My experiments with my cam

I long wanted to shoot the St Pauls cathedral @ night. finally one friday evening I decided to head out and shoot.

from the tate modern and then from teh millenium bridge... but finally this snap came well.

i missed my tripod , but the bag helped..

my complete exploits :-) . https://picasaweb.google.com/112559285718105028455/Experiments29thJuly?authkey=Gv1sRgCOCMupzBirWGKA

i shoudl come back with more night shots

College Nicknames

REC days were fun with nicknames. if you dint have a nickname in , then it was sort of ' you are aloof ' not part of a close group. And once your nickname gets set, you are known only by that name even many years after you pass out. People can recognize you only by nickname sometimes and u end up saying their real names they might not recognize who this was..

And recently i met a couple of my seniors and was chatting with them and got so used to talking in nicknames that , accidentally i wrote to one of my juniors ask her to get in touch with some one - saying 'get in touch with loco' . she was bamboozled and called back to ask whose nick name is it and thats when i realised that in the flow , i had actually told my senior's nickname. Being a rectian , i know even he wont mind.

So that got me to this topic of nicknames. during my batch we had a lot of wonderful nick names espcially in my gang.. And your's truly happened to be the creator or populariser of amny of these names.. All these were formed accidentally.. and true to its history of nicknames, some that stayed with people even after 2003. even now some people are confused if i say the name

so here goes some of my nicknames - its my gang so they wond mind

the one that takes the cake , My roomie for 2 years and benchmate for 4 years Ganesh - K Mani which got formatted into Mani. the story behind the K cant be shared in a public forum.. even now he curses me for the name and all the 300 odd folks in Lapis pearl and ruby knew him as Mani

Next one is my other bench mate - Karadi - yes we had a kind of a mini zoo ... his thick beard earned him the name karadi

next one my roomie - marudu - Puli Pandi - Puli thank usha devi our first year physics teacher for yoru name. the person behind this name was Viritha - Vijay.. he came from virudhachalam to Virutha... on similar lines Kumba for Imaya as imaya came from kumbakonam. same stayed with murali - mannar coz he came from mannargudi.

ramesh - he was authoritative so Natttamai - got shortened to nats. one day a very active kumbas asks nats - nattamai un unmaiyana peru enna da.. thats was it.. incidentally ramesh elder brother studied with us , so by rule he became periya nattamai. his younger brother - Kutti Nattamai :D..

then came the man roopesh - Ooty beggar - got shortened to Ooty -- why ?? he used to walk around with a torn jean..

then comes ram - Bonda - he apparently got a proxy rose on 14th feb from opal - so became Bonda

Karthi was short - so chitra kullan , vivek - Bholla why- in the movie 5* there is a fat guy whose name is bholla, Seethu was called Andavayan. paulraj was known palrani ... mohan - chiyan

some other meorable names include Dollar , Boiler , Funda, deisel , baba.. these names stay even till date.

but we dint stay quiet we had nicknames for some staff and that was the best..

we were the notorious people from chem .. we could keep names :D. one of my profs was called mayandi , another thee chatti thalayan all these are courtesy raja.. the best was for one of the lab assistants - pambu Vayan( you all know who it is :D). the best was for a mech prof - he used to be called pura koottu thalaiyan.. a comp sci guy was called C mandaiyan ...

So embeded are these names in my brain as well as others that any day we sit round a table for a coffee we call all these names once.. these names are just from a gang of 20 people... there were 450 names... opening the REM book will remind me of those wonderful names and days..

So waiting for the next time i meet a big bunch of rec folks to call out those wonderful nicknames....

Some interesting facts !

Thought for a change let me present some stupid facts . esp about companies which i found interesting . looking at the way most companies have diversified in completely unrelated products. Sometimes companies do diversify into radically unrelated areas in contrast to the brand and product line they are famous for. There are a lot of such brands but these are some of the ones i came across .

First of All – Durex – yeah the largest condom and sex toys company has one product in a completely unrelated segment to its core products – any Guesses – its the company which manufactures woodwords gripewater – yeah the gripewater which babies have.
McD – Again i found this interesting. McD has earned the reputation on utter unhealthy food thro burgers and Chips and soft drink has another brand in its portfolio which sells again food in a radically different segment - Pret A Manger. Pret has earned the reputation for fresh and healthy food. And its not fast food. In corporate circles Pret food is considered a proper lunch.
Again Burgers – Burger king was once for a loooong time owned by Diageo – the largest spirit maker – think of the brands Guinness , Smirnoff, gordon’s Gin

Now over to chocolates – Mars – the manufacturer of snickers, mars, bounty and numerous other confectioneries – which are enjoyed my people from All age groups, has a couple of products in again a radically different category. Mars in the manufacturer of Pedigree – Dog food. It has a brand in cat food as well. ( now don’t ask how this is manufactured)

Talking about diversification – like the Nano Jaguar – Another brand . Selfridges – the luxury store in comparison to Harrods is owned by the Weston Family. The family also owns another huge chain of shops thro its company ABF – Primark. The low cost retailer.

Royal bank of Scotland for a matter of fact at a point of time, in its hay days in 2007 owned a fleet of trains – Angel Trains which was later sold off. And more wierd they own 900 pubs across UK which are worth £600 million.

as and when i gather more of such facts.. will write

The green chudi - the first REC Trichy Reminiscence

Saturday morning morning subbu sent me this link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky9SatRoyCY&feature=player_embedded

The moment I heard this song and saw the video – in the 10th second my question to him was – ‘Ponnu details irukka’. Iyerathu ponnu pesi pakkalaam. And I got the same response from a few of them to whom I forwarded.

Later in the evening I got chitra kullan online and forwarded the link. The moment he saw the video he replied – "Guru – enakku ivangala paartha, malaikotai la green color chudi potta ponnu gnabagam varudhu:). -- aama. indha paatu, andha ponnu paadnaalum perfect aa synch aagum:)."
Woooow... he had reminded me of one of those moments... rewind 12 years back...........

An October Saturday evening.. I was 5 weeks into REC and for the fear of ragging (yeah I was a bit cautious after I had seen a few cases in the 1st 4 weeks) did not venture out much into the city. Then suddenly some 5 of us decide to get out to see how trichy is. Aavartha pappom da ...
So me , kullan , mani , basha and suresh made our first trip to malaikkottai. There was no special agenda .. Just roam around mela teru and kadaivaasal and come over.
We then decided to get into mela veedhi and get down on the other side of the mountain thro andal veedhi.
It was around 5:30 pm. We entered thro malai vasappadi – and like the locals carried the chappals in the hand and did an ara-pradashanam of pullayar and headed up to mela veedhi. we entered the agraharam.. As usual 5 guys – we were walking like a band of brothers talking loudly.. being an agraharam , all the mami’s were keeping velakku in the madaparais.. and some mamis were venturing out to the sainkala poojai..
The sun was just setting, but there was this evening light in the sky. We turned round the first right corner and walked. We had not walked 10 ft, and we suddenly noticed a beautiful girl walking in the opposite direction. Tall, fair and slim. Should be 20 or max 21. She was wearing a forest green colour chudi..duppatta slightly floating in the evening breeze ( surprising in trichy)thalai pinni poo pottu vachu..- ISI stamped, proper “ Iyer aathu ponnu “. She lifted her right hand to adjust her right earring a bit while walking. (A la last scene of pehla nasha song when ratan’s girl friend comes to see him) all 5 of us just fell silent and walked (obviously looking at her).
The moment she crossed us all 5 of us looked at each other – all at the same moment - gave a smile and walked. Still silent for another 100 mts.
We had not even hear her speak – not even to the agraharam folks. Just passed by.
Back to present - reminiscing the memories , I replied him back-- aamada. indha paatu, andha ponnu paadnaalum perfect aa synch aagum:)
The whole incident lasted probably a minute. But that was one of the first of best college memories. Till this day me and kullan remember her face distinctly. We just know her as green chudi!

Bad luck hii kharaab hai!!!

Murphy’s law works very well with me. Saala har bar had se jyada hota hai. Hard luck!!!!!
In movies when the lead character travels by train, he has a heroine in the bogie or even in the same coupe. And there are other people as well in the compartment.
So when I was in REC I used to go to have a long journey from trichy to Mumbai. A long 32 hr train. Not even one good female in the nearby compartments. All the ladies used to be old paattis or small kids. My bad luck was I always travelled with retired people in my coupe. And this happened all the 8 semesters up and down.
Ok that was bad luck. Things might have changed when I travel abroad. BUT NO. Whenever I do long distance air travel I usually board last once all have settled. I walk through the aisle as mine is usually in the last leg. From the distant I see two seats with good women sitting. Once I go I end up finding my seat in the row in the middle of the 2 seats. Grrrrrrrrrrrr.. This time I would have someone who snores heavily sitting next to.. isshhhhhh this is bad.
Cursing my luck I moved on.
Beech mein I stopped this alaipayum eyes and brain to focus on doing something worthwhile. And since my cash flow was negative I always booked flights that went wierd routes .. some times Germany, turkey and so all airhostesses were out of range for sight adichufy. So all settled now with a hunky dory job , travelled to India this time. And by chance I booked Jet this time. Thought this time round I will do some good round of kadali pottufying with some good air hostesss on the flight – anyways i hate sitting in the flight. So with a lot of energy entered the flight – greeted by a beautiful air hostess. Arrey Sahi Hai!!! So went into my economy cabin and settled and looked around who is incharge of this bay.. dekha THO IT WAS ALL STEWARDS!! WHAT THE HELL!!! %$^&*(^&^%^$^%&* .. same case in return as well!!!
Ise kehte hain mera bad luck bhi kharab hai!!!

Vanakkam Chennai !!!

'Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh'
The first cooker whistle from Malathi aunty's house. Unwillingly opening my eyes from my dream, I knew the time was 5:45. Malathi aunty's husband Raman uncle's shift is at 630 so cooking happens early in the morning. By the third whistle it was time that I had to get up. Dragging myself out of the mat I put my phone to charge and switched on my radio. Vande Mataram was playing on Madras 1. So I knew I needn’t rush.
taking my own time, I was doing my early morning prayers, when I looked up the watch and noticed mani annan was late. At that stroke I heard his voice - 'IDIYAPPAAYE' ' SOODA IDIYAPPAM'. Gave him a cursory salute through the window and went about.
Kept everything and checked my male version of thali - MY ID CARD - hanging around my neck. Just as I headed out Retd prof Krishanmurthy was sitting in the chair outside and reading the Hindu. The Coffee tumbler was lying on the ground. As usual I had a quick word with him on cricket. He had just started reading the paper and got engrossed in the 3rd last page left hand corner - reading obituaries.
Bright and sunny it was for the morning; as usual I did my cursory 6 ft jump at my gate as rani akka was just putting the kolam. She was late by ten mins. I was a January morning and was a fair bit chilly and was nice.
Happily I started my walk on the busy street to board my bust for the ever long journey to chengalpet. 10 steps into my journey I had to cover my nose as rowther had just parked his chicken vandi and it was stinking like hell. Crossing over again I met my regular early morning hello friends. Ramesh and babu from Onyx. Come what may they are in my street at 6:30 in the morning.
By this time nair at the far end noticed I walking nd waved a hand to indicate he was on course with my tea. In that space.. I was busy exchanging my good mornings to the maamas and maamis on the road.
standing at the nair stall with a group of people , I also tried to get my hand on dina thanthi to catch the main headlines as I sipped my coffee. Savitha kumar had already started with her 6:40 bulletin on AIR. By that time, our Olli mama at the temple had finished the early morning alangaram and MS was almost finishing her Vishnu sahastranamam. Aaahh was so devine. Quickly checked my watch I had a minute for the bus. Rushing, I told nair to add tea to the account and rushed although the stop was hardly 20 ft away.
entering the road I just peeped on the main road to see if my schumi had turned on to the 7th avenue from bust stand. he was just turning. So I quickly helped my self with my Hindu from the my corner nadar shop.
'Skreeech' my schumi comes and stops the bus in front of us with a sharp break much to my irritation. I as usual give him my daily gyan asking him to go slow and not knowck anyone of the road.
I go towards the end of the bus and catch hold of a double seater and say my short prayer - no female should come and sit beside me. Simple yar they have this nakra of - COULD YOU PLS CLOSE THE WINDOW. MY HAIR IS FLYING ' and I need to pick up a fight. why to do all this in the morning. I don’t want to close my window. I like fresh air.
So all done settled, well into my Hindu , I say my salutations to - Periya payathu amman @ adyar depot as the deeparathani is on there. I get a wonderful ariel view from my seat. all boarded suddenly I find somebody jumping on to the bus. SK useless fellow as usual missed his bus and jumped into mine.
all done .. we are on SP road I switch on my radio waiting for Suchi to come. and there she is oozing with energy on mrich saying ' semma hot machi' and starts of the proceedings with endrendrum punnagai . what a start.. by this time my schumi is in full throttle and hit guindy. crossing trident I noticed the Bangalore Kingfisher was just touching down.
Suchi was at her usual best playing fantastic songs one after the other. gradually I dozed offf...
Suddenly I hear sharp noise of the siren. Blaring in full volume. I dint want to open my eyes . again another followed . Sensing some problem I opened my eyes. Where was I. Lying around in my bed. I checked the time , it was 645. looking out it was still pitch dark. I was looking out confused what had happened then realised what a wonderful dream it was.
Cursing my luck started off again in the dull boring weather in London. Heading out at 730 it was still dark and I had 4 layers on to protect me from this stupid cold.

Courtesy and ethics - where have they gone?

Since i have joined my job which is a good gone by gods grace , a lot of people have started asking me , guru pls help me with a job. and I try to. And here I am not boasting . I am writing this out of frustration and anger.

recently a junior of mine wrote too me asking for a similar help but back in India. I replied him i cant guarantee as we operate in silos but will give it a shot. I wrote to my HR in India about his case and after going thro a chin in the back ground the HR head replied back saying he can be in touch with me. I immediately wrote to him abt this and giving him the necessary details. its more than 48 hrs i am yet to get an acknowledgement from this junior guy. ( he had incidentally replied thrice in an hour during the initial conversation).

Now this is where my anger starts and frustration. what kind of ethics have you folks been taught. HOW SELFISH ARE YOU FOLKS. Here I am not expecting you to acknowledge just because I helped you out. I am expecting it because my reputation and relationship with these folks are at stake. next time round if I want to help out another friend or acquaintance, i mite not be able to do so , if this idiot had screwed it up with the HR. as they say in B2B its all repeat business and at no point in time I want my reputation to be tarnished. at the same time if this bugger does something i can atleast do some damage control.

btw this guy is doing his MBA. now if he doesn't know the basic rule of people management WHAT IS THE STUPID REASON BEHIND DOING AN MBA. and this is not hte only idiot. there are many cases like this. once owrk done wash your hands and go off. dont even bother to acknowledge. sometimes this does tell something about your personality and mind you i wont even give you a damn look next time. I am dead sure that if he cant have even this courtesy he cant succeed in corporate life . I am not giving gyan but 'corporate life is all about people, you get them right everything will automatically happen' - golden words of one of my mentors.

I did happen earlier when I had a chance to refer someone - a defenite hit, i did refer a couple of folks who went thro teh process and were courteous enough to maintain teh relationship with the contacts even though they did not make it through. while I purposefully did not put forward a couple of my friends where again my word would have been taken positively , just because i knew that the people i refer were ABSOLUTE BLUFFERS and would bring my reputation down. and another guy was as selfish as he could be that i did not want to take a chance.

But now this incident puts me in a bigger dilemma - next time some one comes should I help or not? he or she mite be well cultured. who knows? I am in a fix! shall i be me or close the door.

View from my Balcony

Long I wanted to have a house with a fantastic view. this is one angle. the other angle makes more sense in day light .

the stupid 9 floor building on the left blocks another super view the london eye.