Came across this link (click here) that states exercise stimulates the growth of new brain cells. Guess I have yet another reason to continue my morning exercise :-)
June 29, 2007
June 28, 2007
June 27, 2007
June 25, 2007
ATB
Came across some ATB music. Liked it. Something gives it a touch of Enigma and Enya. I love the female voice of ATB. I guess it is Tiff Lacey. Given below are two sample videos of ATB. It is called Ecstasy (Album: No Silence)
June 22, 2007
Milan - The next revolution?
Could Milan be the next-gen computing device? Checkout this video. Also available at this link (click here)
June 21, 2007
P G Wodehouse - Jeeves and the Feudal Spirit
Got a chance to lay my restless hands on P G Wodehouse’s “Jeeves and the Feudal Spirit”. Quiet a riveting entertainer, I would say. It had the mercy to force me to keep aside some important work of mine, just to relish its waggish wit. Once out of its grip, I thought I would share some of the interesting quotes you may find strewn in the book…
Bertie: Love is a delicate plant that needs constant tending and nurturing, and this cannot be done by snorting at the adored object like a gas explosion and calling her/his stuffs anything that comes to mind!
Bertie: You know how it is with these earnest, brainy damsels of what is called a strong character. They can’t let the male soul alone. They want to get behind it and start shoving. Scarcely have they shaken the rice from their hair in the car driving off for the honeymoon than they pull up their socks and begin moulding the partner of joys and sorrows, and if there is one thing that gives me the pip, it is being moulded.
Aunt Dahlia: Florence proposes to mould you?
Bertie: I gathered so
Aunt Dahlia: You won’t like that
Bertie: No
Aunt Dahlia nodded understandingly: Men don’t. I attribute my own happy marriage to the fact that I have never so much as laid a finger on old Tom.
Mr. Trotter: You know what happens when you get married? You are bossed. You can’t call your soul your own. You become just a cipher in the home.
Bertie: What a lesson this should be to us, old flesh and blood, never to give up, never to despair… however dark the outlook…
June 11, 2007
Hormones required
Is there some Yoga technique to get your body produce sufficient amounts of Dopamine, Norepinephrine, Serotonin and Pregnenolone so that your mental clarity is crisp and focus absolute?
June 10, 2007
4Cs of an essay
Came across this info:
An essay must have the 4C attributes
The 4Cs are:
An essay must have the 4C attributes
The 4Cs are:
- Conciseness
- Clarity
- Correctness
- Courtesy
Desire = f(t).h(n)
Until fulfilled, human desire is a function of time. This statement can be expressed as given below:
Desire = function(time)
=> Desire = f(t) ----- (1)
f(t) can decrease with time => Desire can decrease over a period time. E.g. A certain type of food you want to eat
f(t) can be a constant => Desire can be a constant E.g. A place that you always wanted to visit.
f(t) can increase with time => Desire can increase over a period time. E.g. A professional post that you want to occupy.
The increase, decrease and consistency of desire depend on human nature or idiosyncrasy. Hence we can say desire is also a function the human nature who owes it. This would draw the following eqaution
Desire = function(human nature)
=> Desire = h(n) ----- (2)
From equation (1) and (2) we can conclude
Desire = f(t).h(n) ----- (3)
Once its objective is met, Desire dies. It can give way to new Desires; but definitely it dies once it reaches its destiny.
Desire = function(time)
=> Desire = f(t) ----- (1)
f(t) can decrease with time => Desire can decrease over a period time. E.g. A certain type of food you want to eat
f(t) can be a constant => Desire can be a constant E.g. A place that you always wanted to visit.
f(t) can increase with time => Desire can increase over a period time. E.g. A professional post that you want to occupy.
The increase, decrease and consistency of desire depend on human nature or idiosyncrasy. Hence we can say desire is also a function the human nature who owes it. This would draw the following eqaution
Desire = function(human nature)
=> Desire = h(n) ----- (2)
From equation (1) and (2) we can conclude
Desire = f(t).h(n) ----- (3)
Once its objective is met, Desire dies. It can give way to new Desires; but definitely it dies once it reaches its destiny.
June 07, 2007
Addictive Relationships
Today, I came across an article in Bangalore Times on Addictive Relationship. I found its content interesting. When I searched the net, I hit this article (click here). Bangalore Times lifted it from this website and never mentioned the credits in the column!!
June 04, 2007
Moms
My mom was not keeping well. She was having fever and was quite tired. Alas moms can't take sick leave :-( She decided to take a quick nap to beat the fatigue. She lied on the only bed I had at my "bachelor home". She had almost dozed off, when I observed that she was lying on the edge of the bed. With a pat I woke her up and whispered: "Move a bit. Else you will fall". She jumped from the bed and as she walking away from the bed she asked me: "Are you tired. Do you want to lie down? I'm not that tired!" Moms are moms :-)
The story below is another beautiful depiction of Mom's love.
The story below is another beautiful depiction of Mom's love.
After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie.
She said I love you but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you.
The other woman that my wife w anted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally.
That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie.
"What's wrong, are you well," she asked? My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a sur prise invitation is a sign of bad news.
"I thought that it would be pleasant to be with you," I responded. " Just the two of us."
She thought about it for a moment, and then said, " I would like that very much."
That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed t hat she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary.
She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's.
"I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed, "she said, as she got into the car. "They can't wait to hear about our meeting".
We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down,
I had to read the menu. Large print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips.
"It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small," she said.
"Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor," I responded.
During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation - nothing extraordinary, but catching up on recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie.
As we arrived at her house later, she said, "I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you." I agreed.
"How was your dinner date ?" asked my wife when I got home. "Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined," I answered.
A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I did to do anything for her.
Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined.
An attached note said: "I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son."
At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: " I LOVE YOU!" and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve.
Nothing in life is more important than God and your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till "some other time."
May 31, 2007
May 25, 2007
CEOs salary cannot be legislated
Sunil Mittal, in a reply to the PM, stated that "CEOs salary cannot be legislated" (read here). I buy his view and argument. I'm a bit surprised why an eminent economist like Manmohan Singh chose to conveniently forget the demand supply theory. More the demand for a resource, more the bucks one has to pay to get it. This becomes more significant if the resource is human. It is money that differentiates between a good resource and a mediocre resource. Normalizing the pay structure will take out that differentiator. If the differentiator is not there, the motivation will be less. After all, most of the people do not work for charity! They work for money! That gets the best out of them. We, as a nation, have to try to get the best out of the people; not the mediocre out of them.
Regarding inflation, yes government has to control it. And it has to do it through policies and not through micro management. Find innovative policies and set it right. To do that, to be innovative, the government has to bring the best out of it. The question is: Does the government have ‘good resources’ that can achieve this? Can the government get the best out of itself?
Regarding inflation, yes government has to control it. And it has to do it through policies and not through micro management. Find innovative policies and set it right. To do that, to be innovative, the government has to bring the best out of it. The question is: Does the government have ‘good resources’ that can achieve this? Can the government get the best out of itself?
May 16, 2007
Leadership linked to bad corporate culture
I overheard this conversation of an employee “I have changed. These days, only when someone pings me, I join the bridge…” He was referring to attending a conference call.
I know the pain the chair takes to get all the folks on a conference call. I have been through it. You dial in; activate the bridge; wait for the time to drift away to accommodate all the late participants; and then start making calls to each individual and their manager to see their butt on their seat.
Why do people do this? From the statement of the employee, it is clear that he was not a late-bee till the recent past. He “changed”… for the worse!? What prompted him take this bad turn? I guess the answer lies in the environment and the leadership. If the leadership and the environment are not ready to constantly remind him the importance of punctuality, demonstrate it and stricture bad habits, he is bound to let the habit loose for the bad.
Knock Knock Management… Are you listening?
I know the pain the chair takes to get all the folks on a conference call. I have been through it. You dial in; activate the bridge; wait for the time to drift away to accommodate all the late participants; and then start making calls to each individual and their manager to see their butt on their seat.
Why do people do this? From the statement of the employee, it is clear that he was not a late-bee till the recent past. He “changed”… for the worse!? What prompted him take this bad turn? I guess the answer lies in the environment and the leadership. If the leadership and the environment are not ready to constantly remind him the importance of punctuality, demonstrate it and stricture bad habits, he is bound to let the habit loose for the bad.
Knock Knock Management… Are you listening?
May 14, 2007
"I see people"
You meet them everywhere. They are there walking next to you on the street; working with you in the office; playing with you in the ground. Who are they? They are the people who find it 'funny' to make fun of others; who find it 'entertaining' to mock others; who find it 'amusing' to belittle others. They think that they are way-way ahead of their fellow beings. Hardly they realize that others' too find them 'extremely' funny in many ways. They keep quite out of courtesy. And these maniacs take their silence as a vindication to their “faultless” nature! I used to be one such maniac. But that was long-long back. I dropped that shitty habit. Alas, I cannot say that - dropping bad habits - happen to all folks. I have a theory on these people. They are intellectual paupers, who have nothing to offer. Chances are high that these folks don’t have any serious hobby to occupy their idle mind. So they end up doing nothing but finding faults in others.
What do you do when you meet such people? I try to avoid them lest I would confront them big time. I know my confrontation normally turns ugly and sour. But what if you can't avoid such people and find yourself in a position where you can't give them your piece of mind? Stoop down to their level?... and join them in mocking the crowd around you? Hell... NO!
Reminds me of Atlas Shrugged. At one point of time, Dagny looks at her surroundings and see incompetence everywhere. She thinks of lowering her standard to theirs. She mentions that to her friend Francisco. And he responds with a slap and commands her never to give up… that too for incompetent people! NEVER!
Coming back to my problem, I guess the only way out is to make them know my position well... No point in suffering their bull shit “entertainment”.
What do you do when you meet such people? I try to avoid them lest I would confront them big time. I know my confrontation normally turns ugly and sour. But what if you can't avoid such people and find yourself in a position where you can't give them your piece of mind? Stoop down to their level?... and join them in mocking the crowd around you? Hell... NO!
Reminds me of Atlas Shrugged. At one point of time, Dagny looks at her surroundings and see incompetence everywhere. She thinks of lowering her standard to theirs. She mentions that to her friend Francisco. And he responds with a slap and commands her never to give up… that too for incompetent people! NEVER!
Coming back to my problem, I guess the only way out is to make them know my position well... No point in suffering their bull shit “entertainment”.
May 12, 2007
Fixing a Broken Heart
They say that "Heart cells in humans stop regenrating after birth. If the heart is damaged by a heart attack, it canot create a new cell to repair the damage and hearts become less efficient in pumping the blood."
I now know why the wise say: "A broken heart cannot be mended" ;-)
Btw, Columbia University Medical Center has come up with a genetic engineering solution to solve this problem. Check this out.
I now know why the wise say: "A broken heart cannot be mended" ;-)
Btw, Columbia University Medical Center has come up with a genetic engineering solution to solve this problem. Check this out.
May 09, 2007
The Eagle Story
The eagle has the longest life-span of its’ species. It can live up to 70 years. But to reach this age, the eagle must make a hard decision.
In its’ 40s. Its’ long and flexible talons can no longer grab prey which serves as food. Its’ long and sharp beak becomes bent. Its’ old-aged and heavy wings, due to their thick feathers, become stuck to its’ chest and make it difficult to fly.
Then, the eagle is left with only two options: die or go through a painful process of change which lasts 150 days.
The process requires that the eagle fly to a mountain top and sit on its’ nest. There the eagle knocks its’ beak against a rock until it plucks it out. After plucking it out, the eagle will wait for a new beak to grow back and then it will pluck out its’ talons. When its’ new talons grow back, the eagle starts plucking its’ old-aged feathers.
And after five months, the eagle takes its’ famous flight of rebirth and lives for... 30 more years
Why is change needed? Many times, in order to survive we have to start a change process. We sometimes need to get rid of old memories, habits and other past traditions. Only freed from past burdens, can we take advantage of the present.
PS: There are flaws in the story. E.g. Eagle doesn't have a life span of 70 years. It cannot live that long in the wild. Nevertheless the story has come out beautifully with one single important message: Change or Perish!
Courtesy Fwded mail
In its’ 40s. Its’ long and flexible talons can no longer grab prey which serves as food. Its’ long and sharp beak becomes bent. Its’ old-aged and heavy wings, due to their thick feathers, become stuck to its’ chest and make it difficult to fly.
Then, the eagle is left with only two options: die or go through a painful process of change which lasts 150 days.
The process requires that the eagle fly to a mountain top and sit on its’ nest. There the eagle knocks its’ beak against a rock until it plucks it out. After plucking it out, the eagle will wait for a new beak to grow back and then it will pluck out its’ talons. When its’ new talons grow back, the eagle starts plucking its’ old-aged feathers.
And after five months, the eagle takes its’ famous flight of rebirth and lives for... 30 more years
Why is change needed? Many times, in order to survive we have to start a change process. We sometimes need to get rid of old memories, habits and other past traditions. Only freed from past burdens, can we take advantage of the present.
PS: There are flaws in the story. E.g. Eagle doesn't have a life span of 70 years. It cannot live that long in the wild. Nevertheless the story has come out beautifully with one single important message: Change or Perish!
Courtesy Fwded mail
May 07, 2007
Consulting Demons - Quotes
Lewis Pinault's "Conuslting Demons" offer a couple of interesting quotes...
I could relate to this one: "At the back end, implementers are expected to stretch out the work to its limits, reducing chances for learning from new case involvements."
"If you get married, the romance will fade - it always does, it's just biology, psychology."
I could relate to this one: "At the back end, implementers are expected to stretch out the work to its limits, reducing chances for learning from new case involvements."
"If you get married, the romance will fade - it always does, it's just biology, psychology."
May 04, 2007
May 03, 2007
Another true appreciation...
Recently I got an award from my Dept. I found the responses to the award more interesting than the award itself (which I consider trivial)
A friend of mine responded like this: "After replying to you, I just thought abt the Chanakya quotes. Which said " Straight trees are cut first." But here they gave an award to a straight tree ;-)."
My team members responded when I said I owed them the award: "We couldn't have achieved our objectives if we didn't have your inputs to remove the rough edges in our work and to refine our approach. The true value of a diamond lies in the skills of the cutter and not on the stone. Thank you for all the help and support you have extended to us."
I consider those statements as true recognition...
A friend of mine responded like this: "After replying to you, I just thought abt the Chanakya quotes. Which said " Straight trees are cut first." But here they gave an award to a straight tree ;-)."
My team members responded when I said I owed them the award: "We couldn't have achieved our objectives if we didn't have your inputs to remove the rough edges in our work and to refine our approach. The true value of a diamond lies in the skills of the cutter and not on the stone. Thank you for all the help and support you have extended to us."
I consider those statements as true recognition...
May 02, 2007
Time Management
A friend forwarded these two links on Time Management. They offer good tips
10 time management tips from a successful CEO: Click here
8 tips to overcome procrastination: Click here
10 time management tips from a successful CEO: Click here
8 tips to overcome procrastination: Click here
April 30, 2007
God save this country...
A complain is filed against Mandira Bedi for wearing a sari that had the Indian tri-color at the bottom of the sari!! Why can't these buggers - the moral police - look at the spirit or intention behind the act before jumping into preaching and policing.
Another news is: the RSS and BJP, seems to be miffed with the design of the Indian two rupee coin. They claim that there is a "cross" in it! Can someone beat their shallowness?! These political parties come up with the most wierd silly things for the heck of creating issues. And they get away with it!! Thanks to the intelectual pauperism of the Indians.
God save this country...
Another news is: the RSS and BJP, seems to be miffed with the design of the Indian two rupee coin. They claim that there is a "cross" in it! Can someone beat their shallowness?! These political parties come up with the most wierd silly things for the heck of creating issues. And they get away with it!! Thanks to the intelectual pauperism of the Indians.
God save this country...
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