I quite liked it :)
Friday, March 30, 2007
From God's own country
Came across this particular image which going over my friend's blog. Quite eye catching! It is an ad by the Kerala Tourism Board which says - "Sometimes it take water to kindle a fire".
I quite liked it :)
I quite liked it :)
Dancing like Buddha
This video is quite an old one and I recently stumbled upon it again. Knowing pretty well how difficult it is to achieve a level of synchronization for a dance, I feel this is the heights of perfection. The dance never ceases to amaze me and when I first came upon this, I remember reading that the performers are blind! No idea how much of that is true, but no matter what, this is worth more than a glance.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Cups of Java
Our office got new coffee machines last week. Earlier, the kitchenettes used to have those old coffee percolators which had to be refilled each time 5 people decided to have coffee. There was a mail last week that the vendors have been changed and the new coffee is supposedly roasted in Champaign and brewed right under our noses, in the kitchenette of course.
There is a new contraption which churns out the coffee which is then stored in huge canisters. The difference? I do not have to refill the percolator every now and then and there is more coffee made at one time. Old coffee in new jugs. That is what I thought.
Unfortunately, I could not make out any change in the taste and there seem to be more people thinking like me.
I was standing in the smaller kitchenette, sending some documents by fax when one of the senior managers came in. The guy from admin also happened to be there.
This is a part of the conversation that took place there.
Old guy: "Joel, what is it with these new machines? The coffee tastes the same to me! What change do you claim to have brought about?"
Joel (the admin guy) has no answer and being the tricky old fellow that he is, he says, "Negative, I am not going to answer this. You know, there is a saying - some people would complain if you hung them with a new rope. That is the situation here."
:)
There is a new contraption which churns out the coffee which is then stored in huge canisters. The difference? I do not have to refill the percolator every now and then and there is more coffee made at one time. Old coffee in new jugs. That is what I thought.
Unfortunately, I could not make out any change in the taste and there seem to be more people thinking like me.
I was standing in the smaller kitchenette, sending some documents by fax when one of the senior managers came in. The guy from admin also happened to be there.
This is a part of the conversation that took place there.
Old guy: "Joel, what is it with these new machines? The coffee tastes the same to me! What change do you claim to have brought about?"
Joel (the admin guy) has no answer and being the tricky old fellow that he is, he says, "Negative, I am not going to answer this. You know, there is a saying - some people would complain if you hung them with a new rope. That is the situation here."
:)
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Why use Gmail???
Almost everyone has a Gmail account now and I never thought in my wildest dreams that Google would advertise this!
The funny thing is, I did not bump into this video while checking out videos at YouTube. I was checking out the online edition of WSJ when I came across this. Damn good I must say! The marketing strategy.
The funny thing is, I did not bump into this video while checking out videos at YouTube. I was checking out the online edition of WSJ when I came across this. Damn good I must say! The marketing strategy.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
On the way to office....
I have gotta write this now. Am still giggling after the tiny nerve wracking experience that I had. Nothing great! Am a relatively new driver though I can claim to have gotten my drivers license 9 years ago. Was driving my cute little Rabbit (the name of a VW manufactured car for all those ignorants out there) at around 40mph and listening to a nice rocking Mallu song, when I came across a bend and saw 2 ducks waddling across the road. Was a little too late to see them but fortunately (for them & me & the people who clean the roads) I managed to brake soon enough.
Drove the rest of the way with a silly smile on my face. I think I still have that on my face :D
Drove the rest of the way with a silly smile on my face. I think I still have that on my face :D
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Ghosts of the Library
Illinois is the Lincoln State and Springfield, which is the capital of IL, boasts of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Lincoln's Tomb and his house.
Saturday afternoon was spent at the Lincoln Museum. The museum is not large as museums go, but it does give you a very good insight into the life and lifestyle of this great person through various shows and exhibits.
The best part, according to me, was a show called Ghosts of the Library - a holographic show with a live curator/historian which lasts for 30 mins. The curator/historian goes on to explain why people are still interested in collecting memorabilia like letters, music boxes, journals etc from the Lincoln period. The show is made magical by the 'ghosts' who seem to wander out of books, the quill that starts writing in the air in Lincoln's handwriting etc. The ending of course was quite a surprise which I will not share with you. You need to watch it to know what am talking about.
The Presidential Years' Exhibit starts at the White House where you find the Lincoln family waiting to greet you. The first room has Mary in her evening gown and as you go in, you pass through various parts of the White House, including the kitchen. A very striking lifelike exhibit. At one point, you pass through a room where you find Lincoln in his office introducing the Emancipation Proclamation to his cabinet. The whole thing seemed so lifelike, I felt someone would move any second now and ask - 'Young lady, what do you think you are doing in here?' :D Amazing work indeed.
The Pre Presidential Years Exhibit starts at the Lincolns' log cabin with the much heard scene of Abe learning to read as the family slept at night. It takes you through his life as a young man and of his years as a lawyer and how he met Mary and so on.
Another show called Lincoln's Eyes was a fully automated special effects show which focused on the personal and political dramas and the key issues during Lincoln's period. As you come to the start of the Civil War, cannons start booming and your seats start shaking. Very theatrical!
There is more to the place like an exhibit of Lincoln's personal items, a play area for kids called Mrs Lincoln's attic and of course, the cannot-do-without gift shop!
Did you know that Lincoln had 4 sons, 3 of who died? Two of them died when he was the President. After Lincoln's death, Mary was declared insane by their son and taken to a mental institute. Well, quite sad, I must say!
Abe Lincoln lived during a time when the whole nation was divided over the slavery issue. But in the end, in spite of receiving practically no support and all the personal tragedies, he triumphed. Well, we all know who he is and the museum just got me a step closer to Abe and his family.
It was an afternoon well spent.
On a lighter note, we also bumped into a lot of people dressed in green - green hats, green pants, green jackets, green blouses, green beads, green headgear and believe me - even green streaked hair. St Patrick's day and they were waiting for the parade to start. Was quite funny. As the chef at the Japanese restaurant put it, when we went there for dinner - "Are you Irish?" "No", said the man wearing green beads. Pat came the reply - "Oh, just for today, eh?" :)
Saturday afternoon was spent at the Lincoln Museum. The museum is not large as museums go, but it does give you a very good insight into the life and lifestyle of this great person through various shows and exhibits.
The best part, according to me, was a show called Ghosts of the Library - a holographic show with a live curator/historian which lasts for 30 mins. The curator/historian goes on to explain why people are still interested in collecting memorabilia like letters, music boxes, journals etc from the Lincoln period. The show is made magical by the 'ghosts' who seem to wander out of books, the quill that starts writing in the air in Lincoln's handwriting etc. The ending of course was quite a surprise which I will not share with you. You need to watch it to know what am talking about.
The Presidential Years' Exhibit starts at the White House where you find the Lincoln family waiting to greet you. The first room has Mary in her evening gown and as you go in, you pass through various parts of the White House, including the kitchen. A very striking lifelike exhibit. At one point, you pass through a room where you find Lincoln in his office introducing the Emancipation Proclamation to his cabinet. The whole thing seemed so lifelike, I felt someone would move any second now and ask - 'Young lady, what do you think you are doing in here?' :D Amazing work indeed.
The Pre Presidential Years Exhibit starts at the Lincolns' log cabin with the much heard scene of Abe learning to read as the family slept at night. It takes you through his life as a young man and of his years as a lawyer and how he met Mary and so on.
Another show called Lincoln's Eyes was a fully automated special effects show which focused on the personal and political dramas and the key issues during Lincoln's period. As you come to the start of the Civil War, cannons start booming and your seats start shaking. Very theatrical!
There is more to the place like an exhibit of Lincoln's personal items, a play area for kids called Mrs Lincoln's attic and of course, the cannot-do-without gift shop!
Did you know that Lincoln had 4 sons, 3 of who died? Two of them died when he was the President. After Lincoln's death, Mary was declared insane by their son and taken to a mental institute. Well, quite sad, I must say!
Abe Lincoln lived during a time when the whole nation was divided over the slavery issue. But in the end, in spite of receiving practically no support and all the personal tragedies, he triumphed. Well, we all know who he is and the museum just got me a step closer to Abe and his family.
It was an afternoon well spent.
On a lighter note, we also bumped into a lot of people dressed in green - green hats, green pants, green jackets, green blouses, green beads, green headgear and believe me - even green streaked hair. St Patrick's day and they were waiting for the parade to start. Was quite funny. As the chef at the Japanese restaurant put it, when we went there for dinner - "Are you Irish?" "No", said the man wearing green beads. Pat came the reply - "Oh, just for today, eh?" :)
Easter & Cadbury Eggs
One of the funniest stories that I have read in a long time is this. Thieves made off with a truck containing Cadbury's chocolate eggs at Staffordshire, UK. Well, the haul has been estimated worth 70,000 GBP.
It is not the fact that the driver was tricked or the truck was stealed that makes it funny. Is just the fact that it was a whole truckload of chocolate that was stolen. Admit it, you do wish you had been one of the thieves, don't you? Well, I know I certainly do.
It is not the fact that the driver was tricked or the truck was stealed that makes it funny. Is just the fact that it was a whole truckload of chocolate that was stolen. Admit it, you do wish you had been one of the thieves, don't you? Well, I know I certainly do.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Saturday, March 03, 2007
How weird am I?
I always thought I was weird (secret longing perhaps!). But my close friends kept insisting that am as sane as they come. Now this site also says am not weird! Am sad! Am heartbroke!
Check out and tell me how weird you are! Maybe there is hope still :D
You Are 30% Weird |
 Not enough to scare other people... But sometimes you scare yourself. |
Check out and tell me how weird you are! Maybe there is hope still :D
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Vulture Funds
Money! Guess that is the only truth for most of the human race. On one hand, we squander all our savings on petty things like flowers and chocolates for our loved ones while on the other, the only thought running through our mind is how to get a bigger piece of the pie.
Till I read this article on BBC, I did not know that such things as Vulture Funds existed. Vulture Fund companies buy the debts of countries that are in bankruptcy situations. These companies buy the securities for a factor of what they are worth and then try to get back the amount by suing the debtor for an enormous amount.
Consider a poor country like Zambia. They took a loan to buy tractors from the Romanian Government and now the Vulture Fund company is suing them for $42m. According to the article, it was the Romanian government that had given Zambia the loan and then they sold the securities to the Vulture Fund company for less than $4m.
In this era of decadence, it is no surprise that Vulture Funds seem to thrive by preying on the weak and the needy. Allegations are rampant that it is the politicians themselves of the affected countries who allow this happen. Talk about 31 pieces of silver. In Zambia, there are allegations that the deal was made possible by bribing the former President of Zambia. Documents show a huge contribution to the former President's 'favorite charity'.
If only the world governments would take a strong stance against such immoral companies. As far as I am concerned, this is more much more dangerous and terrifying than some country developing nuclear weapons.
Till I read this article on BBC, I did not know that such things as Vulture Funds existed. Vulture Fund companies buy the debts of countries that are in bankruptcy situations. These companies buy the securities for a factor of what they are worth and then try to get back the amount by suing the debtor for an enormous amount.
Consider a poor country like Zambia. They took a loan to buy tractors from the Romanian Government and now the Vulture Fund company is suing them for $42m. According to the article, it was the Romanian government that had given Zambia the loan and then they sold the securities to the Vulture Fund company for less than $4m.
In this era of decadence, it is no surprise that Vulture Funds seem to thrive by preying on the weak and the needy. Allegations are rampant that it is the politicians themselves of the affected countries who allow this happen. Talk about 31 pieces of silver. In Zambia, there are allegations that the deal was made possible by bribing the former President of Zambia. Documents show a huge contribution to the former President's 'favorite charity'.
If only the world governments would take a strong stance against such immoral companies. As far as I am concerned, this is more much more dangerous and terrifying than some country developing nuclear weapons.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
French or nothing
I have blogged about languages before and I have always been surprised by the way some people pick up a language so easily and how some people choose not to.
But a whole nation protesting against a language? Now doesn't that sound weird? Yea am talking about the French! The way they insist that companies who want to do business in France should not impose their culture (meaning - learn French or nothing) sounds so kiddish. I mean, when they insist on something of that sort, are they not imposing French on others? Does it not amount to the same thing?
Everyone knows that English is preferred by a lot of countries as the common medium of communication. By turning they back on the masses, I wonder if they are not shutting the doors on a lot of business opportunities. Their unemployment rates are nothing to be proud of as such.
Read this to know what I am talking about.
But a whole nation protesting against a language? Now doesn't that sound weird? Yea am talking about the French! The way they insist that companies who want to do business in France should not impose their culture (meaning - learn French or nothing) sounds so kiddish. I mean, when they insist on something of that sort, are they not imposing French on others? Does it not amount to the same thing?
Everyone knows that English is preferred by a lot of countries as the common medium of communication. By turning they back on the masses, I wonder if they are not shutting the doors on a lot of business opportunities. Their unemployment rates are nothing to be proud of as such.
Read this to know what I am talking about.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Midnight Surprise!
Not my birthday! And definitely not a pleasant surprise!
I had bought this huge bar of dark chocolate and had placed it on sofa so that I won't forget to take it to office the next day. At night, I hear these strange noises! The rustle of plastic...Is it someone in the room? Nah! Cannot be - I had locked it!
Being the very brave person that I am (hee hee), I take some time to switch on the light. :D
And what do I see??? My precious bar of chocolate! Attacked! By rat(s)
In a hotel room in US! Imagine....
I had bought this huge bar of dark chocolate and had placed it on sofa so that I won't forget to take it to office the next day. At night, I hear these strange noises! The rustle of plastic...Is it someone in the room? Nah! Cannot be - I had locked it!
Being the very brave person that I am (hee hee), I take some time to switch on the light. :D
And what do I see??? My precious bar of chocolate! Attacked! By rat(s)
In a hotel room in US! Imagine....
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Security Checks
At the airport! At the mall! :S
Lost my face scrub at Amsterdam airport coz it was bigger than the allowed limit. Had to go through a secondary security check at Newark coz I happened to be wearing a belt that went beep beep when I went through that check thingy. They opened my hand baggage and actually took swabs for testing. Sheesh! That was embaressing and also learnt a lesson there!
Got stopped again at WalMart when the security gate went bersek again as I passed through it with a bunch of stuff in the shopping cart. The culprit turned out to be the Card Reader/Writer that I had bought from Circuit City. Took some time to convince the girl that I had not stolen anything.
Hmmm....security checks! What a bother!
Lost my face scrub at Amsterdam airport coz it was bigger than the allowed limit. Had to go through a secondary security check at Newark coz I happened to be wearing a belt that went beep beep when I went through that check thingy. They opened my hand baggage and actually took swabs for testing. Sheesh! That was embaressing and also learnt a lesson there!
Got stopped again at WalMart when the security gate went bersek again as I passed through it with a bunch of stuff in the shopping cart. The culprit turned out to be the Card Reader/Writer that I had bought from Circuit City. Took some time to convince the girl that I had not stolen anything.
Hmmm....security checks! What a bother!
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Life in Champaign
Writing this post from a hotel room in Champaign, IL. A tiny University town with just 7 main roads, this place is as small as Limassol (which I did not expect from a town in US!)
Much of the town life revolves around the University (The University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign)
Takes 10 mins to drive to work but this place has all the usuals that you can find in an American town - WalMart, Macy's, JC Penney, Taco Bell.... Well, you get the pic ;)
People say I came in at the wrong time. Why? It is winter and the temp is way below 0 deg C. Now, that is cold!
Well, welcome to the American Dream :)
Much of the town life revolves around the University (The University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign)
Takes 10 mins to drive to work but this place has all the usuals that you can find in an American town - WalMart, Macy's, JC Penney, Taco Bell.... Well, you get the pic ;)
People say I came in at the wrong time. Why? It is winter and the temp is way below 0 deg C. Now, that is cold!
Well, welcome to the American Dream :)
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Jane of the jungle
A lot happened last month!
Got married! Managed not look like a piglet (the workouts paid off) and got to spend one whole week with my R in the wilderness for our honeymoon.
The first 2 days were spent at Edakkal, Wayanad. A night in a tree house was a new experience and the view from the window in the morning was breathtaking. Blue mountains far away with cloud topped peaks were really a sight to behold.
A visit to Edakkal caves and a walk up the mountains followed by a scrumpilicious breakfast was the best part of the day!
Another 2 days were spent at Kabini near Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka. Now this area is known for its wildlife esp the birds.
Birds - of so many colors, species. More than 300 species! The number of spotted deer that we
kept bumping into was mindboggling. We also bumped into a stray young tusker who seemed to have wandered away from his herd.
The most disappointing thing was the sheer number of people who were there at the resort and who seemed to have come there just because it is the in-thing to do. Children, noise, firecrackers - that was really a downer.
The rest of the 3 days were spent at Masinagudi. A quiet retreat located at the foothills of the Nilgiris, this is a paradise and a perfect getaway for nature lovers. The highlight of the stay there was the 2 hour trek through the jungle. Though we did not get to meet any leopards or tigers, the whole trek was amazing. We did bump into herds of spotted deer (again!). Totally relaxing and totally lost to the realities of the big bad world, it was an awesome experience. Definitely game for more (no pun intended)
Tarzan & Jane ;)
Got married! Managed not look like a piglet (the workouts paid off) and got to spend one whole week with my R in the wilderness for our honeymoon.
The first 2 days were spent at Edakkal, Wayanad. A night in a tree house was a new experience and the view from the window in the morning was breathtaking. Blue mountains far away with cloud topped peaks were really a sight to behold.A visit to Edakkal caves and a walk up the mountains followed by a scrumpilicious breakfast was the best part of the day!
Another 2 days were spent at Kabini near Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka. Now this area is known for its wildlife esp the birds.
Birds - of so many colors, species. More than 300 species! The number of spotted deer that we
kept bumping into was mindboggling. We also bumped into a stray young tusker who seemed to have wandered away from his herd.The most disappointing thing was the sheer number of people who were there at the resort and who seemed to have come there just because it is the in-thing to do. Children, noise, firecrackers - that was really a downer.
The rest of the 3 days were spent at Masinagudi. A quiet retreat located at the foothills of the Nilgiris, this is a paradise and a perfect getaway for nature lovers. The highlight of the stay there was the 2 hour trek through the jungle. Though we did not get to meet any leopards or tigers, the whole trek was amazing. We did bump into herds of spotted deer (again!). Totally relaxing and totally lost to the realities of the big bad world, it was an awesome experience. Definitely game for more (no pun intended)
Tarzan & Jane ;)
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Mistress of Spices
Yesterday I took a well deserved break from work and set out to enjoy the day and relax at home.
Happened to watch one of Aishwarya Rai's movie called Mistress of Spices. Now, am no big fan of Ms Rai (in fact I think she is too cold and doll like), but this was one really nice movie. Of the same genre as Chocolat, the story seems like an Indianised version of the same. Not that am complaining.
I loved Chocolat. The chocolate, the magic and Johnny Depp were too yummy...mmm!!!!
Ok ok - back to what I was talking about. The story is about this lady who has this gift to read people and help them with their problems. The medium - spices!!! Who would have thought that our ordinary pepper, ginger and garlic had healing powers or magic in them? The story unfolds in San Fransico and you meet so many characters you can relate to. The Indian girl who has an American boyfriend, the grandpa who cannot tolerate this, the struggling taxi driver and so on.
It is a well directed movie with a nice feel good theme (though I wouldn't credit it with originality)
So, after getting inspiration from this movie, the one thing I did last evening - cooked a damn good (ahem ahem!) gobi masala curry.....
Happened to watch one of Aishwarya Rai's movie called Mistress of Spices. Now, am no big fan of Ms Rai (in fact I think she is too cold and doll like), but this was one really nice movie. Of the same genre as Chocolat, the story seems like an Indianised version of the same. Not that am complaining.
I loved Chocolat. The chocolate, the magic and Johnny Depp were too yummy...mmm!!!!
Ok ok - back to what I was talking about. The story is about this lady who has this gift to read people and help them with their problems. The medium - spices!!! Who would have thought that our ordinary pepper, ginger and garlic had healing powers or magic in them? The story unfolds in San Fransico and you meet so many characters you can relate to. The Indian girl who has an American boyfriend, the grandpa who cannot tolerate this, the struggling taxi driver and so on.
It is a well directed movie with a nice feel good theme (though I wouldn't credit it with originality)
So, after getting inspiration from this movie, the one thing I did last evening - cooked a damn good (ahem ahem!) gobi masala curry.....
Monday, November 20, 2006
Rackets
Not the noise kind. Badminton kind!
Last Saturday, after a gap of 12 - 14 years, I managed to lay my hands on one of them and the game began.
And Yes!!!! I managed to win one game...... :D
Ok - I admit am not in the best of physical shape or anything and even though the game was played inside the house, it felt good to deliver those backhands and smashes.
Remembered those evening when my sis, my cousins and friends and I used to get out of the house by around 4 in the evening and how we used to play our guts out on the road in front of my house. Every day till around 7 or till it got too dark to actually see the shuttlecock.
Never used to feel tired. What a marvellous time we used to have.......
Last Saturday, after a gap of 12 - 14 years, I managed to lay my hands on one of them and the game began.
And Yes!!!! I managed to win one game...... :D
Ok - I admit am not in the best of physical shape or anything and even though the game was played inside the house, it felt good to deliver those backhands and smashes.
Remembered those evening when my sis, my cousins and friends and I used to get out of the house by around 4 in the evening and how we used to play our guts out on the road in front of my house. Every day till around 7 or till it got too dark to actually see the shuttlecock.
Never used to feel tired. What a marvellous time we used to have.......
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Rain....
Its raining here in Limassol. The sky is dark but the mood is bright.
I LOVE the rains and I MISS it so much. It rains for around 120 - 140 days in Kerala and here in Limassol, it rains only 2 months a year and that too in winter. I mean, who would want to get out in winter???
So, when it rains unexpectedly, like it is doing right now, everyone welcomes it.
Here are some pics that I love to look at whenever I feel blue :)
My friend's house at Aluva
I LOVE the rains and I MISS it so much. It rains for around 120 - 140 days in Kerala and here in Limassol, it rains only 2 months a year and that too in winter. I mean, who would want to get out in winter???
So, when it rains unexpectedly, like it is doing right now, everyone welcomes it.
Here are some pics that I love to look at whenever I feel blue :)
My friend's house at Aluva
Monday, October 09, 2006
It's BBQ Time!
Saturday was BBQ time! Since my friends decided to help me celebrate my last weekend in Cyprus
As usual, I did something stupid (need I mention 'stupid'???)
The guys and I were playing catch and I slipped and landed on my back. Hee hee hee.Thankfully, am still in one piece. No broken bones, though it is a little difficult to sit down ;)
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