Time-Pass

There's no good movie playing in theatres.
So, I resort to another entertainment, another escape. Music.
Here's the song of the moment:

saanson ki saragam, dhadakan kee beenaa,
sapanon ki geetaanjali tu
man kee gali mein mahake jo haradam ayesee
joohi ki kali tu
chhotaa safar ho, lambaa safar ho, suni dagar ho yaa melaa
yaad tu aaye, man ho jaaye, bheed ke beech akelaa
baadal bijali chandan
paani, jaisaa apanaa pyaar..

One of my favorites. Beautiful Lyrics. I also like Rangeela Re.

Not Easy Eh ?

Psyche: What's new ?
Patient: I am tired of this world. I will retire to the forest. I want to spend the rest of my life alone, away from this world.
Psyche: Sounds Good.
Patient: Will you visit me ?
Psyche: I thought you wanted to retire from the world !

(Patient leaves)
Few days later

Psyche: You are in bad shape !
Patient: Very Upset. As I told you, I went to the forest, built myself a small hut near the river. Today a man passed by. He asked me what was I doing there. I replied, I was spending my life in seclusion, away from the world. He called me a stupid fool. I became very upset. We got into a fight. After a while he ran away. But I am very upset now. Why did he call me a stupid fool !
Psyche: But I thought you had retired from the world ?

Trinity

Optimist and Pessimist sat across the table, Eyes locked over a glass of water.
Pessimist, "This glass, is half empty"
Optimist, "Well, if you look at it another way, it's half full"
Thirsty came and drank the water.

Lessons: Many.
To not theorize, you must be thirsty.

Life becomes good or bad, when you have too much time to think about it.

Sitting across the table, discussing endlessly, is one of the joys of friendship.

Believer and Non-Believer, both are same in that they only have theories. Only the one who has drunk the water, can tell you what it tastes like.

Comparison, can give the false perception, of an absolute which doesn't exist, often mistaken to be reality.

Without difference, communication would be impossible. Mind can only measure difference (This also comes from this book)

Good friends, can become enemies, over ideological divisions, each suffering thereby.

Past, Present and Future, are connected by the water in glass, as life in body.

Pessimist projects from the past (the glass had to be empty first), Optimist projects from the future, and both iterate in relative realities.

I am not thirsty :) and if was, I would have preferred Coke, at this hour. But yes, I have a glass of water on my table now, and I sure will drink it.

Mystic Muse

On a friends suggestion, I read Osho for a while. Got bored after sometime.
Now, I don't recollect much of what I read.
A mantra from his grandma, is one I think about sometimes:

Namo arihantanam namo namo
Namo siddhanam namo namo
Namo uvajjhayanam namo namo
Namo loye savva sahunam namo namo
Aeso panch nammukaro
Savva pavappanasano
Mangalam cha savvesam padhamam havai mangalam
Arihante saranam pavajjhami
Siddhe saranam pavajjhami
Sahu saranam pavajjhami
Namo arihantanam namo namo
Namo siddhanam namo namo
Namo uvajjhayanam namo namo
Om, shantih, shantih, shantih….

For translation, read here

What Trash !

Ok. I have just figured out that my code is trashing because linux 2.6 kernel has preemption and my kernel module is being removed before the daemon it started trashes itself, voluntarily. With no obvious solution in sight, my mind willfully wanders free, to search for one. Before that it visits some blogs. Again. Reads some news, again. And wants to write something funny for siphar. But writing funny is a difficult thing I tell ya. Like for example. There is a Microsoft mouse that sits on a dell mouse-pad, near a trash bin. What's funny in that ? Nothing. Like there's a sprint-pcs cell phone, near the unwashed coffee-mug near a napkin trash. Nothing funny here too. Then there's a lot of paper on my desk, deserving its space in a bin that is trash. Nothing funny here too. There in the corner lies a non-calorie sweetner, on the desk of a twenty-six year old, on top of a linux journal magazine, most of which was trash. You know, I can go on and on, and eventually jump to the conclusion that life is mostly trash. See now, I just gave a you a little peek into a trashy little world, and most probably all you can think of is nothing funny in trash. Hee. Ok, I better cleanup all that " ".

Now a mental exercise. If I were to rename five Bond movies with trash what will they be ? (Ek minute. The idea of discussing Bond and Bond related stuff, comes from no-url-left)
1. Trash Never Dies
2. The World's Trash is Not Enough.
3. License to Trash.
4. The Spy Who Trashed Me.5. You Only Trash Twice.

Have a " " free day.

Words and Heart

If they cannot reach your heart,
my words, they are of no use
And if they do reach your heart
for my words, there is no more a use

(Derived from a reading on Amir Rumi)

How Old is this Art

I am reading "A River Sutra", by Gita Mehta. It is tales within a tale, on the ways of human heart, the narrator being on a pilgrimage in the mountains of Satpuda and Vindhyachal, at the banks of Narmada. One of the stories is about a blind child, a Music Teacher and Amir Rumi, a Sufi saint who lived some seven hundred years ago.
So I was searching for Amir Rumi's Poetry, and discovered Amir Khusrau's. An interesting "Paheli" a small riddle, made me think about the tradition of cracking PJs. Here it is (and here's more)

Jab woh moray mandir aaway, sotay mujhko aan jagaway;
Padhat phirat woh birah ke achchar, Aye sakhi sajan? Na sakhi machchar!
(Whenever he visits my place, wakes me up from the sleep,
he sings the song of separation; is it the beloved, oh friend? No, its mosquito.)

I think at times, PJs are way to laugh off something that is on your mind. Giving a twist to thoughts in humorous direction, relieves you from the weight of the prevailing thoughts. May be it's a therapy. Who knows !
(By the way, don't take this junk from my mind to heart. It is just a silly muse, only meant to amuse, not to wonder, because if you wonder, there will be thunder. Ah. I suck at rhyming)

Lets Zazzle !

Zazzle lets you explore your creativity, dabble with simple creations.
Check it out. Little clumsy at first. Lots of steps to do. But kinda fun.
Here's my first creation
(The prices I must say, are ridiculously high)

The Moon is With Me

Last night the moon looked particularly beautiful.
Illuminated clouds. Faint moonlight. A symphony in white and grey. An unending drapery, with charming, everchanging shades.
You know, it is a wonderful retreat to take a walk in a moonlit night, alongside running waters. Watching the intermittent shimmers, listening to the sound of waters.
The silhouettes of trees, the silence of grass.
Bachpan main, Chandni raaton mein, main aur papa safed kurta pajama pahan kar kheton main tahalne ke liye jaaya karte the. Aur main papa ko apne school ke kahaniyan sunata tha. Papa aaj miss ne bola ki will ka matlab "Iccha-Shakti" hota hai. Par papa will to I will wala will hai. Phir yeh Iccha-Shakti kaise hua ? We would follow a Paggandi, in the wheat fields. Sometimes I would wave my hand over them, feeling their touch. Sometimes they would be taller than me.
When possible, I would stretch my eyes far and wide, to look at the moonlit fields.
I remember the times, when we had moved to the city, when I would run to the terrace to find out if the moon had come out, so that mummy could do her "Chand ko Urk(U as in fur) Dena".
And spending the night on the terrace, talking useless talks with a friend, or a cousin.
In my last days in clemson, I occassionaly used to go lie down in the Bowman Field, watching the moon, perhaps humming a hindi oldie.
I guess the moon has always been with me. It brings me a sense of peace. A feeling of beauty. A peace, that perhaps is a part of me.

Let's Go Out Tonight

Two fleas are courting
Flea 1: Lets go out Tonight.
Flea 2: No, I am too tired. I can't fly.
Flea 1: No problem sweetiee. We'll do a DOG
(Courtesy, a friend in Clemson)

Good Afternoon

Down there in the plush green, an old bunny lies stretched in it's favorite abode, the shade of the little pine.
And beside it, sits a restless little one, who rests to catch some breath, before it sprints again.

"Young and old see differently through same eyes" ~ Victor Hugo.

Not Much To Say

Today I have not much to say
My words are falling asleep
Tomorrow when they wake up
It will be a new day
And Perhaps they will say
Today I have much to say

Am listening

Jis Mahfil Main Shama Ho, Parawana Jaayega, from Sangam. Don't ask why.

Managing Techies

From Linux Documentation:

Everybody thinks managers make decisions, and that decision-making is important. The bigger and more painful the decision, the bigger the manager must be to make it. That's very deep and obvious, but it's not actually true.

The name of the game is to _avoid_ having to make a decision. In particular, if somebody tells you "choose (a) or (b), we really need you to decide on this", you're in trouble as a manager. The people you manage had better know the details better than you, so if they come to you for a technical decision, you're screwed. You're clearly not competent to make that decision for them.

(Corollary:if the people you manage don't know the details better than you, you're also screwed, although for a totally different reason. Namely that you are in the wrong job, and that _they_ should be managing your brilliance instead).

.
.
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However, in order to prepare yourself as a kernel manager, it's best to remember not to burn any bridges, bomb any innocent villagers, or alienate too many kernel developers. It turns out that alienating people is fairly easy, and un-alienating them is hard. Thus "alienating" immediately falls under the heading of "not reversible", and becomes a no-no according to Chapter 1.

There's just a few simple rules here:
(1) don't call people d*ckheads (at least not in public)
(2) learn how to apologize when you forgot rule (1)

You can Read the full thing here

Name Games

A new day. Fresh Air. And some more sillyness.

Scene 1:

Three of us are walking towards the artist's point on the flagstaff summit. We will disappear into a thick brush of alpines, and appear on a cliff, which bequeaths a spectacular view of the snow covered mountains. I tell the visitor, to notto run if she spots a mountain lion. They are mildly concerned as to where am I taking them. My friend tells the visitor, "We should not trust him, he likes to walk, and if we don't stop, he'll take us God knows where !"
I say "Yeh, Right"
My friend says, "No. I am Serious"
Silence. Ruffle of clothes against the pines.
And I reply, "No, you are not Sirius. You are Vicky."

Scene 2:

Masala Restaurant. Four of us, hungry, sitting, waiting, talking nonsense. My friend is hyper, has unconciously picked up fork and spoon, perhaps to eat the table cloth. He yells "I am readddy. Where's the FOOD".
"No. You are not Reddy."
"Yes sucker. I know I am Muduliyar. And not Reddy"

Maali Aur Mein

Maali Kahta Hai "Shabdon Ki Maala Bun-na Band Kar, Aur Podhon Kon Paani De"
Main Maali Se Kahta Hoon "Tu Aapni Jindagi Ji, Mujhe Aapni De"
Bus Yehi Meri Kahani Hai,
Kabhi Maali Ka Kaha Maana
Toh Kabhi Apni Thani Hai

Aks

Aadhi Kalikh hai, Aadhi Parchhai
Tani Hui Bhrukuti hai, Aur Shikan-ranjit Aabha
Wahi Prashna baar-baar Dohrati Hai
Main Kuch aur Sun-ne ki koshish main laga hoon
Par Parchhai hai ki wahi prashna baar-baar Dohrati hai
Yeh Bhrukuti Kyun Taani Hai, Aur maathe par kyun Shikan hai
Tere Chehre Par Jhalakti Jaani-Pahcchaani Un-Bun Hai
Ke Kahan se Aaya hai, Kahan Ja Raha hai
Itni Kyun Ashanti Hai, Itna Kyun Khalipan hai

O parchhai, Tujhse Kya Kahoon, Uttar nahin hai mere paas
Keval Kalikh hai Aur Prashna hain
Keval Kalikh hai
Aur Prashna Hain
Aur Na Tu Peecha Chodti Hai, Na Yeh Prashna hain
Na Yeh Prashna Hain

Aadhi Kalikh Hai, Aur Prashna Hain

Mera Gaanv. Mera Desh.

People, pliss take no offense. I am as patriotic as your next door donkey. Just received these in forwarded mail. Can't read the artiste's name that correctly, though it seems to be "Morparia". And since we are in patriotic mood here, here's another author-missing-copyrighted joke that I heard recently. So this desi goes into a cloth-store and asks for "Desh Ka Jhanda". The shopowner brings the national flag. Desi looks at it. Examines the texture of the cloth. And Holds it up high in the air, carefully looking for holes, stray threads. After haggling about the price for a while, he looks satisfied, but gives a disinterested look and says, "Bhai-Sahab. Ismain Aur Color Dikhaiyye Na !!" (Yeh. I know. That's how desi women purchase saaris. "Bhaiya is main aur variety dikhao na. Yeh toh maine pichle mahine hi kharidi thi. Old fashion hai. Kuch naya dikhaiyye." Ah. that makes for another post some day. Saari Shopping)

Modern

Cosmetic of smartness usually leaves my face powdered with stupidity. But I am a modern human. Prisoner to self-vanity.

Bhagvan's Unhappiness

Top Ten Things God(Bhagvan) is VERY Unhappy about:
(This post is courtesy Navin.
He told me the first two. Rest are from my chaos)

1. When (in desi movies) daughter gets pregnant and the mother goes
"Hey Bhagvan, Yeh tune kya kiya"!
2. When (in desi movies) the heroine pleads to the villain
"Bhagvan ke liye mujhe chor do" !
Well, first of all, Bhagvan is not a human, forget male.
And secondly even if Bhagvan is a male, Bhagvan cannot bear 10 Thousand hindi-movie heroines.
3. When someone does a favor to someone-else and this someone-else says
"Bhagvan tera bhala karega" !
Now this, Bhagvan finds utterly ridiculous. Why should Bhagvan pay-back for some-one else !!
4. When the fodder-scam-rich official, tries to be humble
"Sab Bhagvan ki Kripa hai" !
Now Bhagvan categorically denies any involvement with fodder, fodder eating officials, and their fodder-humble richness.
5. When people say
"Bhagvan uski aatma ko shaanti de"
Now, first of all, Bhagvan doesn't know shaanti. And even if Bhagvan knew,
Bhagvan doesn't like that business.
6. When people ask
"Bhagvan ke liye Kshama/Daya karo"
Now, this is unfair trade. People expect/accept everything in Gods' name,
but then totally forget about Bhagvan. I mean if you are using the Brand
Name, you gotta pay royalty. Correct ?
7. When people prophesize
"Bhagvan tumhari Rakhsa Karega"
Ridiculous. Bhagvan ne Theka nahin liye rakhsha karne ka. Apne body-guards khud hire karne ko mangta.
8. When someone driving at 120 gets killed in an accident and people say
"Bhagvan/Allah ki marzi ke aage kiski chalti hai"
Ok. Now this Bhagvan finds laughable. Did Bhagvan tell you to drive at
120 ?
9. When the semi-naked yogis claim
"Bhagvan ki sharan main aao"
Now this is extreme infringement of personal space, private property.
Bhagvan doesn't like this at all. How would you feel if all the people
in the city came into your house. Haan. Haan! ?
10.When we go into religious custody, and ask the right to remain violent.
Now this, bhagvan doesn't like at all. At all meaning at all. Haan.

Jai Ram Ji ki.

Update: Ok. It has just come to my notice this other peculiar trait of humans to depend on bhagvan for water-travel. "Bhagvan teri naiyya par lageyaga". Now, out of goodness only, bhagvan has been navigating your boat for free. But when every second person on earth who doesn't know swimming, is afraid of water, and want's bhagvan to navigate the boat for free, bhagvan gets irritably tired. And so bhagvan pleads
People, thora taras khao
Apni naiyya khud paar lagaao !
Aur agar nahin hota
toh Paani main na jao !!

Weekend Bliss

Yay ! Finally a Holiday !!
This weekend I will wander in the streets of New York,
Take a ferry to the monument of freedom,
Meet old friends.

And for sillyness's sake here are some old pjs which I learnt anew

Q: B and D, always jog together, long and fast. D always sweats heavily, B never does. Why ?
A: Well, there is AC around B. mwhahahahaha.

Q: B and F are both critically injured. F will be saved, B might be not.
Why ?
A: There is GH (general hospital) near F.

Q: Why is Bombay Dying ?
A: Because Gwalior Sooting !

Q: What is the height of an average Indian
A: Duh.. Twice his half.

And for Star Wars fans Here is a cheap one
In the climaxes of climax, Master Jedi Obi-Van-Kanobi shouts to Aniken
"But You Were the Chosen One !", with a painful expression.
Q: What should have Aniken said ?
A: But you were Obi-One !