2nd Anniversary

She left us too..

The wound is fresh and the pain is deep..

Miss you...and paati.....

Luv,

Preethu.

All your Fault

I was sitting in the parlour with some white substance on my face that was supposed to make me look better (really??!!). I was facing a huge hurdle in life- I couldnt talk..I can vouch for Theory of Relativity when I am asked to shut up for some time. That's when I feel like calling the A-Z contacts on my mobile and "catching up". So ya, I had to shut my mouth and worse, close my eyes. The lady was a very courteous one and switched on the FM for me..

"Oh oh ethanai azhagu irubadhu vayadhinile..". I heard some stifled laughs and they added to my agony. Luckily the parlour lady justified saying "such old songs..maathu ma FM ah" ( otherwise i may have killed her).I got to tell him abt this tonight on gtalk, am sure he'll find the coincidence funny and I could see him smile on the screen within my closed eyes.

"Azhagu nee nadandhaal nadai azhagu... oooo netriyile surundu vizhum neenda mudi azhagu.."- I was video chatting with him. He shook his head like dogs do when they are given a bath. And there came a strand of hair on his forehead. I googled these lyrics and pasted it to him.And he smiled. These FM ppl.. Cant they choose some better song?

And then a series of advertisements and I was envying those RJ's whose mouths weren't sealed with the magic white cream that was going to turn frogs into princesses. Then started the "Big 6, back to back songs" on Big FM.

"Munbe vaa en anbee vaaa...."- I love to sing. I was singing this song at home. And then, an urge to compare myself with a common friend of mine and his whose performance he's heard. I attempted thrice. The third attempt was alright, but I had kept the mic too close. And that's exactly what my best friend said when I sent it to her. But I told him I was going to send it. So, I picked up the mic, gave it one shot hoping it cums out well and he was impressed. He said "Super voice loosu unaku" and I was floating. "Damn these FM people, epo paathalum same songs"

"Sel Sel avaludan Sel...."- I was sitting on the couch and he was singing this for the 100th time that day. He's not a great expert in singing ( like me :P) but there's something very cute abt it. I was telling him "come off, come off with me, unna check in panni eduthundu poidren" and then he sang "sol sol avalidam sol" and I was like "Tell me Tell me..dont think too much"...And I felt something wet.. Wow, she was rubbing off the white thing. More than worrying about how beautiful I had transformed, the first thing I blurted was " Can u change the station please?". She took her time to wipe it off my face and as I got up to pay...

"Pogaadhe...Pogaadheee..nee irundhaal nan irupeen"- I was trying hard for 2 hours to grab his attention. Its so pissing off when he's glued to his laptop. I had finished cooking and was doing absolutely "nermal"( this is for garfield fans) kinda lame stuff to attract attention. And, as always, nothing happened. Then I thot ok fine I am leaving. My comp was on and since he was online, I pinged him and said "I cant take this shit anymore, am leaving". No response. Then after 2 minutes the song played....like a hot knife through butter..and "vennais" like me don even require that hot a knife..I was smiling..and..and.. "Madam, ok ngla?"..

I pulled out the money, looked into the mirror, and realized I was never going to change..

I have to narrate this to him tonite.. or wait, let me post it in my blog and video chat with him to c his reaction..

How I fell in luv with Chennai- ALL OVER AGAIN!!!!

Dec 25- I was up before 7 am, when my alarm was supposed to go off. A realization "Its 25th, the day is here"- Excitement in its ultimate gigantism. To top it, an A in my favorite course. Can there be a better morning in my life? I doubt..

The 14 hour flight was so annoying. Home so close, yet so far. Its so weird how after waiting for 450 days, it pains like crazy to wait 14 hours. By the time I reached Abudhabi, I was sick..of flights...the security checks and just having to sit glued to one place. I got into the flight, irritated and sleepy. The moment they announced "non stop service to Chennai", my face lit up. It hit me where I was heading. It dawned on me that I had to wait 3 more hours and then it would be heaven. I probably was the only idiot who was smiling when the plane was taxi'ng on the run way. From then on, my screen had just the live map running.

Distance to Destination: 1786 miles Estimated Arrival: 3 31 am Ground Speed: 590 mph. Hmm..so slow.. Wat to do? Its so boring..Shud I sleep? Shud I look out into the dark? I was clenching my fists and looking at the Distance to Destination without batting an eyelid..

Distance to Destination: 364 miles-I felt the first surge of adrenaline. I mean, imagine, it was true, that I was going to reach chennai. I was as close to Chennai as I would have been if I was somewhere in say, Hyderabad. No more 5 digit discouraging distances, no more 10.5 hour differences. Appa wouldn't have to say "Hi, u woke up too late, its time for me to sleep" or "Preethi, its time, I am off to office, u better go to sleep". He could kick my ass and wake me up at 6 am (of course I wouldnt wake up, but tats a different story altogether).

Distance to Destination: 122 miles- "Cabin Crew, Prepare for landing". I was choking. The aircraft was really going to land in Anna International Terminal. I was going to touch my parents and see that I wasnt touching my laptop screen. I was paralyzed. I was staring out of the window not wanting to be looked at like an alien by my co passenger. The cabin lights were turned off and oh my god.. Chennai was breathtakingly beautiful. People who know me would have easily guessed that I would have started crying by now.

After Immigration, I reached the arrival lobby. Vishnu was the first person I saw. Then anna. Then manni. Then..AMMA. I hugged her and was locked in that position, for 2 mins. The world around me froze. Then Appa! "IDIOTTT, go get ur baggage, u just left it astray.."..Sigh, Appa's, they never change..

I picked up my bags, came out to the open..And took a deep breath of Chennai's air-

REBIRTH...

My BEST friend's Birthday!!!!!!!!!

"Inbam varalaam thunbam varalaam nanban oruvan pangu peralaam, kalloori natpukillai mutru pulliye!!!!"- Indha line keta, en mind la vara ore person- ennoda PRIYA!

Apdi patta en Priya oda birthday- Nov 14th- A post dedicated to my one and only soul mate :)

What do i write? Everytime I try to write something for her, whether its an orkut testimonial or a "birthday" book, I stumble..What do i write to sumone who knows what exactly I am about to speak the next second? Or what exactly is running in my head this very second? The only one who knows how exactly to deal with me and who knows when I am going to get pissed and when I am going to get really really pissed? And who still does those things knowing how exactly to set it all right again?????? The only one with whom I can go on and on for hours and then still find something to talk.. Or cut the call in 5 mins bluntly stating "I am bored of talking right now" and still know that it wouldn be 1 bit offensive! The only one without whom I ve never attended college ( apart from the usual lesser than 75% attendance that i had)

How long have i known u dee?? Hmmm... Forever???  Well, close to it..

Feels like I cant recollect anything of what happened before u came into my world di! U have redefined LIFE for me.. Fun na enna, love na enna, care na enna, trust na enna, understanding na enna, misunderstanding na enna ( :D)..elllameeeeee..u ve taught me a lot, without ur and my knowledge :)

I have told u this 1 million times.. But I have never been able to completely express it.. I LOVE U DI, UR MY BESTEST FRIEND EVER..There's no way I can push a day without u .. Hate to get this sentimental with u.. :D


HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEARESTTTTTT PRIYA! HOPE U HAVE AN AWESOMESTTT BIRTHDAY, YET AGAIN :)

T-Nagar.... :)

I got the following thing in an e-mail which said it was an excerpt from a blog- Below this is my version of the same blog entry..


Where is this T.Nagar?
Nobody knows accurately. It is just this lovely place in Chennai, which if you decide to visit for the second time, you get a free seasonal pass for a window-side bed in Kilpauk hospital.

Sounds like a holiday package..what if I manage a third visit?
You get one year free admission at Yervadi, next to Sethu Vikram. Cost of chain included in the package.

Oh! You said it's a lovely place. Do people go there for sight-seeing?
Kinda yeah, it is Chennai's own version of "Suicide Point"

Can we shop there?
There are just two things you can do at T.Nagar. One,shop and two,die. The former is optional though.

My wife wants some good silk sarees. Where do I take her?
Push her into Pothys and run. This is your best chance to live with some self respect in future.

What if I stay?
You automatically qualify for Bihar elections.

What if I go in too?
If you are Gopi, you'll come out as Gopi 65.

I heard gold is pretty cheap at some place there?
Very cheap yeah, not just the rate. I guess you are talking about Ranganathan Street, Annachi shop.

Ya ya. How do I go there?
You just need to stand at the start of that street. Close your eyes. Open your eyes. You are inside Annachi shop, courtesy : fellow shoppers.

Can I take my vehicle?
Shut up! Even Laloo wouldn't do that!

Oh is it very crowded?
Yeah, by the time you count the number of people around you, they can telecast Junoon twice.

Junoon?? What's that?
Kadavule! Paathathu illiya Junoon neenga? Periya athu megaserial. Pesuvaanga maathi maathi thamizh athula.

Oh! By the way, do men shop in T.Nagar?
Wise men stay away. Married men do shop.

I heard there are lots of platform shops?
There is no platform. Only shops.

Whatever, how good are they?
Very good infact. You get all sortsa brands including Nykee, Ribok and Adeedas. At cheap rates that too!

Hey isn't that phony? The spellings are all messed up!!
Naah. They have been changed according to numerology, that's all.

Fine. Is there any good restaurant there?
Ya, Saravana Bhavan.

Wow! What would I get there for, say 50 rupees?
Quite a lot. Half a dosa, 5 ml Sambhar and some pebbles.

Pebbles? Why??
Huh, you are dumber than a crow! To raise the level of sambhar ofcourse.

That's bad. But I heard there's a hot chips too?
You'll be a hot chip yourself once you step into Ranganathan Street.

How is the air pollution level in T.Nagar?
One deep breath and you'll die on the spot, money back guarantee.

So many issues, eh? Finally, what's the best thing about T.Nagar?
Variety. So many shops, so many dresses and so many accessories. Even if you escape death by other mean, you'll be confused to death!









Where is this T.Nagar?
Nobody knows accurately, but there are autos everywhere to help u out. It is just this lovely place in the loveliest Chennai, which if you visit for the first time, u would surelyy decide to visit for the second time.. :)

Sounds like a holiday package..what if I manage a third visit?
wat do u mean wat if i manage a third visit? Guarenteed, U will visit.. Its a haven of shopping/crowd/feelin real!!

Oh! You said it's a lovely place. Do people go there for sight-seeing?
Kinda yeah, for ppl who ve lived in US and know how nice it feels to c ppl all around, it is Chennai's hotspot!!

Can we shop there?
There are just two things you can do at T.Nagar. One,shop and two,window shop. The former is optional though.

My wife wants some good silk sarees. Where do I take her?
Push her into Pothys and run. This is your best chance to see the buzzz of the city witout the buzz of ur wife :P.

What if I stay?
It means u r not able to stand the heat out and need some AC, with an ulterior motive of controlling ur wife from exceeding the limit!!.

What if I go in too?
If you are Gopi, you'll come out as Fool-Gopi , succumbing to ur wife's shopping desires, unable to resist the variety.

I heard gold is pretty cheap at some place there?
Very cheap yeah, not just the rate. I guess you are talking about Ranganathan Street, Annachi shop. Not everyone really wants to buy 24-Carat gold in Chennai. Specially if ur a kanjoos and its jus to show off for a 3 hour function..

Ya ya. How do I go there?
You just need to stand at the start of that street. Close your eyes. Open your eyes. You are inside Annachi shop, courtesy : fellow shoppers. This probably answers ur next Q too!!

Can I take my vehicle?
If u dont mind parking it abt 2 kms away, comon , would u take ur vehicle inside MGM or Kishkinta or for that matter even Universal studios to roam abt??!

Oh is it very crowded?
Are u even asking this question after I answered 6 questions?!! U need a place in Kilpauk even if u werent visiting T-nagar.

Junoon?? What's that?
Kadavule! Paathathu illiya Junoon neenga? Periya athu megaserial. Pesuvaanga maathi maathi thamizh athula. T-nagar maadri areas ku poi real life paaka pudikaadhavanga veetla panra vetti kaaryam la onnu..

Oh! By the way, do men shop in T.Nagar?
Wise men stay away. Married men do shop.Cos wise unmarried men think shopping the same stuff from Shopper's Stop or Spencer Plaza adds to their GETHU.

I heard there are lots of platform shops?
There is no platform. Only shops. Cos ppl choose to walk in the middle of the road.

Whatever, how good are they?
Very good infact. You get all sortsa brands including Nykee, Ribok and Adeedas. At cheap rates that too! Everyone cant be well off enuf to shop NIKE, REEBOK, ADIDAS.. And everyone may wanna buy these.. This is the Optimal Solution!!

Hey isn't that phony? The spellings are all messed up!!
Naah. They have been changed to avoid the WISE MEN i mentioned in one of the prev Q to quit their habits and raid these shops, that's all. So that the MARRIED MEN get to buy these.

Fine. Is there any good restaurant there?
Ya, Saravana Bhavan ( 2 branches), Hot Chips, Gangotree, Ratna Cafe, Geetanjali ( sum ppl still do prefer this)..

Wow! What would I get there for, say 50 rupees?
Quite a lot. Depends on the place u go to. Enuf fud to keep u full for 3 hours.

Pebbles? Why??
Huh, we prefer using that instead of paper weights ( in many shops arnd chennai).

That's bad. But I heard there's a hot chips too?
You'll be a hot chip yourself once you step into Ranganathan Street. Or for that matter, anywhere, cos tats how the weather is. U r REALLY dumber than a crow!!

How is the air pollution level in T.Nagar?
One deep breath and you'll die on the spot though there's no space for vehicles and even laloo cannot bring it in, money back guarantee. BUT dont think if u breathe elsewhere u can live for 100 yrs.. Its the same issue everywhere in India..

So many issues, eh? Finally, what's the best thing about T.Nagar?
Variety ( u CAN very well afford to not enter annachi shop and still shop to ur heart's content). Buzz. The cheap prices. The maanga/pineapple shops. Kumaran/Nalli where ppl still hold their sentiments abt wedding saris, its the only place on earth where economically mosttt backward and forward ppl can shop without qualms!! So many shops, so many dresses and so many accessories. Even if you escape death by other mean, you'll be confused to death! If ur a shop-aholic, u wud prefer dying that way, wont u???!!!

Friday morning Blues...

Friday morning, Supposed to be in the best of moods, but the weather is spoiling it all..

Cloudy dark skies, chill wind, Perfect time for snuggling in a bed, eating some hot molaga bajji/onion pakoda with the aroma of coffee coming from the kitchen ( implies that someone is making it for me) and watching an old Tamil Kamal film. MMMMMMM.. And here I am, coding in Verilog-A .Yuckkkk..

Wait a minute, I am not too involved or anything, the linux screen is open infront of my eyes and I am dreaming of a business venture with Starbucks. I can make pakodas/bajjis/bonda's and start supplying to them. Slowly, I'd form a huge fan base for my pakodas and Starbucks will expand the business with me (note- its no more me with starbucks). I will then start giving them suggestions to improve their customer inflow. "Why not hang a number of magazines and newspaper above the coffee vending area?" And they would hang them, in a 45 degree angle on a rope, under my supervision. Then I would get rid of the stylish coffee makers and replace them with a stove and some aluminium pans and educate them about the traditional coffee-aathifying with the coffee and davara at a distance of 10 metres from each other.Then I ll bring in some banana solai's in the shop. Finally, I ll change the name to ---- tea/coffee stall(let them choose the name, i think they deserve to do it)..if they can sell "Chaai" on their menu, y not?? this might happen one day.. SNAP..Email- "Job completed"- Hmm..Varen varen..

Dreams apart, I did one good thing today. Margaret is the cafeteria worker here. She loves to talk to me ( ok ok, dont wonder why, i know its absurd :( ). We were talking of Indian food some weeks back and she mentioned she hadnt tasted it. I decided it was time to make her feel good. Since am moving out of my apartment this weekend and wouldnt get to cook for another 10 days, by which my internship would end (yayyyy!!), I cooked for her today and took it 30 mins back. Damn, she was soooo happy and gave me a tight hug :) The little joys in life!! Making a person smile genuinely :)!! ( Probably she would regret after tasting it.. Is that what ur thinking?? Screw u)

Its Madras Day eve today. Get ready to celebrate!!!!!!

I think its time I stop this vetti velai and do something worthwhile. Hmm, may be take a short nap? C u soon.. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

MADRAS nalla MADRAS!!!!!

1 year up!!

Is it disbelief or satisfaction or worry or eagerness that 365 days have run by so fast?

Well I donno.. Called amma in the morning..She was walking on 100 feet road, oh my..heard the pom-pom of autos and screeching of buses and a racket from the ppl on road..It feels like there is real world on the other side of the..phone (?!) I almost feel like I am leaving Chennai now..My mind is set to Aug 13-14 2008. The number of (tasty)food items amma made that day- molagu kozhambu, more kozhambu, beans paruppusili, potato, sweet blah blah blah ( she (thot she)rightly judged I wasnt going to get good food for a while, but, let me show her my culinary skills :P). I wasnt able to swallow anything though, a huge lump in my throat. Fear, lack of confidence, paranoia about already-decided stuff- all these are a part of leaving home 1st time ( maybe even second time, I shall write after my chennai trip). With 15 of my people waiting for me at the airport to call after my security check, my mind was thinking of something else, something I thnik of everyday, a larger perspective- CHENNAI- The amazing feel that comes on seeing Central station board as the train enters, after a trip away from Chennai, The Bessi beach balloon shooting and dirty unhygenic molaga bajji, not to forget maanga ( who cared??), The half built kathipara junction that would get on my nerve everytime I was driving in a hurry( i m always in a hurry + kathipara is fully built now), The numerous power cuts, The "good" old words that you hear/say when you/others jump signals ( jump siganls is an understatement, 30 seconds after ur signal is red definitely doesn classify as jumping, I can almost hear saavugraaki now in a familiar automan's voice), The school holidays if it rains overnight ( here they don declare anythin wen its snowing like shit), Venkatramana poli stall's 2 rs samosa, Panneer soda, squashing ptc bus rides ( mmmmmmmm!!, i can smell the sweat now, but i don mind it anymore ), our very own mount road, vetti walking in citi center ( i doubt if i can afford anythin there except in the 5th floor any day of my life), MRTS ride from thiruvanmiyur to beach station, the amazing weather ( I think the heat is a "gethu" for chennai. Like showing the domination, power, brightness, buzzz of it over other cities), a drive on the ECR ( after neelangarai that is), T-nagar shopping, the ease of transport using autos( don mind the price, there has to be a compromise, who else wud go wrong side on a one way to drop u on time?)the 20 min bargain to get a discount of 5 rs in pondy bazaar, panteon road, Sarada kovil, the queue during the Petrol Crisis ( oh my i waited so much to get my car tank filled)..and 1000 other things that make Chennai what it is.

If listening to Madras ah suthi paaka porennn (wat lyrics, wow.."Madras in geetham adhu auto auto satham dhan"..aweosme!!) and santhippoma from E20U18, which shows u all major spots of our very own chennai makes me feel a level more happier, truly, Chennai deserves a huge tribute from my side, for being a part of my bloooood!!

"Onnnu Maamiaar thollai illa mugamoodi kollai aana ismail um ibrahim um onna serndhu vaazhum ooru!!!!!!!!!!"

Can there be a better place on earth???????????? Chennai Wins, HANDS DOWN!!!!