Do you want to understand what the word disruption means?
Check out whatsapp
This nifty little thing shows a giant middle finger to
a) messaging services - No longer send sms, mms. The regular sms, mms costs Re1 or 5, and what about international SMS. All those barriers broken.
b) the OS's messaging service (like bb messenger) - With friends and contacts on 5 different platforms
c) Other IMs (like gtalk, WL messenger) - cant beat these in web talk, but on the mobile phone, whatsapp is much better and cleaner
It is SO easy to text and share pictures and its quite fast on 2G too.
Add me on whatsapp!
In every industry, it is impossible to say what your next competition will be! This prof's interesting essay was hugely popular and is always relevant.
Now if only finding topics of conversation were this easy. "There's an app for that"??
February 17, 2012
February 03, 2012
Sunshine - 2
SNAKES...What is there to fear in these animals at all? They are to be respected and loved.
With over 90% of the people I know fearing them (intensely) than others (incl reptiles), I wonder if its a natural human instinct listening to the reptilian brain...
I suspect if I can get the good luck of dealing with, watch snakes in their environment... Will I just have to watch Animal Planet with open mouthed fascination and thank it for bringing them into my living room.
Thanks to Sadhguru, I have understood their significance and am more than reverent towards them now. He had pointed out that they are found in most temples and I have noticed the snake signs in some of the old and semi-old temples. I don't go to modern (shopping) complexes anyway.
Naga Naga Nagendraya!
I would belong to Slytherin if put under the sorting hat and yea, the typical westerners (Christianity influence?) have potrayed them as slimy, cunning and reppellant. Feh!
February 01, 2012
Sunshine - 1
"Jay Pee Murugan banni". Why is the bus driver calling out the one Mr.Murugan along with his initials I wondered. I figured that was the announcement for the "JP Morgan" stop on ORR.
OR
I may have imagined the whole thing...
Peace!
*banni=come/come out
OR
I may have imagined the whole thing...
Peace!
*banni=come/come out
January 31, 2012
Over
One thing I noticed was...In some western food blogs, the word "gluten-free" food is used a lot.
In some Indian food blogs and forums(esp south Indian), the word "rice-free" is thrown around a lot.
While the former recommends eating rice as a substitute even for people who are not allergic to it, the latter pushes chapathis, rotis (whole wheat flat breads) to lose weight.
The reason some grain (wheat or rice) needs to go from the diet is due to overconsumption. I can see this as a possible explanation.
Typical south Indian diet consists of idly, dosa to start with, rice for lunch and some other rice dish for dinner. I assume bread dominates over there.
I think a simple solution is to mix it up and not consume too much of any one grain. Millets for dinner anyone? Did you know there are 7 different millets available in India - one for everyday of the week.
Some people really have gluten allergies and I am not discounting their real issues.
Yet another amazing find has been Tongue Ticklers (Thanks A for the find) for my vegan style cooking. She has Indian recipes and has similar ideas towards food and nutrition. I am not vegan (honey, ghee, curd in medicines) but still cooking vegan.
With all the information overload... The importance of proper food intake cannot be brushed aside irrespective of physically working it out, soI am going to go with a) intuition b) indian sensibilities c)whatever works d)never use the word "healthy". ever.
So bear with my constantly changing food bytes!
In some Indian food blogs and forums(esp south Indian), the word "rice-free" is thrown around a lot.
While the former recommends eating rice as a substitute even for people who are not allergic to it, the latter pushes chapathis, rotis (whole wheat flat breads) to lose weight.
The reason some grain (wheat or rice) needs to go from the diet is due to overconsumption. I can see this as a possible explanation.
Typical south Indian diet consists of idly, dosa to start with, rice for lunch and some other rice dish for dinner. I assume bread dominates over there.
I think a simple solution is to mix it up and not consume too much of any one grain. Millets for dinner anyone? Did you know there are 7 different millets available in India - one for everyday of the week.
Some people really have gluten allergies and I am not discounting their real issues.
Yet another amazing find has been Tongue Ticklers (Thanks A for the find) for my vegan style cooking. She has Indian recipes and has similar ideas towards food and nutrition. I am not vegan (honey, ghee, curd in medicines) but still cooking vegan.
With all the information overload... The importance of proper food intake cannot be brushed aside irrespective of physically working it out, soI am going to go with a) intuition b) indian sensibilities c)whatever works d)never use the word "healthy". ever.
So bear with my constantly changing food bytes!
January 24, 2012
The Amazing Everyday
Very few ads make me want to watch them without muting or changing the channel. This is definitely one of them - the underlying theme is awesome and really connects. Everyday is amazing, isn't it? (shamless plug for msft who I work for indirectly)
Maybe it is time to do an "the amazing everyday" series! (without mind-blogging though)
Yes... animals will dominate!
Maybe it is time to do an "the amazing everyday" series! (without mind-blogging though)
Yes... animals will dominate!
January 23, 2012
From ET
I remember watching this with open-mouthed astonishment and wonder x years ago. I would've clapped my hands and shrieked.Is it possible to flyyy like that?
It was nice to know that this scene still thrilled and made me chuckle with glee (but no hand clapping.)
January 11, 2012
The Crowning Glory
One of the paradoxes of life is having a head with little fur. Hair, I mean hair. And there is no one to give me a head massage! The agony, the unfairness of life, the pain! (kill. me. now.)
In other news, the tonsured head (that is perfectly shaped all the way round btw) is not getting rave reviews (not that I want it), only dandruff (definitely don't want).
I imagined a new-bald-obviously-shaved female would evoke consternation, but you know what I discovered? People don't care. Nobody thinks its wierd and alien-like. (I am not Natalie Portman anyway!) Everybody talks exactly the same irrespective of the presence or lack of hair. It is just another water-cooler topic here at office, no biggie.
Either that or I am way too focussed on ignoring. Actively ignoring the populace on the train, on the bus, in the shops.
If some girl somewhere is considering shaving the head, please don't agonize over it. Go ahead and do it and enjoy the freedom (however temporary) it offers!
In other news, the tonsured head (that is perfectly shaped all the way round btw) is not getting rave reviews (not that I want it), only dandruff (definitely don't want).
I imagined a new-bald-obviously-shaved female would evoke consternation, but you know what I discovered? People don't care. Nobody thinks its wierd and alien-like. (I am not Natalie Portman anyway!) Everybody talks exactly the same irrespective of the presence or lack of hair. It is just another water-cooler topic here at office, no biggie.
Either that or I am way too focussed on ignoring. Actively ignoring the populace on the train, on the bus, in the shops.
If some girl somewhere is considering shaving the head, please don't agonize over it. Go ahead and do it and enjoy the freedom (however temporary) it offers!
 |
| Niece says Hello! |
January 02, 2012
Yoga Marga!
I am bad at articulation and hence cannot put into words the wonderful experience that was the Yoga Marga program in December.
Much gratitude to Sadhguru for having such a program to help me get over so many limitations and obstacles. To Devi, for the guidance and compassion. To my dear Isha friends and family who have helped me tremendously by being there for me.
Yoga practices (Hata, Suryanamaskar); Siddha medicines; Detox and raw food diet; Guided meditations, games, laughter and walks in the forest - all designed to take any person higher and improve his/her condition.
These things can actually be put together by knowledgeable and well-meaning people almost anywhere. But two things that made this what it is and cannot be found anywhere else.
The yoga center itself - Blessed by Sadhguru...with the Dhyanalinga and Theerthakund. They both have been/ are still being miraculous for me.
The volunteers - such loving people, working for no material gain, genuinely interested in your well-being
I hope to write a detailed post three months from now with more on the physical and mental improvements.
As always with Sadhguru, the spiritual aspect is the most important part of the program and the upliftment has been tremendous!
The real "ashram" effect can be felt sitting in Chennai or Bangalore - all bright-eyed and happiness and joy.
"Gnanam, Dhyanam, Anandham" indeed
One incident to share - When I came back to Chennai after the program, with my phone dead and Cyclone Thaane closing in on Friday morning, there was no way to contact my mother at 5am standing outside the outer gate of my house as the bell was ineffective. So, I gave myself a leg-up using the suitcase and jumped over the gate and the wall! Hadn't done that for 10 years now!
Yes, YM really works!
"Every human being aspires for health and well-being. True health fundamentally means to be in tune with nature; both the inner and outer" - SADHGURU
Much gratitude to Sadhguru for having such a program to help me get over so many limitations and obstacles. To Devi, for the guidance and compassion. To my dear Isha friends and family who have helped me tremendously by being there for me.
Yoga practices (Hata, Suryanamaskar); Siddha medicines; Detox and raw food diet; Guided meditations, games, laughter and walks in the forest - all designed to take any person higher and improve his/her condition.
These things can actually be put together by knowledgeable and well-meaning people almost anywhere. But two things that made this what it is and cannot be found anywhere else.
The yoga center itself - Blessed by Sadhguru...with the Dhyanalinga and Theerthakund. They both have been/ are still being miraculous for me.
The volunteers - such loving people, working for no material gain, genuinely interested in your well-being
I hope to write a detailed post three months from now with more on the physical and mental improvements.
As always with Sadhguru, the spiritual aspect is the most important part of the program and the upliftment has been tremendous!
The real "ashram" effect can be felt sitting in Chennai or Bangalore - all bright-eyed and happiness and joy.
"Gnanam, Dhyanam, Anandham" indeed
One incident to share - When I came back to Chennai after the program, with my phone dead and Cyclone Thaane closing in on Friday morning, there was no way to contact my mother at 5am standing outside the outer gate of my house as the bell was ineffective. So, I gave myself a leg-up using the suitcase and jumped over the gate and the wall! Hadn't done that for 10 years now!
Yes, YM really works!
"Every human being aspires for health and well-being. True health fundamentally means to be in tune with nature; both the inner and outer" - SADHGURU
December 07, 2011
Common Cold
A long time in the rain during a rainy rainy weekend in Chennai trying to pull some pups out ensured the deadly virus latched onto me. Yea, not fatal but sufficiently irritating virus that causes cold.
Once the throat irritation started, I took a miracle soup Pepper Rasam every morning and evening for a week. The sneezing had started already. Although, it didn't kill the virus, this didn't allow it to grow...
(The pepper rasam powder is from Isha Ruchi btw, the products Bajra/Jowar/Ragi dosa mixes, dhaal/idly/gingely podi that I super-satisfied with.)
Of course, this is one of the side-effects of the kapalabathis of Shakthi Chalana Kriya in which that exact part of the throat is stimulated.
So... this is the first time I was able to beat it and I just waited for one week extra to feel supreme about this in case the virus decided to pop back due to my cockiness!
Once the throat irritation started, I took a miracle soup Pepper Rasam every morning and evening for a week. The sneezing had started already. Although, it didn't kill the virus, this didn't allow it to grow...
(The pepper rasam powder is from Isha Ruchi btw, the products Bajra/Jowar/Ragi dosa mixes, dhaal/idly/gingely podi that I super-satisfied with.)
Of course, this is one of the side-effects of the kapalabathis of Shakthi Chalana Kriya in which that exact part of the throat is stimulated.
So... this is the first time I was able to beat it and I just waited for one week extra to feel supreme about this in case the virus decided to pop back due to my cockiness!
December 01, 2011
The 20-year Projects
An ultrasound image of the baby in the belly reminded me of Chandler's comment "I don't know what it is, but it is going to attack the Enterprise". LOL
I have always loved children, but somehow didn't want to be yet another person to fuss over them. Give me pups/kittens anyday.
OMG! I couldn't be more wrong...
I have the opportunity of being the aunt for 6-7 children (related or otherwise) for 2-3 years now and I really can't help falling in love with the little humans.
The ones less than a year are super sweet with their wobbly heads, big round eyes, chubbiness, little hands and feet. They are like little bears I want to hold all the time and never let go.
The 1-3 year olds are just beginning their mischief and in a discovering things mode. It is awesome to note their fascination about things. "Maa look!" and then the wobbly dancing to some beat music. Energy to scream their lungs out as well as do/say the same thing over and over again.
I spent 2 days in my friends house with her 3 year old daughter. By day two, I was almost in tears to leave her. And her face kept coming back to me for a week afterwards. Her little mayalai- "anu aanthee", her "opinion" on things, just spinning around the house for no reason, pretending to be something else, non-stop talking. Sweetness!
My youngest cousin about 6 years old is SO imaginative. The pillow suddenly becomes a boat and he drags it under his bum around the house. He is so loving and hugs so tight, its heart warming.
The one kid I spent a lot of time with until 3 years ago was a sweet little girl with Down's Syndrome. She is a sweetheart and her rural uneducated parents are doing a fabulous job with her upbringing with their super positive attitude, so this girl was really wonderful and unlike any other kid I've seen.
Let me savour them until their reach their teens after which a general snort will sent in my direction when I visit them.
Their freshness of life is so mind blowing. Parents are so lucky to learn this from children buttt... so much time is spent is the "no" "No" "NO" and related exasperation. It is so easy for the aunt to say these things as the parents are also under pressure not to have badly behaved children. (just like we dog owners are responsible for good dogs.) So, I am on the parents side for this one.
Pray tell me, whats with the crankiness? At those times I give the roadrunner competition. *grin*
My suggestion is to get them outdoors more, even the small ones. More time under the sky instead of inside concrete should lessen this. Open spaces to expend their energy and prodding around to satisfy their curiousity should help reduce the crankiness. (Same rule as dogs.) Park is alright I suppose, but I think the living space itself should be like this.
And of course what I think works - A family pet!
As much as they are the world's greatest baby sitters, if I ever have to raise a kid - the TV and cable goes out of sight! Out out out!
One thing is for sure. Somehow, my generation seems to be very careful and more aware. I won't say my parents gen wasn't, but they didn't think about it, they assumed a lot of things. Even this awareness is a big step (risk of "over"-thinking is there, but that's fine) and I am proud of all my friends.
I don't do, even think "this is right, this is wrong" thing with parents. Only they can understand the enormity and challenge that is the 20-year project! Its so easy for an outsider to judge and I am not one of those.
Sadhguru on the 20-year project
I firmly fall into the GINK category, and I hope I have the opportunity of spending some more time with kids through volunteer work and otherwise. I don't have any DNA restrictions, so hopefully a small village of them should suffice.
I have always loved children, but somehow didn't want to be yet another person to fuss over them. Give me pups/kittens anyday.
OMG! I couldn't be more wrong...
I have the opportunity of being the aunt for 6-7 children (related or otherwise) for 2-3 years now and I really can't help falling in love with the little humans.
 |
| Source: Wuzzle |
The 1-3 year olds are just beginning their mischief and in a discovering things mode. It is awesome to note their fascination about things. "Maa look!" and then the wobbly dancing to some beat music. Energy to scream their lungs out as well as do/say the same thing over and over again.
 |
| Source: Guardian |
I spent 2 days in my friends house with her 3 year old daughter. By day two, I was almost in tears to leave her. And her face kept coming back to me for a week afterwards. Her little mayalai- "anu aanthee", her "opinion" on things, just spinning around the house for no reason, pretending to be something else, non-stop talking. Sweetness!
My youngest cousin about 6 years old is SO imaginative. The pillow suddenly becomes a boat and he drags it under his bum around the house. He is so loving and hugs so tight, its heart warming.
The one kid I spent a lot of time with until 3 years ago was a sweet little girl with Down's Syndrome. She is a sweetheart and her rural uneducated parents are doing a fabulous job with her upbringing with their super positive attitude, so this girl was really wonderful and unlike any other kid I've seen.
Let me savour them until their reach their teens after which a general snort will sent in my direction when I visit them.
Their freshness of life is so mind blowing. Parents are so lucky to learn this from children buttt... so much time is spent is the "no" "No" "NO" and related exasperation. It is so easy for the aunt to say these things as the parents are also under pressure not to have badly behaved children. (just like we dog owners are responsible for good dogs.) So, I am on the parents side for this one.
Pray tell me, whats with the crankiness? At those times I give the roadrunner competition. *grin*
My suggestion is to get them outdoors more, even the small ones. More time under the sky instead of inside concrete should lessen this. Open spaces to expend their energy and prodding around to satisfy their curiousity should help reduce the crankiness. (Same rule as dogs.) Park is alright I suppose, but I think the living space itself should be like this.
And of course what I think works - A family pet!
As much as they are the world's greatest baby sitters, if I ever have to raise a kid - the TV and cable goes out of sight! Out out out!
One thing is for sure. Somehow, my generation seems to be very careful and more aware. I won't say my parents gen wasn't, but they didn't think about it, they assumed a lot of things. Even this awareness is a big step (risk of "over"-thinking is there, but that's fine) and I am proud of all my friends.
I don't do, even think "this is right, this is wrong" thing with parents. Only they can understand the enormity and challenge that is the 20-year project! Its so easy for an outsider to judge and I am not one of those.
Sadhguru on the 20-year project
I firmly fall into the GINK category, and I hope I have the opportunity of spending some more time with kids through volunteer work and otherwise. I don't have any DNA restrictions, so hopefully a small village of them should suffice.
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