The World is Your Cave

The Best Hair Cut

2012-01-22T23:46:00.007+05:30

I had the most fun hair cut at home today.

Subha and Krishna do each other's hair cut just by letting each other know what sort of finish they expect to see when it is all done. I was impressed. The cuts look absolutely pro.

I had been whining about getting my current hair style trimmed for a long time now. I never got down to it simply because I was either travelling on weekends or lacked the motivation to dress up on a lazy weekend and endure a 20 minute walk to the salon.

Finally, when the couple had thier hair cuts done, I suggested they do mine as well. Deep down, I was scared as hell, unsure of the outcome. I am very particular when it comes to the final presentation of my cut, when it is washed, blown, and set. If it did not add up to the visual imagery, I would have undoubtedly pulled down the roof. They asked me to sign a waiver. I brushed it off and pledged my faith in their abilities to deliver a fine job.

Krishna's rule of thumb was to just catch hold of a clump of hair and chop it off. That's exactly what they did with me. It was all done and over within 30 minutes. I was blown away by the final look. A perfect blunt cut.

The winter does not seem to hurt now and I have Simon & Garfunkel for company.

Calvin's CLoud

2012-01-22T21:20:00.006+05:30

Just with the basic one guitar, one piano and one vocal and an audience, I think that the intimacy comes through more. People feel much more connected to the song because there's nothing in the way, and I actually enjoy doing that.

Graham Nash

Spending Time

2012-01-22T09:59:00.003+05:30

Everyone wants to know how I spend time, some take it, some don't believe it, though I am not sure what is there not to believe.

I spend a lot of time listening to music while I am working; or when I am lounging on the sofa in the basement over a glass of wine (which is at this very moment as I write this post), catch up with a little reading (maybe tomorrow), wake up to blogging after a hiatus or maybe do the treadmill if I'm inspired, travel over to a friend's on a long weekend, or catch up with the folks at home -both here and back home, or simply cook.

The last couple of weeks has been tiring at work - like the school kid who waits for the last bell of the evening, I rush out to catch my evening train and take the long journey home. All I want to do is just curl up and sleep. The winter does not spur my soul to do much except sleep.

Of all days, after a long warm bath, I am having trouble falling asleep on a Saturday night.

Calvin's CLoud

2012-01-22T09:16:00.004+05:30

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.

John Ruskin

Blast of Snow

2012-01-22T08:53:00.005+05:30

I never bothered to take the weather predictions here too seriously. Maybe it is past experience on my home turf. It never rains when the Weather department says so.

But here, that's not how it works - humbled by experience.

Just before I got off work last evening, my friend told me the weekend was going to be covered in snow. I did not take it too seriously. So when I woke up this morning, I was visibly shell shocked to see the entire landscape bathed in snow - reminded me of vanilla ice cream.

I love the first snowfall; it always is the best.
Untouched, pristine, pure white.

It fills me with a strange peace, like your life's worries are wiped clean, covered by the blanket of Nature's quiet beauty. I just stood by the window breathing in this morning charm, no noise, all stillness, peaceful.

Calvin's CLoud

2012-01-18T02:42:00.004+05:30

Don't follow any advice, no matter how good, until you feel as deeply in your spirit as you think in your mind that the counsel is wise.

Joan Rivers

A Taste of the American Pie

2012-01-16T06:51:00.011+05:30

I arrived at the JFK airport on Nov 5, 2011 evening. My first visit to the United States of America - I was nervous and excited, not sure what my work had in store for me.

I had already spoken to Shilpa, my ex-colleague and good friend to pick me up and host me for the day. It was a long tiring, terribly boring flight. I tried to sleep as much as I could on the flight, but that dint happen. So I was thrilled to see my friend after two long years and get a good night's rest before I took my connecting shuttle, a two-hour ride to Philly.

On my first day at NYC, I went to the fabulous and vibrant Times Square, sat on the Red Steps, saw the Empire State Building, raided the well marketed and beautifully designed M & M store, walked all through the main streets before taking the metro back home. It was a lovely memory to begin your stay in a new country. Well meaning people make all the difference.

Philadelphia is more quiet, not as lively as its neighbours D.C and NYC. I was bored and not as comfortable in my new surroundings. Moreover, the weird weather did not help me get settled at all. I never thought it rained in winter. So I never bothered to buy a raincoat or an umbrella. One fine day, the rains catch me by surprise. I get home drenched. The next day, I am down with a cold and decided to work from home. I also decided to move out because I was unhappy with my accommodation. In the two weeks I had spent there, a mouse paid me a visit, quickly followed by a visit by a gigantic spider a few days later. That did it.

The new accommodation was much more reassuring, although it was a good 15 minute walk from the home to the station and another 45 minute train ride to work. I at least felt safe and had a lovely room to myself. I was back to my old routine - rush through breakfast, fix lunch and rush out in the morning to catch my train to work. Back home in the evening, I head straight to the kitchen, clean the sink and cook dinner before retiring for the night.

On my long weekends, I managed to visit my friend in NYC again, a school senior and uncle at Washington DC, and my uncle and childhood friend at New Jersey. Some of the trips were absolutely memorable, while some were not. You learn a few things about people and learn to accept that people are as different as the seasons. The western world can be liberating in many ways. You can get carried away sometimes and it is understandable, or maybe not.

Getting around is tough without a car, not everything is accessible by trains or buses. If you don't have family or friends, it can take a toll on you emotionally. It is a lot of learning and managing your life independently. You will begin to appreciate that the system was built to help the individual live by themselves with little dependency on anyone.

It has been over two months now. The winter gets on my nerves sometimes and I yearn for hot, hot Chennai. Nevertheless, I am happy for the experience. It is a good opportunity to look beyond your shores - a different life, a chance to learn and appreciate a different world.

Philly Seasons

2012-01-05T23:38:00.003+05:30

And you would accept the seasons of your heart just as you have always accepted that seasons pass over your fields and you would watch with serenity through the winters of your grief.
Kahlil Gibran

Calvin's CLoud

2011-12-04T10:04:00.002+05:30

Love is the magician that pulls man out of his own hat.

~Ben Hecht

Funniest Photograph

2011-11-17T03:15:00.002+05:30

This is one of the funniest photographs I have taken.

I was feeding the cows outside the Karpaga Vinayagar Koil at Pillayarpatti, while at the same time tried to capture some photographs.

The poor greedy cow mistook my camera for an eatable and came straight for it.

Calvin's CLoud

2011-11-17T03:14:00.002+05:30

The foliage has been losing its freshness through the month of August, and here and there a yellow leaf shows itself like the first gray hair amidst the locks of a beauty who has seen one season too many.

~Oliver Wendell Holmes

Philadelphia in Fall

2011-11-10T02:38:00.001+05:30

Calvin's CLoud

2011-09-29T17:21:00.004+05:30

The best executive is one who has sense enough to pick good people to do what he wants them to do, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it.

- Theodore Roosevelt

The Perfect Cup of Freshly Brewed Filter Coffee

2011-09-25T21:39:00.001+05:30

It is not as easy at it looks. To get the perfect filter coffee, you must have the proportions right. Most importantly, your dicoction must be well brewed and strong. I love strong coffee.

It is a beautiful art and no one does it better than my mom. I love waking up to her cup of freshly brewed, hot filter coffee, made strong, and inviting, with a hint of dicoction on top.

To complete this perfect picture, you must hope and pray that the newspaper guy has delivered The Hindu. This is a lethal combination, I tell you. Maybe it is more relevant to folks who have been in Chennai all their life. The Hindu is a traditional newspaper that is featured in most households, though now the Times of India is vying for this coveted position in our homes.

The only other coffeemaker who makes the best coffee is Mani, the household name in our office kitchen. He remembers each individual's preference and makes it exactly the way they like it. For me, it has always been, Mani, oru strong coffee and he does it with a smile. My eyes start sparkling the moment I see the thick, black, aromatic coffee dicoction poured into my cup, over which milk is filled. He then proceeds to perform the great art of pouring this from one cup to another until it gets a lovely froth like a beer and serves it just at the right temperature.

Every time mom goes out of town and I am forced to make a coffee for myself, it comes out badly. That is the one act I do not like performing. Either, the coffee is not at the right temperature, or coffee powder is not good, so the dicoction does not come out great, or I make it too milky. I need mom or someone to make my cuppa. It always amazes me how most south Indian restaurants get it right. In restaurants, I enjoy a mini coffee. It is absolutely delicious, served in a small tumbler, it reminds me of tequila shots!

But when you have the perfect cuppa in your hand, with the morning sunlight streaming in through your windows, reading The Hindu in the solitude of the morning, it is a brand new day, everyday.

Calvin's CLoud

2011-09-25T20:58:00.001+05:30

What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined for life? [there] to strengthen each other [and] to be at one with each other in silent unspeakable memories.

- George Eliot

Don Pepe's Tex Mex

2011-09-25T16:19:00.011+05:30

After much consideration, Chops and I decided to do a quick lunch at Tex Mex.

I had been there was a good couple of years ago, with Vee, Zena, and Moushumi. It was a good choice and of course nostalgic for me. It is also funny that we should finally land up at Tex Mex, because I have passed by this restaurant almost every day on my way home from work, and I had always desired to drop in once for lunch. And boom, one day you actually find yourself in that place without intending to do so - almost sounds like destiny.

I am a soup addict. For me, any meal is incomplete if I have not tried a soup of the day, even if the rest of the courses are out of the world. We ordered a Soup De Torte, which a tomato based soup, with beans, spring onions, garnished with tortillas and cheese. It was divine.

For starters, we ordered the stuffed potato skins. (I forget the actual name of the dish.) Along with it, you are served sour cream, tobasco sauce and salsa. A little tip to enhance the flavour of your dish is to add a bit of tobasco to all your dishes. The dish is a like a deep fried jacket potato, that is scooped out, and stuffed with veggies with cheese on top, and baked. Though it as a tad bland, the overall presentation and flavor was excellent.

In spite of knowing, we were asking for trouble with the main course, we went ahead and bravely ordered Tex Mex's Special enchiladas. We were so stuffed by this time, we were not sure if we would be able to get through the specials, which was expected to be twice as heavy. The dish was absolutely fantastic, but after two mouthfuls, both of us wisely decided to pack the rest and move on to the dessert.

Not really a wise move. I was so enamored by the idea of a flambe, since I had never seen one, that even with a trouser splitting at the seams, I ordered it. The presentation was so nice and sweet on a Sunday afternoon. The pineapple flambe, after it is cut and served, should give out a smoky taste with a hint of alcohol, but to my disappointment, I found neither, when I bit into a juicy piece of pineapple with high expectations. I also missed my old favorite, the sizzling brownie served with a scoop of ice cream.

The pricing is alright. We shared all the dishes and the bill came up to Rs. 1200 with service tax included. The ambiance is alright, but the place has shrunk in terms of space from what I can remember. Moreover, the food tasted more Indian rather than authentic mexican food. Infact, I don't think a Mexican menu is complete without their famous tamales. The chef should look up authentic recipes and revise the menu and beef up the vegetarian list.

Overall, I really enjoyed my lunch at Tex Mex and of course, the company was fun. Tex Mex is located at 73, Cathedral road, Gopalapuram, Chennai. You can call them at 044 28110413.

Calvin's CLoud

2011-09-20T19:05:00.001+05:30

Love - a wildly misunderstood although highly desirable malfunction of the heart which weakens the brain, causes eyes to sparkle, cheeks to glow, blood pressure to rise and the lips to pucker.

~Author Unknown

Surprise for Mom

2011-09-19T13:37:00.001+05:30

I decided to do up Mom's room, while she was away on a two week long Kailash yatra. She had been complaining that her room was not cozy enough and definitely needed a makeover. So I decided to give her the surprise of a lifetime. I had already made a list of things I would need for the room and went about in an organized fashion.

I went furniture hunting to some of the famous landmarks and finally wound up in a store that dealt with antique furniture, all thanks to my resourceful friend, Chops. I got an awesome deal on the cots. In the meanwhile, I had also asked my friend, who was travelling from Pondicherry to pick up some lovely table lamps. I got some colorful and light cylindrical pieces, which were a neat fit for the room.

The two week deadline I had, to complete this mammoth project, completely consumed my every being. I ate at my aunt's house and picked up dinner from a small food stall in Thiruvanmiyur that made good rotis, dal, and subzi. In between all this, I also had to meet my work commitments.

The highlight of the room was the gallery I did for mom. I chose some photographs of Nature, including the close up of Ganesha from Hassan, and the Bayon from Cambodia, which she would love waking up to in the morning. The photographs were blown up and mounted on a black frame. I then designed the layout and then instructed the carpenter to follow the design accordingly. He did a fabulous job.

I also framed the Egyptian parchment souvenir, a gift from my brother, mounted it on the wall above the bed. Below this, I added two slabs of glass in parallel, where the music system now sits, and on the other, her favorite things.

My mom's flight was delayed by an hour and she came home only by 2 PM, by which time, I was lost in a deep slumber. When I woke up in the morning, I was greeted to a shrill, "I love your surprise" tune from my mom and aunt, who had also accompanied her on this trip. I wanted to hold this surprise from my bro and SIL who are visiting us next month, but my mom's excitement got the better of her and I finally sent pictures of the room to the couple. They loved it.

It was one of the best surprises I had pulled off and I cannot, but help grin, every time I step in to the room.

Calvin's CLoud

2011-09-19T13:23:00.002+05:30

Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.

~Flavia Weedn

Kodu Bale and Stuffed Bun

2011-09-19T09:48:00.012+05:30

A trip to Bangalore is never complete without the delicious Kara Bun (Spicy dry bun, made with green chillies and coriander) and the mouth watering spicy Kodu Bale, otherwise known as Kola Vadai in Tamizh.

During my visits to my Ammamma's (grandmother) place, she used to pamper be with these specials and I was soon addicted. So every time I was there, I made sure I packed a few home. There was a small bakery right next to Ammamma's, which baked a fresh batch every day. You could stand there all day long and get completely lost in the aroma of fresh baked bread with spicy herbs. Surprisingly, the Iyengar bakeries here in Chennai do not stock this delectable bread. I don't think most Chennaites are even aware of its existence.

The kola vadai made in Chennai is the usual savoury variety made with rice flour. The ones made in Karnataka contain fresh pepper and gives the vadai, a completely different flavour. You get the Kodu Bale in different sizes, large, medium, and small. They are certainly greasy, but worthwhile since we have only during our visits.

The kodu bale you see in the photograph is one of a kind and is the size of a doughnut. I have never seen anything like this before and was having it for the first time. The dry stuffing and herbs were terribly tasty. My friend got it from Vidyarthee Bhavan eatery near Lal Bagh. This place is over 40 years old and famous for its dosa. Bangalore dosa's were served with a dollop of butter either inside the dosa or in a small cup. Quality of food was above par and so were the prices. My mom and her cousin had spent a considerable time hanging out at VB's during their growing-up years.

My friend did not know what a kara bun looked like and ended up getting me stuffed bun made with potatoes, which i gave away after a bite. Breads like these need to be finished off right out of the oven, and can get wasted if they are stored.

The gifts that both mom and I cherished most, were the fresh cut roses from which belonged to someone known to my friend in Banglaore. The farm was somewhere near Krishnagiri. I was told that if you go over the hillock and take in the view, you can literally see a Valley of Flowers. The color of the roses and the lovely green stems look so rich and different from what we see in the market. Another chap owns huge acres of land in Kodaikanal where he grows over 300 varieties of roses.

Can you beat that? You wake up every day to the hills and beautiful, rich hue of roses all your life!

Calvin's CLoud

2011-08-22T00:20:00.002+05:30

Of the billionaires I have known, money just brings out the basic traits in them. If they were jerks before they had money, they are simply jerks with a billion dollars.

- Warren Buffett

Thai Exhibition

2011-08-21T17:16:00.006+05:30

I love working on my home decor all the time. Every year, I try and bring about some well designed change. So obviously I could not resist attending the Thai exhibition held at the Chennai Convention Centre. Mom and I picked up some pretty neat stuff for our home, with the exception of the silver necklace which was for me.

Calvin's CLoud

2011-08-21T17:07:00.006+05:30

While there is perhaps a province in which the photograph can tell us nothing more than what we see with our own eyes, there is another in which it proves to us how little our eyes permit us to see.

~Dorothea LangeIrish Blessing

The Perfect Spot

2011-08-21T16:39:00.000+05:30

I fell in love with the Clock collection at the Interior Decor exhibition held at the Chennai Convention Centre a few weeks back.

I had been there with my mom and aunt looking for ideas for doing up the house.When I first laid eyes on the clocks, I knew for sure that I wanted to buy one for the house; but mom and I were not sure where it would best fit. So I decided to walk around the exhibition and buy some time to figure out where I wanted it to be put up. These clocks are antique imitations designed by Italians, and manufactured in Bangalore.

I found the perfect spot.

This lovely piece of work is now displayed in the archway that separates the Living room from the Dining (including Prayer) area.

Calvin's CLoud

2011-08-21T16:24:00.001+05:30

May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun

And find your shoulder to light on,

To bring you luck, happiness and riches

Today, tomorrow and beyond.

~Irish Blessing

Happy Birthday Krishna!

2011-08-21T15:50:00.005+05:30

Festivals are such wonderful times. The whole house is abuzz with the chores necessary to celebrate the Divine. If you have kids around the house, it is twice as much fun, with their voices echoing throughout the house and the elders shooing them away from the goodies made for the God.

What I love more is the mythological beliefs behind each festival. Today, it is the sweet, adorable Sri Krishna's birthday, otherwise known as Gokulashtami, Krishna Jayanthi, or Janmashtami. His birthday is celebrated on the 8th day of the dark half of the month of 'Bhadrapada' (August-September) every year. Bhagavan is believed to have been born at midnight. One of the incarnations of Mahavishnu, the Lord takes the Krishna avatar to fulfill many prophecies such as the killing of Kansa and plays a pivotal role in the Mahabharata. Each incarnation the Lord undertakes is to ensure that dharma is preserved and adharma is checked.

On this day, houses are decorated and the Lord's favourite food items such as Aval and butter are offered. Apart from this, seedai, murukku, rava laadoo and other delectable calorific items are also made. To welcome the little one, His baby foot steps are painted u

sing rice flour from the entrance of the house right up to the prayer room, where the offerings are kept. His birthday is celebrated grandly be regaling His stories and chanting His name.

Later today, I hope to go to the Venugopalaswami temple in Gopalapuram, which is an ancient temple dedicated to Krishna, followed by a visit to my aunt's house where we will eventually stay back for dinner and some good old family chit chat before we head back home to face our old familiar routine.

I only wish my brother, sister-in-law, bhaiyya, swetha, and the darling of the lot, Saanvi were here to join in the celebrations.

Calvin's CLoud

2011-08-13T08:07:00.001+05:30

If you have much, give of your wealth; If you have little, give of your heart

- Arab Proverb

Dinner at The Raintree

2011-08-12T16:51:00.006+05:30

Bharu messaged me a few days back to check if I could join her and her friend Divya for lunch or dinner, whichever was convenient for me. I decided to join them for dinner, because we can have an unhurried conversation and savor the meal rather than rushing in and out of the restaurant for lunch and heading back to work. The work front has been hectic and I did not want to risk missing any project deadlines. At the sametime, a good break with friends was also what I badly needed.

I was stressed out and wanted to pamper myself. So I decided to get a good haircut and then head out for dinner. My haircut was alright, did not turn out the way I had imagined it to be. I was worried the stylist cut it a wee bit short, but my colleagues loved the cut.

Bharu picked us up both later that evening and we drove to the Rainbow with a lot of expectation. Divya and I had a little snacky at home, but Bharu was coming straight after classes and was sooper famished.

From what I have observed, the traditional welcome is reserved for tourists from other countries. However, the staff decided to make us feel at home and kept saying Vanakkam at different entry points to the restaurant till we reached our table. I chose a nice cozy table by the glass window tucked in a corner, so we can have our peace. Bharu is a strict musician and does not touch alcohol. Divya decided to have a cooler and I had my favourite Bailey’s Irish Cream after a long time. Each sip was so wonderful and I savored every moment of it with my good friends. We moved on to a nice spinach based soup served with an assortment of breads. The soup was certainly appetizing, light, and tasty.
For the main course, we decided to attack the buffet. The spread was limited, but good. I had a little cheese and cold pasta for bites. Then we ordered an assortment of rotis and naaans, which we paired with dal makhani and a wonderful warm malai kofta. It was one of the best koftas I have had in a while. I also loved their Thayir Vadai, which was well marinated in , soft, juicy, and was just perfect. The pulav was also something to reckon with. Surprisingly, their curd rice was not up to the mark. They also had the potato basket, but I love the version served at Adyar Ananda Bhavan, where they serve a delicious chat in a potato nest. It is filling and absolutely mouth watering.

Next came our favorite part of the show, the Desserts! We loved the beetroot halwa and ate it with a contained gusto. Bharu loved the caramel custard, but I avoided it because of its egginess. We shared a chocolate cake and decided to try some ice-creams, which was a surprise package. We ordered fig and honey, and what we got was nothing close to it. The ice cream had a strong flavor of paneer roses and we asked the server to replace our order with a dollop of butterscotch. Somehow, we were not really satisfied with the ice creams and decided to call it a wrap.

In between all this, we also made a movie plan for Zindagi Nahi Milegi Dubara. Divya and Bharu love Hrithik, and I am crazy about Farhan Aktar. Divya also planned to rope in her sister while Bharu wanted to check with her sister and her sister’s friends if they wanted to tag along. Those guys had been rooting for the movie as well. Divya and I also proposed to have a baking plan over the long weekend and invite Bharu and Dhanya over for sampling the bakes. The bill was a whooping 1000/- buks per head, which I felt was too expensive, given the limited fare. Nevertheless, the menu was well done and the service was excellent.

I had such a hilarious time with the two of them. It was exactly what I needed. The next day, Divya confirms that she has booked tickets for the four of us including her sister. I am all geared up for the move and terribly excited about seeing Farhan Aktar on screen again!

For more information, look up http://www.raintreehotels.com/ or call The Raintree Hotel - St. Mary's Road; 120, St. Mary's Road, Alwarpet, Chennai 600 018 India

Contact: +91 44 42 25 25 25 Fax: +91 44 42 25 26 27 Email: mail@raintreehotels.com

Lunch at Tuscana

2011-08-12T16:47:00.002+05:30

It has been a crazy couple of weeks now. I find most of my days packed with something or the other. Inspite of having solemnly promising myself not to yield to the temptation of eating out all the time, there is some irresistible hangout with some visiting friend or the other. Now, I can’t act fussy and deny an invitation, can I?

I had to make it up to my friend for constantly postponing luncheon plans. We decided to do Little Italy first, but I was surprised to find mixed responses about the restaurant. So I promptly changed the venue to Tuscana instead, on Wallace road. I had heard good reviews about this Italian hangout and of course, wanted to sample the food. Incidentally, it is run by the same individual who takes care of Kryptos.

One of my friends from work, Surya, who had already been there urged me to try their poached peaches in wine, but to my dismay, I was told that there was a menu reshuffle, and the favorite dessert was off the list. Her husband apparently loved this place. Her alternative recommendation of a walnut cake was also not featured. I can still overlook all these small irritants, but their lack of service shocked me. I was really put off that no one attended to our table for quite a while.

Finally, when the server did make his appearance, it was a relief because I was starving. To keep us occupied, we were served some amazing soup sticks and thin crispy biscuits with basil and olive sauce As always, I ordered by soup, the Pomodoro, which is a Tuscan summer recipe for a warm tomato soup. The soup was a little bland though the flavor was good. I was surprised that no bread was served with the soup, but I made sure my demands were heard. For starters, I decided to skip the usual Bruschetta and instead ordered the Aran Riso, which was arboria rice and cheese balls deep fried and served with a sauce. As soon as I tried a piece, I realized it was a bad choice because it was dripping with oil and gave me a headache. To make matters worse, I ordered a heavy pasta Integrale Penna with the Salsa di Noci, which is tubular penne pasta served with a sauce made with sweet pumpkin and roasted walnuts sprinkled on top. I usually have the Penne Arabiata, with the tomato sauce base. I could not enjoy more than two bites and asked for the remaining pasta to be packed.

Not to be deterred, I ordered the Cannoli for dessert, which is a crispy fried roll, into which ricotta cheese beaten with sugar is poured, and served over seasonal fruit compote. It was alright, but not sensational as the pana cotta I had at Kryptos.

Overall, it was not a great experience. The ambience was good, but marred by jarring music in the afternoon. A meal for two, which included an appetizer (shared between two people), a starter, a pasta for the main course, and a dessert cost us Rs.1000 bucks, which is quite steep. However, the quantity of food served was good. For vegetarians, apart from the usual, there is not much variety and the menu is limited. We decided not to tip them much, as a penalty for poor service and the greasy starter. My friends were surprised because the place is usually jam packed with service round the clock. Maybe, it was not my lucky day, but the place is certainly worth a try.

Tuscana is located at, No 19, Wallace Garden, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600034. You can call them at +914445008180 for reservations or visit their site http://www.tuscanarestuarants.in/

Calvin's CLoud

2011-08-12T16:47:00.001+05:30

Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.

Henry Ford

Calvin's CLoud

2011-07-25T12:02:00.001+05:30

For everything you have missed, you have gained something else, and for everything you gain, you lose something else.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes (American Poet, Lecturer and Essayist, 1803-1882)

Baking Basics and Luncheon at the Artist's House

2011-07-24T21:07:00.001+05:30

Bharu stayed overnight yesterday. After she finished her online music classes, we caught up with a long long chat until she was too tired to talk anymore. She and her sister along with their mother had been invited for lunch to their friend's place, who was also known to me. The friend's sister takes baking and painting classes. I had been asking her to take a class in the basics of baking and it coincided with the luncheon. So I decided to surprise my friend and her family by getting there for class and popping up when they arrive. The surprise fell flat because I underestimated Bharu's memory. I usually walk, cycle, or drive to their house. So I was quite confident that she wont recognize my bike and that was my downfall.

We baked a plum cake, which we later burnt because we were all so busy talking we forgot about the poor cake getting all smoked. However, the Trifle pudding cake was a huge hit and the plain cake was a lovely chocolate brown shade. I learnt the cut and fold method which is a must know for making the cake batter. V also gave me a few tips about mixing ingredients and getting the proportions right. I plan to buy a blender shortly. Apart from being an excellent cook, V is also a good artist. She takes classes for both adults and kids throughout the week. I plan to learn some small art work from her soon. I am thinking, maybe nib painting and murals.

V's mom had made a fantastic lunch comprising roasted potatoes in chick pea flour, bissi bela huli, boondi-paneer raita, and fried pappads from a particular vegetable. The highlight of the course was the mouth watering adai prathaman that is a famous kerala recipe. I was too tired to eat, so I just nibbled on the food. Then we all chatted for the rest of the afternoon between the baking sessions, which was when the plum cake got burnt. Nevertheless, we went ahead and had the trifle pudding and masala chai. I had a lovely time with the entire family.Then I got back completely exhausted, rested for a while, uploaded all the pictures from the photoshoot, and then headed for the temple. I made it a short breezy walk and got home in time for a lovely dinner of rotis, palak paneer, and aloo bhaaji.

Now I am looking forward to the vegetable carving session at DakshinaChitra next weekend and MasterChef Australia Season 3 from August 2. Yes, my favorite program is back and I cannot get enough of the show.

Before the Monday blues set in, I am going to crash and before that..RIP Amy Winehouse

Images: Copyrighted to AquaM

Calvin's CLoud

2011-07-23T16:59:00.000+05:30

Let us be grateful to the mirror for revealing to us our appearance only.

~Samuel Butler, Erewhon

Master Chef: Disaster Series

2011-07-22T20:05:00.002+05:30

Yes, you know that I have been bitten by the cooking-baking bug. I have been trying quite a few recipes at home in the late evenings and so far, I have been enjoying it to the hilt. However, I have had my share of kitchen disasters and sometimes, a certain host-guest combo might just be jinxed.

This post has been in the draft state for a very very long time and I finally decided to publish it.

Last year, trying to impress my finicky, but lovable guest was the start of a disastrous venture. I am not the pasta, cream cheese kind. I mean I love continental, but I don't really relish it every night for dinner. I am hooked to simple rotis, dal, paneer, and some tangy salad or just go Mediterenean all the way!

Maybe, this particular guest-host combo was jinxed. Last time it was the Pitle which came out like a lump of dal. This time, the noodles topped with vegetables and a spicy sauce, which was what I originally had in mind, came out like mashed noodles. I was on the verge of tears, and I still feel embarrassed about it.

I dint get pasta from any of the stores near my house, and I decided to buy Hakka noodles instead. I had boiled and noodles and washed it under cold water. But time was running out and I needed to get the main course done, except that I should have realized I could have put the sauce and the noodles together when we were done with the starters and the chit-chat.

But I dint.

Instead, I proceeded to add the half drained noodles to my sauce and once it was cooked, added mozzarella on top and allowed it to cook slowly until the cheese melted and presented an appetizing look. All I needed to do, as my friend smugly put it, was dump the noodles in the fridge, to firm it up. Worse still, until I told him it was noodles, he assumed that it was the spaghetti gone wrong!

Image: Copyrighted to AquaM, Fruit Cobbler

The Kids Downstairs

2011-07-20T23:39:00.002+05:30

I love them so much, the kids downstairs - miss their screams, questions, and their voices echoing from the window right below my bedroom.

My mom and I were so disappointed when Vids told us she is moving out with the kids to another place. I kept whining for a long time about how tough it is going to be in their absence.

Vids and I leave for work at almost the same time in the morning. So on most days, on my way out, I drop in to see her and the youngest one, spend a couple of minutes and head out for work. Later, we traveled together in Vids car since we took the same route and her office was a stone's throw away from mine. We have spent a lot of time together during the week or the weekend, chatting up, cooking, or just hanging out with the little ones. Most often the kid's cousins also joined us. It was one very loud house. It is such a pleasure to be with children and I love kids. I had conducted a games workshop for children a couple of years back, and it was such a big hit with them.

I call up Vidu once in a while and also chat up with the children. Every time I hear their voices, my heart just makes me want to take a bus and get there. Before they went away, I had planned a small surprise for them. I had taken my camera in the morning and took some random close up shots. I chose the best one of each kid and had it framed. The kids loved it and so did everyone in their family. The youngest one in return, gave me a bag of her favourite Hippo chips. I treasure that moment so much.

Mom and I also took the kids and Vids to Creams Centre for dinner. I love the place. It is perfect for families, food is good, and the prices are reasonable. Both the girls love cheese and macaroni. So for starters, they had the American corn cheese balls, while mom and I had our favourite spring soup. For the main course, the little ones dug into a plate of macaroni magic, which was oozing with white sauce, Vids settled for a falafel since she had to clean up the kids macaroni plate, while mom and I shared a Tandoori sizzler. The dessert was the highlight of the evening for my babies - a sizzling brownie! Mom and I shared our favourite scoop of sundae, and the rest with the brownie. The visual display was down right amazing as was the dessert.

Vids and I had been planning to do a movie for ages and it seemed like the right occasion to make it happen. We wanted to do X-Men: First Class, but the first time the plan was initiated, her team wanted to join in as well and the show never took off. The next day afternoon, she called me to say that she had booked tickets for the show that night and her friend would be joining us as well. We had to pick him up from Raintree. Since he had a bit to drink and Vids wanted to finish her dinner ahead of the movie, I drove them both to the theater. We had such fun. I laughed my head off, because I had grown out of such movies, but I will certainly do them for fun anytime.

Overall, we had a memorable time even though at the end of it all, I was a bit upset. I miss the children so much, but call them once in a while to catch up on all the fun.

Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see.

~Neil Postman, The Disappearance of Childhood (introduction), 1982

Calvin's CLoud

2011-07-19T11:54:00.000+05:30

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

- Maya Angelou

Amar Prem (1971)

2011-07-19T00:08:00.001+05:30

If you haven't seen this movie, then you are missing something. Doesn't matter if you are not a movie buff, but watch the movie. The storyline, the characters, the dialogues, and soulful lyrics are timeless.

Bharu and I had dinner at her mom's place last night. When we were flipping channels, we were thrilled to catch Amar Prem playing on SAB channel. She told me her dad used to cry throughout this movie. It does not surprise me. The movie evokes your every being.

Amar Prem (Immortal Love) - I have seen it a dozen times. It touches your spirit, because the story is so human and true. It is a story about love that emanates from the soul and the culminations of spirit that binds two strangers whose circumstances bring them together. Movies today have a lot to learn from their peers.

Directed by Shakti Samata in 1971, Amar Prem was created based on the story by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay. The Hindi version was a remake of the original Bengali film Nishipadma, directed in 1970. The screenplay for both versions was penned by Arabinda Mukherjee.

Pushpa (Sharmila Tagore) is sold to a brothel by her uncle from the village. Anand baabu (Rajesh Khanna) a rich businessman, driven by his loveless marriage, haunts the brothel. He is mesmerized by Pushpa's voice and begins visiting her everyday. Their affection for each other is pure and the relationship offers them comfort from their miseries. Pushpa's neighbour who comes from the same village has a child called Nandu, for whom she develops a great motherly love. Like any other woman, she yearns for a family life, but fate had other plans. Nandu's step mother (yesteryear vamp, Bindu) does not provide for him and his father is too busy to care for the child. Nandu finds love and affection in Pushpa's arms much to the dislike of his family. They criticise her as a low life who entertains a variety of men. This hurts Pushpa deeply. For the sake of maternal love, Pushpa decides to give up her life as a courtesan and stops Anand babu from visitng her. During the Durgo Pujo, Nandu plants a sapling in Pushpa's courtyard.

Years later, a much grown up Nandu, now an engineer comes in search of Pushpa. The sapling is now a full blown tree. Nandu finds an older bespectacled Anand baabu who chances upon Pushpa working as a maid, taking abuses from the people she works for in the same courtyard. It pains him to see that gentle creature endure so much. In the end, Anand babu reunites the mother and child.

Rajesh Khanna in his heydays is so charming, he can make you heart melt like butter within a matter of seconds. His caressing voice and disarming smile will keep you hooked to your seat. Sharmila Tagore is stunning and beautiful. If looks could kill, then it would have to be her. Beyond all the physical distractions, both actors do great justice to their characters, that you begin to believe it is reality.

You feel their sorrow, beauty, and affection. Love is eternal and pure. You find it in the most unlikely places from complete strangers. The songs penned for this movie still live on and were a big hit in those days. Chingari koi badke, Kuch to log kahenga are my favourite numbers.

When Pushpa hears people bad mouthing her and cries, Rajesh Khanna consoles her with a soulful song - Kuch tho log kahenga soulfully rendered by the brilliant Kishore da.

The song is a story of life, of people, and the world we live in.

Kuch tho log kahenge
Loghon ka baath hain kehena
Chodo bekar ki baatho mein ab
Beeth na jaaye rainaa
Kuch To Log Kahenge
Logon Ka Kaam Hai Kehna

Kuch Reet Jagat Ki Aisi Hai
Har Ek Subah Ki Shaam Hui
Tu Kaun Hai Tera Naam Hai Kya
Seeta Bhi Yahan Badnaam Hui
Phir Kyon Sansaar Ki Baaton Se
Bheeg Gaye Tere Naina
Kuch To Log Kahenge
Logon Ka Kaam Hai Kehna

Humko Jo Taane Dete Hain
Hum Khoyen Hai Inn Rang Raliyon Mein
Humne Unko Bhi Chhup Chhup Ke
Aate Dekha Inn Galiyon Mein
Yeh Sach Hai Jhoothi Baat Nahin
Tum Bolon Yeh Sach Hain Na

Kuch To Log Kahenge
Logon Ka Kaam Hai Kehna

What I loved about the movie was the dignity and endearing affection that the central characters extended each other - a quiet acceptance of each other.

I don't know how many of us really find true love. Sometimes, we live them through the movies and the actors and their director.

Calvin's CLoud

2011-07-18T16:27:00.000+05:30

When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.

~African Proverb

Bitten by the Baking Bug

2011-07-18T15:47:00.009+05:30

I have been bitten by the baking bug.

I spend my spare time trying out recipes and blogging them. When I look up fellow bloggers who have been baking for a while now, it really inspires you to go out and try your hand at bringing to life, some of their creations. Moreover I am also hooked to Top Chef on Zee Cafe, which plays from 9pm -10pm IST and then another Chef series on AXN hosted by Padma Lakshmy. I fell in love with MasterChef Australia and dying to catch season 3 from August 2, 2011. I can go on forver about Masterchef Australia and the teh team of three who beautifuly handle the show. It is well conceived and the standards are high.

I have tried my hand at making focaccia bread, panacotta, baked vegetable rolls in a pastry sheet, a regular cake, and baked vegetables. Most of the recipes turned out just great, atleast my friends devoured the samples I had made.

I also try and give my mom a hand in the kitchen and learn some of the recipes hands-on. I am going over to my friend's house the coming weekend to bake a plum cake. She has been baking for a long time and offered to give me a lesson in the basics of baking such as the cut and fold method, which I was clueless about. I run all the ingredients in a mixie to get a smooth consistency. While my cake turned out just fine, it is apparently not the right way to prepare the batter. In addition to making the cake, I also plan to surprise my friend Bharu and her sister over lunch when they get there. Of course, they are clueless about all these preparations and my planned presence in their friend's kitchen.

In the meanwhile, I hope to try my hand at a basic sponge cake this week. Preparing desserts is all about getting the proportions right and knowing how to balance the flavours. You learn this by trial and error. For me, it has been such a stress buster and a fun experience. I love the aroma of the bake when it floods the house with all these amazing flavours you have added to your recipe. You cannot help, but post a contented smile, of satisfaction and great joy.

Photograph: Copyrighted to AquaM

Calvin's CLoud

2011-07-09T05:53:00.002+05:30

There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstance permit. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.

- Anonymous

Surprise Dinner at Eden, Besant Nagar

2011-07-08T11:53:00.003+05:30

Straight from work, I headed to the Anantha Padbanabaswamy temple at Adyar to meet my mom. We had given for the vadai malai for Anjaneyar at 6.00pm, and to meet the timeline, we both came to the temple from our respective location. Meanwhile, Bharu called to let me know that her aunts had come and I could drop in to visit them. They were leaving later that evening and I was not sure if I could visit them on time.

The temple visit quickly finished and once I dropped my mom home, I packed some vadais as prasadam and walked it to her house. On the way, Bharu calls to let me know that they were all planning to go for a drive and wanted to find out if I could join them. I was obviously game. One of her aunts had recently lost her husband under tragic circumstances. So both the sisters (aunts) had come to spend a few days at Bharu's mom's place for a change of scenery. I was also looking forward to seeing them after such a long time.

Meanwhile, Rum also got back from work. Sundari chiti decided that since I was also there, the entire family should go out for dinner just to get together. We had initially decided on Murugan Idly shop since the aunts were comfortable only with tiffin in the night.

Rum and I decided that we could ride her bike, while the rest of the brood can come by car. The beach was crowded on a weekday! We all chatted for almost an hour and as dinner bells rang in our stomach, we quickly decided to go to Eden since the original venue was crowded.

Thankfully, we got a table for six or it would have been a long wait like the others, by which time, all of us would have swooned. For starters, Bharu and I had the tomato soup, which required a little pepper. The rest except Rum had sweet corn soup. The group’s favourite Rumali Rotis were not available, so we ordered the tasty Peshawari Naan and Tandoori Roti. This was accompanied by Aloo Hariyali, which is steamed aloo with kasuri methi, kadai vegetables, and paneer tikka masala. The highlight of the evening that the entire brood was waiting for were the sundaes. Bharu and I shared a vanilla ice cream with butterscotch sauce, while the rest had Coffee Caramel.

The food was excellent, but it was the ice cream that stole the limelight. Butterscotch is an all time favourite for the two of us and we made sure we cleaned up the ice-cream to the last drop. Service was a little slow because of the heavy stream of people, but otherwise, Eden is a great vegetarian family hangout. We have been there with both our families a good couple of times and we have always enjoyed the quality of food that is served. The restaurant is famous for its veg bakes, though my favourite is the Tandoori Shaslik and Tandoori salad. Its smoky, mildly spicy, and terribly tasty.

If you are at the beach and looking for a good vegetarian eat out, then Eden is the place for you, provided you get a table. Weekends are unruly, so get there ahead should you decide to drop-in.

Calvin's CLoud

2011-07-06T16:25:00.001+05:30

Without faith, hope and trust, there is no promise for the future, and without a promising future, life has no direction, no meaning and no justification.
-Adlin Sinclair

Beautiful Drive to the Thiruporur Murugan Temple

2011-07-03T22:19:00.004+05:30

The Thiruporur Murugan temple is one of the ancient temples in south India. The presiding deity, swayambhu moorthy, is Lord Karthikeya and his consorts, Valli and Deivayanai. The inscriptions found Devayani's shrine are proof that Vikrama Chola (1118 - 1133 AD) donated the land for the temple.

The presiding deity's sanctum sanctorum faces east and the main idol in the anthill is covered with a kavacham (armour). Within the sanctum sanctorum, the chinnavar or the smaller deity resides with His consorts and for whom the abhisheka and aradhana is performed.

Legend has it that the Odai or Shanmuga Theertham was formed when Lord Muruga's spear pierced the earth and water came gushing out.

Thiruporur is one of three places where the lord waged the war against the demon, Tharaka. Por in tamizh means war. Hence it is believed that who one worships the lord at this temple will be free from enmity. The other two places where Lord Murugan waged wars include Tiruchendur and Tiruparankundram.

It is also believed that Lord Shiva came to Thiruporur to relieve Maha Vishnu and MahaLakshmi from Kanva rishi's curse. Later, Lord Vishnu worshiped Shiva as Vanmeekeswara on the Pranava Hill to get rid of the sin of having killed Soorapadman.

I have been planning to visit this temple for days now and I had casually mentioned this to my friend's sister. To my pleasant surprise, she expressed her interest in joining me to the temple should I decide to go on a weekend. Thankfully, everything fell into place yesterday and we both drove down to Thiruporur. I was excited that I finally got a chance to see bhagavan.

I had searched for the route on google maps and also asked a few of my friends for directions. It was quite simple. It was one straightforward route, all the way down the Old Mahabalipuram Road. It was approximately 39kms from where I stayed and took me about an hour to get there. We left a little early to beat the traffic and that helped us return to the city on time. The temple is on the main road and past the temple tank or Shanmugha theertham. We saw a few swans merrily swimming in the temple tank. The morning was peaceful and the weather was on our side.

We had excellent darshan of the Lord and his consorts up close and they gave me a garland from the main deity's form as a blessing. An important aspect you will notice is that the deities do not have any features on their face, since they have faded over time. You will also notice the photograph of Sri Chidambara Swamigal. The saint established two chakras in the temple, that is the Srichakra on the left side of the presiding deity and the theertha-chakra inside the sanctum.

The story of the saint goes thus:
Sri Chidambara Sivagnana Swamigal an ardent worshipper of Goddess Madurai Meenakshi had a vision of the Goddess bidding him to build a temple for Lord Muruga at Thirupporur. When the saint reached Thiruporur and searched for an idol of Muruga, he was unable to find it. Later, an old man came by and pointed his finger in one particular spot. To the saint's surprise, he found the idol of Lord Muruga. After six unsuccessful attempts, the saint started building the temple for the seventh time.

The entire trip was just perfect. I had only wished that I had taken my camera along.

Calvin's CLoud

2011-07-02T21:57:00.001+05:30

Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence.

- George Washington

Mocha Mojo, Indranagar

2011-07-02T21:39:00.004+05:30

My friend was leaving for Singapore and also wanted to give me the Tirupathi ladoo prasadam before he left. Since I had my dental check-up this evening, I had suggested that we meet up at Mocha, close by and catch up over some nice fresh juices and bagels.

I have been here on numerous occasions and have never been bored. It is a cool hang out for all ages, and if you like the hookah, you can head straight upstairs. I had tried the lemon flavour once and it was such fun.

For refreshing drinks, I particularly like the fresh juice made from a mix of apple, peach, and lime. The tropical fruit juice is also served fresh and tastes awesome.

The last time I had been there, I tried the falafel and hummus, which was a disappointment and to add to that, my usual favourite, bagel served with red bean paste was missing from the menu. So I had opted for the bagel with spinach, corn, and cheese stuffing which was not bad, but way too cheesy for my taste. Though I had the bagel in mind, for a change, I ordered the soybean patties served with red bean hummus and tzasiki, accompanied by a little salad on the side. It was very well done and sat lightly on your stomach.

Overall, the ambiance is nice, food is consistently good, and service is satisfactory. I would certainly recommend this place for friends to get together over hookah and a light snack.

End of a Nightmare

2011-07-01T20:12:00.004+05:30

Ever since my dentist broke the news to me that I needed an tooth extraction, I had been having nightmares and kept procrastinating the event. My toothache got the better of me and I had to rush to the clinic to get a check-up.

My wisdom tooth had erupted in the wrong position and was affecting my gums. The dentist I visited during my childhood gave me some traumatic memories of tooth extractions. So after almost two decades, when I was faced with a tooth extraction, it made me nervous and scared.

The entire clinic including my dentist seemed to have a lot of fun at my expense. I have been a long time patient at the clinic and the staff and I know each other very well. The receptionist conned me saying that the procedure was complex and takes well over an hour. Then it was my dentist's turn to con me. He told me my tooth of broken and since the infection was spread between the wisdom tooth and the one next to it, he had no choice but to pull out both. He strategically tells me all this after the area in my mouth is anesthetized and I could not respond. It was expected to be complicated.

My heart sunk and I thought I was going to bawl my lungs out. Once I was anesthetized, he then used some tool to apply pressure and I could hear some sort of a cracking noise. I must have looked pale, when the dentist said, 'its all done'.

I was jumping for joy. The injection was painless and the extraction was amazingly smooth. I did not, even for a moment feel any pain. I remembered his assistant's words just before my dentist came in, The doctor is so skilful that you will not feel any pain and it will be over and done within five minutes. At that time, I thought she was saying all this to make me feel better, but now I knew, she was stating the truth.

My mom was terribly impressed with his skill. I will let him know that when I go back for my check-up tomorrow evening.

Thank you doc!

Calvin's CLoud

2011-07-01T19:33:00.003+05:30

A physician buries his mistakes, a dentist pulls them out, but a teacher has to live with them.

- Anonymous

Lunch at Idly-Dosa, Sathyam

2011-07-01T16:11:00.003+05:30

I am having my dreaded tooth extraction this evening. My wisdom tooth did not erupt properly, causing an infection, and leaving me in pain. I have been having a nightmare since the procedure is difficult, trying, and takes an hour and a half to complete.

To cheer myself up and my cousin sister, we decided to go to Idli-Dosa, an eatery at Sathyam Cinemas. I had been there on an earlier occasion with a few of my team mates and fell in love with the Pesarattu. I was longing to there for a while now and try my favourite item again. When the opportunity presented itself, I decided to make the most of it.

My cousin was really of no help when it came to ordering in moderation. She constantly tempted me to try something or the other.

We started with a crispy vadai each. The oil does not stick to your fingers when you hold it. This is a good sign that the oil and the ingredients are fresh. They serve about three varieties of fresh ground chutneys – tomato, coriander, and coconut chutney, and a cup of sāmbhar. For the main course, I ordered the pesarattu, a famous Andhra dish made from moong dal. This dosai is stuffed with upma and served with a fabulous ginger chutney. It is the chutney that takes the pesarattu to new heights. I also decided to have a cold glass of buttermilk to beat the heat. My cousin had a dosai special - a ghee roast, which tasted like plain dosai to me.

I wanted to try a dessert just to complete the course. My sister recommended the kaasi halwa, which was mind-blowing. It was served hot, garnished with raisins, and had just the right level of sweetness to it. I was almost stoned I guess by the time we decided to get back to work.

Idly-Dosa is just a stone’s throw away from my place of work, which is a constant temptation. The menu presentation is neat and table service is commendable. You are given a fixed menu with the prices marked. You can select the items you want in the checkbox and place your order. The black and white décor with an open kitchen gives it a tasteful feel. The prices are not too steep and averages around Rs. 260/- for two people.

This is a nice haunt once in a while. However as a south Indian, I probably may not drop in too often, given that most menu items are made at home. Remember, no matter what anyone says, there is absolutely nothing in the world to beat the taste of a good home cooked meal.

Calvin's CLoud

2011-07-01T16:07:00.002+05:30

The best way to keep one's word is not to give it.

~Napoleon Bonaparte

Lunch at Kryptos

2011-06-28T23:04:00.007+05:30

Chennai seems to have grown with its multi-cuisine options. Mediterranean and Italian food seems to be the hot flavors in the city and you have ample choice to cater to your palate.

I met up with a friend of mine at Kryptos to catch up over lunch. We had earlier decided to go to Kobe, which is famous for its sizzlers until my friend from work managed to corrupt my brain with the mouth watering menu at this Greek restaurant. Naturally, in the last minute, I decided to move the venue to Kryptos and I was happy to have been there. Good company and good desserts.

The buffet has an array of salads for you to choose from or you could go alacarte. We were starving and certainly in no mood for salads. For starters, I ordered the vine leaves stuffed with rice. It was served warm, while I was used to having it a little cool. I was having this particular favourite after a long time and it brought me back warm memories of my university days in downtown Toronto. That was where my torrid love affair with Mediterranean flavors first began.

For the main course, my friend had the chicken pilaf, which he relished and attacked with great gusto. The spicy vegetables that accompanied his main course were very tasty and I could not help, but dig into his plate for this awesome side dish. Disappointingly, I could not say the same about my falafel wrap. I had asked for it to be served open and not wrapped. I think that was a mistake. I was not too happy with the hummus and they forgot to serve the yogurt, which I pointed out and was promptly served. The show stealer was the dessert, Panna Cotta, an Italian dessert (in a Greek restaurant) made from cream and served with glazed apricots or fruits of your choice. I have tried this recipe at home and have also uploaded it on my food blog. It is a tasty and simple dessert to make and you cannot go wrong with this one.

Vegetarians may not have a lot of options to pick and the place is pricey too. Lunch for two costs INR 1,500/-, which is quite on the higher end, given that we ordered only one starter and dessert and two different main courses. The non-vegetarians on the other hand may have a much better deal with the menu options, even though the price may be a setback. Service was excellent and round the clock. My colleague had suggested that I try the pilaf (rice variety) and the potatoes with a lemony flavour, which has a specific name, but I have obviously forgotten. This strongly suggests that there is a need for Kryptos Season 2 soon and complete the unfinished business.

On a personal note, nothing like good food and lovely music to bring people together. I was glad that we went home with a nice satisfied smile and dreaming of more good food to come.

Photograph: Taken at Langkawi, at a club

Calvin's CLoud

2011-06-27T23:58:00.005+05:30

Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake.

Victor Hugo (French romantic, poet, novelist, and dramatist) 1802-1885

Lunch at Anise, Taj Coromandel

2011-06-27T23:23:00.005+05:30

It was my friend Bharu and her mom's long pending birthday treat yesterday.I was excited when they told me they are taking me to Anise at the Taj. I had heard so much about it and had wished to attack the buffet atleast once.

I was dressed to kill if I may say so. In the end, it was the fabulous desserts at Anise that killed me. We were tempted with some spicy succulent paneer, pappadams, and pizza slices straight from the oven.

The buffet spread had a little of everything and not too much of anything. However, each item in the buffet was cooked to perfection.

Highlights were the tantalizing hummus, a brilliant karuvepillai-poondu kozhambu, mango brulee, tomato with corn and cheese, vegetables baked in white sauce, and spicy paneer. The fresh juice combination of pineapple and ginger was a big hit with the crowd. The freshness of the ginger hits your palate and energizes you completely. This will surely be a recipe for me to try out and upload on my food blog! I also had the spicy orange shot, which I believe had cayenne pepper. However, the strawberry shot was disappointing. In the end, ginger-pineapple ruled the floor.

We noticed that each of us had missed out one item or the other on the buffet and were puzzled. It did not take us much time to realize that the buffet was not strategically designed. Rather, not much thought was put into intuitively organizing the menu. Personally, I would have preferred a wide variety of starters to keep the appetite up and maybe, a more colorful main course. The different dips that accompanied the salad had no names, so no one knew what they were in for. That was a bit of an adventure, but no complaints there. You just tread carefully and take your chances!

Most importantly, the staff should have clearly set the vegetarian course away from the non-vegetarian menu including desserts. I noticed some guests crinkling their nose when they had to reach for a vegetarian course by walking past the seafood menu. To add to this, I had unwittingly placed a non-vegetarian dessert on my plate and had Bharu not pointed it out, I would had a disastrous luncheon to remember.

The service could have certainly been much better. My friend had to remind the waiter to get hot water a few dozen times.

Overall, it was a pleasant lunch. I had mastered the art of ordering right, so you can savour your meal and have pleasant memories for the rest of the ride. More than anything else, it is the company you keep that makes everything fun and beautiful.

So not surprisingly, we plan to go back again and have the special buffet with champagne.

Cheers!

Calvin's CLoud

2011-06-22T01:42:00.001+05:30

If you're a gifted flirt, talking about the price of eggs will do as well as any other subject.

~Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic's Notebook, 1960

Dream On by Aerosmith

2011-06-21T13:44:00.000+05:30

Every time that I look in the mirror,
All these lines on my face getting clearer.
The past is gone.
It went by like dusk to dawn.
Isn't that the way?
Everybody's got their dues in life to pay.

Yeah, I know nobody knows,
Where it comes and where it goes.
I know everybody sins.
You got to lose to know-oh how to win.

Half my life's in books' written pages,
Lived and learned from fools and from sages.
You know it's true.
All the things come back to you.

Sing with me, sing for the year.
Sing for the laughter, an' sing for the tear.
Sing it with me, if it's just for today.
Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will take you away.

Yeah, sing with me, sing for the year.
Sing for the laughter, an' sing for the tear.
Sing it with me, if it's just for today.
Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will take you away.

Dream on, dream on, dream on,
Dream until your dream come true.

Dream on, dream on, dream on,
Dream until your dream come true.

Sing with me, sing for the year.
Sing for the laughter, an' sing for the tear.
Sing it with me, if it's just for today.
Maybe tomorrow, the good Lord will take you away.

Calvin's CLoud

2011-06-18T00:24:00.005+05:30

Do I love you because you're so beautiful,
Or are you beautiful because I love you?

- Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, Cinderella

Night Shots

2011-06-06T21:33:00.005+05:30

The heat was unbearable today - my head was feeling hot, the water was hot, the floor was hot, and I was so burnt. By evening all that changed. It is blissful outside with the heavy thundershowers. Just when I had decided to wake up early and give Bobo a bath, the rain man made it all too easy for me.It is a wonderful life!

In all this rejoicing, the current, expectedly went off for a while. So it was candle lights lighting up different sections of the house. The light inspired to try some night shots.

Buddham Charanam Gacchami!

Calvin's CLoud

2011-06-06T21:29:00.001+05:30

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

- Steve Jobs

Signboards at McRitchie Reservoir, Singapore

2011-06-05T09:33:00.004+05:30

The McRitchie Reservoir is a must see for visitors. It is scenic and haunted by joggers, marathoners, and folks who come there to row.

It has numerous trails that you can walk or run through. It is by far, one of my favourite spots to visit in Singapore.

Calvin's CLoud

2011-06-05T08:09:00.001+05:30

A friend doesn't go on a diet because you are fat.
- Erma Bombeck

Yogi Bear (2011)

2011-06-04T21:51:00.011+05:30

I had not taken my mom out in a long time and decided that this weekend will be for her! So I surprised by booking her movie tickets to her favourite cartoon character and a promise to drop in at the KenKo Fish Spa Pedicure at Express Avenue. My mom loves Yogi Bear, though I am not such a huge fan.I LOVE Garfield. Had I not checked my email this morning, I would have missed this movie and surprised myself instead. Vee and Mo may not be surprised at all. Most folks still cannot fathom my absentmindedness and goof ball streak.

We picked up our tickets and then headed for the Kenko Fish Spa Pedicure, which my friend and his kids had been to the day before. For someone who does not enjoy any kind of massages, he was quite impressed with the after effect. That gave me the inspiration to drag my mom for this new experience.

Your feet is washed well , after which, you are directed to drop your feet in a tank full of tiny fishes, also known as Nibble fish or Doctor Fish that clean your feet by eating dead skin. It is also an established method of treatment for specific skin diseases.

Initially, I felt really creepy. It looked like a page out of Fear Factor on AXN. Then it became unbearably ticklish and then, like a physiotherapy session. With dozens of these tiny fishes swarming around your feet and nibbling away, it feels like an electric impulse that a patient is given during physiotherapy. After 15 minutes, when we took out feet out, our skin looked so clean, almost bleached, and soft. Now, we love it. It was a one of a kind experience. I highly recommend it and would most probably return soon for another fishy session.

I fell in love with the Foot Reflexology session that I had in To Pay Yoh, Singapore. The whole floor is manned by well trained men. It is completely relaxing and you will fall asleep in no time. If you are a first timer like me, you need to let them know, so that they do not apply too much pressure while massaging your feet. On the other hand, if you are a veteran like my brother, then it is a different level. Either way, it is a fantastic way to end your day after a long gruelling walk or run.

I am so addicted to it that I had another massage at a small centre in Langkawi, Malaysia. The girls were simply amazing. Do not let their small frame deceive you. They have immense strength in their hands, which can catch a well muscled man by surprise.

I am going to my next Foot Reflexology session at Kenko, Chennai. They have their base at Singapore. So this is going to be quite interesting to compare and contrast.

Next, mom and I headed back to the theatre, where we bought ourselves a medium sized buttered pop corn, 3D glasses, and settled in comfortably in our seats. The cinema hall had more grown ups in attendance than kids. You never know your target audience these days I guess. The movie was cute and hilarious. You will love Yogi Bear and Boo Boo. This is the kind of movie you should watch to unwind and have jolly good fun. It is just over an hour and a half.

Mom and I loved the movie. We have a deal. Mom does not enjoy movies with jarring audio. So we decided that animated movies should do the trick. They are colorful, funny, and light hearted. Her first movie in 15 years was King Fu Panda 1 and we still cant get over that cute panda. This year, we made the move from the Panda to the Bear - Yogi Bear!

In between all this fun, I had also sent Gerberas to Anju. They are such smiling, happy flowers. I could not arrange for a bouquet to be delivered on her birthday, so instead, I surprised her by having it sent today. She is a fabulous person and I am glad she loved the surprise.

Overall, it has been a day to remember!

Note: Images have been sourced from the internet.

Calvin's CLoud

2011-05-14T17:16:00.001+05:30

Spiteful words can hurt your feelings but silence breaks your heart.

How They Found Osama

2011-05-09T11:14:00.003+05:30

Calvin's CLoud

2011-03-23T12:41:00.001+05:30

If people are truly, madly, deeply in love with each other, they will find a way.

Justice Delayed is not Justice Denied

2011-03-22T14:29:00.007+05:30

My colleague Revathi is a case in point and a true inspiration for all of us. Unless you fight for your rights and persevere to see it through till the end, you cannot aspire to get what you set out to achieve.

In her case, it was very clear. Revathi was not interested in getting a compensation from the government, she wanted accountability. Kudos to her and to the Human Rights Commission - it might be a cliche, but certainly holds good - Justice delayed is not justice denied.

Shame on the police department for their smug irresponsible behaviour. I am more concerned about illiterate citizens; will their voice ever be heard? They will probably beaten black and blue and slapped with a wrong case.

What I really appreciated about the judgement was the accountability of key police officials to whom a copy of the judgement was handed out. Leadership is about leading by example. By bringing senior officials into the picture, it has set a precedent for other teams should act in such a manner.

Citizens are not fools and you cannot take everyone for granted. In this case, the cop was in for a surprise since he underestimated my colleague. In totality, accountability takes place at three levels - the affected citizen, the cops who should persevere to address the complaint, and the judicial system that should hand out a judgement that is commensurate with the nature of the crime.

Even if one fails, everything will fall apart. The blame game continues.

Calvin's CLoud

2011-03-20T22:15:00.002+05:30

The key is to get to know people and trust them to be who they are. Instead, we trust people to be who we want them to be- and when they're not, we cry.

Jinxed

2011-03-19T08:28:00.003+05:30

For a confessed foodie who loves to cook, it need not always be well meaning in the kitchen. Trying to impress my finicky, but lovable guest was the start of a disastrous venture. I am not the pasta, cream cheese kind. I mean I love continental, but I don't really relish it every night for dinner. I am hooked to simple rotis, dal, paneer, and some tangy salad or better still, go Mediterranean all the way!

Maybe, this particular guest-host combo was jinxed. Last time it was the Pitle which came out like Dhokla. This time, the noodles topped with vegetables and a spicy sauce, which was what I originally had in mind, came out like mashed noodles. I was on the verge of tears, and I still feel embarrassed about it.

I have already blogged this recipe I guess, but here's goes:
I dint get pasta from any of the stores near my house, and I decided to buy Hakka noodles instead. I had boiled and noodles and washed it under cold water. But time was running out and I needed to get the main course done, except that I should have realised I could have put the sauce and the noodles together when we were done with the starters and the chit-chat. But I dint. Instead, I proceeded to add the half drained noodles to my sauce and once it was cooked, added mozzarella on top and allowed it to cook slowly until the cheese melted and made your mouth water. It din't end there. Instead of warming the food and serving it, for some unknown reason, I decided to turn it around and mix it and you had MASH. (I loved Alan Alda in it, what a series that was!)

All I needed to do, as my friend smugly put it, was dump the noodles in the fridge to firm it up. Worse still, until I told him it was noodles, he assumed that it was the spaghetti gone wrong! That was some compliment.

Dream Interpretations

2011-02-27T13:26:00.003+05:30

Ever wondered what a recurring dream signifies? Dream interpretation is a controversial subject. Some believe there are no interpretations to dreams; it is after all just an extension of your subconsciousness, remnants following your day to day activities or events that took place in your life. However, there are those who believe strongly that dreams hold symbolic truth to your life. It could be lack of faith or sheer ignorance that does not allow you to study your dream and use it well.

Yesterday, I met a friend of mine who said that she suffered from dreams of flying snakes, symbolizing loneliness. It could do a lot with your current state of mind or the direction in which your life is at that moment. I keep dreaming of dogs all the time! I think interpretation of dreams does have some meaning, because they project your inner consciousness, which is expressed symbolically or otherwise!

Calvin's CLoud

2011-01-07T21:02:00.001+05:30

With what a deep devotedness of woeI wept thy absence - o'er and o'er again
Thinking of thee, still thee, till thought grew pain,
And memory, like a drop that, night and day,
Falls cold and ceaseless, wore my heart away!
~Thomas Moore

A Few of my Favourite Things That I Miss

2011-01-06T21:19:00.005+05:30

A lovely cup of tea at my favourite tea shop

A lovely drive to take in the peace and beauty of the backwaters

A long night drive with the moon

A lovely dinner at Kayyendi Bhavan under the stars

Long conversations

Long endless road trips

Oneness with Nature during treks

The beauty of a single rose

Hot vadas on the Pondicherry highway

Set Yourself Free

2011-01-06T21:16:00.000+05:30

Even though you may want to move forward in your life, you may have one foot on the brakes. In order to be free, we must learn how to let go.

Release the hurt.
Release the fear.

Refuse to entertain your old pain.
The energy it takes to hang onto the past is holding you back from a new life.

What is it you would let go of today?
--Mary Manin Morrissey author

Calvin's CLoud

2011-01-04T19:24:00.002+05:30

To be trusted is a greater compliment than being loved.

-George MacDonald

Locus of Control Test Results

2010-12-30T11:25:00.001+05:30

Locus of Control Test Results

Internal Locus (48%) Individual believes that their life is defined more by their decisions and internal drive.
External Locus (52%) Individual believes that their life is defined more by genetics, environment, fate, or other external factors.

Take Free Locus of Control Test
personality tests by similarminds.com

Who Moved My Cheese?

2010-12-28T08:25:00.005+05:30

Dr. Spencer Johnson's, 'Who Moved My Cheese?' is one of the most exaggerated best sellers I have ever read. I honestly do not believe in picking up such books authored by the gurus who seem to know the answer to all your problems. It was however curiosity that prompted me to buy the literature including the 'i highly recommend it' phrase from a few of my colleagues.

Boy, was I disappointed! Like most of his critics, I must agree that Dr.Johnson has not said anything different or new that we would not already know. It is plain common sense. Change is constant. You either adapt or lose the game. Depending on your goals, that is what you want, where you want to be, you need to revisit your thinking, strategy, and execution. You don't need four ridiculous characters, two mice and two humans to deliver the crux of your subject.

I was groaning in dismay by the time I reached the last page of the book. The man is certainly lucky to have a best seller on this hand or rather people are desperate for solutions that they resort to anything even when the solution lies right in front of them.

However, I will certainly recommend 'The One Minute Manager' - an idealistic concept these days, but if there are organisations and upcoming managers who would like to evolve as good leaders, this book can certainly offer you a few pointers!

Calvin's CLoud

2010-12-27T22:21:00.004+05:30

I was thrown out of college for cheating on the metaphysics exam; I looked into the soul of the boy sitting next to me.”

- Woody Allen (American actor, Author, Screenwriter)

Three Cups of Tea

2010-12-26T23:10:00.004+05:30

I came to the book shop with the sole purpose of picking up a story book for my friend's daughter, who turned four today. However, with my latest passion for baking, I was caught up in the Cook Book section, and then wandered around the rest of the floor, and by chance picked up Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin's, Three Cups of Tea.

It is fascinating to read about strangers whom you will never meet, but have acheived so much. Most of the time, we are sure of what we want to achieve, and set out to reach that goal and yet, you know how invincible and small you are in Nature's presence, and grudgingly accept destiny's plans for you.

In 1993, Greg Mortenson's failed attempt to climb the K2, one of the deadliest mountains in the world, turns in to a life altering change both for the village of Korphe, and the personal life of Mortenson. Dehydrated and almost dead, the warmth and love extended by the people of Korphe moves Mortenson beyond imagination. He promises to come back to this remote village in Pakistan to build a school for its children who cannot afford a teacher, because it cost the village a dollar a month. Instead, the teacher is shared between two villages for a few days in the week. Most children do not even have the basic essentials, a village wrapped in poverty, yet magnanimous in spirit and kindness, finds a loyalist in an American who returns to keep his promise and goes on to build more than fifty-five schools in the remote, breathtaking, and forbidding landscape of Pakistan and Afghanistan, just as the Taliban rose to power.

It is a story of courage, endurance, and single minded devotion to a land that meant nothing to a climber, but goes on to become his family and life long teacher.

"Here we drink three cups of tea to do business: the first you are a stranger, the second you become a friend, and the third you join our family, and for our family we are prepared to do anything - even die."

- Haji Ali, Korphe Village Chief, Karakoram Mountains, Pakistan

Calvin's CLoud

2010-12-26T23:05:00.004+05:30

Let nothing perturb you, nothing frighten you. All things pass. God does not change. Paitence achieves everything.
- Mother Teresa

People

2010-12-25T22:56:00.006+05:30

Some relationships are bound to fall apart. You know the signs, you see them, try to fix it, and in the end, it just was never meant to be. Is it for the best? You will never know. Only time will tell, I suppose.

My good friend of five years and I are no longer bound by the chains of friendship. It had been tumultuous year for both of us, marked by constant fights, misunderstandings, mean comments - the perfect recipe for a disaster. In a fit of anger, we say things we are bound to regret and by the time you realise it, you are too late to change the course of things.

It hits you really hard when the person you expect so much from lets you down. Understandable, but not completely unforgivable. If the only solution is to block people out of your lives over such issues, you probably will not be able to handle any relationship, be it personal or at work, with ease.

We both said things that should not have been said in the first place. I tried to make it up to her, I guess for now, she has called it quits.

As someone said, 'Shit Happens. That's life.'

Calvin's CLoud

2010-12-25T22:49:00.002+05:30

I'm not even going to get mad anymore. I'm just going to learn to expect the lowest out of the people I thought the highest of .

- Anonymous

Food, Passion, and Photography

2010-12-19T22:26:00.002+05:30

I baked an eggless chocolate sponge cake today. The cake came out burnt on the top, but cooked deliciously inside. It had just the right level of sweetness to it and the aroma that filled the house was nothing less than brilliant.

I am passionate about food and photography. But not passionately driven to pursue it everyday. I blame it on work most of the time. The drive to work and back is a sheer killer.

But I know for sure now that the subject of food is something I love and respect. Not everyone can cook. I personally think you need to have a flair for cooking, understand the flavors, and use them innovatively. If possible, one day, I will have my salad bar, and a mix of cheese olives, sandwiches and baked pies.

Food brings people together and breaks the barriers. That is why, I think cooking should be from the heart and it will show when you present the food to your group. For me, it has always been from the heart. It offers you the greatest satisfaction to see another human being enjoy and get intoxicated in your creation. It is this expression of joy that pushes you to achieve greater heights.

Another influence in the food section as been the Masterchef Australia series. I especially enjoyed the Celebrity Challenge episodes. I saw some mind blowing stuff on the show apart from getting a few tips as well. Maybe I will put up my own food photographs in the salad bar!

For now, the game plan is to cook one dish a week, photograph the creation, upload, and enjoy it with the world.

Regina Brett, Age: 90 From Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohia

2010-12-16T22:25:00.000+05:30

Written by a REALLY smart 90 year old. This is something we should all read at least once a week!!!!! Make sure you read to the end!!!!!! Written by years old, of the
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.It is the most requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more":

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends andparents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheque.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what theirjourney is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; Godnever blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, willthis matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you didor didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'dgrab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come...
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

A House Full of Kids

2010-12-05T11:17:00.001+05:30

I am sitting at my friend's house right in the middle of a bunch of boisterous kids. The youngest one bullys the elder ones, who whine and scream that K did this Chitthi, K did that, she is hiting me with an umbrella and a long list of unending complaints.

Its been a long time since I spent time with children. I used to conduct workshops for kids for a short period and we had such fun!

While most mothers may groan and sigh about the messy house and broken items strewn around the living room, to the outsider like me, it is still a pleasurable sight (ofcourse, I am not the one who is going to do the cleaning up). Sometimes, the imperfections seem so delightful than a spick and span house that almost looks close to a museum.

On a tv show, In the Actor's Studio, one of the popular answers to the question, "Which noise or sound do you love?", it has been, "Children's voices or laughter".

I cant agree more. The innocence, charm, and wicked glinting eyes never fails to melt your heart. You smile, groan, and enjoy it all like a delicious burger!

Calvin's CLoud

2010-12-05T09:37:00.000+05:30

Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.

Ambrose Bierce

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's The Palace of llusions

2010-12-05T08:40:00.002+05:30

The Mahabharata and Ramayana alike have continued to awe inspire and catch our imagination for years. As a child in India, at least my generation and the preceding generations grew up on a healthy dose of fabulous, fascinating stories of mythology. Everyday, the ritual between the mother or grandparents with the children continue, each delighting in their own roles as the story teller, much the magician wielding the magic wand over their audience held in rapture, completely hypnotized by the magical spell of words.

I had never really heard about the book until my sister-in-law strongly recommended it. She is a voracious reader and has a good taste for books. I knew right away, that this is one book I am never going to put down until I have consumed every word from start to finish.

The Palace of Ilusions, is the Mahabharata retold from Draupadi's point of view, a woman who is brought into this world to fulfill a certain destiny. She is a magical child, destiny's child who erupts from the fire, builds her reputation as a precursor to destruction over which she has no control, and a young woman who is trapped in a world of emotions as any young woman should be. There is also the familiar saas-bahu element, with Kunti stating her position and dominance in the household, and Draupadi, the new fire brand daughter-in-law, who seeks to establish her position among the husbands and mother-in-law.

The book has been beautifully written in first person, with Draupadi as the narrator, the story behind her birth, the twists and turns in her growing up years, culminating in death and destruction. The narration is interspersed with her mixed emotions, as an ordinary woman wondering about her own feelings for her husbands and vice-versa, caught in a strange marital arrangement, trapped by destiny with absolutely no space to overturn what is in store for her and the Pandya clan.

I loved the easy narrative style of the book and of course, for me, it was the Epic and the perspective of the narration that enthralled me. I have always wondered what it means to be married to five men, each with a different personality, wants, and needs. How does this lone woman handle the relationships and what really does she share with them beyond the traditional boundary of man and wife? Was she unhappy for being pushed in to this arrangement or was it really destiny that dictated the course of events? What is her real identity as Draupadi beyond this? Divakaruni pushes the boundaries by giving Draupadi her fair share as an ordinary woman who constantly fights to find her place in the world.

Though I have also been told that the five husbands are also symbolic of the pancha boothas and there is a higher spiritual meaning to the characters, for now, I am content living in the Palace of Ilusions.

Calvin's CLoud

2010-12-04T20:25:00.000+05:30

Don't be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetime, is certain for those who are friends.

~Richard Bach

The Mother in Law's New Avatar

2010-11-26T14:47:00.001+05:30

Often, my friend's mobile is engaged whenever we try to reach her. Now that got us curious. From what we know, CI is a happily married woman blessed with a beautiful little girl. She seems contented, happy, and accepting of her little world.

On Fridays', our brain is usually asleep and only wakes up to some mischievous thoughts or maybe brain dead conversations. So this Friday, we decided to question her on her long calls. Is it another man? or after being married for such a long time, is she still romancing her husband? There is nothing wrong with that. But you see him at dawn and at dusk everyday. Will that not do?

Since she seems sweet and polite, I decided to prod her a little more and find out what she does to keep her relationship glowing. Is it candle light dinners, or maybe soft music? Does it get better than is?

Her answer took me by surprise. Cozying up when no one is around is no fun. It is in fact the most easiest things to do. But cozying right under your mother-in-law's nose is thrilling and heightens the romance between her husband and her. Wow, that is certainly a thought. There is an element of thrill there. Smugness too.

In the Mother-in-Law's new avatar, she may not realise it, but she maybe the unaware Angel.

Calvin's CLoud

2010-11-23T23:44:00.002+05:30

For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move.

Robert Louis Stevenson

Back to FLickr

2010-11-21T00:01:00.010+05:30

After a long spell, I am back to flickr. For some reason, I had lost the enthusiasm to capture the moments on my digicam that follows me everywhere. Blame it on work, or the stress of driving down a solid 40kms to work and back, I had lost interest in my favourite hobby: photography.

The spell was broken by AFJ's lomogrpahy pursuits, which she is absolutely excited about. AFJ has been doing her home work on the basics of photography and has been religiously sharing reference links on her new found love. I was infected by the virus. I did my share of exploration and research, clicking away with different settings. I absolutely loved the entire experience.

Today, Chennai woke up to a drowsy start because of the monsoon. I woke up to raindrops and was reminded of the famous song, Raindrops are Falling on my Head and I decided to photograph a few things around my house starting with an all time favourite subject, Raindrops.

I immediately uploaded the pictures on Flickr, and also joined Groups on Flickr and learn a little bit more about art and photography if you fancy it. I joined a few Flower groups because nature's best subjects. You will be surprised to see what your camera caught in those magical shoots.

I have only AFJ to thank for this renewed interest. So thank you!

Calvin's CLoud

2010-11-20T23:55:00.002+05:30

I was never one to patiently pick up broken fragments and glue them together again and tell myself that the mended whole was as good as new. What is broken is broken -- and I'd rather remember it as it was at its best than mend it and see the broken places as long as I lived.
- Margaret Mitchell

What's Cooking?

2010-11-11T07:30:00.000+05:30

Usually on my last day of vacation at my brother's place, I make a lovely dinner for my family. We are all foodies and love to try out new things. I dote on my brother, because he hardly complains and consumes just about everything I prepare.

This time, I kept the meal very simple for want of time. I made mildly flavoured masoor dal, mixed vegetables sauted in Indian spices, grated carrot and bell pepper salad, stuffed capsicum, rotis, and baby corn fritters.

I quite liked the way the dishes turned out and my family loved it as well. My family is honest about my food experiements, so yes, you can take their word for it. (Incase you are wondering, this is Turkish/Mediterenean meal of hummus, falafel, tangy salad, and rice at a Turkish restuarant in Northampton)

Food brings people together and fosters long lasting relationships. The quality of the food is also affected by the attitude of the chef. A deep commitment and love for making the most tastlicious dishes for a bunch of lovely people does wonders to your dish as opposed to cooking for the heck of it and stuffing it down your food pipe.

My dream job would be to get paid to travel across the globe exploring vegetarian cuisine, desserts, and making a long list of Kodak moments along the way. Travel writer, foodie, chef, crazy, photographer, yeah that's me baby!

Amen!

Calvin's CLoud

2010-11-11T07:06:00.001+05:30

Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie.

~Jim Davis

What Ever Happened to Good Food?

2010-11-10T22:17:00.007+05:30

I was so put off by the veggie fare that was served on Singapore Airlines (SQ). It was tasteless. I am not sure which one was worse - the meal served on my onward journey or the return flight.

While I cannot quite recollect the entree and the main course, I certainly remember the semolina dessert, which was a complete no-no and the

tasteless bread I have ever been served in my life!

On our return leg, we were served half cooked okras with rice, and dal as the main course. The so called spicy bread was spice-less, and the half-boiled channa with spices was cold and had to be thrown out. The only life saver may have been the dessert - chocobar, which I declined, because I was just put off by the meal.

I personally think, the best meals are the ones that are simple, tastes great, and gives you the comfort of a home cooked meal. Is there a phobia among chefs and non-vegetarians about the numerous healthy, tasty, vegetarian meals that can be cooked in a jiffy?

Even a simple meal of rotis, well cooked dal with a slight lemony twist, followed by spicy potato curry, can be a great hit with customers. Better still, you can also serve up a lovely mix of Mediterranean cuisine, which is by far my most favourite.

The market is flooded with yummy breads, croissants, and what not. Why serve flat, hard bread lacks personality? You can serve fresh cut fruits, salad, or flavoured yogurt too. For dessert, options are plenty, starting with caramel custard, chocolate cake, muffins, brownies, to ice-creams, or milk based sweets.

It is embarrassing to observe that even Air-India Express, a budget airline, serves tastier meals, than its elite competitor.

Understanding your customers, the cultural flavors, popular dishes, will certainly give the quality and choice of menu a whole new meaning.

For those of you who love everything and anything about food, you must watch MasterChef Australia. Its a brilliant show and very well conceived. I can promise you, most often, the judges can surprise you with their expectations or what customers expect.

SQ, are you listening?

Calvin's CLoud

2010-11-10T22:15:00.001+05:30

Great passions, my dear, don't exist: they're liars fantasies. What do exist are little loves that may last for a short or a longer while.

Anna Magnani

A Disastrous Month

2010-11-10T19:57:00.004+05:30

Phew! My family and friends constantly wonder how I manage to go through my life and survive these catastrophies everyday.

This month has by far, been the worst!

Lost my Spore Evisa copy at Krabi
Left my suitcase at my brother's place
Left my house keys at work
Forgot to close the tap to my washing machine
Momentarily forgot where I parked my car
Got locked out of my car a few times on the same day
Dropped the car keys under the car and called the Service Station who found it for me (under the car)
Safely stored my baggage keys and forgot where it was put away

That's all I remember for now. The list will be updated as the month goes by and I commit one blunder after another.

Calvin's CLoud

2010-11-01T06:24:00.000+05:30

We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aid, but an infinite expectation of the dawn.

- Henry Thoreau

My Travel Blog

2010-09-11T14:37:00.004+05:30

After much thought, I have decided to publish my travels in my exclusive Travel Blog, rather than maintain the mosaic culture in my current blog.

I know this is a crazy move. I probably have about five to six blogs now. Posts in each blog are staggered depending on my mood, I guess. On that note, I think, this should be alright.

Calvin's CLoud

2010-08-23T13:59:00.000+05:30

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.

- Albert Schweitzer

Tasty Punjabi food at the Icarus, Chennai

2010-08-23T06:13:00.005+05:30

I had never heard about this place. I don't think I have known a lot of lesser known places because I live in a self-sufficient part of the city abundant with supermarkets, gyms, restaurants, retail outlets and so on. Before you jump to conclusions, I am not a millionaire. I just live in a convenient location with access to most facilities you will regularly require. So every time I get an opportunity to look beyond my comfortable boundaries, I usually go for it without a second thought. When it comes to experimenting with food, I am just a sucker for it.

Long time back, a friend of mine whom I had not seen in a while decided to catch up and he had promised to take me out for lunch for some awesome roti and subzi (Indian bread and vegetables )fare. I am nuts about north Indian food and can have it any time of the day, all the time.

Now Icarus is not one of your fancy joints in the city. It is infact one of the oldest establishments in old Chennai. It is placed right opposite the Madras Museum. You can park your car in the parking lot under the bridge and walk it up to Icarus in two minutes. You have to walk up a narrow flight of stairs to the second floor. The ambiance is plain and simple, yet homely and comfortable. The service is good and the place was not crowded when I landed there during a weekday lunch time.

We ordered jal-jeera pani served with a squeeze of lime. We started of with hot hot chapatis served immediately as they are made with a dash of ghee, accompanied by paneer butter masala (an old favourite), which was out of this world. The paneer (cottage cheese), I was told, was home-made, which explains why it tasted so fresh and soft. It almost willingly, lovingly offered itself the moment my tongue made contact with the cottage cheese. We also had a nice simple salad to go with it.

Their sarson ka saag (finely ground mustard-greens seasoned with spices), dal makhani, and parathas are supposed be one of the best you can get in the city. For some reason, I missed them out. I guess, its a good thing to leave a few things behind, so you can go back for them and get more in the bargain!

I cant remember what else we ordered, because this trip happened quite a while ago. But I do remember that the bill for two was Rs.350.

Icarus scores a perfect ten for value for money, quality, and quantity. Ditch the ambiance and enjoy the journey.

Be sure to drop in, should you be in the area.

Icarus is located at:

No 60 2nd Floor

Pantheon Road

Egmore, Chennai

Ph: +(91)-(44)-28546992

Landmark: Opposite Madras Museum

Calvin's CLoud

2010-08-23T06:07:00.004+05:30

You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don't make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can't take their eyes off you.
Maya Angelou

The Best Chappathis and Aloo Baaji

2010-08-22T23:27:00.006+05:30

I simply love chapatis with spicy aloo curry, a cup of curd, a cup of crunchy salad, and some nice mango pickle to complement the main course. It makes your day. Simple, tasty, and memorable. That's what good food is all about. If it done with passion, you will keep coming back for more.

I know of three people in my life who can make some of best chapatis I have ever feasted on.

My cousin sister Kappi (that's my pet name for her), who has relocated from Mumbai to Chennai, my aunt from Mumbai (Perima), and my Guju colleague's mom (Dev D), are the top contenders in the Chapati making category. The Chapatis are delicate and extremely soft, that they melt like butter in your mouth. Some like to grease the top of the Chapati with a dash of ghee for that extra flavour and keep it extra soft, making it irresistible to stop with three or four chapatis.

I have tried making chapatis, but I have been quite a failure at rolling them out evenly. Every time I roll them out, you can see south Africa, India, Australia, and other continents taking shape. I have not given up yet. But I can prepare a fantastic dough with the perfect proportion, even better than my Mom (much to her awe and surprise).

The lovely accompaniment of aloo curry (potato curry) mashed and cooked well with lovely freshly ground spices, with a zing of lime juice, just heightens your senses. With other crunchy additions like a simple tomato-onion-cucumber salad, thick curd, and the pickle makes it a completely surreal experience. I just experienced one today!

My mom had decided to take a kitchen-break and headed for my cousin's place for lunch, while I had to make do with whatever was available in the kitchen for the day. My cousin is one of the best cooks I have been associated with and was not the one to give this opportunity a miss. So I put my foot down and announced my grand arrival for lunch. You can imagine the rest of this I love food story. We had a happy host and a thrilled guest who blessed her host with a lifetime of peace and happiness for sharing such a wonderful rainy Sunday afternoon with simple, delicious dishes, made straight from the heart

This was undoubtedly one of the best days of my life!

Calvin's CLoud

2010-08-22T18:23:00.003+05:30

Never go on trips with anyone you don't love.

- Ernest Hemingway