Tribal_fusion

King for a day

2010-10-17T00:01:00.000+05:30

A few days back, a friend of mine had gone to take his pet dog to the clinic for a few shots. Later on, on the way inside to the clinic, he had run across a huge billboard which mentioned that something to the effect that their will be a luxury clinic opening up for pets. Imagine that. Isn’t this a site to see? I laughed so hard when I heard this news. When my laughter had died down and I was back in control of my senses, I asked him exactly what had happened at the clinic.
He told me that the pets will be given VIP treatment, and a lot of facilities will be provided to them that usually are not available at your regular neighbourhood pet clinics like an operation theatre, ICU, OPD and many other things to pamper your loved one. The pet will be treated like a king. The vet had looked at my buddy and said in a stern voice “Seems like you have never give your dog a proper bath and a hair cut. We will make him smell and look good real quick.” He was told that it will ONLY cost $ 300.
The guilt factor kicked in and the dog was handed over for its beauty treatment. The poor thing did not know what it was about to get into. First of, it was given a set of injections. It was whisked off into another room where it was given a hair cut and then a bath. This confused little dog didn’t know what was happening to it, but seemed to enjoy it. The vet helpers finally released him after 1 hour and 15 minutes. What was once a furry looking well fed dog was now looking like a starving, malnourished stray dog which had been picked up while coming up to the clinic. He was quickly taken home with his newly acquired look. After hearing all this, I thought that it is truly amazing how lucky these pets have it nowadays. They can get pampered, treated like a royalty and get some time off from their owners.

Some places are set up in such a way that an air-conditioned car picks up the pet, takes it to a 5 star place, where they get hair cut, bath, and manicure. Then they get to watch television or listen to radio while reclining in a soft comfortable cushion. They are fed freshly made delicacies All this is located inside a fully air-conditioned area. Plus they also have their own personal butler to take care of any needs that may arise.

People who have pets are usually very attached to them and the owners want the best they can provide for their pets. The pets are like a loved family member. I guess it is only normal that the pet owner don’t look at their pets as animals, but as fellow human beings. So don’t feel shy about pampering your pets and let them have the time of their life.

Live your dreams

2010-10-07T21:05:00.000+05:30

The sky gods see that I’m finally gone
The moon and stars appear once more
I gently fall asleep under the moon light
Sail to distant shores

In my minds eye
I see distant lands
I travel far and wide
Life is but a journey

Dreaming those dreams
I’ve always dreamt
I let my mind run free
I enrich myself from the journey within

Live out your dreams
Don’t hold yourself back
Fill those sails with determination
Don’t listen to those dark whispers which want to hold you behind

The entertainment magnet

2010-10-07T20:57:00.002+05:30

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of PlayStation MOVE. All opinions are 100% mine.

It has always been difficult for us to spend time together as a family since everyone wanted to do their own thing. No matter how hard I tried, I simply could not figure out the magic formula which will bind the family together so that we can spend more time together as an unit. On day while I was browsing the net for a solution, I discovered the PlayStation Move which completely changed all of our lives. I simply had to order it and it arrived at our house soon. It was the magic formula which I had been looking for. It soon became an entertainment magnet as it drew all family members together. Every free weekend became a family game night session where each member tried to outdo the other and it became a really positive way to settle sibling rivalry. At one time I was a couch potato and now I am able to get a daily workout by running around the room as I play a few of their games.

PlayStation Move is a motion controller system with sensors to detect the player's movements and translate them into gameplay. The primary remote is just about the size of the Nintendo Wii remote / attached MotionPlus combination. Where Move departs from the Wii is that while the Wii detects movement with its built-in accelerometers, pointing (with the sensor bar) or even detecting exact orientation (with the addition of MotionPlus), Move can be tracked precisely within real 3D space instead of just inferring relative movement based on your previous position. For gameplay, this means you'll be performing fewer of those cute little flicks Wii pros have become so fond of -- most gameplay motions require a full and complete movement on Move -- but it also means interesting things for augmented reality. Of course, for AR you need a camera, and lucky for Sony it has the PlayStation Eye already on the market. In fact, the Move system is partly based on what the Eye can detect of those cute colored balls at the end of each Move controller, which helps the PlayStation know how far away from the camera the controller is, and map, say, a tennis racket exactly to a user's hand.

Of all the titles available in the market, I guess my favorite will be Get Fit with Mel B is a comprehensive fitness program created by world-famous Spice Girl Mel B in partnership with leading health experts. It has helped me to trim down those excess pounds in a timely manner and I am assured that I am doing it correctly so that I do not injure myself. On an ending note, I would like to remind you to add the motion gaming exclusively to your existing PlayStation®3 for only $99 with the MOVE bundle package! This will ensure non stop enjoyment for you and your family. It is a great way to spend some quality time together with the family members without spending a fortune.

….And that’s how it all this happened

2010-10-06T21:15:00.000+05:30

This is one of those posts which just kind of got written on the spur of the moment. I had originally written a part of it as a comment for a status posted on Facebook sometime back. It was one of those situations where the odd/wacky status got my mind running and I just ran along with it.
The feather just doesn't do it anymore...So a whole chicken is needed. Initially, everything is working out well. The chicken is under control and it really doesn't know what's going on. As things quicken up, the poor chicken becomes mighty confused and disoriented. It starts to squawk and flap its wing to get away. It’s held tighter until the work and hand is done. Things slowly go out of hand and the noise increases to very high level.
You turn around very much irritated and a bit startled when the crowd manage to barge in. When all of them do manage to get in, they see feathers flying all over and a very nakkie chicken in her hand. They stare at all the feather flying around ask “What exactly are you doing?”.
The lady tries to explain that there is a cat hiding in the luggage spage just above the door and it is refusing to come down no matter what I do. I tried just about everything and nothing seems to work. I finally managed to get a real chicken, tied it to a stick and stuck it up there hoping that the cat would venture out and eventually come down. The cat did see the chicken and vice versa. The chicken on the stick got a bit agitated ….and that’s how it all this happened

A dog’s day in paradise

2010-09-12T13:36:00.000+05:30

The periodic fable

2010-09-05T09:35:00.001+05:30

The heaviest element known was recently discovered by physicist at yale’s research center. Tentatively named ‘administratium’, it has no protons or electrons and thus an atomic number of 0. But it does have one neutron, 125 assistant neutrons, 75 vice-neutrons, and 11 assistant vice-neutrons. These add up to an atomic mass of 312;particles cohere in the nucleus through a force that involves a continuous exchange of meson-loke particles, ‘moron’.

Lacking electrons, administratium is inert, but it does have a chemical signature: detection is straightforward as it impedes every reaction it comes in contact with. The discoverers say aminute amount of adminstratium caused a reaction to take over four days to end finally although, normally less than a second would have sufficed. Nor does administratium decay over its normal life of three years; it undergoes a reorganization in which assistant-neutrons, vice-neutrons exchange places and the atomic weight usually increases thereafter. Research also indicates that adminstratium occurs quite naturally in the atmosphere. Typically, the concentration occurs at nodal points like government agencies, large corporations, universities and hospitals.

Scientists caution that adminstratium is toxic at any level of concentration and will easily destroy other, productive reactions in its vicinity. Attempts are on to see how to rein in adminstratium and prevent irreversible damage, but till date the results are not promising.

NMEDA

2010-09-05T09:25:00.000+05:30

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of NMEDA. All opinions are 100% mine.

Before my aunt died of breast cancer, she had to endure the fact that she needed to use a wheelchair for more than a year. I was one of her "caregivers" and I know how difficult it was for her to move around, especially when she needed to get in the car. If we had known about NMEDA that difficulty could have been alleviated. It is never easy watching people suffer and become helpless.

NMEDA is a non-profit trade association of mobility equipment dealers, driver rehabilitation specialists, and other professionals dedicated to broadening the opportunities for people with disabilities to drive or be transported in vehicles modified with mobility equipment. All members work together to improve transportation options of people with disabilities.

NMEDA was formed originally as an association of mobility equipment dealers in the state of Florida. In 1989 membership opened on a national level and the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association was established. The organization promotes and supports individual members engaged in the modification of quality transportation for people with disabilities. Membership has grown from 15 to more than 600 members with the bulk of the membership located in the United States and Canada.
We are lucky enough to have a dealer in the next town over. One of my clients got a Scion-the box shaped cars that look like washing machines and the other a Honda Pilot. NMEDA is great because it provides accessibility to both young and elderly people and allows them to regain independence after accidents.
NMEDA is a non-profit trade association; they educate consumers on buying products from a NMEDA qualified dealer.

NMEDA DOES NOT SELL ANYTHING: NMEDA is the only association that promotes safe driving and equipment for disabled people. They are non-profit and their members are required to adhere to the safety standards of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NMEDA dealers (members) are the ones who sell handicap vans and vehicle modifications for disabled people.

No two people with a disability are exactly the same. Beware of adapted wheelchair vehicles sold over the Internet or through catalogs. After a personalized “in-person” evaluation, you can be sure you are getting the right driving solution customized to your specific lifestyle and needs. If you need additional training or product refinements, your NMEDA dealer is there to help you.

NMEDA has Dealers AND Quality Assurance Program (QAP) dealers. The Quality Assurance Program (QAP) is the only nationally recognized accreditation program for the Adaptive Mobility Equipment Industry. It is based on the principle that in order to satisfy customers consistently, companies must have a systematic and documented approach to quality. Even if you don't have anyone affected with a disability, you should still check the NMEDA website and see if there are any locations near you. It can never hurt to stay informed.

Allowance and kids

2010-09-02T23:10:00.000+05:30

After talking to a friend of mine who has a little kid about whether they should be given an allowance or not, I really got thinking about it. I think what we should do is assign them chores to do and at the end of the week they would be paid they have earned. Bad behaviour though would earn negative marking meaning that they would have to do some extra chore.
Giving them an allowance when they are young for some work done properly will teach them a lot about such as responsibility. But on the same note, we must teach them how to spend the money earned so that they can save it to buy something useful. I think this is a great concept if used properly and wisely. The kid should understand the significance of all this.

Farah Fawcett and Michael Jackson - The passing of an era

2009-06-26T15:05:00.002+05:30

The two news items which people must have heard now are the deaths of Farah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. Both were stars in their respective fields and earned respect for the work done onscreen. They both had their ups and downs but I think it was Farah who kind of disappeared into the wilderness and not much about her was heard.

Farah Fawcett I remember from Charlie’s Angel television serial long back. There wasn't much of a plot to this show but it was worth watching as it was one of the better shows when compared to the rest of the stuff shown. The other serials which I remember watching which she was in were "The Flying Nun," "I Dream of Jeannie" and "The Partridge Family." They did provide alot of good entertainment value for the whole family which is sorely missing these days. I really do not know which other serials she was in since it was so long ago. I think at some point in time she made a transition to movies and the only one for which she is remembered for is "The burning bed". But sadly her televiosn success did not follow her to the big screen for some reason.

I think she had been battling cancer for some time until she lost control to it at a later stage. It's an awful thing to happen to anyone. Not only is the patient affected but everyone is traumatized by it at some point in time. The survivors live in constant fear about it recurrence. She never had an easy life but she did try her best to succeed in the things which she tried her hand in. Hopefully, wherever she it at this time may her soul rest in peace.

I won't speak ill of Michael Jackson even though he was a bit strange odd ball one. He did very strange things in the last 15 to 20 years which kept me wondering "Why?” I must admit a bit hesitantly that I did grow up listening to his music and at one time I liked some of his songs before I moved on from this particular music genre to my current fav one which is now metal. Hopefully, my metal friends won't notice this post and start ribbing me about my choices of music in the past. I guess this is my so called skeleton in the closet. lol. What's yours?

Seriously, looking back he did manage to influence the music industry alot and changed the music industry's perspective of the world. When he started out he was very talented and seemed really dedicated to his field but it seems like he got side tracked at some point in time. One thing which I do remember was that the Thriller was the biggest selling album at that time and was the high point of his musical career and the Black or White album was also worth listening to.

Due to the later actions done by him, I kind of lost the respect I held for him and started wondering what would make a man do these things. Even though he was one of the great entertainers of this era, I think there was too much time and space which was devoted in the media to his death. I sometimes wonder if other big entertainer will be given the same treatment as this one when they finally pass into the other side. He had always been in the limelight for one reason or other ranging from cosmetic ones to the baby dangling from the hotel room railing and the media went crazy when they found out.

On an ending note, I hope wherever he is at this time he is content, happy and his mind has been put to ease from his troubled past. He did manage to entertain us and gave us something worthwhile to listen to on radio or watch on television when we turned these things on. Hopefully people remember that he has family members which are getting over this loss and hopefully people will remember this and respect their privacy when they need it the most.

Turning into a night owl

2009-05-22T21:59:00.000+05:30

It’s the end of the financial year for us here and there seems to be an unending amount of work. Pending files and bills have to be cleared before the financial year closes or else we will not get the benefits for it in this year tax filing. This catch up on the work back log has turned me into a night owl. Due to this excessive work load I had noticed that for the last few days I've had trouble sleeping and I have been going to bed at 3:00 or so in the morning on most nights. I work from home and at times I am required to work after hours to finish up pending work also besides the normal work. I have had absolutely no sleep for the last many days and today I started work at 8:00 AM with only 3 hour's sleep as I couldn't sleep when I went to bed last night.

After I opened up my office and handed out work to one of my assistants at 9am I had to go shopping with my mother then go to the branch office for a meeting at 1:00 PM. During the meeting I drank many huge mugs of coffee but had to fight so hard to stay awake! It wasn't like I was getting comfortable and dozing off; I just simply couldn't keep my eyes open! I had to keep shuffling around and blinking and scribbling on my notepaper to try to stop going to sleep! It was so hard...I never used to understand how people could fall asleep while driving but I totally understand now!

I am in the process of reducing some of the work load so that I have “normal” work hours. It’s kinda difficult to get a full night of sleep when one has to complete certain rush orders or beat a deadline. I noticed that when I usually get a few minutes of sleep, like a power nap it just rejuvenates me and drives away the cobwebs in the mind for awhile. Has this ever happened to you and how did you deal with it?

Fright time for kids

2009-05-18T19:11:00.002+05:30

Kids always have some kind of fear which lurks in their brains. This fear is the outcome of various factors. These factors lead the brain to enhance the experience in the subconscious mind until it seems more realistic than it should be.

I remember while I was growing up, I was always scared of one thing or another. The first thing I remembered being terrified of was crossing a wooden bridge. I was very sure that there was a monster hidden underneath ready to grab me and start chomping on my leg like you would chomp on a chicken leg. I always used to walk to the side of the bridge and peek underneath to make sure that nothing was hiding underneath before crossing. As I grew a bit older, the monsters shifted their hiding place from under the bridge to my basement and at times the closet in my room. Sometimes, I swore something was hiding under the bed just waiting till the lights were turned off and then crawl out and I’ll turn into a midnight snack. I used to check and double check under the bed, then the closet before going to sleep. I really dread going down to the basement as I was quiet sure that there was something hiding under the stairs. I was always terrified of the dark when I was a little kid. I always preferred to have a light on and every little noise would scare me.

I guess I watched just too much television and always thought that something was out to get me. It really influenced my mind to such a great extent that I actually believed the scary stuff which was shown on TV. As I grew older, these terrors gradually faded into oblivion as I realized that the movie/book monsters only existed in these mediums and the only true real monsters of this world were the mean, demented humans.

Happiness

2009-05-10T13:01:00.000+05:30

Life is never easy. But it does become a bit easier if you adopt a policy of live and live. One cannot be bothered about all the stuff going around the world, since we cannot change everything to suit our needs and desires. One must be self satisfied in order to have a more fulfilling life. Otherwise, we shall be nothing but empty shell inside, so full of dissatisfaction, and is always so meaningless.
But one question popped into my mind in regard to this. Are you always trying to make the other person happy, irrespective of your own happiness? I guess in one sense it good that if people around us are happy means then we will be also happy usually. I try to make them feel happy and make others smile just not for satisfying them, but because it gives me inner satisfaction. There are people who take their happiness from making others happy. I cannot fully slot myself into this category, but I enjoy brightening someone's day and making them smile or laugh whenever I can. It's good and positive quality and at times it is good to make others happy, but never at the expense of your own happiness. One must remember that it's a hard and difficult job since you really can't really please everybody. I guess this is one of the reasons why I've been trying to live my life on my own terms and to do what I want to be and if there's a way possible while living my own life and on my own terms can make others happy, is a plus point for me.

On an ending note, I would like to say that happiness is a very contagious thing. I personally feel that if you are happy within yourself then you are always surrounded by happier people. So instead of going out of my way in making others happy, I prefer to have positive outlook and have a happier inner self and I really do believe that all those who come to me also become happier since I do not impose myself nor try to make them happy. I really do not think it is not worth the trouble when you end up doling out everything to others and on the other side you notice that it is you who is ending up suffering and you have not gained anything. So, set limits for yourself when how to make others happy. But, some people feel good when they do good things for others so if he/she is happy that way it is fine I guess.

Experience of the weird kind

2009-05-01T12:59:00.001+05:30

I went for a walk yesterday evening and returned very late since I stopped at a grocery store to buy a few veggies. Nothing exciting happened while returning home and I was in a rush to reach home. It was almost 8:00 PM by the time I finally reached home. I was unlocking the gate when I heard some mighty strange sounds coming from across the street. It was kinda dark there and I couldn’t clearly make out what was happening there. The only thing I could see was a car shaking back and forth. I was a bit curious and wanted to go there and take a look. But first, I went inside and put all the grocery items away and came back outside. Locked the door once more and went for a lookee.

The car was still there shaking like crazy. All types of thoughts were racing through my mind. I swear I could hear moaning, groaning, cursing and swearing non stop. All types of thoughts were floating through my mind. I ran over not knowing what to expect. Darn. It was just two guys trying to push and shove a car out of a ditch. And I was expecting something else. Lol. The two guys were as startled to see me as I was seeing them.

It seems like they were trying to avoid some stray animal and lost control of the car and it went into a ditch located next to the road. Half of the car of in the ditch and they were not able to push it back out. I told them to stop all this activity since it was doing no good and I’ll try to get some help if they could wait a bit. After a short while I managed to call over a bunch of people and everyone managed to push the car out with a bit of effort. All of us got treated to a soft drink for our effort and it felt mighty good helping someone out. When they were finally ready to leave, I asked them not to make so many weird noises while shaking the car in the dark or else people might get all types of strange ideas.

It was a fun experience and I did have a laugh when I realized it was only two guys trying to push a stuck car out of the ditch. One thing I learned out of this experience is never to assume anything until fully confirmed.

Repel those pests

2009-05-01T12:46:00.001+05:30

The weather is turning pleasant and we usually start thinking more and more about spending most of our day in the backyard – either having a family barbeques, participating in some sport activity, hanging out by the pool all day or just sitting around in the picnic area and enjoying yourself while enjoying the surroundings.

I guess the only thing which can ruin our day is the ever present pesky mosquito. They seem to be everywhere and just waiting for someone to venture into their area so that they can start biting. An as soon as they become active all our fun and enjoyment is completely ruined since all we are doing is swatting away these pests. Not only are these pests really annoying, but they are also a serious health threat for us as they spread malaria and are West Nile virus carriers very rapidly across a wide area.

Malaria has been acknowledged as one of the most deadly diseases in the world except for AIDS and tuberculosis. The United States and Western countries have managed to eliminate the disease but it still manages to persist in Central and South America, Africa and Asia regions and has spread rapidly due to the resistance to anti malaria drugs. The most common drug being used is chloroquine is no longer effective in most of the endemic areas.
Recently, another mosquito-borne disease, the West Nile virus, had emerged as a serious health threat in vast areas of United States. Infection with the virus can lead to fatal encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) in humans and horses and mortality in birds. This virus is carried by infected mosquitoes, primarily members of the Culex species. Human vaccines are currently at the development stage and a vaccine for horses has been approved but the effectiveness remains to be evaluated. The threat of the West Nile virus has increased due to an apparent infection being transmitted though the blood supply.

The current approach towards eliminating these disease carriers is to attack and eradicate them by using chemical pesticides such as DTT. If you want a safer method to eradicate these pests then you should give Mosquito Magnet a serious thought. After going through a few mosquito magnet review I have come to the conclusion that it is one of the safest methods around. Mosquito Magnet® traps work by attracting and capturing the mosquitoes and other biting insects that are breeding in the yard. It operates continuously by releasing a continuous stream of carbon dioxide (CO2) and scientifically proven attractant to draw mosquitoes to the trap.
It has helped many people who have used this marvelous machine to save their summers from being attacked by mosquitoes. People who have used it just simply love this great device that they can now actually venture out of their homes without worry and tension. They can carry out their normal activities for a change. After I started using it, I noticed that there was a significant decrease in mosquito population around my house and I am no more a prisoner behind the screen door. Life is more fun now and we don’t have to swat these bugs nor worry about coming down with some health problem. To wrap up, I would like to say that Mosquito Magnet traps are the only long-term, scientifically proven mosquito control solution in the marketplace - it has saved many people's summers and they are not shy to talk about it! Go out and check it out for yourself.

Initial impressions - How valid are they?

2009-04-30T11:07:00.001+05:30

First Impression is the Last Impression is what I have been told ever since I was a little kid. Initially, I did believe it but lately I have questioned this phrase as it might not be completely true. This may hold true at certain times and at certain situations, but I do not think that it is true at all the time. At times, how total strangers have perceived you may be different from the real you. Often times, how people perceived you is the person that you wanted to be perceived.

At times, initial reactions from others do not usually equate with how they perceive us as a person. It is only when we become more acquainted with them that others will be comfortable letting us know their first impression towards us. Be it the truth or not, often times, you might just want to shrug it off or laugh your heart out to learn that their initial impression on you is far different from your real you. Personally, I get lots of feedback from friends and colleagues telling me that they first thought of me as "Introvert." After they get to know me better, that's the only time that they knew the real me - everything but an introvert! Sometimes people say I should smile more but I tell them…hey that is how I look like. But on the inside I am actually quite happy and really friendly person.

First impression can be really deceiving. I think it might have something to do with our initial reaction when we meet people for the very first time. For example, I am not used to smiling a lot, at least for first time meeting. I am only able to open myself a little more as I become more comfortable talking to people, but not for the first time meeting. Never judge a book by its cover. We simply cannot get an accurate impression just by meeting a person for the first time and that too for a real short time. Always try to be a bit open minded and be ready to change your opinions of a person no matter how charming or not so charming they might have appeared in the first meeting.

Handling telemarketers

2009-03-22T23:31:00.001+05:30

At one time not too long ago, I used to get irritated receiving call from telemarketers. But now I have really started to feel indifferent towards these telemarketers. It seems that now I have started to handle them better. There are a few tricks that can be used when talking to them, which can be used to make these experiences fun for me and it usually prevents the telemarketer from calling a second time.

Some of the things I do are:

1. I tell them that as I am hard at hearing, I ask them to speak louder and make them repeat every sentence many times.
2. Ask them to talk very slowly and repeat everything starting from the beginning as I need to write down everything they say. Or
3. Tell them to call on the other phone and give them the number of another telemarketer. Maybe they can irritate each other.
4. Just lay the phone down and walk away while they're talking.
5. Ask them for their home phone number so I can call them at home while I'm at work
6. Just hang up. Hey, I sometimes feel awful doing it because I know these people are just trying to make an honest living, but they call at the WORST times!

Sometimes, when I pick up the phone and suddenly realize that it is a telemarketer, and I am in no mood to use the above method and I want to disengage from the call real quick, I have a different method. Once they start talking me simply state that I am not interested and to please remove me from their list and then I hang up. Since calls really are monitored and recorded, they have to follow protocol and deal with my wishes appropriately.

When I am really busy I let the phone ring, and if I am on my computer, I do not bother answering the phone any way. Also, considering that I have a caller ID, I know who is calling and I answer the phone accordingly. I really do not have time for telemarketing people who are pushing products and services which are usually of no use for me.
On a final note, I would like to say that they are really just doing their job. I know that sometimes we get really irritated because of them, but we should also bear with them... since they are just doing their job which really isn't easy.

Hitting the gym

2009-02-12T01:16:00.000+05:30

The weather is turning warmer and warmer with each passing day. It seems like I had gained a bit of weight lately. So, I decided to visit one of the gyms which has opened up in my locality. What also pushed me into this health fitness mode was that quiet a few Bollywood actors were showing off their six and eight packs and their well toned bodies.

It seems like gyms are opening in every nook and corner of our city. But choosing the right workout place is getting to be a bit of a hassle. So, I went gym hunting and narrowed down my list to just a few. These few from which I will make my final choice from seemed more or less complete than the regular run of the mill variety.

Before I went on my gym hunt, I had a talk with a fitness trainer to inquire about what things I should look for in a proper gym. He told me that one of the main things I should look for is that the fitness center should be divided into different sections. Each section works on a different section and is pretty much unique from the other. The sections which should be present in a complete gym are: Strength section, Cardio, Free weights and Spinning section.

The strength section should have a combo machine which helps to exercise legs, shoulder and chest areas. I wanted proper toned biceps, triceps and give my hamstrings a proper strength workouts. So, a Percher Curl, Prone Leg Curl and Seated Dip are a must for me.

In the Cardio section, I went looking for a treadmill along with the bike combo which I was told is a must. One must devote sometime in this section to burn up those calories and get the heart pumping.

The Free weights section consists of dumbbells, barbells. The Spinning section must have the Swiss Balls. This final part is where the abs comes in where one has to exercise on the Swiss balls, do crunches, leg raises, skipping and stretching.

The final two things which were on my mind as I was finalizing my choice were the price factor and whether they had an in house trainer. The right pricing of the gym package is an important consideration when choosing the gym as well having a trainer helping us out in choosing the right exercises and guiding us novices through the exercises.

I was told that there is no fixed time limit as to when a person will achieve their desired perfect abs, but a consistent and hard work will help you to achieve it within 18 to 24 months. Going to the gym and working out on a regular basis might actually help me to achieve my goal. Plus, there will be many other people like me who are just starting out in the exercise regime and I will not feel like an odd man out

Leaving footprints behind in your net travels

2009-02-11T21:13:00.000+05:30

Did you know that some employers these days are using the Internet in their background check before considering hiring a new employee? Employers look at your photos and profiles as a screening process during the recruitment process. It does not matter what your opinion about this particular subject is, you must think twice before you post anything on the Internet. Once you post it on a site, it stays on Internet as long as site is active. Sometimes we do not realize that what we put on the net will be there for an extremely long time!
Even though I do post a lot of stuff on many sites and do a lot of blogging, there is not anything that would be embarrassing let alone grounds for not hiring. I can imagine what some people have on their profiles around the web keeping them from getting a job.

How would you feel knowing that company is utilizing MySpace, Facebook and Internet search engines as background checks on you? I don’t really think many of you would be really that comfortable would you.

But if I was hiring someone for my company, I would certainly check them out on the internet, even though I do not totally agree with it. But I do consider it a tool to discover the public face that they have on the net. If I found posts on a social network site boasting how they did something illegal, immoral or unethical I would not hire them since it will conflict with my own and my companies values. Since the person is a total stranger to the company, it would like to get as complete a picture as possible about the candidate as possible.

When the day goes wrong

2009-02-06T20:01:00.000+05:30

Have you ever had one of those days when you had your day all planned out, been really all set to get all the work you had planned done and then had life throw a Googly in all your plans?

I got up yesterday morning thinking about going to work a little early and completing most of my work as quickly as possible so that I could attend some family function later on in the day. Everything was going just right and smoothly till I stepped out of the house. I opened up the car door, put my stuff inside and went to open the main gate on the boundary wall. Hmmm….decided against it as there were two bulls head butting like there’s no tomorrow. I really didn’t want to mediate between them just now. So, they went back and forth and I wasted a full 30 minutes for them to move down the street.

With them finally gone I decided to get going. I noticed one of the front tires was flat. Oh well there goes my day I thought as I called up the service center to send someone over to put on the spare tire and take the other one away to get it patched up and refilled with air. The little monkey from the service center came mighty quick and I was thrilled by his prompt work. But my unlucky streak for the day had not left me just yet. Just when the little monkey was lowering the jacked up car, it somehow slipped off the jack and started rolling down the drive way. “Oh shit!!!” I yelled as I and the kid were running after the car. It rolled across the street and into the same ditch which the two guys had driven into a few days back when they were trying to avoid a stray animal.

While I was chewing out the monkey for not putting the car into gear and putting something behind the rear wheel to jam it, I noticed a truck coming my way and we hailed it down. I really didn’t want to do any huffing and puffing just now before heading off to work. The driver was willing to help us out. Luckily he had a chain in the back which was tied to one end of my car and it was effortlessly pulled out.

No matter how hard I try, sometimes my day just does not turn out right. Even though 90 minutes had elapsed since I had stepped out the front door of my house, my day was not completely a loss, and I’ve still had enough time to speed through the remaining time. I managed to finish most of the items on my agenda and the rest will be wrapped up sometime tomorrow. I have learned to take the unexpected surprises that life throws at me. It happens many times in everybody's life, and I am no exception. Expect the unexpected and just go with the flow. Hurdles will come and these will probably be worked out if you give them enough time. Life is so full of surprises and sometimes some days brings new set of totally unexpected problems.

My weekend book hunt

2008-09-12T22:28:00.000+05:30

Just another lazy, dull day and I am eagerly looking forward to the weekend. This week just seemed to creep by and I was bored to death. Just too much work and I was looking for some time off to relax. I might go to Fun Republic mall once more. I had discovered a really great book store called Landmark. It is a huge store spread across two floors. It contains such a wide variety of items that a person can lose themselves in there for many hours. I had gone there once before and I have simply fallen in love with this store. Since this store must contains million of books. It is a book lover’s paradise. This time, I am freeing up couple of hours so that I can browse though the whole range of books and try to hunt down the books which I am not able to find else where. Oh did I tell you. This place also has a wide range of audio/video cd, board games for various ages, etc. I have actually made a list of authors whose books I have been hunting for what seems like many years. It is a good spot to relax and spend some spare time. This store I discovered was a treasure trove. Most likely I might go either watch a movie or go to the Food Court located on the top floor and grab a bite to eat after I am done with my trip to the book store. The mall itself offers a wide variety of shops, so I usually just wander around really enjoy my time here. Anyway, I am looking forward to finding couple of novels by Stephen King which have been missing from my collection. Maybe the new audio cd by Metallica will be there also.

Make a bet

2008-09-12T22:19:00.002+05:30

I was thinking of trying something different today since I was really bored with the same old stuff and I finally found it at a site called Sportsviews. This site caters to one thing which I am passionate about which is anything to do with sports. But, what really got me interested was that this is a new Sports Social network sports blogs. Members bet on sports events and issues. They can even create their own bets and challenge others. They can also discuss sports; create blogs, share videos, pictures and much more. I really liked it more when I found out that Sportsviews is a 100% free community serving sports fans. Members can make free sports bets and maybe they might even get lucky and win. I noticed that it has some really fabulous football videos, which I liked so much that I kept watching over and over again. This site contains some really fantastic stuff. sportsviews is really a fun, additive and mind blowing site. I guess it is ok to play at these sites as long as you know that you should have fun and not go overboard. One should play to have fun and that too within limits. It is a good way to pass time if there is not much else to do and you want to have fun on the net and really enjoy yourself, so let’s see how I do on one of the online sites. If a person really wants to play a game, go to a site that is worth visiting. I really liked the way I spent my day and it seemed like online gambling is a good way to have fun if you have access to he net. It can be so addicting that we can end up spending several hours on net without realising it. I hope you will enjoy this site as much as I did. I had tons of fun and I lost track on how many times I visited this site.

Mall trip

2008-09-10T20:53:00.001+05:30

It was another Sunday and not much was happening. There were only old black and white boring movies on television which did not appeal to us at all. The radio was blaring out the same old stuff. After surfing through all the channels which the radio and television had to offer, we had decided to go out and have fun.

So we all hopped into our car and decided to visit Fun Republic mall located close to our home at near Eldeco Greens, Gomti Nagar . So we landed at the mall around two o’clock in the afternoon and parked our car in the basement. We went straight up to the food court since we were really famished. There are many food outlets there, but we bypassed them all and went straight to Nathu’s food stall. We’ve been here numerous times and found this place the best one of all.

Everyone ordered what they wanted, but I ordered Arhar Dal and Rice combo pack. Other times, I order either Rajma and Rice combo or mixed dal and Rice combo. Oh, I’ve tried the other dishes, but I’ve found this rice and dal combo the best. It is one of the dishes which contain the bare minimum oil. Due to the right combination of spices used in the preparation of the dals, they turn out very delicious. Sometimes we order some extra items with whatever we are eating. The items which we commonly order with the dal and rice combo are either nans or maybe a deluxe veg thali. It makes our dining out more complete and filling.

After eating, we just moved aimlessly along the mall and doing a bit of window shopping. I found an electronic store really interesting and went inside to take a peek at what they had to offer. It was a mighty big store and had a huge variety of electronic items. The plasma and LCD television sets were really nice and so was the wide variety of laptops. The best part of this store was that I could actually try out the demo piece to see what the different functions are. There is something for everyone at this mall. We did stop at Spencer’s to do a bit of grocery shopping.

We were in this mall for what seemed many hours and it was getting dark. So we finally made our way to our car and left shortly. We all seem to like this mall the best of all the malls in Luck now that we have been to. It is a comfortably sized mall and it is not too crowded even at peak time.

My energy drink

2008-08-31T11:54:00.002+05:30

I remember when I used to participate in sports activities in high school; I used to get really fatigued during summer months. It was only natural I guess considering that we burn up a lot of calories and sweat out water and salts, while participating in any physical activity. Even if a person is not participating in an activity, he/she will sweat profusely in a hot summer months and get tired rather quickly.

Drinking water replenished the depleted water supply but sometimes I had noticed that at times I used to be still feeling tired. I had seen an ad on TV for some energy drink called Gatorade. So I went out to the local store in my area and bought a pack and used it for some time. It is a quick pick me up drink which rehydrated me in a jiffy. It used to be one of my favourite energy drinks when I was feeling extremely dehydrated and fatigued. It has a distinct taste to it and not everyone used to like its flavour. But after awhile I noticed that it really did not matter as long as it replenished the lost salts in my body in a safe manner. After drinking a full glass of it, I was ready for action once more.

But Gatorade is just one option. These days, there are so many energy drinks which I discovered when I went to Dragon Blogger. This author has written quiet well on different types of energy drinks in detail. I guess, after reading this post I might consider the other types of energy drink if I ever want some variety in taste. One should have choices after all and not be stuck with one thing.

My reading favorite material

2008-08-31T11:04:00.000+05:30

I really love reading and reading novels is one of my favourite pastimes. Over the years, I must have read hundreds of novels by many different authors. After reading many novels, I noticed that I really prefer the writings of only a few, since I have stuck with them over a period of time. The authors whose novels I consistently prefer over others are time and time again are: Stephen king, and Clive Barker. The novels written by which I really liked reading a lot were: The Duma Key, Cujo, Salems Lot, Everything Eventual, and The Dark Tower series. The other author - Clive Barker whose books I still like reading after many years is: Cabal, The Great & Secret Show, The Essential Clive Barker, and The books Of Blood series. These two authors are my favourite when it comes to reading horror stories which can keep me up all night. These two authors had such an influence on me that I remember that I used to check the closet to see if anyone was hiding there or not. Sometimes, I used to get startled by the sound of the twig of the tree scratching against the window. At that time I swore it was some monster trying to get in. Or maybe, it seemed there was something hiding under the bed. It just seemed that these two authors were able to make their characters come alive. Both have the ability to flesh out the characters, so that they seem so real, tangible and like they really exist.
By chance, I discovered another person who goes by the name Dragon Blogger who seems to enjoy the same reading taste as me. After reading his post, I rediscovered my interest in reading and I am thinking about going to the local bookstore to see what are the latest offerings by these two authors are. So pick up a novel, and kindle the passion for reading. It will not only keep you occupied for many hours, but also drive away those dull, boring moments.

My day out at the movies

2008-08-26T20:55:00.003+05:30

It has been a long time since I went to the movies. Usually, I go to the local movie parlour and rent a CD/DVD and watch it at home due to sheer comfort that home viewing offers. But after watching many movies at home, I wanted something different. I asked someone to purchase the tickets for me and I got myself freed up the weekend.

So I went over to the mall on Sunday morning and found a comfy spot in the back. The movie which I went to watch was "Singh is King", it turned out to be pretty good flick and I enjoyed it a lot. The time just by and before I knew it, the two hours movie was over and the hall lights were back on. This movie is a non-stop action packed movie which can be enjoyed by all. Akhsay Kumar who is the lead hero in this movie has done an excellent job of a bumbling country boy who has to go to Australia to bring back someone. To make a long story short, he did succeed after many hilarious goof ups and managed to get a girl of his dreams also.

I really loved this movie and will recommend it to others. It is a must watch movie for the whole family. The lead actor is an excellent actor and I am quiet sure he will perform well in all his future movies also. He seems really dedicated actor and is able to make his character come alive.

What I ate today

2008-08-22T20:49:00.001+05:30

Today I came home really early since it was Friday and I had wrapped up my work really early. There was the same old stuff in the fridge to eat. I wanted to make something different. So I thought, why not make a south Indian dish. One of my favorite is called dosa. It comes in may varieties. The pic which I have included is a masala dosa. it is really easy to make and will not take much of your time. So I took out the batter and poured some on the hot frying pan which was coated with a bit of oil.I leveled it out until it was a thin layer. Quickly take it out and put it on a plate. Take some boiled potatoes which have been fried in spices and put them on top of the dosa. Gently fold/roll it until you have the desired shape. If you are up to it, then you can make some sambar and coconut chutney. I really enjoyed not only making the dosa but eating it also. If you are interested, I have given the recipe below.

Ingrediants:

Dosa shell:

1 1/2 cups rice
1/2 cup urad dal
salt to taste
Oil
Masala Filling:

2 large potatoes
1 medium onion (chopped)
1/2 teaspoon yellow split peas
1/2 teaspoon mustard seed
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1-2 green chili
1 tablespoon oil
salt to taste

Preparation:

Dosa shell

Separately soak rice and urad dal at least 6 hour or overnight in water.
Grind to paste.
Mix together, add salt with water to make batter.
Leave in room temperature overnight.
Mix onion and chilies to the thin batter.
Heat pan or griddle with little ghee or oil.
Spread the mix on pan in circular motion to make thin Dosa.
Cook on both the sides, if desired.

Masala Filling (Spicy Filling):
Heat oil. Add mustard seed, peas, onions and spice.
Fry for about 5 minutes on medium heat or/until onions are turned into golden brown
Add potatoes and mix and cook some more Serve
Add filling inside Dosa and roll. Serve hot with Chutney.

Flats or independent Houses

2008-08-09T00:45:00.001+05:30

Over the last decade or so, our life styles have changed dramatically. Before everyone led a laid back life and the joint family system was the norm. But with the ever changing fast paced change, the joint family system is fast fading into oblivion and it is rapidly being replaced by the nuclear family system. With more and more people going nuclear, the support system that joint system provided is fading fast.

Apartment living seems to have come to the rescue for all those people whom security and the feel of joint family reigns supreme. The fellow dwellers are able to provide a support system which is usually missing when the families are living in a stand alone house. There are other pus points of living in an apartment like lesser tension when doing maintenance of your apartment, no headache when it comes to gardeners and plumbers, electricians or baby sitters in some cases. This is because the apartment society handles these things on the behalf of the individual apartment owners. One of the biggest benefits is the shared environment and the feeling of security it provides. Plus, some localities sometimes provide additional security systems like identity cards for the maintenance crew and the domestic help that comes to the locality.

Independent house are quiet nice, since they provide spacious living quarters. People living in these types of houses have more freedom to do what they want. But the support system is missing here and there are many daily hassles when dealing with cleaning peoples, gardeners, plumbers, electricians, painters, etc. A proper security system is missing and people have to hire their own guards in most cases in case the colony has not made any arrangements.

Developers are nowadays cashing in on the apartment craze and are attracting the people by emphasising on the good floor plans, fitness centers, 24 hour maintenance, security, etc. Many people it seems are shifting towards apartment life since it has fewer hassles when compared to independent houses. These developers are offering easy finance, a large variety of apartments and price range to suit a large section of peoples. Almost everything it seems is located either in or around the apartment complex.

A dog’s day in paradise

2008-08-08T11:14:00.000+05:30

A few days back, a friend of mine had gone to take his pet dog to the clinic for a few shots. Later on, on the way inside to the clinic, he had run across a huge billboard which mentioned that something to the effect that their will be a luxury clinic opening up for pets. Imagine that. Isn’t this a site to see? I laughed so hard when I heard this news. When my laughter had died down and I was back in control of my senses, I asked him exactly what had happened at the clinic. He told me that the pets will be given VIP treatment, and a lot of facilities will be provided to them that usually are not available at your regular neighbourhood pet clinics like an operation theatre, ICU, OPD and many other things to pamper your loved one. The pet will be treated like a king. The vet had looked at my buddy and said in a stern voice “Seems like you have never give your dog a proper bath and a hair cut. We will make him smell and look good real quick.” He was told that it will ONLY cost Rs 600. The guilt factor kicked in and the dog was handed over for its beauty treatment. The poor thing did not know what it was about to get into. First of, it was given a set of injections. It was whisked off into another room where it was given a hair cut and then a bath. This confused little dog didn’t know what was happening to it, but seemed to enjoy it. The vet helpers finally released him after 1 hour and 15 minutes. What was once a furry looking well fed dog was now looking like a starving, malnourished stray dog which had been picked up while coming up to the clinic. He was quickly taken home with his newly acquired look. After hearing all this, I thought that it is truly amazing how lucky these pets have it nowadays. They can get pampered, treated like a royalty and get some time off from their owners.

Some places are set up in such a way that an air-conditioned car picks up the pet, takes it to a 5 star place, where they get hair cut, bath, and manicure. Then they get to watch television or listen to radio while reclining in a soft comfortable cushion. They are fed freshly made delicacies All this is located inside a fully air-conditioned area. Plus they also have their own personal butler to take care of any needs that may arise.

People who have pets are usually very attached to them and the owners want the best they can provide for their pets. The pets are like a loved family member. I guess it is only normal that the pet owner don’t look at their pets as animals, but as fellow human beings. So don’t feel shy about pampering your pets and let them have the time of their life.

The adventures of a bargain hunter

2008-08-07T02:47:00.000+05:30

Is it not great to travel with someone who really takes pleasure in bargaining and is always looking for the best deals in town? Bargaining is one ability which I find challenging even on one of my best days. I really do not have the so called ability or talent to out bargain the shop owner. As my friend and I made our way through the local market close to our house, we could not help wondering why a simple white cotton T-Shirt with no decorations was priced as the same rate as a taxi which could be hired for ferrying us around locally for 4 hours. No matter how hard we bargained, the shop boy simply stuck to his price. We left the stuff and started to move on. Just then we heard a familiar voice shouting above the noise asking us to come back. We turned around and looked and he quoted a lower price, but we stuck to our guns. We pretended as we were about to move on and asked him to lower his price. There was no response and we moved on and I thought that we had lost a good T-shirt just because it was overpriced by Rs 50. Just then, there was a tug at my sleeve and it was the same boy. Seems like he had finally agreed to our price.

It is not like he had lost money by reducing the price for us. Everyone knows that there is no fixed price when purchasing these items from the street vendors. Everyone it seems needs good bargaining skills when purchasing items from road side shops, since the majority of the items are overpriced and the shopkeepers want to make a quick buck. I really do think that the rules of bargaining are universal. A lot of people actually do enjoy bargaining and are quiet skilled at it. The shopkeeper at times knows that a lot of people will bargain no matter what, even if the product is priced just right. So their thinking is, why not set the price a little higher and then lowers it a little. So, if you are ever in this situation, just go out and have fun and try to get the best price.

Hot spicy food.

2008-08-06T00:28:00.000+05:30

I love a wide variety of foods especially the hot spicy variety. I am particularly fond of Mughlai, Italian, South Indian and Chinese cuisine but in Chinese food they use Ajinomoto which is known to cause cancer. Therefore, I just do not eat it as often as my other types of favourite foods. I have heard certain things about the use of MSG (which is what Ajinomoto is also known as), one of them being that Asian people tend to be less allergic from it and have reactions to it less often than Caucasian people and other races. I personally prefer salt over MSG taste wise, but I do not use it in my own cooking at all. I cannot avoid it when I am eating out, but when eating at home, I am in a better position to decide what ingredients go into my foods.

I love a wide variety of Mughlai foods and it is difficult to choose just one. The mouth watering curries are just simply delicious and the special aroma simply drives me nuts. In Italian foods, I guess pizza is every ones favourite including mine. But I also love their pasta dishes with a heavy dose of sauce. Just like the Mughlai curries, the Italian sauces are simply mouth watering also. There is such a wide variety of sauces available for different dishes. Some South Indian dishes I simply love, like the Masala Dosa, Idili, and Vada. In Chinese foods, I really like only a few dishes like the Veg Manchurian, Rice and Noodle dishes.

Eating the same old stuff every day at home can be real boring. That is why eating a wide variety of dishes can liven up your life and makes your life more enjoyable. But like all things, it should be done in moderation as restaurant foods are usually excessively loaded with salt, oil, fats and other things which might be harmful to your health in the long term.

The wait

2008-08-05T00:34:00.001+05:30

Time is a funny thing. Even though we know that time ticks away at the same rate, we view it in a different manner at different times. Have you noticed that sometimes it just rushes by and at other times it flows by so slowly that it seems like time has virtually stopped. Time really drags by especially when I am waiting for my turn in a line to pay some utility bill or at some office or clinic. If I am at an office or clinic, I usually either end up staring at the ceiling, trying to start a conversation with the person sitting next to me, maybe just browsing through the reading material or listening to music on my MP3 player or cell phone. At times when I am just sitting there in the chair/seat and there is nothing to do at all, I sometimes like to observe the people around me. I really enjoy doing that at times, since I am able to see the different personalities of the people I am waiting with in the office... some are arrogant, some shy, some intelligent while the remainder are obviously impatient. Other times really flies by, especially when I have a deadline to meet, flight/train to catch or maybe when I am having fun. I like to think of time as a river. Sometimes it is like a lazy, slow moving one where you can just idyll away your time and you can navigate it with ease. At other times it is like a raging bull, you just have to go with the flow and you just do not have any control whatsoever. You just have to accept what is dished out to you.

Increased Security at public places.

2008-08-04T10:57:00.000+05:30

The state government has finally woken up to the fact that due to the increased threat posed by the terrorists, we need to be extra cautious in public places. This realisation dawned upon them after the blasts which occurred in Bangalore and Ahmadabad. The private security units manning the shopping malls and multiplexes in Luck now have been authorised to frisk all individuals who are entering these premises. Individuals who are deemed suspicious will be barred from entering the mall/multiplexes premises. A close watch of the area immediately surrounding their premises will also have to be kept under watch by these private agencies. These malls can be targeted by terrorists as there is usually a large crowd gathered in one area with almost no security or very little security.

On a larger scale, we need to heighten the security of a lot of public places. For example, a proper security apparatus is missing at our railway stations where there is always a huge amount of traffic everyday. Sure there are police personnel stationed there but they have a very carefree attitude and at times they are not manning their area like they should. Metal detectors are installed at the main entrances, but usually the personnel manning them are either found missing or not doing their duties in a proper way. Plus there is no frisking and baggage check done. Bus stations should also be included in the list of places where security should be heightened and regular frisking of public boarding the buses and their baggage should be thoroughly checked whenever they board a bus. A watch should also be kept at public parking place used for cars, two wheelers and bicycle stands.

What the need of the day is that people need to be more vigilant when venturing outside in order to fight this grave threat more effectively. Even if the police and security personnel are performing their duties optimally, they can only do so much. People should actively participate with the police to ensure that we have a safer city to live in. One way in which people can help is by immediately informing the police if they find any unclaimed object lying anywhere as it might contain explosive material. Nothing should be left to chance. Everyone should be alert to their immediate surroundings. Enhanced security will lessen the dangers while increasing the confidence levels of public. Therefore, we can move around more freely without fear eating away at us. The SSP on his part has assured that the police department will leave no stone unturned to ensure a safe secure environment for the city’s population. He has asked the denizens to take precautions at the their own individual levels to ensure that maximum security can be maintained

Nano - The future is here

2008-07-31T00:27:00.000+05:30

It has been ages since I had my own set of wheels. What I meant to say was a car. These days even the basic cars are extremely and it usually means taking a loan from the bank for many years. I usually went around town in a two wheeler or used the public transport system. Driving is such a hassle here. The roads are narrow, congested, not well maintained and people hardly have any traffic sense. Therefore when Ratan Tata of Tata Company announced that they will be manufacturing the world’s cheapest car for the masses, I was really excited. The car was something which I always wanted it seemed. It was affordable, gave good average, compact in shape and good looking. I think it will be difficult to make a purchase it in the first year itself since a small batch will be manufactured. The second year might be better since the plant will go into full production mode by then. I am looking forward to the automatic version which I hope they will release shortly. It will come in three models with limited color combinations which I think is just not enough. The company claims that it is built for carrying four people; I think that realistically only two people can comfortably sit in it. But even then, it will be better than a two wheeler in most cases. It will have greater safety than 2 wheelers and will protect me from the extremes which nature dishes out every so often in our country and give similar average as a two wheeler. Nano seems like a good car. I might consider buying it if I like the looks, feel and the overall experience.

Cost of living

2008-07-30T20:01:00.002+05:30

Inflation is rising higher and higher. It is an indicator which tells us that our cost of items is rising. Risen it has and that to at a blistering pace. Cost of all items starting from the very basic stuff like potatoes or toothpastes to high end items like televisions or cars have risen sharply. The main reason being given is the rise in input cost and fuel prices. These two items has affected every industry. The companies have two choices. Either to absorb the price rise or pass it along to the end user. Some companies have managed to effectively control the price rise and have managed to keep the price of their product the same or raised it just slightly. One such company is the maker of the glucose biscuit Parle G. They have managed to keep the price for this low end biscuit the same for almost a decade by streamlining their company production lines and reducing the margin given to retailers. This has helped to keep the prices in check even though the input prices have risen sharply for all their main ingredients. Other companies have no other choice but to pass it on to the end user. For example, the price of sheet metal used in making the outer body of cars has risen sharply over the last few quarters and the car companies have been raising the prices every so often. The average person is adversely affected by the prices rise especially for the essential items. It has become really difficult for him/her to balance their check book. It will take time to tame these inflationary pressures, since they are due to external pressures. As soon as the oil prices come down to comfortable levels once more, some of our problems will go away, at least for awhile. This had a cascading effect on all items. But not much can be done since it is beyond our control. Maybe, one of the solutions would be to build large petroleum buffer stock to control this massive price fluctuation.

Gomti river is a mess

2008-07-28T01:59:00.000+05:30

After reading in the papers, I decided to go and see what it was all about. The Gomti River which passes thru the heart of Lucknow is in a mess. As you stand on the bridge you can see foam, garbage, and other items floating in the water. It seems that people just do not have any civic sense.

To improve the quality of water in the river, the most important thing which can be done is to install Sewage Treatment Plants (STP). Many studies have been carried out indicating its importance in cleaning up the polluted river, but no real action has taken place. The end result is that most of the raw sewage ends up in the river. The water is unfit to drink and bathe.

The concerned authorities know about it, but they keep passing the buck on who is responsible. The usual response given is: lack of funds, the plan has not been approved/sanctioned; the site has not been finalized due to various reasons, etc. This has led to the delay in commissioning of these plants.

This is not to suggest that the state government is not interested at all. Just recently, they had initiated for the first time a concrete plan called "Clean Gomti". But to make this project a success all the concerned departments will have to understand the basic/root cause of the visible and then take corrective action. After setting up of the STPs of the right capacities, all the sewer and waste water lines will have to be routed to it. Since all the waste water is being dumped right into the river itself, this has led not only to river pollution but also sedimentation. This sedimentation beyond a point will result in flooding of area lying close to the river. The river not only requires the removal of the many objects lying on the bed of the river by simple dredging operation, but also sufficient increase in the depth of the river in order to bring it back to its original form. A proper cleanliness drive should be initiated to remove all garbage located through out the city. Sometimes during the rainy season, this filth flows into the river polluting it even more.

What is necessary at the moment is that the government agencies and general public should coordinate their actions to bring the river back to its pristine beauty. With the active participation of the residents and the support/guidance received from government agencies, we will be able to turn back the clock. All we need is public awareness coupled with hard work and proper support from right places. A clean beautiful river will enhance the value of any city. Then the river can be used different sports activities as well as picnic spots.

Net withdrawals

2008-07-27T09:10:00.002+05:30

Boy!!!!! What fifteen days it has been for me. My laptop suddenly died on me one day and I hardly had any access to the net and a lot of work simply came to a complete standstill. I really did not want to use the computers at the net cafe, since they are not very safe and secure. There is always the possibility that some spyware or some other malicious program might be installed there and the passwords for my email and banking accounts details might get stolen and then eventually broken into. So eventually, while my computer was still at the service center, I borrowed a family member’s computer to check my stuff every few days. The service center took long enough to replace the motherboard. After one week, I was starting to get really irritated and I called them up almost on a daily basis to check the status of my computer. Until this time, I had not realized how much of my work was connected with the net. I think this is the case with most of us these days since most of our work is in one way or another is connected to the net and we just cannot escape its grip. My life has been made so easy after I discovered how much easier life can be if the net is used properly and wisely. I hardly ever visit my bank to carry out most of the transactions. Most of the transactions are done online. In a few rare cases, I still get checks from some companies.

Indian life

2008-07-07T20:07:00.000+05:30

Life in India is never boring. There is something happening somewhere all the time. The activities which are happening in the public places usually overwhelm the senses at times. But one thing which is quiet noticeable in the Indian cities are animals and birds living along with people. People are so used to them that they usually just around them, provided that their is enough space. But these stray animals cause their share of problems on the road. A lot of accidents are caused because of them. The small vendors who usually occupy the strategic spots in the main shopping areas or busy intersections are always seen advertising their wares at the top of their voice. In these places, if you are skilled enough you can strike a great bargain. But the rush hours is simply maddening. It simply drives me so crazy. At one time I really used to enjoy driving. But these days, the number of vehicles on the road have multiplied manifolds, yet not many roads have been widened. this has led to a lot of congestion, especially at the intersections. Therefore, I try to avoid driving as much as possible, unless of course there is manageable amount of traffic on the road.

Seeing red sometimes ain't so bad at times.

2008-07-06T11:18:00.003+05:30

Psychological Science recently published a case study by psychologists from Boston College & Stanford University in its April issue stating that people prefer to temper their emotions to the task at hand and it can help them succeed. According to the researchers who conducted this study, anger need not always be a bad thing. The participants in this study were given were given two choices to choose from. They could either play a confrontational computer game or one which is non-confrontational. The participants asked to what kind of activities they will participate in before playing the game they had chosen. If they chose activities that were likely to make them angry, when they played confrontational computer game then they performed really well compared to those which did not. But on the same note, these same people fared very poorly when playing non-confrontational games. I think what the study is trying to imply is that it is possible for us to effectively channelise our feelings so that it helps us emotionally pumped up to the task at hand. For example, boxers pump themselves up so that they be aggressive in the ring, etc. So seeing red can be beneficial if you are able to constructively use it and you can sometimes actually succeed in the task which you have taken up.

The polluted river

2008-07-03T00:21:00.002+05:30

Rivers are the lifeline of any city which is located near it. Unfortunately, humans have this bad habit of polluting their environment without a second thought. Passing thru the heart of our city is a Gomati river. At one time it used to be pristine. With the passage of time, the population of the city has increased many folds and many industries have come up in its vicinity. Huge volumes of effluents and domestic discharge have turned the river into a sewer pit. Their are insufficient number of treatment plants installed in the city. Even these which are being used currently are either underutilised or unutilised. The situation is so bad that the aquatic population of the river has dwindled drastically, and the water is unfit for drinking. The end result is that the fish gasp for breath and usually die. The last four years or so have seen five situations where the depleted oxygen levels and contaminants in the river caused deaths of aquatic life. it seems like a yearly phenomena. When prompted to do something, the reason given usually is the scarcity of funds. But even when the funds are released, there is nothing to show for it. Hopefully, sooner than later, the agencies which are responsible for waste disposal will wake up from their slumber and try to find a remedy this mess that we are in.

Listening to radio

2008-07-02T00:49:00.002+05:30

I really like listening to radio sometimes. It has such a potential for entertainment. Since it is not a visual media, you can let your imagination run wild when listening to it. Plus, with the radios so compact, I can take it just about anywhere. It is also so inexpensive that just about anyone can purchase it. I find it much more entertaining than television.

Television is a visual dependent and a lot of times the watcher has to rely on visual cues to know what is happening. Their is hardly any mental interaction involved most of the times. But it's quiet different in the case of radio. Since their are no visual cues, the brain has to constantly process the information and at times try to visualising the things which the speaker is talking about. If the radio jockey is extremely talented, you will be able to visualise the things which he/she is talking about.

On hot summer months, I really like to take it out to some cool spot and listening to whatever program catches my fancy at the moment. Their are so many different varieties of shows available that I can choose what I want to hear. Sometimes there are real dull, boring shows running. In this case, I just surf the airwaves till I hear sometime which sounds interesting. During long drives it is necessary to have it turned on. It not only breaks the monotony, but also keeps you awake. It keeps you company on those long roads when you are traveling by your self. So crank up that radio and tune in to your favorite station.

movie and more movies

2008-07-01T12:29:00.000+05:30

I simply cannot resist a good movie. These days I am simply flooded with more and more choices of where I can watch a movie. In my locality, there is already two malls which are fully functional and has a cinema hall in each one of them. Out of two of them, one of them is a pretty good one since I have been to it twice and I have enjoyed the overall experience it offered. Out of the other remaining two malls, one is still in the initial stage and has nothing but the very basic walls setup. The second mall is almost complete. It already has a really nice Barista coffee parlor and a discount store is coming up also. The coffee shop is a very nice upmarket meeting place. Like all other coffee joints, this one is also offers people a cup of coffee which has a few dry roasted beans, freshly ground & brewed but at a very high inflated price. So if you are looking to impress someone by flaunting your wealth...this is the right place to be. Located in the same building is another movie hall. But I have not been to it yet. With so many choices, I really feel spoilt. Movies give me time to relax and enjoy. It's a great way to beat the heat, since the whole hall has a centralised a/c and I can chilled to the bone during our blistering hot humid days.

Reducing forest cover

2008-06-30T00:40:00.002+05:30

In the last couple of years I noticed that a lot of tress have completely disappeared. There used to be a lot of greenery in our area, but all I usually see all around is concrete jungle and bare spots. The road which is in front of our house once used to be a tree lined house. But these trees had to give way for a flyover which is being constructed and the widening the road. I really do miss these trees which used to line our road. The tress used to provide shade to one and all, with the added benefit of reducing the intensity of the dust storms that is a regular occurrence during summers. The flyover had become a necessity due to the increased traffic. But the city should provide an alternate site where an equal number of trees can be planted to compensate the loss of existing trees. Modernisation is good as long as it does not harm our environment. With the reduction of forest cover our climate has undergone a drastic change. At times, it has become totally unpredictable. This process can still be reversed by going on a tree plantation drive on a war footing. In some areas it has already started, but we need to increase the coverage.

It's a mess out there

2008-06-29T00:30:00.002+05:30

Our planet is a mess. Just look around and you might notice how much damage we have done to our planet. There are innumerable landfills containing toxic material besides regular household garbage. Sometimes it gets dumped into the oceans and it not only contaminates the waters but also destroys the ocean environment. Something about it before it becomes irreversible.

But on the same note, people are becoming more environmentally aware. But it is not enough just to plant a few trees, segregate the garbage and then forget all about it. Educating the masses should be the top most priority of our government. It has to start from the grass root level for it to succeed. The civic authorities should take an active lead in guiding people towards the right direction.

The civic authorities in our area are sometimes are a little lax in carrying out their civic duties. We need to have more treatment plants for treating raw water that is sent to homes/offices and increase the capacity of the waste water plants so that our rivers are not contaminated. It is only a matter of providing more funding, proper city planning, and willingness to adapt as situations change. Sometimes it is just a matter of changing the mindset of not only the officials in charge, but also the people. But that is sure to change with people becoming more aware of their surroundings. Plus, we have become more environmentally friendly. A lot needs to be done and we need to be more pro-active than ever before. It will take some time but at least the damage can still be reversed.

Smaller cities vs larger ones

2008-06-28T00:36:00.000+05:30

Sometimes I feel that it is better to live in a smaller city than a larger one. There is less congestion compared to it's larger counterparts, and a person does not have to travel great distances to reach some destination. I live in a medium sized city and it has quiet a few facilities, and I feel really comfortable living here. A lot of development has taken place recently making it one of the prime destination for big offices. Due to all the development, people are slowly purchasing plots or houses either for living purposes or investment. A lot of malls have also opened up in the city. All this has led to an increase land prices. Corporate and government offices are scouting for space here since not only is it considered a prime locality but also because there is a lot of space left for development. Smaller cities have more scope for growth and development. But the important part is that the planning should be done with some foresight, so that lesser mistakes are made. When planning out development for an existing city or creating a new one, the town planner should always keep in mind what mistakes were made while making the previous cities so that they can be avoided. I really like all the open spaces with has a lot of greenery which my city offers. Some of the parks are simply beautiful and really refreshes the mind and soul. Sure, the civic authorities sometimes are a little lax in carrying out their civic duties, but that is sure to change with people becoming more aware of their surroundings. Plus, we have become more environmentally friendly. But a lot still needs to be done and we need to be more pro-active than ever before.

Coffee - The perfect way to kick start the day

2008-06-27T13:02:00.000+05:30

Nothing else it seems works for me in jump starting my day as coffee. It's the perfect way to start off the day for me and drives away the sleep real quick. I prefer coffee to tea, since it has it's own unique flavor and aroma which I just cannot get enough of. In comparison, tea just seems so bland and listless. I always buy the small coffee pouches since they can be consumed quickly, therefore will not be ruined by any moisture present in the air. I noticed that transferring it to an air tight jar is not really effective. Some people buy the raw stock. Then they roast the beans at home, grind the beans until it turns into powder. Finally it is put into a coffee machine where you end up getting a freshly brewed cup of coffee. but this process it just too time consuming and tedious for me. I just do not have time to go thru all this process. Instant coffee is a great substitute for me as I am always short on time and get similar taste and aroma in a jiffy. So I'll be back in a few. Lemme go and get that mug of coffee before it gets cold.

A/C problems

2008-06-26T00:10:00.001+05:30

Just when we are in the middle of a hot humid monsoon, our air conditioner seems to have gone on a vacation. Yes, you heard me right. Actually what I meant was that it has stopped working. We do have regular fans and coolers also, but they are not as affective in combating humidity as air conditioners. Coolers are ideally meant for summers, when we have hot dry weather. It sucks it all in and blows out moist cool air. When we use it during the rainy season, it just adds more humidity and makes us sweat even more. Anyway, we have called the a/c tech guy. Hopefully, he'll get it up and running real quick.

Hot humid weather

2008-06-25T07:42:00.000+05:30

With summer over and monsoon officially started, the weather has turned hot and humid. This type of weather is simply unbearable. While indoors, we have the air conditioners cranked up making the indoor climate bearable. But step out of the a/c zone and everyone starts sweating. This type of hot humid weather is a natural occurrence. We have hot summer months, and this is followed by the monsoons. Since all the atmosphere is all hot, the rain evaporates mighty quick. The end result is humid and mucky weather. The only relief is when the winds starts blowing and pushes out all the humid air. This hot humid period occurs only during the initial period of monsoon. During the later stages, our monsoons are quiet pleasant. But watch out for the bugs. they simply seem to multiply like crazy during this period.

Yuwie- A social networking with a twist

2008-05-23T16:52:00.000+05:30

Hey guys,
I recently joined a site called Yuwie, which is a great site in the sense that you get paid to have fun. You can invite people, hang out, and get paid. So join me there by clicking either on the banner on my page or yuwie. Give it a try and have fun.