A Journey to Inner Peace

 A Journey to Inner Peace explores the art of living a balanced, harmonious life amidst daily challenges. The book delves into understanding emotions, managing stress, and fostering meaningful relationships while offering practical insights and actionable tips. Drawing from psychological principles, real-life experiences, and timeless wisdom, it guides readers toward self-awareness and emotional resilience. With relatable anecdotes and thought-provoking exercises, it empowers individuals to overcome life's hurdles and rediscover calmness. Whether you're seeking personal growth or simply striving for a more peaceful existence, this book serves as a compass for navigating the complexities of modern life with grace and clarity.

The book is available at https://www.flipkart.com/journey-inner-peace-tranquility-guide/p/itmac7bac57e4af9?pid=9789334208931

Stay in Your Comfort Zone

 Stay in Your Comfort Zone by Jeya Balaji challenges the popular notion that success lies outside your comfort zone. This insightful self-help book explores the value of embracing your comfort zone as a place of happiness, security, and inner strength. Drawing inspiration from thought-provoking anecdotes like the Mexican Fisherman parable and Diogenes' wisdom, the book offers practical advice on navigating risks, avoiding unnecessary struggles, and finding fulfillment in simplicity. Written from an introvert's perspective, it advocates for calm reflection and strategic action to expand one’s potential without succumbing to societal pressures. A refreshing take on personal growth and contentment!

You can find the book at https://www.flipkart.com/stay-your-comfort-zone-finding-peace-familiar-places/p/itmb1513f1760ef7?pid=9789353510961

Motivational tool

I sought something inspiring to guide me in my new venture. As I reflected on what kind of representation could truly motivate me, the idea of creating a word cloud began to take shape. Microsoft SmartArt emerged as an intuitive tool for bringing this concept to life. With that, I brainstormed a collection of inspiring words that resonated with my goals.

Using these words, I crafted a visual art presentation that turned out to be both appealing and highly motivating. To take it a step further, I broke down the tasks into smaller, manageable steps and arranged them into a process flow using the same visual medium.

Eager to share this approach with others who might benefit, I decided to create a free Udemy course. The course delves into the principles of SMART goals, Maslow's theory, and even alternatives to SmartArt. Take a look—you’re sure to find it enjoyable and inspiring!

https://www.udemy.com/course/free-tool-for-motivation/?referralCode=3A2E0C173DE08E4F032C

Time Management

 

·         Events : 6-Nov-2024

·         Context: online

Response: Participants shared their experience and were able to take useful points for applying in life

Laptop battery maintenance

The well known tips for maintaining laptop battery is to allow full charge of the battery, and remove the power. Use the laptop till the battery is drained and recharge to full again. Watching the battery usage is difficult and hard to switch on and off. Instead the system should have taken care of this. The charging should be cut off once 100% charge is done. Same way, when the battery runs low below a threshold, power flow should be switched on.

Hope we will have this in future.

Hint for sudoku

I keep playing sudoku at http://www.websudoku.com Most of the time I solve the puzzle easily. There are situation where it is difficult to make any logical move. We get stuck without able to post numbers in any of the cells.

In such cases, I usually fill all the empty cells with the probable numbers that can fit in that cell. For eg, I place the numbers 278 if these three numbers have a chance of being placed in a cell. With all empty cells having such probable numbers, it is easy to apply some deduction logic to narrow down the correct numbers.

Filling in the probable numbers is a tedious task. I came up with a simple java code that would help in filling the numbers (just the hint, not the actual answers).

Instruction to use the code:

• Install watij as mentioned at http://watij.com/webspec-api/
• Copy the java code I had placed in the comment section (placed in 3 comments due to comment size restriction)
  
• run the java code along with the classpath pointing to watij class and jars
• This will open a window and websudoku site is opened
• Settings page is accessed automatically and few settings are tweaked
• once you get the puzzle page, play it as you would do in normal manner
• When you get stuck, click on the 'Done' button in the top panel. The button name is marked as 'pauseUntil'
• we should have numbers filled now. Once that happens, continue with the game

Happy sudoku.

official mail

I had to send an email to 10+ folks at office and gather their response. I sent one email addressing them in general and cc-ing bunch of managers. I didnt get any response.

Then I sent 10+ emails. Directly addressing them, placing their name in the subject and cc-ing none. An email was sent to one member only. I got response from all.

Just wondering what is the key behind this situation. Did they respond because they are directly responsible and hold accountable? But managers were not informed, so they could have deferred.

Anyway I got what I wanted and a new technique to apply at such scenario.

Power of negative thinking Part 3

Here is an authenticate proof for the "power of -ve thinking".
Happen to go thru this article on
Why Positive Thinking is Bad For You.
The summary of above article is When Positive Thinking Creates Unnecessary Stress

The summary of above summary is:
Dont worry about fixing every 'problem' you come across. Most of them may not be problems. Or the fix is costlier than going thru the pain.

Power of negative thinking Part 2

This is an extension theory of part 1. A broader application.

Many people complain about life in this manner, "I have been good to everyone, I dont know why things like this happen". They imply that by being good (as per their own measurements), they are bound to be showered with goodness. The expectation is that by default the system they are in ought to be nurturing their current needs and demands. Any deviation from their mind plan is considered as unfair.

Let us wear our negative hat. See the world as a horrible place with vicious people around. We will never have problem dealing with one or two bad events. It is not that we will have to be pessimistic that the system will be always bad. There would be patches of goodness, but dont expect to have it at all place, all times.

Here is the above point illustrated with an analogy. By nature a land would grow out useless weeds and harmful thorns. Manual efforts like ploughing, sowing, watering, etc would give useful yield. Same way the default behaviour of the surrounding system is not conducive for our life plans; hard work is required to turn negativity into positive results.

Power of negative thinking

I was waiting for a craftsman to show up. This type of craftsmen are notorious to break their words and discard the appointments. They dont meet; puzzling thing is .. why dont they deny service instead of making false promises. Even if they start, they seem to drag the work and borrow more time. Had this experience four or five times with this particular workmen, also heard from others. They are branded for this attitude.

Anyway, here I am waiting for one of them. The time starts to slip. I could either tune up some positive thinking or negative thoughts. I choose to think negative. I thought the chap wont turn up. Odd things happened inside me. A lighter sense of being, with less tension and pressure developed. Turning off the expectations reduced the stress level. It was good at that time.

To keep up his clan's tradition, he didnt turn up. That didnt affect me as the negative aurora insulated me from the harsh externals.

Water tap terminologies

Construction materials provide array of options to choose. That invites lots of confusion, particularly if we don't understand the terminologies used by the manufacturers, dealers, mason etc. The following list is a jump start and not a complete one.

An aerator spreads water stream into many little droplets. This helps save water and reduce splashing.

Screw type normal water tap provides some kind of resistance to the flow at the point of tap junction. Gate valve has a vertical metal plate (perpendicular to the flow) to open the tap and hence doesn't provide restriction to the flow.

Bibcock prevents water to overflow into house or any desired point in the water piping system.
For eg, a strong valve is placed at the pipe connecting the outlet of the overhead water tank to the rest of the inlet pipe into the house. This valve can be operated while fixing the pipe or tap in the house.

pillar taps are usually found in basins and sinks. They are attached to the floor instead of fitted from the wall.

spout is an outlet part of the tap. Can be for hot or cold water.

mixer tap combines hot and cold inlet and releases a desired combination into the outlet. thermostatic mixer controls the outlet temperature.
The mixer tap requires two types of control, ie increase/decrease temperature and increase/decrease water flow. A simple way to get this is to have two knobs and control these two factors. A single lever mechanism provides a single lever to the above situation - turning the lever left to right would alter the temperature and lifting the lever outwards will increase the water flow.

Divertor helps in channelizing the water. For eg, we can turn the knob to get water in the shower or bath or to the hand shower etc.

pop up - a control on the tap opens and closes the waste, with the mechanism hidden behind the bath or basin.

Traditional tap has a head or knob which should be turned one or two+ full turns (rotations) to get full water capacity. A quarter turn tap requires to turn the knob or lever in a much less distance to get full flow. (Traditional tap uses washer mechanism, quarter turn uses ceramics). The later has many advantages.
Guess half-turn tap is similar version.

flanges - a protective metal sheet holding the tap connection away from the wall. (I am not sure about it .. couldn't get a reference on a quick search)

Handling washing machine outlet

The outlet of washing machine machine is supposed to be let out through the drain pipe - either loosely placed or properly fit into the drain. However, if we happen to place the machine outside the bathroom, we end up without having proper exhaust for the dirty water. We end up throwing the pipe into the near by wash basin.

One problem with this is the retractory force of water and the outlet pipe gets dislocated. The water floods the room. Tying the pipe to the tap or other object doesn't give a convenient solution. Here is an alternate way that works. Tighten a t-connection pipe at the end of the outlet (see photo).

This solves the problem as the water is split between the two ends of the T. Also the metallic T is heavy enough to hold the pipe close to the bottom of the basin sink.

Overcoming Monday blues

It is Sunday early morning. I feel energetic and fresh. Going through the task list for Sunday, which will have special assignments like riding to scenic places.

I feel if we don't laze on Sunday, we will have a fresh Monday morning. See Sunday as any other day, Monday will also be like any other day.

Which college to go? None.

Couple of my relatives were sharing their dilemma about the colleges their kids should choose. I suggest them not to send to any college, particularly if the student is talented. Many couldn't digest this suggestion and repel away.

Off late colleges are open at every corner. Businessmen fund these college and their view will be obviously business oriented -- reduce the expense, increase the income. After paying heavy amount as capitation, what we get is poor quality education from incompetent staff.

Is there any alternate? I suggest talented kids to learn skills over net. This is by assuming computer job is what one aims for, which 95% of students aspire towards. The 5% should go to a very good college of their dream fields. Surely those seats will be available without competition and prosperity rate ought to be better.

Will students without world experience, job experience gain technical skills over net? Can they settle comfortably in say, over a year? I feel some kind of collaboration, guidance is needed - which need not be a college. If a college can provide such guidance, it is good.

In such skill acquisition mode for 2 years, I believe the person should be able to solve problems to an extend of matching the expenses to income. With 3+ years, real money should be pumping in. Believe me, there are so much work that needs to be done outside.

Any evidence that this is feasible? Yes, think about the top companies in the country hiring non-computer science students for their software development projects. They see the talented pool to learn things and start working in real projects. They give a 6 month training for them.

If 6 months is all the training one needs, y not we start that when we are out of school?
Many have the secure feeling with having a degree. Correspondence course is the answer.

PS: I went through colleges. My comments above are relevant to the current scenario where colleges focus on minting money in contrast to industry looking for quality engineers.

Food on-demand

This idea occurred while having lunch in a restaurant. What if I want a dish made out of a particular recipe? It would be nice if a restaurant promotes that idea. Food on-demand could work like this :

• I go to their website and place a recipe. I could give a url to a recipe or type in my own recipe.
• Restaurant reviews it and does a feasibility study. Return back to the requester with the cost estimate, date of availability etc
• Both the parties decide on a suitable date and time, may be an advance is paid to the restaurant for planning the work
• The person happily munches on the meal he wanted to have (probably the recipe out of his/her childhood memory). Optionally the person can leave a comment on the dish and level of satisfying his/her expectations.

Here is my list of items I would like to get it done in that way :

• There are so many tasty dishes made out of plantain flower. My wife avoids them due to the complexity involved in preparing them. Very rarely we get in restaurants. If we have 'On-demand food', I could pass a recipe like this.
• In Foster city area, I had tasted a potato pizza. (I think the restaurant name is Lake View). They did not use the potato wedges. Instead cut them into small cubes and slightly fried. It was very nice. From then on, whenever I have to order, I use to check for that pizza; unlucky me .. never ate that again. Few times, I tried convincing pizza restaurants to try that toppings and none dare to. They wanted to follow the direction they know.
• There are many dishes I had in my childhood. Today I don't have them, may be I don't get those materials around. Or I don't know where to get. Food on demand would address them.

Acknowledging the proposal

Prompt reply was sent to the proposal for the car:

Dear aspirant of a car,

Your project is well aimed and lists out the motive. However, the proposal lacks certain vital criteria:

• the risk factors
• pros and cons
• budget section is incomplete without sundry costs like registration and there off.
• what about maintenance?

Kindly furnish these details for your proposal to be consider for further actions.

Regards
Balaji

Disclaimer: All the above statements are expressed as per the mood of Balaji at 6.45pm on 6th Feb of 8. These and any of the unsaid statements may change as the time goes on. The receipt and reply of your proposal doesnot gaurentee acceptance of your whims and fancies. Any conflict arising out of this dealing shall be settled at The Court Of Balaji.

A strange proposal

Got an interesting requirement in the mail:

Buying a car for our family

Author: Swarna
Date: 6th Feb 2008

Background:

We have moved to Manipal where we might stay for a few years at least. As it rains continuously in Manipal from the month of June to October, commuting becomes difficult on a two-wheeler in those months. So, hereby I put forward the proposal of buying a car for our family.

Review of literature:
From their time of invention, cars have been a comfortable means of transport compared to two wheelers. Though it is also considered to be a symbol of status and luxury, it is very advantageous to own a car for the following reasons.

1. We can get protection from the fury of the weather, be it the smoldering sun, the chilling winter or a torrential rain. Weather will not be a limiting factor in our moving from place to place. This becomes important in places where the weather conditions are extreme.
2. We can escape the air-pollution in an AC car. It is important from the health point of view, since air-pollution is seemingly becoming one of the important causes for the onset and aggravation of respiratory diseases.(for Bala)
3. The better shock-absorbers in a car are less troublesome for people with spinal problems. Two-wheelers aggravate those problems esp. on bumpy roads (for Swarna)

Choosing the car:
The car we want to buy depends on why we want to buy it. Looking at our current need, i.e, we need a car to get transported during the rains, a basic model would suffice which would have an AC and a power steering.

AC is required because, when it rains, the windows have to be closed and it can get very stuffy without AC. (This comes with an addition of around 30-35000Rs upon the non-AC version)

Power- steering is required for us because it takes lot of effort to steer the car otherwise, and it can be a very tiring experience to drive without that. (This comes with an addition of around 20000Rs)

Now, the next question is, choosing the brand.

Maruti and Hyundai seem to be good in servicing and have a better re-sale value compared to the other brands. Compared to Hyundai, Maruti’s service is better, spares are easily available and cheaper. And also Maruti has some very good , pocket- friendly basic models compared to Hyundai. So, going for Maruti cars is a good choice.

The basic models available in Maruti are

1. Maruti 800
2. Maruti alto

Alto is better than M800 because

• M800 models do not have power steering
• Alto’s body is better built and offers more safety during collisions compared to M800
• Alto’s engine is better and it has 5 gears

All the above advantages and some more features come for a price difference of around 50000. So, weighing the benefits against odds, buying an Alto seems to be more sensible. (power-steering itself would cost around 20000Rs. So the better built and better engine comes for just 30000 Rs extra)

So, now going for a Maruti- Alto with AC and power steering (model LXi) seems to be the best choice.

Used or new?
The next question to be addressed is to buy a new one or used one?
Disadvantages of a new car:

• The moment a new car is driven out of the show room, its value depreciates by 20% and after that whether it is used or not, its value depreciates by 10% every year

Disadvantages of a used car:

• its very difficult to assess the condition of the car properly and correctly value the car
• it is sometimes difficult to get the car of your choice as a second hand in good condition

If there are budget constraints, and the car would be used only sparingly, it is wise to go for a used car with the help of a good mechanic.

If you happen to come across the car of your choice in a good bargain, it is a really good deal (as happens to be case now with us)

So, going for an alto in good condition as second hand is indisputably the best option !

Budget:

Coming to the formidable question of budgeting the project…

A research on buying used cars says that, the car of our choice (alto LXi) in good condition, as a second hand can be bought from 1.7 lakhs to over 2 lakhs depending upon the age of the car.

So, the minimum budget requirement is 1.7 Lakhs. Considering our financial situation, we can keep the maximum to be around 2 Lakhs

Conclusion:

So, I hereby conclude by proposing that we buy a Maruti-alto LXi, preferably a second-hand in good condition, which might require a budget of between 1.7 to 2 Lakhs.

References:

http://www.carwale.com/
http://www.mouthshut.com/
http://www.autocarindia.com/

house renting criteria

My wife and myself will be looking for a rental house in few weeks, we started discussing the type of house we want. As my friend, LN, is an expert in house hunt, we sought his help. LN was kind enough to send us the list of items to check while finding house.

Placing the criteria here for netizen to benefit.



Visit the house more than once before deciding if you wanna move to the house. Talk to the neighbours casually.

External Factors

1. Close to work place or in a area from where there is good connectivity, transportation
2. House shd be located in a good environment (surroundings) Shd be close to the market, shops but not right in between them
3. No water problem and water logging in the area
4. Underground drainage preferred
5. Security - it will be good if there are street lights and one such is just before the house.
6. Good if the house has trees (esp. neem tree)

Internal Factors

1. Type of ceiling - Bombay ceiling is easy to maintain
2. Flooring of the house - avoid marble if you have elders @ home.
3. Elevation of house from road - slight elevation will be good
4. Direction of house facing - good if the house is North or East facing
5. Floor in which house is present - Ground floor, 1st floor - anything is ok if only young people are gonna reside in the house.
6. Cross Ventilation
7. ventilation in kitchen and bath
8. Sun light (at least in the morning)
9. Hall shd be big enuf to place TV, Sofa set
10. It will be good if the house has a veranda (for keeping shoes and other stuff)
11. Bedroom shd be big enuf to have a 6-6(ft) cot. And it shd have extra space for moving around.
12. Kitchen shd be big enuf to keep utensils, grinder,mixie,coffee maker,micro wave. Kitchen slab, sink shd be at correct height and shd be big enuf to dump utensils. If you have gas cylinder there shd be space to keep it.
13. Bathroom, latrine shd have ventilation and shd be spacious You shd get water in bathroom, latrine (24hrs)
14. Bathroom shd be big enuf to wash clothes otherwise there shd be separate space to wash clothes.
15. Nice if there is both Indian and western latrine. One should be common. It will be good to have the latrine inside the house and away from living space.
16. Need to have space for Washing machine near bathroom to drain water
17. Nice to have balcony. Washing machine and other stuff can be kept there. (check security if you have a balcony)
18. Security - Better if the house has got grill doors.
19. It will be good if the house has a store room
20. Nice if the house has closed shelves
21. Internal electric wiring
22. Inbuilt fuse system to prevent overloading, proper earthing
23. Provision to keep bero, refrigerator, dining table, computer, television
24. will be good if the hose has closed lofts
25. There shd be enuf points in the house to connect electronic/ electric devices.
26. Ceiling height of Bathroom needs to be high enuf to accommodate geyser
27. Good to have mirror + wash basin
28. wash basin close to dinning hall
29. Separate meter for our part of the house. Nice to have a separate meter for water consumption
30. Space for hanging clothes ( balcony where you get sunlight will be good otherwise there shd be a terrace or other space)
31. Shd have provision to hang clothes inside the house (in rainy days you can't hang clothes outside)
32. Maintenance charges
33. Sheltered Two/ Four wheeler parking preferable
34. Ask about painting the house
35. Other furniture's, fixtures, fittings(fan, light)
36. Nice to have separate pooja, study/dining room
37. 24hrs Water supply ( Overhead tank, Corporation water, Well, Bore well )
38. You shd have access to the motor switch
39. Some houses will have cracks in the ceiling. This will give you a tough time in rainy days.
40. Facility to fit AC.
    

Happy hunting.