Have a blessed, garbage-free day!

Honking. The majestic middle finger. The French vocabulary. Road Rage. A driver (talking on a mobile) in front of your car doing 60 miles per hour on the fast lane. A rich poser racing the engine of a huge SUV while waiting at a traffic light. A discourteous punk trying to get ahead of the queue of people, anxiously waiting for their dose of morning caffeine at a Coffee Shop. People pretending to not notice you as you wave at them to hold the elevator. The colleague who always blesses your day with a venomous email.

That pretty much sounds like a morning routine around the world, ehh. So, how do most of us react to this uncaring and discourteous environment? We smile and start another great day by saying, "What a wonderful world?!!

Right? No, wrong.

Most of us are no less competitive. Even if it is our own fault, we have our set of defensive-vocabulary-kits and tactics to pay such punks back. We would find a great excuse for the day to be grumpy and generously share the irritation to anyone who dares to come in the way. And, nothing makes us more happy than seeing the punk getting annoyed.

Humans, ehh!!

Our parents used to say, "Just ignore." It is easier said that done. Isn't it!!

Recently, a friend of mine had sent a simple story which made a strong impact in my life. And, amazingly, it has helped me shrug off any such punks at any time of the day or night, with a smile. Here it is.

The Law of the Garbage Truck
One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches!

The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us.
My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly.

So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!'

This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on.

Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets. The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.

Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets,
So ... Love the people who treat you right.
Pray for the ones who don't.
Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!
Have a blessed, garbage-free day!

Decoding one of the world’s greatest mysteries: your woman

Intriguing topics develop during water-cooler conversations at work.

“I did not know that a snake has been living in my car for weeks…..and I was not aware of that except for the hissing sound which I thought was a fault in the car.”

“My car spun over 6 times on 401 and I escaped unscathed….”
Interesting?!

Thanks to many such real life stories that helps us drive our blues away.

One common story that jumps out is about the better halves. Yeah. “She did this, she did that…..I cannot live with it and I cannot live without it…..”

My American friends and I used to debate a lot about cultures and marriages of USA vs India. They used to tease me in a friendly way saying, “How on earth can you marry someone whom your parents think is suitable for you?!! I can never do that!!” I shoot back with a wry smile, “Because I do not want to have 4 kids from 4 different marriages.” Typically, my friends let me have the last word in this topic.

I listened to a sermon in a Church during a wedding. I learnt something priceless. The priest said that over 50% of the marriages fail in North America and when he counseled couples with marital problems, the common answer that heard was, “He or She is not the right person for me.” It was a very powerful and intense sermon and the priest had already captured the attention of everyone in the church. As the priest was about to conclude with the secret of a successful married life, I am sure it woke a lot of people who were day dreaming. (I sure did.) The priest concluded with an impressive punch line: “It is not about finding the right person. It is about being the right person.”

I am no philosopher, especially in this topic. However, since then, I have made consistent efforts to decode the secret of making a wife happy. It has been over 13 years and I am not even done scratching the surface. But, I did not feel bad about my efforts and it made me feel better when I discussed this topic with my 60 year old friend who snickered at me saying, “Yeah, right! I have been doing that for 40 years and I have reached nowhere.”

But, hey, it is not all that bad and there are definitely perks in learning certain exceptional diplomatic finesse. Stop laughing. You will need this. Good luck. Here we go....

Always be yourself
Women are much more attracted to men who display a lot of self-confidence.' You must have seen guys that are none too attractive with a beautiful woman. This is because she is attracted to his self-esteem and personality, which actually make an ugly guy look attractive.

Little things count
If you know she needs help with something, just do it without asking because she will feel like you really do notice what is going on and she will love you for it. Woman do notice and appreciate these things.

Don't take her for granted
Let her know every day, or at least whenever you are with her, that she is special to you and you want to be with her and no one else. A woman wants to feel like she is the most beautiful in the room in your eyes, so if you want to keep your woman happy, make sure she feels that way.

Make her laugh
Women love men with a good sense of humour even though men seem to think that it's good looks that attract a woman. If you can make a woman laugh, she will be much more likely to feel connected to you.

Be sensitive
Try to be aware of how she is feeling. If you are sensitive to whatever she may be going through, she will be aware of it and will definitely appreciate that you care enough to pay attention.

In case, I have rekindled your misery, I apologize. But, if it is any consolation, please read the following:

Disclaimer:
You are strongly advised not to get carried away and try the following at home. These were tried by highly frustrated men with no brains. But, in case you try to be Mr. Smarty Pants, I am not responsible for any reaction from the folks of Venus (Men are from Mars. Right?!).
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Why doesn't law permit a man to marry a second woman?
Because as per law you cannot be punished twice for the same offense!
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Man: Is there any way for longlife?
Dr: Get married.
Man: Will it help?
Dr: No, but the thought of longlife will never come.
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Why do couples hold hands during their wedding?
It's a formality just like two boxers shaking hands before the fight begins!
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Wife:Darling today is our anniversary, what should we do?
Husband: Let us stand in silence for 2 minutes.
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It's funny when people discuss Love Marriage vs Arranged.
It's like asking someone, if suicide is better or being murdered.
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It is difficult to understand GOD. He makes such beautiful things as women and then he turns them into Wives.
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Before marriage, a man will lie awake all night thinking about something you say. After marriage, he'll fall asleep before you finish.
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There's a way of transferring funds that is even faster than electronic banking. It's called marriage.
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Girlfriends are like chocolates, taste good anytime.
Lovers are like PIZZAS, Hot n spicy, eaten frequently.
Husbands are like Dal RICE, eaten when there's no choice.
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Man receives telegram: Wife dead-should be buried or cremated?
Man: Don't take any chances. Burn the body and bury the ash.
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Prospective husband:
Do you have a book called 'Man, The Master of Women'?
Salesgirl: The fiction department is on the other side, sir.
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There was this guy who told his woman that he loved her so much that he would go through hell for her. They got married and now he is going thru hell.
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Fact of life: One woman brings you into this world crying & the other ensures you continue to do so for the rest of your life!
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The Untamed Web

For over a century, propaganda war has been one of the greatest weapons among the countries and blocks. From Hitler to the WMD gaffe, the mighty and the powerful have used the media to convince the masses across the world about stories that never happened. In retrospect, it appears as if the past and future events were premeditated, orchestrated and implemented with impeccable precision. Thank God, the premeditated and orchestrated outcomes of such events are not predictable.

But, since the dawn of the internet era, the clout on the propaganda game is shifting towards a small group of people from different countries and ethnic groups. They might be small, but their collective power has helped topple governments and shutdown biggest corporations. They might look different and speak different languages. But, they all have a common goal: Fight against the unjust. And, the superpowers or the rich or the powerful can do nothing about it. Thanks to the Web and Social Networking. It is called the Cyber War.

This is how it works to wage a Cyber War.

All you need is to mobilize an intensely fast-paced Internet forum with hundreds of determined activists and a simple piece of software called a Low Orbit Ion Cannon. Activists choose targets by consensus, download the LOIC – initially developed to help Internet security experts test website vulnerability to DDoS attacks – and start firing packets of data at the targeted website.

• Role in Tunisia’s “Jasmine Revolution”.
• Wikileaks-inspired attacks on Mastercard and Visa.
• Attack on Zimbabwe government (seen as enemies of free speech).
• Attack on Estonian government (due to a row between Estonia and Russia)

There have been reports about Tunisian inspired demonstrations in Yemen and Algeria. I can imagine a group of activist working day and night to facilitate demonstrations and add fuel to fire. Most of these activists claim that they do not have bad intentions and they consider themselves as good Samaritans fighting for the weak against the unjust powers.

Pen is mightier than the sword. Cliché, but it is apt for any generation, as it reflects the power of the human mind and spirit. Books and Newspapers are used to rekindle the human spirit, but the power of it has lost its thrust and reliance, as most of the World events are perceived by the public as orchestrated. Thanks to the Corporations that have tamed the offline media.

The Internet has evolved as an effective online platform for Social Networking. The intuitiveness and accessibility of the Internet for the masses has made it so powerful and intensive to stir the human spirit across boundaries.

Thanks to the untamed Web. At least, it is untamed for now.......

99 Years Young!! And, still pursuing excellence!!

My friend inspired me to start running, during my recent trip to Mumbai. It was electrifying to just hear the dedication of common people to run marathons irrespective of their long work hours, long commute, financial limitations etc. I felt so small. So with so much enthusiasm, I started running and magically, I seemed to have inspired a couple of friends who readily joined me for the run. Setting a target of 21 km by the end of 2011, I ran 5 km last weekend and 6 km this weekend. It was a beautiful feeling!! But, the day after, the feeling was not all that great. My knees hurt like hell. Although I had done enough study on pronation, I was not wearing the arch-foot-pad inside my shoe. Although I knew that this pain will fade away, my apprehensions about knee injury grew. And, that is when I read this inspiring story of a 99 year old Sikh man who is a World Record holder in marathon!!

Fauja Singh (born April 1, 1911) started running at the age of 81 and holds a world record in his age bracket. Fauja has participated in innumerable competitions worldwide, his fame prompting then Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to invite him to run in the inaugural Lahore Marathon in January 2005. He holds 12 Commonwealth, European and British records for his age-group, ran as one of the torch-bearers for the Athens Olympics in 2004 and was chosen, in 2005, as the Official Starter of the second biggest marathon in the UK, held in Edinburgh.

Fauja has broken bread at the Buckingham Palace with the Queen, who awarded him the runner-up award of Living Legend at Windsor Castle in 2006. More recently, Fauja was part of the Queen's Baton Relay, when it was flagged off in London as the run-up to the Commonwealth Games 2010 to be held in Delhi later this year.

His indefatigable spirit has won him a legion of fans. Impressed, sportswear giant Adidas chose Fauja to feature alongside David Beckham on its ‘Impossible is Nothing' campaign. Not only was his face splashed on huge billboards globally in 2004, Adidas named a shoe-range in his honor. And to think Fauja hadn't heard of Beckham until he was contacted for the ad campaign!

About the campaign, Fauja recalls, "My grandsons told me he was a very famous boy who played football. I was taken to a big stadium where they took my photos. Later, they gave me these shoes." He excitedly rolls up his trousers to reveal trainers named after him.

From living in a small town, Beas Pind in Punjab, for most part of his life - where his only skill was growing sugarcane and wheat - to becoming the poster boy for a whole generation of marathon athletes, the story of Fauja's life reads like fiction. But the marathon man ascribes his tremendous feats to God.

He came to live in the United Kingdom after he lost his wife and a son in quick succession over two decades ago, and moved in with another son in East London. Unable to cope with the bereavement and loneliness of living in a foreign country, a desperate Fauja realized he needed something that could alleviate his pain and infuse a sense of purpose in his otherwise vapid life. Before long, he rediscovered the passion of his youth. Fauja started running.

• Rediscovered at age of 81
• Marathons run: London (5), Toronto (1), New York (1)
• Marathon debut: London, 2000, aged 89
• London Flora Marathon 2000: 6:54
• London Flora Marathon 2001: 6:54
• London Flora Marathon 2002: 6:45
• Bupa Great North Run (Half Marathon) 2002: 2:39
• London Flora Marathon 2003: 6:02
• Toronto Waterfront Marathon 2003: 5:40
• New York City Marathon 2003: 7:35
• London Flora Marathon 2004: 6:07
• Glasgow City Half Marathon 2004: 2:33
• Capital Radio Help a London Child 10,000 m 2004: 1:08
• Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon 2004: 2:29:59

Incredible!! Inspiring!!

I am hitting 40 and I wonder if I have not achieved anything. My restless mind constantly explores passions and avenues to excel, hoping for excellence and achievements. I feel that I am running out of time. Not anymore. Fauja Singh inspires me to continue the exploration and strengthens my spirit to excel.

A humble salute to Fauja Singh.

Oman, a safe haven.....

It was just another day for me to make a living. It was snowing heavily. The chilling cold had slowed my pace of everything to get ready to work. As I enter the company campus, there are a series of parallel things-to-do running in my mind. Well, things are not of saving-the-world in nature. It is mostly checking the Application, Database etc. I sigh and let go of my body to freefall on a cushioned chair. To my surprise, I am denied access to the Computer Network. Come on, now!! I control everything in the computer systems. I might have typed the password wrong. As I carefully retype my user credentials, I could sense somebody approaching from behind. In a haste, as I turned, the first thing that I saw was a huge belly and a holster with a gun. A deep voice said, “Sir, can I escort you to the Director’s office”. Guess what? I was being laid off. I said to myself, ”Welcome to America”. (Well, there is good side of America as well.) This was my Boston days in 2002. It was post-911 and finding a job was difficult than conquering Mount Everest. Anyways, I shrugged off the problems and got through somehow. But, this incident made a strong impact in my simple, humble history.

Now, having moved to Oman, in an effort to escape the rat race, explore other cultures and not lose control of my life, I can appreciate the Omani Beauty. Orderly life, no social unrest, no mass layoffs, stable economy, almost perfectly balanced family life, assured annual vacations, not much of traffic jams, a country that truly admires her leader etc. The list is very, very long. Oman has developed to be a very peaceful and progressive country because of a well planned and architected vision by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said.

Most of all, I am truly impressed with the Omani people. The kind of respect that the Omani people show to the expatriates is incredible. I am very grateful to Omani people for such show respect and hospitality. I am sure most of the expatriates feel that way.

Having worked in other extreme conditions, I am perhaps one of the very few that appreciate Oman life than most people living in Oman, including Omanis. I guess, Oman life is the other extreme of a chaotic, machine life. I call it my safe haven.

During 2008, when the after effects of the bubble-burst in the American economy was still shaking the World economy, most of the countries were panicking to clean up their backyard filled with the garbage of financial mismanagement. Even during these turbulent times, while many other countries were trying to hold themselves together to survive, Oman was rated as one of the top ten countries in the world that was immune to the disastrous financial shockwaves that rocked the World economy (It still is). Now, that is something to be proud of. Kudos to Oman, especially to its leader, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said!!

The Chief of United Nations, Ban ki-Moon, said “The progress the Omani people have achieved in 40 years is commendable and it is a shining light among the rest of the Arab countries. It is an enviable example to follow.”

Hillary Rodham Clinton, The United States Secretary of State, on her recent visit to Oman said “If I could take the magic formula of Oman’s growth in a bottle, I will take it to other countries in the region.”

Well, Oman’s success could not have been certified better!!

I came to Oman to explore and also take control of my life even if it meant compromising my professional growth and money potential. I am really glad that I found exactly what I wanted in this beautiful Safe Haven. Like many other expatriates who have ended up living in Oman for over 2 to 3 decades, I wish to live in this Safe Haven for a long time, if not for decades.

Vacationing in a Coastal Wonderland…..

I feel like I need a long vacation because I came back from my vacation just last week. This is such a cliché. Isn’t it? The vacation was great!! Very gratifying!!
Wonderland? Yes. A small coastal village located at the southern tip of the Indian Peninsula that has history of over 450 years. Christianity blossomed in the village as early as 1534. The village is called as Virpandianpatnam. In short, Patnam. Patnam has mostly Catholic population with over 6000 people and is sandwiched between a Hindu town in the south and a Muslim town in the North. The beauty of it is that all have lived together harmoniously for centuries.
Patnam is an intriguing place from all perspectives. The entire population is Catholic except for the floating population. There are over 10 churches. One of the churches is 125 years old. Almost all are related to one another, as most of the marriages are arranged among the villagers. For any wedding, almost half of the village is invited. For any funeral, the entire village is there to support. Every morning the villagers attend the mass at 5.15 am. For every Christmas, all the villagers living in different cities and countries make it a point to spend their Christmas vacation in Patnam. So it is not uncommon to see Patnam born Americans, Canadians, Australians, Singaporeans, Malaysians etc. roaming around Patnam during Christmas.
Yes, I grew up in this beautiful Patnam for over 18 years. When I visited Disney Land, Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, The Alps, it was a great feeling. But, honestly, to be in Patnam, the feeling is priceless. I intend to retire in Patnam someday. I hope my dream comes true.

Credit Card Scams at Hotels

Human weakness is a hacker's paradise. Human weakness?! Pride, Overconfidence, Ignorance etc. And, I am not even talking about high-tech hacking. Common sense is good enough to qualify as a hacker. Here is a real-time example of how anyone with a fairly decent common sense can avail human weakness.

You arrive at your hotel and check in at the front desk. When checking in, you give the front desk your credit card (for all the charges for your room). You get to your room and settle in. Someone calls the front desk and asked for (example) Room 620 (which happens to be your room).

Your phone rings in your room. You answer and the person on the other end says the following, 'This is the front desk. When checking in, we came across a problem with your charge card information. Please re-read me your credit card number and verify the last 3 digits numbers at the reverse side of your charge card.

Without much thought, you might give this person your information, since the call seems to come from the front desk. But actually, it is a scam of someone calling from outside the hotel/front desk. They ask for a random room number. Then, ask you for credit card information and address information. Sounding so professional that you do think you are talking to the front desk.

If you ever encounter this problem on your vacation, tell the caller that you will be down at the front desk to clear up any problems. Then, go to the front desk and ask if there was a problem. If there was none, inform the manager of the hotel that someone called to scam you of your credit card information acting like a front desk employee.

Never underestimate such fraudsters. They specialize in Human Weakness and they will get to you before you know it.