What's in a name...?

Autograph hunters are a notoriously weird bunch, who are more often than not, arrested on suspicion of stalking. But there's a method to their seemingly endless madness. Autographs are also a big business. Now, your signature may be worth as much as a phelgm in a tissue, but some people's scrawls..... are worth millions..... especially if they're dead.



Take one such deceased person, the rather nifty playwright William Shakespere. There are only 6 known authentic autographs of his fluttering around the world. Of course, none of these are actually for sale, but if one of them comes up for auction, experts have put a reserve of $ 5 Million on it...

"What's in a name?" He once wrote..... Moolah... Will, that's what!!!!!

The Secret! - An Original....

I sat and wondered who leaders are?
Why are they bestowed with so much power?
Don’t they ever fight nor have a rift?
Is it all a supernatural gift?

Are Gandhi & Mandela only about a name?
Is it really easy to claim such fame?
Why do people admire them, the way they do?
And why are such leaders so far and few?

On my journey to this intriguing quest,
I put myself to learning & test.
It wasn’t easy to reach the core,
But its only when you sail, you touch the shore.

Believe me, the secret wasn’t easy to find,
I somehow knew, it all started in the mind.
On pressing my search a bit further more,
Passion was a thread that came to the fore.

Self belief was virtue I knew,
My faith in it was refreshed anew,
Principles and beliefs moulded these men,
On honesty they’d all score a perfect ten.

Leaders are, the ones who dare,
For their people, they truly care,
Luck in their lives, played hardly any part,
More than mind, they heeded their heart.

They were the ones who sowed the seed,
Without the selfishness or any greed,
Life’s a tug of war, and you need to pull
If you want it to be happy and full,

They left indelible images on the sands of time,
I end it here; there’s no more I can rhyme!
I share with you, my learning for your sake,
Always in the end, the love you take,
Is equal to the love you make!!

An Idea for India….

15th August, 2008: Instead of the regular and almost ritualistic wake up trance on the Independence Day morning of watching the PM’s address from the Red Fort, this time I did something rather different.. Or indifferent I must say. It was a Friday and yes, today I would get my copy of the Economic Times, *(I don’t subscribe to it on weekends due to affordability issue – it costs Rs. 9 on Sundays). So cherishing the great opportunity of browsing through the ET early morning, I came across this masterpiece compilation in the “Corporate Dossier” supplement of the ET. 9 of India’s CEO’s had volunteered to write for the special publication. It was truly a special issue which indeed brought out the varied opinions of these CEO’s on nation building, articulating their ideas for India’s future. It was truly insightful. I’m just attempting to summarize what I gathered from their opinions with my own inputs here. Let’s see if An IDEA can change our lives….

Henry Luce, the legendary founder of TIME, called business, an instinctive exercise in foresight. So is nation building, said the learned CEOs. Let us acknowledge the fact that in the history of this world, nations sometimes find themselves on the threshold of opportunity, it is then that their adopted actions & policies that determine how successful these nations emerge as global powers. There are various such opportunities that time has given to the world. Be it the World War, Cold War, Humans going into space, birth of atomic & nuclear warfare, or the more recent global economic slowdowns. The series of events have always thrown up opportunities in times of adversities.

India is today faced with the great paradox of population. Where today every 6th person in the world is an Indian, where do we see our country going ahead into the future? We as the people of this country must decide how we want India to be positioned at the turn of the next decade. We have some inherent strength in the form of our young populations, a pervasive & strong democracy and the naturally entrepreneurial spirit of our people, but is it enough to make us a superpower in times to come? Certainly not…

Despite having one of the best democracies in the world, ironically Indian polity faces the chronic disease of opportunism & petty shortsightedness. Most of all, it is the sheer distorted priorities of leadership in this country which has posed a most ghastly scare to the nation’s progress. Just to sight an example, the CM of Maharashtra offering a Rs. 10 lakh reward to Abhinav Bindra, the millionaire shooter Kid of a millionaire father. This is not to undermine Abhinav’s magnanimous achievement in bagging an individual Gold for India, but just goes to show the completely distorted priorities of our leadership. Does Abhinav actually need that money? What does Maharashtra specifically have to do with Abhinav, who is actually a resident of Chandigarh? And then they complain that farmers are committing suicide in Vidarbha!

With the inflation at its peak, and the world facing a financial slowdown, the Government is busy making its point by proving its majority on the floor of the house, just because a handful of old fashioned red obsessed Bongo Malyali comrades thought that the Nuclear Deal is not in India’s national interest. Also if all this drama wasn’t enough, our old protagonists at nationalistic drama, the saffron brigade pull out a sensationalism & wannabe’ishness personified cash for vote sting, which was nothing short of Rakhi Sawant antics thrown in the media just to get undue attention. The Hon. Speaker of the house of Lok Sabha is suspended from his own party and bundles of notes thrown in front of the parliament. Multiple bomb blasts across Gujarat & other cities across the country are only few of the examples of the high handedness with which this country is Governed.

Nandan Nilekani, the Co Chairman of Infosys in his article (which I could relate to the most) writes that Policy Makers need to recognise that free markets and reforms in themselves can be pro poor. We do not need the glam high but brittle promises of thousands of crores of farm loan waivers. He wonderfully describes India as “Limited Access” state. The rapid growth that India witnessed over the last 2 decades is fuelling new hopes amongst Indians, for better lives, incomes and employment. But there is too much that still barricades the way. And the reason that so many Indians remain cut off from the economy is that we have yet to fully embrace what ought to be the core idea behind reforms – expanding access.

Air Deccan, a wonderful model of expanding flying experience access to marginalized people has been dumped because of the taxation policies of the Govt on Surcharge & taxes on Air Fuel & Airport development. The lack of capital means, average Indian finds it difficult to take loans to start up his business. A weak subsidy system means that poorer Indians lack any kind of safety net to take big life risks, such as attempt higher education or migrate for better jobs. Only 15% of our farmers have bank credit. With our Government run schools in dismal state and almost 90% of our populations still languishing in the underpaid, underdeveloped unorganized sector we sure have a reason to regroup and rework our strategies.

If we have to match upto the “Great American Dream” of the 1950’s and the 1960’s or walk head to head with the Chinese Great Leap of the 1970’s and 1980’s we need to expand access of basic resources to the most poorest of the poor. We need many more “Lead India” & “Teach India” campaigns. Many of us will find this goal a struggle. But then, most of our past triumphs have come after a great struggle. All our battles that we have won have been hard fought. We are seen as a country which exemplifies struggle. Now, we must ensure that the world wakes up and takes notice of the sheer power of the hopes and aspirations of 1.1 Billion people. After all, it is said, that a single idea can change your life…

I'm not the only one....

Imagine there's no heaven...
Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try,
No hell below us
Above us only sky.

Imagine all the people
Living for today...
Imagine there are no countries,
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too

Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger..
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one!!!

The Brand Called ....YOU!!

If you were an ice cream, what would you be??? A Feast - Something rough on the outside but complete mush chocolate from the inside.... or a Gelato -sinful, extravagant and something to savour and aspire for.... or then are you Ben & Jerry's - quirky, fun loving, and full of goodness... or the eternal ol' Baskin & Robbins - predictable, a little boring, but oh - so dependable?

But if you were to identify - after you stopped wondering whats wrong with me... of course with this analogy, you clearly understand the power of brands. After all, ultimately, what's an ice cream? Just a frozen confection of milk and sugar, with some additional flavours thrown in. Do a blind - taste test of all these brands, and Im sure 7 out of 10 people won't be able to tell their Gelato from Baskin's...But such is the lure of the images brands help create, that just the name is evocative of a distinctive attribute: be it class, quality or cost.

But then, you'd have to be really naive to still believe - if you did - that the brand is about the product. Branding is all about Product Perception. Its about creating an identity and image to reach the decision - preferably favourable and when that product is YOU..... Its even more critical. The branding process has to be so perfect that the decisions can't be, anything but, in your favour.

That in a nutshell, is the premise of Peter Montoya's - "The Brand Called YOU." It's being touted as the definitive guide to personal branding, which in turn is "the most powerful success & personal impact tool ever devised." A sunshine concept that I have definitely woken up to, in this world of competetive differentiating advantages.

Fulsome praise coming from me, indeed, but it begs the question: what is a PERSONAL BRAND? Montoya has appended a helpful little glossary at the end of his book. according to that, a personal brand is "a personal identity that stimulates precise, meaningful perceptions, in it's audience about the values and qualities that the person stands for, personally and professionally."

And before you ask, NO, its not the same as advertising and PR. The purpose of creating a personal brand is not to make you famous, emphasizes Montoya. It's about enhancing your sphere of influence, because that's what generates wealth. Of course, you may become famous, but that's just a welcome extra, not the ultimate goal.

A personal brand is about keeping you, and everything about you at the top - of - mind, telling people that you can create value and helping business come to you, rather than having to scout for work. it sounds like a sterile way of doing business... that's because it is!!! But it's a reflection of reality. People are commodities... just like soaps and steel - and YOU and your most valuable asset. (Ask this dude called VIJAY MALLYA... who wants to live life kingsize.... If you have any doubts on this one... or.... how about SIR RICHARD BRANSON or someone something called DONALD TRUMP!!)

Citing case studies of orthodontists, realtors, commercial photographers and personal injury lawyers, Montoya lists several strategies, from the obvious (Like having a pesonal blog, or a website, or just simple way of paying attention to the person who's talking to you!!)

Well, now I dont mean to tell you intricate details on "How to..." but would just urge you to just pause and introspect. Don't just run the rat race... as they say, that even if you win, you're still a RAT!! The world has woken up to key differentiatiors, and the theory of competitive advantage. Everyone is looking for that "Something Different"...... Remember Admiration Fades... Love Endures!!...... Products Sell... Brand Live On...

Let you... the "BRAND YOU" live on in the minds of everyone around you, by doing the ordinary things which often lead to extra ordinary results, something small like wishing people on special days, sending them personalised e mail / greeting rather than just a "fwd" which all of us hate to see in our mailbox. A pleasant SMS or phone call to your long lost friend or an acquaintance. A birthday greeting to your customer / boss / co worker will definitely go a long way in moulding a legendary BRAND YOU...

I don't want to preach any futher, else I'd come accross like a mother sending her child off to boarding school: But yea, Montoya, through his book doesn't just hold your hand, he clutches it and drags you UP, from your current state of being!! Of Course... if you're good, you'll get the Ice Cream too!!!

So... when do you know it's love?

Hey... what a refreshing change!!! Just saw an amazingly fresh & genuinely "Hatke" movie after a long time!! "Jaane Tu... " delivers a much needed dose of the antidote of originality.

But as I watched the movie, the punchline of the movie especially caught my attention.

"So when do you know it's love??"

Is there a set definition, criteria or a parameter fixed to determine the exact timing of the occurance of this four lettered divine phenomena called LOVE? Is Love just an illusion? Can one actually time it? Can one actually determine that It's about to happen???....... I really dont know.

Love to me is the transcendence of all of one's emotional affinity towards the person they like. It's everything, yet nothing in tangible terms. The mere concept of LOVE, as celebrated by poets & artists is infinite and cannot be measured. More importantly it cannot be timed either. It's a breath of fresh air, you cant see it, but its there. It's the blessing of the Holy Force to the mankind, you cant measure it, but it exists! Love as they say, is the cause as well as effect. It justifies the ends as well as the means!!

Okay, thats fine.... but the question yet remains... "So When do u know it's love" and not just infactuation? or attraction.... or is it just friendship??? Believe me... on intense introspection, I think, there is no one else who can tell you "When It's Love...." You are your best judge......

It's Love... when her sms stays in your inbox forever!!
It's Love.. when despite the traffic you take a longer route to drop her back home.
It's Love.. when you wait for her call all night...
It's Love... when you talk to her all day
It's Love... when you want to offer your only umbrella to her and you get wet!
Sometimes.. love is when you purposely forget your umbrella at home to share hers!!

Love is not about taking... as much as it is about giving!!
Love is about creating magic, when there isn't any!!
Love is friendship.................... in its purest form!

Most of all.... Believe me... "Its love if you're thinking about him / her while reading this post"

So, just go and call the person up right now, let them know that they mean the world to you!! And express your love before it's too late!!!

Champions are boring!!!

It is a rainy evening. Its already 8:00 p.m. and I'm anxiously waiting for my mum to serve up some dinner. I am really hungry after a nice long and brisk walk at the seaface. In the midst of this agonising wait, I suddenly learnt an invaluable lesson in excellence!!!


As a matter of habiutual ritual, I was flipping channels... India was getting thrashed at the hands of the archrivals Pakistan in an important Asia Cup cricket match. How could I have continued watching the ordeal! Hence, as a natural progression, I switched to watching the Wimbledon!!! Let me tell you, it's one of the most classy sporting tournaments held accross all disciplines accross the wide spectrum of international sporting arena. Everything about the tournament exudes class, from the ground staff to the ball boys to even the crowd. Even the applause after every point somehow sounds perfectly in sync and rhythemic.

Yesterday, I happen to catch the Quarter Final clash between the World No. 1 Roger Federer and Mario Ancic, who has the distinction of being the last man to have defeated FedEx, on his preffered grass surface, way back in 2002... The champ, hasnt lost a match since!!!


The match, mildly put, was a highly boring, one sided affair with short streaks of brilliance on display by the gutsy challenger, Ancic. But as anticipated, he failed to make too much of a headroom and lost the match in straight sets. And then in hindsight I sat wondering.... Why do so many people die to see such boring matches?? What's so great about this dumb guy who just doesnt know the art of loosing?? What's so great about him??


And then, on serious contemplation... I slowly began to find answers to my questions. The first premise I established was "Champions, more often than not, are boring!!"



More often than not, all of us are in our average lifetime, are faced with our big moments of truth. These are moments which decide, how the coming generations would remember us, or rather, will they remember us at all or not! Champions, as species, are plagued with this habbit of treating such important moments as if they are inconsequential!!!


They go about doing what they do best, the way they know best, which in most cases, is by beating the rest!!! Champions are almost always on top of their game. They are sheer antonyms of excitement. Obviously as one gets excited and nervous, only when one is uncertain about the result. Champions are always sure of what the result would be!!


More importantly, and boringly true champions are humble. As a press person, you will never be able to extract a 'headline statement' out of them which would provoke further sensationalism. They'd never criticise, never throw brickbats as their peers. Aaarrggghhhh so irritating!! They are agonisingly monotonous and colourless in their personalities. They are a gossip columnist's nightmare!!

Also, something which baffles me, is the sheer hunger to win that these morons have. I mean.. why would Sachin want to score a run more in his lifetime... he already has thousands of them stacked up anyways.... or probably.. whats the joy Federer would get in lifting the same damn wimbledon trophy 6 consecutive times...isn't he bored of doing the same thing again and again??? Or to top it all.. whats the fun, Schumi would have got... going almost insanely around a race circuit at top speed like a rat lost in his hole.... for more than a decade!!!

I mean.. there are no answers to these questions!!! But yes, through all this contemplation, I have finally concluded that "Champions are boring" - Probably that's what makes them the champions they are!!!

Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost......

Oh, it’s another one of those Sunday evenings… Family is out at a neighbor’s engagement and I am giving myself some pleasurable company.

Where do I find myself… my favourite playground… my terrace! It’s my temple of introspection. It’s my favourite hangout when I’m with myself… It’s my space… which again for the sheer sake of emphasis …. Is MINE!

That’s a space… which generates ideas, thoughts, and inspiration. Something like what a temple does to a devotee who’s disheartened. The sheer power to bring hope to someone is I think God’s biggest USP! That’s what my time with myself at my terrace does to me. It springs hope, positivity and the sheer optimism which keeps me alive and kicking.

When I entered the terrace, I was disheartened, resentful about a particular series of events that have occurred in my life in the recent past. I just got an SMS from her. It’s in fact been a volley of the most idiotic way of communication I know (SMS), exchanged between us today after a prolonged sabbatical of recognition of each others existence.

Disheartened I was, regretting what had been, comparing it to what could have been. Sometimes, you never get logical answers to why people say a few things, feel the way they do, and more ironically express how they feel, the way they do. After all, I thought womankind was meant to be the more sensitive sex!! And everything and everyone deserves a second chance was the age old biblical adage.

But irrespective of all that, I was more disheartened to see, what had been built over almost four years of pure unconditional love, being blown away by something which was partially inexplicable. Almost like a sand castle painstakingly made by a child, being washed away by a ruthless surge of an almost maniac tide.

After all not everything goes your way. People change. People’s preferences change. And most importantly Perceptions change. The latter being the most important I guess.

Believe me, there are times when you just sit back and wonder, what is that one defining moment of your life?? You seek answers…. Sometimes you get them… sometimes you don’t. I just think sometimes it’s good not to seek those answers at all. Let just life take its own course. You just need to be a spectator and let the show go on. Perhaps that’s why they call life a stage… well… on my stage… It’s an interval now… You’ll definitely see a new protagonist soon!!

My emotionally charged farewell speech as the District Rotaract Representative...

DRR’s Farewell Speech

“I never knew until this moment what it was like to lose something I never really had.

In your life you meet people. Some you never think about again. Some you wonder what happened to them. There are some that you wonder if they ever think about you. And then there are some you wish you never had to think about again; but you do. I thank Rotaract for making me come across all such people.

Growing up is full of big moments. Some of them you can see coming from a mile away; and some you can't see at all. Well, today’s farewell speech was something I didn’t see coming for some time.. but then as they say, Time always catches up on you.

Things never turn out exactly the way you planned. I know they didn't with me. Still, like my father used to say, 'Traffic's traffic, you go where life takes you' and growing up happens in a heartbeat. One day you're in diapers, the next you're gone, but the memories of childhood stay with you for the long haul. I remember a time a place, a particular fourth of April when I joined the Rotaract Club of Churchgate.

I remember how hard it was growing up among people I loved. Most of all, I remember how hard it will be to leave. And the thing is, after all these years I still look back in wonder.
Growing up is never easy. You hold on to things that were. You wonder what's to come. But tonight, I think I know it is time to let go of what has been, and look ahead to what would be. Other days. New days. Days to come. The thing is, we don't have to hate each other for getting older. We just have to forgive ourselves... for growing up out of Rotaract.

I have a million people to thank, but remembering names and birthdays has never been my forte. So I’ll just thank my Parents and my family for being with me all through. I’m sure my dad would’ve been proud of me today.

And yes, Now while I leave, I just have to pass down three most important things I’ve learnt from my stint with Rotaract –

1. Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen
2. If you have to emphasize the importance of something, then it probably isn't that important in the first place..."
3. Admiration fades... Love endures

Thank you for giving me the love that you’ll have through this year and for the last 7 years.

Thank you.”

Anticlimax!!!

There comes a point of time in everyone's life, where you feel that you've just let an opportunity slip by. I am feeling the same!! Though I'm just wondering what different could I have done to not feel this way!!

I'm just back from my GD & PI at TISS for the HRM & LR course. Entry into the course means a lot to me. Great B School Brand, good peers, excellent curriculum and most importantly the much needed, a well paying placement at the end of the course!!! All this crossed my mind randomly somewhere in the beginning of the month of November, 2007. That's when I decided to apply for TISS HRM & LR. Submitted my application and awaited my test on 20th Jan' 2008!!

Man, the Written Entrance Test was surprisingly easy and raised my hopes of being finally called a TISSian!! I was somewhat confident of getting a call, and I did!!! Though without any preparation I was able to crack the written entrance, I felt this strange anxiety about the GD & PI!! I'm sure everyone in my family was ecstatic!!

15th April, 2008 was the D Day for GD & PI. 2 months of social networking on orkut with fellow aspirants added more to the anxiety but also helped clear a lot of doubts for a first timer like me. I know how much my success would mean to me, to my family!! One night prior to the D Day, my anxiety got the better of me, it made me pack my bag, filled with glocose biscuits, newspapers, my DAF and some other important TISS related material!! I felt like a child preparing for the first day of school!!

The day had arrived, and I reached TISS at 9:30 full 1 hour earlier than the time given to me, and a full 30 mins earlier than the time i decided to meet Aruna, my friend I made while submitting application of forms. Also then headed to Room No. 5 where 2 students of TISS 2nd year oriented us on the institute, field work, curriculum and placements etc. We straight then headed to Room No. 7 for the GD. 11 of us in the group with 8 women and 3 men (and they yet talk of gender equality!! lol..)

GD on the topic "Should there be a censon board for TV like there is for films" was mindlessly discussed!! I made sure I got adequate airspace and made a few points. Surprisingly at 11:30 a.m. we were through with the GD. We were then taken to the new campus for our PI. Was part of the Panel 3, serial number 26 for the PI. Throughout the entire process I felt I was nothing but just a number. Agonising wait awaited me. Spent time with a few friends I made there. Also just before I was scheduled for the PI, the Panel decided to please their aptetite and went in for lunch, which ensured that my patience was tested well enough for an hour more!!

Finally I was called for the PI. Entered into the room where 2 relatively old people, 1 gentleman who genuinely looked like a Gandhian and 1 lady who liked any normal Indian lady tormented by family problems told me to sit down! I wished them Good Afternoon and pat came the question, "Tell us about yourself with relevance to HR", I mean Ive never understood this question.... i blabbed some shit about "Im opinionated, I am quite good at managing people, I am focussed etc" and the old gentleman asked "What exactly do you mean by opinionated?" and then I had to justify myself... they way I always have to!!!

He also went through some list and asked me about my graduation BBI. He asked me about the Role of RBI in controlling inflation and definition of capital markets and money markets. I answered the RBI piece well but the second question, nothing really struck me, so I spoke about the capital and money market instruments like equity and long terms debt instruments etc. Looking displeased the gentleman told me what he was looking for, I'll always remember that. "Capital market means short term, and money markets means long term!!!"....

Well, then began the insanity.... "What do you know about the history of Mumbai?" to which I responded that whatever I knew, 7 islands and stuff. "So you've been staying around Churchgate area forever right?", "What is the history behind the name, why is it called Churchgate?" "What is the importance and peculiarity of the areas surrounding Churchgate?"..................... Man, I've never felt more stupified ever before!!!!!

Then came more nonsense, 'have you heard of Bombay First? or London First?" I said NO! "they are organisations, which promote their cities as destinations, whats your view on such organisation?" ..........

Then came their affinity towards local politics. "Do you know who's your local corporator?". "Do you know your local MP?" And then I felt comfortable, Yes, I said Its Milind Deora. "So what are your views on Milind as a leader" etc etc........

And that was the end of my interview!! I dont know the relevance of all of this to HRM. I am also too big a dimwit to relate all this to judging my capability of entering a prestigious course like HRM & LR. With due respect to the Panel and the Institute, I felt let down!!
Let down by myself, the process, its effectiveness and the way it was conducted!!

Anyway hoping for the best now, thats all I can actually do. Sometimes I feel SRK is such a criminal to raise false hopes of people by saying things like... "Agar tum kisi cheez ko sacche dil se chahoge, to puri kaynaat usse tumse milane mein lag jati hai!!"

Mayonnaise Jar And 2 Cups Of Coffee!!

When things in you life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee!!

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it up with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The prof, then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. he shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. he then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and pured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "YES"

The prof, then produced 2 cups of coffee from under the table and pured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now", said the prof, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognise that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - God, family, children, health, friends and favourite passions - things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house and car. The sand is everything else - the small stuff.

"If you put the sand into the jar first" he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all the time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are really important to you.

So pay attention... to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children, take time to get medical check ups. Take your partner out for dinner, play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.

"Take care of the golf balls first - the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and asked what the coffee represented. The prof smiled, "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend!!"