Waisa bhi hota hai Part II at 8PM today. Normally, my roommates prefer to watch some of the rauchy music videos that all the music channels play. Alternately, one could switch channels and watch Basketball or the F1. But if it is to be a movie, it better be good.

In this regard wbhhII turned out to be a masterpiece. Arshad Warsi plays Puneet. His story isn't very different from most ambitious people's lives. Aims to make a crore fast enough. Hates his boss. The one thing that's different is that his girlfriend is a policewoman. No not an Inspector. She's in the IPS. Sandhya Mridul is unlike the Kiran Bedi you'd expect. She's hated by her own superiors and is known for gunning down gangsters. Anyhow, she hardly speaks on screen. They're a live-in couple. And she sends blanks sms' to Puneet after they nearly break-up.

Prashant Narayan plays Vishnu as the Don's right-hand man. He's got this unique look that makes you feel there's a good side to the bad man. And he portrays that to perfection in the movie, especially once he and Warsi become best of friends.. Well, Puneet saves his life, and one good turn deserves another.

What did I like about the movie - the dialogues. beautifully crafted. and so very spontaneous. Gangutai, played by Pratima Kazi steals the show. They use the regular gangsta words like Khokha, peti and Ghoda (for the revolver). She's terrific in her role. There's this scene when she demands her henchman's finger for his mistake. "Ungli kapde mein lapet ke dena". She wants it the Japanese way !

If there's Warsi, there has to be humour. And this is not the slapstick variety. Gangutai gets Puneet to call her Maaaa, instead of Tai. That's a must watch. Warsi is too good at that.

And there's Allah ke bandhe. The song stops you dead in your tracks. Lovely.

My roomies actually ended up watching the whole movie. We guys didn't even switch channels during the adverts.

Sunday was hilarious. I was in the mood for some North Indian gravy-laced food for dinner. At the Vasant Bhavan restaurant (close to Gemini): on the menu.. I read 'Chilli Paratha'.. sounds interesting. I interpret that to be a spicy Paratha, which would complement a dish of Paneer Butter Masala superbly..

And what do I get ? I almost sweared at the waiter when he got me a bowl of, what-appeared-to-be roasted Potato fries and spicy-fried Chana. Just to be sure, I ask him what it was ? Oh.. that's the Chilli Paratha. It turns out, that the Potato Chips were actually pieces of sliced paratha which had been fried. So what am I to eat the PBM with ? Well, down here.. the PBM comes with complimentary Roti (default) or Naan (if you ask for it). I enjoyed the CP (with Ketchup - I thought they were fries, remember ?). As for the Paneer Butter Masala, I cancelled it in order to finish my CP. Dunno what type to classify the CP dish. Safe to call it sub-continental, Indian sub-continental, I presume ?!

I finally donated blood today. Well, its not because there weren't enough occasions that came my way earlier.. Let's say I was just too damn scared to do it before. Somebody posted an ad for a friend's ailing mother. She needed A+ blood. And I decided to Just do it.

Blood donation was quicker, fun and less fearsome than I expected. I went to the Apollo Hospital Blood Bank on Greams Road. They make you fill up a donor card and most of the info filled in there is taken for granted. Questions like:
1. Have you suffered from any viral illness in the past one year ?
2. Are you on any medication ?
3. Have you consumed alcohol in the last 12hrs. ?
I suppose you're supposed to have a 'no' for all those questions. And they assume that you know your blood group when you enter it on the card.

You're supposed to be over 45kgs. in weight and can donate blood every three months. And then they make you lie down. One prick, and the nurse tells you that's for heamoglobin ? Yeah what about my heamoglobin ? Don't expect an answer.

Then she fixed the sphygomanometer apparatus. For the uninitiated, that's your friendly BP Machine; was asked to squeeze a foam ball. And then the needle was in, and the 'Blood Collecting Machine' was switched on, which apart from making an irritating whirring sound, didn't do much apart from rocking the pouch in which the blood was being collected.

People around me knew immediately that this was a first time donor because I asked for a magazine to spend my time. The Head nurse stared at me as if I had uttered some obscenity, and goes 'It takes only 5 minutes'. Oh really ?

Before I finished viewing on TV: some freakish dance being performed by a Chiranjeevi lookalike in silver pants, the blood collection was over. I was asked to lie for another 5mins. And then requested to relax on the couch. Refreshments in the form of a Jam bun and coffee were served. And then, you may go.

Outside, at the reception was this 50+ year-old, distraught looking man. The nurse was really loud while saying 'I won't give your patient blood from our bloodbank because you are not willing to donate blood for your own relative'. She was absolutely delirious. Why would this man not donate blood for his own ailing relative. It seems nobody in his family was willing to donate blood either. Strange people in our human race.

There was also this other really-upset Nepali man. The Nurse was sweet with him, he hadn't been able to arrange enough blood for his loved one. But had got some offers from a few 'Professional' blood donors - these chaps sell their blood. But the Bloodbank doesn't seem to entertain them. Atleast, the nurse didn't seem to encourage the idea.

While leaving, I read the other messages.
No strenuous exercises for the next 12hours.
Consume lots of fluids.
Remove the band-aid after four hours.
No alcohol or smoking for the next 12hrs.

I also confirmed that 3month figure. Yes, you can donate once every three months. And upto the age of 60. A quick calculation gives me the years of donor life left in me. That gets you 37yrs. x 4times a year = 148units of blood in my life time. 147 more to go !

Sunday 2PM
Its boiling here in Chennai. I went to IITM and back and was feelin terribly dehydrated. Its soo hot that all the other 39ers (the ppl. I share my apartment with) are snoozing.

Sunday 4PM
Something happens. The place looks unexpectedly gloomy. And then its starts to pour. And this is not just Cats and Dogs. Hail.. In Chennai. Incomparable.

Myself and Dil got into our swim-trunks and bared ourselves on the balcony.. coooooold. chilled water pouring down. And then the lights went out. There was an absolute tamasha on our balcony. An hour later, the downpour had reduced to a drizzle. We both headed out on our bikes (me has recently acquired a BSA Mach1), exploring the water-logged streets of Adyar. Ha Ha.. what a fun-filled Sunday.

I didn't know that the guy who wrote Utopia was a big-shot in King Henry VIII's court. Well, not until I watched 'A Man for all Seasons'.

Most reviews described it as the true story of the famous Chancellor of England who gets beheaded for treason, only because he refused to part with his principles. I read more about Saint Thomas and thought I should include these lines:

Desiderius Erasmus called his good friend Thomas More a "homo omnium horarum," which was translated by one of More's English contemporaries as "a man for all seasons," better translated into modern English as "a man for every situation or opportunity."

Paul Scofield's manner and style.. hmm.. worth imitating. I dunno how these guys do it. Presented as a man of few words.. this dialogue to Sir Richard Rich when he betrays More was superbly executed "It profits a man nothing to give his life for the world. But for Wales ..."

Alrighty.

Its the Death Centenary of a great man today. Hats off to this legend !

At 47, he launched the Swadeshi Mills to mark the beginning of the Swadeshi movement, whose aim was to reject foreign made goods.

J N Tata took two British clients with him to the Majestic Hotel but was denied entry because he was Indian. Stung by this insult, he decided to set up the world's finest hotel, and this led to the foundation of the prestigious Taj Mahal Hotel in 1902.

His dream of setting up a hydroelectric scheme with an objective to supply cheap and clean electric power for the growing needs of Bombay was also fulfilled in 1910 when the Tata Hydro Electric Power Supply Company was established.

He also set up India's best known research Institute, the Indian Institute of Science in 1911.

View the whole presentation here.

One of the good things about being in a Metro is the presence of active organizations like the British Council. I decided to attend the screening of 'Educating Rita' at the Film Chamber Theatre. Good thing that they courier the complimentary passes to you ! But, its a strange thing that the British loose their punctuality in India. The show that was to begin at 1830hrs, didn't start till 1850hrs !

'Educating Rita' was a brilliant movie. But I had to really strain my ears to figure out what Rita spoke in her heavy Brit accent. I kinda liked the funda about this hairdresser wanting to change her life, and her passionate belief that getting educated would do just that. Boy, what a struggle. Loads of grit in that girl. Michael Caine plays the Whisky-loving devoted teacher. The transformation in Rita was superbly brought out. And the best part was the end.. after getting used to the patent Bollywood formula, the last thing you expect is what happens here. 'Feel good' film ;).

When Cat invites you to a get-together. Never say no. Firstly, Cat has umpteen marriageable cousins scattered within travelling radii from Chennai. So he's usually unavailable on weekends, 'coz he's got all their weddings to attend to. Secondly, its not everyday that you get invited to a place like the GNC a.k.a Gandhi Nagar Club.

Wow man. What an evening. One distinguished engineer - now working with O&M, and three distinguished Animators (that includes Cat too) - whose creation for Club Mahindra brought them the coveted Abby ! And loads of booze. I, of course, was on a mocktail diet.

GNC - big spacious club. On the banks of the Adyar River. Of course, we weren't really exploring all the facilities. Just regular excursions between the Bar and the restroom. They've actually put up a board above the urinals for 'Graffiti'. The only legible message went:

"Don't write what you can't do.
Do what you can't write."

Heheheh. Apt.

Dinner was at Kwality Riviera, the AC Dhaba which is just across Adyar Bus Stand. I call it Dhaba because its such a favourite hangout for penniless brokes like me, that our frequent visits have made the place lose its restaurant-ish appeal.

Fud was gud. Finger-lickin gud. The ppl. there are kind enough to give you a 10% discount if you tell them you're from IIT (and are suitably dressed to drive home the point). Cheeru says that it is inappropriate to leave a tip for the waiter after taking a discount on the bill. Me thinks - Its gud to keep the other guy happy, if he's made you happy. Whatever.

Ok. This was supposed to happen. And it did. I had spotted a billboard near Ega Theatre that said Chennai was hosting the Coastal Nationals. That's the Sailing Championships. I had to be there. Question is - where is it being organized ? Were they expecting us to stand on the beach and wait for the regatta to start ?

Google to the rescue. And I got some links. From May 2nd to May 7th. The Indian Navy was providing logistical support. I learnt me sailing at the Naval Sailing Club, Vizag. The most natural thing to do was calling up INS Adyar. It worked. Gate#7, Chennai Port. I was there at last. Got there with Mansukh. There at 1430hrs. The place was swarming with kiddos. Not the regular kiddos. These guys are veterans at 10yrs. Everybody's done Nationals ! One fine lady had won a Gold in an International event ! And she isn't even eligible to vote yet ! This was not the ideal place to show what an amateur I was. But I had to sail.

They couldn't believe how I found out about the event. But I was very welcome ! I sailed the Optimist, after a good 13yrs. Thundering Typhoons. Blistering Barnacles. Anchor Time. Was introduced to Cmde. T. Hari, NoIC Tamil Nadu. Was happy to be in Navy company again. Atta Boy !

Took some tips from Hussein and Sarav - had forgotten all me knots. The boat parts - Kicker, tiller, Centre-board (Keel), Reef Knot, Figure'o'eight, pointers.. heheh.. It was all coming back to me.. And then I set sail.. The Coastal Nationals were over. I was sailing as part of the 'Celebrity Race', a mock race to entertain the big-shots who had come to watch the event after it was over. Yeah right. I was the only Optimist sailing in a race full of Enterprises. Those guys just zipped. Took me a while to figure out the Tack. Heheh. That done, I realized I'd be able to manage. I did. Well, fairly well. Except that, if this was a real race, I would have been disqualified straightaway. I didn't go around any of the buoys. Then my kicker came loose. Further, I changed my course into incoming traffic and took all the shortcuts I could. In spite of that, I came in last. But the point is, after 13yrs, I had sailed. Yahoooooooooooo.

Was supposed to be lunar eclipse night tonite. Had rained the whole day and Mansukh and I were hoping that the Rain Gods would be exhausted by nightfall. As per plan, we were to camp at Mansukh's terrace. I arrived (at about 11PM) after watching 'Double Team', with Van Damme and Dennis Rodman pulverizing everybody they come across in their race to save a cute baby. Whoa. Mansukh had his tri-pod, Vivitar and overexcited-puppy smile.. all geared for the moment. He had plans to capture the whole eclipse thru multiple exposure. Same way as explained here.

It wasn't raining then, and the eclipse was to start at 2318hrs. Yeah right, and that's when the clouds come in, obscuring the moon completely. The atmosphere was a foggy pink. Then, there was a light drizzle. After about 20 minutes, it started to pour. And it poured. And it poured. I don't know when I dozed off.

Mansukh woke me up somewhere in the night. We went up to the terrace. The sky was absolutely clear, but the moon was blocked by clouds. Damn.

Well, that was the lunar eclipse of May 2004.

Today was amazingly planned. There was a Cherry Red Enfield Bullet Electra at hand. This baby had to be put to good use. My mileage reading was 14760 when I saw it first and noted it down (for posterity !).

With a lovely bike at hand. What could be better than a long ride ? Another visit to Udavum Karangal ! This time I took along Nappies and Boost 'is the secret of my Energy'. It didn't hurt me to ask for a discount from Mr. Chemist - I told him that this was for the kiddies at Udavum Karangal and I would appreciate a discount. The Gentleman from M/s. Sri Kamatchi Medicals & Stores, #70 P.H. Road, Koyambedu gladly obliged.

Got there at 12PM, which is kinda siesta time for the kids. So I only got to meet the kids at the Air-conditoned Creche. Its a good thing they look after the little ones so well. The place smells like a dairy plant, though, with all that milk being cooked inside the same hall ! They looked healthy. One dopey pooed over his cot and the nurse just grabbed him (with legs dangling) and led him to the washroom. It was funny. One baby wanted to hold my hand. She was real tiny with even tinier fingers. But she clung on to my hand somehow. She seemed to be liking it, 'coz she wouldn't let go. They told me that I shouldn't get sooo friendly, 'coz she cries when its bye-bye time. I liked that place. And somehow that baby didn't cry. Once again, I felt happier when I left.

Headed home to me Aunt's place after that. There was delicious Baby corn ! Lunch was Finger-lickin' good. Thought it would be a good idea to watch Main Hoon Na at Mayajaal. Mansukh had tried for the tickets at Satyam on Friday, and he had been informed that even the Sunday last show was sold out ! Mayajaal was the only other theatre screening the movie and 'I' was Vetty. So I headed to MJaal. The ride was awesome. I took the beauty to a smooth 30kmph fourth gear steady. She hummed. Perfect. Reached the place after about 45 minutes. Maybe more. That ECR thing is one good road. Its among the few roads that I really appreciate after the superb Jaipur-New Delhi expressway. But Mayajaal came as a rude shock. In spite of reaching there at 1545 hrs., there were no tickets for the 1730 show. You could, however, get one of the 13 first row seats for the 2030 show. Yuck. Who's gonna stick around ? I buzzed off and headed for the beach. You don't know what beach I'm talking about. This one can be approached by taking the lane opposite the Dental Hospital - right after the ECR Toll Booth. Its lovely. Unpolluted. Virgin. Really. Very few ppl., actually venture onto that territory. The bike got stuck. Yeah right. The back-ache which is still on, is a result of the bullet-lifting I did, to get my baby out of the sand. Its a good thing that one has learnt from past experience that putting dry palm leaves below the wheel might just get you a better grip. It worked.. after one full hour of exasperation. The important thing is knowing - 'this baby wouldn't let me down !'

The other highlight of the evening was the lovely Papaya Shake at Nandhiniee, inside IITM. The guy still gives you one shake free if you order two. Man, was I hungry !

Spencer's has a 'Fruitshop on Greams Road' on the top floor in Phase III. Maybe this isn't news to most ppl. But it was a welcome surprise for me. With absolutely pathetic navigational skills in regards to Chennai, I was more than happy to relish the juice at their Spencer Plaza outlet. I still need to figure out how to get to the main one. Worked well, though. Re-energized me just enough to get home and survive a bath. I was at Sukh Sagar at Anna Nagar after that. This one's right next to the Thurakia Opticians showroom near Rountana. The fud is gud. Real gud. And the icecream is even better. The only thing that annoyed me is that the waiters are overcourteous to inform you that there's no dessert after dinner. That was done deliberately, because they shut down the dining area at 11PM on the dot. I guess some Army Man runs the shop. Came home, noted my closing reading to be 14893, and crashed. It had been a lovely Saturday.