This week has definitely gone by fast and to basically sum it up in one word would literally be impossible. I had the “thendral” talk-over yet again this week and it seemed rather futile with both sides just complaining about “possible” issues that could have been avoided to prevent the break-up. Sometimes people should just be mature about things and get over it. There maybe issues and it may be very small, according to them, but everything is based on perspectives. Self imposing seems to be the maneuver to get one’s way and sometimes this does work. I think everyone is grown up and responsible for their own decisions. Making a hew and cry over a matter just because “things seem like they are ending” doesn’t mean problems have been resolved. You cannot fix something that no longer works. I better stop before I end up ranting more and more but I think this whole ordeal with Thendral has gone way out of proportion.

Another thing that’s been bothering me off late, is some “accusations” I have been hearing about me – no I am not egotistical and yes I do make mistakes. If people make mistakes, it’s perfectly OK! We are humans; we make mistakes so that we can learn from them. Apparently one of our family friends, who I don’t want to mention, has been slandering my reputation with the Indian community. I don’t really care about what people have to say and I am not intimidated by the accusation either. However, I was in a very uneasy state the whole week as to whether I should approach this individual or not. Basically, the guy – lets call him Mr. X. Mr. X is very insecure about his relationship (or relationships) and due to past grievances with his wife is seeking revenge against her (literally – no this is not like a mega serial but reality). Mr. X thinks it’s perfectly normal to complain about his wife to half the community here (either to seek advice or to just defame her reputation) – the latter seems more likely. The latest rumor apparently (one of our good family friends told my mum) that Mr. X is saying that his wife can no longer get “adults” so is trying “kids” – (apparently hinting that Mrs. X was having an affair with me). Although this sounds ridiculous, it almost seemed as an act of jealousy. At first, I was going to go confront him and straightening things out but then realized no need to make matters worse and sometimes the silent treatment is the best one. My parents (especially mum is all worried and has summoned never to speak to them and avoid all possible meetings). My dad, on the other hand, plans to say something to him. Maybe I should say something too? I am not that young and I can speak up if I want to. I guess I’ll have to see the right time, and right place to make him realize what he’s doing isn’t going to work. Perhaps Mr. X wanted to break up the good relationship that my mum and Mrs. X have (they are fairly good friends, or rather were fairly good friends). Anyway, this entry is now sounding like a story line for Chitti or Annamalai (sun tv dramas).

Lastly, this week was a little crazy especially on the weather front with all the media covering Hurricane Ivan. Yesterday, it finally made its presence felt in Atlanta. The rain (I know praveena you like rain but yesterday was too much!!) was pouring (rather pounding) so heavily that the vision from my office space in Accenture was almost nothing. We looked outside and you could see a grey shadow mist settled down and feel the rattle of the glass windows. I left around 5 yesterday because I wanted to avoid the traffic for one, and Praveena and Bargava were also planning on leaving at that time. We were all literally drenched and getting off at Lindbergh didn’t make it any better. The train didn’t come for another ½ hr! I called up Peggy (my piano teacher) and told her I was stuck in traffic and wouldn’t be able to make it for class. Traffic was rough on 400, but luckily no trees or debris were on the highway. There was slight flooding and heavy wind gusts but I expected it to be much worse. Aishwarya told me that a tree had collapsed on their roof! Luckily no one was injured!

TGIF – 2 more hours. I can head for home, unwind for a little while, then have “varna” practice for our program tomorrow at Findley Oaks. I am singing “appade podu” from gillie and “Sakarakati rajathi” (remix version of an MGR song). Praveena was telling me next week we might have an appreciation dinner for the participants/coordinators of the South Indian Cultural Festival. That might a good break except some people there might have attitude with us. I think everyone should do whatever they please as long as it doesn’t intentionally hurt or harm another person. There is no point sacrificing at the sake of pleasing someone else if one cannot be happy – then you aren’t satisfied but being foolishly “unselfish.” 1 hr, and about 40 minutes left!