Oscillatory effect of Life

Off late I've had many realisations, insights of myself, the understanding and perspective of these insights had been in instrumental in what seems to be opening of a thought process and intellect of a deeper spiritual nature which I would want to put it as. The self discovery of my self has began long time while I was still young and needed to know what lay ahead for my future. Things related to analysis of past, present and future was something which drove me to alternative subjects like Palmistry, Numerology, Astrology, Graphology, Body language, Chi analysis, Fengshui for better energy sustenance and management. All of these wisdom combined with faith, belief in God and desire to do things I had been very fortunate to be at this juncture as I am to declare as the most successful. I don't think I ever failed of my expectations, I failed myself when I had created doubts in my mind, these where the instances I was low on faith and belief, these where the times of reckoning for me to learn to believe.
Yes it took me a while to realise this, and in coherence I also came to realise a few more things like the Oscillatory effect or ripple effect of emotions, feelings one possesses. Each one of us in our daily lives were atleast at some point of time cautioned to be moderated about life and circumstances, for no one turns when a situation which is in a very smooth flow, would take a u-turn to hit one very badly at the least expected of situations. The things like love, friendship, success, fame, prestige everything from positive to negatives like constant failure, health, misery etc.
From mt personal experience I would try to take out an example of love. I know of people and that includes me having been in deep love, where nothing in the world ever felt more important than spending, sharing every moment of time with that right person. One would invest time, emotions and heart in such a relation, things seem perfectly well even though the world round you is severely impaired against the relation but you care not. For such is the strength of love; But suddenly things take a u-turn the same person you got to trust for years, the same person you put faith stops responding and becomes yours most dreaded enemy. Situation is worse the person whom you trust, the person who probably knows more about me than myself is probably pitted against me. Its the worst of all adversary one could ever experience in life, for the onslaught to follow is relentless and bloody.
Another instances we kind of tend to attract all the negative energies/attitude which we force out or think out about others or curse them. Its like a swing or a Boomerang which you throw at some one else which comes and hits you back at a later period. What goes around comes around type. So sincerely feel that bad things are never to be hurled at others for it brings so much of negative energy which builds that once it erupts it will hit us properly in a negative intent,
Here is small classical example of a Oscillatory effect of life, which in an instance undoes everything what one came to believe and trust in life. Like a pendulum swinging continuously, the more momentum it gathers, the greater the extreme it reaches, once it reaches the extreme where the pendulum is unable to sustain the momentum, the pendulum arm gives up the progressive motion and starts a free fall reaching the midpoint to again rise with the adapted momentum, to repeat the process. The clock ticks and life goes on, but the caution everyone needs to take from such a simple observation is one should not get struck to what has happened for things will turn around; but how soon or late is upto oneself to decide the same. The sooner the person realises that things are temporary and will settle down, the faster the recovery and faster the chance of success, for a person always need to accept, adapt and keep growing from his experiences and leanings and that's the way life progresses. Gautam Buddha in his teachings asks us practice moderation, to be content with whatever we have and never keep complaining. Basically what he is trying to drive is to contain ones desires and expectations so as not to be just swinging and oscillating with the Pendulum of life.
Another example from my economic classes is of "Law of Diminishing Utility" As supply of a particular in demand product is kept increasing after reaching the limit, the additional supply would start taking a toll interm of cutting down the satisfaction levels.
With numerous examples from real life to theories, to religion, its for each and every person to open up the eyes and start watching things around us with a different and selfless perspective. For wisdom is always driven from simple things of life, where the pages are written from things which unfold before us. And for people who are on a low, wait for the swing to take you back to other extreme and as time progresses one should aim for moderation and self content to attain happiness and fulfillment from life.

Espresso, Latte and Cappuccino Whats your flavour today

In my Office we have a couple of Vending machines; One of Cafe Coffee Days and one of Lipton's. The Lipton's gives out Malt, Bombay coffee, Chocolate, and Tea. CCD dispensor gives out a few varieities of Coffee. Espresso, Latte & Cappuccino. For a person who is not a big beverage drinker; Coffee for me was a plain cup of coffee Bru, Nescafe or Sunrise types. With the influx of Java greens and the CCDs and vending machines at office I did get to hear a bit of fancy roasts, flavored coffees, and custom blends from all over the world. Having discovered the names wanted to explore how each one was different, a bit of googling and enquiry at CCD helped me out.

What is an Instant Coffee?

Bru & nescafe are quick alternatives to our traditional filter coffee where the coffee seeds are roasted grinded and filter it to get a tasty decoction. Mixing sufficient milk and sugar mixing the same in davara-tumbler (the special cup saucer of TN), one can create a frothy kaapi too.

In instant coffee, to the powdered roasted Coffee beans Chicory is blended in. Chicory is a vegetable being cultivated mostly in Europe (Belgium) and Latin America. Roots of Chicory plants are dried, grinded and being consumed as substitute of coffee or mixed with coffee to make a bend. Aroma and test of any coffee will depend on the proportion of chicory in it.

What is Espresso?

Espresso is an Italian way of forcing hot water through slow-roasted, finely ground coffee beans. The result is a thick, intense drink which is popular in Italy.

In the U.S. it is more often the base for other coffee drinks such as:
Cappuccino: Espresso with some milk and a lot of milk foam, sometimes with cinnamon or cocoa powder sprinkled on top
Latte: Espresso with a lot of milk in it
Mocha: Latte with chocolate and (often) whipped cream on top
Americano: Espresso shot with enough hot water to fill the cup
Macchiato: Espresso shot with a small amount of frothed milk

For me at least the regular coffee (i.e.) Espresso tastes like burnt wood mixed in hot water so keep myself away from it. Prefer Cappuccino and mostly Latte.

Advantages of drinking coffee:

1. Coffee can increase the metabolism rate up to 30% .

2. Coffee with exercise when taking 300mg, averages a 20% increase in energy and fatigue, while burning fat increased 107% greater than without caffeine.

3. Caffeine in coffee keeps our brains alert and receptive of new information.

4. Regular consumption of coffee decreases the risk of type II diabetes and many other health risks.

5. Bru & Nescafe especially comes with nice free gifts! Jars and bowls

Disadvantages:

1. Coffee when consumed in excess can be addictive, stimulate, and a mood charger.

2. A large amount of caffeine consumed all at once can have a negative affect on blood sugar levels that influences fat burning that could change into storing fat.

3. Too much coffee over time can stain your teeth.

How Many Carbs and Calories Are in Coffee Drinks?

The nutritional information for coffee drinks that are mainly espresso and milk don’t vary that much, but depends on the additivies like sugar, whipped cream, and chocolate, there is more variation.
Cappuccino –
16 oz – 15 grams carb, 100-180 calories (more for half and half)
Latte –
16 oz – 21 grams carb, 160-260 calories
Mocha –
16 oz - 33-42 grams carb, 210-433 calories

Other flavorings can add varying amounts of carbohydrates and calories. Fancy drinks like caramel whip extravaganzas can add many more carbs and calories. Even flavored syrups take their toll. One “pump” of flavoring from syrups with sugar has about 5 grams of carb and 20 calories.

Whatever flavour, whatever blend, whatever method its made for a non-Addict like me, Coffee signfies two things, one to unwind and keep me alert at work when headache creeps in and secondly the Premium blend is a style statement and means to treat a small team or an intimate one. Hope you have a great Coffee day.

Indian Food Etiquette

I was hoping to blog on this small and relatively yet undeceptively overlooked instance of our culture. Our very own eating food with hands. The inspiration came from one of the new ads on the TV from Hindustan Unilever's Rin/Surf detergent bar; where in a typical South Indian wedding, with lunch being served to people sitting on the ground and eating Sambhar, Rasam and rice on the flat level ground served in a banana leaf. The granny comments to her Non-Indian guests "In India Eating with Hands, washing with hands" "You eating...eating..."

Tied Fig leaves, lotus or a complete banana leaves are all part of a traditional set of serving. Yeah all these are bio-degradable alternatives compared to today's aluminium, paper, thermochol disposables. Eating the various condiments like sambhar, rasam, dal with Veggie fries while being served in leaves, sitting on the floor and consuming without spilling and without slurping is challenge in itself for many who are new to this way and which people like me are proud to have accomplished this feat. Mind you many of our so called Modern age Indians are not used to the same. The method is quite a simple one first the wash of the leaf, then the sprinkling of water round the leaf; to negate any dry dust and ants, the way serving is done and arranged in the leaf, with all fries, chutneys, Vadiyams, papads and many other items, its such a delight to see the platter. The way the main course is supposed to be mixed with rice, ghee, and podi (powders) to make it thick and spice it up will appadam, dry frys and pickles is something to cherish and art to perfect. Its such an delight, treat to go through all the rituals and routine for a typical meal.

Specific to different non Sub-Continent cultures and sub-Saharan cultures which developed their own dining Etiquette might have their own feeling of superiority when it comes down to usage of dinning tools. Just trying to compare things; some how I always felt that usage of knives and forks remind me of a battle arena of the Victorian era reminded the diner of the violent act of slaughter. The Chinese chop sticks somehow appear to have provided a polite alternative to knives. Chopsticks are serene instruments that permit diners to lift food to their lips rather than spearing it. They are elegant in both their simplicity and their singularity of purpose. But so far as I am concerned, going further feeding myself with hand appears a highly elevated affair. Something close to the supreme creator extended his hand to curtail our hunger and fill our desires. Its a soft and delicate process for me. And also the observation regarding eating being a sensual experience is right on. Cutlery doesn't provide the same intimacy with food that fingers provide. If one observes the way we eat, we are totally engrossed in eating.

The culinary process of eating evolves over the primary senses - Taste, Smell, Sight & Touch. The only way to feel and tickle all our senses to the maximum is to always include and maximise the sense of touch. Undeniably the hands have the maximum number of nerve endings, and the way the Indian dishes treat is tantalising and why miss it. I feel good about my food which smells good, looks wonderful while serving, feels wonderful to touch and finally the taste after it goes in. That my friend is a complete process.

More so I always felt very good when someone close offered to feed me with their hands. It was for me an ultimate combination of love, affection and care. At this age when my mom offers to feed me or to that matter any of my loved ones do it, it engrosses the mutual trust and faith . Its something everyone has grown up and needs to relieve at a later part of life too.

I have an aunt who always says "why eat rice with a fork when nature gave you one?!" and holds up her hands

Some stupidity from our own lot , an Indian guy says to some other guy who was eating sambar rice with a spoon: "God gave you fingers why don't you use them to eat", the other guy replied "God gave me fingers to hold a spoon and eat with it"

At office cafeteria I have seen lots of people pick up fork to eat a Dosa !!!! I've seen even a dumbo use a spreader and fork to cut bread and thrust it in the mouth. I hated the way the items very savoured with such poor etiquette. Yikeess!!

Last week on a Lunch chatter came a topic on putting clips inside the tummy to stay lean. The topic just send jitters while I imagined to what extent people go to look good. A simple and a cost effective way is to sit down on the floor and eat. For this practice ensures that one bends forward to consume which automatically cuts down on the tummy volume. Such simple and natural methods should be taken in a good spirit rather than throwing them off as something cheap.
I would not know how to enjoy eating a roti with a knife and fork! It has to do with the whole eating experience. Some people just do not know how to eat with their hands. Others have trouble using a knife and fork correctly. Some fail to understand the correct eating Etiquette and what to choose and what not to. So for us all try to know, understand and practice the correct Indian Etiquette and don't let it become cheap by not perfecting this cultural art.

Sun Signs Compatibility Sheet

Pulled down from an old mail...

Who moved my heart ?

The first day to office for the month of June had a rather unusual start. I woke up late and took time to get myself ready for the office bus. So royally I walked in hoping I would get the later bus which starts a bit late, only to realise that it too has left. So panted myself nearly a kilometer to spot a Tum Tum ( A Six-Seater Tempo).
One reaching the vehicle I had a seat sandwitced between a Lady and another person all on their way to Hinjewadi IT Park area. As we adjusted to start the 6-Seater was filled with 4 ladies in front of me and 3 men (including me) on the opposite side. I believe one was from my Co, other two from Wipro and other Yellow coloured Salwar (unknown). Was already perspirating enough which was making me very uncomfortable with these women in front.
Ok the fun starts now, the UKN (referred as Unknown Lady) was very much like Renuka Kirpalani.
Ok, who is Renuka??? She is an ace navigator, is a veteran in Indian Rally circuit and anchor on CNBC-TV18's The Auto Show (now replaced by OverDrive). She has completed the gruelling 8,000km Asean-India Rally in 2004. The UKN I refereed to was very much like Renuka, except she had longer hair which was let out untied and kept flying off more often than required. And this lady kept or rather had to keep adjusting her hairs every now and then. Sitting right infront of her looking right through her tender face, light coloured eyes, sprawling hair which seem to be flowing like a sprinkle of water stream in all directions, and tender coloured lips to add, looked like a very charming personality. She had a mischievous little smile, which teased me more often, and which did send signals to UKN that I was feeling uncomfortable because of her. I tried avoiding eye contact and tried to stare somewhere else and put a gaze in a safe direction, but I was sitting in such an uncompromising position that I couldn't save myself for long without getting my gaze past her. As much I was being uncomfortable trying an avoiding I couldn't stop praising her in between for her looks. Slim long face, delicate little gazes, smiles which meant a lot. The more I avoided looking, the more uncomfortable I became and the more fun it was for her understanding my state. Finally as my office location came I jumped out, yes properly jumped out paid and left without even looking back at her. A grasped my breath while breathing a sigh of relief. And the greatest point of the whole episode is I presume she is married, as she fashioned a sleek black beeded mangalsutra. Good way to start the month and remeber.