Coffee..Unleashing the Sociable Power...

“Behind every successful individual, is a substantial amount of coffee...”

I adore good coffee! There I've said it.
I am not one of those coffee fiends that drink coffee all day long. But during this tiring and hectic routine, amidst such scorching heat even in the month of September, I sure can turn my mouth towards a cup of coffee to relax my veins. And while I am waiting for getting my coffee brewed, several thoughts pop up in my mind and I end up writing here.

Life is a journey chock-full of literal and proverbial coffee breaks. Imagine the things that can happen over a cup of coffee. Discovery of an innovative gadget, a new music track, chance finding of a solution to an issue, thought of getting back with your old mates, or saying yes to a marriage proposal! Well, there are numerous possibilities to be explored over a cup of coffee. Not to forget heart-to-heart conversations.

It’s been a numerous times that I have myself experienced the same. Spending hours and hours with my Phoenix friends at Buddies cafe near Treasure Island, going with cousins to Lotus, or meeting new friends at Cafe Coffee Day. Relating to it, I deciphered this code that Coffee brings sociability to new heights and awareness. It's a personal enrichment that touches every aspect of your life, be it personal or professional.

It is fairly well known that going for a coffee with somebody can help you persuade them. A key reason why this works is that 'having a coffee' moves the person out of any threatening formal situation and puts them into a relaxed and friendly environment. With their guard down and friendly trust increased, they are more open to suggestion. This aspect does wonders particularly in corporate world. Sales people would know this well, and many big deals have been closed over coffee, lunch or dinner. Coffee is even the classic ice-breaker and motivator among colleagues and clients for businessmen and businesswomen.

Coffee shops thus continue to have a large social resonance, becoming primary social meeting places for youth, as well as the veterans. For example, you've just been set up on a date by your friends and are now frantically searching for a place to go to that would be cheap, low-maintenance, and provide an easy move-out strategy in case things don't look good. The perfect solution? Go out for coffee at a nice specialty coffee shop.

Isn’t it amazing how coffee brings together so many people in so many different situations?

I am not championing a cause. I just love good Coffee and great Conversation. My coffee is now here so would take a leave, but I would highly recommend making a nice shot of espresso to compliment your reading because there's nothing better than reading about coffee with a nice cup of coffee by your side. It is bound to get the mind brewing!

Can’t you smell it now?

Grasping for objectivity in my subjective life...

“How can there be so much difference..between a day off and an off day ?”


Sundays are always off. But I finally get a weekday off for myself from everything: getting up early, hectic work, jingo colleagues, et al. And the occasion for the same, is Vishwakarma Jayanti. Sorry, but If you ask me about it, I won’t be able to answer anything. But still, there is not a lot that i have to squander away with the time I have. I just visited the book-fair and went window shopping. Totally unlike my usual self.

Frankly, I can’t recall when was the last time I spent a whole day in between the week, lazying around and sleeping and reading and watching TV, or going on a long outing with friends. Ah! I miss this so much. Come to think of it, it’s only being about three months on my job.

But whatever, it’s been a good start to my corporate career. My job profile’s good (something which I was too eager for), pay’s decent considering the recession and all that, and probably the most important thing is that I have, at least for now, not acted stupidly on the job.

Anyhow, the out-and-out worst part of the current job is the bloody travelling time. It takes more than an hour to travel to my workplace, and the type of hostile environment I get there, does not make it any better for me. So I have resorted to the best thing in life...Sleeeep. Taking a nap while going, and coming back, surely relaxes me a lot out of the busy schedule.

Anyways, this is not an act of bewilderment, or to gain sympathy. After all the serious stuff and critical writing that I have done straight away since I started blogging, I thought I needed a break. So while relaxing, I just put in this cribbing bit, waiting to see who all are lame enough to read this. That's why had to put in a attractive seductive title for this post. :P

Patience..a virtue lost in today's world...

“A handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains...”



Yesterday, I was reading some stories from the book “Chicken Soup for the Indian Soul”. While reading it, there was an excerpt that I found very true with how we behave these days, and could relate it so well to myself. Thus, writing it here for everyone to give a thought.

__________
An old man was sitting with his forty-five year old son. A crow was perched at their window. The father asked his son “What is that son?” The son replied, “It’s a crow, father.”
After a few minutes the father asked again, “What is that son?” This time, with just a little hint of irritation in his voice, the son retorted, “I told you just now father, it’s a crow.”
A few minutes later the old man asked again, “What is that son?” This time the anger was evident in his son’s tone as he said, “It’s a crow, a crow!”
For the fourth time his father asked, “What is that son?” The son screamed back, “Why do you keep asking me the same question over and over again? Do you think I have no other work? I just want to read my paper and have my cup of tea in peace!”
The old man got up very quietly and returned with an old tattered notebook in his hand. The notebook was his diary. He opened the page to the day his son had turned three. He requested his son to read the page aloud; he would go to his room and leave his son alone with the tea and newspaper after that, he said.

Impatiently his son began:
Today my little son turned three. We were sitting together on the sofa chatting, when a crow came and sat at our window. He asked me what it was and I told him that it was a crow. With his three-year old mind, he had difficulty retaining the name of the bird and he asked me about twenty-three times what it was. I answered his question each time, spicing it up with a poem here, some information there, and a few stories about crows as well. Each time he asked me the question, I hugged him; after all who else will he go to with his questions.
__________

It is all about patience. It has never been easy to be patient, and it's probably harder now than at any time in history. But patience is a virtue that can be cultivated and nurtured. It is necessary to apply discipline to thoughts when they become anxious over the outcome of a goal.

I believe the message is loud and clear. I have made certain resolutions after reading this story yesterday. May be you should do as well...

Sachin leads..Victory follows...

"Long live Sachin..."

Finally some condolence for the Indian team, now that they have won the Compaq Cup by defeating Srilanka, and taking the No. 2 stop in ICC ODI Ranking. But for how long, is the question? If the Aussies clean sweep the series against England, they will surpass India as well as the Proteas at the top. But that is something we will have to wait and watch for.

Under the lights at the Premadasa, winning the toss was an auspicious start for India. But Dhoni would surely have lost all his nails in this thriller of a final, in a match featuring punches and counter-punches. Poor line-length of pace bowlers, shabby fielding, catches being dropped, stumping and run-outs missed - The Indian team was trying everything possible to hand over the win to the Srilankans. It made mistakes that could easily have cost them the final. This reinforces my perception of the Indian team’s calibre. And probably this is the reason why records show that since April 1999, India had reached 21 finals prior to this one, but won only 2 of them.

Alas, it was the experience of a few characters like Sachin Tendulkar (who played a master’s knock of 138), Yuvraj Singh (for his all-round performance) and Harbhajan Singh (for his five-wicket haul), that powered India’s win. In the frenetic chase of this huge total, the bowling of Harbhajan, Yuvraj and Raina might have over-shadowed the blizzard innings that set the tone, but in no way can Sachin’s role be undermined.

All is well that ends well. Just ahead the Champions Trophy, this series win will be a big boost to the confidence of Team India. But a lot needs to be done by perfectionist Dhoni, so as not to allow the tri-series triumph gloss over the weakness, and ensure that the mistakes are not repeated. The biggest positive to take out from the series win is that the Master Blaster is back in his sublime form. And it surely would be a big blow to his critics. Winning the Man-of-the-Match and Man-of-the-series titles justify his mantle.

Surely, Sachin leads..Victory follows...

Short-lived Glory...

"Team India numero uno ICC ODI Rankings"...
This was the news that hit all the channels and papers when India defeated NewZealand in the tri-series by 6 wickets.It spread a wave of joy and pride amongst all Indians, for the Indian team achieved this fate first time in the history.

But Indian's World No.1 Ranking could not stand up to scrutiny. Despite of having world-class players like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, M S Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh, etc., we have failed to deliver when needed. Our players have repeatedly shown instances of indiscipline, and lack of commitment. And consistency is something which has never been India's cup of tea.

So,as expected, India ran out of steam. The honeymoon was over in less than 24 hours. Needing three straight wins in the series to keep the No.1 spot with them, their defeat to Srilanka in the inconsequential match for the series, on September 12, dislodged them from the top spot. India demonstrated how quickly can one let go off the prestigious top ranking, and Australia's win over England in the fourth one-dayer put the icing on the cake. The entire nation is heart-broken.

Now to give back for the humiliation, and for a consolation, India at least has to win the series by defeating Srilanka today, to win the title and keep the second spot in the ranking to itself, and then hope that Australia don't run them over.

Friends Indeed ???

Friends are an important part of our lives. Trust and respect is what defines this relationship.
But there is a question that keeps pondering me time and again - "Who are your real friends"?
There are times when we are tempted to put more faith in friends, but is it worth it?

I get the response to this question, when I think of my group "Phoenix - The Fire Within Us". Those who know about my group, would know the reason for Phoenix coming to my mind, and for those who don't know about my group, probably don't know me well. For them, I would soon write about my group as well, because that's something dear to me.

This poem was written by me a long time back, but have edited it over time, and is thus dedicated to Phoenix and all my other close friends. I have let the dilemma in my mind be a part of it.

Mahindra expands its two-wheelers portfolio...

Mahindra Two Wheelers Ltd., the two wheelers arm of the US $ 6.3 billion Mahindra Group, and also the company i work for, has unveiled two new Power Scooters - the Mahindra Rodeo and the Mahindra Duro. With their contemporary styling and attractive features, these Power Scooters come packed with a host of features which make riding a sheer pleasure.

This launch is a validation of the commitment that Mahindra made last year to establish a robust, end-to-end global two wheelers business with a presence across segments. With their international appeal and powerful performance, the Rodeo and the Duro are world class scooters and will extend the Mahindra DNA of 'tough and rugged' style to a whole new consumer segment.

Both models offer the comfort and convenience of a scooter coupled with the thrill and power of a motorcycle. Mahindra's strong R&D capabilities and stringent quality control measures, coupled with technological inputs from SYM Taiwan and design inputs from Italy based Engines Engineering, have resulted in a perfect blend.

Winnie's words for me...

Getting good friends is so very difficult in today's times. At times, even if we have people close to us, we don't realise their importance. And then in their absence, we actually feel their true worth.

This is a poem a friend wrote for me. Now, we talk less often, but reading this makes me feel proud of our friendship. Everyone calls her Winnie.

Thanks a lot Kiddo for this poem. Its a treasure for me.

Thats All I could Do

Forever inspiring, always listening
I wonder, if u cud hear my silence too
Blessed are those who get such friends
and grateful am I, to be having you!!

There were days when u did hurt me
and your bluntness was sharper than a knife
Then there were the times you stood by me
both in happiness & sorrow alike

Almost perfect, full of confidence
I believe, thats how everyone knows you
But there's this stubborn yet innocent kid
somewhere, visible only to a few

Nothing could be more pure
than the friendship that we share
Its a beautiful relationship
that has been nurtured with lots of care

Unforgettable are those petty fights
your ways of making me understand
Those unnecessary sorry's n thankyou's
that you constantly banned

I could go on and on
for this story's never gonna end
Yet I'll stop right here
coz I know the rest you'll comprehend!!!

A truth in today's world...

The irony of maintaining relations in today's world...
If everyone is happy with u, means u surely have made lots of compromises in life...

A realisation that made me start blogging...

When I find myself fading, I close my eyes..and then I realise that my friends and family are my energy...And the relation I should share with them is not about sharing a talk, or story, or something materialistic...but sharing the most honest part of myself...