Shyamoly...

Your jacket is still in your cabin. I am left feeling that you will be coming to get it. I still feel like theres chances we meet in the ladies rest room brushin our teeth. I am looking forward to checking those nice, witty gtalk status lines. I am waiting to hear how the last chemo went. You needed more updates on how i am doing with my crazy problem. Theres a lot more movies in my hard disk that we need to exchange. I still have to see birdemic with my friends and tell you how it went. Dont you want to comment on my forwards? We are all waiting to see your hair grow back thicker and better. My rafting experience was just as great as you said it would be. The pictures are out, I'll ping you the links.


Thought i had enough time to understand that you cant do any of these. But im surprised at how long its taking. We weren't friends ... were we?... woudl ppl who ping each other on the communicator and gtalk more often than call, qualify for friends? I think i had called you only thrice. I am caught feeling confused when i tell my friends that I lost a... a friend or a colleague? This has been plaguing me ever since you have been gone. I let my heart out and cried for sometime on that day. And shed a few involuntary tears hear and there everyother time you came into my mind. I didnt cry enough for a friend did I?
So you have gone off on a nice long vacation without telling anyone... oh you are doing some back packing are you? Nice. So how long will you be gone? Donno... hmmm. As long as you enjoy the journey eating a lot of bong sweets along the way how does it matter. Yeah i understand, it will be difficult to update your gtalk and facebook statuses esp when your travelling.
This is what i want to think of your disappearing act.
I am honoured for having knowing a practical wise witty strong compassionate woman whos life-savings was a huge group of friends who stood with her through thick and thin in every literal sense. I wish i could be that good.
May I live with the spirit you had.

NITA EATS OUT @ Oh! Calcutta, St.Marks Rd.

Vegetarian+Non-vegetarian
Bengali

RATING:
@ THE RESTAURANT
Taste: 3.5/5
Price: 3/5 - 350-450 per head

Service: 4/5

Ambience: 4/5

HOME DELIVERY
Available but haven't tried.

COMMENTS: First thing that stood out was the extra nice waiters - very polite, pleasing, very welcoming. However I should tell you that my mom and I have been super thirtsty ever since we got back from there. Just to set expectations right, the briyani has a strong taste of rose water - not that its bad, but for those of us who are looking for something spicy and hot, this wont be it but it is an interesting taste. The Paturi we tried was great and we liked the koraishutir dhokar dalna a lot.

PICTURES:
ADDRESS: 15&16, House Of Lords, St. Marks Road, Bangalore-560001
PHONE: 22277722

Vernacular Architecture

As per Wiki :

“Vernacular architecture is a term used to categorise methods of construction which use locally available resources and traditions to address local needs. Vernacular architecture tends to evolve over time to reflect the environmental, cultural and historical context in which it exists. It has often been dismissed as crude and unrefined, but also has proponents who highlight its importance in current design.”

I learnt this word about 2-3 yrs ago when I went to the Interiors Exhibition (an exhibition for interior deco, furnitures, etc.). Right outside the hanger was a stall put up by the Center for Vernacular Architecture. A lovely man and his wife and their beautiful daughter showed us some of the designs and explain the concept of Vernacular architecture. I liked what they showed.

 

The heat that we experience in our Garden City now a days suddenly reminded me of my grandparents old home and then these guys. So I looked them up and found a nice site. Some of the houses are very beautiful. When I do build a house I would like to use some Vernacular Architecture in it.

 

Perhaps we will start appreciating our old ways.

 

http://www.vernarch.com/projects.htm#residences

Alma Mater

I had been to the Technical Museum, here in Bangalore recently. I enjoyed being there. When we went to the canteen which is on the terrace, I spotted a building on the opposite side with a big sign board that read ‘Alma Mater’. My brother, our nieces and I tried hard to read the rest of the board, but didn’t find anything that gave an idea of what it was all about.

 

Well here it is. Quite interestingly, its an organization that helps people to discover and maximize their potential.  

http://www.almamater.com/home.htm             

 

I particularly like some of the things I found on this page http://www.almamater.com/values.htm

 

Black Tea + Lemon = Orangish-Brown coloured Tea. WHY?

Those of us who enjoy lemon tea, might have already observed this and if not, you can try it out today. Make black tea and squeeze in some lemon and observe how the color changes.

This phenomenon is called Bathochromic Shift – which is the change in the ability of a liquid to absorb light of longer wavelengths(red light) caused by the substitution or changes in the molecules of the liquid.

So something happens to the tea molecules when you add lemon, that changes its ability to absorb red light. (That’s my plain English definition).

Why does it happen, let me see if I can keep the explanation simple and interesting.

When tea leaves are picked they are green. Like all leaves, when you pluck them, they start to wilt because they lose water. This is the start of the natural oxidation process. To make our household regular tea, oxidation has to happen at a controlled and specific rate, plus its heated. Oxidation means that water is driven out of the leaf and the chlorophyll (the pigment that make it green) slowly breaks down by the action of the enzymes naturally present in the leaves. Oxidation of the leaves, creates a tannin called Thearubigins – that’s what gives the tea its brown colour and slightly bitter taste.

Now when you add lemon juice to your tea, the citric acid in the lemon reacts with the tannin (thearubigins). The acid doesn’t allow the tannin to get ionized (ionization= converting a molecule to ions). This changes the nature of the liquid to absorb low frequency light.

I hope I got it right. Enjoy the resulting brownish orange chemical solution.

Heres what Everything.com has to say:

Adding a squeeze of lemon juice to black tea has the effect of clearing the liquid; it transforms it from a dark, nearly-opaque brown to a transparent orangey yellow in a matter of seconds. This is because the hydogen ions produced by the acid in the lemon juice suppress the ionisation of thearubigins (tannins), the polyphenols that otherwise give tea its brown colour, an effect known as the bathochromic shift - it's a fun chemistry demonstration as well as a tasty hot drink!* The reaction makes the thearubigins lose not just their brown colour but also their astringency, so strong black tea can be made drinkable this way - especially with the addition of a little sugar to take the edge off the bitterness. Unlike milky tea, lemon tea made this way remains tasty at any temperature, and many recipes for iced tea call for the addition of lemon. Incidentally, orange juice is also acid enough to remove most of black tea's astringency, as well as sweetening it; it sounds weird, but it's actually pretty good.

Just to remind you of the chem lab days, I used to love titrations

Knowledge, no reservations

Of all sources of knowledge...
I think the internet has managed to become more impartial than any God (in any religion) has ever been able to.
The new age Saraswathi, Benzaiten, Athena... you come asking her for anything and she will not disappoint you. You dont have to even wait to pray.
She does not see your gender, political leaning, sexuality, age, plus, true to 'God-style' thinkin, she doesnt even see your intent.
You get what you ask for.
Two fine inventions!

The Living Dead

Today… I am feeling mean. I am feeling this urge to be heartless. I feel the need to be a bitch. I close my eyes and picture myself at a cliff edge, cold air crashes into me but only my hair obeys... I suck in air mercilessly and then scream … is it a scream or a bellow?… a wet warmth streams down as  I empty out my lungs clean. I don't want to fill it… but the life in me doesn't give me a choice and refills before my mind can be firm on its choice. The discomfort of feeling life fill in my lungs, forces my eyes open. I am back infront of my screen. Still  here. Still quite. Still good.

 

 

Here is a lovely essay by Judith Strasser, a producer. She wrote this before she died of cancer. Its more powerful to hear her reading it out. 

http://www.wpr.org/book/Strasser%20Essay.html

 

“Time is precious: it's really all we have”

 

We are dying with every breath we take.

 

 

A Dysfunctional Spelling

Why isnt DYSFUNCTIONAL spelt DISFUNCTIONAL?
It breaks away from the normal rules of negated prefix 'dis'... like in DISlike, DIScomfort, DISobey, etc.

Doesn't it seem to be a pun on the very definition?
:)

Iktara by Tochi Raina From 'Wake up Sid'

This should be the first song you listen to in the week (if it’s your kind).

 

Last night I watched ‘wake up sid’ and I liked the movie. It wasn’t earth shattering, but a simple, pleasant movie. Friends at my office might be growing mad with my obsession with the ‘Iktara’ song. Its when I watched the movie that I understood that there is a version sung by a male singer by the name Tochi Raina. This man got his first break after 20 odd years of learning music, in the movie ‘A Wednesday’. Apparently this singer was in treatment for depression because some website made a grave mistake of giving credit to upcoming singer Toshi Sabri for song sung by Tochi. This goof up cost the man his peace of mind and a couple of opportunities.

 

Well enjoy this version of the song

 

http://www.4shared.com/file/156455222/53bd6599/Iktara_-_Male_Version_-_by_Toc.html?cau2=403tNull

 

Here is lyrics+translation to the song, courtesy Amitabh Iyer http://spinningawheel.blogspot.com/2009/12/969-iktara-male-version-from-wake-up.html :

Rooh ka banjara re parinda
Chhad gaya dil ka re gharonda
Chhad gaya dil ka re gharonda todke
Re gharonda todke, gaya chhodke

(rooh = spirit, self or seat of intellect, banjara= nomad, parinda = pigeon, free rebel bird

Its the free spirit (in me) that is soaring, flying out like a bird, escaping from my heart, which (once) used to be its abode…..breaking the shackles that held it within….(as we talk), the spirit is away on a wing and a prayer, having bolted from its own (constraining) home.)

Je naina karun band band
Beh jaye boond boond (2)
Tadpaye re, kyun sunaye geet malhar de

(Every time  I close my eyes, the river (of tears) begins to drizzle (down)…..Anguish and misery are my (constant) company, even as the song (and sounds) of rain(s) have started their slow dance.)

Bemalang tera iktara (8)

(As I have said in my previous post Iktara is a single stringed instrument capable of a deep bass and a sharp treble…..and hence is metaphorical of music and the seven notes and life’s up and down in general. This line says….

My iktara continues to harp without any chord, melody or joy….)

Itra tun basi basi, padi hai sirhane
Band darwaja dekhe lauti hai subah
Thandi hai angeethi seeli, seeli hain deewarein
Goonje takrake inme dil ki sada
Goonje hai re (2) dil ki sada (2)

(itra = colloquial word for perfume or an aromatic body paste

My embellishments (like my scents and fragrances) are lying wasting around, breathing their (useless) aromas out and (in the process) dying….My (new) morning (and fresh beginnings) are about to return back after knocking endlessly on my closed doors….My oven and my walls are all damp and cold (due to neglect and disregard)…..In all of these atrophy(surrounding me), all I can hear is the wail of a dirge from my soul, this slow constant echoing lament of my heart.)

)

Jo naina karun band band
Beh jaye boond boond (2)
Tadpaye re, kyun sunaye geet malhar de

(Every time  I close my eyes, the river (of tears) begins to drizzle (down)…..Anguish and misery are my (constant) company, even as the song (and sounds) of rain(s) have started their slow dance.)

Bemalang tera iktara (8)

(My iktara continues to harp without any chord, melody or joy….)

Hmm... so what shall I do today?

This post was planned for the 1st. I was all enthusiastic that day, about writing this post, or rather more determined than enthusiastic. I even thought of singing ABBA’s ‘Happy new year’ and posting it. But for some reason I couldn’t post it on the 1st… neither could I do it on the 2nd or any of the days after it till now. I guess it speaks well about my ‘determination’ and to tell you the truth, as the days went by and I had the time to imagine how I would sound and how it might be if someone would listen … I started feeling a little conscious about the sing-a-song project. Now it seems like a nightmarish task. So, until another day, whereI will be as impulsive or brave, people don’t have to know how I sound.
Hence forth, I will try my best to stop feeling stifled and discontented. These which I list here are not resolutions (Yeah, I still don’t believe in them), these are things that I would like to remind myself to do, if I am in the mood to. Please pardon the ‘self-talk’...
1) Stop being such a stingy miser and get yourself a SLR
2) You enjoyed that horse ride, remember? May be you should consider taking riding classes. Yeah, it’s expensive, but see if you can manage it appropriately.
3) PMP/PG. Babe, don’t you yearn to get out of this rut? Then do something about it.
4) Voice-over. Make demos and see where it goes.
5) It’s may be time for another travel? Somewhere nearby or Andamans, Sri Lanka, Machu Picchu, Cambodia, New Zealand…
6) How about learning some dance form? Odissi has been a plan for too long. Salsa/jive?
7) Work out? Walk?
8) How about making a short-movie or take up some short movie classes?
9) ... will add on as I get ideas...

Documentary on Mumbai's 26th Nov Attack

Here is a very good documentary that chronologically, pieces up the events that took place those two days. Made by a filmmaker, Dan Reed, for Channel 4 in UK.
http://mobmag.in/seriously/dispatches-terror-in-mumbai/
Watching it you realise, how gullible people, can be exploited to make ruthless killers . You will notice as you go through the documentary that these terrorists are after all, young boys who get charmed by the lush interiors of the hotel. Something as simple as a computer monitor rivets them and at that moment they sound like a school kid who has set his eyes on an xbox for the first time. These 20-something guys are so caught up with their bosses that they need to right down 'filmy' dialogues that their bosses have ordered them to tell the media. You get to understand that these 'commanders' who are shouting out orders at these guys, are prepared to patiently sweet talk or else breath down their necks to ensure that the work is done.

On my last 3-4 visits to Lifestyle shopping mall, i noticed that the rigourous hand bag checks that were there, now has gone cold. Last month I visited Garuda mall and the lady there just took a peep into my bag and let me in. I told her to take a good look, in turn she checked my bag to somewhat satisfy me. She must be too sure that this mall isnt the kind of place that will suit the tastes of a terrorist. Poor thing, she is waiting for one such event to happen perhaps. And for those of us who do go through the entrance without having to be checked are all the more glad that we dont have to waste 2 mins wasting at the entrance.

This is the thing with us Indians. Misery, tragedy is a part of our lives. It does not get us paranoid, though it does temporarily scare us. And in due course of time, our fear fades away. We as citizens, are very laid back about everything thats not right - beauraucracy, population, littering, reservation, terrorism, etc. We can go on and on about it, but dont ask us to do anything about it. Though i am glad that we are not a paranoid nation, I now wonder, whether we were better off being one. Atleast that way we would have done something substancial before another attack. Oh! maybe thats what our terrorist-hosting neighbours are doing... they are trying to wake us up. But despite the best of their efforts, we fail to keep our eyes open for too long.

How many bomb blasts has India suffered in the last 20 years? We holdout candles for the 26th Nov. If we were to take into consideration all those blasts... I think there wouldnt be a day in the year where we wouldnt hold memorial services. India would have to import candles to meet the demand.

JAI HIND ! Its not the exaggerated exclamation of patiotism that we need here. Its a simple dot, a full stop to what stands in the way of our improvement.
JAI HIND .

A drizzle of goodness

I am sure you have experianced this somewhere sometime in your life... you could be sitting or standing somewhere and suddenly, almost out of no where, you feel a very very tiny droplet of water on your skin. It brings a lil surprise coupled with a smile ... atleast for me.

Just like that, today, the person in me, who had almost lost faith in the existance of something called goodwill, received a sign.

Today morning, I had a person from my automobile service center, come and get my car. So, I had to rely on my least favourite mode of transport - the autorikshaw. I have nothing against the vehicle, in fact I love it and hope that someone would have the guts to remodel the thing and turn it into a commercial vehicle. It's its drivers that get to me.

My home is about 10 km from my office and on days with traffic - it takes me in my car, max 40-45 mins to get to work, else it just takes me 20 min. Now, guess my surprise when the first few autos drivers I had stopped, tell me that they would charge me extra. And for what?!! Listen to this s*&! : "Madam, theres too much of traffic." Well if your thing runs on wheels it doesnt have a choice but to navigate through traffic. What were they expecting empty roads or they better get thier autos to fly - Now I am sure there isnt much traffic up there. As it is, on earth most of them can simulate a drive to hell, and if they were to fly, well I guess, it would guarantee that you get off safely at destination - HELL.

Then I boarded an auto that didn't make any such demand (Hmmm ... thats weird). I told him where I needed to go - just the area and not the specifics. The driver took me through familiar roads but not my regular route. Finally I reached at my office. The meter showed Rs.96. He asked me 'Madam, I did not have a clear picture of where you had to get off exactly. The route I took you thru was longer. Usually how much does it take you to get here?'. I paid him a 100. I told him Rs.75-80. He checks all over for change and then hands me over Rs.15. I told him that he needed to give me Rs.4 and he went on to explain that he took me on a longer route when I could have saved my money. I was happy, humbled, shocked, moved... all at the same time. I gave him back the tenner. Just so that I dont forget who he was - a curly haired, round faced man by the name of Ambrose from some JJR or JJP Layout or something.

Now, that must be a shock to all those of us (esp Bangaloreans) who have to grapple with autodrivers over longer routes, tampered meters, unresonable charges, rides denied for all kinds of reasons. How many 'Ambroses' do you think might be out there? Or does it matter? Is it just enough knowing that there is one, as of now, and there just might be more somewhere?

I felt happy for the reason that he respected my money just as he would his. I was carrying a laptop, clearly looking like someone who earned more than him. But thankfully he did not think that my Rs.96 was any cheaper or valuable than Rs.96 that lies in his pockets.

I have had another nice experiance once before... but Imight share that someday later.

So, dont lose faith over human nature. Its human nature to go against the definition of 'nature'... its in us humans to constantly bring up surprises.

NOTE: The picture is a cartoon drawn by the author of this blog http://iyermatter.wordpress.com/. I loved the image so much, I just had to use it.

Make Nita's Reel World Rich

Here are some movies that I want to collect. The ones in green- I have them. Share your list too.

 

Here is mine:

 

Duck Season/Temporada de patos : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temporada_de_patos

Whats eating Gilbert Grape http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What's_Eating_Gilbert_Grape

The Shipping News : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shipping_News_(film)

Anne of the Thousand Days http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_of_the_Thousand_Days

For Keeps http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_Keeps_(film)

Sex, Lies and Obession http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sex_lies_and_obsession/

Blue Moon http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0189397/#comment

The River Runs through it http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_River_Runs_Through_It_(film)

Lions for Lambs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lions_for_Lambs

Quiz Show http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quiz_Show

The Milagro Beanfield War http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Milagro_Beanfield_War

Ordinary People http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordinary_People

Silkwood http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silkwood

Burbaker http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brubaker

The bridge too far http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Bridge_Too_Far_(1977_film)

A Civil Action http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Civil_Action

The Moghuls http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0405163/

Interview with the Vampire http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interview_with_the_Vampire_(film)

Donnie Brasco http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donnie_Brasco_(film)

The devil's advocate http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Devil's_Advocate_(film)

The Crying Game http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crying_Game

Sweet Home Alabama http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweet_Home_Alabama_(film)

The Usual Suspects http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Usual_Suspects

 

I just want you to be happy LYRICS

I came across this by chance today. Thought it is something that many of us feel when we see a close friend or a family clamp up in pain. I know a lot of people have felt this way looking at me at times. I haven’t yet heard the song. But the lyrics sure is good. Simple and straight forward – just what goes on in the mind of someone who cares about you.  -NEETS

 

I just want you to be happy

I might not be the one to make you though

It hurts so much to see you down

I just want you to feel better

 

I just want you to be happy

I might not be the right one, who knows

It hurts so much to see you decay

I just want you to find the way out

I just want you to be happy

You might not feel like talking to me

But it hurts so much to hear the silence

I'd rather hear you scream from your soul

 

You never tell me what the pain is for

You let your heart be stuck in the fall

You don't have to share

Just come out of a cage

Then the sun will banish your fears

 

I just want you to be happy

I might not be the one to make you though

It hurts so much just to be around you

When you are too hard on yourself

I just want you to know (x3)

that it's okay to be happy in the fall

 

I just want you to be

I just want you to feel

I just want you to be

I just want you to be happy

 

NITA'S TALKIE TALK: Pazhassi Raja

Rating: 3/5
Language: Malayalam (Dubbed into Hindi, Tamil, Telugu)
Gener: Historical
Gist: Story of the 18th century popular king, Kerala Varma Pazhassi and his revolt against the British East India Company with the help of his trusted right-hand Edachena Kungan Nair and Kurichiar Tribe.

Director: T. Hariharan
Story: MT Vasudevan
Music: Illayaraja
Produced by: Gokulam Gopalan

Cast: Mammooty, Sharathkumar, Manoj K Jayan, Padmapriya, Kanika Sbramanium, Peter Handley, Harry Key, Linda Arsenio

REVIEW
Highlights:

1. MT Vasudevan's story
2. Good acting by Indian actors. Apart from Mamooty, performaces by Sharathkumar, Padmapriya and Manoj K Jayan were exceptional. Sharathkumar's mouth movements were very good.
3. Well-done publicity. Successful at creating a hype.
4. Locations
5. Informative for those who know nothing about this piece of history.

Drawbacks:

1. Some of the costumes look very synthetic. The British actors' costumes were very bright.
2. The malayalam spoken sounds more 'new age' than it ought to be.
3. Wigs were terrible. It looks more like hair that hasnt been washed in ages!
4. Action - the excessive use of the hung-from-rope action kills the intended effect and it has been executed badly in several places. Sharathkumar out-shines Mamooty in the sword fights- his movements have a better finish. Padmapriya has handled her action scenes very well.
5. Non-Indian actors: Peter Handley plays Major James Gordon. Harry Key plays Assistant Collector Thomas Hervey Baber. Linda Arsenio plays Dora Assistant Collector Baber's fiancée. To sum up their acting abilities - pathetic, below average, too theatrical in some cases. Infact, they look almost comical in several scenes. For example, the final scene after the king is dead and the Asst. Collector talks of how he respects the King dispite him being their enemy, made me laugh for two reasons - one, the dialogue delivery was highly juvenile and two, no where else in the movie did Harry Key's face ever show that he felt any kind of respect for his enemy, the king. (Compare it with the Last Samurai's scene where Ken Watanbe gets killed. You can see the honour that the enemies feel for eachother. Now you get me?!)
6. Narrator - It looks like the narrator is only a last minute addition for the sake of adding a crowd-puller's name in the credits of the movie in the beginning so that the movie finds it easy to warm up to the local crowd. The narrator has just 2-3 lines to say in the beginning of the movie and thats it. You dont hear the narrator ever again.
7. Had this been created some 20-30 years ago, this would have been good enough. But at a day and age where you get to see period movies being created more often and that too with such finesse, it is sin to create a movie which is known as the most expensive Malayalam movie (Rs.2,700,000) and that severely lacks detail and perfection.
8. Somehow the movie fails to anchor your attention and interest.

BOTTOM LINE:

Watch it for the history. It will ride on the waves of celebrity-power and hype. The hype will draw-in the initial crowd, but the loyal fans will keep the moolah flowing.

NITA EATS OUT @ Eurasia, Jayanagar

Vegitarian
Italian (Maj) + Arabic + Mongolian

RATING:
@ THE RESTAURANT
Taste: 4/5
Price: 3/5 - 250-350 per head
Service: 4/5 - quick - I was served within 10 min, the waiters are prompt and polite.
Ambience: 4/5
HOME DELIVERY
Delivery: 4/5 - quicker than I had expected for Italian fare(both home delivery and at the restaurant)
Packing: 4/5

COMMENTS: This is the first time that I have come across an authentic Italian restaurant in this side of Bangalore. And that too a good one. A place worth visiting. I have had food from here both, with friends and alone - and I find the food a little too expensive. It has taken them courage to start a restaurant of such nature in an area famous for its idli-vangi bath diet. They have taken up the challenge beautifully.

PICTURES: http://picasaweb.google.com/nitaarvind/NITAEATSOUTEurasiaOct09#

ADDRESS: #12, 32nd Cross, 7th Block Jayanagar

PHONE: 22452202, 22452203, 22452204

Tandoori Pomodoro Pasta

Ok... that name might suck... but the dish definitely doesnt. Or atleast my family enjoyed it. What lead to this? We had brought home a Tandoori Chicken parcel, but dinner was so good that we hardly had the Tandoori Chicken. Today morning, I walked into the kitchen and then remembered a friend saying that she wanted to try making something Indian in pasta.
Taking cue, I set out to do something, that turned out well.
We had brought the Tandoori Chicken from Imperial on Residency Road (their masala smells great and they dont use artificual colour).
Ingredients:
1 Tandoori Chicken
500gm of pasta/macroni
2 Large tomatoes
2 Medium Onions
2 tsp Ginger Garlic Greenchilli paste
1/2 tsp pepper powder
1/2 tsp chilli powder
1 pinch Garam Masala
1 clove staranise
1/2 inch cinnamon
1 pinch oregano
1 pinch rosemary
Procedure:
1) Cook, drain pasta and keep it aside
2) Chop the tandoori chicken and throw away the bones
3) Heat 1 tbl spn in a vessle (the vessle should be big enough to hold the cooked pasta), add in the staranise and cinnamon.
4) Add the chopped onions and saute till transparent
5) Add the ginger-garlic-green chilli paste till the raw garlic paste disappears
6) Add the pepper powder, chilli powder and saute
7) Add the tomatoes. Add salt to taste. Add the oregano and rosemary after crushing it. Cook the tomatoes till they soften
8) Add the chopped Tandoori Chicken. Mix it well and leave it to cook in the sauce for 3-4 mins
9) Add 1/2 - 3/4 cup water and bring to boil. (Add salt if needed)
10) Add in the pasta and mix it well with the sauce.

I know Im back

Yeah... perhaps i need to know this more than any of you out there. I need to know that i am back to bloggin and that I am going to enjoy it.
New look, new idea... lemme see what i can come up with.
Oh, this is the first time I have tried the post-by-email option. Nice, hunh?

God - the pacifier

God is a pacifier. A pacifier that was handed down to me through my parents. In fact, every family has a pacifier of their own.

Some of us get hooked to it and suck at all times. And since its always stuck in the mouth, we just cant see it completely, plus, the part that’s visible seems larger than it actually is because it so close to our eyes.

Some of us wear it around our necks, never knowing when we might need it. and use it when we need some pacification. Once its served its purpose, it goes back to where it belongs- dangling around our necks.

Some of us see no need for pacification because the need for it seems somewhat shameful – a thing of the past, a lie we have been taught to rely on when the real comfort should be found within us. We throw away that pacifier and look down upon it and perhaps look down upon those who might still rely on it.

Some of us find our pacifier not being good at its job. So we throw away the old one and set out to find another one- another model or perhaps, another brand. Keep searching for that which might finally pacify us.

My pacifier finds a special place in my drawer. It shares space with all those lil momentos that mark some importance in my life. It lies there,as a reminder of the times it helped me become a better person, as a reminder of the time I felt, 'I dont need it'. I have not lost my appreciation for what it has done for me. Today I am able to appreciate the whole pacifier business - different brands, different models, their features and the promises of what their product can do. Now, it will lie there till its my turn to give it to my kids. I will sit back and watch they would do with theirs.

Essay writing

Who thought I would ever get to do another essay composition after my school days. My pre- University days were the last time I had language classes. I was more than just happy when I heard my office was conducting communication classes for everyone. Today, after all these years I got to write one. We were told to use the following 10 words how many ever times we wanted, in which ever order we wanted in our composition : 1) Laptop 2)Nano 3)Dolphin 4)Hotel 5)Pirate 6)Turtle 7)Prince 8) Mountain 9)Clouds 10) Oranges
Here is what I wrote:

"
I love cloudy days, like this one. I had been working on the book all night- staring into my laptop, tapping away. I had never experianced an urge so strong like the one last night, so powerful, that I finished what I had set out to do. I thought, my system would crave for a nap at dawn, but, I surprise myself- I dont feel tired. I guess the contentment is keeping me awake.
My grumbling stomach demands some much deserved attention. I reach out for the bag of oranges on the table, behind me. As though to break the monotonous morning silence, the bag rips launching the oranges to the wooden floor- thud.thud...thud. There were only 3 left from my orange-dinner yesterday.I bend under my table to see if it wakes Prince. It does- he peeps out opening his eyes slowly. Prince, my pet turtle, wasted no time in getting back to doing what he loves best, resting on his royal bed made up of cabbage leaves in a two-day old pizza box.
I pick the oranges and make my way to the balcony. I sit there, on the floor with the salty air rushing to me, feeling like I own the place. I conveniently forget that I need to pay the Nano Park Hotel tomorrow for this luxury. I hope I had enough to buy this place!! How else could I feel? Looking at this rolling sea, fishing trollers bobbing up and down on the blue sea and dolphins dancing in the distance. Turn a lil to the left and majestic mountains stand tall, towering over the clouds. I am lost in all this beauty. Suddenly mind shifts to the thought of dark,cold and mysterious pirates. I picture my publisher, with an eye-patch and a pirate hat, having a hook for a hand and a peg for a leg. Gaawd! that reminds me I need get back to finishing that book.
"

It felt so good to be doing it after so long. May be you should try it too ... just for the kick!