Wednesday, July 30, 2008

What is schwag?

The term schwag refers to all manner of logoed stuff given away by companies to get people to remember them, feel good about them, have their phone number and website at hand and generally make them think about them before any of their competitors. And studies show.... it works!! (see why buy schwag)

The original spelling is "swag" (for Stuff We All Get). A little web research has revealed that there is definitely a widespread use of the term, but no real consensus on the "correct" spelling. One site explained "schwag is what the coolest of the cool people say" and another site indicated it's "called schwag if the item is particularly good."

Other names for Schwag: tchotchkes,knickknacks, trinkets and trash, gack, promotional products

http://www.promosapien.ca/Content/What%20Is%20Schwag.asp

Will I Am!


Came across the description of this book in New York Times about the American alter ego of William Shakespeare - a hash smoking grad student. The book is authored by Jess Winfield. Should be an interesting read!

Kowtow!

Learnt a new word - Kowtow in the excerpts of the book, "Will I Am". Here's what Wikipedia has to say:

Kowtow (traditional Chinese: 叩頭; simplified Chinese: 叩头; pinyin: Kòu tóu; Cantonese: Kau tàuh) is the act of deep respect shown by kneeling and bowing so low as to touch the head to the ground. While the phrase Kē tóu (磕頭) is often used in lieu of the former in modern Chinese, the meaning is somewhat altered: kòu originally meant "knock with reverence", whereas kē has the general meaning of "touch upon (a surface

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Where do the homeless dogs go when bombs blast in the city?

Yes, that's what I've been thinking. Where do the poor animals go? They must have been hit by the dozen. Where do they recuperate? Poor things! Just before I started typing this post,I saw a dog running for his life, perhaps in shock, in a footage in one of the news channels.

Not making any demands, just thinking. The question has been on my mind for some time now...

I hate the rain when there is no half construced house..

Yeah - I hate the rain when there is no half constructed house in the vicinity. Houses, which are being constructed are the safest haven for homeless dogs. They cuddle against each other in the midst of materials yet to go up in the construction. They take shelter from the rain.

From the past few days, it has been raining a lot in Bangalore. I used to love rains, love watching the rain drops make the leaves dance, love sipping coffee while watching the rain... until I saw the plight of the stray, homeless dogs. In my neighbourhood, construction of a building is going on. So the dogs of the lane have been safe so far. But not for long - the building is almost complete, and ready for human habitation. And when human beings occupy the house, the dogs must leave. The human beings will not even let these poor animals take shelter in the extension of the garages during rains. C'mon - you don't use that space for anything. Why can't you just be in peaceful co-existence? But this the age of mine, and only mine. My things. My wins. One seems to forget one can't drink gold, one will need clear water, one will need the trees, one will need the animals around, one will need joys of the unconditional love of dogs....

I've been wondering for a while on a secret plan. I wonder if Amir Khan will ever agree to make a movie for the cause of homeless animals. I plan to write to him - but I wonder if his secretary will call it trash and never let it be in Amir's inbox.

Amir is known to make sensible movies. Whenever he has made one, people have been influenced. The entire nation was colored saffron by his "Rand de Basanti". The movie even prompted justice in the Jessica Lal murder case. "Taare Zameen Pan" influenced many parents re-think their philosophy of educating their children. The movie urged everyone to unleash the creative side, to find the inner voice and not be social conditioned to live a life of imprisonment of the free spirit. Whenever Amir spoke, people listened. That's the power of cinema. In a country like India if one has to deliver a "message", it has to be for the masses. Awakening the minds of people who suffer from lack of aspirations, and sensitivity and a sense of "given up" is not easy. They have to be literally jolted. Yet, Amir has managed significantly well.

If Amir ever makes a movie on the needs to conserve the earth and love the homeless animals, the masses will listen and there will be a movement.

Amir, are you listening? Use the powers of cinema. Too many dogs are run over by cars on a mad rush. Too many homeless animals are treated cruelly by the insensitive and the ignorant. Make a movie - Amir.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Dear Red River...

Dear Red River –
I was left wondering why is the silence on your side – yet no comments to my post which was only to let you know I exist. I know only you will keep checking this place – this is my secret connection to you, where I can rumble on, knowing you will watch me.And then I saw your "comment". I think that's the down side of opting for "moderating your comments" function in blogspot. And like in the past, your words give me answers to questions hovering in my mind.

You may have observed when I’m “figuring” out things, I take a hiatus. When there is so much of confusion and pain in the world, I need not add my drops. But the fact that I’m alive on this space is indication that I’m back. With a bang!
To your point, Red River, I do have lively vocabulary; I’m often described as a vivacious mass of protoplasm by most in my vicinity. But they need me, my lively vocabulary – that’s why I give them. This blog is my space to be download the thoughts in my psychic RAM – I need to do it somewhere. I can definitely try to be artificially ignorant about all the wrong things happening around me, but I guess ignoring is no longer an option. Everyone cares for the safety of their family, so do I and hence I think – of ways to protect them. But these thoughts that I have actually act as centripetal force, keep shaping me up for what I need to do – eventually. We all have to contribute towards a better community – and I think I heard the call. I can’t create the difference joining politics – politics is a waste of time in India; I doubt the capabilities of the Indian Civil Services – the service my parents wanted me to do to my people, but I can definitely feel the need for doing something – and I’ve been planning to serve in some way. But seriously, I’m not trying to be the next Mahatma, but no one can seem to ignore it any longer. I will have to do it for my own selfish motive of protecting my people.
I will concentrate on Assam. Start small. Empower one small group of people at a time. Red River, the children growing on the banks of the mighty river have no heroes to follow, and hence are under wrong influence. My aim is to provide them with role models. Give them a sense of confidence that they can build their lives, and not resort to destruction in insecurity.
I don’t plan to start another “Assam Movement”. Such things have their limitations. I will do it the sustainable way – a model based on economic progress, yet a sustainable community. I believe in sustainable business, business with a social cause. That’s the plan I’m shaping up now. My people need role models, and I aim to give them. I aim to give the growing children their set of Red Rivers, Randy Pausch, Marjiane Satrapis, Naina Lal Kidwais, Fantasias, Butterfly Museums....crayons.
I have ideas, but I need to refine them. I need to have business sense. I need to be sensitive to the economic factors to be successful in my mission. That’s why I need to go back to school to earn that tool box. For any ideas to flourish, the plan should be right. I want to spend the next 3-4 years planning. Meanwhile I will do what I can. If nothing else, atleast think.
And Red River, you mentioned crayons – quite a coincidence. I’ve welcomed back the colors in my life – I literally filled quite a few canvases with colours recently. What more, even sis bought her first pack of crayons after a long time. I can only work with circle of influence; I’m doing that one small task at a time.
And besides you can’t always get up on an early Sunday morning with the plans of painting the morning sun, when news of bomb blasts accompany the morning cup of coffee. I can fill my psychic RAM with lively, colourful thoughts of hope and I do so, because only lively thoughts can shape up constructive plans. But at the same time I want to think of a longer, sustainable solution. Its only in this space that I think aloud. I do it for myself, to clear my thoughts. I’ve refrained from expressing my thoughts in this space, but then I needed to rent out a space to download my psychic RAM – for the time being I like being Suwansiri. In the future, my address may change. But right now, this is it.
I’m doing fine, Red River. Most people around me have no idea there is this other phase of mine – they will never worry of my lack of lively vocabulary. You do for you know, beyond the calm that’s on the surface.
All’s well. And you’re my umbilical cord in the stem cell bank I guess, need you for survival. Please don’t be irked by that metaphor – didn’t know in what other way to express my need of you.
Love,
Suwansiri

Indian Mujahedin!

Indian Mujahedeen claimed responsibility of the terror attacks in Ahmadabad. Mumbai is next. That’s what their email sent to several media houses minutes before the blasts in Ahmadabad claim.
My reaction – ask sis to avoid crowded places in the evening. But I will refrain from using negatives sentences in life and hence I will tell her human spirit is indomitable, and that we should continue to live true to out free spirits but we will be responsible to be safe.
The mention of the Indian Mujahedin did give rise to curiosity in mind. How can a human brain be so convinced, influenced to bring destruction to fellow human beings even while risking their lives. That’s zeal of some kind. And I would say whoever is leads terrorists outfits are “able” leaders – in the sense that the leader can motivate the followers to a mission. The mission itself is questionable, and is out of scope for this discussion. It’s the ability of the leader to influence the thousands for a single cause, and that too with all their zeal. Like Hitler. A lot to learn.
Hitler and the leaders of terrorists groups definitely will merit further study for research on leadership.
The desire in a common man to follow a leader can definitely be leveraged. It’s about giving direction to the cause that matters to them – basic needs, to a large extent, are causes enough. Food, shelter, education, safe families, safe communities – these matters subtle or explicit. The point is to study these causes, know them, and leverage them for a “win/win” solution. A human mind has to be caught by imagination to achieve the impossible. Every human being loves the feeling of successfully overcoming a challenge; of mastering something. The degree can vary. The key is to know that want and channelize it in the right direction.
While I say what I said I know my intentions have to be sincere, only then they will be effective. It applies for everything in life. Sincere intentions are requirements for being effective in any field of endeavour.

The thoughts in the evening after the serial blasts - 8 in Bangalore & 16 in Ahmadabad...

Where do I start? Yesterday 8 blasts in Bangalore and today 16 blasts in Ahmadabad. What’s has come to be of this country? I had told my family earlier during one of these terror attacks that they should wind up work by afternoon and be home, but the Bangalore blasts in the vicinity of 1:45 PM has now reduced the “working day” approved by me by many hours. Obviously this is not a sustainable approach!
When today, my sister, and the person I protect the most in life mentioned randomly about a mall which she frequents to go for movies, I experienced discomfort. But obviously – that’s a response of an unhealthy mind.
I must teach my family to maintain the fine balance – remain rational. And hence, I must be rational myself. I must welcome “positive” thoughts, and make “positive” thoughts a habit. I must discipline myself to cultivate positive thoughts, to make them a way of life. I must embody all those little lessons of life that I want my family to learn and reflect on. My family includes – Ma, Deta and Munu. Hopefully R will also belong there someday soon. I’ve been trying to make this “outsider” a part of my life – marriage can’t at all be a day or an event; it’s a process and I’m going through it. There are some others in my life – my dogs – who are the causes of my happy being, but then I since I know I control the decisions in their lives and their circumstances to a large extent, I worry less about them. I know I will take care of them – there are other things that I’m unsure of, there are circumstances that I can’t control. And that’s why perhaps I decided to have faith, faith can work wonders. I’m not yet skilled enough to debate the existence of “God”. And till I’m proved otherwise, I will continue to believe in that someone – my Krishna. If this human body which only needs air and water and food to sustain can feel for a dog getting drenched to the bones on the road – there has to be something; there is an overall spirit. I believe in you, Krishna. You control destiny; you’re destiny.
Today I was reading Randy Pausch’s blog; he passed away yesterday – July 25th. What an irony, I had been thinking of him but only came to read when he was no more. But what a heroic life.
As I was going through the day’s activities – I decided/reflected that creating fear in my family’s minds and rushing them home and trying to seal them from the sun will not help the situation. It’s about enabling them; making their minds strong. It’s about positive feelings. Let me repeat it, once again, they will do fine – my mind is clear, thoughts are positive – they will do fine. They will think. They will create impacts by being rational, positive, well-rounded human beings. I will become one. And I will influence them to be.
Positive thoughts rule; Rhonda Byrne – thank you! My positive thinking will bring changes. I will work with circle of influence, and reduce my circle of concern.
Barkha Dutt reported from Siachen; Indu roams around the world, Red River is climbing the Kilimanjaro. I want my family to go out and chase the sun – to see the world. I want such a world for them? How do I make it happen? I must have a way – each of us will have to play our own roles.
And in the meanwhile, I’m beginning the exercise of getting into B-School. Yes – I need the degree. More now than ever. I’ve been thinking of a business model centred around the community for a long time now. Various factors seemed to act as the “headfakes” (Randy used this word in his book “The last Lecture” – protect the local art and hence the identity, opportunity to us my creative bent of mind, play with designs, cloros and so on. But the reality is a community centred business will perhaps try to cure some of the deep-rooted causes of incidents like the one in Bangalore and today in Ahmadabad. (Let me tell you this – just when the victims from the first round of blasts arrived in the hospital, second round of blasts occurred in the hospitals. How base immoral acts! How can “human” beings plan such horrible acts of violence?) Perhaps that’s my secret desire – to solve the situation. Perhaps I would have fled like many who fled their place birth to avoid the tension, but I guess I’m thinking today I’ve no option. I’m bound to think for I want to protect my family. And I can’t seal my family from the community – I’ve to heal the community to protect my family.
Today from the evening I’ve been thinking what separates me from them – why am I the way I’m and they are the way they are. Yes – there are certain things that can’t be changed. I was amongst those who won the parent lottery when I was born. But there are host of other things – the books that I read, the examples of heroes in the family, in my immediate society I looked up to, the school I attended, my friends – well many things. Things still boil down to economic enablement to buy the books one wants to read and so on, good education and abundance of role-models. Mostly, I think it’s the lack of the right role models that create negative energies.
But why business with a social cause has to be mirrored on the framework to sustain a community with – why should the culture, arts and crafts of a community be sustained?
Now I don’t believe in non-profit. Business has to be profitable. Only profitable business is sustainable. I work to earn a living, and so will the people working in my organization. That’s reason number one.
Reason number two like individuals, each community also has its strengths – progress will happen when the strengths are maximised. We produce great silk – lets create the market for such silk; lets create the demand for the silk that’s produced in our community – we will do a better job creating silk than making softwares. Maximise strengths.
And yes – why not for the mere cause of preserving our arts and crafts – these are evidence of our evolution, we can go up only from our foundation – we need the foundation. We need our sense of self.
How will by organization based on leveraging community skills “cure” the community – jobs for many, coaching, mentoring, role models, exposure, education.
I’m thinking of doing all this because I love my family, and I want to protect them, nurture them, show them a happy world. I will not lie there. And I’m not wrong each of us belong somewhere – that could be a start.
After “punching” and not typing as Mr. Forrester says in “Finding Forrester”, I’m feeling a lot better. Calmed Relaxed. My psychic RAM is not over flooded with million threads of thoughts. I will remember to be practical, rational. I will always think win/win.
And like Randy says –“Live a life of good Karma, dreams will come to you”. That’s the only option to live life – good karma, good action. Peace is guaranteed.
Krishna give me strength to focus.