Brazil, Brazil, where art thou?

The Brazil-Portugal y'day was a stalemate in more ways than one. With Kaka disqualified, Elano injured and Robinho as substitute, Brazil lacked the zing in terms of swift moves and accurate attacks.
The attacks lacked sting and were not controlled well enough.

Although Kaka and Elano were expected to be out on the sidelines, thought this would be a chance to see some pyrotechnics from Robinho - It was not to be and turned out to be quite a dull contest.

Hope the three come out rested and fresh for future contests.

Karnataka Lokayukta resigns - Shameful and sad

http://www.hindustantimes.com/K-taka-lokayukta-resigns-says-post-lacks-adequate-powers/Article1-562142.aspx

Atleast there was one organization that was fighting against corruption. Successive governments have tried hard to reduce the powers or to curtail the operations in one way or other.

Hope better sense prevails to encourage atleast one way of fighting corruption.

Brazil comes unscathed, Ivory coast plays more "Foot" than ball

It is obvious that there is some Foot in Football, but Ivory coast literally took to the heals and played a mean and physical 90 minute routine against Brazil. The game was full of nudges, hits, kicks and holds.
Brazil could scrape through with Fabiano scoring once with his foot, once with his "hands". Kaka helped Elano score an elegant third and Brazil were safely through.

The last 30 mins of the game was like a gladiator match. It was like watching the last quarter of NBA basketball, as the game went in fits and starts, a stoppage every few mins.

Glad Brazil could pass this grueling test. Wish Ivory coast does not make to the round of 16 with so blatant a game.

Brazil, Beware of the Argentine Army

Watched the Argentina-SouthKora match. Check out the here - http://xr.com/gimz
Argentina played excellent football, great possession, excellent passes, no-foul takeovers from the Koreans, and some good striking.
They handled the freekicks the best – getting as close to the goals, rather than wasting them with uncontrolled shots as other teams. The strikes were slow, deliberate and well planned.

The result might as well be 14-1 (yeah, no typos) – There were 22 shots and 18 freekicks.

Brazil, better beware!

The Soup and Salad Cafe, Chennai – Soup in a coffee cup? Leaves you wishing for more!

At end of work day y’day had a feeling that many things have been accomplished (indeed a couple of my long postponed tasks were checked off from the list).
After a good days work, it is a right to feel famished. On a suggestion, went to “The Soup and Salad cafe” http://www.thesoupandsaladcafe.com/, http://www.sandscafe.com/ in T.T.K. Road, alwarpet.

I have been a frequent visitor of “Pure and Natural’ in Bangalore, as well as a fan of Jamba Juice from CA. Both are good and have sizable portions. Went with my tongue out for something similar.

The ambience is quite nice – Nice colors and setup
An Antique radio & nice/mild music
Very clean and nicely laid out tables & place mats
A touch of creativity and nicety all around
The best part is the smile and pleasant approach by everyone.

Since we felt famished, decided to order a soup (Zoupe?) as the menu suggested that it is quite filling. I ordered a Minestrone (too many confusing choices) & My cousin ordered a Spicy Chinese soup.

Our expectation was they are not just thin soups but will be filling.
The spicy Chinese soup was quite spicy (Of course!, what did I expect) and the minestrone was also slightly spicy (It is a diff kind of minestrone for me with thick broth, hints of pepper and a slightly tangy taste)
But the surprising part was the soup bowl (hmm..) Actually it was not a bowl but a coffee cup, the sizes of those in café coffee day etc.
Obviously, the soups did not service our appetite well enough and so we decided to order a sandwich(Zondich) – Calcutta karukkumurkku zondich and share it.
The sandwich came in a grilled pocket bread (much like a pita bread).
A) It was a tad difficult to share with the odd shape and what not.
B) The portion is much less compared to what could have been for the price.

Positives:

• Excellent and pleasant service – Its been quite a while seeing smiles on service people in Chennai.
• Quiet ambience
• Nice colors
• Genuine – Menu mentions bottled water at MRP and bill conforms to it!

Guys, If your costing permits, please increase the portion sizes.

Many a famished stomach will patronize you! & help our philosophy of making this a way of life.

Brazil survives scare, Maicon to the rescue

Mighty Brazil Vs Minnow North Korea – How it turned out ?

First half: Max possession by Brazil – 60% plus. A few attempts. No success. North Korea into long periods of Solid defense and bursts of a couple of attacks.
Brazil players – Trying to no end
NK Players – Wall is their middle name
Coach Dunga – Tense as hell (Can these guys see the goal post?)
Commentators – Initially “Fantastic contest”, after 30 mins – Zapped
Brazil fans in the stands – Crest fallen!, (What are they doing?)
Brazil fans watching T.V – Is this Brazil?

End of First half: Everyone waiting to see more aggression from Brazil an dlapse in concentration from North Korea

Second Half: Max possession again by Brazil, but more aggression and more attempts. Attempts are better – Either due to better coordination or the tired legs of Korean players.

55th Min: Unbelievable angle from Micon, almost from the end line , parallel to the goal post, ball passes between the goalie and the goal post and curves to end up nicely in the middle of the net on the other side of the goal. Just unbelievable.
One of the commentators mentioned in the first half about the need of “Divine intervention” and it looked like the god of football just sent out a gust of wind to curve the ball at the right angle!
Brazil players – Relaxed after the emotional celebration
NK Players – Resigned to fate
Coach Dunga – First signs of smile.
Commentators – Talks of Brazils historical record of good opening matches
Brazil fans in the stands – Erupting, samba drums and colors come out
Brazil fans watching T.V – Hey, things are back to normal finally!!

All are awake and excited and the stands are erupting. Elano gets a nice pass from Robinho later to put it 2/0.

Korea did show its Mettle with a nice goal from Ji in 89th minute. Great achievement from a player and a team that was written off at every instant.

Hope Brazil sheds complacency, regroups itself quickly, puts in more aggression in the attacks and learns a thing or two on the defense from DPR (North Korea).

Cholayil Sanjeevanam, Adyar – Great Satvik food experience

Went to Cholayil Sanjeevanam, a good Vegetarian Restaurant in Adyar (http://www.cholayilsanjeevanam.com/health_res.htm) during the weekend. Have gone there a couple of times earlier and have liked their approach, cleanliness and food.

They offer a Satvik Vegetarial Meal (Rajakeeyam) which consists of different series of juices, vegetables and food to tingle the taste buds, enable good digestion etc.

The first set is a set of 5 juices in shot glasses (date juice, Nuts & Milk, Vegetable juice, mint buttermilk, rice bran kanji)
Then comes a set of 4 uncooked vegetables
Followed by a set of 4 semi cooked vegetables
Finally, you get to the fully cooked items.
Brown rice is served with Dhal which is followed by a choice of brown or white rice with sambar, morkozhambu and rasam.
A spoon of honey to aid digestion
A nice Payasam for Desert
And a Paan that is made of carrot and other vegetables.

Here is a picture of the meal

From Citi Notes

Overall, there is no oil or fried stuff and seasoning. The food is kerala style and even after these many items, you feel filled by not too stuffed or heavy.

Note of caution: There is little spice (I did not see any chilli or chilli powder in any dish) and the food is kerala style. One or two of my friends have not found that to their liking.

But, if you are game for a tasty, vegetarian meal cooked based on healthy principles and if you are open for a new experience, this is the place to go.

The lunch is priced @150+ taxes and comes to around Rs. 175/-

Anyone tried this ?

Southern fast Packers & Movers - Good option for Bangalore, Chennai

While I was moving from Bangalore to Chennai, I was looking for a good packer/mover. The ones I used earlier to move within Bangalore were charging exorbitant rate to move between cities.
Got the reference of “Southern Fast Packers & Movers” from a known source. They had moved one single item (a Windows AC) and it was packed, moved and delivered well.

I spoke to Mr. Perumal – who is in charge, and he came for an estimate. The estimate was much less than others and he spoke sense and straight fwd, not vaguely.
The packing started on time and they had come with 4 extra boxes. But at the end, they ended up needing 10 more extra boxes.
We negotiated a decent rate there itself with Perumal.
The next day morning 8.00 a.m. the truck was at my place in Chennai and the 2 guys unpacked things nicely and did not even wait for any extra money (that has been my experience in earlier moves).

It was a nice experience. I'll use them again if required.
Southern fast packers & Movers - 216/3 3rd Cross 4th Main, Chamarajpet, Bangalore 560018. India. , Tel:26508966. Contact Mr. Perumal.

Fifa2010 - Schedule for Indian fans

Schedule for Indian fans of all the matches in IST (Courtesy "The Hindu")

From Citi Notes