Things happening around new house

After shifting home to the new place, life moves at slow pace but not the time that run fast. I run out of time everyday and I plan something (but nothing important) to do but I couldn't complete it quite and feel disappointed at the end of the day. I’m distracted by something’s I don’t want to reveal and go away from what I suppose to do, but I could come back touch with things anytime and there is nothing urging to complete something. I spent most of the time reading, blogging, listening to music (never on earphone) and flickring rather experiencing something new or look after other things that interest me. A month has yet to compete since shifted home, I haven’t took out any other plan I wanted to carry out with the house and I need to fix the nest box and bird-feeders somewhere and work on gardening the space left around the home.

Shot during mom purchased vegetable from vendor

But I’m no more urge to do things all of sudden and they can happen anytime later or after the end of summer. The days are very hot and tiresome since summer began and the temperature was soaring (even Chennai feels better than other districts and states of India) still it bears tremendous heat everyday and staying inside is better than doing things at exterior. I was also at urge of traveling. Summer memories are haunting me to think about vacation or go in search of nature but thinking about weather and holiday crowd I could only getaway at the end of opening schools (the first week of June).

Life travels on timetable, as usual everyday which keep away things and thoughts unnecessary, I fell prey sometime to distraction which goes on and off like power pulled in and out at the outskirts of Chennai and other cities. We faced troublesome situation once shifted home and the electric here had been low and the transformer near the house burst into lightening few times… but they are much better right now and after changing the electric board at home and looked after transformer by EB staffs, there is no electric problem for more than a week now. Unless the usual two hour power off.

In our previous house in apartment I couldn't watch the road activities well unlike this home, which has wide windows to not miss anything happening around. I see vegetable vendor come around pedaling his tricycle and Soan Papdi vendor pushing his cart and ringing bell all the way through the silent afternoon and corporation workers sweeping the road in morning and come whistling to collect garbage in mobile dustbin. There’s a road roller parked close to our house, standing as an identity to find out our house easily and it seems standing for a while under the shadow of tree. Still the neighbors exist as strangers and they just glance at us and look after their jobs.

Being shifted close to beach, I haven’t done a visit yet and even we settled well something kept rose to look after settlement.  I don’t find anything negative about this house except the summer heat (with no upper portion, the sunlight fall directly on the roof to insert heat but the cool sea breeze comfort well near windows) and there are one or two mosquitoes to bite in evening and they last only between 6-7 pm. The one who rejoice a lot was our pet dog Maya, she go around the house freely and was kept unchained unlike resisted within home while staying in flat. I think pets are not comfort growing in flats and they are only to wander freely in individual house. 

Out pet maya  (some requested to post our pet photo)

In poor man’s ooty

On the hills of Servarayan lies the popularly known poor man’s ooty, Yercaud. The name which derives from the Tamil words ‘yeri and kaadu’, which mean ‘lake and forest’. It’s almost pleasant and cool throughout the year and it could be reached from any where through buses and its nearest city is Salem. Placed at an elevation above 1500 meter from msl, the yercaud is famous for its coffee plantations, which was introduced in state in late 18th century by British.

As we climb on the hill, the weather started to wrap with cool wind and dry leaves crushing over the lonely road. The route takes us via coffee and pepper estates, and it wasn’t a bus route so it was vast empty and narrow with little hairpin bends and curves. The kuppanoor is the footstep of this ghat road that comes in between Salem and harur.

As we reached yercaud, it started to drizzle slowly and even while enjoying the climate, the disappointment came from the resort that we booked for saying they don’t allow pets… and even after much explanation they refused to allow. It’s indeed our mistake of not informing the resort formerly that we bring a pet (maya) with us and thought they will adjust if we say, but no way had we to seek for another place to stay.

We then moved into the town searching for rooms while raining outside, we met an auto drive who guide us to a cottage belong to someone. It was a two story building and they gave three of us a room in ground floor and for others in second floor, it was somehow comfort with mosquito menacing in night. The next day we shift to second floor, with the aid of cousins caring me away it was better than before from the troublesome mosquitoes, which fly from the nearby sewage canal that we fail to notice in night.

The cottage was little beneath the dead end road and was surrounded by trees, plants and shrubs; and one of the plants were attractive with huge leaves similar to lotus ones. Morning I wake to see wet everywhere and flowers bloomed in red and blue and small species like frogs, toads, moth, millipedes existing everywhere. The Maya who was excite to see those species was keen to catch them away.

There was a restaurant called Karuppaiya Mess at the junction near the lake was very familiar in taste and too good to have. Throughout our stay we get foods from here, but there’s limited choice of food. The view from our balcony wasn’t great but the little house opposite to ours was simply nice, with a small portico and two tiny elephants guarding each end of the gateway in stone. I’m not a person always or never wish for greater in life, even a small and simple home is enough, and in this way I wish I live there sufficiently.

To add, the swing inside the terrace was attracting everyone to swing ones!

In memories of Maya!

She came rolling into my life like a snowball

The furry coat, like snowflakes, goosebump

As she comes caressing around the legs

To lay head, cozily around the wheels

In hope, I won't hurt her, as I lived up to her.

 

She forced into my life like a syringe 

Though it hurt, she eases the pain to the least

Like an ointment over the wound, her licks  

Wet the heart, to hate her, to become impossible 

Unavoidable trouble to walk all our paths to delight. 

 

She’s someone I fought to forget

As her memories are quite fond, to forget

Never did I felt pain like this at the heart

Missing someone ever been closer, to

Share space in the bedroom for eleven years. 

 

She's pressure on life to always end with a cheer

And I ever got angry with her for human error

The black marble eyes often convey a message

Of love, affection, and care in reciprocation

I never dream of her staging a lifeless drama.

 

She’s truly an angel in the world of us

Still, I keep away her thoughts, yet a year to pass

Nothing disturbed me like what she did in my life

The furry soft were spike sharp when I feel at last

She departed, leaving us in the clutch of hearts.

Ps. To know more about her (Maya) click Here

Signs2: Tea County and WVS

Tea County, I believe, does not require a description because anyone can guess it's a tea/coffee shop, and if someone wanted to know anything else, it would simply be its location. Of course, the area has a relation to the word "Tea" because the shop is in Kotagiri, in Nilgiri county (district), one of India's major tea-growing areas. 

I captured the shop when driving back from Ooty through Kotagiri but could not stop for a cuppa. Perhaps next time. 

WVS stands for Worldwide Veterinary Service, an international training center for veterinary students, and a hospital on the Ooty Coonoor main road near Ketty.  Maya, our companion dog, developed breathing problems during our vacation in Ooty in 2017, so my brother took her there for treatment. He later appreciated their service and told us that they took care of our dog very kindly and treated her like a baby at no cost. They also refused to accept money for medicine. I am pleased to hear it and wish them the best. 

On our way to and from Coonoor, my brother slowed the car to show us where Maya was treated, so I snapped this for memory. 

In and around

Another travel lateral to OMR, it’s now ECR. Traveling on the east coast road is always fun and boost for smooth ride loving. This time with a purpose to ride our family to Mamallapuram, I get another traveling opportunity on my favorite lane with cousins and grandparent. It was merry go around with my bros and sisters. It was raining half our way and drizzling carried on breeze pleased. Our pet Maya was chilling in moving wind and so keeping her face outside window enjoying the weather. Even it was Bakrid, the mamallapuram doest fail to get attention by many visitors. After dropping our elders at great-mom’s place, I and cousins went around just like that or even to burn our times instead waiting for there conclusion and visit too two more relative place next to another.

I didn’t brought my wheels, so I can’t move specially anywhere than out looking. Many things have changed and improvements on progress. I wonder what really is not! In the beautification progress they have changed the genuine things around. Esp. the cheese ball has missed its amazing stance for and stories said behind this globe like structure standing on this slide, immovable for human and animals’ power. It was something back hard to climb on the sloppy rock to touch the cheese ball, but it was touched today easily in few steps. It has a slider narrow substance on the rock which we slide and play then and even now it receives same joy for little foot distance. It’s more than a decade back I climbed on this rock and many times we visit this rock yet it is near to our sis home.

Must say the tourism department is taking good steps to save the remaining structures and rock cut sculptures to maintain properly, even in cost of visitors. I really wish let that’s be a rumor what the entry fee is very different from country visitors to foreigners. Sure I must go around in my wheel soon before I lose insight memories of the places I visited back. It terms I am looking around from outside fencing. Even deriving the rain and cloudy weather staying before the cheese ball, we tasted ice-creams get by our sweet sister. It was fun looking Maya as we all having ice-crème and she was whining for and all along she was fellowship riding. Mamallapuram is home town to my sis and who was visiting our home in Chennai. After calling dad to know that it would take some more time to return, so we decide to go around the town, colonies and shore. Sure it was something I will continue at my next post.

To those unknown about Mamallapure, it is a very famous place for rock cut structures belong to 7th centuries, carved by Pallava Dynasty; which is just 45 km away from Chennai on ECR.

Slough like startle

Late night or early morning before the dark exit, waken to experience a funniest moment. Maya begins it all by yapping sometime like non-stop nonsense and we warned her few time to be quite, but still she continues barking differently and we know she would easily frighten anything for dissimilar, so finally made attend her unreason barking and mom lights on to glance for what she resonant. Mummy was manic for a second to hasten us there was a snake under the cot! We shook asking her, what u are telling. Are u sure snake under the cot? Mom replayed yes, and makes us to get out soon, as she removes maya loosing her chain tied in the cot. We don’t know whether to believe or not with strong doubt is that some other looking like snake, but what to do ‘pamba parthu padaiea nadungum bothu, intha payan emmathiram’ (when a force itself tremors witnessing snake, what exception this boy) haha… jokes apart in little scare ‘muzuka nanaitha piragu mukkadu eatharku’ (when dissolved fully why to close with a curtain) lol; ok in scare I called mom to bring wheelchair quicker and was out of bedroom in less than a minute.

And mom wants to call watchman, dad too conform its snake alone and both scare, but bro make calm and guessed it should be some snake like curtain roll. Bravely he goes ahead with a stick to move the cot, I warned in hesitate, though he moved and too the snake like thing. He bring out the snake what is lounge suit design, which revels like slough in dim light and it’s all just scare and rumor remains created by mom. And we can’t blame her incase in manner to look anything strange startle. Thus we no need to wonder if there was a real snake under the cot, as we know there are snakes and mongoose at other side of our neighbor compound which covers an empty ground with compact woods and creepers. Rarely we visible the snakes spin on branches and in ground, purl and rustle of plants like snakes moving and noises of mongoose fighting! Laughing myself thinking this funny incident throughout the day, and teasing mom for her innocence behavior, to join with uncle its gone a laughter day today.

Happy weekend buddies :)

Experience with Aavin, AVMs and Price Hike

Milk is an essential of life and feeds no difference!  Coming out of mother’s feeding, milk has been the best source of nutrition for kids and also easily digestible, it treats everyone (with no age difference) being a special ingredient as beverage is open to varied flavours. For many, a day does not begin without coffee or tea and to make it possible milk is the prominent. Though they can be prepared using hot water, only milk seems to provide the real essence of taste.  I also don’t drink coffee/tea without added to milk and we use about 1.5 litre of milk everyday at home to make drink and curd and to feed our dog Maya.

A scene in front of AVM  (pic: the hindu)

Things being like that, the Aavin (the trademark of Tamil Nadu Co-operative Milk Producers’ Federation Limited, a Tamil Nadu-based milk producer’s union) have raised the price of milk up to 40 percent per litre which is ever so high in a single hike. It wouldn't have been a matter of huge difference if the price was increased step by step (which could be the right progress), but this couldn't be an easy task for people to follow with low income. Being a consumer of Aavin since late 90s (when we stopped getting raw milk from my grandfather's house as they themselves wasn't sufficient with milk for their tea shop, because of the reduction of bulls they reared, as their demand was also fulfilled by Aavin) we adapted to their quality and quantity which has been content so far and suppose to be hopefully. Though the hike doesn't seems to bother us much, will truly play a crucial role on low income families. Just because we are affordable, can’t accept such huge step that’s very difficult for others to come across and if the govt. itself makes such a leap, there won’t be wonder if Pvt. overtakes them.

The price has risen within weeks the Aavin stopped selling loose milk supplied through automatic vending machines (AVMs) in Aavin booths. But the reality was the AVMs aren’t in operation for long time and it’s only the staffs take the control of selling loose milk using measures.  The change in the mode of supply is being done as a quality control measure as there have been complaints of adulteration of the milk sold through these machines. The organisation has chosen to do away with this mode which will cost them an additional ₹1.25 crore per annum. Introduced by Aavin in late 1970s, AVMs has been big hit among Chennaities as they provided an interesting experience, which I too enjoyed once, as I find it fun dropping coins into the AVMs (after making line to the Aavin booth to collect coins by paying at the counter) and fill our utensil with milk flow through a pipe. Each coin let us hold half a litre of milk which was their standard practice.

While back in Adyar, there’s an Aavin booth near our house and we usually visit the booth in afternoon and sometime wait in queue until the milk van come refilling the booth. Many of our neighbours also join the queue and sometime I accompany my aunt on behalf our family to buy milk. Mostly I like to go there to hold milk from the AVMs; even I can't drop the coin at that height since I wasn't even a teen then, but sometimes I have the chance to operate the automated machine if someone lifts me up. Locally called as Button Paal (milk), because of the size of the coin which used to drop into the AVM resembles the size of a button or 25 paisa coin, can be brought either through Milk Cards or instant paying according to our comfort.  If milk has been in demand, a person could buy only a litre of milk from the booth, so sometime parents take us along with them to get additional coins or litres.

After shifted to neighbourhood area, dad took the task of buying milk completely since there isn’t an Aavin booth close to our house; so he used to buy milk while he drives back from office.  He also stopped using utensil, as it is not possible while he was working he shifted to buy milk loosely in instant pack. We don’t buy packet or sachet milk unless we couldn’t able to visit the booth and now again back in Adyar and close to Aavin booth we had been buying milk loosely in utensil but now things come to an end hence Aavin stopped selling milk in loose and through AVMs from  Oct 15. So we are quite depended on packet milk, but my only hope and wish was Aavin sustains the existing quality and quantity. 

Sunday Beach

It was a lovely Sunday evening with my grandparents and uncle’s kids visited the nearest seashore. I want to take my grandparents out often, they never go anywhere and special for my grandpa, because of his health condition and getting weaker in earlier I thought it would be break for him from sitting all alone in home. The kid sachin who disliked coming to beach with us, after getting there he started to sing I love beach and I want more… everyone left near water expect me and grandpa, and we were discussing about my traveling. I like to share some pictures here:

Sachin

dad, maya, grandma, sachin and dharshine

Sachin want to stamp in water.

A small crab, Sun sets

Wee cup pup

Like a tiny doll in white fluff, just 3.2 inches tall, the Maltese pup reached just more than a height of teacup is among the world’s smallest sleeve dogs. Scooter, the six month-old pup, is also weights less than a block of butter at 400gm that too while wearing clothes – a regular purple sock jersey, so that she is seen easily around the home and to prevent inevitable injury that would result at a wrong step. The owner of Scooter 'Cheryl McKnight of New Zealand’ says the pup feeds from an egg three times a day and sleeps in a shoebox, does everything a normal dog does.

Another tiny pup vying for the status of being smallest in world is Tom Thumb. Even he is younger than Scooter, his owners convince he’ll still be shorter than the current record of smallest dogs by length when he’s an adult. At three weeks old, Tom Thumb measured less than 4 inches from nose tip to tail tip; and is believed to grow more than an inch or two. Beyond anything astonish, these diminutive dogs are absolutely cute and I know u too will agree.

The tiny scooter reminds me of maya, while she was alike when she was small with those pretty eyes and nose.

Crow Assignment and Dog Behavior

I used to stroll around the home in the evenings in kind of getting breeze and one day I causally looked at the custard apple tree (pic above) in front of our house but outgrown from the neighbor's compound, and found a male crow breaking the sprigs of the tree by going on the withered or easily breakable. Early summer the leaves were all parted and now it looks as if it started to shoot again and there’s already couple of little custard apples hung around… the crow seemed patient in finding the right sprig that’s easily achievable and it didn’t few away with the sprigs but dropped each after the break up. Later it few away and I left wonder. I know birds collect sprigs/sticks only if they are building nest and so I was sure the crow should be nesting somewhere and all the break ups for that.

What I really wonder was does the crow (or any bird species) built the nest at this time was because they know it is the season where trees withered to produce more sticks or it’s a coincident where nesting of birds and fall happens at same. I think in Tamil Nadu the fall season was between February-March.  During a visit to Topslip in mid Feb, I saw abundant of leaves filled across the forest and mountain pass and upon which I inquire to know it was the fall season there. Before I stop wondering, I was amused at the sight which followed. Where a female crow flew in collecting the sticks on the ground that was broke down by the male crow. As I went near the gate I find numbers of sticks were parted by him. I really loved the cooperation between them in building the nest and producing their offspring’s in fall season!

I think the male crow was very concern about building the nest and helping his partner, as I saw him other day on another tree with the same assignment.  The crow in the flight (picture above) wasn’t shot at pointing at the bird, but fell into image when taking some photos at Elliots beach.  

Another interesting sight I got to watch outside the gate on the following days was, a stray dog munching on grasses! First I thought it was sniffing something but it was actually chewing on a patch of grass on the roadside. I have heard dogs eat grass, but ever seen one before. Our pet dog, Maya, used to eat raw vegetables like beans and carrot and not grasses like the one seen above.  Upon this, I browsed the net to know: that a dog eating grass is actually quite common and this form of pica is considered as normal dog behavior. And grass eating doesn’t usually lead to throwing up -- less than 25% of dogs that eat grass vomit regularly after grazing. Other suggested reasons why dogs might be eating grass include improving digestion, treating intestinal worms, or fulfilling some unmet nutritional need, including the need for fiber.

Linking this post for SaturdayCritters

Annoy with Meow!

Who don’t like cats and their cute purr? Long time back we had cats as our pet and it used to be fun watching them playing around. But that’s a different story for another day. For last few weeks we were experience quite annoy because of the cat’s purr – Meow! The cats are cutest animal and their purr is of course somehow pleasant, but the matter is when they cross the limit and hangs around frequently on the wall and make noise in a way disturbing, not us, but our pet dog, Maya.  Generally it is believed and witnessed by many that cats and dogs don’t go together and ours is no more different.

The cat in the image is the main culprit interrupts the peaceful slumber of our pet dog often by its curse. Purr! Actually she/he isn’t grown enough to become a cat, because I saw her/him as a kitten less than a month back, perhaps he/she should be in her pretty teen now to be naughtier. : D It all began from the day my grandma fed the cat with fish heads, after cutting off the heads and cleaning fishes before progress with cooking. Generally we don’t encourage cats and after owning a dog we stopped petting any other and not only because our dog hate cats, it’s also not easy to detach once become friendly. It is an experience we leant through many occasions of losing pet dogs and cats, to keep us away.

This black and white kitty is so daring animal and doesn’t seem to fear about our barking dog and come around bravely with meow, how many times we shoo away! Other day, the cat quietly came under our couch while we eating fish curry and mom was shook for a moment seeing the cat there, which was a look strange for her rather the usual sight of our fluffy white dog. It came in, when our dog was sleeping inside and didn’t move out easily until we put forceful shoo. Apart this there are two more cats – one with black and white with orange and other was a tabby cat, but they aren’t annoying like this BW though they come around our home often. Even while writing this post it’s making purr from the compound wall to let our dog bark.

You might know the boldness of this cat from the photos above, which was shot from closer distance through the back door and in one of it; it was giving pose for us, looking at the mobile camera.

Linking this post with SATURDAY CRITTERS - for the firs time.

Nerungi Vaa Muthamidathe - A Novel Script

I usually write on movies only that I watched in theatre, but Nerungi Vaa Muthamidathe (which means “come close, do not kiss”) is a 2014 road movie in Tamil that I watched last weekend in a Tamil channel. I was looking forward to watch this movie as downloaded, but glad I come to know the movie being relayed 2 hours early to watch and it was interesting and gives a new experience.

The actress-turned-director, Lakshmy Ramakrishnan - who's popular with her mother characters, has written the story (that based on a road journey and background as petrol/diesel crisis) and screenplay in a novel way i.e. each character has been depicted in brief, that encounters along the journey, makes it more interesting watch. The movie drove from three different paths/situations has intertwined so well, leading all the way towards ending, the ride has been kept at thrill with anticipation of what come next.

Chandru is a lorry driver, although he the son of a petrol bunk owner, he choose his life to be like that and who drive trucks and Lorries for thrill, decides to smuggle 2000 litre of diesel for the same amidst fuel crisis. On the other hand, a runaway couple joins him for life whose love has been opposed by the relatives for being different religion/caste and a girl from wealthy family, going through distress and misunderstanding with her mother for not telling who he father is. But once understand her father as an injustice to her mom, the girl tries to reach her and fall into accident.

At one phase and in unexpected situations, all boards the lorry to get down at their destination and how Chandru comes out of the crises for smuggling diesel that could sentence him at national level. The movie settles for a light-hearted entertainment and taking a serious issue in hand, where the price and demand for petrol/diesel has been at rise to protest, ‘Nerungi Vaa Muthamidathe’ has utilised it well and also got closer but didn’t strike a chord!

The new comer Shabeer (Chandru) has a look needed for a lorry driver and also being adamant he quite understands later. But however upright, a driver could not drive straight forwardly. Lol! The pretty Piaa as Maya has been left with a face of confusion and anguish almost the movie, is enough describe her mindset and as her mother, Viji Chandrashekar, has recorded a bold statement that being odd is nothing wrong. As a young (runaway) couple in love they represent a familiar identity yet strongly

‘Nerungi Vaa Muthamidathe’ is a phrase I myself have seen on a lorry back, is perhaps the inspiration for the director and being a woman, has set a theme/trend which is pretty new, creative and ideology to inspire other. There aren’t many songs and also haven’t taken separate scenes for songs, which go along the subject.  Although I am content with the technical background, I wish I was watching this film in theatre to appreciate quite overall. NVM is must watch if you want a change in watching pattern and novel way of storytelling! 

Demonte Colony

Horror is the trend (successful trend) in the Tamil cinema and this year, number of films released under this genre and almost tasted the success.  I haven’t watched many films of this genre, but from the few I checked and heard about, humour has been the main source for the success of these films except the movies – Maya, Strawberry and Demonte Colony (which I watched last weekend) are suppose to be serious. Demonte Colony grips watching throughout without got to be disturbed by the commercial factors anywhere but it was entertaining in a different way and it has an interesting screenplay set between four friends fighting against the spirit within four walls of their bachelor room.

Though the film doesn’t expose any scary images but got to experience a real thriller through the characters expression and haunted feeling. Inspired from a real time rumour related to the Demonte Colony, in Alwarpet, Chennai, though I don’t know what history the colony holds, the director’s creation was superb and the time period he capture through the scene was another impressive part. Arulnithi dictated the leadership well, and the other three friend characters are greatly supported the venture and has put a realistic effect while exploring the ghost bungalow as well fighting against the fear of being killed. The director has put the story simple to understand by everybody and though intellectually played the scenario there are certain moves confuses the naive while the focus is on fatality or escape.

Demonte Colony is tremendous and gives a bit of realistic feel among the horror films!

City space

Change is usual, for a city like Chennai its more, but for me entering within city after shot long time sights new and different. I was quit forget about the restrictions made on advertisement boards on road sides, and it was something surprise to see the difference on the Adyar Bridge where the hording are removed and green plants and open space visible after years back, thus miss the entertainment looking at hoardings. The worst travel within city is the traffic; wonder it’s been weekend saved from standing on the road, but its rough travel. Visited marina on sat evening before the marg –Chennai marathon day, it was everywhere the sign boards of marathon hanging, the pollution was more because of construction process along marina yet beautifying.

It was our pup maya attracts people attention, and in stagger hair everyone comes across look her for seconds, few take pictures in mobile and children nearby comes to play with her ball and she was interested more than playing to grab the ball. Parked oppose a small stall witnessing people enjoying having baji or food item there and it wasn’t nice seeing them throw away the papers everywhere thus making beach unclean. Don’t know where the restriction or ban sleeping on the shore without warring those make city unclean, this is something need to change in people and I see it harder for some still maintaining the habit of throwing anywhere. What it really need is in the development of string, the loose thing must be tightened to sound better good. The loose I mention is the practice of people

It’s the worst time for powers in state to cut down electric for hours. The last two week we face an hour shortcut in electric daily and from Monday onward the time was increased to one and half hour, at least it was better to think in Chennai, whereas the suburbs get 3 hours a day and in districts 5 hours a day shortage of current and somewhere it was limitless of cut. It seems getting aggression between people who lose their business and earnings; today there is nothing to move without electricity and it been a fundamental comfort of people. If not now, when are we going to replace ourselves using electricity? There are more industries coming up in state and to think there is no equal power produced by govt. The big industries are gaining more and least business men are suffering more. The wastage of electricity is visible, but politicians and rulers are not seeing that, everyday because of them, their celebration or inauguration the gleam is flood with electric. The nature has given its best; people closing their doors not giving them entry, the windows are powerful to see the world at its best alike through what u read this now!

NHs and way to pollachi

We drive through national highways and I should say national highways lose the charm of traveling and bored due to emptiness. What I say as emptiness is because, it seems same everywhere u see and untouched towns and cities that lack interest and without trees it makes harder the travel on day time without switch on to A/C. I acknowledge the development of NH’s make easy and smooth driving for those travels often and who’re in time to reach, and accident free, but for me who loves traveling, NH carries nothing interesting for about sitting simple for hours. I also not forget to appreciate the NH’s authorities for bringing down heaven to earth by constructing these huge platforms for vehicles and wonder elsewhere looking at its building.

Waiting at the railway gate for minutes to pass the train with enthusiastic and in meantime tasting something from the window side vendors, who rushes in seeing our vehicles being stopped are one or few things that irritates then is out of sight, and we get nothing much in favor to see and know something from today’s NH. The roads are wider, clean and narrow; and the plants planted on the center corridors help reducing the head aches and dark eyesight due to the flashing against vehicles. Those are days we get to sense the changing atmosphere and nature while traveling, and within closed window and not much to observe, the traveling set to a mood of cool darkness. Compared to NHs, I go with SHs (State highways) even it was single lane and highly threaten and little more shadows; and these NH helps people who’re destination freak and who’re fates to live inside, thus every move has something different.

My favorite Black Scorpio, taken in pollachi guest house.

Even I chose to be unfavorable about the late NHs; I understand the need of best NHs and connecting cities and towns easily and welcome people for a pleasant ride I was traveling to pollachi last month and most of the roads that lead were NHs and the road from Chennai till Ulundurpet was very smooth and fine, and though we had to cutting Salem, we kept back the velocity and somewhere on this stretch I could see black smokes arriving through the ventilation towers of sugar factories on an active Monday morning.

There are toll gates that come as huge speed barkers at every certain km to collect money and many people blame these gates in impatience as if they’re bill gates having hat full of work. People told me to tie a political flag in front of the car; so that these gates will open freely, but I told clearly that I won’t climb the car if someone does like that. I have wondered like everyone, looking back the pristine roads and streets of foreign countries and when we experience something similar we have to be supportive and not make deceive. I feel it’s worth paying attention to these toll gates for a peace, pleasant, safe and fast journey in time and distance.

Karthik's home in Salem. There karthik's mom,my mom -holding maya, grandma and dad.

I think back there’s nothing much interesting to describe about traveling in NHs and the road lead to Salem was under construction and there are many ups and downs shifting back. There’re no memories about visiting this city more than a decade ago, the hills surrounded Salem is quite busy even at heavily strikes noon and we passed a street alike T.Nagar in Chennai. There’s much difference in food compared to Salem and Chennai and other places, as we pay more and get less in Chennai, thus we pay less and get much as food.

1008 Lingam temple, near Salem

There was a warm smile welcome us into their home in Salem against the sunshine and it was karthik’s mom whom waiting for us at her gateway and we spent sometime and left with a cup of cool drinks. It was again the NH’s and on the way came the 1008 lingam temple, where it’s under construction on a hillock near Kanjamalai and temple is belong to Vinayaka mission, a private education institute. The temple was wonderful to see from the road with hills at background. It was a coincident to face the sunset again this time passing through tirupur and it was another crimson sun.

It was turning down to sunshine and dimness emerges as we’re heading towards pollachi and it was stars like spread across the landscape, where the lights of windmills glow to silent movement. At last reach the pollachi gust house and hand felt asleep as soon spreading across the limbs after dinner.

Windmills of pollachi

Well we continue in another post.

Neighbor Angels

I would say that all the kids in our apartment are cute and angels, who carries away the isolation into the air every evening. The calm environment would be cleared as soon they arrive from the school and there isn’t certain for their causing noise and merry trouble. There are more than a dozen children in our apartment and keeping away the teens, everyone go around the apartment in there cycle and keep on gossiping until they leave by 6 or 6.30 to study at home.

The above three in the picture were the most active children and could be seen often playing and merrily go around in their cycle. Being similar in age group, they share there by-cycle easily and be cool always like no other responsibility, unlike their elder ones who spent less time to amusement and keep themselves distance with books and studies. Being a dog dweller, no kid will come near our home, but everyone’s excite about the dog and would call from far away, except the one who wish to come near and being younger to all, will convey me his wish by a hand movement and smile seeing me far or near.

He’s one of the darlings of the apartment and he walk pretty like a toddler walking and cute enough to capture our heart! Soundariya, Ammu and Varshini are the names of the kids in the picture and to say about them in a line: Soundariya is much talkative and kind enough to be humble in consoling her mates by giving anything to keep them from distress and cry. About ammu, she’s a cheering girl among the kids and always keeps a smile on her face and thus charming.

I see her from crawling and she’s one cute being hold a post in my blog then, and wonderfully never changed in attitude of being so enchant. I amaze looking at her brother, whom I mention as darling of the apartment resembles her in every aspect and movement. He has a mysterious name called putta, which I guess it to be a nick name as he’s very little! Coming to Varshini, she is cute, brisk and bold, but teardrop for everything being silly and nothing and blame that no one let her live happily.

She’s so funny that times and I have listened her singing while playing and being at bathroom… which is against our bedroom, a block apart. She has a sweet tone and adorable while she fondle kids and convey to our pet maya. I never been close to these kids but I just know very little about them though observing their activities and manner they share with others. Evenings are the only time these kids come out and I love being outside to just watch them and wish I were among the kids being so nice and happy.

Unusual play

Having heard and seen sometime the various in animals being friendly to each other like cat-dog, monkey-goat and even the enemy’s cat and mouse and no more difference from this kind, the pet dog of my sister had found a friend in kitty. She was telling me the other day about this friendship and I couldn’t stop wondering since our pet dog Maya is a serious chaser of other dogs and cats who are foremost in her category of dislike.

Few weekends before sister came home and I downloaded the videos of the play between the dog and kitty from her cam which was fun, interesting and amazing to watch. The kitty was very cute and the dog take care of it very kindly and fond even its behavior sometime looks rude, it doesn’t allow anyone to hold the kitty and they both feed on a same plate and sleeps nearby.

This cute kitty remind me out latter ones and we had three kitten whom were the active cats I have seen and they play like anything and rolling a marble on floor is enough to check with them for fun and there meow... is sweetest like anything and each one of them look so adorable in a way and color. I like sharing a video of kitty playing with the dog here (below):

Surprising soul

In-between the non-stop rain for the last one week, we had a small break for sometime on Sunday so I thought to go out to survey our city, but it turned as a surprising evening for me. Somehow it’s not the rain or the city! It’s a person belongs to charm.

We were yet to move out and just minutes to go, Andrew come against us to completely surprise! It sensed me like ‘not sure’ when he said he likely to visit Chennai in the first week and never informed then came before me as a quite surprise put me wordless! We really became close friends in the last couple of months and I know him for sometime through Flickr.

He is a person I never seen before being such young and enthusiastic in his age of 65! I astonish seeing his many interesting photographs and lately I become a fan of his huge zoom lens! I have talked to him couple of times and I really enjoy his gossip and he used to share stories with me about his earlier life in Chennai and busy life in pune. He’s a great example for life after retirement and more like a young man he works almost and manages a huge site project in Infosys Pune. In between he travels a lot and captures wonderful pictures.

The first thing that spots him was his coat he often wears. He hugs me before I come out of surprise and he introduce me to his friends as one of his best friend and it was dream come true for both of us. Andrew hoped to meet me, even in between heavy raining and it’s just minutes that save us together and seems it won’t be a matter even we left home, we would have returned to meet this young man and I’m so much interested to meet him.

(from left) Isaac, andrew, richard, me, dad and mom, maya is sitting below.

After sometime in home, knowing we’re going out he interested to join with us and we went to Marina beach. In between his busy scheduled taking sometime to spend with us is indeed special to me. We had a photo walk inside the service road along the lately developed nature’s pool (staying rainwater) opposite to Vivekananda house in marina beach.

He brought his huge lens Sigma 150-500 mm APO-OS especially to show me, because as I said before I like it very much. He gave it to me to click, but I can’t bear it as it weights 2kg! I wonder then, how he carries this much weight wherever he goes. Along with his friends Richard and Isaac, the evening goes off with great enthusiastic and fun and they’re like very young guys teasing each other.

Usually the marina beach would be crowded immense on Sundays, but being a rainy day and a ban on playing cricket inside the beach throws off less people. It was bikers who were like taking away the charge instead of cricketers racing here and there, splashing rainwater and gushes there joy blindfold.

There were children playing on the rainwater pool and dogs enjoying in the water, some families come across while few vehicles get water washed. First time being their after almost beautification works are done on marina, it doesn’t sense any different!

Andrew shoots some pictures with his huge lens, and one of his shot on an eagle that fly’s far away was simply awe... After conveying good bye to Andrew and his friends with huge hug, we spent sometime off the pool water with cousins and left home after an hour.

Me, miss and wish

A tag from Vijay to write on...

6 Whatever about me:

* More patient and believe anything is decided within is safe and better. If not this, don’t know where would lead my life.
* Won’t like my entry into others right or time, and won’t let loose mine.
* I don’t like someone is disturbed by me, but worries more that am living against it, with no other way.
* I rarely call someone through phone
*my parent’s are my life, I can’t think a day pass on without them.
* Follow everything by time with nothing purposely doing.
Add: * I drear to bear injection. (It’s something I feared recently after witness a slit through maya, but I am cool as pup taken all formal anticipate injections.)

5 things I miss in my life right now:

* My sister who left to her town without telling me, I wish she would be staying for short long time with me.
* My dear brothers, whom I call like. Those are some never forgettable people in my life, the support and comfort which I experienced in their presence then.
* Those said to be my best friends, both in online and in practical life.
* Wandering everywhere on my own foot.
* Working from home and earning something
Add:* My old (gold) home where I spent my 20 years. (People think I am happy and satisfied where I stay now, but none knows my heart and how much I miss my place and people)
*Playing with my keyboard. (That is yet taking a long to mend correctly.)

10 things I wanna achieve (or wish) within a decade:

*To hold on my blogger mates permanently, if not possible all, at least some dears to me.
* To stay in the hearts of people for what I am.
* Get a job which is comfortable and stress free to work from home.
*To meet and get in touch with my lost dear ones.
*Improve my knowledge and fluent English.
*Buy a 4X4 SUV and go around anywhere I wish, and on off-roads.
*A likely home comforts all
*To travel into sea and fly into sky
*Just out of dreams and imagination, i need a real girlfriend.
* Want to watch more good films out of Tamil cinema.

Beware of dogs

A high target was when tears of joy turn tears of cry. It was news about an 11 year-old boy became a victim in chase of a German shepherd dog. But it bothered me a lot somehow today. May it be an incident or accident, it sent me alarm. Not that we own a pet dog, and it is nothing wrong in having one. But the thing where we had is an apartment complex with tens of houses and neighbors closer enough. May be it wasn’t a frequent incident, but thinking advance is usual sustain and a thing it indicates is prevent further incidents. Like wise I think we were the ones too working on base of violation and how threatening we’re to neighbors with children more or less to the boy. It’s nothing to wonder about if negative thoughts peer into ours neighbors mind after reading this news and I am sure someone would compare us with owing a dog, when even I could.

Dog means fear is a common sense which is more in children and we know a dog chase means we have to stop running, but for children it’s the only thing they know to escape. The above incident is a proof which kept these days as a hidden injury. I could not just blindly deny everything and here is a proof today. Carelessness lost a life indeed. I showed this news to my parents to make them aware and warn about threaten we give to others in complex in name of Maya. We are suspicious about the situation and I am with everyone who agrees for an act on controlling the pets in apartments. Here just walls separate the homes in apartment; the reflection of noise is sustained and oversight is left to injury or loses of life, something happen to the 11-year-old Ashish. I am pity over the incident and regard to the news and violation of rules, I feel its better apart the pet until staying in apartment. Am someone could just voice my expression and agitation to call from beginning to oppose keeping a pet. But none could listen and I left to fate to still believe nothing goes wrong, even after suspect few incidents happened around my complex. There is nothing wrong in having pets at cautious space and more than anything, human life is precious than pets.