Nice screaming song to welcome the new year - Billy Idol - Rebel Yell.
Cannot believe this song is from 1983, decades ahead of its time.
Phenomenal stuffs from Billy Idol..
Cheers,
10 year anniversary
As the year comes to a close, I did forget to mention one point all through the year.
Yes, its been 10 years since I started blogging. I wish I had started early, at least I could have got in more posts plus and I would have been much better at writing and communicating.
But it is what it is. So happy 10th year to my blog. It is so much fun to write whatever I want, considering only max 5-6 people know this blog url. Rest all are random hits from google!
In the last 10 years life has changed, and believe me, I haven't written about most of it. I just have written about stuffs which I felt like writing. There were days when I was extremely happy and days when I was extremely upset. None of which figure on this blog. But yeah, I wish to continue writing. Some day, I shall have a small diary which shall have stories inspired by my experiences or travel with fictitious characters and real ones, inspired by none other than Ruskin Bond,. Until then,. this blog shall have short posts of mine!
Cheers,
Yes, its been 10 years since I started blogging. I wish I had started early, at least I could have got in more posts plus and I would have been much better at writing and communicating.
But it is what it is. So happy 10th year to my blog. It is so much fun to write whatever I want, considering only max 5-6 people know this blog url. Rest all are random hits from google!
In the last 10 years life has changed, and believe me, I haven't written about most of it. I just have written about stuffs which I felt like writing. There were days when I was extremely happy and days when I was extremely upset. None of which figure on this blog. But yeah, I wish to continue writing. Some day, I shall have a small diary which shall have stories inspired by my experiences or travel with fictitious characters and real ones, inspired by none other than Ruskin Bond,. Until then,. this blog shall have short posts of mine!
Cheers,
Bhujia hill
During our Gujarat trip, we got to visit Bhuj and at a distance from Bhuj was a small hill called Bhujia hill. Our time of visit was perfect. Though we missed out the evening sunset, we were very much in for a surprise.
It was a quiet place with absolutely no visitors in the evening. There were 3-4 temples and one temple at the top of the hill. So we had a little bit of climb, I wish I had come to this place alone.
Its the solitude which beckoned the most. Being all one in the quiet place like Bhujia hill can work wonders. The town was below and over here on the hill it was a temple and wind wind all the way.
I am so happy for our culture where in people have buiilt up temples on hill tops. It feels so relaxing just to climb the hill and take a moment of to admire the nature which god has created and to find a temple and place to pray atop a hill can be just priceless.
Cheers, below are some pictures.
It was a quiet place with absolutely no visitors in the evening. There were 3-4 temples and one temple at the top of the hill. So we had a little bit of climb, I wish I had come to this place alone.
Its the solitude which beckoned the most. Being all one in the quiet place like Bhujia hill can work wonders. The town was below and over here on the hill it was a temple and wind wind all the way.
I am so happy for our culture where in people have buiilt up temples on hill tops. It feels so relaxing just to climb the hill and take a moment of to admire the nature which god has created and to find a temple and place to pray atop a hill can be just priceless.
Cheers, below are some pictures.
Year ending 2017
One more year comes to a close, this year I decided not to complete my 100 posts instead let it as it is. Also one thing I did this year end, which I haven't done till date.
Yes, I did something today. I donated blood today at KIMS. Today while in the gym, our instructor asked me, if I was ready to donate blood.
Initially I was hesitant, since I generally donate on a ad-hoc basis and on demand. After few minutes, he told his relative was in need of platelets. Then I started considering it more seriously.
I told him I was ready to donate and asked for the contact number. He told he would drive along with me and other guy who was willing to donate. So I did donate today and it felt good.
Being of some use to someone and a very nice way to say good bye to 2017.
Cheers,
I think it was a very small token of gratitude for someone who has been very instrumental in me completing my 4 Himalayan treks and to the person who I am today compared to who I was in 2013.
Yes, I did something today. I donated blood today at KIMS. Today while in the gym, our instructor asked me, if I was ready to donate blood.
Initially I was hesitant, since I generally donate on a ad-hoc basis and on demand. After few minutes, he told his relative was in need of platelets. Then I started considering it more seriously.
I told him I was ready to donate and asked for the contact number. He told he would drive along with me and other guy who was willing to donate. So I did donate today and it felt good.
Being of some use to someone and a very nice way to say good bye to 2017.
Cheers,
I think it was a very small token of gratitude for someone who has been very instrumental in me completing my 4 Himalayan treks and to the person who I am today compared to who I was in 2013.
When temperature dipped to 13 degree centigrade during our bus journey - TTTT 57
Yes you read it right, the temperature dipped to 13 degree centigrade and we were not travelling in a Volvo AC bus. We were travelling in a normal state transport bus.
It happened so, we took a quick decision to travel from Mandvi Gujarat to Dwaraka Gujarat, by an overnight bus. So caught a bus to Jamnagar from Mandvi. And from there, we planed to travel by another bus.
It happened so, we were supposed to reach around 6am to Jamnagar bus somewhere around 3 am in the morning, it turned out to be freezing cold. O boy, we were just covered up, but it was so cold that, we couldn't add more clothing to ourselves as our backpacks were all stashed away in the upper compartment and we were too lazy to unpack and wear them.
So we managed the journey, we ended up in Jamnagar early in the morning. But upon reaching my friend who had just measured the overnight temperature told me, it had stooped down to a whooping 13 degree centigrade. Can you believe it ?
It was a fun ride, and believe me, things like these just end up being so memorable!
Temperatures had gone down to -7 degrees whilst in the Himalayas, but this ain't mountains, this was plain old city to city ride!
Cheers,
It happened so, we took a quick decision to travel from Mandvi Gujarat to Dwaraka Gujarat, by an overnight bus. So caught a bus to Jamnagar from Mandvi. And from there, we planed to travel by another bus.
It happened so, we were supposed to reach around 6am to Jamnagar bus somewhere around 3 am in the morning, it turned out to be freezing cold. O boy, we were just covered up, but it was so cold that, we couldn't add more clothing to ourselves as our backpacks were all stashed away in the upper compartment and we were too lazy to unpack and wear them.
So we managed the journey, we ended up in Jamnagar early in the morning. But upon reaching my friend who had just measured the overnight temperature told me, it had stooped down to a whooping 13 degree centigrade. Can you believe it ?
It was a fun ride, and believe me, things like these just end up being so memorable!
Temperatures had gone down to -7 degrees whilst in the Himalayas, but this ain't mountains, this was plain old city to city ride!
Cheers,
An ode to the warm up man - Gym stories
Let me classify my gym posts as gym stories, just like my travel stories.
I have been going to the gym pretty regularly. So I get to see a whole bunch of people daily. Since the last 7 odd days I have a stiff muscle, starting from my lower back all the way to the left leg. I feel I'm unable to stretch it freely nor able to bend myself and touch the ground as much as I want to.
So today, I got a bit of stretching exercises at the gym and guess whom it reminded me of? The warm up man. The warm up man, was one special person coming to the gym. He's no more seen in the last 5 odd months. I shall tell you about that later.
He was one person who used to do warm up and stretch for round about 25 minutes. I used to complete my treadmill run and this person would still be stretching and stretching. I think I have not seen anybody do that much amount of warm up exercises and stretching. He looked like a trained athlete and seasoned professional, and could not be compared to anybody else in the gym.
Last I heard he underwent a surgery of some kind and was advised not to exercise. He was one person who was regular since the day I joined the gym way back in December 2013.
Such is life, so there goes an ode to the warm up man. Warm up and stretching is an essential part before we exercise. I under do it and I bare the outcome in the form of stiff muscles, sore legs, sore back. Some day I shall remember to stretch and warm up adequately before work out.
Until then cheers,
I have been going to the gym pretty regularly. So I get to see a whole bunch of people daily. Since the last 7 odd days I have a stiff muscle, starting from my lower back all the way to the left leg. I feel I'm unable to stretch it freely nor able to bend myself and touch the ground as much as I want to.
So today, I got a bit of stretching exercises at the gym and guess whom it reminded me of? The warm up man. The warm up man, was one special person coming to the gym. He's no more seen in the last 5 odd months. I shall tell you about that later.
He was one person who used to do warm up and stretch for round about 25 minutes. I used to complete my treadmill run and this person would still be stretching and stretching. I think I have not seen anybody do that much amount of warm up exercises and stretching. He looked like a trained athlete and seasoned professional, and could not be compared to anybody else in the gym.
Last I heard he underwent a surgery of some kind and was advised not to exercise. He was one person who was regular since the day I joined the gym way back in December 2013.
Such is life, so there goes an ode to the warm up man. Warm up and stretching is an essential part before we exercise. I under do it and I bare the outcome in the form of stiff muscles, sore legs, sore back. Some day I shall remember to stretch and warm up adequately before work out.
Until then cheers,
Music for 2017 - Fleetwood Mac .
Well, this year I listened to loads of songs, either on the way to office or at work or at home. I even upgraded my speaker to one with woofer. So now I have a better sound system.
But this year can be characterized by my inclination to one such band which I feel is the most underrated. I have spent almost 3/4 of the year listening to their songs only and I am still not bored and probably will never be. The irony is most of their best work came out when I was a kid and when there was no satellite television in India.
The band I am talking about is Fleetwood Mac, some of their songs were way ahead of time. The tune the composure. They wrote more about romance and love, thats their genre. But if you ever get to see them performing live, believe me, its a bliss.
The band has got loads of history, its just that they are underrated. Listen to two of their masterpieces below. One being my all time favorite - Gypsy (1982) and the other one, - Everywhere. (1987). Now you can understand my love for the 1980's. The decade when some super music just came out and rest is history!
But this year can be characterized by my inclination to one such band which I feel is the most underrated. I have spent almost 3/4 of the year listening to their songs only and I am still not bored and probably will never be. The irony is most of their best work came out when I was a kid and when there was no satellite television in India.
The band I am talking about is Fleetwood Mac, some of their songs were way ahead of time. The tune the composure. They wrote more about romance and love, thats their genre. But if you ever get to see them performing live, believe me, its a bliss.
The band has got loads of history, its just that they are underrated. Listen to two of their masterpieces below. One being my all time favorite - Gypsy (1982) and the other one, - Everywhere. (1987). Now you can understand my love for the 1980's. The decade when some super music just came out and rest is history!
below is the live performance.. can it get any better?
And Christine McVie at 74 years of age...can produce a masterpiece like the one below..
BSNL and dismal internet performance
This year, I badly needed internet to perform, because, I was loaded with work, I needed to work from home and I needed internet which was reliable. BSNL this year was a let down. There was an instance where there was no internet for 1.5 weeks flat. This annoyed me to the core.
I was waiting for a chance to switch to airtel or ACT. Now during Christmas again, internet was unavailable and I thought time was right to raise a request for Airtel broadband. As of today, I'm waiting for Airtel to be installed at my home, payment is through only installation is pending.
So there goes out BSNL, no more crying for a slow internet. Hopefully Airtel shall be much more efficient, here's new internet for the new year. Something to look for! And guess what its optic fiber this time. 40MBPS line.
Cheers,
I was waiting for a chance to switch to airtel or ACT. Now during Christmas again, internet was unavailable and I thought time was right to raise a request for Airtel broadband. As of today, I'm waiting for Airtel to be installed at my home, payment is through only installation is pending.
So there goes out BSNL, no more crying for a slow internet. Hopefully Airtel shall be much more efficient, here's new internet for the new year. Something to look for! And guess what its optic fiber this time. 40MBPS line.
Cheers,
When we had a sudden encounter with a something special! - TTTT 56
Over the last couple of years, while trekking, I have encountered many creatures, be it reptiles, be it elephant or be it deer or wild boar, but this time something strange encounter happened. It could have been worse but nothing of that sort happened.
Whilst trekking in the western ghats this year, probably in November, we had just started the trek late and mid way through we just had reached the grassland located between two hills. Yes we were in the open between two hills and we had just emerged out of the forests.
While we were admiring nature resting, taking pictures all of a sudden we could spot a swarm of bees headed towards our direction. It was so instantaneous, some members of our group ducked to cover themselves. I thought it was too late to cover myself and just stood my ground watching the bees.
Luckily the bees had some other intention and just flew over. This was my first ever encounter in the open to such large quantities of flying bees. There was no place to hide, no water source, we were all in the open about to be bitten if something had gone wrong, but luckily, we managed to stay clear.
Cheers,
Whilst trekking in the western ghats this year, probably in November, we had just started the trek late and mid way through we just had reached the grassland located between two hills. Yes we were in the open between two hills and we had just emerged out of the forests.
While we were admiring nature resting, taking pictures all of a sudden we could spot a swarm of bees headed towards our direction. It was so instantaneous, some members of our group ducked to cover themselves. I thought it was too late to cover myself and just stood my ground watching the bees.
Luckily the bees had some other intention and just flew over. This was my first ever encounter in the open to such large quantities of flying bees. There was no place to hide, no water source, we were all in the open about to be bitten if something had gone wrong, but luckily, we managed to stay clear.
Cheers,
Tattery reading and tattery writing
This year I haven't read much, nor have I written much. They year has just gone and I have only memories of myself overworking. Yes, this year I finally switched jobs to something closer.
I travelled moderate, did not trek the Himalays this year plus I overworked. Yes, the second half of the year was more about heavy duty work, not that I was forced to work rather I enjoyed over working. With such close interaction to German colleagues, even over working was a breeze.
I purchased a PS4 but could not complete GTA 5 in 2.5 months time owing to less time. Same goes with my writing and reading skills both of which are left in a disarray, the main reason being, I'm trying to catch too many birds in one shot.
One thing which remained my constant source of motivation is my desire to exercise, which never came down. I was continuous to the gym and had loads of good time exercising.
Hope I can read something more during the next year, work and contribute even better, travel too.
Cheers,
I travelled moderate, did not trek the Himalays this year plus I overworked. Yes, the second half of the year was more about heavy duty work, not that I was forced to work rather I enjoyed over working. With such close interaction to German colleagues, even over working was a breeze.
I purchased a PS4 but could not complete GTA 5 in 2.5 months time owing to less time. Same goes with my writing and reading skills both of which are left in a disarray, the main reason being, I'm trying to catch too many birds in one shot.
One thing which remained my constant source of motivation is my desire to exercise, which never came down. I was continuous to the gym and had loads of good time exercising.
Hope I can read something more during the next year, work and contribute even better, travel too.
Cheers,
When Kankaria Zoo, Ahmedabad, left me terribly disappointed - TTTT 55
My visit to Ahmedabad was for a day. During that day too I was very upset after my visit to Kankaria zoo. This zoo appears to be a tourist attraction. But sad part is I was not amused.
There was a zoo which housed caged wild animals. The reason which me sad is because of the poor condition the wild animals were housed in. The lion, tiger, leopard all were housed in a small enclosure which didn't look good either. The gates on the other side opened to a bigger enclave but only one animal could occupy it at a time.
If one could look into the eyes of those wild animals, it sadly reflects the same sadness which you would see when you cage a human being.
The worst part is the zoo is next to roaring traffic. Deer which I have always seen in Bandipur jungles amid silence, in Kudremukha amidst no human habitation, here had to stay listening to blaring and honking vehicles. There was no peace whatsoever to the animals of the zoo.
Sometimes, its just cruel to put animals in cage but putting them in a cage next to traffic main road is nothing short of disaster. I myself could not enjoy my stay at Kankaria zoo, I bet the animals and birds would be having a torrid time over there.
Such is life. Yeah I was a bit teary eyed too.
There was a zoo which housed caged wild animals. The reason which me sad is because of the poor condition the wild animals were housed in. The lion, tiger, leopard all were housed in a small enclosure which didn't look good either. The gates on the other side opened to a bigger enclave but only one animal could occupy it at a time.
If one could look into the eyes of those wild animals, it sadly reflects the same sadness which you would see when you cage a human being.
The worst part is the zoo is next to roaring traffic. Deer which I have always seen in Bandipur jungles amid silence, in Kudremukha amidst no human habitation, here had to stay listening to blaring and honking vehicles. There was no peace whatsoever to the animals of the zoo.
Sometimes, its just cruel to put animals in cage but putting them in a cage next to traffic main road is nothing short of disaster. I myself could not enjoy my stay at Kankaria zoo, I bet the animals and birds would be having a torrid time over there.
Such is life. Yeah I was a bit teary eyed too.
A bus ride which was about to be missed! - TTTT 54
I had been on a trip to Gujarat this December, first week to be precise. And during this period, in order to save money, we traveled by State Transport buses. But after traveling by State transport buses, my back and butt had taken all the brunt and I was in no mood to travel in those buses.
It was Friday morning and I had finished my visit to the Sri Krishna temple in Dwaraka and I thought of heading back to Ahmedabad same day by doing a day journey.
Mind you I was all by myself. I had a return bus ticket to Bangalore. But Dwaraka to Ahmedabad was still good 439 kilometers in distance. When I enquired there was a bus to Rajkot every hour by Shiv Shakti travels. So I hurriedly packed up and vacated my room and booked a ticket and caught this bus to Rajkot, which was a normal bus just a bit better than the ST bus.
It was almost 1 pm when I got dropped in Rajkot. Rajkot to Ahmedabad was a good 200 kilometers in distance and I was way away from the bus stand. I had infact lost my way trying to find the bus stand. This time, I was bent on not travelling by ST bus as it would be too slow.
Finally I managed to reach Rajkot bus stand carrying all the big back pack huffing and puffing only to find the volvo bus just in a nick of time.
So this was a journey which was about to be missed. Though the volvo bus was costing me double the price, it was well worth the journey back to Ahmedabad.
I made it to Ahmedabad by 8 30 PM and it was almost 12 hour journey, could have been a little lesser, had the bus not halted at Jamnagar for 30 minutes time.
Cheers to Gujarat Darshan.
It was Friday morning and I had finished my visit to the Sri Krishna temple in Dwaraka and I thought of heading back to Ahmedabad same day by doing a day journey.
Mind you I was all by myself. I had a return bus ticket to Bangalore. But Dwaraka to Ahmedabad was still good 439 kilometers in distance. When I enquired there was a bus to Rajkot every hour by Shiv Shakti travels. So I hurriedly packed up and vacated my room and booked a ticket and caught this bus to Rajkot, which was a normal bus just a bit better than the ST bus.
It was almost 1 pm when I got dropped in Rajkot. Rajkot to Ahmedabad was a good 200 kilometers in distance and I was way away from the bus stand. I had infact lost my way trying to find the bus stand. This time, I was bent on not travelling by ST bus as it would be too slow.
Finally I managed to reach Rajkot bus stand carrying all the big back pack huffing and puffing only to find the volvo bus just in a nick of time.
So this was a journey which was about to be missed. Though the volvo bus was costing me double the price, it was well worth the journey back to Ahmedabad.
I made it to Ahmedabad by 8 30 PM and it was almost 12 hour journey, could have been a little lesser, had the bus not halted at Jamnagar for 30 minutes time.
Cheers to Gujarat Darshan.
Favorite drink during beach trek - TTTT 48
This year I completed my 5th beach trek. Yes its been 5 years in a row and people have vowed to black list me for other treks, if I participate in another beach trek!
I have always written about my love for the beaches, but I never have written about my favorite drink during the beach trek.
A beach trek is always under the sun, its humid, we are sweating, we all are losing loads of salt and we need to hydrate. Most of the time I drink water, plus electral, to make up for the lost salts.
But somewhere in the beach trek, we end up joining the main road which leads us to Kumta before we join back the beach, and its over there we get to buy some reinforcement liquids.
After a hard day's walk, I prefer to take Lassi. Yes, in the coastal area, sweetened curd is available in stores in a small packet of Rs 10. Simple and effective solution. Though its got sugar and loads of calories, boy, we would have lost so much that, this one gives the right kick and boost to continue our pending journey, towards the town and then towards Bangalore too.
So, its got to be Lassi. Though this time, I tried out ice cream and also a Jeera based drink. But lassi seems to be a level above the rest!
Cheers.
I have always written about my love for the beaches, but I never have written about my favorite drink during the beach trek.
A beach trek is always under the sun, its humid, we are sweating, we all are losing loads of salt and we need to hydrate. Most of the time I drink water, plus electral, to make up for the lost salts.
But somewhere in the beach trek, we end up joining the main road which leads us to Kumta before we join back the beach, and its over there we get to buy some reinforcement liquids.
After a hard day's walk, I prefer to take Lassi. Yes, in the coastal area, sweetened curd is available in stores in a small packet of Rs 10. Simple and effective solution. Though its got sugar and loads of calories, boy, we would have lost so much that, this one gives the right kick and boost to continue our pending journey, towards the town and then towards Bangalore too.
So, its got to be Lassi. Though this time, I tried out ice cream and also a Jeera based drink. But lassi seems to be a level above the rest!
Cheers.
Best story of Ruskin Bond (as per me)
I have been reading Ruskin Bond for quite some time now, probably two years. Ruskin Bond has written over 500 short stories and I probably have read more than 150. There are plenty of them which I love and adore. But one particular story catches my mind instantly.
Its called - "The Man who was Kipling" Rudyard Kipling hasn't been a very popular names amongst Indians. Though he wrote masterpieces like Jungle Book, but it isnt that which he is remembered for. But for other works which have rubbed Indians in the wrong way.
This story is a short attempt at justifying Kipling was a great guy, its just that age that made him write stuffs which hasn't gone well with we Indians.
Never mind, what Kipling wrote about, but what Ruskin Bond has written is just a brilliant masterpiece. There are so many stories of his set in the hills which I love and adore, this one, sets standards to another level.
Hats of to you Ruskin bond,
Cheers,
Its called - "The Man who was Kipling" Rudyard Kipling hasn't been a very popular names amongst Indians. Though he wrote masterpieces like Jungle Book, but it isnt that which he is remembered for. But for other works which have rubbed Indians in the wrong way.
This story is a short attempt at justifying Kipling was a great guy, its just that age that made him write stuffs which hasn't gone well with we Indians.
Never mind, what Kipling wrote about, but what Ruskin Bond has written is just a brilliant masterpiece. There are so many stories of his set in the hills which I love and adore, this one, sets standards to another level.
Hats of to you Ruskin bond,
Cheers,
When we started a trek late and ended it late - TTT 52
I have to say this has to be the trek, where we started the most late of all. This trek happened last sometime last month I think, it was somewhere in Sharavathy valley.
It happened so our hired vehicle a Tempo traveller got punctured two times, leaving with no option but to be stranded on the road. So, by the time we reached our trek start point it was around 12 45 in the afternoon and we started the trek at 2 30 PM.
This by far had been the most late. We had previously once started a trek around 11 30 AM and completed it by night 11 PM.
But starting a trek by afternoon 2 30 is nothing but asking for trouble. We walked through the forest in the dark and saw wild boars this time. In the end we made it to the other village via forest and reached our place of halt by night 8 30 PM.
It was a well achieved day, I was very happy, as we had hauled our entire luggage from one place to another and it was total fun.
Cheers,
It happened so our hired vehicle a Tempo traveller got punctured two times, leaving with no option but to be stranded on the road. So, by the time we reached our trek start point it was around 12 45 in the afternoon and we started the trek at 2 30 PM.
This by far had been the most late. We had previously once started a trek around 11 30 AM and completed it by night 11 PM.
But starting a trek by afternoon 2 30 is nothing but asking for trouble. We walked through the forest in the dark and saw wild boars this time. In the end we made it to the other village via forest and reached our place of halt by night 8 30 PM.
It was a well achieved day, I was very happy, as we had hauled our entire luggage from one place to another and it was total fun.
Cheers,
4 years and counting....
It was exactly 4 years ago, that once incident had made me realize I had to change. I had been on a trip to Gingee Fort in 2013 December and I could not climb the fort easily. I struggled, I sweated it out and I made it
Its been 4 years to that day. One remarkable thing happened after that trip. I took a decision to get fitter. I decided I should be in a position to climb easily.
I had no choice, but to get fitter. I could have waited to join a gym in the new year 2014, instead I chose the last week of December. My organization at that time had working business hours at 11 am to 8 pm and it was located at Electronic City. So I got a fair chance at exercising during the morning hours.
And boy was I glad. Its been 4 years to that day and I still work between 11 am and 8pm but at another organization located nearer to my home. Things are hectic currently but I still exercise in the morning.
I think at some point in time, I just feel gutted that, I did not discover the power of exercising regularly, early in life. These days my job change reveals around the question, can I get enough time to exercise or not. If no, I generally do not attend interview itself :) Also as you get more experienced, the opportunities dry up, owing up to the billing factor and cost per head factor. So in either case, my job switches have become lesser.
So, cheers to exercise.
Its been 4 years to that day. One remarkable thing happened after that trip. I took a decision to get fitter. I decided I should be in a position to climb easily.
I had no choice, but to get fitter. I could have waited to join a gym in the new year 2014, instead I chose the last week of December. My organization at that time had working business hours at 11 am to 8 pm and it was located at Electronic City. So I got a fair chance at exercising during the morning hours.
And boy was I glad. Its been 4 years to that day and I still work between 11 am and 8pm but at another organization located nearer to my home. Things are hectic currently but I still exercise in the morning.
I think at some point in time, I just feel gutted that, I did not discover the power of exercising regularly, early in life. These days my job change reveals around the question, can I get enough time to exercise or not. If no, I generally do not attend interview itself :) Also as you get more experienced, the opportunities dry up, owing up to the billing factor and cost per head factor. So in either case, my job switches have become lesser.
So, cheers to exercise.
Connecting my PS4 slim to vintage monitor
I purchased a Sony play station 4 this year after many years of wait. I wanted to play games since almost 15 years and never had gotten the time for it. Now that, I made a concrete mind this year and purchased a play station.
I have got a LED TV at home and I can connect my PS4 to my TV. But that wasn't the problem. The problem was the TV was in the living room and everyone or the other watches TV or do not want to see me playing over there. Also with GTA 5 there were so many scenes which I really had to play in privacy without my parents watching what all things were in the game apart from violence :)
Hence thought of connecting my PS4 to vintage monitor. But days went by, I could not do so. I purchased a HDMI to VGA Adapter, but still could not manage to connect my PS4 to the monitor.
Then one gentleman in the attached youtube video told me about a HDMI switch for my PS4 slim. I purchased the same from SP road but still it did not work.
Finally checked one more video where I got advise to turn of the HDCP under system and finally it worked.
So I got to play PS 4 in my room with my old monitor. Its been close to two months I had touched my PS4. I could not play longer, as I had multiple tasks to do.
Blog, upload pics, write code (office work) and was tired after searching for all the things to get this up and running. But in the end a worthwhile effort. Let me see, if I play after doing all this circus.
I somehow feel, I cannot play even though I have interest because I have loads of other things to do.
How the connection goes.
1. PS4 has HDMI ouput.
2. PS4 HDMI output to HDMI Switch input.
3. Output from HDMI to HDMI to VDA Adapter.
4. HDMI to VGA Adapter to VGA monitor.
5. 5V DC power supplied to HDMI switch.
In the image, square box with a blue indicator light is the HDMI switch.
Where you see the VGA Input is connected is the HDMI to VGA Adapter.
At the bottom of HDMI switch you see the power from another adapter.
Cheers for now. Let me see if i can attach an image of my setup.
Videos which helped me are below
I have got a LED TV at home and I can connect my PS4 to my TV. But that wasn't the problem. The problem was the TV was in the living room and everyone or the other watches TV or do not want to see me playing over there. Also with GTA 5 there were so many scenes which I really had to play in privacy without my parents watching what all things were in the game apart from violence :)
Hence thought of connecting my PS4 to vintage monitor. But days went by, I could not do so. I purchased a HDMI to VGA Adapter, but still could not manage to connect my PS4 to the monitor.
Then one gentleman in the attached youtube video told me about a HDMI switch for my PS4 slim. I purchased the same from SP road but still it did not work.
Finally checked one more video where I got advise to turn of the HDCP under system and finally it worked.
So I got to play PS 4 in my room with my old monitor. Its been close to two months I had touched my PS4. I could not play longer, as I had multiple tasks to do.
Blog, upload pics, write code (office work) and was tired after searching for all the things to get this up and running. But in the end a worthwhile effort. Let me see, if I play after doing all this circus.
I somehow feel, I cannot play even though I have interest because I have loads of other things to do.
How the connection goes.
1. PS4 has HDMI ouput.
2. PS4 HDMI output to HDMI Switch input.
3. Output from HDMI to HDMI to VDA Adapter.
4. HDMI to VGA Adapter to VGA monitor.
5. 5V DC power supplied to HDMI switch.
In the image, square box with a blue indicator light is the HDMI switch.
Where you see the VGA Input is connected is the HDMI to VGA Adapter.
At the bottom of HDMI switch you see the power from another adapter.
Cheers for now. Let me see if i can attach an image of my setup.
Videos which helped me are below
Why I love 80's
One more reason why I love 80's.
The song portrays the essence of my early childhood days, simple songs, great music, lesser complicated plots, minimalistic technology.
By the way one comment stands out over here from the rest. Will show that one too.
The song portrays the essence of my early childhood days, simple songs, great music, lesser complicated plots, minimalistic technology.
By the way one comment stands out over here from the rest. Will show that one too.
\
I myself do not remember seeing so many henchmen in one screen all grooving to a song, whilst rubbing law enforcement in the wrong ways.
Years later I remember seeing so many, but they were different, less mature and more childish, though they were powerful in all the bad ways possible, it never lent any impact because, acting was overshadowed by stupid plots and heightened technological interference.
Technological interference reminds me of a naturally aspirated engine versus a turbocharged engine. Never mind.
Cheers,
Of friends and facebook - unfriending!
Today somehow made the concrete decision of reducing my FB friend count. I have stopped accepting new requests unless its my trek friends. But since the number was hovering at 202, which is probably huge and I am not in touch with almost 100 of them since last one 3 years, took a bold decision to do a friend count revisit and cleanup.
Had time in the morning and deboarded few of them from my friend list. The count now stands at 150, though 100+ of them are still under restricted list, rest 30 of them, I'm not following them.
Reason why I chose to do this, was not only that, I was out of touch, moreover, I am in peace with my own life. I'm least bothered as which part of the world others are, whether they are sleeping eating drinking or driving, it makes least difference to me. I really do not have time to admire others' day to day activities, I wish the same in return too. So it was high time, I took a concrete decision.
So, all in all, I get to save lots of time, by not browing feeds on facebook. One way to be more productive and do things which I like to do the most!
Cheers to life!
Had time in the morning and deboarded few of them from my friend list. The count now stands at 150, though 100+ of them are still under restricted list, rest 30 of them, I'm not following them.
Reason why I chose to do this, was not only that, I was out of touch, moreover, I am in peace with my own life. I'm least bothered as which part of the world others are, whether they are sleeping eating drinking or driving, it makes least difference to me. I really do not have time to admire others' day to day activities, I wish the same in return too. So it was high time, I took a concrete decision.
So, all in all, I get to save lots of time, by not browing feeds on facebook. One way to be more productive and do things which I like to do the most!
Cheers to life!
Of movies: Baahubali & Baaji Rao Mastani - TTTT 53
Let me be honest, I generally do not prefer to watch new movies, be it bollywood or hollywood. Reason being, I do not have time and also I sincerely feel all the latest movies in the market are absolutely uninspiring and uninteresting.
That is my opinion by the way and I do have a right to have one.
I, instead prefer to watch Rajkumar & NanaPatekar, Amitabh Hindi movies over and over again, even though I have watched it around 50 times before. Reason being dialogue delivery.
During my recent trip to Gujarat via bus, the only option to spend time was by force feeding myself to watch movies. While going I had gone in a semi sleeper (sitting) and as a result, there were 2 television sets for the entire bus and whether or not, I wanted to watch it, I had to watch it.
This was one drawback of travelling by road, I can live with it for the moment. Let me tell you about the movies which I got to watch.
Baahubali 1 & 2, Baaji Rao Mastani (two are sufficient for time being)
All these days I was wondering, what it is all about Katappa killing Baahubali, everyone wondering why why and why?
I guess a 1000 hours productivity has been already lost just because of pondering over this question. And when I watched the movie, I just didn't feel the need to even think for an answer to that question.
The movie was nothing but special effects. I did not enjoy the movie, I am glad I did not spend my money on the tickets for the same.
Same with Baaji Rao Mastani, was there something special in the movie, I guess not, I felt the dialogue delivery of Baaji Rao was substandard, nothing to be compared to even Raza Murad in the same movie.
What an irony.
Forget comparing with the likes of Amitabh Bacchan, NanaPatekar and the legendary Hindi actor Raj Kumar. Voice of Bhaji Rao was just a big turn off.
Never mind it is my opinion. I'm glad, I watched these movies for free, else I would have to curse myself for a lifetime, for watching them after paying money.
Cheers.
That is my opinion by the way and I do have a right to have one.
I, instead prefer to watch Rajkumar & NanaPatekar, Amitabh Hindi movies over and over again, even though I have watched it around 50 times before. Reason being dialogue delivery.
During my recent trip to Gujarat via bus, the only option to spend time was by force feeding myself to watch movies. While going I had gone in a semi sleeper (sitting) and as a result, there were 2 television sets for the entire bus and whether or not, I wanted to watch it, I had to watch it.
This was one drawback of travelling by road, I can live with it for the moment. Let me tell you about the movies which I got to watch.
Baahubali 1 & 2, Baaji Rao Mastani (two are sufficient for time being)
All these days I was wondering, what it is all about Katappa killing Baahubali, everyone wondering why why and why?
I guess a 1000 hours productivity has been already lost just because of pondering over this question. And when I watched the movie, I just didn't feel the need to even think for an answer to that question.
The movie was nothing but special effects. I did not enjoy the movie, I am glad I did not spend my money on the tickets for the same.
Same with Baaji Rao Mastani, was there something special in the movie, I guess not, I felt the dialogue delivery of Baaji Rao was substandard, nothing to be compared to even Raza Murad in the same movie.
What an irony.
Forget comparing with the likes of Amitabh Bacchan, NanaPatekar and the legendary Hindi actor Raj Kumar. Voice of Bhaji Rao was just a big turn off.
Never mind it is my opinion. I'm glad, I watched these movies for free, else I would have to curse myself for a lifetime, for watching them after paying money.
Cheers.
Gujarat trip
My 8 day Gujarat trip finally came to a closure today as I reached home at 7pm. The biggest difference between this trip and my other North India trips was that, previously I used to take flight rather aeroplane to travel.
This time I chose bus, yes, SRS Travels volvo bus to Ahmedabad and one more SRS Travels volvo bus back from Ahmedabad to Bangalore.
My iternary goes like this
1. Bangalore to Ahmedabad.
2. Ahmedabad to Bhuj.
3. Bhuj to Rann of Kutch.
4. Rann of Kutch to Bhuj.
5. Bhuj to Mandvi.
6. Mandvi to Dwarka.
7. Dwarka to Rajkot.
8. Rajkot to Ahmedabad.
9. Ahmedabad to Bangalore.
Cheers to one of a kind trip. I'm feeling tired after my 27 hour bus ride from Ahmedabad to Bangalore. Completely worthwhile and definitely one of a kind!
Cheers to myself for making it happen!
This time I chose bus, yes, SRS Travels volvo bus to Ahmedabad and one more SRS Travels volvo bus back from Ahmedabad to Bangalore.
My iternary goes like this
1. Bangalore to Ahmedabad.
2. Ahmedabad to Bhuj.
3. Bhuj to Rann of Kutch.
4. Rann of Kutch to Bhuj.
5. Bhuj to Mandvi.
6. Mandvi to Dwarka.
7. Dwarka to Rajkot.
8. Rajkot to Ahmedabad.
9. Ahmedabad to Bangalore.
Cheers to one of a kind trip. I'm feeling tired after my 27 hour bus ride from Ahmedabad to Bangalore. Completely worthwhile and definitely one of a kind!
Cheers to myself for making it happen!
Weekday off
After working for 20 days on the trot, I decided to take off on a weekday that is Monday. Every since I started working, taking off on a weekday has been the best guilty pleasure.
I had no other option I was exhausted to the core, unable to think about work, because I had worked so much, written so much code, unit tests that, I had enough. This in addition to meetings, helping out others plus facing all those negative energy and forces at workplace!
Somedays, I think we should be paid not only for our work but for enduring the dirty politics and negativity others bring which we have to face, which stresses you out.
Watching the world go by while you just listen to music, read a book or blog or play on PS4 can be nothing short of heaven.
Cheers, to one more such a day!
On reading reminded me that, I have to start reading
Kim by Rudyard Kipling - audio book as well as kindle.
Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen - audio book as well as kindle.
I had no other option I was exhausted to the core, unable to think about work, because I had worked so much, written so much code, unit tests that, I had enough. This in addition to meetings, helping out others plus facing all those negative energy and forces at workplace!
Somedays, I think we should be paid not only for our work but for enduring the dirty politics and negativity others bring which we have to face, which stresses you out.
Watching the world go by while you just listen to music, read a book or blog or play on PS4 can be nothing short of heaven.
Cheers, to one more such a day!
On reading reminded me that, I have to start reading
Kim by Rudyard Kipling - audio book as well as kindle.
Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen - audio book as well as kindle.
Upcoming posts
1. Something to pursue for a lifetime - ie exercise.
2. Movie which I need to finish watching.
3. New way to promote a movie?
4. Stock market and company valuation.
5. Dream of having personal library of books of course :)
6. Pictures from my recent trek in the forest.
7. Hindi - Ghazalish duet songs of 1980's.
2. Movie which I need to finish watching.
3. New way to promote a movie?
4. Stock market and company valuation.
5. Dream of having personal library of books of course :)
6. Pictures from my recent trek in the forest.
7. Hindi - Ghazalish duet songs of 1980's.
When we encountered wild boars on a trek (for the first time) - TTT 49
Since the day I started trekking, I had always wondered what all wild animals will I encounter. I had encountered elephants (at a distance though), reptiles, deer, Indian Guar, few other creatures. I always used to see land dug up by wild boars during many treks, the mud they smear their bodies with, also trees which have claw marks of bears. Once when we were cooking food in the forest, apparently there was a bear sighting close to our camp.
I had never seen a wild boar in the forest. I had heard they are a plenty in some of the forests. But this time, it happened, got to see wild boars, 10-12 in number at around 50 feet from us.
Upon seeing us intruding into their territory they just ran away. Apparently they are quick and can pose threat. Luckily we could mind our own business and get out of the forest.
So one more interesting encounter to post about! Sadly they were so quick, I could not take picture of them!
Cheers,
I had never seen a wild boar in the forest. I had heard they are a plenty in some of the forests. But this time, it happened, got to see wild boars, 10-12 in number at around 50 feet from us.
Upon seeing us intruding into their territory they just ran away. Apparently they are quick and can pose threat. Luckily we could mind our own business and get out of the forest.
So one more interesting encounter to post about! Sadly they were so quick, I could not take picture of them!
Cheers,
When we had a tyre puncture 3 times in a row on a single trip! - TTT 50
Till date it had happened once during our journey that, we had encountered puncture or flat tyre two times. But last weekend, was something special, our vehicle got punctured two times before we reached our destination and guess what, we were stranded on the road early in the morning for over 2 hours.
I had almost lost interest in the trek because of this delay, but in the end all is well that end's well. We got the flat fixed and started our journey. None of the people complained.
Below is the picture of our stranded vehicle somewhere in Hosanagara after Shimoga.
Guess what, we were stranded somewhere in Hosanagara again during our return journey, that makes it 3 times in one single journey and what better post to put up TTTT # 50,
Cheers,
I had almost lost interest in the trek because of this delay, but in the end all is well that end's well. We got the flat fixed and started our journey. None of the people complained.
Below is the picture of our stranded vehicle somewhere in Hosanagara after Shimoga.
Guess what, we were stranded somewhere in Hosanagara again during our return journey, that makes it 3 times in one single journey and what better post to put up TTTT # 50,
Cheers,
When we had a 6 year old on our trek - TTT 47
During my last beach trek from Gokarna to Honnavara, we had a 6 year old kid as a member of the team and he trekked all the way from Gokarna till Kumta along with us. He was the son of one of our trek team members.
Isn't that cool, starting early means a lot to a lot of people. Whilst everyone was kind of mediocre with their energy and their enthusiasm, this kid was at his best, enjoying the waters and the beaches.
Only time he felt home sick was during the return journey near Mavinagundi :)
Cheers, will upload a pic soon!
Isn't that cool, starting early means a lot to a lot of people. Whilst everyone was kind of mediocre with their energy and their enthusiasm, this kid was at his best, enjoying the waters and the beaches.
Only time he felt home sick was during the return journey near Mavinagundi :)
Cheers, will upload a pic soon!
Of Ruskin Bond and commercialization - A conversation on goodreads.
Recently had a conversation with one stranger on goodreads. It was about Ruskin Bond autobiography which had come out recently, "Lone Fox Dancing". Somehow the conversation tilted towards stories of Ruskin Bond being printed again and again under different titles or for commercialization.
I deeply felt offended. I could not figure out as to why I was offended, but I was. Later after a long period of contemplation I wondered why.
There were many points, Ruskin Bond and his writing is close to my heart, obviously I was offended. But bigger part was how less equipped was the person who was trying to tell me that Ruskin Bond was more or less having a mindset of commercial writers these days.
Good thing was, I let the stranger sink in his own ignorance, meanwhile, I just figured out what I could take away from this conversation.
Well, Ruskin Bond now in his 80's, can he be indented towards commercialism these days? I'm pretty sure no. When he wanted money via writing he has made sufficient. Though he struggled too during his days.
Plus the stories of Ruskin Bond should be published again and again. I guess, its not because I like them. But its because they are all about celebration of India as a country. What our country was during that golden era, when there was no commercialization to worry about. Just plain simple life. Plain simple stories. No fuss, no complications.
Why shouldn't our country be glorified in such ways? I bet it should, so more and more stories of Ruskin Bond should be published again and again.
I get to relive those days once again, if not in real but atleast in fiction and if not in personal words atleast via words of Ruskin Bond.
Cheers,
Wish I could quote some Kipling poetry, I'm afraid, I will have to do some more reading to mature!
I deeply felt offended. I could not figure out as to why I was offended, but I was. Later after a long period of contemplation I wondered why.
There were many points, Ruskin Bond and his writing is close to my heart, obviously I was offended. But bigger part was how less equipped was the person who was trying to tell me that Ruskin Bond was more or less having a mindset of commercial writers these days.
Good thing was, I let the stranger sink in his own ignorance, meanwhile, I just figured out what I could take away from this conversation.
Well, Ruskin Bond now in his 80's, can he be indented towards commercialism these days? I'm pretty sure no. When he wanted money via writing he has made sufficient. Though he struggled too during his days.
Plus the stories of Ruskin Bond should be published again and again. I guess, its not because I like them. But its because they are all about celebration of India as a country. What our country was during that golden era, when there was no commercialization to worry about. Just plain simple life. Plain simple stories. No fuss, no complications.
Why shouldn't our country be glorified in such ways? I bet it should, so more and more stories of Ruskin Bond should be published again and again.
I get to relive those days once again, if not in real but atleast in fiction and if not in personal words atleast via words of Ruskin Bond.
Cheers,
Wish I could quote some Kipling poetry, I'm afraid, I will have to do some more reading to mature!
Best youtube comment
Sometimes, over the internet you just end up reading something, which really catches your attention. one such thing I found is a comment for a video on youtube.
The comment reads like this -
The comment reads like this -
The song in picture is "Tarzan Boy - by Baltimora"
When we loaded honey and jaggery (in our vehicle) while returning from our trek - TTT 46
I have been on numerous treks in the last 2-3 years. Each time, we do go by a hired vehicle, more often than not, it has to be 12 seater Force traveller, other time, we had 24 Swaraj Mazda and 30 seater TATA bus.
Cheers,
This time too during our beach trek we had a Tempo traveller. All these treks, though we visit places quite distant from Bangalore, we never load our vehicle with consumable stuffs during the return journey.
Stuffs like, rice, vegetables or anything which is produced at the place of our visit and which can be ferried back to Bangalore and which works out cheap for us.
But there is a first time for everything. This time, we managed to source Jaggery and Honey from somewhere in the Sharavathy valley and we loaded them in Sagara. Opposite to Sagara bus stand.
It appears there is a subtle difference in the purest form of honey and packaged honey!
Cheers,
When I trekked the same route for 5 years in a row (yearly once) - TTTT 45
After all this is something which I could proudly write about. It happened for the first time in 2013 and as of 2017 its still on!
I am referring to my participation in the annual beach trek. I had this so called affinity to beaches and it was not very evident until I was away from India. Even more is my affinity to the coastal area of Karnataka, especially Gokarna till Udupi stretch. It makes me feel grounded. It gives me time to contemplate.
Each year there are lots of groups which do beach treks along the coastline. This year too, I am happy that I was a part of another group. Not just that, it completed my 5th year of beach trek.
1. 2013 - Kumta to Aghanashani beach / Tadadi port (boat to Gokarna). (22 members).
2. 2014 - Apsarakonda to Bhatkal (Sri Durga Parameshwari temple Ilvekodi). (26 members)
3. 2015 - Gokarna to Haldipur beach. (28 members)
4. 2016 - Gokarna to Haldipur beach (13 members).
5. 2017 - Gokarna to Kumta beach (13 members)
Apart from one year, where I trekked from Apsarakonda all the way to Bhatkal via Murudeshwara of course, all the years it has primarily been Honnavara to Gokarna OR Gokarna to Honnavara.
Feels so nice to have been doing it again and again. Hope to continue it in future too. Given a choice, of course with the same group too! And guess what I never get bored of this route.
The feeling of being connected to this piece of coastal land is just tremendous, you can imagine, how tremendous, the feeling of me being connected to India is (no prizes for guessing and no sarcasm please)!
Cheers,
I am referring to my participation in the annual beach trek. I had this so called affinity to beaches and it was not very evident until I was away from India. Even more is my affinity to the coastal area of Karnataka, especially Gokarna till Udupi stretch. It makes me feel grounded. It gives me time to contemplate.
Each year there are lots of groups which do beach treks along the coastline. This year too, I am happy that I was a part of another group. Not just that, it completed my 5th year of beach trek.
1. 2013 - Kumta to Aghanashani beach / Tadadi port (boat to Gokarna). (22 members).
2. 2014 - Apsarakonda to Bhatkal (Sri Durga Parameshwari temple Ilvekodi). (26 members)
3. 2015 - Gokarna to Haldipur beach. (28 members)
4. 2016 - Gokarna to Haldipur beach (13 members).
5. 2017 - Gokarna to Kumta beach (13 members)
Apart from one year, where I trekked from Apsarakonda all the way to Bhatkal via Murudeshwara of course, all the years it has primarily been Honnavara to Gokarna OR Gokarna to Honnavara.
Feels so nice to have been doing it again and again. Hope to continue it in future too. Given a choice, of course with the same group too! And guess what I never get bored of this route.
The feeling of being connected to this piece of coastal land is just tremendous, you can imagine, how tremendous, the feeling of me being connected to India is (no prizes for guessing and no sarcasm please)!
Cheers,
When a strange reason ended our trek - TTTT 44
There have been multiple occasions when our treks have ended ahead of time. Each time, it would be the lack of time, rains, tired teams, losing way etc etc. But this time was another awesome reason end our trek ahead of time or rather to not trek.
And, we managed to reach the main road aka NH-66. Now people were in two minds whether to walk back to the beach or call it over. Lunch and play time in the beach plus Apsarakonda waterfall dip was pending. So this precedence took over, we ended the trek 4 kilometers early.
But all in all I thoroughly enjoyed the trek, which was overshadowed by some great company, one person of whom had come all the way from Gulbarga!
I recently had been to Gokarna, to take part in this year's beach trek. We managed to walk all the way from Gokarna to Holanagadde beach (after crossing river Aghanashani / Tadai port via a ferry of cours) on day 1 and camped at a temple.
On day 2, we managed to reach all the way to Kumta beach and there you go we needed some help. There is a place where the sea manages to stretch itself into the town as backwaters and we needed to cross this one. It is a good 15-20 feet depth and needs boat. On all the previous occasions we could manage to source a boat from the nearby fishermen, who would be busy cleaning their boats.
But this time, with no availability of people around, our only option was to walk along the road leading to Kumta town. After walking for half a kilometer we found water to drink and clean ourselves, via a roadside tap after all. The person instructed us that a bus would be available over here any time soon.
And, we managed to reach the main road aka NH-66. Now people were in two minds whether to walk back to the beach or call it over. Lunch and play time in the beach plus Apsarakonda waterfall dip was pending. So this precedence took over, we ended the trek 4 kilometers early.
But all in all I thoroughly enjoyed the trek, which was overshadowed by some great company, one person of whom had come all the way from Gulbarga!
Cheers,
A driver who listened to retro songs only! - TTTT 43
This time, during the return journey from our trek, we had noticed one thing since the start. The music system in our van was always silent and never played any songs. So we asked the driver what was the reason, and why didn't he play any songs.
His reply was an uncharacteristic one. He told, he always listened to old songs. Fearing most people disliked old songs, he never bothered to play any music!
But in our team we had guys who liked old songs, especially Hindi and Kannada, and there was a unanimous yes for playing it out.
So we got to hear old songs from late 1970's and 80's sung by Shailendra Singh, Mohammed Aziz and others. Then there was a discussion about art films from 70's and 80's.
All in all a nice way to end a trek with some slow songs, providing much relief, during the night journey.
Cheers,
His reply was an uncharacteristic one. He told, he always listened to old songs. Fearing most people disliked old songs, he never bothered to play any music!
But in our team we had guys who liked old songs, especially Hindi and Kannada, and there was a unanimous yes for playing it out.
So we got to hear old songs from late 1970's and 80's sung by Shailendra Singh, Mohammed Aziz and others. Then there was a discussion about art films from 70's and 80's.
All in all a nice way to end a trek with some slow songs, providing much relief, during the night journey.
Cheers,
Trouble with BSNL internet
My goal for reaching 100 posts for the year seems to be going nowhere, I owe some part of it to BSNL. On two occasions when I had time to write something, BSNL internet was down.
Previously it was down for over 5 days in succession and today it was around 3+ days. Only after some people near my home intervened and blasted the operator at BSNL office, there was some quick turn around and repair was done and internet re-introduced.
Each time, not only the writing took a hit but even my office work, I generally work more from home and I'm better productive. But on these days, I used every curse from the dictionary.
In the meanwhile tried applying for ACT but no use, now shall try for TICONA or Airtel.
lets see, until then, scampering with BSNL.
Cheers,
Previously it was down for over 5 days in succession and today it was around 3+ days. Only after some people near my home intervened and blasted the operator at BSNL office, there was some quick turn around and repair was done and internet re-introduced.
Each time, not only the writing took a hit but even my office work, I generally work more from home and I'm better productive. But on these days, I used every curse from the dictionary.
In the meanwhile tried applying for ACT but no use, now shall try for TICONA or Airtel.
lets see, until then, scampering with BSNL.
Cheers,
Fit Stop (hits) on MTV beats
Every day while I workout in the gym, I get to hear some random playlists. After hearing same set of songs repeatedly, someone complained and we got a TV in the gym and now it belts out songs from music channels.
Its usually MTV beats or 9XM which airs while I exercise. I had a major major concern for this, as, along with the song, the music video turns up. And believe me, if its Sunny Leone or someone else (heroine), whole bunch of people who will be exercising will stop exercising and stand idle, looking at the TV watching the video. This despite of the warning of our trainer, having NOT to take longer pauses between exercises/repetitions.
Irony is that, music is just to aid exercising and here there is a distraction. Even bigger irony is that, MTV is about to start a program, "Fit Stop with Sunny Leone", I guess in the morning only.
But on the contrary what better and fitter person than Sunny Leone, someone who's totally fit, (to aid people's exercise).
Cheers,
Only Ironies no sarcasm within this post.
Its usually MTV beats or 9XM which airs while I exercise. I had a major major concern for this, as, along with the song, the music video turns up. And believe me, if its Sunny Leone or someone else (heroine), whole bunch of people who will be exercising will stop exercising and stand idle, looking at the TV watching the video. This despite of the warning of our trainer, having NOT to take longer pauses between exercises/repetitions.
Irony is that, music is just to aid exercising and here there is a distraction. Even bigger irony is that, MTV is about to start a program, "Fit Stop with Sunny Leone", I guess in the morning only.
But on the contrary what better and fitter person than Sunny Leone, someone who's totally fit, (to aid people's exercise).
Cheers,
Only Ironies no sarcasm within this post.
Technological advancement or derailment - Alter thoughts 18
Recently in a conversation someone spoke to me about a song which is rather 10 year old and which used to be in the radio countdown at #9, or #10. So this put me into a kind of nostalgia.
These days I have stopped listening to contemporary music and every song which I like dates back to few years. I was wondering if these days such songs have been written or produced or sung.
Then I went back few years again and there you go I could get Billy Idol singing eyes with a face, Billy Joel singing Vienna, and this was 1980's and 1970's respectively.
I was just wondering what has all these technological advancements done to the music industry? where the essence of it still remains song writing and singing which have been the same throughout.
I feel its just the social media and marketing which have turned this industry too into a kind of gimmickery and capitalistic centered market, where emphasis has been taken away from good lyrics and song writing skills and turned it towards marketing and presentation skills.
So is this technological advancement or derailment where I need an optic fibre network over an undersea link just to provide me the data which comprises of what my neighbor is doing over his weekend, which comes all the way from a server located half way across the world?
Irony is I still complain, my internet is slow :) (I'm so curious to know what my neighboring is doing you see, just that I hate to go to him and ask him directly, I believe in snooping).
Pardon my sarcasm though :)
Same goes with writing, for inspiration, is there something which I can look to in the contemporary alternate rock music or any genre for that matter? Not sure!
Here and there I do find songs which I can relate to, but it isnt the same as the good old days, thanks to the derailment caused by technology, consumerism and capitalism :)
Am I correct in judging/assuming, help yourself with comments :)-
Cheers,
These days I have stopped listening to contemporary music and every song which I like dates back to few years. I was wondering if these days such songs have been written or produced or sung.
Then I went back few years again and there you go I could get Billy Idol singing eyes with a face, Billy Joel singing Vienna, and this was 1980's and 1970's respectively.
I was just wondering what has all these technological advancements done to the music industry? where the essence of it still remains song writing and singing which have been the same throughout.
I feel its just the social media and marketing which have turned this industry too into a kind of gimmickery and capitalistic centered market, where emphasis has been taken away from good lyrics and song writing skills and turned it towards marketing and presentation skills.
So is this technological advancement or derailment where I need an optic fibre network over an undersea link just to provide me the data which comprises of what my neighbor is doing over his weekend, which comes all the way from a server located half way across the world?
Irony is I still complain, my internet is slow :) (I'm so curious to know what my neighboring is doing you see, just that I hate to go to him and ask him directly, I believe in snooping).
Pardon my sarcasm though :)
Same goes with writing, for inspiration, is there something which I can look to in the contemporary alternate rock music or any genre for that matter? Not sure!
Here and there I do find songs which I can relate to, but it isnt the same as the good old days, thanks to the derailment caused by technology, consumerism and capitalism :)
Am I correct in judging/assuming, help yourself with comments :)-
Cheers,
Nice country song
Found this song playing on a music channel on television. It sounded interesting. I felt it was indeed a nice country song I heard in a while. I generally do not follow this genre of music. Great great great composition by Loy, Shankar, Ehsaan! [Hoping its not a rip off]
But this one appearing in a Hindi movie made it somewhat extra special. Sukhwinder Singh has sung it to precision. And Farhan Akhtar has done justice to the song with his steps. I sincerely wish the amount agreed upon to charity has been paid by now.
Need to check out more country songs, something I always wanted to do, but it always starts with Shania Twain and ends with Shania Twain :). and I run out of time.
Cheers,
Here goes the song which I was talking about -
Slow Motion Angreza from Bhaag Milkha Bhaag! Irony is I heard it playing while running on treadmill in the gym (2 years after movie release?, shame on me? or shame on the quality of contemporary music? suit yourself!).
Can you imagine when you are running and this song shows up. Do you run, do you dance or do you admire the song or think about German beer? Take a guess :)
But this one appearing in a Hindi movie made it somewhat extra special. Sukhwinder Singh has sung it to precision. And Farhan Akhtar has done justice to the song with his steps. I sincerely wish the amount agreed upon to charity has been paid by now.
Need to check out more country songs, something I always wanted to do, but it always starts with Shania Twain and ends with Shania Twain :). and I run out of time.
Cheers,
Here goes the song which I was talking about -
Slow Motion Angreza from Bhaag Milkha Bhaag! Irony is I heard it playing while running on treadmill in the gym (2 years after movie release?, shame on me? or shame on the quality of contemporary music? suit yourself!).
Can you imagine when you are running and this song shows up. Do you run, do you dance or do you admire the song or think about German beer? Take a guess :)
Hectic week - 2 Oct - 7 Oct 2017
One hectic it was with clients visiting us from Germany. Got sprint work thrown out of gear, could not work much. Had to take part in some technical and functional sessions with Germans about upcoming work.
Plus, had to go for lunch with them. I was invited for dinner too, but politely declined. I did not want to take a risk of eating outside two consecutive days plus most people were non vegetarian, so avoided second day.
In between, there was an escalation from the client regarding a use case I had worked on, and release of the application was delayed. Best part was client got a first hand vision of how I reacted in case of escalation. And guess what, I had a poker face with absolutely no emotions. Finally once I became comfortable with the fact that I was solely responsible for this delay, I enjoyed every minute of the stardom.
Mails floating from top German management as well as mails / JIRA comments from German developers on how to proceed. Finally a workaround was agreed. I'm glad it worked out well. But got tremendous experience all along the way.
Learnt that I could be better friends' with German clients than our Indian counterparts. Sad to see our Indian counterparts causing trouble to their own people by showing them as low inexperienced lot, just to impress the client and safe guard their job by licking their A%##.
Attended top level management with client and felt it was more of a comedy show considering what our Indian counterparts were speaking. I'm sure clients each time have a good laugh at the way our Indian management speaks in status meetings.
I recorded the conversation on my mobile, just to make sure my other colleagues too get a good laugh.
Cheers,
Plus, had to go for lunch with them. I was invited for dinner too, but politely declined. I did not want to take a risk of eating outside two consecutive days plus most people were non vegetarian, so avoided second day.
In between, there was an escalation from the client regarding a use case I had worked on, and release of the application was delayed. Best part was client got a first hand vision of how I reacted in case of escalation. And guess what, I had a poker face with absolutely no emotions. Finally once I became comfortable with the fact that I was solely responsible for this delay, I enjoyed every minute of the stardom.
Mails floating from top German management as well as mails / JIRA comments from German developers on how to proceed. Finally a workaround was agreed. I'm glad it worked out well. But got tremendous experience all along the way.
Learnt that I could be better friends' with German clients than our Indian counterparts. Sad to see our Indian counterparts causing trouble to their own people by showing them as low inexperienced lot, just to impress the client and safe guard their job by licking their A%##.
Attended top level management with client and felt it was more of a comedy show considering what our Indian counterparts were speaking. I'm sure clients each time have a good laugh at the way our Indian management speaks in status meetings.
I recorded the conversation on my mobile, just to make sure my other colleagues too get a good laugh.
Cheers,
An ode to my place of worship - 2017
It was the second year in succession for me that I attended Ayudha Pooja at our gym. I missed out during 2014 and 2015 owing to other reasons but 2016 and 2017 I made it. I even had blogged about it last year.
This time it was raining and I managed to somehow reach the gym. Many people were not there, but still the pooja started a bit ahead of time too. One of my friend called up during the same time and asked as to why was I actually attending the pooja instead of sitting at home amidst the rainfall.
I did not have an answer that day but yeah felt kind of weird having left the thought of going to gym for the pooja unjustified. So thought today will do justice to it plus so many posts seem to be bottled up due to this one plus me being too busy with work and client's visiting Bangalore office!
I made it to the gym in the rain because, I felt it was necessary. I am whatever I'm today because of the gym. I wonder how will I continue it for a lifetime. A day without exercise makes me feel sick. It just feels so good to amidst those equipment, those machinery which have helped me achieve my goal whatever I had set.
On this auspicious day, all those equipment get cleaned, worshiped and in essence that's what is Ayudha pooja all about? Felt so good just being there. Yeah felt a bit emotional too, visualising my own journey in the last 4 odd years. The treadmill on which I have been running since these years, the mirrors into which I have been looking checking if I have gained anything or lost anything and all those people some of whom are coming some of whom are not coming to gym anymore, reminded me of all the nostalgia which has happened in this place called gym. Just wondered, what would have happened if I had not been to the gym, if that trek to Gingee fort had not made me realize how tiny I was in reality.
I'm glad I did it, and yeah, I have so much more memories to cherish and many of which got re-kindled during this Ayudha Pooja and guess what, how blessed I'm that I got to the gym and exercised all through these 4 years. Hopefully will keep the momentum :)
so, Cheers,
This time it was raining and I managed to somehow reach the gym. Many people were not there, but still the pooja started a bit ahead of time too. One of my friend called up during the same time and asked as to why was I actually attending the pooja instead of sitting at home amidst the rainfall.
I did not have an answer that day but yeah felt kind of weird having left the thought of going to gym for the pooja unjustified. So thought today will do justice to it plus so many posts seem to be bottled up due to this one plus me being too busy with work and client's visiting Bangalore office!
I made it to the gym in the rain because, I felt it was necessary. I am whatever I'm today because of the gym. I wonder how will I continue it for a lifetime. A day without exercise makes me feel sick. It just feels so good to amidst those equipment, those machinery which have helped me achieve my goal whatever I had set.
On this auspicious day, all those equipment get cleaned, worshiped and in essence that's what is Ayudha pooja all about? Felt so good just being there. Yeah felt a bit emotional too, visualising my own journey in the last 4 odd years. The treadmill on which I have been running since these years, the mirrors into which I have been looking checking if I have gained anything or lost anything and all those people some of whom are coming some of whom are not coming to gym anymore, reminded me of all the nostalgia which has happened in this place called gym. Just wondered, what would have happened if I had not been to the gym, if that trek to Gingee fort had not made me realize how tiny I was in reality.
I'm glad I did it, and yeah, I have so much more memories to cherish and many of which got re-kindled during this Ayudha Pooja and guess what, how blessed I'm that I got to the gym and exercised all through these 4 years. Hopefully will keep the momentum :)
so, Cheers,
Great Indian debate - Alter thoughts 17
Saw this wonderful piece of article on IBNLive.com. On Gandhi's birthday saw this disagreement between the two legends of 20th century.
I just loved the opinion of Rabindranath Tagore where he thinks of awakening each Indian soul instead of going for freedom. Just a thought, would that ever have been possible?
I guess not, spiritual awakening leads having loads of insight into lots of things and facets of life. I'm sure some people even at the age of 80 cannot comprehend some of the things of life, forget earlier.
So I'm doubtful, whatever Rabindranath Tagore is saying over here, whether it can be achieved. So I take Mahatma Gandhi's side. who says the below lines aptly :)
By the way, can each individual be spiritually awakened in a materialistic society, I bet not! I hope this is what Rabindranath Tagore intended, am I right or wrong?
Happy Birthday MK Gandhi
Today is October 2nd. I'm so proud and happy that Mahatma Gandhi was born in India, what he did to this country is immense. There could be no better person to be called as the Father of India other than Mahatma. So here's wishing him a happy birthday.
Cheers,
PS - I equally love Netaji and Sardar as well.
Cheers,
PS - I equally love Netaji and Sardar as well.
More options less time
these days I have too many things to do on top of that find very less time, hence writing has taken a back seat, I need to hit 100 by year end, let me see, few of the things I engage in these days or plan to indulge are!
1. Reading - books/kindle.
2. Music - I listen to a lot of songs on youtube/videos etc etc.
3. PS4 - GT5 on PS4 has kept me occupied long enough that, I do not find much free time.
4. Workout - I cant stay without exercising even for a single day. :)
5. Cooking - After trying curries, breads, tried out jowar bread two times, came somewhat okay!
6. Travel - I register for some event and then back out due to lack of interest.
7. Office work - Yes I am working very hard, being closer to my home means I am putting more effort!
8. Photos - I intend to get my photos printed, but need to select which one to print from my previous travel.
9. Television - watch it whenever I find time.
10. Writing - Amidst all these, writing has taken a back seat, I have got few things to write about, but to even switch on blogger has become such a distant thing that writing has taken a hit,
11. Meeting people - whats that? is there time for it? and is it worth the traffic and the mind fuck, I bet not! :)
Cheers, will pick it up.
1. Reading - books/kindle.
2. Music - I listen to a lot of songs on youtube/videos etc etc.
3. PS4 - GT5 on PS4 has kept me occupied long enough that, I do not find much free time.
4. Workout - I cant stay without exercising even for a single day. :)
5. Cooking - After trying curries, breads, tried out jowar bread two times, came somewhat okay!
6. Travel - I register for some event and then back out due to lack of interest.
7. Office work - Yes I am working very hard, being closer to my home means I am putting more effort!
8. Photos - I intend to get my photos printed, but need to select which one to print from my previous travel.
9. Television - watch it whenever I find time.
10. Writing - Amidst all these, writing has taken a back seat, I have got few things to write about, but to even switch on blogger has become such a distant thing that writing has taken a hit,
11. Meeting people - whats that? is there time for it? and is it worth the traffic and the mind fuck, I bet not! :)
Cheers, will pick it up.
An intellectual trek team! - TTTT 42
This happens to be from one of my Himalayan treks. I am not sure if I have written about this thing before, but one strange occurrence happened during this Himalayan trek.
Our team was a highly intellectual one!
Let me tell you our team composure-
Members in the order of number!
#1 - Phd in Machine learning from IISC.
#2 - Phd in Microbiology and post doc from USA / NRI.
#3 - Phd in Metallurgy pursuing research at CN Rao institute
#4 - MBA from ITM / NRI
#5 - MBA from IIM / Hdfc bank manager.
#6 - MBA another finance guy from Honeywell,
#7 - BE from NIT, circut designer TI
#8 - BE from etc me, coder,
#9 - BE from etc, one more guy support guy,
and you expect team to be any more intellectual?
cheers,
Our team was a highly intellectual one!
Let me tell you our team composure-
Members in the order of number!
#1 - Phd in Machine learning from IISC.
#2 - Phd in Microbiology and post doc from USA / NRI.
#3 - Phd in Metallurgy pursuing research at CN Rao institute
#4 - MBA from ITM / NRI
#5 - MBA from IIM / Hdfc bank manager.
#6 - MBA another finance guy from Honeywell,
#7 - BE from NIT, circut designer TI
#8 - BE from etc me, coder,
#9 - BE from etc, one more guy support guy,
and you expect team to be any more intellectual?
cheers,
Stevie Nicks - I cant wait
I have been listening to Fleetwood mac for quite some time now, during the day during office and then when I head out to play GTA5 on PS4, I get to listen to this song while I drive, guess which,
its Stevie Nicks - I cant wait,,, can coincidence be any better?
its Stevie Nicks - I cant wait,,, can coincidence be any better?
When a sudden encounter hampered our trek to the peak! - TTTT 41
This happened during our last weekend trek, somewhere in Dakshina Karnataka. I'm not supposed to disclose the location nor contacts to be precise. So, we had managed to start around 10 am for a waterfall nearby. After completion of a small walk to the waterfall, the plans got changed, we were now supposed to go to a peak wading through forests and route unknown.
The guide himself was skeptical of going to the peak on the same day or for that matter going to the peak itself. Reason being, he himself was unaware of the exact path/route. But our friend/organizer insisted we do it. It was around 11 40 am when we decided to trek to the peak. The forest was dense and it had great growth, hampering easy walkability. Instead we had to navigate criss cross amidst trees/branches.
We had to come down by 5pm to avoid darkness or getting lost also, we had forgotten to carry our torches as the plan was so sudden, that we had only lunch with us. We managed to cross many streams and move through thick undergrowth and finally this incident happened which literally threw the guide off guard.
When we were around an hour away from the peak, guide was ahead, and I was second to him. Suddenly there were few people who had lost path and guide went back to fetch them and told me to continue in the same path.
I had put across just two steps and found a strange shape on top of a brown leaf. I could not believe a dried leaf had such distinct lines and I bent a bit forward to closely examine.
And guess what it turned out ot be, it was a viper which in the process of swallowing a lizard fully. Then I alerted the others, who could not identify the creature due to the camouflage. It was in no position to strike as it had food in its mouth. Suddenly one person went face to face of it, to capture its image and guess what happened.
It regurgitated what it had eaten, right in front of us, and it got ready to strike. This shocked the wits out of our guide. He got concerned, if we ever got late from the peak, this would be, what we would encounter on our way back plus wild boars too. So, the guide had no clues what to do and called for retreat.
So thus, we had to come back out of the forest trail as we were running short of time, not before I captured some images too.
First one is with its prey almost swalloed, second one is where it spit out its food.
Cheers,
The guide himself was skeptical of going to the peak on the same day or for that matter going to the peak itself. Reason being, he himself was unaware of the exact path/route. But our friend/organizer insisted we do it. It was around 11 40 am when we decided to trek to the peak. The forest was dense and it had great growth, hampering easy walkability. Instead we had to navigate criss cross amidst trees/branches.
We had to come down by 5pm to avoid darkness or getting lost also, we had forgotten to carry our torches as the plan was so sudden, that we had only lunch with us. We managed to cross many streams and move through thick undergrowth and finally this incident happened which literally threw the guide off guard.
When we were around an hour away from the peak, guide was ahead, and I was second to him. Suddenly there were few people who had lost path and guide went back to fetch them and told me to continue in the same path.
I had put across just two steps and found a strange shape on top of a brown leaf. I could not believe a dried leaf had such distinct lines and I bent a bit forward to closely examine.
And guess what it turned out ot be, it was a viper which in the process of swallowing a lizard fully. Then I alerted the others, who could not identify the creature due to the camouflage. It was in no position to strike as it had food in its mouth. Suddenly one person went face to face of it, to capture its image and guess what happened.
It regurgitated what it had eaten, right in front of us, and it got ready to strike. This shocked the wits out of our guide. He got concerned, if we ever got late from the peak, this would be, what we would encounter on our way back plus wild boars too. So, the guide had no clues what to do and called for retreat.
So thus, we had to come back out of the forest trail as we were running short of time, not before I captured some images too.
First one is with its prey almost swalloed, second one is where it spit out its food.
Cheers,
Is it the curse of Sage Vasisht or the people of Himachal Pradesh? - TTTT 40
It was during this weekend's trek that someone asked me about the Bara Bhangal trek which I had completed in 2015. Time runs out so quickly, its almost two years to it. The reason that person asked was that, that person too was going to do the same trek in the coming month.
So immediately, I replied, I wish I could do the trek again, just because of the lovely food which was available during the trek and due to the loads of other reasons. And the reply came within a fraction of second to be precise. The person invited me to join their trek.
Apparently I refused, the reason being their trek was only 10 days, when I did, I got to enjoy 12 full days in the Himalayas :). Simple enough reason to reject.
But now, what made me write this post was that, I was wondering what makes me go again and again to Himachal Pradesh. I have been two times and rearing to go. My other friends have managed 3+ times in 1.5 years.
First time, when we went to Vasisht area in Manali, the hotel owner told that, there is a curse upon this place by Sage Vasisht, which says a person who comes over here once, comes again and again and again. So when I went to Himachal the second time, I felt the curse of Sage Vasisht coming true.
But yesterday, when I told about my dream to trek that route again, I just felt along with the curse of Sage Vasisht there were few other things which added to the charm of being in Himachal Pradesh. So thought of writing it out here.
- The cook we have had on treks have been extremely extra ordinary. To cook at high altitude like a man possessed needs some real mettle. During our 12 day trek there was not a day when the food went a bit more or less on salt or on taste for that matter. It was spot on day after day after day. (And on one occasion, we were literally competing for a veg biryani cooked from previous day left over rice, that good was the food, if you can imagine!)
- The people of Himachal are so so so hospitable, I could strike a conversation with the cook, guide helper etc with such an ease, I miss those in Bangalore where money over takes everything, if anything is left, I guess pride does the talking. Over in Himachal, its pure humanity I guess, at its best.
- Loads of foreigners. You feel proud of your country seeing so many hoards of people coming to your country on the pretext of spirituality, relaxation thus providing fuel in the form of economy to the people of Himachal. Being amongst them, you get to speak about loads of things. It might be minuscule, but it definitely matters.
- Himachal has such huge numbers of to see beautiful places, I'm sure, I will grow old before I can list all of them.
Cheers, gotta head to office :)
So immediately, I replied, I wish I could do the trek again, just because of the lovely food which was available during the trek and due to the loads of other reasons. And the reply came within a fraction of second to be precise. The person invited me to join their trek.
Apparently I refused, the reason being their trek was only 10 days, when I did, I got to enjoy 12 full days in the Himalayas :). Simple enough reason to reject.
But now, what made me write this post was that, I was wondering what makes me go again and again to Himachal Pradesh. I have been two times and rearing to go. My other friends have managed 3+ times in 1.5 years.
First time, when we went to Vasisht area in Manali, the hotel owner told that, there is a curse upon this place by Sage Vasisht, which says a person who comes over here once, comes again and again and again. So when I went to Himachal the second time, I felt the curse of Sage Vasisht coming true.
But yesterday, when I told about my dream to trek that route again, I just felt along with the curse of Sage Vasisht there were few other things which added to the charm of being in Himachal Pradesh. So thought of writing it out here.
- The cook we have had on treks have been extremely extra ordinary. To cook at high altitude like a man possessed needs some real mettle. During our 12 day trek there was not a day when the food went a bit more or less on salt or on taste for that matter. It was spot on day after day after day. (And on one occasion, we were literally competing for a veg biryani cooked from previous day left over rice, that good was the food, if you can imagine!)
- The people of Himachal are so so so hospitable, I could strike a conversation with the cook, guide helper etc with such an ease, I miss those in Bangalore where money over takes everything, if anything is left, I guess pride does the talking. Over in Himachal, its pure humanity I guess, at its best.
- Loads of foreigners. You feel proud of your country seeing so many hoards of people coming to your country on the pretext of spirituality, relaxation thus providing fuel in the form of economy to the people of Himachal. Being amongst them, you get to speak about loads of things. It might be minuscule, but it definitely matters.
- Himachal has such huge numbers of to see beautiful places, I'm sure, I will grow old before I can list all of them.
Cheers, gotta head to office :)
Christine McVie - one of my all time favorite performer!
Before I say anything in this post just have a listen to the audio song over the below link.
Main points from the song or about the song -
- The lady in picture was in hiatus from music for 16+ years.
- The lady in picture has written the lyrics for this song.
- The lady in picture has sung this song as well.
- The lady in picture is 74 year old Christine McVie.
If you think, lyrics can be any more beautiful than this, I bet you are wrong,
If you think, at that age, you or for that matter me, can still rock like Christine McVie, my friend you are wrong.
If you think you can carry that persona as Christine McVie even when you are in your 70's you are wrong my friend.
Take a bow Christine McVie, what a song, some people continue to amaze me with what they got to offer, in terms of music in terms of life lessons, in terms of everything!
Irony of two stares - Part 2 - Alter thoughts - 16
I forgot to write this as a part of previous post, I guess that post grew too much longer for my liking to put more words into it. Hence abruptly ended it.
The post was about a boy who could not afford gym membership staring from outside the gym window, looking at others working out with amazement.
If I can go back in time some 20+ years ago, I myself knew one more boy who used to stare at the gym from outside. This boy used to stare at the gym from outside while going to school or coming back from school and always wonder, when would he ever get to exercise. He was too naive as to what it takes to exercise and what gains one gets out of exercising. This was the 1990's a time when only the purists exercised and there was no much brand marketing involved with exercising, or supplements.
The boy used to stare at a gym which was located somewhere close to Vivekananda college, Rajajinagar (white horse vicinity). I'm not sure if the boy could afford a gym membership or not. I'm even not sure, if the boy knew how much hard work it took to continue working out day in and day out. All he was staring at in amazement at the people working out.
He resembles the construction laborer which I have written previously. Does this resemble a simile in place, just separated by 20+ years of time? Need to confirm.
The boy in contention over here is none other than me. I was the one who was peeping into the gym from outside. I couldn't help myself with exercise because I was too naive and young.
I think, that habit of peeping into gym shall never go, because, I still do where ever I find a gym while going to office or elsewhere I still give it a good stare. Though most of my stare is met with their marketing gimmicks each time instead of people working out.
Reminds me of the good old days when it was all about exercising instead of gym memberships and discounts. A peek into the gym would leave you with a picture of people exercising. Now it leaves me with pictures of sculpted bodies, which are most likely due to steroids and supplements and of course gym memberships/discounts. Such is the irony.
There you go, simile, irony, nostalgia all in one post :) (How about a metaphor please? thinking!)
So much of Malleshwaram nostalgia guttered by ever growing urbanization; feels bad. (this calls for another post as to how people react when I put such words in front of people who cannot understand it, like about nature for that matter. so I chose to write here!).
Cheers,
The post was about a boy who could not afford gym membership staring from outside the gym window, looking at others working out with amazement.
If I can go back in time some 20+ years ago, I myself knew one more boy who used to stare at the gym from outside. This boy used to stare at the gym from outside while going to school or coming back from school and always wonder, when would he ever get to exercise. He was too naive as to what it takes to exercise and what gains one gets out of exercising. This was the 1990's a time when only the purists exercised and there was no much brand marketing involved with exercising, or supplements.
The boy used to stare at a gym which was located somewhere close to Vivekananda college, Rajajinagar (white horse vicinity). I'm not sure if the boy could afford a gym membership or not. I'm even not sure, if the boy knew how much hard work it took to continue working out day in and day out. All he was staring at in amazement at the people working out.
He resembles the construction laborer which I have written previously. Does this resemble a simile in place, just separated by 20+ years of time? Need to confirm.
The boy in contention over here is none other than me. I was the one who was peeping into the gym from outside. I couldn't help myself with exercise because I was too naive and young.
I think, that habit of peeping into gym shall never go, because, I still do where ever I find a gym while going to office or elsewhere I still give it a good stare. Though most of my stare is met with their marketing gimmicks each time instead of people working out.
Reminds me of the good old days when it was all about exercising instead of gym memberships and discounts. A peek into the gym would leave you with a picture of people exercising. Now it leaves me with pictures of sculpted bodies, which are most likely due to steroids and supplements and of course gym memberships/discounts. Such is the irony.
There you go, simile, irony, nostalgia all in one post :) (How about a metaphor please? thinking!)
So much of Malleshwaram nostalgia guttered by ever growing urbanization; feels bad. (this calls for another post as to how people react when I put such words in front of people who cannot understand it, like about nature for that matter. so I chose to write here!).
Cheers,
Irony of two stares - Alter thoughts - 15
Staring at something, means looking at something for a period of time most likely with eyes wide open. So here I try to write about two different instances of staring each one representing its own dimension.
I am trying to pitch in irony (not sure successfully), I am also trying to pitch in as to where do I stand between the two different ironies which I try to describe.
This incident relates to the gym where I go everyday to workout. The entrance of the gym is a wide vinyl door with a huge class where visibility is two sided. One can see outside and outsiders can see inside. Also all along the wall there are posters of good body builders lifting weights, flexing muscles.
You can stare at these pictures for minutes together looking for some inspiration. Thats what most of my friends do. I too do sometimes. These pictures are meant for inspiration.
But one day a stranger was staring not at the picture but at the people exercising, and not from inside but from outside. He was a small guy a construction worker or a laborer or some kind. He was amused by the people exercising within closed enclosure. He might be wondering, what he does as a day job for living, these people are doing it by paying money. Let aside his thoughts.
What I felt was, he was someone who wanted to exercise but could not afford. He might be thinking, "When will I too get to exercise". On the other hand my friends who exercise stare at the posters and think "when will I ever get such a muscular build up".
Irony is both of them are unsure of making it. The construction laborer in order to visit the gym regularly has to change his line of profession to earn more to afford a gym membership.
My friends who stare at the picture, have to exercise more and eat correctly for months and years to come which I'm certainly sure they can't. So its a tale of two never ending aspirations.
In the middle, I'm there, the silent observer, adding to the third irony of sorts. I can afford myself a gym membership, but I can't even think of getting a extra ordinary build up as in posters, because, my primary focus area is cardio and secondary being strength training. So as of today happy to observe.
Cheers,
PS - I hope and pray that one day the guy staring from outside, gets his chance to exercise in gym too. The sparkle in the eyes of the observer is never to be missed. If you ever need to look for hope and inspiration, on how to lead a great contented life, you gotta look at these people, I'm sure you will get a plenty.
The best part of being in the gym lies in the fact that, sweat has no economic status of its own. Sweat is not measured by monetary terms. This should go into another post altogether :)- May be some other day.
I am trying to pitch in irony (not sure successfully), I am also trying to pitch in as to where do I stand between the two different ironies which I try to describe.
This incident relates to the gym where I go everyday to workout. The entrance of the gym is a wide vinyl door with a huge class where visibility is two sided. One can see outside and outsiders can see inside. Also all along the wall there are posters of good body builders lifting weights, flexing muscles.
You can stare at these pictures for minutes together looking for some inspiration. Thats what most of my friends do. I too do sometimes. These pictures are meant for inspiration.
But one day a stranger was staring not at the picture but at the people exercising, and not from inside but from outside. He was a small guy a construction worker or a laborer or some kind. He was amused by the people exercising within closed enclosure. He might be wondering, what he does as a day job for living, these people are doing it by paying money. Let aside his thoughts.
What I felt was, he was someone who wanted to exercise but could not afford. He might be thinking, "When will I too get to exercise". On the other hand my friends who exercise stare at the posters and think "when will I ever get such a muscular build up".
Irony is both of them are unsure of making it. The construction laborer in order to visit the gym regularly has to change his line of profession to earn more to afford a gym membership.
My friends who stare at the picture, have to exercise more and eat correctly for months and years to come which I'm certainly sure they can't. So its a tale of two never ending aspirations.
In the middle, I'm there, the silent observer, adding to the third irony of sorts. I can afford myself a gym membership, but I can't even think of getting a extra ordinary build up as in posters, because, my primary focus area is cardio and secondary being strength training. So as of today happy to observe.
Cheers,
PS - I hope and pray that one day the guy staring from outside, gets his chance to exercise in gym too. The sparkle in the eyes of the observer is never to be missed. If you ever need to look for hope and inspiration, on how to lead a great contented life, you gotta look at these people, I'm sure you will get a plenty.
The best part of being in the gym lies in the fact that, sweat has no economic status of its own. Sweat is not measured by monetary terms. This should go into another post altogether :)- May be some other day.
Nice incident during one of the Himalayan trek - TTTT 39
Its been some time to my last Himalayan trek, but I clearly remember what all occurred during that trek, most of which I have not written. Today I remembered one such incident, and I wish to write down before I forget it.
Btw, if I end up writing all the crazy interesting encounters during all my travel, I guess I will have atleast another 40 entries more saying TTTT.
This Himalayan trek which we did was about 9 days long and it was one of the toughest trek in Himachal. Our pass crossing was on the 7th day. We had to climb up to 16k feet on the 6th day and halt at the base camp at almost 16600 feet.
Start of the day itself, we realized weather would take a toll on us and as we started climbing on the edge of the mountain, it started to rain. We were almost at 13k feet altitude. One of my friend on this trek had told me, it never rains at that height it only snows :). He was dumb struck when it started to rain at 13k feet and it continued for almost 3 hours non stop. It was not heavy but it was continous.
Imagine climbing up with that 12+ kilo load on the edge of the mountain amidst this rain, one slip will send you tumbling downwards. There could be landslides as well. Amidst this there was a bear sighting out of nowhere, I had written about this in an earlier post. I just had crossed the path alone I couldnt spot the bear and the person coming behind me after 10 mins had a head on encounter with the bear, incidentally the bear ran away. All this adventure at 15000 feet where people say its hard to get oxygen to breathe.
I don't know what to say but crazy!!
But the main point of this post was not about the bear or altitude. All this rain had left us with wet trousers partially wet bag wet shoes socks. We did have spare. but carrying a soggy clothing would mean pass crossing would be a good 2 kilos heavier.
When we reached the base camp around 2 pm it was windy and rain had subsided. It was very chilling out there. Windspeed was picking up at 16000 feet. We decided to stay indoors in the tent and take rest while our guide was roaming outside screaming curses at the bear to come out in the open.
He was saying to the bear, "if you have drunk your mother's milk come out in the open and face me :)" . All this to the bear which can't understand Hindi/English and all this at 16000 feet. Is that really needed. There were landslides happening just opposite to us at a distance, we could see that, this person shouting like a mad guy could trigger an avalance too which would come rumbling down towards us :)
Luckily nothing like that happened. I was praying all this while for the Sun to appear (of course I was praying Sun god). The guide was constantly telling me, nothing of that sort will happen this weather will continue throughout the day he told.
I was optimistic, because I had to dry off my trousers, socks, shoes because tomorrow was pass crossing day. And guess what around 4 30 the sky cleared and sun appeared
The guide acknowledged and exclaimed, " Aap prarthana kar rahe the na, bhagwaan ke saamne, dekho sooraj aa gaya" (Means, - you were praying in front of the god and now you see the sun is out)
I felt so good, I could not believe my eyes, I could now dry few of my stuffs. What a day it had been. God answering our prayers was the icing on the cake. It felt like a miracle. Indeed it was.
So there goes one more tale from my trek or travel -
Cheers,
Sandeep
Some of the incident that happens even with strangers or friends stays with us for a lifetime. Aint that nostalgia after all ? Of course:)- I do not know what our guide or support staff for this trek are doing right now, but wherever they are I pray for their good health. They have given me enough memories to write about for a lifetime.
Btw, if I end up writing all the crazy interesting encounters during all my travel, I guess I will have atleast another 40 entries more saying TTTT.
This Himalayan trek which we did was about 9 days long and it was one of the toughest trek in Himachal. Our pass crossing was on the 7th day. We had to climb up to 16k feet on the 6th day and halt at the base camp at almost 16600 feet.
Start of the day itself, we realized weather would take a toll on us and as we started climbing on the edge of the mountain, it started to rain. We were almost at 13k feet altitude. One of my friend on this trek had told me, it never rains at that height it only snows :). He was dumb struck when it started to rain at 13k feet and it continued for almost 3 hours non stop. It was not heavy but it was continous.
Imagine climbing up with that 12+ kilo load on the edge of the mountain amidst this rain, one slip will send you tumbling downwards. There could be landslides as well. Amidst this there was a bear sighting out of nowhere, I had written about this in an earlier post. I just had crossed the path alone I couldnt spot the bear and the person coming behind me after 10 mins had a head on encounter with the bear, incidentally the bear ran away. All this adventure at 15000 feet where people say its hard to get oxygen to breathe.
I don't know what to say but crazy!!
But the main point of this post was not about the bear or altitude. All this rain had left us with wet trousers partially wet bag wet shoes socks. We did have spare. but carrying a soggy clothing would mean pass crossing would be a good 2 kilos heavier.
When we reached the base camp around 2 pm it was windy and rain had subsided. It was very chilling out there. Windspeed was picking up at 16000 feet. We decided to stay indoors in the tent and take rest while our guide was roaming outside screaming curses at the bear to come out in the open.
He was saying to the bear, "if you have drunk your mother's milk come out in the open and face me :)" . All this to the bear which can't understand Hindi/English and all this at 16000 feet. Is that really needed. There were landslides happening just opposite to us at a distance, we could see that, this person shouting like a mad guy could trigger an avalance too which would come rumbling down towards us :)
Luckily nothing like that happened. I was praying all this while for the Sun to appear (of course I was praying Sun god). The guide was constantly telling me, nothing of that sort will happen this weather will continue throughout the day he told.
I was optimistic, because I had to dry off my trousers, socks, shoes because tomorrow was pass crossing day. And guess what around 4 30 the sky cleared and sun appeared
The guide acknowledged and exclaimed, " Aap prarthana kar rahe the na, bhagwaan ke saamne, dekho sooraj aa gaya" (Means, - you were praying in front of the god and now you see the sun is out)
I felt so good, I could not believe my eyes, I could now dry few of my stuffs. What a day it had been. God answering our prayers was the icing on the cake. It felt like a miracle. Indeed it was.
So there goes one more tale from my trek or travel -
Cheers,
Sandeep
Some of the incident that happens even with strangers or friends stays with us for a lifetime. Aint that nostalgia after all ? Of course:)- I do not know what our guide or support staff for this trek are doing right now, but wherever they are I pray for their good health. They have given me enough memories to write about for a lifetime.
Random office memories - 2, Environment day at office
Not sure which year was it, but there was an environment day at office. Trying to do something for the environment from our office side. But there was some twist awaiting. This time there was a notice board in the pantry requesting suggestions from people on how to save and do less harm to the environment.
Loads of people were writing stuffs. All these people had noticed the leaking tap in the hand wash area. The tap had been leaking since almost a week and nobody did anything to fix it.
I was literally getting furious, because the water for the building was supplied by tankers and had to be pumped 10 floors using electricity and generators when no power, wasting this was getting on my nerves.
And these people celebrating World environment day amidst this water leakage blew my whistle off. I couldn't handle the situation and I went on and wrote on the board,
" PLEASE FIX THE LEAKING TAP BEFORE CELEBRATING ENVIRONMENT DAY".
I remember writing a line very similar to this though I do not remember precisely what I wrote. Beneath it, I wrote our team's name instead of my solo name, just to confuse people. But the HR manager knew who the black sheep was, in the entire team, and spoke to me personally that it will be taken care of.
It was more like an embarrassment on the face of the organizing committee because, I had brought in sarcasm into public. Then the facilities manager tried to get it repaired in few days time, but failed to do. This along with few other reasons spiraled up and few days later he was fired.
I feel sad for complaining because it did take a wrong turn, and somehow I feel I too was responsible for someone getting fired, which I still cannot affirm whether its true or not. But it lingers on.
So this was another irony - celebrating environment day amidst leaking taps! it happens in India!
Cheers,
Loads of people were writing stuffs. All these people had noticed the leaking tap in the hand wash area. The tap had been leaking since almost a week and nobody did anything to fix it.
I was literally getting furious, because the water for the building was supplied by tankers and had to be pumped 10 floors using electricity and generators when no power, wasting this was getting on my nerves.
And these people celebrating World environment day amidst this water leakage blew my whistle off. I couldn't handle the situation and I went on and wrote on the board,
" PLEASE FIX THE LEAKING TAP BEFORE CELEBRATING ENVIRONMENT DAY".
I remember writing a line very similar to this though I do not remember precisely what I wrote. Beneath it, I wrote our team's name instead of my solo name, just to confuse people. But the HR manager knew who the black sheep was, in the entire team, and spoke to me personally that it will be taken care of.
It was more like an embarrassment on the face of the organizing committee because, I had brought in sarcasm into public. Then the facilities manager tried to get it repaired in few days time, but failed to do. This along with few other reasons spiraled up and few days later he was fired.
I feel sad for complaining because it did take a wrong turn, and somehow I feel I too was responsible for someone getting fired, which I still cannot affirm whether its true or not. But it lingers on.
So this was another irony - celebrating environment day amidst leaking taps! it happens in India!
Cheers,
Random office memories - 1, Birthday or birthday carnaval
I had written about this person X who was one of my source of inspiration, because of which I turned to listening to retro Kannada songs. It happened so, during 2015 or 2016 not sure, we got to celebrate his birthday on a weekday.
Weekday meant, there was a chance for him to get sweets for colleagues in office. So the day began and everyone was wishing him on his birthday. Around 12-1pm he went outside and brought almost 1.5 kilogram of sweets costing close to 2 k if I'm not wrong. So everyone had their chance to eat birthday sweets.
The best part of this whole chapter is that he had brought a very very very good quality of sweet savory and everyone ended up picking up more than one piece. In-fact he was very much fine with it. He was going and calling everyone to come and have sweets. It was a very sweet gesture indeed. Soon around 4pm the 1.5 kilos of sweets which he had brought got over owing to the fact that everyone was eating 3 pieces by themselves.
So, now we had the support guys who were coming in around 5 pm and there was little left, hence he went and brought 0.5 kilo more just to give it to these guys. The day ended with everyone being well fed on birthday sweets. But one strange and beautiful incident happened towards the end which actually made me write this entire post.
As the day was coming to a close around 7 45PM and we were ready to head out, I was standing at Mr X's place and speaking with him, while one lady approached his seat and asked him if there are any more sweets left. He said none was available, but the lady said, she was feeling hungry hence wanted to check if he had any sweets left. I just felt wow, this magical effect, where people were looking for sweet to satisfy hunger by eating sweet savories, was it because of the sweet savory quality or the person X or both?
Cheers,
Weekday meant, there was a chance for him to get sweets for colleagues in office. So the day began and everyone was wishing him on his birthday. Around 12-1pm he went outside and brought almost 1.5 kilogram of sweets costing close to 2 k if I'm not wrong. So everyone had their chance to eat birthday sweets.
The best part of this whole chapter is that he had brought a very very very good quality of sweet savory and everyone ended up picking up more than one piece. In-fact he was very much fine with it. He was going and calling everyone to come and have sweets. It was a very sweet gesture indeed. Soon around 4pm the 1.5 kilos of sweets which he had brought got over owing to the fact that everyone was eating 3 pieces by themselves.
So, now we had the support guys who were coming in around 5 pm and there was little left, hence he went and brought 0.5 kilo more just to give it to these guys. The day ended with everyone being well fed on birthday sweets. But one strange and beautiful incident happened towards the end which actually made me write this entire post.
As the day was coming to a close around 7 45PM and we were ready to head out, I was standing at Mr X's place and speaking with him, while one lady approached his seat and asked him if there are any more sweets left. He said none was available, but the lady said, she was feeling hungry hence wanted to check if he had any sweets left. I just felt wow, this magical effect, where people were looking for sweet to satisfy hunger by eating sweet savories, was it because of the sweet savory quality or the person X or both?
Cheers,
Random office memories - Series,
All of a sudden, I get a thought to write about random office memories, I don't know why, I'm missing my previous workplace where in I spent close to 3+ years, its the longest I have spent in any organization I have worked till date.
I survived this time, because of friends, rather cab mates or is it the passion to trek which rather started during my tenure at this organization and still lingers on. Its during these three years I got to visit, Kashmir, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh (2 times) and Uttarakhand.
I got a lot to write about these trips, but equally important things happened at office too. I wish not to write about work (rather abstractly infact), but about random incidents, which I remember. Apart from the cab series, I can recollect loads of things, hence thought, why not write about them (while listening to Fleetwood Mac of course :) )
Cheers,
I survived this time, because of friends, rather cab mates or is it the passion to trek which rather started during my tenure at this organization and still lingers on. Its during these three years I got to visit, Kashmir, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh (2 times) and Uttarakhand.
I got a lot to write about these trips, but equally important things happened at office too. I wish not to write about work (rather abstractly infact), but about random incidents, which I remember. Apart from the cab series, I can recollect loads of things, hence thought, why not write about them (while listening to Fleetwood Mac of course :) )
Cheers,
Fleetwood Mac 3
Here is one such Fleetwood Mac concert, year being 1982, this one is older than me.
Here's what they were like when performing live at the peak! One plus hour of sheer bliss, listening to these folks!
Cheers,
Here's what they were like when performing live at the peak! One plus hour of sheer bliss, listening to these folks!
Cheers,
Fleetwood Mac 2
Sunday would be worthless, if I failed to share two other Fleetwood Mac songs, each one of them a beauty! yeah over 20-30 years old. Thats why I love 80's and retro!
Cheers,
Cheers,
Here is the live performance of the song Everywhere, this song is from the year 1997. Can you imagine, Christine McVie singing the song is 50+ years old in 1997. The song, whilst performing live looks better than the studio version. Take a bow Fleetwod Mac, what a song!
Cheers,
Fleetwood Mac!
This is called a live performance, and not the crappy lip synch-ing ones'.
I would rather prefer to listen and go to this kind of live performances, by paying money, instead of listening to free music oh sorry advertising on the radio!
This concert is 20 years old, the song is 40 years old and the year today is 2017, and the song shall move into the next century as well!
Fleetwood Mac a band that has lots of history!
Cheers,
Here is the 1977 version of the video, you can see the same artists, just 20 years younger!
This is the same song from another live performance in 2013, these people are now 65+ years old in 2013. How many 65 year olds' do you know who perform live to this extent and attact so much crowd, yeah Fleetwood Mac definitely rocks! This is what happens when you do things you love, age just turns to be a number only! The performance might not be the same as 20 years back, but yes, they are still out there, doing what they do best, PERFORM LIVE!
Two good songs
Two good songs which begin with a good piano note, remembered these two hence writing about them.
Well these are almost two decades old!
Cheers,
Well these are almost two decades old!
Cheers,
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