Written on 7/30/2008 09:58:00 pm by Swift!
I'm not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know
I've found out a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you
I'm sorry that I hurt you
It's something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
Thats why i need you to hear
I've found a reason to show
A side of me you didn't know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you
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Written on 7/30/2008 12:39:00 pm by Swift!
I was observing...how things get replaced. Everything in this world does. Today you are there, tomorrow someone else will be; today you are something, tomorrow you won't be, someone else will be. Replacement is inevitable.
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Written on 7/25/2008 10:23:00 pm by Swift!
Serial blasts in Bangalore...tragic. Who will compensate the loss to the families of those who died? Had they known today morning that their dear one will not return in the evening? Anyone can be a victim of terrorism. We don't realise this truth until we are part of the tragedy. When we hear such news, we take it casually thinking that it is someone unknown to us. We too can be in their place.
One of the news scrolls I saw today evening amused me very much: "Bangalore Police very alert (after the incident)". My comments to them: "Please go home and take rest. The terrorists have done their job. Now there is no point in your remaining alert. If it was to be done, it had to be yesterday. And not after the blasts have taken place. Now please don't strain yourself too much by remaining alert.
As for the Police and the Govt. of the remaining Indian cities: Please remain alert. It's not until anything tragic happens that we realise that it was 'possible'. Many cities (eg. the ones in Kerala) still don't believe that they too are vulnearble. There is no point in being extra-alert after the event.
If they don't: Who knows how many of us will return home tomorrow evening?
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Written on 7/23/2008 12:53:00 pm by Swift!
Whom will I tell all that I want to speak out?
When will I do all that I want to do?
Feel like I am once again stranded alone.
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Written on 7/22/2008 11:06:00 pm by Swift!
The Parliament showed its confidence in this Government. So the Manmohan Government continues to be in power and the Nuke deal will materialize. The mudslinging that took place in the House for two days will now be continued outside, with the BJP alleging the UPA to have won the motion through corrupt and unfair means. The most happy person is Amar Singh of SP, with this coalition meaning much to him and his party.
Earlier during the day:
Rahul Gandhi: Pretty decent speech. It is relieving to see at least the young MPs talking sense, and not just shouting and blabbing. He might not have delivered a speech of ‘karisma’, might not have done justice to his being projected as the “star” speaker, but there was something in the interest of the nation. Usually the members beat around the bush during their speeches, or mock each other-where can they find time to discuss national issues amidst these. Rahul’s speech differs from those, so feel I.
Lalu Prasad: Oh God! I adore this man. Whatever you accuse him of; this is a person who can take on the rest of the Parliament alone. He was handling the whole Opposition all alone. And his wits, tongue they kept even his opponents laughing and at times clapping. There were so many who insulted him during their speeches, but once he gets to speak, he sees to it that all of them are slaughtered. You will never get bored watching him talk, with all his funny quotes. The only problem probably will be with his “ij” and “waj” (is and was). We might not be able to follow his command over English :) .
And having seen two days of debating, I nominate Somnath Chatterjee for the Nobel Prize for Peace. I would have become mad if I had gone through such a chaos. Controlling a class of one thousand nursery children will be far easier. Earlier I had thought that the Traffic Policemen in Ernakulam handled the most chaotic job in the world; now I know that the LS Speaker does it!
How many years more will it take for the entire Parliament to uphold the dignity of the House?
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Written on 7/21/2008 11:13:00 pm by Swift!
Most of the day was spent watching the Trust Motion. I quite got addicted to the news and the LS proceedings. At times it was fun to watch the nonsenses uttered by some members and at at other times I wondered which side is right and whether the deal is good or bad for the nation. Among the speakers I had heard speaking, Praful Patel, Minister for Civil Aviation was my favourite. He, rightly emphasized that none of the members were talking about the core issue: Energy Security, something that has to be discussed in such a great detail, and were bluffing on trivial and irrelevant matters. He said that whether or not the government wins trust, it should be the interest of the members to seriously discuss the measures for energy security, a serious concern for every nation, which was not happening in the Parliament as no one was taking it seriously. I liked his voice modulation very much. Initially he was so calm that I felt that he didn't quite fit into the role of a LS "speaker". But minutes later he was roaring. And the best thing was that he wasn't bluffing. He talked to the point and quoted figures. And he kept his time. It was great to watch him talk. I felt that what he had said was right as other members were talking on topics completely foreign to the subject of discussion. One eminent (Sikh) member was saying that he won't support the motion as the Sikhs haven't benefitted anything though it's a Sikh Prime Minister! Another person started saying something and just as the Ruling camp opposed saying that what he had said was a breach of some rule in the House, he just swallowed his words and said the exact opposite. His attempt to save face was really a comedy to watch. Finally Somnath Chatterjee put him in a fix. He assured the ruling camp that whatever this respectable member is saying is true, so he claims, so he will have to bring the evidence tomorrow. (Poor guy, he will have to bring the "imaginary" newspaper he was supposedly quoting).
Somnath Chatterjee is another person to behold. He is doing a superb job. Don't know what his fate will be after the motion, with the CPM crying for his blood. But I feel that what he did was proper-the Speaker should put the House above everything else, even his party. Actually the CPM should have been a bit more sensible, at least to save itself from the present disgrace. But can't blame them, Somnath's refusal to quit makes the opposition lose two votes: one of Somanath in favour of CPM. The other vote is that of the Deputy Speaker, who will assume charge as the Speaker when the Somnath quits. As the Deputy Speaker is a sure vote in favour of the Congress, the Congress would have lost his vote if he becomes the Acting Speaker (as the Speaker doesn't vote in the normal case). Thus Somnath's refusal to resign is a double blow to the No-Confidence seekers. And only time can prove how crucial these two votes can become, as the margin is very narrow.
I am waiting for the final result. And it's going to be a suspense-thriller. Let's see what happens. Can the UPA prove the majority they claim or will it be the CPMs turn to overthrow a Govt. which went against it's wishes?
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Written on 7/20/2008 10:29:00 pm by Swift!
What was special about today?
I got to see my school, my alma mater after seven full years. Didn't quite feel any emotion on seeing it once again. It looks the same. Actually I was passing that way, so I could barely take a look. The School which gave me all I have: Christ Nagar English High School.
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Written on 7/18/2008 12:24:00 am by Swift!
Today we went to our native place. I spent more time driving than we spent there. All our visits nowadays are in such a hurry that we barely get time to spend time with the people there.
Driving: Aha!! Today is a special day. The 'to' journey was full of adventurous driving. After years of driving through NH and AC roads to reach our home, it was for the first time that I was driving through MC road. It was a totally new experience. Very difficult to overtake, with steep slopes and near-hairpin curves. The return journey...God!! We were literally washed out. I have never drove through such heavy rains. At times I stopped in the middle of the road to check whether I was on the road itself. It was flooded a feet high in many places. Who said there are no rains in Kerala?
But these are not what I want to tell you. It's something that happened during our journey to my mother's house (near Tiruvalla). I, on the M.C. road was cruising through the straight, flat road built by the adorable Pati-Bel. I was really enjoying the quality of the road. The last reading that I had seen on my speedometer was 80kph. It was rising. But still it was pretty "normal" speed for such quality roads, you could take it to much higher speeds, I was just restraining myself from the temptation. Suddenly some distance ahead I could see a Jeep pulled over, with it's rear side visible to me." Is it a Police Jeep?", thought I. I lost a couple of seconds in assessing whether it was a Police Jeep or not (it proved to be very costly). Suddenly I saw it's colour and could see the "Police" board. Also came to my vision another Van parked adjacent to it. God!! I hit the brakes (not too hard, lest it should come to a sudden halt, or they notice that I had slowed down seeing them). I realised that I didn't have enough time to bring it below 70kph. And to worsen everything suddenly a hand came out signalling me to pull over. I just got a fraction of a second to look on the speedometer-I felt that it gone below the limit but I wasn't sure, I didn't have time to make sure. I put the left indicator and pulled over. There were many vehicles by the road. It was a "checking". Guess I made it(slowed to allowed speed limits), thought I. I tried to convince , myself. Actually I became very happy, it was the first time that I was going through a Police checking. Though I used to carry all the "papers" all the time, I haven't witnessed a single "checking" till date. So I was happy that the "papers" came to use atleast once. Also we didnot have the Pollution Control Certificate till yesterday. What a coincidence that I got it certified yesterday. We were fortunate, else would surely have been fined on it. I got all the papers in my hand and walked to the officer.
I happily extended the papers. He didn't look at them. He turned back and shouted to his assistant, "WagonR".
He turned to us and said, "You have been stopped for overspeeding. Speed Tracer."
"Yes, I know", thought I. I have sound knowledge of the equipments these people use.
"That's very bad". I told myself. I felt that this charge was specifically created for me. I felt that I wasn't appreciated for the 999 road rules I follow, but was getting punished for this single fault. They are doing this because they can't find any other fault with me, no matter how hard they try. These are really unreasonable people. I tried to console myself.
"What's their speed?", the officer asked his assistant. Now I understood why he had yelled WagonR earlier. These people are measuring the speed of ALL the vehicles(and not just overspeeding ones). These are really unreasonable people, thought I. Very bad.
I wasn't sure at what distance from their van they had measured my speed. I just anticipated hearing humiliating figures-80,85... I waited for the officer to show me his teeth, in glorious display of his supremity. Overspeeding was one disgrace, which I could bear, but the declaration of my speed would be another, and this would be unbearable. I visualised the things to happen. The assistant would declare the speed. The officer would stare at me and mock, "Ethryaada maximum speed?". And then I would stupidly smile at him.
"69", said the assistant.
"What!!!", God!, I made it. So I wasn't wrong. The speed had fallen below 70. What a narrow escape! A smile appeared on my face.
The officcer said, "the maximum speed allowed for this road is 60kph. We excuse those upto 65 kph. But you will have to pay the fine.
"No, no, nohhh!. These are really unreasonable people. How many times did I break 100 kph today morning and they are fining me for exceeding 60 kph. These are really unreasonable people."
"Are you going to pay now or in the court?", asked the officer.
The rest of the story is not worth remembering. All I can say is that by the time that all the proceedings got over, my Dad's financial status got poorer by Rs. 300.
At the end of the day, I need to ask some questions. I am not justifying my overspeeding or advocating driving at high speeds. But I need to say some things.
The maximum speed of 70 kph allowed in Kerala, if not permitted on the State Highway, where else can it be attained? Please don't tell me NH because, there it is usual to see vehicles with speeds in excess of 120 kph.
How many vehicles today do actually drive at speeds lower than 60? What about all these Skodas and Hondas?
These people had selected the best part of the road, a straight stretch one, to actually make sure that all the vehicles do exceed the limit.
Which is really important? To charge all vehicles with a mere "number" or identifying those ones that are actually driving dangerously.
Overspeed is a relative term. There were many sections in M. C. Road where I had to roll-on for minutes in second gear, at speeds below 20kph. 60 will be an unimaginable and impossible figure there. Still they belong to M. C. Road itself, right? Even a forty would be a dangerous speed there. I feel that the speed allowed for different roads should be different based on the quality of the road. And of course, it should be displayed properly. For, I couldn't see anywhere in the M. C. road that the maximum speed allowed was 60kph.
If you are not allowed to drive fast on good roads, where else can you? As a citizen, I would like to ask: who will compensate for the time I lost in all those parts of the SH which were not worth being called even a mud road? We should realise the need for "everyone" to travel fast. (Yes that's very important, not just for the ministers). One question that I wanted to ask the officer was: "Sir, do you intend to say that really all your Jeeps travel on these roads below 60kph!!".
And one final thing, I am willing to keep any speed limit they set-provided they ensure that not a single person breaks it. Nothing is more frustrating in this country (on the road), than to see that you are driving below the maximum speed and suddenly someone buzzes past you at a speed 40 kph HIGHER than you!!. I will obey the rule, but then everyone else too should be forced to. I was fined for breaking the rule but I can ensure that there were a thousand others who escaped on the same day even after crossing 100 kph. You need proof? Well I did :). Is not that injustice? I am sure that these guys were not "ensuring" the law but just "collecting" some money.
Tailpiece: On the return journey I was very "desp". Not on being fined. Thinking about the speed for which they had fined me. Oru naanam ketta fining aayi poyi. Purathu aarodenkilum njaan engane ithu parayum? Naalu aalodu njan engane parayum, That I was fined for driving at 69 kph!!! Pandu etho pattaalakaaran naatil vannu thenga veenu marichu ennu pranjathu pole.I cursed myself, especially when I thought of the ninetyes that that I had hit earlier during the day.
Having said all this I should tell you all one thing. Though I have told all this,
Statutory warning: Driving at high speeds is injurious to health. And at times to your purse.
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Written on 7/13/2008 12:21:00 am by Swift!
Not doing much other than watching TV, movies and sleeping.
Today's movie:
Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na: Superb.
I thought of stopping it during the first ten minutes. It was "killing" me. But thereafter it got hilarious. I rate it superb for it's humour. The treatment is superb, nice humour and good plot (the horsemen :)). I liked the Nasaruddin Shah part the most, he enacting the ghost of a dead father. It's so funny to watch his scenes, with his wife describing him as a promoter of non-violence who had died during an attempt to stop a fight between families(the funny part is that he was a Kshatriya who died during a fight between families-we burst into laughter when we discover this later). The songs are good but not of A. R. Rahman standard, they are better with the video as the visualisations are pretty good. "Pappu can't dance" song- I love it!(Since I myself can't dance).
Genelia'a acting is good, her mannerisms in some scenes are great. Imran Khan had a good debut, and so were other actors, did a good job.
I think this movie got more than they expected (Imran Khan was shocked to see the Box-office response), I think everything worked well. And a lively, humorous treatment. The ending was great, though it is a common ending in Hindi movies. The only thing in the movie that I can't digest is that none of the characters have got any work/job. All they do is sing, dance, party and of course, fall in LOVE.
Ranjore Ke Rathore....I still can't help laughing!
Autograph and JT YJN are two movies you should watch back to back: contrasting themes:)
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Written on 7/12/2008 12:14:00 am by Swift!
This is a continuation of the previous post titled V+A=IO. Then I was wailing about something I badly wanted. Something I did not have. And now I have it. And it seems so ordinary. No more fascination.
The laptop has arrived! So unexpected!! I was dreaming of it for so long, I did not have it then. I felt very bad. Now, when I had given all hope and trained my mind, here it is, right before me. Like many other things in life.
Today’s movies:
Bhoothnath: average. Old formula of child-ghost/super-hero relationship. There are some comedies but on the whole the story is weak and at times dragging (especially, there is nothing happening in the first half). The actors have done a reasonably good job. In the end, as usual, the child parts with the ghost!
But the movie tries to bring a different ending by returning the ghost to the child forever. Nice experiment, but I don’t think that it (climax) did any special wonder to the movie.
Autograph: Wanted to see this for this movie for years. Got it finally. Good one. The best thing is that the events are very natural. You can find that many events in the movie can be found in your life. Kudos for keeping it all very simple. Liked the theme: there are things more important than "love".
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Written on 7/11/2008 11:41:00 pm by Swift!
Today was a wonderful day! I went to Thrissur and came back.17 hours of business, out of which I was travelling for 14 hours. 600 km covered in a day. It was an eventful day. I had little time and a lot to do. The happy thing is that I did all that I wanted to do. It was a fruitful day.
The day started with a race session. I was late for the train and our driver put up a good show: drove at high speeds, took all the wrong lanes (my God!), and finally we got there on time. Actually this event can sum up the rest of my day. Everything was similar. Repetitive. Took Venad Express to Thrissur. Along with me was my sister. We spent time talking and listening to music from the single music source we had:).
I wanted to get my TC and course certificate from college. I was supposed to be in the office at 12 noon, not being able to make it spelled that either I miss my return train at 02.55p.m. or that I don’t get my certificates. And the best thing was that at 12.00 noon I was still at the railway station! From there I dashed to the college. All the time I wondered what will happen if that guy at the office went out for lunch. I won’t be able to find him for another two hours; even if he was there at his seat there was no guarantee that he would be willing to complete my work before his lunch (there are a thousand formalities, you see, from this counter to that table, they keep you roaming. By the time you get everything you would have the “autograph” of everyone in the office with you!). I got there by 12.20p.m. Thanks to Anu, she had kept everything for my T.C. and C.C ready. So I only had to sign it. So I got it quickly. One final job-I need to get back my 10th and 12th certificates.
”Sir…”
“Come after lunch”, said he.
”Sir….”
”Can’t you understand? It will take a lot of time. Come after lunch”.
I thought everything got doomed. I went back to the “two possibilities”. I imagined myself missing the train and the better case, returning without the certificates (and going to Thrissur again for that).
Enter Anu again. “Kaalil Veezhu”. She advised. So I took out the actor in me and performed again. Poor guy, he felt sympathetic. The work he had predicted would take “a lot of time” got over in one minute. Hooray. I accomplished everything, thought I. But I had no idea of the things to come.
And by the way, having gone through the exit procedures of my hostel and college, I have a thorough idea of how these guys keep you running and exaggerate their work. The golden rule to get your work done: “Kaalil Veezhu”. Make them feel that they are the Indian Prez and you are some convict begging their mercy (Daya Hargi). The man in the hostel spoke with immense satisfaction after having done my work. He appeared to be doing a favour for me. He told me that actually my work can get delayed by a day, it was a special favour he was doing for me. Earlier he had kept me running and given the same excuse-“will take a lot of time”, for not being able to refund my Caution Deposit. Again this work got over in 5 min. He was too merciful to me. (And you know, he requested me not to tell anyone what he had done for me, or they too will demand speedy work...ha ha ha). Not to be defeated, I returned with the most innocent and obliging voice, “I am very grateful to you, SIR”. Got out and laughed with Jaijo on the events inside.
Back to the story. There were a few of our classmates in the college. Spent the final moments with them. Had lunch with them at Canteen. Enjoyed some genuine “choris”, for the one final time. Lakshmipriya was leaving. Sent her off. Finally went to Jaijo’s house for the last purpose of my visit-to get some movies and songs written (on a DVD). The rest of the story is like the Hare-Tortoise race story. I relaxed a bit too much at Jaijo’s house. In the middle of DVD-writing, I got a call that the train will arrive in 2 min. Two minutes?? God, it’s the last train in the evening. I can’t miss it. “Two minutes remaining”, said Mr. Nero. I left the DVD to its fate. We ran out of the house. Got into the car. Still Jaijo delayed another minute. I thought that chances were getting low. A minute later Jaijo appeared with the “completed” DVD. Another race session! For the first time I anticipated accidents during his driving. We lost time in a lot of jams. Into the railway station, I found a train standing at the platform. We ran out of the car (Anu was with us). Before our entering the platform, the train started moving. I had two heavy bags which was hindering my running. I asked Anu to get in first. And finally I got in. God, it was great. If we had lost another five seconds on our way we would have missed the train. It seemed miraculous. I had done everything I wanted. Got the train. Even the DVD:). And I felt that the situation was created for another purpose; to give me and Anu a final trip together. But for the rush we had, there would have been some other people too with us, who now had missed the train because of the confusion we had created. I am sorry for them, but Thank God.
The journey with Anu ended at Ekm. Then I travelled alone. Slept a lot. Listened to a lot of music. By the time I reached Trivandrum Railway Station I was asleep, my phone battery had drained long since (and the music had ended some time back) and my fellow passenger had to wake me up. Finally got back home. A new life begins. At home. Away from college
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Written on 7/10/2008 11:38:00 pm by Swift!
College life over. Back in Trivandrum. I am "refreshing" my blogging life to a new level.
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