3 X 7 things about myself...

Here I am.. writing about myself. Long back i had written my 7 X 7 and felt like doing it again :D.. and also it is a great way to know about the new freinds i made on bloggers :) .. and the result is this blog. Just tweaked the regular 7 X 7 things about myself to 3 X 7 things about myself.. to keep it short and enjoyable.

I have tagged some of my friends in this blog (scroll down to see if you are in that list), if you are not on the list and wud love to write about urself.. pls go ahead and get tagged... dont forget to publish you blog to me and ur freinds though... wud love to read it! :)

3 places i would pack my travel bag for

1. Swiss alps, my dream destination

2. Eiffel Tower, Paris

3. Gods own country - Kerala (missed visiting twice)

3 On-Screen charectors i love to watch

1. Joker (Heath Ledger) in Dark Knight

2. Amir Khan in Dil Chahta Hai

3. Big B in Namak Halal (cant forget the Pag Ghunguroo song)

 .. and Joey (Matt LeBlanc) in Friends :)) 

3 moods that describes me the best

1. Lazy (during office days)

2. Anxious, thoughtful (when idle)

3. Overjoy, Excited.. (during weekends) 

3 things i always think of doing on a weekend... but never did.. :)

1. Clean my room (so much lying around not sure wher n wen to start)

2. Go for haircut (its been ages!!!)

3. Continue reading Jeffrey Archer (i dont rem wher i stopped anymr) 

3 things from my childhood that i cant forget

1. Play play and play.. :)

2. Last day at my school (HJKP)

3. Visit to my aunts place (in mysore) for every summer vacation.

3 things i wud never say no to

1. Bowling (quite a craze... hv bowled in Blore, Mysore, Pune, Hyd, Toronto, Melbourne...)

2. Long drive in my car... anywher, anytime...

3. Sweet corn (pepper masala or chat masala flvor) 

3 things i cant live without

1. Laptop, internet etc.. anything that hooks me online..

2. Playing wid Chinni (the one n only .. cute, little ravishing darling of mine.. my niece.. Mrudula)

3. Music, movies and masti.. 3M!

Yes, you have been Tagged!!! :))

Tagging my blogger friends Arindam, Sabrina, Jazmine, Vijay, Mehreen, Alankrita, Renella, Vijaya, Jyotsna, Ravali, Pragyan and Mayaa to continue this chain. Looking forward to see you all write 3 X 7 things on ur blogs... Come on folks, would love to know more about you!!

Happy Friendship day!!! :)

Just some rulezz to follow...

- Tag as many u want!! (well.. thts not a rule...)

- Link their pages in your tag post

- Post a message / leave a comment screaming that they r tagged

- Mention the person who tagged you in your tag post, and link their blog.

- Write 3 X 7 things about yourself :)

How to type the new rupee symbol on your keyboard?

Dont wait for the Unicode to approve the Indian Rupee symbol, and include it into the Unicode list of charecters. Start using it right away on your keyboard. Here is how..

1. Download the font style "Rupee_Fordian.ttf" from Fordian Blog.
2. Go to Control panel > Fonts (folder).
3. Right click inside the folder to select "Install Font" option
4. Select Rupee Fordian from the location where you downloaded, Click Install.
5. Once complete, Click on Start > Run, then type "Notepad", and click enter.
6. In notepad, change the font to "Rupee Fordian"
7. Type ` key (the one above Tab).. and there you go :)

Isnt it amazing.. feels so very proud!!!  :))

Paulo Coelho on Twitter - "Fight for your dreams, and your dreams will fight for you"

Mind over matter

Mind set: Don't play it safe

Most of the world likes to play it safe. They go to their safe jobs, come home to their safe relationships, they drive safe cars, they invest money in safe corporations, they think safe thoughts, and they want nothing more than to feel safe and secure.

Survival of the fittest dictates that these people live another day and therefore get to breed and would make up the majority of the population. We could say that they play it smart.

But there is another kind, too. This other group lives for thrills. They don't just occasionally think outside the box, they actually prefer to live outside the box. This is a group who thrives on adventure, change, and newness. They love innovative new ideas, they like to explore new things, and push the envelope beyond its capabilities. They are the visionaries who perceive something beyond where we stand today.

This group often does not feel understood nor supported by the mainstream population. They are not rebels, although they are often accused of being rebellious because they do not embrace the status quo. This group is not anti-anything. They do not require group consensus to be who they are. Young adults often think that by dressing badly or by misbehaving that they are somehow brave and different from whatever it is that they are opposing, but that is not revolutionary and different, that is just anger turned inside out. They are not making a point, they are not changing the world, they are simply behaving in a manner that causes people to shun them. That is not the group I am talking about today.

This group is made up of people like Albert Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi, Nikola Tesla, Susan B Anthony, Melissa Etheridge, Nelson Mandela, and countless others who do not strive to be different nor to go against the mainstream beliefs. They simply are different, they think different, they live different, and they make passionate choices to contribute something meaningful to humanity despite the fact that others oppose them. All of these people stand tall despite the chaos and anger of those surrounding them. "Why can't you just leave well enough alone? Why do you always have to push people too far? Why can't you just get along?"

Those who would keep things safe and comfortable become frightened and angry at these innovative new thinkers. They torment them, threaten them, mistreat them, ostracise them, and create a storm of ugliness to try and stop these people from simply sharing the gifts of their hearts that they were born to share with humanity. Years later, often after they have long been dead, future generations can look back in hindsight and see their bravery as admirable. But in the moment, these people are historically treated terribly. These are typically men and women of peace who do not go out with an angry rebellious need to stir up trouble. They fight for higher ideals because in their heart of hearts they truly believe that things could be better.

Today there are millions of people who would change the world with their beautiful open-minded hearts and their incredibly brilliant minds, especially the upcoming teenagers and young adults in their early twenties. They feel that there is no point in even trying because the current political and cultural environment is so against them. I would be lying if I claimed that what you see as extreme hostility towards change was not at a peak right now. You are right. They do not want to change again, but you are right, it is time for another change and you are the ones to help bring it. Do not be afraid of the backlash. Stand tall and do what you know in your heart is right and just for all, not just what benefits a chosen few. You know that ignorance can no longer rule the people. You know that blind obedience is no longer a viable option.

People say that the signs are all here and Armageddon has begun. How selfish to assume that your god will come carry you off to heaven, therefore you do not have to care for the people and planet that are going to be left in the wake of your final choices. Who is to say that is not the ultimate test of who stays and who gets to ascend to a better place? If you had to choose who were truly worthy of burning in hell or going to heaven, would you pick those who were killing in the name of God or those who were crying out for love, equality, and to save the planet?

We're not perfect: Steve Jobs on iPhone4

Phones usually have an antenna inside the body. In designing the iPhone 4, Apple took a gamble on a new design, using parts of the phone's outer casing as the antenna. That saved space inside the tightly packed body of the phone, but meant that covering a spot on the lower left edge blocked the wireless signal. 

Read here for more. 
 

iPhone4 disasseambly

Good times

Life has to be full of fond moments and exciting times spent with family, friends, grandparents and loved ones. First day on your first job, an unexpected meeting of your childhood friend, first movie with your girlfriend, a romantic candle light dinner with your loved one... its wonderful how on such moments you feel the gush of emotions running right through you... and after many years it still gives you the feel as if it happened today.

One such memorable day that I wish to share was my first outing with Sindhu on my bike. Like any typical South Indian family, taking the girl out before being formally engaged is a strict no-no affair.. and like any typical pre-engagement boy and girl, we would be waiting to step out (Hehehehe... :)) But first time is always a first time, you are always in the dilemma whether to keep it chupa-chupi or let the elders know. After much thought (my Decision no.1) I decided to inform her dad on taking Sindhu out for a while. So I called her up and told her I would be there for pick up at 6PM IST... so that she would prepare the pitch, and all that I would need to do is to present myself in formal look (obviously not the MJ look and feel on the first visit).. exchange a few pleasentaries and ride away with the dream of my life. I was fully excited, got ready in no time, took my Fiero and zipped thru the traffic, only to find myself parking my bike at Sindhu's house at 7PM (late by an hour.. anyways IST is Indian Streachable Time and how can I not live upto the reputation that "guys" are never on time). Climbed the stairs to their first floor house with a bit of nervousness, but got a very generous warm  and a smiling welcome from everyone. Sindhu was inside dressing up for the outing.

Things were going as planned. Trying to keep the decent approach, I began a conversation with Sindhu's dad (hoping to end it soon and take Sindhu out asap). At first I was not even keen on listening, after a while I made an effort to listen to what was reaching my ears... Weather, coffee, job, Bangalore traffic, Metro, fuel prices... the talks never did seem to end. I too pitched in with a few comments here and there. Soon we ran out of topics... precious time.. God help me!!! Trying not to be rude or anything, I tried to close the conversation on a few occasions, but only to find another one starting.

I started getting restless, matters was slowly slipping out of my control, topics started repeating :'( .... I even tried to remain silent, hoping of some reciprocation. But my prayers to the God of Silence went in vain as the talks went on and on and on.. like Amaron battery. By now, each passing minute started to give me the feel of a day... thats when my Decision no.2 came.. I stood up on my feet, took the helmet in my hands, and said non-stop - "I think its getting late, we have planned to go out for a while, will be come back in an hour's time". Then there was silence. When you ask your fiancee out making the return time obvious for her parents is very important (not that you would take their daughter on a 6D/7N all inclusive trip to Kulu Manali, but just to sound responsible)... else forget even getting a shake of the head from her parents.  Finally after a few exchange of smiles... we left. There she was, sitting on my bike for the first time, and I was all in heavens :).... took her to a famous chat center in Gandhibazar, spent more than 2 hours chatting (lots of talks and samosa chats in-between).

Time just flew by, me and Sindhu met a few more times before getting engaged. Currently enjoying, the so called golden era (post engagement and pre-marital bliss). Suddenly weekends became more happening and full of fun (minus all the effort and the pain) :)

Engagement models!!!

A funny blog from my collegue. Read and Enjoy!! :)

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No, no.. don’t go away.. this is not about proposals or project management. This is my unique take (actually nothing unique, but then I am running out of topics) on the post engagement pre-marriage period which is the golden era (ahem..hem) in anybody’s life..

There are so many guys (read 1) these days asking me for tips on how to handle this enragement period (oops, spelling mistake! anyway let us leave it that way). So, being the shrewd observer of things (that should make it clear that this is not out of experience.. any comments of that sort will be ruthlessly moderated), I decided to play the savior of such wandering sheep.. Please follow this set of rules to confirm your marital status. Remember, there is very little difference between marital law and martial law!

Rule number 1: Unless you are a close relative of the Ambani’s (or own sweat equity of some IPL franchise), get a CUG phone connection. You have so much talking to do (mostly listening.. but talk also if you count ‘yeah’, ‘right’ and ‘ok’). 

Rule number 2: Your reply SMS messages should be a minimum of 10 words. Remove words like ‘ok’, ’sure’, ‘me too’, ‘fine’ from your SMS dictionary. For example, a suggested reply for a message like ‘I have a lot of work today’, should be ‘Oh no.. Too bad. Tell ur mngr that you have a hdache :-):-) ‘..  A reply like ‘oh ok’ for this message is sure to put you in mortal danger. 

Rule number 3: Remember to remember.  Guys have a tendency to remember key things like Sachin’s centuries, Deepika’s latest boyfriend and Messi’s jersey number and forget trivial things like fiancee’s birthday, the names of all of her 14 friends, in-laws’ wedding day and Tommy’s vaccination day. Not any more brother! Try at least to remember the month of birth of your fiancee’s sister-in-law’s  second cousin. You never know how it will help.

Rule number 4: Know your colours. Men can distinguish about 3 colours in a rainbow. But women can identify all the 38 colours in it. So, practise until you can clearly distinguish blue, light blue, deep blue, dark blue, navy blue, sky blue, copper sulphate blue, zinc phosphate blue.. you get the idea..

Rule number 5: Extrapolate! This is very important. What she says is not what she wants.. For eg., if she messages you to get a band-aid, and if you manage to buy one, you will look like an absolute idiot! You are supposed to immediately call her with an anxious voice on why she needs one, what really happened, whether she needs an ambulance (a rescue helicopter if she can’t see through the sarcasm).. And by the way, she really does not need a band-aid!

Rule number 6: Interpret! Continuing with the above rule, sometimes  you have to do the opposite of what she says, because there is a hidden meaning associated with each phrase

‘OK, you don’t have to come’           If you are not here in the next half-our I will kill you’
‘It is not heavy, I can carry it’           ’You moron, will you take this from me or what?’
‘This dress does not suit me’             ‘It looks great on me and I expect you to say it’

Rule number 7: Hidden within those multiple strands of your brain, there is a commodity called logic. Get it out somehow and throw it as farther as you can.. Else it will interfere in those inopportune moments, like when she calls at 2:00 AM in the morning to check whether you are awake or why she needs 3 pair of slippers when she already has 4 or how someone can be a fan of Tushar Kapoor. Asking such questions will result in… I don’t even want to think about it!

Ok, folks I hope you find these pearls of wisdom useful. Some people listen to experts, some learn the hard way. So it is up to you. Enjoy the marital bliss.

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Any feedbacks or comments will be promptly fwdd to the author of the original blog :)

A symbol of new India...

Cabinet today approved the new symbol for Indian Rupee. India has now joined the group of nations (US dollor, UK pound, Chinese Yen, European Euro) which have its own symbol to identify its currency. IIT graduate Udaya Kumar, who designed the symbol, is over the moon on his design being selected. In his own words - It is a perfect blend of Indian and Roman letters — capital 'R' and Devanagri 'Ra' which represents rupaiah, to appeal to international and Indian audiences... My design is based on the tricolour, with two lines at the top and white space in between, I am really excited and thrilled. I can't find words to express my happiness.

This entry selected from 3,000 designs won him an award of Rs 2.5 lakh.More than the award he will be happy seeing it on every Indian currency in circulation.

Nasscom will approach software firms to incorporate this new rupee symbol in their OS. This is to enable the computer users worldwide to use the symbol with ease since it is not embedded on the keyboards. It would also be included in the UNICODE standard as well.

Dutch score a hatrick, but spain win the World Cup!!!

  Google logo on the day of finals

Great finish by the European champions to win the world cup. A dream come true, a dream of so many people, a dream that had never been realised for decades. And today,  at the Soccer City stadium in South Africa it was only one team that looked like lifting the 18k gold FIFA world cup... Spain!! Spain beat Netherlands 1-0 in the finals, in what can be called an unattractive game with many fouls  from both sides. Netherlands had their chances though, Robben missed a one-on-one against the Spanish skipper. But it took extra time for the spanish to break the Dutch defence and get the ball in the back of their net, a right foot strike from Iniesta in the 116th minute puts them into the elite group of world cup winners. Spain shrug their chokers tag, while the dutch make it a hatrick to have lost thrice in the finals of a World Cup. Spainards are ecstatic, as they have lived their dream!!!

Congrats to Spain for lifting the FIFA 2010 World Cup!!!!

PS: Paul the psychic Octopus has 100% record, while i have 85%  :)

Octopus Paul predicts Spain victory over Germany.
See here for my predictions.. have got 10/12 correct so far.

Pseudo democracy

Relaxing at home, trying to slow down the fast paced world I live in. Its a nationwide bandh today in India against price rise and govt decision to increase petrol and diesel prices. In Bangalore the response to this bandh call has been quite effective. Though the timing has been apt for me (considering the hectic weekend i had), the fact that most of the business establishments and normal life is shutdown denting the economy, such strikes should not be supported. I understand its a sign of protest against the govt policies and price rise n blah blah blah... but surely there are other ways to voice your opinion against govt apathy.

Sipping coffee and sitting on my bed, this is exactly what i am thinking How else would one protest without bringing public life to a grinding halt and still ensure that public is active in this democracy? How may from your neighbourhood feel that the price rise is an issue? Even if they feel its an issue, how many of us feel that we need to come out to the streets and shout slogans against it? Well, the number is very very small. Its only those who wish to gain some political mileage and publicity call for agitations and strikes. Aam aadmi, or the mango people, are least bothered on what is happening at the global level, and how India should react in a mature way thinking ahead of times and well within the boundaries of democracy. Active participation from the public, and questioning the usual should become the order. Dont blindly follow the selfish politicians who at the end of the day are just playing political games. Its funny how the word 'politics' is made up of the words 'poli' meaning 'many' in Latin, and 'tics' as in 'bloodsucking creatures’. I would say, instead of the Suprme Court banning strikes, they should legalise it. And ensure that there is a representative of such strikes and he is made accountable till the end of conflict, not only to maintain peace during the agitiations but also  to bring about a legal and an amicable solution keeping the interests of the public in mind. He should work hand in hand with the govt to see that the objective of the agitation is achieved. Thats where the real test of democracy (of the people, by the people & for the people) lies... lets who will come forward to organise strikes and agitations. Sad but true, what we are living is pseudo-democracy...

Anyways, not entirely happy staying at home today, as i have to compensate for today's off in the coming weeks. More when i return to my lappie...till then munch on some FIFAWC news (casualities galore!)... Dunga is fired as Brazil coach, CR7 may be stripped of capatincy and the man with the Hand-of-God is ready to give way for a new coach.

Dutch fightback buries Brazil