Grilled coconut chutney (dry) aka Chutta Thenga chammanthi.. :)

This post is juz based on the expt tat i conductd in my cookin lab (kitchen) yest.. :)

wel.. actly I ws down with fever since 1 week.. n I badly wanted 2 have kanji (Rice porridge) n thenga chammanthi (Dry coconut chutney).. N as we din't have coconut at home, I was having juz "Kanji n Payar" (anthr delicious 1) at hme.. Bt finally we bought coconuts yest.. n I cdnt stop myslf frm experimenting it.. Of course the recipe courtesy is to my mom .. she makes it simpl.. I mixd up 2 or 3 types of chutney she make and made a new one..  (th actual reasn bhind it is I wantd thm al.. bt thot of putin eth 2gtr :)

N here it is.. a simple, easy to make chutney goes well with dosa, idli, all varieties of rice, kanji, appam etc.. etc..

Grilled coconut chutney (dry) i.e chutta thenga chammanthi
Simple and easy to make...
Ingredients:

Coconut wedges ( 1" X 1") - 10 pieces
red chilly                          -2
small onion                      -3
curry leaves                     - 10 petals
tamarind                          - one small ball
salt -                               - 1 tsp
chilly powder                    -1/2 tsp

Steps:
1. Grill the coconut wedges and toast it till brown in coals / gas flames
2. Toast the red chillies
3. cut the toasted coconut wedges and red chilly and small onion into small pieces
4. Mix the tamarind, salt, chilly powder and water to the above ingredients and grind it till it is in the form of a paste.
5. Add the curry leaves in the end and grind it once more.
Goes well with Dosa, Idli , Rice, kanji (rice porridge)

The BARKING LION :) :)

I got a very intersting mail 2dy.. It was so funny tat it made me laugh a lot.. Thot I wd share it wth my friends also so tat evry1 gets a gud laugh.. :) :) Here it goes..

A Garage Owner in  Mitchell's Plain  gave his dog a haircut.                  
     
He was sick and tired of thugs breaking into his garage shop to steal tools, etc.
So he came up with this idea  to give his  dog  a haircut.

He put the word out that he had a new African Lion that would attack anyone that tried to break in or climb his fence.

Would-be thieves saw the "Lion" from a distance and fled the scene.

             
The dog's probably trying to figure out why his head's so hot and his butt's so cold.

Raincoat

It has been years since I had put on a raincoat.. around 20 yrs 2 be more precise.. :)
N it feels nice to put it on after such a long break.. brings bak the memories of gud ol' school daz.. ( KG daz actly.. :) )

My first raincoat ws a light pink color one with lots of small dark pink flowers n designs on it.. I stil remember the joy I had when I wore it for the first time, n I can recollect my luks also bk then.. :)
I ws a small kid with a chubby face ..
My mom used 2 mke me wear it so tat I dnt get drenched in the rains n get fever.. Even though it ws a small distance from my house to the gates where the Autorikshaw wud cme, she ws so particular abt it.. n I used 2 lik it a lot..

With th white shirt, blue pinnafore, red socks n ties n ribbon  n a pair of black shoes, the uniform ws more than enuf for a KG student.. N on top of it I had my school bag, with lots of buks n snacks n lunch n al.. N a red colour water bottle with the name "Coca cola" printed on it in white colours. I used to wear it on my neck..

N on top of al dis thngs cmes the raincoat !!!  2 heavy 4 a kg kid, bt i usd 2 luv my raincoat..
N i usd 2 kp it evn aftr I grew bigger n older.. But dont know when it was lost.. maybe when I startd naggin my parents 4 the "rainbow" umbrella.. {( the 1 with al th colours on it), wch had th "switch" 2 open it, wth lots of plastic rings on th handle n al...}, they 'd thrown it out.. :(

N evn I had also thrown al thos memories ot of my mind sinc I dnt knw wen..

N nw, al of a suden, wen I gt my new raincoat.. thngs strtd cmin bak 2 my mind....Its a transparent, light green 1.. with sme self prints..
I laughed lik a kid wen I put it on, put on the hood also,'d a bike drive wth my hubby.. n stil I ws smilin.. I see people passin sme confusd or funny luk wen they c me in it.. mayb cz of the funny smile I'm havin at tat tim.. Bt guys, do u knw the joy I fl insid.. It has no reason .. bt jz fils my heart with sme simpl joy..

Luv ya,, my dear raincoat.. cz u jz mkes me fl gud.. :) :)

Windows shortcuts

well... here is some windows shortcuts if u r using Windows 7. Many of these shortcuts work with Windows Vista, and a smaller subset work with Windows XP. Well these are quite useful as u dont have to perform much navigation..:)

• Folders from Current User Profile

shell:Profile
User Profile folder of logged-on user

shell:UsersFilesFolder
Same as shell:profile

shell:Personal
Documents folder from profile of logged-on user

shell:My Music
Music folder from profile of logged-on user

shell:My Pictures
Pictures folder from profile of logged-on user

shell:My Video
Videos folder from profile of logged-on user

shell:Contacts
Contacts folder from profile of logged-on user (deprecated)

shell:Desktop
Desktop folder from profile of logged-on user

shell:Downloads
Downloads folder from profile of logged-on user

shell:Favorites
Internet Explorer Favorites folder from profile of logged-on user

shell:Searches
Searches folder from profile of logged-on user; contains saved searches

shell:Links
Links folder from profile of logged-on user; contains shortcuts from Favorites node in Windows Explorer navigation pane

• Folders from Public User Profile

shell:Public
Public User Profile folder

shell:Common Desktop
Public\Desktop folder

shell:Common Documents
Public\Documents folder

shell:CommonDownloads
Public\Downloads folder

shell:CommonMusic
Public\Music folder

shell:CommonPictures
Public\Pictures folder

shell:CommonVideo
Public\Videos folder

shell:SampleMusic
Sample Music folder (by default in Public\Music folder)

shell:SamplePictures
Sample Pictures folder (by default in Public\Pictures folder)

shell:SampleVideos
Sample Videos folder (by default in Public\Videos folder)

• Other Per-User Folders

shell:Start Menu
Start Menu folder from profile of logged-on user

shell:Startup
Startup folder from profile of logged-on user

shell:Programs
Start Menu\Programs folder from profile of logged-on user

shell:Quick Launch
Quick Launch folder from profile of logged-on user

shell:Recent
Recent folder from profile of logged-on user

shell:SendTo
Send To folder from profile of logged-on user

shell:User Pinned
All shortcuts that have been pinned to the Taskbar and Start Menu by the currently logged-on user

shell:ImplicitAppShortcuts
In User Pinned folder, contains shortcuts to system-managed Start Menu items, including Control Panel, Help and Support, and auto-published applications from Windows Virtual PC

shell:GameTasks
Custom Games Explorer shortcuts for logged-on user

shell:Administrative Tools
Administrative Tools subfolder from Start Menu\All Programs

shell:Ringtones
Ringtones folder stores custom files created by Windows ringtone editor using a compatible phone in Device Stage

shell:Templates
Templates folder from profile of logged-on user (rarely used)

shell:Gadgets
User-installed Windows Gadgets, including those that have been removed from the desktop but are still available

shell:Playlists
Playlists subfolder, in Music folder from profile of logged-on user

shell:PrintHood
User-created printer shortcuts

shell:CD Burning
Burn folder, used to store temp files before burning to disc

• Internet Explorer and Security

shell:Cache
Internet Explorer Cache (aka Temporary Internet Files)

shell:Cookies
Internet Explorer Cookies (open Low subfolder to see cookies for sites with Low Integrity Level)

shell:History
Internet Explorer History

shell:SystemCertificates
Signed copies of digital certificates for system; use Certificate Manager to view details and add or remove certificates

shell:CryptoKeys
Crypto folder, stores machine keys

shell:dpapiKeys
Protect folder, holds user keys for data encryption, including Encrypting File System

shell:CredentialManager
Credentials folder

• Virtual Folders

shell:MyComputerFolder
Opens Computer Folder

shell:RecycleBinFolder
Opens Recycle Bin

shell:Fonts
Settings for installed fonts and font families

shell:Games
Opens Games Explorer

shell:Libraries
Displays contents of Libraries node in Windows Explorer

shell:UsersLibrariesFolder
Same as shell:Libraries

shell:DocumentsLibrary
Opens default Documents library

shell:MusicLibrary
Opens default Music library

shell:PicturesLibrary
Opens default Pictures library

shell:VideosLibrary
Opens default Videos library

Shell:HomeGroupFolder
Displays contents of Homegroup node in Windows Explorer

shell:NetworkPlacesFolder
Displays contents of Network node in Windows Explorer

shell:NetHood
User-created network shortcuts

shell:ConnectionsFolder
Network Connections

shell:PrintersFolder
Printers and Faxes

shell:AppUpdatesFolder
Installed Updates, including those delivered by Windows Update and Microsoft Update

shell:CSCFolder
Offline Files folder

shell:SearchHomeFolder
Opens Search Results window with focus in search box (same as pressing Windows logo key+F)

• Control Panel Folders

shell:ControlPanelFolder
Opens Control Panel and displays All Control Panel Items (icon view)

shell:AddNewProgramsFolder
Install a program from a network location on a managed Windows network

shell:ChangeRemoveProgramsFolder
Programs and Features folder

shell:SyncCenterFolder
Sync Center, used mostly with Offline Files and Windows Mobile Device Center

shell:SyncSetupFolder
Sync Center\Sync Setup

shell:SyncResultsFolder
Sync Center\Sync Results

shell:ConflictFolder
Sync Center\Conflicts

shell:InternetFolder
Opens 32-bit Internet Explorer

• System folders

shell:Windows
Windows installation folder

shell:System
Windows\System32 folder

shell:SystemX86
On 64-bit Windows systems only, opens Windows\SysWOW64

shell:UserProfiles
Users folder, which contains profiles for all local users and a Public profile

shell:ProgramFiles
Program Files folder

shell:ProgramFilesX86
On 64-bit Windows systems only, opens Program Files (x86) folder, which stores 32-bit programs

shell:ProgramFilesX64
On 64-bit Windows systems only, opens Program Files folder

shell:ProgramFilesCommon
Program Files\Common Files folder

shell:ProgramFilesCommonX86
On 64-bit Windows systems only, opens Program Files (x86)\Common Files folder

shell:ProgramFilesCommonX64
On 64-bit Windows systems only, opens Program Files\Common Files

• Application Data

shell:AppData
Roaming Application Data folder from profile of logged-on user

shell:Local AppData
Local Application Data folder from profile of logged-on user

shell:LocalAppDataLow
User Local Application Data (Low Integrity Level) folder from profile of logged-on user

• Per-machine Folders

shell:Common AppData
ProgramData folder, which holds global settings saved by applications

shell:Common Start Menu
Start Menu folder, containing shortcuts and subfolders for all users

shell:Common Programs
Start Menu Programs for all users

shell:Common Startup
Startup folder for all users

shell:Default Gadgets
Default Windows Gadgets

shell:ResourceDir
Resources folder, which contains Windows themes, including Aero and ease-of-access themes

shell:CommonRingtones
Stores default ringtones for use with Windows ringtone editor using a compatible phone in Device Stage

shell:PublicGameTasks
Custom Games Explorer shortcuts for all users

shell:Common Templates
Templates folder for all users; rarely used

shell:device Metadata Store
DeviceMetadataStore folder, which contains digitally signed files, downloaded from Microsoft, with icons and custom settings for Device Stage items

personal wiki

Imagine storing and editing your to-do lists, bookmarks, snippets of text, project notes, reference material, images from the web or anything you wanted on your home computer from anywhere just using a web browser - no disks, thumb drives, text editors, or file transfers required. This is possible with a personal wiki.

A wiki is an editable web site, where any number of pages can be added and the text of those pages edited right inside your web browser.

To setup ur personal wiki:

• Install Ruby.[...]
• Install Instiki.[...]
• Run Instiki.

To change into the Instiki directory

cd \instiki\

Then type to start the Instiki server

ruby instiki

This is what your output should look like:

C:\instiki>ruby instiki
=> Starting Instiki on http://0.0.0.0:2500
=> Data files are stored in C:/instiki/storage/2500
[2005-09-16 12:45:20] INFO  WEBrick 1.3.1
[2005-09-16 12:45:20] INFO  ruby 1.8.2 (2004-12-25) [i386-mswin32]
[2005-09-16 12:45:20] INFO  WEBrick::HTTPServer#start: pid=4008 port=2500

Now, leave that window open and switch to your web browser, and go to http://localhost:2500/ to begin Instiki setup. Give your new wiki a name and a password.

• Password your Instiki web.
• Access your personal wiki from anywhere.

If your computer is not behind a router or firewall, you can now read and write to your personal wiki from any Internet-connected computer by typing your home computer's IP address or domain name plus :2500 into a web browser's address bar, like
http://123.456.789.0:2500
or
http://mycomputer.homeip.net:2500

That extra 2500 addresses Instiki, which runs on port 2500, Ruby's default port.

[2005-09-16 12:45:20] INFO  WEBrick::HTTPServer#start: pid=4008 port=2500

GDrive

14 Jan 2010

I was having a tough time trying to upload some important files to Google Docs as the file format was not supported. Coz of my laziness, I juz gave up my attempt and started attaching them in my emails so that I acn retrieve them as and when needed from the Drafts folder..:) and now I ws juz browsing to find out that Google is actualy developing sth called GDrive which supports any file format.
Some intersting stuffs supported are:

• you'll be able to backup large graphics files, RAW photos, ZIP archives and much more.
  
• importantly, instead of carrying a USB drive, you can now use Google Docs as a more convenient option for accessing your files on different computers.
• Users will get 1GB of free storage to hold whatever they want, and they can buy more storage space for $0.25 per GB.
• supports files upto 250 MB in size !!! ....

Note:
Memeo Connect for Google Apps is a new desktop application that offers an easy way to access, migrate, and synchronize files to Google Docs across multiple computers. (PC and Mac)

Syncplicity offers businesses automated back-up and file management with Google Docs.

Manymoon is an online project management platform that makes it simple to
organize and share tasks and documents with coworkers and partners,
including uploading files to Google Docs.

Well...well... It also means that students can’t claim that the dog ate their homework or their flash drive.. oops !!! :(

FOR EVERYONE WHO DESIRES IN ARRANGED MARRIAGE !!!!

The woods were lovely dark and deep.

Walking slowly beside her, in the damp mud road, was her husband whom she barely knew. He was very relaxed, happily watching a group of kids playing at a distance.

Her "mehandi" was still dark and smelling fresh, reminding of the
excitements and tension 2 days back. "It cant work this way
mom...please stop this", she kept telling her mother till the last
moment,who wouldnt listen but carry on with beautifying her.She had
been crying all night and her make-up had to be patched up twice or
thrice to hide her awkwardly swollen face.

It was too late now.She had to get married "NOW" to the guy...The guy whom she had seen once and talked thrice.The guy about whom she knew nothing at all but for his name and work.Everything happened in a hurry and everthing was over before she could breathe again... here was she with this guy, all alone in this hill station.... how can anybody send their daughter such a long distance with a stranger???

"Hey look at that....!!!" he shouted in excitement... she shrugged and
looked where his finger pointed...

Bright colored balloons dotted the sky. Children were jumping in joy
and he seemed to be completely absorbed into it...colors are always
exciting...but not now.She was not with her friends, not with her team
mates, not even with her parents. This was not a 3 day tour or team
building trip.This was her life and she has been forced to start off
with this person.

Loneliness and discomfort with this stranger was sickening....She
looked at him in wonder... does he even realize that he has married
me?Does he understand that he has to love me,protect me,care for me,a new girl,a stranger,all his life?


The marriage morning started like a daylight nightmare for her.The
first time in life she felt she should have fallen in love and then
married somebody. some man who she would have felt more comfortable with, someone whom she could call by name and introduce to friends, someone whom she could trust.

But marriage morning was obviously not the time to think all these.
Her parents would never have said "no" if she had declared that she
was in love.But she was not emotionally attached to anybody she
met,especially guys.She was very friendly,playing,teasing, but never
had second thought for any man around her.That brought the entire
responsibility of looking for a groom on her parents' shoulders.

Her parents had had a very bad time with this entire process.They started their groom search with unending "&" operation. The concatenation of "Horoscope matching" & "Decent family" & "Good looking" & "Good pay" & "same cast" & so on... that always gave 0 output.Now after all that 8 months hunt,they were not ready to hear her "ifs" and "buts" for this 'good guy'.

She had explained to her father.She does not feel anything for this
person.He is nothing more to me than any other software professional.Like list of names she sees in the chat rooms. Distant
and usual...Her father asked her to talk to him and even meet him and
discuss their likes and dislikes.That meeting started like the
induction programme self introduction and ended like a 3 hour
seminar..

She was waiting to get away from that place."So did you talk
with him?"."yes"."was he polite and decent"."yes"."Oh he got that
special flavoured tri-color icecream....!!!".OK.All her family and
relatives discussed...She was given the chance to "understand her life
partner" and that they have understood each other "well" and she is
ready for the marriage now.

All arrangements geared up and it was 24 days after her first meeting
that she was getting married to her man... perfect match as everybody else described.Marriage hall was full with excited people, kids got the chance to play,ladies got the chance to wear the silk saree.The smell of rose and jasmine filled the hall.Different poses for the photographer and atrificial smiles for the videos.

The moment he had tied the sacred thread was unexplainable vaccum in the head.It was over.She was his wife.Accepted by the society and law.Her proud parents were relaxed.This was their duty they had been planning to fulfill since she was born.All this crowd will fade away,leaving her to explore her new world...

He pulled her hand gently to sit on the stone bench.The bench was wet and the chillness was indeed enjoyable."So what are you thinking
about?"... that was an unexpected ball.should she reply?should she be
silent?She remembered the two hour presentation she had taken last
month.Bold and confident, she kept answering all the queries with a
broad smile.Now she remained silent.

"Do you know honey.... I was not for this marriage too..." Oh my God... what did i hear??? did HE tell that or did i think aloud? what does he mean?didnt he like me?was he forced into this? He must have noticed the quizzical look on my face...with a gentle smile he continued...

"I wanted to look for a girl myself,buy her everything,care for her,argue with her,laugh and cry with her,then get married to her...

Anything otherwise would be a drama. Traditional drama and i was not for it anytime. But my love for my work and also my stress would not give me time and mind to search that girl...When your parents talked to me 2 weeks before our marriage, about your fear of getting married,to a stranger, i could completely understand your mind. I could see myself in you and that was the moment i decided i will marry you.There was no time to prove myself to you,make you trust me,everything happened in a hurry.

But there was the entire life before me, to please you,to love you, to
make you trust me.This is no less than what i had dreamt,the girl i
was waiting for,is you.Now tell me... will you love me???"

Tears came down her cheek.Her parents had done more than their duty.They had found her the perfect guy. Thank you Mom!!! Thank you Dad!!! His question remained unanswered yet both knew the answer....

:-)