Penny Wise Pound Foolish-Gujarat!; Blood Diamond??? Oscars! Don is Dead!!!!

Housekeeping:-
1) Evernote! I almost forgotten Evernote! I am avid user since 2009 or so and used it to save notes on thoughts that came. (More a digital Post-it) to cross refer ideas between my Laptop and Web when I am on the move.(Apps were not much known then). I rememembered Smartphone version few days back and downloaded to work notes as I do morning walk!!! Technology going leaps and bounds and I am still not that comfortable APPS version and to use smartphone to type!!  

2) My Saturday Morning devotional Playlist on youtube!! hehehheheh!! See How secular & open I am despite Srirangam Hater!!!!!!!!! Plays almost 3 hours! 

I was astounded a Facebook post and posted my comment! I was thinking this and pondering over sleep last night!

I somehow felt Gujarat and its people while have a golden heart, never worked a balance between Work-Life. It was always work work and Money is seen as only means to a better life. (More so when you see /interact with Brits, Aussies who work a superb balance) In my interactions, during my career there, I was always asked at work,how much they would be paid more, if job is finished say 2 hrs early than actual time planned. While I would have let it go as way of life and get sunk, and accepted as way of life, but for my Job interview in 1996 when I wanted to shift to South India giving priority to children's education. Mr KRP Shenoy my boss who did job interview,sold me in the offer,the non tangential benefit of 5 day week(Gujarat was 6 days week work& far far less paid /public Holidays,in fact 4 in in 1980s;lowest in India; logic was,more you work, more you earn, man I tell you)

Marslow need model-Money-Comfort-Love-Respect-EGO Needs! Is Gujarat always Money? I ponder????

     (Lowest form of need and never moving up) 

I still wonder if Gujarat has moved away?? I guess probably not? I was thinking more about it I was listening to Podcast on how Japan is making people move on Last Friday of the month to leave early to spend quality time with Family etc this morning thus the post. I remember the plant manager at my Kodama Facility,back in 2000s made sure every Wednesday all Lights are off by Sunset and folks,all gone Home. (Dream by Japanese standards of staying at work till very very late evening and back 8am as routine) That's where good companies set example.

hahhahah! An Average American plans to spend 2 months Salary as cost to pay his Engagement Diamond Ring. Girls plan and dream their Engagement Ring before even falling love with a boy!!! hehehehe!!! Very Intriguing in depth article. I recollect hearing about Artifical diamonds podcast few months back 1% now fast catching up.I also recollect our work on Blood (Conflict) Minerals management which all stemed from Blood Diamond. Of course, is this the famous dupe?is this? hehehhehe! 

Of course, Blood Diamond,means Leonardo Dicaprio, I always felt he deserved Oscar's more for Blood Diamond than the one he actually Won. Also Departed for which he was never nominated!! 

My First Oscar memory was 1983,when Gandhi Swept the awards. I watched,Star Wars at Bombay,Sterling,1979 (a magical experience for a15 year kid!before that)but never connected to Oscars! This weekend I think La-La Land expected to sweep. Let's see?? I recollect 2007 Oscars, When I was just miles away at Redando Beach, busy with Meetings while Oscar was in full swing!! Not that I would have got an invite to go watch?!! 

I am WALKER!!!!!!! AHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!! 

I am reading that Netflix is investing 100Mn$ for Martin Scorsese movie!! He is a sure shot winner? So next Oscars could be from Netflix or Amazon or Google(Youtube) movies!Move over 20th Century Fox etc & Universal or Colombia !!! 

My last post!!! No words!! Today 2001,"THE DON IS DEAD"at 91 What a legend?? 

Real DON????? 

hahhahh! Anthony Quinn!!! What a Performance as Andrea !! really brought Maclean book to life!!!!

Ok Take care, stay Safe, God Bless!!
Karthik.
25/2/17. 0915am.

LeanIN?? Planets, Robot Taxes, Putin super duper of TV vs Fridge

Housekeeping:-

1)Summer is coming here with Bang, Man I tell you! Woolen blankets gone out of window 2 days back! 6am walk, by 7am u cant take the sun! Wonder If we need to push clock ahead by atleast 30 min to take advantage? Governance about all these things?? hmm! I recollect reading Delhi reeling already in Summer mode! Bangalore would face worst water shortage. UV Index always a nightmare here!!! 

2) So many things to write about, I am thinking of going Audio mode through a formal Podcast of 15-20 Min on various aspects. I discussed with Son about it yesterday and he agrees for broader reach. Would work plan in days to come.

OK here we go!!!

1) Lean In was Sheryl Sandberg Book on woman empowerment! Woman still have a long way to go to break the ceiling! While South Asia has done better in terms of top leaders the gap is still long way off in middle as Economist wonder? But I always felt,it is woman who prevents another woman from coming to the top? When you heard 2 woman agree on anything? I haven't? Have you? 

2) I always have a feeling there is a mirror image of us somewhere else!

So no surprise that earth like planets are found! Hold on!They are 700,000 Years of travel away! Hope this blog is read then??? 

Intriguing to read to Bill Gates, talking about Robot Taxes for jobs that are taken away! AI really hitting hard in every sense! I recollect reading hardly 10% jobs would go away in worst case! But u never know?

For Second time in weeks, I keep hearing Vladimir Putin is a Manipulator. Gary Kasparov did last night as was Alexi Nevallny few weeks back! Both say Putin gives a perception that he tolerates dissent! When he can't handle beyond a point, He would eliminate them! Also read this class interview on VOX on PUTIN-TRUMP relation from a Russian perspective. As Economist Russian Correspondent, Arkady says,Putin knows super/duper to manage TV not the Fridge! 

A Russian newspaper editor explains how Putin made Trump his puppet

“They consider him a stupid, unstrategic politician.”

Have a great day, God bless!! Stay Safe
Karthik
24/2/17 0830am

Hen Pecked Husband, +ve thoughts, Negro to african american,Dalida, Indivisible

I am delighted to let you know that I am given new title "HEN PECKED HUSBAND" hahahhaha! The title was conferred by my darling daughter Radhu

as I have now started waging war against her & joining her mother's side in crusade to see that we find a potential alliance for her and pack her off to far off land. I have already titles of "முரடன்(Brute)given by my late grandfather, ஓட்டைவாயன் (Sieve mouthed- No secrets can be kept) by my Sister and "Arrogant" by my close Pakistani Friends!! hahhhaahhah!!! What's coming next????? heheheh!! The term Henpeck Husband is dad's favourite term to tease people who listen to their wife a lot!!! (Hahhahaha! Mom must be wondering if he ever listened to her, போடி,அறிவு கெட்டவளே -Dad worse than me in shooting first and asking questions later!!! ஹஹஹஹ்ஹ்ஹ !!) 

I was looking back at +ve thinking, how it shapes things around you!!Ever since 1989,When I read "THINK AND GROW RICH" by Napoleon Hill (I gifted to Kids)

 and Power of Positive Thinking by Dr Norman Vincent Peale in my 20s

I had always seen life as Positive and only best things happen as well as see glass as always half full.I was talking to Lalitha, how I felt it was given, she would be a great wife and we would accommodate each other or that I would have a Son and Daughter!!

At no stage even thoughts flashed even a micro second in those days that our marriage would hit difficulty or that I would have a 2 sons or 2 daughters!!! Makes you believe"Earl Nightingale saying which I came across in late 90s, "YOU BECOME- WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT" As was in my work career, failure is not an option as indicated in APPOLO -13 of Gene Kranz worked with Intelligent Risk Taking.

Apollo 13- Failure is not an Option!!! 

I am now reading, JHC "Fast Buck"set in 1951, I am amazed to read how the word "NEGRO" is used so frequently in that book as a common phrase. I recollect John Grisham Book (Summons?? Can't recollect now) set in 1930s the father of lawyer in his age 70s calling the Black servant, using the N-Word in a far worse context!! Now a days African American is the norm used.... Wor(l)d evolution happens??? Wonder why the word Black is seen always a negative context- Black magic, Black mail, Black Money etc etc aligned to very negative context!!

Yesterday BBC Documentary had an Intriguing program on Dalida. I recollect her singing performance/star in 80s, but didn't track her life as I moved to job and so it was shocked to come to know of her death in 87 (My hectic year at work) by suicide. More so 3 of men in her life committed Suicide! What a tragedy!! 

I leave you with today with the interesting thought expressed by a caller on to "INDIVISIBLE"

Call in program yesterday!! "Would Trump change the Presidency or Presidency would change Trump"!! What a thought? What do you think? I would bet for latter! He would mend mellow in time with the great team. Today's call will have Gary Kasparov and his views on Trump/Putin! I look to hear it this afternoon! 

Modi Fiasco, (Jumla Pictures) 100th Birthday, Egypt, Migration Deaths! Dwight Yorke!!!!

Today is 33 days of Trump Presidency! Trump has managed to shake the world, take it by Scruff of the neck far far greater way than Tea Seller Modi has done in 33 Months. While Trump may not have his way in all the aspects he touched upon, (Naturally the US System is designed so that Executive, Legislature, Judiciary are independent of each other -founding fathers kept checks and balances in place) one cant or wont blame Trump for having not given his best shot to keep up his campaign promises! Modi in his 33 months has not even made an iota of an attempt to move the needle. Land reforms, Black Money, Weeding out corruption, Ram Mandir, GST Mess, Crony capitalism, 0 Job Growth, favouring the few in all aspects nothing indicates that he has put his heart to make even an attempt to thrash the issue. Data indicates as well as I see in MP, GUJ the corruption& loot have reached monumental levels.  Dr Swamy's latest Jibe is another addition that even bureaucrats don't do what they are suppose to do!  

Ok, lets move to some happy good things! Delighted to read a veteran in Australia celebrated his 100th Birthday with 100 Women! Good women found time!! hehehehe!! He made that commitment during II WW while serving in India!!!!! 

While I was listening to History of World in 100 Objects Podcasts, few months back,

I was astounded to hear that almost 20-30 objects listed came from either Egyptian civilisation or Iraq(Sumerian Civilisation).

It was painful to read this week so many articles on mess that is happening in Egypt over medicine shortage, food shortage as well as violent suppression of human rights! So a silver lining was the Egyptian Desert farming, which saves 90% water to produce lettuce, tomato etc. With potential III WW being fought over water,this is great move. 

It is rather depressing to read morning news that 70 Bodies of refugees have washed ashore in Libiya coastal city. These were migrants to tried to move to Europe for better prospects! What was more shocking was around 5000 People drowned last year and bodies may never found! Goes to show how blessed we are to have routine life and take things for granted!! Question is how long would this last??? I would assume God's Will shall prevail.

I hope Dwigh Yorke plight was fake news?? May be not?? Man Trump !! Paranoia is it?? I tell you!!

Take care, Have a great day.
Karthik
22/2/17 0910am.

Fair & Lovely, Bad Managers, JJ, Sutton United !!!

Shades Michelle Obama

I post this in BLACK as my appreciation to Black Shade!! 

I was always thinking that the shade of Human Skin and to look fair is an obsession with Indian /South Asian women!! Imagine my shock when I heard Assignment last night during walk on how this is also a big issue facing black woman across Africa and United States! I am feeling a lot of respect for Michelle Obama how she overcame this as well as an example to other dark shaded black woman to get back some self confidence!! In an Indian context this is such a disgrace, I recollect, when I told Mom to look for a girl back in 1990s, the color, complexion etc, never even occurred to me to mention as an aspect to look for!!! Thankfully Mom, my grandmother (here with son below 1994) being a lot lot fairer, also never

used it as filter to scout potential brides!Thank Heaven for that!!!

I always look forward to Lucy Kellaway's weekly pod casts over last 7-8 years!!

She always gives a counter perspective to everything that happens in world and I tend to agree 99.999% of her view (I am being High"D" cant go along/get along as per norm).Lucy would be quitting, Financial Times after good 30 years, this summer and going to Teaching Math for school kids. What a change?. 

In this podcast, Lucy ponders about how despite world class facilities, flexi timing,good food (Good fuck too, as I know of a company that keeps condoms for disposal to employees at Bangalore; wonder they allow sex at work?hehehehhe I personally know of Pregnancy at work reported as NEAR MISS reporting ehheheheheheheheehehehheheheheheheheheheheh) people are very unhappy, uninspired, demotivated at work!! The Reason, they have bad, horrible, pathetic, lousy, idiotic Managers as their bosses to guide/chart them! I am not surprised with this as I owe my success more to my leaders who mentored/coached me and I picked tricks of the trade which I have covered in many Facebook posts!!!( I had only one very very bad boss in my 28 years! Lucky I got rid of him 7 months flat and moved to a suepr job in 1999)

Every day new twists and turns are emerging on JJ death. I wish the government goes in to bottom of this and clears all doubts! தமிழக முதல்வரும் கேள்விக்குள்ளாக்கப்பட்ட அவரது உடல் நிலையும் - ஓர் ஆய்வு  It is right of people to know how their leader died! While I am not a JJ fan (for that no politician in last 30 years) I can't help feel sorry for JJ for the way the end came to her especially last year or so! I always predicted she wouldn't pass 2016 in my tweets!! 

Until yesterday the only Sutton I know was Management Teacher Bob Sutton!!(Knowing doing gap) hahah! So today Sutton town in UK most talked about in Football. A club 102 places below Arsenal

They couldn't get past Arsenal, but boy! what a performance!! I was told that their annual wage bill of 40,000£, is half as much as what Peter Chech Arsenal goal keeper gets as Weekly wage in EPL!! This 250,000£ is windfall for them!! FA Cup is all about such teams and shows class of English Football.

Take care, have a great day, God bless
Karthik

21/2/17 0900 Hrs.

Rubber Stamp, 7£, FA CUP giant killer ,நாதாரி நாய்களா

I am of the opinion that the President of India, Governors of the Indian States are just dummy position with Rubber stamps to endorse governments at office. I cant recollect any person of political background in these two positions in my memory of 40 years have done anything useful or contributed anything to society. Oh! yes their sexcapades, greed, bills footing lakhs on pvt aircraft use makes you loathe them!!The greatest rubber stamp I recollect was VV Giri!! I also recollect cursing the death of President Fakhrudhin Ali Ahmed as Bugger died on day of Cricket test match Ind vs Eng 1977 so NO radio commentary to follow!! hahahahh!!! 

So while there is no need in a larger sense for this position, I am puzzled why this ceremonial post is lying vacant in TN over past 5 months or so! The current TN acting governor is shunting between Bombay and Madras! Shows how the current idiotic central Government cares in providing support for the process of governance however useless the position is! 

I finished reading Good old James Hadley Chase's "No Business of mine" set in 1947 UK!! a Champagne bottle cost 7£! I calculated current cost is about 300£, Intriguing!!

FA Cup always produces a Giant Killing act! This year we can expect a 5th division teams 100th & 120th ranked in FA ratings playing a potential Quarter final. (Lincoln vs possibly Sutton)  FA Cup final was non miss event to follow over Radio during 80s for me!! Don't think current Champions League can get that kind of support!! 

நாதாரி நாய்களா  Pl listen to the common man anger against MLA's who created ruckus! Watch out very very abusive language in TAMIL!! ehheeh! 99% Indian folks would use such language to PM, CM, MLA, MP, Justice system! As Justice Katju says  in this video,All should be shot or hanged including BJP Goons!! hahah! That man in Tamil audio u can hear he spits!! No wonder India grows in spite of Politicians, governance, Bureaucrats!!

Have a good day!! God Bless!
Karthik
20/2/17 0900am.

SUNDAY Evening Relaxing !!!!! 1980s!!! ++++ ஆலாலகண்டா, ஆடலுக்குத் தகப்பா, வணக்கமுங்க! அன்பே சிவம்

It is time of the day to unwind back to time!! What better way then to go back to the Music of 1980s!!!!! (esply 81-86 ripper) 


1 Billy Ocean - When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going - YouTube  #1,  Feb 1986

2 a-ha - The Sun Always Shines On TV - YouTube   #2 Feb 1986

3 Dire Straits - Walk Of Life - YouTube # 3 Feb 1986

4 Commodores - Nightshift - YouTube # 3 Feb 1985

5 Rockwell - Somebody's Watching Me - YouTube # 7 Feb 1984 !!! (Hahhahah! The IRS????)

6 Men At Work - Down Under - YouTube # 3 Feb 1984 !!!(Aussie men whacking the world Whattayy)

7 Laura Branigan - Gloria [1982] - YouTube  #3 Feb 1982!!! (What a ripper it was!)

A-ha-ha, a-ha-ha, Gloria, how's it gonna go down?
Will you meet him on the main line, or will you catch him on the rebound?
Will you marry for the money, take a lover in the afternoon?
Feel your innocence slipping away, don't believe it's comin' back soon

8 Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse of the Heart - YouTube  #2 Feb 1983

9 Toto - Africa - YouTube  #3 Feb 1983!! What a Song!! You cant resist tapping your Toe!!!

10.  Kraftwerk - The model - YouTube  #5 Feb 1982!!!  (35 years Some song just etched with you)



I rarely listen to any Indian film music post 1983 !!! ( All Hogwash) But few songs kind of touch you!! I think Lalitha Influence of she listening /watching and TV and me peep or watch, so a few songs grow in to you !!! These are a rare couple of songs! Which I listen!!!

Mazhai Thuli Mannil - Sangamam - A R Rahman Tamil Song - YouTube (My guess MS Viswanathan, Singer so perhaps subsconsiously would have paid heed!! hahahah)

ஆலாலகண்டா, ஆடலுக்குத் தகப்பா, வணக்கமுங்க! என்னை ஆடாம ஆட்டி வச்ச வணக்கமுங்க! என் காலுக்கு சலங்கையிட்ட உன் காலடிக்கு முதல் வணக்கம் என் கால் நடமாடுமையா உம்ம கட்டளைய வெல்லும் வரைக்கும் நீ உண்டு உண்டு என்ற போதும் அட இல்லை இல்லை என்றபோதும் சபை ஆடிய பாதமிது அது நிக்காது ஒருபோதும்!
மழைத்துளி மழைத்துளி மண்ணில் சங்கமம்!
உயிர்த்துளி உயிர்த்துளி வானில் சங்கமம்! உடல் பொருள் ஆவியெல்லாம் கலையில் சங்கமம்! சங்கமம்!


yaar yaar sivam anbe sivam - YouTube  (Touching Lyrics Wonder who wrote?????)!!

யார் யார் சிவம், நீ நான் சிவம்
வாழ்வே தவம் அன்பே சிவம்

ஆத்திகம் பேசும் அடியார்கெல்லாம் சிவமே அன்பாகும்
நாத்திகம் பேசும் நல்லவருக்கோ அன்பே சிவமாகும்

அன்பே சிவம் அன்பே சிவம் என்றும்
அன்பே சிவம் அன்பே சிவம் எங்கும்
அன்பே சிவம் அன்பே சிவம் என்றும்
அன்பே சிவம் அன்பே சிவம் எங்கும்

இதயம் என்பது சதைதான் என்றால் எரிதழல் நின்றுவிடும்
அன்பின் கருவி இதயம் என்றால் சாவை வென்றுவிடும்

யார் யார் சிவம், நீ நான் சிவம்

அன்பின் பார்வை சேர்ந்தவருக்கு முடிவே இல்லயடா
மனதின் நீளம் எதுவோ அதுவே வாழ்வின் நீளமடா

யார் யார் சிவம், நீ நான் சிவம்

Man 1 Hour Gone!!! Off to Walk!!! 

God Bless!!!

Karthik
1745 Hrs!!! 

ASSE, Roe vs Wade, Watchman to Mr President, Boss FILES!!! அடி வெட்டு குத்து கொல்லு

I am delighted to see that the "American Society of Safety Engineers"(ASSE) Event at Hyderabad over last 2 days went very well. Folks indicated that there were lot of learning sessions for Safety professionals. I did feel bad missing out on my presentation sessions on PROCESS SAFETY at the event due to a personal situation. ASSE India does a great job in conducting value add sessions on various topics across India and ably supported by American Folks! While ESH involvement, Engagement stems a lot from Leadership and commitment, which is sadly not the way I see now with Costs / Price tag alone coming as deciding factor in everything vs Value add event to business as was case even 15 years back! As I read Schumpeter this morning, Short termism has ruined everything ??? Blame CEO's taking excuse on Shareholder value ??? 

Know this face and Name?? Well she passed away today at the age of 69! As a conservative, I am against Abortion of pregnancy, except as done to protect woman's life or determined based on medical condition. I still feel helpless when Lalitha had to undergo termination of her first pregnancy before Radhu,due to medical complication,(One of major decision for us to quit Gujarat due very poor health care;of course not the only one!!)thankfully the system exist here in India to work that out an easy way,unlike paying heavy price in some Catholic nations like Ireland etc. Termination is thankfully a non issue here!!My view is abortions / terminations are bad /dangerous than complete delivery on Woman's physical, emotional, mental well being and least done is better!!! It was interesting that the staunch abortionist (Pro choice) rights, this lady turned against Abortion to become Pro Life in her campaign!! Life always teach lesson and turn around!!! Freakonomics had intersting take on Roe vs Wade that crimes reduced due to this historic SCOTUS Judgement!!!

Tea Seller(s) became leaders with மோ(ச)டி Modi, OPS dishing out horrible, inept performance! Now a Security Gaurd, Watchman becomes President and let's hope he is different to work his country through! Welcome to the Rock, Mr Adama Barrow, who was doing that job in London few years back! Goes to show when things work you can do wonders!! Gambia is a classic case when you have neighbours who care for fair process,dictators can't stick around! I wish him all luck!  

Boss Files is an excellent Business Podcast with Leaders on issues, success, challenges from Leadership perspective. I have listened to 5 out of 13 so far !! Discussion with Abby Wambach as Episode 1 is apt one to start the series!! The last name is an Epic lawyer in the 90s serial Picket Fences, so I decided to listen and was not disappointed!! 

US World cup Winning Soocer team at WH with Abby Wambach 

 

Late Fyuvesh Finkel as Lawyer DOUGLAS WAMBACH in Picket Fences  90s serial with his Emmy Award!!! 

I leave with Shameful Images of TN yesterday in Assembly! Picture is worth 1000 words! Do we deserve democracy???? hahahhahahah!!! Disgrace! 

Have a great Sunday, God Bless!! Stay Safe!
Karthik 

19/2/17 0910am!