I WANDER'D lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees, 5
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretch'd in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay: 10
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay, 15
In such a jocund company:
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood, 20
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
Well, I am sure this one has a special place in many hearts!
Friday, August 25, 2006
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
A fictional story
Sumi trashed the half used coke tins, and cleared the mess on her desk, pressed ctrl+alt+del, pushed the chair inside the desk and walked past her half-empty-team into the ladies room, checked herself on the mirror to make sure that her face did not reflect the time of the day, smiled at her well kept form and shape and hurried to join Shreyars near the lift. Shreyars hid his excitement, though only he knew how he had been waiting for the evening all day long. Just as they joined, the lift arrived crowded and they entered after exchanging glances that conveyed that they would meet 20 floors below when the lift exited for the lobby. She could feel her pulse beating hard and fast. She being a very practical person and workaholic, she had not let this numbing thrill disturb her work day. Now her anticipation was rising. He rested his head on the back of the elevator and let his mind rewind by six months.
He looked as she entered unhurried yet well paced, cautious yet confident, nervously looking forward to the first day of her work-life. Shortly, she joined him and the rest of such people, exchanged greetings, customary hellos and confident smiles. She was polite and poised, yet socializing did not come naturally to her, he observed. Soon they were taken around campus, shown the various facilities and were audience to corporate life introductory lecture. He was seated right beside her and the hiiis, hellos and silence did not comfort him. He naturally invited more dialogue and before long they were good friends. They found apartments close to each other, commuted together, waited for each other, and met over coffee breaks and lunch. They were plain getting along well.
Shreyars’ wit and smartness helped the shy Sumi to hold conversations. Sumi liked to disagree, argue and discuss sensibly and Shreyars’ intelligence helped. Sumi was way too clever and knowledgeable to lose any kind of debate. Shreyars’ felt losing to Sumi more of an honor than shame. They shared mutual respect, interests and quality time.
Their conversations were around how to combat terrorism?, is US right?, why not give Al-Qaeda what he wants?, ethical cloning, what is morality?, rising prices of gas, the to-be-Intel fab in Madras, the automobile industry boom and the like. They never thought about who paid the bill (no, Shreyars did not insist paying), who opened the door, or who carried the shopping bags. They did not buy gifts for each other, no birthday presents, no friendship day wishes, and not even Valentines’ day mention. They were like the strawberries and cream – simply great together with no strings attached.
Today evening was indeed special and an important day for Sumi. And Shreyars felt elated and important to be a part of it. A week ago, Sumi had said that she was to meet a probable-to-be-hubby and invited Shreyars to join. Shreyars concealed his shock well – well enough. He had loved her, he realized. He had prepared himself in the week for this important day. He repeatedly told himself, how true and naïve Sumi was. He truly liked her and that was all the more reason why he masked his feelings for her. He was taken aback at the confidence and respect she had for him that she was taking him to the all important day.
They stepped off the elevator. They were supposed to meet at Barrista, a few miles from their office. They drove in silence – Sumi was tensed and Shreyars sensed it. Shreyars did not want to uncover his mask by talking. Though he made attempts to break the stillness of the car, he was in vain. Sumi changed CDs, appeared to remain normal, but far from it. Shreyars thought, after all Sumi was going to meet this guy for the first time. The journey seemed to long forever. Finally, the sedan slowed down and came to a complete halt two minutes from the coffee shop.
Sumi opened the vanity, checked herself again and smiled self-consciously at Shreyars and their eyes met. For once he missed a heart beat and failed in making eye contact. As if this was the last time they were going to be together, he wished her all the best and stepped off on the other side.
As they entered Barrista, Sumi ordered two cappuccinos. Shreyars thought probably they were well ahead of time. He wanted to be excited for her; he clinched his cuff, twisted his collar, run his fingers through his hair, pressed his hand kerchief on his forehead and he was aware that he was more tensed that Sumi herself. He breathed two long breaths and he hoped his restlessness did not reach the discerning eyes of Sumi. Each passing minute freaked him. He was frantically trying to remain unruffled ;-) She counted the number of times he looked at his watch – It was 16 in the last 5 minutes.
Cappuccino arrived, Sumi had a sip. Shreyars stared at his steaming cup.
He was about to ask when his probable-hubby-to-be would arrive, when she pulled out a mirror and this time turned it across to Shreyars as if asking him to check how groomed he was. Instead she declared “Do you approve him to be my hubby?”. For a moment Shreyars did not understand anything. She was proposing. He had been stupid, but she was not, not to understand what they were going through. They were overjoyed, tears swelled in their eyes, for the first time in six months, they were talking romance!
He looked as she entered unhurried yet well paced, cautious yet confident, nervously looking forward to the first day of her work-life. Shortly, she joined him and the rest of such people, exchanged greetings, customary hellos and confident smiles. She was polite and poised, yet socializing did not come naturally to her, he observed. Soon they were taken around campus, shown the various facilities and were audience to corporate life introductory lecture. He was seated right beside her and the hiiis, hellos and silence did not comfort him. He naturally invited more dialogue and before long they were good friends. They found apartments close to each other, commuted together, waited for each other, and met over coffee breaks and lunch. They were plain getting along well.
Shreyars’ wit and smartness helped the shy Sumi to hold conversations. Sumi liked to disagree, argue and discuss sensibly and Shreyars’ intelligence helped. Sumi was way too clever and knowledgeable to lose any kind of debate. Shreyars’ felt losing to Sumi more of an honor than shame. They shared mutual respect, interests and quality time.
Their conversations were around how to combat terrorism?, is US right?, why not give Al-Qaeda what he wants?, ethical cloning, what is morality?, rising prices of gas, the to-be-Intel fab in Madras, the automobile industry boom and the like. They never thought about who paid the bill (no, Shreyars did not insist paying), who opened the door, or who carried the shopping bags. They did not buy gifts for each other, no birthday presents, no friendship day wishes, and not even Valentines’ day mention. They were like the strawberries and cream – simply great together with no strings attached.
Today evening was indeed special and an important day for Sumi. And Shreyars felt elated and important to be a part of it. A week ago, Sumi had said that she was to meet a probable-to-be-hubby and invited Shreyars to join. Shreyars concealed his shock well – well enough. He had loved her, he realized. He had prepared himself in the week for this important day. He repeatedly told himself, how true and naïve Sumi was. He truly liked her and that was all the more reason why he masked his feelings for her. He was taken aback at the confidence and respect she had for him that she was taking him to the all important day.
They stepped off the elevator. They were supposed to meet at Barrista, a few miles from their office. They drove in silence – Sumi was tensed and Shreyars sensed it. Shreyars did not want to uncover his mask by talking. Though he made attempts to break the stillness of the car, he was in vain. Sumi changed CDs, appeared to remain normal, but far from it. Shreyars thought, after all Sumi was going to meet this guy for the first time. The journey seemed to long forever. Finally, the sedan slowed down and came to a complete halt two minutes from the coffee shop.
Sumi opened the vanity, checked herself again and smiled self-consciously at Shreyars and their eyes met. For once he missed a heart beat and failed in making eye contact. As if this was the last time they were going to be together, he wished her all the best and stepped off on the other side.
As they entered Barrista, Sumi ordered two cappuccinos. Shreyars thought probably they were well ahead of time. He wanted to be excited for her; he clinched his cuff, twisted his collar, run his fingers through his hair, pressed his hand kerchief on his forehead and he was aware that he was more tensed that Sumi herself. He breathed two long breaths and he hoped his restlessness did not reach the discerning eyes of Sumi. Each passing minute freaked him. He was frantically trying to remain unruffled ;-) She counted the number of times he looked at his watch – It was 16 in the last 5 minutes.
Cappuccino arrived, Sumi had a sip. Shreyars stared at his steaming cup.
He was about to ask when his probable-hubby-to-be would arrive, when she pulled out a mirror and this time turned it across to Shreyars as if asking him to check how groomed he was. Instead she declared “Do you approve him to be my hubby?”. For a moment Shreyars did not understand anything. She was proposing. He had been stupid, but she was not, not to understand what they were going through. They were overjoyed, tears swelled in their eyes, for the first time in six months, they were talking romance!
Monday, August 21, 2006
Just another thing - I am glad I lost!
3 When I was growing up, it was not unusual
7 My grandpa had it up all day
10 With my sister and cousins, it was almost an everyday event
11 I could never be the performer
12 I was not even a good listener
13 I remember how I used to shut my ears (yes literally)
14 Then, I was definitely stupid
15 When I was learning, I thought it was fashionable to say ‘No’
16 After a lot of persistence, finally people gave up on me
17 When I actually liked, I was too embarrassed to admit
18 Slowly, I acknowledged to myself how soothing it was
19 Soon, I declared I loved it
22 Then I repented why I was so foolish all along
25 Now, no remorse, but truly, deeply, madly love it
25 It is the magic of music
25 Yesterday, after a long long time, I listened to a couple of home-sung songs.
100 Carnatic music is bliss
7 My grandpa had it up all day
10 With my sister and cousins, it was almost an everyday event
11 I could never be the performer
12 I was not even a good listener
13 I remember how I used to shut my ears (yes literally)
14 Then, I was definitely stupid
15 When I was learning, I thought it was fashionable to say ‘No’
16 After a lot of persistence, finally people gave up on me
17 When I actually liked, I was too embarrassed to admit
18 Slowly, I acknowledged to myself how soothing it was
19 Soon, I declared I loved it
22 Then I repented why I was so foolish all along
25 Now, no remorse, but truly, deeply, madly love it
25 It is the magic of music
25 Yesterday, after a long long time, I listened to a couple of home-sung songs.
100 Carnatic music is bliss
Friday, August 18, 2006
Just about this time, two years ago, I landed at the Covington airport, Kentucky.
Since then, everyday has been an experience – of glee or glum, however definitely interesting!
Oh time,
Unfailing again!
As is the spring,
That follows the winter
People of different colors -
Some happy and spread glee,
Some morose and swell gloom
All in the basic ingredients
People from diverse background -
Roots from livelihood to family
Life that is made of
Find fault and praise part
Men of honor and men of merit
Sublime in thoughts and actions
There is one other who exist
The ones who live on credit?
Oh time….
You wait for none
And so do I wait on you?
To sing the happy tune
For the mind so light
Psyche full of delight
For the skin so soft
And spanking sight
Life is all between higs and lows
People come and people go
Many turn dear and a few turn foe
Yet you remain bearing witness….
Hold me as I climb
To the summit like a gold mine
Let me linger not long
For there is life beyond
Since then, everyday has been an experience – of glee or glum, however definitely interesting!
Oh time,
Unfailing again!
As is the spring,
That follows the winter
People of different colors -
Some happy and spread glee,
Some morose and swell gloom
All in the basic ingredients
People from diverse background -
Roots from livelihood to family
Life that is made of
Find fault and praise part
Men of honor and men of merit
Sublime in thoughts and actions
There is one other who exist
The ones who live on credit?
Oh time….
You wait for none
And so do I wait on you?
To sing the happy tune
For the mind so light
Psyche full of delight
For the skin so soft
And spanking sight
Life is all between higs and lows
People come and people go
Many turn dear and a few turn foe
Yet you remain bearing witness….
Hold me as I climb
To the summit like a gold mine
Let me linger not long
For there is life beyond
Friday, August 11, 2006
Our hero breathes and exists on this earth only because he does not have a choice. He is a man who endures his life waiting for his eternal call. As he waits in the queue, he loses all wishes, desires and needs. ……
……
This bare basic pristine man decides to indulge just a little bit, because he has anyway got his life.
What do you say of a sadhu who renounces everything in life except women, whiskey and wealth?
P.s. I am not a proponent of any renunciation. No false claims please!
"If you were supposed to understand it, we wouldn't call it code."
-- from a Federal Express promotion, reported by IS Survivalist Matthew Persico
……
This bare basic pristine man decides to indulge just a little bit, because he has anyway got his life.
What do you say of a sadhu who renounces everything in life except women, whiskey and wealth?
P.s. I am not a proponent of any renunciation. No false claims please!
"If you were supposed to understand it, we wouldn't call it code."
-- from a Federal Express promotion, reported by IS Survivalist Matthew Persico
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Venkat Shyamsundar
Venkat is a budding young singer from Madras. He has performed for many music shows including Saptha Swarangal, Ragamaalika and Rajageetham. Here are two songs composed by a a group of music enthusiasts from Infosys. Listen to Venkat's voice....
Click below for 'Enthan Aaruyir Thozha...."
And click below for "Nilavai Kandaale...."
Listen to these now and encourage the young artistes. Someday when it is meant to be, these songs will raise huge charity!!
Click below for 'Enthan Aaruyir Thozha...."
 |
| Enthan_Aaruyir.wma |
| Hosted by eSnips |
And click below for "Nilavai Kandaale...."
|
| Nilavai_Kandaale.w... |
| Hosted by eSnips |
Listen to these now and encourage the young artistes. Someday when it is meant to be, these songs will raise huge charity!!
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