Outburst of Boredom

In the past 10days, my facebook wall has been popping up with the same post with changes made suitable for each profession or country. It was cool when it started but it kinda irritates me nowadays. It looks something like this and there are many more versions for this.

So, what do we actually do here? Boss என்கிற Baskaran style கேட்டோம்நா "அப்படி என்ன தான் பண்ணறீங்க?"


It was actually a damn busy January for all of us. Submissions, deadlines and deadlines after deadlines. A few of my friends even had back to back exams too. Once we were all done with it and we had literally nothing to do with apart from the occasional booze.


This term I just have 2days of class though my roomies have 3days. There used to be days in my life when classes were boring but now it feels better to be in the classroom than to be in my bedroom. When I was India, I hardly followed a TV series or reality show regularly though I wanted to. But here I am waiting for the episodes every week. Right now "How I met you mother, The Big Bang Theory, Top Chef and World's Toughest Tucker's". Don't what more would be added to the list in the upcoming weeks.


Then there are the TV shows from my place, அது இது எது, நீயா நானா and other special programs for festive seasons.


Apart from that I am going at the rate of one to two movies a day, at times three. Language is not a bar. If it is Tamil then I'll go for the 80's or early 90's leaving alone the new releases. Telugu, from the suggestions of my Telugu friends around here and also my picks too. And Hindi, just tracking down the films I missed in recent times. Just now done with Shaitan and Tanu weds Manu. Finally English, I am going with IMDB for this. Downloading old, new and all the movies with a good rating.


Now comes Monopoly and the playing cards. Rummy and our famous Ass are the pick of the games. Usually goes till late night. Even got bored of Call of Duty MW3, searching hard for Battlefield3 still couldn't find a good share online.


All those days, leaving out the we have class, we hardly see the sunrise. Our diet has been reduced to 2 meals a day and few times just one meal. And cooking is as hell as it gets. I bet it has been improved a lot from my previous post தக்காளி குஜ்ஜு.


These all are neglecting my 8 to 12 hours of sleep everyday. Weekly once ஆனந்த விகடன், daily The Hindu and Indiaglitz, late night update from the NDTV app on my phone, phone and skype calls with family and friends back home and last but not least 24X7 on FB. Finally it has led me to write this blog too after a break of almost 3months.


And you guys know what, next term I don't have classes too, its just project work. It is going to be Legen......Wait for it......dary!!!! Legendary!!!!

தக்காளி குஜ்ஜு

Hope you have some idea from the post's title but its going to be different. I just got this spark, bulb glowing above my head, when I was helping and also cooking with my friend today. Don't worry, am not going to put in a recipe here.

I have been into cooking, for about a month now, but it has been almost 3 months since am out of my home actually out of my country to be precise. With my first dish being a bit spicy and stuff, I somehow managed to kick start my "Typical Bachelor's Life".

Praveen, chopping onions and Hari, cooking
And me, capturing the moment.

Today I was cooking Tomato Thokku, what we call it as தக்காளி குஜ்ஜு in my home. My friend குட்டி, Praveen as everyone knows him better in that name, and me were doing the tasting "மச்சி, கொஞ்சம் புலிப்பா இல்ல!?" (Isn't it a bit too tart!?). I wondered how my aunt, அத்தை, used to make such a juicy, spicy and everything rightly measured tomato thokku. I remember when I first tasted it when me and sister, Sowmiya, the youngest of my two elder sisters, went on a tour with her a very very long time ago, probably I must have been 11 or 12yrs old. From then on whenever we went on a family trip it was one of the prominent dishes in our menu. Chappathi and her tomato thokku, wow, I can still taste it on my tongue.

Whether it is chicken or vegetables, both more or less costs the same here in UK. Not only the cost but we tend to eat more chicken around here. We never used to make it in my home back in India because my mom doesn't prefer chicken always and also I don't ask her to make it. So, if it is chicken then it is my other aunt, my mom's elder sister (பெரியம்மா). She used to make really spicy SPICY damn spicy hot chicken. In my aunt's place, she not only cooks chicken but also mutton blood fry, intestine of mutton and also mutton gravy. I know it sounds like a pretty cannibalistic mess but down in South India these are some of the signature dishes. I never used to eat mutton but the chicken I would clean my plate (My aunt and mom would deny that).

There was this day in the beginning of my career, meaning the days when I started cooking, I made tamarind rice(புளி சாப்பாடு). Of course using a ready made mix. Since my roomies were busy and occupied with something I had to cook that day. I heated up the mix, fried it and mixed it with the rice. There was tamarind mix, rice and right amounts of everything else but, yeah there was a BUT, it was not much kind of edible. LOL. Almost most of it went into the trash bin the next day. I know my roomies wouldn't forget that dish. But the tamarind rice one of my grandma's used to make was simply superb. Each rice would stand alone, with ground nuts and rights amounts of oil and spices. Perfect to the last grain. But she is no more, hope my sisters and others in my family( if they are reading this) would know which grandma am mentioning because there are two of them and am going to tell about the other grandma now.

I can't remember what she is good at because she is almost good at everything. Whether it is chicken or carrot, everything is to a "T". Me and my friends were discussing here about what to cook for Diwali and when we were thinking about Gulab Jamun, it just reminded of her. She used to fill up big vessels with gulab jamuns for Diwali. We used to eat rice with powdered Dhal (பருப்பு பொடி) and Ghee, she used to prepare that in home. I can keep on speaking about her but she is no more too. :'(

When speaking about cooking and food, I definitely have to tell about someone who is not from my family but in my family. That sounds like a puzzle, right. She is kind of my mom too.

Sunday 12pm

"டே, இப்போ தான் டா என்திரிகிரேன். உங்க வீட்டுக்கு தான் lunch சாப்பிட வரேன்."

("Just now got up dude. Am coming to your home for Lunch.")

Second from left is my Mom sorry friend Ganesh's Mom. I am the one in the Blue Uniform.

That's all I would say on a sunday or any other holiday when my mom is not in the home and I would be there for lunch. She is my friend Ganesh's mom. Whether it is vegetarian or non-vegetarian, she is the best. I really miss her and her food.

P.S: I know, P.S, comes at the last but I have to say it here. Ahshik and the rest of you in the pic, forgive me for uploading this pic. I know everyone look really pathetic in this pic but I had to upload it. This captured the same day as the one in my previous post, in 2006.

There is this another aunt of mine. I know, I can hear you, how many aunt's do I have. Just bear with me, this is my last aunt. I am just thinking what made me write about her because I grew up, literally, by her cooking. Whether it be the sambhar or the sambhar or "THE SAMBHAR!!!". She just cooks it really beautifully. She is kind of my second mom and my dad's sister. She is this perfect cook. Almost tries everything and anything in cooking for once.

In my previous post, Diwalgic, I had to write about my elder sister and post her picture since she wanted me to do so. LOL. But this time I have to tell about her. She might be wondering why I am going to speak about her on a post about cooking because she is also pretty new to this field like me. I was in her home in Bengaluru(Bangalore) for a couple of days before I came here to UK. I was not shocked but surprised and happy on seeing how she does the household work and cooking. The first day she asked me to boil the rice before I have lunch and she left for the job. All I had to do was just place the cooker on the stove. You know, whenever I used to place the rice in the electric rice cooker here I remember the instance in my sister's home because the first few weeks that was the only job I used to do here. And you know what, her sambhar just tasted like the one my aunt prepares, remember the one who used to make good non-vegetarian dishes, its her,(பெரியம்மா, her mom).

My aunt (பெரியம்மா), My Elder sis, thats her mom on the left and my Mom

As usual, the best is for the last. I made rasam yesterday. I started with chopping onions(do they use onions for rasam, not sure), added tomato while frying and added tamarind puree while boiling and the spices too. Tasted it, oh, its too tart, add water, too tart, add water and again water. Finaly rasam was done, thankfully it was edible and tasted good. Even my friend குட்டி(Praveen) had it today. When it comes to rasam, it is definitely my mom. She makes this delicious dhal rasam(பருப்பு ரசம்). My mom is not a very good cook, she herself says so most of the times and I know it too but whatever she makes is good. Whether it be her rasam or carrot or kesari. As everyone says "Mom's cooking is always the best".

Diwalgic Contd...

So where was I..?? Yeah....few more things about my past Diwalis. Before that, my younger sister rightly and promptly pointed out something in my previous post. That is, she is not my younger sister, it should have been youngest of my two elder sisters. LOL

Lets rewind the cycle now. The word cycle reminds me of my days in Carmel Garden(it is one of the 3 schools which I studied). It was a boys high school. Hope you know how it is in a boys school. One fine afternoon, one of our teachers were handling the class and suddenly "Booom", we heard a cracker burst inside the campus. He and few other staffs went to look what happened and din't return at all. So, we had fun the whole afternoon. What guys used to do is, tie the fuse of the cracker to a joss stick(அகர்பத்தி - i just googled it) and so it would blast after sometime once the classes start. This happened quite a few times almost every year.

Youngest of the Lot
my last brother

From the days were my mom used to take me to purchase dress, then it was like I used to take her with me to purchase. Finally it came down to were I have to take my brother to get him dress. When my grandma was there she used to make Gulab Jamuns for Diwali. And the usual breakfast in our house would be masala dosai, coconut chutney and sambhar. இங்க வந்து தோச தேங்கா சட்னிங்கர  வார்த்தையே கேட்டது இல்ல.

Hope may would have done this, like placing a bomb inside a coconut shell or some old tins because I have done it once. It was when my youngest brother was like around 1 or 2yrs old. We used to have the empty ceralac tins. Me and my uncle placed an atom bomb and placed a tin over the bomb. "Kabooom", tin remained unmoved but was missin the bottom cover. It came down floating in the air after few seconds.

Sorry Ahshik and Ganesh for this pic.
This foto was captured in 2006.

Once I was into college, my Diwali's were different. I would meet all my friends and would visit almost everyone's home. It all actually started 7years ago, exactly. It was during my high school, I was in 12th standard. I was having a Scooty pep then and my friend Ahshik had a Bajaj CT100. We planned to go to our friend Ganesh's home. As usual it was a rainy week during Diwali and the roads were damp and mud roads were filled with dirt. We almost reached his home and neither of us knew the way. There were two roads diverging and actually we were in a shortcut, no one was around to ask for help. And we were looking at the roads and it were filled wit dirt. I was like "Atleast your bike would go past it but definitely my scooty would get stuck". But we decided to give it a go and took the road on the left. We fought through the dirt and reached half way through the road when his bike got stuck. His bike's front mud guard was completely filled wit dirt and the wheel was not rotating at all but my scooty just went past it. LOL. We tried to removed the dirt stuck in the wheel using some sticks and things but no use. In this process Ahshik placed his left elbow on the bike's silencer(exhaust) and burned his skin. We couldn't even move the bike. It was the time when we had no mobile phones and things. So, he took my scooty and found a pay phone, asked Ganesh to come. One of my other best friends, Assumtha, her home was near Ganesh's home. They both came in her scooty for our rescue. He brought a spanner and so we removed the mud guard and then it started raining. What a Diwali!!! 

Ahshik still has the scar from the silencer. And he kinda got pissed off since I was the one who took him on that road. The funniest part is, the next day again me,Ahshik and Vedha went to his home. This time three of us in his bike, took a different route, again I suggested him to take a left, got stuck in dirt again. The time we got stuck, it started to rain. We couldn't move the bike, had to carry it to the next street. Again Ahshik had to go and bring Ganesh and the tools.

Hmmmm....  I woke up at 11am, got ready for my class at 1pm, spoke wit my family during the break, came home at  6.30, prepared chicken for dinner and slept off. This was my Diwali this year. And you know this is my elder sister's Thala Diwali but missed it.

My Geeky elder sis

P.S: Vishnu, Anitha and Dharani, I know, every year I used to come to your homes too. இங்க எழுதாததால மறந்துட்டேன் மட்டும் நேநேச்சராதீங்க.

Diwalgic

Its 2.30am. I was wondering why so many are online in FB at this hour. Oh, its already 7am in India, still its too early to see so many online. That is when I came back to reality, it is Diwali. Ya, my first Diwali in 23yrs withut family and friends.

My Friend, Deepak, just now pinged me in FB, "மச்சான் Happy Diwali" with the usual enthu he has in his voice but today it was even more on a high.

"இங்க மொக்கைய இருக்கு டா" He added to it.

I was like "டே, அங்க மொக்கயாவாவது இருக்கே!!"

Yeah. For the past few days me and my friends here were wondering, what shall we do for Diwali. But whenever the topic starts, everyone feels nostalgic and it doesn't go beyond just the topic. சரி, Diwali தான் மொக்கையா இருக்கு sorry Diwali தான் இல்ல, lemme atleast post a blog.

So, what should I write? Whenever I think of Diwali, there are few things that always flashes through my memory. Right now I just have 3 things to write about, maybe I may remember a few more once I start writing. Will try to finish it in 2 posts, at the max.

You know I am a hardcore Rajni fan. If I get bored would watch அண்ணாமலை in my PC, watched Chandramukhi (if am not wrong) around 7 times in theater. After பாட்ஷா for 2 back to back Diwali, it was usually a Rajni film for Diwali, then after few years came படையப்பா. We were in my uncle's place and I was glued to the TV. My sisters decorated the whole house with candles and lamps. Almost everyone were out of the house bursting crackers and taking photographs with me still with the TV. Finally, when they were about to drag me out, Sun news வந்து காபாத்திருச்சு. Phew.

This was quite some time back, probably 10years before. I was at my aunt's place. After a long morning cracker session and a heavy lunch, everyone were either sleeping or watching TV. So, I took out the bijili pack and was bursting one by one. Just then, "Why shouldn't I fire the cracker in my hand and throw it in the air?". So, I took one and carefully pinched the fuse(திரிய கில்லுறது...LOL...meaning removing the outer paper in the fuse thread). I slowly brought the கரி கட்ட(donno the english equivalent) with my hands shaking and the fuse caught the spark. I wanted to wait till the spark reached the paper so I can throw and it would burst in the air. Slowly the spark reached the paper and "DaMMMaaaaLLLLLLLL!!!!". It had burst successfully but still my hands. Blood started to trickle down my index finger, அப்பிடியே விரல சாப்பிட்டு silent ah போய் வீட்டுக்குள்ள உக்காந்துட்டேன். Slurp.

My mom used to get me the crackers list, I used to select whatever I want then calculate the total cost and would check whether its within the budget allocated to crackers. There was one time, I think it was in the final year of my college. Diwali usually falls in the middle of our odd semester exams (thats one very pathetic thing) and I was in my friend's Place(Chokka's), Peelamedu HUDCO. It was Diwali eve and obviously the third musketeer should also be there, that's Harrish. We just got 2 boxes of Hygrogen bombs and cracked them. It was actually 9pm and we almost irritated the usual silent environment. Baaam. And the first person in the pic is Deepak. Try to guess the other two.

Bro and Sis

There was this one time, I think this would also go probably a decade back. My uncle got a handycam from his friend for Diwali. In those days, any kind of electronic gadget was a wonder to us. Me and my younger sister, Sowmiya, almost learned every function of the handycam the previous night. So, it was like we were the cameraman and woman for the next day. And that was the first time we got a 2000 wala, I think am right. ஒரு விஷயத்த விடல, செடி, கொடி, காகா, குருவி, filmed everything. My sister was handling the cam and brother, Dhilip, was lighting the cracker now. She was really concentrating on the end of the fuse thread and the கரி கட்டை. Filming it very closely. The spark was on and she zoomed in only to the fuse cutting out everyone and everything in the background. The spark slowly started to move down. It was the classical "லக்ஷ்மி வெடி" which was standing up straight. She was moving the cam with the spark, as it entered the rolled paper, smoke started to emerge. Next "Blast", which supposed to happen, dint happen. It just smoked out. Busssssssssss.

Still I just have few more things to share, which are close to my heart. I definitely have to tell them and will, but dont wanna drag this post. Hope to tell it before the end of Diwali.

21days

After 23yrs in Coimbatore, it was finally time to leave. It was not the usual Chennai or Bengaluru, but 5139 miles away. Coventry University, where I decided to pursue my desire, that is design. So, after a lot of "Will miss you" days in Coimbatore, my mom tried to control her emotions in front me as I went into the security check. Next stop Chennai.

Met few of my friends in Chennai and boarded the flight to my first destination, Dubai. Spent a couple of days there with couple of my close friends and started the last leg of my travel, 7hrs direct flight to Birmingham. After Fast 5, Battle Los Angeles and Finding Nemo, it was Birmingham. I was waiting for my luggage to come through, waited, waited, waited and started to get nervous as I couldn't find my luggage even after almost 45mins. Finally, at last it was at the last. Dragged the 30kg baggage of mine with a back pack of 8kgs on my shoulders to the exit, excited to see my friend who was supposed to be there but wasn't, Beeeeep!!!

St Michael's Cathedral, Coventry

I was dragging my luggage up and down the lobby trying to find a payphone. After locating one, I tried to make a call using my international visa card but it passed me to some guy and finally the thing was "I cannot make the call". So had to get some coins from money exchange and finally got through to my friend, before I could ask him where I should come my line went dead. I was running out of coins but managed to note down the address the second time before my call disconnected. Got myself a cab and it was a 20mins drive from Birmingham to Coventry.

"Door number 42 please" and the last number on the street was 38. WTF!!!

After locating my new home(It was actually 4A, which was wrong too which I later found out to be just 4), I checked into the university accommodation for the International Students welcome week. There was a party going on from the day I landed in Coventry just for the students but I skipped them for the first 3days coz I dint make much friends in the first couple of days.

"I think we both came in the same flight, I saw you in the flight." that was me.

"Yeah. I recognized you." this was Ruben, one of my best buddies around here. He is from Malaysia and happened to be my neighbor in the hostel. He is a hardcore Mini Cooper fan and I am a hardcore movie buff, we spent a night watching "The Italian Job(1963)".

"Ab Hindi nahi aatha hai" this is Love, who just backed me up when Ijaz spoke in Hindi with me. Loveleen and I have met a few times before but it was during the International Students Party, we rocked the dance floor and thats how we got close.

It was my first party and I reached my room around 3am, if am not wrong. The international week was over and I had to move to my home, which I did. You guys would know that the plug point in India and UK are quite different so I bought a adapter which got fused the moment I plugged in my laptop. It was just 8pm and I was not even close to sleepy. The guy who was supposed to move in with dint wanna share a room with me and backed out, so I was all alone listening to songs in my mp3 player.

Tower Bridge, London

Loneliness coupled with some very good songs (which turned out to be bad for the mood), I desperately wanted to change my home else I would go mad. So, made a few calls to my contacts around here and finally moved into the home of my pal from Coimbatore, Praveen a.k.a Kutty. But the thing was the guys already staying there are moving out only a couple of days later, so............ "Couch", for the next few days.

Then there was this short trip to London with one of my High School buddy, Saran, who is here in Birmingham.

It was induction week and I met my classmates. In the strength of 30 there were around 10 Indians including me and one guy from Coimbatore, that was like WTH man. Whatever, there was a guy from Mexico, Spain, Greece, couple of them from France and Iran. And this girl from Iran, is kinda cute and beautiful. Phew...still I have a year's time, guess I can work it out. Just kiddin'

Finally, got settled in my room, with a bed. Have this good roomie of mine who cooks for us and I help him out in chopping vegetables and getting the things he needs, thats Hari. But the thing is he is leaving in by end of next month so probably I should start to learn things quickly. So, my mission is "படிச்சு ஒரு பெரிய designer ah வரனோ இல்லையோ ஒரு பெரிய cook ah தான் India போகணும்"

Already started to make my move into the kitchen and the recipes. MISSION IN PROGRESS

I have just started partying only after I have landed in UK, already started enjoying the ambience and the fun of it. Already been to a few parties of which the International Students Party and the Platinum club freshers' week party will definitely have lasting memories. Its friday night and time for Kasbah now, one of the freaking clubs around here especially for students. Hope I have a great time. 

And its been just 21days from my home and still a long year ahead of me.(I said this just to give you an idea about my post's title)

As its Happening

Here comes the 2nd Installation....If u are new here then u should read "As it Happened" 1st before starting this.....

Contd.....

As the journey was getting into everyone like getting settled in a new home, our Family Man opened a book and started studying. All I could make out from the text was some lengthy square roots and q,z,r,y,a and blah blah blah. Somehow I managed to see the cover of the book, ”Structural Analysis”. OMG. Either he must be going for an examination or an interview or updating his knowledge. Whatever it was, with hairs graying around, it was something to be appreciated or I felt so. Mr.Curious, hope you know why I kept him that name. Just looking around what everybody was doing and was now and then peeping into structural analysis.

Son took off to the other luggage space for a nap while father was already into sleep mode. So Mr.Curious shifted to Son’s place, took some spiral bound book of his and started studying. Pal tried to sleep but couldn’t. College guy had a nap and woke up. As we crossed Thiruppur and approaching Erode rain started to get heavy and I had to close my window. I was wondering what to do. Appo thaan. Why not a blog? But how to write. I searched through my mobile to find anything to type apart from message like notes or something. Found an app for memo. So am using it and typing now. Maybe will use a word editor later.

I forgot to mention about the Passerby. He got in at Thiruppur. He placed himself between the College Guy and Mr.Curious. He heard a few songs in the loud speaker maybe he forgot his headphones or does he have one or maybe lost in the course of the day. Karuna and Big mouth had few small talks. Family man closed his book as we reached Erode.

I needed water now but was really hesitant to get out. Meanwhile Passerby and Big Mouth got some packed biriyani for dinner. Finally I got down to get myself a water bottle. I was hesitant because of two things, one, my seat and two, my bag placed on my seat. So I was out and in, in a flash.

How do you guys feel about having snacks or a meal or anything on the train? I mean like only you’ll be having and the rest will be watching. I don’t buy anything in train because this reason unless I have some few other guys with me. I guess Passerby must be that kinda guy, he had his dinner standing at the doorway. Finished it off and then came back to his seat. Whereas our Big mouth, as usual, finished it off at his place and washed his hands through the window. Done.

The train was unexpectedly fast, we reached Salem in 2 and a half hours. As the train approached the platform, Passerby, College Guy and Mr.Curious got ready to get down. As they got down, a Bunch of four guys got in with their bags and stuff. They seem to look like construction workers, had some tools in a bag and a bosch case. They squeezed themselves into that space of two. All were slim and sleek so they dint have a problem.

It was almost close to 11pm now. I was having my headphones on so all I could make out was their lip movements. Only after a few minutes I realized that all seem to watch me now and then. With the kinda of atmosphere in the train, just imagine a guy with head phones on, typing in a mobile with querty keypad for almost 2hours, who would not watch.

Since it was a special train we had a few stops in the middle of nowhere, to give way to superfast trains, with each stop lasting for almost 20 to 30mins. During this time I almost came close to the current time in my blog. Hope you can get what I say. Now we are in Samalpatti, a place somewhere between Salem and Jolarpet.

Son has woke up from his deep sleep and is looking at his seat which is occupied by the Bunch but he manages to find a seat in the next cubicle. Everyone got settled into some position. One of the guys from the Bunch is going up to the luggage space left by the Son. Another guy is just spreading the sheet near me on the pathway and he is down too. Few silent moments pass by. Am just looking here and there. Pal finding it hard to sleep I guess, is just moving often. Big Mouth already in his dreams. I think he heard me, just woke up to lower his window and back to sleep. Family Man also sleeping peacefully. Father woke up once in Salem and Erode, that’s it. With his plumpy head with double chin down, sleeping wonderfully and finally our Sleepy Head, except for a few movements now and then, he is settled in his position. That leaves only me, still observing everyone.

I have never travelled in general compartment during night, so was not feeling sleepy. Had few naps. A lot of things go on in my mind when I look at them. They don’t have the slightest bit of clue about what I am upto. Just wake up guys, am writing about you.

“What is it you are typing?” “What phone it is?” “What is it in your hand, is it a phone?” that’s true. Literally. Hope you can make out the difference between these questions and I wonder how many of these know that am gonna publish about them for the world to read. So, this blog, why did I write? I myself donno. I just wanted to note down the whole experience of travelling in a general compartment in night. இதுக்கு மேல நான் மொக்க போட விரும்பல.

The only guys awake are me and another guy from the Bunch. Its 1am. Hope the train reaches Chennai by 4am, that’s what they said to me. Donno what to infer from this blog. Ungalukku entha maathiri intha blog irukkunu feel pannareengalo appadiyae vechukonga. Lemme try to grab some sleep because I just have a day in Chennai, I don’t wanna sleep it off. With Kadhal Anukkal in my ears now, in this drizzling cold night.

As it Happened..

Yesterday

Me and Ganapathy were in the station, more than an hour before the expected departure of the train. We were waiting for my friend Bala. “wru da” and the reply came “on de way மச்சி..ll call 1ce am der” It wasn’t a big deal because still an hr or so for the train but still I said “k..cme soon”.

It was a late monsoon this season, weather lords started their party as they did for the past couple of weeks. The down pour started and I started to worry whether he can make it on time.  Finally, after almost an hour my phone rang. As expected, it was him.

“Dae..எந்த platform?”

Our very own CBE Junction P2

“Platform 2 da.. Straight ah nadanthu va.. Naanga kadaisila irukkom..”. As he walked along the edge of the platform our train arrived. With the crowd running to grab a seat in the general compartment, we pushed ourselves into it and finally met him. Bala, my colleague, is a short and fair guy and as usual his springy hair in disarray. We settled at a corner of a platform.

“Dey.. where’s your bag?” started Bala.

Good that he started it. “Bala....dont panic...am not going with you today.”

“What are you saying dude!!!!????? Why?”

“Have some stuff here which I need to take care of. I tried to give a hint at work today but you couldn’t make it out from it.”

“Hmmmm....” It was a big sigh from him. “Serious ah வரலைய?”

“Am serious dude.”

I was relaxed in a way because I thought he would panic and say “Then am too not going.” But he dint, good, at least he is going.

“And don’t worry. I’ll call them and convince about my absence. Ok?”

“Whatever.. நீயே சமாளிச்சுக்கோ..”

The train started finally and he left without me. Ganapathy was just a spectator for this talk show. Then we reached home around 11, dripping wet due to the non-stop rain.

Today Afternoon

After finishing off the works which made me to stay back yesterday, was kinda relaxing in my home. Vikas’ words were lingering in my mind, “ஏன் டா வரல!!?? You could have come.”

“Lost in your thoughts again??” Ganapathy put is as a question as he entered.

“நான் இன்னைக்கு கெளம்பட்டுமா?”

“எங்க கெளம்பட்டுமா?”

“Chennai da”

this big shoe is Me

“Your wish. Did you ask your mom?”

“பேசிக்கலாம்...”

I know, its just a day. Vikas said he had booked tickets for HP7 morning show. So, probably half a day would go by in the movie. Then maybe lunch with my few other friends and head back to Coimbatore.  Looks fine but the only thing is, I cant spend much time with anyone. Even Vikas knows it. Whatever “Am going”, the decision was made. Got the tickets, packed my stuff, informed my mom and called Ahmed too.

So it was Ahmed and Ganapathy who came to send me off. We had dinner on the way and reached station around 7.45pm, a couple of hours before, because we needed to get a seat for me in the general compartment. Once we were in, it’s the usual frustration “tan ton toin....பயணிகளின் கணிவான கவனர்திற்கு..” It was an announcement about a special train to Chennai which was about to arrive in another few minutes. Station was not crowded as it usually would be. We could see the train approaching in the vicinity. Ahmed managed to run along with the train and got me a seat as it was being brought to a halt, the single seat by the window. Three of us were laughing about how we ran and got the train while the rest of the seats got filled. The train started within 5mins, so I bid adieu to them and started to stare into the darkness outside. Made a few calls to my pals at Chennai and my mom. Few refused to believe that I was en route Chennai. So, I had to call them late when the train’s “thadak thadak” was prominent.

Once I was done with my calls, the person sitting opposite to me asked “நீங்க Chennai ah போறீங்க?” “Ya..”

And that’s when I started to look at my compartment rather my cubicle kinda thing. Hope you know that, how it is in the Indian trains, that 8 seats. Since it was a general compartment there were around 10 including me. The one sitting opposite to me must be in his late 50’s, I’ll call him father, you’ll know why later. So we both were on the single seats facing each other. Next to him on the three seater was a guy, looks suggest he must be a college guy and next him was the son, ya you are right, father’s son, in his early 30’s probably. Next by the window was an old man, wearing a yellow shawl like Karuna. He had a pal, another old man, he was sitting next to me on the three seater. So as I mentioned them, lets call them Karuna and Pal. Next to Pal were Mr.Curious, Family Man and the Big Mouth. That makes only 9 right. Ya and we have the Sleepyhead on the luggage space, he went to sleep few minutes after the train left Coimbatore junction, still no reaction from him, sleeping peacefully.

Wherever we go, either a train or temple or wedding or even a flight for that matter, there will be a conversation starter. Its not a topic here, I mean a person. That is Big Mouth. He started to talk abt something to Karuna, who were sitting opposite to each other near the window. Even though Karuna was hesitant to engage in a conversation at the very moment but then started to unwind... 

It was a little bigger than I thought so am posting it in two parts... Watch our for the next one soon...

இந்த அநியாயத்த கேக்க யாருமே இல்லையா...!!!

*In case of any blood loss from your ears Company பொறுப்பு ஆகாது..
*Read at your own risk..
*NO BAD WORDS in comments section, if found so உங்கள் fb wall ல் மொக்கைகள் post செய்யப்படும்..


எலி : Why is it called a ‘building’ when it is already built?
Bils : while they r building it they call it as building....so address,documents எல்லாத்துலயும் அப்பிடியே இருக்கும்...திடீர்னு built நு மாத்துன.....letter வராது,v cant trace the address...documents ல எல்லாத்தையும் மாத்தனும்...so building நே வெச்சுட்டாங்க....

எலி : Why do birds not fall out of trees when they sleep?
Bils : அது nest ல தான தூங்குது...எப்பிடி கீழே விழும்....nest ல தான விழும்....
எலி : நின்னுட்டே தூன்குணா? (என்னை மடக்க try பண்ணரான்கலாம்....நான் தான் bend ஆக மாட்டேனே)
Bils : விழாது,....tats y its a bird v r humans...

எலி : If a person suffered from amnesia and then was cured would they remember that they forgot?
Bils : pass...நான் BE...MBBS இல்லை...next... (phew....எவளவு கஷ்டம்)

எலி : If you’re traveling at the speed of light and you turn your headlights on, what happens?
Bils : light speed ல போறதால.....light கூடயே நாமளும் போவோம்....suppose opp la wall இருக்குனா light wall அடிக்குரப்போ நம்மளும் போய் மோதிருவோம்...so sad... :(

எலி : Why do most cars have speedometers that go up to at least 130 when you legally can’t go that fast on any road?
Bils : ஒரு effect thaan...நான் jail கு போறேன் jail கு போறேன் jail கு போறேங்கறமாதிரி...என் car உம் 150 160 எல்லாம் போகும்னு effect அ போட்டுக்க வேண்டியது தான்...நாய் எதுக்கு car தொறத்துது..எப்படியும் அது நால ஒன்னும் பண்ண முடியாது...அது மாதிரி தான்....
எலி : happa billu நீங்க எங்கயோ இருக்கவேண்டியவங்க... தப்பி இங்க வந்துட்டீங்க

Bils : எனக்கு இந்த புகழ்ச்சியே புடிக்காது....
எலி : வேற என்ன புடிக்கும்
Bils : hmmmm.....ice water குடிச்சா...அதுவும் climate dull அ இருந்தா.....cold புடிக்கும்....
எலி : oh....அப்போ ice cold juice குடிச்சா....
Bils அப்போ குடிக்கரப்போ சொல்றேன்......இப்போ குடிச்சா ஒன்னும் ஆகாது...

எலி : விட்டரலாம் billu....முடியல...

Bils : நான் உன்ன புடிக்கவே இல்லையே....எப்படி விடறது...

எலி கெஞ்சி கதறி கேட்டுகொண்டதால் இத்துடன் முடித்துக்கொண்டேன்...

Me and ma friend were having a friendly chat....திடீர்னு நான் ஒரு மொக்க போட்டேன்....
அப்பிடி அவளும் என் மூக்கை வெட்ட நினைக்க நானும் விடாமல் மொக்கை போட....
அது தான் இது....

VIBGYOR

Dedicated to all kNights....

RED

“Alll Izzz Wellll” this is how I was till I closed ma eyes on Sunday nite.....It was ly on Monday morng I realized tat I was shivering inside..... It was gonna be ma first day at project.....Was wondering.... is it gonna be...this,that... Lots.... is jus a 5 to 10mins ride from ma home.....Once I saw the campus and those things.... I was panicking inside.... few of ma academy friends waiting there....ooof....a big sigh of relief....hmmmm....Met my PL and he found me a temporary seat.....and got settled down….Had a 5min intro abt ma proj.....tats it.....they all started working and I also started to check mails....chat wit frenz....msg....check mail....chat wit frenz…msg....tis went on for a day....and another day..and another day....In between had KT for couple of hrs.....Tats it.....Really guys....சும்மா உக்காறது எவளவு கஷ்டம்ணு இப்போ தான் தெரியுது......

ORANGE

All these things happened.....but..... it was very hard to get back from nostalgia....The most happening days of ma life....Mayb not the only days but ya.....after 5yrs of not so very gud times..... It was like coming back to basics.....மொக்க போட்டு.....கலாய்சுட்டு....it was gud....really gud....

The only good thing CTS sorry Cognizant has done is placing us all in one batch..... Other than that they are jus Stupid corporates......

So how did it really start…?? I know all must be wondering.... “How we all came together in the same batch?” Even I wonder many times.... I don’t even know Vivek in college days and Arun kooda like just my classmate.... Unique batch I guess... From the “Hot Seat” to “Secret Friend”.....”Innovation” to “Module Tests”..... It was absolute fun.... Usually in a batch either a group will be studying....another ll be having fun.....another wont get involved in anything....But நம்ம batch la.... All were teasing everyone and all were having fun..... And all were studying[1]... I think Hot Seat had the major impact on our batch.... All came to know about others... Some secrets were revealed.... Many fictional “Waves” started..... and of course the ‘CriCAT’ that never happened..... The project was still in the planning phase.... Dint move to the development phase at all....சரி விடுங்க....

YELLOW

“What to do now......what to do now.....” Thats when someone gave the spark “Secret Friend”…..Adadadadaaadaaa…..Lots of innovation happened here.... From the மாரியம்மா Dance, Rajkumar Disguising as a girl, PJ’s karate, me mimicking all the girls, Sowmiya pledging to everybody, Aruna eating chilly, Preethi blind folded, Swetha and Vivek bearing mustache, Rajeshwari Singing..... These were some highlights guys….If u wanna mention some more, plz do so in the comments..... ஆனா எவளவு கொலை வெறி ஓட dare கொடுத்தீங்க.....hmmmm..... Some even formed teams against a particular person for giving the dare... oof.... என்ன ஒரு வில்லத்தனம்.....

Then came that Stupid thing.....”Innovation”....We had fun ya.....true....agreed.....We can write a book on “How to pass in corporate module tests without studyin??”.... Would be the best seller....Hmmmm.... We tried to find fault in the system itself.... In the history of Cognizant Academy....70% Fail aayi…record create panninnom.... Videos, pathetic the first day.... Innovative video, a guy unfolded a cycle, started riding, rides, rides and rides...Oh Gosh... Atleast we managed it in the second day....ooof.....Hope you would remember me dancing for a spot event and won the prize...Won prizes here and there....Thanks to Dinek, Preethi and Uma and Vivek too... "Inn-Décor" தான் ultimate...Training was sort of in our hands,if we wish training starts and stops... Ashish almost cried.... “Plzzzzzzzzzzz Yaaaaar........” Sticking, painting, cutting, tearing, shouting, roaming...... Messed up the whole academy..... The thinner smell was in the air for almost a week I guess....or even more than that..... We had put a lot of time,money and effort on may events dint Win at all.... Its K.....but the one thing...... which won us million Hearts.....

GREEN

"சொல்லியும் சொல்லாமலும்"

......THE UNTOLD........

CAST

Starring

Dinek & Swetha

Friend1

RajPrasath

Friend2

Aravind

Music

Me(Billu)

Dialogues

Aparna,Rajkumar,Me,Vivek and even few more

Back Voices

Rajkumar,Aparna & Vivek

Story

Screenplay

Direction

Vivek

I heard they r gonna nominate 'The Untold' for the Oscars...All the Best Team....

Hmmmm....So now...the another important factor that made our batch like the way we are now....Outings....Even though few missed both the outings.....Ya....Maharaja and Athirapally....the latter being the ultimate fun…..We of course had dinner and lunch now and then in groups... I don’t wanna elaborate on the outings much.... Coz nothing is there to explain much.... The rain, trip, dance....wat not... The total trip on the whole was cool.... When speaking abt dance....the instance which comes up in most of em’s mind is ‘Swetha’s Solo Performance’ at SEZ....cha...

Whenever Rashmi and Vinothini(Goutham ஓட ஆள் இல்ல....நம்ம batch owner) said about MFRP....MFRP....I know, everyone had that big fear inside.... But I hope u all ll agree that we had those memorable days in the last 2weeks during our MFRP.....Even I was complaining working on weekends... But it bcame utmost fun.... Hearin songs...goin out for lunch.....Especially the first Friday....Uma’s bro’s wedding....Gr8 day v had....Really guys….its those weekends I feel we enjoyed a lot.....I used to b sitting idle while Brindha was coding....

BLUE

The time has come to talk abt our GODFATHER.... The one and ly Ashish Vaish....Everything is dedicated to him.....For what we are and what we are Not....The coolest trainer ever..... If it was someone else either he would ve ran away or we would ve been chucked out.....

Me: “Ashish...I ve a doubt...”

He starts from his place, comes near our place and says “Tell me Brindha....Whats your doubt...?”

Brindha's Reaction: Totally confused....

Hello.....whats goin on here...the doubt was mine,the one who called is me…But he says “Temme Brindha…” Most of em know abt this....Till the last day he did the same....hmmm

One Man Army….One who took the bullets in his heart for us..... பேச்சு பீரங்கி, Program புயல், வருங்கால அமெரிக்க ஜனாதிபதி…. பேர சொன்னாலே சும்மா CTS எ அதிரும் இல்ல.... The most important thing…the sole reason for the “Waves” factor.....அவரே தான்....that’s the guy.... Prabhu.....Our mentor....ma lead....Sorry Prabhu...couldn’t ctrl maself.... On behalf of Dark kNights…I say a Big THANK YOU for all the help and efforts you ve put for ourbatch... "But...." I hope you understand what’s this ‘but’ for.....புரிஞ்சா சரி.... “கழுத நல்ல இருந்த சரி....” A good friend, mentor, well wisher and one who taught atleast few things abt corporate….

The GODFATHER and the WELL WISHER.....the greatest strengths of DkN....Thank You both of em....

INDIGO

The last week at Academy.....ya....it was kinda a mixed week....Meeting deadlines, Empowered, MFRP....and also.....My Place, Exhibition(most of em missed it), Last day at Academy, Graduation.....We were all enjoyin at the same time feeling sad for leaving the academy.....hmmmmm.... The only thing which Rashmi promised and happened....”Your Academy days are gonna be Colourful....” Very True....Now the BU is like B&W....it sucks....Really Am missin Academy days the way am missing ma school days...

VIOLET

Ma mom,frenz....everyone close to me found that change in me..... Even a small gap has also been developed between ma friends spending more time at work and u guys..... Am sorting things and managing now....by atleast sending em msgs and chattin online....They ve understood me.....

Actually I started this as a small blog.... Now it has gone to almost 3pages.... Hope DkN wont mind reading it.... It has almost bcum like a small story....

P.S:

[1] Conditions Apply

[2] Sorry.....Abhinav, PJ and Prathyu....Do ask someone else to translate the texts in Tamil....