Today not being Amavasya, my friend TN is not eating out. She is just going out with her friend TC. But not dining out..
I got this habit of eating out on auspicious days from TN.
Sunday, November 26, 2017
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
CalCutta Curichi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FUs8SlvFzw&feature=share&app=desktop - A cousin sent me this of a village.
Monday, October 2, 2017
Voice Carries A Lot Of Information
Apparently the voice of a person carries a lot more information than we thought and one can predict whether one is a cheater after listening to his voice.
The question I have is: does the voice change after cheating or are certain kinds of voices pre-addicted to cheating?
Sunday, October 1, 2017
Friday, September 22, 2017
Best Airconditioners
- Daikin FTKM35PRV16: http://www.gadgetsnow.com/ac/Daikin-FTKM35PRV16-1-Ton-Inverter-Split-AC?from=mdr
- http://www.reliancedigital.in/home-appliances/air-conditioner-coolers/daikin-1-ton-5-star-jtkm-series-jtkm35srv16-inverter-split-air-conditioner.html#product_tabs_offers_tabbed_contents
- Panasonic 1 Ton 3 Star CS-US12SKY-1 Inverter Split A/C: http://www.reliancedigital.in/home-appliances/air-conditioner-coolers/panasonic-1-ton-3-star-cs-us12sky-1-inverter-split-air-conditioner.html#product_tabs_offers_tabbed_contents
- Top 10 Split A/C: https://www.shubz.in/top-10-best-rated-split-air-conditioners/?gclid=CjwKCAjwxo3OBRBpEiwAS7X62cP9v1g2GC2GVzLSlsG-xdM0N2jvz9Go5CgenmbJOo_r79JIwl5OKxoClB0QAvD_BwE
- Top 5: https://www.themobileindian.com/top-5/lite/top-5-inverter-air-conditioners-available-in-india-may-2017-17694
Additional reading:
Friday, September 15, 2017
Is That A Shirt Or Dress?
And is that a pant or pant*? https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2017/09/07/is-that-a-dress-or-a-shirt-whatever-tom-ford-just-wants-you-to-be-fabulous/?utm_term=.8004d402d7eb
And that is graceful?
Sunday, September 10, 2017
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
China Pak Bhaii Bhai
China joins India in condemning Pak terrorist groups. as per https://newsstand.google.com/articles/CAIiEHaXP3sYhaTIXfqQladrJvAqGQgEKhAIACoHCAowzrL9CjDC7vQCMK2y1gU
I wonder what India conceded to China for this change in stance from China. Perhaps something to do with Doklam? China is very close to Pakistan and is building a train line from Gilgit to a port near Karachi near Afghan border.
A Chinese scholar apparently is perplexed with his government's reaction. He believes that Chinese - Pak relations may be strained as per http://www.financialexpress.com/world-news/brics-declaration-on-terror-may-strain-china-pakistan-ties-says-chinese-scholar/841084/
Insentivity
A lovely article on Insentivity: http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/vivisecting-insensitivity/article19566633.ece
Friday, August 25, 2017
Saturday, August 19, 2017
Why Women Had Better Sex Under Socialism
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/12/opinion/why-women-had-better-sex-under-socialism.html?login=email
This reminded me of a young Polish friend who, at my request, arranged for me to speak to her mother over a VOIP call so I could get an idea of how life was in the pre 1990 days. Of course it was a short call - only 30 minutes or so. But when I read the link, I was reminded of that call with Leeloo.
Leeloo's mother told me that life was somehow better before (in the communism era than in 2010). My friend who speaks fluent English performed the role of the translator.
This reminded me of a young Polish friend who, at my request, arranged for me to speak to her mother over a VOIP call so I could get an idea of how life was in the pre 1990 days. Of course it was a short call - only 30 minutes or so. But when I read the link, I was reminded of that call with Leeloo.
Leeloo's mother told me that life was somehow better before (in the communism era than in 2010). My friend who speaks fluent English performed the role of the translator.
In The Servicing Of Women
How maulvis take money for one-night stand with divorced women trying to save marriage: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/nikah-halala-islamic-scholars-one-night-stand-divorced-muslim-women-marriage/1/1027212.html
White Goods
Warranty, Services
- http://www.lg.com/in/support/warranty
- http://serviceman.in
- All about TV Warranty And Service: https://lcdtvbuyingguide.com/lcdtv/tv-warranty.shtml
Televisions below Rs 20000
Thursday, August 17, 2017
Photos Can Indicate Depression
Apparently photos from social media posts can indicate depression even before a person is clinically diagnosed :http://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/health/facebook-photos-may-help-diagnose-depression-study/800378/ Just like Tata Sky set top box can stop working a couple of minutes before rain starts.
Sunday, August 13, 2017
Thursday, August 10, 2017
Cost Of Pain
This is an excellent article on finding the cost of pain or the price we are willing to pay for getting rid of pain.
Anti Women Sentiments At Google
Apparently the author of the memo, James Demore, has been fired by Google.: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/on-leadership/wp/2017/08/08/the-google-memo-is-a-reminder-that-we-generally-dont-have-free-speech-at-work/?utm_term=.3967b0985053
Here is the memo: http://gizmodo.com/exclusive-heres-the-full-10-page-anti-diversity-screed-1797564320
Additional reading:
- I am not a sexist: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/08/10/im-not-a-sexist-fired-google-engineer-stands-behind-controversial-memo/?utm_term=.1a61f32f0262
- Shoot the messenger: http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/dont-shoot-the-messenger/article19504556.ece
- Women were foundational to the field of computing: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/memo-to-the-google-memo-writer-women-were-foundational-to-the-field-of-computing/2017/08/09/76da1886-7d0e-11e7-a669-b400c5c7e1cc_story.html?utm_term=.0d368a526b75
- A neutral view about the memo: https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/08/11/opinion/sundar-pichai-google-memo-diversity.html?referer=
- Google employees fear after memo incident: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/google-employees-face-fear-uncertainty-in-aftermath-of-divisive-memo/2017/08/11/5edd7a00-7ee1-11e7-83c7-5bd5460f0d7e_story.html?utm_term=.9b977c9ab9ae
- Women say they quite because of racial discrimination: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/aug/18/women-google-memo-racism-sexism-discrimination-quit - If a child says he quit because he was never nominated to the Olympic Chess championship or if a handicapped person says he was not nominated to the triathlon championships - was it because they were not yet there or because there was a discrimination? This seems to be a highly emotional issue.
Gratitude Dissolves Toxic Emotions
Apparently writing a gratitude letter, even if one didn't share it, results in a positive change though it may not be immediately.
Additional reading:
Additional reading:
- Children of parents with disabilities tend to be more empathetic and emotionally intelligent: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/are_the_children_of_parents_with_disabilities_more_empathic?utm_source=Greater+Good+Science+Center&utm_campaign=ebcb5b5c2a-GG_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_08_09&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5ae73e326e-ebcb5b5c2a-51673647
- Taking the 3rd party perspective during an argument: https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/gaining_perspective_on_an_argument?utm_source=Greater+Good+Science+Center&utm_campaign=ebcb5b5c2a-GG_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_08_09&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5ae73e326e-ebcb5b5c2a-51673647
Sunday, August 6, 2017
Its All Waste Bengal
A friend sent me this article: http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/loojh-canawn/story-eyBnOp3FFBye0a0sH326TN.html about West Bengali language and pronaanshiyeshon. The East Bengali dialect is another can or waarms.
Absolutely hilareeaas, I mean hilarious, if you understand Bengali.
Saturday, August 5, 2017
Flat For Rent At Alwarpet In Chennai
Beautiful flat available for rent for bachelor in an exclusive locality at East Abhiramapuram, Chennai. From Oct 2017.
The building is about 10 to 15 mins walk to Mylapore railway station, Mylapore tank. Nageswara Rao park, CP Ramaswamy Road Flyover, TTK Road and Alwarpet. Beach is about 4km. Hospital, Restaurants, Music Academy within 2km.
Area measuring 1000 sq feet, 2 BHK semi furnished flat, 3rd (top) floor, NO LIFT. And no A/c and hence may be a little warm in summer.
This flat is not suitable:
(a) for family (this is for ONE bachelor only). I come daily to the flat. One bedroom is for me.
(b) for people who plan to cook non veg at home. If you plan to cook at home, do cook vegetarian food only.
(c) for people who can't climb three floors and
(d) for those who have a lot of furniture, especially heavy furniture.
It is airy, spacious, and has 4 balconies. It has fans, lights, a bed, almirah, and a gas + stove (and plenty of books). If you want, you can get your own washing machine, fridge. You cannot install an A/C. There is 2 wheeler parking and an open car park for a small car.
A maid comes to clean (maid salary Rs 1000/month is separate as is maintenance charge (Rs 1500 pm) and electricity.
If you are interested, pls leave a comment with your number. I will get back to you. Rent Rs 15000 / month.
Pictures of the flat below. Most furniture and fittings shown below (except couple of almirahs) can be used by the tenant. And hence this apartment would be ideal for people who travel light without much furniture.
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| Hall and Balcony |
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| Entrance Door from which you enter hall |
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| Common toilet leading away from hall |
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| Doorway leading Balcony Outside Kitchen which can also be the wash area |
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| Balcony outside Kitchen |
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| Kitchen Shelves. |
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| Mineral water cans on kitchen shelf |
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| Gas stove (3 Burners) with cylinder |
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| Common toilet - with anti skid tiles + wash basin outside. You can see this from hall |
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| Inside the common toilet |
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| Bed and bedside clock - you can see light from balcony - Master Bedroom |
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| Writing table. No A/C here - Master Bedroom |
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| Lots of greenery outside. |
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| Balcony outside master bedroom. |
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| From the Master Bedroom looking at the hall |
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| Attached toilet |
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| Largish attached toilet. Washing machine can be attached. |
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| Book shelf with old books (fiction and non fiction) and writing table in 2nd bedroom |
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| Almirah and balcony at the left corner in 2nd bedroom. There is no A/C. There is a spring mattress to the left which is put on top of coir mat. |
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| This is the same bedroom but looking in from the balcony |
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| Balcony outside 2nd bedroom |
Friday, August 4, 2017
Why People Think Germans Aren't Funny
Apparently it's because of the German language structure and its compound words: http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20170802-why-people-think-germans-arent-funny
Why Kids Can't Write
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/02/education/edlife/writing-education-grammar-students-children.html
Quotes from the link:
“You get your intuition back when you make space for it, when you stop the chattering of the rational mind,” the memoirist writes.
“Rationality squeezes out much that is rich and juicy and fascinating.”
By requiring students to learn three types of essay writing — argumentative, informational and narrative — the Core staked a claim for writing as central to the American curriculum. It represented a sea change after the era of No Child Left Behind, the 2002 federal law that largely overlooked writing in favor of reading comprehension assessed by standardized multiple-choice tests.
The root of the problem, educators agree, is that teachers have little training in how to teach writing and are often weak or unconfident writers themselves. ... fewer than half had taken a college class that devoted significant time to the teaching of writing, while fewer than a third had taken a class solely devoted to how children learn to write. Unsurprisingly, given their lack of preparation, only 55 percent of respondents said they enjoyed teaching the subject.
Sunday, July 30, 2017
Saturday, July 29, 2017
Friday, July 28, 2017
Thursday, July 27, 2017
Fading Memory, Social Awkwardness
Quotes from couple of nice articles:
Happy memories fade away fast: Quotes from https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_do_your_happy_memories_fade?utm_source=Greater+Good+Science+Center&utm_campaign=76246365fc-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_07_26&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5ae73e326e-76246365fc-51673647:
Happy memories fade away fast: Quotes from https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_do_your_happy_memories_fade?utm_source=Greater+Good+Science+Center&utm_campaign=76246365fc-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_07_26&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5ae73e326e-76246365fc-51673647:
the desire to retrospect does not change over time.” “Instead, past experiences become less top-of-mind over time, and, as a result, people simply forget to remember.”These results are consistent with the view that actual retrospection is strongly dependent on the accessibility of the experience, which is aided by visible mementos
Social Awkwardness: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_deal_with_social_awkwardness?utm_source=Greater+Good+Science+Center&utm_campaign=76246365fc-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_07_26&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5ae73e326e-76246365fc-51673647
awkward people tend to see things differently, shining a spotlight of attention on parts of their perceptual world that others tend to look past. This means that they might spend hours poring over spec sheets for their computer, but miss the subtle cues—like foot-tapping or arm-crossing—that let them know someone is bored or impatient.
The reasons for this difference lie in the brain. Neuroscience research suggests that awkward people—who are somewhat similar to people with “high-functioning autism” or Asperger’s Syndrome—have less activity in their “social brains” and require extra cognitive effort when interpreting social cues. This is not only difficult and draining for them; it can also cause anxiety, which is probably why awkward people sometimes choose to withdraw from social contact altogether...awkward people can be taught to pay attention to social cues like eye contact during conversations, and not interrupt when someone else is speaking.
While awkward children may subconsciously say or do things that others will interpret negatively—such as correcting people’s grammar or strictly adhering to rules and routines (which helps them to function well, but can be perceived as inflexible)—parents can act as coaches, helping to point children to behaviors that will ease their social interactions...One way is by teaching their awkward kids manners—social expectations for dress, behavior, and talk that may not be obvious but can be learned and rehearsed.
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Saturday, July 22, 2017
Thursday, July 20, 2017
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Friday, July 14, 2017
Thursday, July 13, 2017
When You Hate Whom You Love
Here’s how our brains work, as revealed by decades of psychological research: If we are thinking about something pleasant when a positive word pops up, we are quicker to categorize it as positive; but when a negative word pops up, we are slower to put it in the negative category. Likewise, if we are thinking about something unpleasant, we will be slower to categorize positive words and quicker for negative ones.
This task allows researchers to actually quantify people’s feelings towards their significant others, by calculating how quickly they respond to positive words and negative words after seeing their significant other’s name.
Additional reading;
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Sunday, July 9, 2017
Grief Observed
Grief Observed by CS Lewis. This book is about the grief that a man observed in himself after his wife's death.
This book is available online. Check this link.
Quotes from this book:
"The reason for the difference is only too plain. You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you. It is easy to say you believe a rope to be strong and sound as long as you are merely using it to cord a box. But suppose you had to hang by that rope over a precipice. Wouldn’t you then first discover how much you really trusted it? The same with people."
‘Because she is in God’s hands.’ But if so, she was in God’s hands all the time, and I have seen what they did to her here. Do they [in heaven] suddenly become gentler to us the moment we are out of the body? And if so, why? If God’s goodness is inconsistent with hurting us, then either God is not good or there is no God: for in the only life we know He hurts us beyond our worst fears and beyond all we can imagine. If it is consistent with hurting us, then He may hurt us after death as unendurably as before it.
If H [Author's wife]. ‘is not’, then she never was. I mistook a cloud of atoms for a person. There aren’t, and never were, any people. Death only reveals the vacuity that was always there. What we call the living are simply those who have not yet been unmasked. All equally bankrupt, but some not yet declared.
For a good wife contains so many persons in herself. What was H. not to me? She was my daughter and my mother, my pupil and my teacher, my subject and my sovereign; and always, holding all these in solution, my trusty comrade, friend, shipmate, fellow-soldier. My mistress; but at the same time all that any man friend (and I have good ones) has ever been to me. Perhaps more. If we had never fallen in love we should have none the less been always together, and created a scandal. That’s what I meant when I once praised her for her ‘masculine virtues’. But she soon put a stop to that by asking how I’d like to be praised for my feminine ones. This strikes a chord and seems quite similar to what Indian literature extols in a good wife - to be a good friend, mother, mistress to her husband.
There is, hidden or flaunted, a sword between the sexes till an entire marriage reconciles them. It is arrogance in us to call frankness, fairness, and chivalry ‘masculine’ when we see them in a woman; it is arrogance in them, to describe a man’s sensitiveness or tact or tenderness as ‘feminine’. But also what poor, warped fragments of humanity most mere men and mere women must be to make the implications of that arrogance plausible. Marriage heals this. Jointly the two become fully human.
I wonder. How would another man or wife, who loved their spouse very much, grieve? How different would it be from this author's grief? What is so special about this grief? I came across this book while reading another book on Male Grief where the author mentioned that males grieve in a way that is very different from the way feminine people grieve. Males don't talk it out and cry over a friend's shoulder. Is CH Lewis an example of all those male folks who love their wives a lot? Is this the way most male folks, who loved their wives, feel after their wives' death?
I know of an elderly gentleman. From what I have heard of him and his wife I think he could grieve like CH Lewis were his [my contact's] wife to die. I can imagine one difference though. My contact is not a person who can express as Lewis does. He would be more like a toddler who lost his mom - with a lot of grief but unable to express or articulate.
On the whole I am not able to relate to the kind of grief that the author felt nor empathize with it.
On the whole I am not able to relate to the kind of grief that the author felt nor empathize with it.
Consumer Protection And Redressal
http://consumerhelpline.gov.in/ This is the portal for registering complaints. Tel No: 1800-11-4000 (044-2859-2828 in Tamil Nadu)
Additional reading:
Additional reading:
Friday, July 7, 2017
Why Are There No Paan Stains in India's Metro Stations
http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/H0txA6aMRKB0cOqbpj5IjN/Why-no-paan-stains-in-our-Metro-stations.html
Quote from the link:
Human behaviour experts have always studied the impact of physical surroundings on human behaviour. They have established that physical locations are some of the most powerful cues to behaviours. As Wendy Wood, professor of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University, puts it, “ Even though people think they’re making choices, many of our repeated behaviours are cued by everyday environments”. Humans are like chameleons who have the ability to change their colours to suit the surroundings. We speak softly in libraries, we are boisterous in stadiums.
Most of our Metro stations are at a physical level that is different from the rest of the surroundings. Metros are either elevated or they are underground. A Metro station invokes a ritual of stepping out of the ordinary world into a “sacred” space. The same level difference (and the accompanying effort) adds to a feeling of exclusivity and spirituality to our places of worship too. "
Kinda strange. And yet true. That our behavior is somehow modified based on where we are. If we wanted to change someone's behavior, place that person constantly in environments where a different behavior is expected. What happens when the person returns to his "home" environment?
Another interesting thing I realized is that each of us creates an environment around us, an aura. We carry ourselves in a particular way. That is what tells people whether we are a cowshed or a metro station. And people treat us accordingly.
Another interesting thing I realized is that each of us creates an environment around us, an aura. We carry ourselves in a particular way. That is what tells people whether we are a cowshed or a metro station. And people treat us accordingly.
Thursday, July 6, 2017
Awe Makes Us More Positive And Humble
Additional reading:
- https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_overcome_stress_by_seeing_other_peoples_joy Seeing other people's joy reduces our stress
- https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/are_emotions_born_or_made Are emotions born or made?
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
Depth And Know Alls
A Very interesting Article On Experts And Breadth
https://www.ft.com/content/0f65f08a-5bdf-11e7-b553-e2df1b0c3220?mhq5j=e1
https://www.ft.com/content/0f65f08a-5bdf-11e7-b553-e2df1b0c3220?mhq5j=e1
Tuesday, July 4, 2017
2D:4D Ratio
Apparently the ratio of the index finger length to the ring finger length indicates the exposure a baby has to testosterone while in the womb. Lesser the ratio, longer the ring finger, more masculine is the baby. https://www.livescience.com/49883-finger-length-in-men.html.
Seems like what WHR is for women, 2D:HD is for men.
Additional reading:
Seems like what WHR is for women, 2D:HD is for men.
Additional reading:
Monday, July 3, 2017
Sunday, July 2, 2017
Markets and Fashion: A Close Parallel
I wrote a piece on the stock market since guruji had been insisting that I write (ever since she fell in love wih Chetan Bhagat)..
"This season we wont see many tops. there is a bell bottom.. And we will see a lot of shaking sideways. I foresee it going sometimes up, sometimes down.. Some days we will see red.. "
When I wrote this about the stock market, some fashion people approached me to ask if I could write regularly for them. What i thought was a masterpiece of market analysis... And people mistook it for a nice fashion article.. I was aghast.. Then realization struck.. I understood after countless hours of explanations to Femmo on Fashion and to Guruji on markets.. Both fashion and stock market analysis are kinda same.. Neither lends itself to rational analysis while there are millions of experts who purport to do exactly that.. The mistake the fashion people made was understandable..
I myself have predicted (quite accurately I would say) about Sensex and Nifty (Indian stock indices) based on what I saw in a remote corner in India. There were two numbers in the picture, the larger one indicates the BSE Sensex -30 and the smaller one refers to the broad based Nifty.)
Fundamentals OR Technicals
This is a nice article on fundamentals or technicals? Which way to judge to judge the stock market best.
Valuing based only on the fundamentals is like following Bhagwad Gita: just do the right things and focus on the right parameters, don't look for the (short term) results. Technicals perhaps leans towards a focus on the immediate results.
Published on
3/29/12, 10:58 AM
India Standard Time
Responsibility Of A Bank Or A Company's Auditor
A court in India ruled that a bank is responsible for not detecting forgery and has been asked to pay back the amount forged from a customer's account.
If that is the case, what is the responsibility of an external auditor of a company? If a company provides forged documents to an auditor, is he (auditor) expected to recognize the forgery? Is he expected to verify the authenticity of the documents he is auditing? If not we will only have priceless watered down houses of auditors.
Published on
5/15/12, 9:50 AM
India Standard Time
Bhalo Theko Baba
I went to a shop today to buy some stuff. The security guard standing outside was dressed rather decorously with a large cap - kinda like the guys doing the parade at Wagha border or like doormen in the higher class hotels.
The guy seemed like a Bengali to me from his features. I smiled at him and asked him in Bengali whether he was a Bengali. He replied "Na". I was surprised, usually I am good at spotting Bengalis. He said he was from Tripura, which is a close cousin of Bengal. People there speak the same language (Bengali). Bangladesh in fact is bounded on the west by West Bengal and on the east by Tripura.
For some reason, he opened the door at the entrance to the shop, did a formal namaste and continued in with me. I continued in Bengali with him, asked him whether he knew Bengali. He replied "han". I asked him whether he spoke Bengali (not the same as knowing / understanding Bengali). He spoke a longer sentence affirming. I asked him why his accent was different, that he wasn't speaking normal Bengali. He replied he was from Tripura and hence his accent is more Tripura's and closer to Banglasdesh's.
When I was coming out, I met him again and asked him how long he has been in Chennai and whether he had eaten (lunch). He replied yes, he had eaten. I asked him his name was. Turned out he is Muslim. I was shocked. This month being Ramzan he is supposed to fast during day time. I asked him why he wasn't fasting. He said he had two jobs. Another job at night in a different establishment in the city. Obviously he couldn't fast
I was like huh?. Two full time jobs...? I had heard of this only in novels. Tough life for some people. Young guy so far away from home.
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