Suspended Timeout

Part 4 - Pangong Tso

2010-08-01T10:05:00.027+05:30

Pangong Tso (or Pangong Lake; Tso: Ladakhi for lake) is an endorheic lake in the Himalayas situated at a height of about 4,350 m (14,270 ft). It is 134 km (83 mi) long and extends from India to China. 60% of the length of the lake lies in China. The lake is 5 km (3.1 mi) wide at its broadest point. During winter the lake freezes completely, despite being saline water.

I have been to places far and beyond, I have traveled trails where nature draws a picture which is nirvana to the naked eye. I have not seen it all, but yes, I have seen Pangong changing its colours every minute in sunlight. A brakish lake at 4200+ meters above sea level. To confirm the fact that indeed there was a sea in-between the Indian peninsula and the Asian land mass.

We started very early for Pangong, it was 0700 HRS when we were ready to proceed, after a few small hiccups, we made it to the first check-point where our ILP (Inner line permits were checked). Michelle had been unwell throughout this trip with a bad stomach infection. She was feeling a bit better today and we pushed along.

We had to travel to the main route which involved the trip to Chang La (world's third highest morotable pass/road). We had heard that it had snowed heavy in Chang La the day before, however, our driver (Sonam) was confident that he could make it just like he did the day before. We were slowly climbing up and my Casio Pro-Trek was registering an 8% gradient with a steep incline - when Sonam just muttered.."Jam"

Immediately we approached two stationary SUVs, we just stood behind them and out man stepped out to check what was happening. We waited for a while, and then he came back, saying...."too much snow, not possible to move ahead without chains", then after a bit of a pause, "don't worry, I have chains". I asked the others to remain inside as I was feeling a bit better, I slowly stepped out, clicked a few pictures and quietly slid back in, and making sure I do not exhert. At this high an altitude, a bit of an exertion can be deadly.

The group of guys, honeymooners, casual tourists were already partying outside, some playing in the snow, others just loitering around. We decided to stay inside and relax. It had been more than 20 minutes and my head started aching a bit...I knew that the altitude was getting to me.

In the mean time, I stepped out again, guided Sonam while he fixed the chains onto he rear tires and once this was done, we were the first ones from the convoy to go up ahead of the rest. After overtaking around 10/12 cars, we stopped on the bottom of an incline...where a Qualis was busy trying to climb this incline but, in front of us slide 15 meters down when the driver slammed the breaks dead! it was skidding, and I had my camera on. It slide and hit the bank and became dead-still, just meters off the side of the mountain. It was scary for us as well! let alone the occupants of that car.

Once these guys stepped aside, we moved along and were the first to arrive at Chang La, the pass named after Changla Baba. It was cold! It was snowing and the clouds were moving in a out quickly. At a pass, the could move in and out quickly as this is some kind of a wind tunnel. The weather on one side of the pass is always different from the other side.

While there was fresh snow on one side, it was sunny and non windy the other side. We moved along and pushed along the winding road towards Tangste, which is 40 Kms from he lake. We passed many army camps and depots and came across a place where the road disappeared after every 50/10 meters - we knew that its the Pagal Nullah and we are extremely close. Pagal Nullah is 5 kms before the lake and is the main water source from the north end of lake. Every evening around 4 the nullah floods and till arounf 12 midnight to 2 AM there is water flowing constantly from this Nullah to the lake. However, during the day it is completely dry. There is a lot of wildlife here in this region - the Marmots, Kiangs (Wild Asses), Yaks, Wild Horses and also a variety of birds, however, I saving one tiny detail for the last :)

Our first sight of the lake made us all believe...that yes, we came here for this and EUREKA, this is just heaven. We have not seen anything so majestic in our lives and coming to this lake was simply amazing! There are no words to describe how we felt, experienced, and would cherish! It’s the place we can come and visit again and again. I won't type much, just enjoy the view....

Thats China on the far edge :)

Soltitude

Me and Mich

Neil and Evi

Migratory birds @ 4200 meters

Flight

After this was over, we just thought ... now the long journey back to Leh. We started, all of us feeling tired and drowsy. We wanted rest but could not sleep because of the high altitude. We were rushing back towards Chang La, the sun was beating

down and the snow was melting like crazy at the pass - there was literally rivers (streams) flowing down from all directions. We got delayed for a bit towards the pass and we made one too many rest stops. While descending from Chang La, all of us were tired and sleepy and just after a turn our driver yelled..."Oh Fox! Look" we all got up! and I shouted from the back seat..."it’s not a fox, it’s a Lynx!" all the others thought, "what is that?" it was the best wild-life sighting of the trip! The driver told us that he had not seen something like this ever! and he has been in Ladakh for over 15 years now. It was a rare sighting. Later in Leh we learned that Lynx sighting is not at all common and in this part of the world, the Eurasian Lynx exists. We were so glad that we did something which (we believe) only a few get to do!

This was the most successful day of the trip, beyond this...things did not act up well for us and we were slowly but surely stopped dead by the weather.

Part 3 - Leh arrival and visit to the various gompas

2010-07-30T23:09:00.023+05:30

We were in Leh for a minimum of 7 days, however, due to the switch from the Manali approach to the Srinagar approach - the plan was still subject to minor change. We decided to meet our travel help guy for permits later in the evening, once we reached Leh itself. I called him over to the GH.

At the GH, were were initially being given room on the 3rd floor! we spoke, and convinced that we got adjacent rooms on the first floor itself. We shifted our luggage and started to relax. Relaxation is a must for Leh as the high altitude, nothing was planned for today apart from a light stroll towards the market area.

The GH had a Delhi dog, named Ganj :) who was brought as a pup from Darya Ganj to Leh by some foreign tourists. Its great to know that the dog has braved the Leh winters for over 3 years now!

Towards the evening, our man Mr Dorje arrived (every second man in Leh is either a Dorje, Stanzin or Namgiyal..) I had already spoken to him from Delhi and had fixed a plan so we wanted to confirm this with him. However, there was a slight change...due to the weather conditions and also the periodic nubra valley road rules...we had to ditch our Pangong night stya plan and look at Nubra for a Wednesday ascend - when cars are allowed to ply from Leh towards Nubra. Thursday...they are only allowed to come back.

We fixed the plan, tomorrow will be a ride to Hemis and other Gompas in that area, it will be a lighter day and the following day will be a day trip to Pangong, which will have to start early.

The evening was spend around the Changspa area in Leh, loitering, having fun, leisurely walks and a light meal. We returned to the GH and played taboo a game which Evi was carrying and is an awesome game! we played it and had lots of fun :)

Next morning, we started with ease towards the Hemis monastery. Its situated close to the Manali-Leh road, and we have to take a bridge across the Indus from a town called Karu. Its not very far from Leh and is around an hour's drive from our current location. The drive in the scorpio was fun, we had our breakfast before the trip and headed towards Karu, took the bridge and reached Hemis.

Hemis is the richest monastery in this region, with artifacts and memorabilia from over hundred of years and also scriptures and gifts from various kings and travelers to this region. We also paid a visit to the Hemis museum, where apart from this memorabilia, even some ancient artifacts were displayed.

Prayer wheels at Hemis

The road out of Hemis was beautiful, we stopped a few times to enjoy the view and also to let Evi fly (atleast pretend to).

Stakna monastery is very close to Leh, it is located on the Leh-Manali road, on the banks of the Indus river and just after Shey palace. It was a wonderful photo op for us, as the clouds were descending and the weather was changing from sunny to cloudy in the matter of minutes.

On route to Shey/Thiksey

Somewhere mid-way

Next stop was Ladhak's most beautiful monastery - Thiksey. The climb up to Thiksey was tiring after a long hard day but it was definitely worth it! I got an amazing view of the entire Indus basin from the top of the monastery, from the highest point of this structure.

Subject of the day :)

Inside Thiksey, the door leading to the roof of the monastery

View from the top of the Indus basin

Some of the beautiful flowers at Thiksey

The day was hectic as we covered three different places in less than 4 hours and we decided to invest time in taking some rest as the next day we were planning to make a dash trip to Pangong. Our plans to stay in Pangong were foiled after we got to know about the unpredictable weather and the schedules for vehicles to ply from Leh to Khardung La.

Little did we know that the Pangong visit will be the highlight of our trip!

Part 2 - Srinagar to Kargil and then to Leh

2010-06-30T11:35:00.044+05:30

Beep beep the alarm sounded off early in the morning, we had already packed our stuff the night before - we checked out from the HB and were in the ferry shikara. Off we go to the ghat, where the cab is waiting for us. Our driver, Tariq was an ex-delhite and was showing us places all along. I took the shotgun seat of the scorpio to enjoy the views and traditionally I was better accustomed to motion-sickness. The rest were hogging the back/middle seat with Evi bang in the middle doing a balancing act all along to strengthen her calf muscles.

The drive from Dal lake to Ganderbal, over there the shops were closed, lots of security forces and some commotion. We passed the place and Mich was really unwell, so we stopped for some light eats. A xylo was already at that dhaba, the driver mentioned that he passed the place 20 odd minutes before us and was caught in some stone pelting and we are lucky we did not face any. Phew! close

Mich was so unwell that the local dhaba guys told us about a local doctor close by, and that she should consult him. We decided to go ahead and consult him, the doc was decent and qualified, gave her some meds and she had them.

The drive till Sonmarg was also uneventful, after looking at the valley's greatness for a while, were were greeted with a sudden amass of civilization and millions (read thousands) of khacchars (mules). I got out, clicked a couple of pictures and without wasting any time, proceeded towards Zoji la.

Traffic jam before Sonmarg

Sonmarg Glacier

It was nice a sunny, but as we approached the pass, the clouds started gathering and it started raining, the clouds over the pass were looking really bad, pitch dark and maybe it was raining over the pass.

There was no traffic, just that the pass was extremely steep. One moment we see a road on the valley, next we are climbing and we are just ascending with a massive gradient. Zozi la's ascent is simply like .. opps there is a big rock wall, lets climb it and see what is on the other side. While climbing up, the chill factor increased, the slopes were snow covered.

The branch route from Sonmarg to Baltal (towards the Amarnat caves)

We climbed and crossed the 'India gate' there was little presence of Amry/armed forces here - the entire base/helipad was snow covered. This was out 1st pass of the trip.

Zoji la, snowed out .. minutes after the hail storm started

There were massive wall of cut snow greeting us. The road was not a good condition but still much better than what it was going to be once the snow melts. The apex of the pass was fabricated with fly ash bricks to strengthen the road surface, but this was only for a few meters.

Post Zozi la, we were mesmerized by the amazing views of the valley, it was out of this word. there was a sudden change of vegetation. From lush green valley trees, there was arid vegetation on the other side of the pass.

It was around 1230 and we approached Drass, the second coldest inhabited place in the world. For snacks, we had the local kulcha (or roti) there along with tea. It was delicious! Farook Abdullah's motorcade overtook us here.

Next stop was the Drass war memorial, where the saga of the Indian Armed Forces was profiled for the Kargil operations. They have done a lot for us somethings which can not be described in words at all!

Tololing Peak

Tiger Hill

We spent a good half an hour or more here, wanted to spend more time here but we had to head out immediately to Kargil for our night stop over. We needed rest, food, and water. Phones were not working here at all (unless you had a BSNL).

The road had a lot of sign posts whcih read "Beware, you are being monitored by the enemy" people stop right next to these and get their pictures clicked, in 1999, a few seconds were enough for them to be shot. Vehicles were allowed in the night only and that also with no headlights at all.

Reached Kargil @ 1500 and took some rest, more police, the Abdullahs were visiting this place and we just relaxed at the hotel, had food and took some rest. Next morning, we started much earlier 0730 we were outside the hotel ready to roll out. I started speaking to the hotel guys, told them that I had heard that some Tata Nano driver was doing this route, they showed me a sticker! the Tata Nano expedition guys stayed at this very hotel! small world eh!

Quick shot of the Kargil town from the other side of the Suru river

After a tank up, we were heading towards the picturesque Namika la, via Mulbekh. The scenery was amazing yet again! the trees were different and so were the mountains. We were seeing some natural colours now. With no pollution everything looks so different.

Moon rocks after Kargil

It was raining in Mulbekh

Namik la approach

Its raining on this pass as well!

Beyond Namik la

At Fotu la, with the hail storm, snow flakes and rain ... all three at the same time!

Lamayuru village road and the landscape beyond Fotu la

Lamayuru village landscape

Clouds out..

Clouds in..

Just outside the Khaltsi village

Along the Indus, approaching Leh

Near Alchi bridge

Quick stop at the Indus Zangskar sangam at the Nimu village. I had been at this very location 11 years ago, the place seems to have changed a bit with a lot of tourists coming over now and lot of garbage around here. After this, we made a stop at the Gurudwara Patthar Sahib, which also next to the Magnetic Hill. We did not have a rubber ball to test the authenticity of the hill's magnetic pull :P

Basgo Gompa complex

Finally, we reached our destination. Our man did not know where the GH is, I knew its next to the Shanti Stupa area. 11 years on, will I still know where to go? I just saw a few markers, with pure instinct, we were there at the location! bingo! 11 years on I still remember the roads! the place :)

We just got in the GH and the helper said, no rooms available!

--TO be contd.--

Part 1 - Delhi to Srinagar, stay in Srinagar

2010-06-29T16:46:00.021+05:30

After we made the decision to travel to Srinagar, and not to Manali - we quickly made flight bookings from Delhi to Srinagar. Neil and Evi were to reach Delhi @ 0100 HRS on 12th, we were flying out on 0930 HRS. The plan was to make their travel and stay in Srinagar restful as they would be tired. We also wanted them to gradually ascend to counter any AMS fears.

They came in, after a long delay - the radio cab/any other cab was not available from the airport and had to wait a long time. Finally, they reached and we rested. We woke up early morning to head to the airport and grabbed a snack there itself. The flight was on schedule and not problems at all.

No one was there to pick us up there! a couple of calls and make-shift arrangements and we got our man. The Srinagar town was very much dead, there was a hartal and some stone throwing incidents had just taken place. We drove from the airport towards the Dal Lake, we were going to stay in a house-boat which I had arranged for through some contacts.

We reached and boarded the 'ferry' shikara

The view was nice, the sky was cloudy and greeted us to the paradise on earth with a slight chill - our jackets were already out as the temperature was 14 degrees (much below 42 in Delhi). We had ascended 1500 mtrs above sea-level.

The house boat was on the other side of the lake (inside) and the shikara ride took us from inside the dal lake's market area

We reached the HB and the carvings on the boat was exquisite!

We dumped our stuff and then headed out again, this time to the famous Mughal Darbar for lunch! the Gustavas, Rogan Josh, Naans and also the Kababs here were simply to die for! they were truly delicious :).

We made a stop at the Nishant Bagh and witnessed the natural spring at the Chashmashai

After this we headed back to the HB post this and were enjoying a view. Not to waste any time, we did go out for a shortish shikara ride where we were taken to the inner lanes, market, floating sheds and the vegetable gardens

Locals Fishing

Neil graced us with this rocking performance

Time for some photographic exploits - day shots of the Srinagar fort

Close up - Panasonic FZ15 Lecia
Night shot - Cannon 1000D Tamaron

My first night shot - the Srinagar Fort in the evening light

I managed to catch the Arg-Nig match while in the HB, it was fun to watch the match at such and exotic location :D

--

We were already tired, so all were trying to catch any sleep possible. Dinner was served at 2100 and we gouged on local delicacies. Mich was having an upset stomach post her McLoedgangj trip, she was not in a good condition because of this. She managed to hang in there braving the weather and her condition for a good 4 days of this trip

The plan for the next day was to catch and early breakfast and to start for Kargil via Zoji La at 0700. I checked on the bcmtouring and IM websites, Manali route was still out and Zoji La was scary with all the snow melting, what was in store for us? With Mich unwell, how will we be able to do this.

-- TO be Cont. --

Weather plays a spoil sport or not?

2010-06-24T19:58:00.002+05:30

In over 30 years Manali and Rohtang pass have not received any snow in the month of June, this was to change in 2010. With Rohtang recording 2 to 3 feet snowfall and Baralach la recording 6 to 10 feet of snow in just one to two days. With conflicting reports coming from various sources, we were not sure what to do. We know that in the first week of June all was fine and scores of travelers completed their trips from Manali to Leh with almost no problem at all. Will we do it?

The plan was on, we saw not change in the updates and Rohtang and Baralach La both were closed. We bit the bullet and on the 11th hour, made the decision to switch the plan. It was 11 June, afternoon, when I made a quick decision, confirmed with the rest of the participants and switched the plan - Manali out, Srinagar in.

Made a few quick calls, booked a cab, some place to stay and also on transit routes/stay options and within a few hours the plan was switched to appraoch Leh from the west now. the changed plan was:

Part 1 - Delhi to Srinagar, stay in Srinagar
Part 2 - Srinagar to Kargil and then proceed to Leh
Part 3 - Leh baby!!
Part 4 - Panoramic Pangong
Part 5 - Khardung la wait and despair
Part 6 - The journey back and more drama

Away we go!

yelL yeE yeaH

2010-06-24T18:41:00.002+05:30

In 1999, I traveled to Leh where my dad was posted for a while. Back then, it was a small town with little (read no) tourists at all. The 'season' was the time when the locals could earn their money and also when the population of the town increased with the onset of tourists from all across the globe. I was there for around 10 days, flew in and out and did not go too many places. I was mesmerized, awe-struck and just happy to be there! I saw it once and wanted to see it again, visit all the places possible.

In 2006, my friends Deepak and a few other planned for a Delhi-Manali-Leh-Srinagar trip, I could not join in because of some important work. I missed my opportunity to visit this beautiful location yet again. I was sad but also excited that a few more will witness this heaven on earth. Their trip was not only successful but simply amazing! all great photographers visited Leh and around and gave us some amazing shots! I still look at all those pictures ever again and look at the creative talent of all of them.

After waiting and wanting to go to this location years together, I finally decided last year that I am heading there, no matter what! Poof! it was not to be...to travel to Leh, you need a bigger group and that was not possible in 2009. We reached out to a million, trillion friends but it was not to be....untill now. 2010 it was!

The planning started as early as last year in September. I explored options, places to visits, mode of transport and also millions of blogs and notes from previous visitors. Not to mention I kept informing friends and family, hopeful that a few may be joining us. As early as Jan 2010, a few individuals showed their interest and I got started. Towards mid-March, the plan was finalized and yes...Neil and Evi were joining us for this 'epic' journey.

We were soo excited about this and well why not! It was 11 years in the making :)

Here is what we planned:

Neil and Evi will head to Delhi first, then we will head to Manali from Delhi. We will stay at the Johnson Hotel (famous for its wood oven trout)
We will then proceed towards the Rohtang pass and will travel to Jispa, which is a small town next to the Jispa river. This will be our night halt
Next day will be a cannon ball run from Jispa all the way to Leh via the Baralach la, Tanlang la passes and Upshi
We will wait a day for rest in Leh and then visit Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, night stay there (both the places) and will also visit the famous monasteries there
The return leg will feature a cannon ball run from Leh to Sonmarg, and after a night stay there, we will proceed to Srinagar immediately the next day
Srinagar to Delhi/Mumbai we will be taking the flights out from the Srinagar intl. airport

All was set, bookings made, flights ready and booked, hotels and guest houses waiting for us. The trip was set to start on 12 June (Saturday) and wnd on 22 June. The Manali - Leh road was thrown open for traffic in April itself!! never has this happened in a 30 years! but...three days before the trip began....disaster...

Spicy Jet

2010-05-19T09:39:00.002+05:30

My experiments in the kitchen are not always well received by all - especially Michelle. Just yesterday out of sheer curiosity I decided to cook myself a red sauce pasta. Never have I read about it or seen it being made but what the freak, here is Mr Wannabe Cook experimenting with spices and self invented recipes.

All went well except the spicy part and yes, the first bit made me fly (read run) to get some water to drowse the raging fire.

Lesson: Do not use too many spices else you will be flying out or bear the consequences the next morning :(

Planning again

2010-04-28T15:55:00.002+05:30

With a month and a week to go for out Leh trip, I have been busy trying to figure out where all to go apart from the usual places. We will be traveling to Pangong Tso and Nubra and I wanted to check in case we can accommodate Zanskar or Lower Ladhak as well?

Tso Moriri is also an option but getting permits before hand is always a tough ask. Lets see how the travel phases out.

I have been hooked on to Hanle palace and observatory photos, they are mesmerizing! The only place I want to be is there! but with 2 buffer days, lets see where the wandering soul travels to.

I wanted to post the trip schedule, but have not done so as the trip is yet to be finalized.

Repeat from August 2006

2010-04-21T14:08:00.002+05:30

Yeah today it does... "office sucks" :(

I want to go back home and sleep (or drink beer)

From August 2006: http://gamesetcatch.blogspot.com/2006/08/office-sucks.html

If you are educated...behave it :)

2010-04-18T20:15:00.002+05:30

Kudos to Karan to actually take this initiative and making us believe that indeed we are not apes, but educated and responsible Delhites.

You are waiting for the lights to turn green and the bloke behind you is honking as if Mission Impossible 4 stars him and the world would end in a big gigantic nuclear blast if he does not go through
You are traveling on a one-way road and some one is coming from the opposite side? Well he is from the road and transport department and he is doing a traffic check at the wrong time
You are waiting in the long queue and some one just charges in to the counter? sure, he is the minister's uncles's aunty's son's friend's neighbour
You are inside the ATM withdrawing money and while you are doing this, someone walks in. Ofcourse the AC was not working @ his place and he wanted to peek over your shoulder to steal your precious guarded ATM pin
You are at a popular 'self service' restaurant and the group of college goers sitting right next to you who were speaking to each other so softly as if they were on the opposite sides of a football field - they leave after eating and as if they are sitting at home, leave all the wrappers, trays and almost everything they ordered for the floor attendant to clean

Well a small list of what you get to experience in NCR, very evidently this is something which we have selectively chosen to ignore as well. We do not stand up to anything, maybe its the fear of lets say being a victim of rage, fury or maybe a country made revolver's mistimed trigger?

A friend of mine started an initiative, where like minded people get together and try to just act in a very responsible manner, telling all - "If you are educated...behave it!" Its a great initiative! I support it and would urge you to sign up as well! Well, its not just to sign up, but to practice it. I know one might think - why should I? or how will I make a difference? How does it matter if I do it...no one else will do it? but the point should up upright and clear - you can make the difference and you should try it!

Here is the FB link to the group: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=114269771931594&ref=ts

Join to group - support it and also follow it. Mind it, I do not want to be the one telling you "behave it" :)

Social responsibility is a myth

2010-04-15T09:59:00.002+05:30

First of all let me ask you something - what do think of, when someone asks you to define 'social responsibility'. Is it being actually socially responsible or acting that you are socially responsible to all who are in front of you? believe me, 99% are pseudos and fakers.

You hear people honking behind you for no reason, speed up way past the speeding limit, throw things from the top floor of your building into your ground floor area, spit on the road, throw items in the river, pee in front of every available space, and the list goes on and on - is this social responsibility? and most of them turn up for a clean Yamuna drive or fight for youth equality? or a protest against the judicial system..oxymoron

What prompted me to write this today? 8:45 AM, driving from Delhi to Noida via the DND toll. Just after the Yamuna bridge there are barricades, to prevent speeding so the traffic suddenly slows down and in certain 'Michael Schumacher - wannabe' cases, the car bumpers exchange paints. I was approaching this area and suddenly i see a rush of cars much ahead of me stopping frantically. I thought...damn another accident..maybe they don't block the road enough and we can pass through.

I admit, i did not think of who is hurt, who is not, I just thought - I am getting late for office. Looking back I feel bad about not thinking about anything else but being so self absorbed.

In a fraction of a second, I was shocked to see what was happening up front - I was towards the left and had a good view. A bike had crashed, an infant was lying on the road and not moving (luckily no cars were in that lane). The mother was lying face down on the ground a few meters ahead and not moving, only the father was frantically picking himself up and running towards the both of them. A motorist stopped - picked up the kid immediately and took him in his arms. I was GLAD to see the kid crying! I will refrain to mention the exact details of the injuries here, but they were a lot for a small kid.

I instinctively just stopped the car around 10 meters away from the accident scene - lot of people were stopping and just looking at the entire chaos - 'yaar kya ho gaya', 'koi maar ke gaya hoga', 'yeh sale bike wale aise hi chalaten hain', 'side hato late ho raha hun' all wierd comments were being passed and I quietly approached the accident site. I just signaled to biker and told him 'get them to my car - I will drive to a hospital' he thanked me like crazy and I said 'fuck it - just get them in asap!' people stopped - still looking and rushing past a few of them - social responsibility is non-existent for some corporate jungle dwellers.

I did not have to go a long distance as the guards on the wireless told me that drive to toll both and an ambulance is waiting there already. I drove and reached there and just got the family in the ambulance and then moved on to my office as nothing had happened.

I did not think of writing this until after that incident, while driving alone from the toll booth to office I thought of a few things - the kid crying the lady in agony the father literally holding his kid close to his heart and holding his wife's hand - telling her 'do not close your eyes - keep speaking to me' I was thinking - it can be anyone of us and will you stop and help out ever?

Its easy to say yes - but a lot more difficult to actually do it. Please help others in need and make sure you know your social responsibility. Its the only thing which separates you from the crowd.

amen

BeEp

2010-04-12T20:03:00.002+05:30

Its beeping again! what the beep? how the beep? where the beep? seriously beep? you got to be kidding me beep...

Yesh this is the 'beep' times. Where the beep is more than the 'standard' way of expressing. Once again - that is seriously beep.

I read this today - Rani Mukherjee playing Jessica Lal in a movie (this deserves a beep). I am unwell today (beep). Enough of this nonsensical jargon (poof)

Got you, it wasn't a beep but a poof!

Signing off (one point to me and zero to you)

Leh anyone?

2010-02-01T12:54:00.003+05:30

I started last week, the plan to go to Leh all over again. This time I want to, no compromises, not for the faint hearted trip.

Plan is to go towards the mid-end of June this year, for a total of 12 days. A combination of road, train and plane trip.

Do you want to tag along? ps: not for the faint hearted, once you commit..you would not regret it :) Let me know, I will pass the plan along.

Pic courtesy - Leh from Khardungla, Deeps (Deepak Kumar - http://photocurry.blogspot.com/)

Getting a big kick out of small things

2010-02-01T12:37:00.003+05:30

When was the last time you did something different? something you usually do not do...? when? I tried a couple of things last week and here is list of a few of them:

- Had beer and played baddy (not together ofcourse but after a small interval)
- Rode a DTC from Nehru Place to Vasant Vihar, standing just behind the driver's seat! wohoo
- Rode a bike to NOIDA impromptu, felt like God (no I don't own an Avenger)
- Read blogs, of atleast 15 friends from the past, felt good to re-connect
- Cooked food for myself (wifey is out for a full week, I have to self-sustain)
- Jumped, jogged, footballed (as if that was a word), baddied (another new vocab addition), drunked (oops drank), drove, TV, Laptop, Chai shai :) all
- Tried to call a million old friends, with whom I have not spoken for over a long time

loosing focus AM, its all about getting a kick!

- Played farmville (damn you Kulu, you got me hooked on this)
- Finally, the best thing I did was that i came home on time after office for an entire week and felt good

Small things and small events, which make you feel complete. You look forward to coming home and meeting that someone special and that makes your day. Its all about living your life the way you want it, when ever you can manage it.

Nature's Great Events - The Great Salmon Run (crtsy: Berto @ http://berto-meister.blogspot.com/)

2009-12-07T00:33:00.002+05:30

I found this interesting snippet of one of my favorite NatGeo documentaries I saw when I was a kid, its about the Salmon Run which it a treat for the eyes and also for the North American Grizzly bear population. Read on... Berto picked this up.

The Pacific Ocean Salmon have it rough... when they reach adulthood, they embark on a journey thousands of miles long to the very same place in which they were spawned a few years earlier. It's still something of a great mystery how they manage to orient themselves so effectively, but this instinct drives them so powerfully that they will undergo great risks to complete their life cycle. My guess is that, compared to salmon, even Sysiphus had it easy...

The problem for the salmon, apart from the tremendous personal investment and the sheer difficulty of the suicidal one-way mission, is that plenty of other animals (whales, sharks, eagles, bears, foxes, sea lions, etc.) have come to learn of their great migration and systematically place themselves in strategic position for the hunt. What ultimately ensues for these poor fish is a massacre of gigantic proportions, as their last few seconds alive are spent being torn to shreds by hungry bears and other predators.

But that's just some of the amazing footage you'll be able to watch in this fascinating and very educational documentary narrated by David Attenborough. Watch out for some amazing footage of eagles hunting salmon... it's simply incredible.

Smoked Salmon for breakfast? or Sushi (Berto definitely voted for Sushi :) )

Little Misha - Day 4 - The last day...

2007-05-09T15:34:00.000+05:30

Its Christmas!

Misha was feeling at home and both me and dad were busy taking care of her. The day was normal on the go with the same feeding, helping ... etc. etc.

Misha had her first journey in the car...with me and Michelle to the vet...we chose to go to Frendicoes in Defence Colony. It is a nice place for stray and abandoned pets and also for some house pets.

We reached and met up with a vet. He saw her and examined her, gave her the necessary deworming dosage. Also, she was given an injection. She went groggy after that. Had to entice her to eat anything at all but she was very edgy.

I saw a million pets....all abandoned....small pups...with moms...without moms....cats...kittens....abandoned... marooned...all there. I was asked by the vets to adopt Misha, but i could not do that. I asked the guys there to search for a suitable home for her.

Mornings passed...afternoon passed and Misha was playing with me. Michelle had just met her some time back ... she kept saying.. 'please keep her' all the time...but i could not.

Misha woke up in the evening and ate a LOT of stuff.....probably the medicine made her hungry.

I got a call from frendicoes guys that some one has willingly agreed to adopt Misha....i rushed to the place to personally check the potential owner and see to it whether or not the owner was FIT enough to take Misha away from us.

After careful scrutiny, we gave Misha away and bid her a tearful adieu. All we have now are her memories and her pictures. I have seen her videos a million times and will keep watching them over and over again. She came into our lives and touched us all. When ever i speak to her present owner...she says to me...."Akash, you must have really liked her...thats why you still ask about her! why did you give her away?" and i wonder...why?

Little Misha - Day 3

2007-05-09T15:24:00.000+05:30

Sunday was the day....Mich had already agreed to come over and meet Misha....I was excited cause Misha had her first hard meal and was really enjoying the sun. She was truly at home now.

One very interesting this which happened was that Misha's mother...yes the street dog somehow got to know where she is now. She repeatedly visited the main gate just to meet up with her daughter, but did not do anything beyond that. I saw her mother once at the main door and rushed down to kind of re-unite them. But not one seemed to like each other and it was back to status quo.
Umm seemed like after all these days....3 infact we were ready to take Misha aboard...but it was quite a pain. Mom not being around and also parents busy...to add to that my wayward working hours . The situation was quite debatable and also open for discussion.

No matter what the day progressed....

Mich came...met up with Misha and left in the evening. Mom left in the evening....to return after a week. Dad was busy shielding Misha from the cold all throughout. She was a perfect partner for dad!

In the night .. i planned that I will take Misha for a check up the following day. Mich agreed to accompany me....it was a good decision.

I wanted Misha to get accustomed to the winter...it was her first...but she refused to get outside...and rushed inside sighting any opportunity!! it was a hilarious sight.. I pused her outside and rushed inside...to close the door...she was inside before me...running under the garden chairs and through the plants... i just could not beat her!

We slept....again Misha in the room inside with us...and as usual...waiting to play when ever any one set their foot on the ground from the bed...no matter what time of the day/night it was!!

Little Misha - Day 2

2007-05-09T12:55:00.000+05:30

Good morning happened with weary eyes and a constant urge to see where the pup is....

Woke up and straight to the place where he is? Again....he was missing...damn!! search party right in the morning... almost in the nick of time .. under a stationary car he was sitting....caught hold and brought it home.

Breakfast time!! this time...some healthy food...left over of some chicken and fresh veggies! yummm loved it and the entire lot finished in a go! the pup was quite hungry!!

Called up Michelle and told he about this, she was soo excited that she wanted to play.... back to the chappals and the door mats!!

BTW if you noticed....i mentioned he and she a number of times...cause I was myself confused whether the pup was a he or a she....strange... some random guy told us that the pup was a she...

Michelle suggested the name Misha....but I had a better option...calling the pup PhussadiLal all the time…. Then after hearing my suggestion she rebuffed it completely and mentioned to me that Misha was the name of the first dog in their family and after 9 odd names…it was time to re-track and follow the same name cycle. I agreed and named her Misha.

Michelle was eager to meet up and see Misha but she was working, so was I. Mom was leaving for outstation soon.

Mom left…both me and dad took care of the little baby. With dad doing the unthinkable…shielding Misha from the cold, feeding her and also helping me out any where possible.

That night, Misha slept inside the house with all of us! It was a gala affair!

I returned home @ 2 AM after a long hard day of work and there was Misha….awake….ready to pounce on me in the dark and play with my shoes….as if nothing bothered her and she was ready to play….i felt so good to see her when I came back home. I was tiered but not any more… I was ready to play with her J

Little Misha - Day 1

2007-05-09T12:13:00.000+05:30

This has been pending since Christmas last year....sorry...extremely sorry Misha darling!

On Friday 22nd December it was the last day of the week, very hectic week and I was tiered. I left office around 8 odd and 40 minutes after that I was about to enter my place. I was returning from office I reached the turn close to my house and found something very strange. I saw a small pup in the middle of the road waling! I just had a quick glance and found that the pup looked like a rotwillier. I was seeing such a small pup on the road wailing and I stopped my car. I tried to search for its mother and found no street dog in the vicinity. I guessed the pup was a rhodesian breed.

The pup was a cute little thing and I had no option to take it home. I showed it to mom and dad and they were amazed to see such a small pup! it was barely more than a month old but was very chubby.

I cut out a cardboard box and set up some sheets for the pup to sleep. Also some boxes sum small shallow cups with mashed up marie biscuits and warm milk in the cold weather. Clicked a few pictures and brought it in. On first look seemed like a male .... its a 'boy' me and mom shouted!! and hugged each other! something very similar to the Bajaj Pulsar ad! hehe

It was time to sleep and the pup was in no mood to sleep...chewing my chappals and the door mat was the specialty! dad has been EXTREMLY uncomfortable with dogs but this time around he was the most caring father! he cared for what I cared and was willing to help me out with all the things ..... he helped me out like a true supporter!

I left the pup out just before it was time to sleep and dozed off....middle of the night....the pup started wailing...probably that was the time for it to reach out to its mother...after every 30 minutes...through out the night i was checking...where the pup was. @ around 3 AM..... it vanished :(

I searched frantically through out the house...inside .. outside....everywhere.. couldn’t find it! then i heard a small wailing sound and found her somewhere in the corner...almost 100 meters away from my place! I quickly brought her in.

The entire night... its was a dilly dally affair...no sleep...taking care of the pup....father hood had come to me quite early!

Where have I been toooooo?

2007-05-09T12:06:00.000+05:30

I have been to places....many a mile....

From one office seat to another......from one website to another......sitting on a seat I have travelled places. From the vastness of the Indian stretches to the corners of the globe. I have even travelled to the surface of Saturn and am right now sitting on the Voyager craft travelling out of the solar system.

The internet is crazy, when I get the time I explore. I explore the vastness of the information Highway. Its abundant...its untapped its crazy. I have actively been involved in stumbling throught out...and I just love it. I have seen a million websites and have been influenced by the most extraordinary ones. Life is good I believe.

Off late I came across an excellent blog by Roberto Ruiz - His blog is a must watch! i say watch cause he has the best collection of the most amazing videos! here is the link - http://berto-meister.blogspot.com/

I have been amazed by the websites I visit...my company may just see the traffic on my system ... when I am idle atleast is a little too much :D

I love to explore and thats what I will do for the rest of my life!

Must read for all the Schumi Fans...

2006-12-13T14:44:00.000+05:30

This is one of the best blogs written by one of the best and the biggest Shcmui fan ever...

http://shumyubherallez.blogspot.com/

Simply amazing!

Hypocracy

2006-12-13T13:09:00.000+05:30

This is a series of conversation(s) I had @ 11:00 PM on my birthday (8th Dec 2006 - Friday night)

The phone rings... I pick it up, its a number from outside India

Caller 1: Hello
me: Hi!
Caller 1: Hi Akash this is *** (my employer)
me: Hi! how are things
Caller 1: All fine, just wanted to talk to you as it has been quite a few days that I have interacted with you at all. (I thought this is some special call which is to wish me on my birthday, I was thinking...wow so thoughtful...these are the things which make one stick with a particular company and how much pleasure it gives that the employer wishes you personally on your birthday!)
me: Things are fine going great guns, the projects are pickingup and we are spending day in nights out to get things completed. Luckily after all the hard work now we are getting some respite as the big deliverables are through and we are coming back and resting on time.
Caller 1: Yes, we have more n more new things coming up so it will be good.
me: Yes, the confrence was good and more business is always welcome! it is good this way!
(some more chit chat in this regard before this happens)
Caller 1: Ok, i had some work regarding the website, I believe you do it so can you talk?
me: Please go ahead
Caller 1: There is something some one is having a problem in so if you could just talk and explain how things are done (then the general chit chat regarding the problem)
me: Sure ask the person to call me up right now as I am a little busy here with my Family as they all are celebrating my birthday (after almost 10 minutes of chit chat, I had to give in and tell this as I wanted the person on the other end to really know what situation I am in)
Caller 1: Sure, so that person will call you in some time.
(what the !@#@!# are you a cold inconsolable person who only deal in work and no other thing? its called common sense and truthfully said common sense is not common)
me: Okay
Caller 1: Bye
me: Bye

I disconnect the phone and then was wondering...kahan phas gaya...that also with my family around and at this time on my birthday. Then I thought...just a bloody phone call nothing else. Cell phone was almost dying...so the later the call comes, I could be unreachable then. So the person had to call earlier.

After 15 minutes the phone rings...

Caller 2: Hi! Akash?
me: Yes, MR. ***?
Caller 2: Yes, *** gave me your reference.
me: Yes, I was told you want to talk to me about some problem you are encountering
Caller 2: Yes, some problem ..... (Then he explains to me the general problem, I tell him that I am not in office and you can go ahead and try the SSH Port and some technical shit to resolve this.)
Caller 2: But, i was told that this will be done by you.
me: (confused) I am not in front of a computer and I will be getting back only by Monday
Caller 2: You have to do it within an hour!
me: (what the fuck, you can not give me any command you piece of shit, you don't employ me you diseased porcupine) I can try but all I can do is ask some one else. But still it would be better if you do it as I have mentioned.
Caller 2: You have to do it!
me: (get a life you bugger) I will try my best.

The phone hangs up after the generic bye bye, but I think again...kahan phas gaya.

Then I call up office and get everything sorted out. Till around 5:30 AM in the morning I get calls from the office for clarifications and the procedure to 'resolve this'

I think to myself....
Caller 1 should have been considerate (was expecting much)
Caller 2 will get a moutful next time around

Finally, I manage to get everything sorted out even by being overly occupied with the work and other engagements with my family. Lesson learnt - workonly when you in office, then switch off you phone!

Pushkin our friend

2006-12-13T12:51:00.000+05:30

I got a call from a friend of mine on saturday 9th that in the morning early that day a close friend of ours had met with a very serious accident while travelling from his Gurgaon residence to his Gurgaon office.

Pushkin (Prabuddha) was travelling with a proper helmet and riding on his Avenger to his office and as soon as he made a turn on the DLF golf course road to head towards Phase 1 a car travelling at high speed on the wrong lane hit him head on and threw himin the air. The car was being driven by some lady who was in complete shock after the accident. Maybe she wasn't coming to terms as to what had happened.

Pushkin was immediately taken to the hospital there and then and admitted. The docs confirmed that he had a few broken bones (femur was broken as well) and quite a few internal head injuries. I was unaware of these as I was told about this by another friend of mine (Sayanta) who is also Pushkin's room-mate. A few people took up his case and extensively rallied around the world to get comments and help from the world's best neurosurgeons but then all could not help much as the injuries were quite horrifying.

After a week of coma Pushkin finally gave up this fight and left us all on 2:30 AM this saturday. He was just 23. His father has undergone a heart bypass surgery early last week and his mother and fater could not make it to his funeral as well due to their illness. He has a elder brother as well.

Pushkin's girlfriend was seriously not upto terms with what had happened and was in a bad shape. It was a very helpless sight for me and I was very angry as I saw his family and friends brave this situation and his loss.

Pushkin my friend I have met you only thrice but I will always miss you. Every time I spoke to Dutta, I used to ask about you and Tarun from him. You are a good human being and will always remain in our memories! God bless you and your friends and family.

Pushkin's Orkut Profile - http://www.orkut.com/Profile.aspx?uid=17979171950107061057
Pushkin's community - http://www.orkut.com/Community.aspx?cmm=24825291

Make sure you ride with proper gear my friend! I will come and meet you there when its my time and then we will sit for hours and talks about bikes and babes!! :) miss you!

Itenary et all.

2006-12-13T12:45:00.000+05:30

Whoola! i m bac!

It started with a plain odd masti plan but how it turned out was a little different...it was big masti and i totally enjoyed it.

7th Dec 2006 my team gave me a surprise and the cake was smeared all over my face. Thanks for the glow guys the junta seems to have loved every sparkle there. After the customary ho and the hAs we wrapped up our work, late but still managed to by 9 odd and proceeded to a 'hepp' joint called Spinz...cheap but good and also it served some mouthwatering food! was a good outing and ended @ 1 odd.

Next day the biksbroke in the morning :( pretty sad cause till date I am wiating for it to be repaired. The parts are still not avaialable. They have to be shipped from Pune and they are going to be shipped tomorrow I guess. I m devestated! I miss my babe! wot a birthday gift!!! grrrrr.

The evening was spend with family and we had a good time celebrating it. It was a good and quiet outing and I got gifts which I am going to cherish for the rest of my life!

Breaking Benjamin - the melody makers

2006-12-06T21:56:00.000+05:30

Formed in 1998 by vocalist Benjamin Burnley and drummer Jeremy Hummel, Breaking Benjamin quickly garnered a strong local following. In 1999, the band briefly renamed themselves "Plan 9." In late 2000, after various line-up changes, the band changed its name back to "Breaking Benjamin" and two friends of Burnley, Aaron Fink and Mark Klepaski, left their previous band, Lifer, and joined the ranks of Breaking Benjamin as guitarist and bassist, respectively. Lifer was a band that gained brief mainstream attention because of their part in an MTV cover band contest that resulted in a record deal with Universal Records.

The band signed to Hollywood Records in 2001 after the success of an independently-released, self-titled EP, which sold all 2,000 copies that were manufactured. Hollywood Records released their full-length, major-label debut, Saturate, on August 27, 2002. The album's first single, "Polyamorous", received a fair amount of radio play, although it failed to reach mainstream audiences. A video was released in two different versions for Polyamorous: one that had all live-action footage, and one that had footage of the video game Run Like Hell; both videos can be seen on YouTube. The following single "Skin" was also released from Saturate, although it fared worse than "Polyamorous" and received even less airplay."Skin" was also performed live on the jimmy kimmell show.

Breaking Benjamin released their sophomore album, We Are Not Alone, on June 29, 2004. The album featured the leadoff single "So Cold", which reached as high as number two on the United States Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. The band had two music videos made for the song, one of which was a promotional video made for the movie Hellboy. The commercial success of "So Cold" led to We Are Not Alone achieving platinum status in late 2005. Also released as singles from the album were "Sooner or Later" and a re- recorded version of "Rain", which was featured on later pressings of the album. While the former again got the band as high as number two on the Mainstream Rock chart and featured a music video, the latter garnered little radio play and had no video created for it. Later in 2004, the band released the So Cold EP. The EP contained live recordings of We Are Not Alone's "So Cold" (an acoustic recording), "Breakdown", and "Away", as well as studio recordings of "Blow Me Away", a song that was featured in the videogame Halo 2 and "Lady Bug", an early fan favorite of the band's.

In September of 2004, drummer, and founding member of Breaking Benjamin, Jeremy Hummel September 28, 2005, Hummel filed a federal lawsuit against the remaining members of Breaking Benjamin, as well as its management, claiming he was not paid for songs he helped write. Hummel's lawsuit asks for more than $8 million in damages. A message was released October 25, 2006 on the bands official website stating that the band and Hummel had come to agreement on the lawsuit. was relieved of his duties in the band. Subsequently, on

The band released their third album, Phobia, on August 8, 2006; the album debuted at number two on the Billboard album charts. The first single, "The Diary of Jane" was released online on May 22, 2006 and later was released on the radio June 6, 2006. The music video for "The Diary Of Jane" premiered on Yahoo! Music on June 21st, 2006. The song has reached as high as number two on the Mainstream Rock chart. Frontman Ben Burnley indicated on RockLine that Phobia was written so that all the songs could stand as singles, each having an equal opportunity to be next. It has recently been announced on the band's Myspace page and during their live performance that "Breath" will be the next single.

In the fall of 2006 the band began a tour opening for Godsmack along with HourCast for the IV tour, hitting up mostly eastern and Ohio Valley venues, and soon moving out west, still in support of the Phobia album. Several of the shows had been cancelled, or turned into Breaking Benjamin headliner's due to scheduling conflicts. Many of Breaking Benjamin's tour dates from December 3rd have been rescheduled due to illness in the band's ranks.

(((Copied from Wikipedia)))

Buseeeee

2006-12-06T21:53:00.000+05:30

Yes yes...apologies for being busy soo much that I dont know that I have missed an entire month! Aila....not possible.

Anyways...lots have happened...project wise ofcourse and also otherwise!

BTW... does any one know why is everything so quite?

Comments please

2006-10-24T21:46:00.000+05:30

While travelling....vroooooooooooooooooooommmmmmm .. thud

and I said ... Ok! ... atleast I did it

2006-10-24T21:42:00.000+05:30

I was wondering when was the last time I actually said 'no' to anything? when was I so bold or blunt or...outright rude, in a way yes?

Ummm just today :D

I feel good that I have again learned the art of saying 'No'

Practice it people.... its good and for the best.

Melodies

2006-10-14T11:58:00.000+05:30

I am great fan of soundtracks and yes a few of them are a must listen to soundtracks!

Here is the list -

Flashdance
Ladder 49
Tarzan
Rocky
Matrix
Sindbad
Alladin
Cindrella Man
While you were sleeping
Speed - yes the thriller Speed! Keanu Reeves walla
Mrs. Doubtfire
There is Something about Mary
Van Wilder....yes this silly movie as well...one of my favourite movies
Kate and Leopold!!! yes Sting has some amazing tracks her

Special mention listen to this: Ladder 49 Soundtrack - Robbie Robertson - Shine Your Light

Enjoy the melodies!

I still don;t know how to edit the look and feel of my blog :(

2006-10-12T21:52:00.000+05:30

I still don't know this!

Some body care for a step by step detailed tutorial?

Like Richa put up Jr. Bacchan...I want to put up the Ferrari logo...or MSC...or a F2006...please...

I am sad about Schumi, I have to write something about him as well!

Lathargic a$$holes

2006-10-12T20:50:00.000+05:30

Again...a strong word to start with. I hate lathargic dudes and dudettes. Whats up with the go help your self folks? is the concept of DIY all in drains? its now the new mantra...SDIFY Somebody Do It For You! bloody h3ll

Creativity, Proactiveness, Relaibility all have gone down and are in the bin.

I am tierd of motivating those who don't wish to be motivated BUT I will never loose hope and I will sound the horn and make the deaf also hear.

Give up? naah i don't know that phrase

My beauty queen....

2006-10-12T20:34:00.000+05:30

On Tuesday 10th Oct @ 6:00 PM I got a call from my sister telling me that my Nani expired...I was shocked to hear this as I saw her ans spoke to her just a few days back. It was a very sad feeling and I was filled with emotions that I can not explain about.

It was almost 3 months back when Nani moved from my Masi's place to our place after she had spent time with her other daughters. We all were very excited that she will be coming and staying put with us. She has always been fun to talk to and also used to make faces if we cracked jokes around her. She used to get up and say 'chal hat' to us when every we used to act funny with her.

Nani stayed with us for almost 2 months and every evening....I used to set up the TV for her to watch and enjoy the daily soaps! she used to live on them, literally. In the morning she used to watch the yoga wala hero, in the afternoon the soaps ka re-telecast and finally in the night....you could not touch the TV at all! the soaps were her favourite! It was a case of us going hard of hearing cause of the loud TV but we felt good that she is there enjoyin her days....

She moved out just 2 weeks back when my dad got operated and he needed attention as well. Yes, she was old and unwell and it was a big effort for her to move around but she was the beauty queen...and when ever she used to tip toe from one room to another...I used to call it the catwalk. She was a darling and a kid at heart! she loved us more than anyone...and I still remember the times when years back my sister used to write to her letters regularly. Nani loved didi a lot.

She was suffering and the pain was unbearable, she slept in the afternoon and then never got up. I wanted to meet her one last time but then when I sat besides her hours together she did not get up and say 'chal hat' or wink at me as she always did :(

Our last meeting was very short, i dropped off a few of her medicines and also took some stuff from her to be given to others but I was travelling to office so it was a very short meeting. She told me then to stay a little longer...but I did not cuase of the office and meeting etc. Now I feel .... why I did not stay back then....atleast I would have got a few extra moements....some precious moments I could cherish the rest of my life atleast.

I was overwhelmed with emotions when I picked her up and when me and my brothers carried her from the house to the cremation ground. It was a feeling I dont want any one to go thru ever.... I wanted to bye to her but I could not.

All I hope is that she lives in our heart for ever and now that she is meeting her husband after a long gap, they spend some time with each other and in peace :) God bless her!

Nani I will always love you...

Fucking Hackers....

2006-10-12T20:30:00.000+05:30

Sorry for the estreme words but this is really the limit. I feel bad sad and extremely angry about what has happened to DK. This is unacceptable and totaly unjust.

We have to get up and do something about this, not the bugging 'block this profile' useless campaign but something better, easier and stronger!

I suggest that DK creates a seperate community and we make it bigger better and mush more secure than this one. We can create pseudo profiles and use it! but .... we all can mange it? what do you say? damn...i m soo angry that i dont mid bangining my helmet on that bloody guy's face :(

Any suggestions?

Delhi – Kathgodam – Almora - Kausani – Ranikhet – Delhi (Part 2)

2006-10-04T12:16:00.000+05:30

Things that were missed in Part 1:

The trip put of Kathgodam started early in the morning so we were starved, our first foody pit-stop was @ Kanchi Temple where at a local road side dhaba we had delicious Aloo Parathas, Sabji, Tea, Pakodas and finally some biscuits. Total cost of the breakfast – Rs 120/-

Detailed story about the Kakri alias Cucumber:

The Pahadi Kheera (cucumber) is pretty big in size as compared to the normal cucumber, its big its juicy and its pretty sweet .. almost always. Our first encounter with the cucumber was @ the Jageshwar temple, where we had the cucumber with our meal. It was big and tasty. Our driver refrained from having the cucumber all this time cause t was raining and he mentioned that it has a cooling effect and he does not want that as the night will be cold and rainy. We did not care much for that and had the cucumber as we were excited and also had Old Monk to your rescue :D

Afternoon/Evening (1^st September - Friday):

I got almost 6 missed calls from office, God knows why the office always manages to call in such low connectivity :P

We drove 13 Kms out Jageshwar and took a small unplanned detour towards Katarmal, the Sun Temple. Little known and quite often visited this is a 2 Km drive from the main road (which connects the area with Almora) and also involves a steep trek for almost 2 kms. My temp was rising steadily and I was fearing that I would be down with fever by the end of the day. I had not fulluy recovered from the viral attack which left me with mild fever on Tuesday, two days prior to the trip.

I decided to stay out of the trek and also as it was very close to 5:00 PM and getting dark and cold I decided to make myself comfortable in the car. I also stood guard and took care of our stuff during this time.

RC, Tyagi and Puttar completed the trek in an hour and a half. They were exhausted but rearing to go on! They came back with a few pictures but a lot of stories. Quite a few interesting ones indeed.

5:25 PM:

Very much behind schedule we decided to go non stop to Kausani this time on but not before visiting the Leopard cage. This cage situated close to Katarmal and houses approximately 5 leopards. There were a number of cages within a cage and capturing these animals on a camera was not a good idea. They were only distinctively visible thru the naked eye.

This was a quick 10 minute halt and way behind schedule. We had to rush to Kausani now without any stops else we would have had to travel during the night.

Luck be it the hilly region and the fading daylight, it was dark as soon as 6:00 PM The driver informed us that 2 more hours to get to Kausani. We were already thinking about the bed and the sleep and the place…

6:20 PM:

Dark and no lights. Just a few odd houses on the way. The road was BAD and bumpy, lucky for us it was not our car. I was sitting at the front seat, wanted to drive on these roads.

6:25 PM

Crossed Kosi village, here the Kosi river can be seen at its full strength. This is the same river which goes all the way to Ramnagar Uttranchal, which is on route to the Corbett National Park. On our last trip we had our camp right next to the river, it was a very pleasurable trip.

Then traveling on the road we saw a group of village men standing in the middle of the road, we thought that there was an accident. We got out enquiring, a truck was lying stranded on one side of the road, the other side of the road was completely sunk in. The rain had caused the road to cave in big time and there was no more than 1 meter of motor able road width.

We had already traversed through 15 + kms on a safe track then we found this piece of road. We could not turn back and head an alternative way as that was worse than this. If we decided to stay put then we would have reached Kausani the day after. It was a very exciting situation (sorry I used exciting)

We saw an opportunity, we picked up a few boulders and logs of wood and filled up the big hole, then pushed one car after another and finally got away through this piece of road. It was truly a good adventure J Me was already getting a bit sick with the virus acting up (damn this virus, has been affecting me quite some time now)

It was 6:50 already. Late and dark and also way behind our planned schedule.

8:30 PM:

Kasauni here we are

Reached the tourist guest house, where we had already booked the place and now it was time to rest. The owners greeted us, we were the first tourists of the season. Every one was excited to see us as they thought that the season was now ready to begin!

Food @ the guest house itself. Dal, Roti, Egg Curry and salad.

Slept early, after a few energy drinks. Next morning was promising to be exciting! We were roaring to go on and have a good time.

2^nd September – Saturday:

Wakey call from RC and Tyagi @ 4:50 AM They were awake even before that time.

Alarm rings at 04:05 AM and it is pitch dark outside, we hope that we the sky will clear up to give us a view of the Himalayas. 05:15 AM yes it is starting to be visible. Although the entire night it was raining and so was in the early morning hours but this time the sky was clearing up…only a bit but still. The first rays of the sun are starting to shine the back of the mountains (Panchkuli) The view was awesome!

We waited in awe, just clicking photograph after photograph and looking through the binocs (good army binocs RC had gotten) to see the Himalayas come to life with the pink glow. It was such a beautiful experience even with the overcast sky we imagine how it would have looked had it been a clear sky. Slowly and steadily we waited to see and we got a few peak a boo shots but not everything in the entirety.

Finally the day breaks and the sun is up, we see distinct peaks playing hide and seek from behind the mountains. The sun rays illuminated the valley and also the clouds were there to filter the ray before the hit the ground and reflect out into the open.

We were welcomed by the Surya dev and the mountains J Probably it was their way of welcoming the first tourists of the season. We stood for sometime to click a few panoramic shots and then head back to the room to get ready for the day ahead.

I got the first leech attack here, one tiny little leech clinging on to my feet sucking the blood! Damn…had to pull it off. BTW this is just the start of the blood sucking menace, read on.

09:30 AM -

Quick breakfast at the dhaba, eggs and more eggs.

All set we decide to trek half the way down to Baijnath (approx 12/15 Kms from Kausani).

Trek through Baijnath goes through the Tea Gardens and up and down a small hills. We even named a hill “P top” after a small incident J that happened there.

It was surely a steep hill with a sharp incline and also very sharp drops. Reaching the summit w could see our guest house far far away, we realized that we would have already traveled around 6/7 Kms down from our guest house.

A local lady we met on our way down washing clothes next to her house tells us that we’ll reach only in the evening if we walk down this way. We still continued and this time shifting up a gear.

After trekking for an hour and clicking some awesome scenic shots we reach a road to catch the public transport with the locals. This was the time we decided to use the public transport instead and head down with the locals in their common transport vehicle….the jeep.

The locals quite helpful discussed how the other side of the border had better roads and it was only during elections that the roads are built. The driver of the Mahindra meanwhile drove whole way in neutral and still at an amazing speed at turns though it seemed it would topple over, the vehicle never needed to be started! He had turned the ignition off and then moved on! Wow :D

We are dropped at the gate of the Baijnath temple. Rs 15 per person for the ride, the taxi guy was asking for 600 bucks!!

The temple is a complex of ancient temples built along the river and is well maintained. It’s the abode of Parvati. We spent sometime looking at the architectural beauty of the temple and offered prayers. The pujari ji tells us about the history of the temple. A stream flows behind the temple with a lot of fish. One guy sells chana (chick peas) for the fish. We play with the fish and try to click photographs while feeding the channa worth Rs 20/- (10 packets) J

I got some classis shots of Mr. Bhardwaj (yes read Bhardwaj) jumping into the river. It was a good outing. He himself was quite excited to jump again and again.

The Baijnath temple complex has a stone which is said cannot be lifted by one person. We four lifted the stone. For the second time we lifted for the photograph only to find to heavier. (Later in the photograph we saw that parveen was posing for the shot while we were blowing our lungs out) Thanks to the poser Mr Puttar!

We walked down the bridge next to the temple and caught another public transport to the center of Kausani town… it’s arnd 4 pm that we reach there and realize that we had just 2 hrs to do a round trip to Rudra dhari. As the army closes the gates at 6:00 PM. We bought bread and butter and chips and coke, just to grub something atleast on our way.

I used my trusted swiss knife to butter the break and feed the hungry bunch :D

A deal was finalized with the local driver for Rs 350 for a round trip to Katli village (the place where the trek begins) and boy oh boy, it sure was a tricky and difficult drive! How do these guys manage?

We reached the Rudra dhari is a difficult place to trek and even more difficult when it is raining. This on top of the face that we had to be back in an hour with the trek of 4 KM both ways included. You have to cross a stream 6-7 times if you go through the short cut. It was a speed trek in all sorts, no stop overs, no rest just trek in and trek out!

We reached and searched for the guide, all the locals were asking for 100 bucks! We were amused to note that. Finally the driver’s companion agreed to help and he said what ever you feel like, give it to me. That was very kind of him.

The trek was difficult and we all slipped at least once while crossing the river. But the adventure was once in a lifetime. We all felt some tickling sensation in our feet all the way but we least cared.

The caretaker of the temple washed our socks and shoes and I feel so sorry now to have forgotten to give him nothing while we left. This is also the time when we removed our soaking wet shoes to find out scores of leeches feasting on out blood. Slowly we pulled out each and every one. RT was amused and phobic about this, he was stopping all the time to pull the leeches off!

The trek back become easier as now we were fully drenched and knew we were going to be blood sucked anyways.

I lead the way with the ‘guide’ and he mentioned to me about my ability to trek down fast, I told him that I have trekked before and he was amused. RC and Puttar were way behind so we waited almost 3 to 4 times to let them catch up.

We reached down, fully drenched and ready! The blood suckers were in plenty this time as well but we did not care. We paid the guide and then let out to return back. At approximately 05:59 PM we reached the gate!! Eureka! A speed trek was complete.

We reached the Kausani main market where I gave customary calls back home and to Mumbai about my well being. It was a fun filled affair! Picked up the Kausani tea (oops Uttranchal tea) from that place and also had coffee etc. Now it was late and dark and we had to trek on route to our tourist house. This was alteast 2 Kms from the market area. We used our cell phones for the light and trekked, listening to music and also singing. I had a polythene bag with me which I used to cover my head! Was a good feeling :D

It rained continuously that day and night.

We reached the hotel, had our dinner (the chicken was worth 300 bucks!! :X) Ate dinner and cracked jokes at each other. Had the tonics and clicked pictures of the leeches and then slept off!

Morning (3^rd September - Sunday):

Next morning was even cloudier with no views …

Lazed and a bit tierd we took a good amount of time to wake up and get ready. But we finally did set off, fixed up a ride with the same taxi guy and bargained till he dropped :D

Had our customary breakfast at the same dhaba after settling the bill at the tourist house and set out at 11:00 AM

This time we took the Ranikhet route, to visit Ranikhet was an absolute necessity! I had to brag about it to Thapa :D

The breakfast was spicy and nice, it kept us awake all this time on our journey down hill.

Afternoon 3^rd September:

Stopped at a road side dhaba to get our food. It was nice and warm. Loved the food and enjoyed the meal.

The ride was nice and smooth, with a lot of pictures being cliecked and also lots n lots of enjoyment. Stop overs were limited but good and we had a good time on our way down as well.

Reached Kathgodam around 6:00 PM 2.5 hours before the train departure. Spend some time at the station helping out and buying books. Lazying around.

08:20 PM:

Boarded train only to find out that the bogey numbers were displaced, so got out and sprinted to our correct bogey! :D

08:30 PM:

Hungry but no food!

09:45 PM:

Finally, puri aaloo @ the station. Our tummies are full and we are ready now :D eating and now sleeping all the way to Delhi.

Early morning (4^th September - Monday):

I woke up and waited for the station, Delhi door nahi. 06:00 AM we reached the station, got into the taxi, reached my place, RT and RC headed home. Me and Puttar got ready and reached office @ 7:45 AM (talk about being loyal) :P

Finally, it was a getaway with a difference, it was swift, planned but executed with ease. At the end it was surely a memorable experience.

Total cost of the trip Rs 2000 per person (overall) fun - ulimited, experience - lifetime

It is a TUESDAY!

2006-09-19T22:51:00.000+05:30

Yes a post today!

On Saturday (oops I was busy so could not post earlier) i saw very terrible sight....

Just opposite JNU Kendriya Vidhalaya I saw a Mercedes C 200 sandwiched between a Tempo and a School bus L

The entire a$$ of the car was smashed up and the hood was not recognizable. I felt extremely bad for the driver because his swanky Merc was heavily damaged L I saw on lookers laughing and pointing to the chaos, I could not stop and say anything!! I was shocked as I saw his agony and his plight….it was a sad scene L

Umm I wonder why do people laugh at other people’s expense or loss? I find it unethical and unjust! I never do that. When somebody falls, when someone sneezes, when somebody meets with a silly accident! I look at the pain and no the fun element.

Ps: I laugh at myself when this happens to me….so that I don’t feel odd when others are laughing and I m not :P

2006-09-14T10:14:00.000+05:30

Confirmation that we are outta Delhi

Road to Kathgodam, different shades of green...

Kathgodam station from 1600 mtrs high

A straight patch of road! tough to find in the hills

Bhimtal - on route to 'Al'mora

Kosi from the top of a hill or a mountain or whatsoever

RC trying to make his stone cross the river, or were they eve teasing a cow!! naughty boys!! seen here, Puttar n RC

Err...the bridge, wot else?

Jageshwar and the other 100 temples in this complex

Main Jageshwar Temple

The Throne

The mighty cucumber we had @ Jageshwar

Delhi – Kathgodam – Almora - Kausani – Ranikhet – Delhi (Part 1)

2006-09-14T10:03:00.000+05:30

Trip notes from an exciting trip that happened by chance!

Sunday (20^th August 2006):

Rajat coaxed me into this one!

We were generally discussing the Bored of out daily routine Rajat told about what he wants to do and I was quite interested, we decide the Leh was our destination. Thanks to my pals who were already traveling to that location. We were meeting up with Saluja n Sharry @ RC’s place where we proposed the idea. RC was game as usual. The others had something up their sleeve so it was left to them to deicide upon and let us know later. We started our research, from blogs to write-ups to websites to books and finally devised a plan.

Saluja was not interested cause of him being bored by the hills because of his 4 years in God’s own land…Sikkim. No definite new of Sharry, he is to travel so he could not confirm anything as of yet.

Monday to Thursday: (ABC…kidhar jayenge?)

Now the thre of us sat down and started deciding, places which came up on the list were Auli, Lansdowne and Kausani. We zeroed on to Kausani cause of its remoteness and the season for travel.

Friday (25^th August):

Final list of the people 2 come

RC a.k.a Ramit
Tyagi a.k.a Rajat
Puttar a.k.a Parveen
Mohan a.k.a Me

Most of us decided on taking leaves for 31^st as well to have a four day weekend outing but for me n Puttar it was not possible cause of the CEO visit that week. We were deciding about the leaves when RC n Tyagi were researching on the place and mailing me the excerpts. Till all this time Puttar was not know to these to people.

Saturday (26^th August):

Me cought up in office big time, had to meet up with RC n Tyagi for the booking for KMVN (Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam) guest house but was not able to go with them due the time unavailability. RC n Tyagi got the place booked, 1900 for a suite with four beds for the four of us. Tyagi also engaged a travel agent for the train ticks, Ranikhet Expres which will take us till Kathgodam.

Thursday (31^st August):

Slogged like hell @ office and was getting late, had to take dad to the hospital but was not able to some how managed to leave office @ 8:00 PM when the train was @ 10:40 PM from old Delhi station. Puttar came to my place with me in the car. RC n Tyagi reached my place in RC’s car.

I book a taxi from the Mast Ram stand and it cost us 230 bucks from VV to the station. Good uneventful drive.

When we reached we were hungry, so cought up in Comesum to have bhojan. The chicken roll sucked BIG TIME! But the Chicken Biriyani was awesome! After food, we boarded the train to avoid any confusions. We entered our S3 only to find that it was S5….grrr.. then we searched for the real S3 and tmade ourselves comfortable there.

The train finally moved out of Delhi and Tyagi enjoyed mixing up with the chai wallas and tried his best to imitate them. Probably he has a bright future in chai delivery business. After these guys discussed the optimal route I was pondering…kitna masti kar rah hun main. A lady in the coach joins RC and Puttar and tells them the places around. Me send a few important SMSes and as usual pulling other people’s legs.

Sleep time.

Night:

We were enjoying the dreams but @ 12:30 AM the TT uncle decides to check our tickets. He switched the light and then very causally leaves. We manage to catch some one to switch it back off so that we can go back to our dreams after the interval.

Morning (1^st September): in the chook chook gadi

I got up earlier than others and after brushing and washing my face sat @ the window seat to enjoy the outset of the hilly region. The foothills were amazing and we reached Haldwani @ around 05:30 AM.

We met our first travel enthu guide here. After half n hour and traveling @ 5 kmph the train reached Kathgodam, the drivers gathered around us to give us the best deals possible from 500 to 2000 :D

After much negotiating we decide to take an Alto. He settled for Rs. 800/- till Kausani direct and Rs 600/- extra if we wanted to do off-route sight seeing. We agreed for the second option as well.

The driver’s name was Gopal from the famed Hindi movie Krishna Gopal! All in the car and on the track, our first stop is Bhimtal (the lake which was created by Bhim’s Gada when he hit it hard on the ground and all the water from the nearby streams rushed in to form this lake) There was nothing much to see here as it was 06:30 AM

Few pictures clicked and we are amazed by the greenery and the sceneries. The roads were smooth and nice. Gopal told us that till Almora the roads will be nice and good. We stopped momentarily at a point where one could see some sort of a tiger hill, on top of the hill the tree was carved as a tiger.

The not so mighty (atleast right now) Kosi followed us all along the route. The road was on the banks of the river and carefully winding alongside the mountainous terrain we were proceeding towards out next destination. On route there was this nicely carved frog like structure which the river had carved a rock into the shape of a giant frog. It seems like Godzilla revisited.

The three of them had fallen asleep and my viral attack (I had viral fever before I started the trip) was reoccurring. I was feeling feverish and was fearing the return of the same sickening feeling all over again. We reached the Chitai Temple next which worships Lord Glou Dev. This temple was full of bells! Every one who asks for a wish here and his/her wish is fulfilled, they donate a bell to the temple. Literally the bells were amazing to watch. Unfortunately I was not the one who went up to the temple as I needed to rest badly but the photographs were amazing.

We all made a short stop here and fulfilled ourselves with tea and some grub to get some energy. We set out to another destination next, to Jageshwar.

Next stop Jageshwar temple: This ancient temple hidden deep in the heart of the mountain forest is definitely worth a visit. The Deodar trees surrounding the landscape filter the air and the area is a bit warmer than the rest of the valley. The winds channel out and reach the valley cold and laded with moisture, the trees mingle with the clouds and engage the rain. During winters the place records temperatures as low as -10 degrees.

The Pandits were continuously asking for money and offering to the God. Its was an amazing sight with two mighty Deodars. Both these trees were having trunks soo big that my entire room is not as wide as those! There was a stream flowing behind the temple and it was an amazing sight. Jageshwar is a 7^th century temple chain which has over 180 (I am not very confident of this number) small and big temples which primarily worship the God Shiva. Every temple in the Jageshwar complex has been build by a King from the earlier centuries where they used to offer a temple to God upon their visit. This place is a one of the ‘Teerth Sthal’ and one of the 8 destinations one has to go to. Inside one of the temples there is a light which the priest claimed has been burning since the 7^th century.

Photography was not allowed inside the temple complex.

Till now we realized that our cards were full with pictures and we had to somehow dump these somewhere. None of us was carrying a lappy so that was another ‘lafda’. I somehow located an internet café and the owner Mahesh was willing to burn a CD for 50 bucks. A deal was struck and we were ready to start, but there was no electricity. We waited for some time and had a bit of a grub before the electricity came on. We met BABA CHRIS there, a US citizen who had spent the last 8 years in India to attain nirvana and find inner peace. Quite a lively creature he was.

The CD burning continued with a lot of hiccups but we eventually did it!

We bid adeu to this place and proceeded to our next halt, Almora.

to be continued......

Yeh dil mange more!

2006-09-14T10:02:00.000+05:30

Yes i need more BHP! a lot more!

Where is my Red Bull?

Hic n ready for the day today.

Most of my posts are written on a monday.....

2006-09-11T21:28:00.000+05:30

I was wondering tody if today is the day when I will be writing something or not? It has been a looooong while since I decided to write...err...type something!

I have a lot pending.....

Trip log!
BD Presentations
Tem Appriasal (all 25 of them!)
Self appraisal
Bike selection (this is what I would love to do)
Photo editing...for the entire trip...yes i haven't done this!!
err...anything else left?

And btw... met an amazing artistic n talented person today!! kudos Bhavna! amazing shots! nnd good work on digital art! and yes...the obvious mate i found there...on here profile! the usual art specialists! the guys who i think know all ewhen it comes to art n photography! DK n Prashie :)

I have been coaxed by Talwar n Richa (even Sayan) to write...but all have patiently waited for this!

Yes yes....finally when i type i loose track on what i was typing :P hehe

Its about monday nights and blogs...and the next part is also about to come :P

Office Sucks

2006-08-26T21:09:00.000+05:30

need not say more...just one of those days!

Friends or Colleagues

2006-08-23T20:41:00.000+05:30

Whom to choose from?

A friend who you just know personally, or

A colleague who works with you professionally.

A friend who is not there for you when you are working, or

A colleague who is willing to know you as a person.

A friend who is a friend and not your colleague, or

A colleague who is a colleague and your friend as well.

Finally, I am not overreacting! Its just happened too many times.

Hypocracy!

2006-08-21T21:45:00.000+05:30

The key word here is being a hypocrite. Be it business or just anything in someone’s day to day functioning this rules!! I hate such maggots L those utter nonsense individuals who just believe in minting money and nothing else in life. Those business men, those politicians and those fools all come in this crazy category.

I want a break! A big one…want to go out but the blUdy back problem has reoccurred L L

I will take rest and give my candy a$$ to my boss L he is already fuming like a volcano right now….may I be the catalyst to a silent burn out….

Allah be praised J

am i calling you?

2006-08-19T15:29:00.000+05:30

The wrong part of having your name starting with "A" too many people leave their phones unlocked and you number being the first one on the list...you keep getting such wierd phone calls all the time :D

I don't mind evesdropping :D

Change of music: Elvis Presly, Such a Night (me already doing the leg shaking thingi)

Why is it a suspended timeout?

2006-08-19T15:12:00.000+05:30

First of all I like aksing questions to myself. Then I like answering them in a wierd way, and most inportantly...i just like this.

Suspended, yes similar to the phrase "Aasman se gira Khajoor pe atka" yes its of the similar meaning like being suspended in mid-air or aloof not touching the ground...neither the ceeling.

Timeout is something you get when u have done a mistake, something wrong, or atleast when others think that you have done a mistake, but you actually haven't (you may think so)

Suspended Timeout is the constant state of mind where you don't know if you next move is going to result in something or not? BUT this is so unlike me...i like to do things without having to think about what may happen in a while or what may happen after all!

Somebody is sayin something wierd in Korean in the background...Collateral sound track but its kinda rhyming. So i don't wanna change it pretty soon...let it run.

Dark clouds overhead and I am sitting @ home, no plans made as I thought I might be working but now i m bored...sitting and doing nothing...

Then I went to soooo many blogs and read sooo many posts and their comments, the best was the fight b/w Rihit and Swetank (who this?) on Bharadwaj's blog and Sayan coming in and trying to resolve it for them.

Then there was Chandani's blog and then Neil's, Lehtrip, Aparna, Nehaa, Karthik, Ankur (this guy amuses me! pretty good posts earlier...now removed :( ), DK's photo blog and will do a bit more of reading/viewing today.

state of mind: confused
time of day: 3:30 PM
drinking: water
eating: nothing
listening to: Nirvana
reading what: blogs
doing what: wella giri
wearing what: clothes
dreaming about: Michelle :D
what i want to do: go for a ride
what am i doing: not having the ability to lift my lazy a$$ off the chair and go for a ride
play a game? yes footy!

Trance - the state of mind

2006-08-15T01:28:00.000+05:30

Been almost 6 hours since I had come back home and I have not had the willingness to wake up and go somewhere.

Listening to Sasha, Oakenfold and Paul Van Dyk...never appretiated trance ever like this. Its like repetitive music but certainly pullyou into a enigmatic mood. You feel like you are aloof and and top of every other thing in this world. YAll you want to fdo is get higher and higher but not stop at all.

Music has a binding and an everlasting effect, whenever I have much to do in the least possible time you will find me with my headphones on and in a 'don't mess with me mood' from office to anywhere!

ahh..its 2:00 AM now and I guess for the kite flying to happen later today I really need to do some sleeping now :)

aloof...trance ... state of mind ...

damn started viewing some ADs and lost the entire feel, back to square one!

now watchi the ghostrider...back to the state of trance :D

click-o-crazy

2006-08-15T00:27:00.000+05:30

Ganesha - Shot during the Mumbai trip

Michelle's Tattoo - Mumbai

Happiness - Sayantani's Farewell

clicked @ India Gate... - xBhp G2G

Blonde...found on the net :)

Party time :D

2006-08-12T18:33:00.000+05:30

Folks out...time to party :D

Mom might kill me for doing this...but its party time

Dad might freak out...but its party time

Mich is already angry that i did not invite her, that she is in Mumbai!!...but its party time

Yipeee!!

Just got up after doing these many things: (bulleted points to continue!)

Wash utensils (yes i did that)
Got Beer (yes i did that as well)
Got Kababzzzz (and cooked them as well)
Got chips n coke etc.
Cleaned up the place (damn how well organized I am!! proud of myself)
Writing this blog entry

Sayantani has landed in Idaho! Ankur is in Olin! Robin is in Arizona and the list goes on n on....so many people out for studies/jobs in Uncel Sam land, quite a brain drain :(

Well well when will I get an opportunity to pollute that country? :P hehe

Hey! got a good CD from the net, Paul Oakenfold (though I don;t listen to much of trance but still .. its good)

Scrapped Evita, and finally made Neil talk to me. When I told this to Michelle, she said that she is proud of me! yipee!!

I can never get the apostrophe right...always have the semi-colon on don't ...aha...finally right :)

will try the photo thingi pretty soon. Its turning out to be a way to express my feelings etc. when will i get down an write some intellectual stuff?? will I ever? cuase of the kind of person I am :P

ME FIRST!!!

2006-08-12T00:53:00.000+05:30

I told a lie to some one ... but eventually she got it out!! grrr...

The cover...or the suposedly planted cover was blown!

BTW: me listening to music @ home...want to sleep but no sleep coming :( damn damn...no one to talk to ...read BUG @ this point of time.

Took a few pictures and will take a few more...will someone help me find out how to post pictures on this blog?

me want to share my work

I feel lonely....

2006-08-12T00:40:00.000+05:30

I am home alone! but not exactly like Macaulay Culkin . Wow! had to search for the spelling before posting his name here.

My folks and sister along with my bro in law are out for a vacation, I was also supposed to go but as it turns out, I am here and chilling out (literally) at home with a lot to do and also get some much needed rest! Two weeks of hectic and too demanding extended support shift, to co-ordinate with a very demanding client in US.

Well, heads surely have turned but lets see what happens now. I want to rest!! but at the same time I want to write this.

Also, i have been secretly sneaking up and writing unwanted comments on so many blogs :D haha!! BURAAAHHHH!!! as my office mat Puttar says :)

I had an housr long conversation with Mich....felt sooo amazing that I i wanted to speak to her again...too bad..she is studying :( Will wait and see how her exam goes.

Sayantani has landed! yipee!! and I want to meet her...already :( missing u !!

DK called from the Volvo seat...along with Prashant, he sounded like an excited kid going for a school trip!! he is bound to be, such a long and exciting trip :) damn...how the h3ll did I miss it :(

I just realized...i spelt lonely as lonley...oops will change the title back again :P

back to the point!!! i m feeling lonely..called up a few frndz for a small get together @ my place tomorrow!! i m excited n happy :D hehe

abhi ke liye bas itna...wow!! i wrote my second post!! not bad!!

Mr. Anonymous

2006-08-10T02:33:00.000+05:30

Anonymous

This is the first post, after being pushed and pushed and pushed even again to do something fast, I decided to give this a shot. Well sitting in office @ 2:45 AM I have a lot to do but not work :D feel like going out for a ride and have fun. Maybe the ‘wind rider’ really needs a big break.

Today is incidentally Rakhi as well! My sister was up early to do her duties and I was excited to meet her as well. The usual exchange of greetings and the stuff, and finally I dozed off as soon as she departed from the room. Was a very subdued affair.

Next came the ride to the other side of the town to meet my two darling nephews, one who just turned 5 yesterday (technically day before yesterday) this was a good experience as the journey involved crossing of the Yamuna! Well I stayed sane and used the bridge. Wanted to speed up looking at the empty road but did not do so wisely. Maybe not, but who knows.

Getting back to the point, everyone needs an inspiration, mine is not an inspiration but a lots of inspiration’S’ and constant encouragement from friends to start doing this. I have starte this, but I don’t know till how long I will be able to follow it! Aha….may the force be with me

Next up maybe tomorrow, a little bit of who I am and what I want to do.

For the moment it think I typed in too much on my first post :P