Egypt Museum, Cairo: A sprawling building with multiple sections, we managed to check only some important aspects of the museum. The place has hundreds of artefacts from ancient Egypt. Here, we got acquainted with the two famous Kings/Pharaohs Ramses II and Tutankhamun. The latter is famous not for his achievements, but because his was the only tomb that was recovered with very less damage and about 4500 items were extracted from his burial tomb. The museum contains most of these items, 6 of the 7 coffins/sarcophagus found in his tomb,face mask made of gold and other jewellery. The intricacy of the various works made about 3000 years ago is simply amazing.
The museum also has mummys discovered in the tombs. Though photography is not allowed as is, I can safely say that real mummies look very different from the ones we see in movies/TV etc. !
Egyptians strongly believed in the life after death concept. The tombs/pyramids were built as burial chambers for the kings where materials, inscriptions etc. were placed to aid the dead person to smoothly move into after life. They believed that the dead person has to undergo some challenges to make this transition and the endeavour of the burial tombs is to help the person to undergo these challenges. They had various Gods and many of the writings/ paintings refer to the king/queen praying to these various gods.
Pyramids and the Sphinx, Giza: I think most of us associate the pyramids with the Egypt more than anything else. The pyramids of Giza lie about 30 Kms away from main Cairo seprated by the Nile and both together form the Greater Cairo City.
The pyramids are again burial tombs built during the Old Kingdom period and the three main pyramids correspond to 3 kings (grandfather, father and son). The sphinx is present in front of the second pyramid.
These are majestic buildings and I believe, the actual secret chambers of the pyramids are yet to be found. The size of the structures is amazing.. and apparently each of the stones in the pyramid weigh close to 2 tonnes.
We also did a small trip into the third small pyramid and were left breathless.. a lovely experience.
The pyramids again show the belief of ancient Egyptians about after life. The majestic buildings and the sphinx show the skills of man close to 3500 years ago.
We have majestic buildings in India as well, but most have been erected in the A.D. era. The beauty of Egypt lies in the fact that most of these buildings have been build in the B.C era - many thousands of years ago.
We came back to the pyramids again for the Sounds and Light show - a magnificent presentation about the pyramids and the evolution of ancient Egypt. The sight of the sphinx and the pyramids in the lights is a wonderful sight. A must see aspect of the tour.. just ensure you carry some jackets on to handle the cold desert ;)!
B
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
Egypt - The Trip
Our choice of Egypt is a story by itself.. The original plan for a vacation included catching up with family, but the trip got derailed due to visa issues. We kinda immediately decided we would go to Egypt without much forethought and booked our vacation with a seasoned tour operator.
Then came the advises. We came to know Egypt was under turmoil and there were agitations going on for establishing democracy in the country. We had everybody advising us against going to Egypt - family, friends, colleagues etc. Perhaps due to the fact that we desperately needed a break or because we were too tied up at work and home to think too seriously about the issue - we decided to go ahead with the trip.
S ( my husband, who BTW has never been introduced in this blog before) generally prefers to plan his trips on his own. But, Egypt was a different proposition, we generally agreed taking a group tour was the best option.
We commenced our journey and landed in Cairo by flight. Our trip started in earnest the next day. Our tour guide was the old young man Mr. Abdul Aziz - note I call him young! He was an enthusiastic old man and being an archaeologist and an Egyptologist - his insight was invaluable to form our impressions about Egypt and its ancient culture.
The subsequent blog entries will list the places we visited and some of my impressions of them.
B
Then came the advises. We came to know Egypt was under turmoil and there were agitations going on for establishing democracy in the country. We had everybody advising us against going to Egypt - family, friends, colleagues etc. Perhaps due to the fact that we desperately needed a break or because we were too tied up at work and home to think too seriously about the issue - we decided to go ahead with the trip.
S ( my husband, who BTW has never been introduced in this blog before) generally prefers to plan his trips on his own. But, Egypt was a different proposition, we generally agreed taking a group tour was the best option.
We commenced our journey and landed in Cairo by flight. Our trip started in earnest the next day. Our tour guide was the old young man Mr. Abdul Aziz - note I call him young! He was an enthusiastic old man and being an archaeologist and an Egyptologist - his insight was invaluable to form our impressions about Egypt and its ancient culture.
The subsequent blog entries will list the places we visited and some of my impressions of them.
B
Egypt
After a year long break!! I see my last post was exactly a year ago.. things have changed dramatically since then. But the reason I come out of my long slumber is not to discuss these changes, but to jot down memories of a memorable trip to Egypt, lest I forget them.
So here goes the details...
So here goes the details...
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Back again!
I am back after a longggggggggggg time. It looks more like I am trying to boost my number of posts in 2010.. reckon its an useless battle!
Well, the reason for the long silence is because 2010 has been the dramatic year of change for me! More into my next post ;)
B
Thursday, March 11, 2010
The Body Massage
Just back from a lovely vacation at Coorg!
One of the things we did there was to go for a good massage. As the masseuse worked on me, I lay there thinking..now should I say that she knows me? Is my being defined just by my body or more by the person that I am, my thoughts, my feelings, my opinions or simply put,my inner soul. It kinda snapped on me that I was just a stranger to her.
I have heard many a times people quoting Gita about how life is not about the body, but about the soul. I can't imagine a more perfect experience of realising this aspect before than on this day. So, does that mean loved ones who have ceased being part of my life have just lost their earthly bodies and they live elsewhere. Can I go looking for them? Will I find them and If I do, would they appreciate my presence in their lives?
A tamil saying goes "Kathradu kai mann alava, kalladhadhu ulagalavu" - What I know is equivalent to a handful of sand, what I do not know is equivalent to the vastness of the world.
So there is still lots to know about in this life and world.
The woods are lovely dark and deep
But I have promised to keep,
and miles to go before I sleep
And miles to go before I sleep.
Well, the massage did rejuvenate my body and mind!
B
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Madras Travel Diary!
Madrasa suthi paarka porein...
Marina vil veeda katta porein...
Light House il eri nikka porein...
etc etc etc.
For all those folks who don't understand the above lines, its a Rahman Tamil song that talks about visiting places around Madras!
First, the confessions.. I was born and brought up in Singara Chennai. We lived in the heart of the city T.Nagar, a stone's throwaway from Ranganathan Street and Mambalam Railway station. About the only place I know properly in Chennai is South Usman Road and its umpteen galli's ;). If you were to ever get lost in all that maze of shopping in those places, I could possibly be the person who could help you out :D. Wicked!!
But the other side of the truth is that I hardly know the city.With working parents and a demanding school life ;), we hardly ventured out much..a visit to thatha-patti's place on the otherside of the station at West Mambalam was the only constant outing!
So my visit this last weekend was an experience in more ways than one! I boarded the Shatapti to Chennai at 6 AM on Saturday. On my way to my chittappa's place, I was surprised to see multiple photos of Sai Ram on the pre-paid auto(has to be pre-paid ma in Chennai). I always believe that Baba has a quirky way of telling me that a visit was due :). I casually asked the auto fella where the mandir is and he suggested Mylapore.
At home, we decided I needed to complete some bit of shopping before catching up on a dear friend. Off I was to Globus in Pondy Bazaar near my alma mater where I did my standard swiping the card routine ;). Then went to my friend's place and reminisced about all those wonderful days of BITS and life thereafter!
I was back home at 7 and chithi suggested she will take me down to Mylapore to see Baba and also check out the Kapaleeshwar temple which I'd never seen before. The temple, one of the landmarks of Chennai was some place I had never visited :(. When I managed to go there later that night, I was filled with some kind of peace. There is something about old temples with their vast space and the sense of serenity. It is very difficult to feel that peace in any of the newer structures. Thoroughly loved it :).
Sunday, after lunch was shopping time! My mom, who did all her shopping in Bombay when we lived in Chennai now does all her shopping in Chennai (at T.Nagar, mind you!!) while we live in Bangalore!! She had gently hinted when I left Blore that I pick up some sarees for her. So off we went (Chithi and I) to Nalli's :). Now, I know Nalli's is a brand name which women all over India seem to know is the place to shop for sarees, I once had a friend's sister suggesting that there is a Nalli in Hyderabad. But for all that brand name, Nalli's can be real real confusing! They have 3 floors, umpteen counters and hazaar varieties...I wonder how any tourist would know what to shop around here! And mind you, this is just one shop.. they have about 3 shops on the same road!
Anyway, we picked some sarees for my mom. Now, I can't be left behind.. can I ;). I wanted to check out the designer silk sarees which meant we spent some more time looking around. If we've come so far.. must check out RMKV silks nearby also na.. ;). So after a marathon 3 hours of shopping, we landed home at 3 in the afternoon! Chithi's afternoon nap gone for a toss!
Now, we had to go to beach also ;), the government has spent crores beautifying the runway around the beach ;).. I must visit it..right ;) So, off we were to the crowded Marina beach and spent close to 45 mins standing in the cool waters :). Bliss!!
Later,Dinner at Mathura's where I realised that my childhood restaurant is no match to the ambience and food of Hyd's restaurants, I even got onto a PTC bus (:D) to finally reach home!
Monday, boarded Shatapti at 6 AM to get back to home, office and life as usual :)
Well, there goes my Madras travel diary ;).
B
Monday, February 1, 2010
Performance Appraisal
Can't tell you how happy I felt reading this article :D - http://news.rediff.com/report/2010/feb/01/fearing-zero-ministers-upset-with-pms-grading-system.htm
I've often wondered if Government employees and ministrys go through performance appraisals and benefits based on them like us! I mean why should only people in private companies(read IT) suffer this system.It can be all the more frustrating when its not done in the right sense or does not yield any benefits as such due to yada yada.. come on guys you know the reasons!
I hope the government follows this system seriously and get on with appraising the ministers in all honesty!
Tchao!
B
Monday, January 4, 2010
Fog in Bangalore
Early Morning Fog in Bangalore on 4th January 2010. Reminded me of good ol' winter days at Pilani!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Ponniyin Selvan!
For one who officially read Tamil in school for 2 years.. 1st and 2nd standard, by the way - I managed to complete the 5 volumes of Ponniyin Selvan :D. It feels like an immense achievement ;) though I think I always knew I could read the language well and quick.. though, I may not be able to write that well :|
Anyway, initially I thought the plot was quite predictable.. but there was a quick turnaround at the end leaving me quite pleasantly surprised. No wonder, its called one of the most successful novels in Tamil !
I also think some of the "Tamizh" names are wonderful. Has anybody wondered how beautiful a name "Poonguzhali" is, once you get the "zha" bit correct :)
Alors, Felicitations! and more Tamizh reading to you :)
B
Anyway, initially I thought the plot was quite predictable.. but there was a quick turnaround at the end leaving me quite pleasantly surprised. No wonder, its called one of the most successful novels in Tamil !
I also think some of the "Tamizh" names are wonderful. Has anybody wondered how beautiful a name "Poonguzhali" is, once you get the "zha" bit correct :)
Alors, Felicitations! and more Tamizh reading to you :)
B
Friday, November 6, 2009
Decisions
How does one make decisions in life ? Back in college, choosing the electives you want to do used to be a big thing.. I mean life altering is what we used to think then. 10 years later, I feel it did not matter much.. I mean, how does it matter if I did GUI or Artificial Intelligence.. both don't have much place in my life today anyway!
But, as I've grown up in life.. I seem to be expected to make some BIG decisions! Should I study this year, Should I continue to work at XXX place, Should I be paid more than what I get, Should I just dump all this,get married and be a homemaker :-/.Who has answers to these questions.. I certainly don't seem to at the moment!! :D :D. These are life changing decisions.. :-/ Or will I just be thinking about all this 10 years down the line and wondering what the fuss was all about.. I just hope I do!
I can only recollect a time in college. A close friend just couldn't get over a subject.. and she tried as much as she could. Finally she said.. "B.. I can't do this anymore. I am gussing this subject and getting on with the others". I wish I could do just the same :).. dump all those questions in my mind and get on with life :)
B
But, as I've grown up in life.. I seem to be expected to make some BIG decisions! Should I study this year, Should I continue to work at XXX place, Should I be paid more than what I get, Should I just dump all this,get married and be a homemaker :-/.Who has answers to these questions.. I certainly don't seem to at the moment!! :D :D. These are life changing decisions.. :-/ Or will I just be thinking about all this 10 years down the line and wondering what the fuss was all about.. I just hope I do!
I can only recollect a time in college. A close friend just couldn't get over a subject.. and she tried as much as she could. Finally she said.. "B.. I can't do this anymore. I am gussing this subject and getting on with the others". I wish I could do just the same :).. dump all those questions in my mind and get on with life :)
B
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Doordarshan
I was watching the Golden Jubilee celebrations of good ol' Doordarshan on TV tonight. The program was characterized by the normal DD standards.. poor production values, very normal costumes and amateurish presenters. But, what I cannot fault DD will be the content bit.. it had excellent dances from the different states - Kathak, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Bharatnatyam, Kathakali etc. The performances were interspersed with the legendary "Mile Sur Mera Tumhara" beat and were done by professional dancers from dance academies. The group dances were excellent in co-ordination and the dance.. brilliant!
This got me thinking.. We have these umpteen festival shows across all these entertainment channels(mostly Hindi) for the different festivals. In these shows, we have overworked TV actors struggling to dance to the latest numbers. The steps are forgotten, dresses are loud.. and mostly end up being a headache. I wonder why the broadcasters think we want to see Tulsi, Parvathy etc. dance for festivals :-/. On the contrary, it would be a good idea to call in dancers.. students, young children etc. and give them the opportunity to perform some Indian classical music and dances. It serves two purposes, helps the young ones to appreciate classical Indian music and educates the society about the existence of such classical forms encouraging parents to enroll their wards into them. And yeah, it will be a damn sight better for viewers like us! :)
Recently, I attended a wedding.. and during the reception, we had dancing on Tamil "dappanguthu" music. I felt it was not appropriate.. atleast not for a solemn occasion like a wedding. Its not my business to comment if it was right or wrong, but I believe it had to do with these times where young children have grown up listening to these so called "happening" music. We rarely have a Tamil film without a mass song and some stupid dancing.. It leads kids to think that is the only way to dance :( and thats an unfortunate thing to happen.
I think people must start realizing that there are other traditional forms of dance(besides Bhangda!)and music which we can learn and perform. Unfortunately, DD seems to be the only channel interested in showing this idea! I've regretted many a time for not pursuing Carnatic vocal music beyond a point owing to studies. All the more so, when I landed at BITS and met the number of bright students singing/dancing and playing instruments so well! Its time for another generation to think and act so!
B
This got me thinking.. We have these umpteen festival shows across all these entertainment channels(mostly Hindi) for the different festivals. In these shows, we have overworked TV actors struggling to dance to the latest numbers. The steps are forgotten, dresses are loud.. and mostly end up being a headache. I wonder why the broadcasters think we want to see Tulsi, Parvathy etc. dance for festivals :-/. On the contrary, it would be a good idea to call in dancers.. students, young children etc. and give them the opportunity to perform some Indian classical music and dances. It serves two purposes, helps the young ones to appreciate classical Indian music and educates the society about the existence of such classical forms encouraging parents to enroll their wards into them. And yeah, it will be a damn sight better for viewers like us! :)
Recently, I attended a wedding.. and during the reception, we had dancing on Tamil "dappanguthu" music. I felt it was not appropriate.. atleast not for a solemn occasion like a wedding. Its not my business to comment if it was right or wrong, but I believe it had to do with these times where young children have grown up listening to these so called "happening" music. We rarely have a Tamil film without a mass song and some stupid dancing.. It leads kids to think that is the only way to dance :( and thats an unfortunate thing to happen.
I think people must start realizing that there are other traditional forms of dance(besides Bhangda!)and music which we can learn and perform. Unfortunately, DD seems to be the only channel interested in showing this idea! I've regretted many a time for not pursuing Carnatic vocal music beyond a point owing to studies. All the more so, when I landed at BITS and met the number of bright students singing/dancing and playing instruments so well! Its time for another generation to think and act so!
B
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Senior Citizen!
Well.. I think it defeats the purpose of naming my blog "Me, the way I am" if I am going to offer justifications for not posting often etc etc.. Hey, thats me... and I am lazy by nature!! ;)
Anyway, when I was scouting for a topic to write on.. popped up the word.."Senior Citizen"! There is a senior citizen tax exemption, special interest rates for deposits, concessions in Rail/Air fare and lately, on the Volvo bus fares!! I don't this is a concept that has come around in the last few years or so.. think they exist for quite sometime..
I guess I am noticing this word nowadays is cos Appa is one and Amma is taking baby steps towards it.. Its quite funny to hear Appa arguing with the Customer care for all those umpteen domestic services.. they invariably start of with this gem of a sentence.."What is this? I am senior citizen.. what do you expect me do? blah blah blah". Perhaps, they should start a separate cell for senior citizens with some folks who can give better answers than... "The system is like that.. Sir!!".
See, I am an IT person (who incidentally is unable to answer my Dad's queries, invariably asks friends/colleagues about the most happening softwares) who designs stuff and can comprehend this answer but to expect a lay man who has been molly coddled earlier by bank/services staff etc.. to understand it is stretching things too far! Time BPO services took note!
Anyway, back to the senior tag.. I think I never noticed that my Thatha/Patti(Grandpa/Granny) were seniors too, cos that is the only way I know them. But to see your strong and fiery(;)Hey, I get scolded for something or the other every day!) parents turning one is a learning process...
Adios,
B
Anyway, when I was scouting for a topic to write on.. popped up the word.."Senior Citizen"! There is a senior citizen tax exemption, special interest rates for deposits, concessions in Rail/Air fare and lately, on the Volvo bus fares!! I don't this is a concept that has come around in the last few years or so.. think they exist for quite sometime..
I guess I am noticing this word nowadays is cos Appa is one and Amma is taking baby steps towards it.. Its quite funny to hear Appa arguing with the Customer care for all those umpteen domestic services.. they invariably start of with this gem of a sentence.."What is this? I am senior citizen.. what do you expect me do? blah blah blah". Perhaps, they should start a separate cell for senior citizens with some folks who can give better answers than... "The system is like that.. Sir!!".
See, I am an IT person (who incidentally is unable to answer my Dad's queries, invariably asks friends/colleagues about the most happening softwares) who designs stuff and can comprehend this answer but to expect a lay man who has been molly coddled earlier by bank/services staff etc.. to understand it is stretching things too far! Time BPO services took note!
Anyway, back to the senior tag.. I think I never noticed that my Thatha/Patti(Grandpa/Granny) were seniors too, cos that is the only way I know them. But to see your strong and fiery(;)Hey, I get scolded for something or the other every day!) parents turning one is a learning process...
Adios,
B
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Late Again!
I am still up :-/. Wonder when I will improve and become one of those model daughters my Dad would be proud of!!
Hi folks, just popping up to say Hi!
If any of you had dropped in to check if I have been writing.. Merci beaucoup! Will start blogging soon! :)
B
P.S: I started my "gen" label - things which I cannot slot into any other group goes here. Something tells me I am more likely to put things in gen than anywhere else! For the uninitiated, gen is short for general.. BITSians love to shorten the words :)
Hi folks, just popping up to say Hi!
If any of you had dropped in to check if I have been writing.. Merci beaucoup! Will start blogging soon! :)
B
P.S: I started my "gen" label - things which I cannot slot into any other group goes here. Something tells me I am more likely to put things in gen than anywhere else! For the uninitiated, gen is short for general.. BITSians love to shorten the words :)
Friday, February 13, 2009
Valentines' Day
I hope the Ram Sena is not monitoring my blog ;)
As a ritual, I always crib on 14th February for not having the "right" company. But, with many a friend getting married off late.. I find fewer people sharing the same thoughts about this day!
So, will celebrate(sigh!) the day with a cheesy joke my friend pinged me today..
"
In spite of what you have been told by everyone, the truth is that Valentine's Day originated hundreds of years ago, in India, and to top it all, in the state of Gujarat !!!
It is a well known fact that Gujarati men, specially the Patels, continually mistreat and disrespect their wives (Patelianis). One fine day, it happened to be the 14th day of February, one brave Patelani, having had enough "torture" by her husband, finally chose to rebel by beating him up with a Velan (rolling pin to make chapattis). Yes....the same Velan which she used daily, to make chapattis for him.... only this time, instead of the dough, it was the husband who was flattened.
This was a momentous occasion for all Gujarati women and a revolt soon spread, like wild fire, with thousands of housewives beating up their husbands with the Velan. There was an outburst of moaning "chapatti-ed" husbands all over Anand and Amdavad.
The Patel men-folk quickly learnt their lesson and started to behave more respectfully with their Patelanis.
Thereafter, on 14th February every year, the womenfolk of Gujarat would beat up their husbands, to commemorate that eventful day - the wives having the satisfaction of beating up their husbands with the Velan and the men having the supreme joy of submitting to the will of the women they loved.
Soon The Gujju men realised that in order to avoid this ordeal they need to present gifts to their wives....they brought flowers and sweets. This is how the tradition - Velan time - began.
As Gujarat fell under the influence of Western culture, the ritual soon spread to Britain and many other Western countries, specifically, the catch words 'Velan time' !!! In course of time, their foreign tongues, this got anglisized to 'Velantime' and then to 'Valentine'.
And thereafter, 14th of February, came to be known as Valentine's Day and now you know the true story of Valentine's day.
"
Well.. if you don't find the joke funny enough.. don't blame me.. I warned you that I tend to crib!
B
As a ritual, I always crib on 14th February for not having the "right" company. But, with many a friend getting married off late.. I find fewer people sharing the same thoughts about this day!
So, will celebrate(sigh!) the day with a cheesy joke my friend pinged me today..
"
In spite of what you have been told by everyone, the truth is that Valentine's Day originated hundreds of years ago, in India, and to top it all, in the state of Gujarat !!!
It is a well known fact that Gujarati men, specially the Patels, continually mistreat and disrespect their wives (Patelianis). One fine day, it happened to be the 14th day of February, one brave Patelani, having had enough "torture" by her husband, finally chose to rebel by beating him up with a Velan (rolling pin to make chapattis). Yes....the same Velan which she used daily, to make chapattis for him.... only this time, instead of the dough, it was the husband who was flattened.
This was a momentous occasion for all Gujarati women and a revolt soon spread, like wild fire, with thousands of housewives beating up their husbands with the Velan. There was an outburst of moaning "chapatti-ed" husbands all over Anand and Amdavad.
The Patel men-folk quickly learnt their lesson and started to behave more respectfully with their Patelanis.
Thereafter, on 14th February every year, the womenfolk of Gujarat would beat up their husbands, to commemorate that eventful day - the wives having the satisfaction of beating up their husbands with the Velan and the men having the supreme joy of submitting to the will of the women they loved.
Soon The Gujju men realised that in order to avoid this ordeal they need to present gifts to their wives....they brought flowers and sweets. This is how the tradition - Velan time - began.
As Gujarat fell under the influence of Western culture, the ritual soon spread to Britain and many other Western countries, specifically, the catch words 'Velan time' !!! In course of time, their foreign tongues, this got anglisized to 'Velantime' and then to 'Valentine'.
And thereafter, 14th of February, came to be known as Valentine's Day and now you know the true story of Valentine's day.
"
Well.. if you don't find the joke funny enough.. don't blame me.. I warned you that I tend to crib!
B
Do you recognise me?
Honestly, I feel this blog will go dead if I don't write.. so am trying to come up with something! Anyway..
I was in Chennai for a family function last week. Now, I am very poor with faces and being out of the family social circuit for a long time now.. I hardly knew most of the people who attended. Even otherwise, I doubt I would know ;). Anyway, this time, I had quite a few people walking up to me and saying.. "Ennai teriyudha" and I'd go blank! Some faces looked familiar, but most of them were strangers to me :|. I'd go sheepish and reply.."Illai teriyalai". I don't think that looked a pretty answer, but I did not think anything but the truth would help in such cases. What if they asked me more questions!! Thereafter, I went looking for my Mom/Dad who could then introduce me to the said people. My Dad would say.. He is Kannu's son and I'll nod my head. On pressing who is Kannu, he'd give an unhelpful.. He is Labour Officer Kannu's son. I give up!! B gives a polite smile and moves on to the next group.. :|
Well, I don't know if I have always been this way or its something I have picked up in life. I surely know I was bad with faces in BITS, but don't remember before that :-/. My friends resorted to showing me photographs time and again to ensure I remembered a face. Maybe I should attempt that now.. Ghajini style :D.
B
I was in Chennai for a family function last week. Now, I am very poor with faces and being out of the family social circuit for a long time now.. I hardly knew most of the people who attended. Even otherwise, I doubt I would know ;). Anyway, this time, I had quite a few people walking up to me and saying.. "Ennai teriyudha" and I'd go blank! Some faces looked familiar, but most of them were strangers to me :|. I'd go sheepish and reply.."Illai teriyalai". I don't think that looked a pretty answer, but I did not think anything but the truth would help in such cases. What if they asked me more questions!! Thereafter, I went looking for my Mom/Dad who could then introduce me to the said people. My Dad would say.. He is Kannu's son and I'll nod my head. On pressing who is Kannu, he'd give an unhelpful.. He is Labour Officer Kannu's son. I give up!! B gives a polite smile and moves on to the next group.. :|
Well, I don't know if I have always been this way or its something I have picked up in life. I surely know I was bad with faces in BITS, but don't remember before that :-/. My friends resorted to showing me photographs time and again to ensure I remembered a face. Maybe I should attempt that now.. Ghajini style :D.
B
Monday, January 19, 2009
Cricket, a way of life
I am short on topics to write! So thought I'll write in a few words about... Cricket!!
Now, we are a cricket family.. in the sense all of us watch it with a lot of passion except my Mom of course. I think that's partly to do with the fact that we are so obsessed with it all the time!
Dad watches cricket of every kind. He fought with me the other day because I was not allowing him to watch the Saurashta v/s Bombay Ranji match! As my mom puts it right.. "Mattaiya thukkindu vandhutangala.. ", any match with a bat and ball is all that is required to get his attention.
Bro was slightly better off. I mean he watched all India matches and a bit of other exciting teams, like Australia v/s South Africa etc etc.
I watch matches with India playing in it. Period. Others I am not keen, though off late, I do track matches in which Australia is on the losing side ;)
Now, cricket has the unique ability to decide our moods. The day India wins, We are in the best of moods cracking jokes and laughing loud :). The day India loses albeit fighting, our mood is fine with some laughter missing. The day India "really" loses pathetically, we are in mourning and a simple request by Mom to remove the book from the sofa would invariably result in an argument and tears :(
So, happy days,
- The Hero cup final in 1992. First time I saw the magic of Eden Gardens lighting up papers to rejoice the victory :)
- 1996 World Cup match against Pakistan :). During 1996, we(bro and I) used to call the Indian team the "One-way" team ;), they had a chance to win only if they batted first :D and fortunately, we did it that day!
- 2003 World Cup match against Pakistan :). Sachin the genius !! I remember seeing a photo in the Outlook magazine where a chai walla had a board offering FREE tea to everybody cos of the win. I've tried hard to locate that snap, but haven't managed yet!
- 1998 series against Australia :), Sachin again :D
- 1998 Sharjah series against Australia :). Sachin was phenomenal in the last two matches :D, complete mayhem of the Aussies !
- 2001 series against Australia :). Vacation time, was at home :). The Kolkata test had the ability to cool frayed tempers between bro and me over some petty issue ;)
- Independence day Dhaka final against Pakistan :D. Saurav and Kanitkar did the trick.
- Natwest series final against England. We were returning from Shirdi and escaped the England batting marathon. Morose, we never watched the Indian innings for sometime after Sachin's dismissal... but the neighbours of my uncle's in Bombay ensured we did watch the match after all :D
- T20 world cup final in 2007 against Pakistan :D
- 2004 Series against Australia in Australia. That’s one of the reasons I bought a television as soon as I moved outta my aunt's place in Hyderabad :) not waiting for the roomies to say "Yes". Its tough to get women to decide on buying something together, more so when its for cricket!!
Before 2000, we used to win so rarely, most of them due to Sachin's sheer brilliance that the wins are so vivid in my memory. It also helps that I was in Chennai around that time. I barely watched a couple of matches in Pilani.. there was hardly any company :(. And to argue for the TV in the hostel common room is pretty annoying, so I sticked to 'The Hindu's report on matches!
Sad days,
- 1996 World Cup semi final. It still hurts :(. Bro and I couldn't sleep that night.. don't remember feeling so miserable any other time
- 1999 Test match in Chennai against Pakistan :(. We were about to win, but botched it up in the end. I watched this match at my Grandfather's place.. got so angry at the end, shouted and walked outta home without saying Bye to thatha :(. I am sure he was worried, every grandfather is worried when the "girl" child in the family is so aggressive ;). The only silver lining, I refused the offer to go and watch the 5th day of the match at the ground.. don't think I could have handled that :(
- 2003 World cup final :(. I slept through the first half hoping Australia would be bowled out for a paltry score.. they made 359! @$#!!!@#$#!&^%^
- 2008 Sydney Test match against Australia. Again #$@#$%^!$&*
There have been many other defeats, but can't remember anything that rankled for long.. I mean before, 2000, we lost 3 outta 5 matches consistently :), so can't be too worried about them all! I started watching cricket during the Sachin era.. watch matches as long he is there and then switch off... there was no hope/chance to win without him! Sachin is truly truly the GOD!
Ironically, my work deals with building a product for Australia! My secret desire is that if ever Cricket Australia were to buy this product, I would perhaps resort to some "rogue" coding :D. Fortunately for them, my biggest enemy - Mathew Hayden is now retired.. and if they continue their losing ways against India..I might just be nice :).
As for Hayden, if he continues to play for Chennai SuperKings and plays well enough.. I might support you also !! Strange are the ways of cricket!
B
Now, we are a cricket family.. in the sense all of us watch it with a lot of passion except my Mom of course. I think that's partly to do with the fact that we are so obsessed with it all the time!
Dad watches cricket of every kind. He fought with me the other day because I was not allowing him to watch the Saurashta v/s Bombay Ranji match! As my mom puts it right.. "Mattaiya thukkindu vandhutangala.. ", any match with a bat and ball is all that is required to get his attention.
Bro was slightly better off. I mean he watched all India matches and a bit of other exciting teams, like Australia v/s South Africa etc etc.
I watch matches with India playing in it. Period. Others I am not keen, though off late, I do track matches in which Australia is on the losing side ;)
Now, cricket has the unique ability to decide our moods. The day India wins, We are in the best of moods cracking jokes and laughing loud :). The day India loses albeit fighting, our mood is fine with some laughter missing. The day India "really" loses pathetically, we are in mourning and a simple request by Mom to remove the book from the sofa would invariably result in an argument and tears :(
So, happy days,
- The Hero cup final in 1992. First time I saw the magic of Eden Gardens lighting up papers to rejoice the victory :)
- 1996 World Cup match against Pakistan :). During 1996, we(bro and I) used to call the Indian team the "One-way" team ;), they had a chance to win only if they batted first :D and fortunately, we did it that day!
- 2003 World Cup match against Pakistan :). Sachin the genius !! I remember seeing a photo in the Outlook magazine where a chai walla had a board offering FREE tea to everybody cos of the win. I've tried hard to locate that snap, but haven't managed yet!
- 1998 series against Australia :), Sachin again :D
- 1998 Sharjah series against Australia :). Sachin was phenomenal in the last two matches :D, complete mayhem of the Aussies !
- 2001 series against Australia :). Vacation time, was at home :). The Kolkata test had the ability to cool frayed tempers between bro and me over some petty issue ;)
- Independence day Dhaka final against Pakistan :D. Saurav and Kanitkar did the trick.
- Natwest series final against England. We were returning from Shirdi and escaped the England batting marathon. Morose, we never watched the Indian innings for sometime after Sachin's dismissal... but the neighbours of my uncle's in Bombay ensured we did watch the match after all :D
- T20 world cup final in 2007 against Pakistan :D
- 2004 Series against Australia in Australia. That’s one of the reasons I bought a television as soon as I moved outta my aunt's place in Hyderabad :) not waiting for the roomies to say "Yes". Its tough to get women to decide on buying something together, more so when its for cricket!!
Before 2000, we used to win so rarely, most of them due to Sachin's sheer brilliance that the wins are so vivid in my memory. It also helps that I was in Chennai around that time. I barely watched a couple of matches in Pilani.. there was hardly any company :(. And to argue for the TV in the hostel common room is pretty annoying, so I sticked to 'The Hindu's report on matches!
Sad days,
- 1996 World Cup semi final. It still hurts :(. Bro and I couldn't sleep that night.. don't remember feeling so miserable any other time
- 1999 Test match in Chennai against Pakistan :(. We were about to win, but botched it up in the end. I watched this match at my Grandfather's place.. got so angry at the end, shouted and walked outta home without saying Bye to thatha :(. I am sure he was worried, every grandfather is worried when the "girl" child in the family is so aggressive ;). The only silver lining, I refused the offer to go and watch the 5th day of the match at the ground.. don't think I could have handled that :(
- 2003 World cup final :(. I slept through the first half hoping Australia would be bowled out for a paltry score.. they made 359! @$#!!!@#$#!&^%^
- 2008 Sydney Test match against Australia. Again #$@#$%^!$&*
There have been many other defeats, but can't remember anything that rankled for long.. I mean before, 2000, we lost 3 outta 5 matches consistently :), so can't be too worried about them all! I started watching cricket during the Sachin era.. watch matches as long he is there and then switch off... there was no hope/chance to win without him! Sachin is truly truly the GOD!
Ironically, my work deals with building a product for Australia! My secret desire is that if ever Cricket Australia were to buy this product, I would perhaps resort to some "rogue" coding :D. Fortunately for them, my biggest enemy - Mathew Hayden is now retired.. and if they continue their losing ways against India..I might just be nice :).
As for Hayden, if he continues to play for Chennai SuperKings and plays well enough.. I might support you also !! Strange are the ways of cricket!
B
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
New Year Wishes
I am still up now! Last time, I was up this late was in BITS.. I think :-/
Anyway, a happy new year 2009! Lets hope this is the year of peace, change and action!
To celebrate the new year, I'll attempt telling a joke..
This incident happened early last year while I was traveling to Chennai via train. As we were approaching Chennai, so went the discussion of my co-passengers..
"Sir, how will you go home?"
"I am thinking if I can take the electric train to Thorapakkam."
"Good idea Sir. Today is Saturday, the Tidel park route should be less crowded"
"Oh No! IT people are a crazy group, they travel any day any time. They don't follow any rule. I will take an auto now!"
B, even with her practiced demeanour of not laughing at a stranger's joke couldn't stop laughing :D! Take a bow, the IT guys! The world thinks we are fools and crazy!
P.S: Now guys, I am not sure if he said Thorapakkam... could be some other place on the route of Tidel park ;). Now, with my notorious reputation of directions and places... this is something you shouldn't mind at all :)
B
Anyway, a happy new year 2009! Lets hope this is the year of peace, change and action!
To celebrate the new year, I'll attempt telling a joke..
This incident happened early last year while I was traveling to Chennai via train. As we were approaching Chennai, so went the discussion of my co-passengers..
"Sir, how will you go home?"
"I am thinking if I can take the electric train to Thorapakkam."
"Good idea Sir. Today is Saturday, the Tidel park route should be less crowded"
"Oh No! IT people are a crazy group, they travel any day any time. They don't follow any rule. I will take an auto now!"
B, even with her practiced demeanour of not laughing at a stranger's joke couldn't stop laughing :D! Take a bow, the IT guys! The world thinks we are fools and crazy!
P.S: Now guys, I am not sure if he said Thorapakkam... could be some other place on the route of Tidel park ;). Now, with my notorious reputation of directions and places... this is something you shouldn't mind at all :)
B
Friday, December 26, 2008
Merry XMas and Happy New Year
Amidst this season of gloom and despair, its decidedly a sombre Christmas and New Year.
Nevertheless, lets hope the New Year 2009 brings in happiness and peace in our lives!
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2009!
B
Nevertheless, lets hope the New Year 2009 brings in happiness and peace in our lives!
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2009!
B
Secularism!
Strange week indeed.. I started off the week by reading an article in 'The Hindu' about the Kashmir elections. One person from a town had subscribed to something called "Islamic law" for them where people follow the tenets of the Koran. To explain what it is all about, he goes on to say "Men have beards, Women wear the burqa"..
Yesterday, while I was walking out of the temple, we had some women approaching us and telling us to join some function - some foundation for establishing 'Ram Rajya' in India. I did not stand long enough to ask what that entails :-/, Did Lord Ram specify how to lead a country in times of the poverty, illiteracy, terrorism and computers?
I believe both ideas are trivializing the issue and closing your eyes to the reality. This is the land of each and every person irrespective of religion and
you cannot ask somebody of the other religion to just go. Where will anybody go? Jump into the Indian Ocean :-/. India's biggest hope and strength shall remain to be secularism and democracy.
I think its high time schools started teaching children the virtues of secularism and tolerance.That would, perhaps in the long term avoid such incorrect dogmas! But... unfortunately, the bigger issue in our education system is not what it is being taught.. but bringing in people to be taught. :(
B
Yesterday, while I was walking out of the temple, we had some women approaching us and telling us to join some function - some foundation for establishing 'Ram Rajya' in India. I did not stand long enough to ask what that entails :-/, Did Lord Ram specify how to lead a country in times of the poverty, illiteracy, terrorism and computers?
I believe both ideas are trivializing the issue and closing your eyes to the reality. This is the land of each and every person irrespective of religion and
you cannot ask somebody of the other religion to just go. Where will anybody go? Jump into the Indian Ocean :-/. India's biggest hope and strength shall remain to be secularism and democracy.
I think its high time schools started teaching children the virtues of secularism and tolerance.That would, perhaps in the long term avoid such incorrect dogmas! But... unfortunately, the bigger issue in our education system is not what it is being taught.. but bringing in people to be taught. :(
B
Monday, December 8, 2008
The little forgotten heroes
I couldn't resist posting this article - Brave constables
It talks about the brave policemen who managed to do the "impossible", if I could say that..Its these people's contribution that we need to be talking more about.
With my maternal family based out of Bombay, we visited the city on an annual basis during my growing years. All through these years, I never knew there existed a "Taj mahal" hotel against the backdrop of the Gateway of India. But one place, I indeed do know about is the VT or the CST station. We boarded long distance trains to Chennai from this very station or from the Dadar station. Like the city itself, I remember the place as crowded with scores of trains and passengers present all the time. I dread to think what would have happened if the man with the microphone who announces the arrival/departure of trains on a daily basis had not had the presense of mind to warn the other passengers present in the station to move out using the back gate. I believe this truly signifies the "Mumbai spirit" more than anything else - A common man with the presence of mind and the will to help out others.
Its these men that we need to be proud of in life. In their life, with meagre means, they still end up thinking for the community. Wish more of us were like this..
B
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