Pictionary time

A weekly column on stories that didn’t make it

Santhosh Manikandan

Pictionary time

This auto was spotted by a reporter on the way to an eclectic art show. Santhosh Manikandan apparently is a man of few letters.

What the phish!

With my Twitter account hacked, the ominous phishing message was sent out to various followers saying that someone was spreading horrible rumours about them with a link which, if clicked, would have only spread the virus.

Many wrote in informing me that my account was compromised. Some others, including a high-ranking diplomat friend, became very anxious. “Do I need to be concerned? Do let me know if it’s anything I need to do something about,” he wrote. Obviously, even what are pretty obvious phishing scams, succeed in doing what they set out to do.

Say cheese

The ITC Grand Chola’s grand staircase is now the place to be photographed in Chennai. Everybody who comes to the hotel — like this reporter and her family — seem to spend far more time taking in the sumptuous interiors and hanging around in the many lobbies, than they do in the restaurants.

Plateful of beads

Fashion faux pas can be even more embarrassing when you’re a journalist. A reporter stylishly wore a long beaded chain for a lunch interview at a restaurant. Unfortunately, as she was leaning forward to pick up a glass of water, her chain got caught on the edge of the table and snapped. For the rest of the interview, a gang of friendly waiters diligently crawled around and under the table picking up beads. Not really the best environment for tough questions.