I am the kind of person who wants sensation first, followed by indulgence and ending with cherishment! So much so that it feeds the passion. First thing is my sense must be aroused. Am going to talk something personal here…
Ah, Malteasers!
The best thing about European countries is the chocolates. And my favorites is 'Malteasers'. What an amazing concept is this Malteasers!
It has a very wonderful chocolate coating with a malt kernel inside it. The moment I pop it in my mouth, it arouses my senses, and after the chocolate coating is sensed in competely, it's time for indulgence with the Malt itself. Lolitting the malt between different parts of cheek, teeth and tongue, it's sheer indulgence. Even before I realise it, it's all done. But the cherishing lingers on. Slowly when it starts wearing out, I know it's time for another one.
Eating malteasers is not addictive, but more of a passionate experience.
Best part about malteasers is that they are small, round balls. You don't have to worry about taking care of holding the bar of chocolate and all that. Pick one up, pop it up….
There is also a malteaser icecream - wonder how will that be!!!
May 26, 2005
May 10, 2005
Researching food market
Any staple Indian food loving person need not feel left out or starving on foods in UK, because in UK most of the supermarkets have ready-to-eat chapathi, naan, paratha and lot of Indian curries. Just pick them up, and heat in a microwave and presto - have a full-fledged Indian dish.
But, BUT…
You would notice the chapathi or naan does not hold same taste as a home-made one, and may not get them at proper heat level to have a fluffy chapathi always. The curries might smack of oily, but not really close enough to our own curry.
Suddenly, serendipitously made a discovery that the following Mexican or western food items are actually similar to our own foods.
Tortillas - they are also made of wheat, but much softer. Gets really fluffy.
Mexican wraps - rumali roti types
Crumpets - Aappam
Pitta bread - Naan
Tomato onion dip - Thakkali vengayam thokku (ofcourse not as spicy as our food is)
And then we have Long grain rice that is like our normal rice in India. If specifically needed, the Thai jasmine rice is close to our Ponni raw rice. Good tomato thokku is available under the guise of Tomato Salsa Sauce! Beware, you have to add bit of pepper and salt.
There is Greek style yoghurt which is our curd, and if you need a curd closer to our sour taste, you could try Onken Yoghurt, or simply add sour cream to normal yoghurt. Sooji (Rava) is hidden under the name Semolina and sweet pepper is our capsicum
Best part about these stuffs is that they are made of same ingredients as our traditional Indian food items, and are closer to our taste, than the food items branded under ''Indian food items'' in UK.
What more do the veggies need???
May 09, 2005
Metti Oli, Engiruntho vandhaal...
It's been a long time - almost 6 months, since I am out of India and out of touch with Tamil TV channels. I miss the various junk that is telecast all day long in the channels - ranging from 'Ungal choice' to 'Neengal kaetta paadal' to 'Comedy time' and so on.
Can someone update me what's happening in Metti Oli? Has the story moved any further? Are all the daughters and sons-in-law of Chithambaram alive?
Engiruntho vandhal was a production from KB's stable after Sahana and Ethir neechal, what has the story been about? And how has it moved?
May 05, 2005
kaala CHAKRAm suzhalumbothu…(when the wheel of time spins…)
Last weekend I had been to Chakra's place – Bournemouth.
In fact, we got in touch with each other through blogs.
We studied from Class 6th to Class 12th in the same school – Hindu Senior Secondary School in Triplicane. After school, we lost touch with each other. Then when we completed our graduation, and waiting for next move to make – either PG or job. I was introduced by my friend to an agency that was contracting people to Ramco. But I couldn’t take up the job as I had just then got admission into MCA. This job was still available, and I met Chakra on the bus. It was after a 3 year time. We were generally talking, and I told him if he would be interested in looking if job is fine, and gave him the contact number. It was a mere 10 minute conversation.
And then, we lost touch again. He had written a letter to me telling me he had got job at Ramco. Unfortunately, I couldn’t respond to that.
Cut to recent past's recent past!
I was browsing dubukku's blog. I used to click at every person's link who leave a comment there. I had seen Chakra's comments, and went to Chakra's site. I did not know it was the same Chakra.
It was a very shocking site, because I could not minimise the site and read it. He had a big banner in top frame, and whatever I do, the frame would still be visible. It was not possible to thiruttuthanam-ly see the site in the workplace. I got so annoyed, and vowed never to visit this site again.
Cut to recent past!
Talk about fate. Dubukku was guest-editing some onsite Tamil blog, and he had inadvertently posted his family photo introducing the family members. I understand lot of casteist comments came for that photo from many fellow surfers, and he had removed the photograph. I was quite curious, how would a dubukku look like? So googled for the photo, and landed up at Chakra site. And followed by Dubukku family photos, there was a photo with Chakra carrying Dubukku's daughter. It just struck me I had seen this guy somewhere, I then mailed him to ask if he was the same Chakra whom I knew from school. That’s how our relationship got acquainted again.
Cut to recent!
When I came to UK, he gave lot of information – especially about various experiments with O2, calling cards and other premium line numbers to call India. He was very, very helpful. In fact, he was the first one to call me on my landline number at office. I didn't even know my number, he somehow found it out and let me know. I was very anxious with my first trip to a foreign country. His presence meant comfort. At least there is someone whom I know.
Cut to last week!
I was a bit apprehensive as to how it is going to be meeting him after long time. Maybe our aspirations had changed, maybe our attitudes changed, may be may be may be…so many may be's. Every thing was set to rest, the moment we met. We hit it off like those two Hindu Senior students we were 9 years back!
Chakra had not changed much – his attitude and drive still the same. His wittiness is good, and we could relate to each other quite well.
I was so happy to be with a school mate again. We were able to relive our school moments, few school gossips and it was just amazing. Chakra's multi-faceted personality was a revelation to me, and oh boy, I like him so much for that too.
He is also very patient and generous. He is a very good host, putting up with us. His house was so neat and tidy, we just littered the place with our kid's playtoys and all that. He took it with a smile.
My wife and son also felt very comfortable to acquaint with him.
The height of this meeting was enjoying Maya bazaar movie with him, passing comments and all that!
[I discovered a new recipe - French Fries sprinkled with chocolate powder tastes amazing]
In fact, we got in touch with each other through blogs.
We studied from Class 6th to Class 12th in the same school – Hindu Senior Secondary School in Triplicane. After school, we lost touch with each other. Then when we completed our graduation, and waiting for next move to make – either PG or job. I was introduced by my friend to an agency that was contracting people to Ramco. But I couldn’t take up the job as I had just then got admission into MCA. This job was still available, and I met Chakra on the bus. It was after a 3 year time. We were generally talking, and I told him if he would be interested in looking if job is fine, and gave him the contact number. It was a mere 10 minute conversation.
And then, we lost touch again. He had written a letter to me telling me he had got job at Ramco. Unfortunately, I couldn’t respond to that.
Cut to recent past's recent past!
I was browsing dubukku's blog. I used to click at every person's link who leave a comment there. I had seen Chakra's comments, and went to Chakra's site. I did not know it was the same Chakra.
It was a very shocking site, because I could not minimise the site and read it. He had a big banner in top frame, and whatever I do, the frame would still be visible. It was not possible to thiruttuthanam-ly see the site in the workplace. I got so annoyed, and vowed never to visit this site again.
Cut to recent past!
Talk about fate. Dubukku was guest-editing some onsite Tamil blog, and he had inadvertently posted his family photo introducing the family members. I understand lot of casteist comments came for that photo from many fellow surfers, and he had removed the photograph. I was quite curious, how would a dubukku look like? So googled for the photo, and landed up at Chakra site. And followed by Dubukku family photos, there was a photo with Chakra carrying Dubukku's daughter. It just struck me I had seen this guy somewhere, I then mailed him to ask if he was the same Chakra whom I knew from school. That’s how our relationship got acquainted again.
Cut to recent!
When I came to UK, he gave lot of information – especially about various experiments with O2, calling cards and other premium line numbers to call India. He was very, very helpful. In fact, he was the first one to call me on my landline number at office. I didn't even know my number, he somehow found it out and let me know. I was very anxious with my first trip to a foreign country. His presence meant comfort. At least there is someone whom I know.
Cut to last week!
I was a bit apprehensive as to how it is going to be meeting him after long time. Maybe our aspirations had changed, maybe our attitudes changed, may be may be may be…so many may be's. Every thing was set to rest, the moment we met. We hit it off like those two Hindu Senior students we were 9 years back!
Chakra had not changed much – his attitude and drive still the same. His wittiness is good, and we could relate to each other quite well.
I was so happy to be with a school mate again. We were able to relive our school moments, few school gossips and it was just amazing. Chakra's multi-faceted personality was a revelation to me, and oh boy, I like him so much for that too.
He is also very patient and generous. He is a very good host, putting up with us. His house was so neat and tidy, we just littered the place with our kid's playtoys and all that. He took it with a smile.
My wife and son also felt very comfortable to acquaint with him.
The height of this meeting was enjoying Maya bazaar movie with him, passing comments and all that!
[I discovered a new recipe - French Fries sprinkled with chocolate powder tastes amazing]
May 03, 2005
Election campaign
Come elections, we all know what happens !
It's not so unusual to have a vehicle fitted with a megaphone, and the party supporter reeling out long speech to campaign for the party and leader.
It is not so uncommon to hold election procession, affect traffic and hold big meeting to campaign for your party.
This is the usual election hungama in India.
But the thing which is so unnatural is that, all this happened in UK.
For national elections due this weekend, I saw a car with a megaphone, and two campaigners asking people to vote for Labour party in the heavily Asian populated East Ham in London.
Only 'Thaanai Thalaivar Annan Tony Blair' was missing.
Well, maybe it is just a matter of time, UK adopts itself totally to global Indian Election Code of (Mis)Conduct and (sub)standards. They are well on the path already - vote rigging, blasphemous personal remarks are quite common.
Chakra, you do have a good political future here in UK!
It's not so unusual to have a vehicle fitted with a megaphone, and the party supporter reeling out long speech to campaign for the party and leader.
It is not so uncommon to hold election procession, affect traffic and hold big meeting to campaign for your party.
This is the usual election hungama in India.
But the thing which is so unnatural is that, all this happened in UK.
For national elections due this weekend, I saw a car with a megaphone, and two campaigners asking people to vote for Labour party in the heavily Asian populated East Ham in London.
Only 'Thaanai Thalaivar Annan Tony Blair' was missing.
Well, maybe it is just a matter of time, UK adopts itself totally to global Indian Election Code of (Mis)Conduct and (sub)standards. They are well on the path already - vote rigging, blasphemous personal remarks are quite common.
Chakra, you do have a good political future here in UK!
April 26, 2005
BLACK
Amazing poem!
Learning never stops - even basic thing you learnt as a kid. You might have to learn it again. Like Amitabh with Alzheimer.
Learning can start quite late - even basic thing you think you have learnt as a kid. You might not know or learn things properly. Like Ayesha Kapur born blind, deaf and dumb.
Never ridicule teacher or education. Never take it light. It matters so much to many. They have to fight for it, struggle for it, put in hardwork and come through successfully. Like Rani Mukherjee who attains a degree at 40, when people like you and me can normally achieve one at 20.
Lucky you and I are having all instruments in life to make education a piece of cake-walk. You might think you are smart enough you can read and understand anything devoid of a teacher and a classroom. But what if you are born blind, deaf and dumb? And what if you lose everything in a stroke of Alzheimer?
And then, not everything is gone if such a thing happens, because if you are sincere enough, you will always get a teacher. And you will always look at life with hope and inspiration.
That's Sanjay Leela Bhansali with his Black.
Vibrant and Colourful Black.
Don’t miss it!
Learning never stops - even basic thing you learnt as a kid. You might have to learn it again. Like Amitabh with Alzheimer.
Learning can start quite late - even basic thing you think you have learnt as a kid. You might not know or learn things properly. Like Ayesha Kapur born blind, deaf and dumb.
Never ridicule teacher or education. Never take it light. It matters so much to many. They have to fight for it, struggle for it, put in hardwork and come through successfully. Like Rani Mukherjee who attains a degree at 40, when people like you and me can normally achieve one at 20.
Lucky you and I are having all instruments in life to make education a piece of cake-walk. You might think you are smart enough you can read and understand anything devoid of a teacher and a classroom. But what if you are born blind, deaf and dumb? And what if you lose everything in a stroke of Alzheimer?
And then, not everything is gone if such a thing happens, because if you are sincere enough, you will always get a teacher. And you will always look at life with hope and inspiration.
That's Sanjay Leela Bhansali with his Black.
Vibrant and Colourful Black.
Don’t miss it!
April 20, 2005
Serious movie???
Recently saw a movie called 'Rakht'. Supposedly a englipease-type, saucy, slick, thriller movie.
Starring skimpy dressed hot throbs like Bipasha Basu, Amrita arora and Neha dupiya. Co-stars Sanjay Dutt, Dino Morea, Sunil Shetty, so on and so forth.
Am not going to review the movie. It's not worth one.
What was so baffling for me was:
1. Why does Sanjay Dutt in any movie wears such an expression on the face as though his diaper is full?
2. If the main character always speak in a base tone, why does it have to qualify as a no non-sense movie (Samay - Sushmita Sen; Rakht - Bipasha Basu for example)?
More bafflements later, as and when I get them.
Starring skimpy dressed hot throbs like Bipasha Basu, Amrita arora and Neha dupiya. Co-stars Sanjay Dutt, Dino Morea, Sunil Shetty, so on and so forth.
Am not going to review the movie. It's not worth one.
What was so baffling for me was:
1. Why does Sanjay Dutt in any movie wears such an expression on the face as though his diaper is full?
2. If the main character always speak in a base tone, why does it have to qualify as a no non-sense movie (Samay - Sushmita Sen; Rakht - Bipasha Basu for example)?
More bafflements later, as and when I get them.
April 12, 2005
Aroma of philter kaapi....
Am back at my favorite topic again -- raving about filter coffee.
I don’t know how many of you remember the Narasus coffee advertisement with 'Thengaai' Srinivasan explaining the preparation mode for filter coffee to his wife 'Chachu'…that particular variety of filter coffee, I crave for it! As such, there was no dearth of such a wonderful coffee for me when I was in Chennai.
A fantastic coffee would always be brewed at our home - thanks to my amma and wife. Most importantly to Saravana Coffee in Triplicane - he knew what ratio of chicory-peaberry went into mixture for our home. They knew I needed that caffeine drip down by blood thrice a day and knew the timing as well.
Morning -- Nothing like sipping a fresh coffee, breathing in the aroma of decoction and drinking that coffee from a super hot level to a mildly warm level - it takes min 30 minutes, mind you, to complete that session of coffee…accompanied by that day's HINDU or Ananda Vikatan or some Sujatha novel - Madras A/Vividhbharathi channel in background on radio. After that, like the Cheshire cat effect, a tinge of bitter coffee taste will be waddling in the inner tongue - enough to keep one motivated to go to work!
Afternoon -- Best had around 3:30 or 4 pm, when I am on the brink of falling asleep after a good lunch.(Having a ceremonious lunch is the item for a new post altogether!!) This coffee wakes me up. Tough to get the same home-level-quality while at work, but nevertheless, something better than a Nescafe!
Evening -- back home around 7pm or so, I would delight myself with a mildly hot, little diluted version of morning's filter coffee. Here the essence of coffee powder would have blended nicely into decoction. This settled down (mature???) coffee is apt for a relaxing evening ahead. When my work schedule started getting heavier, it is this evening home coffee that started getting affected. I needed a nice, frothy filter coffee someplace nearby, so that I could have it and get back to work again for another hour or so.
Hotel Saravana bhavan was the only place that catered to this varying taste levels of mine. Then it became kind of habit that whenever I used to pass by Saravana Bhavan, I will simply have a cup of coffee.
------------------------
Back to present. I came to UK bravely armed with 1Kg of Saravana Coffee Works filter coffee powder with chicory mixed. I even got an eversilver filter to brew the decoction. It lasted for 3 months. In the initial fervour, I would invite colleagues to home and proudly serve a cup of authentic filter coffee. But when the dwindling started, and I couldn't generally find someone who was willing to get me another KG of filter coffee powder from Madras, it was a complete debacle. I started getting desperate. Nescafe Gold Blend came a bit close, but not close enough.
Highly unsettling!
------------------------
Cut to the future...
HOTEL SARAVANA BHAVAN is opening two branches in LONDON, UK -- next week. One at East Ham and another one at Wembley Central.
I don’t know how many of you remember the Narasus coffee advertisement with 'Thengaai' Srinivasan explaining the preparation mode for filter coffee to his wife 'Chachu'…that particular variety of filter coffee, I crave for it! As such, there was no dearth of such a wonderful coffee for me when I was in Chennai.
A fantastic coffee would always be brewed at our home - thanks to my amma and wife. Most importantly to Saravana Coffee in Triplicane - he knew what ratio of chicory-peaberry went into mixture for our home. They knew I needed that caffeine drip down by blood thrice a day and knew the timing as well.
Morning -- Nothing like sipping a fresh coffee, breathing in the aroma of decoction and drinking that coffee from a super hot level to a mildly warm level - it takes min 30 minutes, mind you, to complete that session of coffee…accompanied by that day's HINDU or Ananda Vikatan or some Sujatha novel - Madras A/Vividhbharathi channel in background on radio. After that, like the Cheshire cat effect, a tinge of bitter coffee taste will be waddling in the inner tongue - enough to keep one motivated to go to work!
Afternoon -- Best had around 3:30 or 4 pm, when I am on the brink of falling asleep after a good lunch.(Having a ceremonious lunch is the item for a new post altogether!!) This coffee wakes me up. Tough to get the same home-level-quality while at work, but nevertheless, something better than a Nescafe!
Evening -- back home around 7pm or so, I would delight myself with a mildly hot, little diluted version of morning's filter coffee. Here the essence of coffee powder would have blended nicely into decoction. This settled down (mature???) coffee is apt for a relaxing evening ahead. When my work schedule started getting heavier, it is this evening home coffee that started getting affected. I needed a nice, frothy filter coffee someplace nearby, so that I could have it and get back to work again for another hour or so.
Hotel Saravana bhavan was the only place that catered to this varying taste levels of mine. Then it became kind of habit that whenever I used to pass by Saravana Bhavan, I will simply have a cup of coffee.
------------------------
Back to present. I came to UK bravely armed with 1Kg of Saravana Coffee Works filter coffee powder with chicory mixed. I even got an eversilver filter to brew the decoction. It lasted for 3 months. In the initial fervour, I would invite colleagues to home and proudly serve a cup of authentic filter coffee. But when the dwindling started, and I couldn't generally find someone who was willing to get me another KG of filter coffee powder from Madras, it was a complete debacle. I started getting desperate. Nescafe Gold Blend came a bit close, but not close enough.
Highly unsettling!
------------------------
Cut to the future...
HOTEL SARAVANA BHAVAN is opening two branches in LONDON, UK -- next week. One at East Ham and another one at Wembley Central.
March 03, 2005
As white as...
Last time I saw snow in my life, was in a movie song, where Amala will be dancing barefooted on the snow, while Rajinikanth will be completely clad in nice, warm clothes walking with nice boots, watching Amala dance & sing - "Vaa vaa vaaaaaa vaa, kanna vaa";
before that, it was Mandhira wooing Prabhu with low-neck, mini-skirt dress, singing "Alps malai kaatru vanthu, ennai killutho"; Prabhu not so much really amused by song or snow, perhaps because of cold weather despite the fact that he is totally wrapped up in nice thermal wear, and Mandhira barely covering herself;
First time, I saw snow was when our Puratchi Thalaivar MGR would sing "Puthiya vaanam, puthiya bhoomi, engum pani mazhai pozhigirathu" with a suitcase and stick in his hand!
But all these were on "Velli thirai" - silver screen.
A fortnight ago it started snowing here in UK. It was so fascinating and amusing to watch little white flurries of ice, floating in air and falling on pavement; after some hours of snowing, everything outside the window totally covered with snow. It was so exciting to watch it for real. I rang up from office to home to tell my wife to watch it, and show it to my son!!!
We were very excitedly talking about snow! A fortnight later, it is still snowing…and, we are pretty bored! Cant go out, always at home; road is very slippery, and it is painful to wait at a bus stop or a railway station…and to go out anywhere, even to a nearby potti kadai, I have to wear thermals, normal dress, gloves, insuation kulla, scarf, coat, thermal socks, shoes, apply vaseline….
Nowhere near the comfort of simple shorts and a t-shirt and a hawai seruppu to just walk to a nearby shop…
Boy, I long for the scorching Chennai sun…
Any fellow blogger from chennai, can you upload some?
before that, it was Mandhira wooing Prabhu with low-neck, mini-skirt dress, singing "Alps malai kaatru vanthu, ennai killutho"; Prabhu not so much really amused by song or snow, perhaps because of cold weather despite the fact that he is totally wrapped up in nice thermal wear, and Mandhira barely covering herself;
First time, I saw snow was when our Puratchi Thalaivar MGR would sing "Puthiya vaanam, puthiya bhoomi, engum pani mazhai pozhigirathu" with a suitcase and stick in his hand!
But all these were on "Velli thirai" - silver screen.
A fortnight ago it started snowing here in UK. It was so fascinating and amusing to watch little white flurries of ice, floating in air and falling on pavement; after some hours of snowing, everything outside the window totally covered with snow. It was so exciting to watch it for real. I rang up from office to home to tell my wife to watch it, and show it to my son!!!
We were very excitedly talking about snow! A fortnight later, it is still snowing…and, we are pretty bored! Cant go out, always at home; road is very slippery, and it is painful to wait at a bus stop or a railway station…and to go out anywhere, even to a nearby potti kadai, I have to wear thermals, normal dress, gloves, insuation kulla, scarf, coat, thermal socks, shoes, apply vaseline….
Nowhere near the comfort of simple shorts and a t-shirt and a hawai seruppu to just walk to a nearby shop…
Boy, I long for the scorching Chennai sun…
Any fellow blogger from chennai, can you upload some?
February 11, 2005
Settling in UK-2
Ok, no great suspense! I did not have time to complete what I was writing on that day. So, put the "thodarum".
Karthik met me and took me to an Indian restaurant along with his friend's family. It was not a great gesture to say 'NO' when we met after a long time. I warned him though, wouldn’t be able to eat large portions, as I was already full. He ordered a masala dosa. Not bad!
Fine, coming to live in UK, few of the things I observed:
1. People here are extremely courteous (in actions), and expect you to be so to them. If you don’t, they clearly wince at you. Reminds me of convent schools
2. British people are quite fond of Indian food, and there is atleast one Indian take-away in every small town
3. And the take-aways are run by Bangladeshis mostly
4. Interest in cricket is clearly out. Ashes series supposed to start in summer is evoking enough interests in lots of Indians and Pakistanis than English people.
5. They care a lot about very very small thing too and are very sensitive
6. Many British IT guys take life cool and lead a laid back life, unlike Indian IT pros who want to be given the mantle and role of Proj Mgr within their first 7 years of experience, and do not want to code anymore!!!
7. Technology in terms of low-cost is not popular here in UK. It is possible to get a really freaky gadget and of good quality in India for a relatively 40% lesser cost than what is available in UK
8. This does not include mobile phones or their pricing plans
9. Public libraries are fantastic here. They house a great collection. One can take 14 books in one's card and can retain for 21 days.
10. It is freaky to observe that people do not cross lanes whole driving, and almost stop always at signals -- even if no one to cross the road. Driving here would be a nightmare for people who drive to Tidel park and beyond in Chennai
Karthik met me and took me to an Indian restaurant along with his friend's family. It was not a great gesture to say 'NO' when we met after a long time. I warned him though, wouldn’t be able to eat large portions, as I was already full. He ordered a masala dosa. Not bad!
Fine, coming to live in UK, few of the things I observed:
1. People here are extremely courteous (in actions), and expect you to be so to them. If you don’t, they clearly wince at you. Reminds me of convent schools
2. British people are quite fond of Indian food, and there is atleast one Indian take-away in every small town
3. And the take-aways are run by Bangladeshis mostly
4. Interest in cricket is clearly out. Ashes series supposed to start in summer is evoking enough interests in lots of Indians and Pakistanis than English people.
5. They care a lot about very very small thing too and are very sensitive
6. Many British IT guys take life cool and lead a laid back life, unlike Indian IT pros who want to be given the mantle and role of Proj Mgr within their first 7 years of experience, and do not want to code anymore!!!
7. Technology in terms of low-cost is not popular here in UK. It is possible to get a really freaky gadget and of good quality in India for a relatively 40% lesser cost than what is available in UK
8. This does not include mobile phones or their pricing plans
9. Public libraries are fantastic here. They house a great collection. One can take 14 books in one's card and can retain for 21 days.
10. It is freaky to observe that people do not cross lanes whole driving, and almost stop always at signals -- even if no one to cross the road. Driving here would be a nightmare for people who drive to Tidel park and beyond in Chennai
January 19, 2005
Settling in UK!
After a brief vacation at India during christmas, and trysts with Tsunami & Tirupati, am back to UK and kind of settled down! Got a house and moving in on Wednesday -- paal kaaichi kudikkaren!
Came back last Sunday by Srilankan airlines with 2 stops from Chennai -- Colombo and Madlives. In-flight entertainment wasn't all that good. Gilli was the movie screened. It was really hilarious to see the English sub-titles for songs like "Kokkarakokkarako" and "Apdi podu, apdi podu". Best one was ttitle song "Gilli, gilli". Sun TV must start airing such songs with similar english sub-titles during "Comedy Time"
Its cold out here; cold wind blows but temperature doesn't drop; it's at lowest 5; That’s ok in winter - I understand. Foodwise - not an issue at all; There are Indian restaurants run by Bangladeshis and Pakistanis all round UK. Some Tamil restaurants that I saw in East Ham part of London. We even got a warm "vaanga annay" in one of the south indian restaurants in East Ham. Indian spices are available in all supermarkets. If you want pure authentic "made in India" spices, you can always get in East Ham. There are also many Londis shops that have "Made in India" spices.
Last weekend, I went to Kensington Palace garden with my close friend from Pondy Univ days -- Karthik, and another Pondy Univ friend of Karthik -- Vignesh. First on that Sunday, I thought of going to office to complete some work, so cooked some chapathis and got some ready-to-cook onion bajjis alongwith side-dish -- Tamizh guys ever-handy food item -- Pulikaaichal. There is no bus service from Brentwood on sundays -- athu oru kugiramam --, normally, there is a change of train from an intermediary station called Romford to another by name Upminster. From Upminster to Basildon, it is 20 minutes. On reaching Romford station, I was told there are no trains between Romford-Upminster on sundays. Fantastic! No work. In railway station, finished the chapathi-pulikaaichal and the bajji. Had an apple. Gobbled that too. And waited for Karthik's call.
Karthik called up and said "Guru, let us meet at Liverpool street station by 2pm?". It was 1:30. I asked him the agenda. Karthik said "you come over to Liverpool street. Am with Vignesh and his family at Gloucester. Let us catch up from there". Off to Liverpool street.
(To be continued In next part)
December 29, 2004
Who is Nero - Ganguly or BCCI chairman?
- Aussie cricketers donate their second test prize money for Tsunami relief.
- Muthiah Muralidharan escapes Tsunami narrowly. The report states - He had hoped to join the team for next month's Test series but said it would now be difficult for him to join his team mates.
"Something like this has never happened in my country," Muralitharan said. "In my opinion it is not the right time for cricket ... there is a lot of organising to do, a lot of feeding people." - Srilanka puts the tour on hold...Srilankan cricket board added that all matches, whether international or domestic, would be postponed in recognition of a five-day period of national mourning in Sri Lanka
- Not wanting to miss the game money and an opportunity to grab a few winning feathers under cap, Indian cricket team and BCCI -- bunch of Nero -- play two successive matches both on Sunday and Monday - day of Tsunami and the next day. They happily gather their prize money, wear a black strap -- like those Dravidian parties, and come hom with a cup.
Do we still need to be crazy and fanatic about cricket?
I only pray God that cine actors and cricketers do not take out a procession or visit the affected areas to offer their "empathy" for the Tsunami victims...
Maybe we are not new to Tsunami...
If people of Madras can recall, the Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore is not in its original location. Initially it was well-behind the place which is now Santhome church. There are legends that sea ate the old temple, and new one was restored in current location.
Next Mahabalipuram, we know that the temples were submerged under sea.
We also know about the stories of Chola kings, how they went on to establish their kingdoms in now known areas like Sumatra, Bali, Java islands. And the legends of sea fury also have been narrated so many times.
Maybe we had all along been in the belt of sea fury - only we were not aware...the tectonic movements rendered the land movement that we currently have the chunk of land called Indian subcontinent.
Can any geophysicist/geologist track such movements? Is there any geographical shift happening? Is South India coastal line becoming one of those furious wave-filled beaches that we have heard in stories?
Next Mahabalipuram, we know that the temples were submerged under sea.
We also know about the stories of Chola kings, how they went on to establish their kingdoms in now known areas like Sumatra, Bali, Java islands. And the legends of sea fury also have been narrated so many times.
Maybe we had all along been in the belt of sea fury - only we were not aware...the tectonic movements rendered the land movement that we currently have the chunk of land called Indian subcontinent.
Can any geophysicist/geologist track such movements? Is there any geographical shift happening? Is South India coastal line becoming one of those furious wave-filled beaches that we have heard in stories?
December 23, 2004
Essex's Perambur - Basildon
(NOTE FOR CYBER PATROL -- Essex is an area/council in UK -- My work location for a year. Hello cyber patrol, don't come behind me because my last post mentioned Trisha, the title of this post contains s*x, Delhi is going to be referred here and am going to write about MMS too…am not 'that' type, okay?)
Essex's Perambur - Basildon -- That's how the place looks like - very lively, and lots of shops around in the day time. When the clock strikes six, the place wears an eerie atmosphere, with pub brats hanging around and giving you stares. Very typical like Perambur. There is even a big bus stand here, and it is a common sight to see buses suddenly arriving one after another, and the correct bus does not stand in the bay. When a driver comes and takes the bus, and you rush to have a seat, the driver says, "I am taking it to the shed…wait till another bus arrives"…well, if you cant draw a parallel to Perambur atleast here, would it interest you to know that a railway station is very close to this bus stand?
Maybe the only difference is that a distance of 14 miles is commuted by the UK driver in nearly 50 minutes, while at Perambur you know the time within which 29c would cover that distance, and also, how many people experience a near death to take a quick peek into their chamber in the upper world, when 29c covers that distance.
Whether it is the UK bus or the MTC bus, skipping stops is not uncommon. Did someone say the British people are known for their punctuality and stuffs like that? The British people know, but the bus drivers don't. Not that there is any traffic hold-up to delay them, but they just take their sweet time - atleast in Basildon. It happens quite often that a bus leaves either before time, or arrives to bus stand/stop very late.
Lots of pubs, workers and the places known for robbery and theft. A sign outside a shop in Basildon's famous shopping center sums it all - "No cash is kept inside the shop." And then, there is a beware card in the bus stand - "Thieves and pickpockets operating in this vicinity". Council is not too active, and it is rumored that the council is known for acts of corruption and swindling of funds/taxpayer's money. But then, the council members have been the long-living members in the area - read local dadhas - and they have their say and way. Recent incident being a local newspaper reporting that council staff seem to taking too many sick leaves, while there has been no instances of any epidemic. They were spotted in pubs.
The train line from London on the entire Basildon line stretch is a bit like North Madras. One would think twice, before thinking twice about looking for a house in these areas. There are few good places around, connected with Basildon by bus. Like Brentwood - I would deem it equivalent to Alwarpet. Posh area, supposed to be housing well-to-do educated families. And then, you have Billericay - like Besantnagar, and there is Wickford - like Mylapore - mix of both good and bad elements.
Am still looking for a house to rent in these areas. Yeah, yeah, I am registered with many letting agents, and also a regular browser of rightmove, primelocation, letalife, teamprop etc…don't give me the same load of information again please.
If any of you happen to know good residential areas on Basildon line itself, pls let me know, so that I can look for a house there. My MMS (Maximum Monthly Spend) limit is 650pounds for a 2 Bedroom.
Later, More on UK,
OK?
December 07, 2004
Blogging from UK
Its been 9 days since I landed in Queen's land on the job. (Innikki pathu)
After getting internet connections and sorting out the convenient times for browsing and blogging, here is my post.
It was interesting to see Kiruba's post on Trisha, Karthik's bashing and Cogito Ergo Bala's geeky angle to it all. Followed up Jayendrar's case, looks like lot of things have happened. People like Anuradha Ramanan pouring out her bottled up emotions, and people bashing her for doing so - asking what she was doing so long.
Am to work in a place called Basildon which is around 30 minutes from London's Tambaram called 'Fenchurch street'. Looking out for a place to stay around here. Need to sort whole lot of things right from bank account to house to mobile to internet connections to food to visa processing for family!!!
Well, enough of my brag for today, will catch up in next post!
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