Gam Diye
Jitne Bhi Mausam Diye Sab Nam Diye

Zindagi Ne Zindagi Bhar Gam Diye


[Ek Mukambal Kashmakash Hai Zindagi
Usne Humse Ki Kabhi Naa Dosti] - 2

Jab Mili Mujhko Aasoo Ke Woh Tohphe De Gayi

[Has Sake Hum Aise Mauke Kam Diye] - 2


Zindagi Ne Zindagi Bhar Gam Diye
Jitne Bhi Mausam Diye Sab Nam Diye

Zindagi Ne Zindagi Bhar Gam Diye ...

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Guess Who ?

My first creation using Paint ... I closely resemble this famous character in 'character' ... Guess who it is?

Y Live in the Past?

Q. All of us sometimes wish we r back in time, enjoying the good ol' days, maybe the sweet days of school or the cool days in college. But thats not the way life works and v wonder Y?

A. Life isnt abt going back, its abt going forward. Yes, there r times in our life that we wish we cud relive, but if we had already lived them perfectly, y live them again. The adventure of Life is that there is always something new; new challenges, new experiences. Its a fun game, a game that gets harder as it goes, such is Life.

Thursday, April 5, 2007

Simple Puzzles

I have loved solving puzzles since childhood ... Here I would like to present some simple yet a lil tricky ones for you to solve. They need no pen or paper , try to answer them fast ... Lets see how many u score ... (I shall post the answers soon) ...

1. By pressing exactly three keys only, without pressing zero and without pressing any key more than once, can you get the number 'hundred' on the screen of an ordinary calculator ?

2. If U need 5 butts to make a new cigarette and hav 50 butts , how many cigarettes can be made totally ?

3. On the way to a water pond, a zebra met 6 giraffes. Each giraffe has 3 monkeys hanging on its neck. Each monkey has 2 birds on its tail. How many animals were going to water pond ?

4. A farmer divides Rs 1,00,000 equally between his sons. How much each son will get? (This seems unsolvable ... but read carefully and u can find the answer)

5. In cricket if every batsman is out to the very first ball he faces, who will be the “not out” batsman? (Assuming no run outs)


Tuesday, April 3, 2007

Now or Then?

WHICH IS BETTER.....Now or Then?

Dad used to give us a measly Rs. 20/- per month,

in that we were not only able to eat stomachs fill,

but we were able to save too!!!

Now we earn a sum of 20K, we have no idea

where it goes, let alone saving it!!

Which is better, Now or Then????

----------------------------------------------------------

6 subjects per year, 6 different teachers!

One project since we joined

and just one manager!!

Which is better, Now or Then????

----------------------------------------------------------

We used to make notes;

we used to study for ranks!!

Now we scan thru our mails;

we struggle for our ratings!!!

Which is better, Now or Then????

----------------------------------------------------------

We have still not forgotten the people

in the next section!!!

Now we don't even know who sits

in the next cubicle!!!

Which is better, Now or Then????

----------------------------------------------------------

After getting back from a tiring play,

we used to do our home work!!

Now who knows/cares about home;

all we do is just work!!!

Which is better, Now or Then????

----------------------------------------------------------

We knew our history and economics!!

Now let alone reading books,

we don't even catch up with the daily news!!!

Which is better, Now or Then????

----------------------------------------------------------

We had an aim in life;

behind our backs we had our teachers!!

Now we have no idea about the

future nor do we find any

one who would tell us anything!!!

Now just ask yourself,

Which is better, Now or Then????

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Calvin & Hobbes ...

For starters, C&H was a comedy strip written by Mr.Bill Watterson which ran in newspapers in the late 80s and early 90 and has been liked by people worldwide ... and yes, I m a big fan too ... So here I go, posting some of the memorable ones ...

1. Who is Calvin ?



2. With Hobbes - His best frend ...


3. His lifestyle - Sleep to start with ...



4. How he feels abt TV?


5. Sleep and TV r 2 things he likes very much ... lets c ... what does he hate?




... more coming soon.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Be Strong ... Keep Going

There are always people who do this to U ...



But Be Strong ... Keep Going !!!

We are all a part of the System called Universe

Life seems complex, confusing and chaotic ... like in this system below

(P.S: Click on the image to get the system running)

Though our roles r seemingly insignificant, we r all still a part of this huge system called Universe ... We should just do our part right no matter what comes our way ... and the whole system wud run well :-)

The Optimist Creed ...

Promise Urself -

1. To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

2. To talk health, happiness and prosperity with every person you meet.

3. To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.

4. To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

5. To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.

6. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about yours.

7. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on for the greater achievements of the future.

8. To wear a cheerful conutenance at all times and to give every living creature a nice smile.

9. To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

10. To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

-- By Christian.D.Larson in 1912.

--- Adopted by Optimist International in 1922.

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Puzzling Puzzle

I have always had an avid interest in solving puzzles, logical and lateral ones , this is one of my fav puzzle. Can someone find out how this is true ?


P.S: Do leave a comment or buzz me at raj.vegas@gmail.com if you think you know the answer.

Monday, March 26, 2007

Tips for Better Stress Management

Stress is the major killer these days , for people in all walks of life ... We have all observed, in others, read from books, heard from people, some methods used to counter it. Here I m trying to present some of those tips (which I try to follow regularly but fail miserably, lol) which might help us to effectively counter this major problem in life ...

1. We seldom concretely identify those situation and people we find stressful. To understand what brings on stress in your life, try to maintain a heightened awareness of your physical and mental feelings for a week. Keep a list of those things that trigger stressful feelings like when you feel your heart racing, your muscles tightening, or your stomach contracting, ask yourself why.


2. Make relaxation part of your daily routine. Deep breathing and simple stretches can be performed both at home and in the office. Taking a few minutes to sooth your soul by savoring a cup of tea or grounding yourself can center you, giving you the ability to deal with stress more effectively.


3. It can be difficult to let go of worries or thoughts that provoke anxiety. One technique involves dissipating stressful thoughts before they get out of control. Concentrate on the thought and firmly say "Stop" to prevent the thought from recycling itself in your mind. In doing so, you will be free of the thought's power to influence your mood.


4. It could be hard at times to keep your composure at all times. But try and maintain that smile on your face at all times. Flashing a genuine smile at people or cracking a simple joke in difficult situations could help ease stress by a long way.


5. Each day, give yourself the gift of doing one thing you truly enjoy. It may be writing, gardening, dancing, walking, or watching a good film. Doing something you like every day will improve your quality of life and frame of mind, making you better able to handle stress as it arises.


6. Assess your priorities and learn to say no. Determine what activities you don't want to or can't do at home or at work, and, if you can, stop doing them. Don't overload your schedule by committing to new responsibilities because you are afraid to say no. Instead, dedicate yourself only to the activities that bring you joy.


7. Guided imagery can help you stay relaxed during periods of stress. Take a moment to imagine yourself in a peaceful setting that feels safe and nurturing, perhaps somewhere you have felt lighthearted and calm in the past. Concentrate on your setting until you feel your muscles and mind relax.


8. Exercise affects both the body's energy level and the brain's chemistry by encouraging the release of beneficial hormones. It can also help you let go some of the tension and pent-up energy associated with stress by giving you a healthy outlet for your feelings. The mood-elevating benefits of exercise last for days, but regular exercise is the most uplifting.


9. Take a break. When you're faced with any type of stress, stop for a moment to collect your thoughts. Breathe slowly and deeply for ten seconds and try to clear your mind of unpleasant thoughts. You'll still be facing the same situation, but your outlook will be clearer.


10. When you have compiled a list of stressful triggers, compile a second list outlining your personal methods for dealing with stress. Though unexpected or frustrating situations can seem overwhelming, you have the power to cope. Recognizing your strengths can make dealing with stress seem easier.


My Mantra: Always 'Do Gud, Be Happy'


Saturday, March 24, 2007

Nostalgic Moments ... Retro Ads - Series 1

One of the major problems that plague our present day TV watching are the zillion ads that scream across the screen every other minute to such an extent that people sometimes forget what they r watching, but not all Ads are bad or silly or believe in promoting their products at the cost of pulling down their competitors ... In here, I put forward some of the nicer ones we have all seen at some time ...

In the 1st of such series , I would like to take us all for a walk thru the nostalgic lane on some of the great retro-ads ever shown on the Indian TV (the good ol' Doordarshan) ... The then kids of my age grew up watching ...

1. Hamara Bajaj ... This ad epitomizes the Indian spirit and culture very nicely ... It truly made us feel Bajaj is our own ...

Tagline: Kal Bhi, Aaj Bhi, Kal Bhi

2. Fevicol ... This was famous during the late 1980's ... Nothing stronger has ever been made

Tagline: Ye Fevicol Ka Majboot Jod Hai, Tutega Nahi

3. Cadbury's ... Joy of Freedom ...

Tagline: Kuch Khaas Hai Zindagi Mein

4. Coca Cola ... Wat a combo - Aamir and Aish ... The 2 greats in their younger days ...

Tagline: Jo Chaho Ho Jaye Coca-Cola Enjoy

5. Adidas ... The greatest ever hero 'Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar' in the Indian sports arena ... The whole of India stopped when he was batting ... My most fav ad of all time ... Its a fitting tribute to Him ...

(P.S: Click on the Ad names to view them)

Thursday, March 22, 2007

State of our Nation - Ants and Grasshoppers!!

Hope U enjoy reading this piece ...

OLD VERSION...

The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant's a fool and laughs & dances & plays the summer away. Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed. The grasshopper has no food or shelter so he dies out in the cold.

MODERN VERSION

The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant's a fool and laughs & dances & plays the summer away. Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others are cold and starving.

NDTV, BBC, CNN show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food. The World is stunned by the sharp contrast. How can this be that this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so?

Arundhati Roy stages a demonstration in front of the ant's house. Medha Patkar goes on a fast along with other grasshoppers demanding that grasshoppers be relocated to warmer climates during winter. UN criticizes the Indian Government for not upholding the fundamental rights of the grasshopper. The Internet is flooded with online petitions seeking support to the grasshopper. Opposition MP's stage a walkout. Left parties call for "Bharat Bandh" in West Bengal and Kerala demands a Judicial Enquiry. CPM in Kerala immediately passes a law preventing Ants from working hard in the heat so as to bring about "equality of poverty" among ants and grasshoppers.

Lalu Prasad allocates one free coach to Grasshoppers on all Indian Railway Trains, aptly named as the 'Grasshopper Rath'.

Finally, the Judicial Committee drafts the Prevention of Terrorism Against Grasshoppers Act [POTAGA], with effect from the beginning of the winter.

Arjun Singh makes Special Reservation for Grass Hopper in educational Insititutions & in Govt Services.

The ant is fined for failing to comply with POTAGA and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the Government and handed over to the grasshopper in a ceremony covered by NDTV.

Arundhati Roy calls it "a triumph of justice". Lalu calls it 'Socialistic Justice'. CPM calls it the 'Revolutionary resurgence of the Downtrodden, UN invites the grasshopper to address the UN General Assembly.

Many years later...The ant has since migrated to the US and set up a multi billion dollar company in silicon valley. 100's of grasshoppers still die of starvation somewhere in India ....

P.S: (Modified and re-written from a piece I had read long ago)

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Y ?

As we continue to make countless analyses of y'day defeat of the Men In Blue, blaming and pointing fingers at everyone , offering solutions, deciding career paths of the players (coach incl.), and worse, taking out our anger on all seemingly bad things life throws at us by just swearing at these guys ... I just hav this one Q,

" Y do we still the savor the truimph of the underdogs INDIA in the 1983 world cup? " while discrediting Bangladesh's performance y'day and placing the blame squarely on the Indian team ...

Is it Hypocrisy or Patriotism ???

Friday, March 16, 2007

One Liners

The road to success ... is always under construction.

Alcohol doesn't solve any problems, but if u think again, neither does milk ...

In order to get a Loan, you first need to prove that you don't need it.

All the desirable things in life are either illegal, expensive or fattening.

Since Light travels faster than Sound, people appear brighter before you hear them speak.

Everyone has a scheme of getting rich….. which never works.

If at first you don't succeed…. Destroy all evidence that you ever tried.

Anything dropped on the floor will roll over to the most inaccessible corner.

He who has the gold, makes the rules ---- Murphy's golden rule.

If you come early, the bus is late. If you come late…… the bus is still late.

Once you have bought something, you will find the same item being sold somewhere else at a cheaper rate.

If you have paper, you don't have a pen……. If you have a pen, you don't have paper…… if you have both, no one calls.

Especially for engg. Students----
If you have bunked the class, the professor has taken attendance.

The door bell or your mobile will always ring when you are in the bathroom.

After a long wait for bus no.20, two 20 number buses will always pull in together and the bus which you get in will be crowded than the other.

The last person to be fired or quit is responsible for all the errors until another person is fired or quits.

Irrespective of the direction of the wind, the smoke from the cigarette will always tend to go to the non-smoker.

...

Luv

To Luv is a Duty,
To be loved is a Success ,
To be with someone you love is an Achievement,
To be with someone who loves you is Life.

Sunday, March 11, 2007

QUOTE FOR THE DAY ...

LUV SHOULD NOT BE JUST A RELATIONSHIP,
IT SHUD BE A STATE OF BEING ..
.

Simply put ...

Most beautiful sentence....
BUT, I LOVE U

Most selfish/painful sentence....
I LOVE U, BUT..

Friday, March 9, 2007

Confusion ...

CONFUSION...
(Long, but I hope its interesting ...)

A typical desi guy talking to the US immigration officer. Here is how it goes ... Enjoy :-)

"Your name?"
"Dinesh."
"How do you spell it?"
"D-I-N...."
"Slow, slow, T?"
"No, D."
"Is that T as in Tom, or D as in Dennis?"
"No, not Dennis, my name is Dinesh."
"I know that. I am asking you, is that a T as in Tom, or D as in as in Detroit?"
"I don't know who Tom is, and I haven't been to Detroit. I just came to the US from Madras."
"OK, OK, I know that. Is that T-I- or D-I- ?"
"D. D-I-. D-I-N-E-S-H."
"Is that your last name or first name?"
"Uh? Dinesh is my name."
"OK. What is your LAst name?"
"That is my first and last name. Dinesh."
"Then, is your name Dinesh Dinesh?"
"No. My name is Dinesh."
"But what is your LAST NAME? I am ASKING YOU ABOUT YOUR LAST NAME."
"I told you, Dinesh. I always had the same name, from birth till now.
DINESH. That's my name."
"OK, what is your family name?"
"Family? Family name? My family doesn't have a name."
"What do the neighbors call you?"
"Dinesh."
"Not you. Your whole family. What do they call your family?"
"Beedida bhat'rr."
"So, that is your family name. Do you understand?
" How do you spell that?"
"Spell what?"
"B.D. whatever you said, what your neighbors call your family."
"Oh, that ... Beedida bhat'rr.
"What do you need that for? It only means 'the brahmin who makes beedis.'"
"What are B-Ds?"
"Not B-D. Beedi, is like a cigarette, you see, they roll the tobacco in a leaf and tie a thread around it. 25 in a kattu."
"25 in a what?"
"Kattu, or katta, whatever. Like a bunch, you see. If there is even one less or one more, my father could always tell without counting. He then taught me how to do it."
"I am not worried about your 'cutter' or whatever.
What-is-your-last-name?"
"I told you, Dinesh."
"OK, OK, I don't want to go over this again. What is common to the names of all the members of your family?"
"They are all in Sanskrit. My first sister is Suneetha, the second sister is Sumathi ... "
"Not about the language. When you write your name, and your sister writes her name, what do you two have in common?"
"We have the same handwriting. Even my father can't tell our handwritings apart."
"Blast it! What is your father's name?"
"G.K.Nettar."
"What does G.K. stand for?"
"His name, Gopala Krishna."
"Then what is Nettar?"
"That is our house name."
"House name? Aha, does every one at your house have this name?"
"It is not our name. It is the name of our house. Strictly speaking, it should be Honnadka. But my father was too lazy to change it. My father was born in Honnadka, but, see, my grandfather was born in Nettar."
"What was his name?"
"I told you, G.K.Nettar."
"Your grandfather was also called G.K. whatever?"
"No. That is my father."
"Then what is your grandfather's name?"
"Govinda Bhat. See, my relatives still call me Mangalore Govinda.
Because it is a tradition to name the first son after his grandfather.
All the brothers of my father have done this. So, we have Honnadka Govinda, Jogibettu Govinda, Kanchodu Govinda, and I am Mangalore Govinda."
"So, then, your name is Mangalore Govinda, not Dinesh."
"No. My name is Dinesh. Mangalore Govinda is how my relatives call me.
That is not my NAme."
"What do they call your sister?"
"Ammanni."
"What? You said her name is Sooneetha."
"Yes, that is her name, Suneetha, but we call her Ammanni."
"Is that her nick-name?"
"No. she doesn't have a nick name. Only our neighbor's daughter has a nick name. She is called 'soote'. She is very active. That's why."
"What about your brother?"
"I have no brothers. But then, you can count all those Govindas as my brothers too. See, they are really kind of my brothers."
"OK, what are their names?"
"The oldest one, he is my big brother. He is called GovindaNNa."
"Govind Anna? Then Anna is his last name."
"No, ANNA, not anna. ANNA means big brother."
"What is his NAME?"
"His name is Govinda Bhat."
"Then your last name is But."
"Not but, Bhat, B-H-A-T. But that's not his name, you see."
"If that's not his name, what is it? Why does he have it in his name?"
"Bhat simply means he is a brahmin. He might as well write Rao,like his father does, or Sharma, like my father's second brother does."
"How does he write his name in official papers?"
"Nettar Govinda Bhat. That's how he writes it."
"How does his father write it?"
"Nettar Venkata Subba Rao."
"Aha, I can see now. Your father is G.K.Nettar, his brother is Nettar something Rao... your last name is then Nettar. Aha, I got it."
"But Nettar is not the last name. It is the house name."
"I don't care. Tell me one last time, what is YOUR last name?"
"But I told you, my last name is the same as my first name, my only name, Dinesh."
"Then, I am going to write Nettar here. I don't care if it is your house name, your grandfather's name, your dog's name, whatever. It is your last name. How do you spell it? N-E-..."
"N-E-T-T-A-R."
"N-E-T-T-? Is that T as in Tom or D as in Dennis?"
"My name is Dinesh, not Dennis."
"AARRGGHHHHH. Do we have to go through this again? Here, write it down."
"That's it. From now on, you are Dinesh Nettar, Dinesh is your first name, and Nettar is your last name. OK?

P.S: Not an original write-up ... :-)

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

If - By Rudyard Kipling ...

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise.

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools.

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on".

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--You'll be a Man, my son !

Sunday, March 4, 2007

Kabhi Kabhi

Thoughts maketh a man ...

Kabhi Kabhi mere dil me khayal aata hain ...

ke zindagi tere zulfo ki naram chao mein guzar na pati,
tho shadab ho bhi sakti thi

ye rangjo gham ki syahi jo dil pe chai hai
tere nazar ke shuao me kho bhi sakti hai
magar ye ho na saka,
magar ye ho na saka

aur ab ye aalam hai ki tu nahi
teri gham, teri justju bhi nahi
guzar rahi hai zindagi kuch is tarah
jaise kisi ki sahare ki aarzu nahi