Beginning of a New Year

Finally this year is also coming to an end. And after so much hype about the end of world this year.. we are still going strong.. aren't we... Whether this is a good thing or not, there is a lot of responsibility with us to not cause more issues that can eventually lead to our annihilation, if not for us, but for our future and younger generations.

Well, with respect to me, this year was an end of sort for a lot of things. After 4 years of struggle, I found the light at the end of the tunnel. I did finally see the end of a relationship (even though I stopped caring a very long time ago, but there was this little thread of connection, which got cut this year). I was able to put some of the demons I have had with me to sleep forever. I am not sure if my sins vanished with my dip in the Ganges, but I felt good to visit it. I fulfilled some of my dreams like doing a karaoke, buying an iPad, buying a platinum ring (all materialistic stuff.. but hey I am no saint here..) This year also saw my mom's 60th year completion, which was special to me in many ways. Work wise too this year was special with new projects keeping us busy round the clock..but we were finally there and even though it was tough, it was worth it. I am not sure if I can do this next year or the year after (I am not getting any younger..) but as far as I am able to do it when I am able to .. its good. I have made some new friends, thankfully haven't lost one (except the one that was meant to be lost). Started a new blog and am able to do it enough justice I think. My shift to Hyderabad has been a change of sorts for me and I hope that it will be bring me some more new perspective in life going forward.

I am really thankful for everyone (my family, my friends and acquaintances) who have supported me and have been there for me whenever the situation warranted it. I should say that I am blessed in a way that there were people at every turn to help me when I had trouble or when I was down or just when I needed a kind word. And I sincerely hope to carry it forward and be of some worth to someone else who might need my help. I pray that I stay blessed in that fashion.

As much as I look forward to 2013, it also seems a little bit scary for me. Not for anything else, but for the only expectation people around me have for me. All my friends and relations (includes my family) have suddenly made it a point to agree on one thing and are determined to see me through it. They also know my  pressure points and that is what scares me. Let us see.. I am still keeping an open mind.. But definitely not in a hurry. I have always been content and happy as much as possible. So whatever comes and how ever things turn out, I know how to make myself happy ( too selfish that I am) and to some extent, others too. Keeping my fingers crossed and trying to keep up with my travel quests. I wish to travel more, read more, learn new things in this year and try to be a good friend to my nieces and nephews and educate them to be more wild and free ;) and be a child in that process and not repeat the same mistakes again.

Here is wishing you all a Very Happy and Healthy New Year. Let us hope for a better world, at least for the sake of our children.

Christmas in Rajdhani

I guess when I got a ticket (not through tatkal) in Rajdhani from Hyderabad to Bangalore 2 months ago, I should have thought twice (with prior experiences in Kurla coming from North during this season). But I was so overwhelmed about getting a ticket without the tatkal charges, I did not give any second thought about the weather conditions and that was my mistake.

As usual, I got to Secunderabad station via MMTS  and came to the platform 10 by 6 pm and my scheduled train arrival was 6.30 pm and I was wondering why there was no platform information displayed on the board. I was waiting till 6.30 pm and not hearing any announcement of the arrival, called up my bro to check the train timings and guess what...due to heavy fog, the train was delayed for 3 hours or more. Good god... 3 hours..Was wondering what to do for a few seconds and then next, I did what I am happy to be doing nowadays in such a situations, got to the A/C waiting room (you need to pay 20 Rs to be sitting there...is that legal? whatever..), took out my ipad and started on a novel (a Nora Roberts one named "Reflections"..which is a quickie for 3 hours) and was happily reading till 9.45 pm. Then an old person who was seated in the same waiting hall for Rajdhani suddenly announced that the platform has been changed and that it will be departing by 10.10 pm from 8th platform. What!!! I still have a 2/3 pages left..yet I had to pack it up and then rush over to 8th platform and guess what.. The train arrived at 10.10 pm and even though it was supposed to be there only for 15 mins, it seemed to stay for ever.
When I had traveled by Rajdhani from Bangalore to Hyderabad earlier, it was so neat and it started on time (because Bangalore is the starting point..) but now when I entered I was stuck by
a) how untidy and dirty it was (to the extent that people left diapers in the tables used for dinner as is.... Jeez.. what kind of attitude is that!!!!). I can understand that travelling long distances it is difficult to maintain cleanliness..but if you have kids it is common sense to have some covers to dispose these kind of garbage isnt.. The toilet was much cleaner than the berths. People had to call the assistants of the train and ask them to clean up the whole compartment.
b) how people who do not have confirmed tickets had occupied other's seats and were wondering where to go next and were hunting for other empty or yet to be occupied seats. I saw a family of 5 adults and 6 children who had occupied my place and were so reluctant to move out and I literally had to wait for them to find a place elsewhere, drop the kids and then come back for their belongings. It took them almost 40 mins to move out. Since there was too much happening around, I just couldn't yet go to my berth and start sleeping. And the train did not seem to start at all.

But one good thing that happened was before getting in, people did let the passengers getting out first, at least in my compartment. That doesn't usually happen. Its always a mad rush. Even in spite of that, one person who lost to the race of people getting down, found himself still in the train and took his own sweet time to get down there by causing trouble to people who were going about to occupy their seats.

Since I did not have any dinner (Lays doesn't count as dinner) I was eagerly waiting for the dinner to be served. And first time in my life, I had dinner @ 11.30 pm ..By that time the train was already in motion and I also completed my novel. After dinner and relaxing I realized that it was Christmas eve and I am on a train @ 12 and wide awake. Again a first !!! so I said a little prayer.. wished Jesus a very Happy Birthday and got ready to sleep.

Next thing I knew I was woken up by a snore. Not a light one.. a snore that literally vibrated the whole of the compartment. All the lights had been out by then (I guess it should have been 1 am or 1.30 am) and it was a "silent night and holy night" except for this snoring sound. I wasn't sure why it made me laugh. But I had to control my urge to laugh out loud. I don't know how the 1 year old kid who was sleeping in the lower berth (mine was side upper) with that sound.. Did it assume this sound to be part of the rhythm ? It could be because the snoring was coming in varying degrees of pitch. It went high and then a little low and then suddenly a big puff of air and then no sound for a few seconds and then it started all over again. I was so tempted to record it in my phone..but then I felt very ridiculous and silly to do something like that. I don't mind people snoring. I know a lot of people who snore..but this, this was the ultimate. I wondered how no one in the whole compartment complained or even commented. Guess everyone was so tired with the delays and stuff, that they went to sleep and were in deep slumber. And it was my luck to be in such close proximity to this person. And with the windows and doors closed, it was echoing too well. I was wondering how to sleep with that sound and then started by trying to concentrate on the rhythm of that sound that I actually fell asleep sometime after 2 or so. And to my surprise, that person did not snore in the early morning when I woke up @ 6.30 am.

Since the train would reach only by 11 am and I had already lost my sleep, I did the only thing I knew again. Starting reading another Nora Roberts novel named "A Will and a Way" so that I can complete it by 10.30 or 11 am. Thankfully a tea was offered by 7.30 am. Tea is a very important part of my morning ritual. And my novel got complete just in time to arrive in Bangalore.

Even though the delay was a little irritating (and I cannot blame anyone here.. it happens with the kind of weather) but if I had not had my ipad and story books in it, I would have been dead by boredom. Thank God for that.

But I would definitely think twice (or rather not think at all) of booking my train from Hyderabad to Bangalore through Rajdhani... I wouldn't mind going from Bangalore in that train..but not the other way round, just like the way I avoid Kurla if I had to go from Bangalore to Coimbatore (very inconsistent in timings and delays are very painful and tiring). 

Cluttered thoughts

There were too many things that I wanted to write, but I was too clouded that I couldn't get a proper line of thought every time I sat down to write them down and when I had tried, it had become too cluttered that I ended up deleting them.

Since I am in a much better mood and little clear headed today let me try putting my thoughts a bit coherently.

a) Hyderabad in a month:
Its almost more than a month since I have been in Hyderabad and Hyderabad alone (without any home trips in between). I know it should not sound like a big deal, but people who know me well know that it is for me. What did I do ? Nothing much, except go for a few movies with my friend here. Roam around in a few places and 2 malls. Did not go out as such for any significant places as work kept coming steadily and if not I was too lazy to get out of my room (thanks to my iPad and books and movies online). One thing that I was very happy about was my two wheeler. My bro was kind enough to ship it from Bangalore during one of his business visits and since them I have been zooming in it. Driving here is both hell and heaven. I could go to my office ( a distance of 3-4 km max from the place I live) in just 5-7 mins (hitting 60 kmph on a average).. Just imagine that. I cannot think of that in Bangalore, even if I start early. But here.. my friend was shocked by my driving...but I love that thrill of driving fast (but not rash) and when there is an opportunity to drive like that.. why not take it..  But if you have to go places during rush hour traffic it is a pain, not because of the traffic (its no better than Bangalore..) but the highs and lows of the places.. this place has too many highs and lows and turns...to drive slowly in those areas is very painful for your hands when you have to hold the break a little tighter and in the car...don't even ask. But the roads are comparatively wider..so that way its sort of nice.
Finally I went to Shilparamam this Saturday with my friend (the excuse we gave ourselves was that we crossed the deadline of 21-12-2012... so why not celebrate it with some shopping..) But I know once I am there I cannot resist a few things. And I did buy, but thankfully was within my limits. The place has changed a bit, more in terms of the facilities it offers and the maintenance. It attracts more people now and has its own food court and a stage for performances etc.. But the essentials (the shops that sell handicrafts and other such local items) remain the same. The prices of the items are little on the costly side. We couldn't make it to the Rock Gallery or other things out there. I need to go back with my camera next time and do only the left over places. But was happy to be in that place..


b) New blog:
After I had started the new blog, I almost find something to write every now and then. And I feel so nice about it. Of course, I am not writing about every book I read or every movie I see. But then it is a good feeling to write down about something that makes you feel (anything). Another progress there is that nowadays I am thinking of taking some nice pictures to go with some quote. Photography for me was for a different reason till now (more on that some time later). But it will be sort of interesting to do some photos with some purpose. I can only do so much with my low level of creativity. But nevertheless, it will be nice to do that.

c) Impulse:
I was never a person who would do something on a impulse. But I did something very impulsively today. I have been wanting to buy this ring (a platinum one.. I never liked gold.. ) for a very long time. I don't know when I got that urge to do that. But its been there with me for too long. Every time I thought of it I used to shoot it down because of some reason or the other. I have jewels but that was bought for the reason of pacifying someone else. I hardly got one or two for myself. But I never wear them (except the essentials) even during family functions. I hate being jewel-decked. But a platinum ring.. . I had this crazy thought with me for a long time. If I was being loved and if I reciprocated it and if that person for some reason wanted to buy me something costlier (and I would allow that person to do that only once.. I sort of dislike gifts.. I like giving them..but getting them is something I would like to avoid) then I would ask him to get me a platinum ring. This wasn't the idea derived from the platinum gold bands ad. It was just there with me. That was one thing I somehow truly liked for some god-knows-what reason. But since my divorce (this is the first time I am saying this aloud I think.. just trying to accept things I guess..) I know that I cannot wait for that moment to come. I just can't (or rather don't want to) wait for someone to do something for me. I had never done that before.. so why should I wait for someone to get me something I like. I had been to a jeweler to get something else for my friend. But then this thought occurred to me when I was trying to pay the bill for the jewel I got for my friend. I stopped the cashier and told him to wait and went ahead and bought myself a platinum ring and paid for both. It was so liberating. This year saw the end of something that was important to me for over a decade. But this year end also will see me leaving the bad tides behind (hopefully) and go into the new year looking forward  for better times and as they say..take the bull by the horns. ;) Hey.. I have a platinum ring now !!! how cool is that.. At times doing things on an impulse is nice. Of course, the wanting of it was not impulsive. But getting part of it was. The only other time, if I remember correctly, I did this was to buy my iPad. You have no idea how glad I am to have an iPad with me now.

I wanted to write about another sensitive topic too.. But I guess I would have to postpone that for later. Its getting late.

Hasta pronto. 

First IMAX Experience

Thanks to the team I am working with in Hyderabad (my team is sort of internal customer of theirs) I got to watch Skyfall (again) and this time in IMAX.

Prasads IMAX is the one where we saw the movie.... As soon as I entered the hall.. I was literally dumbstruck.. and I cursed...(sorry..but just couldn't control myself).... It was so... Magnanimous.. and they had booked the tickets almost 4th or 5th row from the top and in the center.. Perfect view.. And the movie viewing experience was just Amazing.. It was as if you are there...The shots of the top view of the Shanghai and London...I felt my phobia of heights kicking in.. Wow.. and this is for a movie which was modified for imax screens.. then imagine what would be the experience with movies which were shot specifically for those screens... Good God... I would really love to see such a movie in that theater..

And guess the price.. .its Rs.250/-...what the .. That is the price of a normal movie in Bangalore on a weekend..

I am really thankful for the team to include me (even though I told them I had already seen that movie...they did pester me with the line "not in imax.." and I had to relent) and thank god I relented. 

Diversification of my blog

Ever since I started this blog, I have put all my thoughts and views in it and never aimed to categorize them in anyway. But of-late I have been giving my friend's idea a thought, of writing the reviews for the books I read and have it cataloged separately. A proper organization of things I would say. I am not sure how much I will be able to maintain that. But it never hurts to try does it, especially when something is free :). So here I am with my new blog which focuses only on the books, movies and music reviews (the three elements which keep me company forever) and may be some of  my favorite photos too (if I happen to be in the mood for it and get a good caption for it).

Hope you enjoy it...

Breaking Dawn 2 - Fitting Finale

(Warning: Contains spoilers from the movie)

I am not a great fan of the Twilight series movie adaptations. I really loved the romance in the books but somehow my imaginative Edward and Bella did not resemble Robert and Kristen in any way and I strongly believe that my fantasy version of these two characters were much better (even though I cannot describe how they looked or who they resembled.. because I don't know that myself). But I have to say that in this final version of the movie they did some justice to the role.


Finally I got to see Kristen show some action and emotion, at least according to me. Since they had broken down the book into two parts, you get to see some lighthearted moments too.. like the fight between Emmett and Bella. The stunts were good. Nessie..oops..sorry.. Renesmee was such a cute doll. Right from the baby to the girl. Oh.. where did they make her ? I liked the scene where Bella confronts Jacob on imprinting on her daughter. The scene where Edward and Bella enter their new house..there is such a blunt cut in the print.. Gosh.. if that scene was never to be there in the Indian print, then it should have been at least cut to not make that part so blatant. According to the book, we know that no one dies, everyone is happy together.. but we got a shock when Carlisle was killed by Aro.. There was a huge AAAHHH!! in the theater including us (me & my friend) and then to have the good war between the volturi and cullens, all to end in a vision by Alice (I always like Ashley Greene in this movie.. much more than Kristen Stewart actually). The invisible shield was portrayed well, but why was the observation by Aro on her shield not shown (or may be I missed a subtle emotion from him on his understanding !!!). He does try to make use of her as per the book isn't? The color of this movie was nice when compared to the other twilight movies.

The best part of the movie.. With the song of "A Thousand Years" (a very beautiful song by Christina Perri) playing in the background, Bella 'shows' Edward all the best part of their lives since their first encounter right from the first movie.. That was really touching to see it. It couldn't have been better depicted. It was sort of emotional too... to see an end of a much appreciated romance between a vampire and a human which transcends all boundaries only to find them together forever. 


Best of all the twilight movies (may be because it ends here :D ....)

Mom's 60 years - one complete cycle of life

With all the confusions that have been happening lately in my family, I was not sure what to buy for my mom for her 60th birthday this month (on 9th Nov). She had wanted to go to Thirukadaiyoor for a visit and then it was clubbed with the Thirukarukaavoor for my bro and sis for their pending prayers there and once it was planned and all tickets booked we knew that it would become the two hectic days before Diwali. I landed in Coimbatore on 7th evening flying from Hyderabad, to be greeted by the warm hands of my niece and nephew. My niece (eldest) has this way of welcoming me, always, with open hands and a fast run. (She reminds me of Manisha Koirala from Bombay :D, except that this is very cute and loaded with all innocence). I literally go weak on my knees all the time she does that.. and she does that frequently when I am around (even if I am away for a few hours and she sees me back...I really wonder why.. but I am glad that I can have that little heart's love for me). Apart from that, there was this cutie pie of my nephew, who gives a very gorgeous look along with a sly smile (oh! he's gonna break some hearts later for sure..), both welcoming me in the airport.. Taking them both in my arms.... I can never be that happy.

I wasn't sure what to buy for my mom as a present. So I got her a pearl set from the Airport (I had been only two days in Hyderabad after my Bangalore visit..so no time for shopping). Even though she has a pearl strand..it was a standalone stuff...so after checking out various options, I got her a full set. She always looks good in white pearls. She was happy to receive a gift (she doesn't get that often, apart from sarees), I could tell that from her eyes. And I was glad to give her that small piece of happiness.

The next two days went mostly in travel by Train (where the kids were uncontrollable..playing for the whole trip and going back and forth through the length of the train) and then by taxi to thirukarukavoor and back to Mayuram and then the next day to Thirukadaiyoor and then back again in train to Coimbatore. We were so damn tired by the time we reached home that all we did was sleep and rest for the next two days.

I was then wondering a few things.. why is that people celebrate their completion of 60 years with so much fanfare. I know we did not do anything for my mom, except visit a temple as per her wish..but for my dad it was a great fanfare with homams, wedding and all that stuff.. then I googled and found out that in earlier days it was a big thing to complete 60 years which marks one cycle of life.. We have 60 years in tamil calendar. So once we complete our 60th birthday, we start another cycle of it and that is considered a big achievement that too with good health and if the guy is still married at that time, it is sort of used as an occasion to renew their vows (as in Christian parlance) or an opportunity for their kids to conduct their parent's marriage. One doubt though: What if the lady is elder to the guy, in that case will the marriage be still conducted or is it only when the guy completes the 60 years ? I somehow suspect the latter.

I know for my mom, the year doesn't signify anything special. She is still called by some as my elder sister (not because she looks young..I guess its because I look rather old and resemble her too closely in looks), and she managed without any gray hairs until now. She still goes on with her chores in her kitchen as if nothing else matters. Even though she complains of her health regularly, it doesn't deter her from making the boondhi ladoos for Diwali which is a ritual for her. I really had to bully her to stop making the kaaraa boondhi this time even thought I helped her with the ladoos. Somehow the kitchen is her world, even though she loves to do a lot of other things, I guess she relieves her stress by just being there in the kitchen. I often wondered why would anyone be in kitchen for so long when it actually takes only maximum of an hour to cook (irrespective of the number of people..may be give or take half an hour etc) But that is her way of proving her worth. She does her work on her own pace. If not that, then some cleaning work at home. She used to do stitching until her eyes did not help her. She used to be good in drawing, typing and quite a lot of other handi crafts. She loves to travel. I still remember her enthusiasm when I took her for the Singapore trip. I can never forget that moment, especially during the flight when we were above the clouds, she was so enthralled seeing them that I almost had tears in my eyes watching her. But she hasn't done all that she had wanted for so long. I wonder how she feels after all these years for not doing all those. Does she regret them? God knows that I would.. After all these years, I know that she would like to have some peace for herself and rest when she can at this phase of her life, watch as many malayalam movies as she can (at times that drives me nuts, because when she is @ my home, all she watches is malayalam channels as if she knows no other languages.. I used to make fun of her), eat whatever she feels like without having to worry about the criticism that might come along with it, go for walks with some company where she can chatter away to her hearts content (when I work from home, she at times wont bother to think if I am listening to her at all, as long as I say hmm, oh ho.. ok.. or any small response, she can keep talking for hours together and sometimes in loops.. I never stopped her, because all she wants is to be heard...). Raising three children with barely enough to make ends meet, giving them good education and taking care of the household without any help from any relatives and stowing away all her needs and putting others needs before hers.. God as much as I love her for that, I pity her too.. I wouldn't want to do that because I don't want to resent it later. But that is where the difference lies. I am not my mom. Even though she has her own faults (and we know she has many) she never resented these and I know what she resents most (which I cannot help her in anyway).

She knows her tears are my undoing and I hate it when she cries, especially if it was because of me or for me, I cannot stand it. I am not sure if I have ever told her in any small way that I value her ..love her (I am not that demonstrative with words when it comes to face to face contact....I would rather use my actions.. but I am not sure if she understood that ever) I know I have made her happy by getting good ranks and my proficiency awards have made her proud (at times it becomes very annoying when she starts to recount those facts.. because it never mattered me a bit.. ) But I have made her very sad with bad choice of partner in my life in spite of her warnings. The worst betrayal from my side according to her was that she thought that she was my confidante and that I failed to confide in her with my feelings much earlier (so that she could have changed it somehow.. I wonder how.. but that is how she sees it till date..) I wish I could make her life little cozier and comfortable at this stage where all she needs to do is relax..but aadina kaalum paadina vaayum summa irukaadhunu solluvaanga.. she can hardly rest for a week or two and then she has to go back to work  otherwise she gets really freaky :)

I wish her all good health (that is what she needs the most now) and hope that I have done as much as possible to make her believe that I love her as much as she loves me or at least half of it. I cannot undo a lot of my actions but I do wish her to forgive me for taking her for granted quite a lot of times in my life.

Love you mom..

துப்பாக்கி - for the men in the borders

Who would have ever thought that I would end up watching a Vijay movie as my first in Hyderabad, especially the one which I had damn well convinced myself would be a disaster (Sorry Vijay fans...but given his past history I am not to be blamed). But A.R.Murugadoss made me eat my words.. Damn...Not that this movie is great or somethin' but it was thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining..just like any other A.R.M's movies (7 am arivu being the exception).

When will Vijay stop having those ridiculous title opening songs!!! and especially when it reminds us of the Chandramukhi opening song... The place where it was shot..was awesome.. What would I not give for my train to stop in a place like that....But I should definitely mention this. Vijay has got every necessary scene in this movie to show case his well built muscles. He has toned up well. It suits him well too for his height and stature.. The only thing that lacks in him is the facial expressions... He is trying to make it up for that in many other ways..

Kajal Agarwal is always a cutie and she definitely makes sure she emulates the chemistry well with all her co-stars (She and Karthi had a great Chemistry in Naan Mahaan Alla...) I did not watch Maatraan so I am not sure how she fared with Surya.. She was looking good with Vijay. She reminded me of Jyothika in yester years when she had to voice out her dialogues with little bit of more.... what you call it.. I am not getting that word.. You can easily make out what she is trying to say even if you are a deaf. Thankfully she made the dubbing easier (I hate to see the unmatched lip sync's). She dances well, emotes fairly enough. But she is just a pin up doll in this movie..

For once, the Villain matches the Hero in height and stature and physicality. Its not always that you get see that. Their encounter is limited but the stunts were done well. I hope that the villain's end wasn't that abrupt..but I guess that is what is takes to end it short..otherwise it will be more lengthier.

As for the screenplay..full credit..otherwise I dont think it would have been watchable.. it doesnt give you time to think twice about any question that might come to your mind. Jayaram was totally wasted. Sathyan had less job.. thankfully people did speak in hindi with a tamil voice over in places where they interacted with people in Mumbai (otherwise it would have been a terrible joke..thanks ARM) Camera work was awesome.. Songs were good but definitely a speed breaker. I was literally rooted to my place when I heard the last song by Karthik. Damn! I did not hear that before. Dialogues were good.. especially the one which gets repeated twice.. "if the enemies can sacrifice lives to take lives..well we should be ready to sacrifice lives to save lives too.. " Good one..

This must be my first post on a Vijay's movie.  But the credit definitely goes to A R Murugadoss. 

North and South - Utterly romantic

Its been a long time since I felt the slight tug at my heart on watching a romantic movie. And its been almost half an hour since I had completed it and it doesn't seem to go away ...What is it with these classics... Damn...

Past two three days, since I was in Bangalore with a good net connection, I wanted to complete a few BBC series which I wanted to watch for a long time. I started with "Emma" (which was good..) , continued it with "Persuasion" (equally good), both belonging to Jane Austen and then for some reason I stumbled on "North and South" first mistaking it for a Jane Austen novel adaptation. When I started seeing it, only then I realized that it was by Elizabeth Gaskell.

How is that these BBC Series are so so good.. Why don't we have series in tamil like these.. oh.. the color, the landscape.. the attires, the emotions, the dialogues.. jeez.. Can I get enough of them ?

Coming back to "North and South". I had to complete something today (at work), but wanted a break in between, so I started watching it side by side and got totally side tracked by this series. I have seen scores of movies based on this theme in english, hindi and tamil... so many times remade with the same premise.. so the premise is not a big deal here.. then ? Its the rendering.. the execution, the style, the action... It just made me feel as if I have seen nothing like this ever. By the time it ended, I was waiting with bated breath... Nothing beats the climax.. but its the over-all series that captivated me..At times (I guess I am repeating myself here..) words lose their meaning.. Nothing can ever be said and made to understand, as much as the actions ( or the reactions ) can explain. It would have broken my heart if I had to read the novel. Thank God I watched it.

Its always good to watch a woman with her head firm on her shoulders. The heroine was gorgeous...and the hero..too good to be true...They complemented each other perfectly well. Reminded me of Gone with the wind. That was the last movie I saw which made me feel that the pairing was just perfect...This one is equally good..

There is no villain, no bad blood, no fight (except for a small scuffle)... a pure romantic series.. where the two grow together.. after starting off with a very bad start between them...How their growth extends to each of their families and how they change for the better....Watch it.. if you like good classic romances..even if the story is repeated.. definitely watch this.

Anyone who likes Gone with the wind, Sollamale, etc.. will like this too.

--
05-Nov-2012

Continued my Jane Austen movies with Sense and Sensibility yday. After a few minutes, I realized that Kandukondain_Kandukondain was an adaptation of this novel. Almost exact replica except that it was little toned for Indian or rather Tamil Audiences. But I should say that it was very good adaptation. I saw the 1995 movie with Emma Thompson & Kate Winslet directed by Ang Lee. I have always liked Ang Lee's movies.. especially the photography in his movies and the subtle darkness or melancholy that prevails in the movies.. Has he ever done a comedy or a light hearted movie ? I wonder.. need to check out.. But this was a good movie as is just like the story.. Again an Happy Ending ... :D

Being ....

Discreet:
 This one is hell of work... Especially when you know what is going on and you cannot just talk about it yet, because of various reason (may be its not your business or you are just being polite or you aren't sure about it.. many such reasons)  and yet you want to hint the other person that you might know but you are holding their fort for whatever reason you seem fit at that time.... I really really appreciate people who can do that.. There are lot of people who are so curious (I call them curiosity kuriakose's , just for the rhyming.. no offense to any Kuriakose please) that they just don't know how to be discreet, at least about a few sensitive things.

I should take this chance here and give a Big Thanks for my friends (some of them who read this blog from time to time) for being so discreet in their communication to me over the years when I needed them the most. I knew that they knew about my problem, but when they felt that I wasn't ready, they resorted to being discreet, but were there to give me a sense of support and compassion. That is very much valued and I owe them big time.... For some its their nature to be like that.. but I know for others, it was a lot of work. At times the talks (casual ones) would lead to my situation and they would be ready to blurt out some thing related to that..and I have seen them eat their words at the last minute, thinking the better of it..and end it up with some casual common comment (which were very appropriate to the situation). I am really very thankful for that act and it was by no means a small one for me. Thank you all again.

I only wish that I have that much sense to show the same discreetness.

Possessive:
This one I know it by experience, both the pain and vain of it. When someone is very possessive of you and don't want to let you out of their sight (in hazaar and one ways..), the general idea that gets to us is, that someone doesn't trust you. I somehow have started to realize that possessiveness is not much related to the trust a person has on you or not. Its about how much they need you.. Need you to be part of their life, need you to ascertain themselves that they belong to someone (sense of belonging to someone or somewhere is one of the reasons for our evolution I think..otherwise there wouldn't be boundaries.. or even families..) , need you to believe they mean something to themselves or capable of someone. It also is a way of exercising the superiority complex or the control, one is used to. And this is done to the people they love the most.. because losing them hurts the most.. Possessiveness when done is proper measures can be acceptable..because it at times shows that you care.. And that gives the person who is taken care of, a sense of love and affection and even a relief that there is always somehow to hold on. But in most cases, the act of restraint is always lost. And the limit is very relative to every single person. There is no such thing a hard defined limit in this case. This is not only with respect to humans but also extends to materialistic things..

This one is very difficult to handle...and requires lot of time and work and very importantly self realization...For someone like me, who is not possessive by any single measure on anyone or anything, I have had my share of pain from being possessed. And I am done with that.. I see one single sign of it and you will see me running in the other direction as fast as my leg can take me ;) (vadivelu style-la sollanumnaa..eppadi oadarennu mattum paaru nee.. eppadi oadarenu...)

There are other 'being...' I would like to write..but suddenly my flow stopped here.. Will update it more later..

Ciao.

Hyderabad or Cyberabad - First Look

This post is pending for a week already. Now that I am sitting in my train bound to Bangalore  and have a network connectivity, thanks to the latest technology (some people might roll their eyes.. please paa.. I should show some vanity at times la) I thought I will complete this.

I had been in Hyderabad for 2 years from 1999 to 2001. That was the time when this place was booming with all new companies and was a very strong competitor to Bangalore. My company was near Panjagutta junction and later it moved to a new campus in Hitech city which was almost like the 2-year old Sarjapur of Bangalore.Nothing  but rocks and no other building in site, except for upcoming campuses and if by chance you wanna come back, you have to walk for 2 kms to the main road near Cyber towers and take a bus or auto from there. The only saving grace there was the Shilpa ramam (arts and crafts village) just next to the Cyber towers (where I have spend my early earnings to buy all sorts of stone crafts, which I am very fond of.. but I dont have a single one of them with me.. I got it for others as gifts etc...rombha azhinjirukean anga...) So practically Cyber towers (which was the biggest building then) marked the end of the city ;) and I  was residing in Begumpet so it was always to and from the expensive part of the city.

After all these years when I came back, I flew to Hyderabad so I came from the other side of the city.. i.e from the end of the city (just like Devanahalli airport in Bangalore) and the first hit you get of the city is Gachibowli (just a small turn there) and then Booommmm!!!! the Hitech City road.... Man!! I was so astounded, speechless and awed seeing the buildings and the growth of this particular part of the city. I was frantically trying to see the single building which I remembered from then (vera enna.. the Cyber towers dhaan..) But that was not in sight.. But there were so many other buildings much bigger and wider.. The whole stretch of Hitech City road is just software companies....and finally we came to the end where we have to turn to Madhapur and there it was ..The Cyber Towers ...and this was the smallest building in the area.. ennanu solradhu... ennaku pechu mooche varalai... and my guest house was in Madhapur much near to the Cyber Towers. Then only I realized that what was once a dead end was extended to a road till the Outer ring road which goes to the Airport. This Madhapur area which was once so out of place.. is the crux of this Hitech City area. Evlo PG , evlo Guest houses.. you can see both the expensive shops as well as proper residential area. Proper mixture of both. But very congested...You can get anything and everything here. Dont have to go to any other part of the city.

Adhu appadi poachaa.. Next day when I wanted to go to office, I came and stopped an auto. He was asking me about how much I will give. I was wondering why ? meter enge ? Then I was shocked to see that there was no meter... ada paavigala.. meter use panradhu illaiyaa inga.. idhu eppola irundhu ? I distinctly remember that they had meter back then.. and it was around 5 or 6 Rs per Km. I wasnt sure what to say..and I was already mixing up my languages to speak in Hindi and Kannada ( thinking that I will convert that to Telugu somehow) and finally he said 40 Rs.. I remembered that it wasnt that far.. Its hardly 2-3 kms.. Seri poa.. enna panradhu..

Idhu kaalaila nadandha koothu... Now in the evening I was wondering how and when to come back... So I came back earlier (coz I saw a bus stop near the entrance of Hitech City area entrance) and was standing in the bus stand.. But I was surprised with all the people almost standing on the center of the road. I remember that they had the shared auto concept here..But adhuku ippadi yaa vaaa aduchukuvaanga.. aathaadi.. I was stunned to see how many people can make use of that small auto to go to a common place (no difference in gender or status or anything..idhula nalla othumai) with small amount of money (Rs 5 or Rs 10).. My friend has asked me to take a shared auto..indha scenea paathutu I decided that I will either take a bus or a separate auto..Idhellam ennaku othu varaadhu.. getting accustomed to it will need some killer instinct..which I definitely dont have. Seri auto share panraanga paravaa illai.. cars kooda share la oadudhu.. I dont know if that is something that they learn when they stay here or what it is. They seem to know which car to stop and get in. Mostly girls.. They ask if they are going in the way of their destination and if they are then they just get in..And if the driver doesn't accept then they scold him on his face.. ennaku onnume puriyala..and they almost go to the center of the road to stop the cars... apparam bus edhuku ? ennaku sema confusion.. nalla velai.. I asked one bus that came and they said it will go to my place and I hopped in.

Because of the work pressure I couldn't venture out anywhere in the city or even the Shilpa ramam which has been enhanced with a amphitheater and a MacD etc (even though they still have a area for the arts and crafts display...) oru chinna mall madhiri iruku .. I saw it from outside..

PG accommodation, Hostels, Guest houses.. these sell like hot cakes in this area. theruvuku 3 PG / hostels iruku.. they also give you free internet along with the rent.. Rent ranges from 9k to 20k depending on the sharing mode... and you can choose from such a very wide variety. I saw 2/3 hostels which gave a single sharing room for 9 k but it was a store room practically.. naan ulla nozhanjaale edeam adanjurum ..apparam mathadhellam enga ? Now finalized on a guest house sort of place.. with all facilities of a serviced apartment except that it is just one room with a balcony for my usage.

Today to come to Kacheguda station, I had to spend 70 Rs in auto from hitech city to hitech city station (for a 10 min travel) and then from there took the MMTS train which cost me only 4 Rs from Hiech city station to Kacheguda Station (for a 45 min travel)...eppadi... nalla velai..they told me about the MMTS and I ventured to try it today.. illainaa.. pocket gaalidhaan.. and that too for such a distance..

Somehow the city has become too big  (just like the ever expanding Bangalore now.. ) and to get from one end to other, if there is no MMTS it would be very very difficult. Bangalore ku eppo Metro kedaikum....

Hey I almost forgot....they call his area..Cyberabad.. eppadi.. mudiyaladaa saamy..

I am still reeling on the magnanimity of the change of this place... am yet to settle down.. Will update more once I get a hang or feel of this place... 

Book reading marathon

I am not sure why I am doing this, but I have read almost a book a day on my ipad over the past two-three weeks and may be 3 or 4 over the weekends. Combination of mystery and romance (particularly historical romance). With the pressure @ work, I just couldn't sleep without completing a novel in 2 hours. I sort of used it for my stress buster. I have done this earlier too..Whenever my work pressure get the better of me,  I resort to reading book left, right and center. Earlier I found it difficult to find that many books, so I would end up reading a already read book. But with so many books @ my disposal, I am not able to hold myself back....Boy!! I ain't complaining, but that sure doesn't do any good to my eyes ;)

Since they are so light weight and you don't have to put too much thought to it, it makes for a good and breezy reading (and so many happy endings :D...I can never get enough of happy endings...) There were some historical romances which surprised me a lot... I never expected them to be so captive or interesting even..They took me completely by surprise. A few of them are a series and they are set in early 19th century British era.. The words used.. ah!! The variety of the characters and to weave a story between them ... If eyes are the windows to the soul, well, words are the doors to the mind.. aren't they ? Among so many books, there were two quotes which stuck with me. There are a few more...but I will add them once I copy it from them.


You may have heard the word 'marry' as a nautical term. It refers to the sailors' practice of matching two ropes together to give them greater strength as one. - I think this explains the concept of marriage much perfectly than anything else.

Aristotle taught that stars are made of a different matter than the four earthly elements—a quintessence—that also happens to be what the human psyche is made of. Which is why man’s spirit corresponds to the stars. Perhaps that’s not a very scientific view, but I do like the idea that there’s a little starlight in each of us. - This coincides my belief on stars too :)

“I'll make you forget all the things I've done,” Nikolas said. “I swear I'll make you happy…just let me

try. All I want is to love you. You don't even have to love me back.” - One the very beautiful selfless declaration of love. 

I have decided to put an end to this marathon (need to check how much self control I have..) and take a break for a few weeks before resuming my normal reading.

Another start..sort of...

Its been exactly a week since I moved to Hyderabad and as much as I wanted to sit and pen down my thoughts, the work pressure kept me far away from it.

When I decided that I should take a break a from Bangalore and my current way of life, I was asked so many questions as to why I should be changing that is almost stable. And why do I have to decide on a different place just to feel different. I could take a house in a different part of the city and may be in a better apartment and start from there. Was I inconvenient because of my past and was it having an effect on me.... too many questions...

I am one of those people who do not like changes in their lives. I am happy and content with few things and the way those few things give the feeling of stability. I don't take to changes very well, especially changes that happen within a short span of time where I am unable to make my plans for those changes. It topples me very badly and I know a lot of situations where I have been unable to handle them well. I like to plan, execute them according to plan and be at peace when things work out well, according to the plan..and any deviation due to external factors, I used to be very irritated and angry with the source (be it natural causes or some person)... I know it sounds like a normal thing when we put it this way, but you have no idea how that that kind of discipline can make you feel caged at times and how much the plans start to rule your life. Plans became my addiction at one time...

But when my life started taking turns in a very unplanned way, I started to realize that plans are just guidelines to start with and sometimes or most of the times, things do not go the way you want it to and you just have to keep revisiting and readjusting them as and when it comes.. To be very technical, I was following the Waterfall model in my life, and I realized that I should be doing them the Agile way....;) (effect of my recent agile and scrum training... I was sitting in that classroom and was wondering the analogies between the project and the real life with respect to Agile and Scrum ... ) I remember even recently when my dad said I was thinking too fast and too far ahead.. (just because I had a heavy lunch and after the lunch I said that I will be skipping dinner because I already feel full for a day.. He said that dinner was hours away and that I shouldn't think about dinner during lunch....because you never know..if I would feel hungry during dinner time or not.. he was right..)

Now that things in my life were going without any plan, and since I was feeling unexcited with my life, I wanted to try a change.. not too big and not too trivial... Changing to a different apartment in Bangalore to start with would have been trivial for me.. No big change there.. I had done that....I still would have to think about how I would handle my flat etc..and that will be there at the back of my head all the time.. Working from home at this project juncture was not welcome by my managers, because of the importance of the project and the need to put in more hours.. and I know that working from my home town, will be a challenge with the longer power cuts and with two kids at home. I wanted to be away for a while, alone surrounded with new faces, where I can become a nobody. I have been in this place for too long and I have become somebody to all those people... Its good to belong somewhere..but it also important for me, to be a nobody from time to time...just to .. I don't know how to put it.. I want to be anonymous at times.. Even if it is for some time (can be weeks, months or years)... I want that break in between...When I discussed about this with my manager, they gave me two options, Noida and Hyderabad. Noida is too far away from my home town.. even though I want to be anonymous or a nobody I would love to go home to my parents and those kids from time to time.. So I chose Hyderabad.... Not too near and not too far...

The work pressure did not even give me enough room to think or panic about the change.. I got my guest house booked and hadn't even packed till the day of my flight..i.e. last Sunday  I had no time to think if I was doing the right thing or not... I know my friends were apprehensive of this decision and they thought that I was doing this without any reason (they were concerned that I was putting myself under unnecessary pressure about my life at this point of time...and that changing the place isn't going to change anything). And :) they are pretty damn sure that I will come running back to Bangalore at the earliest.

When I left my home with bare minimum necessities that can sustain me for 2 weeks or so, I was blank. I wasn't expecting anything from this new place.. I didn't want to think. I didn't want to feel...For a moment, I thought I would feel something..but there was nothing.. And I had this dramatic scene that got played.. just like in movies.. except that in movies they show this scene in slow motion for better effects...When I was coming to the main road in the cab (on my way to the airport) the person, whom I wanted to say good bye in my life but can never say it..the person who was once a very important part of it and now a unknown, was coming in the direction of the taxi.. And when our paths crossed, I was surprised to feel no emotion what so ever. There used to be a time when I used to feel a small pain in my heart whenever our paths crossed. Irrespective of whatever happened, both of us have our own pains and both of us were responsible for where we are right now. But now, it was as if this was my final good bye to this person..... I know it sounds bit melodramatic..but it did happen..and I felt good about the blankness..

When the flight landed in Hyderabad  it was like going to U.S for the official trip.. Took a cab, gave the address of the guest house and landed in my room. That was when I smiled. Because I wasn't sure of myself I guess..But this city surprised me.. It had grown by leaps and bounds over these years...and there are so many things I wanted to write about my first impressions here.. some other post for that.. this one is already too long.Now that I have almost finalized on a PG accommodation (too costly..but it has its own comfort and nothing is free here)  let us see how things go from here. I have no deadline on this place and I have a home back in Bangalore and in Coimbatore and I can chose to go to any of these two whenever I choose to. There is so much to explore in this new place (even though I had lived here for 2 years way back in 1999, this place has changed upside down)

There is a instinct which tells me that I will find something else here..what is it .. I am not sure.. but that feeling is there in the back of my head and as much as I doubt it I don't want to dwell on it.. So by writing it down I am letting it go and gonna get busy :) I am not ready for any drastic changes for now.. Slow and steady is my mantra... Let us see.. This sure is another leg of my journey (my life).

Hasta pronto...

Some peace ...

After some hectic work schedules, this weekend is a relief of sorts, even though I got called for some last minute issue. Things are finally falling in place.

Got my vehicle serviced after such a long time.

Roamed in my car with my mom (we were supposedly going to do some bank work, but conveniently forgot about the half yearly ending holiday and it sort of became a round trip for my mom in my car)

Watched Naan movie : average. I somehow cudnt accept the reasoning behind the man's deeds.

Enabled ESPN to watch the India Pakistan match which is going on now (Gambhir got out :( guys please win this game. Don't know why, any India Pak match is always little personal...more than a game..even though I know it's not sensible of me....just can't help it...)

And I have been having a blast inspite of my schedules with my story books in iPad. Wow I really can read so many books if I can lay my hands on them...I didn't know that. Two romantic series...very light reading..

My process for movement has been approved....that means I might not be long enough in Bangalore..don't know if that is a good thing or not..there are some bets placed on how long I will survive the change ;) and one of my friend says 3 months..Ouch....that hurts :). Will discuss about it later. I haven't still been able to really get into that mood of change yet due to the constant pressure at work.

Have a lot to write...but for now au revoir

Day wish

After quite a while the poem நேரத்தின் நேரம் எல்லாம்  from மாலை பொழுதின் மயக்கத்திலே got me day dreaming.... or at least wishing.

Sitting in a small 3 side glass windowed room, with a recliner (cane or steel or leather... doesn't matter as long as it reclines) on the top of a mountain.. looking over the vast range of mountains and valleys below and far... the sound of the thundering rain hitting those glass walls with the water forming different patterns on them .. having a strong cup of tea with a strong taste of ginger and cardamom steaming in a table near you.. and a very nice story scrolling out on your ipad (last week when I used to think of this scene, it used to be a paper back book..but things changed over the week ;)) and a very soothing music, preferably some good melodies playing in the background... leaving you to wonder if things can be just like this for ever or at least if the time can come to a standstill and you can be frozen in this time frame... (just like the ones in Harry Potter movies)

You have no idea how many times this scene has come to my mind over the past weeks when I have seen or heard this song.... It somehow soothes me. Not many songs have that effect.. In fact this isn't even a song.. its a  கவிதை but the sound of the rains in the background and the rendition of the poem.. hmmmm... nothing wrong in wishing naa.. 

Apple Break

Finally after two weeks of continuous work, not to mention the late nights too, today is my day of forced break. My age is showing its resistance more often now, when the pressure is very high for the product demos and I have no other option other than to resort to the anti depressant's to make me sleep even if it is for a little while... enna vazhaikaidaa idhu :) But all is well that ends well (it hasn't quite ended yet...but we are almost there.. I hope)

Over the weeks of hard work, my mind was as usual buzzing with so many thoughts and now they are gone with the wind...I had been contemplating on a e-reader now that I am not finding enough space for the books and also if I have to stay in a hostel, collecting books is not going to help and and I cannot live without books and stories.. So on Friday, when I was again stormed with conference calls and late night deadlines, I went out and got myself an Apple IPad 3 :)

I am known for my indulgence in electronics (especially phones) and some of my friends even started wondering how haven't I yet got myself the new Samsung Galaxy S3. But I am sticking to the promise I made to myself that I wouldn't get another phone unless and until my current phone is truly done with me.. and not the other way round. And now more than a year and a half its still going on fine.. But I had a crush on the Mac for a long time now and wanted to have  it..but now that my need for a E-Reader and tablet suddenly rushed to the fore.. I seized my opportunity and here I am.. a owner of the latest IPad and enjoying my break with a book already...

Apple products are indeed addictive. I just can't wait to show it to my folks, especially my brother and father, who would really enjoy it..and I am very sure my niece(s) and nephew will start using it in no time..  I have already added quite a lot of books to read to my iBooks app and am ready to go...

From now on, its gonna a apple break for me :D

ஒகேனக்கல் - Tamilnadu's Canyon

A handful of us have been planning on a day trip to some nearby place  for a month now. But it never materialized due to various reasons and suddenly last week, one of them took lead and gave us the choice of two places and since Okenakkal was much nearby and can be completed in a day without much hassles (other option was Belur and Halebidu) we opted for the same. I had 'demanded' that I would drive the maximum length, and this being my first long drive with friends, we all settled for it. Better to start with something simple isnt... After a really shitty friday with my running around the RTO for my LTT (to get my DL back from them. ..dont ask!!!.. short but sad story.. ) and stuff I really was looking for a break even though I wasnt too much enthused about it.. Because I was just tired.. and my friend called up on friday evening and confirmed the trip and we decided to hit the road by 7 am (they wanted 6 am but I was damn sure that I wont be awake by then and I really really want to drive..no point risking three people's lives without good sleep.. so 7 am it was)

But when I got up on Saturday morning at 6 am (it very rarely happens...) my hormones were raging and I was back in my travel element.. Travelling or atleast the preparations for it gets me all excited... its a very strange feeling and I know it all too well.. We decided to meet @ our office as all three (which became four later) of us are from different locations. By 7.30 am we all assembled and started our journey in the all too reliable Alto.. not mine..but the other guy's (whose brother in law also joined us). The one who arranged all these had detailed plans with him on the route map and stuff and also had his fill of eatables and did have his breakfast (drohi!!) and the rest of us were really starving by 8 am. The initial route was till Hosur and from there we had to part to take the Anchetty - Denikanikottai route. We had to take a right after the Hosur toll gate and there we stopped at a hotel for our breakfast. By 9.15 am I took the driving and we headed our way to Hogenakkal. It was a very nice drive.. No traffic in this route.. very very few cars, but had to pass through quite a few villages in between. No stopping anywhere.. Oh! I love driving.. I was rash in a few places.. but what the hell.. every one in the group could drive and if I found it tiring or I was going out of control I can ask anyone else to drive and I can relax....

At one point, I did not realize that I was climbing a hill (not too big like the ooty or thimbam sorts..) but still there were a few hairpin bends and I was really shocked that I was driving through them... which sort of sent some chills through my spine..but also got me excited...because these guys let me do it on purpose.. I was complaining to my friend once that I havent been doing the hill stuff with geard vehicles..so he was like.. "you know what.. this is your training drive through some small hills..so dont panic and keep doing what you are doing now..' After a few turns up and then down and then again up, we decided to stop for a view point..and luckily there was a view point which we mistook at first for some shop. What a view it was from there.. but it also increased my fear and I did not feel like driving after that and I went by my instinct.. there were 3 lives @ stake, apart from mine..and I dont want to mess it up.. After enjoying the view and taking time for photos,  the other person took up the driving...and guess what... the route after that really not that great.. for some stretch.. almost 5-6 kms it was potholes and potholes...The roads were very bad..

This route was taken because we could drive along the river Cauvery for some stretch of 4-5 kms.. When we hit that spot, it was amazing. We had good weather till then. Not too hot and no rains till then (even though we had anticipated rain..and I went over-prepared for that) and this place was too good.. No crowd and the river is all yours to enjoy.

We again stopped for sometime... chilled out.. relaxed... went into the water .. it was slightly deeper even though the quantity is much lesser than the expected limit due to scanty rains this year. We saw lot of people cooking and enough crowd much beyond the place where we had stopped, because there were enough trees which allowed them to cook and rest in shade. 

After this place, its hardly 4 kms or so to the actual falls. Being a saturday and a possibly good weather for the day, the crowd was too much for that place.. We had almost no space for parking. Since it was an alto, we practically squeezed it between two tempo travellers. After that we started our way to the main falls. If only this place was maintained well enough.. The entrance to the main falls is to be done through a round about way where you are left with no choice than to cross all the shops. The main gates are actually closed.... I guess it was done on purpose.. You also have to come back the same route...I am not sure if that is even legal..but its India here.. Also you can see people washing clothes, doing oil massages, cooking .. almost everything there.. We walked about our way to the main falls, through the hanging bridge. Below is the view from the hanging bridge.

After that there are signs to take you to the 'Cine Falls' and by the name I guess that it is the place where most of the movie shootings take place. Almost at the end of the walk, we come to a place where we have to either go back and take a big U turn to go to the Coracle place or give Rs 5 per head to cross through the falls (which is protected for taking bath and the water is not that rough here.. and people they have made the way for people to cross safely...even though the 5 Rs ticket is too much) and then after contemplating if we should cross or go all the way round again...we decided to cross after paying the guy. Once we cross we went all the way to the place where they  went down some 50 steps or so to the coracle ride (and that was almost the end of the place.. that is where you can see the small small falls)...and they were charging Rs 190 for each person in a coracle.... When enquired others mentioned that we might have to go again to the entrance to get the tickets for the coracle.. So we decided to go back and then after reaching a point we realized that there is no way we can go to the main entrance unless we go back through the place where we cross the falls.. or else take the coracle for the short ride there.. Jeez... how confusing it was ..and it was not a well organized place for sure.. no one seems to answer anything properly.. even when asked in tamizh..But again there were some people who were ready to take us to the other side in the coracle for 20 Rs... so there we go again...and after landing there..we find no one in the counter and it seems like to we have to negotiate with the boat owners for the prices.. and I really suck in bargaining.. And guess what they charged here.. Rs 190 per head (great..!!!) the same amount as we had asked there.. and now we have paid Rs 20 extra to come this far.. and because of the rush they were in no mood to relax...they had enough customers that day... We had no other option but to go with it if we wanted to do that ride..and since we have come that far..what big deal.. if we wanted only 4 of us in the coracle, we have to pay 960Rs for it.. There it goes... money again..and as per the govt rules, each coracle entry ticket is Rs 10/- I dont know what this is called.. whatever it is , it sure isnt legal...and people talked about legal stuff when I am using my car for some time in this state and made me pay such a heft amount just the day before.. Life isnt fair.. but do I have a choice.. atleast not for now.. So we decided to go for it.. and we had to take the coracle ride for the short distance..and then from there walk to the place where the steps were there.. The boatman carried his coracle and then there we had to descend and take the coracle again. 

We also saw a small shop setup in a coracle for the tourists to get water, cool drinks, chips etc.. Wow.. And this coracle ride was almost for 1 hour..going near one of the falls, and then taking us slowly through the gaps. It reminded me of the ride in Canyon.. The river is surrounded by naturally carved stone walls and with the sun shining high and bright, it was starting to get hot and sweaty.. But a coracle ride is always a pleasure.. Relaxing and putting your hands in the water and riding it slowly...It was a nice ride.. There was a small water mound where they stop for you to have freshly fried fish (I am not sure if it is freshly caught..even though we saw some people catching fish) along with rice and fish kozhambu..and for Veg people you can have rasam (What!!!) And I was the only veg in the group and the one other guy did not eat non veg on saturdays.. so the rest of the two went ahead and ordered fish fry with rice..and they mentioned that the food and the fish were very tasty and worth the 100Rs for both of them. It was already 2.15 or so and I was getting really hungry.. The smell of fish everywhere in that island was so strong that I (a person of very less smelling power) could smell it..Once they were done with their lunch, we headed back.  There were too many coracles and the place near the steps were very dirty.. For a place which prohibits plastics as per govt rules.. you can see hell a lot of plastics floating around.. if only..if only they regarded nature a little bit more better it would be a very very good place.. but I guess people here have nothing else to earn money from, other than this place and they are trying to make the most of it....I don't know..whatever.. Seems like there were times when the water levels were too high to even not see the small mud mound where we had been. If the rains are enough and once the cauvery water is let out, it can be really scary to be here..and many people have lost lives earlier here due to insufficient precautionary measures..but I dont see any being implemented even now.. They gave us life jackets which I swore I wont wear because of the conditions.. I rather die in that water than wearing them.. too many insects crawling in it..And if it had been properly maintained, they could also do the river rafting here.. It would earn them well enough...but.. 

Inspite of all the above misgivings about the place and its maintenance, its natural and it has its own beauty and I really liked the place.. The coracle ride relaxed me a lot..and they also made the spin in the coracle, which I really really enjoyed.. somehow made me feel very young and carefree (especially when you are really far away from it..) It reminded me of my niece and nephew and how I used to spin them around...After the relaxing ride back, my stomach growled and we went to the TTDC hotel there and since they had only meals for lunch (almost 3 pm by then) and after that we started our journey to Krishnagiri's Dam and I took hold of driving.. 

[I forgot to add one thing here.. There river is the no-man's land between Karnataka and Tamilnadu state.. sort of the borderline.. And near the sand mound we saw the Karnataka side of place where people can come to take the coracle ride.. and we hardly saw a head or two. I wonder why]

This time we were going through Dharmapuri and hit the NH on to Krishnagiri. Since the road on the way belongs to the forest area, we saw two deers playing and they cross the road just before us.. Wow.. It was amazing.. Deers.. crossing us.. Unluckily we did not have our cameras with us and I, for one, was driving.. what a perfect time for these animals to cross us.. This sight boosted my energy and I was on full swing and when we hit the NH, it was only 100 kmph till Krishnagiri.. After crossing cauverypattinam, you have to take the small left which takes you to the Krishnagiri Neer Thekkam (Reservoir).. Its almost a km or two from the NH..and very quiet and nice place with a nice big garden.. which is maintained well, even though it could have been better... We paid the entrance fees (no one asked us there..but we stopped there to confirm the timings and to have a cup of tea.. it was almost around 4.35 pm or so). Its 15Rs for car and 5Rs each. We roamed around the garden, saw the dam.. Had enough water above.. My memory card was full so I couldnt take any more photos. There were some beautiful view.. it was raining somewhere down and the view from the top of the garden was awesome.. and by almost 5.15 or 5.30 pm it started drizzling and it was our cue to start back home.. I enjoyed every bit of this trip and the driving from there was taken over by the car owner... We came back to office by around 8 pm or so..thanks to the traffic from hosur all the way to our office.. Reached home by 8.30 pm.... 

As promised, here are the photos from the KRP (Krishnagiri Reservoir)

I should really thank the guy (my colleague and friend) for organizing this and taking care of the best routes and food part.. Without his efforts we wouldn't have done this.. especially after the fiasco on Friday... and thanks for all three of them to let me drive.. even though I am not that great a driver..and I am really rash at times.. They were all such a sport.. You have no idea, the stares I got from the villagers on the way when I was driving the vehicle..It was fun :D and I hope to have such trips in future too...but seeing that I wont be that long in Bangalore, I am not sure if I can get like minded friends in my new place too..But I sure hope I do.. Always the optimist :)

 “There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

மாலை பொழுதின் மயக்கத்திலே - கவிதை

Warning: Contains spoilers

I  had wanted to see this movie because of it songs. I liked them a lot especially the choreography of two songs.. penne ye penne and kadal karaiyile..Unless you like watching very dramatic and yet poetic romantic story which moves very very slowly, don't attempt this.
Dont look for logic here.. its just a set of characters and the events that transpire between them on a rainy and cold evening in a Cafe Coffee Day.. Just like their logo.. "A lot can happen over a cup of coffee", this movie tells you what happens between a 10 year married couple with a kid , issues faced by the coffee shop owner, the issues of the two servers (one monetary and one girl problems), a writer with a mental block and an aspiring film maker who falls heads over heels over a beautiful girl who comes there. I dont know if they chose coffee day after they chose the theme of their story or they chose the story based on coffee day's logo :), whatever it is, I liked it..

The writer is the only observant with no story linked.. He comes there because he is not finding any urge to write his next novel and there in the coffee shop, he is literally at the background of each story, observing and studying them.

The couple who are married for 10 years and have a kid, showcase the usual issues faced by a supposedly-hard-working husband and a usually low-self-esteem housewife and how their kid usually ends up being the victim. The way these two explain their issues to two different people and trying to find a solution.. they somehow remind you of yourself or your friends who undergo a similar set of problems. The dialogues used to portray each of their issues and the solution were... true..It always takes a little understanding....and some time..

The film aspirant comes to have a cup of coffee and then ends up sitting opposite a beautiful girl who he likes (may be loves) at the first sight. His expressions are cute and nice.. and he gets all the beautiful songs in the movie with the girl. He comes there with a problem and suddenly falls in love of sorts and by the day is over, his problems are still not over, but he gets the girl :) The way he flirts and his emotions when he sees that girl's athai paiyan.. nalla irundhadhu.. these two have very cute faces..and they complemented each other very perfectly..

The owner and the the two server boys are just there to lend the helping hand..
The couple and the lovers form the crux of the story, if you really look @ it.. There are a few bits and pieces built around them.
The backdrop of rain added the additional spice to the romance

The music, songs & their lyrics, re-recording, the choreography, the cinematography- WOW .. There were so many picture perfect shots.. I like dances.. any format which brings in the emotions and has more scope for expressive gestures..The use of ballet and tango / salsa ( I always get confused between the two) in a few places were very cute. All the songs in this movie are very good..

It sort of practically takes you to the coffee shop...After seeing the movie, I switched off my TV (its gonna rain now) and wanted to be with that feel for some more time.. 

Non-paying guests

There is a dove-couple in my apartment, who were in search of a place to stay / nest for quite some time now.. I am not sure why, but they had their intermediate stay in my bathroom's window for some time now and I could hear their kukuku as if they were already inside my home... There is a empty basket kept in my balcony (which had some flowers earlier..but since I keep travelling a lot, I gave it to my maid who takes care of them with the rest of the flower pots in the basement now.. and this one has been empty since then) and recently , say 3 - 4 months before , I saw this couple saving some twigs in this basket. 

I was initially skeptical about allowing them to use my bin, because I am already allergic to a lot of stuff and people around me said that their stay would mean lot of feathers and their feces etc..and that would increase my allergy.. but I did not have the heart to do away with them.. All I had to do was to remove that bin and keep it in the basement and that would have been it.. But somehow I just couldn't do it.. When my dad was here recently, he was very fascinated by this and he even tried helping this couple by arranging the twigs.. but obviously they wouldn't want any human to do anything to their home and rearrange the way they had decorated it..so they removed all the additional twigs that my dad had placed for them and they kept their own in their own pattern ..My dad was very surprised by their behavior.. It was sort of amazing even..

Since I hardly use that balcony (except for drying clothes) I decided to let them use it for now and if things get messy.. well I can cross that bridge when it comes..Whenever my maid goes to clean the balcony, the female who is usually sitting inside used to go to the opposite balcony...wait for my maid to finish and then come back once she safely out of reach.. This happens when I go to dry my clothes too...At times I see the male eyeing me suspiciously , might be even planning an attack if things go out of his hand in saving his family..aathaadi.....So I always maintain my distance from their home as I don't want to invade their privacy. Last week during her usual cleaning process my maid was astonished to see an egg in the basket.. Oh!! that is why they were seriously looking out for the past 6 months.. poor birds. I was so happy to see that.. Then after two days we saw that there were two eggs 

.
Good lord.... Hope they have a happy hatching :)


Since there were two, me and my maid decided to create a partition to their home so that my clothes drying process or my maid's cleaning process wont hamper them. We kept a cupboard besides it so as to prevent the female from looking @ us and getting scared.. Well, we cannot explain her that we mean her no harm isnt.. But if the partition was there she might not even be able to see us.. But today, we saw that the partition was moved away.. dont know if that was because of the wind or the couple did not like to be within a small confined place.. Whatever it is ..we decided to leave them alone for now.. I am not sure how long they are going to be here.. but I hope they are happy. And I am eagerly waiting to 'click' their children...

Till now, its been fun having these new guests in my home..Hope they have a pleasant stay..


6-Aug-2012
Today morning we saw a new born in this dovey family. I have taken a photo..but yet to upload the same. Welcome kid :)


9th Aug
There are two now :)

 

24-Aug-2012

A few weeks later.. See how the colors have changed...

That five letter word

God.. I never thought I would do this.. but to do it without even planning and to do it just because I felt like it.. it is so relieving.. I had tears when I had to even type it.. Finally I did ask "Sorry" to one of the person I had intended to ask. I am not sure if I would get the chance to say it in person.. But then I would not have had the courage to ask in person without crying.... that would have put the other person to discomfort for sure.. I knew it takes courage to ask for forgiveness and to really mean it..but never thought that the process would be so painful...just so because you really really mean it.. I am not sure how I am going to repeat this to the other 2 people I have to ask.

This person did not even remember what had happened.. Its been more than 4 years now.. But I still remember the day as if it happened very recently..For him, it might not have mattered any thing at all, but for me that incident was about my cowardice and my incapability to stand for the right thing. I was in between two people, one whom I loved and who was by all means wrong in this situation, and the other who was my manager and who did nothing wrong except do his duty. And I chose to blame my manager for the fix I was in, at that time (I really don't want to go to the specifics here.. its a long story) and that guy listened to me and did not even say a word telling me that I should sort out my issues instead of putting the blame on him.. If he had told me that, I might not have felt bad at all. But when he kept quite and further to that, he did what I had asked him.. this made things worse for me. I started feeling guilty. I knew what I had done was wrong even before I spoke the words to him, but I chose to use that workaround rather than fix the problem....And that guilt stayed with me all these years. I was not strong enough to even contemplate on asking sorry.. But today all of a sudden when I was chatting with him, I don't know why, but I went ahead and asked his forgiveness.. I couldn't help but cry when I typed those words.. but my tears are worth the effort.. He said that he did not bother about that much and that he did not even remember the incident...and hoped that I have gotten strong over these years.. and to really let go of it.. It was very kind of him to say that... but if I hadn't spoken to him today I would never have asked.. I am glad I found my courage today. And I wish I have the same courage to ask the same five letter word to the other two people whom I have wronged. It might not be a big deal for them, but it surely is, for my soul. 

Hopeful...

Day before yesterday I happened to see the movie "Tangled", again.. I wonder how many times I have watched this movie... But everytime I watch it, it makes me feel better.. Its not that its a fairy tale (which I am always fond of). There are quite a lot of fairy tales, which doesn't give this "feeling" like this movie does.. Even though all the fairy tales are about happy endings and feel good songs... this one does stand out for me.. why ? Because it tells me that even losing the magic is at times a good thing..you still have "hope".

Much earlier when the movie DDLJ came and became such a huge hit, (even though I did watch it at that time alone ;) ) I wondered why would such a romantic movie become such a big hit with people ? The only answer I thought was that it gave them hope...Hope that, even if the probability of its success is very less, one can still dream of a blissful and happy ending to their own love story...No one is gonna dance and sing and woo any one in real life.. but to get hold of their dulhania by convincing their parents.. thats something they can still hope for.. I don't think people would follow the movies and try to imitate it in real life (except for some hard core psychopaths like the one in Colorado).

Its again similar to the reason why people throng the temples during important festivals, especially the ones during Shivarathri and Vaikunda ekadesi..( for the record, I am not an atheist , but I dont believe in visiting temples during the festivities with so much crowd.. I prefer seeing Him or rather His form at leisure..and peace) People say that if you pass through the sorkavaasal during the vaikunda ekadesi, you are entitled for paarkadal moksham.. We do not have proof of that.. There is no one who has come back and confirmed that they did attain it... but then why do people do it?..it eventually leads them to the hope of having a peaceful death and afterlife.. and if they believe in rebirth, hope of being born again as a better being.

When people have bad times and times when they cannot just decide, they either turn to God or God's men (most of them are bad men) or even astrologers for a glimmer of hope that things will eventually be Ok for them. There is always a unknown factor in everything we do. This unknown factor at times decide the result(s) of our actions. When some of them are ready to handle this unknown factor without anyone's help, most of them need some sort of support to let them know that it would be OK for them... even if it meant praying to the supreme entity, who they think has the power to turn the unknown factor in their favor... or in some cases, to pray to the same supreme entity to give them enough strength to handle the result, whatever it may be... and then they Hope for a better result..

Hope may not be a better idea most of the time, because all we do is hope and then we do not do the obvious, and then we blame it on the unknown factor and pacify ourselves.. But most of the times, hope is what we need. Hope that we will be able to do better.

A couple of quotes

“Hope is a waking dream.” - Aristotle


"There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great and no tonic so powerful as expectation of something better tomorrow. " - ORISON SWETT MARDEN, He Can Who Thinks He Can



Even though hope is a good thing, just be little careful of what you hope for :D