"It's enough", I told myself. You probably never knew that I often talk to myself. And, oh, I forgot to mention that I do that while I sleep and that scares the devils out of my roomie. And, for all those minds out there thinking he is a devil, No, he ain't possessed. By the way, did u guys know - he is nicknamed 'Vampie'.
So, yes, the reason for the above self-motivating(eh?) statement was this blog. This blog managed to do what all it wasn't supposed to do. While I do not want to disclose anything about that episode here(it might be back to square one again if I do so), what that episode did (not a TV episode - so don't be asking around!!!!) was effectively put a PERIOD to my writing. I was done and dusted blogging within a few months of starting to blog. Emotional and upset, I vowed not to blog again!!
And, no, this is not a sympathy garnering post - am trying to explain why am at it again!!!!
The past few weeks there has been this urge in me. I felt it pushing me forward towards only one place - Absolute Nonsense. Yes, I wasn't going to give up my first blogging effort. After a lot of thought and thorough thought, I felt it was enough. Enough of thinking about it and sulking in a corner. "Be a man" - I told myself !!! No, not in sleep, but after watching Russell Peters once more to liven up our moods.
How did that urge build-up inside me and finally made its way to this post some of you may ask/think. So, ladies and gentlemen, I present you here the answer to that question, if not disclosed might cause headache, migraine, stomach ache, diarrhoea - not to anyone else but to me and me alone....
It all started with a harmless visit to some random blogs recently - I fell in love and started following shamelessly - regardless of wherever I was. I mean the blogs and not anything else.
The pick among them were the Chronicwriter and TDNA. These two blogs made me laugh heartily not once but every time I read them. It didn't stop there. These blogs started inspiring me and slowly my desire which once became ashes started smoking again. I salute the two writers for building up that fire in me again. I was on the verge of writing again.
Initially, I felt that the feeling might go away soon, but, slowly I could feel the urge in me growing up. It grew up so much that my hands started to itch. Itching that they weren't typing anything in the blog.
That itching sensation in my hands grew to an extent that I was scratching my hands with my legs. Well, how I could have done that is anybodies guess, but I did it. The best way to stop my legs doing that was to give some work to my hands.
And therefore, here am again, pounding the keys..... I am back - with further nonsense.
See ya soon!!!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Eggie d Piggy !!!!!!
At last, I got something to write about and I guess you should be pretty excited to be reading some crap after quite a while. Having said that, should also mention that the hiatus was partly due to unavailability of topics which qualified as 'Non-sense' and partly due to being busy at last doing something worth.Time now to introduce you to the Piggy d Eggie err... Eggie d Piggy (pothikinu paduthukalam, padhutukinu pothikalam - Deva kku oru 'Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo')
1. He hails from - God's own country (I can see some of you thinking this post is kindaa racist. Well, all I can say is, it quite is !! Am terribly sorry, I wanted to say that it ain't !!!
2. He settled down at - the land flowing with Liquor and Liquor - well that's Pondicherry for you.
3. He studied at - first in the odhavakarai Don Bosco School (only the Pondi DBS is like that), then at St.Joseph's where he became friends with me (that was at the fag end of the 3rd year - he was quite scared of me all the while you know) and thereafter at the Pondicherry Engg. College (where he fell in love with a girl who came to teach us computers !!!!)
4. He did - part-time work at his Dad's Egg Store while he was in school and continued to do that while in college too - that explains the name Eggie !!!Luckily for all young lasses of Pondi, the store is closed. Else imagine the plight of those coming to buy eggs when this guy was around !!!
5. His favourite bike - The TVS50. Guess it's marketed as a 'Bike' in His' own country !!!!!He owned a - God knows what color it was TVS50. To me the color resembled close to some Red. FYI, I ain't color blind.
6. His usual pickup line - Can't mention it here !!! He almost got himself killed a couple of times with this stupid pickup line of his.
7. He will - not listen to the sayings of the wise. Well, one was me and the other - Ajit. Believe me, though he claimed I was his bestest pal, he listened to me ZERO times.
8. He obeyed - all nonsense ordered by one peculiar character from the E. Godavari Dist. in AP. And that character was primarily responsible for all non-sense that Eggie had to put up with when in college.
9. His hobby - was sitting on the kutti suvar (small wall) near the college cafeteria gawking at girls and listening to all crap spoken by the other idiots who were fooling around.
10. His so called achievement in college - Being one among the many 'Good for nothings' called 'Placement Reps'.
11. His brains - Never did work and it's no different now I should say. Else why on earth one would throw his bike keys from the road onto the balcony of his home and in the process make the key go down a hole where u can't even shine a light through ?
12. At present - he is in the northern part of India working for a company I never liked to be part of and am not part of.
13. He now - is called a piggy This has nothing to with his personal hygiene. It is his unusual bloated frame (a result of his ill-conceived dietary habits) n stubble n glasses that have prompted the name.
14. His aim - to marry a 'Dufai' mellu wearing lotta Gold
15. His greatest trait - being friends with me after reading this post.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The Tolichowki Gang
Always game for mischief and some down-right non-sense, the 'T-Gang' deserves a place here and rightly so. Right now the gang is reduced in size as they are without one of their founder members (and are sorely missing him). Btw, they are busy recruiting to fill the void. Anyone game ????!!!!!
An intro to the members of the gang and we will be right into some outrageous non-sense (I can hear you saying "Wasn't all the above non-sense too?") Anyway, here come the members of the gang.
'Terror' - That's how the most dis-organized n the laziest of 'em all is known !!!!
'Dreamer' - That's how their erstwhile member is known. Can be called 'Dream Theater' as well (Nah! I ain't referring to the gr8tst prog. metal band of all times!!!)
'Chatter-box' - That will be the last person in the gang. Non-stop rant - Anytime, anyplace !!!
Well, time now to dwell into all the non-sense.
1. Their asset - laziness
As already said, Terror is the laziest of 'em all. The Dreamer comes quite close. Imagine this - You reach their home and ring the bell. The Dreamer sends you an SMS. It reads: "The door is not latched. Come inside". Well, the door is just 7 steps away from the place the Dreamer sits !!!!! The disease did spread and Chatter-b has now become as lazy as the Dreamer. Blame it on proximity !!!
2. They excel at - wasting time
What else on earth are they supposed to excel at ?
3. They lay down - their own rules
Well, this one's from their book of rules: 'While time is at hand, do waste it. Life becomes a bore if all the time at your disposal is spent constructive'.
4. They love - food
Their rule book says: 'Love all, Hate none' . Well, am talking about food here.
5. They are addicted to - hotel Rhumaan's tea
They are so hooked to it that they never fail to sing its praise whenever someone visits them
6. They hate - waking up early
They are thanking their lucky stars that they need not wake up early on the day of their wedding. All their weddings (if they happen) will be conducted only in the evening !!!!!
7. They also hate - all working days & unclean people like Suresh .T !!
All 3 stand witness to the uncomprehendable leves of uncleanliness of Suresh.T
8. They will - sacrifice everything but sleep
That would be a very tough ask of them to do so.
9. Alarm clocks - have no effect on them
It is usually someone else who wake them up.
10. They wish - they get paid without having to work
And now that the whole world has come to know this, they sincerly believe such days are not far off.
11. They are - the perfect narcissists
With the exception of Terror, the Dreamer and Chatter-b love posing for pictures. Well, Dreamer has nearly 6000 pictures of himself.
12. They think - this blog is a well thought out effort
They definitely should - who else is gonna write about 'em ?
13. They believe - appam chutiya is the best thing to have happened to Indian Cricket !!
True to their nature, they have become ardent followers of some more crap called the 'FIP'.
14. They hope - they'll join swimming classes some day
They have been planning about it for 6 months now !!!!
15. They listen - to none !!!
Even if they would, who is ready to speak with them uh ?
16. They strive - to excel in non-sense
Very much evident from the fact that they will not open doors for visitors and instead SMS them the door is open.
17. Their chant - "Uh!! ahh !!"
The source of inspiration - would kick up a major controversy if disclosed.
18. Their sigh - 'Sabaaaa' !!
Founder and promoter: the Dreamer
19. They (are) - MAD !!! (Well, they 'Make a Difference!' - Ain't they ?)
Their contribution to the soceity - all the 18 pts mentioned above.
20. They will never forget - the Tirunelveli Halwa !!!!!!!!!!!
Courtesy: the one and only 'Terror' they failed to de-terrorise !!!!
An intro to the members of the gang and we will be right into some outrageous non-sense (I can hear you saying "Wasn't all the above non-sense too?") Anyway, here come the members of the gang.
'Terror' - That's how the most dis-organized n the laziest of 'em all is known !!!!
'Dreamer' - That's how their erstwhile member is known. Can be called 'Dream Theater' as well (Nah! I ain't referring to the gr8tst prog. metal band of all times!!!)
'Chatter-box' - That will be the last person in the gang. Non-stop rant - Anytime, anyplace !!!
Well, time now to dwell into all the non-sense.
1. Their asset - laziness
As already said, Terror is the laziest of 'em all. The Dreamer comes quite close. Imagine this - You reach their home and ring the bell. The Dreamer sends you an SMS. It reads: "The door is not latched. Come inside". Well, the door is just 7 steps away from the place the Dreamer sits !!!!! The disease did spread and Chatter-b has now become as lazy as the Dreamer. Blame it on proximity !!!
2. They excel at - wasting time
What else on earth are they supposed to excel at ?
3. They lay down - their own rules
Well, this one's from their book of rules: 'While time is at hand, do waste it. Life becomes a bore if all the time at your disposal is spent constructive'.
4. They love - food
Their rule book says: 'Love all, Hate none' . Well, am talking about food here.
5. They are addicted to - hotel Rhumaan's tea
They are so hooked to it that they never fail to sing its praise whenever someone visits them
6. They hate - waking up early
They are thanking their lucky stars that they need not wake up early on the day of their wedding. All their weddings (if they happen) will be conducted only in the evening !!!!!
7. They also hate - all working days & unclean people like Suresh .T !!
All 3 stand witness to the uncomprehendable leves of uncleanliness of Suresh.T
8. They will - sacrifice everything but sleep
That would be a very tough ask of them to do so.
9. Alarm clocks - have no effect on them
It is usually someone else who wake them up.
10. They wish - they get paid without having to work
And now that the whole world has come to know this, they sincerly believe such days are not far off.
11. They are - the perfect narcissists
With the exception of Terror, the Dreamer and Chatter-b love posing for pictures. Well, Dreamer has nearly 6000 pictures of himself.
12. They think - this blog is a well thought out effort
They definitely should - who else is gonna write about 'em ?
13. They believe - appam chutiya is the best thing to have happened to Indian Cricket !!
True to their nature, they have become ardent followers of some more crap called the 'FIP'.
14. They hope - they'll join swimming classes some day
They have been planning about it for 6 months now !!!!
15. They listen - to none !!!
Even if they would, who is ready to speak with them uh ?
16. They strive - to excel in non-sense
Very much evident from the fact that they will not open doors for visitors and instead SMS them the door is open.
17. Their chant - "Uh!! ahh !!"
The source of inspiration - would kick up a major controversy if disclosed.
18. Their sigh - 'Sabaaaa' !!
Founder and promoter: the Dreamer
19. They (are) - MAD !!! (Well, they 'Make a Difference!' - Ain't they ?)
Their contribution to the soceity - all the 18 pts mentioned above.
20. They will never forget - the Tirunelveli Halwa !!!!!!!!!!!
Courtesy: the one and only 'Terror' they failed to de-terrorise !!!!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
All crap and no sense from Peacock@Fox@Pea - Part 2
1. It is alleged that his liking (read: fetish) for Pink chaddis is very strong and quite unparalleled among people his age.2. These days he is sad as he finds it difficult to buy them off stores since chaddis his size are quiet not in stock. Pink chaddi owners therefore, beware when you dry 'em. The Peacock might be lurking somewhere around the corner with a foxy plan !!!
3. News is that, he has found solace that Scooby Doo undies his size are available now !!!!
4. His dressing table resembles that of a girl's, so have I been told. Hair removal cream (Anne French eh ?), Face wash gel etc., are his standard accessories.
5. It is common belief that he makes it a point to eat off more than what he pays for, especially if he happens to take part in a buffet b.fast/lunch/dinner.
6. Evident, as whenever in a buffet, he is the last to get off the table.
7. 'Ever the gentleman' - the image he tries to project.
8. But miserably fails - refer pt.4,18,19,20 in part 1.
9. Holds the cab driver squarely responsible for being late to work.
10.Late he is to work, Always!!!!!
11. His bluff (pt.9) therefore fails more often than it works !!!!
12. A min. of 30 minutes is what he needs to brush and get dressed. (It's common knowledge among the drivers that he'll wake up only after they have reached his home !!!!)
13. It is also alleged that he never feels inclined to take bath whenever he arrives to work in the morning shift !!!! That explains (pt.12) why the time he needs to get ready is just 30 min and not an hour !!!
14. According to him, there is nothing under the sun he doesn't know about !!!!
15. And ends up passing to others all the crap that he knows under the sun as a piece of 'Advice'
16. Whoever asks him for a opinion, would therefore be dead, in my opinion.
17. If there would be someone who would object to his 'Advice', he/she will be christened with an outrageous nickname and be made fun of till the day the world ends or the day he/she passes away - whichever happens first !!!
18. In his esteemed opinion (a worthy addition to the trash can) the hardest work on the planet - preparing the cab roster !!!!
19.Thinks and believes he is the 'Hardest, Smartest, Devoted' worker the world can ever see !!! - remember, he does the hardest work on the planet (pt.18) !!
20. No amount of persuasion/chiding will stop him from his nonsense !!!!!!!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
All crap & no sense from Peacock@Fox@Pea - Part 1
Peacock - the source of all nonsense that happens within my team !!!!1. Wherever he goes, be it to a restaurant or a movie hall or the office cafeteria, his primary job is to gawk at the crowd - especially at the fairer sex and try for opportunities to strike up a conversation with them. Reminds me of a few characters that the FIP has described in his blog.
2. When at a restaurant with his friends, he would rather choose to gawk at the crowd and forget the food. If you ask him "How's the food?" he would answer "The crowd's good".
3. Having said that, you should never expect him to converse with you especially if you both happen to be at a place filled with girls.
4. He would rather buy pasteries and give them to girls he does not know on the floor (provided he thinks they matchup to his expectations) than buy you a samosa.
5. He would then justify the act saying that they do not have anything to eat. Did they look malnourshied to him, I wonder ?
6. Even though he is pretty weak at all languages that he tries to speak, he still would make fun of the way others speak the same language.
7. If he is suppposed to ask his teammate how many emails he had worked on, he would say - "Rey, nee yenni emails raasinavu ?" - Means "Hey, how many emails did you write?". A very apt demonstration of his so called conversationary skills in his mother tongue.
8. He thinks North Indian girls make better life partners than South Indian girls for Southie men and therefore is hell bent on marrying a North Indian (No offense meant).
9. He would go on asking everyone he knows "What will you do if Mallika Sherawat proposes to you" and when they are about to answer, he will confront them asking "How on earth did you think that she will propose to you?".
10. He supposedly applies Pond's Talcum Powder generously and then goes to sleep. This is what he had to say about it to Mr. Akkulu Peekulu - "Rey, intiki yellipoyi manchika pond's powder yeskuni padukovaali ra!!!!'
- We all are planning to ask him where on earth he applies the powder & gift him a Pond's talcum powder carton on his B'day.
11. He thinks he looks young and stunning even though he has a receding hairline that is way beyond repair.
12. He is very concerned about the way his hair looks - even though he doesn't have much. Tell him that you know a special brand of oil that aids hair growth - he'll treat you like you are a King !!!
13. He will always have an answer for any question that you ask him.
14. The name he coined for smokers - 'Bathimaster' !!
15. If you invite him over for Lunch/Dinner at your home, he would first ask if you have hired thugs at your locality to the beat the s**t out of him.
16. He feels that he is the best entertainer around - now that we have FIP, could someone tell him that his place is now taken ?
17. The tribe that sends a shudder down our spine in men like us, the Eunuchs, have a special liking for him !!!!!! (Should we get confronted by the Eunuchs during a train journey, we believe Pea can very well save us if he happens to be travelling along with us).
18. He would blame you, the state you belong to, your race etc., if he thinks he is right and you are wrong. If you try to explain that you did not do what he thinks you did, he would then say "Who knows?"
19. He would always deny that he said something bad and unacceptable about your state/your race etc.,
20. And would also put across a senti statement "Why would I say that to you ? You are one among the best pals I have" thinking the person will fall for the senti crap.
Check out part 2 for further non-sense.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Among the crap, here is a good thing !!!!
At times some good things do happen. I tried to figure out a way to write something funny about it here and am still not able to find one. Let's come to the point here. I want to write something here and that's it !!!!! Read on !!!!!!
Yesterday, the 1st of May, there was this Housewarming ceremony I had to attend. It is called 'Grahapravesam' in Tamil and in English it's called 'Housewarming'. I doubt the correctness of the translation but I am absolutely clueless as to why the event has been named this way (why do not I write some crap about it ?). Could it be because everything under the sun is piping hot (40 plus is the temperature here !!!)
Let me cut to the point here. The new home belongs to our dear Peter Annan and it was real glad to see his family step into the new home. The new home is situated very close to the beach in the outskirts of Pondicherry (right on the ECR - more about the home later !!!)
For me, the day began at 6.30 am. Me and my friend Prabu were supposed to reach the new home before 7.30 am (which we never did manage and which is absolutely acceptable under the circumstances - am taking pains to explain this as none should get an hint that we are lazy !!!). We reached the place with a 'Gift' for annan & akka.
A very interesting custom in TamilNadu is to boil Milk as the first ever thing to be cooked / heated / boiled (whatever) in a new home. Not only in a new home but people who shift from a rented home to a new rented home too follow this custom (as to why this is still followed - let me come up with a new post). Friends and relatives would be invited to take part in this ceremony and after the milk boils over, will be distributed to all of them.
7.30 am was the time fixed for this to happen. The delay was because of a number of factors which were not under our control. Anyway, proceedings beagn. Pastor Noel prayed and blessed the home and the milk (after it came to a boil of course), was distributed to all. A few prayers were said and then it was breakfast time. The mason his helpers etc. etc all were given breakfast and we followed suit. At about 10 am we came back to town and got a few things ready which were needed for the evening (That evening was the actual function - All friends, relatives, friends of friends, neighbours etc were invited).
It was almost 12 noon and me and Prabu headed home. It was here that I committed a blunder. I had not had an haircut in the last 3.5 months as I had planned to grow it long(he he !!). Do not know what came over me yesterday, I decided to go for an haircut. I did. What followed was a disaster. I instructed the barber to use the cutting machine (I wanted it done fast and he did as instructed). The only thing I did not know (which the barber very well knew) was that clipper setting was at it highest (means it will take out a lotta hair and your scalp will be visible - tis' as good as getting your head shaven). The first swipe was above the left sideburn - what an hearbreak it was for me - the entire hair was gone and that part looked like a dressed broiler !!!! Cursing the machine, me and the guy, I asked him to use scissors, which he did. Alas, enough damage had been done already and after a few minutes, the left side was more uglier.
He then suggested that he would use the machine again to make my head look like it had been shaved off 2 weeks earlier - translates into - my head will appear shaven but it ain't - there would be a 2 week hair growth left. What could I probably do in such a situation ? This would go down as one the worst screwup barbaric barber job as I was supposed to get onstage and play music in the evening. The new bald look arrived after the barber huffed and puffed for a few mins and he was pleased with the way I was looking (all his jealousy (hair looking great) that would have flowed through his veins when he had seen me walk into the salon had evaporated by now). The worst part was, I had to pay him. Did that and walked out not with a heavy heart but wondering why this happened. Let me stop this barber ka story here lest you will never read about all the good thigs that continued to happen.
I came back home and heard the usual 'awww!'s and 'che's. I put up a show that I was cool with the new look and etc., and then headed for annan's place. We had lunch at his home (delicious chicken gray - tamilnadu style) and then Prabu headed out to get the PA and the DG guys ready. Meanwhile, I headed out on a different way to buy some stuff and then from there went to the new home straight.
Before I could reach there, all things were in place. The PA setup had been completed and Halogen lamps to light up the stage, the crowd and the home were at their right places - tied onto the coconut trees. There was this lovely looking Mapex Pro M drumkit on stage. Wow! it sure looks captivating and it was pleasure just to play for a few mins on that kit. Did I ever mention that it belongs to Prabu ? Well, it does and he is glad. There were this amazing Zildjain cymbals too. Prabu then finished up tuning the kit and it was ready. I, meanwhile setup the bass guitar and when all the issues with the power had been sorted out (the DG was behaving funny - we had electricity flowing in the Neutral, Power n Earth lines) it was showtime !!!!
The honour of inagurating a bathroom in the new home belonged to me and Prabu. We took a shower and were ready. It was 6 pm. The pastor from our church landed on time (that happens rarely) and so did a few. We began at 6 pm and after our pastor prayed it was time for some singing. It was good to see the crowd enjoy the music. We too, slowly got into the groove and from the 2nd song it was too good. We wanted to play more but after 4 songs it was time for the message. Pastor Noel shared the Word of God and then the new home was dedicated and blessed by Rev.Immanuel Bagawandoss.
It was 7 pm now and food arrived. Meanwhile, we were itching to get on stage to begin jamming up. The last time we had done so, was a few years ago (we all parted ways because our work places were different and then we never jammed together again till yesterday). We then decided that we will do so once the program ends. Naveen had brought his harmonica set and his new Mandolin (hope I got the spelling right) to add to the variety. It was about 15 mins past 7 and with the vote of thanks, the customary dinner began. It was at this time that we got on stage and we jammed n jammed for close to about 2 hrs (The 'Playin it till the fingers bled' thing doesn't happen for people who listen to DT and stuff). What a nice time it was to jam up with old friends. Lived and loved every moment of it.
After strutting our stuff, it was dinner time. We were looking forward to jammin' up after dinner too. Sadly, Pastor Noel had an appointment at Madurai the next day and had to leave. Naveen too had to leave as he had to see off Pastor. With a heavy heart, we started packing up and when we finished it was about 11 pm. We then prayed and then left for our places.
Looking back, I can very well say that I had one of the best days in my life. Hard to forget all the fun we had and the jam which we enjoyed to the core. At the same time I realise that these are moments which will not repeat, else their charm is lost.
Signing off with an undying hope that similar moments repeat themselves in the future !!!!
Yesterday, the 1st of May, there was this Housewarming ceremony I had to attend. It is called 'Grahapravesam' in Tamil and in English it's called 'Housewarming'. I doubt the correctness of the translation but I am absolutely clueless as to why the event has been named this way (why do not I write some crap about it ?). Could it be because everything under the sun is piping hot (40 plus is the temperature here !!!)
Let me cut to the point here. The new home belongs to our dear Peter Annan and it was real glad to see his family step into the new home. The new home is situated very close to the beach in the outskirts of Pondicherry (right on the ECR - more about the home later !!!)
For me, the day began at 6.30 am. Me and my friend Prabu were supposed to reach the new home before 7.30 am (which we never did manage and which is absolutely acceptable under the circumstances - am taking pains to explain this as none should get an hint that we are lazy !!!). We reached the place with a 'Gift' for annan & akka.
A very interesting custom in TamilNadu is to boil Milk as the first ever thing to be cooked / heated / boiled (whatever) in a new home. Not only in a new home but people who shift from a rented home to a new rented home too follow this custom (as to why this is still followed - let me come up with a new post). Friends and relatives would be invited to take part in this ceremony and after the milk boils over, will be distributed to all of them.
7.30 am was the time fixed for this to happen. The delay was because of a number of factors which were not under our control. Anyway, proceedings beagn. Pastor Noel prayed and blessed the home and the milk (after it came to a boil of course), was distributed to all. A few prayers were said and then it was breakfast time. The mason his helpers etc. etc all were given breakfast and we followed suit. At about 10 am we came back to town and got a few things ready which were needed for the evening (That evening was the actual function - All friends, relatives, friends of friends, neighbours etc were invited).
It was almost 12 noon and me and Prabu headed home. It was here that I committed a blunder. I had not had an haircut in the last 3.5 months as I had planned to grow it long(he he !!). Do not know what came over me yesterday, I decided to go for an haircut. I did. What followed was a disaster. I instructed the barber to use the cutting machine (I wanted it done fast and he did as instructed). The only thing I did not know (which the barber very well knew) was that clipper setting was at it highest (means it will take out a lotta hair and your scalp will be visible - tis' as good as getting your head shaven). The first swipe was above the left sideburn - what an hearbreak it was for me - the entire hair was gone and that part looked like a dressed broiler !!!! Cursing the machine, me and the guy, I asked him to use scissors, which he did. Alas, enough damage had been done already and after a few minutes, the left side was more uglier.
He then suggested that he would use the machine again to make my head look like it had been shaved off 2 weeks earlier - translates into - my head will appear shaven but it ain't - there would be a 2 week hair growth left. What could I probably do in such a situation ? This would go down as one the worst screwup barbaric barber job as I was supposed to get onstage and play music in the evening. The new bald look arrived after the barber huffed and puffed for a few mins and he was pleased with the way I was looking (all his jealousy (hair looking great) that would have flowed through his veins when he had seen me walk into the salon had evaporated by now). The worst part was, I had to pay him. Did that and walked out not with a heavy heart but wondering why this happened. Let me stop this barber ka story here lest you will never read about all the good thigs that continued to happen.
I came back home and heard the usual 'awww!'s and 'che's. I put up a show that I was cool with the new look and etc., and then headed for annan's place. We had lunch at his home (delicious chicken gray - tamilnadu style) and then Prabu headed out to get the PA and the DG guys ready. Meanwhile, I headed out on a different way to buy some stuff and then from there went to the new home straight.
Before I could reach there, all things were in place. The PA setup had been completed and Halogen lamps to light up the stage, the crowd and the home were at their right places - tied onto the coconut trees. There was this lovely looking Mapex Pro M drumkit on stage. Wow! it sure looks captivating and it was pleasure just to play for a few mins on that kit. Did I ever mention that it belongs to Prabu ? Well, it does and he is glad. There were this amazing Zildjain cymbals too. Prabu then finished up tuning the kit and it was ready. I, meanwhile setup the bass guitar and when all the issues with the power had been sorted out (the DG was behaving funny - we had electricity flowing in the Neutral, Power n Earth lines) it was showtime !!!!
The honour of inagurating a bathroom in the new home belonged to me and Prabu. We took a shower and were ready. It was 6 pm. The pastor from our church landed on time (that happens rarely) and so did a few. We began at 6 pm and after our pastor prayed it was time for some singing. It was good to see the crowd enjoy the music. We too, slowly got into the groove and from the 2nd song it was too good. We wanted to play more but after 4 songs it was time for the message. Pastor Noel shared the Word of God and then the new home was dedicated and blessed by Rev.Immanuel Bagawandoss.
It was 7 pm now and food arrived. Meanwhile, we were itching to get on stage to begin jamming up. The last time we had done so, was a few years ago (we all parted ways because our work places were different and then we never jammed together again till yesterday). We then decided that we will do so once the program ends. Naveen had brought his harmonica set and his new Mandolin (hope I got the spelling right) to add to the variety. It was about 15 mins past 7 and with the vote of thanks, the customary dinner began. It was at this time that we got on stage and we jammed n jammed for close to about 2 hrs (The 'Playin it till the fingers bled' thing doesn't happen for people who listen to DT and stuff). What a nice time it was to jam up with old friends. Lived and loved every moment of it.
After strutting our stuff, it was dinner time. We were looking forward to jammin' up after dinner too. Sadly, Pastor Noel had an appointment at Madurai the next day and had to leave. Naveen too had to leave as he had to see off Pastor. With a heavy heart, we started packing up and when we finished it was about 11 pm. We then prayed and then left for our places.
Looking back, I can very well say that I had one of the best days in my life. Hard to forget all the fun we had and the jam which we enjoyed to the core. At the same time I realise that these are moments which will not repeat, else their charm is lost.
Signing off with an undying hope that similar moments repeat themselves in the future !!!!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
The Boat Trip
The Paapikondalu boat trip - the trip that no one thought will work out, worked out.
There were 2 big hurdles though and they needed major attention. One among them was this -No boatman in Rajahmundry was ready to take his lady love (his boat that is) on a trip where she would not get enought footing (the water levels had reduced 'cos of the summer). This was enough reason for us to believe that the trip would stall. But, the experts that we are in making things happen, we found a contact that could persuade one particular boatman to nod his head in agreement.
That hurdle out of the way, it was time to take on the next hurdle head on - How to keep all the 3 shifts running?. This was because, 3 shifts need atleast 12 people in total and the no. of people who had opted out from the trip was way less than 12. It then dawned in our intellectualy starved brains that the no of optee outs were substantial for a 12 hr shift. We decided that these optee outs will provide cover for us for the next 2 days when we would be on the boat cruising in the Godavari. And therefore, the responsibility of ensuring that the command center at the office was filled with people breathing down each other's necks fell on Peacock's shoulders and it (he) did a 12 hr shift roster without ruffling his feathers. All seemed well.
Bad writing - I never told you why we needed to keep 3 shifts running. For those of you who might not be aware of the nature of my (our) work, here's some enlightment - I work in a 24*7*365 support project and the business requires that we support operations all through the year. This is why we need 3 shifts to be running all the time at the office irrespective of the heaven coming down or the earth caving in (thats what the management says !!!) . Now that I have tried to clarify / provide info on what my work actually is etc., I take it for granted that all of you have undertsood the reason behind the 3 shifts perfectly and I now carry on.
Friday, 16th april, we set out. Bus tickets from Hyderabad to Rajahmundry were arranged for by Pallove. He was somewhere in the middle of AP in his hometown and promised to join with us in Rajahmundry the next morning. We were supposed to board the bus at 9 PM. Peacock a.k.a Fox a.k.a Mayur(referred to as PEA hereon) and his gang were at the office and it was decided that I would join the gang at 7 PM (the time their shift ends) and all of us together would head toward Kukatpally to board the bus. We were sure that we would have enough time to have dinner and do some last minute shopping.
I repeatedly instructed Pea to make sure that the cab is ready at 7 pm. Little did I know that he would screw up. All credit to Pea, we did not get a cab till 8 pm. Meantime a few interesting things at the office kept us momentarily occupied and once they ended, a plethora of phone calls to the cab supervisor(supie) began. They did nothing other than inflate our already sky rocketing mobile phone bills. At last, the supie had the hearts to provide us with a cab and a sleep deprived driver. The responsibility of striking up a conversation to make him feel alive fell on me as I chose to sit in the front seat. I somehow managed to keep myself and the driver awake with my broken telugu (He would have been pissed that I was speaking about whatever I knew on this earth in what was supposed to be his mother tongue !!!!! Probably that's why he was not able to sleep - the constant irritant incomprehensible rant in a lanugage that would have sounded familiar and alien at the same time !!!!!). Good thing is he chose not to share a piece of his mind with me. I would have been pissed if that had happened.
Kukatpally arrived...Nah, we arrived at Kukatpally and then the search for a good hotel began. Meanwhile, the grand old man Sunil Akula left to fetch his bags. Me, Pea and Shashank managed to find a decent Idli shop and gobbled up a few. It was almost 9 and still Sunil had not come back. There was not a sign of the bus too. The funny thing is we never went to the place the bus starts for the trip. Since our friend was very well acquainted with the travel operator, the driver of the bus had been instructed to stop infront of the BJP office at Kukatpally to pick us up. Well, I never did anything at the BJP office - it was the biggest and most noticeable landmark in that area. The bus arrived and still no signs of Sunil. The confusion had begun !!!!!
The conductor was pissed that he could not find anyone and after frantic waving of our hands he spotted us and myself and Ramesh got into the bus. The bus started moving. Pea and Shashank were still on the road. They finally managed to miss the bus (as expected) and hurriedly got into a auto and were tailing the bus. Sunil had landed, God knows from where, exactly the minute the bus had started moving. So he was also in the auto. The auto driver somehow overtook the bus and as it usually happens the bus stopped and Pea, Sunil and Shashank were picked up.
The next batch of people joined us at Ameerpet and all hell broke loose in the bus. We were laughing our hearts out at how Pea was endlessly mocked. It helped that I knew a little telugu as Sunil was belting out wonderful punch dialogues in his native tongue. Finally, as it expectedly happens, a few stares from the fellow passengers made us quiet at about 11.30 pm. We landed at Rajahmundhry at 6 am the next morning. After we freshened up, it was time for us to board the boat and we did.
The boat was a interesting one in itself. Quite big and spacious enough to hold atleast 30 people with cushions and quilts placed neatly one next to the other on the roof, this was going to be one memorable ride. A shamiana skillfully erected above the roof was enough to provide some cover from the sun. We all climbed onto the boat and chose to sit on the roof as we would have a better view of the river. The boatmen, 6 of them, the cook, the driver his assitants et al., were ready and the journey began.
The fun began now. 5 minutes into the journey the cameras came out. It was great to discover that everyone was good at narcissism. Everyone was busy requesting the other to click picture after picture. If the person disagreed to take the picure, they went on and requested the next person. Such was the level of narcissism on display. And finally, it took a sensible mind to remind the others that we would run out of batteries soon if everyone wanted pictures of only themselves and we wouldn't be able to capture all the action the next 2 days. After all this madness had passed, we started settling down and slowly the focus shifted towards the better - appreciating the nature's beauty.
After a while, the salad that had been prepared by the cook was served. Fresh and delicious, we mouthwatered for more. It was then that the cook told us that a tasty chicken fry was on the way. What a dish it was !!!! Manna from heaven (I have better ways of describing how we all felt when we took the first bite (and with every bite) but for decency's sake, I hold back - Those who have guessed - Way to go !!!!). By this time, the spirits had begun their flow. Me and a few others who chose to stay sober, took a short nap. A while later, the boatmen threw a blanket ban on the flow of the magic potion that the others were so desperatley consuming - the reason - a checkpost in a village on the way.
More in part 2 !!!
There were 2 big hurdles though and they needed major attention. One among them was this -No boatman in Rajahmundry was ready to take his lady love (his boat that is) on a trip where she would not get enought footing (the water levels had reduced 'cos of the summer). This was enough reason for us to believe that the trip would stall. But, the experts that we are in making things happen, we found a contact that could persuade one particular boatman to nod his head in agreement.
That hurdle out of the way, it was time to take on the next hurdle head on - How to keep all the 3 shifts running?. This was because, 3 shifts need atleast 12 people in total and the no. of people who had opted out from the trip was way less than 12. It then dawned in our intellectualy starved brains that the no of optee outs were substantial for a 12 hr shift. We decided that these optee outs will provide cover for us for the next 2 days when we would be on the boat cruising in the Godavari. And therefore, the responsibility of ensuring that the command center at the office was filled with people breathing down each other's necks fell on Peacock's shoulders and it (he) did a 12 hr shift roster without ruffling his feathers. All seemed well.
Bad writing - I never told you why we needed to keep 3 shifts running. For those of you who might not be aware of the nature of my (our) work, here's some enlightment - I work in a 24*7*365 support project and the business requires that we support operations all through the year. This is why we need 3 shifts to be running all the time at the office irrespective of the heaven coming down or the earth caving in (thats what the management says !!!) . Now that I have tried to clarify / provide info on what my work actually is etc., I take it for granted that all of you have undertsood the reason behind the 3 shifts perfectly and I now carry on.
Friday, 16th april, we set out. Bus tickets from Hyderabad to Rajahmundry were arranged for by Pallove. He was somewhere in the middle of AP in his hometown and promised to join with us in Rajahmundry the next morning. We were supposed to board the bus at 9 PM. Peacock a.k.a Fox a.k.a Mayur(referred to as PEA hereon) and his gang were at the office and it was decided that I would join the gang at 7 PM (the time their shift ends) and all of us together would head toward Kukatpally to board the bus. We were sure that we would have enough time to have dinner and do some last minute shopping.
I repeatedly instructed Pea to make sure that the cab is ready at 7 pm. Little did I know that he would screw up. All credit to Pea, we did not get a cab till 8 pm. Meantime a few interesting things at the office kept us momentarily occupied and once they ended, a plethora of phone calls to the cab supervisor(supie) began. They did nothing other than inflate our already sky rocketing mobile phone bills. At last, the supie had the hearts to provide us with a cab and a sleep deprived driver. The responsibility of striking up a conversation to make him feel alive fell on me as I chose to sit in the front seat. I somehow managed to keep myself and the driver awake with my broken telugu (He would have been pissed that I was speaking about whatever I knew on this earth in what was supposed to be his mother tongue !!!!! Probably that's why he was not able to sleep - the constant irritant incomprehensible rant in a lanugage that would have sounded familiar and alien at the same time !!!!!). Good thing is he chose not to share a piece of his mind with me. I would have been pissed if that had happened.
Kukatpally arrived...Nah, we arrived at Kukatpally and then the search for a good hotel began. Meanwhile, the grand old man Sunil Akula left to fetch his bags. Me, Pea and Shashank managed to find a decent Idli shop and gobbled up a few. It was almost 9 and still Sunil had not come back. There was not a sign of the bus too. The funny thing is we never went to the place the bus starts for the trip. Since our friend was very well acquainted with the travel operator, the driver of the bus had been instructed to stop infront of the BJP office at Kukatpally to pick us up. Well, I never did anything at the BJP office - it was the biggest and most noticeable landmark in that area. The bus arrived and still no signs of Sunil. The confusion had begun !!!!!
The conductor was pissed that he could not find anyone and after frantic waving of our hands he spotted us and myself and Ramesh got into the bus. The bus started moving. Pea and Shashank were still on the road. They finally managed to miss the bus (as expected) and hurriedly got into a auto and were tailing the bus. Sunil had landed, God knows from where, exactly the minute the bus had started moving. So he was also in the auto. The auto driver somehow overtook the bus and as it usually happens the bus stopped and Pea, Sunil and Shashank were picked up.
The next batch of people joined us at Ameerpet and all hell broke loose in the bus. We were laughing our hearts out at how Pea was endlessly mocked. It helped that I knew a little telugu as Sunil was belting out wonderful punch dialogues in his native tongue. Finally, as it expectedly happens, a few stares from the fellow passengers made us quiet at about 11.30 pm. We landed at Rajahmundhry at 6 am the next morning. After we freshened up, it was time for us to board the boat and we did.
The boat was a interesting one in itself. Quite big and spacious enough to hold atleast 30 people with cushions and quilts placed neatly one next to the other on the roof, this was going to be one memorable ride. A shamiana skillfully erected above the roof was enough to provide some cover from the sun. We all climbed onto the boat and chose to sit on the roof as we would have a better view of the river. The boatmen, 6 of them, the cook, the driver his assitants et al., were ready and the journey began.
The fun began now. 5 minutes into the journey the cameras came out. It was great to discover that everyone was good at narcissism. Everyone was busy requesting the other to click picture after picture. If the person disagreed to take the picure, they went on and requested the next person. Such was the level of narcissism on display. And finally, it took a sensible mind to remind the others that we would run out of batteries soon if everyone wanted pictures of only themselves and we wouldn't be able to capture all the action the next 2 days. After all this madness had passed, we started settling down and slowly the focus shifted towards the better - appreciating the nature's beauty.
After a while, the salad that had been prepared by the cook was served. Fresh and delicious, we mouthwatered for more. It was then that the cook told us that a tasty chicken fry was on the way. What a dish it was !!!! Manna from heaven (I have better ways of describing how we all felt when we took the first bite (and with every bite) but for decency's sake, I hold back - Those who have guessed - Way to go !!!!). By this time, the spirits had begun their flow. Me and a few others who chose to stay sober, took a short nap. A while later, the boatmen threw a blanket ban on the flow of the magic potion that the others were so desperatley consuming - the reason - a checkpost in a village on the way.
More in part 2 !!!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
திருநெல்வேலி அல்வாவும் பல்பு வாங்கிய கதையும்!!! - பாகம் இரண்டு
....... அந்த கேள்வியை கேட்டவுடன் அப்படியே ஒன்றும் புரியாதவன் போல் எங்கள் மூவரையும் பார்த்தான். கூச்சமே படாமல் முகத்தை பரிதாமமாக வைத்துக்கொண்டு "சாரி! அல்வா தொலைந்துவிட்டது" என்றான். அப்படியே என் இதயத்துக்குள்ளே ஒரு இடி இடிக்கும் சத்தம். இருந்தாலும் மனதை தளரவிடாமல் மறுபடியும் கேட்டேன் - கேட்டோம். "டேய்! என்னடா சொல்ற? ரெண்டே கால் கிலோ எப்படியடா காணமல் போகும்? எங்கே வைத்தாய்?" என்றும் கேட்டோம்.இங்கிருந்து ஒரு செம பிட் ஆரம்பித்தது நம்ம பையனிடமிருந்து. "பேக்கில் சைடு பவுச்சில் வைத்திருந்தேன். ஹைதராபாத் ஏர்போர்ட்ல் இறங்கியவுடன் செக் பண்ணினேன், அல்வாவை காணவில்லை. கிங் பிஷ்செர் ஏர்லைன்ஸ் பணியாள் எவனோ ஒருத்தன் தான் அல்வாவை அபேஸ் பண்ணிவிட்டான்' என்றான். 'டேய், அது எப்படி சாத்தியம் ?" என்றதற்கு, "சென்னைல ஹைதராபாத் பிளைட் ஏறும்போது பேக் பாக்க முடியல. அங்க தான் எவனாவது" என்று இழுத்தான். "சரி நீ கிங் பிஷ்செர் ஆபீஸில் கேட்கவில்லையா?" என்றும் கேட்டேன் . " ஹைதராபாத் வந்தவுடன் தான் எனக்கு அல்வா தொலைந்தது தெரியும். செம கோபம் எனக்கு. ப்ளைட் அலுவலகத்தில் செம சண்டை போட்டேன். ஆனாலும் புண்ணியம் ஒண்ணுமில்ல. சண்டையினால்தான் லேட் ஆகிவிட்டது வந்து சேருவதற்கு"என்று அதி விவேக சூப்பர் பிட் ஒன்று போட்டான். நாங்கள் விடுவதாக இல்லை. நான்கு நாட்களாக சப்பு கொட்டி காத்திருந்தோம் அல்லவா ? சரி விடக்கூடாது, பையன் பீலா விடறான் இல்லாவிட்டால் விளையாடுகிறான், திருப்பியும் நோண்டுவோம் அப்டீனுட்டு மறுபடியும் வெட்கமே இல்லாமல் கேட்டோம் - "மச்சி! அல்வா எங்க?"
மறுபடியும் கூச்சமே படாமல் சொன்னான் "தொலைந்துபோய்விட்டது என்று தான் கிங் பிஷ்செர் காரன் சொல்றான்" என்றான். தூக்கி வாரி போட்டது. "டேய்! நிஜமாகத்தான் சொல்லுகிறாயா? இல்லாவிட்டால் விளையாடுகிறாயா?" என்று கேட்டதுதான் தாமதம். "நான் சாப்பாடு விஷயத்தில் பொய் சொல்லமாட்டேன்" அப்டீனு இன்னொரு பிட் வேற!!!!
சரி அப்போ நிஜமாகவே தான் அல்வா தொலைந்துபோய் இருக்கிறது என்று நினைத்துக்கொண்டு, 'என்னடா இது! இப்படி ஆகிவிட்டதே' என்று வருத்தப்பட்டு, கொஞ்ச நேரம் அல்வாவை பற்றி யோசித்துக்கொண்டிருந்தோம். சரி போனால் போகட்டும் விட்டு தள்ளு என்று சொல்லிவிட்டு நம்ம பையனை சாப்பிட சொன்னோம். ஆனாலும், 'அல்வாவை வாங்கிவிட்டு அதை சைடு பவுச்சில் எவனாவது வைப்பானா ?' என்று மனதிற்குள் நம்ம பையனை திட்டிக்கொண்டு, சாப்பாடு போட்டோம்.
அன்று இரவு மிகுந்த வருத்தத்துடன் தூங்கசென்றோம். சிறிது நாட்கள் கழித்து, அந்த நண்பி என்னிடமும், குஷி பார்ட்டி நண்பனிடமும் ஒரு விஷயம் சொன்னாள். 'அல்வா ரகசியம் எனக்கு தெரியும்! அல்வா தொலைந்துபோகவில்லை' என்று சொன்னாள்!. சரி, அப்படியென்றால் என்ன நடந்திருக்கும்? என்று கேட்டோம். "நம்ம பையன் இருட்டு கடை பக்கம் தலை வைக்கவே இல்லை" இது தான் நடந்தது என்று பெரிய குண்டை போடவே, ஆத்திரமும் ஆச்சரியமும் பட்டு, வைகைப்புயல் பார்த்திபனிடம் 'எப்டி,எப்டி, எப்டி' என்று கேட்ட மாதிரி நானும் என் நண்பனும் கேட்டோம்.
'நம்ம பையனை பற்றி எனக்கு நன்றாகத்தெரியும். அவன் நிறைய நேரங்களில் இதை மாதிரி எனக்கு பல்பு கொடுத்திருக்கிறான். நாம் ஒரு பொருள் அவனை வாங்கிக்கொண்டு வரசொல்லுவோம். அவனும் வாங்க ட்ரை பண்ணுவான். முடியாமல் போனால் இந்த மாதிரி எதாவது பிட் போடுவான்' என்றும் சொன்னாள். 'சரி, இவனால் இருட்டு கடைக்கு போக முடியவில்லைன்னு வச்சிக்குவோம். அப்புறம் எதுக்கு 'நான் போனேன், ரெண்டே கால் கிலோ வாங்கினேன்னு" என்னத்துக்கு சொல்லணும்? அப்டீனேன்.
அப்போ ஒரு உண்மையை சொன்னாள். "அதெல்லாம் கரெக்ட் தான். ஆனாலும், நம்ம அவன வாங்கிட்டு வாடான்னு சொல்லி அனுப்பும்போது, திரும்பி வந்ததுக்கப்ரம் " என்னால அந்த கடைக்கு போகமுடியல, அதுனால தான் வாங்கல" அப்டீனு சொன்னா நம்ம வருத்தப்படுவோம் இல்லையா? அதுனால தான் இந்த பிட் எல்லாம்" என்றும் விளக்கம் சொன்னாள்.
சரி அப்போ நம்ம பையன் இருட்டு கடைக்கு போகவில்லை என்று ஊர்ஜிதம் செய்யவேண்டும். எப்படி செய்யலாம் என்று ஐடியா பண்ணினோம். அந்த நண்பரும் நண்பியும் சொன்னார்கள் "நம்ம பையன் கூட திருநெல்வேலி சென்றவரை எங்களுக்கு தெரியும். அவரிடம் கேட்போம்" என்று. மூன்று நாட்கள் கழித்து பதில் வந்தது.
நண்பியும், நண்பனும்(குஷி) நம்ம பையனுடன் நெல்லை சென்றவரை
சந்தித்திருக்கிறார்கள்." 'நம்ம பையன்' உங்களுடன் தானே வந்தான்? இருட்டு கடை அல்வா வாங்கினானா ?" என்று கேட்டார்களாம். அந்த நபர் இந்த கேள்வியை கேட்டதும் விழுந்து விழுந்து சிரித்துவிட்டு சொன்னாரம் "நம்ம பையனாவது இருட்டு கடையாவது" என்று. மேற்க்கொண்டு சொன்னாராம் "நான் இருட்டு கடைக்கு சென்றேன். அவனும் என்னுடன் வந்தான். நாங்கள் ஆளுக்கு கால் கிலோ வீதம் அல்வா வாங்கி சாப்பிட்டோம். நான் கூட கேட்டேன் 'என்னடா ஊர்ல நண்பர்களுக்கு அல்வா கொஞ்சம் வாங்கிட்டு போகலையான்னு? ' அதுக்கு நம்ம அன்பு பையன் "இல்லீங்கோ ! அவாள்லாம் அல்வா சாப்பிட மாட்டளுங்கோ" அப்டீனு பிட் மேல பிட் அள்ளி விட்டுருக்கான். 'சபா!!!' அப்டீனு அவரும் அதுக்கப்பறம் ஒன்னும் கேட்கலையாம்.
இந்த மேட்டர் நம்ம காதுக்கும் வந்து சேர்ந்தது. சரி நம்ம பையன் கிட்ட கேப்போமா வேணாமா அப்டீனு ஒரு குழப்பம் வேற. சரி கேட்டு தான் பார்ப்போமே. குரூப் ஆக பல்பு வாங்கிருக்கோம். கேட்டுவிடுவோம் அப்டீனு முடிவு பண்ணி கேட்டும் தொலைச்சோம்.
"தம்பி! நீ பீலா விட்ட. உன் கூட வந்த அந்த நல்ல மனுஷன் எல்லாத்தையும் உளறிவிட்டார். இப்பயாச்சும் சொல்லு.... அல்வாவே வாங்காம எதுக்கு இவ்ளோ கத விட்ட? அட, 'கடைக்கு போக முடியல, கொஞ்சம் பிஸி.. அடுத்த தடவை ட்ரை பண்ணலாம்" அப்டீனு சொல்லிருக்கலாமே அப்டீனு கேட்டோம். 'நம்ம பையன்' ஒரு வித்தியாச பார்வை ஒன்னு பார்த்தான். இந்த பூனையும் பால் குடிக்கும்மா? அப்டீன்ற லுக்கு. நம்மளுக்கு தான் இந்த பார்வை எல்லாம் பழக்கமானது தான. அதுனால கண்டுகிடாம, 'தம்பி என்ன லுக்கு! சொல்லுப்பா' அப்டீனோம்.
நம்ம பையன் சொன்னான் "டேய்! நான் இருட்டுக்கு கடைக்கு போனேன். முன்னாடி சொன்ன மாதிரி ரெண்டே கால் கிலோ அல்வா வாங்கினேன். வர வழில தான் பிளைட்ல தொலஞ்சிபோசி அப்டீனான்". "ஐயோ! அம்மா! முடியலையே" அப்டீனு கதறும் நிலைமைக்கு வந்துவிட்டோம் இந்த பதிலை கேட்ட பிறகு. கடைசி ட்ரை அப்டீன்னு ஒரே ஒரு கேள்வி கேட்டோம். "சரி, அப்டி நீ போனதாகவே வச்சிக்குவோம். ஏன் உன் கூட வந்த அந்த நல்ல மனுஷன் அப்டி சொல்லணும்"? ன்னு.
ஒரே ஒரு பதில் தான் சொன்னான் "அவருக்கு நான் அல்வா வாங்கினது தெரியாது" !!!
நம்ம பையனை நாங்கள் மூவரும் எங்கள் கடைசி மூச்சிருக்கும்வரை மறக்க இயலாது!!!!!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
திருநெல்வேலி அல்வாவும் பல்பு வாங்கிய கதையும்!!! - பாகம் ஒன்று
தமிழர்களுக்கு திருநெல்வேலி அல்வாவின் மகிமை பற்றி சொல்ல தேவை இல்லை. பெயரை கேட்டாலே எச்சில் ஊற வைக்கும் அந்த பேமஸ் இருட்டு கடை அல்வாவை ஹைதராபாத்தில் வேலை என்ற பெயரில் குப்பை கொட்டும் நானும் மற்றும் என் இரு நண்பர்களும் நான்கு நாட்களுக்கு மேலாக எதிர்பார்த்து செமத்தியாக ஏமாந்த கதை இது.ஒரு நாள், எங்களுடைய பாசமிகு நேசமிகு நண்பர் (பெயர் வேண்டாமே! 'நம்ம பையன்' என்று மட்டும் அழைப்போம்) தன் அலுவலகத்தில் தன்னை திருநெல்வேலி அழைத்து செல்வதாக எங்களிடம் கூறவே நாங்கள் சப்பு கொட்டி கொண்டு " மச்சி! வரும் போது இரண்டு கிலோ அல்வா வாங்கிட்டு வாடா மச்சான் " என்று சொல்லவே அந்த பாசமிகு நண்பனும் "ச்சே !! என்ன இது சின்னபுள்ள தனமா! நெல்லை பக்கம் போக போறேன்; அல்வா இல்லாமலா வருவேன் ?" என்று எங்களை வாயடைத்தான்.
நான் ஒரு படி மேலே சென்று என்னுடைய தமிழ்நாடு சிம் கார்டையும் கொடுத்து அனுப்பினேன் - பையன் ரோமிங்கில் போன் உபயோகம் செய்யமாட்டான். எனவே அல்வா வாங்கிவிட்டனா இல்லையா என்று தெரிந்துகொள்ள இது தான் வழி என்று ஒரு கப்பிதனமான ஐடியா ஏன் மண்டைக்குள் உதித்தால்!
நம்ம பையனும் அன்று காலை ஹைதராபாத் விமான நிலையம் சென்றடைந்து மீன் கொத்தி ஏர்லைன்ஸ் மூலமாக சென்னை சென்று அங்கிருந்து மற்றுமொரு மீன் கொத்தி பிளைட் மூலமாக தூத்துக்குடி சென்றடைந்தான். அன்று மாலை அவனிடம் போனில் பேசினோம். "தூத்துக்குடியில இருக்கிறேன் ! நைட் கடைல சாப்பாடு கட்டு கட்டுன்னு கட்ட போறேன். என் கூட வந்தவரும் நானும் போறோம் !" என அப்டேட் கொடுத்தான்.
மறுநாள் தூத்துக்குடியில் அலுவலக பணிகள் முடிவடைந்தவுடன் திருநெல்வேலி செல்வதாக கூறியவன் "எந்த வேலை முடிக்க முடியாமல் போனாலும் பரவாயில்லை. அல்வா இல்லாமல் நான் ஹைதராபாத் வர மாட்டேன்" என்று ஒரு பெரிய பெரிய (ஏற்கனவே தயாரித்து வைத்திருந்த) பிட் ஐ போட்டான். நாங்களும் அந்த பிட் ஐ நம்பி பல பல ப்ளானிங் செய்தோம் (அவைகள் அனைத்தும் இன்னொரு இடுகையில்!)
மறுநாள் காலை, மதியம் என நம்ம பையனுக்கு போன் செய்ய ட்ரை பண்ணி பண்ணி கிட்டத்தட்ட வெறுத்துபோய் கடைசியாக ஒரு முறை ட்ரை பண்ணுவோம் என்று ட்ரை பண்ணினால் அதிசயமாக நம்ம பையன் பேசினான். ஒரு முக்கிய மேட்டர் சொல்லாமல் விட்டு விட்டேன். நம்ம பையன் போன் அட்டென்ட் பண்ணிடால் அது உலக அதிசயம் தான். இத
ஏன் சொல்றேன்னா நீங்க நம்ம பையனுக்கு போன் பண்ணி பாத்தா தெரியும் !!
மறு நாள் போன்ல "ரெண்டேகால் கிலோ அல்வா வாங்கிருக்கேன். நான் இப்போ கால் கிலோ சாப்பிடுவேன். மீதி ரெண்டு கிலோ உங்களுக்கு" அப்டீனு ஒரு போடு போட்டன். அது மட்டுமா? எங்கடா வாங்கின அப்டீனு கேட்டோம். "ஹ்ம்ம், லைன்ல நின்னு இருட்டு கடைல வாங்கிட்டேன்" அப்டீனான்.
அவன் அப்படி சொன்னதுக்கு பிறகு எங்களுக்கு லேசா வருத்தம் வேற. "ச்சே! நம்ம பையன் நம்ம சொன்ன மாதிரி செஞ்சிருக்கான். இவன நம்ம தப்பா எடை போட்டுடோமே" அப்டீனு. அல்வா வரபோகுது பிளான் எல்லாம் செமத்தியா போக போகுது என ஏக குஷி இன்னொர்தருக்கு(அவரை பத்தி வேறொரு இடுகையில்!)
நம்ம பையன் வர வேண்டிய நாளும் வந்தது. நம்ம பையன் அவ்ளோ தூரத்துல இருந்து அல்வா வேற வாங்கிட்டு வரான், அவனுக்கு சிக்கென் பண்ணுவோம் அப்டீனு நானும் என்னோட அந்த குஷி நண்பரும் சேர்ந்து சிக்கென் வாங்கிட்டு வந்து, கழுவி, மசாலா எல்லாம் போட்டு, பதம் எல்லாம் கரெக்ட் ஆக இருக்கணும் என்று ரொம்ப கவனமாக சமைக்க ஆரம்பித்தோம். இதற்கு நடுவில் எங்கள் நண்பியும் வந்து சேரவே (எல்லாம் அல்வா திங்க தான்) முண்டியடித்து சமைத்து முடித்தோம்.
மணி ஒன்பதுக்கு மேல் ஆனது. நம்ம பையன் வந்த பாடில்லை. என்னடா இது, ஏழரை மணிக்கெல்லாம் ஏர்போர்ட் வந்து விடுவேன் என்று சொன்னானே? ஏர்போர்ட்ல இருந்து வீட்டுக்கு வரதுக்கு மிஞ்சி மிஞ்சி போனா ஒன்றை மணி நேரம் ஆகும். ஏன் இவன் இன்னும் வந்து சேராம இருக்கான் அப்டீனு மறுபடியும் போன் மேல போன் பண்ணி பார்த்தோம். வழக்கம் போல நம்ம பையன் போன் அட்டென்ட் பண்ணவே இல்லை.
இதற்க்கு நடுவில் எங்களுக்கு பசிக்க ஆரம்பிக்கவே, சாப்பிடலாம் அப்டீனு உட்கார்ந்தோம். அவனுக்காக தான சிக்கென் எல்லாம் பண்ணிருக்கோம் அவன் வந்த பிறகு சாப்பிட ஆரம்பிக்கலாம் அப்டீனு யோசிச்சோம். இவன் எப்ப வருவான்ற டவுட் வேறு. சரி நம்ம சாப்பிடுவோம், அவன் வந்து சாப்பிட்டு விட்டு தூங்கட்டும் என முடிவு செய்து நாங்கள் சாப்பிட ஆரம்பித்தோம்.
பத்து மணி வாக்கில் நம்ம பையன் பெல் அடித்தான். ஆசை ஆசையாக நாங்கள் மூன்று பேரும் வாசலுக்கு சென்று கதவை திறந்தோம். நம்ம பையன் அங்கு அவனுடைய மூட்டை முடிச்சோடு நின்று கொண்டிருந்தான். "வா மாப்ள!" அப்டீனு அவனுடைய பை எல்லாத்தையும் உள்ளே வைத்துவிட்டு, அல்வா எங்கடா ? அப்டீனு கேட்டோம்.....................
இதற்கு மேல் அன்று நடந்தவை அனைத்தும் இரண்டாம் பாகத்தில் !
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