I recently read this book " More Salt than Pepper" written by Karan Thapar. It is not a book per se but a compilation of his articles written under the column Sunday Sentiments in Hindustan Times. It was a good read. The language was a little sophisticated.
Since it was a compilation of articles the attention span required was very less. It was more like a roller coaster ride, by the time i started relishing an article it got over. He has covered different subjects but most of the articles are related to politics and his interviews with politicians. It was witty , sarcastic and critical in many occasions. On the whole it was a good experience reading this book . I got to know a little about many personalities. I feel this would be a good read while travelling.
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Madharasapattinam
I was listening to the songs from the film Madharasapattinam. Was Impressed by one son "Vamma Dhuraiamma" . Song was composed by GV Prakash and sung by Udit Narayanan, Late Cochin Hanifa and Amy Jackson.
This looks like a period film set during the pre-independence era. The song is a tri-logue . One of them sings in tamil about Indian Culture to an English lady. The other translates it literally. The best part of the song is the translation.
Click here to listen to the song.
This looks like a period film set during the pre-independence era. The song is a tri-logue . One of them sings in tamil about Indian Culture to an English lady. The other translates it literally. The best part of the song is the translation.
Click here to listen to the song.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Beatrice and Virgil
I just finished reading Beatrice and Virgil written by Yann Martel. It was a different read. The content was very light and witty. There was not much take away from the book. Just a lazy Sunday read.
Few lines that caught my attention
Language is alphabets in disarray.
You don't eat an apple you conquer it.
A work of art works because it is true, not because it is real.
Few lines that caught my attention
Language is alphabets in disarray.
You don't eat an apple you conquer it.
A work of art works because it is true, not because it is real.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Raavanan
I have not written another movie review . I have just penned a few words on the film 'Raavanan'.
I made a big mistake by watching the movie a day after the release. Too many people screaming and not allowing the rest of the audience relish the dialogues.
Coming to the movie. It was a visual treat. Cinematography at its best. The twist in the climax was very good. It was not just another movie where the hero and heroine run around a snow clad peak in Switzerland. A lot of subtle messages conveyed through the visuals and the dialogues. On the whole it was a good experience.
Full marks to the cast and crew.
I made a big mistake by watching the movie a day after the release. Too many people screaming and not allowing the rest of the audience relish the dialogues.
Coming to the movie. It was a visual treat. Cinematography at its best. The twist in the climax was very good. It was not just another movie where the hero and heroine run around a snow clad peak in Switzerland. A lot of subtle messages conveyed through the visuals and the dialogues. On the whole it was a good experience.
Full marks to the cast and crew.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Decisions Decisions
I have come to that point in my life where I am no longer going to regret on the decisions I have made . Coming to think of it good or bad, we live by the decisions we make.
When a seed is sown in the ground it grows to become a tiny sapling. This sapling in turn gives leave. Leaves grow in different directions. They do not know if the chosen direction is the right one or not. They in turn grow into branches. They grow into sub branches. No mater in which direction it grows, every branch has its own share of fruits.
So why regret on the decisions we make ...
When a seed is sown in the ground it grows to become a tiny sapling. This sapling in turn gives leave. Leaves grow in different directions. They do not know if the chosen direction is the right one or not. They in turn grow into branches. They grow into sub branches. No mater in which direction it grows, every branch has its own share of fruits.
So why regret on the decisions we make ...
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Search Strings
The other day i was attending a session on e-commerce. During the session the presenter came up with an interesting observation. If you type the words click here in google search the first page that comes up is adobe acrobat reader.
No wonder why this happens. There are umpteen websites that have the word click here to download acrobat reader. I dont think this is anyway relevant to the search string.
I tried to use the same search string using bing and the the first page that appeared was clickhere.com . There was some relevance to the search.
Will google change the search algorithm to make it more relevant ?
I am not feeling lucky here ...
No wonder why this happens. There are umpteen websites that have the word click here to download acrobat reader. I dont think this is anyway relevant to the search string.
I tried to use the same search string using bing and the the first page that appeared was clickhere.com . There was some relevance to the search.
Will google change the search algorithm to make it more relevant ?
I am not feeling lucky here ...
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Of Matchwinners and Centurians ...
I was watching the India - Sri Lanka third one day match. It was a treat to watch Sachin and Karthik finishing the game in a clinical fashion. Sachin was on the verge of another ton but still India won the match. What surprised me was some reactions that came out after the match. Everybody was criticizing Karthik for depriving Sachin from his century . I am not against Sachin scoring another century but in International cricket is winning a match more valuable than scoring a century?
I dont think so. Even Sachin would have felt that India won the match but people in between need an excuse to gossip.
I dont think so. Even Sachin would have felt that India won the match but people in between need an excuse to gossip.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Discount !!!
When a service provider says some service is discounted , do we really pay less than what was charged before ? I really doubt that statement.
I am using a prepaid card from a renown telecom service provider. I topped up my balance with a booster pack so that each call to any number from the same service provider is charged just 30 paise per minute. This went on for some time.
Once when i was making a call , I got a message that said " You will get a 10 % discount on this call ". Little did I know that the tariff would be increased and money would be discounted from that. I had to pay Re 1 for the call and got a 10 % discount. Effectively I have lost 60 paise. Finally I had to discount this money from my pocket .
Phew...
I am using a prepaid card from a renown telecom service provider. I topped up my balance with a booster pack so that each call to any number from the same service provider is charged just 30 paise per minute. This went on for some time.
Once when i was making a call , I got a message that said " You will get a 10 % discount on this call ". Little did I know that the tariff would be increased and money would be discounted from that. I had to pay Re 1 for the call and got a 10 % discount. Effectively I have lost 60 paise. Finally I had to discount this money from my pocket .
Phew...
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Diwali Wishes !!!
I was surprised to see the diwali wishes from White House. President Obama made a very terse statement wishing all the folks from the sub continent on the festival of lights. I was also surprised to hear him giving the meaning of Asatoma Sadgamaya ... From darkness to Light ...
I dont remember any other American president wishing the Indians on Diwali.
On the one side Washington state declaring holiday on August 15 ... other side the Nobel Laureate wishing the people from the sub-continent on one of their most important festivals ... what does all this mean ?
What was once considered as a land of snake charmers has grown to become the most prominent counties in the world. The world has started recognizing the value of India and Indians.
I feel proud to be a part of this diaspora ...
HAPPY DIWALI !!!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Jog
Off late i have started jogging in the evenings ... I go around China and Morocco clusters of International City . I-city happens to be a concrete jungle in the outskirts of Dubai ... I normally jog after 7 PM when the air is a little cooler ... I jog for around half an hour ... do some exercise... this is keeping me fit and fresh ...
The other day i wanted to experiment something new ... experimenting meaning nothing new ... just that i wanted to jog a little faster... i was in full enthu when i started ... i overtook a guy who was walking as fast as i used to jog normally ... this motivated me to run ... i ran .. i ran ... and finally felt i cannot run anymore so started walking ... the guy who walked fast overtook me in a jiffy ... darn !!!!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Aadhavan Songs
Just finished listening to songs from the movie " Aadhavan" ...
Quintessentially Harris Jayaraj Flicks ... Many songs sounded similar to his previous tunes ...
I liked two tracks
1. Dekho Dekho ... Good fusion
2. Hesile Fesilie ... This sounded more like Pudhu Pudhu song in the movie "Dham Dhoom"
Other songs are just ok ...
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Cheeni Kum
Good movie ...
Simple story... wonderfully directed ... stupendous photography ... great music ...
Hats off to the crew !!!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Freedom
Whenever I think of freedom the only thing that comes to my mind is the cry of William Wallace in the movie Braveheart.
" It's all for nothing if you don't have freedom. "
Quote
My friend had the following quote in her gtalk status message
"The wise speak when they have something to say, the foolish speak when they have to say something" ...
All I can infer from this quote is that I am a Wise Fool.
"The wise speak when they have something to say, the foolish speak when they have to say something" ...
All I can infer from this quote is that I am a Wise Fool.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Life's Little Instruction book
I got the following mail from my friend...
*** Life's Little Instruction Book ***
Always accept an outstretched hand.
Answer the phone with enthusiasm and energy in your voice.
Avoid sarcastic remarks.
Be a good loser. Be a good winner.
Be bold &courageous. When you look back on life, you'll regret the things you didn't do more than the ones you did.
Be confident. Even if you're not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference.
Be modest. A lot was accomplished before you were born.
Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
Begin each day with some of your favorite music.
Believe that miracles happen everyday.
Beware of the person who has nothing to lose.
Choose your life's mate carefully. From this one decision will come 90% of all your happiness or misery.
Compliment the meal when you're a guest in someone's home.
Count your blessings.
Don't allow the phone to interrupt important moments. It's there for your convenience, not the caller's.
Don't burn bridges. You'll be surprised how many times you have to cross the same river.
Don't expect life to be fair.
Give people a second chance, but not a third.
Have a firm handshake.
If in a fight, hit first and hit hard.
Keep a note pad and pencil on your bed-side table. Million-dollar ideas sometimes strike at 3 a.m.
Keep secrets.
Life’s not as complicated as you make it out to be.
Live your life so that your epitaph could read, No Regrets.
Look people in the eye.
Loosen up. Relax. Except for rare life-and-death matters, nothing is as important as it seems.
Make it a habit to do nice things for people who will never find out.
Make someone's day by paying the toll for the person in the car behind you.
Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all that they have.
Never give up on anybody.
Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.
Once in a while, take the scenic route.
Own a great stereo system.
Remember no one makes it alone. Have a grateful heart and be quick to acknowledge those who helped you.
Remember that 80% of the success in any job is based on our ability to deal with people.
Send a lot of Valentine cards. Sign them, 'Someone who thinks you're terrific.'
Send your loved ones flowers. Think of a reason later.
Show respect for everyone who works for a living, regardless of how trivial their job.
Sing in the shower.
Take charge of your attitude. Don't let someone else choose it for you.
Think twice before burdening a friend with a secret.
Visit friends and relatives when they are in hospital; you need only stay a few minutes.
Wave at the children on a school bus.
When playing games with children, let them win.
When someone hugs you, let them be the first to let go.
*** Life's Little Instruction Book ***
Always accept an outstretched hand.
Answer the phone with enthusiasm and energy in your voice.
Avoid sarcastic remarks.
Be a good loser. Be a good winner.
Be bold &courageous. When you look back on life, you'll regret the things you didn't do more than the ones you did.
Be confident. Even if you're not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference.
Be modest. A lot was accomplished before you were born.
Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
Begin each day with some of your favorite music.
Believe that miracles happen everyday.
Beware of the person who has nothing to lose.
Choose your life's mate carefully. From this one decision will come 90% of all your happiness or misery.
Compliment the meal when you're a guest in someone's home.
Count your blessings.
Don't allow the phone to interrupt important moments. It's there for your convenience, not the caller's.
Don't burn bridges. You'll be surprised how many times you have to cross the same river.
Don't expect life to be fair.
Give people a second chance, but not a third.
Have a firm handshake.
If in a fight, hit first and hit hard.
Keep a note pad and pencil on your bed-side table. Million-dollar ideas sometimes strike at 3 a.m.
Keep secrets.
Life’s not as complicated as you make it out to be.
Live your life so that your epitaph could read, No Regrets.
Look people in the eye.
Loosen up. Relax. Except for rare life-and-death matters, nothing is as important as it seems.
Make it a habit to do nice things for people who will never find out.
Make someone's day by paying the toll for the person in the car behind you.
Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all that they have.
Never give up on anybody.
Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.
Once in a while, take the scenic route.
Own a great stereo system.
Remember no one makes it alone. Have a grateful heart and be quick to acknowledge those who helped you.
Remember that 80% of the success in any job is based on our ability to deal with people.
Send a lot of Valentine cards. Sign them, 'Someone who thinks you're terrific.'
Send your loved ones flowers. Think of a reason later.
Show respect for everyone who works for a living, regardless of how trivial their job.
Sing in the shower.
Take charge of your attitude. Don't let someone else choose it for you.
Think twice before burdening a friend with a secret.
Visit friends and relatives when they are in hospital; you need only stay a few minutes.
Wave at the children on a school bus.
When playing games with children, let them win.
When someone hugs you, let them be the first to let go.
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