Life of Choices and Compromises

I was home alone a few days back, and had to find my food outside. I went to Palimar Restaurant, which I have been told was very popular for good food, when my Dad was a bachelor. I always hate eating alone. But when Im alone I have always wanted to try different food varieties. So, I was exploring the Menu Card wildly for a different item, and there were many.

But here is where my weakness overtook me. When Im given a lot of choices in Hotels, I simply go for a Dosai. And if I wanted to order differently I make a Masala Dosai. Thats it.

Break;

In my childhood days, I visit the Video Cassette rental with a lot of movies in mind. But when I get the Catalogue in hand, you should see me struggling. Then I come out with either a Lousy Pic or some other movie, I have already seen.

Choices are definitely tough to Handle (or should i say delicate).

Ironically, i feel, we make compromises when we have a lot of choices.

My friend is buying a Car. His dream car is Maruthi Swift. (Only very few people like it. Im one of them). Thats costing 4.7 L. But all he can afford is a Hyndai Santro which comes with all Accessories for 4.05L. It is wise to have Santro, but then compromising on a dream.

It is acceptable to compromise something for Rs. 65,000. But spending 4.05 and compromising on .65 ?

When it comes to the moment of truth, like the bearer asking you the Order, the Video Cassette guy asking you the movie name or deciding what car to buy, some of us act differently than what we have thought. Am still trying to figure out he name for this feeling.

Having something in mind, but ordering/deciding an entirely different thing. Though we can afford something thats in our mind, though it is perfectly ok to buy what is in our mind.. we take an alternative route. Thats sometimes because we want to play safe. This means we arent ready to take risks.

Im not talking about taking risk in the normal sense. Im talking about picking the choice of our desire, when multiple options are Exhibited in front of you. Do you go by your desire ? or you order Masala Dosai, like me ?

Color Color What Color Do you Choose

I Love Black. And you know its quite obvious from the template of this site. Even my PC-Avyukta is Black.







Red (3807) 15%
Green (3013) 12%
Gold (1212) 5%
Turquoise (Blue-Green) (1425) 5%
Blue (3849) 16%
Purple(or Lavender) (2809) 11%
Pink (2478) 10%
Black (1913) 7%
Orange (2156) 8%
Yellow (1383) 5%

Total Votes: 24045

The above is the survey on About.com about people liking colors. Im one of the 7% who voted. Blue is the most liked color. There are people who judge others by just the color they like (What do you think about me - I like black the most ??)





Black is a very mystic color. It suits any picture on its front. It would add beauty to the picture. So would plain white.. but Black is best.. eh ! But philosophically, only white defines Black best. Like the picture above.

So, whats your favourite color and Why ? If you like Black, then have a hug from me :)

My friend Manu never wears a shirt that doesnt have Blue in it. He has so many shades of Blue plain shirts. We all convinced him to buy a Green shirt.. but he got one Blue with Green striped shirt. Sila pera maathave mudiyadhu.

Here is a site that has just RED all over, but still be pleasing. Here.

BTW, did you look at the flash on the top :) I made it using SwishMax. Its a child's play there. But I couldnnt make it appear on IE (though it appeared on Firefox). Thanks to PK for resolving the issue. Tell me hhow it looks :)

Pudupettai - Music

I heard Pudhupettai with a lot of expectations. Yeah ! Yeah ! You know how these kind of sentences end. Obviously in disappointment.

What was the expectation ? "pudhupettai" is a movie about the Local guys behaving as if they are Dadas. Director Selvaraghavan has already said that the movie is atomic explanation to the purity in these guys (?). He has said about the movie in Aandnda Vikatan. I wasnt able to digest his points.

It may not look exactly like this. But it sounded to me like "He wouldnt care to Kill a person. But he wouldnt dare to lie. He s a honest man, and in their gang, Nambikkai Drogam / Betrayal is the highest crime."

Yuk !! Killing a man has been taken this simple.. ?
Whatever.... coming back to music.

With that kind of local story, why is a huge orchestra playing western Classical themes.... ???
I was hearing and thinking "What the heck...?" All songs (except two) are unconventional. And not worth listening again. (or may be, its early to say that).

Kamalhaasan has sung a song. "Neruppu Vaayinil Oramai Eriyum". His voice is mighty-flexible. And thats my pick of the album. Lyrics are note-worthy.

Idhu Azhiththal Velai !
Indha Ulagin Thevai !!
Adhai Naangal Seithaaal
Oor dhaan Vanagnumaa ?

Kaatril Kanigal Vizhugindra varaikkum
Kaathirukkadhe !! Kalladi kidaikkum !

I said note-worthy !! Not *good*.

There's another song - "Oru Naalil" - It has two versions. Both are *not* sung well. Music is good. Guys, stop thinking a casual voice can make good music. Is that Dhanush singing that song.. not sure !!

There is a song called "Selling Dope !". For that we have a Beautiful Orchestra playing some Mozart like number.. the music may be good.. im not good at judging these kind of music.. But for the theme mentioned, the music is ABATHTHATHIN UCHCHAM. But probably if Selvaraghavan had fused it with the movie well, it will be appreciated well.

"Padichcha Naye Kitte varadhey !!" - i dont know how this song is there fixed in the movie. But sounds awkward.

Few more Theme songs in the album... simply leave me uninterested.

"Over Scene Udambukku aagadhu !"


[BTW - Some other movie called Agaram has also released its audio. YSR there too. Not good either]

2 Blogs 2 good

Click the picture for a Bigger version. Trust me, you need to see this.

What a brilliant creation ?? How many hours it would have taken ?? Thanks to CreativeCriminal for posting it. His site is one thing i would frequent every week, and there will definitely be some print ad that fascinates my mind. Now Arvind has started posting video's too. Check them Out.

Also check this Maharajah !! He's got a few health tips, and they rock. Thankss to our Adengappa for the intro.

The Last Split Second

The Bullet was fired. He felt the pain all over the body. Should have been the lower stomach. He roared in some languageless word.

He was loosing his consiousness. He cannot react. He can see his blood showering his body. He has lived in blood all these years, but not seen his own.

Though he wasnt hit on the head, there was terrible pain in the back neck. He couldnt give anymore concentration to standing. He fell down, without logic, improperly. Slowly he began to feel more pain on the left lower part of the stomach. He could feel two bullets. The other bullet was fired, before the story began.

His mouth was wide open, but he couldnt shout. A clumsy yelling without the effort of the vocal cord. He was breathing with his mouth. Pain was increasing. Still and more. He pushed his hands in the stomach and massaged them, pressed the stomach so hard. He then rolled his body, pressing the stomach downwards. Pain.

He felt cold. His body was chilling. He was loosing it.. From down on the ground he could see only legs. A lot of them. Only those two legs got his eyes fixed. Those were his son's. Little legs with "Kee kee" shoes. The legs started walking only months before.

What will happen to him ? What will these guys do to him.. ? ouch. ! aaaarggh.. The bullets were killing him.. He should have tried to yell his son's name.. but he still couldnt speak a word.. he still was yelling mute.

The pain gained strength, and his body gave a shiver. I couldnt understand how he felt just at this point. Then his shiver ended.

His eyes still fixed on the "Kee kee" shoes. Its eyes still fixed on the "Kee kee" shoes.

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

prabhuslt: and whats tat kee kee abt ?
Keerthivasan: nothing... justa story of a Cop or Rogue getting dead, his last split second.
who cannot speak 1 Muzham dialogues in their last breath
who cant say "Hey Ram" after being shot
prabhuslt: didnt get u yet ??

The Boss is Born - In style

I think Rajinikanth should be equally appreciated for Make up, as much as Kamalhaasan is. The Charisma that was felt yesterday with just three pictures of Sivaji, Wow !!

It might be easy to put a wig and dye the moush.... but then, the real youth in the eyes and the face... look at the Sivaji pic.. Rajini looks just like a 30+. Good make up - well done.

Aaj Tak - Clumsy Act

Tehelka's tape was appreciated because it was first of its Kind, in India. That was amusing, and gave away to an uprise. Mr. Lakshman was done for his lifetime. This should have trigerred a lot of Sting operations from then on.(Read this about Ethical Aspects of Tehelka)

And today we have Aaj Tak. Its sting operation has captured MPs getting bribes for raising Questions in the House of People - Lok Sabha. And that for Rs. 10,000. Trust me.. people are able to believe that the MPs got bribes. But they couldnt believe that they went down for just Rs. 10,000.

Every Single Indian knows that their MP is getting bribes. Every. Single. Indian. knows.

Why would Aaj Tak do it for then ? The Media is making stories, rather than collecting stories. It might look like the media is Stripping out the clumsy-acts of the society. But I think the Media is becoming "the Clumsy".

They feel the dire need of being in survival, and so they have to make some kinda conspiracy work for them and make the news and Hit the "Here-you-go.. Now Im hot-selling" bell.

I posted this on my blog before someone called a "Visitor" came over. Read it.

With media making the news, it could turn the society in its favour. Someday Aaj Tak or some news media will bribe some MP or MLA to Kill a Chief Minister and shoot that on video Tape.. and also cover the murder on video tape, and show it to the Public. "Chief Minister Murder : Only on our television" (Watch it live ?)

If i had some more money, I would sue the TV Media for first hand bribing the MPs. "Oh ! They did it just for fun ?? BULLSHIT".

Click for a bigger version. Tell me how you like it.. Picture taken from Here ( blog.franto.com a very impressive site) . Text added on Photoshop.



A Thing of Beauty is Joy forever. A thing of joy is beatiful for ever. (??? ada che.. oru korvayaa varamaatengudhu... do you get a better caption for this picture.. let me know).

December 12 - Unforgettable day

Yet another Monday morning. Its raining outside. Its dark and Freezing cold. Will you feel like going to office ?

Yesterday, my mom won a First Prize in an Elocution competition, that was conducted by a local association. She had gone to Help the hosts. But she got involved, and joined the competition and eventually won a prize. She came home with pride all over her face, for participating in a competition after so many many years, and more of it - Winning it at First place.

She had spoke about "Women Liberalization". She is a practical woman, so she spoke both for and against points. And quite easily we had a discussion at home, for nearly an hour about the topic. This is one evergreen topic you can keep debating about.

I ended the conversation like this. "The rules and constraints that surround you are not your barriers always. They are your protection too."

Even I didnt realize this till then... hmmp. Think about it. I felt like a philosopher for a moment. (DHODA !!).
To me it looks like "Udhyogam Sthree Lakshanam"... and soon more "House Husbands" will be produced. But there will be a small difference. The House Husbands will not retaliate..and bounce back about their rights. They will enjoy that position, which most of the House Wifes have failed enjoying.

Forget it. Today is Thalaivar's Birthday. Next door kid - Darshan's 2nd birthday. And my accident anniverseray. I can only say life has been kind to me so far.

You've got Yahoo New !

Yahoo ! threw a sweet surprise today morning. It asked me if Iam willing to use Beta !! (I guess most of you were asked already). Why on earth would i click on "No. Thanks !" ? So, I got the new Yahoo ! Beta. This is super cool feature packed , clean designed, Tabbed (!) and most of all MS-Outlook like eMail application/web page.

Click the picture for a bigger one, and come back here.

Did you see everything ? Well, you sure missed the "All RSS Feeds" Link. Check it again.. Yeah. thats right. Super feature.

Did you see the Tabs on the Top ? This is even cool. Im sure Outlook will incorporate a lot from Yahoo !, from now.

The Flash advertisement that was a complete irritation for long onYahoo mail. Now thats given a separate frame, and remains Quiet. It wont disturb you anymore.

This wont however replace my GMail Interest. But always remember, even in my earlier post , This is the Quote we are enjoying. "Uuru Rendu Patta Koothadikku Kondattam.. Koothadinga rendu patta Uurukku kondaattam."

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

UPDATE ::

Here's a way you can save your favourite posts. On the new Yahoo ! Mail Beta, you can actually drag and drop your posts, which you have added through RSS Feeds (Which ,Kiruba says ,has been added on Google, but doesnt appear on mine.. May be they still havent given all the users that).

And I love the GUI, which gets added beauty, when you drag and drop.

I felt myself strange, when I unsubscribed to all the useless subscriptions filling my mail-box ever since using Yahoo ! Mail Beta from morning.

Am I switching to Yahoo ! Mail ?? Google, please do something fast. :)

JAI ANJANEYA

I had been to my cousin's Grahapravesm in Nanganallur today morning. And needless to say, I visited my all-time favourite Anjaneyar Temple. And what a Darshan I had !!! Wow.

They opened the doors after 45 mins of waiting (they were doing the Alangarams)and the Lift was slowly going up, showing the diety slowly. "Pradyaksham".. if you know that word.. i felt it today. Anjaneyar Pradyakshamai munnadi irundhaar.

When you worship God, it is always a better practice to spread your arms up in the air, and make a Kummbidu. Thats heavenly. Paripoorana Saranagatham !!!

Thanks to my Uncle who got me into this habit of "Saturday Anjaneyar".

JAI ANJANEYA

There is one email going around with all "Pudhiya Thathuvams"
Here's the best.

Bus poita bus stand angayae thaan irukum
aana cycle poita cycle stand koodavae poogum.

Tell me If you did not get any of them. I can email you. ::)

Dinamalar ePaper

No matter what. We have news everywhere on Sify and Rediff. Aana Dinamalarla paarkara maadhiri varuma ? Here's Dinamalar offering ePaper. It is classic and free. So grab it now. News, in the way it is on paper (including advertisements). Now this is interesting.


Here's another link - Check this song. MS Viswanathan and SPB. I've never heard this song before. Thanks to Narayanan for introducing me this song.

Chennai is now expecting a heavy rain. Atleast the meteorological department guesses it. See to yourself how it looks like now.

God save this world

Of Emotional Movies

Junior Vikatan says : "Every Successfulday of Thavamai Thavam Irundhu will close down an Orphanage".

The movie seems to be too good. And people are emotionally aroused. Srivatsan had seen the movie and has a review on it. I spoke to him about it. And he said that Nuclear families are criticized (or) spoken about.

I have developed an aversion towards Cheran, simply because of his movie "Autograph". It wasnt that Great a movie. It wasnt worth so much of praise. But Cheran acknowledged the praises and made it looks like a High Quality movie. Sorry ! It isnt. Please dont talk of "Being realistic alone" in movies, make a Quality movie.

I will watch Thavamai Thavamirundhu, this weekend. And if he had spoke "City life is bad. Village life is good".. "Nuclear family is bad. Joint family is good.. What life are you guys having in nuclear families ??".... if thats all there, im spending all my money to meet Mr. Cheran and have a talk.

POST NO. 400

You would have got lots of eMails about Chennai becoming the most wanted IT Hub. Quite a lot of companies are starting their operations here. Am not sure about the truth, but the recent mail says that the way Chennai handled (?) the recent rains makes the companies think about Chennai.

Forget the IT Operations... The way Chennai handled rain was ,indeed , impressive. I have seen water stagnations after 5 days of rain, few years back. But this rain missed it, even the next day.

After the rain, last month, the Electricity board guys cut down all the trees hovering over the Electric lines. Thats a safety measure. And it worked out. A short power outage during the next rain. Looked to me, as if I lived in a responsive society. The situation was not so, even few months back.

So, my friends say, these measures are taken only considering the TN Elections in mind. Hmm.

Whatever said and done. The Electricians and Metro Water guys who worked days and nights, and worked on poring rains, Thanks for making our days better.

I've called the EB and Water board and said that. You can do it too, if you feel so. Or do you think, they were just doing their Duty ?

Few Hindus ; Few Muslims ; and a lot of Humanity died, this day.
It seemed to me as if the Blogger was down to mourn the December 6th day.

KNM - Here's to people who love realistic movies

Kanda Naal Mudhal has not put me down. It stands to my expectations. And those all who bet against me, "Pay me back" :)

It was a pleasure watching every inch of this movie. I was coming back home with a surprise, that I could watch a movie without heroic punch dialogues and fights. And everyone on theatres walked out, without a bad-comment. I would definitely want everyone to watchi this film. Its a good entertainer. It doesnt leave you a message. It is like something that comes and soothes you and then vanishes in the air, leaving a sweet smell all around you.

First things first. Appreciations to the Producer. Prakash Raj has been consistantly giving movies like this.. Soft. "Azhagiya theeye" was not a big hit, but got him a good name among "Thiruttu VCD" Viewers. This time Prakash Raj has emplyed a very good crew. And the crew has took a movie to a height that Me and Srivatsan were struggling to get the tickets to this movie for the past fwe days. Housefull ma !

Story of Kanda Naal Mudhal is so very big, and cannot be give on a Jist, which will do no justice to the story. It is a huge story, entangled in the bush of emotions. A lot of emotional changes to both Hero and Heroine, in the course of the movie.. and surprisingly, the director makes it edible. Prasanna and Laila are the major players and Prasanna quickly steals the show. He is a bundle of talents. He should make an award out of this movie, for sure. Laila - we've seen her frown and fight and shout in a lot of movies... yet, she has done a good job.. and has taken care in acting.

PC Sriram was a little disappointing for me. The useless picturisations of songs are added irritations with dark lightings. You might appreciate it separately, as a photo shoot. But with the movie, it just doesnt fit. A very ordinary effect.

YSR - The KING. He rules he movie with good Background score. I've already began a hunt for KNM's BGMs. The music keeps the mood of the scene intact, and it is very essential for a emotional movie like this. I wish YSR continues this way.

Priya - the director, has given us a promising movie. Worth watching many times. Worth watching with family.

This is what you can do when you have a good story line - make a good movie out of it. You cannot make a good movie from a single line story like "Vijay is a mechanic. He fights society".

New Picture on Photoshop Blog

Before the power cuts-off again...

Have to figure out what to do on "Ada Raama" days.

Ada Raama days are those days, when it rains like it will never stop. No power. No Access to any news media. nothing.. Chennai is now getting a lot of these days. But this day, I've felt something really obvious.

Aananda Vikatan Sucks. These guys have to change a few things seriously and bring it back on hold to the classic audits of the earlier Editor. Its almost a movie scrap book. Useless - petty - sill - sick jokes. And all jokes have a lady with a low hip saree.. Awkward.. Why claim it as a family magazine.

Few articles are good. Yet, if they tend to follow this trend...we are to loose another quality media source.

யாமறிந்த மொழிகளிலே !!

I've posted this before. But I've got emails from many people and yesterday, Mr. Partha Krish had left a comment on my blog about using Tamil on his computer. I would go to his home and install the following for him, for I've already missed an opportunity of meeting him on the Chennai Blogger's meet. It is a pleasure making a conversation with such a personality. Thanks to Mukundan, for inviting home.

For others, here's some information.

There are many Tamil Applications that talk of simplicity, starting from Murasu. But off-late, I've been using an application, that really makes sense.

And it is called KURAL, and its Word Processing Software - Kavithai Seyali ( i like the name) !

Of Course, Kural, is yet another Transliteration enabled software, where you need no Knowledge of Tamil Typing. Big Advantage - it allows you to save the document in a RTF format, so that you could do more on Word. Actually, Kavithai Seyali incorporates most many of the features of Word.

Installation is simple, and using it would be a piece of cake. I would easily reccommend this software, eyes shut.

You could Download the software here.

Good thing is that they have also mentioned the Installation instructions on the same page. If you have a good Broadband connection, you could better download the Professional Edition.

Let me know.

PS: For those who want to add Tamil to their Blogs, you can easily do it on the fly using this. Just Type, Copy and Paste.

Tamil was only difficult in the Classrooms. :)