Black & White

Dinner accompanied with 2 pegs of whisky had just got over. Power went off. The high grown trees were shaking their heads. It was a breezy night. The breeze compelled for a walk. The moon was glowing at its best. The white rays were sending some messages across. There was something unusual that night.

The moon hadn’t been so bright like that before. I would have walked a few yards. Out of the black, the moon began to grow bigger. The white rays got intense and hit my eyes directly. All of sudden the black became white. Up, down, left, right everything became white. I was standing on a white floor. All I could see was pure white. White White Holy White! It was like the scene in the movie “Matrix”. With a fear filled thrill, cinematically I was expecting the rows of weapons to appear before me like in the movie. But…

In a Jiffy, Just like that!

Most often, before or after writing a post, I muse over for an apt title. Some titles flashing in my mind really excites the idea in it, but nothing moves toward while writing. Sometimes, an entire post would be written in a flow within minutes and takes more time for a title. It’s either this or that. It’s just like that.

There are many things in life just like that. There are no answers or explanations and they happen in a minute. You would have not got the tickets for a movie in the counter and you might be watching a movie which you haven’t heard before. The movie being good or bad is the other part of the story. You would have taken a decision in a jiffy just like that. This post is also like that. In a jiffy, just like that!

Books, Movies & Me

It’s a story of two people who look alike. One is a barber by profession and another is a trickster cheating people and grabbing their monies. The cops are behind this 1 guy and their target become 2, as the barber murders a girl for her dishonesty in their relationship and comes to a conclusion that all girls are #@#@!. That’s till he meets the girl who is in love with the trickster. She is a famous rich personality in the town. She falls in deep shock on knowing the truth about her lover and misses him badly. She settles down all the money disputes of her lovers'(trickster) by selling off all her property and still loves that guy deeply. The barber is stunned towards her love for the trickster. He decides to add on the trickster's list of crime to his and surrenders to the cops. All for love! He murders for getting cheated in love and changes his mind to save another love.

The above is just the gist of the story. The script was simply superb and this has surely gone to my list of classics.

This is made as a movie with title “Johny” – the protagonist in the movie. With good actors in the cast and ecstatic music the movie feasts senses. If this script would have been as a book, I am sure it would have taken me at least a week’s time to finish it. As a movie it was more appealing to understand with good actors in the cast.

Not only to the fact that I sleep over while reading, but somehow I strongly feel a 2:30 hr movie is much better than a 230 page book. I have finished “Nothing lasts forever” and that’s the book I have completed after a very long time and now on to “Bondage”. Definitely, it requires patience and concentration to read books.

Technically Speaking

Prologue

I would like to thank Kishore by giving 100 for the 1 I gave him. But, he is not so generous.

Right from beginning Google has been the undisputed leader in search engine. There is no doubt that oxford would add the word Google to its dictionary database. Such is the brand value of the company. The success of Google is very simple. Yes, simplicity, continuous innovations & connectivity are its qualities. I remember I used to test dial up connections' speed against Google. In this fast paced world, everyone wants information in a jiffy and that’s what Google is delivering. With all the innovations without compromising on quality and speed, Google almost was a revolution.

All these put up together created hype when Google announced about its email service. It was open only by invitation. It became a craze to get an invite. Thousands of internet groups and forums emerged on how to get an invite for Gmail. People were involved in barter contracts to get an invite. I was no different for the same. Yahoo was leading before Google came into picture. Not so tech savvy people were happy enough and contended with a yahoo account. I was not of that type. I was a greedy guy. At least just to show off, I needed a Gmail account. I had informed my entire network who were working in IT cos for an invite. I got involved in the groups and discussion forums for a least chance of getting one invite. Whenever there were discussions on Gmail, I would peep into them to find if I could have an invite. One fine day, Kishore who had minimum knowledge of the technical happenings was casually speaking that his cousin was having an invite for Gmail. Overhearing, I could not resist asking for one. The invite was not too far away for me. At the same time a suspicion arose on whether the unknown person would give me that invite or not. So, I started blowing Gmail trumpet to Kishore and made him get an invite from his cousin. That was easy rather than me getting one from his cousin. I grabbed an invite from Kishore. That wasn’t easy too. A beer was the expense, I guess.

There was an innovation in that too. A new Gmail id had an option of inviting 6 people. I gave three to other friends and used 2 for myself. I created 2 more ids counting the total to 3 ids and 14 invites. I then started to show off. But, the show off lasted not more than 2 weeks, coz I started having additional invites to be given out. It counted 300.

Today, the homepage of Gmail looks like this. I still have 275 invites to be given out. Huh! Anybody there...?

Famous Lines

6/50!! this is the lowest score so far in this class

dont pretend to be foolish

he is stubborn not to admit his mistakes

if he continues the same we will have to discontinue him from this school

i dont know from where you learn all the mischievous things on earth

rajaram, get up from u r sleep

-these were during my school days

sir, can you please leave aside your extra curricular activities and attend classes

rajaram, dont think that you are smart

i suggest you take a sabbatical from my class

-these were during my college days

will you please open your mouth and update on the sales you have done

mr. rajaram, pls stop making phone calls and leave for sales calls

-these were during my sales job

All these lines are uttered on me by different set of people in the schools, college and at my workplace. The beauty is that none of the lines are repeated and they are said by different people. No one had repeated what the other had said. I wonder that I have a multifaceted nature at least in doing mistakes. Yeah. All these were spoken on my mistakes. Some of them are known and some, unknown. I know the mistake I do. Mistakes are bad when it costs people around us. I never do that. When I come to know that it hurts someone, either I stop it or take responsibility. For eg: emptying someone’s wallet in the name of 'treat'. There are few which hurts and costs us. We are conscious enough not to repeat those and our brain automatically stops performing those.

We all do mistakes at different stages of life. Few end at certain stage and few still continue. For eg: not being punctual. Few, we keep doing no matter what happens and even it hurts ourself. eg: smoking,drinking, taking revenge on colleague for silly things and the like. It keeps on going though we know it pains and leaves a mark on us. Eg: playing football with an injury in leg. Those are out of passion and love for something. We can’t stop them. They have no end. They don’t have an end as they mean a lot more than it hurts. Long live those mistakes. Long live my words without any sense.

Back on killing spree!

New Year wishes to all.

Off late I would have completely forgotten that I write and had blogged for over 2 years, until I received a life threat call from Delhi. I swear, believe me, I had a message from Delhi that I would be killed.

2 years back when I started blogging, people used to see me weird as none around me knew what it was. I was in college then. Most of things what I spoke appeared weird (some were actually) and out of current affairs. Some even mocked at me and thought blogs were crazy. I never defend even it hurts. I keep smiling as I know that they will remember me one fine day and come to me. One monkey (keeping the words subtle) out of the bunch who mocked at me has started a blog now. I felt surprised when hearing it and visited the new kid on the block. There was another surprise for me. My blog has been a source of inspiration. Oh yeah!

This happened a few months back when I had stopped writing for a while. I used to feel bad that I was unable to write and had not updated my blog. Few good souls like Alin (fans of mine too) persuaded me to write, but still I did not resume. Now with a life threat from a fan in delhi that I would be killed if there are no updates in my blog, the new kid on the block inspired by me, I am writing this for them. I am very sure that I will get some tomatoes smashed on my face from them for this kind of comeback that too dedicated to them. LOL! I dedicate this post to Susi for getting inspired by me (very few know that I am a visionary, now susi has realized it… [laughs]) and Idly, my delhi fan.

For all those who have been asking me to write again, I am back to kill you all with my writings (actually i am getting remembered and feel to the opening which superstar received on the first day of his latest movie release) B-)

mmmm…i think i should stop with this post here…

The Journey

I was warned not to shift my location. Few thought I should leave, few thought I would be good if I leave.

I decided to leave for I needed a change. The fact that change is the only permanent thing in this world was the first lesson taught to me during my management course. It went on true for me very well. When tripleR proposed, God disposed.

The train was scheduled for departure at 0700 hrs from the central station. The plan was to start at 0400 hrs and get the first train from my local station. With all my things packed up my entire three baggages were heaving. All set to leave next day morning. Waking up at 0300 hrs, it was pouring heavily outside. My plan was crushed. The entire luggage would get drenched before I reach my local station in the pouring rain. With no other option left out, I called up taxi guys. As it was raining heavily, few said they can’t cover up such a long distance from my home to city and few were booked for the time I needed them.

With repeated calls finally a cab was booked. Dad and bro said they would come to help me with luggage till I board the train. I did not want to get them strained as it was raining heavily and bro had exams too. Finally waved my hands to everyone and started by 5. Thought it was fine and would reach the central station on time. The cab stopped suddenly. Enquiring on what had happened, I was asked to push the cab to get it started again as there was a starting trouble the engine. Oh my God, that holy morning I got drenched in the few min I stepped outside. I would have pushed few metres; the cab did not get started. I sensed that it was some major problem. Yes it was… the fuel got empty. Now, I started thinking on whether I would be able to board the train or not. My mind started thinking on alternatives. Then the cab driver took a can and ran towards the petrol station, which was about half a kilometer away from where the cab stopped. He told me that he would take me to the station on time and not to worry. When someone tells something confidently, they will surely make it. I just asked him to do it ASAP. In few min fuel was ready and we started towards station. Rain started pouring heavily, and had no other option other than to go slow. Somehow, managed to reach station 10 min before departure time. I was completely wet when boarding the train. That was a great send off for me from the city I had lived for so long.

24 hrs later I am in a new city that I am completely unaware of. This new city was also pouring heavily when I got down. Again left out drenched. I couldn’t take it as a grand welcome by the host city, but had no choice other than to accept it. I love rains, especially when thunder and lightening strikes. But, this time I felt annoyed…

The journey will continue…

தேடிச் சோறுநிதந் தின்று - பல
சின்னஞ் சிறுகதைகள் பேசி - மனம்
வாடித் துன்பமிக உழன்று - பிறர்
வாடப் பலசெயல்கள் செய்து - நரை
கூடிக் கிழப்பருவ மெய்தி - கொடுங்
கூற்றுக் கிரையெனப்பின் மாயும் - பல
வேடிக்கை மனிதரைப் போலே - நான்
வீழ்வே னென்று நினைத் தாயோ?

நின்னைச் சிலவரங்கள் கேட்பேன் - அவை
நேரே இன்றெனக்குத் தருவாய் - என்றன்
முன்னைத் தீயவினைப் பயன்கள் - இன்னும்
மூளா தழிந்திடுதல் வேண்டும்

இனி என்னைப் புதியவுயி ராக்கி - எனக்
கேதுங் கவலையறச் செய்து - மதி
தன்னை மிகத்தெளிவு செய்து...

என்றும் சந்தோஷங் கொண்டிருக்கச் செய்வாய்!
என்றும் சந்தோஷங் கொண்டிருக்கச் செய்வாய்!

MDR (My Dear Readers)

For those who have tolerated with my writings so far, there is a small (not big) relief for you guys. You need not worry that you have started to read a post and have to finish it. Introducing "peek-a-boo" in my blog, showing the summary and the rest of post separately. If you like to continue reading you can expand it, or else shut down your comp.

Thanks to Deepa. She had been instrumental and had spent over 45 mins to make me understand and hack the code :)

Go away; you are spared in this post! Still if you want to stay here, you can play with expanding and collapsing the "i have written more..." and "no thanks, keep it yourself" links. In fact, I enjoy the small pleasure in the way it expands and collapses.

We the People

I was pondering over our 60th independence celebrations. Next year it would be 61, then 62, then 63 and every year it keeps counting no matter whatever happens. So, why was such hype built to celebrate the 60th year? Newspaper, Magazines, Marketers, Advertisers are suddenly associating Indian flag along with their brand, logo and are wishing people. All for that one single day!! For office going people its a holiday to chill out in home; for college and school goers, its a holiday to meet friends and hang out. I felt these are unnecessary hype and it's not worth it. But it was all till I came through some interesting news and pics.

There are lots of facts and figures on every sector over 60 yrs of Independence. One news that I read was, during 1950's Milovan Djilas, a famous intellectual of Yugoslavia had said that India would not last the decade as a unified nation. He had said that with the then multi ethnic, multi lingual, multi cultural, multi religious situation of country. I also read that even the strong people of the Independence Movement were unsure of themselves, given the noise around them predicting that we will collapse. We the people have lived up to make it false. Oh Yes! We have...

For those who have thought that we would fight on religions - in our country the hindu majority still lives together, peacefully for the most part with the second largest muslim population.

For those who have thought we would break on culture - in our country we have proved that the differences we have are our strongest safeguards.

We have mastered and lived up to the mantra "Unity in Diversity". When you say "I am an Indian" to the rest of world, you receive an unique respect.

There were 2 more pics which I saw today;


Above is the celebration in Times Square, NY and bottom is the Orkut Logo displayed in the site on the eve of our celebrations. Likewise, Indian Independence is been celebrated all over the world.

What else is required for celebrations?? I see some individuals celebrating their 60th birthday. Imagine 100 crores people living together to make it happen for a nation! After all, a nation is nothing but individuals living united and we the people have lived and will prosper. HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!

Shortcut to the Foreign Land!

pls view the post in IE6+. or else it will appear as like another version of tamil ;))

எனக்கொரு நண்பன் உண்டு. காலேஜ்'ல படிக்கும் போது எப்பொழுதும் US போகவேண்டுமென்றே பேசிக்கிட்டு இருப்பான். அவனோட வெறியை பார்த்து நான் வியந்ததுண்டு. இப்போ என்ன கதை தெரியுமா? அவன், காலேஜ் நிறைவான பிறகு ஒரு வேலைக்கு போக ஆரம்பித்து இங்கேயே தான் இருக்கான். நாலு வருஷம் ஆச்சு; உன்னுடைய US ப்ளான் என்னாச்சு'னு கேட்டா, ஒரு feelings'உடன்,"அதெல்லாம் ஒரு கனவா போச்சுடா!" அப்படினு சொல்றான். இப்போ யாராவது ஆஃபர் செய்தாலும் அவன் போக மாட்டான். அங்கே சம்பாதிக்கும் காசை இங்கேயே சம்பாதிக்கிறான். என்னுடைய மற்ற நண்பர்கள் சிலருக்கும் வெளிநாடு போக வேண்டும் என்ற மோகம் இருக்கு. ஆனால் ஏகப்பட்ட யோசனைகள் அவர்களுக்குள்...அப்பா, அம்மா, நண்பர்கள், காதலி, figure என ஏக மக்களையும் விட்டுவிட்டு போகவேண்டுமா என்று! அப்படியே போகலாம் என்று முடிவெடுத்தாலும் குறைந்த பட்சம் ஒரு வருஷத்திற்கு முன்னதாகவே ஏற்பாடுகள் ஆரம்பிக்க வேண்டும்.

என்னுடைய தோழி ஒருத்தி, பத்து மாதத்திற்கு முன்னால் கல்யாணம் ஆகி அவள் இப்போது US'ல் இருக்கிறாள். ரொம்ப நல்ல விஷயம். அவள் செல்வதிற்கு முன்னால் ஒரு e-mail எழுதியிருந்தாள். அது என்னவென்றால், அவளுடைய கணவர் onsite project'ற்காக வெளிநாடு செல்ல இருப்பதாகவும், அதனால் நானும் செல்கிறேன் என்று... இது போன்று பல பெண்கள் எழுதுகிறார்கள். இன்னும் எழுதுவார்கள். looks like marrying a guy working in a software company is a shortcut to go abroad for girls. அதுவும், வேலை செய்யும் office'இல் onsite option இருக்க வேண்டும் என்ற condition வேறு! பெண்கள் எல்லோரும் மிக தெளிவாகத்தான் இருக்கிறார்கள். working in a software company has become a mandotary requirement for the girl to choose the boy . இதுக்கு பெயர் fashion'ஆம்!! "நான் திருமணம் செய்து கொள்ளப்போகும் பையன் வெளிநாட்டில் இருக்கிறார், நான் வெளிநாட்டில் settle'ஆக போகிறேன்", என்று சொல்லிக்கொள்வதில் பெண்களுக்கு ஒரு சிறிய சந்தோஷம். அவர்களுடைய அந்த சிறிய சந்தோஷமே தம்முடைய பெரிய சந்தோஷமாக கருதுகிறார்கள் நமது வருதத்திற்குறிய ஆண்கள். என்ன கொடுமை Sir இது!!

We people have to overcome the lure of foreign lands. We should invest our brains in our country. Looking for exciting opportunities abroad is rather paradoxical - அப்படீனு சொல்றார் ஒரு NRI. அவர் ஒரு சாதாரண NRI அல்ல. He is one of the world's leading millionaire.

மக்களே! நாம் ஒரு விஷயத்தை நன்றாக புரிந்து கொள்ள வேண்டும். இருக்கும் இடத்தை விட்டு இல்லாத இடம் தேடுவதே நம்முடைய வாடிக்கையாக ஆகிவிட்டது. பலர் அதில் சிக்கி மிகவும் வருந்தியிருக்கிறார்கள். நாமாவது அதை புரிந்து கொண்டு உஷாராக இருப்போம். பெண்களே, உங்களுக்கு என்ன சொல்வதென்று எனக்கு தெரியவில்லை. எதற்கு வீணாக எதையாவது சொல்லிவிட்டு மாட்டிக் கொள்ள வேண்டும் என்ற பயமும் தான்!

ஆனால் நண்பர்களே, யாராவது அழைத்தாலும், ஒரு சபலத்தில் கூட ஒப்புக்கொள்ள இயலாதபடி, பலர் சொல்லியும் இவ்வளவு நாள் passport apply செய்யாமல் இருந்தேன். இப்போது செய்துவிட்டேன்...அதற்காக பெண்கள் உஷார் ஆக வேண்டாம். நான் எப்போதும் local தான். இந்தியாவில் எந்த மூலைக்கும் செல்வேன் வேலை செய்ய..ஆனால் வெளிநாடு என்று வந்தால், சுற்றி பார்ப்பதற்காக மட்டுமே செல்வேன்!!

HAPPY FRIENDSHIP WEEK!!

I am tired on hearing/receiving numerous versions of messages about friends and friendship. Everything is written in some situation and they never reflect the true sense of the relationship. I did little research of what friend and friendship means, obviously through Google and Wiki. Nothing pleased me. I started to think and decided to write my version of what friendship is all about. A bit from all messages and mails were true but did not satisfy me on the whole. To me, words don't appeal all the time especially when it is some kind of commitment. I believe in action than words. So, when someone says me 'You are my dear friend...." and blah blah stuff, it doesn’t actually bother me. I too never tell anyone those kinds of lines. If said, I mean it. Because, I feel that’s a special relationship which needs to be respected and nurtured. Anyone can be a friend to anyone. There are no restrictions to it. Your mom can be your friend, your brother can be your friend, your wife can be your friend and anyone like that can be your friend. But anyone can’t be wife/mom/brother. That’s the specialty of this relationship. The next level of friendship with intimacy and romance becomes love. It’s just a thin line in between. A few understand & acknowledge it and others don’t. Unfortunately, they have been misinterpreted with contributions from the society we live and cinema has spoiled the spirit of love. Yet, friendship stands undisputedly. It’s truly an occasion to celebrate and honour your friends. HAPPY FRIENDSHIP WEEK. CHEERS!

Calvin ~ Chennai

The scene after sea water came into shores in Chennai on 03rd August 2007.

Calvin strip for Saturday dated 04 August 2007.

It doesnt matter anyways!

I have seen people worrying about age, particularly females. Moreover, there is a lot of concern when it comes to marriage. This era has a practice of finding a bride much younger than the boy. That might be of the dominating male status which was followed. I dont encourage the dominating status in genders. Both genders are equal. I feel the boy and girl have to be of equal age when it comes to marriage. The trend has changed and changing much beyond. The boy is younger than the bride. Well, there is some chemistry in that and works out well. There are well known icons and celebrities too in that list. Sachin, Abhishek are examples. A friend of friend of mine is married to a boy younger than her and they live happily. Although parents feel uncomfortable with their kids adopting the change, I feel its a welcome change. Life is to live happily with loved ones.

"Ash is very endearing and a simple little girl" says Abhishek Bachchan who is younger than his wife by three years.

Disclaimer: I am not talking about Sex as Age is mandotary for it. tripleR will not be responsible for any misinterpretation felt. Upto the individuals to welcome or not to.

Logo for tripleR

The above is the so-called logo created in MS Paint for me by the No.1 Radio Jockey in Chennai - SPEED Dheena. An unusually down to earth person taking pleasure and enjoying everything, he spent about half an hour to do it. Atleast for the time he spent on this, I will have to preserve this logo. Its a good start in making a logo for tripleR(contributions are always welcome) that too by a happening personality in Chennai. Off the Cuff, I guess its a good start for me.

An equally wacky fellow, he added up Red spots around it and said "It adds up to your personality...". Oh my God!! That was the joke of the evening.

Catch up this guy every morning 7 AM to 11AM tuning to Chennai BIG 92.7 FM .

:)

Beerfest with Monsters

Friday Night, Beerfest with Monsters., huh!! I am not writing on this title now. Try guessing what it would have been and post your comments. Monsters and friends of monsters are requested to keep quiet.

Potter Mania~Mahabharatha~Ramayana~Ambulimama~Panchatantra

Potter Mania is slightly decreasing in the city. It was actually disturbing me the fact that there were Qs in book stores to get the book on its FDR. What interested me was that some gentlemen who might find it difficult to get a packet of milk for their wives every morning were also standing in those Qs early morning at 6AM.

The response of the book was overwhelming the city and media says that its arguably most awaited book in history. (They meant the ages, not the history text book) This is the biggest achievement for Rowling and she has to be congratulated for the achievement. Not though for her achievement, I congratulate her for writing a series of books exclusively for children, be it fiction/fantasy/anything else. That’s the best thing I like about her.

I also heard people criticizing Potter books that they are spoiling our children and our own Mahabaratha and Ramayana are losing interest among them. I also read few columns on the same in leading dailies as well. To those out there, Mahabharatha and Ramayana aren’t meant for children. They are for erstwhile adults looking out fantasy/fiction forgetting the real world around them. Yes, I admit they are great epics and there is a lot to learn from them. But they have to be customized fitting to our interests if felt contemporary children have to show interest in those epics. If done so, there will be some groups emerging from nowhere to protest for customizing the great epics.

There were Panchatantra, Ambulimama which were equally interesting as Potter stories. Those did not have such marketing or promotional activities like Potter. I used to read panchatantra stories with fantasy and fiction. Children need better books suiting to the lifestyle and customs they are growing into.

Unfortunately, Harry Potter has become a style statement such that children who are strange to Potter are seen as distinct by their peers in institutions and parents are forced to get a book at least to showcase. But, somehow milk packets cant be kept in show cases, that’s why gentlemen hesitate to get them every morning I guess! We always have a valid reason behind every decision of ours., yeah!!

Again An Inconvenient Truth

Watterson should have read my previous post. Below is todays strip of Calvin and Hobbes. Moreover, everyone around are talking about Green in my office. !#@!!#$@

An Inconvenient Truth

I couldn’t sit for Al Gore's presentation (a) documentary for over one and half hours. It’s an inconvenient truth that I did it. Yet, the topic was alarming. It’s not to be ignored. It was about Global Warming.

Please check out http://green.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/gw-overview-interactive.html and learn what it is all about and what you can do, if you wish/care for the place you live.