Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Re : Leibster Blog Award


Let me congratulate Deepak Raghuraman for his dual Leibster Award :)

He has posted some terrific questions in his post at his blog Get Inspired !!!!!!!

And here are his questions and my answers for them..

1) What is the most happiest moment day in your life and why ?
- I would say every moment of my life is the happiest moment. Life is blessing from God, and a life with so much pleasures is the greatest, one can receive from God. So I enjoy every moment of life.

2) Who is the one person who inspires you most and why ?
- A difficult question, as many people have inspired me in various ways and it's a hard one to choose a single person. Still if it's one person who has inspired me the most, it is Swami Vivekananda. I love reading his anecdotes. I have always adored the way he lived and the examples he has set for the generations to come. He was very much ahead of his times.

3) How you want to see yourself in the next 3 years ?
- Ahh!! Honestly I don't have a clear idea, to answer this question. Anyway i'd be doing my higher studies and please don't ask about it, as I have many ideas and I haven't narrowed down to a particular one.

4) If you have given an opportunity to create and implement one social awareness campaign, what would it be ?
- Public Hygiene and Cleanliness. 

5) What is the best blog you have ever read (Can restrict to blogs of CBC members) ?
- You're dragging me into trouble :D Honestly the blog(s) of everyone at CBC are great in one way or the other. So I can never choose a single one.

6) Education or Experience – What would you vote for ? You should select one and tell why ?
- Both are very necessary for a person to get voted. But I feel experience gains a upper hand. That's because education alone cannot make one a good politician (I assume that you asked this question with respect to getting voted in a political election) Experience is very much needed, to know the nuances and tactics of politics.

7) You are given an option to have a conversation with one person, who is no more. Who will you choose and why ?
- M.S.Subbulakshmi. Just for the sake of hearing her voice in person, i'd like to have a conversation with her.

8) What did you want to be when you are a child and what you are now and what you want to be in future ?
- I had so many dreams while I was a child..wanted to draw, read, write, sing, etc.. And now i'm doing most of them ;) The future is bright and hopeful, still i'm ready to face anything that comes my way. I don't have a perfect plan for the future.

9) Make a rhythmic prefixes for the 7 days of week . Eg: Super Sunday, Marvellous Monday etc.,
- Super Sunday (Thanks for the example)
Monstrous Monday
Terrible Tuesday
Worn-out Wednesday
Tiresome Thursday
Fantastic Friday
Splendorous Saturday

10) What is the Best and Worst in Blogging ?
- The best of blogging that happened to me is CBC :) In general, blogging is more than just typing our heart out. It gives an individual a good social presence. 
The worst is that some folks don't understand the meaning of staying within their limit, in terms of blogging. Plagiarism is yet another bad face of blogging.

11) If a movie was made about your life, what would be the title for the movie and who will you chose to play the lead role ?
- Answering the second part of your question, I can never play the lead role, coz i'm poor in acting! Frankly saying, I can't emote well for the situation. Happy or sad, any situation will bring the same look in my face. While typing this i'm getting a thought..maybe being emotion-less is my attribute and I can portray the character of 'Kaushik' better than anyone else :D
Now coming to the first part of the question, the 'known part of my life' is a very very simple story which cannot even feed a single episode of a mega-serial, let alone making a film. And i'm not ready to let out the secrets of my life (which may probably make a good entertainer :P)

God Bless

Wordless Wednesday #2


This post is part of The Chennai Bloggers Club's Wordless Wednesday series initiated to keep the spirit of blogging alive and challenging.





Monday, March 11, 2013

Facebook #2 - Etiquette (The lack of it)

"I'd never stop if I keep writing about FB, and that should be the case with most of us, as we have had so much of indulgence with FB. Happy Reading, Happy FBing", thus saying I concluded the post Facebook, which was posted a few weeks back. And I begin the second part of the post with the same lines (Andhadhi1 Style :P) 

I wanted to update a status on the 'Etiquette' that has to be followed, and not being followed in Facebook. Since it's a lengthy lament, it's better that I post it here.

Basically the word 'Etiquette' means behaving in a professional and decent manner. Don't ask me where I got this definition. Blogging even without such basic knowledge would the 'EPIC facepalm moment of the century'


Image Courtesy - Facebook

Facebook is meant to connect with the people we know and make new friends and be in touch them. It's okay to make a part of our lives public and get our share of 'likes', 'comments' and 'shares'. And it's fun to return these favors. The problem (my problem) starts when someone crosses the gossamer thread. Tagging me in photos which are highly irrelevant to me, posting stupid posts on my wall, and the possibilities seem endless. Still funny is the fact that people are bothered about the likes and comments that I make. I can only hope and pray that these people get a life - a life which isn't obsessed with silly things.

For an example, during the Valentine's season last month, there were a hell lot of people who tagged me in photos, of which some gave out the meaning of love (as claimed to be), some giving the advantages of being single, some which gave color codes to follow on V day and what not! Of course FB gives me the option to choose whether to have the tag or remove it. That and friendship apart, why drag me into this non-sense? 

Still worse the comments which my posts attract. By the standards of FB and also the standards that I've set for myself, I make sure that I post well mannered stuff on my timeline. The fussy comments on these harmless posts make me go wild often. The 'Anniyan' in me wakes up when the comments contain phrases like "when did your job start and what is your starting pay?" (This comment on my profile picture), "what did you talk with her in the phone?" (On a harmless status), "with whom did you go to the film?" (On a status about the film which I saw) Believe me, these have happened! Wish I had taken a screenshots of those, so that it'd be useful to make this post more colorful :D

FB gives the facility to personally message me, and what is the need for this absurdity? When I remove the rubbish done by them, they get 'offended' and this small strain leads to a bigger rift.

I can post many more examples and you can recollect many such incidents involving yourselves.

This may not be an important social issue that needs any attention. But an annoyance that needs a full stop. 

Still more to come. Happy reading and Happy FBing with etiquette :)

God Bless

-----

Andhadhi - A style of writing, where the context starts with the ending word/phrase of its previous one.

Friday, March 8, 2013

Friday Flowers


This post is part of The Chennai Bloggers Club's Flower Friday series initiated to keep the spirit of blogging alive and challenging.


Flowers are one of the most beautiful things that occur in nature. The beauty that they possess and the fragrance that they spread have attracted millions of bees and poets alike.


"As a tree laden with scented flowers spreads fragrance in the forest, a worthy son brings glory to the whole family", so says Chanakya ( Reference for the exact quote ) Of course in today's world, it can be re-quoted as...a worthy child brings glory to the whole family.. Such glory and honor is commanded by the flower which stands as a mark of 'beauty with pride'.

Every great poet has described the flower in all its glory in their works. How can one forget mentioning one of the most popular quote on flower, while posting about flowers - "A Rose is a Rose is a Rose"


Right from the Stone Age, man has always labored to recreate the glories of nature in his own ways. And flowers are his most favorite. From the engravings of the pre-historic caves, to the paintings that adorn a recently constructed home, flowers have been represented everywhere. This proves that the love, which man had on flowers, begins from the day one of the history of man and it continues to the present day.

Flowers have been a part of every person's life. Flowers are the main hosts in the festive of any culture. No festival or occasion goes without the presence of fragrant flowers. 


Flowers can also been used to describe the variety of life. The various colors of flowers represent the various emotions and situations of life. Some may be good, some bad, some pleasant, some heart-wrenching, some bright, some boring. Its the combination of the flowers of various colors that make a beautiful garden. In the same manner, its the combination of the various emotions that makes life beautiful and interesting.


Adding a personal quote, one of my favorite poems on flowers is 'The Lily and The Rose' by William Cowper ( Full Poem - The Lily and The Rose ). It is a poem in which both these flowers fight within themselves for the post of 'The Queen of Flowers'. I had this poem in my English syllabus at school. If I were the judge to choose among them, clearly I'd have chosen Lily as 'The Queen of Flowers', as its my personal favorite. I love the fragrance of lilies more than any other one. I love walking about the flower market at Pondy Bazar which abounds in lilies.

So keep revering the qualities of flowers, which is a gift to mankind from God, and do good like them.

God Bless

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Sthree



Life Giving as a Mother,
Caressing as a Grand-Mother..

Nurturing as Nature,
Though fluctuating as Temperature..

Naughty personified Sister,
Beauty personified Life-Partner..

Gentle as the Breeze,
Unpredictable as the Sneeze..

Strict as a Teacher,
Still calm as a Preacher..

Happy as a Baby,
You are sharp and Savvy..

Will fight many a Combat,
Make a home cozy and Compact..

Can bake a good Egg,
And break a strong Leg..

Be a man's Wife,
Add meaning to his Life..

Epitome of Courage,
You are no Mirage..

Oh beautiful Sthree,
There's no parallel to Thee..
This, a dedication by me.







Liebster Blog Award

This is my first Liebster Blog Award and I should thank Kamakshi for it :)
Here is Kamakshi's Blog - http://keigetswings.blogspot.in/

Now the rules (copied and pasted)

Each person must post 11 things about themselves. (Honesty is the best Policy)
Answer the questions that the tagger set for you .
Choose 11 people and link them in your post.
- Create 11 questions for the people you've tagged to answer.
Go to their page and tell them.
No tag backs!

The 11 things about me

1. I love to spend time alone, but that doesn't mean I don't like the moments that I spend with my friends. I cherish the time that I spend with my friends as much as the time I spend alone.

2. I consider myself to be very spiritual and 0% religious. I feel there exists a lot of difference between the two and I have managed to maintain the differences well in my life.

3. I love cartoons and I try to watch any cartoon for a few minutes everyday. My favorite cartoon character is Bugs Bunny.

4. I love to experiment with food, but within the constraint of being vegetarian. Even after trying a variety of food, my all time favorite is curd rice ;)

5. I love people who are straight forward and I wont mind even if they're a bit rude. But I can never tolerate people who talk behind a person.

6. I love secrets and would never cheat a person by revealing his/her secret. That's the reason many of my friends confess their secrets to me.

7. I love fantasy and would like to write a fantasy novel, sometime in my life.

8. I hate the sound of tearing papers.

9. I love all forms of art and cherish experimenting with them, but will never support degradation of art in name of being modern, bold or anything.

10. I hate the number 11. So the next point goes blank :P

11. 


The 11 questions from Kamakshi and my answers

1. What is love according to you?
A. Love is something divine and it cannot be forced upon someone. It must occur on its own.

2. What is the one thing you want to change in your life?
A. I'm a very difficult person and cannot be easily satisfied, though I don't show off my dissatisfaction. I want to be a more easy person.

3. How often do you use swear words?
A. Not very often.

4. What do you think about my blog? How can I improve? -Link-
A. Your blog looks great. The best thing about your blog is the pictures. They look awesome! Areas of improvement, I don't have any points. But will inform you in case I feel something can be improved.

5. Who is the one person that you wish to apologize and why?
A. My grandma, for not understanding the love she had on me, properly :'(

6. What do you think about maggi noodles?
A. My favorite dish, once upon a time.

7. What does travelling mean to you? [as in new places]
A. Adventurous, new vistas, new people, new culture, new perspectives of life.

8. What do you think about women?
A. One of the best creations of God. The bearer of life, indeed. 

9. Which country do you want to settle down?
A. Home sweet home, India. Though I wish to spend a good part of my life in New Zealand.

10. Which according to you is the toughest language to learn?
A. Sanskrit.

11. Name 3 of your favorite restaurants in Chennai.
A. Adyar Ananda Bhavan, Barbeque Nation, Punjabi Dhaba @ Mount Road.





The 11 bloggers whom I nominate are



The 11 questions for the nominated bloggers are

1. Given a chance, what would you transform into?
2. Who inspired you to start blogging?
3. What was your first post about?
4. Which season do you like and why?
5. Which is the naughtiest prank you have ever done? 
6. Have you understood the purpose of life?
7. At which moment of your life, you could feel yourself flying over the clouds?
8. Can you mention the most stupid tweet you have ever tweeted?
9. WHY? (Give any answer that strikes your mind)
10. Am I crazy?
11. What is the significance of the number 11 in this award? :D

God Bless

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

A Million Words


This post is part of The Chennai Bloggers Club's Wordless Wednesday series initiated to keep the spirit of blogging alive and challenging.



Taken at Bangalore on the Festive Day of Pongal

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Serenity



This post is part of The Chennai Bloggers Club's Serene Sunday series initiated to keep the spirit of blogging alive and challenging.





On the mention of the word 'Serene', the first image to flash in our mind would be that of still water, to most of us. And hence I thought that this image fits in here perfectly.

The Oxford Dictionary defines Serenity as calm, peaceful, tranquil. It is on a serene canvas of water that we can see a beautiful painting of reflections. A tree may not be as interesting as it's reflection over a clear pool of water (according to me) 

A reflection is more beautiful on serene water, a thought is more powerful in a serene mind. On a rippled pool, the reflection gets disturbed and it spread outward. In a disturbed mind, the thought gets disturbed and it moves away from the point.



The more serene a drop of water, the more stable to holds on; the moment it gets disturbed, it loses out and crashes down. The principle applies to our mind. Serenity added stability to our mind, while disturbance does no good, other than creating a hell lot of confusion.

So maintain the serenity of our mind and spread it.

God Bless

Saturday, March 2, 2013

SALT


This post is part of The Chennai Bloggers Club's Salty Saturday series initiated to keep the spirit of blogging alive and challenging. 


SALT - can be seen in different perspectives. The patriotic guy would be reminded of the Dandi March, the movie buff about Angelina Jolie's Salt, the addicted-to-serial aunty would frown on being reminded of the unga toothpaste'le uppu iruka (does your toothpaste contain salt) ad, the diabetic grandpa would detest it though he'd be longing for his dose of salty snacks, the historian would state that the word salary came from the word salt, the sadist boy would remember killing the snails by sprinkling salt, the nerdy school topper would spring out its chemical formula NaCl, Kamal Hassan would imagine that the President of USA would not know what NaCl stands for..and so on




The humble salt delivers several perspectives and meanings that are magnificent. Salt is a substance that dissolves completely into the food that it is added to, and enhances (rather gives life to) the taste of it. It can be compared with a person who stays hidden in the society but does great things. There are so many such people who do great things but still remain silent and humble, without boasting their glories. A dish may contain several exotic items which are cooked elaborately and decorated in an awesome manner. But without the simple salt, it loses its worth (this may not be applicable to every kind of food) Similarly a country can have great leaders, revolutionists et tous, but the country cannot prosper without the humble citizens who work collectively.

A few years back I read in a book (the name of which i'm unable to recollect) which emphasizes on the example of salt in our daily lives. It says that adding salt to food is similar to negative approach in life. Pondering on the negative effects that might be possible, gives us the strength to be prepared for the worst. The negative scenario gives us the threats and we can make ourselves immune to them or prepare ourselves to face them. Adding too much of salt will spoil the food and too much of negative thinking will lead us no where.

Salt can also be compared to the emotions that we express. In moderation, salt gives life to the food and emotions add meaning to our lives. Too much of anything is too bad. And no cookies for guessing why the proverb comes here! High content of salt creates a Dead Sea and high emotional content makes our life, dead.

Oops..seems like i'm going too much the philosophical way. So let's move the other way.

There are infinite instances in our films, where salt is equated to showing loyalty in the punch dialogues, sentiment statements and introduction songs :P Not to forget the so called comedy scenes where salt is added by mistake/intentionally to something and someone eats (or drinks) it :|

As I said in the beginning, Salt is a humble thing, but the perspectives that it gives, it as vast as the ocean, whose second most constituent is salt again :)

Do Good and Keep Reading.

God Bless