The Equation of Mr. P.Chidambaram

Navanee : Hey ! Sanjay... Did you see the budget ? The Cigarette prices have gone up... So, you better stop smoking..

Sanjay : Yeah Yeah !! But then, the Cancer Drugs' prices have come down yaar.. they will balance... :)



coming soon...... .. watch out !

Ananda Vikatan - Chee !

There was this review of "Kalvanin Kadhali" in Ananda Vikatan, where the magazine has blasted the movie and its crew for making a Shamefully-vulgar movie. I was very happy, that a magazine was bold enough to blast a un-deserving movie (which, Im not sure if it is). You can read the Vikatan review, posted on Lazygeek.

Ok, now.. this is the same treatment Boys got. It was a review on the First page with Just a CHEEE ! on it. Meaning that Vikatan was not ready to review such a movie, and it thought it was way below its dignity.

I dedicate this post to the Crew and Editor of Vikatan, to just make them aware... well, of the following.

I was allowed to read Ananda Vikatan quite a lot of years ago. My parents didnt care what I would read in there, because they knew it had Quality content, and was safe for children. But gradually, as I grew up, Vikatan also evolved. And its evolved now to a point that I dont want to read it anymore. (!)

Double Meaning Velaikkari Jokes, with cartoons of Velaikkari's showing their Cleavages and Thoppuls. (What, Thats what precisely SJ Suryah did in his movie ?).... And even sometimes a few short stories get such awkward paintings. I know Kumudam and other magazines are even worse Kuppais. But Vikatan was not like this until recent past. It was good 2 years before. I enjoyed reading all the 144 pages. Now, I have to hunt for good content besides Cinema and Sex.

One very bad thing, I noticed in Vikatan, is a few advertisements appearing like Articles. A few Jewel shops and a few Clinics, have their advertisement appear like normal columns in Vikatan. And Vikatan doesnt discriminate it with a Advertisement. Thats misleading people, and Im sure you know how wrong it is.

80% content of Vikatan is now Cinema. Not that i hate cinema, but thats not why I pay Rs. 10 for vikatan (Note the price. It was Rs. 4 very few years back..and a monstrous incline in price, and a blind fall in Quality).

Now that Sujatha's column wont come.. and many other interesting features wont appear.. Im seriously thinking about stopping subscription. Its simply not worth the money.

I wish someone tells them to pull up, break and resupply the Quality food, they used to.

Until then, a Kalvanin Kadhali review may look like a bold act of a magazine...
But to me, i can only say.... "Ivar mattum ozhungaa ? Perrsa solla vanttaaru !!"

வார இறுதி என்னை எட்டி உதைத்து வெளியே தள்ளியது !உறக்கக் கம்பளியையும் பிடுங்கிக் கொண்டது ! திங்கள் வெய்யில் முன் முகச் சுளிப்புடன் நிராயுதபாணியாய் நிற்க்கின்றேன்...

வழக்கமாக சுட்டு எரித்து, வாட்டி வதைக்கும் திங்கள் இன்று இன்னும் கோபமாக இருக்கிறது.. அனேகமாய் கொலை செய்து விடும் போல் தெரிகிறது ..

வார இறுதி என்னைப் பார்த்து எள்ளி நகையாடியது ! "அனுபவி மவனே ! இப்பொ தெரிதா என் அரும ?"

ஒவ்வொரு திங்களும் தவறாமல் நான் உணரும் பாடம் - "Weekends are heaven !"

Vadivelu Anderson !

Here's a simple photoshop I did today morning. (I also put my face in the place of Keanu Reeves.. it fits well, ahem !!)

Vadivelu is my pick when it comes to comedy. I know many of the audience Vote for Vivek, but to me Vivek does not appeal as much as Vadivelu does.

Vadivelu can rock your screens, as a village Dada - Soonapaana or as a college student Steve Waugh....It is sheer comedy, and no messages (not required at all)..

Vivek tries to put himself as a Genius, and a Man with forward thoughts and criticizes the events of the society (Though I agree with a few).. But Vadivelu is always one of our kind.. a man like you and me..

Only his cryings are awkward, that he can try and avoid it.

Imagine Vadivelu inside the Zion, fighting the machines....

"yei !! Vaada vaada vaada vaada !! Un thuppakkikkum En thuppakkikum sodi pottu parrpoma ! Sodi ?? Jeyil Paravaida naaanga !! yei ! "

Check this out !

Da Vinci Broken

Ha haaaa ! I unlocked it. !! Nothing very extraordinary.. but interesting to crack. The picture is a vague clue.

Take it on if you havent broken any, yet.

Two Sides of a Coin

'Award was declined'

New Delhi: The posthumous award of Bharat Ratna on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was declined by his family, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

- PTI (Source : The Hindu)

This was on News yesterday. I've seen many writers decline the awards. Arunthathi Roy declined the Sahithya Academy Award for her "The Algebra of Infinite Justice". Many writers have declined the Gnyanapeeta Award. I used to think, that it is their arrogance that makes them behave this way. That is like Insulting the Award, which many others, who have got it, rejoice at. I have read a few articles by Jayakanthan and few other writers who crib about the "Gnyana peetam". But I wasnt very sure, who was right and who wasnt.

But this Bharat Ratna Award - India's Highly Prestigious Award - has been conferred to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. But his Family declines it. Early in 1992, Subhash Chandra Bose was Posthumously conferred the Bharat Ratna award. And it was obviously declined due to Technical reasons, as nobody was sure if Netaji was dead at all. This is one of the very few mysteries prevailing in India, an unnecessary one. And probably this is the same reason why it has been declined again.

The Award Committee could not give conclusive evidence of Bose's death and thus it invalidated the "posthumous" award. (1992 award cancelled - reason )

But then, there's been a Inquiry Commission under Justice Mukherjee, which has investigated about Netaji's disappearance. Expecting the report to be a part of the Budget series in 2006.

BTW, did you know, Mahatma Gandhi was never given a Bharat Ratna ? Hmmp !

Read very interesting article of the award, here and Netaji's wiki here.

Tolerance or Ignorance ?

You know about the Mohammed Cartoons that are creating Ripples and riots in the society.

Think of that in mind. Think of the Violent Protests happening.
Keep all this in mind and Click here.

Now, whats that dirty blanket on you ? Tolerance ?

Interludes of King Rahman !

These are interludes of two songs by Rahman. Pay attention to the detail of music.

Thanks to Narayanan for reminding the second song. Hope you guys guessed the song to which they belong.

Ice Thanni !

I used to be the "Go-Getter" for Ice cubes from next home, when I was a kid. Next house was a panakkara house, who had a computer in the late 80's. One packet of Rasna, and water and sugar. I can make my own heavens. It was a lovely way of evading the summer.

Now things have changed. Summer is no more the summer it was. It has grown with my salary. Fridge and Air-conditioners are now affordable to many. Last year's Air Con sales will easily explain that. Yet, summer becomes unbearable. So, the next best thing we can do is go to Ooty or Shimla or Switzerland, whichever is possible. :) Sounds good, but awkwardly impossible.

Now everyone in Chennai, expects this Summer '06 with a tint of scare. The signs are showing up already, in the sultry climate after noon.

We, at home, have cleared the fridge shelves, and made room for water-cans. So, there's always this "Midhamaana" water at a cool (not so cool) temperature.. someone said, "Water is the Elixir of Life" (think it is Emerson).. How true !

DIVINIE CODE IS BACK

This time, the Da Vinci Code movie website is loaded with a few Anagram Puzzles , and a symbol Sudoko kind of game, which we need to crack, to get inside the Gallery of the web-site.

It is really interesting to solve this, remembering the old-story. But unfortunately, a few Anagrams are about the actors in the movie. So, you might probably need this.

If you have read Da Vinci code, then you are sure expecting this. And am sure, you are thinking the movie will not be upto the expectations. Most people I spoke to, said "The movie mostly will not give you the interest the book gave.. " Hmm.. let us wait and see.. Meanwhile keep cracking this website, and let me know if you got into the Gallery.

BREAKING NEWS !

"A cooker burst out today morning at my residence and caused indefinite damage to the paint on the walls. No casualities reported, and the situation seems to be under control."

Well, this why bloggers like me cant make the mainstream media. :)

New Photoshop Effect on Photoshop Blog

There's No Free Lunch !!

And there are no free calls either !!

Here's BSNLs new Tarrif plan for the new scheme they are about to launch from March.

Nalladhukka Theriyale !!

I have one Perimma in Bombay !

Well, thats the only use i find of it.

For those who Didnt know !

Internet Explorer is back with a bang ! IE 7.0 Beta is available for download.

It clearly imitates Firefox in most of the aspects. And feels good. The UI is uncluttered and most of the Bars are missing. Even the Classic Menu Bar is customizable for appearance. The Zoom feature (including Picture Zoom) is now available on IE 7 Beta. I wanted this on Firefox (Firefox only does Text Zoom).

The Search Bar is placed next to the Address Bar, very much like Firefox and Opera, and a neat customization of that Bar is available. You are free to choose your Search plugins. I never saw IE offer so much. Ever. Microsoft's got the ideas from the right guys this time.

You can take a Tour of the new Internet Explorer 7 Beta Here.

Or you can download it directly from here.

WARNING : It may not install on your current Service pack version. Please check the pre-requisities before installing or downloading.. (11 MB Download).

Post Valentines Day Vayitherichal !!

"hey nethu enna candle light dinnera?"

me: yes.. current poyiduththu

":)"

me: me mom and dad had a candle light dinner

Im searching my soul ! What the heck !

Why do people get Crazy when it comes to name things, and even crazier when they want to give it a caption ?

For the past few days, I've been digesting and spitting a few titles of Blogs, and their Sub-titles. Most of the Indian Blogs have impressive Titles, URLs and Captions. Only it gets boring to follow a very similar theme.

Most of Indians, as understood from the Titles and Captions, seem to be searching their inner self through blogs. Without variance, their profiles will carry words like "Confused 24 year old Desi"..."Im a puzzled planeterian trying to find the meaning of life"... " Everything about nothing and nothing about everything.".... "Join me in My journey in searching my inner soul.."

Whew ! There are a lots more.. just accelerate your Blog-hopping, and you will find more such Here-we-go-again titles.

My Manager while taking Induction for the new Software Professionals used to say "Every kid that has learnt Java, comes into the Software company thinking that they are going to program the next Space Shuttle in NASA. Welcome to Ground Reality. Nothing of that sort might happen. You might end-up 20 years of your career with just One program written."

On Similar grounds, with the Surge of Blogs in the Blogosphere, and more and more Indian Bloggers coming out... They all think they are going to be the Next Best Hit Blog. Good thoughts. Congratulations. But the worst part is when they try and name it. They take it way too personal. They name the Blog it very differently. I have to mention the Engineering guys, who come out after all those Symposiums. They name their blogs in a very Sophisticated English. I have seen such blog titles, and thought they were Bengali. :)

And their captions... as i pointed out a few samples on the front.. most of us try to put our characters in the caption, and it hardly reflects the content of the Blog. Now thats my mistake to expect a theme on a blog, and I do not expect that way.

Only that, when you read the Title and Captions, you would start expecting something inside the blog. And you get disappointed reading the content. I understand Blogs dont work that way..

May be I dont deserve to say all this, as I aint perfect either.

Is my blog title just ? Nope.. whats this "Welcome to Your Senses" supposed to mean...? Heck, that yet another "Hey.. look at me.. impressive title, huh !!" kind of ones. (Mine is a News and Commentary blog, and I intend to reflect your feelings... Hence the Title. Did I succeed convincing you ? Man, Im a genius. BTW, Avyukta is the name of the Computer I post on this Blog. Hence the URL.)

Just a small suggestion to the world. When you name something, try to be simple.

PS - I dont intend to hurt anyone's feelings through this post. It is just an early morning Pulambal, and I wanted to break free on this. NO OFFENCE MEANT, AT ALL.

Weekend Perumoochu !

Yesterday was hectic. Today is going to be equally bad.. Tomorrow is going to be, well.. Im a little pessimistic.. so, let me not predict anything. Work is getting on nerves.

It seems as though the week has only three days.

Weekday, Saturday and Sunday

Weekday is however a little bigger than the other in terms of hours. But they are executed faster than the Weekends. It is like you wake up on Monday morning and End to Sleep on Friday night.

We execute 120 Hours of Monday to Friday, much faster than 24 hours of Saturday.

Just think that you are lucky, if you dont feel the above.

However, i feel the same frangrance among all the people working for IT. Sometimes you will be free, as though you are in bench... and all of a sudden you will be amidst an avalanche of work.. not realizing where the hell it came from. Work is that inconsistant. (in terms of Volume)

But the Punniyavans who accounted Saturdays and Sundays as Holidays, I owe them a lot. And thank you MNCs for incorporating that.

"sani njaayiru kaadhil sonnadhu ennadhu
mishinellaam manidhargalaagach cholludhu"

Hmm...
Weekend is 4 days away..
Next Monday is 6 days from now.
God Damn it !

I Wish !

You are
never given a wish
without also being given the
power to make it true.

- from Richard Bach's Illusions.

Thanks Srivatsan for suggesting the book.

Valentine vaangalayo Valentine !

Clik for big picture.

I wont need this, though i designed it. Feel free to use it.

New Wallpaper on Photoshop blog

Mazhai (Rain) II

Those who havent read the story earlier, please do so by clicking here.

3 Weeks Earlier

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

It is beginning to rain as i approach them. Mom is waving harder, with all smiles on her face. Mom's put on weight. I leave my trolly just like that and rush towards them, as if I didnt care about it.

Sangeetha is wearing an embarassed smile. I can understand that. I compelled her to visit me at Airport.

Whats this ? Rain starts poring heavily over. Whoosh ! Suddenly something.

I turn back, and run towards my trolly... Oh ! My god.. Think pad is geting wet. I grab the trolly, that was naked to rain, and try to accomodate it somewhere. I see a lot of people walking fast (or running) towards a place where there is shade. I walk fast in the same direction pulling along, my trolly.

Huh ! thank heavens.. i find a comfy place and park my trolly there. I dig my hand inside the laptop-carry case, and feel. Nothing wet.. good.

I turn back, and search for Mom and Sangeetha. There they are, not waving anymore.

There they are, Wet.

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

3 Weeks Later

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

Mom and I got seats in different rows.. we were the last ones to check in. We didn't care. We werent going to talk over the travel. We are waiting in Gate 3. Many here are upset about the flight's delay, as if something outrageous has happened.

I have 15 more minutes. I open my Think Pad and boot it. As the boot screen appears, the small scratch glitters and reminds . I softly touch and feel it. hmmm... Why didnt she understand....

To be Continued.................

Thanks a Ton to Monu, for this and this. Anand also gave an ending to the story. Hmm.

If you haven't read the story, its just one post prior. Go ahead read it and give me some thoughts.

Iam still squeezing my thoughts to show a simple course of action, that devastatingly changes the life path.

Let us see...

Update :: Lakshmi and Iris have written their story endings.. check them out..

Someone with Someone. Webcam photo of still photo. (will scan and post the actual later. Cant control the anxiety, yo know..). Trust me... no photoshopping here. :)

Velai-vetti-illadha Day !

Iam not a supporter for celebrating Valentine's Day. But the protests from BJP and VHP and RSS and Shiv Sena keeps me neutral. I want a good protestor to join with. Not someone who plans to make the Lover gang to get married.

Read this, and come back

How crazy can you get... ? It keeps me entertained to watch the build-up for every Valentine's day, every year. People do crazy things to celebrate, and few others get even wilder to oppose that. The opposition doesnt realize, that they add extra glamour to the day. Anyways..

Why is that only Hindu movements oppose this ? Or is it only my assumption ? Arent there any parents who oppose Love-marriage in Christianity and Islam ? I guess it is only a political game to send opposition and violently crush the valentines.


BTW. Here's something that interested me... and i think if people marketted this day, then it would be a bigger success than the Valentine's day.

from Wiki,

In Korea, there is also an additional Black Day, held on April 14, when males who did not receive anything for Valentine's Day gather together to eat Jajangmyun (Chinese-style noodles in black sauce).

He he he !!

Lokha Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu !
(May all beings be happy and free).

Style Up !

I've been using this for long, but never tried to go out of the box (than the themes that were bundled along with it). Yesterday, hit on a website - ThemeXP.Org, and found an irresistable theme that looked way too impressive.

Here's how it looked on Avyukta.



Click for big.

Style XP Rocks. I understand most of you dont like installing themes, and like it simple. But from time to time, i would like to experiment on my desktop. After all, we feel happy when one fine day we wear a Jigu-Jigu shirt. Illaya ?

Mazhai (Rain)

Sangeetha should be waiting outside.. I have had this satin-like comfortable feeling, everytime I'm in this baggage belt. After picking this up, its straight into my country. Searching among heads, and finding the happy hands that waves towards me. They would have spotted me coming out.. but i will be struggling to figure out my mom and dad. Few gazes, and there they will be. Mighty delighted to see their son. And how delighted i feel ? you should ask the on-lookers. I leave the trolly just like that (this is a fashion) and jump towards them and give them a hug. Boy ! o Boy ! mom and dad.

This time is different. Im feeling quircky. I've come down for my betrothal and marriage (latter depending on the former). I've spoken to Sangeetha over phone, breaking the ice.. and I assumed we were beginning to get intimate. She sounded good, sociable and very practical. Mom is very satisfied with her. After all, that is what matters to me the most.

There comes my baggage. This time one extra suitcase. (and one extra hand-baggage). I made sure, the gift i had brought her is easily reachable. Actually, i got many gifts for her.. but i dont want to give it today. Mom and dad might think otherwise. I can do that later. So, a simple pack of make-up set (thats what usually people buy for their would-be's, dont they)..

There's the Exit. I just take a look at myself. I look good. I make sure the laptop is visible amidst all the luggages. I get out the shirt thats neatly tucked in. I wanted to look casual. I usually tuck in and look formal when i walk out. My dad always likes me formal. But he wont mind this time.

Gawd !This should be a remarkable trip, this time.

dEEP sIGH ! oohg !!

I walk towards the exit. There's a lot of hands, heads and name boards. There's mom and Sangeetha.

It is beginning to rain, as I rush towards them.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3 weeks later.

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

Me and mom are standing in the Check-in counter. We couldnt talk to each other.

The flight is delayed by 30 minutes, due to heavy rain. The rain that spoiled my life.

To be Continued.................

PS - I have no idea, how i'll end this story. I just wanted a plot where we can play around with our imagination. The theme is to tell, how "simple actions/reactions" can deviate the flow of life. Seriously, life's twists and turns (and whirls) are decided by petty things in life.

With that in mind.. can you think of ending the story. (Its a flashback we need !)

Saravana Bhavan - just getting out of list

This weekend looked like Saravana Bhavan Special to me. I ended up being in the hotel, with three different sets of people (relatives and friends) during the Sat and Sundays... in Vadapalani, Ashok Nagar and Anna Nagar.

It wasnt a let down in Quality.. but Pricing was very heavy. Thats what I felt. And what hit me badly was when my dear Masala Dosai was having a very minute quantity of masala. Thats outrageous. Looks like these guys have gone way too complacent that customers will somehow pop in and eat anything they give.

More to which this Hotel does not feature any Air Conditioners. But the charges are like eating in a A/c restaurant. And the charges in the Saravana Bhavan - Pondy Bazaar are mindboggling. I'd better take the Balaji Bhavan and Geetha Cafe instead.

Im planning to avoid this Hotel from now on. I can get better or equal quality food for a lesser price. It is not the question of affordability.. it is the concern of exploitation. Simply a good-name cannot give you authority to raise your prices.

It wont matter to Saravana Bhavan, if just a One out of a lakh customers quit consumption.

Yo Kalakkal !!

Dailamo ! Dailamo ! Daila Daila Dailamo !
Dailamoooo ! Dailamooo !Dailamo Dailamo !!

Kallelekke Raathi riMel Kaadhala (means, Kaalaikku Raathiri Mel Kadhale !)

Dishyum nalla irukke !

Valaikappu Special

New Photo on Photoshop Blog.... Seemandham Special !

Mudhugu Photography !

I am a specialist in this kinda photographies. This is a special technique of staying dumb, with a camera waiting for important events to take place, through the view finder.. and Click... Damn ****, some one will come in between the event and the lens, and show their back. This is called "Mudhugu Photography". And people watching the images on the screen (after the function is over) will be guessing, whose back that is.

Today was my sister's Seemandham. And I was the photographer (besides a Handycam videographer, who can get good name by constantly showing the event, even if someone walks in between). The bad part in mini-functions where you dont call a professional photographer is that, we dont get quality pictures of the events.. because we are also busy arranging the Breakfast tables. And most of it, we (the photo takers) are not available in the pictures.

Hmmp.. What will i tell my niece/nephew (think it is niece), when she/he asks me "Mama ! nee enge kaanum... ?"

Woha ! The last sentence took me to a dream world. What do you call that ? Future ?

1200 Sq Feet Life

There is an empty land next door. Last September it was priced 66 lakhs (some 4.5+ grounds as a single plot).

Yesterday, I learnt that it is valued 1 Crore and 7 lakhs.

Both the times, I didnt care much, coz I knew I wasnt going to buy it. But, Whew ! Can you Imagine ? Land prices are at all time high in Chennai, even at remote places like Villiwakkam. Think about Besant Nagar.. Square feet prices are approaching Rs. 10,000 /-. Thats like Mumbai, Yo !

People are approaching the out-skirts of Chennai, and investing on Lands, with the hope that the city will expand. And the City does expand.

By and far, few years from now.... land prices will tease you with a grin. Better buy a land now, if you want one.

Indian soil just got little more precious.