ஏன்டா?

டேய்... நீ ஒரு பொண்ண love பண்ணா அத அந்த பொண்ணு கிட்ட போய் சொல்லு... இல்ல, நேர்ல சொல்றதுக்கு பயமா இருந்த chat ல சொல்லு... அதுக்கு வக்கு இல்லனா  mail ல சொல்லு... இல்லன்ன SMS அனுப்பு... Indirecta  blog ல சொல்லு... இல்ல creative ஆ எதாவது யோசிச்சு செய்டா...

இப்ப நடக்குற கதை எல்லாம் கேட்டா... அவன் அவன் 9th 10th லையே fix பண்ணி,   அந்த பொண்ணு எந்த High  School ல சேருதோ அதே  school ல சேந்து Collage வரைக்கும் follow பண்ணி, படிப்ப முடிகுறப்ப  marriage வரைக்கும்  plan பண்ணி settle ஆய்கிட்டு இருக்காங்க...

நீ என்னன்னா, 'I love [some name]' னு கோவில் செவுத்துல oil வச்சு எழுதுற... ஏன்டா கொவில கலீச் ஆகுறனு கேட்டா 'என் காதல் தெய்வீக காதல் சுண்ணாம்பு காதல் னு சொல்லி வாய கேளருவ... சரி டா... கோவில் செவுத்துல எழுதுற... ok... ஏன்டா train toilet ல எழுதுற?

ஒரு பக்கம் வேற ஒருத்தன் அசிங்கம் அசிங்கமா வரஞ்சு வச்சுருகான், இன்னொருத்தன் கொச்சையா ஒரு  கவிதை (மாறி ஒரு கருமத்த) எழுதி   வச்சுருக்கான்... பக்கத்துலையே நீ 'I love [some name]' னு எழுதுற... உனக்கே கொஞ்சம் ஒரு மாறி இல்ல? திருந்துங்க டா... உருபுடுங்க டா... படுத்தாதீங்க டா...

[Don't Say] Happy Independence Day!

I really hate it when people show insincere love or fake care or pretense. It is not their act which sickens me, but the fact that I can't do anything about it. I know that it is fake and they know that I know that and I know that they know that I know that... etc. But still, diplomatically, you have to say 'Thank You' or at least give a fake smile back.

That is the reason I don't like when a lot of people simply say 'Happy Birthday' or 'Happy Diwali' etc. Most of the times, people wish others for diplomatic reasons 'oh... he/she wished me, I have to wish him/her back' or 'he/she wished him/her, so, I should also wish him/her'. Even if only a few people wish you, it should be sincere and it should come from their heart.

At least the other kind of wishes are necessary for the social lubrication, but why fake a 'Happy Independence Day'? How many of the people who say 'Happy Independence Day' really care about it? How many of you are still patriotic? You may like a particular political party (God only knows why) and you are going to vote for them even though you know that they may swindle India if they get a chance. Or you may not even vote.

Army people can say 'Happy Independence Day'. They are patriotic. Children can say 'Happy Independence Day' as they are truly happy about it as they may get toffy. Other facebookers, google+ers, bloggers saying 'Happy Independence Day' is bull shit.

When getting to know about politicians who have 10 or 12 digit number money in foreign country banks, what was your initial thought? "What are they going to do with that much money?", or "I would be happy if I can get a very small portion of that money", or "Bastards/Bitches, they are swindling my country, let them go to hell" I don't know how many will truly think about it from the country's stand point.

I love my country. I love her so much that now I can only pity her or even hate Her that She can't do anything about it and I can't do anything about it. I am not happy or proud the way She is now. She smiles and bestows wealth, fame and fortune even to the people who destroy Her. May the Gods be with her and bless her and give her real independence from the corruption within Her.

 So, if you are going to post 'Happy Independence Day' on your Facebook wall and 'Like' all the girls' similar status and check your mailbox for the old mail titled 'Proud to be an Indian' and send it to all your contacts in BCC and then go and sit in front of the TV (or computer) and spend the rest of the day without giving a damn about the Independence day, please save yourself some 1 or 2 minutes... Don't post that 'H I D' in your wall or send a mail. India is not going to miss your wishes and your contacts definitely are not going to miss your wishes.

Tamyl MaDrimony

Image: nuttakit / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I didn't think I would be ready and willing to take the risk, but recently after my friends have either got married or gone to US, I have started to feel somewhat lonely and confused. I was out of mood for few days and I told one of my other friends about this. That wise guy replied, "It is time you have to start to look for marriage alliance. I too felt the same when my close friends got married, but trust me, you will get over this in two weeks." [The same thing which I had discussed about an year ago in this post.]

So, after some embarrassing moments I told my father to start looking for a bride and consequently, my matrimonial profile was created. It was quite exciting, I have to agree. That day, I told my friend that I am in a mixed feeling and showed my profile. He saw that and told me, the "'about you' is not selling... because my profile had sports and technical interest there... I started to browse through other profiles. There were so many profiles and one of the profiles seemed charming, and strangely, the details given were in accordance with my interest; and the expectation of the profile was matching my profile.

Immediately, the negative chain of thought started its duty by telling/thinking, 'no... the girl looks very beautiful... they will not give yellow+blue to you... bla...' and is defended by the positive chain of thoughts 'why not? you are a good person, you earn well and you also look handsome...bla bla [don't mind that guy... he will tell/think anything to make me feel better ;)]' Anxiety, excitement, angst, fear, the two minds, kept me awake very late that I even started to starve and had to cook dosa and have it at 3 AM.

The next day, I pinged my [another friend] and told him 'started to look for a bride and this is my profile description, please give me your feedback'. He has some experience with the sites and profiles as he had used it for two of his brothers and himself. Even before he gave feedback about the description, he said, "It does not matter what you have in the profile". I was confused and asked him why. He said, "I have tried bride-searching for three persons as of now and everyone got married by friend's/relative's contacts and none of us got an alliance through these sites.

Wow... that was a big honest feedback. He explained as to how he is positive that bride-searching through the sites is not going to help/happen. He then formally welcomed me to the 'bride-searching paradigm' where you start to look for an alliance and you will get married after an year or two. Suddenly everything was clear. The excitement hit the low ground like tan(90). So, in my case, I didn't need two weeks to get over the excitement, but just a five minutes chat and wisdom from my friend was enough.

The next day, I was able to sleep peacefully and splendidly. Cia la vie.

Good Morning

What do you think is the best way to start a day? Of course, it depends on a lot of things, and there would be a lot of many amazing ways you can start a day. Here I am just going to tell you one of the million possibilities to kick off a great day.

Some months ago, I stumbled on a youtube video, which does not fail to raise my energy level every time I watch it. It is true that music can control people's emotion and this one especially will increase your energy level.

Have a blast!

My Top 10 Tamil Old Songs

The following is my list of Top 10 old Tamil Songs. [Why is this post in English? Well, this post was written around an year and half and I have been thinking of translating this to Tamil for the past six or seven months. Since it is now clear that I would never translate it, I am posting it in English rather than keep it till... say... forever...]

10) Senthemizh Theanmozhiyaal - Maalai Itta Mangai
No top 10 old Tamil songs list would be complete if this song is not there. A lovey romantic song.

9) Samarasam Ulavum Idame - Rambayin Kathal
This song is mainly in this list for the majestic voice of Seekazhi Govindarajan.

8) Kannale Pesi Pesi Kolladhe - Adutha Veetu Pen
A very good romantic song, with very good lyrics. It is here mainly because of the romantic note in this song.

7) Ullam Enbadhu Aamai - Paarthal Pasi Theerum
Philosophical song with a good melody.

6) Naan Kaatru Vaanga Ponen -Kalangarai Vilakam
A very romantic song indeed.

5) Kanne Raja Kavalai Vendam - Bhagyalakshmi
I get touched whenever I listen to this song, as this is one of the songs my mom use to sing whenever I found difficult to sleep when I was a kid

4) Naan Aanai Ittal -Enga Veetu Pillai
Should I tell anything about this song? One of the most energetic songs in the old-Tamil-movie era.


3) Malarnthum Malaraadha - Paasa Malar
An unbelievable song. If not for the melancholy, this would have been in the top of the list.

2) Ullathil Nalla Ullam - Karnan
Wow... what a song! - kinda song is this one.

1) The number song is... is... is...

Are you ready? What is your song?

Here we go...

1) Neerodum Vaigaiyile - Paar Magale Paar

I had a great dilemma whether to keep this or Malarndhum Malaradha in the first place. Both are unbelievably awesome songs! Aren't they?

This is my list. There would definitely be awesome songs I would have left. Let me know the songs which you think 'without this song, any top 10 list wont be valid'. I would love to hear those songs. If you have read this till this line (or jumped directly), thank you and here is the reward :)

Injustice - Part I

[Description: This post contains very offensive content. If at any point of time you think that you may be offended, you can stop reading this post. I wont want any of my visitors to get offended or hurt. Readers' discretion is required.]

[You can safely skip to the next paragraph to start reading the actual content. I feel disappointed about myself to have broken the self commitment I have made a long time ago, twice within five months in this year... I committed that I would write at least one blog per month and I have failed due to my recent change in my lifestyle. I wish and promise that I will do my best to keep the commitment at least from this month.]

The amount of attention and care my five months old nephew needs has made me to realize that one of the greatest injustices the parents can do to a child is to (first) give birth to it and continue to do their own business (or work). I use to advice my friends that 'after marriage one of the parent should quit their job or business and be a full time parent'. I use to get two kinds of reply. To think much of it, I use to get three kinds of reply.

One of the replies is that, 'Yes da... it should be the case'. It may be a sincere reply or just a reply to escape from my mokka. The second type of reply is that 'Yes, it should be the case, but, what would you do if your wife denies to quit and continue to go to work? Will you quit?'. Not for the sake of 'I am in an argument and I have to do anything to win it', but the honest-at-that-moment reply from me would be 'Yes!'. And this would immediately go to (a more) cliche discussion of 'Then you will have absolutely no respect... bla... bla... bla...'

Coming to think of it, it is a stupid reply. A child needs its mother more than its father, at least for an year. A child should have nothing other than milk for the first six months and it should NOT even have water! In case of summer the child can be fed a little water. And for one year it is recommended to be fed from the mother with other food items also. I am just wondering how mothers get back to work in 3 or 4 months after the maternity leave. As soon as the child wakes up from sleep, it needs its mother. It cries till it sees its mother. What kind of an excuse do working women give to leave their new born child and go to work? Will they tell "Hmm... it is boring to be in house. I want to kill time"? Of course, they wont tell this blatantly and will usually cover this with more appealing logical statements.

The third kind of reply I get is "With the salary from one person, it is tough to raise a family". What a sweet reply! What does it mean to raise a family? To have a wife/husband and a kid (or kids)? The definition of raising a family stops just when the child is born. In my opinion, it should start after the child is born. Both parents leaving at 9 o'clock and coming back by 5 o'clock and then kissing and hugging the new born child seems disgusting, obscene and despicable. It is at least acceptable when the child is grown and is ready to go to school.

If you can't do that due to financial problem, it just means that you are not yet ready to raise a family. A child who spends its time with either of its parents in a 2BHK would have a fulfilling life than a child who scarcely sees its both parent together in a 3BHK. A child who can only afford Maggi noodles often but being with its parent more would have a fulfilling life than a child who can afford Pizza Hut pizza often but not their parents time. If it is the other case, where the child needs more of the goods than its dad and mother then there is a serious problem in bringing up the child, isn't it?

Thinking more in this subject, I think "I am working very hard to give my child a quality life" is either a lie or stupidity. I sometimes wonder whether people have an intrinsic desire for luxurious items for themselves and they just point-finger their child or married life or retired parents... Well... I want to write more on this topic but my quota for one post was over a long back. If time/mood/situation/courage permits, I would continue in this topic.

Completely Imaginary Story

[Disclaimer: This post might contain mild sensual content or obscene language and is not advised for young readers. Readers' discretion is required.]
Starring: He, and She

He was not sure whether 'everything' was alright. It all happened so fast that he couldn't believe that he is going to CCD (the notorious Cafe Cafe day) with his friend, She. Actually, the main thing he was not sure is whether she is just a friend or much much more [notice two much there :)].Having seen a lot of romantic Holywood movies, the moment She asked "Shall we go and have a cup of coffee in CCD?" he built a lot of dreams even when he was awake and he could barely say "Yes".

It was a fact that she also liked him and regarded him much much more than just a friend. Both of them, not having declared their interest, went to the CCD and naturally, though it was the first time both of them were going out with someone, their natural instinct made them to go and choose the two-seat-table in the farthest corner; the table was in the open space, outside the CCD building (of course, inside the CCD boundary) and has a fancy big umbrella to protect people who sit there for several hours from sun during day time.

It was really very embarrassing for him as this was completely new, but it was okay for him as He could clearly see that She is also a bit embarrassed and shy. They ordered some nonsense from the menu card and started talking as the sun set in the west. The professional ethics of CCD was maintained and a junk coffee was given after 30 minutes. For the sake of drinking, both of them had a sip and smiled nervously and placed the coffee in the table and started talking.

Time went by... The moon had come... The cool Bangalore breeze has started to gently lift the mood. He could clearly see the twinkle in her eyes, which said "You still don't know why we are here? You idiot" and the eyes giggled. He didn't know what became of him, but suddenly, He stretched his hand and held her hands which was placed for him for a long time. Seemed like the world had stopped to exist and She had become his world and He had become her world. They stopped talking. Their eyes stopped talking. She closed her eyes slowly. Holding her hand still, he leaned forward closing his eyes as his face was nearing her face.

======

That may be what He and She was thinking before the last line, but frankly, for me who was passing by by that time through that place, I thought, "Fuck! why don't these people get a room? There should be a strict law for people like these who create public nuisance. You assholes...." denying how pathetic I am to swear people who are living their life; though deep inside secretly happy for those people, but not willing to accept that I am pathetic, not them...

Irritating House Wife

Since the rest of the post will be some irritated angry rants, I would like to start with a small incidence which happened in my friend's team. My friend's team was having a casual conversation when they went for an team outing. Their manager asked everyone about what their expectation about their future wife and one guy told, 'I would like to marry a house wife' and everyone burst out laughing when the manager replied 'It will be illegal to marry a house wife'.

Now, actually coming to the post, I don't know how many of you thought 'it is not house wife, you idiot, it is home maker'. I was watching some stupid music channels where people call and blabber for sometime before we can watch a song. For the sake of asking the anchor asked 'what do you do?' and the lady replied 'I am a house wife'. Then the BFAH said sarcastically, 'So, you are not doing anything? You will simply be in your home?'. That lady got confused and he explained, 'you have to say "home maker" and not "house wife"'.

I was really pissed at that comment. I don't know when was this phrase 'home maker' invented. I think it was very recently started to be in normal usage. I think it was made normal because 'home maker' projects more esteemed sense than 'house wife' and people thought calling 'home maker' is better than calling 'house wife'? I don't really know. It does not matter how people call, whether 'house wife' or 'home maker', but what matters is, how they are treated. The term home maker actually means someone who is doing house keeping. A maid/servant could be called as a home maker, I think.

This applies mainly to the new phrase which is coined very often for handicapped people. First they were called 'handicapped', then they were called 'physically challenged' and then they were called 'differently abled' and I think in some places they are called 'special people'. I think they invented these new phrase so that such people are not hurt when they read handicapped/physically challenged etc. But IMO, it does not matter how it is written or how many new phrases government and other organization invents to make them feel better. What matters is the people's attitude towards them.

People should treat their 'house wife' or 'home maker' with respect, but not just in calling with fancy phrases. People should learn and treat handicapped people with as much respect as it would not hurt them. Giving too much respect/attention will only hurt them. People should be educated in that sense, instead of simply coining fancy phrases once in a few years and spend millions of dollars to simply change the phrases everywhere in the world.

[Yet Another] Love Story

"The first time you asked me to listen to this song, I didn't like it, but I just told I liked it to make you happy. But after listening to it some more times, I really like it... Thanks for sharing the heavy metal song. If not for you, I wouldn't have gotten to know the song!", she told him enthusiastically, kissing him on his forehead and ruffled his hair. The fact is, she was still lying.

She hated the song and when he asked her to listen to it the first time, she couldn't even act, and thought he might have suspected that she lied. Accepting an earlier lie, and lying affirmatively is the best way to lie. She knew that. It was not just about the song. She would do anything in her power to keep him happy. After all, he didn't know why she was "super nice" to him.

He also did not take her for granted. He also loved her very much, more than anything or anyone in the world. He would strongly disagree to the old fashioned habits which treat women lowly, for example, wife should eat after husband, etc., and he would always eat with her even if she tried to give some fake excuse to eat afterward, but, I don't know why he would expect her to remove his shoes and socks after he returns home every day.

Eventually, he came to know why she treated him so special and the reason for her to be "super nice" to him no matter how sad or disappointed she was. It is after around thirty years, when his eight year old son played a heavy metal song he got from his friend, to his wife and asked 'how is this song, mom?', and when she told, "I don't like heavy metal songs, but after listening to this, I started liking them. Thanks for sharing. If not for you, I wouldn't have known about these kind of songs" and kissed him on his forehead and ruffled his hair.

[PS: Could this be a better alternative ending for this story? After the son asks 'how is this song, mom?': Start reading from the beginning of the post.]

Skip Level Meeting : A Completely Imaginary Story

[Disclaimer : This post is completely an imaginary incidence. I am working in one of the "Great Places to Work" and my employer has nothing to do with this and any opinion expressed here is solely my imagination.]


'Skip level meeting', in an abstract sense, means a meeting with your boss's boss (manager's manager). It is very uncommon and will only happen if there is a 'special' need for it. Only in a few companies this 'skip level meeting' is part of the process. You know, generally, managers have the ability to screw up the life of his team members and this skip level meetings give a slight chance for the employees to screw up the life of their manager :) by complaining about the manager to the manager's manager.

[Jumping to the story. I don't know what names I can give the characters as it has to be the names which has nothing to do with any of my colleagues/manager in my career. So, let me go with my school mates names. Lets say, Kumar is the employee (the hero), Venkat is Kumar's manager and Sekar is the Venkat's manager.]


"Come on in Kumar. Please sit down.", Sekar invited cordially with a smile. Since this meeting was not requested by Kumar, and since Sekar's attitude was very pleasant, Kumar got some confidence that is not going to be a 'you screwed... bla bla bla' kind of a meeting. At least, he thought like that at that moment. "Thanks Sekar", told Kumar and sat on the chair meant for him.


[Lets skip all the parts where Sekar tells Kumar that he is doing an excellent job and he is a valuable addition but he needs to be more proactive and improve his communication skill. I think in all the meetings with the managers, the sentences 'you needs to be more proactive' and 'you can improve your presentation skills a bit more' will invariably be present.]


"So, Kumar, are you happy with the team?"
"Yes Sekar, I am very happy with my team. I have no complaints."
"I sensed that your relationship with Venkat is not smooth. Is there anything you want to tell me about that?"
"I don't know how and where you got such a wrong information, Sekar. I am having a good relationship with Venkat."
"It is completely okay Kumar. You can tell me. Think of this as a 360 degree feedback. Your name will not be used in any of the assessments."
"But the 360 degree feedback was over couple of months back right? I have been honest in filling that. I am happy with my team and my manager"
"It is okay even if you haven't been honest in your feedback. I wont use that against you. I want everyone working in my team to be happy"
"Well... I am happy here."
Sekar's cordial smile faded away. The smoothness in his speech was gone now. He looked more serious and continued...
"You know what? This is the problem of IT industry. Manager's can screw the employee life. They are given a great responsibility, but most of the managers think of the responsibility as mere power. Having personal favorite employees and screwing others even though they are good. I don't want such things happen in my team. I heard that Venkat openly insulted you when you missed a tough deadline. So, if you want to discuss anything, or if you have any complaints, please let me know. I will protect you."
"Sekar, I agree with what you told about managers and their responsibilities. I agree that Venkat scolded me in front of everyone when I missed a deadline. But I have no grudge against him. I can't let one simple incidence to judge him. Also..." 
"But...", Kumar stopped talking when Sekar started to say something. There was a moment of awkward silence and Kumar continued, but this time, Kumar was not very polite. He maintained a strong eye contact and told every word of it heavily, so that Sekar understands that Kumar has understood what was happening.

"I understand that even though managers have the power to screw the employees, they need a reason, at least a dummy reason, to screw their life. I am pretty sure Venkat wouldn't have done anything to me because of the incidence. He is a good person and a good manager, whether I like him personally or not. I don't want to...", Kumar's voice trailed off. He didn't want to continue and he didn't need to continue as Sekar is smart enough to understand what he was about to tell. Which is...


"I don't want to give you a reason to use such a trivial incidence to screw with Venkat's life. You are his manager and you have the POWER to screw him even if you get a simple negative feedback about him."

Masochists

Well, I thought the word 'masochist' means the people who enjoy being in an unpleasant situations, but googling gave me a complete different meaning for that word. I have to tell that this post is completely in an asexual context. I want to start the post with a simple incidence which happened some time ago.

My friend had asked me to give him a lift to get a doctor's appointment for his wife. We went to the hospital and got to know that the day's quota was over and that we would have to go back the next day. So, we started back and on the way, after a minute or so, he told me, "Let me tell you what will happen when I tell this (quota over and should go back the next day) to my wife. The moment I tell this, she will get irritated and shout at me 'Why didn't call me and tell me that? I would have told about other doctors or about medicines, etc.'.

There was a slight pride in his face that he knew what would happen and that his theory would be proved right. I stopped the bike and told him, 'If you are so sure that it will happen, why not call your wife and tell her that the quota is over?'. He was momentarily stunned and might not have expected me solve the trouble, and might have expected that I might actually test his theory. He had called his wife and the problem/trouble was over.

This incidence gave a good insight about people to me. And this is the reason I wrote this blog. Why are we so cruel to ourselves, by putting ourselves in an uncomfortable situation, just for the sake of proving that we are right about the consequences of our act? This really sickens me. I have thought so much about this to crack another insight about this. Of course, the insight I got is extremely boring and far fetched to be made as blog easily. Nonetheless, I will anyhow write about it in the future.

Vertical Lines When Watching Movies

This post is useful only if you have (or will have) problems watching some movies in your computer, but, it will not hurt to know some of the problems which you may face sooner or later and how to solve them. This post is about vertical lines (blue or green or pink colored) which come when viewing movies (or any videos) in your computer. The problem may also be horizontal lines, but I have never faced a horizontal lines issue.

This problem mainly occurs because you have installed a lot of players (VLC, Media Player Classic, BS Player, etc.) or installed a lot of video codecs. The root cause of the problem is some of the codecs you have installed has messed up with the video rendering of all your players. That said, if you are an expert in manipulating applications, you can go right ahead and go to the options (or preferences) and change the video output to a new value and try out.

If you need quick guide:

VLC:

Tools -> Preferences -> Video (and change the Output to : DirectX 3D Video Output). If this does not solve the issue or if it is not there, choose some other value and restart the VLC. This should fix that.

Media Player Classic:

View -> Options -> Playback -> Output (You will have a lot of options you can select. VMR-7 (Renderless) worked for me. You can try various things and select whichever suits you. Note that you will have to restart the player everytime you try a new output mode)

BS Player:

Press Ctrl+P (or right click on the player and choose Options -> Preferences) Select Video from the left side and select Video Rendering tab in the right. You can choose "Internal Renderer RGB mode". It worked for me. If it doesn't to you, try other values and don't forget the restart BS Player everytime you try a new value.

Good Luck and Happy watching movies!!

A Wish

It is always fashionable to say 'I am passionate about music/photography/dance/drawing/cricket/golf/etc'. I don't know whether people really understand the difference between 'passion' and 'interest'. Passion is a very strong word, but still people use that word just to sound fashionable. Is everyone who says being passionate about something really passionate about it? Or they just have an interest?

I don't know whether I am passionate about music or not, but, I would say music is the King of all the arts (Doesn't this sound fashionable and irritate most of you?). Music, dance, photography, drawing, etc. are all amazing arts when you want to listen/see them, but, what is more joyous when you are the one who is creating/performing the art? Even when no one will ever listen to what you are playing, dealing with music, either listen to it or playing it will give you the most ecstasy than anything else, IMHO. (If someone wants to contradict, please let me know what you feel.)

When you are creator, music will bring the most joy to you. By 'creator' I don't mean that you have to compose a new piece of music. Even when you are playing someone else composition, even if no one else will ever listen to what you are playing, playing a music instrument is a tremendous joy. This aspect is what is unique with music, I think so. A photograph or a sculpture or a painting will give you joy when others see it and appreciate it. Am I right?

As with most of my posts, what I wanted to tell you has nothing to do with what I have blabbered above. The personal wish (from the title) is that, I want everyone who reads this post to listen to one of my most favorite music pieces. It is Moonlight Sonata Movement 1, composed by Ludwig Van Beethoven. I wish that you watch it with your headphones without any rush or impatience. Even if you already know this piece and listened to it, please try to listen to this particular interpretation from Wilhelm Kempff.



If that piece of music meant something to you and if you liked it, try to listen to the second and the third movement of Moonlight Sonata played by the same genius Wilhelm Kempff. Thanks.

Guilty

Its been soon long I have opened blogger.com, but I am surprised that I haven't missed a month. I had decided long back that I should post at least one blog and utmost three blogs in a month. Glad that I haven't failed yet. Sorry for this stupid intro which has nothing to do with this post... Lets jump in!

Very recently I have purchased a very costly electronic gadget. I have been thinking of buying one from a relatively low range, but, as you know, thousands get added to your budget gradually and I ended up buying that, which would be too-much-to-think-about-at-first. For every thousand I had to add to the budget, I felt guilty. 'This is too much... you shouldn't waste that much money on this... bla bla bla...' was flowing in my mind.

Later I realized, no matter how much I feel guilty, I would anyhow buy it and at last bought it. Still now I couldn't convince myself whether it is worth that much or I am worth that much to buy such costly item. This incidence gave me an insight into an interesting interpretation of people. The 'I am feeling guilty to spend so much on this' is a great act/lie/pretending we do to ourselves. We feel better when we think/say 'I am feeling guilty to buy such a costly item' even though it is not really the case.

What we basically need is, someone should say 'It is okay. It is worth it. You are worth it. You go ahead and buy it' :). I knew I wanted to buy it and I knew that if I don't buy it, I would be restless and frustrated, but still, I needed a lot of convincing. I am wondering now what would have happened if no one tried to convince me. Probably I would have bought it anyway :). It is so pathetic!

But still there is a residue of 'feeling guilty' within me even after buying it, and I need your help. Suppose you are to buy a Rs. 50,000 item on your credit card what would you buy with it? You may buy anything, not necessarily an electronic item. [I promise, it is not a pathetic attempt to get more comments. I promise again.] You may ask how will it help me to get rid of the guilty conscience (or you may not ask). I just want to know what you would have bought. Thanks!

Short Story - Completely Imaginary

He normally hates to get stuck in that particular traffic signal as it is a very big junction and it would take a long time to get the green signal. He hates it very much as he gets stuck very often. But today it was different. Today, he liked the red signal and wanted it to be there for as long as possible, as waiting near him was a very beautiful girl.

He looked at her and surprisingly, she looked at him back. It was a casual exchange of sight but it continued for a long time. He first thought, 'Could she be blind?' and immediately disposed the idea as it was not possible. He casually turned back and checked whether she was looking at someone behind him and there was not anyone who looked even remotely a competition to him.

When the casual look was no more casual and when it became curious, only 15 seconds were left to get the green signal. He kicked his bike and started it. When he got green signal, he was waiting for the traffic in front of him to move. She thought, "Hmm... not bad... he is not like many other aggressive, born-for-impatience (அவசரத்துக்கு பொறந்த), annoying, irritating @$$^)!#s who blow horn the moment green signal was given...". He thought, "Shit! I have to get the battery recharged first... otherwise, I would have blown the horn to get her attention better..."

A Story You May Not Like - Part II

[Please click here to read the first part of this story. This is a continuation of that post.]

When Aravind was confused, he got a call back in two minutes. Saravanan sounded excited and he told, "The driver has made arrangements for the wiper da... but the passengers were going to complain about the driver and change the driver. There was a lot of excitement... so only I couldn't pick up the call da".

"I am at least happy that the wiper is arranged", said Aravind.
"But all the passengers have irritated the driver da. He is driving like crazy.", Sarvanan's voice was heavy.
"It is okay da. They would have encountered such things millions of times. Not to worry. Don't worry. You will reach safely."
"Hmm... lets hope so... Aravind, you had your dinner?"
"No da... that is the problem. Here also it is raining and there is nothing here to cook and I am starving da. Don't know what to do."
"Oh shit... your voice was dull and worried from the beginning da. I sensed it, but I was blabbering about my problems. What to do now?"
"I am thinking of going out to have dinner. But at this time only A2B restaurant be open."
"It is far away right? You can't walk to the restaurant da."
"I know da. I am thinking of taking your bike. Do you have enough petrol?"
"Aravind... you don't know riding the bike well. That too, it is night time and is raining. You don't even know the road conditions. I don't think you have to do this. Take an auto da."
"Its okay da. There wont be any traffic and I can ride slowly and safely. I am hungry like hell. Auto guys will ask triple the amount now."
"Take care da. I am not happy with this idea, but please be very very careful. Call me once you are back. I will be waiting for your call."

It was time Saravanan started worrying about Aravind rather than himself. He tried to fall asleep, but he couldn't. He can't even close his eyes. So, he took out his mobile and smsed Aravind "Don't forget to call me once you reach home. I will be waiting for your call". Since calling Aravind would be risky, he smsed him, as it was possible for Aravind to be riding the bike. Aravind received this sms when he was enjoying the dinner and read this sms. He smiled and kept the mobile inside to finish his dinner.

After he finished the dinner, when he was about to leave to his room from the restaurant, he thought of sending an sms to Saravanan and typed his number and typed the message, "I reached home safely. Don't worry about me. Sleep tight. We will meet tomorrow." Within minutes, a sudden brake happened in both of their lives. Aravind's sms became a lie and he never met him after that in his life... After all, how can Aravind meet someone who didn't exist in his world...

[After several hours, many minutes, and a few seconds later...]

"I should have died... not you... I am responsible for your death..." murmured Saravanan without crying, but still very sadly. He heard Aravind's voice "Don't even think like that da... Even if you have died and I was alive, it wouldn't have changed anything. We are playing against hard computer and 2 vs 5 is very very tough right? Wait... I will call Suresh... He plays Counter Strike very well... If we three play, we can device a better strategy and we can play 3 vs 6"... Aravind took out his mobile and typed Suresh's number and called him. In a moment, he shouted, "shit.. how many times would I do this mistake of typing the wrong number?" and started to type Suresh's number again...

A Story You May Not Like - Part I

[Spoiler: Part II climax beginning: They never met after that in their life... After all, how can Aravind meet someone who didn't exist in his world...]

Saravanan was in full terror. Everything had gone very wrong that day. Every gestures, every sign he got when he left home was bad. He was leaving to Bangalore from his native town Thanjavur. Every time he traveled, he would pray to the Gods and this time, when he prayed, the lamps got put out by the wind (from no where). He used to get wishes from his parents every time. That day, his father told, "Why do you have to prostrate every time? Leave this habit." Though he told that casually, Saravanan felt really bad and considered it as a bad sign.

To add to his despair, he had got the first seat behind the driver in the right side of the bus (in case you don't know, in case of an accident, the people sitting in the right side of the bus are more prone to much damage and people in the first row in the right side will be the first casualty in case if there is any). Something in his mind told that it is not advisable for him to travel that night. But he has already taken one day leave and he can not afford to take one more day. Though Saravanan does not believe in this kind of bullshit thinking, this day, he felt for sure that something wrong was in cooking...

The bus started and within an hour, the driver stopped the bus and got down. Saravanan didn't know what was happening. He thought, 'Wow... it is my luck... may be a tire is punctured.' But it didn't seem like that. There was some commotion happening outside and people were getting down to know what it was. He was shocked when he saw that the driver had got some kind of nervous breakdown and he was telling like 'I couldn't drive. I want to relax. Please give me some time' and was flailing his legs and hands. The passengers who had got down said, 'It is okay brother. Please take your time. Take rest every one hour'. Never in his life Saravanan has faced this kind of strong eerie signals.

Trying so hard to be cool, he got into the bus and the driver had come after some five minutes and started the bus. When Trichy should have been reached, the bus was still going somewhere outer and there was a sudden break. What the? The driver had found out that, he was driving in a wrong route for the past 15 minutes. Instead of taking Salem road, he had taken Madurai road. It had started raining. After a lot of struggle, the driver managed to take an U turn and reached Trichy. Though it was already late, the bus was not started for a long time. So, Saravanan inquired the conductor about the delay. The conductor told, "The wiper is missing. The driver has gone out to make arrangement".

It was not raining when Saravanan had left home, but now, it is raining and the bus does not have the wiper. 'Shall I get out of the bus and go by another bus?', Saravanan was asking himself. But he asked the conductor politely 'But brother, without the wiper, how can we travel in this rain?'. The conductor answered irritably, 'We have to go by whatever means and however the situation is'. Saravanan got really very nervous by this time and he was asking to himself, 'Should I call my father and tell this?'. He decided a big NO. He couldn't let his family be in terror and he definitely didn't want to terrify them and not let them sleep for the whole night.

But he wanted to talk to someone. This could quite possibly be the last night he was going to live. He didn't want to die in despair and hopelessness if it happens. So, he took out his mobile and called his room mate and one of his best friends, Aravind. Aravind's voice was not encouraging. He seemed disturbed and sad when he attended Saravanan's call. Saravanan told everything to Aravind. He told about all the wrong signs and how bad the situation is. Aravindh's voice became ever more worried and sadder, but still, he told Saravanan that 'Nothing will happen da. You wont die at least until you become an uncle (Saravanan's elder brother was going to become a father in a couple of months)'. They both laughed at this light joke.

Saravanan talked to Aravind for some 15 minutes and he cut the call. Saravanan felt much better, but Aravind didn't feel well. He wanted to talk to Saravanan. So, after 15 minutes of thinking and hesitation, he took out his mobile and dialed his number slowly. Thousands of stupid, sad, terrifying thoughts were running in his mind. When he pressed the green button, there was a moment of deafening silence. He started hearing the caller tune. The full caller tune was played and Saravanan didn't pick up the mobile.

Please click here to read the continuation...

Express Love

Express Love - What is the first thought which came to your mind by reading the title? If you had thought that I was going to tell something about the express love which happens in the world (and that I would be scolding it back and forth with a lot of smoke coming out of my ears), then, I have to thank you that you have actually read some of my posts and have got a good (in the sense, accurate) opinion about this blog.

In fact, I have got some feedback from my friends that I am only good in scolding others/things. One of my friends told blatantly, "the only thing you know is to make fun of others and scold things. You don't know how and what to write about good things". I went through the pain of reading my past recent post in various blogs and concluded that 'he is right'. But this post has nothing to do with express love with express as an adjective (is it an adjective? Am I wrong?). It is just 'express' as a verb.

Suppose, I tell you that 'someone becomes very angry on a person', what would you think that the someone would do? As soon as possible and as much as possible, he/she would do everything in his/her power to show that he/she is angry on them. It could just be gestures, or shouting, or scowling, or in the worst case, breaking the things around them. Suppose, I tell you that 'someone loves another person very much'. The love here could mean the love between friends, husband-and-wife, father/mother to their children and vice versa, or people who are in love. What do you imagine first?




Among friends, you may imagine that they are going outside and simply talking? Or they are playing a game? Or what? Among husband-wife, the expressing of love may differ greatly on how long have they been married :). Among parent to their children, what can you imagine? Suppose a parent loves the son/daughter and if suppose the child is not a child but a grown up adult, how can you imagine them expressing their love? If the child is hurt, the parent will worry more than anyone else? You imagined like that? Or how? How can a grown up adult express his/her love of his/her parents and vice-versa? In either case, the people will not (or can not?) tell others that they love them.



If we want to imagine expressing anger, we can easily do it. If we want to imagine expressing love it is very difficult to imagine (of course, I understand that anger is universal and almost common for all kind of relationships and love differs), but still, expressing love is a very difficult thing. Am I right? This is the problem with me, actually, I wanted to express something else with this post, but the on-the-fly-junk has won the actual-junk and I think I will have to write another post to write what I actually wanted to write (three 'write' in one small sentence.. awkward right? :)) as the size of this post has already become big. seeYouSoon();

நான் புடிச்ச முயலுக்கு அஞ்சு காலு - சுருள் சுத்தும் நிகழ்வு

எப்பவும் போல வெட்டியா இருந்தப்ப ஒரு weekend la என் gTalk status messageஅ 'நான் புடிச்சமுயலுக்கு அஞ்சு காலு'னு வச்சுருந்தேன். என்ன (மகனாச்சேனு வேற வழி இல்லாம) மதிகுற வெகு சில பேருலஒருத்தரான என் அப்பா 'என்ன status message' னு கேட்டார். 'சும்மா வெட்டியாதாம்பா வச்சுருக்கேன்'னு நான் சொல்ல, 'வெட்டியா இருந்தாலும் ஒரு logic வேணாமா? at least "நீ புடிச்ச முயலுக்கு அஞ்சு காலுன்னு" சொன்னா கூட ஒரு logic இருக்கு' னுஅப்பா சொல்ல, 'என்ன குற்றம் கண்டீர் தந்தையே' னு நான் argumenta ஆரம்பிச்சேன்.

'நான் புடிச்ச முயலுக்கு மூணு காலுனா என்னனு தெரியுமா?'
'தெரியும் பா... பிடிவாதமா இருக்குறது தானே?'
'அதோட background story என்னனு தெரியுமா?'
'சத்தியமா தெரியாது :)'

So, என் தந்தை என்னை மொட்டை மாடிக்கு அழைத்து சென்று நிலா சோறு ஊட்டிவிட்டு சொல்ல வேண்டிய கதையை அப்படியே அந்த room லயே சொல்ல ஆரம்பித்தார்...

'முன்றொரு காலத்தில், ஒரு முனிவரிடம் சில சீடர்கள் இருந்தார்கள்... அவர்கள் காட்டிலே இருந்தார்கள்... தினமும் ஒரு சீடன் சென்று வேட்டையாடி உணவு கொண்டுவரவேண்டும்... எல்லாரும் சேர்ந்துதான் சாப்பிட ஆரம்பிக்க வேண்டும்... அப்புடி இருந்தபோது, ஒரு நாள் ஒரு சீடன் முயல் ஒன்றை வேட்டையாடி சமைத்து வைத்து மற்றவர்களுக்காக காத்திருந்தான்... அனால் அவனுக்கு ஆர்வத்தை கட்டுபடுத்த முடியாமல், முயலின் ஒரு காலை உண்டுவிட்டான்...

'எல்லாரும் வந்து சாப்பிட ஆரம்பிக்க போகும் போடு, ஒரு கால் குறைவதை கண்டுபிடித்தனர்... அவனிடன் 'ஏன் நீ நாங்கள் வருவதற்கு முன்பே சாபிடாய்?' என்று கேட்க, நம் நண்பர் என்ன சொல்லுவது என்று தெரியாமல் 'நான் சாப்பிடவில்லை... நான் புடிச்ச முயலுக்கு மூணு கால்தான் இருந்தது என்று சொன்னான்'. எத்தனையோ முறை கேட்டாலும், அவன் ஒரே பதில்தான் சொன்னான் "நான் புடிச்ச முயலுக்கு மூணு கால்". இதனால்தான் உன் status message logic கே இல்லாமல் இருக்கிறது ' என்று அப்பா முடித்தார்...

ச... இத்தன நாலா இது தெரியாம போச்சேன்னு feel பன்னி ஓடி போய் அம்மாகிட்ட கேட்டேன், 'அம்மா உனக்கு அந்த story தெரியும்மா?' னு... 'தெரியாது'னு அம்மா தெரியாம சொல்ல (சிக்கி விட்டார்கள் என்ற சந்தோசத்தில்) அம்மா கிட்ட அந்த மொக்கைய போட்டுட்டு யோசிச்சேன்... அம்மாவுக்கே தெரியலனா, நெறைய பேருக்கு கண்டிப்பா தெரியாதுன்னு... super da Amudha... blog ல மொக்க போட ஒரு topic கிடைச்சுதுன்னு cruel ஆ ஒரு சிரிப்பு சிரிச்சிகிட்டே blogger.com type பன்னி, ஒரு draft உருவாக்கினேன்...

பி.கு.: சுருள் சுத்தும் நிகழ்வு = Flashback னு நீங்கள் புரிந்துருபீர்கள் என்று நம்புகிறேன். நன்றி :)

Kisses - Inspired by a true incident

[This post is not advisable for everyone because of very mild sensuality in the content. Readers discretion is required.]

She was not there in the office for three months. He didn't miss her at all. After all, they were just colleagues. In fact, he didn't even realize that she was not in the office. She has returned from US, after a short on-site opportunity. He came to know that she is back in office only by a personal mail from her to him.

He couldn't believe that she even had him in her mind and he was thoroughly excited to read her mail. He ran to her place. Stood there silently for a second. Thousands of thoughts were running in his mind. Though it is a tall cubicle, people passing by can easily see what anyone does in the cubicle. When he was making up his mind as to what he has to say, she gave him kisses!

Should he be extremely happy? or should he be disappointed by her attitude? He doesn't like such people, but, who cares? This is the first ever time he is tasting kisses. She looked into his eyes. It was an intense look and he couldn't take it anymore. With her eyes she asked him 'want anymore?'. But, he needed time. It is going to take a lot of time for him to digest what had just happened.

He left the place without telling anything. He was very angry on her in one millisecond and was very happy the next millisecond. He said 'thanks' after walking some 5 feet. He heard her giggling. Gosh, he was blushing... he should have talked to her face to face.

He came silently and slowly to his place and told his team mates what had happened. They also ran to her place and got two kisses each. When they all met, one of his friends told, "Man... what is she thinking she is doing? She was there in US for three months and got only the cheap kisses chocolate? It is bull shit man. At least she should have got some snickers or bar chocolate".

[PS: The total time taken to conceive the idea and finish this post was about 30 minutes. Please forgive me for the shallow character development and junk ending and a junk post.]