Musings on ...........

being a superhero for instance. What if we are given super powers, or some of us are singled out and given super powers. Alright forget super powers, of the superman-spiderman-fantastic kind.
What if someone is given the gift or the curse of clairvoyance? To those who do not know what it is to be clairvoyant or any special gift, it is mysterious, the usual curiosity that accompanies the overwhelming need, in some cases, to know the unknown.
What if I had the power to know about something that is going to happen beforehand? Especially with regard to tragic circumstances? If I had the power to know that someone would meet with a fatal accident and instances like that way before it were to happen and had the power to do so, should I prevent it?
To start small, say the food chain, if I were to see a cat run after a frog, should I shoo the cat away, so that the frog may live longer, or should I watch the natural course of the food chain? When I was a kid, I remember having shooed a kitten away, in this case, I bodily removed her from the scene of action when I thought she was going to eat up a frog. My grandmother happened to watch it, and she said, that I should not have done that. It is the right of a being to eat what she deems right, and when she is hungry. Whether we feed the kitten or not, is a different issue altogether.
And at that point in time, I am supposed to have gone against dharma. Against the law of the universe.
When I came to know about the demise of someone close to us, and who was wayyyyy too young to pass into the other realm, leaving behind a family broken in soul. I was desperately wishing at that time, can't some power come back into that body so that they can come back to life? Or why die at all in the first place? Why not, say just fracture a limb or paralyze it instead?
And at that time I also wished that I had known about the imminent demise so that I could have told them not to take out their car on that particular day.
And eventually it led me to a lot of questions on whether I would be going against destiny. When I was young, I remember this line, said in the deep voice of a man I do not remember, "Mutthi main hai taqdeer hamari"; we hold our destiny in our fist. Whether we want to hold it tight, or loose, or not hold it at all, rests within us.
One cannot remain in this world for ever, there is a beginning and an end. But somewhere between all this, there is a choice of postponement. Could I have postponed someone dying before they should have? Or rather before I THOUGHT they should have?
What is right and what is wrong? Yin and Yang, with Yang having Yin within and Yin having Yang within.
In between all this there are things we learn while stepping on each grain of sand, pebble, stone, boulder and the rock in the road of time, where there is an imprint on the world outside, and more importantly the world inside. For whenever you step on anything, you feel the pressure in your foot and the subsequent changes that it brings about in your body. Sometimes the sands are cool, that each time the grains egg out from between your toes, you want to do it slower, so that you can savour it. And when the sands are hot, we run, trying our level best to just skim the surface of the ground below. We watch our footing when pebbles give way to stones or rocks. When the rocks are smooth we gotta watch it so that we don't slip. And in those times, we wish that the rocks are jagged, so that we can find crevices in between, to fit our feet, and remain there as long as necessary, and only until we find the next crevice.
And these lessons in all their complexity leave their imprint on us. Leave an imprint on a canvas, the colours of which constantly change. The pictures change.

We are given only one canvas. We start with a plain one. We first squiggle the colors, the scribble, then try and write, go into calligraphy, mess it up again, and then keep painting one over the other. Just because the painting on the top is the one that is perceived, the colours below remain, unchanged, and silent as layer after layer piles on.
When I was 10, I was given a box of Camlin paints. I could do whatever I wanted with them, and of course the expectation from my Art teacher was that probably I could be the gloriously talents artist that she could discover. Each time she handed out a box of paints, she probably wished, that maybe this time, she ll find her star pupil. One that could mix these coloured substances and bring about awe. And one fine day, I decided to find out what would happen if I mixed all the colours in the paint box. So I squeezed every tube in the box, in what I thought were equal portions and mixed them up. I thought I would discover a shade that the world did not know of and I could go and show off to my teacher about what I had discovered. The things that go on in a child's mind!!! And finally, all that I had was a palette with gray goo. I was disappointed of course that the world did not have a major discovery from me.
In a world full of colours, mixing them all would only give gray. Boring, dull, sick-looking, tired gray.
So when we die what colours do we take from our life? Is gray the colour of life?
Or should we look at it as an all encompassing colour that holds all the colours within, and yet looks uninteresting? Should we learn from gray that you can choose to look at the black or the white side of it?
Should I look at it as White which has been darkened by Black, or Black that has been whitened by gray? And does gray teach us that the colours are just there, but we will have to syringe it out of what appears?
And at the end of it all, what is right and what is wrong? That which is right for you, is wrong for someone else, and that which is wrong for someone else is right for you.
I seriously wished that I could have prevented someone from passing on, but would that mean I do not walk on the path of dharma? What is Dharma here? That he should die or that he should live? And if I had the power to change it, and make a dead person come to life, would that mean I have messed up someone else's life?

I believe that each life time we take is a lesson. Well at least so far. Because beliefs change as time passes, except the ones you expressly wish to hold on to. And if one's life is the it is, the way it appears, it is because you have made a decision between lifetimes that you need to learn some lesson, that you have failed to learn in the previous one. And you come back to this class to learn. And until you learn you keep going through the same thing, meet the same kind of people.
And does that mean that someone who passes on very young, has already learnt their lessons and now that their time was over, and they dont have to learn anything more for this one time, they had to move on? And if I had the superpower to change that, and if I did change it, does that mean I would have delayed their learning? Delayed a greater destiny? Or to come back to the basics, if I had had the power of clairvoyance, and I had prevented someone from any unforeseen circumstances, would that prevention be in their destiny too?
Whither the answer? As question after question floats up from the bedrock in the rivers of our life, where do I look? And if the question has come up, is the answer also there? Where is "there"? The "there", the "there" which has no address, no location, and therefrom will all the answers come. And therein lies the answer.

Please Suggest

Two questions
1. A friend of ours wants to buy a mid segment car which she wants to keep for at least 10 - 15 years. She is not going to be changing her car with the season. I guess that brings us to wheels that dont need to be driven to the mechanic that often, and a company that will be around for that long, so that spares and the like will be available. A lot of people have been suggesting the Hyundai Verna, one because the company has set up shop in Chennai, and is reportedly highly fuel efficient. I happened to tell her about how people have helped me on my blog, with regard to buying things. So would be great if you could chip in your thoughts on this, and....

2. Going on HDTVs, which would be the best to buy? The preference on her side are the wall mountable ones. So the question is
Projection TV - what is it all about
LCD or Plasma? Which one for either option?

She has seen the LG TV which has an inbuilt memory, and can record. And there is the split screen option I hear, what ever that may be.
And of course there is the wide range in Samsung. She does not seem that kicked about Sony, Philips or Panasonic. I am not sure on whether she has seen Sharp.

Confused consumers.

Suggestions would be highly appreciated. TIA.

Cant open .pkg files in my MAC

And that is the problem. Does anyone know what I should do?
TIA

I like this pic.. so :D

Clicked at Music Director Deva Sir's Daughter's Wedding reception

Trados Freelance

One of the most expensive software that I have come across. Costs a freaking 1000 USD and some clients insist that I absolutely HAVE to use it to translate. One, I am not a fan of CAT tools as far as translation is considered.

This is a rant. Thats all there is to it.

Tanisha's Voice in Unnale Unnale

And that's me. Someone just reminded me to Blog about it.
It was good fun dubbing. All the time the studio was a riot, with the Assistant Directors and the Sound Engineers. Most of the time I was ROTFL. You get to hear the pilot track where the actors speak a language they don't know. And naturally since they don't know the language, there are pauses and punctuations, where there should not be. And its damn cute listening to someone who doesn't know your language. And putting in their all to speak, remember lines and emote at the same time.
Dubbing can be a very hilarious experience. And strenuous as well.
So after Sillunu oru Kadhal, its Unnale Unnale. And people say there is no similarity in the voice for Bhoomika and Tanisha. So far so good!
What next? As usual, I don't know.

Stop and Sing

I went to the beach today with mom after a long time.
What's new? Nothing much, except that a lot more people come up and talk to me, and very loud whispers.. "hey its the super singer host.. "
And then a malli-poo girl comes to me and asks me to buy some specified length of flowers and I say no, I don't wear flowers. "Have to do sales illa ma" And then "OH neenga Sahana nalla paadirukkenga, adha solla dhan vandhen" And then she tells me to walk across a few feet to some guy she knows, and give my autograph to him. And nope I didn't do that.
Abhirami Mega Mall is next door to our FM channel office, and our team usually goes there to grab a cuppa. And sometimes there are this school kids / college goers who run after me and say "sing a song for me"
If there is one thing that I don't understand is this. Dancers are not asked to perform in the middle of the road, actors are not asked to act in the middle of the road, but why is that Singers always have to "sing and show" "at least 2 lines"?
I used to oblige in the beginning, but when there is a ruckus happening all around you, a TV is blaring POGO, and you have to sing and prove that you can, in between all this hullabaloo.
Same instance at the beach. We are leaving, and we see all these battery operated hurricane lamps. They look good and then one of the guys says, why don't you sing a song on these lights? All that I could say was "idhu konjam over-a illa?", smile and go.
No matter what I do, where I go, and with whomsoever, I might be breaking my head with mom, trying to decide about the shopping that needs to be done for the next episode, the right clothes and the right what-not, and in between I ll have to sing and show.
Of course I have to grin at the irony of it all. I have no problem when people talk to me, but I really don't understand why I have to sing at the drop of a hat, rather the drop of a sentence, " sing two lines". And most of the times it is an order.
Orkut is the next thing. I sign up to find people who are long lost from my school days, just to relive the nostalgia. Then I exchange scraps with a co-musician about a wedding that I have to attend and that realize it has totally slipped my mind. MOm and I go into a tizzy search for the invite, and see the event is tomorrow, heave a huge sigh of relief. In the meanwhile, X goes looks into my friend's scrapbook and mine, and then asks, "what function tomorrow, you told him something?? I want to know becos he is my friend" I dont know X from Adam, he says Hi, and I like your singing, I say thanks, and then he wants to know where I am going tomorrow.
And others, invite me to their college/school or other work related stuff on the scrapbook. How long does it take to send a message on Orkut itself??
Is this a rant? Probably
Of course its all part of being what I am. Some people who might read this blog will say don't crib about lack of privacy, or rather get off Orkut. WHY should I? "if not, then don't crib".
Also I get scraps like, I saw you performing at this place, and I thought you would be someone with super attitude, I thought you would be a proud peacock.
And all these assumptions with just a performance. See someone from far away, you don't even walk up to that person and talk to them, or better still, haven't seen them anywhere but on TV or the newspaper, but happily make assumptions that they are all nasty things, like you are paid for it.
I am a small fry as long as the industry is concerned. And I am having a fair share of all this and more. I wonder what happens to the stars.
A lot of people tell me that I should not be as reachable as I am now, and shut off, and behave like a celebrity.
Of course, I might get a fair share of comments for this post, but then, well that is the way things are. Thank God for this blog.

How does someone get the word count in an Excel documents?

Could someone tell me?

100,000 +

and probably going strong.. who knows??
A look up of the statistics shows that I have had more than 100,000 hits on to this blog. A little less than two years.
Feels pretty nice to have a readership :)
Thanks everyone

Of soaring temperatures

What happens when the AC in your car conks and you dont have the time to take it into the garage and get it fixed. You feel like how hens feel when they are broiled or whatever else. One I have to keep the glass raised as much as possible, so that my throat is not exposed to all the vehicular emissions and I have to bathe in perspiration.
I see that most people on two-wheelers are on the same road.
And probably this is what is adding to the increase in road rage amongst people who have to take the heat from the sun, and the the engines in full swing around them.

I also realize it is extremely easy to lose one's temper when someone is physically uncomfortable. And also, quite understandable when people in the lower stratas of the society have the shortest fuse and some of the foulest words in their dictionary. Why ever not? When people driving around in cars and bikes build up major temper on the road, why wouldn't those who live on the line of poverty, discomfort, lack of hygiene, and the basic quality of life?
All we have to endure is the hours on the road, until we get back to our homes, to our cool rooms, with a solid roof above our heads, great food and a comfortable bed. And yet, we complain. Complain about the food not reaching earlier on the table, with the right assortments and the right condiments, complain about not reaching anywhere earlier, complain about not getting things when we want and the way we want. Complain is all most of us can do.
Though it is an easy way, when elders told us to look at those who have less when we crib about what we don't have to feel happy with what we have, how many of us want to, or can make a difference to the lives around us?
Would it be that difficult for people to eradicate the slums around if they wanted to? Mumbai is supposed to have some of the biggest areas, as slums. Would it be that difficult, to just convert those places as high-rises or whatever other comfortable living area for those who need? Its a basic human right to want to live in good surroundings. Would it be so tough if all the citizens of a city, thought of the others living probably just a few hundred meters away from them, pooled in some money and built societies for the less privileged to live in? Why should one always blame the leaders, or the Government or the politicians. What are the people doing? Why can't all those who have the money do something, get things in place? The land is ours, the soil is ours, but we want to sit pretty and let things move around us.
Even if someone has the initiative, all that the others can do is squash whatever they have, extinguish the fire to bring about a change in the lives of others.
The human race has forgotten to be humane. And of course all we can do, moi included is only complain, as thought rarely translates into action. And even in cases that it does, a feeble action is forced through the tar or the sand, as the case may be, on the hot roads in India. And the World.
But glad I am that I have a blog that is not banned, my freedom of expression remains in this vast country that is Hindustan

PodWorks - India's Biggest Podcasting Event

I was asked by Kribs to be part of this event. To be in the Organizer's team, to be precise. And feels nice already!
Today should have been the hottest day in my recorded history, blame it on the "scissor" summer... And the topper was the A/C conking in our car. I knew what it would be to be baked.

Anyway, I was probably the first to arrive at IIT's Cafe Coffee Day. Less than a few minutes, Kiruba came in and give or take ten or fifteen, the place was packed.
Ideas bounced in between cups of coffee, which we took our own sweet time ordering, cos everyone was wayyy to busy jogging their grey cells.
Personally, I am learning already. For one, how people react to another's ideas, how to ask someone to be succinct in expression and of course getting to know more people.
As far as I am concerned, it is all about learning, and no other place than starting it with Coffee topped with whipped cream.
I foresee excitement and sweating it out. That is something I have not done from my Throwball-match days.
The Event - PodWorks is scheduled to be on the 9th and 10th June in Chennai. Please watch this space for more in-depth info.
And here are some of the pictures

I be tagged!! wheeee

And whee whee I have been tagged by Yasaswini


1. Pick out a scar you have, and explain how you got it:
One?? Can I pick like 5? One on my knee, badly scraped when I fell on gravel. 2 and 3 on my hand, eve-teasing incident during my scooter-riding days on Chetpet bridge, hand grazed a few metres on the tar road.. Had a grotesque looking hand for days. 4 and 5 on legs, where how and all can't remember.

2. What is on the walls in your room?
Hordes of books and cassettes :)

3. What does your phone look like.
Silver gray Nokia 9500.. Me the eternal gadget freak.. waiting for the New communicator to hit the stands. Better for it to come sailing into my hands!! Wishes wishes wishes!!

4. What music do you listen to?
Almost about everything.

5. What is your current desktop picture?
A R Rahman - Worldspace campaign

6. What do you want more than anything right now?
Dance/Work

7. Do you believe in gay marriage?
Of course. When any two people are happy together, they should remain together. And no one else's views need matter.

8. What time were you born?
Not so necessary, I better make the time I am alive worthwhile.

9. Are your parents still together?
Nope.

10. What are you listening to?
Tabla Solo - Ustad Allah Rakha

12. The last person to make you cry?
Oh, I don't need a person to make me cry. Give me some music, enough to make my eyes into dams. Actually it depends.

13. What is your favourite perfume/cologne?
Elizabeth Arden - Green Tea, Paco Rabanne, CK

14. What kind of hair/eye colour do you like on the opposite sex?
Hmm.. haven't thought of it so far, don't see why I should now!

15. Do you like pain killers?
Do I like? Is this like do I like chocolate? I guess thats not the point here... Pain Killers - means to an end.

16. Are you too shy to ask someone out?
Remains to be seen.

17. Fave pizza topping?
Jalapenos hola!! Give me spice!

18. If you could eat anything right now, what would it be?
Coffee! Super Salad, Pani Puri, Mango Milkshake, Ice cream, Vathalkuzhambu. Ahh several things.

19. Who was the last person you made mad?
Probably my mom. Usually is. I keep pissing her off.

20. Is anyone in love with you?
Oh yep.. The world, the universe and everything else. And I love back!