tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003188358367533482024-03-19T02:03:08.303+05:30The Oxymoron ChroniclesWhen I speak no one listens but now that I have written it down maybe they might consider me a "Voice"!cjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647112947152287161noreply@blogger.comBlogger588125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-900318835836753348.post-67060086526494296252024-02-04T11:33:00.000+05:302024-02-04T11:33:42.446+05:30The Fake Death of Poonam Pandey - Did they go too far.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8sdTJ86nb1uIeOZg_G9SNYKjDraTkcwiRhfaFsnjOs5K6akj5iXrJB6H3r4TO2a0l_FxVeuLDlOVKj4eXOc8g9pYYMS3Nr4oPGlxDc6KZHPK_vpgJvbiJ_FPFmD3p3CzTQFhBeqYV1haB8OU4Br9XpuhlCVo_AtLM9U9HtvaWIchUXb0N27EnltFJTI/s4033/Picture%201.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1544" data-original-width="4033" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8sdTJ86nb1uIeOZg_G9SNYKjDraTkcwiRhfaFsnjOs5K6akj5iXrJB6H3r4TO2a0l_FxVeuLDlOVKj4eXOc8g9pYYMS3Nr4oPGlxDc6KZHPK_vpgJvbiJ_FPFmD3p3CzTQFhBeqYV1haB8OU4Br9XpuhlCVo_AtLM9U9HtvaWIchUXb0N27EnltFJTI/w400-h154/Picture%201.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /> What a shame! Another young life taken away by cancer. This was what went through my mind when I saw the news about the death of Poonam Pandey on Daily Mirror. In fact, I was a bit confused, because the Daily Mirror had said Poonam was an actor in the headline itself. But the article had a picture of what seemed like a female. “Well, these are modern times, where one cannot say if a person is a he, a she, or an it” was my response, and shrugged off any future thoughts about this situation away.<p></p><p class="graf graf--p" name="1a28">But then my Twitter feed began to fill with various posts about how all this was a scam. An online campaign done by a digital agency to create awareness of “Cervical Cancer”.<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzsMig53tCvW4IpYIwgp7jGKkLqo7khpyD6cM3s2sGWA0pkU9dS4_3774A0gt3A-ebzgo48MbMk14gcJjlDYQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p class="graf graf--p" name="1a28">Wow! That was my first response.</p><p class="graf graf--p" name="4cf7">It was not a wow of admiration though.</p><p class="graf graf--p" name="5ad5">Faking a person's death is generally associated with Insurance Fraud or Major Criminals and Gangsters who want to disappear from the face of the earth.</p><p class="graf graf--p" name="ddb3">But now it is used for communication purposes.</p><p class="graf graf--p" name="c5ff">Suddenly a quote from the book Shanthram came to mind. <strong class="markup--strong markup--p-strong">“Sometimes it is necessary to do the wrong thing for the right reasons. The important thing is to be sure that our reasons are right, and that we admit the wrong — that we do not lie to ourselves, and convince ourselves that what we do is right.”</strong></p><p class="graf graf--p" name="c720">Yes, most definitely people have now heard about cervical cancer which can be easily cured.</p><p class="graf graf--p" name="8ca0">But this truth has been based on a lie.</p><p class="graf graf--p" name="6065">We have played with people’s emotions. We have also diluted the trust people place on sources they gather information from online.</p><p class="graf graf--p" name="7222">There is a thin line between a good campaign and an absolute disaster. To me sadly this is a disaster.</p>cjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647112947152287161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-900318835836753348.post-14799308610795616582024-01-15T13:12:00.000+05:302024-01-15T13:12:18.102+05:30Suck You Evernote<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAs88NW8HKgTn2iUskVnSOI6hN2aGkXtR2gQ9YZf00kWdRI-dgjfOedzI0UqYHn1dU8R7D1QWrlOhLBzGYVXxKbSXu4YYCiha_pVsA91QvEm15p4Bk6DP7fo-qiudYwEMpfSLJBmpEjPsOdW4Y65zioBo3K88WjePwu3DNZ4RXfDruZm052BvXpZ7qT-M/s679/evernote-screenshot-november-2023.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="679" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAs88NW8HKgTn2iUskVnSOI6hN2aGkXtR2gQ9YZf00kWdRI-dgjfOedzI0UqYHn1dU8R7D1QWrlOhLBzGYVXxKbSXu4YYCiha_pVsA91QvEm15p4Bk6DP7fo-qiudYwEMpfSLJBmpEjPsOdW4Y65zioBo3K88WjePwu3DNZ4RXfDruZm052BvXpZ7qT-M/s320/evernote-screenshot-november-2023.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Relationships are extremely important to me. I consider them the building blocks of success, and take pride in the relationships have built over the years.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Sadly this is something that those who own Bending Spoons a European app manufacturer with Ryan Reynolds as an investor, have no idea about.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">This all started when they (Bending Spoons) bought an app called Evernote.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Now I have been an Evernote user since 2016.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">It has served me well.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">At certain times in my life, I have been a paid user for a couple of years.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Then all of a sudden these guys increased their annual plan by nearly double to 140 dollars a year.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">This made me reconsider my options.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">I realized the main reason why I was paying for Evernote was because it gave me the privilege of using it on three different devices instead of two.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">I also realized that I do not use it very much on the third device. It was mainly on my laptop and my phone.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">So I downgraded from the paid plan to the free tier.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">And that was when the trouble started.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Suddenly I realised that I was facing a stranglehold on what I could do on the app. And as time went by the stranglehold became tighter and tighter.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Right now you cannot open more than one notebook per month and have more than fifty notes.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">This price increase reminds me of Martin Shkreli who raised the price of a tablet of a vital Aids medicine from 13 Dollars to 750. After purchasing the license to manufacture it.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Bending Spoons, also known as BS — I cannot help but notice that BS is more popularly known as the acronym for Bull Shit — was trying to profit maximize on one side.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">While loading EN with features that might have increased the operating cost as well as made the app more clunky. This also meant that the software had to be upgraded constantly. Virtually every other day. Trust me, that’s extremely frustrating.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">I still believe they could have offered a more economical model for people such as me who use Evernote for just note-taking, restricting some of the bells and whistles.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Anyway by this time I was extremely frustrated. And decided to switch.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">So right now I am typing this on Apple Notes. Which is excellent and comes FOC with my devices.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Additionally, apple just launched a journaling app that is highly intuitive which I am testing out at the moment. Not sure I might use it long-term. And of course, there is One Note which gives me the freedom of handwriting as well as typing.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Yes, I have 8 years' worth of notes in Evernote which I shall migrate slowly but surely.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">But I wish this relationship could have ended better.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><i>“But its price and very limited free version make it hard to recommend to anyone who isn’t already using it. As such, Evernote is no longer an Editors’ Choice winner. Most people should look to OneNote instead because it works just as well and is considerably more affordable.” </i>— <b>PC Mag November 29th, 2023</b></span></p>cjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647112947152287161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-900318835836753348.post-610803979808194502023-06-29T13:40:00.001+05:302023-06-29T13:40:33.961+05:30A new invasive species threatens Yala!<div data-en-clipboard="true" data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6HSEt0LuHxZ04j9PAeZXqIUMXY9Kh4qS6un7dEEzNn62ojK_uqwA1xWaR3UvE2nnf0jmEqmMniZreDv5lFC2Z6gad25eYg0yL01WZ0zGWewRmyiudBVxR5Srf9N1ohDCveJRJsdd081JW2K9WzwWNmrPfmnJjnLOQiufIswJmL1nfN5eM1mWL7rMAx4/s4037/Picture%201.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1540" data-original-width="4037" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6HSEt0LuHxZ04j9PAeZXqIUMXY9Kh4qS6un7dEEzNn62ojK_uqwA1xWaR3UvE2nnf0jmEqmMniZreDv5lFC2Z6gad25eYg0yL01WZ0zGWewRmyiudBVxR5Srf9N1ohDCveJRJsdd081JW2K9WzwWNmrPfmnJjnLOQiufIswJmL1nfN5eM1mWL7rMAx4/s320/Picture%201.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A new alien species is invading Yala and threatening to ruin the park. They behave like animals but move about in four-wheel drive vehicles with names such as Land Rover Mahindra and Toyota.<br />“Why are you bringing this party down this track?”<br />That was the question posed to our tracker as we were doing our evening round in our own vehicle.<br />The underlying tone of this accusation was “What right do you have to bring these guys who are traveling inside Yala in their own vehicle without hiring a Safari Jeep from one of us?”<br />It's as if we were encroachers into their territory.<br />These jeep drivers believe that they are the authority when it comes to the park. Way above the pecking order than the employees of the Wild Life Department.<br />In fact, they are a law unto themselves.<br />They drive around at high speeds.<br />They block the roads.<br />They do not follow the simple etiquette of moving your vehicle after five minutes of a sighting. Giving another person an opportunity to see the animal as well.<br />All this was something I have experienced for quite some time. Without making a fuss.<br />What got my ire and motivated me to pen this article was when I saw them blocking the path of animals.<br />Elephants to be precise.<br />It was a herd of elephants with a baby wanting to cross the road and go back into the jungle after drinking water from the tank.<br />When one of these Safari Jeeps drove in and purposely blocked the very path they were going to cross.<br />Then more jeeps came and quite literally piled up one on top of the other.<br />Giving the herd no room to move at all.<br />This disturbed the elephants. So much so that two elephants stood guard blocking the vehicles till the others crossed.<br />One jeep even tried to push against the elephant and was head-butted as a result.<br />Which serves him right.<br />But this driver was putting his passengers' lives in danger as well. The vehicle could have easily toppled over. Or a passenger attacked. Since they were tourists it would have created a negative image about visiting the park. Which would ultimately affect not only the park but the Jeep Drivers as well, financially.<br />This situation has come about due to two facts.<br />One being not enough trackers to accompany every vehicle.<br />The second being the enormous political power that the Jeep drivers wield. The Wildlife Department officials are powerless in the face of it.<br />I do not trust the government to step in and correct this situation. After all it's the two-legged mammals that vote not the four-legged variety.<br />My hope is an organisation such as WNPS will come forward to provide training for these drivers along with an endorsement system that has to be renewed yearly. Those drivers who qualify can display a sticker similar to a license on their vehicles assuring the passengers of a civilised experience within the park.<br />Finally, people will be able to choose safety and decency towards animals over danger and cheap thrills.</span></p>cjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647112947152287161noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-900318835836753348.post-24036373679529877702023-04-30T22:29:00.002+05:302023-04-30T22:29:26.663+05:30The Peak End Rule and Private Hospitals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMg3hBXw5_M4VLIDZUiax9-UCCuWgMxbw9q9Dn1ZPYABW3Pf9jJ37sfEYdhyMOyTV6W-TtKfXmrntwjaFXk58k2tGhNc2npQsjCxF5XiPSi3N6ZWmxykHytA4h_6qirAV6N2UOF5t-yuvyl3K3mRw9vJ4B3kO4NVNf1AMeLqdyQgFbo6dVpSL1brTy/s4060/Linked%20in%201.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1549" data-original-width="4060" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMg3hBXw5_M4VLIDZUiax9-UCCuWgMxbw9q9Dn1ZPYABW3Pf9jJ37sfEYdhyMOyTV6W-TtKfXmrntwjaFXk58k2tGhNc2npQsjCxF5XiPSi3N6ZWmxykHytA4h_6qirAV6N2UOF5t-yuvyl3K3mRw9vJ4B3kO4NVNf1AMeLqdyQgFbo6dVpSL1brTy/w400-h153/Linked%20in%201.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div data-en-clipboard="true" data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-size: large;">People remember past events through intense positive or negative experiences (the Peak) and the final moment of an experience (the end).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If the final moment is negative then his memory of that experience would be negative.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">This is the Peak End Rule developed by Daniel Kahneman the only psychologist to win a Nobel Prize for economics.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0tcTNIAmOFe-rsK3KuW3WnAqlHPwmy_6wrlJVNnXTSp64EQU4R1wnsj4arGFflOUyhiSgS89M9kWVVls3jpOsR7031pjnbUkxtJbXGi00HnCpTis-1pXiTGjfevLTr9nEfpA1cTAm3rJaP3vX1q5_t3RCCKIdtF4vH0G3GgDsMDWyqjsVBvrzUUW/s1078/Screenshot%202023-04-30%20at%2019.07.41.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="1078" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0tcTNIAmOFe-rsK3KuW3WnAqlHPwmy_6wrlJVNnXTSp64EQU4R1wnsj4arGFflOUyhiSgS89M9kWVVls3jpOsR7031pjnbUkxtJbXGi00HnCpTis-1pXiTGjfevLTr9nEfpA1cTAm3rJaP3vX1q5_t3RCCKIdtF4vH0G3GgDsMDWyqjsVBvrzUUW/s320/Screenshot%202023-04-30%20at%2019.07.41.png" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">Now let me share my experience about discharging a close colleague from a reputed private hospital post-surgery.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Frustrating, Horrible, and Nightmarish would be some of the words which come to mind.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The doctor discharges the patient at 5.30</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It takes more than 2.5 hours for the bill to get ready. The main reason being that the consultant has not given his fees.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He is in surgery. He will give his fees only after he knows what the total hospital charges are. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Once this is done the insurance takes another two-three hours to process the payment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the meantime the nursing station has quite literally forgotten about the patient who is still suffering from post-surgical pain. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It's understandable. Technically the patient is discharged. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">We had to go and ask to remove the Cannula. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The night medicines were given only after we asked for it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The patient had asked for a banana to eat to take the medicine. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Asked one nurse there was no response. Called the F&B Section, and they say to call the nursing station. Tells the nursing station once more. The Banana comes after nearly 1.5 hours. Sadly everyone scolds the waiters though it is not their fault.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The final nail in the coffin was that the accounts department told me to come to the first floor to settle the bill. But did not have the foresight to tell me that I need to take a different lift. As the usual lift takes you to a car park. You are left scratching your head wondering where to go.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Once everything is done and finalized. The patient left the hospital only at 10 p.m</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">4.5 hours after the discharge.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">No one really wants to be stuck in a hospital for 4.5 hours. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It seems that no hospital is looking at this from a client experience point of view. I have heard similar complaints from patients across most private hospitals in Sri Lanka.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The biggest problem is the lack of communication and the passing down of information.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">No one bothers to keep the patient appraised of the situation. So they are in their room, wondering what is happening. Anxiety levels rising as each moment passes.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If you look at it, all that is required is a simple step to make the discharge process less frustrating.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Having a Guest Relations Officer (GRO) take over the patient from the moment of discharge. Keeping the patient informed and making sure she/he is cared for. Along with an accounts department that would bring the bill to the client's room along with a wireless credit card machine.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But no one has thought of it. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="color: #1d1d1d;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span data-markholder="true"></span></span></span></p><div marginbottom="26" style="margin-bottom: 26px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thereby ensuring most of their clients leave with negative memories of an unpleasant experience even though they are healed of life-threatening disease.</span></div>cjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647112947152287161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-900318835836753348.post-89026484415520918722023-04-13T15:33:00.000+05:302023-04-13T15:33:02.100+05:30Warning: We Humans can be easily manipulated.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTRhaxTKLWIgSw7KYd8-P8A3mG38mlcblBZ4mluwog11A7wW0sUJ_hfbqErXq10OsVjc4iRJ-Jl-KgWNtd2_uuFnedoVKPFMsBgEPIWohib7abhV6z6rDKERkXM9HQcY-3U11VYblU22mIM3Wgd3dK_r15sU0f4OTngS5cs2ZMpTai4D9u4VNyi7g/s1365/LAOLOKUWHHOZVOQ5V6UGIQHAPA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1365" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTRhaxTKLWIgSw7KYd8-P8A3mG38mlcblBZ4mluwog11A7wW0sUJ_hfbqErXq10OsVjc4iRJ-Jl-KgWNtd2_uuFnedoVKPFMsBgEPIWohib7abhV6z6rDKERkXM9HQcY-3U11VYblU22mIM3Wgd3dK_r15sU0f4OTngS5cs2ZMpTai4D9u4VNyi7g/s320/LAOLOKUWHHOZVOQ5V6UGIQHAPA.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div data-en-clipboard="true" data-pm-slice="1 1 []">They say seeing is believing.</div><div>I guess for hundreds and thousands of years this was true. </div><div>But our eyes can be easily tricked. </div><div>Hence the reason why magicians have been making money since time immemorial.</div><div>But in today's modern world of ai, deep fake and being able to splice together a video on your handphone, this is no longer true.</div><div>This is what I saw happening when a video started going viral about the Dalai Lama asking a boy to eat his tongue.</div><div>I saw the outrage turning into a giant inferno. </div><div>I held back from commenting on it. Mainly because I did not want to add fuel to a burning issue. And something kept holding me back. </div><div>A deep gut feeling saying all that you see may not be true.</div><div>I know for a fact that it is a custom in Tibet to greet someone by putting their tongue out at them. Also if you go to Europe, virtually everyone kisses on the lips. </div><div>Fortunately for me, I came across this video which outlines the context of this entire situation whilst showing the complete unedited footage. </div><div><iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/bT0qey5Ts78" width="480"></iframe></div><div>The fact that the boy's mom is also present, sitting on the stage, just a couple of feet away from Dalai Lama, and her expressions right throughout also helped me to understand that this would not have been a threatening situation for the child.</div><div>It was only then I realised how easily we can be manipulated. Even I am guilty of jumping into conclusions hastily. Without realising that there are three sides to a story. The actual truth, what one person says and what the other person says.</div><div>Because we have been conditioned through many thousands of years that seeing is believing.</div>cjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647112947152287161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-900318835836753348.post-40687656980122300202023-04-13T15:24:00.000+05:302023-04-13T15:24:11.505+05:30Its all about Perspective<p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7esTEGIhbfZGrLTk8jGj6kbC-9Nc77z6LIXnuaw6FwdopxKQLPQ4mI7LicZHXDjFkNvuQopsYNuR0IcgHv7XuiqUUpK70PQ7oxQKMq-JKnMvGh1hHkajFjOm2UpNsEsieKDWmgmcleQxOfg8liLwEjc6GLHicVrfYoLmf4OKIelHywzr2FOEq4R7/s670/c1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="670" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7esTEGIhbfZGrLTk8jGj6kbC-9Nc77z6LIXnuaw6FwdopxKQLPQ4mI7LicZHXDjFkNvuQopsYNuR0IcgHv7XuiqUUpK70PQ7oxQKMq-JKnMvGh1hHkajFjOm2UpNsEsieKDWmgmcleQxOfg8liLwEjc6GLHicVrfYoLmf4OKIelHywzr2FOEq4R7/s320/c1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />They say the grass is always greener on the other side.<p></p><p>Recently I experienced a situation that brought out the truth of that statement in the most amazing manner.</p><div>The story begins many decades ago.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was not a very rich kid. Which meant that I did not have that much money to spend on the school canteen.</div><div><br /></div><div>The food in that school canteen seemed as attractive as gold to me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Seriously.</div><div><br /></div><div>The rolls and the patties and the egg buns were something that I could see but could not touch. It was unattainable in my eyes.</div><div><br /></div><div>I used to envy the boys that had money and used to eat constantly from the canteen.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sometimes they would share a morsel with me. </div><div><br /></div><div>I would feel extremely sorry for myself.</div><div><br /></div><div>And feel ashamed of the sandwiches which I brought from home that my poor mom made every morning.</div><div><br /></div><div>Two slices of bread. With Jam or pol sambol or seeni sambol and boiled egg.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was spicy. It was homemade. It was fresh.</div><div><br /></div><div>And most importantly made with love.</div><div><br /></div><div>Attributes that I was blind to.</div><div><br /></div><div>Till I met some classmates many years later.</div><div><br /></div><div>They were the kids who used to eat from the canteen all the time.</div><div><br /></div><div>We were chatting and reminiscing about our school days. </div><div><br /></div><div>When one of them said. “You know we were so envious of the food you used to bring from home. Whilst we had to eat from the canteen”.</div><div><br /></div><div>“Your food looked so good”.</div><div><br /></div><div>I resented the fact that I had to bring my food from home.</div><div><br /></div><div>They resented the fact they could not bring food from home.</div><div><br /></div><div>The grass is definitely greener on the other side.</div>cjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647112947152287161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-900318835836753348.post-89927001424264480722022-04-20T14:59:00.001+05:302022-04-20T14:59:46.205+05:30Protests, Strategy and Pablo Escobar<div data-en-clipboard="true" data-pm-slice="1 1 []"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yBtwCxmyQdypc029oQlchhM3eoIjIitBX7GRSOJ-bg12HVix1eKx2se-cKEQEVq7uki4xI8rWB9PvvoY-fV9GXt2-OUtwZlbRYoL6ATEx2PbFnUK-L8ULUL8bfxN6VjAL_cALzkhwx9raosvujId7ScnD_919vjO_IaZ92LqVyL9JErAHoqS4NU6/s1833/test.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="704" data-original-width="1833" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yBtwCxmyQdypc029oQlchhM3eoIjIitBX7GRSOJ-bg12HVix1eKx2se-cKEQEVq7uki4xI8rWB9PvvoY-fV9GXt2-OUtwZlbRYoL6ATEx2PbFnUK-L8ULUL8bfxN6VjAL_cALzkhwx9raosvujId7ScnD_919vjO_IaZ92LqVyL9JErAHoqS4NU6/w516-h199/test.png" width="516" /></a></div><br /></div><div data-en-clipboard="true" data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span style="font-size: medium;">I loved Narcos, the story about the life of Pablo Escobar on Netflix.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Escobar unleashed a lot of violence wanting the Colombian government to bend to his will.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">But they did not budge.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Till one day someone told him that you need to hit them (The government MP’s) where it hurts.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And that is exactly what he did.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He started kidnapping and harming the children and the grandchildren of those who were in power.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Suddenly the entire government was putty in his hands.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">They were so afraid that they let him build his own luxury prison, in a location chosen by him, guarded by his own thugs.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The government forces could not come within a couple of kilometers of this so-called prison.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It was more like a party palace surrounded by high-security fencing and guard posts.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">That is the power of hitting someone where it hurts.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And I see similar thinking in play in the current Go Home Gota protests we see in Sri Lanka.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For instance, people protesting outside GR’s son's house. Even though it was short-lived. There is a fine of 10,000 Dollars for doing this kind of thing in Los Angeles.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Then there was the letter to NRs wife. A letter that made my blood curdle as it was written with so much venom and anger.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I also saw a call for all the black magicians to come together to create the mother of all spell casting ceremonies. A virtual wood stock of spells, curses, and all things evil. I am not sure if it was real or a joke.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">If it was real, then they would have definitely taken note of it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Because we have all seen the red threads adorning the wrists of politicians on all sides.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Plus all the little paraphernalia of charms and gadgets which they carry for good luck and protection.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">However, the best piece of strategy I saw had nothing to do with Escobar.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">It was to do with Rory Sutherland who said that the complete opposite of a good idea is not necessarily a bad idea, and can turn out to be a great one. This was with reference to the fact that the only beverage which successfully competed with coke during the past decade, was not another cola but Red Bull.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Anyway, this happened during a protest at the Peradeniya campus. The police had set up barricades. They were expecting the students to push against the barricades. Instead of pushing, they pulled. Running away with the barricades. Much to the surprise and the anguish of the police.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">I for one am delighted to see so much instinctual strategy in play at ground level. Even though this is just the beginning and there is much more to come.</span></div>cjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647112947152287161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-900318835836753348.post-85846036906781066182021-07-24T13:29:00.001+05:302021-07-24T13:29:54.569+05:30At first I laughed and then I was impressed.<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_GevXETH_bA/YPvH8f-PsrI/AAAAAAAApK4/pOMVvztMH6kgcMhcRJAJQoTwM3LGesNUQCLcBGAsYHQ/s480/IMG_7284.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_GevXETH_bA/YPvH8f-PsrI/AAAAAAAApK4/pOMVvztMH6kgcMhcRJAJQoTwM3LGesNUQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_7284.PNG" width="320" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">I saw a lot of people ridiculing this poster encouraging people to take selfies whilst getting the vaccine.</span><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In fact, I too thought it was quite silly and funny at first.<br />It was only later on, that it struck me that this was a masterpiece of behavioral psychology in action.<br />In fact, I think it is quite a bold and forward-thinking step by the ministry of health or whoever thought of it, to come up with such a novel idea.<br />I am quite sure by encouraging selfies whilst being vaccinated will contribute immensely to reduce vaccine hesitancy and scare amongst a lot of people. Kudos to whoever that came up with this brilliant piece of communication and had the balls to execute it knowing that most people might misunderstand the intention.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>cjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647112947152287161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-900318835836753348.post-16576224281964958192021-07-24T10:05:00.002+05:302021-07-24T10:05:45.461+05:30Easier Done than Said<br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3XmVtig9Qio/YPuX16fYxxI/AAAAAAAApKw/aBEjgEMKQSEzwo9eJuOjqIq9qwzAjbMUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2EC8AD19-71E1-4352-AD37-ED6096100409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3XmVtig9Qio/YPuX16fYxxI/AAAAAAAApKw/aBEjgEMKQSEzwo9eJuOjqIq9qwzAjbMUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2EC8AD19-71E1-4352-AD37-ED6096100409.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">The purpose of an army is to fight the enemy and protect their country. They are trained to fight and be tough in any circumstances. <br /><br />However, the Sri Lankan Army had to do an about-face when it came to the battle against covid 19. They were at the forefront of our vaccination drive. </span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />And I was lucky enough to get my vaccine from a vaccination center managed and operated by the Sri Lankan army.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />I was expecting to be treated with a certain degree of gruffness. To have commands shouted at me. Like they do to young trainees in the movies. But all I saw was absolute kindness, gentleness, and caring by everyone. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">From the soldier standing guard outside, carrying a menacing machine gun, to the persons who were directing and registering the people coming in, and the medical staff on duty. Never have I seen such clockwork-like precision, efficiency, and dedication.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />It took me less than thirty minutes to go in and come out. It would have been even shorter if not for me taking the time to fill out the consent form. I was impressed that they even had a box full of pens that we could use if we had forgotten to bring our own pen, which I had.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />I have not been a big fan of most of the things which this government has been doing even though I voted for them. Best out of the bad lot as I say. But I must say in this instance they are doing something right. And we need to applaud the good with equal intensity as we criticize the bad. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><br /></div>cjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647112947152287161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-900318835836753348.post-26841244578916167372021-06-22T20:42:00.001+05:302021-06-22T20:49:29.762+05:30Post Hoc Ergo Procter Hoc<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bMFHyoZgxlk/YNH9h2t6i0I/AAAAAAAApGg/h76xGxWmyIsHJU8A0jBHVUwbTfLyi5mMwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bMFHyoZgxlk/YNH9h2t6i0I/AAAAAAAApGg/h76xGxWmyIsHJU8A0jBHVUwbTfLyi5mMwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div>If you have studied logic then this phrase would be familiar to you.<div>If not, it means, after this, therefore, because of this in Latin.</div><div>It is also a term used to describe when people connect two unrelated articles to arrive at a conclusion.<br />For instance, a black cat crossed the road in the morning and therefore I had an accident later on.<br />I scored less in the exam because I forgot to wear my lucky shirt.<br />I am sure you can think of many such incidents in your life.<br />I witnessed one such incident on a global scale recently.</div><div>When it came to the news of Ronaldo bringing down the share price of Coca-Cola.<br />I really do not need to elaborate more as you are bound to have heard about this unless you are living under a rock.<br />Social Media was ablaze with people quoting, tweeting, and doing TikTok's about this.<br />In fact, some friends called me just to share the news.<br />From board rooms to Newsrooms people were discussing intently the might of the influencer. <div>The power of social media. And of course David Vs Goliath and similar tales of such ilk.<br />Even I joined the bandwagon.<br />Then something odd caught my eye. Even though the graphs that were being shown and the figure of 4 BILLION DOLLARS made it look like a large amount of money; if you take a closer look, the price reduction was just 90 cents or 1.6%.<br />Which is not much, when it comes to a day's trading.<br />And then I came across <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/iese/2021/06/19/a-post-truth-world-why-ronaldo-did-not-move-coca-cola-share-price/?utm_campaign=socialflowForbesMainTwitter&utm_medium=social&utm_source=ForbesMainTwitter&sh=22043c70efbb" target="_blank">this</a> article in the Forbes Magazine which explained things in detail. Let me quote from the article.<br />"It is true that Ronaldo, in front of the press, declined to drink the strategically-placed Coca-Colas on offer. It is also true that, by the time the press conference was over, Coca-Cola’s value was down $4 billion. However, there were other factors affecting the beverage giant’s stock price."<br />Coca-Cola has 4.3 billion shares, and closed on Friday, June 11, with a share price of $56.16 for a market value of $242 billion.<br />On Monday, June 14, Coca-Cola opened lower, at 9:30 a.m. EST.<br />At 9:40 a.m. EST, its stock price was $55.26 (down 1.6%) and the market value had dipped to $238 billion, $4 billion lower than the prior day.<br />Cristiano Ronaldo moves the Coca-Cola bottles at 9.43 a.m. EST, and says “Água”.<br />In other words, Ronaldo's action did not have any effect on the stock price.<br />In fact, it was a natural price movement as Coca-Cola had just finished paying dividends to its shareholders thus making the share less attractive.<br />But some of us are prone to believe what we would like to believe.<br />So much so there is a phrase for it. Confirmation Bias.<br />But in the end, all it was is a classic case of "Post Hoc Ergo Procter Hoc".</div></div>cjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647112947152287161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-900318835836753348.post-12772099437719767722021-06-18T13:54:00.000+05:302021-06-18T13:54:42.194+05:30Can you actually prevent people from drinking by banning liquor sales?<div data-en-clipboard="true" data-pm-slice="1 1 []" style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hxIMwmJcLqs/YMxWxV0AfAI/AAAAAAAApF4/R4s7x167hxU0fjy1rpr7MpDP5Ft7aV_DwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="870" height="213" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hxIMwmJcLqs/YMxWxV0AfAI/AAAAAAAApF4/R4s7x167hxU0fjy1rpr7MpDP5Ft7aV_DwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a><div data-en-clipboard="true" data-pm-slice="1 1 []">So everyone was agog with excitement when it was announced that the Ministry of Finance has given the go-ahead for online liquor sales.</div><div>However, within the next couple of hours, their hopes were dashed when our not-so-loved Army commander stated that the Covid Prevention task force has not given permission to do so.</div><div>There were several other groups who were vociferously against this as well. For various reasons of their own.</div><div>But the important question to ask is are they actually preventing people from drinking?</div><div>The answer is a resounding No.</div><div>Those who drink will still drink. By hook or by crook. If it's not booze bought at black market prices then it will be moonshine.</div><div>I was watching an interview online with the Commissioner-General of Excise. He stated that the banning of liquor sales was a double-edged sword.</div><div>On one side the government is losing much-needed revenue. On the other side, there will be an additional strain on our already stretched medical services due to Alcohol poisoning as more and more people turn to Moonshine.</div><div>Anyway, I have always been puzzled by our society's and thereby our government's attitude towards alcohol.</div><div>Why are we trying to control it so much? What is our problem with it?</div><div>Of course, I don't mean that alcohol should be given freely to youngsters. I believe that a more moderate stance should be taken where we promote responsible drinking instead of these fanatical arbitrary measures. Even in India who I thought was far more fanatical than we are, one can order and have liquor delivered to your home.</div><div>If an adult wants to purchase a bottle of alcohol why should so many obstacles be placed on his way.</div><div>I said he and not she intentionally.</div><div>Because even in these modern times it is illegal for a female to purchase alcohol. Yes, the law was removed but then it was reintroduced 4 days later.</div><div>Fortunately, the law is not enforced. Other than bringing us international shame it looms over us like a sword of Damocles to be used by some unscrupulous law enforcement authority to violate human rights.</div><div>Some are against the sale of liquor saying it deteriorates our social fabric. That alcohol leads to violence and abuse.</div><div>I do not deny that. Of course, there are more than a few instances where we have seen inebriated people resort to violence.</div><div>But does that mean ALL those who drink behave in such an irresponsible manner? No!</div><div>Then why punish the whole for the mistakes of a few?</div><div>My personal point of view is Alcohol does not CAUSE social issues. But people are lead to drink BECAUSE of the social issues they face.</div><div>Others say it is because of our Buddhist Heritage.</div><div>Again, if we followed the principles of Lord Buddha, then we should stop drinking on our own accord. Instead of being forced to do so.</div><div>In non-lockdown times during Poson liquor sales would be banned for 5 days.</div><div>Does it stop anyone from drinking? No, people just stock up, as you can see from the lines outside the liquor stores during pre-poya days.</div><div>And the worst is those who enact these laws do not practice what they preach. As we saw recently when the Sathosa outlet in Anuradhapura was forced open, apparently by the army and 8000 bottles of liquor were "Bought".</div><div>In the end, all this is nothing but pious posturing. To impress who? I am yet to figure it out.</div><div>Why aren't the so-called representatives of the people making some noise about the downside of the liquor ban?</div><div>Well, one main reason is that when liquor is sold through the official channels, it is the government coffers that get filled. However, when it is sold illegally it is the pockets of the black marketers and Kassippu Mudalali's that are getting filled. They are the same people who will fund the political campaigns of our representatives when it comes to election time.</div><div>Frustrating much? It sure is for me. I need a drink to make it all go away. </div></div>cjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647112947152287161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-900318835836753348.post-11306485537163428652018-04-12T15:23:00.001+05:302018-04-12T15:23:45.490+05:30Want to stop people shitting all over you?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Then the first thing is to stop them climbing over your head.<br />This was the train of thought in a conversation I had recently on how to deal with bullies. <br />Bullies come in many forms. Not necessarily the type who push you around or say bad things at you when you were young. They could be in the form of friends colleagues or even relations. One thing about bullies is that they will keep exerting pressure till you snap. The more you yield the more pressure they will exert. <br />Sadly many of us don't realize this. We allow the bully to exert more and more pressure on us hoping they will stop at a certain point. But they never do and they never will. Then when finally the damn bursts the collateral damage is quite bad. Relationships are shattered as egos are hurt and sometimes the pieces will never be able to be put back together once more.<br />However their is an alternative to avoiding extensive collateral damage. That is to resist right at the beginning when you realize someone is bullying you. By nipping things in the bud you can turn your bullies into faithful allies. It has happened to me.<br />The more I think about it the analogy of not allowing people to climb on top of your head makes sense in this kind of situation.<br />Because when they are on top of your head and you push them off then the fall to the ground and the consequences are far more damaging. It is far more easier and far less damaging to brush them off when they are clamoring around your ankles.</div>
cjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647112947152287161noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-900318835836753348.post-54294865480688876802018-03-03T13:52:00.001+05:302018-03-03T13:52:52.812+05:30Have you heard of the Insulin Index?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
If you are like me it is highly likely that you have not. <br />
And like me if you have been trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle and reduce weight I am quite sure you might be quite familiar with the Glycemic Index or "GI" as we all know it.<br />
I used to follow the GI quite religiously and eat a lot of proteins and egg whites thinking I was being healthy.<br />
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Then I came across this video by Dr. Eric Berg on Youtube which quite literally turned my world upside down.<br />
What I realized was that certain low GI foods can be as bad as high GI foods. Because they too can trigger insulin. <br />
For instance weigh protein, Beef and Egg whites all trigger insulin in your system. Which means it is really not helping you to loose weight. The only way to reduce its Insulin creating capability is to mix it with good fat such as butter or coconut oil or the yolk when it comes to eggs. <br />
Now I know some of you who have been throwing away the nice, juicy pieces of fat in your meats must be banging your heads in absolute frustration. Do not despair.<br />
Because if you are like me and love all things "bacon" then you will be delighted to know that that is one of the few foods which is really low on the Insulin Index. Yeah!</div>
cjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647112947152287161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-900318835836753348.post-58545348267587677242018-02-19T20:54:00.000+05:302018-02-19T20:55:29.634+05:30Do you know what a wake lock is?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I did not think so. Neither did I to be honest.</div>
Until quite recently when my trusty Samsung note 4 started acting up. It suddenly started lagging or going into standby mode and not waking up. It also used to restart automatically at the most crucial moments. Leaving me helpless in the middle of a client call or whilst wanting to order a cab in a hurry. <br />
I wiped the cache. Did a factory reset. Not once but maybe a dozen of times to no avail. After much suffering I realized that it was not necessarily something wrong with my phone; it could be something wrong with the software. And I was right. After going through some of the android forums I found that there were many Note 4 users who were experiencing the same thing as I was thanks to the the marshmallow 6 update. <br />
Fortunately one particular post I was reading talked about a wake lock. Which turned out to be a simple piece of software which prevents the phone from going into standby mode. I must confess that the description of the google play page and the screen captures of GUI really did not give me any confidence. Mainly because it is described as a power manager (which reads as battery saver in my non tech eyes) However I took a leap of faith and installed the software. And it did the trick.<br />
What relief! I must admit that my phone was not 100% back to normal. Maybe it was back to 80% of what it was. But that was good enough for me. It gave me the freedom to bide my time in getting a new phone instead of having to rush into it in emergency mode.<br />
I am so grateful for that single article about the wake lock. I am sure there must be thousands of others who are experiencing the same problem I did and I sincerely hope that you come across this article and it helps you to come up with a decent solution.<br />
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cjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647112947152287161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-900318835836753348.post-57782314656833649032017-07-03T19:47:00.001+05:302017-07-03T19:47:51.924+05:30Sunsets, Cocktails and Solitude<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It is 5.30 in the evening. You are seated by the sea.</div>
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The wind blows through your hair. The sound of waves gently slapping against the rocks gives you a strange sense of comfort.<div>
You take a sip of a delicious cocktail and heave a sigh of relief as you feel the days stress evaporate off your body whilst your eyes feast on a magnificent sunset. </div>
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You smile contentedly to yourself knowing that this is a luxury only you will enjoy and that there is no one else around to disturb your peace.</div>
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Sounds quite amazing doesn't it? <br />Somehow I thought to enjoy this kind of experience one would have to go out of town. Maybe deep down south on a non mercantile holiday. But to my delight I discovered that one could immerse ones self in such an experience in the heart of the city.<br />At the Sea Spray sea food restaurant of the Galle Face Hotel.<br />Their is a high probability you might not have heard of it. </div>
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The Sea Spray restaurant is a poor imitation of Kingsbury's Ocean and Cinnamon Grands Lagoon. They might fall short on quality but one thing they have over the others is an amazing sea view slap bang by its side.<br />Those few who have heard of it know it as a some what popular dining destination. <br />Only a tiny minority know that the restaurant opens their bar at 5 in the evening so that you can sit on the terrace and sip a cocktail enjoying a picture post card view of a stunning sun set.<br />Sadly their kitchen opens only at 7 so you really don't have anything substantial to munch on, other than the few bread fruit chips which they place on your table. Sadly they were not in a position to deliver food from the coffee shop or main kitchen when I asked them if they would do so. <br />It is indeed a shame. </div>
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But this is just a tiny irritant when compared to the total wow of the experience you are getting. For the price of a single drink at that.<br />Now that you have heard about it I am sure you are wanting to go and check it out. Please do. But do me a favour? Don't tell anyone else about it. Lets keep it our little secret.</div>
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cjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647112947152287161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-900318835836753348.post-26235372444058978642017-06-20T13:36:00.000+05:302017-06-20T13:36:33.178+05:30Zilch<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />What do you give a woman?<br /><br />A woman who has everything? <br /><br />Everything... except<br /><br />Love, care and tenderness<br /><br />You can't buy it off the shelf<br /><br />You cannot order it off ebay, Amazon or takas dot lk<br /><br />You can't wrap it up....<br /><br />Or have it presented in a wicker basket...<br /><br />With babies breath, assorted greenery and a quaint little card made of recycled paper... <br /><br />No you can't pour it into a bottle...<br /><br />Not even the fancy ones with divine shapes and vibrant colors<br /><br /><div>
With spray nozzlez on top which they call atomizers...<br /><br />Winnie the poo said it is a feeling... <br /><br />I am sure you consider that thought is appealing <br /><br />But I am gallantly searching<br /><br />How to catch; <br /><br />bottle or wrap?<br /><br />The tenderness of a gentle kiss on ones forhead <br /><br />The warmth of a long hug which goes beyond minutes<br /><br />the soft texture of lips on skin<br /><br />But so far <br /><br />All I have come up with....<br /><br />is zilch.</div>
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cjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647112947152287161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-900318835836753348.post-46334749033836890992017-06-19T14:48:00.002+05:302017-06-19T14:52:43.584+05:30Prawn 65 - The dish that taught me a life lesson<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Generally life lessons are learnt when you face something tragic or some kind of hardship.<br />
But in my case I learnt a life lesson in a lovely restaurant experiencing something delicious.<br />
Life is indeed bliss!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love their "Chai tea"</td></tr>
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This happened when I stepped into one of my favourite haunts Chutneys at the Cinnamon Grand. I find going through a menu somewhat of a chore. Especially when I am sipping on an amazingly lovely Chai tea which they are famous for. So I decided to ask the waiter instead. After all he came across as a rather nice and helpful chap with a willing to please attitude. <br />
This was one of the best decisions I have made in my life.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The amazingly tasty prawn dish with the uninspiring name!</td></tr>
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He recommended a prawn dish which was out of this world and truly a sensation on the palate. Later on I asked him to point out the dish on the menu so I could order it another day as well as recommend it to my friends. It was then that I was told that this dish was a new invention by the chef and that it was not on the menu. In fact at that particular time it was not even named. Though now it boasts the uninspiring moniker of "Prawn 65". <br />
Somehow this little incident made me put my philosophical hat on.<br />
It made me realise that this is quite similar to how most of us make decisions in life. We try to choose from a menu of "expected/established" choices instead of looking beyond the pages for that perfect solution .<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Chutny's Margarita's are wonderful too!</td></tr>
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cjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647112947152287161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-900318835836753348.post-26402228928625983642017-06-15T13:10:00.001+05:302017-06-15T13:10:59.581+05:30The difference between Genuine Love and Attachment<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Came across this amazingly insightful video on youtube which I wanted to share. Below is the transcript of what was said:
"The problem is that always we mistake the idea of love forattachment. We imagine that the grasping and clinging that we have for in our relationships shows that we love, where as actually it is justattachment, which causes pain. Because the more we grasp, the more we are afraid to lose, then if we do lose, of course we are going to suffer.<br />
Attachment says: you know I love you, therefore I want you to make me happy.<br />
Genuine love says: I love you, therefore I want you to be happy. If that includes me, great. If it doesn't include me, I just want your happiness.<br />
Attachment is like holding very tight, but genuine love is like holding very gently, nurturing, but allowing things to flow, not to be held tightly.<br />
The more tight we hold on to others the more we will suffer, but it's very hard for people to understand that, because they think that the more they hold on to someone, the more it shows that they care about them,but it's not.<br />
Its really just that they're holding and grasping so tightly because they are afraid that they themselves will be hurt.<br />
Any kind of relationship that imagines that we can fulfill ourselves through another, is bound to be tricky.<br />
Ideally people should come together already feeling fulfilled within themselves, and thus just appreciating that in the other, rather that expecting the other to supply that well-being, which they don't (but should) feel on their own..." <br />
- Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo</div>
cjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647112947152287161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-900318835836753348.post-59575321669698189562017-06-12T20:36:00.000+05:302017-06-12T20:39:07.974+05:30Gal Oya – The absolutely quiet National Park<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Boatman against the setting sun</td></tr>
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It is an absolutely strange feeling to stand in the middle of the jungle and only hear the sound of nature. Without being interspersed with the sound of vehicle engines, loud music or the screeching emanating from the loud speakers of a religious institution.<br />
As surprising and contradictory as this statement sounds this has been the sad reality of my life. <br />
Until I landed in the beautifully quiet Gal Oya National park.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Main Road leading to the park</td></tr>
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Off the beaten track and off many peoples travel itinerary it is 252 square miles of pure perfection in the South East corner of our island. This park is so isolated on average it receives 4 je<span style="text-align: center;">ep loads of visitors a week instead of the 400 a day like certain other parks do. </span><br />
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But you will find the eight hour drive from Colombo absolutely worth it because this is the only park belonging to the Wild Life Department where the Safari's are done by boat. The boat service is operated by the Wild Life department itself, is roughly three hours in duration. If you are nice they will allow you to get off at certain points and track an elephant or get up close and personal with some of the amazing bird life. <br />
You can see elephants and deer quite easily but Leopard and bear have been elusive even though they have made their presence known by the spoor and track marks they have left behind. To me it is a huge relief because sometimes the pressure of MUST seeing a bear or a leopard takes away ones attention from appreciating the true beauty of the jungle.<br />
The Wild Life department operates two bungalows which you can rent. One is Ek Gal Oya and the other is called the bunt bungalow because it is right on the bund of the lake and offers some magnificent views.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ek-gal-oya Bungalow</td></tr>
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If you would you rather have your jungle experience in peace and tranquility? Without the traffic jams, rude drivers speeding recklessly and hoards of people climbing on top of one another to get a glimpse of the next trophy sighting? Then the Gal Oya Park is the perfect place for you.</div>
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cjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647112947152287161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-900318835836753348.post-34387211406696196932017-01-17T16:41:00.000+05:302017-01-17T16:41:55.873+05:30Scenes from another life...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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They rushed into each others arms and kiss. <br />
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Deeply... Passionately... Lovingly...<br />
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She runs her fingers through her hair feeling its softness. <br />
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He caresses her face and tenderly lifts her chin up with his fingers and looks at the fresh lovebites on her neck. <br />
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"So is there someone in your life now" he asks.. <br />
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"Yes" she says "you know my feelings for you will never change but you have **** in your life". <br />
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"I understand" he brings her close to him and holds her tight. <br />
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They sit. Their bodies touching one anothers. Their arms around each other. <br />
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She tells him her story. <br />
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How they met. Who he is. What he does. How he treats her. How she feels.<br />
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He listens intently. <br />
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It is then that he realises that she is here seeking his blessing. In order to break free from the heart strings that has bound them for so long. <br />
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He strokes her hair gently and says "I am happy for you". <br />
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A smile of relief spreads across her face. In direct contrast to the tears in her eyes. <br />
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They kiss. They hug. They hold each other close for one last time. <br />
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They part. </div>
cjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647112947152287161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-900318835836753348.post-53075550419200980712017-01-05T11:41:00.000+05:302017-01-05T11:44:44.807+05:30Ironic Conversations in life...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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"Don't you like her?" I ask him<br />
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"Of course I do"</div>
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"Isn't she every thing you ever wanted?" </div>
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Yes she is... Kind, caring attractive vivacious intelligent. As if my vision of a perfect woman has been brought to life".</div>
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"Isn't there mutual attraction?"</div>
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"Of course there is"</div>
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"So then why are you holding back?" "Why aren't you making a move?"</div>
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"Because she can give me everything I want but I can't give her what she needs."</div>
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" As a lover I can only provide a temporary shelter but as a friend I can be a permanent safe harbor for her."</div>
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cjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647112947152287161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-900318835836753348.post-57964888589973808922016-07-28T20:10:00.000+05:302016-07-28T20:10:48.870+05:30Jobs the movie....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I thought I would be inspired... I was. <br />I thought I would be motivated.... I was<br />But I never thought I would be moved to tears while watching the movie Jobs... I was. <br />I had read most of the books on Steve Jobs. Devoured virtually all of the articles about his life. I thought I knew all that there was to know about him. <br />In fact I was hesitant in picking up this movie. <br />But this had something which a documentary or profile does not usually have: emotion. <br />There is a point of caution however. In the end you have to realize that this is a movie inspired by the life of Steve Jobs. Not a movie based on his life. The sad thing is one gets engrossed so much in the story that it is quite difficult to separate the fact from the fiction.<br /></div>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-EACgGHtoh4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>cjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647112947152287161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-900318835836753348.post-9862625666304801592016-07-27T14:08:00.001+05:302016-07-27T14:08:28.362+05:30In support of Murali<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
To be honest I don't think there is anyone supporting Thilanga Sumathipala with regard to his recent comments bad mouthing Murali on consulting for the Australian cricket team. <br />I believe even his own children would be supporting Murali.<br />There were two things which lead me to write this article. One was a facebook post from one of my colleagues which stated the following: <br />"The man who crossed over to the opposing side so he could get a National List seat in Parliament feels he has the right to cast disparaging remarks about Murali coaching the opposition... Ironic much?? "<br />And of course the tongue in cheek newscurry article which accused Thilanga of being unpatriotic for owning a Chinese Restaurant instead of promoting Sri Lankan fare.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Truth disguised as humor was the first thought which crossed my mind. <br />What is good for the goose is good for the gander was the second.<br />And that was the thought which resulted in this little post.<br />I have always been amazed at the dichotomy of people having one set of values for politicians and another for sportsmen.<br />We rarely raise an eye brow or a finger in protest as the politicians around us plunder our country and coffers in gay abandon. However when it comes to sportsmen people are quick to criticize and cast them as unpatriotic even if they step into a grey area outside the well defined lines of public opinion. What really makes matters worse is that none of this activity, even border on illegality. Which is something one cannot say about the activity of most politicians.<br />Why is it that we tolerate the worst from the people we ourselves have voted into power? People in whose hands we have entrusted the future of ourselves and our loved ones. Whilst expecting those who entertain us to maintain strict moral discipline. On the other hand if you look at music and cinema - the other industry we look to when in need of entertainment - moral values are quite lax? <br />Why the double standards?</div>
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cjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647112947152287161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-900318835836753348.post-89323635907789499332016-07-05T20:25:00.000+05:302016-07-05T20:33:05.923+05:30Globophobia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I thought he was having the time of his life. It was his birthday. His desk was decorated with balloons. He was being showered with kisses from a lot of females. And when you are working in a bank a lot of females mean a lot.<br />
I nearly fell off my chair when someone whispered to me "This is absolute torture for him". <br />
I was confused. I thought someone was trying to be funny. <br />
"He is dead scared of balloons" they added when they saw the look of absolute confusion on my face.<br />
To be honest I still thought they were making fun of me. Till I got home and googled it. Of course it is a genuine phobia. There is even a name for it: globophobia.<br />
And then I felt really sorry for him. Because for him being next to a few bunches of balloons next to his desk would be as terrifying as it would have been for me to sit next to a few cockroaches on my desk. <br />
Yes I am dead scared of cockroaches. And it is no laughing matter. Just like you should not be laughing at someone being afraid of balloons.</div>
cjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647112947152287161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-900318835836753348.post-34736229833985340502016-06-22T19:32:00.000+05:302016-06-22T19:32:06.628+05:30Alcohol and the human elephant conflict!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Over 70% of those killed by elephants are drunk men. <br />Did you know that? Neither did I!<br />This was one of the many interesting facts which I have learnt after talking to several experts in the field of elephant conservation.<br />To me you have to be a special kind of idiot to venture out in the dead of night wearing bright colored clothing, very well knowing that their is a definite threat out their. I am told that most of the time they step out of the house for something trivial. As into buy some sugar or get some beedi. Something which could have easily been postponed for the next day. But then fools go where angels fear to tread. <br />I always thought by educating people about the perils of going out during the night one could overcome this problem.<br />But I heard quite a different opinion from the lady who is in charge of the Human Elephant conflict in the Department of Wildlife.<br />Her opinion was that if we are to make a really credible impact on the number of people killed by elephants. Then we have to do some community outreach and counselling programs which would reduce the use of alcohol among people living in elephant infested areas.<br />Wow I thought to myself. That is indeed a very workable opinion. And a great example of lateral thinking.<br />Something I definitely did not expect coming out from the mouth of a government servant. Nevertheless a point well worth considering.</div>
cjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647112947152287161noreply@blogger.com1