Wow. This is good news. Martina Hingis is staging a comeback. And she has been given a wildcard to compete in the 2006 Australian Open 
I liked the way she burst into the scene. Unfortunately she has had a pretty long layoff from the game. Hope she finds her feet and game.
BJP
Now that Uma bharati has been whipped, will some sense prevail in BJP? I hope that we get to see more of the GenNext leaders from that party. Who will succeed LK Advani after december? I wish Arun Jaitley is given the power. He is one intelligent politician. And is well educated as well. To be precise, he is an exact opposite of Venkiah Naidu
Congress
In Congress, I dont see any scope for anyone except for the colombian girls boy friend, or that guys sister! There are promising people like Madhavrao scindia’s son. But who can compete against the Gandhi family?
Shiv Sena
Good thing happening in Maharashtra. Sena is crumbling. Wish BJP capitalises on this and emerges as the major party there apart from Congress.
TDP
Looks like Chandrababu Naidu is losing his control over the party. And the party undergoing tough times, after losses in the recent municipal elections as well!
AIADMK
After JJ, there is no one in AIADMK.
DMK
And after MK, DMK will split into multiple factions. Stalin one side, Dayanidhi Maran one side, Azhagiri one side and all. And there is this MDMK, PMK etc.
So can we expect a merger of all this munnetra kazhagams?
I agree with this article. I fail to understand where Ballack will fit in Jose’s jigsaw puzzle. The midfield already consists of Lampard, Essien and Makalele. What will Ballack do? I dont think, Jose can afford to keep any of these 4 on bench! And there is this promising Diarra waiting in the wings!
Actually I would like to see Ballack join Man U. Now that there is no Keane, Ballack will be a good choice. Ballack holding the midfield with Rooney in the front, should be a sight to watch
2005 wasnt a good year for Ferrari fans. Add to the fact that its widely tipped that 2006 is the final season in which god might race 
Formula1 site features an interesting article, on the design of the new Ferrari.
Massa feels that new qualifying rules is a dream. Lets hope his dream doesnt get shattered.
Ralf parts with Willi Weber. Michael doesnt.
Jean Todt calls for Youth in Formula 1. No he is not talking about drivers. He is talking about F1 Management in general.
Forget the age of F1 team bosses. One thing thats common is, all of them have gorgeous girl friends!
And Narain all set to test drive for Williams?
Abdul Kalam is doing an aerial survey tomorrow, to have a look at the flood affected areas of Tamilnadu.
I have always had this question on aerial surveys. Who accompanies the dignitaries when it comes to aerial surveys? Are they accompanied from experts in the met deparment, district collector etc? And how much does one aerial survey cost?
If am not wrong the purpose of these aerial surveys is to assess the damage right? If that is the case, why do we need to have multiple aerial surveys by different dignitaries? Couple of days back, CM JJ conducted an aerial survey. Now why one more?
Wouldnt it make sense if the aerial survey is done by experts, and later a presentation made to all dignitaries? Cant they build some more houses for the affected people, using the cost incurred for aerial surveys?
I dont think, people who are affected will be bothered about things like who is doing the aerial survey, who is coming to see us and all. They will be more worried about relief materials! Hmmm.
Mr Krishnamurthi, please come to bangalore. Be my guest. In case you had forgotten, I think its the congress coalition thats ruling in karnataka
A leisurely Saturday morning. He reading the newspaper, and She watching TV resting her back on he’s shoulder. Tough to visualize? Let me make it more clear. He sitting on the extreme left of the sofa. He is perpendicular to the TV. Now she is sitting facing the TV, using He’s shoulder and arms as the backrest 
‘Thoongadha vizhigal reNdu’ is on in Sun Music. Song gets over, and She gets bored. After sometime and starts playing with He’s ears. She rolls her dupatta end and slowly inserts into He’s ears
He: eh? hey!
She: Enna?
He: Illai. Onnum illai.
(Saying this he continues reading. She repeats the game. He gets the hint and drops the newspaper. *He is feeling kinda ticklish in his ear, takes a johnsons bud and starts cleaning the ear. Then he applies foam all over his face, and is about to shave. And by Murphy’s law the mobile phone rings. And luckily for he, it is a guy who calls. He keeps talking for a while to his friend. She takes the razor and starts shaving for he. Within 2 minutes He finishes his conversation.
He: Kodu
She: Enna?
He: Razor kodu ma
She: Naan paNNi vidattuma?
(The tone is more of an order than request)
He: Ok
She: Chair la ukaaren. It will be easy for me
He: Err. Ok.
(Slowly she starts. After a while She brings the razor somewhere above the throat)
She: Evening engayavadhu poalaama
(He stiffens)
She: Yaen un body ivlo stiff aa irukku? Bayama?
He: Cha! Cha! I thought it will be easy for you
She: Safina plaza la Hyderabad kal vaLayal sale poattu irukaanam, poalaama?
He: Hmmm. Poalaam
(After some 10 minutes, she is done with her job. With a huge sigh of relief, he gets up and looks at his face in the mirror)
She: Ellam seriya irukka?
He: Ya ya
She: Irukkara moonji dhaane theriya poaradhu
He: He he
(Saying this he picks the towel and is about to enter the bathroom for a quick shower)
She: Enna ivlo seekram kuLikka poare?
He: Feeling stuffy!
(After a while He comes out)
She: Inga kitta vaa*
(With all great plans He approaches She)
She: Nee maRubadiyum shave panniya enna?
He: Shave pannala. Just konjam adjust pannen
She: Poi sollaadhe. I can easily spot the difference!
He: Hey come on!
She: Cha! Kannadila paartha boadhu naan kaetten la, seriya irukka appadinu? Appave solli irukkaradhu dhaane
He: Idhula enna ma irukku. You did a good job. I just adjusted a bit
She: If I did a good job, why should you adjust?
He: Err
She: Naan evlo aasai aasaya paNNi vitten. Pch!
He: Hey hey! I am so happy for it. Next time la irundhu neeye paNNi viden
She: Ennai paartha unakku barber madhiri irukka
He: Chee chee! I was just kidding!
She: So appo naan seriya pannalai appadinu solla vare. Seri. Indha madhiri en kitta evlo solli irukkiyo!! Aaandavanukku dhaan veLichcham!
He: !!!!!!!!!
* You expected the story to proceed in a different direction, didnt you? Naughty naughty 
கடலை பருப்பே,
இது பரிட்சை நேரம். ஆகவே மாணவ கண்மணிகளுக்கு நமது கட்சியின் சார்பாக சிறிது ஆலோசனை வழங்கலாம் என்ற நல்லெண்ணத்தில் இந்த கடிதத்தை எழுதுகின்றேன்.
சில நாட்களுக்கு முன் மூக்கொழுகி சுப்புணி கணக்கு படித்து கொண்டு இருந்தான். அப்பொழுது அவனுக்கு 45 + 24 எவ்வளவு என்பது மறந்து விட்டது. உடனே ரெட்டை ஜடை ஜானகி க்கு SMS அனுப்பினான் ‘45+24=?’ என்று. உடனே ஜானகி ’69’ என்று பதில் அனுப்பினாள். பிறகு அது மனதில் பதிய வேண்டும் என்ற நல்ல காரணத்திற்காக 69 சம்பந்தப்பட்ட சில forward SMS களை சுப்புணிக்கு அனுப்பினாள்.
இதை பார்த்த நான் என்னுடைய கல்லூரி பருவத்தை சிறிது அசை போட்டு மகிழ்ந்தேன். நாங்கள் படித்த விதமே வேறு. ஒவ்வொருவரும் ஒரு பாகத்தை எடுத்து கொள்வோம். அதை ஒரு வாரம் படிப்போம். பிறகு கல்லூரியிலோ அல்லது நண்பர்களின் வீட்டிலியோ அமர்ந்து படித்ததை பரிமாறிக்கொள்வோம். படித்த மாதிரியும் ஆயிற்று. கடலை போட்ட மாதிரியும் ஆயிற்று. பிறகு இரவு நேரத்தில் தோழிக்கு போன் செய்து ’நீ மட்டும் இன்னிக்கு இந்த Chapter/Unit சொல்லி கொடுக்கலை அப்படின்னா நான் என்ன பண்ணி இருப்பேன் அப்படின்னு எனக்கு தெரியாது.’ என்று Ice வைக்கலாம்.
அனுபவத்தில் சொல்கிறேன். நேராக பார்க்கும் பொழுது போடும் கடலையின் சுகம், SMS இல் வராது. நேரில் பார்பதற்க்கு காரணம் தேவைப்படும். Combined Studies என்ற காரணம் கூறி சந்திப்பது எளிது. பரிட்சை முடிந்த பிறகு, Celebrate செய்ய எல்லோரும் Movie செல்லலாம் என்று கூப்பிடலாம். பரிட்சையில் Pass ஆக ஏதாவது கோவிலுக்கு செல்லலாம் என்று அழைக்கலாம். இதை எல்லாம் விட்டுவிட்டு வெரும் SMS மூலமாக பேசி கொள்வதினால் என்ன பயன்? இதை மாணவ கண்மணிகள் சிந்தித்து செயல்படுவது நல்லது.
All the Best!
SIM Card இல் Balance உடன்
-பிரபு
Kadalai paruppe,
Idhu paritchai naeram. Aagave maaNava kaNmaNigaLukku namadhu katchiyin saarabaga siRidhu aalosanai vazhangalaam endra nallennathil indha kadidhaththai ezhudhugindren.
Sila naatkaLukku mun mookozhugi suppuNi kaNakku padiththu koNdu irundhaan. Appozhudhu avanukku 45 + 24 evvaLavu enbadhu maRandhu vittadhu. Udane rettai jadai janaki kku sms anupinnan ‘45+24=?’ endru. Udane Janaki ’69’ endru badhil sms anuppinaaL. Piragu adhu manadhil padhiya veNdum endra nalla kaaraNathirkaaga 69 sambandhapatta sila forward sms gaLai suppuNikku anuppinaaL.
Idhai paartha naan ennudaya kalloori paruvathai siRidhu asai poattu magizhndhaen. Naangal padiththa vidhame vaeRu. ovvoruvarum oru paagathai eduthu koLvoam. Adhai oru vaaram padippoam. piRagu kallooriyiloa alladhu nanbargaLin veetiliyoa amarndhu padithadhai parimaaRi koLvoam. Padiththa maadhiriyum aayitru. Kadalai poatta madhiriyum aayitru. piRagu iravu nerathil thozhikku phone seidhu ’Nee mattum inniku indha chapter solli kodukkalai appadinaa naan enna panni iruppen appadinu enakku theriyadhu. Thank you so much’ endru ice vaikkalaamAnubavathil solgiren. Naeraaga paarkum pozhudhu poadum kadalayin sugam, sms il varaadhu. Naeril paarpadharku kaaraNam thevai padum. Combined studies endra kaaraNam kooRi sandhipadhu eLidhu.
Paritchai mudindha piRagu, celebrate seyya ellorum movie sellalaam endru koopidalaam. Paritchayil pass aaga edavadhu kovilukku sellalaam endru azhaikalaam. . Idhai ellam vittuvittu verum sms moolamaga pesi koLvadhinaal enna payan? Idhai maaNava kaNmaNigal sindidhu seyalpaduvadhu nalladhu.
All the best!
SIM Card il balance udan
-Prabhu
A year ago, this very day I started blogging Time has flewn very fast like a Ferrari Thanks to blogging, I got to meet so many people, got many good friends.
Not surprising that, on the eve of the blog anniversary I got to spend quality time with a few of my blogger pals. It was a fun filled weekend right from friday evening.
Friday
I left office early and went to St Marks Road, to meet Chik. One of the few people I have met in my life, more energetic and enthusiastic than me. We went to Barista, and I was amused by the way she was ordering coffee. I have never seen anyone order coffee in such a way. She went like ‘A cafe latte with one shot of expresso, and no whipped cream and blah blah blah’. Oooff. And she mixed it with sugar, brown in color 
We spent an hour there and from there left for BayLeaf, Koramangala. Chik got a first hand experience of bangalore roads and traffic. Like James Bond’s Dry Martini, she was shaken but not stirred Phantom was waiting for us there. I was always impressed with Phantom, for the way he looked at things. Not just the philosophical side, but also the way he looked at the world using his lens. I frankly dont remember what all we spoke, but we spent a good 2 hours at the restaurant under the pretext of having dinner!
Saturday
Phantom wanted to buy a new mobile, and we met at Forum. He got himself a cool Nokia 6610i. Then, chik wanted to send a gift to her cousin staying at No 6, Vivekanandar kurukku theru, Dubai kurukku sandhu,Dubai. Women and shopping. Baaah! She spent around 2 hours at the Reliance Webworld to choose an online gift. From there we went to a coffee shop called Kalmane. Nice coffee shop, except for the spellings on the menu card. They had spelt ‘Roasted Almond Mocha’ as ‘Roasted Almond Moo cha’.
We then decided to go bowling. Went to Megabowl and asked Mr Super coolVikki to join us there. Unfortunately Vikki was at work and couldnt join us. But he promised to join us for lunch the next day. We played for some 2 hours or so. Shane Warne would have been proud of Chik. The way she spun the ball, and ensured that it landed in the gutter
Went to Shiok for dinner. Had a great time there. Madhu was there, his usual busy self Had very good dinner. We left Shiok by 11.30 or so. Got to know another interesting side of Chik. It was hilarious. After dropping Chik, reached home by around 12 or so. Watched the second half of Portsmouth-Chelsea match and slept by around 2.
Sunday:
We went to phantom’s house in the morning, and then took them to my house in the afternoon. We were listening to some songs and yapping for a while. Chik sings really well. As promised Vikki joined us for lunch. We had some snacks at Transit and then lunch at Sahib Sultan. Post lunch, Chik dragged the three of to this NikNish shop. It took just 30 minutes for us to select the gifts, but 1 hour to gift wrap it!! Phantom and Vikki proceeded to the airport directly from there.
Initially we had plans of playing bowling one more time, but the gift wrapping saga ate into it! Myself and Chik went to my house, picked up my bike and from there left to her cousins place. Reached airport by around 7.30 or so. Then myself and Vikki bid chik and phantom bye, and proceeded towards megabowl Played bowling under extreme circumstances (Who can think of bowling, with so many babes around), and called it a day, to reach home in time for the West Ham-ManU match!
One of the most exciting and enjoyable weekend I have had in Bangalore
I would like to end this post, dedicating one of my all time favorite Kishore Kumar Song to all my blogger friends!
Diye jalte hain, phool khilte hain, diye jalte hain, phool khilte hain
badi mushkil se, magar, duniya mein dost, milte hain, diye jalte hain
Raadhe unakku kobam aagadhadi!
He and She chatting in IM. He in a different timezone. It’s a Friday morning for him, and Friday night for her.
She: BUZZ!
He: Hi
She: What doing?
He: Busy aa irukken ma. Need to submit a report
She: ok.
He: enna pannindu irukke?
She: Nothing. Am I disturbing you?
He: No ma. Am not getting disturbed. Sollu
She: Onnum illai. Seri naan thoonga poren. Bye
He: Hey!
She: Enna?
He: Onnum illai. Thideernu poren nnu solriye. Adhaan kaetten
She: Nee dhaane busy aa irukken sonne
He: ya.
She: Appo naan enna panradhu. Bye
He: hmm. Bye
Next day morning He Calls She
He: Heyyyyyyy
She: Hi
He: Indha week full aa semma velai. Glad that weekend arrived
She: Good
He: So inniku enna plan?
She: nothing
He: Hey! What happened?
She: Onnum aagaliye
He: You not well or something? Yaen dull aa irukke?
She: nothing! Am fine
He: Something wrong. Did I say something wrong?
She: No
He: pinna yaen seriya pesa maatengare
She: Pesindu dhaane irukken
(He tries to recollect the previous day events)
He: Nethu IM la pesale nnu kovamaa?
She: Not at all.
He: Sorry ma. I was busy.
She: Its ok. Naanum IT company la dhaan work panraen. I know
He: Hey! Something seriously wrong. Yaen ippadi pesare. Please sollu
She: Hmmmm
He: Solludi
She: Poda
He: Please. I am sorry if I said something wrong!
She: What did you say when I asked ‘Am I disturbing you?’
He: I said am not getting disturbed
She: Adhukku enna artham?
He: What?
She: Illaima nee ennai disturb pannalai appadinu solli irukkalaam la. Adhu enna I am not getting disturbed?
He: Hey! Naan edho work busy la maathi solliten. Please!
She: Indha kadhai ellam vendaam. What are you trying to prove? Nee periya aalu. That you will never get disturbed. And naan velai illadha loose. Eppo paathalum unnai disturb panren. Adhaane? You know how bad I felt? I didn’t sleep whole of last night!
He: Hey extremely sorry. I didn’t mean that way. Cha! IM doesn’t convey the actual thoughts!
She: Nee panradha pannitu IM mela pazhi podadhe
He: Please. Sorry. Inimela andha madhiri solla maaten
She: Paathiya. Unmai velila varadhu. Appo manasula andha madhiri nenachindu velila vera madhiri solluviya?
He: !!!!!!!!!!
We left Delhi at 4.30 in the morning for Taj. We booked a Indigo for 2 days
We stopped somewhere on the way for breakfast. The sunrise was very beautiful. Sky was all orange
One km before Taj, they stop all vehicles. Pollution free zone. We took a Tanga for reaching Taj
This is the main entrance for Taj.
Here are some pictures of Taj. The best thing about Taj is that, irrespective of the photographer the photo turns out to be good always
Caught the shadow of the place before the main dome.
This is the how main entrance looks like, from Taj Mahal
Many doors are there in Taj, but they are always closed!
Pretty neat carvings
This is how Taj looks from the entrance.It was very dark inside the entrance, and scorching hot outside. I wanted Taj to be in the centre of the frame. Tried my level best, but could manage only this
Just tried to capture a B/W Image.
And this photo was taken in hot sun
River Yamuna passing by Taj.
The mosque next to Taj
Taj Corridor. Hope Mayawati doesnt check my blog
Closeup photo of one of the towers. I wonder how it will be from the top of the tower
P.S. Please click on thumbnails for bigger resolution pics.