A More Positive 2008...........

Hours running down to minutes, minutes to seconds this day, making everyone feel the spirit of New Year. Watching the clock with drowsy eyes, waiting for the stroke of twelve, welcoming another new year with 365 days, 8760 hours, and then catching the sleep is perhaps an enthusiastic person’s job. While others off to bed a few hours early on the eve of New Year abiding by the adage “Early to bed and early to rise”. The latter people are smart enough welcoming the New Year a few hours later.

A fresh day where the past day turns previous year, and the last year can be categorized as good or bad. Array of hopes bundled, confidence rising like the tides at Marina beach wanting this year to be better in every way is a normal thing… But as Days pass, hopes withered, confidence like the standstill water on the shore is also common. After all, we are humans!!


But every year could mark a difference. The strikingly good example is the sea. How a sea-change after the Tsunami and made the water level to rise, it’s the same way we humans also need a change; indeed variety is the spice of life.


I would like to share the “Tarot qualities” through this blog of mine. Though it has positives and negatives, I’m sure we would yield best results correcting the negatives.

---by aaarveeve9


Source: “internet”


Aries:
Favorite phrase: “Me First”.
Positives: courageous, loving, energetic and adventurous.
Negatives: Impatient, demanding and quick tempered.

Taurus:
Favorite phrase: “that’s mine”
Positives: patient, enduring, determined and affectionate.
Negatives: stubborn, inflexible, possessive.

Gemini:
Favorite phrase: I’m bored.
Positives: versatile, clever, intellectual and spontaneous.
Negatives: restless, inconsistent, and changeable

Cancer:
Favorite phrase: love me, kiss me, and hug me.
Positives: sensitive, kind, loving, protective, and sympathetic.
Negatives: moody, over-emotional, hyper-sensitive.

Leo:
Favorite phrase: I’m the best.
Positives: generous, kind, loyal, fun loving, broad minded.
Negatives: conceited, bossy, too proud.

Virgo:
Favorite phrase: do it my way
Positives: intelligent, tidy, alert and perfectionist.
Negatives: fussy, over-meticulous, a born worrier.

Pisces:
Favorite phrase: I believe in..
Positives: sensitive, compassionate, kind, intuitive.
Negatives: indecisive, vague, and easily confused.

Aquarius:
Favorite phrase: look at me.
Positives: independent, friendly, creative, original and loyal.
Negatives: rebellious, unconventional, unpredictable..

Capricorn
Favorite phrase: I know best.
Positives: intelligent, disciplined, trustworthy, and ambitious
Negatives: conventional, critical, over-cautious, and fussy.

Sagittarius:
Favorite phrase: I understand
Positives: optimistic, loving, sincere, and honest.
Negatives: restless, careless, unreliable, unpredictable.

Scorpio:
Favorite phrase: that’s my secret.
Positives: determined, powerful, emotional and strong.
Negatives: secretive, stubborn, and jealous.
Libra:
Favorite phrase: I can’t make up my mind.
Positives: charming, easy-going, friendly, loving
Negatives: indecisive, changeable, extravagant, and naïve.

Why the difference??????????

“Could you help me cross the road?” is one question many should have come across while standing at bus stop or anywhere else. Reading the first sentence most of you must be clear that the person is either visually or physically challenged sometimes.

Aren’t they born with special abilities? Isn’t the wicked human being born with all abilities made them disable by calling so? They are people born with unique talents and have capability of outwitting the so called able- people. I thank god a million times for giving good health for I tried to close my eyes for few minutes without opening in an effort to know the world of darkness. But I failed and couldn’t sustain longer.

Few questions made me throw to frazzled state:

“How can I make them understand what light is??” (We sometimes go craze on watching a movie or buying dress of a particular color. But is this applicable for a person who cannot perceive things? How great are they when they cannot visualize their own self and still march ahead with courage thinking that they would see the “illuminated world” one day or the other.)..
Should I say light is opposite to darkness, but it would mean the same for you people ?

“How can I explain VIBGYOR when they don’t know any other color other than black?
Should I tell them that they are the different colors god hided from them in an effort not to visualize this wicked world and cunning people?

“How can I explain the word beautiful?”
Should I tell beautiful is the way god created this difference?

“How can I explain the word trust?
Should I tell trust is what they live in this wicked world, for whom dawn and dusk are same, and still believe in people by solely identifying voices?

These questions keep lingering in my mind time and again when I see a person who is visually challenged.
“Why god created this difference, after all we are children of god”…

“God closes a door and opens other”…Well, this should be true for people who are born with challenged eyes. Though they may not be able to visualize the world they have an “illuminated torch” of god in their mind and heart which keeps them going.

anthrax...serious it is...

Dan Nelson, a part-time singer and personal trainer from New York's Long Island, met Anthrax guitarist Rob Caggiano a few years ago and recently contacted him through MySpace, according to a statement issued Thursday by the band.

"It really is a dream come true," Nelson, 31, of Levittown, told Newsday.

Anthrax had a reunion tour with former singer Joey Belladonna in 2006, but talks fell through after that, according to the statement.

Nelson and the band met for a musical workout, and "right from the first second Dan started `Room for One More,' we knew," guitarist Scott Ian said in the statement, referring to a 1993 staple.

Anthrax was among heavy metal's biggest names in the 1980s and early 1990s, known for their speed, intensity and genre-crossing 1991 collaboration with Public Enemy on the rappers' "Bring the Noise."

my blog on planets..

The red planet is now the brightest "star" in the evening sky and is already above the horizon as evening twilight fades away. But give it at least two more hours – until about 8 p.m. – for it to climb above the poor atmospheric seeing that's near the horizon. By then, this brilliant yellow-orange world will be at an altitude of around 30 degrees as seen from mid-northern latitudes.


Your clenched fist held at arm's length is roughly equal to 10 degrees, so by 8 p.m. Mars will be about "three-fists" up from the east-northeast horizon. Mars appears much sharper and steadier when it crosses the southern meridian, about a half hour after local midnight. Its altitude as seen from most mid-northern latitudes is then about 75-degrees (more than "seven fists" up from the southern horizon).


Mars is retrograding (moving westward) through the stars of Gemini and will cross over into Taurus on Dec. 30. It will come closest to the Earth on the night of Dec. 18 (around 6:46 p.m. EST). The planet is then 54,783,381 miles (88,165,305 kilometers) from Earth. It is at opposition – exactly opposite from the sun, with Earth in the middle – six days later, on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.


It will then gleam at magnitude -1.6, and through Jan. 2, 2008, will outshine Sirius, the brightest star.


Telescope time


Anyone who has a telescope, no matter how modest it may be, will surely be seeing what it can do with Mars right now. No doubt telescopic observers everywhere will be spying out Mars' bright polar areas and dark surface markings. So don't let your scope sit idle, even though the planet will appear small and details might be difficult to discern on nights of less than excellent seeing.


A good 4-inch telescope equipped with an eyepiece magnifying 120-power should show Mars' dwindling north polar cap and at least a few dark features on those nights when the atmosphere is steady.


During January, Mars departs Earth's vicinity as rapidly as it arrived. It will increase its distance from 56.7 to 72.3 million miles (91.2 to 116.3 million kilometers) and in the process will fade almost a full magnitude, from -1.5 to -0.6. But at the same time, Mars will be very well placed for convenient viewing.


Unlike earlier in the fall, you won't have to get up in the early morning hours to see it high in the sky. Mars will be due south just after 11 p.m. on New Year's night, and around 8:45 p.m. at the end of January.


The night that Mars will probably attract the most attention, from even those who don't normally look up at the sky, will be on the night before Christmas Eve: Sunday, Dec. 23. That will be the night of a full moon, and Mars will serve as a companion to it all through that night. In fact, it will result in an exceptionally close approach between the two across much of the United States, while for parts of the Pacific Northwest, southern and western Canada and Europe, the moon will actually occult (hide) Mars.

student credit cards...

hello..frenz...tis morning i found an interesting website for students. here is an oppurtunity for us to get credit cards online.they have got a variety of packages for students especially for us. though i am not reviewing the website i would like to share a few things about the company.
CreditCards.com is a leading online credit card marketplace, bringing consumers and card issuers together. their site is a free online resource where consumers can compare hundreds of credit card offers by category, including low interest credit cards, credit cards with rewards programs, airline credit cards, cash back credit cards, small business credit cards, student credit cards, instant approval credit cards as well as prepaid debit cards. Over one million unique users access their website each month.

their mission is to provide consumers with the largest variety of credit card offers online, and to enable smart selection and use of cards by offering news, advice, features and tools.

they list credit card offers from leading credit card issuers and banks, each linked to a secure online application, including Advanta, American Express, Bank of America, Chase, Citi, Capital One, Discover, First Premier Bank, HSBC, Visa, MasterCard, etc. they also make our content and tools available to many of our partners like NASDAQ.COM, Kiplinger.com, Forbes.com, TheStreet.com, etc.

ginger bread recipie..

hey..frenz..try out this recipie at home...
tummy..it is!!
ingredients:
3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 (3.9 ounce) package JELL-O Butterscotch Flavor Instant Pudding and Pie Filling
1 egg
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
cooking directions:
Beat butter, sugar, dry pudding mix and egg in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Combine remaining ingredients. Gradually add to pudding mixture, beating well after each addition; cover. Refrigerate 1 hour or until dough is firm..
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch-thickness. Cut into gingerbread shapes with 4-inch cookie cutter. Place on greased baking sheets. Use a straw to make a hole near the top of each cookie to use for hanging.
Bake 10 to 12 min. or until edges are lightly browned. Remove from baking sheets. Cool on wire racks. Decorate as desired
Yield: 20 servings

nutritionin formation:

Calories: 132 kcal
Carbohydrates: 15 g
Dietary Fiber: 0 g
Fat: 7 g
Protein: 1 g
Sugars: 5 g

my dream place on earth..

my dream place on earth is new york.as far as i have heard it is the most happening place in the world. i read an article which is interesting. u may all please go through this. in future if u happened to be in ny city. u can use this piece of blog for further details.
The most beguiling city in the world, New York is an adrenaline-charged, history-laden place that holds immense romantic appeal for visitors. Wandering the streets here, you'll cut between buildings that are icons to the modern age – and whether gazing at the flickering lights of the midtown skyscrapers as you speed across the Queensboro bridge, experiencing the 4am half-life downtown, or just wasting the morning on the Staten Island ferry, you really would have to be made of stone not to be moved by it all. There's no place quite like it.

While the events of September 11, 2001, which demolished the World Trade Center, shook New York to its core, the populace responded resiliently under the composed aegis of then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Until the attacks, many New Yorkers loved to hate Giuliani, partly because they saw him as committed to making their city too much like everyone else's. To some extent he succeeded, and during the late Nineties New York seemed cleaner, safer, and more liveable, as the city took on a truly international allure and shook off the more notorious aspects to its reputation. However, the maverick quality of New York and its people still shines as brightly as it ever did. Even in the aftermath of the World Trade Center's collapse, New York remains a unique and fascinating city – and one you'll want to return to again and again.

You could spend weeks in New York and still barely scratch the surface, but there are some key attractions – and some pleasures – that you won't want to miss. There are the different ethnic neighborhoods, like lower Manhattan's Chinatown and the traditionally Jewish Lower East Side (not so much anymore); and the more artsy concentrations of SoHo, TriBeCa, and the East and West Villages. Of course, there is the celebrated architecture of corporate Manhattan, with the skyscrapers in downtown and midtown forming the most indelible images. There are the museums, not just the Metropolitan and MoMA, but countless other smaller collections that afford weeks of happy wandering. In between sights, you can eat just about anything, at any time, cooked in any style; you can drink in any kind of company; and sit through any number of obscure movies. The more established arts – dance, theater, music – are superbly catered for; and New York's clubs are as varied and exciting as you might expect. And for the avid consumer, the choice of shops is vast, almost numbingly exhaustive in this heartland of the great capitalist dream.

best buys;..........

Sony has unveiled a prototype digital camera shaped like a pizza cutter with a wheel that can be turned to generate enough power to take pictures.

The "Twirl N' Take" camera generates enough electricity for one snap if the the wheel is moved for some 15 seconds, according to a Sony official.

A digital camera similar to those used in mobile phones is installed in a handle attached to the wheel, which is equipped with a power-generating device, she said.

Moving the wheel and taking pictures would appeal to children but the company has no immediate plan to commercialise it, she said.

As the camera has no screen monitor, users must connect the device to a computer to see their pictures.

The camera is the latest addition to Sony's "odo" line of hand-powered prototypes aimed at raising environmental awareness.

Other products include a "Crank N' Capture" video camera, which is charged by cranking a lever, and a "Spin N' Snap" camera, which has a hole to enable users to spin it with their finger

warranty.....shall i??

So you're shopping last minute and decide to be extra generous and buy the big-screen HDTV, or maybe the DSLR camera I've wanted for a long time...oops, sorry. That's not meant for you.

In the excitement of the moment, the store clerk begins to rattle off the extended warranty options he recommends for purchases like yours. Of course he does; that's how the store makes money on electronics that keep falling in price. Should you bite?

The short answer: no. Consumer advocates have long said most warranties are not worth the peace of mind they supposedly bring. You're buying an insurance policy to cover repair costs should the item break after the manufacturer's warranty ends. But Consumer Reports and PC World say tests of hundreds of products indicate more are reliable and fairly durable every year. And if they should need repair, the cost is often on par with what you've paid for the warranty, according to Consumer Reports.

You're better off spending the time researching which brands and models have performed best in consumer tests than spending extra dollars in a gamble that the one you choose will have problems.

When plasma and LCD HDTVs were new and the prices were sky high, Consumer Reports recommended opting for extended warranties because the technology was untested and the TVs cost so much. But the prices have dropped, and Consumer Reports' latest reader survey finds that in the last three years, HDTV owners report few problems with their TV sets.

So CR now recommends saying no to TV warranties. (The magazine makes one exception, advising consideration of extended warranties on rear-projection TVs, which are three times more likely to need repairs than other TVs.)

Meanwhile, J.D. Power & Associates' 2007 Major Home Appliance Survey of white goods such as dishwashers, ovens, and washers/dryers finds most so reliable that no warranties are recommended on those purchases either. In the first two years of ownership, one-tenth of owners report problems with their appliances. And most of those problems can be fixed by reading the manual or seeking help on the web.

This holiday season, your best bet may be to do what CR Senior Editor Tod Marks recommends: Put the money you would have spent on an added warranty in the bank so that you'll have it in case you need to repair your latest electronics purchase.

tips for partying.......

I have a friend who claims to hibernate during the winter because all the couples she sees snuggling up and keeping each other warm make her want to crawl back into bed.

The good news is that the holiday season is one of the best times to meet someone.
The good news is that the holiday season is one of the best times to meet someone. Chances are you'll be invited to more parties over the next few weeks than the rest of the year, and singles report that parties are one of the greatest places to meet potential dates. The mood is fun and festive and breaking the ice is easier when you know some people in common in the room.
When you're heading out to the parties, remember some of the 'do's' of picking up:
1. DO be impressed by the object of your affection rather than trying to impress him or her with all your stats. People notice when you notice them.
2. DO find common ground. What brought you to the party? Chances are you know some people in common in the room. This will help you build connection and trust. When asking the object of your interest questions, figure out some activities, hobbies, or experiences you've shared.
3. DO hang out by the food and drink table when you don't know who to talk to. Ever notice how people congregate in the kitchen at many house parties? Many people approach this area on their own to refill their cups and grab a bite, and it will be easier to start a conversation when they've stepped away from the other guests. Offer to get a drink for the object of your affection and if he or she is standing with a friend, extend the invitation
4. DO see every person you meet as a potential connection.
Stay open. Sometimes the people you know the least will help you the most.
Stay open.chat with someone interesting who is not single, he or she may know someone to introduce you to. Also, do not assume that the shy person in the corner at a party is boring. Take the opportunity to learn about people in the room before you decide if you are interested or not.

5. DO initiate conversation. The general rule of networking is to approach someone who is standing on his or her own or join a conversation with three or more people. In general, it's not a great idea to interrupt two people talking unless you know one. When approaching someone new, always remember to smile.
So fill up your social calendar this holiday season and let the pick ups begin! If you play your cards right, you'll be like my friend and will want to hibernate and crawl into bed this winter...but in this case, it won't be because you're lonely.

"catch your tempo"

Come December, and its kutchery time in Chennai. Academies and sabhas flooded with people, music geeks walking in and out with gusto, mamis and mamas preparing to listen to music from dawn to dusk making their presence felt throughout, tiny aficionados carrying note books to record comments, the so-called music lovers trying to pass time in the air-conditioned sabhas enacting as if deeply engrossed in music, beating thalaams on their laps, singing ones own tunes is a common sight during this festive season of music.

It’s quite interesting to note that Music craze has grown voraciously over the years. Few or little importance was given to this art and it was mostly restricted to the female community. But these days one can find people running pillar-to-post to acquire this art. I’m also not spared in this regard for I have learnt karnatic music for three years (long ago).But latter left due to no specific reason. And I don’t repent for it, coz of the bad voice I have now.

The best thing about music is that the ragas and notes produce resonance with the human mind which makes the learning process quicker. Most people who are good at singing are good at studies as well (spare me!).
Most of us love to sing in bathrooms. Don’t we? Well, its one way to allay fear by listening to ourselves by the echoes produced. Ipods, mobile- players etc.. have made listening to music an easy job. All, one need to do is to plug them on the ears and keep listening. These gadgets have become cheap and mostly affordable by all. One need not have too good voice to sing. Husky throat could be made to sound sweet by the electronics beats and digitals which we have in the market now.

So catch your theme, sing them to the full.. Be it metal, jazz, Hindustani, karnatic or whatever... Come lets rock this season..lolz!!

are you lucky enough??

Opportunities knock your door once in a while. But how good if luck keeps knocking your door often? For people who have never speculated or people who have been lucky many a times, here is a fantabulous opportunity.
If items like Apple I-Phone’s, HDTV’s, Designer Bags, SCION XB’s, etc.. Were just part of your every night’s dream, here is an opportunity to bring it into reality.
For people who are net savvy they can try their hands at bid4prize.com.
You could drive away with a BMW car, plug your ears with the latest ipods, cash prizes; any win many other exciting free gifts. Lloyd, one of the winner recalls, “I was really pleased to hear that I had won an Alienware PC from bid4prizes. It was so easy. I couldn't believe it. This is great”.


All you need to do is get the lowest unique bid for your desired prize and you win. The winning bid could be anything; it could even be a penny. if more than one person bids a penny, then that is no longer the lowest unique bid and 2 cents is the new low unique bid. If more than one person bids 2 cents then 3 cents is the next lowest unique bid. You can place your bids through sms also to the website’s number. Premium members who pay $9.99 per month can take part in 20 phone or online bids without advertisements, play arcade and redeem points for prizes. To become a standard member, you can register at their website. Standard members get 20 advertiser supported online bids per day but cannot bid via mobile. They can login to track points, play the arcade, and redeem points for prizes.


Each player is allowed to accumulate points which are redeemable for incredible gifts like designer clothes, backpacks, hand bags, accessories, and much more in the bid4prizes Rewards Store. The bid4prizes TOP PLAYERS list is comprised of the players who ultimately bid the most and receive the most points. Every time a player bids the player receives a "token" to play in the arcade. Every time a player plays an Arcade game, that player either wins a prize or receives player points. Each month every player can bid approximately 600 times. So what are you waiting for?? Time and tide waits for no man.Yes!! Time keeps rolling in their site for every product bidding. Choose the product you are going to bid and participate in their sweepstakes without delay as every seconds count.

DRIVE SAFE WITH US......

Are you confused in choosing the best auto- business insurance policy for your vehicle?. Advantage auto quote is here to provide you the best service regarding choosing your insurance quote for your vehicle. Why spend hours of time filling out request-a-quote forms from hundreds of insurance companies when you can receive the best insurance rates available after filling out only one form? You can sit relaxed at home and have system on your lap and quote information about your driving history, household and the type of insurance policy. Insurance cost depends on the amount and deductibles you request on your policy. The agency offers great rates for any type of vehicle, foreign or domestic, new or used, classic or modern.

Whether you are looking to cover a car, truck, SUV, or business vehicle, whether you are insuring a teen or senior driver, and whether you have an excellent driving history and qualify for the lowest rates or poor driver auto insurance rates, the agency can save your money on your auto insurance with their online quoting services. The agency is well-knit with the giants like AIG, Allstate, Kaiser Permanente, and Liberty Mutual as well as smaller companies like Response Insurance, The Hartford, and Nationwide. The online quoting agency even gets complete coverage for sports cars and classic cars, as well as teen and senior drivers. Fret not for those who have a comparatively poor driving record, meeting with accidents, or unintentional violation of traffic rules is sometimes inevitable, that’s why agencies like advantage auto quotes.com exists to give you the best rates on your insurance.

Some of the basic details like driving record, number of points on license, accident history, deductible limits, vehicle value/cost of repairs, age and experience of driver, marital status, location, distance traveled each day are some of the information that they ask for processing your insurance policy. The agency also provides commercial liability insurance policies at comparatively higher rates than individual policies. Grab the best insurance policy and drive with full confidence.
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Roland Housewarming-----gifts galore

I am sure every one of you reading this blog of mine, would have sometime brooded about building a house. So is with me. Indeed the best architect is our mind which can imagine the unimaginable things. Building a house isn’t a tough job, you could employ best architect and purchase the superior quality raw materials for constructing your house. But a house can be branded as beautiful only when it is properly maintained with essential decorations. I don’t mean that a house would look glamorous only when decorated , it could be beautiful sans decorations also. Gifts are inevitable for any functions. The next time you are to gift someone or to get items for beautifying your own house, you could do it online through rolandsgifts.com.


You can browse the widest selection of address plaques in Metal, Ceramic, Resin, Concrete, Eternal Wood, and Slate, Embroidered Cotton or Wool Throws, Name and Address Seal and Stoneware Picture Frame. Unique personalized doormats, crocks and monogrammed cookie jars also make great holiday or wedding gifts. They carry wall mounted, lawn mounted, two sided lawn mounted, and two sided hanging plaques as well as stone posts. They have plaques from ten different manufacturers. The plaques are made of cast stone, etched slate, cast aluminum, stainless steel, ceramics, resin and eternal wood. There are reflective signs and illuminated signs. Their address signs have designs which will allow you to express yourself. Some of their designs include, flowers, trees, fishing, dogs, cats, horses, dolphins, ducks, golf, sailing, an eagle, lighthouses, seashells, shamrocks, US flag, birds, beach scenes and much more. You should be sure enough about placing your address plaques order, because they cannot be exchanged after delivery.



Personalized Doormats and mailboxes will capture your attention as you browse through the shop’s website. Indeed I was startled to see their varying colorful combinations. Some of the doormats that are available are aluminium plaques, Coir doormats made with natural coco fibers and boot mats made from natural slate. Wall portraits are always the best gifts that one could present anyone. Choose a design of yours and the product is sketched by their efficient artists and delivered right to you.
If you are fond of presenting someone with a wine glass, or you yourself collecting it, Roland housewarming is the best destination. You could watch in the gas bursting out as you pour wine into the glass through its crystal clear nature designed to showcase the beauty of wine. If you wanno decorate your house or gift someone the Japanese way, here is a choice for selecting a wide variety of wind chimes, hand-carved stone plaques, potpourri burners. These are the most romantic gifts pieces you could give someone.
Click Here to Advertise on My Blog

MATURING GOODBYES..

Grievances awarded to the sugary goodbye
Pushing away life from the seams
False accusations taken too far
Ending the means of all thats known
Forgetting the feeling of regret

Pulsations overwhelm combinations
Corrupting minds retrieve ideas
Raining pain surrenders all costs
Determination at best, strongest links
Giving away shared opportunity

Crackling voices silently heard
Freedom reigning within lonliness
Turning to what we are capable of
Surviving storms of hectic chaos
Maturing into concerned individuals

IKEBANA, one of the traditional arts of Japan, has been practiced for more than 600 years. It developed from the Buddhist ritual of offering flowers to the spirits of the dead. By the middle of the fifteenth century, with the emergence of the first classical styles, IKEBANA achieved thestatus of an art form independent of its religious origins, though it continued to retain strong symbolic and philosophical overtones. The first teachers and students were priests and members of the nobility. However, as time passed, many different schools arose, styles changed, and IKEBANA came to be practiced at all levels of Japanese society.

The beginning of IKEBANA can be traced to the 6th century introduction of Buddhism to the Japanese. Part of the worship involved the offering of flowers on the altar in honor of Buddha. In India, the birthplace of Buddhism, the flowers were placed very informally, and sometimes only petals were strewn around. However, by the time of 10th century Japan, the Japanese were presenting their offering in containers. The altar offerings were the responsibility of the priests of the temple. The Origin of IKEBANA: Ikenobo

The oldest school of IKEBANA dates its beginnings from a priest of the Rokkakudo Temple in Kyoto who was so expert in flower arrangement that other priests sought him out for instruction. As he lived by the side of a lake, for which the Japanese word is Ikenobo, the name Ikenobo became attached to the priests there who specialized in these altar arrangements. Evolution of Styles

Patterns and styles evolved so that by the late 15th century, arrangements were common enough that they were appreciated by ordinary people, not just the imperial family and its retainers. Thus began the development of an art form with fixed requirements. Texts were written, the oldest being Sendensho, a compilation covering the years from 1443 to 1536.

As time passed, IKEBANA became a major part of traditional festivals, and IKEBANA exhibitions were held periodically. Rules were prescribed, and materials had to be combined in specific ways. In these early forms, a tall upright central stem had to be accompanied by two shorter stems; the three stems represented heaven, man (sic), and earth. The specific Japanese names for these differed among IKEBANA schools. In 1545, the Ikenobo School, now well established, formulated the principles of rikka arrangements by naming the seven principal branches used in that type of arrangement.

During the Momoyama period in Japan, 1560-1600, many magnificent castles were constructed. During the same period, noblemen and royal retainers were doing large decorative rikka floral pieces .

T20- WORLD CUP

Indians –the T20 champions:
The Showpiece Event has come to a conclusion with India being crowned the Champions of the Inaugural T20 World Cup. India has beaten arch rivals Pakistan in a humdinger of a final to lift the Priceless Trophy. Before the T20 World Cup had started, no one would have imagined in the wildest of their dreams that India would go on to lift the coveted trophy. India has stunned the entire cricketing world with its spectacular performance. India has played sensationally in the entire tournament. Even in the match whom India lost to New Zealand, India had put on a brave performance. They were chasing 190 to win and fell short of the target by a very narrow margin.
Stellar Performance:

Among all the top teams in World Cricket, India has the least experience in T20 matches. India has played just one T20 match in its T20 career before this inaugural T20 World Cup.Infact India did not have any match practice when they took on Pakistan in this tournament as their tie against Scotland was washed away by rain. After the defeat against New-Zealand, India had to win each and every match in order to win the Cup. After the match in which India lost to New-Zealand, It has been all India.India has come up with an absolute Stellar performance in this tournament .India's triumph in this T20 World Cup will be absolutely phenomenal for the game of Cricket.
Grabbing the best opportunity:

If you take a look at teams like Australia, South Africa and New-Zealand, they have the right kind of players who can easily win you 20-20 matches. Compare the Indian Team man to man with the teams Australia, England and South Africa. You would find these teams to be superior. But India got the better out of these teams in this tournament. Youngsters like Gambhir, Uthappa and Rohit Sharma rose to the occassion and grabbed the opportunities with both hands.These young men had also fielded well and had effected few direct run outs.Yuvraj is in the purple patch of his career and has played a big part in India winning this World Cup.Not to Forget Dhoni's contribution.Dhoni may not have made big scores but scored some decent runs and had marshaled his resources extremely well.
Proved their mettle:
The thing which is most pleasing is that it was a collective performance from India.RP Singh and Sreesanth had bowled their hearts out and had given India timely break throughs.As T20 matches are ruled by batsmen, many expected the opposition batsmen to bully the inexperienced Indian bowlers.But Indian bowlers had proved their mettle by not only picking up wickets but also bowling at a superb economy rate .It was very heartening to see Sehwag,Irfan Pathan and Harbhajan making a good comeback.It was an absolute professional performance from Team India in this tournament.Indians who were known as the renowned chokers have proved the World Cricket wrong by winning crunch matches in this tournament.Indians had the habit of choking in big finals but this time around they held their nerves really well.
Boiling Young Blood:
India have won all the major ICC Championships namely ,1983 World Cup 1985 World Championship ,Mini World Cup 2002(India are Joint Winners of this tournament) , T20 World Cup 2007 .India winning a World Cup Final against their Arch Rivals Pakistan, you cant get anything bigger than this. It was the young blood which won this Mega Event for India.
T20-A Stepping Stone
Though India won the T20 World Cup, it should boost their confidence and enable them to perform well in the ODIS and test matches from now on. And it’s high time that the Indian selectors take serious note of the young talent. From now on, we need to start building a team for World Cup 2011.We need more such ICC Trophies in our cabinet. Holding the Wold Cup Trophy is one of the best things in the world.Infact holding aloft the World Cup Trophy is the pinnacle. When Dhoni had lifted the T20 World Cup Trophy, we Indians got goose pimples. It was one of the best moments in the lives of the Indian Cricket Fans. This T20 World Cup triumph is a glorious chapter in the history of Indian Cricket. Well done Team India. The entire nation is proud of you.

BRAIN- DRAIN

Draining talents:
A brain drain or human capital flight is an emigration of trained and talented individuals to other nations or jurisdictions, due to conflicts, lack of opportunity, or health hazards where they are living. Brain drain is a word with a bad connotation. So, it is no wonder that we hear our politicians, statesmen and intellectuals often mourning brain drain. Developing countries lose their enormous investments on higher education when skilled people migrate to other countries. There are a number of articles on brain drain from India from 1960 onwards, saying that it is increasing or stopping but it has not.

The brain-drain of Indian software and other high-tech engineers are so serious that ``there is a danger that we will be left with nothing'' in India. Somewhere between 50,000 to 60,000 of the 100,000 engineers that India's technical institutes and engineering colleges produce each year are US-bound. The growing skills' divide in India's work-force has serious social consequences. At the most, 100 million Indians, or one-tenth of the population, stand to benefit from the technology revolution in the short term. . The greatest loss to India’s future is that the brains continue to go offshore. For years, many ambitious Indian professionals went to the West to build careers. Those who stayed home got only a fraction of what their compatriots earned in the worlds financial and technology centres.
Retain our talents:
Now, soaring local salaries reflect a growing shortage of skilled workers at home, just as Indian companies are emerging as global players in the new economy. Business executives now worry that to sustain India's booming young software industry; the country must retain more of its high-tech whizkids and lure back tens of thousands of talented expatriates.
Reverse brain drain:
”Reverse brain drain” should be promoted to attract some of the brightest and talented children of India and ensure their return to their motherland. Overseas Indians should engage more actively in India’s development.
Causes for Brain-drain:
The reason that you get paid well in the US or any foreign country is because of a better investment climate over there and because the goverment is responsive of citizen needs. However, the reason that the government works in the US is solely because of the social and political activism shown by the Americans to get their governments to do the right thing. If all right-thinking americans would have left US for better prospects to some other country then you would never have had the chance to earn the dollar salary you do now. And the reason that we don’t get good prospects in India is because many people like us, instead of trying to improve the government functioning and doing their bit to create a better society, chose to prioritize their personal interests over their responsibility to the society they belong to. Nothing wrong with that, everyone has the right to do pursue their personal interests, but we shouldn’t rant what the government did for us , because essentially we are equally responsible for the government not functioning right and are responsible for brain drain.
America’s Brain-Drain: Advantage India:
With India catching up fast on technology, non-resident Indians are realizing that the action lies back home. As the American dream fades in the long queues for the elusive visa, Indian companies are camping on American soil to bring their professionals back. America is losing out on intellectual resources to countries like India and China as the immigration debate rages in the US. Snags in the immigration process have left 5 lakh immigrants waiting for green cards, putting their families and children through inconvenience as well. A study on the reverse brain drain bemoans the fact that the US trained thousands of workers who came on temporary visas, but are unable to retain them.
Moreover, as more American employees face retirement, and fewer of their citizens acquire professional degrees, the super power’s talent pool is beginning to shrink. The US has benefited immensely from foreign-born professionals, owing half of the start-ups in Silicon Valley between 1995 and 2005 to them, and Indians have contributed largely to America’s patent portfolio. As the immigration backlog mounts, the frustration amongst NRI’S in the US is forcing them to turn back home. India’s booming economy, with a choice of jobs from global companies is no less responsible for the reverse brain drain the US is facing.
India booming:
Opportunities for NRIs in the US are also coming from their own employers who are setting up research centers in India. With a vibrant economy welcoming them home, a section of NRIs are too eager to give up the life of a helpless immigrant and restore their first citizenship status.

DJ Caterers.......

“Athithi devo bhava” is probably one of the most popular sayings in our country. For people who had no or little acquaintance with this sentence, it meant treating your guests as gods. Food is priority in any Indian function which will make the event a success. These days craze for serving different kind of food items in family functions especially in kalyanams (marriages) is on a high. If you are confused as to choosing the best caterers in our madras city, DJ caterers are here to provide you with the best tasting food with high quality ingredients at the same time providing top level service to all its customers. DJ Catering offers cuisine with inventive interpretations and modern creations. They turn the very best traditions of regional and international cuisine into exciting and unique menus guaranteed to please your palate and thrill your guests.

Give your tongue a chance to taste the exotic north Indian, south Indian, Chinese, chat items and tandoori varieties from our renowned caterers. These caterers promise to be one in your family while shouldering the entire responsibility of food items during your festive occasion.

Andhra food lovers need not give up their choice. Hot and spicy dishes like Puliyagar Annam, Bendakai Pulusu, Dosaikai sambar, Gutthi vankai, Dondakai veppudu, mavadi pappu, Ulava charu, Ghee, Minuppu pachadi, kongura pickle, Potharekalu are served in a traditional way. The proprietor can be contacted through mail or phone: dhanasekar66@yahoo.com/ 94444 16016, 92831 51581.

WHEN TWO IS COMPANY, ONE IS LONE...

The clock ticked two times in the early hours of 28th august and I was fastened to my bed, cuddling the pillows and snuggling under the blanket. The shrilling sound of the clock bell, punctured through the drums of my ears. I got up all in vain as if someone is pushing from a hilltop. My heart beat rose three to four times higher and my forehead was covered with sweat, the salty water overflowing through my cheeks.it wasn’t summer, but the climate was unusually pleasant.

I gulped two glasses of water all at a stretch, and covered myself with the blanket trying to revoke my sleep. But I couldn’t do it. It was pitch dark and I could hardly count any stars on the sky except the Orion star configuration and it had nothing to do with me except provide some beam of light. This light filtered through my transparent curtains and illuminated my bedroom.


I heard someone banging my front door, exactly three times. I was in half sleep and it took few seconds to recognize that someone is really banging the door..
I managed to get up and unlocked the iron bar fastened across the breadth of the door. I was a tad confident that it couldn’t be a robber and it must be the milkman delivering his product a bit early. All that I was able to see was darkness and nothing else. I stepped my foot ahead and saw left and right, there was none. Before I thought of getting inside the lobby, I could find a box wrapped up in a glossy sheet, printed with the words..
“ Just to you………………with love and care”


I thought it must be a chuckle headed fellow who had thought of gifting it to his lover and perhaps she must have not accepted it. Anyways, I was only after throwing it into the junk cart placed a few foots ahead from my front door.


Before I was to throw it, a luminescence struck my eyes, on the cover and an animated image boasting-
“ Don’t throw…it is for you…”
I wondered whether covers really speak. But I had to accept it. It wasn’t something new to me, as I am a very keen reader of magical kind of stories. A bit confused, presently, as I wondered, whether these things happen in reality.


Mustering some courage, I had opened the box, standing all-alone, in my street. I thought there must be gold coins or a fairy or something else. My imagination ran wild at that point of time.

The box was decorated with gem studs placed in an unusual pattern, each one with a different color. I opened the locked end of the box and could find a silky cloth in which some words were woven in a coarse thread. The background was velvet black with the words engraved in a red colored coarse thread.
It was more of a date calendar kind, but the only thing that separated was the silk cloth.
I was asked to choose any one date from a set of five. I was pushed suddenly into a unsteady state.


I selected a date, which was thousand years from the present. I have read about time machines, whirling clocks, and other things. But I could never imagine myself being thrown away to ages all of a sudden. Yes, it was the time machine.


I was enigmatic about the box, the machine, and about the person who placed the gift outside my house door. These typical kinds of questions were flowing in my mind continuously.
I was taken to an age where none other than me was present. Literally, I was let free to do anything in this world, enjoy anything in this world.

I was not after stealing money, enjoying the lone world, but every moment I felt in need of a company. I needed someone to talk with. I got up from the place where I was thrown-down by the time machine.

As I rose from the place, I could feel something was pulling me somewhere, and I dint knew what was pulling me where. This pulling force took me miles away through the highway, mountain reefs, until I reached the quixotic visionary of the deep blue sea.
The waves were crushing heavily on the shores.
I was able to vision a ship cruising towards the shore. The red light of the ship was approaching me nearer and nearer. I was feeling happy at least in meeting someone and share a couple of words with the person.

Time flies away in a jiffy and it was early morning. I slept the entire night on the sands of the shore. The mast of the ship was flying high because of the northerly winds. The climate was freezing and I somehow managed to enter the inside of the ship. There were no captain, crews, nor someone to stop me. The ship was heavily decorated with photos, balloons, oil paintings, flowers and many glittering items. I wondered whether there is going to be a party or a wedding.

A door at the side of the hall, bared the words, “push me”.
I was happy for one thing-words of communication existed asking me to push the door.
I immediately pushed the door and spotted graffiti have always had a great passion for solving puzzles. But I was unable to conclude anything from the scribbling on the walls of the ship. The graffiti was well illuminated, shining like silver. My eyes suddenly pointed over a particular area of the graffiti. I could see the almighty Jesus, sobbing.
I was thrown aback. I wondered whether god cries? God is said to be the creator of the universe. I fell down unconscious on the wooden floor carpeted velvet red. I could sense someone holding me from falling onto the floor. Lol!! You may all wonder who it was?
It was none other than the lord himself, the creator of me!!!!
I opened my eyes and initiated some spunk to talk with him. I was the happiest person in the world at that moment of time. A great feeling of confidence and peace took over me. I asked him for where he was all these days?? He replied me telling that he was bearing the glum of people in this world.

When I asked him about the reason for bringing me into such a world, he replied “child! It is not that I have imported only you, to this tranquil world and that there are many people like you who are present here. But all of them appear as invisible to the other person because everyone must realize the need of other person. Life doesn’t end with satisfying one’s own desires, but a feeling of love and care for other person will make this world even more peaceful to live. Whenever a person really needs another person’s company, he will surely be able to see me. You have felt the need of someone and hence I am visible to you. So, you are no more a loner in this world. Let others too recognize the need of someone to love and care in this world, and I will be visible to them. Come-on! My child! You will be my messenger of mine from this moment to spread the disease of love and care. I will send you back to the original world and you must help me in bringing out people here.

My eyes were filled with tears of happiness. The language of love and care what god thought will remain in my memory forever.
Yes!!!! I was back to the original world and I am warning you people to be ready!!! Because you may be the one I am going to take to the world of care and love….

EATING OUT ON A BREEZY EVENING...

I have a penchant for tasting the roadside eateries especially sold by the Bihari-bhaiyas. My appetite grows deeper on sunday evenings when I usually take a long night-walk having shouldered the entire week’s work and getting prepared to face the week ahead.
I wouldn’t afford to miss the opportunity of gulping the gol-gappas (pani-poori) sold by my lovable bhaiyas. So. Yummy it is. And how corrupt my mind is, I once dreamt that I stole the entire sack of pooris and the pot of pani and came home running to eat it.

At the end of this article I am sure you would end up preparing the dish or go to a nearby stall to munch your pooris and drink the pani. Pani-poori aka gol -gappa is a favorite eating-dish of North-Indians. The pooris are hollow, round until you make a hole on the top centre. The poori remains incomplete unless it is stuffed with special spicy-potato and dipped in masala water to fill the dough. If you are a sweet-lover, you can go for meetha gol-gappa otherwise spicy stuff is good to eat.

Those frequenting high budget hotels may end up loosing the original taste of it as they are usually served in a plate with 5 to 6 pieces already prepared with too high a cost. By the time the dish reaches your table it becomes too soft like a cake.

Standing by the road-side on a breezy evening with the crowd huddled around the stall; with the vendor giving one at each time for a customer is a delightful scene. As you ask for pani-pooris, the immediate question is tikka ya meetha (spicy or sweet)..? You can ask for adha-tikka –adha- metha also as I would prefer. I would go for 4 rounds every time I visit the eatery. There are also flat-stomached men who go for 10 rounds of gol-gappas.They are not a heavy stuff until you confirm “no more!!”

The vendor should have a good memory as he has to keep a count on each poori served to different persons and also the choice of the dish…
Its now your turn to be the customer... get...set...go...to munch your pooris..