தூறல் மெல்ல சாரல் அடிக்க
ஈர மேகம் மெதுவாய் நடக்க
இடையில் தவழும் வெளிச்சக்கோடு
வண்ணதூரிகை வானவில்லாய்
வளைந்து செல்லும் கழுவிய சாலை
மின்னும் வண்ண எண்ணைக் கோலம்
நெஞ்சில் நிறைக்கும் கடந்த காலம்
வானவில்லின் வண்ணசிதறல்..
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Some random thoughts...
Just the situation I heard about kept my thoughts rolling... The abundance of words - lipservice in all is amazing. And the real care, true feelings shown and those who cared- "cared" as in those who takes the extra mile to help, make them happy or indulge are simply forgotten.
Is the world becoming a soceity purely based on convenience and selfishness? Or does the pep talk carry more value than the real? Just like the puffed up resume working wonders where as the real resume is thrown under?
Is today's world has become so very materialistic that there is no place for honesty and truth between friends and family? Just thinking about the amount of back stabbing and sidestepping (is there an expression like that?-sidestepping? ha - what funny term, but I'm gonna keep it here :) to mean silent withdrawal from any kind of relationship).
So how should a person be if he wants to remain sane and honest and still maintain good relationship with world at large? Well a little tricky 'coz of the word "honest".
Friday, December 12, 2008
"Trip to India - Going home and not finding it" - Indira Anupindi
Just finished reading this book - I am still thinking of a word to label this - may be scary? no doesn't sound right. Can I say very intriguing book of a person's visit to India after five years and getting completely disillusioned? I read it. Read it as I always do, cover to cover, front to back.
The author - Indira Anupindi seems extremely matter of fact - she doesn't sit on judgement. She is just stating the facts of today's urban India. The statement is so simple that its a slap on the face for those of us who were used to a culture with decorum. The information shakes the very root of my faith in Indian culture. Being an Indian girl born and brought up with a clear, simple set of rules, instructions and faith, I am heartbroken at the unnerving reality.
I would call the portrayal of this India in the book as India in it's extreme. We have poverty, filth and hunger right at the doorsteps of posh finenesse. Its a combination of the blind faith in following the age old custom where the Indian window is stripped of colors and bangles, as well as where Urban, rich "social" Indian women (not just young mindless girls mind you, these are mothers, mother-in-laws of rich soceity) is finding peace in "gigolos". To be honest - naive that I am this is the first time I come across such a word. But apparently gigolo means the male version of prostitute. The cultural decay is shocking beyond comapare.
The poignant descriptions of how "soceity" women entertain themselves, expensive way they hold their kitty parties, even the simple Rs. 800( the most inexpensive, by Indian standards) are making me revisit my plans of eventually getting back to India for good someday. The subtlity with which she portrays the casual spending habits or today's Indians in India and today's Indians in America is so cool.
I only wish the autor had added some magnificient pictures to match her descriptions of places like Vaishnav Devi temple and Manthralaya. Some aspects apart, definitly a good read for many of us so out of touch with the latest "developments" in India - I only wish these developments are only fiction, rather than the horrid reality it seems to be.
The author - Indira Anupindi seems extremely matter of fact - she doesn't sit on judgement. She is just stating the facts of today's urban India. The statement is so simple that its a slap on the face for those of us who were used to a culture with decorum. The information shakes the very root of my faith in Indian culture. Being an Indian girl born and brought up with a clear, simple set of rules, instructions and faith, I am heartbroken at the unnerving reality.
I would call the portrayal of this India in the book as India in it's extreme. We have poverty, filth and hunger right at the doorsteps of posh finenesse. Its a combination of the blind faith in following the age old custom where the Indian window is stripped of colors and bangles, as well as where Urban, rich "social" Indian women (not just young mindless girls mind you, these are mothers, mother-in-laws of rich soceity) is finding peace in "gigolos". To be honest - naive that I am this is the first time I come across such a word. But apparently gigolo means the male version of prostitute. The cultural decay is shocking beyond comapare.
The poignant descriptions of how "soceity" women entertain themselves, expensive way they hold their kitty parties, even the simple Rs. 800( the most inexpensive, by Indian standards) are making me revisit my plans of eventually getting back to India for good someday. The subtlity with which she portrays the casual spending habits or today's Indians in India and today's Indians in America is so cool.
I only wish the autor had added some magnificient pictures to match her descriptions of places like Vaishnav Devi temple and Manthralaya. Some aspects apart, definitly a good read for many of us so out of touch with the latest "developments" in India - I only wish these developments are only fiction, rather than the horrid reality it seems to be.
"Miles to go before I sleep"
Finding inner peace is becoming an increasingly hard part of life. Amidst all the noises that surround me from dawn to dusk, life just flows on with almost no time to sit and stare. In the tumult, realizing what I want and what I am becomes a hard confusion.
So long ago a poet wrote," I have miles to go before I sleep". Today world has come a part where everybody goes miles and miles everyday with no time to stop and look at the bright orange,red and yellow clad trees, or think about why are we shoveling the breakfast cereal so fast and running out without even waving a bye to the busy person likely preparing two more lunch bags or clearing the dish wahser in the kitchen.
Thinking of a typical day routine - wake up with the kids, get some breakfast in (I never miss it), clean, drop in school, cook, clean (all the while multi tasking - talking on the phone, helping with homeowrk, changing diaper, doing dishes, changing cloths in laundry, folding them if possible, planning dinner etc etc..), then struggle to juggle in some time for exercise, like once a week. Evening comes before I realize, pick up kids, take for classes, give them bath, feed, eat, clean, and finaly when I hit the hay its mostly like 11:00 or so.
I still try to squeeze in about 10 mnts or more of Mercury News with breakfast and give in some time for KRON4 at 11:00. Try to check my emails, respond to them in timely manner and do social calls! Phew!
Am I doing only this much in a day? Did I mention anything about what other things I want to do? Like work on and finish up the book- the theme I had been working on for a long time now??? Playing at least one board game a day with my boy, reading 5 to 7 books a day to both my children? The desire to sit and stare into emprty space or sky at least for 15 mnts without interruting thoughts of chores?
I want to do all this and much more in one day. I think of my dad, who can start his day right and brisk at 4:00 AM inspite of the fact that he went to bed at 12:30 previous night (or should I call it early next day?). My mom who is always up and about any time my dad is up with hot tea for him to start off the day. Time management and efficiency will render some kind of justice to things I want to do in a day. But...
Then where is the inner peace thing I strated off? Very funny. Life goes on.
So long ago a poet wrote," I have miles to go before I sleep". Today world has come a part where everybody goes miles and miles everyday with no time to stop and look at the bright orange,red and yellow clad trees, or think about why are we shoveling the breakfast cereal so fast and running out without even waving a bye to the busy person likely preparing two more lunch bags or clearing the dish wahser in the kitchen.
Thinking of a typical day routine - wake up with the kids, get some breakfast in (I never miss it), clean, drop in school, cook, clean (all the while multi tasking - talking on the phone, helping with homeowrk, changing diaper, doing dishes, changing cloths in laundry, folding them if possible, planning dinner etc etc..), then struggle to juggle in some time for exercise, like once a week. Evening comes before I realize, pick up kids, take for classes, give them bath, feed, eat, clean, and finaly when I hit the hay its mostly like 11:00 or so.
I still try to squeeze in about 10 mnts or more of Mercury News with breakfast and give in some time for KRON4 at 11:00. Try to check my emails, respond to them in timely manner and do social calls! Phew!
Am I doing only this much in a day? Did I mention anything about what other things I want to do? Like work on and finish up the book- the theme I had been working on for a long time now??? Playing at least one board game a day with my boy, reading 5 to 7 books a day to both my children? The desire to sit and stare into emprty space or sky at least for 15 mnts without interruting thoughts of chores?
I want to do all this and much more in one day. I think of my dad, who can start his day right and brisk at 4:00 AM inspite of the fact that he went to bed at 12:30 previous night (or should I call it early next day?). My mom who is always up and about any time my dad is up with hot tea for him to start off the day. Time management and efficiency will render some kind of justice to things I want to do in a day. But...
Then where is the inner peace thing I strated off? Very funny. Life goes on.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
What are we leaving behind for our children?
I met with three of my son's friend's moms in a kiddie birthday party. All the children were busy jumping around in the huge inflatables. WIth absolutely nothing to do, mom's grouped up and started talking. After an array of usual topics - hair, nails, outfits, weight etc (can anyone tell me if women can talk anyting else when they chit chat?) we jumped on to more serious stuff.
The straigt and not so straight couples and their rights, The sanctity of "Marriage" etc etc. Suddenly out of no where one mom echoed my nightmare. She said "Sometimes I wonder what are we going to leave behind for our children?" Apparently she meant what kindof world. My thoughts started churning. It had been my nightmare ever since my first one was born.
As a mom with two young children I want to know my children will have a happy life as adults. But its almost impossible for me to visualize 50 years, even 20, from now. What kind of world is it going to be? With science so advancing and moral values so declining and the environmental treasures so depleting....
Will our children have good clean air to breath and clean water to drink? The small simple every day things we take for granted today, will they be available for our children? Kron4 just yesterday night was talking about a first of a kind conference to conserve water in the bay area. Rainfall is low, snow level is low, seasons are helter skelter. Wow it sure is scary to think of the future.
So I guess I will resort to my ususal practice - Prayer. I'll pray every single day to God to keep earth bountiful as always, to preserve the environment. Though selfish, I sure am praying for the whole community, world. If you beleive in prayer, please do for a mnt every day. So our children will have a safe life even after when we are not around.
The straigt and not so straight couples and their rights, The sanctity of "Marriage" etc etc. Suddenly out of no where one mom echoed my nightmare. She said "Sometimes I wonder what are we going to leave behind for our children?" Apparently she meant what kindof world. My thoughts started churning. It had been my nightmare ever since my first one was born.
As a mom with two young children I want to know my children will have a happy life as adults. But its almost impossible for me to visualize 50 years, even 20, from now. What kind of world is it going to be? With science so advancing and moral values so declining and the environmental treasures so depleting....
Will our children have good clean air to breath and clean water to drink? The small simple every day things we take for granted today, will they be available for our children? Kron4 just yesterday night was talking about a first of a kind conference to conserve water in the bay area. Rainfall is low, snow level is low, seasons are helter skelter. Wow it sure is scary to think of the future.
So I guess I will resort to my ususal practice - Prayer. I'll pray every single day to God to keep earth bountiful as always, to preserve the environment. Though selfish, I sure am praying for the whole community, world. If you beleive in prayer, please do for a mnt every day. So our children will have a safe life even after when we are not around.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
மனம்
எங்கோ என்றோ நேஞ்சினில்
நினைவால் நிறைந்த நிழல்களும்
இன்றைய வாழ்வில் தினமும்
நிஜத்தின் நிகழும் கனவுகளும
எண்ணதூரிகை ஓவியமாய்
வண்ணக்கலவை சித்திரமாய்
காலச்சுவடுகள் கழிந்தபின்
மணலில் பதிந்த பாதசுவடுகளாய் மனம்...
நினைவால் நிறைந்த நிழல்களும்
இன்றைய வாழ்வில் தினமும்
நிஜத்தின் நிகழும் கனவுகளும
எண்ணதூரிகை ஓவியமாய்
வண்ணக்கலவை சித்திரமாய்
காலச்சுவடுகள் கழிந்தபின்
மணலில் பதிந்த பாதசுவடுகளாய் மனம்...
Monday, November 17, 2008
Elemental Fury
What can we lame mortals do when elements unleash their fury on us? I shudder to think of all the fires in California and elsewhere in the world every day. Just to think about the tsunami - a factor I had never known as intensely as after the devastation it caused around the eastern part of the world, not to mention the earth quakes and volcanos....
We call the world is so advanced. Our scientists and meteolologists can predict the sun shine and rain every day. Can they actually predict the exact time of a tsunami or earth quake and protect the people from being massacared? Are we supposed to take them as the return of what we do to the earth?
The abundance of ugly "politics" in work places, relationships, friendships and the lies, cheating, and all the wrong things we do in our small ways in every day life are collecting together against and like "little drops of water" and turn toward us like a "mighty ocean" some day to settle scores?
Its scary to think about the way the world works today. Just before the week end, three families lost a memeber each. because somebody got mad at the boss in the work place for being sent out.
Joblessness is exruciating. But when we are jobless we are still alive. We can find a way to find a job or work late shifts in Mc Donald's, Starbucks or do something to bring in bread n' water to our family. But is t not cruel to take the liberty to take away life? What is the responsibility of the person who take extreme injustice in ihs own hands? God and its simply unnerving.
As economy tumbles, the basic trust on people seem to slip far away. SO is that why the elements are unable to hold good for people who are not holding good? IS that why we are loosing many innocent, un assuming lives in all those natural disasters? is it a kind of balance?
And I start trying to find explanations for the elemental fury and in a way finding a reason in nature's justice - definitely not a judgement or poetic justice, but a justice none the less.
We call the world is so advanced. Our scientists and meteolologists can predict the sun shine and rain every day. Can they actually predict the exact time of a tsunami or earth quake and protect the people from being massacared? Are we supposed to take them as the return of what we do to the earth?
The abundance of ugly "politics" in work places, relationships, friendships and the lies, cheating, and all the wrong things we do in our small ways in every day life are collecting together against and like "little drops of water" and turn toward us like a "mighty ocean" some day to settle scores?
Its scary to think about the way the world works today. Just before the week end, three families lost a memeber each. because somebody got mad at the boss in the work place for being sent out.
Joblessness is exruciating. But when we are jobless we are still alive. We can find a way to find a job or work late shifts in Mc Donald's, Starbucks or do something to bring in bread n' water to our family. But is t not cruel to take the liberty to take away life? What is the responsibility of the person who take extreme injustice in ihs own hands? God and its simply unnerving.
As economy tumbles, the basic trust on people seem to slip far away. SO is that why the elements are unable to hold good for people who are not holding good? IS that why we are loosing many innocent, un assuming lives in all those natural disasters? is it a kind of balance?
And I start trying to find explanations for the elemental fury and in a way finding a reason in nature's justice - definitely not a judgement or poetic justice, but a justice none the less.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
The long and short of life...
Life doesn't always (may be never) comes served on a silver platter. And absolutely no body cleans up after. So the set backs hit, I turn philosophical!
We don't get a chance determine our birth and our name. So how is that we think we determine our life? Like what we want to be, our job even our everyday activities as far as I am concerned seem to happen the way they pre determined. Well here I am getting confused.
So what exactly happens when traffic gets all clogged up on 85 Saround 5 PM every week day? Logic says too short lane merges and sudden exits causes the rush, but can we accept it when we 're running 3 mnts late, two exits behind for a same day doc appoinment??
Would we want our wonderful loving children to wake up and ask for the RR when we are getting cozy on a cold winter night after an excruciating day?
Many a time had a lain awake in the early morning dark hours thinking I'll wake up exactly at 5:30 and do all my routine things I want to do and start my day afresh. But alas, I'll fall asleep at 5:15 and wake up frantically at 7:15 with barely time to brush, pack lunch and get the kids ready for school. Where did I miss the time? between the wakefulness and sleep that lurked right behind me when I was thinking all those refreshing thoughts at 5:00 AM? Would it have been better if I had awoken at 5:00?
Ah....the "if"s of life....well they make life worth living. Giving optimism and desperation at the same moments!
Prepare to bake a corn bread from scratch and after getting it out the restless child wants it immediately. Tun the pan upside down and lo! instead of a perfect triangle we get a messy rumble. So what next?
We don't get a chance determine our birth and our name. So how is that we think we determine our life? Like what we want to be, our job even our everyday activities as far as I am concerned seem to happen the way they pre determined. Well here I am getting confused.
So what exactly happens when traffic gets all clogged up on 85 Saround 5 PM every week day? Logic says too short lane merges and sudden exits causes the rush, but can we accept it when we 're running 3 mnts late, two exits behind for a same day doc appoinment??
Would we want our wonderful loving children to wake up and ask for the RR when we are getting cozy on a cold winter night after an excruciating day?
Many a time had a lain awake in the early morning dark hours thinking I'll wake up exactly at 5:30 and do all my routine things I want to do and start my day afresh. But alas, I'll fall asleep at 5:15 and wake up frantically at 7:15 with barely time to brush, pack lunch and get the kids ready for school. Where did I miss the time? between the wakefulness and sleep that lurked right behind me when I was thinking all those refreshing thoughts at 5:00 AM? Would it have been better if I had awoken at 5:00?
Ah....the "if"s of life....well they make life worth living. Giving optimism and desperation at the same moments!
Prepare to bake a corn bread from scratch and after getting it out the restless child wants it immediately. Tun the pan upside down and lo! instead of a perfect triangle we get a messy rumble. So what next?
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Marriage
Does matrimony prevent freedom of speech and freedom of expression? If that is the case where is the harmony in the matrimony???
When people fight for prop 8 and call for supporters to say no on 8, they call it love. I heard, no matter what is the gender of the partner, they wanted to call it love and so they have the right to marry. But what do they know about matrimony huh??? What entails a marriage? the complexity? the dependencies? The responsibilities? Children? When two same sex partners "marry" where does everything comes in? Well who denies their unity?they can live together and do whatever they want together. Why the hell they want to call it marriage?
As a cynic, I can say in marriage, to make it work, one person always makes endless sacrifices. Sacrifices that the spouse cannot imagine and understand. That the spouse so rightfully thinks every thing is totally fair, when in reality it is NOT. Are these prop 8 nay sayers aware of all these? Then would they also fight for divorce? When basic values change what morality wil prevail?
If what Bible says is true, God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Adam or Eve and Eve. Nature, God or a supreme scietific powere whatever you believe in, created this world with a perfect balance. Man and Woman and the symbolic representation of the "+" and "_" balance in the world. If we humans defy the balance how can there be creations? Babies, animals, plants and flowers? Would we use cloning for everything? When will these people realize that? Who denies them equality if they are together?? Why in the name of God they want to call it "marrigae" and which selfish midless idiot started this in the first place?
When people fight for prop 8 and call for supporters to say no on 8, they call it love. I heard, no matter what is the gender of the partner, they wanted to call it love and so they have the right to marry. But what do they know about matrimony huh??? What entails a marriage? the complexity? the dependencies? The responsibilities? Children? When two same sex partners "marry" where does everything comes in? Well who denies their unity?they can live together and do whatever they want together. Why the hell they want to call it marriage?
As a cynic, I can say in marriage, to make it work, one person always makes endless sacrifices. Sacrifices that the spouse cannot imagine and understand. That the spouse so rightfully thinks every thing is totally fair, when in reality it is NOT. Are these prop 8 nay sayers aware of all these? Then would they also fight for divorce? When basic values change what morality wil prevail?
If what Bible says is true, God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Adam or Eve and Eve. Nature, God or a supreme scietific powere whatever you believe in, created this world with a perfect balance. Man and Woman and the symbolic representation of the "+" and "_" balance in the world. If we humans defy the balance how can there be creations? Babies, animals, plants and flowers? Would we use cloning for everything? When will these people realize that? Who denies them equality if they are together?? Why in the name of God they want to call it "marrigae" and which selfish midless idiot started this in the first place?
The day History is made...
Barack Obama - president elect. November 4, 2008.
Obama makes a dream come true. In 1963 Martin Luther King Jr. very bravely dreamt of a change. He said "Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning". The same way 2008 is not an end of a dream. its just the beginning of a long arduous journey, a dream that Obama should hold dear to heart and work, work with the people and for the people as he powerfully stated in his acceptence speech.
So, The change has arrived. It had taken a long winding journey, nevertheless it has arrived. God Bless Obama and God Bless this wonderful country.
From MLK's oration:
"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."²"
I still have my little score - Obama should have had Hillary for VP. But its okey, I am sure he and Biden can do a great job to revive America from the downfall.
Congratulations Obama. You said today you will isten to the people, especiallywhen the views disagree. Listen, listen to the people. And work for us. We'll support you with thoughts, deeds and prayers.
Obama makes a dream come true. In 1963 Martin Luther King Jr. very bravely dreamt of a change. He said "Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning". The same way 2008 is not an end of a dream. its just the beginning of a long arduous journey, a dream that Obama should hold dear to heart and work, work with the people and for the people as he powerfully stated in his acceptence speech.
So, The change has arrived. It had taken a long winding journey, nevertheless it has arrived. God Bless Obama and God Bless this wonderful country.
From MLK's oration:
"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."²"
I still have my little score - Obama should have had Hillary for VP. But its okey, I am sure he and Biden can do a great job to revive America from the downfall.
Congratulations Obama. You said today you will isten to the people, especiallywhen the views disagree. Listen, listen to the people. And work for us. We'll support you with thoughts, deeds and prayers.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Friends...
The transformation of life from carefree single to a married person itself is a huge metamorphosis for many women. Combine that with a journey to the unknown, well not really an unknown place - as we all read, learn or atleast watch Indian movies taken abroad. But nevertheless, a journey far far away from the security of home with only the person you barely know! Who keeps the life going? getting settled. For a lucky few its friends.
Friends come in all shapes and sizes, colors and races. We can have a huge array friends but its with only a few or we can be ourselves, unpretentious - our simple self. What to call it....an honest friendship?? A person with whom we can discuss everything still can understand our fine line. Not very overpwoering, demanding or possesive, but simple, understanding and pretty much no nonsense kind..I am blessed with quiet a few such wonderful people in my life.
The river of life keeps flowing and we, have to float with our life's journey. One such journey is taking a friend too far....with all the simple hearty honesty, I am sure "like gold to airy thinness beat" we'll continue long distance...
Friends come in all shapes and sizes, colors and races. We can have a huge array friends but its with only a few or we can be ourselves, unpretentious - our simple self. What to call it....an honest friendship?? A person with whom we can discuss everything still can understand our fine line. Not very overpwoering, demanding or possesive, but simple, understanding and pretty much no nonsense kind..I am blessed with quiet a few such wonderful people in my life.
The river of life keeps flowing and we, have to float with our life's journey. One such journey is taking a friend too far....with all the simple hearty honesty, I am sure "like gold to airy thinness beat" we'll continue long distance...
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
VaiKo..who is going to stop his non sense?
Tamilnadu politicians - will they ever stop? I was just reading this article about the VaiKo &co meetings about Tamil Eelam and man I just cannot stop getting madder and madder until I got this splitting head ache. IS there any stop to their non stop idiotic rhetoric? All their intention in helping Tamil's in Sri Lanka is okey. I have nothing against it. But how the hell can they talk about "Tamil Eelam" and "Thani Tamilnadu" in the same breath? Are they all absolute fools? From what I have read about VaiKo I had always thought that man is a widely read, literate person. Why the hell he talks about divisiveness in Tamilnadu? Who wants to do it? When the stupid "Katchi Thondarhal" hear about it, they will follow their leaders like sheeps and shout, rally and fight for seperation. But Inida is an entity where Tamilnadu is a part. Why the hell these politicians want to bring death to the growth by playing politics?? I still cannot understand the so called Dravidian politics refusing the knowledge and right to learn Hindi in TN for so long. Stupidity and politics are becoming synonymous in TN these days. I wish someone puts a curb to this non sense as soon as possible.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
$8 B for Home owner's rescue??
Math as never been one of my strong points, yet I cannot quell this nagging question that is all mathematical. So now a chunk of the $700B goes to rescue home owners to reatain their ownership. Whose money is that and why should it go to the home owner??
The home owner when bought the million dollar home had a $150 K per year income and knew very well the home is beyond their league. But they got a huge loan from the bank and bought a new home to live, enjoy or flaunt whatever. The market get hit and they are unable to pay up the mortgages. Just exactly whose mistakes are these? Buying far higher than what one can afford and making a loan to someone who will not have any back up plans or unable to pay?? The real estate agents, loan appraisers everybody get rich with the fat commissions in making somebody a home owner...But now its the average joe who pays for the rescue. What happened to common sense inplanning?
Why is the legislatures and lawmakers not going to the root of the problem to correct issues? What they are doing now is like trying to give intense medical treatment to the branch of a huge tree, but actually its the root thats rotten. Unless the root is taken care of immediately, the tree eventually is going to die.
I am not sure who can help in this situation except God to save the unassuming average joes.
The home owner when bought the million dollar home had a $150 K per year income and knew very well the home is beyond their league. But they got a huge loan from the bank and bought a new home to live, enjoy or flaunt whatever. The market get hit and they are unable to pay up the mortgages. Just exactly whose mistakes are these? Buying far higher than what one can afford and making a loan to someone who will not have any back up plans or unable to pay?? The real estate agents, loan appraisers everybody get rich with the fat commissions in making somebody a home owner...But now its the average joe who pays for the rescue. What happened to common sense inplanning?
Why is the legislatures and lawmakers not going to the root of the problem to correct issues? What they are doing now is like trying to give intense medical treatment to the branch of a huge tree, but actually its the root thats rotten. Unless the root is taken care of immediately, the tree eventually is going to die.
I am not sure who can help in this situation except God to save the unassuming average joes.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Politics - wishful thinking...
The hype about Rajni's political entry has been ebbing and flowing for longer than necessary. I guess it all started in 1996 when he supported then victorious party after five years of anarchism and sent a plea to people to "save" TN. From the boiler to the oven was the situation then and that trend continues.
As an actor, though he did not know the tools of the trade (like acting, dancing etc) Rajni created a mass with his style and charisma. But is the style enough for governance? for politics?? Does hehave what it takes to do politics in TN?? Being a "good" person is just not enough qualifications for politics in TN. Why his "rasigar mandram" is so hyped up about dragging him into the murky waters?
Why dont somebody high in power create a set of Qualifications, Job descriptions for the governing positions? If the requirements in Education, and years of experience in a political party and public life is defined to become eligible for an MLA, MP, Chief Minister and Ministers in state and country, life would become better and we can experience a better Republic in India. That case most of our current "political" leaders will pathetically fail.
Least of all every person wanting to become a politician and should be made to read and master the national and regional history and Indian constitutional rights. Would something like this ever happen???
As an actor, though he did not know the tools of the trade (like acting, dancing etc) Rajni created a mass with his style and charisma. But is the style enough for governance? for politics?? Does hehave what it takes to do politics in TN?? Being a "good" person is just not enough qualifications for politics in TN. Why his "rasigar mandram" is so hyped up about dragging him into the murky waters?
Why dont somebody high in power create a set of Qualifications, Job descriptions for the governing positions? If the requirements in Education, and years of experience in a political party and public life is defined to become eligible for an MLA, MP, Chief Minister and Ministers in state and country, life would become better and we can experience a better Republic in India. That case most of our current "political" leaders will pathetically fail.
Least of all every person wanting to become a politician and should be made to read and master the national and regional history and Indian constitutional rights. Would something like this ever happen???
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Political entertaintment or Entertaining politics?
What the heck is happening in TN politics??? Just Who is governing people?? What do they do to budget, govern and protect the state at large???? What has entertainment industry to do with politics? Especially the largest entertainment industry, cinema - what does it have to do with the kuppan, suppan and appan in the rural TN working their life away for every single meal??
I just read a news article on Karunanidhi and his daughter Kanimozhi. These two people, being plunged nose deep(should i say neck deep??) in TN politics are releasing audio cassette for a movie by Prakash raj "Abhiyum Nanum", the claim being this movie is about a father and daugter so its only apt that MK and his daughter release the cd or cassette whatever.
How can we/public can be soooooooooo naive to take these Cheif Ministers and ministers taking part in petty audio release and movie launcing programs? Oh my God to think of how the cinema and TN politics is so intertwined and all messed up "My heart aches and a drowsy numbness pains..."
Here I am raving and ranting like a toad in dark muddy midnight waters, who ever will start thinking about the sheer stupidity of getting all entertainters onto politics? Getting into cinema industry in TN is becoming the necessary qualification for getting an identity into politics. To read of everybody's dreams for the "Mudalvar Narkali"... is that some sort of musical chair for everyone from Vijay to Vadivelu to dream about? Lets get the entertainers out of politics. Let all politicians do their job for people and do not do "Politics" with cinema. Jesters and poets entertainmed Kings, but they didn't take over ruling the country those days. If a jester becmes a King TN will just become like the fictitious place in "Irubathu Moonram Pulikesi". Let us wake up.
I just read a news article on Karunanidhi and his daughter Kanimozhi. These two people, being plunged nose deep(should i say neck deep??) in TN politics are releasing audio cassette for a movie by Prakash raj "Abhiyum Nanum", the claim being this movie is about a father and daugter so its only apt that MK and his daughter release the cd or cassette whatever.
How can we/public can be soooooooooo naive to take these Cheif Ministers and ministers taking part in petty audio release and movie launcing programs? Oh my God to think of how the cinema and TN politics is so intertwined and all messed up "My heart aches and a drowsy numbness pains..."
Here I am raving and ranting like a toad in dark muddy midnight waters, who ever will start thinking about the sheer stupidity of getting all entertainters onto politics? Getting into cinema industry in TN is becoming the necessary qualification for getting an identity into politics. To read of everybody's dreams for the "Mudalvar Narkali"... is that some sort of musical chair for everyone from Vijay to Vadivelu to dream about? Lets get the entertainers out of politics. Let all politicians do their job for people and do not do "Politics" with cinema. Jesters and poets entertainmed Kings, but they didn't take over ruling the country those days. If a jester becmes a King TN will just become like the fictitious place in "Irubathu Moonram Pulikesi". Let us wake up.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Eat Pray Love - Elizabeth Gilbert
I just finshed reading this book. Finished it not because I consider this as the greatest bestseller. I even wonder why and how this is a bestseller....The author has published her diary, that too not very captivating for my expectation.
Then why did I start reading it at all? The title was very captivating and talks about all the three things I love to do - Eat, Pray and Love. Well not to get inot a serious criticism, I have to admit she has some brilliant sentences.
Read this " Silence and solitude are universally recognized as spiritual practices, and there are good reasons for this. Learning how to discipline your speech is a way of preventing your energies from spilling out of you through the rupture of your mouth (how very brilliant), exhausting you and filling the world with words, words, words instead of serenity, peace and bliss." So few more such sentences are scattered, just a few more. I wish she had cut down on the self analysis through out and wrote more on the above line. But I guess as readers we cannot resist reading other's personal diary if we get a chance.
Be it a celebrity or another un assuming non existant personality, secretly or openly knowing what they think and do always has a magical aura of mystery.
Then why did I start reading it at all? The title was very captivating and talks about all the three things I love to do - Eat, Pray and Love. Well not to get inot a serious criticism, I have to admit she has some brilliant sentences.
Read this " Silence and solitude are universally recognized as spiritual practices, and there are good reasons for this. Learning how to discipline your speech is a way of preventing your energies from spilling out of you through the rupture of your mouth (how very brilliant), exhausting you and filling the world with words, words, words instead of serenity, peace and bliss." So few more such sentences are scattered, just a few more. I wish she had cut down on the self analysis through out and wrote more on the above line. But I guess as readers we cannot resist reading other's personal diary if we get a chance.
Be it a celebrity or another un assuming non existant personality, secretly or openly knowing what they think and do always has a magical aura of mystery.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Coffin
My bath tub is designed in the shape of the coffin.
Everytime I head to the bathroom I just cannot stop thinking of how coffins originated. Well yes, I am very much familiar with mummified remains of ancient Greek kingdom and coffins ofcourse are as old as civlization. I remember in some John Keats poetry, was it Ode to Autumn or greecian Urn?, not sure...he has written about the Urns and my professor back in college talked about coffins when we read that poem in class.
So how do the coffin makers feel when they make it? May be this question is inappropriate at this period, now everything is mechanized for mass production. But I believed until recently coffins were made by hand. What criteria they used to choose the wood and how did they decide on the traditional shape? Because the hands are folded did they want a breadth on the top part of the coffin? They know (Obviously) they are making the coffin for a person who lived, breathed, loved, hated, thought, ate etc etc..just like any of us. Do they onlymake coffins in one size? One size that fit all?
Its very funny I get such questions, but I am sure my bath tub is shaped like a coffin. I wish I could talk to a coffin maker...
Everytime I head to the bathroom I just cannot stop thinking of how coffins originated. Well yes, I am very much familiar with mummified remains of ancient Greek kingdom and coffins ofcourse are as old as civlization. I remember in some John Keats poetry, was it Ode to Autumn or greecian Urn?, not sure...he has written about the Urns and my professor back in college talked about coffins when we read that poem in class.
So how do the coffin makers feel when they make it? May be this question is inappropriate at this period, now everything is mechanized for mass production. But I believed until recently coffins were made by hand. What criteria they used to choose the wood and how did they decide on the traditional shape? Because the hands are folded did they want a breadth on the top part of the coffin? They know (Obviously) they are making the coffin for a person who lived, breathed, loved, hated, thought, ate etc etc..just like any of us. Do they onlymake coffins in one size? One size that fit all?
Its very funny I get such questions, but I am sure my bath tub is shaped like a coffin. I wish I could talk to a coffin maker...
Beach!
Even with hydrophobia, I love watching the vast expanse of ocean and playing with waves. But, waves had always been as elusive as the dragon fly I could never catch as a child. The fact that I lived just a few miles away from the sea shore didn't help me to get any close encounter with waves. Bay of bengal being quiet on my side of India never created anyting more than a ripple whenever I had a chance to visit the Seaside village and the sea shore hidden among debris.
California sea shores are enchanting and enigmatic to me in a very satisfying way.But I didnt get my first encounter with waves until 2002, in Scott creek Beach, California. Tucked on a beautiful crevice on highway 1, Scott creek beach offers magical moments of beauty, pleasure and wisdom if we care to spend a few minutes or hours on the shore, just looking at the ocean.
On a windy evening, we were standng on the beach and picking up colored stones, joking we are picking somebody's lost treasures. I was completely pregnant with my first one. Suddenly I heard my husband call, "RUN". I realized it was a big wave after getting hit and struggling to get up from the wet sand!! I am sure the wave, seeing my interest in waves wanted to give me a welcome hug! We witnessed a spectacular sunset that day on the beach!
Manresa (Near Santa Cruz) is another beach where waves sometimes are as high as three feet on normal business days and even weekends! Couple of weeks ago, as my friends wanted to have a closer encounter with waves and walked closer into the water, I was (kind of should I say scared?) not ready to wade into the water. But when they teased me, I braced myself and walked about 2 feet deep into the ocean. Wow to experience the waves slamming into you....
The uncertainity of the height of the waves, loosing your footing, slipping sand, returning water pushing from back....just like the way life teases us when we are ready and forces us with a dramatic clash when we are simply not! If only we can develop the relentless perseverence of the waves...slamming the shores forever through the ages.
California sea shores are enchanting and enigmatic to me in a very satisfying way.But I didnt get my first encounter with waves until 2002, in Scott creek Beach, California. Tucked on a beautiful crevice on highway 1, Scott creek beach offers magical moments of beauty, pleasure and wisdom if we care to spend a few minutes or hours on the shore, just looking at the ocean.
On a windy evening, we were standng on the beach and picking up colored stones, joking we are picking somebody's lost treasures. I was completely pregnant with my first one. Suddenly I heard my husband call, "RUN". I realized it was a big wave after getting hit and struggling to get up from the wet sand!! I am sure the wave, seeing my interest in waves wanted to give me a welcome hug! We witnessed a spectacular sunset that day on the beach!
Manresa (Near Santa Cruz) is another beach where waves sometimes are as high as three feet on normal business days and even weekends! Couple of weeks ago, as my friends wanted to have a closer encounter with waves and walked closer into the water, I was (kind of should I say scared?) not ready to wade into the water. But when they teased me, I braced myself and walked about 2 feet deep into the ocean. Wow to experience the waves slamming into you....
The uncertainity of the height of the waves, loosing your footing, slipping sand, returning water pushing from back....just like the way life teases us when we are ready and forces us with a dramatic clash when we are simply not! If only we can develop the relentless perseverence of the waves...slamming the shores forever through the ages.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Assumptions
The whirlwind of emotions, intentional an un intenional words used for and against one another and the terrible assumptions these word create in everybody's mind can be as deadly dangerous as any hurricane. We being social animals look for similarities in people to group together and like to identify ourselves with a group of like minded indiviuals.
Life, without these individuals to share a laugh, story or a tear will be bleak (for some). So where does the assumption come in? When people forget "we are group" and try to connect at a higher level with one person as a "closer friend", things start getting funny. So meeting out of the group and talking frequently with more familiarity increases the assumptions among others in the group.
We learn life's important lessons from all experiences. From one such experience came this knowledge. When you are in a group, be only a team player and NEVER sport personal favourites. DO NOT gossip about the group within the group. Never "confess" your feelings about people to whoever you think is your friend. They might be closer to the other person involved!
Robert Frost rightly said in Mending Wall, "Good Fences make good neighbors". Ours might be all apple orchards and our neighbors all prunes. Still having a boundary, a wall, and keep it well mended has a great effect on the relationship between neighbors. Not just for neighbors, but in every single relationship, be it family or social circle, a clear understanding of our "wall" will defnitely keep us from many intruders!!
Lessons learned enriches personality!
Life, without these individuals to share a laugh, story or a tear will be bleak (for some). So where does the assumption come in? When people forget "we are group" and try to connect at a higher level with one person as a "closer friend", things start getting funny. So meeting out of the group and talking frequently with more familiarity increases the assumptions among others in the group.
We learn life's important lessons from all experiences. From one such experience came this knowledge. When you are in a group, be only a team player and NEVER sport personal favourites. DO NOT gossip about the group within the group. Never "confess" your feelings about people to whoever you think is your friend. They might be closer to the other person involved!
Robert Frost rightly said in Mending Wall, "Good Fences make good neighbors". Ours might be all apple orchards and our neighbors all prunes. Still having a boundary, a wall, and keep it well mended has a great effect on the relationship between neighbors. Not just for neighbors, but in every single relationship, be it family or social circle, a clear understanding of our "wall" will defnitely keep us from many intruders!!
Lessons learned enriches personality!
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