tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73624819508945915452024-02-20T22:53:56.388+05:30Radically Distinctive!Explore. Experience. Live!CriA'TVT'http://www.blogger.com/profile/10057572430456715292noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362481950894591545.post-87716098850573304372013-02-08T23:24:00.001+05:302013-05-24T17:09:25.184+05:30The Coronaviruses, Table Tennis and Michael Jordan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_cold">common cold</a> (also known as nasopharyngitis, rhinopharyngitis, acute coryza, or a cold) is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract which affects primarily the nose. Symptoms include coughing, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, and fever which usually resolve in seven to ten days, with some symptoms lasting up to three weeks. Well over 200 viruses are implicated in the cause of the common cold; the rhinoviruses are the most common. Other viruses that could possibly cause such infections are the coronaviruses. Well, yes! I am suffering from common cold.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I have taken an off from work as I wouldn't be able to do the darning. I spent most of my day doing something really productive - Sleeping. Most part of the sleep cycle was with eye movements. When I woke up I realized that I was dreaming about competing in a table-tennis championship. Actually, I have indeed participated in one. Not exactly a championship. It was a tournament conducted by my employer at the Bangalore delivery center level. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I vividly remember how I was feeling the night before the match. It was way back in August 2012. I was suffering from viral fever. No. Not the corona viruses. I did not Google about the virus back then. Let us say it is 'a viral fever' for this context. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was at Ooty and one of my colleagues called me up and said that the tournament begins the next day and that it begins with my match. I thought it was an honor in disguise. That is one of the ironic situations people whose name starts with 'A' face day-to-day. So, it failed to shock me. I booked my ticket to Bangalore for that night in spite of my illness. I was tight packed, wearing a woollen sweater and a woollen cap for the journey in the air-conditioned bus. It was 1 am, exactly 2 hours and 25 minutes from the commencement of the journey, I start sweating ferociously and shivering at the same time. On my mind, I started playing with my opponent, hitting smash after smash like a pro. Considering the fact that I got my hands on a Table Tennis bat for the first time in June 2012, it was very obvious to imagine being a pro. Well, I would imagine being a pro of any game even without playing or even knowing the intricacies of the game.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With that sweat and shiver I managed to reach Bangalore the next morning. I had a quick nap and the dream of hitting smash after smash and yet not managing to get a point made me flabbergasted and I eventually got rid of my nap. I got up and went towards the mirror and I sought Mr. Conscience’s advice:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You must at least score one point. Do not lose the match without scoring, Ok?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yes. I must!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you manage to score one point, you are definitely capable of scoring more. Do not lose in straight sets, Ok?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well, Ok.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Be persistent. Do not give up no matter what!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You know what? Just play your game!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was a Monday and so I got dressed up in formals and packed my bag with a Sports T Shirt, lowers and sports shoes. I suppose dressing up for the occasion is in my genes. I got it from my father. He insists on proper dress code and I have never seen him violate the same. I reached office and directly went to the TT room. Only the organizers were there and informed me that the match will commence once the opponent arrives. I started sweating again. This time it was because of nervousness. I changed to my sportswear and had a few knocks with the organizers. The opponent arrived about twenty minutes later. He was in so-called-formal clothing (he had ‘folded’ the sleeves of his shirt). At that moment I wished the organizers would send back my opponent for improper clothing and qualify me for the second round. Apparently, they did not. I and my ‘forgotten-name’ opponent had a few knocks and then we were all set for the Game.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was a eleven – point -3 - set game. Each of the players gets to serve for two points alternately. My opponent won the toss and chose to serve first. He tossed the orange ball with his left hand and served with his right. The ball spun and had a good pace. I returned and then it hit the net. One love – said the referee. I did not know the technique to handle spin, then. I failed his next service too. Then it was my turn to serve. I am a left hander and that played a crucial role in making the next two points in my favour. The game continued and we netted a few serves until it reached seven all. By now, we were accustomed to each of our serves and return techniques. It was my turn to serve and in two knocks he was able smash it away for another point. At this juncture, I was sweating profusely… aftermaths of gulping a paracetamol earlier that morning. I waited a while with my hands on my hip and wiped of my sweat. I made my next serve. Earning this point was not easy for both of us. The knock was going on and on. None of us wanted to give up. He tempted me with a slow return, went a few yards behind the table, imagining that I would smash it outside, I gave another slow return. It was so slow that the second bounce of the ball was so close to the net. I won that point. The fact is that I had never succeeded in smashing ever in those two months. So, I didn’t take a chance. It was eight, all. With that fascinating victory, I managed to take three points in a row and won the set 11 – 8.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We changed sides. I served him. Given the fact that he understood all the little techniques that I learned in the last two months, I lost point after point. I took occasional twenty second breaks between the services. My opponent won the set and the game’s score was 11 – 8; 4 – 11. The next and final set to decide the winner was to commence and while changing the sides I was thinking that I had done a more-than-expected performance in the game. I wanted to win but somewhere deep inside I wanted this game to end as early as possible, no matter what the outcome is. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The third set was quite tight with 4 – 6, then 6 – 6 and then 8 – 6. I was leading the set. I was totally exhausted. But then, I really wanted to win. It was 10 – 9. One point and I will be the winner. Apparently, my opponent too wanted one point that could be a game changer. By now, my colleagues and the other team players were at the court. The room seemed full. Everybody’s eyes were on the movements of the orange ball. And… my opponent gets his point!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Deuce.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He served me. I didn’t know what happened. The referee says:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Advantage Forgotten-name!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now, it was my chance to serve. And I netted the ball.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I lost. But I wasn’t sad. I was wearing a Ram-Smile. I saw the scores and I was extremely elated. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">11 – 8; 4-11; 10 -12!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Definitely not bad when compared to what I thought. I almost forgot to shake hands with the winner. After congratulating the winner I went and hugged my colleagues. Some of the TT pros gathered there told me that it was a good game and my performance was really good considering my experience with the game.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Later that evening, I happened to see a poster of Michael Jordan in the Internet that says:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I’ve lost almost 300 Games. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I’ve failed over and over again in my life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And that is why I succeed!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I still have 299 Games and 25 shots to be missed, I thought.</span></span></div>
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CriA'TVT'http://www.blogger.com/profile/10057572430456715292noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362481950894591545.post-64176518166264034182012-02-18T14:43:00.001+05:302012-02-18T19:55:43.469+05:30How to become a Rocket Scientist?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">There is this website called www.facebook.com. That's the place where I was stuck all these days, not finding time to post anything on this space. I'm not complaining. Facebook is really a very good concept. It's a phenomenon. I had the opportunity to get in touch with almost all the long gone friends. Last week, I received a friend request from one of my school friends who was studying with me from first standard till 8th Standard. Well, till the end of first term in 9th standard, to be precise.<br />
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I do not know when we actually started speaking to each other at school. But then, when we were in 4th or 5th Standard we were close buddies because of one thing that we had in common - WWF.<br />
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Every Friday, the talk in the class would be about the main event in WWF that we watched last evening. No matter we had Mid-Term Tests (It was called Unit Test, for us) or exams, we still watched it, never missing a single episode. While I was a big fan of Stone Cold Steve Austin, Sharath was that of The Rock. We used to do this <i>"If you smelllllll.... What the Rock is Cooking!"</i> standing on the bench and holding a 'virtual' microphone on the hand, in the classroom.<br />
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Then we entered the Teens.<br />
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VIII B, first Row (First Column, actually. They called it Row back then) Second Bench, English Period.<br />
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There was a Poetry Recitation going on. Yes, you are right! Recited by the class Princess who is the pet to every teacher. So, obviously we tried to play the spoilsport. Sharath started making this Buzzing sound with his mouth closed. I started Buzzing too. Then we waited for a second, looked at each other, nodded our heads and started playing our composition together. When the teacher had a doubt, we cut the noise abruptly. This was going on as a cycle for three times. The fourth time, the teacher caught me giggling and I was sent out of the class!<br />
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We were a notorious gang back then. We had done enough mischief to cherish for a lifetime. Right from playing cricket to breaking the windows of a house, just for the sake of a small bet, everything was so much fun! Sharath was this perfect teen boy who breaks the street lamps with just one attempt with great accuracy. He rarely misses his target.<br />
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I remember an incident that happened during the first term in 9th standard. It was a free period. For those of you who do not know what a free period is, it is a classroom session where the teacher comes to the class and sits without doing any work. There are different types of free periods. Oh wait! This is out of our syllabus. Let me get back to the incident!<br />
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I and Sharath were sitting together in the last bench. My friend created paper rockets and we were discussing upon the targets. We chose the boys in the first bench as our target. My friend, known for his accuracy flew the rocket to each one of the boys, one after the other. It landed on their heads, as planned. The first bench boys threw the rocket back to us. To my bad luck, all of them landed on me. I got furious and threw one of the rockets back to them.<br />
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But... it landed on on our teacher's well made hair bun!<br />
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Today I spoke to Sharath:<br />
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"Hey dude.. How are you man?"<br />
"I'm fine da. How about you?"<br />
"I'm good. Very long time isn't it? What do you do these days? Where and what did you study?"<br />
"I graduated with Masters degree in Physics. Currently I'm a research fellow in ISRO... Rocket Science!"<br />
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And... we both laughed!</div>CriA'TVT'http://www.blogger.com/profile/10057572430456715292noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362481950894591545.post-54955174756976035092010-10-12T15:16:00.000+05:302010-10-12T15:16:33.631+05:30Money Does Matter<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Disclaimer:</span></span></u></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> This story is original and purely a work of my imagination. Resemblance to any person, name, location or personal experience is purely coincidental. No content of this story is intended to hurt anyone’s beliefs or emotions.</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“Appa… I’m going to the RTO office to apply for LLR.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“ Dae… Take some extra cash with you. You’ll need it.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“ It’s okay pa. Doesn’t matter. I have 200. More than enough.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ashok left to the bus stop to board a bus to the transport office. He just wrote his 12</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">th</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> standard examination and was waiting for the results. Instead of dying out of boredom at home, he thought of practicing driving and obtain a driving license before he joins college. It was a busy Monday morning in the Regional Transport Office. There were people queuing up the stall to buy various application forms. After a long wait, Ashok finally bought the LLR application form and went near the lawn so that he could sit comfortably and fill the form.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He carefully filled in the application form. He took his old bus pass from his wallet to verify if he’d written the appropriate address. He verified it twice and was almost done with the application form. He took his eyes off the paper and his gaze fell on a girl…the girl…the girl of his dreams. Slim, fair, beautiful! She had sparkling eyes that could make him write a million poems. Ashok was looking at her with awe.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">She was sitting on the lawn. She wore a black trouser and a white kurti. The neck of the kurti was meticulously embellished with beautiful craft work, adding beauty to beauty. Her soft slender neck was carrying a thin gold chain, which she would caress with her lips then and there. She kept her montex ball-pen on her lips after filling up each blank on the application form. Ashok wished he were that pen. On every single move of her pink lips, Ashok experienced a cool breeze on his face. A strand of her hair kept falling on her face and she would slowly place them behind her ear. Ashok never believed in </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">‘love at first sight’</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> until he saw her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“I’m on Earth just to lead the rest of my life with this angel”</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> thought Ashok. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ashok closed his eyes and started praying.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“</span></span></b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Dear Mr. Pillayar,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I haven’t prayed anything sincerely since childhood. Nor have I offered anything to you for lighting my life with success and happiness. I’m so obsessed with this girl since the moment I saw her. She is the best girl you’ve ever sent to Earth. She is so beautiful. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Today, I have a sincere prayer for the first time in my life. I want that girl to come to me and talk. Just for a moment, today. If this happens, I would dedicate 108 coconuts to you, tomorrow. Promise!” <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">He opened his eyes. The girl was walking towards him. He couldn’t believe that it was happening. He pinched himself…yes it was happening in real. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“Yes!! She is walking towards me. This is going to be the happiest moment in my life!”</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Ashok said to himself.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“Perfect for my height.”</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> He thought.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“Thank you Pillayarappa!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> She came close to him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“Excuse me?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">“Anna! Ainooru(500) roobaiku change irukuma?”</span></span></i></b></div>CriA'TVT'http://www.blogger.com/profile/10057572430456715292noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362481950894591545.post-40368236983079989472010-01-15T00:17:00.011+05:302010-01-15T01:51:23.735+05:30The Most Addictive Morphine<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The much awaited drug is finally out in town. Researchers have found out that this would be the most opted drug of the year 2010. So far, many people across the globe experienced the essence of the promotional product. The makers of the drug had finally decided to release their product officially and the government has given them a green signal due to its increasing demands not only amongst the youth, but also among the elder ones. Researchers have predicted that if its usage goes at this rate, in a week’s time, even the kids would be consuming it heavily on everyday basis. A group of people protested against the legalisation of this drug. However, when they were fed with a pinch of it, they literally gave up and started a campaign in favour of it.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“I experimented with these ingredients for the past few years. It allured me. I finally made up my mind to go ahead and prepare the drug. We’ve worked really hard on this. I hope the people like it,”</span></span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> humbly says the </span></span><a href="http://www.arrahman.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Chief Chemical Engineer</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> in spite of having wonderful feedback on the promotional release of one of the products. The package is named as </span></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“</span></span><a href="http://www.arrahman.com/v2/discography/films-tamil-vinnaithaandivaruvaaya.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa.</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">”</span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> There are basically </span></span><a href="http://www.arrahman.com/v2/discography/films-tamil-vinnaithaandivaruvaaya.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">7 products.</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> The product named </span></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">‘</span></span><a href="http://www.arrahman.com/v2/discography/films-tamil-vinnaithaandivaruvaaya.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Hosaana</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">’</span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> is already very famous among everyone.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJF4PSk1uYGc03Dbd_S044UwPB9ZryRqt2fVJTYO81MbGnmdWkz8U4fu98LY-cFTfkjFvLTIJpoc49s5LcI1kfI9H3-FA9ECV8yNyu1OjR60hq9pxu7VAryQOoTJqoYZSWrYbhXVOuFw/s1600-h/vinnaithaandi-varuvaaya-movie-posters-01.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJF4PSk1uYGc03Dbd_S044UwPB9ZryRqt2fVJTYO81MbGnmdWkz8U4fu98LY-cFTfkjFvLTIJpoc49s5LcI1kfI9H3-FA9ECV8yNyu1OjR60hq9pxu7VAryQOoTJqoYZSWrYbhXVOuFw/s320/vinnaithaandi-varuvaaya-movie-posters-01.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426676142950839490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 281px; " /></a></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Folks! I was really waiting for the official release. I’m literally crazy about all the 7 products launched. But, I’m addicted to one product called </span></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">‘</span></span><a href="http://www.arrahman.com/v2/discography/films-tamil-vinnaithaandivaruvaaya.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Aaromale.</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">’</span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> The ingredients were mostly metal and soft rock which is my all time favourite. A new catalyst has been used here. This is the most addictive drug I’ve ever consumed. Though it’s an Indian product, it has much better essence than a foreign morphine. I think most of you would get addicted to '</span></span><b><i><a href="http://www.arrahman.com/v2/discography/films-tamil-vinnaithaandivaruvaaya.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Mannipaaya</span></span></a></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">' and the title product. Yeah! It is a known fact that this Chemical Engineer’s product is accepted worldwide and is critically acclaimed. Not to forget the two international awards bagged by him. This is the first product which he has made for our requirements after receiving the awards. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Like always, the package is made for a roller-coaster ride.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> “The ride is almost ready. Additional patch up works are left. Hopefully, the ride will be ready within a month’s time. It’s my dream to work with this Chemical Engineer. It has come true now. I hope the riders get the experience of lifetime,”</span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> says the </span></span><a href="http://www.gauthammenon.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Chief Engineer</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> of this project.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> The package is available in stores now. Buy it and experience life in heaven. Let’s see how the morphine and the roller-coaster have a combined effect... SOON!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>P.S.</b> No offense intended on anybody or anything indirectly or directly.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>P^2.S.</b> Buy original CDs and watch the movie in theatres :)</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px;font-size:small;">x</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px;font-size:small;">15/1/2010</span></span></p>CriA'TVT'http://www.blogger.com/profile/10057572430456715292noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362481950894591545.post-7563923842007970432009-12-27T23:58:00.008+05:302010-01-01T20:24:14.294+05:30Avatar 2010<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I have to tell you about the most influential movie which I watched recently. Yes! AVATAR! The movie about which the whole of earth is talking.</span></div><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTKzJA4O5vFUCf5uR3ZC0ov1svPhydGtk0GMlwSNSHJ_Q3jgzo_T9SFLGW-5ETPdDh4tvv7X_63_Mq_a3PhX4XSN7LQM1yj7w1cs2p-nnniefZnLV8FnSEMvl3DGGLddzdICddsIalI8/s320/avatar_james_cameron_guy.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 137px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420009376100893298" /><br />You must've read and watched a lot of reviews about the movie. The amount of technology and visual effects involved in the film is tremendous and the 3D effect takes you into pandora. Usually, in any <i>Alien Vs Humans</i> kind of movie, the aliens are always considered as villains while this movie shows it the other way.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />I don't wish to get deep into the storyline of the movie. Even if I do, believe me, it's not going to reduce the thrill for the people who haven't watched the movie yet. There is a moon called <i>'Pandora'</i> where there are living creatures resembling the humans(in certain characteristics) and they are called the <i>Na'vis</i>. Humans try to invade Pandora.<br /><br /><strong><br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>What makes it different from the other fantasy movies?</strong><br /><br />I correlated the Na'vis with the tribal human beings of the ancient civilisations. The Na'vis believed that there is a link between all the living organisms in their world and that that is their responsibility to preserve and protect. This was the case with most of the earlier civilizations. I would like to share one scene of the movie where the male lead hunts a prey and then the female lead tells a prayer verse that the <i>Eywa</i>(their Almighty) would take care of the prey after its death. This kind of belief is still prevalent among human beings even now. Yes! It is still being practiced in Islam every time they kill an animal for food.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><strong>Bondage with other living beings<br /></strong><br />Most of you might've known about this. Naturalists say that the growth of a plant is better when we talk to it. It was an Indian who discovered that plants too had life. Dr.Jagdeesh Chandra Basu. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0JbR4kZZ-Zaq7Ki0oF0Ub6YycDP2yoJjTFaplxfPNtH1fRSyHnsppNKX2Bl1q3TkHNbJYIx7t58PnJM2n3N0JpOdRCb0D1eEEOQ5k4hEE1V-jRFHStkEZ3hOa2XanW0LgnsnNRNhyFY/s320/James_Cameron.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 223px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420010196618786274" /><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I definitely appreciate <b>Mr. James Cameron</b> for his intensive research for this film and ending up in a masterpiece like this. Hats-off Sir. I am your biggest fan now. I wish I were a Na’vi :(<br /><br /></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold; font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My Perception on AVATAR</span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I don't mind repeating the golden words... This is the most influential Hollywood film I've ever watched. This movie made me think about a million things. Firstly, The Copenhagen Summit. <em>'If people are not of your kind, do not bias them. Master-slave technique should never be applied in this case.'</em><br /><br />The movie portrays the ignorance of the human creed. I personally feel that we were sent to earth by god to preserve the ecology. We didn't give importance to nature as much as we gave to the development of destructive technology. We went against the law of nature in all aspects. We don't love our nature anymore.<br />There are a lot more issues pertaining to this.<br /><br /><strong>How do we fulfill the wishes of the Supreme Power?</strong><br />There is no way that we can fulfill his wishes. Everything is out of our hands. But, we must take some steps in a best possible way to preserve nature for a few more centuries at least.<br /><br /><strong>Avoid plastics.<br />Use public vehicles as much as possible.<br />Plant trees.</strong><br /><br />One can keep on adding points to this list. Why not take a resolution for new year as<strong><em> ‘I will try to preserve mother Nature in the best possible way’</em></strong> ??<br /><br />I wish you all a very happy and prosperous new year. My next post would be in 2010 only. Until then, BYE. </span></p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><p><br /><strong>P.S.</strong> I have just given my perceptions. There might many facts and figures pertaining to this. I welcome all for a discussion in the comment forum.</p><p><strong>P.P.S</strong> After having done so much of analysis and research on a movie, I think I deserve to work for Mr. Cameron. Don't you? :D</p></span>CriA'TVT'http://www.blogger.com/profile/10057572430456715292noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362481950894591545.post-64379650278254961262009-11-30T09:54:00.003+05:302009-12-30T01:21:56.862+05:30CRACKPOT<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sometimes you act weird. You loose all your patience you’ve fuelled your mind with. You feel like screaming in the 8th octave. You feel like taking a sledge hammer (as if it’s readily available in your room) and hit everything you see around with all the strength you have. I was in this state of mind for the past two days for no reason. The feeling was irresistible. It almost corrupted all the ‘positive-thinking’ cells of my brain. I stopped talking. I stopped listening. This god-damned feeling started ruling me. ‘The hawk which was always ready for adventure and challenges wanted to get inside the egg shell where it came from.’<br /><br />Silence aggravated the multiplication of this crackpot virus on both the hemispheres of my brain. Yet, I could listen to Mr. Conscience, who was talking to me like an old man on death bed. He told me to take a stroll. May be, he thought natural light might kill these viruses. I switched over to jeans and t-shirt from my pajamas. I finally came out of my house. I couldn’t see anybody on the streets or I should say I didn’t wish to see anybody on the street because I was scared that I would simply go and beat them up. I was walking in the street with clenched fists. It was almost an evenfall. I kept walking around my <em>nagar</em>. In the last street I met a chap. He seemed to be around six years of age. He had a brown complexion and long ears. His face was protruding and he kept screaming at me in a language absolutely unknown to me.<br /><br />I closed my eyes for about 7 seconds and then opened it to find that he had four legs. DAMN! That brown chap was a street dog barking at me continuously.<br /><br /><em>‘Dude!! You’re adding oil to fire!!’<br /></em><br />I became so furious. It was no good for the brown chap. I went close to him. Someone had torn the page containing the word fear from my dictionary.<br /><br /><em>‘You wanna bite me huh? Come on!!’</em><br />( I believe in 'Barking dogs seldom bite' theory.)</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />I went further closer. He started showing his teeth. Now, the crackpot cells took it as an insult. They made me look for a weapon to attack this chap. I found a log of wood near the gutter. I took that and started heading towards the dog furiously. He was about to jump over me…<br /><br /><em>BANG!!!</em><br /><br />I hit him on his neck with the wood. He didn’t give up. He came back. I gave him a blow on his face that he started bleeding very badly. Blood started dripping from his mouth mixed with saliva!It was very ugly.<br /><br />I became more eccentric, enjoying the pleasure of acting violent. I took the log in my left hand and started walking swiftly. It was dark and all the street lamps were lit up. I saw a black Santro facing me at the end of the street. It was a brand new car and a man was locking and unlocking the car with the remote. I screamed almost in the 8th octave trying to damage the car’s glass builds- the way Michael screams in ‘Black or White’ video. It works only for him. I ran to the car and with the log I hit the car’s windows. I got on top of the bonnet and slammed the front window with a scream. The noise of the breaking glasses rocked the entire locality. I turned the windows of the car into a cobweb. I climbed up to the roof of the car and broke the rear window.<br /><br />Horns were blowing loud and I could hear a man talking.<br /><br />Gosh!! I was in the middle of the road in my street and a Maruti 800 was in front of me. The driver was scolding me very badly. I went to the driver and gave him a sheepish smile and left the place.<br /><br />I realised that that was a horrible imagination. I kept walking with a million thoughts on my mind. I reached the last street of my <em>nagar</em>. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">There was a brown dog and I could see a black Santro at the end of the street.</span>CriA'TVT'http://www.blogger.com/profile/10057572430456715292noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362481950894591545.post-34171159331225899682009-10-21T19:56:00.003+05:302009-10-21T20:45:17.490+05:30Keiser Bhagat<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Most of my school friends know that my affinity towards reading novels is <span style="font-style: italic;">0 eV/page.</span> As I grew up, things changed and thats another complicated story. Now, I really do read books. Last night I was sitting with this novel called <span style="font-style: italic;">2 states</span> written by our very own Chetan. I'm having my examinations all through this week. I had <span style="font-style: italic;">Optical Communication</span> the next day, the only subject of this semester where I could score an <span style="font-style: italic;">above-average</span> mark. Not because it is my area of interest or I studied so hard or whatever bla bla... but because my mam's evaluation was liberal.<br /><br />This morning I woke up so early. It was 5.30 am. I took this book called 'Optical Communication' authored by <span style="font-style: italic;">Gerd Keiser</span> (not mine). With a forceful effort from Mr.Conscience I turned to page number 506. There was something called <span style="font-style: italic;">solitons</span>. Some scientist had analysed this while he was watching the wave patterns of a river. Why are these scientists such geeks? If I had been near a river I would start a photography session or think of a beautiful a girl and go for boating. I would have the romantic chapter of my life. We'll go to the bank of the river on which a restaurant would be situated. I'll look into her eyes, she'll look into mine. I would look at her lips, she would look at mine. I would...<br /><br />Alright! Back to <span style="font-style: italic;">Keiser</span>.<br /><br />This bored me to the core. I scanned through the pages to reach <span style="font-style: italic;">'EDFA' </span>which is an abbreviated form for <span style="font-style: italic;">Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier</span>(YAWNS!). It was 6 a.m and I had no choice but to learn that at least. Suddenly a red & black colored thing in my cupboard attracted my partially opened eyes. These are my favorite colors and so I took the pain to open my eyes and reached for that thing. Ha... It was '2 States'. I knew where I stopped and continued reading the book with great interest, keeping it within the pillow type Keiser's book.<br /><br />6.30am<br />My mom was surprised to see me awake since 5.30am. And extra-surprised and glad that I'd been learning. She came with a cup of horlicks(Yeah! I'm trying to be stronger, sharper and taller) just to know that she was wrong.<br />She snatched the book-<br />'What if Dad had seen it?<br />Is this how you study?<br />This is why you never score high marks.'<br /><br />It didn't irritate me. It was funny rather, to experience such kiddish stuff after turning 21.<br /><br />'I wish I had experienced this in my school days.' I thought.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">P.S.</span> I'm gonna try it tomorrow morning too.<br /></span></span>CriA'TVT'http://www.blogger.com/profile/10057572430456715292noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362481950894591545.post-628844226974593142009-08-29T12:42:00.007+05:302009-12-30T01:20:29.482+05:30Raghoopathy's Letter<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">August 29, 2009<br /><br />Dear Mike,<br />I’d been waiting all these years to see your live performance. When you came to India a few years ago, I wasn’t lucky enough to get the tickets for the show. I was so young that I didn’t even know that one has to book the tickets much earlier before the <strong>BIG DAY</strong>. I remember watching the news with my dad when you were featured on television channels...<br /><br /><em>‘Michael Jackson comes to Mumbai for a live performance.’<br />‘The King of pop comes to India!’<br />‘A pleasant surprise for all MJ fans across Asia!’</em><br /><br />I asked daddy, ‘<em>shall we watch Michael Jackson, live?</em>’<br />‘<em>No Raghoo. Mumbai is a faraway place.</em>’<br />‘<em>But it is India.</em>’<br />‘<em>Yes, dear. But the tickets are sold out.</em>’<br />‘<em>You are lying. The show is scheduled for next week only. The tickets would be available.</em>’<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDr2KwBp4K794pmVjh3L6ebY4x7TrhHY4I1xdnMBc_A-PCejwjFC7ZkjKfhIYR5gaMsv1EiZTsRBKcP6CM9qSWL8MRYkoM0PT-cXI6qPeGBmNiYWwtyBzzef3c6oZxk9MynN9Owqg3XDo/s1600-h/Michae_Jackson_Thriller_album_cover.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375287578057809618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 248px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 219px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDr2KwBp4K794pmVjh3L6ebY4x7TrhHY4I1xdnMBc_A-PCejwjFC7ZkjKfhIYR5gaMsv1EiZTsRBKcP6CM9qSWL8MRYkoM0PT-cXI6qPeGBmNiYWwtyBzzef3c6oZxk9MynN9Owqg3XDo/s320/Michae_Jackson_Thriller_album_cover.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Those were the days, Mike. Whenever I wore my favorite Black & White dress, my dad used to refer to the ‘<em>Thriller</em>’ album cover and used to say that I look like you. That’s how I got to know about you Mike. Since then, I became your fan.<br /><br />When I knew I couldn’t watch you live, I cried the whole night. I saw you with your trademark clothing in the news next week. My next plan was to get that type of clothing. But, couldn’t fulfill that wish:( Later, there were many stories in the regional language magazines of my country where the fans had shared their experiences of how they made their way to the show. My neighbor told me about <em>Prabhu Deva</em>(We call him the MJ of South-India) who struggled all the way and finally met you.<br /><br />I really did enjoy that scary video of ‘<em>Thriller</em>’. My favorite video of yours was that legendary performance of ‘Billie Jean’. I was unaware about technology and stuffs back then.Today, when I see the same videos, I admire your efficiency. Your <strong>creativity</strong>. Your <strong>Imagination</strong>. You weren’t just a singer, just a dancer. You were an <strong>epitome of PERFORMANCE</strong>. I learned what <strong>dedication</strong> is… What <strong>commitment</strong> is… What <strong>involvement</strong> is…<br /><br />You’ve always dedicated yourself for charity work. I really adore you for the song ‘<em>Heal the World’</em> which is a great initiative for making our world a better place to live in. I still can’t figure out how a single man can do so many things- writing, composing, singing, dancing, sound programming, directing videos… My God!!!<br /><br />Though I lost my left leg in an accident, I still try to dance like you with my artificial leg. Life is really challenging Mike. Your songs have always inspired me. Whenever I feel lonely, I listen to <em>‘You are not alone’</em> and I’m listening to it right now! One day I will be like you. And the world will call me the <em>‘Prince of Pop’</em>.<br /><br />On this beautiful day, I extend my heartiest wishes and prayers for you. May you be guarded with all the good spirits. Wishing you happiness forever…<br /><br /><strong>HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKE!<br />YOU ARE 51 :)</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>YOU ARE TRULY INVINCIBLE!<br /></strong>Love,<br />Raghoo</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>P.S. </strong>If you aren't a Michael Jackson fan yet, you'll become one after watching these videos!</span><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RuxoCDfbjU">Motown Legendary performance</a><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIG-Vv9vkew">MTV music Awards</a><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onaos18apYo">Brace yourself</a>CriA'TVT'http://www.blogger.com/profile/10057572430456715292noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362481950894591545.post-32730051635030531072009-08-13T10:22:00.006+05:302009-12-30T01:21:18.471+05:30Catching Game Beta<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It’s been a long time since my last post. I’d been busy visiting my friends in <em>Ooty & Palakkad</em>. I & stebin celebrated my sixth semester results at Café Coffee Day in R.S.Puram. I did some portrait photography here and there. Many other things did happen as well-both pleasant and obnoxious, from <strong>MJ</strong>’s sudden shift of residence from <strong><em>Neverland to Heaven</em></strong> to the surprise packed second sunday of this month where I was honored with <strong><em>The Best</em></strong> <strong><em>Student Award</em></strong> from 'Zoom' a private concern. I watched a few movies among which an animation film <em>'The road</em> <em>to El dorado'</em> impressed me for it's screenplay and good spanish music. For the past two days I’d been thinking about an interesting incident which happened in my life. This post is all about that.<br /><br />Whatever you learn in your childhood will definitely be helping you in some or the other way in your life- right from the fundamental arithmetic calculations to your behavior. I’m sure that all of us would’ve played <em>'Catching game', 'Hide n’ seek', 'lock & key'</em> etc. in our childhood. I cherish all those lovely memories. Apart from these games I used to play many adventurous games like ‘<em>Caves</em>’, ‘<em>Jurassic Park</em>’(not computer games) and a lot more. They weren’t just games. They were totally a different world. How these adventurous games helped in my life?<br /><br />Here is an interesting incident from my life which reminded me about the childhood games.<br /><br />“It was the alluring month of July. One of our very close family friends had invited us for their daughter’s wedding which was to happen that month. One fine evening we (my family) all decided to do some shopping for the bride. We all were clear with the idea of buying a designer saree for the young bride. We went to <em>Sridevi</em> Textiles in Gandhipuram. It took us only two hours and thirty minutes to finalize the saree. It’s hard for the women to decide a saree in such a short period. In fact, I told my mom that she deserves a place in the<strong> </strong><em><strong>limca</strong> <strong>book of records</strong></em>.<br /><br />The saree was of chocolate brown color which had wonderful glass work in the <em>pallu</em>. It also had some embossed art work. The way it was glittering in the white light was simply awesome. It really did impress all of us.<br /><br /><strong>Fact: The amount of attraction of a designer saree is always directly proportional to its cost.</strong><br /><br />The saree was priced at 10k. We all made up our mind and finally bought that bespangled lulu.<br /><br />We were on our way to <em>Gandhipuram</em> town bus stand. I was holding the bag with the saree in my hands. Later, I handed over that bag to my mom and took the heavy bag from her which had some grocery items. We got into <em>bus no.111</em> to reach our home in <em>Kavundampalayam</em>. Since it was a weekend evening, the bus was too crowded. I somehow managed to find a place to stand. We finally reached Kavundampalayam with great difficulty. I got down from the bus with a sigh of relief.<br /><br />My mom asked me, ‘Where’s the other bag?’<br />‘I gave it to you. Don’t you remember?’<br /><br />She’d left the bag in the bus and the bus had left the place!<br /><br />Mom’s face had turned pale. So pale, that I could see her veins on her face. Dad was shattered. Earning 10 thousand bucks is not a joke. My parents’ eyes indicated their excruciating mental pain. My reflexes were lightening fast that I started running behind the bus like crazy. If I had done this for the school athletic team selection when I was 13, I would’ve been an athlete of international fame by now. I was speeding on that congested highway. I could see only the bus and think only my mom’s face. I was so determined to get the bag back.<br /><br />A generous man who was on the wheels of an <em>EICHER goods carrier</em> vehicle, stopped by.<br /><br />‘<em>Thambi yaeru paa...</em>’<br /><br />Without any second thought I got into the vehicle. I explained him everything. He said that it is possible to get to the next stop and get my things. Dad rang up to me. I told him that I got into a vehicle and assured him that I will get back home with the bag. This made my dad pretty confident. Though I sounded confident to my dad, deep inside I’d been analyzing the worst cases as well.<br /><br />‘<em>What if someone had taken the bag away?</em>’<br /><br />And even worse- ‘<em>What if the conductor thinks that I’m a thief?</em>’<br /><br />But still, I didn’t lose my determination. At last, <em>Mr. Generous</em> overtook the bus, stopped his vehicle in front of the bus which in turn stopped the bus.<br />I got down from the vehicle walked two yards, turned to Mr. Generous gave a respectful salute with my right hand and a heartfelt thanks through my eyes. He did understand that and replied as well. I got into the bus, took my bag and called my dad… ‘<em>Daddy, I got it back!</em>’<br /><br />I walked all the way and reached my home just to see my elated parents. The pale face of mom was now depicting delight. I received great appreciations from my dad and my bro.</span><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369307318627433202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 254px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 358px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPHICEtgCpAA-t-C-QnnCke0G6C2djCIP_yQdWlpC5kZm_ThaTREKfh3qXiDaQ3VdkO51VNwz3kU9jPviw7mIWYbAPUsuC_ruaHn-BIOXiXCs1pAcP42ataEuma6bIOoQt70ABArO0AE/s320/Image0250.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em>Once again, our hero saved the day and they all lived happily ever after;)</em>”</span>CriA'TVT'http://www.blogger.com/profile/10057572430456715292noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362481950894591545.post-32507796659148729732009-06-30T17:02:00.006+05:302009-07-07T20:01:01.656+05:30CHICK LINE...A journey!: Part 2<p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms">Hello everyone! Thanks for all your responses for my previous post and here I am with the continuation of the journey. I strongly recommend the new readers to read the previous post since this is its sequel.<?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms">“With my favorite red & black travel bag on my shoulders, I opened the compartment’s door. It gave me almost the feeling which I experience all the time when I cross <i>The Nilgiris</i> border on the <i>Metupalayam–Ooty</i> highway. The cool breeze from inside kissed me. There was a paradigm shift in the temperature. Well, it didn’t have the natural fragrance and feel. However, it felt good after a tiresome 3 hours!<o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms">We entered the cabin. It was like a Marriage hall on the eve of the marriage. Things scattered everywhere, Bed-spreads unfolded, everything out of place. It was a total mess. This is the first time I’m boarding a ‘<i>long-journey</i>’ train. <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 /><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place> is a diverse country. And our cabin depicted it practically. There were people from various parts of our country. Some were speaking in <i>Hindi</i>, some others in <i>Malayalam</i>, <i>Tulu</i>, <i>Gujarati</i> and many other languages unknown to me. It felt good to see different kinds of people interacting with each other. There were two beautiful kids on our seats. A north-Indian woman near our seat smiled at us, whom we assumed to be the kids’ mother and our assumption was correct. She enquired us about our destination and stuffs like that and after few moments, we started minding our own businesses.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms">‘<i>She had just had a haircut. Her waist-length hair was now a few inches below her shoulders. I liked her with long hair, but she never listened to me. Anyway, her hair still looked nice. She wore a white linen top and a flowing lavender skirt. She had on a thin silver necklace, with the world’s tiniest diamond pendant hanging from it.</i>’ I was just reading the book which I had in my bag, <b>One night @ the call center</b>. A full-figured man came into our cabin. He was in his mid-forties who happened to be the kids’ dad... or I can put it in this way too- <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">The good-looking woman's husband</span>. He started speaking to us. We had a casual talk and told him that we belong to Ooty. The man was like “<b>wow!</b>” He said that he had been to our place when he was at college. We started interacting. He was talking about Botanical Garden, Lovedale, <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Lawrance</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">School</st1:placetype></st1:place> and when I was about to yawn, to my astonishment he spoke about <i>Hindustan Photo Films</i> company. I closed my mouth and started listening about his Industrial visit to HPF in the 1970s. The problem with the 20year olds is that they cannot hear old men speak for a long time. Iwaited for him to stop and once he did, I said, ‘we are on our way to <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Calicut</st1:city></st1:place> for<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"> </span></span><b><i>JAI HO!</i>-Rahman live in concert.’</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms">Everyone was looking at us as if we’ve signed a contract with A.R.Rahman for making an album. I felt as if I was on top of the world when they all admired at us. <i>They are all J about us</i>, I thought. I was keen in knowing what this <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Nagpuri</span> business man is going to talk about the musical genius. To my amazement, he was good in this too. He said, ‘<i>Sivamani</i> will not make it to the show as he is in <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">South Africa</st1:country-region></st1:place> now’ which was indeed a fact. We discussed about Tamilnadu, Tamil Films, Mani Ratnam, cinematography, politics and lots. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms"><i>Mere paet me choohey kabaddi khelne lage!</i> I was very hungry. So, we both started having our lunch. There was a young girl in our cabin who looked 19 years old. Our <i>Nagpuri</i> started interacting with her as well. I was eavesdropping… Well, not exactly eavesdropping. The conversation was quite loud that it was audible to everyone near by. The girl happened to be physiotherapy student. The man started talking about that subject as well. All this made me to compare <i>us</i> with the people from the north. No matter where they are, they are well informed about the global issues. <i>Something which we all must learn,</i> I thought.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms">Amidst all this, the tension was still there. Our plan was to reach <st1:place st="on"><i>Kozhikode</i></st1:place> atleast by 4 o’ clock and it was already 3:45pm. I wished there were <i>Vijaykanth</i> and <i>Spiderman</i> in my train so that they could take us to our destination in the desired time. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms">‘<i>Bhai saab, what’s the next stop?</i>’<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms">‘<st1:place st="on"><i>Kozhikode</i></st1:place><i>.</i>’<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms">I was like, <i style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">WHAT??????</i><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms">‘<i>How many minutes will it take to reach?</i>’<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms"><i>‘It almost reached!</i>’<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms">It was 4:25pm and we reached <st1:place st="on">Kozhikode</st1:place>. “<i>God, did you really sent Vijaykanth???</i>” I was so glad that we reached our destination. I just got out of the train and had an instinct that something was wrong. I opened my bag and saw. <b><i>My god!!! My book was missing!!</i></b> It happens to be one of my birthday gifts and I desperately needed it. I got into the train again and reached my seat. The book was missing there too. God! What am I to do now? I checked all the possible places with haste. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms"><i>‘Aasif, how can you be so careless?’<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms"><i>‘How can you miss something in a train?’<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms"><i>‘What else have you left?’</i><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms">Mr. Conscience was howling.<o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms">I did another quick check with patience and finally found it in my place near the pillow. Like a hero, I got down from the running train(actually it just started to move). With a sigh of relief, we headed outside the Railway Station. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms">Kerala is really an awesome place. Environment friendly. Green, green everywhere. You can always feel at home. I guess that’s why god visited here and hence the name-<i style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">God’s own Country</i>. Unlike Tamilnadu, people opted for auto-rickshaws to town buses. Autos were flooding in front of us but none were ready to take us to our destination as there was road block. One person agreed to take us through a shortcut. We headed to my brother’s friend’s house, refreshed ourselves and headed towards the corporate stadium. And finally we reached the venue. The entire road was crowded with people. Many men were desperately in search of tickets. One of them came to us and asked if we have any extra tickets and we gave a negative answer. He just showed us his cell-phone. ‘<i>Idea</i>’ cellular service providers had turned the tower name to ‘<i>JAI HO</i>.’ I was astonished. We headed towards the entrance, cleared the metal detector test. I was wondering why there wasn't an alcohol test. Whatever. I didn't drink and I really don't(<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">I swear, no lie!</span>).Finally, we were inside the stadium.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms"><i>Hurray!!<br />Endrendrum… dandan… Endrendrum punnagai! Mudivilla punnagai!"<o:p></o:p></i></p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><o:p></o:p><o:p></o:p></span>CriA'TVT'http://www.blogger.com/profile/10057572430456715292noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7362481950894591545.post-85579990696112943482009-06-11T18:42:00.000+05:302009-06-11T19:07:07.690+05:30CHICK LINE... A journey!<p face="trebuchet ms" class="MsoNormal">“It is not very often that you stay awake all night long just because you are elated. I did so many strange things out of excitement on that day. May 3<sup>rd</sup> 2009… I knew it is going to be one of the happiest days in my life. It is something like ‘a dream came true!’ Ever since my childhood I’d been exposed to a lot of music. It is indeed an inseparable part of mine. And that day, I had the golden opportunity of watching my childhood ‘Music Hero’ live in concert. Well, I’m talking about a celebrity, who is now a national treasure! People call him the ‘Mozart of Madras’! Yeah … I had the opportunity to watch A.R.Rahman’s JAI HO live in concert at<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><st1:place style="font-style: italic;" st="on">Kozhikode</st1:place>!!!!!! <o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal">The concert was to commence by 7 pm. The gates of The Corporate Stadium (the venue) would be open by 4.30 pm. I ought to be there at least by 4 pm as the seat allotment was on ‘first come, first serve’ basis. I got out of my bed by 6’o clock (too early on a holiday). We had booked the tickets in J<span style="font-style: italic;">ammu Tawi- Mangalore express</span>, which would reach <st1:city st="on">Coimbatore</st1:city> junction by 10’o clock and it’ll take only 4 hours and 30 minutes to reach <st1:place style="font-style: italic;" st="on">Kozhikode</st1:place> from here. I and my brother were all set for the journey. I took a portable MP3 player and a book in my luggage to stay out of boredom in the course of the travel. We reached the railway station by 09:45 hours and then we heard this-“ <span style="font-style: italic;">Troing! troing! Payanigalin kanivana gavanathirku…</span>”. Yeah guys, the train was delayed! Not just 30 minutes or 45 minutes but 2 hours i.e., 60X2=120 minutes!! Indian Railways... I cursed Indian Railways!!!<o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal">Alright, what’s next?<o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal">There was a passenger express from <span style="font-style: italic;">Chennai</span> to <span style="font-style: italic;">Mangalore</span> going through <st1:city st="on">Coimbatore</st1:city> and <st1:place style="font-style: italic;" st="on">Kozhikode</st1:place>. It was expected to reach here by 11:00 hours.<o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal">“Cancel those tickets online, and board into this passenger express?”<o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal">“Board a bus to <st1:place style="font-style: italic;" st="on">Kozhikode</st1:place>?”<o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal">We had pressures from my brother’s friends whose tickets were with us. I was cool though.. Well not totally cool!<o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal">This is the point of time I was proud about the Electronics engineers who built the ‘<span style="font-style: italic;">Information Kiosks</span>’. We checked out the status of both the trains along with an 8 year old kid, who was interested in the touch-sensitive screen. The <span style="font-style: italic;">Chennai-Mangalore</span> passenger express was expected to reach by 11:15 hours. However, it was a slow train and it takes about 6 hours from <st1:city st="on">Coimbatore</st1:city> to reach <st1:place style="font-style: italic;" st="on">Kozhikode</st1:place>. So, we thought it would be better to wait for the <span style="font-style: italic;">Jammu Tawi</span> express itself.<o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal">I entered the S6 coach and placed my luggage under the seat. There she was! The girl of my dreams!! She had a wheatish white complexion and very beautiful brown eyes. She was wearing a white ‘girlie’ t-shirt. She was reading a book. I didn’t mind what that was! All I was looking was her beautiful eyes and the way she slid her gorgeous hair behind her right ear! Uff…<span style=""> </span>I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She saw me… She saw me ‘admiring’ her! She gave a short smile thinking about me, to the book. She closed her book. She looked to her right and then to her left. She couldn’t stop smiling out of shyness. Finally, she directly looked into my face. ‘Aasif!! Listen…’ Someone shrugged me. That was my brother and I was still seated in platform No.2 waiting for the train. You see, such beautiful girls smiling at you, happens only in your dreams. They say day dreams never come true. WHATEVER!! It was already 12:00 hours. The announcement made a statement that our train is expected to reach by 13:30 hours!! <o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal">I somehow managed to kill time talking to that kid and amazingly our train reached <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Coimbatore</st1:place></st1:city> by 12:55 hours itself. I got into the B1(AC) compartment and my conscience stayed near the door and waved hands, “ Yo people!! I’m gonna watch Rahman ji live in concert ( <span style="font-style: italic;">O..Saya..</span> as a Background music).”<o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Hi all. I hope you had a good time reading this. I will continue this journey in my forthcoming posts. Until then it’s bye from me!</span> <o:p></o:p></span></p>CriA'TVT'http://www.blogger.com/profile/10057572430456715292noreply@blogger.com25