tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174882072024-03-14T09:13:45.898+05:30My scribblingYet another [s]crap.
Thanks for stepping in. The posts are my random scribbling, personal views and opinions. Read at your own risk! Dont forget to post your valuable comments and suggestions :)Kasi Alagappanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15194247989758038763noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17488207.post-20923134198052736552009-04-10T11:02:00.001+05:302009-04-10T11:02:54.638+05:30Billboard Music widget<script type="text/javascript" src="http://widgets.clearspring.com/o/49c25c23558d8d5a/49deda04aa9731f4/49c25c23984aa07/42a7c7cb/widget.js"></script>Kasi Alagappanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15194247989758038763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17488207.post-43349428645078762362008-09-19T01:54:00.010+05:302009-02-15T10:33:10.184+05:30Olympics, Washington DC - Baltimore trip, Beverly Hills, Movies and moreTime to say Hi! Those who are visiting this space, and still don't find anything new, Thanks, and do hop in at least once in a month. You might find something new in store! With that said, I am making a conscious effort to keep the blog space going, at least with these one or two posts a month.<br /><br />Its been a totally totally amazing time and lots of events since my last post. True to its spirit, the 2008 Olympics in China kept the promise of being the greatest show in the planet and no doubt, astounding and outstanding with its scale of magnificence, glamor, participation, logistics. It kept me 'wowed' for a long time. There are two important people, Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt. Phelps, made records of all sorts by winning a cool 8 gold medals, the most by anyone in a single Olympics, and totalling his career gold medals to 14, the most by any participant so far. Bolt, landed up becoming the faster runner in the earth, by breaking the 100m, 200m and 4x100 m relay records. On an improvement note, India ended with 3 medals in the Olympics.Credits to Susheel and Vijendar after Abhinav's gold.<br /><br />And my long weekend was really cool and went really long - began on Aug 28 and ended on Sept 2, took an extra 2 days off from work. I made my first trip to the east coast of the US. It took a 6 hour flight journey to get over there.I visited my sister's family Baltimore, and visited Washington DC and Virginia. Most important attractions I visited include:<br />Washington DC - Capitol Building, White House, Eternal flame of Kennedy in Arlington National Cementary, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Washington Memorial and its reflecting pool that is close by. Also various other buildings and Smithsonian museums, from the top of our hop on- hop off bus, if seeing them from outside, is counted in. Most importantly, the best part was the Spy Museum is Washington. Its one of its kind, with a really unique experience that a conventional museum wouldn't offer you. If you visit DC, I'd say, don' t miss it, and don't forget to thank me, once you did :-) Also we just took a drive in and around Baltimore and inner harbor area.<br /><br />Following the long weekend, on the next Saturday, one of my friends had come down to LA from Orange county, a close by (=30 miles) area. We took a crazy drive all around and finally we decided to roam around Beverly Hills. It was a great place, with awesome houses and roads. We then came to Rodeo Drive, the shopping hub of Beverly Hills. This was a revelation to me, I never visited this area in the last 3 months and the designer shops, the crowd and the wow factor just captivated me. Porsche, Ferrari, Benteley, and whatever brands you name it, chances are that you find in and around the streets of Rodeo drive.<br /><br />On the Movies front, I watched some really cool movies, My Cousin Winnie, being one of them. Its an early 90s comedy movie. If you haven't, I recommend you watch it. On a family/ drama genre, there's another movie August Rush, which you may not want to miss. It's a 2006 release, did fairly well at the Box Office, nevertheless, a movie that will put you in tears towards the end. Its about a 12 year old boy on his quest to find his parents through music - the story is fairy tale <span style="font-style: italic;">ish, </span>but trust me, once you are into, it captivates you till the end.<br /><br />Coming to Bollywood, I saw these: Singh is Kingg (My Rating: Okay), Rock on (My Rating:Good), A Wednesday (My Rating:Excellent), Aamir (My Rating:Very Good) and in Tamil, these: Jeyamkondan (My Rating:Very Good), Dhaam Dhoom (My Rating:Okay). Out of all these, I'd say don't miss watching "A Wednesday", its simply brilliant. Outstanding. One of the finest ones I've seen in recent days, with its screen pace, razor sharp play and the best of all - A Wednesday has two of the finest theatre actors in India, Naseeruddin Shah and Anupam Kher, as its protagonists.Kasi Alagappanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15194247989758038763noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17488207.post-78477674769609856712008-08-12T10:47:00.006+05:302008-08-12T12:20:19.321+05:30Where are our other Abhinavs?<p>There is an interesting <a href="http://specials.rediff.com/sports/2008/aug/11photo1.htm">up, close and personal </a>article about Abhinav Bindra in rediff; check that out! Okay, by now, you would have read the numerous articles about Abhinav, his parents, his accolades, his back problem and commando training, his commitment, 0.5 mm 10 m range rifle sport, rewards etc.</p><p>My mood turned to a real contemplative mode when I read in his <a href="http://abhinavbindra.blogspot.com/">blog </a>a really mature and humble post, titled <a href="http://abhinavbindra.blogspot.com/2008/08/day-after.html">The day after!!!!!!!!!!!</a> Boy, what a simplicity! His way of looking things at a broader perspective, at this euphoric moment when people stopped worrying about other sports and events in olympics,,Just am excerpt from that below:</p><blockquote><em>I would like to reiterate that everyone who represents India at the Olympic<br />Games has put in years of toil and sweat. I ask the Indian people to support our<br />athletes more. It is fine to celebrate our achievements but it is just as<br />important to keep up the backing when we are not on top of our game.It is<br />important for India to do better at Olympic sport as these are the true measure<br />of a nation's sporting depth. I wish more private initiatives come up with<br />corporate support apart from the backing of the government. The joy that the<br />nation feels at my win is humbling. I just wish that this is repeated more and<br />more often.With our depth of talent and expanse of people I firmly believe India<br />can be a world-class sporting power. What we need are precise systems. I will<br />try to do my bit at grooming the next generation. I would like to appeal to each<br />Indian to also do their bit in prodding us out of sporting complacency.</em></blockquote><p>On a separate note, read <a href="http://www.rediff.com/sports/2001/may/21rohit.htm">this</a>. This is an <a href="http://www.rediff.com/sports/2001/may/21rohit.htm">old article by Rohit Brijnath</a>, or rather I would say, an appeal for a coach, after assessing his potential to make big in his chosen field at a nascent stage. And in response, an <a href="http://www.nriol.com/content/articles/article51.asp">article </a>hosted by a Singapore Indian, to meet the hefty sum of coaching, and infrastructure. Just few months back, in this article </p><blockquote><p align="left"><em>Still, till a couple of months back Bindra Sr would crib about the lukewarm<br />response from the government agencies for his son. The family organised on its<br />own the funds required for his training, in addition to support from the LN<br />Mittal Champion Trust.</em> </p></blockquote><p>And now, see what. . <a href="http://www.breakingnewsonline.net/2008/08/abhinav-bindras-golden-feat-at-beijing.html">Scores of CMs have annouced rewards</a>, summing to <a href="http://www.orissadiary.com/Shownews.asp?id=7806">17 million plus Indian rupees</a>, <a href="http://www.cricketnext.com/news/bcci-chief-sanctions-cash-award-for-bindra/33467-13.html">BCCI rewarding 25 Lakhs</a>, <a href="http://www.theindiapost.com/?p=4069">a lifetime free rail pass in AC First class by apna Lalu jee</a>, life <a href="http://business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=331168">time free air travel</a> by a domestic airliner in India - <a href="http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=331168">the doling out of huge incentives</a>, all this at a time when he really, doesn't need them the most...This can be best said, in one single word in English language - irony - that precisely and aptly brings the essence of the moment... </p><p>But lo behold, its the time to publicity - individuals and corporates alike are 'capitalizing' the opportunity - sharing one is associated how, some with <a href="http://www.orissadiary.com/Shownews.asp?id=7806">nostalgic accounts</a>, in a bid to tantrum oneselves. Indian Inc., but <a href="http://www.rediff.com/sports/2001/may/21rohit.htm">you didn't have resources to spare a mere $500 for a coach</a> for the same person few years back. </p><blockquote><p align="left"><em>The team's Hungarian coach Laszlo Szucsak, it is said, has gone to coach Japan<br />because India couldn't afford to pay him US$500 or whatever more a month. But<br />they can spend Rs 50 crore on hospitality for foreign athletes at the Afro-Asian<br />Games!!!!</em> </p></blockquote><p>And also read <a href="http://www.ndtv.com/olympics/storypage.aspx?storyid=SPOEN20080061149">this</a>. Okay, Abhinav hails from an affluent family, and his family has invested in him and nurtured his never say die spirit. Thats good, not all rich families do that, in the sense, investing crores in an outcome that one never knows. Hadn't there been any support at all, many others would rather shattered their determined kids to bring them into their family businesses. .And think about those other Abhinavs who are just unnoticed and left as stones unturned...In Abhinav's own words, <em>a billion people deserve not one but 40 gold medals</em>. India Inc. , are you listening?<br /></p>Kasi Alagappanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15194247989758038763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17488207.post-88692051779417480382008-08-11T12:58:00.009+05:302008-08-12T12:04:55.870+05:30India's first ever Olympic Gold Medal by an individual<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_o6oGkW4aCmk/SJ_3jEveUfI/AAAAAAAACOs/5VssE8sUY6Y/s1600-h/000200808111004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233173473968148978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_o6oGkW4aCmk/SJ_3jEveUfI/AAAAAAAACOs/5VssE8sUY6Y/s320/000200808111004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://en.beijing2008.cn/">Olympics</a> has started!!! I missed watching the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">inaugural</span> ceremony on August 8 as I went on a weekend outing to Orange County, and the weekend went awesome. More on that later to give priority to what you are going to read next.<br /></div><div>The day this day - August 10, 2008, is a <em>golden</em> day, bringing a <em>golden</em> news for India - <a href="http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/sports/headlines/shooting/n214528114.shtml"><strong>a Gold medal by Abhinav Bindra in the 10 m Air Rifle shooting.</strong></a><strong><u> </u></strong></div><br /><div>This is a historic moment for us, Indians, for winning the first ever ever <em>individual Gold medal</em> in Olympics. (The last time India won a gold medal was at the Moscow Olympics in 1980 in men's field hockey) I am happy today, more happy than I would have been during India's victory of 1983 cricket World cup, a time when I wasn't born. For a country with the population of a billion, winning a first ever gold medal calls for a billion celebration. If you are kind who asks whats the big deal, see coutries like USA, Russia, and China; or isn't it embarrasing to call (y)our first ever gold medal, sorry I am in no position to agree or argue and reason out our factilities, infrastructure, coaching, how we should improve etc. I am in khushi mode now, so lets/ let me celebrate :-)</div><br /><div>And don't forget to watch the video in youtube or in any one of the scores of news videos.</div>Kasi Alagappanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15194247989758038763noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17488207.post-3657298467910932582008-08-11T12:35:00.003+05:302008-08-11T12:58:00.454+05:30Aamir Khan's blogCelebrities' blogs are catching up in the blogosphere. And so are Indian celebrities too.<br /> Certainly Aamir Khan raises your eyesbrows with his regular footprints in the blogosphere. He actually claims to write all the post himself, and yes, they do appear from his own. Also he reads his comments and replies them (some, of course!). Want to see his <a href="http://www.aamirkhan.com/blog.htm">blog</a>? His writing is nice, fresh and lively. You get to see other facets of Aamir. Do visit once, if you get a chance.<br />BTW I read most of his posts, and believe me, they kept giving me a Wah wah experience. He expresses his frank opinion in his writing, in posts like "Olympic Torch Relay" (dated 01-april-08), where he supports the spirit of sportsmanship that is beyond the realms of borders and conflicts. I truly appreciate his style of writing and the reasoning that showcases his innate streaks of intellectuality.<br />Way to go, Aamir. But do act in more and more movies. We want to see you more!<br />PS: BTW I watched Jaane Tu..Ya Jaane Na..; it was one helluva nice movie. I totally totally loved the lead characters - Imran Khan (Rats) and Genelia (Meow).. Both of them did a fantastic job!Kasi Alagappanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15194247989758038763noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17488207.post-31893738352557564992008-08-06T22:40:00.001+05:302008-08-06T22:44:35.677+05:30Naga Naresh Karuturi<a href="http://specials.rediff.com/news/2008/jul/28sl1.htm">Inspiring</a>, I must say..Naga Naresh Karuturi is a star in my eyes - Hats off to you!<br />Want to know More? Read <a href="http://m.pressmart.net/Home.aspx?event=Dcchennai&dt=26072008&page=003_005&mdl=">this</a> and <a href="http://battakiran.wordpress.com/2008/07/24/disabled-student-all-set-to-graduate-from-iit-madras/">this</a>.Kasi Alagappanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15194247989758038763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17488207.post-59750406110035555312008-08-02T10:35:00.007+05:302008-08-04T08:10:19.049+05:30In Los Angeles now!Yes, the blog is alive, or I hope so. Or take this as my feeble attempt to revive with this post. There are too too many things from the past 4 months to update on the blog:<br /><br />Work wise, I am on a relocation spree. I am now here in Los Angeles in the US of A! Came here a month and a half back. My UK deputation is over - so no more it is London or Oxford. After a year long stay in London, I went to Oxford on work. My Oxford deputation was quick, for 2 months and after a very memorable stay, I returned to India during April looking work deliverables from my Chennai office. Offy gave me a comfy accomodation in one of their guest houses in the Besant Nagar area of Chennai; a furnished air conditoned room with Tata Sky TV, in the hot summer of Chennai - I couldn't have asked for more.! It was fun to meet friends after a long time and spent almost every other weekend hanging out with them. And then there was this Besant Nagar beach that used to be my regular night walk post the Kulfi sessions at a beachside shop near there. To add more spice, there was a project outing to Kodaikanal with 25 people! That was a real blast with some awesome pictures for a memorable album. After about a month's stay in Chennai I went to my hometown in Karaikudi for a quick 3 weeks vacation. And then after a client call and a quickie interview, I was chosen to be a Business Analyst with a media research client of TCS, based out of Hollywood. I had to pack my bags (& suitcases) - which have been my constant travel companions since my London days.. I started in the 3rd week of June to Los Angeles via Singapore and Tokyo. [Singapore's Changi airport is amazing, totally picturesque and really admirable.] Finally I arrived LAX (LA's international airport) after a long and tiresome journey.<br /><br />Got into one of my colleagues house. Its an apartment in a nice housing community. Has got what all one [I] would need - 3 swimming pools, spa, sauna, gym, community room! Looks like outside the house, I am into a holiday resort (at least by desi standards).<br /><br />On the leisure part during weekends, it's been really cool all these days. First weekend flied away with my jet lag blues and the following weekend (the Independence day long wknd), I went with my cousin, who is in LA, to a camping site near SFO. It was a 8 hour drive and in the camp, it was all fun with around 35 odd adults and kids (most of them my relatives) and with no electicity and amenities. The third weekend, I visited the Universal studios and Santa Monica beach. Universal city and the studios were a revealation - you must really visit it once to truly appreciate its one of its kind Unversal Tour in their signature tram. The weekend next went on a sight-seeing tour in and around LA - downtown, Hollywood, Sunset etc. Only the last weekend I was totally free - sitting in home and watching movies - absolute bliss!Kasi Alagappanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15194247989758038763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17488207.post-16082001173124832392008-03-02T02:07:00.003+05:302008-03-02T02:51:50.453+05:30SujathaSujatha (pen name of S. Rangarajan), one of the icons of contemporary Tamil Literature, has passed away. He was 72, and is survived by his wife and two sons. A Multifaceted personality, with engagements to name a few: Scientist, Engineer, Science Fiction Writer, Novelist, Columnist in weekly and daily publications and movie script writer, all in diverse fields. He is most popularly accredited as the man behind the Electronic Voting machines (EVMs) during his tenure with BEL (Bharat Electronics Ltd) when he headed the team that designed it. Sujatha is a rare gem from the science fraternity who is known for communicating complex and hard to understand science behind things through simple and lucid writing to the audience. Also he has penned about 100 novels and hundreds of short stories. Personally I liked his book, an Ananda Vikatan publication, 'yaen ? yedarkku? yeppidi?' (translates to what? why? how?). Interestingly, he is equally an authority in the kollywood (Tamil movie Industry) too with a number of projects. As far as I remember he wrote scripts from Indian (one of Kamalhassan's biggest hits) to Mudhalvan and Sivaji, to name the latest. His last creative venture was with Shankar's mega project, Robo. Sadly, he passed away before its completion.<br /><br />Sujatha shall stay alive in the minds of readers with his writing and works. May his soul rest in peace.Kasi Alagappanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15194247989758038763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17488207.post-56514666831014554872008-02-24T09:00:00.003+05:302008-02-24T09:07:11.512+05:30Blah, blah and Blah.......So I've got to update this.. I've been on a long sojourn..and a lot laziness + boredom + lack of enthu didn't really kind make me open this. But anyways here are the updates: Workwise okay okay and I've moved to a new place - Oxford for my next assignment. After a week long [passive] house hunting, I just got one. So that calls for a celebration here and so this post :-)<br />More to follow at its own pace. So watch this space...!!!<br />p.s: A new mobile phone purchase is on the hold. Updates to followKasi Alagappanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15194247989758038763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17488207.post-79907962093308072672008-01-05T19:12:00.001+05:302008-05-26T13:23:24.175+05:30HAPPY NEW YEARIf you are reading this and if this still is the month of January (irrespective of the year!), accept my New Year/Pongal/ Sankranti/ whatever applicable wishes.<br /><br />I've made a trip to Chennai after 11 long months - Chennai is very much the same, only that traffic (both human and automobile) has gone denser than ever. The first sight that pleasantly welcomed me outside Anna International Airport were Chennai's swarming queue of adorable Taxi drivers and Autokaarars. One look at the Ambassador cars - both White ones and Black-(top)yellow ones realised me how dearly I missed them in the UK. And also our affectionate and welcoming mosquitoes.<br /><br />My vacation was originally for 2 weeks and now its been extended. I've planned to take some rest and am glad that I'd be here for some more time...So far my holidays went okay okay. Lots of interim <em>alachal</em> (for the Tamil challenged, this translates to 'wandering locally') and two trips to Chennai within 2 weeks. Did nothing productive though. Fell sick with cold and coughh in my native place and almost back to form now. Didn't check Internet for a long while (= 2 weeks) - hence the delay in blogging or orkutting and or facebook<em>ing</em>.<br /><br />There are lots to do - need to learn few chettinad and quickie dishes that might come handy, have to see Taare Zameen Par and I am Legend. Regd Tamil movies, I am upto date - Billa, Kalluri et al have been covered while in London itself. Billa is okay - stylish, chic and racy, but lacks in substance. Same story and not even a minor change in the plot. Billa - the earlier, was class and the new one falls down vis a vis the old Billa. However, Billa the new is trendsetter in kollywooed in terms of camera, action and stunts..<br /><br />Running out of time in the browsing cafe. So........See you soon in my next post!Kasi Alagappanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15194247989758038763noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17488207.post-6618371936471239072007-12-01T17:28:00.001+05:302007-12-19T02:48:49.178+05:30FacebookI've been in Facebook for quite sometime, but mostly as an inactive member. Just recently I started exploring and playing around and importantly building network...The motivation started with my some of my facebook colleagues prompting me to check this often..And that its cool! It looks quite different than orkut (where I am quite active).. but the only hands-down in facebook is adverts, little font and too many [default] feeds that are annoying.. I know one can change the preferences - but still I wonder if it is REALLY necessary to display a feed if someone has updated an alphabet somewhere in the profile!<br />Anyways, I've taken few cool quizzes there - one of them is a friends character quiz. You answer 10 odd questions and it maps you to a character or characters in the friends tv show. I got mapped to Joey! BTW did I tell you? I just bought the DVD for all the 24 episodes of friends season 1..I haven't seen the first season and it was good catching up the first series..Kasi Alagappanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15194247989758038763noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17488207.post-91356159258716414042007-11-14T22:08:00.000+05:302007-12-10T18:53:22.682+05:302nd AnniversaryHey..Hey..Hey!!!<br /><br />Just realised that it's a significant milestone for my not-so-significant-blog - MY SCRIBBLING. The blog has stood the test of time with its passive author and it has <span style="font-size:78%;">[un]</span> successfully completed 2 YEARS!!!<br /><br />Anyways, yours truly has 3 movies to add for finished-watching-this-movie-list: they are Katradhu Tamil, Azhagiya Tamil Magan and Jab We met. Katradhu Tamil (கற்றது தமிழ்)is an off the beat movie and presents a very different story with actor Jeeva doling out a seasoned performance. No doubt, the role of Prabhakar will elevate him to new heights. Pats to him and the director. The only downside is Katradhu Tamil has gore, violence and a sad climax, that goes against conventional Tamil movie viewers. Nevertheless, as publicised it isn't a feel bad movie either. If you want to see something different from the masala and duet movies, I would say, go for it.<br /><br />Next, Azhagiya Tamil Magan (அழகிய தமிழ் மகன்) is a regular masala movie, only that Vijay appears in double role is new! But otherwise, the movie is nothing great. If you just want a timepass without caring for logic, yes, you can tolerate ATM. Otherwise, I've had heard many folks with comments such as 'intolerable, 'முடியல' (I can't...), 'நான் அழுதுடுவேன்' (Do you want me to cry?), 'ஏன் இந்த விளையாட்டு' (Why do you want to game?) etc. I already forgot the £'s I used for multiplex ticket and return cab (it was a late show) - sunk cost!<br /><br />Jab We Met (जब वी मेट ), is a feel-good movie with an amazing on screen chemistry between Shahid and Kareena. You may have the de' javu of Hinidi movies like Kitne Door Kitne Paas ; but overall the movie presents a whiff of freshness. Kareena is cute and with her chatterbox role has given one of her best performances till date. Shahid is good; I did feel for the first time he is good in dancing too. Go for it!Kasi Alagappanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15194247989758038763noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17488207.post-61298077584977595072007-10-31T20:19:00.001+05:302007-12-10T18:55:19.517+05:30Schindler's List and Shawshank Rdemption<strong>Schindler's List</strong><br /><br />This is one touching movie which I saw on DVD yesterday. If you are the kind who likes emotion, suffering and pain in the backdrop of a war, you would like it. Schindler's List is a brilliant and heart touching narration of sufferings and execution of the Jews before World War II. There are many occasions in the movie that would break you down. You will witness the numerous sufferings bore by the jews, the helpless victims in the Nazi regime. Man, seeing the pain in the movie itself was terrible. But with all this, there is this one man, the hero Oskar Schindler who saves 1000 odd jews from the inescapable clutches of Nazi execution. It's a real story and towards the end of the movie it is shown there is a now sect called the Schindler Jews, who owe their lives to Oskar Schindler. I went by the reviews, which were laudatory and after watching all I say, true - it is.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Shawshank Redemption</strong><br /><br />This is another movie that I saw last week. I really regret watching it so late 'coz it belongs to the league of brilliant-ones-one-could-ever-see. The story is about a rich banker, who is mistakenly taken as his wife's murderer and given a life imprisonment by the court. Morgan Freeman is also a prisoner with life imprisonment and the movie leaps forward with his soft and witty narration. The plot revolves around the prisoners, the daily routine, the trauma one suffers inside a prison and few good things like bonding, humour, prison library et. al. But the climax is simply brilliant, true to the spirit of its tagline - "Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free." . I recommend strongly you watch it. Note that IMDB has given a rating 9.2 (updated)/10!Kasi Alagappanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15194247989758038763noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17488207.post-78019914511736199052007-10-29T16:08:00.000+05:302007-10-31T21:26:23.581+05:30Google TransliterateYet another innovative product from GoOgLe - <a href="http://www.google.com/transliterate/indic">Transliterate</a>.<br />Type any Hindi/Malayalam/Tamil/regional language word in English (same way as we pronounce it) and hit SPACE... It gets translated to that regional language and boy, quite accurate! This works like a dictionary mode on your mobile phone and of course, boon for me folks like me !!!<br /><br />My first attempt (pasted from the typepad in the link):<br /><br />हेल्लो वर्ल्ड (Hindi)<br />ஹலோ வேர்ல்ட் (Tamil)<br />హలో వరల్డ్ (Telegu)<br />ಹಲೋ ವರ್ಲ್ಡ್ (Kannada)<br /><br />And my name:<br />कासी<br />காசி<br />కసి<br />ಕಸಿ<br /><br />The languages included for now are Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. More languages would be added in near future, me thinks. Please note that this Google Transliteration is a prototype and still is in the early stages of development. No doubt, the product when formally rolled out would be a huge hit!Kasi Alagappanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15194247989758038763noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17488207.post-70817267433608543902007-10-18T20:30:00.000+05:302007-10-31T20:14:31.839+05:30The return of ME !!!It’s been a long while away from the blog. So this shall be a very blog-friendly post capturing most what I want to record and dabble here..<br /><br />My mother came to London last month. So, kind of <a href="http://raconteurkasi.blogspot.com/2007/04/london-trip.html">re-touring</a> London every weekend covering places such as London Eye, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Thames river, Hyde Park, central London et al. This way I got to see Buckingham Palace, which is open only for 2 months a year, from inside for the first time. It was a fabulous experience! Also visited places were one Murugan temple and another Sivan temple in Lewisham. My mother is pleasantly surprised to see this – I have been here for over 9 months and all I visited among temples is one Mahalakshmi temple and Swami Narayan temple - that too each only once. Anyway, she is not at least startled when I discovered recently that there are actually two Indian temples in Wembley, the place where I stay! Okay now pause this ;-)<br /><br />The festival season has started! With Id and Navaratri on the same day, it was double celebration. Last Saturday evening (till Sunday early hours) yours truly was with Gujju friends Parth & Co. enjoying Garba and Dandiya at a Gujrati Hall nearby. It was damn crowded with over 1000 heads. Needless to say, all girls with their traditional wear were (or least seemed) beautiful!<br /><br />Over the past two weeks, I watched loads of movies… Scream 1, Scream 2 and Scream 3 in dvd in one sitting whole night – started at 10 pm Saturday and ended at 5.30 am Sunday! And it was certainly worth the time and efforts ;-) Later bought few Tamil DVDs – Chennai 600026, Ammu Aagiya Naan, Arya, Pirappu, Pallikoodam and Sivi. Finshed watching all of them with ‘a- dvd-a-day’ schedule! Of all these I enjoyed watching Chennai 600026 a lot – it was total fun! Ammu Aagiya Naan, slightly off the beat, is also noteworthy with a bold story, and is impressive with its poignant narration and picturization – definitely worth a watch. Arya is a mere waste of time; remember to park your sense of logic outside when you decide to watch this. Pirappu is okay, nothing impressive. Pallikoodam getsyou the de’javu' of Cheran’s Autograph – yet this melodrama is worth watching once. Sivi, the horror flick, which is getting rave reviews is good, but ended abruptly with a climax. May be the team is planning for a sequel? Other than these recently saw The Last Samurai. It was awesome!!! If you haven't watched it, my advice/suggestion/request - go now and watch it. And saw a really old movie - Al Pacino's Scarface, though it is critically acclaimed I find it just palatable.<br /><br />When I started looking into latest gossips today, one news item caught my attention immediately – Chiranjeevi’s daughter elopes and marries against dad's wishes. Srija Chiranjeevi, 19, second daughter of Chiranjeevi, a recent graduate married Sirish Bharadwaj, 22 an engineering graduate at Arya Samaj, in New Bowenpally Hyderabad yesterday. It was a wedding against both their parent’s wishes and looks like the couple is seeking support from media and police for alleged threat from Chiru’s family. Interested to read more and see pics? Simple. Google ‘Srija’ and amen, you get it.<br /><br />Talking about blogs, Apna company’s CTO has started a blog linked to our inhouse employee’ web portal. It is a hit – the first entry posted about 4 days ago from our CTO has drawn almost 250+ comments so far. One of the contributors there, Kris Ashok has a sparkling <a href="http://krishashok.wordpress.com/">blog</a>. Go thru it – its funducative! Until then, this blog is adjourned till the next post. Adios!Kasi Alagappanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15194247989758038763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17488207.post-79335274540644871532007-09-14T04:13:00.000+05:302007-10-31T20:45:14.152+05:30Inspiring..Just read Apna Company's message board:<br /><br /><blockquote></blockquote>"<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPipFimH_jA">Farzana Haque</a> is the new Head for Retail Vertical. She joined TCS 8 years ago..." (stumped first time - just 8 years and a strategic line head!).... but was more was to follow...and has been featured in the <strong>CNBC Young Turks</strong> (stumped again).. "<br /><br />Curiosity killed me and got this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPipFimH_jA">video</a>..Check out..Really inspiringKasi Alagappanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15194247989758038763noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17488207.post-51620808776859495242007-09-08T06:15:00.000+05:302007-09-09T20:34:23.102+05:30If anything can go wrong, it will...If anything can go wrong, it will.<br /><br />Don't want to comment on this. Right now <a href="http://www.murphys-laws.com/murphy/murphy-laws.html">Murphy's Laws</a> are my solace...<br /><br />Reading them to recover from a small debacle. Should be better soon :)Kasi Alagappanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15194247989758038763noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17488207.post-10536056051586573172007-08-25T03:17:00.000+05:302007-08-27T15:56:05.736+05:30Mascarenhas and Orkut Beta<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_o6oGkW4aCmk/Rs9UKtEDviI/AAAAAAAACAE/CI7NaaaE_Y8/s1600-h/orkut.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102389445706104354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_o6oGkW4aCmk/Rs9UKtEDviI/AAAAAAAACAE/CI7NaaaE_Y8/s320/orkut.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Quickly came in to shout two things:</div><br /><div>1. India vs England match ended just now.. During the match, it looked like India would make a comfortable win..But THE man - Dinitri Mascarenhas was obscenely throwing 6 sixes shattering the concrete hopes!!! And one four, all in the last few overs..Spicing it, partner batsman Stuart registered a couple of fours and a six. As expected India won, not with a great margin though, which should have been the case, but by 10 runs. Anyways I am happy for England's Mascarenhas; he made first half century in ODI, under tremendous pressure. He has shown to the world his ability. Pats!!!</div><br /><div></div><div>2. Just now I opened orkut and within few minutes when I refreshed, the looks and some of its features changed. Then noticed the Orkut Beta Label in the top left... Again I refreshed..It went to the old style..Again refreshed..Beta version appeared.. Finally, its all Beta now.. Looks cool ;) Much like facebook... Catch more news <a href="http://en.blog.orkut.com/">here </a>to know the new cool look!</div>Kasi Alagappanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15194247989758038763noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17488207.post-13814441472280522022007-08-18T01:08:00.000+05:302007-08-22T00:45:51.897+05:30Indian Idol 3I've been hooked to this popular TV show for quite sometime. I must admit it has become an integral part of my schedule, all my thursdays, fridays and saturdays dont go with out it. Me and my roomies religiously watch this program without missing even a micro second. Indian Idol 3 - We totally love it baby! Watching the contestants on this reality show gives us the inexplicable vicarious feelings of actually being there. And every week when one gets eliminated, we feel extremely bad for them.<br /><br /><br />Indian Idol is developed on the same lines of popular US TV show American Idol. For the select few who need gyan about this show, go thru <a href="http://indianidol.sify.com/">this</a>. Among the top 12 finalists now (this time 13 though, because of a carried over contestant), a series of 'Gala' rounds go where the contestants need to show their versatility, vocal skills and performance. Every week one contestant is voted out based on audience sms voting. There are judges - Anu Malik, Javed Akhtar, Alisha Chinai and Udit Narayanan, who give their comments, which tend influence the audience in sms'ing their votes; nevertheless, it is THE audience which decides the verdict. Again personally I feel the audience voting is certainly not a representative of the skill/talent of the contestant. There are groupisms, favoritism and 'fan' isms, which could be an altered indicative of the voting pattern.<br /><br /><br />So far, till the end of Gala 7, 6 contestants have managed to sail through - Amit, Ankita, Chang, Puja, Prashant and Emon. The results of gala 7 saw the exit of yet another potential Indian Idol - Deepali. Like many others, I too was totally disappointed to the core after Deepali got eliminated. In fact, we at first were determined like not to watch the show again! Despite her sterling performances (dhol bajne laga.., nimboda nimboda.., mera piya ghar aaya), she was voted out! My respect for her increased multifold, when she boldly accepted without breaking down.And now after Deepali and Charu's exit, the deserving girls are out!<br /><br /><br />I think Puja and Ankita both didnt do well during gala 7. Moreover Camera guys were wierdly showing Ankita smiling again and again during results round,may be to increase their TRP, which now could hurt her votes! Despite her occasional flat singing , Anky baby is a lively performer, the favorite of all and even Anu - sure a top 3 material!<br /><br />Prashant: He is good but seldom comes in bottom 3. Favoritism? But one thing to admit, during gala 7, prashant was amazing with the sarfarosh song..Emon and Chang are good, no doubt. Emon has great voice like Sonu Nigam. Personally my choice for Indian Idol is Amit Paul. He is amazing with melliflous voice and versatility. May he deserve it :)Kasi Alagappanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15194247989758038763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17488207.post-32674174871108925952007-08-07T03:44:00.000+05:302007-08-22T00:47:19.490+05:30Sony W850i<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_o6oGkW4aCmk/Rregtx1ovtI/AAAAAAAAB_4/ZUsBoUALcNM/s1600-h/sony-ericsson-w850i.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095718211725868754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_o6oGkW4aCmk/Rregtx1ovtI/AAAAAAAAB_4/ZUsBoUALcNM/s400/sony-ericsson-w850i.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://raconteurkasi.blogspot.com/2005/11/new-arrival.html">Athu</a> appo, Idhu ippo (Translation: <a href="http://raconteurkasi.blogspot.com/2005/11/new-arrival.html">Thats</a> then, this' now!)</div><br /><div>Finally, after months of contemplation, I've migrated my phone connection from Prepay to a Pay monthly with O2 service provider. it was a necessary evil considering the reality that I lost hundreds of £ with Prepay credits so far :( </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>And now I got to choose a 'free' phone <strong>[1]</strong> with the new contract. I have taken a cool precious black color <a href="http://www.yourmobilephonereviews.co.uk/sony_ericsson_w850i_reviews.htm">Sony W850i</a> walkman series phone, presumably as it would entertain and keep me 'busy' in my commute to office and back home. And it has <a href="http://www.mobilechoiceuk.com/artman/publish/article_143.shtml">cool features</a> as well :) Though Camera in W850i isn't that great.</div><br />I bought this phone on August 4 and my first attempt to make a call was to my lovely 3-year old niece, Tanya for a special reson. It was her birthday then and I wished her. And yeo, it was cho chweet hearing her voice. Operation Innaugration Call success!!!<br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div>Footnote:</div><div><strong>[1] </strong>A 'free' phone, in real terms, is not a free one! Have you heard of 'Free lunch' in business? </div><div>All the costs are absorbed in the monthly bills ;)</div>Kasi Alagappanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15194247989758038763noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17488207.post-75045623419880939972007-07-30T01:19:00.000+05:302007-08-08T03:56:22.014+05:30I am Back!<blockquote><p><span style="color:#000000;">I know I haven't posted anything since long. Actually I've become a lot lazy than ever. Well, here are few things which I wanted to keep recorded:</span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;">1. I've got into a new project and a big role change, a giant leap from a developer to a Business Analyst! Finding work to be quite interesting. Lets see whats in store more.</span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;">2. For the past couple of months I am closely following </span><a href="http://indianidol.sify.com/"><span style="color:#000000;">Indian Idol 3</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> and haven't missed any episode since gala rounds started! As per the last episode, people who have managed to sail the boat (after elimination) are Ankita, Amit, Abhishek, Prashant, Puja, Chang, Deepali and Emon. My guess is Ankita, Amit and Emon will make it to the top 3. And my personal favorites are the 2 A's - Ankita (Mishra) and Amit (Paul). They have the charisma, the voice, the appeal and all that what it needs to be in an Ideal Idol. An interesting trivia is that both of them were eliminated and made their re-entry as wild card contestants. Hats off to the eminent judges who selected them in the wildcard round and made sure that their talents don't go waste.. </span></p></blockquote>Kasi Alagappanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15194247989758038763noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17488207.post-27771382925502274862007-06-15T15:50:00.000+05:302007-06-26T14:18:29.357+05:30SIVAJI - The Boss (Bachelor of Social Service)For the first time, I've seen a Rajini's movie the first day, in fact, a day before itis released in India! Thanks, to Karthik who booked the tickets well in advance at London- Ilford's Cineworld here that I could enjoy my yesterday evening. By now, there are already many reviews; but below is my humble attempt to write something out of it.<br /><br />Sivaji(Rajini), a rich US NRI cum 'Software System Architect' returns to India after making a fortune. His parents are Manivannan and Vadivukkarasi and Vivek is his Uncle. Sivaji had all his education financed by scholarship and realised that India could only prosper if poor people have access to free education. And so, he starts his ambitious plan to establish a SIVAJI Varsity with courses ranging from LKG to Ph.D and even a Medical College cum hostpital. But his Nemesis, Adi Seshan (Suman), is already into the Donation Fee business from his educational institutions. He obviously doesn't want to ruin his 'established' business and makes all possible political impediments to Sivaji. In a turn of events, Sivaji lands up being a pauper and realises to adopt an aggressive way to realise his dreams. How Sivaji deftly takes revenge with the baddies and establishes his dreams forms the next half of the story.<br /><br />At more than 3 hours, the move is tad lengthier. Rajini is at his best, thanks to the make-up and lightening, yew, he looks a lot younger! We were dumbstruck at the Oru Koodai sunlight song with his different 'international dude' get-ups! The music of Adiradi song and its prelude (bits from old songs) and the way they are picturized rock all the way! Sahana saaral, the sad version sung by Vijay Yesudas was missing though. Surely it's a much awaited treat for Rajini fans dying to see his style and mannerisms -- be it tossing a coin to neatly land in his pocket, chewing bubble gum, saying 'cool'. Mottai Rajini (but no, he isn't the Appa Rajini as rumoured!), comes as a scintillating package towards the climax, which impresses the most with his mottai tapping mannerism! The fight scene with the currency note shower, a la The Matrix, in a building terrace keeps you wowed. Punch dialogues are conspicuous by their absence; Rajini has resorted to using very few lines like Ithu Eppadi Irukku, Comedy Geemadi paanalya and few other Vadivelu's picks. The audience roared for these dialogues -- "Nee Shivaji thaane. [Rajini says] Illa Naa MGR. MG Ravichandran! ", "Chumma pera kettale athurudha le", " Panni thaan kootama varum; Ssingam da, single a dhaan varum! ". Thalaivar has also spiced some English phrases in between like 'It’s a mere coincidence, damn it' and 'Give me a Break'.<br /><br />Sivaji's lady interest is Tamizhselvi (Shriya) who has acted gracefully and looks gorgeous in the songs with Manish Malhotra's costumes. 'Pattimandram' Raja and Uma Padmanabhan have acted as Shriya’s parents. Solomon Pappaya is their neighbour and the first half scenes in Shriya’s neighbourhood provide the necessary comedy galatta. Vivek has taken the punch line department and has provided neat humour. The first half goes in lighter moments and the next half is gripping. Suman has a meaty Villain role and no doubt, he would have many offers in his kitty now. Raghuvaran makes a brief impressive apperance as a Doctor.<br /><br />On the flip side, the script isn't very strong like Gentleman or Indian or even Anniyan. Logic defies at some places like the explanation how Rajini became a Multimillionaire from his humble begining? How Suman was so gullible to lose his 200 crores at the behest of an anonymous call? How the Economic offence wing of the CID arrest Sivaji without unlocking the computer (which is locked by a voice recognition security system) that has the evidence? How Motta Boss flashes an all new USA passport and a Greencard with his photo identity in a jiffy? And then the train track scene with Rajini and Shriya. And, likewise a few other instances.<br /><br />Overall, Sivaji lives up to the expectations it hyped. Not less, not more. It’s a Thailvar's padam, watch it with open mind and no questions. Assured a visual treat and a grandiose dinner for Rajini Fans!<br /><br />PS:1. Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukherjee and Mohanlal aren't there in guest roles as rumoured.<br />2. The usual S U P E R S T A R tune before the start of any Rajini movie has been changed in Sivaji.Kasi Alagappanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15194247989758038763noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17488207.post-59606636378836379942007-06-01T23:54:00.000+05:302007-07-05T08:05:43.686+05:30London Underground and my Analysis!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_o6oGkW4aCmk/RoxXsy5NGOI/AAAAAAAAB_M/rU2yVCsUKz0/s1600-h/underground_map.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5083534506482014434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_o6oGkW4aCmk/RoxXsy5NGOI/AAAAAAAAB_M/rU2yVCsUKz0/s400/underground_map.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><strong>London's underground is an amazing maze!</strong><br />After fiddling with its various lines to reach my office in Liverpool Steet (Central London) from my place of stay at Wembley, I've finally figured the best solution from my observation (a timepass analysis) below:<br /><br /><strong>1. Bus and Metropolitan Line Combo<br /></strong>Walk -- home to Bus stop: 3 mins<br />Bus -- Route No. 83, 297: To Wembley Park stop: 10-15 mins (Avg:12.5 mins)<br />Walk-- Till Southbound platform in the Wembley Park Tube station: 3 mins<br />Tube -- Metrolpolitan Line to Liverpool St. station: 35 - 40 mins (Avg: 37.5 mins)<br />Average Waiting Time (at Bus stop and at Tube station): Approx. 2 -10 mins (Avg: 6 mins)<br />Total Average Time: <strong>62</strong> mins<br /><br /><strong>2. Bus and Central Line Combo:<br /></strong>Walk-- home to Bus stop: 3 mins<br />Bus -- Route No. 83: Home to Hanger Lane stop: 12-15 mins (Avg:13.5 mins)<br />Walk-- Till Eastbound platform in the Hanger Lane Tube station: 4 mins<br />Tube -- Metrolpolitan Line, to Liverpool St. station: 40 - 50 mins (Avg: 45 mins)<br />Average Waiting Time (Bus stop and Tube station): Approx. 0 -15 mins (Avg: 7.5 mins)<br />Total Average Time: <strong>70</strong> mins<br /><br />3. <strong>BakerLoo line</strong> and <strong>Metropolitan/ Hammersmith and City/ Circle (M/H/C) lines Combo </strong>:<br />(This option doesn't involve any bus ride!)<br />Walk-- Home to Wembley Central Tube station (till Southbound platform): 5 min<br />Avg. waiting time for the tube (bakerloo has less frequency): 0 -10 min (Avg:5)<br />Tube -- BakerLoo Line, to Baker Street station: 25-30 mins (Avg: 27.5)<br />Walk in Bake St. tube station for line change over and waiting time: 4-6 mins (Avg: 5)<br />Tube -- M/H/C lines from Baker St. to Liverpool St.: 15-20 mins (Avg:17.5)<br />Total Average Time: <strong>60</strong> mins<br /><br /><strong>4. Silverlink Express to Euston and M/H/C lines combo:<br /></strong>Walk-- Home to Wembley Central Tube station (till Southbound platform): 5 min<br />Avg. waiting time for SilverLink Express (Freq: every 20 mins): 0 -20 min (Avg:10)<br />National Railway (Silverlink Express) - Till Euston Juntion: 20 min<br />Walk: Euston junction to Eastbound platform at Euston Square Tube station: 5 min<br />Tube -- M/H/C lines from Euston Square. to Liverpool St.: 10-15 mins (Avg:12.5)<br />Total Average Time: <strong>52.5</strong> mins<br /><br />After wastefully wasting(!) my time at options 1 and 2 before, I settled for 3 thinking it as the wisest choice.<br /><br />But I was unaware of option 4 before..Of late, I realised it to be THE best option and now happy with it :-) Silverlink train's arrival time at Wembley Central are at 8.05 (,8.25..) and at every 20 mins before and thereafter. I now have started to synchronise my starting time from home to Wembley Central station that I am just in time or a minute or two reasonably before the Silverlink train's arrival. This reduces my average waiting downtime from 10 to almost 0 or 1 (b'cos most of the times I make it just in time!). That brings the figure 52.5 to <strong><u>42.5 or 43.5</u></strong>, which is clearly the winner !!! I have a reason to smile at my <em>underground </em>discovery !</div>Kasi Alagappanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15194247989758038763noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17488207.post-46080662845055195692007-05-25T04:50:00.000+05:302007-08-08T03:53:22.970+05:30London, Life, Work and more...<div align="left">After my 3 months of UK stay at Ipswich, I've moved to London from May 1st for a new assignment with Apna Company. New place, new office, new people, new house (yes, on rent!). Aana Kalakalaye Kasi! Unlike Ipswich, London is on the expensive side and my purse is pinching me at lot these days!!! Also it was a sudden shift from my slow paced life/work style at Ipswich to London's fast track workstyle involving a 2 hr plus to and fro travel to central London from my house. During peak hours, the underground stations are crowded and very busy. Perhaps I should dedicate a new post to the London's underground maze and my experiments with tube-hopping-and-bus-travel- combo!<br /><br />Thanks to my new work profile, excepting first weekend in May, I haven't spent any of the subsequent weekends eventfully as I did before (see below):<br /><br />6, 7, 8 and 9th April: Scotland Trip<br /><br />14th April: Nagarathar’s meet, Leicester<br />15th April: Kannan Annan’s place at Chesterfield, drive around Peak district and Chatsworth Palace<br /><br />21st and 22nd April: One more London tour with the gang (Arpita, Nash, Sujata, Sachin, and Mithun)<br /><br />28th April: Gosh, again to London! LSE Auditorium to attend TCS’ Reach Out session<br /><br />30th April Evening: London again! Nah, this time it’s a relocation baby!!!<br /><br />7 and 8th May: Trip to Birmingham, Blackpool and Lake District with the gang.<br />9th May (on holiday): Office. 13th May: Ipswich. Evening, accompanied Arpita to recieve her mom at Heathrow.<br />14th May: London, at AC's relatives place.<br /><br />21st May(sat'day): After seeing the gala atmosphere and supporters crowd of Man-U vs. Chelsea FA cup finals atmosphere in Wembley Park stadium near my house in the morning, half heartedly had to go office.<br /><br />Phew!! These were like my itinerary for the weekends from April.<br /><br />In my new role, I am donning the role of a Developer, which is breaking almost my 2 year long vrat of hard core non-coding work. Initially I was bit reluctant, as I was pulled in when the project was undergoing critical phase with resource crunch and stringent delivery deadlines. It was tremendous learning for me, the work kept me on my toes as it heavily relied on detailed understanding of requirements (they kept on changing every now and then!) from the client folks. Thanks to some great people here, my work became 'approachable' from day 1 itself! I must admit that I tdid good amount of homework to catch up things fast and by learning new stuff. And then there were always friends of mine, who have worked on similar technology before to help me out when in need. Given these catalysts and favorable environment, yours truly now was able to deliver the second phase reports, ready for UAT (User Acceptance Testing) three days ahead of the estimated time schedule! It was challenging and now I am enjoying doing this and looking forward to implement the same in Business Objects. </div>Kasi Alagappanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15194247989758038763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17488207.post-29594595848281810982007-04-19T02:30:00.000+05:302007-06-24T00:27:18.068+05:30Virginia Tech Shoot outUnfortunately, <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070416/ap_on_re_us/virginia_tech_shooting">its sad that there are barbarians that co exist with humans in this world</a>.<br /><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1920117.cms">More news</a> has come and there were reportedly 2 Indians among the victims.<br />Prof Loganathan, a 51 year old professor originally from Coimbatore and Minal Panchal, a student of architecture, hailing from Mumbai.<br /><br />A tribute to the departed soul <a href="http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/04_2007/mumbai-orkut-remembers-minal-38782.html">Minal Panchal</a>, whose <a href="http://www.orkut.com/Profile.aspx?uid=7532880825063317819">orkut scrap book</a> is flooded with condolence messages every minute. Let's pray for the departed souls to rest in peace.<br /><br />Update: Minal's orkut profile got deleted, perhaps by adminstrators probably due to the heavy traffic to her profile causing server slow down.Kasi Alagappanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15194247989758038763noreply@blogger.com2