Summer Cool

Got the first batch of small green mangoes for maavadu. The cart was right across our apartment.

Celebrated Navy's star birthday yesterday with home made coconut cookies and gifted him, among other things, the grand finale to the Earth's Children series. I cannot believe I kept off the book for the last 2 months since I wanted it to stay a surprise for him.

Anush went on her maiden solo shopping expedition to the neighbourhood Nilgiris. I could not resist following her, of course, at an appropriate distance. Once she completed the task, i revealed myself and she was not pleased ;-)

Play Time

Some very interesting plays on air

There is one by Shuba Mudgal- Stories in Song
Katha Collage with Naserrudin Shah
Another week long fest sponsored by Deccan Herald

Then there is Kahaani and Paan Singh Tomar - two movies that seem like must watch ones.

Behind the scenes

Anushka talked about the Ramoji Film City in Show and Tell in school. She had preserved the ticket booklet as a souvenir.

There is more demystification of cinema and various other products- thanks to the net, TV channels such as TLC and places such as these. But there is also less romance/ charm as a result.

Dancing to Kolaveri

As I recall, my first school picnic had been to Gannavaram airport and the Krishna river side near Vijayawada.

Anush had a wonderful time at her picnic at the Jade resort in Devanahalli. They seem to have eaten a lot as well as played a lot. She won some prize as well for one of the games.

The sore point-
She found it 'unfair' that her team got Kolaveri Di for the dance session they had! To me Kolaveri is a catchy song though some of the words are not okay for kids, but if they don't get the meaning and only use it while humming the song, then I am fine with it. I was surprised that her entire class ( as per her) did not find this song to be a likable dance number.

As some would say, "Good taste-u di" !

Chance Shot

Anush had placed the honey noodles like this. I thought it was nice composition.

And i cant believe we are only one month away from Aditi's second birthday. Here is a pic for that.

She has learnt to say Namaste, counts well till twelve, tries to repeat any word in any language used, has specific tastes in clothes!

Cat in the Hat on TV

Just caught a promo on TV as I was browsing-Cat in the Hat on TV? How cool is that?

There is a new slot for kids on Disney called Disney Junior that promises a bit more appropriate/ interesting programs for younger kids.

In our household, it an assortment of some Ceebebies, a few TLC and Chota Bheem that are watched by Anushka. Aditi is not into TV ( luckily) though she loves the theme song of In the night garden.

Will surely try this channel at least for the Suess stuff they air...

Of False and Falls and Highs

Saw Swami Nithyananda at the airport and was amazed at the security measures that were in place

Aditi had her first fall-off the low diwan madam rolled!
More alarmed than hurt. Thank God.
Reminded me that I cannot even for a brief while use big baby to baby sit small baby.

And yipee we got a book we do not have from Tulika for just being a part of the blogathon-Black board- a bilingual (Hindi)

Am back to my marketing role partially and found that my ppts are still well appreciated!

What is on?

........... your cell/ computer screen?

After Anush it has always been a pic of her as the bckgd on both screens.

Post Aditi, I had a pic of both of them together till last weekend.

Now I have a pic of Aditi solo.

As expected, Anush noticed and asked me about it- she was very comfy with my explanation that between the computer and the cell phone one would have a pic of each of them, else there would be a combo pic of theirs. . .It is lovely that a child can be so understanding.

Another of those " I feel blessed" moment.

*******

I was very impressed with The Hindu. They have withdrawn the Dow Corning chief sponsorship of the upcoming November Music Fest, due to readers' complaints. That must be a lot of loss of revenue and removing the sponsor's name from ads, pops, etc must be taxing.

Paper boats etc

Anush is adept at making paper boats ( I learnt to make them only a couple of years ago!!) and fans. She is learning to make rockets as well and specs ( like the four cups we would make in school- anyone remember that?) . But formal origami is something that she has not yet taken to. I think that can wait a while.

Kreeda had organised a cool event with a coffee pub in Chennai. Of course I missed it. If any of you made it, please update!

While on papers, just started buying the paper Mint. It is refreshingly different from The Hindu. Do any of you read it or do you prefer BL or ET or FE?

Have resumed reading aloud some random newspaper article daily to Anushka. I think she is just the right age and usually asks some questions and picks up words as well. Earlier she did not have the patience to sit through them.

Go green articles are often accompanied by a visual of Vidya Balan carrying a Tulasi plant- all nice but did she have to have a plastic pot instead of a clay/ mud/ terracotta or even a ceramic one??

Chuk Chuk gaadi

Anushka is down with fever since last evening. The doc was reassuring but I cannot help being a little panic stricken. Hope she gets well soon. I hate to see kids ill.

But she was a bundle of energy as usual and we made this train yesterday to pep her up further.

On the lines of Mad Rob of Pogo and Art Attack on Nick(?) , is Mister Maker- who comes up with truly doable stuff. But as always, some of the suggested craft material, which is supposed to be recycled garbage, needs to be bought in our case!! eg. Pringles for the train, plastic dabba for the ship. . .

Monster man with noodle hair

Just concluded reading yet another Jack Reacher novel- One shot- very interesting and quick read.

Any takers?

Have any of you seen the Rakhi Sawant swayamvar?

The suitors seem to enjoy making asses of themselves ( okay barring a couple who retain some dignity)

Sample this:
Asks the host- How can you afford Rakhi for a wife on your salary ?
Oh no problem - my papa has pots of money!!!

Rakhi loves playing coy and demure. So one suitor says- Rakhijee you are so like Sita!!

And they all try to act that they are mighty serious about the whole thing. I shall miss this serial when it concludes within the month .

Make sure that you catch at least one episode of India's cutting edge comedy show on the Idiot box.

Tell me if you could sit through all of it and whether you waited for 9pm the next day .... be honest now - sacchi mucchi and all that

My 600th Post

Saw Naadodigal- a rustic tale of friends to the rescue of lovers and how they feel let down. First half is simply superb, the second half in its attempt to give a message is a drag. Also it is inconsistent and difficult to believe that a friend who turned to you for help, will suddenly shun you completely. I also fundamentally disagree with the thought that marriages are meant to be forever at any cost- if they go bad it may be better to call it off. Anyway definitely worth a watch. The cast is fantastic. The music is good.

An Anushism I want to place on record- " Amma this elaneer ( tender coconut) is cut very well. Superb na , the coconut boss is?"
Me- "Did u say Boss Anush?"
Anush-" Yes amma, I don't know his name, I can't call him sir, so I can call him boss na"
.....Something she had noticed her Dad doing . . .

Michael Jackson is dead. I am not very sad but I loved his music back then.
Revisited an old biography of his that my mother had gifted me in school- I noticed that I had highlighted two things that long ago- that he was a vegetarian and that he loved the Carpenters . . . anything to feel linked to MJ those days.

And yes, this is my 600th post!!

The New Miller of Dee

Did you hear of the coolie/ labourer who donated Rs 5K as his part of the nation's debt money to the PM Fund. He wants his name off the list of debtors and would like the PM to consult him before taking any more loans.

This man is exemplary in his simplicity and his integrity.
If all of us began to feel that way would it not be wonderful for India and for us?

For those who wish to know more about The Miller of the Dee

Of Super singers and dancers

Vijay Supersinger grande finale was far from grand and what did they mean by repeating the same clip some 3 times in the beginning? DD was loud and there was no sync between the anchors.

Between Ajeesh and Ravi, I though Ravi was better but Ajesh won. Anyway if music directors/ talent scouts watch these shows, then Ravi and Ranjani both will get their glory someday.

Was very happy to see Jhalak dikhla ja III being won by Baichung. Yes, Gauhar was a better dancer of the 3 finalists but if dance is all that counts then it should have been Hard Kaur!!

What's cooking?

There was a time when Yan can cook was the word on Chinese cooking- I used to chant " If Yan can cook, so can I" Honestly how many of you did that?

Now I watch Kylie Kwong- she is engaging and exotic, an Australian Chinese and though I am vegetarian I cannot but be enthralled by her descriptions of non vegetarian cooking.

Another favourite on food ( not really on cooking) is the show Highway on my plate , along the lines of Hairy bikers.

And if you think of gastroporn then who else but Nigella ? I love her stuffing herself at the end of the episode as the credits roll, predictable as it has become.

And further down on the list is Kunal's The foodie show

Have you seen any or all of these? Any more you wish to introduce me to?

Hopes

Does anyone know where I can find jig saw glue in Chennai or even India? The kind you apply on the top so that you can carry it without breaking it up for framing- In case you wonder why I wish to frame it- that is what I have been doing for years with puzzles that are over 1000 pieces. Hope one of you help me find it.

Last night we saw Super Singer on Vijay TV. Ranjani was awesome. She happens to be my favourite contestant. Hope she becomes a professional play back singer whether she wins or not.

Hope you guys catchup with Mister Muthu in Chandamama . The website just has a new episode now. See side bar for the link.

It drizzled early on in the morning- a welcome start to the day. Hope the weather stays cool...

Wonder of water

Have you noticed water fountains at malls, multiplexes, restaurants and so on? I see many kids and sometimes adults trying to touch the water. In most instances, I wonder what prompts them to touch this filthy water? Often smelly as well.

But

When you feel the first drops of rain

Drink chilled water from the fridge as you get back home in summer

Stand beneath the waterfall ( Kumbakara comes to my mind)

Or you see an ad like this one, then the magic of water hits you.

My dear Paprazzi

They follow you. They hound you. They can be very persuasive. They can irritate as well. They make your life heaven or hell- whatever they want it to be.

Anush - my own multitasking "Paapa* "-razzo- Anush.
She rules my life and how!
When I am not at work, she will follow me everywhere. She does not even spare my most private loo moments.
She is on the prowl for any door I leave open. Ransacks all the things in the closet- skeletons or not.
She monitors what I eat and wants it too.
She even expects me to tell her my husband's whereabout. God forbid if she sees me resting my head on Navy. She raises a big hue and cry about it.

As I said, she does rule my life and I love it !

* paapa ( baby in Tamil).

gullible me?

ASSUME YOU LIKE TWO BRANDS EQUALLY....

would you PREFER a brand because brad pitt claims he wears it ...or shah rukh closer home?

would you not buy it now because sachin or yuvraj endorse it? ( given their world cup performance)

Max you will notice a brand because of these ambassadors

whom are the marketers kidding? why don't they invest in better products rather than waste our money on the"celebrities"

Happy Feet

Saw Happy Feet . Finally. It is so cute. Adorable misfit ( tone deaf and fuzzy ) turns into the hero. It reminds one of Jonathan Livingston Seagull - a bird that dares to be different from the pack and is ostrasized for it before it finally braves the odds and proves to be of use to the community. And I did not know so much about penguins. The father nurtures and the moms go out fishing. I loved the songs, all of them. Anush did not watch the film as i had hoped she would. But she was drawn to the dances and the peppier songs. She has taken to doing whirls and shaking her arms about in a more defined dance.


More on Anush. She repeats the choicest things from what I say.

• I said" You must move your butt in or you will fall off the chair" She chanted "butt" again and again in great delight.
• "Are you eating vada, baby?" - she kept saying" vada baby"
• I was on the phone and said "Wow" to my MIL and Anush went woooooooowwwww! in the very same congratulatory tone

She did the most moving thing last night. I get pampered by my mother with a head massage, weekly once. I get the oil and the comb and then the moda. I was just fetching the former two last nght, when Anush noticed and got the moda for me to the exact spot where it is done. So now I am indulged by both my mom and my daughter!!

This is what they call heaven.