May 8

A BYTE OF LIFE

FREE CIRCULATION

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The contrived history of OFFICE JABBER From thought leader to paradigm shift to pink slip, there is a story behind every office jargon. At least from now! » PAGE 05

Friday, May 8, 2009

Vol. 3

No. 85

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HEADS TO ROLL

YELLOW FEVER

in Kolkata Knight Riders

Fashion world comes together for Selfridges’ centenary

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ERGO Friday, May 8, 2009

Namma Chennai TECHNOLOGY

The mini shuffle Health

Power Yoga The Varahas Gurucool will conduct Power Yoga course from May 11 at Bamboola Playschool inR.A. Puram. Two batches will be conducted, one at 6- 7 p.m. and another batch at 7- 8 p.m. on all weekdays. The classes will be conducted by Sastri Arunachala and his trained disciples. What: Yoga class Where: Bamboola Playschool, New No.73, Venkatakrishna Road, Raja Annamalaipuram. When: May 11 For details call 9941295549

MOTHER’S DAY

Mom & U This Mother’s day, Courtyard by Marriott gives you an opportunity to surprise your mom. All you have to do is book a table anytime on or before May 8th 2009 either for Lunch / Dinner to avail "Mom & I" offer between Monday and Friday and make her dine free at Paprika. If food isn’t enough, games and activities will also be organized to keep her spirits on an all time high. For reservations contact 66764000 and don’t forget to collect the ‘Mom & I’ voucher from the desk to avail the offer.

Give your mum the coolest mix tape ever. Load an all-new iPod shuffle with up to 1,000 of your mum’s favourite songs. The third generation iPod shuffle, the world’s smallest music player, features a gorgeous new aluminum design with a built-in stainless steel clip that makes it ultra-wearable. The 4GB iPod shuffle comes in silver or black for a maximum retail price of Rs. 4,900 and is available through Apple Authorized Resellers.

FOOD

Nostalgic Treat Mughlai Food fest will be celebrated The Savera Hotel’s Minar, the Restaurant @ level 12 on completion of 30 years. The food fest will showcase the dishes which Minar. The fest menu will feature 30 dishes like Murgh saleem, Jhinga Tariwallah, Gosht Jehangiri, Noorjahani biriyani, Machili Koliwada and lot more. The fest is on from 8th May to 24th May and is open only for dinner from 7p.m. onwards. For more details contact @28114700 extn 1936 What: Mughlai Food Fest Where: Hotel Savera When: May 8 – 24

Workshop

Head-on collision LABEL DUMMY

Be your mom’s chef This Mother’s Day delight your mother to a special lunch/dinner prepared by you at The Main Street, The Residency Towers. The first 20 guests will be given the unique opportunity to prepare Pasta, Dosa, Salad or Chaat for their mothers from “On the Spot” Counters. Hurry up and make reservations right now to be your mother’s Chef! For reservations please call 2815 6363. When: May 10 Where: The Main Street, Residency towers

The Indian Quizzing League is coming up with Chennai’s first ever summer camp in quizzing in the mid week of May. IQL has been associated with quizzing across various educational institutions in Chennai. . This summer camp caters to children of age groups 1015 and will be conducted in R.A.Puram on weekends starting May 16. To sign-up and for further details, contact Patrick-9952994908. What: IQL‘s summer camp When: From May 16 Where: R.A. Puram

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Friday, May 8, 2009

Schwarzkopf unveils summer looks S

chwarzkopf Professional recently unveiled its new brand of hairstyles and colours for summer at a fashion show organised at GRT Grand Days Hotel. The four distinctive hair styles for the season – Glamazon, Sunday Best, 80’s Dance, Rounded form – were unveiled by Schwarzkopf Professional’s national technical head Najeeb Ur Rehman. The ‘111 Edition: Part 1

Collection’ takes its inspiration from the world of haute couture and is inspired from the fashion weeks of London, Paris, Milan and New York. Commenting on the new hair styles, Najeeb Ur Rehman said: “Each of the four fashion moods identified have been expressed in three ways. Essential Trend is an undiluted, fashion forward look. Essential Style is a commer-

Four rob house in

Alwarpet Culprits make away with gold and diamond jewellery weighing upto 100 sovereigns after holding child at knifepoint ERGO CORRESPONDENT [email protected]

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our unidentified men barged into a house in Alwarpet, locked up the inmates and decamped with close to 100 sovereigns of jewellery and cash. The victims suspect the involvement of their driver whom they had fired from work four months ago. Police said the robbery occurred on Wednesday night at the first-floor home of Chidambaram, a plastic goods businessman, on Pillaiyar Kovil Street in Alwarpet. The gang struck at around 8.45 in the evening when Chidambaram’s wife Lalitha Devi (55), their daughter Sathyakala (32) and Sathyakala’s son Prajen Subramanium (4) were at home. “The gang had come in pre-

The gang had come in pretending to be visitors enquiring about Chidambaram

tending to be visitors enquiring about Chidambaram. The last man to enter locked the front door and another caught hold of Prajen and kept a knife at his throat before asking for the keys of the almirahs where the jewellery was kept. A petrified Lalitha gave them the keys,” said an investigating officer on the case. The culprits snatched away the victims’ mobile phones, preventing them from summoning help, the officer added. While the two men held the women and child at knifepoint, the other two went inside and pocketed gold and diamond jewellery believed to be close to 100 sovereigns and Rs. 35,000 cash. The gang fled after locking up the three victims inside a room. Police said neighbours who spotted four men rushing away in a red Tata Sumo grew suspicious and went to the first floor to find Lalitha, Sathyakala and Prajen locked inside. Chidambaram reached home after hearing about the incident and later called the police. A case has been registered with the Tey-

cial interpretation and Essential Dressing provides editorial perspective. This season hair plays such a strong part of the overall fashion directions, that it is an essential part of everyone’s styling mantra. There is a high-energy vibe running through both fashion and hair, with quirky and sensual looks that translate across both haute couture and more wearable styles”. ■ nampet police and a special team has been formed to probe the robbery. A police team conducted preliminary investigation and fingerprint experts also collected evidence from the crime scene. “The exact loss of property is yet to be ascertained as two of complainant Chidambaram’s sons and their respective families, who reside in the same house, had gone out of town on vacation and are yet to return and calculate the worth of missing goods,” added the officer. The victims had expressed suspicion over a former driver called Bhoobalan, whom they had terminated from service four months ago. Police are investigating further. ■

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ERGO Friday, May 8, 2009

Big Story The Contrived History of

OFFICE JABBER Have you ever wondered how office jargon evolved? Everyday terms like ‘pink slip’ and ‘power lunch’ must have had some kind of history attached to them. After some brainbending analysis, here are contrived evolutionary details for a few of them

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Friday, May 8, 2009 ANUSHA PARTHASARATHY [email protected]

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he very first organizational head of the modern world was designating names to various executive titles. But he could never come up with a name for the one who ideates. He thought and he thought and he thought but he was unsuccessful. Finally, when he died and his will was read out, his family members were shocked. In the will was a P.S (post script) “Eureka! I found it. Henceforth the one who ideates will be named a thought leader.”

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n 1757, during the Battle of Plassey, when the General of the British East India Company was giving orders to his men, he was not allowed unparliamentary language. Hence, in his frustration he shouted “Asap! Asap!” but no one understood what it meant. The general, who was quick-witted, was quick to come up with an explanation. “As soon as possible, men! Step on it!”

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hen India entered the liberalization and globalization era in the 1990s, it became ‘parallel’ with other countries and turned ‘digital’. It was a giant leap for India and the world wanted to recognize it by coining a term for such a big change. As all Indians do, they approached a numerologist who revoked the powers in him and said “It will be called a paradig. Young organizations will dig this term! But according to numerology, you have to add an ‘m’ at the end to make it seem technical and incomprehensible”

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ink Slip was the daughter of a red-indian business head. She committed suicide in her teens because her friends continually made fun of her name. Therefore, her heart-broken father decided to name the ‘termination’ of service after her. Any employee who was sacked thereon, got a pink slip, a symbol of remembrance of the tragic story of Pink Slip.

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here was once a manager who had a crush on a newbie. He was assigned to familiarize her with the department. To make the best of this god given chance, he held her hand (literally) and led her through all the formalities. At the end of the day, the girl fell for him. A higher official who came to know of this accused him of ‘hand holding’.

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ccording to Greek Mythology, when Helen of Troy wanted to ask Prince Paris for a date, she wrote a cheeky love poem, put it into an envelope and tried to push it across the dinner table to him, as delicately and innocently as possible, so as to not arouse suspicion. She was ‘pushing the envelope’. Hence, the term.

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n ancient Egypt, when employees were disgruntled, they schemed and poured buckets of eggs and rotten tomatoes on unsuspecting bosses who were too busy looking down upon them. Once, when two bosses were walking to together, one of them incidentally looked up and shouted “Heads up!” and prevented the other from what can only be called an overdose of ‘eggsotic perfume’.

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n the days of Yore, the only way employees could stress bust was to hoola hoop. In this game, all the employees got into a circle and a giant hoola hoop was set spinning around them. The object of the game was to prevent the hoop from falling down without using hands. Those who played were ‘in the loop’ and the rest were out.

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ERGO Friday, May 8, 2009

(Australian) Selectors should have been talking with former players to make themselves available for this particular event (World Cup T20). I would be looking at Warne or Gilchrist as captain. If I was a selector I would not be risking, wherever possible, key Ashes players such as (Ricky) Ponting, (Michael) Clarke and others.

Sport

John Buchanan

Seeds advance Top-ranked Dinara Safina rallied to beat Zheng Jie of China 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (7-3) to advance to the quarter-finals of the Italian Open. Defending champion Jelena Jankovic also went through after her opponent retired with an illness, while Venus Williams battled past Russia’s Anna Chakvetadze 6-0, 6-7 (8-10), 6-4. However, French Open champion Ana Ivanovic squandered a four-game lead in the decisive set against Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska to lose 6-1, 3-6, 6-4. Safina is looking to win her first title since becoming the world’s No. 1 last month. The 23-year-old Russian had an erratic game on Wednesday, losing her serve seven times. But she displayed fighting spirit as she rallied from 5-2 down in the decisive set and went on to win the last six points of the tiebreaker. “I’m upset with myself ... because I know I can play better,” Safina said. “I’m practicing and I’m playing great and aggressive, and suddenly I come on the court and it’s completely ... different person playing. It was way too passive.” PTI

U.S. aid for Indian soccer The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) has decided to assist the All-Indian Football Federation (AIFF) to help Indian football to climb back from doldrums. USSF’s chairman Sunil Gulati, who was in the capital for a stop-over to Kuala Lumpur as an observer for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Congress, said that India is facing the same issues that the US did 14 years back before hosting the World Cup in 1998. “Like US, football is not the No.1 sport in India. So India is tackling the same problems that we did before hosting one of the most successful World Cups in 1998,” Gulati said. Gulati, who met AIFF secretary-general Alberto Colaco, said USSF can help India with technical advice, exchange programme of players and coaches, administration and also sending a junior team for the Nehru Cup. “We would like to send a team for the Nehru Cup. But this time it won’t be possible because we have a cramped international calendar. Maybe next time we will have a team in the Nehru Cup,” said Gulati who hails from Allahabad. Ergo Correspondent

There are far too many chinks in KKR’s armoury and it is likely that a few unlucky heads will roll soon

KKR fans burn an effigy of John Buchanan in Kolkata.

PHOTO: PTI

Knights in rusty armour AYON SENGUPTA [email protected]

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ith seven losses in nine outings, the much-fancied Kolkata Knight Riders are sitting at the bottom of the IPL points ladder. If sources are to be believed, the side is in for a major reshuffle with five more games to go for them. Even if director cricket operations and the man under the scalpel, John Buchanan, saves his job temporarily, his Queensland cronies are believed to be not that lucky. With poor fielding and bowling efforts contributing to KKR’s horrific run, the first to pack their bags from the South African safari are going to be fielding coach Jon Deeble and former Australian international and bowling coach Andy Bichel. The two had a relatively long stint with the team but

the Knight’s effort on the field failed to show end results. Jeet Banerjee of Game Plan, who was instrumental in selecting the local players for the Kolkata side, is also under the scanner as the Knights have time and again suffered from a lack of presentable bench strength. But putting the blame on the motley local players doesn’t serve the purpose as most have been bogged down with the constant strife within the team. The perennial lack of faith on the team management’s part has not helped their cause. “We are loaded with foreign imports in South Africa although only four can play at a time,” one of the midlevel officials from the team says. “And even our foreign recruits are not of the quality to send a shudder down the opposition’s spine. Domestic Australian and South African players are getting

unnecessary weightage. Is this the Indian Premier League?” An arbitrary team selection, where no importance has been attached to performance or experience, has left the players confused, handing Buchanan a freer run in the disjointed setup. It is almost reminiscent of colonial England’s divide and rule policy. Former Bengal Ranji Trophy player and Sourav’s brother Snehasish Ganguly says: “The KKR management has done things that leave a bad taste in your mouth. Without the support of the top brass (owners), Buchanan and his team would never have dreamt of going this far. Shah Rukh Khan is here not for the love of the game but money. Only success can guarantee it. Creating rifts can give you that instant mileage but nothing else.” ■

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Friday, May 8, 2009

Sharath, Neha in squad India will send a 10-member team, with Olympians Achanta Sharath Kamal and Neha Aggarwal as spearheads, in the 18th Commonwealth Table Tennis Championship starting in Glasgow from May 19. Nine paddlers, without Sharath, will set out for London on Friday to play three Test matches before going to Glasgow. World number 85 Sharath, the best bet in singles, will join the team later after fulfilling his commitments with the Super Division club San Sebastian in Spanish League.

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en-man Barcelona edged their way into the Champions League final on Wednesday night in the most dramatic manner, with Andres Iniesta scoring an injury-time goal to force a 1-1 draw away to Chelsea. Barcelona were down to 10 men midway through the second half after Eric Abidal was harshly sent off after pulling down Nicolas Anelka. The last-gasp goal puts Barca into the May 27 final against Manchester United on the away goals rule, since the first leg was a dull 0-0 draw in the Camp Nou last Tuesday. Iniesta’s last-gasp leveller – Barca’s only shot on target all match – threw a blanket of silence over West London, but provoked noisy street celebrations back in Barcelona.

Lucky break “It was a wonderful moment to score,” gasped a euphoric Iniesta at

the end, “just when we needed a goal.” Barca playmaker Xavi – who had an uncharacteristically quiet game – conceded that “we were a bit lucky tonight”, but pointed out that “they were unlucky to get a goalless draw in the first leg”. Barca are still on course for a league, cup and Champions treble that no Spanish team has yet managed to achieve. They are seven points clear at the top of La Liga with just four games left, and face un-fancied Athletic Bilbao in next week’s King’s Cup final. Chelsea left the field protesting against Norwegian referee Tom Henning, who turned down four good home penalty claims, and none of them were in the mood to speak to the media. Didier Drogba had to be prevented from assaulting Henning by his own team-mates, and could now

face a lengthy UEFA suspension.

Refereeing glitches Barcelona defender Yaya Toure defended the referee. "The game today was very hard and very difficult because Chelsea is such a great team and it was a lot of work for the referee. “I am very happy with this night, I think Barcelona played great football. Chelsea is a very strong team, they have good players like Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard is the best midfielder in Europe. The best team won today,” he said. Barca actually turned in a dull display by their high standards – unlike Saturday’s historic 6-2 thrashing of Real Madrid. But were saved by a moment of injury-time inspiration. Samuel Eto’o controlled down the right and passed to Lionel Messi. The Argentine fed little Iniesta, who silenced Stamford Bridge by beating

Iniesta puts Barcelona into final with injury-time stunner

Peter Cech with an unstoppable high drive. Barca went into the game without key defenders Carles Puyol and Rafa Marquez, and sorely missed the two veterans during an early assault from the hosts. The Chelsea goal came after only 10 minutes. Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard put together a promising move down the left – and Essien set Stamford Bridge on fire with a spectacular left-foot volley which went in off the crossbar. It was an even more staggering volley than the one by Zinedine Zidane that won the cup for Real against Bayer Leverkusen in 2002. Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes kept the visitors in the game with sharp saves in the first half from Didier Drogba and John Terry, as Chelsea continued to dominate. Barca looked brighter after half-time, but lacked the power and experience of the injured Thierry Henry. In the Rome final Barca will be without Abidal and right-back Dani Alves, who picked up another yellow card. ■ DPA

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta celebrates a goal against Chelsea during their Champions League semi-final, second-leg match at the Stanford Bridge in London on Wednesday. PHOTO: AFP

s o l c o To

t r o f m o c r o ef

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Yellow in a gre Selfridges put London’s Oxford Street on the world retail map. Not surprisingly, fashion’s biggest names came out with their tribute collections in the store’s trademark canary yellow (what else!) to mark the occasion Giuseppe Zanotti for Selfridges. PHOTO: SELFRIDGES

Selfridges’ yellow centenary cake. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

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Alexander McQueen clutch. PHOTO: SELFRIDGES

(From left) Designer Nitin Desai, actors Amitabh Bachchan, Dimple Kapadia, Madhuri Dixit and Jaya Bachchan and designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla during a photocall in Selfridges on May 2, 2002, to launch ’23 and ½ days of Bollywood’, a celebration of the Indian film industry

elfridges is defying the downturn with a celebration to mark 100 years in the retail business, including an exhibition charting the store’s history, weekend musical events and yellow anniversarythemed products from brands including Marc Jacobs, Giles, Paul Smith, Ralph Lauren, Levi’s and Coca-Cola. “We all feel about 150 years old at the moment because of all the planning,” said chief executive Paul Kelly. “Despite the general climate, we have a lot to celebrate, and we want our customers to know there’s still a lot of joy out there and fun to be had.” The anniversary kicked off on April 30 with champagne and birthday cake at the store – which was festooned with 1,500 yellow origami-like airplanes – and continue through May. The exhibition, staged in the 3,000-square-foot Ultralounge, touches on founder Harry Gordon Selfridge’s personal passions – shopping-as-entertainment; air travel; all things mystical; the store’s celebrity customers and services (Selfridges packed the Duchess of Windsor’s suitcases for her 1936 journey into exile), and the grand, themed events of past years, including Bollywood and Vegas. “It is meant to entertain – and to educate,” said curator Lindy Woodhead, author of Shopping, Seduction and Mr. Selfridge, a biography of the store’s founder. “Gordon Selfridge was a breath of fresh air. He was an American, and he had an egalitar-

ian approach to shopping – Selfridges catered to the rich and the poor alike.” As part of the celebration, the store has also decorated the flagship’s Oxford Street windows with vintage designs – ’20s boudoirs and football displays – and has booked weekend entertainment, including DJing by Giles Deacon, Henry Holland, Amy Molyneaux and Percy Parker. Selfridges’ Wonder Room is a homage to all things yellow, ranging from Absolut Vodka bottles to Christian Louboutin stilettos to Alexander McQueen skull-adorned clutches to Diptyque candles. But the store is celebrating more than a birthday. Profits and sales are on the rise, thanks in part to a bump from overseas tourists taking advantage of the weaker pound, and the store plans to unveil its first e-commerce multichannel site next year. The site will be for the U.K. only, and will offer a “slice” of Selfridges’ merchandise with a continually changing roster of brands. Kelly said the privately owned store expects to post sales and profit gains for the fiscal year ending January 31, and that sales and profit growth in the first three months of the current fiscal year are also positive year-on-year. In the last fiscal year to Jan. 31, 2008, the store posted sales of 655 million pounds, or $963 million at current exchange, and profits of 84.1 million pounds, or $124 million. “Business is good but tough – and there’s no point in moaning,” said Kelly. “The reality is that you can buy a Louis Vuitton bag anywhere in the world. We have to demonstrate every single day that Selfridges is where customers should be spending their money.” “Last year, we knew things were beginning to change. We took action, and it came right for us,” said Kelly. “This isn’t the first tough time that Selfridges has been through during the past 100 years: It’s seen war, depression and recession, and it’s still managed to evolve.” ■ NYT News Service

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Friday, May 8, 2009

Portfolio

ey sky

BULLETIN Sutherland head-butts designer

Giles Deacon dress: PHOTO: SELFRIDGES

The Metropolitan Museum of Arts’ Costume Institute gala ended up with a fight between actor Kiefer Sutherland and designer

Jimmy Choo sandals. PHOTO: SELFRIDGES

Jack McCollough. The 24 star was at the after-party in New York when designer Jack McCollough allegedly knocked over actress Brook Shields. Sutherland saw it happen and asked him to apologise. McCollough is said to have then pushed Sutherland, who allegedly responded with a head butt which broke the designer’s nose, reported celebrity website TMZ.com. MaryKate Olsen and Kirsten Dunst were said to be among the stars who witnessed the fight.

Marc Jacobs bag for Selfridges. PHOTO: SELFRIDGES

Yellow back panel Blackberry. PHOTO: SELFRIDGES

PTI

Gucci sues Guess Italian fashion house Gucci sued rival fashion and leather goods label Guess Inc. on Wednesday, claiming it copied a dress design and several trademarked logos. Gucci accused Guess Inc. of imitating trademarked designs, including a green and red stripe, a repeated interlocking GG mark and stylised G mark it emblazoned on accessories like handbags, belts, gloves, watches and glasses. The lawsuit, which was filed in Manhattan federal court and seeks unspecified monetary damages, also accused Guess of copying a dress featuring an interlocking GG diamond motif. “Reuters

Fashion and friendship

Shoppers throng round former Indian Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi during her walk-about at the opening of the ‘See India’ exhibition in London at Selfridges in London on March 23, 1982. PHOTO: THE HINDU PHOTO ARCHIVES

Supermodel Naomi Campbell refused to attend the Costume Institute gala at the Met only because her dear friend, designer Azzedine Alaia, did not get an invitation to the event. “Naomi, having supported this gala event for many years, planned to attend this year and even purchased a table. However, as she does not wish to be disloyal to Alaia…” the New York Post quoted a representative for the diva as saying. However, a spy said: “"Please. She only decided not to go after Karl Lagerfeld decided against going.” ANI

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ERGO Friday, May 8, 2009

Oprah cancels India trip

Flick A smug

Oprah Winfrey has cancelled a low-key trip to India over fears of the swine flu epidemic, it has emerged. Winfrey was scheduled to visit Hampi and then fly to Mumbai to meet up with her guide, Mallika Sherawat.

Will Smith

makes for a good Bond

Jamie Foxx

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ctor Will Smith, who is the latest to add his name to the list of stars who want to be the first Afro-American James Bond, said he will be the best choice for producers. Rapper Diddy and actor Jamie Foxx have both put their names forward as a possible replacement for current Bond, Daniel Craig, reported contactmusic.com. Diddy went so far as to shoot a 007-themed TV ad for his fragrance line in an effort to show producers what he would look like as a black Bond. But Smith insists he’s the best choice: “Diddy probably lives the most like James Bond and Jamie Foxx got the swagger for James Bond. He can sing too, so he can add a new element to Bond, wooing the ladies. But I think I can guarantee the box office!”

P. Diddy

IANS

Kate Hudson is oldfashioned mum

‘Thriller’ actress sues Jacko over unpaid royalties

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he actress in Michael Jackson’s smash hit Thriller video is suing the popstar over unpaid royalties. Ola Ray, a former Playboy Playmate, is suing the King of Pop and his production company, alleging breach of contract. According to TMZ.com, Ray’s lawyer has claimed that she was promised a share in the 1983 promo’s revenue, but has not received a single penny till date. At the cost of 500,000 dollars, the epic 14-minute video, directed by John Landis, was the most expensive promo of its time, reports Contactmusic. In January, Landis also sued Jacko claiming that he’s owed royalties for his work on the iconic promo and related spin-offs, and the case is still continuing. ■ ANI

ate Hudson has confessed that she’s old-fashion when it comes to motherhood – just like her parents were. The actress, who has a son, Ryder, with ex-husband Chris Robinson, has admitted that she is a strict mom and will not give her child everything he asks. “My parents were so strict! (They refused to buy me) everything,” the New York Daily News quoted Hudson as saying. “All of us (kids) had to pay for our first car, and you know... I’m the same way. I’m probably a little more lenient (with son Ryder) because my parents were so strict.” “Everybody’s struggles are different. But when it comes to how you raise your children, I think those values are pretty standard,” she added. ■ ANI

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Friday, May 8, 2009

Susan Boyle joins stars in top viral videos Susan Boyle of Britain’s Got Talent has made the top five in a list of most watched viral videos of all time. Visible Measures, which measures the use of online videos across more than 150 video-sharing sites, has compiled a list called the ‘100 Million Views Club’ which is of online videos that have topped the 100 million viewership. Reuters

‘I’m working on getting bored’

Cine City

Renee Zellweger taking break from acting

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enee Zellweger is putting acting on hold to spend time doing nothing and ‘getting bored’. The actor has been working constantly since she rose to fame in the 1990s and hasn’t had time for any vacations. Now, Zellweger insists that she desperately needs some time off and has told her agent to refuse all movie offers until she’s fully rested. “I’m working on getting bored, and it’s really hard! I need to sit still long enough to see where my brain goes. I’m taking time to figure out where I want to go and what I want to do next. In this line of work, you become so (defined by your job),” Contactmusic quoted her as telling America’s Glamour magazine. Zellweger also said that she’s having fun rediscovering life’s simple pleasures. “I’m actually going into the bathroom to use my bathroom stuff – rather than to the suitcase where I usually keep it. I’m learning how to use a chest of drawers! I am determined to sit still long enough to get past the existential crap of the moment,” she said. “I want to learn more. I want to know more. That’s what taking this time is about. I’m curious about so many things, but haven’t had occasion to be exposed to them enough to really appreciate them,” she added. ■

Clothes maketh a film While the total budget of Susi Ganesan’s Kanthaswamy is over Rs. 30 crore, the director has revealed that the amount spent on costumes was Rs. 2 crore. Actor Vikram, who plays a superhero in the flick, wears clothes worth Rs. 75 lakh, while Shriya’s clothes were worth a whopping Rs. 1.25 crore. Kanthaswamy, produced by Kalaipuli S. Thanu, has music by Devi Sri Prasad. The film is said to be a June-end release.

ANI

I’m actually going into the bathroom to use my bathroom stuff – rather than to the suitcase where I usually keep it. I’m learning how to use a chest of drawers!

Aishwarya lends voice for Reema Aishwarya Dhanush, who is assisting Selvaraghavan in his magnum opus Aayirathil Oruvan, has also dubbed for Reema Sen’s character in the film. The film featuring Karthi, Reema Sen and Andrea is produced by Dream Valley Corporation. The film’s audio composed by G.V. Prakash Kumar is expected to be launched this month. Aayirathil Oruvan has actor Parthiban playing the role of a king.

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ERGO Friday, May 8, 2009

Thursday’s Query: Come up with an election campaign slogan for J.K Riteesh ■ Vottu podu orumurai adutha 5 aandu (JK Ritheeshidam irundhu) viduthalai Liakath, CSS

■ Vetri nichayam edu veda sathiyam kolgai velavade nan konda latchiyam

Dinesh Kumar from HCL Technologies has nominated his colleagues as Partners in Crime. This picture was clicked at MGM Beach Resort.

Guruprasad, Allsec

■ Veetku oru naai and gun. Naatuku indha nayagan (Ritheesh) SureshkumarK., Wipro

■ I’m your JK Riteesh vote our MK’s sunrise. I stop to act in movie promise Balaji P., Wipro

■ Nila nila oodi va Riteesh annana thedi va Nalla vote poda va Illa Nayagan padam kattava? Soundararajan K., HCL

■ Nan varamataen, vanda pogamataen Karthik, TCS

■ MGR unga veetu pillai, but intha JKR unga bungalow pillai. So vote for your Nayagan, surapuli Lexsminarayanan, TCS-eserve

■ India got freedom on 15th Aug 1947. Tamil film industry will get freedom on May 13th May 2009, idhu nadaka vote 4 Riteesh

Arun Durai from R Systems International Limited has nominated his friends as Partners in Crime. This pic was clicked during their Kodaikannal trip.

Rajadurai, CSS

■ He is the political tsunami of Tamil Nadu. The real Nayagan of the people Ramesh, Wipro

■ Irundhaka alli kodu ilaati solli kudu namma vazhi nalla vazhi thaan Vijay, Infosys

■ Maapu vaika poran aapu Vinothkumar.A, RBS

■ Aararai koodi pergalil oruvan, adiyen thamilan, naan ungal nanban. Aana naan dhan aavanna nee dhan, nengal illamal naan ingu illai Vinoth, ABN Amro

■ J.K Riteesh na JaiKara Riteesh nu artham... (ippadi usupaethiye udamba ranagalam aakiduvaanga pola) Swaminathan, Reflexis

Today’s Query: Name a dish which will taste the best when your mom cooks

Kaameshwaran Venkataramani from CTS has nominated his "Goody Chennai-97" Cognizant Testing Team Members as Partners in Crime. This pic was clicked during IIT Madras Samanvay’09.

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Friday, May 8, 2009

Belated Wishes John from UST-Global has been nominated as Office Angel by A.Sasikumar . He always helps the team with a smile on his face. John is a fun loving person who eases people during tense times.

■ Hi Karthik, Wishing you a many more happy returns of the day. May this special day be filled with sweet memories and happy hours. Hope our little birthday wishes will make you smile... Have a great year ahead. Best Wishes from RM, DM Teams and special wishes from Madhavi and Sree

■ Hi Srinivasan P May this special day be filled with sweet memories and happy hours. Wishing you all the fun and excitement that only birthdays can bring! With Cheers, Coastal Training Technologies India (P) Ltd, Chennai

■ Hello Sukanyaa!!! Wishing you a very wonderful, colorful, joyful birthday…!! Many more happy returns of the day…!! Regards, Andes Migration team, Tech Mahindra

8th May

Bharathy B.R. of TCS doodled this.

■ Dear Radhika, A very special greeting from the team for ur birthday, may you have all the joy your heart can hold , all the smiles a day can bring , all the blessing a life can unfold, May you have God’s best in everything. Have a Bright Beautiful future!!!! Wishing you a very Happy Birthday!!!! Luv and Wishes Quality Team , Verizon

■ Hi Aquib Azeem(Polaris Lion), In Soft gleaming night of stars, May all your dreams come true. I’m so blessed 2 have a friend like u. This comes with many Loving thoughts & warm wishes send 2 u. May god bless u with happiness & peace. Let this birthday make your life brighter than ever and let all ur dreams come true, how much u mean although you surely must know that without a doubt there’s no-one nicer than you or anyone dearer wish you many more happy returns of the day. 4ever & everloving Frndz... Ismail(Manmadan - Css), Azeez(Babloo Cognizant), Gani Basha(Anjathe Hero Naren Kumaran Systems), Sadiq(Vallavan - First Source), Zaid Ansari(Kettavan - Dubai).

1. Friend1 : Eli michamvecha saadham enna theriyuma Friend 2 : Theriyale Friend 1 : Elimicha Saadham 2. Tea Master Tea Poduvaaru Parotha Master Parotha Poduvaaru Head Master Mandaiye Poduvaaraa Jayaraman V. HCL Technologies

■ Dear Alamelu, (Kumbamela) From morning till night May your birthday be bright And nicer than ever before…… And as years come and go May your happiness grow And your dreams be fulfilled Even more…Happy Birthday to you! Your’s Everloving Team, NATO - CTU ( TCS - Eserve)

■ Dear Suja, I have a simple calculation on how long we will be friends. count the stars in heaven+sand on shore multipled by the heartbeats = forever! Wishing u many many more happy returns of the day..... with love and wishes, Venkatesh HCL

■ Hi Karthik, Wishing you a many more happy returns of the day. May this special day be filled with sweet memories and happy hours. Hope our little birthday wishes will make you smile... Have a great year ahead. Best Wishes from. RM , DM Teams and special wishes from (Madhavi and Sree).

■ Hi Thilak Mohan May this special day be filled with sweet memories and happy hours. Wishing you all the fun and excitement that only birthdays can bring! With Cheers, NS. Nainar Human Resources, Coastal Training Technologies India (P) Ltd, Chennai

■ Dear Lakshman, It’s a lovely and a special day today just because it’s your birthday. May your birthday brings tremendous growth opportunities for your career. wishing u progress and prosperity in every step of ur life. A warm b’ day wishes from all of us. Team TCS

■ Dear Roopa, MANY MORE HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY ! Your birthday is a special time to celebrate the gift of ’you’ to the world. Wish you a HAPPY, Colourful and Joyful birthday ! Greets, VSO-ITC team

9th May ■ Happy Birthday Bobby, Brother, You are the Best No One Else Can Measure Up You Out Do The Rest Thanks For All You Do Most of All For Being You All My Wishes to You Happy Birthday!!! Have a Blast!!! With Regards, Your Sister

10th May ■ Dear Raghupathy ("THE LORD") We Wish U A Very happy birthday, may all ur dreams come true and have a roking and peacefull year ahead.........ROCK MAN !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy Birthday dear.......cheers!!!!!!!! Wishes from, Gershome, Srini, Kevin, Praveen, Vinoth, Sushma, Sai, Arun & Rafiya( ATG Rockers..)-Allsec Tech

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ERGO Friday, May 8, 2009

Traffic Jam

Cutlery crazy A shopper was left baffled after she was asked for proof of age to buy a set of teaspoons at a supermarket in West Yorkshire, England.

sudoku

Reena form TCS, Tidel Park has clicked this pic using SLR camera Entries to the column will get gift vouchers from Bubbles Spa worth Rs.1,000. Winners can come to Ergo office on weekends between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to collect the vouchers. Call 2857 6688.

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TEAM Editor: Karthik Subramanian [email protected]

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KAKURO

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Friday, May 8, 2009

Haunted house

Word’s worth

An Italian family fear their house could be haunted after the floors mysteriously got so hot they began to ’boil’.

Nexility (nek-sil-i-tee) speed or pithiness of speech.

B.C ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20 Even when going gets tough, you must keep on going. Today, you need to focus on work and taking help from other colleagues will help. During the evening, you may take a stroll down memory lane.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20 A tough day, even for a bull. You might need more than a few sips of Red Bull to be able to maintain your characteristic vigour at work. Also, be careful that your foot-in-mouth comments will hurt your friends more than just a sprain on the foot

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20 Today, lunch, and not breakfast, will be the most important meal of the day. You can expect impromptu discussions with colleagues on important issues. On love front, you will coin creative ways of wooing your loved one.

BORN LOSER

CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 20 While your vulnerable emotional side may dominate the first half of today, by evening you will show a more pragmatic approach to various issues. Love may take a backseat to career.

LEO JULY 21 - AUG 20 Today, there will be a deluge of opportunities to learn and implement new things. You should be able to accomplish a lot today if you are passionate about what you are doing.

VIRGO AUG 21 - SEPT 20

FREE RANGE

WORKING IT OUT

The day will test your character. But if you are willing to go that extra mile, it may end favourably. You may encounter good career prospects and striking a balance in your personal and professional life will reap good benefits.

LIBRA SEPT 21 - OCT 20 Although too much work has drained you mentally and physically, such dedication towards work may play a key role in your career growth. But you’ll need a lot more than that to elicit anything more than a lukewarm response from your partner.

SCORPIO OCT 21 - NOV 20 On professional front, your attitude may need a bit a tweaking, especially today. Ganesha says that you should be ready to adjust and compromise today. However, it’s a good day for love, which will help ease your worries, says Ganesha.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 21 - DEC 20 Today, you will play a philosopher and friend to all and sundry, and will be particularly liberal with your unsolicited advices. A desire to establish a spiritual connection with your beloved will be at the top of your mind.

CAPRICORN DEC 21 - JAN 20 Take it easy this week. Avoid taking up important tasks for the next 7 days as they are likely to yield disappointing results. In relationships, avoid going to extremes. You may face some emotional distress due to your love life.

PREVIOUS ISSUE’S SOLUTIONS

AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 20 A fantastic day to explore your creative side. Says Ganesha. Your research skills will be at their probing best. You will meet a lot of new people, who will eventually help you. Exciting times ahead for your love life.

PISCES FEB 21 - MARCH 20 Today is a good day for you. You may have to address a group of people and will be on the dot with your speech. And since your partner will be in a good mood, it is perfect time for love and long drives. Predictions by Bhavesh N. Pattni

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ERGO Friday, May 8, 2009

Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin poses after being honoured with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in Hollywood, California. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS

Actor Amy Smart arrives for the premiere of the Love N’ Dancing at the Arclight Cinemas in Hollywood, California. AFP PHOTO/JEWEL SAMAD

A model displays the world’s smallest hearing aid in Melbourne. The ’Touch’ hearing aid is 50 per cent smaller than the second smallest external hearing aid and includes noise reduction technology that recognises and turns down background noise. AFP PHOTO/WILLIAM WEST