As a kid, up until 10 or so, you were always looking forward to “Happy Birthday”. That’s how I called it. “Birthday” somehow did not convey the import of this very important day of my life, then. It was a day when you were supposed to have all the attention at school, wear the best dress, give away the best chocolates, sport the most stylish hairstyle and be in vogue. That was one special day when you will get away with not returning your homework, getting late to classes, having longer than permitted breaks and so on. I remember how I disguised a different day as my birthday if it ever fell on a holiday or an exam day. Exam days when people are busy and do not have the time to shower all the attention you want is not a good “happy birthday” day! New Year’s Day and Diwali also used to very special, because you get to wear new clothes hang out with those cousins who were the best pals.
Gradually, interest reduced. Diwali was just another day when you get to chit chat, see TV programs and such. It was still enjoyable, but not like the only time that you looked forwarded too. New Year’s brought back memories of the lovely last year and how I have not grown a bit mentally in the last one year! Never have I thought that the earth has completed one rotation of the Sun and now set for the next. Birthday only reminded of how old you have become. However since last year or so, any of these things stopped being a vintage date. They stopped reminding me of a bygone time period. Seemed like my calendar just continued into eternity without any periodical returns. What if no one discovered the periodicity and regularity of the seasons?
I would attribute two reasons for that. For one, nothing spectacular and worth remembering happened on these days. Secondly, lazy life is one big lump of time that dies a little by little without any kind of planning for the future. There is no future, present will soon be past and past is the only thing that remains vaguely as a memory. You won’t know the difference between a week back and a month back as both these times; you must have been a couch potato, with a bag of chips, staring at the ceiling fan, browsing endlessly on Orkut or laughing at FRIENDS. If this lazy and purposeless life continued for a long enough time, you will know what I mean – how you have lost track of calendar and dates and most importantly the return of the season as none was worth remembering!
Instead life must be divided into chunks of time based of what you accomplished or simply what your purpose was. If you have had that kind of lazy eras in your life, if you have cursed and blessed yourself at the same time for the elapsed time that went past unnoticed, you will understand what I mean!
I have and hence this blog.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Apr 15, 2007
If India fails to make it to the Super8s, the much anticipated and eternally hyped India Pak encounter on Apr 15th will be Ireland vs Bangladesh!!
ok, remotely it may even be Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh !!
All those guyz from the US who spent worthy $$$$ as they must have thought, to watch Dravid and Dada batting away to glory against Imran and Inzy will be kept 'entertained' by Bashar and band battling against the Brien brothers!!
Wow, what a match !!
Also, as Anusha says, line cleared for Shivaji followers !!
ok, remotely it may even be Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh !!
All those guyz from the US who spent worthy $$$$ as they must have thought, to watch Dravid and Dada batting away to glory against Imran and Inzy will be kept 'entertained' by Bashar and band battling against the Brien brothers!!
Wow, what a match !!
Also, as Anusha says, line cleared for Shivaji followers !!
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Cricket !!
I remember watching the 1987 world cup as a six-year old. I will ask my folks at home as to whom they wanted to win and then offer my faithful prayers in the Puja room seeking the help of God to make that team win whatsoever. I did not understand the game and all I was worried about was my folks at home being happy!
1992 and 1996 were my best world cups when I followed every match of the tournament. I was still a little too immature that I would make trades with God that he can fail me in History revision exam, and instead make that up with an Indian victory! The Pakistan vs India - quarterfinals at Bangalore is something that I still cherish. Then, I had these amazing friends, with who discussions always revolved around the new boys -Dravid, Ganguly! I was even excited to watch Srinath play for Gloucestershire!!
Then, 1999 and 2003 I was a busy with other things and cricket was sent to the background. I followed the happenings from the next day news and that was it. Guess I grew-up and did not matter really if India won or lost. I never remembered any game until it happened and results were out. If I do get to watch a game, it was fun but that was it – it was no religion that I was so used to following fanatically!
Now, in 2007 thanks to a cricket-buff hubby, I am once again pulled into the magic of cricket, its drama, the fun and feelings. Just as I was thinking that the inclusion of minnows in the world cup diluted the competitiveness of the game, Bangladesh hit me right on and proved a better team than India on a given day in all departments of the game. With the precarious position India is placed now it will be interesting to see if they will make it to the Super8s. The batting looked good against Bermuda yesterday, but you cannot forget the fact it was Bermuda. Even against Bermuda, bowling looked very weak failing consistency and penetration. Fielding was lethargic, compared to those of Ireland, Bangladesh and even Bermuda. With this pack, will this team see through the Sri Lankan line up on Friday? In either case, I hope it turns out into a nail biting contest! Well, not exactly as that will not send us to Barbados. I want a thumping victory, letz see!
Speaking of this, I guess that much of the resentment of Indian fans on the loss to Bangladesh was subdued because the arch rivals Pakis failed to qualify to the Super8s. It was very upsetting to note Pakis’ coach Bob Woolmer pass away after their dismal performance in the world cup especially because we were having a fun time seeing the posters that read – death to Woolmer and death to Inzy by the Pakis’ fans the previous day as they lost to Ireland. It is just a game and it will be good if it is treated so. Anyways, hope his soul rests in peace.
Well, that was a blog that started out nostalgic, got all funny and filled with excitement and finished on a sad note distastefully. That was not how I intended it to be. :)
1992 and 1996 were my best world cups when I followed every match of the tournament. I was still a little too immature that I would make trades with God that he can fail me in History revision exam, and instead make that up with an Indian victory! The Pakistan vs India - quarterfinals at Bangalore is something that I still cherish. Then, I had these amazing friends, with who discussions always revolved around the new boys -Dravid, Ganguly! I was even excited to watch Srinath play for Gloucestershire!!
Then, 1999 and 2003 I was a busy with other things and cricket was sent to the background. I followed the happenings from the next day news and that was it. Guess I grew-up and did not matter really if India won or lost. I never remembered any game until it happened and results were out. If I do get to watch a game, it was fun but that was it – it was no religion that I was so used to following fanatically!
Now, in 2007 thanks to a cricket-buff hubby, I am once again pulled into the magic of cricket, its drama, the fun and feelings. Just as I was thinking that the inclusion of minnows in the world cup diluted the competitiveness of the game, Bangladesh hit me right on and proved a better team than India on a given day in all departments of the game. With the precarious position India is placed now it will be interesting to see if they will make it to the Super8s. The batting looked good against Bermuda yesterday, but you cannot forget the fact it was Bermuda. Even against Bermuda, bowling looked very weak failing consistency and penetration. Fielding was lethargic, compared to those of Ireland, Bangladesh and even Bermuda. With this pack, will this team see through the Sri Lankan line up on Friday? In either case, I hope it turns out into a nail biting contest! Well, not exactly as that will not send us to Barbados. I want a thumping victory, letz see!
Speaking of this, I guess that much of the resentment of Indian fans on the loss to Bangladesh was subdued because the arch rivals Pakis failed to qualify to the Super8s. It was very upsetting to note Pakis’ coach Bob Woolmer pass away after their dismal performance in the world cup especially because we were having a fun time seeing the posters that read – death to Woolmer and death to Inzy by the Pakis’ fans the previous day as they lost to Ireland. It is just a game and it will be good if it is treated so. Anyways, hope his soul rests in peace.
Well, that was a blog that started out nostalgic, got all funny and filled with excitement and finished on a sad note distastefully. That was not how I intended it to be. :)
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Travelogue !
It was one of those eventful weekends that happen once a while. It started with me hauling two pieces of innocent looking luggage that turned very bulky when I had to lug to the PATH station five minutes from home. We met at WTC, boarded the A train –fairly straight forward and we were at the JFK airport in roughly an hour. The flight took off after an apparent delay due to closing of gates ;) an hour beyond schedule. Reached one of our friends’ places for the night, fought through cold and had an early morning around 9am. Can you believe?? AZ does not provide homes with heaters!!
After a cereal breakfast, it seemed like the Grand Canyon will be taken over by Wii and playing tennis using the Nintendo software seemed more attractive than the purpose of the trip. In sometime, all the people that were to gather arrived, after battling over some lost baggage we finally decided to start around 4pm, Saturday by two cars to the much awaited two day Grand Canyon trip. The first scheduled stopover was at Sedona, which we together vetoed against due to lack of time. It was a fifteen mile detour from the rest of the plan. On second thoughts, No! There are no second thoughts. We were late to see the sunset anyways. The next pit stop at Flagstaff was at the call of our tummies – had delicious Italian fettuccini pasta for breakfast/lunch/dinner.
Ala! There was also Wal-Mart. People who lost baggage had every reason to do some quick shopping, but the others followed suit too. I can’t pardon myself for the confusion caused over my missing handbag which was eventually found safe in the car. Finally we were off for another two hour drive to Page where lodging was booked for the night. Our car developed an acute shortage of fuel some 30 minutes from Page. The fuel meter reads red and all one could see was a vast expanse of nothing and beyond a couple of miles into the nothingness were mountains. Panic set. Top it all, there was no signal detected by the cell phones. We tried dim-dipping to the car in front, apparently to no consequence. Finally, after reducing gas consumption by switching off music, heaters, (we could have tried the head lights too ;) ) we did reach Page, with a few drops of petrol still intact. :) After the gas station, we checked into our hotel rooms, had a long evening of moonshine, Mafia- the game and gag. We finally hit the sack around 2 am. The next day to the pleasant surprise of everyone present, we checked out at 9: 30 am after a filling breakfast.
The first place we actually visited was Glen Canyon dam. It is on the eastern sides of north rim. There was some disagreement if it was the state of Utah or Arizona. Whatever it was legally, it was a treat to watch the steep sides of the canyon. The depth was close to 600 feet and it looked dizzyingly precipitous. Photo session started there.
The next stop was at Horseshoe Bend. It involved about half a mile hike down slope to the edges of the rocks. From there, the view was breathtaking. A disconnected crater in the middle surrounded by waters at that depth was spectacular and scary. It was both a little cold and a little hot from the sun - too unhealthy for the camera and ours passed out. It was frustrating to lose the camera in the middle of the trip, it was quite depressing. The hike back to the car on the upslope was a fitness test that we barely passed ;). We started driving south and the next scheduled stopover was for Monument Valley.
After a brief and unfulfilling lunch break over BK’s fries and some grocery stores’ croissant, we drove further to an Indian town – Goulding. This place supposedly preserves the Navajo way of life, sandstone buttes, spires and mesas of South West. Monument Valley is a Navajo Nation tribal park, straddling the border of northeastern Arizona and southeastern Utah of the Colorado Plateau. There was some recognizable sandstone natural structures – three sisters, King’s throne etc and not-so-discernable ones that we named ourselves! We also took pictures on the border of Arizona and Utah :) Yeah, the camera was resuscitated!
After a looong drive south, we retired for the day at Williams overnight. The next day, Sunday started at 4 am. We were to drive an hour and a half north to the South Rim to catch the Grand Canyon at sun rise!
At this point, we were too exhausted and too cold from the winds and winter, that waiting for sun rise seemed too stretched. However catching the sunrise was an awe-inspiring experience. In the depths of rocks, and more rocks that looked layered and worn-out with age, heat, cold and drought, there was some vegetation that was destined to survive the desert and cold. It was like a life lesson to stand up in unfamiliar surroundings to be announced the winner! As the day broke, there were photos and more photos. At this point, people were too very fatigued and the trip was cut short by a few hours and we started driving drown to Phoenix. Somewhere in between we caught some good shots of Humphrey’s Peak, Arizona’s tallest - 12.6K feet high. We witnessed pencil slopes, the shaven trees and some hard snow. It was like a good trip ending on a fine note.
Around 3pm, we reached Phoenix, looking like sleep deprived maniacs. The cheese on the Enchiladas for dinner looked TOO cheesy for the first time ;) That was the effect. Finally we flew out at midnight and reached JFK Tuesday morning.
A fine trip, something that I looked forward to for a long time is so suddenly over ;)!
After a cereal breakfast, it seemed like the Grand Canyon will be taken over by Wii and playing tennis using the Nintendo software seemed more attractive than the purpose of the trip. In sometime, all the people that were to gather arrived, after battling over some lost baggage we finally decided to start around 4pm, Saturday by two cars to the much awaited two day Grand Canyon trip. The first scheduled stopover was at Sedona, which we together vetoed against due to lack of time. It was a fifteen mile detour from the rest of the plan. On second thoughts, No! There are no second thoughts. We were late to see the sunset anyways. The next pit stop at Flagstaff was at the call of our tummies – had delicious Italian fettuccini pasta for breakfast/lunch/dinner.
Ala! There was also Wal-Mart. People who lost baggage had every reason to do some quick shopping, but the others followed suit too. I can’t pardon myself for the confusion caused over my missing handbag which was eventually found safe in the car. Finally we were off for another two hour drive to Page where lodging was booked for the night. Our car developed an acute shortage of fuel some 30 minutes from Page. The fuel meter reads red and all one could see was a vast expanse of nothing and beyond a couple of miles into the nothingness were mountains. Panic set. Top it all, there was no signal detected by the cell phones. We tried dim-dipping to the car in front, apparently to no consequence. Finally, after reducing gas consumption by switching off music, heaters, (we could have tried the head lights too ;) ) we did reach Page, with a few drops of petrol still intact. :) After the gas station, we checked into our hotel rooms, had a long evening of moonshine, Mafia- the game and gag. We finally hit the sack around 2 am. The next day to the pleasant surprise of everyone present, we checked out at 9: 30 am after a filling breakfast.
The first place we actually visited was Glen Canyon dam. It is on the eastern sides of north rim. There was some disagreement if it was the state of Utah or Arizona. Whatever it was legally, it was a treat to watch the steep sides of the canyon. The depth was close to 600 feet and it looked dizzyingly precipitous. Photo session started there.
The next stop was at Horseshoe Bend. It involved about half a mile hike down slope to the edges of the rocks. From there, the view was breathtaking. A disconnected crater in the middle surrounded by waters at that depth was spectacular and scary. It was both a little cold and a little hot from the sun - too unhealthy for the camera and ours passed out. It was frustrating to lose the camera in the middle of the trip, it was quite depressing. The hike back to the car on the upslope was a fitness test that we barely passed ;). We started driving south and the next scheduled stopover was for Monument Valley.
After a brief and unfulfilling lunch break over BK’s fries and some grocery stores’ croissant, we drove further to an Indian town – Goulding. This place supposedly preserves the Navajo way of life, sandstone buttes, spires and mesas of South West. Monument Valley is a Navajo Nation tribal park, straddling the border of northeastern Arizona and southeastern Utah of the Colorado Plateau. There was some recognizable sandstone natural structures – three sisters, King’s throne etc and not-so-discernable ones that we named ourselves! We also took pictures on the border of Arizona and Utah :) Yeah, the camera was resuscitated!
After a looong drive south, we retired for the day at Williams overnight. The next day, Sunday started at 4 am. We were to drive an hour and a half north to the South Rim to catch the Grand Canyon at sun rise!
At this point, we were too exhausted and too cold from the winds and winter, that waiting for sun rise seemed too stretched. However catching the sunrise was an awe-inspiring experience. In the depths of rocks, and more rocks that looked layered and worn-out with age, heat, cold and drought, there was some vegetation that was destined to survive the desert and cold. It was like a life lesson to stand up in unfamiliar surroundings to be announced the winner! As the day broke, there were photos and more photos. At this point, people were too very fatigued and the trip was cut short by a few hours and we started driving drown to Phoenix. Somewhere in between we caught some good shots of Humphrey’s Peak, Arizona’s tallest - 12.6K feet high. We witnessed pencil slopes, the shaven trees and some hard snow. It was like a good trip ending on a fine note.
Around 3pm, we reached Phoenix, looking like sleep deprived maniacs. The cheese on the Enchiladas for dinner looked TOO cheesy for the first time ;) That was the effect. Finally we flew out at midnight and reached JFK Tuesday morning.
A fine trip, something that I looked forward to for a long time is so suddenly over ;)!
Sunday, February 11, 2007
EQ Test
| Your EQ is 120 |
 50 or less: Thanks for answering honestly. Now get yourself a shrink, quick! 51-70: When it comes to understanding human emotions, you'd have better luck understanding Chinese. 71-90: You've got more emotional intelligence than the average frat boy. Barely. 91-110: You're average. It's easy to predict how you'll react to things. But anyone could have guessed that. 111-130: You usually have it going on emotionally, but roadblocks tend to land you on your butt. 131-150: You are remarkable when it comes to relating with others. Only the biggest losers get under your skin. 150+: Two possibilities - you've either out "Dr. Phil-ed" Dr. Phil... or you're a dirty liar. |
Friday, February 09, 2007
Talk about addictions.
Addiction is the state of being enslaved to a habit.
Orkut sure is one such thing. For no particular reason, I quit Orkut almost a year ago. Here I am keeping my promise to this day. Well, there is really no sane reason to keep myself off Orkut. Call it a silly principle, a mulish resolve or simple adamancy that I possess a lot. Whatever it is, I definitely miss on a lot of gossips.
I have to depend on my hubby or my certain friends to keep me updated with what is up with the girl who my brother had a crush on in class VIII or the girl who had a crush on my hubby in class XII and so on. I am very outdated with who goes out with who! Other than gossips, it has also been a great way of keeping in touch with all and sundry ‘n sweet friends at school. Just a tiny scrap once a month, a wedding wish or a congratulations note on a new job or so will be great. I am not sure if and when I would return to Orkutting ways. I did not delete my account. It just reads – “Off Orkut Indefinitely”. It is still indefinite. I sincerely hope there is reason enough for my return and it turns out soon!!
Stay tuned!
Addiction is the state of being enslaved to a habit.
Orkut sure is one such thing. For no particular reason, I quit Orkut almost a year ago. Here I am keeping my promise to this day. Well, there is really no sane reason to keep myself off Orkut. Call it a silly principle, a mulish resolve or simple adamancy that I possess a lot. Whatever it is, I definitely miss on a lot of gossips.
I have to depend on my hubby or my certain friends to keep me updated with what is up with the girl who my brother had a crush on in class VIII or the girl who had a crush on my hubby in class XII and so on. I am very outdated with who goes out with who! Other than gossips, it has also been a great way of keeping in touch with all and sundry ‘n sweet friends at school. Just a tiny scrap once a month, a wedding wish or a congratulations note on a new job or so will be great. I am not sure if and when I would return to Orkutting ways. I did not delete my account. It just reads – “Off Orkut Indefinitely”. It is still indefinite. I sincerely hope there is reason enough for my return and it turns out soon!!
Stay tuned!
Thursday, February 08, 2007
It is not that I have been toiling for any significant step up in my life or personality that had kept my blogging at bay for so long. It is just that I have not had the drive and zeal to sit in front of my lappie for such a long time.
This being my first post in the New Year, officially, Happy new year!!
Have you had the opportunity to see a tiny little baby with in hours of her birth? I did! Yeah! My sister-in-law delivered a baby girl. Her little face was so full of innocence and peace. We have all heard about poetic associations of fresh flowers and new borns. But when I saw the baby, I thought it stood no parallel. Though I wanted to hold the tiny little thing, I was so scared that I might actually hurt her. Fingers so frail, eyes always shut; it must be hard for the baby to leave the protected fortress of her mother’s womb for the world. If there is anything called purity in this world, it is the virtue in a new born baby.
This virtue in all of us is adulterated with passage of time in hope of larger ego, higher prestige, greed in terms of money and respect and blown out self-image. If and only, when one is able to contain these false impressions about self, can the virtue last a lifetime, otherwise the comparison between a baby and a flower will reign as both lose sheen and succumb to their real lives!
This being my first post in the New Year, officially, Happy new year!!
Have you had the opportunity to see a tiny little baby with in hours of her birth? I did! Yeah! My sister-in-law delivered a baby girl. Her little face was so full of innocence and peace. We have all heard about poetic associations of fresh flowers and new borns. But when I saw the baby, I thought it stood no parallel. Though I wanted to hold the tiny little thing, I was so scared that I might actually hurt her. Fingers so frail, eyes always shut; it must be hard for the baby to leave the protected fortress of her mother’s womb for the world. If there is anything called purity in this world, it is the virtue in a new born baby.
This virtue in all of us is adulterated with passage of time in hope of larger ego, higher prestige, greed in terms of money and respect and blown out self-image. If and only, when one is able to contain these false impressions about self, can the virtue last a lifetime, otherwise the comparison between a baby and a flower will reign as both lose sheen and succumb to their real lives!
Sunday, December 10, 2006
For its lyrics
You only see what your eyes want to see
How can life be what you want it to be
You're frozen
When your heart's not open
You're so consumed with how much you get
You waste your time with hate and regret
You're broken
When your heart's not open
[Chorus]
Mmmmm, if I could melt your heart
Mmmmm, we'd never be apart
Mmmm, give yourself to me
Mmmmm, you hold the key
Now there's no point in placing the blame
And you should know I suffer the same
If I lose you
My heart will be broken
Love is a bird, she needs to fly
Let all the hurt inside of you die
You're frozen
When your heart's not open
[chorus]
[verse]
[chorus, repeat]
If I could melt your heart
How true are the first two stanzas..!!M
You only see what your eyes want to see
How can life be what you want it to be
You're frozen
When your heart's not open
You're so consumed with how much you get
You waste your time with hate and regret
You're broken
When your heart's not open
[Chorus]
Mmmmm, if I could melt your heart
Mmmmm, we'd never be apart
Mmmm, give yourself to me
Mmmmm, you hold the key
Now there's no point in placing the blame
And you should know I suffer the same
If I lose you
My heart will be broken
Love is a bird, she needs to fly
Let all the hurt inside of you die
You're frozen
When your heart's not open
[chorus]
[verse]
[chorus, repeat]
If I could melt your heart
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
It is about happiness
I have a promise to keep
I pledged to remain happy
Despite all odds and split ends
I have a promise to keep
There they live knowing I am at ease
Here, he loves to see me smile
What a prize have I
To keep a smiley promise
I refuse to weep
I decline any grief
In my vow, I revel
For I have a promise to keep
-Anonymous
I pledged to remain happy
Despite all odds and split ends
I have a promise to keep
There they live knowing I am at ease
Here, he loves to see me smile
What a prize have I
To keep a smiley promise
I refuse to weep
I decline any grief
In my vow, I revel
For I have a promise to keep
-Anonymous
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Are you?
Are you the gentle breeze?
Too subtle to stroke
Are you the late night moon?
The one beyond the cloud
Are you the ocean tide?
Low on a darker night
Are you the smothered blaze?
Like a stifled rage
Are you the arcane riddle?
Long lost and unknown
Too subtle to stroke
Are you the late night moon?
The one beyond the cloud
Are you the ocean tide?
Low on a darker night
Are you the smothered blaze?
Like a stifled rage
Are you the arcane riddle?
Long lost and unknown
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Visual treat
Behold this scene
With a serene smile
From a grassy pane
Colorful spectrum
Wax and wane
Lost in a hazy spray
From a mighty cascade
As white as snow
Sputters for a mile
Like mist and smoke
Lawn so lush
Scent of the soil
Whiff of water
Music in the air
Drops of drizzle
Stroke your skin
Thud of gushing water
Is all that you hear
Etch this sight
As a memory for life
Friday, September 15, 2006
1 a.m., a regular Wednesday evening (Yes, when the night is still young)
* Bright like mid-day with lights glaring from all directions....
* Road side stores roll out the rug for little trinkets that make souvenirs….
* You hear someone haggling over the price of WTC posters….
* A Mexican girl and a European guy are busy posing for a sketch….
* Voices scream–‘akkada ledhu ra’ and ‘koodeya va, illena tholanjupopora pa’ simultaneously
* Yellow colored taxis zipped right past you, that you thought you were ripped apart….
* Buzzing people, whizzing cars, and zooming emergency vehicles sing the real tune of Times Square, NYC
There is something about the City that makes it categorically special. May be it’s just the commotion; eternal energy and undying vigor that makes people throng this place well past mid-night. My association with the City is rather limited, but every place that I have been to exhibits a certain character, a display of strength, and suave spirit. Even in a Starbucks that’s in every corner, there is an expression of purpose. It’s a place where there is something for everyone. A quiet cruise to Staten Island or the Liberty Statue, an Ellis Island for the historically inclined (well, you know about American ‘history’ ;-)), a serene walk across the Brooklyn Bridge for a distant panoramic vista, an awe inspiring view from the Empire State, the Ground Zero to tell the tales of torn down towers, the business district of downtown, the entertainment of Times Square, the Garment district for a run on your wallet or harmless window shopping, the party place around NYU for some booze and dance and Saravana Bhavan if you miss Madras and many much more.
I was truly upset to see Luzern shamelessly showing off for "New York Nagaram.."
How I wish I could wake up every morning to its music looking from a window of a forty (a very humble wish) storey building, only to know I wasn’t dreaming!
After all it’s the city that never sleeps....
Now how did Vaali say “New York Nagaram urangum neram”? ;-)
* Bright like mid-day with lights glaring from all directions....
* Road side stores roll out the rug for little trinkets that make souvenirs….
* You hear someone haggling over the price of WTC posters….
* A Mexican girl and a European guy are busy posing for a sketch….
* Voices scream–‘akkada ledhu ra’ and ‘koodeya va, illena tholanjupopora pa’ simultaneously
* Yellow colored taxis zipped right past you, that you thought you were ripped apart….
* Buzzing people, whizzing cars, and zooming emergency vehicles sing the real tune of Times Square, NYC
There is something about the City that makes it categorically special. May be it’s just the commotion; eternal energy and undying vigor that makes people throng this place well past mid-night. My association with the City is rather limited, but every place that I have been to exhibits a certain character, a display of strength, and suave spirit. Even in a Starbucks that’s in every corner, there is an expression of purpose. It’s a place where there is something for everyone. A quiet cruise to Staten Island or the Liberty Statue, an Ellis Island for the historically inclined (well, you know about American ‘history’ ;-)), a serene walk across the Brooklyn Bridge for a distant panoramic vista, an awe inspiring view from the Empire State, the Ground Zero to tell the tales of torn down towers, the business district of downtown, the entertainment of Times Square, the Garment district for a run on your wallet or harmless window shopping, the party place around NYU for some booze and dance and Saravana Bhavan if you miss Madras and many much more.
I was truly upset to see Luzern shamelessly showing off for "New York Nagaram.."
How I wish I could wake up every morning to its music looking from a window of a forty (a very humble wish) storey building, only to know I wasn’t dreaming!
After all it’s the city that never sleeps....
Now how did Vaali say “New York Nagaram urangum neram”? ;-)
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Jyotika and Surya wedding snaps
It must have all started with some friendly banter ;) from Poovelam Kettupar..
It is said that Jo recomended Surya for Kaakka Kaakka
Fans did not miss their on-screen chemistry
reel life romance will continue for real
as they become man and wife
Monday, September 11, 2006
Even if you were the Schumacher, pit stops are absolutely essential. However fuel efficient your engine is, whatever you use firestone or bridge stone, travel light and stop just as often as you need to. Mature drivers know that a quick explosion does not take them to the finish line, a calm breath at the pit stop does.
What is maturity?
Maturity does not come with the come with the number of races you have had, but with the number of races where you applied a bit of your mind ….
1. ability to control anger and lug the car without exploding
2. patience to finish all the laps before sighting finish line
3. willingness to pass up immediate pleasure in favor of long term gain
4. perseverance to continue the race even when you are the last
5. capability to face the media after a dismal performance
6. attitude to hold your head on your shoulders after a routing victory
7. holding back “I told you so” when proven right
8. not blaming the track or the media or the tires or the weather ….
9. resolute decisions in when to take your pit stops
10. yet.. hopeful of your next race
Success in a race is not Boolean
Being first or not
It is learning a step for your next ride
Come back intact
What is maturity?
Maturity does not come with the come with the number of races you have had, but with the number of races where you applied a bit of your mind ….
1. ability to control anger and lug the car without exploding
2. patience to finish all the laps before sighting finish line
3. willingness to pass up immediate pleasure in favor of long term gain
4. perseverance to continue the race even when you are the last
5. capability to face the media after a dismal performance
6. attitude to hold your head on your shoulders after a routing victory
7. holding back “I told you so” when proven right
8. not blaming the track or the media or the tires or the weather ….
9. resolute decisions in when to take your pit stops
10. yet.. hopeful of your next race
Success in a race is not Boolean
Being first or not
It is learning a step for your next ride
Come back intact
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Friday, August 25, 2006
Daffodils
I WANDER'D lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees, 5
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretch'd in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay: 10
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay, 15
In such a jocund company:
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood, 20
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
Well, I am sure this one has a special place in many hearts!
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees, 5
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretch'd in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay: 10
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay, 15
In such a jocund company:
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood, 20
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
Well, I am sure this one has a special place in many hearts!
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
A fictional story
Sumi trashed the half used coke tins, and cleared the mess on her desk, pressed ctrl+alt+del, pushed the chair inside the desk and walked past her half-empty-team into the ladies room, checked herself on the mirror to make sure that her face did not reflect the time of the day, smiled at her well kept form and shape and hurried to join Shreyars near the lift. Shreyars hid his excitement, though only he knew how he had been waiting for the evening all day long. Just as they joined, the lift arrived crowded and they entered after exchanging glances that conveyed that they would meet 20 floors below when the lift exited for the lobby. She could feel her pulse beating hard and fast. She being a very practical person and workaholic, she had not let this numbing thrill disturb her work day. Now her anticipation was rising. He rested his head on the back of the elevator and let his mind rewind by six months.
He looked as she entered unhurried yet well paced, cautious yet confident, nervously looking forward to the first day of her work-life. Shortly, she joined him and the rest of such people, exchanged greetings, customary hellos and confident smiles. She was polite and poised, yet socializing did not come naturally to her, he observed. Soon they were taken around campus, shown the various facilities and were audience to corporate life introductory lecture. He was seated right beside her and the hiiis, hellos and silence did not comfort him. He naturally invited more dialogue and before long they were good friends. They found apartments close to each other, commuted together, waited for each other, and met over coffee breaks and lunch. They were plain getting along well.
Shreyars’ wit and smartness helped the shy Sumi to hold conversations. Sumi liked to disagree, argue and discuss sensibly and Shreyars’ intelligence helped. Sumi was way too clever and knowledgeable to lose any kind of debate. Shreyars’ felt losing to Sumi more of an honor than shame. They shared mutual respect, interests and quality time.
Their conversations were around how to combat terrorism?, is US right?, why not give Al-Qaeda what he wants?, ethical cloning, what is morality?, rising prices of gas, the to-be-Intel fab in Madras, the automobile industry boom and the like. They never thought about who paid the bill (no, Shreyars did not insist paying), who opened the door, or who carried the shopping bags. They did not buy gifts for each other, no birthday presents, no friendship day wishes, and not even Valentines’ day mention. They were like the strawberries and cream – simply great together with no strings attached.
Today evening was indeed special and an important day for Sumi. And Shreyars felt elated and important to be a part of it. A week ago, Sumi had said that she was to meet a probable-to-be-hubby and invited Shreyars to join. Shreyars concealed his shock well – well enough. He had loved her, he realized. He had prepared himself in the week for this important day. He repeatedly told himself, how true and naïve Sumi was. He truly liked her and that was all the more reason why he masked his feelings for her. He was taken aback at the confidence and respect she had for him that she was taking him to the all important day.
They stepped off the elevator. They were supposed to meet at Barrista, a few miles from their office. They drove in silence – Sumi was tensed and Shreyars sensed it. Shreyars did not want to uncover his mask by talking. Though he made attempts to break the stillness of the car, he was in vain. Sumi changed CDs, appeared to remain normal, but far from it. Shreyars thought, after all Sumi was going to meet this guy for the first time. The journey seemed to long forever. Finally, the sedan slowed down and came to a complete halt two minutes from the coffee shop.
Sumi opened the vanity, checked herself again and smiled self-consciously at Shreyars and their eyes met. For once he missed a heart beat and failed in making eye contact. As if this was the last time they were going to be together, he wished her all the best and stepped off on the other side.
As they entered Barrista, Sumi ordered two cappuccinos. Shreyars thought probably they were well ahead of time. He wanted to be excited for her; he clinched his cuff, twisted his collar, run his fingers through his hair, pressed his hand kerchief on his forehead and he was aware that he was more tensed that Sumi herself. He breathed two long breaths and he hoped his restlessness did not reach the discerning eyes of Sumi. Each passing minute freaked him. He was frantically trying to remain unruffled ;-) She counted the number of times he looked at his watch – It was 16 in the last 5 minutes.
Cappuccino arrived, Sumi had a sip. Shreyars stared at his steaming cup.
He was about to ask when his probable-hubby-to-be would arrive, when she pulled out a mirror and this time turned it across to Shreyars as if asking him to check how groomed he was. Instead she declared “Do you approve him to be my hubby?”. For a moment Shreyars did not understand anything. She was proposing. He had been stupid, but she was not, not to understand what they were going through. They were overjoyed, tears swelled in their eyes, for the first time in six months, they were talking romance!
He looked as she entered unhurried yet well paced, cautious yet confident, nervously looking forward to the first day of her work-life. Shortly, she joined him and the rest of such people, exchanged greetings, customary hellos and confident smiles. She was polite and poised, yet socializing did not come naturally to her, he observed. Soon they were taken around campus, shown the various facilities and were audience to corporate life introductory lecture. He was seated right beside her and the hiiis, hellos and silence did not comfort him. He naturally invited more dialogue and before long they were good friends. They found apartments close to each other, commuted together, waited for each other, and met over coffee breaks and lunch. They were plain getting along well.
Shreyars’ wit and smartness helped the shy Sumi to hold conversations. Sumi liked to disagree, argue and discuss sensibly and Shreyars’ intelligence helped. Sumi was way too clever and knowledgeable to lose any kind of debate. Shreyars’ felt losing to Sumi more of an honor than shame. They shared mutual respect, interests and quality time.
Their conversations were around how to combat terrorism?, is US right?, why not give Al-Qaeda what he wants?, ethical cloning, what is morality?, rising prices of gas, the to-be-Intel fab in Madras, the automobile industry boom and the like. They never thought about who paid the bill (no, Shreyars did not insist paying), who opened the door, or who carried the shopping bags. They did not buy gifts for each other, no birthday presents, no friendship day wishes, and not even Valentines’ day mention. They were like the strawberries and cream – simply great together with no strings attached.
Today evening was indeed special and an important day for Sumi. And Shreyars felt elated and important to be a part of it. A week ago, Sumi had said that she was to meet a probable-to-be-hubby and invited Shreyars to join. Shreyars concealed his shock well – well enough. He had loved her, he realized. He had prepared himself in the week for this important day. He repeatedly told himself, how true and naïve Sumi was. He truly liked her and that was all the more reason why he masked his feelings for her. He was taken aback at the confidence and respect she had for him that she was taking him to the all important day.
They stepped off the elevator. They were supposed to meet at Barrista, a few miles from their office. They drove in silence – Sumi was tensed and Shreyars sensed it. Shreyars did not want to uncover his mask by talking. Though he made attempts to break the stillness of the car, he was in vain. Sumi changed CDs, appeared to remain normal, but far from it. Shreyars thought, after all Sumi was going to meet this guy for the first time. The journey seemed to long forever. Finally, the sedan slowed down and came to a complete halt two minutes from the coffee shop.
Sumi opened the vanity, checked herself again and smiled self-consciously at Shreyars and their eyes met. For once he missed a heart beat and failed in making eye contact. As if this was the last time they were going to be together, he wished her all the best and stepped off on the other side.
As they entered Barrista, Sumi ordered two cappuccinos. Shreyars thought probably they were well ahead of time. He wanted to be excited for her; he clinched his cuff, twisted his collar, run his fingers through his hair, pressed his hand kerchief on his forehead and he was aware that he was more tensed that Sumi herself. He breathed two long breaths and he hoped his restlessness did not reach the discerning eyes of Sumi. Each passing minute freaked him. He was frantically trying to remain unruffled ;-) She counted the number of times he looked at his watch – It was 16 in the last 5 minutes.
Cappuccino arrived, Sumi had a sip. Shreyars stared at his steaming cup.
He was about to ask when his probable-hubby-to-be would arrive, when she pulled out a mirror and this time turned it across to Shreyars as if asking him to check how groomed he was. Instead she declared “Do you approve him to be my hubby?”. For a moment Shreyars did not understand anything. She was proposing. He had been stupid, but she was not, not to understand what they were going through. They were overjoyed, tears swelled in their eyes, for the first time in six months, they were talking romance!
Monday, August 21, 2006
Just another thing - I am glad I lost!
3 When I was growing up, it was not unusual
7 My grandpa had it up all day
10 With my sister and cousins, it was almost an everyday event
11 I could never be the performer
12 I was not even a good listener
13 I remember how I used to shut my ears (yes literally)
14 Then, I was definitely stupid
15 When I was learning, I thought it was fashionable to say ‘No’
16 After a lot of persistence, finally people gave up on me
17 When I actually liked, I was too embarrassed to admit
18 Slowly, I acknowledged to myself how soothing it was
19 Soon, I declared I loved it
22 Then I repented why I was so foolish all along
25 Now, no remorse, but truly, deeply, madly love it
25 It is the magic of music
25 Yesterday, after a long long time, I listened to a couple of home-sung songs.
100 Carnatic music is bliss
7 My grandpa had it up all day
10 With my sister and cousins, it was almost an everyday event
11 I could never be the performer
12 I was not even a good listener
13 I remember how I used to shut my ears (yes literally)
14 Then, I was definitely stupid
15 When I was learning, I thought it was fashionable to say ‘No’
16 After a lot of persistence, finally people gave up on me
17 When I actually liked, I was too embarrassed to admit
18 Slowly, I acknowledged to myself how soothing it was
19 Soon, I declared I loved it
22 Then I repented why I was so foolish all along
25 Now, no remorse, but truly, deeply, madly love it
25 It is the magic of music
25 Yesterday, after a long long time, I listened to a couple of home-sung songs.
100 Carnatic music is bliss
Friday, August 18, 2006
Just about this time, two years ago, I landed at the Covington airport, Kentucky.
Since then, everyday has been an experience – of glee or glum, however definitely interesting!
Oh time,
Unfailing again!
As is the spring,
That follows the winter
People of different colors -
Some happy and spread glee,
Some morose and swell gloom
All in the basic ingredients
People from diverse background -
Roots from livelihood to family
Life that is made of
Find fault and praise part
Men of honor and men of merit
Sublime in thoughts and actions
There is one other who exist
The ones who live on credit?
Oh time….
You wait for none
And so do I wait on you?
To sing the happy tune
For the mind so light
Psyche full of delight
For the skin so soft
And spanking sight
Life is all between higs and lows
People come and people go
Many turn dear and a few turn foe
Yet you remain bearing witness….
Hold me as I climb
To the summit like a gold mine
Let me linger not long
For there is life beyond
Since then, everyday has been an experience – of glee or glum, however definitely interesting!
Oh time,
Unfailing again!
As is the spring,
That follows the winter
People of different colors -
Some happy and spread glee,
Some morose and swell gloom
All in the basic ingredients
People from diverse background -
Roots from livelihood to family
Life that is made of
Find fault and praise part
Men of honor and men of merit
Sublime in thoughts and actions
There is one other who exist
The ones who live on credit?
Oh time….
You wait for none
And so do I wait on you?
To sing the happy tune
For the mind so light
Psyche full of delight
For the skin so soft
And spanking sight
Life is all between higs and lows
People come and people go
Many turn dear and a few turn foe
Yet you remain bearing witness….
Hold me as I climb
To the summit like a gold mine
Let me linger not long
For there is life beyond
Friday, August 11, 2006
Our hero breathes and exists on this earth only because he does not have a choice. He is a man who endures his life waiting for his eternal call. As he waits in the queue, he loses all wishes, desires and needs. ……
……
This bare basic pristine man decides to indulge just a little bit, because he has anyway got his life.
What do you say of a sadhu who renounces everything in life except women, whiskey and wealth?
P.s. I am not a proponent of any renunciation. No false claims please!
"If you were supposed to understand it, we wouldn't call it code."
-- from a Federal Express promotion, reported by IS Survivalist Matthew Persico
……
This bare basic pristine man decides to indulge just a little bit, because he has anyway got his life.
What do you say of a sadhu who renounces everything in life except women, whiskey and wealth?
P.s. I am not a proponent of any renunciation. No false claims please!
"If you were supposed to understand it, we wouldn't call it code."
-- from a Federal Express promotion, reported by IS Survivalist Matthew Persico
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