Mongrels "cleverer" than pedigree

A study carried on man's best friend by some researchers at the Aberdeen University in the United Kingdom has found that mongrels are cleverer than their pedigree chums. It seems crossbreeds have better spatial awareness and problem solving abilities than pedigrees.

I personally think too from my observations.....that mongrels are smarter! Similarly, kids of cross cultural marriages are also better in terms of genetics. They are loads smarter and they are all so good looking! Think of it...the Black, the White, the Brown,....a day may come in future....when we will all be Just Beige! Wouldn't that be wonderful?! Racialism would cease!

The number "8"

"China braces for Olympic wedding blitz", the headline read on the CNN website - World News Section. I was intrigued....what could be the reason.

The summer Olympics kicks off on the 8th of August and the number carries a special significance in the Chinese culture. Reason being, the number "8" pronounced as "Ba" sounds like the words "wealth" and "fortune" in Chinese. Each year it seems many Chinese couples tie the knot on the 8th of August, "eighth of the eighth" in hopes that luck would rub off on them.

In Chinese culture numbers often dictate various aspects of everyday life. And of all the numbers eight is supposed to be one of the luckiest. This is why Beijing would be kicking off the Olympic Games at 8.00pm on 08.08.08.

Hmmm.....I must keep this date in mind!

"Quantum of Solace"

This morning as I was reading the Top Stories on CNN.... "Producers reveal title of new James Bond" caught my eye. Wow! Another Bond movie and a Daniel Craig starrer!

Filming has begun and it's a sequel to "Casino Royale" beginning an hour after the films ends with Bond devastated after his betrayal by true love Vesper Lynd. Will Bond find solace in the arms of the two Bond girls played by Olga Kurylenko and Gemma Artenton? Bond may be diverted but then again, he may not! We'll just have to wait for the answers. The movie is due to be released later this year and the title chosen by the Producers is "Quantum of Solace". The title is taken from a story by Bond creator Ian Fleming that appears in "For your eyes only".

Fleming defined quantum of solace as "that spark of niceness in a relationship that if you don't have, you might as well give up."

Quantum of solace, roughly a measure of comfort......an integral part for a relationship to flourish which if lacking, might as well call it off! Just what I have always been saying!

Current Salary

Yes, current salary......this is what is hounding me....especially these days as I continue to search for a better job. I am asked what my current salary is, as the offer would be based on this......but I am really not comfortable with talking of my present salary as there is not much to talk about. I would expect the Salary Package to commensurate with the job....but does this happen?

The current salary.....one of the most important deciding factor on what your package would be.... here in the Middle East lies on one's nationality or the color of your Passport. Tell me how fair is it to be doing the same job and to be paid lower than the other because of Nationality, color of skin or color of the Passport? Some disparity in salary between another due to seniority, better degree, better negotiation, bigger company....exist everywhere in the world.....but here in the Middle East....no matter what job or position....there is a different salary structure for every Nationality. The difference is huge and its simply not fair!

I am Brown and I belong to a country where we are more than a billion people.....and No, I have not immigrated to a White country......so my future Package now depends on my current salary which was decided earlier when I first came to the Middle East....which was based on my Nationality.

Late ino the night.....

A love caught in the fire of Revolution.
In a land of guns and ice, there is the great sound of battle and the greater silence of lovers

Late into the night.......I stayed wide awake with Doctor Zhivago.

Doctor Zhivago is a beautiful and moving film by David Lean based on a novel by the same name by Boris Pasternak. This is the story of a man and his mistress who together try to insulate their private lives from the chaos of the Russian Revolution. It is wistfully sad accentuating the beauty of life amidst the most bitter tragedy.

The film stars Omar Sharif as Doctor Zhivago, the Protagonist. Julie Christie plays Larissa Antipova (Lara) the mistress while Geraldine Chaplin plays Tonya, Zhivago's wife.

The film's theme music is hauntingly beautiful. It makes you wish for the Spring to come.....for all would be ok then.....perhaps?

On a lighter note, of the 105 Lara Poems by Doctor Zhivago , two of the best has been translated from Russian to English. They are beautiful....and I can not decide which is the best!

Lara No. 5

Lara
Lara Lara my Lara
Lara Lara Lara Lara
Lara
Lara Lara Lara
Lara!

Lara No. 79

Lara Lara Lara Lara
Lara my Lara my Lara
Lara Lara
Lara Lara Lara
Lara Lara Lara my Lara
Lara!
Lara! Lara!

Sea-Green Leather Boots

It's my Birthday....yes it is. Today, this day...years back...I was born. Time sure has flown. When I was in school, I was in a hurry to finish school, finish college and start working.....as this was to have brought me independence.....independence to do as I please. Now that I am here, I realize those carefree days were indeed wonderful. Of course the pressure to study and excel in your studies was there...but then, what is that compared to the pressure that we have to undergo now! The workplace is competitive.....the market is competitive if you have to hunt for a new job....and if you're single, the pressure of getting married mounts....from family, friends, well wishers....Society tut-tuts a Single Woman!

It's a Sunday...but I had office...start of the week....and "No" I didn't take an OFF! I had bought myself these lovely pair of Sea-Green Leather Boots just yesterday...indulging my love for shoes....once again! I wore these to office today. Très chic, très belle...c'est magnifique! Happy Birthday Moi!

Don't want to miss the Boat

Lately my mind has been occupied with where my life is heading. The more I think, the more desperate I seem to become. I don't want to miss the boat.....if it is a boat that I want to get on.

I need to keep myself focussed and do the best that I can. Certain things are not in my hands....and at the age I am in.....I do not feel I should just do things on the impulse but to weigh the pros & cons....though I do know that this has been the case with me always...being the person that I am.

Just the other day I get a call from a friend who accused me when asked about my plans of getting out of this place that I was not serious.....else I would have left by now. Life is slipping away and I was not moving out. Don't I know that?....but to be rubbing it in?.........it was cruel.

A recent contact from the past is looking positive. I have my fingers crossed. Five years here has been long enough....what had to happen, happened....it's time to move on....explore other avenues....see what life throws up!

PS:- Happy Birthday, Darling Niece!

The Massage

The massage is tempting....
And knowing you cannot give it....
And knowing I cannot have it....
For the simple reason....
You are there....
And I am here....
Wouldn't it be better....
If we forget about....
The Massage....
For now?

Love is in the air!

Love is in the air
Everywhere I look around
Love is in the air
Every sight and every sound

And I don't know if I'm being foolish
Don't know if I'm being wise
But it's something that I must believe in....

I just read the front page on "Times of India".........How nice of India!

India willing to treat Bruni as 'first lady'
8 Jan 2008, 0000 hrs IST, TNN

NEW DELHI: India, it seems, feels it's for the French to decide what status should be accorded to supermodel-turned-singer Carla Bruni if she indeed comes visiting with French president Nicolas Sarkozy later this month.

Amid reports that Sarkozy (52) may tie the knot with Bruni (39) early next month, after some weeks of a highly-publicised courtship, with business often being mixed with pleasure during his foreign visits, an external affairs ministry official on Monday said, ''There will no protocol problems from our side if she comes.''

''It is for the French to decide whether she should be treated as the 'first lady' or not. If they so desire, she will be part of the ceremonial reception and other official functions,'' he said.

''But if the French tell us she is just a part of the official delegation, she will be treated as a simple delegate, without the privileges accorded to first ladies,'' he added.

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Walk down by the sea

I went for a walk down by the sea...once again, this afternoon. It was a beautiful day....not at all cold. The seaside where I walk though was pretty crowded....there were families picnicking....kids cycling....running....playing.... crying....laughing.....couples walking, some hand in hand....men walking in groups....lone walkers like me a few.....a cyclist passed by.....a skater zoomed by....

The sea was noisy too.....the birds....the boats....but still beautiful....and I walked....I walked all alone.....alone in a sea of crowd....alone in my thoughts......

This Year's Resolutions

"I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute my this year's resolutions and will to the best of my ability achieve what I have set myself to before the end of the year. So help me all, with your words of encouragement!" Mirandian.

PS:- Spot the differences or/and the similarities between Bridget's and Mirandian's Resolutions.