Monday, February 15, 2010

The vagaries of being a tenant

I never learn! Somehow...! It's either me...! Or it's just stupid human nature... that we expect a little too much of our landlords to act as humans and not just some conniving old haggards looking out only to suck out some more money every time they come for a visit!

Trust is most productive and the relationship is supposed to be "fair"! However, in my experience I have rarely seen the relation to be anything less than confrontational. Hasty decisions, out-of -the -blue mails and most importantly, apathy is what I detest in these bloody money seekers! And to think of it all, tenants like us have been ever so careful with someone else's house, we didn't even punch one pin on the wall. And neither did we punch one picture of us in empty picture portraits hanging on the bland walls. It's said equal opportunity is an area which is yet to be developed in the area of tenant participation!!! Oh I'd say HA!

At times when you only want to help and save the house from breaking apart, his/her majesty thinks we are throwing tantrums!At times, when you wish to take the advice of the infamous landlord, the incumbent is only mortified by the number of unpleasant mails he has to deal with the next day! And lord forgive the moment if you have to meet him suddenly in the middle of nowhere, you are so dead for your dear life!

To have an out&out cruel landlord is one thing. But to have one of those shady sinister things, who lurks around the house, gives you sudden visits and without warnings catches a hair on the floor or an insignificant web which you hadn't seen till 2 minutes ago....is by far the most dangerous things in your life.

Not that my luck has been totally abysmal in the matter of finding good people as my lord/lady of the house. I myself am the the supposed landlady of my own house. And I have been tenants to very pleasing, least bothered owners who is just happy to give you their house to you so that you may take care of it. However, I doubt if such species are still present or extinct long back!

They say a background check is very essential when you take in a new tenant! I'd say get an entire lineage check done before you entire into someone else's house. You never know what madness lurks in those genes of that owner. Check it before you get hacked of your money and peace of mind!

After all, "Landlords, like all other men, love to reap where they never sowed."
Karl Marx

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

The month of pick up lines!

We know that pick up lines rarely work and they are so cheesy (gosh!!) but nevertheless guys still use them. Maybe it’s just a guy thing that we’ll never understand.
The only good thing that could come out of it is probably guessing their star sign when they use those ‘conversation starters,’( a compatibility test perhaps with your star sign, you go ahead and figure).

But hey at least we get a good laugh out of it especially when telling our girlfriends the lines he used on you.


Aries

Arians are usually full of restless energy and are difficult to keep pace with. He’ll most likely use something like this on you – "Did you hear the latest health report? You need to up your daily intake of vitamin me."


Taurus

Taureans are very headstrong and are not very adaptable to change. He’ll most like use something like this on you: "Hey I just realised this, but you look a lot like my next girlfriend."


Gemini

Geminis are the most intelligent and communicative of all signs. He’ll most likely say - "My buddies over there said that I wouldn't be able to start a conversation with the most beautiful girl in the bar. Want to buy some drinks with some of their money?"


Cancer

Cancerians know how to get things done and are good at motivating others. He’ll most like use something like this on you - "If you were a new sandwich at McDonald’s, you'd be called the McGorgeous."


Leo

Leos are the most proud of all the signs. They are stubborn and will only be loyal to whom they think are worth their loyalty. He’ll most likely say - "You know, you might be asked to leave soon. You're making the other women look really bad."


Virgo

Virgins are perfectionists and will not hesitate to criticise if they find faults or something is not up to the mark. He’ll most likey use something like this on you - "You shouldn't wear makeup. It's messing with perfection!"


Libra

Librans are unselfish and are charmers. They do not like hurting other people’s feelings. He’ll most likely say - "Can I have your picture so I can show Santa what I want for Christmas."


Scorpio

Scorpions have great emotional strength but are jealous and possessive lovers. They are also one of the most confident signs. He’ll most likely use something like this on you - "You look almost perfect… the only thing that's wrong is your lips, cuz they arent touching mine."


Sagittarius

Sagittarians are independent and are very adaptable to any situation. They are always ready to break free from anything work related. He’ll most likely say - "It doesn’t take a genius to see how gorgeous you are, but if it did, I would be overqualified."


Capricorn

Capricorns are goal setters and hard workers. They always strive for more and do anything to reach their desired goals. He’ll most like use something like this on you - "I think I feel like Richard Gere because I'm standing next to you, the Pretty Woman."


Aquarius

Aquarians are opinionated and refuse to budge when an issue comes up that relates to principals. They are noble and honest. He’ll most likely say - "Are you an interior decorator? When I saw you the room became beautiful."


Pisces

They are quite shy and often are not comfortable with too many people and do not show how they really feel. He’ll most like use something like this on you - "You're so beautiful that you made me forget my pickup line." Next time a guy tries to use a pick up line on you why not come up with a funny come back?

Makes things a lot more interesting doesn’t it, especially if you think he’s kind of cute after all.

Kudos if you figure out what sign he is!


Courtesy :TOI

Choclates & Zodiacs

It’s a known fact that the primary substitute for sex for a woman is CHOCOLATE! We just can't resist those tempting bars of rich chocolate, now can we?
But men love 'em too, you know. There's no denying they are yummy and the perfect Valentine's gift too. What happens with that precious box of chocolates, though, actually depends on his sun sign. So if you gift your partner a box of chocolates, are there chances for you to savour them too?
Well find out here…

Aries

Forget the thought! You’re not even getting a bite. Arians are known to be the impulsive and spontaneous kind. Leave them in a room with that box, and they are most likely to finish it off in one sitting. Guess that’s exactly where they get their abundant energy from!


Taurus

They are the completely possessive type. Get them a box of the sinful temptation and they’ll make it clear that it ‘belongs to them!’ Tough luck again! So does that mean you don’t get a bite? Not really, they’ll leave the strawberry ones for you to finish!


Gemini

Get them the assorted types and they’re sure to go crazy! Geminis are always craving for variety in their lives. They’ll enquire about every flavor with the general “is this one nice,” but be not fooled! You’re not getting any. Nice or not, they are finishing everything.


Cancer

These loving creatures have the habit of holding onto everything and never letting go. Be it a small gift, your old photos, or even a box of chocolates. While Arians will finish the box at one go, these guys will hang on forever. So you have enough time to sneak in and rob a piece! Even the tiniest box will be there for months on end. So if you plan this as your Valentine's Day gift, a few pieces will probably remain till the next Valentine's!


Leo

Finally your chance of getting a bite! Leos are naturally generous and warmhearted so you can gladly put your hand out for a piece! You'll get the piece all right but they will ensure you realise that THEY own the piece you're eating.


Virgo

There you lost your chance again! Virgos are extremely organised people who will break their bar into equal pieces with an idea of how many calories each piece has. The box is something they will cherish but not share. Infact asking them for a piece is the best way to get them irritated.


Libra

You can almost consider that box as your own! Celebrate! Librans believe in sharing and peacemaking. They always have a sense of share play and will make sure you get your half. If you ask them before buying that box, they’ll demand you buy two and explain, “one for you, one for me :)”


Scorpio

You won't regret getting your partner that box. Not that you’re getting a bite, but you’re going to surely love the experience. Scorpions are most likely to rub the chocolates all over you and lick it off.


Sagittarius

Give the embarrassment a skip if you plan to fetch your partner a pack of Cadbury. The brand conscious and lavish Sagittarian will only accept foreign chocolates. Or better! Buy the Cadbury and let them reject it. It's up to you!


Capricorn

Getting a box for them is not going to be an easy task! They’ll make you roam about the entire city to get the most ‘perfect’ truffles. When you eventually find it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t pick something else up. But don’t worry, your lover will surely treat you for the effort!


Aquarius

Buy them a box, and they will gladly accept it, and that’s the last time they will have touched it. Not one will enter their mouth. Forget chocolates! They’re only going to munch on healthy bars and protein shakes! And one fine day they’ll return it. A full box is yours. Sit back and relish!


Pisces

It's not just the chocolate you’re getting, it’s the love too! Pisces get easily moved by simple gestures and the selfless creatures will serve you with exactly what you got them. And they’ll love it so much that they’ll forget to leave a piece for themselves. You’re going to be fed every piece. So you can have the cake and eat it too!


Curtesy:TOI

Monday, February 8, 2010

Anupam Mishra: The ancient ingenuity of water harvesting | Video on TED.com

Anupam Mishra: The ancient ingenuity of water harvesting | Video on TED.com

Sivamani: Rhythm is everything, everywhere | Video on TED.com

Sivamani: Rhythm is everything, everywhere | Video on TED.com

All it takes to understand

Neither I neither you have to be told about how uncertain life can be. We fear about the safety of our near and dear ones so much so that we lose our sleep and hunger over it. Last night, Pinky was returning from US to India via Abu Dhabi when her plane caught in a storm. The storm hit the plane twice and was so bad that red alert was struck. The situation inside the plane was terrible. Morale was beyond the nadir. God wasn't more nearer ever to the traumatized bounty. Clearly, one is at a brink to understand how much we love our own lives... how much we love life...how much we love our dear ones.

That's all it takes us to understand. Pain to our own kindred. And only then we know and empathize the pain and trouble of people who have been through similar circumstances.

I thought life shouldn't surprise me any more. However, it continues to. In all it's myriad ways.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Do we like uncertainty?

Change is good. Change is commendable. Change is the only things that is constant. But how much of change do we want in our life? When leaders or managers are planning to manage change, there are five key principles that need to be kept in mind:

1. Different people react differently to change
2. Everyone has fundamental needs that have to be met
3. Change often involves a loss, and people go through the "loss curve"
4. Expectations need to be managed realistically
5. Fears have to be dealt with

We talk of such principles in the corporate world mainly, but the same applies to society, climate, behavior and attitudinal changes. The relevance of the "loss curve" to a change management programe depends on the nature and extent of the loss. here are many variations of the "loss curve". One is known as "Sarah" - that is, the individual experiences (in this order):

* S-hock
* A-nger
* R-ejection
* A-cceptance
* H-ealing

Such experiences or fears need to be addresses.

A change is career also indulges a lot of such fears. Some key facts that we must remember when we do a career change are:

1. Be sure of the likes and dislikes & assessment of the same
2. Be flexible
3. Extensive networking
4. Research new careers
5. Transferable skills
6. Training at all times
7. Gaining Experience

Change is good. Consistent change is what we should aim for,

Our only security is our ability to change. ~John Lilly