EVERYBODY IS NICE

I had a one month training at a factory in Indore in North India for my first job. While there, I met a young man who came to the factory for a few days. He was tall and handsome. He spoke fluently. He was being considered for a sales position and was getting to know the products. He was also meeting the Boss to negotiate the terms of employment. So one day I asked him ‘How is the Boss? Is he a nice guy?’ He said ‘Everybody is nice, so long as you don’t come in the way of their interests.’

A few days later he told me he was leaving and that he would not be joining them. He looked happy. I think he had asked for a salary they were not willing to offer. It was against their interests to pay him that much. So he had come in the way of their interests.

COVID 19 & CRIME

When Covid 19 lead to the lockdown and restrictions early last year, I thought there could be an increase in the crime rate. Many people were beginning to lose their jobs. Even some of those working abroad were returning after having lost their jobs. It would be difficult for them to survive. There are more crime stories in the newspapers now but since the government does not release any information regarding the crime rate we do not know if it has really increased.  

Since masks are mandatory, everybody wears one and the police have had trouble identifying the criminals. Recently a masked man wearing a cap walked into a jewellery shop and started looking at some of the expensive jewellery. Suddenly he ran out of the shop with some of the jewellery. His friend was waiting outside on a motorcycle and they left together. Though the shop had a video of the incident the police could not identify the man since he was wearing a cap and a mask.

QUILON BEACH HOTEL

SAME SHIRT

I once had a boss who would wear the same shirt every day. He would wear a light blue shirt with thin white stripes. I thought he must have a few of them. One day I went with a friend to a place to collect his clothes. He had given them for ironing. People who did not want to iron their own clothes could get it done at such places. They charge a small amount for each piece. While waiting for my friend to collect his clothes, I noticed some shirts that were already ironed. They looked like the ones my boss wears. I asked the person running the facility about those shirts. He told me that it belonged to my boss. I counted the shirts. There were 14 shirts. All looked alike. I then realised my boss must have more than 14 of those shirts since he was still wearing them when these 14 were being ironed.

KOLLAM BEACH

EXERCISE

I don’t exercise regularly. I usually do it for a few months and then give up. Several months later I may start again. There are exercises that help to build Stamina, Strength and Flexibility. To build Stamina we can run or swim. To build Strength we can do push-ups, pull-ups or weight training. To increase flexibility we can do some stretching, bending or yoga. I try to do these three types of exercises. I usually run on the spot to avoid running outside. I do push-ups but not weight training since I want to avoid the use of equipment. I also do some stretching, bending or yoga. I feel better when I exercise. I wish I could continue doing it without interruption but it is difficult to stay motivated.

MINISTER'S RAGE

A boy was standing in front of a Minister’s car. He did not notice the car since he was looking the other way. It was a narrow road in a rural area in North India. The driver sounded the horn several times but the boy did not get out of the way. The Minister got down from the car and scolded the boy. The boy did not respond and the Minister assaulted the boy. Later when the press started investigating they found that the boy was deaf.

(True Story)