A post

I sit at my computer, not quite sure what I want to write about. There are a lot of thoughts that have gone through my head, but none have stayed and transformed itself into a blog post. Nonetheless, let me try.

Even memes aren't around to rescue me now. So what do I write about? Seems like I have written about everything that I am concerned about. And all or most of my thinking energy has been diverted to work thinking. Oh, work is going great by the way. New ideas, new plans, more exciting stuff. I am waiting to see them transform into something that will bear fruit.

Actually, I have taken a break from thinking. You know, one of those seasons where you just take a break because thinking a lot ends up in confusion and sometimes even in pain? Yeah. So I am taking a break from thinking anything too serious. I am keeping my reading to just fiction and lighter reading than the stuff that makes my brain whirr at 10000 rpm. It is almost like I didn't let very many thoughts stay in my head long enough that it took root and became an idea (which would have then been transformed into a blog post). And thus, I have been diverting my thinking energy and causing it to stay mostly on work related ideas.

Hopefully, I will get to thinking other things sometime. I am trying to read The World is Flat. I wouldn't say that it is the best read that I have had in my life. I find it a little too dry and little too one-sided. I am pushing myself to read that though. I have decided to reward myself with The Argumentative Indian if I finish reading the World is Flat.

Besides that I am reading a Tamil fiction (Yavana Rani by Sandilyan). The story is split in two volumes. I will hopefully finish it by the end of this week or so. I may be quoting something from that book too. It is interesting, the gems of thoughts that you find these books.

Shout it out

Cleaner kumar server aanaru

Modha moonu table in-chargu

Appavum solvaaru ammavum solvaanga

Naan romba nalla pullainnu

Palli koodam pogannumnu attha ittha vaanganumnu

Thondharavu seiya mattaennu

Nethiku cleaneru inaakku serveru

Pannendu vayasula chinoondu sayizula

[Translation:

Cleaner Kumar has become a server (waiter)

He is in-charge of the first three tables

Both my father and mother

Say that I am very good child

I don't bother them asking to be put in school or to buy me this and that

Cleaner yesterday, server (waiter) today

At 12 years of age, when he is small in size]

Taken from the song Cleaner Kumar (album: Shout it out)

I had the opportunity to attend an event on 14th Nov. An event celebrating the children of our country. A reminder that all is not well for the next generation. A voice demanding that the world pay attention to what they have to say. A ray of hope that all is not lost yet.

Organized by NalandaWay, the event was the celebration of the release of 'Shout it Out,' a music album researched, conceptualized and rendered by children. The event told stories of children. Stories of abuse, child labour, courage, dreams and hopes. It was one of the evening where you go out and participate in a celebration or where you enjoy some artsy performances. However, it was more than that. Stories were told through mimes, dances, songs and short films.

Being involved in development work one tends to be aware of these issues. It wasn't like I did not know that child sexual abuse did happen, or that domestic violence existed, or that child labour was prevalent. However, it hit me hard to hear it from children. It was reminder. It was a spark. I cannot exactly call it a wake up call, but it was something like the snooze going off again. I don't know what shape or form this is going to take. But I do hope that it remains with me, egging me on to persist in my quest for that elusive thing I am seeking to know and possess.

You can download the songs from here. There are many short films you can watch in their East Side Story project website. You can also support by becoming a part of their mentoring program for children who are from underprivileged communities.

Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANJU!!

House meme

I'm one of the Indians who got tagged in Choconet's blog.
1. What kind of SOAP is in your bathtub right now? No bathtub. My bathroom cannot hold one.
2. Do you have any watermelon in your refrigerator? No. :-(
3. What would you change about your living room? More sunlight. More comfy furniture. Ummm… Some flowers may be…
4. Are the dishes in your dishwasher clean or dirty? No dish washer. But not dirty dishes piled up in the sink. :-)
5. What is in your fridge? Eggs, milk, ice cubes, some oranges, some apples, veggies, dal, ummm…
6. White or wheat bread? Wheat.
7. What is on top of your refrigerator? Lotsa junk. Bills, receipts, planner, tissue box…
8. What colour or design is on your shower curtain? No shower curtain.
9. How many plants are in your home? Ummm. Zero.
10. Is your bed made right now? Just made it so that I can answer this with a ‘yes’!
11. Comet or Soft Scrub? uh?
12. Is your closet organized? Hmmm… Sorta sorted.
13. Can you describe your flashlight? Darn. I am yet to buy one…
14. Do you drink out of glass or plastic most of the time at home? Plastic and stainless steel.
15. Do you have iced tea made in a pitcher right now? Nope. Don’t like tea in any form.
16. If you have a garage, is it cluttered? No garage. Darn. I feel so poor now. No tub. No this. No that… Sheesh.
17. Curtains or blinds? Curtains.
18. How many pillows do you sleep with? Zero to one.
19. Do you sleep with any lights on at night? Nope.
20. How often do you vacuum? No vacuuming here. It’s mostly sweeping. That’s done five days a week.
21. Standard toothbrush or electric? Standard.
22. What colour is your toothbrush? Blue.
23. Do you have a welcome mat on your front porch? No front porch… *rolling my eyes*
24. What is in your oven right now? No oven. *still rolling my eyes*
25. Is there anything under your bed? Some sheet of paper from my study table that flew under my bed.
26. Chore you hate doing the most? Dusting. It is never ending!
27. What retro items are in your home? A folding chair made of rosewood.
28. Do you have a separate room that you use as an office? Nope
29. How many mirrors are in your home? Two.
30. Do you have any hidden emergency money around your home? Not hidden really. And not much really…
31. What color are your walls? Whitish.
32. Do you keep any kind of protection weapons in your home? Does kitchen knife count?
33. What does your home smell like right now? No smell…
34. Favorite candle scent? Nah.
35. What kind of pickles (if any) are in your refrigerator right now? Not in my refrigerator, but I have garlic pickle and tomato pickle (the Indian ones).
36. What color is your favorite Bible? At the moment, the one I am using is maroon.
37. Ever been on your roof? Does the terrace count?
38. Do you own a stereo? Ummm. It doesn’t work though.
39. How many TVs do you have? None. And bro is threatening to buy one. *gak*
40. How many house phones? 1
41. Do you have a housekeeper? Hmmm… Nope. But I do have a helper who comes in the mornings.
42. What style do you decorate in? No particular style really.
43. Do you like solid colours in furniture or prints? Solid colours.
44. Is there a smoke detector in your home? Nope.
45. In case of fire, what are the items in your house which you’d grab if you only could make one quick trip? Passport and certificates. And some important papers. Oh, my computer too… Oh no. There are so many books that I love… Guess they’d have to perish if there is no time…

How cool is this?!

You can also read more about them here.

Wisdom and the lack of it...

If there is one thing that really stood out for me when I read the book ஆகாச வீடுகள் (A Home in the Sky) it was the insight into wisdom or the lack of it…

When someone does something hurtful or selfish or any of that, lack of wisdom is the reason. This person could be you or I. I have been trying to put this into practice in my life, especially on the roads. When someone one cuts across, they are lacking in wisdom. When I say to myself, "Hmph, that person is unwise," I leave the path of wisdom.

I was thinking about wisdom and trying to make it more understandable to me. I have read and know that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. And the fruit of wisdom, I suppose, is revealed in the way I treat another. Which is why when I cut across or when I cause hurt or when I am selfish or when I ridicule another I am acting out my lack of wisdom. And when I love and bless another in my thoughts and actions, it flows out of wisdom.