It was a rainy evening. I was all by myself in the house, sipping tea and watching the rain drops fall, with a distant view of the sunset. The rain stopped abruptly, like someone had a switch pulled off. The sun had also finished saying its goodbye for the day.Having robbed off my good view, I let out a small grunt and turned the computer on for some browsing. Quite a few minutes should have passed, and I could hear the clock tick 7.
"shrush.. shrush" . I glanced up from my monitor wondering if I had imagined that noise. A long pause of absolute silence follows and I get back to browsing. The noises start again and I begin to pay more attention. We rarely hear any noise in our apartment except for the occasional cars passing by. I have never heard footsteps rustling and I was clearly hearing some now, right in our backyard. That sent some goose bumps up my arms and I could see small hairs standing up already.
The noises continue to increase and I can sure hear some whispers now.A young male voice was saying "I loved her so much...She shouldn't have.." , another adds in " I am sorry it had to end this way.. " .
My heart started to double its pumping rate and I sure got some sweaty palms. With shaky fingers, I lift the vents to the backyard a little bit. There , I can clearly see two men standing with shovels. My mind starts racing, "Shovels? What would anyone do with shovels at this time of the evening, in the dark?" I have never seen either of them around here. From what I could make out of their silhouette in the dark, one was tall and lean and the other a little shorter. I crane my neck to get a better view and there, I can see a deep pit they have dug out and a huge wooden box near it. My adrenalin pumps up and my brain freezes for a minute. Recovering myself, I start debating if I should call 911. That's when I hear a knock on the front door.
With all the courage I could muster, I drag myself to the door. Thanks to the peepholes on the door, I was able to see that it was none other than my husband. I quickly usher him in and brief him on the details. He wasn't as scared as me and stressed that we should walk out and talk to them. While I hide behind him, he opens the door and takes a peek. As soon as the door opens, one of the men, the tall one, gets on his heels and runs away. Now, very sure that something is definitely not right, I start to type in the number 9 on my phone.
The other man stands there for a second or two and then starts walking towards us, the dirty shovel still in his hand. I back off a little, eying the grill cleaner stick nearby, if at all an emergency calls for it. He greets us " Hi, I am Dave.. I just moved in to your next apartment a week ago". So much for knowing neighbors, we had no clue who was next door. He goes on " I was just burying the person I loved most in my life. You should come see". I try to signal my husband to back-off and run away from there. But he proceeds on, walking towards that big brown box. The other man opens the lid and there she is, a big old German Shepard, peacefully sleeping like a big baby.
Back Notes : k.. this never happened. But it was a vivid dream, I had last week.
I don't think pets gets buried in the backyard in US, but in my home land, pets always have their final resting place at home.
To explain the location better, adjacent houses in my apartment complex, share gardens.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Cure it all without fixing
This has happened to me all my life and I have never paid attention to it until this week. Three instances in one week made me sit down and take notice.
I fell sick, which is not a very common thing, and then my fever hikes to 102+. Then it reaches 102.9 , I start to have fever chills and cover myself with at least 3 blankets. I remember blanking out a few years back when it reached 104 . So we decide to go to the emergency and hastily pack everything. The triage nurse at the emergency takes my vitals and my temperature is back to 98.6. I didn't know what to think - was it our thermometer that flopped, or the emergency room's or was it just my body faking it out. The nurse mocks us with our thermometer. To save further embarrassment, we get a new thermometer at the nearby Walgreens and head back home.
Back at home, and 30 mins later, I had started to shiver heavily and the new thermometer shows 102.4. We try both the new and old ones interchangeably and end with the same high range. Just to make sure, we test both on the husband, who is perfectly normal at 98+. So much for old thermometers. Back to the emergency again, and believe it or not, it was back to 98.6 and all my shivers were magically gone.
That was the first instance, the same repeated again with a abdominal pain at the end of the week. And when it was time to see the doctor, I am back to being hale , healthy and at the pink of my health.
While I found reasons to brush this off as some vague psychological behavior between my mind and the hospital, something else happens.
My cooking range stopped working and none of the bigger burners would work. That is a total blow to my daily cooking. I was happy to escape a day or two citing that as the reason to eat out. Then home food is home food. We called up the apartment people to report the problem, and boom ..the burners were fine again and started working as though they never stopped. Now, what do I make of this?
Anyone else with the same thoughts or am I the only weirdo?
I fell sick, which is not a very common thing, and then my fever hikes to 102+. Then it reaches 102.9 , I start to have fever chills and cover myself with at least 3 blankets. I remember blanking out a few years back when it reached 104 . So we decide to go to the emergency and hastily pack everything. The triage nurse at the emergency takes my vitals and my temperature is back to 98.6. I didn't know what to think - was it our thermometer that flopped, or the emergency room's or was it just my body faking it out. The nurse mocks us with our thermometer. To save further embarrassment, we get a new thermometer at the nearby Walgreens and head back home.
Back at home, and 30 mins later, I had started to shiver heavily and the new thermometer shows 102.4. We try both the new and old ones interchangeably and end with the same high range. Just to make sure, we test both on the husband, who is perfectly normal at 98+. So much for old thermometers. Back to the emergency again, and believe it or not, it was back to 98.6 and all my shivers were magically gone.
That was the first instance, the same repeated again with a abdominal pain at the end of the week. And when it was time to see the doctor, I am back to being hale , healthy and at the pink of my health.
While I found reasons to brush this off as some vague psychological behavior between my mind and the hospital, something else happens.
My cooking range stopped working and none of the bigger burners would work. That is a total blow to my daily cooking. I was happy to escape a day or two citing that as the reason to eat out. Then home food is home food. We called up the apartment people to report the problem, and boom ..the burners were fine again and started working as though they never stopped. Now, what do I make of this?
Anyone else with the same thoughts or am I the only weirdo?
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya (VTV) Posters
I am a big fan of Gautham's films, the notable ones being Kakha Kakha, Minnalae and Varanam Ayiram.
I assume the photographers (or whoever is in charge of the posters) of his new film VTV, were suddenly out of creative ideas, that they started copying their posters from some of the older super hit films. These films are my ever green favorites. VTV manages to give a poor imitation of those memories.
Though the group claims it as a tribute to the mid-time hits, all I see in the posters is, intelligent advertising. Now, when I search for Alaipayuthey in Google, I end up with at least one image of VTV. It will also help the film in connecting with the masses easily, projecting familiar images.
The sad part is , Simbu and Trisha are far away from creating the magic that was woven into some of these ManiRatnam films. I just hope that Gautham has made VTV worthy enough, to be compared to these classics. The wait is on until Valentines day, 2010.
I assume the photographers (or whoever is in charge of the posters) of his new film VTV, were suddenly out of creative ideas, that they started copying their posters from some of the older super hit films. These films are my ever green favorites. VTV manages to give a poor imitation of those memories.
Though the group claims it as a tribute to the mid-time hits, all I see in the posters is, intelligent advertising. Now, when I search for Alaipayuthey in Google, I end up with at least one image of VTV. It will also help the film in connecting with the masses easily, projecting familiar images.
The sad part is , Simbu and Trisha are far away from creating the magic that was woven into some of these ManiRatnam films. I just hope that Gautham has made VTV worthy enough, to be compared to these classics. The wait is on until Valentines day, 2010.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
AVATAR 3D - Why I didn't like it
If you haven't seen Avatar yet, please go see it and come back here. It is a must-see movie with its own pitfalls.
There are numerous posts citing why Avatar is the best film of the decade. Avatar totally deserves the best animation of the decade, but not so with the story line and the screen play. So if you are ready to accept it is not an ideal movie, read on.
My first disappointment with the movie,can't be really helped. It is those 3D goose glasses that I have to wear for 3 hrs straight(without a break). US theatres really need to get into the practice of intermissions, with all these new movies(2012) running for more than 200 minutes.
The movie started interesting enough with the concept of Cryonics and the cute Sam Worthington. But as it wore on, I got this nagging feeling that I have seen all these before. Some of the characters seem so unconnected and superficial. I could relate it to the scene where the doc first introduces Jake to his Avatar in a womb(artificial). It was more like, "hey here is your doughnut", and Jake was seeing his Avatar, a combination of human DNA and Navi DNA. Isn't that something to be surprised off or is it just a everyday thing in 2154?
Speaking of 2154, the earth hasn't changed a bit, except for its explorations on Pandora. The handicapped marine remains handicapped (he takes on an epic adventure , just to get an approval to fix his leg, going in for his late brother). The Earth is still on the verge of economic break down(didn't we just almost see that in 2009?) and the unobtanium,which clearly says it is unobtainable would turn the fate of the earth upside down . The same set of bombers , shooting guns and choppers(with 2 fans instead of one), which have made their appearances in dozens of science fictions, including Aliens, Day after tomorrow and movies that I can't even remember the names of.
As the movie strides on, I can't help but the sing the song, "Jungle jungle patha challa hai" from the Jungle book (mogli -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9RVgTX55vo). It is so much like mogli's story, that all this could have happened in any remote jungle on Earth. What is so much the need to create a new planet and paint all humanly traits on it, albeit with a purple color. Here is a list of things, which my mind just couldn't accept as new. The only good thing , I was seeing the best representation of them ever.
Despite all the misgivings, I did love certain parts in the film.
me loved...
-- Neytiri's character and facial expressions
-- the purple-mania
-- Cool 3D animations
-- The concept of getting bonded
As my friend put it, I don't see Avatar so much
(meaning I don't love Avatar so much :))
There are numerous posts citing why Avatar is the best film of the decade. Avatar totally deserves the best animation of the decade, but not so with the story line and the screen play. So if you are ready to accept it is not an ideal movie, read on.
My first disappointment with the movie,can't be really helped. It is those 3D goose glasses that I have to wear for 3 hrs straight(without a break). US theatres really need to get into the practice of intermissions, with all these new movies(2012) running for more than 200 minutes.
The movie started interesting enough with the concept of Cryonics and the cute Sam Worthington. But as it wore on, I got this nagging feeling that I have seen all these before. Some of the characters seem so unconnected and superficial. I could relate it to the scene where the doc first introduces Jake to his Avatar in a womb(artificial). It was more like, "hey here is your doughnut", and Jake was seeing his Avatar, a combination of human DNA and Navi DNA. Isn't that something to be surprised off or is it just a everyday thing in 2154?
Speaking of 2154, the earth hasn't changed a bit, except for its explorations on Pandora. The handicapped marine remains handicapped (he takes on an epic adventure , just to get an approval to fix his leg, going in for his late brother). The Earth is still on the verge of economic break down(didn't we just almost see that in 2009?) and the unobtanium,which clearly says it is unobtainable would turn the fate of the earth upside down . The same set of bombers , shooting guns and choppers(with 2 fans instead of one), which have made their appearances in dozens of science fictions, including Aliens, Day after tomorrow and movies that I can't even remember the names of.
As the movie strides on, I can't help but the sing the song, "Jungle jungle patha challa hai" from the Jungle book (mogli -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9RVgTX55vo). It is so much like mogli's story, that all this could have happened in any remote jungle on Earth. What is so much the need to create a new planet and paint all humanly traits on it, albeit with a purple color. Here is a list of things, which my mind just couldn't accept as new. The only good thing , I was seeing the best representation of them ever.
- Seeking of Unobtanium that happens to be hiding just under the tree where the navi live(so much for a 2154 story, how many science fictions are based on mineral mining ) and will magically make the earth richer and out of a major breakdown
- Navi standing 9ft tall(Gulliver's travels with a mix of donkey shrek)
- Flying on the back of a dragon ( Mogli flying with the bear)
- Living on trees with a bed-nest (Mogli again. there is so much of mogli in everything)
- Plants which shrink when touched (Touch me NOT.. 7th grade biology remember??)
- The large predator attacking Jake (takes so much from Jurassic park )
- Soul tree with fake neon light strings(that was so much visible ) - This is such a common practice in Hinduism, worshiping trees and considering them holy are age old practices
- Seeds of Eywa - Have you seen flying cotton seed before?(we call it thaathaa poochi) and we used to catch, close our eyes and blow it in the air to make a wish come true
- The final climax with the two fan helis and bombing squads(Didn't Star trek use 'em in the 80's?)
Despite all the misgivings, I did love certain parts in the film.
me loved...
-- Neytiri's character and facial expressions
-- the purple-mania
-- Cool 3D animations
-- The concept of getting bonded
As my friend put it, I don't see Avatar so much
(meaning I don't love Avatar so much :))
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Johnny Depp - The never grow old star
http://omg.yahoo.com/news/johnny-depp-wins-his-2nd-sexiest-man-alive-title/31404?nc
Depp does it again. Can't believe he is 46 years old already.
There is still so much spark left in those soulful eyes. He is one awesome actor too. Some of Depp's best films - Sleepy Hollow, Finding Neverland, Dan Juan de Marco and of course all the Pirates series.
Way to go Depp. There is no one like you.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Flying rainbows in the sky
From inside a balloon
This post is about The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. - Oct 3-12 2009
Oct 3, Saturday morning made a perfect dawn for the balloon fiesta to start. Albuquerque Balloon fiesta is the largest in the world. Balloonists from all over the world group here for a whole week and display their proud possessions. We were up at 4:30 in the morning and dashed off to park at my office. This is the only time we have traffic congestion in our town :) . There is this huge sea of people at the Fiesta park and to my glee lot of foot stalls lined up. Balloonists start filling heated air into the balloons and this is a sight to watch. Hundreds of colorful balloons get bloated to mammoth shapes right in front of us. Then start the flickers. Some 12 balloons light up the same time and dim at the same time, resembling huge lanterns. This is followed by the dawn patrol and then the mass ascension. I felt I was in magic land, surrounded by all the colors of the world. One just tends to forget all the crowd around. Special shapes do need a special mention. Be it the smiley sun or the Cream land Cow or the Darth Vader or the Castle or the Pepsi bottle, each one is perfectly designed and make the joy of watching balloons more spectacular. Once the balloons were off, we hit the food stalls for some off-the-stove mini doughnuts, Funnel cakes and burritos. After all the food gets in, the sleep angel calls upon us and off we shoot, back to home. This week will be completely filled with balloons.
To see all the special shapes go to balloonfiesta.com
Creamland Cow
Bee on a flower
Bumble bees holding hands
Castles in the air
This post is about The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. - Oct 3-12 2009
Oct 3, Saturday morning made a perfect dawn for the balloon fiesta to start. Albuquerque Balloon fiesta is the largest in the world. Balloonists from all over the world group here for a whole week and display their proud possessions. We were up at 4:30 in the morning and dashed off to park at my office. This is the only time we have traffic congestion in our town :) . There is this huge sea of people at the Fiesta park and to my glee lot of foot stalls lined up. Balloonists start filling heated air into the balloons and this is a sight to watch. Hundreds of colorful balloons get bloated to mammoth shapes right in front of us. Then start the flickers. Some 12 balloons light up the same time and dim at the same time, resembling huge lanterns. This is followed by the dawn patrol and then the mass ascension. I felt I was in magic land, surrounded by all the colors of the world. One just tends to forget all the crowd around. Special shapes do need a special mention. Be it the smiley sun or the Cream land Cow or the Darth Vader or the Castle or the Pepsi bottle, each one is perfectly designed and make the joy of watching balloons more spectacular. Once the balloons were off, we hit the food stalls for some off-the-stove mini doughnuts, Funnel cakes and burritos. After all the food gets in, the sleep angel calls upon us and off we shoot, back to home. This week will be completely filled with balloons.
To see all the special shapes go to balloonfiesta.com
Creamland Cow
Bee on a flower
Bumble bees holding hands
Castles in the air
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Cup-o-Cappuccino
Nothing like a cup of hot steaming coffee, first thing in the morning. It actually kicks off those lazy,sleepy cells inside my head. More like a head-knocker. When we were in Europe, I didn't like the coffee version much and resorted to Cappuccinos. A typical day would start with a Cup-of-Cappuccino. I had a great time sampling each one. Though Italy is known for these, the one I had in Swiss was the best. More interesting is that the whole thing was out of a pocket, stirred in hot water, which I made by myself :)(tough thing u see ;) .
Apart from being a good subject for the taste buds, they make good photo objects too. Cheersssss , Kalpana
@The Louvre, Paris
@Venice
@Interlaken,Swiss - this was the best
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)