Mercury News, Santa Clara, December 23, 2009
From the columns of Mr. Roadshow.
A funny and wonderful thing happened on the train on way home from San Franscisco last week. The conductor was waiting and waiting for a woman to find her ticket.
She was all apologetic and flustered, and he told her, "Don't worry, I will just sing while I wait." She found her ticket, but the conductor hadn't sung a note. When he started to leave, I said, "Come on, you said you would sing!" Well he started with "White Christmas," but then said he didn't know it at all, but he did know "The Twelve Days of Christmas."
So he started that off, and I came in with two calling birds, and pretty soon may be 15 people in the car sang along. We had a few minor disagreements about what exactly is supposed to happen in the ninth, 10th and 11th verses, but we just sorted it out as we went along.
What a kick. Big round of applause at the end. Made my day!
Sue Kemp, Palo Alto
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Non Sequitur
Cultural Shock!
Teacher asks a student, "Which brings up the use of Adverbs?"
Student: "WHOA! Now you are really towing the line of offensive language!!"
Teacher: Sighs. "And how are adverbs offensive, Dahne?"
Student: "Cuz verbs describe action and actions can be offensive, so adverbs make them even more offensive!"
Teacher: "Um not all actions are offensive!"
Student: " Well, we don't take chances in my culture, so we ban everything!"
Teacher: "So......in your culture you folks prefer stay illiterate?"
Student: "UH..OH.....sounds like someone's cultural bias is showing!"
Mercury News, 15-12-2009 (while at California-Santa Clara)
Teacher asks a student, "Which brings up the use of Adverbs?"
Student: "WHOA! Now you are really towing the line of offensive language!!"
Teacher: Sighs. "And how are adverbs offensive, Dahne?"
Student: "Cuz verbs describe action and actions can be offensive, so adverbs make them even more offensive!"
Teacher: "Um not all actions are offensive!"
Student: " Well, we don't take chances in my culture, so we ban everything!"
Teacher: "So......in your culture you folks prefer stay illiterate?"
Student: "UH..OH.....sounds like someone's cultural bias is showing!"
Mercury News, 15-12-2009 (while at California-Santa Clara)
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Engineering
Engineering is an art, not a science.
- Engineering is the art of modelling materials, we do not totally understand.
- Into shapes we cannot preciously analyse so
- To understand forces that we cannot really assess
- in such a way that the public has no reason to suspect the extent of our IGNORANCE!
___________________________________________________________________
I found this quotation on the table of Sri Venugopal of LMW, Coimbatore. 24-2-1995
************************************************************************************************************************************
Living in an Apartment Complex!
The other day, we were discussing the various aspects of comparison between the life in an individual house and that in an apartment complex. The question of neighbours were being discussed when my friend was at pains to explain some of his experiences. What was discussed in not the matter of our interest here.
But the birth of new English words is!
In the case of an individual houses, we have three neighbours, the one on the left, the one on the right and the one on the back. They are all in the same level and can be called "neighbours". But in the case of an apartment house, one may have four such neighbours! The one on the left and the one on the right can be conventionally called, "neighbours". Can we call the one on the floor above as "Heighbours" and the one below, "Beighbours"?
RK Murthy
The other day, we were discussing the various aspects of comparison between the life in an individual house and that in an apartment complex. The question of neighbours were being discussed when my friend was at pains to explain some of his experiences. What was discussed in not the matter of our interest here.
But the birth of new English words is!
In the case of an individual houses, we have three neighbours, the one on the left, the one on the right and the one on the back. They are all in the same level and can be called "neighbours". But in the case of an apartment house, one may have four such neighbours! The one on the left and the one on the right can be conventionally called, "neighbours". Can we call the one on the floor above as "Heighbours" and the one below, "Beighbours"?
RK Murthy
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Wisdom!
The other day, I was chatting with my good friend, Sri. S. Vaidyanathan. He was on holiday visiting his relatives in US. The chat went on on usual note. It is always interesting to converse with him, be it in person or through any media! The topic switched to "Grand Parents". SV was commenting that being grand parents, as he had been observing, is really enjoyable and time they spend with grand children is something very different from the time they would have spent with their own children. He was quick to add that wisdom too develops at that time of the age !
I quipped, "Wisdom tooth cuts there and the Wisdom dawns here!" (When the grand child cuts his or her wisdom tooth, the grand parents are in age seeking Wisdom!)
SV enjoyed this quip and said, "Fantastic!"
RK Murthy/14November, 2009
I quipped, "Wisdom tooth cuts there and the Wisdom dawns here!" (When the grand child cuts his or her wisdom tooth, the grand parents are in age seeking Wisdom!)
SV enjoyed this quip and said, "Fantastic!"
RK Murthy/14November, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Naamavali!
Ganeh is my good friend and he lives in BR Hills and has tremendous sense of humour as well as wealth of informations. Recently I received a mail and is worth sharing with all!
Hi Folks . . . . . . If Parsis can have their name as per their professions,why can't we have it? Here are some suggestions: (It'd help if you knew Tamizh)
Doctor -- Vaidyanathan; Dentist -- Pallavan; Lawyer -- Kesavan; North Indian Lawyer -- Panjabakesan; Financier --Dhanasekaran; Cardiologist -- Irudhayaraj; Pediatrist -- Kuzhandaisamy; Psychiatrist -- Mano; Sex Therapist -- Kamadevan; Marriage Counselor -- Kalyanasundaram; Ophthalmologist --Kannan, Kannayiram; n; ENT Specialist -- Neelakandan, Thondaiyappan; Diabetologist -- Sakkarapani; Nutritionist -- Arogyasamy; Hypnotist -- Sokkalingam; Mentalist -- Budhisikamani; Exorcist -- Maatruboodham; Magician -- Mayandi; Builder -- Sengalarayan; Painter -- Chitraguptan; Meteorologist -- Kaarmegam; Agriculturist -- Pachaiyappan; Horticulturist -- Pushpavanam; Landscaper -- Bhuminathan; Barber -- Kondaiappan; Beggar -- Pichai; Bartender -- Madhusudhan; Alcoholic -- Kallapiraan; Exhibitionist -- Ambalavaanan; Fiction writer -- Naavalan; Makeup Man -- Singaram; Milk Man -- Paul Raj; Dairy Farmer -- Pasupathi; Dog Groomer -- Naayagan; Snake Charmer -- Nagamurthi; Mountain Climber -- Yezhumalai; Javelin Thrower -- Velayudam; Polevaulter -- Thaandavarayan; Weight Lifter -- Balaraman; Sumo Wrestler -- Gundappan; Karate Expert -- Kailaasam; Kick Boxer -- Ethiraj; Batsman -- Dhandiappan, Dhandapani; Bowler -- Balaji, Balu; Spin Bowler -- Thirupathi; Female Spin Bowler -- Thirupura Sundari*; Driver -- Sarathy; Attentive Driver -- Parthasarathy;
*my favourite Any more suggestions?
Ganesh Pacchaiappan B.R.HILLSU
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Truly Comforting Words
We received a lovely greetings from one of our friends whom we have never met in person. But we do exchange mail very often. It was Diwali Greetings and the Greetings were really very sincere, spreading light, love and affection.
Immedietly, these ex-tempo words came to my mind!
Diwali Greetings!
The lights did lit our home!
The words did brighten our hopes!
The very rememberance did make us feel supported!
What else one needs at the moments of little discomfort!
Little discomfort I said and it is really a little one,
For no one escapes from it!
Vasantha had her cataract few weeks ago!
Vasantha had a minor surgery unexpectedly, few days ago!
We both managed these moments of despair and hope ably!
Means we had plenty of good wishes from you particularly!
During the last festive Diwali day of 2008! yes it was 2008!
So sincere they were and abundantly laden with love and concern!
That we tredded along the difficult days with ease and comfort!
Now, all that is over and comfortable,
With the lovely greetings arriviing from you , now in 2009
What else can assure me and Vasantha
That the future days are gonna be wonderful and comfortable!
For the kind act of rememberance at your end,
Pity! We don't have anything matching to send along, except
Our heartfelt greeting to one and all in your family!
RK Murthy
Oh! Calcutta!
The taxi at Howrah takes you to Bhowanipur for Rs 5 and paise 75!
If you have Sardar at the wheel, it would for sure the fair I said!
The tram rumbles along and other traffice respect them!
You in the tram are sure to reach Esplanade, to make it to the Booking Office!
The pest of a middle man makes you think twice, and yet you dare to engage him!
While you wait impatiently, two hours gone, and there, he is, with the tickets!
KC Das invites you for a perfect treat of Rossagollah!
Sip it, Chew it, drink the syrup and celebrate the ticketing!
Back home by the rattling and dancing tram, but it is there for sure!
Jaggu Bazaar is bubbling with activities and then get home with bag full of vegs!
Maidan Market caters to all and but then you have a page full of orders from home!
Little bargaining here and there, you are with all the bag full and packed!
Get a pat on the back and she treats with big sized Samosas from the corner shop!
Mrs. beams with joy and plans for the next shopping, I don't mind!
Comes a down pour! Hoogly comes to city for a visit and look around!
Was it tea that was flowing along the place where the street once was?
But the shower gets back home to skys and pat the flood too gets back to great river under that beautiful bridge on the river!
Make to the Lake area, and line up for paani puri!leaning forward to sip the tamarind water for it is genuinine!
Don't care the dozens of Old Men tredding along with some one by side !
But they are totally safe to get back home after their nice walk!
Lake Market, full of veggies which were never colored and GM-ed!
Many get into your bag for couple of tenners!
Come home, switch on the TV, real big sized one, B & W!
Pat comes dots and dashes, 'cause the DC fans at the are at work!
Drop the idea, go out and only to find men at carrom boards under a dim light!
Couple of experts and novices standing and watching!
If you will get to Park Street! Nice and neat, beautiful and live!
Get into Oxfords and get a novel of your choice!
Or else, get to Hobby Center and then a solid Plane Model for your son, for just Rs.5!
Or get to Firpos (or was it Flurys?), and get a wonderful cake and eat it too!
Don't like any, get to the corner and find the colour ful bottles and pyramids of fruits,
Order a jar of juice, the man dramatically swings into action!
You stand wondering whether he is Sarkar, the great magician or the juice seller
For, in seconds he hands over a wet but a big jar of Juice!
My memories are plenty of Calcutta of Sixties and Seventies,
But it is time for the football match to Start and
Mohan Bagan cannnot be missed!
So see you later!
RK Murthy
That kind of Calcutta has gone for ever, it is now Kolkatta! A city with total changes!
If you have Sardar at the wheel, it would for sure the fair I said!
The tram rumbles along and other traffice respect them!
You in the tram are sure to reach Esplanade, to make it to the Booking Office!
The pest of a middle man makes you think twice, and yet you dare to engage him!
While you wait impatiently, two hours gone, and there, he is, with the tickets!
KC Das invites you for a perfect treat of Rossagollah!
Sip it, Chew it, drink the syrup and celebrate the ticketing!
Back home by the rattling and dancing tram, but it is there for sure!
Jaggu Bazaar is bubbling with activities and then get home with bag full of vegs!
Maidan Market caters to all and but then you have a page full of orders from home!
Little bargaining here and there, you are with all the bag full and packed!
Get a pat on the back and she treats with big sized Samosas from the corner shop!
Mrs. beams with joy and plans for the next shopping, I don't mind!
Comes a down pour! Hoogly comes to city for a visit and look around!
Was it tea that was flowing along the place where the street once was?
But the shower gets back home to skys and pat the flood too gets back to great river under that beautiful bridge on the river!
Make to the Lake area, and line up for paani puri!leaning forward to sip the tamarind water for it is genuinine!
Don't care the dozens of Old Men tredding along with some one by side !
But they are totally safe to get back home after their nice walk!
Lake Market, full of veggies which were never colored and GM-ed!
Many get into your bag for couple of tenners!
Come home, switch on the TV, real big sized one, B & W!
Pat comes dots and dashes, 'cause the DC fans at the are at work!
Drop the idea, go out and only to find men at carrom boards under a dim light!
Couple of experts and novices standing and watching!
If you will get to Park Street! Nice and neat, beautiful and live!
Get into Oxfords and get a novel of your choice!
Or else, get to Hobby Center and then a solid Plane Model for your son, for just Rs.5!
Or get to Firpos (or was it Flurys?), and get a wonderful cake and eat it too!
Don't like any, get to the corner and find the colour ful bottles and pyramids of fruits,
Order a jar of juice, the man dramatically swings into action!
You stand wondering whether he is Sarkar, the great magician or the juice seller
For, in seconds he hands over a wet but a big jar of Juice!
My memories are plenty of Calcutta of Sixties and Seventies,
But it is time for the football match to Start and
Mohan Bagan cannnot be missed!
So see you later!
RK Murthy
That kind of Calcutta has gone for ever, it is now Kolkatta! A city with total changes!
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