Biker diary 17082025

Bike ride encounters

We had a ride to Yelagiri with my friend and while coming back it was raining heavily and we took shelter in a mechanic shed and many of them were standing like us.

One young guy was also next to us.Me and my friend were chatting up about going to a hotel for coffee.Initially that guy kept quite and he probably was a bit of introvert.

Then finally ice broke when he told direction to that Hotel. He asked about our ride and where we are from.He asked if we are both from biker clubs.I said "no we are college friends". He was surprised that we are still in touch. My friend corrected and said we are friends from school time.He said ' oh.Thats why you are still close'. I said not like that we also had another friend from college who came with us and returned early.

The look in that guys face said something.Probably broken friendship ? Then he waved us good bye for safe ride.

I guess we all take things for granted including friendships. It has its ups and downs just like any other relationship.But if its genuine it will not fade away.Also be grateful if you still are good friends with your school, college,neighbourhood  or work buddies.

#bikeride #encounterswithstrangers

P.S: This is the group of all friends who rode.Not the stranger

Its my Bike claims middle aged lady

Biker diaries 11012026

Went for a short ride and stopped in hotel for coffee.It has chairs outside and bike parking was close by.I was relaxing after having coffee.Then saw a Middle age lady who is working in Hotel go next to bike.She probably did not realise i was just sitting overlooking the bike.She yelled at a coworker and jokingly said its her bike.It was fun to watch.Then when she was walking back i jokingly said she forgot her keys and pointed to the keys.She was surprised and said oh sorry sir.She said her daughter is getting married and she was saying she could gift a bike to her son in law.

I just replied " Your son in law is lucky".

Its was a fun interaction.

Nithila appreciates Appas Teaching Skills

Appa: Nithila! How many chapters have you read?

Nithila: Appa Finished one chapter appa.I am reading about how to seperate solubles and insolubles.

Appa: Are you clear ?

Nithila: I understood many of them.But Saturated and Unsaturated is confusing.Its like Unsaturated becomes saturated.

Appa: Let me read once and try to explain.(After reading for couole of minutes)

Ok.If you take water and then put salt and stir it what happens.

Nithila: it just dissolves.

Appa: Yes.If you keep doing more and more of it after some time ,the solutions will be very salty and when you add more then it will no longer dissolve.

Nithila: Then?

Appa: It will just remain as salt and go to the bottom.So till the time it gets mixed and looks just like water it is unsaturated.When it can no longer do that and adding salt goes down and settles down as a piece then it means it has been saturated.

Nithila: Still not clear Appa.

Appa: Lets take you for example.Assume you eat something.Till the time you can keep eating more it means you unsatisfied.This is unsaturated.Water can take more salt into it.

But once you are full.You can no longer eat.It means you are satisfied.This is saturated.clear?

Nithila: Appa you are good.You can definitely be a good 9th grade teacher.

Appa: Thank You Da.(He feels like Prakashraj walking proudly in Abhiyum Naanum Movie)

Cute little Stranger

It was Sunday.We(Me,my wife Suganya and  my kid Nithila) had plans to go out to meet our relatives.We decided to have breakfast in a hotel instead of cooking in home to start the fun early.

We went to the restaurant and sat down on a table.The table next to us had a glass partition partially clear and partially opaque.A small family parents and a small boy kid walked past and sat in that table.

In a short while the cute little boy started to look at us through the transparent glass area and was trying yo catch our attention.I just waved at him and he waved back.I told my kid Nithila about this.She too looked at him and waved at him. She like him instantly because he reminded him of her 2 cousins.Knowing that we were friendly he  switched places and sat right next to the 3 ft high partition.He stood on his chair and started waving at us. I just casually chatted with him.He started telling where he studies and how he has grown up and is in LKG now. And that next year he would be in UKG.Year after in 1st grade.This went on till 9th grade.

Suddenly he remembered and asked his Parents to wave at us.Out of the blue , He asked his Dad 'Appa do you know this uncle.Did you and him go to school together ??'.His father started smiling.

I was just wondering and loving the fact how innocent he was.I explained we dont know each other and I just became his father friend because of him. He started complaining he did not get his dosa.I just jokingly complained to the Waiter serving us and told him to quickly the kids dosa.Soon after he got his Dosa and became happy.

Finally we had completed our breakfast and said goodbye and  that we will meet in restaurant some other time. He waved at us happily.I just told the parents that they have a smart,cute and adorable kid.

Thanks to the cute little stranger, It made me realise that how easy it was for small kids to make friends.And for us too if we just let out the kid (Not be judgemental) in ourselves.

Nithila and Appa Story - Republic Day Parade

Nithila and Appa Story - Republic day Parade

Appa: Nithila! Let's watch Republic day Parade.

It will be interesting.

Nithila: What is that Appa?

Appa: Today to remember how we got the freedom there is usually big parade that happens in our Capital New Delhi.

Nithila: You mean like the parade in Disney land(Knowing from watching YouTube)

Appa: Somewhat like that.

Nithila: Ok Pa. let's watch.

We Watch various Contingents from Army,Navy,Airforce and others etc marching on the parade.

Suddenly Nithila's face turns a bit sad.

Nithila: Appa! Their uniform looks grand. won't it be very heavy with turbans,glouse and all that for them to wear.

Appa: Well it's their uniform Nithila. They are used to it .

After a while.

Nithila: Appa! How they do it so perfectly?

Appa: They practice this for many days.Thats why they are doing it perfectly.

Again her face turns sad.

Nithila: Appa they have to walk a long distance.They will be very tired . Right??

Look even the camels and horse also will be very tired.

Appa: They are energetic and it's a proud thing for them to be here.(By now I am scared what's going to come next).

Then I show her.

Appa: Nithila! Look the lady is leading the group.

See there is lady pilot 

Nithila: Yes Appa.yaay.Girlz Rooolz.

Appa: Yeah.Girlz Roooolz..

Nithila: Appa do they do this parade on Indepence day also??

Appa: No.Its only on republic day.

Mithila: Why can't they do it again on Independence day??

Appa: Hellloooooooo. Who's calling ??

Is it brother Mark??? Nithila you keep watching.I need to take this call.

Escaaaapeeee 😁

what's the big deal about King?

Nithila my 8 year old daughter was feeling bored.After a while I heard her calling from another room at the top of her voice " Appa! Please come here." I replied "Ok Nithila why are you shouting??" and walked into the room.

She had the chess board open and all the pieces of Black and White neatly arranged.

She said to me "Are you done with all the work?If you have something finish that also and come and sit here". I think aloud that oh man she is becoming smarter and I cannot even give some lame excuse and so I replied "No Nithila.Nothing else.Lets play".

We start playing and she keeps asking question.I tried to make her understand the way how each piece can move and also correct her when she makes a wrong move.

She yells "Daddy!Daddy!Daddy!" Which is normally a way she calls me when she wants my undivided attention to her.It is always Daddy yelled 3 times continuously. She asks" Can we have 2 pieces in same place.See there is this soldier here.Can I bring the Knight also here in Same square?" . I reply " No Nithila.You can't do that". And we continue playing for a while.

Then she poses another "Daddy!. Queen can move in all directions correct?" and I reply "Yes". Then she fires the next " Can it move like a horse ??" and I reply" No that alone it cannot do". The she fires the next one "King can move only one square.Right?". I tell her "Yes Nithila That's right".

She then asks "You said the whole game is to protect your King and try to knock of the other King Right?".

I reply sensing there is something big that's coming my way "Yes Nithila.That too is correct".

She finally shoots " If Queen is the most powerful and King can only move one square why are we trying to protect him.Shouldnt we be trying to save the Queen?".

Check mate.

Amma and Nithila Short Story- Human vs Computer

Nithila is doing the homework.

Topic is Man Vs Computer.

While Nithila is doing the work,

Amma asks "Nithila! If you have a choice will you be a Human or Computer??".

Nithila replies "Human only  Amma"

Amma prods further " Why Nithila??Computers are perfect.They don't make any mistakes.They are fast"

Nithila replies "Amma if I turn into a computer then how can I eat good food??"

😁😁

Like parents like Daughter (Foodie DNA)

Nithila and Appa- - Pink Butterfly

Appa is browsing the Facebook on his smartphone.
Suddenly Nithila calls her dad and asks " Appa! Is it true that you can wish and it will come true if a Pink Butterfly 🦋 comes and sits on you and kisses you?? "

Appa is puzzled to hear this which he has never come across even in movies.
Then he asks " No Nithila I don't think this is true".
Nithila is persistent "No Appa! Charukesh told me".
Charukesh is the boy kid who is 3 years older but keeps playing with these kids.
Appa replies " No Nithila !! Charukesh is just fooling around".
Nithila this time gets even more serious in her look genuinely convinced about this "No Appa.This is true.Even Vivian told me.How come you don't know about this??"
Now Vivian is girl kid and of same age and one of her good friends.So Appa realises now says Vivian is fooling around is a strict No-Go.
Appa asks " Oh.Vivian also said that??"
Nithila replies with all seriousness " Yes Appa. You When the Pink Butterfly comes , sits on you and the kisses you ,you are supposed to close and make a wish" and then later hurriedly adds " Only one wish,the first wish will come true".
Appa then realises it's better to let Nithila  enjoy her fantastic world with her friends says "Ahh.Then probably it might be true.So make sure you wish what you want".
Nithila smiles " Yes I have already decided.I will ask for  one cute little puppy".

Four crackers

It's the morning of Deepavali.

After taking Bath and worshipping the god I went down with my kid and wife just to burst a couple of crackers.

My kid being just 7 years prefers to watch it.I burst a first one.I notice there are couple of kids (boys) who look like brothers trying to sell flowers.They have set up a small table outside our apartment gate. They were looking at me with a smile. 

Then I call one of the kid " Do you want to burst the crackers ??" Offering him a couple of them I had in my hand.He initially hesitates then picks it up from my hand.

The other kid who is a little younger keeps looking at me smiling. I offer the remaining 2 of them which he gleefully comes and picks up with smile.

I offer the incense stick and say go ahead and light it up.They do that with a big smile.I wished them Happy Diwali.All that the shy brothers do is again offer their brightest and beautiful smile.

So I had celeberated Diwali and Childrens day.

Sometimes it takes very little to make people smile. Including us :)

Nithila and Appa- Biggest Number

Nithila :Appa I know the biggest no.

Me: Tell me Nithila Kutty.

Nithila : Thousand hundren and ten ( with her hands wide trying to emphasise how big the number is ).

Me:Super Nithila Kutty let me teach you nos.See first 1s then 10s then 100s then 1000s and 100000.So 1lac is the biggest no.

Nithila: Ok appa.

Me: ok now tell me which is the biggest no???

Nithila: hmmm.1010.(Thousand and Hundred and ten)

And the loop continues.

ஆயுத எழுத்து- அப்பா நித்திலா குட்டி கதை

நித்திலா : அப்பா உயிர் எழுத்துக்கள் 12, மெய் எழுத்துக்கள்18, உயிர் மெய் எழுத்துக்கள் 216, அது என்ன ஆயுத எழுத்து 1 அப்படி போட்டு இருக்கு??

நான்: இல்ல டா மூணு circle triangle shape ல இருக்குமே அது தான்டா.

நித்திலா : ஓ.அதுவா? ஆனா அது தனியா இருக்கும் பாவம் ல.

நான்: ????என்ன டா சொல்றே?

நித்திலா: இல்ல அப்பா அ நாவுக்கு ஆ நா friend இல்ல sister வெச்சுகலாம். அது மாறி எல்லா உயிர் எழுத்துக்கும் friends இருக்கு. இது தனியா இருக்கும் பாவம்லே?

நான்: ஓ அப்படி சொல்றியா டா.

நான் மனதிற்குள் 'இந்த உலகத்திலேயே ஒரு எழுத்து க்கு friend இல்லனு கவலைப்பட்ட ஒரே ஜீவன் நீயா தான் இருக்கும்'

சிறிது யோசனைக்கு பின்

நான்: நிதிலா அப்படினா ஐ கூட தனியா தானே இருக்கும்.

நித்திலா புன்னகைக்க தொடங்குகிறாள்.

நித்திலா : அப்பா சூப்பர் அப்பா.அப்ப  ஃ க்கு ' ஐ' friend கிடச்சுடுச்சு. இனிமே ரெண்டும் friends a இருப்பாங்க.

நான்: ஆமாம் டா. உன் idea அருமை.

சயன்ஸ் பிராஜக்ட்

வண்டியை நிறுத்தி கதவை திறந்து விட்ட டிரைவரிடம் "நாளைக்கு காலையில 8 மணிக்கே வந்திடுங்க "என்று கூறியவாறு வீட்டின் கேட்டை திறந்து உள்ளே நுழைந்தான் மகேஷ்.

உள்ளே நுழைந்ததும் தன் 12 வயது  மகன் ரமேஷ் அழுதபடியே நின்று கொண்டிருந்ததை கவனித்தான். " என்ன ரமேஷ் என்னப்பா ஆச்சு ஏன் அழுது கொண்டே இருக்க??" என்று வினவிய மகேஷ்க்கு எதுவும் பதில் சொல்லவில்லை.

"என்னப்பா  அப்பா கேட்டுட்டே இருக்காரு நீ எதுவுமே பதில் சொல்லாம அமைதியா இருந்தா எப்படி?" என்று கூறியவாறு hall இற்குள் நுழைந்தாள் ரம்யா.

"அப்பா ! என்னுடைய ஸ்கூல் science exhibition காக நான் ஒரு miniature farm land create பண்ணி இருந்தேன்.கிட்டத்தட்ட 2 weeks effort அப்பா.இன்னிக்கு ஸ்கூலுக்கு submit பண்ண எடுத்துட்டு போகும்போது   மழையில் நனைந்து complete ஆ வீணா போயிருச்சு. " என்று கூறிக்கொண்டே தன்னிடம் வந்த மகனை சமாதானப்படுத்தினான் மகேஷ்.

மதியம் கொள்முதல் நிலையத்தில் விவசாயிகள் கண்ணீர் மல்க மழையில் நெல் மூட்டை எல்லாம் நனைஞ்சிகிட்டு இருக்கு எப்படியாவது கொஞ்சம் சீக்கிரமா பண்ணிடுங்கயா என்று கூறியதை உதாசீனப்படுத்தி வேகமாக கிளம்பியதை  நினைத்து மனம் வருந்தினான் மகேஷ்.

PTM - Nithila ,Appa,Amma story

Nithila: Appa. See Amma is not doing anything.She is always on Twitter all the time.

Ask her to do work

Appa: Yes Nithila.You are right. Suganya go and do some work.

Amma: why should I work?Today is weekend.I am in my mom's place. I am going to enjoy.

Suddenly Amma remembers.

Amma: Wait. wait. Today we have parents teachers meeting online. I am going to tell your class teacher about your behavior.

Nithila: Amma Amma.No Amma please please don't say anything about me.

Amma: No way.I am going to complain about you to Class Teacher for sure.

Realising the ploy is not working,Nithila changes tack.

Nithila: Appa.I am giving you a mission.

Appa: what mission ????(scratching my head cluelessly)

Nithila: Appa Your mission is to make sure that Amma does not say anything about me during PTM.Thats your mission.

😂😂😂

Nithila and Appa - Artist

Appa and kutti Nithila stories

Appa: it's 9.30 pm Nithila.Lets go to bed it's time to sleep.

Nithila: Appa tomorrow is Saturday. I will sleep late and wake up late.

After 1 hour.

Appa: Nithila now it's 10.30.Lets sleep.

Nithila: Appa let's do one small painting and then go to sleep.

  Please please.Pretty please 

( I don't know what this pretty please is.But who can say no when your cute little girl pleads)

Appa: Ok.what do you want me to draw??

Nithila: Small house you me and amma.

Appa: ok.Shall i draw a small dog as well??

Nithila: yes yes.

I start drawing and it comes reasonably ok.

Nithila: Appa.You have very good talent.You draw so nicely .Where did you learn ??

Appa(me): I am still walking in the air since then :)

Best thing that can happen to a Dad is appreciation from kids who think everything about their parents is super cool.Learning to be happy with small things and genuinely appreciating are things that we can learn from kids.

Hardwork

Rakesh,Somu and Vignesh were all dumbfounded.A pale of gloom surrounded the room.They were looking at each other's face and the words won't come out.

They could not believe what they saw.

This is not what they had expected.This had consumed days of effort.They had burnt the midnight oil for this.

They had done meticulous planning.Thrashing out all the variables that could lead to failure of the plan.They had thought about all the angles of failure as well to ensure that they were not blindsided.

Everything went well as per the plan.Untill this moment. Finally youngest of the lot Vignesh burst out crying "Oh My God!!! This can't happen to us.We put so much effort.They say Hard Work never fails.Then why this??".

With Somu just signalling Rakesh went upto Vignesh."Vignesh!!We understand your frustration.We too are disappointed.It happens.Lets take it as a learning to not take everything at face value".

And there lied scattered all the jewelery they had robbed which just turned out to be just high quality imitation. 

The Ukulele Girl

 I had just finished my official trip and after 5 days I was going back home.I was sitting in my seat in a small Bombardier aircraft with 2 seat on either side of the row.I normally wish for a interesting co- passenger,or a celebrity famous personality so that I can have some interesting conversation.But that very rarely happens either because of my reluctance or from the co-passenger.

Since I had boarded earlier I was sitting in my allotted seat which was a window seat.I was just peering into the outside and occasionally looking inside where others were boarding one by one and taking up their designated seats.Suddenly there was lot of giggles and bit of cheer and I saw 3 young Girls who looked like they just probably are in the first or second year of their college.As usual they were more cheerful than the older lot and that explained the laughter or giggles.

Out of the 3, 2 had already taken their seats and they all seemed to carry a Guitar or someinstrument.The 3rd girl kept moving towards the rear and finally came to my seat.I smiled at her and she smiled back.She had quite a few bags in her hand and one small instrument inside a case which looked the size of a violin.Upon seeing her struggle to place the luggage I said to her ' Hi! If it's ok for you , you can give me that instrument.I will hold it for you'. She replied ' Thanks a lot! That would be so helpful' and sat down after placing her baggage in the over head compartment.

 I then turned to her and said ' Quite a lot of luggage ha' . She replied ' Yeah. True.And since they were a bit delicate had to carry all'. Then we just introduced each other. She said she was a student of fashion design. 

Even though I don't play any instrument I always have been  interested in music and people who play instruments.

Then I slowly asked her ' I saw you and other Girls all have some instruments.Are you a Band or something ? '. She replied very honestly ' Oh no no.I am not part of any band but I just bought this to play for my own sake.My other 2 friends are better in terms of playing than me'. Then I asked further ' From the size of it looks like a violin.Is it??" To which she replied " No.Since it is in a case it looks like that.It is actually a Ukulele". I had no clue as I had never heard that name before.I told her "Honestly.I have never heard that name before".

"Oh yes many people have definitely seen this but then they don't know it's name.I am sure you will recollect when I explain" she said and I had no clue if I would be able to find out. Then she started explaining or rather describing " This is like a small sized guitar.You would have seen in many Tamil movies where the Hero plays.My father had shown me even in old movies Shivaji Ganesan plays in one of the songs" I could not recollect immediately but then had a faint idea.Trying to check if my guess was correct by quoting one of the old songs and she said yes that's the one.

Then probably she felt comfortable or may be still had trust with society she continued speaking " I just bought this Ukulele because it is easier for beginners to learn.Normally people start off with this and then move onto Guitar ". She went on to the tell how her parents are very friendly and how she convinced her father to get her one Ukulele suddenly one day and his father agreed to buy her one. She went on to describe how she was a darling of her father and how he encourages her to do what she wants.

The more she spoke , for some reason I was imagining as if I was having a conversation with a grown up future version of  my daughter (who was just 3 years old at that time).

Without even realising time had flown and we reached Chennai.I said it was wonderful chatting with her and she replied the same.

And i said Good Bye to the Future version of my daughter.

Back to the present

Listening to the songs in mobile I was just about to finish my morning walk.

I was just taking the last left that leads to street where my apartment is.I saw A young boy (teen rather) coming in a cycle the one with a  straight handle bar MTB type .He was wearing his in school uniform.Quickly it took my mind on a time travel and in a flash reminded about my school days.

When I was just relishing the thought of my school days and memories the young boy from apartment smile at me and said "Good Morning Uncle"

Within a flash was transported back to the present :)

P.S: Still wondering why is he going to school so early in a school uniform.

Wake me up??

We are about to hit the bed.

I called "Nithila! It's time to sleep.Come here kutty.".

"Ok Appa" she replies and comes and lies down next to me.

" Appa! Tomorrow you wake me up at 5 o clock itself".I just casuall nod.

"Appa I am serious.Wake me up tomorrow"

" Nithila Kutty! You have been saying this for almost a month now.But when I try to wake you up you just say tomorrow and again curl up and sleep" I tell her with a serious face.

" No Appa.This time I have an idea" she says.

" Nithila! Appa has tried many ideas.I tried to gently wake you up using your favorite song.I played loud music in TV.I even tried to gently shake you up" throwing my hands up " Nothing seems to work".

"No Appa I have an idea.Listen to this" and I try to cut her off " No Nithila.You listen to me.I have a new idea.The moment you wake say 54321 and jump out of the bed".

For a while she is silent allowing me to win then she says "Ok.Appa.Suppose if that also doesn't work,let's try my idea".

My kid is a child prodigy when it comes to art of negotiation and convincing."Ok Nithila tell me your idea" I tell her.

She starts speaking in a serious tone 

" Ok.See I am not waking up at that time because I am dreaming no." I am confused and reply "Ok So??".

"Appa.You should know my dream and then when you tell about the dream I will automatically wake up because of the interest".

I think to myself that's the most interesting and super natural idea almost like Inception movie.

I explain her " But Nithila it is your dream that comes in your sleep.How can I find what's happening on your dream da?It's not possible".

"Ayyo Appa.Wait. Now show me your head".She keeps her hand in my head trying to find what's inside my head.After a while she turns to me and says " Appa there is nothing in your head.You have no imagination"

I just could not stop myself from laughing.

" Yes Nithila Kutty I am no where close to you when it comes to imagination".

Why do we tonsure ?? (Nithila and Appa Story)

Few days back I was doing some online research to understand the story(original native version) of our native God's we worship as Clan Deity(Kathayee Amman) in our family. I found the story about another God(Periyachi) though it's not our clan deity but we give the same treatment to that God as well.Once I learnt about it I was trying to explain the story to my kid.

Telling story to my kid is not the linear narration of me telling and she listening with rapt attention.Its more of a Christopher Nolan style narration :).

She will ask me something and we meander somewhere for explaining this and that and try to be back to explaining the story.

Me: Nithila! I have a nice story to tell.

Nithila: Yes appa.Story about what?

Me: it's about the God in our Village temple.

Nithila: Which temple??

Me: Don't you remember.The temple we went to tonsure your head when you were 3 years old.

You cried a lot.

Nithila: Yes Appa.I remember now.

Me: Do you remember the scary looking God in Black dress ??

Nithila: Yes appa.Very scary.

Me: I know the story of that God.

Nithila: Appa wait.

Me: What Nithila??

Nithila: Why do we tonsure our head?

Me: We do that for every kids born in our family once they are born and first time we do that in that temple.

Nithila: But why?

Me: Me scratching my head.

Nithila: What will God do with our hair????

Me: Me scratching my head even more.

Finally she came to her own conclusion.

Nithila: Appa I think God will make Wigs using that hair.

I said 'May be'  nodding my head.Though she found an answer.

Now I was the one with a question hanging over my head.

P.S: I never got to tell the story and never proceeded after realising   it as it was bit violent for small kid.

Smile please!!!

I was driving to my brothers place which is 30 mins drive from my home.

I had to pass through a toll plaza.

I slowed down and then there was a car in front of me.The white color  car had a sticker of  Army written in White on the rear glass.

Probably I was paying a lot of attention to the car or may be I was lost in own thought my face should have looked grim or serious.

The guy in the toll plaza " Anna! Why are you looking so grim??"

I could not believe he was asking me.Then I ask him "Are you asking   me??".He said " Yes Anna.I am asking you only." With a smile in his face.

Instantly it brought a smile to my face.I realised probably I should have looked grim and then smiled back at him " Is my face looking ok now??".

He had even wider smile.I left the plaza and was  smiling for another good 5 minutes.