Warning!!!

This blogger is heading on a pilgrimage to God's Own Country.

Warning to all those who cannot sleep without reading my blog. Kindly look for alternatives in my older posts till my return on Monday.

The Day of the Power Cut!!!

Peak summer and EB has announced a power cut between 9am to 5pm. What would do you? Go to office? Okay, but what about job-less people like me?

Power Cut management is the new order of the day. Faced with this power crisis, we have to plan our work around it to ensure optimal productivity and less resource wastage. Illustrated as below:

The Dosa is always round!!!

Your guess would be right if you thought that I had Dosa for dinner tonight. I bow down to your genius.

With a title like that you may wonder what is there in this post. Blank blank blank. Drawing a blank is so easy. Especially after a Sunday of idling at home. Did nothing except watch TV, eat, sleep and surf. Not so wholesome like yesterday.

An Wholesome day...

Feeling slightly blank. Maybe my limit is one blog per day and since the quota is over, the desire to blog and the ability to write are inversely proportional.

But since I have started, I do not wish to leave it incomplete. It was the very purpose that I turned on my computer so late at night.

Where are the sweets??

Attended a Sangeet yesterday. So much of fun and so many dressed up boys and girls. Took down a few fashion tips here n there. Both Bride and Groom were my friends and that meant more fun as my other friends were there too. There was a lot of Amali-Thumali.

Sangeet meant lots of music and dancing. True to that family members performed choreographed dance numbers and that was a treat to watch. Some really good dancers and some who gave us a good laugh with their robotics.

How do I Manage??

Someone asked this question "How does she manage to blog everyday??"

Within 2 days of that, my blogging had to pause. Super powerful question.

How do I manage??

Simple. I have/had NIL responsibilities during the past 2 odd months. No dishes to do, no dinner to make aka vacationing at Mother's house. So what happens when the vacation ends? Well, Time Management.

Food Food Food!!!

FOOD!!!!

Yes, the words make some people's pupils dilate and salivating jaws drop open. FOOD!!! Just the word is enough to excite some.

What does this mean here??? Well this is just from my experience at a 2day seminar I attended recently.

Someone asked me an important question during the break "Will there be Lunch today??"

Night at the Airport!!!

My little nephew, the latest one just 7months old, is visiting all of us for the first time. Us being his dear aunts and grand mas, pas and an eagerly waiting cousin. We were waiting to see his grape sized eyes and hold this little baby doll. We were waiting at the airport.

His mom and his sister, our darlings, completed the lovely trio whose arrival was being eagerly sought by all of us.

Munni.. Sheila.. Jalebi Bai!!!

Munni badnam hui!!! Yes she earned a huge name after becoming BADNAM. How fortunate! Her mass and class appeal doubled and tripled and box office collections were also ringing high. Though not entirely cause of her but cause of her darling who set the screen on fire.

My name is Sheila!!! Her introduction was pure seduction. Sexy and classy, she wooed everyone with her graceful dance moves and innocent looks. Sheila did not gyrate indecently yet she became the numero uno name on everybody's lips. Sheila and her jawani.

Naam? Jalebi Bai!!! Wonder how many have heard of her. Probably many. She gyrates and makes imaginary Jalebies, for which an entire crowd is shown to be waiting and wanting. She mixed the gaon ki chori look of Munni and the my name is Sheila  style music and lyrics from Sheila. To this she added a lot of her OOOOOMPH and vulgarity (my opinion). End result is that there is an almost copied song with a wannabe that gets shoved-at in the face of the audience.

There are people who like Munni, Sheila and Jalebi Bai equally, whereas I would give a thumbs-down to Miss Jalebi.

Recently got to see a comedy scene from a movie. It was not funny and seemed like some scene. The strong and confident woman in me wants to chide these women, Jalebi Bai and Miss Gold H, for commoditising themselves. No further comments on their choice but just that it irks me to think about it.

Unaku yen ivalavu akarai?? Actually yes, I can just change the channel and ignore.

With all this happening on one side, saw two trailers for upcoming TV shows.

Toddlers and Tiaras - Pathetic. A Beauty pageant for little girls who still talk childish gibberish. They are already competing to look beautiful and throwing diva-like tantrums and commanding star-dom. What will happen to the life of these children????

Cheater - Guess the Original American show behind it's Indian version, Emotional Athyachar. I am ashamed to admit that used to watch it regularly including another good for nothing show, Big Boss. You will realise the uselessness and artifice of these Reality shows the minute you tune in. I would equate it to a Mega Serial, Dumb and Artificial. Can be watched only to laugh at the dumbness at display.

Please don't stop following my blog!!!!! I will write something better soon. Please!! Till then just hum the song "My name is Sheila, Sheila ki jawani, I'm too sexy for you, mein tere haath naa aani, no no no no..."

When people react!!!

This is a post about various people's reactions under a particular situation. Actual incidents and real people.

A - He was strong and brave, responsible and focused. His thoughts did not waver and he was the backbone that withstood all.

B - He was his support, the one who was also strong and brave, responsible and focused and always with the one above.

They were the duo that held the day together.

C - He was useless and careless, senseless and brainless. His insensitivity irked one and all. He who was always selfish and did not redeem himself when his calling came. Hate Him.

D - He was hard working and helpful. He never complained or questioned and ran around untiringly, knowing well what was needed of him. Without a flinch on his face, he too helped hold the day together.

E - He was ridiculous, insensitive and overacting. He irritated with his act of deep grief. Everyone saw through him, yet he shamelessly progressed to show his artifice. Hate Him.

F - He was broken yet strong. He had to sort things out and think for all. He had to be the Leader and had to be the pillar. A pillar that can never rest. He was the Lion who shed tears.

G - They were there for their friends. A dozen shoulders offering rest, a dozen eyes that shed tears and a hearts that felt for them. They were the dozen lips that poured words of comfort. They were a dozen and that made the difference.

For those who know, make your guesses as to who is who. For those who do not know, each is a person (except G) whose true personalities and qualities came out in a moment of crisis.

The movie I saw today on Sony Pix...

Its an awful title for a blog post. I could have simply mentioned the movie's name but then it is a pretty old one and a review of it today would raise questions. The movie being reviewed is The Karate Kid staring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan.

I start with the doubt whether Karate and Kung Fu are the same. The movie is called Karate Kid and he learns Kung Fu instead. Anybody can clarify this one??

Since it is a remake, I have seen every part of the original, there were no surprises. But it was nevertheless enjoyable because of the efforts put in by Jaden Smith and I loved seeing Jackie Chan despite his missing twinkling eyes and naughty smile.

I had enjoyed the original a lot and was watching this one closely looking hard for similarities and differences. There was just one major difference. This is a story about Mr.Han and Xiao Dre replacing the one about Mr.Miyagi and Danielsa. In simple words, it was Jacket on - Jacket off instead of Wax on - Wax off.

But one thing felt very odd, 12 year old with six packs. This was too much for me to digest. Wondered the hard training and physical pain he must have endured for that. I would never endorse this.

All said and done, when Dre mimics the Cobra trick, that he had only observed once, for his match winning point, goosebumps take over.

Overall, a feel good movie, if you ignore the ADULT packaging of a kid.

Soon after this, another movie followed. But with so many blanks in the dialogues and **** in the subtitles, it was a SUPERBAD. Yup, that is the name too. Since I had already seen it on fastforward long back, I decided that my day was done. Plus it was midnight.

Note: Tragically when I was about to shut eyes, there was a power cut. However the Wind God was gracious enough to alleviate us from our misery, so slept well.

D for Daddy...

As I scratched my head to bring out some words to write today, my head turned left. Aaah!! The sight that I got so behold, an eyesore. A gross monstrosity, like a scar on a pretty face.

Yes, I am talking about my desk.


There is someone at home who has forever tried to inculcate discipline and order into my system. But however my strong will always wins over these attempts. The end result is such an eyesore.

On close examination, products purchased recently, products past their usable life, products that are of no use ever and other uncategorised products line up in a disorderly manner. The confusion and fusion all together.

Why??? I wonder, that I cannot bring myself to make things more in order. They always seem to magically get back time to time. Actually because of the intervention of that someone.

Why??? I wonder, that the someone constantly tries to teach me order.

Actually his efforts are not all in vain. In bangalore, I do all things properly. I am disciplined and orderly, well mostly. And I also do my work without needing someone to order me around. (Sometimes I need to be driven around like the cow that strays off towards grass instead of ploughing the fields). If my name is not called out at least three times, I do not respond, but there I seem to be there even before I am needed.

Why??? you may wonder. It is not cause that I turned responsible after marriage and have realised that discipline and order are important to life. Simple fact is that, I have no one to pick up after me and I have to do things myself.

Also, when someone is trying hard to teach you something, it is always fun giving them a tough time at it.

Wondering whether it is Father's Day already. Probably this post should have been made at that time.

the unsaid...

Saar auto saar, Rs.70 'ku Roller Coaster maari auto otinadhuku, nandri.

Saar auto saar, Rs.20 'ku Mother Tongue'la ketta vaartha solli kuduthadhuku, nandri.

Saar auto saar, andha savari kitta avaru thoppai'ku sethu Rs.20 extra ketadhuku, nandri.

Saar auto saar, thapaana right'la thirumbi aparam sandhu vazhiya correctaa eraki vitadhu, nandri

Saar auto saar, auto'ku vela sollama, route'ku mattum vela sonadhuku, nandri

What a rain!!!

What a rain!!! They usually say 'it rained cats and dogs' but this seemed like Elephants and Lions.

And I cowered in a corner waiting for the power to return. Spent the scariest ever evening of my life WAITING.

Was originally waiting for my parents to come back, aka I was home alone. Even Macaulay Culkin had been braver whereas I chose to fear the rains. It was not about the sound of thunder or lightning-may-spoil-my-eye kind of fear. I was afraid for my parents. They were on their way home and I was worried about them getting stuck in the rain. Luckily, by the time they reached home, rain had subsided.

I also waited for the power to come back. Just minutes before it started raining in my area, EB diligently cut the power supply. That was a good move. The wind and rain that followed would sure have struck havoc if it had come in contact with live wires. So I spent my time alone staring in to nothingness. Well not so gloomy. I was playing with my neighbour's kid. Good time pass. The power was back in half hour. So scared her saying that a 'pallee' (lizard) was near and escaped in to Fan, Light and Television.

The obvious wait was for the rain to subside. I was concerned about my parents for one part. But I was also concerned about the tomorrow. Well what would happen to that new dress I plan to wear or to my darling shoes. Sounds very vain, but these were a part of my concerns, minuscule though. I was actually worried about the state of the city if the rains had continued lashing like that.

Thank GOD that my wait for Parents, Power and No Rain, all happened at around the same time.

There was also a brief point of time, where I tried calling people. It would have helped me beat the loneliness and lightning scares. Tragically no one answered. So in turn I sadistically scared neighbour kid. Okay I wasn't that cruel. Its a joke we play on her. Even with cupped, empty hands, you can make her believe that there is a lizard in it. She gets so grossed out. Fun to watch her changing expressions. Great Timepass. And the best part is, this 2.5year old calls me AKKA.

Life is Beautiful!!!!

Ulimate Therapy!!!

Boys!!! I wonder whether you will understand this. If you wish to know your female counterparts better, read on. Else read my other posts which may not seem like 100% Authentic Venus.

Therapy!!! It works wonders. Weight loss guaranteed. Yup!!!! Is this not simple? But the weight loss happens to the worries on your mind and also unavoidably to you purse.

Spa Therapy and Retail Therapy!!!

Spa day!!!

Once in a while, it is always a pleasure to let yourself relax and have someone care for you. Simple things like a pedicure can make you relax and see the lighter side of life. For all those pretty feet which have been carrying you around while you shop, work, travel, study, write exam etc etc., it is the perfect way to relax. Yes, you can do it at home. You can walk in to any store like Health & Glow and stock yourself up with the creams and brushes, but the purpose is different. A spa pedicure, opens the pathway to heaven, which you didn't know existed in the palms of your feet.

Seri, all this is over hype. Basic fact is that people tend to ignore their feet. You may trim and polish your toe nails, but that is just cosmetic. The foot has many nerve endings in it and a pedicure at the hands of a professional ensures that the right nerve ends get attention. The foot that has been carrying around your weight all along, finally gets some time off. Like its very own Sunday.

Maybe this is what is called as Hanging up your boots and Putting your feet up.

Spa therapy definitely works, especially at times when your Nerves of steel have withstood great tests of strength.

Shopping!!!

This is a little tricky. Often leaves you heavy on guilt. So caution has to be exercised when indulging in Shopping. Probably the reason why many indulge in Window shopping. But I wouldn't endorse it as it does not provide the desired results for me. Shopping happens by the coming together of few factors - Money, the Shop and Need.

Money is of course vital when you do not want to stop at window shopping. But the key to a good shopping experience is the SHOP. I have been on many expeditions and sometimes going to the wrong place has dampened my spirits further. There is also the fact that you may be in a great shop but it may not specialise in what you seek. This may lead you to black-list the outlet altogether. Now, that won't be fair to them.

Need. Defining need is not easy. Need can be anything from emotional cravings to the fact that your wardrobe is in despair. That brings me to the point as to "Shopping for what class of items brings maximum relief".

For some the latest gadget provides release, whereas for some a much sought after Book. Basically depends on the persons taste. Personally for me, Clothes and Accessories. There are also people who believe that Gold and Diamonds are the elixir of life, but for me that's where Money plays its vital role.

Shop till you drop, that is when shopping attains its full glory. No shopping experience is complete without the Recharging that is done in between. From a simple juice to some spicy chats to some Full meals (when clubbed with lunch/dinner), food and beverages are an intrinsic part of the experience. If not in between they would surely feature at the end of it.

Some caution has to be exercised. I guess am repeating this statement. To me shopping works well and to avoid guilt I only follow one quintessential tip. PLAN. You need to have a shopping plan. If you have a bad memory, a list on a piece of paper would do good. Some basic plan should be there. It saves you time and gives you focus. Else you would be standing with your hands full, pockets empty and face frowning.

If you are at an all time low and wish to bounce back, take a shopping companion with you. Someone you trust and who knows you well. That way, any misjudgements due to your delicate state of emotions will not end up with you having some not so desirable / exorbitantly priced items in your bag.

I shall stop here as I feel I have made my point. 'Which is what?', you may wonder.

I LOVE SPA-ing

I LOVE SHOPPING

dogs dogs dogs...once again..

Am I a dog lover?? NO

I am a dog admirer. They are intelligent. They are also cute, fluffy, weird, majestic, awesome, annoying, scary and all other adjectives rolled together. "No! Don't roll over and beg". You have to watch what you say in front of a dog, cause they can understand.

Of the many DOG SIGHTINGS that I have done, one incident caught my fancy and became DOG-father part I..


This morning (@6:30am), I spotted two dogs with their two owners. 'What is so special?', you may wonder, well the fact was that the dogs were over 5' tall and the owners were scrawny looking girls who never managed to grow beyond 4'. Ena kodumai sir idhu.

They were making the dogs do their do on the road. This was also another kodumai.

There is also a Mudhal Mariyadhai inspired dog near my house. He (please note the respect bestowed) responds to every call and cry of street hawkers with a howl song. Though it is unappealing to the ears, I am one of his admirers who marvel at his sheer intelligence and consistent response.

I wonder whether my tribute to this intelligent species will end at this. But I would like to add that I am also part of the group who dread them. The stray ones, especially the rabid looking rowdy stray ones. I was almost cornered once, their teeth barring and with a wild snarling, the dogs on my street in Bangalore, almost attacked me. Luckily someone intervened.

Ok!! All that aside. I would like to share a poem I read about dogs. It is really cute. So sharing here.

My Dog Ate My Homework

My dog ate my homework.
That mischievous pup
got hold of my homework
and gobbled it up.

My dog ate my homework.
It's gonna be late.
I guess that the teacher
will just have to wait.

My dog ate my homework.
He swallowed it whole.
I shouldn't have mixed it
with food in his bowl.

--Kenn Nesbitt

Dog-father Part I.. Every dog has its day!!!

He was deep in slumber. Phat!! a stone nicked his butt. With a painful Yelp! he got up, hit his head, dazed and confused, he bent over and ran for cover. His feet took him right but a pair of legs stood there, so he made a quick dash to the opposite side.

 "Naai tholla thaangala" (troublesome dogs) muttered the human.

After reaching a safe distance, he turned to look. The face was odd, not like that of the human who had given him curd rice the other day. He did not like him. Casting one last glance at the white car that had been his shelter for the night, he walked away slowly, searching for another comfortable spot.

The memory of the white car lingered. It was his, he had marked it so. As night arrived, the temptation to go back HOME won over.

His feet, light as ever, carried him gently to the very spot where the car stood now. Sniffing around for another animal/human, he cautiously maneuvered his small body beneath the car. Once under, sleep caught him quickly as if he had been sleepless for many nights. The early morning sun, smoothly snuck in and woke him up gently. He wanted to sleep more and lazily stretched his paws and yawned as wide as he could.

"EY CHI THU NAAYE...ODU IGENDHU" (Get out of here you DOG). Phat!!! a stone was hurled at him. Hit him right on his neck, sharp and painful. Yelping, he ran for cover. His whimpers did not stop for a while, the stone had hit him hard.

As the day stretched out, he wandered around his area keeping out of trouble. A good lunch from a dustbin satiated him and his siesta spot was waiting at the park. The later part of the evening was spent being chased by the watchman, running after two-wheeler/autos, wandering around his area, scavenging other dustbins, pissing on HIS pavements and the occasional bark to show-off.

As he pawed his neck, lazily, he nicked the wound from the morning. The bitter memory convinced him to make good use of his pavement tonight. It was colder and damper than what he was getting used to. But it would suffice.

"Appada, ozhindhuju naai" (What a relief, dog is gone), muttered the human as he washed his car.

It was always spotless white and that is why he loved it. He stood afar and watched the cleaning progress. Suddenly, he was alert. Head up, ears sharp, legs ready to run at the speed of lightning.

He dipped his head low, looked around the perimeter and then tip-toed and sneaked behind the car. The human was still busy cleaning and was now at the hood. He could see the feet moving, white as always, but they were still at the front. NOW!! Inside his head he felt it. Gingerly he moved to his left. The left rear wheel was at his mercy.

He lifted his leg slowly, taking in the moment, it was his now. The freshly washed, shining and clean, Tyre and therefor the car, were now MARKED as his, FOREVER.

His head held high in pride, he walked away, rejoicing in his conquest of what was HIS.

Notices...

Since I have dished out something today morning, my brain is running dry. But there were few observations made post that post. Nothing pertaining to that post, but just that it was post that post. Clear?

This is not a report. Just things that I noticed today.

For one, the Gemini bridge is all lit up, the parapet walls running along have been illuminated with tiny blue bulbs encased in a translucent tube. In simple words, very pretty. Originally such lighting used to happen for special occasions like Tamil New Year's or Diwali etc. Now it is like daily wear makeup. And it looks good, I like it.


The other thing I noticed was the beautiful and huge park right at the Gemini circle. Erstwhile premises of the Woodlands Drive-in has now been converted into a park. The huge campus is the greenest spread of earth in Chennai today. The centuries old huge trees have long held my admiration.  With all the billboards gone, the full beauty can now be enjoyed during a ride down the winding flyover. Well lit with tiny lamps all over, it seems like a wonderful place for some quiet time. Possibly an alternate to the beach.


While in bus today, I found myself starring at a bald patch on someone's head. And that head belonged to a girl. Yes, now even girls have to deal with receding hairlines. No one has black hair, natural hair colour has evolved to reddish brown and other like shades. With that said, the pony tails and pig tails now look like 'palli vaalu' i.e a lizards tail (the one found in our homes). There is no use reveling in past glory and saying that your hair was long and thick, that the comb used to break while untangling it or was as black as night. Now it is thin, receding and lacking in luster and colour. By 'You' I mean ME and not comb breaking but definitely healthier and stronger that what it is today. A mere ghost of its illustrious past.

With that my 'noticing' is done. But I shall leave you with food for thought.

Highlights of diet today:

Mid morning snack : 1 whole ripe mango

Lunch: Special Raw Mango gravy (maanga pachadi)

Post Dinner Snack: Mango fruit salad (also includes bananas and jackfruits, maa pala vaazhai)

I strictly recommend it to those who love the fruit and don't mind the calories.

I have restrained form the use of tanglish in this post. Feels a little odd.

A detailed analysis of the many workings of Life!!

1. People in glass cabins should not smile away on their own

2. When life throws lemons at you, make lemonade. If it throws bricks, catch and build ur house, sell them for profit, throw them at your enemies, explore other options.

3. All the world's a stage and all men and women mere Actors, but where is the director, script, dialogues, STORY? Hence the chaos.

4. Rome was not built in a day, so no use working your ass off. Learn to relax and enjoy your day too.

5. Nothing is permanent but change, that means that change is permanent. but nothing is permanent but change. Vicious circles go on forever.

6. A stitch in time saves nine. No puns on this one as this is very true.

7. An idle mind is the devil's workshop. But once the workshop starts working, the mind is no longer idle. This is a paradox/vicious circle.

8. Kallaanalum kanavan,pullanalum purushan... kallu adhichaalun kanavan??? pull adichallum kanavan??? redundant saying...

Where are 9 and 10??? Sorry, brain not working...

yes this is very mokkai... excuse me please sorry!!