31.12.07

NEW BLOG! NEW YEAR! :)


Wish you all a very very HAPPY 2008!

Make a guess on what the new blog could be, before you....
View Blog


Love,
Marutham.

PS: Sudhakar :) Ur tag is still in my TO WRITE SOON list . Enna ezhudhradhunu dhaan therila... resolution & me ..romba dhooram . Sorry for the delay!


HAPPY NEW YEAR!! :)

13.12.07

90th post! LANDMARK(Shop) Attracts .. Billing counter Repells!

LANDMARK
2wentyears!


The 90th post! Today was the 20th anniversary of Landmark !
Landmark celebrated its 20th anniversary today. (Landmark since 13th Dec 1987)

"Keeping up with modern times"
They say...
"Keeping up with Customers satisfaction?"
I ask..

This morning we decided to visit the LANDMARK shop to get some books. Mom,Dad, me & my sis. It was pretty good time there. We do not visit landmark very often, but only odyssey or Higginbothams. We had been to the Landmark at Spencer plaza this time. When we saw the crowd in Landmark we were taken aback, though majority of the crowd went missing in the books section. And we did not have much time to spend in other places so we finished our browsing picked few books then came to the billing section after few hours of browsing. When I reached the billing section, I was like “ WHAAAAAAAAAAT!!! ”

The queue(s) were really long…I knew it was going to take time. So I told my dad & mom to sit somewhere (There were no chairs near the billing section for people to wait or rest). I waited… then this “loosu” boy came & asked me to split the queue & take a new one. IDIOT HE WAS!

“Why do you ask us to start a new one there? Are there anyone to bill us here? I don’t see any counter!”

And he went like “This que is growing longer …”

Me: “Yeah… Try getting them note this & be quick. What do expect us to do there? Stare at the wall? Or create more confusion?”

By this time my sis who was adjacent to me said “He is trying to create an impression like it’s not over crowded for more people to come in & queue up! Do not bother to split the queue. Let us stay where we are.” She asked “Is there a counter there?! “and gave a look to the guy that chased him off :P Hehe…I love her! :D when she does that..ERRR URF URFF!

Dad preferred to stay back & wait for me while sis took mom outside. And we waited… waited.. for a long time… long long time.. Almost 45 mins! YEAH you read it, 45 SOLID MINUTE. After 15 mins of wait & me pestering dad to take a seat, he got tired of my BLAH BLAH & went back to look into the new arrivals. Then Dad came back for me after 15 mins & just 2 people had cleared out in my queue. And Dad was like “IS THE QUE MOVING AT ALL?”

Dad went to browse more books as I told him it would take some more time. I felt these books were getting heavier after the wait. Thank goodness we had only been to the books section or I wonder how long they would have made us wait. We were probably the early ones to come to the billing counter.

By this time there were enough of.. “ Shhhh…” … “ Ufffffff “…” Oh….” And a few “ Grrrrrrrrr “ and I happened to say this aloud even without noticing am loud “ Are they using Pen & Notepads to bill ?” And the girls in front of me went like “YEAH! L Seems like that.. we have been queuing for ages! ” …

By this time these girls started to chat & we were talking. I enjoyed the chit chat with them. Poor girls, they waited to pay for “CHAK DE” & a couple of Hindi movies. The wait was too much to get just that. And time went on… Dad came back, and he saw me stand as 3rd in the queue. I wasn’t done yet. He said “Its been FORTY FIVE MINUTES! What is taking them so long!!” And in the mean time one of the supervisors recognized dad & came to him. Already fuming, Dad said he would like to meet the manager … Very inefficient… blah blah. And the man was like “very sorry sir.. This is one of the busy days. We have our anniversary being celebrated with a sale , so the crowd is pretty more. …”

And Dad was like “DO NOT TELL ME YOU DNT EXPECT A CROWD! You should have been prepared with more counters & manpower ”

Then this guy went like “Very very sorry sir! I will make sure this do not happen…Blah Blah ”

Dad did know all these were mere excuses he is making so that Dad doesn’t make it an issue & complain. By this time, we were finally THERE! I just wanted to pay the bill & get the hell out of that place. Usually I smile or say a thank you before I recieve the bag & leave. This time… MHUM!! I WAS NOT READY FOR EVEN A LOOK! When I was about to turn to leave this guy rushed to give me their souvenirs & some Chocolates. And I was couldn’t help asking him “FOR WAITING SO LONG?HUH!” . He simply smiled! I waved to those friends I made there & left. I knew Dad was pretty pissed off too.

Then we came to have something… yeah we were tired after 4 SOLID hours. It was nice that time . Eating what we like with whom we love . OI! MY MOM, MY DAD, MY SIS :P

Only the Billing time was HELL, rest of the day was really enjoyable.

# Why have only few counters (was it 4? I don’t exactly remember the number) on a busy day- special day – UR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION SALE DAY? I would say they just did not bother about keeping the people happy.

# Probably because you know we come to billing after deciding what we want & after spending so much time & picking the books or whatever. Dad told me something after 45 mins when I was the third one “Lets put them back & go home! That should DO!” Hearing this, some people who were far far far behind us in the queue :P DID DO IT!

Well next time I see a shop where people work at this speed (Speed? The very word cannot be used here. It would be an insult to the word speed!) I will throw the things back & SIMPLY LEAVE. The wait was too much. Imagine how those girls should have felt. They were waiting to pay for only2 or 3 DVD’s. It’s not worth the wait. The offer was just some 20%!

# When you have a shop that has a larger space for accommodating more people – with some math you should also have more number of billing counters to accommodate the people to wait in the QUEUE without any grudge or irritation. (And necessarily not have a “loosu” boy asking people to take a new line to avoid their embarrassment.)

# If you are not CAPABLE to HANDLE THE CROWD … then why concentrate too much in publicizing or advertising about your shop. Then try not to get noticed!

# Before announcing a sale, you should also equip yourself (Man power & the goods) prepare to face double than what you expect.

I wonder how it would have been after 6 in that place. That’s the time office goers and most of the crowd would land up.

# I don’t know what great business books tell you to be successful. But as a customer, I can tell you that you need to have people LEAVE YOUR PLACE with a happy face if you want them to come back. One irritating occasion is enough to stop them coming back, at least for the sensitive few this is RULE.1. They won’t give you excuse , for there are many others like you to sell their goods.

# Do not pay all your attention in making people pick the goods ( Sir..idhu vangikonga.. idhu nalla irukum… You will love this once you use it.) but also in making sure they are comfortable through out the stay till they step out.

# I remember the places where the shop may not look very HIFI but people work dedicatedly, provide you good that you like & want, and who do not compromise in quality. They will have better profit than what we can imagine.

Landmark did have good books & also a decent place (?) but the billing section, such a small place had spoiled all the Joy in visiting the shop. TALENTED!

PS: Yesterday in spencers I have managed to do something I have never(wanted to) done in my ENTIRE LIFE. Had it not been appa to hold my hand and say..”Come on! Climb on…its real simple. You Have to dear! … It’s JUST AN ESCALATOR!” YES!

YEAH LAUGH! :P I HATE these machines, that creep up like worms & to climb on one of those and creep on…YIKES! I HATE IT!
I have always managed to use the lift & avoid these creepers through out my life. YESTERDAY! I made it…I finally used it!

But when we came back down – I insisted this time they let me come ONLY BY AN ELEVATOR & NOT AN ESCALATOR. We all used an elevator ( Why call it just an ELEVATOR/LIFT when it also helps u come down? NOW THAT IS A QUESTION YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT. Hahahaa :D )

And hey, I do not propaganda negatively about landmark. DO visit the shop , may be that day was their worst day too. It must have been hell for them handling such huge crowd.

DO visit the place , they do have good books & if you see a VERY LONG Queue then these guys haven’t learnt their lesson. You kindly put the books back & leave the place. Come home blog about it :P & let me know you have a post! :)

ADIOS!
~Maruthu

2.12.07

TOTAL DAMAGE!


இடுக்கண் வருங்கால் நகுக!!

Croak Croak....

Well if you had already guessed it ... YEAP! A bad throat.How long can you imagine having a sore throat...well let’s call it change of voice for I really don’t think this is sore throat that I have for more than a month now. I can hear you...I really didn’t realize it’s been one month now :(( until my friends blasted me (Past one week, TOTAL DAMAGE! …yupp that’s why the profile name :) my friends)
Having been out of station and this & that I never realized it’s been pretty long that am having this horrible voice. Well , not HORRIBLE :P but not my voice. And initially for the first few days I was like “Please bare with my bad voice ..sore throat you see… “and then I continued the talk. And I really did get tired of this routine, and imagine the embarrassments when you talk to someone for the first time & they look at you through the glasses but then manage to give a broad smile.(Not all of them did have a glass :P but at least the look was the same)
Okie this is not a post all about HOW TO CURE SORE THRAT IN 10 EASY STEPS :P so dnt cry… this is all about those funny things that happened during this course of time.
I may have some parts of the incidents written in tamil..non tamil friends kindly bare :)


பலர் பாத்து பயந்து ஓடுர ஓட்டம் தெரியுது :P WHAT TO DO!!

# When my nephew was here….
We had some guests at home.Myself & my nephew were sitting on the floor and playing something.

From nowhere and out of context one of the guest asked him… “So does your aunts sing to you?” And he went like… “Yeah! She sings great!!…” ( DO I maapla? I have never felt as happy as I do when my nephew enjoys me doing something say singing, craft, painting…I adore the way he adores it. He is just so CUTE! :D You cannot resist a kiss or hug those times.)
Then the guest asks him “Ask her to sing us a song.” (எலே மொக்கச்சாமி! என் கிட்ட கேக்காம அதென்ன லே அங்க soundu?!! )
Well this is the most embarrassing thing you can imagine when your distant relatives come home, say like once a year or so. You hardly see them & they ask you to sing. Off late, Iam pretty shy to sing in crowd. :P Okai! I admit pretty too much shy that I once started goofing over the phone when this friend of mine asked me to sing 2 lines of a song & never really sang.
My nephew who was sitting on my lap looks up at me & kind of stares in a way that meant “Well…dint u hear us?? Sing athai!! “And I felt bad that I couldn’t keep his pride by singing to them..but only replied “ Dei, You know right? Athai have a bad voice now!” And then he managed the guests saying “ Yeah.. athai has throat pain .She will sing to you the next time.Definitely!” When he said that …AWWW how cute he was..like a big boy trying to cover-up … He was just adorable..But I could never sing him any song this time during his visit. We chat for hours over the phone when he was in US of A & he keeps asking me to sing some songs. And I wonder how I never felt shy with him over the phone. I could sing to him over the phone,probably only to him.

மாப்ள ரொம்ப மிஸ் பண்றேன் டா! :(
That is one time i felt bad that my voice is not normal. I could not sing when someone i love sooooooooooooooo very much wanted me to!

OOPS ...Did i get serious there.. Okie okie..no sweat! No more Ms.Serious. :)

# At the wedding....


We went to one of our relatives wedding sometime back. At that time i was as always running behind one of the vaandos in the hall. All of a sudden she was running into a crowd & i had no clue if i would get hold of her before she gets lost. And without being conscious of my voice... i had to shout out for the kutty. calling her name out... ANDDD............
That is when almost everyone there turned & looked behind me searching the source of sound! ROTFL!! :P

People were clueless that its ME who had called out loud. They probably expected a male figure :P & everyone except the one i needed to pay attention. What more can i do...initially i was blinking then realised :P no one would possibly imagine its me & i also looked back to see if any one's there and ran to the kid.

#In the new house...


We have new neighbors. One day we meet this aunty & her daughter in law. When they were talking she spots one of my painting & asks who did this? amma tells her " Yeah. Thats my daughter's.She sings well too... "

And she looks at me like -- YOU?? :O

Well no wonder, from the day we came here i am croaking & people here doesn't know my real voice at all. Am glad she dnt run out of the house screaming!! ;)

hahahahaha....Then i came for the rescue & clarified things. And she was like....



# With One of my college mate on the phone ....

He: Hello
Me:(Croak croak...no i mean) HELLO
He: May i speak to maruthu
Me: SPEAKING
He: Who is this?
Me: Nakkala??!! Its mee....whatsup? :)
He: YOU?? U stil with this voice??
Me: Oh..how long has it been...when did u call me last?
He: Are u educated??
ME: Well, where did we meet then :P I dumbose...
He: #$^#$&%$*%^$(%^(*#%(

Me:

He: Well, i dnt call up to hear an insane person croak for weeks. Better meet Doctor or never talk to me. Am hanging !
Me: :O

[Beep][Beep]

# During housewarming....
Well there are many familiar faces. Obviously everyone would expect you to say hi hello how u doing....
And whenever i started with hello.. there was this reaction" :O " please take the pain to paste the smiley in yahoo & check it yourself in case u haven't seen it. Yellow smiley doing that is MUCH TOLERABLE and CUTE but when u see real people that too when too many of them doing it at the same day and AT YOU... :P It is a very very s(b)aaaaaaaaaaaaaaad feeling :P
And then i go like..."Its alright its alright...Its just my voice....fear not!"
எத்தன பேரு கிட்ட தான் , எத்தன வாட்டி தான் சொல்ல முடியும் " இது நான் தான் , என் குரல் தான். யாரும் பயப்பட வேண்டாம்.."

#While walking back home with sis on a deserted street...


It was pretty dark that night.... we were walking thro t streets where there were not much ppl. Suddenly we both heard 2/3 road side romeos walk behind us having chit chat & we could hear them laugh...we slowed down near a shop there to let them go in front. And yes we did have some work in the shop. They were making some remarks (Friendly though...no issues!) But still we dnt like it. What i did was spoke with a firm voice ...
which could confuse anyone with my bad voice now if its a man or woman. And Shhhhh..those guys dnt even turn back but walked off real fast thinking me & my sis had a company join us & cleared the place in fraction of seconds. And i started laughing!! YES which sounded confusing still .... told " I think i can continue the rest of my life with this voice...it helps alot. Especially if am planning to stay single for long.உனக்கும் வேணும்னா கேளு,ஏரியா பக்கம் வந்து அப்பப்போ டப்பிங் குடுக்குறேன்"

# A very very old friend of dad's...


We visited a typical britain lady who happened to be one of appa's friends wife. Dad & this aunts husband had been living together while his stay in britain. She was really happy to see our family. A typical british and very gentle too. I was pretty hesitant to CROAK for i was pretty scared i may scare the lady & then i finally spoke, but i was really tired of putting the DISCLAIMER everytime i spoke to someone for the While we were driving back home i told amma " She is gonna be under the impression that it is a wonderful family but the youngest is just not blessed with a right voice :P " But am really tired...and you can't help it.
People who hear you for the first time may end up thinking thats how u ('croak' oops sorry) sound! And there is no point in explaining to them or even...like it matters :P FORGET IT & move on! Thats what i told myself everytime i was left embaressed :P & tired!


#Meeting up an old school mate (First standard friend) after all the years...


As we went chatting she said " But your voice.... Your voice has changed a lot. The rest ..no change ur the same maruthu ! "
Me : " Well....you can correct the sentence. Voice..this is not how i sound. :) Unmaya dee"


But she doesn't know much about my singing and all that. SO i let it loose. Dnt wanna fight over it ..and i guess her NOD meant she understood "This cannot be my voice"

But it was funny ... and pretty annoying at times.

Its been more than a month , and i dnt want to have it behind me as a bad memory. Sometime later when i think of this, i want to laugh it out. So i wanted to make sure i record it here.


Even at times where we freak out, i have good record for taking things light & handling it without panicking. One of the best is explained in weird'o tag. This is new in the list now ... I have HOPE that my voice won't ditch me so easily.(And am not asking too much..just a voice that sounds like ME) I HOPE this is just one of those infections..or probably due to the pollution. Am sure, i will be ok soon. With that note ...
I would like you all to have a good laugh with me :)
Thank you for your patience


~~ Maruthu ~~

5.11.07

Do not Neglect the mirror!


This is just the preview..#8 page long story would b published later.

A mirror speaks!

I’m here on one of my boring days. Why? Because no one here looks at me since little ILAYA left to her boarding school. And it seems like they may not have me here anymore. So am once again out of a home to go to a new place. While am resting here to be carried away, I am reminded about the last time I was in a shop where there were a number of mirror friends.We speak very often about our experiences in different places.Here is something that usually happens between us & you.

- People, they generally come towards us & want to see the best. Sometimes they do get annoyed & walk away angrily- as if we had done a blunder by not reflecting the way they wanted to look. It is those times I wish I knew magic. But not to forget - SOME OF THEM WOULD GIVE US FLYING KISS TOO at times-Rarely ;)

- Babies keep coming to us; sometimes keep looking at us for hours. Sometimes they keep smiling & chuckles when they see us reflect their beautiful smile. Ahh… I can spend a whole life reflecting their beautiful emotions.

- Pet cats & dogs playing around unless they are tired or carried away.Hehe.. I just love to see the way they keep scratching us.

- Gorgeous girls ;) standing for hours & the way they apply the so called make-up over an over again to only spoil their natural beauty. SIGH* I WISH I COULD TELL AT LEAST ONE OF THEM- Come on stop now! You look just great. Don’t apply that thing anymore.

- Handsome boys trimming their mustaches. LOL! Some amateurs just don’t understand the word “Symmetry”. Glad I don’t have a mustache.<>

- Expecting mothers – First timers especially, trying in fact struggling to fit in their old clothes. Hahaa… You should see their emotions, so very rare & unique! Even they themselves will not be able to see that again.

I Shall tell you later about the stories my friends have told me. But I do have few points to tell you from my experiences & my friend’s.Well, don't get offended by anything said here , won't you understand & cope when your friend says something that you do not like.

#I have seen many people complain about the looks. Well, you humans are all beautiful in your own ways. Each of you has a face which is your unique to be identified (unless you have a twin). There is nothing for you to complain about. There was no reference given to create you. Each one of you are unique. And there is no one pretty and no one awful with looks. Every person is a new doll we see.

#Each of you are unique & beautiful to us. Unlike us! What shape can I tell I have, what colour would I say Iam. Does Messy have long hair, or Silent have a big mouth? Does Ms.Antique have a sharp nose? Can I answer that, can u? No! We do not have an identity like you. You have been lucky to be what you are. And I feel the same way too! We are what you are. A happy person in front of us makes us happy too. We smile. We reflect your smile. Every complaining look makes us do the same. When you look at the mirror do not expect – just observe & do not fail to see what you see.

#Looking at the mirror is good, for many reasons. You know how you look & how you must cope to be your best. Imagine a person who never looks at the mirror, do you think he will have any idea about when to trim his mush or when to shave? He would grow barbaric, won’t he?

Fat people would realize how rapidly they are putting on weight, they may control their diet accordingly if they note the change. I have heard a wise woman say “Your body is your first doctor, it never fails to tell you what is happening inside.It never fails to warn you. Only that we fail to pick up its signal sometimes”

# We help you groom yourself. Sometimes the greatest way to practice your speech or presentation is by standing in front of the mirror & practicing your speech. There is no one better than yourself to note what the mistakes are & accordingly you can make the changes. May it be the way you stand or the body language, we are there to help you help yourself.

#Dressing!! For heaven’s sake, please wear clothes that look good on YOU. Never see someone else look very pretty in some of the dress & try them out blindly. Trust me! An elephant looking huge may be a stunning sight, but a lion would look majestic only in its own size. Can you imagine a bunny in the size of a hippopotamus? You would run screaming, won’t you?

Then why scare us & the rest?

I wish I could personally call you or at least scream & cry when you wear a silly dress that is NOT made for you. But we cannot, we are only designed to reflect & we do not try that may be nice for a human but not for us. Whenever you wear a dress (definitely when it’s the first time), take ample time to check if the dress covers you properly & doesn’t look awkward or funny by looking at your reflection from all sides. If you haven’t got a bigger mirror, do ask people in your house. For I have seen the way some people look good when observed from the front side but not so from another angle. And if you are asked about the dress, do not try to be modest & lie that it looks good when it doesn’t. It is better to let your loved one know that “It looks pathetic” than to see them cry for someone had said something about it at work or outside home.

# And what not….. Spare a smile when your day starts. Do smile at us , for there is always the most beautiful face waiting to smile back at you. Never complain about your face – it looks great for it is unique.

With that note I shall now get back to the waiting… I never know whom I would meet. I may land up in your home next to tell the people what you have taught me, through my next story!

Come on! Smile – I would like to do that when I leave you. That’s Nice!

How was my smile? ;)


Lastly “Never neglect the mirror!”

8.10.07

Pesugiren pesugiren ....


Lost/Dead/Quit/Disturbed/Sick/Sad???

If you were clicking any of the above reason for my absence :D am sorry, you are wrong.

Sorry for not informing & sorry for being very irresponsible.

So for that reason I have a special track uploaded for the friends here. Before I forget- MISSED YOU ALL SO MUCH!!


For all the delay from my side am uploading three songs this time :)

Corrs Heart like wheel- Dialup
Corrs Heart like wheel- BB

Pesugiren Pesugiren-Dialup
Pesugiren Pesugiren-BB

Surprise Try hearing -Dialup
Surprise Try hearing -BB



And yes- finally after hearing many friends recommend - am into flickr .

Here is my flickr page- Click to view my pics.

The feeling that someone remembers you – is the best. Especially when they get mad at you …. You have every right to express your anger. J And thanks a TON :D for those many of you who have taken the pain to express it thro the angry offensive emails :P Kidding… they were real sweet mails. I am very glad I have such wonderful friends around. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING THERE. And not to forget the new friends who had visited the page Naveen, Sudhakar, MM, Dhil d Desperado and one of them MM & rsubras had returned to read the next post too :) .

Writers block..??? :P NO WAY!

I have the Anti-Writers block . For I have too many things that I wanted to write about.

JULY# about Since this could probably be the longest vacation for us- Me & Sis decided to ask mom to take a break & visit few relatives with my cousin as Dad was busy. So I was in charge, enjoyed Cooking, the household work & did some rearrangements too. I utilized this time to do all those challenging works which mom wud never let me do if she was around. One of which includes soaping the tiles in kitchen and cleaning them (You should have seen them SHINE! ;) ). The kitchen seems to love the makeover: P & so did our family. All these kept me tight. Then mom returned & we were busy with the house shifting formalities

FRIENDSHIPDAY: IT WAS TOO SPECIAL> Yes other than the present friends calling & wishing. There were couple of calls whose voice I could not recognize but they seem to know a lot about me & family. There were few name calling from some girls & then the boys distracted by still listing details about me. At one point I was gonna pull all my hair out of my head & run for I WANTED TO KNOW WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE bullying me with so much of love :) Yes! They did reveal their identity – the boys & girls who had shared the same class room with me. Was lucky enough to get to hear the voice of more than 10 of my 1st standard- YES CLASS 1 friends. We were all out of touch for more than 17 years. But thro t contact with 2 friends – all the rest were able to trace out & they called up & wished. We were all on conference call & I totally enjoyed it. Could tell my friends almost all that had happened that time & I was the one who remembered many events. We all had a loud laugh & most of the friends were surprised to see me remember all of them & infact some of them told- “ You have not changed a bit. I could already see your sunshine smile & that kiddo face. NOT A CHANGE – only have grown sweeter. Am glad you are still the same girl we knew then. “

So were they- entire bunch was terribly sweet & it was like I got back an old treasure. Class 1 friends :D who wouldn’t feel that way!!!

AUG - SEP # First and the foremost…. My brother’s visit. He had come down from USA with his family & having been on vacation for the very first time during his visit it was great this time. After many years the 3 of us- me , bro & my sis we had lotta time to talk–bully-prank-tease-walk-laugh-feel happy-feel sad- ‘what not’ together. Trust me or not- we were chatting all night for the first few weeks of his arrival (One of the night we 3 had oatmeal at mid-night went chatting all the time to see appa wake up at 5 the next day morning and wish us good morning!!) that I caught up a soar throat & it hasn’t bid goodbye to me yet. My throat is so deep in trouble :P

And how can I forget mentioning about the GREAT time me & my MAAPS (maplai- My bro’s kid) had. Oooooooooooo I miss him so very much. There was not a day I woke up seeing someone else’s face but his, there was not a day I missed playing with him-chatting- watching TV(Yes ofcourse we have many things in commonone of which seem to be DISNEY channel) -laughing-eating-walking- and what not!! I can write a whole book about the time we both had- occasionally joined by the grownups :P my bro & Sis. I love him a lot & I miss him a lot. During his last visit I had taught him to show “I LOVE YOU” in sign language. And he seem to remember most of the things we used to do together during his previous visit which was probably a year back. This time he had often been showing the “I love you” to me & I used to do the same.

SOBS*SOBS*… Far across the distance The day he left I was so totally bugged that he was gonna leave. But that night he promised :) that he would get back in the 10th of OCT (Wonder what that little head had thought to say that. I understood that he is gonna miss us the same way we all do from what he had said.) And I was preparing myself NOT TO CRY. I have told this a few times in my blog- I hate CRYING & crying in front of someone is SO NOT WHAT I COULD POSSIBLY SEE MYSELF DO. And the whole evening the rude inner voice was telling me “ No maruthu – Don’t u dare cry!...Never cry!!”

That night myself & Dad went to drop them at the airport & I enjoyed the ride , with my kutty maaps sitting on my lap. Dad & I browsed some of the books in the Higginbothams during the waiting time – and I never wanted any of the books from there. Appa did buy couple of books & then we came to the waiting area once anna was done with formalities. I avoided chatting with my maps after entering the airport since I was not strong enough to hide my feelings & I was not confident enough to BE STRONG/ACT STRONG.Only once did I talk to him during the waiting time- that when I asked him if he was sleepy & gave him a candy to chew on. When we were going to say bye – the little Vaalu did the “I love u” in sign language to me with a broad smile……..

Azhugai?? Ayyahooooo!! Enna oru izhukku…

ARRRRRRRRRRRRR- What more do u need to melt an aunts heart??? And he needs nothing but simply a smile to melt my heart away. CRAP! I had lost control & started crying….

(ASINGAMMMMM – U r crying in public!!!!!!!!! Suthi irundhavanga elaam thirumbi parthutangayyyyyaaaaaaaaa!!! Cha shame shame pupppppy shame’a pochu…. But athai manam thangalayee—ini naan yara thookuven- yaru enaku kana pinanu mutham tharuva-yaaru en kitta kadha kepa-- yaar en kita adam panuvaanga yaaru kooda naan crayons elam vechu colour panuven- yaaru enna pada soli adam panuva - yaar ena oru nal vidama anba vandhu ezhupuva?????- LOT MORE…. Azhudhadhu vekama poi naan appa pinadi poi oliya try pani “polaampa please’nu “ sonadhu nenacha – ippa kooda enaku siripa iruku!!! Che- puppy shame puppy shame)

Anna was surprised-shocked-puzzled-funny I dnt know what – at that state I could only understand he dint expect me cry. I never easily express my feeling by crying- I may be cry only when am all alone but never in front of someone else. He WAS SURPRISED! He carried maps & told him to give me a big hug & kiss.(Sari’nu vitangalaaa??? Avana thookiktu – andha thadupa thaandi neetiktu ena kita vara solli “ Athaiku oru big hug & kiss kudu” Namaku azhugai – odanju pona TAP’lerndhu thani vara mari aramichachu… I couldn’t control…idhula ivan vera kati puduchu mutham kuduthutaanyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa….. Ambutu dhaan- I COULDN’T STOP – Tears went rolling – I kissed him tight saying “ Am gonna miss you sooo much!”) And appa tried to comfort me – but the only option for me was “ TURN BACK & RUNNNNNNNNNNNN”

Finally appa decided to get me out of the airport (or should I say out of embarrassment). The drive back home was not very joyful to me and appa was too sweet to desperately keep trying to make me talk. He started talking many topics that could divert me from -but nothing did. Alright change the topiccccccccc…..

I have recorded a couple of songs that I haven’t uploaded until today. They gotta be more than a month old now. One of the song was suggested by our friend – well-wisher CVR . When I first heard the track I told him :p “NO WAY! I can never sound like THAT!!” She was too good a singer– song from CORRS. And I heard the song over and over – through out the night ( yes while I was reading the novel which I love the most , I can read it over and over again- DOCTORS) and tried singing it the next day. It seems to come out well. May be not :P ! U gotta decide that.

And the other song which I happened to hear even before the movie was released is the “Pesugiren …” track from Sattham podadhey.

And Apologizing for disappearing – I got the special song where I have done something which I HAVE NOT DONE IN ANY OF MY PREVIOUS TRACKS. Sorry song ;)

And you can view some of the pictures that I clicked during the small trip we had last week. Mom,Dad, Sis & me… we all had a great time. We had traveled through thro 3 districts. Thiruvanaikkal in trichy was the best. There we have a shiva lingam At the foot of the Shiva lingam- cauvery water is found through out the year, and we did get a glimpse of that. And Sreerangam & Thiruvanaikkal happens to be in the middle of the place where the cauvery diverges into two and then joins later. We had our uncle & appa’s friend join us for the thiruvanaikkal trip.I will leave you with that. Will come back with something interesting the newt time.

Love,
Maruthu…



PS: Pesugiren pesugiren Lyrics was extra ordinary & without knowing that it is from the movie Satham podadhey & song by viva girls it took me a lot of time to find the lyrics. Could find many pages for Pesugiren pesugiren free mp3 download. I have no clue about the movie - i only liked the song.

27.7.07

MEDIA Culture - growing Uncultured.

Here is my version of the song I'll stand by you. Not a great song. But loved it especially by one of the performers in American idol. Reminded me of the tamil song " Kangalil enna eerama? Nenjinil enna baarama?"
To hear the song please click on the appropriate links given below,
I'll stand by you - For Dial up users
I'll stand by you -For BB users


Now, coming to the post :)
MEDIA Culture - Growing Uncultured.
Last week was excellent for We in our family did get some time to spend with together & it was Quality time ;). TOUCH WOOD. On Sunday morning while I was browsing through the news paper, I came across the TV programme column and this idea to watch a movie together with family struck me. And my eyes fell upon one movie that was joked alot about during the college days, starring one of the heroes from the movie boyz(which i have not seen yet- never will see too.)

I was told it is an ADULTS only movie. So I rechecked the timing- it was the evening movie!!

DUH!!!

Are people losing sense these days?? Don’t we get to watch a decent movie ATLEAST on weekends??On a Sunday evening..come on! There got to be a mistake! But nope, that was the movie played that evening & we ended up watching a different show.

Its time Tamil channels also better start to have the U,U/G,A notifications while playing movies- the trend that Star movies follow really well.


MOVIES-
These days they are playing adult(e)rated movies on channels that are supposed to be showing family entertainment movies. It is the responsibility of the parents to make sure kids are watching good programs only. Sometime back(a couple of times) they did play the movie Boyz on Sunday & on a festive day. This movie is not a good choice for kids to watch. Does it mean this generation is taking everything for granted? Those who chose to telecast these- are they trying to take any revenge- probably a childhood problem? Is there even someone in the censor board who do some WORK AT ALL? People who telecast -Don’t they have any idea about the fact that people sit with family; mainly that children watch these?

These days most of them in the movie industry do not seem to realize the responsibility & that is one reason am so against people going crazy over those who don’t even realize the fact that they are spoiling & corrupting young minds.

Not just hero’s, but the heroines too.I accept that the competition is too much for these girls these days to get an offer, because the directors have lost sense about on what basis one should be chosen to act as heroine. And that has brought in a lot of junks inside the industry, which once had heroines like ….. (am only getting the picture of black & white movies’s! :O yes ofcourse….There are decent one’s in later years too..) Revathy, Suhasni….. And a FEW more.

These days the need for a glamour artist exclusively is cut down. Lucky directors! May be that’s one reason they don’t mind about getting cheap girls (No offence- girls who come in at cheap rates to act) to act as heroine. They don’t care about the kind of moves they are asked to do in a dance & the costumes for the dance & sometimes the dance itself actually has no role in that scene or the following one. Best example in that category is - in the movie Rhythm(Not a bad movie though :P )When the kid is enjoying the rain at night in the terrace there is this song Ayyo pathikuchu…pathikuchu… And I went like. “Did I by mistake change the channel or something?” From no where people start dancing in the stage & the kid who was supposed to be in bed sleeping is there in the podium sitting watching the dance. Apdiye potaalum..ippo mazhai ila peyudhu..edhuku indha ponnu pathikuchunu koovings?? Kodumai !?!

Our tamil industry hero’s are not exceptional- they are ok with any silly mannerisms & some stupid dialogues that do have double meaning. Vulgar dialogues(Sombu movies), rubbish gestures(Poriki – yaaradhu pokiri’nu padikrahdu??....i meant porikki seyra velaigal), Horrible onscreen behaviour , NOTHING-BUT RUBBISH. I can understand if they are trying to screen a bad guy turn good guy. In that case if hero’s act as how villains would, its fine. But they are imposing on us to accept the hero be that way through out the movie – that is being the actual personality- the hero do stupid things , tease girls, do all rubbish, Behave like an absolute Idiot , Speak filthy language, Dress indecent, still more to list….YUKK!The very thought that these are the guys – today’s young generation is going crazy over annoys me, ire me & worry me!

What are they to be celebrated as great heroes for?? Instead they can go for a Mr.Bean or say vivek rasigar mandram & have a huge cut out for him (Come on – give the guy some credit, if you can take these morons as HERO! He atleast puts a smile &even make you laugh! He has a huge fan club :D Lets not pull him here…..)

My only question is why all these hype for SOME GUY who do not even care about what he is corrupting the young minds with? Certain things cannot be undone & corrupting young minds is one! Well, the language~ Dialogue- acting- dance- ….in the name of this, these guys do all funny awkward things & they are accepted by a huge crowd. To be frank not just accepted but celebrated too!

In a crowd where everyone is a fool but one man who may differ in the idea may be looked upon as an idiot, that doesn’t leave him with option to act a fool. But that is what is happening today! Even those who do understand this, act stupid – they just want to move with the crowd. So they also join the bajan! Although they know that this guy is absolute curse for the culture!

Name just any movie – any actor - any thing. They go HOOGAA HOOGAA!

If it’s the TOSS…”hey macha Toss superdaa..Naan first day first show parthen da.nee?”

Or PORIKI-…”Dey PORIKI…enna padam da… Namma vaal/mooku/kannu enama nadichrukaar pathiya. Kovil dhaan”

Or FREEDOM-… “Freedom! Summa top gear’la odudhula padam. 3 dhadava pathuten dee!”

I have no personal aversion towards any one in the movie industry. But I do respect people who act with SOME DIGNITY & RESPONSIBILITY, which is like....very rare now. Thanks to people with some dignity like ;) aravind swamy who has gently withdrawn from this rat race.

If and only if the directors, script writers, lyricist & actors (well they can choose what not to do atleast!) act more responsible, things will get any better. Otherwise we may be leading the future to grow numb to such non-sense. Simply by repeatedly getting us used to see such non-sense they are trying to impose & make us take it as sense. But non-sense is always going to be that. And we must not forget it.

We are able to understand that the media is not actually bothered about what to play, when to play & movie makers too forget what SENSE is. If we are paying Rs 50 for a drink & there a sip of drainage in it we cannot ignore it. Will you? So is the case when they make movies. They should rate them properly- HONESTLY! And those who telecast them in TV should know what to play when. Its alright when you have any non-sense in an adult rated movie. But they keep giving us non-sense in those that the younger generation watch and try to get the idea that THIS IS NOT WRONG, when it is absolute CRAP! Individual has to be responsible. Its each one’s responsibility to know what is right and wrong. But it would be better if these people in the media act responsible too.

The present TV culture is spoiling kids. The programs where kids are asked to call the VJ’s to have a chit chat with shows how far it has gone. Sometimes watching kids speak I that show, really would make you feel dizzy. They are so much spoiled by the media.

NOTE TO THE PARENTS:

# Know what your kid is watching.

# Suggest the shows that are suitable for them to watch.

#Encourage them to go outside & play. Trust me, it is better than watching the stupid box.

#Channels like Discovery, National geography,History channel can also be fun.Do find out programs that could interest your kid in the junior time.Of course Disney,pogo,CN,Nickelodeon,...goes without saying. :)

# It is better not to watch certain shows with kids around. I do not imply late night shows, but today – yes the shows that really do have some not-for-kids stuff. That also includes some of the songs – in the music channels.

#Never hesitate to tell your kid that – "This is not what it is, these are buffoon in the movies that act this way simply to make money. In real world people do not talk or behave this way. If they do so they will be looked upon as nothing but fools."

# Do tell them that- it is only an entertainer and not a preacher.

# When you see your kid imitate any of the acts/dialogue's/song that are not appropriate for kids (seena thaan too)- stop the kid right there & tell that it is Wrong & not to follow or imitate these. It may be entertaining & amusing for you to see your child imitate but it is never good. This could in fact encourage the child to create a passion towards such things.

# Do get some good videos , nice movies and ask your kid to watch it, you can join him too and make the time a pleasant memorable time.

# Encourage the kids to get involved in creative works than watch TV. These days the cable channels do not have nothing big left for the kids to learn from. They are out of good stuff. Only rarely do you find something nice & do watch it with them.

# Try to make your kid understand what may be suitable to watch & what not in your absence too. Encourage the kid being responsible by reward-punishment method. Punish doesn’t mean spanking the kid :)

Let them grow healthy…. Healthy mind is necessary for a healthy body.

Growing up cultured is even more important!

All that I have shared in this post are my personal views. They are not intended to offend any one. Thavarai meendum meendum seivadhanaal, adhu sari endru aagi vidaadhu! Adhanai pondradhey idhu - indraya thiraipada kalachaaram.

10.7.07

Tags 2 & 3 and "Uppu kallu" song-My version


Back with the remaining two tags :D
TAG 1 - Here
TAG 2 & 3 follow ....

~~~~~~~~#8 Tag #~~~~~~~~
Tag 2 - #8 Tag

GOPS Tagged me on this. Here is what the tag is about. Rules follow,

- You are supposed to write 8 facts about you.

- You are to tag eight more people

- You should tell them that they are tagged & they are supposed to follow these rules.

Well, I am planning to write “#8 Facts” that most of you may not know about me.Good things about TAG! Before I start writing my tag I wanted to share this piece of information about tags. They are my opinion & u may differ with it .(I really don’t care so don’t bother to complain about the idea. No offence - sometimes its better i disclaim before i hear from .... other than my friends)

Tags are like social party- they help us get to know our friends & they create a warmth around the blogsphere. Sometimes it helps you remind that YOU ARE NOT ALONE –JOBLESS. There are other such people around you too. ~~~KIDDING!!! ~~~ Tags really help you do THE THING! They help you do a self analysis which is most important in anyone’s life to be the better you. These tags help you know your tick marks & Cross marks. They infact help you mend yourself & again – u may differ in this view & i… :P Well go on u can spill it out. I still got lot more to write…But I should start of with the tag or there may be someone who hardly comes in here to read but always complains something or the other about the page. Again - IDC!

#8 Facts…

You may not know these facts about me :P but promise you wudn’t run away from my blog but return again :D heheee….

1) DANCE – Well, I was so crazy about dancing during my school days. No no.. dnt imagine Jim carey dancing..i wasn’t bad. I have bagged some prizes for the dancing – including winner cup in “THILLANA THILLANA”- THE ONCE POPULAR TV SHOW (Sun tv) But I stopped dancing after certain age in order to concentrate in studies :P(STOP LAUGHING) & to have a family that is proud to have you ! :P

2) KIDS – I just love kids. That doesn’t mean they can mess around. I take either extremes with kids. When they are well behaved – the most love would be from my side & when they are misbehaving – I would the first one in scene to STOP them being that way. And I guess they understand its for their good :) – they do come back to me with all smiles after the disciplining session is over.

3) NEAT & NICE: I want the things around me to be nice & neat. Sometimes am too picky. Dress- food- Colours in ur curtain.. name it. They need not be very expensive but they HAVE TO BE NICE & NEAT to look at, b’coz It automatically puts a smile on your face. (That doesn’t guarantee a clean room my friend. My room can sometimes be as messy as it can)

4) Cooking: Ahh…. Most interesting place. When I cook I dnt stick to the rules. I make my own dish. I hardly follow the routine technique. And No talking in kitchen, No thoughts abt anything but cooking, NO ‘NOT RELATED TO COOKING’, Definitely there can be singing ;). And TRUST ME! Every time I follow this when I cook. There has never been a FLOP DISH in my kitchen chemistry. (To me Cooking is chemistry!)

5) Stage: Stage had always been special in my academic life,may it be school days or college. I was always there performing dance or singing or name it… in all the events until my middle school. During High school days I was the secretary and offlate most of the times escaped from singing or dancing. Once special time I never can forget is when I was asked to compere our house’s(TEAM) event. During the rehearsals I knew it was gonna suck big. The singers were too squeaky & the dancers were off the beat. After stopping my stage appearances as an entertainer – I dint want to get back there in that suit. I was either an orator or the secretary or announcing or simply with the Choir group or as sports person/Team. I still remember the time how I pulled it off through the event. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO LIE WITH A SMILE – CALLING IT A BEAUTIFUL PERFORMANCE WHEN YOU KNEW IT SUCKED TOTALLY! It was then I thought may be I should have done some piece myself. But it was fun to laugh it off after the show in the dressing room with the house mates and later with the class mates. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ In the 4 year= 8 semesters of college never have the staffs forgotten to ask me 2 take a seminar- not even one semester. The news just kept spreading. Whenever I was asked to present in the class room seminar – I would try to come up with a lie –“Sir, am not very good. Excuse me this time….”There would be the answer “Don’t lie Maruthu :) I have heard in our staff room. There is a news that you are a born teacher. You already have one in the other subjects why do you not take one in my subject? …” It always ended up me saying a YES! I loved teaching One thing about seminars is – the 60+ friends were sometimes too over joyed that they would keep annoying you, which came down to some extent after the 2nd year.

6) Cartoons : Love them anytime all time. And living without watching cartoon is so not possible. The time I had been to mysore & there watching tv that had no cartoon channels was TERRIBLE! Seriously… For more than a week without Cartoons inspite of having a tv that had cable connection would be like how a drug addict would feel without the drugs for the first few days. Even during exams I used to watch atleast one show for the day.

7) Sense of humor: Close circle of people would know that. I have a strange sense of humor. I cannot control laughing the moment the joke strikes in my headSometimes during the class hours too- my super brain would relate to something very hilarious or terrific funny imagination – that would trigger my laughter which can get really loud. Sometimes I would not be able to control it- but laugh out too loud during a lecture. . I would get terribly funny with my jokes. Walking with friends- happen to see something & my imagination would get WILD>.. and I remember the times my sis would literally go begging to stop joking becoz her stomach hurts laughing. Few friends have also mentioned about my sudden out burst of laughter during class lectures (Very few no.of.times) & has questioned why? Because am a very sincere silent student!

8) Turtle – Lion principle.

I live by my principles & sometimes I stick to them so firm, there is no second thought about my decision. At times am as adjusting & tolerate very much. I am compromising & calm as much as a turtle. But at times when it comes to my loved one’s (or even my most sensitive issue) am as furious as a lion. I canot tolerate anyone messing with someone I love so much. They may not react but I would be first one in field to fight the war! And they would go like “ Was that YOU?? That was unbelievable. Why?.... ”Deep down inside they would have that joy & smile that pops which only would happen when they understood you totally. To look back even I would go “Was that me…PHEW!”

EXTRA- NEVER’s in my life - Circus show, Movie Theatre (Not even during college days- TRUST ME!) , Fire Crackers ……. NEVER WILL THEY BE!

NOTE: Notice the pic up there?? In memory of John Ritter who passed away in 2003 Sep 11. I love this show a lot & he is missing around in later episodes. It is really sad that he is missing. I did a little editing on the pic on a BORING DAY! Do u recognize what the serial is ??
Am leaving this as an OPEN tag. Anyone & everyone who comment may please kindly take this up if they are interested ! I shall be glad.

********Thinking blogger award. ********

TAG 3- Thinking blogger award.

Hm.. Our friend Brute passed it on to me.

I now have to pass it to 5 others. I was thinking of people who are not dormant with blogs came to my mind & the 5 categories automatically reminded me few. Choosing those who flashed first are now getting this & they would have to pass it 5 others .

STORY: Direction screen play – editing… NONE OTHER THAN *Harish* ( Big bro)
His king kong returns :P & recently the one on Himesh… :P Hilarious.

POETRY: I classified this to tamil. And there are two people share equal credit
*Dreamz*& *Bharani* ( I rembr t nick- I used to call him kavignarey… )

HUMOR: If there gotto be a funny post anytime all time. There is no exception for his comments too :P None other than * My days Gops!*

PHILANTHROPY: *Balaji*(I am reminded of his comment on my post when I wasn’t able to help the girl in the railways station. He has done some social work too)

GENERAL: Two people came to my mind Srijith & *Nirek*.May it be any important incident you can find a post about it that would really make you think. Since srijith has already got this I would like to pass it on to nirek.

Now they have to tag 5 others under 5 categories ( The categories may not necessarily be the same as I have done.)


Here is my version of the song "Uppu kallu thaneerukku yaekka pattadhu.."

Uppu kallu - Dial up version

Uppu kallu - BB version
After a long time i heard one of Bombay Jayashree's track from the recent/decent movie & fell in love with it after the very first hear !
Mostly because of the feel of the song ,the voice - to top it all ,the way the heroine has brought out the feel in this song with the LOST LOOK in her face :)
There is something very disturbing about this song - the actress or the picturization ..I really do not know how to put it. But the Song is amazing. I wish you hear& WATCH the original track too :)


Well thats all from my side.... :) Its your turn now