Technologic

© Mind Curry 2004 - 2007

Copyright © Mind Curry

Above, Wild Berries at the Butchart Garden.

The brilliant colors above could not have been so well captured if not for the 6.2 megapixel, ultrazoom, chip technology Nikon camera that I was lucky enough to carry with me.

Charge it, point it, zoom it, press it, Snap it, work it, quick- erase it, Write it, cut it, paste it, save it, Load it, check it, quick- rewrite it, Plug it, play it, burn it, rip it, Drag and drop it, zip- unzip it Touch it, bring it, pay it, watch it, Turn it, leave it, start- format it. (Thats the Technologic song by Daft Punk) - But it says it all. Most things are just plug and play now.

Imagine sitting in my bedroom and posting this to have brilliant insights from all over the world over the next few days. Imagine saying what you want to say, and having people listening to you for a change, arguing with you, agreeing with you..

I even landed a job recently - a much coveted one that too - during a discussion on another kind of job!

I browsed through my inbox today, and noticed that its been over 10 years since I began emailing, the first email still in with me, written in January 1995. Those were the days internet just arrived in India, with rates as crazy as it is for space tourism today. I spent day and night begging my dad to spend a whopping Rs.10,000 plus for a new 56 kbps (equivalient to 6 kbps, if you are lucky, in reality) dial up connection. Strange enough he agreed, and regretted almost the next day, but that day changed my life.

I became a total technoholic. It literally brought the whole world at my fingertips. I was dazzled by words like "global village" and "convergence" and entered a whole new dream. I even learned html from a book, designed my own websites, began chatting with people as far as Boston and as close as the girl sitting next to me in the same room. I began doing better in my assignments, I began reading news in real time and what not.

I knew then itself that technology will change the world, and I began dreaming how. Not that I went on to win a Nobel Prize, but still, it was a whole new world out there waiting to be explored.
Today its so wonderful to see how technology has changed all our lives. And when I talk about us, I mean every one of us.

I am proud to see fishermen off my coast use Global Positioning System (GPS - satellite based navigation system) enabled handsets everyday and not losing their way anymore and finding better catches, local taxiwalas using wireless to have more efficient pick ups and time management, courier companies tracking our love letters in real time, school kids in villages having a better and enriched learning experience, quality healthcare being brought to every nook and corner of my vast country, so on and so forth.

I know a lot of you are thinking of the downside of technology with all the issues of privacy and right to information acts :) Well, true, but I will save that for another post.

All said and done, technology has really transformed our lives and world for the better.

By the way, here is an extract from one of my first emails, and you will know how and why I fell in love with my technologic life.


24 tips for life

1. don't go for looks' it can deceive; don't go for wealth - even that fades away. go for someone who makes you smile coz' only a smile can make a dark day seem bright. hope you find that person.

2. there are moments in life when you really miss someone that you want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real! hope you dream of that someone.

3. dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be cuz you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want in life.

4. may you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trails to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy and enough money to buy me gifts!!

5. when one door of happiness closes, another opens but often welook so long at the closed door that we don't see the one which hasbeen opened for us.

6. the best kind of friend is the one you could sit on a porch,swing with, never saying a word, and then walk away feeling like that was the best conversation you've had.

7. its' true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it,but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.

8. always put yourself in other's shoes. if you feel that it hurts you, it probably does hurt the person, too.

9. a careless word may kindle strife; a cruel word may wreck a life; a timely word may level stress; a loving word may heal and bless.

10. the beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not to twist them with our own image - otherwise,we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them.

11. the happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

12. maybe God wants us to meet a few wrong people before meeting the right one so that when we finally meet the right person, we should know how to be grateful for that gift.

13. it takes a minute to have a crush on someone, an hour to like someone and a day to love someone - but it takes a lifetime to forget someone, so true !!!!

14. happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched and those who have tried. for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives.

15. love is when you take away the feeling, the passion, the romance and you find out you still care for that person.

16. a sad thing about life is that when you meet someone who means a lot to you only to find out in the end that it was never bound to be and you just have to let go.

17. love starts with a smile, develops with a kiss and ends with a tear.

18. love comes to those who still hope even though they've been disappointed, to those who still believe even though they've been betrayed, those who still love even though they've been hurt before.

19. it hurts to love someone and not be loved in return, but what is the most painful is to love someone and never finding the courage to let the person know how you feel.

20. the brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past, you can't go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

21. never say goodbye when you still want to try - never give upwhen you still feel you can take it - never say you don't love that person anymore when you can't let go.

22. giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they'll love you back! don't expect love in return, just wait for it to grow in their hearts but if it doesn't, be content it grew in yours.

23. there are things you love to hear but you would never hear it from the person whom you would like to hear it from, but don't be deaf to hear it from the person who says it with his heart.

24. when you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling - live your life so that when you die, you're smiling and everyone around you is crying.

Bulls and Bears

© Mind Curry 2004 - 2007

Copyright © Mind Curry

Marble sculpture at the Roman Era, ROM, Canada


After reading the comments from the last post, I was taken back to wanderland and began wondering about how generally people play the game of life, especially when it comes to the matters of heart and personal choices.

(I remember a friend of mine who got tired of me talking about life all the time! )

Do we always play safe? Are we always guarded? Or are we waiting to indulge? How much risk are we willing to take? Are we always harnessed by experiences? Do scars heal fully?

So here is what I wrote in 2004 on a similar plane of thoughts.


Principles for Investing in Life

Any good fund manager or investment consultant will tell you one cardinal rule - To never invest all your money into one single entity which could be an equity, an industry or a fund plan. When you do that the risks involved are enormous. If anything goes wrong you will be left with nothing.

Similarly, over the years, life enforces certain rules in our mind, things which we always thought we knew. Something that we knew, but could never justify ourselves into believing. Rules we decided to forget when lovely dreams of the future and lights of everlasting happiness flashed before us. The risks which then fade away into oblivion, just like it does to an investor faced with the possibility of raking huge profits, only in the case of life, the profits are in terms of love, satisfaction, fulfilling dreams and a richer experience.

The point is, if you want to be a safe investor in the market of life, secure your future and minimise the risk, the rule is the same as in the stock market as well in life.

Never invest your entire worth in one single entity.

Diversify as far as possible.

You should invest your energy in various entities in your life. If you love someone deeply, be sure there are other people you love too. If you love your job, make sure you have a hobby or another parallel business running. If you love your pet, make sure you have more than one pet.

That makes your life safe. In the event of unforseen circumstances, where one investment lets you down there are other safety nets to fall back on. You will never be left with a feeling of helplesness and total ruin. You will never be left with the coma and darkness that occurs when you invest all your energy and dreams in a single person and that person throws away all that was precious to you.

Thus, like the many personalities and types of investors in the stock market, so there is in life too. There are the kinds who play safe, investing in not entirely one person or option, but in many and thereby minimising risks; being able to move on with ease when something goes wrong. Then there are the other extremes, who invest with passion and faith in one option, forgetting the risks and believing in their dreams. Chances are the latter type of investors, crash and burn badly, when things go wrong.

Ironically, despite lifes lessons, there is a huge part of me that still believes in investing in atleast a few certain matters of life without the principles of the stock market. It does not matter if the risks are devastatingly ominous or the aftermath could leave you paralysed. It is still worth investing all your energy into someone or something which you believe is your future. Because in the end you are either left with your dreams coming true, or the satisfaction that you lived your life fully and true to your conscience. That, in the end, is what really matters to me and perhaps will allow me to wake up from (any situation), keep dreaming and going.



Above, excerpt from Mind Curry, November 2004

Silent Sigh..

© Mind Curry 2004 - 2007

Copyright © Mind Curry

The roof, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, ON, Canada


There are so many things that you knew you knew, but never realise the reality until certain experiences slap them onto your face. Today, among other things, I realised, there are countless things I am happy about and then as many that I may be unhappy about.There are things that I try to put away in some dark corner of my mind and move on. There are things I feel there is something I can do to change them but am unable to do it. Some are thoughts which push me on to ride against the wave and the others are just so depressing that my mind becomes clouded.Thoughts, from which, arise a few dreams, some bit of helplessness and a lot of silent sighs..

Above, Excerpt from Mind Curry, Oct 2004

I was reading what I had written a long time ago.. I guess there is some positivity even in negativity. I always think I kind of respect the feelings of sadness and loneliness. Those are so important in our lives, so that they help you appreciate love, companionship, affection, kindness and all those amazing things that make life so beautiful.

In some ways, I have become so comfortable with my loneliness. I feel I need my time alone and that is when I retrospect, introspect and invigorate my own existence. I worry too, if I will go on to the point of becoming an introvert! Jeez! Hopefully its just a thing of being an independent Aquarian.

My mother, seeing me always goof around, asked me today "do you think the world around you will always remain the same?" I just laughed and made a face at her and said "yes, it will".

But somewhere deep within that question hit me, troubled me and I felt dizzy in a momentary interval of reality. God! I almost said out loud. Suddenly, as though from a wooden chest pushed open from the inside, a million questions and scenarios rushed into my mind. What..if..When..How..Why..No way..Never..I cant.. But..

I kept my smile on for the rest of the day somehow anyway..

I wonder now though, is it just me? Do you wonder about the future? Do you worry about it? Do you ponder about life after 5 years? Do you also worry that your life could change overnight?

Scares me..Thats why I dont really think beyond the day after if I can.. Atleast not about the things I dont like to think of..Its got nothing to do with the philosophy of living for the moment and stuff. Its just that I cannot imagine and think of certain things. I am not talking about myself, I am not really scared of my life.

I just trust in God to keep everything as it is.



On a lighter note, here is another good story written by unknown:

A professor began his class by holding up a glass with some water in it. He held it up for all to see & asked the students,' How much do you think this glass weighs?''50gms!' .... '100gms!' ......'125gms' ......the students answered.

'I really don't know unless I weigh it,' said the professor, 'but, my question is: What would happen if I held it up like this for a few minutes?'

''Nothing' the students said.

'Ok what would happen if I held it up like this for an hour?' the professor asked.

‘Your arm would begin to ache' said one of the students.

'You're right, now what would happen if I held it for a day?

'‘Your arm could go numb, you might have severe muscle stress & paralysis & have to go to hospital for sure!' ventured another student & all the students laughed.

'Very good. But during all this, did the weight of the glass change?' asked the professor.

'No'

Then what caused the arm ache & the muscle stress?

'The students were puzzled.

'Put the glass down!' said one of the students.

'Exactly!’ said the professor.Life problems are something like this. Hold it for a few minutes in your head & they seem OK. Think of them for a long time & they begin to ache. Hold it even longer & they begin to paralyze you. You will not be able to do anything.

It's important to think of the challenges and problems in your life, but more important to 'put them down' at the end of every day before you go to sleep. That way, you are not stressed, you wake up every day fresh & strong & can handle any issue, any challenge that comes your way!

My King Kong

© Mind Curry 2004 - 2007

Copyright © Mind Curry


Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes;
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes;
Silver-white winters that melt into springs;
These are a few of my favorite things.

Was singing this when Silverine called to say that I have been tagged and that I need to list a few things from the zillion that really gets my goat. She went on to say that I was the natural first that came to her mind when she began listing her 35 most hated things.

This happens quite commonly when it comes to me.

Oh the horror!

Anyway we can go on to less excruciatingly painful stuff..


Things that get my King Kong

1. Fakes and Counterfeits: Genuineness is the one thing that I value a lot in people and even things. I hate people who are fakers and do or say things without meaning even a bit of it. I also hate fake products. Thats why animals are so much more easier to be with in life.

2. Aggression and Impatience: I hate people who show unnecessary aggression - whether it be on the road (especially those idiots on the road who cut lanes and overtake as though only they are busy), at the work place (plenty of them!), in a queue (reminds me of queues even at the churches where people push and shove as if God will run away if they dont hurry!) or in day to day life. I wonder why people cannot be calm about things in life. I am not talking about aggression in terms of business and marketing, where it has a sensible meaning. I am also reminded of an ad I used to like for Ford Mondeo which has the tag line "Refined Agression".

3. Hypocrisy: I do believe that each of us at some instances in our lives can be a hypocrite, and that is pardonable. But I am talking about the outrightly hypocritic lot, which is a way of life for them. According to psychologists, there are two kinds of hypocrites - honest and dishonest. The second kind is what I am talking about here and honesty here pertains to virtues, morals, religion and beliefs.

4. Contempt and Judgements: People who look down on others irrespective of the other persons circumstances or background and make conclusions based on twisted thoughts and baseless hearsay.

5. Divisive elements: who try to segregate people based on caste, religion and other baseless lines. I especially detest people who attempt to manipulate using God's name.

6. Disrespect: for women, elders, the weak, the less fortunate, teachers, animals, plants etc. If you read the above line, it is saddening to note women come in the same list as weak - I wish that would change.

7. Manipulations: by twisting feelings, emotions, love,trust and other pure things. Emotional black mail is something very cruel, despite the innumerable excuses one might have.

8. Gossip: and its carriers, without any knowledge based on facts and reality, and also people who are always bothered about whats happening in other peoples lives. Kind of like the people who survive on the misfortunes of the others.

9. Breach of trust: is one of the most disappointing things that really gets me irked. And funnily enough, through my life I have witnessed this. In some ways, I sadly realise that I dont trust easily anymore and it takes some time before I get close to anyone. This is something that I dont like, but nonetheless, is true.

10. Perpetual Nags, Pessimists, Whiners, Narrow-mindeds - I wish they would realise that life is short.

Now I better stop at 10, than go overboard like I did in the last tag.

I also have to tell you that King Kong, as I know, is a very nice big gorilla, happy in his world, trying to ignore aggressions and irritations. It takes a lot of effort to really get him out :) but when he is out, people usually run for cover.

So I continue with my song...

When the dog bites,
When the bee stings,
When I'm feeling sad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel so bad.

The last time I tagged people, some of them never blogged after that, a few deleted their blogs, some sent me threats, others ignored me..I wonder if tags are on top of their hate lists, or is it just me! I am frightened!

Happy Valentine's Day

© Mind Curry 2004 - 2007

Copyright © Mind Curry


There are a few stark observations that I have made over the years about Love.
Be warned, some are very heartening, and others quite not. Anyway here goes:

Love is a beautiful thing - I know there are songs written and movies made about this, but this is a very simple fact that is so true.

Love always brings with it hurt - This is always the rule, like theres an equal and opposite reaction for every action. So when you love, be prepared for whats coming. I am not saying the hurt is always terrible, but one should always be prepared for some bit of sadness - cant complain considering how good and satisfying love is.

Love is the most misunderstood term - When I hear people talk about Love, I see a lot of misunderstanding and misconception about it. Love is universal. It does not have boundaries or limitations. Apart from people, I even love my laptop, my desktop, my phone, my car, my trees, some of my clothes, my "soldier in the sky" and so many other things. Love is not just about a guy-girl thing as a lot of short sighted people think it is. I love my parents, my friends, my maid, my snooker trainer, my cousin, my colleagues..there are so many people, things, animals and plants..

Love cannot be diluted or measured - Either you love, or you dont. period.

Love cannot be prescribed - You cannot ask someone to love as per your prescriptions. This happens a lot and most people try to make rules about Love, which I think is impossible and cruel. Love cannot be forced or be taken away.

Love is in everything, everywhere, everyday

Scars Of Life

© Mind Curry 2004 - 2007

Copyright © Mind Curry

Bronze sculpture of the mother of Jewish artist Otto Schneid. She was killed in the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz in 1943. The portrait is said to commemorate "the triumph of the human soul and the human spirit rising above suffering and death."

On display at the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada.



It is truly an amazing experience to watch babies and kids. Their spirit and enthusiasm cannot be compared to any adults energy. Even the new born baby shows extreme passion to take that first breath of life as soon as it is born out of the mothers womb, that breath which can take it through a life time. And as the baby blossoms into a beautiful little soul, it grows in energy and spirit.

The smile, the innocence, the purity, the quest, the love..

In the process of growing up, where and when do we lose all this?

I feel we lose it every day of growing up. And sadly, even parents and teachers have a significant role to play in the silent killing of the spirit. Add to it, the highly critical societal pressures and insane "values" defined by maniacal vested interests (read religious and family), over time, thrust upon childhood and the vulnerable teen age. What follows infancy is a kind of multiple rape of the fertile, vulnerable and virgin mind resulting in permanent scars and a subdued spirit. We have forces trying to mould the minds, to have thoughts that follow tracks and vision that sees within only limits set by them, instead of letting these spirits soar so that their imaginations have no perimeters.

As Phyllis Diller said, "We spend the first twelve months of our children's lives teaching them to walk and talk and the (rest of their lives) telling them to sit down and shut up".


Excerpts from Mind Curry, June 2005

Things To Be Desired

© Mind Curry 2004 - 2007

Copyright © Mind Curry

Winter at the Lake Louise, Canada.

The lake is quite legendary and the backdrop of millions of famous photographs and paintings.
In 1884, it was named Lake Louise in honor of Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, fourth daughter of Queen Victoria.

The feeling I got at Lake Louise was very intense, despite the subzero cold, it felt warm, assuring, calm, confident and peaceful. Probably because it took me away from the usual cravings and wants of daily life to a more deeper and more content, serene plane.

Sometimes I wonder what life is..days just pass..we keep thinking we have to make every day memorable, we keep making these goals and ideals..but how much of it is true and possible? We love, we hate..We win, we lose..We please, we hurt.. We live and we die one day..whats the purpose? I mean, yes there is a purpose of being useful and stuff..and also some might say God has a purpose for you here philosophically..but beyond that..what is the big responsibility we have? Is it just to procreate? Do we just have children to leave them on earth to fend for themselves? Or is life just to enjoy and die? Is there another life? Did we evolve? Or did we spring to life from dust? if we are sons and daughters of the same forebearers who divided us?

I don't know.

I have incomplete answers myself. But beyond all those thoughts, I thank God for this life.
It is beautiful.



The DESIDERATA

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all the persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly.

Listen to the dull and ignorant, they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself to others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.

Especially do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

Do not distress yourself with imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline be gentle to yourself.

You are a child of universe, no less than the trees and the stars and you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.

And whatever be your labor and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, Keep pace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.



This poem was written by attorney and businessman Max Ehrmann (1872-1945) in 1927. His widow, Bertha K. Ehrmann, renewed the original copyright in 1954. According to newspaper reports, Rev. Frederick Ward Kates, rector of Old St. Paul's Church in Baltimore in the late 1950s, copied this and numerous other inspirational poems to distribute to worshippers. The copies were printed on the church's letterhead, which read "Old Saint Paul's Church, Baltimore, A.D. 1692,". Some of the copies were carried from the church and became widely circulated, with the significance of the original writer becoming obscured. In the 1960s, America's "flower children" popularized the poem they thought was a centuries-old message of peace and love.




Excerpt from Mind Curry, October 2005