My first anniversary with my blog! I love you.
My first anniversary with my blog! I love you.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
My first anniversary
My first anniversary with my blog! I love you.
Monday, May 28, 2007
2000 end - DDG Tour
Photo memories of a nostalgic tour!
I was a great man on those days... with all my fans around...
i was very thoughtful on those days... full of ideas!
i have never drunk in my life... but i am always "fit" all the time!!!
I was a great man on those days... with all my fans around...
i was very thoughtful on those days... full of ideas!
i have never drunk in my life... but i am always "fit" all the time!!!
Friday, May 25, 2007
Questions
Q1.Should i do ?
Q2.Do i Want to do ?
Q3.Can i do it ?
I never get to the third question. I am always stuck at the second question...!
Q2.Do i Want to do ?
Q3.Can i do it ?
I never get to the third question. I am always stuck at the second question...!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Santa Clara
God willing... I may visit Santa clara on June8th. The last time i visited Santa clara was 28th May 2000. So 7 years! long 7 years.
But my friends are coming to India, when i am visiting there. Too bad! Hope i will be able to meet atleast some of them.
Not that much excited. Travel after having kid and wife is very tough... and if we take them its more tougher!
But my friends are coming to India, when i am visiting there. Too bad! Hope i will be able to meet atleast some of them.
Not that much excited. Travel after having kid and wife is very tough... and if we take them its more tougher!
Monday, May 21, 2007
I have been adviced!
I have been adviced by my lone "regular" reader to slow down my reading - it will allow me to relect atleast some of the things i read on my life.....!
But will there be any good- ? as amir khan said in dil chahta hai ---
But will there be any good- ? as amir khan said in dil chahta hai ---
"Vaise bhi perfection ko improve karna mushkil haii"
Thursday, May 17, 2007
8th habit - boring!
I think effectiveness is enough.., greatness not need. The book 8th habit - by Covey is a boring read.
May be self-improvement books are enough for me.. i have gone through 100 pages. but nothing has gone to my heart or mind.
I visited the nearby bookstall and its full of these type of books ----- "how to stop worrying", "how to influence", "how to build trust" etc....
May be i should try relegious scriptures instead..... than these man made books.
May be self-improvement books are enough for me.. i have gone through 100 pages. but nothing has gone to my heart or mind.
I visited the nearby bookstall and its full of these type of books ----- "how to stop worrying", "how to influence", "how to build trust" etc....
May be i should try relegious scriptures instead..... than these man made books.
"My philosophy has roots in religion not political science.Dr.B.R.Ambedkar "
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
My best friend's marriage!
Year 2028 ( God Willing..)
Copyright: I got the below story as a forwarded mail. I dont know who wrote it.
The Stranger
She was getting engaged.
And all I could do was stand by and applaud along with all. I didn’t dare open my mouth for fear of saying something stupid.
Something like “I love you”.
I remembered the other day when she had come to me with red eyes. Her “best friend” was going away. It had never mattered to me that her best friend was a guy. I thought I was above such things. But her tears awoke the sin of jealousy in my heart. Fighting it, I had consoled her and given her chocoloates to eat. She proceeded to rest her head in the crook of my arm. And promptly fell asleep. I chuckled at her baby-like innocence.
But now, as I applauded, I felt something stabbing at my heart. Again.
She was getting married.
I saw her come down the stairs decked out in her bridal finery. Never before had I seen her looking this beautiful. I saw her taking the seven rounds around the sacred fire with the man I had come to hate, holding his hand. I saw her exchanging garlands with him.
She was a total stranger to me now.
I was standing near the car when they both came over to me. I wondered what they wanted. I wondered how to say farewell to the departed.
Nevertheless, as my daughter and son-in-law touched my feet, I blessed them. She was crying openly. I told her not to worry. That I’ll always be here.
She responded by hugging me.
And I could not stop the tears any more
Copyright: I got the below story as a forwarded mail. I dont know who wrote it.
The Stranger
She was getting engaged.
And all I could do was stand by and applaud along with all. I didn’t dare open my mouth for fear of saying something stupid.
Something like “I love you”.
I remembered the other day when she had come to me with red eyes. Her “best friend” was going away. It had never mattered to me that her best friend was a guy. I thought I was above such things. But her tears awoke the sin of jealousy in my heart. Fighting it, I had consoled her and given her chocoloates to eat. She proceeded to rest her head in the crook of my arm. And promptly fell asleep. I chuckled at her baby-like innocence.
But now, as I applauded, I felt something stabbing at my heart. Again.
She was getting married.
I saw her come down the stairs decked out in her bridal finery. Never before had I seen her looking this beautiful. I saw her taking the seven rounds around the sacred fire with the man I had come to hate, holding his hand. I saw her exchanging garlands with him.
She was a total stranger to me now.
I was standing near the car when they both came over to me. I wondered what they wanted. I wondered how to say farewell to the departed.
Nevertheless, as my daughter and son-in-law touched my feet, I blessed them. She was crying openly. I told her not to worry. That I’ll always be here.
She responded by hugging me.
And I could not stop the tears any more
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Stephen Covey
I am into one Stephen Covey book - "8th habit : from effectiveness to greatness". Its not that i practice 7 habits! I like learning, than practising. But atleast that make me recommend books or gift books to people.... ( i like even ground, so i even recommend good practices/books to my foes also )
I have read these books ----
1 7 habits of highly effective people
2. First things First
3. 7 habits of highly effective teens ( by Sean covey )
He is different from Marcus Buckingham . Marcus relies on detailed researches, focuses on inherent talents, how to build your recurring patterns to strengths, and capitalize on that etc. Covey believes on universal principles, how to practice better habits that will help u as a better human being in family, social and work life.
The first chapter on 8th habit have many references to Marcus book "Now discover your strengths" and also regarding Strengths etc.
So may be i will be able to find some convergence between these two after reading the book.
So I am starting to read it.
disclaimer: i certainly wont mind me becoming a better person. But more than getting the results, I like the "learning part". May be thats why i am called a learner in my StrenthsFinder test.
I have read these books ----
1 7 habits of highly effective people
2. First things First
3. 7 habits of highly effective teens ( by Sean covey )
He is different from Marcus Buckingham . Marcus relies on detailed researches, focuses on inherent talents, how to build your recurring patterns to strengths, and capitalize on that etc. Covey believes on universal principles, how to practice better habits that will help u as a better human being in family, social and work life.
The first chapter on 8th habit have many references to Marcus book "Now discover your strengths" and also regarding Strengths etc.
So may be i will be able to find some convergence between these two after reading the book.
So I am starting to read it.
disclaimer: i certainly wont mind me becoming a better person. But more than getting the results, I like the "learning part". May be thats why i am called a learner in my StrenthsFinder test.
AnoopG adhava Anoopji
To force lachu to do something..., i act like "Anyan" film. I will turn into a villanous character "AnoopG" and then force her to do it. She enjoys it, and i will be able to do what i intend. Good for both of us.
Apart from some intimate friends.., many call me AnoopG from my school days to NeST days ( i do have intimate friends who call me AnoopG also). It was irritating in the past, and from 7th standard many call me Poonaji also ( which i do like, as it was better than many of my other names - say "PakalManyan" from my TKMCE days !!!)
But in chennai, its different. They dont call me AnoopG even by mistake. They are afraid that somebody else may think that as Anoopji and doubt whether they are giving me respect. Anyway its a boon for me. "AnoopG" calling is less here!!!!!!!!
Apart from some intimate friends.., many call me AnoopG from my school days to NeST days ( i do have intimate friends who call me AnoopG also). It was irritating in the past, and from 7th standard many call me Poonaji also ( which i do like, as it was better than many of my other names - say "PakalManyan" from my TKMCE days !!!)
But in chennai, its different. They dont call me AnoopG even by mistake. They are afraid that somebody else may think that as Anoopji and doubt whether they are giving me respect. Anyway its a boon for me. "AnoopG" calling is less here!!!!!!!!
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Marcus Buckingham
I have now gone through his three books -
(1) First break all the rules
(2) Now discover your strengths
(3) One thing you need to know
All his books say the same these - "Focus on your strengths"
Its one idea i always have adored and was in my mind before reading the book. So when i read the book, my initial thought was - hope many would read it!!! ( because majority tried to fix weakness in themselves and in others, and does not try capitalizing on theit strengths).
"First break all the rules" is one book everyone should read. It talks about what great managers have in common - they capilatilize on each person's unique strengths.
It talks about the different roles Managers have to perform efficiently.
1. selecting right people
2. defining right outcomes
3. Focussing on their strengths
4. Rewarding
Bad managers spend most of their time with their most unproductive employees, but good managers do the reverse. They spend the best time with their best ones.
So can weakness can be left untouched. Perhaps no.......
1. may be you can stop doing that activity, and reassign someone else
2. may be partnership helps
3. some workarounds may help etc etc . some tution :) perhaps
4. put some of ur strengths in place to work around weakness ( my writing skills are not that good, but i do follow-up regularly with chat or phone and make sure that acknowledgements are received when its necessary, also have no hestitation in saying apology wherever unnecessary. so i have never had an uncomfotable moment except in appraisals where my communication skills are put to low :) )
The 12 questions Marcus/Gallop has derived for their polls is excellent. It gives you a clear picture whether your employees enjoy their work:
"1) Do I know what is expected of me at work? 2) Do I have the materials and equipment I need to do my work right? 3) At work, do I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day? 4) In the last seven days, have I received recognition or praise for good work? 5) Does my supervisor, or someone at work, seem to care about me as a person? 6) Is there someone at work who encourages my development? 7) At work, do my opinions seem to count? 8) Does the mission/purpose of my company make me feel like my work is important? 9) Are my co-workers committed to doing quality work? 10) Do I have a best friend at work? 11) In the last six months, have I talked with someone about my progress? 12) At work, have I had the opportunities to learn and grow?"
I tried interviewing people in my last company during my IIM project and it gave me a clear picture on what happened ( will talk about that sometime later )
This is one book you should read, definitely.
The second one: Now discover your strengths is attractive since you will get a "key" for doing a StrengthFinder test. I did mine - see the results.
The book is not very attractive. You better read "first break all the rules a second time".
The third one - "One thing you need to know - about great managing, great leading, sustained individual success" is a great read. I liked his writing, his examples. It does not much, but still its more worth than the 300 odd Rs i paid for it.
The one things are:
Managing: "Discover what is unique about each person and capitalize on it." Leading: "Discover what is universal and capitalize on it." Sustained individual success: "Discover what you don't like doing and stop doing it."
I liked the third one........ I have never done that. May be i should try!!!!! The "one things" may not be that attractive.., but read the book to get his perspective.. it has real work-life stories, perspectives and how they achieve excellence and statisfaction at work place.
Time is the most constraint resource we have - perhaps moving away from what we dont like, may be a good idea!
(1) First break all the rules
(2) Now discover your strengths
(3) One thing you need to know
All his books say the same these - "Focus on your strengths"
Its one idea i always have adored and was in my mind before reading the book. So when i read the book, my initial thought was - hope many would read it!!! ( because majority tried to fix weakness in themselves and in others, and does not try capitalizing on theit strengths).
"First break all the rules" is one book everyone should read. It talks about what great managers have in common - they capilatilize on each person's unique strengths.
It talks about the different roles Managers have to perform efficiently.
1. selecting right people
2. defining right outcomes
3. Focussing on their strengths
4. Rewarding
Bad managers spend most of their time with their most unproductive employees, but good managers do the reverse. They spend the best time with their best ones.
So can weakness can be left untouched. Perhaps no.......
1. may be you can stop doing that activity, and reassign someone else
2. may be partnership helps
3. some workarounds may help etc etc . some tution :) perhaps
4. put some of ur strengths in place to work around weakness ( my writing skills are not that good, but i do follow-up regularly with chat or phone and make sure that acknowledgements are received when its necessary, also have no hestitation in saying apology wherever unnecessary. so i have never had an uncomfotable moment except in appraisals where my communication skills are put to low :) )
The 12 questions Marcus/Gallop has derived for their polls is excellent. It gives you a clear picture whether your employees enjoy their work:
"1) Do I know what is expected of me at work? 2) Do I have the materials and equipment I need to do my work right? 3) At work, do I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day? 4) In the last seven days, have I received recognition or praise for good work? 5) Does my supervisor, or someone at work, seem to care about me as a person? 6) Is there someone at work who encourages my development? 7) At work, do my opinions seem to count? 8) Does the mission/purpose of my company make me feel like my work is important? 9) Are my co-workers committed to doing quality work? 10) Do I have a best friend at work? 11) In the last six months, have I talked with someone about my progress? 12) At work, have I had the opportunities to learn and grow?"
I tried interviewing people in my last company during my IIM project and it gave me a clear picture on what happened ( will talk about that sometime later )
This is one book you should read, definitely.
The second one: Now discover your strengths is attractive since you will get a "key" for doing a StrengthFinder test. I did mine - see the results.
The book is not very attractive. You better read "first break all the rules a second time".
The third one - "One thing you need to know - about great managing, great leading, sustained individual success" is a great read. I liked his writing, his examples. It does not much, but still its more worth than the 300 odd Rs i paid for it.
The one things are:
Managing: "Discover what is unique about each person and capitalize on it." Leading: "Discover what is universal and capitalize on it." Sustained individual success: "Discover what you don't like doing and stop doing it."
I liked the third one........ I have never done that. May be i should try!!!!! The "one things" may not be that attractive.., but read the book to get his perspective.. it has real work-life stories, perspectives and how they achieve excellence and statisfaction at work place.
Time is the most constraint resource we have - perhaps moving away from what we dont like, may be a good idea!
Mid cap SIPs
Despite Anish's warnings as comments I started SIPs on these two funds:
Birla Mid Cap - Growth ( 5 start rated fund by valueresearchonline)
ICICI Pridential Emerging Start - Growth ( not rated as its relatively new)
I like to experiment on my theories. I may re-think my position if they lose their start ratings.
MF experts tell concentrate on 4-5 funds. But i already have 7 funds in which SIPs are running ( very small amount...) . But i can manage my 7 ones.
I am hoping India.inc will be strong on 2049, the year in which I am planning to withdraw these for lachu's kids education!!!!!
Birla Mid Cap - Growth ( 5 start rated fund by valueresearchonline)
ICICI Pridential Emerging Start - Growth ( not rated as its relatively new)
I like to experiment on my theories. I may re-think my position if they lose their start ratings.
MF experts tell concentrate on 4-5 funds. But i already have 7 funds in which SIPs are running ( very small amount...) . But i can manage my 7 ones.
I am hoping India.inc will be strong on 2049, the year in which I am planning to withdraw these for lachu's kids education!!!!!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Feedbacks on my blogs
Two feedbacks on my blog from my office:
1. For a third party i look like a frustrated person who wants to improve... ( reading books of Covey etc gave him the trigger to say this )
2. I am writing for myself, i am not offering much to the readers ( i confuse them at the end, by saying "its bull shit" etc)
Usually i give "frustrated" tag. but i want to improve, so i am giving a more possitive tag this time :)
also i decided to make it colourful!!!!
1. For a third party i look like a frustrated person who wants to improve... ( reading books of Covey etc gave him the trigger to say this )
2. I am writing for myself, i am not offering much to the readers ( i confuse them at the end, by saying "its bull shit" etc)
Usually i give "frustrated" tag. but i want to improve, so i am giving a more possitive tag this time :)
also i decided to make it colourful!!!!
some MF investment styles
Disclaimer: I dont have any knowledge on investments
high-cap - Buys shares of mainly of companies whose market share is more than 5000 crores
mid-cap - Buys shares of mainly of companies whose market share is between 500 and 5000 crores
small-cap - "" less than 500 crores
diversified - name says it all
contrarian - looks for stocks and sectors which are out of favour now
flexi cap - it moves around high-cap, mid-cap, small-cap based on the favourability of market.. if mid-cap is going to do well, it will invest in mid-caps.. else etc etc.
value: it looks for companies which have matured... value based companies gives dividends and bonuses frequently to share holders.
growth: it looks for companies which have potential for growth
---------------
Based on the MFs i have selected I seem to follow diversified ( large-cap focussed), growth focussed equity mutual funds!
----------------
Forget everything you have read. Its bull shit.
Mid Cap selection
All the funds which I am investing systematically are large-cap oriented. I need to select some mid-cap funds also to diversify my portfolia.
I was wondering - all the high performing Mid cap funds - say SBI Magnum Global, Sundaram Select Mid-cap fund, Reliance Growth etc have huge money to manage now. As per MF experts, having huge funds is not that good while investing in mid-cap. Risk will get averaged out, but performance can get degraded.
I was thinking of selecting some funds like Birla Mid cap or ICICI Emerging star etc. Not sure..
I was wondering - all the high performing Mid cap funds - say SBI Magnum Global, Sundaram Select Mid-cap fund, Reliance Growth etc have huge money to manage now. As per MF experts, having huge funds is not that good while investing in mid-cap. Risk will get averaged out, but performance can get degraded.
I was thinking of selecting some funds like Birla Mid cap or ICICI Emerging star etc. Not sure..
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
( lack of ) presence of mind
Yesterday i visited Spencers daily. Had shopping and was ready to drive away. But just behind my car somebody else had parked. There is a person to regulate the parking there, and he used to take keys from cars parked behind. But the driver was sitting in the car, so there was no need to take the key. And when we came out there was no driver and we were stuck.
The person in charge came and told sorry to me and explained. I said "no problems". My better half scolded me "lachu is waiting. dont say no probs. go and ask him". As usual i hear everything and take no action. I preferred to eat the chinna samosas that i bought from Spencers. In the mean-time peron-in-carge of parking (PIC) opened the door of the car behind me and started "horning heavily". But no response.
After waiting for around 15mts, the person in carge (PIC) came and asked me, can i take my car if he moves the car on the right side. With difficulty i agreed. It was very difficult. I did all aerobics with my car and it got stuck finally. And i asked PIC to help me. He was definitely a better driver than me. He could do much better but still could not make it.
After all these exercies only we noted that the door was open in the car behind us...... ( PIC even "horned" from it). Finally he entered the car behind, changed to neutral and steered ( and pushed) out of my cars way.
Anyway it was just another realization to me that i dont have presence of MY mind when it matters.. Luckily PIC's brain worked after the 30mts of battle and we were saved!!!!
The person in charge came and told sorry to me and explained. I said "no problems". My better half scolded me "lachu is waiting. dont say no probs. go and ask him". As usual i hear everything and take no action. I preferred to eat the chinna samosas that i bought from Spencers. In the mean-time peron-in-carge of parking (PIC) opened the door of the car behind me and started "horning heavily". But no response.
After waiting for around 15mts, the person in carge (PIC) came and asked me, can i take my car if he moves the car on the right side. With difficulty i agreed. It was very difficult. I did all aerobics with my car and it got stuck finally. And i asked PIC to help me. He was definitely a better driver than me. He could do much better but still could not make it.
After all these exercies only we noted that the door was open in the car behind us...... ( PIC even "horned" from it). Finally he entered the car behind, changed to neutral and steered ( and pushed) out of my cars way.
Anyway it was just another realization to me that i dont have presence of MY mind when it matters.. Luckily PIC's brain worked after the 30mts of battle and we were saved!!!!
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Resolutions ----
weekly resolution on dont touch blog and orkuts during office hours have been success. It has good results also. Less interruptions, more time now to spend for tea breaks!
Perhaps i should revisit some of my new year resolutions.
I would really love to have some more weekly resolutions.
- drink lot of water ( chennai heat is killing me )
- eat lot of Pankajakasthuri or something similar which reduces my sinus.
You may find this boring. But i have decided to impove. Have you ?
7 highly effective habits for Teens
I gave this book as a Vishu gift to my Teen cousin.... he was excited receiving this.
Its written by Sean , son of Stephen R Covey - the author of "7 habits of highly effective people".
The contents are same, but the language is very simple, the book is a very easy readable one with lot of cartoons, inspirational quotes, exercies etc.
The only drawback i found is too much references to sex, drug addictions etc.
You make Habits, then Habits make you.....
This book can help you a lot in making habits that will help you lifetime.
It deals with the habits that can give you private victories:
(1) Be Proactive
(2) Begin with the End in Mind ( mission statement)
(3) Put First Things First
The ones that can give you public victories:
(4) Think Win-Win -
(5) Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
(6) Synergize
And the most important one - continous renewal
(7) Sharpen the Saw
Whatever said in the book is based on natural principles. It helps you in the same way a relegious scripture guides you.
I am sure, I have done a good thing by presenting this book instead of a shirt or few bucks!
Friday, May 04, 2007
identifying good cocunut ?
I dont know how to identify a good coconut. I usually can see people shake the coconut before taking. I also used to shake, but whatever the output i select it. Nowadays i stopped that practice. Instead i select the coconut which is clean and white. And that is working!
But somebody if knows better than me pls comment.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Vishu Movies
Saw 4 movies - Vinodayathra, Chotta Mumbai, Big B and Maya Kannadi..... The 3 Mallu ones I saw alone and mayakkanadi in a bachelor company.
This is the story of Chotta B's..... kochi background... but not guns... small small thattipus... it also doesn't have a story.. some characters and funny scenes. But definitely entertaining.
The Ad for Vinodayathra says it all - "Kandu padickananee Chithram". Vinod ( Dileep) learns a lot in this movie through his interactions with the people he meets. I also learnt somethings out of the film.
But definitely Mayakannadi was avoidable... There is nothing thrilling in the movie. Navya has over-acted well!!
Man, felt i was seeing "Desperado". Really a brave movie making attempt. Its a totally different film. Four adopted sons revenging their Mother's death. Its not a typical Mallu movie. Guns and Roses are handled with ease, Mamookka is superb and i liked his one liner - "Kochi pazhaya Kochi allennu ariyam, pakshe Bilal pazhaya Bilal thane"!
This is the story of Chotta B's..... kochi background... but not guns... small small thattipus... it also doesn't have a story.. some characters and funny scenes. But definitely entertaining.
The Ad for Vinodayathra says it all - "Kandu padickananee Chithram". Vinod ( Dileep) learns a lot in this movie through his interactions with the people he meets. I also learnt somethings out of the film.
"Tholkan Theerumanichal pinne tholkanne neramundavoo.. jeevithathe possitive ayyi kannuka"
"Jeevithathe showcase cheyyathirickuka"
"Kannil kannunna jeevitham manassilakkathe othiri onnan undittu karyam onnum illa"
etc etc. I liked this movie( although many have branded this film as nothing new in it)
-----------
Perhaps i may have to see one or two among this now with my wife!
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Boyfriends
Lachu has started dating with her boy friends! They have even started coming to our house.
Mission Statement
Mission Statement of my blog:
To generate curiosity for my known and unknown friends in what i am
thinking and doing :)
Weekly Resolution
I have made a weekly resolution not to touch orkut, blogs, non-official websites during office hours ( morning to 7pm). And that means I am not able to blog now.
Hope my weekly resolution gets longer than a week!!!
Hope my weekly resolution gets longer than a week!!!
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