Rich or Poor, Accounting for Sure!

This is a mail I got from my uncle, which I thought would like to share it with you. I had a different opinion myself, that I have appended. Whats your take?

K Ramesh, B.Sc, ICWA, CA, BL, I forgot his other designations...
(He is also a teacher for ICWA, CA, FERA, practices Company Law, gives regular talks on All India Radio, advisor for Citibank NRI portal, plays the mridangam beautifully, he is a self-proclaimed retiree and all of 40 yrs old - he looks more like 30 though)

Incidentally, after listening to my series of lectures in All India Radio, the Director of AIR Mr. B R Kumar, who has since retired, and joined GYAN FM Channel (this is a Knowledge Channel that propagates only Education) has asked me to give a series of lectures on the title " You, me and Money" for laymen.

My feeling is that you are a rich person, not by what you acquire buy what you share with others. And everybody can be rich. Think of different between an ASSET and LIABILITY. Asset puts money into your pocket -- Knowledge, investments, bonds, deposits etc. Liability takes away your existing money -- House, gadgets like washing machine, PC, AC, Oven, fittings etc. I am not saying you should not buy House or Home. But, only buy it when you have created enough cash flows to sustain that. The rich knows how to appreciate really assets.

The poor and particularly middle class (i) Do not know the difference between A and L and (ii) Buys Liability, worse thinking that they are really assets. They want to buy liability quickly, say, bigger house, initially so that they can look Rich. In the long run they loose and remain poor. The poor and middle class want their sons and daughters to repeat what they were doing to continuously remain poor and middle class -- that is read and get good grades, get job, work hard, get married, get children, fund their education, ask them get good grades etc.......repeat them to remain poor/middle class only to pay for everybody else (other then themselves!). For example, they pay for Government (taxes), Banks (loans, credit card), and remain poor. They work for money.

The rich, on the other hand, buys assets, looks initially poor, but in the long run are not only actually rich, but pass on their legacy to next generation. The richness of a person is not how much money you have, but if you retire today, how long you can comfortably carry on without any support. For instance I had retired long before. That is why you are saying that I am earning at comfort from Home.

The poor and middle class: Earn, pay taxes, spend, whereas the rich: Earn, spend and Pay taxes!.
In short, the poor and middle class work for money. The rich class make money work for them!

Random Access (BE, MIEEE, MCP, MCAD, MCSD, trying hard to make up other stuff ;)
Somehow its very tough to get words to describe my exact opinion on this matter. Yes, you are right in defining some things as assets and liabilities. But things like House have a rate of depreciation much lesser than that of electronic gadgets. Also, buying a house is usually in lieu of an expense (rent). So, I would like to still classify this as an asset. Assets are something that generate cash flow in the short or long term. In this case of a house, it is a short term liability but a long term asset. Atleast its not like in Singapore where houses are not owned but only taken on a 99-year lease!

I would classify getting things like electronic items as not all being too bad, as some are for necessity. For example, a computer is an absolute must for our professions. But it is in deciding between what you need to have and what you like to have is the tough thing. For the last 4 years, I have been thinkin about getting a laptop, but every time I think it is really not necessary at this point of time. Success or failure is relative, but both stem from the decisions we make in our lives. I think assets are good, but some liabilities are essential. The rest is what we must be careful about. There must be enjoyment in life and that will in turn incur some liabilities. But these must be kept under control. The basic accounting statement A= L + E applies everywhere in life. But I found another interesting definition of the same.

Asset = Liabilities + Contributed Capital + Retained Earnings
Retained Earnings = BF Earnings + Net Income - Dividends

Though this applies to companies, if you look at it from an Individual perspective, I would define that

Contributed Capital = Birthday gifts, Providend Fund, Goodwill gestures
Net Income = Salary, Bonus, Miscellaneous Sources of Income, Interest on Savings, Dividends on Investments and Stocks
Dividends = Tax, Goodwill gestures to others, Essential commodities

So Liabilities become very limited to what Liabilites mean...that is things that we are liable for. We are not liable for the food we take (essential commodity) or the birthday gifts we give to the people we love (goodwill gestures) or the tax on our income, because of the simple fact that we cant escape all that, and these will not affect our financial position adversely. On the other hand, the real liabilities that we must be worried about (and the only thing in the equation that is really under our control) are the ones that will not give us value equivalent to the cost. Value can be material or otherwise, and the cost can also be material or otherwise.

A typical example will be whether u are willing to sacrifice your saturdays to help out children who struggle in their studies or just spend time getting a smile onto the children in orphanages and other special children. You cannot term this as a liability as you have to spend one day (cost), as the value(happiness) outweighs the cost. This is more of what I would term as a goodwill gesture and that is what I like about this definition.

People are maybe confused because Liabilities comes with a (+) sign in the equation. It is actually A = E - L. And yes, you can always strive to increase your net income while keeping your liabilities to the bare minimum so that you can increase your assets. But I would give considerable thought at increasing my Dividends as well, even though it is with a (-)ve sign in the equation. That is what I think is the difference between a successful life and fulfilling life. Given the choice, I would choose to live a fulfilling life. And the best part is that a fulfilling life is also a successful life, even though the material assets might be lesser...

Every person only has to realise that this basic accounting equation is what governs him and he has to think about what he needs to do to balance his needs and desires. I dont think anyone wants to be a pauper, so everyone needs to be educated at identifying properly what is what. And I am sure your talk will make a lot of people appreciate the simplicity of managing their finances and make it big, not only in financial status, but also as a person and an integral part of society.

So in essence, I feel that everyone can make money work for them, if only they work to utilise the money in a proper way. As one wise man once said,"You cannot make everyone equal, but you have to realise the difference and provide for them". I do believe that this accounting equation just proves it scientifically and provides for everyone, rich or poor to manage their money properly.

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The search has just begun !!!

The Blessing

What have we in this world, so precious
That even a thought about it would taste delicious
A heart of gold, a body sculpted to perfection and a soul so gracious
That any attempt at describing it through words would be simply outrageous

A smile from ear to ear, so captivating
In its innocence and brilliance, it’s invigorating
It is a topic that is not worth debating
Cos just the purity of the package is so gravitating

I never had trouble finding words like I do now
Or for that matter, whenever I think about a vow
That I took a couple of years before
In the month of my birth, a date reading four times four

It aint a writer's block, far from it
When all I can do is think about it, every bit
Destiny, as its so often called, bound together
Two unstrung strands called him and her

Its often trivialized as just a four letter word
But that feeling is the best in life, not everyone can afford
And this I feel whenever I get to think
Of the titanic personality, who made my heart sink.

Separated by time and space, I yearn for her presence
Joined by our mutual feelings in every perceivable sense
Curse, I do, for I have to undergo this excruciating sacrifice
When in reality a wish in person and just a gentle hug would suffice

Twenty two years ago, on this wonderful day, five times five
When every single Indian soul then alive
Was rejoicing their heroes lift the World Cup trophy, live
So blissfully ignorant of the real blessing to arrive

When earth-bound came an angel from heaven
Having to go through human suffering, caused by the number seven
But God knows only the best people can handle the pain
That many others would give anything to abstain.

Sometimes I wonder why life has to be so unfair
That I have to be so far away from the people I really care
Tears that rolled down her cheeks, as her quivering lips did part,
When the last I saw of her and I had to depart,

Was like a blemish on an impeccable piece of art
Which continue to prick me, day in and out, like a dart
Cos after all, what I left behind was a piece of my heart
And will last till we no longer have to be physically apart.

Love is a feeling, people say, but I saw it in her eyes
Filled with innocence and faith, devoid of vice
I wish I can make this special day a bit of a surprise
Cos for me, she has definitely been the ultimate prize.

Millions aint worth a penny, if you are not with these people
For they think of you more than yourself, is justification ample
Just like my parents, who had set me an example
She, in every way, forms a perfect sample.

So painful it is to get words through, even if I feel they are due
When my eyes resemble sparkling leaves in the morning dew
Longing to resurrect my torn world and begin life anew
With a person, whom I have been with, just a few

Days, or was it years
Cos I was trying to suffocate my eyes and ears
Capturing as much as I could, while it lasted
As every moment without her is equivalent to being wasted.

I don’t like to send en e-card or something copy pasted
As only in my heart can I replicate how sweetly it tasted
Looking at her now, ever so beautiful, albeit digitally
I could feel her looking back at me, engulfing my heart totally

With her lovely glistening smiles
Aligned with smooth polished tiles
In my brain, every pixel re-compiles
Bridging two souls and 2000 miles

On this most joyous occasion
I would like to thank her for making me a better person;
Ever after she made her conquest after a sudden invasion
I have been dreaming about the future without any cessation -

After an evening of glorious glittering procession
Accompanied by classical musical percussion
And garnering the much-awaited religious permission
I will finally make my invaluable acquisition.

Worries lash her gentle heart, a thousand and one
And till now, I have managed to quench none
From the time I have known her, it has not all been joy and fun
But that’s life, and that’s the way it’s done.

My mistakes in the past, she has forgiven
Loves me, she does, this beautiful vixen
So do I, with all my heart, and dreams I have a ton
For our life together has just begun.

She’s a rarity of a girl that I want to preserve
Giving her joy and happiness that she eternally does deserve
A few thoughts I have translated into words with a lot more in reserve
Those that I can’t put in words, however much I have tried so far, let me conserve.

She has definitely been a divine blessing for me
As for a lot of others, and those loved ones will agree
On this beautiful day, I have but an intermittent plea
That my goddess, soon I will be able to see and forever let it be.

This aint really a worthy birthday present
And I still need to earn her parents' consent
But after electing to suffer, I am finally on the ascent
Hoping soon I can become worthy of being her match, a bit decent.

This physical separation, we have been left to silently rue
But in this new year, happiness and prosperity in plenty may you accrue
To start with, let me wish you
A Very Happy Birthday Janu!

Random Access
The search has just begun !!! (to bring happiness to this soul)

Kostin

When does the blog become too personal? What are the posts that are not warranted to remain in the public domain? This is something that I have been twiddling around with for the past few mins. For I have something that brings me joy and happiness that will multiply when I share it with others, but something I wrote for a specific person in a specific context. Dint I start this blog thinkin of just jotting down things that will make me happy on recollection years down the line? Then whats stopping me now, is that cos I have some readership? Thoughts about my childhood are real personal too. Is that cos I am anxious about that person's reaction? Well, who doesnt like a few wishes? Yet, just like a few things are better left unsaid, somethings just are juz meant to be told..to that someone..not in front of everyone...

Sorry A, if these thoughts echo your feelings too...Lemme know if it does..

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The search has just begun !!!

A Fitting Tribute!

Here came a lovely poem(s) totally unexpected, fittingly on a special day. May the stars shine on the star-birthday of a beautiful soul in bangalore! And thanks 'A', I donno if I would have been able to express my feelings in a better way! What can I say? I am dumbstruck! Thanks a lot :)

Random Access
The search has just ended (for a beautiful present)

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Friends
We met upon the Internet,
A friendship electronic,
Expressed alone in words and thoughts,
Inevitably platonic.

We live too far apart for us
To mingle in the flesh,
But much more close than family,
Our hearts and feelings mesh.

Rajagopal is a friend from the blog
And in yahoo to chat we log.
We have our own sweet home within
Our precious cyberspace.

Rajagopal &Janani
It's amazing how he feels when he hears her voice,
How his heart pounds when she talks.
He listens to her and thinks: My God! How lovely!
And everything around him bursts into bloom.

He feels as though she mus be his,
Not as a possession but a goal,
Something almost unimaginable:
The free devotion of another soul.

His mood is like a cloudy noon
Waiting for the sun,
Or like a sailing ship that can't
Set sail without the tide.
He fidgets in his emptiness,
Not knowing where to run;
Yet when he hears her he can't explain
What's going on inside.

Months have passed since they became close friends.
Every day he finds He's thinking of her,
Through the phone messages are sent.
They share all their thoughts and feelings:
He cannot wait to tell her of his day,
And gives her the gist of all his dealings.

The day is not far off
When they would be together,
Rejoicing in happiness
And live happily ever after.

Birthday Wishes
Wish you a happy birthday, dearest friend.
We can be just closest friends.
There is no passion greater than the one
That touches not the body but the heart.

I'm sorry I can't be with you today,
When you should rule by virtue of your birth.
Please accept this tribute of mere words,
Best substitute for a birthday gift.

Wish you long years to come,
Good tidings sent to you,
From all of us here,
With heartfelt warmth,hugs and cheer.

Happy Birthday Janani

Anjali

Just One!

One race, one winner, one podium finish, one Indian, one shame. That was the story of the eagerly awaited US GP today. It was a shame the race wasnt held in normal circumstances. I know there is going to be a lot of hate mails to Ferrari but its a sport, and people play with millions to win. That means WIN! Its one thing to be sporting but in the end, its a matter of pride and honour. The 6 cars that raced dint race for the heck of it, they were competing, albeit with lesser competition. If you really think about it, its nothing but a repeat of 2002, when the Ferraris were left to fight with themselves and the Minardis fighting amongst themselves at the back. The only diff is that there was not much to see in the tvs in-between. Todt is a Sporting Director, hes not paid to give away freebies to the other teams. He is paid to win the championship. What if 14 other cars blew out and Ferrari finished 1-2. Still blame them? This is plain hypocrisy. Montoya all but admit that McLaren have team orders (though they call it mutual understanding or whtever crap), yet there is no talk about that, but Ferrari is always blamed for the good job they do! This is a business we are talking about, and people have to make tough decisions to succeed. Oh poor RA, sleeps at 4am. He cant wake up on time, so we will alter the entire company schedule from 10-4 to be considerate to him! Michelin made a mistake and they have to pay a price for that along with the teams who rely upon them. Too bad, but what can Ferrari do about it? They had to take the diplomatic way out by adhering to the FIA ruling.

And talking about the team that wanted to race and the drivers who raced, think about the teams that dint race and their drivers who wanted to race! Its the same thing. This is a team sport. As a driver, you have no choice but to abide by your team. Coultard wanted to race. As a racing driver, you always want to race. Every race is a risk, they are prepared to take it !!! Thats why they are racing drivers. And most of the 20 drivers would have opted to continue. But they dint. Its cos their team dint want them to. 3 teams wanted to for whatever selfish reasons , but they wanted to, and the drivers did their job. And dont blame the teams as well, if Bridgestone had screwed up, would the same thing have happened? DEFINITELY!!! Then it wud be Bridgestone's fault. Its too bad 7 teams have to sign up for Michelin.

As I juz told, sport comes before sportsmanship, in any damn sport. There will be isolated cases like these, too bad, but wht to do. Just have to get on with it. No point pointing fingers. As Tiago rightly said, "Its sad, but I dont give a damn, I dont care if there are 2 cars or 20 cars, I am on the podium. No one can take that away from me. Thats what matters". And thts the podium guy. And too bad Narain missed this golden opportunity!

Random Access
The search has just begun !!! (to destroy all damn arguments tht might come up)

A deed, indeed!

One of the things people tell me all the time is that "You always talk and promise this and that, but you never do it". Be it in putting on weight or not straining my health or cleaning the house. Things I want to do, things I feel like doing, but things that have not been done. Its the act of translating your words into actions thats the problem. A BIG PROBLEM (juz like Michelin is facing at the US GP right now..hihi..). Implementation is always a ?. Why this big build up? Cos here is a person who did something and then talked about it. Humbled and a valuable lesson for me. I am so proud of you!

Random Access
The search has just begun !!!

Blogs and Bloggers

I am not going to talk about why you should blog or what makes one blog..I am gonna talk abt blog-surfing. Just reading through the blogs and how it makes one feel. There are so much stuff out there that you might need a search engine dedicated for the blog world! With blogspot rockin the show, there are other sites like xanga and squarespace munching the crumbs. Well, on blog surfing, I have one word for that...humbling... It makes u realise there are so many people out there trying to do so many things, having such wonderful sense of rhyme and meaning, ability to convey thoughts precisely as words, short and sweet, or long and strong, it doesnt really matter. They do the same thing. And earlier, when I started blogging, and knowing the ABCs of blogs, I used to come across posts with 2-3 comments. Now I can find 30-40 comments on an average in a decent blog. If you thot reading blogs will take up all your time, imagine reading thru all the comments (its damn tempting to not miss those...they have yet more discussions and sometimes thots as lovely as the post themselves). And this realisation made me cautious and thot about limiting my prowess. But even following blog-rollers like "A" can be quite dangerous and tedious at times as you bump into a lot of irresistable blogs. Its a question of where you restrict yourself. I thought if I go by my interests, it should be quite few. My favorites list doesnt seem to think so! As much as I want to put a full stop to my growing blog list everyday, it continues to be an eluding comma.....,

And now, to hear what other bloggers think about blogs:

I think we all blog because we want an outlet and don't really care if anyone wants to listen or not. And it is great to shout without really bothering about who hears, or how they respond - StarGazer

I'll write about nice things because I want to remind myself about the nice things that are in this life, nice things that make life worth living. - StarGazer

Each of the blogs is essentially what n how the blogger wud like the stuff he reads to be! So the blog is the blogger itself! - Makki

On one hand, u have ppl writing on their fave potato chips ( Pringles , in this case...) , an absolutely nothing topic to write on, but still makes a rather "decently interesting read"....reminded me of my most fave cloumn in the Hindu," The Slice of Life" by V.Gangadhar..He had the gift of morphing the mundane into absolutely hilarious situations. So his weekly column was nothing but the present day blog.. jus the kind that we wud attempt to write, but IMMENSELY ENJOYABLE... - Ranga

Well, I don't know if any of you have heard of Bikram Bohra. But he is my favorite columnist. He too writes about stuff that just about anyone can relate too. And he's so witty, always makes me laugh to tears. - Ms. V

Been a while since I blogged,
At this end of the world, I am so bogged.
The summer sun gets me thawed,
Yet my zeal, It just gets sogged. - Vishy

I think that peom's the nicest way of expressing one's bloggin' blues.. - StarGazer

But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling like dew, upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think. - Bala

Very few people have the ability to capture profound emotions and thoughts in the simplest of words. One such writer is UK-based Ammani. On her now very popular blog, she posts short stories (that she calls Quick Tales) - each no more than a few lines that reach deep into the reader and finds a pulse that resonates in harmony. The elegance and simplicity is mind-blowing. - Bala

I Blog - - - Therefore I am - Princess

This page is not a promise of any magic. It is most definitely not a window to my world. I am not an open book and I am still confident i cant write. But I want to write more...For as i told you i can write no more than words, simple words.. - Princess

but, in my defence, can i help it if people flock to my blog just like that? however, i take this insult as a compliment - Swetha

i was wondering how all this would sound to a person who stumbles here accidentally. would it make any sense to her?....there are several questions running through my mind. for instance - something as basic as -- what should i write? to something as absurd as - should i edit my blog after i write it? will it make my blog too perfect and less like a blog?..should i let my blog reflect my inner thoughts and personality - Swetha

Here is for me to talk abt why i feel something i do and what i do when i feel something....:). - Susmita

I started blogging after my brother suggested it. He has, is and will be the best critic of my articles/poems et al. His idea was that maybe I'd get folks to comment on my work and hence gauge it... I started sorting out my own perspectives. I may not have agreed with what the other bloggie had to say, but it made my own ideas clearer.. - V

one can sharpen his/her saw by getting to know ideas from others albeit those ideas being a completely contrary though - Anonymous

*sigh* !!! One more ....changing blogs like a dress :-p... - Phantom

U have a nice blog. And i like the habit of urs changing blogs often. Change should always be there. That would make the page more dynamic. ...blogging is abt u and ur thoughts, its more a part of urself. Don just let go of this habit - Anand

Why do I blog? Because I love the attention. Now that I’ve said what everyone wants to hear, let me answer the question. Because I love to write. Period. - Ms. V

And for those of you who blog, there might just be a day when I visit yours...so keep posting!

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The search has just begun !!!

Time

Time flies, almost everytime...
Time and tide wait for none, said someone sometime...
At times, time remains static...
Times do change, all the time...
Late on time, yet another time...
Time finally becomes history, and "once upon a time..."

Random Access
The search has just begun !!! (to thank ammani - jikku's foto was the inspiration)

Friend Philosopher Guide God

For the one and only one...

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Friend Philosopher Guide God

I dont know where and how to start
Cos you are as delicious as a pineapple tart
A smile that you spontaneously bring to my face
Everytime I think of you, every one of the days.

How much I yearn for a tight embrace
Conveying my greetings to my ace
On being with me, yet another year in life's race
And I would be overjoyed to receive your grace.

I owe you so much in life
Not to mention life itself
I am so far from you and your wife
Yet you always think of me before self.

So much I dream, which still remain dreams
That I wanted to give you, still unrealised I rue
But those recollections, of school days and ice creams
And you have given me everything I wanted, all through!

From balloons to Hot Wheels
To all that I now realise as one-sided deals
From the trembling hands that bandaged my wounded knees
To being with me all the time to get the books and pay school fees.

From melting your heart whenever you heard a "pleaaase"
To moulding me into a boy capable of living life overseas
From making me navigate a tricky adoloscence phase with ease
To pouring down my cheeks as I feel your absence when writing these.

From taking your deserved place in my heart on a permanent lease
To giving me memorable laughs and cornered grins with your uncanny tease
From making me realise, from a young age, the importance of courtesies
To taking pride when I lifted aloft my Best Conduct trophies.

To describe you, I cant find a fitting phrase
You are as brilliant as the sun's rays
From the image in my heart and what my history portrays
You mean so much to me, much more than what this poem says.

6"2 is the latest tamil movie
That doesnt promise much, says the tv
At 62, you are still tech savvy
My eternal pride, my internal envy.

You have been as good a teacher in my life as any other
People yearn for those they dont have, but I dont miss a brother
And a true friend above anyone I have ever got, even her
You will be etched in my heart and memories forever.

A philosopher, so perfect that I love it to the core
A reliable guide who has experienced my future before
The God, my god, that I have only heard in folklore
Without you around, for the past 6 yrs, I feel terribly sore.

I think of you all the time
Not being with you is the biggest of my crime
Your words, your blessings have shaped me in my prime
Your love I try to unwittingly return in the prayers I chime.

Memories bring a smile, so painful
Looking blankly at the skies with a face sinful
Trying to locate mercy, care, confidence and comfort, plentiful
That I always find in your words, reverberating ever so beautiful.

Through all this disdain I can declare
That you have done everything for me, beyond compare
And life is so pathetically unconvincingly unfair
That I dint allow you the luxury of choosing my pair.

Now I realise the true meaning of giving
Unto others without nurturing the returns
Tredding the big bad world with barely enuf for a living
Holding your invisible hand to traverse along the twist and turns.

When it comes to expressing how I feel now, I do miserably fail
In this impossible endeavour of putting forth love, words are of no avail
Having left with no choice, I stop this flow, although thoughts prevail
"I LOVE YOU APPA", something I have never told you, and thus I vail...

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The search has just begun !!! (to get some happiness into the life of the one)

Oh my gawd!

My post Figure Lah made it to one of the local gossip columns thanks to Feedster RSS crawler :((

http://www.local-news.net/go/103.85/1.28/gossip/

damn! I dont know which small wall i shud go n bang against!

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The search has just begun !!!

Not quite...

I am bitterly disappointed, but not bad...Whats the next best thing to a victory? 2nd and 3rd on the podium and thats whats there in Canada. Although with Alonso throwing out his chances and 10 points for the picking, the championship leader might change quicker than expected! And schumi is not anywhere near to that. But Ferrari have a lot to prove and improve in the coming races. In a way, the start decided the finish, but gosh, they wud have been easily 35 sec+ on the McLarens and the Renaults, and far down the order if not for a few guys flirting with the walls and the safety car. The performance differential is staggering and I would admit that I dont have much hopes for the rest of the season. That is definitely bad news heading into Indy, in what I would think is a week of another comfortable McLaren victory. This is not a moment of rejoice but a moment of reconciliation and retrospect. Ferrari has always excelled at medium to low downforce circuits, but with only 2-3 of them remaining in the calendar, do they have to build a car suited for those? Its all about salvaging a few race wins now, although I would presume for a lost cause. I dont feel like giving an update on my other predictions, but the McLaren duo seem to be listening!

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The search has just begun !!!

Kanaa Kandain - Dreams do become reality!

After a string of positive comments and commendations, I decided to experience the movie firsthand. Sadly, I did not have much of a company (bar a few guys I went with, who were content at hooting at item numbers). And having the hangover from yday's unexpected nightout, I forced myself to go in with a coke (sorry J, cudnt help it). But the film impressed me. It took up a different concept to the oft repeated concept of love and marriage and divorce and reunion and violence and more recently, more primitive ways of "love". And something which is quite valid, though cinematic exaggeration will always be there to bring the impact. I aint gonna divulge the story, but I am sure that you will be mightily impressed by the performances. The "girl next door" look of the heroine and the "pathetic looking guy" look of the hero blends in to make the film more realistic and uncharacteristicly impressive. The villian also played his part with the mallu accent and no-overdo. Definitely the villians are acting much better than the heroes nowadays! I would rate him second to "Pandyaaaaaaaaaaaaa" in recent times. Apart from this, the characters have been very consistent throughout the film. Impressive this - the villian stays a villian, the scientist stays a scientist, the wife stays a wife, the flirting prof (naeeeeeech) stays the flirting prof, vivek stays vivek. Except for the forced-in item number (the girl was gumm too) which dint make much sense, and the picturisation of the songs (damn, i had high hopes for my 'chinna chinna sigarangal' - which was also true btw ;) ) the film was definitely top quality. And one nice message they brought out was that emotions are not a potent weapon, and probably a sword turned against you instead. The songs did not stick, but the story does tick and you come out with the feeling "not bad spending the sat afternoon on this"

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The search has just begun !!!

Chinna Chinna Aasai

My current favorite song is "chinna chinna sigarangal" from "Kanaa Kandain". I was humming it and kinda tuned it blandly and turned it around a bit...for u know who. I tried singing it, but she couldn't bear the donkey in me. So here it goes in a much safer medium..

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சின்ன சின்ன ஆசை

சின்ன சின்ன சிகரங்கள் காட்டி செல்ல கொலைகள் செய்யாதே
உன் சிரிப்பில் எந்தன் புன்னகை என்றே எந்த நாளும் உரைப்பேனே
அன்பே நீ எந்தன் அருகில் வந்தாலே பாச மழையில் நனைப்பேனே
கண்ணே மணியே முத்தே அமுதே என்றே நானும் துதிப்பேனே

காதல் என் அருகில் வந்தாலே பயந்தே விலகி சென்றேனே
நீயோ எந்தன் வாழ்வினில் புகுந்தே என்னை நானே மறந்தேனே
நினைவில் தோன்றி கனவில் மலர்ந்தே நீனே வாழ்வென உணர்த்தேனே
மனதில் ஒளிறும் தீபம் நீயின்றி நேரதின் அர்தம் இழந்தேனே

செடிமேல் காணும் கொடிபோல் நினைத்தே உன் மேல் நானும் படர்வேனே
தெய்வம் தந்த பூவே உன் தேகம் பட்டு பாயென புகழ்வேனே
தாகம் மோகம் எல்லாம் உட்கொண்டு சொர்கம் சென்று வந்தேனே
நெஞ்சம் இரண்டும் ஒன்றென்று உனரவே கனவாய் நானும் மலர்வேனே

எந்தன் ஜீவன் எனக்குள் துலைந்தே உனக்குள் காண கிடைப்பேனே
அம்மா மடியில் சோர்வினில் சாயும் சுகத்தை உன்னிடம் பெருவேனே
எந்தன் பிரவி என்னோடு நீயும் பகிர கண்டு சிலிர்தேனே
இந்த ஜென்மம் உன்னோடு நானே முழுதாய் கழிக்க இயல்வேனே.

ரேண்டம் ஆக்ஸஸ்
தேடல் இப்பொழுது தான் தொடங்கி உள்ளது !!!

உதவி:
http://subhashini.blogspot.com/2005/04/writing-tamil-blog.html
http://www.jaffnalibrary.com/tools/Tsc.htm
http://www.suratha.com/reader.htm

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[Transliteration]
Chinna Chinna Aasai

chinna chinna sigarangal kaati chella kolaigal seiyadhe
un sirippe endhan punnagai endre endha naalum uraipene
anbae nee en arugil vandhale paasa mazhaiyil nanaippene
kanne maniyae muthe amudhe endre naanum thudhippene

kaadhal en arugil vandhale bayandhe vilagi sendrene
neeyo endhan vaazhvil pugundhe ennai naanum marandhene
ninaivil thondri kanavil malarndhe neene vaazhvena unardhene
manadhil olirum deepam neeyindri nerathin artham izhandhene

chedimel kaanum kodipol ninaithe un mel naanum padarvene
deivam thandha poove un dhegam pattu paayena pugazhvene
dhaagam mogam ellam utkondu sorgam sendru vandhene
nenjam rendum ondrendru unarave kanavaai naanum malarvene

endhan jeevan enakkul tholaindhe unakkul kaana kidaippene
amma madiyil sorvinil saayum sugathai unnidam peruvene
endhan piravi ennodu neeyum pagira kandu silirthene
indha jenmam unnodu naane muzhudhai kazhikka iyalvene

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Masters, here comes a Mister

With an aeroplane-shaped body with people serving refreshments in the cockpit and research being conducted in its wings, the most memorable sight of NTU is the lecture theatres in its belly where students take a peaceful nap. In the morning, the students sleep cos they have been doin work all nite (incl music, movies, in house pubs, games, surfing, dating what not). In the afternoon, poor guys need to escape the treacherous heat beating down on them..In the early evening, its the aftermath of a nice long lunch. With the seemingly mild aircon and the lullaby of a professor preaching half a mile away, what more comfort do u need to venture into ur dreamland? After all, life in NTU is a dream come true! Nanyang Technological University, as its so painstakingly called, its reputation among Indians is so towering that its recognised as a world renowned university and is treated with a reverence given to none other than the famous Muniyaandi College Of Engineering in Gumidipoondi, near the erstwhile British townsville of Madras.

When the pressures of std XII discerningly mount on the poor skool kid, he has to succumb to parental and peer pressure and start his Application Process during the Holy Month of December, when as a kid he remembered gleefully wandering the vast expanse of a 100 yard circular patch of parched greenery littered with stones chasing a globular object called ball. Some people, who mock this sincerely await Spring and Fall! Yet these kids, devoid of the simple pleasure of copy paste available to online applications, had to slog it out with the best handwriting they can muster, under the watchful concerned eyes of whoever stopped by to hint about the impending "career" ahead. Now, along with the "default" set of colleges that every god-damned std XII student will apply to, comes NTU. Such is the popularity of one of the greatest institutions that shaped by life ("Kaakaikkum than kunju pon kunju").

With its lush greenery and spacious sports complexes and dining halls, with caterers from across the world summoned to look after the apetites of the growing student population, with a lot of students from the same country to hang out with indulging in blissful chat and timeless gossip, its no wonder that I enjoyed my undergraduate studies there. Grades? I never bothered to calculate my GPA cos it didnt really matter. Is the college like the ones in India? Going by my arrears list, definitely! Gals? Refer to my previous post! Profs? "Whats tht anna univ dude's name da?" Research? I will come back after a search! Facilities? Lotsa computers to surf the net!

Now that I am done talking abt the university, I missed the university so much that I wanted to continue my distance education (remember half a mile) with NTU. Being sincere, I applied one day after the deadline got over. Then came the interview:

Interviewer: What made you want to do your Masters?
Random Access: I screwed up my Bachelors, I want a second chance (to screw up?)
I: What made you choose NTU?
RA: Cos nowhere else will they give me that chance!
I: Seems like you have had turbulent undergrad years
RA: Yeah, I was flying around in the aeroplane!
I: You have written a good essay on how Internet has some dangers for students.
RA: Thank You (came out by default, dint really hear what u said)
I: What made u concentrate on Plagiarism? You had covered that point very well..
RA: Yeah, thats one thing I really know about (wicked grinnnnnnn at heart)
I: Are you planning to stay in Singapore?
RA: Are you crazy? I have stayed here for 6 yrs already!

Thank God the interview ended quite soon and she took all my answers in the positive frame of mind...So here I am with a white piece of paper titled "Masters in Information Systems" with a word Congratulations! Needless to say the rest, after a round of emails to kith and kin and J, I am looking for funding now!

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Figure lah!

Whats more commonplace than a babe in a single guy's blog? I am surprised that I have never brought up this topic, more surprising cos my aal doesnt read this blog and I am gonna surprise myself by describing 2D geometry aka Singaporean babes. Anyone who has visited Singapore or caught a glimpse of in Discovery would know what I am talking about. For the rest, the girls in Singapore can vie for the highest honours and can put models n actresses and pop singers to shame...of the jenifer lopez variety where the only selling point is whats behind...I read somewhere that the average vital stats has become 32-28-38. Although Singaporeans are not to blame for this (their birth rate is alarming - not the alarm we here in India), the ever increasing Chinese population in the world is doing the stats no good. The author attributed this change to the decreased interest of the frontal view by the males and increased passion to do something from behind...and this has made the female species evolve biologically. Its a sad thing to note good things disappear from this earth! I detest pamelas but I wouldnt mind a handful! Before I shock everyone and digress too much from the topic, coming back to Singapoean babes...

Singapoean gals
They are beauties with their long legs (well, compared to their body size) and compulsory short skirts, mini shorts n skimpy outfits, n most of them being skinny by default, they resemble angels descended to ensure a visual treat to the mere mortals..And if they happen to wear jeans, its a must to have a low cut one with the navel exposed so that the onlookers wont condemn their attire with a typical slur u get from the general public (definitely not the coll going variety) when a girl in India tries to wear anything but a sari showcasing their middle tier. Now probably u will side with me when I proclaim that the sari is the sexiest cloth to wear. It describes the radius of curvatures and maxima and minima like none other. I think the more u leave it to the imagination of the guys, the better u look!

Gimme more...
Oh they are drop dead gorgeous...and when they turn around, u can drop dead. Their face is the first turn off..There is a famous phrase here..."Cover the face, fire the base". And once in a while, u might be wondering if ur sexual orientation has changed..cos u realise that u have been following the rong kinda "gal". For starters, the guys dont expose their navels..so thts a good indication..Honestly, I cant think of any other proper differentiation. It all comes with experience though..so dont worry lah.. Well, their waistline is pretty good and u get an occasional peek, if u r close enuf.. All this when yours truly is wrapped up in a sweater or jacket to such an extent that if I just go without them, I get remarks like "You look handsome today", "What happened to u, r u alrite?".. I pity the babes who have to bear it all to the chillness of A/C present everywhere here, just to maintain their dressing decorum...I guess that sums it up..

Varieties
There are 2 types of singaporean gals. One type will allow their bf to fondle them in public, the other will fondle their bf in public. I have never seen both of them fondle each other..(Dudes wake up, birth rate alarm). I havent been to many other countries, but I guess singapore will have the highest number of ppl cuddling and fondling in public but very less kissing. Buses, trains, shopping malls, markets, u name it.. But theatres, parks, beaches, the traditional indian hangouts, u will hardly find any of these closeness..I just cant theorise a reason why..

The Men ?
A recent discovery travel and adventure channel documentary had this to say. 90% of Singaporean men have monster sperms. Dont get high cos its supposed to be the less fertile variety. So coupled with the birth rate, and lack of coupling with lot of women preferring to stay single until well past 30, u really doubt their caliber. They take pig organ soup to increase their virality. I heard rumours that even the girls in geylang arent satisfied nowadays (Geylang is like Amsterdam).

The Government
I have to be politically correct here. I would advice you to go through the spell check software at www. gov. sg before u post any comments to avoid any legal wranglings later. Atleast one blog owner has already been prosecuted as far as what I heard. I wouldnt wanna take risk as this would probably be my only post on this damned (to be read as darling) country. The government is taking measures to increase birth rate. Those who have 3 children or more get extra benefits (Those who r planning to come to singapore should therefore do some homework). Every year children born on New Year, Chinese new year and my birthday are given gifts and their parents are given preferances for getting houses. People are given day off to "try". All the islands around singapore have concessions and special packages for couples. Wow! is what I hear from u..."Woh Lau, too much work lah, no time for holiday" is what I hear here. "Alamah!" is what I hear from my neighbour. No wonder so many malaysians migrate here, for they have avg of 4 children each. And with the govt's penchant for importing foreign skilled labour and atheletes n stuff to do their work for them, I wonder......

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Simple Pleasures of Life

What exactly is pleasure? Nowadays, if you think of pleasure, mostly your thoughts gets irrevocably wound up about the richest billion-dollar industry deriving its wealth from showcasing one of the simple pleasures of life available day and night to everyone, rich or poor, man or woman, human or animal...I guess u know what...

Anywayz, let me get to the crux of my post. I found a fitting example in "Vellai Pookal" from Kannathil Muthamittal carrying beautiful verses about the simple pleasures strewn all over this world, yet men and women so careless, carefree and categorically too busy to stop over and have a look at those.

Mann mel manjal velicham vizhugave
Manathe sombal murithu ezhugave
Kuzhandai vizhikkattume thaayin katha kathappil
Ulagam vidiyattume pillaiyin siru muthal sirippil

[Translation]
Let the sun's rays grace this earth
All the freshness in this world, let your heart unearth
Let the child wake up engulfed in the mother's warmth - and whats more a spectacle
Than letting the day break with the child's gentle crackle

That aint probably doing justice to the depth of the meaning conveyed by those words. I was guilty of letting a lot of things pass by unnoticed as well, until I became jobless and had the "time" to look at these things. But once I did look at them, I just couldnt look back. I am just so happy at being jobless, cos its making me realise things that I wouldnt really thought or cared about otherwise. Such is the beauty and diversity of the things in this world that it makes me proud of our existence. What havent we? From the Flowers to Children to Love to God to the Universe to the Person next to you, everything is so beautiful and is present for a purpose - the sole purpose of making your life worthwhile. After all, a life is a life whether in Earth or Mars. Earth just has so much more to live for. And the next time you crib about all the things u dont have or how someone makes your life miserable, just try to list out the things u do have and the joy u have experienced so far. Bet u cant finish the list. Memories are cherished cos they were ignored or taken for granted when they were "Alive". Learn to live in the present. Then life will become much more pleasurable. Infact every single thing is there for a purpose, if only u really looked at it. If you think its philosophy, thanks! Cos I believe Philosophy is so damn practical..just that people dont see it clearly.

I have always believed that Beauty lies in Simplicity. You will be surprised that the most pleasurable things in this world are very simple in nature..so simple that its very easy to not realise it.

What exactly is a simple pleasure? For the uninitiated, your parents' love, your blessed life so far, your skooling which is provoking all the thots in u now, your neighbourhood which gave u experiences that have shaped u as u r, ur work that has given u ur expertise and varied skills, drenching a parched throat with water, a drizzle in the mid summer, someone wishing u a happy birthday, a hot bath after a tiring day. For a few souls like me, poetry...even the food u eat is a simple pleasure. And these are just a very few of the innumerable pleasures out there. What I feel is the best of the lot, is what was mentioned in the verse above, just an innocent gentle smile, that u smile from time to time...Nothing can beat that. So keep smiling and derive unlimited pleasure. And pleasure leads to happiness. And contentment...and hunger for seeking more pleasure..No wonder they say a smile leads to another smile. So there goes a pleasure reaction. Enjoy it while u can :)

And thanks every one of u, including Ms. V and StarGazer, for giving me a few more pleasures in life worth living for!

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