Over to St Louis!!

Atlast !! Clouds have cleared and I am all set to travel to St Louis on work visa though the obvious and bigger reason being joining Ram there :) Tonight I am off to Hyd and would be taking the flight from Hyd airport at 8:45 pm.

Have not been in my grrove for the whole week since bidding farewell to all that I like about Chennai and the wonderful friends I have made here is not so easy. Thanks to my project who have tortured me good enuf for over a month which had reduced my parting pain to a lot extent :) Would miss all the fun times had @brindavan, swost's and roops place.....:-((( Anyways , all part of life...A bigger scene awaits tomorrow at Hyd when I would walk into the plane and all faces I know would disappear :-(( Amlost 30 hours in the balck box and would be landing at St Louis at 6:35 pm CT on saturday. Let me see how heavy is the welcome band set by Ram ;)

Lot of ppl had asked me If I was xcited going there as Ram's there....:) Ofcourse I am about all that's new which is going to unfold from now on but equally sad with the fact that I would be miles away from parents and friends....I hate goodbyes and let's not call this phase as a "goodbye" to Chennai. So I choose to say Over to St Louis :)

~$,16/10/08/4:30pm

Going home...

Packed my bags to go home after ages...probably my last trip for now before taking off to St Louis....have laods of updates to write about how the wedding went and the traumatic phase in the new project after I got back but have been on a roller coaster ride, so shall keep those stories for later....:):)
This trip back home is sweet cos its first time going home after being the bride and then enjoying the mini celebrity status you get after a wedding :) he he toh it wud have been wonderful if Ram had been with me to be the partner in crime he he he

Its in my nature that I tend to associate too many nostalgia's , first's and last experience tags with everything I do...probably thats why I value each moment or phase cos it would surely fall in some wierd category that my mind usually associates with :) Going home as I said would be last trips in 2008 and first after wedding and may be last in this cozy little apartment my parents stay .....They might vacate this one by the time I am back.
I just love this small house where parents have been living for 3 years now :))) It has such positive vibes and light that vacation turns really good. Only good things have happened since we came here and the best place in the house is the Cane swing we have in the middle of the hall...I spend hours and hours in that swing watching tv, eating and wat not.....So you can see I am all set to do the same this time too....

I have a flight to catch in an hours time from now, so all promised stories once I am back on Monday :)
A Very Happy Dasara !!! May this festival bring loads fo joy and prosperity to you and your family....!! Keep Smiling :):)

~$,8/10/08, 7:45 am

An End and a Beginning..!!

I havn't been able to put anything in this space since too much had been happening at full swing due to the wedding. I can say a logical end has reached as far as the preps are concerned with invites out, major shopping done and plans/activities etched out. I am set to leave on vacation from 14th Aug to Sep 8th. But yeah, the actual implementation of the mega project - Mission Wedding is still round the corner as per the software jargon :)
As I attempt to put my thoughts here as on today, I have mixed feelings as to what life has in store for me. Here I am ready to leave my singleton life behind and join hands with Ram shortly, and I am all excited at the way things have turned out for me personally as well as professionally. There are +ve signs all around and I am looking for the big day on 24th of Aug. At this juncture, I know there are lot of things which are going to end :(:(marking the beginning of tons of new phases.....:):) So I can say my smiles are still intact and hoping they would remain and increase by leaps and bounds for me and all around:):)

~$,13/08/08,4:00pm

Good Bye, 52B/8 Brindavan!!

There are few words in life which I never ever like using nor thinking about. One of such words is "Good bye"...Its so powerful a word that it leaves you in a very heavy state and in not such a good feeling.

Time has come for me to move on and this moving on had been pretty fast and often, offlate. In the past 2 weeks I had to leave a lot of things that have been very dear to me and today its the turn of "Brindavan" ( Place where I had been put up for the last 2 and 1/2 years). I am sure that it's one of the nicest and close to my heart "home away from home". All the moments spent here would be cherished in the days to come. The four walls here have seen my highs and lows over past two years and have been able to give me a lot of solace which I needed. My passing phase and transitioning into a grown up(If one may call me;) happened in a wonderful way. Like meeting the nasty neighbours yet finding very close family frens in the opposite house. The balance sheet of life was in balance here :) Ofcourse the amazing times I had with my roomys and frens being in this place can never be forgotten.

As my wedding is due in the coming month, I have to vacate this place by month end and would be in transit (in my frens place) starting tomorrow until I reach my destination ;) :) Well....Its not even 10 days that I wrote a " bye bye" to Target , my first project, my base branch - karapakkam, the amazing frens I made there, I am here saying Good bye to Brindavan. I am forced to use a Good bye in case of Brindavan cos I know these moments are never going to reoccur nor can be relived. All I can feel good about is that they are an inseperable part of me and my life and they would be treasured.
If anyone would ask me what would be the toughest part in life - It would be to shed and move on. Few passing thoughts sitting under the roof of 52B/8 now:) I shall miss you :(:( Ahhhh, more to follow.....

~$,30/07/08,11:00pm

On Toes...

Seems like Life has changed overnight :) I was lazing my cozy cocoon for the first half of the year 2008 and suddenly I feel I am running around the place. Now that my wedding is fixed and scheduled quite soon, I am caught up in a web of tasks. So is the sparce update in this space. I am slowly beginning to experience and realize the tag line that I had updated a while ago - " What's it in Life that gives all its colors?"...:):)

Otherwise there have been many changes offlate, like geting out of my dear project, office location and joining an altogether new office and project where there are only stern and bland faces allover. But all happens for good and I hope I will be able to break the ice soon. But fot the first time, I am seeing there's a lot in the world than just the amazing people I have interacted till now at work. The new environment that I am in now is so unwelcoming and rigid that I have now come to know of the reality. All those instances when I cribbed for being in my previous project seems so ephemeral now....First evers in life are always dear and warm. The first project, first job, first salary et
At the same time I also felt if it is right to adjudge people here so early.....That leaves me with so much hope and something to look forward to..Ain"t it?!

Living in "Namma" Chennai...

I still remember the day when I knew I was posted in Chennai TCS more than five years ago , I never had the faintest clue as to what enchanting chapters were to unfold....Truly Chennai had been home away from home since the time I left Vizag, my parents, family and frens and beyond doubts I can say my face just lits up with the mention of this city..:):) People even mock that I became a Tamizh ponnu having come here...

I am just wondering where to start from if I have to write about this city and the moments experienced here? The unforgettable Anna nagar West and the Mullai (Jasmine) colony where I was put up first when I landed here with loads of aspirations afresh from TCS ILP Trivandrum....Met great people at every juncture, be it be the teams I worked with or the frens I made here or even the localites I interacted with. The great times I had at Sholinganallur TCS office, the culturals and interests I was all over into made me relive my college days and the great frens made there is really memorable....Above everything else, it's the city that gave me my first and only bread and butter :):)

There is an unsaid chemistry I associate with this place till date. It cannot be singled to any particular place, person or thing. Probably all that comes as a package living here. The striking love of me towards the city is probably the musical vibrations I hear here.....This was my first and foremost alluring fact being a person new to the city way 5 years back.

I have heard umpteen biases from my family and many frens of mine as to how rigid the city and the life here is.....Water vows in Summers, Absence of night life, extreme love towards their native language, bossy and looting "Auto kaar" of Chennai and the list goes on.....Somehow biases never touch me.....I really go deaf when people try to tell me the Do's and Don't about anything for that instance. Guess that's a boon I have and so surely the above said -tivities dint bother me much in due course.
On a lighter note, Water vows disappeared as thanks to the regular monsoons since my arrival here; Music and Auto kaar became my inspiration to learn the language so that I could fight with them well on every extra buck charged :):) Infact I have tried educating many of them in Tamizh (needless to say its fun thru out:))))
Ohhh.....The jasmine fragrance that fills the streets of Chennai anyday and any part of the year can never be found anywhere else. List doesn't end there........:):) The octagenerians whom you see toddlling steadily and slowly towards a temple in the evening while getting back from work...Where else can you see such a wonderful sight?? I am sure I am missing out on many more trivias like this which I relished...

I always felt it takes lot of energy to be a fanatic about one's culture, language and its really a boon that this city and its people have the guts and patience in preserving their culture when rest of the world is mad after westernizing. I dont say I am not modern or I do everything as per ancestral books but I just love Chennai for this very fact of staying closer to nativity.

The long term assignment took me to Minneapolis and when I returned it was not Sholinganallur but had to report back to Karapakkam, RTSC office where I got into a little identity crisis. All new faces, new branch and I felt I almost lost my active groove which I had left year and half back. Then there was a pretty low and mundane half year's time where I dint do much other than to get engrossed into work.

Then slowly and steadily I found my groove back with my parallel interests kicking off along with work and living in Besant nagar surpassed everything else. We found 52B/8 Brindavan and that was it. What an enchanting time we had here......The long beach walks, sunrises and sunsets along the beach, coffee and dark choco temptation @Barista, the favorite hanging outs - like cake walk choco pastries, B'bay bhaiyya's chappal shop, Meetha paan ki dukaan and umpteen eat joints we have relsihed over past 2 and 1/2 years.....More than anything else the amazing balcony of 52B/8 Brindavan's is just unforgettable. How I love to sit in the balcony sit out on a full moon day humming my favorite song and eating my dinner. Its just inseperable part of me whereever life would take me in future....

Wondering why I chose Living in Chennai as the subject for the day...Yeah a small insecurity and nostalgia that had already crept inside me that I would have to soon move on from here..:):):) Sometimes I wonder if chennaites love this city as much as I do he he he ....My parents and dear ones would kill me for this over statement :):)

~$,07/10/08, 10:00pm

Colors...!!

Atlast got some time to change my space from my favorite lavendor shades to "Colors" theme....:))
The scenary in the header has enthralled me so much....Isn't it a soothing scenic beauty and an ideal dreamy place to be living in...:))) Even if I dont live in one, looking at it is just enuf for a tickling pleasure and sensation:)
I have always been too much connected with nature and its beauty. The delight I get by the mere sight of first rain drops, the smell of earth or the first rays of sun hitting my cheeks or the valleys or the list goes on is unparalelled....
Finest part being that all these have been around us no matter how mankind changed and we get this amazing pleasure by just being a part of it. No payments made there.....:))) Well, enjoying one of the beautiful phases of my life, Isn't this an easy and instinctive choice by me?? :) I am yet to decipher as to what is it in Life that gives all its colors?!?! :))

~$,06/15,08,10:30 am

All in Pink.....!!

" Its simple things in life that fill us with joy"...
As simple as a caring word, a smile or a positive thought. This one line holds good for me on most of the days but not all days are same. When I say simple things fill us with us joy, even the converse also equally holds good (as far as I am concerned:) A frown, an annoying word or a brief silence from expected quarters can put you OFF easily.

Hmm...I woke up after a nice long cozy sleep last night and 8 hours of sound sleep doesn't seemed to be enuf. All dressed in pink I set out of my home, locked the door and was all set to rushing to the bus. I bumped into someone who walked past me on steps and stopped me with a wierd question. On being stopped, I felt like coming out of my lazy cozy cocoon of thoughts and actually noticed that an elderly uncle like figure asking me as to why we donot switch ON the common light in the corridor. I was annoyed as to what has it to do with this person who out of blue is questioning me? I dont even know who stay in our apartment complex cos I feel this is one of the worst apartment complexes I ever came across..People are so rigid, ruthless and never spared we gals for anything. I have great respect for elders until I met this neighbour's family of mine who is as aged as my dad but has shown how one can act if sanity is not in place. He(with his wife) fights/yells at us for just keeping the trashbox a little longer infront of our door in our common space for getting it cleared.

Huhh...we have really had a bad patch with this family next to us and interestingly have working daughters as aged as we are and inspite of that fact were never considerate with us. All others in the complex know how much patience we hav shown in putting up with this family. They carry frowns always ( seeing our smiling faces) and always create probs not just for us but everyone else in the block.... After having known their mindset, I dont even feel they are worth my glance or thought. So it had been IGNORE button as far as they are concerned.
So this uncle who stopped me this morning was so rude in his way of questioning that it had instantly put me OFF badly. To my surprise, I was really intimidated by his authority in tone that I couldnot even answer him back. Somehow I escaped from that scene and reached my bus stop scurrying only to know that I misplaced my mobile pouch which is like a mini handbag for me in all this hungama. My head went blank as soon as I realized it. I frantically searched all around if I had dropped it anywhere....Alas!!!
I saw my bus coming but had to skip to walk back home to fetch my very favorite pouch which carried loads of money (which I always do:)), debit card and identity cards and few important contacts. My day wudnt surely have been pink if I had lost it :) I have to mention here about my forgetfulness and ofcourse my amazing track record of losing out things which is unbeaten till date due to my hyper and hasty self. Mom is so much worried about this aspect of me and have got enuf blastings but habits die hard:)
I was jsut praying to god that it shud be there at my doorstep. I cursed for having such a bad morning right at the start of the day and was elated to find it where I left.....A breather...!!!

With a little lightened heart I took the auto to office lost in thoughts on various things happening and silence from few of my people. I was just hoping my day turns out better and it actually did. Inspite of having a very busy day, I was pretty engrossed in work after a long time with Music ON and listening to the english song from "Micheal learns to rock".....Awesome song of the day which elated my spirits thru out and my day did really turn pinkkk......I passed all my pink thoughts to my dear ones too and came back home to celebrate the busy and pink day with a Veg paes pulaooo....:)) You see how the mix of simple things play with you hide n seek in either ways.

And yeah the same neighbour of mine had organized a function on account of his daughter's wedding which called for litting the entire apartment complex. It was an awesome view from my balcony toh we have not been invited ha ha :) Never knew biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig people can be so kiddish, harsh and can get ruthless on a trash box....Few poeple in this world are wierd and beyond my contemplation cos as per me no mistake in this world is so big that it cant be forgiven :)
On this note, a great quote which is one of my personal favorites -
" Forgiveness is the flower which leaves its fragrance on the heel that crushes it"...
Isnt it just wonderful?!?! :)) So Forgive & Forget to be in pink always...;))))

~$,06/10/08, 11:00 pm

Change Clouds have arrived...:)

Life in the first half of 2008 was like someone had pressed a still/pause key. Came month May and it seems like a fast forward button. Most happening phase in my Life till date as unexpected things are coming my way and more essentially, all good ones...:)) Let me not get into details cos its too much to write about and let me hold the ground firm;)
Today has been a thursday ensuring lot of hope and I am feeling quite high about lot of things happening:)
One has to do with my career( which was in last post), second being little personal;), and third being my love for Music which has opened new avenues and interesting things lined up there.
I have been talking whole day today taking calls and answering Qs and all tired now. I sense lot of changes coming my way in the next 2/3 months ....Hmmm...Life's interesting always!!

~$,29/25/08

"Five Point" Someone..!!

Its that part of the year when morales are high for one section of poeple and otherwise doomed for many sections in IT industry. Yeah its the " Year end" Appraisals time which is no new to any software geek...!! After having been at the receiving end of this system for quite sometime now ( 5 years to be precise), I never had any expectations.
I still remember the days when I entered the industry, with loads of energy and aspirations to be the top notch and belong to the creamy layer. Only to realize that by and large, the appraisal system is the most hypocritic system I have ever come across. The fundamental principles itself show the paradoxy it holds...!!

Realization # 1 : Disappointment knocked me at every turn being a fresher and I was always shown by my superiors that I had fallen short of something initially. In due course of time, I understood that a fresher will have to be exceptionally genius to reach that creamy layer while a senior in the same project gets that spot without actually doing much( not even as much as the fresher). Hmm....

Realization # 2 : Now, how can a fresher become exceptionally genius ?! If he is exceptionally genius already, then why would he be called a fresher, at first place?? Got the catch??:) So its not necessary that you are smart/intelligent enuf to get into top band, you need a strong backing or mentoring from your seniors who would help you get to that. Ideally this shud happen to any fresher who enters the arena but alas.....Life isn't that simple...!! For a backing, there would be many people who would be ready to bootlick the seniors and get the help but those who wouldn't do wil have to get disappointed and accept the mediocrity of life and move on.

Realization # 3 : But I wouldn't take way the credit of those few great leaders (who are still out there) who can guage a fresher's potential and who guide them thick and thin. That is purely a matter of luck, ain't it??!!

Realization # 4 : An individual is rated/appraised based on previous year's performance for which he gets paid in the coming year. It doesn't stop there. The appraisal also takes factors like how much the individual is useful for the project in future. So even if you have slogged for an entire year and want to move on with another project, you would still be rated low since ur not going to be useful in future. Pity!!!

Realization # 5 : Whether you are instantly recognized or not , there would be someone who would surely be watching you and there would be somepoint in time when you would reap it. You should never let mediocrity take over you which is like killing your own fighting self . Rather being driven by monitory benefits, if one is driven by self and satisfaction, I am sure one can perform way beyond the former. A breather and hope!! :)

Having said all that, I am in A band this time for the first time.... Yippieee....:-) I am not sure if I have to be happy for getting there whose basis itself is a paradoxy or feel sad that now I am also part of the bandwagon , having tuned myself to do that smart thing in getting there. I really dont know but I would surely say, realization #5 ( damn this 5 again:) is what I have always strongly believed in, over the period of time. Probably it had paid off :)

On a lighter note,
It took 5 years and 5 months to get a 5/A on the 15th of 5th month and 5th day of the week to be called Five point someone after the 5 realizations......Isn't that a Cool coincidence ??? ha ha ha
Probably everything in life is so well timed OR am I a fool to be just relating all the irrelevant things in life. Whatever it is, it was a good feeling to be "Five" point someone and it did give me a high for a day :):) I am sure tomorrow its going to be a stale news and I wouldn't say or feel the same :)
I am off for a 10 day holiday to my home town as its been 5 months since I am home...Oh myyyyyy!!! Another Five ruling my life ha ha ha ha ha..Well, Life's really interesting, probably a perception is what is needed..:) Until I am back, cheerioooooooooooo...........

~$,16/05/08, 8:00 pm

<< Monday Blues - JLT!!

What all I do to beat Monday morning blues..:) Dated : 03/12/2007

Ahh....!! Its Truly a typical Monday.......,

Day on a sleepy start,

With Loads of work to tear apart... ,

No mails or news from friends to react...... ,

Even when its time to Depart.....!!! :-(

So I just had this thought....,

That why not I take a part ....,

Just before its too Late..... ,

and end the day on a Happy note......:-))) Just Like that!! :)

A Very Good evening ....!!

~$,13/05/2008, 9:00pm

IPL - Discussion Board !

Statutory Warning :
All characters in this discussion are very much real and opinions expressed are thoroughly genuine and individual. Bear with the length of the discussion and this is strictly prescribed for reading for pure cricket lovers :) Saved this discussion as a testimony to see who is a greater predictor of the future of IPL. Contents edited for better readability. Bear with the slang :) All in the game:)

Participants -: Andhra University EEE 2002 passouts
Dated -: Apr'08 25th - May'08 3rd

$ said-: I am trying for tickets for tomorrow's match between Chennai Super Kings Vs Kolkata Knight riders.....My 2 dream teams.....We will know if we get tix or not by tomm since all tix are sold out....btw Deccan chargers lost ydays match ..:-((( felt bad as last over took the game away from thm..... and U hyd guys, y isn't anyone showing up (wrt celebs or stars etc) at Hyd stadium when everyone else in the other cities are going gaga over cricket......I felt there’s no one who is supporting Deccan chargers......C'mon, Hyd...Support them!! ;)))

Jagan said -: Wow...cool tix dorikithe don't miss....I am watching every match's first innings and going office late :), today also I had watched Deccan's batting and thought they will win for sure...but the result had gone the other way...:((... Chennai Super Kings & Kolkata Knight are the best teams so far...of course RCB is not far from them...I think andhra film industry got political fever... :))
Deccan team doesn't have good bowling attack but their batting line up is strongest when compared to any other team...I am waiting to see Tendulkar to wear his shoes and get in to the field, I don't agree with Sree about Indian team...to name few Sehwag, Yuvi, Rohit, Yusuf, Dhoni, Uthappa are doing well...you will see more new faces as the game progresses...as of now we are hearing only Aus's as they are the masters of hitting the cricket ball...

$ said:- If it was a new gimmick to make Rich the richer, famous batsman more famous, then why do we need an IPL when already BCCI and ICL are there........??? personally speaking, toh im xcited about tomm's match (a fool dat i am like many others:) I dint quite like the idea of IPL a bit... may be we can start sharing our opinions about IPL in an organized way.....wat say????

Jagan said:- Yah, we can do that...:) Let me start with mine...
If you look at IPL for short time, you are right Sree but i am looking at it for many years, so called famous & rich players will disappear in 2 to 3 years. Looking at the success of IPL, England and Caribbean are coming close to start EPL, this will help Caribbean cricket, as other countries start their own IPL format then second stream people are the first to benefit, they will get gr8 opportunity to learn, as is the case with the Indian young players, many young bowlers are learning a lot from this IPL and that will help the Indian team, it's same for other countries as well.
I would like to see many countries tart playing cricket. I think by next Olympics (next to Beijing's) ,cricket also will be part of it. Personally I love test matches though i don't have time to sit before TV & watch longer time, same entertainment if i am getting through this short version of cricket, I love to watch it. Now it's your time guys.....

Chandu said :- Sorry about the length of the mail. :)
Good things:1) It is a very good opportunity for new talent. As you are saying, only Sehwag got man of the match upto now and Australians are the major performers. The players cant get any closer look than this to know how far they have to raise the bar. Time for local heroes to step up.
$'s response - : If its unleashing and encouraging new talent, then atleast there wud be some good at the end of the tunnel. But I feel players (whether new/old) wud be more motivated towards making that big buck that IPL generates rather than playing for love of cricket. And English premier leagues were popular cos they had local heroes in thier teams and there is some excitement for U meeting that popular face in a local mall u visit or a movie u go...I mean u have a feeling of nativity. Here, its a global composition who fly down for 3 hrs from diff parts of the world and u are not even sure if they wud remain in ur team in the next season.
Bottom line - There is absolutely no sense of belonging ness as u see when u play for a country. Atleast it wud come, if the teams composition is just local players..... maybe when u start off with such palyers, u may not have a packed house opening, but with cricket cant u create local heroes is what is my Q

2) More options to pursue cricketing career. Not only for the players but for all the ones behind the scenes.
$'s response :- Good option but just imagine where is the money coming from?? Aren’t they not exploiting the common man too much with an overdose of cricket??? Its like paying the big franchises from ur pocket.

3) Its a treat for cricket fans. Another major entertainment option esp with Bollywood adding more glamour. $'s response -: This is one thing which I hated...... A big star owning cricket team is so far so good, its his/her choice... but why the hell do hey need music concerts/half naked cheer leaders as a promotion??? Do u think they really have to do all this to gain that extra mile...I wud have been v happy if they added this entertainment value to a game like hockey or kabaddi or some other game which is finding difficulty to breathe..... C'mon u don’t have to take a popular game like cricket which is already larger than religion in India...

I personally like it just for its entertainment value.
$'s response :- I really wonder how u liked that aspect. Its only due to this I hated the idea cos in anyway ur demeaning both stakeholders....Cricket as well as entertainment. Frankly tell me....Do u need Hariharan/Shankar mahadevan/Siva mani on stage to promote cricket...does cricket really need it???

Bad things:
1) Huge blow for cricket in the long run. I don’t have to explain this. We won’t see spinners of Shane warne quality anymore. We get more of run saving bowers who bowl kinda medium pace but very few wicket taking ones. Already every spinner is scared of using flighted deliveries. I feel pretty bad about it and ICC should do something to keep test cricket alive but its the money that ultimately wins. So future generations will not have the slightest idea of what it is like driving the ball thru covers (imagine Sachin) when a bowler like Mc Grath is bowling in Australia.
$'s response -: Exactly...It wudn’t just not stop with what u said...Down the lane I tell you what its gonna do....Its gonna tear apart the basic love for cricket ppl had......Cos anything too much wudn’t sustain and since the cause for all this itself is making money. I am really unsure of how long can they pull ppl to stadiums or watching a channel for that matter......Already, I am so bored watching a match every day.......and stands are half empty for big matches also... What wud happen is, even for ICC matches, ppl will stop eventually.....So with ur own hands, u wud have strangled the game without a notice....

2) IPL is just another way of BCCI expressing monopoly in India cricket. ICL will eventually fade away unless something turns up in the case they filed again IPL/BCCI.
$'s response -: May be good for Cricket India and BCCI since India is the country that’s crazy about he game but they cud have chosen other ways to promote it than killing the soul of game.

Jagan said -: Haaa...at last we got Editorial version... :)) few corrections, EPL is yet to start (English premier leagues), I think it should point to English county cricket... :)), In this format of cricket also foreign country players are eligible to play. I guess we are expecting more from IPL, i am sure it's not going to affect any format of the cricket, rather it will become like Ranji Trophy/Dileep Trophy/Irani Trophy...etc. Who cares all these trophies now? IPL my sustain for some time as it has some big names, once they are out then no need to mention...but one thing is for sure more cricket lovers will like to play this format (20-20) of game(of course we always used to play 20-20 at college :) ). Test cricket any ways no one playing, it is only played at the highest level, so ICC already has rules set for this format of game to alive. 50-50 overs cricket will never going to lose it's glory. How can we for get the tension and the all excitement people show for games between Ind Vs Pak, Aus Vs Eng..etcBottom Line: if you are worrying for cricket don't worry nothing going to harm cricket. If the worry is about extras added to cricket just ignore them.

Chandu said -: IPL is commercial product. Its an entertainment package. If they provide more value(entertainment) for the buck I pay, it doesn’t bother me at all :) I would njoy it. These things are more like fillers to maintain the mood but nothing like demeaning cricket. I hope "half-naked" part is not the one bothering you (jus kidding). Actually down the line we might see some local competition for cheer leading and that would just be more "entertaining". :) Cricket with this larger than religion image, how may people turn up to a Ranji trophy? If IPL is with jus the local teams, would it have enough crowd pulling power in India? I seriously doubt that. It’s not the case in England. All the counties have lots of local fans. So much that they are confident that these teams would pull the crowd for the EPL they are going to start. We are in no way close to comparison. Most part of this format and pace of the game is borrowed from the west and as time progresses; each team has their own fan base irrespective of who is playing for their team. I initially did not understand when I saw it here. But once your team wins you are a fan of championship team and that drives other fans to give more support wanting to be one. If things work out, believe me people are going to wait for the season. If I hadn’t responded to any of ur views/opinions, it jus because of the length of the mail I already had :)

$ said -: Yes!! IPL is an entertainment package and a commercial product and that’s exactly what bothers me......I just ask one Q Why cant the batsmen dance on the pitch after hitting a six and the bowlers dance after taking a wicket? Am sure to make heads turn more , they may do that down the lane by paying double the amount once the concert/cheerleaders "Nasha" gets down....So shud we or can we take all these antics on the field under "entertainment package" ??? Probably along with the cricketing talent, one has to have additional skills like dancing and making antics on field to get into the team. Same is the case with reality shows....How many singing competitions remained juts singing......Now singing involves, dancing, performing, acting and what not...and I am sure not many are interested in reality shows nowadays. It just reaches a peak and after that there is decline in all ways......Hope ur trying to get what I am trying to say :) In the name of entertainment and money, people cant ruin certain basic code of conduct......
I am not completely denying the fact that cricket has to be there thru out with this entertainment but where is the need to adulterate it with something which is going to be ephemeral and ruins the basic cause. All said and done, I am going to witness an IPL match today he he he ......Ofcourse trying to see and judge how and what this package looks like?? :))) Lemme see if it convinces me or irritates..
What hap’d to others especially Anil/Saraa/Ravi....Only chandu,jagan, Kunche and sasi have responded till now...:)

Chandu said -: Well....I can speak about IPL, its format and its being an "entertainment" package.....but I am pretty sure I cant speak for the "Nasha" you are talking about :) I don’t know much about reality shows either. I don’t like them.As far as know after watching games here where these things are kinda derived from I guess, these concerts/cheerleaders are there to cheer the crowd. They try their best to keep the mood/atmosphere so that the crowd do not have any boring moments in between. They carry forward the tempo in between breaks. That’s what their role is supposed to be. What ever you derive from that is upto you :). Regarding this "entertainment" thing, that is all I got to say. Anyways, try to njoy the game. Don’t spend time figuring out what u like and what u don’t like :) Have fun!

$ said -: I saw the match and I am here to confess that I had loads of fun not just cos of the cheerleaders but with the electric mood that the sport and added entertainment that created......Happened to read an article that Rajdeep sardesai wrote about Twenty20 game......
You must read this and frankly what’s written in the blog is exactly what I feel.... http://www.ibnlive.com/blogs/rajdeepsardesai/1/50980/twenty20-the-page-3-of-cricket.html

Anil said -: Sreee....>> Where is the need to adulterate it with something which is going to be eiphemeral and ruins the basic cause. i saw the deccan chargers Vs bengaluru match just now. did not understand what adulterated cricket. It was a very gud nail biter and i just think that somehow u did not like the cheerleader(s)..maybe jealous of them or something like that :)

>>Yes!! IPL is an entertainment package and a commercial product and thats exactly what bothers me....... we do watch cricket (or any other sport) for entertainment purpose right???its just the waste of time between overs u can now cheer urself by watching something...when u watch at home u can browse between channels wheras if u are the stadium u cannot do much..(unless u are there with a big gang) that is what IPL solved which will help them sell more tickets ...also as the match is just 3 hours many ppl wudcbe inetrested to come and so the high prices for all ads..today its IPL tomorrow we may have cheerleaders for india vs pak match ..who knows..its just IPL started this thing for cricket..i do not hink it wud just stay with IPL.... personally I would like to see some stunts/pyramids etc from teh cheerleaders..and btw the hyd'bad cheerleaders are dressed more than any tollywood heroine..they are covered from neck to heels, so i guess reduce one of ur crib right...:) I am getting ready for shah rukh Vs preity's match.. now..enjoy

~$,09/05/2008, 9:00 pm

**Happiness Quotient**

"What is it in the world that can make one independent of emotions and be happy in relationships?? "

Quite a Question that has left many Titans dumbstruck and brought on heels. Often in relationships, one tends to go overboard and depend too much emotionally on partners. Above everything else, I feel happines purely lies in one's own hands of tuning their mind than to search for it in a particular person or attach it to something that's dear. Is it that simple a choice?? A little insight ...

Often it so happens that we never remain happy with what we have in life. God has given us this amazing Life which in its own way is a wonderful thing . You are not born handicapped like thousands, You are sane (atleast most of the times:) with few grey cells on your head , You are brought up with great values and you are leading a comfortable life meeting your ends quite well. But humans..!!! I tell you.....and thier discontent!!!

They always look around for those petty things that are imperfect and tend to brood over it. I wonder if its the devilish subconscious mind at work that derives a pshychotic pleasure in learning and feeling that there are imperfections around. Its sure that this subconscious mind would damn get tuned with -vity over a period of time. And by doing so, we by CHOICE bring in gloom into our lives ourselves.
Thats exactly where, one's sane mind has to take control on this insane component and chuck out all that's -ve. Rationalise what 's best in keeping up the relationship than accumulating -tivity. I know its not all that easy as just saying it:)

Precisely when it comes to dear ones, rather than looking at the good things and being +ve, we tend to micro manage emotions by thinking overboard on -ves. So many many of us tend to do the same thing over and over again. I wouldnt mind confessing myself that after having a post mortem of my overboard emotions at times millions of times, I tend to think and behave the same nasty way. Huhhh!! Once this process becomes a habit, you are gone for good since habits die hard, my dear!!

We forget that it can be dealt altogether in a different way. By understanding the imperfections and accepting the way things are makes life a lot more simpler and easy. This acceptance is what probably one calls getting matured from being an amatuer. OR is it that when you get matured over age, you start accepting?? Uff....Tough equations of life which I never try to solve!!:))) And if you try to add the planetary differences ( I meant the gender biases and thier shortcomings), it would be the complex equation than laplace on your plate :)

But on second thoughts now, is it really worth counselling and consoling ourselves to accept the shortcoming of the other by rationalising and reasoning? I mean, C'mon , we have one life and cant we really do something to actually feel happy by a little change than consoling happiness. Afterall, not all days u can be rational and sensible and keep accepting.

So that's where the other side of the story starts. Emotionally detaching ourselves to one's imperfections and tuning away ourselves to even nasty/bad things around also is not the only route to happiness. It would be, at the end of day, cheating ourselves and camouflage one's own self which may again in long run have impact on the relationship.

None can deny the fact that there are umpteen instances where few ( inafct many:) imperfections (which are primarily the cause for contradictions) can be fine tuned. I cant understand why each shows an inertia to change. This is a MUST parallel track that has to run simultaneously to what I said above. Some amount of effort has to go in by both partners in working out on these imperfections cos we want to be really happy at the end of the day rather than consoling ourselves that we are happy, right?? Its not about "making" happiness but feeling that "feeling of happiness" from within. Complicated haan?!?!

A heavy topic for today after having seen so many dearones around in pain at times. Thought of finding an answer by a little data mining in my warehoused head:) Great learning for you and me being a part of a world thats closely entangled with a web of emotions and relationships.

So people who read thru this, Are you anywhere near????;))) Drop in your valuable comments for sure to enliven and enlighten souls around.....:)) White papers are also invited ha ha ha

~$,28/04/08, 11:00 am

<<< From the Lady in Lavender - Back in Dec'05

I got this kiddish composition of mine from one of my dear frens who preserved it with great care...Just tells how excited I used to get for every simple thing around me. After reading this, my love for the color can be best seen and probably explains the reason for choosing the same color for my space too...;);) Though things haven't changed much even now, I think I am a little more matured and subdued now :-) So here you go...!!!

" A late morning !!! Today, me in a great mood to drop into ur cube with all smiles....:-)))
The reason though is v simple for my enerygy and happiness...Any guesses...he he he ...No no.....Put a break to ur thoughts....I wore a new dress today....ha ha ha
The most awaited "Lavender outfit".......;)))It might be a very trivial thing which anyone of us would have done on any other day. But theres a hilarious story behind it. Got some mood to write. So heres how the story went.....;)))

Last saturday, bored in life I stepped out of my home and roamed in and around my palce when I saw a Lavender cloloured dress material hanging in a shop. That triggered my love for lavender which dates back to college days when I almost had 7 dresses in Lavender to exhaust my week.....;))))So with no second thoughts, I grabbed that piece which happens to be the last one in that shop....How lucky.....!!!;)) I could not even wait until it gets stiched. So the action item for the week was to get it stitched at the earliest.
Monday, I went to my tailor, cooked up a story that I have to wear it for a function coming up on wednesday and asked to keep it ready by tuesday evening. He said he would try.......Huh!! But that was more than enuf for me to keep me going for the next day.
Tuesday came and I went running.....Alas!!! It was not even cut .So after a series of warnings and threats I left the tailor passing an ultimatum to get it done by wednesday evening. With a lil disappointment wednesday went but then I consoled myself by wearing another favorite outfit in my wardrobe. I was waiting for the evening to come to collect the dress and get ready for the great "dress rehearsal"......ha ha ha ha
It was 8 in the night....I went to that shop straight.......
But nothing seemed to be right...As the "Dupatta" was lost......
Controlling my anger , I asked whats next???

He apologised and told that he had sent it to another tailor for finishings and that guy had left for the day. But he promosed me that he would get me at the earliest , the next day morning by 9:30 am. So I decided to go late for work for the love I had for "Lavender" and told that he would be murdered if he wudnt make it. I worked late and exhausted myself last night doing some work, slept late so that I would wake up late in the morning and find an excuse for staying back at home, get my duppatta thereby escaping from my guilt of not turning upto office in time( haha ha .......So much thought process went into it...can u believe????;))))

Atlast the time came when i had to go and collect it. I was at his doorstep when he remembered that he had to get the dupatta from the other tailor. At that moment, my anger was at the peak and I thought I would land my fist right on his nose but thought would give him one last chance else would loose the chance to get my dress...;)) So just blasted him left and right and said I wud come back by 10:00. When I went back......ohhh no!!!! I had to see the same JUNK face with not much progress. All disappointed in life I thought today is not my day and was about to leave when the guy who was sent came back with my Dupatta.
So the disappointment was at once turned into excitement, All my frowns to smiles. That was the happiest moment ......Yepp.....Yepp.....All set in Lavender I started to work and am here mailing to glory.Some one did rightly say....." Its the simple things in life that fill us wth Joy...."

So that was the Saga of the Lady in Lavender in Good old exhuberant days!!

~$,04/15/08

<<< Rama Navami & Granny

Its an extended weekend for me and this day started little bright after a poised and calm weekend. I had been to Besant nagar beach with my fren in the early hours and enjoyed watching the Sunrise wondering how many things we miss out in a day being part of these cut throat schedules and cocooned homes. I never knew there was something bigger that I missed today.

The daily ritual call from mom in the morning made me remember that today happened to be Rama navami which catapulted nostalgic thoughts and fond memories of my growing up days in Vizag. Sri rama Navami, a festival widely celebrated as birth Thithi of Lord Rama which had almost lost its fervor and significance in these times and life styles.


A little lookback into my childhood - I have been brought up with all the norms and rhymes of a typical traditional south Indian family but what topped it all was that my upbringing was mostly in a Joint family framework (until I completed 2nd year graduation). So I feel lucky when I think today to have enjoyed all the fruits of being a part of joint living , sharing and caring , delaing with contradictions and conflicts and ofcourse pampered being the youngest (okay! being the youngest for a long time until my lil cousin(bro) arrived;o) There are tons and tons of fond memories when I look bak today and dont feel like calling it a day without talking about my Grandmom who was a gem of a person.

I got reminded of her specifically today since this festival was celebrated in her presence in a unique way in our house. Its a tradition in our house to worship the age old wooden Idols of Rama, Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman and perform thier wedding( Yes!! in a small scale though :-) Sissy and me used to sing songs for any occasion under amma and granny's supervision ;) We were fondly referred to Lava & Kusa on Rama navami ;) Its a real feast to be a part of such proceedings and I feel there is so much meaning in blindly following what was taught to us by elders. I confess that for me, following any ritual or performing pooja was exciting just for the fact that it involved lot of color, flowers, music, great fooood and ofcourse new dresses:-) But guess that's the first step where we start understanding our culture and as we grow up, we season it with logic and reason and mature as a complete person. Don't ask me which stage I am in now thouh he he ;))

Coming to granny, There are many spectacular charecterisitics about her but what defined her the best was her dignity, perseverance, foresight and ambitious nature which is not so likely to be found in a person of that era. She was with us until she was 82 in her full spirits and is still remembered by everyone on any given occasion. I have not really seen anyone so popular from her times who is thought about so fondly and so often. A big eyed beautiful lady who was multi faceted in her own ways be it be cooking, dressing up , Poetry or literature - both Telugu & Sanskrit , so on so forth and more than anything the broad outlook towards life. Sometimes my parents were way way beyond at the amount of understanding and sensitivity with which she dealt issues. Never nagged or brooded about conventional norms and marvellously adjusted herself to vivid generations. She would narrate all the mythological stories with great penchant and patience to a band of monkeys like us when we all used to sleep on the terrace in the night which is a very important and fond part of my upbringing. She had almost seen 4 generations and surprisingly she could easily connect with all effortlessly. I remember my elder bro's ( first cousin) frens from Btech and Mtech streams on thier visit to our house always used to discuss with her without any inhibitions on any given topic. She was just adorable by all her grandchildren specially.
There were some very strong and ambitious charateristics like any Mom-in-law in a joint family which were once again specific to her which led to contradictions and conflicts. But surely nothing in comparison to the bigger picture to which she belonged.

There have been many instances when I would have felt not so good about the way she handled certain things but it all look petty to me now since its her wonderful persona which has helped me inculcate so many good things and this day would just be incomplete if I dont shed a tear for her. I hope she was near me today and blessed me :-)
Having been a part of such cozy and wonderful childhood amidst people, today was mostly spent at home in solitude watching two great mythological telugu movies ( My all time favorite Lava Kusa & Seetha Rama Kalyanam) which triggered such wonderful memories :) Guess this is what I could do most belonging to these times :-)
I strongly feel that a part of me is always with the History that has made me and its inseperable.

~$,04/14/08,9:45pm

Making "Reality"....

I am ardent lover of Music and Dance and readily connect to any kind of art forms. This is one of the very obvious reasons that I watch every damn reality show ( singing, dancing shows aired with no language barrier) that have swept Indian television in recent times. Last weekend, I was at my friends place and we had planned with great excitement to watch couple of grand finales (of music shows) that were lined up.

One of the finale we watched was the hunt for a "Chote Ustaad" in singing which kick started at 7:00 in the night. The first hour was really a joyous journey with 2 amazingly talented girls singing to glory - the best known melodies and dance numbers. This was the first time 2 girls have made it to the final. The second hour also filled us with a sense of elation wondering how tough it would have been for the gals who were <=14 to keep enthralling the crowd by being upto the mark in singing and showcasing their talent. Slowly third and eventually fourth hour also crept in and there was no sign of announcing the winner of the evening. We started getting impatient. This is a show which had tested the contestants for months now and was it really needed to toil the kids so much for an advertising stint???!!!

The comparer, who was also a poor Junior of the same show sometime ago, kept on hinting that the coming up song was the "Last" performance and there never seemed to be an end. It was very evident that the girls were lip syncing the songs since singing no longer remained "SINGING" anymore. It has adorned a new element of glitter, gloss and movement. They have to sing, dance, act and do everything possible, to catch the attention of the audiences, which can’t go right in an open air stadium when you have a finale stretching for 5 hours and there are lakhs of eyes watching them. Surely it is no longer a question of proving their talent but keeping the crowd and sponsors happy whose money is at stake. Do they have to do this in the name of a reality show???!!!

Things dont stop there. India being a "Celebrity craving" society, no show is ever complete without named celebs. Bollywood biggies like Amithabh and few others graced the finale and gals had to further enact the play of Singing before them and this extended for another hour. Every judge, guest of honor after listening was asked an opinion as to who was the best of the two and none were frank enough to take a stand just to keep the curiosity intact. C’mon!! It’s a basic human instinct to develop a soft corner when you hear two sides and what grave mistake is it to just say who you feel is the best. The liners each said were so well rehearsed just adding to our impatience. So very artificial.....These reality shows are surpassing the drama we see in the soaps.

Then there are these SMS polls dividing the entire nation in regions to vote the candidate from their region making talent take the back seat and just fill pockets of the sponsors and increase the TRPs of the channel. Channels are not leaving any card unturned that can mint money for them in anyform. When so much money, emotions and pride involved for a simple singing show, just imagine the amount of pressure the kids and thier parents would be undergoing. I saw in one of the channels where a contestants mother getting a heart pain while the results being announced. Is this much hype and pressure really needed for hunting a real talent ??!!! We had the great MS or Lata or Sonu for that matter who proved their mettle with nothing in place. This unwanted competition atmosphere is created by the franchises to meet thier ends in surplus. We have a Voice of India or an Indian idol every 3 months now whose fame is as short lived as a water droplet on a lotus.

After an evening of overdone reality( if one can call it), I felt only thing that’s surely “REAL” was the foolishness of the audiences watching these so called "Reality shows" at the expense of their time, money and energy.
Making this so called "Reality" work has become a part and parcel of every show whose soul purpose is to bully people that this Virtual reality is Real. This has just not stopped just with talent hunts or shows but is slowly creeping into every walk of our Lives. I feel People would soon fail to distinguish what is real and what is surreal. A scary future awaits for us.....

P.S: I was so digusted with the overdose of the grand finale thingy, that I was provoked to spurt out my anger this way;) Few more observations may follow...

~$,08/04/2008, 11:45pm

On Wheels!!

Have been on a traveling spree for 3 weeks now. Mid March was spent in Bangalore, Week next in Madhurai and the Latest one in Hyderabad....Anticipating the next one to be in Coimbatore on an official trip....!! Truly a taxing month this March had been and probably explains why there was very lil activity here. Hardly had any time to sit back, relax and spend a lazy weekend.
I have grown up believing in a myth since childhood that whatever one does on the very first day of the year, they continue to do the same or it automatically happens thruout the year. This myth was so strongly placed in my mind, that I had always planned my new year pretty special and dreaming of doing best things so that whole year turns out rosy...;)
This new year, forcibly I had to spend the evening in a train while getting back from my home town and probably my myth is turning out to be very true....!! Atleast first three months went on wheels with lot of traveling within city and states too...:-)
Ohh now when I think of it , fate has been so very harsh!! How I wish now to have travelled with a handsome hunk in the same train ;)
Read a great quote today : This is the day when one is reminded of what they are on the other 364 days..:-)
Since you reached here reading thru, Happy B'Day!! :-)

~$,01/04/08,11:30pm

TFTD!!

"............But love is an emotional thing, and whatever is emotional is opposed to that true cold reason which I placed above all things."

A quote that I came across today while surfing net which catapulted a not so great yet profound string of thoughts within myself thru the day. It even motivated me to open up a new space just to myself.

Weather today : Pensive, thoughful

~$,03/17/08,11:55pm

~ A thing of beauty is joy forever...!!~

“A thing of beauty is Joy for ever…!!” ~~ John Keats

The poet who quoted this quote ages back, never would have thought that the “Forever” word used in his quote would be short lived. He would not have foreseen that there will be a point in time where an ignorant human mind can get ugly and transform the thing of beauty into a beast, slowly yet steadily.

Yes!! Our reference here is to Nature/Earth which is the only beautiful entity that has been taken for granted and misused from times immemorial. It is high time that each one us, being a part and parcel of this entity, turn our energies and thoughts to bring back the original glory of nature. Theme of our module has been one of the most obvious, unanimous and relevant choices of recent times.

Our theme “Rescue Earth – Together “ is just our way of paying tribute to mother Earth and Nature which has served, cared and nurtured us through the ages with true harmony, synergy, ecological balance and persistence. Of course last but not the least, rewarding us with an amazing spectrum of what we call “Colors” today.

Our motto of life from today should be living in agreement with nature rather being the cause for its detriment. Let’s pledge – “We will Rescue Earth – Together”!! "

When I wrote this write-up for the creative module contest that explained in nutshell the theme of our module, I was pretty confident of us being the best but never knew my confidence was also short lived like the poet. The theme was an easy choice by couple of other modules too but we (Module C3) were very proud of the way we carved, engraved and depicted the concepts in a unique way that others couldnt even think of. We had chosen a constructive central sub-theme where we depicted the Do's and Dont's of how we can bring about a change to rescue Earth. And the rest of the module took the theme of 5 elements of nature in Earth (Brown), Sun & Fire (Yellow & Orange), Air & SKy ( White), Water (Blue). We had a Banyan tree effect with a tree sturcture at center of the module with birds and monkeys hanging from it. You wouldn't believe that it actually gave our module an effect of a forest and our efforts did really satify us.

Alas! The results were out today and it came as a shocker to us that we never bagged a prize. It was beyond anyone's sense and sensibility that how this could happen. We questioned, rebelled and cursed amongst ourselves that how could the panel of judges dint have the aesthetic sense to see a true conjuntion of Color, Theme and Beauty which everyone else around could see and appreciate. These were words not out of frustration but the confidence on the kind of effort and sincerity potrayed by each and everyone in our Team. We wanted to know the parameters on which judgement was made and boo wooed HR for handling it very unprofessionally. Anyways guess thats the way certain things work at times.

A temporary gloom filled all of us for a while and we being the best enthusiastic and enrgetic module around, cheered ourselves, boosted each other and made an oath that we would turn up in BLACK this friday to silently show our protest against such a judgement :-) I guess its these times our strength as a team doubles and quadruples;);)

At the end of the day, we knew and believed who was the BEST and all that mattered was the JOY we experienced creating the creative pieces that would surely remain with us FOREVER whether we bagged a prize or not... he he :-):-) Guess this is exactly what the poet had in his mind when he would have written that quote... Its the intangible joy you experience which would remain with you forever rather the tangible returns.....Phewww!!!!!Getting philosophical actually helps you a lot at times he he ..;);)

I somehow had carried a lot of negativity thru out the day at the whole affair and found this is the best way to vent it out...:-) I bet the day would pass and tomorrow we would be all in the best of our spirits with a new hope and belief. As someone rightly said, its on this HOPE that earth revolves which is bigger and stronger than gravity ;)

~$,02/18/2008, 11:00pm

Going Greeen;)

My blog in a completely new avatar from today.....;) I logged on to write my story for the week and I was not very happy seeing the bland background of the blog page (mustn't forget that I am wearing one of my finest (?;)creative caps since a week now;). So I thought let me get more organized first, learn some new tricks and tips to make this corner a little more brighter.

Here I come into green light from a bland background. But why green?!?!?! Surely there is a reason behind it...!!

As someone rightly said " Practice before you preach”, I thought let me “Go green” in my blog as a first step before I campaign my theme for the week “Rescue Earth – Together”. Wondering what’s behind going green and turning pink…he he he I assume you guessed that it is the theme for the creatively stuck week that it had been at my end.

Since I am all tired and done for the day after a hectic day@work :-(, would post the complete story tomorrow as a finishing note for a marvelous, meticulous yet very creatively satisfying week I had. Until then Cheerio....;))

~$,02/16/2008, 11:55pm

@@When Love is in air@@

I hardly had anytime to breathe ...!!:-) No. not cos of the uncountable roses that I received (virtual I mean:-) but a creatively taxing activity that kept me v v busy thru this week. Thankfully it also helped me to not end this day in discontentment for not receiving that "One'" rose from "The" one..;))) Anyways, a whole bunch of 60 brains creative effort and one weeks untiring enthusiasm energised and synergised the whole Team for this big event coming up tomorrow...

So here I am ending my day, unlike many others today, with a really bad throat, cough and lil fever but spirits really really unconquered and waiting for the Big competition "Module Decoration" thats going to be adjusdged tomorrow.....Phew!!!! Dont miss to watch out this space tomorrow ;);) I will be back with loads of action, drama and stories ofcourse beyond any doubt ...:-)))
It would just be incomplete if I dont wish "A very Happy Valentines Day!!"

May the love that keeps this world going, stay until the Sun disappears, Oceans dry and Stars fly....:-):-) I am sure even if they do, Love will pull and bind them together....!! Yeh Fevvicol se bhi majboot Jod hai, tootegaa nahin..;))

~$,02/14/08, 11:00pm

" Tujhe sab hai pataa meri Maa"....!!

A lovely soulful melody from "Taare Zameen Par" that had touched me in recent times...!! Kudos to the lyricist who could bring out such subtle unsaid emotions of a kidd when he feels insecure and alone.....A big pat to the director who had conceptualised and shot this theme song like no one else could......

Main Kabhi Batlaata Nahin
Par Andhere Se Darta Hoon Main Maa
Yun To Main,Dikhlata Nahin
Teri Parwaah Karta Hoon Main Maa
Tujhe Sab Hain Pata, Hain Na Maa
Tujhe Sab Hain Pata,,Meri Maa

Bheed Mein Yun Na Chodo Mujhe
Ghar Laut Ke Bhi Aa Naa Paoon Maa
Bhej Na Itna Door Mujkko Tu
Yaad Bhi Tujhko Aa Naa Paoon Maa
Kya Itna Bura Hoon Main Maa
Kya Itna Bura Meri Maa

Jab Bhi Kabhi Papa Mujhe
Jo Zor Se Jhoola Jhulate Hain Maa
Meri Nazar Dhoondhe Tujhe
Sochu Yahi Tu Aa Ke Thaamegi Maa

Unse Main Yeh Kehta Nahin
Par Main Seham Jaata Hoon Maa
Chehre Pe Aana Deta Nahin
Dil Hi Dil Mein Ghabraata Hoon Maa
Tujhe Sab Hai Pata Hai Naa Maa
Tujhe Sab Hai Pata Meri Maa

Main Kabhi Batlata Nahin
Par Andhere Se Darta Hoon Main Maa
Yun To Main,Dikhlata Nahin
Teri Parwaah Karta Hoon Main Maa
Tujhe Sab Hain Pata, Hain Na Maa

Many a times we may have felt left out and ignored in relationships. In all such moments how much we would have wished we were never a part of such a situation and wonder how did we compell ourselves to carry it off till that point.....!! Guess neglect is something that gives utmost pain than a tight slap on your cheek.....there are very very few people who understand and respect this feeling...
Bow to a wonderful person called "Mom" whose selfless Love from centuries has been untouched and intact in an adulterated world like this!!!

~$,02/11/08, 10:50pm

In Search of Soul...!!

A wonderful short story that I came across recently that triggered great series of thoughts this week.....Thought of posting it today since there's nothing much to write about the weekend at my end....!!

Once upon a time there was this girl who had four boyfriends.
She loved the 4th boyfriend the most and adored him with rich robes and treated him to the finest of delicacies. She gave him nothing but the best. She also loved the 3rd boyfriend very much and was always showing him off to neighbouring kingdoms. However, she feared that one day he would leave her for another. She also loved her 2nd boyfriend. He was her confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with her. Whenever this girl faced a problem, she could confide in him, and he would help her get through the difficult times.
The girls 1st boyfriend was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining her wealth and kingdom. However, she did not love the firstboyfriend. Although he loved her deeply, she hardly took notice of him. One day, the girl fell ill and she knew her time was short. She thought of her luxurious life and wondered, I now have four boyfriends with me, but when I die,I'll be all alone.'
Thus, she asked the 4th boyfriend, I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, willyou follow me and keep me company?''No way!', replied the 4th boyfriend, and he walked away without another word.
His answer cut like a sharp knife right into herheart.
The sad girl then asked the 3rd boyfriend, 'I lovedyou all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?'
'No!', replied the 3rd boyfriend. 'Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to marry someone else!' Her heart sank and turned cold.
She then asked the 2nd boyfriend, 'I have always turned to you for help and you've always been therefor me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?' 'I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!', replied the 2nd boyfriend. 'At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.' His answer struck her like a bolt of lightning, andthe girl was devastated.
Then a voice called out: 'I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go.' The girl looked up, and there was her first boyfriend.He was very skinny as he suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the girl said, 'I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!' In truth, you have 4 boyfriends in your lives:
Your 4th boyfriend is your body. No matter how much time and effort you lavish in making it look good, it will leave you when you die.
Your 3rd boyfriend is your possessions, status andwealth. When you die, it will all go to others.
Your 2nd boyfriend is your family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for you, the farthest they can stay by you is up to the grave.
And your 1st boyfriend is your SOUL. Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of theworld. However, your Soul is the only thing that will follow you where ever you go. Cultivate, Strengthen and Cherish it now, for it is the only part of you that will follow you to the throne of God and continue withyou throughout Eternity.
Thought for the day: Remember, When the world pushes you to your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray. Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect. It means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections .

How wonderful and thought provoking, ain't it???!!! When one's caught up too much in the worldly pleasures and relationships, guess they need breakers like this to turn to one's Soul. I am sure all of us have some association with the Girl in the narration. Such a simple story but carries the ultimate truth of Life....;) Yes, me in one of my philosophical selves today.....!!!

~$,02/03/08,11:00pm

Little Lizzy and Me..!!!:-(:-(

This is my desk where Lizzy found its groove and you can see how comfortable this part of my desk is to hide and laze ....;))

Its may be very wierd that today's topic is as trivial as a Lizard and its impact on me...;))))You might be thinking WTH??!!!:-)) Yes....!!! There are certain things in life which are so insignificant by nature but can be biggest troubles for u on a given day and obviously very very situational...he he he So I am going to write about how a little Lizard (lets name it Lizzy for conversational convinience hehe;) scared hell out of me...Sorry for those B rated words here and there....;))

Yesterday was like any other typical Monday's (may be I am writing for 10th time now in my blogs;) where morale was low, work load heavy, 100 things running in parallel and I was all worked up, exhausted by the time it was mid day.

Some times when I am worked up, I tend to scoot off home at three to have a breather, leaving work for the next day. But Yday, I had some handful of tasks and anvil right on my head that I had no chance of escape....Guess when ur not so energetic or interested, even ur body doesn't seem to cooperate. I was slowly developing a soar throat also by tea time but still kept myself motivated for the long day ahead......Then came the real terror.....!! This little lizzy which was sitting on my desk behind a calendar on the desk wall scurried off and I frenzied in my chair not knowing what to do.

People who know me would know how much I hate this little thing and how scared I am of it..:-((

Since childhood times, I never used to go into the room(rest room;) if I spotted one on the wall. I used to make my dad run around it with a broom to shoe it off the wall to be in peace. This fear doesnt stop with just Lizard but with rats,cats, dogs etc etc he he he I am no Maneka Gandhi, but just enjoy watching any pets from distance and a Lizardddd......Absolute NOOOOOO to even look!!!! And see, how well God tailors a script where I find a Lizard right on my working desk in what we call a sophisticated IT company and of all the people, just ME..;))

When I saw it hurrying it to next desk, I got up with a little scream and warned people in and around. Few teammates gathered around and started watching its movements and making fun of the special affinity these creatures have towards my desk which is pretty much colourful and no less than a fancy store...he he he btw this is the second time a Lizard is found in my vicinity, the first time on my neighbours desk. Another instance was a small cockroach in my food in canteen...Hmm..Scary...!! Ain't it??? My life's always happening you see...;)))

Yeah coming back to yday, I immediately reached the maintenance number and asked them to send help( he he ) to clear this little lizzy off my desk.... I was closely monitoring its movements so that I dont lose track of it by the time they come.

Just as we find our Indian Police reach after the thief leaves the crime spot in movies, so were the maintenance guys at my work too. They are always late and by the time this lady came, the little lizzy scooted off somewhere in a fraction of second when I just turned my eye :-( After a 15 mins exhaustive search in and around, we couldnt spot it. With giggles all around, the lady left saying, " Why are you scared ma??? Its a poor little thing". But in contrary, I felt rather I was the poor little thing left at the same desk not knowing where and when Lizzy would pop up;) Lizzy would surely have fun now with poor little Silly...;))

This thought( quite imaginative though) was heights for me after a frustrating day and with a feeling of disgust and pressure(;) I decided to go home even if the pending tasks are at stake. I started immediately and all these trivials guess subconsciouly effected me and I was down with soar throat and fever when I woke up this morning....;))) Phewwww!! At least this timely fever made me escape the little lizzy and its troubles that were awaiting me at my desk....But what about tomorrow??? Boo hoo....:-(:-( Wait if there would be more adventures of Silly with Lizzy...!!

~$,01/29/08,11:15pm

~~~~Godavari~~~~~

I watched this telugu movie called "Godavari" today which is really worth a mention...!!! Before actually I get into the movie, my lazy Saturday started so bad with a really poisonous headache which never seemed to fade away.
There will be few days when I get these acute headaches offlate which go away with a cup of hot coffee or a great shower. Neither of them seemed to have worked today and only worsened it as day progressed. I completely confined myself to the bed but since that trait is not mine, tried out cooking a bit but alas. Then I thought let me play the movie which I brought from the library yday and which had been on my " Must watch" movie list for a looong time now. Truly, this movie brought a little sunshine into my relatively low morale world today.

The story is about a boy and gal who belong to 2 completely different worlds, who have had their own share of heart failures set out on a Journey to a place called "Bhadrachalam" temple which is believed to have housed Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshaman when they were in exile. Interestingly the only way to travel to this place Bhadrachalam is thru a boat (locally called "Laanchi") on the river Godavari ....
Godavari is one the crown rivers of South India which is known as a Jeeva nadi (river filled with life) that never dries unlike other rivers even in dead summers and supports the major strech of farming in and around. All this has been said to just emphasise on the scenic environs in and around the river. Probably this back drop and the journey on the river added to the wonderful cute love saga that this boy and girl were yet to unfold.

The story was more or less predictable but the sensitivity of the Director to show those subtle moments between the lead pair was just amazing. I am all gaga over this director who is just 3 movies old and this being his second one. All the frames have been so natural, something that everyone can associate with and at the same time so much away from vulgarity and obscenity which are inseperable in cinema these days.

Coming to the lead pair, heroine Kamalini(known as Sita) was just awesome, one who enthralls in her simple looks as well as acting. She has never gripped my attention until now but in this one she was commendable and takes us thru the story line. She showcased all the insecurities, stubborness and sillyness that a girl would have and it was such a hilarious feast to watch her.....Hero Sumanth(known as Sriram) was good and apt though any one else could have filled his shoes. The comedy track entwined with a kid and dog and the slap on societal hypocrisies potrayed thru them suggests the intelligence of the Director in putting the right message uncontroversially.

The pace of the movie is one thing which could have been fastened and music was ok ok types.
But then the characters and subtle moments would just keep us tick to every frame and would make us long for more and more. Thankfully the movie had a feel good chweet ending after few dramatic set backs where lead pair unite in filmy ishtyle. Made me feel that there is atleast good in movies unlike reality..:-)
Watching this movie atleast made me forget my terrible headache and lows for all the 3 hours and I was back to the bad reality after a nice journey over Godavari....

Still down with headache, couldnt let this day end without writing about this movie which I am sure I would watch it again...:-):-) Hopefully tomorrow is better...;) ohh....I almost forgot to mention that it is our Republic day today......What a shame!!! :-))) Happy Republic day and Jai Hind!!!:-)))

~$,01/26/08,11:00pm

Pongal O Pongal!!

Something pretty strange that I am trying hard to think and write of something thats worth a mention. This is the problem I have been facing since the onset of 2008 and could not put up anything in this space :-0) Let me write about my Pongal vacation back home on a lazy sunday.

I have always grown up hearing an axiom that says " Whatever you do on a new years day and the frens you meet on that day, you would be doing all that through out the year" and coincidentally it seems to be coming true in my case. Atleast month of Jan seems to be proving the saying. Ohh..You are now curious as to what I did on that day..;)

As I told in my archives, I have been at home for new year after almost 5 years and also partly in train travelling back to the pavilion. After that, within 2 weeks of time I planned my vacation yet again to my hometown for celebrating Pongal. This is something very much unlike me to travel in such a short time with reasons being two. Mom's food is one constant reason and the other being a school frens reunion after a decade. Ohh my...!! That really makes me look old...he he he

My school days(@ Kendriya Vidyalaya Waltair) are really unforgettable cos of the kind of people I met and the teachers around. I strongly feel that it was then that the foundation was laid of whatever I am and can call myself today. I bet every student out from KV comes out into the BIG bad world with a sense of pride and confidence for being part and parcel of KV. I can write on and on about school days....:-)

Yes, thanks to orkut that I got in touch with all those school mates whom I completely lost track for almost a decade...and it dint take too long to plan for a small get together during Pongal as most of us would come home.

We did meet... relived all those moments ...shared the notorious stories...and had a glimse of everyones journey from "Piggy tails to Pony tails" ( Yes guys, I am being a lil partial here he he he but then these days guys also have ponies..;);)
Catching up with old pals couldnt have got better as we all had lotta fun on the Vizag beaches and on Kailasa giri. The day was done and we all had fun and I was back here for a hectic week...Boo hoo....

More than anyone else, I was surprised to see people follwoing this space and expecting some crap here..:-)
~$,01/29/08,9:45am

A bland Start...!!

Let me do the "Shri Ganesh" of writing my first blog in 2008;) Whoa!! It took almost 10 days to find my groove and space to fill this space a bit, though a bland start..;)

After a great beginning to the year back home, I got completely lost in work (or rather no work???) after getting back and never had anything substantial to write when I had mood and no time when I had something to post....
Today being yet another bright day - thursday passed by. As someone rightly said, if its not a special one, you need to make it one. So in those lines, anticipating quite a long day, I went to work dressed all glary and jazzy :-) Its one of my traits to dress high when my motivation levels go low and I just tried the old trick and not bad ....it did work again:-)
Reached home after a long day and yeah this day Tata Nano was launched...Quite a good car and whether I own the costliest car in the world or not, I am happy that now I can own atleast the cheapest car....Kudos to Tata!!

~$,01/10/08,11:00pm