Why Every Girl Needs a Man...

So, something unfortunate happened to me Sunday night. As I was driving to work, my rear side tire blew out and I was left faced with my first quasi car accident. Quasi, because it can't be technically termed a car accident, as there were no other cars involved or even any type of bumping or thumping in fact, nonetheless, the emotions were the same. By God's grace, I have never been in a car accident (thu thu thu), BUT had I been in one, I'm sure my reaction would have been the same as that night sans all the paper work of course. It happened when I was driving southbound on DVP, just past Bayview/Bloor. I was turning a bend and suddenly I realized I didn't have control of the steering wheel, so I quickly gripped the steering wheel firmly with both my hands. AND Yup, it was certain at that point. I had no control. I switch on the emergency lights, and try my best to "drive" my car to the right shoulder and come to a stop.

I have watched many news telecast about highway accidents to know my protocol. I get out of my car through the passenger side door, climb over the guardrail and walk away from my car. It's cold and frighteningly dark and I'm all standing all alone with cars zooming by at dangerous speeds. I call the first person that comes to my mind. My father. My saviour. He picks up and I tell him what happened. He is in Hamilton, unable to come to my aid. He senses my panic and tells me not to worry. He tells me we have no choice but to call the police and ask them to send a tow truck. So I did. I dial 911. This crusty lady answers, and I tell her I have a flat tire. Unsurprisingly, she was very rude. Thinking back, I wish I had asked her why she was so rude when I was desperate for her help. BUT, that's beside the point now. She tells me that the tow truck is on it's way.

Then my brother calls me. He is with my dad in Hamilton. He asks me if I'm okay, and tells me not to be scared. I guess he sensed my panic too, now enhanced by my quivering voice and silent sobs . It wouldn't have been too hard. Anyone who knows me, knows I can't handle a crisis well. He tells me not to worry. It all happened so fast after that, and it's all a blur now, but the tow truck guy came. He said his name was Shawn. I had my brother on the line at that time, so he tells me to give the phone to Shawn and he will speak to him. They exchange some words, I hear $150. And I say to myself..."Holly crap". One Hundred and Fifty dollars!!! Why God, why? I barely have enough money to pay my OSAP this month. But like every emergency situation, money wasn't/couldn't be the issue. I just wanted my car back. I wanted to be inside it. I wanted to be safe again.

Shawn hangs up, gives me the phone and tells me to hop into his truck while he hauls my car to his truck. Once inside he tells me something that I would probably remember for a long time. "You have a cool brother". hmmm....sure, ...yes, sometimes I suppose my brother can be passed off as being "cool" ...I mean..he does play basketball and happens to be good at it. So I guess. BUT how did Shawn know this? Shawn continues..., he tells me how my brother said, "I don't care about the money, just get her somewhere safe". Of course, it wasn't his money that was at stake, so he can say whatever he wants. But I know my brother, and I know he would have done the same had it been his money. It's just who he is. It's nice to have a younger brother who has grown enough, both mentally and physically, to assume the role of a big brother. Shawn was indeed appreciative of such a brother. I was even more so.

The next day, I find out that my dad got me 2 new tires, and my car checked out to drive to work the next day. I thought to myself.....how lucky I was to have a father who handles all my problems as his own, and a brother to depend on at all times, I was always grateful, and took pride in knowing that I had a father and a brother who were always dependable, strong and affectionate. But this situation gave me the chance to thank God again for such men in my life.

Why Black Pandi Enna Kalachi'dhan

Anyone who watches Vijay TV's Kanna Kannum Kalangal will instantly know my title's significance. And for those that don't…..what a shame, what a shame. This one particular friend of my brother-in-law, who just happens to have this air around him of knowing good Tamil values by that I mean Tamil cinema values, mentioned in passing that of a Tamil drama that is '...wery good...' called Kanna Kannum Kalangal, (or if you prefer translating it to English I would suggest perhaps 'Dream Dreaming Days'). So one day, with my laptop in hand and nothing better to do, I googled Kanna Kannum Kalangal and came across a site (click here) that had a chronological order of most Tamil dramas. I played a random episode for 3 minutes and stopped. Watching Tamil drama's on my Toshiba laptop was just not my style. But maybe it was fate, because the next day my dad robbed an aunt's mega serial collection, and managed to getaway with 30 episodes of Kanna Kannum Kalangal DVDs. Since it was readily available and that too in DVDs, I decided to watch it. I have been hooked since.

There are 10 main characters. Pandi (alias Black Pandi), Joseph, Pachai, Bala, Raagavi, Vineeth, Unni, Krish, Rishi, and Sangavi. They are all Plus One students at a convent school somewhere in Chennai. The drama unravels their respective lives, goals and ambitions, all in the context of friendship. It is important to note that the main characters are split into two so called 'gangs'. They differentiate in many respects, but noticeably in their riches and rags. Pandi, Joe, Pachai and Bala belong to the rags side, with their immaculate Tamil rhetorics and village-like squanders, whereas Vineeth, Unni, Krish and Rishi ride to school in motorcycles, and speak in cocky English. Both gangs hate each other's guts, and are often found wrestling each other on school grounds, and devising plans to 'kalakira' the other group. Kalakira for those not familiar with this word, simply put means to 'tease' or 'mock'.

Somehow, someone in the Tamil serial industry realized that not all Tamil mega serials have to be about woman heroism and series of sentimental crying scenes. The writers, directors and producers of Kanna Kannum Kalangal have given MUCH importance to laughter and happiness. And they succeed ten folds in delivering such quotients. You are bound to laugh out loud throughout the show, and if you are like me, sometimes even rewinding back to capture the moment again. It reminds you of care free days where your biggest concern was finishing your chemistry homework on time, and hoping that your crush would pass a hello. Now that I'm older, and have my high school days waaaaaay behind me, it's an incredible feeling of nostalgia watching this show. Even though I love all the characters, my favourites are Black Pandi, Joe, and Vineeth. You might even say I have a crush on Vineeth. YES I KNOW! He is most probably 10 years younger than me. But like I said, it takes you back, and he reminds me of someone that I once had one of those once in a life time crushes. *wink. They even taught me some new words that I plan to incorporate in my daily vocabulary when the time is right. Next time you hear…. Kalachi'dan… or Cycle Gapila escape my lips…. don’t be so surprised, no?!