Coffee time

Cycling

2009-08-23T21:32:00.004+05:30

I used go for morning walk, sometimes biking with Arivu, my friend, till Ashok Pillar ( 1 Km ) from home. The objective is to take strong cofee at Saravana Bhavan. But things changed bit when started cycling.

Yes this month my budget Rs.3000 allotted for

bicycle purchase. My friend Ganesh bought it couple of months before and so I am now. I join him every alternate days. Other alternate days with Arivu.

It is good to see traffic free Chennai city early morning. Let me watch how long it goes..

Krishna Charitra - Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyaya

2009-06-01T21:38:00.003+05:30

Krishna Charitra, Originally written in Bengali by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyaya is now available in English version. It is translated by Ms. Alo Shome.
This is a masterpiece work by Bankim. In his book, he visualizes Sri Krishna as a normal human being who lived in period of Mahabaratha. Eleminating divine powers, tricks and tales, Bankim shows Krishna us a perfect human being.
Interesting and refreshing.

Alma Mater - 14th Anniversary

2009-02-17T07:04:00.003+05:30

I was invited by my friend for 'Alma Mater' 14th anniversary on Sunday, 15th Feb, 10am -12pm, Kamaraj memorial hall, Chennai.
I usually do not take part or show interest on any of speeches given by 'special' group or person. I do like speeches on Hinduism or Carnatic music concerts. But for change, I said ok for this.

The hall of 1800 seats was full by 9:30am. The crowd was from 'Rich' background (and not even upper middle class). About 50% were Hindi speaking. On my observation, there were many volunteers, Hugs, 'Happy morning' wishes, exchanging business cards, Adding contacts, etc.
The function was simple. Mr. TT Rangarajan, founder gave speech for 2 Hrs.
Nothing much attractive or special in his speech. For first 1 hr, he was giving various example to make us understand Tagore's " Where the mind is without fear ". Next 1 hr about mobile phone usage.
As this was 14th anniversary occasion, I was expecting their achievements and what did they change?
I wonder, what makes people wake up early on Sunday and gather for such a program.

Naan Kadavul - Movie review

2009-02-07T13:27:00.016+05:30

The meaning of the title "Naan Kadavul" ( I am God ), sounded little bravery and made me watch at first show.
I was in assumption that story would be around saadhu's, Kasi, something that would take us near the 'meaning of God'. My assumption was wrong.

This is a typical action movie without commercial stuff. The movie was not boring. It makes you to sit 2.5 hrs expecting more and more from screen. But after the last frame, It makes us feel that movie is incomplete.

Bala ( The director ) should have gone bit deep into Saadhu life style, which might have added flavor to the movie. He extracted the best performance from Arya (Hero) and Pooja (Heroin). For Arya, except the action scene there is no scope. Pooja takes all the aplaz. Her extraordinary performance and Music Maestro Ilayaraja's background music together grabs every audience attention. The other notable characters in this movie are Arya's guru in Kasi, Arya's Father, Arya's Mom , Pooja's Father and the Beggars. They all fit for the role and script exactly.

About the story, It portrays the life of Beggars. It shows the hidden side of their life and the business around them.

The best scenes:
1. Arya's introduction song.
2. Arya's father collapses seeing his son first time before burning bodies.
3. Arya's sharp comment on her mom, when she ties to convey her pathetic situation.
4. When a beggar whistles seeing young girl at temple.
5. Pooja's father's non stop dance when police visit home.
6. No reaction from Pooja's father when police hit him with rope.
7. Pooja steals the show wherever she appears. Especially the climax. No heroine would have fit that role.
8. The way Arya drags Nayar inside bushes.
9. Comedy the beggars play casually about Ambani and Politics.
10. Nayantara actress in Pooja's family.

What is missing:
1. Story.
2. Arya's guru instructs him to get rid off (kill ?) all his relatives and come back to Kasi. But the script later misses that.
3. Very less dialogue. More Sanskrit and Hindi used.
4. Few sensitive dialogues gets buried in background music.
5. Why does always Bala want to give importance to old songs and stage artists? Especially in police station, where Pooja's family performing dance is too boring and lengthy.
6. At court, does Arya say "I ate him" ? Censor's mute sound is more across scenes. Can't director convey that in some other means?

Poor parents should kill the child if baby born with disability, at the earliest. Is that the message of the movie? Ada Kadavulae! ( Oh My God!)

Overall, the movie can be seen once for Pooja and Music.
Keep kids away from this movie.

Alagiri at Chennai

2009-02-05T08:04:00.006+05:30

Chennai now sees Alagiri ( Son of TN chief minister) posters widely. His 58th birthday wish banners were placed for each 100 feet.

One display says: Anja Nenjarae (brave heart)

The other says: Thirumangalathu Yaanaiyae (Elephant of Thirumangalam district).

What they try to say?

Match Point

2009-02-02T07:29:00.003+05:30

Match Point (2005) directed by Woody Allen and starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Scarlett Johansson, Emily Mortimer. It was shown in Sony Pix channel Sunday 01,Feb.
Extraordinary performance by all three leads and wonderful direction.
The dialogue were sharp and interesting Drama with thrill.

Worth watching it and I'm looking for DVD to stack it to my collection.

Scrum in depth

2009-01-04T22:29:00.010+05:30

I completed my Scrum master certification from goodagile August 2008. Since then I was trying to consolidate a quick walk through on scrum process for better understanding for beginners.

Hope these presentations might trigger.

http://docs.google.com/EmbedSlideshow?docid=dcg4vtmc_2czmmgngj

http://docs.google.com/Presentation?id=dcg4vtmc_23fj29spw7

Active MTC .

2008-11-30T17:50:00.004+05:30

Chennai city could not withstand for 3 continuous rainy days.
1. Major roads were disconnected.
2. Drainage blocked.
3. Power supply turned-off
4. Weak mobile signals.
It would take at least a month to recover.
The one good thing is the city transport. City bus service was active through out these days and that facilitated lot. Keep it up MTC.

OHSU Air Tram ride

2008-06-13T18:14:00.002+05:30

Air tram service in Oregon Health & Science University, Portland is simply amazing. OHSU is at small hill at heart of Portland. The hospitals and research labs distributed in hilly area. There is connectivity between new hospital division at ground and surgery theatre at hill top. Doctors commute quickly in this tram to reach ground division. It takes 4 minutes to reach ground, where it is 30 min if we drive.

Air tram ride is open to public. $4 for round trip. Ride is so smooth and there is no hand rail to hold. One can enjoy excellent view of Portland city.

Willow Creek - Week

2008-05-01T22:37:00.000+05:30

March 29 - April 04

Sat, March 29th :
Evening 6:10pm - Willow Creek transit Ticket Machine, Hillsboro.
Sathiya, Krishna - bought weekly day pass for Timax service.
Priya, Kola watching the show and it is their turn now.
Kola buying weekly day pass for Trimax service, Inserts $20, Bill Accepted, Hears printing sound, No ticket at delivery window, Silence.. 2 min...3 min..5 min, Tries to call customer service, But message said service closed after 6:00pm.
We were sure that printing is done and the machine keeps the ticket or may be out of paper. Sathiya waits for someone to try that machine again, so that old printed ticket will be released.
Priya did not want to try for her ticket. She said she can buyone from 'Safeway' next day.
Kola and KK lost hope and started their photo session at near by cherry blossom trees. Kola could not smile for photo as he lost $20.
Sathiya and Priya noticed next customer trying to buy ticket in same machine. The customer surprised when he got 2 tickets. Sathiya explained what happened and got Kola's ticket back from him.
Kola and KK are back from photos. Sathiya said he got the ticket back but he did not show it. Kola could not believe. Priya said she can pay $10 (50% discount) for that ticket, if given to her. Sathiya sold it to Priya for $10. But she did not have money and said assured to pay Sathiya later.
Kola was shocked watching these. Kola thought she would give the ticket back to him and thought she is just kidding and everyone making him fool for that day.

Sun, March 29th :
Sunday, myself, Sathiya and Kola went to Fry's electronics for purchase. We took cab as it was far. So no thoughts about tickets.

Mon, March 31st:
Monday morning Kola suppose to go early to office. So he left early and Priya took to the next bus. Since they could not meet that morning, He got day pass for that day. Evening Priya told that she lost the bus ticket she got from Sathiya.

Tue, April 01st:
Priya purchased a new weekly pass from safeway and handed over it to Kola that evening.

Wed, April 02nd:
It was identified that the weekly pass is invalid for our zone. We were in zone 3 and Pass valid up to zone 1.
Kola was totally upset on this. He managed to travel by hiding zone, when driver asked to show.
Priya now got a weekly ticket for her with right zone.

Thu, April 03rd:
Kola - hide zone and ride bus. continued...

Friday, April 04th:
Kola - doesn't want to continue with wrong ticket. So he started paying for his each bus ride.
Friday evening we decided to go Portland for dinner. So we were at willow train creek station again.
we recollected last week incident and now Kola said, he wants to try first with the ticket machine. He decided to buy a weekly pass for $20. He got the ticket.
Priya then said she will also buy one. While searching $20 , she identified the lost ticket in her hand bag.
Oh my god. We laughed to hell.

Loss for the week:
Kola - $20 + $16
Priya - $20

Crazy Brahmin

2008-04-27T21:43:00.000+05:30

Today around 6:30pm, I took my bike for petrol. On the way, a man was asking lift. I stopped and said I am going for bunk. He asked to drop there and said he is visiting Ashok Nagar, Hanuman temple. Then I thought I shall take another route, so that I could drop him near to temple. He must be around 40+. From his accent, I understood his is Brahmin. In one minute travel he asked three questions :
1. Are you a Brahmin ?
Me: No.
2. Are you a Non- vegetarian ?
Me: Yes.
3. Do you have practice of visiting temples? (Koviluku ellam poradhu unda ? )
Me: "hm." (Just I sounded. Because I didn't want to talk to him anymore. and i want him to get-off immediately)

Coming home, I thought what made him ask such stupid questions?
Did he misunderstood me as Brahmin guy and so asked for a ride?
Does he likes to know my caste?
Whatever...
Useless guy. Hanuman should save him.

Portrait Painting

2008-02-24T23:10:00.000+05:30

This painter was painting MDMK leader Mr.Vijaykanth at wall opposite to my house. He finished this in 2 hrs.

Electronic ticket in Chennai city bus

2008-02-21T10:46:00.000+05:30

Chennai city bus has introduced electronic ticket. Now we get printed detailed tickets. It has travel date, time, route, number of persons traveling, start and destination. The conductor issues this by printing it in handy electronic billing machine.

When i asked conductor about its functionality and usability, he shared it is easier than manual tickets we issue before. He also added conductors need training to operate it in speed, in rush hours. They are happy about this transformation.
Keep it up Madras Transport Corporation!

Indralogathil Na Alagappan - Movie review

2008-02-04T11:37:00.000+05:30

What we do while coffee?

2008-02-01T23:09:00.000+05:30

Alone:
- Reading, Watching, Listening, Browsing, In call, Walking in woods, smoking.

Not Alone:
- Break silence.

So, lets break silence here at this blog.

Warm welcome.