The Faraway Tree

Joy Time

2010-01-24T20:03:00.006+05:30

The poem collector in me at work again... Came across two really good poems which I liked. Thought will post them here.

Joy : by Rabindranath Tagore

And Joy is Everywhere;

It is in the Earth's green covering of grass;

In the blue serenity of the Sky;

In the reckless exuberance of Spring;

In the severe abstinence of gray Winter;

In the Living flesh that animates our bodily frame;

In the perfect poise of the Human figure, noble and upright;

In Living;

In the exercise of all our powers;

In the acquisition of Knowledge;

in fighting evils...

Joy is there Everywhere.

Time is too slow for those who wait

by Henry Van Dyke

Time is too slow for those who wait,

too swift for those who fear,

too long for those who grieve,

too short for those who rejoice,

but for those who love,

time is eternity

Now Playing: Vinnaithandi Varuvaaya (Karthik) - Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya

Merry Christmas from Terminal 2

2009-12-25T05:12:00.004+05:30

Yay!!! India bound again!! Really looking forward to it. This is and will be my longest continuous stay in India. The year 2009 has been a year of patience, perseverence and decent amount of fun and has brought about new opportunities. Year 2010 am hopeful is a year of positive changes and hope to have greater amount of fun!!

A quick snapshot before I sign-off.
Recent Books I have read
The Appeal- John Grisham - Gripping and full of strategy. Decent read.
Two States - Chetan Bhagat - Hilarious. Must read.

Recent Movies
Bef0re Sunrise , Before Sunset - Two Brilliant Romantic comedies. Very conversational. (Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy).
Vettaikaaran - Good laugh and a decent masala movie. Good to watch with friends.
Anushka is smokin hot!! (Loved the songs Kairgalan and En Ucchi mandai la gir!!! )

Recent Sports
Resumed tennis for the past 3-4 weeks. Game still not to the level as before. Need to improve!!

Highlights of the Month
Really glad that I completed the Standard Chartered Half Marathon (21 Km) on December 6th. This is my second half-marathon and I completed it in around 2hrs 58 min (about the same time as last year).
Signing off now to board AI 447. Until then Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Now playing : Sol Sol avalidam sol (Paiyaa)

Happy Deepavali 2009

2009-10-16T16:01:00.005+05:30

Standard Fireworks, Peacock Brand, 100 Wala Lar Grand, Snake, Stone, Sparklers, Vishnu Chakram, Thara Chakram, Buswanam, Aerial color-out, Morning Idlis, Patti-Mandram, Deepavali Release.

These are the only faint memories that I have of celebrating Deepavali at home. It has been around 10 years, since I set forth out of home for college and work thereafter. In these 10 years I have been at home for Deepavali only a couple of times. I know for a fact that in the coming few years, there are very less chances of me being at home for Diwali. So here I am at the airport on the Diwali eve, taking a flight to Chennai. This was a very impulsive booking on my part, and a last minute decision. But I dont repent it. I am sure I will cherish this weekend for ever!!

So all you guys out there spending your Diwali with your loved ones and family, you should feel very special and lucky!! And those who are far away from their loved ones, gather with your friends and have fun, for this is a season of lights and you should brighten your lives with this light, wherever you are in this world!!!

Snapshot

2009-09-24T19:08:00.006+05:30

Quote of the Month
மூச்சு விட்டு கொண்டிருப்பவன் எல்லாம் மனிதனல்ல.
கிடைசி மூச்சு வரை முயற்சி செய்து கொண்டிருப்பவனே மனிதன்!
A man is not defined by the fact that he is constantly breathing. One who persistently keeps trying until his last breath maketh a MAN!
(Heard this on Vijay TV rendered by a Tamil Poet and lyricist called Pa. Vijay).
----------------
Book Recommendations:
1. Unaccustomed earth - Jhumpa Lahiri
Very moving stories, but most of the stories have a sad undertone.

2. My Days - A Memoir - RK Narayan
My Guru, My role model, my God, my constant companion. His life is as interesting as his books.
--------------------------------------
Recent Good Movies :
1. Unnai Pol Oruvan - Kamal Haasan - Need I say more.
2. Kaminey
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Recent Board Game discovery:
Discovered an awesome game called RISK. The objective of this game is to conquer the world. A board game with skills similar to Age of Empires.
----------------------------------------
Restaurants :
Chutney Mary (East Coast Road)
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NEWS of the Month
* Sensex kicking some ass now.
* 1 year anniversary of Lehman brothers collapse and world economies showing some signs that the recession is coming to an end (touch wood, in fact touch an entire forest ).
* Signs of water on the moon discovered as part of the Chandraayan moon mission.
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Highlights of the Month
Looking forward to the Singapore F1 night race this weekend!!!

The Writer's Block

2009-07-30T18:55:00.002+05:30

My fingers are dancing over the qwerty
I really want write something from the bottom of my heart
I want to get my hands dirty
And make yet another start!

There is either a famine or a flood of ideas in my cerebrum
There are times I cannot write a single word
And times where I disgorge incoherent ideas in cryptic conundrum
That are worth only to be interred!

My fingers flop down on the keyboard due to lack of work in shame
They do what they usually do in such times without fail
I end up googling my own name, how lame,
And set forth on my usual meaningless web trail.

Dead-ends - Where New life begins

2009-06-09T18:50:00.003+05:30

I was on the highway sooner than I had realized

You are part of the race whether or not you want to be

I set forth at full gear with

The wind on my face

The music on my lips

The feel of absolute power in my hands

I knew know fear

There were no strings attached.

I braved many distractions

It was important to keep driving on

I ignored the exits and short-cuts

They were only for quitters and losers

I ignored the warnings and the signals

They were only for the faint-hearted and weaklings

There were many obstructions

But it was important to keep driving on!

I started this journey with a dream

A dream that when I reach the end of my journey

Where there are no more roads

Where no man has driven to before

I shall erect my flag of success on virgin grounds

And bask in the glory of my achievements

But the roads never come to an end

Roads will never come to an end

It is for you to find that happy nook that others call the "Dead-end"

Where you need to carve a niche for yourself

That happy place where only your car can go through the gates

Where other cars can come, but they have to leave.

Life is funny in that sense

The journey does not come to an end

Because your destination has arrived

Rather it comes because you can no longer drive

Or make a conscious choice to end the journey

I am still driving

But wisely so now

For I am aware that I need to find my dead-end

Where a happy new life awaits!

Mi Primer Poema Espanol

2009-05-09T08:15:00.002+05:30

La señora es mucho bonita.
A mi me gusta la señora.
Algún día voy a hablar con ella
ese día voy a cantar la la la

That girl she is really beautiful
I like that girl a lot
Some day I will talk to that girl
That day I will sing la la la

My Day in Brands

2009-05-09T07:40:00.000+05:30

Colgate
Listrine
Garnier
Pears
Nivea
Johnson & Johnson
Kenneth Cole
Alain Delon
Woodlands
Seven Eleven
Magnolia
HP
NEC
MS Windows
Redoxon
Google
Java
Samsung
Starhub
Akira
Acer
Ikea
Listrine
Himalaya
LG

The Tiger Awaits

2009-04-03T16:35:00.010+05:30

Keeping with the tradition of my airport blogging, this is yet another 1-hour-before-flight blog. (first time from the Budget terminal @ Singapore though).

I expected something really bad at the Budget terminal. I should say that it is not that bad, except that I really miss the free leg-massagers in terminal 1 and 2.

Enough banter. Let us talk about something intellectual. How about the third-law of thermodynamics: that the entropy in the universe is ever increasing. (hopefully I still remember it correct from Thermo-D 101)

If I am part of the universe (or maybe the universe is part of me :D ) then I am certainly a good contributor to the increase in entropy.
Some of my actions recently definitely fall into the distribution of entropy contributing activities from the set : {weird, abnormal, eccentric , crazy)

Some of the really "entropic" things that I did recently:

Last night at 2 AM I had a strong craving for hot spicy noodles and a keen desire to watch Michael Madana Kamarajan. Thanks to the Gracious God and Myself I had both accessible at home. And BOY I did really enjoy both at that Ghastly, ghostly hour!!!
I suffer from a chronic disease called "IMPATIENCE" and the doctors have given up on me. Recently at the LRT Station (light rail transit) I really got impatient waiting for the lrt and I started walking round and round the platform ("the Pentathol" scene from Gunaa). A concerned SMRT Railway employee stopped me and asked if all was OK. I retorted saying that this is my way of exercising since I don't get time to exercise after work. (which was partly true btw.) He went away chuckling to himself.
I actually made a "Check-list" before this trip for my packing and the list of items I had to do before departing. Now is that a sign of AGEING or really a Curious Case of my extraordinary Project management skills applied to daily living. Weird!!!

Now playing: Confusion confusion (Kotha Bangaru Lokam)

Snapshot

2009-02-01T07:38:00.004+05:30

The following two books are my recent good reads.

The Gifted - Nikita Lalwani
The story is about an Indian immigrant family in Cardiff (Wales). The head of the family is an Indian mathematics professor and the main character in the story is his "gifted" daughter who is a maths prodigee. The family's aspirations are centred around the girl and the whole plot is about how this affects the normal living of the girl. I really enjoyed reading this book,especially understanding the psyche of the girl. For example there is an instance where the girl prays to God to get her out of a problem by counting to 30th digit of "Pi", the transcendental number.

Show Business - Shashi Tharoor
Excellent parody of the Bollywood industry and closely resembles the life of Amitabh Bachchan. Shashi Tharoor has devised an intelligent structure to the book, with chapters resembling film-shooting takes. I really enjoyed the monologues of each character.

Other reads

Introduction to Freud - comic series

This was quite an eye-opening read. Came across some shocking theories like the Oedipus complex. Overall the book was a good introduction to Sigmund Freud's theories some of which are quite relevant. Freud says that reason is not an obvious outcome of the mind but an outcome of a struggle between the ideal and raw-inconscious mind and the practical conscious mind.

Now playing:

Kangal Irandal - Subramaniyapuram

Dreams on Fire - Slumdog Millionare

X-Ray of a Confused Mind

2009-01-28T19:02:00.007+05:30

The scariest place in the world at times is within your head!

The Climb Resumes...

2009-01-16T22:11:00.001+05:30

For years I have been climbing steep mountains
I have never feared hanging off steep ledges
The sharp rocks have seldom hurt me
I was undeterred by the pain my arms
And the ache in my legs
I was steady in my resolve
To keep climbing higher and higher
Until I reached the ultimate summit!

Everything was fine until my recent fall
The fear of failure has crept into me like poison ivy
Self infliction is nothing but an easy solution
I seek pleasure in pain
I seek solace in my solitude
I seek refuge in my goblet
Hoping to drown in the rednesss of the wine
That liberates my inner spirit!

A faint voice within me frantically calls out
Begging me to just hang in there
And that the tide will turn
I hear the voice of reason calling out loudly to
Pull myself out of this abyss
For I have been at greater heights
The climb now should be faster and easier
The perils are not strangers anymore.

I may now hold on to my rope tighter
Every step of mine might take longer
I may rest after each exertion and my breath may be heavier
But at least I have resumed my climb!
And I vow that I shall keep climbing
As after every fall the only way is UP!

Contentment

2009-01-04T21:43:00.006+05:30

I stare out of my window at the grey night sky
And see a lone faint star in the distance.
The clouds annoy me for this reason.
Why do they want to deny me the simple pleasure
Of gazing at the bright stars and counting them?
A finite entity attempting to grasp the infinite.
It is not that I want the stars all for myself.
I do not wish to roll up the sky
And hang it in my living room to adorn my wall.

But this is just a momentary lapse
For I am filled with brimming gratitude
For it is the clouds that bear the rain
that paints the earth in hues of green
that ensures my thirst is quenched.
I quietly close the window making a vow to myself
That I shall consciously try to be content with what I have!

The Long Awaited Journey

2008-12-10T17:00:00.004+05:30

Blogging from the airport has now become a tradition for me :).

This has been a year of very few trips or journeys.

Jakarta in January
India in Jan / Feb
Malacca and Mt Ophir (Malaysia) in September
India again now in December.

I am now going to India(chennai) after almost 10 months, my longest strech away from home. Hopefully the next year brings a lot of good change !!
Till then Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All!

As usual a verse to end it all, based on a real experience today.

I shook my hands with an old neglected gentleman and he felt happy.
I wished him good luck and seasons greetings and he felt elated.
He came towards me and embraced me and I was almost in tears!

Forgotten Face - Aasai Mugam Marandhu

2008-11-09T20:09:00.005+05:30

Excerpts from one of the many gems of Bharathiyar. I heard this song recently in a concert and was totally moved by it. Apparently Bharathi had written this song when he lost his mother's photograph (the only photograph and memory he had of her).

ஆசைமுகம் மறந்து போச்சே - இதை யாரிடம் சொல்வேனடி தோழி?
I have forgotten that lovely face, whom shall I share this grief with ?
நேசம் மறக்கவில்லை நெஞ்சம் - எனில் நினைவு முகம் மறக்கலாமோ?
The heart has still not forgotten the love, alas how can I forget that memorable face?

தேனை மறந்திருக்கும் வண்டும் - ஒளிச் சிறப்பை மறந்துவிட்ட பூவும்
வானை மறந்திருக்கும் பயிறும் - இந்த வையம் முழுதுமில்லை தோழி
One cannot find in this whole world :
Bees that have forgotten honey
Flowers that forgotten the splendor of light
Crops that have forgotten the sky

கண்ணன் முகம் மறந்துபோனால் - இந்த கண்களிருந்து பயனுண்டோ?
If I forget the face of krishna, then what is the use of my eyes? (Krishna is a placeholder for his mother here).
வண்ணப் படமுமில்லை கண்டாய் - இனி வாழும் வழியென்னடி தோழி?
I no longer have your photograph, now what is left in life,tell me my dear friend ?

Con-Verse-sation

2008-11-01T10:13:00.003+05:30

17:28 VK: arz kiya hai.....
17:28 VK: Tairna hai to samundar Mein tairo,
17:28 VK: Nadi naalo Mein kya rakha hai,
17:28 VK: Mohabbat karni hai to apne watan se karo,
17:28 VK: In bewafa hASino Mein kya rakha hai......
(If you want to swim, do so in the ocean. What is there in the ponds and rivers. If you want to Love someone, find someone from your own country. What do you see or what is there in these disloyal damsels?).

17:32 Me: wah wah...may i kindly ASk you to qualify these bewafa hASinAS..
17:33 AS: this shair is for the NRI
17:33 VK: indeed

17:37 Me: in continuation with VK's effort with my rusty hindi :
17:38 AS: best of luck to us
17:38 Me: here you go..
17:38 Me: tairna aata to samundar kya aASman Mein tairunga
17:38 Me: pyar karna aata to ek nahi hazaaron hASinon se karunga
(If I could swim then i would do so in the skies. And if I was capable of love, I would love not one but a thousand damsels.)
17:38 AS: aaage?
17:39 Me: this is like kabir ke dohe...2 liners
17:39 AS: dohe still follow a format
17:39 AS: a reply to a shair should be a shair
17:39 AS: 4 liner on 4 liner

17:41 Pak Poet: Gul hui jaati hai afsurda sulagti hui shaam
17:41 Pak Poet: Dhul ke niklay gi abhi chAShma-e-mahtab se raat
17:41 Pak Poet: Aur mushtaaq nigaahon ki suni jaaye gi
17:41 Pak Poet: Aur un hathon se mAS: hongay yeh tarse huay haath

17:42 Me: translate plz
17:42 Pak Poet: Translation

17:42 Pak Poet: The morose evening is lost in the silhouette of a fading sun
17:42 Pak Poet: But soon, it will coMe out bathed in the moonlit night
17:43 Pak Poet: And those eager eyes will be heard to, one more tiMe
17:43 Pak Poet: and these longing fingers will be entwined with those fingers again

17:43 Me: whoa ur verse is it?
17:43 Me: awesoMe
17:43 Pak Poet: no... faiz ahmed faiz
17:43 Pak Poet: Pak Poet:
17:43 Pak Poet: winner of Lenin prize, 1985
17:43 Me: nice
17:45 Pak Poet: correction: Lenin Peace Prize, awarded in
1962...

Timestamp

2008-10-23T23:09:00.002+05:30

Amazed at how some things that never bore you, such as

1. Midnight maggi (from the old ANC times)
2. Godavari (still to figure out my fixation with this movie)
3. Sunday morning Top 10 movies (with dosa substituted by bread-omlette and coffee)
4. RK Narayan and PG Wodehouse (doing a revisit now)
5. Friends

Pudhu Kavidhai - Mini Verse
The markets may be bearish
But never lose the bull within you
Feed him with some positive thinking
And reap profits lifelong!

Oxygenic Verse

2008-09-04T21:52:00.010+05:30

Lines from Tamizh MA

Exchanging our stories
We blended into the air
Even if our conversations end
I am content and happy in the shadows of your silence

P.S. : Tried my hand at tamizh after a long long time. I still enjoy writing in Tamizh.

LEISURE - Excerpts from the famous poem Leisure by W.H. Davies

No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.

P.S. : Shot that sunset picture from the house, on one pleasant evening.

Lines from A Song in Jab We Met

Ham Jo Chalne Lage Yeh Raasthe
The route that we have treaded
Kho Jaye Hum Kho Jaye Hum yun la pata
We are lost and are clueless where we are
Janaa Kahaan Na ho pata
Neither do we know where we are heading to
Par Manzil Se Behether Lagne Lage yeh raasthe
But yet this journey seems to better than the final destinations themselves!

P.S. : Lights outside Capital Tower Tanjong Pagar, Singapore

Bullet Points

2008-06-03T21:09:00.005+05:30

Health Survey

A recent health survey in India by Nielsen Company consisting of 20,000 respondents revealed that among various conditions:

54.4% (~11000) of the respondents had a household member affected by High BP.
45.7% (~9000) of the respondents had a household member affected by Diabetes.
12.2% (~2400) of the respondents had a household member affected by Depression.

I believe that among the various conditions, depression is the most sinister, as it has a significant impact on the home ecology. It is the combined responsibility of the entire family to rescue the affected person out of the condition.
Source : Reader's Digest

Mittal Trivia

Richest man in UK and 4th richest in the world
Vanisha Mittal (Mittal's daughter) had the world's most expensive wedding in France.
Mittal built his first plant outside India in Surabaya Indonesia at the age of 26.

Source : Wikipedia

Spirit-ed Women
A recent article I read in a magazine (Outlook) states the following about women and drinking:

Women are more likely to get addicted to alchohol even with casual drinking.
Women get intoxicated with even lesser amounts of alchohol.
Women account for the annual 25% increase in alchohol consumption in India. (this does shadow the fact that Males are causing the rest 75% )

Did you also know that:

Alchohol dehydrogenase is the enzyme that digests (metabolises) alchohol and this is secreted (by the liver which is the largest human internal organ) in lesser quantities in Women.
1 gm of Protein or Carbohydrate contains 1 Calorie. Whereas 1gm of Alchohol contains 7 Calories. (1 gm Fat contains 9 Calories)

Disclaimer: I am not being judgemental nor in advisory mode here. It is just a reminder to all us spirited individuals that we are one hell of a live-r (deliberate malaproprism) and while living life to the fullest we should use our judgement while revelling in high spirits.

Life is Like That

2008-05-31T10:03:00.004+05:30

Scene 1 : Nationality

A guy talking to a girl.
Guy: Are you Indian ?
The girl replied back.
Girl: Yes of course I am Indian.
I was flabbergasted. It was like they show in the movies. The trees stopped swaying, the birds stopped in mid air, the waves in the sea froze for a second and the whole world came to a stand still.
Do you ask why?
This whole scene took place in the Indian High commission in Singapore.

Scene 2 : SMS Eavesdrop Monday Morning

( I happened to eavesdrop (of course accidentally) on a lady messaging her boy friend on the train.)
Janice: Oh am so sleepy this morning. It was a tiring night yesterday and it got pretty late ;)
Peter: Yes it was tiring but good fun.
Janice: Thanks for organizing the friday gathering.
Peter: Hope you enjoyed my friends on friday.
Janice: I did. But I enjoyed you better yesterday!
Sometimes Singlish is too short to convey the meaning. Just remember to change "you" to "your company" in the above conversation to get the right meaning. :D

Scene 3 : S-Team Boat

(Conversation in a office meeting to organize an event. Of course the names have been changed but are indicative of their place of origin.)

Irodov Vadapava: Let us think of some idea to organize the company yearly event for team building
Pierre Fries : I had thought about it. How about a cruise on a ship and a boat party?
Jollygood Steak: That seems to be a nice idea,
Akram Kebab: Company Compliancy Policy IPC Section 666A does not allow this stating this as Employee Loss risk. What if the ship sinks drowning more than half our employees!
Jollygood Steak: Is that bad after all ;)

Life, A Riddle and Ten Questions

2008-05-25T00:33:00.002+05:30

"I asked of life what have you to give me?
Life answered back : What you have to offer!"

(This was a poster in our bedroom which has always been there since as far as I can remember)

Riddle

When you utter my name I disappear. Who am I or What am I?
This riddle was from the movie "Life is Beautiful" (Italian movie).

Two alternative answers
1. Gratitude
2. Silence

Questions

1. Why are we selfish at times (or most times)?
2. Why can't we put others' needs before ours?
3. Why do seek recognition from others? (for e.g. why do I feel happy when others leave comments on my blog)?
4. Is there a purpose to life and if so are we doing our duty?
5. Why is money so important inspite of not being important?
6 Why can't we speak our minds?
7. Why is the mind so devious at times?
8. Is there a good and bad side to our brain/thinking?
9. How do I know that I am intelligent? Is it by proving that I can solve a difficult mathematical
problem or by cracking difficult exams or scoring high on an IQ Test?
10 It is 3 AM in the morning and am I crazy to be blogging at this hour?

Pollen Moments

2008-05-17T16:36:00.003+05:30

The school bell rang at exactly 3 PM. Raghu came rushing out of his biology class. Raghu belonged to class 5 in Wesley High School. He was a very bright and inquisitive student. He located his red "BSA StreetCat" cycle in the stands and enthusiastically cycled back home. He parked the cycle by the window and locked. He inspected the reflector at the rear of the cycle. It looked a bit dusty. He kneeled down and started polishing itwith his saliva. It was now gleaming in the evening sun. Beaming and satisfied with his effort,he rushed to find his grandmother in the kitchen.

Grandma: What is up Laddu(sweetums)? Why are you brimming with so much excitement?
Raghu: Grandma, we had a very interesting lesson today in Biology. It was about osmosis. I am going to do some experiments at home with raisins and grapes. Can you give me some?
Grandma: Sure you can take it, but tell me what you are going to do with them?
Raghu: I am going to put the raisins in water. The raisins should absorb the water due to osmosis and bloat in size. When ripe full grapes are kept in water they lose water due to reverse osmosis. When grapes are preserved in sugar water they will retain shape and water.
Grandma: For this you need to experiment? I know this more from my kitchen experience than from my Class II education. Do you see those big array of jars there. Those are all different fruits and vegetables preserved in Salt and sugar water for pickling later. I don't know anything about "aash-maashish" though.
Raghu: Hmm. Not bad, Grandma, I think I can put your practical experience to some use later. I am off to do my homework now.

Some days later, Raghu is just back from school and finds his grandmother in the garden behind the house, planting some saplings.

Raghu: Excellent grandma I found you at the right place.
Grandma: Little Rascal! What weird question do you have for me today?
Raghu: Let me put you test. Can you tell me how trees come to existence and grow?
Grandma: How else, but from seeds sown in the soil?
Raghu: But tell me where seeds come from?
Grandma: Seeds come from the trees themselves my dear!
Raghu: Aiyoh! Patti(Grandma)! You don't know anything. Dont you know anything about pollination? Flowers are pollinated with pollen grains and they become fruits. Seeds come from the fruits which grow into trees later.

Raghu goes near the hibiscus shrub, carefully picks the stamens from the flower and crushes them so that he has a thin layer of pollen in his hand and carefully blows air over his hand so that the pollen fly above the flowers.

Grandma (amused at his antics) : Little Doctor, what are you upto?
Raghu: (Indicating at the two Guava fruits hanging from the guava tree with great pride and his head high up)Grandma do you know who created those fruits? It is me!
Grandma: What are you blabbering? What do you mean you created those fruits?
Raghu: Did you not see what I just did? I pollinated the flowers myself by blowing the pollens. In a weeks' time you should see some kind of fruit in the hibiscus tree too!
Grandma: This is all going way above my head now. And don't try any more of your artificial stuff in my garden. I will preserve it in my own natural way.
Raghu: Don't worry patti I know everything! Next week they are starting Human Physiology and I will learn how babies are born at school. I shall put you to test on subject quite soon!
Grandma: WHAAAT!

Have You ... ?

2008-05-04T20:35:00.003+05:30

Have you tried blowing whistles with the petals of a flower
Have you ever tasted sweet nectar from the flower's nectary

Have you streched yourself flat on dew filled grass and tried rolling down a slope
Have you tried climbing trees and swinging on its branches

Have you dug the soft earth with your hands and planted any saplings
Have you drawn water out of a well using a pulley and pail and watered the plants

Have you tasted fresh honey drops from a beehive
Have you quenched your thirst with the cold water from an earthen pot?

Have you inscribed or etched some insignia on the barks of trees
Have you tried cooing back at Mynahs and Cuckoos and listened for their response

Have you been to the terrace on a dark starry night and wondered about the universe beyond
Have you stared at your reflection in ponds and tried making faces at yourself

Have you opened your mouth to the rainy skies to taste pure rain drops
And cycled in knee deep water and observed the wonderful patterns that the tyres leave on the water surface

Have you spent hours on the beach bathing and collecting sea shells
And building Sand castles, only to jump on them in the end and destroy them.

For If you haven't till now it is never too late
And You are never too old!

Dog's Day

2008-04-26T10:54:00.010+05:30

I am not particularly fond of owning dogs and for that matter any pet purely from a laziness perspective. It is quite a dog's work (no offence meant for the dogs) to take care of them, keep them clean and to keep the house clean.

But if you think of all the famous characters in cartoons, books or movies you are fond of, most likely some of them will own dogs. Some of my favorite dogs are below.

Hotdog - Jughead

Hutch Dog - Hutch Ads (The Network follows where you go)

Ruff - Dennis The Menace

Pluto - Disney Cartoons

Snowy - Tintin

Timothy (George's dog) - Famous Five (Enid Blyton)

My dream house definitely has a cosy kennel under a tree with the name board of my dog "Einstein" (not as an offence, but more out of great respect for the great guy).

The Sthitha-Prajna - Part 3

2008-04-05T12:45:00.011+05:30

The Story so far:

PART 1

PART 2

Part 3

Vipra emerged from the cold water wrapped in his saffron dhoti. The world around him was slowly stirring. The early morning fishermen were spreading their nets from the banks of the Bhagirathi. The flow of the river in this season was too rapid for their battered boats.

Vipra could see sevaks (disciples) were already heading towards the assembly hall. Guruji would soon emerge from his hut and take his seat on the elevated platform of the hall. Vipra rushed to his quarters, quickly changed into dry clothes and spread some holy ash on his bare torso and forehead. He flattened his hair with his hands and tidied his beard by combing them with fingers. He was surprised at the length of his beard which came down upto his collar bones now. He remembered his old barber's jocular remarks and laughed at himself.

The Hare might have been slow
But the Hair are here to grow
And we are at your service to do the mow!

Vipra eventually made his way to the assembly hall and found a place on the floor by the window. He was never a classroom person, and his attention span was quite poor. By choosing to sit near the window he could at least stare at the Red flowers on the Gulmohar tree.

There she was again, dancing in his memories again. Sarojini had indeed turned up in the College canteen the day after Republic day. She had had the courage to come all the way till the entrance of the canteen. When he walked in on her from behind, she had still been contemplating whether to enter the canteen or not. It was quite funny and complex about women he thought. When she had had no doubts about coming to the canteen all the way from her hostel, why would she think twice about going inside. A little bit of cajoling was required and soon they were sipping hot tea (chai) and munching hot sams (samosas) and chatting away.

One meeting led to another and soon they used to meet everyday in the evenings under the Gulmohar tree in the back side of the college canteen. They were like two enthusiastic children, exploring their likes and dislikes, passion, fashion and everything under the sun that picked their interests. Eventually in the eyes of the college they were officially in love though nothing was explicitly expressed between them in words or writing.

Time passed by. The equations were gradually changing. Many say that men love the hunt and the chase more than anything else afterwards. Maybe the same was true with Vipra. He was beginning to take Sarojini for granted. He did not wait for hours behind the canteen, nor outside the Girl's hostel with his cycle as he used to before.

Sarojini was a very simple girl with minimum expectations. She did not expect any sweet-nothings from him in the form of e-mails, gifts or regular SMSes. She was an epitome of patience and continued to care for him even if his attention and concentration were on other things.

A Loud "OM" chanting brought back Vipra to his senses. Guruji was seated in a "Padmasana" pose on the platform. Guruji spoke: " Today we will be looking at Jagadguru Adi Sankara's Bhaja Govindam".

Nari-Sthana Bhara nabhi desham
Drishtva Maga Moha Vesham
Ethan Mamsa va saadhi vikaaram
Manasi vichinthaya varam varam
Seeing the full bosom of young maidens and their navel, do not fall prey to the maddening delusion. This is but a modification of flesh and fat. Think well thus in your mind again and again.

Nalini'dalagatajalam ati-taralam
tadvaj-jèevitam atis'ayacapalam,
viddhi vyádhy-abhimána-grastam
lokam s'okahatam ca samastam
The water drop playing on a lotus petal has an extremely uncertain existence. So also is life ever unstable. Understand that this world is consumed by disease and conceitand is riddled with pangs and grief.

Vipra listened in rapt attention and recited the verses with the others. The hall was resonating with the holy chanting creating a unique metaphysical experience for the audience. Vipra had found some peace after all.

To be continued...

Glossary

Adi Sankara - (Teacher, Philosopher) The founder of Advaita Hindu Philosophy and author of many hymns and scriptures including Bhaja Govindam.

Guruji - Teacher
Gulmohar Tree: Peacock Flower or Flame of the Forest Tree commonly found in India. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Poinciana

Padmasana - A yoga pose in a legs folded squatting position on the floor.

Gairvani

2008-03-30T16:02:00.003+05:30

Rajappa (Gairvani's father[Appa]) and Gairvani have just returned from Riverdale to Rajappa's ancestral home in Malgudi,(Rajappa's hometown).

Rajappa standing besides the ancient loft in his house.
Appa: "Gairvaaaani"! Can you please come here a minute and help me hold this stool?

Gairvaani: In a jiffy daddykins, just give me a moment.

Appa: Call me Appa(father) ok! And not daddykins!

Gairvani: Then you call me Vanessa and not Gairvaani, how about that?

Appa: Don't be ridiculous. Dont you know what your name means? "Gairvani" represents the "Sanskrit" Langugage which is one of the most ancient languages in the world and is supposed to be the language of the Gods.

Gairvani: Ya; But imagine what I had to put up in school. They shortened my name to Vani first, then "Vain" and they used to sing

Vain Vain Go away
Come again another day
Little Arthur wants to play
In the meadow by the hay!

I used to feel so ashamed to go to school. That's why I named myself Vanessa!

Appa: Silly excuses! Where was your sense of humor? You should have just laughed your way through this.By the way who is this Arthur?

(Giggly gairvani)
Gairvani: You really don't wanna know! He was big time courting me. I dated him a couple of times, but really not my type you know.

(Annoyed at his ignorance of such situations)
Appa: Hmph! Enough of unnecessary talk, let us get to business. Get into the loft and remember to wear your face mask.

Garivani: Yuck. Why is this loft so dirty?

Appa: Of course it will be dirty. It is so old. It used to be used for storing coconuts from the house. Every three months conconuts were plucked from the trees,counted and stacked here. It used to be infested with Rats.
We used to joke about it:

Let us make some coconut rice
Oh no! first we would have to kill the mice.
Let us make some sweets for the mouse-trap
Oh no! we would have to kills the ants, this is total crap.
Let us get some gammexane
Oh no!, This rhyme is turning me totally insane.

Gairvaani: Did you just make that up? It was pathetic!By the way Appa, what is in that big chest at the back there?

Appa: That contains my father's old typewriter. You know he was a famous writer. He used to take great care of the typewriter. I think it should still be in working condition.

Gairvani: Can you get that down for me. I am quite fascinated by old gadgets. I can use it for preparing my term paper based on our India visit.

Appa: Sure! Here hold it carefully. Let me find the manual for you that will help you set it up.

Gairvani: Daddy! Do you think that I am that dumb? I should be able to figure it out myself.

Appa: Your wish is my command my dear whiz Kid! It is all yours now!

Gairvani: Great! Leave me alone to do my work now.

Appa: Ok Ok ! Don't order me!

[Four hours later. Gairvani has been working on her report industriously.]
Appa: My darling daughter how is your report coming along! As my professor used to tell me you should do : constant consistent hard industrious meticulous work and not last minute work.

Gairvani: You always underestimate me don't you! I am done with this report finally. If you could just tell me how to print this out I shall do that and mail this report to the university.

Appa: WHAAAT! (Breaks out into loud laughter)Let me pass the manual to you at least now. It would probably take you 5 minutes to go through it.
*(and to himself chuckling : And another four hours typing your entire report again with paper in the tray).

[Inspired by an episode of "My Wife and Kids" on Star World)

Glossary
Riverdale = A fictional town in Archies *(set in the US)
Malgudi = A fictonal town in RK Narayan's novels (set in India)

Insurance Thea-tricks

2008-03-21T10:06:00.008+05:30

Agent Smith is an insurance agent for Neo Beyond Life Services Ltd.

Rocket Ramanujam is a Middle-Class Millionare Moron (sorry ;) Oxy-Moron) from Chennai.

Agent Smith: Have you thought about your future sir?
Rocket Ramanujam: Most definitely. Tommorow I am going out on a date with Abirami.
Agent Smith: Not just tommorow sir, the further future.
Rocket Ramanujam: Oh yes. I am meeting Albert my friend in Amsterdam in 2 months.
Agent Smith: I am talking long term Sir
Rocket Ramanujam: Long term I want to be a Pilot!
Agent Smith: No kidding?
Rocket Ramanujam: "Sathyam"-aa solren baa! (Saying nothing but the truth)
Agent Smith: That is a very risky job sir. Jokes apart, life is like a "Casino" Sir. You can win and lose money very quickly.So you should plan well ahead. Take my advise and dont have any "Ega" .
Rocket Ramanujam: I have "Devi"'s blessings and I want to live in "Shanthi" (peace)in this "Paradise" like world.
Agent Smith: Life is a mystic "Mayajaal" (mirage / maze) and there could be testing times. Don't you want a "Grand" life for your future generation.
Rocket Ramanujam: I belong to Generation Next. So I am already my future generation. Don't waste my time anymore. Were you born during the Autumnal Equ-"Inox" ? Your head seems to be as barren as the trees during fall. Go take a holiday in the cool "Woodlands" listening to soothing "Melody".
Agent Smith: Right ho! But just before I leave I want you to have a look at this "Take it easy Policy" !

Rocket Ramanujam: What, are you selling Windows to Microsoft? I created that policy! Now buzz off or you will be terminated.

** - The ones in the Blue above are famous Cinema halls in Chennai.

A Fernvale Reverie

2008-03-15T18:19:00.002+05:30

Lying on my bed by the window sill
I keep gazing at the moon
And often wonder that it is not here i belong
I need a place where time stands still !

For I need to listen to that sparrow chirping
I want to walk in the gardens and revel in the hibiscus blooms
For I want to stop by the river and listen to the croaking frogs
And spend hours throwing pebbles into the water
Watching in child-like amazement at the ripples formed.

But the moon is so far away
And so is my dream.
But that will not stop me from dreaming
There will be a day,
Dear sparrow hold your song for me until then!

The Sthitha Prajna - Part 2

2008-03-09T10:38:00.018+05:30

Immersed in water,his mind was racing back to those imprinted memories.

It was almost seven years ago. It was the Republic Day celebrations happening in National Engineering College, Panchavati. Vipra was a Senior Cadet in the NCC (National Cadet Corps) Panchavati division and he was leading the march past.He was clad in crisply ironed khakis, with shining metal boots that made a majestic resonating sound during the march past. All cadets wore big black belts with bronze metal links which were at their shining best, after all the "Brasso" polishing. The "Beret" on their heads with the bright red "Pom-Poms" worn at a tilting 45 degrees added to the colors of the fest.

The march past had ended with the contingent leading the College Principal to the flag hoisting. After the flag hoisting and the National Anthem, the college choir group started singing loudly, the National Flag Song:

Jhanda Ooncha Rahen Hamara

Let the National Flag always fly high.
Vijayi Vishwa Thiranga Pyaara

Let Our beloved tricolor be universally victorious!

A bright face in the first row of stage captured Vipra's full attention. It was the first time Vipra saw Sarojini. He was fascinated by the way she had held her head high up in the air, and singing with complete conviction. She was wearing a white Salwar with Green dupatta. Her hair was neatly braided and held together by Orange (saffron) ribbons. A sharp observer would also have noticed the blue ear drops and the blue Bindi on her forehead. In totality she seemed to symbolise the Indian National Flag.

Following this there were a number of National integration dances performed by various groups and patriotic plays of the likes of "Lala Lajpat Rai", "Bhagat Singh" etc. Eventually the events came to and end and the distribution of sweets started. Vipra anxiously scanned the crowd looking for her. He spotted her at one of the booths distributing sweets to students of first year. He decided to join the queue which was really long, but well worth the effort for him. Several of his friends dropped by and mocked at him for queueing with the first years being a 3rd year student. He retorted back saying that as a Senior Cadet he had to mingle with the first years to recruit fresh cadets.

Narrator's BGM: If I had to give a background music for this situation I would use the song from Guna :
Paartha Vizhi Paartha Padi Poothu Irruka
His eyes bloomed like a flower and were affixed on her
Kaathirundha Kaatchi Ingu Kaana Kidaikka
Finally after the long wait he could catch sight of her.

When he finally got to the front of the queue all the sweets were over by then. Sarojini made a sad face and indicated the empty sweet box.

Vipra spoke to her: "You have made me wait so long and you can't send me back empty handed"!

Sarojini remarked :" Hello Officer Sir! if you were here for the sweets then why din't you go and stand in the queue of your own year, which was much shorter."

Vipra: The Indian National Flag at this booth seemed to be calling out to me!

(Blushing a bit, but trying not to react)

Sarojini: What nonsense! nobody called for anybody!

Vipra: Let me give you another chance, you can buy me sweets at the college canteen tommorow evening 5 PM. How about that?

Sarojini: What me buying you sweets ! Why on earth would I do that? Do you even know my name?

Vipra: Ok then I will buy you, and you can buy me the next time! And I know your name Sarojini; I looked up in the performers list. And I am "Vipra" pleased to meet you, though I guess you might already know mine.

Sarojini: Wait a minute Big-headed officer!. I did not even ask for it. And how can you assume I will come!

Vipra: I know that the Indian Flag is compassionate and kind. It cannot refuse the requests of a humble citizen who adores the flag. Bye and see you tommorow!

To Be Continued....

Glossary:

Beret : A Military Cap

Pom-Pom: A furry ball that is pinned on to the Beret

(NCC) National Cadet Corps : An India Military Cadet Corps open to Youth. (school and college students)

Brasso: Polishing liquid for Brass

The Sthitha-Prajna - A Short Story

2008-02-29T23:38:00.008+05:30

The sparrow was chirping at his window. With great weariness Vipra opened his eyes.That morning was especially cold. It was earlier than usual, or at least it felt like that for Vipra. He had had a disturbed sleep. He quickly checked his watch. It was 5.30 AM. Indeed the sparrow was earlier by half an hour that morning. He examined his watch with greater attention.It was a shiny gold HMT watch with an India flag engraved in the centre of the dial. It flooded him with memories. Deep emotions engulfed him. He attempted to regain composure by meditating and diverting attention. He was ashamed of himself and this was not appropriate of him. But yes with time he could overcome everything and every day he repeated this to himself. He made a mental note to change the watch that day.

He arose from his straw-mat and did his surya-namaskara. Guruji would begin his morning session in an hour's time. He walked towards the towards the river with his change clothes. The sky was still dark and the River Bhagirathi still was at its glistening silvery best. Vipra took a deep breath of the fresh morning air and paused for a moment to enjoy the soothing gurgling sound of flowing water.

He tried to recall guruji's teachings of the previous day on "Sthitha-Prajna" Lakshanam.(Qualities of an Equanimous Mind).

Yada' sam-harathe chayam
Kurmo-ngaani-va sarvashah
Indriyaani-ndriyaarthebhyah
Tasya Prajna Prathishtithah

"When a person can withdraw his senses from worldly objects and desires just like the tortoise withdraws its limbs and head into it shell, his wisdom is firmly set and he achieves an equanimous mind. "

Practicing what he learnt everyday was proving to be an arduous task for him. "Vipra" his name meant "The Inspired One". It was hardly so now. He realised that he had to gather himself up soon from this rotten state. Reflecting on this he entered the water. It was freezing cold at that time. Deeply engrossed in thought he had hardly noticed the coldness.

Stones thrown into water
Sink fast and settle down at the bottom
But the ripples on the surface last longer.

Ripples extend outward
From the Point of disturbance
But soon there would be no more ripples
Just the stand still calm water once again!

To be continued ...

Glossary

River Bhagirathi - Tributary of River Ganga

Sthitha - Prajna Lakshanam - Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2

Vipra - Sanskrit name for "The Inspired One"

HMT - Hindustan Machine Tools (old Indian watch brand)

Surya - Namaskara - Tribute to the Sun God. A Form of Yoga Exercise.

Sublime Verse

2008-02-29T09:06:00.008+05:30

"We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time"

"There will be time to wonder
Do I dare, Do I dare?
Time to turn back and descend the stair...
Do I dare
Disturb the universe? "

--------------- Lines by T.S. Eliot

Pookal Udhirum Saalai Vazhiye Pesi Selgiren
I walk talking to myself on roads sprinkled with flowers

Marangal kooda nadapathu pole ninaithu kolgiren.
I console myself thinking that I am walking with the trees

These lines symbolize loneliness and solitude but in a positive way. It implies that even though one is cruising along in good times there is a need to share their happiness with others. (not just in times of sorrow and misery).

-------------Lines for title song Kadhalikka Neramillai

Strange, is it not? that of the myriads who

Before us pass’d the door of Darkness through,

Not one returns to tell us of the Road,

Which to discover we must travel too.

-------------The Rubaiyat Of Omar Khayyam - By Edward Fitzegrald

Boat of Life - Quotes

2008-01-28T18:17:00.001+05:30

Amazing lines from the first few chapters of the book "Three Men In a Boat"

Let your boat of life be light, packed with only what you need - a homely home and simple pleasures, one or two friends worth the name, someone to love and someone to love you, a cat, a dog, and a pipe or two, enough to eat, enough to wear, and a little more than enough to drink; for thirst is a dangerous thing!

It is not that I object to work; I like work; it fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours.

Everything has its drawbacks, as the man said when his mother-in-law died, and they came down upon him for funeral expenses.

"Up up and away in IX 661 to Chennai shortly"

Assorted Flavors

2008-01-20T21:00:00.001+05:30

Useless Funda No. 1

Relationships and ropes are complements of each other. If the two ends of a rope are pulled too far apart, there is great tension and high chances that the rope might break.If the two entities in a relationship are too far apart, there is too much slack and high chances of a failed relationship.If the two ends of a rope are very close to each other there is too much slack and no harmonic vibrations. If the two entities of a relationship are too close to each other, there is very high tension and no harmony in the relationship. The key is the right distance, right space!

Scott Adams Advise for Atheists (modified version)

In his books Scott adams postulates an interesting theory as to why atheists should reconsider their position.

Assume atheists believe that God does not exist with a 99.9999999999 % confidence level.
Probability that Christianity is "THE TRUE" religion of the world = 1/6 (Set : Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Paganism, Hinduism and offshoots, Rest of religions)
Calculating expectations of atheists spending eternity in hell (since non-believers go to hell for eternity):
1/6 * (1 - 99.9999999999%) * Eternity = Eternity = Infinity

Mathematically atheists are in a losing position.

At work

Rapunzel: You know "Adams Apple" is getting married on 07/07/07 (7/7/2007)

Thumbelina: Ah! Nice. It is the Jackpot day of this millenium!

Peter Pan: It is quite funny isn't it. In gambling you spend money on the Slot machine. When you win a Jackpot 777 you get a hell a lot of more money. Whereas when you spend a lot of money and get married on a 777 date, you are eventually going to blow even more money.I would rather gamble.
Wendy: You are so mean!!

sulk sulk! I am going out with Hulk!

Little Red Riding Hood: Jokes apart, are you superstitious?

Jack on the Bean-Stalk: I don't believe in superstitions because I believe they bring bad luck to me ;)

Pinnochio: You are a twisted man. Paradoxtor we should call you!

Taking off to Jakarta

2008-01-11T09:30:00.000+05:30

Itz one of the flight blogs again. Flying to Jakarta for the weekend today. Just had my breakfast at Kaveri in Terminal 2 Changi. "3 Mini onion and tomato Oothapams with Strong coffee". Impressive food, though a bit expensive.

Everytime I fly Changi re-asserts itself as a "Kick-Ass" airport. They now have a High Definition Lounge with a number of HD-TVs showing different channels. It has a mammoth high definition tv screen (approx 4m X 3m). They also have provided couches to rest and enjoy. To add to this, each of the couches are fitted with personal speakers to listen to the audio.

Just adjoining this is the gaming area where one can play FIFA 2007 on XBox. Adjacent to this is the Free Internet area with "Panasonic Toughbook" laptops from where I am posting this blog.

Time to board.

Rain in my Room

2008-01-06T14:52:00.000+05:30

Summers in Pilani are extremely and unbearably hot. It is pretty much dry and you don't sweat. Hence the heat really gets to your head. Post-lunch sessions and afternoon classes have considerably low attendance. The Redi-Wallah's (Small mobile shops) make good profits in their sales of "Shikhanjis" (Lemon Juice).

In the hostels, people who had rooms on the ground floors were quite lucky and they didn't experience that much heat. But the students in the first floor, who had the terrace above their rooms, had to bear the extreme heat.

The old stained fans in the rooms used to run 24x7 circulating hot air. But people did have ways of improving situations. There were people who sprinkled water and slept on the floor while it was cool.

I did have my own ways to cool off. I had a clothes line going across inside my room. I used to hang a porous wet dripping towel on it and tie it to the wall.
The hot air from the fan used to pass through this curtain of wet cloth and be cooled before it reached me.

Given my luck, I got a really ancient good-for-nothing fan in my room. The poor fan too used to feel the heat too, and used to stop when it got over-heated. One could make nice omlettes or dosas if the fan had rotated upside-down.
(you dont even have to spread the dough as they will automatically take shape due to the rotation of the fan).

To cope with this situation, I tried the "Sama" (Mild way) approach first.
I registered a complaint with the hostel chowki (watchman) to no avail.
When it did not help I devised my own way to cool myself and the fan. When the fan used to stop, I had a bucket of water ready. I used to splash water on the ceiling fan with a mug. The fan would slowly start rotating again, and I would enjoy the sensation of "Rain within my own room".

Pouring my 'Art Out

2008-01-02T21:10:00.002+05:30

Taare Zameen Par

Painted it the day after watching the movie. Hence the name

Raktha-akshi - Bloody Eyes

Rabbit Dreams

2008-01-02T20:39:00.000+05:30

I seldom have dreams and am quite a deep sleeper. Last night however I had a weird dream which I have narrated below. This being the first dream of the year (probably after a long long time) definitely deserves a blog entry.

The dream was as follows:
It was quite late in the night. Someone (I think my uncle) was trying to close the door of the loft. It did not close in spite of repeated trials.We decided that it must be a rat. (Don't ask me how.) A rat-trap adorned with some food item is summoned and placed in the gap between the wall and the loft-door.We hear the trap shutting almost immediately, and a big squeal. When we open the door, we see a huge grey - rabbit stuck in the trap with half its body outside the trap.The rabbit resembles a huge rat or a bandicoot (grey fur color)and is quite ugly. I have never seen a rabbit of such size and color in real life. Hiding behind the rear of the huge rabbit is its small frightened child.We planned to get rid of the rabbits from the house. I suggested quite rashly that we just throw the rabbits down from the balcony.This is immediately executed. Later I get this huge pang of guilt and am quite concerned about the child rabbit. I stare at the dark expanse below. The rabbits seem to have disappeared into thin air.I have a sleepless night in my dream, with a prolonged sense of guilt.

There my dream ended as I woke up to drink some water and made a mental note to follow up on this later. I subsequently did some research on Rabbits in dreams this morning. Apparently they appearing in your dreams are meant to signify something.(source:http://www.dierinbeeld.nl/animal_files/mammals/rabbit/index.html)

Rabbits in dreams

Rabbits in dreams can be symbols of luck, quickness, fertility or pregnancy. Fertility can, in dreams, also be seen as personal growth. Some say that to dream of a rabbit means you will experience faithfulness in love and a great friendship, or good business ventures. Rabbits can also symbolize the dreamer's lack of consciousness orawareness. Seeing a rabbit in your dream may signify that you sometimesreact too quickly to life's situations. More thought and planning may be needed.

Hmm.. tried interepreting the above with respect to myself.

Luck (maybe itz time after all to buy that one winning toto ticket meant for me at Singapore Pools)
Quickness (N.A.): Interesting that a Hare (rabbit all the same) should signify quickness when it lost the race to the tortoise.
Fertility or Pregnancy (reserved for later use ;)

I sort of agree with the last part with respect to reacting quickly to life's situations. I had been thinking all this while that reacting quickly would be a positive thing. But sometimes taking such rash and hasty decisions as throwing rabbits out of balconies in the middle of the night, could give you sleepless nights. Hence more thought and planning is definitely required.

Anyways Happy New Year to All and blogging days are back!!!!

An Awaited Moment - The Rajni Story

2007-06-16T12:00:00.001+05:30

YAY! Going to see today one of the most awaited movies of this year! "Shivaji-The Boss" . This is supposedly one of Rajnikanth's best movies ever and the costliest movie : costing around 60 Crore Indian Rs.

Rajni movies always bring back really nice childhood memories. I watched "Pannakaran" in Nagesh theatre TNagar with a big gang of family and cousins.

Then watched "Dhalapadhi" in a preview (special screening) , with my dad (my sis was an infant (3-4 months) then, so mom and she stayed back).

We watched "Arunachalam" while touring Chidambaram and Pichavaram. "Aandavan Solraan Arunachalam Mudikaran ("God Proposes and Arunachalam Finishes"), was the major talk in school and was used to in all our conversations.

Watched "Baasha" with my cousin in Jawaharnagar Chennai (both the movie and the place are quite close to my heart).

Was really lucky to catch "Padayappa" in Ooty (Udhagamandalam).It was just after my Standard XII board exams and a series of entrance exams and was one hell of a break for me!

I love the following lines from Rajni's one of the best movies ever "Annamalai":
Vetri Nitchayam Idhu Vedha Sathiyam
Victory is Certain , and that is an eternal Vow!
koLgai velvadhae, naan koNda latchiyam
Attaining my goals is my mission in life!

imayamalai agaamal enadhu uyir pOgaadhu
I wont perish until I become tantamount to the Himalayas
sooriyan thoongalaam enadhu vizhi thoongaadhu
The Sun may take rest, but my eyes wont rest
vaervai mazhai sindhaamal vetri malar thoovaadhu
Without toiling, the garland of success doesnt come
ellaiyai thodum varai enadhu kattai vaegaadhu
I shall strive until I reach my limit

C-Racy Talk

2007-05-05T16:08:00.001+05:30

The whistle blew at exactly 6 PM. It was like watching a spoilt video tape on VCR with the whole frame of my vision bouncing up and down. All I could see was bobbing heads in front of me. Soon it was my time to bounce and transfer the energy to particles (people) behind me. We got moving at a pretty good pace. The 5.6 Km Coporate run had begun. All of us were adorned in colorful company T-Shirts, colors of most of which cannot be worn on normal days (bright yellow, bright blue, bright red = All Typical Ramarajan Colors http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramarajan. What did you think Ramarajan is on the Wiki too! :D )

I think the people who conduct the marathons should make it a mandatory rule that all runners should wear T-shirts with sleeves. Come on, people run so close to each other in these races that it really gets smelly at times (urrgh!).

So coming back to the race,the most challenging part was overtaking the people in front of you. Unlike cars you cant honk, wave or show hand gestures to overtake. The best way that worked for me was to go threateningly close to the person whom you want to overtake, taking care that you dont stamp on their feet and then maybe do a strech or an excercise on the go. Sneezing or coughing could also work in case the person is not on his head phones. Soon he/she will acknowledge your eagerness and let you pass.

Thanks to some decent training and some really hot women in front of me (define hot as: women who were hot from running) I was able to complete the race in satisfactory time. I shall hold on to 32:27 (min,sec) for sometime :)

Disappointment

2007-03-24T02:36:00.001+05:30

5 A.M in the morning, waste of time, waste of sleep, waste of money ....:(
India out of the World Cup, what a disgrace. Maybe itz time to bury cricket for sometime.

Art Dabble

2007-03-18T20:56:00.000+05:30

A vase or a pot?

Bhagat Singh? or someone like him

Macho!

Seigniorage Explained

2007-02-20T09:27:00.001+05:30

Seigniorage is the mechanism of raising funds by printing of currency for Government spending.

For e.g. if the Reserve Bank of India mints 1 Crore - 5 Rs currency notes (i.e. 5 Crore Rs. worth) and assume the cost of manufacturing each note is 1Rs. So the Reserve Bank raises 4 Crore Rs in this Seigniorage process. This money can be used for all Government Fiscal spending. The catch here, what is the effect of unregulated Seigniorage? Can the government just keep on minting notes to counter the fiscal deficit and to fund government related spending?

You may recall from Indian History one of the blunders commited by Mohammad Bin Tughlaq! He was extremely interested in Coinage and minted numerous Brass and Copper coins. Being commonly available metals, every house in India started minting their own coins (i.e forged coins). The supply of currency increased so much that it threatened economic collapse through increased inflation. The Sultan had to buy back all the currency from the public (including the forged ones) by paying in bullion/gold.

Therefore the main consequence of expansion of money supply is Inflation. Inflation as we know means that all our money deposits and funds that we possess become lesser in value.

Thus we can see the need for controlling monetary expansion and ensuring the value of currency. This regulation is done by Central banks and regulatory bodies such as Reserve Bank of India and MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore) etc.

Wow economics is damn interesting aint it!

Faith and Science

2007-02-18T17:27:00.002+05:30

http://www.wellingtongrey.net/miscellanea/archive/2007-01-15%20--%20science%20vs%20faith.png

Bad Day

2007-02-15T19:09:00.001+05:30

You wake up in the morning and something seems wrong and you know it is your bad day.

You have run out of toothpaste.
The water inlet pipe breaks leaking water all over.
The coffee boils over making a mess of your stove.
There is a button missing in the shirt you had pressed with care.
You rush to the bus stop to realise that you missed the bus and next one is 30 min later.
You hurry to office in a cab hoping that no one noticed that you are late.
You realise your whole team is awaiting your arrival to solve some critical problem.
Your inbox is full of mails with critical status that have to be replied to.
You are served burnt and yucky tasting food at lunch.
With severe headache you have to attend a really long and boring afternoon meeting.
You sweat it out to get the applications running on the server and realise that someone has pulled the plug off!
Just when you are about to leave someone requests you to solve a problem for him.
Finally after braving all these you go home And you thank god that the day is over!!!

And thatz the best time to hear the following song by Daniel Powter titled "Bad Day".
It is like rubbing salt on your wounds, yet it is damn good!

---------------------------------------

Where is the moment we needed the most
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
They tell me your blue skies fade to gray
They tell me your passion's gone away
And I don't need no carryin' on

You stand in the line just to hit a new low
You're faking a smile with the coffee you go
You tell me your life's been way off line
You're falling to pieces every time
And I don't need no carryin' on

Because you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day
You had a bad day

Will you need a blue sky holiday?
The point is they laugh at what you say
And I don't need no carryin' on
You had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day(Oooh.. a holiday..)

Sometimes the system goes on the blink
And the whole thing turns out wrong
You might not make it back and you know
That you could be well oh that strong
And I'm not wrong(yeah...)

So where is the passion when you need it the most
Oh you and I
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't knowYou tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
You've seen what you like
And how does it feel for one more time
You had a bad day
You had a bad day

Life 70 mm

2007-02-11T10:55:00.001+05:30

Akayla (1991)

Dil To Paagal Hai (1997)

Unnal Mudiyum Thambi [you can do it brother!] (1988)

Talaash (2002)

Koi Mil Gaya (2003)

Tum Se Milke (2003)

Kyun? Ho Gaya Naa (2004)

Jillendru Oru Kaadhal [A cool Love] (2006)

MujhSe Shaadi Karoge (2004)

Shaadi Se Pehle (2006)

Vivaah (2006)

Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya Yaar (2004)

Snapshot

2007-02-09T08:15:00.001+05:30

Books of the Month:
Five Little Pigs - Agatha Christie
Four Clocks - Agatha Christie
Warren Buffet Illustrated Cartoon

Songs of the Month:
I'm glad : Jenifer Lopez
Would You: (Touch and go)
Chup Gaya - Hum Aap Ke Dil Mein Rehte Hain
Dole Dole - Pokiri (Telugu)
New York Nagaram - SOK

Faces of the Month
Anoushka - from movie Rendu in Tamil
Anonymous face that I saw in Jurong East MRT

Stock Picks of the Month
CNN - IBN
Mindtree

Discussions of the Month
Real Estate Investments
Mutual Funds Investments
Ethical issues regarding ppl who have been thru break ups and past commitments

Targets of the Month
Enjoy as much as possible :)
Target 2 more kilos loss
Trek up Mt. Guilin
Jog around Bukit Batok Nature Reserve

TV Programs of the Month:
Seinfeld
Fashion House (just saw one episode, itz hot)
Jodi No 1
Kalakka Povathu yaaru

Movies of the Month:
None Till now

Biting Philosophy - Thathuvam Solren Kettuko

2007-01-16T19:53:00.001+05:30

I had recently gone to these comedy dramas in Chennai. One of them was titled "Thandramukhi" by Y.Gee Mahendran's troupe. It was one laughing riot. The following are excerpts from the drama:

Thathuvan Solren Kettuko:

1. Ticket Vaangi Ulla Ponaa adhu Cinema Theatre
Ulla Poi Ticket Vanginaaa adhu Operation Theatre!

2. Daily Calendar'la thedhi (date) kizhikkarom, adhu namakku theriyum
Anaaa andha thedhi-laa naama ennaa kizhikarom-nu andha calendar-ku theriyumaaa!

3. Kaasu irundha Call-Taxi. Kaasu illena Kaale Taxi!

This is a latest addition damn good:

bus un mela aerunaalum nee bus-la aerunaalum ticket edukka poradhu nee thaan. :D

The Kolkata Experience

2007-01-06T09:34:00.001+05:30

I had really fond childhood memories of Kolkata. I again visited Kolkata this December 2006 after a gap of around 14 years. Though I dint see any major changes / developments compared to high growth cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai I was still glad that Kolkata has maintained its unique cultural flavor.

KOLKATALOGY

Radha Pallavi
(Radha = Poori like Kachoris with Pallavi = Aloo Dum like Subzi)

Singhada
(~ equivalent of a Samosa but not quite the same)

Misthi Doi (Dahi)
(Sweet Curd)

Puchka / Fuchka
(~ Paani Poori)

Rosho-gulla
Rasagullas

Mouchak
(A Sweet and Savories Shop in Gol Park)

Park Street
( A famous street in Kolkata with lots of restaurants and brightly lit)
~ MG Road in Bangalore, Orchard Road in Singapore)

Peter Cat
(a famous Restaurant on Park Street)

Bhalo Aa-chi ?
Doing good?

Teek Aache
Am good!

Ami Thumi-ko Bhalo Baashi
I like you very much (~ I Love U)

Air Post

2006-12-22T16:17:00.001+05:30

It has quite become a tradition for me to blog from the airport before boarding the flight. Going home after a year! Have been really looking forward to this trip.

This probably would be one of the last posts in this year. I am quite satisified with myself (for once) with the way it has turned out. Achieved some personal targets, travelled around a bit, made some decisions, postponed some decisions and overall had decent fun.

So Merry Christmas All!!

Signing off

AR Rahman At Work

2006-12-19T09:50:00.001+05:30

Down the Memory Lane

2006-12-13T09:14:00.001+05:30

It has been three years since I have been blogging now. I must say the Bangalore experience was very inspirational. Below are some of the blogs that I had written while at Bangalore.

LOVE BY THE PIZZA
Women are the primary source of inspiration and catalysts for Poets and the following is an outcome of such an inspiration:

I Saw a face
I Saw a face
She left a mark
which I cant erase

It was in a brigthly lit corner in Pizza hut
That my eyes fell upon an angel so white
But not to have noticed her for long I really must be a nut
She was really so beautiful and a Wonderful "Sight"!

I tried hard to make eye contact,
But she had enough people around her to distract,
Soon it was time and I had to leave
And now I had enough reasons to grieve.

I left with a heavy heart
With so much unsaid I still had to part.
But I am sure I will meet her again
My time will come and I have everything to gain!

I saw a face
I saw a face
She left a mark
which I cant erase!!

P.S.: A Recent face that I liked (Bhavna from Veyil). Pluses were the the vibhuthi, jimiki and the overall simplicity.

YOU HAVE GOT MAIL

Recently I got so bored writing these usual dull e-mails that I thought I indite something more lively and it was quite a good experience for me. So here is the outcome of my writing effort.
TO: FRIENDS
FROM: ME
MESSAGE:START

Hey guys I am very much sorry for my previous mail,
I owe you all an apology without fail.
It was out of sheer boredom,
that I began my quest for poetic wisdom.

Writing good verse is really hard,
and it is not easy to become a poet or a bard.
I know my verse lacks coherence and continuity
When it comes to writing poems I am nothing but a 1 by infinity!

I know you guys must be really busy with "heaps" of work,
or "Stacks" of Tasks or "Queues" of chores
But take this "Pointer" of a humble fool,
Take it easy, relax and cool!

I do know that the last bit was really pathetic,
So there is no need to get very much emphatic!
I would like to sign off now
but before that I do vow
That if I do find little leisure time
I will hit your inboxes with some more rhyme!

MESSAGE:ENDS

Lines to Remember

2006-12-01T08:40:00.000+05:30

"Blistering Barnacles and a Thousand Thundering Thyphoons!"
Captain Haddock - Tintin

"I have the Power"
He Man and The Masters of the Universe

"Duh"
Moose Mason - Archie Comics

"Whoops daisies!"
William Thacker (Hugh Grant) in the movie Notting Hill

Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum
"Fifteen men on a dead man’s chest
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum
Drink and the devil be done for the rest
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum"
Pirates Song - Treasure Island (R.L. Stevenson)

Bollocks Bollocks Bollocks
Susan Walker (Sarah Alexander) - Coupling

Yada Yada Yada
Seinfeld (http://www.seinfeldscripts.com/TheYadaYada.htm)

"I yam what I yam, and that's all I yam,"
Hu-ga-ga-ga-ga....
Popeye the Sailor Man
_______________________________________
This post is dedicated to the following two SUPERHEROES!!

This Guy is amazing cos' he is witty, with an awesome attitude and eats a lot and still manages to stay really fit. (He must be working out secretly ;) )

This guy is a real hero. Awesome fore-arms, an upright person, powerful and humorous. I am yet to discover the equivalent of spinach in my life :D!

Curiosity Fills the Board - Box Office Hit

2006-11-08T16:38:00.000+05:30

There is no denying that People are curious. They are curious about their environment, about other's lives etc etc. Curious people need to be fed constantly with intriguing thoughts and things to keep them satisfied and I am more than ready to oblige to do that.

My cubicle in office is situated right next to the pantry. All those curious people who pass my cubicle while on their way to the pantry can't help but stare into my cubicle and at my white board because their curiosity tells them to do so. Poor souls.

So as my duty I have to feed them interesting things to ponder about. So what we(me and my colleague) did to my discussion white board was this:

We wrote some random (bull-shit) equations (and made sure that we covered most symbols like double differentials, Cyclic Integrals, Limits) and made a derivation which resulted in a mathematical percentage value. Here comes the most important line, we wrote "SUCCESS" in the last line implying we achieved something.

To add to this soup we drew some random graphs to resemble some break even analysis combined with some complex efficiency index. :D
Snapshot of our board:

We just left these on the board for around 2 days to judge the response. We had released our
First movie and we did not know how it had fared in the box-office.

Two days later, I am in the pantry and one person comes to me and says, "wow so many equations and formulas on your board, what is up?" (really curious)"

I casually shrug my shoulders and reply "oh that was nothing, some really simple stuff
that we were discussing the other day" !
[He is totally baffled and I left him alone to think about it!!! :D]

Now showing: Mash You Up (The Master MashUp )
Trailer:

Chennai 600028

2006-11-06T21:07:00.001+05:30

Hot news! Finally they are taking a movie titled (or based) on my home locality Raja Annamalaipuram ("enga area") called "Chennai 600028".

http://in.movies.yahoo.com/060918/125/67on1.html

The weird thing here is that it is being shot in Bangkok :D

Hopefully they do show some parts of RA Puram. Have to WAIT N SEE!

The Chennai December Music Season

2006-11-04T00:09:00.001+05:30

Characters: Sambhu, Uncle (Mama), Aunty(Mami)

Sambhu:
Nethikki OS Thyagarajan kutchery poi irundhele eppidi maama irundhudhu?
Yesterday you had been to OS Thyagarajan's kutchery (concert). How was it uncle?

Uncle:
one aam class daa. suda suda mollaga bajji ennama irundhudhu theriyumo!
First class daa! The Mollaga Bajji (Chilly Pakora) was excellent!

Sambhu:
enna maama solrel, kutchery epdi irundhudhu?
What are you telling uncle, I asked about the concert?

Uncle:
unnaku vishiyam theriyumo un friend Baskar irrukanono, oru ponnoda vandhurundhaanda!
Do you know, your friend Baskar had come with a dame?

Sambhu:
avan girl friend aa irrukum maama, namakku edhukku oor vambu, seri innum kutchery-epdi irundhudhunnu sollave illiye?
It must have been his girl friend uncle. Why poke our nose into other's matters. You have still not told me about the concert!

Uncle:
adhellam enakku theriyadhu daaa maami-ya kaelu daa!
These trifle matters I dont know, you can ask aunty!

Sambhu:
seri maami neengalavadhu sollungo kutchery epdi irundhudhu?
Ok Aunty, at least you tell me how the kutchery was?

Aunty:
cutchery aa adhu kadakkaradhu. indha pakathaathu pankajam irrukaalono!

Uncle:
Thadha-ri-naa-naa-tha-aa-aa-na
Humming a raga in an out of tune baritone voice!

Aunty: (Enraged at the interruption)
Yenna setha summa irrukelaa, mukiyamana vishiyam pesidirrukeno illiyo!
enna abaswaram paa. Suttu pottaalum ungalukku paatu varadhu,. ennatha
pathu varsham paatu kathundelo!

Uncle: (teriffied and embarassed)
Seri di nee sonna seri

Sambhu:
Enna maami ungaathula Madurai Strongaaa ! Seri sollungo , Pankajam maami...

Aunty:
Hmm cutchery kku pankajam enna altoppu theriyumaaa, pattu podavai enna, jarigai enna, necklace enna. Achacho sahikkala!

Sambhu:
Seri maami idhukkum kutcherykkum enna sambandham?

Uncle: (Back to his singing now but in a lower tone)
Sa-Dha-Ma-Ga-Tha-Ma-Dha-Ma (Saadham Aaga Thaamadhama)
Any delay in cooking the rice? (Question asked in a musical notation)

Aunty:
Enna thirumbi munumunuppu! Periya Kamal Haasannnu nenaippu.
Ungallukku innum oru mani neram kazhinju dhan saapadu!

Sambhu:
Seri naan kelambaren

Finally a disappointed Sambu returns home with no information on the actual concert!

RUDE AND RUDER

2006-10-23T15:02:00.001+05:30

KEY:
[[]] - The text within the brackets are "Captain-Subtext"'s opinions.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Murdoch#Captain_Subtext)

ENCOUNTER WITH RUDE:

Rude is an old lady. The conversation happens in a flight or in some transit place.

RUDE: Hello, hi I am rude

ME: Hi, I am Me, nice meeting you. So you live in singapore?

RUDE: No, No I live in Chennai. My son lives there. I visit him regularly.

ME: So you like Singapore?

RUDE: It is OK. We are used to bigger places and more space. My son is getting adjusted. You know he was in Ammerikka before.

ME: Oh nice.
[[I am grateful for this wonderful piece of information so that I can improve my GK.]]

RUDE: Everything is so big there.

ME: Oh is it?
[[like what ;)]]

RUDE: So what do you do?

ME: I am studying Masters in Singapore.

RUDE: ok. You dint apply for Universities in Ammerikka? You know my son did his MS from XXX University. My son says American universities are much better than the ones in Singapore.

ME: oh ok
[[?? No comments. Sometimes the truth is bitter, but if you are chewing candy everything tastes sweet :D ]]

==========================================
ENCOUNTER WITH RUDER:

Ruder is a man around 35-40 years old and the conversation happens on the Bus enroute to office.

RUDER: Hi I am ruder. I have seen you in this bus quite often. Do you take this bus regularly?

ME: Hi I am Me. So you live in Singapore?

:D sorry went into cruise-control mode. Here is the altered response.

ME: Hi Am Me. Yeah I do take this bus quite often.

RUDER: So you work in "Low BP" Business park also?

ME: Yes

RUDER: Which company?

ME: You have heard of "Interesting Sea Inc. (ISI)" ?

RUDER: Oh "ISI" is it that old company that used to make those tools. Oh is it still around? I thought it went down in some financial crisis.

ME: no it is very much around
[[dude am I working in some ghost company]]

RUDER: You know I used to use those tools and products long back. It was OK. But you know "MacroHard" company came up with much better tools. I preferred using MarcoHard's tools to ISI tools.

ME: hmmmm
[[GRRRRRRRr..... who asked your preference man. BUZZ OFF]]

RUDER: So does ISI Inc. pay well? May I please know your salary, If you dont mind pleeeeez?

ME: duh! what? hmmm generally the Tech sector salary ranges are like (a+b) whole-squared IS-EQUAL TO a-SQUARED plus TWO-a-b plus B-squared . BLAH BLAH BLAH
[[This is my revenge. Let me confuse him as much as possible :)]]

Ruder's disappointed at not knowing my salary and is confused with too many details which make absolutely no sense. But I was atleast successful in picking his interest.

RUDER: I ONLY simbly asked NO. I dint know there were so many intricate things involved..
You know I work for "Unnecessary-Information Systems". Itz turn-over is Infinity, Market capitalization 1 Trillion, with an excellent p/e ratio and a growth Rate of "C" (SPEED OF LIGHT) and excellent compensation and benefits AND ALSO ....

I get to sit on a nice brand new pink color chair AND ALSO they serve nice "Aunty" Chips AND ALSO they serve Monkey brand biscuits in office. AND ALSO We get to work on cutting edge technology

ME: Thatz good.
[[Cutting edge it seems. So MR AND-ALSO is your "the-place-where-you-sit" bleeding?]]

RUDER: So I was just wondering you know. Basically I am proficient in ([A-Za-z0-9])* (Regular expressions for all possible acronyms) and I am BASICALLY very flexible and also very versatile and basically have very good communications skills also NO.

Since we know each other so well now, I would be extremely happy if you can forward my Resume for job openings in your Company.

ME: Thatz great.Yeah sure no problem.
[Happy Indeed. So Mr. AND-ALSO-BASICALLY-NO what happened to your Macrohard Preferences and Cutting Edge experiences.]

HAPPY DEEPAVALI

2006-10-22T08:54:00.001+05:30

Random Thoughts - Random Shots

2006-10-14T08:21:00.001+05:30

Yours Royally

2006-10-03T21:13:00.001+05:30

I just happened happened to come across this photographic novel called "Maharajas of India". It has some really rare and wonderful photos of the indian royalty and some interesting facts and stories about them. I have included some of the good ones below :

1. Maharajah of Patiala Hails (rather judges) Hitler

It was the time when Hitler was becoming popular and famous for his totalitarian and fascist dictatorship. The Maharajah of Patiala had this itching to visit Germany and travel around. So he wrote to the Indian Government (the then ruling authorities though it was under the British):

"There is also that rising Dictator, Herr Hitler, and it would afford me so much pleasure to see him and judge him on his merits or otherwise"

[Hilarious!!! A visit just to judge Hitler on his merits :D ]

The Maharajah then finally visited Berlin and had a meeting with Hitler that lasted 30 minutes. After all this pain you know what the Maharajah first spoke to Hitler ?

He began telling Hitler how much he had to pay extraordinarily for the Medical fees in Germany earlier!! Hitler did not even respond to this!

2. Bahadur Shah Zafar - The Shaayar
We all know that Bahadur Shah Zafar was the last of the Mughal rulers. He was imprisoned at the age of 80 and his sons were killed, for being a part of the Great Indian Sepoy mutiny of 1857. He had also another side to him. He was a great poet and below is one of the verses he wrote when he was in the midst of all this misery:

The Tempest of Misfortune has overwhelmed me
It has scattered my glory to the winds
And dispersed my throne in the Air

Bahadur Shah Zafar was exiled in Rangoon which is where he died.
The following was the verse written by him as his epitaph (translated in english):

My heart is not happy in this despoiled land
Who has ever felt fulfilled in this transient world

Tell these emotions to go dwell elsewhere
Where is there space for them in this bismirched (bloodied) heart

I had requested for a long life a life of four days
Two passed by in pining, and two in waiting.

How unlucky is Zafar! For burial
Even two yards of land were not to be had, in the land (of the) beloved

3. Washing Hands Washes Away the Throne

At a royal gathering in the year 1911, the Maharajah Jai Singh of Alwar chanced upon Queen Mary and King George V. As was the formality Jai Singh shook hands with the King and then with the Queen. It was considered a sin in those days for an Indian King to shake hands with a stranger woman and hence to purify his hands he washed himself with Ganges water later.
The English Royalty came to know about this somehow (:D) and this indiscretion cost him quite a lot and he was forced to step down by the British Queen.

Profound - Gems from the Gita

2006-10-03T14:30:00.001+05:30

Indriyanam Hi Charatham
Yat manah anuvidhyathe
tad asya harati prajnam
vaayur navam ivambhasi

As a strong wind sweeps away a boat on the water, even one of the roaming senses on which the mind focuses can carry away a man's intelligence.

Yogasthah Kuru Karmani
Sangam thyak-thva Dhananjaya
Siddhi - Asidhyoh Samoh Bhoothva
Samathvam Yoga uchyathe

Perform your duty equipoised, O Arjuna, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called yoga.

280 S

2006-09-26T17:58:00.001+05:30

He:
Oru azhagana ponnu irundha
Adha-vida oru Azhagaana paiyan irundhan
Avanga oru naal sandhichaanga

She:
innutu

He:
avalukku tamizhe varla di

She:
poda

He:
Avanukku avala pudichudhu
Anaa sollala
Yennu Therla
Andha ponnu pesuva pesuva pesi-kitte irrupa
Anaaa adhan avanukku pudicha raagam

Avan Thannodu ulagathaiye avaloda periya periya kan-la paathan

Avalodu kai-ezhuthu kirukkal
ana andha ezhuthukkal mela payithiyamaa irundhan

Ava mudi asaiyaradha paatha
andha kaathukke poramai varum

She:
Hey niruthu

He:
You know priya he just loved everything about her!

Naraiya kindal panni irrukan
Azha vechurukkan
He was really bad Priya
Anaaa eppavum thaniyaa irundhan

Avalukku avana pudichudhu priya
I dont know why
yaen Priya yaen Priya!

=== End of Post ===
Any takers for guessing the source of this post?

Rantings from My Room

2006-09-22T22:06:00.001+05:30

The Cool breeze over my head,
Soothing music to my ears,
Everything Seems so heavenly

I dont know what happened to me recently
Everything seems so beautiful to my eyes
I appreciate even the smallest of things

Sometimes I wonder whether life is a Photo album
A compilation of "Say cheese" moments captured at various instances of our life.
There is an inherent paradox here.

Mathematically:
Life is a variable that can be represented by two variables, say X and Y.
X- Discrete Variable.
Y - Contrinuous Funtion variable.

If we strive to achieve those "Say-cheese" moments, there- in trying to maximize
f(X), we might infact be missing out those small pleasures, and joys in life, thereby
minimizing our continuous function variable Y.

Life represented by F(X) - Discrete variable and F(Y) - Continuous variable.
If we maximize F(X) then F(Y) might take a hit, and vice-versa.

Am I making any sense here. It makes hell a lot of sense to ME!!!

I should strive to achieve a balance where in I optimize both F(X) and F(Y).

= end of post =

Lines of The Week: I dint realize itz depth until my bro 'IM'med me:

Naangu Kannadi Suvargal Kulle
Enclosed in four glass walls
Naanum Mezhugu Vathiyum
Alone with only a candle
Thanimai Thanimayeeee!
Solitude and Solitude
Kodumai Kodumaiyee!
Torture it is great torture.

Buffaloing with English

2006-09-17T19:24:00.001+05:30

I recently came across this nice article on wikipedia: wiki
Apparently buffalo has another meaning in english meaning: to confuse, to deceive.

The weirder part comes here. The following is a grammatically correct English sentence:
"Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo."
The meaning of this sentence goes something like:
The Buffalo bison that Buffalo bison intimidate, intimidate Buffalo bison. OR
New York bison, [that] New York bison annoy, [also] bother New York bison.

You want more of this :)
here it goes:
1. Cowes cows Cowes cows cow cow Cowes cows.
2. Bore boar Bore boar bore bore bore Bore boar bore.
3. "I wonder whether the wether will weather the weather, or whether the wether the weather will kill.

Wishing you a Happy Married Life !!!

2006-09-11T11:10:00.001+05:30

Humor Ungal (your) Choice

2006-09-10T09:17:00.001+05:30

Today in Pepsi ungal choice I came across some real humor situation.

This Lady calls up Pepsi Uma, and after this usual hysteric remarks, like "you are really beautiful", "I am really grateful to speak in this show etc", Uma asks this question.

The following was their conversation:

Pepsi Uma: Ungallukku Kuzhandhai Irruka ?
Do you have any children ?

Caller Lady: Illa, innum illa.
No, Not yet.

Pepsi Uma: So Inimel Dhaana ?
So in the future is it?

Caller Lady: Naan rendu varshama try panren.
Have been trying for two years!

Inniku dhaan kadaichudu
Got only today!

Enakku romba sandoshama irruku
I am really happy.

(Btw. for those who dint get it, the lady was referring to the call, that she got through to Ungal choice program and not her efforts for a kid !!!)

The Sweetest Lines of the Week

2006-09-08T13:17:00.001+05:30

For most this must be gibberish, but for me the follwing 3 lines are the sweetest lines of the week:

2006-09-08 15:35:00,265 INFO - I came here finally
2006-09-08 15:36:52,578 INFO - Session Factory look up from JNDI: org.hibernate.impl.SessionFactoryImpl@89ca51

System.brain.dump()

2006-09-02T11:56:00.001+05:30

I am thinking about...
singara chennai and my home

I said...
live in the present, dont wait .for that ideal future

I want to...
be rich, really rich both intellectually and materially

I wish...
for a Black Lamborghini with Jyothika on the driving seat :D

I hear…
Violins playing when I see a pretty gurl.

I wonder...
where and what I will be five years from now.

I regret...
Not taking risks in life

I am...
The one

I dance...
in the future

I sing...
in the past

I cry...
rarely, though no one knows psssst.!

I am not always...
this boring

I make with my hands...
a good rythm and also nice bread upma

I write...
code

I confuse...
sometimes, or never, not sure. confusing?

I need...
some excitement in life

I tag
none for now

Personality tests

2006-08-25T08:52:00.001+05:30

I took this interesting personality test, that matches your personality to famous people. I took the test twice and ended up with two leaders :D
It also matches your personality with a movie.

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

What Classic Movie Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

I Love it When you sing to me

2006-07-21T11:26:00.001+05:30

The book of love is long and boring
No one can lift the damn thing
It's full of charts and facts and figures and instructions for dancing

But I
I love it when you read to me
And you
You can read me anything

The book of love has music in it
In fact that's where music comes from
Some of it is just transcendental
Some of it is just really dumb

But I
I love it when you sing to me
And you
You can sing me anything

The book of love is long and boring
And written very long ago
It's full of flowers and heart-shaped boxes
And things we're all too young to know

But I
I love it when you give me things
And you
You ought to give me wedding rings

And I
I love it when you give me things
And you
You ought to give me wedding rings

And I
I love it when you give me things
And you
You ought to give me wedding rings
You ought to give me wedding rings

"The Book Of Love" Sung By Peter Gabriel - "Shall We Dance Together"

The Story of X Y Z

2006-03-21T21:41:00.001+05:30

It is morning 8.00 A.M. in the morning and it is a real chilly morning in X. "Kousalya Supraja Ramapoorva Sandhya Pravarthathe" - Venkatesa Suprabatham is playing in a soothing tone in the background. I slowly walk towards the the windows and open the curtains. The view is breathtaking. The sun is perched on the vast crest of mountains, floating on cottonbales of silvery clouds. Down below is the never ending expanse of tea estates looking like streches of green sheets draped over the lands.The gurgling stream below the house seems to be playing a rythm of its own and gives a pleasant feeling. After enjoying the view for sometime, I brush my teeth and settle myself on the couch in the drawing room to read the morning newspaper.

The house seems to be smelling full of incense sticks (oodhuvathi) and Sambrani (aromatic substance) . She (Y) comes to me and hands me a full glass of hot and steaming coffee. I complement her that she is looking all the more beautiful today, at which she blushes and brushes away the remark with a pat on my shoulder. The coffee smell is heavenly and I take a deep breath to revel in its effect. The froth (norai) on the coffee seem to reflecting all the colors of the world. That is how coffee is perfectly made : hot, strong, thick, a bit milky, full of froth, served in a shiny glass (tumbler) and a saucer (davara). I enjoy every bit of the morning coffee while skimming through the newspaper. I get ready for my morning walk and together with Y we set forth on our usual picturesque morning walk trail.

...To be continued

A Tribute to All Parents : "Thavamai Thavamirundhu"

2006-03-07T21:40:00.001+05:30

"What a movie"! Really emotional and moving!! I unabashedly admit that I cried after seeing the movie. I am not that kind of really emotional person. Maybe because I do miss staying with my parents, though I have been out of home for around seven years now!!

The movie beautifully portrays what kind of sacrifices parents make and how much important a role parents play in our lives.

oru murai dhan oru murai dhan
Only once and only once
oru sila thavarugal oru murai dhan
some mistakes are made only once

oru murai dhan thavariyadhal
Even though we erred only once
Adaigira Vedhanai pala murai dhan.
We might have to face the consequences many many times.

Overall an awesome movie!

Lost and Found

2006-03-05T22:18:00.001+05:30

In college I had this habit of collecting poems I liked and I used to keep them in a diary. I recently found that diary in a junk of books ;).

Here are some of the verses from the diary:

Ketan Valand: Burning the Passions

To me she's no angel, thats' for sure
But this love as I know has no cure.
Every hour the feelings are there
Burning desires and passions to bear.

Loving the smiles, laughter and dreams,
Sharing the tears and life as it seems
Brushing away each other's grief and sorrows
Touching each other's present and tomorrow.

I can see the fire kindle in her eyes
Now I know for sure that there wont be any more good-byes.

Borrowed from my College Friend:
:) (Thoda filmi hai but I still like it !)

For the world you might be someone,
But for someone you are the world.

Don't marry someone you can live with,
Marry someone you cannot live without.

Everytime I meet you
I take a decision that
That I should never meet you again
For to meet you again
We need to part
And that makes me fall apart. :)))

Staying watching you
For a long long time
Is a pleasure unsurpassed
And whatever I do
You are on my mind
"My Permanent Passtime"

Love is an endless pit
Once you fall in love
You get deeper with time
There is no way you can climb out of it!!

(P.S: For that friend who wrote the above: in case you are reading the above: Hi da long time
...whatz up in life! Had collected some of the stuff written by you in our first or second year dont remember!! Letz get back in touch daa! cia)

Love Across the Salt Desert

2006-01-15T20:22:00.001+05:30

"Love Across the Salt Desert" was the Title of one of the best stories in our Standard XII syllabus English text book. I am quite thankful to the NCERT (National Council for Education ? ?) for compiling lovely short stories and for introducing us to great authors like Oscar Wilde, RK Narayan, Khushwanth Singh, Rudyard Kipling etc.

This particular story I am talking about is set in an Indian village at the borders of India and Pakistan in the Salty Deserts of the Rann of the Kutch (somewhere in Gujarat or Rajasthan). The village is totally parched and dry and it has not rained there for years together. Many villagers earn their livelihood by smuggling goods across the border braving the BSF(Border Security Force) , Pakistan Army and bringing back goods from Pakistan as exchange. Our hero and his father too smuggle stuff into Pakistan and bring back spices from a Pakistan Village.

On one such visit The Hero meets the Spice Seller's daughter. "Eyes Meet, Love at First Sight" - Kannum Kannum Nokia - The Eyes do all the talking and it is understood that the Hero will come, "aur Dulhania Le Jayega". The Hero returns home with his father then informs his mother of his love and that he will be going to bring home his bride. As do standard Indian Movie mothers she wants her son to be happy, but his concerned of his safety and finally she courageously sends off her son with some food and jewels. Our hero braves the border forces in style and reaches the Pakistani village. The Spice Seller is hesitant but he sees the love in their eyes and does not stand in between their love. The Hero brings his lover in style, back to his village and it rains for the First Time after long long years. The village hails the girl as the saviour, and All is Well That Ends Well!!

Subham

(:) was watching Veer Zara for a while yesterday and thatz what prompted to write this entry.

Enlightening talk

2006-01-12T21:57:00.001+05:30

I had been to Swami Swaroopananda's (Chinmaya Mission) talk on "The Art of Medidation - and The Power of Gayathri Mantra" . I should say it was really a enlightening talk. Though some concepts that he covered were OHT (Over Head Transmission) most of the contents of his talk were very practical and relevant to day to day life. After my upanayanam I was religiously doing the "Sandhyavandhana" [which I have currently discontinued ;) ] but now after attending this lecture I really feel that I have not done justice to it, even while doing it. One lesson that I have learnt is : just uttering prayers etc. and repeating shlokas are good but only to serve the purpose of chaneling the wavering mind and streamlining our thoughts so that we can concentrate on particular thing. The true power of meditation is to achieve greater mind control. I just tried a simple test, I counted how many different thoughts that crossed my mind in just 10 secs : I counted about 8 + 1 counting process = 9, that makes 9/10 = ~ 1 thought process per second. In Computer Science a well established fact is that "Context Switching is Expensive". Thus I have come to realise that I lose so much time in unnecessary context switching overheads. If I can tune my mind to concentrate on a particular thought without distraction for longer periods of time then I could be much more productive and efficient.

Happy New Year!!!!

2006-01-02T19:28:00.001+05:30

Wish you all a very Happy New Year!!
Fireworks At Sentosa (Siloso Beach) 12.00 A.M 1st January 2006

Books in the Last Month:
One Night at a Call Center (Chetan Bhagat) : A decent read and could associate with all the places in Gurgaon and brought back nostalgic memories of my shorts visits to Gurgaon while at Pilani.

Movies in the Last Month: (Rated according to my liking)
1. Parineeta: Awesome movie - Story was great, songs were great, Vidya Balan Roxxx.
Dil Ki Jo Baatein Hain
Baatein Jo Dil Ki Hain
Dil hi Mein Rakhna Piyaan
AAnkon Ne Sab Key Diyaa!!
Piyu Bole Piyaa Bole Kya Yeh Bole Janoona :)

2. Kanda Naal Mudhal : A different kind of Tamil movie, Re-recording by Yuvan was enjoyable.
3. Paheli : Shah Rukh + Rani Mukherjee starrer - Liked the Folk Story concept and the authentic Rajasthani background captured in the movie.

Yet Another Travel Blog

2005-12-08T17:15:00.001+05:30

It is great to be going back home and this is yet another blog from the airport. I am going home after a period of six months and looking forward for my stay there. These six months were quite good. I just got into groove into my first job and it has been a great experience till now. Having good fun other than work too with lots of sports like Tennis, Badminton, Bowling, Pool etc.
Planning to get a bit more serious with life after I get back as a New Year Resolution :))

Have fun and TIG

DNR - Do Not Resuscitate

2005-12-08T11:15:00.000+05:30

Prolonging life artificially through Life Support and Euthanasia (Mercy Killing) have always been a subject of debate. From the patient's point of view Euthanasia seems valid, but from a general perspective saving a person's life even so be it for a small duration is still worth the effort.

Just came across this terminology called DNR - Do Not Resuscitate. If a patient at the time he is admitted has a DNR order it means that he wishes that his life not be prolonged artificially or he wishes that his life not be revived artificially in case he suffers from any attack.

Came across this interesting article where a retired nurse has tatooed a DNR on herself.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2819149.stm

SFO in a Different Light

2005-12-02T14:05:00.001+05:30

Some interesting snaps clicked in San Francisco.

Bushwhacked!!

Smoke Pots of different shapes

Pile of crabs Fisheman's Wharf

American Heroes on Harley Davidsons

The Modern Day beggar

Marilyn Monroe and Mickey Mouse

Java Rocks

2005-12-02T13:59:00.001+05:30

This is a name of a cafe in Haight Street in San Francisco. I totally agree with what it says. Java Rox and it earns me my bread now :)

Sindhubhairavi

2005-12-02T13:40:00.001+05:30

Simple yet touching:

Poomalai Vangi vandhan pookal illaye
He got a garland but alas it had no flowers!

Sevi Illai ingoru Isai Edharku
Without the ears what is the use of music

Vizhi Illai Ingoru villaku Edharku
Without the eyes what use is a lamp

Naalum Naalum Aval Ninaivil Ivan Azhudhu!!
Day by day he is pining in her memory

Poo malai vangi vandhan pookal illaye!

In Rememberance of the Almighty

2005-11-29T15:59:00.001+05:30

I am really indebted to GOD for whatever he has given me. I am ever grateful to HIM.

I have always felt that chanting mantras and slokas helped me concentrate and gain focus.

Came across this wonderful site with all important Sthothrams and Slokas:

http://mailerindia.com/slokas/mantras/index.php?mantrahow

Orchard Photographs Lee Hsien Loong

2005-11-20T21:44:00.000+05:30

Wow man!! Amazed at the Christmas decorations at the Orchard Road Singapore. Really lovely and gives a nice happy feeling. To add to the joy was a photography exhibition on the Road pavements. Mind blowing pictures clicked all over the world. Anyone in Singapore at this time should definitely visit Orchard as soon as possible to catch the Photo Exhibition as well the festive lightings and decorations. Also by chance spotted the Prime Minister of Singapore Mr Lee Hsien Loong on the roads looking at the photo exhibition. He was just another person among the busy Orchard Road crowd and though he had security, one could not really notice them unless anyone observed carefully.

I Walk a Lonely Road

2005-11-19T21:39:00.001+05:30

Really touching song ....

Loved the song as well the the lyrics... song by a band called GreenDay

I walk a lonely road
The only one that I have ever known
Don't know where it goes
But it's home to me and I walk alone

I walk this empty street
On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Where the city sleepsand
I'm the only one and I walk alone
I walk aloneI walk alone
I walk aloneI walk a...

My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
'Til then I walk alone
Ah-ah, Ah-ah, Ah-ah, Aaah-ah,Ah-ah, Ah-ah, Ah-ah

I'm walking down the line
That divides me somewhere in my mind
On the border lineOf the edge and where I walk alone

Read between the lines
What's **ed up and everything's alright
Check my vital signs
To know I'm still alive and I walk alone
I walk aloneI walk alone
I walk aloneI walk a...

My shadow's the only one that walks beside meMy shallow heart's the only thing that's beatingSometimes I wish someone out there will find me'Til then I walk alone
Ah-ah, Ah-ah, Ah-ah, Aaah-ahAh-ah, Ah-ah
I walk aloneI walk a...

I walk this empty street
On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Where the city sleeps
And I'm the only one and I walk a...

My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
'Til then I walk alone

Call It Conservative Call it Chennai

2005-11-17T08:28:00.001+05:30

Being born and brought up in Chennai, I have experienced the conservative way of living in the City. I would say that this conservativeness is in a way necessary and good to inculcate moral values and ethics into the people (especially for children and adoloscents). But this recent case on Khushboo, Suhasini etc. has really crossed limits and so much hullaballoo on this is totally unnecessary and nonsensical.

Read this Article from Times of India on this Issue:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1298218,curpg-1.cms

What is the most ironical about this Khushboo issue is that the people who are raising their voice
against her (White-Dhoti Politicians and as much black on the inside) constitute the least moral and unethical people who are known for their polygamy, affairs, and various other shady businesses and have no business talking about Tamizh Panpadu (Tamil Ethics and Culture).

I Love My Job

2005-10-15T05:04:00.001+05:30

Found this poem recently: was really funny. Has a sarcastic note to it. Sure does not reflect my opinion though: I love my job in the right sense!!

The Lost Dr Seuss Poem

I love my job, I love the pay! I
love it more and more each day.
I love my boss, she is the best!
I love her boss and all the rest.

I love my office and its location,
I hate to have to go on vacation.
I love my furniture, drab and gray,
And piles of paper that grow each day!

I think my job is really swell,
There's nothing else I love so well.
I love to work among my peers,
I love their leers, and jeers, and sneers.

I love my computer and its software;
I hug it often though it won't care.
I love each program and every file.
I'd love them more if they worked a while.

I'm happy to be here. I am. I am.
I'm the happiest slave of the Firm, I am.
I love this work, I love these chores.
I love the meetings with deadly bores.

I love my job - I'll say it again -
I even love those friendly men.
Those friendly men who've come today,
In clean white coats to take me away!

In Transit

2005-09-10T14:09:00.000+05:30

Taipei September 10 2005

This is probably the first time I am going on such a long distance journey alone and probably that is the reason I feel quite bored. I have to kill ten hours of my time in this place ... man one instance where idling away makes you feel tired.

What do people generally do while travelling alone:

Read books
Listen to music
Blog :)
Work
Watch movies
Pick up a conversation with co-passengers

All this while I have been kind of doing a mixture of all the above things, and currently due to lack of sleep I am too bugged to do anything but blog.

Met this guy called Jeff from Denver in the transit lounge. He was travelling with his three year old kid from Manila to Denver. His kid's name was Kimberley. She was really cute, and had the combined looks of her filipino mother and a caucasian father. We hit upon almost all the topics in the world, like politics, oil exploration, Katrina, linguistics and world langugages, travel experiences, Linux vs Microsoft, Apple and Steve Jobbs etc etc. Overall it was a really good conversation. Jeff was of swedish origin and he told me how immigrants in US after one or two generations forget their native language and that he hardly knew swedish. He was born in Boston, educated in Colorado and now works for an organization called SWCA (www.swca.com) as an Environment Consultant. His specialization was Archaeology and survey. Aged around 40 he is still looking forward to taking up a Phd. One thing I am really amazed by the educational system in US is that most people pursue a career in their own interest area, however commercially inviable it may be and also that the country does offer employment opportunities in all areas. Recently I believe in India too the focus is moving away from engineering and IT and more and more students and willing to explore the arts and science field.

While in India I was under this impression that IT is the THE THING and is really cool. Only after a bit of experience and exposure to others viewpoints have I come to realize that IT is just a tool or means by which one can improve the process and make business processes faster and efficient. An IT company can never match a Brick and Mortar kind of organization and this is also reflected in fact that the world's top two companies are Exxon Mobil (Oil Giant) and GE (almost all possible sectors). Even the IT and Services Giant like IBM cannot compare to these organizations in terms of their huge presence in the world, and market value.

Flightellogue

2005-09-10T04:46:00.001+05:30

This is my second blog from the Airport. Blogging is really a good way to kill time in the airport, especially if you are travelling alone. Had a nice hot cup of coffee from Deli France. I am surprised that you get much better coffee from Deli France rather from exclusive coffee outlets like Starbucks or Coffee Bean. Have 20 min more before boarding, and I am quite paranoid about how I am going to kill 10 hrs in Taipei airport. Shall try and get a transit visa there and would like to see the current tallest building in the world, before it is overtaken by the Dubai tower which is under construction and also the Memorial Building over ground zero in New York. Even if I cant get a transit visa I guess it should be fine, cos' I have more than 500 pages of design specifications to read before I reach "Silicon Valley". :)

Talk of the week:

Katrina and its devastation - Emergency in New Orleans

Iflex majority shares bought over by Oracle

Now Reading: LION BOY THE CHASE - Zizou Corder

Have a long journey to make

signing off

SPAM DELIGHT

2005-08-24T21:55:00.001+05:30

Having the privelege of a very common name as my gmail account, I have received umpteen e-mails that were not meant for me. I once even got a marriage proposal asking when to schedule a marriage and conveying that all in the bride's family were happy with the alliance!

The following is an e-mail that I received today and I felt quite happy after reading it, thought it was not meant for me ;)

Dear Rajesh,
It is my pleasure to inform you that you have been accepted into the
doctoral program in Biophysical Sciences and that Dr. Sachs has agreed to
be your mentor and to provide both stipend and tuition support for you
while you pursue your doctoral studies in his laboratory.

Malcolm Slaughter
Department of Physiology and Biophysics
124 Sherman Hall
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY 14214

Suttum Vizhi Chudare : Ghajni

Code Meets Verse

2005-08-24T16:46:00.000+05:30

This is supposedly the theme song of our previous product release:
Really cool, lyrics!!

Why do birds suddenly appear
every time you are near?
We've only just begun to live.
White lace and promises,
a kiss for luck and we're on our way.
We've only begun.
Before the risin' sun we fly.
So many roads to choose,
we start out walking and learn to run.
And yes, we've just begun.
Sharing horizons that are new to us,
watching the signs along the way.
Talking it over just the two of us,
working together day to day, together.
And when the evenin' comes we smile.
So much of life ahead,
we'll find a place where there's room to grow.
And yes, we've just begun.
Sharing horizons that are new to us,
watching the signs along the way.
Talking it over just the two of us,
working together day to day, together, together.
And when the evenin' comes we smile.
So much of life ahead,
we'll find a place where there's room to grow.
And yes, we've just begun.

Thought Constellations

2005-08-13T12:08:00.001+05:30

Lakshya
Independence Day
Tri-color
Embassy
Late
Office
CrimsonLogic
Pressure
SMA
Awesome
Fun
Canadian Pizza
Movies
Chupke Chupke
Amitabh Bachchan
Kajra-re
Aish
Kuch na Kaho
Home
Palm Gardens
Computer
Forgot Mac-Power PC lugs
Linux
Caldera
Pilani
Ak 248
Common Room
Cooler
Water ...
Thatz enuff...

Bye to RedHill Close

2005-08-01T21:29:00.000+05:30

It has been almost a year in Redhill now. The name does sound exotic right, like Beverly Hills, or Malabar Hills (Mumbai). I have now moved from this quite nice locality and it has been quite a memorable stay here. I just finished seeing the last season of Friends ( Season X). It was quite a touching episode. In this episode too Monica and Chandler move away from the In-City-apartment. I also found myself in such a situation. But change is an inseperable part of life. Just a day since I have shifted and already so many changes.

Change Number 1 : Got up quite early at 8 and reached office by 9:15 or so... Wow!! I am quite pleased with that.
Change Number 2: Came back from office and jogged on the treadmill for 3 Km. :))
Change Number 3: Cooked (or rather watched my flatmates) and ate home cooked food (Parathas and a nice subzi) and this is supposedly the regular plan. I surely plan to be a part of this cooking and revive my culinary skills.

Now playing... Khali Hai Tere Bina Dono Akhiyaan Tum Gaye Kahan
(Both my eyes are empty without you... where art thou have you gone...)

Card Games

2005-07-23T23:25:00.001+05:30

Card games are awesome fun and a nice timepass especially if you have a big group. In my childhood I used to primarily play Ass and Joker. Then during the numerous train journeys to College we used to play quite a number of card games and I learnt games like Rummy, trump, Bid etc. Yesterday I learnt a new game called TeenPathi (Flush/Flash). Really nice game. The problem with card games is that I tend to forget the exact rules if I have not played the game for a long time. I found a nice link that lists most card games with their rules.

http://www.pagat.com/alpha.html

http://www.pagat.com/

Happy - Happy Deepavali

2005-07-21T20:24:00.000+05:30

"Happy-Happy Deepavali maa" - This is the phrase that an old man tells his grandchildren, son and daughter-in-law who live elsewhere(foreign land) in some telephone advertisement that used to come long time back on television. This ad caught my attention because that old man used to say these with so much of emotion and love which I could not understand at that point and had brushed it aside as overaction.
Little did I know when I saw this ad that I would be exactly doing the same thing for many more years to come. There is a bright side to staying away from home in the sense that you become very independent and responsible (supposedly) and worldly wise. But on the flip side it is quite sad that you miss out on all the love and affection from parents,siblings, grandparents and other relatives. This I feel all the more when any special occassion comes by. During every Diwali at college we did have fun, but it was never quite the same as it was at home. I used to call home and other relatives every Diwali, and each time I used to have this kind of weird feeling of "OutOfContext Exception". I used to ask myself whether was it really worth staying away from home missing so much. I still do ask myself this question, now occassionally though as I have learnt to live with the reality. The reality is that I am in a Hot Pursuit (a euphemism for Rat Race) now, in pursuit of career growth and achievement, money and social recognition and this pursuit has brought me so far away from home But I do live with the hope that soon in the near future the race will end soon or I will voluntarily opt out of the race. Whichever happens the good thing is that "The good old days look much more nearer now"!!!

Nature Retreat - MacRitchie Reservoir

2005-07-17T13:39:00.001+05:30

For all Nature freaks in Singapore, the MacRitchie reservoir park walking trails are one of the best you can get in Singapore. It is a picturesque location with walking trails all along the perimeter of the MacRitichie lake. I think morning time is the best time to visit the reservoir park as it is very cool and the morning dew on the rich foliage is breathtaking.

There are various attractions also in this Reservoir, the best one being the Tree Top Walk. This is a strech of the trail where one can
walk over a Suspension bridge amidst the tree tops and it is really a worthwhile experience. You feel like you are over a jungle and we also get a very good view of the reservoir area.

My personal favorite attraction in the reservoir is feeding the turtles. These turtles are really bold and hungry and even take food directly from the hand. The turtles seem to eat whatever humans eat like Biscuits, Water Melon, Murruku etc. etc. Other attractions in the reserve include the Jelutong Tower which is a great view point. Adjoining one edge of the reservoir is the Singapore Island Country Club Golf Course and we can see the golfers teeing off there.

Located in Upper Thomson Road region, the best way to get here is to to get down at Thomson or Novena and take a cab to Upper Thomson Road (Venus Drive) or ask for Singapore Island Country Club.

Golf Club View ..

Can you Spot the Web?

The Tree Top View

The Beginning!!

2005-07-09T14:39:00.001+05:30

I noticed her due to her tinkling anklets,
That first glance was enough to make a mark of a lifetime.
Her long plaited hair was adorned by the sweet smelling Jasmine flowers,
Or was it the Jasmine flowers adorned by her wonderful wisps of hair
Her broad forehead dotted with vermilion and kumkum
Reminded me of the morning horizon and the radiant rising sun
Dressed in crisp Kanchipuram silk here she was the girl of my dreams!!

I had become quite oblivious of our surroundings

Just then I realized that we were in a temple and I was supposed to pray!!
She had started making small steps around the sanctum
Quickly I began following her with my hands folded in piety
My heart skipped a beat when she turned around to look at me
In reflex my hands folded and my lips started uttering something...
She must have thought I was praying in devotion
Yes I was praying in devotion, that I could speak to her.

It was the full moon day and the temple was getting crowded
Soon I lost sight of her in all the chaos
Disappointed I completed two more rounds of pradakshina,
Made a deal with HIM that all be good,
And with a heavy heart walked back home .

As I was opening the gate of my house
I heard a sweet and soothing voice
Surprised I was when I looked around
Here she was the Jhaangri* of my eyes!
Slowly she walked up to me!!
I was too dazed by the situation to see!

While all the time I was looking down,
She spoke to me without a frown
She had just moved into the neighbourhood with her mom and dad,
And thought she would get to know her neighbours well, wasnt I too glad :)
She too had noticed me in temple, and in friendship she extended her hand
I too reciprocated while I was floating away into FairyLand...
And that was the Beginning, a really nice Beginning!!

*Jhaangri: A Really delicious awesome South Indian Sweet!!

Power Play in Cricket!!

2005-07-08T08:50:00.000+05:30

Recently I read an article about the new rules in Cricket that have been tested in the Australia vs England series. They seem pretty interesting. Now we can have a 12 member team (one substitute) who can replace any player and do batting as well as bowling any time in the match, the only catch being the replaced player cannot come on field again.

It more feels like football substitution now. But it seems pretty useful. For example we can choose a fast bowler who bowls well with the new ball and have him bowl for 5-6 overs and then can substitute him with a bowler who bowls well with an old one in the slog overs. Or we can send in a guy to hit in the slog overs and if it looks like he is out of form or is underperforming then chuck him out and replace him with the twelfth man. Cricket is getting more and more interesting. Looking forward to see how well these Power play rules are put to use by the various teams.

Source: BBC News

MIT BLOG SURVEY

2005-07-05T15:27:00.000+05:30

Do participate in the MIT Blog Survey!!

MKS - Windows Unix Interoperability

2005-07-01T16:02:00.000+05:30

Recently installed a Windows-unix interoperability tool called MKS.
Details : http://www.mkssoftware.com/products/tk/ds_tkdev.asp

Really cool product. Now all unix commands are functional on the Windows command prompt. It is very helpful cos' it eliminated the need to change long unix scripts for running on windows.

Ooty Trip

2005-06-30T16:22:00.000+05:30

Recently I had been Ooty during my trip to India. I was visiting Ooty after 6 years. The last time I had visited Ooty was after my board exams , actually just before my XII board results were about to come. I recollect being quite anxious and me and my parents were constantly checking the news, newspapers etc. for any updates on when the XII CBSE results were coming. But anyhow it was a really memorable trip due to two main reasons. The first one being: I got to see the India vs. Sri Lanka one day match there, where India made a whopping 376 and Ganguly made 176 (I think his career highest in ODIs) .The other was that we watched this awesome Super Duper Rajnikanth starrer movie "Padayappa" and it was total entertainment.

The recent trip to Ooty too was great as we went as a full family escaping the scorching Chennai heat. It is really nice to go back to places you have been before as it really brings back nice memories!!

Great Songs

2005-06-30T15:57:00.000+05:30

Just listening to the song "Thai Sollum Uravai vaithe Ulagam Sondham" - an awesome song from the movie Kana Kanden. Really touching. Vidyasagar's music has been really top class in the past few years. Another song from the same movie "Moolai Thirugum (Kaalai Arumbi)" too is great.

The following songs have been my personal favorites in this year:

1. Mora Saiyaan (Fuzon) from the Hyderabad Blues II movie
2. Tere Bina Hyderabad Blues II
3. Kalayil Dinamum Kan Vizhithen from the movie NEW
4. En Aasai Mythiliye - Manmathan

and lately
Kana Kanden Songs.

It is great there is so much good music to fill up the void in my life!!