It was Friday, the 13th of June. One of those days when things you least expect come out to be the truth. It was the day which marked the release of the much hyped movie, Dasavathaaram. It also marked the clash between France and the Netherlands at the Euro. But I end up remembering the day for something else...
Along with two of my friends, I was to watch Dasavathaaram(first day, night show!). As is my habit, I took to walking the distance to Inox, Citi Centre( being eco-friendly, I take it upon myself to walk and use public transport as much as is feasible!). I reached well in advance of our slated 10 p.m. show( 5 mins to state the truth!). With so many shows of the same film on a single day, ours was inevitably delayed, and we finally took to our seats at half past ten.
Torn between two of my friends, one who had already seen it, and the other who was hankering to see the football match rather than the movie, I managed to enjoy Kamal's presence on screen( since there isn't almost a single scene without him, I could have said I enjoyed the movie... this way better though!).
At 1.30, my friend offered to drop me home. En route, he informed me that he was running out of fuel. So I suggested he should rather go to his place directly, than come out of his way and drop me at my house. As agreed, he left me at the Nilgiris supermarket. This was about ten minutes from my house, and though I had no reason to be afraid, I was still dreading the lonely walk at this time of the night. It turned out to be quite the contrary...
I took to my mp3 player as I always do when I walk , and I started. It was one of those walks which will stay forever. At this point of time, there was not a single vehicle in the vicinity. I gradually took the liberty to walk in the middle of the roads! It was like a dream come true. The entire stretch of roads were at my disposal. I danced to the tunes of the song I was listening to, and was held up just once while crossing the roads. Two in a bike, probably returning from another night show, glanced at me in a queer fashion, thinking I must be out of my mind.
Who cares!! I continued on in much the same way and reached home in time to celebrate a Dutch victory. And what should I say...
It was neither the Dutch victory, nor Dasavathaaram which urged me to put that day into words, but the feeling of being the King of the roads that did!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
A Way of Life
Live life the easy way - Be a l.y.e.r!
I believe that one's span of life can be broken down into 4 phases: The formative years, student years, the worker and then old age. If these stages of life can be spent in the manner it should be, then this world would surely be a better place to live in.
L - Learn to live.
Y - Yearn to live.
E - Earn to live.
R - Return while you live!
If only people realize that there is nothing to be taken, that there are so many craving for just the right to live, then surely the better times would dawn.
I believe that one's span of life can be broken down into 4 phases: The formative years, student years, the worker and then old age. If these stages of life can be spent in the manner it should be, then this world would surely be a better place to live in.
L - Learn to live.
Y - Yearn to live.
E - Earn to live.
R - Return while you live!
If only people realize that there is nothing to be taken, that there are so many craving for just the right to live, then surely the better times would dawn.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Up & Off --- To The MOON !!!
A lazy Thursday morning( oh well... Yes! Every day is a lazy day when you are having your holidays...). The newspaper comes as a bliss to all those whiling away time without knowing what to do. You can read through the articles, pour over it for a few minutes and then there is no need for you to put the facts into your heads. That was exactly what I was doing. It was then that I had encountered this relatively small piece of information, in a magazine that comes along with the newspaper, claiming to send your name to the moon!
It was in and out, or that was what I'd thought of it until it hit back at me when I was online that very afternoon. I got the magazine out again, typed the link and lo! There it was...
The page was relatively simple, just accounting that names were being collected by NASA to be placed on board the LRO(Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter) spacecraft for its historic mission bringing NASA back to the moon.
The Asimov in me has always been of the opinion that earthmen would one day go on to establish what they've always wanted, life in another planet. As my thoughts started moving in these vague lines, I had decided. I myself may never end up being on the moon( as long as I'm alive, its gonna be affordable only to the elite few!). Why stop my name being there as well?? So I posted my name and, what next? I get a participation certificate from NASA!!!
All the names are to be loaded in a micro chip and sent to the moon. Send in your names before the 27th of June to join the band wagon. What are you waiting for ? It is just a click away!
http://lro.jhuapl.edu/NameToMoon/index.php
It was in and out, or that was what I'd thought of it until it hit back at me when I was online that very afternoon. I got the magazine out again, typed the link and lo! There it was...
The page was relatively simple, just accounting that names were being collected by NASA to be placed on board the LRO(Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter) spacecraft for its historic mission bringing NASA back to the moon.
The Asimov in me has always been of the opinion that earthmen would one day go on to establish what they've always wanted, life in another planet. As my thoughts started moving in these vague lines, I had decided. I myself may never end up being on the moon( as long as I'm alive, its gonna be affordable only to the elite few!). Why stop my name being there as well?? So I posted my name and, what next? I get a participation certificate from NASA!!!
All the names are to be loaded in a micro chip and sent to the moon. Send in your names before the 27th of June to join the band wagon. What are you waiting for ? It is just a click away!
http://lro.jhuapl.edu/NameToMoon/index.php
Thursday, June 12, 2008
The Storyteller
24th of May, 2008.
6.30 p.m
The match between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals was on. A win would have ensured a semi-final spot for us, Super Kings. I was at home, watching the match with my family and three friends of mine. We were to be at the Landmark, Nungambakkam bookstore by 7 p.m. My dream was to come true. I was going to get a chance to meet Jeffrey Archer, in person! After much urging, I was able to force my friends out of my house and we were off to Landmark(CSK needing 68 off 6 overs, lost the match. We went on to lose again to the Royals in the final, thats history now!). It is my belief that a guest can be late, not the hosts. And as part of Chennai, I was the host. Against all odds, we did make it to the place before 7, ensuring a place for us to stand among the stifling crowd of 1500 and also to be on time to welcome him....
He arrived a few minutes after 7, and the hour and a half for which he spoke and answered questions seemed to fly past us as if it were a few seconds! While most of what he spoke seems to have been covered in one form of the media or the other, there were a few good things, which I felt had been left out.
On being late, he had said " I usually arrive on time for all my meetings, but the way in which your people drive, even the Italians seem gentle to me now!" , to loud cheers and applause.
How he went on to be a best seller, his experiences with the American radio while marketing "Kane & Abel" to make it the number one best seller, and every other incident he quoted, kept the audience wanting and waiting for more!
And the way in which he signed off, it is going to be etched in my memory....
"I'll be coming to India again at the year end when the English cricket team would come for its tour. I know whats going to happen then. India would be put to bat first. Sehwag goes for 3, Dravid for 1, Sachin for 2, Ganguly for 1, Laxman for knot, and at lunch India go in at 33 for 7."
A hushed silence, followed by loud " boo's ", and then silence again....
He goes on to say, "After all, I am a storyteller!", to thunderous applause.
No wonder, he is one of the best storytellers of our age...
6.30 p.m
The match between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals was on. A win would have ensured a semi-final spot for us, Super Kings. I was at home, watching the match with my family and three friends of mine. We were to be at the Landmark, Nungambakkam bookstore by 7 p.m. My dream was to come true. I was going to get a chance to meet Jeffrey Archer, in person! After much urging, I was able to force my friends out of my house and we were off to Landmark(CSK needing 68 off 6 overs, lost the match. We went on to lose again to the Royals in the final, thats history now!). It is my belief that a guest can be late, not the hosts. And as part of Chennai, I was the host. Against all odds, we did make it to the place before 7, ensuring a place for us to stand among the stifling crowd of 1500 and also to be on time to welcome him....
He arrived a few minutes after 7, and the hour and a half for which he spoke and answered questions seemed to fly past us as if it were a few seconds! While most of what he spoke seems to have been covered in one form of the media or the other, there were a few good things, which I felt had been left out.
On being late, he had said " I usually arrive on time for all my meetings, but the way in which your people drive, even the Italians seem gentle to me now!" , to loud cheers and applause.
How he went on to be a best seller, his experiences with the American radio while marketing "Kane & Abel" to make it the number one best seller, and every other incident he quoted, kept the audience wanting and waiting for more!
And the way in which he signed off, it is going to be etched in my memory....
"I'll be coming to India again at the year end when the English cricket team would come for its tour. I know whats going to happen then. India would be put to bat first. Sehwag goes for 3, Dravid for 1, Sachin for 2, Ganguly for 1, Laxman for knot, and at lunch India go in at 33 for 7."
A hushed silence, followed by loud " boo's ", and then silence again....
He goes on to say, "After all, I am a storyteller!", to thunderous applause.
No wonder, he is one of the best storytellers of our age...
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
DEATH
Did I but not tell you to take mine for hers,
Evading you I believe is always a daunting task,
After all our prayers, we face our worst fears,
Turning away, you eclipse us with your merciless mask,
Hating ourselves, we just brood over our near and dears!
Evading you I believe is always a daunting task,
After all our prayers, we face our worst fears,
Turning away, you eclipse us with your merciless mask,
Hating ourselves, we just brood over our near and dears!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
For "Old Love" Sake
Walking down the college road ,
Whistling and seemingly bored,
Heading towards me is a herd of bovine,
And they start off with the following line,
"Mooo" said one, "Moo" said another,
All the same, I ain't gonna bother,
For they don't know what is in my mind,
Thoughts about her go wind and wind,
I think of her once and again,
But no chances to be taken in this bargain!
Her eyes, her nose, or any of her feature,
Without doubt, leaves many a mad creature,
It ain't these that make me wonder,
That life without her would be a blunder!
It is the heart within which makes me sing,
"Give me her and I'll be King!"
There is one thing which makes me shudder,
"Would all these go to another?"
I try to push all these thoughts aside,
And occupy an empty bench side,
Just in order to start all over,
That she were mine, now and forever
This is the first poem that I ever wrote( on the 8th of Feb, 2006 ) and I want this to be my first blog as well!
P.S The first four lines of the poem are not mine. I do not know to whom it belongs to either!
P.P.S "Old Love" is a short story by Jeffrey Archer which impressed me.
Whistling and seemingly bored,
Heading towards me is a herd of bovine,
And they start off with the following line,
"Mooo" said one, "Moo" said another,
All the same, I ain't gonna bother,
For they don't know what is in my mind,
Thoughts about her go wind and wind,
I think of her once and again,
But no chances to be taken in this bargain!
Her eyes, her nose, or any of her feature,
Without doubt, leaves many a mad creature,
It ain't these that make me wonder,
That life without her would be a blunder!
It is the heart within which makes me sing,
"Give me her and I'll be King!"
There is one thing which makes me shudder,
"Would all these go to another?"
I try to push all these thoughts aside,
And occupy an empty bench side,
Just in order to start all over,
That she were mine, now and forever
This is the first poem that I ever wrote( on the 8th of Feb, 2006 ) and I want this to be my first blog as well!
P.S The first four lines of the poem are not mine. I do not know to whom it belongs to either!
P.P.S "Old Love" is a short story by Jeffrey Archer which impressed me.