எட்டாத கனி

எட்டாத கனியொன்றை - தாவிப்பரிக்க முனைந்திட்டேன்
நானோ உயரமில்லை - குதிக்கவோ தைரியமில்லை

கனி விழக் காத்திருந்தேன் - வானம் தனை பார்த்திருந்தேன்
நாட்கள் பல ஒடினவே - கனியோ விழவில்லை

எத்தனையோ கனிகள் - உலகத்தில் இருக்கயிலே
இக்கனி மட்டும் - ஏன் என்னை கவர்ந்தது?

பதில் கூற முற்பட்டால் - பக்கம் பல தேவைப்படும்
போகட்டும் என்றிருந்தால் - பாழ் மனமோ வாடிவிடும்

"என் உள்ளம் தனை கவர்ந்திட்ட - அன்புக்கனியே நீ
எங்கிருந்தாலும் வாழ்க என - வாழ்த்து நான் பாடுகிறேன்'.

===================================================
குறிப்பு: வாழ்க்கையில் அடைய நினைத்து, தோல்வியுற்ற
எல்லா முயற்சிகளுக்கும் -

இந்த கவிதை சமர்ப்பணம்

Kamal Hassan - I need a Refund

I read this post in IBM Visu's blog and realized that Kamal has taken all the viewers for a ride via his Mumbai Express.

The article in THE HINDU newspaper ends like this:

'As long as the story keeps them (the audience) engrossed, they really need not be told what is digital and what is film. It makes no difference to the audience', he adds.

So, Kamal's team assumes that we are all idiots. What a shame..!!

I definitely want my money back for the sub-standard video of that movie. Can someone talk to Kamal and get my money back please !

PS - Mr.Kamal, if you continue doing these stupid experiments you'll lose die-hard fans of yours like myself.

Friday Photo - Ancient Temple (Sringeri, India)

Sringeri - Ancient Temple
Originally uploaded by venkitu.

சிந்தனைகள்

====================

இருட்டில் வாழும் இந்தியன்
வானொலியில் கேட்கிறான் விளம்பரம்
-- "ஒளிர்கிறது இந்தியா". (நன்றி - க்ணேஷ்)
====================

நோய் தடுக்க ஆப்பிள் என்றால்
'ஆதாம்' தின்ற ஆப்பிள்?
====================

மின்மினி பூச்சிக்கு பேசத்தெரிந்தால்
முதுகெரிச்சலை சொல்லி அழும்.
====================

TV-Mega Serial

Slow-Motion இல் நொண்டி ஆமை.
====================

Laughs

It is hard to believe that there are such idiots living around us. I read this story about a burglar getting stuck in a chimney. Then this story about a car burglar accidentally locking himself in the trunk. First, these guys are idiots to attempt burglary and second, super idiots for being so stupid.

These guys definitely need a 'Dummies book on Burglary'!

And then, this news about a juror who was fined for yawning in court.

Thank God for such events that make us laugh and think that life is indeed worth living.

Have Bat will Hit

This applies to two of my most favorite cricketers.

Krishnamachari Srikkanth aka Cheeka

Shahid Afridi

Cricket should be fun to watch and it will be, if you watch these two guys bat.

We witnessed Afridi's hitting skills not long ago. A few weeks back in the last two one-day games against India, Afridi literally tore the leather on the cricket ball. What a feast to watch! I haven't watched anyone hit the bowlers like he did.

Who can forget Cheeka's Benson & Hedges trophy knocks in the year 1985. Who can forget the World cup winning knock against West Indies. It is still fresh in my memory.

• His Square Cut off Joel Garner where he was on his knees.
• His Hook shot against Malcom Marshall, which flew for a six.

In that low-scoring match, Cheeka's knock was the highest among the Indians.

For me, the best innings Cheeka played was in Madras India, against Pakistan, when he scored a superfast 100. The Pak. captain Imran Khan didn't know how to set the field for Cheeka. On that eventful day, Cheeka feasted on Abdul Qadir who was a classic leggie those days.

I remember as a teenager, I used to watch Cheeka play at the Jain College grounds in Meenambakkam and at the RKM Grounds in Mambalam (both in Madras, India). Bowlers would shiver to bowl to him. Quite a few balls have been lost, thanks to his huge sixers.

I miss Cheeka these days and I wish I could watch more Afridi.

காதல் கவிதை - இன்று

பிள்ளையார் கோவிலில் மொத மொதலா பாத்தப்போ
பெருமூச்சு விட்டியே - மறந்துறுச்சா?

காஞ்சிவரம் ட்ரைன்ல கம்பி வழியா பாத்து நீ
கண் அடிச்சு சிரிச்சியே - மறந்துறுச்சா?

மாம்பலம் டேசன்ல மஞ்சள் சுடிதார் அணிந்து நீ'
'மினா' மாதிரி நடந்தியே மறந்துறுச்சா?

மெரீனா பீச்சிலே மெத்தென்ற மணலிலே
மக்கா சோளம் கடிச்சது மறந்துருச்சா?

சாந்தி தேடர்ல 'சந்திரமுகி' பாக்கயிலே
கை கோத்து பயந்தியே - மறந்துருச்சா?

எல்லாம் பண்ணிட்டு 'அண்ணா' நு கூப்டாக்க
எப்படி நான் மறந்திடுவேன் - சொல்லு கண்ணே?

Please help

Please let me know if my Tamil Post below shows up correctly in your computer.

I've been getting phone calls from my friends and relatives that it shows as ???????.

If it shows as ?? can someone please tell me how to fix it.

1. Will this work in MAC?
2. Why do some users have problems in Windows ( Or is it Browser related ..?)
3. Your help / answers will help me to decide if it is worth the time blogging in my beloved Tamil.!

எண்ணங்கள்

சாதி (நன்றி - அம்மா)

வீதியின் பெயரில் சாதியை ஒழித்தும்
ஒழிந்ததா சாதி சண்டை?

வாதினால் எதுவும் மாறாது மாறாது
வாழ்ந்து காட்டுதலே வழி.

சொந்தங்கள் (நன்றி - என் தோழி)

சொந்தங்கள் நமக்கு சோகத்தை தரும்பொழுது
சோகமே நமக்கு சொந்தமாகிறது.

சுனாமி ( படித்தது )

யேய் சுனாமியே..!
உன்னிடம் நிறைய தண்ணி யிருக்கு - ஆனால்
கொஞ்சம் கூட ஈரமில்லயே?

காவி உடை

சல்லாப சாமியார்களுக்கு
சமுதாயம் போடும் மறைவுத்திரை.

Call Center

அக்பரையும் ராமரையும்
பீட்டராக மாற்றும் இடம்.

Life in Riyadh

This is a multi-part series about my life in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. I worked there in the early 1990's as a Software Consultant. My project lasted 3 months thanks to my running away to India, unable to bear the experiences I had there.

Dabab Street is the name of a major road in Riyadh, which hosts a lot of businesses. My office and my apartment were in Dabab Street.

It might be 2005 now, but from what I hear and read, things are pretty much the same (What do you expect?)

The SAUDIA flight took off from Bombay. It was around 8.00 PM. It was the first time I ever heard a stewardess announce that we'll be praying. Yes folks, Prayer before the flight.Have you heard of any other airline doing it ?

Anyways, The plane landed safely (God answered our prayers?) in Riyadh Airport ( King ..some airport). It was like Taj Mahal. I've not seen a better airport in the world. All Marbles, Granite etc. Neat and quiet. The plane load of Desis got out and walked towards Immigration.

It was my turn...!

The immigration official looked at me, my passport and my Immigration documents.

He - Where are you from ?
Me - India.
He - What are you going to do here ?
Me - Software Consultant.
He - Hindu ?
Me - Yes.

He passed a book to me , titled ISLAM and said 'Read'. I picked it up and nodded my head saying 'Sure'. He then gave me my passport and documents and said 'Go!'.

The first experience baffled me though I had been briefed a little bit about Riyadh by some friends.

This was only the beginning..! How would I know that soon, I'd begin to hate my life in Riyadh.!!

(...More Nightmares to follow)

எனது முதல் புது கவிதை

Finally I managed to type in tamil, thanks to அடேங்கப்பா.

This was my first புது கவிதை. I wrote this sometime in 1980. I took this to இதயம் பேசுகிறது office which was in Guindy ( SPIC Centre), Madras.

I couldn't meet late திரு. மணியன் who was the founder but got the autograph of திரு. தாமரை மணாளன் who was the editor of the magazine. He appreciated my efforts and wished me well.

It was published the very next week.

Here it is...with a lot of thanks to அடேங்கப்பா:

காலையிலே கணிதம்

மும்மதியம் ஆங்கிலம்

பிம்மதியம் தமிழ்

இப்படியே நாங்கள் இங்கு

அவதிப்பட்டு பட்டம் வாங்கி

வேலை இல்லாமல் திண்டாட

அங்கிருந்து எங்களை ஆட்டும்

இறைவா!!

- உன் Qualification என்ன?

I have to mention here that திரு. தாமரை மணாளன் didn't like the word Qualfication என்ன? He changed it to தகுதிதான் என்ன?

Why US won't attack India

There is an interesting column in The Hindustan Times today about why US won't attack India or China.

I got reminded of Tom Friedman's Column in NYTIMES ( Aug-11-2002) where he wrote about how the big US companies with Indian operations, stopped a possible Indo-Pak nuclear war.

Here is an excerpt:

BANGALORE, India — Two months ago India and Pakistan appeared headed for a nuclear war. Colin Powell, the U.S. secretary of state and a former general, played a key role in talking the two parties back from the brink. But here in India, I've discovered that there was another new, and fascinating, set of pressures that restrained the Indian government and made nuclear war, from its side, unthinkable. Quite simply, India's huge software and information technology industry, which has emerged over the last decade and made India the back-room and research hub of many of the world's largest corporations, essentially told the nationalist Indian government to cool it. And the government here got the message and has sought to de-escalate ever since. That's right — in the crunch, it was the influence of General Electric, not General Powell, that did the trick.

Benjamin Franklin - The Punctual Plumber

I saw this truck ahead of me last evening. Interesting plumber I thought !

I did some googling to see if Benjamin Franklin had anything to do with plumbing !

I couldn't find anything about plumbing, but found this Wonderful Website, which you might like.

Wrinkle-Free

wrinklefree
Originally uploaded by venkitu.

I am really thankful to the Garment industry for inventing this idea of Wrinkle-free fabrics.

Yes, 'Wrinkle Free' fabrics make life a lot easier. I enjoy the extra 1/2 hour sleep I get in the mornings, thanks to this technology.

In India, I had the luxury of wearing well ironed clothes all the time, thanks to those street-side laundries. I even had a guy come home, pickup and drop clothes. But, not here in the US where it is expensive.

Ironing is not my cup of tea, though I see a couple of my friends iron their clothes even here.

I wonder what I'll do without these 'Wonderful Wrinkle Free Fabrics'.

So, go ahead and Check them out and enjoy the freedom of not having to iron clothes anymore.

Friday photo - Are we stupid?

I saw this on the ceiling of my hotel room a couple weeks back, while I was in Atlanta. It's a sprinkler and a warning sticker next to it.

Are we so stupid? I noticed that the ceiling of the room was atleast 8 to 10 feet.

Tamil - Pudhu kavidhai

Bonsai
Originally uploaded by venkitu.

I've decided to post a Tamil -'Pudhu kavidhai' whenever time permits.

Today's is a start. This is actually written by my mother. She told me that this got published in Kalki.

Pardon my handwriting.! and Enjoy

Concept restaurants - Kadalivanam

Kadalivanam
Originally uploaded by venkitu.

I began to Google 'kadalivanam' when my mother told me yesterday that she was going to eat here one of these days.

Interesting concept I thought. I found a lot of links which might interest you. ( I know the information is a little old..but ..there might be people like me ...so why not).

Please read what The Hindu and The Business Line - 1 and The Business Line - 2 (last Paragraph) wrote about the restaurant. It is in my list of restaurants to eat out when I go to Chennai, India the next time.

A funny thought passed my mind while I was writing this. Imaging the regular Pharmaceutical Industry ( Allopathy ) noticing this trend and coming out with a concept restaurant.! Here are the thoughts

CLYCODIN RESTAURANTS ( Authentic Allopathic Restaurants)

=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=

Dinner Menu:

Vicks Vaporub Soup (For a Cold)

Gelusil Rice (For a Gas free life)

Tylenol / Crocin Sambhar (For Aches and pains)

Prozac Rasam (For mental strength)

Lipitor Curry (For Cholesteraol levels)

Viagara Pudding ( For the Happy ending)

=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=x=

Facelift for Tamil - Part-2

Facelift for Tamil - Part-2
Originally uploaded by venkitu.

I noticed that a lot of you have welcomed the idea of modernized Tamil.

I am thinking something similar to what is in the picture.

Easy yet serves the purpose.

What do you think?

Tamil Language - Time for a facelift?

• TAMIL is one of the ancient languages of the world.
• It is in the same league as Sanskrit, Hebrew, Greek, Latin and Chinese.
• Of these six languages Sanskrit and Latin are not spoken anymore.
• Some of the Tamil literature is more than 2000 years old.
• Tamil has been declared a 'Classical Language' by the Government of India.

All these sound great.

But I have some thoughts about Tamil:

Spoken tamil doesn't have equivalent alphabets. For example even if we take the pure tamil words like say 'Edhiri' as in Enemy , In written tamil it would sound like 'ETHIRI'. In spoken tamil the 'TH' becomes 'DH'. The same problem arises with several words.

Some more examples ( These are pure tamil words):

• Karuna nidhi - No alphabet for DH sound.
• Kamban - No alphabet for BA sound.
• Inbam - Just like above.
• Ahdai ( Clothes) - No alphabet for DA.

I can go on and on.!

Now, If you take the other Indian Languages they have different alphabets to represent different sounds. One reason could be that all these languages came after Tamil.

Why did the creators of the Tamil Language not have proper representation in the alphabets, based on the sounds? Could it be that the words we use in tamil now ( thinking it is pure) really didn't exist in the ancient tamil dictionaries? Might be..! I don't know.

My Questions to you - Would it be a good idea to modernize tamil ? Wouldn't it be useful ?

Relationships

Happily born and raised, we succumb to Relationships, starting in our teens, as the hormones drive us to think differently.

The next few years cement our future. Some take to finishing or succeeding in their ambition of getting a college degree. Some struggle bridging relationships and studies. Succeed or not, soon most of us are thinking about finding a job and settling down.

But, Relationships ...some intimate, some not so much...continue to walk along.

Some of us get into jobs and soon see our wallets bloating. Some of us just make enough to make the ends meet. We are out of the shackles now...we have the money to spend.

But, Relationships, continue ...and infact thanks to the Money we have more now.! Some of us search for more and more.! with the hope of finding better ones.!

Time goes by, some start to wonder if having a family is the right way, some do ...and relationships grow , we have the in-laws and it grows even further when we start having children.!!

Life rolls on, Time rolls by and some earlier relationships...gradually fade away, like water dripping from leaking bottles.

We try to make new relationships , some succeed, some fail and get into their shell. Some old relationships knock now and then, some comeback to hurt/haunt/give us rebirth.

We think hard...this time not to be fooled...by 'Relationships'.

Soon everything changes and we end up in coffins or get burned to ashes, we surrender to the mother nature.

Relationships still continue...now with the Mother Nature.

I cherish my relationships. I wish they'll continue even in my next life ( If I have one).

Mumbai Express - Out of Focus?

I never expected this from a new movie, especially a new movie coming from KamalHassan who takes pride in technical excellence.

"Mumbai Express" might/might not be a hit movie but I can tell you that it is no fun watching it in theatres that are not capable / don't know how to screen it.

As you might know, the film was shot in Digital media (Why? I don't know). I watched it over the weekend here in Fremont, California at the NAZ8 Theatres.

It was like watching a pirated VCD. It looked like all the frames were out of focus, grainy and looked to me that I was watching a Home-video shot in 1950.

I wish this message reached "Kamal". Let's hope these things don't happen in future.

My Review of the movie - Excellent comedy worth watching with family. Pasupathy has proven once again, what a great actor he is. Ilayaraja is good in bits and pieces. Ramesh Arvind and Vaiyapuri are good. Great effort by Kamal !!

Chandramukhi - Digital effects !!

Our reporter had an opportunity to speak to Mr.P.Vasu the maker ( copy maker) of the New tamil movie Chandramukhi.

Here are some points from the interview:

Reporter - Mr. Vasu, the digital effects in the movie Chandramukhi, you have any comments ?

P.Vasu - Sure, thanks for asking, we've used a lot of digital effects.

Reporter - Really ? can you elaborate please ?

P.Vasu - I have to admit here that being Computer savvy as I am, the main digital technique I used was:

• Go to Windows Explorer
• Goto C: , find Folder Hit movies ( Malayalam)
• Find Manichithra Thazu
• Open folder and then, CTRL-A, CTRL-C
• CTRL-V to Mydocuments folder/Chandramukhi

Reporter - You are amazing, but why does Chandramukhi not live up to its expectations ?.

P.Vasu - When we did the copy, we also used editing software to enhance the output which might have screwed it up.

Reporter - It sure did sir.!! But atleast you could have admitted that its a copy of Manichithrathazu ( in Public, like you did here) ! rather that going out and saying its your own film.

P.Vasu - Sorry about that, we are still thinking about it. Anything you liked in the movie?

Reporter - Yeah, Rajini's presence, songs and to some extent Nayanathara.

Friday Photo (2)

DSCF0437
Originally uploaded by venkitu.

Scary Flowers


Camera - Fuji - E550
Settings - Automatic

Friday Photo

Originally uploaded by venkitu.

This stone sits in a park in China.

Have a look at the words on the stone! Do you get it?

It is a case of bad transalation.

Here is Andy Wetmore's note on this Photo:

The Chinese characters, according to my recollection of a friend's translation, read "I hesitate to imprint my footstep on the mattress of fragrant grass." In shorter terms, "Keep off the grass".

By the way, this was photographed by my friend Andy while he was visiting China. Thanks Andy for the Photograph.

Political Roundup from India

A well known watch dog movement (LOLLOL - as in dogs barking) headed by Dobberman Dhamu filed a public interest litigation against the President Kiruba Shankar today, for his April Fool joke about resigning his position.

The petition says that the highest ranking official shouldn't fool the public like this. No comments from the President so far.

Here are some other Political gossips:

The entire party is talking about how Kiruba's influence is seen on SuperStar Rajini in his latest film. Kiruba's connection with the US Consulate officials, made him become friends with the CEO of Wrigley's the big Chewing Gum maker. It is rumoured that Kiruba influenced Rajini to chew Gum rather than smoke.!!...which looks like Rajini has done in the entire movie 'Chandramukhi'.

There is another side to this story. Some say that Sri.Kichami and his wife (Personal advisors to the PM and the President) are responsible for this but no confirmations yet.


PM Chakra - To ensure the proper functioning of the airline industry sent his mother on a flight to New Delhi. Though the official statement issued from the PM's office claims it was a regular visit, our reporter quotes high level officials saying, it is actually to check the Industry. The airline industry is shaken up and is worried about the statement that the PM's Mom is planning an International trip later this year.

Capriciously Me aka CM, was summoned to the Prime Minister's office when he started posting comments about his interest on the 'Railway Minister's Post'. Our reporter adds that the PM warned CM to first post something on his own Website before posting comments on other websites. The PM also added that if things like this continue, he'd be forced to appoint CM as the Ambassador to USA, which would result in CM being eligible only to Hoist the Indian tricolor on special occasions. A big group of people stood outside CM's home demanding his true identity. Some shouted he is Trans-sexual! Looks like everyone wants to see who this CM is ( Always in a Mask of a lady).

Saranyan and JaganLee - The senior party officials are a bit unhappy about these two watching the movie 'ChandraMukhi' and writing about it rather than doing Public Service. There are rumours floating around regarding their links to Superstar Rajinikanth which made them do this. Some senior party members are unhappy that they are biased about Rajini. Why not review 'Mumbai Express too ? ' asked Amritha while she was travelling to Bombay on her way to her new job. Someone reminded about ME also getting into this list by talking about the movie. Our reporter says that Praveen has also joined the list of 'Chandramukhi' reviewers.

Kay - He has been widely praised by all the senior members including the PM for his breaking the barrier and trying to become friends with Oriental Women ( sometimes clueless which country they are from). 'This will improve India's trade elations with the Far East' said the PM and advised the other party members to do the same. ( Air Japan / China / Phillipines etc..etc..were sold out for the entire month after this news came out - All taken by aspiring party men)

Freeyavedu - Has been warned to continue with his good work and not be too ecstatic on winning awards. Looks like Finance is still for him, he has to earn it thru some good public interest posts. Of late he is seen organising meeting with party men/women/family and posting them for public viewing which is good.

Praveen - Though his looks will take him places, the PM warned him not be worried about trivial things like Pam Anderson etc. coming to his site via advertisements. He has been asked to look at the bigger picture ( not of actresses) of the Indian cultural affairs !

Sudarshan - The PM warned him to respect all senior members. Sudharshan's comment on Narayanan's age ( Post - Bose Music review) triggered this comment from the PM. Sudharshan was not available for comments as he was busy organizing a Guitar concert this weekend.

Adaengappa - He is criticized for his picture on Rajinikanth. The CM warned him that these things don't help the public in anyway and asked him to lead by example.

The Last Blogger - He has been asked to come to the Present and not think about concerts etc. in his home town. The CM hinted to him that he is fine but for all these nostalgia.!

Twin-Gemini - His recent post on the BPO Scam earned him a lot of praises. Looks like he will be put incharge of Homeland Security for India. By the way the acronynm for this dept. is PEPPERSPRAY. Twin-Gemini said that he would be very happy to head this dept. but wondered if his TWIN would be his secondary.

Harish - The President himself has sent a letter about the Haiku on Chalupa. Looks like he likes is a lot too ( Chalupa ). Not sure of CM's reaction. The Public feel that he can do better things than experiencing GAS related issues.

Thennavan - He has been requested not to become too emotional about personal things ( like parents going to India etc.). People aspiring for higher positions should stay strong - said a senior party official.

Finally - Leading South Indian actor KamalHassan was seen getting out of the PM's office trying to sell his latest film Mumbai Xpress. Our sources tell that there have been no takers for this film and no reviews so far by any party member. Unfortunetly thanks to Kamal's authentic/pure tamil...neither the President nor the PM understood what he said.!!

** Happy New Year **

April-14-2005 is Tamil New Year's day. I celebrated the New Year today since I was born and raised in Tamil Nadu.

When I browsed the Net, I found some interesting details about the Hindu Calendar.

I am wondering why various states in India have different days as their New Year's day. Today is the also the New Year's day for people in Kerala(South Western State) and Punjab( North Western State).

Looks like Burma and Thailand also had their New Year start today.

The picture you see on top is common in India. Its a daily Calendar, with tear-off sheets for each day. On the left is today's date which is 14th April 2005. It is in RED meaning it is a Holiday today, to the right is the number 1 which says that it is the first day of the year.

Just in case you are wondering who is the guy in the picture, It is the famous Hindu God Lord Muruga who is the son of Lord Shiva.

Peter and John - Help me Please

'Happy Tamil New Year's Day'

Yesterday evening, I felt miserable. Yes, miserable that I wasn't able to get into the Internet, thanks to some problem with my computer.

Spoke to SBC-Yahoo DSL Tech support. The call went to India as expected and "PETER" came on the line ( I think he was actually Parandhaman, who changed ( was asked to) his name to PETER. I asked him where he was, but he politely refused. I was able to hear all desi voices in the background but sounded like a mix, wasn't able to pick any particular language.

I was pleasantly surprised to hear too may Thankyou's and Sorry's while he walked me thru the various settings in my PC. His accent was pretty good, though not foolproof.

Unfortunately, PETER couldn't fix my problem. In the end he said he was escalating the call and that someone would call me in 24 hours. As I said Thank you, he politely said 'Thank you for using SBC Yahoo DSL and sorry I couldn't fix your problem today'.

Its already 18 hours and no calls yet. I might have to call again tonight and maybe 'JOHN' aka Janakiraman will come online to help.!

I don't know what I'll do tonight without my window to the world.! I am sitting here, wondering how this Internet has changed my lifestyle, how dependent I've become on this Window to the world.

Chinese for Dummies

After reading Kay's experience today, I thought I'll help the younger generation of men, trying to date Oriental Women.

So, here you go and remember my paypal account in case you end up having a wonderul date.

Learn To Speak Chinese In 5 Minutes

1) That's not right ........................................ Sum Ting Wong
2) Are you harboring a fugitive?..................... Hu Yu Hai Ding
3) See me ASAP................................................ Kum Hia Nao
4) Stupid Man ...................................................Dum Fuk
5) Small Horse ................................................Tai Ni Po Ni
6) Did you go to the beach? ............................Wai Yu So Tan
7) I bumped into a coffee table .................. Ai Bang Mai Fa Kin Ni
8) I think you need a face lift ..........................Chin Tu Fat
9) It's very dark in here ................................. Wao So Dim
10) I thought you were on a diet ....................Wai Yu Mun Ching
11) This is a tow away zone .............................No Pah King
12) Our meeting is scheduled for next week ... Wai Yu Kum Nao
13) Staying out of sight .................................... Lei Ying Lo
14) He's cleaning his automobile .................... Wa Shing Ka
15) Your body odor is offensive ..................... Yu Stin Ki Pu
16) Great.........................................Fa Kin Su Pah

Yahoo needs a Proof Reader

I was surprised to read this News Column in Yahoo.

Take a look at all the spelling mistakes in the column. Isn't it funny?

I am wondering whether Yahoo Inc. has downsized its proof reading team.

Or maybe it is the contributor (ANI) who has downsized its team.

Bottomline - Serious news can be funny too.! Thanks Yahoo / ANI for the laugh.

Mystery Spot - Santacruz, California

Mystery Spot is truly mysterious as the name suggests.

Ironically, I came to know about this place after reading about it in an Indian Magazine. Since then, I make it a point to visit this place every year.

Also, I will definitely escort anyone who visits my home, to the Santacruz Mountains (2 hours from San Francisco by road) to see this truly mysterious spot.

Every time I visit this place, I am baffled by the weird gravitational effect. How would you explain water drifting upwards when poured on a piece of wood pointing downwards ! Truly unbelievable experience.

The tour guide will tell you about the numerous experiments that have been done in this place to figure out why it is weird, but as far as we know there are no concrete explanations.

So, the next time you visit the Bay area, California, please visit this place. I am sure you'll be mysteriously surprised at the Mystery Spot.

Lord Rama's later years

Are there people living out there who might be descendants of Lord Rama the famous Hindu God, or his family ?

The story of Ramayana traditionally ends after Lord Rama returns to Ayodhya with Sita and becomes the king again.

Does anyone know what happened after that? One of my friends from Taiwan showed me some Chinese websites which talk about Lord Rama becoming a tyrant in his later days.

I even read that Lakshman the beloved brother of Lord Rama was given the death sentence.

I googled and found this link which threw some light, but I still wonder about the later years of Lord Rama and his family.

All this assuming 'Ramayana' isn't just another story.

Back Home

Finally after 2 weeks, when my plane landed at Sacramento Airport last evening, I felt at home.

Here I am, with my wife and kids ( hugged me last night and went to sleep), not knowing where the future is going to take us.

I didn't imagine that I'd have to make this trip to Atlanta ( to our Headquarters). Things happened all of a sudden. While I was there, my boss and her boss were laid off on Friday. I was shocked.

Atlanta is a nice city but quite a few people who I spoke with feel that California is a better place. They wonder why one should move from California.

I met with a lot of my old friends. Met with my roommate of 1990 ( I was single and living in Washington DC, Silver Springs ). Had a lot of Nostalgic moments. Drove to Winston-Salem to see my brother and family (after 3 years).

With my brother's family at Winston-Salem, North Carolina

I don't know what will happen at work next week. I am pretty sure that I'll have to move to Atlanta soon.

Friday Photo

The City of San Francisco and the Bay Bridge at dusk


There is a wonderful line from a Tamil film song that roughly translates to:

'The Nights don't rely on the Moon as they have the lights for help'.

Picture courtesy - My friend Bin-Lin-Shu
Camera - Nikon D-70
Settings - Unknown
Picture shot from - Treasure Island which is a small island facing the City of San Francisco

Successful Desis - Kal Raman

There might be some person(s) in your life you'll be proud to have known. I am proud to say that I had the opportunity to know Kal Raman ( Kalyana Raman) while I was a contractor for Wal-Mart, at Bentonville, Arkansas during the years 1995-96.

Here is Kal's Profile:

Currently

• Senior VP of Worldwide Hardlines Retail at Amazon.com.

Before that

• CEO - Drugstore.com
• CIO - NationsRent
• Senior Director - Information Systems - BlockBuster Inc.
• Director - International Systems - Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
• Contractor - Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
• Position Unknown - TCS, India.

Graduated From - Anna University, Guindy, Madras, India. Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Native of - Tamilnadu, Tirunelveli.

Age - I guess must be in the late 40's.

Though I didn't report to Kal, I used to hear that he was a hardworking/ruthless Boss, who'll somehow manage to get the work done on time.

I know Kal as a hard working, god fearing person who lived a very simple life. Had a beautiful wife and 1 daughter then.

Kal was very interested in playing cricket. We used to play tennis ball cricket every day in a baseball field at Rogers, Arkansas, a small town close to Wal-Mart Headquarters.

I remember the matches we used to play with the University of Arkansas Desi team. I also remember a match, where we were literally at war, with the stumps and bats in our hands arguing an umpiring decision.

Kal was also a big fan of tamil film songs. I remember listening to the songs of the Rajini film 'Basha' on our way to cricket matches in his SUV.

One day, while I was at his home for dinner with my family and my mother, I remember Kal calling his mother (at Tirunelveli) on the phone and asking about my stars and fortune when I mentioned about my health problems. Yeah, Kal believed in ( not sure now) Astrology as well.!

• I am happy to have known Kal Raman and his family.
• His hard and dedicated work has taken him to such heights.
• I wish I could do that.!

Black Sheep

India is one of the countries where people wear symbols (A Lot of).

• We have people wearing the Bindi/Thilak ( aka Pottu in South India, Dot in the Western world) in their forehead.

• People smear the Holy Ash on their forehead and some do it with symmetry. Some have the stripes veritically on their forehead and some have it horizontally.....3 stripes.!!.

• Women after marriage wear a Mangalsutra. ( In the western world men and women wear a wedding ring.

• Some men wear a Sacred Thread around their chest.

• How did all this start? Why are these being followed ( forced to?) even now in this 21st century. Does it have any merit?

• On the Mangalsutra and the ring - Is it a way of telling the world that the man/woman wearing it is taken.!! Does it really work? Do these people love each other more than those who don't wear it? Will a wedding last with this or won't it last at all without it?.

I am wondering why.?

I don't believe in all this.

I don't wear anything.

Am I the Black Sheep!

Tamil Nadu - Is it all Milk and Honey?

Thennavan's interesting post on my Home state Tamil Nadu made me think.

Upon reading the points in the post I wonder why:

• India's Largest slum Dharavi in Bombay has such a high number of Tamilians.
• New Delhi's slums have a high number of Tamilians.
• Slums in Kerala have high number of Tamilians. ( In fact I've also heard that no Keralites live in Slums - not sure if that is true ).
• Why is it that Tamilians move out and live in slums even in towns like UJJAIN .

( These are all based on my experiences - I don't know about the slums in the other cities in India ).

What's wrong with Tamil Nadu. On the one hand we see all this news about honey and milk and on the other so much of poverty that drives people to these slums all around our country.

"Sen Thamizh Nadenum Podhinilae....Inba thaen vandhu Payudhu kadhinilae"...cannot be true today isn't it ?.

I am glad those poets and the noblemen passed away.

Friday Photo

Lord Munroe Statue - Chennai, India

For those of you who don't know, this is the famous Lord Munroe Statue at Chennai, India.

Sad, but true, the sculptor of this famous statue committed suicide.

Any idea why?

Look in the comments section.