Mouli's thoughts and musics over two decades
Leo from zenhabits has a guest post over at Unclutterer blog. A great read. Ofcourse his disclaimer is a very valid one. To each one, their own. He does not advocate that everyone should be as extreme-minimalist as Leo. It works for him, so he is. If you need your small potted ivy for refreshing your eyes, or have your own God Idols for your period spiritual refreshment, so be it. If it fits your work flow, then have it.
Read the post here.
Today is Karadayan Nombu. An important day for the ladies in Tamil Nadu. Unmarried girls pray for a good husband, and married ladies pray that they stay close to their husband forever. There is a legendary story about Satyavaan Savithri, which is linked to this particular festival. The story is beutifully written in the following blog post.
An exerpt:
Each day Savithri prays to Goddess Gowri holding her thirumangalyam in her hands, that they remain strong, hanging from her neck, that the day never come when Sathyavan be taken away from her. The month of Panguni follows Masi and brings with it the God of death, Yama. She senses his presence even before he has touched Sathyavan. Tall, strong and proud, his hands carrying a golden Gaja – his weapon, gold earrings, chains and bracelets contrasting with the dark shade of his skin – they seem out of place, happy and glowing with promise as he walks with firm, confident steps towards Sathyavan to claim his soul.
Who is this woman who dares obstruct his way? He is surprised to see her match his glare with confidence and resolve.
There are two versions for the end of the story though. The story in the above blog posting is that, Lord Yama (God of Death) gives Savithri a boon – anything except her husbands life. She wants a 100 sons, and Yama says ok. But she then questions him, that, for getting the 100 sons, she needs her husband, and that he must necessarily give him back.
The other version that I have heard is that, when Lord Yama comes to take the life of Satyavaan, Savithri prostrates before him, and offers him the prasadam. And pleased as he is, he blesses her (in the happiness of the moment) to be a Sumangali forever. Sumangali means, one who is living happily with her husband. And since he has given the blessing, he cannot take Satyavaan away.
Either ways, Happy Karadayaan Nombu ; and wishing all married ladies a happy married life, and all unmarried lasses, that they find their Satyavaan of choice soon.
The Aliens are coming? No, just a brilliant end to a long day at office. Shot outside ITPB Bangalore.
The first is from a small placard an ex-manager gave me, when he left our group (He was a great guy!).
Try is a big word. If you try, you risk failure. If you do not try, you ensure failure.
And the second is from the Empire Strikes Back (Starwars), and said by the Yoda.
Try not. Do or do not. There is no try.
Credit for the second one goes to todays post in Zen Habits.
(Image: shot using my Nokia 3110 and polished off with Paint.Net)
The following story was sent to me by a close friend. Brilliant. Read on.
A little boy went into a drug store, reached for a soda carton and pulled it over to the telephone. He climbed onto the carton so that he could reach the buttons on the phone and proceeded to punch in seven digits (phone numbers).
The store-owner observed and listened to the conversation:
Boy: “Lady, Can you give me the job of cutting your lawn?
Woman: (at the other end of the phone line): “I already have someone to cut my lawn.”Boy: “Lady, I will cut your lawn for half the price of the person who cuts your lawn now.”
Woman: I’m very satisfied with the person who is presently cutting my lawn.
Boy: (with more perseverance): “Lady, I’ll even sweep your curb and your sidewalk, so on Sunday you will have the prettiest lawn in all of Palm beach, Florida .”
Woman: No, thank you.
With a smile on his face, the little boy replaced the receiver. The store-owner, who was listening to all this, walked over to the boy.
Store Owner: “Son… I like your attitude; I like that positive spirit and would like to offer you a job.”
Boy: “No thanks,
Store Owner: But you were really pleading for one.
Boy: No Sir, I was just checking my performance at the job I already have. I am the one who is working for that lady, I was talking to!”
This is what we call “Self Appraisal”
(Image courtesy: EETimes.com)
EETimes has a great duo of posts. The first is a gallery of 35 people/places/technologies that will shape the next 10 years. A very nice collection indeed. And then they review a set of 15 people/places/technologies that they had predicted 10 years ago. Another very good list indeed. Kudos EET.
(Image courtesy: presentationzen.com)
Garr has a brilliant review of the presentation techniques that Sir Ken Robinson uses, in his brilliant presentations. Garr claims that Sir Ken is his inspiration. Well, Garr is my inspiration ; so by default, Sir Ken now becomes my inspiration as well. Some of the points in quick summary are:
Read the whole post here at presentationzen.
