Destination Infinity's Blog, page 38

How to Keep Mosquitoes Away (Outdoor Mosquito Repellent)

Good Knight Fabric Roll On is a product brought to you by Godrej that’ll help keep mosquitoes away from kids (and adults), even in outdoors and large spaces. All you need to do is apply four coin sized dots of this liquid on any kind of fabric you wear – that’s it, mosquitoes will be repelled away from you or your kids for up to 8 hours.

Good Knight Fabric Roll On is a natural outdoor mosquito repellent made of citronella & eucalyptus oil that are known for keeping mosquitoes away. The company says since this product uses citronella & eucalyptus oil for mosquitoes, it is made using plant-based oils – hence is 100% natural.

You’ll find some natural pungent when applied – if you find the smell a bit too strong, just apply it in areas away from the nose. The company says it is safe to use it on the skin as well, but it’s best to apply on a fabric. It seems the Good Knight Fabric Roll On doesn’t leave any stains on clothes and can be applied on any kind of fabric including silk, khadi, windcheater, and even bedsheets!

Family members might find it useful while going on outdoor trips like trekking, camping, beaches, mountains, etc. Or even in regular hotel rooms where mosquito repellents may not be available. It seems this product works even if you happen to walk in rains! It works on pets also – you can apply it on the collar fabric for dogs, for example.

Priced at around Rs. 75, one bottle is expected to last for 60 days if used on one person (four dots), every day. You can buy this mosquito repellent online from websites like Amazon or you can buy it from a nearby departmental store.

Of Making Animated Photo Slideshows: My latest Passion

The title says Making animated photo slideshows is my latest passion, not my latest venture. Actually, it’s both. But I guessed you may be tired of reading about my various (unrelated) ventures over the years. What to do, that’s how I am

Why are ppl upset with Kaatru Veliyidai movie?

My guess as to why (some) people may be upset with Mani Rathnam’s latest Tamil movie Kaatru Veliyidai –

Men are upset because the lead character is shown to be chauvinistic. Since people tend to idealize the hero, they are unable to accept imperfection. Besides, since men are chauvinistic in general (degree might differ) they get angry when their own (undesirable) trait is highlighted.

Women are upset because they are unable to associate one among them (heroine) falling head over heels for a chauvinistic man in spite of knowing about his chauvinism. They feel that no woman should do such an illogical thing.

Movie review: The story is weak and slow-moving. Karthi’s characterization is inappropriate and sometimes not believable. There is not much of a role for capable supporting actors.

Aditi’s acting is very good and so is the scene setting, camera, and other technical aspects. ARR’s BG music is good, but songs (save one) are not that impressive.  Emotions work in some scenes. The prison escape sequences are good.

Kaatru Veliyidai is watchable once – in theater. But don’t expect to see a Mani Rathnam movie – you’ll be disappointed. Think that some new director has made such an unconventional movie – you’ll feel much better while coming out.

Destination Infinity

Why do ‘Modern’ Hospitals have ‘Centralized’ AC?

I understand that with modernity creeping its head everywhere, people expect more comfort nowadays at every available opportunity. But don’t you think having centralized Air Conditioning in hospitals is actually taking it too far?

I mean, I am OK with having centralized AC at hotels, theaters, malls, and even schools. But in ‘modern’ hospitals, where people come because they are sick (often with fever, flu, cold and other such ailments that are averse to anything cold), do we really need an AC?

These hospitals, irrespective of whether the doctors are free or not, make patients wait for 1-3 hours on average – even with prior appointment. If you’ve ever been to one of these hospitals, you’ll realize that after one or two hours, that AC can get really COLD. They don’t even regulate the temperature of the AC!

Frankly, we don’t go to certain movie theaters because they don’t regulate ACs and it gets too cold. That is during normal times. But having centralized ACs at hospitals and not regulating the temperature – don’t you think this is too much? Why can’t the ACs be restricted to ‘deluxe’ rooms where patients want it?

Destination Infinity

Our Mahabalipuram Trip – 2017

Of course, I’ve been to Mahabalipuram many times before. I have even done individual posts about the major attractions there. But this is the first time I went there with my wife.

For this two-day trip, we went on our bike. This was not such a smart decision as although we had fun while going, we found it difficult while coming back!

We stayed in Bay Treasure Resort. They had a nice pool, which we liked – but being in water can make you tired (after you come back). I wish they had some sports facilities too, but this time we didn’t have much time anyway.

The attractions in Mahabalipuram are not that interesting. Caves and sculptures can even get boring if you are going without a guide. However, it was an excellent place to take a lot of selfies – which is exactly what we did. I made a video slide show using a few photos taken there – don’t forget to see the above embedded Youtube video.

Among the attractions, I like the lighthouse the most. I like the view from the top of any lighthouse, for that matter. One interesting incident happened here – we were eating mango and watermelon when a monkey approached us. I gave a piece of the mango. It nibbled on it, threw it away and sat next to me.

Without batting as much as an eyelid, it suddenly snatched my watermelon cup. I sat there for a few seconds watching it eat, but then walked away fearing any more (Mis) adventures

Is Durability in Mobile Phones NOT Valued any longer?

Don’t confuse durability with quality. All products need to be quality products to succeed in the market.  Durability refers to the longevity of the product life. How long we are able to use the product, i.e.

A few years back, both quality and durability were considered important factors to buy a product. But with mobile phones and a few other electronic gadgets, I wonder if durability is valued any longer.

That is because, new phones with latest features and higher capacity is released so frequently nowadays that my mobile phone was already obsolete the moment I bought it!

Nowadays, at least once in a year, I look for reasons to upgrade to the latest mobile. I can just buy a new phone, but I — like many others — have this need to justify a new purchase.

Now, what if, the mobile phone stops working or develops some technical issue just after the first year of warranty? That would give me the perfect reason to buy a new phone – won’t it?

That’s why I have started thinking that durability, at least in mobile phones and a few other similar gadgets, may be a minus point.

Actually, I had one HTC phone that I used for almost 6-years. While I did not incur the financial losses of having to buy a new mobile, I did have to drop my face when everyone around me were showing off their latest mobiles with latest features. My phone was working perfectly, and hence I didn’t have a good enough reason to change it!

Same happened with my Toshiba laptop. While I wanted to upgrade to a better processor, RAM and storage capacity, the old one would just not stop functioning.

In both the above cases, losing my patience after sometime, I just went ahead and bought a new mobile and laptop although the old ones were working fine. That damn HTC phone is still working!!

If vendors can include an auto-kill switch or something in every gadget which will enable us to kill it at will, it will be great. That way, there’ll be no need to justify a new purchase to ourselves or others. What do you think?

Sri Lakshmi Saibaba Temple @ Mogappair West, Chennai

Today we went to Sri Lakshmi Sai Baba Temple @ Mogappair West/Nolambur, Chennai. The Temple being close to home, it’s surprising that I have not come here before. But only recently I came to know about this Temple which has a 72-feet tall statue of Sai Baba.

There are two Shrines for Sai Baba inside and there are Shrines for other Gods like Maha Lakshmi, Lakshmi Ganapathy, Anchaneya, Maha Meru, Navagraha, etc. There is a hall for Anna Dhanam where they give Prasadam and there is a stall selling Sai Baba statues, pens, rings, thread, posters, etc.

 

Here is a Sai Baba Fridge Magnet we bought. I have kept it over my new car-themed Laptop skin. Howzz the new skin??

‘Birds of Prey’ book launch @ Odyssey, Chennai

‘Birds of Prey’ is a psychological crime thriller written by Archana Sarat who is currently living in Mumbai but was born and brought up in Chennai. On Sat, Jan. 21, I went to the book launch function organized by the author and publisher (Readomania) at Odyssey bookstore, Adyar.

As you can see in the above photo, the book was launched by Actor Sharath Kumar, among other dignitaries. Notable among them is Mr. Raghavan, a 90-year old former administrator and book lover!

Although the book is a work of fiction, the incidents are based on real-life cases of child abuse picked up from court files and interviews of NGO Activists by the author. As this is a topic that is brushed under the carpet by many, some awareness through mainstream fiction is always welcome.

Here is the author Archana Sarat talking about the journey of publishing her maiden book. I had met Archana before a couple of years when I joined NaNoWriMo Chennai. A bunch of us authors met and wrote through short sprint sessions combined with some fun literary discussions. We even had a full-day writing session one day with a potluck lunch!

So when the author requested me to attend the book launch event at Odyssey, I decided to go as artists need to be encouraged. The author was all praises for the way Chennai came to support the book launch and she mentioned that Chennai is the best city for the support network that exists for art and artists. That seems to be true – the hall was full of people, some were even standing!

One more reason for the crowd may have been due to the presence of Actor Sharath Kumar. I was sitting just four feet away from him when I clicked this photo –

BTW, Actor Sharath Kumar will be releasing his autobiography ‘Puriyadha Thedal’ shortly. Keep a watch for this book on book stands!

Destination Infinity

My Autobiography: ‘Teaching’ my Teachers!!

I want to fast-forward my life to around 2-weeks back when I got a unique opportunity to ‘teach’ (some of) my school teachers. Actually it was a short presentation showing them how to do something but still I’d like to count it as a teaching experience. I went to the same auditorium where I spent many hours playing and acting and praying and . . .  

My First ‘Party’ Experience (Vegetarian & Non-Alcoholic!!)

On the new year’s eve, someone in my house decided that we should go to a New Year party. Since we’ve never been to any, I said OK but with a condition – they should not serve liquor and they should serve vegetarian food. Actually, my idea was to cancel the party indirectly.

But as luck would have it, there was a New Year’s party in Chennai that fulfilled both my criterion. It was the Kala Chasma party and was organized by Deccan Plaza hotel @ Royapettah, Chennai. We spoke to the organizer and they told us that there was a separate kids area, they would play Bollywood songs, they would serve Jain food. That ticked a few more check boxes and we booked the tickets for us and some cousins.

Upon entering they gave us the above-shown ticket and tied a band around our hands. We then proceeded to the starters area. Here, we had some snacks like popcorn, sevu, cutlet, corn, masala-cola & pina colada by bisleri, rose milk and (believe it or not) podi idly!! I relished that podi idly and refilled my plate multiple times with only that