Soderling - The Leveller

Last French Open, Robin Soderling removed Nadal from Federer's path to Clay Court Glory. But, this time around, he levelled it by handing out a QF defeat to Federer. Federer's record streak of reaching the semifinals in 23 consecutive major events ended with this!!

Soderling is fast becoming the French Open Shocker Specialist. Would love to see a Soderling Vs Nadal final at Roland Garros.

Sri Krishna Sweets - Velachery

Wanted to blog abt this for quite sometime.But.....

Well, The latest addition to the colourful landscape of velachery is Sri Krishna Sweets - on the 100 Ft road - more towards Guru Nanak College. Within a week of it's opening, I landed in the well decorated shop. Parking space is much better than the other shops on the road. They have caught hold of a good corner space. Immediate attraction is the centrally placed - Sweet Buffet Stall...It is really huge and there are upteen varieties of sweets & savouries..Since, I'm on this 'Diet' mode, I skipped the center piece. The restaurant, which is on the periphery, is kind-of cramped with tables and chairs put very closely. I knew the hiccups of a newly opened eatery, so safely ordered a simple - Dosa.

Man, what a disappointment! The waiters had no clue about serving the customers. I had to do a mini-dance to get the attention of a waiter and then gave my 'big' order. Then , I joined the 'There is no sign of the food ordered' fellow people. A good ten minutes passed and I was really getting restless. It would have been OK..if people who came before me were getting their orders. I saw only one pongal, two chaat items being served in a crowded place. After another 5 minutes..the couple who sat before me got their orders. I told the waiter to hurry up - After all, its just a plain dosa. Another five minutes passed, the waiters are running up and down, I wonder for what!I had a good mind to walk away..and finally my dosa arrived ..but...hey..what a pity - it was a cold-dosa. Had it been on another day, I would have returned the dosa..but that would be mean another 15 minutes of argument and was already running late. So, quickly ate the food and made a hasty retreat after paying a 'thendam' 25 Rs.

Would not write them away after the first experience..Another visit would go into the decision making exercise.

Kites

Looking forward to Hrithik's 'Kites' release ...would complete the 'Jollu'- trilogy of Dhooom2 and Jodha Akbar.

Monuments @ the mercy of granite industries

Lot has been written about the threats to the heritage Jain monuments in the hills of Madurai. Justice was quickly met out - Granite Quarrying can happen but not exactly in the heritage site, just few meters further. What an insightful judgment!
Times of India has a big article condemning this ruthless act.

Jainism was present in the region for over 1,300 years and its relics have survived till now,providing evidence of a rich civilization,culture and academic excellence of a bygone era. But their survival is threatened and they may disappear in the next 100 years due to the quest for granite,he says.The Tamil Nadu State Archaeology Department has under its control 16 such monuments,including four Jain caves and four Brahmi culverts in Keelavalavu near Melur,Perumalmalai in Karadipatti and some other places in Madurai,including the one in Thiruvadavur.The site in Thiruvadavur contains Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions and prehistoric paintings that date back to the second century BC.Sources in the office of the assistant director,department of archaeology,say that a survey would be conducted within the next two weeks to see if the two granite quarries had exceeded their limits based on the specification of the gazette notification.

Shashi Tharoor - Political journey

I'm looking forward to Shashi Tharoor's Memoirs! Bet that would be rocking entertainment ;-)

Chamki Assault

Its omnipresent now, everywhere you turn around, you can spot women sporting chamki work dresses..right from 200 rs salwars to 20000 rs sarees...chamkis..chamkis and more chamkis..Cotton chudidhars are available within the bracket of 1000 rs..but, if you want to get some high end salwars, be prepared for the relentless attack of bling. Inspite of the hot & humid climate of tamilnadu, I pity the women folk who have started wearing those polyster sarees with assorted chamki work. Wish 'The Cotton' makes a grand comeback.

Knorr Soupy Noodles

I bet the Kajol-Ad for Knorr Soupy Noodles [ both noodles and soup in one offering] would bag the trophy for the most repeated ad on TV. Off late, there is more of chutti TV, Pogo and their likes in our TV..may be that's one reason why I felt HLL almost carpet bombed the ad on our heads. The effect was so much that I bought a packet to try out the new 'food'.

What a disappointment - it tasted exactly like Maggie Noodles. I usually like maggie noodles with the little slosh effect (rather than the stiff noodles)and knorr gave just the twin-sister act. After Horlicks's Foodles, I am let down by this wannabie new star - Knorr Soupy Noodles. It just reiterates the fact that Maggie is the king..err..queen.