The Match and It's Aftermath!!

I went to watch the Final Day of the Test Match. It was a boring day of Cricket with just some 4 wickets falling, but as an Experience, it was awesome. I got my face Painted, a pus-filled boil on my Thumb and a Lot of Gyaan on Bottle Hitting! Here are a few Pics!






The remnants of the Bottle that was used for the Beat Keeping! :D. Battered Soldier indeed!




And the boil in my finger thanks to all that Bottle Banging...Not paining, but wasn't able to handle a Spoon..




At the Match, From the Left: Murali, Rape, Me, Sappe, Vinu, Vatsan



A very tired me with the Bottle on the way back...




On the Topic of my fingers, Notice the lack of Finger Prints! :O

An Adventure Nonetheless!!

I was really really excited when I woke up at 5am this morning. In an hour, I was supposed to be at the Chepauk Stadium to stand in queue for the Daily Tickets. I knew this would be a pretty long wait and I wasn't wrong when I landed up there at 620ish. There were atleast a 100 people in front of Rapecase. I joined him and his friends there and to my surprise, Auditor Sir was also standing there along with Streekanth and Bottle. After some really unneeded Intervention by the Police, we were about 10 places behind where we were standing in the first place. A bit later I told to Rape- "Dude, I'll paint my face if you paint yours, I'll sponsor yours too!" He was game enough. 15 mins later our faces were painted with the Tricolour and we were Very proud to have it on. Unfortunately, in the chaos that followed, we couldn't take any pics. The counters were supposed to Open at 8am. It was around 820 when we all realized the counters weren't yet open and that it wasn't moving either. Asking the Policemen there didn't help. Finally around 830ish, Another Policeman Drove up to where the queue was and Announced "Tickets will not be issued here in this counter. If you need tickets, you have to go to the Counter at Bells Road". Wtf? We just spent 2 hours standing in a queue that was apparently useless!

It was a mad rush to the other counter and by the time we had finished cursing the Police for the Absolutely Crappy Organising, the queue disappeared and reformed at the Counter in Bells Road and we had no idea where the other guys were. There was just Rape, a friend of his and me. Some calls and SMSs later, we came to know that each person was in a different queue! There were atleast 500 people in the Bells Road queue and it was atleast a 1km long. We knew that there was absolutely no way we could get tickets if we were to wait in that Counter. So we made up our minds and walked all the way around the Stadium to get to the 300 Rs counter. We stood behind a really Optimistic Man who started belting out stats about the availability of tickets and the number of people and with some really complex equation, he was sure that he and his son were gonna be inside the Stadium in no less than 45 mins. To his disappointment and definitely to ours, this counter was Closed Too!!! We decided that we had had enough of this and we rushed back to Rape's place all the way in Besant Nagar to watch Sehwag belt the bowlers.

As soon as we reached there, He got Out. Out for 318. Mammoth score. Wickets started to tumble and we were really not interested in watching the match after Sachin got out. We had heard the Policeman say that the Counters will be open for the next day's tickets at 5 in the evening. So we planned to watch a movie at Satyam and then head back to the Stadium for the Tickets. But I was feeling really really sleepy and post lunch, I headed back home. Rape, Siva and me went for a short drive and he dropped me at Madhya Kailash Bus Stop at around 1145.

I was waiting for a 5E when I saw a 47A. I knew this would go to Valluvar Kottam and boarded it and bought the Ticket and settled myself in those Cushion Seats. Come Anna Univ and I dozed off. I woke up I don't know how much later to Comfortably Numb (was listening to music) and I noticed that I was in South Boag Road and that I can afford to nap for another 5 mins. I finally woke up 30 mins later to find myself in a totally different place. It looked nothing like Valluvar Kottam. Thanks to the Advertised Cell Phone shop name boards, I came to know that I was in Anna Nagar 3rd Main Road!!!!! I had never been outside the city that far. So I got out of the bus still very sleepy in the next stop. I crossed the road and stood in the Opposite Bus Stop (Aminjikarai Police Station).

I used some Common Sense and decided to wait for 47A itself, so that I could get to Valluvar Kottam finally. 3 mins later, one of the famous Share Autos of Anna Nagar came up and there was a board that said T Nagar Terminus in it. I flagged it down and asked him if he went to Valluvar Kottam (I was so tired of asking people if I could go there that I was actually thinking of Hanging a Sign on myself and pointing to it). Thankfully, 15 mins later, I found myself at, yes, Valluvar Kottam. Yay!!!! And ten mins later, I was resting on the Couch with a bottle of water, under the fan!.

Phew, I'm positively tired!!

Cars, Cricket and Flyovers....

TATA has officially taken over Jaguar and The Rover Group. Bare with the technicalities, but what this means for the consumers is a study of its own.

For Indian customers, they can finally have Jaguar's arsenal launched here. The powerful X-Type, the Legendary S-Type and the sporty XKRs and XSs. This is awesome. Those babies have a minimum of 5ltr V6s. That's a huge leap considering the 3ltr 6 cylinder Engines that we have at present here. V6s and V8s are some of the most powerful engines that civil cars can have, while V10s and V12s are Mercedes's Stuff and it strays into the likes of Ferrari, Lambo and Porsche. For the British/European Customers sadly, it is the loss of some very important history. Jaguar and Rover have been Britain's answer to Germany's Merc, Audi, VW and BMW and France's Renault and Citroen (I'm blindly ignoring Peugeot here :D). It's more than just cars for them. Jaguar and Rover are 2 of Britain's finest contributions to the world.

On the rough side though, there are always the Idiots who go about saying India is already cluttered and can't take any more cars and that kinda crap, also exist people who say these cars are too expensive for Indians. Find a Corner and Screw yourself! While they lose their History, The British will lay their hopes on yet another Party to keep their History alive. Some numbers here... Ford had purchased Jaguar way back in the 80s for $2 Billion and Rover in late 90s for around the same amount. And now, after holding the conglomerate for around 8 years, they're selling it to TATA for around $2.3 Billion!! That must give you an Idea of how badly troubled this whole thing is. But what I'm really looking forward to is Top Gear's take on this whole issue. They had already called the Indica a catastrophic tragedy when it was launched under Rover's Badge in 2004 and that definitely leaves them with a bad image about TATA.

Cricket. And SA's mauling India here in Chennai. Unfortunately, I'm not able to go watch the Match as the renovation work in my place is Still going on. But the main news in Cricket this time is Stephen Fleming. New Zealand's most remembered Captain after Martin Crowe is this man who has led the Black Caps to many a famous wins. Critics reckon him to be the Best Captain of recent times. But ill-fated that he is, he was never backed by a team that could execute his Brilliance on the Field. He did have very good players in Cairns, Astle, Harris, McMillan and Parore to name a few, but he needs a whole team, a performing unit. Tactful and Shrewd he might be, he does need his players to take matters into their own hands and do the needy when time questions. Cricket has lost yet another Great to age and He will definitely be Remembered.

The Kodambakkam flyover is Done With!!! Yes, the workmen from AP, Bihar and our own fellows have finished constructing the Kodambakkam Flyover. This is the one that connects Mahalingapuram with North Usman Road and its both ways. Theoretically speaking this Should ease the Horrendous Traffic in that Area. Hopefully that theory should work in reality or else its gna be another useless flyover like the one in front of the Museum. Open date's tentatively fixed as the 30th of this Month provided Mr. Yellow Shawl has the time!

Phew, that was my longest post ever I think!!

Parents The Return!

My parents returned last friday evening from their 20 day Vacation covering Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore. They stayed for a week in HK with my Sister and they apparently had the most fun. Hmph! Anyways, here are a couple of Photos:




Dad and Mum at Disney Land's Entrance...



Sis, er, trying something...

Anyways, its good to have them back.
The funny thing is, while Mom had stories and stories of what happened there and what they did and stuff, dad went on ranting about the Cleanliness and the Discipline of the Places and People there!
Loads of Chocolates, some Clothes, A Shining New Camera and a yet to arrive External HDD is what mainly interests me, apart from Mom's awesome stories o'course! :D

Bad Morning!

My computer was kinda out of order for the past week. Another victory for the Virus Creators. Thanks to a week's non use, the computer has amassed some dust and I've temporarily lost my Typing skills.

Anyways, this morning I had my usual CAT classes. Woke up at 5 and downloaded a few stuff. Left for the class by around 6. It seemed like the gods were waiting for me to step out cuz as soon as I set foot outside, it started to rain a bit. Not to be bothered by this, i bravely left home only to be drenched (almost) within a few yards from my home. Taking shade under some unopened shop, i cleaned my helmet and after a few mins, the rain stopped and I resumed my 12km long trip (it's in Adyar and I live in Kodambakkam). 2 streets later, I almost dozed off while checking the speedo and was rather rudely awaken by a Blaring horn from a huge white Ambassador.

Being the gentleman that I am, I took my hand off the accelerator and waved apolegetically to the driver of that car and I was multi tasking as well. Going at around 50kmph, I waved my right arm at the Driver, braked hard with my left arm and skidded for a few metres. Luckily, I was able to control my power slide (:P) and was never to be found asleep again till I reached class. While coming back too, it wasn't all pleasant. My player ran outta juice and I hadn't charged it, so I had to go empty eared in the first place. Then, as soon as I kept my helmet on my seat while returning, it slipped and fell down and my precious tinted Visor broke into two. :(

Its not what I would call a pleasant morning. Hoping that 2 episodes of Top Gear and 1 episode of Lost would set me right.... :D

Random Notes...

whats your name spelt backwards? Kihtrak
What did you do last night? Friends Came Over
The last thing you downloaded onto your computer? A Concert, Top Gear Season 5, Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Robin Hood, Songs by Steppenwolf
Have you ever licked a 9 volt battery? Yeah, It's cold
Last time you swam in a pool? Ooo yeah, remember very well...some 2 months ago ;)
What are you wearing? 3/4ths and Tee
How many cars have you owned? Including my Hot Wheels, None! :D
Type of music you dislike most? Coldplay type
Are you registered to vote? That Reminds me to...
Do you have cable? Yeah
What kind of computer do you use? Desktop
Ever made a prank phone call? To Myself, yeah...others no! :P
You like anyone right now? ...erm...
Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving? Bring on Both!
Farthest place you ever traveled? Border of Sikkim and West Bengal
What's your favorite comic strip? Calvin and Hobbes
Do u know all the words to the national anthem? Yep
Shower, morning or night? Afternoon
Best movie you've seen in the last month? Toughie...hmm....Dreams (Kurosawa)
Favorite pizza toppings? Cheese, Onions and Baby Corn
Chips or popcorn? If Butter then Popcorn, else just Chips
What cell phone provider do you have? Vodafone IN
Have you ever smoked peanut shells? eh?
Have you ever been in a beauty pageant? =)))))
Orange Juice or apple? Aabil
Who were the last people you sat at lunch with? A Lot of Random People at a Hotel
favorite chocolate bar? Milky Bar
Who is your longest friend and how long? Varun Almost 11 Yrs
Last time you ate a homegrown tomato? Never
Have you ever won a trophy? oh yeah
Favorite arcade game? Pac-man & Sonic
Ever ordered from an infomercial? Nope, wud Luv to order one for my Neighbour tho!:D
Sprite or 7-UP? Sprite
Have you ever had to wear a uniform to school/work? Always! Grrrr....
Last thing you bought at Walgreens? Wal what??
Ever thrown up in public? In front of Strangers, Nope!
Would you prefer being a millionaire or finding true love? No 2 s'il vous plait!
Do you believe in love at first sight? Yes, I'm certain that it happens all the time! :P
SPONGEBOB OR JIMMY NEUTRON? I had to google those...No idea!
Did you have long hair as a young kid? =))))
What message is on your voicemail machine? This person does not have a Voicemail
Where would you like to go right now? Loo! :P
Whats the name of your pet? Guns! :D
What kind of back pack do you have, and what's in it? Diesal.. =)) Papers, certificate, books, naansense...
What do you think about most? My Sad Life

We Are The Champions!

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!! Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes...

That's the gist of the noises that erupted in my house when Hopes nipped a catch to Piyush Chawla. Even the 'supervisor' guy (who seemed to have come to my home just to watch the match) and the workers erupted in joy once the match was over. It was really wonderful to see a match being won by India in a pretty convincing manner, though we were easily some 20-30 runs short of where we would've wanted to be. Ponting and his bunch of 'players' couldn't do what Dhoni and his men did. Simply because they didn't have a Sachin in their team, Well, who wouldn't want him in his team?

It was another of those times when Sachin missed his century. It could've been a twin century attempt, similar to the Sharjah Innings a decade ago (man, has it really been that long???) which brought down the mighty Aussies that time too.

Praveen Kumar was amazing with his swingers, imagine surprising Wasim Akram!!!

Overall, an amazing match. Well worth Bunking College for!! :D

Positives' 08!

M.O.P's Vis Com dept held a Photography cum Graphic Exhibition and good friend Divya Murali invited me to it. I visited that place this evening and it was amazing to say the least.

The amount of work, patience, creativity that's gone into each and every work is seriously hard to contemplate. I always knew girls were a patient lot when it came to creativity, but this was awesome. DM was kind enough to give me a tour of that place. It was the nth time for her but still she managed to ignore my non-existent Art Knowledge and was patient enough to tolerate my nonsense. Thanks Divya :)

I also met Namrata (Namy, apparently), Divya's friend and complemented her on a couple of her works. A Temple which seemed to have taken ages to complete (6 Months apparently), a face which was really nice and a Painting of Three Ladies which was actually quite good. A couple of Divya's photos were displayed. One of them was mis credited. Poor girl.

Overall, it was really wonderful to see those works. Man those babes are Creative.