Turn off that Noise!

Yesterday night at around 11.30, I was getting ready to sleep and searched for my mobile to set the alarm. Usually I would have thrown in underneath my pillow. But it was no where to be seen.

Now you will have to understand one thing, I am a specimen who is known to misplace my mobile at odd places. It was been found in my Laundry bag, most times left locked overnight at the office drawer, inside the oven and lo behold inside sugar containers and dal dabbas. Unless and until I need to make a call I' ll rarely remember that I have this small black rectangular gadget called the Cellular phone.

Add to this, the fact that my mobile is always in silent/vibration mode, I rarely realize an incoming call or a text. To the point that when I finally get to the phone there would be at least 10 missed calls and 15 texts. 9 of those calls from mom and all the texts from Dr. Batra soliciting thick lustrous hair. Which I wouldn't mind. You see I am hitting the Spa this week to attend my half-yearly hairstyle change ritual. And I would actually like more thick hair for this new style. Ahem, digressions! Anyways, where was I? Of yes Texts!

So recently, as per TRAI rules, one could only send 100 text msgs in a day. I got a call from my service provider regarding this and this is how the call went.

Caller: Madam, Can I talk to Mr. G?
Me: Ummm. I use his number.
Caller: Oh yeah. Its in our records.
Me: So?
Caller: Yeah, So I called to inform you that as per the new TRAI rules you can send only 100 text msgs per days.
Me: Umm ok. So?
Caller: So that means you can't send more than 100 msgs no matter if its free or charged.
Me: Is there a point to this call?
Caller: (faint tapping noise of keyboard) Oh!! I just checked our records and it shows you send an average of 0.918 msgs each day.
Me: Hallelujah!! Now you get it!
Caller: Errmm. Thanks for talking.
Me: Thanks for nothing!

Well that's how I roll.. You ask who is this Mr.G? Oh well I am this Paranoid chick who has her brother's mobile connection. I have had enough stalking for a year and want to spend the rest of the year without the weird calls.

Recently I had started texting a handful of friends (read 1). So I text him casually and forgot about it. I had got 3 replies from him, which I checked umm 4 hours later. He had been near my office and thought of dropping in. I urgently called him to hear a volley of cusses and a permanent vow of never to text or call me again. There went my one chance at texting that 100 msgs. Damn!!

See, My morning ritual is something like this,
1. Close the door and leave for office.
2. Walk down 2 fight of stairs.
3. Walk up again.
4. Open the door.
5. Frantically search for the mobile which I had thrown as the alarm rang.
6. Lock the door and run to office.

Laughed enough?? Okies, Read on now.

One another stellar example of my Mobile habit is my First day at my first ever job  few years back. I had to report directly to the President of the Company and am in a meeting with him. He says "Ok, give me your number, I'll call you whenever I need an update" I replied with "Umm I don't know my number" He gives me an incredulous look and says "ok, here is my number, give me a missed call from your mobile. I had to hide my face as I replied him "Ummm, I left the mobile at my house. I don't carry it that much" Thank goodness, he burst into laughter and made light of the situation rather than embarrassing me. Phew!!!

The point of this post? Oh nothing. and yes, you can thank me for nothing.

I did find my mobile at arnd 11:45 under the table. I have no clue how it got there. Also I had "misplaced" it there around 7 pm judging from the missed calls and texts from mom. I didn't realize that the mobile was gone for like 6 hours. Damn!!!

Madras Nalla Madras...

If you are from Chennai, you should know that August 22 is Madras Day. (Yeah ok, this post may be tad bit late... but oh well!) and MADRAS WEEK is celebrated from August 21 to 28, this year. Year before last we (read The Chennai Photowalk club) had a photo exhibition at Mylapore and last year at Odyssey, Adyar. Go take a look, they still have the photographs displayed on the staircase-sidewall. Brownie points to those who recognize my name and my photograph. This year, though we don't have any exhibition, the regular photo walks are on... More details here.

Me being me, thought I would do a post on two things I love the most, apart from photography - Chennai and Food, though not in that order always. Ask any Amit about what comes to his mind if you say Chennai, he would promptly say Idli/Dosa. Ok some may mention the heat and the sweat, but its raining hippos and rhinos now, so IN YOUR FACE AMIT!! :-D

Not to be called an amateur blogger, I talked to couple of old citizens of Chennai to gain a little inside knowledge about the cuisine of Chennai. I got many a dreamy eyed glazed expressions and a mention of a special Madras Curry. Now, I have no clue nor have I never heard of it before. Goaded further, one 60 year old paati made her daughter-in-law make the curry for me while she gave a steady stream of instructions.

Several konjam molaga podi podu - Nalla idichi podu - illa illa ippo illa, Kari vendha apram thaan sekkanum - innum konjam molaga podi podu - Kari vendrucha paaru- molaga podi potiya?? laters, I was served with a steaming bowl of Mutton curry over white rice. Did I mention the several instructions about molaga podi aka Chilli Powder?? Yes, the curry is so hot, that you won't get out of a swimming pool for the rest of the day and not to mention the adventure at the loo the next morning. So no wonder, no one makes this Madras curry anymore or its absence on the Chennai hotel menus.

Anyway, moving on, the other dishes which the paatis told me were our good old Idli, Dosai, Medu Vadai, Masala Vadai, Keerai Vadai, and ofcourse Filter Kaapi. Besh besh, romba nalla irukku.  between, this ad will whoop ass any surya-jothika-bru-coffee combination

Filter Kaapi is best had in a dabara tumbler with one third of the coffee in the tumbler and the rest in dabara. The suuurrr aka slurp sound will cool down any hot kaapi. The darker the kaapi, the better. Give any mama or maami a lighter kaapi, you will be met with scornful eyes and will be put on never-to-invite-to-any-home-functions list.

The best kaapi, I have had is at this maami's house where she served me with a tumbler of kaapi made from  Indian ‘monsoon’ beans. The Indian Monsoon is named thus as the beans are exposed to rains and winds. This makes them pale,swell and gain a unique, strong flavour. It reminds you of earth, rain and that sweet smell when the first rain hits the earth. Mmmmmmmm...

Another coffee memory of mine is a pretty funny one and one which I had often repeated. Appa had the habit of buying ground coffee beans fresh from the then "Coffee day" stores (not the modern Cafe Coffee Days). Every evening after school, it was my job to prepare the dicotion (yeah yeah decoction) and keep it ready for him when he arrives from office. It was a pretty easy job, place the ground coffee powder on the upper part of the coffee strainer, press it down with the sieve disc, pour hot water over it, cover the upper part and wait for the magic to happen. What actually happens is the chicory sort of holds on to the hot water a little longer, letting the water extract more flavour from the coffee powder (straight kaapi paste from Wikipedia)

So anyways we are digressing. That interesting part of making dicotion was my job. I continued this pretty religiously. What I didn't know was that darling Appa had switched to ready made coffee powder which dissolves instantly in water. Please to imagine his thunderstruck face when he came home and found a pretty strong "dicotion" made from 4 tablespoons of instant coffee powder waiting for him. And with that I lost my coffee making job. :-(

on a leaving note, did you know that Srilankan Tamil name for kaapi is "Kottai Vadineer".. No? I didn't either... Go read this...

Travelling in Chennai's Autos and Share Autos

Some time back quarter life crisis came calling and I took many impulse decisions! I quit the magazine, got a new job, got new projects, scheduling workshops and such stuff. I also reduced my work hours and took a decision not to work on weekends. Realized that its simply not worth it. Also a close brush with a probable Cancer Diagnosis 2 months back helped me to take this decision. (But that's fodder for yet another post)

Before launching into the post, I am conducting a Basic Photography workshop for Hobby Photographers on 6th & 7th August, 2011 at & Studios. Details here. Interested people do attend!

Anyway coming to the post, due to my job change my daily schedule has changed immensely. I have quit taking buses and switched to autos/share autos. Mainly because of the longish commute time in bus. (auto takes half the actual time in this route). So here is my 2 cents about the terror ride aka Autos of Chennai.

From time immortal Chennai auto-drivers are known to take you for a ride quite literally. I strongly believe that these drivers have these strong notion of "7th Sense" which makes them sense how rich you are. Someone said "Dogs can smell fear". I am afraid Auto-drivers can smell urgency.  The route which I take regularly costs me around Rs. 40 (or 50, if it rains). One day I had missed an appointment and had to rush. I did my best not to show my urgency but still it cost me Rs. 120. @#$#%% The driver had a gall to ask me extra 20 bucks when I reached the destination stating mumbo-jumbo of reasons. I has in a hurry and in no mood to argue. Anyways, I just ran away and didn't pay anything more, but that's a different story.

Don't let the auto-driver know how unsure you are about the location. As far as I know, every mobile has GPRS connection now (Don't get me into GSM, EDGE, 3G and all such stuff now!) Just Google the approximate location. For example, If you have to go somewhere in Kodambakkam, Google a bit. Be confident and say you have to reach Sekhar Emporium.  If you think he is saying exorbitant price, just say "What brother?? I take that route 4 times daily. I pay only 40 rupees". Seriously, most folks relent to it :-P If you don't have a mobile or any connectivity, ask around. People ARE helpful!!

Always ask how much they are going to charge before getting into the auto. I luckily learnt this lesson in my very first week in Chennai. I was still in college and had to reach Guindy Railway station. I hired an auto without asking about the cost. Bleddy he looted Rs.70 for an otherwise 20 rupee ride. His reason, "Madam. I have driven 7 kms. 1 km is 10 rupees. Better pay up or i ll hit you". :-\ And in another instance the driver actually hit me for not giving him extra 10 bucks. :-(

No matter how much greedy they are, I have always found Chennai auto-drivers to be very helpful. (Except some, may be) I have heard cases of auto-drivers driving single woman into lonely lanes and having their way with them in Bangalore and Delhi. Have actually heard a recount of a college senior who went through such a harrowing experience but escaped, thanks to her presence of mind. She just RAN at break-neck speed!! :) But I haven't heard of such incidents in Chennai. Correct me if I am wrong. According to my personal experiences, I have always found auto-drivers very helpful and some even making sure I reach home safely, in case I am hiring an auto pretty late in night. Couple of instances I have even seen them helping with my camera gear if I am carrying any, even without asking.

To me share autos are the safe bet. Though they don't ply in all the routes, they do run in some of the busiest routes and sometimes where buses are scarce. The prices are pretty cheap. Starting from Rs.5, they highest one charges is Rs.20. And they will ply even if you are the only one onboard. Ok, may be they will dilly-dally a bit at the stops but they won't make you disastrously late.

Share autos are my safe option when I don't know the route exactly. I get on one and ask the people or the driver himself. And mostly some or the other will point me in the right direction. And most times I have the funniest conversation in these share autos. I leave you with couple of anecdotes.

Random lady: Oh god! Your lips are pink!
Me: Ummm is that a crime??
RL: Oh no. They are just umm kissable. Can I borrow your lipstick?
Me: *facepalm*
By now, the other fellow male passenger was laughing maniacally. And no, I don't use any cosmetics.  

Random guy: Nice boyfriend haan?
Me: Excuse me??
RG: Oh you are glued to your mobile since you got into the auto. Thought you are texting someone.
Me: Oh no! I am just tweeting.
RG: Oh what is that??
Me: (He looks like a software guy so...) It is like blogging. Just a shorter version of that.
RG: Aah nice. Then you should blog about this auto-ride and me!! hehehehe
Me: Yeah Rite!!

Oh wait!!!!

Wondering out loud!

As much I would like to keep this blog clean of my rants (yes, I pretend to be all grown up at times), I couldn't resist the charm of introspecting on my 'personal' blog.

Ok wait, let me get comfortable. Ah good ;)

Anyways, here we go.

# Not so long ago, I was on the way home in a bus. As a habit I read during this long commutes, hence was seated on a window seat with a book. 5 minutes later I heard a low humming/buzzing sound. I let it pass. It continued for another 5 minutes and I looked up to find the other person seated near me struggling with the mobile. The radio was turned on accidentally and the passenger didn't know howto turn it off.  Now she was a eunuch and no one came forward to offer help. I was getting bit irritated with the buzzing sound, so I got the mobile from her and switched it off. She gave me a big smile and knocked me off in the head. Wtf? seriously, I didn't get that. Given she was still smiling and saying Thank you, I hoped it was some way of blessing someone. I can't even ask anyone what that meant, can I?

# One Sunday a close friend of mine had invited me for a party at his house. It was a working Sunday and I was cutting too close with my regular schedule. I had just stepped out of my swimming session and was still in my gym clothes when I decided to go over to his place. When I say gym clothes I mean a track pants, vest and a jacket over it. So imagine my confused face when a lady on the road asking me, "என்ன dress போட்ருக்கே?" with all scorn and expressions. (It roughly translates to "What the hell are you wearing?"). I was stunned and stood in front of the mirror for full ten minutes at my friend's place wondering what was wrong. Let me not go into how i tortured him asking if it was revealing.

Strangely enough, it so happened that I went to office two days later in similar attire( yeah again after a session at the swimming pool). And the reaction was different. To quote my office boy "இன்னிக்கி தான் நீங்க நல்லா dress பண்ணியிருக்கீங்க" (You have dressed nicely only today or something to that effect).

seriously!!

Random

Theorem: Midnight is certainly not the right time to write a blogpost...

Proof: Random...

Hence Proved! 

A city girl's guide to travelling in Chennai Bus

Travelling in a bus across Chennai city is an art. Or in any city for that matter. But I really haven't traveled in bus in any other city, so I will limit my gyaan bataoing to Chennai.

Now were do I start?? It is necessary for you to understand the different types of buses and bus boards. Bus board is that thingy which has the bus number, origin and destination of the bus written on it. The funny thing is Chennai may be the only city with atleast 4 types of buses and 4 bus board colors. And each is a different service and has a different meaning.

First you have normal buses (if you can call that so), then you have Luxury buses, then you have vestibules, and finally the king of all, the AC buses.Luxury buses are anything but luxury. Lesser seats, no proper ventilation and exit/entry has doors which will open only if the driver is kind enough to let you get down. Lets forget for sometime the luxury buses with the doors prised open and tied to poles by some goondas who don't like technology or just want to get down anywhere at any time. Then you have vestibules, essentially two buses linked together like railway compartments. I don't think, I need to explain AC buses, which seem to be the boon for many folks.

Moving on the color of the bus boards, you have white, yellow, green and blue, the purpose of which is lost on me. White board buses have a minimum ticket price of Rs. 2, followed by yellow with Rs. 2.5, then green with Rs.3 and blue with Rs. 5.  Then you have buses with electronic buses with minimum ticket price of Rs.5. AC buses charge you Rs. 13 as a minimum price.

Are you still with me?? Hello!!!! Someone bring water for these fainted folks plz.. :D

So now you know the basics of Chennai moffusil bus service let us get on with our guide to travelling in a bus in Chennai.

Interiors of an AC Bus

1. When you are taking a bus to a new location, always ask a friend, check, cross check, ask someone, ask the conductor and then get into bus. For example lets take an example that you are taking a bus from Teynampet to Besant Nagar but have to get down on the previous stop. Your friends will ask you to take 23 series bus. But then again you have 23C, 23V, 23C (yup, 23C with a cut), M23C, 23C (LSS) and so on. and then you have electronic board buses, which have the habit to skip a stop if it stops at one. 23V goes to some other location. M23C will take a round about route, which will be a brilliant Chennai Dharsan. And 23C won't plain stop anywhere but at the destination stop. You get the drift. So you always ask a friend, check, cross check, ask someone, ask the conductor and then get into bus, never in any other order.

2. Each bus will have three rods, one at the entrance, one at the exit and one in between. If you are someone like me with no clue about grace, agility and err are basically a clumsy cat, hold on to these rods like your life depends on them. Prefer the ones near the entry/exit as extricating yourself from the middle of the bus will be close to impossible when you want to get down. And RESIST the urge to pole dance on these rods no matter how empty the bus may be. The pain is so not worth it. ouch, rubs the temples.

If you are tall enough to reach the bars on the bus roof, well don't bother :|

3. Carry change. By change I mean 50p & Rs. 1 coins. If your ticket value is Rs. 2.50 or such fractions, you can as well say good bye to the 50p change, unless it is your lucky day.

4. There is no such thing as Ladies section and Gents section. Oh yes, you will see the left portion of the bus reserved women folks. But the last time I saw someone adhering to this rules was err.. way back in the medieval. If you wish to stand all through the journey, you can stick by I-wont-go-sit-in-the-gents-side rule! And there is no such thing as you will be safe from guys if you stand near the ladies side. Bullshit!!

Women getting off a bus

If someone is horny and wants to grope you, he will grope you no matter where you stand. The best thing is to 'accidentally' step on his toes or 'accidentally' drive your elbow forcefully into you-know-where so that it pains and blame it all on the moving bus. :D Or if you prefer drama, just start asking him 'what are you doing?' in a loud voice and watch him being thulped by the aunties on the bus :D

And feel free to kick anyone who says you to dress 'conservatively' so that you won't be troubled by the guys. Seriously!! I have seen girls in Burqah/Purdah harassed more than a girl in shorts and tank tops (the latter being me). Wear anything you want. Just be confident and that will keep any guy away from you.

Normally crowded bus!

5. And the major point of getting seats. On a crowded bus when you see a seated person packing her handbag, closing a book or just adjusting her clothes, thats your cue. Move, wriggle, struggle and elbow your way towards the said seat and land your ass firmly there. Don't give in to any other elements present unless you want to spend your whole two hours of journey standing :|

Its up to you if you want to give your seat to someone. If you see a pregnant lady, a really old lady or someone visibly ill, please be a human and offer your seat. But if someone is using the most cliché "You are young, you can stand" line on you, feel free to bonk their head. Chances would be you would have taken that bus after a 12-hour-brain-wrecking-time-at-office-which-included-a-6-hour-marathon-meeting and the utterer of the sentence would have just emerged out of her house after a  refreshing bath and on the way to meet her family friend. Just give them an ugly stare and proceed to sit or if you are me just ask them "So, which office are you working in and how was your day?" and smirk :-D

The mighty Rs.30 ticket

6. If you are a daily commuter, purchase a pass. This is not only economically good but also helps when the crowd is impossible and no one is passing your ticket. There is also a daily pass system for women, frequent travelers and so on. If you are not a regular but have to travel on a bus way too many times on a single day purchase the Rs.30 ticket. This is not a pass but gives you freedom to travel any number of times , anywhere in the city for one whole day.

Well thats about it. Exude confidence, take that random bus and rule the city!

P.S: I have not included Night Service Bus in this post as I have least knowledge on it.

Disclaimer: These opinions are my own. You may have different experience in a bus. Feel free to disagree. and the pics used are not mine. Thank you Google baba!

Food Glorious Food!

I was out with my friends sometime last week. Conversation suddenly turned towards food and I was exclaiming about the mouth watering fares available across Chennai. A friend quipped "Oi, you would eat so less. so don't talk". Another friend countered saying, "Hey you haven't had Ratzzz over at your place, I think. She stayed at my place for a week and I know how much she eats." :-D

Just because I am puny people think I peck on my food and don't realize how much of a foodie I am. For instance, my last trip saw me doing nothing but eating, eating, more eating, sleeping and did I mention eating? :-P When watching TV, playing cheeky bingo, whitewater rafting, whatever activity-- food must be within easy reach! Yummy food! To my joy, few of the best French cafe's were located on the same street as I stayed at.

Morning saw me walking into the Cafe Des Arts which also had an art gallery attached to it. I started with a humble looking Nutella Crepe and Tchai. Me and my friend well in love with that place so much that we ditched the idea of exploring the town and stayed back at the Cafe, eating, drinking, reading and in general relaxing. The Cafe waiter lady smiled each time we asked for the menu and started laughing when i called for the menu umpteenth time saying i am hungry :-P This was after numerous brown breads, scrambled eggs, couple of sunny side ups, crepes and so on :-D

I was so full that I limited myself to a plate of Biriyani and Raitha and slept off. Evening was a different case though. Fish and chips - Steamed Lemon and honey chicken - Rice - Vegetable Stew - Red Cabbage Coleslaw accompanied couple of drinks. My only complaint was there was no mayo to accompany the Fries :( :-D

Next morning was the usual fare. Dosais - Pooris - Sambar - Chutney - Watermelon juice. I may or may not have had French Toast and Sausages after that :-D Lunch was a homely affair of Virundhu Bhojanam - Sura Puttu - Chicken and Fish Curry. (Feast meals - Shark something).

and that was just a weekend. Yesterday I was sleeping over my siblings' place. My brothers decided to take me out for dinner. (it's another issue that I reached late night and none of us 3 were in the mood to cook) Malabar parotta - Chilli Chicken - Egg Burji - Sunny side up later I gobbled down 2 ice creams :-D The expression on my sweet bro's face was priceless when I asked for the second ice cream. I don't suppose he saw that coming :-P

Ok so why all this yapping about food?? I realized there are only few things that get me going and Food tops the list :-D and given I tweet more about food than anything else, why not write about it too...

Expect some more damage in that area very soon :D   

Now it has a title!

So apparently there are folks out there who are angry and dejected that i dont visit their blogs... to quote "someone" 

Ipdilaam bribe kuduthalachum ivanga namma blog pakkamlaam varangalanu paaka thaan :D   (Want to see if she comes by my blog  atleast when I bribe her)

ahem ahem!! but, tch tch tch, I do read all your blogs, you , you and even you... but the only issue is I read them on my Google Reader and the lazy ass I am, never bother to click on individual posts to comment on the post.   oh well... that sounded super snooty... :D 


anyhow... So,  apparently I have been awarded with *wait for it....* *and drum rolls please* The Versatile Blogger award.. thank you , thank you... unfortunately I don't have a pet chihuhuhuhuhuhua to thank for supporting me to get this award. Oh well... 

RULES about the award:
1. Thank the person who awarded you and link back to them in your post (ahem, Thanks gils.. :D )
2. Tell 7 random facts about yourself (ugh.... Amber alert amber alert, this post asks me to spill the beans)
3. Pass the award (dammit!! I thought I can keep it to myself :| )

Ok so lets get on with it!

1. I read a lot... A lot means a loooooooooooot... every morning I wake up to an overflowing Google reader and after reading them, I read the articles in the explore section. When that is over, I search for certain keywords I am working on that day and read them.. I also refresh my GReader multiple times a day... Then i click on every damn link shared on tweeter. Then is the offline reading. As of now, I am reading Chanakya's Chant by Ashwin Sanghvi. Then I am reading three different types of manuscripts for my research. And finally, four reference books for my photography. Phew... :P

2. I space out quite easily. When I am out with friends and others are talking about topic that least concerns me, I zone out pretty easily. Duh! What am I saying?? There are times when I have zoned out even while getting specific instructions from clients and ask them to send it over in an email :D

3. I am a creature of habits.. To me there is a routine set in everyday.. I brush after bath, often combining it with a mental checklist of to-do things of the day. The keys go into a certain pocket. I pack my laptop after packing my lunch and before checking on the things I carry daily. If even a single step goes wrong, it will be mad dash in the evening. I won't remember where I left the keys and you will witness me doing a baboon dance rummaging my butt searching for the keys.. umm the back pockets of the jean, I mean.. So you get the drift?? No? Well dammit! :P

4. I love babies until someone else is holding.. I can make babies smile, play with them, baby talk to them.. but only till someone else holds it.. If given to me, probably I'll freak out.. Dunno.. Never tried.. :-P

NOW!! wait-a-nimit!!! why does this oddly feel like a tag.. Gils, u tricked me eh!! dammit!! oh well, I ll revert to one line answers then :D

5. I love eating raw mangoes, half ripe guavas and half ripe papaya with salt and chili powder.. Mom makes the sour expression instead of me whenever I eat such stuff in her presence :D

6. As much as I love clicking, I am not comfortable with others clicking me. There are only a handful of people I am comfortable posing for. (and that list is fast depleting :( )

7. I suck at writing blog posts... just imagine. Gils gave me this award on Tuesday, March 29, 2011 (copy pasted from his blog :P) and I was writing writing writing it till today :| meh!! Lazy eh! I like to call myself super busy :D

And now to pass on the award,

1. Cybernag / Zephyr or watever she wants to call herself :D My cyber mom, she is :)
2. R's Mom - I think i know her name, but i am doubtful. oh well.. :)
3. err anyone else who wants it..


Phew!!

Randomness

The other day I was waiting for bus at the stop... The vehicles were stranded as it was sorta rush hour and traffic jam was at its peak... There was this car stranded right before me and i noticed that a pool of petrol had formed beneath it.. I guessed that the fuel tank was leaking... I thought about it for some time and decided to let the guy know that his tank was leaking... 

Me: taps on the car window and motions to roll down

Car fella: Yes??

Me: I think your fuel tank is leaking.. There is a fuel puddle beneath your car.

Car fella: Gets down and checks the fuel tank, looks at me and shouts "Why the hell are you staring at my vehicle"

Me: What the??!!

BigRock - Website Service Provider + Giveaway

Last August, I was trying to get myself a website for my Photography business. After much research, i had settled upon an American service provider. I never thought of researching the Indian market under the sole impression that it would be expensive. I am not going to disclose the deal i got Ratzzz! for but I am also stunned by what i see at Bigrock.

Well, Tarun from Bigrock had written to me asking for to write a review on them and had promised a giveaway for my readers in return. I accepted after much deliberation 'cause I wasn't sure if I wanted to do this. But what the hey, i guess some of my readers if not everyone, are on the look our for some less expensive alternative to the pricey GoDaddy :D

The steps are pretty easy too.. no need to employ a designer to create your website err unlike me.. Vinay bhaai thanks :-D

I found their TV commercial very funny and to the point. Brilliant indeed.

A small write up on Bigrock.

BigRock is the fastest growing provider of web-presence solutions to small-businesses, professionals and individuals. Our product portfolio includes - Domain registration, Web & Email Hosting, Website Builders, Digital Certificates and much more. BigRock aims to fill a critical void in the web-presence industry with its innovative suite of web products designed to fortify businesses’ competitive advantage and unleash their true potential. With a proven platform that powers over 5 million domain names worldwide, BigRock is committed and confident of unlocking tremendous value for customers in India.

Now to the giveaway part:


Reader coupon  : tantrumzz
 This coupon entitles you to the following:
·         Up to 50% discount on Hosting, Email and Do-It-Yourself Website builder products.
·         10% discount on all other products

Please to note that the coupon is valid for first year only and they expire on Feb 28th, 2011.

So what are you waiting for, Grab click on the link above or here to get that customized website you had been looking for.

Autobiography of a Rat..

I am sure that all of us would have gone through, "So where do you see yourself in 5 years?" Whenever I was posed with this question in last 3 years, I itched a lot to say "To smoke weed, get stoned and sing Hare Krishna Hare Ram". But the need of the time or the necessity of the job always made me bite back a smirk and say "Working loyally at your institution and help for the development of the organisation" (Gaaah, Barf bag please)

If you know me, my longest stint at a job was 1 year 6 months (err or something like that.. i am weak in math :P) I am someone who won't stick to a place, job, person for a long time. Ok Malar is an exception here.. This bleddy bugger has stuck with me for past 11 years (that long!!!) and still is my best friend :) But i solely blame this aberration on her. If it was me, i would have run off. But this darling just tracks me down every time and literally threatens my life every bleddy time. Anyways i am digressing.

So where was I? Oh yeah the question. So when i saw people doing what I was 10 years back, I thought, "oi this is interesting. I can now try to remember what I did as a 5 year old." But seriously speaking, apart from drinking milk with both eyes fixated on the mug like a cross-eyed bug (Dad has photographic proof facepalms ), i have no recollection of what happened 20 years ago. Yet I wadded through it and ta-da, my autobiography in a list format. My MBA friends should be proud of me now :-D

20 years ago I . . .
1. Left Kanpur once for all
2. Was struggling to learn Tamil, got frustrated and switched back to Hindi :-P
3. Got my first book, "Thermal and Wind Energy" (Don't ask.. Appa got it for me)

10 years ago I . . .
1. Left Nagercoil and my best friend (Malar, love u girl)
2. Met with an accident and life took a major turn.
3. Left my dreams of becoming a Neurologist and embraced Leather Technology (which i later ditched)

5 years ago I . . .
1. Was in college making myself believe that I will study further
2. Came over my Inferiority complex
3. Came to terms with my childhood and accepted it

3 years ago I . . .
1. Reached my peak success in the corporate world
2. (But) Found my calling and took a major decision of my life (I quit :-P).
3. Returned back to TN.

1 year ago I . . .
1. Quit my 9-5 job
2. Started taking photography assignments professionally
3. Was on the road and on trips more than being at home

So far this year I . . .
1. Have caught up with all friends, i had avoided last year
2. Have went on a weekend trek and had a fab time
3. Have got back my fun schedule on line

Yesterday I . . .
1. Started editing a book
2. Delivered one assignment (on time, phew)
3. Played with a baby on bus

Today I . . .
1. Slept till noon
2. Delivered two assignments
3. will be out for dinner

Tomorrow I will . . .
1. Deliver atleast three of my latest assignments
2. Go out for Baskin Robins Icecream
3. Cook white peas

In the next (coming) year I will . . .
Naah!! Future is not for me to decide... Who knows i may become a hippie and be found on the beaches of Goa... Or become a professional photographer and travel around the world... or go back to the corporate world and start from where i left (yeah right)... Or listen to my parents and live their wishes (hahahahahaha :-D )

Hahaha so that was me... :)

ASSumptions!

Random Old Frayed Lady (ROFL) in bus: Hmm.. So you don't have a boy friend??
Me: I am sorry?
ROFL: No.. need not be sorry..
Me: What? I mean, i didn't get you.
ROFL: I am guessing you don't have a boy friend.
Me: Oh?
ROFL: Yeah.. In past one month, i have seen you quite a few times in this route.. I have never seen you get a message or call from anyone even once.
Me: ugh ugh.
ROFL: I have never seen you check your mobile either. so you don't have a boy friend.
Me: [baffled look]
ROFL: So how long are you dieting?
Me: eh?
ROFL: Yeah.. I notice you are a health freak. You got the most flat stomach, I have ever seen.
Me: Duh.. [mumbles] Thanks
ROFL: Yeah.. I see most guys stare at your stomach. They are fascinated. You look like a model..
Me: oh.
ROFL: Why don't you like Music?
Me: What???
ROFL: Yeah. I have never seen you listen to music in bus. Don't you have an iPod?
Me: ummm
ROFL: Buy one. Music is good for lonely people. It will bring you solace when you see other girls going around with guys and you are single.
Me: eh? [thinking WTF?]
ROFL: Join Facebook or Orkut, you will find many good boys. [smiles] I know you are not in there.
Me: Ugh ugh.
ROFL: and stop working too much. A good girl should be in home by 5 pm.
Me:  Ok bye. i have to get down here.
ROFL: Oi. your office is at Nandanam. Two more stops to go. Sit! Talk to me. You need to learn to make more friends.
Me: [thinking more friends? oh god!] errr
ROFL: Don't you have good boy's in office? Guess they are all married or engaged. No good guys or girls stay single for long.
Me: Huh.
ROFL: yeah... Go out and meet people. You will find interesting guys. You need to find someone and get married soon.
Me: [by now very amused] hmmm which places do you suggest?
ROFL: I dunno... CCD, Barista or  any of the coffee shops.
Me: Oho. Umm Aunty what do you do?
ROFL: [Proudly] I work for *** Dept of TN.
Me: Oho and as what?
ROFL: Oh i am a clerk.
Me: Do you have any kids aunty? Are they Good boys and girls?
ROFL: Oh i never got married..
Me: Err.. So, you, who never got married, are asking me to find a boy friend and get married, though you can visibly see I am still young. Is that right?
ROFL: Err,i have to get down here.. babye..
Me: ROFL!!!

And that my friends, was what happened today morning on the way to Office in 18K bus route! :-D :-D

Gaah!!! i need to repair my mp3 player before such maamis find me a target for their lecture yet again!! :|