xfactor

2007-02-15T02:10:00.000-08:00

From Sa†urn [?] to Valen†ine [?]
Lifez been interesting in recent times.All those who know me may be under the impression that I did infact found my "Chosen One".Perhaps this time you are wrong.On Friday of last week a thought struck me.I believe it was influenced by the book "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle.The thought goes how long you are going to search for your chosen one and not treat yourself.This idea of "Treating Oneself" was appealing to my friend Ramesh as well.On Saturday we packed our bags and decided to go for a movie which defies logic.Our objective was to laugh out loud.For those of you who closely follow Kollywood (Tamil version of Hollywood) would have guessed it already.For those of us who don't,well here you go. Itz the Tamil movie "Veerasamy". To our interesting coincidence every one of the audience who are in the theater had the same objective.Can you guess when people laughed the most?? Probably you did, it is for those who didn't.It is on those scenes when our hero explains "the worst condition their family has undergone".The moment our hero brings down his tone to make us feel the situation, everyone was in a laughing land...For those of you who are curious about the review of that movie, you will be serviced on demand.We have to exit the theatre at the intermission since our cranium cannot take that heat anymore.What next?? Why not we see the planet "Saturn" as it was close to us on that Saturday.woohoo the leopard (the 150cc) started wrooming to life again. We were at the Birla Planetorium by 6:50PM.To our surprise there was a huge pool that had the same plan. Well..no matter what – I just luv the crowd!My friend was more interested than me because he was told "Saturn was giving troubles to him in the last 71/2 years)..Courtesy Indian Astrology ..We were on the move to have a good look and blow on the trumpet.You know always liberals like to trumpet their opposition to the death penaltyWe had to wait in the queue for 2 hours to see this tiny little planet through a Telescope. It was really pretty in white with that disc surrounding it – and now I believe that I’m a survivor in this very own Milky Way. I started believing the diagrams I viewed in NASA museums now...Don't get away from your seat, the story ain't over yet!!

Then came the Valentines day.Ofcourse we both have crossed enough VDEs [Valentines Day Emptiness] to deal with it comfortably.We neither had plans to give rose to a girl nor had expectations that a girl will give us(Honestly the later wanted to get into my thought queue)..Again "Treat Yourself" rule applied. This time it was not the leopard but the Chariot(a brand new car of my friendz friend). This big heart friend of my friend left the car in Chennai and gone to Bangalore.Thanks to him, it made our day wonderful.This time "Les Trois Mousquetaires" (We were Three Musketeers (Ramesh,Rajesh and Karthic) in search of all the chalices.We had a wonderful ride from work to the Chennai City Center mall.Our Schumachar was very much challenged by the Chennai City bus drivers on our way.Finally we landed there by 08:30PM. We were greeted by a cat walk - by models on a store.Certainly acted as the necessary appetizer for the feast we planned to have on this wonderful evening.We were just in time for the last show of the special event organized at the mall.The guy has to wear a saree and whoever wears it better and did a catwalk will be rewarded a price.It was quite interesting to watch them how they not know "How their Valentines wear"..I can't blame them since their valentines were in Skirts..Lot of tips from the intersting audience made them to invent "how to wear" and they came up with the final piece. Three of the contenders made it interesting. One who slipped his pallu (the top portion of the saree) to lure audience made many hands to clap. Second who wore the saree properly made people to whistle.Last but not the least made a perfect cat walk..Guess who is the winner here...Since India is ahead in the "Miss World/Universe" counts, the cat walk emerged as a winner.A white board was kept at the mall to collect our love captions to be read out on Suriyan FM the next day.We inked a few for the "To be Angel of our life"..Then a dinner at the Food court. Our wiser friend wanted to get the food at "Ponnusamy or Sangeetha" the local food chain...Two is majority and we two were lobbying for something unconventional.This made us to browse through the "Mexican" recipe.Looking at the picture we choose 3 orders.Food looked Fabulous. Read clearly – I said it LOOKED. Trouble started after a few bites since it was made out of lot of Cheese.Which my friends loathe... As they said "Laughter is the best therapy for troubles). We did. I don't from where these girls came. They all piled up next to our table in the food court.And a few of them are eligible to be a "Jet Airways" airhostess. You know what I mean.They are 1 big "Pretty in Pardah" family of 10. These girls did convey by their looks "We are still game"..Kudos to them.Then sweated ourself at the indoor sports. We were just one point short of winning a "Valentine Dinner" coupon at Hoops. Luckily we didn’t win as it would need a beautiful venus aside.Then we were bloody at the "table hockey".. Sweat exhilarated us from Worldly worries.After half an hour and a few hundreds to that indoor sport store we left with a gift we won..We (the big hearted) rewarded to the quiet kid on the Food Court.Both mom and kid were happy. Let me tell you "It ain't over yet"..
We got ourself down to the parking lot.When we were queued up at the exit, guess who were at the back of the stearing on the rear car."This big happy Family". Excitement in both cars lasted only for 2 mins. We need to take left and they need to take right. Ho…well now you know what this Saturn uncle would give us. How can we end your treat to yourself by not having an icecream.We parked ourself at the Coffee Day in Ispahani Center at Chennai.I was forced to believe Coffee Day’s caption of “Lot more happens over a coffee” By a couple who lost thier breath in a K...We thought it will be a girl in her teen with her boyfriend from ground floor.To our surprise it was a Women in a Saree on her early 30s and her valentine.We treated ourself with the "After Eight" and "Almond Frappe".We dedicated a Darren Hayes "Insatiable" and a Daniel Beddingfield’s “If you are not the one” to our future "Valentines"..Zipped back to the car, we were greeted by a hoarding at the Mountroad that belonged to Hutch.It was filled with pink balloons with a Heart shaped ad about Hutch at the center.It was really good. Believe me even a "Date with Riya Sen" hoarding on top cannot lure people.The day ended with "My Heart is beating".........and miles to go before I sleep.

Hmm,, The END.

2006-08-16T10:35:00.000-07:00

Dash and Splash A Day Out At Chennai With My Friends.

Its been a wonderful weekend for 46IT Chennaiites.
On Saturday afternoon suddenly a wave kept 46it Chennaites off the ground.
Not to panic.This is not a Tsunami.
It is just a get together wave that swept our friends.

Place was decided and after a few cellphone whispers all were ready for a ride on Sunday. Guessed the place yet for a quick plan especially when our Kosu in town???

Saravanan's farm house.
On Sunday morning GK was painting a picture of Jurassic park to Meghana (GK’s daughter) as farm house.
Three cars (GK,NK and Master Mosquito)'s fired their cylinders close to 10:30AM. Fourth one would have been that of Pots but his kid kept him busy at home.
All three cars were full. NK,Sangeetha,Neha(NK's daughter),Pons,Abhi(Pon's son),Kari,Kari's inlaw Shan were in one of the BMW. (In India it is called Baleno).
Kosu's Merc (Ford Icon) were filled with Ramya Kosu,,Nandita(Kosu's kid),Sujee and Vidhya(Kari's sisters) and Kosu's housemaid.
Red Ferari(Hyundai accent) of Geeks were filled with Padma Priya, GK and Meghana(GK's kid).
On our route the drunkard lioness in Kosu,NK and GK were thirsty. We had a few beer pickup. Followed by a food pickup... (Chicken65,Gobi Manchurian, Nethili fry to name a few). This list is to make folks on the other side of Atlantic NV...
All assembled close to 12:30 at the nature filled Saravanan’s farmhouse.
Meghana was disappointed since all this Jurassic park could offer her was a bull and three dogs. All Kings/prince placed their ashanams at the lawn.
After a few beer (1 beer) all IT giants had thier outpour.
All queens and princess rested in the house
Then came the dash and splash program. A man made water fall (a pipe that is pouring water to the swimming pool) were filling the pool.
Neha was brave enough to jump in first. We all were singing all waterfall songs from top.
Following that it was more of ladies time at the pool.
Using this window of time all men were busy occupied in the game of Cricket.
This is where the farm house were really a farm house. A millepede followed by scorpion created some uproar at the pool.
Garden maintainers pulled those animal kingdom out of the pool. Pons the Jumanji was teaching his kid about what a scorpion is and how to deal with it.
It was more like watching a program (the one where an Australian who deals with Snakes) in National Geography.
Princess and Queens were exteremely happy after their dash and splash. Kings have to beg to get them out of the pool.
We got our share of 45 mins at pool. We had some naughty play at the pool.
It was loads of fun. Kids were in thier lighter moments after the pool.
There was a fashion parade by the little angels after the pool fun.
Following that it was time for all our Mahalakshmi's to place their porpadams on the land we bought.
We all parted with a plan to see "Kabhi Alvadi na kehna" in the future.
GK to send snaps to give you the pictorial representation of what I narrated.

2005-12-17T18:38:00.000-08:00

Here is my trip back home from Boston.
I started back from Boston on the 04th. Used a limousine service to Logan.
Don’t imagine a car used by red carpet celebrities.
Limousine service is just a shared van service to Logon.
After hearing about my 5-year haul in Boston, the chauffeur of the Limousine and me discussed about real estates in Boston. Arrived at the airport just 2 hours b4 departure. Stayed at the ticket counter for half an hour. Check in crew was quite courteous to allow my overweight (55 and a 57 Pound) suitcases. Of course this courtesy didn’t extend on my seats. Bought a few duty free perfumes for my brother in law. Got into the aircraft. Called a couple of friends and said bye. Disconnected my cell phone when my flight was just a few minutes away from take off. Five to Six hours of quiet flight to Amsterdam. I had a 5-hour transit time in Amsterdam. Airport was filled with quiet a few SardarJee and Families. It was good to see Desis spread all across the globe. Did a few duty free shopping here as well. Boarded the aircraft. My dream finally came true. God is there.
Karthic’s (Adrenalin) X factor started kicking in the moment he see his flight was filled with beautiful airhostesses. I got a middle seat. I realized I couldn’t fit into that dungeon for the next 6hours. Asked one of the beauty queens( he he he stewardess) to find an aisle seat somewhere. Having overbooked, all this beauty queen can offer is her own seat. Courteous angel also worried that there is no TV to watch. Nothing on the World is a problem if that sweet voice spills a few words. I have a plenty of papers to read. Enthusiastic Karthic’s won a few flight friends as well. You are absolutely right if you assumed that Mr.K. did a few stunts at the aircraft to lure this beauty queen. I did!! I did!!
I know all Frustrated Dogs tails are up at this point in time!! Delhi came faster than expected (Einstein’s explanation of relativity very much understood at this point in time). Beauty and the beast had a handshake to part. One can see this beauty queen if one flies from Hyderabad or Delhi to Amsterdam by KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines). Delhi Airport green channel cleared me happily. Airport shuttle also won a few friends. Yet another 5-hour transit. Coffee Vending Machines menus filled with cappuccino, Macchiato lured me. I paid Rs.15 ($0.35) to get a Macchiato. After a few coffee sip, I was stopped by a solid thing on a tongue. Guess what it is an insect. Coffee shopper’s reaction when displayed was he didn’t do it intentionally. As usual he assumed his smart answer has solved the problem. One Mantra that I know and practice gave peace to my mind. For those curious mind it is “Don’t sweat the small stuff. It is all the small stuff.”. Borrowed from one of the best selling novels. A few courteous services by Jet Airways took me to Chennai. My youngest sister joined me.
We both flew an IA flight to Madurai accompanied by an actress named Kiran.
I was amused by the way the IA chief airhostess (An Aunty in Indian terms… A middle aged woman in the rest of the world) handling the crowd. She treated everyone as her younger brother/sister. If spank/{lapping is legal, she would have slapped a few for their intolerable behavior in her dictionary. Everyone’s heart missed a few beats after an abrupt touchdown… Finally we reached our home safe and sound…Coming attractions Sisters Marriage and a few interesting Marriage proposals for me.

2005-10-22T23:53:00.000-07:00

the cliff with a ocean view. Ocean was green at the start of the cliff and was blue where it ended.
Then some muscle tussle with the waves of Atlantic ocean. Certainly sometimes one gets revived when hit by something powerful.
I don't know this is what is called shock and awe or Awestruck.
Some sneak peak on Oranges/Red Bikini('s)/... (A rainbow was spread on the beach).
Both eyes and heart were filled with joy.
It seems on every laborday weekend they have the gay event in the beach.
All these gays assembled in the middle of the beach and there was this Mr Gay competition.
One of the question that touched my funny bone goes like this.
How many sexual parts are in our body? Contestant responded with a 53.
Host{dressed hostess} instantly responded saying "Let me go wipe my hand with an alcoholic tissue)..
We served ourselves with a Pinnacollada/butterscotch icecreams to end our evening at the beach.
We got back to our car in a trolley. Driver of the trolley asked us where we are from.
Ofcourse we roared as "India". She replied that her sister in law was from India.
We had a few Desi Chat. We parted "Voila" the driver of the bus with a good bye.
We gave a touchup to prepare ourself for the evening in a happening place.
Streets were filled with beauties fully dressed up for the evening. We sipped a grand Cafe Machiatto in a best coffee shop in town sitting on a bench facing the streets.
Ofcourse one bench was not enough for the SPICEers. Mr Karthic voluntered to the next bench where a Spanish girl was sitting.
He asked her courteously "May I"? She replied back saying "Not a Problem and I won't bite". Karthic repondre "I don't mind even if you bite.
Infact noone has bit me so far". We chatted till my grande got over... ( I felt it was a small cup) She parted us with a vector to the next happening place.
which is Portland Maine. Spice'ers have that in their event manager if weather permits in the coming days.
There was this bar in Ogunquit where this gay men assembled.
There was this group of men in a BMW who took law of road in their own hands did a swirlilng turn and parked.
They didn't realize Ogunquit cop travels in a bicycle. You can see a panic for a second from them.
The cop excused them was my interpretation. The stranger next to me decoded it as "Cop don't want to mess with men in front of thier bar"..
We headed back to Newbury Port in the neighboring state NewHampshire.
Decided to end our day with a grand dinner at a Mexican Bistro
We had a 20min wait time at the front desk. Madmesoille next to the front desk try to extend the delay by 2 mins everytime she visits and smiles.
When she announed the 2 mins excuse for the second time K told her back "Your 120 second" starts right now.
She smiled and this time we had our table before 120 seconds.
One of my friend is an alcohol drinker. As per NewHampsire state law they check the id of the person who drinks alcohol.
My friend though 30+ took it as a complement. When the angel who serves us returned the card K asked her "Did you do the Math"???
Angel disappeared with a smile, came back with a wonderful food. This was the best food I had in a long time. It was delicious and was worth the money spent.
Spicers kissed their bed at 01:00PM. Headed to Walden Pond the next day. Played frisby on the pond.
At one time we were accidentally about to hit a madame with our frisby. Her friend who was watching the frisby asked her to dug.
She dugged and I don't know what factor in air (Viscocity,humidity....) took Frisby's flight on a different trajectory and it ain't hit nobody.
Mr K to calm down this smiling madam parle "We were trying to crown you as Miss Walden Unfortunately it missed".
She giggled and was game for the next few Frisby passes.
Walden shores as usual were filled with the prettiest of Boston. SPICEers left with their heart aching as none of these pretties were their owns.
Took some snaps to show the world of my TDH (Tall Dark and Handsome)..
Cut my Birthday cake at 00hours on Tuesday. Slept for 6 hours like a baby.
My coworkers were served with a coffeecake as my Birthday present .
As the sun hide underneath the land where I live, I decided to treat myself.
Hit the nearby restaurant called " Naked Fish".
Had a Sword Fish Steak with Rice and Green beans.
The only naked thing, I think in this restaurant is After food if someone don't have money they will make him/her naked.
Headed to the nearby theater to watch a movie. Not much crowd made me to spare my precious evening with you all
Shower your love with your comments.

2005-10-22T23:07:00.000-07:00

Here is how our long weekend went.Half of Spice'ers(Rajat/Anirud/Karthic) -- with their summer gear on headed towards the town of Newport Rhode Island around 11AM.
We reached there by 12:30.Rays of sun were fuelling us at 73*F.What else NewEnglander's need on a spring afternoon??We were greeted by skimpy dressed catwalks on the roads. For a minute we thought "Miss Universe" contest moved from Pukhet to Newport.
Realized yesterday that it was not. He He He.Our Heart/eyes were filled with joy.Rode the ocean drive for 5 miles. Parked on a beach where there was a kite festival.The other attraction in that beach was the half mile long rocky bridge inside the Ocean.Rajat/Aniruddha to show thier macho skills hopped on to those rocks and reached the end.Took some snaps to advertise the Matrimony community how brave they are.At the end of the ocean drive lies the bridge similar to the one in SanFrancisco.Captured that ride on a video. Patel Value video as my friend Parekh use to put it.Landed on the sand filled beach by 02:30PM.We rested on the beach chair.Then did the cliff walk on the shores.Crystal Clear blue bed of sea made me to feel as if Iam in heaven.I don't have words to narrate. Rested on the lawn between the cliff and the Newport Mansions.Had dinner at an Italian place served by Nicole Kidman(a tall blue eyed girl).Headed back to town.Eye opening ceremony happened late on Sunday. Thick clouds were scaring us in the morning.Clouds gave us way on seeing Spice'ers bravery.We visited the Natural History Museum at Harvard.We felt how little we are after we saw the genius of Leopold Blaschka and his son, Rudolph.Please read about thier work here at <<http://www.hmnh.harvard.edu/exhibitions/glassflowers.html>>.We can't believe that such a thing is possible in a time where no computers/machineries existed.Then came Monday. A walk on the trails of Houghton pond, followed by a lunch.Then a movie at Randolph theater. (Monster in Law). Very funny. I bet it will run for an year if it runs in India.A typical (kabhi saas bhi bahu thi) type movie.A filling and a relaxed weekend to cherish. Certainly brought back the tiger in me.Thank you God!!! for putting me amidst such wonders.Cheers,Karthic