This and That

A Cute (Un)Birthday Giveaway

2010-08-17T04:02:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been fascinated by makeup, and if you are too you might like this post featuring a giveaway that a fellow blogger Bailey is hosting! She calls it the unbrithday giveaway and she is giving away plenty of makeup products and beauty goodies. You can of course improve your chances by posting the giveaway on your blog, so be sure to check out and enter for your chance to win!

Good luck!

Affordable Online Florists – Coupons and Promotions by 1800flowers

2010-03-21T12:47:00.000-07:00

When it comes to wishing a loved one or just letting a special someone know that you are thinking of them, flowers say what words cannot. And the trend of the day is that you do not even step out of your home to order a custom bouquet for your loved one. Online florists such as 1800flowers are professionals, who have handled this niche for years. It’s really just a click away, and once you order online a florist-arranged bouquet gets delivered right on the same day! Best of all the flowers that are ordered on the site are fresh, handpicked that very day, are arranged by expert florists and they are extremely affordable.

It just doesn’t get any better than this. Oh, but it does! In keeping with the online competition several sites offer promotions and discount deals that you can avail of. Try checking out online for 1800 flowers Promotion codes, and get the best of both worlds – affordability and convenience. You can even avail of online coupon services that allow you to redeem the offers right before you checkout your order. Coupons for 1800Flowers can be redeemed at the merchant website; no more printing and cutting out coupons, in fact, the only thing you need to do is redeem coupons within the validity date. Indeed, there are several neat deals to be bagged and many get quickly redeemed, so be sure to check out online coupon sites often.

So the next time you think that gifting a bouquet is a lot of work, just think 1800flowers, get great discounts online, and make sending flowers inexpensive and hassle free

YMT Vacations – Low-Cost Travel Itineraries

2009-09-10T19:00:00.000-07:00

Whether it is building stress at work or a strain in the relationship with a partner, a vacation can be not just a break from routine but even a solution to modern-day problems. Which is why travel package and tour organizers provide ample value-added services and tour options. YMT Vacations for instance provides a range of travel itineraries for a delightful travel experience.

When selecting travel packages, be sure to ask about the kind of travel guides employed who will accompany on the tours. Travel guides must not only be knowledgeable of the destinations covered they must also be personable and friendly. YMT Vacations promises travel deals that have a range of destination options to choose from. A pre-decided package is great idea since the onus of planning and arranging accommodation and other details is left to the tour operator. YMT Vacations brings economical travel options from the beach resorts of Hawaii to the freezing beauty of Alaska. So get on with your travel itinerary and make some great friends on your trip this summer!

Handy Tips For Better Flower Care And Styling

2009-08-08T03:31:00.000-07:00

Flowers top the list as some of the most romantic and elegant gifts. A bouquet of roses or a bunch of stylish tulips make fitting presents for practically any occasion. But to take pleasure in a bouquet of expensive flowers one must take adequate care to preserve the freshness. And when it comes to flower care and styling it pays to trust the experts. Flowers are prone to wilting and drying and need both water and nourishment to keep them bright longer. Still this is not such a hard task, and using these simple techniques will ensure that yours remain gorgeous as long as possible.

Cut flowers always need proper attention, and this means placing them in appropriately sizes vases with floral preservatives added. A sugar base in preservatives provides nutrients and bacterial inhibitors keep the water fresh and pure. Displaying flowers in a cool area away from sunlight is key to prevent wilting.

While ensuring flower health is essential so is the right arrangement and presentation to bring out the beauty innate in blossoms! Choose the right sized vase is vital and this will depend on the type of flowers and their stem length, as well as the number of flowers to be displayed. You can go for a free form display especially for flowers such as roses and tulips while for daisies and carnations and domed look lends great appeal. You can cut the stems into different sizes to give a natural feel, and even decorate with foliage and stones to add depth. Undoubtedly Flowers hold universal appeal and make splendid additions to a room’s décor.

Add a personal touch to your gifts with a bunch of beautiful tulips and long stemmed roses. And see not just your relationships but even their homes blossom with love and warmth!

Stars Bare All!

2009-08-08T03:25:00.000-07:00

Well, this was the title to one of those 'gossip' posts I came across on the homepage of one of those news sites. Frankly it seemed to be calling to be clicked, and who can blame me that I did. Well I certainly didn't come across any material worthy of calling the censor board for. Not that I was watching out for some lurid piece of info from some starlet's sordid personal life. Some things are better left buried, and I wasn't about to go digging certainly!

Anyway, a long story short this little ' baring' feat was for a biography that was in the making, by none other than a diva of the bygone era - Rekha. This actress was, admittedly, an icon in her heyday, and is perhaps aiming to get some more limelight by promising a book that will reveal unknowns about her. Speculation runs whether she will talk about her suspected affair with the Big B, which was an open secret of sorts anyway. Only time will tell exactly what Miss Rekha really plans to tell - all or just what the world already knows. Fingers crossed people?!

Fashionable Eyewear – The New Age Face Lift

2009-05-08T03:21:00.000-07:00

Looking for a fashion makeover? Planning a new style statement? Keeping in line with current trends can be time consuming, not to mention expensive. Yet there are several cool, and low-cost, ways to adopt a whole new look. How about adding a new facet to your personality with a pair of designer glasses? Although eye glasses are often avoided as fashion accessories, it is safe to say that they are perhaps truly underrated.

Adding a pair of trendy glasses can truly liven up a plain outfit and add that extra zing. When checking out glasses, make sure the style complements your facial structure and choose earthy tones on frames since these can be matched with most attire. Metal frames can lend a sophisticated look while plastic frames have a fashionable feel. So shop for quality glasses and give yourself a new persona.

Jazz Up Your Life

2009-05-07T19:58:00.000-07:00

Are you an ardent fan of jazz? Does the sound of blues music lull you into tranquility? Well, then the Nigerian music scene should interest you. Talking of Nigeria, one can’t but mention the royal heir Mohammed Babangida, a man of many interests.

His blog often delves into the subtleties of music in general and jazz in particular. Jazz is an evolving musical genre and is as vibrant as it is soulful. Any jazz enthusiast will tell you that Jazz is best ‘experienced’ than merely ‘heard’. Mohammed Babangida seconds that and goes on to explore its nuances. From classical jazz to Swing there is quite a variety for the musically inclined. Join the Jazz aficionados including Mohammed Babangida and experience music, the Jazz way!

Redecorating Your Home Can Be Fun

2009-05-07T10:41:00.000-07:00

Do you fancy yourself as an interior designer? Have you recently thought about doing up your home? The art of designing your interiors is to enhance the ambience and add value to the space. While aestheticism is essential so is a personal touch. If it is re-designing that’s on your mind, perhaps K-Designers are the ones you seek.

Any re-design must place deep value for your current possessions and personal items, be it childhood relics or a cherished photo frame. Inherited objects or a favorite couch can be essential to maintaining the ‘home’ aspect of your abode. From the testimonials on their site K-Designers fall right into the tune. The open minded approach to re-design is evident in the range of options K-Designers offer. So check out the service offerings and be amazed.

Making GPS Work For The Consumer

2009-05-07T10:23:00.001-07:00

While the High-Fi world is often inventing great technology, often these do nothing for the average consumer. Even seemingly practical inventions often end up being horribly expensive or even dispensable. But then the GPS technology that drives cabs to handle credit card swipes is not one of those. It was VeriFone Holdings Inc. and CEO Amos Tamam who first bought the technology to fore.

The major taxi fleets in New York incorporated this pragmatic payment system way back in 2005, and the project continued with several cities following suit. Efforts by Amos Tamam and team paid off when more consumers began using the service. Although minor hitches were foreseen, with sustained attempts from VeriFone and Amos Tamam, the project was implemented in phases. Enabling integrated payment solutions is certainly valuable to financial institutions and to the community at large.

Why You Need Health Insurance

2009-05-02T11:12:00.000-07:00

Whoever said that health implied wealth must have been clairvoyant. It is not without reason that there is a general decline in people’s health despite rising life expectancies. Top it with the soaring costs of quality health care and we have the beginnings of a crisis. At the very least, this makes appropriate health insurance covers a must have. Although many of us assume that most Americans are properly covered the reality is that a significant portion of the population is actually uninsured. It is here that insurance providers such as United American Insurance Company play a vital role.

A distinct shortcoming with most packaged health covers is that not many insurance policy deals come with the option to retain your preferred physician. United American Insurance Company puts the priority back on the consumer by offering the flexibility to choose your doctor. In addition to group insurance policies, the individual policy packages are attractively priced to suit tight budgets. Like most health insurance covers United American Insurance Company also lays down exclusions and limitations in its service terms. Be sure to adequately review the terms of cover regardless of the kind of policy you seek. After all insurance should ensure your piece of mind, so know your needs, do your research, and choose the right policy for you and your family.

Smart Ways To Use Your Wealth

2009-05-01T17:33:00.000-07:00

How much do you value your assets? Perhaps you have a strong desire to earn more money, a perfectly natural feeling. As long as the need to accumulate wealth does not get the better of us, money can be a very useful commodity indeed! Unfortunately not many of us realize the best ways to ‘use’ what we have earned. Without a doubt the riches are rightfully yours to use as you please, but perhaps there are more fulfilling ways to spend it.

Allow me to explain. I recently read a book, by Frank Hanna, that talks about exactly this. What Your Money Means is a practical guide, and Frank Hanna minces no words in coming up with unusual ways to spend our wealth wisely, and to ensure that we are content with the cash at our disposal. While the book also touches upon the virtues of philanthropy, Frank Hanna maintains a witty narrative. Definitely a worthwhile read.

A Road Less Traveled

2009-05-01T02:15:00.000-07:00

When work gets the better of you, what is the first thing that appeals to you? A vacation of course! A trip to a less-tread retreat that offers the right kind of adventure and relaxation. There are several ways that one can take a well deserved break. One is to hit the road and land at your intended destination. This means making all the plans and arrangements, and ensuring that the trip falls within the budget. The better way is to opt for an all-inclusive travel package, and let the company handle the specifics. This is what tour organizers such as Your Man Tours specialize in. Taking care of the trip essentials, from accommodation to travel, and even food.

Like most travelers I like visiting the untried hotspots. And The Canadian Rockies package by Your Man Tours fits the bill. The deal covers scenic cascades, including Sioux Falls and Bow Falls, to the glistening waters of Lake Louise. The package also offers a diverse range of terrain, from the glaciers of Canada to a close view of the famous Mt. Rushmore. There are other miscellany that are part of the deal, but I won’t break all the good news here. Check out the travel itinerary on Your Man Tours and gift yourself a well deserved holiday.

The Myth Craze

2009-04-30T19:01:00.001-07:00

Why do tales of fantastic creatures and extraordinary civilizations fascinate us so much? Why are fairy tales so addictive, or for that matter the futuristic sci-fi novels equally absorbing? If you are as infatuated with the plethora of mythology and world of fantasy as I am then join me on this fun ride!

Let’s explore the history of mythology to begin with. I plan to write this in parts:
Part I – The world of "invented" mythology
Part II – "Discovery" of fantastic creatures
Part III – Folklore and its impact
Part IV – Religion & mythology
Part V – Culture and Mythology – Emphasis on Indian and Greek mythology
Part VI – Science & mythology
Part VII – Where does "myth" end and "reality" begin

The human mind never ceases to amaze! So look out for part I coming soo.

Gifts Galore For Mom

2009-04-21T11:28:00.000-07:00

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, I have been thinking about how to make it special with a fitting present. Gifting something unique for that cherished individual in your life can be quite tricky. As far as I am concerned this day holds a lot of meaning not only to mothers but daughters as well. I tried looking for appropriate gift ideas and found an astonishing array of Mothers day specials. From eye catching decorative pieces and personalized memorabilia, to trendy handbags and hi tech gizmos, I have to say I am quite overwhelmed.

Personally I like the idea of gifting her a day of tranquility and leisure, complete with loads of privacy and special attention. A custom made exclusive spa package sounds like a distinctive gift, and to add a touch of class a bouquet of fresh cut exquisite tulips. I know for certain that Flowers will delight Mom and is sure to make this Mother’s Day gift a classic gesture of love and appreciation.

Reviving A Lost World

2009-04-21T10:52:00.000-07:00

I have been considering this for a long time now. To revive a long lost blog. I had a few plans for this blog, and while I am ruminating on where that will lead, I am going to be posting some stuff of general interest. I hope that my regular readers will find the new posts informative.

Feel free to share comments.

Elections - A New Facet to the N-Deal Dilemma

2007-10-15T00:51:00.000-07:00

As the possibility of mid-term polls looms large, one is faced with the obvious question. How far will the N-Deal dilemma pose threat to the Manmohan Singh regime, or strengthen it if you will! The Congress seems clear on its absolute no-no to taking any U-turns and backtracing, and several religious proponents to the deal maintain that the deal will go thru'.

On one end is the Left, consistently warning the Government that any commencement of negotiations with the IAEA would be regarded as a surefire way to doom. Seems like the Left's almost whimsical dagger-in-the-throat to withdraw support has drawn little if any dent to the Government's stand. Asks one ardent N-deal supporter "How can the Congressmen allow themselves to be blackmailed by the Communists?"; clearly he was concerned on 'fundamentalist ideology' I am sure. Mmmm, worth pondering over depending on which side you are on!

As if to top it all hardcore acolytes of the Indo-US deal in the capital's strategic community insist that the last word on the deal has not been said, yet. Yeah right!

Is India's Fall Good for the Game?!

2007-03-31T23:05:00.000-07:00

What a strange question isn't that - Is India's fall from the World Cup so early into the tournment really good for the game itself? Now I never would have made such a shocking observation. But coming to think of it it really isn't so difficult to realise.

[Photo Courtesy: http://www.cricinfo.com]

First things first, it's quite plain that India's exit was well-deserved and will have a purging effect. The better qualified teams might get a fair chance then. Second and something less evident, it might provide for a clean WC - don't believe it? Well, an article I read recently went to the extent of saying that the South Asian nations are the primary focal points for cricket corruption - enter the infamous bookies. You might want to have a look at the article here
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6491053.stm?lsf

So well people, this time cricket fans world wide will have a truly uncluttered super 8 - a world cup with talented and in-form teams having a go. Should be a good one ahead I'm sure. What do you think!

Capital Punishment vs Amnesty

2006-10-01T22:30:00.000-07:00

Yes, this has been in the news lately. Whoever hasn't heard of the riots cropping up over the proposed execution of the infamous Afzal must have been on a trip to Mars! Now what could possibly be the reason that the entire hungama is being staged, you wonder? Well that's the Indian political arena for you.

India's take on capital punishment, and for that matter on most such sensitive topics, has always been non-committal and one of careful detachment. A lack of taking a strong ground on matters of significance is conservative at best and decidedly escapist at worst. It seems to me that a passive approach is an accepted phenomenon of sorts in our land.

Admittedly, there are always two sides to a coin. However, it is undeniable that the absence of any decisive ruling by the government only helps in making a pseudo-celebrity out of the likes of Dhananjoy Chatterjee (check this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhananjoy_Chatterjee). To what extent will the government pose silent spectator and let people go berserk over the execution of traitors - Afzal Guru for example. The Centre seems to be buckling under pressure to issue clemency to Afzal for appalling reasons - possible negative effects on peace process in Kashmir, political pressure from the opposition and the parties in Kashmir and other such. Again, there is talk that the man in question seems to have been denied a fair trial. Why does the government not take matters into hands and ensure that the accused is proved guilty beyond any reasonable doubt rather than play political games over granting pardon?

Is amnesty a virtual joke in this nation? Explore this further. Post your inputs and opinions. You may certainly join the silent masses but the least you can do is voice your views. Afterall what else is a blog for?!!

See Also:
http://asiadeathpenalty.blogspot.com/
http://www.kmsnews.org/Kashmir%20News%20Archive/05/News051006-05.htm

Ignorance is Bliss

2006-09-23T01:59:00.000-07:00

We all have heard of pharmaceutical research and clinical trials that build toward a new drug being released in the market. The miracle portions that tumble out of this multi-billion dollar industry is staggering. It is estimated that the cost for developing a new drug until release would be in the range of about 1 billion USD (this titbit is disputed however!).

The process of drug development may be essentially chemical (a chemical compound that is created for medicinal usage) or biological (extracted from living cells, e.g., antibiotics). Once a drug's efficacy is ascertained (technically speaking Lead Identification and Optimization procedures would be employed), safety and toxicology testing begins and the duration of each of these stages vary depending on the nature of the drug and understanding of the drug family, as well as its ultimate purpose and usefullness. Needless to say, the more the market value of the drug the more stringent the testing procedures, the more advanced the trials and the higher the quality standards adhered to. The conventional phases of pharmaceutical research in clinical trials include:

Phase I and Phase II clinical trials, which examine the acute, dose-related toxicities of new drugs as well as the drug efficacy to an extent. While Phase I is usually conducted on healthy subjects Phase II is restricted to humans with specific diseases. However, Phase I clinical trials now increasingly include persons with specific diseases in whom all conventional therapy has failed (e.g., terminal cancer or AIDS); these would be termed as mixed PhaseI/II studies in this case.
Phase III clinical trials primarily examine the pharmacological efficacy and the short-term toxicities—of new drugs to a degree.
Once a regulatory agency approves a new drug (FDA - Food and Drug Administration - for drugs marketed in the U.S), pharmaceutical companies may conduct additional studies such as Phase IV clinical trials. These are post-approval surveillance studies on the long-term efficacy and toxicity of already-marketed drugs.

As we mull over all the information overload not to mention the statistics, we are faced with that usual question - exactly what is the role that 'ethics' plays in clinical research? Is it ethical to conduct Phase III trials and double-blind studies? Does this border on an unassuming patient being used as a laboratory guinea pig? Is one of the principal precepts of medicine - the concept of Primum non nocere - which means "First, do no harm" merely a myth? Do the biggies in the industry such as Pfizer and Merck consider the ethics in the issue of clinical research?

Perhaps ethics is an oft-discussed topic, especially owing to the controversy surrounding the issue. One can go to any extent quoting some authority on the area or reveal the extensive documentation on the studies conducted to support the reasoning of medical research. But the question remains unanswered. How much of the reality truly comes out in the open? How much is ethical and when is this border breached? is it a question of morals alone or one of survival?

Too many uncomfortable questions right? Yes, ignorance is truly bliss!

Is Criticism an Art?

2006-09-09T03:40:00.000-07:00

This may be a topic widely spoken about and also something I have discussed on occasion. But I thought it would be useful to explore at length the finer aspects of this almost forgotten art - constructive criticism. Yeah, I realise this term is perhaps as clichéd as it gets but then you have to admit that this is perhaps the root cause of most misunderstandings - personal or professional. Don't agree? Ok, when was the last time your boss said that your work sucks (!), or well something just a bit more civilised? Or perhaps your spouse or parent gave you a piece of their mind and basically made you fret and fume all day long?! Has something on these lines ever happened to you and made you wish people knew how to critisise with more poise?

If you have reached this far I am assuming that I have your attention! A friend of mine talks about his rather nit-picking dad. I would not call him a nag per se - he seems the picture of perfection - the ever smiling, affectionate dad. Yeah, I have witnessed the dad in question reprimand his son for leaving bags lying around or something equally frivolous, but do stuff like this classify him as a nag? In any case, fact is that my friend is on frayed nerves around his dad!

The way I see it, I think people should really consider being more empathetic when pointing out another's follies. Afterall if you have to put your displeasure in words why be mean and scathing? Trust me, criticising nicely will not spoil the effect of the admonition! And giving virtual dressing downs will only earn one the reputation of a tyrant. So is criticism a key area to work on in building relationships? Absolutely!

Pluto Pluto Everywhere

2006-08-26T00:16:00.001-07:00

'Pluto Stripped of Planet Status' screamed the headlines. Astronomers around the world set new standards implying that Pluto does not qualify as a planet owing to its size and the fact its orbit overlaps with that of Neptune. In a move to pacify the pluto lovers, astronomers tried declaring that Pluto would be a prototype for a new category of the so-called 'trans-Neptunian' objects. Big words those but when it comes to astronomy, it pays to trust the star gazers!

Pluto has been considered a planet since 1930 - the dwarf planet of the solar system in other words. The very classification of Pluto as the ninth planet was an oft-contested one and it seems to have been just a matter of time before the issue was resolved once and for all.

With its eccentric orbit highly inclined with respect to the other planets, it is placed closer to the Sun than Neptune during certain periods of its revolution. Smaller than several natural satellites or moons in our solar system, Pluto itself has a large moon named Charon.

In this context, a very interesting aspect seems to be rather explicit disappointment expressed by the toon-world! Apparently the seven dwarfs have extended an open invitation to Pluto (remember the Walt Disney character with those funny ears?!) to let him join 'em as the eighth dwarf. How cute you say? Hear hear! There is also talk that Pluto (the dog) is rather unconcerned about these developments, and as the gossip goes Pluto couldn't be bothered about the planetary motions except for an 'occassional howl toward the sky'!

For those with the astronomic streak:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluto

Dreaded Sticklers!

2006-07-04T20:34:00.000-07:00

Do you get frustrated when people are such sticklers to grammar and spelling? Do you groan when your boss gets all worked up over some punctuation missed out in an official mail? Do you feel like beating the living daylights of those who crib about little errors in the written language? Well then trust me you are not alone. Not alone in that there are others who would like to join you in your mission to wipe out this community of overzealous moralists - the Dreaded Stickers!!

Well, this topic came up as I and a friend were rambling about nothing in particular. And jokes apart, the truth is I am perhaps more inclined to call myself a stickler than being lenient to grave bloopers in writing! Of course I try not to overdo it knowing that it sounds condescending and terribly critical. I talked about a similar situation when someone who was obviously a stickler (or was pretending to be one!) ranted and raved about a post in a forum (here http://sowmyaravindran.blogspot.com/2006/07/when-rudeness-is-condoned.html).
I am opposed to making impolite remarks and terribly rude comments, and I realise that sticklers have this innate tendency to go overboard. Intentional or not, this is an unacceptable quirk - nit picking and patronising critique are definitely unseemly.

Perhaps you have something to say on this? Make the world know how you cannot stand people making a big hue and cry over practically invisible misspellings and forgivable flaws. Or would you rather talk about some blunders that left you reeling! My only request is let's keep it nice and without sarcasm. Be witty! Post your comments.

PS: Here's a popular link you might like to check out.
http://eatsshootsandleaves.com/eslex.html

When Rudeness is Condoned

2006-07-03T20:49:00.000-07:00

Courtesy - a word that signifies politeness, respect and civilised behaviour is so commonly uncommon these days! Perhaps some would call me overly sensitive, but the truth is that most of us exhibit this 'learned behaviour' of condoning and acting rude in order to get things done. Let's start with how the boss treats his subordinates or how a teacher reprimands a misbehaving student. Granted, sometimes students seem to have asked for such treatment from those who seek to protect and guide them. But is this reason enough?

Looking back, I get the feeling that we are quite deep into the concept of being 'authoritative and commanding' in order to seem accomplished. We are so desensitised to bad manners that when the thin line of polite behaviour is breached we barely notice how easy it is to move to being openly harsh and cynical.

Perhaps this might help getting the point across. I came across this post in a forum I regularly visit, and I guess I should not be surprised by the crude and callous remarks made by one of the regulars there. But the point is not even that this obnoxious guy actually made a rude comment, but that the remark was intended at someone who had tried to help out a person with a query. Accoording to the strongly worded allegations of Mr. O (couldn't resist calling him that as a short form for obnoxious!), the person who tried to answer a question had neither the skills required nor the language expertise to post a reply in what Mr. O termed as 'amateurish'! And then this person also had the gall to rephrase the entire mail of the poor guy into a two-liner. Now, the original was atleast a page long and admittedly not a great work of literary credit! But did it deserve this kind of stinging critisism? I don't think so. In this case however the other members did vocalise their unhappiness with Mr. O's post.

Thank god for small mercies!!

Forgiveness?!

2006-06-28T20:54:00.000-07:00

What does forgiveness mean to you? As the nasal voice of Brian Adams croons on the radio "...Please Forgive Me..." do you stop a moment to dwell on the topic? Thinking of a past when you wished with all your heart that a friend you hurt inadvertently, will suddenly be attacked by a selective amnesia and actually forgive you? Or perhaps fervently wish that you could just move past that little incident by forgiving the cruel words of a colleague?

Whatever the word 'forgiveness' may mean to you (I am fairly certain it means something to you!), the fact is that most of us have trouble admitting to having forgiven someone. "Why should I? He doesn't deserve it!" These are words I have spoken myself, and I realised that they really don't make me feel any better. So is revenge the key to the problem? Hardly.

Forgiveness a topic spoken about by some of the most powerful teachers - from Hindu seers and Sufi masters to Jesus and Buddha - is also perhaps the least employed. So is forgiveness the key to happiness. There is no way to know unless we try it! Learning to forgive is hard, but it is surprisingly healing. Forgive and move on. It works!

Have a Minute?

2006-06-27T21:43:00.000-07:00

This is one beautiful message. So simple in content yet holds deep meaning - I just had to blog this!

What does it cost to have a Celebration ....
Jus Imagine...

A winter evening.
Four friends.
One barsaat.
Four glasses of chai.

Hundred bucks for petrol.
A rusty old bike.
And an open road.

Maggi noodles.
A hostel room.
4.25 a.m.

3 old friends.
3 separate cities.
3 coffee mugs.
1 internet messenger.

Rain on a hot tin roof.
Pakoras deep-frying.
Neighbours dropping in.
A party.

You and mom.
A summer night.
A bottle of coconut oil.
A head massage.
Gossiping about absent family members.

You can spend >hundreds on birthdays,
thousands on festivals,
lakhs on weddings,

But to celebrate all u have to spend is your Time.

So Would U?!

Interesting Blogs Out There

2006-06-18T00:21:00.000-07:00

I seem to be making more post these days but fact is there are just too many interesting things out there you jus can't help writing about it. This one on plaigarism was so detailed and informative it had me hooked ... no less mind you. Check it out here:

http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2006/04/10/what-do-you-do-when-someone-steals-your-content

Its worth the read really...

Ans then this one is with a twist! It talks about an age old human emotion ... Told with the right tinge of femisnistic sarcasm! One helluva blog here:

http://www.guessaurus.com/2006/03/13/let%e2%80%99s-talk-about%e2%80%a6-sex/

Call it crude if you will; for me though it just nails it right on! Great going gal...

When Techie is IN

2006-06-11T18:43:00.000-07:00

Isn't it strange how in the midst of all that's happening around us, we seem to have lost along the way the little things that made us happy and the smallest joys? I know I am sounding nostalgic yeah yeah! But it's true you gotta admit. Well what made me think of writing this obvious fact now? No nothing more than that I was casually browsing around and I find that the effect of technology is practically everywhere. And far from feeling a sense of pride I felt hopelessly left out! You know sometimes how all this technological innovations and all can make you feel overwhelmed; but this was not about feeling like it was all too big to take: more like - now where did I miss that race to try out the little gadget myself.

Perhaps in all this rat race of keeping up with the latest fads and the striving to reach the Tech Guru stature, we have missed a few things here and there. My mom talks about how the little radio in the home she grew up in would suddenly conk off and then they would have to employ some outdated tactics to get it talking! How cute I say - but my mom responds 'nope it wasn't all that fun dear'! Yeah I guess not...But you know what - I wish I had had that kind of life you know so atleast all this technology would not have been so tiresome. I mean I was born when TV was a hosehold name and stereos weren't all that uncommon.

For many of us, Hi-Tech is what we grew up with. And I am glad I am part of it - Yes. But then sometimes you do wish things weren't moving all that fast - 'slow down a bit' you wanna scream. And no it's not like things have gone too far, you just want a break .... period. And that's exactly what I felt when I see websites that host some way too Hi-Fi stuff or people's blogs that scream - Technology! We have all talked about this ... but there is no escape. So what have I decided to do about it? Nothing! I am gonna move with the tide - Oh yes absolutely! Yup, I am gonna try that new phone and the new kid on the block - the iPod too! So to you Techie geeks - cheers! We are not bogged down by all that stuff; we want more - we would say that won't we?!

My First Blog

2006-03-09T23:53:00.000-08:00

My First Blog. What do I write about? I am not quite sure. And with so many topics to write about, it is virtually impossible for me to decide really! Still I figured I might as well start somewhere. Though I do maintain a personal journal, blogging intrigued me for the freedom of access to the general viewer and provided exciting possibilities. As a writer by profession too it offers me plenty of scope to extend my repertoire to personal jouranalling online ... ok ok no word coinage ... blogging! So here goes ...

Like I was saying I wanted something of general interest to write about. And then it struck me that an incident reported a while ago was more than just interesting. I am talking about the so called 'student rampage' at a well known college turned 'Deemed University' near Chennai. And there have been other incidents reports from then on.

In fact the media's dismissive attitude of the arrested students and the lack of social support to those affected is absolutely enraging. Yet, the masses choose to be silent witnesses. A letter I wrote to the Editor of leading newspaper received no attention. So then I thought I might as well put it in my blog. Even if I choose to join the silent public, I can atleast show a degree of defiance.

Here is an excerpt from the letter that went unnoticed.

It is pretty unfortunate that students in this country are treated with utmost disrespect and disregard. The incident reported in the SRM Institute of Science and Technology (Deemed University) seems to have taken a backburner under the more ‘front-page worthy news’ including the US President Mr. Bush’s arrival in the country and the Union Budget.

It’s even more unfortunate that an esteemed newspaper such as ‘The Hindu’ also took to this trend and chose to give second priority to news that could well decide the prospects of the so-called ‘future citizens’ of the country.

Isn’t it time someone seriously questioned why those ‘responsible’ individuals, who establish educational institutions in the name of imparting value-based instruction and technological excellence, are only in the business for accumulating wealth and influence? Is there going to be no voice against perpetrators who claim to be ‘moralistic’ while they go around assaulting the innocent and even do not cringe from refraining to murder all for the sake of monetary gains and political power?

It is newspapers and television that can act as effective media to act more responsibly, and substantiate claims and provide unbiased information and justice to the deserving. Albeit that there are reports of television crews affected by the incident, the media seems to have given it a lesser preference for coverage. Should the media not stand up in its own right and act as the rightful voice of people whose economic means do not allow them adequate defense and justice?

So much for the media's social role.

What is your opinion on this subject? Would you like to critique my blog? Post your comments!