Pros and Cons of Office Romance

Office romances have made Hollywood producers and paperback writers a fortune. But they could cost you your job if you're not careful. Here are some pros and cons to consider before you decide to date one of your coworkers.

PRO's:
*More free time. Most people spend a lot of time at the office and have little time left to look for a partner. If you date one of your coworkers, you can skip the fix-ups and speed dating events and won't need to scan the local pubs for a possible mate. That time can be spent on each other.
*Ego Boost. You can think you're the hottest gal or guy in the office all you want.
*Overtime and big projects are more enjoyable. If your department lands a big project that requires long nights and weekends at the office, the two of you can order pizza in and never have to wonder what each other is really doing 'til all hours of the night.

CON's:
*Fewer happy hours. Instead of heading to the "usual place" for a quick cocktail, you and your mate will likely be grabbing Chinese to go so you can catch reruns of "Law & Order" at home.
*No more bluffing. When you date someone from the office, you can dash all hopes of bragging about your big job, your corner office or primo parking space. With any luck you'll at least choose someone who is on equal footing and recognizes your value just the way you are.
*You still need to get your work done. If you're not careful, you could catch yourself spending more time at work focusing on your relationship than on your job responsibilities. That could put you in jeopardy of losing your job or getting a poor performance review.

Well this is not experience though :) got it from one of the wbesites.. try it .. u never know might work for u.

20 best excuses for calling in SICK !!!

You've heard of the dog who ate homework, but what about the cat who unplugged the alarm clock? These days, people are getting very creative when they don't want to go to work.
One trend that also may be influencing the higher rate of unscheduled absences is the fact that the number of employers allowing employees to carry over sick time from one year to the next is trending downward and has dropped from more than one-half of companies (51 percent) in 2000 to 37 percent in 2004.
But could you get away with saying you had to go to your mother's dog's funeral or that you had brain cancer? Would you believe an employee who had the swine flu, forgot the way to work, or was arrested because of mistaken identity? Think carefully, if you're debating calling in sick, here are some of the most unusual excuses workers gave for missing work.

*I was sprayed by a skunk.

*I tripped over my dog and was knocked unconscious.

*My bus broke down and was held up by robbers.

*I was arrested as a result of mistaken identity.

*I forgot to come back to work after lunch.

*I couldn't find my shoes.

*I hurt myself bowling.

*I was spit on by a venomous snake.

*I totaled my wife's jeep in a collision with a cow.

*A hitman was looking for me.

*My curlers burned my hair and I had to go to the hairdresser.

*I eloped.

*My brain went to sleep and I couldn't wake it up.

*My cat unplugged my alarm clock.

*I had to be there for my husband's grand jury trial.

*I had to ship my grandmother's bones to India.

*I forgot what day of the week it was.

*Someone slipped drugs in my drink last night.

*A tree fell on my car.

*My monkey died.

Quiet Emotions

I always wanted more from you
than you were willing to give;
So now we've gone our separate ways
each with different lives to live.

The bond will always be there
the friendship always intact;
But the time for us has come and gone
and the pages of time, you can't turn back.

I will always be a friend to you
and wonder how you are;
The smiles and laughter I will remember
and our fights have become painless scars.

Sometimes on those busy days
when you've a thousand things to do;
Please let me glide slowly through your mind
and spend some time with you.

In that quiet moment
when you're surprised to find me there;
Just remember even with the distance between us
I am still someone who cares.

PREJUDICE AND HATRED

Every person in the world has, at one time or another, witnessed prejudice and hatred. A lot of people have been victims of these, and many people have been the ones who perform those hateful acts. But whether or not you are witnessing them or being a victim of them, everyone deals with them in different ways. I think the two biggest examples of prejudice and hatred were the Holocaust and the conflict between African Americans and whites. Both of these two things ended because of support and courage from different countries, people, and the victims themselves. But neither example had a true fairy tale ending. The actions that took place before peace was reached in these conflicts took a huge toll on every one of the victims. The sadness, tragedy, and remembrance of the acts of hatred and prejudice will live on with the victims forever. Most people think that it all could have been prevented, and I agree with that. But unfortunately we don't live in a perfect world, and there will always be people who get an idea in their heads that they are better or need to treat people badly if they don't agree with or like something about a certain person. I think that a major amount of prejudice and hatred takes place in schools. I think this is because of all the peer pressure that kids face everyday all year long. I agree that it is very hard to say "no" to your friends, especially when you want people to like or accept you, but it's not impossible. Most of the time when I see kids making fun of other kids, I think the easiest thing to do is to not say anything at all. But that's not necessarily the best thing to do. I think that the best thing to do is also the hardest. Sometimes, you just have to speak up. Most likely kids will quit making fun of someone when their peers let them know that what they're doing isn't funny. I don't think it's right when kids make themselves look good by making someone else look bad.

Although it seems like we will never get through to all of the people who make prejudice and hatred part of their lifestyle, I don't believe that it is a lost cause. Everyday more and more people are speaking out and standing up for what they believe. I think that slowly but steadily the number of people whose lives are based on prejudice and hatred is getting smaller and smaller

SACRED SPACE: Chinese Tantra Totem !!!

* Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
* Marry a person you love to talk to. As you get older, your partner's conversation skills will be as important as any other
* Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
* Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.
* Love deeply and patiently. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.
* In disagreements, fight fairly. Please, no name calling.
* Don't judge people by their relatives.
* Talk slowly but think quickly
* When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"
* Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
* Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; Responsibility for all your actions.
* Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship. When you realise you've made a mistake take immediate steps to correct it.
* Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
* Spend some time alone.
{ Source: Indiatimes.com }

A Place in Ur Heart !!!

Sitting here remembering when
I saw the beauty rush out like a mighty wind
I never saw it before or bothered to notice
But now I see it and on it I am focused.The gentleness of your voice
The way you make me feel
when I see your lovely smile.
The way you laugh and care for others
Even go beyond the extra mile.
I am focused on thatwhether you believe me or not
My heart aches for you
And my stomach is in knots.
Now I had to declare,The thoughts of my heart.
In hopes that you'd give me,
A place in your heart !!

I Understand !!!

I'll say it from the tallest mountain,
I'll swim the deepest sea.
To let everyone know I am holding a fortune God gave to me.
Your skin is so bright as bright as day.
Your eyes are like diamonds they sparkle this way.
I can't believe some people say "Love is blind".
Because we are holding a key some people never find.
When I hold you in my arms I cannot drift away.
You make the world stop turning, and everyday is a sunny day.
If the stars should fall it would be easy to replace.
I'll take you up to heaven and you wouldn't leave u alone there.
I know sometimes life is hard to understand.
But I insure you I love you and I'll always be with u.

A joke of tsunami proportions !!!!

Alumparambil Anjalos Xavier, 70, lived his life by the sea, hunting fortunes in the deep waters, going to bed every night as the sea-winds blew, and woke up to the morning's roaring sea waves.
His trust in the sea-goddess was impeccable. And it proved right as the old man survived the tsunami waves on December 26.
But he couldn't survive the stupidity of the Union home ministry.
On December 30, when Shivraj Patel's ministry announced that a second tsunami wave could strike any moment, thousands along the coastal regions ran out in frenzy. Xavier was among them.
Disaster was crowding up on the agitated old brain, and Xavier stretched further and ran faster. But within minutes he collapsed of a massive heart attack. In the next few hours he was declared dead at a hospital in Ernakulam.
This resident of Thekke Chellanam, a coastal village near Kochi, has silently joined the growing list of victims of an apathetic government's stupid responses in times of despair. Unfortunately Xavier is not a rare victim. Across India's landscape, in zones of disaster and distress there are too many of them

well this article was from Indiatimes.com... thought of sharing it with u guys ..

Problems are only opportunities with thorns on them.

Has this ever happened with you ????? you thought that life was going on very smoothly....just the way you wanted it to.....and then suddenly one strange day some thing happens which shakes u to da core of ur existence........ something that you had never ever dreamt even in ur scariest nightmares.......and that happens ....i mean becomes a part of ur real life.....wht would u do ??? now that nightmare can be anything.....juts any damn thing !!! but with that u realize that it didnt happen all so suddenly....it had been happening all along....ALL ALONG....all along the time u thought that every things was going according to ur wishes......u saw only wht u wanted to c...may be a bed of roses.....with due blindness toward the thorns !!! and when u realized that thorns 2 existed in some hidden corner ,it was 2 late......u had already started bleeding..... .bleeding with pain.... ..taking the pain....feeling the pain…that seemed to kill u......and how would u react if u come to know that someone....someone whom u love is somehow being hurt by all that has been happening ??? how would u feel if the one u love is hurt by u......even unknowingly ???? ........... ..HURT ????? ANGRY......AGITATED....with ur self ???well thats da normal reaction...... ... and that’s how i fell......wht u'll feel thats for u to think ,not me !!! lol !!!!!!!

Managing workplace stress: Plan your approach !!!

We all know the work pressure that we go through when we r at office !!!!

Here is a link, u can go through and hopefully it works out for u !!!

http://articles.health.msn.com/id/100096623

Happy Working !!!!

The "CTRL + ALT + DEL" Story !!!!

Have you ever thought of the person whoinvented "CTRL + ALT + DEL"key combination. "David Bradley" -- Heis the One who spent 1 minuteand 23 seconds in writing the sourcecode that rescues the world's PCusers for decades This extraordinary IBMemployee is retiring onFriday after a prolong service of 29years.
His formula forces obstinate computers to restart when theyno longer follow othercommands.

By 1980, Bradley was one of 12people working to create thedebut. The engineers knew they had todesign a simple way to restartthe computer when it fails to respondthe user Bradley wrote the codeto make it work. Bradley says."I did a lot of other things thanCtrl-Alt-Delete, but I'm famous forthat one." His fame and success isachieved each time a PC user fails.
He Commented his relationship with Billgates by saying "I may haveinvented it, but Bill gates made itfamous by applying my formula whenever any Microsoft's Windows operatingsystem made by him CRASHES,thus I win when ever he loses".
Have a gr8 day...

Is Govt doing enough for tsunami victims?

Is Govt doing enough for tsunami victims? ........... thats the question!!!!
I would like to say that the tsunami waves that struck the world and the southern part of India were totally unexpected. No one had ever anticipated that a disaster like this could strike, killing thousands of people.
We know that in other disasters that have hit the country, there have been incidents where the aid has not reached the victims. This is where the government plays an important role. It has to ensure that relief reaches those hit by this tragedy.
The government can improve the communication channels in order to speed the relief and rescue work. Currently the tsunami victims are being provided dry food packets and makeshift shelter camps. But this is just a temporary solution.
The people in Tamil Nadu, Kerela and other affected areas need to know where their future lies and what the government’s next step will be. At present their lives are at a standstill.
The govt says that it going to cut the salary for all govt employes..companies are going to cut the salary for the day and donate the money to the victims.. but do u think this money would actually reach them.. Does it always reach them??
How long will they be able to survive on dry food packets and live in shelter camps? They are looking up to the government for complete rehabilitation.Also, the government needs to form a disaster management cell. The government is doing a decent job of helping the victims, but now they should get over the ‘it won’t happen to me syndrome’ and take some preventive measures so that if a tragedy like this occurs again, the death toll can be reduced, if not completely averted.
Think about it...thers is lots that we can do for them.. but how many ppl are ready to come forward and do it.. how many ppl would actualy go to these places.. how many of them would actually spend their time leaving their own work... Very few!!!!

Over Paid cricketers

Cricket is a popular game in our country for various reasons, but is it really fair to pay the players so disproportionate to their performance?

Whether they win by a single run or loose by an innings they still get their pay packet, if they break a rule and are penalised they employ the most expensive lawyer to help them out.

In a country torn by disparity and poverty is it ethical to pay players lakhs for failing us?On one hand athletes commit suicide for lack of funds and cricketers are seen on fashion shows and award ceremonies handing over trophies!!

It's just crazy that our country still supports the game and any self-respecting Indian should stop watching the game unless a balance is drawn between the performance and pay of players.

For cricket lovers... ppl no offense meant, but i just outting across my thoughts and the facts.

How to ask him out !!!!

Think about it !!!!!
How often have you met a guy who seems worth getting to know better — a neighbor, a classmate, a friend of a friend, whatever — and been disappointed because he didn’t take the next step? You thought you sensed chemistry. The two of you had some great conversations, he remembers little things you mentioned to him, he’s even thrown a mild compliment or two your way, and yet…nothing.
Why the heck doesn’t this guy make a move, already? I have no idea. But if you’re so interested in this guy, why don’t you make a move?
Sure, taking the initiative can be risky business, but to me, it’s generally better to crash and burn than to wonder what would have happened if I’d taken a chance. And win or lose, it beats wasting countless hours on the phone with your friends dissecting every shred of conversation with the guy to try to figure out why he hasn’t contacted you.

If you’re ready to give it a try, remember these tips:

Be confident, charming and calm. Or at least pretend to be. This may be your first time asking a guy out, but he doesn’t have to know that.
Grab a natural segue. Look for some opening in your conversations that can allow the invitation to be made as naturally as possible. It can be as simple as finding yourselves talking about a new movie you’re both looking forward to seeing — all you have to do is suggest that you make plans to see it together.
Be direct and specific. Let’s have none of that wishy-washy “Would you like to go out some time?” business. Have a date and activity in mind and issue a full invitation. In the case of that movie, for example, you could suggest catching it together.
Keep it simple. For a first date, something casual and relaxed is a better bet than something overtly romantic or intimate. Dinner at your place, for example, should wait until something more substantial develops. Suggest seeing a Sunday matinee of that movie rather than a Saturday evening showing; Saturday night dates are packed with portent, and you both may be more comfortable easing into this.
Don’t overwhelm him. Many men are perfectly cool with — even attracted to — the idea of a woman who will make the first move. Not all are, though; there are still guys out there who are locked into tradition or who have definite ideas about being “the hunter.” (And even the most progressive-minded guy is still enticed by the thrill of the chase.) If he’s not receptive to your invitation and doesn’t suggest an alternative, back away gracefully. If he does accept, the ball’s in his court to ask you out for your second date. Remember, this isn’t about a complete and permanent role reversal. It’s about finding your romantic partner in crime.

Though few of them did work out for me.. Lol...Just Kidding..

Take care..

Are You CEO Material?

Hey Guys....
Jut imagine .... u have the capability in u.... and still dont get a chance to prove it....
Take this quiz in the link given below.. and find out if u really Are A CEO Material?

http://encarta.msn.com/quiz_98/Are_You_CEO_Material.html

Cia !!!!

Greatest Scoop/Quote of the Year 2004 !

Hi Guys,
What according to you was the greatest scoop/Quote of the year 2004 ? That one thing or an expose ..if I would term it so, that remained on the front pages of all leading national dailies for a long time in 2004.
Acc to me the greatest scoop of the year was what Mukesh Ambani said to a CNBC-TV 18 reporter. " There are other issues which are domestic in nature..but of course are in different domain "... This one line was the turning point !
It ,for the first time revealed that all was not good in the Ambani family....and the rest is history..... Had Mukesh Ambani not given this hint....Guess what would have happened and the shape of the things that followed..... Post your favourites here....and lets have a nice discussion on it...

Cheers !!!

Is Sachin ( yup, GOD himself) past his prime???

hey guys...

Until a couple of years ago, the very thought would have seemed like outright sacrilege...but not anymore, i guess... while couch-potatoeing as usual, surfing mindlessly thru all those channels, i found this rather intrsting poll on whthr, Sachin Tendulkar (yup, GOD himself) was past his prime?

They say most batsmen reach their peak performances in their 30s...having started at 16, has he burned out already.There's a definite n drastic change in his approach to batting lately, which obviously hasnt done him any gud. I never thot i wud live to see the day when they contemplate doing the unthinkable...dropping him from the team!! but at this rate, tht day isn't far either..valuable thots n inputs invited from all.. cheers

First date foods to avoid

You don’t have to be a Wilde-esque literary genius to recognize that it’s a turn-off to watch (or smell) your date getting weird with food (or drink) during your initial get-together. Nobody likes to see their guy digging into his mouth with a toothpick, or their girl begging, pleading, screaming for a curiously strong mint; it just ain’t dignified. If you want to maintain your dignity – or, at the very least, exponentially increase your chances for a good-night kiss – here are a few foodstuffs to avoid during an early-in-the-relationship date:
Spinach
The king of all stick-in-your-teeth veggies. I defy you to eat it without getting a hunk wedged in your molars. The bummer is that spinach totally yummy. Sigh…
Lobster
Do you really want to wear a bib on your first date?
Anything loaded with Thai chili peppers
I heard this from one of my friends that when he first wen to a bachelor party where the first stop was a local Thai joint. One of the groom’s hammer-headed co-workers insisted on eating a chili pepper from his spicy chicken. He plucked the pepper up with his hands, shoved it into his mouth, and took a big ol’ chomp. Three seconds later, his head imploded. So why take a chance? After all, it’s virtually impossible to kiss with an imploded head.
Beans
After all, they are the musical fruit.
Ribs
Let’s face it, no matter how awesome your outfit may be, or how excellent your hair looks, you can’t come off as cool or suave with a face covered in barbecue sauce and a row of teeth filled with bits of “the other white meat.”
Crab
Same basic principle as ribs, except sans BBQ sauce.
Schnapps
Comedian/actor Denis Leary once called schnapps “the crack of alcohol” and then added that a few shots will turn you into the Tasmanian Devil. Last time I looked, the Tasmanian Devil didn’t have a girlfriend.
Onion soup
A few spoonfuls of this stuff, and your sweat will smell like Georgia Vidalias.
An “up all night”
A frightening concoction comprised of a can of certain energy drink, and a shot of a certain green, medicine-tasting alcohol treat. Tastes bad, smells bad, and makes you act bad.
Corn on the cob
Like spinach, this stuff gets lodged in your teeth; like crab and ribs, you can’t help but look semi-dorkish when you eat it. This, my friends, is what we call the worst of both worlds.

Tsumani Continues

Behind the sheer numbers that make the tsunami toll lies a much more frightening figure.Lakhs of people are suffering from psychological problems like post-traumatic stress. In places like Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu, the administration is making a rare effort to tackle this hidden damage. However, it seems like a monumental task.
The doctors say the worst phase of trauma is about a month after the incident when the horrific scenes they witnessed come back to haunt the victims.While the state is making a commendable effort, these patients perhaps need more dedicated counselling if they are to have any hope of getting over their trauma.