The Big B-Day

Every year my b-day turns out to be different. This year it was remarkable. A day to be cherished in my whole life. This year it was different coz I got someone special in my life and he was the first person to wish me at mid night. Then my friends called me and woke me up from my sleep. I m not complaining for this happens only once every year. My dad surprised me by giving his gift at mid night.

My best friend Jaisree didn't call me at mid night. I was not disappointed coz I know the reason behind it. Then I sent a text to her and gave a missed call in the morning. Then she called me back and wished me. Her wish means a lot to me and I don't mind calling and asking her to wish. She has always been with me and thats why I always wanted her to wish in the first place than any of my other friends.

In my office, they celebrated by cutting a cake for me and also gave me a gift. I m first person to get a gift since we celebrated by cake cutting only not gifting. I think they have started this tradition recently in my project. Anyways I was happy to see some on my colleagues who mean a lot to me. Thanks a lot to them too.

Last year, it was my bro who gave the pleasant surprise. But this year it was that special someone who gave me all the surprise. First surprise was that he came to my working place directly to wish. He never gave me a clue that he would come and stand in front me and wish me in person. Then I took off from my office and spent the evening with him. It was an amazing evening with him. Had nice dinner and came back home. Though the time which we spent was little it was so personal that it is close to my heart in all ways.

This would be my last birthday with my family, I mean with my parents and bro. In that way also it was so special. My mom made my favorite paal payasam. Nothing can beat my mom's recipe. I will be starting to miss pretty soon.

ATP World Tour FInals

Finally, I have watched one match for this year which ended the way I wanted. I was able to watch the finals of the ATP World Tour. As expected(by me) the finals was set up between Roger and Rafa. I decided to watch the match. The match began with a good service game for Roger. The first set starting was inspiring with both players defending each point. Finally Roger found a break in Rafa's Service and took the first set.

But at the end of first set Rafa's spirit was kindled. He was unstoppable and started hitting the ball to the corners. Roger changed his game play and was mostly able to attend the balls. Even then Rafa proved his capability and clinched the second set.

Both player capturing each set the match went into the final set. I am always superstitious in case of Roger's match against Rafa. Every time I see the match between them Rafa will clinch the title. This time also I made up my mind that Rafa is going to blow Roger into pieces. But Roger was unstoppable and took an early break.

Rafa started making all kind of errors and Roger was getting a stronger back hand return and fiery fore hand return. Rafa was not able to touch the ball and rather started getting frustrated. Finally Roger got three championship points, but Rafa didn't give up so easily. He defended the first championship point. But he was not able to stop Roger from clinching the title.

When the championship point shot was struck Roger stood for a moment wondering if the ball had been on the line, then gave out his usual loud cry and finished the game. Both the players showed their own new techniques of game play.

With this win Roger proved that he is still hungry for more games and titles. Let us hope he adds few titles to his list.

Catch you all soon with the Australian Open 2011 where Serena will not be defending her title due to her foot injury.

US Open 2010

I know it is has been a month since the event closed. I was so held up with my personal things. I believe it is better late than never. So here is my post.

Men's Draw:

Every slam has it own upsets and surprises. First upset was Tomas Berdrych who stopped Roger in Wimbledon 201. He exited in the first round. Andy Roddick followed suit and exited in the second round crushing all hearts. Being his home land there was a lot of expectation from him.

All top seeds excelled themselves in the earlier rounds save for the scottish. Andy Murray who is yet to pocket a slam title was crushed by Stanislas Wawarinka. I feel that Scott is carrying some curse. Earlier this year he fired his coach since he was not able to succeed in Australian Open. Now he can't even fire his coach for she is none other than his mother. Murray plays defensive which has to be corrected if he plans to get a slam title.

On the other hand Rafa and Roger were battling well. Rafa needed this title to complete his career slam. Roger needed this title to increase his record number. Novak was desperate to clinch the title for the second time.

The replay of french quarters happened in new york meadows when Soderling met Roger. Roger took his revenge by defeating in straight sets. Roger was unstoppable. He refused to drop a set. The silent surprise was Stanislas Wawarinka who progressed to quarter finals. Youzhny and Monfils also suprised entering their quarters. Youzhny went a step ahead and placed a seat in semis. Rafa also progressed well.

Rafa and Roger had never met in the new york meadows. Till this year Rafa exited early. This time it was Roger who exited. The serbian stopped Roger. Roger had two match points in his hands. He missed both and gave away the match to Novak.

The final showdown was between Novak and Rafa. It was a piece of cake for Rafa. The match went only for four sets and Rafa proved once again that he is untouchable. I wanted to Novak to win. But Rafa was extra ordinary. He became the second young man to clinch the career slam.

Rafa is ahead of Roger in one record. Roger is yet to pocket to Olympics single Gold medal. I hope Roger finishes that record also. Now Rafa has only one aim, to break all the other records created by Roger. Will he be able to become the greatest player ever? Lets see in the forthcoming year.

Women's Draw:

In case of Women I was so sure from first that the Belgian mom would flush the meadows again and she didn't disappoint me. The big star, youngest of Williams sisters was absent due to foot injury

First round upset started with the Chinese star Na Li followed by a second round exit by Agnieszka Radwanska. Victoria Azarenka retired from the game in the second round. Every other top seeds advanced to the third round.

Major upsets started in the third round. First the Serbian, Jelena Jankovic who is yet to clinch a slam was thrashed by unseeded player Kanepi. Maria Sharapova regained her touched and was progressing silently. Sharapova was stopped by the top seed Wozniacki. On the other hand Kim was progressing fine with her hip injury. She moved on the court like a cold breeze. She didn't even show any trace of sloppiness.

The quarters was not a disappointment since most of the top players were present. Kim stopped Stosur and booked her place in the final four. Wozniacki easily made into the final four. Venus williams set up a show down with Kim where as Vera Zvonareva buckled herself up to face Wozniacki.

Like last year this year also the semis was interesting, where last year Serena was present this year Venus was present. Kim played beautifully and booked her place in the finals. Kim was taken to the deciding set by Venus. Kim didn't give hope and went into the finals. For Vera Zvonareva the semis was a piece of cake. She thrashed Wozniacki in straight sets and made into the finals. It was a big shock for most of the tennis fans expected wozniacki to get her maiden slam.

Vera Zvonareva was expected to get her maiden slam where as Kim was expected to defend her title. Finals was a unexpected. The match got over in one hour. Kim thrashed Vera Zvonareva in straight sets and defended her title. Kim returned to tennis to prove her stand. For Vera Zvonareva the title remains as a dream. Lets see what happens in the next few years.

Well, this year the slams were different where Rafa clinched a career slam and in case of ladies, return of Kim proves that the Williams reign is getting over.

Lets check what happens in the next year. I hope Roger creates some new records and in ladies will Wozniacki and Vera Zvonareva be able to touch the slam? Catch all you next year with the Australian Open 2011 as the first slam.

Inception

I didn't have time to update my blog for a long time. I had kept this post in the draft for a long time. So here I am at at last to finish this post.

Mind boggling plot, awesome casts. These are the two words that I can actually use to describe this movie. The director has thought a plot which is not possible in real life but made every human being who has watched this movie to question "Why not?". Till the last frame the thrill was maintained. I m not gonna discuss the plot for it has to be savored by watching it in the big screen. The tag line that I can think of for the movie is "What if there is no difference between reality and dream?". Di Caprio has proved that he too can act well. The movie is not a sci-fi but fiction. Unlike certain movies which would have used sci-fi base for this kind of plot the director has drawn a thin line not to touch the sci-fi. All I can say is that now a days I try to remember my dream. I also think sometimes what happens when you can read others dream and manipulate them?

My bro recommended this move and asked me to watch the movie in big screen. He denied to tell me the plot, not even a single line. Now I realize that it was worth it. Soon I m planning to watch the movie again. Catch you all with the next movie.

F.R.I.E.N.D.S

Being a great fan of this series I wanted to watch the entire season fro a very long time. My sweet brother got me the entire season from his friend and gave it to me. I watched them crazily for two months. I finished the entire Friends season. I would like to share my views about the characters.

Ross Geller:

Most of my friends told me that he was the sweetest character in the series. But I didn't feel anything like that. I felt him to be over possessive and reactive. But he was also nice at some points like realizing his love life and trying all possible ways to patch up that relationship. At the end of the season he proved to be the guy who loves a woman truly with full heart and succeeds in conquering the lady love's heart too.

Rachel Greene:

One character which showed the truth about human mind. A typical character which has flaws and tries to fix those flaws. A woman who wants to be loved and cared. A normal woman who is confused when choosing her career, her love life etc. I liked her for what she is. At the end of the season she realizes her true love for Ross and finds what she truly wants in her life.

Chandler Bing:

The funniest guy in the lot. I liked him for his true love for Monica. The way he sacrifices everything for the love was a good one. He always gives up the fight to keep the relationship alive. Nice character. Of all the characters in the series he is the only guy who didn't sleep with lot of woman.

Monica Geller(Bing)

I became a great fan of this character. I think that is because there are certain things common for both of us. One annoying thing that I found is that she wants everything to be perfect which is not at all possible in case of human life. She also wanted to be number one in all the case like 3rd grade child. Other than that she is a good caring sister.

Joey Tribbiani

I hate this character to the core for one reason, he set an example for being promiscuous. Other than this he also values friendship. He always stands next to his friends when they are in need of help. In the later season when he realizes that he is in love with Rachel he stops seeing other women as a big gesture. The entire season was funny mostly of this character. They way he is portrayed as dumb witted guy is good. He has done a good job for his character.

Phoebe Buffay

I like her for her frankness. More than that I like her for her weirdness. A very touching character who decides to be surrogate mother to her brother's children. But, at times she too had been irritating. A different character who also values friendship.

The Love Life

The love life in the friends are too many. Out of which only few succeeded like Chandler and Monica's love life. The love between them was portrayed in a very good manner. The way they both supported each other when they find out that they can not have a child was beautiful.

Ross and Rachel's love life were different. Ross never tried to give up where as Rachel tried to move on. But they both realises their love for each other at last. Desperate to find a person to settle in her life Phoebe becomes the luckiest girl to get a guy who accepted her as she was.

Value of Friendship:

A friend in need is a friend in deed. The series had few episodes like that. When Rachel leaves the guy at the altar, Monica and others help her to stand in her own. They help her to get a job. Until Joey gets a break in her career all of them take care of him. Phoebe with a very bad background is always under the roof of herfriends. Chandler gives away Phoebe on her marriage. Like wise there are many such instances.

On the whole the entire season was very funny and at times made me realize certain aspects of life. I cannot get it out of my mind so I have started watching the series again for the second time.

Yen Samayal Araiyil - Episode 4

Well after a long time I got a chance to be inside kitchen again. This time I planned to prepare the entire lunch for my family since my mom was out of station.

My mom gave a little overview of the these things last nite. So I was able to grab things easily and started perfectly. With little help from my dad I started the cooking process. The menu is as follows:
1) Murungaikai Sambar
2) Tomato Rasam
3) Potato Poriyal
4) Carrot Salad
5) Cucumber Raita.

I was doing things parallely. Started with sambar. Had the tamarind water ready. Then separated the tamarind water into two different quantities. One for sambar and another for rasam.Added all the ingredients for the sambar and switched on the stove. Then added ingredients for the rasam and kept it in another stove. When they both were in simmer I started chopping the potato. Since I m a bit expert in the potato poriyal I needed no guidance for that. But my dad started suggesting certain things.

It was time for adding the dhal water to sambar and rasam. At this juncture me and my dad had a good fight. He wanted to follow his method and I told him that I will do my own method. The fight went to the highest peak that I moved out of stove and asked him to proceed. I was so pissed off that I told him that in future when I cook in my kitchen it will be on my way and not yours. He smiled and went. My bro was like "Leave her dad. Let her learn.".

Then I started doing the potato poriyal. My dad didn't intervene. I was happy that it came out very well. Then made the carrot salad and Cucumber raitha.

I felt good when I was having lunch since I had become better compared to last time. Except that the rasam needed a pinch of salt. I understood that the food would be very good if we put full heart and concentration. I m catching up with the art of cooking. Next time I m planning to give a shot with different menu.

Catch you all with a good experience next time.

Shutter Island

After Sherlock Holmes this movie proved to be one of the best thriller. This movie was recommended by many people so I watched. Right from the first frame it was awesome. The plot takes place in a single island. An island which prisons mentally troubled people. Dicaprio with his new partner comes to the island to investigate a missing person and soon discovers lot of conspiracies. He decides to unfold all the secrets. In the course of these things Dicaprio faces his own fears and tries to overcome them. Dicaprio has scored a 10 for his character and has done justice to his character. While overcoming his fears he is faced with some hard core truths, the truth that turns his life upside down. The audience has to wait till the final frame to find out the truth. When you try to realize that this is the truth there will be a twist to prove that you are wrong. Screenplay is awesome and the direction has equaled the screenplay. The entire plot keeps the audience at the tip of their seat. Hats off to the entire crew. I would recommend this movie for any movie buffs. It is worth watching.

Of late Dicaprio has started giving out sensible characters in movies like departed, blood diamond,body of lies and now shutter island. Guess he has improved a lot in his profession. Waiting to watch Inception. Hopefully I will watch it next week.

Mom & Me

I m not sure when was the last time I got to be alone with my mother but today its definitely a day to be remembered. My dad and bro left for sabarimalai so me and mom had to spent time alone. We started with cleaning my bureau. We started talking lot of things. I shared few of my secrets with her. She was not surprised at all. May be I guess that since she was also a girl and have crossed this age line she was able to completely understand my feelings. Then we had few lighter moments and decided to go to my friend's place to see her child.

After reaching my friend's place we had some time to spend with the new born. It was amazing for me to see a new life form. I don't know why I had this feeling, the feeling that you will get when you hold a new life your hand waiting for its time to explore this world. I don't know how to explain that feeling. When my mom held the baby she was so happy. In her eyes I saw a new happiness. I understood her feeling. Then we went to my uncle's place.

In my uncle's place we were having some family discussions. After returning to our place I realised that my mom needed a night off. I made dinner for her (under her guidance). It was a great feeling for me when I made the dinner and served for my mom. At the end of the day, I felt that I had great time with my mom and I was feeling fresh at heart.

At the end of the day I was feeling light at heart for I made a big confession to my mom. When I made the confession she took it in a positive sense. She didn't make a big fuss about it. I think I have the best mom in the world. She completely understood me and I think I understood at least a part of her.

Dedicated to my mom who is the best mom in this whole world.

Rankings Change

As on July 5, 2010

Men's Ranking:

Rafa has moved to the world number one with Novak in the second place. Roger has been pushed to third place for the first time since 2003 due to his early exit in the Roland Garros and Wimbledon. With his reach in the finals Tomas Berdych gets a rank in the top ten. He is now seeded eight in the ranking. Since Tomas Berdych had progressed a slight variations in the list has been made. Tsonga is thrown out of the top ten list. Andy Roddick is pushed to number nine in the ranking.

Due to these changes it is likely that Roger and Rafa meets in the semi finals of the US Open for the first time in the history rather than the finals. Rafa has a good chance to complete his career slam. Roger has got another opportunity to prove that he is the greatest player of all the time. Lets see what happens in the US Open 2010

Women's Ranking:

With her win in the Wimbledon Serena still holds the world number one position. Due to her early exits in the Roland Garros and Wimbledon Venus is pushed to rank four. With a steady progress Jankovic has regained the second rank. Wozniacki is pushed to rank four. Kim has moved one rank and is in seven due to her steady progress in every slam. The come back champion Henin has moved ahead in the rankings and is currently in the 13th position.

With these changes in the rank it is likely for the william sisters to meet in the semi finals of the US Open 2010 rather than the finals. Jankovic has a good opportunity to clinch a title at the Newyork meadows. Lets see what luck is there for the Serbian in the US Open 2010

Catch you all in the US Open 2010

Picture Perfects!!!!!

Let me continue from where I left.

The picture which I found was my brother's picture taken during his upanayanam. I was so thrilled to see his picture. As I started digging my shelf and draw I found many pics of mine and my family at different ages. I decided to sit and take a look at the albums that we had treasured for so long in our life. So with help from my cousin I cleaned my entire room and took out the briefcase which had all the albums right from my dad's bachelor life to till date.

First I started seeing my parents' wedding album. It was fun seeing the pictures of my aunts in late 70s in my parents' wedding. Few of my aunts and uncles were yet to get married and was youthful in the album. After some time my parents joined with my cousin and me to check out the album. We started pulling each other legs and was having hearty laugh. We saw few rare pictures. Seeing my cousins in their early childhood (my eldest cousin would be only 10 in those pictures I guess) was very interesting.

Then I checked out my mom's seemandham and valaigappu album. It was also very interesting to check out the album for I have never been to one seemandham or valaigappu. The rituals and everything were captured beautifully. I was amazed to see my grand parents in the picture. I have not seen granddad (my mom's dad) in my life. By seeing these pictures I always get to look at him. I miss my grandparents. :(

Then our housewarming pictures were great. My dad had taken pictures of our home at different stages right from the foundation to the completion and then the ceremony. I found one rare picture where my uncle was carrying my cousin (his child) and my aunt was carrying me. I miss them both. I still remember that I was a messy child who cries when parents are not near (I didn't need both of them but at least one of them) and those house warming pictures proved pretty correct about that. :)

Then we were looking into the pics of my bro's and my early childhood. It was very funny to see us in those pictures. I was not able to believe that it was myself in those pictures. At this point came my bro's upanayanam album. Well in this album I was able to recollect certain events for I was 5 years when the function happened. I found one picture where my cousins who fall in my age were together. It was amazing to see how we have grown in these years.

Then there were few other pictures from my dad's bachelor life. He recollected all his friend's name and what they are all doing at present. I was really stunned for he had been in touch with them all these years. Hats off to my dad!!! Then there were many scattered varieties of pictures taken during different occasions. Most of the pictures were very rare since it would not happen for another time.

My parents also had a nice recap of their marriage and other important events in their life. I continued with my tour albums and my college pictures. I found that I have changed a lot in a span of two years after college. So it was actually worth seeing those picture reminding my days in school and college.

Well my evening went eventful. I decided to scan few rare pictures of my family and upload them to my cousins so that they can show them to their child and may be they will try to dust their albums too.

Memories Revisited

This mail is dedicated to all my friends who has turned my life in every corner and supported me when ever I needed.

This evening I was cleaning my shelf and came across my slam book. I stopped my cleaning in half way and started reading the slam from my school and then from my college.

Well it was fun revisiting those memories. I was recollected by many events that happened in the school and was having a hearty laugh when I read few of the pages in the slam. I was also wondering if I was having the characteristics that people have pen down in the slam. Guess few things are very correct. When I was going through pages I saw that there were two entries in the same name(Arun). I know three of my school mates with the name Arun. I remembered that I asked two of them to pen down in my slam. The matter is that both of them forgot to put down their initials and I am still trying to figure which page was written by whom. I guess I will not succeed. I was also thinking how long have I been in touch with my school mates. Truly speaking I have never been in touch with my schoolmates except very few. Recently I got a chance to meet one of my school mate in my work place. We even share the same bus for transport. Now we both share a friendship with each other. Guess there are some possibilities to make new friendship with old school pals.

Then I came to my college slam. It took me a lot of time to finish the slam. Not only my friends had pen down their feelings but even my juniors. It was very pleasant after a long time to recollect the memories. The fights,the laughs, the lunch and many things that we shared. More than that I found out that one of my college mate has even become a close friend after my college days. Even now I see my college mates in my work place and have a good rapport. I guess when we come out of college we realize that we missed out lot of things. I even realized that if I get time machine I would revisit those memories and fix certain things (like saying sorry at right time, spending more time with the persons who mean a lot and many more). I know that it is not very late to do them now also. Guess I would do it.

After finishing the slams I found that I have carried few of my characteristics with me in college from my school which I think is correct in my part.

Then I found few things that I have treasured from my old school like pics of my frnds, ID cards from them and the officer bearer batch that I had in my school.
I also found two chocolate wrappers that I had treasured from my school mates. It was very emotional for me for I miss those carefree days with no responsibilities. Those days can never be forgotten for we were all treated as children and not grown ups.

Hope you people also revisit those memories and relive them.

Then I found a picture which really turned my evening upside down. I will continue that in my next post.

Wimbledon 2010

Like Roland Garros, Wimbledon was also very different and shocking results. Del Potro was absent due to injury but Davydenko was back into the action.

Men's Draw:

In the first round Roger Federer had a big scare and completed the match in five sets and entered the second round. On the other hand the doubles partner for Roger Federer, Stanislas Wawrinka exited in the first round itself. The big exits in the first round were by Marin Cilic and Fernando Veradasco. The longest match in the history of tennis happened between Nicolas Mahut and John Isner in the first round.

Nikolay Davydenko was the first person to book his return tickets in the second round. Every top seeds who failed in the Roland Garros was very determined to progress in the Wimbledon. Andy Murray was in a good form and was showing the Britain that he can clinch the title this year.

Rafael Nadal was given a scare by Philipp Petzschner in the third round. But the clay king had his own strategy and cruised past him to the fourth round.

The ace expert, Andy Roddick failed to reach Quarters. He exited in the fourth round. The biggest shock for the year came in the quarters when Tomas Berdych defeated the defending champion Roger Federer and booked a place in the Semis. The tennis world was stunned. Every fan expected a 2008 re-match in the finals with a win from Roger (at least me). All the hopes of Roger was crushed.

Another interesting match that happened in the quarters was the match between Robin Soderling and the clay king Rafael Nadal. Every body expected Soderling to take his revenge in the grass court but he failed. The clay king was unstoppable.

With Thomas Berdych in the semi's Novak Djokovic was able to see the road to finals and was expected to reach his first grass final. On the other hand, Britain top seed and the home town favorite Andy Murray was to drop a set till quarter finals. In the quarters he dropped a single set to Tsonga and reached semis to face the clay king.

Two extra ordinary pairs for semis. Novak was clueless about the match. Tomas Berdych won the match in straight sets and booked his place in the first grand slam finals. On the other hand Murray was no match for the clay king. The match was expected to go to five setter but Nadal won in the straight sets. Murray was shocked to the core. He is either stopped by Roger or Rafa in everyone of the Slams. I felt very sorry for him.

Having beaten the then world number one (Roger) and the then world number three (Novak) Tomas Berdych was fully confident of defeating the then world number two (Rafa). Having cleared his path and defeating Andy Murray everyone in the world was sure that Rafa was going to clinch the title for the second time.

This years final was very short with only three sets. Berdych was clueless and Rafa was unstoppable. Rafa took all the early breaks and clinched the title. This is the second he is wining the Wimbledon and French Open back to back and he is the only player to do that.

With the win in Wimbledon Rafa again became world number one with Novak as second. Roger was pushed to three due to his early exit in both the Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Tennis critics say that Rafa can clinch the US Open and flush the meadows to complete his career grand slam.

Lets see what happens in the New york Meadows.

Women's Draw

Dinara Safina was absent due to injury.

The first player to book her ticket was the Australian hope Samantha Stosur. The french open champion Francesca Schiavone also exited in the first round.Unlike Roland Garros all the top seeds and the expected players cruise past into the nthird round.

The fourth round in the women's round was the turning point of the tournament when top seeds and the expected players exited.

The Russian favorite Maria Sharapova who had hopes of returning to clinch the Wimbledon title was stopped by none other than the World number one,Serena. The world number three Caroline Wozniacki was stopped by a unseeded player of the tournament Petra Kvitova. She failed in both the Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

The biggest match in the fourth round was between the come back mom Kim and the former champion Henin. The match was a treat to the tennis world for both the defending champions were clashing to book their place in the quarters. Kim made sure that she reaches the Quarters. With Henin, Jankovic also exited in the fourth round. The hopes of Serbian to add at least one trophy to her shelf is day by day diminishing.

Well the quarters was quiet interesting. The mom was stopped by a Russian seeded player Vera Zvonareva. It was her first semis in her tennis career. The tennis world was stunned to see the come back mom exiting the grass court in the quarters.

In Roland Garros when Roger exited the quarters it was Serena who exited with him. Now with Roger exiting in the quarters it was the big sister Venus who exited with him. The tennis world was in a shock. She was stopped by an unseeded Bulgarian player Tsvetana Pironkova.

With all top players exited and most importantly her sister's exit Serena was having a clear path to add a title to her list. She didn't fail to do that. Vera Zvonareva reached her first Slam finals. But she was no match for the World Number one. Serena won the match in straight sets and clinched her trophy. Though the sisters failed in the doubles Serena made sure that the Singles trophy is with the Williams' family.

Williams are dominating the tennis world. In this rate Serena can clearly create a new record by surpassing Steffi Graf's record of 22 slam titles.

The treat in this Wimbledon was the doubles invitation in womens draw. Martina Hingis and Anna Kournikova. The invitation doubles also had the recuperating Martina Navratilova and Jana Novotna as the winners.

Hope the US Open is also interesting like Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

Raavanan - The Movie

A movie for my lifetime. Awesome movie that I didn't miss.

An outline of Ramayana in the modern era with its own twists and turns. Most of the Mani's movie are known for its location so do this movie. Awesome location in and around Chalakudi. I really have to say that Mani has picked a great cast for this Tamil version. The lead character done by Vikram is awesome. No other person could have done justice to the role. The way he feels his love for Ash is outlined in a pretty decent manner. In Ramayana Raavan does not touch Sita under any circumstance so do Vikram in this movie. Even in the end you can see this touch. Only thing that I felt bad in the movie was that Mani could have picked someone in place of Prithviraj.

The only director who has used Ash for acting purpose is Mani. Ash really owes a lot to Mani for bringing her ability into lime light. Though Priyamani appears only for 15 minute she forms the strong essence for the story. Other characters done by people like Prabhu and Karthik plays their own part.

I could not say that Mani delivers a picture perfect movie. There are few flaws in it like:
1) Ranjitha's character which does not have any dialogue. There was no purpose for the character for there was no significance.
2) Prithvi uses Ash to trap Vikram for he could very well have followed priya when she returns to Vikram and trapped him.
3) When Ash pulls the alarm in the train she is near the steps and to my knowledge no train has a alarm which is next to step. It would be in every bay and not very close to the step and Ash pulls just like pulling an bell.
4) Falling from a greater height Ash gets only scratches and no broken hand or legs. (Not even a broken finger).
5) A town guy falling in love with Priya (I know love is blind),but still some essence was missing between the pair.

Apart from these there are few more flaws. But what more you need than the breath taking chemistry between Vikram and Ash. Ash's realization (her love and true elegant manners of Vikram) happens at the correct time of the plot. The way Vikram feels that he could not live with Ash just because she is married to Prithvi breaks his heart. He carries this feeling throughout the movie and is portrayed very well. He leaves Prithvi alive just because he is Ash's husband and shows how much a man exists inside that arrogant fellow. I could say that it is not typical Mani's movie but the justice has been done for the plot that he took in his hands.

I should not forget to talk about the music and the background score. I need not explain for ARR and Mani go along well. The final song sung by ARR himself has a very good lyrics and a much sensible one. Vairamuthu's dialogues creates far and much impact than Suhasini's (but she has given a shot at it).

In simple words Raavanan oru Kadhal Vanavaasam. I have no doubt of watching this movie for second time just for the location.

The biggest upset of Wimbledon!!!!!!!!

Last night was the biggest upset in the history of Wimbledon and for me it was the most shocking day.I have always seen Roger exiting the other Slams in the early rounds but not in the Wimbledon. For the past 7 years the finals of the wimbledon was fulfilled with Roger. He didn't fail to make the finals from 2003. In 2002 he failed in the first round but from, then on the grass court really enjoyed the presence of the champion in the finals.

This year with Davydenko and Roddick out of the tournament and Del Potro absent from the Slam I thought Roger had a easy path to the finals. He was challenged from the first round where everyone expected a biggest upset.But Roger survived the scare. Even in the second round the struggle continued. In the third round everyone was sure that the defending champion was back to form and unstoppable to reach the finals for the 8th time here in the grass. But math and expectation was rewritten by Berdrych. They both have met 10 times earlier and Roger had won every single one of them. But last evening Berdrych was dominant taking an early break and the first set in his hands. But the defending champion came up with a god strategy and took over the second set. Berdrych was unstoppable when he took the third set putting pressure on the defending champion.

In the fourth set Roger got 3 break point when the score was 1-0 providing him a chance to take a lead. But Berdrych saved all of them and in fact broke Roger's serve to take the lead. At this juncture I came to know for the first in 7 years the Wimbledon finals is going to be without Roger. I felt sick and wanted time machine to change everything.

In first place I cursed myself for repeating the same mistake. Watching the match. Then I realised that it is not my mistake if Roger is not making into finals. In 2001 Sampras was defeated by Roger to bring an awakening call. I think the same thing is happening this year with Roger not reaching the finals of Roland Garros as well as Wimbledon. I think he has to change his playing style a bit. He can not become athletic here after wards but can start to hit the ball hard for the opponent. I hope he wakes before the Australian Open and clinches the title.

70 - 68...Wat a Match!!!!!

The longest match,epic match...All I can say is wat ever you call, this match can never be forgotten in the history of tennis.

Three days of struggle and Isner put a stop by winning the match at the 138th game in the final set. I was not able to watch the match on second day but watched the end of the match that too because of my friend. I hate this football when it hinders the telecast of these good matches. Yes, Both ESPN and Star Sports were telecasting football. Neo Sports with Asia Cup and so no other go than watching online. My friend gave me a online streaming site to watch the match.

Thank God. Amazing and I m so happy that I didn't miss it. Everyone in the crowd was fresh. I know that the umpire would really have wanted a winner but all I wanted was to watch their game. Mahut was unshakable. He hit the ball really hard and made no mistake till the end. He was in fact more fresh than Isner.

John Isner, the giant is his nickname, but hence forth he can be called Is(ace)ner. Amazing aces. Till today I have always worshiped Andy Roddick as the guru of ace. I can say that this guy has surpassed that guru and reached the pinnacle. He didn't have good volley nor was a good athlete. But was serve dominant through out. Mostly it took him only four serves to complete the game under a minute.

The match summary is as follows:

Match time: 11 hrs 5 mins
5th set alone over 8 hrs (approx)

Aces:
Isner 112
Mahut 103

Double Faults:
Isner 10
Mahut 21

Winners
Isner 246
Mahut 244

Break Points:
Isner 2/14
Mahut 1/3

Long before when I was small I watched the match between Andy Roddick and Younes El Aynaoui, where the match went up to 21-19 and Andy won the match. I was awestruck by the energy Andy had. But today these two were amazing. I even started having doubt if they are human being. I really want to know what they had as lunch.

As long as tennis exist this match will never be forgotten. It is etched in the ground of Lawn Tennis for ever.

Roland Garros 2010

The most upsetting Roland Garros that I have watched with most of the top players exiting in the early rounds in both men's draw and women's draw.

Men's Draw

I waited for this event for I missed it last year. I wanted Roger and Rafa final. But everything became upsetting.First Davydenko and Del Potro were absent because of injury.

The ace master Andy Roddick booked his exit in the round 3 in the hands of an unseeded russian player.

More upsets started in Round 4 when three of the top 10 players, Andy Murray - the Britain's fav, Tsonga - the french man and Veradasco - who scarred nadal in one of the slam semi finals. With few of the top players out of the league there were only two players soderling and djokovic in the way for Roger and Rafa to reach the finals.

The biggest shock of the year came when Roger was stopped by soderling. Roger defeated Soderling last year in the finals to get hands on the french open for the first time. I thought that this time also he would defeat Soderling. But I was wrong. Roger is holding the record of appearing into semis for 23 times.I thought he would enter for another time but Soderling put an end for his progress. I was in shock for a day. Last year Rafa went out and din reach finals and this year Roger. so this makes that for two years these two have not met in the Roland Garros. So have to wait next year and hopefully they get a head-head match.

Another top seed to get exit is the serbian, Djokovic. With Djokovic and Roger out of way Rafa got a easy road to the French Open finals. The highly expected finals came with Soderling and Rafa. The heat was very high coz Soderling defeated Rafa last year to reach the finals. Everybody (rather myself) had big hopes on Soderling to defeat Rafa. But Rafa had a easy final and won in the straight sets. It was not Soderling's day.Everything went out of his way. In fact Rafa had one of the easiest final in Paris for the first time. The final ended in just 2hrs and 18 mins. I felt it to be shortest finals.

So the clay king is back in his throne throwing Roger out of the throne. With that he also became World Number 1 (which I really hate).

Women's Draw

When lot of things were happening in the men's draw most of the tennis fans expected a William sisters finals this year. But lot of surprises happened in the women's slot than in the Men's slot.

My favorite player, the mom who flushed the Meadows, Kim was absent because of foot injury.

The round 1 exit by Rolland Garros runner up Safina was not all surprising for the tennis fans since the Russian was not in form for a long due to injury. In the second round Radwanska booked her exit.

Former wimbledon champion, Sharapova was in good form and most of the fans wanted the russian back in her saddle, but she was stopped by the former French Open champion, Justine Henin who has returned from her retirement in the round 3. Last Year champion Kuznetsova also exited in the round 3. The Chinese favorite who reached semis of this years Australian Open exited in the round 3.

When all these thing were happening there was a silent player who was making a good progress after a long time.She was none other than Jelena Jankovic. She was in a good form and I really expected her to reach the finals.

The greatest upset in the women's draw came in the 4th round when the second seeded Venus Williams was stopped by Nadia Petrova. Since Venus has exited early in few slams most of the tennis fans was not in for a shock. The come back of Henin was stopped by Stosur. Stosur had a tough battle with Henin and placed seat in the quarters.

When world number one in men, Roger exited in Quarters, World Number 1 in Women, Serena also followed suit. She was defeated by Stosur. The tennis world was in shock for both the number one was out and most of the top players were out. With her Wozniacki was also sent out packing by Schiavone

With all the hurdle removed from her way at the early stage itself, Jankovic was able to see the road to finals but she was stunned by the indomitable Stosur. Amazingly Stosur seized a place in the finals winning in straight sets.

On the other hand Dementieva was progressing silently. With top players out of the league Schiavone made into semi finals. She even stopped the top seed russian Dementieva.

Stosur was in a good form defeating the three top players includes Serena,Jankovic and Henin where as Schiavone also defeated three top players includes Wozniacki, Dementieva and Li.

Both the players were in good form and a bit of luck worked for them to reach the finals. I felt that Stosur had a upper hand of the two. But a new champion came at the end of the day with a straight set win.

Schiavone lifted her first slam title in the clay court and became the first player to hold a slam title for her country.

What a slam?? With top players exiting in early rounds, more injuries and new champion and it was worth actually watching.

I hope the Wimbledon has a good result and I expect a Roger and Rafa match for it has been long that had happened in the slam. Lets hope that Davydenko and Kim returns to provide a good competition in Wimbledon.

Catch you all in Wimbledon 2010.

Records and Facts

This post is dedicated to all tennis fans who are crazy like me who can never forget the records created by these legends. Whenever people talk about records in tennis it is always stuck to Men. One game where women has created more records than men in both all time and open era. This clearly shows that women are better in the court than men and many women players have had long career time than men.

As requested by one of my friends here comes some of the record details, Facts and Trivia in both Men and Women grand slams both in all time and open era. I have not covered everything. For more details please refer my source.

Source : www.wikipedia.org

RECORDS:

List of top five players who holds the most grand slams in combined (Singles,Doubles and Mixed Doubles) titles:



List of top five players who holds the most grand slams in singles during all time.



List of top five players who holds the most grand slams in singles during open era.



List of top five players who holds the most grand slams in doubles.



FACTS:

Men:

Guillermo Vilas - The only player to win ATP Tour singles titles in five different continents in the same year: 5 (Europe, South America, North America, Africa, and Asia) in 1977.

Lleyton Hewitt - Youngest male player to be the World No. 1 at 20 years and 8 months old (2001).

Michael Chang - Youngest man ever to win a Grand Slam singles title, winning the French Open in 1989 at the age of 17 years and 3 months. It was the only grand slam tournament he would ever win.

Ken Rosewall - Oldest man ever to win a Grand Slam singles title, winning the Australian Open in 1972 at the age of 37 years and 2 months.

Roy Emerson

He is the only male player to have won singles and doubles titles at all four Grand Slam tournaments.
Roy Emerson and Rod Laver are the only male players to win each Grand Slam title at least twice in their career.
He is the only male player to have won singles and doubles titles at all four Grand Slam tournaments.

Rod Laver

He is the only tennis player to have twice won all four Grand Slam singles titles in the same year — first as an amateur in 1962 and second as a professional in 1969.
He is the only male player during the open era to have won a calendar year Grand Slam.

Björn Borg

Shares with Roger Federer the record for most consecutive singles match winning streak at Wimbledon: 41.
Shares with Roger Federer the record for most consecutive times reaching French Open and Wimbledon finals: 4.
Shares with Roger Federer the record for most consecutive Wimbledon singles titles: 5.
Shares with Rafael Nadal the record for most consecutive French Open singles titles: 4.
Shares with Pete Sampras and Roger Federer the record for most consecutive years winning at least one Grand Slam title: 8.
Shares with Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Ivan Lendl the record for most consecutive French Open singles finals in Open Era: 4.


Pete Sampras

Shares with Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer the record for the most US Open singles titles in the open era: 5.
Shares with Björn Borg and Roger Federer the record for the most consecutive years winning at least one Grand Slam singles title: 8.
Shares with Ivan Lendl the record for the most singles finals reached at one Grand Slam tournament (US Open): 8.
Shares with Ivan Lendl the record for the most consecutive years appearing in at least one Grand Slam singles final: 11.
Shares with Ivan Lendl the record for the most Tennis Masters Cup singles titles: 5.


Andre Agassi

Only male player to have won all Grand Slam titles, Davis Cup title, Olympic singles gold medal and Tennis Masters Cup (singles) title.
Shares with Jimmy Connors the record of most years finishing in the top ten: 16.
Shares the record of most Australian Open singles titles in Open era with Roger Federer: 4.
The first player to complete the career grand slam on three different surfaces.


Roger Federer

Federer has won 16 Grand Slam singles titles, more than any other male player.
Federer and Nadal are the only male players to hold (or have held) three Grand Slam singles titles on three different surfaces at the same time.
Shares with Björn Borg and Pete Sampras the record for the most consecutive years winning at least one Grand Slam singles title: 8.
He and Andre Agassi have won all four Grand Slam singles tournaments on three different surfaces.


Women:

Martina Hingis - In 1998 at the Australian Open, Hingis became the youngest player to successfully defend a Grand Slam singles title in the open era (17 years old).

Matina Hingis - In 1999 at the Australian Open, Hingis became the only player in history to win the same Grand Slam tournament in singles and doubles three consecutive years with three different doubles partners.

Lindsay Davenport - In 2005, Davenport became the first female player to have won 50 singles matches at the Australian Open.

Margaret Court

In 1970, she became the first woman during the open era and the second woman in history to win all four Grand Slam singles titles in the same calendar year.
Court won 24 Grand Slam singles titles, a feat no other player has achieved.
She also had a successful doubles career, winning 24 women's and 19 mixed doubles titles, taking Court's overall Grand Slam titles to a record 62.
The International Tennis Hall of Fame states, "For sheer strength of performance and accomplishment there has never been a tennis player to match (her).”

Chris Evert

She won 18 Grand Slam singles championships, including a record seven championships at the French Open and a record six championships at the U.S. Open.
Evert's career win–loss record in singles matches of 1,309–146 (.900) is the best of any professional player in tennis history.
Evert never lost in the first or second rounds of a Grand Slam singles tournament.

Martina Navrátilová

She and King each won 20 Wimbledon titles, an all-time record.
She holds the open era record for most singles titles (167) and doubles titles (177).

Steffi Graff

In 1988, Graf became the first and only tennis player (male or female) to achieve the Calendar Year Golden Slam by winning all four Grand Slam singles titles and the Olympic gold medal in the same calendar year.
Won more singles titles at Wimbledon and the French Open (13) than any other player (man or woman).
Only player to have four times won three of the four Grand Slam singles titles in a calendar year (1989, 1993, 1995, 1996).
Only player to have won every Grand Slam singles title twice in two decades (1980s and 1990s).
Only player in history, man or woman, to have defended all the 4 Grand Slam singles title at least once.

Monica Seles

By winning the 1990 French Open, became the youngest woman ever to win the tournament.
Monica Seles is the only player to win the first 6 grand slams final she entered without a loss.
Seles is the only teen to hold 8 grand slams titles before turning 20.

Venus Williams

In 1997, Williams became the first unseeded singles finalist at the US Open.
Venus WIlliamsHolds fastest serve recorded by a woman in all four Grand Slam tournaments:

* Australian Open: 125 mph in 2003 quarterfinal against Daniela Hantuchová.
* French Open: 128 mph in 2007 second round against Ashley Harkleroad, and again in 2010 against Dominika Cibulková.
* Wimbledon: 129 mph in 2008 final against Serena Williams.
* US Open: 129 mph in 2007 first round against Kira Nagy.

The only female tennis player to have won three career gold medals at the Olympic Games.

Blend of Music in my Life

Recently when I was searching my system for the instrumental piece of music I came across a folder named Morning Raga. I started hearing the pieces and I simply fell in love with the music in it. I searched in the web for the movie and watched it. The movie was good for it relaxed my mind entirely. But before watching the movie I heard the song Mathey more than what 50 times for it was amazing till I saw the movie. After watching the movie I found few more pieces excellent.

I have always had the craze for the string instrument from my high school. I wanted to learn either guitar or violin. After 23 years I concluded that I have to give it a shot. I was amidst the confusion of choosing between the two. Guitar is western where as violin has a carnatic touch. Since I m a crazy fan of Ganesh Kumaresh duo I landed upon violin and has been learning for the past 8 months.

When I heard Thayae Yasodha in this album I was amazed by the way the violin was used. All in my life Mahaganapathim has been my favorite in the carnatic angle. Have heard lot of version of the same song like the one piece that comes in this piece. The song in any version always leaves the heart refreshing.

Right from my childhood my mom wanted me to learn vocal. I found that vocal was not my arena. But it took me 23 long years to figure out what I m really interested in. I m have a feeling that I have wasted all these years.Yet I feel that it is not too late for I have few more years left in this world.

This music which has blended in my life is changing everything around me like I feel fresh always.I m starting to see this world in a different way.I feel music everywhere around me and everything around me. This is changing everything in me. All in my life I have never felt traditional or any of those stuffs but now at present I m feeling like I m turning into a traditional girl. More than anything these kind of music has left a small trace in me which I m holding it at present.It is nothing but a thin smile in my lips.

I think it is a bend in my life which is making many things different. I m not sure how long it will sustain in me but the music in my heart will die only along with me.

Raavanan (Raavan in Hindi)

The Hindi version of the music released first and I was impressed with ARR's score. When I saw the singers list I was a bit disappointed when Shreya Goshal was absent. I started wondering how Rahman forgot Shreya. In another two days I got the Tamil version of the music from my bro. My god Rahman is amazing. I found Shreya here in the tamil version. Rahman still believes in Shreya's Tamil rather than her hindi (Just joking). Off late I found that I miss something in Rahman's score if Shreya is not there. This time the only one miss is Blaaze. When Arr used Blaaze(Hosana) amazingly in VTV, I guess he absolutely has given break for the guy in Raavanan.

Usurae Pogudhaey - Karthik & Mohamed Irfan

I can't find words to describe the feeling when I heard this song. This song really has made a great impact on me. The feel of the music literally took me inside the jungle. It also gave a clear view of the emotional imbalance that happens inside the human mind when he/she faces with the inevitable truth. It gave me a feel around the jungle and waterfalls and I know Mani does not spoil the viewers expectation.

Veera - Vijay Prakash, Keerthi Sagathia & ARR

This score clearly shows the nature of the veera character in the movie. Though the song is a small bit it makes a great impact. Vijay has done his part in this song. Of course no album is complete with out ARR's voice. The husky voice behind Vijay's voice is awesome. Hope the song makes the same impact in case of video also.


Kalvarae - Shreya Goshal

I need not say how the song would be. Any Shreya Goshal's fan should be able to guess how the score is. She has improved a lot in her Tamil pronunciation. I have always cursed ARR for bringing the Hindi lead singers into Tamil film industry esp. Sadhana Sargam, one who spoils the entire essence of Tamil. In case of Shreya, Arr has made the sweet mistake of letting her inside the Tamil film industry. The lyrics and the music rips open the heart. I can't find words to express the feeling that I got when I heard the song for the first time.


Kattu Sirukki - Sharnkar Mahadevan & Anuradha Sriram

A different pair of singers in ARR's list. It is amazing to see Shankar, music composer himself, to come forward and sing for ARR. As always Anu does her best in shifting in her pitch. There is no one in my knowledge who came shift in pitch so easily than Anu herself. The duo has done best and way to go

The other 2 songs has disappointed me. The song thok di killi(Hindi) by sukwinder singh and kodu potta the same in tamil by Benny Dayal is the biggest diappointment. Ranjha also didn't make the list.

Waiting for the movie. Hoping to watch both the hindi and the tamil version.

What is my pupose???

After 23 years of my life, on 14th april 2010 exactly @ 17:37 I m having a big doubt about the purpose of my life. This question popped because I m bugged up with my life for this day. It is supposed to be my holiday coz of tamil new year and I felt like I dont want any more holidays in my life(at least for the time being).

There was nothing much in the idiot box even on the occasional time. So I sat in front of the other idiot box (computer) and watched a couple of movies. But, for gods sake how long can I watch movies. So took a break and logged into chat. Caught couple of my frns online and started bugging them. One frnd took off in the middle (well at least she is busy with her lyf) and with another frnd I was running out of topics to talk with him.

I was missing something.Oh yeah..music.. I turned on the music and started singing(I know I m bad. But couldnt help). Now it is only 17:50 and I have till more than 6 hours in this day to spend.

Even @ the end of this post I don't find what my purpose is. Well at least it is only for this day, for tmrw I have to get up early and race in the corporate world to get myself bugged up again with that world.

At least I spent some 20 minutes here.It is time for me to start thinking again what my purpose is.

Sweet Realisation

When I started this post my heart was heavy with lots of hard feelings. When everybody says, "I have had experience." I always had felt why the hell they say as if it had been a part in their life. Well in case of friendship some has come true in my life too.I always fought with my parents,cousins and who ever not that I would be in touch with my friends forever and meet them when ever I need to. But I think life has proven my theory wrong. Recently my friends started to get settle in their life. It is a feel good moment when you see your friend getting settled. Especially in case of friend who supported you through your rough times and with whom you had fun, more than that from whom you have learned a lot about what life is. But what happens after that feel good moment is very hard to digest, for you know that your friend is no longer only a friend for you, she is a wife to a person, in-laws to many people and they come into the highlight. I think this the place where a real friend has to understand the changes happening.

Well I think it took me 6 months to realize that, especially tonight. My friend has come from UK on a short visit. We made up our mind that we would try to catch up. I told her that even if it is 10 minutes I would be happy. But guess what, she called me and apologized that she can't meet up with me and she is leaving India in 2 days. I m not sure if I would get a chance to meet her in near future. It is very possible to talk over phone and send a mail but nothing is worth as a good talk in person. Just one look at the face with whom you have joked and cried will revive the energy and turn your world upside down. But I think I m gonna miss lot of such things. I m happy for one thing that has happened in my friends' life, their marriage which have made them look the different perspectives of life.

In case of my guy friends it is entirely different. They try to get a head into their job organizing their future and what not. I hardly speak to them. I know it is mistake from both the sides. When I call them they are busy and when they return the call I m busy. So this is how life treats you and I guess we have to find a way to sort things out and not to mess it up.

Now I have tears in my eyes for which I m not sure of the reason. I have realized that I have to live with the memories and have a chat over phone and be in touch with mail and whatever means I get to hold on. I call this as sweet realization because I think the time for me to settle is not so long and I have to accept these things a part of my life too.

I dedicate this post to all friends who had this sweet realization and accepted the changes that have come your way. For others all I tell is fight with your friend, cry on their shoulder, gossip in their ear and cherish every moment.

Temple

Just by reading the back of the book I realized that this is the kind of book I have been searching for a long time and the book didn't disappoint me in any way. Right from the first page it was exciting. There is no way I m sharing the plot for you have to read yourself and experience it. I was taken deep into the amazon forest when I read the book. It was amazing journey through out the book. The plot was gripping, though it was fictional I felt why can't anything be true.

I admire one thing in this book, the author allows the reader to imagine the surroundings in the book. The amazing journey in the amazon makes you understand what dangers may lie in that dark continent, especially in that dark deep chilling forest. To know what an adventure is, one should read this book. After reading this book I have started hunting down Matthew Reilly's collection.

I strongly suggest this book for any adventure loving reader.

A Change of thinking

A day filled with two movies touching the similar field is very hard for heart.

I watched Julie & Julia and Ratatouille on the same day. They both changed my view about kitchen and cooking. I have always felt kitchen as my battle ground. I always used to imagine myself in an armor before entering kitchen. I have never come out of kitchen without screaming(obviously I would have done something stupid to hurt myself). For this reason my folks don't allow me to cook. But I know that I can't learn anything if I don't do any mistakes.

Tonight these two movies dared me to look cooking as an art and the kitchen as art gallery. One thing I concluded from these two movies was that it really requires a great deal of patience in kitchen and also it requires lot of interest to master the art of cooking. It also struck me that nothing is easy in life.

I think it is time for me to remove the armor and use a apron and ladle for cooking. I m gonna try to think cooking as a passion rather that a fighting stage. It is also high time I tried something cooking. The continuity of yen samayal aaraiyil part is still pending. Guess it is time for me to put some thing in that post. At least for that sake I will soon enter the art gallery(Kitchen), thats what I m gonna call henceforth.

Julie & Julia

Well, as the title says it is about two different women in two different period of living. Julie Powell (Amy Adams) who is a common 21st century women having a boring live outside her home decides to add something to her life to make it interesting. A blogging idea given by her husband turns everything around her. She decides to cook all the recipes in the book “Mastering the art of French Cooking” by Julia Child (Meryl Streep). She takes it as challenge to cook 524 recipes in 365 days. What begins as a diversion for her life becomes as a passion to her life.

On the other hand the movie moves to the early life of Julia Child who takes cooking into her interest for two reasons, one is that she loves her husband very much and another is she loves food very much. Before taking cooking seriously she tries all other stuffs like learning bridge game, making hats etc. Later she realizes that she can do cooking very well than many people. She is supported by her friends to finish a book on cooking. It takes a great deal of time for her to publish her book.

Julie Powell finishes her challenge. The challenge gave her not only joy but also made her learn the art of cooking. The most important part of the movie is the husband of both Julie & Julia. Both the men stood next to their wife in times of need and happiness. It also showed how a woman would be happy if she has a husband who can really appreciate the initiatives taken by their wife and provide a shoulder in times of need.

No wonder why Meryl Streep got nominated for the Oscars for 16 times. They way she carries herself in the movie is very good. The moment she receives letter from her sister about her pregnancy, she breaks into fits of tears. The tears showed both happiness and sadness (The couple didn’t have a child in the movie). Only few people can score like this kind of scene and Meryl Streep knocks out just easily.

I enjoyed the movie even though I don’t know how to cook. If you are really interested to spice up her life, this is the right piece of movie you should watch.