Curious Connections

Typical Mathi Fry Served with Kerala Meals I have a suggestion to all the restaurants owners out in Kerala where they serve fried fish! I'm not sure if my opinion goes well with them. However, this is my take on it.  Most typical restaurants/hotels in Trivandrum and in new fish hub at Vizhijam, ( even the hotels which the vloggers praise about the food), overcook, resulting in a tough texture that masks their delicate flavor. Also, in case of fish curry, they fish too is over-cooked in gravy! This over-frying is usually done with low priced fishes like  Koyala, Ayila, tuna and mathi or chala. WhY DO YOU FRY THE FISH WAY TOO LONG!  I guess, most people prefer fish which is fried like a crispy piece. But in this process it's looses their distinct flavor and it's difficult to appreciate the fine taste.This is where I have a problem! I like to taste the unique taste, enjoy the succulent white flesh of the fish! 😣 Solution for this - Two approaches! Give it a try Here's ...

Tips to grow bromeliads in our state ! This and more videos from YouTube is shared with the purpose to trigger ideas to make our tropical place the new plant destination. 

Recently I hit upon a project to start growing bromeliads. And, for this project I wanted to buy rocks! Yes, different type of rocks as it will accentuate the look of bromeliads. But, there's a problem. Rocks are expensive to buy.  It's in this phase that I watched this video! Viola.  Now, I have a project to make these! I'm not sure if it will com-out the way it's shown in the video. Anyways I gotta try. Btw, nurseries can also make such faux rocks and sell. Also, toad stools made from cement or light weight material. These kind of addons will be great for people who have garden space and looking to fill it with interesting and colorful items.  Another thing that's on my mind is to make, look-alike of statue which is seen on Easter Islands! What do you say?  Shall we do it together! Do you have some tips on how to make a mold to make it? Pls share it with me, as I have less of artistic acumen to make it look like the faces seen on Easter Islands!  Btw, I wish t...

Let me watch this video and share what I feel about the talk! While I was listening to the talk by Seth Godin, I was thinking to myself ....to make this useful I need to write down what he is saying. And, that would require a lot of replays and writing and then corrections.  Well, no need for all that. The transcripts are readily available!  My mission and has been for a long time is to make a certain kind of change happen I want to help people see the world differently and if they choose to make a different Choice after they see the world differently I want to help people connect to each other and to use that connection to make things better. one's life most people spend most of their time on defense in reactive mode in playing with the cards they got instead of moving to a different table with different cards instead of seeking to change other people they are willing to be changed and part of the Arc of what I'm trying this Mantra of is this generous is this going to connect...

Relax Baby! Mr Big Gonna Take Care of You in a Minute! Name is for Tomb stones!  ======================== This used to be my punch lines for sometime! Just revisited it.

Listing of Local Talent For the past few days I had lunch from different hotels in around Kolattor for lunch. It's typical fish and meals served in Kerala. The food was okay, not great. So, when you pay Rs 110 for fish fry and meals, I guess that's what you can fairly expect.  But, given the money I spend, what other options do I have? Let's suppose, I'm able to connect with a household which is willing to give the similar food for the same or slightly higher price, and more tasty and really homemade one, then I would love it. I would also love the experience of visting their place and to enjoy a share of their food made in their house?  Well, there're many like me in every locality in Kerala, and elsewhere who would like to enjoy the hospitality, taste and freshness of food made in a house! THIS IS THE PREMISE OF THIS POST. 👆 Imagine, I'm working near Kazhakootta and I'm out of my office for lunch break what will be my options? The options will include the...

Love for Bromilards  Genesis of Bromilard Fandom Recently in a trip to a house, I saw couple of well maintained and colorful bromilards growing on a rocky garden. This caught my eye, and piqued my interest to come up with this mega plan. So, the first step would be plan these at my house - build a collection and take it from there! Second, step would be to do my part to make this plant into a celebrity. Well, that's not easy. However, you can influence few people to start growing bromilards in their house, and may be, may be then, it can trigger a chain reaction to make plant into a household name in Kerala.  Why is this Plan? First of all, it's clear that this plant is suitable for the tropical weather in Kerala. Second, is that I feel kerala has much untapped potential to turn our state into a horticultural hub, We have great weather for plants such as Orchids, Bougainvilleas, Bromediads ferns, and many other varieties. So, why not utilize this into a business!  I had e...

  Chai and Vada Chai booth getting popular Are you the one who likes to start a chai business and earn a living? If yes, you're in the right time. These days, every road corner you can find a thattukada or a person with a table selling tea or coffee or lemon juice. Moreover, another good reason to start chai kada is that now more and more young people are hanging around chai centres to have coffee. And, the best and the best part is that young girls too are hanging around with boys. This was not the case before Covid. I think, covid changed the entire thing! So, why are so many people entering this biz? How much does it cost? Where to buy the chai vandi? Is there second hand available here?

 These days there are more communities, tribes, groups and sub groups than ever. Earlier, neighborhood group or the local community was dominant and self serving one. Now, many people are disconnected from the local community - for example, hardly interaction happen between neighbors or people  staying in an apartment. Of course, there are many exceptions. But, overall I see a decline in the way bonding used to work.  So, got me thinking! What makes a community magic work? Here the community could be a Whatsapp group, Fb Group, or a Page, etc. There are few that came to my mind and mostly after reading a post  Value of community is when there's value to the people. Getting to know each other  Meet  Build relationships  Find value  Find comfort  Find insights Find joyful experiences with other members  Contribute for a common cause  Help people  Connect  Motivate people toward the goals or spend time Find job for the member...

In the blink of an eye, we have a flood of YouTube videos trashing Godi media and the stalwarts who was boot-licking the regime. Well, I just have one thing about all these - how much we have succumbed to one force. Probably, like the emergency era in India during 70's.  Thanks to UP voters who diffidently swayed the results of 2024 election.  Btw, I found two unique points from this talk by Parakala Prabhakar .. Check the two point raised here, if it resonates with you! Point #`1  If Modi to change and become a democrat .... it's a complete changeover of a personality. What the possibility of Modi becoming a Atal Bihari Vajpayee   👆 I was thinking of this statement from my point of view. How can I change and become a completely new personality, behavior traits, etc. For example, I usually delay on things which are important...saying to myself that I will do it another day. So, if I were to transform to a new personality, then I should rid of such traits. So, the qu...

  Peni Ice Candy near Medical College Tvm Recently I started to share a topic with people around me. It's about taking franchisee. I wonder how come I suddenly became a propaganda of franchisee! Surprising fact is that I still personally don't prefer franchisee model as I believe that it's bounded by rules and limits the freedom to play your game, improvise, etc!  I might be wrong here as I don't have first hand experience in it! However, I hav some kind of negative perception towards it!  So, why am I going about blabbering about franchisee biz! Is it easy as it sounds! Is the investment on franchisee payment, fee, etc worth it!  Well, what are the advantages of franchisee biz and in what conditions should you take it? 1. When you have too much money and less time!  3. When you want instant label to get recognition 3. When you're ready to invest your time on it! Here are  Food Franchisee biz that's Popular in Kerala! 1. KFC /Pizza Hut / Dominos / ...

  Daily Reminders and Questions to ask Yourself! Daily Actions and Goals I used to listen to his speeches on YouTube and off late I drifted off to other channels like Navel Ravikant, Seth Godin, and many others!  Sometimes, I get overwhelmed by the choices of leaders on YouTube and other channels! Wonder, how to focus on the speeches that matter and how to take the lessons for daily reminder!

  Protect your Dreams! We all have goals, desires and ambition! Isn't. At different states of life, we profess our desires and goals! Some stay, and may wither like leaves shredded from trees! Recently couple of incidents prompted me to look back at this topic! How sticky is your goal! Do you follow it up? Do you think it will just happen with a wish? NO! Make a note of all your wishes, follow it if it's too much to count on your fingertips! Check on each goal and see how far you're able to visit it on a daily, or weekly basis! FOLLOW UP!

  Talk by Osho ( I saw this talk by Osho after I wrote this blog_  Check it out  https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7Rktk3Jr3A/?igsh=ZTJpM3U1ZWE0dzB6 ) Copy the copy! Copy the idea Copy the strategy  Copy the confidence Copy the looks? Copy the diet Copy the hacks Copy the steps Copy the decor  Copy the model  Copy the talk Copy the quotes Copy the garden Copy the city plan Copy the service Copy the menu  Copy the balcony setup Copy the smile Copy the hair style Copy the site Copy the makeover  Copy the header and footer Copy before the copyright!  What right do you have to copy? Is copying the right thing? I remember a blog I read a long ago. Let me see if I can get it in search! No, I can't get that blog on search, but I found a blog about Trivandrum . Check it out.  Transcript of What Osho Talks about Creative Person  The Artist has to live in Rebellion because creativity is the greatest  rebellion in existence if you want to ...

 What's the image you carry when you drive a normal sedan or a scooter? What kind of perception do you carry when you had to park your two wheeler in front of a gleaming high-end car?  Do you feel small, or you think yourself low before a person, who's endowed with material stuffs? Or, are are you one not swayed by the material apspects as long as you have your things sorted out!  Do you feel proud to showcase a shiny Iphone, and hide your basic android phone? What makes you confident when you carry gadgets which signals some kind of status, wealth or proof that you're successful? And, what's the inside confidence that outshines these material signals! Well, I don't have the answer to these as I too fall behind in confidence on the face of certain situations in life?  However, you can remind yourself .... You're the BMW You're the Master  You're the hero  You're the Champion!

  R.I.P Bennette Uncle Spreading Music Vibes in Tvm and beyond It's an end to an era. A time known for cassette tapes! I've just been to his house when my friend took me to get a cassette recorded from his. And, that was the first time I heard from Bose speakers! Man, I never knew how size does not matter!  Probably that was during late 90's or early 2000 period. And, now in 2024, my wish for Bose speaker seems elusive!  Back to the story of Mr Bennette, commonly known as Bennette Uncle to the musics aficionados of Trivandrum.  P.S - While searching for Bennette Uncle online, I found this news in Hindu news paper about another music influencer - Check this link  https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/remembering-sam-walsalam-musician-and-teacher-who-founded-trivandrum-mens-chorus-and-trivandrum-choral-society/article31923761.ece   Next on my list is to get The Hindu, online subscription.  Tribute to Bennett Uncle by a music Lover

  Quote by J Krishnamurti Just happen to read a thread on Reddit, which was taking about the racism . And, from this thread I found this image, with the quote by J Krishnamurti. 

Garden with no Gardner How Green was my Valley Then? I'm sure that the above image of glass bottles would not mean anything! But, for me it means a complete disorder of a space! What I had intended for this garden spot inside the house was a green sanctuary, but it has a neglected spot! An eye sore for people who walk the stairs! So,this is a note to self on how to rebuilt life from the trenches of delay and isolation!  How to make a turnaround in your life?  How to reclain the garden patch?  How long will it take to make the garden a beautiful spot? How do you think of your current situation?  What's stopping you from achieving your top goals? Two Slogans to Live by! 1. Rebuilt Kerala  2.Tougher than the rest  3. Fix a small thing ( Chris Borgan)  Btw, as Dan Kennedy says, all these notes, I'm sharing is for many reason: 1. Bring Generosity to the table 🥰 2. Live a Rich & Valuable Life ( Remit sethi) 🥰 3. Dedicated To Multiplying ...

  Avilsoe Podi After a long long gap, I had avoilse podi which was given by a person who made this for a large order. On that day I love the feel of avilose which took me back in time. So, if you're from Kerala, there's a good chance that you had avoilose podi during your childhood days. This is true especially if you belong to Gen X generation or probably millennial too. I remember my mom making tons of this and keeping in plastic container. At that time, it was a default food to have during evenings or something for breakfast.  During that phase of life, I had it b'cos I had no choice. So, to make it easy on the palette, I would add sugar, and then black coffee. Who Else is Having Avilose Podi in 2024 And now in 2024, I wonder if any household makes avilose podi at home. I don't think that the kids these days has any interest for avilose podi nor parents have the time to make this at home. So, what we have now are the store bought avilose podi. Square One Talent near...

  Bluesea Fishmart Whatapp Post I'm a customer of Bluesea fish from the time they started from a shop near Burma Road, Kumarapuram, I seen how they have overcome many challenges in their fish biz, esp when owners had asked them to vacate the shop and the covid time. Apart from overcoming the odds, they improvised in many ways and increased the customer base. What I like the most is the fresh stock and the daily Whatsapp updates. Btw, if you're from Trivandrum and who like to get the updates from Bluesea fish, you can either Contact 9633152213 or Whatsapp 9633152213 What's great about Blueseafish Mart and what others fish vendors can learn: 1. Fish is cleaned and delivered to home ( Many shop in Tvm does it) 2. Due to high demand, fish stock is sold out by 9ish ( So, no old stock) This try.  3. When there's shortage in supply or when fish price goes way up, they don't sell. They inform about it in a status update  4. Good presentation of fish on Whatsapp ( In the abo...

Bougainvillea near Kannanmoola  Introduction Sun was hash this year. Harsh is an understatement. During the peak of the summer sizzle, I drove in my scooter, with sun bearing down without any hesitation. The situation inside the office was more close to an oven. The fans were not of much help in this over heated world. And, it was worse in many other govt offices like village office which did not have any sheet on the terrace.  Only good thing about the long summer month was that it was a bonanza for flowering plants like bougainvillea and many other. As for me, I had a good number of petunias of pink, light pink and white shade.   Of the summer loving plants, Bougainvilleas was the highlight of the season. In many houses, we could see blooming show by the gate, on the arches, pots lined up on the terrace. What a show it was! Let's make a big party out of Bougainvileas! That's the whole idea about!  The tropical climate of Trivandrum, coupled with its status as ...

We'll find some other crazy dream tomorrow (Oh yeah) How often do you like a song which you come across randomly on the YouTube Playlist? For me, I could be one song, one podcast, in a month.  And, here's is the latest one. Last few months, I was listening a lot of these two songs -  Move On by ABBA and prior to that was Wildflowers.

  Thankful Giving -generosity Gala Mop - Cleaning Saviour For some reason I was on an upbeat mood. Probably, It was a happy hormone that sprung from gardening. Well, I spend almost an hour digging around the space, getting hands dirty, adding manure, and petting my fav plant - petunia. Another reason for the jolly good mood was that I bought a much required Gala stick from Lulu mall. I'm pretty much a sucker for such stuffs ( kitchen items). This mop stick is expensive, compared to other thread type mop sticks. My love for this type of mop goes around 15 years old. First time I saw a demo of such stick was in an exhibition booth and from that time onwards I have been using this in my house.  The initial price of this cleaning stick was around 250 or 300.  Now,  the price is close to thousand bucks. One innovation of this mop stick is the use of soft material. In earlier models the sponge becomes rock solid if it dries. So, now its more convenient to use - d...

  Source - Exponential View Time is ticking for big energy players like BP, Shell and other traditional energy companies. Now, the grown is shifting to big players who are new to the arena. They are the Chinese companies who are into solar energy production. Well, I haven't heard any of them.  So, if you're in charge of the traditional oil producers, what decisions will you take today to protect your income, your clout! Btw, is there anything that could be done?  Is the only way to survive is to shift to solar or other forms of energy? But, that's going to take some time? Does companies like BP or Chevron has alternative energy units which are looking into the clean energy generation.  What about big Oil Corporations in India? Do you they have a plan B to offset the changes that are happening now?  Here's a snippet from Exponential View  Have you heard of Tongwei? How about BP? Everyone knows the Seven Sisters of Big Oil, but there’s a new rival on the bloc...