World Of Prabha

Mayakkam Enna!

2011-12-12T22:20:00.002+05:30

A blog after a long time! :) Hope I have not lost touch!!

It took me a while to accept the fact that we had just booked tickets for "Mayakkam Enna"... the movie that lots of people told me, is "waste". (Probably this was the reason, why I had low expectations about the movie).

The movie started with usual "Selva" stuff...All very predictable. But as it proceeded, I started enjoying the feel of the movie. It had everything... comedy, tragedy, nice songs, nice picturisation, simple storyline.... etc etc.

Dhanush
I am not a very big fan of Dhanush... but in this movie, I liked his work. He is not only the hero, but also the comedian and the villian. He does everything that any other hero will never do and that, probably, is his strength.
He sings in base voice... It s so down to earth... His voice in "Oda oda" song is nice and apt. And so is "Adida avale". This song is just in the right place... when you feel like hitting the heroine!

He has acted very well, without doubt, as he does his role with perfect ease. You feel that no one else could have done justice to this role.

Richa
As I said before, the initial scenes were very predictable and the heroine was almost like Sonia Agarwal's characters in Selva's previous movies. Then, she had lot of scope and did a good job overall. Her characterisation is good. The way she acts in few important scenes... just too good for debut heroine. Great dubbing by Deepa Venkat.

GV Prakash
Nice music. Maybe copied from somewhere, but I dont care... as long as the music is good (and as long as I ve never heard the original!!). The background score as well as the songs are nice...

Selva
He is the true Hero. Making a movie out of such a simple story... Great effort.
I didnt like lot of movies that I saw of late... Velayudham, 7am Arivu... I feel both movies, especially, the latter, was perfect example of
1. How to kill a nice storyline and made a predictable and pathetic movie
2. How to place a song at the perfect wrong moment in the move
3. How to create a hype for all wrong reasons

Selva has done a nice work by avoiding all the above.

To sum up, go for it if you like "Selvaraghavan" movies. If you dont like them, then go with zero or negative expectations, you may like it... just like I did!

Dream Vacation :)

2010-08-26T20:53:00.000+05:30

Our much awaited Europe trip... was truly dream come true.
It all started when we were wondering, why we two have never been to a proper vacation since a long time. So, we started planning stuff and finally decided on Europe!

Then came another tough decision... to go on our own or with some travel operator. After long long discussions (with lots of inputs from my cousin Hari) we decided to go on our own.

Next, planning and organizing... this took a lot of time. Prabu did a great job of consolidating everything and making our daily itenary.

Two days in Paris were nice. Saw Eiffel tower (about thrice) and also, went to the topmost level to catch a good view of the place. Also, saw the Louvre, ArcDe Truimph and went for a cruise on River Sienne.

A view of the Eiffel Tower from River Sienne

Next halt, Interlaken, where we were joined by my cousin and her husband. This is a small town, full of beautiful scenaries :). Went to JungFrau (Top of Europe) and had a great time playing in the snow rides. Went for a boat ride near Interlaken.

On the way to Jungfrau from Interlaken

Last halt at Lucerne. We had about three days here. But there was nothing much to see in this place. So, we took train to a small, peaceful and very beautiful place, Zug and spent an evening there.

Near Lake Zug

Went for excursion in Mt. Titlis. Ended the excursion with theTrotti bike ride. (I was very scared to ride it initially... but later enjoyed it a lot) It was very adventurous.

Last day was spent in train... Took a scenic train from Montreux to Zweissimmen...

A view from the scenic train

One more from the scenic train

Overall, it was a great trip! Lots of pics... loads of memories in our hearts forever and ever :)

Raajneeti...

2010-06-11T10:24:00.000+05:30

When my sister suggested going for this movie, I was not very excited about it. But now, I am happy that I agreed.

First thing I like about this.... very small songs... Just couple of them, last for just a minute or so.
The screenplay is so nice. We didnt realise that 3 hours had passed.

Ranbir and Katrina... I never thought I would like them... especially Kat... But she has proved her acting skills (finally!) in this movie.

The casting is very apt. For instance, the role that Nana Patekar has played, could only be played by him.

A very gripping story and great screenplay... Ya... it has lot of similarities with Mahabharata, but so what? I really enjoyed the movie... Serious one, but worth the time.

WATCH IT!

Blogging about my blog

2010-06-02T22:13:00.000+05:30

Just noticed that lots of my posts are in draft.
Everytime I open a draft, to complete, I am BLANK.
I am not able to recollect what made me type the draft!!

Thinking about my blog, I never thought I will blog... or rather, someone will read my blog. My friends in Hexaware gave this idea. I am so happy about this, though I have never done enough justification.
Blogging helps me feel connected... some friends comment, some others talk about this when we chat and some just pass on the info to some one else... Feels nice!

I also like reading my friends' blogs. But, after twitter became popular, lots of them have (almost) stopped blogging. I tried tweeting, but like I mentioned earlier, it just does not seem to work for me. I can NEVER be a person of a few words... guess it s just not my cup-of-tea!

I also tried blogging in Tamil... I enjoy writing in tamil, but sometimes, I get some issues while typing, which interrupts my thought process a lot... so, have reduced it... (I dont want to stop it).

Anyways, keeping in touch with friends / relatives does not seem to be a big deal these days, with Face Book. But I dont want to lose touch of blogging. I feel so nice after posting something.... most of the days, it s nothing more than "i feel" or "i think" stuff, but still :)...

Well, that s me. See, I made a post with nothing substantial to talk about... with just the title... and here I am ... at the end of it.... ! Hope I get some topic for my next post (aaah ... I better ...or I may end up writing about "What do I do if I dont get a topic to blog about, but still want to blog"!)

Keep smiling!! :)

Cough cough!

2010-05-11T08:24:00.000+05:30

It is one thing to get cold / fever
It is another thing to get cold / fever in peak summer!
Terrible... I should say... asking for warm water in restaurants, using geyser at home, not having any cold drinks / ice creams, no flavoured milk... it is only tea or boost! :(

So, it just happened that I caught some bad infection from somewhere... one week of fever, body pain and cold scared my doctor and she advised me for a complete blood check up... it had all tests... from simple-well-known heamoglobin to very complicated stuff (including dengue, malaria, typhoid etc etc).

And my report came out to be positive in couple of typhoid tests (there were three tests for that). I went to the doctor with a sad (oh-i-got-typhoid) look. She looks at the report and said "That s a good report" (?????) When I asked about these two tests that turned out positive, she said that the third test is very important and if that is negative, there is nothing to worry. Also, my positive reports are in a very less dilution....
Ok... whatever... now what??? 5 days of medication and rest. Of course, this means I can take break from my work, rest at home and justify whenever I cook less!!! But still I have got the "I am sick" feeling. Pity!!! Poor me...

Am back ... (well..again!)

2010-04-19T16:45:00.000+05:30

Been doing / seeing lots of new things this time.... though that doesnt justify for a long break from blogging!

Just started tweeting again... though I somehow feel, it is not something that I will really enjoy...let's see.

Enjoyed watching the you tube videos of "Dhoni" and "Jai" (blabbering CKS, i am wearing dhoni's shirt etc etc) during CSK matches... really really funny!

Have been watching episodes of Two and a half men on star world on Sundays... have got addicted to these... just hilarious...

Busy with some functions at home... my cousin's engagement, my uncle's sashtiapthapoorthi(in simple words, 60th birthday) and my nephews' upanayanam...

Once again, I am on the "healthy" track... with walking everyday and having green tea (almost daily). The second part is the toughest!

Am also busy increasing my "social" activities... I go to the park in my apartment everyday in the evening... other than enjoying cool breeze, I also get to make lots of friends... :)

Life is Good :)

Me and movies

2010-02-02T10:24:00.000+05:30

So, it is again about movies...
Saw couple of movies in Tamil...

Aayiraththil Oruvan
Tamizh Padam

AO was just excellent in the first half... the blood shed was a bit too much, but the story was interesting for sure... As I was just wondering how the story will go in the second half, it was pathetic! Though I saw the edited version (I heard about 45 mts of the story was cut due to length), the second half was just not tolerable...
But I think it is a movie that we should watch atleast once... For the sake of the different storyline.

* The imagination of a chola king being alive is ok. But after that the story goes in a confused manner... Some black magic... some superstitious believes... some inscriptions.... aaaaaahhhhhhh
* Andrea is nowhere to be seen in the second half. (Probably because of some issues with the director, her role was reduced).Even in the first half, her character is very confusing... she doesnt tell about any of the problems... suddenly, from one point, she starts helping out...
* It is an out-an-out Reemma Sen (what s with the spelling!??!) movie. Karthi, could have thought before taking this role! After seeing his role in the first half, we expect so much... but there is nothing much for him after that.
*Why... why should the Cholas be shown as a group of uncivilised barbarians... (wherein the king alone lives happily), while the Pandiyas have eveolved into sophisticated human beings?
* So many confusions in the second half...! (Some in the first half too!)

A MUST WATCH MOVIE despite its negative points... Rarely, do we have a Tamil movie like this.

The next one, Tamizh(p) Padam

This was a complete contrast to the previous movie that I saw.
Full of funny lines and "typical" stuff from lots of Tamil movies... It was just hilarious. But beware, those who dont follow lot of Tamil movies, will hardly understand the jokes. I enjoyed the movie a lot. But only someone with a political background can come out with a movie like this. They have made fun, that too very openly, about stars in Tamil cinema... Rajni, Kamal, Karthik, Vijay, Simbu, TR, Vijaykanth etc etc... The hero, 'Mirchi' Shiva has given excellent performance in all the scenes. As usual, the heroine doesnt have much to do. The songs are nice... I liked the one with no lyrics, other than usual blabbering of lots of Tamil songs.
A very light movie... Go for it if you want to watch a perfect entertainer!

What is everyone doing?

2010-01-19T08:08:00.000+05:30

What is this thing with "No time" these days?

I saw this Iodex ad, in which the female was dancing and telling that she has "No time" for pain.
Then, this Garnier Fructis (or whatever) ad, in which this female says she has "No time" for oiling her hair (Oh! Please...)

There is this one called Aloo Mash... It "Saves Time", you know.... It has ready to cook (boiled, peeled and mashed) potatoes

Parachute (advansed) coconut oil has this idea of Hot Oil... So, you just keep it on your hair, it will have the effect of a massage (No points for guessing, "No time" for massage)

What is everyone doing?

Tweet a tweet a tweet

2010-01-08T15:20:00.000+05:30

I know, it is not much of a news to join twitter... But I just did and am finding it difficult! I think I am a very "blah-blah" person, who knows very little about keeping it short! http://twitter.com/worldofprabha

But not bad... Look... what a small post by me! Guess am learning ... haa haa

Bye,
Prabha

AwwwWHAT????????RRRRRRRRRRR

2010-01-05T09:55:00.000+05:30

Yawn... Well... Yeah... I saw AVATAR (Sorry for the mokkai Title!)

+ The movie is GREAT
+ The grapics are SUPERB
+ The terms used are NICE... you know, Navi, Sahelu, some God(forgot the name) and spirit stuff
+ The way they have shown Pandora is AMAZING
+ The plants, their lighting... OUT OF THE WORLD
+ again, 3D is FANTASTIC

- The story.... it is BORING... reminded me of some tamil movies... remember Nayagan, where Kamal fights for people who are asked to clear an area.... same stuff in another planet... ok?
- And... this koodu-vittu-koodu-payara stuff (something like exchange of spirits) we have definitely seen this right?
- Finally, something happens and the Hero saves the world (which is a suspense till the last minute haa haa...)

Overall, it is a movie that everyone should watch... but we get used to the graphics and when the story is boring... the effect is Yawn....AwwwWHAT????????RRRRRRRRRRR

And ya... Wish you a very Happy New Year! Keep smiling...
:)

train, travel and tickets!

2009-12-21T20:02:00.000+05:30

I just love my daily travel in the electric train. Initially, I thought of listening to music / reading books while travelling, but later, I stopped all that and now, I just enjoy looking at things around me...

What I have noticed many times is, people getting into a First Class compartment in a hurry and then they would rush to the next compartment in the next station.

There was this couple who once boarded the FC compartment, without looking at the board. Then a person standing near the door told the man, "Sir, ithu first class." The lady was just getting ready to get down. The man told her to wait. He said, unless someone comes for checking, we wont have any problem. Now, the guy who warned them, got angry.... actually, he was the person who was checking tickets and they had to pay heavy fine...

Ithu romba thevaiya?

Excuse me...

2009-12-03T19:47:00.002+05:30

Hi...
Needless to say, I ve been a terrible blogger of late... but let me start now... better late than never.

I saw the movie 2012... after a big struggle to get tickets... I enjoyed the movie.
Dont know how far it is true... but if something like that happened, how would it be???

Anyways, it just set me thinking (pls dont laugh yaar, I THINK OK?)
So here s my list of what I would want to do in case someone gives a guarantee that world IS going to end..

1. Visit / call, all my friends and relatives
2. Venice.... I want to see this place just once... :)
3. Watch some movies which have been pending since long

And... well, cant think of much at the moment.

Do comment with what you ll do... (I know this is a very pessimistic idea... but it s ok...what say?)

And then, lot of updates here.
As some of you would know, I am crazy with this Farmville. (though now I am not as addicted as I used to be).
I guess this may be one of the reasons for less blogging!

And I went to some new restaurants (as usual) I just love going to new places and trying out the food there
I went to Crimson Chakra (Adyar), Blur cafe (Satyam), Tandoori Tadka (T Nagar), Flamingo (Velachery), Centre Point (OMR).... etc
Guess, I should start writing reviews in a separate blog (haa haa)

And with this year coming to an end, I (again) been lamenting about how fast time flies... but every new year has another happiness tagged to it.. My Birthday in Jan... I am still crazy about my birthday... Dont know why... I still love the excitement attached to it.

Well, I guess enough of a "nothing-much-to-write-about" blog! Will try to post something "proper" next time. I said "try to" OK? :)

B Bye,
Prabha.

Perfect Morning...

2009-11-06T09:10:00.002+05:30

I, usually, get up by 6.30 AM... Yesterday night I decided to take a break and sleep for a bit longer

But I woke up at the usual time... There was nothing much to be done at home at this time... The rain had made me lazy...:)
I made a nice cup of tea... took some biscuits... and settled in my balcony... spent about half an hour gazing at the raindrops... enjoying every bit of it!

Rain + Tea + Biscuits... Wah! kya combintion hai...

Diwali = FUN!

2009-10-16T09:18:00.003+05:30

I really enjoy this time of the year...
Diwali, to me, is lots of shopping, making sweets, meeting friends & relatives and having lots of fun.
So, my Diwali shopping started with a designer Saree followed by shopping for my parents, in laws and Prabu.
Didn't buy many crackers this year... just some sparklers, flower pot and ground wheel.
I distributed Diwali sweets in my colony a bit early this year... It was so nice to meet so many people... I made couple of good friends in the process! :)

And today I will be making one sweet and one other snack. Will post on that after successful completion of the task...

Am waiting for tomorrow as I ll be going to my cousins place for a biiiiig family get together and after visiting some more relatives, will be back home for Diwali celebrations.

Do write about your pre Diwali and Diwali experiences!

Have a happy and safe diwali...
my friends who know tamil, click here!

Movie season!

2009-09-28T20:10:00.003+05:30

Well, looks like it s raining movies here!

I saw two more ... Ninaithale inikkum and Unnaipol Ourvan (UPO)...

The first one was ok... not very impressive. But it was definitely ok after Kandasamy.
Only the last fifteen minutes of the first half were gripping, which made us stay till the end (we had planned to walk out in the interval). The songs are catchy. I liked Shakti's character and his performance. Could not accept Prithviraj as a college student (even though it was final year).
Overall... Not bad

UPO was good one... Had just seen "A wednesday" last week... So, no big suspense factor. But for the "K" factor (you know, the usual "peter" stuff from Kamal),the movie was nice with neat performances by all. Thouroughly enjoyed the movie as it was short and sweet... just for 2 hrs.
I guess a detailed review will spoil the "suspense" element, if you have not seen the movie... So, I will stop with this :)

Ok... I will take a break from my movie reviews in my next post.
:)

Kandasamy.. Nondhasamy... Venthasamy

2009-09-16T14:39:00.003+05:30

Ya... you must have guessed from the title... I DIDNT like the movie...

Heard from some people that the movie is sick.. but didnt have much choice as we wanted to go for "some" movie.. this was the only one available (well, atleast THAT should have made me think!)

Let me first list down what all I didnt like in the movie (though the other way would be shorter!)
1. This is about a "super hero"... He sings, dances, and "cock-a-doodle-do"s before hitting the bad guy
2. The heroine is the villian s daughter (no points for guessing this) who hardly wears anything... She really spoilt the songs and some scenes because of her dresses , voice (which didnt suit her at all) and her bad lip sync.
3. The songs were a big disappointment... I liked the audio of some of them ... the visuals were sick...also, the dance for "Allegra" was pathetic...
4. The plot itself is a big minus... Though the director claims that the story was written before Anniyan...we cant help feeling that we are watching a "jugalbandi" of all (or most of) Shankar s movies. There is nothing new..
5. The length of the movie... the second half just keeps going on and on and on and on...
6. Though the script didnt have anything very interesting, the first half was tolerable... in the second half of the story, the director seemed to be lost. He brought in himself as an "important" character and bugged us to death...
7. Everyone in the movie... (except Prabu and the villian) is helping the hero... very bugging beyond a point...
8. Vadivelu's comedy... very pathetic.

Ok... stop calling me a pessimist... I also liked somethings in the movie..
1. Songs (but not all..just 3... there s this song dedicated for PIZZA... how cool na?grrrrr !!!!)
2. Music
3. Background score
aaaaaa ok... ya, I mean in other words... Music only.

I know this is a high budget movie made with a good intention... adopting villages stuff. They could have adopted some more villages if they didnt waste so much money on this movie

If you have seen this movie, hope you will understand my feelings (sob!)
If you are going to watch it... dont tell me I didnt warn you.

Keep smiling :)

It s my life!

2009-08-25T10:50:00.002+05:30

Ever noticed how priorities keep changing for all of us?

I have noticed that...

Well, when I was in school, I had no priorities.... probably, I didnt think much.... used to live life "Just like that"... no tension... no worries... My friends J & B will know ... It was FUN.

In college, things started changing... esp in the 3rd and 4th year... exams... placements... etc etc

End of college, when my parents started the Great Groom Search (ok... I AM exaggerating), things started changing again... Who, where, what , how etc etc.

The D Day came soon when I met Prabu... Liked his family so much... And when we were talking.... Took a glance at him....ya, maybe, that s him!!! And so it was....

Since then my life has been revolving around him...

So many changes... But life is just getting better each time...(of course with its roller coaster ups and downs).

But over all, when I take a look at my life...I feel that everything s for good... I have always wanted to be in a family like this... and I feel sometimes, that I have always got more than what I wanted / asked for....

Maybe that s why (and that s when), God gave me a push...
probably to remind myself that Life is a mixture of everything...
probably to make me understand how strong I am...
probably for making me understand how nice and supportive people are around me...
whatever, I still have no regrets... I still am happy to be where I am... God has His own plans for me... I will accept whatever He gives... Smiling as always... :)
Because when He gave me good things (more than I expected), I never complained... So, now, when He s showing me the other side, I think it is my duty to accept this also.
What say friends? :)

Nothing Much to say....

2009-08-20T15:21:00.004+05:30

Dont ask me why I am blogging when I have nothing much to say....

Blogging has always been like a vent... a place for me to write about my feelings... But I have never blogged about my problems... and I dont want to write about negative stuff in my life...

But this month has been very bad... so bad that words just fail to fall in place.

I just want to say that may God give us all enough strength to face the problems... however big they may be.

I was not blogging for sometime because I was feeling shattered and hopeless. It has taken some time for me to be myself... I have not recovered completely.

Ya, I know... things will be better soon.... Dont worry.... etc etc... Cos I ve been listening to lots of advises...

I guess I will be fine in about a month or so....

God bless everyone.

New York!

2009-07-24T19:07:00.002+05:30

Saw this movie last week.

I expected a romantic comedy stuff... as I had not read any reviews... But this one was totally different.

A view of 9/11.. A totally different view of the tragedy.

The movie was very serious... with some timing comedy from Irfan (needless to say... great perfomance).
The characterisation was good. Neil fit the bill of an innocent, goody goody person.
John also lives as his character of a fighter / bully. But I felt Katrina Kaif was looking very old.. esp in the college track.

The story begins with an innocent Neil, being trapped by FBI. While we are wondering... "what s happening???", the story moves to the flashback... to the college days of these 3 people... and the friendship btwn them...

Just after Neil proposes to Katrina,there comes the attack of 9/11... and our hero, Neil, who realises that Katrina loves John, leaves their lives...

The flashback ends here.

Now, the FBI suspects John to be a terrorist... and they want Neil to help them for this.

The story then follows lots of twist and turns... With a "not-so-happy" ending.

The songs just come as a part of the movie... they are not shot separately in exotic locales, but just come along with the story... This is a good relief!

The picturisation is lovely...

Overall, Nice movie!

Tamil blog

2009-07-16T11:00:00.002+05:30

Hi friends...

Have created a Tamil blog address...
http://prabhavinpathivu.blogspot.com/

Thanks for the idea Sam... :)

Q n A. Chain Blog - English Version.

2009-07-15T14:15:00.005+05:30

Got this from my friend SAM...

Here s my attempt...

This is a very rough translation for some of my friends who cant read Tamil (Ash and Vix).
:)

1. What s the reason behind your name? Do you like it?
My mom told me... Prabha means light from the Sun. I was born in the evening, when the sunlight is very beautiful.
And after I met my life partner, I started to like my name more.. cos his name is almost the same. (Prabakar).

2. When was the last time you cried?
I used to cry very frequently. But have changed nowadays. Don't remember when I cried last.

3. Do you like your handwriting?
Well, to some extent.

4. Fav lunch?
Chappati

5. Do you make new friends?
Depends on how they are... I like talking to people and making friends...

6. Which one do you like... bathing in sea or falls?
None

7. When you look at a person for first time, what do you notice?
Eyes.

8. What do you like and dislike about yourself?
I like the way I try to be happy always.
I don't like (some of) my mokkais...(cant help it!)

9. What do you like and dislike about your spouse?

I like the way he treats me (he is very caring).
Nothing in particular that I dislike.

10. Whose presence do you miss?
Some friends...

11. What color dress are you wearing now?
Orange

12. Which song are you listening to now?
None

13. If you were a color pen, what color would you choose?
Yellow.

14. Fav smell?
Petrol, jasmine, rose, rain etc etc.

15. Why do you choose to read you fav blogs?
I read the blogs which are close to normal / natural stuff... Rather than poetry / fiction...
I prefer simple blogs ... just to the point, without much exaggeration...
Fav blogs.... Vicky, Sam, Jegu, Jaya, Betsy

16. Fav sport?
Cricket

17. Do you wear glasses?
No. Only contact lens.

18. What kind of movie do you like?
Nothing specific. Am a Kamal fan.

19. Which was the movie you saw recently?
Masilamani... Total junk.

20 Fav Season?
Nothing specific.

21. Which book are you reading now?
I read magazines

22. How often do you change your desktop pic?
Not very frequently.

23. Which sound do you like and dislike?
Like - Music... beats..
Dislike - Horn sounds

24. Which is the farthest place from your home where you have gone?
America

25. Any talent?
I Sing and dance to some extent
I cook well
Am good at making friends!

26. Things you cant digest?
Lots... about life

27. The devil in you?
Very angry

28. Fav tourist spot?
Venice

29.How do you like to be?
Juts want to be the same.

30. What do you like to do when your husband is not around?
Nothing specific. I don't like it when he s not near..

31. About life?
Song from Vaaranam Aayiram.. Anjaley...
It says life is like a Giant Wheel... with Ups and Downs...

தொடர் / சங்கிலி பதிவு

2009-07-14T11:19:00.006+05:30

என் நண்பர் சாம் எழுதிய பதிவு http://samuel-sammy.blogspot.com/2009/07/blog-post.html
அதன் தொடர் இதோ ...

1.உங்களுக்கு ஏன் இப்பெயர் வந்தது? உங்களுக்கு உங்க பெயர் பிடிக்குமா?

என் பெயர் மிகவும் பிடிக்கும். பெயர் காரணம் ... நான் பிறந்தது மாலை வேளையில். அப்போது சூரியனின் கதிர்கள் மிகவும் அழகாக இருக்கும்.பிரபா என்றால் சூரியனின் கதிர்கள் (அல்லது ஒளி ) என்று பொருள். இது அம்மா எனக்கு சொன்னது.

என் கணவரின் பெயரும் என் பெயரும் ஒரே மாதிரி இருப்பதால், இன்னும் பிடித்து போனது ! (அவர் பெயர் பிரபாகர்)

2.கடைசியாக அழுதது எப்போது..?
முன்பெல்லாம் ரொம்ப எளிதாக அழுபவள் , ஆனால் இப்போது மிகவும் குறைந்து விட்டது. கடைசியாக அழுதது ... நினைவில்லை

3.உங்களோட கையெழுத்து உஙகளுக்குப் பிடிக்குமா?
ஓரளவுக்கு

4.பிடித்த மதிய உணவு ?
சப்பாத்தி

5.நீங்கள் வேறுயாருடனாவது உங்களோட நட்பை உடனே வச்சுக்குவீங்களா?
அவர்கள் என்னுடன் பழகும் விதத்தை பொறுத்தது .

6.கடலில் குளிக்கப் பிடிக்குமா? அருவியில் குளிக்கப் பிடிக்குமா?
இரண்டும் பிடிக்காது

7.முதலில் ஒருவரைப் பார்க்கும் போது எதைக் கவனிப்பீர்கள்?
கண்கள். அதிலிருந்து அவர்களின் எண்ணம் ஓரளவிற்கு தெரிந்துவிடும்

8.உங்க கிட்ட உங்களுக்கு..பிடித்த விஷயம் என்ன..பிடிக்காத விஷயம் என்ன?
பிடித்த விஷயம்... எப்போவும் சந்தோஷமாக இருக்க முயற்சி செய்வேன்
பிடிக்காத விஷயம்..ரொம்ப ஓவர் மொக்கை போடுவது

9.உங்க சரிபாதி கிட்ட உங்களுக்கு பிடித்த,பிடிக்காத விஷயம்..
பிடித்தது, என்னிடம் அவர் பழகும் விதம். பிடிக்காதது என்று ஏதும் இல்லை.

10.யார் பக்கத்தில் இல்லாம இருக்கறதுக்கு வருந்துகிறீர்கள்?
சில நண்பர்கள்.

11.இதை எழுதும்போது என்ன வர்ணn உடை அணிந்துள்ளீர்கள்?
நீலம்

12.என்ன பாட்டு கேட்டுக் கொண்டிருக்கிறீங்க?
ஒன்றும் இல்லை

13.வர்ணப் பேனாவாக உங்களை மாற்றினால், என்ன நிறப் பேனாவாக மாற ஆசை?
மஞ்சள்

14.பிடித்த மணம்? petrol, மல்லிகை, மழை, ரோஜா, என்று நிறையா ...

15.நீங்க அழைக்க விரும்பும் பதிவரிடம்..உங்களுக்கு பிடித்த விஷயம்..அவரை அழைக்கக் காரணம்?

அவர் எழுதும் விதம். பதிவுகள் மிகவும் அறிவுபூர்வமாக இருப்பதை விட, சாதாரணமாய், ஒருவர் வாழ்க்கையில் நடப்பது, அவர்களின் விருப்பு வெறுப்புகள் பற்றி இருந்தால் பிடிக்கும். அதாவது, யதார்த்தம்.

மற்றபடி, கவிதை / கட்டுரைகளில் நாட்டம் இல்லை.

பிடித்த பதிவுகள் - விக்கி, சாம், ஜக்கு, ஜெயா, பெட்சி போன்றவர்கள்.

16. பிடித்த விளையாட்டு?...
கிரிக்கெட்

17. கண்ணாடி அணிபவரா?
இல்லை. contact lens.

18.எப்படிப்பட்ட திரைப்படம் பிடிக்கும்?...
குறிப்பாக ஒன்றும் இல்லை. கமல் ரசிகை.

19.கடைசியாக பார்த்த படம்?
மாசிலாமணி என்ற தலைவலி.

20.பிடித்த பருவ காலம் ?...
குறிப்பாக ஒன்றும் இல்லை

21.இப்போது படித்துக் கொண்டிருக்கும் புத்தகம்?
நாளிதழ்கள் மற்றும் வார இதழ்கள் தான் படிப்பேன்.

22.உங்க டெஸ்க் டாப்பில் இருக்கும் படத்தை எத்தனை நாளைக்கு ஒரு முறை மாற்றுவீர்கள்?
அடிக்கடி மாற்ற மாட்டேன். இப்போ இருப்பது ஒரு திருமணத்தில் எங்கள் இருவரை எடுத்த படம்.

23.பிடித்த சத்தம்? பிடிக்காத சத்தம்?
பிடித்த சத்தம்.... இசை...ஏதாவது ஒரு தாளம்... மேஜையில் அடிக்கடி தாளம் போடுவேன்.
பிடிக்காத சத்தம்..ஹோர்ன்

24. வீட்டை விட்டு நீங்கள் சென்ற அதிக தொலைவு?
அமெரிக்கா

25.உங்களுக்கு ஏதேனும் தனித்திறமை இருக்கிறதா?
சுமாராக பாடுவேன் ஆடுவேன்
நன்றாக சமைப்பேன்
மிக நன்றாக பேசுவேன் (சரி... இது கொஞ்சம் ஓவர்!!)

26.உங்களால் ஏற்றுக் கொள்ளமுடியா ஒரு விஷயம்..?
பல விஷயங்கள் ... வாழ்கையை பற்றி

27. உங்களுக்கு உள்ளே இருக்கும் சாத்தான்?
கோபம் அதிகம்

28.உங்களுக்குப் பிடித்த சுற்றுலாத் தலம்?
venice

29.எப்படிஇருக்கணும்னு ஆசை ??.
இப்படியே!

30. கணவன் இல்லாம செய்ய விரும்பும் காரியம் ?
அப்படி குறிப்பிட்டு ஒன்றும் இல்லை...அவர் இல்லாமல் இருப்பதற்கு விருப்பம் இல்லை.

31. வாழ்வு பற்றி ஒரு வரியில் சொல்லுங்க?
வாழ்க்கை ராட்டினம் தான் டா
தினம் சுத்துது ஜோரா
அது மேல கீழ மேல கீழ
காட்டுது தோடா.

இந்த "அஞ்சல" பாடல் வரிகள் மிகவும் பிடிக்கும்

Zest for fun!

2009-06-17T16:55:00.003+05:30

Hiiiiiiiiiii

I ve just returned after a 4 days stay in Zest resort at Pondicherry...

The stay was very nice... Really enjoyed the time we spent there...

Anyways, I will get back to blogging now... Just let me think... Is anything interesting cooking around me? Well, not a lot in my life... But I would say lot of things are "happening" for people around me... like about half a dozen people are pregnant and couple of people got married just now and couple of people are "looking" for marriage sometime this year.

Now, knowing about me (non stop nonsense type), I dont wonder that I have so many friends. Also, I have lots of cousins and the family tree (obviously) increased after wedding. So, no wonder I know so many people.

But frankly, I am not very close to many people... cos, I think some people are so busy with their life... they even find it difficult to reply to a mail that we sent long back.

Now, I certainly am very very "ego"ish in this aspect.
Like, when I put in something in a relationship / friendship, I expect atleast the same amount back...if not more!
Ya, I know I sound like a bad person. Cos we are not "supposed" to expect anything from friends. But that s me! I am not a person who will always be the first one to call you.. ya, may be once / twice ... but not all the time...

Me and my hubby often discuss about people... something strange or funny happening around us... I just happened to think... what would people think about me? From what people have told me I ve got totally different answers... here are some

Sensitive
Sensible
Insensible
Funny
Idiotic (yes... people HAVE told me that! LOL...)

And lot of people have told me "Before we became friends, I thought you had a lot of "head-weight"... But once we became friends, I changed my opinion"

Well, imagine if we all had a website or something where we could see what this person thinks about me... Would be so cool na!

Anyways, I m always trying to improve from what I ve been... I take a look at people around me and try to follow things that I like about them... I guess that is personality development for me...

And... what would I like to change in myself?

Hmmmmm

I laugh at tiniest of jokes... Sometimes, it is very embarassing (my sister has experienced it a lot) So, I would like to control it.
I am very very sensitive. Trust me, I am the most sensitive person I have ever seen!
I expect a lot from people who are close to me.

Cant think of more at the moment... I am sure there are some more things left out...

Do share your thoughts on this :)

And ya.. I will share my positive side (ahhhhem.. cough cough) in my next post

Till then

B Bye...

IPL T20

2009-05-05T13:06:00.003+05:30

Recipe for IPL T20

Take a huge bowl full of money
Add a dash of glamour
Garnish with (chopped) cricket
Serve LIVE...

Anyways, last IPL season had our family glued in front of our TV and this time, we are not much interested... No idea why...

Whatever happens, It s all about MONEY HONEY!

Courses...

2009-04-27T11:04:00.006+05:30

Summer Camp... Seems to be the "happening thing".

Lot of newspaper ads/ articles ... lot of flyers about these courses...

I was just thinking how much money these people make in this 2 months period. :)

Some go for cheap and best option... Just one or two hours a day... Some "less investment stuff" like arts / craft / drawing... classes at their house....and they get good income...

For those couples who go to office, they prefer full day camp to keep their kid occupied (summer camp cum day care)... Obviously, due to double income, the cost of the camp is immaterial!

All this reminds me of the class that I went to... During my 11th std holidays...

My uncle told my mom about this 5 days (10 to 5) classes in Madras Management Association about personality development.

So, we (me and 2 of my friends... J & B), decided to go for this.

Those 5 days were really so nice... I mean, I used to think these "personality development" courses were just waste of time... But after this class, I could feel the difference... It made me a very very confident person.

We were divided into groups and had some contest everyday. I remember one, in which we had to do a play and the topic for our team was "Mental hospital on a full moon day". All of us scripted it and I was also one among the four patients. We had so much fun while acting and our play was judged the best. The funny part was, one of the judges pointed at me and told, "She acted so well, that we almost believed that she is a patient!"

Also, we had a public speaking contest in the final day....

FLASHBACK......................About a month before this, I had gone for a debate in my school (inter- house competition). The topic was something like "Men in kitchen and women at work." I had to talk against it and one of the teachers gave me the material to talk. It was so dumb... I had to talk something which someone else had written... I went to the mike. I started with the speech and after I completed one line, I could feel my heartbeat "Thump Thump" I stopped and was blinking at the crowd. Then I left the stage feeling bad. I had participated in lot of singing competitions and even won some of them. So, it was just not about stage fear. I had to talk from MY mind. Not what some teacher had written on the paper...

So, when I had to talk about "My favourite Heroine", I decided to do my best (as I remembered how bad I felt after my school competition). So, I chose to talk about Kiran Bedi, a person, whom I truly admire. I searched a lot about her and noted the information which made sense to me as the speech had to be small. Then I made a "Q" card (they had given the idea about this in class), with 5 / 6 headers. I spoke making eye contact with people and following other things they taught at the class.... I won the competition!

It was then that I realised, these classes DO make a difference. I mean, not just that one contest, this class made me a very confident person altogether!

Well, I dont know you found this post interesting, but just wanted to share some old memories...

Anyways, will try to blog more regularly!

:)

"Ad" world

2009-03-03T11:36:00.003+05:30

Saw the latest Airtel Ad?
The cute little boy calling up his dad from toy cellphone...
So cute... I like the last part when he jumps with joy!

It s nice to see such ads when there are a whole lot of stupid ones.

Another nice one is from Max New York Life Insurance. The boy walking on the platform yearning for a bike... the man in bike, for a girl and so on and the ad again comes to the first boy.

I cant think of many nice ads... There are so less.

I just hate the kurkure ads. They make no sense with punchlines like "konala irundhaalum yennodadhu"

Not to forget the "fairness creams" ads which show that people who are anything short of looking fair are just worthless... If you are fair, you can win a boy's heart, you can get a chance as a cricket commentator and voila, you can even win a dance competition.. Isn't the idea just marvellous??? Since when did fairness become a confidence booster?

And lots of ads which show kids as "over brilliant" and some which have cine stars just because they could afford it. (Remember, Big B in some cement ad where he sneezes and the walls fall?)

Well, Give me a break!! :)

Simple sabjis - Dal & a quick recipe!

2009-02-20T12:52:00.008+05:30

Dal

Requirements

Dal

Oil (about 1 and a half tsp)

Cumin Seeds (Jeera - 1 tsp)

One mediun size onion - chopped

One tomato - Chopped

One green chilly - slit

Turmeric powder (1/4 tsp)

chilly powder (1/2) tsp

Procedure

1. Soak any dal (toor dal / moong dal / gram dal) (in tamil...thuvaram paruppu / payaththam paruppu / kadalai paruppu) for 15 mts. For two people, 3/4 th cup of dal should be sufficient.

2.Heat Oil

3.Add cumin seeds.
When they change color, add onions and green chillies and Bring the heat to "sim".

4.Fry for 2 minutes and add Turmeric powder, chilly powder and salt

5. Fry for a minute and add tomatoes

6. Wait for 2 minutes till tomatoes are cooked and add dal. Cook in cooker for 2 whistles.

7. Finally, add chopped coriander and serve hot with rotis.

General Recipe

A standard gravy for north Indian side dishes which can be made very easily
(Roughly for two people)

oil ( 2 tsp)
cumin seeds
Onion - medium size 1 (made into paste)
Tomato - medium size 1 (made into paste)
turmeric powder(1/4 tsp)
chilly powder(1/2 tsp)
coriander powder (1 tsp)
Jeera powder ( 1/2 tsp)
Salt

Heat Oil
Add cumin Seeds
When they change color, add onion paste.
Fry for 2 minutes
Add turmeric powder , chilly powder, coriander powder and jeera powder
Fry for 1 minute
Add tomato paste and salt
Wait for 2 - 3 minutes. (time till the RAW smell of tomatoes goes off)

This is the basic gravy.
To this, we can add Potatoes and peas and call it aaloo mutter
add beans, carrot, potatoes, capsicum and call it mixed vegetable
Add potatoes and baby corn
And so on....

*You can either add these cut vegetables raw and put in cooker for 2 whistles or cook the vegetables separately (microwave / cooker) and then add to this gravy and bring to a boil.

**To bring some change in taste, you can always keep a stock of garam masala / sabji masala / kitchen king (from the brand EVEREST). Adding just 1/4 spoon of any of these masala s to the side dish as the last step while cooking will give different taste. Can use this for a change.

Finally, garnish with chopped coriander.

Hope this helps me friends who are learning to cook / trying to cook!
Happy cooking! :)

Temple trip... again!

2009-02-15T21:52:00.007+05:30

While the koftas ( I was talking about in the previous post) came out well, I just recollected the items I cooked this month..
Chutney wale aaloo
Veg kofta
Chinese noodles and veg manchurian (for the gravy I used knorr)
Shahi Paneer

I think I am becoming more and more confident of experimentation with cooking!
(I ll post the recipes shortly)

And here I m... Just reached home after a two day trip to our native and couple of other temples.
Well, always,the trip planning always starts with "just couple of" temples and we end up planning to see about half a dozen... which was the case again... And each temple has it s own story and own speciality.

But anyways, enjoyed every bit of it... Happened to see 2 new temples this time... One was just amazing.. It was in Mayiladudurai... Govindaraja Perumal Temple. The architecture of this temple was really superb... It was such a huge one.. But, like many temples here, not well maintained. Also, they have an idol of Lord krishna, which u can hold in hand and pray for whatever u want, while the priest will be doing some chanting.

Our first temple was Thiruvalliangudi...
It is believed that if we visit this temple, it is equivalent to have visited all the (108) divya desams. (This is a huge list of temples of Lord Vishnu which lot of people visit and keep marking off the list... )

Then we went to Tittai (Near Thanjavur). Here there are two temples... One for Lord Krishna and the other one for Lord Shiva (this place is Gurusthalam.. meaning one of the navagrahas). The Krishna temple has this special Lord Anjaneya to whom u can pray for something and write it in a paper and tie it in the temple along with a coconut... U should treasure the receipt number u get and come back after ur wish is fulfilled and remove the coconut followed by an "archana" to God.

Then, Uppiliappan Temple (near kumbakonam) is the "usual" temple. And this time it was more special because they had done a special pooja (Sambrokshanai) and it is supposed to be very good to visit this place within 48 days of this spl pooja. The unique thing here is the "prasadam" is made without salt. The reason is a story in which Lord Vishnu had to marry the Goddess who had taken the form of a small girl. The girl's father told the Lord that she does not even know how much salt to put while cooking, for which the Lord agreed to eat without salt.

Then we also went to Ragusthalam nearby. Here the special thing is "ragu kaala poojai" in which milk is poured over the deity during raagukaalam.

After taking rest in the night, we started our way in the morning and went to two temples...
One was Govindaraja Perumal Temple and the other one was kethu sthalam. In this Kethu sthalam (near poompukar), we can light 7 diyas and pray.

Had a hectic and nice and peaceful trip....

Oh! look at me... talking of cooking... and temples... Looks like I am growing old!
:)
I dont mind... cos I believe that we need to keep changing... for good :)

Bye,
Prabha

Chutney Wale Aaloo

2009-02-11T18:19:00.004+05:30

So, here I m back to display my ability to cook!

Ya, these 3 years have made me a (well, I shud not say expert) fairly decent cook... And here I m sharing one of my favourite Sabji.... Chutney Wale Aaloo... This is a nice change from the usual gravies that we make with onion and tomato

See, I dont take the ownership for inventing these.... Some are from books / websites and some passed on from mom / sis / MIL / SIL etc etc...

Word of caution...this is not for people who dont like the smell of pudina / coriander.

RECIPE

Serves 3 - 4 people

Requirements :

*Baby potatoes (say about 15 pieces ) - in case not available, can take equivalent amount of normal potatoes cut into small pieces.
Boiled and peeled.
* 2 medium sized onions - made into a paste (can add a bit of ginger to this)
*2 small tomatoes - cut into medium size pieces.
*2 tbsp curd - beaten well
*3 cashewnuts - soaked for 15 minutes and made into a paste
* Jeera (cumin) - 1 Tsp
*chilly powder - 1 Tsp
*Garam Masala - 1/2 Tsp
*Salt - as per taste
*Oil - About 4 Tbsp

For chutney
*Amchur powder (or raw mango powder) - 1/2 Tsp
*Sugar - 1/2 Tsp
*Fresh coriander (one measuring cup) - chopped
*Fresh Pudina (mint) leaves (half cup) - chopped
*Salt - 1/2 Tsp

Blend together into a paste and keep aside.

Procedure

1. Heat 3 Tbsp oil and add the boiled potatoes and cook. Keep aside

2. Heat 1 Tbsp Oil. Add Jeera and when they become brown, add the onion paste and cook for 2 - 3 minutes on low heat.

3. Add curd and cashew paste and cook for 1 - 2 minutes on low heat.

4. Add the green chutney and chilly powder. Cook till the mixture turns dry.

5. Add a cup of water and wait till it comes to boil.

6. Add the cooked potatoes an salt. Cook on low heat (uncovered) for about 5 minutes.

7. Add tomatoes and Garam Masala. Stir for 2 minutes.

IT IS DONE!

Serve hot with Phulka!

Well, I am experimenting with Kofta today... Will post the recipe, if it turns out well!

Bye,

Prabha

Satyam????

2009-01-08T11:44:00.003+05:30

Most of you must have read / heard about what all is happening.

Imagine... the big numbers he is talking about... How did he have courage to take up all this? His letter is just terrific. Talking about such things so casually.

Just see this

"The gap in the balance sheet has arisen purely on account of inflated profits over a period of last several years "

"What started as a marginal gap between actual operating profit and the one reflected in the books of accounts continued to grow over the years. It has attained unmanageable proportions as the size of the company operations grew significantly "

"That in the last two years a net amount of Rs 1,230 crore was arranged to Satyam (not reflected in the books of Satyam) to keep the operations going by resorting to pledging all the promoter shares and raising funds from know sources by giving all kinds of assurances"

And everyone's favourite
"It was like riding a tiger, not knowing how to get off without being eaten. "

Giving a wrong figure of some crores in Deposit and then taking account of interest on these deposits which don't exist. Oh! How could he do so much?

Talk about guts!

Pity people who are affected cos of trusting a company which existed for over 2 decades and is the top 4 IT company with such a huge workforce.

Like the comedian Vadivelu says, "Puthusu puthusa yosikkaraanga..."

Happy new year!

2008-12-31T16:18:00.001+05:30

Happy 2009 friends!

May all your dreams and wishes come true this year.

Keep smiling,

Prabha

Reality shows... Really??

2008-12-16T10:22:00.004+05:30

I don't understand the whole point in calling these shows "reality". How much is the reality in these shows is a big big question.

But I should mention that there are some programs which are "talent" shows.

First about the good ones (only in Tamil channels)

Jaya TV s “Yennodu paatu paadungal”
This SPB s show is my fav. Neat one. No exaggerations. The way SPB gives his comments is also nice. This one is a show which, for a change, has lot of reality and almost zero nonsense.

Vijay TV s “kalakka povathu yaaru”
This show was very nice, bringing in good talented people (most of whom moved to other channels later). But what I didn’t like was these small kids who are brought to this show. It s really sad. These kids are made to over act and over react. But for that, it is a good one.

Vijay TV s “Ungalil yaar aduththa Prabu Deva”
I happened to watch this very recently. Though this has got inspired from other shows for creating some “drama” on the sets now and then, some people dance really well. Esp. compared to other dance shows where people just show off their chemistry and keep showing off their horrible “figures” wearing stupid clothes. (Atleast they can look into the mirror before wearing revealing clothes )

The list of dumb, idiotic reality shows is a big one… to mention a few…
Sun TV s “Jodi Porutham”
This tops the list of shows that I hate. I can’t even see the ad for this one. Real life couples come on this show and they hug / kiss each other. And trust me, this keeps improving as each week passes… If everything can be done in public, what is privacy? I know, these thoughts are very conservative . But this is how lots of people in TamilNadu are and how can you telecast such rubbish? Talk about people who are doing this… just to win some cash and jewellery. Ah!

Sun TV s “Asaththa Povathu Yaaru”
Vetti show! People come on stage (but for a rare one or two) and do crap… No, you cant laugh at such horrible things… like a guy dressing up as a girl(with cheap make up and pathetic costume) and dancing.

Vijay TV s “Jodi No 1”
Heights of Drama… lots of sleezy moves and revealing costumes and cheeky comments and (obviously) tears and tears !!!

Vijay TV s “Super Singer”
This show has good talent. But sometimes, the dramatization is just too much… esp in the initial rounds, people crying and shouting … was just not tolerable. But if they cut the crap, the talent is really nice.

Well, that is all for now...
:)

My karthigai! :)

2008-12-12T11:36:00.010+05:30

HAPPY KARTHIGAI!

And this is how my day went on while celebrating karthigai all on my own.

I made more kozhambu (with "pakodi" thaan), beans paruppusili, lemon rasam, tomato pachadi, cucumber salad and ulundhu vadai.

My first venture with making special items :). It went on well, except for some "flop shows" now and then... But at the end, I was happy with the result!

I would rate vadai to be (s)/(b)addest thing of all.... as I m no expert in this line! But paruppusili was nice... as I ve made it many times now.

And in the evening, my venture with appam started. The only trick here is to get the correct "padam" (consistency), which I didnt know!

So, I started making appams which came like boondis... Just as I was about to give up after 4-5 attempts, I thought, let me give it one last try and Here! I got it... was so happy. Made about 15 appams. Then had to light diyas and pray God for a "bright" future and then the best part of it! eating those appams... Frankly yaar, not bad...:)

Overall, this was an eventful karthigai. :)

Vaaranam aayiram - songs...

2008-12-10T19:08:00.003+05:30

The songs are really nice and refreshing... lyrics by one of my fav lyricist, Thamarai.

Lot of songs have a beautiful tune (by Harris J)

lyrics in "Anjale" song r very very nice

Music & lyrics in "mundhinam paartheney" r lovely... and not to forget "adiye kolluthey" (guitar is just awesome)

"Nenjukkul..." is hummable and soft one

I keep humming these tunes throughout the day... very cute ones! :)

These do help me to relax and enjoy great music!

I am scared!

2008-12-04T08:41:00.005+05:30

I am scared!
If it can happen in Mumbai, why not in my place?
Yesterday when I was coming back in train, I was thinking..."what if people are waiting in the station with guns?" Cant help it. It can happen.

After Mumbai attacks, fear rules everywhere.

Corruption has led us here. Corrupt people and people who think intelligence reports are waste have led us here.

But the politicians are very careful about their safety. They just make sure that even their nails are well protected... and common people, forget them, we need them just during the elections.

I remember, I was once walking on the LB road in adyar. I was walking on a platform after coming out of a shop. The policeman nearby suddenly stopped me and asked me to be right where I was. I didnt understand. Hello! I am just walking. Then I noticed that the CM was going to come near this place.

You allow terrorists(not to forget their AK 47 and Hand grenades) inside the country and you stop a common man from walking on the road. Salute your bravery sir!

I know it is not an easy joke to control terrorism. But what are we doing? More than the policemen, these politicians irritate me. They are hardly bothered. Something like this happens, these people just go and resign. What an awesome solution to the problem.

Sick! Absolutely sick.

Well, end of the day, it is our safety that matters to us and their safety to them!

MERA BHARAT MAHAN
YAHAN KE POLITICIANS - EK DUM NAAKAAM!

Yeh hai Mumbai meri jaan...

2008-12-01T12:38:00.004+05:30

Got reminded of the song...
"Ae Dil Hai Mushkil Jeena Yahan
Zara Hatke zara bachke, yeh hai Mumbai meri Jaan"
(roughly translated it means - It is tough to live here in Mumbai)

Salute to the brave hearts in Mumbai and tribute to those who gave their lives to save people.

What shocks me is just the "HOW" about this incident.
I mean what went wrong with the system? HOW could this happen in our country?

Let's search for answers for this...

Will blog more about this in my next post.

LIKE.NO.OTHER

2008-11-27T09:51:00.006+05:30

It s a SONY!

We have (finally) bought an LCD!
This had been under discussion for about more than a year... and here comes the most awaited thing! :)

Bought a V Series Bravia - 32 inches from E Zone.
And this blog is not to brag about my new TV , but about how tough buying a TV was.

We heard about this new shop called E Zone (in OMR) and went to see LCD and since it had been a long time after we had decided to buy, we were confident about booking it the same day.
So, on 9th, we zeroed on this TV (after much confusion about Samsung / Sony) and booked it.
We were told the delivery will be made on 11th. And we left the showroom.

12th Nov - TV not arrived yet! So, we call the store people and they say "we ll give it in half an hour" about 5 times in the same day

13th Nov - We go to the showroom and ask about the status. Someone notes down our address in a bit paper and we are assured about delivery in couple of days

15th Nov - Still no TV, we call up the manager and shout at him. One hour later we get a call and a person asks for our address. (probably to note down on a bit paper)

16th Nov - Again, we go to the store and 4 people surround us and calm us down, again assuring the delivery in a couple of days.

18th Nov - GOT IT !

19th Nov - Now... the installation. We are told it ll be done on 19th Night before 10 PM. As expected, no one turned up

20th Nov - We go to the store and complain, the manager assures of installation in couple of days.

21st Nov - We get a call, asking for our address (again!) well... We go to the store and ask them the status, we find our address written in the book three times with different names (OMG!!!!)

22nd Nov - A person calls our mobile and says "Sir, Can I have your contact number?". We say, "well, it is the same number that you have called". He says "Ok sir, Thank you very much"

what more can i say about their efficiency

23rd Nov - THE TV IS INSTALLED!

Well, blame it on the shop which was opened recently or their inefficient system or the managers with zero commitment or the other staff (who were least bothered) , this experience was truly "LIKE.NO.OTHER"

நானும் - மின்சார ரயில் பயணமும்

2008-11-13T12:49:00.007+05:30

நான் மின்சார தினமும் பார்க்கும் சில காட்சிகள்
இது கதையும் இல்லை, கவிதையும் இல்லை ...

நான் போகும் மின்சார ரயிலில் தான் எத்தனை விதமான மனிதர்கள்
அவ்வளவு கூட்டத்திலும் தனக்கென்று ஒரு அடையாளம் தேடும் மனிதர்கள்
ஒரு மாலை வேளையில், நான் கவனித்த சிலர் பற்றி ஒரு தொகுப்பு

பயணம் செய்யும் நேரம் வீணடிக்காமல் செய்தித்தாள் படிக்கும் சிலர்
நேரம் வீணானாலும் ஆகட்டும் என்று வேடிக்கை பார்க்கும் சிலர்
கல்லூரியில் நடந்த சண்டையை பற்றி தோழிகளுடன் பேசும் சிலர்
குடும்பத்தில் உள்ள பிரச்சனைகள் பற்றி நண்பர்களோடு பகிர்ந்துகொள்ளும் சிலர்

உள்ளே இடம் இருந்தும் கதவு அருகே தொங்கும் சிலர்
தன்னிடம் இருக்கும் கைபேசியில் ஊரறிய கத்தும் சிலர்
"இன்று இரவு வீட்டில் என்ன சமையல்" என யோசிக்கும் சிலர்
தன் குழந்தை பள்ளி முடிந்து வீடு வந்து விட்டதா என கவலையோடு சிலர்

நாளை எப்படி இருக்கும் என கவலையோடு போகும் தின கூலிகள் சிலர்
தன்னிடம் உள்ள "சமோசா"வினை கூவி கூவி விற்கும் சிலர்
"அந்த காலத்துல ..." என்று தொடங்கி பழங்கதை பேசும் சிலர்
பெண்களை பார்த்து "சைட்" அடிப்பதற்கென்றே வரும் சிலர்

இவற்றை தவிர, நான் கவனித்த சில விஷயங்கள்
* ரயிலில் இருக்கும் மின் விசிறி சுற்றாவிட்டால், தன் பேனா அல்லது தன் சீப்பால் அதை சுழற்ற முயற்சி செய்து, முடிவில் நொந்து போகும் "ஆபிசர்கள்"
* ரயிலில் இருக்கும் அந்த மின் விளக்கை கூண்டுக்குள் அடைத்து வைத்திருக்கிறார்கள். அவ்வளவு நம்பிக்கை மக்கள் மீது !
* சில தாத்தாகளை புரிந்துகொள்ளவே முடியவில்லை. இருக்குற வயசுலே சும்மா இல்லாம கதவு கிட்டே நிக்க வேண்டியது. ஒரு பொண்ணு, அவரோட பேத்தி வயசுலே இருந்தாலும், பார்த்தவுடன், சீப்பை எடுத்து தலையை சீவ வேண்டியது (தலையில் முடி இருக்காது- அது வேறு விஷயம்) ... என்ன கொடுமை சார் இது?

PERGOLA!

2008-11-10T11:28:00.002+05:30

Ya, again, I went to a restaurant.

People who know me well, will also know my addiction towards hotels and experimenting with new hotels.

This time, on my 3rd wedding anniversary, I had a surprise as I was taken to a hotel, where I've always wanted to go. PERGOLA! Though I have been to The Accord Metropolitan, the roof top was a new place.

The place had a great ambience... the lighting and the interiors were very nice. The view was just excellent and the light breeze just added to the "perfect roof top dinner" atmosphere.

I didn't expect the food to be great and so it was... Very moderate. I had ordered a veg kabab platter.(They had some kabab festival there) The starters were not upto the mark. The main course that followed was more than what I expected. The biriyani was yummy and so were the 3 side dishes. The dessert was baaaaaad. But anyways, in such hotels, I ve never found food to be great. (See, if u want good food then u should go to places like Palimar, Mouthful, Sandeepa, Dhaba Express, Wangs Kitchen, Cascade etc. etc.) So, the dinner was overall very nice and enjoyable. The place was so nice that we spent about 2 hours there (inspite of the fact that food was not good !!)

Something called "Aegan"

2008-11-01T09:29:00.004+05:30

See, we didn't do this intentionally. We just happened to go for this movie AEGAN...And then started the sad story. The director seems to have got confused... like to be or not to be... "to copy Main Hoon Na(MHN) or not to copy MHN".

The movie starts with something different than MHN... but don't ask me what. The starting 15 minutes are totally dumb. Then, someone realises that "Oh! this movie should be a remake of MHN" and then comes the remake part of Ajith as student. Then they must have felt. "Oh ok, enough of MHN, let us do some original stuff". So, some college scenes are shown, which seem to have NO relevance. And after sometime, again "ok, now, let's copy MHN". then comes Nayantara in Sush's character... Then, again realisation to stay away from MHN, so some illogical stuff again.... and so on and so forth.... this process continues till the end... So, u can imagine how we must have felt.

I just don't understand...what is happening???
1) When u think the movie is going to end, Suhasini drops in from Nowhere... just for sentimental reasons.
2) BILLA Hangover continues.... not only for Ajith (he s looking good in this movie) but for the villain and all his subordinates... Wearing coat suit and sun glasses all the time. Sick!
3) The villain Suman was looking very very unnatural. His hair(style) was bad!
4) The guy with villain (Sreeman, i think) ... was he trying to be a comedian or villain.??!??
5) What was Navdeep doing in the movie? His performance in Arindhum Ariyaamalum was nice and here he was totally wasted. He was there only because someone had to fell the role from MHN
6) Pia is nice and bubbly... But too full of emotions, esp when she cries. She looks good when she smiles and that is all about her.
7) Jayaram and Sathyan, two of my fav. comedians had nothing to do in the movie, other than cracking some jokes(which were not JOKES!) and TRYING HARD to be funny... all in vain.
8) Songs are a big minus... nothing even hummable. The title song is a big big mess.

Final Verdict : Don't u dare watch this.

Sashtiapthapoorthi

2008-10-19T21:03:00.005+05:30

So, it all started with the preparation for my dad's Sashtiapthapoorthi... (For those who ve never heard this term before, it s the celebration of 60th Birthday).

Since this is so similar to the usual weddings, it had all the fun & hectic elements of shopping, meeting people, distribution of gifts, arranging for the mandapam, cook, vaathiyaar etc. etc.

The previous day was what I was waiting for as I had been asked to arrange for cultural programs... So, I brought some of my talented cousins on stage and it was amazing to note how some of them performed... Mr. K was amazing with his mimicry and dance! Then we had dinner followed by Tambola... Then my cousin Ms.P started off with her Mehendi talents...

After a very very minimal sleep for 4 hours, the next day started off.

Then we had the rituals that are followed for wedding.

Then a wonderful lunch and then... pack up!

The whole event was so much fun! Some of the relatives had come home before the function. It was just great to meet people after a long time!!

After this, we had a temple trip to our native. The whole thing was very nice... but very tiring too!! Then, one day, we had a Cousins' getogether... Details follow in the some other post later...:)

A li'l bit of this... & a bit of that

2008-08-20T20:53:00.004+05:30

First about the occasion... It was a family getogether and i became very close to a whole bunch of people! Time passed so soon and before I knew, I was back... with the usual routine...
The next weekend was with my school friends... we had tons and tons of things to catch up! and as usual, pulling J's leg and chatting with Bets after ages! It was such a memorable day!
And then... here I was surfing the TV channels... as I had a break before making Rotis for dinner.... I watched a soap on Sony TV... In 5 minutes ( no exaggeration) the following things happened with the "Heroine" of the serial...
1. Her husband had a fight with her and left her.
2. Her Father in law was scolding her.
3. Her son was about to be murdered.
4. Her daughter was kidnapped.
Oh oh! How much can this poor lady take? And so, there were load of close up shots and slow music and lots and lots of tears.
Do these people think women HAVE to get all the sorrows in the world???
I could just not tolerate it! Cant understand how these serials become a HIT!
Bye for now...

Occasions...!

2008-08-12T21:24:00.002+05:30

Time for another Family Get together...
I enjoy this part of life... With so many relatives around me, there s always something or the other happening here!
It s so nice to meet all the relatives and esp. if we get along well with them.
This time it was so so so much fun that I got exhausted... never felt like leaving the place.
Will write in detail in my next post.
See ya!

Life... As I see it

2008-08-06T20:18:00.006+05:30

I never used to believe that life is all about how we look at it... until recently.

Couple of months back, my mood was OFF and I started get bored of everything. And everything seemed to be a irritating... Right from traveling to office to coming home and making / having dinner... everything seemed so monotonous and boring that I got bugged (obviously!)

So after sometime, when my frustration was at its peak, I looked at my past few days and realised...that THIS is not the real ME. Ya, I was just not being myself and then I started to put an effort to bring back the real ME.

So, I started to observe things happening around me and started thinking how funny things can be... Something like... Listening to conversations (http://worldofprabha.blogspot.com/2008/05/wah-kya-analysis-hai.html) and observing people.
Here, I would like to mention about a conversation I heard between two ladies ( From what they were talking, I think they were working as English teachers in some school.
(Listen, I dont do evesdropping, but they were talking aloud sitting next to me... So, could not help it!)
Their conversation had such a bad standard of English... I was shocked.
"U got it aaah"
"They came aaah"
So on and so forth!
Imagine what kind of English they ll be teaching in classes... Hopeless!
And I met a girl who was dressed and behaving like a PETER... when she started talking in English, again, the same hopeless stuff .. "I sawed" (she meant "saw") "I cutted" etc etc...
So, coming back to the topic, (finally!!) I realised how much fun I was missing...
It s so simple, if nothing special happens that day, I ll just imagine the lady sitting next to me in train with a moustache and this will be enough to make me laugh! (OK... I know this doesnt sound funny, but just try this with strangers and you'll know!)
And like SRK says in Om Shanti Om... "Happys Endings!"
NOTE : For those who are reading this line... Thanks... You seem to have lots of patience :). Cos I know this one has lot of "mokkais". Anyways, Keep it up!! Hee haa haa...

Kangal Irandaal!

2008-08-06T20:15:00.002+05:30

This is my latest favourite song. From the movie Subramaniyapuram...
The song is so mesmerising... Nice lyrics and catchy tone. If you know Tamil, try listening to this!
I feel this song resembles "Then merku paruva kaatru...", still I enjoyed it! :)

Rain Rain... Dont go away!

2008-07-27T19:45:00.001+05:30

Today evening, when it was drizzling, I just peeped out of the balcony and was thinking ... "Wish I could get wet in the rain. It s been really long!" But then, it ll be so kiddish if I go down just to get drenched!
So, after sometime, I HAD to go outside. But it stopped raining by then. So, I went to the shop. I just started from the shop and guess what... It was pouring ! Rain... and I had to walk ten minutes to go home! So, my dream came true! And I came back and had a hot hot cup of tea!
It was so nice... I never thought I ll enjoy this sooooooooo much!
A memorable evening ! Well, to be frank, another memorable evening!

Bye for now!

Dasavathaaram... again!

2008-07-21T12:29:00.003+05:30

Hi,
So, here s my long pending post of a fuuuuul review..
As I said before...This movie is a showcase of Kamal's intelligence / talent .
But I observed some points when I watched this for the second time.

1) Asin was IRRITATING this time. I just could not stand her voice ... shouting PERUMAALE PERUMAALE.

2) The character of Andaal was portrayed as a very selfish one.
(i) For instance, when Fletcher shot Avatar Singh, she was not even bothered about anything other than the Idol... she took it and ran away.
(ii) Also, when Khalifulla khan s mother was being admitted in hospital, she was bothered about the blood stains in her dress.
(iii) Though Govind has told her many times that Fletcher is a bad guy, she fails to understand that and helps him to go in search of Govind.(in the hospital)
(iv) She s shown to be toooo much conscious about the cast of people ... always talking about this looked bad.
I guess Kamal did all this for 2 reasons. One...to show him as a great character... a very good person and Two, his bad opinion about pious / religious people.

3) Kamal is extra ordinary in dubbing... Notice the places where 2 /3 Kamal(s) talk... His voice modulation is very nice

4) Note the scenes when Asin does not give the Idol to Govind... I felt so bugged... why could he just not slap on her face and get the idol back? But (may be) it was their "poorva jenma" (previous birth) connection!

5) Balram Baidu is just too Hilarious... Could not help laughing whenever he comes on the screen!

6) Kamal should have avoided the scenes in which Jayalalitha and Karunanidhi appeared. He could have just put anyone as a CM ( like other Tamil movies). Same to Manmohan Singh also.
There is so much time gap between Tsunami and Karunanidhi being the CM... If he would have avoided showing them, it would have been a lot better

7) Why did he make fun of Bush in the last scene by dancing on the stage? Here also, he could have been refered as a President, instead of Bush. In many scenes, this character was made very dumb (eg. "what is NaCl" and "If it is complicated, leave it.")

But all said and done, I feel like watching this movie again... It s not just a movie, it s an experience... I really like the screenplay and the whole package... We will always comment on any kind of movie... But I guess only Kamal can do this... who else can take a movie on such topics like butterfly effct / chaos theory?

I heard a lot of people didnt like the movie. But I dont understand why! On asking, I got explanations like... "The movie makes u think so much" "It s too Hi Fi" "It should have been like Sivaji.. with Masala and Timepass" well well well, its always an individuals' opinion and my opinion is This is a movie which has crossed the boundaries of usual Tamil Cinema... with Hero loves Heroine / Villian Opposes etc etc... This movie is a Class - this will always stand Unique!

Dasavatharam - THE movie

2008-06-25T12:06:00.002+05:30

A nice, gripping movie.

Not for people who want only "masala" and timepass...

It s KAMAL KAMAL and KAMAL everywhere!

Being a Kamal Fan, I was waiting to watch this one! and enjoyed every bit of it!

Going to see it for the second time this weekend!

Nothing much to review about it... (Hmmm, maybe I ll have lots to write after watching it for the second time... )

Some observations

- Make up was not upto mark for some characters eg. Paati and Fletcher

- Graphic goofups - Some scenes had too much of "Low quality" graphics Eg. Tsunami scenes

- Other than these things, everything is a plus... The screenplay is good. The story is interesting.

JUST GO FOR IT!

Will post after watching the movie for the second time!

Till then,

Bye :)

Real estate - Chennai

2008-06-21T22:04:00.003+05:30

Well,
Prices are going up up and away from our reach here in Chennai.
I dont know how long these things will last...
Lot of people are suffering cos of this... I ve read about a family struggling for a house for rent in Chennai. Their current landlord was asking them to leave the house as they got people who will give 10 thousand while this family was giving only 6 thousand. They are now having a tough time looking for a new house as the rental rates are just beyond their reach. (their income per month is 8,500). Imagine, family earning 8,500 is finding it difficult to find a place to stay... what about people earning less than that???
Life is so good when it is the usual. Get up in the morning, have breakfast, go to work, come back, have dinner and sleep.
While reading this article, I was thinking how much we have been blessed with. I mean, we dont have to worry about existence... we only think about how to live better.
Hope things change. No idea how this problem is going to be solved.
But I believe that "All bad things have an end"
Let s hope for a better tomorrow... :)

Hmmm... missing my Hex Friends

2008-05-30T19:48:00.002+05:30

My good friends.... leaving the town one by one...
First it was Asha... Hope n Desire!
Then Nisha, CSK, Srikant, Debas....
Now, such a small group is left behind! Me, Haseena, Sumi, Deepak and Vinu!
Will always treasure sweet memories of this gang!!
Miss u yaar(s)!!

:(

Wah ! Kya analysis hai!

2008-05-23T22:36:00.002+05:30

Have been observing some people talk over the phone.... this is how it goes.
1:Hello
2:Hey, what happened, I've been trying to talk to u... why s your number busy?
1: Oh had u called? but my number was not busy...
2: Is it? I kept on trying your number since.... about couple of hours.
1: hmmm i spoke to XYZ about an hour back
2: oh ok... then maybe I called u an hour back... I don't remember exactly.
So, u were talking to XYZ... how long?
1: well, may be for ten minutes
2: Then why didn't I get the line?
1: May be u dialed some other number
2: Not possible... I have stored the number... I even checked the call history (!!!amazing eh??)
and this conversation goes on for an hour and finally, no one knows why 2 called to talk to 1!!
PS: I did this analysis during my journey in train... Initially, I used to listen to FM radio during the 30 mts journey... but then I realised that I was missing lots of fun by not listening to these "interesting" things happening around me!! So, happy travelling!! Hee hee... :)

Friends....

2008-05-04T11:07:00.003+05:30

Friends... college friends... rings a bell?

This brings in my mind so many faces... half of which, I remember very vaguely.

Some of these faces, still bring a smile on my face.

I made such nice friends and I am really proud of my friends...

Pram... she had called up last week... She s one of my very very good friends... Though we are of opposite types... we still share such a nice friendship.

Pinky... We dont meet much, but talk to each other often now. She s very short and hot tempered but a very loving and caring person at heart. We had so much fun in college... even those short tea breaks, juice breaks... ice cream evenings...movies... so much fun!

Then my bus gang... Bhuvana, Suku, Manjari, Daya, J Suganya... had a whole lot of fun in van / bus/ whatever mode of transport... We still keep meeting and cracking stupid jokes (most of them by "ME"). I keep getting scolded and hit by all of them.

And the list just goes on ....

So many nice memories to be recollected. Ya, and I am so happy to have such nice friends!

Ciao,
Prabha

Yaaradi Nee Mohini

2008-04-17T21:51:00.005+05:30

If anyone you know is going for a tamil movie called"Yaaradi Nee Mohini", please ask them not to. I went for the movie and had a horrible headache for couple of days.

It s a biggggg bore...The story is just the usual... guy sees girl --> falls in love --> girl not interested. Reason??? She s engaged and (what a turning point) to the guy's best friend! And then what happens is a very gripping(hee hee)climax.(As if we dont know... obviously, the hero ought to win the girl's heart...So what if it s just the day before her wedding).

The suspense in the climax is completely lost as we know that Dhanush will marry Nayanthara for 2 good reasons

1. Tamil sentiment - should never marry another person when your heart is with someone else (PS - this rule applies ONLY for the heroines)

2.The hero s friend is Karthik kumar. Such people never get to marry the heroines when they play second hero ( remember...like vineet, abbas and lots of people who play "America maapillai" and this Karthikkumar too in "Alaipaayuthey").

Lots of serious scenes are made comical. Samples of some things which made this movie pathetic to the core. (Please note, i cant put in every bad thing in the movie... cos that s the whole script!)

1. Never knew that getting through GD and interview were so easy.You should watch how Dhanush passes through all therounds - nice imagination

2. Dhanush is a genius (suddenly). Initially, he is shown as a guy who s never passed any company's interview. And here he comes to SSI andfixes a bug which NO ONE could fix.How? By reading some books... cool na!!!???!!!

3. Our second hero - Mr. KK - His role is so stupid.He finds his fiance hugging his friend (C'mon, there was a thunder !!!) He just smiles and walks off... Very very dumb. The whole theatre was laughing at his character...

4. This character of a small girl who falls in love with Dhanush... irritating to the core... She had every bit of over acting... over reacting... which spoilt an already spoilt movie.

5. I expected some comedy from Dhanush + Karunas like some old movies... total disappointment.

6. Songs... eeeeeeeeks. No comments.

My Humble (final) verdict.

PLEASE STOP MAKING SUCH MOVIES. REMEMBER, PEOPLE WATCHING MOVIES HAVE BRAIN AND YA... THEY THINK!

Changes ...

2008-04-17T21:50:00.002+05:30

Hello...

Am enjoying my new mode of transport these days...Electric train.
From Tambaram to Kodambakkam... in just 30 mts. It s so nice. The only problem I had was the crowd. That got solved once I got a first class pass.

Hmmm... here starts summer. So, am travelling a bit earlier than usual to avoid the heat.

Life is just going great!

Rain Rain ... Dont go away!

2008-03-21T10:22:00.002+05:30

So nice today!

I m enjoying the rain here. It s pouring very heavily and I m having a hot cup of coffee in my balcony!
Have been yearning for this for so many days....

Just put the curtains for this house... looks more beautiful now!

Will post some snaps soon.

K.... I ll go and continue with my coffee and write a new post later today!

Bye for now...

I m back

2008-03-06T10:22:00.002+05:30

Too bad.... no posts for more than 2 months... shame!
Ok enough of scolding myself, let me get back to my work...
We just shifted to our new flat. Near Tambaram.
Getting used to the new place. (Just got the internet connected)
The apartment is nice. around 30 families must have shifted here out of 240 flats...
Am yet to make friends here. Everyone seems to be busy with their daily routine. So, have not got time to make friends yet....

Have started using trains for my daily transport. Nice experience so far.
Prabu finds it very easy to go to his office from here.
Let s see how things work out here.
Will update more later.
Ciao.
Prabha

Happy New Year!

2008-01-02T12:46:00.000+05:30

Happy 2008 friends.

May all (y)our wishes and dreams come true this year.

Keep smiling always!

Prabha.

Temple trip

2007-12-23T10:15:00.000+05:30

Hi,

Had gone to a short trip for some temples (hmm... must be about 6) in and around Kumbakonam.

Started from Chennai on Friday morning in Qualis... Had a nice journey. The road was decent, except for some small stretches. So much greenery... :)

We stayed in Uppili Appan Koil. The place is so nice. It s so refreshing to see such places. Felt like staying there for some more days... but had to get back soon. So, started our way back on Saturday morning, went to another temple on the way and reached home by evening...

I feel good after such break from routine. But for such trips, life is so predictable. Monday to Friday, same schedule. Weekends, get up late, have lunch and go out in the evening.

That's all... Things like this are such a great change.

Waiting for another trip next month. Destination not finalised yet. lets see...

Bye for now.

BILLA 2007

2007-12-18T22:35:00.000+05:30

It all started with the movie DON (Amitabh)... Then BILLA (Rajni) happened.

Then, one fine day, we had DON (SRK) and here comes BILLA(Ajith).

Whew! What a small world! Are people short of stories????

Anyways, my husband is a die hard "thala" fan. So, when we heard about Billa s remake, we bought a DVD of the old Billa. The old movie was good... with lots of twists in the story. But it was spoilt by overacting of some characters... I didnt enjoy the role done by Major Sundar Rajan and Thengai Srinivasan... Their over acting was just too much.

But overall, we enjoyed the movie. (cos we had the control to forward the songs - except title song and also the loooooooong fight scene).

We went for Billa 2007 day before yesterday night.

Very stylish one from VishnuVardhan. The costumes, the lights, the cars, the location... everything is good.

The movie is crisper than the old one as they ve cut Thengai Srinivasan s character. Unbelievably true... this character extended the story by about half an hour! Good decision on that. This one got over in abt 2 hours and 10 mts... unusual for a Tamil movie... :)

The director's wife (Anu vardhan) has done the costumes. Good job.

A very good entertainer. Go for this one yaar!

Vel

2007-12-03T11:24:00.000+05:30

Went for "VEL" yesterday night!

Was surprised yaar. The movie was actually good. After reading the reviews, I thought the movie is going to be a biiiiig bore, but then wanted to go for a movie very badly!! so, we had to go...

The story is fast moving and the screenplay is good. Just very nice.

Hmmm... songs r very usual, nothing impressive, but managable!

Nice time pass ... masala movie with lot of twist and turns.

Go and see it if u have time! Worth giving a try...

Dell Computer

2007-11-20T10:49:00.000+05:30

Hi,

We decided to upgrade the computer... and the discussion finally ended up in buying a new one.
We r looking to buy a Dell computer (mostly a laptop).
So, let s see how things work out!
Keeping fingers crossed!

Bye for now

My Culinary Skills!

2007-11-20T10:21:00.002+05:30

So, here I start blogging about how I learnt cooking and some simple dishes.
I will give a basic / beginners method.

I start with my fav. Veg Pulao.

This is a good one for lunch as the cooking is not very complex.
I generally don't like lot of masala in this.
People who like lot of vegetables, people who r health conscious will like this recipe.
Also, keep the oil, ghee level to minimum possible.

Requirements: (for 2 people)

1) A cup of rice (basmati is very good, but not compulsory)
2) Lots of vegetables (Onions, Potatoes, carrot, beans, peas, cauliflower. Some people also like to add panneer and capsicum) cut into same medium size. You decide the quantity.(I prefer about 2 cups of veggies)
3) 2 Green Chillies
4) Ghee / Oil
5) One Spoon Jeera
6) Spices as per your taste (I prefer adding some cloves for flavor)
7)Salt as per taste (hmmm generally, one t.spoon should do)

Process
1.Heat half a spoon of ghee and half a spoon of oil together (If you don't mind the fat, add only ghee, gives nice smell)
2.Add Jeera, cloves, Green Chillies.
3.Wait for a minute and then add onions.
4.Once the onions are transparent, add the other vegetables and mix for sometime. Add salt as per taste.
5.Then add rice to it and one and a half cups of hot water (depending on the rice)
6.Keep in the microwave for twenty minutes (open it after ten minutes and mix the rice)
Or use a normal cooker for 1 whistle and some settling time.
You can also mix everything in the pan and then put in the rice cooker.

7.You can add fried bread crumbs (as in soup) or soya chunks...

Onion Raitha goes well with this.

So, experiment with this and enjoyyyyyyyy.

Humble thoughts

2007-11-13T19:42:00.000+05:30

Hi,

Life seems to be busy these days. Had to go for a cousin's wedding and then came Diwali. So, didnt update my blog.

I have gone into philosophical mood these days.

Generally, I am a person who finds comedy in almost every thing (Ask my friends! there are numerous instances when almost nothing happened and I used to go on laughing for sometime!)

These days, I ve been thinking about lot of 'why' s.

Things are so strange.

I met my school mate the other day after years. And I got lost into my thoughts about my school.

I had a nice time in my school , though it was supposed to be a very very strict one. I enjoyed singing with my friends (in the school choir). The annual days, the sports days, days when I conducted the prayer, days when we rehearsed, days we had music classes, days I attended the leaders meeting... Now, I cherish all that. But when it all happened, it just seemed to be a routine. I was just waiting to come out of it and go to college.

Same thing happened in college. I remember chatting with my friends about how boring and "usual" life had become. But now, when I hear my college name, I feel sad that all the moments have just passed away.

But again, I think I should be happy that I have so many sweet memories that I will always cherish.

Chalo, enuff of philosophy now.
Will continue later...

Happy Diwali!

2007-11-06T12:19:00.000+05:30

Diwali and Shopping

2007-10-28T14:47:00.000+05:30

Yes! It s festive time !!!

You can always find that out from the "festive" face of T Nagar.
With lot of traffic diversions, lots of policemen and hundreds and hundreds of people around you, you will get the festive mood!

It s great fun to shop in T Nagar.
I know, it s tough to shop with a huuuuuuge crowd around, but this has it s own fun!
You get great variety at a very decent price. Ya, you don't get great customer service, but who s bothered? We always have shops which pamper us and charge us 3 or 4 times more. So, it s a different way of enjoying shopping!

And for those who are not fond of shopping in T Nagar, you are missing out some fun!

And for everyone... Happy Diwali Shopping!

My new job

2007-10-22T14:57:00.001+05:30

I recently joined my dad's office.
(He s into marketting business and needed some assistant.)
I was not happy with my IT job.
So, I quit my company last month and joined this new job.

Till now, it s been very interesting as I am learning lot of new things.
I do miss some things and I am very happy about some other things.
But overall, it seems to be on the positive side.

What I miss is not the job, but the company that I had. Friendly, nice people around me... My tea gang...

I am so happy after taking this decision.

My mind is so much free.
I have time to do some work which I have been yearning to do all these days.

For example, cleaning the house, making lunch for my hubby, getting involved more in the household activities....

All these things have always been in my mind. But it s only now that I am able to spend time on these.

Life is so much different right now, from what it was couple of months back.

But as they say, "Change is the only permanent thing in life!"
:)

Keep smiling!!

Traffic Diversion in T Nagar

2007-10-17T17:08:00.000+05:30

Lot of roads have been made "one way" in T Nagar.

The best part of it is a hoarding in T Nagar which is kept in the Vani Mahal junction.

Translated in English for people who ve not caught a glimpse of it.
"Vehicles heading for Panagal park from GN Chetty Road to go to Thirumalai Road take a left and go to Bazulla Road and take a left and go to North Usman road and take a left and reach Panagal Park"
There was a photo of this hoarding in a tamil newspaper with the following text (again - translated!)
"Shown above is a hoarding in T Nagar. Motorists can hardly understand what the message is and are getting confused after reading it. "

They could have put a map in that place with arrows to explain things. (or atleast they could have spilt the paragraph into two-three lines and tried to punctuate)
Lot of people who come to T Nagar may not (necessarily) know Thirumalai Road and Bazulla Road.

Thankfully, lot of policemen are standing to avoid any confusion.

Let us wait till these new flyovers are constructed and see if that solves the traffic congestion in T Nagar.

My Department, My friends and Me!

2007-10-17T16:50:00.000+05:30

So, I was having a nice time with my group when we were asked to start working.
I was fortunate to get a department with lot of good people around me.
I ve made so many friends here. And each friendship has a story behind it.

Sam, Ramesh, Subbu, Jegu, Muthu (Pls note the order doesn't have any significance!) were all "surprise" friends... I didnt ever think I ll be a good friend to these people! But before I left ISG, i had loads of memories about all these people. I think, I am very lucky to have met them.

Then, there are people of my batch, with different date of joining.
Ronee, Deepa, Divya... I enjoyed their company. We used to crack stupid jokes most of the time!

And some seniors... Keerthi , Akila, Mohan, Abishek, Thangaraj, Ganesh... They ve helped me a lot technically.They ve not only been with me all through the tough times I had in ISG, but have also been with me for many light moments!

In the batch which joined after us, I became very close to some of them...

Swathi and Senthil- My cubicle mates who ve had a tough time in listening to my mokkais.
The common thing about both of them look like they r very silent. But once they start talking, there s no stopping!
Jokes apart, I got very attached to these two! Am missing them a lot!

Then, Sinthu and Lavanya - Very good singers. I used to irritate Sinthu a lot by teasing her, by imitating here. The best thing about her is that she ll never take anything to heart. She will always keep smiling. and Lavanya is a very calm and composed person. She s fun loving and a very very humorous person.

Nithya - She s a very innocent and sweet girl. She s very very sincere and serious person!
Always, I ve seen lot of people crowding at her place. (for technical as well s non-technical discussions)

Me and my friends...Part 3

2007-10-16T11:39:00.000+05:30

Mr. S AKA reaperus maximus
He s a very very hard working and technical guy.
Even his jokes / mokkai s are logical or technical!!
He loves to put in his best in everything he does... even if it is just teasing people (the target is mostly H or A)
He has helped many people in our office to solve their technical problems!

Ms. S AKA "Loose Control"
She likes dancing and she is very friendly.
She likes to dress up... with some make up ( not like A).
But be careful before u say anything bad about her... If you do so, she will loose control! :)
(S, that was a joke.... pls believe me!)

Mr. V AKA. Palli(Lizard) / Bijli
He s very jovial and also, very sensitive.
He is called bijli because of his fav song, "Babuji zara dheere chalo".
The song is his favourite because he danced for this song, and he was the "Bijli" in the song!
He is called Lizard because he resembles one. (Sorry V, I had to tell this! kindly excuse...)

Sometimes I feel this gang resembles a zoo/animal planet... with elephants(that's me!), dino s, lizards, porcupines around!!!

And FYI, I am called Chinna aanai (small elephant). So, that is some consolation right?

Ok, that' s all from my side as of now.

See ya!

Me and my friends...Part 2

2007-10-15T14:36:00.000+05:30

Ya, So I continue about my gang.

As I ve already told (enough) about H, let me continue about my other friends.

Going alphabetically,

Ms.A... Nick name Sweetu.
She s very famous for her "matching matching" accessories. (Please note that the list of accessories may include not just bangles and bindis... it also extends to the limit of slippers, hair pins and wrist watch). She s the major customer for most of the shops in Pondy Bazaar. I heard that a guy named the shop on her after she spent her whole salary in the shop!!

Mr. C. AKA Monster. He has three hobbies... eating, eating and eating. And do add a bit of reading books, watching movies, falling sick(!!!) every now and then.
He s a very funny person ( or so does he think...). We share a common habit - of laughing at our own jokes.

Mr. D. AKA cockroach. He s the person who always gets the beating (from yours truly!) irrespective of the culprit. He s brilliant in coding. He likes driving his bike. (one spl thing abt his bike is, when u press the front brake, the bike will move front.) Though he appears to be very jovial, he is a very sentimental person. Also, he is a very good listener. (There have been many times when he had to bear with me... be it just a joke / mokkai / even something serious!!). He loves listening to "rock" songs... which go bang bang bang with lyrics we(or shud i say "I") cant understand.

Ms. D. AKA Dino. She loves aaloo... and she s a very sincere person. She loves to accompany A for Shopping.
And her fav color is blue and She is a very popular person and is also called Popu.
I have worked for about 80% of my projects with her and have found her to be very dedicated, sincere and hard working.
But y is she called Dino? No idea! It just happens that she is called Dino. Period.

Ms N. AKA Porcupine. She s a very homely and the calmest person in the group. She has a very sweet voice and has the ability to combine two actions together. Speaking and singing ;). She loves GOLD....ya, no jokes about this one. She makes good payasam. I love the way she talks... full of expression... very similar to bharatnattiyam.

So, I will continue about Mr.S,Ms. S,Mr.V and some more inputs abt me, in my next blog ( as this is just getting tooo long)

See ya!!

Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus

2007-10-13T10:57:00.000+05:30

I am not a habitual book reader, but I got a copy of this book couple of years back, as my wedding gift.
I happened to start reading it sometime back....
I just love the was John Gray has written this book.
It s a must read for people in love.

Lots of things in the book made me think, "Oh! Its not the problem with my husband, all men are like this!" and I felt bad for the innumerable times we've fought just because of these small differences.

For example. the author says "To offer a man unsolicited advice is to presume that he doesn't know what to do or that he can't do it on his own."

This reminded me of a situation which we faced many times in this two years.
While going to a new place, sometimes, we don't get to the destination quickly.
This is how the conversation used to go
I: "Why don't u just stop the car and ask someone?"
He:(gets irritated) " I can find it on my own"
I:(get irritated) "I don't understand why u have so much of ego for such a small thing. Why do u think that u will lose your prestige by asking the way?"
and at the end, both of us will be bugged up and frustrated.

Now, when he doesn't know the way, I think, I should not ask him to ask the route to someone and instead suggest / support him saying "It' s OK. Maybe we should try going that way... what do u say?" or " That's fine, we will find the place soon."

Let me try this next time and see how it works.
And meanwhile, I will post more quotes from this book with my practical experience as well.

Me and my friends...Part 1

2007-10-13T10:46:00.000+05:30

One thing I will never forget about ISG is the list of friends I got here.
We formed a gang of about 10 people.
We went together of tea everyday and got used to each other s company.
After some days, it was difficult to go for tea even if one of us were not there.

We enjoyed our first year(it was more like college days!) and on the completion of the first year, we went for a full day trip to Mahabalipuram.
It was a very memorable trip... we went for boating, crocodile park, tigers cave and dhaba.
We had lot of fun pulling each other s legs!

We have a person called H in our gang.
I have to give full credit to her for all her goof ups, which were a major part of our discussions.
And I as always, was / am / will be full of mokkais and I have a habit of laughing at my own jokes (I was forced into this habit, as my friends refused to laugh at my jokes).

Some words which remind me of H are

Kaaka biriyani
Noooooo di
Matrimonial
Crash
Truncate
Delete

The explanation for all the above will be given in my forth coming posts about my friends as they need a lot of explanation!

My First Day at Work

2007-10-12T09:38:00.000+05:30

Hello!

Before telling about my first day, it would be good if i tell about my campus interview.

It was in the seventh semester of my happy college days. It was the third campus interview that i was attending. (I was never a great student in college... so didnt expect to get a job through campus interview!) I was vexed after not even getting through the first round (aptitude) in the two companies. I was so dejected that I didnt study for the aptitude. It was once of my friends (KR) who gave me a list of old Hexaware question papers.I managed to go through them...
And we reached the place (in vandalur).

The college (called Cresent) was a huge one. I was (as usual) cracking stupid jokes and jumping around.

We were called for the first round... Aptitude and guess wat, almost 80% questions were from the old question papers...:). So, successfully got through this round.

Second round. GD. Ten people were called and given some topic to fight( i mean talk) about. I was surprised to find people with books/articles with titles like "How to talk in GD" ... "How to win in GD" in their hand and mugging the steps to a successful GD!!
We got the topic "Is it necessary to have any minimum qualification as a requirement for getting a job in IT company?". My point was "NO." With so much of training, people should never have problem. i mean, even a 12th std person can do this job, of course, after training. And guess what, i was the only person selected from my group!

And now the final hurdle... INTERVIEW. I had come dressed shabbily as going to an interview was the last thing that i expected to happen! But anyways, it was scheduled at 7.30. Me, being an ECE student, tried to understand as many concepts in computer networking into my head as possible... Finally, was called for the interview at around 10PM. was starving. I managed to answer some basic questions ( I admitted that i dont know much about computers!) and surprise.... i got through...

And now, coming to the topic, my first day in office. 16th Sep 2005.
We were around 13 people . Sitting in a small conference room. waiting for 3 more to join us. they came a bit late (cud not help it as they were new to the city). As usual, i was the only person chatting and giggling... we were taken around the office and were finally taken to the training room.

Got into .NET training for about 6 weeks. The training was boring. but i made nice friends there (Meera and Deepu). Unfortunately, my friends were sent to different department and I was assigned to internal department called ISG.Ok. will continue about my work in ISG in the next post.

Bye for now...