Filhaal

I have always loved this song! I found myself watching this movie on TV a few days ago and tried hard to remember the correct lyrics of this song(i had missed it) and had to work to get all the words right.. So posting it here.. to remember.. 'cos it is nice and relatable!

Ae zindagi yeh lamha jee lene de
Oh, pehle se likha kuch bhi nahin
Roz naya kuch likhti hai tu
Jo bhi likha hai, dil se jiya hai
Yeh lamha filhaal jee lene de

Maasoom si hasi, bevaja hi kabhi
Honton pe khil jaati hai
Anjaan si khushi baheti hui kabhi
Saahil pe mil jaati hai
Yeh anjaana sa darr ajnabi hai magar
Khoobsurat hai jee lene de
Yeh lamha filhaal jee lene de

Dil hi mein rehta hai, aankhon mein baheta hai
Kaccha sa ek khwaab hai
Lagta sawaal hai, shaayad jawaab hai
Dil phir bhi betaab hai
Yeh sukun hai to hai, yeh junoon hai to hai
Khoobsurat hai jee lene de
Yeh lamha filhaal jee lene de ...

Oh, pehle se likha kuch bhi nahin
Roz naya kuch, oh likhti hai tu
Jo bhi likha hai, dil se jiya hai
Yeh lamha filhaal jee lene de ...

:)

Reactions!!

I came back after a lovely vacation in Diwali week(more on the trip later) extremely reassured about the whole situation about the economy, markets, real estate, the market in Pune, my project in particular and obviously my family, Shridhar, me... Because it boils down to that finally, doesn't it? I was quite sure that at these various levels various short term, medium term and long term strategies would work. This is not something that will take us down with it if we respond appropriately, thoughtfully and with smart as well as hard work. Upon return, however, I sensed two quite distinct feelings in people.

On one hand there were a lot of them who were death scared. A guy said to me yesterday, "It is good to see you laughing/smiling(he said laughing but he meant smiling ;) ). I don't meet a lot of people who do that these days"!! And this seems to be the case with so many. Extreme pessimism which for a lot of them would result in severe depression. True, there is a problem staring in our faces but negativity in attitude only prevents you from seeing an opportunity the problem presents. Because there always are numerous opportunities and now is a time to start hunting. This not only sounds cliched but also does not have a road map. But then that is the beauty of it, isn't it?? It is eternally true that winners rise out of depressions and equally true that there is no formula for the success. Most astounding success stories are happy accidents happening to hard working, smart and prepared souls!!

And on the other hand I have in past week or two met those blessedly happy people who are simply unaware of the situation! Not that they do not read the newspapers or watch TV channels or are incapable mentally to comprehend the problem. They are just sure that this is not something that can affect them and to think this is silly. Stupid even. I simply cannot understand how one can live in such a fool's paradise! There are a few industries that will be less affected and then those that will be more affected. But affected nevertheless. One has to assess the impact. Think more than anything else. Discuss. Debate. But then these people are just not bothered. If you think you are not going to be affected in a negative way then at least think how you can benefit!

In every cycle bull or bear there would be the doomsday predictors all around us and there would be those over optimists! It is upon an individual to decide where in the spectrum he/she is. And constantly re-evaluate, re-calibrate. As wrong it is to be a pessimistic, it is also equally incorrect to assume you as a person are isolated. Can't we all just be normal, levelled, logical about all of this??

Bunch of things

Fin moguls down

Bail outs offered but the ones 'bailing out' hardly know what they are doing

Buy outs happening overnight and the new owners are still grappling to find out what they bought

Someone told me yesterday about a grade A downtown office building in London that had Lehmann as a tenant and 4 year rentals were insured by AIG!

Elections

Sensex in 4 digits

A huge bear hug

And not knowing the extent of it all.

I read somewhere the other day that we are staring at the eye of the storm so we do not know the extent of havoc it is going to wreck.

Seems like even if we are able to assess the extent of this problem, we can solve it!

And then think about this time last year! I don't know whether that thought makes me nostalgic and euphoric and just simply sad!

I told a friend yesterday that in last 3.5 years of working I have seen the best and now I am begining to prepare myself to see the worse of it all.

Anyone who thinks he/she is unaffected by all this is only living in a fool's paradise.

I still remember Mr. Colin dyer's (President and CEO, JLL) speech I attanded roughly 11 months ago. After telling (most eloquently) about what is amazing about India as a market, as an opportunity and how he has always been told by one and all about how Indian economy is 'different', 'decoupled', 'immune to global financial shocks', 'not following trends as all the developed and emerging markets around the world' etc. he pulled out from his jacket pocket a coin. Flipped it and watched it as it fell to the ground. And he said, 'But India, too, has gravity! What goes up has to come down!'

How far down is the only question...

Maybe Warren Buffet knows...

Chameleon

An unexpected visitor paid visit to my office window cill yesterday!! :)






All photos courtsey my BlackBerry Curve 8800 camera phone...

Marc Faber June 2008 Montly Bulletin

This morning I read this piece in half of the fin world blogs I read. It is an extremely intelligent and caustic take!

"The federal government is sending each of us a $600 rebate. If we spend that money at Wal-Mart, the money goes to China. If we spend it on gasoline it goes to the Arabs. If we buy a computer it will go to India. If we purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala.

If we purchase a good car it will go to Germany. If we purchase useless crap it will go to Taiwan and none of it will help the American economy.

The only way to keep that money here at home is to spend it on prostitutes and beer, since these are the only products still produced in US. I’ve been doing my part."

:)

Don't Read. It's just what I needed to put down in words for clarity...

I want to write a lot but don't know how.. or where to begin really.

I keep remembering the times when I had discussed with a couple of friends and even a cousin sis her/their work problems. Crazy schedules, mad clients or customers, unhealthy organisation culture, petty politics, maniacal bosses and sometimes all of this because of factors that are truly out of your control. I had given a kind ear, sympathised and offered simple advise to keep cool. Easy enough it had always seemed! Because I was, then, working in a setup where my failures or success had relatively little to do with how certain other people behave/react/perform etc. My failures were mine and so were my successes. And the failures were only led by my negligence(which was inexcusable in any case) or market/extraneous factors - which were visible to all! Believe it or not I was able to garner sympathy for a failure! I mean, wherever does that happen??

But I changed a job since then and it has been a little over an year in the new setup. In this setup my worth is entirely driven by other's work! I can holiday in Bahamas(money permitting!) if I can get the lot working in my absence!! And it is only now that I am tasting an iota of the frustration people were talking about. I keep reminding myself time and again of simple advise that I thought made sense from a third person's perspective and try following it as much as I can. But I think I was blissfully unaware of the way you feel bushed when in such a situation. I am learning.

I always thought if I had to face such a situation I would have no patience to deal with people, their problems - genuine or not, egos, unavoidable circumstances...basically the works in a calm and composed manner. I did not think I had it in me to keep my voice levelled even if the person across the table is enraged. I did not think I possessed an ability to be caustically stern. It has been a pleasant surprise, however! I am a different person when dealing with problems at work and personal problems. In person I am a complete impatient person who loves to clear her lungs and taste her vocal chords more often than not.(Aai and S bear it most of the times...closely followed by baba me thinks) But funnily enough that is not the case at work. I think because deep down I know I am right(however convoluted this might sound) in keeping my cool, giving situation time, giving people a chance, understanding and overall just keeping your head down and working at it(as kaka rightly said today morning), being truly committed to the work, caring.... Acknowledging that I am working for myself beyond everything else. It is me who wants to work hard and love the project! And I(possibly arrogantly) know that I am not particularly doing it for money...phew! See I said it! However arrogant, I said it. Money is directly proportional to my 'worth' and if I do not stay worthy I won't get it. And I think we(Read I and S) get enough to make ends meet. If we want anything fancier in life we better be bloody good at what we do!

And if what I do is get judged by other's work. So, so be it!!

Something so difficult made so easy!

There is a fellow blogger I read in the universe. I don't know who led me to her blog but her sarcasm, wit and insight has made me stay put! In this latest post of hers she has very succinctly captured what a good manager is. Something I was grappling with these past few days because of the work scene. She very simply says and I quote, "Someone who provides the support I need, and gets out of my way"! I mean damn right, right?? I have had pleasure of reporting to a guy who was just this. And I think I am fighting with the guy I report to who is neither, understands he is neither, sincerely tries to do both, but is not so successful at it! I am hopeful though!!

Wonder what kind am I? I try you know.. .

PS Thanks a ton TSTT