** Market **

The following appeared in one of the "online market place". (http://howardlindzon.com/?p=2725)

Two things strikes you... things that are available/marketed in the online market.... and ofcourse the smart answer to this specific 'product'... read on......

-gowri

=================

THIS APPEARED ON CRAIG’S LIST

What am I doing wrong?

Okay, I’m tired of beating around the bush. I’m a beautiful (spectacularly beautiful) 25 year old girl. I’m articulate and classy.
I’m not from New York . I’m looking to get married to a guy who makes at least half a million a year. I know how that sounds, but keep in mind that a million a year is middle class in New York City, so I don’t think I’m overreaching at all.

Are there any guys who make 500K or more on this board? Any wives? Could you send me some tips? I dated a business man who makes average around 200 - 250. But that’s where I seem to hit a roadblock. 250,000 won’t get me to central park west. I know a woman in my yoga class who was married to an investment banker and lives in Tribeca, and she’s not as pretty as I am, nor is she a great genius. So what is she doing right? How do I get to her level?

Here are my questions specifically:

- Where do you single rich men hang out? Give me specifics- bars, restaurants, gyms

-What are you looking for in a mate? Be honest guys, you won’t hurt my feelings

-Is there an age range I should be targeting (I’m 25)?

- Why are some of the women living lavish lifestyles on the upper east side so plain? I’ve seen really ‘plain jane’ boring types who have nothing to offer married to incredibly wealthy guys. I’ve seen drop dead gorgeous girls in singles bars in the east village. What’s the story there?

- Jobs I should look out for? Everyone knows - lawyer, investment banker, doctor. How much do those guys really make? And where do they hang out? Where do the hedge fund guys hang out?

- How you decide marriage vs. just a girlfriend? I am looking for MARRIAGE ONLY

Please hold your insults - I’m putting myself out there in an honest way. Most beautiful women are superficial; at least I’m being up front about it. I wouldn’t be searching for these kind of guys if I wasn’t able to match them - in looks, culture, sophistication, and keeping a nice home and hearth.

it’s NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
PostingID: 432279810

THE ANSWER
Dear Pers-431649184:

I read your posting with great interest and have thought meaningfully about your dilemma. I offer the following analysis of your predicament.
Firstly, I’m not wasting your time, I qualify as a guy who fits your bill; that is I make more than $500K per year. That said here’s how I see it.

Your offer, from the prospective of a guy like me, is plain and simple a crappy business deal. Here’s why. Cutting through all the B.S., what you suggest is a simple trade: you bring your looks to the party and I bring my money. Fine, simple. But here’s the rub, your looks will fade and my money will likely continue into perpetuity…in fact, it is very likely that my income increases but it is an absolute certainty that you won’t be getting any more beautiful!

So, in economic terms you are a depreciating asset and I am an earning asset. Not only are you a depreciating asset, your depreciation accelerates! Let me explain, you’re 25 now and will likely stay pretty hot for the next 5 years, but less so each year. Then the fade begins in earnest. By 35 stick a fork in you!

So in Wall Street terms, we would call you a trading position, not a buy and hold…hence the rub…marriage. It doesn’t make good business sense to “buy you” (which is what you’re asking) so I’d rather lease. In case you think I’m being cruel, I would say the following. If my money were to go away, so would you, so when your beauty fades I need an out. It’s as simple as that. So a deal that makes sense is dating, not marriage.

Separately, I was taught early in my career about efficient markets. So, I wonder why a girl as “articulate, classy and spectacularly beautiful”
as you has been unable to find your sugar daddy. I find it hard to believe that if you are as gorgeous as you say you are that the $500K hasn’t found you, if not only for a tryout.

By the way, you could always find a way to make your own money and then we wouldn’t need to have this difficult conversation.

With all that said, I must say you’re going about it the right way. Classic “pump and dump.” I hope this is helpful, and if you want to enter into some sort of lease, let me know.

** Re : Movers **

Anniyan Suchoo Iyer-e,

Did you think that I was questioning your wisdom on your reverence for those simple people who chip in with simple ideas?

Once again, please read my mail on the subject (relevant text given below at the next level)... and your reply to that (given below at third level of this mail).

Firstly, I was only giving a thought over your reverence and taking things to the next logical level. I did neither criticise you nor the person whom you held in great reverence while you were "passing" ;o) !!

Secondly, I had acknowledged those simple movers.

Finally - by saying "pass it on" - what I meant is.... "let us too do such simple deeds that would make life nice for others" (there is an interesting story behind this "pass it on" phrase... will post it later).

-Gowri

====================
........No... dont get me wrong here. I am not criticising your reverence to the person who did a simple deed. I was only taking your reverence to next logical levels.

YES (BIG YES).... YES, Without "movers" our life wouldnt be what it is and we always need to be thankful to all those "movers". "Pass it on" !!

-Gowri
====================
Though there is no need to debate with you, I wish to record my strong sentiment.......

.....Wont the entire inventions gone waste if there are not such simple people with simple acts chipping in ?? People with Vidhya Garvam (I mean inventors) are incapable of imagining the shakes and discomfort of the beneficiaries....

Great minds are simply superb....I fully agree but simple minds are really Great.....!!
- Anniyan

(though you had originally signed in as "Suchoo" - I thought you would have preferred to sign it as "Anniyan" - hence corrected it here !! :o) )


====================

** Format **

Sanjaya....

Confirm where do you read our mail. Do you log in to our blog url (http://jollymusings.blogspot.com/)?? Or, do you just read those in the Mail Inbox?

I wanted to know this, because, the formatting of the message goes hay-where in the Mail Inbox. Whereas, it looks good in our Musings page.

-Gowri

Who really MOVES ??

Gowri

Though there is no need to debate with you, I wish to record my strong sentiment with the last guy with a "simple thought" than the great mover of the past......as per your logical (always) thinking...

Wont the entire inventions gone waste if there are not such simple people with simple acts chipping in ?? People with Vidhya Garvam (I mean inventors) are incapable of imagining the shakes and discomfort of the beneficiaries....

Great minds are simply superb....I fully agree but simple minds are really Great.....!!

If you remember the first posting (rather long posting) that I made in Vanagiri, I have fully identified myself as an "Annian" capable of only this level of wavelength....

Poor you.....for only my company in this blog.....
suchoo

Oct 29, 2007

** Re: Movers ? **
Read through on how you delivered your first "piece" in TN Express, Western Style bathroom. Was deeply touched by your appreciation for some unknown person who had placed an aquafina water bottle, which you used with heartful of thankfulness and placed it back with all reverence !! Was just wondering whether you felt the same reverence for the person who invented the 'Western style toilet'?....for the person who invented the 'train model of Western style toilet'?....for the person who invented the 'tap'?....for the person who invented the 'pipe' through which water flows?....for the person who invented the train?...for the person who invented the 'wheel'?...for the person who deviced a mechanism so that we all can reserve our tickets and travel without any chaos?....for the person.....hmmmmmmNo... dont get me wrong here. I am not criticising your reverence to the person who did a simple deed. I was only taking your reverence to next logical levels.YES (BIG YES).... YES, Without "movers" our life wouldnt be what it is and we always need to be thankful to all those "movers". "Pass it on" !!-Gowri

** Travellers **

As said.. this is the second part of my musing on journey/travel. While in the first part I discussed the change in my behaviour pattern over a period of time as a traveller, in this part, I am gonna discuss about how others behave during the journey.

The big difference in the culture and attitude of the North Indians and South Indians is very obvious for anyone to see during journeys, where you get to meet them both, side by side. South Indians are always shy people and follow rules to a fair extent. At times their innocency touches the border of foolishness. Most of the South Indians prefer to sit exactly under their seat numbers and would like to have their luggage exactly under their seat (ass!). Panic and tension on their face would be quite obvious if they see some else occupying their space as they enter their compartment. North Indians think that the whole compartment is theirs' for taking. They always would come with more luggage and will occupy more space - most of the times encroaching upon others reserved area !! When there is a North Indian family and a South Indian family in a single coupey (8 seater) - its all the more fun to watch as they try to settle down.

Most interesting time is the phase when people enter the train and try to settle down in to their seats. It is at this point of time the compartments are crowded with more number of people than those actually travelling as those coming to see-off others too would be in the compartments trying to help (or disturb others!). People who walk quite a distance with heavy luggage, trying to reach their seats faster and settle down - all do make it interesting to watch. Most of the "fights" amongst the passengers starts at this stage.

Another big North South divide is the Kids/babies. North Indian kids/babies are mostly well behaved. South Indian kids/babies would be mostly shy and would take sometime to talk to others. North Indian parents wont force their children to recite poems and slokas in front of others... South Indian parents WILL do that ('slokas' will definitely be in the curriculum in case of Brahmins!). North Indian kids/babies wont cry to eat/sleep - infact, they would go for overkill. South Indian parents can be seen requesting, cajoling, threatening and walking behind their kids to make them eat.

Even the individual culture and flavour of different states can be seen. Bangaloreans will always come with a walkman or some modern gadgets plugged to their ears ! Bengalis are the "sound" parties; wont stop talking; fun is, everybody would be talking at the same time at the highest pitch of their voice and we wont know who is listening to who !! Gujaraties and Rajasthanis will always come with a big food baggage. North East folks will mostly be cheerful and will atleast have one music instrument with them.; their favourites are guitar and football); gender divide is not too big amongst NE people; its a commons sight to see girls very freely mixing with boys. But a few of these signs narrow down as you get into higher class, Shatabdies and Rajhdhanies. Mostly people remain silent and "bigger than thou" attitude. If at all you find some of the "common" signs described above in the passengers, you can be sure that they are travelling on Govt LTC / pass holders !!

-Gowri

** Holiday & Rain **

No sooner the Govt declared a holiday in view of the heavy rains, the rain stopped and even we had a bit of sun shine today !! How does the Govt always get it right???

-Gowri

** Rahul Dhravid **

Rahul Dhravid has been dropped from the Indian One day team.

Yes - agreed that there are many young blokes knocking at the doors and as a means of providing opportunity to them, a few non performing players need to be dropped.

Yes, Dhravid was not giving the performance that we was expected from him during the recently concluded Australian series. But shouldn't the standard of the team that we played against be considered? We lost the serios 4-2 and how many players performed well in the series?

I am not for stopping from dropping players who dont perform. But, dropping a player of Dhravid's class based on just 5 games is not right !! Sachin and Dhravid are the two best players in terms of dedication, work ethics, class, standard, calibre and what not!! Well, even if Dhravid has to be dropped - there is a decent way that this issue could be handled with due respect to the commitment that Dhravid has shown to the Indian cricket so far. Its a shame to the BCCI and the selection committee to have handled Dhravid the way they have done now. But, afterall what matters.... people in the selection committee always get paid irrespective of the team's performance; they afterall discuss things in five star hotels on the revenue that was generated due to the efforts of classic players like Dhravid; and they are not the one who are on the ground to battle things out !! Why should they bother about standard ??

-Gowri

** Gujarat **

Tehelka has come out with another sting operation. This time on the Gujarat riot that happened in 2002. Many of VHP and RSS stalwarts have gone on record saying how the Muslims were massacred and how Modi turned a blind eye to all such happenings. Some have even quoted Modi as saying, "...all I can give is just three days and not more" !! The murderers explanation on how they went about killing muslims is chilling. Its difficult to become so cruel and heartless. There is no justification for the Godhara incident (Congress wants the world to believe that Godhra incident was not due to Muslim fanaticism!! Lucky people are sane, atleast a bit). At the same time there is no justification for the riots that followed Godhra. If it had been the extremists and terrorists who were killed in the riots, the world, would have been a bit more safer. Alas, that is always not to be - because the extremists always know what is coming and they know the knacks of the trade. They are the first one to seek safe havens as soon as any riots break out. Its always the innocent common man - irrespective of caste and creed - who get caught in the mele.

Narendra Modi has been an excellent administrator and has taken Gujarat leaps and bounds towards growth path (atleast as per the stats that the media throws out!). But that can not be given as an excuse for the carnage that he committed. When he had the opportunity to save hundreds of innocent lives, he didnt ! Thats sin!

-Gowri

** Re: Movers ? **

Read through on how you delivered your first "piece" in TN Express, Western Style bathroom. Was deeply touched by your appreciation for some unknown person who had placed an aquafina water bottle, which you used with heartful of thankfulness and placed it back with all reverence !!

Was just wondering whether you felt the same reverence for the person who invented the 'Western style toilet'?
....for the person who invented the 'train model of Western style toilet'?
....for the person who invented the 'tap'?
....for the person who invented the 'pipe' through which water flows?
....for the person who invented the train?
...for the person who invented the 'wheel'?
...for the person who deviced a mechanism so that we all can reserve our tickets and travel without any chaos?
....for the person.....hmmmmmm

No... dont get me wrong here. I am not criticising your reverence to the person who did a simple deed. I was only taking your reverence to next logical levels.

YES (BIG YES).... YES, Without "movers" our life wouldnt be what it is and we always need to be thankful to all those "movers". "Pass it on" !!

-Gowri

--------------------
I bow my head to that gentle man who placed it there.....and I am really getting moved with this wonderful world and people around me...Inspite of the bombs that explode and the lives that get trampled up, it is really wonderful that we have some "movers" in this world who do things for the future.....without making a fuss about it.....
-------------

** Re : Kirukkal !! **

Sanjaya....

Did some body ever told you that "Kirrulaks" are all meaningless / worthless /useless??? Do you know that a large portion of the mathematics that Ramanujam gave to this world is only a part of his "kirrukal"-gal ?? Long after he was gone, people had to sit and find out the the true greatness of his "kirukkal"-gal !!

A person who could not decipher the inner meaning of the mere word "Kirrukal", calls himself as "Sanjaya" !!! Andavaaaa...

-Gowri




------------------
.........is to allay your fears that from my side, nothing is kirukkals........

Sanjaya

** Re : Shiva Shakthi **

Suchooo Iyer-e !!! Shiva & Shakthi.... ??? ... While you may be what you wish to be.....I prefer to be "Gowri Shankar". ;)

-Gowri

--------------------
I am even willing to name the inertness as "SHIVA" or the potential or the vacuum force or the black holes (as astronomy calls it), and keep priding about the fact that I am a "arthanaareshwara.." having both SHIVA and SHAKTHI inbuilt in me......instead of settling down to a vishnu (who does only the "bloody" maintenance job...unable or incapacitated to be creative...)

We are Smart people....or Smarthaas....Aren't we ??

Suchoo Iyer

--------------------

** Solution? - Comment/Copy/New Post? **

Dear Suchoo....

Whenever someone posts a comment - be it anyone - you will not get notified, whereas, I will be notified to my email id. For intimation of comments, the group's id did not work!! So, I have to resort to my individual mail id. As I thought that we should know about other's comments, I suggested this "new mail" mantra.

But, as far as this blog is concerned - nothing is hard and fast. It is and I am quite flexible. You do the way whichever you find id convenient - no problem at all.

-Gowri..

My last post for the week end....

While I took care to respond to each of your posts and also did justice to my travellogue series in this sitting, I am also telling myself that there are other wonderful things to be done....

I have to "initiate" dictionary to Madhoo today

(noted only today morning that this wonderful girl had put a pencil line on those "difficult" words for her in her English Reader....on the chapters which are NOT YET TAUGHT but she had been reading on HER OWN in her free time),

finish off the invitation card distribution before 8 PM today (very few left out)

and take the wonderful kutti Ratchashi (madhoo again...the other one is periya raat......) to our new find...a wonderful place to dine close to Ega theatre "Khana Khazaana"...

We went there quite accidentally two weeks back when we visited perambur (Anoo's cousin's house) and entered this hotel which is quite Ega theatre....With some sceptism on the rates side, I was pleasantly surprised to see the price list much lesser than Saravana's AC hall with much better ambience AND very good taste.....We decided to go there - inspite of distance - at least once a month as they do not have branches.....We are edging out of Saravana gradually...CHANGE IS a NATURAL PART OF LIFE.....isn't it.....??

.....Here I put down my pen.....fully relieved......(like after a wonderful shitting....)

suchoo

Checked it out !!

Thanks for prompting....Think I dont notice the difference still as I never had observed the earlier format so curiously (sorry for dissappointing you)

Anoo keeps telling me the same thing when I get so surprised with a wall hanger after close to a week, which she had purchased at T.Nagar....that I am always dreaming and never rooted to what is going on.....

I sincerely thank Anoo, YOU and my direct reportees at office for taking care of all practical matters so sincerely ...... See, how many people need to co-operate for one person to remain in Karpanaiyoor incessantly.....(see how wonderfully I have justified "poruppinmai".....)

Hm......I hope Rajeiv Gandhi continues to be our PM, right ??

suchoo

Oct 26, 2007

** Check it out **
Read the second line of our Blog page.... one below the title "Musings" on top. Just modified it and wanted to let you know... just in case you missed noticing it... :)-Gowri
Posted by Suchoo & Gowri at 8:07 PM

On being SILENT by choice !!

Gowri

Great men think alike....thats the statement I got flashed in my mind when I read intently your experiences on your long journey travels....

I do have ideas to touch upon the exact feelings that you have expressed (on the various forms of silences....in my Travellogue)...It is so wonderful that you wrote many of the points that I have in my mind OR heart.....and in a way you are lucky....as you have published it before mine...

Dont you understand ?? As you may be subject to a case on copyrights (c) from my end considering the fact you are abridging the famous ever series posted in blog of modern world, it is really good that you came forth much ahead...

Now, if you have any intentions to apply for copyright, I am not the one to budge...I can write the same subject absolutely differently making it very native and only MINE....so that you can never prove that its your thoughts.....

Thats just to dig you in my usual style, but your last line sparks me of a real solution to my "inertness syndrome" ....think I have never tried this and eager to experiment when my next spell starts....I have been waiting for the clouds to pass on and have NEVER did some thing consciously to come out of it.......Thanks...

("they always say - A Teacher is always available when the Student is ready, isn't it true ??")

suchoo


Oct 26, 2007

** Travel **
Suchoo's musing on his journey experiences evoked some of my own experiences. I wish to write about two; .... about my own behaviour pattern and about how others behave during journey. The first of this series is about my own behaviour pattern. (Yengalukkum "series" yezhudha-th-theriyum-illa !!)Having travelled thousands of kilometers every year across the nation (had been part of my job) - I have had innumerable experiences. But more than the experiences - its the way (what I would call as "matured") - its the way I matured as a traveller that is of some interest (I think!).Initially, when I joined IAF - everytime I come(go) on(back after) leave, I always had a group of friends as company. We were a very cheerful lot, well behaved and always had many interesting things to discuss/debate. Co-passengers would soon become our friends. But, as years passed by, we probably realised that our behaviour was more external and not from within. We transformed from being very "vocal" travellers to "silent" travellers. During later stages - even while travelling with the same set of friends - our journey was more silent and we were more involved in observing and reading (and ofcourse sleeping, which is what I love the most while on train). Recently, I had an experience when I had travelled continuously for more than 35 hours and still did not utter a single word and yet had enjoyed every bit of my journey. I am not sure whether I attained this 'maturity' - because of age; because of lesser comapanions; or because I didnt have interesting co-passengers !!!Whenever I used to read about English people being tight lipped (stiff upper lip!) - I think that it is not a handicap - but a better behaviour pattern. Instead of keeping us concentrated on our own words - it helps and allows us to "listen" to others !! Nevertheless, I try to be careful in understanding the difference between "silence" and "sorrowness". Sometimes I have exprienced that "silence" leads me to some sick and negative thoughts (yes, not silent internally!) - during such occasions, I try to break silence and laugh out than getting into the depression mode. -Gowri
Posted by Suchoo & Gowri at 7:44 PM

On the comments & your Moderations....

Good that the Moderator in Gowri woke up......and did not do any cruel job of denying the permission to the world to see our blog......

Let us have the twin advantage of writing a "unread diary" but at the same time a possibility that some one in the world (Can I call it a "craving soul" or "ardent seeker" ?? you see even now, I am trying to invite some attentions from the onlookers....) may READ it is an excellent balance and let us not lose it.....

Though I can see that you have ended your below posting with a question I want to mystically smile at you like Monalisa !! I have never tried what you are saying and as such, I dont fully understand your question.....How can I answer when the question is not even understood ?? I am not so cruel like you that I will go and ask Madhoo or teach her "Calculas" or "Analytical Geometry"....

Poor you......Try to talk to me in person when we meet in person

Suchoo (or Vethu vaetu)

Oct 26, 2007

** Comments - Moderated **
I have moderated posting comments to our Blog site (like we did to Sriram). I have to approve it to be published. Also, I have put the "word" verification - so that anyone who wishes to post comment will have to type the words that would be shown below in strange shapes/lines. That way, automatic posting using codes is cut out and only manual posting is allowed.(Have you ever done this - typing some strangely shaped characters to allow you to continue posting? It even appears - sometimes - while posting Yahoo mail. Do you know why its being done?)-Gowri
Posted by Suchoo & Gowri at 7:40 PM

On Shitting (Walking towards the Peak - 5)

Why it is so urgent to prioritise "on Shitting" before writing "on Eating" ?? Is this not a paradox and showing my true colours (or my true odours) ?? Is my perversion oozing out even in such simple acts of prioritising ??

Any thing we eat gets out (quite effortlessly for few but for few poor souls like me, with lot of struggle) on the next day and becomes a part of mother earth & is it not better to talk about the destination before the origin....Isn't it logical to "begin with the end in the mind" as Steven Covey says in his World Famous book (7 Habits of highly successful people)

Such a long prelude is written not to make you laugh but its just that.....my first "piece" is yet to be delivered....I am moaning in pain.....Yes.....here it is down and out of me....Read through....!!

For a long tour like this, there are people who are hesitant to even think off, because of their shitting patterns and their discomfort with the toilet facilities available.....with special dimensions on climatic conditions (in a tour like this) and "time slots" (considering it is a huge number of group)

I took it in stride and I did not really mind about these apprehensions....and where ever we stayed (the hotels / Dharmashaalas we stayed in Badri and Kedar were with primitive facilities only) I was contented to ensure that I am not shitting above the shit of some body else....I was so accomodative, you know....

particularly during the onward journey which I had in train (I am travelling in TN express after a full 9 years - I have been going to Delhi quite frequently between 2001 to 2003 but not by train) , on the second day travel, I entered the Western Style Toilet quite eagerly by 10.30 AM in the morning...wanting to experiment that adventure....of shitting with "jerks" and "balancing acts"....Good going...to put it crisply...

I particularly cherish that moment when I (as usual) was struggling to find a techniqeu to wash myself with the tap ....when I spotted a water bottle (the simple one - 1 litre mineral water bottle of Aquafina) some one placed near the Wash basin in the toilet....I snatched it with all eagerness and with a great level of gratitude, I came out with full satisfaction that I am quite clean (at least outside) with the support of that old bottle which I reverentially kept back so that my successors will use it...

I bow my head to that gentle man who placed it there.....and I am really getting moved with this wonderful world and people around me...Inspite of the bombs that explode and the lives that get trampled up, it is really wonderful that we have some "movers" in this world who do things for the future.....without making a fuss about it.....

Now, I am sure the reader (s?) of this travellogue are convinced of my abilities of getting connected with abstraction.....and inspite of the title, I do make sense to you all....and not a 100% pervert ??

This long musing on shitting cannot come to an end with this single episode ?? How can I forget that wonderful shitting I had on a place called BHOJWAS which is after 15 KM of walk from Gangotri on the way to Gomukh ?? How can I hold myself without explaining the grace of Mother Ganges herself wiping me off after my shitting in open air....??

The next posting will continue which is NOT "on Eating" but "On Shitting - part II".....Let me take a break here....I normally dont shit continuously and need lot of pauses in between...

suchoo

To Beloved Dhiruthirashtra.....!!

Respected Grand Old man,

I am proud with your interim feedback on the series that I am writing....The narrations given by me to you on those majestic moutains and wonderful variety of people are basically out of the compassion for you....and your frail body and inability to trek like me...as you are too old...

Revered Soul, let me make this a commitment to you, the series that you are reading with lot of interest (reportedly) could become a part of culture and will live much more centuries than you and me......with the honesty in my description and the concious value additions that I am making to what I am doing.....

This "from the heart" mail from this humber assistant of yours ....(or thalapathy.....or as people refer to me as .... sanjaya), is to allay your fears that from my side, nothing is kirukkals (as you have referred to below)...my words on the Mid-preface was with doubt that you perhaps feel so.....

and with your confirmation that it is not so at your end too, here I begin the next day narration on my EPIC ...which will be referred as "Maha Bharatha" by the future generations.....The title is "On Shitting".....

Yours

Sanjaya
Dated 27th October 623 BC

Oct 26, 2007

** Re: Walk to Peak series **
Dear Suchoo....I am reading your "Walk to Peak" with all interest. Dont stop it.... keep it coming (or going) !! Some of your experiences evoke my thoughts about my own experiences. Will write about it.... Dont worry whether what you write emerges as a sort of "Art film" or a "commercial" one !! This is our scribbling diary and we are free to write what we think as right.. Keep Blogging yaar. Doesnt the sound of the word "Blog" convey something to you?? It does to me ... "Scribbling Diary that doesnt expect readership" !! Dont know the reasons as to why such a meaning got into my mind... but, this Blog is surely one such sort and lets always bear that in mind..... Lets keep scribbling... come what may !! Yenna solreer??But, let me be honest and confess... your scribbling is quite interesting to read. You are assured of atleast one readership !! ;)-Gowri

Shiva & Shakthi....

Thanks for your solace on my inertness.....Refer to the original post of yours below...(I see a big advantage in my latest idea to paste the original mail below INSTEAD of some thing like reply mode or pressing comment button.....I can TITLE this one the way I want to.....Hows...that ??)

The Inertness that I experience is not 100 % depression or any suicidal thoughts....it is quite a unique phenomena where in I find myself 200 % lazy wondering about each and every initiative and activity that I normally perform during a NORMAL day.....with a pattern of thought "ennatha.....panni ennathaa....achieve saadhichu".... Now if you want to repeat that I am really thinking too much and confirming the same feedback that you give,

let me also tell you that the amount of energy and enthusiasm I had and the 2 dozen (sorry 3 dozen) activities that has got initiated by me / through me.......is pure unadulterated kinetic energy WHICH is what perhaps spirituality represents as "SHAKTHI"....

I really dont want to miss this creativity potential that I have and the "lighting up" ability that I have by becoming a "earthy" person.....I fully realised that you were quite true that the equilibrium concept is working inside me and my constitution.....

I would love to be the way I am today and right now...and if the price that I have to pay is that inertness for a brief spell here and there....I dont mind to have it once a day....in regular pattern.....instead of being too long and really making me scary.....

I am even willing to name the inertness as "SHIVA" or the potential or the vacuum force or the black holes (as astronomy calls it), and keep priding about the fact that I am a "arthanaareshwara.." having both SHIVA and SHAKTHI inbuilt in me......instead of settling down to a vishnu (who does only the "bloody" maintenance job...unable or incapacitated to be creative...)

We are Smart people....or Smarthaas....Aren't we ??

Suchoo Iyer





Oct 26, 2007

** Re: Inertness **
"There is no problem really and that's the whole problem......" :) - Nice words !!I am of the opinion that you brood too much about your so called Inertness ... because, its the state that I am always in.... so what buddy??? ;)-Gowri
Posted by Suchoo & Gowri at 7:25 PM

On Fishes & "food" *(for our thought, I mean.......!!)

Prelude :::: when I read the title which I typed above, I am reminded of Michael Madhan.......and the Fish episode scene (comedy with "I mean what I mean")......

Its a learning to see your feedback on my feedback to your Fishes Musings (I can hear from you "podhundaa !!"......I sincerely believed that you had "quoto raj" in mind when you wrote about feeding the "feedble" fishes....I thought you used the knack or technique of "abstraction" OR not being too open trying to make us get reminded on some thing else based on what we read......(this is exactly the technique which I am amused with....with writer Thi. Jaa about which I keep talking to cheenu attimber.....which he had referred to you - when perhaps he spoke about me to you...)

Now your latest bragging on QUANTITY (or getting connected with our Population constraints-inadequacy of Quota nexus - getting complicated with our wonderful "democracy") is some thing on a different pedastal about which I dont want to continuue....and make it a straight line thinking process...(we have the whole eternity to muse about, right ?? why to get entangled on one subject)

My intention to refer to Quoto was mainly to recognise your abstraction (which now I realise that was quite an accident & you are really "innoncent") was some thing else with a humour touch....Did you read that I referred / digged at you telling that you become a "blackie".....rather much more than the "blackie" fish that you are both powerful and tactful....?? the idea was to get moored into the complexion...which is some thing I keep normally do...

Unfortunatley I never got the opportunity in the above post to dig at your hairstyle.....

Poor me....
suchoo

ps:- I am implementing my conservative solution for the problem that I mused about in yesterday midnight below....see below...I have pasted your mail to facilitate you with connectivity....

Oct 26, 2007

** Re: Fishes & Feeding **
A nice comparison between "Feeding fishes" and "Quota raj". Made me thinking. In fact - a bit more seriously.The problem, I think, is the "Quantity" ! In FIVE, its easy to spot the weaker one and stronger one and act perfectly in a judicial manner. When it is 50 crore ??? How do you separate the stronger from the weaker !! In the arbitrariness, doesnt the weaker get pushed to the "stronger" side and die of suffocation ?-Gowri..
Posted by Suchoo & Gowri at 7:10 PM

SOLUTIONS ?? correction please.....pls note

"Before you feel like responding to my specific abstract questions, please note that there are few other dimensions to my questions.....when you used to talk forcefully on national issues and what is right and criticising people at fault - during our Vanagiri , I tried to argue with you exactly in a similar mood of "wondering state" though you ripped me apart...which of course was definitely NOT the reason I climbed up the hill top....."

I made a wrong meaning by not adding "not"......I intended to tell that I climbed up the hill due to some other reason AND NOT because you ripped me apart as I am impractical and a great fool......

See, ...again I am proving the title...I thought, this venting out mail to you could be a solution for me....but it needs some correction now...

Poor me.....suchoo

SOLUTIONS ???

Dear Gowri

After a hectic and wonderful day at office (on a hatric today!!) on which I could not even remember to open the blog at office, I opened the same quite eagerly at home now (as usual at 12.30 AM), I am pleasantly surprised to see your responses.....

Before I wish to record my original musings OR continue on my "Walking towards the Peak" OR try to respond to your specific responses / my thoughts triggered when I read through your responses (can I complete the whole of the list in this session....just impossible....let me take it in instalments over the period of next 48 hours)......I want to record the single most philosophical thought at this moment that I have....WHICH I AM SURE you will think through and give back your feedback....

Do you face a small mental resistance on the agreement that we made earlier considering it to be a solution ?? I can see it very clearly within me...when you post such series of responses....I long to just add my comments quite impulsively but we decided against it (rather you prompted me) to use a "fresh post" methodology....I really find it quite cumbersome to be at my full flow when I am making up my mind and get ready to respond.....as some part of my RAM (see, I too mutter out technical jargon at times....) goes towards the scheduling and remembering your exact verbatim and message.....Don't you have this problem ??

Now I am telling myself perhaps I will copy the original message posted by you to this posting BEFORE I start writing to have as a ready reference OR have another session to refer back to the original posting made by you....

Perhaps you may come up with some "workaround" for this BUT go back to the TITLE of this message....ARE we really having solutions for our problems...in the most comprehensive sense ?? IS not every so called solution is just a compromise arrived based on the existing possibilities & the resources available ?? ARE we not finding situations where the best decision that we made in life within a short time becoming a big comedy with turn of situations ?? IS THERE any thing to be really felt contented about and to feel proud about and to argue vehemently that we are doing the right thing ?? first of all, is there any right or wrong thing ???

To be very honest, the questions that I am raising are subtle enough and quite tempting me to pen out a ....... Kavidhai BUT, I am consciously not doing it for a sincere reason...Being a novice, I may end up becoming conscious on the structure part of it (Sandham..., picking up right words, symmetry to look at & so on...) AND even you when you read it will not get connected to these direct questions but will start rating the format......

But, as my lone reader and quite a vocal admirer to my articulation skills,......I am quite convinced that this single posting makes an impact what a poem could make.....because, this "prose" has flown out from my heart........!!

Before you feel like responding to my specific abstract questions, please note that there are few other dimensions to my questions.....when you used to talk forcefully on national issues and what is right and criticising people at fault - during our Vanagiri , I tried to argue with you exactly in a similar mood of "wondering state" though you ripped me apart...which of course was definitely the reason I climbed up the hill top.....

NOW, this long mail has to get ended with a gentle reminder to you that though you are most welcome to put your perspective to these questions, I would love to see your broad grin at your face when you read through the whole content and "smoothly" click the "New post" button to go on with YOUR PERSONAL musings....instead of giving a point wise reply....

.............. because, this is a BLOG Or a "unread diary"....or what ever you had christened this tool...(see I dont even remember your exact words written...and thats why this long mail about......SOLUTONS ???)

Suchoo
(in upbeat mood as usual)

** Check it out **

Read the second line of our Blog page.... one below the title "Musings" on top. Just modified it and wanted to let you know... just in case you missed noticing it... :)

-Gowri

** Travel **

Suchoo's musing on his journey experiences evoked some of my own experiences. I wish to write about two; .... about my own behaviour pattern and about how others behave during journey. The first of this series is about my own behaviour pattern. (Yengalukkum "series" yezhudha-th-theriyum-illa !!)

Having travelled thousands of kilometers every year across the nation (had been part of my job) - I have had innumerable experiences. But more than the experiences - its the way (what I would call as "matured") - its the way I matured as a traveller that is of some interest (I think!).

Initially, when I joined IAF - everytime I come(go) on(back after) leave, I always had a group of friends as company. We were a very cheerful lot, well behaved and always had many interesting things to discuss/debate. Co-passengers would soon become our friends. But, as years passed by, we probably realised that our behaviour was more external and not from within. We transformed from being very "vocal" travellers to "silent" travellers. During later stages - even while travelling with the same set of friends - our journey was more silent and we were more involved in observing and reading (and ofcourse sleeping, which is what I love the most while on train). Recently, I had an experience when I had travelled continuously for more than 35 hours and still did not utter a single word and yet had enjoyed every bit of my journey. I am not sure whether I attained this 'maturity' - because of age; because of lesser comapanions; or because I didnt have interesting co-passengers !!!

Whenever I used to read about English people being tight lipped (stiff upper lip!) - I think that it is not a handicap - but a better behaviour pattern. Instead of keeping us concentrated on our own words - it helps and allows us to "listen" to others !!

Nevertheless, I try to be careful in understanding the difference between "silence" and "sorrowness". Sometimes I have exprienced that "silence" leads me to some sick and negative thoughts (yes, not silent internally!) - during such occasions, I try to break silence and laugh out than getting into the depression mode.

-Gowri

** Comments - Moderated **

I have moderated posting comments to our Blog site (like we did to Sriram). I have to approve it to be published. Also, I have put the "word" verification - so that anyone who wishes to post comment will have to type the words that would be shown below in strange shapes/lines. That way, automatic posting using codes is cut out and only manual posting is allowed.

(Have you ever done this - typing some strangely shaped characters to allow you to continue posting? It even appears - sometimes - while posting Yahoo mail. Do you know why its being done?)

-Gowri

** Re: Comment **

Yes - we have this comment added by some silly group to our blogger site... Looking for a way to stop it. Will let you know.

-Gowri...

** Re: Walk to Peak series **

Dear Suchoo....

I am reading your "Walk to Peak" with all interest. Dont stop it.... keep it coming (or going) !! Some of your experiences evoke my thoughts about my own experiences. Will write about it....

Dont worry whether what you write emerges as a sort of "Art film" or a "commercial" one !! This is our scribbling diary and we are free to write what we think as right.. Keep Blogging yaar. Doesnt the sound of the word "Blog" convey something to you?? It does to me ... "Scribbling Diary that doesnt expect readership" !! Dont know the reasons as to why such a meaning got into my mind... but, this Blog is surely one such sort and lets always bear that in mind..... Lets keep scribbling... come what may !! Yenna solreer??

But, let me be honest and confess... your scribbling is quite interesting to read. You are assured of atleast one readership !! ;)

-Gowri

** Re: Inertness **

"There is no problem really and that's the whole problem......" :) - Nice words !!

I am of the opinion that you brood too much about your so called Inertness ... because, its the state that I am always in.... so what buddy??? ;)

-Gowri

** Re: Fishes & Feeding **

A nice comparison between "Feeding fishes" and "Quota raj". Made me thinking. In fact - a bit more seriously.

The problem, I think, is the "Quantity" ! In FIVE, its easy to spot the weaker one and stronger one and act perfectly in a judicial manner. When it is 50 crore ??? How do you separate the stronger from the weaker !! In the arbitrariness, doesnt the weaker get pushed to the "stronger" side and die of suffocation ?


-Gowri..

Mid-Preface on "Walking towards the Peak"

Dear Gowri

There is a good possibility that you are yawning quite often when you read my above series....My intention had not been to make out an Art Film out of my Himalayas trip.....Thought this note will help you to be assured that I will definitely not make it a "payanak katturai".....

I just want to touch upon various facets of my tour...and people being an interesting factor of this world, is being covered in minute detail....You will be noticing that inspite of an elaborate narration of the incidendts / people, I will be ending it with a "musing" only....

The idea is not to make a formula OR a pattern of this series (like writer sujatha some time back wrote a sequel story in AV / Kumudam with title "Aaa"....had to end every week with the syllabble "Aaa" just as a fancy OR "damn" consistency...see my example )...

This series is quite important from my perspective as I am extremely sincere in writing and recording my exact feelings / thoughts / musings.....when I encountered such people and passed through the incidents....

So this long note is to confirm you that you will find atleast 15 more postings on my Tour...Mind you, I have kept enough records while during the tour, scribbling things to be remembered and written in our blog......

Want to know the title of next two musings in this series ...... both are quite favourite to me....
" On eating" and "On shitting"....

I wonder if some casual browser goes through our blog .... and gets really suffocated....

Its his karma, I cant help releasing my GAS from my hole....Let the passerby block his noce if he feels like.....How's that ???

suchoo

A day of HIGH VOLTAGE !!

Hi Gowri

I am amused when I glance through the earlier posts and my post couple of days back titled "Inertness" and the day I had today at office....

I am only smiling wryly.....unable to understand me fully....after literally warming my seat for the past seven working days - as I had hinted in my earlier mail....I sprung back to action yesterday....

This musings space is neither intended to test our articulation skills nor to contain too much of details (as there are no eager audience around....!!), I dont want to go deeper into how packed my day was....It could be enough if I told that I spent around 7 hours totally in meetings and discussions - triggering my Team (Leaders), Information sharing with other FBSC teams on few process improvements, talk to market, organise for a information sharing team and participating in an information sharing team between our Vendor Database managment guy at market (visteon) to understand Ford process, involve in a telephonic 1 hour talk with my boss who was on leave today AND announcing the points picked up from the Manager to the team in our weekly standing meeting which normally he steers......

This is a typical day in which I long to die.....!! I feel so complete and peaceful at the end of such days.....that if Lord Yama approaches me right now , I can hug him, make him sit next to me to wait for me to shut down the computer & walk along with him putting my hand on his shoulder....

As you said in one of the mails earlier, I too thought deeply on EQUILIBRIUM physics....on my mood swings....I had been quite successful today at office to get reminded of this and tell myself to be conscious while talking, listened quite well when others spoke and was quite intense and emphatic when I had to win a point..I particularly mentally rehearsed very well before giving the information cascade to the 50 member team in the absence of the Manager.....while my peers (2 more DMs) stood silently beside me when I spoke on the Manager's behalf....Think was quite effective today....as I had to touch upon some warnings in integrity issues which my Manager wanted me to convey.....

Now coming back, the manner in which I handled today without allowing the blood to be rushed to head, think.....I am reaching THERE, I mean enlightenment in most practical realm, quite comfortably....

But....poor me.....I need to handle the whole of life, I mean every single day at a time, with so much alertness....!!

Sounds to be quite exciting.......Let me make a try....

suchoo

My train companions - 2 (Walk towards the Peak - 4)

Once the train gained speed, the Lady started talking to me and was telling about herself and her stubborn decision to join this tour.....I could find the shadow of her family culture in this lady - who was doing shunya meditation and did the pranayam practise exactly when I did...as if she got reminded about them only at that point.....people who have lived their lives on full dependancy.....

During the tour, she was so nervous and felt very painful to sit in horse back...even telling me once when I had a chance to interact with her during the course of the tour, that she would have never come if she knew it was so tough....poor lady...can't even open her mouth to her husband or Sons over phone also.....(she was calling up her family by std every now and then to announce where she was and to tell that "she is safe"....I could see infact her restlessness when she spotted a phone.....more getting reminded of the dreadful face of her husband more than to share her excitement.....a really pathetic & not so interesting character.....!!

Now, there were three young boys - all of them around 25....perhaps they are young Doctors finishing MBBS and going to Delhi for some PG Entrance Exams.....(or may be in their last year of MBBS).....These three were extremely humourous cracking jokes to each other....and though they were not too eager to interact with others in the compartment, I was secretly enjoying their humour sense...

None of these three could speak English or Hindi...but they were making up their deficiency in communication in talking within themselves and making fun of the catering staff and the Hindi that was spoken at them.....!! One of them was most humourous whom I admired so much....after ordering for 4 Omelettes for their breakfast, he was innocently asking his friends...."what if the server asks in Hindi.....why do you threesome order for 4 omelettes ?? "...

seemingly "no joke" at all, I felt a roaring laughter within myself with the manner it was delivered.....These three wanted to ask some one in the compartment on the last day just before nijamudeen station if getting down there will be closer to airport instead of New Delhi....But not willing to ask any one.....as they knew only Tamil.....I went to their rescue and clarified it with a sardhar boy who was sitting with us.....When they got down from the train at New Delhi station, a sheepish thanks came from the humourous boy (only).....while his two other friends hurriedly left......

Seeing this group and the old lady in the compartment....I was wondering about the characters of the world...just to talk what is needed / to be on requesting mode with people around seems to be a great mental block for many people......!!May be they are quite successful people ...intelligent people.....good people basically....I am only referring to their PR skills....rather PR non-skills.....!!

suchoo

Train Companions - I (Walk towards the Peak - 3)

The train ticket was booked by Isha and I was secretly hoping to have the entire compartment filled with Isha Meditators. Though, from chennai, on that day, total number of around 110 people were heading towards this Dhyana Yatra in TN express, they were all spread out across various compartments......as the booking had been made as and when people approached them.....

In my compartment, I had an old woman (must be around 55 - a simple housewife) who had joined this tour forcing her husband and her two sons that she wanted to visit North India vide this tour. Her hubby and one of the son had come to see her off and her husband was continuously giving her instructions ....(she told me later that it is the first time that she got the guts to leave her home all alone....and understandably her husband was feeling shaky)....Her son who must be max 27 - 28 was quite sweet to her mother but he was also equally tensed.....

The lady who talked to me quite nicely later - after the train left TN borders - was tight lipped in front of her husband and son...... perhaps as the family had a sort of "moral code" not to have any needless interactions with outsiders....When her son tried to smile at me in a particular moment looking into my eyes, I tried to smile back at the worried face of his father too....trying to pacify him but he was very clear not to entertain me or any one else ....a rude and frowning face...bringing more smile to me......

I was still waiting for some words of courtesy from this family considering their plight....a mother who has never left the home even to the street corner temple all by herself..... wanting to go on a tour which is going to last for 2 full weeks..... the meek request for help and support was not forthcoming....not even from the restless son who by himself would have definitely talked to me (like his mother who could not hold herself beyond Basin Bridge station.....!!) but dont know why the Father was such a forceful personality wanting to have a clear border for himself and his family from outsiders.......!!

When the train started to leave the Platform slowly, very slowly....... I closed my eyes and was sitting in cross legged position in my seat not willing to entertain any last minute courtesies either from the rugged father or his son.....from the window......!!

Let them be the way they want to be.....!!We should respect people's privacy and be consistent to their characteristics, right ??

suchoo

Inertness

Is it wise to write about something being a part of it ??

Spiritual people always say that God is beyond the five sensory perceptions and any amount of analyses and conclusions drawn about him - being within the five senses is futile and unproductive......which at least is to some extend understandable...!!

I am now writing about a phenomena that has become a part of me....having the laziness / inertness & writing about it atleast...is it ok and wise ?? Isn't it appearing more convincing than the former....Not true really...

I know that my body will become light and flexible if I do 1 dozen suryanamaskars if only I get up in the morning just half hour earlier than usual !! It is perhaps very easy to remain with this agility through out the day if only I remember to be more consious about the food that I take !! At office, it is much easier to get into the groove if I take up some analysis vigourously and see it through with constant interactions with people around me.....!! But I am here doing none of these waiting for some external stimuli to get into action.....!! As long as the external stimulii is encouraging, the waiting period is quite fine...what if it is disastrous or quite punitive.....I am shuddering at the thought still continuing my inertness.....!!

There is no problem really and that's the whole problem...I am also getting aware that if I continue to pamper this inertness, it could turn to be a huge problem.....!! I am seeing the truth in the so called proverb told with satire...."pandaaram pindathirku azhadhaanam....Lingam panjaamridhathirku azhudhadaam".....!! Yes, problems and heartburns are always relative and very much true and relevant...

hmm.....

suchoo

On Fishes....and feeding

Dear Gowri

Your mail on the fishes - the bullies, the shrewd ones and the mediocrity made really an interesting reading......It was very easy to relate it to practical life......and I got reminded of innumerable things...

First things first, it is really appreciable that you (& Kaushal) had such sharp eyes to observe the Blackie and Saffri and their technology...(and also admire the amount of time you spend.... :-) observing them....velai illaatha ambattan.....!!)

Your efforts to seperate the two mediocres (whity....?? and what is the other) from the others in order to feed them reminded me of the Quoto system of the Government....(By sheer coincidence another "G").....Not sure if you can continue to do this when you are also starving......& there is a good chance you may end up another "all powerful blackie"....(I mean both strengths (bullying as well as shrewdness & tact) get synergised when YOU,the decision maker decide to take a plunge in the competition which you are supposed to administer....(veeliyee payirai maynthaal....)

I got reminded with another crude fact of life that the powerful ones with lot of stamina who need lesser nourishment unfortunately get more share of the common food....I was quoting some thing similar to our Guide who took us in a trekking last August near Chickmangaloor...seeing him sitting relaxed at various points waiting for lesser fit people like me to join him, I told him "how is that the fittest one gets so much rest...while the most deserving have to walk without a break ??" ...He laughed enjoying my comedy and told that it was brilliant.....& made me walk continuously without getting moved....

Think we are learning lot from Fishes than from human beings around us......!! I only wish those two Golden Fishes survived some more......(who knows, they may be quite calm and composed and perhaps we would have never learnt so much with these variety of 5 considering your capacity constraints....)....Think, they are teaching us even with their deaths....isn't it ??

suchoo

ps:-Did you notice a comment posted for your earlier posting "Cricket & Sreesanth"?? I saw it quite accidentally.....

AV - Musings by Gowri

Dear Gowri

Though we had- in principle - decided to constitute this blog for venting out our thoughts without any need for responses / praises from the other .... and not necessiating any objections from each other....giving freedom to write the feelings and thoughts as such....

Your latest musings on AV's article and the ending brings me a good amount of laughter...First things first, your narration on the ending on an article in Outlook Magazine was I think mainly to bring out how emphatic - the concluding words can be....!!

I still dont understand what is wrong in Vikatan's closing words when it (perhaps) talk ab0ut some business venture taken up by couple......particularly when it is a very novel one....Are you particularly angry because they are doing it together - being husband and wife (Ha Ha....)

Any way I have missed two AVs while during the North Tour and when I reached back, I was so confidently going to Kpuram that they will be available for my reading....unfortunately, my Amma had disposed off the entire stock just keeping the current issue dissappointing me....

I have been reading the latest two issues quite superficially, coming to office quite mechanically & started erratic on my yoga practises....Yeah...inertness in action right now....dont know how long it is going to continue.......!! That is the reason why I have not continued my "walk towards the peak" too....I am sure I will be back to cheers before it becomes another "kashmir Kaaviyam".....

suchoo

** Narration **

I always hate the way Ananda Vikatan or the magazines of its folk narrate a few incidents and paraphrase interviews. They give more value to sentiments and a few things that people prefer to read allowing values to vanish in thin air. So, when you read an article that treads a different path, you come out impressed.

I read an article written by "Urvashi Butalia" in Outlook. It was on Sanjay Dutt. He has been pronounced guilty and is now on parole. Nevertheless, that hasnt stopped him from rubbing shoulders from none other than PM, Sonia Gandhi and the Home Minister !! Commenting on that, the author wrote so in her last two paras....

===========
"...... Somehow the Munnabhai persona - the bubbling, rustic, heart-in-the right-place, values-of-the-best-kind human being - has leached into the real persona and we no longer can separate one from the other. We love Sanjay Dutt, are concerned that the punishment he got was 'too harsh', are secretly delighted that he's been let out on bail, are glad the film industry will not lose the Rs 100 crore they say they have invested in him (and yet, when has this ever been a concern for any other convicted person, or indeed for any other industry? Why should such a potential loss be taken into consideration anyway?). And so all of us - the media, politicians, top leaders, the glitterati, ordinary people - are willing to go that extra mile for him.

But we're not willing to do the same for Zaibunisa Kazi, in whose house the weapons were stored for just three hours, who got 10 years, or for Yakub Memon, who was not even necessarily guilty, but who got death."
===========

Here, I am not taking sides and do not want to comment on the article in any way - just wished to talk about how an article was written. Compare this to how AaaVee finishes one of its article this week....

====
" KangaLil num-bik-kai OLI minna, kai kothu-ch sirik-keerargal kanavanum, manaiviyum."
====

This at the end of an article about 3D animation pictures being made in India.

Hmmm !!! Pzsst !!


-Gowri

** Fish and Life's lessons **

At home, we have a total of five fishes. The smallest one is the most active and a smart one that adopted to the situation quickly. We have two bigges (comparatively) - a blacky and a saffri (we have named all the five :o) ). These two biggies swallow all the food particles that we sprinkle on the top, almost leaving nothing for others. The food particles are small, minute, round coloured particles. While the two biggies swallow them faster. The rest tries to eat them bit by bit. So, when the rest takes the first bite, the biggies comes faster and swallows them. Ultimately, the bits and pieces goes the rest, while the biggies takes the major chunk.

It is here that the Zebri (name of the smallest - as it looks like a zebra) adopted to the situation faster. While it suffered initially, it learnt a few lessons faster. Now, zebri, picks up a piece, takes it to the bottom of the tank and takes the first bite. After the first bite, as the food particle starts floating to the top, zebri acts fast and brings it down. While the other fishes fight for their food at the surface, zebri, smartly finishes it by taking, one piece at a time, to the lower surface. It is active and smart enough to target one piece at a time. Above all, it knows how to get away from the "fighters" with its share of food and at the same time without having to fight with the biggies. That was lesson No.1 !

While the biggies always have their way of life, zebri being active and smart has its own way of life too. The rest two, Spotty and Whitey, are made of mediocre stuff and suffer the most. Its almost 4 days and they havent learnt to be tactful or bullish (they are almost the same size of the biggies). We have to separate them from the rest to feed them - lest they go without food. You should either be strong and powerful -or- should be active, smart and tactful. Never be in between !! Lesson No.2 !!

-Gowri

** Re : Madhoo & Tooth **

Your musing on Madhoo's tooth and linking that to practical aspects of life was a nice narration.

Your discussion on remaining fresh and carrying the blissful smile throughout one's life made me to think on those lines for a while.

For any child to be happy and blissful - throughout one's life - we should teach them to be strong with in. Only when one is mentally strong, will they be able to handle any situation with some cheer in heart and bliss in mind. When life is smooth without any problems, say when being a child, we dont need any special effort to be happy (at that stage happiness is more on reflection of the surrounding, including people). But as we grow up and when we get to face problems - how do one remain cheerful and blissful? I think it all depends on how strong you are with in yourself. That leads us to the next question as to - can we mould a child to be strong?

It is destiny that makes a few stronger and differentiate them from others. It is destiny that paves the path of life and we only walk along. I have seen people remaining cheerful even in worst of the circumstances (do you remember a few we met in that old age home?). But for that to happen they need to be mentally strong - or - should have seen something more worse in life, that could have made them stronger.

The second sort of people is who are trained to be stronger. The present day world is getting more and more competitive. Its going to be a sort of survival of the fittest. So kids are going to get more and more competitive. The best we can do is to teach them to learn to accept the so called victory and defeat with some cheer. In defeat, we should teach them to go and congratulate the winner and at the same time should not lose the intent to be a winner next time. That could help them a lot. (Aren't these things easy said than done?)

A few may be made strong. If so, well, it is going to be good. If we are not naturally made to be stronger - we should train ourself to be so. There may be a world of difference - nevertheless, it is better than to be meek. You can never compete with the naturally gifted - like Sachin or Lara. At the same time, there are also some famous cricketers who are trained to be great - like the famous street smart player - Miandad. Havent we seen, at times, "Miandads" win over "Sachins" of this world ??!!

Without going in to the question of whether our child is mentally strong or weak - we have to train them to be strong. But do we all have time, patience and efffort?

-Gowri

Madhoo's first tooth falls off.....!!

Madhoo had a really difficult time yesterday night.....as the first of her weakened (milk) tooth was too loose and was literally dangling from her jaw.....

Peculiarly her new teeth have started growing as a second layer - in the inside of the jaw for more than 6 months for many of the original teeth. The Dentist - when consulted - told Anoo that this happens in some cases and nothing to be concerned about...

Because of this parellel growth of new set of teeth, we have been waiting to see the old teeth falling down one by one bringing relief to her......Relief comes only after agony, right ??

Madhoo was experiencing something like "prasava vedhanai" yesterday night getting restless about the teeth - not even having the courage to brush her teeth in the night fearing it may hurt the tooth that was in question....!! And today morning when she wake up, seeing the teeth in almost horizontal position, Anoo gathered the courage to try pulling it out....and yes, it came out without any further protest....Ottai pallu Madhoo was in all smiles fully relieved....

Poor girl, she is not aware that she is going to miss the childhood pleasures and bliss of life one by one....along with the old set of teeth.....and is going to become serious faced with the hard pressing competition at school, college and at work later on.....

Wish she is blessed like her father to remain hooked to the freshness of life with sufficient imagination in action....always in her life.....without getting affected too much with this so called competitive world......

I sincerely wish that she maintains herself so well that she is capable of this "blissful" smile even when the second set of teeth that is growing now falls one by one - in due course ......whether I am around or not.....!!

suchoo

** More FISH **

The adventure has started once again.... This time, I have purchased a more rugged version of fishes and smaller ones. This variety is called "Molly". Since they are smaller ones, we have five of them now - Black, Orange, White, Spotted White and the smallest one looks like zebra. I wish and pray that this is going to survive longer...... atleast till Madhu comes to see it.

Also, I have put two shark variety fish in our well. :o))

-Gowri

** Editing **

Just happened to note about a feature (drawback?) that we need to know while blogging.

I, after publishing the "centralisation" post, noticed that the first para had few errors and was not in correct form. So, I did a "edit posts" and corrected the first para. However, that what gets posted to us to our email id is the first version - not the edited version (understandable).

So, its always better that we have a look at the blog site itself (www.jollymusings.blogspot.com) than just relying on our Mail box. Not sure which one you mostly rely on... so just thought of making a mention here.

-Gowri

** Centralisation **

The Noon meal scheme in TN is totally decentralised. In that, every school that implements the scheme are supplied with ration. Two are more people are employed, who, like teachers, come to school everyday in the morning - but their role, obviously, is to cook food and clean utensils.

Recently, I read article which speaks about the manner in which the same Noon meal scheme is being implemented in a few districts of AP. In AP, food is prepared in a centralised place and cooked food is being supplied to schools.

The advantages of centralised cooking is multifold. First of all - you need a Quality control agency in one single point - quality of both rations that come in and the prepared food that goes out can be monitored effectively and easily. Secondly, when it comes to providing a modern kitchen - its easy to provide modern facilities than providing it at thousands of schools. Also, the photo of the kitchen that was published in the magazine was atleast hundred times better than the cooking hall in TN schools that I have seen. Instead of distributing the ration, AP model goes about distributing the cooked food. There is a weekly menu card as per which food is cooked in AP schools (pulihora is the kids' favourite). Very importantly, in case of TN model, the ration that is being supplied - as you would expect - leaks out through every link that is involved., which is effectively stopped in the AP model.

Centralisation and Decentralisation has its own advantages and disadvantages. When both the AP & TN model are compared - I feel, the AP model is better than the TN model. Having said that, more than the model - it is the "effective implementation" that counts more than the model itself.

-Gowri

** Re: Abnormal Auto Driver **

Seeing the subject line, I thought you might have had a bad start to your tour.... I took the wrong notion for the word "abnormal" - only to realise later that "abnormal auto driver" - as you have rightly said - is a rarity.

I always hold the opinion that a person who does his profession with joy and dedication is sure to give best services.


-Gowri

Kalki.......comments.....

Hi Gowri

Kalki was quite entertaining with a particularly very good short story which I plan to translate and write in English in due course (pochudaa....) in a crisp format......!!

By the by, lemme bring that particular copy of Kalki that I bought at Nagpur station next week end when I visit valasaravaakam....you can see the original pudhu kavidhai....for yourself which is about AIR....and the one which I had tried to translate....

suchoo

Professionalism of Isha (Walk towards peak - 2)

At the Central Station, I identified that the platform number 11 is where TN express is supposed to be boarded....and I started walking energetically with my suitcase with rollers fitted under it.....

Pleasantly, a familiar Isha's Saffron T.Shirt strikes at my eyes at the entrance of Platform Number 11. A young Brahmachaari with clean shaven head greets me with folded hands seeing my smiling face towards him...identifying me as a part of their tour.....!! He asks me politely my name and puts a tick in his record as I have "arrived"....

Starting from this simple episode there were countless instances where the volunteers who have joined this tour have been silently adding value to the tour making our once in a life time tour really memorable...

At Badri and Kedar, there were satsanghs organised in the open terrace of the Hotel where we stayed...and with the help of a laptop and a projector, Sadhguru's lectures were played to us (He did not join this time for this tour as he is taking BSP at US) explaining the significance of the holy place and telling lot of information to make us understand aspects about our culture....and the pre requisites of this tour....Needless to say these were live recordings of the previous trip when he had physically joined the group and I never felt his absence with his voice and face in constant touch with us through these wonderful volunteers....

One of the Teacher (Swamy Uddava) lead us during this tour and he announces the plan for the next day at the dinner time....Food was organised by a contractor who starts off at the outskirts of Delhi Station on the morning we arrived New Delhi....with a breakfast....The volunteers of this tour (around a dozen Isha Brahmachaaris - predominantly) never get tired though they very much like us travel in the bus, trek and get up much earlier than us.......!! and keep helping us with room allotments, arranging horses and luggage movements, supply required information and specific medical support for the needy.....

Mind you, the tour could have cost atleast 5K lesser than the charged amount of Rs.18500 - but we had to bear the cost of these people who are travelling along with us to enjoy the majesty of Himalayas.....These people do not get any salary or perks like us and have dedicated their lives to Isha.....!! Inspite of appearing so busy with activities and working like labourers, they are capable of sitting like a rock in deep meditation ... in temples, at the Ice Rocks of Gomuk and also when ever they can squeeze some time for them - after serving us.....

None of the paid participants of the tour had any grievances on these wonderful volunteers travelling with us without spending any money.......!! Infact these brahmachaaris make the buses more lively with their nice social interactions and entertainments....Isha is an unique world and very colourful with such enthusiastic and dedicated youth who act as pillars of the solid foundation....Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev !!

Suchoo

The abnormal Auto Driver (Walk towards Peak - 1)

I reached home from office by around 7 PM on the day when I had to leave to Central Station to catch the TN express...

After reaching home I had a half hour meeting with my two direct reportees to ensure that I passed on few things demanding some continuity....as I am sort of guilty of telling them clearly that I am not planning to take the cell phone to the Himalayan tour.....!!

After a hasty dinner, I was looking out for an Auto in front of our Flat and a middle aged fellow obliged to come to Central....asked for Rs.100/- With heavy luggages in hand, I am not the one who is going to argue with an auto driver particularly when he seems to be quite respectable and decent....

On the way to Central Station, I casually started talking to the Driver which has become a sort of compulsion for me & he responded quite well....When a diesel share auto overtook us, I asked him casually on the dip in his business because of the upsurge of this recent pheonomenon....(This is a sort of open ended question that I normally ask many drivers to know their pulse)....Usually, the auto drivers start cursing and moaning when they are reminded about this competitor but this one was strikingly different...

He bluntly tells me that he never considers any one as his competition....I was quite surprised to hear this....He continues that even when I called him, he was actually going to home at madipaakam, but did not mind coming to central though it will mean that he will go home late by 1 hour....He adds that there are some bad days, but many times, he has seen the co-incidences work favourably for him and he never had time to sit idle and brude about his fate and his career....He says that flexibility is very important in any profession and he at times laughs at himself when things do not work favourable on some odd day....he normally finds that he gets compensated on the following day invariably....

He was telling me dozen stories on the way on various incidents to prove his point....This fellow seems to be very contented and respecting his profession....which is quite rare amongst these pig headed auto drivers that I normally met.....

Sort of good omen to my tour....Needless to say, I gave him ten rupees extra when I got down thanking God that he made me meet one of his wonderful creations.....

I always think that auto drivers, conductors and people handling counters can make our lives very beautiful IF ONLY they realise their potential....Very recently, I was so curiously looking at a dull faced conductor in one of the deluxe buses that are introduced by MTC these days.....why at all they chose some one smiling and bright at least for such premium priced travels within city.....??

Gowri, have you ever tried to know some "extra" details from the official who sits in a bus depot supposed to support the passenger queries....??

I am not too eager to dream about great revolutions....let such little little changes happen in and around the city....thats more effective.....

Are you saying that I am asking too much.....??? Hmmmm...........

suchoo

Recognition being recognised.....

Nice to see your vocal appreciation on my "writing skills"......Though I felt slightly embarassed, it is nice to have some one who is eager to respond....think you responded to most of my postings that I made yesterday.......!! Good....

By the by, I am reminded of the lecture that Sadhguru used to give on various important chakras in our bodies.....Perhaps you too know that there are thousands of nerve centres in human body but based on the huge significance, just 7 out of them have been named as vital chakras......starting from Mooladhara (close to our genital organ), Swathishtaana (slightly above Mooladhara...) & moving upward to Sahasra (literally our skull region).....

He explains the significance of each of this chakra in the Silence Program (week long one which I have attended 5 times until now since 2000) and tells that these chakras are both a bondage as well as an opportunity...!! For example, some one whose energies are too active in mooladhara chakra will be just interested in eating and sleeping.....Some one who is oriented in swadishtana will be seeking pleasures of all sorts and so on.....He will keep reminding after explaining about each and every chakra...that if some one decides and works with total focus, the same nerve centre can also help him to get through the specific bondage...and he can get beyond the fundamental aspect it represents...

Why this vomiting out of Sadhguru's lecture ?? when you talk about "writing skills", I clearly realise that this potential which had embarassed me innumerable times, needs to be honed up quite sincerely so that it becomes my advantage.....why to shut up fearing the unfavourable results it had produced to me ... by default ??

Let us get amused with our musings....?? can't we ??

suchoo

** My postings **

Tonite, I logged in to put a few of my thoughts in words - but, as said, was plesantly taken by surprise to see postings from Suchoo... so, spent my time reading and replying to his views ! May be tomorrow, I will be able to publish a few of my own thougths.....

Time to bed...

-Gowri

** Re: On Ratio of Postings **

YES - no compulsions and no number counts here. Here we publish our posts only because we wish to write our thoughts, experience and any nonsense that comes to our mind. Thoughts that we think is worth enough to put it in words - without any reservations, fear or favour. We dont have to know about each other's opinion, leave alone about others. And when we read the other person's musing, its almost certain that we will have our own thoughts on that - good if we can put it in words, even better if we dont (Isha mantra)!! We dont have to agree on what the other say and we dont have to disagree on everything that the other say !! We dont have to motivate people and increase the number count!! During "Vanagiri" days, I tried to motivate everyone with the "numbers" syndrome. Not anymore. Here, I am under no such compulsion. Arent we motivated enough ourselves? I only wish that you dont get on to the "hill top" mode. Having said that, even if one of us stop writing (hopefully that remains for a brief period - than getting the permanancy tag) - even if one of us stop writing, the other should keep contributing, just to keep ourself in the "observation mode" whenever required. It is here I feel that we are not just writing for the sake of each other but of ourself. If we write for the sake of other, at some point of time our venture may stop, like what we all did one after another in "Vanagiri" !!. Lets not get into into the reasons, justifications and explanations of what one did and not in "Vanagiri". Here lets be independent. Idea is to remain "ourself" in this blog. Having said all that - if one of us wish to stop writing we should be graceful enough to accept other's decision - I only wish that we wont have to get to that stage - atleast in the near future !!

-Gowri

** Re: On Writing **

I am glad that you are going to keep writing more on your "Himalayan Trip".

I just attempted this diary writing habit for around four or five days. At the end of the day when I had nothing important to write about, I felt what a sheer waste of life that I am leading. If I was to achieve greatness, I should have corrected myself .... instead, I left the diary writing habit altogether (the difference between "Great" and "Silly" mortals !!). I cant agree more about your "observation mode" and "feeling mode" !!

When talking about journeys... I have my own experience on observing my behaviour pattern - on how it changed over years. I do not know whether it was for good or bad. I will write about that in a separate musing.

Meanwhile, you start blazing and come out with all guns firing....

-Gowri

** Re : On Kalki **

Kalki always had a standard about it (an orthodox brahminical magazine !). "Change Management" is what that comes to my mind when I think about Kalki. It refused to change with time, stagnated and watched some young brigade grow faster and bigger near by. "Colgate" is another product that took umberage under present day "glory" to take them into future. Alas it was not to be so. When its a consumer based product, higher importance and stress should be given to rope in fresh customers, especially the younger generation who are going to be your future prospects. Kalki forgot that basic business mantra and almost faded away. Kalki has lost its place. Its still in circulation is really a wonder.

Coming back to the poem that you translated - a wonderful one. Initially I enjoyed reading the poem, then tried translating it back to tamil and thought how it would have been in tamil and lastly appreciated the way you had presented it. A good job, buddy !!

-Gowri

** Re : On Fishes !! **

Voi ...

I too could see your malice with what you wrote about my latest venture with Fish !! "Indha panam kaatru Nari, salasalap-pukku AnjaDhu voi" ...

You should keep in mind that those two fishes were purchased from a shop where they were already languishing in glass tanks.

-Gowri

** Re : Back Again !! **

Hi Dear...

WELCOME BACK !!

I thought you were to return on Oct/13 - and hence was pleasantly surprised to see your posts. Let me confess, I thoroughly enjoy reading every mail of yours. It was only today that I was speaking about to you to one of my friends in office. I told him what an interesting character you are and that I will introduce him to you (he lives in Chitlapakkam). He did the yoga course in the same batch that Kalyani did (different timing). He is a sort of rugged person. Not everyone will find him friendly. But I saw honesty in his approach and do have a very cordial relationship with him. He wanted some information on BSP and Hatta Yoga - hopefully, I will call you tomorrow morning to speak on that.

Getting back to my confession in the first para above .... You always had good oratorical skills (remember your childhood days when Banu and others would surround you to hear all those jokes that you would spill out?). And Banu Athimber (!) always appreciates you about the way you speak - especially when you are able to bring out the finer & subtleties engraved between lines in novels/poems/stories - those that he too enjoyed. Memory power and presentation had always been your forte. Now, as a natural next step - its seen in your writings too. Fine tuning our natural skill is where our growth lies and Man, you are certainly growing !!

-Gowri

Our Ratio of postings....

Hi Gowri

I had a queer idea to check up the number of contributions during last completed month...Out of our 31 postings in total during september - without going into the analyses of original postings versus comments which was given as a seperate postings - you had posted 20 out of 31 postings of september...Please accept my hearty congratulations......(lone hands clapping....can you hear it ???)...It is very useful that you continue to use ***** symbol for your postings....!!

After a flurry of postings that I have made right now in the past one hour, I think we are at par with this one giving me slight edge over you.....(just one up.....hi hi)..By the by, I would like to have a HIGH LEVEL title for my postings during october 2007 on my himalayan experiences....."A walk towards Peak"....or "Walking & Peaking".........!! I am sure give you a tough fight during oct...interms of numbers......

Let us try to make this truely non compulsive yaar....but at the same time enjoying such petty thrills and competition....I wish this becomes much more lively and interactive...serving the purpose ....just as we had envisioned (as if we are great visioneries....he he....)....

On Writing.....!!

Hi Gowri

As I had mentioned earlier, I had scribbled down few incidents (they could be trivial but really very wonderful from "musings" point of view...you know things better) in my diary during the tour....

I have been into this habit of writing diary on most of the days since my Isha days....1997....I would say that it was internalised more as a part of my ventillation or expression than becoming a dialy habit...There were occassions that I wrote dozen pages on a particular day also when I was so depressed or so happy....You should also appreciate that my friend circle had never been so big .... and writing had been my sure bet all along...

Now coming back to the numerous incidents that compulsively kept me in writing mode for every 3 - 4 hours....just because I was too sincere to jot them down to be written in our column here.....I feel that our awareness levels shoots up magnificiently with this habit.....!! I became very sharp and was very alert in my communication (which was at basic minimum level as I was so eager to listen and observe the world more than to keep vomitting myself)...and was travelling between the little incidents and my abstract world (karpanaiyoor) too often than how it normally happens....just because I wanted to WRITE them......!!

Hope you get the point....I became much more effective as an observer when I wanted to write in this column...and it was bit too much than trying to write at the end of the day......in the diary....

Incidentally, there are lot of days that I write diary just lamenting / bruding about myself.....during those spells when I forced myself on writing some thing daily.....!! Now when I decided to WRITE some where, believe me the person "I" was totally absent in typical JK style...and I was able to draw out my columns (that will be posted one by one in due course) from the ripples created in the mind purely induced by the outside world....

Its a huge difference, isn't it....?? It will be really nice if I revamp my diary writing habit on observation mode....than feelings mode.....that it used to be....

suchoo

On Kalki.....

Hi Gowri

I happened to buy a KALKI at Nagpur station enroute to Delhi...which was available with a vendor...just to know if any other magazine is readable .... apart from my favourite...

I was quite surprised to see the cover of the Kalki which has improved a lot (sort of oil paper) though it continues to be on the same odd size that it used to be.....!! There were quite a good number of articles and jokes that were worthy to ready & considering my idleness at the train, I think I read through every inch of the magazine..

Posting below an English Translation of a beautiful Tamil Pudhu Kavithai that was published in Kalki...I got reminded of Bharathiyaar who is acknowleldged as a pioneer of vasana Kavithai....and had infact written some thing on the same subject....

Please be aware that my intention was to give the contentwise exact translation...and did neither have the urge or the mastery to present it in a professional format of english poem......!!



My Foe

The neatly arranged toys in the showcase
go berseck with the dust sprayed all over.......

The well shut windows gifting chill air when ever I wanted
gets beaten up incessantly irritating poor me.....

The opened up books get turned over rapidly as though
they reached the hands of an illiterate fool...



How to win over this wretched wind......??
I keep pondering within myself......

He leaves out of me all of a sudden....
as if he decided to call off the fight with me....

I lay there in the ground......still & frozen....
with a silent heart.....and closed eyes.....!!

suchoo

On Fishes !!

Hi Gowri

Nice to read about the general information on Fishes....and the specific news of obituary that happened at your home :-)

Its really nice that you (& Kaushal ??) are getting into an elite hobby which is extremely educative and also keeps you quite busy at home....Kaushal should be enriched with such a gifted chittappa who is extremely informative and enthusiastic .... interested in living and in living species around him.....!!

I wish to come and see your mates.....I mean those multiplied number of fishes than what you originally bought....!!

In the meanwhile, let those two wonderful Golden Fishes that you bought rest in peace.....!! They could have lived longer IF ONLY they had landed up in safer hands, isn't it ?? Its all Karma .... Gowri, what will you do......!! I wish you remain grateful to those two little lives which helped you to learn the fundamentals of Fishes.....and make you more alert....You dont have to brude too much on their death...IF only they were not reaching in your hands, some other saddist scounderal (or a bitch ??) would have put them out of water enjoying their suffocation and stillness cruelly...just that it happened like this.....

suchoo

ps:- I enjoy the malice with which I wrote the last para....!!

Back Again !!

Hi Gowri

I am back from the 13 days tour to uttaraanchal.....covering Badri, Kedar, Haridwar, Hrishikesh, Gangotri, Gomuk and two more temples of spiritual significance located at Uttar Kashi and GuptKashi.....

I thoroughly enjoyed the tour including the one day lay off inbetween Badri and Kedar at a location called PepulKoti due to a landslide that had happened in the route...rendering the travel unsafe....It was real fun to remain in a place for close to 30 hours with announcement coming once in 2 hours that the stay could be postponed for 2 more hours.....

When I said that I enjoyed, its not that I was socialising every moment of this tour but enjoyed it though....with just adequate socialising....I was infact completely silent for close to 3 and Half days (on the way to Kedar and while at Kedar) as Sadhguru told (in a lecture before starting off to this holy place) the spiritual significance of this place....which moved me too much....

Now, let me write my experiences of this tour in instalments....Mind you, I have taken record of various little things in my diary that I would like to muse about in our "jolly musings" column....!! To be honest, that I lost track of the diary in the last 4 /5 days but still believe me, I have too many things to be posted...

Needless to say, I would like to post most of them only in our Forum and not at vanagiri....which I feel have outlived its purpose.....!!

Get ready.....for two or three more musings for today...

suchoo