learnings

I grew up on road cricket and VCR Emptier roads and lots of laughter Great neighbours who were the best of friends Easy comradeship we shared Hot tea, samosas and onam lunches College assignments, fun and frolic Even tragedies were taken care of. Such were my times where walls Melted between homes... I write this today after a visit from my childhood friend who was my neighbour and lil bro all rolled not one. We had such lovely times. It was as if there were no walls between our houses. It's sad that today the concept of neighbourliness hardly exists!! I cannot imagine how I would have passed one terrible night n September 2001 if it were not the support of this family ( Mathurs). I thank God that he gave me wonderful friends...

26 years have flown by Yet we withstood the test of time Ups and downs we have had Tears and laughter we have shared Break-ups and get-togethers we have witnessed Births and deaths have strengthened us Then we met over a coffee At the idyllic drive-in Later idealistic ideals A few rupees, beating hearts and we were so happy Today expensive club meetings and sumptuous food Life is more complicated Yet we are content that we are there for each other!!! I had a reunion with my friends after a couple of years. One particular friend I met after almost 25 century. It's miraculous that we took up the thread we had left.. Time just melted away. He was and is my big bro. Thank you Lord for such great friends..

Dancing Paddy Verdant Hues Battered Bus Clicking Cameras Gleaming Gold Drunken Monks Tired Pilgrims Thatched Houses Curious Stares Squiggly Goats Bright Walls Decorated Cattle Melodious Music Ancient Temples Buddies old 'n' new Souls Cleansed My sweetheart 'n' I.... My friends and I had been on a lovely temple trip. We drove to Pondicherry and stayed overnight at Hotel Jeyaram. It's not a very luxurious joint but the stay and food is good. We left Pondy around 6.30 am to Thirunallar, ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shani ( saturn). Thanks to my influential friend we could cruise through the long winding queue!!! Rested a while near the temple at Moonstar Lodge. Very brightly painted but dinghy room!! It was neat thankfully.. And very expensive for such a tiny room.. No food service too so we had to forgo lunch.. In the evening we set off to Thirukaddiyur Temple-- dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Abirami.. Its a temple where couples celebrate their 60th wedd...

O Sinner that I am Wallowing in luxury Insatiable hunger Indulging in aphrodisiac Connoisseur of the palatable Sinking in hedonism At last I am off On a spiritual sojourn To the temple of Saturn May his black power cleanse My darkness O sinner that I am....

Mild chill in the air Resonating music Haunting bhajans Colorful kolams Maamis and Maamas heading to the sabhas December flowers lending their hues Hot Kaapi tasting never as before Time to bite into The juicy cane.. Time to worship the Sun God Time to express gratitude to the tillers of the soil Time to wipe out the old and Bring in the new Let the lusty cheers of Pongalo Pongal Course thro' your veins Reach into your souls And spread joy and light Pongalo Pongal!!!1

An enchanting evening... Twinkling toes and painted face Dramatic eyes and luscious lips Dancing eyebrows and bejeweled bodies Soul-stirring music and flying drums They swayed, they danced Into our hearts, into our souls Amidst the temple bells and cacophony!! It was an enchanting evening indeed at the Mahalingapuram Ayappan temple with Kalamadalam trained artistes performing the Mohini-attom. They were brilliant and kudos to my friend for bringing them over and encouraging this art form and the dancers too. 10/01/10

Listen to the sound of the falling rain.. Listen to the gentle rustle of the mango leaves Listen to the whirring of the ceiling fan Listen to the tapping of the laptop keys Listen to the cawing of the crow afar Listen to the mop whizzing gently by.. Listen to the irritable tone of your mother Waking you up from never never land!! All izz Well........

It is indeed fun to break from the usual grind. There is so much fun that you feel alive. My son and me decided to take off to Bangalore in the middle of the night.... The highway is so well-maintained that for a second I thought that I was abroad till a cow ran across the road!!! I spent quality time with my son. we chatted a lot, listened to music and laughed a lot! We spent a lovely time at a friend's place. As for Bangalore each time I go there she is like a new bride. I just keep falling in love with her again and again.... On our return I drove (for the first time) on a highway.I renewed my driving skills( very less for that matter..). My son as usual proved to be a good teacher. Never knew driving required so much... At least for now I am promising myself to drive more so that I can become a pro... Over all it has been an amazing trip... so do go ahead and rebel... Ah now I know why rebels are loved by the society....

is an awesome film. It's very much a 'heart' film!! I wish all teachers and heads of institutions would see this film. We genuinely need a shake-up in our educational system. At last a movie has echoed my feelings-- we are merely churning out knowledge buffoons rather than creators!!

It sure has been a lazy day!! God bless! It struck me how I had taken my mother for granted. It's thanks to her that I get the opportunity to laze around with friends and my son. It's thanks to her that i can enjoy my little luxuries... It's thanks to her that I have so much time to myself. It's thanks to her that I am ME!!!1