A Beautiful Mind

Leadership | Strategy

2011-09-29T08:09:00.003+05:30

"Leadership is a combination of strategy and character. If you must be without one, be without the strategy." - Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf

Can anyone believe these are the first lines from the book 'Enterprise Architecture as Strategy'? Isn’t Leadership skills common across all areas?

This comes from the person who held the US Central Command. Just trying to think through his words...

Oxford defines Character as ‘the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual’ and I have to search for the definition for the word ‘Moral’. I could scratch my head and remembered the Moral Science during my primary school education.

Back to Dictionary, it defines Moral as ‘concerned with the principles of right and wrong behavior’. But, who can define the right or wrong of an action? A person with Character?

What happens to leaders with great character but without power? Or Power is just the mere shield created by the leader's character?

Is the definition of leader evolving but definition of Character cannot change?

Or did he mean, Strategy can be devised at any point by a leader with character. Everything makes sense when you put the word character for Leadership. With Character trust is earned, trust makes it all work. Any thoughts?

Reason for a Biriyani...

2011-07-15T23:50:00.002+05:30

I am really blessed to have a job and have all my close kin in my home town. Most of us live in the same neighborhood and we just need some reason to catch up. If we don’t have a reason, what the heck, we do make up a

reason.

We are an extended family means real extended family…this time we figured out our cousin’s birthday as one of the reason. We still presume each of us know each other and nothing to hide. And the best part is we all grew up as kids and still look each other the same.

She was kind enough to arrange a grand lunch for say 30 people. We arranged the “Dum” Biriyani cooked by a specialist and the women took the rest. Not only kids like me even the elders are pampered by the beautiful women of our home. She added an extra touch of handing out T-shirts and little kitty for the women. I don't want to list the menu and make everyone envy.

Good Lunch…Variety of Ice Creams…Fighting with nephews…Two movies…It was a nice Sunday to spend out with family. This is where I belong, no doubts about it.

The best part is this will continue every weekend for next one month…reason…Tamil month “Adi” Koozh for Goddess Mariamman.

Very Happy Moment...

2011-07-04T23:34:00.005+05:30

Never been happy myself for a long time...I was so happy today and can never forget this moment. Just wanted to make a mark this day and this hour...

The beauty is we have so many well-wishers around who smile when our family smiles and shoulder us each of us when we are down...

Our family cannot ask for better than what we have been as we are...We are real people and have only real friends around us.

Thanks to God for keeping us like this and selfish prayer, wish we continue like this.

- Naren

Omandurar thottam aka Government House

2011-05-15T01:08:00.002+05:30

Many people don’t know what this is about and where it is located in Chennai...

It was a home for a "Marathadi" Vinayagar, hundreds of trees, peaceful government offices, old mess, Rajaji Hall at the other end. Public can sneak through to have a pleasant silence in the hot spot of the city. Sometimes with police mercy, we can get a chance to play cricket. Vinayagar Chathurthi is always famous because of the Arasa maram Suyambu Vinayagar and for kids, the free sugar as prasatham.

Of so many locations, why this place has to be chosen as the New Secretariat? Now, the new secretariat looks green but just the lush green lawn and no more trees. It's not the same old place. I know things have to change, old has to give way to new but I don't see a logical reason to have the new Secretariat here.

First reason, it's in the heart of the business center in Anna Salai...surrounded by Pudupet, Ritchie Street, wholesale market, MAC Stadium, near University of Madras, busy Triplicane High Road and Pycrofts road. And everyone knows about the roads of the Triplicane which leads to this new Secretariage from all directions. As the decision was made, they was a rumors that all the mansions will be closed because of Security reasons, the roads will be extended to 30 feet demolishing the existing shops and homes and the notice severed to few shopkeepers already.

So, every time the Ministers come to this place, Anna Salai will be stalled for a while, lucky it didn't happen yet. If this is just because of sentimental beliefs, makes fool of the party started against the same beliefs. Alright this building is also "Green certified" because of the trees surrounding the complex. Our Prime Minister did his part by planting 1000 saplings of evergreen species (not trees) during inauguration day with an artificial multi-Crore fake dome.

With the new government already planned to use the Fort George as the Legislative assembly, we have to wait and watch what happens to this Rs 450 Crores project

-Naren

The Real Winner: Election Commission

2011-05-14T11:44:00.003+05:30

No "Thaarai" and "Thamppatai" (Folk music instruments), No banners, No posters, No lined up cars or vans, No grand public music or talks, No extra tension for the students during exam times ...even the Central Home Affairs minister cribbed the Election Commission has turned the state to be a “Graveyard look” instead of month-long festive look. When DMK leader declared his party’s manifesto as “the Heroine” and the “Election Commission” as the villain, the voters showcased who are the real winners.

During my Madurai visit before the elections, the car driver was so excited and mentioned he could his business as usual only because of election commission, otherwise his car would have taken for “Anna’s” supporters for party work and would never the money for the month’s effort.

I would have chatted with 50+ plus commoners’ auto drivers, hotel servers, cab drivers, next seat passengers, street vendors in Karur, Madurai, Kancheepuram and Chennai. One auto driver in Chennai became furious when I asked why shouldn’t DMK come back to rule. He asked what the people will do the free instruments with no electricity or no basic amenities. I need to write a separate note on that. This shows the difference between when few are grudged and everyone waiting to take revenge. Everything went calm and silent; most of the people had to do extra research to identify the candidate’s name. Many quoted the cartoon joke, “why parties have to give Grinder, mixie, fridge as freebies…rather send two packets of idly and chutney to every home”

People started to make fun of DMK distribution of TV’s which has taken the media to every home and detailing about the 2G scam and movie advertisements of Karuna’s third Gen family every 2 mins in four different channels. The media, entertainment and paper which were taken by the family has taken the industries back to them, hopefully. Last term, Kalaignar introduced State governed Cable network when they was in tussle with Sun Network but made it non-operational after the family patched together.

If Election commission can govern the election proceedings right in front of CM’s nose that refused to resign to support Election Commission and take the caretaker government and known as the “Best Politician alive till date”, Election Commission should also govern the people (MLA or MP) selected by electorates.

Except Madurai district, DMK managed to get at least one or two seats in others district and it was cleaned out in Madurai district. One of the reason could be the blue-eyed boy of the party in southern districts has distributed only Rs. 200 to romp in voters and the frustration started right there. This time, the voters were watchful, happy about what was happening and people took this opportunity to clean their own image.

When DMK taught the "Thirumagalam formula" to Election Commission, Election Commission showed them back how Election will be conducted....Looking at the margin of results, the extra percentage casted by public mainly to appreciate the Election Commission efforts and the awareness created to vote...After the results announced, many voters felt guilty conscious of not voting in the election.

Hats off to Election Commission and the Voters!!!

Sunday evening in Marina

2011-05-08T20:48:00.000+05:30

Finally decided to kick myself out of the couch and took the streets of Triplicane. What else is an option on a Sunday evening? One thing was sure, nothing changed all these years, the smaller building become bigger ones, and the streets remain the same, same book stores along the platforms. The evening was so wonderful it made to extend the walk little towards our Marina.

Marina on Sunday evenings is an “Experience”, the pavements redesign is a blessing for the people having osteoarthritis, tightened security give some comfort to the public.

The beauty of Marina is it has everything for everyone, sand castle for kids & adults, balloon shooting, mollakai bajjis, waves and the calmness of sea. I could recollect every bit of our family outings; school friends daily meet at Vivekananda Illam and weekly cricket game with college mates. It was a blissful “time-out” and God wish, plan to have every Sunday evening.

Karthika – Kokrakko Ko

2011-04-30T08:23:00.003+05:30

Combination of tanned skin, first-Movie, modernized Tamil gal's look, Gorgeous Saree explicitly showcasing the beauty, reporter character and my single-status makes Karthika looks so beautiful and pleasant . Never heard of her until watched this movie and came to know she was actress Radha’s daughter. Radha was liked for multiple reasons and for Karthika is an easy one. Credit should go for the Cameraman and photography. In few scenes her on-screen make-up reminded of “bad make-up” of bride on her wedding day which looks so well on mirror but on front of lights. I was shocked at her age, couldn’t avoid thinking of my Gray hairs…

The song is perfect…”Yennamo Yetho yennam theraluthu…”

Cadbury Dairy Milk Ad...

2011-04-16T16:21:00.001+05:30

I love Indian Ads…the creative and storytelling within few seconds is astonishes me. Every time now and then will think of joining any of the creative team. I strongly believe my career should in public affairs. One of the latest advertisements for Cadbury was canny and striking. All the credit should go to the small gal acts in the advertisement. Basically the gal displays the love over chocolates with her cute little body languages.
One place she would even lick the bar when it comes to sharing with her relatives. When the relatives don’t mind, she starts to cry or act to cry. Pleasant Advertisement
http://youtu.be/rf0X0ycQz3I

And this is my 200th post after a long gap…Let’s celebrate with dairy milk.

Bleed Blue - Successful Campaign

2011-04-02T08:16:00.004+05:30

Hats off to the Nike's interactive marketing team...Great thought process in putting the Bleed blue Badge with their logo and attaching to the sentiment of every individual. Now, most of the Indian facebook profile have the Bleed Blue logo and symbol carrying Nike brand. Very successful Marketing campaign and someone is doing good in their career. www.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikecricket/en_IN/bleed_blue_index

Cricket...Couldn't tolerate...

2011-03-30T17:32:00.002+05:30

Couldn't tolerate too much cricket...don't feel anything special and corporates supporting. I have to get out of work early because of noisy atmosphere at work. But, its cricket everywhere

Book time..

2011-03-28T10:51:00.002+05:30

I like when people gift books and when I am travelling to India; I received three books from my VP’s. Everything signed by the same favorite people and one of it authored by my boss.

I wanted buy-back and gift the book for Ganesh but no copies was left out. Let me share my thoughts after reading

http://www.amazon.com/Enterprise-Architecture-Strategy-Foundation-Execution/dp/1591398398

Must Read...

2011-03-28T10:29:00.004+05:30

Wonderful article on how the state been captured by K Family…must read for everyone who cares about Tamil Nadu…appreciate the gutsiness of the author on the detail embedding the history and reality…One thing missing in the article was, many people does not know why DMK was formed from DK and the core principles of DMK when it was formed. That can be a separate article. I was shocked when I read the core principles of DMK and how it is run currently by the same leader.

http://www.tehelka.com/story_main49.asp?filename=Ne260311Coverstory.asp

Naren

Challenging Times...

2011-03-26T13:15:00.000+05:30

It’s challenging times for our family after my brother-in-law fell sick. His heart is deteriorating with couple of blocks made it worse. My sister one of the strong woman who had tiring times in past has been devastated. She had lost his father at the age 21 and mother at 24. I am confident she would come out of this. It was also mistake from our side, consulting the respiratory specialist for his breathing troubles and never went further on the heart-related tests. With advance of technology, lessons learnt from our own family medical history and money not being constraint, it is a total failure from our side. He is 41 years old, an astute athlete playing badminton daily and sprinter in past representing his college. Nothing matters right now other than bringing him back home fully recovered.
Please keep us in your prayers and in God we trust. I will keep this post updated. Thanks.

Respect Demanded or Commanded...

2011-03-20T09:38:00.000+05:30

I remember the country road which leads to the Kelambakkam through Sholinganallur. I always cherish the travel that too during the college days adds cherry to the memories. We had no traffic lights or system to monitor. After 10 years, Sholinganallur is the most happening hub connecting to all parts of town; you could go to East coast road, towards Pallikaranai or Air Port and also Kelambakkam (IT Highway).

I was waiting in my cab returning from my office to home in the signal and the traffic constable rushed towards. I realized he was trying to catch the biker who was travelling without helmet. The biker just showed the finger and rushed past the constable. The police constable couldn’t catch him or no system to track him. The biker knew, he has to bribe at least 150-200 rupees and additional punishment for not obliging to the police. That’s the respect police deserves. I was so pity on one side seeing the police plight but on other side it was the right thing for the Common man.

Vibrant Entry...

2011-03-12T23:39:00.003+05:30

So many things happening around and like the unplanned activities executed in a perfect manner, I am back to my good old days. Enjoying my walk to bus stops, laughing when Auto driver charge requests, the trust people show based on face value, squabbles with my Mom, talking to my school friends, public transport travel, 8 hr work comprising 3 coffee breaks and a lunch… Its good to be back to hometown…I missed Triplicane and Chennai near and dear by the way I cherish every moment now…

Thanks for visiting…I believe I am back…Will try to log the beauty of life…the essence of this blog…

Naren

Community Council..

2010-05-03T10:16:00.002+05:30

HCL Team in San Antonio kick started the community council two months back. It's very interesting to enroll, maintain the roster and getting the team together. But, I need to appreciate few individuals who were the backbone for putting this team together. Gopi, Mohanraj and Sendhil has been outstanding support and carried the entire initiative. Now Minakshi with the perfect background on this initiative joining the bandwagon is an added advantage.

The Best part is the entire team agreed to put Minakshi as the front face understanding her appreciative and stands true to the objective. Yesterday was our third event and would say one of our best outings.

We helped in organising the entire event (NSF Foundation, San Antonio chapter) and evaluation basically end-to-end operations.

Our first outing is participating in the Habitat for Humanity, non-profit organization, helping in construction of homes. The second one was relatively lesser hardwork and closing working with Children's Hunger Fund on their Haiti Project.

It was a great team outing with a genuine objective. Hats off to everyone.

Naren

Microwave Coffee...

2009-12-13T22:15:00.004+05:30

1. Milk --> Microwave 2mins --> Bru Instant coffee powder --> Sugar

OR

2. Milk --> Bru Instant coffee Powder --> Sugar --> Microwave 2mins

Both sucks, now coffee turned out to be "good to have hot drink" along with the "Butter" Biscuits from local Mediterranean shop.

I could smell the filter coffee...I Love Triplicane...

Cricinfo's Stories....

2009-12-06T20:49:00.003+05:30

Content is so important and the one-liner is so important to surround a big story. I always love the articles with stats and Sports is all about numbers.

Cricinfo is good in their thought process and converts many one-liners into great stories. Cricket lovers would love to read all the surrounding facts for the one-liner.

How long India can hold the No.1 spot? From Cricinfo's Story

"India's immediate threat is South Africa, but they will have to beat England by a 2-0 margin or better to reclaim the No. 1 spot. A 2-0 or 3-1 victory for South Africa will take them marginally ahead of India, 3-0 will given them 126 points, and 4-0 will extend their lead over India by three. However, if England win 1-0 or 2-1, South Africa's tally will reduce to 117, increasing India's lead by seven points.

If South Africa fail to recapture the top spot against England, India's reign will receive an extension because even if Australia blank Pakistan 3-0 at home, following a 3-0 win against West Indies, their ratings points will increase only by three to 119. They will then need to beat Pakistan in England - an away series for Australia -to move up the ladder. "

It throws a different proposition to the readers and try themselves drawing a calendar but end up searching Cricinfo for the future tour roster.

Special Week End...

2009-11-07T07:43:00.004+05:30

Wow..I never had so much planned for any week end. This week end, we have so much things to do or events happening around.

Randolph Air Show 2009

I have been here in San Antonio, every year somehow managed successfully to miss the Air Show...Hope I make it this time...

http://www.randolph.af.mil/library/2009-randolphairshow/index.asp

WurstFest 2009

Last year, we had really big gang of guys to hang out and desginated drivers to enjoy this Beer Fest.

Food, Beer and hang out where you can supposedly taste or drink all brands of Beer. I don't think I will be going this year.

http://www.wurstfest.com/

Malic Gem Show 2009

This is more of Gem, Mineral and Jewelry show...I am not interested in this but some of my friends would be...

http://malicjewels.com/show-information

And we are all planning to hit the Mexican restaurant for the Karaoke, could celebrate Antoneita's Birthday.

And we do have Selva's Birthday Bash midnight.

And I am going to play morning cricket which I missed for last couple of weeks.

I will update what I did actually but I am excited to have this much to-do list other than my work. :)

Diwali Celebrations...

2009-11-04T17:57:00.004+05:30

We had a great Deepavali celebrations in our customer office, huge one. It is rather Indian Cultural celebrations, projected India's North, South, East and West regions, folk dances from different parts, regular mehendi stalls and Bindis, bangles are give aways.

People who attended are so excited and always wonder about India. I was involved in putting the North Region stall displaying the places to visit, monuments, food, dress, dance, music and wedding. Why am I picked North, because South had more volunteers. And I wanted to learn about North and I learnt a lot.

We all felt like exams are over because too much of craft work, chart, banners, decorations and finally we felt nothing to do.

Another interesting thing for Deepavali celebrations, Tamil, Kannanda, Telugu and Indian Association had separate celebrations. And on top, City of San Antonio bursted fireworks for the first time and Mayor did a speech for Deepavali.

I always waited for the 2 days to come so that I could do fireworks. But, this time I felt too much celebrations without parents, sweets, new dress, fireworks. Then what the heck was this for...

Which one is best...

2009-10-21T09:15:00.006+05:30

The below video from SNL beats the President's video message. And most of you would agree to it...SNL rocks..

SNL Video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYnMYZDsrJM

Obama's Diwali Message

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VRb9lGjeFY

Naren

Sleepy..Not Totally Weird..

2009-10-20T14:37:00.006+05:30

I could say that I am blessed when it comes to sleep. I can sleep where ever or whenever I want to but I cannot sleep for more than 6 - 7 hours. Ok!! they are few exceptions 8 - 10 hour sleep if I didn't rest myself for more than 20 hours. My Gene DEC2 problem nothing I can do.

I can be dead like for hours on the couch. I cannot sleep with my eyes open, I tried during my work hours but couldn't succeed. Believe me..

Which part could be the weird one? I keep my laptop beside me, on my lap or alongside and rest myself. This had happened more than once, You would see a happy man with full enthusiasm chatting with you from other part of the world and suddenly black out like power failure. I can go from Sleep Stage N1 to Stage N3.

My room mates had made fun of me, taken pictures in different weirdo positions and me lying around different parts of the apartment. Definitely not Drunk...I don't drink.

Sorry to all if I geared up fully and all of a sudden shut down, it will be because of my sleep cells.

New Bet...

2009-10-19T16:37:00.003+05:30

Murali and I have got a bet which everyone would have sometime. Weight Loss and the D-Day would be November 15th and we decided to transact with money.

We have already formed alliances to bring down each other's efforts though not constructive but some serious plans are going on.

I am cautious on food, dammnit ok I am really food lover, I love to cook, eat and taste different cuisines... It's gonna be tough if we don't control the food.

I have heard three of friends with no connections have taken marathon to bring back to shape. I think I am in need of partner...Will update on November 15th...

Reason to Acknowledge

2009-10-19T16:18:00.002+05:30

Does Men always wanted to justify their actions? Always trying to hide their emotions and show off their analytical calculations in arriving a decision.

Professional side, We always try this to way beyond extent. We want to get it right any time.

Do you think, this will sell when it comes to personal life? Nah, personalities around us will know it, we are fooling around... Men to Men is okay, both are egoists avoiding each other pride falling down. But when it come to Women, it just take a Sorry to put all your things back in track.

Be careful when you use it, Women knows when you really mean it.

Kick Start...

2009-10-19T16:08:00.003+05:30

Something rare needed for me to update my blog and I believe waking up 5 am is really rare sign. And also made me to realise how my blog was updated for a while.

So many things are happening, I went back to India for 2 months, started watching TV shows, playing cricket and Tennis, reorgs in the work. If we need to list out, we find so many reasons for not updating, let me kick start again...

And I am thinking to blog lot about my travel experience in US but when it comes to Finances credit-debit calculations, damn why I like Geography.

Time Management in Car - Women are the best...

2009-08-16T02:55:00.000+05:30

What can be done during a 2 mins signal stop light?

Guys would,

possibly gaze around,

peek through the next door cars,

pull around the person seated inside the car,

change the CD or tune to different radios,

discuss different car models,

Complain the stoplight delay..

She can,

do a quick coat with her powder

do the eye shade

quick on eye lashes

layer of lip stick

check the lights and the mirror...

This is from real experiences, definitely I was gazing over the car beside me..

Airports visited in US...

2009-08-15T12:51:00.004+05:30

I have put the Airports visited on the Google Maps...curiosity to mark all the Airports made me to add even the stopovers...I should be lucky enough to visit these much...

29 Airports 18 States in 3 years...

This was only the Airports, many more cities visited by road...Yes, will create another Maps mentioning the road trips taken...

View Airports Visited in a larger map

From HCL's Community Service Council...Tips..

2009-02-12T19:24:00.001+05:30

First Post...this Year 2009...My Parents trip...Vote of Thanks...

2009-01-26T00:17:00.004+05:30

#1 My parents visiting me and was roaming around different places in 3 months. I was constantly hooked into travel websites, travel deals, ticket deals, hotels and car rentals. I can still bet I can find better deals when it comes to travel in US.

Guys, I would say the road trip with my parents from New Jersey to Washington DC and Phoenix to Las Vegas via Grand Canyon ;) were the best. You won't realise you have so much to talk for long hours with your parents. It's quite a different feeling. I would ask anyone to take this trip anywhere.

I should thank my friends who have accomodated my parents and I for those three months.

Maheshwer ( Yengal Anna Vijayakanth)

Gulam ( Vanathai pola Livingston)

Suresh

Gopi

Rajkumar

Selva

Murali

Karthik

Rajesh

Vivek Krishna

Special thanks for Shriram Kannan (the best in my all time fame), Shyam (travelling with me to Niagara), Bharath & Bhargavi (for taking them as their parents), Newton ( for arranging Rockford beach house), Raj Prabhu (for travelling with me to Vegas, he owe me a lot for showing the bite of Vegas), Gulam (travelling with me to Orlando), Chandra & Kalpana for helping out in Houston and Rajeshnath (my understanding boss)

San Antonio,TX

Corpus Christi,TX

Rockford,TX

Houston,TX

St.Louis,MI

Orlando,FL

New York,NY

Washington DC

Niagara Falls, NY

Grand Canyon,AZ

Las Vegas,NV

Enjoyed this scene...Vaaranam Aayiram...

2008-11-26T11:40:00.003+05:30

Watched Vaaranam Aayiram this week end....love scenes and songs are good..nothing much in the movie. I would not advice anyone to waste money...all the gud scenes are in youtube..

One of the best scene atleast for me...

Heroine asks lot of questions about him before she accepts him....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdQTl-gg_yQ

She herself answers all her questions after understanding him....my best...
Both performed...Surya scores and the shot where he plays guitar in the air...gud one..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyC9vUSzSAc

Pain...

2008-10-19T14:28:00.002+05:30

Last week, I was little shake up last week when three friends and my parents went to India. I made two trips to Airport to drop my friends and evening started to Houston along with my parents. My parents return flight is from Houston. The Airport crew were kind enough to give me the Gate Pass to go along with my parents. My parents cried...I was okay..When I came back to San Antonio Airport, I really don't know whom to call or where to go. I suddenly felt this is not the right place for me and I don't belong here. Leaving behind my parents was not new to me, the current trip is my third one and I really couldn't understand.

Monday I wasn't able to work and one of my American friend, lady with wisdom, figured out the reason. She told even though you have been away from home. This should be the first time some one left you. Made sense and absolutely true. Believe me, you have to feel the difference...

The difference between you leave someone and someone leaves you....

Earth Hour US...

2008-03-30T03:19:00.002+05:30

I wouldn't be aware of this Earth Hour US if I am not using Google. Earth Hour explained why Google home page had black background. The initiative was kicked off in Sydney and spread around to different cities. This would be small thing we can do by switching off our lights for an hour from 8 - 9 pm.

The video in below link shows how much energy saved during this hour. First time, something was so easy to get a great satisfaction. Just switch off the lights...nothing much..

http://www6.earthhourus.org/

HandBag Matters...

2008-03-14T05:58:00.003+05:30

Today, end of work, I saw a lady going out with a big bag, carry bag and a hand bag. I was fascinated and thought what she would have carried to stay maximum of 9 hours in one place.
I am pretty sure she was not marooned in an island. Then, I realized not only her but every other women carried minimum of two bags with them if you ignore the purse. What for??

I know many men carry same purse from the time he started to have let it be for sentimental or lucky reasons.

I remember this one incident happened in my school days. Our French madam went out in middle of the class and she is famous for her make-up kit. My friends wanted to confirm the rumors and open her handbag. One person, Balaji, successfully opened and end up with thrashing from her. It was quite funny to relive.

World Richest Billionaires

2008-03-13T10:37:00.003+05:30

In Top ten richest people, four people are Indians. Just thinking what it really does good to the country as a whole or for the people. If Mukesh and Anil assets are together (85 billion), Ambani group would be the number one in world. Forget one guy, who resides in UK, the rest of the guys accumulate to 115 billion dollars.

What can be done by these three guys money?

1. Can donate 11 dollar to every person in India? Making it the biggest and largest public distribution, 400 rupees to everyone is great achievement considering the fact that only 1/4 of the people can spent Rs.12.

2. Can spend twice the amount, the Indian government planned to spend in this Budget 2008.

3. The golden quadrilateral road project cost only 13 billion dollars so we could construct one circle, square and an octagon.

4. Cost of New Chennai International Airport is 25 billion so 4 world-class airport with 115 billion :-)

5. Basic medical Aids also needs its share.

To see in another side...

1. Can buy 460 Boeing 777 bus

2. Can buy out many of the Top IT companies.

3 Can buy more Bugatti Veyron cars to open new Taxi service.

Will keep adding it...

Naren

Day Light Savings..

2008-03-10T11:28:00.002+05:30

Saturday night, we went out for movie. We had ready made parotta with Murali's kozhambu.. Suddenly we figured its 2:00 pm everywhere, no way this movie could be more than 4 hours. Then, we realised we lost one hour due to day light savings. God !! My one hour of sleep was lost and now I couldn't sleep. My body cannot accept its 1:00 pm, it would be 12:00 two days back.

The most significant thing, researchers figured out, energy consumption was more during the savings time rather reduced usage. So, then for what this is followed??

Meeting...

2008-03-10T10:37:00.002+05:30

I missed a get-together for first time, happened in Hartford, Connecticut. I have to stay for a while in San Antonio because Mahesh (room mate) arriving here from Chennai. Courtesy calls :)

I think around 10 guys are meeting and its birthday for Rajendra Kumar :(

Happy Birthday dude..enjoy..

10000 BC

2008-03-09T14:43:00.003+05:30

Went to theater after a long time, we went as planned to "10,000 BC" even after some strong recommendations from few friends. We expected the worse but it was not bad...sentimental story

Corridor Life..

2008-03-05T10:33:00.005+05:30

Pillars give entirely different dimension of the building…one of the reasons for me to admire my college (SSN College) structures. I could promise we weren't pillars of SSN when we studied there. Symmetric white buildings with huge pillars and open corridor give you a great feeling when you walk around. But, the best part is the corridors.

Advantage in SSN no attendance for the first hour. So, we could stretch our legs right after our breakfast or after tiresome cricket play on the Basketball court, we would relax on the corridor. Lying on each other gives warning for the trespassers. We would not trouble anybody because they would ample space to crawl around us.

The best part was the Staff…awesome human beings understanding the student's mind boggling troubles and pain would walk around us and never tried to disturb us. Some would even occasionally pass on "rich comments" but we were open to critics. Every person should be positive for the critics to correct himself, we were lucky those critics as our staff.

Years moved on but still the corridors remain. Don't know if any past or future students as we used it... :)

Finance Minister Chidabaram..Budget Matters...

2008-03-01T18:43:00.004+05:30

Complete speech of Finance Minister...

http://www.hindu.com/nic/unionbudget2008_09.pdf

It was good to read all the areas he covered. When we go up to one salary range, the tax slab will increases :)

"Kodai Ali Sengol Kudi Ombal Nangum
Udaiyanam Vendharkku Oli"

[Generous grants, compassion, righteous rule
and succour to the downtrodden
Are the hallmarks of good governance]

Writer Sujatha...Creative Intellectual...

2008-03-01T17:20:00.003+05:30

One of my favorite person, modern visionary, Sujatha passed away two days back. This came as a shock, the simple reason, as I was not aware of it. Hari gave this surprise to me today.

His main aim was to make science understand by the common people. He could have restricted it in the labs as his classmate and another great scientist but he brought science to Tea Kadai. I have read his short stories..seen his dramas and enjoyed his movies..

As a fellow Triplicane vaasi, I had a pride that he was born in Triplicane...They could have been more harm for this person to live for some more time...But, he himself would have called it a day..like in cricket retirement.."Retire when people ask why you retire rather when do you retire?"

Loss to the Creative World..

Story Of Stuff..

2008-02-25T11:58:00.003+05:30

Life cycle of waste..check this out to save our Planet.

http://www.storyofstuff.com/

Please pass on..

Naren

Singing with lyrics..

2008-02-23T19:52:00.002+05:30

One of the things which I enjoy, playing the song background and singing with the lyrics in front. Sounds easy right but it thrills you. Giving you complete confident entertainment. One key thing to do this, forget any of your room mates misery. Their cries die out in the music and replaces with your tweety sweety voice ;-)

But, one moment which I always cherish during my college day. It happened during our third year tour to Munnar. We went to the Munnar Lake after the boat ride.

Pristine ambience, we guys sat on the bench along the lake and the mist were falling down from the mountains to the lake. The whole lake is being covered by clouds, the chillness in the breeze increased with the backdrop of fading sun light. We thought we would thank the Mother Nature and started to sing a melody song, I think one of Unni Menon's song, it was favourite for Mani and me. And another 5 - 6 guys joined the chorus, I could recollect every moment, the excitement but the credit should go Manikantan.

I visited the same place and sat on the same bench when I went with office colleagues. No one can understand it. Hope I will visit the same bench whenever I go to Munnar and sit for a while.

Newsletter...

2008-02-23T13:47:00.002+05:30

There are around 350+ HCL consultants working for my customer at onsite alone. This is kind of huge presence for any company or any customer. Two months, I argued with my director about people coming with various ideas and different channels to implement it. Another friend suggested of having a newsletter. My director asked me to take up this and use as medium.

It was very tough to take everyone back to their times where they lived with passions and different interests. I thought this idea of bringing the creativity should help people of refreshing their minds. But, the response was bad or pathetic. Luckily at least 8 people were supporting me and joined of team.

We had no clue of designing or content creation and did not get any support from many people. This was a challenge. We created our own content and designed the newsletter using Microsoft Word 2007.

It was great feeling to work with Word 2007, it removes all the needed softwares for design and gives a plug in to safe as PDF document. So, the magazine was designed with great care and more professional way.

It was published this Monday and the response was too good. I didn't except any positive remarks but it was great feeling. Every one in this Creative team felt good.

It felt great when you drive things and implement your vision to reality. Lot more to accomplish.

Movies..

2008-02-23T12:43:00.002+05:30

I am very bad at watching movies..don't follow any of the Tamil or Hindi movies. After coming here, used to watch lot of English movies, came across all categories worst, great, classic, good and bad. My last Tamil movie would be "Deepavali" when I visited India last year.

Started this year with "Pirivom Sathippom", "Bheema" and lot of movies..this new year really brought a change..Possibly my room mates tend to watch movies, thats the reason I myself end up watching those.

Just now, watched "Kaalai" ... it is better than "Bheema" I hate "Bheema" 80% fight and 20 % songs. Coming back to Hindi movies..we watched RDB, Swades again...very nice to watch..I would also recommend "Iqbal" movie, simple characters and delight to watch.

Current Readings..Lincoln Rhyme

2008-02-23T12:33:00.003+05:30

January I took with me "The Third Option" to India, thought would be useful during the travel time. It was just too much build up and did not interest me like Jeffery Deaver books. Probably could pull people related to central intelligence stories..but it didn't interest me.

But, I completed this on my onward leg and I felt the end was incomplete.

After coming back here, read "The Devil wears Prada".. seen this movie already but wanted to read the book. Because I wanted to read how are the characters been portrayed and descriptive words. You cannot imagine to work under a woman like that and felt few of the catchy scenes in movie are not mentioned in the book.

Now, went back to Jeffery Deaver's "The Cold Moon", somehow the Lincoln Rhyme character impressed me a lot. If you had seen Denzel Washington in "The Bone Collector", he is Detective Lincoln Rhyme in the movie. He does really suited for that role, couldn't think of anyone.

So, "The Cold Moon" should definitely been an interesting read.

2008-02-16T07:22:00.002+05:30

Heard this song..nice music, meaningful lyrics and good picturisation...started listening regularly for last two days... surprised to know this is a title song for a Vijay TV serial...I am lagging nearly an year, didnt know for so long this existed..

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6tjzeYqg5OM

காதலிக்க நேரமில்லை
பாடலிசை : விஜய் அந்தனி
பாடல் வரிகள் : தேன் மொழிதாஸ்
பாடியவர் : (கண்டுபிடித்தவுடன் தெரிவிக்கப்படும்)
எழுத்துறு : செயின்ட்
என்னை தேடி காதல் என்ற வார்த்தை அனுப்பு
உன்னை தேடி வாழ்வின் மொத்த அர்த்தம் தருவேன்
செல்லரிக்கும் தனிமையில் செத்துவிடுமுன் செய்தி அனுப்பு
ஒ..என்னிடத்தில் தேக்கிவைத்த காதல் முழுதும் –
உன்னிடத்தில் கொண்டு வர தெரியவில்லை
காதலதை சொல்லுகின்ற வழி தெரிந்தால் சொல்லி அனுப்பு ஒ..
பூக்கள் உதிரும் சாலை வழியே பேசி செல்கிறேன்
மரங்கள் கூட நடப்பது போல நினைத்து கொள்கிறேன்
கடிதம் ஒன்றில் கப்பல் செய்து மழையில் விடுகிறேன்
கனவில் மட்டும் காதல் செய்து இரவை கொல்கிறேன்
என்னை தேடி காதல் என்ற வார்த்தை அனுப்பு
உன்னை தேடி வாழ்வின் மொத்த அர்த்தம் தருவேன்
செல்லரிக்கும் தனிமையில் செத்துவிடுமுன் செய்தி அனுப்பு ஒ..
யாரோ ? உன் காதலில் வாழ்வது யாரோ ?-
உன் கனவினில் நிறைவது யாரோ ?
என் சலனங்கள் தீர்த்திட வாராயோ !?
ஏனோ என் இரவுகள் நீள்வது, ஏனோ ?
ஒரு பகல் எனை சுடுவது ஏனோ,?
என் தனிமையின் அவஸ்தைகள் தீராதோ..?

Kadhal thara nenjam kaathu irukku
Kaadhalikka angu neram illaya
Kilayai pol en ithayam thavari viluthe
Ennai thedi kadhal endra varthai anuppu
Unnai thedi vaazhvil motha artham tharuven
Sellarikkum thanimayil sethuvidum munSeithi anuppu..ho
Pookal uthirum saalai valiye pesi selgiren
Marangal kuda nadapathu pole ninaithu kolgiren...

Vacation to Office...

2008-01-29T09:35:00.000+05:30

I cannot describe the days between January 12th and January 29th...full of excitement, happiness, enjoyment and fun. The reason could be..I have never had an vacation for a while..possibly nearly 5 years in my professional life. I don't want to come out of this mood and still want to enjoy tiredness felt from my travel.

Raj marriage, Nawaz marriage, Tirupathi, Pazhani, Erode, Kalasthi temple visits, shopping for the weddings and sister's kids. I have done what wasn't done even in my early years, this 10 days was the most eventful and fun filled.

Still miss out few mates to meet mostly my school mates..

It is great to have a vacation..so people go for it..

Common Interest..

2007-12-20T10:28:00.000+05:30

A feature in orkut let you know the updates made by your friends in last 24 hours...and I found this video been updated by five people in their orkut videos...nice clipping..good to watch..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjSIX-pVfDc

Eyes Talk..

2007-12-19T10:51:00.000+05:30

I saw a gal clearing off her tears..accidently I happen to look her eyes..as always..instantly my eyes felt as though soaked in my favorite Michigan lake.. I could feel the moistness quickly. Lucky that she passed so fast..

Did anyone said Eyes can't talk? Eyes are sensitive and if it talks, its gonna be sensitive talk..I felt that moment..Personally I hate to watch anyone crying...let it be feelings outburst..

I have even laughed once, totally different of me, when a gal was emotionally shouting at a guy "Mudiyuma mudiyathada..Sollu". I couldnt control my pitiful smile on that guy to get busted in a cafeteria. Oh! my God...Isnt she daring? not bothered about the ambience and letting out her dew drops..

I have read once in my calendar..

"Azhara aampalayum Sirikara ponnagalayum nammba kodathu" (Dont believe guys who cry and gals who laugh) So we need not dwell too much if a gal cries..Pathetic [:(]

Current Readings..

2007-12-10T11:57:00.000+05:30

Thanks for this habit...Nowadays I have started to carry books all around..I was happy to found one of my customer maintaining a book shelf and suggested to read Vince Flynn books. He is more interested in medical mysteries and he suggested this book about intelligence. Just started this one and hope it goes well..

My previous readings in last two months..

Jeffery Deaver's "The vanished man" - Great read and so good..

Paulo Coelho's The Alchecmist - Too much into it and good read

Khaled's The Kite runner - well written, thought author's true emotions..very good one..

-Naren

34 years of service..

2007-11-23T05:02:00.000+05:30

I doubt myself of working in a same organization for 34 years but my father made it. He got retired last month after serving 34 years for Ashok Leyland. The farewell was grand and feelings are mutual. Well, I missed the celebrations part of it but can live the moments with the pictures. I have completed 5 years two months in same company and lets see how it goes.

He served in Medical department as a First Aider and had many critical and life saving experiences. When ever he comes out with his real life experiences it makes you feel humble and void. When most of us struggle ourself to tackle machines, he could simply make a difference in a human's life.

He had his own ups and downs in his career but 34 years is a long time to have those.

Thanks for my friends and my brother who put together the pictures.

why 404?

2007-11-23T04:55:00.000+05:30

I found this very interesting information..thought I could share..

These lines are taken from the book "Words Words Words" by David Crystal

Everyone logged on to the Internet will have encountered this message sooner or later. A "four-oh-four" error. It tells you that your browser has made a faulty request to a server, typically because a page or site no longer exists. but why 404? The expression derives from the "file not found" message sent out as a response to a faulty enquiry by staff at CERN, in Switzerland - the place where the World Wide Wed was devised. The members of staff worked out of room 404.

True Days..

2007-10-28T03:12:00.000+05:30

We were 41 guys in my class, most of the time stick around each other..they were many memorable moments. We still stay in touch with each other and yahoogroups (dhoolguys) were active that sometimes you would miss the thread.
One of the best things we did , was starting a social trust among ourselves named Nivaran Social Service. (NSS). We contribute among ourselves and dont collect outside.
One of the sweetest thing we did, Srini designed a photo template with our college background and all our 41 guys photo in the photo frame. We have started this tradition of giving to the new couple along with the gift. See the picture..
One of the best mail threads we started, in our groups, we started with a mission of listing 500 best events in our college days and the response was really great.
Whats this post all about..I have decided to eleborate those days and log those moments before I forget..Going to tag.. College Days - Tasty Wine

I have posted the photo template mentioned as our sweet little thing..

PS: This is my 150th blog..wow..amazing..

Veetukku ponumma..Dress seriya pannathinga...

2007-10-26T10:29:00.001+05:30

Check this out..semma koothuthan pongaa..

Are you sure IT’s proper dress?
Tech Mahindra has enforced a strict dress code for its employees. Employees found “inappropriately” dressed are being sent home to change

IT may no longer be a cool place to dress and work. Tech Mahindra, one of India’s top IT companies with its head office in Pune, has enforced a strict dress code for its employees. Employees found “inappropriately” dressed are being sent home to change. Over 23,000 professionals work at Tech Mahindra’s global network of 24 locations, including 11 development centres and 13 global sales offices. Employees would be given a warning for the first offence. In case the offence is repeated, the employee will be slapped with a penalty of Rs 1,000, the dress code says. The company will, however, allow exceptions in case of medical issues which prevent adherence to the code, but only temporarily and with approval from HR.

Source: The Times of India

Microsoft buys 1.6 % in Facebook..

2007-10-25T09:21:00.000+05:30

Facebook was good when comparedt to orkut..one impressive thing about it..it logs all your activities in the website and also about your friend's activities...Currently not much activity over there..

Most of the online companies have got their eyes on this social networking site. Microsoft 1.6% stake buy will be beneficial for them, lets see how they are going to utilize it.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-thu_facebookoct25,1,4070352.story

Naren

Correctthanla..

2007-10-23T13:04:00.000+05:30

Longest Day..

2007-10-22T01:52:00.001+05:30

October 20th would be my longest day..okay..everyone have 24 hours..let me put it in other day..my longest actively day..

It started with our Directions' 08 meeting on 19th evening. One thing, the best thing, I like about HCL, anyone can always stand up to your President and ask your question. I am not promising about the answers whether it would solve or not. After meeting, your manager walks by and clarify the same question. Turning 5 years, this I love in HCL.

Okay, after meeting it was Weekend Cards section went on till 3:00 pm. I went till the last round which was a record of sort. People who exited before me felt very bad not in losing but losing before my exit. ;-) But guys informed about Ayutha Pooja Pot luck next day.

I went to Prabhakar's house wishing him safe journey. Talking to him will rekindle one of my passion in career. I will let you all know after it works out. I wave and said will be back around 7:00 am to collect the house keys.

And came back to my room and found a movie "Good Luck Chuck". Same routine movie but okay to watch on Satuday night. And now it was 6:30 around. Thought I would take a quick shower for others :-)

But, slept for 2 hours and got up around 9:00 am. I need to rush to Mahesh's house for Sarawathi Pooja. I figured out it would another 1 hour for the pooja, so rushed back to my home to cook some dish for the pot luck.

Now, Vegetable biryani would be right option. After the masala fried vegetables are ready, got a call from Mahesh. Then, dropped off Biryani option and checked for Coconut which I had. Now, the Biryani was turned to Vegetable Kuruma after adding the Coconut milk with Sesame seeds to the Masala vegetable. It came out good.

Finished the prayers with Payasam. In the mean time, Checked our apartment office hall for Ram daughter's 2nd birthday celebration and conveyed same to him. Now, its time for temple.

It was quiet and pleasant in temple. Mahesh was kind enough and called for lunch. Super sappadu. Rushed to PotLuck with my vegetable kuruma, thought it would 8-9 people but turned out to be 25 around. The count matched with the number of dishes too.

Sakarai Pongal, Puli Satham, Sambhar Satham, Kuruma, Rice, Sambhar , Rasam, Kaara Kozhambu, Fried Brinjal, Vendakai, Carrot, Beans Poriyaal, Poori, Carrot Alwa, Gulaab Jamun, Bonda, Coconut Chutney, Appallam, Venkaya Vathaal

After 30 minutes of relaxation, Newton called for the 5:30 pm mass in his local Catholic church. Wise man he picked me up from my apartment and exactly reached for the mass. It was really good experience, probably because of the first time experience..it was so unique and different. I had a chance to talk and have Brazilian coffee together with the 50 year old couple.

Now come the climax of the day..Birthday party and bachelor party combined together..Shukla's birthday and Prashant's send off..it was rocking party went till 3:30 am..I dont want get too much into it.

Directions'08 - Cards - Prabhakar 1032 - Movie - Apartment Office - Cooking - Pooja - Temple - Lunch - PotLuck - Church - Newton House - Shukla Birthday - Early morning home

Someone got to believe this..

2007-10-20T16:16:00.000+05:30

No Internet connection for 10 days..from October 5th to October 15th..It all started with transfer of the account name from our ex-room mate to my current room mate name. T hought it would be 2 days downtime but after 3rd day we were told the previous account name had a balance amount to be paid and we need to settle the due. Initially we were told the amount would come in next bill.

We waited for another 2 days..no..still didnt work. After talking again on thursday, we were told Monday the connection would be restored.

Me: Can you put yourself in my shoes and think you are totally disconnected from the internet world?

CustCare: I totally understand the situation and my apology for the inconvenience caused.

Me: What am I going to do, we were 10 days out of internet connection?

CustCare: We could get this month's service for free and once again she was sorry for our situation.

Me: I was already in South Padre Island mood and with much reluctant, I accepted her idea.

Logging after 10 days seems to a long time. Luckily my palm was helpful in checking the mails but nothing much I could...It was little frustrating..good news was..I was able to survive.. :-)

You got to check this..

2007-09-30T22:37:00.000+05:30

You got to check this out...

http://narendran.youaremighty.com/

Naren

New Champions

2007-09-29T08:37:00.000+05:30

At least 2 billion people would know India is the new Champion and Pakistan the next in the shortest form of cricket.

According to me, the cricket boards and bookies if any out there were the real champions. Because of this tournament, the entire cricket body is awakened and brought back to live. I really did not follow any of the matches closely for last couple of years and didn’t really lose anything.

Few months back, we witnessed “Flop” world cup with two big nations out of the tournament, shock, and death of Whoolmer. The World cup lost nearly half of his viewership because of two nations exit and the sponsors bitten by the big names. After all the bookie scandals, we were little cautious whether the whole series were set-up or matches were really won by the better teams.

Now at least 1.2 billion people are brought back to discuss about cricket, good or bad, viewership is back, sponsors are revived, will silent the new league and real booster for cricket boards. What ICC earns from this?

Cricket is not even considered as a game in the American continents. They don’t believe spending the whole day or 5 days in the ground rather this 3 hour game will definitely sell here. Isn’t interesting to see a pitcher run and throw the ball to get smacked down with clean hits. And with great fireworks and with extra gimmicks, this Twenty20 form will bring the rest of the world to join the party.

The winners are the Governing body, the cricket boards, players and sponsors. I don’t know the losers but wish lame man’s 1000 rupees should not go waste.

What about the India – Australia series, I bet India would win the series 4-3. Just guessing..

600K worth news..

2007-09-28T11:56:00.000+05:30

This is not a funny news..too serious to be reported in yahoo news, CNN and all over the internet..its worth $600K..wow thats sounds serious..

http://www.naturalsearchblog.com/archives/2007/09/26/google-maps-forces-navy-to-redesign-swastika-building/

Naren

Independent India @ 60

2007-09-28T05:02:00.000+05:30

This link is too good, having different articles about the subject from different areas..

http://www.hindu.com/af/india60/index.htm

-Naren

Last Lecture..

2007-09-24T04:16:00.000+05:30

This was forwarded to me by Shyam, video is about a professor who got a chance to make his last lecture. Randy Pausch has 3 - 6 months to live, he tells about his childhood dreams .. he is gonna live ..

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3633956

-Naren

Second Week of September..

2007-09-21T10:03:00.000+05:30

Second Week of September will be a eventful with lot of memories..

My father will go to Tirupathi Padayatra...probably 20th year...
I have seen dozens of Vinayakar Chathurthi..
My birthday..now 27 :-(
My first job..completed 5 years..going strong.. :-)
Our whole class got suspended in 2nd and 3rd year...in college lifes

Great Break..

2007-09-15T04:15:00.000+05:30

Game in College Life..

2007-08-31T11:07:00.000+05:30

Yesterday, we watched a movie "Superbad" a school teen comedy, it was quite funny. But, this is not about the movie. I was reminded few games played in my college life during class sessions. Nothing can beat it..

Okay..the game goes like this..its simple..the Mam / Sir would be taking Class on the stage, turning back..passing of the ball shaped paper or handkerchief would continue until the lecturer turns back. And who ever having the paper with them, should definitely stand up and ask a question. Basically should ask a question and move on so that we continue our game.

It would be so funny quite a few pitiful souls doesnt really know what the lecturer is teaching but bound to rule will ask a question. Lot of times, the most interested person would be the lecturer. He / She would be amused to see a person, whom he / she has never seen before in his class. asking a question. With sincere dutiness, he / she would explain what ever the question is..

We would also have "Back up" guys to help out the person who is questioning. "Just in case" to pull him out if he happens to land into a tight corner. Obviously these guys relatively know the stuff what the tutor talking about..

It was hilarious when you were part of it..Great part of our life..

My favorite - SVe Shekher Drama

2007-08-27T00:31:00.000+05:30

Even before the Mega Serials occupied our TV Channels, Tamil dramas would be short and crispy. It would regularly 13 episodes or its multiples. And comedy dramas will always hog the limelight. I remember SVe Shekher and Crazy Mohan dramas are entertaining and we wait to watch each episode every week. I think the dramas will be shown two days a week.

As a true Chennaite, you would enjoy the typical “Madras” Baashai in these comedy dramas. Guys these are truly hilarious and evergreen. Sample dialogues, (you cannot translate this)

“Ghumnu okkathu taaraa pakkallam”
“Puthu TV ippadiya makkar pannum”
“Yappa maniyachippa Padtha poduppa..kaasu koduthu ticket vangi erukkom”

Now I found lot of sites where you could hear these dramas online. I was very much pleased to found this old drama “Nam Kudumbam” in raaga.

Sunday afternoon, yesterday’s vegetable kuruma and this drama in background, it was quite a good combination.

Shock n Awe - 300 page iPhone Bill

2007-08-24T08:22:00.000+05:30

Shock and Awe...you got to check these links related to iPhone bill.. 300 - 400 page...I am serious..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdULhkh6yeA

This chic says she used to send 35000 messages in a month...postal charges 10 dollars

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5h-jFzQFMLw&mode=related&search=

And she is not alone..another guy received..400 pages..

http://www.youtube.com/watchv=I3xGmEHt618&feature=RecentlyWatched&page=1&t=t&f=b

You can blame a customer not opting an e-bill but thats the point, Save Resources Guys..

Grow up big boys..

Palm..in my Palm..

2007-08-22T08:24:00.000+05:30

Atlast..after lot of reluntance..I got a new phone...it is a PDA..I am still exploring the features present in it..and also trying to port my old number to this new one..

If I am not successful will retain the new number...so how it looks..

Credit goes to Joshua for getting me one..

http://nextelonline.nextel.com/NASApp/onlinestore/en/Action/SubmitRegionAction

Lunch with Harper Lee

2007-08-16T11:55:00.000+05:30

11:40 pm..Two of the girls in my unit passed over for lunch. As a perfect guy thing, I got up and started for lunch..not beside but behind :-)

Everything was pretty good until I reach the door. Suddenly got reminded of Harper's Lee work. This was lying in the bag from monday yesterday. I rushed back to my desk to grab the book. This would be the nerdiest thing I would have ever done. I got the flavour of the book but lost the trail of the feminine scent. Forget it !!

Now my directions were open to Cafe A, AB, C, F and H, I headed toward Cafe C to taste the Veggie Patty from Subway. Harper Lee laughed at me asking "Did you forgot me?" Nah..Never..

Today's Fortune in Orkut..

2007-08-14T08:51:00.000+05:30

Today's fortune:

You and your wife will be happy in your life together

This is toooooo much guyssssss..try to publish the fortune according to the marital status of the person...Tension aagaathinga..

Check out this song...

2007-08-13T04:57:00.000+05:30

I always enjoy some of the Hindi Melody, touching and soothing.. I searched and got the meaning of this song..its true that I cannot understand much..

Can anyone guess whats this song is?

Lyrics by Prasoon Joshi

(Amma)

This game of hide and seek has gone on too long,
Come home now, wont you

I've searched high and low
these old eyes are weary so,
come home now wont you

Dusk is spreading like the ache in my heart,
my vision blurs, come home now wont you.

(Son)
I'm in a place you wouldnt believe Ma
Endless skies I can soar
Just like you fairy tales
It's filled with dreams

A sea of hope wth no shore
My soul flies here, like a kite without fears
No one to cut my strings, no more
If only I could show you this place, Ma

Here waterfalls are made of rainbows
There are no roses just bouquets of dreams Ma
Their scent, no flower can hope for
Here sunlight and shadow walk hand in hand

Everything seems bright and new
But what is heaven and all its wonders

When Ma, I dont have you

PS: check this youtube link, to view the song..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoZ42Z4k_10&mode=related&search=

Sirius...

2007-08-07T08:28:00.000+05:30

When I first saw "Sirius" satellite radio with dog as his icon..that too when I was peaking with Harry Potter books...it immediately strike Harry's God father..
And the brand goes with dog..which was the patronus of Sirius Black in Harry Potter...

Sirius also known as "Dog Star" is a brightest star in the night time belonging to Canis Major..

Sirius.. Satellite Radio..Harry's God father..."Dog Star"..

I like Harry's Godfather..

-Naren

33% Nothing about Women Reservation..

2007-07-27T12:31:00.000+05:30

This is nothing about women reseravation but about Air India's Cost cut measures on his non-stop US fares..

http://www.rediff.com/money/2007/jul/27air.htm

The national carrier has reduced its economy fares by 37.17 per cent to Rs 50,700 (return fares excluding taxes) from Rs 80,700. The executive (business) class fares were lowered by 40.11 per cent to Rs 159,700 against the original price of Rs 2,66,700.

Right time to grab your tickets buddy..

Weather-beaten Week..

2007-07-27T07:50:00.000+05:30

It was a good week until now, I know its going to be little pressure next week. It's not the work, its going to be how you are placed. We are going to experiment new next week and gave my managers Green. I think everything is in place.

It is not going to be Mourning Monday, I am going to rock Dallas this week end. It is going to be kind of work related and fun with friends kind of trip. First kind of meeting for me. I was about to go Sunnyvale but it was rescheduled and relocated to Frisco, Texas.

Mahesh wanted to meet his cousin Eshwar and Sriram wanted to meet his college pair, Siva (she) and Thendral (he) in Dallas. My company is taking care of my travel, so rented a SUV rather a car and hitting the highway. Saravanan is also going to join us.

We have booked Town Place suites Mariott nearby Frisco and these guys are roam on Saturday. I would be joining the fun on Sunday. They have already picked up couple of restaurants, I heard lunch at Udupi Cafe. I wanted to go to this "White Rock Lake".

Oh..forgot to mention.. It was raining cats and dogs in San Antonio..

Potter beats Potter..

2007-07-24T07:11:00.000+05:30

I dont follow any of the sales report or records, Sorry, I could not control myself. Figures does matters not the text..I gathered from different websites and news..Thanks for posting in the net..

THE seventh and final Harry Potter book sold more than 11.3 million copies during its first 24 hours on sale.

Canada
812,000 copies

Australia
70,000 copies

US
8.3 million copies

UK
2,652,656 copies

India
170,000 genuine copies

Czech readers have so far bought 1.5 million Harry Potter books

Five million copies of the Harry Potter Chinese edition have been sold in Taiwan.

In the United States, Barnes & Noble Inc. also reported all-time sales, saying Monday that 1.8 million copies were purchased in the first two days, including 560,000 in the first hour, a rate of more than 150 copies per second. The audiobook is a record breaker, too: 225,000 copies in the first two days, according to Random House Audio's Listening Library.

Online retailer Amazon.com announced it took in 2.2 million pre-orders for the new novel worldwide, surpassing the 1.5 million advance-order record held by the previous book.

Borders USA chief executive officer George Jones told AFP at the weekend that it was the biggest day in the bookstore's history, with 1.2 million copies of the Potter book sold worldwide on Saturday.

Penguin India tied up with Britain's Bloomsbury to distribute 230,000 copies of the book in India. Most of these books are expected to be sold in the first three days.

Gleebooks, which has already sold 2 million Harry Potter books, is expecting first-day sales of Deathly Hallows to break all records. Sales of 350,000 are expected in Australia.

Harry Potter..Still open..

2007-07-23T03:42:00.000+05:30

I have never felt the release of any kind of movie or book...I am not a kind of person who rushes for the book on its release and lock myself to complete on the same day..

I felt everything has it own exceptions, so does the Harry's seventh book. I didn't do any pre-order which I intended to do. I thought I would get the same book from library later this week and complete it. I dont want to hear from some one or from news source to let out, this is the final story and blow up the grand finale..

Got up around 12:00 noon, decided to get the book from nearby Barnes and Nobles. We did the groceries, weekly movie DVD exchange and got the book.

Started to read the book around 5:00 pm and halted bit to do my turn of cooking, Vegetable Kuruma. After having my early dinner, get on to book around 9:00 pm again after a 2 hour refresher.

I did not browse the net or check my mails or any of the forums...kept myself tight..

I did completed the book an hour ago..I felt it was a good read..opening up lot of questions...

PS : If anyone wants the book within US, I could ship the book. I can also give my address so you could return it back after your reading and research.. :-)

iPhone Bugs..

2007-07-17T07:18:00.000+05:30

Found this interesting link about iPhone and surprised to find 68 bugs ranging from "serious" to "Performance".

Check this out..

http://www.applehound.com/node/104

Naren

Mobile News..About Sprint..

2007-07-17T07:04:00.001+05:30

I heard this news last week in CNN, Sprint dumps its minority customers who have contacted their customer service more frequently and still face some problems.

The income what sprint generates from these customers would be nullfied when it tries to provide good service to the same. It is really bold decision but dont know how far it is going to impact.

Think like this, now Sprint broke down the contract without any charges. So is this a good idea when we get bored by the mobile company.

We can just try calling the toll-free customer service number for "n" number of times to get ourselves out from the contract, is that what it means? When it applies for one mobile company, it should be the same for other company. Probably the "n" would varies..thats it..

Bad day on road..

2007-07-16T12:38:00.001+05:30

We planned to go out both for lunch and dinner. We started our regular route to Madras Pavilion, everything was good until reaching the service lane to IH-10 East..
It was little downhill and raining a bit. A car was waiting on the stop board in front of us, Mahesh saw the car and applied the brake. But, even after applying the brakes, the car slipped with water and "Bang !!!" hit the Nissan Sentra 2004 model.

We were traveling in Mahesh's Camry, our favourite. Immediately after the hit, the girl who was driving could not believe the bump. This was the first close to accident kind for Mahesh in his 3 years of driving history. He was very upset and the girl too started to cry.

We called 911 and waited for sometime. She was moving to her town and going to join her new job from Monday.. So the day was spoilt for her, so does for us.

The cop came after 45 minutes of call, but it was good break. The people got relaxed and started to get used to it. We were waiting on the highway and everyone passing us were gazing the damage caused.

New blog for our Class..

2007-07-16T12:31:00.000+05:30

Today created a new blog for my class of 2002, ECE group..discussed with couple of people and flagged off the rally..Tis would a closed loop among our people, I have promised my contribution will be of rumours and news about our class mates..and also list out few famous highlights happend during our tenure in the great SSNCE.

http://itsece.blogspot.com/

-Naren

Loss and Gain...

2007-07-10T11:43:00.000+05:30

What happens ....

when you stop taking Chips, Ice Cream, Cheese, Yogurt, all saturated fat food and trans fat, coke or soda,

Start taking Green tea, only two coffees a day, little rice, fruits and fruit juices for continuous five days

Work out for 7 days in last 10 days...

Results in loss of 6 pounds.. :-) need to lose another 6 pounds..

I am cautiously happy..santhoshathalla weight podaa kodathula..

"13 Going on 30"

2007-07-09T11:26:00.000+05:30

We planned to have a lazy afternoon. Mahesh cooked Bisibelabath and Sriram get into some Bajji stuff. The missing item was the movie, we rushed to "Hollywood" video and grabbed couple of movies.

I grabbed it from the comedy section, 13 going on 30". Perfect movie for the Sunday afternoon, it was really a good time pass.

"Just my Luck"
"Mean Girls"
"13 Going on 30"

Everything comes under the same category, dont watch these movies in a row. Give a break and watch it...you would enjoy watching with your friends..

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0337563/

Why Men can never be trusted...

2007-07-08T01:02:00.000+05:30

I heard this quite often and I myself tell to many of my friends..Never trust a Man..
How can anyone phrase this :-) We always see the negative thought of this phrase.. Let me think something postive about this.

Why we should not trust men..

1. Because Men are dynamic and every decision they take depends on that particular situation or environment. So, when one person (female) wanted to implement a thought, this guy would sometime fail not because she told but because of the situation. Makes sense right !!!!

2. Because Men are more honest. Men always carries honesty on their chest..So, Never a trust a man for false reasons..Definitely..you will be backfired..

3. Because Men are more sincere..let it pave to the way of success or failure..you can definitely see the sincerity..Trust me..

4. Because Men are sentimental, he is emotionally bounded..Every decision he makes some kind of emotion attached to it..

5. Because Men are not self-centered...anything they do or think it will not be for his own.

PS: All this positive stuff may not be applied to minority part of Men.

4th of July 2006, Moab, Salt Lake City

2007-07-05T02:25:00.000+05:30

It's 4th of July, memorable one for million people around me so does to me. If I could rewind exactly 360 degrees back..sorry 360 days of course, I could end up exactly in a Frontier Airlines, flight to Salt Lake City so does another seven guys from different part of cities.

Ghuru from San Jose, Sendhil from Los Angeles, Deepak and Sai from Chicago, Pradeep from Detriot (i suppose), Bharathi from Seattle and finally our host Joshua waiting dutifully to receive everyone of us.

I was so excited to take this flight after the stuff we are going through, hell lot of stuff. Actually I was meeting few of these folks after a long time and Moab was really nice place to take a short adventourous trip.

We did experiment few of the adventures..rowing, hiking, camping, swimming, ATV ride, nice food for all four days in a row. I can never dream of four days break anymore.

But I can dream of those four days...so long..

Thanks a lot guys..

Selfless Acts

2007-07-02T06:58:00.000+05:30

Sometimes, we do lot of stuffs, take decisions in both professional and personal life and sometimes the calculative thought runs through you.

"Do your work without forseeing the appreciation"

This is what been told or advised in our professional world. when you break down the same sentence, it can be the essense of your life. We do thrive to make our dream or goal come true, we do have lot of options to reach the milestone. Remember it would be just your milestone not your destination until you take the right path (principles). Easy to say tough to practice.

I googled the below lines between motive and selfish act.

When a person motivates one’s own self with a beautiful mission – a higher goal, then that is not considered a selfish motive rather is called a vision and a goal.

On the contrary, when the smallest action is done with a petty calculative mind, that is nothing else than a selfish act.

From Srimad Gita

'Your only duty is to act (right to work) and not to hanker after the fruits (or the results) thereof.'

I was impressed or inspired by reading this small "true" story..

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door.

Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, "How much do I owe you?" "You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness." He said..... "Then I thank you from my heart."

As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit. Year's later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly ! was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes.

Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to room. Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to the case. After a long struggle, the battle was won.

Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words.....

"Paid in full with one glass of milk" Signed Dr. Howard Kelly. Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: "Thank You, God, that Your love has spread abroad through human hearts and hands."

Guide to Flirting..

2007-06-28T07:26:00.000+05:30

I was cleaning my inbox and happen to find this article...the mail could be outdated not the content..

Check this out..

http://www.sirc.org/publik/flirt.html

-Naren

Real thriller Ride

2007-06-16T22:56:00.000+05:30

In US, the roller coaster rides thrilled me lot and I dont miss any of the rides if I get a chance to get into any theme parks.

Enjoyed a lot in Universal studios but the ultimate thriller was in "Statrosphere in Las Vegas" and also the "Manhatten Express" in Newyork- Newyork Casino..both are the best and would last evergreen. We decided this by itself worth the trip of Las Vegas (but this was before we entered Casinos). I would dared to go for any rides because I cannot try the same in India. I have attached couple of Stratosphere rides pictures..Big shot from 1081 feet, Insanity from 900 feet..

http://www.stratospherehotel.com/insanity.html

Whats this all about? read a news last week about a roller coaster stopped for 30 minutes because of the power outage..Surprise isnt it..

In India, we used to have power generators because we know to react these kind of situations. Here, they think believe outage can never happen..this would a real eye opener.

Check out the picture, it would be a horrible experience for the people in the coaster, I feel very sorry for them..

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,280273,00.html

from fox news

-Naren

Offshore - This is too much for you people..

2007-06-14T18:33:00.000+05:30

After I came here, our HR department are going great guns..

Outings, Employee Council, Ethnic day, Power dressing and adding to the crown..which really made me jealous..is the below news..

Daei pasangala, ethallam romba over..

Pottermaniac..

2007-06-14T04:19:00.001+05:30

April last week, I got the first book of Harry Potter..I wanted to complete the five books before the movie "Order of the Phoenix" get released and all the six books before the seventh book get released.

Today I was able to complete the fifth book, to be true, I got into too much. Last weekend, took Potter I, II and III from Hollywood and watched for the whole week end. Rest of the time, reading the book.

It is really good reading, I cant think of anything else when I am home...

Famous Oxymoron..

2007-06-14T04:11:00.001+05:30

When I tried log on to my hotmail account today...got this below error page..

"We're unable to complete your request
Windows Live ID is experiencing technical difficulties. Please try again later."

After couple of trials, it did worked but dont know how...what's this related to the topic..

Famous Oxymoron I came across through a email forward

"Microsoft Works"

-Naren

Tragic Death...

2007-06-12T11:16:00.000+05:30

Teen Dies From Muscle Cream Overdose
Saturday, June 09, 2007

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,279482,00.html

-Naren

Fatherly advice to New Programmers..by Chuck

2007-06-11T10:52:00.000+05:30

I really enjoyed reading this article and took the liberty to print it. Now, it hangs on my cubicle, I got this six months ago, trust me it's not only for New programmers but applies every other programmer in IT world.

Also, go through the comments made for this article, some of it value as the article

http://www.removingalldoubt.com/PermaLink.aspx/a32977e2-cb7d-42ea-9d25-5e539423affd

-Naren

Innocence..

2007-06-11T10:41:00.000+05:30

Today Evening, Sriram, Lochana and me went to nearby Mcdonald to get her vanilla milkshake. Lochana is 6 year old who could redefine the meaning for mischief and pompous. She is non-stoppable when it rains. But, we always enjoy to pull her and get some innocence replies.
After getting her the Milkshake,

Lochana: "Thank you Sriram"
Sriram was silent..just gave her an acknowledge look
Lochana: "Thank you Sriram"
Sriram did understand now and said, "You are welcome"

After hearing this, she started to enjoy her milkshake. I always like to poke her with petty questions to get same kind of replies.
Naren: "Why we should say welcome after someone says Thank you"
Lochana: "Illa Mama, kaadavul appadithane nammalla padachi erukkaaru" (She meant God had made those rules and we need to oblige to it.)

I really did not expect this from her...Every time innocence can stump you..

Profile Visits..

2007-06-10T04:52:00.000+05:30

I had never viewed my profile or other profiles..I really dont remember whether I have actually created anything for me..

I was reading through Fever's blog and afterwards did blog-hop to "It's all about me"..
She did managed to keep updating her blog, good stuff, her location seems to itch me to click her profile..it is 5 hour drive from my current place.

Profile views were "1881", then you know as a good child would do...went to mine and checked my profile visits. It was surprisingly "473", Trust me, nothing was there in my profile..I was proud to myself for the '473' clicks..

Thank you guys..you didnt disappoint me..

2007-06-10T00:40:00.000+05:30

If Picture can speak thousand words..this would speak the language of tears :-(

Pic from people.com

Naturally Naked...

2007-06-09T23:17:00.000+05:30

Riding naked to show the importance of being nature..

The riders were carefree but had some kind of purpose.. :-)

Entertainment, media, sex, naked always sells or get attention quickly and also get forgotten easily..Always a new thing will hog around to wipe out yesterday's glory.

But, that flash in the pan is required for stressing out the few important things which many of us care about. But, somehow we always have our priorities.

Conrad Schmidt took some time to create a group which were doing similar rides for peace. What an idea..

Anyone ready to participate or to do stewards..check the below links for next year..

News from BBC:
-----------------

Naked riders promote pedal power Naked riders promote pedal power

About 700 cyclists in various states of undress have cycled through central London in another leg of the World Naked Bike Ride

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/6736969.stm

Related Link..

http://wiki.worldnakedbikeride.org/index.php?title=Main_Page

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Naked_Bike_Ride

Define the State...

2007-06-07T07:22:00.000+05:30

You are ready, when you feel you can overcome the state of independency by sacrificing yourself into inter-dependency..

When Stars are done, even the Star can go down

2007-06-03T13:39:00.001+05:30

When Stars are done, even the Star touches the ground..

Hilton would not have imagined the stress she is going through currently. She would have gone through the "Positive Stress" all her life. She would not have thought of the emotions she is going through or never dreamt of, until 120 days back.. God !!! a bad hangover with little extra pinch of rudeness can tilt you ship upside down..

This news really makes me sorry for her..man..she was a princess. How could she be n a 3.5 * 2.5 cell..

Show some mercy on her..

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21841052-661,00.html

Memorial Day Memories..

2007-05-24T07:48:00.000+05:30

I wanted to make this Memorial Day week end the most memorial one.

Last year Memorial day was really adventurous and exciting. It was the first long drive for me..believe me..it was really a LONG one..We started from San Antonio headed to Atlanta. We stayed there for a day and half, visited the Coke factory, Mahesh's friend and had the ultimate Madras Saravana Bhavan. I really enjoyed the road drive, for the first time I travelled for 1000 miles on road which took around 17 hours to reach Atlanta.

Initially it was little scary because that was the first drive for Sriram too, he was an amateur with just 15 days license history but he managed well and drove for nearly 450 miles. Were you guessing what I am doing, simply sitting in the navigator seat for the time? Nice place though.
After Atlanta we drove to Memphis through Nashville.

I have heard about Nashville because of our AG account. It was really awesome place with plenty of trees and it was really green but nothing comes near Arkansas. We visited the Vinayaga Temple in Nashville. Luckily we happen to see an Indian marriage with the same flavour and gala celebrations as it would be in India. The Dandia and Groom parade on car was really funny. The whole town was awaken.

We reached Nithyanand's house, Pannir Friend in Memphis. I really loved this part of the trip. Enjoying the home food and that too with lots of variety. Awesome..Thanks for Pakacham Akka. I got the acquaintance of Arvind, nice chap who miss the outdoor activities and outside community. We went to nearby park and played with him.

Then, started the painful return journey, even though it was only 750 miles from Memphis it seemed longer than the 1000 miles. But, we pulled our groves and reached San Antonio. We covered 2117 miles on road SAT-ATL- MEM- SAT.

Okay !!! the flashback is over..Coming to Current plan..

We are not going to drive and enjoy the road drive now. We are flying to Los Angeles and driving to Las Vegas..somehow we got stuck with road again for 270 miles. :-) We have booked a room in Circus Circus Casino and would roam around for 2 days in Las Vegas alone.

I am really excited about this trip and hearing lot of stories about Las Vegas. Let this be turn to be more memorable one.

PS: This is my 100th Blog, I know the only audience is me. I am benchmarking this when I turn back. Let's see how this goes.