If you don't know what Cymotrichous is, google it. Chances are you'll land on all the news items that showcase why this word is now world famous. 14 year old Sukanya Roy strode to fame yesterday in the USA by holding her nerves and spelling this word correctly in the nationwide 'Spelling Bee' contest.
And the world instantly goes "Cymotrichous". Every news channel and every portal worth its name is carrying this on the front page. Facebook is full of "Cymotrichous" statuses and comments ("Like" it or not!). And "Cymotrichous" suddenly enters the annals of world history.
Why are we always so "Cymotrichous"? It's just a word. Good thing Sukanya Roy knew the spelling and her closest opponent didn't otherwise the result could have been "Cymotrichous" for Roy. And the the Spelling Bee contest itself would not have probably had such a "Cymotrichous" finish.
Honestly, what is even more "Cymotrichous" is the fact that I am sitting up in my bed, a little past midnight on a Friday night and writing a "Cymotrichous" blog. What's worse. I will now post this on facebook and even as I am sipping my first cup of coffee in the morning I will be looking to see how many "Cymotrichous" comments people have posted to this...
Honestly, there is nothing remotely "Cymotrichous" about this word. That's the funny part of communication. If you have been carefully reading this "Cymotrichous" passage, you will notice how at each place I used this word, you could have assumed your own "Cymotrichous" meaning for it and it sounded so "Cymotrichous" each time.
So don't get so "Cymotrichous" about life. It just means "Having Wavy Hair".
It's supposed to be a beautiful sunny weekend, so go out to the beach dear friend and have a "Cymotrichous" one...
Friday, June 3, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Ace, King, Queen, Jack...
"June" 2 did seem like the starting line up in the card game Ace of Spades...
The Ace was My Son. It was a big day for him, it was the day of the Spring Concert at his school and he was slated to both sing in the choir and also play solo on the recorder. He started the day by dressing up for the occasion and looked like a million dollars. And the very first picture of him today, quickly clicked on the iPhone and uploaded to Facebook got some rave reviews...
I felt like King myself. One of my goals for June is not just to work hard but to ensure that the work I do impacts a positive outcome. In project management parlance, one may call it milestones. I decided that each day in "June" I will pick 1 milestone in each project I handle and work in a way that the milestone is accomplished. I picked 3 today and hit Gold all ways...
The Queen has risen. If you think "June" being special for me is all a matter of my mind, on June 1, my wife signed up her first student for the summer 2011 schedule for her new initiative (www.mindbytes.co). And June 2 continued to be a good day, for her phone started ringing and enquiries started flowing through her website. Miles to go for sure, but she is not sleeping either. Best of Luck, my Queen...
But "June" 2 goes to Jack. The Fleetwood Spring Concert had 2 sessions, afternoon for students and evening for parents. At 655 pm, we strode into a full auditorium. In exactly 5 minutes, the performers trooped in and took their places. In a matter of seconds they were all organized in a compact crew, boys and girls, in 4 rows set by height and mixed well for color.
All eyes were fixed on the grand stage, when this little boy in the front row stepped out of line. He was clad in black khakis, a slick white polo shirt and was wearing the most stylish black hat of the evening. For a moment I wondered what was wrong with the poor boy. He was clearly moving in the direction where his music teacher stood. Was he afraid? Or overwhlemed?
It turned out he was neither. In just a few quick steps, he moved to the left end of the stage, clasped the microphone with elan and said, "Hi everyone, my name is Jack and I am in Ms. Teacher's 4th grade class. The 4th graders are now going to present the opening piece of tonight's concert, the Sing, Sing, Sing, Song. We really enjoyed learning this special song and we hope you will enjoy it too". Applause...
The music began. The most delightful music wafted through the air for the next one hour, accompanied sometimes by dancing and enactment. A new announcer arose before each new performance, even the Ace appeared for his famed solo. But for the better part of the hour, my eyes were fixed in one place, on Jack!
I clicked pictures, I stopped to clap after every song and I went through the motions for the full hour. But every now and then my gaze would return to Jack. There was something about that one opening moment in which he had instantly captivated me. In all but a flash, Jack had made me his biggest fan of the night. Clearly, there was something about Jack...
That's the way I am. Meteoric moments of brilliance last forever in my mind. And the joy I feel from them is unexplainable. "June" 2 was a good day for Ace, King & Queen, but if at all I remember "June" 2, it will be for Jack. Way to go Jack...
The Ace was My Son. It was a big day for him, it was the day of the Spring Concert at his school and he was slated to both sing in the choir and also play solo on the recorder. He started the day by dressing up for the occasion and looked like a million dollars. And the very first picture of him today, quickly clicked on the iPhone and uploaded to Facebook got some rave reviews...
I felt like King myself. One of my goals for June is not just to work hard but to ensure that the work I do impacts a positive outcome. In project management parlance, one may call it milestones. I decided that each day in "June" I will pick 1 milestone in each project I handle and work in a way that the milestone is accomplished. I picked 3 today and hit Gold all ways...
The Queen has risen. If you think "June" being special for me is all a matter of my mind, on June 1, my wife signed up her first student for the summer 2011 schedule for her new initiative (www.mindbytes.co). And June 2 continued to be a good day, for her phone started ringing and enquiries started flowing through her website. Miles to go for sure, but she is not sleeping either. Best of Luck, my Queen...
But "June" 2 goes to Jack. The Fleetwood Spring Concert had 2 sessions, afternoon for students and evening for parents. At 655 pm, we strode into a full auditorium. In exactly 5 minutes, the performers trooped in and took their places. In a matter of seconds they were all organized in a compact crew, boys and girls, in 4 rows set by height and mixed well for color.
All eyes were fixed on the grand stage, when this little boy in the front row stepped out of line. He was clad in black khakis, a slick white polo shirt and was wearing the most stylish black hat of the evening. For a moment I wondered what was wrong with the poor boy. He was clearly moving in the direction where his music teacher stood. Was he afraid? Or overwhlemed?
It turned out he was neither. In just a few quick steps, he moved to the left end of the stage, clasped the microphone with elan and said, "Hi everyone, my name is Jack and I am in Ms. Teacher's 4th grade class. The 4th graders are now going to present the opening piece of tonight's concert, the Sing, Sing, Sing, Song. We really enjoyed learning this special song and we hope you will enjoy it too". Applause...
The music began. The most delightful music wafted through the air for the next one hour, accompanied sometimes by dancing and enactment. A new announcer arose before each new performance, even the Ace appeared for his famed solo. But for the better part of the hour, my eyes were fixed in one place, on Jack!
I clicked pictures, I stopped to clap after every song and I went through the motions for the full hour. But every now and then my gaze would return to Jack. There was something about that one opening moment in which he had instantly captivated me. In all but a flash, Jack had made me his biggest fan of the night. Clearly, there was something about Jack...
That's the way I am. Meteoric moments of brilliance last forever in my mind. And the joy I feel from them is unexplainable. "June" 2 was a good day for Ace, King & Queen, but if at all I remember "June" 2, it will be for Jack. Way to go Jack...
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Lessons Learnt from a Little Man
My favorite month has just begun and I have already grown as a person. Little did I know that the most significant lesson of the day would come from a "Little Man", (or so I thought he was)...
It was one of those Wednesdays. A calendar filled with calls from 730 AM to 5 PM and the phone plugged to my ear well after that even as I was out with my family. I stayed true to the 'June' spirit of working hard and got much accompished, and for that I was happy. And then, at about 430 PM, just before I officially stepped away from my desk, it happened.
A colleague at work, in a crucial conference call, stood tall in his conviction. Remember I said "Little Man" earlier? It's true, he was the lowest on the totem pole among those on that call. And for several reasons, he was up against the wall. Yet, when it was his turn to speak, he said it like it was, without the least fear of being politically incorrect. He was not abrasive or rude but just plain forthright.
For a moment, when he was done, there was a stunning silence (a rare moment in a typical Wednesday). That said it all. He had made his point and the others had listened. No comments were offered and no one needed to speak furhter. It was decisive.
I've struggled ever since. Like I have always struggled to do this. I don't blame myself because I grew up trying to BE NICE. And when you are trying to be nice, it is sometimes difficult to say it like it is. I've struggled ever since trying to understand how to strike that balance...
Even as I struggle and try to figure this out, I can't but remember the man who made the difference in my day today. Thank you "Little Man". June began, because of you, in a most special way...
It was one of those Wednesdays. A calendar filled with calls from 730 AM to 5 PM and the phone plugged to my ear well after that even as I was out with my family. I stayed true to the 'June' spirit of working hard and got much accompished, and for that I was happy. And then, at about 430 PM, just before I officially stepped away from my desk, it happened.
A colleague at work, in a crucial conference call, stood tall in his conviction. Remember I said "Little Man" earlier? It's true, he was the lowest on the totem pole among those on that call. And for several reasons, he was up against the wall. Yet, when it was his turn to speak, he said it like it was, without the least fear of being politically incorrect. He was not abrasive or rude but just plain forthright.
For a moment, when he was done, there was a stunning silence (a rare moment in a typical Wednesday). That said it all. He had made his point and the others had listened. No comments were offered and no one needed to speak furhter. It was decisive.
I've struggled ever since. Like I have always struggled to do this. I don't blame myself because I grew up trying to BE NICE. And when you are trying to be nice, it is sometimes difficult to say it like it is. I've struggled ever since trying to understand how to strike that balance...
Even as I struggle and try to figure this out, I can't but remember the man who made the difference in my day today. Thank you "Little Man". June began, because of you, in a most special way...
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
I want to be there...
I want to be there where the days run long
I want to be there where I was first born
I want to be there where happy summer springs
I want to be there when June begins...
I want to be there where I grow happy feet
I want to be there where everything is sweet
I want to be there where I enjoy little things
I want to be there when June begins...
I want to be there where nothing ever fails
I want to be there where life never wails
I want to be there where joy is in giving
I want to be there when June begins...
I want to be there where the spirit never dies
I want to be there where the norm is being nice
I want to be there where it's a special feeling
I want to be there when June begins...
I don't know why I feel this way
But I know for sure it's here to stay
Of all my life's favorite things
I want to be there when June begins...
I want to be there where I was first born
I want to be there where happy summer springs
I want to be there when June begins...
I want to be there where I grow happy feet
I want to be there where everything is sweet
I want to be there where I enjoy little things
I want to be there when June begins...
I want to be there where nothing ever fails
I want to be there where life never wails
I want to be there where joy is in giving
I want to be there when June begins...
I want to be there where the spirit never dies
I want to be there where the norm is being nice
I want to be there where it's a special feeling
I want to be there when June begins...
I don't know why I feel this way
But I know for sure it's here to stay
Of all my life's favorite things
I want to be there when June begins...
Monday, May 30, 2011
No more reason not to blog...
It's 745 pm on Monday 30 May 11. It's the memorial day holiday in the US and just at the end of what has been a pretty good holiday weekend, I have just discovered my next new reason to keep blogging. I recently upgraded from a Blackberry curve to the BB Bold and just a couple of hours ago I figured out how to get past the http 400 error that I was getting on several favorite websites, sometimes as simple as gmail. Ever since I have jsust checked the latest cricket scores on cricinfo, watched a couple of favorite videos on youtube and then I had an Aha! moment. "Why don't I try blogger.com", I thought and it worked. Having been a while since I posted something here and given that I did not have much else to do, I threw myself on my black couch, stretched out my legs on to the center table and decided to do this right away (even as I move my eyes away every now and then from this screen to a larger one where my son is witnessing a replay of the baseball game today between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals).
Honestly, I've been thinking about returning to my blog page for quite a while. The list of excuses for why I didn't can be a post in itself so I'll save it for another day. However, with everything that's been going on in my life, coming back any sooner may have resulted in me only venting and nothing productive. Also I firmly believe that there is a right time for everything in life and now is the right time for this. A good weekend that has livened up my spirit, a BB Bold that let's me go beyond phone and email and all this right on the eve of June.
June is my favorite month. It's a no brainer, I was born in June, but June is also special to me in many more ways. So every year in June I try to do something new, to re-invent myself, include a pep in every step and work really hard. So this year, on top of everything I have decided to do to become a better professional, I have decided to go out and run at least 3 times a week and blog every single day. I did this in the last ten days of 2010 and it wasn't bad at all. Now I'm going to take it up a notch. And what a better time than June to try this. Especially given that I can blog from pretty much anywhere with my BB Bold.
No reason not to blog at all.
Honestly, I've been thinking about returning to my blog page for quite a while. The list of excuses for why I didn't can be a post in itself so I'll save it for another day. However, with everything that's been going on in my life, coming back any sooner may have resulted in me only venting and nothing productive. Also I firmly believe that there is a right time for everything in life and now is the right time for this. A good weekend that has livened up my spirit, a BB Bold that let's me go beyond phone and email and all this right on the eve of June.
June is my favorite month. It's a no brainer, I was born in June, but June is also special to me in many more ways. So every year in June I try to do something new, to re-invent myself, include a pep in every step and work really hard. So this year, on top of everything I have decided to do to become a better professional, I have decided to go out and run at least 3 times a week and blog every single day. I did this in the last ten days of 2010 and it wasn't bad at all. Now I'm going to take it up a notch. And what a better time than June to try this. Especially given that I can blog from pretty much anywhere with my BB Bold.
No reason not to blog at all.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Quake, shake, heartache...
An earthquake in the Pacific moved Japan's coastline by 8 feet and changed the earth's axis. The force of nature terrorized the people of Japan and shook their deep-rooted belief that they were well prepared for such disasters. The rubble is still clearing and if that's not enough, nuclear plants are now threatening to cause irreparable damage to the environment.
While the Pacific is boiling, the Atlantic is no cooler. Heartaches persist. Relentless toil amounts to nothing, leaving at the end of the day, only the feeling that something is still missing. Nothing really suggests that life is falling apart but surely life is not whole. It's like I have everything and I have nothing. I like the silence. At least, it says something.
Technology helps. Chat and email have helped people stay connected to their friends and family in the far east to ensure their well-being. But look at the irony. Youtube and Facebook enjoyed record viewership, participation and perhaps advertising revenue as people the world exchanged pictures and videos of the misery. Don't forget the smartphones, ipads and other mobile devices!
And yet, nothing helps. Sleep only delays the inevitable. It only hastens the deadlines on the multi-various project plans I have to coordinate in India time, deliver on UK time and follow up on US Eastern Standard time. The fun is fun while it lasts but the magic wears out faster than I know it. Then what? The mind soon follows the laws of physics and gravitates to what's missing.
Even as Japan is struggling to restore, afteshocks have appeared. Though not enough to disrupt the recovery activities or damage life further, they have been enough to provide hungry news channels with more reels of footage and attention. The Nikkei plummeted even as the Richter hit the high. Business and life have come to a stall, not much is really moving in the world's most industrious nation.
Everyday I think I have accomplished something, I only receive some feedback that suggests I need to do more. I wind up at 10 PM thinking I have addressed everything I need to for the day only to have a rude awakening at 5 AM about something that is due at 8. I'm spinning the wheels at a frenetic pace but not moving forward. The impasse is only good. It makes life seem so certain.
Don't stop watching the news yet. Japan will come back, soon and strong. Do Hiroshima and Nagasaki ring a bell? And they won't even need help from the immensely larger or notionally more powerful nations of the world. They will recover through sheer diligence and ingenuity. Fear will be replaced by faith, horror by hope and human loss by the indomitable human spirit.
It's just a matter of time for me too. When time tests me, I choose to Endure. Ask me why Ernest Shackleton is My Hero! I know I have to go through it because I'm not asking for anything lesser than the MOON. And I'm working hard enough to give myself a reasonable shot at getting it. But most important of all, deep down in my gut I BELIEVE that's the only way it will be. I WILL BE BACK...
While the Pacific is boiling, the Atlantic is no cooler. Heartaches persist. Relentless toil amounts to nothing, leaving at the end of the day, only the feeling that something is still missing. Nothing really suggests that life is falling apart but surely life is not whole. It's like I have everything and I have nothing. I like the silence. At least, it says something.
Technology helps. Chat and email have helped people stay connected to their friends and family in the far east to ensure their well-being. But look at the irony. Youtube and Facebook enjoyed record viewership, participation and perhaps advertising revenue as people the world exchanged pictures and videos of the misery. Don't forget the smartphones, ipads and other mobile devices!
And yet, nothing helps. Sleep only delays the inevitable. It only hastens the deadlines on the multi-various project plans I have to coordinate in India time, deliver on UK time and follow up on US Eastern Standard time. The fun is fun while it lasts but the magic wears out faster than I know it. Then what? The mind soon follows the laws of physics and gravitates to what's missing.
Even as Japan is struggling to restore, afteshocks have appeared. Though not enough to disrupt the recovery activities or damage life further, they have been enough to provide hungry news channels with more reels of footage and attention. The Nikkei plummeted even as the Richter hit the high. Business and life have come to a stall, not much is really moving in the world's most industrious nation.
Everyday I think I have accomplished something, I only receive some feedback that suggests I need to do more. I wind up at 10 PM thinking I have addressed everything I need to for the day only to have a rude awakening at 5 AM about something that is due at 8. I'm spinning the wheels at a frenetic pace but not moving forward. The impasse is only good. It makes life seem so certain.
Don't stop watching the news yet. Japan will come back, soon and strong. Do Hiroshima and Nagasaki ring a bell? And they won't even need help from the immensely larger or notionally more powerful nations of the world. They will recover through sheer diligence and ingenuity. Fear will be replaced by faith, horror by hope and human loss by the indomitable human spirit.
It's just a matter of time for me too. When time tests me, I choose to Endure. Ask me why Ernest Shackleton is My Hero! I know I have to go through it because I'm not asking for anything lesser than the MOON. And I'm working hard enough to give myself a reasonable shot at getting it. But most important of all, deep down in my gut I BELIEVE that's the only way it will be. I WILL BE BACK...
Sunday, March 6, 2011
When the World is Interestingly Poised...
The world is waiting with bated breath on what will become of the Middle-East. The Mobaraks and Gaddafis have ensured that 2011 has kicked off with no shortage of excitement. After England forced India to a tie, Ireland shocked England in the ICC Cricket World Cup in what became the highest run chase ever in the 36 year history of World Cup cricket. England came back strong to rout South Africa in a low scoring tie all within a week. Certainly, the World (Cup) interestingly poised...
"My World" in 2011 has been no less exciting. After being on the road for work across the US, Canada and India since the 3rd of January, I ended the month of February in the Blue Mountains of Pennsylvania, picking up a new skill, namely skiing, and some new friends on what turned out to be a beautiful sunny day with temperatures in the 40s, making for a perfect family one day outing.
2011 has been a mixed bag so far with work, family and social musings evenly interwoven. It's also had its share of ups and downs with extreme pressure situations, minor victories and even some utterly funny moments. But amidst all these, there has been a singular focus (like my honorable cousin from Albany likes to call it). And as Sunday the 6th of March has rolled by some interesting ideas have taken shape in my mind.
New projects are getting added by the day, new plans are being made and new insights being gained. New lessons are being learnt and a new confidence is emerging. The next few days will be critical as I continue on the path of focused execution while keeping my ears and eyes open. Listening to what those around me are saying is critical and converting the opportunities into happy notes will determine success. And of all the virtues I have grown to develop and represent over the years, patience is going to be prime...
2011 has also been different in a strange sort of way. While I have only grown stronger about what I BELIEVE IN, I have also been asking for a lot more out of LIFE and also getting it. I'm deeply grateful for the lucky breaks but am also increasingly sure that I will get what I deserve, so long as I keep giving it everything I have.
It's 1037 PM on Sunday 6 March 2011 and it's time I went to sleep. There's a lot more to give when I wake up in a few hours from now. Cause it's only 65 days done in 2011, 300 more to accomplish everything that I WANT to do this year. And my only prayer to the ALMIGHTY is, "Let me DO only what I WANT TO DO" now and forever to come...
"My World" in 2011 has been no less exciting. After being on the road for work across the US, Canada and India since the 3rd of January, I ended the month of February in the Blue Mountains of Pennsylvania, picking up a new skill, namely skiing, and some new friends on what turned out to be a beautiful sunny day with temperatures in the 40s, making for a perfect family one day outing.
2011 has been a mixed bag so far with work, family and social musings evenly interwoven. It's also had its share of ups and downs with extreme pressure situations, minor victories and even some utterly funny moments. But amidst all these, there has been a singular focus (like my honorable cousin from Albany likes to call it). And as Sunday the 6th of March has rolled by some interesting ideas have taken shape in my mind.
New projects are getting added by the day, new plans are being made and new insights being gained. New lessons are being learnt and a new confidence is emerging. The next few days will be critical as I continue on the path of focused execution while keeping my ears and eyes open. Listening to what those around me are saying is critical and converting the opportunities into happy notes will determine success. And of all the virtues I have grown to develop and represent over the years, patience is going to be prime...
2011 has also been different in a strange sort of way. While I have only grown stronger about what I BELIEVE IN, I have also been asking for a lot more out of LIFE and also getting it. I'm deeply grateful for the lucky breaks but am also increasingly sure that I will get what I deserve, so long as I keep giving it everything I have.
It's 1037 PM on Sunday 6 March 2011 and it's time I went to sleep. There's a lot more to give when I wake up in a few hours from now. Cause it's only 65 days done in 2011, 300 more to accomplish everything that I WANT to do this year. And my only prayer to the ALMIGHTY is, "Let me DO only what I WANT TO DO" now and forever to come...
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