The Next Best thing

Everyone has a dream. Someday, they will find it close to reality. And when it is practically achievable, It is no more a dream. So, in the empty space, where the dream was, comes another Dream. The Next Best Thing...

I once had a dream of buying a bike [Bajaj Pulsar] . Unfortunately for me, when i saw my dream coming closer to reality, i had this Dream Accident (Yuk !). And then, i was forced to have more practical dreams (is this an Oxymoron - Practical Dreams !!). And today i take delivery of a new Black Honda Activa - with a Honda Key-chain ( im more amused at smaller things, than bigger ones). Today my dream vaccum is filled with Honda Accord.

Life is always about this. The Next Best thing that you can achieve and acquire. If you ask yourself, why you earn money... you have this answer in mind. "I want to get the next best thing to....", well somethings.

May be your dream is a better computer, high speed DSL, high quality sound.
Or you own a old bike, you want a new one. Or you aspire for a Car.
You have a house, you want a more spacious one, with a Home theatre provision.
You are now a Team Lead, and you want to become the Project Manager.

In reality, you just give it to time, to do things for you. You know, the more practically achievable your dream is, then Time will take care. If the wait is Honest, then the Next Best thing will always show up to you.

Only if your dream is not just the next best thing, but it is about the "Close to Impossible" event, like a Software Engineer of a company dreaming of a Vice president - Delivery in a Software Organaization, then it needs tremendous prayers to Hardwork, and planning. Of course there are a lot of things that will account here, like "Elements of Uncertainity". But the equation works for 90% of the people.

(Consistant Hardwork * Persistant efforts) - Elements of Uncertainity = Unbelievable Success.

May look like a Crazy immature "yet another useless euqation". But this is what i believe in.

So, i dont want to have Unbelievable success.

I just believe and dream on the Next Best Thing.

Swingin in Joy

To me, I have my own definitions of richness. Inspite of the definitions being foolish, i persist in Holding them. If you are showing me a Rich Man's house, I wont accept the owner "Really Rich" if the house did not have a Swing. Oonjal - Unjal, thats what they call it in Tamil.

As always, the best ways I can remain Idle are these. Watching an Elephant, Sitting in a Railway Station for hours, Two legs waggling on a stream of water (I did this once in Srirangam.. it was heaven), and Swingin on a Oonjal.


[ctsy - Google Images ]

It is sheer pleasure, sitting on a Oonjal, and having a conversation. My Uncles house has one big Swing in a room, and thats my fave-room. Me, my Paatti and my uncle , had many conversations there. It is like the Swing is the fourth person listening.

Im planning to have one at my home (to make myself rich, you know !!).

See, Im still a kid at mind. Thats why i write Mainframe Programs ;)

Anniyan Music Out ! - Clean Bold

[ctsy - nowRunning ]

Seems Harris Jeyaraj did not accept any other movies, just for concentrating on Anniyan. I was hearing carefully, to find out - which song did he really concentrate on !!

Im not worth giving comments on the music, as I've not got the original CD yet. Im only the common MP3 grabber. Still, i guess i can express comments.

Anniyan music is just another music, with NOTHING special in it. Not even better than Saamy. "Kadhal Yaanai" is a sure hit. But the other songs are just a "Same kind of thing" songs.

"Iyengar Veettu" is one song im repeatedly playing.. as it has the carnatic classic ("Jagadhananda Kaarakaa.." - a thyagaraja krithi).

Hope the concenteration of Harris was on the Re-recording.

Photographer ! Vote

Many blogs have been on praise about Sharadh Aksar, and his photographs. Certainly, he is worth all that. Stunning photos with brilliant colors. Check out www.Sharadhaksar.com .

BTW, he is also competing in the Photographer of the year 2005. Cast your vote for Sharad Askar, or any other photographer of interes. Check out the photos, and Ensoy.

Here's one of Sharad's photo i like the most.


[ctsy - Sharad ]

Hey, did you know. With GMail memory count increasing everyday, it would reach 3GB on January 1st 2006.

Discover Beauty

K700i was the search for. My friend is desperate in finding out a new cell to suit his flair. Thats when i got to see the new Nokia phone. Nokia 8800 is the phone, and it is got some good features that come with all Nokia phones, and most of all, its that kind of Pull Down dial pad. I've always liked and impressed by the Phone that Neo Anderson is couriered in the movie Matrix. That model is now outdated, but remains good. Yet, I have not taken off my eyes from my dream phone 9500 Communicator. A time will come, Wont it ?

Yahoo - Advantage

With Yahoo very close to giving 1GB email for everyone, the chances of GMail conquering the world is ruled out (thats my opinion / prediction). Why is simple.

Many of the eMail users are still stuck with Yahoo and even Hotmail. Most people hesitate to migrate to someother email service, on the bargain of more technology. GMail, despite offering Unbelievable great services, has one set-back. LATE. It has been very late, for GMail to have been introduced. Of course, the advent of GMail has made Yahoo rethink of its services. And quite amazingly, Yahoo has brought in all the concepts (or atleast most of them) of GMail into itself.

Talking of memory, Yahoo played safe, and worked out its capabilities and now decided to take on Head to head with Google.

Yahoo's Blog service is already a Hit in its Beta stage. Also looks like Flickr is bought by Yahoo. I smell Google flavour here...do you ?

So, here we have two tight competitors, Yahoo and Google. Both fighting for supremacy, and thus offering us more and more services. It is the public thats enjoying.

Rarely we see, public getting benefitted. Well, thats not good.. isnt it.

[ctsy - Yahoo ]

The theory of "Why Did I not ..."

Earlier this day, I was on Kiruba's page. And read through how Kiruba Shankar got an Air-conditioner, and how he could have got it even cheaper, for as much as Rs. 5000 difference.

In another instance, i find my friend regreting for buying 6610 in a premature stage, and now the Improved version of 6610 - 6610i with camera and other stuffs cost pretty much cheaper that what was got for 6610.

Even My computer with all High-tech stuffs would cost a lot cheaper now, than what was purchased in September 2004. The time difference is not too much. But in a short span of time, the product is much improved and cheaper.

And only thing we could do is be ignorant. Or regret.


[ctsy - Byerly.org ]

Why did I not wait and Buy ? Should have waited for some more time...
Why did I not consult and search ? I should have got that one instead of this,.
Why did I not be careful ? I could have got it a lot cheaper

Do you have answers ?

First Walk !

After nearly 4 months of Limps and lags, I took a first walk to Students Xerox to have my Project Document bound. See, Education makes a man walk, and makes the walk proud.


[ctsy - Kian ]

Probably will become Keerthi Walker like Jonny Walker.

**** New Photos of Vettaiyadu Vilayadu on www.IndiaGlitz.com ****

Tonns of Commitments

Whoa ! I just thought of the beautiful friday that woke up along with me. But then, i scheduled all the programs i've thought of doind in these three days. Oh, my God. I could not accomodate all those in the confined days. I wanted more hours in days.

Seven Commitments and each very big. Let me check how ill fare this big task.

Just to give you a glimpse of how pressurized Iam, here goes.

I need to submit the project report for my Correspondance M. S on Sunday (Dead Target !)
And Im yet to decide on what project to do. I have a project to make. Thats 1 of Seven.

BINGO !

Search what you Searched for

What is the maximum thing you can search for, is the list of all the things you already searched. Google is attempting to remember all that you searched, and the list helps you on a flavoured search, where Google is personally going to reccommend you searches and results based on your Search History. My, My, My !

Thats like having a personal assistant, and asking him to record things out. This feature is enabled via your Google account, so your search list available wherever you search (I mean it is mobile).

"My Search History will record everything a searcher does while using Google. Users will note the amount of time they spend on Google, where they went, the amount of time they spend on each document found through Google, the last time they visited a web document, and where they went after visiting a web document.Users who sign up for the service will learn a lot about how they use Google. In turn, Google will learn a lot about every user as well." - stepforth


[ctsy - My Avyukta ]

But it will be really nice if someone gave me a software to find my missing toothbrush.

Creativity Max !

Yet another forward. But this one was worth watching. Take a look.


[ctsy - Raghu ]

Benedict and Shailendra

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger becomes Pope Benedict XVI - the new head of the world's 1.1 billion Roman Catholics


[ctsy - BBC ]


Avyukta Hits 3000. Hurray ! Thats a big thing for me, atleast.

Ladies and gentlemen, Please Welcome Shailendra Rao, a Chemical Engineer pursuing his higher education in Canada, who has wished to contribute on Avyukta. He has one sister in the US, and a brother in a different state of US, and he in Canada. And this guy roams across all these places at regular intervals. Lucky Shailendra. Im struggling to go to even my native ( Mayiladuthurai ).

My passport would expire in two more years. And so far, i have not taken more than a four Jet Airways trip back and forth from Bombay. I Wish I'd use it atleast twice before my passport expires.

Talking of Passport expiration, US is rejecting passports with 20 years Validity and insists on having a 10 year validity Passport. ( I read this somewhere, but im NOT Sure of the Authenticity of this information. Someone Confirm).

I received 2 emails, both containing Rajnikanth's Introduction in Chandramukhi. Looks like it has been taken on a Cellphone Camera. Very poor clarity. But who needs that all. Seeing your THALAIVAR with one leg on Air, and exhibiting style (and the sounds of fans, and the rain of roses inside the theatre is also seen). WoW ! Wish i'd see the movie soon.

Entering the world of blogs...

I welcome myself to the exotic analysis of the totally unimportant issues around us. For those who dont know me (I guess that would be 99% of the junta), I am Shailendra- keerthi's school buddy. In case you folks didn't know we used to call keethivasan "Keats", after the famous English poet John Keats of the 1800s. He used to write the most insane poems and literary "masterpieces" and we will give our last rites to it. He was right however, in recognizing his own talent. Coz rightfully, he was chosen as the best writer in our batch.

Anyway, here I am. And I will be contributing to this space on a regular basis hopefully. It takes some time to get acquainted with the world of blogging as this is my first blog ever. So errors and shortcomings are expected to be pardoned. But however nonsensical or trivial the blogs might be, it is the truth and that is the whole beauty of creating and viewing blogs. And I will contribute fleeting and ongoing thoughts from my beautiful mind.

As Keerthi would agree, "Beauty is truth, truth beauty- that is all Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know."

I thank Keats for giving me the opportunity to blog in his space, and well, here I am.

Signed, Shailendra Rao

Somethings Money Cant buy

Its always a pleasure watching advertisements. The ones with really good creativity. MasterCard ads are a real feast for a "Wow ! I Like it" person. Here's one.


[ctsy - n-Kreative.com ]

How many people's life have you touched. I have always felt, that if I could give a person a Consoling smile, a warm hug and ease his tension or fear then we have touched his life. We could make a difference in everyone's life. And they could - in ours. I know it sounds really artificial, but then Think about it.

If you can stop a tear,
If you can bring a smile on a face,
If you can soothe one's feelings,
If you can throw a hand for another hand to take grip of
Then you have touched a life.

How many minds have you touched ?

We ran short of, er.. well Runs !

India Lost. Or can I say, One Pakistan Team won Eleven Indian Cricketers.


[ctsy - Hey, This one's my own]

Umpires were waving all the time, Horizontally Indicating Fours all through the Pakistan Innings. And when India came in, they were re-aligned to vertical, Calling OUT Indian batsmen for the next assault.

Mhmm! This doesnt look good. The Indian Team, in India, has not done justice. They had all chances of leveling the series, in the Last and the prior match. I dont have much to say about this.

Good Music !!

I was going through one of those FTP sites, downloading rarest-of-rare musical bits from AR Rahman. From Leo-Coffee to Swades, all BGMs and Theme musics are collected and generously shared (Whoops !). That was when I came across something called Vanessa Mae. With Broadband working, I wanted to try it out. And now im wondering, I would have missed a great music if I had ignored that particular MP3. Amazing Rahman, though it was familiar to most of his own songs, "The Raga's Dance" (One of 10 songs in the Album) is simply amazing.


[Ctsy - Sony Music ]

Vanessa has made quite some albums, and this one "Choreography", features one AR Rahman song composed. If you get a chance, dont try to skip it. It is worth a hear.

By the way I heard Set top Boxes are going to be removed from existance (in chennai). Someone tell me the good news.

Mumbai Xpress - a Big Let Down

Before even attampting to write something in the name of a Review, let me give you a statutory warning. Kamalhaasan made a few promises before the movie got released. What were they ?

• Mumbai Xpress will be a non-stop Laugh-a-Riot movie.
• I promise a complete family entertainer, with no Vulgar scenes in it.

Precisely, Kamal has kept up his promise from Title-Start to Title End. Congratulations Kamal. But does that alone make a hit ? Well, many of the Hardcore Kamal fans including me, tasted tea-dust after a cup of great tea. Mumbai Xpress could have been a lot better than is now.

There is a Kidnap plot, and how the plot changes it plan, and what goes wrong after Kamal gets into the plan is the entire movie's story. "When Crime meets confusion" is the caption of Mumbai Xpress, and cant be more approporiate than that. Pasupathy (Kothala Thevar) plays a amazingly comical role of a villain - comedy villain, and to me He is the Hero of the first part. Talking of first part, there can be no other movie so great and fast and so very interesting than Mumbai Xpress.

Obviously there is a mismatch in the kidnap, and a unexpected ransom amount is paid for, and what Kamal does with it, makes you roll on floors. (well, it did me).

Kamal, particularly in this movie, has shown everyone in the movie as corrupted ones. Everyone, including his Sister is on for money and are pretending to be good to Kamal. Kamal, should have underlined about this and said more about this. (i was expecting a message like that). Very cleverly underplayed on songs. You wont see any song on screen, in full, except the Vande Matharam song (even this is changed to some other song. Cautious !!).

I saw the movie on Sathyam - Digital Projection. Well, i cant appreciate it though, but i saw a few long shots very poorly rendered. I dont know why. Kamal's stunts in the movie are quite amazing, and i can understand the pain taken and sincerity in it. But as someone said on their blogs, the movie certainly missed Crazy Mohan.

Laughter is certain for all the time you watch the movie. But you will be shocked when the movie ends. I was expecting an ending that was still to come, but Kamal said "Thats all for Rs. 60 , Thanks for coming !!!". BAD ENDING.

The movie is full, i mean, lots of scenes, and lots of points worth mentioning. But will do it as a discussion. If you are yet to watch the movie, go ahead and place yourself on laughter therapy in some of the theatres, and come back.

I want to talk about Pussan Talk

I have a program to make !

This happens to me only very few times in my life. Unexpected Happiness/ Surprises.
"6:45 - New Year - Kamal - Mumbai Express - Me and Dad - Sathyam"

If that sentence made sense to you, well :) imagine my happy face.
I would update you tonight, about the movie.

By the way, Mumbai Express posters and Hoardings are damaged, torn and painted over with dirty colors. This is cheap fight. Brutal. Behave yourself Mr. Whoever you are !!

On Your Mark ! Get Set ! G........

The Final day - Today. Tomorrow Rajinikanth will know his future. Kamal will know his fate. Vijay will fix his Salary. And I will be in the Queue, buying tickets for anyone of them.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Wave your Flags for Super Star's Chandramukhi, Dr. Kamalhaasan's Mumbai Xpress and Ilaya Thalapathi Vijay's Sachin (They have put the spelling as Sachein).


[ctsy - BCHE ]

The trailer of Mumbai Xpress is out on www.MumbaiXpress.com (no E for Xpress).And it looks like a thorough Comedy, one of Crazy Mohan's "AAL Maarattam". Wish Crazy Mohan comes out of that stuff (even though i like each and one of his creations).

Kamalhaasan and Gautham join for a Hunt Game. "Vettaiaadu - Vilayadu" is the name of the next movie, you start expecting (besides Gajini). Kamal, Gautham Menon, Jeeva and Harris Jeyaraj. "Vettayadu Vilayadu is said to be a racy thriller in which Kamal plays his age and the first half is set in New York, second half in Chennai and the climax in a remote village in Tamilnadu. The shooting will start from April 23."

We can always wait. Cant we ?

Fast and the Furious

The fastest person from Coimbatore, and the Most Furious person Honble Chief Minister had a meeting down the pit stop. And a promise made, that made me smile. God, if this could really happen.


[Ctsy - ThatsTamil ]

If Formula One could happen in Chennai, its a very big Gift in Disguise. Atleast I dont have to feel agonized about Conditional Access System. Michael Schumaker will Touch the chennai soil, wow, Amazing. We should let him drive through the Nelson Manickam Road and Duraisamy Subway. Guess, he would quit driving for ever. We can name it Formula Chennai.

Im posting this Blog from Fedora Linux, and Boy what a speed it gives. BSNL is back to normal speed, and especially when i tried connecting from Linux, amazing tunnel you have in front. Just keep drivng....

Two days to Mumbai Express and Chandramukhi. Sachin is also on track and a stir is on.
Boy, this is going to be a nail biting finish.

Blog On MSN !

We all know we have a MSN Spaces, that lets us have Blog on MSN. Many had mixed opinions about comparing Blogger and MSN. Take a look at the integration of MSN Spaces with MSN Messenger.


[ctsy - Avyukta ]

This looks to be a decent feature. Well, i really do not know, how many of my contacts are really active on MSN. I myself am not !!

Check out "Thalaivar's Power !!!". The Titan of Tamil Cinema has Blasted off the ticket counters.


[ctsy - Sify ]

Have to check out whats the status of Mumbai Express. ! Hope Kamal reserved a seat for me. He has Promised entertainment for my family. Guess that includes Tickets ;)

Happy Monday

Aplologies

I have a random habit of giving Proper credits to people, who have made photos, that feature on this Blog. I got a mail from Jeff, a good photographer, demanding credits. I was ashamed of being very mannerless. I opened an apology for Jeff.

It is really very important, that the right credits go to the right person. Now on, i intend to credit the person's name/ site below the picture. And a start measure, is back to Jeff.


[ctsy : Jeff Philips ]

I wonder whats Rajini and Kamal thinking on this saturday. I dont mind a dinner.

Disappointment - a part of Daily Routine

These days, somewhere between the day, I consume a certain quantity of Disappointment. I know disappointments come, when you expect more out of things. But, hey. You cant change me. !!

Yesterday's disappointment was BSNL DataOne. Yesterdays answer was polite. So was today's but the answer was shocking. "Sorry Sir, You can browse only Indian domains, and others you will only get on Monday.". Why should i pay for a Monthly service, thats got a 5 day Downtime. I plan to take it higher, and find an answer.

Talking of disappointment, I remember a favourite quote of mine. "Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man.". That was said by Rabindranath Tagore.

There was an interesting movie I saw, whose name i dont remember. The story goes like, Kids who are going to be born are standing in a queue. One by one, they leave heaven, and they are born in some hospitals. But one kid, doesnt want to be born, (I know im doing a mistake in past tense, cat help!) because he thinks that the world is full of miseries. Because of this non-birth (!!) the whole world has a show-stopper in babies being born. So, now the Gods convince how beautiful the world is, and later he inclines to be born.

Its really difficult being God. Someone want my job ?

BSNL Back in Form

My Broadband connection is Down, for some reason. The Helpline was very polite and gave a Crystalline answer. "Sir, We are down till 10 O Clock. Please try connecting later after that time.". Thats fine. !

Hey, I had a wonderful story to talk about. Read Ahead !!

Two very good friends were walking down a thin path in the middle of the jungle. It was a hot day, and both of them were extremely tired. They were on a wildlife expedition, and they had been walking almost continuously for six hours. They were carrying burdensome back-packs, and were wearing tough and heavy hiking-shoes. Suddenly one of them spotted a bear running towards them. The bear was huge, and looked extremely angry. Terrified, the two men started running, and the bear, no doubt very hungry, gave them chase.

Suddenly, one of the men stopped. He quickly took out a pair of light running-shoes from his back-pack, bent down, and put them on. Then he resumed running.

All this while, the other man was looking at him. Nonplussed, he asked him, "That beast has got a stride double ours, and it's only a matter of time before we end up as his mid-day meal. Do you really expect to outrun him simply by putting on a pair of running-shoes?"

"But my dear friend, don't you see, I don't have to outrun the bear", replied the first man, almost casually. "I just have to outrun you."

Whoops ! Very lateral !

Hail Dhoni !

He Tops news overnight. From No One, to a Super Hero.
From Man to God, on a Single match. Only possible in Cricket.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Mahendra Singh Dhoni also kalled as Dhoni.


First Match, Against Pakistan, In India and a Spectacular 148.
Dhoni, is all set for the bright future. And he has already cut open the Express Highway.

You might need his profile.

Full Name: Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Born: 7 July 1981, Ranchi, Bihar (Even this guy is older than me..Shucks !)
Major Teams: Jharkhand, India.
Also Known As: Mahi
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Other: Wicketkeeper

Guess Dhoni means Sound. Or is it Dwani ?
Whats in a name, if Talent is on the Bat.

It was thoroughly a Celebration. Battle won by the Gods. I heard fireworks till night.
The Big religion is on the hype again. Its amusing to see the Winning pictures of India.



Im the only reason, India won this match. Otherwise, if I had played in this match.....

I hear Horns of Mumbai Express

The Distant Sound of the train coming. Though people hear it, and it is subtle truth that a train is coming, Still people look out, for where the train is coming, by leaning outside the platform. Thats because there's a Child in everyone of us. Everyone likes watching a Railway station (empty or full), Elephant, Moving Water, Monkeys or Monkey, Stars, Distant Ship and many more. There is a saying "Within every Old Man, there is a Young man wondering What the hell happened...?".

I heard such a Train sound in the Distance. Mumbai Express music is what i mean. 6 songs in all including Vande Matharam and a Theme song. Why are all movies now having Theme Song ? Both Sachin and Mumbai Express have Theme Songs, both Unimpressive (for now).



Look at the Picture of Mumbai Express (this is My Adobe Photoshop product). Somehow or other, Kamalhaasan impresses with his touch of humour. May be the person on top is an important character in the movie, because there are already 2 songs talking of Monkey Business. Let me hear the songs one more time, may be i will like it this time.

Welcome Rain in Chennai

Sunday evening, Drizzling. Its always nice to hear a word with a ZZ sound. But the Rain Drops were even melodious to hear.

Hope it sustains,
and Keeps the earth Wet,
and keeps May without Sweat . (Wow ! Im getting better day by day ! Someone give me award, or soemthing. ;) ).

April Up and Running. All countdowns towards Mumbai Express and Chandramukhi. Who will win, place your bets. "Anju Vachcha Paththu. Paththu vachcha Iruvadhu !! Vaa Vadhyare !". I have my own doubts on Mumbai Express. And im impressed by the Silence and Simplicity of Chandramukhi. (Strange, coz im a Kamal Fan).



Hey, I found a new Font. Tell me how do you like it.


The font is called Scriptain. Check it out.

Nyways, Have a Bright week ahead.

Pope John Paul II is dead

The Pope was very old, even before i was born.

He was appointed in 1978 as Pope, and i was born only 1982. Pope is the most superior position in the Catholics, like what Kanchi Peetam is for Hindus. Vatican as you know is the smallest, and yet powerful country in the world. Well, we cant call it a country though, as its just the size of Teynampet and Alwarpet put together. But Teynampet and Alwarpet are not as powerful as the Vatican, and not just Rich even. Vatican could be richer than India is.

Now, that the Pope is dead. Our Condolenses. He was a good man, in the press. I have seen his interviews or messages. He had a Honest tone, in finding peace in everyday life. Let his Holy Soul rest in Subtle peace.

Next up ! Pope elections. I feel strange here, looks like Angels and Demons is live in action.

GMail Unlimited

You should already know, that GMail and Unlimited are synonymous. But Google keeps adding the surprise packets into unlimited, and makes us awe-spire.

This time, its again the storage. It has lifted the maximum storage limit level. I mean they have completely lifted it off, meaning you can virtually store your Hard disk even on it.

Not believing, check your GMail. And check your storage Quota. If your eyes grow wide, GMail has got you.