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| Saturday, July 31, 2010
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I don't know that I would call it a resolution, but I've been so busy with work and deadlines and moving that I've hardly worked on my book in weeks. Things will be slowing down in the next week or so and not speed up till around the third week of Aug, so I really really really really hope I can finish the first draft for the publishers to look at. And to do that I needed to take a break, walk away from the clutter of workly(don't think it's a word but oh well..) work and freshen up.. so I took Sharmi's advice and went on a short yet the best drive to St Michaels where we strolled along the water bed and had some good food at Town Dock Restaurant.

Anyway we were talking and somehow ended talking about being truthful and such other emotional "crap" ;). I asked a her about truth. Her take was matter-of-fact: “It’s whatever your emotional reality is.” I tried to recall the title of this book I read by ?? I am blank again... Was it “We Are the Stories We Tell,” or “All Stories Are True”? It doesn’t really matter. What I want to know is this: What is the story I will tell about myself in thirty years, looking back on my twenty-eight-year-old self? Who will I have been? What will I have done? No matter what the answer, where I end up, I want to be able to know that I “stood on the ground and told the truth,” as my father, a tried-and-true hero ( to me at least ), says.

And as Sharmi said, “The rest is commentary." BTW, thank you Sharmiii :) I had another beautiful evening with you :)

The rest..

Posted by : Jegan
Date :Saturday, July 31, 2010
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Inspired

| Tuesday, July 27, 2010
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I was inspired last night and thus I share…but first to clarify your question: Yes, I moved here for some unwanted visitors to my last blog started harassing me. So, YOU must be proud to know that you are one of the very few who now know of this new blog of mine thru an invite only!! It's a secret so hush hush ok.. LOL..

Anyway it’s Monday night (or Tuesday morning as the clock ticks 2:20!!!) and I’m working at my "art" table that’s cluttered with pencils, nibs, cell phone(s) ;), camera, markers, inks, paper, peanut crackers (oh yes), and so much more. I’m tired and need to get to bed before late morning arrives. I get in bed and remember I have something important to add to my to-do list. I shuffle the unorganized stack of books by my right side in search for a sheet of paper. I come across a dusty, old book, but one of my favorites…. The Invitation. I open it and read every word of Oriah’s beautiful poem.

It shook me. Not the kind of shake you forget about in the morning, the kind that stays in your bones for days reminding you of the very moment it happened. It is appropriate now, for I ask/feel of the same; I am still in awe of every word in this poem, but particularly last night the part about beauty. I want to know if you can see beauty even when it is not pretty. We see beauty in a gorgeous bouquet of flowers and shiny stones set in a silver band, but sometime we miss the beauty in everyday things, the things that don’t stand out as particularly “pretty”…like the wrinkles in your mother’s face, from years of loving and supporting you. The tree outside your window that’s ever changing with the seasons of life. The smell of your sheets from weeks of cuddling with your loved one.

Be open to the beauty that surrounds you and let it pull you deeper into life.

The Invitation

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool
for love
for your dream
for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon…
I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow
if you have been opened by life’s betrayals
or have become shrivelled and closed
from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes
without cautioning us to
be careful
be realistic
remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me is true.
I want to know if you can
disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty
every day.
And if you can source your own life
from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
“Yes.“

It doesn’t interest me
to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after the night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.

It doesn’t interest me who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the centre of the fire
with me
and not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you
from the inside
when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone
with yourself
and if you truly like the company you keep
in the empty moments.

- Oriah

Enjoy life and appreciate its beauty in every moment. Ride a bike or take a walk today and appreciate the smell and view of the world …..it is beautiful!

Inspired

Posted by : Jegan
Date :Tuesday, July 27, 2010
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Outsourced

| Monday, July 26, 2010
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“Outsourced” a charming movie about an American guy whose entire team (call center) is outsourced to India. Having to choose between being fired, loosing his stock options and going to India to get the new team up to speed, he decides to pick up the latter. The movie manages to be pretty respectful to both cultures. Personally, I thought the movie was hilarious since I’ve had to contend with it. When calling my bank for information on a credit card results in the guy on the other side (who sounds very much like our uncles from Calcutta/Delhi/Bombay trying to inflect a Midwestern accent) asking me about where in India I’m from and where my parents are from in India, hilarity is just part of the equation.
Although, I must say I am not quite convinced with a few confused points in the screenplay/plot. One such scene would be the romantic? Sultry? Lusty? Confused? Encounter in the motel. I say confused because earlier and latter in the movie Asha’s (the heroine) character is shown to be one with high cultural values who is also outspoken and independent. And to show that public affection is a cultural taboo in India, I found this scene to be too “Western” concept to be acceptable in a movie about India. But after all it's largely a light comedy and, ultimately, a love story movie where enough light is thrown to depict the corporate game being played and the way people get affected. So, I guess it is not too bad! And more over, it does show the predominantly sweet nature of the Indian people which IMO is one of an India traveler’s best rewards. And I guess I also have to agree that most Indian people whilst intelligent have real problem thinking outside the box.

Oh and for the record, there is no rule of thumb that states that Indian food as a whole is gross and gives people diarrhea. While I’ll admit, some Indian food doesn’t necessarily LOOK appetizing (think aloo palak or anything involving palak), it has something that a lot of other foods lack: flavor. If you can’t handle it, that’s your problem and your loss…

Outsourced

Posted by : Jegan
Date :Monday, July 26, 2010
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Salt

| Sunday, July 25, 2010
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Angelina Jolie looks sickly thin in this new action thriller "Salt". But she still has her eyes, lips to steal the show. It was a thrill to watch her express. As for the movie, it's gloriously absurd. This movie has holes in it big enough to drive the whole movie through. Yet I enjoyed every moment of it. This is definitely not a Chris Nolan movie but one should still watch it at least for Ms. Jolie.

So in all, had an amazing movie night with a good old friend. Thanks for the dinner Kushal! Oh btw, I hope you picked on the clues I left for ya ;) She was a fine lady ;)

Salt

Posted by : Jegan
Date :Sunday, July 25, 2010
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Vibrant

| Saturday, July 24, 2010
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And don't tell me I did not warn you guys!! Android is the way to go now!! And trust me you would have no issues no matter how you hold it.. or even if you don't! lol I know it cheesy but had to rub it in ;)

Well, it has been five days since the launch for the Samsung Vibrant and three days since I got it. YAY! I have said enough about Android btw, way Android is the OS running on the phone. The retail came with 2.1 but I had rooted it and am now running 2.2 aka FROYO! The official FROYO release would be in mid August per T-Mobile, but I could not wait. So I am going to just highlight some jaw dropping technicalities of this phone!

The Vibrant’s 4-inch WVGA Super AMOLED touchscreen displays vibrant colors and spectacular video quality. What’s most surprising is the HD video recorder, which surprisingly produces crispy clear footage, with a minor, yet unnoticeable setback in audio. The built-in accelerometer also rotates the screen vertically and horizontally with swiftness and no lag. By far this is the best touchscreen smart phone you can get in the market now!

Running on 3G-connection, the Vibrant manages to boost an impressive speed that closely resembles Sprint’s 4G-network. The incorporation of a 1GHz Cortex A8 Hummingbird processor makes web browsing and navigation super responsive. Now in simple words it means you can text, listen to music and surf the web all at the same time. And you can also be on a call, as for the music when you are on a call it automatically tones down so you hear the other party better but if you prefer to listen to the music rather you have a choice! This is the real meaning and capacity of multitasking!! YOU can control two or more application at the same time.

Vibrant

Posted by : Jegan
Date :Saturday, July 24, 2010
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Second round?

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I am very sorry for what had happened.
I will never forget the last message I saw in FB..
But I know you are more than what you have presumed yourself to be so pick yourself up! Things happen cause something better is in store. Don't worry! I am here for you.. Always remember this:

"Do things you're happy with..but since u can't always do ONLY things you're happy with...just do everything happily."

Second round?

Posted by : Jegan
Date :
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Recharge here..

| Friday, July 23, 2010
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Yes I have searched every where too. And I thought this great songs needs to be recognized! Thus my attempt. Correct as needed!

Whenever I do "go back" listening to 80s Raja and 90s Puyal and all those come/go artist, I found myself that I recharged, I have a new love again to play music.

First, I present to you the Maestro of India, who, here has provided beautiful string orchestration. The songs also has some interesting chords with guitar & flute taking the lead initially then followed by the violins. The interludes too have abundance of sounds from these instruments. Not to forget S P Bala and S Janaki who just makes it more charming. Extra kudos to S P Bala for his improvisation with his laughter! Listen for your self:

Idaiyinil unn viralgal..yezhudhidum yen sugangal
Anaikkaiyil unn udalil azhundhidum yen nagangal
Meendum meendum naan vendum bodhu...
Kaadhal yogam dhaan kattil meedhu
Kaaa vendum unnodu dhaan








Secondly, please sit back and relax to this extraordinary work by Mr A R Rahman. He does what he is best at, evoking the feeling of pain and loneliness. In this particular song as usual Rahman keeps changing between minor and major scales. What more can I say? I am so lost in the pan flute which takes up playing a sweet melody with the strings continuing to support it, the danya part of the tabla which keeps coming in between surprising you at the same time making you to want more. And of course the singers, we have Sujatha rendering beautiful aalaps. And S P Bala in Tamil and Hariharan rendering Hindi. There is also a second Hindi version with S P Bala taking the lead but honestly Hariharan blows him! I am posting all three versions you be the judge!

Tamil - S P Bala & Sujatha
Velli oadai paesinaal sonna vaarththai njaabagam..
Dhaegam rendum saergaiyil moagam konda njaabagam..








Hindi - Hariharan & Sujatha
Koi nahi hai mera sirf teri aas hai..
Khwabo mein tu saanso mein tu roja..








Hindi - S P Bala & Sujatha
Jee raha hu isliye dil mein pyaar hai tera..
Zulm sah raha hu kyo intezar hai tera..








More soon :)

Recharge here..

Posted by : Jegan
Date :Friday, July 23, 2010
With 0comments

Lunch

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"Great leaders are not born. They are made—to a large extent, self-made.."-Marshall Goldsmith

The above quote makes a lot of sense to me now. Not to blow my own trumpet, but I seem to be getting some good attention these days. My productivity stream is looking brighter than yesterdays. The networking I've been trying my hand at for a while seems to be falling in place. I am getting things done my way and in the right way. I am happy!! Je le sais, je le pense, aussi j'y crois un peu plus que toi Jegan!

I was invited to a lunch meeting day before yesterday by my parent company's president Mr. Rick Learner.I must say I felt very much appreciated and valued around him. A good client of mine had arranged for the lunch meet. He wanted to treat me for my efforts in helping him maintain a good financial standpoint. As a thank you note he treated me and invited Rick too. I must say I was very surprised at some of the extra good comments I heard him say about me to Rick. No, I don't mean I don't deserve it, it is just that I don't recall doing anything that deserved appreciation to that extend. I mean I did my job sincerely and as always tried to go the extra mile but still kept it within my range. Anyway It was a very good day, lunch!!! Thanks to Joe Giordano!

Lunch

Posted by : Jegan
Date :
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Tried!

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Wednesday - 11:35 am, I stumble into my office almost feebly, light headed, wanting to puke! I don't know why and how people think of it to be cool, or fun but I am really happy I tried it because it definitely killed my curiosity. I coughed a lot, my throat burned, and I felt really dizzy. I hated every part of it, and I realized after that it is something I plan on never doing again. STOP smoking!!






Here, a song to make me feel good in-spite of the bad that my curiosity lead me to.
I think this song is about letting someone go because there is something better out their for them. In my opinion it is saying (much more poetically) "I'm here for you and I'm willing to do anything for you or be anything for you, but if you need to find something better I understand. But don't you dare let me forget you."

But you can skyrocket away from me
And never come back if you find another galaxy
Far from here with more room to fly
Just leave me your stardust to remember you by









Tried!

Posted by : Jegan
Date :
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Moviw time..

| Tuesday, July 20, 2010
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So over the last two weekends I watched four movies!! I used to go to the theater almost every other weekend and for many reasons have not been to for a while since this month. So to make up for it.. (kind of) I watched four this month!

The movies in the order I enjoyed:


Despicable me ME
















The Last Air Bender










Twilight Saga

Moviw time..

Posted by : Jegan
Date :Tuesday, July 20, 2010
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18 hours ago...

| Monday, July 19, 2010
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Wake me up! Wake me up! .. It has been 18 hours since I watched Inception, by Christopher It's Nolan's existential heist film – did I mention its a love story, your mind is the scene of the crime. But your heart will pull the trigger!

"whose subconscious are we in now?"

To go into details of the story would be a disservice to those who haven’t seen it, besides, words escape me in trying to find ways to describe it. Many of Nolan’s movies usually demand repeated viewings to fully grasp the story, and this one is no exception. So go to the theater and WATCH the movie!! Don't forget to bring your brain too ;)

18 hours ago...

Posted by : Jegan
Date :Monday, July 19, 2010
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Soothing me..

| Tuesday, July 6, 2010
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Music soothes my soul.. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do :)









"Sanam Yeh Baatein Kaisi..Kahan Meri Kismat Aisi"

It seems A R Rahman has this knack of presenting the ‘joy in pain(Swarnalatha's aalap in the beginning)’ genre in the most hummable form possible...(taras khaa'o mere haal pe).As sure as the sun shines, my heart beats for you. There isn't anyone as wonderful as you in this world. You hold my heart in your hands! Sun ri!

Soothing me..

Posted by : Jegan
Date :Tuesday, July 6, 2010
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Calafoornia!!!

| Thursday, July 1, 2010
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I am back!! bidding bye bye to "sin city", "golden gate" and "orange county". Thanks to our Indian brother Mr. A R Rahman and his efforts in living his Indian "mentality" the concert got canceled!!! But oh well I had fun.. more time in Vegas and a trip down to SFO to visit an old buddy :) So after all it turned out great! Some pics here, more will be up in the pictography section :)

Calafoornia!!!

Posted by : Jegan
Date :Thursday, July 1, 2010
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