Random Flavours

Switching to Wordpress

2009-03-12T21:13:00.003+05:30

Hello friends,
I am moving my blog to http://madharasan.wordpress.com

There are many reasons for this switch. some of them are,
1. Blogspot is blocked in my university
2. While retrieving content for my site from my blog, blogspot does not give pure text. It gives junk tags too
3. Wordpress interface has very nice GUI and no messy coding for everything i have to do in coustom html editing in here.
4. Worpress is pure blogging nothing else
5. Worpress is open source...

Please do up date your feed to the newer one: http://madharasan.wordpress.com/feed/

Thank you for your continuing support...

A Story For Valentine's Day

2009-03-04T20:10:00.002+05:30

Larry and Jo Ann were an ordinary couple. They lived in an ordinary house on an ordinary street. Like any other ordinary couple, they struggled to make ends meet and do the right thing for their children.

They were ordinary in yet another way--they had their squabbles. Much of their conversation concerned what was wrong in their marriage and who was to blame.

Until one day when a most extraordinary event took place.

"You know, Jo Ann, I've got a magic chest of drawers. Every time I open them, they're full of socks and underwear," Larry said. "I want to thank you for filling them all these years."

Jo Ann stared at her husband over the top of her glasses. "What do you want, Larry?"

"Nothing. I just want you to know I appreciate those magic drawers."

This wasn't the first time Larry had done something odd, so Jo Ann pushed the incident out of her mind until a few days later.

"Jo Ann, thank you for recording so many correct check numbers in the ledger this month. You put down the right number 15 out of 16 times. That's a record."

Disbelieving what she had heard, Jo Ann looked up from her mending. "Larry, you're always complaining about my recording the wrong check numbers. Why stop now?"
"No reason. I just wanted you to know I appreciate the effort you're making."

Jo Ann shook her head and went back to her mending. "What's gotten into him?" she mumbled to herself.

Nonetheless, the next day when Jo Ann wrote a check at the grocery story, she glanced at her checkbook to confirm that she had put down the right number. "Why do I suddenly care about those dumb check numbers?" she asked herself.

She tried to disregard the incident, but Larry's strange behavior intensified.

"Jo Ann, that was a great dinner," he said one evening. "I appreciate all your effort. Why, in the past 15 years I'll bet you've fixed over 14,000 meals for me and the kids."

Then "Gee, Jo Ann, the house looks spiffy. You've really worked hard to get it looking so good." And even, "Thanks Jo Ann, just for being you. I really enjoy your company."

Jo Ann was growing worried. "Where's the sarcasm, the criticism?" she wondered.

Her fears that something peculiar was happening to her husband were confirmed by 16-year-old Shelly, who complained, "Dad's gone bonkers, Mom. He just told me I look nice. With all this makeup and these sloppy clothes, he still said it. That's not Dad, Mom. What's wrong with him?"
Whatever was wrong, Larry didn't get over it. Day in and day out he continued focusing on the positive.

Over the weeks, Jo Ann became more accustomed to her mate's unusual behavior and occasionally even gave him a grudging "Thank you." She prided herself on taking it all in stride, until one day something so peculiar happened, she became completely discombobulated:

"I want you to take a break," Larry said. "I am going to do the dishes. So please take your hands off that frying pan and leave the kitchen."

(Long, long pause.) "Thank you, Larry. Thank you very much!"

Jo Ann's step was now a litte lighter, her self-confidence higher and once in a while she hummed. She didn't seem to have as many blue moods anymore. "I rather like Larry's new behavior," she thought.

That would be the end of the story except one day another most extraordinary event took place. This time it was Jo Ann who spoke.

"Larry," she said, "I want to thank you for going to work and providing for us all these years. I don't think I've ever told you how much I appreciate it."

Larry has never revealed the reason for his dramatic change of behavior no matter how hard Jo Ann has pushed for an answer, and so it will likely remain one of life's mysteries. But it's one I'm thankful I live with.

You see, I am Jo Ann.

Jo Ann Larsen
//--Source: --//

Future Vision Montage

2009-03-02T18:15:00.004+05:30

When Microsoft decides to imagine the future, it never fails to impress. Not only do you have some of the smartest people envisioning what’s possible, but they also invest so much into communicating these ideas through sights and sounds which the production value can be compared to most blockbuster sci-fi films.

On February 28th, 2009 at the Wharton Business Technology Conference, Microsoft’s Business Division president Stephen Elop unveiled the latest production from Microsoft Office Labs called “2019″, starring men, women and children playing with the next-generation of communication, collaboration and production technologies. (via Steve Clayton)

Those with a keen eye and a good memory might recognize a few familiar concepts in this video already shown in earlier videos of the “envisioning” series, for example the future of personal health, having said that, I believe there’s still a couple of new never-before-seen concepts sliced between.

I’ve been able to get my hands on the new “2019″ video in its full glory. Some of the new technologies demoed including a “transparent wall” between two classrooms around the world, animated drawings, real-time conversation translations, surface displays, electronic boarding cards, transparent displays, mini projectors among many others. The electronic newspaper is definitely my favorite.

&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-GB&amp;amp;amp;playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:a517b260-bb6b-48b9-87ac-8e2743a28ec5&amp;amp;amp;showPlaylist=true&amp;amp;amp;from=shared" target="_new" title="Future Vision Montage"&amp;amp;gt;Video: Future Vision Montage&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;

உழைப்பு

2009-03-01T17:56:00.000+05:30

உங்களது எந்த உழைப்பும் வீணாவதில்லை - டால்ஸ்டாய்

அம்மா

2009-03-01T17:42:00.003+05:30

அளவுக்கு மிஞ்சினால்
அமிர்தமும் நஞ்சாம்
ஆனால்
உன் அன்புக்கு முன்
அது பொய்யாகிறதே!

- நதிராபானு சதக்,
மரதவரம்

//--Source: தினத்தந்தி - 14-2-2009 இணைஞர் மலர் - பக்கம் 2--//

Wherever You Are, Be There

2009-03-01T09:09:00.001+05:30

by Jim Rohn

One of the major reasons why we fail to find happiness or to create unique lifestyle is because we have not yet mastered the art of being.

While we are home our thoughts are still absorbed with solving the challenges we face at the office. And when we are at the office we find ourselves worrying about problems at home.

We go through the day without really listening to what others are saying to us. We may be hearing the words, but we aren’t absorbing the message.

As we go through the day we find ourselves focusing on past experiences or future possibilities. We are so involved in yesterday and tomorrow that we never even notice that today is slipping by.

We go through the day rather than getting something from the day. We are everywhere at any given moment in time except living in that moment in time.

Lifestyle is learning to be wherever you are. It is developing a unique focus on the current moment, and drawing from it all of the substance and wealth of experience and emotions that it has to offer. Lifestyle is taking time to watch a sunset. Lifestyle is listening to silence. Lifestyle is capturing each moment so that it becomes a new part of what we are and of what we are in the process of becoming. Lifestyle is not something we do; it is something we experience. And until we learn to be there, we will never master the art of living well.

To Your Success,
Jim Rohn

ஆல் யூ ஸோம்பீஸ் - All you Zombies - Robert.A.Heinlein

2009-02-26T20:13:00.002+05:30

1945ல் ஒரு பெண் குழந்தை(ஜேன்) அநாதை ஆசிரம வாசலில் விடப்படுகிறது. ஜேன் வளர்ந்து வாலிப பருவத்தை அடையும் பொழுது 1963ல் டிரிஃப்டர்(Drifter) என்று அழைக்கப்படும் வாலிபனை சந்தித்து காதலில் விழுகிறாள். ஆனால் அந்த வாலிபன் அவளுக்கு முன்பின் தெரியாதவன். சிறிது நாட்கள் அவளுடன் இருந்து விட்டு காணாமல் போகிறான்.

1964ல் ஜேனுக்கு ஒரு பெண் குழந்தை பிறக்கிறது. பிறந்த சிறிது நேரத்தில் அதுவும் காணாமல் போகிறது. பிரசவத்தின் பொழுது மருத்துவர்களுக்கு ஜேனுக்கு ஆண்,பெண் இரு பாலுறுப்புகளும் இருப்பது தெரிய வருகிறது. பிரசவத்தில் ஏற்படும் சிக்கலால், ஜேனின் பயனில்லாத பெண் உறுப்புகளை நீக்கிவிட்டு, அவளை ஆணாக மாற்றிவிடுகிறார்கள் மருத்துவர்கள்.

திடீரென்று ஆணாகி விட்டதால் சமூகத்தில் ஏற்படும் பிரச்சனைகளை சந்திக்க முடியாமல் "அவன்" குடிக்க ஆரம்பிக்கிறான். அவனும் தன் காதலனைப் போன்ற டிரிஃப்டர் ஆகிறான்.

இப்படி அவன் வாழ்க்கை போய் கொண்டிருக்கும் பொழுது 1970ல் ஒரு பாருக்கு செல்கிறான். அங்கேயிருக்கும் மதுவிற்பனையாளனிடம்(Bartender) போதையில் தன் கதையை சொல்கிறான். மது விற்பவன், அவனை கைவிட்டுச் சென்ற பழைய காதலனை கண்டுபிடிக்க உதவுவதாக சொல்கிறான். அதற்கு பதிலாக அவன் "டைம் டிராவலர்ஸ் கார்ப்பரேஷனில்" உறுப்பினராக சேர வேண்டும் என்கிறான்.

ஒப்பந்தப்படி மது விற்பவன், அவனை அழைத்துக் கொண்டு டைம் மெஷினில் 1963க்கு சென்று அவனை இறக்கி விடுகிறான். அங்கே டிரிஃப்டர் முன்பின் அறிந்திறாத ஒரு அநாதைப் பெண்ணின் மேல் காதல்வயப்படுகிறான்.

இதற்கிடையில் டிரிஃப்டரை 1963ல் இறக்கி விட்ட மது விற்பவன், ஒன்பது மாதங்கள் முன்னோக்கிச் சென்று 1964ல் ஒரு ஹாஸ்பிட்டலிலிலிருந்து, குழந்தை ஒன்றை திருடிக் கொண்டு, அதை 1945ல் ஒரு அநாதை இல்ல வாசலில் விட்டு விடுகிறான். அதன் பின்னர் 1963க்கு வந்து டிரிஃப்டரை அழைத்துக் கொண்டு 1985க்கு சென்று டைம் டிராவலர்ஸ் கார்ப்பரேஷனில் அவனை சேர வைக்கிறான். அங்கே டிரிஃப்டர் சிறிது காலம் வாழ்ந்து 1993ல் மது விற்பவனாக மாறி, தன்னுடைய இருப்பை உறுதி செய்யும் பொருட்டு 1970க்கு டிரிஃப்டரை சந்திக்க செல்கிறான்.

தலை சுற்றுகிறதா?!:-D

மது விற்பவன், தனது இருப்பை உறுதி செய்யும் குறிக்கோளை வெற்றிகரமாக முடித்து, படுக்கையில் ஓய்வெடுக்க செல்வதோடு கதை முடிகிறது.

இப்பொழுது ஒரு கேள்வி. ஜேனின் தந்தை யார்? தாய் யார்? தாத்தா பாட்டி யார்யார்?

//--Source: புரட்டிப் போட்ட படைப்புகள் --//

குருக்களுக்காக செபம்

2009-02-24T20:36:00.002+05:30

என் அன்பான ஆண்டவரே! குருக்களக் காப்பாற்றும்படியாக உம்மை மன்றாடுகிறேன். அவர்கள் உம்முடையவர்களானதாலும், அவர்களுடைய வாழ்வு உமது பலிபீடத்தில் எறிக்கப்படுவதாலும் அவர்களைக் காப்பாற்றும். அவர்கள் உலகத்தை விட்டுப் பிரிந்தாலும் உலகின் நடுவே வழ்வதாலும், உலக இன்பங்கள் அவர்களைச் சோதிப்பதாலும், அவர்களை உமது இதயத்தில் வைத்து காப்பாற்றும், அவர்கள் தனிமையாய் இருக்கும் போதும், வேதனைப் படும் போதும், ஆண்மாக்களுக்காண பலி வாழ்வெல்லாம் வீணாகத்தோன்றும் போதும் அவர்களைக் காப்பாற்றும். அவர்களுக்கு உம்மைத்தவிர வேறு ஒருவரும் இல்லையென்றும், ஒவ்வொரு துன்பத்தையும் உணருகின்ற மனித் இதயம் தான் உன்டென்று நினைத்து அவர்களைக் காப்பாற்றும். உமது அரவணைப்பில் அவர்களை வைத்துக் காப்பாற்றும். அவர்களுடைய ஒவ்வொரு நினைவையும், சொல்லையும், செயலையும் ஆசீர்வதித்து அவர்களைக் காப்பாற்றும்.

– ஆமென்

வெற்றி

2009-02-23T18:28:00.001+05:30

வெற்றியை தேடி அலைந்த போது "வீண் முயற்சி" என்றவர்கள்,
வெற்றி கிடைத்ததும் "விடா முயற்சி" என்றார்கள்.

இதுதான் உலகம்...

சிக்கல்கள்

2009-02-23T16:25:00.000+05:30

சிக்கல்கள் உருவாகுமோ என்று கவலைப்படுங்கள்
ஆனால் சிக்கல்களை உருவாக்கும் அளவு கவலைப்படாதீர்கள்.

//--Source: kmdfaizal--//

நம்பிக்கை

2009-02-23T16:22:00.001+05:30

உறைபனி போல உயிர் உலுக்கும் அச்சங்களை
உதிக்கும் கதிர்போல உருக வைப்பதே நம்பிக்கை

//--Source: kmdfaizal--//

Pray like

2009-02-21T22:46:00.000+05:30

Pray like Samuel in childhood,
Pray like Timothy in youth,
Pray like Simeon when old,
Pray like David in the early morning,
Pray like Daniel at noon,
Pray like Paul & Silas at midnight,
Pray like Peter in danger,
Pray like Hannah in sorrow,
Pray like Job in suffering and sickness,
Pray like Stephen while dying,
Pray like Eleazar when you start and work,
Pray like Solomon when you finish any work

AND
PRAY LIKE JESUS at All times....

//--Source: SMS from my friend Natasha --//

Open docx format in Ubuntu Linux!

2009-02-21T13:31:00.008+05:30

Image via Wikipedia

A quick web search produced this page from mypapit. To make the magic work, you simply download this file to your desktop. And follow these steps:

Double-click the odf_filter.tar.bz2 on your desktop, then click Extract.
This will place the files in a folder titled “files” on your desktop.
Click Applications, then Accessories, then Terminal.
In the terminal, type the following commands:
cd Desktop/
cd files/
sudo cp OdfConverter /usr/lib/openoffice/program/

via Wikipedia

Note: The next line in the instructions included in odf_filter.tar.bz2 file is wrong, so be sure to add the /(slash) before usr.
sudo cp MOOXFilter_cpp.xcu /usr/lib/openoffice/share/registry/modules/org/openoffice/TypeDetection/Filter/
sudo cp MOOXTypeDetection.xcu /usr/lib/openoffice/share/registry/modules/org/openoffice/TypeDetection/Types/
Click Applications > Office > OpenOffice Word Processor.
Click open and select Microsoft Word 2007 document as the file type.
Done!

//--Source: Library Computer Guy’s Weblog--//

Smoking and Drinking

2009-02-21T13:00:00.009+05:30

Image via Wikipedia

I was thinking of writing a post about smoking and drinking for a very long time. I personally think those are sin. From my early childhood I believe those were sin.

Last week I got the opportunity to see few of my friends smoke. That was the first time I saw one of my friends smoke and also that was the first time I had access to a cigarette, I mean, if I wished I could have smoked. It was really hard to avoid that temptation. It was unbelievable how much lame excuses they give to smoke and drink. I seriously don't know why they at the first place want to smoke? One of their lame excuses was that they are “social drinkers”. Hamm? What on the earth is that? Will they drink poison saying that it is just for a social occasion? At some European countries one has to drink to survive the cold. But smoking can't be justified at any cost. So in this post I would like to stress on smoking only. (Even though I treat smoking and drinking equally)

A few days back, in a news paper I read that Over 50% of pre-university Bangalore students are smokers. In the same research as much as 55.8% of students said that peer pressure had influenced them to use tobacco products.

I don't know what bible says about smoking and drinking, but according to me it is a sin. It destroys/harms body, the temple of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:19)

A person's body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, and, by receiving Communion, a tabernacle containing the Real Presence of Christ. There are many reasons for insuring the physical health of one's body, but the most compelling is the respect due to the body which is created in God's image. - R. J. Grigaitis, S.F.O.

But wait a second, it easier to tell these but only those who faced the situation can realize how much hard peer pressure will be to ignore or avoid. I have been there and I know. I was very much confused and troubled because of the fear that I might be out-casted just because I refuse to smoke or drink. Seriously it took few days to come out of the mental dilemma. I was clear only after attending last Sunday mass where in the second reading was: So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. - 1 Corinthians 10:31 I believe GOD spoke to me at that point, and strengthened me.

Image via Wikipedia

I found out some way to escape those temptations. I learned from my mistakes. These steps are mainly to avoid peer pressure.

Never be at the place where your friends are discussing or planning to smoke or drink. Physical presence may increase the temptation stronger.
If you know that they are going to smoke in the future or talk about it, avoid it. But be careful, you might miss an important friends birthday. Go there and get out as soon as possible. Tell a lie if needed to escape from there. Getting your brother or mother to hospital would be a nice one.
Remember if your friend compels you to drink or smoke, say no politely. If he persists say strongly. Most of them will stop at this point. If your friend continues, sorry to say, stop being friend with him. Because those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter. If a simple "No, thanks" won't do the trick, here are some other tactics for turning down someone who offers you a cigarette: "I'm allergic to smoke.", "The smell of smoke makes me sick and I don't want to smell like that.", "I know someone who died from smoking and I don't want to do it.", "I don't want to start because I'm trying to get my parents to quit." etc.,
You don't have to do anything that you don't want to do. It's perfectly okay to say no. You don't owe anyone an explanation.
You might even been threatened with the risk of loosing promotion or a rise because of not smoking, be strong. Remember your health is your greatest asset. Nothing in this world, not even money can give it back once lost. Tobacco Kills More Than All Other Drugs.
Finally most important one, PRAY. One of my personal prayers is “Come Holy Spirit, Guide Me!” In my experience it is the best prayer at the time of temptation.

If there is a better way, please let me know.
I know its hard. But as St. Paul says, we can do all things through HIM who strengthens us. (Philippians 4:13)

Recommended reading:

The Beautiful Hands of a Priest

2009-02-21T12:08:00.003+05:30

We need them in life's early morning,
We need them again at its close;
We feel their warm clasp of true friendship,
We seek them when tasting life's woes.
At the altar each day we behold them,
And the hands of a king on his throne
Are not equal to them in their greatness;
Their dignity stands all alone;
And when we are tempted and wander,
To pathways of shame and of sin,
It's the hand of a priest that will absolve us--
Not once, but again and again.
And when we are taking life's partner,
Other hands may prepare us a feast,
But the hand that will bless and unite us--
Is the beautiful hand of a priest.
God bless them and keep them all holy,
For the Host which their fingers caress;
When can a poor sinner do better,
Than to ask Him to guide thee and bless?
When the hour of death comes upon us,
May our courage and strength be increased,
By seeing raised over us in blessing--
The beautiful hands of a priest.

- Author Unknown

//--Source: A Catholic Life --//

Thou Art A Priest Forever

2009-02-21T11:00:00.000+05:30

To live in the midst of the world,
Without wishing its pleasures;
To be a member of each family,
Yet belonging to none;
To share all sufferings;
To penetrate all secrets;
To heal all wounds;
To go from men to God
And offer Him their Prayers;
To return from God to men
To bring pardon and hope;
To have a heart of fire for charity
And a heart of bronze for chastity;
To teach and to pardon,
Console and bless always--
What a glorious life!
And it is yours,
O Priest of Jesus Christ!

- Author unknown

Lyrics: நட்ட நடு ராத்திரியை நீ பட்ட பகல் ஆக்கிவிட்டாய்

2009-02-16T19:54:00.004+05:30

Wonderful song. Just saw this film. To me its better than slum dog millionaire. I loved this song can't stop humming it. I have no other details about this song other than its from the flim அஆஇஈ(A Aa E Ee) Please do add details about it to wikipedia, if you know something about this film.

In the night i was always thinking about you in my dreams
cant sleep straight away
நட்ட நடு ராத்திரியை நீ பட்ட பகல் ஆக்கிவிட்டாய்
என் விழியில் நீ விழுந்து என் தூக்கத்தையும் போக்கிவிட்டாய்
கொட்ட கொட்ட நான் முழித்து கிட்ட தட்ட தூங்கி விட்டேன்
என் கனவில் நீ நுழைந்து எனை மீண்டும் மீண்டும் எழுப்பி விட்டாய்
கிட்ட கிட்ட நீயும் வர கெட்ட கெட்ட சொப்பனங்கள்
என்னை சுட்டு பொசுக்குதடா
பற்றிக் கொண்டதென் மனசு எண்ணை ஊற்றும் உன் வயசு
தீ பிடித்து எரியுதடா

நட்ட நடு ராத்திரியை நீ பட்ட பகல் ஆக்கிவிட்டாய்
என் விழியில் நீ விழுந்து என் தூக்கத்தையும் போக்கிவிட்டாய்

பூக்கள் எல்லாம் அட பூக்கள் இல்லை
உன் புன்னகை போல் நான் பார்க்கவில்லை
கடனாய் கொடுப்பாய் உடலை
உன் பேச்சினிலே ஒரு நேசம் கண்டேன்
கண் பார்வையிலே ஒரு பாசம் கண்டேன்
உனை நான் எனதாய் உணர்ந்தேன்
விழி ஒரமாய் பல கனவு
எனை மொய்க்குதே தினம் இரவு
உறக்கம் தந்திடு உறங்கும் நேரத்தில்
கனவில் வந்திடு

நட்ட நடு ராத்திரியை நீ பட்ட பகல் ஆக்கிவிட்டாய்
என் விழியில் நீ விழுந்து என் தூக்கத்தையும் போக்கிவிட்டாய்
கொட்ட கொட்ட நான் முழித்து கிட்ட தட்ட தூங்கி விட்டேன்
என் கனவில் நீ நுழைந்து எனை மீண்டும் மீண்டும் எழுப்பி விட்டாய்

உன் வார்த்தையிலே என் உயிர் சிலிர்க்கும்
கண் பார்வையிலே பெரும் மழை அடிக்கும்
வயதோ கொதியாய் கொதிக்கும்
உன் நினைவுகளோ என்னில் படை எடுக்கும்
என் விரல் நுனியோ தொட அடம் பிடிக்கும்
இரவில் உயிரே வெடிக்கும்
கடிகாரமாய் எந்தன் மனது
உன்னை சுற்றியே வரும் பொழுது
பிரியமானவா தனிமை நீக்க வா
தனிமை நீங்க வா

நட்ட நடு ராத்திரியை நீ பட்ட பகல் ஆக்கிவிட்டாய்
என் விழியில் நீ விழுந்து என் தூக்கத்தையும் போக்கிவிட்டாய்
கொட்ட கொட்ட நான் முழித்து கிட்ட தட்ட தூங்கி விட்டேன்
என் கனவில் நீ நுழைந்து எனை மீண்டும் மீண்டும் எழுப்பி விட்டாய்
கிட்ட கிட்ட நீயும் வர கெட்ட கெட்ட சொப்பனங்கள்
என்னை சுட்டு பொசுக்குதடி
பற்றிக் கொண்டதென் மனசு எண்ணை ஊற்றும் உன் வயசு
தீ பிடித்து எரியுதடி

நட்ட நடு ராத்திரியை நீ பட்ட பகல் ஆக்கிவிட்டாய்
என் விழியில் நீ விழுந்து என் தூக்கத்தையும் போக்கிவிட்டாய்

//--Source: DhooL.com --//

We Choose How We Live

2009-02-16T08:27:00.003+05:30

Image by Walkinonsunshine via Flickr

All men and women are born, live, suffer and die;
What distinguishes us one from another is our dreams.

Whether they be dreams about wordly or unworldly things,
and what we do to make them come about…

We do not choose to be born.
We do not choose our parents.
We do not choose our historical epoch, the country of our birth,
or the immediate circumstances of our upbringing.
We do not, most of us, choose to die; nor do we choose the time and conditions of our death.

But withing this realm of choicelessness, We do choose how to live.

Joseph Epstein

//--Source: pravstalk.com--//

காதலுக்கு கண்கள் இல்லை

2009-02-11T23:13:00.002+05:30

Image by gadl via Flickr

கோபத்தில் கூட கெடுதல் செய்யாத அப்பா
திட்டினாலும் நாம் அழும்போது
அழும் அம்மா
அடித்தாலும் அழுதாழும்
பாசமான அக்கா
சண்டை போட்டாலும் நம்
நலம் விரும்பும் அண்ணன்
எப்போதும் துன்பத்தில்
தோள் கொடுக்கும் தம்பி
என நாம் மறந்தாலும்...........
நம்மை மறக்காத..........
இத்தனை உறவுகளையும்
மறந்து............
எப்படி வருகிறது காதல்
ஓ...
காதலுக்கு கண்கள் இல்லை
என்று அதனால் தான் சொல்கிறார்களா?

தி.மு.கவியரசி
இளங்கலை தமிழ் மூன்றாமாண்டு

//--Source: http://ksrcasstudents.blogspot.com/2008/07/blog-post_21.html--//

Happiness

2009-02-11T22:27:00.003+05:30

If your happiness depends on what somebody else does, I guess you do have a problem.-- Richard Bach, "Illusions"

If only I knew and understood this quote four years before my life would have been lot more ~~better~~ different.

Three Plants that Give You Better Indoor Air

2009-02-09T21:59:00.002+05:30

How to Grow Your Own Fresh Air - TED 2009 Talk

Pondicherry

2009-02-07T22:50:00.005+05:30

Puducherry by SPOT Satellite. Image via Wikipedia

My home town, Pondicherry. It is the only planned town in India built by french people where all streets are perpendicular and all the streets towards east will lead to beach. It is the only city with two lighthouse and three harbours. It is constructed in the shape of an ellipse with two clock towers at its foci. It is also the only town to have very less multistoryed building, because of the government's order due to environmental reasons, with highest of one 6 storied building. It is the densely populated area in India with 1206 people per square km... Proud to be a Puducherrian...

//--Source: SMS from my friend Samy Shiva Priya--//

"Find My True Love"

2009-02-07T20:12:00.009+05:30

Image by Lady Madonna via Flickr

I my web page, at my portfolio page I have listed things that I aim to do before I die. One of the point in that list was to "Find my true love". In the same page I have also mentioned that I want to become a priest in the future. Most of my friends after viewing it thought it was contradictory. This post is to give them an explanation.

Now what did I mean by "true love"? I not only meant my life partner, who may be God / anyone / no one, which only time can answer, and about whom I have no idea/dreams right now. Actually i am right now waiting for an sign from god, whether or not to try again for priesthood. And coming back by "True Love", I also meant my passion. The one which I can't live without and The one which will make my life worthy. Currently it is priesthood, job as a lecturer or programmer. It may change slightly or completely go away depending upon my experience, education, background, occupation, political affiliation etc., It has been changed / altered / shattered in the past, and it will be in the future.

All I can say is one thing, I am happy right now, And that's enough.

Zemanta

2009-02-07T11:34:00.006+05:30

Image via CrunchBase

I just found out new browser plug-in Zemanta. Wow it makes my blogging and emailing easy. I can now search images to use in my blog posts or email which are not copy righted or allows fair use. That relieves me from worrying about copy right infringement and also adds nice and free images to my posts and emails.

If you are a fan of in-line photos and links connecting the content of your emails to the rest of the web, Zemanta adds a rich email composition tool to Firefox and Internet Explorer.

As the video demonstrates, Zemanta reads your email (okay, a little weird) and suggests images, related links, and inline links to Wikipedia. If you sign up for an account with Zemanta, you can finely tune Zemanta to search for images in your Flickr account or search for and add your friends' content when available.

Originally Zemanta was just a blogging tool (it supports Blogger, WordPress, and most other popular blogging services). Now the unobtrusive extension works with both Gmail and Yahoo mail. Using Zemanta is both fun and a little annoying. It's really cool to quickly and easily add images and links to your email, but it's also a little irritating to see the Zemanta branding show up next to everything you add. (Maybe it's just me? I don't like looking like a shill.) Still, if you're a rich email junkie, Zemanta is a great tool. Zemanta is a free download, works on all platforms with Firefox and with Internet Explorer.

//--Source: Via lifehacker.com --//

சினிமாதனம் இல்லாமல் ஒரு டிவி சேனலை நடத்தமுடியுமா?

2009-02-07T11:16:00.004+05:30

Image via Wikipedia

இந்த தொலைக்காட்சி சேனலில் காதலர்கள் மரத்தை சுற்றி சுற்றி ஓடும் சினிமா பாடல்கள் இல்லை. காக்கவலிப்பு நடனங்கள் இல்லை. வீட்டு நிம்மதியை கெடுக்கும் பெண்களை செயற்கையாக அழவைக்கும் நீண்ட சீரியல்கள் இல்லை. மாறாக தமிழ் உணர்வு ஊட்டக்கூடிய நிகழ்ச்சிகள். தமிழ் வார்த்தைகளை கண்டுபிடிக்கும் விலையாட்டு. தமிழ் கிராமிய கலாச்சாரத்த்துக்கு மீண்டும் உயிர் கொடுக்கும் நிகழ்ச்சிகள். தமிழில் தவறலில்லாமல் பேச வைக்கும் நிகழ்ச்சிகள் இப்படி சொல்லிகொண்டே போகலாம் அத்தனை நிகழ்ச்சிகளையும் ஒளிபரப்பும் அந்த சேனல்தான் மக்கள் தொலைக்காட்சி. (இது அந்த சேனலுக்கான விளம்பரம் இல்லை)

வர்த்தக ரீதியாக வெற்றியடைந்ததாக தெரியவில்லை. ஆனாலும் பயனுள்ள நிகழ்ச்சிகளைத்தான் அதிகமாக ஒளிப்பரப்பு செய்கிறார்கள்.

நாங்கள் தமிழை வளர்க்கிறோம் என்று சொன்னவர்களெல்லாம் தங்களுக்கு வசதி வாய்ப்புக்கள் கிடைத்தபோது அதை தமிழுக்காக செலவிட்டது மாதிரி தெரியவில்லை. மாறாக தங்களை அரசியலில் தக்கவைக்கவே அது பயன்பட்டு வருகிறது. வேண்டுமானால் இந்த மக்கள் தொலைக்காட்சியில் வரும் ஒரு சில தமிழ் வார்த்தைகளை தற்சமயம் பயன்படுத்த தொடங்கியுள்ளனர். உதாராணமாக லைவ் என்பதை நேரலை என்றும் இன்னும் பிற தமிழ் சொற்களை காப்பியடிக்கிறார்களேயொழிய முழுமையான தமிழ் வளர்க்கும் நிகழ்ச்சிகளை அளிக்க யாரும் தயாரில்லை. காரணம் வியாபாரம் போய் விடும் என்பதுதான். அப்போ தமிழ் தமிழ் என்று முழங்கியதெல்லாம்........ நானொன்றும் சொல்ல விரும்பவில்லை.

இருந்தாலும் தமிழை வளர்க்க ஒரு சேனல் என்றால் தமிழ் நாட்டினர் அனைவரும் வரவேற்கவேண்டுமென விரும்புகிறேன்.

- கிறிஸ்துநேச‌ன்

இதோ அவ‌ர்க‌ளை தொட‌ : http://www.makkal.tv/

//--Source: சினிமாதனம் இல்லாமல் ஒரு டிவி சேனலை நடத்தமுடியுமா? - கிறிஸ்துநேச‌ன்--//

Counterfeit Currency Notes with Photoshop? - Think Again!

2009-02-06T20:59:00.005+05:30

While typing this post I couldn't resist of thinking of actor vadivelu's joke about fake currency notes. Any way on a serious note, do you know that it is not possible to print currency notes with Photoshop. Just try this..

Just scan the currency notes and try to edit or print them using Adobe Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro, These applications will simply refuse to print fake notes and will instead show a warning message if you try the print command.

That’s because currency notes are often protected through EURion Constellation - it’s a secret pattern of symbols found banknote designs, including the American Dollar, Euro and the Indian Rupee, to help software easily detect that the image being edited is that of a currency note.

Apart from various image editing software, some scanners and photocopying devices also use this pattern to foil wannabe counterfeiters.

//--Source: Printing Fake Currency Notes is disallowed in Photoshop - labnol.org--//

I Am Me: A Declaration of Self-Esteem

2009-02-06T00:00:00.001+05:30

In all the world, there is no one else exactly like me.
Everything that comes out of me is authentically mine
Because I alone chose it.
I own everything about me;
My body, my feelings, my mouth, my voice, all my actions,
Whether they be to others or to myself.
I own my fantasies, my dreams, my hopes, my fears.
I own all my triumphs and successes, all my failures and mistakes.
Because I own all of me, I can become intimately acquainted with me.
By so doing, I can love me and be friendly with me in all my parts.
I know there are aspects about myself that puzzle me, and other aspects that I do not know,
But as long as I am friendly and loving to myself,
I can courageously and hopefully look for solutions to the puzzles and for ways to find out more about me.
However I look and sound, whatever I say and do, and whatever I think and feel, at a given moment in time is authentically me.
If later some parts of how I looked, sounded, thought and felt turn out to be unfitting,
I can discard that which is unfitting, keep the rest, and invent something new for that which I discarded.
I can see, hear, feel, think, say and do.
I have the tools to survive, to be close to others, to be productive, and to make sense and order out of te world of people and things outside of me.
I own me, and therefore I can engineer me.
I am me and I am okay.

by Virginia Satir

Anyway

2009-02-05T00:00:00.001+05:30

People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered,
LOVE THEM ANYWAY

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives,
DO GOOD ANYWAY

If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies,
SUCCEED ANYWAY

The good you do will be forgotten tomorrow,
DO GOOD ANYWAY

What you spent years building may be destroyed overnight,
BUILD ANYWAY

People really need help but may attack you if you help them,
HELP PEOPLE ANYWAY

Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth,
GIVE THE WORLD THE BEST YOU’VE GOT ANYWAY.

- Anon

What does it take to be a Saint?

2009-02-04T19:59:00.004+05:30

So, what does it take to be a Saint? What does it take to “earn” your way into Heaven? Nothing, of course. You can’t “earn” your way into heaven. It is God’s Grace, by definition the Divine Gift of Life that we cannot merit, earn or bargain for. It is God’s to give to whom He deems fit.

So, why the Title? Because there are those we KNOW are in Heaven. There are some who just have done right, believed right and have been the Lord’s from, well maybe not Day 1, but certainly most of their lives. John Paul the Second, is one such a man. I hope you watch that video and look not just at the visits to heads of State, but also the tender kiss given to a little girl who gives him a gift, probably her own toy. And the near tears of gratitude for the tender gift. The man seen praying quietly at the tomb of David in Jerusalem. The man who calmly, quietly and with … always… reverence to God and unwavering belief in the beauty of the soul of man, stood toe to toe with one of the most powerful nations to ever exist and brought that nation to it’s knees with prayer and a Mass.

His belief in the beauty of the soul of man, that part that echoes and mirrors the divine, not that part that causes us to sin, is evident in his forgiving the man who shot him. And it is evident in the joy at that man’s conversion to belief system of love, not hatred.

“rejoice not in this [the power over spirits in Christ's name] but rejoice in this, that your names are written in heaven.”

Knowing we carry the power that created the Universe at our hands, the power that raised Lazarus from the Dead, the power of the Holy Spirit, we are called to bring the love of God to others, with humbleness, with love.

What does it take to be a Saint? Prayer. Pray unceasingly. Every person that the Church tells us resides with God in Heaven was a person of prayer. Rejoice. “Rejoice, in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.” So many of the faithful of the Lord went to their deaths in the first 4 Centuries of the Church with joy that they are uncounted! Action. A Man or Woman of God is person of action. They bring down villians with prayer, they make treaties with love, they discover worlds with the desire to understand the beauty of the universe God has created. Men of the Church fill the halls of the scientific not because there is a difference to be found, but because there is a inexplicable and incomparable union between faith and reason. No fance tricks needed.

Finally, what does it take to be a Saint? Faith. Faith in Christ. Faith in His Church. Faith in the things we learn.

We are all called to be Saints on earth before we go to be with Christ in the Beautific Vison. Pray. Rejoice. Act. Have Faith.

//--Source: http://anniesires.com/?p=243 --//

Graduation

2009-02-03T19:40:00.000+05:30

Tonight a curtain closes
and we take a final bow
To the four years we have spent
Which are slowly ending now.
But let time stop this evening
For just an hour or two
As we recall the memories
That seem right now too few.
Gathered all together
We will not say goodbye
For the thoughts that will prevail
and memories that will never die.

by Amber McDonald

Remove Adobe CS4 from the Context Menu.

2009-02-02T23:00:00.006+05:30

You know, when you right click on your desktop, it displays the Adobe Drive CS4 item on it. Which you probbly don't want there. Well here is a quick fix to Remove the Adobe Drive CS4 menu from your right click menu.

Install & Uninstall : Run the installer then uncheck the option to install it so that it will be uninstalled. This seems to get rid of it.

Manual Remove :
For Windows XP / Vista 32bit

Go to start
Run
Enter this:
regsvr32 /u "%CommonProgramFiles%AdobeAdobe Drive CS4ADFSMenu.dll"

Windows 64bit

Go to start
Run
Enter this:
regsvr32 /u "%CommonProgramFiles(x86)%AdobeAdobe Drive CS4ADFSMenu.dll"

I have tested for Windows Xp. It works fine. If you have any questions leave them in the box below. Thanks.

A Love Story

2009-01-31T08:09:00.000+05:30

Need Washing?

2009-01-28T00:00:00.000+05:30

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Target.

We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.

The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in 'Mom let's run through the rain,' she said.
'What?' Mom asked.

'Lets run through the rain!' She repeated.

'No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit,' Mom replied.

This young child waited about another minute and repeated: 'Mom, let's run through the rain,'

'We'll get soaked if we do,' Mom said.

'No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning,' the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.

This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?

'Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!'

The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes.
Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.

'Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing,' Mom said.

Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars.

And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.

Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories...So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday. To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.
I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them. Send this to the people you'll never forget and remember to also send it to the person who sent it to you. It's a short message to let them know that you'll never forget them.

If you don't send it to anyone, it means you're in a hurry.

Take the time to live!!!

Keep in touch with your friends and family, you never know when you'll need each other -- and don't forget to run in the rain!

At Grading Time

2009-01-27T00:00:00.002+05:30

There they sit, Father,
a neat stack of yellow report cards.
And here I sit,
an anxious and bewildered Solomon,
praying in my heart for wisdom,
while the controversy about grading surges on.

Should there be an objective standard
whereby children are measured against other children?

And how do we weigh a child's achievement
against his ability and effort?
Can we penalize a child for having little natural ability,
when he can't get a high mark
no matter how hard he tries?
And what about the child for whom "A"s come easily?
Will he skim through school never knowing what it is to try?

And what is happening
when an "A" becomes so important that a child will
cheat for it,
perhaps to avoid abuse at home?

So here I sit, Father,
forced to take these cards seriously
because other people do.
Long on questions,
short on answers.

Father,
as I reach reluctantly for the top card,
let me also reach for your promise:
"If any one of you lacks wisdom,
let him ask of God."

Teacher's Prayer

2009-01-27T00:00:00.001+05:30

I wanted to teach my students how
To live this life on earth.
To face its struggles and its strife
And to improve their worth.

Not just the lesson in a book
Or how the rivers flow,
But how to choose the proper path
Wherever they may go.

To understand eternal truth
And know the right from wrong
And gather all the beauty of
A flower and a song.

For if I helped the world to grow
In wisdom and in grace
Then I feel that I have won
And I have filled my place.

And so I asked your guidance, God
That I have done my part
For character and confidence
And happiness of heart.

- James Metcalf

Vista Vs Mac - Security - New Mac Add

2009-01-26T00:00:00.003+05:30

This is exactly how I felt when I first used Vista. Poor Microsoft, Failed miserably with its Vista, Hope atleast next version be nice.

The Essence of Silence

2009-01-26T00:00:00.002+05:30

Have you ever experienced a moment in your life
when you just ran out of words and you go...

S I L E N T??

Let me assist you in recalling...

.. the moment when you left your home for the first
time and you look

back at your parents who are worried that their
son/daughter are

leaving them yet happy that their child took the
first step towards

independence.

the moment when the girl/boy you like most..
smiled back at you!
You don't say anything.. you just smile back.

... the moment when you get better marks than you
expected... those

"numb" moments of ecstasy n surprise "is that
true?"...

... the moment when you are parting with your old
friend(s) and the

train has just started... and you are standing on
the door of the

wagon.. waving "bye-bye" with your heart beating
fast...

... the moment after the HR manager has just called
you and told

you, "You are through! Congrats!"

... the moment when you sit alone in your room
after having told

everyone that you cleared that exam you prepared
for 6 months!!

You can go on remembering your "special" moments!

I had always wondered why I never said anything to
myself at those

moments.. as if it was "understood" ... happiness,
joy, pain.. all

feelings just flowed ceaselessly in the 'years'
that passed in those

flash moments!

They say.. the best way to communicate is through
"silence".

Love. Joy. Grief. Surprise. Anger. Hope.
Expectations. Support.

Non-cooperation. ..

Can you imagine the importance of a silent moment
in a song??

When Bryan Adams stops for a while along with
music, before he goes

on in his husky voice...

... Please forgive me. I can't stop loving you!

Ever had those moments when you thought you were
tired enough that

you reach for your bed after dinner.. but find
yourself wide awake

looking at the roof of your room silently...

But you sure are 'thinking'.. . those moments of
self-talk are the

most important in our lives. Those moments when we
listen to our own

hearts! Those promises... those decisions... those
are the moments

when we make our destinies!

Next time you go silent... listen carefully to
what your heart is

saying.. listen to its joy...listen to its pain..
listen to its

fears.. listen to its desires..

Don't make it shut up and go of f to sleep...

LISTEN TO THAT VOICE and ACCEPT EVERYTHING IT
SAYS!

That voice alone can lead you to the abode of
peace that your sleep

lacks... peace that awaits you!

Be in touch with your true self... be silent once
a day,
every day !

Silence Speaks More Than Ur Words

Food for Thought

2009-01-26T00:00:00.001+05:30

Never cry for any relation in life
because for the one whom you cry
does not deserve your tears
and the one who deserves
will never let you cry...

Treat everyone with politeness
even those who are rude to you,
not because they are not nice
but because you are nice...

Never search your happiness
in others
which will make you
feel alone,
rather search it in yourself
you will feel happy
even if you are left alone...

Always have
a positive attitude in life.
There is something positive
in every person.
Even a stopped watch is right
twice a day...

Happiness always looks small
when we hold it in our hands.
But when we learn to
share it,
We realize how big and precious it is !...

Rowan Atkinson's Masterpieces

2009-01-25T18:18:00.002+05:30

Randy Pausch, A Legend

2009-01-25T00:02:00.000+05:30

Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch (Oct. 23, 1960 - July 25, 2008) was included in TIME Magazine's 2008 list of the world's 100 most influential people. His book, "The Last Lecture," co-written by Jeff Zaslow of the Wall Street Journal and based on Pausch's now-famous talk "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams," is a New York Times #1 bestseller.

He gave his last lecture at the Carnegie Mellon university on Sept. 18, 2007, before a packed McConomy Auditorium. In his moving presentation, "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams," Pausch talked about his lessons learned and gave advice to students on how to achieve their own career and personal goals.

Professor Randy Pausch made a surprise return to Carnegie Mellon University to deliver an inspirational speech to the Class of 2008 at the Commencement ceremony on May 18, 2008.

On July 25th, 2008 Randy died of complications from pancreatic cancer. The CMU news story is here.

World, My Son Starts School Today

2009-01-25T00:01:00.001+05:30

- By Abraham Lincoln

On the eve of Lincoln Jnr. going to school

World, take my child by the hand- he starts school today!!

It is all going to be strange and new to him for a while, and I wish you would sort of treat him gently. You see, up to now, he has been the king of the roost.He has been the boss of the backyard. I have always been around to repair his wounds, and I have always been handy to soothe his feelings.

But now things are going to be different. This morning he is going to walk down the front steps, wave his hand and start on a great adventure that probably will include tragedy, sorrow and hurt .

To live in this world will require faith and love and courage. So, World, I wish you would sort of take him by his young hand and teach him the things he will have to know. Teach him –but gently, if you can.

He will have to learn , I know , that all people are not just –that all men and women are not true . Teach him that for every scoundrel, there is a hero: that for every enemy, there is a friend . Let him learn early that the bullies are the easiest people to lick .

Teach him the wonder of books. Give him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun, the flowers on green hill. Teach him that it is far more honourable to fail than to cheat. Teach him to have faith in his own ideas ,even if everyone tells him they are wrong.

Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone else is getting on the bandwagon. Teach him to listen to others, but to filter all he hears on a screen of truth and to take only the good that comes through.

Teach him never to put a price tag on his heart and soul, Teach him to close his ears on the howling mob- and to stand and fight if he thinks he is right. Teach him gently, World, but do not coddle him , because only the test of fire makes fine steel,

This is a big order, World, but see what you can do. He is such a wonderful son.

Amazing Jesus By Rowan Atkinson

2009-01-25T00:00:00.000+05:30

A True Act of Kindness - Animation

2009-01-24T11:25:00.000+05:30

How to stop being lazy

2009-01-21T00:00:00.000+05:30

I Guess You'll Do

2009-01-20T00:32:00.000+05:30

The Feeling Of Being In Love

2009-01-19T20:03:00.007+05:30

Love is so powerful because being loved causes one to love oneself.
Nothing contributes to the self-image more than being loved by another.

When the words, “I love you” are expressed to you for the first time,
your world blossoms, your heart glows with inspiration,
confidence and thoughts of the mountains you can move.

It’s more than an emotional kick;
suddenly you like yourself more than you ever have before.

//--Source: pravstalk.com --//

Did Tamil come from Sanskrit?

2009-01-18T13:46:00.005+05:30

First of all why I decided to write this article is because, one of my friend argued with me that Tamil came from Sanskrit. She stated that the meaning of Sanskrit means "mother of all languages" (which is of course not correct, The Sanskrit verbal adjective saṃskṛta- may be translated as "put together, well or completely formed, refined, highly elaborated"). I was shocked and couldn't believe it. So I decided to do some research. I did some goggling and what I found is presented in this article. The main aim of the article is not to prove that any language is inferior to another. That would be a stupid and immature act. The aim is to establish that Tamil and Sanskrit are independent and equally rich language which co-existed in India thousands of years ago.

The six most ancient languages in the world are Sanskrit, Tamil, Hebrew, Arabic, Greek and Latin. All these six are classical languages as well. Of these six classical languages Tamil and Sanskrit are the two classical languages, which flourished in India since very ancient times.

Following are my reasons why Tamil didn't not came from Sanskrit:

Sanskrit lacks some sounds that are available in Tamil. Tamil has short e and o, zh, R, n, and many permutations of stops -- e.g. k in akam (அகம்) -- which are not found in Sanskrit. Actually both languages have about the same number of phonemes.
The word Dravidian clearly comes from the word Tamil. This has been demonstrated time and time again - the earliest occurrences of the word in IA (இய) are dramiDa ==> draviDa.
The grammar of Sanskrit very much resembles Russian, Latin, and Greek - to which it is closely akin. Tamil and the other Dravidian languages have much more elegant and logical structures. Consider this: in Dravidian, you can take any sentence and turn it into an adverb, adjective, or noun by simply changing just the ending on the verb. Then you can embed that sentence in any other sentence. The Dravidian relativeness system is extremely straight-forward and logical; the european one - shared by Sanskrit (and English) - is quite messy and verbose.
Tamil constitutes the only literary tradition indigenous to India that is not derived from Sanskrit. Indeed, its literature arose before the influence of Sanskrit in the South became strong and so is qualitatively different from anything we have in Sanskrit or other Indian languages. It has its own poetic theory, its own grammatical tradition, its own aesthetics, and, above all, a large body of literature that is quite unique. It shows a sort of Indian sensibility that is quite different from anything in Sanskrit or other Indian languages, and it contains its own extremely rich and vast intellectual tradition.
Tamil literature is such that it is fit to stand beside the great literatures of Sanskrit, Greek, Latin, Chinese, Persian and Arabic. The subtlety and profundity of its works, their varied scope (Tamil is the only pre-modern Indian literature to treat the subaltern extensively), and their universality qualify Tamil to stand as one of the great classical traditions and literatures of the world. Everyone knows the Tirukkural, one of the world's greatest works on ethics; but this is merely one of a myriad of major and extremely varied works that comprise the Tamil classical tradition. There is not a facet of human existence that is not explored and illuminated by this great literature.
Finally, Tamil is one of the primary independent sources of modern Indian culture and tradition. The influence of a Southern tradition on the Sanskrit poetic tradition is well known to anyone who does a small research on the subject. But equally important, the great sacred works of Tamil Hinduism, beginning with the Sangam Anthologies, have under girded the development of modern Hinduism. Their ideas were taken into the Bhagavata Purana and other texts (in Telugu and Kannada as well as Sanskrit), whence they spread all over India.
Tamil has its own works that are considered to be as sacred as the Vedas and that are recited alongside Vedic mantras in the great Vaisnava temples of South India (such as Tirupati). And just as Sanskrit is the source of the modern Indo-Aryan languages, classical Tamil is the source language of modern Tamil and Malayalam. As Sanskrit is the most conservative and least changed of the Indo-Aryan languages, Tamil is the most conservative of the Dravidian languages, the touchstone that linguists must consult to understand the nature and development of Dravidian.
The classical status of Tamil is recognised by the government of India. To qualify as a classical tradition, a language must fit several criteria:
- It should be ancient,
- It should be an independent tradition that arose mostly on its own, not as an offshoot of another tradition, and
- It must have a large and extremely rich body of ancient literature.
Unlike the other modern languages of India, Tamil meets each of these requirements. It is extremely old (as old as Latin and older than Arabic); it arose as an entirely independent tradition, with almost no influence from Sanskrit or other languages; and its ancient literature is indescribably vast and rich.

One could go on and on. It would also be noteworthy that the first two ancient manuscripts from India, to be acknowledged and registered by UNESCO's Memory of the World register in 1997 & 2005 were in Tamil. I don't hate Sanskrit. Both languages are carriers of wonderful and rich intellectual and literary traditions. The only way to appreciate either language is to read these literatures and spend a lot of time pondering them.

Source:

Statement on the Status of Tamil as a Classical Language by University of California, Berkeley
A Comparison of Tamil and Sanskrit from auroville language lab
Tamil and Sanskrit by tamilnation.org

How to Add Read More in Blogger

2009-01-16T18:29:00.007+05:30

By default the posts in your blogger home page does not contain provision for commenting. User must click on the title and go to the particular posts page and then post comments. This may not be known to new users and might cause unnecessary tension while searching for "Post a comment" link. You might miss out valuable comments.

One solution for this problem is to display a select amount of text from the beginning of each post as a teaser instead of showing the entire post on the front page of your blog. Then when people want to read the rest of the post, they can click a Read More.. link to see the full post.

This is also very handy if you have lots of long articles all on one page. (Note that you’ll need to have post pages enabled in order to make this feature work.)

Adding Read more in Blogger posts is pretty difficult compared to Wordpress. Since we don't have a more tag on Blogger, we need to implement a template hack for getting this done.

This is how it is done:

Please Login to your Blogger Account, and go to Dashboard, Layout, and Edit HTML.
Check Expand Widget Template
Add this code before this tag </head> or exactly after this code ]]></b:skin> like this:
<style> <b:if cond='data:blog.pageType == "item"'> span.fullpost {display:inline;} <b:else/> span.fullpost {display:none;} </b:if> </style>
Search the code <p><data:post.body/></p> in the template and add this code below:
<b:if cond='data:blog.pageType != "item"'> <a expr:href='data:post.url'> Read More..</a> </b:if>
Feel free to change the Read More.. text to whatever you want the link to look like. Be careful not to delete any other code during this process.
Click Save Template
Now, in order the cut posting work, each time you posted, just click right where you want the Read More.. appear, and thickin this <span class="fullpost"> and the remnant of your post till the end </span>. In order to adding this code, you should go in HTML Edit mode not Compose. You can easily add this feature to your default HTML Edit mode by using Post Template feature of blogger.

Example:
This part will be visible by default <span class="fullpost"> And the part will appear when the Read More.. is clicked</span>

Remove Windows Media Player Context Menu Entries

2009-01-16T14:51:00.008+05:30

I have now officially switched from winamp to KMPlayer. I had number of reasons for that, more specifically, KMPlayer supports more file types than winamp, even *.3gp files can be opened, while winamp has problems in synchronizing video and audio of the same.

Now coming to the point, while doing so, I came across that some context menu entries like "sync to device", "burn", "add to library" were not removed. It turns out they they were not of winamp but of Media Player. Thankfully, there is a way to get rid of this shell integration of WMP.

Please note that this method gives a cleaner context menu by removing ALL context menu items related to windows media player. If that is not what you want and you want to remove a specific items only, use some software like ContextEdit which will allow you easily control which items appear on your context menu. But there is a short cut method for this, Go to Start->Run and type

regsvr32 /u wmpshell.dll

Its it great and simple? Please leave comments, if you like this post.

காதலாகி கசிந்துருகி...

2009-01-16T11:42:00.006+05:30

ராகம்: ஷ்ண்முகப்பிரியா

காதலாகி கசிந்துருகி கண்ணீர் மல்கி
ஓதுவார் தமை நல்நெறிக்கு உய்ப்பது
வேதநான் கினும் மெய்பொருள் ஆவது
நாதன் நாமம் நமச்சிவாயமே

ஆடிய பாதனாய் நின்ற அம்பலத்தானை
நாடிய நேசற்கு நற்கதி நல்கியானை
கூடிய கரமும் நாவில் துதியுமாய்
தேடிய வந்தேன் புகல்

ராகம்:- பெஹாக்
தாளம்:- ஆதி

இதுதனோ தில்லைத்தலம்
இத்தனை நாளும் அறியேனே...(இதுதானோ)

அதுவோ இதுவோ என்று அலைந்திடும் நேயனை
கதிதருவேன் என்று கைகாட்டி அழைத்திடும்...(இதுதானோ)

காசினியில் இதை கயிலை என்று எல்லோரும்
பேசக்கேட்டதே அன்றி பேணிப் பார்த்ததில்லை ...(இதுதானோ)

//--Source: மூன்றாம் திருமுறை - திருஞான சம்பந்தர் தேவாரம் --//

How To Say I Love You

2009-01-14T00:00:00.000+05:30

Karol, A Man Become Pope

2009-01-12T19:37:00.004+05:30

This is the wonderful story of a human being... Really marvellous... The movie about the human story of the future pope Iohannes Paulus II, Karol Wojtyla. A man who lived all his life proclaiming love, love even for his enemies, just like christ...

I have embedded it as a play list, It is totally five parts

How To Fold a T-shirt in 2 seconds

2009-01-11T00:00:00.000+05:30

Love Marriage or Arranged Marriage?

2009-01-10T00:00:00.000+05:30

Love Marriage

Resembles procedural programming language. We have some set of functions like flirting, going to movies together, making long conversations on phone and then try to fit all functions to the candidate we like.
Family system hangs because hardware (called Parents) is not responding.
You are the project leader so "you" are responsible for implementation and execution of PROJECT- married life.
Client expectations include exciting feature as spouse cooking food, washing clothes etc.
Love Marriage is like Windows, beautiful n seductive…. Yet one never knows when it will crash….

Arranged Marriage

Similar to object oriented programming approach. We first fix the candidate and then try to implement functions on her. The functions are added to supplement the main program. The functions can be added or deleted.
Compatible with hardware(Parents).
You are a team member under project leader (parents) so they are responsible for successful execution of project Married life.
All these features are covered in the SRS (System Req. Specification) as required features.
Arranged Marriage is like Unix. boring n colorless, still extremely reliable n robust.

How To Speed Read

2009-01-09T00:00:00.003+05:30

Have you ever wanted to learn how to read faster? Now you can with these amazing speed reading techniques.

Step 1: Test Yourself
Start by testing your current reading rate. This is done through a simple formula. Use a timer with a second hand to read a piece of material. Once you have completed the reading and have your time, take the whole number and multiply it by 60, then add any seconds to that number. Next, divide the total seconds into the number of words read. Round this number and you have your words per second total; multiply that number by 60 and there you have your words per minute total.

Step 2:Scanning
Not every word is important to understanding, so train your eyes to read groups of words. Ignore articles and words like, "the", "a", and, "or". Focus on the action words or verbs. Practice quickly scanning groups or chunks of words.

Step 3: Subvocalization
I bet you don’t even know it, but you probably subvocalize or quietly pronounce every word you read. Don't worry, you're not alone…almost everyone does it. Concentrate by keeping your mouth shut.

Step 4: Use Your Hand
Evelyn Wood, The Pioneer of Speed Reading, invented the pointer method. Start by pointing your index finger and running it along each line of text. When your finger comes to the end of a line pick up your finger half an inch then quickly bring it back down to the next line. Even if your teachers told you NOT to read like this, it will keep you focused.

Step 5: Regression
Regression is when you go back and read a line you've already read. To break this habit, simply take a piece of paper and drag it down over the page as you read, covering each line you've just read. Pens are also great tools to train your eyes not to look back.

Step 6: Practice Makes Perfect
Speed reading is not like riding a bike; you NEED to practice, otherwise you will go back to the habits you developed when you first learned to read. Time yourself often to see what your improvements are.

The Most Painful Moments In Life

2009-01-09T00:00:00.000+05:30

The Most Painful Moments In Life :

Loving frnd avoiding you without reason.
HOD sitting near you during college tour.
Dear one suddenly stopped messaging you.
10 mark question asked for 2 marks.
Friend calling early in the morning to say "Advance Good Night".

About Me - 35

2009-01-08T16:25:00.002+05:30

I AM: -

As innocent as a flower
As sweet as cherry
As Handsome as a sun
As bright as a firefly
As clever as a musician
As romantic as a red rose
As genuine as a tear drop
As funny as a clown’s nose
As honest as a young child
As fun as a merry-go-round
As rare as a four leaf clover
As down-to-earth as the ground
As friendly as a butterfly
As precious as passing youth
As valuable as pure truth

//--Source: Unknown--//

பசங்கள 5 வகையா பிரிக்கலாம்

2009-01-08T10:53:00.002+05:30

பபா சங்கம் அதாங்க பயமறியாப் பாவையர் சங்கம், அதுல போன இனண்டாம் தேதி, தமிழ்மாங்கனி பசங்கள 5 வகையா பிரிக்கலாமுன்னும், அது எப்படின்னு போட்டிருந்தாங்க. எனக்கு பிடிச்சத போட்டிருக்கேன். முழுசாபடிக்க இங்க போங்க!

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நான் தொடங்கினேன்.

இங்க பாருங்க. பசங்கள 5 வகையா பிரிக்கலாம் - cute, hot,good looking, handsome, attractive.

Cute- இவங்க பேரழகர் என்று சொல்ல முடியாது. ஆனால் சுமார் என்றும் சொல்ல முடியாது. இரண்டுக்கும் நடுவில் இருப்பவர்கள். எப்படி ஒரு குழந்தை படத்தை நாம் ரசித்து பார்ப்போமோ அப்படி தான் இவர்களும். for example, கண்ணாடி போட்டு இருப்பாங்க. அந்த கண்ணாடி போடும் விதமும் ஒரு ஸ்டையலா இருக்கும். எப்போதுமே வேலை வேலையின்னு இருப்பாங்க. சில விசித்திரமான குணங்கள் இருக்கும்-for example, crossword puzzle போட பிடிக்கும்.

Hot- சல்மான் கான், ஷாருக் கான், விவேக் ஓப்ராய், அமீர் கான், சூர்யா, விஷால், மாதவன், வினேய்....இவர்கள் போன்றவர்கள் hot. பார்த்தவுடனே பெண்கள் வாவ் என்று சொல்லும் ரகம். படங்களில், உடற்பயிற்சி நிலையங்களில் மட்டுமே காண முடியும். அந்த நிமிடத்திற்கு பார்க்க தோன்றும். ஆனால், நாளடைவில் அவர்கள் மேல் இருக்கும் மோகம் குறைந்துவிடும். இப்போ, இன்னிக்கு எனக்கு அமீர் கான பிடிக்கும். நாளைக்கு இன்னொரு ஆள பிடிக்கும். சோ....இப்படிப்பட்டவர்கள் ரொம்ப ரொம்ப temporary.

Handsome-இவர்கள் தான் நம்ம பக்கத்துவீட்டுல, பக்கத்து தெருவுல, காலேஜ்ல, பஸ் ஸ்டாப்ல, அத்தை பையன், மாமா பையன்...இந்த ரகத்தை சேர்ந்தவர்கள். இயல்பான நமது வாழ்க்கையில் அடிக்கடி சந்திக்க நேரிடும் நபர்கள். மனசுக்கும் சரி கண்ணுக்கும் சரி ரொம்ப பிடிச்சிருக்கும்.

(இடையில் தோழி கேட்டாள்...handsome, good-looking ஒன்னு தானே...அதுக்கு ஏன் இரண்டு category..)

நான்,

இது ஒரு நல்ல கேள்வி. அதாவது கண்ணுகளா.... handsome, good-looking இடையே ஒரு சின்ன வித்தியாசம். பார்த்தவுடனே handsome என்று வாயில் வந்துவிடும். ஆனால், ஒருத்தர் good-looking என்று உடனே சொல்ல வராது. பழகி, பேசி அவங்கள புரிஞ்சிகிட்டு, அவங்க குறைகளையும் ஏத்துக்கும்போது தான் good-looking என்று மனசு சொல்லும். ஆக, மூளை மட்டும் சொன்னால் அது 'handsome' மனசும் சேர்த்து சொன்னா அவர் 'good-looking' வகையை சேர்ந்தவர்.

கடைசியா attractive- இந்த வகையை சேர்ந்தவர் எந்த வயதினராகவும் இருக்கலாம். இப்படிப்பட்ட ஆண்களின் ஸ்பெஷல் என்னவென்றால் அவர்களின் mannerisms. இப்போ உதாரணத்திற்கு கௌதம் மேனன் தெரியுமா....

தோழி: ஓ...that வாரணம் ஆயிரம் இயக்குனர்...

நான்: அவரே தான். அவர் இந்த attractive வகையை சேர்ந்தவர். அவர் காதோரம் நரைத்திருக்கும். அவர் கைஅசைத்து பேசும்விதம். ஆங்கிலமும் தமிழும் கலந்து பேசும்விதம். அடிக்கடி சட்டையை முன்னாடி இழுத்து கொள்ளும் mannerism. இப்படி physical features தாண்டி ஒரு அழகு தெரியும். அது தான் attractiveness... ஸ்டிபன் தேவசி தெரியுமா... அந்த keyboard player... அவர் வாசிக்கும்போது அவர் விரல் இசை பேசும். அவரும் இந்த வகையை சேர்ந்தவர் தான்!

தோழி: எப்படி இப்படி!!!

நான்: ஆராய்ச்சி செஞ்சிருக்கோம்ல.
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//--Source: நீங்க பார்த்தா ‘சைட் அடிக்குறீங்க’, நாங்க பார்த்தா ‘just looking' --//

Petronas Deepavali Ad

2009-01-08T00:00:00.000+05:30

The Funniest Video in The World

2009-01-07T00:00:00.001+05:30

The host cant stop laughing at the man's voice. funniest thing I've ever seen, I had tears in my eyes, must watch!

How To Clean Your Toilet With Coke

2009-01-06T16:05:00.002+05:30

Is your toilet full of limescale and other nasty stains that you just can't get rid of with conventional methods? Don't worry just reach for the fridge, and grab yourself a cola!

Approach your toilet with a can or bottle of Coke, depending on the amount of stains you have to clean, and pour it into and around the bowl.

Let it sit for one hour whilst the phosphoric acid in the Coke removes your stains, and then brush and flush it clean! Nice and Shiny! Done!

A Short Love Story In Stop Motion

2009-01-06T00:00:00.000+05:30

A couple of pencil-outlined birds escape from a little girl´s drawing, leading us through the life she dreams of. You can find more about the making of at this link in Carlos Lascano's page

காக்கைச் சிறகினிலே....

2009-01-05T18:26:00.002+05:30

காக்கைச் சிறகினிலே நந்தலாலா - நின்றன்
கரியநிறந் தோன்றுதையே நந்தலாலா

பார்க்கு மரங்களெல்லாம் நந்தலாலா -நின்றன்
பச்சைநிறந் தோன்றுதையே நந்தலாலா

கேட்கு மொழியிலெல்லாம் நந்தலாலா- நின்றன்
கீதமிசைக்குதடா நந்தலாலா

தீக்குள் விரலைவைத்தால் நந்தலாலா- நின்னைத்
தீண்டுமின்பந் தோன்றுதடா நந்தலாலா

The Meaning of True Love

2009-01-05T09:15:00.002+05:30

It is sharing and caring,
Giving and forgiving,
Loving and being loved,
Walking hand in hand,
Talking heart to heart,
Seeing through each other’s eyes,
Laughing together,
Weeping together,
Praying together,
And always trusting
And believing
And thanking God
For each other…

For love that is shared is a beautiful thing–
It enriches the soul and makes the heart sing!

//--Source: Pravs World Archives --//

Lyrics: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star - Kai

2009-01-04T09:54:00.001+05:30

Twinkle twinkle little star,
How I wonder what you are,
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky,
Star light,
Star bright,
The first star I see tonight,
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish I wish tonight,

Twinkle twinkle little star,
How I wonder what you are,
I have so many wishes to make,
But most of all is what I state,
So just one girl
That I’ve been dreaming of,
I wish that I could have all her love,
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the dream I dream tonight,

Ooo baby

Twinkle twinkle little star,
How I wonder what you are,
I want a girl who’ll be all mine,
And wants to say that I’m her guy,
Someone sweet that’s for sure,
I want to be the one she’s looking for,
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the girl I wish tonight,

Ooo baby

Twinkle twinkle little star,
How I wonder what you are,
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky,
Star light,
Star bright,
The first star I see tonight,
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish I wish tonight.

If You Are Happy and You Know It

2009-01-03T16:56:00.002+05:30

If you are happy and you know it, then that's the greatest blessing, because many dont know that they are happy until they loose their happiness.

Lyrics: கனவெல்லாம் நீதானே...

2009-01-02T00:08:00.004+05:30

Album Name : Kanavellam (Pop songs)
Year : 2007
Music, Singer, Lyrics : Dhilip Varman

கனவெல்லாம் நீதானே, விழியே உனக்கே உயிரானேன்…
நினைவெல்லாம் நீதானே, கலையாத யுகம் சுகம் தானே…
பார்வை உன்னை அலைகிறதே, உள்ளம் உன்னை அனைக்கிறதே…
அந்த நேரம் வரும் பொழுது, என்னை வதைகின்றதே…

கனவெல்லாம் நீதானே, விழியே உனக்கே உயிரானேன்…
நினைவெல்லாம் நீதானே, கலையாத யுகம் சுகம் தானே…

சாரல் மழை துளியில், உன் ரகசியத்தை வெளிபார்தேன்…
நாணம் நான் அறிந்தேன், கொஞ்ஜம் பனி பூவாய் நீ குருக…
எனை அறியாமல் மனம் பறித்தாய், உன்னை மரவேனடி…
நிஜம் புரியாத நிலை அடைந்தேன், எது வரை சொல்லடி..
காலம் தோறும் நெஞ்சில் வாழும் உந்தன் காதல் ஞாபங்கள் தினம் தினம்…

கனவெல்லாம் நீதானே, விழியே உனக்கே உயிரானேன்…
நினைவெல்லாம் நீதானே, கலையாத யுகம் சுகம் தானே…

தேடல் வரும் பொழுது, என் உணர்வுகளும் கலங்குதடி…
காணலாய் கிடந்தேன், நான் உன் வரவால் விழி திறந்தேன்
இணை பிரியாத நிலை பெறவே, நெஞ்சில் யாகமே
தவித்திடும் பொது ஆறுதலாய் உன்மடி சாய்கிறேன்…
காலம் தோறும் நெஞ்சில் வாழும் உந்தன் காதல் ஞாபங்கள் தினம் தினம்…

கனவெல்லாம் நீதானே, விழியே உனக்கே உயிரானேன்…
பார்வை உன்னை அலைகிறதே, உள்ளம் உன்னை அனைக்கிறதே…
அந்த நேரம் வரும் பொழுது, என்னை வதைகின்றதே…

கனவெல்லாம் நீதானே, விழியே உனக்கே உயிரானேன்…
நினைவெல்லாம் நீதானே, கலையாத யுகம் சுகம் தானே…

வேண்டும் வரங்கள்

2009-01-01T00:00:00.001+05:30

ஜன்னலோர படுக்கை
தினம் தினம் பவுர்ணமி
நினைத்தவுடன் மழை
சாலையோர பூக்கள்
வைகரை பனித்துளி
இரவு நேர மெல்லிசை
கள்ளமில்லாச் சிரிப்பு
பொய்யில்லா நட்பு
தோள் சாய தோழன்
தலை கோத காதலி
தாய் மடி தூக்கம்
தூக்கத்தில் மரணம்......

இவையாவும் எதிர் பார்க்காத மனசு..

புத்தாண்டு நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள் !

One in a Million

2008-12-31T17:00:00.001+05:30

You’re one in a million
You’re once in a lifetime
You made me discover
One of the stars above us (repeat)

Sometimes love can hit you everyday
Sometimes you can fall for everyone you see
But only one can really make me stay
A sign from the sky said to me

Chorus:
I’ve been looking for that special one
And I’ve been searching for someone to give my love
When I thought that all the hope was gone
A smile there you were and I was gone

I always will remember how I felt that day
A feelin’ indescribable to me
I always knew there was an answer for my prayer
And you, you’re the one, the one for me

Chorus:
In the beginning I was cool and everything was possible
They tried to catch me but it was impossible
No one could hurt me it was my game
Until I met you baby and you were the same
And when you didn’t want me I wanted you because
The funny thing about it is I liked the show
I like it when it’s difficult
I like it when it’s hard
Then you know it’s worth it
That you found your heart

How to Add Calendar to Blogger Side Bar

2008-12-30T19:57:00.008+05:30

While browsing a few days back, i found this article online about how to add calendar to blogger side bar. There by giving users a cool way to browse your archive. You can see live demo of it in my site ;)...

This is the link: Blogger Archive Calendar

I am giving the link because the author might update the script, and the users can view the latest scripts.

Hope this post is useful to you!

Euro

2008-12-28T10:14:00.001+05:30

Raja Ravi Varma - 'Rang Rasiya' Promo

2008-12-23T00:00:00.001+05:30

Raja Ravi Varma

I usually don't have intrest in films, but after seeing this promo video for the flim Rang Rasiya, I made a resolution to myself to definitely watch this film when it releases. After watching this video, i came to know that he is the one who drew the pictures those decorated my grandma's house. I have always wanted to live in that fancy land of kings and princes. He is one of the main reason for my interest in paintings and poetry. (of course i don't do them both, but i love to enjoy them, moreover the ultimate aim of art is for others enjoyment, apart from the satisfaction of the auther). This film is scheduled to be screened at 2008 The Times BFI London Film Festival. The official website for the film is rangrasiya.com

“The painter amongst princes and the prince amongst painters...”

Born in an aristocratic family of Travancore, Ravi Varma was a child prodigy, his inherent talent was recognized very early in childhood and he received the patronage of the King Ailyam Thirunal of Travancore.

At the Trivandrum Palace he came in contact with the Indian and European painters and learnt to use oil paints.

In 1873, he won the Governor’s gold medal at the ’Madras painting competition’ and soon he was awarded the title of RAJA by King Ailyam Thirunal and became famous for his portraits paintings of the Indian royals and British officers.

Acknowledged as the father of Modern Indian Art, he evolved a unique painting style merging the traditional Indian style of painting with the European classic realism.

However after the death of his patron king, Ravi Varma left Travancore and arrived in Bombay.

As his reputation spread, so did his desire to explore and expand the horizons of his art. He was the first to give a face to Hindu Gods and Godesses by creating their realistic images. He gave them their identity.

Under the patronages of Maharaja Sayaji Rao Gaekwad of Baroda, he created a series of paintings based on the great Indian legends and stories. Like Leonardo Da Vinci and Michael Angelo in Europe, his mythological paintings from the Indian epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata, paintings like Sita Swayamvar, Sita bhumi pravesh, Draupadi cheer haran, Nal-Damayanti, Harishchandra-Taramati, Arjun Subhadra etc. brought alive the ancient cultural heritage of India. These paintings were like a quest, as if he was searching for the soul of India.

He was a true visionary and a pioneer. He dreamt of liberating art from the confines of the temples and palaces and reaching out to the common man. With help of a German Master Printer, Fritz Schleicher, he introduced printing technology in India and soon his art reached homes throughout India. Raja Ravi Varma is the highest priced Indian painter. Recently one of his paintings was auctioned for over seven crore rupees.

Raja Ravi Varma was the first to depict Hindu Gods and Goddesses in realistic paintings. His paintings based on stories from Indian mythology and classic literature created a pan Indian iconography which became the basis of an Indian identity.

Over half a billion people pray in front of colourful prints of Gods and Goddesses inspired by Ravi Varma paintings.

He, with a German master printer ’Fritz Schleicher’, started one of the earliest Lithographic printing presses in India. His colourful prints became a rage and sold all across India.

He is acknowledged as the father of modern Indian art and the originator of what is called ’Calendar Art’.

Ravi Varma traveled all across India in search of the ideal attire for the heroines of his paintings. He finally fixed upon the ’Sari’. The women of India accepted it whole heartedly. ’Sari’, the attire of the Indian women, famous the world over, was in fact popularized by him.

Dada Saheb Phalke, considered the father of Indian cinema started his career as an apprentice with Raja Ravi Varma. Early Indian cinema derived its imagery primarily from Ravi Varma paintings.

His popularity reached such proportions that a special post office had to opened, just to handle his fan mail.
Recognising his fame and influence, the British Govt. awarded him the highest civilian honour of ’Kaiser - e —Hind’.

His colorful depictions of themes from Indian mythology have created a pan Indian iconography which continues to be the basis of an Indian identity even today.

Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address

2008-12-22T00:00:00.003+05:30

This is the text of the Commencement address by Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, delivered on June 12, 2005.

I am honored to be with you today at your commencement from one of the finest universities in the world. I never graduated from college. Truth be told, this is the closest I've ever gotten to a college graduation. Today I want to tell you three stories from my life. That's it. No big deal. Just three stories.

The first story is about connecting the dots.

I dropped out of Reed College after the first 6 months, but then stayed around as a drop-in for another 18 months or so before I really quit. So why did I drop out?

It started before I was born. My biological mother was a young, unwed college graduate student, and she decided to put me up for adoption. She felt very strongly that I should be adopted by college graduates, so everything was all set for me to be adopted at birth by a lawyer and his wife. Except that when I popped out they decided at the last minute that they really wanted a girl. So my parents, who were on a waiting list, got a call in the middle of the night asking: "We have an unexpected baby boy; do you want him?" They said: "Of course." My biological mother later found out that my mother had never graduated from college and that my father had never graduated from high school. She refused to sign the final adoption papers. She only relented a few months later when my parents promised that I would someday go to college.

And 17 years later I did go to college. But I naively chose a college that was almost as expensive as Stanford, and all of my working-class parents' savings were being spent on my college tuition. After six months, I couldn't see the value in it. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and no idea how college was going to help me figure it out. And here I was spending all of the money my parents had saved their entire life. So I decided to drop out and trust that it would all work out OK. It was pretty scary at the time, but looking back it was one of the best decisions I ever made. The minute I dropped out I could stop taking the required classes that didn't interest me, and begin dropping in on the ones that looked interesting.

It wasn't all romantic. I didn't have a dorm room, so I slept on the floor in friends' rooms, I returned coke bottles for the 5¢ deposits to buy food with, and I would walk the 7 miles across town every Sunday night to get one good meal a week at the Hare Krishna temple. I loved it. And much of what I stumbled into by following my curiosity and intuition turned out to be priceless later on. Let me give you one example:

Reed College at that time offered perhaps the best calligraphy instruction in the country. Throughout the campus every poster, every label on every drawer, was beautifully hand calligraphed. Because I had dropped out and didn't have to take the normal classes, I decided to take a calligraphy class to learn how to do this. I learned about serif and san serif typefaces, about varying the amount of space between different letter combinations, about what makes great typography great. It was beautiful, historical, artistically subtle in a way that science can't capture, and I found it fascinating.

None of this had even a hope of any practical application in my life. But ten years later, when we were designing the first Macintosh computer, it all came back to me. And we designed it all into the Mac. It was the first computer with beautiful typography. If I had never dropped in on that single course in college, the Mac would have never had multiple typefaces or proportionally spaced fonts. And since Windows just copied the Mac, its likely that no personal computer would have them. If I had never dropped out, I would have never dropped in on this calligraphy class, and personal computers might not have the wonderful typography that they do. Of course it was impossible to connect the dots looking forward when I was in college. But it was very, very clear looking backwards ten years later.

Again, you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.

My second story is about love and loss.

I was lucky — I found what I loved to do early in life. Woz and I started Apple in my parents garage when I was 20. We worked hard, and in 10 years Apple had grown from just the two of us in a garage into a $2 billion company with over 4000 employees. We had just released our finest creation — the Macintosh — a year earlier, and I had just turned 30. And then I got fired. How can you get fired from a company you started? Well, as Apple grew we hired someone who I thought was very talented to run the company with me, and for the first year or so things went well. But then our visions of the future began to diverge and eventually we had a falling out. When we did, our Board of Directors sided with him. So at 30 I was out. And very publicly out. What had been the focus of my entire adult life was gone, and it was devastating.

I really didn't know what to do for a few months. I felt that I had let the previous generation of entrepreneurs down - that I had dropped the baton as it was being passed to me. I met with David Packard and Bob Noyce and tried to apologize for screwing up so badly. I was a very public failure, and I even thought about running away from the valley. But something slowly began to dawn on me — I still loved what I did. The turn of events at Apple had not changed that one bit. I had been rejected, but I was still in love. And so I decided to start over.

I didn't see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life.

During the next five years, I started a company named NeXT, another company named Pixar, and fell in love with an amazing woman who would become my wife. Pixar went on to create the worlds first computer animated feature film, Toy Story, and is now the most successful animation studio in the world. In a remarkable turn of events, Apple bought NeXT, I returned to Apple, and the technology we developed at NeXT is at the heart of Apple's current renaissance. And Laurene and I have a wonderful family together.

I'm pretty sure none of this would have happened if I hadn't been fired from Apple. It was awful tasting medicine, but I guess the patient needed it. Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith. I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle.

My third story is about death.

When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: "If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right." It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.

Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

About a year ago I was diagnosed with cancer. I had a scan at 7:30 in the morning, and it clearly showed a tumour on my pancreas. I didn't even know what a pancreas was. The doctors told me this was almost certainly a type of cancer that is incurable, and that I should expect to live no longer than three to six months. My doctor advised me to go home and get my affairs in order, which is doctor's code for prepare to die. It means to try to tell your kids everything you thought you'd have the next 10 years to tell them in just a few months. It means to make sure everything is buttoned up so that it will be as easy as possible for your family. It means to say your goodbyes.

I lived with that diagnosis all day. Later that evening I had a biopsy, where they stuck an endoscope down my throat, through my stomach and into my intestines, put a needle into my pancreas and got a few cells from the tumour. I was sedated, but my wife, who was there, told me that when they viewed the cells under a microscope the doctors started crying because it turned out to be a very rare form of pancreatic cancer that is curable with surgery. I had the surgery and I'm fine now.

This was the closest I've been to facing death, and I hope its the closest I get for a few more decades. Having lived through it, I can now say this to you with a bit more certainty than when death was a useful but purely intellectual concept:

No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

When I was young, there was an amazing publication called The Whole Earth Catalog, which was one of the bibles of my generation. It was created by a fellow named Stewart Brand not far from here in Menlo Park, and he brought it to life with his poetic touch. This was in the late 1960's, before personal computers and desktop publishing, so it was all made with typewriters, scissors, and polaroid cameras. It was sort of like Google in paperback form, 35 years before Google came along: it was idealistic, and overflowing with neat tools and great notions.

Stewart and his team put out several issues of The Whole Earth Catalog, and then when it had run its course, they put out a final issue. It was the mid-1970s, and I was your age. On the back cover of their final issue was a photograph of an early morning country road, the kind you might find yourself hitchhiking on if you were so adventurous. Beneath it were the words: "Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish." It was their farewell message as they signed off. Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish. And I have always wished that for myself. And now, as you graduate to begin anew, I wish that for you.

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.

Thank you all very much.

//--Source: Stanford Report, June 14, 2005 --//

Did You Know?

2008-12-21T19:23:00.000+05:30

Hello, Everybody . . .

2008-12-20T13:17:00.005+05:30

What If You Said Hello to Everyone In Your Path for a Month?
11 things you can learn from one small change.

- By Joe Kita

Hello. It's one of the first words we learn as babies, yet it's one of the last ones we think to use as adults. In our never-ending rush to get something or somewhere, it seems we don't have time any more for this most basic of gestures. And that's unfortunate, because saying hello is more than just saying hello. It is an acknowledgement of existence. It is a pause, however brief, to affirm another's worth (and have yours affirmed in return). How might the world change-how might we change—if we mastered this word? To find out, I spent one month saying hello to every person I met. That meant strangers on the street, people in cyberspace, and even myself in the mirror every morning. Here's what I learned:

It's not as easy as you think. Age gives us a crust, like the film on refrigerated pudding. Even though we may still be soft deep down, that's not what others see. I, for one, look a lot less friendly as a bald 49-year-old than I did as a curly-haired teen. Mistrust becomes our unfortunate catchword, and it's tougher to raise a hand in greeting because that invites people in. "The older we get, the more task-oriented we become," explains R. Allan Allday, PhD, an assistant professor of special education at Oklahoma State University. "Our tendency is to speak to people only when we need something, and that's a difficult habit to break."

Friendliness is so rare nowadays, it's disarming. Because people aren't accustomed to being greeted, I found it a sneaky way to grab their attention and get what I wanted. For instance, when I began an e-mail with "Hi," I was more likely to get a reply. And when I said hello to cashiers and clerks, I got better service. It's as if I woke them up to my presence.

It can boost productivity. In one of the few studies ever done on this subject, Allday had middle school teachers greet their students individually each morning. This brief interaction ultimately raised the kids' productivity by 27 percent. School went from impersonal to personal, he explains, and that resulted in more class participation and better grades. (Managers, take note: Perhaps your time would be better spent at the office door saying "Good morning.")

People you wouldn't normally acknowledge turn out to be the friendliest. The gnarly, the dirty, the semi-strange … in other words, the people I'd normally avoid or not even notice were the ones who reacted the most warmly. No doubt it's because they're so accustomed to being ignored that any acknowledgement is akin to being feted at the Rotary.

Respect begets respect. I normally run or bicycle the same route at the same time each day. When I started waving to the drivers who passed, an unusual thing happened: After a few days, they not only started waving back, but they also gave me a wider berth. So my workouts became more pleasant and safer. "You became a person to them," says Allday.

Setting influences sociability. One study found that people in New York City were less likely (38 percent) to shake hands with a stranger than those in small towns (68 percent). And, researchers say, pleasant environments generally evoke more reciprocal smiles and hellos than unpleasant ones. My experience was similar. Whether due to distraction or suspicion, my urban hellos were answered far less often than my rural ones. Likewise, people in vacation spots, like the Jersey Shore, were far friendlier than those hustling to work down town.

Tinted windows should be banned. In general, highways are the worst place for hellos. When I waved from behind the wheel, other drivers would give me a dumb stare. Cell phones certainly contribute to this (you can't wave when both hands are occupied), but a bigger factor is our inability to see each other. Either the vehicles are too big or the windows are too dark. As a result, we share the road with faceless machines that are much easier to ignore or be aggressive toward. There is one noteworthy exception, however, and that is motorcyclists. Every one I waved to seemed genuinely thrilled to be noticed. The threat of death makes bosom buddies of us all.

You need to be careful around kids. It's an unfortunate, but necessary, sign of our times that youngsters are instinctively wary of strangers. Next to motorists, 5- to 15-year-olds ignored me the most. Although that wasn't surprising, it did sadden and even scare me. To them I was a predator.

Reaching out focuses you. The simple act of saying hello continually pulled me back from wherever my mind had wandered and forced me to be more aware. It's social Zen.

It can save your marriage. I never realized how infrequently I greeted my wife of 24 years, or the rest of my family, until I started doing so deliberately. Common courtesy isn't so common.

It's a form of universal health insurance. It's impossible to say hello without smiling. One leads to the other just as a tap causes a knee jerk. And smiling has been clinically shown to lower blood pressure, boost immunity, and even release natural painkillers (endorphins), each of which lowers stress, boosts happiness, and improves health. Apparently, a smile creates a similar effect in the recipient. Canadian researchers found that call-center employees who played a five-minute "smile hunting" game before work, in which they repeatedly picked the smiling face from a photo assortment, had 17 percent less of the stress hormone cortisol after their shift.

So maybe we can make the world a better place by just saying hello. After a month of doing it, I feel lighter and more connected and I have a better sense of well-being. Once I broke through my initial crustiness and got into the habit, it even became a game: Can I make this grump open up?

If you're inspired to try this at home, there's no need to greet everyone you meet. That can be intimidating and even exhausting. Instead, pick an arbitrary number—say, three—and make it your goal to say hello to that many strangers daily. That will result in 1,095 more hellos over the next year. Build from there. And don't forget to acknowledge the most important stranger of all: Saying hello to yourself each morning in the mirror recognizes the one person who needs it most.

//--Source: Readers Digest - December 2008 - Page Number 108 - 111 --//

How to Display IM Status on Blog

2008-12-17T10:16:00.016+05:30

One of the biggest advantage of showing IM status on your blog or web page is your visitors can talk or ask something to you directly via YM, it will make your relationship with your visitor to be more tight. A way to connect your site or social page visitors directly to you.

Yahoo Messenger:

It’s very simple to create. You have to copy the code below and put it on your web page or blog.

<a href="ymsgr:sendIM?madharasan"> <img src="http://opi.yahoo.com/online?u=madharasan&m=g&t=2&l=us"/></a>

Change the red text (madharasan) with your YM id. Look at the blue number "2", you can change it to 1 to 17. You will different image/icon as your YM status.

Update: It seems that yahoo offers a chat widget like google below. Check out Yahoo! Messenger Pingbox™ and post your comments about it.

Google Talk:

As yahoo messenger, this feature is not a hack or a tweak. This feature is provided by google itself. It is called Google Talk chatback. When they visit your site, they'll see a badge showing your online status (available, busy, offline) and, if you're available, they can just click and start chatting. Chatback uses the web-based Google Talk Gadget so your visitors don't need to download anything. It opens in a new window so they can keep chatting with you even if they browse to other pages.
There are a couple of disadvantage with this:

These chats are off the record, meaning that they aren’t stored in Gmail even if you have the option enabled.
There's no way to tell people who see your chatback widget that you're unavailable without also turning off your availability to people in your buddy list
When someone wants to chat with you, you get a giant unreadable link in your instant message window, which opens up the discussion in a browser-based chat window. Why it can't just run the chat in your existing IM client, I don't know.

Now how to do it:

To create your chatback badge, visit http://www.google.com/talk/service/badge/New.
From the page, copy and paste the HTML into the source of your webpage where you want the badge to be displayed. You'll know it's working if you see a large Google Talk bubble showing your current online status along with the message 'Chat with [your name]' (or whatever you selected as your badge title).

Hope it is useful for you!

Create A Search Text box in Blogger

2008-12-16T00:03:00.005+05:30

After removing the nav-bar from blogger one of the major facility your blog reader will miss is searching the blog. Not any more. You can create a personalised search text box and add it to your blog for the use of your readers. This Search Engine is to find article in your blog, not to find article at all website in the world.

Just follow these steps:

Login to Blogger, Go to Layout --> Page Elements".
Click "Add a page elements" then chose HTML/Java Script.
Put the code below into "Content" Box,
<form action="http://yourblogname.blogspot.com/search" method="get"> <input class="textinput" name="q" size="30" type="text"/> <input value="search" class="buttonsubmit" name="submit" type="submit"/></form>
Change yourblogname with your blog's name. The number "30" is width of your search engine, you can change it for appropriate to your layout.

Smartest Kid in Class

2008-12-14T19:25:00.003+05:30

Very funny video... I had a very good laugh after seeing it...

Paper CD Case

2008-12-13T00:00:00.000+05:30

A Priest is Always Wrong Because...

2008-12-12T21:09:00.003+05:30

If he begins his mass on time, his watch is advanced;
If he begins a minute later, he keeps people waiting
If he preaches too long, he makes people get bored;
If his homily is too short, he is unprepared.
If he owns a car, he is luxurious;
If he does not own one, he does not go with the times.
If he goes out to visit families, he is always out:
If he does not, he has no time for them.
If he asks for donations, he is a moneymaker;
If he does not do it, he is too proud and lazy.
If he takes time in the confessional, he is too slow;
If he makes it too fast, he has no time for his penitents.
If he renovates the church, he throws away money;
If he does not do it, he allows everything to rot away.
If he is with the youth, he forgets the old.
If he is seen with women, he is a playboy;
If he goes with men, he is not normal;
If he is young, he has no experience;
If he is old, he should retire.
As long as he lives, there are always people who are better than him;

BUT IF THE PRIEST DIES....THERE IS NOBODY TO TAKE HIS PLACE!

"Do not touch my anointed ones or harm my prophets." - Psalm 105:15

//--Source: Our Parish's monthly pamphlet --//

Lyrics: முன் தினம் பார்த்தேனே - வாரணம் ஆயிரம்

2008-12-10T00:00:00.002+05:30

படம்: வாரணம் ஆயிரம் (2008)
பாடியவர்கள்: நரேஷ் ஐயர், பிரசாந்தினி
இசை: ஹாரிஸ் ஜெயராஜ்
பாடல்: தாமரை

Hi Malini
i am krishnan
நான் இத சொல்லியே ஆகணும்
நீ அவ்வளவு அழகு
இங்க எவனும் இவ்ளோ அழகா ஒரு ப்ச்...
இவ்ளோ அழக பாத்துருக்க மாட்டாங்க
and i am in love with you

முன் தினம் பார்த்தேனே பார்த்ததும் தோற்றேனே
சல்லடைக் கண்ணாக நெஞ்சமும் புண்ணானதே
இத்தனை நாளாக உன்னை நான் பாராமல்
எங்கு நான் போனேனோ நாட்களும் வீணானதே
வானத்தில் நீ வெண்ணிலா ஏக்கத்தில் நான் தேய்வதா
இப்போழ்தே என்னோடு வந்தாலென்ன‌
ஊர் பார்க்க ஒன்றாக சென்றாலென்ன (இப்போழ்தே)
(முன் தினம் பார்த்தேனே..)

காதலே.. சுவாசமே..

துலாத் தட்டில் உன்னை வைத்து
நிகர் செய்ய பொன்னை வைத்தால்
துலாபாரம் தோற்காதோ பேரழகே

முகம் பார்த்துப் பேசும் உன்னை
முதல் காதல் சிந்தும் கண்ணை
அணைக்காமல் போவேனோ ஆருயிரே

ஓ நிழல் போல விடாமல் உன்னை தொடர்வேனடி
புகை போல படாமல் பட்டு நகர்வேனடி
வினா நூறு கனாவும் நூறு விடை சொல்லடி

முன் தினம் பார்த்தேனே பார்த்ததும் தோற்றேனே..
சல்லடைக் கண்ணாக நெஞ்சமும் புண்ணானதே
இத்தனை நாளாக

oh my love

உன்னை நான் பாராமல்

yes my love

எங்கு நான் போனேனோ நாட்களும் வீணானதே

கடல் நீலம் மங்கும் நேரம்
அலை வந்து தீண்டும் தூரம்
மனம் சுத்தம் ஆகாதா ஈரத்திலே

தலை சாய்க்கத் தோளும் தந்தாய்
விரல் கோர்த்துப் பக்கம் வந்தாய்
இதழ் மட்டும் இன்னும் ஏன் தூரத்திலே

பகல் நேரம் கனாக்கள் கண்டேன் உறங்காமலே
உயிரெங்கும் உதயம் கண்டேன் நெருங்காமலே
உனையன்றி எனக்கு ஏது எதிர்காலமே

முன் தினம் பார்த்தேனெ பார்த்ததும் தோற்றேனே..

Ability

2008-12-09T00:00:00.002+05:30

Ability is to look at a blank page
And create a poem.
Ability is to stare into the eyes of fear,
And come out stronger because of it.
Ability is to walk into a room of strangers,
And come out with friends.
Ability is to admit you are wrong,
When you are wrong.
Ability is to get back up,
When you fall down.
Ability is to beleive,
When everything seems lost.

Ability - a simple word, with a complex meaning.
For many, ability is never found, but for all ability is within.
Ability stare everyone in the face at one time or another.
Whether your ability is how well you shoot hoops,
How well you flip at dancing,
How smart you are in school.
You have ability.
For some, ability is lost by never trying.
Whether never trying to shoot one more time,
Never trying to bend a little more,
Or never trying to score higher in school.

Ability is within.
Ability is yours.

- Selina E. Matis

//--Source: Chicken Soup for the teenage Soul III, Pg 272--//

Pessimist

2008-12-08T00:00:00.000+05:30

No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit. - Helen Keller

Life

2008-12-07T00:00:00.000+05:30

"Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well." - Josh Billings

The Greatest Happiness of Life

2008-12-06T00:00:00.000+05:30

"The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved - loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves." - Victor Hugo

Roses and Thorns

2008-12-05T00:00:00.000+05:30

"You can complain because roses have thorns, or you can rejoice because thorns have roses." - Ziggy

A Winner

2008-12-04T08:06:00.003+05:30

I am a winner.

I have beaten odds to get where I am today.

I have felt some pain every time I have walked another step forward, yet after having taken even one step back, I have known that regression and giving up were not options for me. I have felt the emptiness of separation as I have moved in the wrong direction.

I have learned the arts of persistence, tenacity and dedication. I know how it feels to watch my world and dreams shatter to a million pieces at my feet. I know what it is to run until there is nothing left inside of me and then run some more.

I know how it feels to be loved and I know how it feels when that love grows hard and cold.

I know how to be happy. I know how to smile and spread joy into lives of others with that same smile.

I have learned that one conversation can make or break a fragile mind and heart, and thus I have learned to choose my words carefully.

I know that enthusiasm is the key to everything and yet I know how it feels to completely lack enthusiasm.

I have learned winning is not everything but sometimes it feels like it is the most important thing. I know that my chief competitor is myself.

I know that sometimes my best is not enough for others and that people can be cruel. I have experienced wrath, outrage and fury but have still made it through the storm a survivor.

I know what it is to love. I know how to extract joy from even the darkest situations. I know what hope is and I rely on it as my last refuge. I know that darkness must exist if only to make those tiny bits of light seem brighter.

I know that success is self made and that luck is a relative term. I know that I am strong. I know that miracles do exist, angels do find us in our time of need, and there is always something behind me, pushing me forward.

I believe in myself even when I think that I don't and even when I feel like no one else does. I know how it feels to be lost. I also know how it feels to picked out of a crowd. What it is like to be the winner and how it feels when, for one moment, you are the star of the show.

Above all, I know that all of this had made me, ME.

I know that being a winner is not about winning whatever race faces me in the moment. I recognize I am winning just by pushing myself everyday and by waking up each morning feeling blessed by the day that lies ahead of me. Through this I am winning in the most important race ever, the race i entered at birth - this race we call life.

- Amy Huffman

//--Source: Chicken Soup for the teenage Soul III, Pg. 277--//

So I Am Told.

2008-12-04T07:10:00.002+05:30

I really wish i could be posting something all of my own, but i just didn't have the time today due to my end semester exams and i probably won't for next two weeks either. but come Christmas holidays, expect to be bombarded with thought-provoking, thinking posts :) But for today, i thought i'd post a poem i've read in 'Chicken Soup for the teenage Soul III'.

I'm a fourteen-year-old girl with moss-colored hair,
sparkles and funny clothes, who feels lonely
sometimes.
I do not ask to be understood because I can't even
understand myself.
I ask to be accepted,
I ask to be accepted as I am.
I do not want to be told what potential I have, or what
my future holds.
I do not want to be told that I'm going nowhere in life
because I skipped a math test.
I question my existence, my meaning.
I question what the "Real World" is, and why I'm not
there.
I feel happy with no shoes on.
I feel lonesome in a crowded room.
Sometimes my heart bleeds and I cry,
Laughter echoes in my mind.
I am told to be different,
To be myself.
But then I am told what to wear and how to act.
I like to write and rumors hurt.
I don't know how to dance, but I try to anyway.
Please don't try to understand me, nor judge me too quickly.
My name doesn't matter,
My heart is open.
-Alexei Perry

Ecocho

2008-12-03T16:38:00.004+05:30

Ecocho is a green search engine that claims to reduce global warming as people use it to search. For every 1000 searches, Ecocho will plant up to two trees to offset carbon emissions. 70% of revenue will also go to carbon offset credits. As an additional information the Firefox Add-on, Hyperwords has Ecocho as one of its search engines.

At least we can be happy that we are part of something good.

How to create an “Admin Control Panel” in your Blogger template

2008-12-01T00:00:00.010+05:30

Hiding the Blogger nav-bar is one of the most popular customizations for Blogger blogs. The advantage of this is that your blog design does not immediately appear to be powered by Blogger, and it is very useful for designs where the appearance of the nav-bar distracts from the overall design of the blog.

The only downside of removing the nav-bar is that the admin links for “New post”, “Customize” and “Log Out” are no longer visible. When the nav-bar is visible, blog administrators can create a new post or customize their layout with just one click; when the nav-bar is hidden, many more clicks are required to access the dashboard panel again.

In this post, I’ll explain how you can easily add a “Admin Control Panel” widget which enables one click access to the main sections of your dashboard if you have hidden the Blogger nav-bar from your layout.

First things first!

There are two things we need to do before adding the control panel to our Blogger template:

Make a back-up of the existing template
Find our unique Blog ID number

Let’s go through both of these in order.

Make a back-up of your Blogger template

As we are adding code directly to the Blogger template for this customization, it is omportant to make a back-up of the existing (working) template code.

Then if we do make any major errors, we can easily restore the original working template to our blog.

To make a back-up of your Blogger template, go to Layout>Edit HTML in your Blogger dashboard, and look for the “Download full template” link near the top of the page.

Clicking on this link will prompt you to save your existing template as an XML file to your computer hard drive. You can change the name of the file and choose the location to ensure it is easy to find if you need to use this later.

Locate your unique Blog ID number

To create the admin control panel, we need to use your unique Blog ID number, as this will form part of the URL required for admin links.

To find your Blog ID number, log into Blogger and ensure you have accessed the dashboard you intend to work with.

While you are logged in, access any page of your Blogger dashboard and take a look at the address bar in your browser:

Within the URL you will notice a string like this:

blogID=XXXXXXXXXX

Where XXXXXXXXXX is the unique identifier for your blog.

You need to make a note of the BlogID number for the blog you wish to work with so we can add this in the links for your admin control panel.

Adding the control panel to your template

The Admin Control Panel will only be visible when the owner/author of the blog is logged into their relevant Blogger account. It is invisible to blog readers, similar to the “edit post” and “edit widget” links which are only visible while you are logged in and viewing your own blog.

To add the control panel to your Blogger template, go to Layout>Edit HTML and do not check the “Expand widget templates” box.

Then search for the following line of code (or similar):

<b:section class='sidebar' id='sidebar' preferred='yes'>

Immediately before this line, paste the following section of code:

<span class='item-control blog-admin'> <h2>Admin Control Panel</h2> <a href='http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=BlogIdNumber'>New Post</a> | <a href='http://draft.blogger.com/blog-options-basic.g?blogID=BlogIdNumber'>Settings</a> | <a href='http://www.blogger.com/rearrange?blogID=BlogIdNumber'>Change Layout</a> | <a href='http://www.blogger.com/html?blogID=BlogIdNumber'>Edit HTML</a> | <a href='http://www.blogger.com/moderate-comment.g?blogID=BlogIdNumber'>Moderate Comments</a> | <a href='http://www.blogger.com/logout.g'>Sign Out</a> </span>

Replace all instances of BlogIdNumber with your unique BlogID.

Once you have done this, preview your template. You should not see any of the code for the Admin Control Panel appear in your template during the preview! If all is well, you can then proceed to save your template.

Now take a look at your blog. While you are logged in to Blogger, you should notice your control panel appear above the widgets in your sidebar.

If you log out of Blogger and look at your blog, you will not see the control panel appear (this is also how your readers will see your blog).

How this works

The code for the control panel is wrapped in span tags with the class of “item-control blog-admin”. These CSS classes are not included in your Blogger template code, but are instead added in when your blog pages are generated by Blogger’s external scripts.

These classes also apply for your post and widget editing icons (the familiar pencil and wrench icons) which are invisible to readers of your blog.

The links will still be visible if a reader views the source code of your blog. However, these links are only accessible by the administrators of the blog. If anyone else attempts to access these pages, they will be asked to log in to their own Blogger account and would be unable to make any changes to your own blog.

To know how to hide Nav Bar see here.

//--Source: http://www.bloggingtips.com/2008/09/22/how-to-create-an-admin-control-panel-in-your-blogger-template/--//

Boost your Wi-Fi signal with tinfoil parabolas

2008-12-01T00:00:00.000+05:30

Have you ever tried these things?

2008-11-30T10:18:00.002+05:30

In all versions of Firefox, in the address bar, type about:mozilla.
What you get: A quote from the "Book of Mozilla" about the birth of Firefox.
In Picasa, press Ctrl+Shift+Y.
What you get: Your photo library taken over by teddy bears! Keep hitting the key combo to add more bears. Apparently this is one of the Picasa programmer's teddies, named Thomas.
In Windows Minesweeper game, type "xyzzy." Then press Shift+Enter.
What you get: A single pixel on the upper-left hand corner of your monitor will turn black when you mouse over a block that contains a mine. Get the high score on the family computer!

Its very funny but quite interesting that programmers use their time to hide some funny things into their coding and make people find out on later stage.... Where in the world they get time for these kind of things?

The Value of Rs. 500/-

2008-11-30T08:23:00.000+05:30

Firefox Add-ons: Hyperwords

2008-11-30T00:10:00.001+05:30

Add-ons extend Firefox, letting you personalize your browsing experience. Hyperwords is one such add-ons which makes your browsing easier. With Hyperwords you can select any word on any web page and choose from powerful commands, including: References, search, translation (right in the page itself, not in a new window), conversions, email, alter the page view and much more.

If you do a lot of casual research on the Web, Hyperwords might be the perfect tool for you. This free Firefox add-on turns every word on a Web page--even in Web mail programs--into a link to reference and shopping sites. It also adds a Hyperwords toolbar that you can customize or remove completely.

Hyperwords is very easy to use. Just select text on a page (you don't even need to right click) and choose an option from a pop-up menu that includes Search, References, Translate, View, Copy, Go, Email, Shop, and Settings. (You can also right-click selected text to open the Hyperwords menu.) This functionality gets annoying in Web mail pages, but you can select Settings from the menu and control how the pop-up appears. For example, I chose "When you select text and hit Enter" to launch Hyperwords and this fixed my Web mail issue. You can customize practically every other aspect of the program as well.

This Firefox add-on almost contains too many features. I tested the program for over an hour and still didn't sample all of its offerings. Its Search function pulls results from many sites. A basic search on "energy," for example yielded discussion threads, a how-to-pronounce page, Google results, and more; choosing Shop yielded seven sites simultaneously, including Amazon.com, NexTag, PriceGrabber, and Craigslist.

To translate any text just select it, choose Translate, and pick the language combo that you want. I can't judge the accuracy of translations to Arabic or French, but when I translated a Spanish page on cooking, this is what I got: "Sometimes to be one better and faster cook means to have some tricks of kitchen under the sleeve. ... Necesitas to increase your culinaria wisdom? Lee next and pon in practice intelligent recommendations to apply in your kitchen."

In general, Hyperwords could be useful to students or people who enjoy doing casual research on the Web.

Demo Video available on YouTube:

A Wall-Painted Animation by BLU f

2008-11-30T00:05:00.001+05:30

Relly hard work... Wonderful...

MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.

About Me - 34 - Orkut

2008-11-30T00:04:00.001+05:30

PS: If the picture is unclear, please click on it, it will appear in its original size, and it will be clear to read.

Firefox: Enable Spell Checking in One-line Input Fields

2008-11-29T00:05:00.003+05:30

This Firefox trick goes back to Firefox 2, but is still just as useful and functional in Firefox 3, especially if you're a web writer. In about:config, set layout.spellcheckDefault value equal to 2 to enable spell-checking in single line input fields as well as textareas.

It is also possible to Set Gmail as your default email client—Without an Add-on Firefox 3's filetype handling mechanism can now associate web applications as well as desktop applications with certain files. This opens the door to possibilities like automatically launching links to ical files in your web-based calendar app, or opening your webmail when you click on email links. While most webapps have to catch up to Firefox 3 to enable this functionality, one we already know and love is already there.

Here's how to launch Gmail when you click mailto: links on web pages.

I have put here what i liked, to know more Firefox tweaks see here: Power User's Guide to Firefox 3

Lyrics: The Power of One

2008-11-29T00:04:00.000+05:30

One person refused to sit on the back of the bus
She changed the ride for all of us
Oh, that's the power of one

Her diary found a light in the dark
A young girl's hope touched millions of hearts
Oh, that's the power of one

One grain of sand can turn the tide
One single spark can light the night
One simple dream
One gentle word
One act of love from someone
Can start a chain reaction
It all begins in the heart
And the power of one

All the others who stoned, he didn't judge
He moved the world with the strength of his love
Oh, that's the power of one
One grain of sand can.....

All the little things we do every day
The smallest step can bring on a change
Oh, that's the power of one
One grain of sand can.....

The power of one
The power of one
It's the power of one

Fashion

2008-11-29T00:00:00.010+05:30

//--If the picture is unclear, please click on it, it will appear in its original size, and it will be clear to read.--//

Software: Launchy

2008-11-28T10:47:00.023+05:30

I am a kind of person who has lots of applications which are used very frequently. I hate to use start menu to browse thru all those mess to land upon the expected software, so i was using keyboard shortcuts for all my favourite programs. For example Ctrl+Alt+P for paint. But there was a problem in the method, what to do for those software which have similar names like notepad and notepad++. (Actually i used M and N) moreover after formatting my system, *boom* all are gone and i have to reset all shortcuts once again. This was a heavy task and i hated to do it. Sometimes i even forget those hot key combination, and the purpose of setting those key combination goes vain.

To all these problems, i found a simple solution - Launchy. Free, open source program Launchy is a flexible and relatively lightweight program and document launcher.

Launchy lets you choose what directories to scan and what filetypes to index, so you have control over how bloated or minimal your indexing gets. You can also set your preferred Hotkey combination, which I love.

The latest vrsion of Launchy has support for plug-ins and it comes with a list of wonderful and new functions (pre-installed plug-ins). The most notable features are:

Web search: has searches for Google, Wikipedia, Amazon, and more built-in. To search Google, for example, hit Alt-Space to invoke Launchy, then start typing goo... until you have a match, hit Tab, then type your search terms.
Firefox: Indexes all your Firefox bookmarks, including keyword searches that work just like the default web searches above.
Explorer Navigation: Type c:, hit Tab, and you'll see the folders below C:\. You can continue to do this as you navigate through your file system. You can even use shortcuts like my doc... + Tab to jump right into your My Documents folder.
Calculator: Simple math can be performed right inside Launchy. Just type it in and instantly see the results.

Most people know Launchy as a simple and lightning-fast application launcher for Windows, but it's actually capable of much more than that. You can

Twit with Launchy
Set SMS reminders with Launchy
Post to Google Calendar with Launchy
Append text to files with Launchy
Remember the Milk with Launchy

Since the purpose of this post is to give a very brief introduction to Launchy, You can go here to know how to do these things.

You can view more screen shots here, Visit home page here or Download Launchy here.