Chikku bukku chikku bukku rayilay

7.10 A.M:

I was parking my bike in the two wheeler stand next to the railway station. And off goes the train's hooter at the station and I see the train entering the station.I start my sprint, climb three steps at a time, racing all the way to reach the platform untill I see the train still standing at the station.The frantic run I made came to an abrupt end and I see this middle aged man,(walking casually next to me to get into the train, looks like a regular traveller for the past 10-15 years), looking at me as if asking
'Aiyoo..Aiyoo!!Inga paruda,Athan Train nikuthula,appuram yaen thevai illama thala therikka odi vantha'.
I got his point. I waited outside the train,boarded it after it started moving and looked at him as if saying
'Engalukku theriyatha..Naangellaaaam vanthapurama than inge Trainey edupanga.Train oadumpothu naanga athukulla nippom,illa train nikkum pothu naanga ippadi than oaduvom.Ithellam kandukidaprathu.ithu valibha vayasu(??vadiveluvey solraruppa..naan sollakoodatha)!!!'

7.30 A.M:

I was all fresh in the morning , standing as usual near the door of my train. With the gush of air on my face,eagerly looking at the train on the opposite track. Somebody's cell phone rings 'Pachhai nirame, Pacchai nirame' from Alaipayuthe.The build up looks apt..But the train in the opposite track was empty(looks like heading to shed). Me still confident,hums 'sakiyeh',aligns myself to the open door of the train in the opposite track to see through into the next train in the other platforms.What a surprise.I was able to see the Tambaram railway station ticket counter building but nothing else all through my line of sight.(From Platform 8).Incredible. What else can I do other than appreciate the talents of the drivers, for aligning the trains so perfectly, so that I can look at how beautifully the tambaram railway counter building is painted.(Grrrrrr) somebody's cell phone inside the train rings 'Ennoda Rasi nalla rasi'.(as in the movie mazhai).

7.50 A.M:

The train reaches S.R.M.E.C,the college I graduated from.Annoyingly very few students got down of the train.Looks like there is still the rule to wear ID card pattai's with 'SRM' on it.I remember that it all started from our batch.The H.O.D at that time sent a couple of guys from our batch to visit TIDEL park to find out the details of these pattai's and CSE were made to wear it.Later all the disciplines were told to do the same.I never understood the concept behind it.Does wearing an ID with pattai make one professional?.I dont think so.But what I know is if one doesn't wear it he is sure to lose all his money paying penalty to the college.I hated this pattai,and had never worn it from my house.Will sport it only after I enter the campus.I saw some of these guys in the train wearing it from their house.huh..Chinnapulla thanamalla irukkku!!!

S.R.M. college leavu pola irukku..

Unga yarukavathu eppo thorapangannu theriyuma..trainla kootamey illa.Eppo open panrangannu therinjha first class pass vangalamanu yosikaren.Vera onnum illa.

8.10 A.M:

The train arrives at the beautiful Paranur station.I jump outside the train from the wrong side(the one without platform), land on the stones and walk towards the waiting cabs.Few of the others also do the same.The guy from next compartment also tries it, slips and lands on those stones in the track.Someone comes rushing to help him.He signals to them not to come and says he is ok,looks around and walks up..Kezhai vizhundhalum pinnadi kaalu koothalaiyamam. Wanted to ask him
'elai..karuppu pantu..are you from south tamilnadu..vaigai belt'.

Wondering what is he going to tell when someone asks him what happened.

3rd person : ennapa pinnadi pantu kezhingirukku.
Vaigai belt : Oh.Appadiya..Train varumpothu oruthan footboardla yera ponanpa.silippagi sakarathula matikka irunthavana..kaapatharappa kezhigirukum.
3rd person : Ada illapa..etho kallu kuthi kizhinja mathirilla irukku.
Vaigai belt : oru usira kappatharappo ithellam kandukedaprathu.avan avan adikira mazhaila, irukka veddu illama irukanam..ithula en pant kezhinjatha pathi nalla kekurangaya deataillu.

Two things that I wanted to convey through this post.

• I'm loving my travel to office by train via the same route that I relished during my college days.I hope it stays that way (atleast for a few months).

• This guy vadivelu has impressed me too much that I try to avoid his language and style that pops up during normal conversation.I hope he keeps up his good work.

Congrats Ronaldinho "Gaucho"

Ronaldinho Gaucho the Brazillian soccer superstar has won the Eurpean footballer of the year 2005 award. The Brazillian was one of the main players who helped Barcelona win la liga last season.It is more likely to be the same this year also.For a football fan like me it is a real treat to watch this playmaker control the ball,dazzling into the defence of the opposition. A feeling that is truly uncomparable.England's Midfielder Lampard came second with Gerrard coming third and French playmaker Henry in fourth position. Andrei Shevchenko, last year's winner is in fifth place.With three titles already in his bag this year, I beleive Ronaldinho will also claim the FIFA player of the year 2005 award next month.He is quoted saying these words after winning the award.
"I have the chance to do for a living what I like the most in life, and that's playing football. I can make people happy and enjoy myself at the same time."


How true.I wonder the moment the kids are born in Brazil, will they be sent for football coaching. Even Real madrid fans had given a standing ovation to this player when he danced across the Real madrid defence scoring two goals.A Real credit to this player, considering the rivalry that exists between these two clubs.I read somewhere that the only other Barca player
to have received such an applause is Maradona.

Wonder what will happen if he continues his same form into the World cup.Any team in the world will not be happy to face the star studded Brazillian team with Dida (goal keeper), Roque junior,Luzio,Roberto Carlos,Cafu, Emerson(the only player who defends well in Brazil, as far as I know), Kaka, Ronaldinho,Ze Roberto, Adriano,Ronaldo and Robinho.Now each attacking player in this team is a real superstar.Since football can be played with only 11 players on the pitch, the difficulty for the coach is to drop any one of his super star's from the team.

I was actuallyfascinated by the Nikefootball.com ad shown in Tv channels these days. Out of curiosity I checked their websites Latin American page and I was in for a surprise. There is this video of Ronaldinho exhibiting some skills with Nike shoes. It starts off with Ronaldinho wearing some new shoe and starts with some Keepy-ups.I loved the way he gets the football off the ground.Nice trick. With some keepy-ups he reaches the end of penalty box facing the goal and kicks the ball at the goal, which bounces back to him off the post. Ronaldinho controls the ball with his chest and then repeats the same a couple of times.It was really wonderful. I read in some forum that this is some fake video.I really dont care and do not want to dig deep to find it out.But the reason I loved this video is that I know this man is capable of doing it, even if he hasn't done it.For those of you interested in the video click Ronaldinho Video. It did take a bit of time before loading.

Congratulations to one of the best talented and committed football player in the world for winning the European player of the year award and hopefully soon to be the FIFA player of the Year 2005.

Rainbow

It doesn't often rain in chennai(am I allowed to still say this) and obviously the chance of sunlight refracted by rain is also pretty rare.But at times we get lucky to sight a rainbow and capture it in a camera.Something that I saw today morning.

This is a part of the arc with the natural lighting.


I tried my best to stitch the individual pics to get the full arc.But could only succeed to this extent.

Singing in the Rain

Irava Pagala Koolira Veyila
Ennai Ondrum Seiyadhadi
Kadala Puyala Idiya Mazhaiya
Ennai Ondrum Seiyadhadi

Heard some football fanatic was sighted singing these lines at the Chepauk stadium yesterday.

League roundup

Real lost to Barca at Bernabeu with the scoreline reading 0-3.This was fairly expected but as a Real madrid fan I did not want this to happen.I haven't seen the match yet but looks like the bunch of galacticos returning after injury and international duty were outclassed by the visitors.I feared that messi could make a mess, but it was Ronaldinho who has shown four Brazillian teammates in Real on his scoring abilities.Losing to Barca at home is something very hard to agree however good Barca played.But these head to head encounters shows the calibre of the teams and the current form.Though I can go on and say that many Real madrid players were injured and did not get a chance to train together for this match, at the end of the day three points were lost at home.Adding to the worries it was lost against Barca.I'm planning to watch the retelecast of the match tonight.I would have been more happy had Real netted atleast a single goal. Anyways as all the Real madrid players said Barca has played better football and deservedly won the match.But galacticos how about a show at Nou camp starting with a comeback against Lyon on wednesday.

Meanwhile at the premier league Chelsea,Manu,Arsenal and Liverpool won their matches. The Wigan athletic vs Arsenal match was pretty entertaining and free flowing with more goals scored(2-3).Wigan is a team in high spirits and is budding with lot of comfidence.They showed tremendous energy and Roberts was able to beat Campbell almost all the times.Arsenal defence once again looked vulnerable but their quick one touch passes is something that I would love to watch anyday.

Chelsea was looking out of sorts in the first half similar to the Newcastle central defenders.A mistake by one of them gifting the ball to Chelsea ended up in Chelsea's first goal and they never looked back(3-0). Infact 13 players played for chelsea which includes the two defenders of Newcastle.

Manchester United got a fantastic victory at Charlton(1-3) and they had a point to prove after Roy Keane announced that he is quitting.More fittingly his replacement, striker turned defensive midfielder Alan smith showed his striker's reflexes in getting the first goal.Wayne Rooney also had a wonderful game with his flicks and touches and splendid runs.Though I didn't watch the Liverpool match against portsmouth which they won 3-0, I saw Peter crouch missing a penalty, rebound of which Zenden scored.I'm wondering if Crouch has lost his striker's instincts, can he be put in some other position.How about making him a defender because he is very good in winning headers and since he cannot score goals he is not going to score any self goals as a defender. Another option for Graeme is to follow the path of Sir Fergie and make rouch a defensive midfielder till he regains his goal scoring abilities.:-)

Harry Potter - Goblet of Fire

This is my favorite book of the Harry Potter series and I wanted to watch the movie on the first day.I sneaked out of office during lunch to 'Mayajaal' and then got the tickets for the evening show.

In short I would say really worth watching it. There is no point in discussing the story here because almost all of us already know it. The Director has given a movie which an Ordinary Harry Potter fan like me would have loved to watch.There were no too much of emotional scenes,fights with friends and no Quidditch World cup(that was sad). Instead what we have is a movie involving Harry's heroism and Magic and thats what I like the most. The Triwizard Tournament is the main theme of the story and it has been brought very well on screen.As with any book people are going to try comparing it with book page by page and find fault with the movie saying that it did not meet their expectations.I was rather impressed with the movie.It is pretty dark and not so kiddish which i enjoyed.All the characters are the same except the Mad-eye moody who was the new DA teacher.He has done a pretty good job.

Harry does a King Khan Lux ad in the movie and Ron does a 'Sing in the Rain' when De-la-cour kisses him.Coming to Miss Hermione Ganger - She fits into the Intelligent girl character so well and is budding into a Beautiful actress..Huh..At times She Strangely reminds me of..well..er.. should I say Kate Winslet walking down the steps in Titanic.

Anyways if you are a movie goer and an ordinary fan of Harry potter..Go watch it and you will enjoy it.

Though Dumbledore's dialogue to Harry in the last scene is something like
'Dark and dangerous times are set to return.We will have to choose between Which is Right or Which is Easy' is great but is not as fantastic as Samwise Gamgee telling Frodo in LOTR-TTT
'In all the tales there is a chance for the Hero to turn back at some point.But
choosing that option is not what makes him a hero.There is still some good left in the world which is worth fighting for'.

By the way while coming out of the theatre, saw a married couple eating their packaged food from house at Mayajaal,in moon light amidst a cool sea breeze.Their way of enjoying life.Avarukku pal irukku avaru pakoda sapudararu.hmmmmmmmh..

Super Sunday

Last sunday turned out to be a Super sunday for me.It all began at 1.30 P.M in the afternoon when these 'super' things began to happen.

1. Firstly , as always me and (of course) Bala went to the movie 'Charlie and the Chocolate factory'. I was not sure of what to expect from the movie.But it turned out to be a pretty good one that I enjoyed.The movie had so much chocolate in it that it made me feel hungry.The animations were very pleasant to the eyes and once again Johny Depp stars in another eccentric role.I beleive its a kind of movie every kid will enjoy and I'm not sure if this has been dubbed in tamil.

2. On our way back home we sighted a two seater car with open top in front of us at a fair distance.At first sight I thought it was a toyota sera but then I saw the trademark Prancing horse.Wow..I couldn't beleive my eyes..a Ferrari in Mount road with a father and his kid.We went as close as we can and then heaved a sigh after looking at it from all angles.So what would the class mates of this kid think of him - 'Born with a Scarlet spoon'.

3. I reached home sometime around 4.30 P.M and then went to play my usual sunday soccer.I could very well see the rain water hasn't drained and couple of friends were hesitant on playing in the muddy ground. But then as we started tapping the ball around we decided to play. I always enjoy playing in these muddy and slippery conditions (till I dont get injured).Its always fun.It was a pretty good game and we had to stop it on account of bad light.

4. After a tiring game its Captain Narasimha in action at 8.00 P.M.What more could one ask for. Be it the "Lets start the missan', his skills with computer to trace the morphed background of the terrorist,his briiliant idea to act as a dead corpse in Jeep or his narration of Indhiya nattu patru to terrorists,one can thoroughly enjoy it.

It doesn't often happen and even if it happens these kind of things do not happen together on the same day.Thats why I call it a super sunday for me.

Though i enjoyed all these things I missed the super sunday(name of the soccer program in espn/star) soccer matches.But I'm holding my breath for next week's soccer action.The biggest clubs of spain face each other, my most favourite match Real Madrid vs Barcelona. I know Barca is in peak form and real might lose it.But one is certain of the quality of football played.I'm sure it will be exciting an all out attack on goals.I'm sure if this youngster Messi doesn't mess up things Real might sneak a point.I hope for the best - Ronaldo might play too.ESPN/Star has a same day delayed telecast of the match at midnight on 20-Nov-2005.

Irksome Vacation

Some of those things that surprised(For Right/Wrong reasons) me over the last week.

1. First and formeost, how come Chinna kuyil Chitra is able to sing those really High Pitch notes(songs as well) by just lowering her eye-brows and a rhythmic tap of her left hand.I observed this when I saw her in Ilaiyaraja's Netru Indru and Naalai telecast.She is such a gifted and talented singer.

2. I dont understand why people from Perungudi/Velachery complain saying that the rain water entered their houses and is stagnating around the houses and streets.You get to watch this once in every half an hour in the news channels.Simply put,the houses that they are living in were once lakes/ponds, So if it rains their houses will be inundated. Applying 'Unnal mudiyum thambi' Janagraj's logic - Yaeriya suthi Kayiru Katta mudiyuma,"Kayira enga kattuva", Athanala Veetta sutthi Kayiru Katti Veeta konjam Medana edama paathu ezhuthunnu pona ellam seriyayidum.(Udane Veedu iruntha edam Galiyayudumenellam logicala yosikakoodathu).

3. Is Sachin Tendulkar past his prime.Lots of people ask this question to Geoff Boycott if Sachin doesn't live up to their expectations in a match. (some show in Start sports).I'm surprised because the questions are framed in such a way that they want a positive response for their question.Some one says he gets out to slower deliveries more easily,another one says he gets out too easily on big occasions and another one goes on to say the opposition has found out a defect in his armour. Phunny people.Ivangalukellam Cricketna ennanu theriyuma, Slowernna ennanu theriyuma,Big occasion coupled with pressurena ennanu theriyuma.

4. How often do you expect to see snow piled up in a ground outside the playing area and people play football in that pitch.Once in a while in Europe,but how often in Russia, I think almost always.There is this Russian sports channel and every time I tune into this I get to witness sports played on snow(Includes Football also).Thats the reason why clubs are happy for a draw with any Russian club at Russia in champions league.Intha Kulurle Veetu vasalla oru easy Chair pottu unkanthu sooda oru Teayum Baggiyum sapita evalavu sogama irukku.Aiyoo..Aiyoo.

5. During the India-Srilanka match telecast in DD sports the traditional circle animation that used to appear at the end of each over in Doordarshan is not appearing nowadays.Instead the Indian and Srilankan flag is displayed.So everyone gets to watch all six balls of a over now.

6. Lastly, I'm in Chennai but it still rains.Nallavanga Irunthadhan Mazhai peyyumnu sonnanga!!!

For the past six days I was at home mostly staying indoors and the result is the above listed trivial observations(Antha cinema dialoguessum athe TV'le paathathuthan).I wonder when was the last time I was home this long without any intention.Three and half years back, after my final year B.E exams.

Raja Raja Chozhan

ராஜ ராஜ சோழன்

இந்திய வரலாற்றில் என்னை மிகவும் கவர்ந்த மன்னர்களில் ஒருவர் ராஜ ராஜ சோழன்.வருடந்தொறும் இவருடைய பிறந்த தினம் தஞ்சையில் உள்ள பெரிய கோவிலில் கொண்டாடபடுகிறது.அவ்வாறே இந்த வருடம் அவருடைய பிறந்த தினம் நவம்பர் 10 2005, அன்று சிறப்பாக கொண்டாடபடவுள்ளது. இவரை பற்றிய சில குறிப்புகளை கொண்டுள்ள வலைதளம்

அந்த மாமன்னரின் மீது எனக்கு மரியாதை ஏற்பட முக்கிய காரணம், கல்கி அவரகளின் 'பொன்னியின் செல்வன்'தான்.அதை படித்த பிறகுதான் சோழர்கள் பற்றி அறிந்து கொள்ளும் ஆர்வமும் ஏற்பட்டது. ஏன் இந்திய வரலாற்றை பற்றி அறிந்து கொள்ளும் ஆர்வமும் அதனால் தான் உண்டானது என்று சொன்னல் மிகையாகாது.

அத்தகைய பெருமை வாய்ந்த கல்கியின் எழுத்தாற்றலையும்,'பொன்னியின் செல்வனை'யும் பற்றிய குறிப்பும் எனது வலைபதிவிலும் இடம்பெற வேண்டும் என்ற எண்ணத்தில் தான் தமிழிலேயே எழுதியுள்ளேன்.

Head vs Heart

Very often I'm tangled with this question.Given a situation or a problem how should one act upon.Should one listen to his head or his heart. I had almost always listened to what my head says rather than what my heart says.The reason is pretty simple. I have been brought up like that. People around me always told me that whenever there is a problem, analyse it,think about it logically or laterally, come out with possible solutions and choose the best one with minimal risk or loss in it.Be it in my house or school or college or my friends I was taught this way and nobody said that there is anything wrong with it.Also I do not think I haven't lost anything in life till this point.

But I think back and see what would have happened had I listened to my heart instead of my head during my counselling after 12th standard.I might have not chosen a computer science group in my college. I always wanted to graduate from Anna University/REC Trichy/PSG whatever the discipline be. When I went for my counselling I decided to go for S.R.M as my head suggessted. I'm wondering if I would have faired this well had I taken any other decision.

And recently I decided to quit my job after thinking hard. My heart would always have preferred to stay with my former employer. The project I got allocated was a pretty good one,I had very good friends, I had decent monetary benefits and my manager had faith in me. So I could not have asked for more.But my head always kept on suggesting that there is something missing in here that could appraise me in my life.And listening to it I had quit, once again hoping that I would be right.

I remember a conversation that I had with one of my managers who is an American.He told me that given a situation he is not going to think too much.He always has the point of enjoying his life at any given time.Hence any decision that is going to hinder him his happiness, be it making him the next CEO he is not going to care.And he is happy with his life and self satisfied listening to his heart.

May be I have missed some things that would have provided more joy to me in life and I realise thats the price I need to pay for listening to my head.But as always looking at the problem 'Head - Heart', my head once again wins it.I still decide to listen to whatever it says.I would definitely want to change and start listening to my heart sometime in future, not because my head line is not good in my right palm but it means that at that point I'm self satisfied with whatever I have in my life.I hope that day is not too far.

HP - Half-Blood Prince

At last I completed reading the latest in Harry Potter series - Half blood Prince.Even though I bought it sometime back I was not fascinated by it after reading first two chapters. Since it was raining yesterday I was forced to stay indoors and I got a chance to read it.I would still claim that Goblet of fire is the best in the series and HBP is not too gripping when compared to it. But it reveals the past of the main villain of the story.

As I liked Harry's interaction with Sirius in the previous books, I was wondering what could be the replacement for those puzzle cracking interacions.The substitute here for Sirius is Dumbledore himself. I should say Rowling has quite beautifully brought out the interactions between the Headmaster and Harry.It was quite enjoyable.

The last chapters were very gripping and I found myself rooted to it, though I guessed mid way through the book who would be dead by the end.It was not that difficult.The Half Blood Prince's identity was a surprise package.But it still gives me a feeling that the Prince is still not that bad.I still stand for Dumbledore's faith in him.

My favourite characters of the book Fred and George did not have much role in here.But I'm satisfied with whatever has been mentioned about them.They are smelling sucess in their joke shop.

I liked Ginny's character at the end of book when she is not in all tears for Harry wanting to go on his own without her.For some reason I'm reminded of Zorro's wife in Legend of Zorro who is pretty much against Zorro's mission at the beginning.Could be because Ginny is character created by a willfully strong female author.

There is something that I missed in this book even though I had read about them in each of the previous books.I always had a feeling Rowling would have been a very good sport commentator or a sport columnist. I liked the way the Quidditch matches are described in each of them.Though there were a couple of games in the book but none of them were explained.

I do understand this. Harry and his friends are growing year after year and their hormones as well are secreted more.But it doesn't mean that the author has to dedicate most of the chapters analysing what is one thinking of other be it a girl or boy. More annoyingly, the author detailing on how one smirks or signs when the name of the person they like is spoken about and how the third person notices it and comes to a conclusion.Come off it..I buy Harry Potter and read it for the sake of the heroism exhibited by the kid, the magic and adventure. If I had to read
about what will girls think about boys and vice versa I would not have bought this book.I do not mind these ocuppying either one or two chapters but not a whole lot of the content in every other chapter.

Splitting a soul into many pieces is not new to me(as well as for all those Ambulimama and Balamithra readers).I was rather surprised at this plot but not impressed.The moment I read it I'm reminded of those birds that were usually the "horcruxes" in the tamil stories I read.

Lastly, as I read into the book I found out the original name of the bad guy is Tom Marvolo Riddle. Did Rowling try an anagram out of it with three letters from each name(tomvolder -> Voldemort) to give him his new name. But what is not known to me is even though he-who-must-not-be-named didn't like him to be called as tom (as he hated his father) his name is an anagram with those letters.By the way was there any reference in the previous books why was he named Voldemort.I do not remember it.

As always I'm waiting for the next one in the series.Rowling is too good always in the final chapters that keeps you longing for the next one.Additionaly I'm impressed with the trailer of the next movie GOF in HP series and waiting to watch it.

Champions League Match day 4 Results

Olympiacos 1-4 Lyon
Rosenborg 0-2 Real Madrid

Real Madrid and Lyon have qualified for the next Knockout stage of Champions league with a win in their matches yesterday.Lyon looks pretty strong with the top slot in Champions league as well as in the French league.Madrid have their own injury worries haunting them in the la liga competitions, though they managed a win last week at Real Betis. Ronaldo is expected to play in the Derby clash against Barcelona next week. What a huge match that is going to be.I always love it, one of the Best derby's in the world with both side exhibiting attacking game plan and the players give out their best as if it is a world cup final.Remember last derby when Madrid won at Bernabeu with Zidane crashing against the goal post scoring a goal from a header.

PSV 1-0 Milan
Betis 1-0 Chelsea
Liverpool 3-0 Anderlecht

Surprising results from yesterday's matches were Chelsea's and A.C Milan's defeat.Chelsea were beaten by Betis who are having a poor domestic season and before this win they consecutively lost their last four matches. Milan did win against Juve in their doemstic campaign but lost to PSV at home.What is surprising is that the two big teams failed to score.Could be because of under estimating their rivals.They should also be happy that they conceded only one away goal.The group containing Liverpool,Chelsea and Betis is still wide open, though I see that the chances for the English teams to qualify are really high.Liverpool has to play chelsea at Stamford Bridge and they face Betis at anfield.

Other results from yesterday's matches.
Schalke 2-0 Fenerbahçe
Artmedia 2-2 Rangers
Internazionale 2-1 Porto

Coming back to Real Madrid since the other two teams in the group were totally out of form the passage into last 16 has been easy.But hopefully Luxemburgo will have a full team to pick up from when the matches in the knock out stages start.