Navin Kumaar. S invites you to join Pinwall

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My new Blog page

I've moved to a new place! Do follow my blogs & entries at www.aquanav.in :)

Best regards,

Navin

Disorderedly disciplined...

...I don't know if my title is grammatically correct, however, I chose to write it that way as it drives the point. The city I live in, Chennai in India, is possibly one of the best Metro's in the country. It has a cultural rooting, sober as opposed to Mumbai/Delhi/Bangalore. Let me put this straight, I love this city, and can't think of another place to settle down and grow a family.

What irked me to write this entry, is the disorderly way of running things everyday in Chennai, and the immaculate discipline in the way they do the mess. A signage in Thiruvanmiyur signal clearly says "No free left turn" (from LB road to ECR), and yet there're people who slowly make the turn, like a snail, and keep going as though they're not at fault. In fact, they give this sheepish look/attitude: "I was considerate enough to slow down, that shows I respect the sign. But I have to turn cos a guy behind me is honking". That's an extremely lame excuse. Speaking of these honking guys, it becomes more hilarious. I make it a point not to go if the signal's in red, or if a cop signals me to go ahead with the turn. Whenever I stop, I have guys honking and shouting at me. I politely show them the sign, and all they say is: "When everyone is going, what's your problem?". That's the discipline they follow! Discipline in maintaining chaos!

There're so many things that I can point out to highlight this behaviour! Honking in No Horn zones, creating pile of garbage (one would've started, and the rest follow, claiming it to be the fault of the preceding guy...excellent!) And many more! I agree I'm not the perfect citizen...but atleast I try my best to follow basic rules to ensure road safety...and possess basic civic sense. If not anything, atleast follow the signs people! How difficult is that? It's about time we channelize our discipline in the proper direction...
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Vettaikaran...poor hunter

Before I begin, I must mention that I "used" to be a hardcore Vijay fan...past few movies have made my fanatism feelings gradually deteriorate. Today, it's gone out of the window. Vettaikaran...apt title! The hunter that hunts every fan and tortures him/her. Never in my life have I mindlessly watched a movie like this! An actor whose experience is commendable, has forgotten to act and has depended on his stereotypical gestures and movements. He has failed to emote at crucial scenes. Even his backup dancers emoted better than him...to make things worse, his 8yr old son does a small cameo, thus sealing his fate! Imagine, when he does step into the industry in future...he'll have to mention that Vettaikaran was his debut! Let me clarify this: this is not a review...just a way to vent my depression! His song was apt: (translated in English): if I hit u can't bear it, u'll have 4 sleepless months...he's right...his blow has hit me so hard, I'll have a tough time sleeping...sigh! How the mighty has fallen!
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Are we extra-terrestrials? I thought I was a Naidu!

To kill some time and feed my fiction thirst, I tried reading "Deception Point" by Dan Brown. Agreed it's an old book; for anyone who knows my book reading habit will not be surprised. At some point in the book, it's mentioned that life on earth itself was not terrestrial, infact, very much extra-terrestrial! It's quite possible that the earliest sign of life could have been embedded deep inside a meteorite that upon impact, started evoluting? Fact or fiction, that sounds bizzare!

If it is true, that we're extra terrestrials, it's sad to note that we really aren't behaving like one. We always visualize and assume that extra terrestrials are a higher life form, much more advanced (transformers, star wars, chicken little and many more!). Why is it that we call ourselves "just human", and go about destroying the planet in the pretext of adapting to our needs? Quoted from the matrix: unlike mammals, who adapt themselves to suit the surroundings, human beings change the surroundings to suit their needs. I think it's about time we stop destroying the earth by excavating, building, draining etc. Be an alien! Make a hover vehicle ;-), or maybe even hovering apartments (jetsons) :-D. Coming to think of it, we might as well make more high rises rather than spreading out. Going vertical makes more sense than spreading horizontally. There used to be a time when driving to the zoo outside Chennai city used to be a long, fun trip, through villages and small towns. Today, there're gated communities right behind the zoo. In fact, the zoo is almost "engulfed" by the city!

In anycase, it's time we put that up on our "social responsibility list": do not destroy the planet. It's not ours.

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Error in previous post

Stupid shozu made the image blurry. Here's the proper one!

AKDR Golf Range, OMR

My newfound sport/hobby! Finally :-p

Pure "in-your-face" richman in Chennai!

I was following this unregistered car last Saturday, wondering what it was. When I got close, I was shocked to find out that it was a bentley continental GT. Made me wonder if our so-called conservative city had begun to shed its image and start showing some financial clout on wheels! In any case, that's an amazing set of wheels I must say! And To think that I almost banged the car's rear, while focussing on my average photography skills with my antique PDA phone :-p ...

An approaching storm

An approaching storm, seen from Besant Nagar Elliots Beach. Sometime in last week of November 2009

Human Being...the most dangerous being in the universe? Maybe…

November 26, 2008

Like any other evening, I sat at my laptop, eating a piece of truffle cake and watching a movie, “The Producers” today…out of nowhere, a house fly flew past my screen, and was hovering around me and my plate. It looked slow though. It was either wet/damp, or heavy, or maybe even pregnant? It kept irritating me for a moment or two. After a while, it landed on my plate. Not on the cake exactly, but on the plate though. Without thinking, purely on impulse…I ended its life. I do not want to say how I killed it.

 

While I was doing it, I didn’t realize what I was doing. But the moment it was done, I wondered why I did something ghastly like that. What drove me to do it? Maybe from an average human being’s perspective, the fly was about 1/200^th or little more than that, of our size. So crushing it wouldn’t really make a big difference. It’s next to nothing. But when viewing this from the fly’s perspective, out of nowhere, a giant object came hurling towards it, and ended its life in a very, very painful manner. Even the almost-invincible cockroach, which I was told can survive nuclear radiations and so on, can’t escape the brutal squishing or crushing death by a human being.

 

Many of you reading this entry might find this stupid, wondering why I am making a big deal out of this. I might even get comments at the end of this note, that may have hints of insults (most of them would probably call me an “uncle”). But think for a moment my friends. Think about all the cockroaches, ants, snakes, worms etc. that you and I have killed for no reasons mostly. Or to be precise, only one reason: fear. The sole reason why we developed weapons, cages, sleeping darts (or poisoned darts to keep the flow) etc….FEAR. To be precise, in my opinion, it’s fear of survival.

 

All this thought process made me recollect another object being displayed at the Crocodile Park on ECR, on route to Mahabalipuram from Chennai. This object was a small cupboard, and had a display board/signage that said: behind these doors, is the most dangerous creature/animal on earth…and when I opened, I saw a mirror.

 

My intention is not to point out and start a debate on insect killings etc. If not anything, it’ll surely lead to Non-Vegetarianism and so on. My point is to help you realize the sheer might of our race…which we often misuse knowingly, or unknowingly out of fear. We think there’re aliens much more powerful, portrayed by sci-fi fantasy creators, having super powerful weapons and strength…they come here and become superheroes, or super-villains…for all that you know, they could be watching us, wondering if they should even set foot here to make friends. Cos the moment they send a messenger, we most probably won’t let him/her/it talk. We would rather arrest him/her/it and subject him/her/it to lab tests…

 

Ladies and gentlemen…we could be the most powerful being in the universe…so you can either celebrate, or wonder why we have probably misused this…I for now, am praying forgiveness to god for acting mercilessly against a living being …

Saroja!!!! Saaman Nikalo!

It's very rare to come across movies where you can relate to the characters or storyline. This movie does that exactly and how!!! Right from the comedy, to almost every aspect of the frame. Group of friends, go on a road trip, get caught in a sticky situation. Well, the sticky situation part is slaaaightly far fetched. Small elements were left out in editing, though the masses may neglect ot not notice. Fortunately or unfortunately, I'm a Mechanical Engr, and eye for detail is a standard virtue :-). The kidnap situation apart, movie is great! Saw it twice already :-). As Our new thala Premji says: Evalavo pannurom, itha panna mattomaa!? Cool!

Freedom...

Pic Courtesy: Darren Coffey

Independence, is not just a day's celebration.

It's a virtue, that needs to be nurtured with pride.

It's a tool that needs to be well utilised.

It's a thought, that makes us realize who we are, and gives us the desire and momentum to survive, against odds.

This day, my friends, let us realize this, and regain consciousness, of this freedom that lies within us, in spite of which we often succumb to Corruption, Poor Governance, and Bossy Bosses :-p.

Wishing you all a Happy Independence day.

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Sent using Bluebottle™ email from my Sony Ericsson P990i

That's one hell of a name...

Try reading the name of this station :-)












This place is on the way to Thrirupathi from Chennai. Not sure how far, but I'm sure you can't miss it... after all, who can possibly miss the famous Venkatanarasimharajuvaripeta... no offense to those who live there... found the name long and funny when you hear it...

by the way, if you know a place that has a longer name, do share it with me :-)

This is live! Air balloon in Besant Nagar, Chennai!

This is just in. Live! I just saw this air balloon, apparently owned by ETA STAR, or hired by them. It was either landing or just standing around for display. It was getting deflated when I shot this photo!

The Ninja Game..ultimate slacking tool

This is the ultimate "slacking" software/game I've seen till date. It's way too addictive, and at the same time very very mind boggling. Being an employer, this is probably the worst thing I have ever advised till date, but if you want to slack in office, this is the best way to do so! In fact, this has a "Boss mode", which quickly blanks/hides the window, appearing like just another window and not like a game. As the name suggests, you can use that when your boss appears out of no where :-) ... I haven;' tried it though, never had the need to do so ;-)

You can download it here: http://www.thewayoftheninja.org/n.html

Thank you Metanet Software! You've given me purpose to live !!!!

Not your ordinary Superhero...

...I'm talking about Hancock here! Since childhood, I've always known Superheroes to be Chivalrous Gentlemen, who land gracefully, fly gracefully (refer to my earlier post abt flying and Superman)...Ironman to an extent was a bit casual, in fact slightly playboyish (Thanks to Robert Downey Jr.'s portrayal of the character in the Movie "Ironman"), but even he had class...

But not Hancock...atleast not during his introduction and few scenes from there on...he's a superhero, having an attitude problem, and a bad drinking problem...in fact he's washed out everytime he goes out to save the world!

I don't want to describe the story to you (bet most of you would have seen it already), cos I'm sure if I write anything more, I'll end up telling the entire script out...trust me, this is definitely a must watch!

Happy Birthday to "The Duck"...Donald Duck

Well, you really can't say it's his birthday today, but the fact is, he was aired on Television for the first time, on June 9th 1934. He's without doubt one of my favourite characters from the house of Disney. Most funniest one too :-) ... image courtesy: disney.go.com

My mother's hand

A hand...a blessing...a gift, that's irreplacable...a hand, that knows only to give, to give love, to give warmth, and good food too :-P ... Ladies and gentlemen, that's my mother's hand...the hand I've held on to for 25 years... :)

Adrenaline Rush...Renewed

Flying by air was never really a fascination earlier, as I was born abroad and flying was the only mode of transport. But my flight yesterday to Baroda rekindled my interest in it for one reason: speed! It's a late realisation, but taking off gives such an adrenaline rush, seconded by my old bike only. I flew by Spice and Indigo. Found Indigo more pleasant :-). Spice people actually ran out of sandwiches!!! And their seats feel awkward. But today, returning by Jet, feels great :-). Comfortable, reasonable and great food! Though every carrier's landing is BLOODY scary, as Superman would say, "Flying is still the safest way of travelling" :-D ... Ya right! That's coming from a guy who flies with a cape and lands like an angel :-P ... And btw, the photo above was shot by me, that's the right wing of the Indigo Airlines aircraft.

Ship of the concrete dessert

Man, this is a rare sight. This camel, along with atleast 5-6 more of them, were found near the junction of Chennai Bye-pass ring road and Poonamalee High Road, at Maduravoyal. Honestly, this is the first time I'm seeing a camel in person!!!