“Let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths”

This is the only month where its festival moments for all the Jews, Christians and Muslims and I am sure there must be something for Hindus too ;)

At this moment I only remember Tagore’s words…. :)

“You are invited to the festival of this world and your life is blessed” ~ Rabindranath Tagore

My Christmas used to be white Christmas and that too with Carol…now I only remember her since its my 4^th Christmas without her…I never missed family when she was around but this Christmas Santa seems happy with my deeds :) as besides lots of gifts from my near and dear ones I am waiting for my biggest gift of my parents visiting me :)!

I am sure this Christmas is going to be a merrier one ;)

“Tolerance and celebration of individual differences is the fire that fuels lasting love.” ~ Tom Hannah

I wish you the best in this festival season of the year 2007 as with the hope that New Year will be bringing lots of excitement, happiness with peace and good health (amen)

“The truth is that existence wants your life to become a festival...because when you are unhappy, you also throw unhappiness all around. ” ~ Rajneesh Osho

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love

As the holiday season is approaching even though it’s a week day you tend to relax and in doing so I am watching lot of movies whether it’s English or Hindi doesn’t matter as long as it’s good :)

“Art raises its head where creeds relax” ~ Friedrich Nietzsche

I was amazed to see this movie ‘300’ for which I had a brief session with my friend in Canada who exactly demonstrated me about the strategy that Greek’s used as he had read this book and I have added this into my ‘to-be-read’ book list. Didn’t expect the movie would be this good am saying from the adaptation of the graphic novel 300 by Frank Miller.

It is retelling of the ‘Battle of Thermopylae’. The film is written and directed by Zack Snyder with a genre of historic fantasy. If you like the olden day’s war movie and the strategy that they used then you should try out this one as I liked it ;) and believe me in these men are all with 6 abs boy!!!! Actors such as Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, David Wenham, Vincent Regan and Dominic West etc it’s worth watching ;)

“The historic ascent of humanity, taken as a whole, may be summarized as a succession of victories of consciousness over blind forces -- in nature, in society, in man himself.” ~ Leon Trotsky

Second was Hindi didn’t hear the name at all ‘Manorama six feet under’ and the star casts are Abhay Deol (Dharm paji’s nephew or so), Gul Panag – amazing actor and Sarika, Kulbushan Kharbanda, Raima Sen and another great actor Vinay Pathak

This movie is based on Roman Polanski’s 1974 classic, Chinatown. I have not seen that one hence I found this one a well executed, classic suspense thriller movie. I enjoyed this movie though I felt Vinay Pathak’s screen time was very less as per his talent and potential is concerned.

Third one ;) (is it getting too much movie phobia) I guess so ….but this movie ‘The Contract’ is another thriller which kept me all the way glued to the screen with the amazing actors such as Morgan Freeman, John Cusack and Mircea Monroe; directed by Bruce Beresford (twice Oscar winner).

“Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the enjoyment of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort” ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt

I am sure my friends will be wondering where the hell I get all this time to watch and my only answer would be, if you have passion for something you take that time out for it ;)

Happy Holidays Friends!

“If all the year were playing holidays, to sport would be as tedious as to work.” ~ William Shakespeare

I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions

“The act of putting pen to paper encourages pause for thought, this in turn makes us think more deeply about life, which helps us regain our equilibrium.” ~Norbet Platt

Friends are something that I have always kept near to my heart whether they are my virtual or otherwise!
When I consider friends so special how can I not share my dreams with them? It doesn’t make sense isn’t it?

“Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.”

Well, here I am sharing my dreams with you and trying to make it come true with all your support and prayers.

“To me, the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it's about, but the inner music the words make.” ~Truman Capote

As a part of hobby I write poetries in Hindi – the theme of my poetries are often nature, childhood, love and at times on the current situation where we need peace and humanity!
So far I am writing for my own satisfaction however, my childhood friend who is really supporting me and has encouraged me enough to publish this poetry book of mine.

William Wordsworth was my favorite poet as a kid while I was growing up J

“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” ~William Wordsworth

I always felt that unless we take that first baby step we never know where and how we will walk so friends this is my first baby step in to this world of publishing and I hope my friends will support me in this as well.

“An honest heart being the first blessing, a knowing head is the second” ~ Thomas Jefferson

I am planning to have an English translation to this as well so that my thoughts are not limited to Hindi speaking community but it should go around with my other friends also.

My plan is to launch this by Feb 14th 2008 – yes I know its Valentine’s Day and I believe I will be blessed with love

“A friend is a hand that is always holding yours, no matter how close or far apart you may be. A friend is someone who is always there and will always, always care. A friend is a feeling of forever in the heart.”

“Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder”

Its been a while since I have blogged after my long weekend trip and it was not that I am short of topics :D in fact I have so many topics from day to day life that am unable to decide on which to opt first J
Today’s topic is about bribe :) !
Yes I think even though we don’t agree and don’t support bribing, knowingly or unknowingly everyone tries to bribe by some or the other way!
I didn’t realize this until I heard someone at work was suggesting to buy gifts for other’s nephew or niece so that your work gets done!!!!

“The difference between try and triumph is a little umph.” ~Author Unknown

My first reaction to this was WHY? Aren’t we all working for one company and aren’t we getting paid for that?; Then why this extra from your pocket?
I am a strong believer and I believe that one should not be bribed but one should remind them of their duties and responsibilities – but then who has time for all this!

“Though the bribe be small, yet the fault is great” ~ Edward Coke

We all are in the era of speed, where we lack patience and yet want things to happen in the way we expect and to make it happen we look for an easy way out and bribe seems a pretty cool thing!

You do my work and I will give you something if not at least coffee and donut :D!
After looking at the ethics of people’s working style I have now come to a point where I don’t pity the people who take this effort of bribing but I pity those who settle with donut and coffee to get their work done!!! Lol
Can you imagine what they are putting themselves into when they accept these kinds of bribe and try to show off their importance by working on things as if without them the work wouldn’t have happened?

“Neither fire nor wind, birth nor death can erase our good deeds” ~ Buddha

I used to think that most of the companies have the policies where they clearly mention not to take bribe and not to give either so how come within the company these things take place!?!

It is sad to see the way we are turning into a fast paced yet with such work ethics imagine what else must they be doing out side of work to get the things done in their favor?

I am glad so far I am able to get things done with my professional approach and the day I feel I have to bribe a person probably I will stop working! J One should feel good in what they are doing – I guess! But am sure there are other places where bribe is called as charm ;)

“A bribe is a charm to the one who gives it; wherever he turns, he succeeds” ~ Bible

What do my friends have to say is bribing good or bad? If things work for you then you would say its good?

“Never let your sense of morals get in the way of doing what's right”. ~ Isaac Asimov