Pablo Andrejar

I watched the French Open match between Pablo Andrejar and Rafael Nadal. I commented to a friend that Andrejar (http://www.itftennis.com/shared/medialibrary/image/player/IO_2196_player.JPG) was very handsome. I thought he resembled actor Tom Cruise (http://www.ourbollywood.com/uploads/TomCruise.jpg).

While Andrejar lost the match, his placement of shots was impeccable. It seemed like he was the 1st seed while Nadal was placed much lower.

All the best to Andrejar.

Blind Man

I receive this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzgzim5m7oU) today.

For some reason it annoyed me immensely.

Kapil Sibal - India's Einstein

Kapil Sibal has objected (http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/kapil-sibal-defends-iit-iim-faculty-108333) to Jairam Ramesh's statement that IIT's have poor faculty. 

Wonder whether Kapil should book his tickets to Stockholm this October for his Nobel Prize (wonder which subject). Or should he be awarded the Ignobel prize for ignorance?

Elementary Dating

I loved this course (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D4KTXkbyto&feature=related) on elementary dating, sent by a friend.

FhAQ (Frequently Asked Questions By New Brides In My Friend's Family)

Where is the bedroom? Its only 6 mins walk from the hall. There is a guided tour of the house on the 10th of every month. Even long time residents of the house tend to forget what is where.

Where do I buy good walking shoes? No. Our women don't walk outside the house. Go by car. We have 3 cars and 2 drivers. Its easier to purchase a car than a driver. And you can always walk from the hall to the bedroom. Its a long walk anyway.

How frequently can I go shopping? As often as you wish. Just make sure there is one spare driver left for the menfolk.

What if I am tired and I dont feel like cooking? Just say "Ouiii ma, pet mein sardard hai" ("Ooooh I have a headache in my stomach"). We split the housework among the daughters in law, each taking turns. If you still cant manage, introduce up to three cute woman to your husband. 

How frequently can I go to mayke (mother's house)? Anytime you get pregnant.

How frequently can I get pregnant? Make sure it doesn't exceed twice a year. And you, your daughter in law and mother in law shouldn't all get pregnant at the same time. It causes a little problem for the household. if you don't want more children but still want to enjoy maternity benefits you can avail the Surrogate NM scheme. We have a family consultant in Chennai who will provide the details. (http://calmisc.blogspot.com/2011/03/a-new-business-model-snm.html)

Can I go sleeper class (2nd class by train) to mayke? No problem. But if you do travel sleeper class, we don't expect you to come back. Its TTT. We have a season pass in all Rajdhani trains. Just call the railway minister's office and the tickets will be reserved for you.

What is the telephone number of the railway minister's office? Its 1-800-Oh-Mayke.

What other fringe benefits am I entitled to? All women get RC (Rakshazi club) membership.

Welcome to our household. The only place where it's always party or wedding or engagement or pregnancy time.

Columbus And Osama Discover America

A friend sent me these and I had a hearty laugh.

http://www.facebook.com/Alwayslike/posts/10150607515615463

3i ICICI Infotech Sells Its Unit In The US

I read about 3i selling a unit in the US (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703509104576328080894718602.html?mod=googlenews_wsj).

This is interesting. It is not often that a company merges / demerges / acquires / sells with an expectation to reduce earnings per share. As per their global CEO, the EPS was expected to come down post sale (http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/us-arm-sale-to-reduce-eps-by-re-1fy12-3i-infotech_543846.html).

By reducing debt, wouldn't the interest come down enough to offset reduction in earnings? 

Is getting cash so difficult that one would do something that reduces EPS? 

There is more to this than meets the (3) eye.

More On Terrorism

There was a lovely article (http://www.hindu.com/2011/05/17/stories/2011051750900900.htm) on Osama in the newspaper today. 

If only Pakistan were spend to more time on their industry, healthcare education etc than wasting their money stroking their beards and on wild fears about the enemy across their border, they would be able to make strides forward. Instead Pakistan continues to be not very different from countries like Afghanistan which are living in the stone age.

Incidentally while the whole world is mocking at Pakistan for their complicity and/or incompetence re: Osama incident here is something to chew on. Indian talent isn't far ahead.

Additional reading:
http://www.sify.com/news/us-seeks-answers-from-pakistan-on-mumbai-attack-news-international-lfrkkhhjiag.html

http://vbala99.blogspot.com/2011/05/isi-and-terrorist-links.html

Old Pictures Of Indian Actors

Today I came across old photos of Indian actors (http://vasanthbrainwave.blogspot.com/2008/06/celebrities-young-age-pics-rare.html). Very Interesting. 

Additional Reading:

• I had earlier presented a collection of photos of actresses (http://vbala99.blogspot.com/2010/09/some-nice-pictures-and-video.html).
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanda_(actress)#/media/File:Nanda-Waheeda-Helen-Sadhana.jpg - Actresses at an old age

Yes Chief Minister

Our CM has been sworn in to to office. And she has started acting fast. Four grams of gold free to girls getting married, pension to poor people increased (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/four-grams-of-gold-free-of-cost-for-girls-getting-married-jaya/791626/) etc.

Lovely. She has kept has her promise. Now where does all this money come from? After doing all this she will that the previous government left the government's coffers in doldrums. That might very well be true. Of course Mr K, is alleged to have swindled perhaps stole / embezzled at a scale that would make Ramalinga Raju of Satyam fame and Ponzi sit up and take notes.

Now is spending money for the poor, the need of the hour? And are we cash surplus that we can afford to do it?

Well folks let's all drop our trousers and get ready. (Read: http://vbala99.blogspot.com/2011/05/rape-of-bahasura.html).

See the picture of the current CM in the photo here (http://www.hindu.com/2011/05/17/stories/2011051762070900.htm). Little would anyone imagine the terror she would become later.

Jokes Again - Mama Lisa

Couple of nice jokes.


http://www.funtoosh.com/jokes/personality/398


http://www.funtoosh.com/jokes/personality/795

Lovely Jokes

Couple of lovely jokes I came across today.


http://www.funtoosh.com/jokes/personality/898


http://www.funtoosh.com/jokes/garam_masala/1262


http://hubpages.com/hub/MAN-QUOTES-ABOUT-MARRIAGE-AND-HIS-WIFE

Osama In Hell

I came across this blog http://purba-ray.blogspot.com/2011/05/note-from-hell.html?m=1. Lovely.

News Headlines

I read these yesterday and loved them http://literarygirls.blogspot.com/2009/07/man-kills-self-before-shooting-wife-and.html, http://www.truthbook.com/stories/dsp_viewStory.cfm?storyID=744

O Sama

I read this (http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/05/04/us.pakistan.relations/index.html?hpt=T2) today. There are feelings that Pakistani officials were either "involved or incompetent" in this affair. This was only to be expected.

While the outrage at the violation of its sovereignty that Pakistan has is valid, USA could do this because a trump card up their sleeve. How come Pakistan wasn't aware that the most wanted criminal was living right there, so close to the capital? Who in Pakistan was in cahoots with Bin Laden? Who else are they hiding? These questions would be asked endlessly.

Unfortunately there are two issues. 

1. Pakistan has been harboring terrorists and perhaps actively encouraging them as well as in the case of incidents in Kashmir as I myself have heard from local people in Kashmir or the the 28/11 incident (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Mumbai_attacks).
2. USA has been no less active in the participation of war. Except that they conduct it for economic reasons and not for idealogical ones as in the case of Muslims.

But then reasons notwithstanding, is war right?

I can't help but notice one more thing. The wives of both Bin Laden and of the ex-president Bill Clinton stood by (or in front of) their husbands when the respective husbands were in big trouble.

Additional reading:

http://vbala99.blogspot.com/2011/05/pakistani-press-on-bin-laden-event.html

Pakistani Press - On Bin Laden Event

I read this (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13280687) today. 

Interesting set of views. It was nice to see that religion was not brought in. It must be very painful for people in Pakistan to see this incident happen.

Additional reading: http://calmisc.blogspot.com/2011/05/pakistan-stance-now-osama-bin-laden.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/pamela-gerloff/the-psychology-of-revenge_b_856184.html

Update: 05-05-2011: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Pakistans-golden-goose-stolen-from-under-armys-nose/articleshow/8165090.cms

Telecom Revenues Up

A woman (let's call her X) is an avid user of the mobile. She is usually on the phones (two of them) and often seen talking on both simultaneously (read: http://Calmisc.blogspot.com/2010/12/multi-talking.html).

I used to tease her saying that the telephone company had called home and complained to me that she was not talking enough and that their revenues are suffering as a result.

One day she had come home and was as usual on the phone when the telephone rang. She picked it up and said it was for me and that it was the telephone company.

I attended the call and spoke to the person from the telephone company. It was a lady who wanted to know something. I asked her a question and she said she had to retrieve some information from their system and  asked me if it was Ok to put me on hold. I said fine.

While I was put on hold I went on talking on the line. X who was standing near me was listening to my end of the conversation.

I apologized on the phone and said that "X" has lately been busy and she would soon continue talking as she used to. The telephone company need not worry.

Now X didn't know that I was put on hold and that there was no one at the other end. She thought I was seriously apologizing on her behalf and explaining to the lady from the telephone company.

I still can't find words to describe the expression on X's face then.

The Best CT OF The Year

Well its that time of the year. The much awaited award for the "CT of the year". Our panel consisting of Guruji and Jalani went through all the entries and identified the best CT.

The unanimous choice for the BEST CT OF THE YEAR goes to the princess. http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/k_patra/k_patra-468768749-1304410466.jpg?ymj1U9EDuLlQsBLL.

About the panel:

Jalani of course has long been an ardent teacher of the scan. Guruji has showed a keen interest and made it to the panel despite earlier hiccups.

Pakistan's Stance Now - Osama Bin Laden

Continuing on from the previous post (http://calmisc.blogspot.com/2011/05/obama-ten-billion-laden.html) on the killing of Osama Bin Laden, the whole world is asking one question.

How come this man was hiding so near the Pakistani capital and almost right next door to the officer training camp? Was Pakistan aware of this?

Right now our neighbors are still trying to decide whether to show relief or anger that Bin Laden was killed. 

I am reminded of an old Tamil saying which goes like this "Like a thief stung by a scorpion". The thief cant even cry out aloud. What a pain it must be. Can they seriously question USA as to why USA mounted this operation and killed a person (Osama) on Pakistani soil?

A comical detective character from Tamil fiction also comes to mind "Thuppariyum Chambu" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thuppariyum_Sambu). This was a man who invariably found whodunnit but he was a nitwit. He would not even realize that he had (accidentally) solved a problem until someone congratulated him.

When I see the events in Abbottabad, I wonder how Pakistan will react. Are they going to say "NO NO, we never knew Bin laden was right here" or are they going to take credit for doing a splendid job of taking Bin Laden out? Like Thuppariyum Chambu.

Or would it be a case of "Osama wasn't the one who was involved with 9/11. If it was Osama, then the person found (and killed) in Abbottabad was not Osama. If it was Osama that was found there, then Abbottabad is not in Pakistan." and so on.

Let's wait and watch. There is a lot of fun on Showtime this May.

For My Friends

This one (http://my.opera.com/BriarDream/blog/show.dml/36546) is dedicated to my good friends.

Update on 11-May-2011: A poem in Urdu 

"Us Sakhs Ko To Bicharne Ka Salika Bhi Nahi Aata.... 
Jate Hue Khud Ko Mere Pass Chod Gaya"

"That person did not know the way to depart....while leaving he left himself with me"
The translation was given by a friend.

Whenever i think of the shayari above, I am reminded of the wonderful song Teraa Jaanaa Dil Ke Armaano Kaa Lut Janaa  sung by Lata from the movie Anaari (1959, MD: Shankar Jaikishan).

Updated on Dec 3rd 2012:
Another shayari from a friend:

Wo shaqs ek choti si baat pe yunh rooth ke chal diya,
Jaise barson se usse kisi bahane ki talaash ho..!!

(That person left in a huff over a small tiff
as if for years he was looking for some excuse). 

I wonder how people can like shayari (or poems). Listening to a poem like this without a context of an incident is like watching a porn, mindless.

People In Chennai

There used to be a time when people from here would go to other cities in India or abroad in search of a job. Now people from different places come to Chennai. 

I read this article today about people from different states in the north east living in Chennai (http://www.hindu.com/mp/2011/05/02/stories/2011050250730100.htm). Apparently it takes them 6 days to reach home from Chennai. 3 days by train and 3 days by bus. 

Wow.

Additional reading:

http://Calmisc.blogspot.com/2010/12/about-chennai.html

Obama Ten Billion Laden

Today I read that Osama Bin Laden has been killed.

I imagined the emotional turmoil for US. It took 10 years from 2001 till now to find him and kill him. USA had to have good relations with Pakistan. That would provide immediate access to Pakistan and Afghanistan which was were Bin Laden probably was hiding.

And as a result of closer relations with Pakistan, India was wary. And perhaps decided not to award the $10 billion defense contract to Lockheed and Boeing.

Was this worth the $10billion loss?

Castration For Rapists

I read this (http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/story/judge-wants-castration-for-rapists/1/136796.html) today.

This throws up some interesting new possibilities.