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Sakeeb

Had been to Chennai over the weekend. Over all the trip and stay there was very nice. Traveling in Shatabdi express was as comfortable as traveling in a flight. As soon as we board into the train the crew will start serving the welcome drinks, mineral water, snack dineer etc.. one after another. The coach was well maintained and it took less that 5 hours to reach Chennai. The train started some 20 min later than the scheduled departure time and reached 10 min earlier that the scheduled arrival time.

Hiran came to pick me up and it had drizzled there to welcome me. The cloudy whether and cool winds spared the notorious Chennai heat for me. Visited the chennai hangout places like City Centre (aka Lifestyle mall), Satyam theatre and Spenzer Plaza. Somehow I felt the Chennai crowd has more liveliness than the Bangalore crowd. I didn't feel every unknow pesrson as an alien. Also, from Hiran I learned that every theatre should be charging only Rs.10 for first row seats - Thats the govt ruling it seems. Also, the tickets rates are not exoberent like in Bangalore. The full cushion seated theatre in Satyam Charges maximum 110

Then something really misearable happened yesterday. I had lunch at Mary Brown (Chicken Burger) inside the pensor Plaza and since evening I started having loose motion. Today morning I started vomitting also. In the return training, I was almost doing shuttle service between my seat and toilet. But till then I was not sure what caused all this catastrophe.

Back in the home I told about this to Nidhin and his first question was did eat at Mary Brows. Heck. He had the same experience when he went to Chennai for the first time it seems. Hell with Mary Brown. Where can I complain about their food.

So you are in the Forum waiting for you friend to turn up...

To escape the embarrassment and the guilty feeling of being single in such a big crowd, where not a single other single is not found, you decided to spend some time in the Landmark till your friend arrives.

Inside the Landmark, you spot an area relatively less crowded and that happens to be the travelogue books sections and you settle down there. You Pick one book, flip through the pages and keep it back. You Take another one repeats the same and then you notice that someone has just appeared beside you and picked the same book you were leaving through earlier. Not caring much, you move to another book only to realize that the other guy again has picked up the book you just put back. This process repeats again and you feel something fishy and decide to move on to some other area. But before you could do so, your book hunter guy starts a conversation. "So... you are kind of a guy who loves travel books..."

Oh man... Isn't this the exact scene from the Malayalam sitcom Akkara Kazhchakal which made me laugh out louder and louder a few weeks back. Having realized I am going being a victim of "direct selling" marketing, I cleverly evaded from there like Biju.

Note to self: Don't loiter around alone in the book stalls.

Just found out that the btis.in has added a lot of features recently. Ever wondered if there is any (pending) penalties / fines to be paid? .. visit http://www.btis.in/fines

Dissemination of a new kind of flu evoke anxiety in City administration.

How it spreads

The virus spreads the same way a typical seasonal flue does, via news paper boys, tv reporters, bloggers and coffe table discussions. An infected person can pass it on before they even develop symptoms. The incubation period for most flu viruses is 3 to 5 days, and the period for this flu is disputed, and has been reported as anywhere from 1-5 days. Scientists say it was originated in middle east and before its advent in India; people in Iraq, Israel, Britain and partially China were reported to have affected by the virus. There is no evidence yet that any of the preventive vaccine will protect against this flu. But, you cannot get this flu from voting machines.

What you can do

If you believe have flu symptoms, stay home. Don't attend any public meetings or political campaigns. Refrain from reading newspapers, watching news channels and visiting blogs.

Your doctor may not be able to determine whether you have the flu buy he may write you a prescription. Hospitalization is not really required, as patients have recovered without medication.

Preventive measures

When going outside, try not to wear any foot wears and keep away from other people wearing sandals and shoes. Don't pay any attention to political news as it may infuriate you which can weaken you immunity towards this virus.

The experts appointed by Indian Medical Association are examining its psychological relation with IPL being taken away from the country. There has been unconfirmed reports that the wretchedness of loosing the opportunity to see the direct throw run outs and bowling/chucking action in IPL is causing the widespread of this disease.

Despite the deteriorating situation, a prominent astrologer who claimed to has accurately predicted the prime minister candidate of INC for last 40+ years has a verdict that this disease will disappear after the general election. But he refused to comment on the Swine Flue outbreak in other end of the world.

References

1. http://blog.taragana.com/n/now-slipper-thrown-at-karnataka-chief-minister-42205/
   
2. http://uk.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUKTRE51448S20090205
   
3. http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=14385
   
4. http://www.myantiwar.org/view/177460.html
   
5. http://blogs.zdnet.com/gadgetreviews/?p=3699

What is the role of eye in a face to face conversation? This particular question is jiggling in my mind for sometime now. It started when I saw her asking a villager some favor. While talking to a stranger I definitely would have removed my eyeglasses. I felt it weird for a moment that she didn't bother to do so. It looked peremptory to ask an unknown person a favor without removing the goggles. However, if she was wearing a normal specs, I wouldn't have felt so. Does eye-to-eye contact gives some warmth and friendliness in a conversation?

Then again, I usually remove my cap (If Im wearing one) when I talk to some socially respected figures like a school teacher. Does it mean that its my beautiful hairstyle that shows my respect to him? ;-). Though cap gives a cool dude look sometimes, it can represent one's uppity attitude as well.

I am wondering if both of these (removing goggles and caps) are considered an action of expressing one's respect to others or only I feel so. What is your take on that?

Yes, I am turning 16. Oops was that a year ago? Can't remember - feels like yesterday :-P

Is birthday really a special day? "Its not his achievement that he is born to this world on this particular day. Then for what the heck he is giving a party for it?" - My college friend Shiyas asked once, when I came back from a birthday party given by a classmate. Yes, birthday is just another day, until someone heartily wishes you.  However you try to act it as just another day, the moment someone comes to you,  hold your hands, exchange a full blown smile and says those magic words "Happy Birthday", you become elated and feel treated special. Thats how the birthdays become a special day. Then onward you start riding on the joy disseminated from those magic words.

Like every year, I tried to be not very conscious about the birthday. But Aarushi kept on reminding about it past few days. I decided to take leave on today as I had some other secret plans ;). But I couldn't ignore the "genuine" request from Swathi today morning Swathi to stop by office. She and Neethi had bought a cake for me.

I left office by 10 - Remember - I had a secret plan. Took a round trip bike ride through Jeevan Bhima Nagar (Sagar Travels) - CMH Road (ICICI Bank) - MG Road (HSBC Bank) - Chikpet (Photo Circle) - CMH Road (ICICI bank again :( ) - back to Mahadevapura (office) and then to Banasawadi (house). Then proceeded with my plan and of self-gifting; bought a Canon EF-S 55-250 IS Lens.

Now looking forward to enjoyable long weekend. Mokshi, KK, Anoop,  Sanoj, Giri and yours truly are heading to Munnar and Thekkady. Hopefully we won't be blessed with as many lucky or unlucky misses like the previous Ugadi weekend trip.