Picassa Gurani

Over the past few months or possibly a year I fell in love with images and fun things that could be done with them. My name was changed to “Picassa Gurani” cuz I basically picassa’d every image that I got my hands on.

Here’s my list of the best and more so simple photo editing techniques.

1). Picassa
Google’s very own… It’s one of the easiest ways to organize, share and edit pictures.

My favorite ways of enhancing a picture:

a). Filling light
b). Cropping if necessary
c). Combination of Shadow and Highlights
d). Increasing color temperature (works almost always)
e). Favorite Effects: Warmify, Glow and Film Grain
f). Must Try: Collages and Slide shows.

Download: http://picasa.google.com/

2). Piknik

Web based editor. You can create extremely cool collages and scrap books using this. The premium membership exposes many features; however the basic model is quite useful as well.


My personal favorites:
a). Lomo-ish
b). HDR-ish
c). Duo Tone
d). Posterize

http://www.picnik.com/

3). Pixenate
Web based editor. Not a lot of effects, but simple to use and very fast and handy.

a). Lomo Tool
b). Oil Painting
c). Pop art poster

http://pixenate.com/

I don’t think more editors are needed if the editing required has to be quick.
The pictures are neat and professional looking. Not every one is good at photo shopping! Though I am dying to learn it…and explore more.

Another fun tool is photofunia. It’s a lot of fun and is a must try.
More on it: http://talktothe-wall.blogspot.com/2008/07/very-very-interesting.html

Happy editing!

My Ku

When I my close my eyes and imagine him,all I see is his warm smile that somehow manages to reach his eyes even after wearing 10 inch thick rimmed glasses.

The boy I detested and the boy I love...The journey after which he became what he is to me,my Ku.

As I write this,I trying to place the moment where I knew it that I am getting really close to him...I fail to recollect.

But what I do remember is the time I thought he was a good human being.It was a time when I did an automobile show...and my producer very ungraciously signed me up for a shoot at 4 o clock in the morning.It was Ku who accompanied me.And I thanked him twenty three times till he left.


The next day was his birthday.He told me he's having a really big party.He didn't invite me.

I remember being on-location for one more horrid task for the same sick producer when I lost my way in Pragati Maidan,and had to walk atleast 4 kilometers till I found the gates of freedom.
He was on the phone with me throughout,when I spoke deliriously,sweating under four layers in the month of January...and cribbed about grotesque men staring at me while setting up for Auto Expo 2008.

When I couldn't no breathe,I went so crazy that I came up with a theory about his love life,the very famous KGM formula,that he'd end up with one of the three people in this formulae I created and developed.

I love the way he laughs when I mention it to him till this very day.

As we got closer and closer,I came to know what a great person he is...and how he goes out of the way to do anything for his friends...from picking up clothes to shopping to doing ur office work or being with you when you cry about boys,or sometimes girls...

He's the boy who makes me eat,who takes me shopping,who more importantly shops for me,the boy who goes to a lingerie store and blushes when I ask him if I should pick up a sexy chaddi to entice my boyfriend...

He's the boy who gets disgusted,point blank disgusted when I refer to his "private parts" in Hindi, it is he who twists my hand if I smoke and slaps me when I get reallyyyyy high...who cares how much my boyfriend earns to support me(if he ever has to i.e.)

He is the guy who manages to visit me everytime I fall sick....He is my Ku.

I couldn't possibly tell you how much you annoy me

I couldn't possibly tell you how much I hate you.

I couldn't possibly tell you how much I miss working with you.Okay,I never worked with you so that's a lie.

I couldn't possibly tell you how I detest you being so self righteous.

I couldn't possibly tell you how much it hurts when you are....not nice.

I couldn't possibly tell you how much I love you.

I couldn't possibly tell you how much I will miss you when you go away.

Namma Bengaluru

You know you are from Bangalore when…

Bangalore has evolved. I don’t know for better or for worse. We all have our own versions of the drastic changes that happened over the last 8 yrs. I shifted to Bangalore around a decade ago. I have seen it change drastically. My version of this is the long time I have spent here, and this one is dedication to the city that I absolutely adore.

1). You have fallen in “Louuuu” and your lover is called your “Dove”.

2). You fell in love with this dialogue “Yella ok…Cool drink Yaake?” Every college fest used it for all the gags they planned. Another one you still use is “Sakkat hot maga!!”

3). You are born in Bangalore; you were destined to be an engineer or a doctor. And also when you shifted to Bangalore, the reasons were the same.

4). You absolutely hate the auto guy’s guts! (for obvious reasons)

5). You wonder where the roads are.

6). You use the words “by-2” and “Parcel mado” in restaurants.

7). You have been to “Indiana” on Residency Road and thought it was the coolest fast food joint. You have also loved “Wimpy’s”!!

8). Bissi Bille bath is the most sought after food item.

9). You thing Gobi manchuri (that’s the way it’s spelt) is a gift to the mouth.

10). You know Upendra…and have tried to copy his accent.

11). You wanted to say Yuck! But you managed saying “Thuuu!!”

12). You raised your thumb during a brawl when trying to say “What the F@#$!!”

13). You thought whatever happened to public transport.

14). You think Purple haze is the best place to head bang. You also miss having peeco’s, nasa, guzzlers, bunker…around! Ah…those days!

15). You have always heard people saying… “In those good old days…there were no fans also! And look at the climate now…Thu!”

16). You know that Mt. Carmel is where all the hot chicks are.

17). Maga, macha, da, ra is what you call your dearest pals with all your louuu !

18). You have been to Empire around 1 AM and complained about no other decent places in town being open!

19). You still go out, and make the same disappointed face at 11 PM and complain about the ridiculous ban.

20). You have found all shops shut from 1 pm – 4 pm on the context of lunch breaks.

21). You think mosranna cools your stomach and is a must after meals.

22). You have gone to darshini’s and had the best idli’s, dosa’s, chow chow bath…

23). You have been to Koshy’s and loved it! You have also been to Cool Joint in Jay Nagar or atleast used it as a benchmark for routes!

24). You substitute Ranga Shankara to the word theatre.

25). You have seen the violin shaped building but have never gone inside it.

26). You love Bangalore weather too, but then you feel there’s more to the city people!!

27). You believe in “Aaarama…” and “Jasti tension beda!!”

28). You have said “Namma Benagluru” and felt good!

There are way too many!
Please keep adding more to the list….

One of the Best Movies Made..

Best of 2008

It's been a tradition since the last 3 yrs. I intend to stick by it..The year turned out to be quite stunning. While the world got hit by recession, I was hit...hit by love.

Here goes...the BESTs for the 4th time!

Best Moment :
Too many this time. Too many to count.
Too close to my heart. Too personal to pen down.

BEST Dinner :
My favorite place this year has been Shiro in UB City.

BEST Dessert :
Moong ki Daal ka Halwa

Best Book :
The Zoya Factor, Being Single...all chick flicks.

Best Drink : Red Wine

Best Movie : Bollywood was on a roll this year!
Rock on, Gajini and Slum dog Millionaire

Best Food Item : De Gurani Sandwich

Best Trip : Bangalore Oct'08

Best Drive : Delhi roads absolutely rockEDD this year..!!

Best Song : Khabar Nahi

Best blog : Once in a lifetime..

Best concept : Moving on...

Best coffee : Brio

Best joke : "You thought you married Kkusum...however you married Kasab"

Best Line : " You are like LEGEN DON'T wait for it DARY"

Best trends : Working your ass off...but in the end...it doesn't really matter!

Best Gifts : The rock on my finger!

Best Play : Line

Best TV show : Roadies

Last year sign off :
This is the 3rd time am doing this mail.
I just love it !
'05 '06 and now '07!
'08 will be just extra ordinary! :-)

This year :
'08 was really something else!
Come on '09

God Bless you all.
A very happy new year. Am waiting for your BESTs !