Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Monday, December 10, 2007
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Ad of the Day # 1
Dear All,
Starting today, we will have a new series in my blog called "Ad of the Day". I will be featuring one advertisement everyday.
Have fun...
Today's Ad:
India Post!!!
Starting today, we will have a new series in my blog called "Ad of the Day". I will be featuring one advertisement everyday.
Have fun...
Today's Ad:
India Post!!!
Magic Mirror in association with Infy
An awesome new concept for shoppers everywhere and it has been created in collaboration with our very own Infosys Technologies Limited.
You don't believe me!!
Take a look yourself... :)
http://www.cnettv.com/9742-1_53-31595.html
You don't believe me!!
Take a look yourself... :)
http://www.cnettv.com/9742-1_53-31595.html
Friday, November 23, 2007
Sports Update: Euro Finalists decided
Russia, Turkey, Portugal and Sweden completed the final four spots for the Euro 2008 championships with England being the biggest name to fail to qualify.
Needing a win or atleast a draw against Croatia, England blew it all by conceding 2 goals in the first 14 minutes. Though they managed to come back from the dead by scoring two goals back after half time, Croatia killed them off with a goal in the 76th minute to send England crashing out.
Russia needed a win at Andorra and laboured to a 1-0 win.
The Euro begins mid 2008 in Austria and Switzerland.
Poland, Portugal, Italy, France, Greece, Turkey, Czech Republic, Germany, Croatia, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Romania and the Dutch join the hosts Austria and Switzerland.
Needing a win or atleast a draw against Croatia, England blew it all by conceding 2 goals in the first 14 minutes. Though they managed to come back from the dead by scoring two goals back after half time, Croatia killed them off with a goal in the 76th minute to send England crashing out.
Russia needed a win at Andorra and laboured to a 1-0 win.
The Euro begins mid 2008 in Austria and Switzerland.
Poland, Portugal, Italy, France, Greece, Turkey, Czech Republic, Germany, Croatia, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Romania and the Dutch join the hosts Austria and Switzerland.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Sports Update: 12 down, 4 to go - Euro 2008 Qualifiers
Scotland will not be travelling to Austria and Switzerland for the Euro 2008 Campaign after they were defeated by Italy 2-1. Needing a win to qualify in this match, the scots were defeated by a 91st minute Christian Panucci header which ensured that the World Cup finalists France and Italy qualify for Euro 2008
While Scotland had their hearts broken, England were thrown a lifeline when Israel beat Russia 2-1. A Russian Win would have made England Qualification extremely remote. Now England have to beat Croatia and Russia have to beat Andorra and hope that England fail in their last match.
The teams that have qualified so far are: Poland from Group A, Italy and France from Group B, Greece from Group C, Czech Republic and Germany from Group D, Croatia from Group E, Spain from Group F, Romania and the Dutch from Group H making it just four slots up for grabs.
Portugal or Finland from Group A
Turkey or Norway from Group C
England or Russia from Group E
Sweden or Northern Ireland from Group F
In three days time, all qualifiers will be known. Keep your fingers crossed.
While Scotland had their hearts broken, England were thrown a lifeline when Israel beat Russia 2-1. A Russian Win would have made England Qualification extremely remote. Now England have to beat Croatia and Russia have to beat Andorra and hope that England fail in their last match.
The teams that have qualified so far are: Poland from Group A, Italy and France from Group B, Greece from Group C, Czech Republic and Germany from Group D, Croatia from Group E, Spain from Group F, Romania and the Dutch from Group H making it just four slots up for grabs.
Portugal or Finland from Group A
Turkey or Norway from Group C
England or Russia from Group E
Sweden or Northern Ireland from Group F
In three days time, all qualifiers will be known. Keep your fingers crossed.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Sports Update: UCL Matchday 4
At the end of Matchday 4 at the UEFA Champions League, only two teams have managed to secure qualification to the last 16: Arsenal from Group H and Manchester United from Group F.
While a few teams are on the verge of qualification like Barcelona and Inter who only need a draw to qualify, the fates of other top guns hang precariously in the balance. Liverpool languish in third-3 points behind 2nd place Besiktas in Group A and Valencia are bottom of group B-4 points behind second place Rosenborg.
Will these teams manage to pull up in Matchday 5? Stay Tuned.
Matchday 5 is scheduled on 27-28 November 2007
Current standings after Matchday 4:
http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/standings/index.html
While a few teams are on the verge of qualification like Barcelona and Inter who only need a draw to qualify, the fates of other top guns hang precariously in the balance. Liverpool languish in third-3 points behind 2nd place Besiktas in Group A and Valencia are bottom of group B-4 points behind second place Rosenborg.
Will these teams manage to pull up in Matchday 5? Stay Tuned.
Matchday 5 is scheduled on 27-28 November 2007
Current standings after Matchday 4:
http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/standings/index.html
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Story: Blurred Reality
It was a dark and stormy night. Not one of those seasonal thundershowers but something beyond. The whole week had sunny days and peaceful nights, but not this night. Something was not right about this sudden downpour. A chill ran up my spine. I had goose bumps on top of my goose bumps. It was just………………………………eerie.
A shadow crept up on the wall beside me as I stared across from the open window. I jumped. And so did the cat. A flood of relief and rushing blood turned my white skin red. I picked up the cat. “Meow!” it said. “Meow back to you, little adorable thing” said I.
I walked up to the fireplace. It was the only available light source in the study. The candles had been blown off by the wind and I was too lazy to light them again. As I sat by the fireplace with the cat on my lap, I felt strange. A sixth sense, as you may call, that I wasn’t alone in the room. The cat was there too but I felt the existence of another.
The crackle of the fire rose. It was as if it was being fed. I looked up and there was a handsome gentleman standing by the fireside. He looked as though he was from a different era as he wore clothes of kings and noblemen.
“Good Evening, Mademoiselle”
“Ahh, French, I See” I thought as he continued.
“Forgive me if I startled you but I must do something of utmost urgency now. Ahhh. There you are” saying so he walked up and picked up his hand from armrest of my chair and fixed it onto his arm.
A silent gasp was the only outcome of the horrifying scream that built up inside me. “Sorry mademoiselle but it was not my intention to scare you”
He looked real enough but must have been dead several years ago. “Are you dead?” I asked and he replied “Yes Mademoiselle! I am a dead Count, not as famous as the Count of Monte Cristo but a Count nonetheless. I am buried twenty feet under where we stand right now and it does get a little stifling inside. So I get up and walk about once a week or so.”
So he was dead and I must be close to the edge if I didn’t find that frightening enough. But I wasn’t frightened at all. Well not at all would have been an exaggeration but I was quite thrilled and amused to have the company of a French Count. Call me old-fashioned but “I was very charmed by his charms” as they say. We talked through the night and I was loving every minute of it.
The rain had stopped an hour ago and a chilly breeze had taken over the proceedings for the night. I put on my coat and we walked around the estate side by side. I heard the sound of a horse trotting and looked up to see an old fashioned coach pull up beside us. “How pretty and cuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu…..” before I could finish my statement a hand grabbed me and took me inside. The door shut behind me and the coach began to pick up speed. I tried to look out, at the hazy figure of the Count, in the distance.
to be continued...
A shadow crept up on the wall beside me as I stared across from the open window. I jumped. And so did the cat. A flood of relief and rushing blood turned my white skin red. I picked up the cat. “Meow!” it said. “Meow back to you, little adorable thing” said I.
I walked up to the fireplace. It was the only available light source in the study. The candles had been blown off by the wind and I was too lazy to light them again. As I sat by the fireplace with the cat on my lap, I felt strange. A sixth sense, as you may call, that I wasn’t alone in the room. The cat was there too but I felt the existence of another.
The crackle of the fire rose. It was as if it was being fed. I looked up and there was a handsome gentleman standing by the fireside. He looked as though he was from a different era as he wore clothes of kings and noblemen.
“Good Evening, Mademoiselle”
“Ahh, French, I See” I thought as he continued.
“Forgive me if I startled you but I must do something of utmost urgency now. Ahhh. There you are” saying so he walked up and picked up his hand from armrest of my chair and fixed it onto his arm.
A silent gasp was the only outcome of the horrifying scream that built up inside me. “Sorry mademoiselle but it was not my intention to scare you”
He looked real enough but must have been dead several years ago. “Are you dead?” I asked and he replied “Yes Mademoiselle! I am a dead Count, not as famous as the Count of Monte Cristo but a Count nonetheless. I am buried twenty feet under where we stand right now and it does get a little stifling inside. So I get up and walk about once a week or so.”
So he was dead and I must be close to the edge if I didn’t find that frightening enough. But I wasn’t frightened at all. Well not at all would have been an exaggeration but I was quite thrilled and amused to have the company of a French Count. Call me old-fashioned but “I was very charmed by his charms” as they say. We talked through the night and I was loving every minute of it.
The rain had stopped an hour ago and a chilly breeze had taken over the proceedings for the night. I put on my coat and we walked around the estate side by side. I heard the sound of a horse trotting and looked up to see an old fashioned coach pull up beside us. “How pretty and cuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu…..” before I could finish my statement a hand grabbed me and took me inside. The door shut behind me and the coach began to pick up speed. I tried to look out, at the hazy figure of the Count, in the distance.
to be continued...
Monday, October 22, 2007
Awesome Article on Palakkad Iyers!!!
An awesome article on Palakkad Iyers.
Quite true and hilarious!!!
What are you waiting for? Click below:
http://www.keralaiyers.com/kvk_pgt.html
Quite true and hilarious!!!
What are you waiting for? Click below:
http://www.keralaiyers.com/kvk_pgt.html
Sports Update: Kimi Raikkonen wins title in an Interlagos thriller
Kimi Raikkonen clinched the F1 World Championship with a thrilling win at the Brazilian GP.
Needing a win and for other drivers to finish lower, Kimi pulled off a sparkling drive where he was second to Massa until the second round of pitstops and then pulled away for a Ferrari 1-2.
The race began with Massa and Hamilton in the front row follwed by Kimi and Alonso. Hamilton on 107, Alonso on 103 and Kimi on 100 made Hamilton an overwhelming favourite to win the world championship. But at the first corner, Kimi and Alonso both overtook Hamilton and a driving error forced Hamilton to run wide and drop to eighth. Gearbox problems then plagued Hamilton as he dropped from 8th to 18th place.
Miraculously, the problem seemed to have fixed itself as Hamilton began to put in many a fast lap. However it was in vain as he could only finish seventh. Alonso ran in third position for most of the race and was not in a position to threaten the leading Ferraris.
And so it ended:
Hamilton: 107+2=109
Alonso: 103+6=109
Kimi: 100+10=110 and the new world champion.
A phenomenal race to end a phenomenal season which was plagued by the Mclaren scandal and the season which saw the meteoric rise of a new superstar in formula 1: Lewis Hamilton.
Forzaa Ferrari!!!
For a complete race by race analysis on how the season unfolded for the top three, visit:
http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2007/10/7029.html
Needing a win and for other drivers to finish lower, Kimi pulled off a sparkling drive where he was second to Massa until the second round of pitstops and then pulled away for a Ferrari 1-2.
The race began with Massa and Hamilton in the front row follwed by Kimi and Alonso. Hamilton on 107, Alonso on 103 and Kimi on 100 made Hamilton an overwhelming favourite to win the world championship. But at the first corner, Kimi and Alonso both overtook Hamilton and a driving error forced Hamilton to run wide and drop to eighth. Gearbox problems then plagued Hamilton as he dropped from 8th to 18th place.
Miraculously, the problem seemed to have fixed itself as Hamilton began to put in many a fast lap. However it was in vain as he could only finish seventh. Alonso ran in third position for most of the race and was not in a position to threaten the leading Ferraris.
And so it ended:
Hamilton: 107+2=109
Alonso: 103+6=109
Kimi: 100+10=110 and the new world champion.
A phenomenal race to end a phenomenal season which was plagued by the Mclaren scandal and the season which saw the meteoric rise of a new superstar in formula 1: Lewis Hamilton.
Forzaa Ferrari!!!
For a complete race by race analysis on how the season unfolded for the top three, visit:
http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2007/10/7029.html
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Sports Update: Nice Blog on Arsenal Midfield
Found a nice write up on the current Arsenal Midfield.
http://www.espnstar.com/studio/columndetails.cmd?id=7010851
http://www.espnstar.com/studio/columndetails.cmd?id=7010851
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Where are we in Sports? October update
India, a land of over a billion people. A proud and diverse land. A land that is now but a sporting disaster.
Where are we in the world of sports?
Hockey: No. 8 (Men) No. 13 (Women)
Football (Soccer): No. 145 (Men) No. 55 (Women)
Golf: 3 Indians in the top 200 (see previous post)
Volleyball: No. 27 (Men) No. 85 (Women)
Tennis: One Sania Mirza along with Leander and Mahesh. An occasional Davis Cup hurrah but that has also reduced these days
Chess: Many brilliant players including the World No. 1, Vishwanathan Anand, but terrible support and coverage for the sport. Lack of sponsors.
Badminton: Two Men in the top 50 (@ No. 28 and No. 36) and One Lady in the top 50 (@ No. 27)
Squash: One in the top 50 (@ No. 48)
Kabaddi: World No. 1. Be proud India.
Archery, Shooting, TT, Athletics, Swimming, Boxing: Where are we?
and last but not least that game called
Cricket: No. 3 in tests and No. 4 in ODIs (Men) Unfortunately the women's rankings were not available. Seems like a good achievement, doesnt it? A sport played by 20-30 countries only.
A sport where India's ruling body(BCCI) is the richest in the world and doesnt even have a website.
We should all take a long hard look at ourselves and help promote other sports in the country.
We have the talent, why dont we support it?
Where are we in the world of sports?
Hockey: No. 8 (Men) No. 13 (Women)
Football (Soccer): No. 145 (Men) No. 55 (Women)
Golf: 3 Indians in the top 200 (see previous post)
Volleyball: No. 27 (Men) No. 85 (Women)
Tennis: One Sania Mirza along with Leander and Mahesh. An occasional Davis Cup hurrah but that has also reduced these days
Chess: Many brilliant players including the World No. 1, Vishwanathan Anand, but terrible support and coverage for the sport. Lack of sponsors.
Badminton: Two Men in the top 50 (@ No. 28 and No. 36) and One Lady in the top 50 (@ No. 27)
Squash: One in the top 50 (@ No. 48)
Kabaddi: World No. 1. Be proud India.
Archery, Shooting, TT, Athletics, Swimming, Boxing: Where are we?
and last but not least that game called
Cricket: No. 3 in tests and No. 4 in ODIs (Men) Unfortunately the women's rankings were not available. Seems like a good achievement, doesnt it? A sport played by 20-30 countries only.
A sport where India's ruling body(BCCI) is the richest in the world and doesnt even have a website.
We should all take a long hard look at ourselves and help promote other sports in the country.
We have the talent, why dont we support it?
Sports Update: 3 Indians in the top 200
Three Indians have found their way into the top 200 in the World Golf Rankings.
While Jeev Milkha Singh is at 76, Jyoti Randhawa has returned to the top 100 after a comfortable win at the Indian Open. He is now at 91. Gaurav Ghei rounds off the Indian challenge with a world ranking of 200.
While Jeev and Jyoti have slid down from where they were at the start of the year, it seems like they are regaining some of the form that they showed last year.
While Jeev Milkha Singh is at 76, Jyoti Randhawa has returned to the top 100 after a comfortable win at the Indian Open. He is now at 91. Gaurav Ghei rounds off the Indian challenge with a world ranking of 200.
While Jeev and Jyoti have slid down from where they were at the start of the year, it seems like they are regaining some of the form that they showed last year.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Short Movie "Dawn"
Watch the movie @ the following link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNOxpuvJLRs
Send in your comments... Thank you!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNOxpuvJLRs
Send in your comments... Thank you!!!
Thursday, September 27, 2007
My new OTHER blog
My New Blog is now Live!!!!
http://www.smileyreviews.blogspot.com
For all the latest reviews, head on to my new blog... For everything else under the sun, you are at the right location @
http://www.smileysays.blogspot.com
http://www.smileyreviews.blogspot.com
For all the latest reviews, head on to my new blog... For everything else under the sun, you are at the right location @
http://www.smileysays.blogspot.com
Monday, September 24, 2007
Sports Update: Jose Mourinho leaves Chelsea!!!!
Jose Mourinho, one of the most arrogant and successful coaches in football history, quit Chelsea FC on Sep 20 2007 in a way only he can-controversially. Though his on and off the field antics have attracted much criticism, the fact that he was able to achieve so much success made him one of the most sought after coaches in the world. Mourinho leaving Chelsea was expected after his long standing feud with Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich, thereby robbing English football of one of its colourful people.
Being an Arsenal fan myself, I should be happy at Mourinho’s exit but i am sad for I enjoyed the competition he threw at the English league. England’s loss will be someone’s gain.
All the best Jose!
Being an Arsenal fan myself, I should be happy at Mourinho’s exit but i am sad for I enjoyed the competition he threw at the English league. England’s loss will be someone’s gain.
All the best Jose!
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
SWIM Event @ Great Lakes
It may be true that men are from Mars and women are from Venus but August 25th 2007 was all about bringing both sexes down to the same planet. The SWIM (Successful Women in Management) event, an inspiring initiative by the Great Lakes Institute of Management showcased the need for equality between men and women. The support of our Hon. Dean Uncle Bala and an enthusiastic SWIM team ensured that the show was more than a huge success.
For more about the event, visit:
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Sangamithra July 28 2007 @ MGM
Sangamithra happened on Saturday 28th July 2007 @ MGM Resort on East Coast Road, Chennai. A lush green, open aired area played the host to the event. With clouds looming there was a chance that rain may play spoilsport but thankfully they stayed away until after the event.
Nalli was the main sponsor for the event. A stunning backdrop was prepared for the stage. The backdrop had photographs of all the 165 Jaycees along with photos of Uncle Bala, Prof Sriram and all other senior faculty members.
Nalli was the main sponsor for the event. A stunning backdrop was prepared for the stage. The backdrop had photographs of all the 165 Jaycees along with photos of Uncle Bala, Prof Sriram and all other senior faculty members.
The Chief guest for the evening was PadmaShri Shri. Nalli Kuppuswamy Chetti.
The event kicked off at 6pm with music from the Great Lakes Band. They managed to keep the audience engrossed with foot-tapping Hindi and English numbers. Then we had a small video about Life @ Great Lakes which was shown to the audience. Prof Sriram then welcomed the gathering. Uncle Bala then spoke and as usual we were enthralled to hear him. Our Chief Guest then spoke on his experiences with Uncle Bala and Great Lakes. Prof Murthy then provided the vote of thanks.
The festivities of the evening resumed with the first of many dances. Archana and group provided an enthralling display of contemporary fusion including Classical Dance and Kalaripayattu for the song "Taye Yashoda". Then we had a totally fun filled dance by Arunachalam and Group for the song "Saroja". It was a totally fast paced number and had the audience dancing with them. Then Sudhir, Vaibhaw and Rashmi provided a dance which was quite well done. What made this dance even better was that Vaibhaw and Sudhir both had broken hands to worry about.
Rashmi Bhat then gave a solo performance which was simply superb. Ankur and Naveen danced their hearts out to a Bhangra number which then was followed by a medley. Three dances back to back.
Finally came the dance that everyone wanted to see. Arunachalam and Sudha with a Michael Jackson Medley truly capped an amazing night for all.
A big kudos to the events team and all the people who made it possible.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Mozhi (Tamil) Movie Review
Mozhi (Language) is a movie that is quite brilliantly made. The movie deals with the psyche of deaf and dumb people as well as the people around them who wish to make a difference.
Jothika portrays the role of a deaf and dumb girl who wishes to make it on her own and who doesn’t want any help from anyone, especially men. This is due to the fact that she was traumatized by the past reactions of her father to her impairments. Prithviraj plays the role of a music composer who wishes to woo her. Prakash Raj and Swarnamalya complete the core four of the movie. How the hero and his friends manage to change Jothika attitude forms the rest of the story.
Though happy endings are the order of the day and this movie is no different, it still manages to take you on a roller coaster ride until the Grand Finale. All characters from the apartment secretary to the professor stuck in a time warp to Prakash Raj’s antics manage to keep the audience enthralled from start to finish. The music is good and creates all the right moods.
Overall a great movie. A definite must watch.
Plus: Story, Music, Cast, Comedy, Prakash Raj
Minus: Not much really.
Jothika portrays the role of a deaf and dumb girl who wishes to make it on her own and who doesn’t want any help from anyone, especially men. This is due to the fact that she was traumatized by the past reactions of her father to her impairments. Prithviraj plays the role of a music composer who wishes to woo her. Prakash Raj and Swarnamalya complete the core four of the movie. How the hero and his friends manage to change Jothika attitude forms the rest of the story.
Though happy endings are the order of the day and this movie is no different, it still manages to take you on a roller coaster ride until the Grand Finale. All characters from the apartment secretary to the professor stuck in a time warp to Prakash Raj’s antics manage to keep the audience enthralled from start to finish. The music is good and creates all the right moods.
Overall a great movie. A definite must watch.
Plus: Story, Music, Cast, Comedy, Prakash Raj
Minus: Not much really.
Monday, May 07, 2007
The ICC Cricket World cup West Indies 2007- A Review
The cricket world cup 2007 was the most talked about cricketing world cup for a lot of weird
reasons.
The bad side of the cup
A farcical joke of an ending to what might have been the most closely contested world cup
final in the last decade.
The murder of Bob Woolmer, South African coach of Pakistan (till date there is no news of
the murderer)
The shock elimination of India and Pakistan in the first round at the hands of Bangladesh
and Ireland respectively cost the WC a lot of its sheen, both commercially and talent wise.
Bangladesh would subsequently beat South Africa as well before succumbing to the Irish.
Matches played out to near empty stands or to hordes of school children. The prices of the
tickets and the ban of instruments were not taken well in the Caribbean.
The length of the tournament and subsequent cases of boredom faced by the players and the
public alike.
The retirements of many players from cricket including Brian Lara, Inzamam ul Haq, Glenn
Mcgrath, Sanath Jayasuriya will rob the game of charm in the future etc
The staying behind and non-retirements of players like Sachin Tendulkar etc
So what happened? Why? These are questions for which we have to wait for answers for. Heads
will surely roll a long way.
The good side of the cup
Australia Winning the third successive WC, while Sri Lanka ensued that there was an asian
finalist for every world cup since 1992.
Upset wins by Bangaldesh and Ireland
Some classic moments like Malinga's 4 wickets in 4 balls against South Africa, Gibbs' six sixes in an over against the Netherlands etc
Overall a disappointingly long world cup with plenty of meaningless matches.
reasons.
The bad side of the cup
A farcical joke of an ending to what might have been the most closely contested world cup
final in the last decade.
The murder of Bob Woolmer, South African coach of Pakistan (till date there is no news of
the murderer)
The shock elimination of India and Pakistan in the first round at the hands of Bangladesh
and Ireland respectively cost the WC a lot of its sheen, both commercially and talent wise.
Bangladesh would subsequently beat South Africa as well before succumbing to the Irish.
Matches played out to near empty stands or to hordes of school children. The prices of the
tickets and the ban of instruments were not taken well in the Caribbean.
The length of the tournament and subsequent cases of boredom faced by the players and the
public alike.
The retirements of many players from cricket including Brian Lara, Inzamam ul Haq, Glenn
Mcgrath, Sanath Jayasuriya will rob the game of charm in the future etc
The staying behind and non-retirements of players like Sachin Tendulkar etc
So what happened? Why? These are questions for which we have to wait for answers for. Heads
will surely roll a long way.
The good side of the cup
Australia Winning the third successive WC, while Sri Lanka ensued that there was an asian
finalist for every world cup since 1992.
Upset wins by Bangaldesh and Ireland
Some classic moments like Malinga's 4 wickets in 4 balls against South Africa, Gibbs' six sixes in an over against the Netherlands etc
Overall a disappointingly long world cup with plenty of meaningless matches.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Weather Update
Bangalore was hot but cooled down a bit after some evening drizzles.
Chennai is hotter and i sweat under the fan...
Chennai is hotter and i sweat under the fan...
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Restaurant Review # 5
Today's Restaurant: The Green Hotel (aka Green’s aka Chittaranjan Palace)
Location: Hunsur Road, Mysore, India
Style: Indian
The erstwhile Chittaranjan Palace, built for Mysore's princesses, has been lovingly restored as a small hotel. In extensive gardens, with formal lawns and shaded pergolas, and fringed by majestic trees, the hotel is an oasis of calm. It offers comfortable surroundings, friendly staff and a restful open air atmosphere. Each table is lit by candles only and is quite a refreshing change.
The food in “The Green Hotel” is quite delicious and provides a wide variety for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food lovers.
The soups are decent while the starters are quite tasty and filling. The main course offers a variety of vegetarian and non vegetarian delicacies which tickle your taste buds. The desserts are not too great and may be given a miss but the paan-wallah near the parking lot makes sure you have had a delicious evening.
Downsides: Dishes take a little long to serve so order your main course while you start wolfing down your starters to avoid waiting too much.
Overall a good meal and a good time is guaranteed.
Avg. Cost for 2: Around 500/- INR
Rating: Locale: 7/10
Ambience: 9/10
Service: 7.5/10
Food Quality: 8/10
Food Quantity: 8/10
Vegetarian Variety: 7.5/10
Non-Vegetarian Variety: 8.5/10
Value for Money: 7.5/10
Menu Card: 7/10
Recall value: 8/10
Overall Rating: 8/10
Location: Hunsur Road, Mysore, India
Style: Indian
The erstwhile Chittaranjan Palace, built for Mysore's princesses, has been lovingly restored as a small hotel. In extensive gardens, with formal lawns and shaded pergolas, and fringed by majestic trees, the hotel is an oasis of calm. It offers comfortable surroundings, friendly staff and a restful open air atmosphere. Each table is lit by candles only and is quite a refreshing change.
The food in “The Green Hotel” is quite delicious and provides a wide variety for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food lovers.
The soups are decent while the starters are quite tasty and filling. The main course offers a variety of vegetarian and non vegetarian delicacies which tickle your taste buds. The desserts are not too great and may be given a miss but the paan-wallah near the parking lot makes sure you have had a delicious evening.
Downsides: Dishes take a little long to serve so order your main course while you start wolfing down your starters to avoid waiting too much.
Overall a good meal and a good time is guaranteed.
Avg. Cost for 2: Around 500/- INR
Rating: Locale: 7/10
Ambience: 9/10
Service: 7.5/10
Food Quality: 8/10
Food Quantity: 8/10
Vegetarian Variety: 7.5/10
Non-Vegetarian Variety: 8.5/10
Value for Money: 7.5/10
Menu Card: 7/10
Recall value: 8/10
Overall Rating: 8/10
Friday, February 16, 2007
Question???
Why is it so difficult to understand someone at times???
Are expectations always too high?
Why do we feel bad?
Why do we feel lost?
Is it really difficult to reason without getting emotional?
Are expectations always too high?
Why do we feel bad?
Why do we feel lost?
Is it really difficult to reason without getting emotional?
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
The Train: Story No. 1
The following is an attempt by the author ( me :) ) to create three different stories with the same beginning and different endings. Hope you like them. Bouquets and brickbats welcome!!!
Enjoy reading :)
The First Story
It was a dark night, not one of those nights which had the moon and the stars. It was just plain dark. You would probably not be able to even see your hand in front of you in the darkness. “Power Cut!” I heard someone say in the darkness. Well here I was all alone in the dark night on platform No. 2 at the train station. A chilling breeze blew across from the railway tracks and made me shudder all over. I dropped my bag.
As I bent over to pick it up, the lights came on and I saw the train in the tracks in front of the platform. “Now how could that be! I didn’t even hear the train come by.” I picked up my bag and peered into the train. It was empty. I looked around and saw no one. Suddenly I had a feeling that I was in some cooky B-grade horror movie. I pinched myself hard and left a mark that lasted three days. Ow!!!!
“Ok, now is not a time to think of movies. Just find your coach and get in” and so with this thought I bravely stepped into the coach. I walked ahead, found my seat and sat down. The lights flickered. I turned off the ceiling fan and heard its slow whirrrrrrr.
Suddenly I heard footsteps and looked towards the aisle. It was a fellow passenger carrying his suitcase to his seat. I heaved a sigh of relief. Other people! Slowly and steadily more passengers trickled in and I did not feel scared anymore. An old man sat across me. He kept looking at me. I turned my head away. Suddenly I felt something brush against my leg and jumped. No scream would leave my mouth on this fateful day. I looked down in shock and saw a little black cat. Feeling really stupid, I sat down again and grinned sheepishly at the old man. He grinned back. Suddenly he didn’t seem to be very dangerous. We got chatting as the train slowly moved out of the station.
He was a rich guy, (I have always fancied rich guys, the money, and the power) and he told me that I was a very pretty young lady. I blushed and thanked him. He began cracking a few jokes which were actually very funny. As we laughed, I noticed his teeth more closely and felt my heart sink like a ten ton brick in the ocean. He had four gold teeth and four silver. That’s right! Four gold and four silver. Only one person did I ever know who had them, Boss S.
Boss S, after all these years, had come back for me. I watched in horror as he pulled out a knife from his jacket and looked at me. Those eyes, those teeth. I was hypnotized. A single word “Sorry” escaped my lips. I do not remember much after wards except for the fact that when the police and the ambulance found me, my legs were in my hands, blood all over my dress. An ear and three fingers were found gift wrapped near me.
The cops said that this was the most gruesome thing that they had ever seen and the doc was surprised that I was still alive. I looked like a mummy in the hospital bed. A feeling of guilt swept over me. Why did I do it? Greed, perhaps?
Ten Years in the past, would have found me to be the fiancée of Boss S. He was a brilliant underworld don who was able to escape from everyone for a long time. He had just beaten his rivals to Q’s box of diamonds. We were rich beyond expectation. Boss S promised me one fourth of the diamonds and I was overjoyed. But soon this joy would turn everything around. Four days later I was approached by three cops. They told me that the diamonds weren’t important, Boss S was. And so a deal was finalized, half the diamonds would be mine if I led them to his hideout and another one-fourth of the diamonds would be mine if I testified against him in court. Imagine 75% of Q’s diamonds!!! My eyes lit up, I guess the cops could see it as well. After all, diamonds are a girl’s best friend.
I did all that the cops asked me to. The greed and the lust for the diamonds were far more valuable than the love for Boss S. After all what is love, but power and money. Boss S was sentenced to life and death. It was a very unique punishment. He would serve his life sentence and then be put to death. I was relieved. I was safe, he was out of my life and I had the diamonds. It was a perfect dream.
“But dreams have a horrible way of going wrong when you aren’t looking. – Max Payne”
Last week I read a newspaper article which mentioned that Boss S had escaped. I was terrified. I decided to settle everything and flee. This brought me to the train station where unfortunately he found me.
And now here I lay in bed, never to venture out into the open again. He had his revenge and I had paid my price!!! After all, greed is a sin and all those who have sinned must be punished…
Enjoy reading :)
The First Story
It was a dark night, not one of those nights which had the moon and the stars. It was just plain dark. You would probably not be able to even see your hand in front of you in the darkness. “Power Cut!” I heard someone say in the darkness. Well here I was all alone in the dark night on platform No. 2 at the train station. A chilling breeze blew across from the railway tracks and made me shudder all over. I dropped my bag.
As I bent over to pick it up, the lights came on and I saw the train in the tracks in front of the platform. “Now how could that be! I didn’t even hear the train come by.” I picked up my bag and peered into the train. It was empty. I looked around and saw no one. Suddenly I had a feeling that I was in some cooky B-grade horror movie. I pinched myself hard and left a mark that lasted three days. Ow!!!!
“Ok, now is not a time to think of movies. Just find your coach and get in” and so with this thought I bravely stepped into the coach. I walked ahead, found my seat and sat down. The lights flickered. I turned off the ceiling fan and heard its slow whirrrrrrr.
Suddenly I heard footsteps and looked towards the aisle. It was a fellow passenger carrying his suitcase to his seat. I heaved a sigh of relief. Other people! Slowly and steadily more passengers trickled in and I did not feel scared anymore. An old man sat across me. He kept looking at me. I turned my head away. Suddenly I felt something brush against my leg and jumped. No scream would leave my mouth on this fateful day. I looked down in shock and saw a little black cat. Feeling really stupid, I sat down again and grinned sheepishly at the old man. He grinned back. Suddenly he didn’t seem to be very dangerous. We got chatting as the train slowly moved out of the station.
He was a rich guy, (I have always fancied rich guys, the money, and the power) and he told me that I was a very pretty young lady. I blushed and thanked him. He began cracking a few jokes which were actually very funny. As we laughed, I noticed his teeth more closely and felt my heart sink like a ten ton brick in the ocean. He had four gold teeth and four silver. That’s right! Four gold and four silver. Only one person did I ever know who had them, Boss S.
Boss S, after all these years, had come back for me. I watched in horror as he pulled out a knife from his jacket and looked at me. Those eyes, those teeth. I was hypnotized. A single word “Sorry” escaped my lips. I do not remember much after wards except for the fact that when the police and the ambulance found me, my legs were in my hands, blood all over my dress. An ear and three fingers were found gift wrapped near me.
The cops said that this was the most gruesome thing that they had ever seen and the doc was surprised that I was still alive. I looked like a mummy in the hospital bed. A feeling of guilt swept over me. Why did I do it? Greed, perhaps?
Ten Years in the past, would have found me to be the fiancée of Boss S. He was a brilliant underworld don who was able to escape from everyone for a long time. He had just beaten his rivals to Q’s box of diamonds. We were rich beyond expectation. Boss S promised me one fourth of the diamonds and I was overjoyed. But soon this joy would turn everything around. Four days later I was approached by three cops. They told me that the diamonds weren’t important, Boss S was. And so a deal was finalized, half the diamonds would be mine if I led them to his hideout and another one-fourth of the diamonds would be mine if I testified against him in court. Imagine 75% of Q’s diamonds!!! My eyes lit up, I guess the cops could see it as well. After all, diamonds are a girl’s best friend.
I did all that the cops asked me to. The greed and the lust for the diamonds were far more valuable than the love for Boss S. After all what is love, but power and money. Boss S was sentenced to life and death. It was a very unique punishment. He would serve his life sentence and then be put to death. I was relieved. I was safe, he was out of my life and I had the diamonds. It was a perfect dream.
“But dreams have a horrible way of going wrong when you aren’t looking. – Max Payne”
Last week I read a newspaper article which mentioned that Boss S had escaped. I was terrified. I decided to settle everything and flee. This brought me to the train station where unfortunately he found me.
And now here I lay in bed, never to venture out into the open again. He had his revenge and I had paid my price!!! After all, greed is a sin and all those who have sinned must be punished…
The Train: Story No. 2
The Second Story
It was a dark night, not one of those nights which had the moon and the stars. It was just plain dark. You would probably not be able to even see your hand in front of you in the darkness. “Power Cut!” I heard someone say in the darkness. Well here I was all alone in the dark night on platform No. 2 at the train station. A chilling breeze blew across from the railway tracks and made me shudder all over. I dropped my bag.
As I bent over to pick it up, the lights came on and I saw the train in the tracks in front of the platform. “Now how could that be? I didn’t even hear the train come by.” I picked up my bag and peered into the train. It was empty. I looked around and saw no one. Suddenly I had a feeling that I was in some cooky B-grade horror movie. I pinched myself hard and left a mark that lasted three days. Ow!!!!
“Ok, now is not a time to think of movies. Just find your coach and get in” and so with this thought I bravely stepped into the coach. I walked ahead, found my seat and sat down. The lights flickered. I turned off the ceiling fan and heard its slow whirrrrrrr.
There he was, sitting right opposite me. He had asked me to accompany him on this journey. It was a little awkward. Here I was, a young lady, with a person whom I have known only for about three months. So why am I doing this? Because he told me that he had something really important to tell me. I am surprised though by the fact that I did agree to meet up and travel with him. Very surprising! But what was more intriguing was the discussion!!!!! What was it that he had to tell me so urgently? What could it be? All week long he sent me little clues and teasers but they were all too vague. Just when I thought that I had finally cracked the puzzle, he sent me a clue that totally took me off guard. He asked me if I was comfy and I replied back saying that I was. I asked him what he wanted to tell me and he told me to wait until the train began to move. The next five minutes felt like five hours. The train then slowly started chugging out of the station. I started pestering him again, “Tell me, tell me tell me.” But all that he would say was “Be patient.”
He then pulled out his earphones and told me to listen through them. I listened and giggled. He was talking to me in the recorded message. He told me how difficult it had been to keep the “secret” for so long. Then out of nowhere the message said that to know the secret, I should ask him :(
How the ***$%^&%$#? I was both amused and irritated. How could he still keep up the surprise? Then I asked him. He got up from his seat and sat beside me, looked into my eyes and said “I Love you”.
And there I was, shocked and surprised and happy and overjoyed. Too many emotions in one instance. I looked at him and tears started rolling down my cheeks. It had been a while since I had tears of joy. He looked at me concerned and asked if everything was alright. I said yes and that I was really happy. I got up and gave him a huge hug. The horn of the train ensured that only he heard my response and no one else.
It was a dark night, not one of those nights which had the moon and the stars. It was just plain dark. You would probably not be able to even see your hand in front of you in the darkness. “Power Cut!” I heard someone say in the darkness. Well here I was all alone in the dark night on platform No. 2 at the train station. A chilling breeze blew across from the railway tracks and made me shudder all over. I dropped my bag.
As I bent over to pick it up, the lights came on and I saw the train in the tracks in front of the platform. “Now how could that be? I didn’t even hear the train come by.” I picked up my bag and peered into the train. It was empty. I looked around and saw no one. Suddenly I had a feeling that I was in some cooky B-grade horror movie. I pinched myself hard and left a mark that lasted three days. Ow!!!!
“Ok, now is not a time to think of movies. Just find your coach and get in” and so with this thought I bravely stepped into the coach. I walked ahead, found my seat and sat down. The lights flickered. I turned off the ceiling fan and heard its slow whirrrrrrr.
There he was, sitting right opposite me. He had asked me to accompany him on this journey. It was a little awkward. Here I was, a young lady, with a person whom I have known only for about three months. So why am I doing this? Because he told me that he had something really important to tell me. I am surprised though by the fact that I did agree to meet up and travel with him. Very surprising! But what was more intriguing was the discussion!!!!! What was it that he had to tell me so urgently? What could it be? All week long he sent me little clues and teasers but they were all too vague. Just when I thought that I had finally cracked the puzzle, he sent me a clue that totally took me off guard. He asked me if I was comfy and I replied back saying that I was. I asked him what he wanted to tell me and he told me to wait until the train began to move. The next five minutes felt like five hours. The train then slowly started chugging out of the station. I started pestering him again, “Tell me, tell me tell me.” But all that he would say was “Be patient.”
He then pulled out his earphones and told me to listen through them. I listened and giggled. He was talking to me in the recorded message. He told me how difficult it had been to keep the “secret” for so long. Then out of nowhere the message said that to know the secret, I should ask him :(
How the ***$%^&%$#? I was both amused and irritated. How could he still keep up the surprise? Then I asked him. He got up from his seat and sat beside me, looked into my eyes and said “I Love you”.
And there I was, shocked and surprised and happy and overjoyed. Too many emotions in one instance. I looked at him and tears started rolling down my cheeks. It had been a while since I had tears of joy. He looked at me concerned and asked if everything was alright. I said yes and that I was really happy. I got up and gave him a huge hug. The horn of the train ensured that only he heard my response and no one else.
The Train: Story No. 3
The Third Story
It was a dark night, not one of those nights which had the moon and the stars. It was just plain dark. You would probably not be able to even see your hand in front of you in the darkness. “Power Cut!” I heard someone say in the darkness. Well here I was all alone in the dark night on platform No. 2 at the train station. A chilling breeze blew across from the railway tracks and made me shudder all over. I dropped my bag.
As I bent over to pick it up, the lights came on and I saw the train in the tracks in front of the platform. “Now how could that be? I didn’t even hear the train come by.” I picked up my bag and peered into the train. It was empty. I looked around and saw no one. Suddenly I had a feeling that I was in some cooky B-grade horror movie. I pinched myself hard and left a mark that lasted three days. Ow!!!!
“Ok, now is not a time to think of movies. Just find your coach and get in” and so with this thought I bravely stepped into the coach. I walked ahead, found my seat and sat down. The lights flickered. I turned off the ceiling fan and heard its slow whirrrrrrr.
I felt suffocated in the coach and so I opened the window to let in the breeze. The train began to fill up with people. I was happy, atleast I wouldn’t be the only person in this train. Soon enough, there were so many people, I felt the need to be alone.
The coach was packed… The train, still, wouldn’t move. Fifteen hot, sweaty minutes later (it felt like two hours), the train began chugging slowly out of the station. As the train began to pick up speed, a cool breeze wafted in. Everyone heaved a sigh of relief. I guess the relief was too much for someone who decided to pass wind very loudly.
*PPPPPRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRPPPPPPPPPPPPP*
Instinctively everyone reached for their noses. I wish that was all, but it was just the beginning of the end. I guess everyone who got wind of the action decided to contribute in their own way. What followed was devastating. There weren’t enough windows in the whole train. It was an hour before everyone decided to call it quits. Some too tired and some too disgusted to continue anymore. Us neutrals heaved a sigh of relief and then choked on the disgusting odours. Now I know what it means to survive a biological warfare battle.
The next fifteen minutes were spent in silence. Suddenly I had the extreme urge to relieve myself. I got up from my seat and swam through the sea of humanity to reach the end and possible salvation. When I reached the end of the coach, I felt a sinking feeling envelop me. There was a long queue to use the restrooms. I couldn’t hold it in for too long. This would take me at least thirty minutes to get to my turn. Will I be able to hold it in for that long?
10 Minutes later:
It seemed like an hour. I could not hold it in any longer. Suddenly the train seemed to be slowing down. The train stopped and was waiting for a signal to move on. Suddenly everyone standing in front of me got down from the train and went their respective ways through the paths in the fields. I was shocked. The path between me and salvation was as clear as a lake in the mountains. The relief was so immense that I felt a warm liquid running down my leg. So close and this is what I ended up doing!!!
With a sheepish grin, I looked up at the guy who had just walked in. He couldn’t control his laughter. I tried to clean myself and walked back to my seat. My fellow passengers took one look at me and lost control. It was as though the whole coach erupted in laughter. My embarrassment knew no bounds. Sheepishly I pulled out a grin and hoped that the earth would swallow me up.
In fifteen minutes, the train pulled up to my station. As I was about to get off, my fellow passengers thanked me for the best laugh they have had in years. What could I say!!! :)
It was a dark night, not one of those nights which had the moon and the stars. It was just plain dark. You would probably not be able to even see your hand in front of you in the darkness. “Power Cut!” I heard someone say in the darkness. Well here I was all alone in the dark night on platform No. 2 at the train station. A chilling breeze blew across from the railway tracks and made me shudder all over. I dropped my bag.
As I bent over to pick it up, the lights came on and I saw the train in the tracks in front of the platform. “Now how could that be? I didn’t even hear the train come by.” I picked up my bag and peered into the train. It was empty. I looked around and saw no one. Suddenly I had a feeling that I was in some cooky B-grade horror movie. I pinched myself hard and left a mark that lasted three days. Ow!!!!
“Ok, now is not a time to think of movies. Just find your coach and get in” and so with this thought I bravely stepped into the coach. I walked ahead, found my seat and sat down. The lights flickered. I turned off the ceiling fan and heard its slow whirrrrrrr.
I felt suffocated in the coach and so I opened the window to let in the breeze. The train began to fill up with people. I was happy, atleast I wouldn’t be the only person in this train. Soon enough, there were so many people, I felt the need to be alone.
The coach was packed… The train, still, wouldn’t move. Fifteen hot, sweaty minutes later (it felt like two hours), the train began chugging slowly out of the station. As the train began to pick up speed, a cool breeze wafted in. Everyone heaved a sigh of relief. I guess the relief was too much for someone who decided to pass wind very loudly.
*PPPPPRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRPPPPPPPPPPPPP*
Instinctively everyone reached for their noses. I wish that was all, but it was just the beginning of the end. I guess everyone who got wind of the action decided to contribute in their own way. What followed was devastating. There weren’t enough windows in the whole train. It was an hour before everyone decided to call it quits. Some too tired and some too disgusted to continue anymore. Us neutrals heaved a sigh of relief and then choked on the disgusting odours. Now I know what it means to survive a biological warfare battle.
The next fifteen minutes were spent in silence. Suddenly I had the extreme urge to relieve myself. I got up from my seat and swam through the sea of humanity to reach the end and possible salvation. When I reached the end of the coach, I felt a sinking feeling envelop me. There was a long queue to use the restrooms. I couldn’t hold it in for too long. This would take me at least thirty minutes to get to my turn. Will I be able to hold it in for that long?
10 Minutes later:
It seemed like an hour. I could not hold it in any longer. Suddenly the train seemed to be slowing down. The train stopped and was waiting for a signal to move on. Suddenly everyone standing in front of me got down from the train and went their respective ways through the paths in the fields. I was shocked. The path between me and salvation was as clear as a lake in the mountains. The relief was so immense that I felt a warm liquid running down my leg. So close and this is what I ended up doing!!!
With a sheepish grin, I looked up at the guy who had just walked in. He couldn’t control his laughter. I tried to clean myself and walked back to my seat. My fellow passengers took one look at me and lost control. It was as though the whole coach erupted in laughter. My embarrassment knew no bounds. Sheepishly I pulled out a grin and hoped that the earth would swallow me up.
In fifteen minutes, the train pulled up to my station. As I was about to get off, my fellow passengers thanked me for the best laugh they have had in years. What could I say!!! :)
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