Sports and Music. Both packed with vibe, aggression, anticipation, excitement, noise, energy, and soul. As an athlete, hearing a song that boils your blood and widens your eyes is just one small characteristic in which music   can transcend physically into your own actions and thoughts. Eclectic restaurants and lounges are effective with paralleling their visual atmosphere to the aura it emits. Sport venues are no different. Rarely, unless you are at a   cricket match, will the arena blair ‘Mozart’s 21st concerto   in C major’ at the height of battle. 4th and 2 and one play to win or lose the game, here are the top 10 (due to change with time).

10. Eat the Rich – Aerosmith

9. Shoot to Thrill – AC/DC

8. Beautiful People – Marilyn Manson

7. Breakdown – Tantric

6. Desire – Ozzy Osbourne

5. Take the Power Back – Rage Against the Machine

4. Let it Rock – Kevin Rudolf feat. Lil’ Wayne

3. Man in the Box – Alice in Chains

2. Animal – Pearl Jam

1. Welcome to the Jungle – Guns N’ Roses

A hill is to be climbed.
I too agree. Even at 76, I can hardly resist the temptation to climb the hills.
As a child, I heard elders reading stories of the heroes, who tried to climb Mt. Everest, till then unconquered, and lost their lives in the attempt. In those days there were minimum things to protect them from the freezing cold and lack of oxygen. Undeterred, they defied nature, just for the thrill of it !
Two days back, a young man, almost a boy, belonging to our Kadalayil clan, fell down while going up the mountain in China, and lost his life.Very shocking, when near and dear are involved in accidens.
I am in mourning for ten days.

Six Flags has been a part of my life since I was able to walk. Nothing provides more lasting memories than a great day at the park especially when shared with your beloved ones. That’s why, in addition to the most thrilling rides on the planet, you’ll find top-shelf entertainment right here at the park of Six flag’s magic mountain. They have the best roller coasters, The Log Jammer, Goldrusher, Sky Tower and Colossus. They also have Bugs Bunny World which when I was younger was my favorite. And don’t forget the food, Papa John’s, Cold Stone Creamery and Johnny Rockets just to name a few. Since Six Flags was only about a 45 minute drive for my family, just outside of Los Angles, California and it was easy to plan a day without notice. With the most exciting thrill rides around, California residents come here when they want to have fun.

Sono passati ormai 6 mesi da quando sono uscito dal concessionario al volante del mio nuovo gioiellino: una Mini Cooper S nuova fiammante. E, stranamente, ancora non ho scritto nulla a riguardo.

Ma niente dettagli che si possono leggere sulle riviste. Voglio solo fornire qualche impressione sui primi chilometri percorsi insieme, ora che il motore ha finalmente iniziato a slegarsi.

Partiamo da alcuni numeri. La nuova Mini Cooper S (denominazione R56) è leggermente più grande della versione precedente, senza però grandi cambiamenti negli spazi interni. La vera novità è rappresentata dal nuovo motore 1.6 turbo twin-scroll a iniezione diretta, che sviluppa 175 CV e 240 Nm di coppia massima, già disponibile a 1.600 giri; coppia che raggiunge i 260 Nm, grazie a un overboost che entra in gioco quando si accelera con decisione.

Il pacchetto sospensioni è stato rivisitato e ora comprende un nuovo asse posteriore multilink con il braccio longitudinale alleggeriti, oltre a molle e ammortizzatori ricalibrati. Ovviamente la scelta è ricaduta su un’auto dotata dell’assetto Sport opzionale, con molle, ammortizzatori e barre anti-rollio più rigidi, per preservare il famoso “go-kart feeling”. La nuova taratura sembra anche andare meglio d’accordo con i pneumatici run-flat di serie. Per la cronaca, si tratta delle più che soddisfacenti Dunlop SP Sport 01.

La prima differenza che salta subito all’occhio di chi ha provato la versione precedente (R50-53) quando ci si mette al volante, è il nuovo sterzo, che per fortuna ha mantenuto la sensibilità che mi aveva fatto così tanto apprezzare la prima R50. L’unico consiglio è di fare a meno del tasto Sport. Io l’ho provato prima dell’acquisto su una inguardabile Cooper S Clubman e sono giunto alla conclusione che l’indurimento dovuto alla pressione del tasto non fa altro che nascondere le informazioni che vengono trasmesse invece con il setup standard. Inoltre la più rapida risposta dell’acceleratore non è così evidente da cambiare in modo sostanziale la guida. In fin dei conti, quindi, anche quando deciderete di divertirvi un po’, saranno più le volte che lo lascerete disinserito, quindi tanto vale risparmiarsi la spesa.

Ancora niente track day per ora, ma da quello che sono riuscito a capire, il modo migliore per sfruttarne le doti è frenare piuttosto tardi, tenendo il pedale ancora premuto durante l’inserimento in curva, in modo da mantenere il carico sulle sospensioni anteriori. Invece di inarcare la coda, la Mini manterrà diligentemente la linea, dando la possibilità di iniziare a riaccelerare già prima di aver raggiunto il punto di corda. Provate e buon divertimento!

Invece per il prossimo futuro sto facendo un pensierino sul Tuning Kit John Cooper Works, per aggiungere quel briciolo di potenza in più e sfruttare al massimo l’aderenza di telaio e sospensioni.

Via magma

365- Thrill, Thriller, Thrilling, originally uploaded by boomer3297.

Another from Red Rock, this is my brother thrilled to make it to the peak.

Running is a lifestyle, they say. You can’t just wake up one morning and go run a marathon, they say. I am lazy in the sense that I sometimes quibble with my need to keep a regular workout routine. I train best under fire, when the D-Day is imminent. Otherwise, I let myself go. This is what I’ve been doing lately: Nothing. Not even Yoga, which is the anti-sport, the sport that was invented for people who don’t want to say they don’t exercise. “What’s the point?” I tell myself, “Yoga is not a real sport. I’d better go eat a sandwich and watch some CNN.” Here I am, almost a month after my big race, not working out whatsoever. And I feel great! I can still walk around bragging about my marathon. I realize this is as pathetic as the reminder in the paper yesterday that the Cubs have won the World Series in 1908. I will pull myself together and start running again, in moderation. But I enjoy the ups and downs, what can I say, I like the thrills of the extremes. I thought about this today when I went to see J-D, my hair stylist. In one of my previous visits he explained to me that unlike dental appointments, getting highlights is a lifestyle that needs constant maintenance, not semi-annual checkups. Now every time I go to see J-D I prepare a statement, just in case he grilled me about it: “It’s my rough look. It’s my not-giving-a-damn-what-I-look-like look.” J-D is a genius. He doesn’t try to instill new lifestyles in me. Instead we talk about honeybee AIDS and clean air and covet the talent of that straight dick from the RedEye who writes so well.

• That Straight Dick From The RedEye Who Writes So Well: Stephen Markley
• J-D

Art: Extreme Yoga, by Rena Cugelman, available under Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative license

PILGRIMAGE TO KAMAKSHI TEMPLE

One morning, on my return from the temple, I saw Thuppan talking to my wife. Do you want to come to see Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakodi, he sked me.
The big van parked in front of his house is going there. I can get free lift, he added.
Travel is the best thing I like, next only to studies. I readily agreed. My wife agreed , though she did not want to come with us. Some cloths and tooth brush and paste, were immediately pushed into a bag, and I began my break fast.

 In the mean time the driver, a trusted man of the Seer, came and started talking. He seemed to be a gay guy, willing to adjust in any company.
We started at about ten and reached Palakad transport stand where the van was parked and both Thuppan and the driver went away, leaving me in the van. They came back, with two travellors bound for Coimbatore, from whom bus fare was taken on reaching there.
At Coimbatore, we went to see my cousin Unnikrishnan and his wife Sainaba.  It was poined out that I was wearing the pajama inside out! They insisted that I wear it properly.

Leaving us there, the driver went away on some excuse, promising to come back before five in the evening.
As soon as we started our journey from Coimbatore, some one on motor bike overtook our van, to point out that petrol is leaking.
Our driver ignored it.
In the night, we were going through thick bamboo forests, somewhere near Salem.
At about 2 AM, THE VAN CAME TO A STOP, AS ALL THE PETROL HAD LEAKED OUT.
The driver stopped a vehicle coming in the reverse direction, got into it with a vessel, normally used for storing water, and went away, leaving us, including Kappara Subrahmanian, who was with us, in the van. So we three Subrahmanians were left in the lurch, wondering what will happen next! After about an hour, the driver returned in another vehicle, with petrol in the vessel. By sucking the petrol through a pipe and pouring it into the engine, wasting much of the precious liquid, somehow, he managed to start our journey again. When we reached Vellore in the morning, he told us to go by bus, as the van needed repairs!
Wonderful! I remembered a sayig in Hindi: don’t undress, just  seeing a naked woman! Well, that is what we did.
We had break fast first, then proceeded to Kanchi by bus. The distance was not much. By noon, we reached Kanchi. Thuppan was our leader. He took us to the office of the Math, where they eagerly heard our story and told us to give written complaint.
On second thoughts, we dropped the idea. Thuppan’s sharp mind understood the situation. The driver is very, very close to the Sankaracharya, who was subsequently arrested, in connection with the Sankararamanan murder case!
We stayed at the TTD Rest house, in one room for just Rs. 50 per day, specious, with one or two mats made of grass and common bath ,with plenty of water.
For break fast, the manager gave a tip. At the right side of the main gopuram(gate,very high, with elaborate carvings etc., in the typical Tamil architecture) is an opening without any sign board. Don’t ask anybody. Just go in. It was the home of an aiyer, where we saw several other men and boys, apparently students, sitting on the bare floor. After taking orders, the lady made the dishes- idly, vada, dosa etc., steam hot,very tasty; we went on eating. The rates were very cheap. I think they did not want publicity, as they avoided other castes.
The temple of Shiva and Parvathy, is so vast and grand that I am unable to describe it. You cannot explain the elephant to one who has not seen that unique, giant of an animal!
There is a mango tree inside, which gives fruits of different tastes, from different branches, facing the four directions. Parvathy is believed to  have done tapasya(prayer with only one wish in the mind) under this very tree!
There are four buildings, all made of granite only, without any lime mortar, one surrounding the other, all with carvings, the innermost being the sanctum, housing the deities of Shiva and his wife. In no other religion is the god with wife and children.
The Kamakshi temple is not big, compared to the Shiva temple. Here was a long que. Thuppan told me to follow him. He just went forward, from one side, chanting Samskrit mantras,  and reached the point nearest to the deity. We prayed for a long time, undisturbed. It was this Devi that our ancestor brought to Kadalassery and installed at the Durga temple there. I felt a thrill of devotion. I forgot all the troubles and felt grateful to Thuppan.

Boemdance@Halloween Party in Iulius Mall Cluj
Ce ar fi un Halloween la Cluj fara un spectacol pe cinste?! Trupa Boemdance. nu numai ca a organizat FlashMob-uri, sau Dance Tribute/Flash-Mob to Michael Jackson ‘This is IT’, la care a contribuit si LiVia , ci a pregatit Clujului si un spectacol pe ideea THRILL—> Thrill The World 2009 – the world’s largest simultaneous dance of ThRiLLeR – dance tribute to Michael Jackson pe piesa ‘THRILLER’ and a real nice party —>
THRILL THE WORLD@Cluj… Trupa Boemdance s-au mascat adecvat, the real monsters of Thriller@Cluj, iar Freetzy a pregatit o coregrafie personalizata. Michael Jackson spunea: ‘dancers come and go, but the dance will live forever…’ Nu ar trebui sa se puna accentul pe a imita ceva perfect, atat in muzica cat si in dans, ci mai degraba pe a te regasi in dans, muzica, teatru, film… Adevarata valoare ia viata atunci cand opera ta se identifica practic cu tine insuti, si dansul (in acest caz) trebuie sa se regaseasca in dansatori si invers, iar dansatorii talentati isi vor proiecta tot timpul propriile valori in dansul, creatia/opera lor, la fel ca si trupa Boemdance din Cluj. Congrats!
Enjoy the official video.

[OFFICIAL VIDEO] – Boemdance@Halloween Party in Iulius Mall Cluj

Livia

BOEMDANCE INFO:

Daca vrei sa faci si TU parte din trupa Boemdance, ei te vor astepta la o preselectie!
Zilnic ora:18:00; Strada Dorobantilor nr.72 – in sala de dans BOEMDANCE.

Pentru alte intrebari lasa un comentariu.
Livia

Photo by VC Ferry

he would come around
a few times a year
we could feel the stinger
of fear

in the air

he would hunt us down
us little girls, only three,
four and five years old
trap us together like ferrets
in our neighbor’s garage

while laughing and grabbing
he’d pull our hair back
kiss, and tickle us through our
wide open shrieking
mouths, screams, and cries

he thought it was funny
cornering us
it was his thrill
a game, like
bobbing for apples

our parents didn’t know
the horror he brought
or thought
we were just
making up stories
like children do

that

Jerry Mellow’s
grandfather

meant no

harm

L. K. Thayer

All Rights Reserved

© 2009

Today I was better than others. Why? Because I believed in myself. Because I threw caution to the wind and took a risk. Somethings have to be done regardless of the consequences. Sometimes the consequences don’t matter. Sometimes the consequence turn pale right next to the act of thrill. I didn’t care if I was gonna get busted. I just wanted to do it and I did. And I survived it. I took a chance and today I was better than others. Hell, I was better than myself.
I tore down the walls regardless of the risk/pleasure waiting ahead. And the scenery behind those walls was spectacular. I witnessed what others missed. But I wasn’t tryna compete with others at that time, at that moment. I just felt like going with my instinct and I am glad I did.

I just experienced that thrilling moment when a script takes on a life of its own and you know that it’s going to work.

I was just re-reading page twelve and I felt that little pang in my chest, that little injection of adrenalin that says This is good, this is mine, this is worth doing, this is worth the effort.

It’s like a whole series of random threads just intertwining almost of their own accord. The characters, the storyline, the dialogue, the potential.

It’s like hitting 8000 rpm in second, snicking third as quick as you can and just feeling the surge as the road opens up in front of you.

Aces.

I’m hoping my writing will be delivered with perfect timing
My Body clock says it’s a late storm
But I’m hoping you’re… ready to light me
Strike me
Like lightning
Little hater inside me knows I’m ready to fight me
Step outside me, brush aside me
Take residence and step against the not like me inside me
Let you set me on fire till I’m flashing brightly
Red Yellows Blues and Greens
Open my eyes to your ocean colour scene
So that I can read between the waves and motion
Wade in the water of devotion out from the sure
Find you and float in the real and the pure
I already know you’re demure, conscious and prized
I don’t have to throw lines for you to be caught by surprise
In the rule book of life we may have played on opposite sides of the law
Straight fly we know our flaws, know where the floor is
Love knows where the door is but only shows us the key
How you and I haven’t yet met when we’re meant to be?
All I wonder is how can we decide the main verse if we don’t even know the key
Life writes the interlude then the pre
Builds us through our history and creates our future
Establishes the true you
Defines a true me
Our lines have to cross and bind till you and I become a true we
I’m blind to you but I don’t stroll in the dark
We’re just two mammals making our way to the ark
I can’t say that we will be a walk in the park
Or a stroll on the promenade
Times may get hard but I know you are rich in value
We’ve got to value OUR values or there will be hitches
I want to bless and gain blessings through your riches
No name calling. No bastards, no bitches
Lets communicate and scratch itches
Hoping you and I don’t flee
Being hitched is what its made to be
I don’t say cracked because your love mendeth me
I am softer than concrete you are my rose
The rhythm pattern in my flows
You are more precious than ivory,
I’m tall but you heighten me
You are the nightlight and the sunrise
The words of the songbird my heart is talking through
Blood sweat and tears I’ll pour for you
See laborious minds make for victorious times
The moment we step on love
We just stepped on our time
Our landmines
Lets explode together
Touch the sky as we hold the clouds
Have our eyes look up not down
Dry eyes in the midst of a frown
Already a queen already crowned
Yet I want you to have my jewel, my seal
Hold you like shore is held by the sea
Surround you like an orange is its peel
You will be the only temptress to which I yield
True love only exposes
I bring more than a ring of roses
A heart that you can’t dispose of
The strength to strengthen you all over
To be with you I’ll be luckier than the Irish in a field of clover
Intoxicated yet sober
From Timbuktu to the white cliffs of Dover everyone will know the worst kept secret
Richly in love we are meant to be that
Athletic millionaire I may not be that
Subject of my art you can’t just be that
A mere portrait to expose this poets trait you can’t just be that
You are the doctrine
I believe that
A heavenly blessing I know I’ll see that
The real love in me you unleash that
Coffee and sugar we can be that
Cos we need each other can’t you see that?
Unstoppable force meets the immovable object
To me I hope you don’t object as we court
Play ball and enjoy the heat
Love never needs to beat, compare or compete
As long as we have love, friends and family
Faith, harmony in the sanctity of matrimony
No games geared towards getting paid via alimony
Baby and then a divorce
I’m in this for life even if times we stray off course
See life is life but on judgment day when I give that account for all
I want God and all of heaven to know
I was proud on earth to have been
Yours faithfully

Yesterday was the 75th anniversary of our local fair.  Entry was only $0.75 per person.  All rides were $0.75 and a multiple ride ticket was only $7.50. 

It was crammed with people …. eating and riding those thrill giving rides.  I was not one of those riding.  Way too chicken.  And the food is way to greasy for my taste.  I did enjoy the exhibits, though.  I even won a few blue ribbons in my categories.  I’ll post pics of them later.

Here’s one of those rides that scare me (I’m more a merry go round person).

Travelling miles many, safely
In an un-wheeled cart! Then,
Flying high and high thro the sky!
No idea of where, exactly!

Mmmm. On ye’ thrill-filled tragic way,
As the flying fishes guiding the path
In the darkest world above -
The shadowed trees bowing forward,
The five-eyed giant ants stepping back, and
The rhyming butterflies sing a song!
Got the destined place – the door steps!

Knock! Knock! Knock!
Door Opened!

Beams of white light flashing ye’ face, when
Ye cloth’s silky fabrics becomes bronze.
As you fly-in through the strange door,
Angels along the way, warm welcome you up!
The darkest sun hides in the deep shallow!
Crescent shaped brightest moon raise high.
And the soothing term is accompanied by
The drizzling snow sided by the rainbow.

The silver mountain which stood tall,
Folds and moulds as a small soft square!
Harmless honey-bees added the flavor, and
The scent of golden roses spilled over!
Red color broken clouds shadowing the top,
With the brown sea flooring the base!
Fun filled whale eating small snake
Becomes the blunt hand-saw!

All set to go! Finally – The king,
Pink colored funny dinosaur walkes-in,
The honorary brown-carpet welcome
Ye given-with, in the darkest world!
When the king start to chirp,
Silver mountain slides next to you,
Blinking stars falling as small cotton buds,
Hand-saw sneaked into your palms!

Heavy thunders! Every fellow creature
Of the dark world, lined up and singing -

“Yaar vetula party! Ada Enga vetula!”
“Yaar vetula party! Ada Enga vetula!”

Nah! Nah!

 
AAAAAAAApppy B’day! AAaapppy B’day!
AAAAAAAApppy B’day! AAaapppy B’day!
AAAAAAAApppy B’day! AAaapppy B’day!

Cut the heavy soft cake, chello! B’day baby!! 

Ahahahah….
 

Happy b’day, Zailu.

May you long live and blessed just with the best!

Had a lovely chat with this man and his “mini buta.” Buta means “pig.” The owner seemed thrilled to introduce his pet to all the people at the festival. He even made the pig squeal by encouraging us to touch his snout. I was in love.

Rapidshare Link

http://rapidshare.com/files/280308162/Hadippa.DBH.720p.UpScaled.KiL0.By.TuHiN.TsG.mkv

HotFile Link

http://hotfile.com/dl/12555151/b981cd9/Hadippa.DBH.720p.UpScaled.KiL0.By.TuHiN.TsG.mkv.html

FileFactory Link

http://www.filefactory.com/file/ah9ced5/n/Hadippa_DBH_720p_UpScaled_KiL0_By_TuHiN_TsG_mkv

FileUpload Link

http://ul.to/7urghd/Hadippa.DBH.720p.UpScaled.KiL0.By.TuHiN.TsG.mkv

TAMIL FILM FAVOURITES:

A Jagannathan for Thangamagan (1983)

A P Nagarajan for Thillana Mohanambal (1968)

A R Murugadoss for Ghajini (2005)

Agathyan for Kaadhal Kavidhai (1998)

Ameer Sultan for Mounam Pesiyadhe (2002)

Bala for Nandha (2001)

B Ramakrishnaiah Panthulu for Karnan (1963)

Balaji Shaktivel for Kaadhal (2004)

Balu Mahendra for Moondram Pirai (1982)

Bharathan for Thevar Magan (1992)

Bharathiraja for Mudhal Mariyathai (1985)

Cheran for Thavamai Thavamirunthu (2005)

D P Singapuli for Mayavi (2005)

Dharani for Ghilli (2004)

G N Rangarajan for Meendum Kokila (1981)

Gautham Mennon for Kaakha Kaakha (2003)

Gayatri-Pushkar for Oram Po (2007)

Hari for Saamy (2003)

J Mahendran for Johnny (1979)

John Mahendran for Sachein (2005)

K Balachandar for Sindhu Bhairavi (1985)

K Bhagyaraja for Chinna Veedu (1985)

K Nataraj for Anbulla Rajanikant (1984)

K Rangaraj for Naan Paadum Paadal (1984)

K S Prakash Rao for Vasantha Maligai (1972)

K S Ravikumar for Padaiyappa (1999)

K Selvaraghavan for Puthu Pettai (2006)

K Vishwanath for Salangai Oli (1983)

Kamal Hassan for Hai Ram (2000)

M Raja for Santhosh Subramaniyam (2008)

Mani Ratnam for Nayakan (1987)

Muktha V Srinivasan for Simla Special (1982)

Myshkin for Chithiram Pesuthadi (2006)

N Linguswamy for Run (2002)

Nishikant Kamat for Evano Oruvan (2007)

P Vasu for Mannan (1992)

R V Udhaya Kumar for Yejaman (1993)

Radha Mohan for Mozhi (2007)

Rajasekar for Maa Veeran (1986)

S P Muthuraman for Enakul Oruvan (1984)

S J Suryah for Ah Aah: Anbe Aruyire (2005)

S Shankar for Mudhalvan (1999)

Samuthirakani for Naadodigal (2009)

Santhana Bharathi for Vietnam Colony (1994)

Sasi Shankar for Perazhagan (2004)

Seeman for Thambi (2005)

Selva for Pooveli (1998)

Singeetham Srinivasa Rao for Michael Madana Kamarajan (1991)

Suresh Krishna for Annamalai (1992)

Tarun Gopi for Thimiru (2006)

Vetrimaran for Polladhavan (2007)

Vietnam Veetu Sundaram for Gauravam (1973)

Vikraman for Vaanathai Pole (2000)

Vishnuvardhan for Billa (2007)

TAMIL FILM DIRECTORS DESERVING SPECIAL MENTION:

1. Singeetham Srinivasa Rao - Raja Parvai (1981), Pushpak (1988), Apoorva Sahodarargal (1989), Michael Madana Kamarajan (1991), Magalir Mattum (1994), Kadhala Kadhala (1998).

2. S.P. Muthuraman – Priya (1978), Murattu Kaalai (1980), Netri Kann (1981), Pokkiri Raja (1982), Thoongathey Thambi Thoongathey (1983), Payum Puli (1983), Nallavanukku Nallavan (1984), Enakul Oruvan (1984), Sree Raghavendar (1985), Mr. Bharath (1986), Guru Sisyan (1988).

3. Mani Ratnam – Mouna Ragam (1986), Nayakan (1987), Agni Nakshatram (1988), Idhayathai Thirudathe (1989), Anjali (1990), Thalapathi (1991), Roja (1992), Thiruda Thiruda (1993), Bombay (1995), Iruvar (1997), Uyire (1998), Alai Payuthe (2000), Kannathil Muthamittal (2002), Ayitha Ezhuthu (2004), Guru (2007).

4. K. Balachandar – Apoorva Rahangal (1975), Moondru Mudichu (1976), Manmatha Leelai (1976), Avargal (1977), Ninaithale Innikum (1979), Ek Duje Ke Liye (1981), Sindhu Bhairavi (1985), Punnagai Mannan (1986), Unnai Mudiyum Thambi (1988).

5. K. Bhagyaraja – Mouna Geethangal (1981), Indru Poi Naalai Vaa (1981), Antha Ezhu Natkal (1981), Darling Darling Darling (1982), Dhavani Kanavugal (1983), Munthanai Mudichu (1984), Chinna Veedu (1985), Enga Chinna Rasa (1987), Avasara Police 100 (1990).

6. Bharathiraja – Pathinaru Vayathinile (1977), Niram Maaratha Pookal (1979), Nizhalgal (1980), Tik Tik Tik (1981), Kadhal Oviyam (1982), Pudumai Penn (1983), Oru Kaithiyin Diary (1984), Mudhal Mariyathai (1985), Kodi Parakuthu (1989).

7. S Shankar – Gentlemen (1993), Kadhalan (1994), Indian (1996), Jeans (1998), Mudhalvan (1999), Boys (2003), Anniyan (2005), Sivaji (2007).

8. K S Ravikumar – Muthu (1995), Avai Shanmughi (1996), Kondattam (1998), Padayappa (1999), Thenali (2000)

OVERVIEW:

The 1980s marked the peak for filmmakers Barathiraja, K Balachandar, K Bhagyaraja, Singeetham Srinivasa Rao and Balu Mahendra who established the uniqueness of Modern Tamil Cinema. At the end of the 80s, Mani Ratnam entered the arena with a freshness in style and perspective.

During the 1990s, S Shankar, Suresh Krishna, K.S Ravikumar, Bharathan, P Vasu, Udhaya Kumar and Agathyan made their mark, although the phenomenal influence of the 80s was obvious, these filmmakers worked more to enhance the technicality of filmmaking. The older filmmakers, despite their legacy and might of storytelling, seemed to have lost their touch. Yet it was Mani Ratnam that took tamil films into the new Millenium.

In the following decade, Kamal Hassan made a reckoning directorial debut, quickly followed by a new breed of filmmakers – Gautham Menon, Bala, Ameer Sultan, K Selvaraghavan, Cheran, S J Suryah, Sasi Shankar, N Linguswamy, Hari, Balaji Shaktivel, Dharani, A R Murugadoss, Radha Mohan, Myshkin, Vishnuvardhan and Vetrimaran. The new breed had split into two dominant kinds of filmmaking – one, the rough, raw emotional grit… and two, the “against-all-odds” entertainer. The identity of the Tamilian seems to be in a state of confusion, grappling between tradition and modernism. Ever since Bala made the tragic ending fashionable, filmmakers compete now for the most pessimistic tragedy they can manufacture, seemingly more for style than substance.

The decade is now at an end… and we stand at the outskirts of a new revolution.

Tamil All Time Box Office Reports Here.

Its that scariest time of the year, October 31st. Every year during Halloween thousands of Haunted Houses open up just to invite guests to sample their spooks and screams. Many people, mostly adults, would rather spend their night in one of these houses of horrors than go trick-or-treating for candy. All of these houses have several things in common; blood, torture, dark “broken down” settings, and make-up covered actors and actresses that absolutely LOVE their jobs.

What makes people want to participate? Is it a need to act brave, or a lust for an out of the ordinary adventure? There are many people that claim to be fearless of paranormality. Every can constantly tell themselves that there are no such thing as ghosts; but why are some people more confident than others? If upon entering a haunted house, all participants are aware that all of it is completely fake and staged, when do they start losing grip of reality? Or do they?

My second marathon was a cold one. I was able to warm up my muscles and stop shaking after a short run, but there was nothing I could do about the freezing air that went into my throat. It wasn’t a problem yesterday. It only started to ache the next day, about twelve hours into my recovery, after my knees began to function again. The second marathon was a first time for many things. My son was beside himself. He couldn’t wait to meet me at Mile 8 to tell me about the tooth he lost that morning — after I had left. What a thrill!





Art: To The Moon, by Nathan Walker, available under Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative license

Anticipation, high up in the air, a fairground ride on Brighton Pier waits.

Lomo LC-A

www.christopherjonesphotography.co.uk

Thrill Ride, Brighton, UK

Boom!   I did this in Mission Beach Australia in 2004-2005.  What a THRILL!

2 minutes after landing on Mission Beach, Australia