Friday, March 28, 2003

National Panel Discussion on Blogging- Chennai

I intend to visit the National Panel Discussion on Blogging organized by the Electronic Media department of Anna University in Chennai tomorrow. It would be a nice opportunity to meet some new people as well as hear something about blogging!! These days meeting new people and going to new places have become very important in my life. It feels like I have just woken up to the wonderful opportunities that abound in this world. What a good life this is!

Monkeys, apes...

The distinction between monkeys and apes is still muddled in the popular mind: Chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans are still frequently called "monkeys," and very good monkeys, such as Barbary "apes" and Celebes black "apes," continue to carry their misnomers. :)

Thursday, March 27, 2003

The man who brought the first smile to the online world

The Internet has come a long way from the APRANET of the 1960's to the advanced graphic World Wide Web we see now. The guy who created the web, Tim Berners Lee has got an even more ambitious plan- Semantic Web where machines will understand the content they publish and there will be compete automation in the online world. At this juncture, remembering something as simple or as small as the guy who brought the first smile to the online world is indeed a fantastic feat. The guy is none other than Scott Fahlman, an IBM researcher known for his work with neural networks, who on September 19 1982

typed :-) in an online message and brought the first smile to the Internet. The smiley face went on to become a staple of online communication and has today become the very essence of communicating online. What a great way to start a wonderful journey!

Wednesday, March 26, 2003

When your life path changes

One of my friends' favorite dialog goes.... "To make a big line appear smaller, just draw a bigger line besides it"... how very true this is. It seems that just the other day we finished our college and suddenly almost a year is over and our convocation ceremony is on us.

How fast life moves.... this seems like a usual cliche that people tout to while away time but... believe me its amazingly accurate!! To summarize in a few lines or paragraph, the way each of our life changes would be a foolish attempt because well.... I for one believe that each day is important in the year of 365 days and to think that each day's events, happenings are going to have an effect on what we call our life indeed makes one stop and think!

Lets assume our life starts from when we are ten years old (cos from thats when you really start remembering things)... and each year thereafter is a milestone.... you are eleven and you realise you can do anything, twelve- you want to stay home and cut school, at any cost! Thirteen- you realise you have finally reached the much awaited Teenage and you know Boys are different from Girls, Fourteen- what do you know, you have a crush, Fifteen- the first all important exam of your life, Sixteen- you fall in love, seventeen- you decide it was not love after all and that deciding what you are going to do with yourself gains focus, Eighteen -wow you are out of school and straight into the wolf zone....Nineteen- thank god you got a seat in college, Twenty- Life is one big journey to be made in the company of friends and more friends, Twenty one- the big moment has finally dawned, you know you have met the guy you are going to spend the rest of your life with but how do you convince him of that fact??....This is where I am right now... no this is where most of my friends are too.....not exactly trying to convince a guy/girl they are the one ...but trying to convince themselves that they can be the guy/girl for someone else. Self realisation seems so very important..... you want to be respected, you want to treated as an adult but the moment your parents and neighbours start treating you as one, you feel a million years old....oh! Man... Life is one real hard cookie!!! And to think you thought falling down was hard... fall in Love and see!!!!!

Wednesday, March 19, 2003

Who is a Buddha

What or who is a Buddha? Dictionary says a Buddha is one who has achieved a state of perfect spiritual enlightenment. The one we refer to as Buddha today is Siddhartha Gautama, the Indian mystic and founder of the religion, Buddhism. He began preaching after achieving supreme enlightenment at the age of 35. These were the bare facts that I knew about Buddha or even Buddhism till today. But an extraordinary compulsion to know more drove me on to do some research. I have always been interested in all forms of esoteric arts (read mysterious philosophy) and well....... here is some of the interesting things I came across in this vast sea of the web in search of enlightenment.....



Buddha is a person who has developed all positive qualities and has eliminated all the negative qualities. He was an an "ordinary" human like you and me before he/she became enlightened or awakened. Enlightenment is compared to awakening, as a person suddenly makes a complete transformation in body and mind. The historical Buddha, Shakyamuni or Gautama Buddha, lived about 2,500 years ago in India. However, he was not the first Buddha, and will not be the last either.



The historical Buddha, Shakyamuni or Gautama Buddha, lived about 2,500 years ago in India. However, he was not the first Buddha, and will not be the last either. The Buddha is not the creator of the universe, is not omnipotent (all-powerful). The state of Buddhahood can be reached by every living being, if only the soul is willing and seeks enlightenment.





SHAKYAMUNI BUDDHA'S LIFE STORY

Prince Siddharta Gautama was born some 2,500 years ago as a prince in what is now called Lumbini in Nepal. His father asked a sage living in his kingdom for advice on his son. The sage predicted that Gautama would become either a great King or a great spiritual teacher. The King wanted his son to be his successor and tried to keep his son far away from all matters of life that could incline him to a spiritual life. Gautama usually spent his life in his father's palace, surrounded by all possible luxuries of the time. He proved to be a special child, being quite intelligent as well as an excellent sportsman. He married a beautiful woman he loved, and they had a son.



When he was 29 years old, he discovered there was much suffering in the world around him. Traditionally it is explained that he suddenly recognised the problems of sickness, old age and death when visiting the city. Being shocked by the suffering of all living beings, he decided to search for way to end it. He left his wife and child, the palace and even his royal clothes, and started out on a spiritual quest.



Gautama studied under various teachers and followed their practices until he mastered them all. His first teacher was Alara Kalama who taught a form of meditation leading to an exalted form of absorption called "state of nothingness", a state without moral or cognitive dimension. Gautama saw this was not going to solve suffering, and continued his search.



The next teacher was Udraka Ramaputra who taught him meditative absorption leading to “the state of neither perception nor non-perception”. Again, Gautama realised this was not the state he was looking for. (Both Alara and Udraka are by some scholars considered Jain followers.)



Next, he tried extreme ascetic practices at Uruvilva, with five other ascetics who turned into his followers. In the end, Gautama nearly died of starvation. After about six years of searching, he realised that just wearing one's body does not generate new insights and it will ultimately lead to self-destruction. When he decided to give up extreme asceticism, his students left him.



He then sat down in a place now called Bodhgaya (North India) under a Bodhi-tree and decided not to get up anymore until he discovered the truth. Just a short time later, he became a fully enlightened Buddha. This means that he actualised all positive potentials of a sentient being and rid himself of all negative qualities. With this, he realised the true nature of existence and suffering (emptiness), and how suffering can be ended. (On the left is a descendant of the original Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya.)



Seven weeks after enlightenment, the Buddha gave his first discourse in Sarnath, near Varanasi. Here he taught the 4 Noble Truths. The Buddha continued to teach during his life, until passing away at the age of 81.



The Buddha once summarised his entire teachings in one sentence:

"I teach about suffering and the way to end it".



What are these four noble truths?



1. THIS IS SUFFERING

According to the Buddha, whatever life we lead, it has the nature of some aspect of suffering. Even if we consider ourselves happy for a while, this happiness is transitory by nature.



2. THE CAUSES OF SUFFERING

The reason that we experience suffering comes ultimately from our mind. According to Buddhism, our main mental problems or root delusions are: attachment, anger and ignorance. Because of these delusions, we engage in actions that cause problems to ourselves and others. With every negative action (karma) we do, we create a potential for negative experiences.



3. SUFFERING CAN END, NIRVANA IS PEACE

This is the most positive message of Buddhism: although suffering is always present in cyclic existence, we can end being in cyclic existence and enter Nirvana, which is a state beyond all suffering. The reasoning behind this Third Noble Truth is the fact that as suffering and the causes of suffering are dependent on states of our own mind, then if we can change our own mind, we can also eliminate suffering.



4. THE TRUE PATH, OR EIGHT-FOLD NOBLE PATH

If we can control our body and mind in a way that we help others instead of doing them harm, and generating wisdom in our own mind, we can end suffering and problems.

The Buddha summarised the correct attitude and actions in the Eight-fold Noble Path:

1. Correct thought: avoiding covetousness, the wish to harm others and wrong views (like: actions have no consequences, I never have any problems, there are no ways to end suffering etc.)

2. Correct speech: avoid lying, divisive and harsh speech and idle gossip.

3. Correct actions: avoid killing, stealing and sexual misconduct

4. Correct livelihood: try to make a living with the above attitude of thought, speech and actions.

5. Correct understanding: developing genuine wisdom.

The last three aspects refer mainly to the practice of meditation:

6. Correct effort: after the first real step we need joyful perseverance to continue.

7. Correct mindfulness: try to be aware of the "here and now", instead of dreaming in the "there and then".

8. Correct concentration: to to keep a steady, calm and attentive state of mind.





The above information has been taken from http://buddhism.kalachakranet.org/ and all the above content rightfully belongs to them.

Tuesday, March 18, 2003

Big boss from the US of A

Big boss from the US of A has come down to good old Chennai, the "operational office" of String. We had a meeting with him today. It is always a pleasure for me to meet and observe people and if it happens to be someone even a little bit impressive and talkative, I get really fascinated! The person talks and I listen....! I should someday write about my life at String- it would come out wonderfully.

Saturday, March 15, 2003

No place for rats in my life

Yesterday was one of the worst days in my memory. I had never become so emotional in my life before- I have this habit well.... not cultivated so can't call it a habit I guess- nature should do-..... I don't talk... I can't talk or get the words out when I am really angry and people get mislaid by that. They think just because I bottle up things when I am angry (not at other times believe me - I am very assertive!) that I am not angry or upset or that the intensity of my feelings are any less. Whenever I reflect on such a situation later, I always have a vague feeling of discontent that first starts with me (I get angry cos I got angry) and then spreads to all the other ppl and aspects involved in the situation. To think that people who have been with me for a long time (both my family and friends) do not have capability to know when I am angry is well ... dissatisfying!! Anyways one thing is sure- I am very easygoing in forgiving but forgetting is a whole new ball game. And on this day I learnt what I think a lesson that I will never forget throughout my life which is -one should always put oneself first and to hell with others- friends, foe... doesn't matter. Family is different- your ma, pa, sis, bro they obviously come first, never mind, that u are attached to other ppl more... cos u know why? They are the stayers whereas others are nothing but rats that desert the ship at the first sign of trouble. I have been a rat many times in my life no doubt but sorry there is no place for rats in my life!!! ...I am going to grow up finally- and do you know what am going to miss the most??? myself :

Wednesday, March 12, 2003

VISION

You should see a World in a Grain of Sand
A Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
Vitness Eternity in an hour -

And you can do this if you have VISION

Saturday, March 8, 2003

Office is really fun

Being in Office is really fun- I just discovered and my office I'm sure is one in a million cos wow- we can listen to music... laugh and play around and what not!! Am I lucky or what?!! Today is Women's day - I was planning to get a new jean for myself and finally today I got one in the name of Women's day!! Wonderful day - wish all days are like this one - right from the start of the day eveything went in my favour!! woof woof!! ;)

Friday, March 7, 2003

Budha Gayathri mantram

"Ohm Gaja twajaaya Vidmahee
Sukha Hasthaya Dhee mahi
Tahno Budha Prachodayadh "

This is supposed to be the Budha Gayathri mantram that all midhuna rasi guys are supposed to recite to get rid of confusions due to the sani dasa!! Nice piece of information that I got while browsing today!!

My keyboard was disconnected from the CPU today and I thought it was not working and made a great show of working without it…and poof comes the Technical manager and he fixed in a second!! I felt very foolish!!- and you know what I learnt-

"Only as long as you do donot know something u r afraid of it"

Thursday, March 6, 2003

Azhagiya asura

Azhagiya asura.... kanavil vandu endan kangal kichuchu mutavilaya..... what a beautiful song.... Wooooooooowwww... I think its from Whistle!! Am getting really upbeat after every time i hear this

No Inspiration today!

No Inspiration today! am tired of tweaking the code to make my page look perfect. I've given up! (For the day!!)

Wednesday, March 5, 2003

21 going on 22

I have started feeling the effects of being a 21 going on 22. Each day seems bright with promise at the start but as it progresses it deteriorates into a boring void. Don’t know what’s happening to me and that has become my mantra- that is saying “don’t know”. But am happy no ecstatic about one thing- Misery loves company and I’ve got a dear friend who is sailing along with me. Here is a fwd mail that sent both of us into deep introspection. Have a look at it- it somehow seems poignant - if you are twenty some thing that is.

BEING TWENTY - SOMETHING

They call it the "Quarter-life Crisis." It is when you stop going along with the crowd and start realizing that there are many things about yourself that you didn't know and may not like. You start feeling insecure and wonder where you will be in a year or two, but then get scared because you barely know where you are now.

You start realizing that people are selfish and that, maybe, those friends that you thought you were so close to aren't exactly the greatest people you have ever met, and the people you have lost touch with are some of the most important ones. What you don't recognize is that they are realizing that too, and aren't really cold, catty, mean or insincere, but that they are as confused as you. You look at your job... and it is not even close to what you thought you would be doing, or maybe you are looking for a job and realizing that you are going to have to start at the bottom and that scares you.

Your opinions have gotten stronger. You see what others are doing and find yourself judging more than usual because suddenly you realize that you have certain boundaries in your life and are constantly dding things to your list of what is acceptable and what isn't. One minute, you are insecure and then the next, secure. You laugh and cry with the greatest force of your life. You feel alone and scared and confused. Suddenly, change is the enemy and you try and cling on to the past with dear life, but soon realize that the past is drifting further and further away, and there is nothing to do but stay where you are or move forward.You get your heart broken and wonder how someone you loved could do such damage to you. Or you lie in bed and wonder why you can't meet any one decent enough that you want to get to know better. Or maybe you love someone but love someone else too and cannot figure out why you're doing this because you know that you aren't a bad person. Getting wasted and acting like an idiot starts to look pathetic.

You go through the same emotions and questions over and over, and talk with your friends about the same topics because you cannot seem to make a decision. You worry about loans, money, the future and making a life for yourself... and while winning the race would be great, right now you'd just like to be a contender! What you may not realize is that everyone reading this relates to it. We are in our best of times and our worst of times, trying as hard as we can to figure this whole thing out.

DEEP DOWN WE DO LIVE IN BEST OF TIMES ....WHERE IT'S YOU AND YOUR CONVICTION.

Quote unquote

"Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact"

Eternity's sunrise

He who bends to himself a joy
Does the winged life destroy;

But he who kisses the joy as it flies
Lives in eternity's sunrise.

Tuesday, March 4, 2003

Preoccupied with life

Let me tell you something- there is nothing in this world that you cannot get! Believe me I know I learnt it first hand - Am not going to mention any names here but .... just had this feeling you know ..wanting to talk to someone....I'm sure all my friends' ears have become sour from repeatedly hearing what I had to say just like a desperate bee that buzzez and buzzez around a flower- Thats how I think I am ...I mean ...like the bee that is always searching for a new flower- a brighter one, a colorful one, a...a ..a lovelier one - hey, mind you am not associating this analogy with my * life because thats non-existent -not the way I want it but a girls got to do what a girls got to do in this case wait for the perfect love and as usual my sagi mind has wandered far off the target which is my first *.. I know I never said so in so many words in the beginning but ...thats how my archer's mind works - like an archer with crab moon and a twin ascendant!

Getting to the point- MY FIRST * (by the way I feel like am atempeting the GRE essay question but never mind am not going to bring in literature here)

Well for a creature that has lived for more than twenty years on this earth to have not * at all seems like wellll baloney but thats how it is... for heaven's sake even bacterias would have * i mean comeon man how many of you can proudly say I AM * ??!! hmm? but I could! (not anymore sadly! ;-( I mean am a * now- am not revealing any private details here ... and I want to warn you guys- I've got a fantastic imagination AND am capable of lying so... all you "friends of mine" out there who have got their lazy butts off your well... whatever you were doing and decided to spend a worthwhile day with my blog....listen carefully - THIS IS JUST PURE FICTION!!

So to continue.. my first * was actually very uneventful ... not memorable at all.... but I realy really wanted to do it so passion was not lacking atleast not on my part!! so to think * didn't have that big an impact was heartbreaking and my heart has broken a million times since by the SAME GUY! Atrocious isn't it??!!!

Hmm..... I have already started the day with a thought in that diretion dont want to break my heart once more so am going to turn off now.. saying well what any * (lies.. lies all lies!!!!) would say.... which is .... ---- --- (I need to conduct a survey among them and find out what the others would say!!)

So Long

Monday, March 3, 2003

As Scarlet would say

Just saw this wonderful page www.kiruba.com the blog of Kiruba Shankar. I was really impressed and guess what? I wanted to have a blog of own all of a sudden! Wrrooom..... here I am!!! Anyway I shot a mail to him hehehe telling him how good it is!

Ok will try to maintain this blog of mine!! and as Scarlet would say "let me start tomorrow!!!"