Pethals Personified

Mr. Jobs. Era span: 02/24/1955 - 10/05/2011

2011-10-06T07:06:00.000-07:00

The best tributes - pictures & quotes - I've seen so far on the web. I'm sure Steve would've liked several of these, as they resemble what he lived & died for: A minimalist approach to everything.

I've never met you, and I never will. But you've created one hell of a revolution and you'll be an inspiration for centuries to come.

Rest In Peace, Mr. Jobs.

Some Quotes:

Steve Jobs was born out of wedlock, put up for adoption at birth, dropped out of college, then changed the world. What's your excuse? - Anonymous

Remember Steve Jobs this way, in his own words: "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life." - Anonymous

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish. And I have always wished that for myself. - Mr. Jobs

It’s your heart running around outside your body. - Mr. Jobs about children to Eric Schmidt

He had a level of perception about feelings and emotions that was far beyond anything I’ve met in my entire life. His legacy will last for many years, through people he’s trained and people he’s influenced. But what death means is you can’t call—you can’t call him. It’s a loss. I’ll miss talking to him. - Eric Schmidt

Steve was among the greatest of American innovators - brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it. And there may be no greater tribute to Steve’s success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented. - President Obama

For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it's been an insanely great honor. I will miss Steve immensely. - Bill Gates

Once in a rare while, somebody comes along who doesnt just raise the bar, they create an entirely new standard of measurement. - Twitter CEO Dick Costolo

Finally, this is one picture that is really wonderful. Mr. Jobs at his last WWDC in June 2011. I'm sure he knew that this was his last Keynote.

The decade's best Tamil movie songs...

2011-02-13T23:05:00.000-08:00

According to me, and only for me, the following were the best Tamil songs over the last decade. Well, it's Decade + 1 actually, as the decade officially was from 2000-2009. But, I've listed down songs from 2000-2010. I love every bit of these songs, in no particular order, for either or all of composition, composer, singer or lyrics.

Isyail thodangudhamma (Movie: Hey Ram)
Urugudhe Marugudhe (Movie: Veyyil)
Kangal Irandal (Movie: Subramaniapuram)
Kannil Paarvai Pogum podhu (Movie: Naan Kadavul)
Pichaipaathiram (Movie: Naan Kadavul)
Elankaathu veesudhe (Movie: Pithamagan)
Endhan Vaanin (Movie: Kadhal Virus)
Swasame (Movie: Thenali)
Oru Deiyvam Thandha Poove (Movie: Kannathil Muthamittal)
Velai Pookal (Movie: Kannathil Muthamittal)
Edho Edho Ondru Enakullae (Movie: Enakku 20 Unakku 18)
Thottu Thottu Ennai (Movie: Kaadhal)
Unakena Iruppaen (Movie: Kaadhal)
Oru Maalai Ila Veyil Neram (Movie: Ghajini)
New York Nagaram (Movie: Sillunu Oru Kaadhal)
Unna Vida (Movie: Virumaandi)
Malargale... Malargale... (Movie: Pudhukottaiyilirundhu Saravanan)
Ondra Renda Aasaigal (Movie: Kaakha Kaakha)
Vaseegara (Movie: Minnalae)
Iru vizhi Unadhu (Movie: Minnalae)
Venmathi Venmathiyae (Movie: Minnalae)
Un perai sonnale (Movie: Dumm Dumm Dumm)
Mun Paniya (Movie: Nandhaa)
Edhilum Ingu Irupaan Avan Yaaro (Movie: Bharathi)
Yaar, Yaar Sivam... (Movie: Anbe Sivam)
Ulaga Azhagiyae (Movie: Laysa Laysa)
Chinna Vayasula Odi Pudichaen (Movie: Pandavar Bhoomi)
Avaravar Vaazhkaiyil (Movie: Pandavar Bhoomi)

I can create a playlist with these songs and shuffle it all day long. What's yours?

An excruciating, self imposed misery!

2009-07-07T18:31:00.000-07:00

Have you heard of someone crucifying themselves without the cross, nail and a hammer? Actually, we did. Here's how...

At first, it seemed a little difficult, though doable. I was really looking forward to it, but Anu was already starting to wish the 7 days got over as quickly as possible. To make sure we don't crave too much, we stuffed ourselves with enough food here the previous evening.

The 7 days ahead of us was something like this. 8th day is the highlight!

16 April 2009 - Day 1 - Fruits, no Bananas though
17 April 2009 - Day 2 - Vegetables
18 April 2009 - Day 3 - Fruits & Vegetables
19 April 2009 - Day 4 - Skimmed Milk & Bananas
20 April 2009 - Day 5 - Brown Rice & Tomatoes
21 April 2009 - Day 6 - Brown Rice, Vegetables & Tomatoes
22 April 2009 - Day 7 - Brown Rice, Vegetables & Fruit Juices
23 April 2009 - Day 8 - தங்கமணி Enjoy!

I don't really want to go into each and every minute of the 7 days. After all, there wasn't much as we were just starving. If we had done anything better, then it would've been here. Anyways, a few highlights

The first one totally got me by the unmentionables - I cannot have my morning coffee. The first shot of caffeine is something that I have spoilt myself with. The only drinks we "can" have during the 7 days are - Black Coffee, Black Tea. I think I would have preferred komiyam in place of the Black Coffee. OK, that was a bit exaggerated. I, in fact liked the black coffee and drank this on all 7 days! Maybe, I should start drinking black coffee more so that I can avoid the milk. But, how can I satisfy this? Let's cut the crap and get into the details...

Day 1 was real difficult as it was a full fruit day. Not that I don't like fruits, but the missing salt was a killer. So, we supplemented our fruit diet with the magic soup. Basically, I did a few variations and made something like this, of course, without its usual richness! Plus 10 glasses of water!

Day 2 was amazing. We can have a pinch of carb with a lot of vegetables. The day starts with a baked potato and we did our variation with this. We baked the potato and then mashed it well with a pinch of salt, pepper and fresh lime juice making it like podimas. Eating a cup full of this did really help. Also, we made some yummy veggie salads with steamed cabbage, cauliflower, beans, carrots, cucumbers, peas, kernel corn and the dressing was (home made) Guacamole! Of course, we had our share of magic soup to get us going. For dinner, we had the Chipotle Veggie Salad (without beans, sour cream & cheese). Everything else in this Chipotle Veggie Salad is fresh and we felt it was a very good substitute and it really was! Plus 10 glasses of water!

Day 3 was as simple as Day 1 + Day 2. (No, its not 20 glasses of water, just 10!)

Even before we started this episode, Anu was dreading Day 4 because bananas and Anu are like Snakes and Mongooses! I, on the other hand, love bananas. One can have up to 8 bananas on Day 4 with 3 glasses of skimmed milk (obviously, without sugar). Variation here too - Anu made herself Banana smoothies with her share of bananas and milk. In case you are wondering, the answer is Yes for magic soup for Day 4. Plus 10 glasses of water!

Day 5, Day 6, Day 7 were pretty much a combo of Days 1 thru' 3, with the addition of Brown rice and Tomatoes. Eating raw tomatoes is a pain, so we put it in the blender with a pinch of salt and pepper and drank it like a tomato juice. It was still bad, but, not as bad as eating a raw tomato. On these last 3 days, for the veggie salad, we made fajitas (with 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil) and a fresh tomato, onion, corriander salsa. Basically, we made the salad like the Chipotle Veggie Salad. Plus 10 glasses of water on each of these days!

Day 8, although we were relieved that the 7 days were over, in retrospect, we kinda liked the way the diet was organized. Kudos to whoever came up with the Vegetarian version of this! We had very clean bowel movements, felt very refreshed and a huge eye opener as to how well (& easily) we can organize what we eat on a daily basis. The best part: There is absolutely no artificial things in it. Lots of fruits, vegetables & water is the key. We have also started drinking nearly 3-4 litres of water every day and have reduced the sugar intake drastically. I've stopped adding Sugar for my morning coffee & Anu has halved hers, practically no junk sweets (from India especially). Of course, we do have it once in a while, otherwise the cravings become much worse and we start stuffing ourselves like crazy later.

I'd definitely recommend this to everyone. The weight loss piece is amazing (and I'm not going to say how much I lost), but the revelation was the bestest!

Ironically, right now, the only good thing about GM is the GM Diet. (And I had my share of laughs for the phrase in the GM Reinvention ads - "The only chapter we're focused on... is Chapter 1"!)

I have a job, and this...

2009-04-30T07:32:00.000-07:00

My Orkut
My Facebook
My MySpace
My LinkedIn
My Geni
My GTalk (suppressed to avoid spam)
My Yahoo! (suppressed to avoid spam)
My GMail (suppressed to avoid spam)
My Yahoo! Mail (suppressed to avoid spam)
My 43 Things
My Twitter
My Blogs

Question: Why the hell am I in all of the above?

ஒரு விளம்பரம் தான்...

2009-02-04T09:51:00.001-08:00

Here is the original. As a matter of fact, I never take the escalators, I always take the stairs. But, there's a lot of people in the stairs now since the escalators are broken. Not to mention the oldies and lazy bums finding it difficult to climb up and making it difficult for others to climb up fast.

அதுல என்ன பெருமை?

நாச்சியார் திருமொழி!

2008-11-21T15:18:00.000-08:00

வாரணம் ஆயிரம் சூழ வலம் செய்து
நாரணன் நம்பி நடக்கின்றான் என்றெதிர்
பூரண பொற்குடம் வைத்துப் புறம் எங்கும்
தோரணம் நடக் கனாக் கண்டேன் தோழி நான்!

Well, I obviously translated a Tanglish version of the above verse from the web. So, my visibility to நாச்சியார் திருமொழி is just சுட்ட மொழி! Also, in the current state of economy, ஆயிரம் வாரணம் is an extravagance!

But the point I am trying to make is, don't miss this வாரணம் ஆயிரம் - Simple, yet makes a significant impact on how important relationships are and how one has to keep moving on with every aspect of life and its happenings.

The film may appear "uh-just OoooK movie", especially for those who are yet to experience the lost of a loved one, or those who are yet to fall in love. வாரணம் ஆயிரம் is about the strength of love and memories, how important they are in ones life, even if your loved ones depart. Some of the scenes are well scripted and acted upon - I can't remember San Francisco being shown to be so beautiful in Hollywood movies even, especially when Meghna confesses her feelings for Surya at the backdrop of the bridge while he is playing with a toy helicopter. Fantabulous! Also, when Surya calls his parents and cries uncontrollably about Meghna's death is one of the most moving scenes I've seen so far. A must watch movie, folks.

Pluses - Surya & Surya, Simran, Wonderful 1st half, Songs, Screenplay
Minuses - Drag in second half, Sameera Reddy, Divya Spandana

Greedy Fellow!

2008-08-18T20:24:00.000-07:00

Bwahahaha... ROTFL... Hilarious...

2008-08-17T20:30:00.000-07:00

அசிங்க படுத்தக்கூடாது, நேத்திக்கி தான் first பாத்தேன், செம comedy!

My Bucket List

2008-08-17T20:10:00.006-07:00

I don't love this movie just because I have my own prejudices with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. A very simple, humorous, to-the-point movie. I will not waste time explaining what these guys have done in the movie, its pretty straight forward. They've given their best - being their usual self.

Anyways, the movie is basically about two old men wanting to do a list of things before they kick their own buckets. Thence, The Bucket List. And the irony is that both the men knew that THE day is not too far, so they take off to complete their Bucket List. Here's their list, I cannot explain where they go, what they do & talk as you've to see the movie to get a feel for it, so, I strongly encourage you to watch the movie.

Witness something truly majestic
Help a complete stranger for a common good
Laugh till I cry
Drive a Shelby Mustang
Kiss the most beautiful girl in the world
Get a tattoo
Skydiving
Visit Stonehenge
Spend a week at Louvre
See Rome
See the pyramids
Get back in touch (previously "Hunt the big cat")

I was so moved after the movie and the first thing I did was to start with My Bucket List. I had to borrow a few from the above, anyways. And hey, I've already done a few of the below and I sincerely hope and wish I get time to complete my list. Just so you know, this list is WIP, so don't think that I'm too dumb to stop it with these few items. Here we go...

Kiss the most beautiful girl in the world

Done. Well, twice actually. Anu and Maya

Work towards understanding and honing Maya in a field that she's really interested & versatile in and make her world renowned in that field
Laugh till I cry

Done. Many a times in Srirangam, College, Alwar Thiru Nagar, Connecticut, and Thanks to all who made it happen

Go for a Gondola Ride in Venice with Anu and Maya
Drive a Ducati with Anu
Spend a week (or more) at Louvre
See the 7 wonders of the world
Start an Ethnic, Indian Vegetarian restaurant and be the Chief Chef
Contest in Iron Chef America
Buy the home where I lived in Srirangam for 14 years
Visit all National Parks in the US
Go for a safari ride in Africa where I can see lions, tigers in close quarters
Have lunch/dinner with following people (Of course not all of them together)

That's all I can possibly think of right now and I honestly don't want to bull $hit with "Help Others", "World peace" crap. The former should be inherent within oneself.

Hey, again, don't miss to watch the movie!

என்ன கொடுமை சரவணன்!

2008-07-22T11:35:00.000-07:00

ICC, start saving money, time, personnel by removing the on-field umpires. But wait, who will hold the sun glasses, sweater, caps for bowlers?

How ridiculous?! But then, this could save another disaster from happening again.

Miss you Sweety Pie...

2008-07-21T20:40:00.000-07:00

சீக்கிரம் வந்துடு என்கிட்ட...

அமைதியின் ஸ்வரூபம்...

2008-01-22T05:48:00.000-08:00

இதெல்லாம் வெறும் eye வாஸ். விஸ்வரூபத்தை நீங்க இன்னும் பாக்கல!

The Golden Bridge

2007-11-24T23:30:00.000-08:00

Well, its actually this, obviously.
© The Prodigy (Seriously, no kidding)

அவமானம், யாருக்கு?

2007-11-18T06:33:00.000-08:00

தன் தலை குனிந்தது திரி, அந்த ராத்திரி
அதனால், மனித தலை நிமிர்ந்தது, அதே ராத்திரி!

Silver Medal?

2007-10-17T11:01:00.000-07:00

What do you Google for?

I guess, we, as in the "real" we, stand second to Egypt. I bet this ranking is based of the % of hits, if it were the total numbers, man, I am darn sure we would've surpassed everybody else.

Ok, What is the big deal? After all, I know many (and I was part of the many) who mourned (read the comments for sure!) when the screens came down on this.

Please sit down...

2007-10-12T08:14:00.000-07:00

How will these people greet, when somebody is coming to their houses?

T. R. Mahalingam - Pleash shit down...

K. J. Jesudas - Blease sid down... (Nee batta berum baadu arivaen amma...)

Kumar Sanu / recent Unni krishnan - Pknlease Sknit dknown... (That kn is that mookala paadara sound.)

Well, if you're not appreciating these differences, then you haven't read out loud the above things, imagining what the individual singer would've done if they were given this. Shows, either your incompetency or ignorance. I don't know which one is a bliss to you!

This crooked thinking came after listening to T. R. Mahalingam's "Ishai Thamizh Nee Sheidha Arum Shaadhani..." y'day while Anu & I were driving back from Costco.

Shamughi maami 5 kattai-la paadina, ivaru 8 kattai-la padaraar pa! What-a man (Don't think about Abbas saying "What-a man" from Padayappa!

Anniyan?

2007-09-10T08:50:00.000-07:00

I have heard a personal experience from my colleague, that has been really satisfying. Maybe, we should all utilize this more and stop cribbing about things being bad, know what I mean??

Not an Essay Writing Competition!

2007-08-13T07:21:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: All opinions expressed are mine alone. My employers are in no way connected to the opinions expressed here. I can certainly assure you that this is no English Essay writing competition (and I don't posses such a vocabulary, for gods sakes!), but a true personal-experience of a person from my own very close quarters (Yes, Truly unfortunate!). Individuals willing to practice the same, do it at your own risk but results might vary and we deem no responsibility for anything whatsoever. This is just to spread the message and create an awareness - When these kind of things can be controlled by natural means, why reduce the immunity by introducing man made, (so called) miracles?

Travails of An Asthmatic – End in Sight?

2:00 am in the morning - A rude Awakening, a sepulchral paradigm, a sensation of having died and taken a one way trip to hell, a feeling of being throttled, smothered and pulmonologically weighted down by a set of cast iron bar bells - all at once. I am not referring to a murder motif in a Nick Carter novel, but a typical asthma attack that affects at least 20% of the Indian population.

For Long, asthma has been thought of as a typical problem occurring after 60, once the infirmities set in and the body responses become stymied .But the situation has changed thanks to the hackneyed, trite phrase of “Pollution and Contamination”, which has in fact spear headed the growth of a new medical community called pulmonologists.

To set the context, I have been at the receiving end for around 20 yrs now and the last 2 yrs have been possibly the most execrable of the lot as far as asthma goes. There was a sudden upsurge of a dormant problem and at least a 200% increase in the frequency and intensity of the attacks especially after the Tsunami. (I have no clue why this should be so but I got the worst attack of my life 3 hrs before the Tsunami struck Madras)

The trips to God's Secondary Representative (the Allopathic Doctor) started in 2004 - Dec .After a series of hospitalizations, SOS Steroid Injections, Immuno Supressants, Panic Attacks and a totally paralyzed life, I realized I had only jumped from the frying pan to the fire. These medications had totally suppressed by ability to fight infection - I was assailed by a measles infection, followed by 2 bronchial infections, so on and so forth forcing me to abandon western medication for good.

Anyhow this jeremiad is not to place my travails on record but to exhort and infuse confidence that "ASTHMA IS CURABLE --- BUT NOT THROUGH BRONCHODIALATORS, NEBULIZERS OR STEROIDS”, dispel conventional myths surrounding the problem, give a medical ignoramus's conception of what asthma is and last but certainly not the least, make people think about alternative strategies for asthma.

A small observation on the adage "Asthma is not curable -- It can only be maintained”. I would ask, can common cold be cured? Is anybody free from gastritis, heart burn, stomach upset, viral infection to name a few? All of us do get all these problems on an average of at least twice a year -- no exceptions. Then why such a special non redeemable status for asthma alone?

To Start with, Asthma is not a disease – it is a state of the body just like fatigue only more severe. There are 2 basic types - Intrinsic and Extrinsic .Intrinsic -occurs due to internal infection typically bronchial while extrinsic is typically allergic in nature .I donot profess to know any more about this topic than Adam but this level of understanding should eminently suffice in eradicating this recidivist.

Donning my raconteur’s cap again, I took a long arduous path through several alternative systems after stopping allopathy. My transition happened, from being a bronchial asthmatic to an allergic cum Bronchial asthmatic -- thanks to the typical side effects of Western medication. My intention is not to launch a diatribe or a tirade against the profession but their tools are so poisonous and are to be used only in emergency cases and not for any long term curative purpose is what is clearly palpable. Let me list down the side effects that I have experienced after taking these medications.

Steroids - kill your immunity - make your body susceptible to more infection. I should know. I have had around 100 odd steroid injections in the last year and a half.

Mast Cell Inhibitors - Repress your immunity to such an extent that, the day you stop using these drugs your system behaves like a drunken horse hyper reacting even to the smallest irritant in the environment.

Antihistamines or Anti allergens chemically dehydrate the airway / nasal passages and encourage the formation of phlegm plugs. Acute Rhinitis stops only to return the next day, but your bronchial constriction increases due to the solidification.

Nebulizers - whether steroid or non steroid, have the same effect as antihistamines - they parch the throat passages, increase phlegm agglomeration and actively promote dry cough which is again a vicious cycle.

In addition to all these nice embellishments, the final icing on the cake will be your stomach – an innocent bystander getting the screaming heebie-jeebies. These are called LABA (Long acting Broncho blah blah blah) and SABA (Short Acting Broncho blah blah blah). In Tamil, the transformation yields as Profit for the Practitioner (LABA) and a curse on the patient (SABA).

These are the only prescriptions available with Western Science - they preclude the current emergency, but pave way for an alternate problem down the line. There is a strong tendency amongst the corporate health care units to market steroids and flaunt them as the way of the future. There was even an article a couple of weeks ago in a popular daily by a top pulmonologist trying to Proselytize people into using these medications and to quote the esteemed person, “Not using steroids could result in side effects – even death".

Ayurveda - Helped control Bronchial Infections which was my primary problem but unfortunately by the time I got to this form of treatment ,my immunity had been rendered redundant by the amount of steroids I had consumed increasing my allergy based attacks .

Naturopathy - Mild and helps rejuvenate – Cannot solve intense, chronic problems

Desensitization - Possibly the biggest con in the field of allergic medicine. I had over 150 odd injections in the space of a year to desensitize me to a variety of allergens. Ostensibly, the Allergy Test It is to find what you are allergic to – Believe me it is next to impossible to find out and the inevitable mundane report would be “Reactive to dust mites and House Dust “. I am yet to meet someone who loves Dust Mites and House Dust. Have you?

Homeopathy - Worked sporadically - if the correct medication, suiting an individual's type can be administered intelligently, it will work wonders. In my case it was too late in the day to experiment and arrive at the right combination as each medicine took time to settle.

Siddha - Controlled Phlegm by 100% but could not minimize allergic reactions.

Yoga - Remarkably effective in suppressing allergies and also in avoiding their ramifications of asthma on the body –like back / shoulder pain and so on.

To sum it all up, these systems showed promise -- more than what allopathy ever did or can, and the advantage was that even if these systems failed, they did not throw up negative side effects and they all had some positive effect on the body.

I am not yet out of the woods ,or even barely comfortable but I have stopped almost all the medicines I had been taking and moved over to what I call the Preventive Maintenance Mode (PMM). Incidentally, the acronym also satisfies the Thermodynamic Utopia – Perpetual Motion Machine. Way to Go??

Turmeric, Pepper, Garlic with Milk in the morning - Absolutely stops bronchial infection (Turmeric is one of the greatest antiseptics known to man)

Minimal Diet of Fresh Fruits at Night - Detoxify the body and eliminate digestion problems (There is such a term as Gastric Asthma)

Avoid eating Chaat, Non Veg & Soft Syrupy Sweets that cause allergy and stimulate phlegm production

Avoid cold food / Drinks. Have things as hot as you can tolerate and Exercise (More to keep your mind healthy and positive)

Take a slight massage of Hot Coconut Oil and Camphor on the chest and back before going to bed .Relieves Broncho Spasm instantly. A more technologically advanced form this treatment termed “Bronchio Thermoplasty“ by the western world is under research. But this old world granny’s tip does work marvels

Jaal neeti - A yoga exercise where Luke warm salt water is poured into one nostril and comes out through the other. I was a skeptic as well and I found that it could be done without the necessity for a teacher and was remarkably easy to implement. The icing on the cake was that it works faster than any antihistamine and has 99.99% positive effects. I cannot resist mentioning that my allergic attacks - a combination of rhinitis and asthma, which would normally last for 2-3 days with more than 150 sneezes during the night has come down by almost 80%

A small note about Allergy and the relative Western and Ayurvedic Perception. Western Medicine describes in precise detail the mechanism of IGe antibodies, Mast Cells, Histamine and so on but unfortunately assumes the allergy to be a reaction between the immunity and the allergen. Whilst Ayurveda does not believe in differential Immunity behavior between individuals, it indicates the reaction to be between the Toxins accumulated in the body (Amavisha) and the allergen, which makes the concept of self detoxification more relevant.

That’s about all folks – It does cause a lot of angst seeing children being administered nebulizers for common cold, steroids being marketed like fresh fruit and that too by responsible health professionals, doctors going for extreme reactive modes of treatment where simple prevention can help and even educated people falling into a false sense of confidence in using Western Medication, at least where Asthma is concerned. If this statement can reach out and help reduce even one person’s agony, then my purpose would have been well served.

PS: I took up jogging as a means of relieving the psychological slump that every attack threw up. From a situation where I needed to use the bronchodilator continuously and take rest for every 100 mts that I covered, I am now able to do a 3 km stretch comfortably which I think is the surest proof of remarkable improvement in Lung capacity. The achievement of 3 kms a day will sound mundane but ask a chronic Asthmatic……

Reminiscences

2007-08-05T15:41:00.000-07:00

Macaroni Bake

2007-07-09T20:09:00.000-07:00

Just before the baking though... (Gopranae naan dhan panninaen!)

Zeroth B'Day? Or What is it?

2007-04-25T09:13:00.000-07:00

Not that I am so wondering as to how Birthday's and age of a person is calculated, but I was really thinking about this weirdo - This day, last year, we found out Maya's beingness. So, as of today, is Maya one year old? (Or) Has she passed her first year a few weeks back? (As they say, the actual conception occurrence is not known to anybody, Drs inclusive!) (Or) Is she completing one year on January 6^th, 2008?

All said and done, Life is one of God's amazing Conceptualization & Design and I keep admiring how many trial-and-errors would this have gone through, nevertheless, there are some Production issues still.

Why Maya?

2007-03-06T12:51:00.000-08:00

I have been asked this question, what, maybe a zillion times and by just a trillion people? (The math isn't working correct right? That's because, the same person has asked it more than once. This probably reveals how fake & un-interested they are - I just don't complain/expect them to remember my little girl's name, b'coz, its not as important to them as it is to me. Now don't ask me if I know a trillion people in my life anyway...)

Ok, We are losing the point of focus here - Why Maya? The most dullard question is - "Just bcoz it sounds like Maha, you have named her Maya?" There is another set of people asking me if I have named her after this Maya. Definitely not! I should have named my daughter Jyothika, as there is nothing great about the character Maya in that movie that inspired me to name my daughter after, Jo was just fantabulous. That's it!

Let me tell you the real reason - There are few things that you can't reason out for liking (or) disliking, and this name is one such a thing. I just love the name, and I don't know for what reason though. Whatever, I love my little girl for what she is. (Do I need to admit this?)

For the record, Maya means Magical, Illusion.

And, that's my girl...

2007-01-10T17:14:00.000-08:00

Introducing Maya...

2007-01-07T08:37:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Jan 6th 2007 was such an important day in our lives. Anu & I were blessed with a baby girl at 10:34 hrs EST. Both the Mom & baby are doing fine, and they should be back home in a little while. We have named our new girl, Maya.

Tune-in for more updates here...

Hollywood Vs (B/K)ollywood

2006-12-27T12:35:00.000-08:00

I have to admit this, I have been a crazy fan of Tamil Film industry (Kollywood) and I have watched plenty of movies. Even a totally god forsaken-horrendous-idiotic movie - that would be in the list of movies that I have watched. But, I think I just cant take it anymore (Yes, you can definitely disagree!). I dont know if its bcoz of fact that I dont watch many/any Tamil movies these days or I dont know if I am really right. But one thing for sure, whatever I hear from my bro or whatever I hear from people (especially Harini and Hema) - most new tamil movies suck big time. I dont know if the Directors lack the capability to direct a good movie or is it like the peoples' taste becoming that bad or are the Producers scared to fund a good movie, if at all a Director comes up with one. I am sure the Hindi Film Industry (Bollywood) is equally bad, too.

Ok, lets take the predecessor of Indian "ollywoods" - the Hollywood movies, I can definitely say the % of good movies is way far more than the (B/K)ollywoods. I agree, there are some god-forsaken-horrendous-idiotic Hollywood movies, as well. These Directors, they dont think much in terms of coming up with story-line for a movie. Most of John Grisham's, Alistair MacLean's, Jeffrey Archer's, Stephen King's, Dan Brown's novels have been Directed as beautiful movies (infact, there are much more novels to movies here). Lets forget the debate as to which one is better - The Movie or The Novel, bcoz, its way too difficult to come to a conclusion (I would definitely say its the movie, as I dont have a habbit of reading books at all!)

Anyways, the point is, the Director's job of coming up with a plot is not here anymore. Its already done by somebody, approved by readers, and graded as New York Times Best Seller. Now, its just upto the Directors' creativity to come up with a beautiful Screenplay to keep people in their chairs for 150 minutes. Well, most of them succeed and some of them fail miserably. You see, efficiency cannot be cent percent. The important thing is, nobody is accusing the Director for making a movie from a novel.

The thing I am finding difficult to understand is, why can't Indian Directors do a similar approach? As I said before, I am not sure if the Producer is ready to take a chance - This is totally bcoz of the people. I think we need to change and accept good movies. Lets not get to this level of making a movie from a novel, lets take Anbe Sivam/Iruvar/Hey Ram. These were awe inspiring movies. But, how well these movies were received by our folks? Pretty pitiable situation, most of them didnt understand the movie. I think, we as people, have to change and make Directors to come up with new ideas. Didnt people here change watching James Bond masala's to RADIO, I am Sam? (I specifically cited RADIO, I am Sam here for its exceptional grace. There are tons and tons like these...). Our Captain is still trying to immitate James Bond, even after decades. Crap!

I dont know why I fumed here, maybe, I have watched too many good Hollywood movies in the recent past, but, still hanging onto the same Anbe Sivam, Nayagan, Karnan, Iruvar, Hey Ram etc, as there are no recent real good ones. Things really have to change, if not the (B/K)ollywoods is just going to dogs!

Flume Gorge, NH - Fall 2006

2006-10-18T07:30:00.000-07:00

Nothing on earth is worth mentioning than this...

2006-04-26T20:31:00.000-07:00

Defying Rules

Defying Inventions (Better than Kill Bill)

Defying Gravity (Maybe Kalki Avathar is not as good and impressing as this)

We either need to post these movies for Oscar in this category or revoke all living rights in this universe for the Director.

But, I should admit that I was ROFL :o)

After a long time...

2006-04-23T10:52:00.000-07:00

Not that I don't want to write a blog or not that I don't have the time to write one - it's just that I didnt get anything good to write. (Idhellam romba over. Appo, ithana naal ezhudhinadhulam good-nu nenappa? appadinu neenga kekaradhu nalla kaadhula vizhudhu - mela, sorry, keezha padikara vazhiya paarunga!). This doesn't mean that I am not reading the blogs I usually do, though.

There's has been lot of things happening that I wanted to write about. My new black video iPod, my new songs collection, my house shifting, my new plans of buying a house back in India, my new plans of my India trip, my office work, my friends' marriage, his screwed up visa appointment, another friends' matchless marriage, latest (happened few seconds back) - sandai with my wife for writing this blog and not talking with her on a weekend day.

Obviously, I am not going to write about everything and screw your time. But there are few things that I will definitely want to touch upon.

Guys have given everyone a video iPod, though there are few rules behind it, which I feel is genuine. But, I was actually expecting something more like this. I am obviously happy with the iPod video, but I dont think am asking for more, from a billion dollar company?

Ranjit has gone back to India and his visa appointment is screwed. Immigration team strikes again. No surprises, but he doesn't care as the role he will be playing back in Offshore for the next 4 months is going to be good for him and the time hes going to spend with his fiancee` - worth the screwing up of his Visa. But, of all people on earth, the most screwed ppl are myself & Anu. We were hopelessly depending on this moron for our new house shifting (which we have planned by end of May '06) and this guy is chumma sitting back at home. Arghh... nee vada, will tell about all your leelai's to Smitha. Anyways, hearty Congratulations and Wishing you both a Very Happy Married Life.

Another important thing, Matchless Marriages - ennoda friend-ku marriage aachu and there is no match btw the groom and the bride - in all senses. Oor kattupadu, andha koothu, indha koothu appadinu, edho solranga. Maybe, they are really happy, which I too wish by all means and my pakshi says its otherwise, So, there should be something that should stop such happenings and the consent of groom and bride needs to be made mandatory. Idhukulam andha Aaru Padayappan dhan oru badhil sollanum. And I have been strictly advised/instructed not to write more about this, so am not going to key-in anything more.

Mathapadi, ellam nalla poittu iruku. Spring vandhuruchu, and its very nice. Jog panna aarambichurkaen, in fact, I should run for 27 hrs a day for the weight I have put on. Work romba nalla iruku, though its very hectic. Nalla Learning.

Ok, ithana pesitaen, ippo naan poi last-a sonnadha sari pannalena, there will no food for the day. Later.

2006-04-23T10:09:00.000-07:00

Vandhoma, Velaya paathoma, ponoma-nu irukanum. Adha vittutu, Vaeli-la pora Oonana eduthu Vaetti Kulla Vittunda kadhaya, idhu thevai dhana ivanukku? Investigation is not like our Captain's movie, gumthalakka-va irundhurku by these guys.

First Anniversary!

2006-04-03T20:13:00.000-07:00

One Year @ CT. Why not publish a picture map of CT?

Pongalo Pongal!

2006-01-22T23:04:00.000-08:00

Chae, Pongal-ku India la irundha evlo nalla irukum. Karumbu thinnu kittu, veetla nalla saapada pottu kittu, "Ulaga Tholaikatchigalil Mudhan Murayaga" appadinu Sun TV la padam paatthu kittu... chae adhelam oru kaalam - appadinu onnum boja vida vidala. Perya karumbu thinradhu adhulam vida, nalla leave la veetla theeniya pottu kittu, seat-a thaechu kittu, enna paathalae mathavangalukku suru-suruppu pora madhiri sofa la ukandhutu, nalla jolly-ya irukum. Well, this Thalai Pongal in the US of A was good. Maiden attempt of Sakkara Pongal by Anu was nice, but sweet kammiya irundhuchu. Went to Lakshmi Temple near Boston. Snaps ingae...

Idhellam vida oru periya matter, ella Pongal release-ayum paakanum. Naan paatha movies - Paramasivam, Saravana, Aathi

Paramasivam - Ajith ennamo periya Vikram return madhiri nenachutu irukan nenakaraen. Padam literally mannu madhiri irundhuchu. Idhu podhadha kuraikku 2 site-lendhu indha padatha download paninaen. Cha thu! First of all, P. Vasu kittendhu director license-a pudunganum, and Prakash Raj, Nasser madhiri nalla actors indha madhiri padathula nadicha avangaloda license-ayum pudunganum. Jai Hind-a asingama edutha eppadi irukumo appadi dhan irundhudhu. Matter ennana, I deleted the movie after 30 mins, both the copies! Second of all, Ajith avan manasula periya paruppu-nu nenachukka koodadhu. Captain solra vasanam lam ivan pesuran, velakenna. Mothathula Director initial madhiri dhan irukku indha padamum!

Saravana - Simbu was OK in this movie. Nothing fascinating though, but just one time watchable. Jo was soooooooper dooper. Semaya irundha. Nalla time pass-a pochu padam.

Aathi - Thalaivan padam sooper-o sooper. Sivakasi madhiri kadiya pottudumo-nu nenachaen, aana Thalaivan kalakki puttan. nalla masala-nga - Fight, Comedy, Paatu, Sentiment - adhu dhan-ya vaenum. Trisha as usual bomma madhiri vandhuttu poitta. Padam nalla irundhuchu, thalivan indha Pongal-ku engala aemathala.

All in all - Aathi is Sooper of all 3 movies

Kadiyo Kadi...

2006-01-10T14:00:00.000-08:00

I am technically competent enough to pethify like this, aana these are good enough for a healthy laughter!

Bus la Collector-yae erinalum.. mudhal seat-u Driver-ku dhan......

Ticket vangittu ulla ponna adhu Cinema theater anna ulla poittu ticket vanginaa adhu Operation theater.

Enna than meenuku neendha therinjalum adhala meen kozhambula neendha mudiyadhu

Iron boxla iron panna mudiyum ....ana pencil box la pencil panna mudiyuma?

Ne enna than costly mobile vachirundhalum, athula evalavu than recharge pannalum, unnalla unakku call panna mudiyathu..

cream biscuitla cream irukkum, ana nai biscuitla nai irukkuma?

Nee evalavu periya Dance Master-aa irundhalum, un saavuku unnala aada mudiyathu

Ambalainga adi patta ambulance varum.. pombalainga adi patta pombulance varuma????

Running racela kaal evalavu vegama odinaalum, Price kaikuthaan kedaikkum!!

Sodava fridgela vacha cooling soda aagum, Athukkaaga atha washing machinela vacha washing soda aagumaa!!

Punch: Thanneera Thanninnu sollalaam, Panneera panninnu solla mudiyuma??

NY in NY

2006-01-01T10:00:00.000-08:00

Wish you all a Very Very Happy New Year. May this year bring you all good health, wealth anything that we desire for. All of you be good boys and good girls.

Marupadiyum padam paaka aarambichutaen!

2005-12-29T15:41:00.000-08:00

Indha last one week-la 3 padam paathaen, Aaru, Thavamai Thavamirundhu, Sandai Kozhi

Aaru was junk. Surya en ippadi nadichu avan image-a keduthukaran therila. Full-a kooda paakala. Konja neram paathutu, OFF panitaen. Hari-yalam padam edukka vidadheengappa inimae. Saamy, Arul, Aaru elam ore madhiri iruku.

Thavamai Thavamirundhu - Inoru Autograph paatha madhiri irundhuchu. Romba nalla direct panni irukan Cheran. Rajkiran has lived that character. Elarukum andha madhiri Appa irukangala ilayangaradha pathi naan pesa varala, aana avlo thathroobama eduthu irukan. Romba rasichu pidichu paathaen padatha.

Sandai Kozhi - Inoru Run madhiri irundhuchu. Andha Vishal nalla panni irukan. Sema height. Stunts lam semaya irundhuchu. Ela padam madhiri Villain-a paathu Hero bayapadara madhiri ilama, Hero-va paathu Villain bayapadara madhiri konjam different-a panni irukar Mr Lingusamy. rajkiran-a paathonae, enakku namma Captain gnabagam vandhuruchu. Meera Jasmine was cute and sema azhaga irundha. All-in-all, a nice masala.

2005-12-28T12:56:00.000-08:00

Vandhuru... Vandhuru... Thaana Vandhuru...

2005-12-25T11:19:00.000-08:00

Lotsa Happenings...

Thanksgiving ku Harini, Vaidy, Bags, Sat, Muruga were here, snap-shot ingae. Purchased a lot of items. Snaps ingae.
Velai Kedachuduchu - ada, Sathyaraj padam ilainga, En pondatikku Velai Kedachuduchu solla vandhaen.
Crossed 25 a few days back
Kutti Paya off-the mark
Inga aniyaya snow, konjam snaps paarunga.
Christmas-ku 4 days leave for me and Anu. Ranjit is here
Nethiki skiing ponom.
Merry Christmas!
New Year-ku 3 days leave. Jittu, Bala, Archana coming here. Planning for New Year Eve in New York.
Happy New Year!

Idhelam podhadhu appadinu, velai kazhuthu varaikum iruku.

Korvaya ezhudhanum aasaya dhan iruku, aana paarunga, romba kashtama irukku.

2005-10-29T22:29:00.000-07:00

Romba naal-ku aparam, oru nalla photo.
From left - Ranjit, Myself, Archana, Harini & My dear Ponjaadhi.

2005-10-07T16:16:00.000-07:00

Naan vandhutaen... Naan vandhutaen...

wait... wait... wait... romba naala inga pethalena, apdiyae naan vetti adhu idhunu solla vandhuduvanunga. adangungappa...

well, kadaisiya oru project la allocate pannitanga, and nalla poittu irukku. Hartford layae dhan irukaen. so, daily 15 mins drive to office. nalla irukku. work pathi appalika solraen.

mathapadi elarum sowkiyama irukanga. edho kidu kidu nu Memphis poittu vandhutaen. Uhmm, adutha vacation dhan eppo therila.

Aana oru sooper matter ennana, makkal neraya paer Thanksgiving ku varanga enga veetuku. So, appo oru mega koothu iruku. Ippo naan veetuku poganum, so micha vishiyangala appalika pesuvoma?

2005-09-18T23:13:00.000-07:00

Just a Steering Wheel and the road ahead...

1267 miles aka 2039 kms in
23 hours aka 1380 minutes with
90 minutes sleep and 4 small breaks.

You know whats next? I am way too tired @ Collierville.

I can hear you saying this - "You are crazy!".

2005-09-05T23:05:00.000-07:00

Needhi kidaikumo endra aekathudan... Thalla try pannuvadhu idhoda kadhavai dhan...

2005-08-31T23:38:00.000-07:00

Isn't this a proper Patel shot? ;-)

2005-08-31T23:34:00.000-07:00

Indha New Post button-a click panradhukku time illaipa. Enna da office la romba busy-ya irukaan nenachuteengala. Andha madhiri endha thappu kanakkum pottudadheenga. Full time veetla irukardhunala, rather, office pogadhadhunala inga pethavae neram kedaikala. Ada ada, velai lendhu inum kaali lam pannala, ungal sevai engalukku thevai-nu dhan inum irukanga :-)

My 43 things madhiri, My 43 days in bench aayuduchu. Idhu kooda nalla dhan irukku. Sambalam kuduthu iruka solranga, valikudha enna. Nalla pondatti kooda oor suthi paathutu, nalla udamba thethikitu, chae what-a life. Aana, kalyana alachal-ku apparam, the-much-needed-rest-days madhiri irukku. Ippo bayangara energetic-a irukaen. Project almost allocate pannitanga, aana ennilaendhu naan andha pudhu ooruku poganum nu dhan therila.

Indha 6 weeks-a semaya useful-a oatiyachu. Nalla North East Coast-a suthi paathachu. Boston la aarambichu, Rhode Island, Niagara, New Jersey, New York, almost-a CT. So, nimmadhiya irukku. Aduthu vera oorukku poradhu kooda nalladhu dhan. Andha oor-a suhti paakalam la.

Semaya enjoy panninadhu Niagara dhan. Amazing-a irundhuchu. Sooper-a crowd vera attract panranga. Nalla, falls keezha varaikum kootitu poranga. Semaya enjoy panninoam. Falls keezha ninutu andha thanni chumma thada-thada nu mela vizhudhu, vittu vara manasae varala. Ippo Niagara eppadi irukunu ingae paarunga.

Enga aathu kaararum Udhyogathuku porar, kadhaya naangalum New York poittu vandhutoam. SFO vida kodumaya irundhuchu. Oor suthi paaka sooper edam, aana manushan sathiyama angalam thanga mudiyadhuppa. Usurayae eduthudum. Ennamo namma oor T. Nagar la vandi otara madhiri otaranunga. Ore honking, usurae poiduchu. Sooper-a irundhuchu. Madame Tussauds Wax Museum ponoam. Nerla eduthuka mudiyadha makkalodalam, anga ninnu photo eduthukitoam. Nalla irundhuchu. Romba pidichadhu Times Square dhan. Ippo andha edam eppadi irukunu ingae paarunga.

NJ pona podhu went to Six Flags Great Adventure. Inga Springfield Six Flags-um ponoam. Endha ride-kum pogama Six Flags poittu vandhadhu naana mattum dhan irupaen. Aana en kooda vandha makkal sila rides-ku pogala, en na adhulam thalai keezha pogalayam. Adam pudikarangappa, upside down-a irundha dhan povoam appadinu. Usura kaila pudichukka mudiyadhu, en naaa, kaiyya vera engayachum pudichutu irukanum. Springfield Six Flags-la sila water rides ku ponaen. Nalla irundhuchu.

Last one week-a rest eduthutu irukoam, indha long weekend ku Washington, DC poradhukku. Innum plan pannala proper-a, but looks like thats where we are gonna end up!

Aana onnu, enna aanalum office la koopida matanga :-))

2005-08-14T15:12:00.000-07:00

As tall as The Niagara!

2005-07-26T00:37:00.000-07:00

idhu eppadi iruku? Basically, from this...

2005-07-26T00:29:00.000-07:00

Oru Change...

last post-a nanae konjam adika vaendiyadha pochunga. Naan ippo Blue Bell poga poradhu illa, and adhe client-kum poga poradhu illa. Edho pana prachanayam, so adhunala andha edam oothikichu.

Anegama Middletown ku taa-taa va dhan irukum, aana enga edhunu appalika solraen. TTFN.

2005-07-20T14:51:00.000-07:00

Taa... Taa... Middletown

Edho government office la velai seyyara madhiri irukkunga. moonu maasathuku orukka vera edam maathitu irukanga. Ippo poga poradhu, Blue Bell, PA. Adhe client dhan, aana vera project. Indha project layachum velai iruka papom.

Anegama adutha pethals Pennsylvania lendhu dhan irukum!

2005-07-14T21:02:00.000-07:00

Naan Kalyanam aanavan!

Nalla padiya India poittu, koothu kooda adikka mudiyama, kalyanam mudinju avala inga kootitum vandhachu. Oru maasam odi ponadhae therila. Uhmm, inimae India trip minimum 1 year - 12 months - 52 weeks - 365 days kalichu dhan. Adhuvum appo rendu paerkum nelamai eppadi iruko therila.

Poi eranginadhu lendhu konjam neram kooda "appadi" appadinu oru peru moochu vittu relax panna mudila. Avlo busy-ya 4 days Chennai-la Kalyana shopping and vayaru neraya, vaay valikka Laks-oda saapadu. Wow, literally semaya enjoy panninaen. Inamum andha Turnip-Channa pulippu kootu, Puli potta Vaazhakkai kari, Moar Kozhambu, Paruppu Usili, naakulayae nikkudhu.

Appuram Trichy payanam. Poi pakanum nu nenacha elarayum paathutu vandhaen. My lovable Singa Perumal, Samayapuram Amman, Malakottai Pillayar, Srirangam Kovil, Thiruvanaikovil Ambal, TMT Sir, Kuppuswamy Sir, Akilandeswari School teachers, Pushpak Nagar, Sathish Appa-Amma-Thangachi, Kittu Dr. And romba surprising-ah - Jegathaa Maam, ennoda college staff. Ippo kalyanam aagi oru paapa vera. Romba santhoshama irundhuchu avangala paathadhu. Ithana ummachi and makkal - so ennoda 4 day Trichy payanamum over-nu ungalukku purinjurkum.

22nd night Malaikottai Express pudichu Chennai payanam - maapillai veetu kaarangala. Erinadhu dhan theiryum, paatha Tambaram Station. Appa and Kumar Sastrigal ukandhu aratai adichu kitu irukanga. Naan konjam fresh aakikitu ready aanaen. Train lendhu erangitu paatha edho oru gosthi, neenga dhane maapilai aathu kaara appadinu engaloda luggage lam erakki vechutu irundhanga. Enakku sema doubt - enna da indha makkalalam naan paathadhae ilayenu ennoda perimma kita solli avalam yaarunu kekka sonaen - paatha, avanga ellarum vera edho kalyana goshti-ya receive panna vandhurka, adhu naanga dhan nu nenachu confuse ayitanga. Nalla vela appadiyae nenachu poirundha, ponnu vera aagi irukum - kekkavae sagikala!

Appuram Anu athulendhu elarum vandhanga and elarum car la eri mandapam-ku poitoam. Anga pona elamae pudhusa irukku - (well, pazhasa iruka koodadhu, as kalyanam appadingaradhu oru vaati dhan nadakum :-)) naan luggage thooka koodadham, and gentle-a irukanumam. Enakku aarthi eduthanga, malai pottu, ore shy coming-ah ayuduchu enakku :-)))

Appuram poitu konjam relax panitu Viradham mudijudhu. Appo dhan Bags and Bala vandhanga. Oru chinna yaana kutti madhiri irundhan Bags, paavam romba thurumba ?!?! elachu vera poirundhan. Avanga appa kitta solanum, "Uncle, unga pullaikku oru muzhu kaal dowsar vaangi kudunga" appadinu, drabaya oru drawer-a potutu vandhan Naadhari. Ghrrr...

Evening Nichiyathartham, Reception elam mudijudhu. Sema kumbal. Vandhavangalukku ellam, "Thanks for coming", "Kandippa saaptutu poganum", "Nalaikum sure-a vaanga", "Thank you so much" - idhe cassette-a thiruppi thiruppi otitu irundhaen. Idhuku badhila "Nandri, Meendum varuga" appadinu andha poochandula oru sticker otti kuduthurkalam. Idhelam mudiju saapida polam nenachoam, appo dhan oruthan vandhan. Photo-va eduthu thallinan andha photographer. Engala vechu dhan photo eduka pazhagikittan nenakaraen. Goundamani madhiri "Ah, inga poosu, anga poosu"-nu solra madhiri andha side-um indha side-um thirumba solli usurayae eduthan. Idhelam eppo, gama-gama-nu vasanai varudhu dinner buffet, adhukku poga vidama 45 mins, prananae poiduchu. Appuram pona, saapadae erangala. Edho konjam korichutu vandhoam. Then naan, Bags, Bala and Sat ukandhu pesitu irundhom. Romba nalla irundhuchu. Reminded me of the days we 4 of us had in Srirangam - the sleepless nights - wow, ippo nenacha kooda sema santhoshama iruku. Appuram thoongitom.

Morning 5:30-ku ummachiku thirupalli ezhuchi madhiri enna thara-thappatayoda ezhupinanga. Appuram kulichutu vandhaen, correct-a Kumar sasthrigal vandharu. Enakku Panjagacham katta aarambicharu. What-a nu katti vittaru. Chancea illa. Andha full size photo-va paatha, appadiyae Ulagalandha Perumal madhiri irundhuchu. Peethikala, aana naan andha size la irundhaen-nu solla vandhaen, avlo dhan. :-) Appuram the usual ceremonies - Kaasi yaatrai, Oonjal, Kannika Dhanam, Maangalya Dhaaranam, and poojais. Idhukku nadula pala sentiments, oor patta makkaloda wishes, "Maapilai vandhacha?", "Maatu ponnu vandhala?" appadinu pala paeroda kuralgal, Kumar Saastrigaloda, "Prabhu, seekiram vaa" appadinu oru kural, uhmm, engalukkum nalla padiya kalyanam mudinjuduchu! :-)

Appuram Trichy payanam - Ella kovil-kum poittu naan aniyayathukku Query-ya pottu thallinaen. First class dharisanam ella kovil layum and romba nimadhiya irundhuchu. Vaidheeswaran kovil and Thirunallar ponoam. Pora vazhila Shanmugha la niruthi photos eduthukitaen en pondatti kooda. Wow, nenachu paakavae sooper-a irukku, anga naan adicha koothellam. Udayar Kadai "Krishna nee baekanae", SKT la namakku irundha mariyadhai - ada ada, good old days! Appuram Palakkad payanam, Anu voda aathu kula deivam nu anga ponoam. Sooper-a irundhuchu. Appuram Chennai, VISA interview, Ganesh Laks kooda 2 days and spent their 3rd anniversary with them with a bewautiful Vegetable Rice and Rajma by Laks, ava appa-amma kooda 2 days, then, back to square one in this junk place!

Kalyanam aanadhulam ennamo romba santhoshama irundhalum, Ganesh, Laks and Kuttiyoda time spend panna mudilayenu romba varuthama irundhuchu. Last naal angendhu kalambum podhu, yaara paathum enakku azhugai varala, but that sweet little kid. Chae, andha kuzhandhai nalla odi aadi velayadaradha paakaradhukku enakku kuduthu vekalayenu thudichu poitaen oru second. Thank God, nanum anu-vum kalambum podhu avan thoongitu irundhan, ilati inum kashtam aagi irukum.

Idhelam nenachu paathu inum one year ottanum, kadavulae manasula dhairiyatha kudu!

2005-06-14T07:11:00.000-07:00

It just feels fantabulous to be in India! <EOB>

2005-06-09T23:18:00.000-07:00

111, 222, 333, bye.. bye.. bye..

sheperd retirement announce panitanam, oops, panitaram. i think this Gentleman deserves proper respect. enakku personally Sheperd-a romba pidikum, though there were decisions that screwed India a lot of times. Dickie Bird porache enakku adha pathi ezhudhanum-nu thonala, en theriyuma? en na naan appo blog ezhudhavae aarambikala :-))

konja nalaikki minadi gundasami enna sonaru appadnu ingae irukku.

2005-06-07T22:27:00.000-07:00

last weekend nalla pochunga. en friend Ranjit vandhurndhan from NY. Saturday annikki oru castle-ku poittu vandhom. Infact, adhu oru aalodaya veedu, beautiful-a irundhuchu. Anga poittu aprm inoru park-k poitu came back home. Evening oru play paaka ponoam. US la naan first-a paatha play idhu dhan. Romba nalla irundhuchu. Avlo realistic-a movie pakara madhiriyae. Konjam costly affair dhan, but it was really worth the money. Sunday annikki chumma veetlayae irundhu pozhudha pokiyachu.

next week inneram india la jolly-ya irupaen. sema excited-a iruku. Indha one week otita aprm enjoy dhan. Seri makalae, naan ingirundhu kalambum podhu solraen. Ippodhaikku taa...taa... !

2005-06-07T22:25:00.000-07:00

romba naal kazhichu oru photo!

2005-06-01T18:46:00.000-07:00

huh! ithana naal aagi irukunga enakku 'New Post' button-a click panradhukku. Sema busy pa, last 2-3 weeks-a. Work romba hectic-a ilatiyum matha padi personal works bayangarama irundhuchu.

India kalambardhuku minadi elathayum set pananum nu, padadha paada patutaen. Thank God, budhisali thanama first car-a vaanginaen, ilati romba kashtama irundhurkum. Pudhu veeduku shift panitaen, andha Brahaspathi-oda irukardhuku, thaniya, konjam costly-ya irundhalum paravala nu vandhutaen. Chae, ippadi kooda cribbing-a makkal irupanga nu enakku suthama thonala. SFO la 5 paer irundhu koothu adichutu irundhom, kashtamae therila, mothama 15 days indha dhravayoda irundhutu, saami, romba patutaen. Well, vitta en kaadhulendhu pugai vara alavukku pesuvaen.

Ippo veetla thaniya irukaen, romba pidichurku theiryuma enakku indha madhiri thaniya irukardhu. I am all by myself, and enakku enna venumo panikaraen, and romba comfortable-a irukku. ('Mavanae, inum 2 vaaram dhan da apuram inoruthi irupa' appadinu neenga solradhu en kaadhula vizhudhu) Veedum romba nalla irukunga, naan irukaen nu chumma sollala, its a nice small house, adha home-a aakradhuku dhan avala kootiyaaraen :-)

Almost, India shopping-a logical-a oru end ku kondu vandhutaen. Nethiki night konjam pack panni pathaen, elam fit aara madhiri dhan thonichu, so next week elathayum panikalam-nu mudivu panitaen. Indha Ganesh paya irundha, packing pathi naan kavala padavae maataen. Romba kadiyana velai pa indha packing. Thank God, naan thirumbi varum podhu Ganesh will be there for that. Tholla vittudhu.

Uhmm, side-by-side, paaka vaendiya padam lam paathutae dhan irukaen, adhukulam oru kuraiyum illa.

Indha weekend nalla veetla rest eduthutu, next weekend India kalambanum. Ahh, am sooo excited. :-) Naal odadha madhiri irukku. Eppo da June 12th varum nu kaathutu irukaen, flight eri poradhukku. Chae, innum 7 business days irukkae :-(( India poradhu mega plan-na, anga poi naan andha 28 days enna panna poraen appadingaradhu ultra plan-a irukku. kanna pinna-nu kovil plans oditu iruku. Ippodhaikku, Tiruchy Malai Kottai, Singa Perumal kovil, Samayapuram, Vaideeswaran Kovil and Palakkad-la Anu voda kula deivam kovil-ku poganum. Idhuku aprm Chennai vandhu VISA appoitment, Podicherry-ku poi Perimma Perippa-ku oru visit, Ganesh-Laks-oda koothu, phew! 28 days vegama oda pogudhunu mattum theliva theriyudhu!

Seri maha janagalae, ennoda marriage invite anuparaen, Thaangal, thangaludaya ishtamithra bandhukaludan vandhirundhu, nadathi kuduka vaenumai kaettu kolgiraen!

2005-05-03T21:50:00.000-07:00

National Teachers Day - Sathiyama innikki indha day-nu enakku theriyadhunga. Google paathu dhan therinjukitaen. Indha madhiri neraya occassions irukanum, edhukunu kekkareengala, andha chinna payan enna pudusa panraan-nu paakanum nu dhan. almost, elamae ingae iruku.

Vaazhga Google!

2005-05-03T21:48:00.000-07:00

Naal seekiram oda matengudhae-nu irukunga ippolam. Chae, eppo da June 12th varum nu irukku, indha oora vittu kalambardhukku. Am terribly excited to be there in India. First first inga varum podhu indha alavukku thrilling-a illa, en na, eppadiyum 1 year kalichu dhan India nu ayudum, so adha pathi nenachu kavala padaradhu, makes no sense. Aana, ippo india pogara naal nerunga nerunga, semaya iruku, andha feeling-ae. Adhuvum life la oru mukkiyamana vishiyathukaga porena, so it just feels great. Ticket lam ready ayuduchunga, Kuwait Airways la poraen and adhe airways la varom. JFK lendhu kalambi poganum. Ayyo, inum 40 days irukku kalambardhukku.

Anbe Sivam Madhavan madhiri irukaen naan ippodhaiku, endha
Kamal en life la vara porano therila, aana naan AB-ve blood group ilayae :-) But naan train la poga poradhu illa.... Oops... Mumbai to Chennai flight mazhai nala cancel aagi naan Dhadhar express la pora madhiri aagi, edachum Uthaman-a paathu, avan overa build-up pottu, podhumda saami... Uhmm, Tamil Cinema enna evlo baadhichuduchu paarunga... :-) but to be honest, enakku vayaru romba pasikidhu... Excerpts from The Prodigy and Maddy, thanks to The Hindu.

Velai appdiyae pogudhunga, no big turns either way. Ennoda varungala ponjaadhi velaya vituta, avalukku eppadiyachum inga vandhu oru 3-4 months la edachum velai vaangi tharanum, ilati ennoda koravalaya pudichu nasukiduva, and initial-a 2-3 years avala velaiku pogama veetla ukara vekardhu, poonaya madila katikitu alayara madhiri. inga va, velai kedaikum-nu buruda vitutaen, aana enna nadaka pogudhu kaathirundhu paapom.. :-)

Last weekend Vaidy came from Boston. Ennayum Harini-yayum paaka vandhan. Semaya koothua adichom 2 days, as usual, enna vida kanna pinnanu pethinan andha paya. but it was good to meet all of 'em. Snaps ingae.

Matravai, adutha pethalil!

2005-04-22T21:58:00.000-07:00

Junk-o-Junk - Chumma over hype-nga padathuku, onumae illa. Kamal padam comedy-na epadi irukum, adhulam onnumae illa. Sema aarvama download paninaen, aana chumma elam junk. Thenali, PKS, 5athanthiram, Vasool Raja - enna comedy-nga indha padam lam. Idhu chumma oru flow-vae illa. Scenes-lam thani thaniya irundhuchu. Kamal padathula irukira same crew irundhuchu, enna use... sema disappointment from Kamal this time.

2005-04-20T23:59:00.000-07:00

Thalaivaaaaaaaa.... Chae, indha padatha Chennai la theater la, makkaloda whistle adichu paathurkanum... Chae, miss panitaen. Enakku padam romba pidichudhunga, maybe, naan thalaivar(well, who isn't?) and Jo fan. And padam concept enakku romba pidichadhu - Multiple Personality Disorder. Jo kalakki irundha, amaaazing, nejama konjam scary-yavae irundhuchu paaka enakku.

Namma thalaivaroda punch dialogues lam edhuvumae illa padathula, and this movie is more heroine centric. Nayan Thara oru mega junk indha movie-kae. Chumma thalaivar-ku jodi illenu, namma fans lam galeej ayuduvanganu potutanga. But, she looks OK. As usual, Prabhu chummachukku, Uppuku Chappaniya vechurndhanga padathula.

Makkal enna sonna namakku ennanga, thalaivara Velli Thirayil paatha, adhuvae podhum!

Mumbai Express ippo dhan download aagitu irukku, adhu paathutu, appalika solraen!

2005-04-17T22:42:00.000-07:00

Vaetrumayil, Otrumai!

Sorgamae endralum.... Adhu nammoora pola varuma... :-)

2005-04-16T15:02:00.001-07:00

Back to form...

Huh, 10 naala net ilama, and laptop ilama romba kashta patutaen-ga. Nethiki dhan net cnxn vandhuchu and laptop oru 2 days minadi vandhuchu. So, naan enna panraen, edhu panraen nu ungalukulam solalam nu vandhaen.

Middletown, CT - oor nalla dhan iruku, aana aal nadamatamae illa. Car ilama onumae panna mudiyadhu. Elathukum, yarayachum depend pananum. Romba kashtam. So, seekiram car vaangidalam-nu irukaen. Yarachum free-ya car kudukardhuna, udanae enna contact pannunga... hehehe... Oor nalla kulurudhu. SFO la irundhutu inga vandha kodumaya iruku, nejamavae.

Work-um aarambichuduthu, nalla ineresting-a irukum pola dhan iruku. Papom!

Last weekend, Vaidy-ya paaka naan Boston poirundhaen. Just, less than 2 hrs drive la dhan irukan avan, so went there on Friday night and spent time with him for 2 days. Avanga veetu vaasal-la car-a park paninaen. Veeda paathu aadu poitaen, semaya irundhuchu, and veetla 2-3 figure vera. Adada, Vaidy pudichutan pola nenachaen, elarum indha oor figure vera. Romba hesitated-a poi door knock panninaen, oru figure vandhu door open panichu, see the conv below

Me: Hey, Hi...
Figure: Hey, Hi... how are you doing today?
M: Am doin perfectly fine, how about you?
F: Just great... please come in...
M: (velilayae ninutu) I was just wondering if I can meet Vaidyasubramanian here...
F: What? Who?
M: (rite, namma Vaidy chuma buruda vitutan, inga irukaen appadinu nenachukitaen. Udanae, ulendhu andha figure-oda amma vandhuchu, and indha ponnu kita ketadhayae thiruppi ketaen. Andha amma-vum moonji full-a '?' mark-a irundhuchu, appuram, I asked) Can I meet Vaidya here?
F: Oh yea, that crap of a fellow is in a godown below, you can meet him there (-nu, solitu poitanga)

Appuram paatha, edho oru paazh adanja kootukula irundhan, Vaidy. Konjam kooda maarala, literally, veetla kaala vekam edam ila. Ellam eranju kedandhuchu. Vetti paya! But, it was indeed good to see him. Nalla koothu adichom. College kadhai and ella kadhai-um pesinom. Life-la nanum Vaidy-um idhelam pesuvoma-nu nenachoam. Hmmm, neraya changes Vaidy kitta. Aana, urupadiya edhuvum illa vechukongalaen.

Vaidy-um ennoda varungala ponjaadhi-yum school mates. So, avanga pesitu irundhanga konja neram on phone. Avalum sonna, Vaidy oru mega bekku dhan, appadinu :-) Snaps ingae...

Vera ennanga matter - F1 la thalaivan sodhaparan, namma pasanga match-la kavundhu adikaranunga, ennamo ponga.

Seringa makkalae, konja naal gap vitrundhaen, inimae - will be in full form!

2005-04-01T07:32:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday GMail

Oru varushama use panitu irukaen, and idhu varaikum 1GB yae reach panala, ippo enna da na ippadi solranga. Hmmm, theres nothing stopping them. Ipo puriyudha, indha Gmail account-a naan en use panraen appadinu.. Hahaha... (namma 501 ad mdhiri... :-))))

2005-03-29T17:24:00.000-08:00

Damm Damm Damm Damm Damm !

Idhunala ulaga makkal-ku therivikardhu enna na, appadi ippadi, benja thechu, sorry methaya thechukitu irundha naan, Friday lendhu ennoda pudhu project la join panna poraen. Nethiki dhan confirm aachu. So mootai lam katikitu ready aagitu irukaen. SFO lendhu idhu dhan ennoda last pethal-a irukum, adutha pethal, ingirundhu! Vyazha kezhamai morning flight from Oakland. Annikki evening oru 18:30 pola poi seruvaen. Indha vishiyam, chumanachukku, unga IQ valaratumenu, avlo dhan.

Ellarum marakama inga vandhu vishiyatha ketukongo saamiyov... Damm Damm Damm Damm Damm...

2005-03-21T21:49:00.000-08:00

Bore adikudhu, blog ezhudha kooda. Dunno, why I am getting pissed off. Office-kum pogardhu illa, bench la irukaen. Veetlayum velai illa, nalla thoongaraen. Nejama kadiya irukku elathukumae. Yuck!

Will write more about the happenings when I am kinda ok...

2005-03-17T23:23:00.000-08:00

I have never seen any better thing in my life so far, than this...

First Century, for Sid!

2005-03-16T14:41:00.000-08:00

Chennai-la romba naal illadhadhunala, vocabulary kuranjuda koodadhunu indha link-a Ganesh enakku anupinaan.

Olunga paarunga, illa kalasiduvaen.

2005-03-16T14:16:00.000-08:00

In-law's time

Sunday was wonderful and memorable. Anu-voda cousin, Vidya, shes with her family in Milpitas, romba naala lunch ku vaa-nu solitu irundha. So, went on Sunday. Oh first naan Anu yaaru enna-nu ungalukku solanum. Anu dhan naan kalyanam pannika pora ponnu. Indha pethal-a life long kekkanum-nu ava thalai-la ezhudhi irukku, enna panna mudiyum sollunga. Adha vidunga, namma Sunday matter-ku varuvom.

Konjam excited-a irundhaen because, I am meeting the first people of all my in-law's, after things got finalized. Morning seekiram endhirichu(US vandhadhukku aparam, last Sunday dhan naan morning 8-kulam endhirichu irukaen), Hertz-la car rent panitu and reached their place by 11:30 hrs. Romba amaidhiyana edam and a nice place. Jai, Vidya's hubby was the one who got me into the house and was talking to him for a while, when Vidya joined the arattai. They have a small kid, Twisha. Ore vekkam adhukku enna pathonae. Varavae illa en kita konja neram, aparam vara aarambichudhu. Sema cute-a irundhuchu. Apuram, saapadu. Sooper-a cook panirndha Vidya. Ate well, then thiruppi arattai. Rendu perum first time meet panroma, so neraya pesitu irundhom. It was nice. Then, angendhu oru 16:30 pola kalambi aathuku vandhutu, went for a ride.

Thanks for the wonderful time - Vidya, Jai & that cute Little Tsunami :-) ! Snaps ingae...

2005-03-16T13:47:00.000-08:00

Kadaisi 10 days - nejamavae romba nalla irukunga. Last week was good, en na office la velai irundhuchu. Weekend was wonderful. Saturday annikki kanna pinna nu movies pathaen. Infact, 22 hrs-la I saw 6 movies. Netflix-la oru subscription-a potaen. Nalla pozhudhu pogudhu paarunga. Naan enna movies paathaen dhan solla poraen, am not going to comment much. But, sila movies minadiyae paathutaen.

Raam - Pudhu Thamizh padam. OoooK movie dhanga. Elarum psycho-va edukardhu fashion ayuduchu. One time see-able. More...

Bourne Supremacy - Nice movie. Definitely not like its predecessor !

Night show idhoda over! Morning show starts with...

Mission Impossible - Old movie dhan, but romba naal aachu appadinu, watched it.

Unfaithful - Nalla irundhuchu movie, aana definitely not see-able with family! Murder was a remake from this movie.

The Green Mile - Amaaaaaaaazing movie. Anjali-ku aparam naan azhudha movie appadina, idhu dhan. Romba nalla padam. Slow movie and rasichu paaka vaendiya movie. Same old story - Tom Hanks is just amazing!

Entrapment - Erkanavae paatha movie dhan, but saw it once more. CZJ is just beautiful !

Sunday and Monday padam pakalainga, konjam busy-ya irundhaen. Nethiki, saw another nice movie - American Beauty. Romba practical-a irundhuchu movie. But, sure-a one time see-able only.

Inum neraya movies irukku in the queue. Inikki 2 movies vandhurkum, and veetla vera oru 10 movies kitta iruku. So, elathayum pathutu, sethu solraenga. Okya? Ippo konjam velai irukku, padam pakardhu ilainga, office la irukaen. :-)

2005-03-14T22:53:00.000-08:00

Driving a Ford Mustang...

A few more snaps...

2005-03-11T00:28:00.000-08:00

The Terminal - Ippo naan paatha padam-nga idhu. Romba nalla irundhuchu. Tom Hanks proved that he is just way far far far ahead of others. Movie yoda tag line Life is waiting, adhula oru dialogue - Everybody waits for something or the other. Romba move aagitaenga, andha scene la. Tom Hanks vera amazing-a expressions-la kalakki irundhan. Just konjam think panni paatha, adhu evlo correct-nu thonichu. Somehow, elarum life la aduthu enna-nu dhan wait panitu irukom. Anbe Sivam-la last scene la Kamal, Madhavan-ku ezhudhina letter-la irukum Adutha Vinadi Vaithirukkum Adhisiyangal Eralam, perfectly true. Huh - Tom Hanks best-a illa Kamal best-a solla therila. But sure, the latter is more versatile than the former.

After The Terminal, Mr Forrest Gump & Mr Viktor Navorski -ku romba periya difference illa thonichu enakku.

Idhe senti-yoda came and read this blog, enakku amma gnabagam vandhuduchu :-( It was nice reading that, Sandhya!

2005-03-10T16:49:00.000-08:00

Picasa-vin Kai Vannam !

Google sooper-nu naan sonna, illa nu solraanga. Indha madhiri oru picture viewer-a free-ya develop panni kudukaraan appadina, adhu enna madhiri oru company-ya irukanum. Work panina, Google la work pannanumga. Google-oda matha projects, ingae...

Google panra alumbu pathadhu appadinu, sila paer adhukku add-ons vera podaranunga. Amazing pa, indha Google and sutthu vattara vishiyangal.

2005-03-07T13:19:00.000-08:00

Indha madhiri oru season aarambikka koodadhunga. Chae, SFO-la weather romba nalla irukku-nu naan santhosha padaradha, illa Melbourne-la weather ippadi paduthiduche-nu naan varutha padaradha. Indha weather mishap nalayae, naan poi pakardha irundha race-a veetla ukandhutu, website la paathutu irundhaen.

Narain race-a 15th la mudichuttan, Schumi-ku race oothikichu - idha pathi pesarome ozhiya Fisichella race jeychuttan namma solla matengarom. Bcoz, yaralayum andha namba mudila !

Amen

2005-03-05T11:39:00.000-08:00

Reminiscences - 888 O'Farrell Street - Ek Choti Si Mulakaath...

Indha edatha vittu pogum podhu idha pathi ezhudhardhu makes sense. Correct dhan. Ippove naan en ezhudharaen-na, nammala thavira inga irundha elarum poga poranganu nenakkum podhu dhan romba thonudhu, chae ella edathulayum sendhu adicha koothulam inimae irukadhe appadinu. Many thanks to that W1206 for giving a lot of memorable moments.

888 O'Farrell Street - Edho devil's place madhiri nenachukadheenga. Inga dhan naanga thangi irukom. W1206-la dhan Raj, Sabari, Soofi thangi irundhanga. Pakathulayae Kesava & Nath. Nanum Baskar-um in W606. Idhu dhan-nga enga Downtown team !

Inga vandhu 5 months 17 days aachunga. Aana neraya anubavangal. Life la first time thaniya friends-oda room la share panitu iruka poromae, eppadi ennalam adjust panikanum-nu neraya questions-oda vandhaen indha San Francisco ku. Idhu varaikum family koodavae 23 1/2 years kazhichutu, first time velila anupardhukku Ganesh-kae romba kavalaya irundhuchu. Eppadi enna pannuvaen appadinu. Adichu pudichu, San Francisco la vandhu eranginaen. Naan cab eduthutu Days Inn la thanginaen. 'Many Thanks' to Sabari for booking me a room there. Angae poittu luggage lam potutu phone panni solla vaendiyavangalukku elam oru phone-a pottaen. Saravana Raj varaen-nu sonnan. Raj eppo da varuvaan-nu ukandhu irundhaen. Jan 28, 2002 evlo lonely-ya feel panineno, adhe madhiri hotel la irundha 3 hrs avlo kashtama irundhuchu. Ayyo, inga thaniya vandhutomae appadinu. Thank God, Raj came around 4pm. Avana paathonae dhan konjam thembae vandhuchu. Raj was my team mate, rather, I was his team mate in the previous project too. Avanoda veetukku kootitu poittu oru Apple Juice kuduthan. Life la andha madhiri oru apple juice naan kudichadhe illa. Not because of the taste, romba filling-a irundhuchu manasukku. Indha chinna kuzhandhaikku-lam appa-amma va paatha evlo santhosha padum, adhu madhiri oru nimmadhi manasula. Then hotel room ku naan vandhutaen, Raj office poittan.

Apram evening Sabari, Soofi, Jayanthi, Raj, Kesava elarum vandhanga room-ku. Udane enna kootitu poitanga W1206 ku. Angendhu mail amchaen Ganesh, Anu, Baskar, elarukum naan badhirama safe-a irukaen appadinu. Then first 2 days dinner angayae saapida sonanga. Andha room layae thangidalama-nu kooda kekalam thonichu, aana thanga mudiyum-na avangalae solirpanga, so namma kekka koodadhu-nu irundhutaen. Bayangara support-a therinjudhu pasangaloda talks - Sure-a veedu kedachudum - Nalla pozhudhu poidum - Saapadukkulam prachanayae illa - Life is so easy - ellam sonanga. Romba nimadhiya thoonginaen annikki night poi room la.

Aprm adhe appartment layae oru veetla edam kaaliya irundhuchu. Thanks to Siva for letting me know that and Thanks to Nanda for giving me space in that room. Appo Nanda oru bachelor, ippo Nanda oru kudumbasthan. Neraya kathukitan Nanda unga kittendhu. Aana neenga andha room-layae kudi irundhurka vaendam ;-)

Konja naal aaga aaga sema comfy-ya set aachunga oor. Oru sema grip kedacha madhiri oru feeling. Oor sutha aarambichom nanum Siva-vum. Appo dhan Baskar vandhan from Chennai. Engalodayae thanginaan. Sema koothu dhanga appolendhu.

Ethanayo Lahore Karahi dinners, ethanayo office warehouse-la arattais, ethanayo ennoda vaai-po(namma typo madhiri)kal, ethanyo car rentals and oor suthifyings, Saravana Bhavan-la saapta dinners, evening office lendhu aadi asanju varum podhu adicha arattaigal, F.R.I.E.N.D.S serials paathu vayaru valikka sirichadhu, Ethanayo movies sendhu paathadhu, namma 'Mutta(Egg)' Soofi, Fasher Raj, 'Baby' Nath, 'Kallela Mallela' Kesava, 'Dhanaaaaaaaaaa', 'Yea Baby' Sabari, 'Chick-e-Vals' and elamae konja naal-la oru stand still-ku vara pogudhu-nu thonudhu. Ellarum ovvoru moolaiku poga porom. Vals, Many Congratulations on your Wedding. Edachum oru long weekend-ku elarum meet pananum-nu nethiki pesitu irundhom. Papom.

Thanks to Dhana for making so many wonderful dishes. Nath-oda andha proactiveness in burning DVD's and andha aarva kolaru thanam, edhuvume illa ippo. Dhana & Nath rendu perum India kalambi ponanga. Ippo, Soofi Denver poittan, Raj is going to Salt Lake City, Kesava might get back to India as well. Sabari 3/18 release aagi India poraan. Nalla vishiyathukaga dhan poraan. Our Good Wishes are always with you Sabari. Sendru Vendru vaa maganae :-)

Ippo thirumbi paatha nanum, Baskar-um dhan irupom indha set lendhu. Sila/Pala time konjam kadi aanalum, nalla enjoy paninaenga andha W1206 makkaloda aquaintance-a. Ippo endha oorku ponalum dhairiyama irukalam-nu sema confidence vandhuduchu.

Ennamo college farewell madhiri irukku-nu nenachukadheenga. Maybe, this is just-another-place and just-another-episode to the other guys, but this is sooo big to me, bcoz first time veeta vitutu iruka poraen-nu nenachutu vandhaen. Despite the fact that I missed my people badly, all the guys here made it a lot more comfortable than I actually thought. Thanks a ton guys, Will definitely look forward to that day when we all meet again & Wishing you the Very Best in Life and Good Luck in your new assignment!

Raj, sure-a vacation kedaikum - So dhairiyama iru :-)

2005-03-03T10:40:00.000-08:00

Ennamo nadakudhu...

Pullayar-ae Eli la savaari seyyum podhu, Poosari-ku bullet-u kaekudham - adhu madhiri dhan-nga irukku ennoda nelamayum inga. Elarum vacation porache, avangaloda module-a paathukardhukku naan oru backup. Ennamo dhenakooli madhiri thonudhu. Hmmm, enna panna, nammaku inga nadaka vaendiya velaigal neraya irukae. Amaidhiya irupom.

2005-02-27T15:41:00.000-08:00

Well, last week konjam busy-ya irundhuchunga office-la. Ada, sirikadheengappa. Nejamavae velai irundhuchu enakum. Ada paaruda, nambama sirichutu irukenga. Seri ponga, naan edhuvum solala adhu pathi.

Indha weekend-um vettiya dhanga pochu. Chumma padam paathutu irundhaen. Saw Karnan once more. Ultimate movie. Adhu pathone, I started looking out for Mahabharat CD's & DVD's. Enna price aanalum vaangidalam mudivu paninaen. I got a couple of good deals too, but I have "just" postponed it for now. Kandippa vaanguvaen-ga andha DVD's. Oru manushan life-la ennalam pananum ennalam panna koodadhunu adhu paathu therinjukalam. Indian History is just amazing !

Inniki Basic Instinct paathaen. For the first time in my life, I saw the movie from start-to-end without getting up. Nice movie, ofcourse, with a lot of activities in it :-) Sharon Stone was J-U-S-T S-T-U-N-N-I-N-G.

Ippo veedu clean panalam-nu oru mudivukku vandhu irukom. This garrage definitely needs a clean!

Evening 17:00 hrs PST ku Academy awards irukku. Am so excited. Million Dollar Baby, Hilary Swank, Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Martin Scorsese - I think this will be the big hit list today, lets see...

Life-la oru mukkiyamana vishiyam enakku nadaka last month oru periya kaaranam, adhu enna edhu-nu ennoda next pethal-la solraen.

2005-02-21T00:24:00.000-08:00

Like Offshore...
... Like Onsite !

Kadaisi neram varaikum enna nadakudhu-nu sollavae mudiyadhunga @ Offshore. Adhu madhiri dhan ingayum nadandhuchu, last Friday. Evening 16:00 hrs, sila paer kitta Bye Bye sonaen, as that Friday wud be the last day @ office. 16:30 pola en Manager vandhu, illa pa konjam probs ayuduchu, so adhunala nee inga irukanum sonaru. Chae, indha project vitutu pogalamnu irundha aasai poiduchu. Chae, sema kodumai pa.

So makkala, I will be in San Francisco for another month/two. Maybe, dont get surprised when I come and write on Wednesday that am released from this project. Edhu venalum nadakalam, namma oor politics madhiri dhan-nga ingayum !

2005-02-17T12:43:00.001-08:00

43 vishiyangal pananum-nu elarum solranga. En indha 43-nu number vandhuchunu therilainga. Naan panradhukku 43 illa, 43^n (where n->1/0) vishiyangal iruku. Aana elathayum solitu irundha, enna Vadivel madhiri aakiduvanga. So, nanum konjoondu seyanum nenachutu irukaen and adha dhan nanum eludhi irukaen. Naan solladha sila/pala vishiyangal personal-a irukalam, ilati naan enna prabala paduthika virumbalanum irukalam. So romba kodanju paathu yosikadheenga!

Idha chumma inga eludharadhoda niruthika koodadhu, practice pananum nenachutu irukaen. Pakalam !

2005-02-17T12:23:00.000-08:00

Appadi ippadi San Francisco Project la mothama 5 months and 2 days kalichutaenga. Nalaiki dhan last day for me in this project. Amam, enna indha project lendhu release panni vera project-ku maatha poranga. Aana endha project dhan therila. Neraya talks poittu iruku. 'Ungal Sevai(Puliyodharai Sevayo, Thenga Sevayo illa) Engalukku Thevai'-nu neraya paer enna suthi suthi varanga. Enna panalam-nu yosichutu irukaen. Oru vaarathukku minadiyae theiryumnga, so konjam SFO souvenirs lam vaangitu irundhaen. Indha madhiri relocation appadingaradhu sooper vishiyam-nga. Office selavula vera oorku pogalam. Anga irundhu andha oor-a nalla suthi pakalam. Andha project mudinjone, thiruppi vera edam. Soakka irukula indha vishiyam. I like it !

Ok-nga endha project enna edhu-nu edachum vishiyam therinja udanae will tell you all.

Have a nice weekend.

2005-02-03T12:35:00.000-08:00

Pona weekend 5 padam paathenga. 3 Pongal releases and 2 pazhaya English movies. Ennanga panradhu, veetla enna pananum-nae therila so paathaen. Naan paatha Pongal releases - Thirupachi(Pongal-ku minadiyae release ayuduchu), Devathayai Kandaen & Ayudham. Thirupachi was ooook kind of movie. First 2 hrs nalla pochu, adhuku aprm sema drag. Padam eppo da mudiyum-nu ayuduchu. Vijay was as usual... sooper! Indha padathula Trisha edhukku-nu suthama/sathiyama/gopranae enakku therilainga. Chumma oru 4 scene-la varuva and 3 song-la avlo dhan. Sema vetti indha padathula ava. Indha padam pathi, makkal enna solranga appadinu ingae paarunga.

Aduthu, Devathayai Kandaen - yaarachum unga kitta vandhu, indha, unakku naan $10000 tharaen, indha padam paathutu vaa-nu sonanga appadina, andha $10000-a vaangi, adhuku mela oru $100 vechu, avanga kitta thiruppi kuduthudunga. Bcoz, doing like this is a better deal and option, than watching this hopeless/ridiculous/pathetic/useless/vetti/dhanda/kevalamana ...phew... movie! Dhanush as usual kevalam, Sridevi soooooooper-a irundha, sema azhagunga ava. Naan sonnadhae podhum-nga indha padathukku, makkal enna solranga appadinu neenga therinjuka vaendam!

Next, Ayudham - ok-nga indha padam. Prashanth konjam sumara irundhan. Sneha, kekkavae vaendam. Nalla irundha, as usual. Movie konjam Thamizh madhiri irundhuchunga. Aana, last lam konjam sodhapals, so only one time seeable. Makkal enna solranga-nu ingae paarunga.

Naan aparam paatha 2 English movies True Lies & MI-2. Romba bore adichudhu, so adhunala pozhudhu pogardhukku paathutu irundhaen. Indha madhiri oru movies neranga vaarama irundhuchunga.

Naan oru edathuku ponaen on Sunday - Twin Peaks. Full San Francisco Bay Area-vum theiryum. Romba nalla irundhuchu. Angae naan edutha sila snaps, ingae!

Matravi, adutha pethalil!

2005-02-02T12:20:00.000-08:00

Oru Mobile...
...Cordless aana kadhai !

Sorry, idhu kadhai alla, oru karuppu sarithiram...

Jacuzzi-ku poi romba naal aachu appadinu, Saturday annikki ponaenga. As usual, mobile-a eduthutu ponaen. Bcoz, romba paer ku phone panna vaendi irundhuchu. Also, oru kuchi ice-ayum eduthutu ponaen. Jaccuzi-la irundhutae, phone pesitae, ice saapitu irundhaen. Appo andha kuchi ice-la irundha kuchi, jaccuzi-la vilundhuduchu. Ennoda aarva kolarula, phone-oda kaiya thanni-la vitutaen :-). Enna yaarum thappu solla koodadhunga, paavam ethana naal aacho andha phone kulichu, adhunala mobile-ku oru dip-a potaen in Jacuzzi. Adhula matter enna na, naan mobile-oda kaiya thanni kulla vitaen-nae naan realise panala konja nerathukku. Romba sooda irundhuchu nenakraen water, adhunala paavam mobile vibrate aaga aarambichuduchu, thats when I realised, mobile is under water ! Hehehe... Appuram, veetuku vandhutu, adhuku cold vandhuda pogudhu appadinu, neat-a thudachu, konjam kaathada pottu vitaen. Appuram heater-lam pottu, adha kaaya vechu, ennalamo panni paathaen.

Ippodhaikku adhu oru normal cordless phone madhiri irukunga. No display, no address book(address book-la irukardhalam paaka mudila, en na display dhan oothikichae :D. Udanae elarum budhisali thanam-nu nenachu, inoru mobile-la indha SIM card-a pottu paaka vaendiyadhu dhane solladheenga, adhu engalukku theiryum... :-):-):-)) Kai-ku ettinadhu vaai-ku ettala-nu solluvangala, adhu madhiri dial panradhu, incoming call attend panradhu elamae oru yoogathuladhan panitu irukaen.

So makkala, ungaloda numbers lam naan miss panitaen. So, adha retrieve panradhukku konjam neram/naal/vaaram/maasam aagum nenakaraen. Adhuvaraikkum... Svuahaaaaaaaa...

Subhamasthu! Chi... Savamasthu!

2005-02-01T13:14:00.000-08:00

One of my latest snaps...

In Halfmoon Bay Beach...

2005-01-31T10:22:00.000-08:00

Kandippa idhu 'Pethal' illainga...

Usual-a 07:45 hrs ku varugira office-ku, Ganesh Monday annikki late-a dhan varuvan-nu casual-a MSN-la login pannama irundha enakku, shocking-a oru mail Ganesh kittendhu. Naan Onsite varadha vida least expected news - Bharath marriage cancel ayuduchu appadinu.

Ganesh-oda friends Mani & Bharath, avanga rendu paerkum ore naal kalyanam, on Jan 31st. Mani-ku dhan kalyanam and reception nadandhuchu in Trichy, aana Bharath-ku Chennai-la nadakka irundha kalyanam nadakala. Because, life played its cruelty on Bharath, on such a wonderful occassion in his life.

Kashtam varadhu sagajam dhan-ga life la, aana Bharath-ku vandha madhiri yaarukumae vara koodadhu. Kalyana Reception-ku santhoshama avanoda usual pranks-oda ninutu irupan-nu nenachtu irundha elarukkum, kodumaya oru news - Bharath-oda appa mandapathulayae heart attack-la sethu poitar appadinu. Nenachu paathurpana-nga avan, indha madhiri oru kodumai nadakum appadinu. I really wish Bharath gets back to his normal life soon. Romba kashtam dhan to digest these things, but TIME is the healer.

Engayo irukira enakkae ivalo kashtama irukae, Bharath & Co.-ku evlo kodumaya irukum. May Bharath's Dad's soul rest in peace. Payyan kalyanatha paakama eppadinga nimadhiya iruparu avarum... :-(

We are with you, Bharath.

2005-01-10T12:23:00.000-08:00

Romba naal kalichu petharaenga. Sema velai, adhunala dhan eludha mudila. Neenga enakku office la romba busy ya irundhuchunu matum nenachuda vaendam. Appadilam edhuvum illai.

Memphis-la 10 days irundhutu vandhena, andha mayakamae inum pogalainga. Romba nalla pochu 10 days. Varavae ishtam illa. But what to do, kadamai azhaikiradhae. Jan 2nd annikki SFO vandhaen. Office la konjam velaigal irundhana. Adhulam mudichutu and appadiyae pochu pona week.

Last weekend onnum pannalainga, Saturday anniki car rent panitu ennoda old roomie kalyanam mudichutu vandhan from India, so avana paka ponom. Nalla saapadunga avanga veetla. Nalla kottikittu, konjam shoppinglam mudichom. Night veetuku vandhu paduthu thoongitaen, sema tired-a irundhuchu.

Sunday annikki, chumma movies pathutu, thuni-maniyalam iron panitu irundhaen. Onnume special-a nadaka matengudhunga, adhunala dhan naan romba eludhardhu illa. Nadakara madhiri pala vishiyangal irukku, aana adhulam romba personal-a irukardhunala, ingae adhelam eludhama irukaen.

Ok, koodiya seekiram ungalai, adutha pethals-la sandhipom !

2004-12-30T11:14:00.000-08:00

Elarukum ennoda Advanced New Year Wishes. May the new year bring happiness, good health & prosperity.

Inga Memphis-la koothu adichutu irukenga. Nalla saapadu, nalla thookam and veetu manushangaloda irukardhunalae kushi dhane sollunga. Engayum perisa velila pogalainga, aana romba nimadhiya santhoshama irukaen veetoda irukardhulayae.

Nejama indha veeta vitutu SFO poganumnalae kadiya iruku. Seringa, naan apparam pesaraen unga kooda. Ippodhaikku Bye Bye.

Again, En iniya puthandu nal vaazhthukkal :-)

2004-12-21T19:30:00.000-08:00

Ennanga life idhu, romba bore adikudhu US-la. Eppo da India povom madhiri thonudhu. Oops, idha en Manager padicharu-na enna pinniduvaru.

2 weeks-a onnumae activity nadakalinga, vettiya dhan pogudhu. Work is konjam ok, and weekends lam romba lazy-ya irukku. Padam pakaraen, thoongaran, saapidaraen, avlo dhan. Last weekend konjam shopping paninaenga. Oru Guess watch and oru Timberland shoe. Romba pidichu irundhuchu.

Next 2 weekends enjoy dhan. Christmas & New Year. En cousin veetuku poraen, Memphis-ku. Sema excited-a irukaen. 10 naal poitu nalla enjoy panitu varanum, veetu manushangala paathalae romba nimadhiya irukum pola irukunga.

Vera onnum matter ilainga, appalika naan Memphis lendhu petharaen. Bye for now

Wish you all Merry Christmas, in advance !

2004-12-12T21:56:00.000-08:00

Lazy Weekend !

Bayangara vettiya pochunga indha weekend. Onnumae pannalae, except for a few things. Saturday endhirikarche it was 12 noon, then cook panitu, went for a hair cut. Aparam, kulichutu, clothes lam wash ku potutu had lunch. Appuram konja neram browse panitu paatu ketutu irundhaen, then Gym ku poittu vandhu kulichuttu, thiruppi browsing. Appuram had dinner and saw 2 movies. Rendum kadiya dhan irundhuchu.

First padam, Dreams. Onnumae ilainga padathula, kodumaya irundhuchu. Appuram, Chatrapathi. This was Ooook movie. Konjam Arasu, konjam Ramana, elam sendha oru kalavai. Paaka mudinjuchu padam, Dreams maadhiri illa pa. Rendu padamum paathutu thoongum podhu time was 4 am !

Woke up at 11:30 on Sunday, and elarukkum veetla somberithanam thalaya virichu pottu aaduchu. Endhirichonae Kudaikul Mazhai paathaen. As the review says, padam different-a irundhuchu. Aana, romba different-a irundhuchu, and so sila/pala edam romba drag madhiri therinjuchu. Undoubtedly, Parthiban was stunning. Kalakki irundhan. And Madhumitha-vum romba nalla nadichu irundha. Debutant madhiri therila, she has done a good job. Kadaisilalam, romba nalla irundhuchu. Romba nalla panni irundhan Parthiban. Hats off !! As a whole, a typical film by Parthiban.

Appuram, pasangalda pesitu irundhutu, saaptutu, browse panitu, Gym ku poittu, kulichutu, thiruppi system la ukandhavan dhan,inamum ukandhutu irukaen. Ok-nga, poi thoongaraen, morning seekiram endhirikanum, office poganum la.

Bye Bye, Have a great week ahead !

2004-12-09T23:24:00.000-08:00

Naan Chittappa aayitaen :-)

En Anna-Manni-ku oru Kutti Payyan - "Siddharth" porandhu irukan on Dec 9th @ 09:22 hrs IST. 'Swathi' nakshathram. Am verryyyyyyyyyyy Happy, and just thought, will share the same with you all.

Chennai-la irukira makkalukku - eppo freeya irukeengalo, check with Ganesh, and aathula poi paarunga and give your blessings to the kid.

2004-12-08T16:23:00.001-08:00

Last weekend nalla pochunga. Naanga 7 paer sendhu oru car eduthutu went to Santa Cruz. Naan otina car idhu dhan. First, veetlendhu kalambi we went to Mystery Spot. Ultimate-ana place theiryuma. Chancea illa. Andha drive-a romba nalla irundhuchu. Adhu mattum en friend otinan, micha full drive-um naan dhan otinaen. Fine, namma andha edam pathi pesuvom. Nera nikariya, ila saanjutu nikariyanu onnumae thieryadhunga. Lower end lendhu higher end ku water flow aagum, ball keezhendhu mela pogum, thaanavae. Matrix padathula bullet dodge panra scene la Keanu Reeves eppadi aaduvano, adhe madhiri nammalum aadalam. Appadi oru edam. Andha edathula, endha components-um sariya work pannadhu. Magnetic Compass edhuva irundhalum. I can't say anything, that will explain it for you. Neengalae andha edathoda photos paarunga. Anga naanga edutha snaps ingae irukku.

Then, angendhu kalambi naanga oru 40 miles drive panni, we went to a place called Monterey. Nalla scenic place. Anga oru beach la konja neram aatatha potutu, snaps lam thatitu we started to 17 Mile Dr

Ada ada, enna oru azhagana edamnga. Full 17 miles-um beach side la drive. Ultimate-a irundhuchu. One of the best drives, I have made so far. Anga kitta thatta oru 21 spots irukunga. Ovvoru edathula onnu onnu special, angalam erangi photos eduthu vandhom. Romba nalla irundhuchu.

Then, angendhu Sunnyvale. Ada, andha oorla enna da velai kekareengala, saapadu dhan. Adhuvum engae, namma Hotel Saravana Bhavan-la. Ada ada ada, enna arumaya irundhuchu theiryuma andha feeling, namma HSB la saapida porom appadinodanae. Anga nalla vayaru mutta kotikittu, konjam snaps eduthutu veetukku kalambinom.

Porappa, Varappa, car lendhu pasanga ukandhu thatina snaps, ingae...

So, nalla jolly-ya pochu last weekend. Indha weekend onnum perisa plan ilainga, full-a veetla dhan. Okaiye makkala, appalika sandhipom !!

2004-12-08T15:48:00.000-08:00

Thanks Giving Day

Namma oor pongal madhiringa, indha oorla indha function. Ella shops layum nalla sale varum, adhu idhu nu sonanga. Naangalum, India porache, vaanga vaendiyavangalukku enalam vangalam nu plan panitu, we set out for shopping at 5 AM on 26th. US vandhu first time-a naanga 5 AM paathonga. Cordless phones, Flash Memory, CD's, MP3 players elam vaanginaenga. Then, Walmart ponom. Bayangarama irundhuchu. Anga poi konjam shopping lam panitu, came home and konja neram thoongina dhan, night drive panna mudiyum-nu naan nalla thoongitaen. Appuram endhirichu, saaptutu, we started our trip to Lake Tahoe.

Snow pakanum nu engalukku rombaaaaaa aasainga, adhunala indha edathuku pogalamnu mudivu panitu kalambinom. Morning car eduthutu dhan naanga Walmart-ae ponom. Naan otina car idhu dhan. Night oru 10 pola veetlendhu kalambi ponom. Romba nalla irundhuchu drive. Tahoe near panrache, nalla snow kottuchu. Sooper theryuma indha oorlalam. Anga oru edathula check point madhiri, anga check panni sonanga, un tyres nalla dhan iruku ipodhaikku, irundhalum careful-a drive pannu appadinu. Sema concern pa, chancea illa. Nejama, snow kottuchu, appadiyae sema winds vera, andha drive was just amaaaaaaazing. Naangalum, oru SUV pinnadi irundhukittu, medhuva poitae irundhom. Naanga hotel reach pannum podhu time 2:30 AM. Konja neram snow la velayaditu, thoongitom.

Next day morn endhiricha... 3-4 inches snow. Semaya irundhuchu. Snow showers-a first time kannala paathom. Nalla enjoy paninom. Car mela lam, full-a snow. kulichutu kalambalam nenachom. Appo dhan sonanga, indha snow-la apdiyae otina risk, snow chains potutu dhan otanum appadinu. Engae poduvanganu thedi paatha, Thank God, pakathulayae irundhuchu. Anga poittu, snow chains install panitu, then we starte our drive to Squaw Valley - For Skiing.

Indha drive was an amaaaaaaaaazing one. Snow kottudhu, sema kaathu, road suthama theirla and moreover ella edamum white-a irukku. Green-a edhuvumae paaka mudila. Naanga mothama 30 miles drive pananum, aana 30 miles drive panna kitta thatta 2 hrs aachu, so imagine the amount of snow. Deadly-ya irundhuchu. Then, naanga poga vaendiya edathukku vandhu sendhutu, then skiing. Inga, adhukku mela koothu. Winch-la oru malai mela poittu, angae Skiing. Adhula poi malai mela erangina, kuluru nadukudhu. Pinni eduthuduchu. We were some 14000 ft above sea level. Ultiya irundhuchu. Anga skiing panitu, we got back home around 7 pm. Then, konja neram room la rest eduthutu, had dinner in an Indian Restaurant there and Casinos-ku ponom. Eppadi theriyuma indha oorla money spend panranga. Oor konjam kaaliya irundhuchu, ennada nu paatha, oorae, andha Casinos-la dhan irundhuchu. Semaaaa kumbal, full-a gambling. anga oru 1 hr suthitu, went back to the room and slept well.

Next day endhirichom. Suthama snow showers illa, snow nalla penju nalla sunnyya irundhuchu climate. Idhuvum romba azhaga irundhuchu paaka. Room lendhu vacate panni, oru Ferry ride around the lake pogalam nu ponom. Angae, 12:00 ku dhan ride nu solitanga, so we went to a place called Emerald Bay. Andha lake-layae one place is called Emerald Bay. Mela, malai melendhu indha edathukku poi snaps lam edukalam, romba scenic-a irukum potrundhuchu. So, we went there and took some snaps. Oru 11 pola, angendhu kalambi, we came back for the Ferry ride. Indha ride oru 2 hrs. Nalla irundhuchu. Nalla kuluru vera, and Lake-oda history kekarche, aadi poitom. Bayangarama irundhuchu. Andha Ferry ride mudichutu, we started our way back to SFO, sema traffic jam vera, adhula thathi-thathi medhuva vandhu sendhom !

Mothathula, life-la snow pakanum appadingara aasai theendhuchu. Indha madhiri snow-lam chumma oru 2-3 days dhan pa, enjoy panna mudiyum. Daily life-la snow lam irundhuchuna kadiya irukum. Kodumai. Ivlo solitaen, naanga suthi muthi edutha photos lam neenga paaka vaendam. Idho, ingae...

2004-11-12T12:04:00.000-08:00

Diwali, jolly-ya pochunga, but special-a onnum pannaleenga. Elarukkum phone paninaen... Ganesh, Appa, Perimma-Perippa, Delhi Chithi, Mama elarukum pesinaen. Ivanga kitta pesarche avanalukku Diwali, aana enakku nethiki dhan Diwali.

Diwali annikki naan Rava Kesari panninaenga. Enna Kesari powder illadhadhunala, Kesari orange color la illama, white color la irundhuchu avlo dhan. Aana taste-ku panjamae ilainga, nejamavae romba nalla vanchu irundhuchu. Appuram pasangalukkulam eduthutu poittu kuduthu wish panitu vandhom. Appuram, pesitu irundhu saaptu thoongitom.

Next day inga US la irukiravanga kitta lam pesinaen. En friends Sudha, Gaya3, cousin Vj and inum rendu friends ku pesinaen. Gaya3 akka is carrying, adhu oru sooper-ana vishiyam... santhoshama irundhuchu. Avlo dhanga Diwali... vera edhuvum special-a illa...

Ok bye... appurama pakalam... taa... taa..

2004-11-10T11:38:00.000-08:00

Wish you all a Very Happy Diwali !!

2004-11-07T21:13:00.000-08:00

Indha weekend nalla pochunga. Saturday morning oru 8:30 pola alarm vechu endhirichu, Ganesh and Radha kitta pesinaen. Romba neram pesitu irundhaen. Appuram, thiruppi konja neram paduthutu cook panitu naanga Alcatraz-ku kalambinom. Naanga poga vaendiyadhu 12:45 ride ku aana naanga correct-a porom, appo dhan andha 12:45 ship kalambichu. Adhunala konja neram wait panni we went in 13:15 hrs ship. Travel oru 10 mins kooda illa. En na avvalo pakkam from shore to Alcatraz. appuram anga erangi nalla suthitu irundhom. Ayyo, deadly-ya irundhuchupa jail. Nejama, anga irundhavangalam rombaaaaaa paavam. Semaya irundhuchu. Mavanae, idhu varaikum evanumae thapichadhu ilayam form that jail. Proof is here. Nalla suthi muthi photos eduthutu, then angendhu kalambi veetukku vandhom.

Appuram edhuvum pannala Sat anniki. Night vandhu Adhu padam paathom. Sneha ulti-ya irundha. Nejama, nalla expressions-um vera. 1st half nalla irundhuchu, apuram konjam kadiya pottuduchu. Aana Oook, one time paakalam. Appuram paduthu thoongitaen.

Sunday was a vetti day. Medhuva endhirichu appa kitta phone pesittu kalambi groceries vaanga ponom. Veetukku vandhuttu, kulichuttu, saaptutu M.Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi padam paathutu irundhaen. Padam was Ok, konjam senti-yana padam, Vivek comedy nalla irundhuchu. Aana, last CD ilainga, chae kadiya pottuduchu. Yaarachum indha scene ku appuram enna aagum sollungalaen. "Ravi kadhava thorakarche Aishwarya-um avaloda daughter-um poison kudikka povanga..." adhoda CD cut ayuduchu. Adhukku appuram enna aagum nu sollunga.

Ayyo, innum 5 days irukku adutha weekend-ku. Uhmm... seringa appalika paapom... Have a nice week ahead...

2004-11-05T11:55:00.000-08:00

LA Trip ku appuram 2 weeks konjam udambu sari illama pochunga, so engayum velila pogala, last week dhan thiruppi Bay cruise ride ponom. Adhu eppadi irundhuchunu ingae paarunga and snaps are here. It was very similar to that last trip. Then, Sunday annikki went to Sausalito. Nalla green-a irundhuchu, and romba calm-ana place. Romba manushanga illa, I mean, SFO Downtown maadhiri kumbal illa. Oru azhagana calm-ana beach, and adhu pakathula nalla nimadhiya nadakardhukku oru edam. So nalla irundhuchu, appadiyae Pondicherry Beach la nadakara madhiri irundhuchu. Sema porche-ana area vera, anga 2 Ferrari and neraya Porsche Carrera cars pathaen na paathukongalaen !! Adhukku appuram vandhutu, enga friend oruthan nalla treat kuduthan, avanoda BDay-ku inga Lahore Karahi-nu oru Indian-Pakistani restaurant-la, anga nalla saaptu vandhu thoongitom.

Then, week-um nalla vettiya dhan pochu. Onnum perisa velai illa, and ippadi dhan irukkum pola irukku inum konja nalaikku. Then nethiki Bowling-ku ponom, chumma edho treat nu, anga nalla enjoy pannitu veetukku vandhaen. Erkanave inga poirukaen oru vaati. Naan pona edam idhu dhan. Adhoda snaps ingae irukku !! Indha snaps vandhu lat time eduthadhu. Indha dhadava edhuvum snaps edukala.
Then vetuku vandhuttu arattai adichuttu, nalla browse panitu thoongitaen

Hey, solla marandhutenae, Christmas leave ku naan ennoda cousin Vijay/Madhu aathukku poga poraen 10 days in Memphis. Am sooooo excited ! Nethiki dhan tickets book paninaen. Tickets konjam costly dhan, aana onnum panna mudiyadhu, vacation time la costly-ya dhan irukumam. Am leaving on Dec 24th and returning on Jan 2nd. 3 days nadula leavae podanum. Leave ketrukaen, onnum probs irukadhu solirkanga, aana innum confirm aagala. Enna vaenalum aagatum-nu book panitaen.. :-) papom.

Indha weekend Alcatraz polam-nu oru plan. Poittu vandhutu eppadi irundhuchunu solraen. Taa Taa...

2004-10-29T12:35:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles Trip

8th Oct, Friday evening oru 18:30 pola veetlendhu kalambi, CalTrain pudikardhuku ponom. Naanga pona station lendhu train 19:07 hrs kalambum. Indha oorla sema punctuality, correct time ku kalambiduchu. CalTrain lam double decker trains. Semaya irundhuchu. Nalla enjoy paninom train la, nanum Baskar-um. Oru 20 stations kalichu, naanga eranga vaendiya station, Santa Clara vandhuchu. Anga konja neram wait paninom, then en friend vandhu pick up panikitu, we went to eBay office. En friend Ramesh, anga dhan work pannuran. Naanga LA poradhukana route map edukanum nu anga ponom. Angendhu India free-ya call pannalam sonan, adhunala Appa-ku and Ganesh, Manni-ku call panitu, started to his home.

Anga pona, college-la Ganesh-oda junior Shiva va paathaen. Avanum eBay-kaga San Jose la dhan irukan. So, avanoda pesitu irundhuthu, anga konja neram irundhutu, we started our journey to LA. Had our dinner in a place nearby, and then push-off to LA around 22:30 hrs.

Drive was too good, and the freeway was excellent. Indha oora highway-ya dhan freeway nu solraanunga, nalla irundhuchu, paakavae. Full-a lane traffic, and ella road-um 4-5 lanes, for each side. Romba nalla irundhuchu. Speed limit was varying from 65-75 mph. We can go +10mph. Andha speed la poittu irundhom naangalum. Nalla irundhuchu. Naanga pona car vandhu Mercury SABLE. 5 paer dhaaralama ukandhutu pogalam. Irundha 5 paer la, 3 paer sema size, enayum sethu. Gunda irukira 2 paer minnadi seat la and micham 3 paer-um pinnadi seatla ukandhutu vandhanga. Semaya koothu adichukittu, nalla enjoy panitu ponom. 2-3 times, vandi niruthittu, konjam relax panitu ponom. Reached LA around 05:30 hrs on Saturday. Relaxed for some time, and drive paninavan, oru 2-3 hrs thoonginaan. Adhu varaikum, we all finished our baathing and bathroom formalities. Angendhu, Universal Studios-ku 08:30 hrs pola kalambinom.

09:30 hrs ku, we entered Universal Studios. Car park panitu, we went inside. Naanga nalla fast-a ponom for one ride. The ride is - Revenge of THE MUMMY - THE RIDE. Entry-yae bayangarama irundhuchu. Idhu vandhu oru roller coster ride. Normal-a illama, mummy sets kulla. Ride la poittu irukarche, skeleton and boodham lam namma mela vandhu vizhara madhiri romba nalla panni irundhanga. Nejama, first aarambikarche, jolly-ya irundhchu, medhuva pochu, aana konjam bayama irundhuch, en na dark room, adhu madhiri. Dhideernu speed edukum, and ore satham vera, Indha vegathula poi oru edathula nikkum, andha edahukku minadi oru screen, andha screen la ore karuppu vanda-a irukkum, mummy padathula varum la adhu maadhiri. Dhideernu adhulam namma mela vizhara madhiri panni irundhanga. Deadly-ya irundhuchu. Seri da sniya, adhoda nikkum nu paatha, vandha vegathula reverse-la vera pogum. My god, adhu dhan bayangara scary-ya irundhuchu. andha reverse-la vandhu nikkum podhu, namma mela, fog/smoke rendu sethum adikkum. apdiyae, andha alavukku realistic-a irundhuchu. The best rides, I have ever been in my life so far !

Adhu mudichutu velila vandhom. Jurassic Park - Water Ride. Idhu vandhu oru water ride. Nalla jolly-ya irundhuchu. Forest kulla, Dinosaur-ku madhila, namma pogara madhiri. Dinosaurs of varying sizes were there. Nalla irundhuchu. Chinna kids lam nalla enjoy pannuvanga. Last-a, oru Dinosaur vaykulla pora madhiri irukkum, aana takku-nu water la plunge. Nalla irundhuchu. Enjoyed it. :-)

Adhukku appuram kotikitom. Then, went on to other rides. The next ride was Back to the Future - The Ride. Ulla poradhukku minadiyae, nalla build-up potrundhanga, romba scary-yana ride adhu idhunu, so naan jaga vaangikittaen. Pasangalam poittu vandhanga, naan Studios fulla suthi suthi photos eduthaen. Adhoda snaps ingae irukku. Adhula matha snaps-lamum irukku.

Naan suthitu varadhukkum, pasanga andha ride mudchutu varadhukkum correct-a irundhuchu. Then, we went to the ULTIMATE thing, Van Helsing - Fortress Dracula - Walk Through. Enna na, chumma Val Helsing sets madhiri vechu, adhunala namma nadandhu poganum. Its not a ride. We know that, its all man made, and chumma entertainment-ku dhan appadinu, adhu madhiri dhan irundhuchu, poga poga... eppo da veliya exit varumnu aayuduchu. My God, appadi bayama irundhuchu. Semaaaaaa irutta irundhuchu, and dhideer-nu namma mela skeleton vandhu vilum, oh gosh... aadi poittom.. semaya irundhuchu. Andha beedhi thelinju, veliya vandhu konjam neram rest eduthutu, we went to the next theme.

Next theme was, Terminator 2 - 3D. Deadly-ya yosikarangappa. I-Max theatre madhiri oru setup, ulla pogum podhe 3D glasses tharaanga. Appadiyae Terminator sandai lam nejama namma minadi nadakara madhiri, and artists are performing on stage and screen layum effects simulateous-a varum. Sathiyama, ennala solli adha puriya vekka mudiyadhu. You have to experience it, to understand it. Adhu mudichuttu, adutha Theme-ku ponom.

Water World. Idhuvum amazing-a irundhuchu. Water World movie madhiri set panni, thannikula vechu, ultimate-a panni irundhanga. Adhoda snaps ingae paarunga.

Appuram Studio Tour ponom. Tour in a tram, inside the Studios. Adhuvae oru 45 mins. Evlo erisu pa Studios. Namma AVM Studio-lam sappai.. onnumae illa... idhu romba nalla irundhuchu. English padam lam semaya irukku adhu idhu nu nenachutu irundhom la, adhellam verum set dhan da naaygala-nu kaamichanunga. Jurassic Park, Jumanji pondra pala padangal anga chumma set pottu eduthadham. Nalla ematharaangappa. Nalla irundhuchu aana, andha ride. Adhoda snaps ingae!

Ellam mudikavae engalukku time 6:30 pm ayuduchu, so veetuku kalambinom. Veetukku vandha, elarukum, sema tired, so paduthu rest eduthutu, had dinner @ an Indian restaurant there. Arumayana saapadu, mudichuttu poi padutha, adutha naal 9 am dhan theiryum pa enakku !

Elarum kada-kada nu kalambi, Hollywood Street noakki ponom. Anga dhan Kodak Theatre elam irukku. INga dhan Oscar awards tharuvangalam. Anga konjam suthitu, konjam snaps lam eduthutu then headed to Santa Monica beach. Santa Monica beach oru 4 pm pola ponom. Anga poi beach la suthitu, had dinner arnd 6:30 pm in a Indian Restaurant and started back to SFO. Nanum drive paninaen varum podhu. Reached home at 3:30 am and slept. Ipadi dhan pa, pochu engaloda LA trip !

Indha blog-a eludhi mudika enakku 3 weeks aachu. Andha range-la eludhi irukaen naan.

2004-10-17T22:21:00.001-07:00

Sema vettiya pochu pa indha week and weekend. Officelayum onnum perisa velai illa, veetlayum usual routine dhan... so apdiyae pogudhu... hey solla marandhutanae, naan pudhusa oru mobile and connecion vaangirkaen from AT & T Wireless. Phone and plan charges put together comes to around $60. Sema deal nu sonnanga. Idhu dhan ennoda plan charges and phone charges. Actually ippo phone velai kuranju irukku, naan vaangum podhu it was just $14.99, ippo $5 kuranju irukku. It is a Refurbishes phone. Apdina, andha phone testing podhu edachum fail aagi irukkum, so adhu service dealer kitta poittu, adha thiruppi full service panni tharuvanga. Aprma, adhu market ku varum. Elam idhu podhum nu dhan vaangitaen... idhukk 3 months waranty vera tharanunga, adhukka mela enna vaenum sollunga. ennoda plan vandhu $39.99. I have 400 free minutes, weeknights and weekends free. Adhavadhu, night 9pm to morn 6 am, whatever I talk is free and weekend full-a is free. Sema plan nu thonichu, adhunala idhu select pannikittaen.

Weekend sema vettiya pochunga, engayum pola, except Saturday evening. Annikki evening, tamil padampoi paathom in a theatre in Fremont. Idhu dhan naanga pona theatre. Naanga paatha padam, 7G Rainbow Colony. Sumarana padam vida, konjam better. FIrst lendhu oru 150 mins varaikum padam nalla irundhuchu, last 30 mins sodhapidichu, eppo da mudiyum nu aayuduchu, and neraya vishiyangal, Selvaraghavan stamp irundhuchu. I mean, sex pathi romba solli irundhan, and adhu evlo thappa justify panna mudiyumo panni irundhan. Adhulam 'enakku' pidikala. Kandippa veetoda ukandhu paaka mudiyadha oru padam !

Then, Sunday was a vetti day, woke up at 11 and market poittu, konjam TV paathaen. Then roomie cook panni irundhan, saptutu went for shopping, adhu mudichutu vandhutaen. Chumma dhan pochu indha weekend-um

Naan inum ennoda LA Trip pathi eludhittu irukaenga, adhu mudichutu, will post it here. Sorry for the delay. Seri naan jaga vaangikuraen.. Bye... Bye... Have a great week !!

2004-10-04T22:28:00.000-07:00

Start with a BAAANG !!!!

morning lendhu vettiya dhan irundhaen, saagara nerathula sankara sankara nu solra madhiri, kalambara nerathula edho meetin adhu idhu nu pottu, romba late ayuduchu iniki kalambavae. 6:30 pm ku dhan kalambinaen. ;-) Aprm asangaloda pesitu vandhaen aathuku. Naan panina Vengayam-Thakkali inga sema famous ayuduchu. Thank you Loosu Manni, for the receipe !

endha alavukku afternoon vettiya irundhena, Bharath Matrimony site browse panitu irundhurpaen. Yaarum thappa nenachuda vaendam, ennoda colleague oruthanukku, kalyanam panradha mudivu panirkanga pola. So, avanoda profile-a net la podalam nu pesitu irundhanga. Apo dhan naanum chumma ponaen. Idhu kooda nalla vazhiya dhan irukunga, site adika, photo lam potrukanga net la.. ;-) so adhulam pathtu irundhaen konja neram.

Then Baskar varaan la, adhunala airport ku eppadi poganum, endha terminal ellam paathutu irundhaen... wednesday anniki vaaraan machan inga, so inimae gujals-a koothu dhan... :-)

seringa, naan thoonga poraen ... bye bye... edho blog eludhina thrupthiya ilainga, ennamo romba dull-a irukuku, adhaunala dhan, edho olaritu poraen.. bye...

2004-10-03T23:15:00.000-07:00

Saturday afternoon, Golden Gate Park polamnu kalambinom. Adhukku poradhukku, we have to get down in Ocean Beach. Beach nalla irundhuchu. A must see beach-nu solla mataen, but it was nice going there. Anga poi koothu adichutu vandhom. Thanni la erangala, aana semaya alai adichu, en kaal-lam thanni aayuduchu. Andha beach la annikki edho competition nadathutu irundhuchu. Edachum oru theme eduthukitu, adhu pathi edachum pannanum, sand-la. Romba arumaya irundhuchu, angalam poi snaps eduthutu, Golden Gate Park - Murphy Wind Mill side la enter panninoam.

Park nalla dhan irundhuchu. Bayangara perisu-nga park. Naanga andha park-oda map-a eduthu poga marandhutom, adhunala konjam kashta pattom. Nadandhu nadandhu kaal sema vali. Appuram, oru valiya, velila vandhom. Eppadi velila varanum-nae theriyama kashta pattu, park kulla vazhi kettu velila vandhom. Actually, andha park-la 4 windmills irukku, in each corner, naanga onnu dhan paathom, andha madhiri, sema confusing-a irundhuchu. Endha edathulayum, sariyana sign boards-um ilaya, romba kashta pattom. Appuram anga konjam snaps eduthutu irundhom.

Appo en friend oru road-a snap eduthuttu irundhan. Steep-a irukku appadinu. Andha side-a vandha oru lady, asinga paduthiduchu engala. Idhulam steep road illa, Pacific Heights-nu oru edam irukku, anga ponga, best-a irukum nu sollichu. Anga pona, oh my god... amaaaaaazinga-a irundhuchu. Neengalae paarungalaen inga. SFO Bay Area and beach-a angendhu paaka arumaya irudhuchu... Appuram veetukku vandhutu, cook paninaen.

Thakkali-Vengayam vaangitu vandhu, en Manni, oh sorry, eppavum adai mozhiya vittudaraen, ennoda Loosu Manni, oru gothsu madhiri onnum pannum. Adhu paninaen. Nejamavae, adhu panra madhiriyae rombaaaaaaaaaa nalla vandhuchu. Pasanga room-la ore kushi ayitanga. Enakkum santhoshama irundhuchu. :-) Then, saaptu thoongitom.

Sunday Special - Medhuva 8:30 pola endhirichuttu, pal thekama mail check panitu, pal thechutu vandhaen. En room mate-ku bday inniki, avana congratulate panitu, system la ukandhu edho panitu irundhaen. Avan pongal paninan, adhu saaptutu, Farmer's Market-ku ponom. Kaigari vaanga dhan. Anga poittu elam vaangitu veetukku vandhu, naan Tomato Rice panalam nu eranginaen. Edho sumara vandhuchu.

Adha saaptutu, we started to a temple in Concord around 3 pm. Andha map-la we boarded the BART @ Civic Center. Neengalae paarunga, angendhu Concord evlo dhoormam nu. Oru 45 mins aachu train la. Romba nalla irundhuchu train. Nalla enjoy paninom. Namma oor train maadhiri illa, nalla irundhuchu.

In Concord we went to Shiva Murugan Temple. Chinna kovil dhan. Aana sema cute-a irundhuchu. Anga poittu konja neram irundhutu, we went to a Indian bazaar there. Concord-la kedaikara elamae ingayum SFO Downtown-layum kedaikum, aana romba costly-ya irukkum, so Concord ila Fremont pona, namakku vaenumgara saamanlam, angendhu vaangitu varadhu nalladhu. Bcoz, andha edathulalam namma population adhigam. Family people-lam anga irupanga, and bachelors lam Downtown la irupanga. Downtown la dhan elarukum work place-a irukkum, aana inga downtown la cost of living romba jaasthi and namma population irukadhu. Aana inga rent lam share panikardhunala avlo burden theriyadhu, and pasangalukku nalla enjoy panra edam idhu. Freemont-lam gramam maadhiri, in the sense, indha alavukku fun element irukadhu. Aana, purushan kaaran office vandha appuram, pondati enna pannuva, vambu pesa namma manusha vaenumae, adhunala dhan, Freemont-la irupanga, en na, anga namma makkal jaasthi, en anga namma makkal jaasthi, en na anga cost of living kammi. Ada pongapa, circular-a vandhutae iruku, ennala idhuku mela idhu pathi type panna mudila... sorrry... hey marandhutaen, kovil and BART snaps, idho...

Iron kaaran saabham - Trichy-la irukarche, enga appa nalla iron panni vechuduvaru. Chennai vandhappo, I can feel, how better my Dad would iron my clothes. En na dhobilam dhenda pasanga. Chennai la irundhappa, enga veetu pakathula irukira iron kaaranai, kannula veral vittu, sorry, iron box la kambi vittu aattuvaen. Paper vechu iron pannu, adhu vechu iron pannu, idhu vechu iron pannu appadi ippadinu pottu, avana paduthuvaen. Andha kadupula dhan avan enna sabichuttan nenakraen, inga vandhu naanae en thuniyalam iron panitu irukaen. Chae, sema kadiyana velaippa... Aana thuni manilam thocha vudanaevae pannidanum, illati pile up aayudum.

Seringa enakku ippo thookam varudhu, nalaikki morning aapeece poganum, naan thoonga poraen.. taa... taa.. see you...

2004-10-02T12:53:00.000-07:00

Nethikki night Chutney-nu inga oru India/Pakistani restaurant irukku. Atleast, indhulayachum othumaya rendu country-um sendhu paer potrukangalae. Seri, adha vidunga, indha edathula namma arasiyal pesa vaendam. Friday annikki Goat Curry romba famous nu, ennoda room mate anga kootitu ponan. Anga pona, enna kumbla theiryuma, nikkavae edam illa, order pannitu, wait panni vaangitu vandhom. Naanum Aloo-Gobi Masala and Daal Fry vaangitu vandhaen. En-na veetla Vegetarian population adhigam. Appalika saaptutu, nalla thoonginaen.

Morning medhuva 8 mani pola endhirichu, Ganesh & Manni ku phone pesitu, thiruppi paduthutaen... Aana thookam varalainga... endhirichutaen, appalika, pal thechutu, irundha clothes elathayum washing machine-la pottutu vandhaen. Washing ku $2.25 and drier ku $2. Aana indha oorla washing machine lendhu eduthalae, namma oor drier lendhu edutha madhiri irukkudhu. Drier lendhu clothes lam edutha, warm-a irukku. Avlo nalla irudhuchu. Thuni maniya thochutu varadhukula, pasanga cook panni mudichu irundhanga. Potato podimas and Tomato rasam. And, nethiki vaangina side dishes lam baaki irundhuchu, adhayum sethu saaptutu, ippo ukandhutu irukaen.

Ippo, Golden Gate Park polam-nu oru plan, poittu vandhuttu, eppadi irundhuchu nu solraen. Adhu varaikum, ungalidam irundu vidai peruvadhu, Naan dhan - idhukaga, vaadagaiku, oru aala kootitu varuvaen. Taa... Taa... :-)

2004-10-01T16:14:00.000-07:00

Vetti Vaaram ...

Onnum velai ilaya, seri inga pethina, konja neram time pogum nu dhan vandhaen.

Indha vaaram naan ennalam cook paninaen appadina, Potato fry, soooooper-a irundhuchu. Then, nethikki Vegetable Noodles paninaen. Deadly-ya irundhuchu. Vatha Kuzhambu vechaen, 2 days back. Adhuvum romba nalla vandhuchu. But, ennoda talent idhula edhuvum illainga, because, MHP Vatha kuzhambu readymade mix vechu paninaen. Ada MHP products yaarudhunu theriyadha, ivangalodadhu dhaanga. Nejama, am happy that, I have started cooking properly again.

Enna da vaaram idhu... aniyaya vettiya pogudhu... en da week aarambikidhu nu irukudhu ippolam... thursday evening lendhe weekend dhan inga... ennayae paarungalaen, iniki kalaila 8:30 varaikum thoongitu irundhaen. office vandhadhu oru 9:45 pola, mail lam check panitu oru kutti velai aarambikardhukula, time 10:45 ayuduchu. Inga ellarum ippadi dhanga irukanga, Friday-na morn 10 pola vara vaendiyadhu, 12-12:15 pola lunch ku poittu, medhuva 2-2:15 pola return. Appuram 4-4:30 max, elarum kalambidaranga. Uhmm... Offshore la irundhappalam, weekend lamae weekday madhirilam irundhu irukku. Aana inga better. Iniki nanum kitta thatta appadi dhan paninaen vechukongalaen... Office vandhuttu, chumma ippadi appadi enna panalam nu yosichutu browse panna aarambichaen.

net-la watch vaangina eppadi irukum edhu irukum nu indha site ku poi paathaen... yabba.. . aniyayathuku irukkupa... $7 lendhu $196,000 varaikkum watches irukku. Naan paatha costliest watch, idhu dhan. En da, watch vandhu mani pakka dhan, adhukku en da ivalo costly-ya vaangureenga... yabba... kodumayo kodumai... enakku pidicha oru watch, ingae irukku. Ippo vaanga poradhu illa, aana paathu vechukanum la, adhunala dhan.

Morning lam ivlo busy-ya velai paathadhu la nalla pasi, adhunala veetuku poitaen saapida. Adhan MUNI-la bus pass vaangitenae, so jolly-ya poittu varalam. En nu kekkareengala, inga paarunga muzhu vivaram.
Veetukku pona, paathiram lam pottadhu potta padiyae irundhuchu. Elathayum kazhuvura edathula potutu vandhurkaen. So, evening veetukku pona clean-a irukkum.

Inga ellamae sooper theriyuma, every 15 days sambalam tharaanga. Ennoda first pay check vandhuruchu nethiki. adhan ennoda bank la podalam nu pona, aniyaya kumbal. Kalambi vandhutaen. Marupadiyum, ipavum poi paathaen, sema kumbal, so thirumbi vandhutaen.

Ayyo, oru mukkiyamana vishiyam solla marandhutanae, ennoda uyir nanban Baskar, avanum idhe place-ku varaan. Rombaaaaa santhoshama irukku enakku. Kitta thatta rendu varushama nanum avanum sendhu irundhutom, work-la and general koothula lam. Ayyo, enakku mattum indha onsite chance kedachuduchae, ivanukku ilayae nenachaen, appadi, nalla vela, avanukku ingayae vara madhiri chance kedachduchu. Romba happy-ya irukaen. Rendu perukkum nalla company aachu paarunga, work layum seri, ooru porukardhulayum seri. Bcoz, we know each other very well and we will get along very well too. Mikka nandri kadavulae :-)

Seringa, nalaikki lam velila povaen. poittu vandhu, engalam ponaen, ennalam paninaen-nu detailed-a solraen inga. Taa... Taa.... Have a nice weekend...

2004-09-26T23:02:00.000-07:00

Romba naal kalichu petharaen, because, konjam busy ya irundhaen. Veli nadukku vandhu irukaen, adhunala, andha travel adhu idhu nu konjam busy paarunga, adhunala dhan eludha mudila, ippo theliva settle aayitaen, so... inimae, olunga correct-a pethuvaen !! Solla marandhtanae, naan Berica-ku, adhanga ellarum America-nu solluvangalae, andha edathukku dhan vandhu irukaen. USA la, I am in San Francisco.

Indha weekend, nalla pochu. Sani Kizhamai morning oru 0945 pola endhirichaen. Then, appadiyae somberi thanama mail check paninen. Adhan office la enakku oru sooper-a laptop kuduthu irukangalae. Dell laptop. Romba nalla irukku. Mail paathutu, en roomie, semayava kanji maadhiri aaki vechu irundhan, vega vekkaraen appadinu, naan adhula konjam beetroot, onion, potato pottu oru uppuma madhiri kelarinaen - mind you, pal thekama dhan paninaen... :-) Then pal thechtu, adhu saaptutu, konja neram browsing.

Appuram, enna da samaikalamnu ore confusion-la, seri rasam vekalam nu oru mudivukku vandhom. Last 3 days-a enakku cook panni bore adikudhunu, en roomie-ya cook pana sonnaen. Avanukku rasam vekka theriyadhu-nu sonnan. Ada vaada, sema easy da nu, avanukku solli kuduthaen, ennamo naan dhan Arusuvai Natarajan-kae rasam vekka solli thara madhiri... :-) rasam oru range-a vandhuchu. Then, naan Cabbage & Grean peas pottu kari paninaen. Nejama romba nalla irundhuchu.

Naangalam, ippo kulikardhukku minadi, we always have a Jacuzzi bath. Anga poi snaps eduthutu, then came back home, had a bath, had lunch, relaxed for a few mins, then, kambiya neetinom, adhanga, velila kalambinom

Bus-a pudichu we went to Fisherman's Wharf Angendhu dhan Bay cruise to Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Andha boat ride was for some 45-60 minutes. Romba nalla irundhuchu. Aana engalukku sema bulb, nalla fog nethikinu paathu, so edhuvum sariya therila. Actually, andha Golden Gate bridge semaaaaaaa tall-a irukumam, and nanum photo la paathaen. Andha bridge-oda top lam theriyavae ila, appadi oru fog. My god, andha Fleet-la porache, sema cold-a irundhuchu... but had a nice time.

On the way to the Golden gate bridge, oru hugeeee ship paathaen. A must see ship. Coral Princess - semaya irundhuchu. Nejama aadi poitaen, seeing that ship in close quarters. Titanic, idha vida perisa irukuma therila, but this ship was just amaaaazing.

Then Alcatraz, Enna arumaya irundhuchu. Jail-a indha madhiri oru island-a la vechu, ayyo, soooperb-a irundhuchu. Idhu varaikum yaarumae andha jail lendhu thapichadhu ilayam. Aadi poitaen. See more info here...

Then came home slept after dinner. Sunday was a total vetti and somberi day. Woke up at 10 in the morning. Dosai panni saaptaen, then browse panitu, vettiya poludhu pochu. Spoke to Ganesh and Manni. Then, avarakkai kari paninaen, paruppu thogayal panninaen. Instant dhan. Aana romba nalla irundhuchu. Then, went and saw Independece Day in my friends room here. Evening aachu.

Bought a new Digi cam. Nikon 3700. Will get that in a week's time. Was a good deal. Ippo night going to a Pakistani restaurant for dinner - Lahore Karahi. Poittu eppadi irundhuchu enna edhu appadingaradha, appurama solluraen. Ippodhaikkku.. Bye... Bye...

2004-08-31T11:30:00.000-07:00

Meendum varugiraen, romba naal kazhichu. Yabba, kanna pinna-nu velai. Iniki konjam free. Adhan, browse panikitu, paatu ketukittu, inga pethikitu, konjam padichukitum irukaen. Chae, inga irukira velai nala, yaarodayum pesaradhu ila, yarukum mail anuparadhu ila, chae... enna da velai idhu... elathayum vitutu poidalamanu thonudhu engayachum... aana mudiyadhae... seri.. en polambala idhoda niruthikaraen.

Last weekend, Anacondas - The Hunt for the Blood Orchid paathaen. Sagikala padam. Paambu varum... varum-nu romba neram wait panninoam, nanum en friend-um... oru puzhu kooda varala. Over-a build-up ku onnum kurachal illa. Anaconda - I was better. Adhuvum graphics dhan, idhuvum appadi dhan, aana first part-la avlo nalla theriyadhu graphics-nu. Idhu ennamo namma Mudhalvanae... paatula vara madhiri irundhuchu...

Indha padatha compensate panna, Vasool Raja MBBS paathaen. Semaaaaaaaa comedy. Deadly-ya irundhuchu. Kamal was just awesome. As usual, Prabhu-va olichu irukaanga. But it was a wonderful comedy. Crazy Mohan dialogueslam deadly-ya irundhuchu. "Manamirundhal Maargabandhu", "Thottila killi vitutu, Kuzhandhaya aatura", "Ennoda friend Thangaswamy, Saathukudi-la irukan.. sorry sorry.. Thoothukudi-la irukaan", indha madhiri pala vishiyangal.. my god... we laughed our lungs out on Sunday. Padam vandhu Pancha Thanthiram madhiri full time comedy illa, sema strong message. Indha Dr pasanga elarum, eppadi thiruttu thanam pannaraanga appadinu, soooooooper-a solirkanga. Anbe Sivam madhiri nalla message, with more comedy is Vasool Raja MBBS !!

F1 Racing - He wins, even when he loses. Idhu dhan Schumi. Vera edhuvum solradhukku illa. Ivan 128 points-la irukan, first vandhavan 28 points eduthadhukku gudhikaranunga. Thirundhavae matanungapa indha pasanga.

Ippo Jaga vaangikaraen... appalika paapom...

2004-08-17T18:48:00.000-07:00

kanna pinna nu velaippa, last konja nala-a.. adhunala pethavae time kedakala... last weekend trichy poirundhaen... enna atmosphere... romba nostalgic-a irundhuchu enakku... seri, naan ippo vootukku kalambaraen... Leander/Bhupathi match(Athens 2004) pakanum, hopefully, andha match-a DD la telecast pananum.. lets see... Bags-oda meeet pananum nu plan pottaen, but andha paya, engayo poitaan pola... so, nalaikki dhan pakanum. Also, Sathish-um varaan from Hyderabad. Nalaikki soru kooda engayachum velila saapidlam. Paapom... seri, naan kalambarenga, veetuku poganum... taa taa...

2004-08-03T08:29:00.000-07:00

Oru vaarathuku mela aachu pethi. phew ! enna da idhu, velai kolludhu. Oruthan, engayo poraan-nu ela velayum en thalaila, adha naan thappa panitaen-nu enakku pump vera... aattama dhan irukku. Last wednesday lendhu velai pinnudhu. Hopefully, nalai lendhu konjam kammi aagum-nu nenakraen. Seri adha vidunga, namma pesaradhukku neraya vishiyangal irukku...

Indha weekend-um kitta thatta sooper-a pochu. Saturday morning shopping. Evening nanum, ganesh-um Azhagiya Theeyae padam ponom. First 1/2 aniyaya comedy. Ayyo, kalakki irundhanungappa... nejama sema fast-a pochu. Second 1/2 konjam slow moving, with all the kaadhal sentiments blah... blah... blah... Adhukaga 2nd 1/2 la comedy ila nenachukka koodadhu... romba nalla irundhuchu.

Actually Prakash Raj movies ellamae nalla irukku. Naam kooda paathaen, nalla different-a dhan irundhuchu. Young heroes mela nalla nambikkai vechu edukuraruppa. Adhuvum Azhagiya Theeyae la 5 Star Prasanna sema expressions. Romba nalla panni irundhan. Enga oor payyan aache, nalla dhan pannuvan, obviously...

Then, Sunday annikki full-a vettiya veetla dhan irundhaen. Afternoon India-SL Asia Cup Final match paathaen, apdiyae konja neram thoonginaen, then norukku theeni thinnukitaeeeee irundhaen. Eppadiyum namma pasanga 229 adichuduvanganu oru asadhya nambikai-la, naan en manniyoda, sorry, adai mozhiya vittutaen, enoda loosu mannioyda oru Upanyasathukku ponaen.

Budhisaligalukkulam solikaraen, Upanyasam-na, A lecture kind-of on something religious. Naanga ponadhu, Sri Narayaneeyam. Upanyasam panravar-a, B. Sundar Kumar, nalla theriyum. Hyderabad-la irukira ennoda Chittapa aathula dhan thanguvar, when he goes to Hyderabad for any such Upanyasams. Bank-la work panitu irundharu, then, velaya resign pannitu, indha velaikku vandhutaar. Nalla vishiyam dhan, adhelam irukatum, naan bulb vaangina vishiyatha solraen. Nalla kadhailam solluvar-nu naanum ponaen on Sunday. Aana annikki-nu paathu, konjama sonaru kadhai. Gajendra Moksham vera. Manni sollitae irundha, naan poraen-nu enaku etha madhiri kadhai solraru appadinu. Neraya slogama sollitae irundharu. But ok, indha match-a paathadhukku, that Upanyasam was 'n' times better.

Monday-um konjam work hectic-a irundhuchu. So, iniki ivlo seekiram vandhu pethara madhiri ayuduchu. OK, romba pasikidhu, naan poi kottikitu varaen... ada breakfast dhaanga. Taa... Taa...