Honey! Lets Break Up

************************ DISCLAIMER************************
As always, this is a pure fictional story that my right brain created out of pure imagination. Resemblance to any real life incident or real person is coincidental and the author(thats me) can not take any responsibility for any of your assumptions.

The alarm started ringing exactly at 6:09AM. At least the alarm is doing what I wanted. I am happy about that at least. But why I kept the alarm at 6:09 is for a reason. Today will be my 10th attempt. All my previous attempts to say "Honey! Lets break up" was a failure. The one that happened at 6:05AM was the worst. I said "Honey! Lets marry up" instead. And she was in seventh heaven. I was in hell of course. Why in the world did I say that? Yeah. I remember. She was wearing the pink dress I brought her and I just couldn't come out of the mind that she was looking beautiful than ever. I was very careful on 6:08AM day and told her particularly not to wear anything that I had commented to be beautiful for her. She said something that I can never forget that my imaginations ran wild and I hit the bed and slept for hours trying to get rid of the imagination. And that was the end of 6:08AM day. Anyway, think its enough thinking of the past. I have to see if I can make it today at the least.
I went to the shower and turned on the hot water. I stood still as the warm water took away the drowsiness from my body. I felt relaxed. Standing in hot water always helped me overcome my tensions. I practiced saying the words again. "Honey…. Honey….. lets brick up… no no… lets break up.. lets break up… lets break up… L-E-T-S B-R-E-A-K U-P…..lets break up………HONEY! LETS BREAK UP" Yes. Yes. I think this will work out good. I am already feeling good. Completely refreshed, I came out and got ready for the day. Then I went down to make toast for breakfast. I placed two bread slices on the toaster and opened the fridge to take out the jam and took out the Pineapple flavor without any thought. Then only I released I shouldn't have taken it. She likes this flavor very much. You idiot. You should learn from your mistakes. This was the reason for the failure of 6:04AM day. I kept it back and took blackberry flavor instead. I think she hates it. Good choice. The day is already looking better.

I got on my Pulsar and put on the key and placed the bet again. It will be success if the bike starts on the first try itself. I closed my eyes and turned the key. Nothing happened. Damn. Not again. May be I should take three chances. So I prayed and turned the key again. Nothing. Not even a sign. Okay. Final try I said to myself. I concentrated all my energy to my fingers and pressed the key as if though passing electricity from my mind to the bike. Then I turned the key…… no… no... no… Waste of time. The bike didn't show any trace of willingness to start. Then I noticed why the bike is not starting up. I haven't switched on the Engine switch. No wonder I lost the bet. I put on the switch and started the bike. After all, I don't believe in this silly bet stuff. I drove directly to Coffee Day where DA would be waiting for me.

It's a fifteen minutes drive from my home. I kept on practicing the words again and again in my mind. I decided that neither her smile nor her tears should change my mind today. You know girls can melt you easily by their smile and tears. A little smile can make your day the brightest ever and a single tear can stop your heartbeat that you would do anything in the world to make sure the tear never comes out again. The smile was the reason for the failure of the very first day and 6:03AM failed because of a tear. I couldn't tell her the words when she smiled directly at me when I told her "I have something important to tell her". It took me more than a week to recover from that smile and to get ready for 6:01AM day. I also couldn't tell her when she was already crying for losing the watch I gifted her on her birthday. I had to console her for a long time and bought her a puppy on the same day. She gave my name to the puppy and has already started teaching English to it. It looks more pitiful than me knowing that it can never say an English word other than "Bow bow" anyway.

Damn. It's the traffic signal. The only thing I hate about driving a bike is waiting in the traffic signal. A waste of time which occurs without any of your action. It's the time that is always out of your control. You can never plan for avoiding a traffic signal. My very first day got lost for this same reason. I was very well prepared after thinking a lot about the break-up. I was sure that it is the only possible solution and was heading to see her, when the traffic signal spoiled my day. Restless not able to wait in the signal, I drove while the signal was red only to make a lorry coming from the other side put on a sudden break bringing the car that was coming at its back to hit the lorry, while the two wheelers hit the car with an auto from the left side crashing on the road side where a man dived at the right time to avoid being hit by the auto. The traffic police was already on my side and after an hour he was counting 1000 rupees that was in my pocket before I made the lorry to apply break. I never carried more than 200 rupees after that incident. And the first day ended immediately as she had already left Coffee day when I reached there.

Luckily, there are many vehicles in front of me today and I cannot cause an accident even if I intend to. So the day progressed quietly as the signal turned green. I reached our usual meeting spot 2 minutes ahead. The clock showed 8:28AM. I decided to check if everything is right and nothing should be there to stop me saying the words today. I turned around to see if any couples are sitting around, especially whether there is any pair holding each others' hands. This was the reason for 6:02AM failure. I was gathering the words to start the conversation on that day when she spotted a pair completely in their own world holding hands together and dreaming in each other's eyes. Watching that, she pulled my hand and held with hers and was staring at the pair continuously. Still looking at the pair, she asked "What do you think they would be thinking right now?" For a guy who had gathered all the courage to tell the words, everything melted down by the sweet voice and the touch of her hands. When the same situation happened on 6:06AM day, she was holding my hands and looking at the pair sitting at the other corner. The girl was telling something in the guy's ear and they were laughing. Then the guy would tell something in the girl's ear and she would hit him playfully and both would laugh. Seeing this, she suddenly asked me. "What do you think the guy was telling her?" My first thought was "How would I know?" But I told something else that was right on my mind. It was a splendid response honestly. I gave her a look like why would I care and told her "May be he was telling her that he is breaking up and she is happy about it" I actually got an immediate response from her which was splendid and hot too. She poured the entire cappuccino over me making coffee-shirt out of my t-shirt. She left immediately and the day was over. I was happy anyway that I said those words indirectly. But her response showed that I have to be careful next time to order cool drinks instead.

My phone beeped. It was her. "Hi honey! I ll b thr in 10m. I am stuk in traffic."
I think I have to plan how I am going to start the talk today. May be I should start by pointing out the differences between us. That might hint her a bit. You know girls are always good at reading between the lines. They never go for the words you speak out. They always try to find the meaning of the unspoken words. But that didn't work out for me earlier. It was on 6:05AM day. I told her that there was an article in "The Hindu" by a well known psychiatrist that 2 out of 3 girls break up with their first boyfriend and find the correct guy only on the second time. To my surprise, she actually asked the page number. When I told her it was on page number 12, she started teasing that I am acting like a grown up reading newspapers totally missing my point I was trying to tell her. She then started discussing about how much she hate to read newspapers but buys it solely to solve the Sudoku puzzle that's comes everyday. The conversation ended up with me teaching her some techniques to solve Sudoku.

I went to the counter and ordered one cold coffee and one mango colada. I would have ordered Granitas. But I don't want to end up having ice chips inside my t-shirt today. When I came back to the table, I saw her coming out of the auto. She was wearing blue jeans and white tops which is her usual style. She waved her hands as she saw me at the table. I just raised my hand and tried to recall the words I had to say. It's direct to business today. So I started the talk even before she sat down.
I said "Hone…"
"What did you order?" she interrupted. "I am having cold. Let's have something hot. I want to have cappuccino please. I don't want to have the colada and turn my voice to a dinosaur" She laughed at her own joke.
"Yeah... yeah…" I too laughed not knowing what to say. "Sure. I will change the order" I went back to the counter.
You are going to hot cappuccino again on your t-shirt idiot. I asked the guy for cappuccino and told him not to keep the cappuccino hot. When I returned back to the table, she was eating polo. Seeing me she asked in her low tone, "See if I am having fever" I touched her forehead and found it warm.
"I think so" I replied.
"I think I will take leave today. I don't feel well at all."
"Yeah" I said. I wasn't ready to discuss more on that. I felt sorry for her though.
"I want to tell you something" I started without looking at her.
"What is it" she asked.

Suddenly the café guy placed mango colada and cappuccino on the table.
"Hey! I asked for cold coffee. Not mango colada" I complained.
"Cold coffee is also coming sir." He said coolly.
"What! I asked for cappuccino instead of mango colada"
He looked confused and said "No sir. You ordered three items".
"Yeah! But I cancelled mango colada" I corrected.
He was not ready to take back the served colada.
I suddenly realized that this is taking me away from the reason I came to coffee day.
I said ok to him and turned back to her.
"Yeah! Tell me" she helped.
She was sipping the hot cappuccino. I decided to wait till she finishes the coffee.
"Nothing. Drink the coffee" I got completely nervous.
Should I tell her or not? I should. But how? All the preparations I made from the morning weren't providing any help. I just kept staring at the white swirls in the coffee.
"Hmmm. Tell me. What is it?" she asked again.
"I... I… want to… I want… to say…"
"Achoo!" She sneezed.
She looked terrible having cold.
"Honey!..."
"Achoo! Yes baby…" She couldn't control the sneeze.
"I think... we... we should move on"
"Yeah! Let's leave. I cant sit here anymore, Drop me at my home" she was still concerned about her cold.

Why can't she understand my words? But she looks really awful. She must be feeling very bad. I am not ready to make this a failure though. But how can I tell her when she is feeling ill. She is not even to speak properly. She will not be able to take it. She dragged the chair next to me and leaned her head on my shoulders. That’s the end of my day. I could feel that she is having fever. She raised her head slowly and spoke in a weak voice. "Are you going to drink the mango colada as well?" I know what it means. It means you have had enough. I made up my mind. I am not going to drink the mango colada and I am going to set the alarm to 6:10AM next week.
I stood up and took her to the bike and told her "We are going to hospital now"
She leaned over my back and closed her eyes feeling safe with me. Why the hell am I trying to break up with her? I will let her know it sooner.

Happy Diwali

 

Let the
Festival of lights
bring you
Prosperity and Happiness
all the day in your life

 

 

Let the guns talk

I shouldn't be here. I made a promise and I am going to break it if I do what I am here to do. I promised her. I promised her no more killings. No more blood. No more death. I promised her that there will be peace. But the promise has to be broken. She is no more. It's all because of them. The talking wolves. Here I am waiting for these wolves to start what they do the best. Talk. Just talking. That's what they do. They keep on talking as if the world is under them and whatever they say will shape the world. Fools they are. At least for me. They are no match for my guns. I like the guns to do the talking. It is short but makes a clear impact to the listener. No questions will be asked. No doubts will be raised. Just a simple and powerful message. Do it or die. They will understand it soon. But I promised her that my guns will not be used at them. But she is not here. She can't be here. I think I am going to break the promise. I am going to kill them   It is raining outside. I entered the den. The fortress built to enslave everyone; make everyone lose their life… of what is left in them. I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to make an end to this. I became one of them. I became the third eye watching the wolves; waiting for the right time to stab the back. I am the fox; the fox with the gun. I went straight to the room. The entire wolf pack was there. There was Merv, the pin who heads the wolf pack. My hands went to my pocket. I want to take it out and fire the bullets in his big ugly face. It might make his face look good. Then there was this deadly look Sliz. A devil under women's skin. I hate hurting women. But she is one exception that I like to make. She is more evil than anyone in this place. Once I give hers share of my bullets, I will personally check on her and give one more on her forehead to make sure, the brain has stopped working. I don't want to take any chance on her. Next to her is… oh no... not him; Vincento, the guy who I hate the most. I have some personal reasons for that. She likes him. She said she likes him. I wanted to kill him at the very moment. But she likes him and I can't hurt him. You know it's very tormenting when someone you like the most likes someone you hate the most. I am a tormented soul. But its vengeance now. I am going to send him to hell as well. It won't be an easy death for him. I assure you. It will be slow; he will feel his death; he will breathe for each second thinking that it could be his last one. He will wait for the death to come and take away the pain. Yes. I can imagine. He will die good. The room is surrounded by more of the wolves that deserve my bullets. I don't think I will come out alive. But it's worth the kill. It will be ME who breathes last in this room. I will see the soul leaving every body present in this room. Then I will let my little laugh and life what is left on me. My work will be done. I owe her. I will break the promise. Let the talks end. Let the guns do the talking.     To be continued....

Being WEIRD(different) - Tagged by Iris

What is so weird about me is weirder to think of. I used to think of my weirdness as being different from others who call themselves normal. So to say it right, I am just different (weird) rather than being normal.

Count 1: The most and widely known weird thing about me is the speed at which I speak. It crosses the speed of sound that my second word sometimes collide with the first word making it crash on the highway that makes the other person hear neither the first word nor the second word but a mix of it. Sometimes, it is bit fast, that they hear only the start and end of the sentence. So when I want to say, "Can we go for lunch and have chicken. I want to have something hot." It mostly ends up as "Can wgofar……lunc…. halfChickent. I wanhave somethot." in their ears.

Count 2: Me, Myself and Computer. This is what I am. My life is so connected with computers that I use it for everything from work, play, schedule or sleep. It's very weird for those normal people.

Count 3: My hair style. I don't know if I have a hair style. It never sticks. Everyday it looks different. So if someone wants to identify me, they might say "Are you talking about that guy with that …. What is the hair style of him?? what is that... you know… the guy with that hair… you know… kind a weird… that one"

Count 4: My handwriting. Most of my colleagues at work are unaware of this weirdness. But it's a famous fact in school and college. How can anyone write like that and understand it. That is what will run on any person's mind when they see my writing. Ok ok. You can call it scribbling or koli kindarthu(the way how a hen scratches the land to find its food). But I like to call it writing. Till now, I think only my mom can understand it. But she hasn't read anything that I wrote after college days. So no one in the world have the ability to read my writing. It's a kind of self invented calligraphy that I alone can use. It's a secret code.

Count 5: Many people think that I am an English movie buff which is actually true. But what people say I am weird is that my dislike to Tamil movies. Though its only half-true, I accept I am weird (different) on that. I watch only good Tamil movies. Very selected ones. Not for any special actor or actress. But just for the movie if it's claimed to be good by the crowd. Not so weird but different.

Count 6: I am not that weird to count more than 5……or… Am I?

999 for emergency

The time was around 7PM and I was in office just browsing the internet. It was Friday and still I didn't want to go home. I thought it would be a normal evening but I got the call that would make the day a different one.

Me: Hello! Jey here
Sq: It's me da.
(It's my roommate who left early by 6:30PM)
Me. Yes Boss! Whats up.
Sq: I am in Chobham road and some 12 guys are chasing me.
Me: (Doubtfully) What? Don't start a prank
(He is known to play prank at others)
Sq: Seriously da. I…walking on the road…. Many guys ran towards me…. One hit my neck…. I am in a shop… they are still out there….. I don't know…
Me: Dai… Slow down and tell clearly.
Sq: (Scared) They were trying to take my laptop… I somehow got into the nearby shop…. Should I call the police?
I became totally confused whether to believe him or not. But his tone told me that he is serious.
Me: Hey… are you sure? Who are they?
Sq: Don't know man. There were both white and black guys and from kids to big guys…. They….
Me: ….Just check if they are still out there. If you see them, call the police immediately. You know the number? Its 999
Sq: Wait. I am checking the outside. They were standing on the opposite side of th….AAAAAAAAH!!!!!
The line went dead. That's the end.

I couldn't believe the line went dead. I got tensed and started shouting "Hello" repeatedly at the dead line. Something has happened and I feared against the worst.
I tried dialling his number. It's dead. Again... It's dead.
I have to call the police now. Damn. My fist emergency call to Police.
I dialled 999 and waited for the police officer. I also became tensed and was trying to calm down myself.
A lady voice started speaking….

"All operators are currently busy. Please hold the line. An operator will speak to you as soon as possible."

WHAT?????????????????????? Not this automated message in Emergency calls please. There is a guy who is in grave danger and the emergency line asks me to hold. I was about to burst my anger to that automated message, when the phone was answered.
I started telling the incident directly just to be stopped in the middle, asking if it's a Police, Hospital or Fire emergency. With raising anger, I answered "Police please" and was wondering if the Police phone line would also make me wait. Luckily I got connected immediately.

I somehow got relaxed and explained the officer the incident clearly. He asked my name and details and my room mate's identification like height, weight and color. I had no idea on what to answer. He was bit concerned when I said we are from India. (There were some incidents reported on Asian people in UK recently) I somehow managed and the person was good enough to make me calm and told that he will send police units to that place and my roommate would be fine. I thanked and disconnected the line.

After sometime, one of my colleagues in office called my room mate's number and he got connected. My roommate was so tensed and said that he disconnected the line as he still saw those guys and was calling the police immediately. I felt shouting back at him rather than consoling him. Anyway I felt relaxed that he is still safe in the shop. The police came in 15 mins by which all guys have left the place. Anyway, we didn't plan to file any case and the police dropped him back in the train station as we planned to stay in a friend's house for that night.

Interesting points out of the incident:
Even "Emergency call" lines keeps you wait in the queue.
Does queue in "Emergency calls" mean there is deficiency in staff or increase in emergency cases?
I didn't know the height or weight of a guy who is staying with me for two months. (I don't know even my height)
We learnt that these kinds of crimes are very normal in our area.
It's unsafe to return late nights from office on Fridays and weekends.
I returned from office through the same route at 11PM and 3AM two days back and I thought its safe all the time.
Sq found the perfect reason to get excuse from writing the certification exam on Saturday.

Ithu Oru Tamizh kalavai padam - Part 2

Continuation from Part 1 – Hero is last seen boarding a government bus with a laptop in one hand and waving goodbye to the Heroine. The board on the bus reads "Chennai".Heroine cries till the bus is out of the scene and moves away from the camera.

Hero reaches Chennai and is seen coming out of the Railway station. Hero joins Zipro technologies as a cleaner for night shift. Software engineers ill treat him as he is only a cleaner earning 1000 rupees a month. Anyway, there is a second heroine who dresses…. Sorry …. Who doesn't dress much falls in love with the hero and goes behind him all the time. She is the daughter of the CEO of the Software company and dances for two songs with the hero carrying his mop stick in her dreams. The software company is developing software for a military organisation that looks like Pakistan Army.
There is a big problem in the code and no one knows how to solve it. The Army commander says that if the problem is not fixed in one day, they will launch a military strike on the company. Terrified developers stay all night and still couldn't fix the problem. They all go for a coffee break while the Army commander is enjoying the night with party girls singing "Thoodhu varuma thoodhu varuma". The hero who is cleaning the room opens the laptop given by the heroine and starts working. Before the song ends, the problem is solved and the hero leaves the room silently.
The developers were astonished to find that the software they were creating on UNIX is showing "I AM WORKING NOW" in Micorsoft PowerPoint and the problem is fixed. The developers couldn't find who did the job but the Army commander uses his spies and is shocked to find that his plan for military strike is spoiled by the cleaner. When the hero is talking with the second heroine advising her to look for some other farmer, a fighter jet smashes into the software company trying to kill the hero. When the jet fires with its high calibre machine guns at the hero, the second heroine gets in the middle taking the bullets to herself like a bullet proof vest and saves the hero. She speaks for 15 mins about love before dying in hero's arms. No one attacks the hero at this time. A very sad music is played which turns into hard rockat which the hero gets angry and throws the mop stick at the fighter jet. The fighter jet explodes with three near by buildings blown to pieces because of the effect. No one is injured as they are all safe watching the fight from the canteen.
The Army commander admits his defeat and becomes a good man and leaves the place. Even though half of the company is destroyed in the fight and his daughter is dead, the CEO is proud of the hero and promotes him to the Project manager and declares him as the future CEO. By that time, the news about the fight has reached the heroine and she starts running from her village to the city in jeans pants and tops. She reaches the scene wearing a clean light colored saree with no sign of tiredness. Heroine's father also reaches the place in his Sumo with his rowdy group at the same time.
The CEO asks the hero to stay in the company forever. Hero starts speaking about the heroine, his challenge to her father and says the he loves heroine only and have to return to her. All software engineers in the company return back to work by that time and only hero, heroine and her father with his gang are in the scene.
Heroine's father changes his mind and throws away the knife he brought. He agrees to get both of them married. Hero returns back to village and works as a farmer with the heroine. Happy ending. The movie ends with Hero and Heroine dancing for "Appadi podu" in the software company.


-------------------------------THE END----------------------------

Ithu oru Tamizh kalavai padam - Part 1

It's a small village in the south. Though there is no proper rain in India for the last 2 years and is drought everywhere, the rice fields of our hero are always green and water flows from the well all the time. Our hero who is a very poor person working on the fields jumps into the scene wearing Reebok shoes and Rayban glasses on the fields and starts singing "Oruvan oruvan muthalali". The cattle too sing with him. So does the girls in the fields.
After the song is over, the hero gets back to work grazing the cattle on the road instead of the fields. Suddenly a car's horn sounds at the back of the hero and ultra modern heroine gets out of the BMW car. Hero turns around and gives a lecture about importance of goats and cows to the Indian economy for 1 hour. Heroine gets mesmerized with his speech and fall in love with him. The next day, heroine goes to the fields in her so called dress and tries to seduce our hero. But hero gives another 1 hour lecture on how girls should dress in India. Heroine is seen in Kanchipuram silk saree standing on the 35 degree hot weather. Hero also falls in love with her and both of them dance "Rock and Roll baby" in modern clothes in the rice fields.
Heroine's father, who is the villain of the movie knows about their love and insults that hero is poor and he can't marry his daughter. Hero who has never went to school vows that he will become a software engineer and become rich in 1 year and will return to the village to marry heroine. Hero and Heroine dance for "Kadhal website ondru" in Switzerland before he leaves the village. Hero is seen wearing old dhoti and a towel over his shoulders with a laptop in his hand that heroine has gifted him as a token of their love. The screen shows "Intermission".
To be continued....

It even rained

UNBELIEVABLE

!!!!!!!!But true!!!!!!!!!

 

I didnt party tonight..... but yeah!.... I danced!!!!

Me, my camera and not HIM

I like photography… I like taking photos… but with one exception. I don't want to take photos of him. I hate that job of taking photo of someone who poses the same way every time I try to click. Same blank smile looking into the camera lens as if though trying to tell everyone that he is in the photo. Come on. Give me a break…. Even my camera would have got tired of capturing the same guy.
Sometimes I don't want to see the album with his photo. I get irritated not able to find any change between the photos. Its only the backdrop that changes. And with his staring straight at us takes out the beauty of the photograph. Photograph should convey a message. Not just a portrait. You are not taking your photograph for Passport. When you want to capture a lively moment be alive and be natural. Don't act infront of a camera. Be casual. Be what you are and not what you want to be seen. And to show what you want to be, you need to be an expert in facing the camera and expressing your thoughts. A blank smile wont show that you are happy.
For example, if you are standing by the sea and want to express the beauty of the water, don't show your blank smile at the camera. See the sea, breathe the freshness of sea water, close your eyes and breathe the fresh air, imagine diving into the waves and open your eyes. You will feel your happiness and your face will look cheerful and that's what will be the time to take your memorable photo. Remember, its not your face that smiles, its your mind that smiles and is shown on your face. I can click thousands of photo of the same person who expresses his thoughts and not just stares at the lens. Try to be one of them. And you will have your best photograph taken.

But how can I tell all these without hurting that person. I couldn't do it. He left feeling bad hearing my comments. What to do?

Tale of two other kitties

*******SPOILER WARNING*******

"The British are coming… The British are coming……" Garfield is seen chased by British guards. That's the funniest scene in the movie. To say it right, one of the very few funny scenes in the movie. The first movie itself showed a different Garfield from that of the original character. John was shown as a lucky guy and he found a GIRL for him. But somehow the story was good and it was funny. But come on, you can't take the same formula for the next movie. Garfield plays a dual role in the second movie. And both the characters don't have any resemble to the original Garfield. Please try to think. Garfield enjoying the life by RUNNING AROUND THE HOUSE???? If you say that he enjoys walking two steps from his place, I would suspect if that's the original Garfield. Here he plays with his animal friends and there is a new sidekick too. A competitor to Odie? Nah… It's a bulldog and an intelligent one. For a difference, even Odie acts intelligent in the movie. Odie could spot Garfield in the newspaper and show it to John. What more. Now we have a big group of animals, talking and planning to save the world….sorry… planning to save Garfield. Sometimes, it makes us wonder whether Garfield is the main character in the movie. He is shadowed by the other animals. To make things worse, Garfield even hands over the ring to John. Does this mean Garfield is ready to accept a woman in John's life? No way. I want a full health check up on Garfield soon. He must have got hurt in his small head (you know it's just his tummy that's big). To sum it up, I think the movie name should have been changed from "Tale of two kitties" to "Tale of two other kitties" for there is no Garfield in the movie.

*******SPOILER WARNING*******

Why

I just wonder what happened to me!
I am not the same guy I used to be!

I am not working well now a days.
I am not putting my best efforts these days.
I get distracted easily and
My concentration in work has gone badly.

I just wonder what happened to me!
I am not the same guy I used to be.

There was a time when I would stay
all night to complete the task assigned that day.Now
I feel tasks are just
another part of life and mostly delay in doing that.

I just wonder what happened to me!
I am not the same guy I used to be.

I leave the office so early
with more work of the day left knowingly.
I need to get back to my life
Leaving all these changes far behind.

I just wonder what happened to me!
I am not the same guy I used to be.

Nothing changes

Disclaimer: All characters and incidents told or inferred in this story are fictious. Though this might appear as a real incident to some persons and they may have experienced themselves, this is completely imaginative. Only the underlying theme is real.

"Who is it?" the voice came from the house. It was the familiar voice. A voice that I have heard for more than 10 years in my young age. I didn't say anything. I just knocked the door again. "Cant you hear that I am asking who it is?" the voice came again this time growing louder. I didn't know how to answer. How should I answer? Should I call her in the same way as "Miss" or should I say "I am here to see Srimagal teacher". I don't know. It's been 12 years since I saw her. The door opened and I saw Srimagal miss coming out with an angry look. She saw me. I didn't know how to respond. I just stood there smiling. She has grown older. But still looked very familiar to me. Seeing my smile, she was confused. She might have thought I am some mad guy. Then she raised her eyebrow and began to think. I couldn't control giggling. She started to recognize me. I said "Miss….." to help her know me. Immediately she knew who I am. She felt happy and called "Dai...Vinoth!". I laughed. I was actually surprised she can still recognise me. She opened the door completely and invited me inside the house. I could still remember the days in which she will not allow me inside her house when I come late for the tuition. Our house was only next to Srimagal miss's house. Whenever I go late, she used to shout the same words, "Will it take one hour to take 10 steps from your house to here for you?" . And I will just look on the floor and the dog on the road. I think this is the first time, she is inviting me inside the house.

She was very happy to see me and started asking questions continuously.

"When did you come to India?". "Yesterday", I answered.

"How are your parents?"

"Fine"

"How are you?"

"Fine miss"

"How is the work?"

"It's good"

"Where is your mom?"

"In home"

Watching me answer in single words she laughed and acted like being angry "… dai tell something?"

I laughed. "Miss, what can I ask if you keep on asking questions like the one mark questions in Geography"

She again laughed. "Vinoth… you have learnt to talk well".

I realised that I have never answered in more than one or two words before to her.

I just smiled. And this is the first time she has shown happiness in talking to me. I was always afraid of her in school days and will avoid facing her at any time. Even if I had come to her house to play with Tommy, their pup dog, I would run back to my house if she enters the house. And she would shout "Dog came to play with dogs while there is lot to study" "I would start crying and run to my mom who would laugh and say "That's why we didn't buy any dog in our home". Even I would start laughing at that but will try to cry to show that I don't want to be said as dog". My mom will always make me laugh at the end. Only Srimagal miss's mother used to support me. She would say "Why do you have to scold the small boy even on Sunday?"

We just stood without knowing what to talk. "Vinothu!!" a voice came from behind. It was her mother. She identified me even without seeing my face. "How are you aachi?" I asked we used to call her before. "Everything and everyone are fine. How are you da Kanna?" was her reply. The same old reply. Nothing has changed from her. Srimagal miss asked what I was wondering in my mind, "How did you identify Vinoth, ma?" She answered, "I was in the market and saw Vinoth's mom. I was thinking about him all the way and seeing a big person inside our house thought it must be our Vinoth". We all laughed.

"Then I heard that you are getting married. Is that true?" she asked. Srimagal miss started her questions again.

"When is it?"

"Next month miss"

"Which Place?"

"US only"

"American????" she asked shockingly.

I started laughing. "No! no! Indian only."

"Oh! What is she doing?"

"She is my colleague in office"

"Oh great!.......what….. Love marriage?"

I laughed again. "No… no… actually.. yes.. but no. Mom only decided"

"What yes and no?"

"I liked her. But I didn't propose to her. Somehow mom found out and all was decided"

"Dai….. tell me the truth"

"Seriously, actually it's all mom. Not like a love marriage." Aachi also started to tease me. "I know about you. You will never talk to any other girl".

She was true. When I was a kid, I won't feel comfortable talking to girls. Everyone used to tease me for that reason.

I just laughed.

"You have really grown up" exclaimed my teacher.

"Don't praise too much. It's not good for health", aachi stopped her in the middle. Same old sentiments.

We talked for two hours. She was so happy to hear about my work and achievements in US. Tears fell down from her eyes when she heard that I am taking my parents to US along with me and will get settled there. She said that she knew that I will become like this one day. I don't know what to say. I have only heard her scolding me all the time in my school days. She used to say "That I should buy buffaloes and become a shepherd in the future" Aachi used to support me again "Don't discourage the small boy". Today, she is in happy tears hearing about my work. Seeing her, tears started coming out of my eyes too. She smiled and shook my hair. I stopped her from doing that by instinct. She laughed. "You have never changed". I don't like anyone to touch my hair from my childhood. My hand will automatically stop anyone touching my head. We all laughed. After sometime, I prepared to leave. I came out of the house and said good bye to them. Suddenly, some small kid ran past me faster into the house. He almost knocked me down. Teacher started shouting "Ravi. Go back to your house and study. No playing toda…." She stopped. She turned to me and laughed. "He is the new Vinoth here" He is staying in your old house. I saw him peeping from the door inside. "Ravi, you can play. Only for today" she said to him. The small boy ran again inside the house. I started hearing balls knocking the wall.

I smiled and got into my car. I waved good bye and drove away. Has she changed? No.... Teachers never change. They care even though you never know them.

Follow your Instincts!?

My brain was suspicious. But my mind hesitated. I could be wrong and it will be embarrassing not only for me but for the other person too. But what if my instincts are correct? They say we should follow our instincts. But I am really worried about following that now. The question "What if I am wrong?" was bothering me again and again. I raised my face towards his direction and I saw him standing in the crowd again. He also noticed me. I pretended that I was looking at someone else behind him. With my brain still trying to make some logical reasons for me to think I might be right, my mind tried to do what it does best. Move away the thought and get distracted to something else. With the clock ticking, the train reached the second station. Should I get down of the train? No. That would be foolish. But who cares? Everyone will think that it's my stop. But won't I be fooling myself. Or is this a selfish act. Yeah. It will be a selfish act and also an irresponsible one. I saw him again. My instincts were telling that I am right. I don't want to be right. I shouldn't be. I hoped that I am wrong. He looked young. Must be below 25 years of age and wears the long kurta with a woolen sweater. The more the thought that he can't be one of them, the more I got suspicious that I might be right. After all, you can never expect how a person like him would look like. I have never met someone like him for real. Or I hope I haven't. My stop came. I was still confused what to do. I just got down of the train slowly. I said to myself tht I am wrong about that guy. He can't be. The announcement went on repeating "If you find anything suspicious please report it to the member of the staff immediately". Should I report about him? I dismissed the idea and went to my office. I felt ashamed that my instincts might have been correct, but still I risked the life of 1000 passengers including me. The next day, I checked the news. There was no incident of bomb blasts or terrorist attack in the trains. I felt relieved. I was wrong. He was not a terrorist.

Part of life

My fellow treatfreak Ramesh posted this message in our orkut community.
Ramesh: I was in Hyderabad, but i was away from all fellow treat freaks ...But i'm now in japan talking to them more frequentlyu or as frequwntly as we were in Bnglre ...It seems that distance from aussie tojapan to uk to Us accross the world is shrinking ...Guys wht do u say ......:D
And here is my thought on it.
INJEY: Neither the world is shrinking nor the personal space coming closer. Its just the part of life. Being in offshore, we had lot of responsibilities. I mean it. We had lot of responsibilities. Weekdays are always working hours. And limited connectivity to the internet too. And in weekends, who wanted to sit infront of the computer (except me) and wait for the friends to come online. Everyone wanted a change. Now most of us are in onsite, the need for communication has increased. With connected to the internet and the long gap of less communication, has moved us in the cycle. we are back here trying to contact each other a lot. After sometime, this will come to a optimal level and stabilise. May be it will go for a fall. But it will raise again. Its all part of life.
Am I preaching????? ha ha. What to do. Sitting infront of the computer as usual today.

Stone soup

To the highest level of surprise for me, Shariq said that we can make sandwich at home. Shariq is my new housemate in London. He is a guy from UP. To tell about him, he believes that he still lives in India. For him, food means spicy hot curry with lot of masala and pulses in it. Anything else like burger or bread is a side dish. And most importantly he thinks vegetarian food is a speciality that we can once in a while. He is always at such a high level of diversification from my views yet I like to make fun of him most of the time. Coming to the story, he always discourages at the idea of having sandwich for a complete meal. But that day, he himself suggested we can make sandwiches. So with much enthusiasm I entered the kitchen. Though I like cooking, I rarely try it. He asked me to cut vegetables first. We looked into the fridge to find what vegetables we have. There were few potatoes, onions and carrot. Now the biggest question is what we should use for the sandwich. While I was wondering what to make, Shariq suggested mixing some masala powders to the vegetable mix. Oops. Here we go again. "Shariq, sandwich is supposed to be plain vegetables. Not your curry masala in it". He came back with his usual reply, "It will be good and it's healthy. We can make aloo baaji too". I know where this is going. It will end up in some potato curry and we will have to eat the curry with bread. It will not be a sandwich. His name for this idea was "Indian Sandwich". I wonder if that's another name for "Shariq's masala baaji bread". My dreams of having a vegetable sandwich started evaporating. Determined not to leave my dream, we had an argument in which he said he will show me how to cook. Oh oh. I can just recall the old story "Stone Soup".

Somehow I managed to make his mind to work on cooking sandwich and not sabji. It took sometime for me to explain him that Sandwich is different from sabji. But still his recipe for the filling went on with masala powders and included chillies too. And to add more on that, we were frying the vegetables. I thought he is teaching me how to make stone soup. After an hour of cooking, we finally made the vegetable mix. It was neither a salad nor a curry. And we stuffed it inside bread along with ketchup. With triangular slices of sandwich stacked on the plate, we started the dinner watching the movie "The memento". I felt that I am having sandwich at last. Good day that it didn't turned to be chicken soup instead of stone soup

Kangaroo on the flight

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HURRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KANGAROO FLYING TO AUSTRALIA

 

Our birthdays are feathers in the broad wing of time

30th July. It comes every year and I will be at the centre of the stage. It's my birthday. Right from childhood, my birthday celebrations have all been big and wonderful. It will be a family union. Lots of calls with wishes before even saying Hello; Mom asking me to take oil bath; Myself and my sisters cutting the cake even though its my birthday only and the big breakfast and hefty lunch that follows. This is the way my Birthday celebrations will be every year. Birthdays in my School days had more memorable moments.

I like the part of distributing sweets to all the teachers in the School. Every class we enter, all the students will be singing the Birthday song. Sometimes I wonder if I should stay till they finish the song or not. But mostly looking at the staff who wants to continue class, I would leave as soon as she has taken the sweets. The most interesting part is keeping less number of chocolates in the box when going to the Nannies for they will take lot of sweets. We used to apply all our Mathematics skills to estimate the number of chocolates we have to buy and what to do with the chocolates left if any. That was great fun.

When I moved to college, the fun got changed from chocolates to treats. What is a birthday boy (or his friends) worth of if his wallet remains full at the end of the day! But something that I had in my previous birthdays at School wasn't there. Family! I couldn't go home on all my Birthdays in college days. I had fun with friends though. Every year, it would be different. Beginning from first year when I went to a temple and distributed chocolates to friends to the final year when I cut the cake at midnight and big treat to my friends in batches. :D. After leaving the college, the first birthday in office was really a wonderful one. The surprise party with 2 kg Black Forest cake from my friends, the big treat that followed with our college professor who happened to be in Bangalore on that day and of course, my first salary in my career given on that day.

More birthdays passed and the current year birthday was something to be remembered. It was my first Birthday outside India. The first confusion about celebrating birthday is when to celebrate. Should I consider the Indian Time Zone or English Time Zone? And the decision was to celebrate on both. :D. My dad wished me early midnight at Indian time and my friends started wishing from UK midnight time. There are more things to smile about this birthday. Not able to spend birthday with family for the last six years, I wished this should be different. And it was. The surprise party that the Copsley gang threw at me was wonderful. I know there would be a Birthday card from them. But I never thought there will be Chocolate cake. I don't even know when they bought it. To top it all, the presence of Kannan's father and mother gave a family touch on me. The group of 13 members which appeared as both family and friends gave me the happiness I wanted to start my birthday. And it was the first time (trust me) I had my cake applied all over my face. Not even in my college days, I had this experience. (I didn't like applying cake on face during college days). Blowing the candle and the birthday song that followed is a happy moment. And what's more surprising was the T-shirt presented to me. I wanted to buy a similar T-shirt and was looking for that on that same day. Though I couldn't find it, I got it from the Copsleys. Thanks to everyone for that. The day turned out just fine with playing my favourite games, watching Superman returns, replying to my friends' wishes on the net. Another birthday has passed and reminds me that not only I am growing older, but also I am growing more friends. Thanks guys.

Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest. Waiting patiently for the next birthday!

Still in office

Its 9.10PM now and I am stilll in office. Not feeling like going home. The day was tight as usual. Went for a training course for the whole day from 9 to 5. Then came to another office and was working for another hour. Talking with the PM. Nothing important. But the usual ones. some more tasks assigned for me. I am spending lot of time trying to find time to manage time. And now.... watching trailers in www.apple.com/trailers. Looks like lot of movies are on the way. And to my surprise, there is "TMNT" whats that??? Check out yourself if you dont know yet. And by the way, I have started downloading some movies too. Why am I saying these? Dont know. But I want to say something. Atleast to find a reason to stay in office. Why am I not going home? Dont know. But I have a valid reason. I am writing this blog.
One more news. I have started writing blog in our Company's Intranet too. Posted my first blog about the successful two revolutions around my career. I can see that I have learnt a lot. And still lot more to learn. The journey continues and life will be going through a lot of experiences as before. Expecting some, dreaming a lot, waiting to see what the future holds. Or should I say, how I will shape my future.

Over the hedge

"I must
give the impression
that I have the answers
for every thing
You were
so disappointed
to see me arriving so easily

Its solely changed
Its solely every.... thing I loved
Its solely changed
I am only chang.... ing

You want something thats constant
And I only wanted to be me
But watch even the stars above thinks that I am still changing"

The movie with this beautiful song. I saw the movie "Over the hedge" on recommendation from Muthu. With much liking to animated movies, I had lot of expectations from this movie. And it was satisfying every bit. The story of a Racoon teaming(cheating) a gang of forgers to collect food to feed a bear. Short and simple. The characters reminds us of the Toy story, the first 3d animated full length movie. But the story was really good. Is the racoon an evil one? Its just trying to survive. But it misuses the gang's stupidity or ignorance as Verm corrects to get the food. Leaving the question "Is RJ good and bad?", the movie is a very funny one and some scenes are very emotional too. Especially the scene where the squirrel Hamie pushing away the extended hands of Verm and saying "I'm not stupid" touches everyone's heart. Few things that could have been done better are giving more importance to the rest of the gang. The feelings between the possum father and the daughter could have explained better and same for the porcupine family. Overall, an interesting movie to watch and laugh. "The tail is tingling!"

Worldcup fever

Can anyone tell me why would they show not one but four best movies when the whole world is watching FIFA worldcup finals. With the major persons watching TV in UK tuned to BBC glued to their sheets cheering Italy and France who were making their best moves to lift the cup, I was watching the best movies I always enjoy to watch. There was "Stuart Little", "You've got mail" and "Honey, I shrunk the kids". But anyway nothing interesting happened in the match while I was watching the movies. I saw the two goals shot by France and Italy in the early part of the game. When the movie "You've got mail" was over, the extra time of the match had just finished and the team were getting ready for the penalty shoot. It was a disappointing ending though, will France losing the match at 5-3. Another game ended with "Anything can happen" penalty shootout. The other game was "England vs Portugal". That was a disappointment to the whole of England. I was watching the game from the street seeing the England fans with the flag painted on their face, wearing the team T-shirts and shouting "Go England!" It was fun. But again, a disappointment at the end. I couldn't understand why Beckam didn't go for the penalty shoot. May be he was afraid that he might fail. Too bad of him. It just left a thought, "Could England have won, if he had played the shoot" On the whole, it was a good tournament and everyone enjoyed it till the end. Italy won the FIFA worldcup 2006.

Meeting friends after long time

After being in UK for more than 7 months and even though some of the class mates are here, I didnt see them till yesterday. Rahini who came to Aberdeen last month is returning now and came to London for the return trip. Thats a good opportunity to have a nice time and we planned to meet along with Ranjith who is in leischer. Ranjith looked a bit more height. I have turned bit wider and Rahini has done both. There were lot of things to discuss and lot of news to know about. But as usual, we spent most of the time silent. Me and Ranjith were calm and let the teacher take over the day. Rahini remained the same and was hitting us like the good old college days. May be she became better. She tried to strangle Ranjith. Totally we all had an experience back to college time.
We had a good start for the day in Chennai Dosa restaurant, which gives the same environment as our local Saravana Bhavan. Same kind of chairs, tumblers and water mug, Similar menu card, Tamil speaking waiters and similar late services. Luckily today we took the Breakfast buffet and had unlimited idli, pongal, uppuma, dosa, vada with three chutneys and sambhar. That was wonderful. I think I had a stomach filling breakfast today after a long time. I was not much anxious about it as I had similar food in Swindon from our copsley group. But for Ranjith, he is having pure South Indian food after a very long time. He couldnt control himself and was enjoying to the most. After having a hefty breakfast, we started the tour with very little strength to walk.
The places we went includes London and Tower bridge, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and a local pub to have Pepsi(believe me).
One thing that never stopped in our tour was taking photos. We took lots and lots of photos experimenting Rahini's digital camera on the city of London. Though the climate was hot, it was a clear sky giving us a very good opportunity to try our photography skills. I think I took some cool snaps today. It came really well. I have to wait for Rahini to upload the photos I took in her camera to see them.
After a long walk around London city, and having a cool drink at the end, we departed our ways back to each other home. She would be starting to India on Monday 3rd and would be back in her own home. Wonder when I will be coming back. Just a thought.

Habit I couldnt stop

Everyone will have some habit that they will want to stop, but they wont. Or they cant. Its something like what Agent Smith says. "Its inevitable". I do have many of them and I try to avoid it at all times. But it happens as if though it was meant to be.
This particular habit showed itself since two years back. Everytime I get affected by it, I would swear that I wont repeat it again. But it wouldnt stop. Even our dubukku, the infamous t-blogger(Tamil blogger) had shown signs of such bad habits. The effect on persons like him would be very high compared to guys like me. But the reason for not able to avoid this habit is a very vaild one but also an obvious one which I am using every time I get caught. I do what most humans do. Blame it on something else. See even now, I am trying to blame it as a human nature. I think this is the most important thing I need to control.
Leaving that, the main reason for this post is to break that habit. Atleast by typing this message, I am improving myself and making sure I dont fall into the same habit again.
Anyway, here I give the same reason for the same habit that has occured again.
I was very very busy with the work, that I couldnt get time to update the blog. Lot of things has happened and numerous posts has to be written that will give you few days time pass reading the stories and events happening here. But as I said before, I am very much busy and I will try my best to keep away from the habit of asking excuse for not updating the blog often.

Dooms day

Hurray!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I survived the Dooms day

06/06/06

Looks like you survived it too. Congratulations!!!!!

Seeking the Da Vinci Code

Considered the most controversial book of the recent times got picturised by hollywood in the same name "The Da Vinci Code". As a person who got much interested in the book and have read it a number of times, I anticipated the movie release for a long time. Atlast it was released here.
Never seen a movie in theatre in UK, I was tempted much to watch this on the big screen. My search for the movie on the internet failed and I had to go to the theatre last week for 6.5 pounds. Was it worth?
The movie started very well with the events getting folded exactly as in the book. All characters are perfectly portrayed and each person has done well in their role. Few scenes are changed from the book and a feeling is created that a person who havent read the book will suspect even Langdon as the villain. The environment is made that you can suspect anyone to the Teacher. Silas character is very well explained giving a glimpse about his past also. Also Sophie touching the water with her feet and saying "Still cant walk in water" is a good humorous touch. But there are many things that disappoint the audience though. Langdon's lectures were reduced in the movie to few mins as they werent much important for the story. Many scenes from the book are missing especially the number of puzzles being shortened is disappointing. The music is very bad that it doesnt makes the audience feel the importance of the scenes. Captain Fache saying that he was tipped that Langdon is acting against God doesnt suit the story at all. Why was this change in storyline needed for the movie is a question unanswered.
Overall, it just appears as an adaption of the book and nothing better. Those who have read the book already can see the movie only once. For the rest, it will induce you to read the book.
Was it worth? No!

Trailer of The beach

Coming soon

A journey to Paradise	Nature at its best
An experience to experience	Absolute fun on the wonderful beach

Hold your breath... for a splendid journey towards the sea shore is about to begin

I am tagged

Was tagged by Iris

1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn on page 18 and find line 4?
Ans: ment system, he took a bold step. Instead (A small doubt: Should I consider the heading as another line?)

2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can.& catch air?
Ans: Caught air. Whats next?

3. What is the last thing you watched on TV?
Ans: Saw some news in the office canteen.

4. Without looking, guess what time it is?
Ans: 3:10 PM

5. Now look at the clock, what is the actual time?
Ans: 3:14 PM  (Not bad isn't it)

6. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?
Ans: The music from my computer has deafened my ears.

7. When did you last step outside? What were you doing?
Ans: Today stepped outside from home to go to office.(I know its a weekend)

8. Before you started this survey, what did you look at?
Ans: Computer screen trying to solve the project issues.

9. What are you wearing?
Ans: Brown pants and a T-shirt.

10. When did you last laugh?
Ans: When cooking Dosai yesterday. Tried cooking after a long time and it was a great success. We were able to identify it as dosai.

11. What is on the walls of the room you are in?
Ans: A poster about our project. "An outstanding performance. The power of Information at your fingertips".

12. Seen anything weird lately?
Ans: Still thinking..... will answer if I remember any.

13. What do you think of this quiz?
Ans: Taking my time off from the project. Feeling relaxed.

14. What is the last film you saw?
Ans: "Hunted" starring Christopher Lambert. Wonderful film. Also "The Island". But didnt see it completely.

15. If you became a multimillionaire overnight, what would you buy?
Ans: A very tough question indeed.

16. Tell me something about you that I don't know?
Ans: Something that Iris doesnt know about me????? Difficult to say. How about this. I lost the dairy that I showed you in bangalore.

17. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?
Ans: I am already changing the world everyday.

18. Do u like to Dance?
Ans: I like to watch dance.

19. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?
Ans: her name maybe

20. Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?
Ans: his name maybe

21. Would you ever consider living abroad?
Ans: I am living abroad. Of course, I will come back to India.

22. What do you want GOD to say to you when you reach the pearly gates?
Ans: So early????

I would like to tag ( i dont suppose there is a limit to the number of tags?)
1. TPK
2. Ramesh
3. Raja00cs
4. Priya
5. Vijith

I will tag more people through mails. ;)

Swing all the way

Golf, the fancy game for the old and the rich. A small ball being hit with an iron stick over a very large green lawn and trying to put the ball in a small hole. And there is atleast a dozen type of sticks used in the game. If you are rich enough, you need not walk. You can use a small vehicle to move across the lawn. This is what I used to think about this strange game.

I have played golf in video game consoles. The 2D game used to provide entertainment for hours. I had tried to play golf in my house too. Drill a hole in the garden and use the small elastic ball and a stick from the tree in the garden to play. It would always be fun. Though I don't know much rules, the movies and the sports channels relaying golf (which I rarely watch) helped me to remember a few terms used. Clubs for the iron sticks, 9 hole or 18 hole games and Par shots are few that I learnt in my school days. Golf always appeared to be a game of prestige and style. Most of the movies showing some rich villains or rich heroines would show atleast one scene playing golf. It always seemed funny that hitting a ball in the ground can become such a costly sport and to use 14 clubs to play the game was crazy to the maximum.

Coming to the news, I got a chance to play golf last weekend. Myself, Ganesan and Shanmugam decided to go out somewhere for the weekend. The only problem was with me as I am used to work in weekends. I somehow took the day off and we went to Coate water, a large park like Lalbagh garden in Bangalore. It was a nice scenic place with a small lake in the middle of the park. It was more like the Kodaikanal lake with cycling track covering all the sides. We wandered near the lake for a while and saw a golf course. There was a counter to get tickets to use the course. To the left of the counter was the mini golf course with 18 holes and to the right was the kids' version of golf, pitch & putt. After long thoughts and finding the difference of the cost between these two games was just a pound, we decided to take the mini golf course. ₤4.60 for the game ₤0.8 for the ball and ₤0.1 for the tee. We didn't even know what the clubs we need to play the game are. When the person at the counter asked whether we want 7, 8 or 9 numbered club, we were like "WHAT is that?" My experience in the video games somehow helped me to speak few words and the person gave us the 7 club saying that it will be good for beginners. When she gave us three balls, we even tried to return two of them. She laughed and said that each player should use separate ball. With little laugh we went to the golf course to start the game.

There started the big confusion. There was a small rough sheet on the lawn which we understood to be the place to start the game. But the "Tee" provided didn't go through the sheet. It was too hard. We were wondering what to do. Then we found a small hole in the sheet and used that to start our game. Later in the game, I didn't use the "Tee" at all. ;) With better knowledge about the game than the other two persons, I started the game. I positioned myself as shown in the video game and made a swing. It was a fast swing that I even heard the whooshing sound of the club. But the ball still remained in its original position. My very first golf play was a miss. I tried again with more concentration and it was a hit. The ball instead of flying high rolled over the ground and went to the bush some 50 metres away and the ball disappeared from sight. My very first shot was not only bad but I also lost the ball. After a long search, we found the ball and we resumed the play with a sigh of relief.

It was absolute fun as we fought to become the first person to make the goal. (what do they call for putting the ball in the hole?). Ganesan was methodical, while Shanmugam and I were usually making random shots. After completing the first hole, a new confusion aroused. We found the starting point for the next hole. But there were many holes around it. Which once should we play? Do they choose holes at random or is there any proper order??? With no idea, we chose a random hole and I tried for a shot. This time, the shot was perfect as it travelled high in the air straight towards the hole. The shot was bit fast that it travelled over the hole and landed at the far side. Still happy with the shot, I ran towards the ball only to learn that we were aiming for the wrong hole. Another person who was playing in that course told us the order we have to play and I have to start the game again. After this, the game went on very much fine, with Ganesan always winning each hole with myself trying to finish second atleast. I do found out how to make good shots and my first shots usually went high in the air straight towards the hole. The funny part came when the ball landed in the bunker. Ganesan had to try for atleast 3 times to get the ball out of the sand. With little tricks on the sand like removing the dust at the side of the balls and raising the ball high on the sand, the game went on interesting all the time. We became like Pro after playing four to five holes and we completed each hole by 4 to 5 shots easily. Sometimes, I found the ball fighting against me by jumping over the hole (See the video). Ganesan even completed a hole in just 2 shots and myself and Shanmugam managed to finish off in 4 shots. After playing 18 holes that took about 5 to 6 hrs, we were exhausted and our legs were paining. After the game, we walked around the lake for a while before resting on the sides for a while and we returned home. A wonderful day spent in Swindon. A pleasant change from the daily normal routine.

You can see more photos at http://photos.yahoo.com/injey

You can also view the videos at

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6536565913902341117

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3355036199451084778

Mission Impossible: 3

IRIS DONT READ THIS

Mission Impossible:1 + Kaaka Kaaka + Rabbit's foot = Mission Impossible: 3

Beware of?

Working on weekends have become usual to me. I have even raised the question, what else can I do other than work on weekends. Another unhealthy habit I have is staying late in office. And thats not only on week days but also in weekends. So, I am working almost all the time except a few hours I spend in home. With the summer in UK, the sun sets only after 9PM. So I cant even realise that I am staying late. This happened last week, when I came to office as usual on a saturday. The work was boring but there was still a lot of things to do. So I went on with the schedule of staying late. After all, the last bus is only at 10:40 and I can catch it. With the sun still shining at 9PM, I didnt notice the time till it became 10:30PM. The sky has become dark now and I decided to walk to the bus stop.

Our office campus is in a open scenic area with compound walls only on three sides. The area spreads to the hill side at the back. As it was a weekend, the guards have even switched off most of the lights outside the building and I was left to walk about 200 yards looking at very few lights at the other end. I was so relaxed that day, that I was walking slowly towards the gate. Suddenly there was the sound of dog. I stopped my movements and found a dog growling near the gate. There were no dogs kept by the company. I am sure of that. But the sudden appearance of a dog made me nervous. For a second, I thought that I should be brave and walked a step. And then I saw another dog lying near the first one. Oh oh! I wondered whether to return back or wait till they go away. I was too frightened for the dogs looked more like German sheperds. No way, I am going to let the dogs take my flesh even that means reducing my weight. I slowly walked back into the building and booked a taxi. I was amused that I am afraid of dogs anyway. Still i know its dangerous. Who knows what the dogs in UK think of humans at night. Will they just bark or bite. Better to be safe.

The taxi came in 10 minutes and I started to leave. I passed the security guard who smiled and said good night. I wished him Good bye and just asked him whether we have any dogs in the campus. He was also confused at first and said No. Then I told him about the two dogs near the gate and he said it might have jumped from the nearby houses. With little laugh, I said bye again. And he wished back and added a comment at the end. "It might be the foxes that stays at the hills at the back of our office. They roam near the gates at nights".

I NEVER WANT TO STAY LATE AGAIN IN OFFICE.

PS: I couldnt avoid staying late anyway. I just decided that I will take taxi if its gets late. Even foxes are not able to change my unhealthy work schedule.

Midnight in Monte Carlo - Part 2

Disclaimer: I dont know what happened to me when I started writing this episode. May be the climate was good or my mind was fresh. The right side of my brain took over entirely and strange imaginations rose to my mind pushing to write this no more than a story. I decided not to publish this here and wanted to use this for a seperate story. But somehow felt to make this itself a story instead of the original events. SO I ASSURE EVERYONE THAT NONE OF THIS REALLY HAPPENED. JUST READ THE STORY AS IT IS. You can feel the story better if you fit yourself as the narrator rather than myself. I dont fit much on this story. So here we go again. Please read the first part if you have not read it before.

1 HOUR TO GO

But I had no other choice. There I was going to a grand Christmas party in a car modelled in the year 1940. It might have been the exact car that comes in the beginning of King Kong movie. The old typical Taxi in UK. I hesitated before entering the car. I thought of my imagination about reaching the party. It was like a Hollywood movie. A white Limo slowly coming towards the entrance and seeing that, the security guards immediately waves his hands to clear off the cars blocking the way. All the photographers are surrounding the car waiting eagerly with their fingers on the camera. A few beautiful girls near the entrance are raising their heads trying to get view of the person coming out the car. The guard opens the door and I slowly come to the view while the cameras keep on clicking with the flash lights blinding everyone's eyes. And I come out with Ray ban glasses as if I though I had expected it already.

I know that's the wildest imagination I can have. I was atleast hoping to get there in a Toyota or atleast a Citroen. But now, the reality hurts a lot. I am just hoping that the security guard will allow the Taxi to get near the place.

As if the unreal imagination wasn't enough, a white Limo overtook my Taxi. I just don't want to reach there along with the limo for the guard may block and make the taxi turn away. Then a Porsche went past us. It must be that Richard who was blabbing about getting one for rent. Ok. I shouldn't reach along with Porsche too.

It was a 10 min travel and I was being careful that no one in the passing cars sees me. Luckily, no one was there to notice this old taxi. We came to a left turn which read "Science Museum". Hoping to see some lights, I looked outside the window and found nothing to say there is any party going on. It was actually like an air field with many warehouses like structures all over the place. I was doubtful whether I am going to the right place. After another 10 minutes ride, we came to a sign which read "Midnight in Monte Carlo". With a deep breath, I looked out for the entrance. The taxi slowed down. But still there is no sign of any party. It was dark all over and I was wondering whether I was being kidnapped. But why?

But I was not kidnapped. Atlast I saw the lights on the side of one big warehouse that looked like a small flight hangar. The taxi came to halt on the opposite side of the road near the entrance. Still little confused, I didn't open the door. I looked long towards the entrance and saw many well-built guys in tuxedo with plain expressionless faces. Yes. They must be the guards like they show in movies. Then I saw many couples dressed in style. Good. This is it. So there is a party here. I got out of the car laughing to myself that I shouldn't have worried about coming in THIS taxi to THIS place. There were no photographers. I laughed again. I paid the taxi driver who was still smiling at me. Looking at the security guard, I started crossing the road and a horn suddenly sounded. Realising I am in the middle of the road; I ran fast to cross the road and escaped getting hit by the car. I turned back to see what car was……. It was a white Limousine.

HALF AN HOUR TO THE CHANCE

With my mouth still open, I somehow managed to walk back a few steps hoping to see the person who is rich enough to come in Limo. These English people are always crazy spending lot of fortune just to show off making a big entrance. I just wonder how many are really rich enough to own a Limo. And I am so sure that this Limo is rented. When a guard opened the door, every head turned towards the door including mine. I tried to turn back my head away from the car as if it was nothing to me. I would have walked away from the car; had not the soft hand covered with white gloves came to view and held the hand outstretched by the guard. The whole world slowed down as the soft hands came to the view and a girl walked out of the limo with a beautiful smile which I don't understood if there can be anything that is or will be more beautiful than that. Then she said something that must be 'Thanks' to the guard. But my ears have gone deaf already and everything around me became blurred and disappeared to vapours as she turned her neck showing the diamonds that sparkled as her eyes. In that single second when my eyes met hers, as if being hit by a strange wave, her image came to my sight, the beautiful face that said that she is surely Indian, small but never seen before smile, real diamond ear rings that matched the eyes, black hair that ended in a curly style, long white gown that glowed even in the darkness and the small Swatch brand watch showing 0714hrs circling the wrist with a golden strap which had a series of outlines of Mickey mouse face joined together. All this happened in a single second. The next second I was back in the world as she had blinked her eyes. With her smile still ruling my senses, she was coming towards me or actually the entrance behind me. Then suddenly she was gone. When I just released she had walked past me, she had already gone inside. I couldn't understand what happened when she passed me and I stood there wondering whether this is real. After a long deep breath, my senses came back and I walked towards the entrance. I turned my head towards the limo and I couldn't find anything luxury in it now.