Kuselan - Not for me

Photo courtesy: Kollywood Today

Again, the same old 15$ game !

That means I won't go !

I am sure it will come down to 8$ soon.

I'll wait until then.

P.Vasu butchered "Manichithrathazu" and created "Chandramukhi" after stealing it from Malayalam. Atleast, in this case, due credits have been given to the creators of 'Katha Parayumbol'. Let's wait and watch how Vasu has handled a great story !

Arjith Jayaraman

(The match in progress)

(Dad and son before the match)

(Arjith Jayaraman)

Arjith Jayaraman is my younger brother's son. He is a 10 year old boy with an amazing talent. He is a wonderful tennis player.

I had an opportunity to watch him play this morning and I was pleasantly surprised. It was a tennis tournament at La Fayette, California. He lost it, but I liked his attitude, his style and his technical tennis skills.

Later after the tournament, I watched him play with his dad Jayaraman Venkitu my younger brother, and I got another surprise. Jayaraman, unlike me, is very fit and played wonderful tennis with Arjith ! I also played with my brother and got some valuable tips from Arjith !

Arjith, I feel, will definitely become a great tennis player one day if he continues his practice and focuses on his tennis.

I wish Arjith the very best.

In Love

You are in Love if you...

• Wake up every morning looking forward to meet your beloved one !
• You enjoy the togetherness !
• You are in bliss being together !
• You go to bed thinking of the next day !
• Weekends are hell if you can't meet your sweetheart !
• Down the heart somewhere you pray you should stay together forever !

I think I am in Love !!! Yeah I am !!

I am in love with ******** !!!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I MIGHT FORGET WHAT YOU SAID

I MIGHT FORGET WHAT YOU DID

BUT

I'LL NEVER FORGET - HOW YOU MADE ME FEEL

( MAYA ANGELOU )

Saudi and Gas prices !

Photo courtesy: Saudi sucks

4.00$ plus a gallon. This has done a few changes to the attidude of many here. I see a lot of people taking public transit. In fact I am one of them too. I take the bus and the train these days to work. It's an amazing sight here to see buses and trains full..but that's the reality.

So, among all the bad things for the economy...this is one good thing ....possibly for the earth too...I mean the 4.00$ plus a gallon gas!

Sorry for being an 'AL GORE' here.

This post is really about the Oil rich countries, especially the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia. I know how life is, in Saudi. It's sad that US lets the Saudi royal family thrive even though our Govt. talks about democracy and freedom for the world.

Having lived in Saudi for a few months, I can tell you that there is absolutely no freedom. It's all in the hands of the Mullahs who are the ruthless religious police under control of Saudi.

Now, what will happen to Saudi if the world finds 'Alternate Energy'. It will be shocking but I think the citizens of Saudi Arabia ( the kings and their 1000 wives and families have enough money to live another 1 mil. years ) will have to beg.

The world knows about the education system in Saudi. Colleges / Schools ! It's a shame.

It's all going to happen. In my opinion only the countries that have a decent trading economy like say UAE will be able to thrive. Others...I think will end up begging !

Will it happen soon ?

I think it will, in another 50 years.

Remember

'Necessity is the mother of all inventions'.

கேவலம் - 14 பேர்

தமிழ்

தமிழன்

தமிழ்நாடு - என

வாய் கிழிய

உமிழ் நீரை கொட்டி

மணம் கமழ

பொய் பேசும்
அரசியல்வாதி சாக்கிடைகளே!!

நமது நூற்றாண்டில் - ஒரு

தமிழ்க்கவிஞன்

நாம் போற்றும் - ஒரு

தமிழ்ப்புலவன் சாவுக்கு

சிதை எறிக்கும் காட்டுக்கு

போனது

கேவலம் - 14 பேர்

என

சொல்வீர் தமிழ் இனத்துக்கு

செய்வீரா?

My little Vibuthi

Preethi and Adhithi were fascinated by girl named 'Vibuthi' in the movie Sivaji.

Here is Preethi dressed up today as Vibuthi !

Timex - Perpetual Calendar

( My Timex watch )

I am a big fan of TIMEX watches. I like the 'INDIGLO' light, the bright easy read dial and the price value of TIMEX.

I am also a big fan of new technologies in gadgets, as long as they are affordable and that is the reason I bought a 'TIMEX PERPETUAL CALENDAR' watch last week.

Changing the date at the end of the month is a task that I won't have to do anymore.

Thinking about it, this is a great feature isn't it ? Wonder how TIMEX came up with it and how they've done it. Have to Google it I guess.

I read that these kinds of watches made by SEIKO/ROLEX sell for a few hundreds / thousands of dollars.

Looks like TIMEX PERPETUAL CALENDAR watches are available in India too. Not sure about the prices though.

I bought mine at the Vacaville outlets for a wonderful price of 29$.

Check the Timex Perpetual Calendar watches out. I feel it's a cool technology available at affordable prices.

Dasavatharam for 8$

IMC6 has reduced the ticket prices to 8$ for adults and 5$ for kids. I paid 29$ for my family and watched Dasavatharam this evening.

What a let down. But for the Naidu and Boovaragan roles, the movie is absolutely a waste of time. Asin has been wasted too !

KS.Ravikumar would have probably learnt his lesson by now, better do..Mr.KSR.

Kamal has to change. This movie could do a lot better with just the Naidu and a solid storyline.

What is the point in introducing 10 avatarams..just for the heck of it !!

My advice to Kamal:

Don't try something new. You are not in your prime.

Put down that huge ego...would be good for you.

Act to the director's tunes.

Don't force the directors to dance to your tunes.

Producers invest in movies to make money. Not for charity.

If you keep failing at the box office, nobody would put money on you. You'll have to fund your own movies.

Last - Your grammatical Tamil sucks !!

PS - This review if by a diehard Kamal fan

now

looking for

Greener pastures !!

Accidents in Chennai

I was ashamed when I read this report. I remember a peaceful Chennai with good roads. I can only live with my memories going by this report.

Here are some highlights:

• Chennai recorded the most number of accidents in 2007 with the number being 8,680.
• As many as 238 people had died in cases involving two-wheelers.
• Chennai topped the list of deadliest roads in the country, according to figures recently released by Union Home Ministry.
• It also has the highest two-wheeler vehicle population in the country.
• On an average, at least 21 accidents occur in the State every day and most of them are fatal.

In my opinion Chennai probably is one of the most corrupt cities in India. I've seen first hand how licenses are handed out to applicants. A majority of the people don't care about traffic laws, and that includes the mandatory Helmet rule.

ER and ambulance situation...I need not write about it. People's attitude is another issue here. People just watch an accident scene and drive by. Some even honk !! What a shame !

Melody King - Ilayaraja does it again !

( Kallai irundhen - Uliyin Osai, Dhanyaa, Sriram Parthasarathy )

The last few days, I am hooked to the song above from the film - ULIYIN OSAI. Music is by Maestro Ilayaraja. Fantastic melody, though it has shades of IR's old songs.

Some of the songs that come to my mind when I listen to this song are:

Maancholai kiLidhaano - Film - Kizhakke Pogum Rayil

Maalaiyil Yaro - Film - Chathriyan

Both the songs above are masterpieces IMHO by Ilayaraja.

About this song: I think it is set to the raaga - Hindholam, though I am not 100% sure. Both Sriram and Dhanyaa ( who is she ? ) have done a good job, though I feel that Ilayaraja could have taken care of Dhanyaa's tamil pronunciation. I see shades of S.Janaki in Dhanyaa's voice.

Sriram Parthasarathy is amazing - He has a fantastic voice, well trained. Superb emotions and great pronunciation. I like the way he throws his voice...nice to listen to !

By the way - If you like Classical songs, ULIYIN OSAI is a must listen. All the songs are good. Please check them out.

Desi IT company - another experience

I had to write about this after what happened yesterday.

I am in-between jobs now, starting my new job on July-14. My previous employer was a Desi-IT company, a well established and well known company, with offices worldwide.

I had earlier written about my last experiences with them.

I fell sick yesterday. Called my ex-company and asked them if I still have medical coverage. I was told that my coverage ended at midnight of my last day.

I was shocked and angry. There is the COBRA option but I still haven't got the forms. Looks like it will take 20 days to get the forms to even opt for COBRA.

FYI - My earlier employer 'INOVIS'/'QRS' gave me one full month Medical coverage after I left them. INOVIS is a much smaller company compared to the Desi-IT-Company.

People who live in the US with kids know how important it is to have Medical Insurance.

It's a shame that companies play such cheap tricks to make a few bucks !

Where is the ' Take care of your employees ' gone ?

PS - Ever worse...the new company I am going to, told me, they don't start coverage until Aug-1-2008 !

And....yeah, it's not a Desi company.

Bottom line

Don't quit your job during the middle of a month !

Me - God willing, will never again go near any DESI IT companies.

Ajantha Mendis - Finger bowler

I couldn't watch this match today, but I am sure this guy is going to go places.

Ajantha Mendis, I read today, tore apart the famed Indian batting order winning the Asia cup Solo for Sri Lanka.

His analyis today - 8 Overs 1 Maiden 13 runs 6 wickets !!

His Victims - Sehwag, Raina, Yuvraj, Rohit Sharma, Irfan Pathan, RP.Singh.

I got goosebumps while I was reading his bowling highlights in CRICINFO.

• People of a certain vintage will most likely refer to him as a finger bowler.
• The ball was squeezed in the kind of grip Jack Iverson had, or for locals, similar to how you would strike the striker on a carrom board.
• On pitching and regaining its original shape again the ball would shoot through, with sharp spin either way, predictably leaving batsmen none the wiser.
• Mahendra Singh Dhoni said later that he just couldn't be read at all.
• Mahela Jayawardene admitted he'd been bowled a couple of times facing Mendis.
• Kumar Sangakkarra spent an hour a day in the nets before the tournament keeping to Mendis, trying to pick up his variations.
• It's one thing, Jayawardene said, to read him from the hand, another altogether to then play him off the pitch.

PS - Let's not forget the great Jayasuriya for his 125 today ! This guy amazes me everytime he plays. 114 balls with 9 fours and 5 sixers for his 125 runs !!

Kodungaiyur dump - Good Job TN Govt

Garbage disposal and recycling - India has long ways to go in this area.

It's a perennial problem, thanks to uncontrolled development of wetlands and indiscriminate dumping. The Govt. has to come up with good recycling/disposal plan. It's plain stupid to just burn the garbage. Considering the growth of population and westernization of the urban societies, if garbage disposal is neglected, pretty soon ,the ill-effects will be wide spread ( if it is not already ! )

I've witnessed this first hand whenever I went to Chennai via the Velachery Road. At a point, not sure what village is nearby, there is a huge dump on the road and it's always fuming. People cover their noses and go along. Rag pickers, mostly kids make their rounds, trying to make a few rupees for their livelihood.

The wind carries the smoke and the toxins all the way to some of the best neighborhoods in the Chennai city. I am sure, asthma cases are on the rise in the city ! The toxins also get into the soil and the water bed is affected which is hazardous to health.

I felt happy today when I read about the TN.Govt's plan for Kodungaiyur. I hope the plan gets executed well ( which I doubt).

Here are a few things I would do:

• Carry my own bag when I go shopping.
• Won't let the store give me a plastic bag for small items.
• Won't buy bottled water/soft drinks.
• Won't burn garbage.
• Educate atleast one person on the ill-effects of dumping / plastics.

One way Ticket - Malayalam Movie songs

I was listening to the songs from the new Malayalam movie 'One way ticket' this evening.

Looks like, this is the first movie in 2008 for Prithiviraj. Mammooty has also acted ( as himself ) in the movie.

The songs are wonderful. I haven't heard about the Music director Rahul Raj. So I was a little sceptical.

But, I was surprised. Songs were very nice to listen to.

My favorites:

Muhiyudeen - Jyotsna and Santosh Kesav
Pinneyum Ninnile - Rahul Raj and Srinivas
Atom Bomb - Jassie Gift and Sam Shiva

Desi IT Company - Experience

March-2008
Me

Please revise my salary, I've been with you for one year.
Them

Sorry, we are in a reorg situation,

You'll have to wait for the New company's cycle - Oct-2008

April - 2008
Me

Can you please consider atleast a Token Bonus.
Them

Sorry, talk to your Unit Head.
Unit HR

Sorry we don't have any extra money for Bonus

May - 2008
Me

New release of Cognos - Can you send me for training?

Would help in projects with client.
Them

We can't give you a dime. Client has to sponsor.
Me

Can you atleast give me a week off.

I'll pay out of my own pocket.
Them

You have to use your PTO.

June - 2008
Me

I am leaving your organization. July-03-2008 my last date.
Them
Why ?
What do you want ?
Please let us know, we'll do whatever you want !

Me
GRRR.

Pathetic - Perungalathur

Courtesy: The Hindu

I was shocked to see this photo in 'THE HINDU' today. Shocked because Peerkankaranai is a suburb of Perungalathur, which is my hometown.

I know for a fact that this is not a stray incident. Actually even in Chennai city, there are lots of places with open sewers overflowing in the streets.

You go to Perungalathur and ask the people about their hometown and they'll be proud and say.."IT'S WELL DEVELOPED NOW".

Is this Development?

This is shameful

BROCCOLI anyone

Courtesy: WHFoods

Courtesy: The Web

BROCCOLI - My first encounter with this wonderful vegetable was in October-1993. I had not seen or heard about Broccoli until then..which was already 1/4 of my life ( hopefully).

Since then, I've seen and eaten a variety of dishes made out of Broccoli. My kids love it. I love it too.

It's easy to cook and even if we cook it the South Indian way...it tastes good. Simply boil it add some melted butter and it is so...soothing !

Best part is, it's very..very healthy.

Now to the point, SIFY reported today about how Broccoli helps in Prostrate cancer. Great research I thought ( as long as did not involve any animals...like what I wrote yesterday!!).

My question if you live in India - Do you get Broccoli these days in India? Have you eaten it? Have you cooked it?

Deer Pe**s !

Tigers vanishing

Sharks vanishing

Emus vanishing

Rhinos vanishing

(Not sure about other insects/animals/birds)

All due to health claims. The latest to make the rounds is 'Deer' thanks to folk medicine from China.

The pharmaceutical companies work hard to find cures / bandaids using science and these people come up with Deer Pe**s !

The perfect remedy is “Deer’s pe**s,” said Wang Cheng, a graduate in traditional medicine, proffering a desiccated sample across the counter of the Tongrentang traditional Chinese medicine store in central Beijing.

“Mix it with some alcohol, take it every one or two days, and you will soon feel better,” The Times quoted Wang, as saying.

What's next....I wish they came up with something like:

'Politicians's n**s cures Diabetes.

That way we can get rid of all of them !