Trip to Kodaikanal with College friends

It was work as usual in office, but on the receeding front. Jaga called me up and continued on the B'lore plans that we were talking, the previous weekend. All of a sudden he opened up a hill-station plan which was indeed to Kodaikanal as the title suggests. We obviously had very little planning and very very little time to go with it but nevertheless we were free on the decided time. Fast forwarding the action to friday evening, I started from office around 7-30 for a 9-15 bus from office. Given that I have to take some money from ATM to even catch the bus, I was catching up fast with time and rain. It wasn't pouring though, but the rain made a nasty mess of the up and down Chennai road. Having reached CMBT pvt bus depot after a timely help from my colleage, I was well ahead of time at around 8-45 in the depot.

The combination of rain, mud, turned into more catastrophe when I got to know that the tickets were lost and Karthik was under the assumption that the bus was scheduled at 10-30. It was 9-05 when we got that information, he drive like a maniac to drive back and find that the 9-15 bus has not even arrived till 9-20 his check in time!

We started from the point writing an apology letter to the Bus unit for the tickets and left Chennai which was strung by a kaatrazhutha thaazhvu mandalam.Good morning! Madurai was the radio that I woke upto. Bus travel wasn't that bad after all. I almost got to sleep for 6 hours and sleep sound for 4 hours which happened - never before for me. We caught up a Maxi cab and drove amidst a mixed crowd towards Kodaikanal. It was discomforting to hear that the North crowd wasn't sport enough to hear tamil music along the way.

Twists and turns, ups and downs and hey we were there!. We found luxury, comfort and home in a 2-bed room appartments barely 5 mins from the lake view. The afternoon was spent in the most appropriate way - sleeping!. In the evening we went to a nearby theatre which was screening Shivaji movie. It was quite entertaining to watch the movie again, sans logic et al - (coz I knew what was coming). We walked out of the movie theatre to darkness. It was totally dark and we had 2 kms to walk back to the cottage. We walked through a Eucalyptus oil manufacturing neighbourhood and the entrancing smell stung on us for the rest of the walk. We had a few interesting topics to churn out though. The 2 kms math was soon forgotten as we hurried down to the cottage with little discomfort. Thus ended Day-1 in getting ourselved accustomed to Kodai.

Day - 2 can officially be called as Trek-day, the first place we headed is for that cascade falls which ideally is not a falls, but quite an incredible place indeed. It would have been a great sight to see it cascading over and over through the steps that it has created (That would have been a reality a 30 years ago). There was a cave which could play host to 2 big lions - rightfully named as Lion caves along the same route. It is not very much a trekking kinda for sure had some fascinating frames waiting there to be captures in frames *click*click*. Next top was over the hill top to the dolphin nosed rocks. Thus began mission Dolphin - affirmative.

"Calling all troopers, calling all troopers - we are left with the task of descending down the slopes to capture the dolphin and its nose is JPG format. Do you understand. -Affirmative(replies). Lets proceed"

It was almost a kilometer walk along wretched hilly roads which was slippery to say the least. As we took a good ten steps below, a person came up towards us finishing his trek beneath. Just looking at him blew us all out. He was of good built and shape, sweating all over struggling to put one foot followed by another. We gathered ourselves and started to walk, going down was not a problem atleast for me. Finally destination reached, we reached to the dolphin nose point which was like the pridelands rock from lion king ,extrapolating itself from the cliff towards the valley. Kodai was brimming with couples all over. almost all couple dared enough to come to the edge of the cliff and pose as if standing on the edge of the titanic. NOW! we had to take up the behemoth task of climbing all the way up. We had several pitstops here and there, and fiinnaaallyy we were able to drag ourselves out of the dolphin's lair.

Time out!Time out!, that is it, we rolled out from there to our bedroom. By the time we hit the rooms it was 4.00, by 5-15 we ventured out to take a bicycle ride around the lake, we were intimidated by the fact that it took around 45 mins to finish one lap around that kodai lake.Damn..!. We spread over the dew drops settled on the lush green lawn set besides the lake. Looking across a dark blue sky decorated by rocketing trees spreading all over the place. The hotels and cottages that stood before this divine scene were like Jewels glittering. A moment of bliss celebrated by ripples carrying the colors sprinked by the buildings on the other side of the park and with spicy roasted corn in this side of the park. We gathered around the bus stand to recieve Yogesh. After several stumbles he arrived on the pattaapatti bus stand. while we were expecting Yogesh, unexpectedly rain made its way in, we hurriedly packed the barottas we ordered - took a cab and rode all the way back to the cottage.

All thadiyans under one roof, there was no hero no zero. Everybody was pulling others legs whenever an opportunity was presented. We fell flat early to wake up early to the long trip to mannavannur. We were treated to some unbelievable and least expected sights on the way from Kodai to Mannavannur. The Silent valley, the other Pine forest, and some totally unchristened places, which were waiting for us to name them. The best part was that there was a car coming by in a period of 10 mins. No traffic absolutely, now can you think about that anywhere in any highway. Though this wasn't exactly a highway, it qualifes as it touches two states across over the hills. The best part was coming, we got down in this mannavannur village, took a 2.5 odd kms trek from the village's outskirts to all the way along the lake, across the dam, over some trickling water and what not.

From there on along the way back, we stopped at an exclusive restaurant which was serving on demand. We place our order, bought our chicken en route to this trek of ours and on the way back we were treated with some grand lunch arrangements. Appalams, Chicken curry, basmati rice, curd , porial and rasam .ohhh. I love home made stuff. .

That pretty much concludes it in perspective to the grand trek kodai tour, but the fun, faults continued - Yogesh who was fighting a strict timeline plan, came back to the bus stand and to his very delight all was in right place for him to meet his schedule, a bus exactly took off for him to goto thirupur. We gathered ourselves on his depart and went to buy some fruits, in just two minutes we came to know that Yogesh left his purse with us and that he got down 3kms downs the hill. He had to make a travel arrangement to reach thirupur that cost his around 900+600 rupees. We had no clue what the reasons were!.

Finally we hit back the cottage wished everybody adieu and hit back home. whoaa man!

Hectic weekend

Thaaru maaru
==========

It was quite a hectic week at iSOFT, challenging in many ways. We had a critical build that has to be sorted out before being released to Leidon Beta environment.Being an upgrade it had its more than usual share of complexities. Wednesday,Valentines day - 14th had more than what I could accomplish in a single day. Having completed the entire song choreographed by monday, I was driving a bit earlier to office on build day. Just as I was about to take a turn towards Mount road I skidded off from the sandy road strip. All I knew was that I was looking the road in front of me while turning, rather than the curve, even if I did - it would have been the same outcome.

The sandy cover over the oil spill was taking its class on fluid dynamics upon me. I toppled but I felt I was in control when I wasn't when the wheels gave away their pivot to the front footrest of my pulser.and I had to give my elbow to get to the balancing act, in just 2-3 seconds- I was left with a grilled forehand - which was looking like a peeled off fish with masala on it.I knew the damage is done and was ready to get over it, people got stumbled and were throwing their looks all over me. Thanks to a humane PC, I got some medical attention not to forget a cyclewaala who was more than just helpful. I got some first aid with some bandages I rushed back to my home.

The pain was not burning as I thought it would be, but neverthless the pain was there. Having got some proper treatment and some medication I decided to remain back at home for some rest. A phone and then Duty calls, I took an auto and came to office and took on the build chores. I missed out practice and raised some alarms to the group. Shavin was petrified about it, and found an able ally in Priyanka dhadha to perform. Having worked overtime, I rode back and reached home around 2 on the same day of the accident.

A new day and a new set of challenges, I thought I could manage with my scraped hand and gave an OK signal to the guys in STORM. The day was sapping though, it opened up more and more issues and gruelling error screens. I absconded around 10 PM and walked into the practice floor at Shafika, having finished the choreo I was quite confident about things. We sorted out the things in respect to transitions and positions and appeared a better outfit. I walked back to my floor around 12 and was amazed to see that the entire crew was still there, trying to sort out possibilities. I decided to flee though, I waved off and took off.

Friday, saw a nice jelly fill amidst the tight sausage of sandwiches in Thursday and Saturday. Work was pretty much simple and talkative with chat masala flavor. I was working along, and it was 4 when I was called in by kiruba to get the staff- stickered. We roamed all around General Patterns road and finally got them stickered. From there we hit the office and swam across the traffic swamp and reached Nehru Indoor stadium. It was like walking into the Bull ring, the Bay area had this striking look at us.

Soon we got the feel of it and got a know-how about things to be put up. Then started a marathon day that was about to follow. We had a brief stint of practice in the stage set up, and found things comfortable and organized. Priyanka was now feeling the rush and was keen in getting a few things straight right before the performance, so what do we do? We do the practice routines over and over again till it is 1. Waking up the next day around 10 wasn't a problem, being the big day that it is. I got ready and headed to Kiruba's room, from that point - things went all awry, but fell back like a jig-saw puzzle. The punctured tyres, the forgotten helmet, the lunch that was missed and the ride spanning 50 Kms all over. I got back and had some curd rice and before I knew it was around 5 and by 5-15 I set off.

It was a unique experience to be in the backstages of such an event, its been more than 10 years in the waiting since I performed on stage. I played sombre cameos on the other fronts in the years in between and this knight of all trades was chanting "Bring it on". It was very much a family in the backstage, people supported and comforted others really well. We all went along with our performances with the same thirst and energy. Before you know, the entire song was done and the performance of the day was over. With lots of cheers and smiles we all ushered to the change rooms. Wah! What a ride it has been. I had this flow of adrenaline coming to a stop only when I started socializing amongst others in the lawn.

A special evening in many ways or rather in a rediscovered way.

GRT Day out + iSOFT

Day out in GRT Chennai weather, hot hotter and hottest for ten months and warm et chill for 2 months. It was just one of those days in the two months that we planned out for a beach resort. I walked in at 8'05'' which was probably the earliest I've been to office. I was not the early bird and was happy to see a few souls in colors. I went about moving from floor to floor curiously in pursuit of meetings other warmed up colleagues- who were equally earnest about the day-out.

Having got a digicam I got flashy, and by 9 all of the people were ready for the long ride through ECR to mahabalipuram's GRT. I hafta say that I was home when I got into Bus no.3. The party started soon. Having been aroused by sentimental song, we decided to become hyperactive // ear drum bashing // vocalists. Singing anything and everything that struck our mind, from the alphabets to nila paattu, from Gaana to Hip hop - God save the rest of us.

Finally we arrived at GRT and with the familiar sun, there was some unfamiliar greenery as well. Fountains, Decors and an ambience that recieved a 8/10 rating. We walked into the grand hall with an event host who did quite good in setting up some interesting games. Having got bored by the usual house game, which kept everybody to their seat, we decided to take it off to the sun and the sand. We were greeted by an impressive set of cottages with elegant chairs and swings. It also helped us in taking a few snaps across some beautiful backgrounds as well.


Volleyball was the exotic choice and cricket was the local favorite. I remained a local and swung myself into some tennis ball cricket. By the time we got hungry, tired and done - a few games got over at the other end in the party hall as well. I just got in @ time when the DJ started to scratch his disk. Notwithstanding the boom / dhoom of the music we went crazy dancing kuthu and some kool moves as well. After some 30 minutes I got behind my camera lens against the option of being under the laser lights.


Soon it was time for lunch, it was a well served - neatly presented lunch. People enjoyed their lunch after a dosage of beer fest, after lunch a few chose to go back to the dance room and for the rest of us the beach was calling. "Now" was the time for Volleyball, it was the flavor of the afternoon session - almost everybody thronged into the Volleyball quad. We had a gravity defying catch session, a long walk through the sands. By 4 I thought of giving it a wrap and took it into the showers. Almost everybody had a great time with things like a business man kinda sport with a hammer sort of driving gear or be the launch ride into the bay of bengal over the submerged Mahabalipuram temples.


That was not the end of it all, the day entered into a grand climax with a crazy remix session by mixing one song with another, one of a kind experience which is very hard to be simulated and reproduced- one would say.But it would n't be me, what else do you expect from a bunch of let loose maniacs. For about 2 hours all the way from GRT into the heart of Chennai, we almost made every bypassers in the road to look amused at us(As if we were some college students going on a tour). The city lights were not new, but there was something special about them - every color and every detail was seen in the real world plasma. Thus ended a fabulous day out from the concrete jungle.

Flashback 2006

2006 - A year that signifies "Eppadi iruntha naan ippadi aayiten" in all its positive sense ofcourse.

2006, took in all of us doubty individuals in a group and transofrmed us into mighty individuals of(f) a group.

If one recalls that magical January -01-2006 and compares it to the Dec -01-2006, it all encompasses the journey that has sped away from the point that is January.

Time-out is always time spent within. Allowing to beind special chords of relationships that were too good to be seen sitting next in the same bench.

"Extra Ginger Spice" was the flavor of the season. Thru moments of "Say what ?" and "Stop! kidding me". Whatever happened is a matter of crunch decisions and "Give into me- music".

There was a fraternity building up in the online world, and suddenly the world was a small place.


The followin words signify the year that it has been

1. Orkut
2. Gtalk / Yahoo voice
3. IBN Live.

1. Shreesanth's dance.
2. Zidane's Header.
3. Schumi's last race.

1. Karan Thapar VS P.Chidambaram in Devil's Advocate.
2. Tata VS Murosoli Maran.
3. PS3 VS XBOX 360

1. Jodi No.1
2. Citizen Journalist and Polls.
3. PCO- Southern Spice music.

The year that passed by saw the invasion of automobile world into India, with a sky-scraping sensex and a youth that we are - "Beware of 2007!".