Universal Citizen

Transition & Culture Shock

2010-09-16T14:48:00.000-07:00

So after a handful of years living away from parents, life's choice took me back to India (where my roots are) to visit with parents, family, etc. This happened after many conversations, IMs, e-mails, talks, negotiations, consultations, 'verbal-fencing', etc with near and dear.

I was dreading this visit also wanting to visit at the same time. With all these extreme opposites dragging me, I'm finally here. The culture has changed a lot, from things we do in every day life, to rituals in ceremonies, government offices (Good ole 'formalities'!!!) and also the infamous media with its effect on public.

The two cultures I have spent most of my time have got pros and cons on all aspects. Yet for some reason it is very hard to accept the fact the place once you called it your home is not that place anymore. The childhood you experienced with kids playing outside in sand, with a broken glass under sunny day with a piece of paper, with grand parents in the farm, and visiting relatives are not the same as it was before. It has morphed so much in the name of modernization, which is westernization wearing a mask of 'comfortable living' where in reality it is the exact opposite of comfortable living.

So it is either road trips, vacations with cousins or hanging out with elders which is calming my nerves. Definitely home cooked meal does wonder for short time. But the definite wonder for culture shock daily is 'Mosquito Bat'. This seems to be a good stress reliever and a good workout on daily evenings or before sleep activity. Also a healthy alternative to diffuser which fills the entire room or house with synthetic odor to kill or chase the mosquitoes away. Not sure, if it is effective.

Note: Also found out reading out blogs (in alphabetic order) such as Diary of White Indian House Wife, Indian Express (English and local version),National Geographic, The Real News and a social networking site gives me feeling of belonging instead of 'a lost island.' If the infrastructure permits I enjoy listening to some good old funk, Jazz, Blues, pop or Indian (OST) from Raaga or Youtube.

Blog Action Day!!!

2009-10-15T14:20:00.000-07:00

Today October 15, 2009 is Blog action day as all technocrats are asked to use their time, gadgets to share something very important but least spoken of to brought to attention. Weather and most of all environment is a very sensitive subject for me. Forgive my outbursts or edit(re-edit) happening to this note as we go.

Born in a family which believed in ten avatars of Vishnu and third one being the Varaha (Wild Boar) which preserved the Mother Earth from evil forces. Growing up elders made aware of the nature and origin of resources for everyone's livelihood(including the metropolitan living). This happened at least two to three months during summer vacations in my childhood. This instilled environmental awareness in me. At one phase of my adolescence we were a part of World Wildlife Fund, then WWF trying to protect Temperate evergreen forests in South India. Yes, there are temperate evergreen forests all over the world, it is just that the capitalism, industrial revolution has turned their blind eye towards Mother Earth.

During a hiking and nature expedition as it was called, we saw a poor worker who was employed by a conglomerate, felling trees in the fringes of Temperate Evergreen forests. Now this was a personal dilemma, should we protect the trees or help the poor worker(who probably is feeding his family with a meager ration from his daily wage.

During the Climate change talk in Bangkok in September 2009, a participant shares her feedback in here.

They are:

1) Emission reduction
2) Financial support for developing countries from developed world (Technological transfer included)
3) Adaptation !!!

I am busy and sometimes forget in the fast pace of life, but I request everyone who reads to do the following if possible. Thanking you for your co-operation.

1) Do something, whatever in your discretion and fair judgement a small act towards saving our precious environment. (use metal containers, use re-usable bags when shopping, use car-pooling as much as possible, turn of lights, power off power strips instead of only computers, etc)
2) Go to Take action and participate in them.
3) Share this information with family, friends as much as possible.

As writing this quote, I am reminded of two quotes which are fresh in my mind.
Be the change you want to see in the world. - Mohandas K. Gandhi
Arise, Awake and stop not till the goal is reached. - Swami Vivekananda

Iran: Another professional's take.

2009-09-17T06:29:00.000-07:00

Last week I visited Pilsen, a neighborhood in Chicago for their famous Second Fridays (Yelp) . It is a part of the Lower west side and it reminds us of a typical example of renovation, change for better. The towers and old structures in the neighborhood brings a nostalgic feeling of beginning of this century dipped in a high-speed catalyst to undergo transformation for latest trend. The artists are spread out in few block radius of 18th street, which with help of two friends I was able to locate it with ease. Among all the noteworthy art works of various artists were this collage of 12 collage arranged in matrix of four by three format. It had lots of pictures which mentioned Iran and was done by Avisheh Mohsenin. The presentation had a real approach to the situation in Iran, as the artist had combined news articles, her diary notes, pictures of people protesting the Human Rights violation in Iran ( Amnesty International USA ), which was a part of this year's election in June 2009.

Another noted professional Hamid Dabashi, well known professor of Columbia University has written an article in CNN about Commentary: When Baha'is are free, then all Iranians will be. This is a beautiful article written by a native Iranian born in southern part of iran, who has witnessed the hegemonical evolution of the present Islamic government since the Iranian revolution.

Also for updates on Baha'is visit the following sites CNN, Iran Press Watch and Iran please visit the following sites CNN, BBC.

I would like to end this note with a quotation which I recieve from a list serve daily named Renaissance Unity. Today's quote was titled Receptive "To find truth you must experience it in your soul. You can read hundreds of books, or study the religions of all time, and find that all of them have one common point, one common denominator: and this is love-which is another word for light or soul illumination. To realize this soul illumination you have to shut away the clamor of the lower mind, to become humble, very simple." ~White Eagle

Trial of 7 Baha'is in Iran (July 11, 2009)

2009-07-11T17:11:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

If you have time please ponder why an individual would be persecuted for their religious belief which works towards uniting mankind, believing in One God and One religion. Iranian Government since the Islamic revolution in 1979 there has been numerous acts of genocide, abduction, abuse against Iranian citizens who believe in Baha'i faith. This has been recorded, illustrated in alot of ways. Such an act is happening to the Baha'is in the land of its birth in Iran again. Please pray for the seven Baha'is who are summoned in Iran before the religious court who does not have access to their attorney, Noble laureate Shiren Ebadi since their imprisonment. Hopefully all seven Baha'is and Ms. Ebadi get to meet and justice is served finally. Pray for their safe return to their families and a stop to the persecution of Baha’is in Iran.

Standing(L-R) Fariba Kamalabadi, Vahid Tizfahm,Jamaloddin Khanjani,Afif Naemi, Mahvash Sabet.
Sitting(L-R)Behrouz Tavakkoli, Saeid Rezaie

This story is covered in major media/News sites such as CNN, CNN Wire, Associate Press(AP) and National Review Online and information is also available in United States Commision on International Religious Freedom.

There is a beautiful Youtube presentation for prayers and message to their sacrifice. Please say a prayer of your choice or a Baha'i Prayer. Thank you. Let there be Peace and Unity in the world.

Courtesy for layout idea & concept from Sholeh

Time and Work! (Oh yeah!! being Micro-managed)

2008-08-18T00:37:00.001-07:00

Have you ever felt the crunch of Special projects at work(I mean high priority, time sensitive projects and add TONS of Micro-managing situations day in and day out) and time catching upto you quickly before you could even prepare yourself? This happened alot to me lately and I did my best. How do you handle this from over powering your emotional preparedness?

How do you deal with micro-management? Advance thanks to all contributors.

Karma and its Relation to Science!

2008-07-04T12:26:00.000-07:00

Growing up learned this word Karma, even before what it meant, and its relevance to every human's life. Not believing in a finite, conceivable, God in a culture full of demi-gods(Polytheism, which came out of Mono-theism) it was very interesting journey which required sincere independent investigation of truth(Which according Indian tradition will lead you to Victory, as it is the National motto and emblem of India in Sanskrit as "Satyameva Jayate").

Exploring different kinds of meditation from Pranayama during off school hours, TM or Transcendental Meditation as mandatory High school practice, Sahaja Sthithi Yoga by Sathguru Jaggi Vasudev (then Mr. Jagadish Vasudev), and few other yogas on Independent investigation of Truth, I landed on Vethathiri Maharishi who has taught generations in my family about Simpilified Kundalini Yoga(SKY Meditation). If Pranayama, and TM are long ways of guiding your Kundalini to be awakened. Kundalini force was awakened by Guru who guidedly trains you in raising your force between your third eye(like Shiva's third eye) and helps you practice untill you reach the next stage of Shanthi Yoga. Later it proceeds into various aspects of personal development such as introspection, moralisation of desire, neutralisation of anger, etc.

He used the three different Karma or sometimes four kinds of Karma. After personal research it feels like Vethathiri Maharishi's interpretation is simple and explains the three Karmas Praraptha Karma(accumulate works including your past and past generations works), Agamiya Karma(current works) and Sanchita Karma(the final product of Sanchita and Praraptha karma in your body and soul). The word Karma is nothing but recording of an event or observation of a life event from a subtle event of observing an animal or pet to doing a daily act. So given such a mighty responsibility of being human, everyone knowingly or unknowingly stores Karma. At the sametime has recieved Karma from your elders as Genes. Tadaa!! now everything made sense for me, that science and spirituality are nothing but intertwined, related, harmoniously balanced study of life.

Vethathiri Maharishi, had a clear understanding of scientific, ideas, theories like Gravity, Cosmos, consciousness, etc. I have to delve back into the writings as Shoghi Effendi suggested every human should have few books memorized and should stand by, abide by, hope including Kitab-i-iqan, I can include some Maharishi's books as well.

More musings to come . . . . !!

Things I wonder how its done by others Blogging! Podcasts!

2008-06-05T03:15:00.000-07:00

Always been wondering how things are done by folks at the advent of technology. Podcasts, Blogs, Twitter-ing(Updating others of what your'e doing), Texting messaging(SMS-ing in Europe, Asia, etc)

Podcasts : What is the reason for you to Podcast? (Work related, study related, or book reader, etc). What is the specific instrument you use for podcasts (Computer, mobile media[zen, ipod, etc], etc)? Right now I am listening to this awesome podcast on awareness on Consumers and Credit.

Blogs: How often do you blog? What do you blog about? What is that drives you to blog?
There was a symposium in Chicago History Museum on blogging which is a part of series called K/Now. Does anyone know any etiquettes, ethics and habits to assist you with blogging? (Love History, Nature, Music, Food and people by the way). Lately this online addiction is getting close to be a member in my list.

Thank you.

Wonderful beginning!

2008-04-07T02:57:00.000-07:00

As life has its own pace, just to have new beginings which bring new motivations I love this year. New optimistic thoughts, ideas, new areas to explore, new places to visit, new books to read.

As of now, I found out I have a new sleep schedule. I fell asleep as soon as I came from late birthday party and passed out in the parking garage with windows slightly open. I've been up for an hour or so, and I am ready to grab the day. Maybe, it is sense of relaxation that my amma and appa had a heart to heart conversation. * shrug * who knows? It's all good.

Happy New beginnings, healthy life and happiness. Be Blessed.

Fuzz Sniffer/Detector aka 'Bacon Box'

2008-03-18T22:01:00.000-07:00

Experienced the amazing capability of one of the coveted items I bought was a Radar Detector. Known for the notoriety of tracking drivers with Radar guns, I landed in this culture with a lead foot(Happy to say I've cured it). Sometimes I do miss the sound of the fading beep or the voice prompt and blinking display in the radar detector.

I finally ended up in Car and Driver Detector Test and Vector 995 Boy I'm drooling again, I always wanted my favorite as they've claimed it as the One of the very few inventions which is not programmed for obsolescence.

Enjoy and Be Blessed.

Blog and Half!

2008-03-11T07:19:00.000-07:00

Commitment to a cause, to a process, to a promise or to someone takes alot of integrity, courage and effort. During the Baha'i Fast.......

(added 3/12/08)The real post is Commitment

Note: Have you ever felt so tired or spaced out, that you left somthing in the middle of it? What is your experience?

Marriage

2008-02-28T19:31:00.000-08:00

Psychology is an intriguing, interesting subject where you delve into the depths of human mind. It opens different dimensions into the mind, different planes of awareness through introspection, or perspicacity of microcosm(self-conscience), and macrocosm(super-conscience). Kudos for tangential thinking, somehow from "Emotional Intelligence" I jumped into "Conscious Courtship".

Talking to a friend who is involved Marriage and Family Affairs Committee. This was brought to my attention, which I am paraphrasing below.

"Marriage, among the mass of the people, is a physical bond, and this union can only be temporary, since it is foredoomed to a physical separation at the close.

Among the people of Baha, however, marriage must be a union of the body and of the spirit as well, for here both husband and wife are aglow with the same wine, both are enamoured of the same matchless Face, both live and move through the same spirit, both are illumined by the same glory. This conection between them is a spiritual one, hencet it is a bond that will abide forever. Likewise do they enjoy strong and lasting ties in the physical world as well, for if the marriage is based both on the spirit and the body, that union is a true one, hence it will endure. If, however, the bond is physical and nothing more, it is sure to be only temporary, and must inexorably end in separation.

When, therefore, the people of Baha undertake to marry, the union must be a true relationship, a spiritual coming together as well as a physical one, so that throughout every phase of life, and in all the worlds of God, threir union will endure, for this real oneness is a gleaming out of the love of God.

In the same way, when any souls grow to be true believers, they will attain a spiritual relationship with one another, and show forth a tenderness which is not of this world. They will, all of them, become elated from a draught of divine love, and that union of theirs, that connection, will also abide forever. Souls, that is, who will consign their own selves to oblivion, strip from themselves the defects of humankind, and unchain themselves from human bondage, will beyond any doubt be illumined with the heavenly splendours of oneness, and will all attain unto real union in the world that dieth not." ("Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha", pp. 117-118)

Qiblih(Point of Adoration)

2008-02-28T17:35:00.000-08:00

There was a question during our conversation with friends about how to find the directions to Bahji. Bahji or popularly known as the Mansion of Bahji is in Accre(formerly Akkah),Israel. I claimed Bahji was south east of Chicago. In all reality using in the Projection maps it is. Whereas if you use a thread and hold it on the city where you live and extend it to the Accre(Akkah), Israel and stretch the shortest distance. Or if you're computer savvy you can use Bahji Locator to locate the direction.

That is the direction you have to face while praying for the Medium and Long Obligatory prayer. Did you know about this?

Things you do/you suggest everyone do before they turn 18

2008-02-27T05:16:00.001-08:00

1. Post these rules before presenting your list.
2. List 6 actions or achievements you think every person should accomplish before turning 18.
3. There are no conditions on what can be included on the list.
4. At the end of your blog, choose 6 people to get tagged and list their names.
5. People who are tagged write their own blog entry with their 6 suggestions.
6. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged.

*******
1. Finish your highschool education, with complete focus on learning atleast 3 languages(before you turn 8, wish you had learned three languages). Book knowledge is necessary as long as the wisdom is tagged with it). Education is the only treasure which cannot be stolen, invest in it NOW.

2. ASK QUESTIONS. Never be ignorant of anything. Listen to your elders about the stories they've learned, and the things they've learned in life. Remember, they have survived many years in this beautiful, raw, rugged, tough teacher of life aka PLANET EARTH. Be humble, and open minded about their stories. In later part of life you will know the relevance of the stories, tid-bits, nuances of their talks.

3. Travelled to different parts of the same country, to expose yourself to people from different walks of life(meeting kids of different ethnicity, socio-economic status).

4. Make friends, good friends who help you and be supportive of you. By 18 you should've known what friendship means. As Thiruvalluvar has mentioned in Friendship in one of his chapter with 10 verses "Neither familiarity nor frequent association maketh friendship between two persons; verily, it is the silent intellectual understanding between them assures their friendship." and in another one he explains, "Friendship hastens in mishaps, like a hand that picks up the dress that slips" (The tamil version of this verse is one of all time favorites).

5. Learn an art form, as a part of your education, or atleast as a Hobby(if your education does not involve art). Everyone should learn about an art, or have it as a Hobby.

6. Spirituality, learn about life and death. Learn about things in life which are a part of the adolescent life. DO indendent investigation of truth which is totally different from any religion(Read, investigate, ask questions).

Lisa, Mike, David P, Elizabeth, Nate ,Thamizhan

What do you do?

2008-02-27T05:16:00.000-08:00

Sitting talking at work, me and my co-workers(with my boss, who I love to work with, and is wonderful) we got into this conversation of how a specific question in conversation with strangers bugs each other. She said, one of the questions which used to bother her was "What do you do?"

Have you encountered someone you have just met(especially in educational background, or some ethnic backgrounds who just ask that question right away, instead of getting to know you? I have been told that in educational background they approach you and first question of gauging your intellect is "What do you do?" and depending upon where you stand in their scale of judgement, the rest of the conversation proceeds.
Or along with that question, they ask more of these questions, "What car you drive?, Where do you work?, What suburb do you live in?" Pretty open as much as it sounds, I've felt in the past that it has been very judgemental.

Once my dad had advised me, you don't need to answer any questions if you don't feel like. The pretty simplest way to confront the situation and defuse it to ask the same question back to the person. Sometimes, I've asked the question if it is from a total stranger who is trying to gauge my 'whatever'(still haven't figured out what others want to know, nor I am taking it personally I've replied this question for someone from the country of origin as I am, by saying "May I ask why do you like to know?(Mind you, I was genuinely sincere about their motive).

What do you do, when you are asked the question "what do you do?"

Valentine's Day (Celebration / Stressful event ??)

2008-02-19T13:47:00.001-08:00

Why should people support a Hallmark holiday? How come bunnies with eggs came into Easter, whereas growing up in India, I've not seen a single bunny or a colored egg in the house?(except for regular eggs for consumption).

On top of it, on February 14th 1998, there was a serial bomb blast in my hometown, Coimbatore. After the incident planning to have a quiet, revered day on February 14th is not unusual, is it? For few of the friends, it is about blending in with the crowd and doing whatever everyone wants, even at the sacrifice of your own personal ethics or/and morals(or whatever reason they might have). This should not be only day you should take care of your loved one, or show that you love them. Why not celebrate, revere, enjoy being with your loved one everyday?

When did every emotion, or good feeling in life got equated to Money, Size and color of the gift(car, card, surprise, etc) ??

Anywho, I decided not to do anything fancy except to pray all day for the people who were killed including the people in the hometown and the time approached I find out that in the town I live is no more a (so called by my friends, peers, etc) as podunk town, boonies, no man's land, DeWho? Shockingly it made its mark in the history as a town where a young man changed his view on life and killed 6 and injured 16. Do I choose to have an antagonistic view on February 14th, or do a proactive thing by being Impeccable with thoughts and actions.

All I did that day and few days after was this quote by 'Abdu'l-Baha, from the book Paris Talks. "There is nothing so heart-breaking and terrible as an outburst of human savagery!
I charge you all that each one of you concentrate all the thoughts of your heart on love and unity. When a thought of war comes, oppose it by a stronger thought of peace. A thought of hatred must be destroyed by a more powerful thought of love. Thoughts of war bring destruction to all harmony, well-being, restfulness and content.
Thoughts of love are constructive of brotherhood, peace, friendship, and happiness."

Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti (Let there be Peace, Peace, Peace).

Books of Wisdom

2008-02-03T08:26:00.000-08:00

I was searching for the books from my Guru Vethathiri Maharishi. Surprisingly all the online library was erased and luckily I ran into one of his works, our family favorite. The Gravity of Gravity. He also mentioned about unification of Science and religion in one of his famous books "Yoga for Modern Age"(formerly published as Karma Yoga).

I wish the books were accesible to everyone, instead of locking it under the precepts of making money(which is vital for a business model). What good anything is, when an average man cannot consume/buy/use the product?, said Vethathiri Maharishi. I totally love the idea of Bahai Reference Library, which has almost all books online for free. Isn't this great?

Gene-Blending!

2008-01-30T23:16:00.000-08:00

Today evening I went to visit a very dear friend of mine, who has a new addition to their family(He is very adorable by the way, if I may add). I was so glad that his mother was thrilled at the gift, which she longed to get for her son. The other two guests and myself were updating each other with the latest happenings in our personal lives. After the parents inviting their neighbors for a Devotions for their 'New addition' to their family we had a sumptuous, hearty, delicious meal.(Thanks to Chef du jour).

After dinner we started talking about spirituality, which is my personal favorite past time. We were inquiring about our family roots. I found out that one of the other guests is a perfect blend of 4 different ethnicities(Note, I would rather use ethnicity than the word race). She mentioned how her mother was coined as a "perfect example of future genaration" by Shoghi Effendi. Her grandfather was a pioneer to Japan. I am amazed at the positive side of inter racial marriage I am observing. I am individually investigating about that topic myself.

Pyramid Scheme

2008-01-23T21:18:00.000-08:00

Going to a conference we came across a vendor who is doing the same business strategy as ours. Only difference is their idea is the same as ours, but they have implemented it in P2P(Peer-to-peer). So here it is an amazing idea, done in old Napster, sort of style(P2P), they're going to use all the computer's resources whoever takes their software. Most Peer-to-peer network as soon as you install it in your system makes your system work as a server(meaning it takes majority of CPU %, and memory for its own use). So do you want to pay for a service, which takes a portion of your computer day in and day out? (It is like you pay a tenant to live in your house, who feeds on your food?) Maybe, I am wrong, please investigate on yourself what this is about?

So here we were me and my friend/partner(who introduced me to the business proposal) standing in the booth right across from them. We were being honest, fair and square asking all the client(videographer's from all over North America) to visit our fellow competitor's booth and decide it for themselves. We explained our business idea, our contest for videographers and bride/groom's.

Here they are, they are talking us down, by claiming that their market idea is backed up by ABC7, AOL(Here is another blog idea of how AOL gives me creeps, and anything related with AOL, I avoid). I left a day earlier and my friend was out there facing them all day. So what as business people, entrepreneur you will handle this situation ( cut-throat competition)? What is your take on this ethical situation?

Us: www.sharingourjoy.com or www.wedclip.com
They: http://www.maxcast.com/

iBahai

2008-01-20T13:11:00.000-08:00

I tried Universal Citizen for custom domain was taken. I was a lil upset, and I tried universal citizen, it was taken too and I got miffed(which is not warranted). Now working on finishing my preparation for project in Orlando Convention. I was updating myself with my friend's blogs, and I found Kim had her blog named iMom. I thought it was really great. So I thought how about iBahai, it wasn't taken, so I'm taking it. Tadaa!!

My Coffee Recipe

2008-01-18T01:14:00.001-08:00

Many smell coffee, see coffee, endear coffee, endure coffee(uhhh Long nights/days of prep or project).

My rendition of a perfect coffee, eventhough this(Coffee thing) is Greek-Latin to me. I did try it few times since my childhood, and I prefer to smell the aroma of Chicory Blended coffee(Narasus). Found out now by research that Chicory in Coffee blend which my parents and elders used to drink has a medicinal effect(Esp. Chicory which is a tonic, polyphenol anti-oxidant, is used in treating gallstones, sinus, gastro-enteritis, cuts and bruises). Now I undertand, why I got smeared with coffee powder when hurt my head four times in the same spot(in different times). My grandmother didn't know, but all she said was it will fix the bleeding and cure it. Well it did it!!

Anways, this is my Dedication to coffee lovers(coffee fanatics), coffee feens of the world.

Apotheosis concoction or Non-alcoholic EV Calda or (simply) My Coffee recipe:

3 TBsp of Coffee(chicory blended)

1 pinch of hazelnut(fresh preferably)

1 Tsp pinches of cacao (.... note: the chicory sweetening character balances the cacao taste..)

1 pinch of cardamom or cardamom(any kind of cardamom)

Sweetener(Stevia, Agave extract[my fav] or brown sugar)

Coffee is ready either with Espresso or Percolator methods.

-----------------

For Creamer/'SoyJuice[Yes, its official, Soyjuice!]/milk lovers with Coffee

Stir in proportionate amount of creamer/Soyjuice/milk

-----------------

For Madras Filter Coffee Lovers,

Percolate the coffee mix, use Dabarah and tumbler and mix coffee and milk/soyjuice/creamer in proportion(Caution: The contents are hot, so when 'Meter'-ing the coffee please don't burn yourself).

Legend: Meter Chai or Meter Coffee is an excuisite South Indian art of mixing various ingredients of tea or coffee by pouring coffee by holding the full cup with liquid ingredients(coffee, milk/soy juice, tea, etc) and solid additives cardamom, sugar, etc in the bottom container held way down in the bottom. pour it all the way from top.

If this is too risky enjoy the coffee but watch this picture, imagine the coffee is blended with love, care and devotion from the Teastall in the middle of nowhere Malabar Coast, or Bengal Coast or Kanyakumari.

Unhealthy stuff like bleached sugar, aspartame, carageenan and other carcinogenic additives are Not suggested in this blog for a reason. We choose healthier way to be, live, eat, and enjoy life.

Telemarketing Scam!!

2008-01-16T17:43:00.000-08:00

Have you heard of this new phone calls to your home phone or in my case, cell phone? Yes, I did get a phone call few days ago from a stranger, that I won a trip to Orlando. Insulating myself from spam, prank phone calls for years, I think this one is a genuine phone call. I call this person back, and little do I know I am being set up for another telemarketing prank. This person also tells me that I filled out an entry form during Bulls game(Go Bulls . . .NOT in this case).

This is the rundown of the prank

1) Fix an appoint time to stop by at "Sundance Vacations"(Yes, I said it, these guys are in OakBrook, IL and all they do is this repeatedly) and claim the prize.

2) They might need a form of ID, and one hour of my time.

I call my best friend, my room mate, who used to sell vacations. Something tells me that few days ago while visting United Center he might've filled out my name. I give him the 411 of the whole phone call, he rolls down laughing. Yeah, he tells me that this is what he used to do.

The calling process of the telemarketing companies

1)They somehow get hold of your phone # and call you about you winning either a vacation for 3 days, or Lincoln Navigator or $50,000 (and if I'm lucky I'll be permitted in the second round for $80,000 draw later on Feb 1st).

2) They ask you to verify your information, your first name and last name and your phone number(By this time, the system confirms you are the person, with the phone #).

3) If you say Nay, or No or worse haggle or piss them off, they put your # in the list which can be shared with other telemarketers(UN-believable!).

4)If the person shows up upon confirmation to be there for an hour, as soon as you stop by in person the telemarketer gets $50.

So I call the lady back, and say I am not interested. She says, thank you and hangs up(in micro seconds) not allowing me to put a request for No-Call list. I call her again, and tell her (politely) Can you please put me in the No call list please? She gets my first and last name, and my phone number.

(Just for my own reference, and to warn you this happened at 6.37 PM (CST) with a caller at Sundance Vacations 1(800)309-6500 this line is added.)

Beware friends, and folks.

My testimony of Powerlessness

2008-01-11T23:11:00.000-08:00

My Harddisk is about to give up on me, but I haven't given up. Reason: 35 GB worth of songs, personal pictures, etc. But right now I feel like a standing proof to the "Short Obligatory Prayer" where it says "I testify, at this moment, to my powerlessness and to Thy might,..."

Hope things get better, and I'd love to get all the music and pictures saved to my new Harddisk or the External Hard Drive.

Ya-Baha-ul-Abha!

Shaking Knees!

2008-01-09T16:08:00.000-08:00

Relaxing, having a balanced life is a wonderful thing to get accustomed to as I'm practicing SKY Meditation, Kaya-Kalpa, and Introspection regularly. Walking a spiritual journey it aids me(with God's Grace) conquer tests, flow around obstacles(like the Tai Chi[tai chi chuan] Concept). I am deeply thankful for the motivating souls who kept me in track. Esp .... hmmm(you know who you are). Like I posted my thank you note in my website, I'd like keep everyone who motivated me in the list, they know. Be Blessed.

Carlos Arboleda, is an awesome Tai-chi-chuan teacher. I liked his way of tangential, relational, teaching. We talked about postures, forming bows, and how it is similar to the Meditation in respect to the Chakras. We practiced postures for few hours. Boy what a stress reliever. It took me to the times when we fenced twice a week. Tai-chi-chuan is similar to fencing in relation to stances and poses. I felt shaking in my knees,which apparently is a good sign of stress reliever. Few others were doing TaiChi too. At one point my legs were like a stretched elastic band shaking and I couldn't hold my pose.

The Tai Chi was a perfect salve("...be a salve to their sores. Such are the attributes of the sincere! Such are the attributes of the truthful. - Abdu'l-Baha, Chapter 15, Baha'u'llah and New Era) for the things happening to me then for a period time till Jan 7th.

Note: The story is written in a positive way(describing victory over challenges with positive thinking).

Taoist Tai Chi Class Locator in your area(WORLD)

Blog!!

2008-01-04T10:24:00.000-08:00

How do you blog? Why do you blog? What is your blog talk about? I have all these silly questions. As I am learning what is this blogging(blog thing is) about. . . hmm

Gas Price

2007-11-15T12:03:00.000-08:00

Why is Gas price is $3.05-$3-12 in Highland Park, IL whereas in DeKalb county it is $3.26-$3.19? Isn't Highland park area have more rich neighborhood? DeKalb is supposed to have majority of rural population with NIU. This does not make any sense. Does anyone have comment on this?

Universal Citizen

2007-09-17T12:09:00.000-07:00

My friend and myself were talking about riding our motorcycles for a long time. That talk spun off a different topic about World Peace and Unity. We surfed the internet(I did it again today) and we couldn't find any motorcycle clubs for Unity and Peace. So with unanimous decision to start a Motorcycle club for Unity and Peace.

I am all excited to talk about Unity and Peace.