Movies, eulogies and more...

Peter coined a new phrase to describe our few and far apart posts, calling it "once in a greenmoon". Which is pretty neat; unless you subscribe to the moon-is-made-of-green-cheese theory, in which case the phrase is redundant. Anyway, things have been crazy here in Bangalore, or Bengaluru as it is supposed to be. We've had two governments and President's Rule in the span of a month and infrastructure is still getting worse.

Putting that aside though, it's been a good couple of months. Peter was in town though we couldn't catch up much. Sumesh is back in China and having a blast. Allen's rocking at GridcoNet (I think). As for me, there are rumours of a trip to Australia. Let's see if that materialises.

It has been a time of getting to see some really good movies and some bad ones. The Bourne Ultimatum was an awesome conclusion to the Bourne trilogy. Though based on the Ludlum books, they deviate considerably. Still they do a good job with a taut storyline, good acting and edge of the seat action. Definitely worth a watch. So too with The Departed which changed my views on Leo DiCaprio as an actor. I now look forward to watching Blood Diamond and being completely won over. There were a few other good ones but the third instalment of the Pirates series was not one of them. The drastic move from the tone of adventure-comedy in the first to drama and tragedy in the next two was too much for me to stomach. In the third part, it moves into the mythical realms but the movie still doesn't work as well. Watch it to say you saw the whole trilogy and nothing more.

On a more sombre note for me, I had to say goodbye to my faithful dog, Snowy. Age proved too much for it and it has now gone to that great kennel in the sky, leaving us with the memories of 12 happy years. Rest in Peace, little one.

That's all for now. Hope to update before the next green, blue or red moon.

Chow for now.

Arul.

Return of the Mummy

Not mummified yet, but the blogs are so few and far between that the analogy seems apt. After all, considering that my last post was nearly eight months ago, one could be forgiven for thinking that I had fallen off the face of the earth.

Lots has happened over the course of the last few months. I've done a bit of travelling with a couple of trips to Malaysia and one to the Philippines, and met some interesting people during the course of these trips. I also bought a car, a decision that I now regret, considering the condition of the Bangalore roads. However, it did enable myself and a few friends to go on a roadtrip to Wayanad, Kerala. A beautiful place where everyone should consider vacationing at least once. Our trip included a trek up the Edakkal caves, boating on the Pookhot (don't know if I got that right) lake, then a party at our guest house we stayed at, which again was a wonderful place to stay with an awesome view, and finally a visit to the Suchipara Falls. All in all, a great adventure which began when an elephant chased us as we were on our way through the Bandipur reserve.

Professionally, things have been good as well and I might be moving onto a more interesting role in the next month or so.

That's about it for now. I hope to post more often from now on.

Chow for now.

Arul.

Ring in the New Year

Or should it be "rang"? Oh well, it is now 2007 or, as the media as already dubbed it "007". Where do they get these ideas? Be that as it may, it's been a quiet year so far after a hectic December 2006. What with Christmas and then a trip to Madurai and then of course New Year's, it has been one almighty rush. Therefore I'm savouring the serenity, while it lasts.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2007 everyone.


Arul.