tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-103579632024-03-13T20:11:04.867-07:00Lost in thoughtThoughts, Memories... all those gibberish exchanges with me and myself.. if i were to pen them all, then here we go!!!Meerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137615116391378552noreply@blogger.comBlogger175125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10357963.post-60158427309267019192011-07-18T06:55:00.001-07:002011-07-19T08:21:47.660-07:00Thendral: Short story in TamilFor clear reading go to <a href="http://www.tamilonline.com/thendral/MoreContentnew.aspx?id=128&cid=13&aid=7285">http://www.tamilonline.com/thendral/MoreContentnew.aspx?id=128&cid=13&aid=7285</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7U76DF6ct-X0iILiwEJfBMyHHDgRxMNtT7GV2z0wmV705UnZcsR6PZNSmlWHPFyO7-7Y_o_5sOTIt-8D52Xu_onGuSZlU-WBJGtNCdaud4T4BxVcuRIYG-C2PwshklRl-XW81VA/s1600/Thendral+Short+Story.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7U76DF6ct-X0iILiwEJfBMyHHDgRxMNtT7GV2z0wmV705UnZcsR6PZNSmlWHPFyO7-7Y_o_5sOTIt-8D52Xu_onGuSZlU-WBJGtNCdaud4T4BxVcuRIYG-C2PwshklRl-XW81VA/s1600/Thendral+Short+Story.jpg" /></a></div>
Meerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137615116391378552noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10357963.post-18117722804505658422011-07-11T09:18:00.000-07:002011-07-11T09:19:28.098-07:00T.H.A.L.A.I.V.A.R<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"It would be blasphemous to call Rajnikanth, Rajnikanth. He is and will always be Tamil cinema’s Thalaivar. The response and the verve that single epithet evokes cannot be expressed in words. When Thalaivar was rushed to the hospital for alleged food poisoning, it was not just his family but millions of fans stopped what they were doing and prayed."</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Read on....</span><br />
<a href="http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-articles/movies-08/thalaivar-09-07-11.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-articles/movies-08/thalaivar-09-07-11.html</span></a>Meerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137615116391378552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10357963.post-88841656646748177512011-06-27T09:30:00.000-07:002011-06-27T09:34:50.096-07:00Nootrenbadhu - Maintain 180 degrees of separation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriy1Ch-NCBb6uWBBK-kMsUZtQCLpDsakZd8Bp2F3L4VyWAmLn15C6oZhgvBdXm4R0VbKpsam5FvXIsqWQPV8dC01kxpGeocfsUNbkmQCHhrrJPtMTfNFttSiDoAMOIMHReo0eSQ/s1600/180110611_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriy1Ch-NCBb6uWBBK-kMsUZtQCLpDsakZd8Bp2F3L4VyWAmLn15C6oZhgvBdXm4R0VbKpsam5FvXIsqWQPV8dC01kxpGeocfsUNbkmQCHhrrJPtMTfNFttSiDoAMOIMHReo0eSQ/s320/180110611_1.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><br />
If Shankar had directed this movie, it would have lasted all but 30 minutes. The movie boasts of stunning visuals but we can soak it in quickly, you don’t have to pause to ensure we really do enjoy. Think Siddharth taking two steps backward after opening a door, this lasts for roughly a minute. <strong><em>Yawn</em></strong>!!!<o:p></o:p> <br />
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The movie opens up in the banks of Ganges and your thirst for an urbane, crisp movie stops right there. The dialogues, characterization and intrigue are best portrayed here and are completely lost in the remainder of the movie. It becomes predictable and clichéd.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Every director has to be a good writer. You need to get the screenplay taut before you let the camera do its work. Obviously, Jayendra doesn’t believe in that. Just because you play golf with Mani Ratnam does not mean you can direct another <i>Idhayathai Thirudathey</i>. That was a classic, this is a wannabe.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<strong>Nithya Menon </strong>starts off on a good note and keeps it there. There are many highs in her performance -Movie Theater, enquiring about Mano, lost in love, she has talent and scores well. <strong>Priya Anand</strong> is a different story. She has a meaty role and lets it slip through her whinny and over the top act. She has a great figure but that is simply not enough, especially when we have to watch her for roughly half the time. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<strong>Siddharth </strong>delivers. Confused yet angry when Vidhya falls for him, Confused and excited when in love with Renu, he uses this movie as a great comeback vehicle. We have already acknowledged and accepted him as a city boy who charms the girls so it would have been refreshing if he had attempted a different tangent. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<strong>Jayendra </strong>makes his debut as a director. When it’s your first movie, there is always a scene or a part of the movie that is a testimonial to your brilliance. Having waited a really long time to make this movie, you expect details and care, not in just the visuals but the finer aspects - plot and screenplay. He misses that bus completely. There are scenes that are quirky but we have already seen that. Like the <i>puthu vellai mazhai</i>, Gautham Menon did that in VTV. There is no innovation, no twists and the movie plods along in the path well-travelled without attempting anything novel.<o:p></o:p><br />
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The part before the intermission is good on many levels. Chennai looks beautiful, costumes blend into scenes and mostly it’s fun to see Mano live life. The part after, is like nails grating on blackboards - annoying and you can’t wait to get out. Instead of appreciating and agreeing to AJ's quest for anonymity we label him a self-absorbed jerk and that is where the movie plunges downward. But one of the merits of watching a movie in theaters is that the audience starts guffawing at the director’s ill attempts. That makes it easier to sit through. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<strong>Balasubramanien </strong>has extraordinary talent - everything is fresh, colors melt into the background, lighting is adequate and he takes the burden of the crew single handedly. <strong>Banu</strong> wields her magic touch and the leading ladies look even more beautiful. <strong>Shareth's</strong> music becomes repetitive and he could have worked the BGM better.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Nootrenbadhu (180) could have been that urbane love story - old wine in a new bottle but it just reeks of stale odor. <o:p></o:p></div>Meerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137615116391378552noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10357963.post-73163999750926977532011-06-20T12:20:00.000-07:002011-06-20T12:20:52.555-07:00Columns<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I should be calling myself a writer... so i'm a writer with humble beginnings. <br />
Links to my columns on behindwoods.com - your best source for tamil cinema - news, interviews, scoops and columns :D<br />
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<ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_437466191">Mani Ratnam and Multi Linguals</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-articles/movies-08/kamal-vikram-vishal-09-04-11.html">Top Notch: Vishal in Avan Ivan</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-articles/movies-08/trisha-mankatha-12-03-11.html">Heroines and Dubbing - Elusive match</a></li>
</ul></div>Meerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137615116391378552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10357963.post-32631881609790762512011-05-17T10:42:00.000-07:002011-05-17T10:46:27.502-07:00Reality Shows - No Brains Please!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Just when i was cheering Mavericks ousting Lakers from NBA and booing Lamar for his unsportsmanly conduct, i caught a glmipse of <em><strong>Khloe & Lamar</strong></em> - The reality show which aims to take a peek at the lives of Khloe Kardashian(ring a bell) and Lamar Odom. Frankly, i just wish they shut their windows tight...nobody wants a peak at anything. So as a confused follower of the first amendment to air anything, i turned off the idiot box.<br />
<br />
Reality shows are where the big bucks are. I'm not even sure what constitutes to reality shows anymore. I thought MTV hosting candid camera was a reality show until you see the beelines of Kardashians, Jersilicious, Jersey shore, Real Housewives, Bachelor, Bachelorette, Apprentice etc... The only one i have watched an episode of is The Bachelor to satiate my curious mind. <br />
<br />
From my (limited) knowledge, the first few episodes of the reality shows are astonishingly similar.<br />
<ul><li>If the show is about a couple, their fairy tale wedding with cleavage sporting bridesmaids would be aired. Friends would ooh and aah about the proposal he made and how deep and meaningful their love is. <em>Kekaravan kenaiya iruntha...</em></li>
<li>If the show is about a group of girls, it would talk about how they were best of friends and how their shared everything from lip gloss to life partners..Ahem..</li>
<li>The wife would have OCD and the husband would be ABCD...no...ADHD.. and we would be BOHH(banging our head heavily)</li>
<li>The wife's/girlfriend/housewife's ovulation cycle and how it is in their calendar to do it. You will even have an assitant consuting her black book to read this out to you... Its a matter of time before facebook status feeds have this information. <em>Manangetta makkal</em>, i say</li>
<li>They would fight about which frangrance their perfume line should be about, what color their million dollar nursery would be, which island they should vacation in...<em>Thupuketta pasanga</em>.</li>
<li>Finally it has to be about, how he doesnt spend any time with her, he is always at work, having fun with his men-friends etc.. sweetheart all our lives are like that!!</li>
</ul>You would have to leave your brains behind if you want to watch atleast one episode of these shows, they dont even provide entertainment. Yet most of them are extremely popular...My take is if you want to torture somebody, then tie them to a chair and make them watch Khloe & Lamar. Mission accomplished.</div>Meerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137615116391378552noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10357963.post-8181363561649645262011-05-10T16:53:00.000-07:002011-05-10T16:53:33.960-07:00India Chronicles - Part 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul><li>Chennai's Theater scene truly rocks - Margazhi Maha Utsavam, Washingtonil Thirumanam and Dirty Dancing... all in one city.</li>
<li>Sandwich shop outside Alsa Mall is chennai's equivalent to Italy's pizzerias. Divine.</li>
<li>Melt in your mouth bondas from Sangeethas - Priceless.</li>
<li>Shopping at Pondy Bazaar beats bargainning at Canal Street</li>
<li>Chennaites take the raving beauty of Elliots for granted. Time stands still when you are sitting in the beach lost in idle banter with a dear friend.</li>
<li>Perumal koil Puliyotharai ... need i say more?</li>
<li>Public transport rocks but the auto anna will charge half an arm. Yaruku bun?</li>
</ul></div>Meerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137615116391378552noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10357963.post-12741997908428393612011-03-11T13:13:00.000-08:002011-03-11T13:28:19.103-08:00Qatar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><strong>Doha, Qatar</strong>. Vast expanses of desert, tip of the country bordering the ocean, home of the FIFA World Cup 2022, Qatar is a country bursting with possiblities. And it doesn't dissappoint. The fact that we had family to provide us with great food and excellent company was a bonus.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EAbHXCGbEww/TXk3bLTmEMI/AAAAAAAAMlE/zy9eVpT4xH8/s1600/DSC00121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EAbHXCGbEww/TXk3bLTmEMI/AAAAAAAAMlE/zy9eVpT4xH8/s320/DSC00121.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><strong>Desert safaris</strong>, sand bashing is a favourite past time and a tourist must-do here. We can rent a <em>buggy</em>(medium or large) or a Jeep for an hour(~$45). The buggy is easy to maneuver and since you are in the middle of nowhere(literally), speed is a thrill. Many locals drive the buggy over the sand dunes but that is strictly not for the faint hearted. Driving to the dunes, one can spot one too many of the desert's favourite companions - <em>Camels</em>. <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwsUlFv8AdTZBECBgOkmwr8EPJHepIYTBJBlgDNmpO4KZ9uKDJQIFdTdSrKZzlbMX2d6jlIWB9NrxKVe08kgnkZHghPl_olP4xm-typsgJXg2Uwv9GjXAqEyeoWMkK_M9EkarRNA/s1600/11_1262016564_promenade-around-doha-bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwsUlFv8AdTZBECBgOkmwr8EPJHepIYTBJBlgDNmpO4KZ9uKDJQIFdTdSrKZzlbMX2d6jlIWB9NrxKVe08kgnkZHghPl_olP4xm-typsgJXg2Uwv9GjXAqEyeoWMkK_M9EkarRNA/s320/11_1262016564_promenade-around-doha-bay.jpg" width="320" /></a><strong>Al Corniche</strong> offers an excellent beach and downtown view. The promenade around the doha bay is frequented by joggers and is a great spot for a leisure stroll. Doha's skylines is impressive and the construction boom would only add to it. You could also head to a beach resort(Sea Line) which offers private entrances to the beach. Visting beaches around the world has only made me appreciate, the wonder that is <strong>Marina</strong>.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1IeQoyRS2dlcqGkw1gm39eNXDHodPLt_YnAcDJXlwTznV-_1XX3sMDQz8on1pOHKNqa6m1fVJf8cszdNisZUmJJGNzMw7mpgJtiuNvehI_tvJm6ii0jxqIrtC7eEWYscXEBYFA/s1600/India+Trip+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1IeQoyRS2dlcqGkw1gm39eNXDHodPLt_YnAcDJXlwTznV-_1XX3sMDQz8on1pOHKNqa6m1fVJf8cszdNisZUmJJGNzMw7mpgJtiuNvehI_tvJm6ii0jxqIrtC7eEWYscXEBYFA/s320/India+Trip+2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The market place in Middle East is often reffered to as <strong>Souk</strong>. Souks have an old fashioned architecture and have everything to offer from spices, shoes, carpets, clothes to pets. Cafes outline them and smoking <em>hookah</em> is an evening indulgence for localites.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">(Hookahs are originally from india but have gained popularity in the Middle East)</div><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Citi Center and Villagio are places to hit if shopping is on your mind.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We missed spending a night in the desert(reminds of Jaisalmer days) and belly dancing. The latter made the Mr bang his head in agony. To each one's own...</div><br />
</div>Meerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137615116391378552noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10357963.post-59397742021325855942011-01-30T18:49:00.000-08:002011-01-30T18:55:35.131-08:00India Chronicles - Part 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">* Chennai highways kicks ass - NH 45 truly rocks. Would love to wield the wheel but would be stumped without taking orders from GPS. Bengalooru are you taking notes?<br />
<br />
* Radio mirchi - This was an obsession of sorts, so am listening to FM everytime we drive and my dad aint happy about it. He hates the annoying RJs and their lame jokes and i actually miss them :D He thinks i'm cracked in the head... too late appa.<br />
<br />
* New addiction - Yathey Yathey ennachoo... Dhanush sent Vijay into oblivion.<br />
<br />
* World Cup is all you need to know. NFL or World Cup.. which do you think is more popular?<br />
(Any suggestions on how to catch the Superbowl in india.. i know SIGH!!)<br />
<br />
* SRK, Rajnikanth, Amitabh, Aamir Khan are all part of Indian of the year.. for what exactly? Guess the same reasons for why US is obsessed with Brangelina more than healthcare and yes Brad enough with the babies.<br />
<br />
* Radio Tags on Indian students is causing a huge outcry. Why do i think that is not the issue we should be worried about? <br />
<br />
* As promised... Internation Pheeling... Take it Rasa!!<br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/y8oNiOYR2sY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>(to be continued)</div>Meerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137615116391378552noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10357963.post-29534643956987508912011-01-27T00:38:00.000-08:002011-01-27T00:38:26.806-08:00India Chronicles - Part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">CHENNAI - This city is in my blood... the sweat in my forehead, the noise ringing in my ears, the quickness in my step are all genetic from being born here. So when i landed, i anticipated thrills, shocks, laughter,amusement, smiles and chennai.<br />
<br />
* You can feel your ears and they can listen. Not just the horns, the pressure cooker, television, phone... all from your neighbours house.<br />
* It is not ok to be brown to be indian. So please apply fair & lovely or vivel if you want to be visible.<br />
* Every <em>"friendly"</em> neighbour and your maid servant will be interested in the US economy and your green card status.<br />
* I dont care if the seat belt sign is on, the minute the landing gear hits ground, i will get up, grab cabin baggage, jostle the queue, race immigration and wait forever for baggage to arrive(tirupathila balajiya kooda parkalam check in baggage .....)<br />
* Pallavan -> Auto -> share auto -> Jeep -> Volvo Pallavan ( Life does come full circle). Obama should take a leaf out of chennai for public transport.<br />
* Indian advertisements rock. Watched some really funny ones... video links soon :)<br />
<br />
...to be continued.</div>Meerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137615116391378552noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10357963.post-40212455977353811282011-01-07T12:29:00.000-08:002011-01-07T12:29:51.699-08:00RewindBefore any of you start thinking this post is about my memories or incidents that qualified as the best of 2010, i shall stop you here. This is the best of 2010 but with regards to music.<br />
<br />
Everybody who knows me, know that am a sucker for <strong><u>Tamil Cinema</u></strong>. Please to note Tamil in the cinema, i haven't watched Inception or Break ke Baad, so am not great in other languages but Tamil Cinema, oh yes.<br />
When we were in college and ghotting for exams, we had Illaiyaraja hits playing in the background. There were some songs that always used to go on a loop, rewind, play, rewind, play.. you get the idea. That would go on until the tape started to squeak. This was before the i's(iPhone, iPad, iPod) and the shuffle, MP3 zamana...(i know, i'm ancient). Such was the fate of <em>Pani Vizhum Malar Vanam</em> and <em>Idhayil Kathai ezhuthum... </em><br />
<br />
Music is integrated into my life and i would play cinema songs in the car, while cooking, taking a shower(??!!) and sometimes while praying(i cant help it, it just comes to my mind. Pillayar..please to forgive ). So why not round up on the <strong><em>Best of 2010</em></strong> in Tamil Cinema and am only listing the songs where i liked the video too.<br />
<br />
* <em>Arima Arima(Endhiran)</em> - It has to start with Thalaivar, otherwise it would be Blasphemy<br />
* <em>Aaromale(Vinnai Thandi Varuvaya)</em> - Simbu ..SIGH!! But loved the guitar and ARR.. u rock Rahman.<br />
* <em>Karigalan(Vettaikaran)</em> - This is foot tapping and Vijay songs just gets your adrenaline pumping. (<a href="http://sandhyakrish.blogspot.com/">K</a>, i get reminded of Mudhuri cake too when i listen to this now, so send some my way soon).<br />
* <em>Idhu Varai(Goa)</em> - Andrea is mesmerizing and this doesnt follow the standard structure which makes it more unique.<br />
* <em>Iragai Pole(Naan Mahan Alla)</em> - Yuvan totally rocked in this song. The Mr. still doesnt get it but i like the hum and the voice.<br />
* <em>Thakuthey Kann(Bana Kathadi)</em> - Did i say Yuvan rocks?<br />
* <em>Adada Mazhai Da(Paiyaa)</em> - This song was great for both the dance and the music. Good work.<br />
* <em>Usurey Poguthey(Raavanan)</em> - There is a funny story i recollect when i listen to this song(Thanks to K again). I wish it wasnt Aishwarya but i think Mani has learnt his lesson.<br />
* <em>Who's the hero(ManMadhan Ambu)</em> - This song is again by Andrea and man can this women sing.<br />
<br />
So here i go tagging <a href="http://sandhyakrish.blogspot.com/">K</a>, <a href="http://campfiresandcrazylands.blogspot.com/">Jawz</a>, <a href="http://thetwinmom.blogspot.com/">KP</a> and <a href="http://anu4karthik.blogspot.com/">Anu</a>. List the Best of 2010 and make your own criteria.Meerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137615116391378552noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10357963.post-3849124972099489642010-10-11T09:03:00.000-07:002010-10-11T09:03:24.102-07:00ENDHIRAN - Get Ready folks!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qfpdZMBhUVOUjFd1hsx7ZplWj_g2hNIKZ9bqN6I1Qnvh3KZN6fPfEurw25SzE2WIcG94XpjqNoWuai1SbNHIklFs8ixu6C2RlhzEdxwRf7iB9WixhAxqgSOwH3XJuJVpxY-t7g/s1600/endhiranstills4_thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qfpdZMBhUVOUjFd1hsx7ZplWj_g2hNIKZ9bqN6I1Qnvh3KZN6fPfEurw25SzE2WIcG94XpjqNoWuai1SbNHIklFs8ixu6C2RlhzEdxwRf7iB9WixhAxqgSOwH3XJuJVpxY-t7g/s320/endhiranstills4_thumb.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<strong>ENDHIRAN</strong> - About time i wrote something about this movie. There has so much hoopla over it that i spent all my time reading about it, watching and revelling...now its time for my two cents.<br />
<br />
I'm definitely not reviewing ENDHIRAN ..what can i say that you have not already heard.. <br />
Right from the time pictures leaked from Manchu Pinchu, audio launch in Malaysia, Trailer release - we have followed the movie's release and when Endhiran hit theaters - it was Diwali a month sooner.<br />
<br />
No, i don't want to hear about the ticket price, his age, budget etc.. redirect to my review of <a href="http://dreamzwild.blogspot.com/2007/06/pera-keta-chumma-athiruthulla.html">Shivaji</a> and you will know why.<br />
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<strong>Rajnikanth</strong> has a charm, a personality that will always enthrall his fans and when directors like Shankar understand that and deliver on our expectations, it is a bonanza. We get to see Superstar in our favourite avatars - If shivaji had <em>Billa</em> & Baasha<em> </em>to please our palette, Endhiran has <em>Avargal,</em> <em>Mullum Malarum</em> and the new age scientist. Aishwarya Rai is so tolerable in this movie that i almost like her. <br />
<br />
Although Endhiran is not for die hard fans like me, it definitely is a movie par excellence and am i grateful that Kamal and SRK refused. It has set new standards, silenced critics and has once again proved us worthy of being <strong>Thalaivar's</strong> fans :))<br />
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Next time Superstar movie releases make sure you get tickets FDFS, the crowd, mayhem and the screams will make you understand the adrenaline rush and the brand value of Rajnikanth. <br />
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<strong><em>Un Pear Sonnathum, Perumai Sonnathum Kadalum Kadalum Kai thatum... - Ithu eppadi iruku?</em></strong>Meerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137615116391378552noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10357963.post-52068796891825354242010-07-27T20:36:00.000-07:002010-07-27T20:36:52.941-07:00Raavanan - Plunges<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TGtvljEIfrFu5qPTHL0vF9GpWY5BAiLrcKemvcx8Rne3sTpFKmSOyYnV_UfIXGygo6TOLmp8Oq-MbdGof794RWhLndrAL6ph56NB3r3cDljjL_tMwlynTp2alUFCNguwOEEvvQ/s1600/200px-Raavanposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TGtvljEIfrFu5qPTHL0vF9GpWY5BAiLrcKemvcx8Rne3sTpFKmSOyYnV_UfIXGygo6TOLmp8Oq-MbdGof794RWhLndrAL6ph56NB3r3cDljjL_tMwlynTp2alUFCNguwOEEvvQ/s1600/200px-Raavanposter.jpg" /></a></div>Enough has been said about <strong><em>Ravan</em></strong> and <strong><em>Raavanan</em></strong>... from Big B to behindwoods everybody has lauded, raved and critiqued. So my review is going to be crisp...<br />
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<strong>Thumbs-Up</strong><br />
<ul><li><strong>Vikram</strong>, Vikram and Vikram: He shines throughout the movie. The effort, portrayal and passion is flawless. The entire movie rides on his wide shoulders and when he plunges everything goes down with him. Makes me wonder if Abhishek would fit the bill...</li>
<li><strong>Cinematography</strong> - Breathtaking visuals and never-seen-before angles. Applause to Santhosh sivan & Manikandan</li>
<li><strong>Priyamani</strong> - She eludes strength and almost goes unnoticed, but deserves credit. Perfect, clean shot.</li>
<li><strong>Rohini</strong> - Dubbing for Ash... its was not very easy for her but you win even when ash fails.</li>
</ul><strong>Thumbs-Down</strong>: (needless to say this is going to be long)<br />
<ul><li>Story & Screenplay - Weak.. which is very surprising for Mani Ratnam as a director. He was the one who gave us everyday lives with finesse and conviction, made us beleive in the protoganists, perfect air-tight scripts. A big let-down.</li>
<li>Dialogues - For heaven's sake Suhasini, please let us be... go do your talkies or something else....</li>
<li>Prithvi - Mani Ratnam movie was a feather on his cap but his role gets nothing but a big yawn.</li>
<li>Aishwarya - No expectations to begin with, except for her eyes, i can think of a handful of heroines who would have essayed her character 10 times better. Mani look beyond the bachan clan... there is talent, beleive me.</li>
<li>Costumes - Even i could have dressed up aishwarya better. She is a dancer but what is with the giant skirt salwars and 50s hair style? Nalini Sriram would have been a better pick.</li>
<li>Stellar Scenes - S-O-R-R-Y(Roja), Kambili poochi uruthu(Mouna Ragam), Thundering(Agni Natchathiram), Nee azhaga irukenu nenaikala...,Neenga nallavara Kettavara, En Devava konutiyeda.. No such scenes. SIGH.. Double and Triple SIGH!!!!</li>
</ul>I could not categorize the music in either cases, BGM was good but songs do not mesmerize you except for a couple of them - <em>Usure</em> <em>Poguthey</em> and <em>Veera</em>. Partly to blame, is the humongous burden of expectation which Mani did not stand up to while picturizing them.<br />
<br />
Lets hope next time around Mani takes the time to read my blog before directing a movie. WINK!!!WINK!!!Meerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137615116391378552noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10357963.post-31294951383443674662010-07-07T07:28:00.000-07:002010-07-07T07:28:16.950-07:00What's in a name?Ok.. am opening Pandora's box now!!!<br />
It all starts when you get married... for many its not an option, for some its an inconvinience and for some its a required hindarance... ofcourse am talking about the SURNAME fiasco!<br />
<br />
Some of us change our surnames without worrying too much about it, others have nightmares about it and worry that our identity would undergo a massive destruction at the face of such a change. <br />
<br />
So what's in a name? For years you are called using a certain surname and then to change it in the middle, would you start feeling like a different person.. should you feel like a different person? Is that the whole logic behind such an illogical fiasco? Why does society, legal entities demand such an ill-possessed change? Or am i the only person who ponders in vain for such small changes in letters? <br />
<br />
That being said, there is sense in having a family name... something that unites the members like that of a league or a club name. Society was predominantly a male oriented community since they were the earning members(once upon a time) but with so much that has changed should we start making a change with surnames too? Or should we let it be, since this is least of the problems which we have amidst us?<br />
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Now if you are wondering what i did with mine... i will not appease your curiosity that easily :):)Meerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137615116391378552noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10357963.post-34134697137700857792010-04-30T11:57:00.000-07:002010-04-30T11:57:01.009-07:00SILENCEA month spent amidst family ~ BLISS!!! It is very rare to get such occasions even if siblings live in the same continent.. spending 30 days with your family. That said, i treasured and cherished every minute of it. Having a new born added more ecstasy to our jubiliant lives.<br />
<br />
Now am back home.... PAUSE!!!<br />
What is the first thing that hits you when you are at home after a vacation from India.. the silence!! That is what always hits me, then comes nostalgia, home sickeness et al. But the first blow is always the silence. The quiteness of our neighbours, the purr of the hybrid vehicles, occasional bow wow's from dogs, non-existent comcast... a stark contrast to the vivid, noisy, colorful, blarring that is almost always interwined into our lives.<br />
<br />
To add to this silence, we have shrunk the family to the smallest possible unit. What once consisted of parents, grandparents, great grand parents, children now consists of the "nuclear"set of two/three people.<br />
We have shrunk family to such a tiny scale, each person in his or her own private space, completely dislodged from others.<br />
<br />
Some of us can recall our childhoods.. every second filled with friends, grannies, relatives, neighbours, siblings. There was never a moment of privacy and we dint care for it either. We were happy and content sharing our otherwise mundane lives with others. <br />
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I'm not saying i dont like this life, doing things we are passionate about, having the time to cook international cuisine, learn a sport or two.. but my question is when will the mind ever learn to unlearn the noises that filled our lives? When will it learn to stop yearning for the countless strangers who were an integral part of our lives? When will we learn to make our peace with the silence?Meerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137615116391378552noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10357963.post-8724656279943921292010-03-07T15:42:00.000-08:002010-03-07T15:42:03.167-08:00Trespassers should be prosecutedWe live in a democracy which promises freedom and equality to all. It is the same democracy that also advocates privacy. It is appalling to see media exploit this privacy in the name of awareness. Nothing justifies peeping through a person’s bedroom through your camera lens. That is off-limits, crossing boundaries and trespassing. It is for this reason we have the censorship board, government and officers of the law.<br />
<br />
<br />
The telecast by Sun TV of a Swamiji being intimate with a woman was akin to pornography which should have been censored. It is for this reason that certain uncouth words are beeped out and scenes completely removed from cinema. When one form of entertainment is subject to regulations how can we let the Television which brings news and advertisements right into our homes go scott-free. One can argue that we could always change the channel to avoid convoluting the minds of young and children but shouldn’t the laws hold all forms of media in the same scale?<br />
<br />
There are numerous organizations that would resort to violence for certain opinions expressed by celluloid heroes, crimes committed by godmen. We are always ready with weapons to tear down homes, offices and ashrams. Is there not a better way to appease our mind and calm our senses? Isn’t the pen mightier than the sword?<br />
<br />
Although it is frustrating to see the world at war in the 21st century, it is even more frustrating to see such blatant acts of evading privacy. Nobody is justifying the acts in question, but it does not give media the power to publish material without care and consideration. These acts are not synonymous with freedom but what is pulling this country back from going forward.<br />
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We cannot call ourselves a true democracy unless we hold such acts accountable and along with power comes responsibility. If you trespass, you should and will be prosecuted.Meerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137615116391378552noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10357963.post-37036946529828130642010-01-24T14:51:00.000-08:002010-01-24T14:51:59.904-08:00CHICAGO - Broadway's Sure Thing!!!If you know me well enough, then you know how much i love the <strong><em>City</em></strong> - <strong>NYC</strong>!! Just walking through the streets, exploring shops and tasting fine cuisine sold @ carts by the roadside - all bring great thrills to my otherwise rotting mind. So when it was a special celebration of our lives together for a year where else do we head??<br />
<br />
This time we wanted to finally watch a <em>Broadway</em> <em>Musical</em>. We have been planning and cancelling for a year now and as if it was meant to be - we had tickets for <strong><a href="http://www.chicagothemusical.com/">CHICAGO</a></strong>!!!<br />
<br />
Ofcourse this had to be preceded by a belly-full(literally) of <strong>Saravana</strong> <strong>Bhawan</strong> Full meals. The Mr. even took the time to lift his eyes of the <em>thali</em> plate to recommend <em>entrees</em> to the friendly americans seated next. I did not commit any such mistake - it was a hand to mouth fight.<br />
<br />
When we finally walked in to the Ambassador Theater, i thought it was quite small for a broadway theater. After a few minutes, i realized that size did not matter and was completely mesmerized by the performances.<br />
We have all heard and probably seen the <em>Academy Award</em> winning movie <strong>CHICAGO</strong>, but watching a Broadway musical is a completely different experience that i would recommend.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoN7R09DLEf2twTTePjZWNGlXF1pWqrwNFyYHIVrd2KJxavRz3M1roH35yLMZzLYSPu9SFCx4Klvsp4GIzVFbnq37Ot5ypF2fwVYr3Cn0Ae9x7ixCPN4DUw19qqUIyAHfOEjuv8A/s1600-h/wallpaper_adele_regular.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoN7R09DLEf2twTTePjZWNGlXF1pWqrwNFyYHIVrd2KJxavRz3M1roH35yLMZzLYSPu9SFCx4Klvsp4GIzVFbnq37Ot5ypF2fwVYr3Cn0Ae9x7ixCPN4DUw19qqUIyAHfOEjuv8A/s320/wallpaper_adele_regular.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
</div>You can read all about the cast and the songs in their <a href="http://www.chicagothemusical.com/">website</a>, so i'm not going to repeat that. I'm also not going to write about the russian who was snoring away to glory two seats away from us, or the wild teenager who was texting her boyfriend in front of me or the man who was secretly clicking pictures from his Iphone even though it is forbidden - this is quite the normal theater going audience isn't it?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLsvBtjyun67tniVUKidH8Pc4TkI6dcVF6bAcWpSGC1Vhn0BYWaGhxApoivMlpmrTxJDT_ZMkdk-BpfRFVA534M3BH-WzMLrP7UktONuspMUBga0OnTYWc_Ff36J4fQsh7PM5gA/s1600-h/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLsvBtjyun67tniVUKidH8Pc4TkI6dcVF6bAcWpSGC1Vhn0BYWaGhxApoivMlpmrTxJDT_ZMkdk-BpfRFVA534M3BH-WzMLrP7UktONuspMUBga0OnTYWc_Ff36J4fQsh7PM5gA/s1600/1.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><strong>Velma</strong> played by <strong><em>Deidre</em></strong> was my favourite. Her attitude and elegance oozed from the stage. You want to laugh, cry and scheme with her and that is the true victory of an artiste. She has a certain confidence about her abilities and a casual elegance that makes you want to watch more of her on stage. She wins us over even when she is losing to Roxie Hart. <br />
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When the cast was being credited, all i could think of was how stimulating it would be if the stalwarts of Tamil Cinema sat and watched a musical. They could bring certain class and quality to the movies dished out today. Sigh, i know no matter what i watch it always circles back to one place!!!!<br />
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A must-see <strong><em>Chicago</em></strong> - universal tale of fame, fortune and <em>all that jazz</em>; one show-stopping-song after another; and the most astonishing dancing you've ever seen. We enjoyed it and am sure you would too....Meerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137615116391378552noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10357963.post-59044498330244043722009-11-16T15:07:00.000-08:002009-11-16T15:07:40.039-08:00The joy of getting it rightThese days i'm becoming experimental with cooking. Now you need to know how my cooking evolved to appreciate the experimentation. <br />
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<strong>2006, Bangalore</strong><br />
Breakfast - Bread sandwich.<br />
Lunch - Dal, Subzi, Rice<br />
Dinner - Kichdi or Rotis with left over dal <br />
<em>Breakfast - Yours Truly. Lunch & Dinner - Roommate's generosity</em>.<br />
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<strong>2009, Danbury</strong><br />
Breakfast - Cereal/Muffins/Idli,Dosa/Pongal<br />
Lunch - Veg Curry, Sambhar, Rasam, Curd, Rice & Pickle<br />
Dinner - Rotis with Kurma or Subzi.<br />
<em>All - Yours Truly</em><br />
<br />
If this is not evolution what is. Atleast for me these are giant steps where cooking is involved. C'mon i make kurma, not in the likes of navrathna kurma but Egg Kurma and Peas Paneer kurma. <br />
<br />
Cooking started with amma's <em>e-adichan</em> copy recipes. Or reading and somewhat memorizing Mallika Badrinath cookbooks. Now i can google a dish, surf recipes, pick and choose ingredients that i find most alluring and combine them all. Best part - the end product is still delicious.<br />
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Making muffins, Chocolate cup cakes to Mexican flan has elevated me into a seasoned chef. I can make onion sambhar without referring to recipes. Improvised to ginger kuzhambhu which sets your throats on fire and even have facebook friends who want my recipes.<br />
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There have been two inspirations for this cooking quest. First when you are trying a new recipe, there is a thrill and when it comes out delicious, you are soaring high in the air. Second when the <em>hujband</em> takes one <em>puddi</em> and says "Man your food is to die for"... SIGH!!(I know, too much <em>illa</em>)<br />
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<u>Glossary</u><br />
e-adichan - copy cat kill the rat.(somebody can volunteer with the exact explanation)<br />
puddi - one mouthfull.Meerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137615116391378552noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10357963.post-4633893975862697332009-11-11T10:41:00.000-08:002009-11-11T10:41:39.946-08:00A peek into the future<strong>Disclaimer</strong>: After hearing a lot of unflattering responses about my blog template, i finally set forth to change it. Hopefully this one is more readable. I admit there is a lot of work to do but atleast the wheels are in motion.<br />
<br />
The new template had<strong> widgets</strong> which made things easy. I dint have to dig through the <em>html code</em> and replace bits and pieces, all i had to do was click on <em><strong>Add Gadget</strong></em> and everything was done.It took me all but 3 mins to figure out that(i know) and in that three minutes i was panic-striken!!!<br />
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It was like your entire life flashing in front of you in <em>five minutes</em> - Haven't you watched <em>Armageddon</em> or <em>Gladiator</em>? I can't bookmark my favourite blogs, can't link the labels in my post, can't tell the world that am a budding photographer.... This is a wee dramatic. But thats how things are told these days. <em>If you dont scream, you wont be heard</em>. Now is it the same everywhere or did living in the US rub it on me?<br />
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But back to <strong>Widgets</strong>. In that ignorant three minutes i was able to comprehend the helplessness and frustration my parents feel when i tell them they can watch <strong>Sun TV</strong> in a <em><strong>laptop</strong></em>. <br />
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When i taught my father how to start mailing,read news online,chat using the webcam, view photographs online, i thought it was an information overload and the minute i disappear he is going to abadon the laptop. But as always, he proved me wrong. He is doing his own research, marking his websites as favourites, helping my mother choose online magazine subscriptions when she comes to the US and am sure he is going<br />
to tell me that he is bringing his laptop with him during his next visit. My parents have become tech-savvy alright. The bubble has embraced them or have they embraced it?!!!<br />
<br />
For my mom, the laptop was the sign of technological leaps and bounds. She viewed it with aversion and blamed it for the distance between people in the same room.Ofcourse it was in stiff competition with the mobile. She completely disapproved of children below 10 using it and never understood why it kept us hooked on for hours. Its the same way i look at teenagers typing furiously in their cell phones racing against time.I think she has finally made her peace with this <strong>mini-idiot box</strong> while i continue to stare at the fingers that would fly on keyboards. (I'm not that old and i've been there, done that. Its impolite to stare but you cant help it esp when you have nothing else to do in a crowded train).<br />
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My efforts at keeping abreast with technology are going to fail at some point. My kids are going to call me backward and wonder how long it would take for me to catch up. I can hear them sighing and smirking at our rather slow pace of advancement. They would call us old-fashioned, look at <em>Iphone</em>, <em>Ipods</em>, <em>Droids</em> as antiques. <br />
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These days generation gap exists between siblings so the rift is going to be more pronounced. But like my parents, i would learn to make my peace with techonology. <strong>If you cant fight them, Join Them!!!</strong>Meerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137615116391378552noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10357963.post-27649734203487481622009-10-28T08:33:00.001-07:002009-10-28T08:33:58.367-07:00New York BabieeeIn true New York style, i state - The city never stops to amaze me.<br />
It was pouring when we strolled through Union Square and Broadway but the weather was not going to stop the city from having a good time.<br />
<br />
We started the day with BOOTS. Yes, leather and women are an intoxicating couple. The minute i stepped into DSW i knew what i wanted and although there was lot of distraction, i was focussed on my first love. After a bit of tamil cinema kind of climax we finally found the size i was looking for and headed out as a proud owner of Steve Madden boots.<br />
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Now we were in desperate need of coffee and headed towards Veniero's Pastry Shop. Needless to say, the cannoli melted in my mouth and the hazelnut coffee added spark to the day. <br />
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We stopped by Lush which sells handmade cosmetics and some of them smell divine. You need to remind yourself not to taste them. They are handmade and last only a few weeks but that dint stop me from picking up a face pack with Garlic. I know Garlic is a first but the face pack is doing wonders.(I hope so)<br />
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We picked up dim sum and falafel for our dinner and headed to the subway. The carts that are parked on the curbside tantalizes your taste buds and i hear some of them are gourmet rated. <br />
<br />
Later on, i figured that there is a dessert truck which runs around NYC and they were featured on Throwdown with Bobby flay. Their bread pudding is superior to Bobby Flay's but its something i have reserved for later.<br />
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Rain or shine the Big Apple never disappoints and although we dint party there, even a casual evening is well spent.Meerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137615116391378552noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10357963.post-70676332322288591052009-07-29T16:24:00.000-07:002009-07-29T16:24:45.144-07:00When the grinding stops...If you grew up in India and ended up married in USA, you would have a fair idea of what am talking about.<br />
Right till my 12th, i dint pause a moment to think about why should i go to school everyday. It just happened and all i wanted was to ace my exams, score well in the entrance and get into a college that i dreamed off.<br />
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As with the rest of the flock, stayed put in college for 4 years, dint try to ace the exams. Fitting in, making friends, learning something about life and computers, i graduated(little bit of color). There were campus interviews to worry about and i did get through them and got a nice job in Chennai. Happy about the fact that i was returning home, i boarded the train as a graduate. Something to be proud off.<br />
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Worked hard for 5 years, raced the rats, got some accolades, travelled a bit and met some interesting people. Finally life catches up with you and i got married. <br />
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Disclaimer: Now this has nothing to do with marriage, USA or being a NRI.<br />
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With the economy hitting rock bottom, many of us ended up as dependants, students and entreprueners. When the grinding and racing stopped, am stranded. We are a generation spoilt for choice but then there is such a thing as too many. It doesnt help when you need to factor in 5 years of future into your decision. <br />
I'm thankful that am not part of the race anymore. I've had the time to reflect on what i truly want(which seems to be taking a long time) and i have learnt not to be too hard on myself. I can finally take a break but i am still trying to enjoy it. <br />
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So its true.. the grass is greener on the other side huh?Meerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137615116391378552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10357963.post-15975576074621604832009-07-22T13:00:00.000-07:002009-07-22T13:00:14.493-07:00Land of Tequilla - Cancun, MexicoMy passport is my treasured travel companion. Besides it being a legal document, the colorful stamps is the pride of my trips around the world. Singapore, Hong Kong, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Italy, France, North America and the most recent addition - <strong>Mexico</strong>. Now thats a list to be proud off :) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlAgPR0USan3yMUrhSJBhV_gvVxZuNKkiCUEuIZcv-YsGOMuVMw9PfaUx8D11qjASBUAcSrKW6IweSiu1TbYU7o1Mhzo90QeckmRgZtqWAYNDX71Y4V02CYJifUOfH-K9GbRFrQ/s1600-h/IMG_3125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlAgPR0USan3yMUrhSJBhV_gvVxZuNKkiCUEuIZcv-YsGOMuVMw9PfaUx8D11qjASBUAcSrKW6IweSiu1TbYU7o1Mhzo90QeckmRgZtqWAYNDX71Y4V02CYJifUOfH-K9GbRFrQ/s320/IMG_3125.JPG" zj="true" /></a></div><br />
<strong>Cancun</strong>, Mexico was our official honeymoon and a relaxed vacation(well deserved). Peeking through the airplane window i did not catch a glimpse of the aqua marine sea or the popular hotel stripe. But when you have travelled a while you accept that <em>patience is a virtue</em>. The airport is a good 30 minute ride away from the ocean and is located in the middle of nowhere(believe me). <br />
<br />
Before i waited in line for immigration i was handed a blue form which stated that a new virus outbreak was detected and we had to notify any symptoms to the authorities. This did not alarm me, partly confident about my <strong><em>indian roots</em></strong>(we do boast of a superior immune system) and partly suspicious that this was a bogus threat. No fruits or nuts are allowed past security as per US regulations(whatever happened to mexican regulations) so i dumped the oranges mournfully.<br />
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There would be a good number of people trying to get you into a taxi or a shuttle for triple the fare so get past them and get out. Again my indian origins helped in skillfully wading through this while smirking at the crowd who fall prey. We got into the taxi and finally got view of the hotel stripe. In a minute you are suddenly transported to this new Cancun which has no connections to the city you landed. Here things are more grand and the hotels of every known brand tower the sky.<br />
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We stayed at <strong>nH Krystal</strong> which has a spectacular ocean front room, easy stroll to the beach, adequate swimming pools and excellent food. The hotel was a block away from all the night life that comes alive during the wee hours and ceases to end till dawn.<br />
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Friday was spent lazing at the swimming pool, sipping on tequilla(more about this later), riding the waves of the carribbean and taking a quick stroll to the malls, pubs, flea market and taco factory. Rise and shine to the sound of waves crashing in, which is the best way to wake up and we were ready to explore Isla Mujeres. Snorkelling and beaches are the selling points of this island so we followed suit.<br />
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The <em>reef</em> is spectacular and fishes are colorful. <em>Snorkelling</em> is a must do activity when in Cancun and it would help to know a good deal of swimming. If not, do not venture out into the waters and cling on to the boat for dear life, colorful fishes or otherwise. I can hear the smiles but i shall dutifully ignore.<br />
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Spread the beach towel and take a quick nap in the beach(Playa) or munch mangoes, coconuts and sorbet which the street vendors sell. They are a delight. You can rent golf carts, bikes, cycles and wander around the island which is just about 5 miles in all. There are quite a few sights recommended here.<br />
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<em>Nightlife </em>never ends in Cancun. We started our tirade around 11 and crawled into one of the bars. One of the traditions here is women with tequilla bottles and whistles, who hoard you to take gulps of tequilla and honour you when you are done. It is worth it :) Did i mention that tequilla is to mexico what coke is to USA. <br />
It tastes great so dont be alarmed if you end up with a couple of bottles while unpacking.<br />
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Street dancers, local restaurants, mayan artifacts, pubs, malls, cafes are all part of the night walk and you can have a great time if you are careful where you enter. Some of the places are pricey and disappointing so do your research on this. <strong><em>Coco Bongo</em></strong> has the longest lines for entry but is very pricey so we tried Corono Bar instead which has great dancing and no cover charge. A late night snack at the <strong><em>Taco Factory</em></strong> is worth every bit and take note of the cashier who is working with ten hands(fast and efficient).<br />
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Sunday was the day to relax. The beach was our first stop and we spent a good part of the day riding the waves before they crash into you. We lay near the shore in the sand where the water caresses you and pulls you into the ocean. The hotel had a paya or a hut which you can rent for a good afternoon nap. Armed with bolsters and a book about mexico, i was fast asleep in a moment's notice.<br />
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<strong>Mexico</strong> is the land of tequilla, pina coloda, nachos, salsa, beaches and fun. Mexicans will speak spanish even if you dont follow them but a word or two would get you a free taxi ride, a ocean front table, tobasco sauce or even extra salsa. It has been a land of struggle with no political stablity or great leaders but the tourism industry flourishes inspite all this.They are hospitable and eager to please but you can get nothing for free. When shopping remember to bargain and you can get some pretty bags, artifacts and handcrafted items.<br />
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Cancun is not just a spring break destination but a great vacation spot. Enjoy the sea and dive into the aquamarine ocean and it is worth every peso. But remember to say <em><strong>Muchas Gracias</strong></em>!!!Meerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137615116391378552noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10357963.post-65202827470133752322009-06-15T10:19:00.000-07:002009-06-29T06:53:25.618-07:00SistersI dont really know if its the <a href="http://from-my-couch.blogspot.com/2009/06/sisterhood.html">books</a> i read or spending a couple of weeks with my sister, i have new respect for this realtionship. When we were young, we were either fighting or scheming but now we added so many new perspectives to each other.<br />
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Looking up to her is a way of life for me and without a blink i would accept any opinion she throws. We have both learnt not to be judgemental of our choices and how to help each other with problems that really matter. <br />
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When i was a kid, i wanted to have a bigger brother. I assumed having one would be fun and he would shield me from all problems and take care of me. Now i would never trade having a sister. Not only is it easier to communicate but an elder one has often been there so she can give you a better ear to your problems.<br />
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We have grown from being best friends to confidants but we never let the silly kids in us go. Even now when i go shopping i get something for her and she never forgets to buy my favourite things. I can turn up in her doorstep anytime of the year and she is never going to ask a question and we have learnt to silently communicate with each other. A smile, a wink, a glance we know how to translate all that. I have learnt to appreciate the ways she looks out for me and her reprimands. <br />
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Its so much fun to have a sister and i feel so blessed to have one who is so special and i think its a special kick if you are the younger one.Meerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137615116391378552noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10357963.post-86090239641843763282009-05-07T07:14:00.000-07:002009-05-07T10:09:13.838-07:00Colors of life<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8H5nn4_pRqIyA6DAldt_lZEjwK9gGHXOR772FwHtfJpg5H2YAPwpegOHO2sjEBOtRGqLwSk6WJspmbGQEnjVHxe7LDGRmgEXs0ipy0PXKqzc1-MHWRQWM4-lwjeUjLS15Nj4Zg/s1600-h/Desktop.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333130146548234450" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8H5nn4_pRqIyA6DAldt_lZEjwK9gGHXOR772FwHtfJpg5H2YAPwpegOHO2sjEBOtRGqLwSk6WJspmbGQEnjVHxe7LDGRmgEXs0ipy0PXKqzc1-MHWRQWM4-lwjeUjLS15Nj4Zg/s320/Desktop.jpg" border="0" /></a>We went shopping for curtains yesterday. I was adamant on buying something with color. I was bored of shades of brown, white lace or those dull half white ones. I wanted shocking colors - Brick red, sunsent orange, lemon yellow, leaf green, sky blue and wine red.<br /><br />The idea of buying curtains in such loud colors would not please my husband, which is why i was harboring the colors in the safety of my mind. When i find what am looking for, i would ensure we buy it. Now dont call me cunning, this is how my gender works - atleast most of it. We dont proclaim what we want loudly and undeniably but find ways of getting it done - which is what matters.<br /><br />The only pleasing color we found was a golden leaf curtain in walmart and i refused to pick anything else that was not in line with the colors i wanted. We have a brown sofa, black flat screen, brown coffee table, the house was screaming for color. P.S: We dont have a rug yet :-)<br /><br />I have always heard from tourists to India how they are shocked by the colors they see there. Personally i have never thought of it as one of the prominent features of India. There were other things that made India special(to me). But after weeks of searching for color, i realize what we dont have.<br /><br />Its spring time here, the leaves are a green that is so fresh and some trees have white, pink, purple, magenta flowers, even before the have leaves. It is uncouth to miss the colors you see while you drive by but what stops the designers to translate these colors to fabrics.<br /><br />I'm not sure whether its the spring or the failure of my shopping expedition but i'm going to drink in the colors on my trip to India this time, to savour and relish later.Meerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137615116391378552noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10357963.post-3882416217226355732009-04-08T07:18:00.000-07:002009-04-08T07:18:48.291-07:00I miss youWe had Mira Nair as a guest lecture in our city last week and i have to say, the lady can speak well. <br />
The crowd was mostly caucasians sprinkled with desis and most of them have watched monsoon wedding, salaam bombay & missisippi masala. The effect <strong><em>Slumdog Millionaire</em></strong> has on people. Let me clarify, i'm not going to patronize that slumdog is an Indian film or that India has finally arrived. How many times can India arrive at the global stage?<br />
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Mira Nair's talk on Namesake rang a bell closer to home. When we were heading out of the hall, i was thinking to myself, what is it with us that we want to fit in? For me India is always home. I can live here till i die but i would never feel nor call it home. The heat of Chennai, the madness of Rajni, the blaring of Sun TV, the buzz of vegetable vendors, friendly neighbours, not so friendly neighbours, gossiping aunties, swarming relatives, exotic weddings, colorful dresses and a piece of me. I would miss all that eternally. But this post is not about that.<br />
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When we are here or in any other part of the world, the first thing we do is google fellow indians in the neighbourhood. We try to find a community, make a close knit group of Indians. I dont suppose there is anything wrong with that but i have always frowned upon the clannish behaviour. Yet i would happily be a part of it here. The joy of finding a Indian grocery store, googling theaters that screen indian movies, finding meetup groups, visiting temples i have done it all.<br />
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There is also a group of Indians here who have a chip on their shoulder. They would not smile at you at restaurants acknowledge your presence at the grocery store(not necessarily Indian). This breed of Indians think they are "<em>smarter" </em>and more "<em>modern</em>" . They would not want to socialize because we are prob a class lower. It makes me grin, sometimes at their perceptions and sometimes at their ignorance. Wearing shades, straightening your hair, wearing tighter clothes(sometimes much too tight and much too short) does not make you cooler. Infact it makes you insecure. (Pardon me, but i'm not generalizing). It makes me wonder if i trace back the roots, then we would prob be even related. <br />
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I'm not condemning indians who wont socialize with fellow indians not am i appreciating the people who do. We have our own battles to fight, our own principles and our own lives to live. So strictly no name calling or judging the people who are not like me. It just makes me wonder if we have finally reached a stage where being in a foreign place does not make you special. I have always remembered my cousin who use to fly back from US every two years and the entire house would go crazy on his arrival. I would wonder why is it so special when people return?<br />
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I can strongly say this craze has finally ended. Being in India is a choice many people take voluntarily. Going to a foreign land is what many people choose not for better living but for a better experience. Somehow i can see the changes happen right before me. The next generation would prob choose to be home and that would be a better option. That is why my friends, India has finally arrived. <br />
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Being at home still makes you special and content. We dont have to change our outlook, make excuses for the accent, wonder if the neighbours can smell our curry powder or even change our wardrobe. Everybody knows what it takes to come from a country of myriad colors and diverse traditions. The better part is we feel proud about it. <strong><em>You dont realize how much you miss something until it is really missing!!!</em></strong>Meerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137615116391378552noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10357963.post-58216097268217026782009-03-16T09:59:00.000-07:002009-03-16T09:59:48.391-07:00Reliving momentsMonday mornings were mostly blue... A year ago, the ecstacy of sleeping in for over 15 mins would cause a whirlwind shift to my schedule. The rush to the bus-stop, wondering if its going to be the volvo or the SAP Shuttle, whether i would be lucky to get a place to sit, praying that there are no jams on the way, wondering if my manager is keeping tabs on the no of times i come in late, day dreaming about mondays where i dont have to get set and go, half awake and aware of the crowd, sifting through the work-to-do and the deadlines to meet.... the fast paced life of a working professional!!!<br />
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Many evenings have gone by, blissfully unaware off, there have been days when i have never seen the light shine outside, except during coffee-breaks and after lunch walks. Dinners were always fast-to-cook nice-to-eat consumed hurriedly during the wee hours... <br />
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Spring could slide to summer and to autumn and slow down at winter without raising a reaction except a sigh here and a shrug there. Weekend trips to Chennai to veg out in my fav couch was always my idea of recharging and the ride back to bangalore was always with a heavy heart. <br />
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Now although i miss chennai, weekends are fun-filled and there are no deadlines. I can stand and stare at the sunshine as long as i want.. Bikin, hikin, cyclin.. have time for all that. Dinners are always delicious and we even have desserts that are sinful indulgence. Yet is it possible that i miss that life?<br />
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What is it about us? Why do we always crave for the things that we dont have? Why is it that the grass is always greener on the other side? I dont want that hectic life back but i think somewhere along the way when you dont get to work, a part of you is lost.. the lack of identity. Dont get me wrong, i love my life as it is.. but i would also love to do something that would be food for thought!! I need to figure it out, which is why am thankful for the time i have now... until then... am enjoying the lazy days and the hot home cooked meals!!!Meerahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10137615116391378552noreply@blogger.com3