One of my favorite pick-me ups............

When things in your lives seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous "yes." The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things--your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else---the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you. "Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand." One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

Movie b(l)uff

I noted sumthin quite surprising....while i make it a point to watch almost every movie tht is churned out of the Bollywood factory (I even watched 'Jo bole so Nihaal' and 'Neal n Nikki'...Aha) I never get down to giving / penning down reviews...I can really never think beyond a couple of phrases about every movie. Most of them can be done with -'go watch it', 'avoid' or 'check it out if u hv nothn else to do'.
I am actually amazed at how many blogs get created for the primary purpose of movie reviewing...of takin the trouble to type out the story (Oh wait...is tht a Ctrl C Ctrl V thingy of the prev blog?) and commentin on the actors/ directors/ etc. Most movies dont deserve this distinction. As far as I can see....movies r hits or flops before they make it to the multiplexes. Its SRK / Hrithik.....people wud watch it....mostly irrespective of the reviews. Its Uday Chopra / Dino Morea.....u need to gift a free ticket to Paris. Then there r some ppl like me (Its we who run the show!) who watch almost everythin, purely a force of habit. So what does a review do really?
It influences a minority population about a miniscule number of movies which r somewhere between 'must watch' and 'oh puhleeeese'. Hmm interesting :)
Any1 seen 'Race' ?

Time to get all mathy!

Something interesting i found online........

Over the weekend, I filled up my car's fuel tank, and I thought fuel has become really expensive after the recent price hike. But then I compared it with other common liquids and did some quick calculations, and I felt a little better.
To know why, see the results below - you'll be surprised at how outrageous some other prices are !
Diesel (regular) in Mumbai : Rs.36.08 per litre
Petrol (speed) in Mumbai : Rs.52 per litre
Coca Cola 330 ml can : Rs.20 = Rs.61 per litre
Dettol antiseptic 100 ml Rs.20 = Rs.200 per litre
Radiator coolant 500 ml Rs.160 = Rs.320 per litre
Pantene conditioner 400 ml Rs.165 = Rs.413 per litre
Medicinal mouthwash like Listerine 100 ml Rs.45 = Rs. 450 per litre
Red Bull 150 ml can : Rs.75 = Rs.500 per litre
Corex cough syrup 100 ml Rs.57 = Rs. 570 per litre
Evian water 500 ml Rs. 330 = Rs. 660 per litre Rs. 500 for a litre of WATER???!!!
And the buyers don't even know the source (Evian spelled backwards is Naive.)
Kores whiteout 15 ml Rs. 15 = Rs. 1000 per litre
Cup of coffee at any decent business hotel 150 ml Rs. 175 = Rs. 1167 per litre
Old Spice after shave lotion 100 ml Rs. 175 = Rs. 1750 per litre
Pure almond oil 25 ml Rs. 68 = Rs. 2720 per litre
And this is the REAL KICKER...
HP deskjet colour ink cartridge 21 ml Rs.1900 = Rs. 90476 per litre!!!
Now you know why computer printers are so cheap ? So they have you hooked for the ink !.
So, the next time you're at the pump, don't curse our honorable Petroleum minister - just be glad your car doesn't run on cough syrup, after shave, coffee, or God forbid, printer ink !

Now thts me :)

OK...now thts me in a nutshell! Cos i believe 'wot we like determines who we r'

I love -

Books :) a biblomaniac to the core......fiction, non-fiction, pulp fiction, autobiographies, history, philosophy, finance, business, marketing, u name it..i read it!!! My childhood dream was to be a librarian....thot i could just read the whole day and be paid for it!!!

Movies :) Actually its pretty much like the book story...i watch all movies...hindi, english, tamil and any other language with subtitiles ...comedy, romance, horror, thriller...u gettin the drift rite???? welll....a secret desire is to direct a movie...maybe someday when i retire................

Dilbert :) He's my icon for humor...I can swear anywhere Scot Adams is the funniest guy in the world. So Mr.Dilly here represents my undying love and admiration for SA as also to stress on my humorous side. tickle! tickle!

Diamond :) More particularly a solitaire :D well thts 1 cliche i fell for....girl's friend et al....come stay with me pal!

Dance :) Tough one to explain but the easiest to experience......made me go over the moon everytime. Need to get back to it asap (Must Must Must!)

Temple :) Particularly Mr.Balaji's Tirupati. Can't get over tht absolute feeling of awe for those nanosecs i get to see him. Comin again vry soon!!!

India :) Havin studied in Swami Vivekanand School (One popular line from him -ask not what ur country can do for u..ask what u can do for your country!) I am still figurin out what to do for

Mera Bharat Mahan. Well...not leavin to settle abroad for starters !

Bungee :) This signifies my luv for adventure and freedom.....I am told its an exhilarating experience. Its on the top of my 'to do before i die' list.

Music :) Tried singing.....dont hv much of 'the feel for music' though. But a good number can get me on my toes or serenade or be a comforting lullaby......We need them all sometimes

Pizza :) Its high calorie, I am over weight, its forbidden...........Bingo! Man always goes for the forbidden fruit now, does'nt he??

Sudoku :) Not intelligent enuf for crosswords but logic is so my forte! Also helps in buildin the 'number cruncher' image!

Paragliding :) Well.....freedom, adventure...have'nt we heard it all. With all the stress in life rite now I could jump off the 8th floor of my office now!

Salsa :) Oh so graceful and so romantic.....hv to get hubby dear to agree to this!

Religion :) Its important, part of my identity tht i do not wish to shake off. (mental note -remember ur promise to learn more on this front)

Roses :) Red roses....the ultimate picture of beauty!

Cash :) Oh yeah...I am materialistic and all. Lets face it....its money tht makes the world go round.

Violin :) The most melodious instrument in the world....always wanted to marry someone who plays the violin.......ahem ! ahem! is someone listenin??

Chocolates :) Signify happy moments, celebrations, joy, good news, the like......life is delicious!!!!

Ice-creams :) Hv some crazy connection in my head between ice-creams and rains....always dash out for a scoop when it begins to pour....thts been a start to many adventures ;)

So long then....................

Cool one-liners

Am sure this must be sumthin u've read sum place else, but nevertheless check these out-

• The recipe for romantic success is simple : loyalty without suspicion and love without neediness


• Good judgement comes from experience...so cherish all experiences as you never know what may come handy


• To make your life grand and complete just overcome all your fears and go ahead


• Money isn't everything...But it isn't lesser than anything...so value it !


• Even if the only steps u can take are baby steps, move towards what brings you joy and satisfaction


• Rehearsing your acceptance speech for your first academy award is fun, but u might want to take acting lessons as well


• Never judge people with the "honey and money" they have, don't judge even by their hearts, as who are u to judge??


• keep reminding urself tht u can never feel fabulous when u neglect ur own needs to meet others' requirements


• There's a thin line between genius and insanity.......which side of the line are u?


• Old is gold, but whats the harm in experimenting


• Change accordingly before life changes u unwillingly


• Success and failure are neither final nor fatal


• If u feel the need to disagree, then disagree agreeably [I agree :)]


• Have unlimited dreams...atleast some might be fulfilled


• Make someone's day with your charming bright smile :)
• Divide and rule .....divide ur time between work and love, and u will rule!!!

Have a nice day folks !!!

Mumbai -so very Amchi Mumbai

I love U Mumbai! Gosh i do!!!!! :)

U have been my home for almost 3 decades now...having seen me as a toddler, having schooled me, witnessed my adolesent crushes, given me my first job, shaped my outlook, instilled in me the confidence to face the world chin up and soothed me when I felt blue :) The last bit surprises ppl but U gave me the anonimity which was deeply soothing. I felt secure in your huge crowds where no one stared at me or asked unneccessary questions. I loved your huge crowds which came pouring out like your signature rainfall to help in a catastrophe. Mumbai, U gave me the option of being alone when i needed to and people when i wanted them.
I miss u Mumbai dearest! Chennai is nice but its not u:( The freedom, the space, the secured feeling, the roadside chaats and tapri ki chai, the heated debates with random strangers on an India-Pak match, the downpour, the crazy but organized traffic, trains bursting on its seams but nonstop nevertheless, the friendly cabbies and considerate conductors, CCD and Baristas (I know they exist all over the country but sumthing is missin there!), the Udipi restuarants and Gujarati thalis (This is almost non-existent in Chennai), Tuesday queues at Siddhi Vinayak and the Dalal Street buzz!
Oh my....I can just go on but i need to get going....to bargain with the auto guy in Chennai(tht shud be a whole new post)....seeya !!
Luv u Mumbai.....u ROCK :D