called Vasudev come from Shirdi. He went on to tell me some interesting facts about ME! .... nothing really deep still not something just anyone could tell on meeting me just a minute ago. He even gave me some advice on do's n dont's and said that he would give more details but not on the road like that. Intrigued, I asked him how he knew all that, to which he answered his kind had the knowledge of 'manashastra' (human psychology). Of course as expected, he then asked for some 'daan' (fee). I excused myself out of the situation to carry on with my day ... but he did take some space in my mind for a while - If these people could just read you in one look, how easily they could use this information - to their benefit or to ours?? How would they fare had they been in management? ;-) hehe Imagine your manager reading you like a book and using that data to get work done from you ... Ooh! Scary!!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Messengers of GOD
I was leaving for work and I see a Vasudev in my building doing his morning rounds n singing out song of the Lord for all of us ... Lookin at his complete get up, I was pretty attracted by his bright white n orange attire topped with the hat comprising of peacock feathers et all... It would make for a good picture. Clicking away without permission seemed bad manners and I asked him if I could. He didn't seem to mind and I was happy at getting a good shot. At that he started conversing with me telling me that his kind 
called Vasudev come from Shirdi. He went on to tell me some interesting facts about ME! .... nothing really deep still not something just anyone could tell on meeting me just a minute ago. He even gave me some advice on do's n dont's and said that he would give more details but not on the road like that. Intrigued, I asked him how he knew all that, to which he answered his kind had the knowledge of 'manashastra' (human psychology). Of course as expected, he then asked for some 'daan' (fee). I excused myself out of the situation to carry on with my day ... but he did take some space in my mind for a while - If these people could just read you in one look, how easily they could use this information - to their benefit or to ours?? How would they fare had they been in management? ;-) hehe Imagine your manager reading you like a book and using that data to get work done from you ... Ooh! Scary!!
called Vasudev come from Shirdi. He went on to tell me some interesting facts about ME! .... nothing really deep still not something just anyone could tell on meeting me just a minute ago. He even gave me some advice on do's n dont's and said that he would give more details but not on the road like that. Intrigued, I asked him how he knew all that, to which he answered his kind had the knowledge of 'manashastra' (human psychology). Of course as expected, he then asked for some 'daan' (fee). I excused myself out of the situation to carry on with my day ... but he did take some space in my mind for a while - If these people could just read you in one look, how easily they could use this information - to their benefit or to ours?? How would they fare had they been in management? ;-) hehe Imagine your manager reading you like a book and using that data to get work done from you ... Ooh! Scary!!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Pool ol green souls
I was waiting for the train n across the tracks I see this tree that was butchered just so that our trains can pass by without causing any harm to us humans. I agree, that the trees need to be cut so that they don't come in the way of trains, cause any harm to the commuters n more importantly, there is no reason for fire due to the tree extension to come in contact with the electric wires any any sparks. But we should be considerate to at least cut these greenies nicely so they look in good shape! Is this fair that we butcher them so roughly that they look as if bleeding?....Monday, August 24, 2009
My encounter wid an uloo
I suddenly heard our watchman say “Ulloo hai… Ulloo hai”. I was shocked to hear him call someone an idiot out loud early on a Sunday morning. I looked out of the window to checkout wat was going on… The watchman & an aunty from upstairs were looking at the guava tree in the society compound. On changing the angle of my nazar, I could see the “idiot” on the tree. I had mistakenly taken the reference of ulloo translated to English as an idiot. The watchman had been referring to the OWL on a branch of the tree telling the scared looking aunty that the alien on the tree was only an owl. Apparently, aunty had spotted the bird and not having recognized it, raised an alarm for the watchman to check.
I shifted my eyes back to serene bird perched quietly on the V of
the branches of the tree. It had shades of brown-gray on its wings. The face outlined by a thin white lining made by its feathers with 2 small eyes on either side of the beak. The face not as conical as in the case of most other birds looked like ours, the beak takin the place of r nose.
After I had looked my fill, I couldn’t hold myself back. I went in to fetch my camera to click a few pics of the bird. After I got my shots, though not completely satisfied, I went on with my tasks of the day, wishing I had my friend’s pseudo-SLR to take a close up…
Every time I walked into the room, I went to the window to check whether it was still der. N every single time, it was! It even rained after a while, not just drizzled, but the bird just sat there not moving at all. Gradually it looked as if it fell asleep sitting right there dripping in the rain, unmoved.
The day went by… and the bird just stayed der. Even the thought of calling the emergency service for injured birds crossed my minds. But I decided to wait on until nightfall as owls are known to be disoriented during daytime.
I even came across a couple of lil kids from r society calling it an “ulloo-owla”… guess they didn’t know ulloo in Hindi meant owl in English … just heard the elder kids talk abt the bird in the two languages and picked up the words… It was pretty cute really :-)
Lookin at the bird even got me thinking where the phrase “ulloo ka patha” originated from; also if the other meaning of ulloo (idiot) had anything to do with the bird. I gotta google on that next…
Finally post sun down, I didn’t see it in the place where it stayed all day. It must have taken to its route finally. After a couple of hours though, I saw it on the same tree a lil to the right of its original position. This got me thinking about its well-being. At just that moment, it spread its wings wide open and flew away towards East. Now I’m not sure if it went away its healthy way or just a few meters away to the next tree. But I wish the winged wonder a happy n healthy future.
It was amazing how we awaited the elephant-headed god on Ganesh Chauthi n came across an owl!!
KAMINEY friday night
The media had rated this movie so highly, we were all amazed an
d thot we should go for it. So Friday evening, we 8 colleagues booked on-line tickets for Kaminey @ Hub, Goregaon 9.45 PM show. After dinner from an eatery near by, we reached the screen in time for the movie. But our high expectations were slowly and surely let down. The movie turned out to be quiet a disappointment.
After bidding adieu to the 2 who live further North in the suburbs, the 6 of us hopped
into the car to head back home. I along wid the chauffer took the front seats n the 4 guys crammed into the back seat. Well it was gonna b short crammed drive – just had to drop off 3 of them @ Andheri. So v started n suddenly, one of the guys shouted out Sea-link… he had not be
en there yet n almost pleaded we go for a quick ride. He even agreed to pay for the toll charges of the return trip. We finally gave in to his request n turned right to go over the freshest architectural marvel in amchi Mumbai. It was a clear night with no spec of clouds in the mid-monsoon season. The suspension bridge was lit up against the dark sky. It was a beautiful drive, we thoroughly enjoyed.
By the time we reached the Worli end, the plans to go further ahead to Marine drive & the Gateway were already laid. Wow! I couldn’t have imagined the evening to take this turn – literally! Empty roads all along were really inviting. It took us hardly any time to reach the far end of the
Having spotted a buggy, we parked the car 
and took off on the majestic tonga decorated with huge multi-color balloons. 3 of us, me included took the main seat. 2 sat facing us n r Money-Man took the well-deserved seat next to the pilot. After all, had it not been for him, we would have gone to bed feeling sour over the waste of time n money on the damn movie. We opted for the ‘bada’ round and enjoyed the ride though we thought was really short. 
But well – abhi to sham jawan hai... We still had lots to explore in the night. So we got off only to be in for a shock. We were charged a whopping 550 bucks for that miniscule round! He was kind enough to give a discount of 50 just for us. Even considering the late night charges, this was ridiculous. After some exchange of words, we made mandavli at 300 n r money-man was more than happy to oblige.
We set r foot on the pavement of marine drive along the beautiful sea face n the brightly lit Queen’s necklace was beaming to welcome us. We started our 
walk crossing each gem slowly takin in the cool night air. It was fun walking over the katta. Of course r pro photographer took ample shots that u can c scattered around. We reached the other end of the Marine drive with all sorts of crazy ideas for pics. On the way we tried 
in vain to search for any eateries open at that hour.
Then, we needed r car to proceed n none wanted to walk back. I took this opportunity to jog! Well half of us have registered for the Half Marathon n its high time we start r practice. R photographer still treks a lot n has gud stamina 
but r chauffer & me better gear up. So the 2 of us jogged all the way back to the car parked over a kilometer away. When we reached the car, I had the satisfaction of jogging a km without a break – thts not at all bad for starters. With extra vigor of the jog, we drove ahead to pick up the gang n headed for the
Gateway.
I gave complete justice to occupying the front seat by adorning the role of the navigator at this leg of our drive giving perfect directions for our current destination. Yet again we parked at the far end of the road n strolled back to the Gateway with one eye on the epic Taj. Again r money-man was prompt when I wanted a cuppa coffee, though I spared him by taking it by the roadside n not in the TAJ. The small glass of warm coffee was perfect by the cool night.
R chauffer was soon behind the wheel of his red wagon zooming on the wide free roads, to take us back home. The drive was so smooth that we reached Bangnaga exploring the straight road. Taking a U-turn to get back on the way to the sea link, we were stalled by a Pandu n asked for the car papers. After showing him all that he asked for, he requested to c the PUC cert. Now this we didn’t have n he didn’t leave us till we warmed his hands wid a 100 ki patti!
After that short pause, r drive was fullon until we reached back to Bandra. It hardly felt like a drive from town to Bandra for it took just around 20 mins. Wow! Can u imagine that on the streets of Mumbai! This is where we dispersed to head home.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Hell of a heavenly evening
Can u imagine the vocal chords of Suresh Wadkar & tabla from Jakir Hussain together ... Wat a lethal combination. Yes.. It actually was .. heavenly .. We were still in that heaven when we walked out to where we had parked our car, only to be pushed into hell... R cars missing! We look hither thither to check if this was the right spot. Could it be a lil further? Or may be a lil behind? Nopes .. this is just where we did leave it a lil over 3 hours ago. In fact the guy standing there then even assisted us to park it correctly and took 50 bucks as charges for safe keeping. N now.. its... gone!?!
The first thot that came to my mind was this could be a major plan to steal away cars parked here. Definitely we could not be the only ones wid rotten luck this evening. Shanmukhanand Hall @ Sion does not have a parking lot. So the road is where u leave ur stallion - easily accessible for anyone to just pick up n go. The vast capacity of the hall, almost full, has ample number of cars parked in every corner near by...
Next step: search for the nearest police station n report the missing car. Then: hope n pray v r lucky enough to get it bak... Just as we were taking the path to the police station, I heard some male voices - again something about a car is it? I turned around ... They appeared to be a father-son duo. "Is your car missing too?" I got a positive reply. Though sad the news, it helped me uplift my spirits a wee bit - We are not alone! .. The traffic police chowky was close by .. n we brisk-walked there. May be they just towed it :-|
When we blurted out our cars missing, the pandu there very coolly - as if nothings even gonna affect him - says yes .. "yeah check if your car is in front here; the cars had to be towed out as the public of that locality made hulla-gulla" Now hello .... theres not residential blgds der - which public? wat hull-gulla? We damn well know this is all plain money makin business!
Well there was relief to see r car right ahead across the street, unscathed. Only a tire was locked by the towing clip. Next nother officer tells us the towing charges were to be borne by us before he could release r car. Now that was expected. He was even ready to give us a receipt Wow!
Slowly there were others who had walked up for the same problem. I must have seen some 10-15 car owners come asking for their car. Hmm good business for the hour Rs. 300/- per car n Rs. 100/- additional in case u dont have ur license.
The process of actually verifying your license, making the pauti, opening the locks n finally releasing the car was taking its own sweet time. But the uncle who we met first got it done! When it was our chance, on giving him out car number, the officer tells us to check it as he didnt have it noted in his list. Whos he kidding? Its our car! He shud b the 1 checking his list! When he was convinced, its him who shud b doing the checkin at his end, he called his punter - sum lad by the name of Santosh n told him to check r car number. But as he was the same guy opening up the locked car for others who had successfully received the pavti on making the payment, we had to wait till he was free. Then he checked r car, noted the number n finally made his entry to the chowki. In nother 15 mins, we were done.
So an hour after we fell straight into hell from heaven, we were slowly getting back to mother earth. We reached home soon not as quiet high as the show left us, but also neither as low as sight of the missing car got us. We were happy to have been a part of the awesome concert, n finally get back home in r car in perfect shape :-) Alls well that ends well. As for the corruption in our police department, can we do anything about this??
The first thot that came to my mind was this could be a major plan to steal away cars parked here. Definitely we could not be the only ones wid rotten luck this evening. Shanmukhanand Hall @ Sion does not have a parking lot. So the road is where u leave ur stallion - easily accessible for anyone to just pick up n go. The vast capacity of the hall, almost full, has ample number of cars parked in every corner near by...
Next step: search for the nearest police station n report the missing car. Then: hope n pray v r lucky enough to get it bak... Just as we were taking the path to the police station, I heard some male voices - again something about a car is it? I turned around ... They appeared to be a father-son duo. "Is your car missing too?" I got a positive reply. Though sad the news, it helped me uplift my spirits a wee bit - We are not alone! .. The traffic police chowky was close by .. n we brisk-walked there. May be they just towed it :-|
When we blurted out our cars missing, the pandu there very coolly - as if nothings even gonna affect him - says yes .. "yeah check if your car is in front here; the cars had to be towed out as the public of that locality made hulla-gulla" Now hello .... theres not residential blgds der - which public? wat hull-gulla? We damn well know this is all plain money makin business!
Well there was relief to see r car right ahead across the street, unscathed. Only a tire was locked by the towing clip. Next nother officer tells us the towing charges were to be borne by us before he could release r car. Now that was expected. He was even ready to give us a receipt Wow!
Slowly there were others who had walked up for the same problem. I must have seen some 10-15 car owners come asking for their car. Hmm good business for the hour Rs. 300/- per car n Rs. 100/- additional in case u dont have ur license.
The process of actually verifying your license, making the pauti, opening the locks n finally releasing the car was taking its own sweet time. But the uncle who we met first got it done! When it was our chance, on giving him out car number, the officer tells us to check it as he didnt have it noted in his list. Whos he kidding? Its our car! He shud b the 1 checking his list! When he was convinced, its him who shud b doing the checkin at his end, he called his punter - sum lad by the name of Santosh n told him to check r car number. But as he was the same guy opening up the locked car for others who had successfully received the pavti on making the payment, we had to wait till he was free. Then he checked r car, noted the number n finally made his entry to the chowki. In nother 15 mins, we were done.
So an hour after we fell straight into hell from heaven, we were slowly getting back to mother earth. We reached home soon not as quiet high as the show left us, but also neither as low as sight of the missing car got us. We were happy to have been a part of the awesome concert, n finally get back home in r car in perfect shape :-) Alls well that ends well. As for the corruption in our police department, can we do anything about this??
Monday, July 6, 2009
My drive through the Bandra Worli Sea Link
The Bandra Worli Sea link is ready n open to public.... Wow! Every1 is speakin abt it ... On the openin day, 1st July, I just went upto Shivaji Park @ 10 PM to have a look ... The bridge looks awesum .. The main cable tower is so magnificent .. All lit up .. Wow! But then wat else do i see... Traffic jam ...Too many enthusiasts all lined up in der cars glittering yellow n red right upto the Mahim cause-way... Well... Having taken the view within, I left for home.
Saturday early morning, a beautiful tune wakes me up ... Then it suddenly hits me my phones ringing ... my friend has decided to wake me up .. but so early .. wat time is it ... 6 AM … huh!?! All groggy I pick up the call.. "Wanna drive up the sea-link?" N im wide awake ... Sure, y not ... This is gonna b my last chance to go enjoy a drive on the latest marvel without paying a toll since I had planned for an overnight trek later in the day...
All ready, I wait for Anu to cum pick me up in her silver i10. The sky is full of clouds - no sun - but not too dark .. It may not really rain while we enjoy r drive.. Cool! Here she cums n off we go....
As we cross the Mahim causeway i see the suspension bridge to my left Im gonna b on it within a coupla minutes... We get on to the Bandra reclamation, n there - the sea link cable tower is right ahead of us ... n we are already on sea link.. Crossing the toll plaza without having to pay the high toll charges :D
Since only 1 side is ready for use, we currently have 2 lanes in each direction. The left most lane already sports quiet a number of cars parked n people posing here n there to be clicked on the great shortcut n others just enjoying the view
On the other lane towards Worli, we go as slow as 10 - 20 kmph so as to enjoy the drive, while we look around. We were soon under the huge cable tower... Wow wats looks like thin strings from Shivaji Park are really huge tentacles coming down from the tower body to hold the bridge sturdy Wat architecture! But soon it’s behind us n I can see it only in the rear-view mirror. Not too far away from the other 2 smaller cable towers we finally find a spot to park. We just step out of the car n the first thing tht strikes is the police towing vehicle :- We need to move on :-( So get back in the car n enjoy the rest of the drive on the magnificent bridge. Turn left to come out on the Worli Sea Face n park nearby.
It’s so cloudy that I can’t even see the main cable tower. The 2 smaller ones are visible through the mist. But as a view, it doesn't really luk that great now ... Earlier WSF was a beautiful promenade by the sea side, waves lapping up wid calming sound ... wow ... But this moment it’s the BWSL that comes in view ... with its innumerous pillars .... Now could they have not made it with 2 big cable towers n much less number of pillars? Then it would have been so scenic, is it not? hmmm... Nevertheless
These days wid cell cams n digi cams .. people just luv to click everything they can catch ... Even on this side there were people clicking away .. specially this 1 group of guys posing in the silliest of poses... We had a few good giggles ;-)
Moving on we decided of having a nice morning walk along the WSF ... enjoy the open sea beyond the sea link as long as the part connecting to Haji Ali doesn’t come in the way :-) Enjoying the cool breeze by the sea along with the sound of the waves ... no sun coming out of the clouds ... we began r leisure walk. A couple of meters down, pitter patter the rain cooled us further... Wow perfect! but we had no idea that the rain had better plans ... as we moved further away from r car, the rain only started comin down more n more heavily. With only a few drops here n there, it had now got to be a proper continuous shower ... we were all wet. Thankfully having left all delicates like cell etc in the car, we had nothing to fear ... We gals completely freaked out in the rains, drenched n dripping till we took the about turn. On the way we saw other enthusiasts, either just getting wet like us enjoying the showers or others sticking to their exercise regimes of morning walks completely protected by rain-cheaters or just feeble umbrellas .... On the way back we even caught an old woman in her loong blue raincoat walkin down the promenade with the help of her walking stick. There was also this uncle seated on one of the many seats facing the sea, with an umbrella to protect him from the rains. We further noticed he was chanting some mantras. B-)
When we finally reached the car, we were apprehensive about wetting the car seats ... but we had no other option n no plans of leaving the car there. So we hopped in, and started looking for the U-turn to get bak on the sea link. But looks like the traffic police had already planned for people like us So we had a long drive just to get to the shorter drive on the sea link.. There was already so much water logged on the road thx to hour-long rain .. It felt as if we were sitting on the EsselWorld Splash ride ... the water jumped on either sides of the car to heights enuf to drench the people in the neighboring cars .. But there was no scope for that as there was only 1 line of cars :-D
We finally got back on the sea link ... If it was cloudy before, this time it was so misty, there was no scope of seeing anything ahead It was as if we were traveling in clouds ... The silver color of the car in front of the windshield melted away into the mist .. We could not differentiate in the 2. It was a rather nice different feeling ... as such of floating in the middle of nowhere was wonderful ...The fog was so heavy even the cables came into vision one at a time ... this was completely enjoyable n definitely much better than a drive on nother sunny day. .. But like all good things, soon the joy ride was over and we were on Bandra reclamation... Soakin in the experience of crossing the awesome sea link n the beautiful rains the morning gave us a fresh start for the weekend.
Friday, November 28, 2008
How Dare They!!!
Wats been going on in r beloved city is utter rubbish ..... What the hell are they doin and how dare they!!! This cannot be just taken with a pinch of salt and forgotten so easily....
Often Mumbai, the city that never sleeps is said to be a very forgiving city that moves on in life come what may .... Be it any kind of terrorist attacks ... train blasts or serial blasts or shoots round the city .... Be it by outsiders, neighbours or insiders ... Be it on the name of religion or revenge or helping locals or destruction and bringing us down .... the city has always taken it lightly .... People are often seen putting it all in their past and treading along with their lives ... Back to work on the same ol routine the next day, the next hour, the next minute .....
But is this city really that forgiving??? Or people are just forced to put up with this shit! People are here in this dream city from everywhere in the country ... to build the castles in their dreams for real ... to make a success story ... to make a living ... How can you expect them to just stay home over something that went wrong somewhere due to some fools .... They have to report to work ... "papi pet ka savaal hai" they have to earn .... N this face of majboori has been known as the face of courage!
But this time all was left far behind .... A bunch of "terrorists" come to the city through waterways, bagged with ammunition enough to last for over 48 hours! Hundreds of innocent dead! My first question is .... how do they get so much of arms and ammunition? Yes there no checkin in the hotels but they definitely got it from somewhere... is there no checking anywhere ... at any entry point? How were they not caught? They didnt fire all the personnelle that came in their way - the media would definitely not have let them get away with this silently and we would have got to know.... So the next pointer ... corruption? But at which level and how many?? Again not completely possible ... So how the hell did they get so much of arms in .... They must have surely planned this over a long time with good amount of training and dry-runs in advance ....
We cannot measure how much we have lost .... The best of the police force, intelligence, the best of the staff of our best hotels ... One of the most beautiful structures in Mumbai, the heritage Taj Hotel has burnt over and over in countless blasts.... The elite, rich and tops in the Taj n Oberoi at that time ...
This is high time the government put things in place rather than money in their pockets. We need a secure city to live in. We need the peace of mind to work towards progress. How long can we just forgive and forget? No! No more!
Often Mumbai, the city that never sleeps is said to be a very forgiving city that moves on in life come what may .... Be it any kind of terrorist attacks ... train blasts or serial blasts or shoots round the city .... Be it by outsiders, neighbours or insiders ... Be it on the name of religion or revenge or helping locals or destruction and bringing us down .... the city has always taken it lightly .... People are often seen putting it all in their past and treading along with their lives ... Back to work on the same ol routine the next day, the next hour, the next minute .....
But is this city really that forgiving??? Or people are just forced to put up with this shit! People are here in this dream city from everywhere in the country ... to build the castles in their dreams for real ... to make a success story ... to make a living ... How can you expect them to just stay home over something that went wrong somewhere due to some fools .... They have to report to work ... "papi pet ka savaal hai" they have to earn .... N this face of majboori has been known as the face of courage!
But this time all was left far behind .... A bunch of "terrorists" come to the city through waterways, bagged with ammunition enough to last for over 48 hours! Hundreds of innocent dead! My first question is .... how do they get so much of arms and ammunition? Yes there no checkin in the hotels but they definitely got it from somewhere... is there no checking anywhere ... at any entry point? How were they not caught? They didnt fire all the personnelle that came in their way - the media would definitely not have let them get away with this silently and we would have got to know.... So the next pointer ... corruption? But at which level and how many?? Again not completely possible ... So how the hell did they get so much of arms in .... They must have surely planned this over a long time with good amount of training and dry-runs in advance ....
We cannot measure how much we have lost .... The best of the police force, intelligence, the best of the staff of our best hotels ... One of the most beautiful structures in Mumbai, the heritage Taj Hotel has burnt over and over in countless blasts.... The elite, rich and tops in the Taj n Oberoi at that time ...
This is high time the government put things in place rather than money in their pockets. We need a secure city to live in. We need the peace of mind to work towards progress. How long can we just forgive and forget? No! No more!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Along came Catty!
It was a quiet Saturday night ... We were watching Ladder 49 on * Movies. Sumwhere in the middle almost at 12 midnight, we suddenly heard desperate calls from a cat. The animal had been mewing for almost 15-20 mins at a stretch! Scared that it might be in some kinda trouble, we peeped out of our window but couldnt spot it. Then tried the gallery, still no1 der.... We couldnt see it and helplessly sat down to watch the movie! The sound just didnt stop, as if calling for help. Then judging by soundwaves, and laws of elimination, we got to the directions where it came from... It was our main door! Surprised, just to give it a try, Dee opened the inner door. On the other side of the main door was this thin frail cute lil kitten lookin up in hope. That look could melt even a rock; we r just human!
As soon as we opened the main door, it jsut leapt in ...... The poor thing ... probably too hungry, starving for wonder how long ... Initially I wasnt too sure if I should just let it in. So i just held it at the doorstep on the floor. With my hands around its body, I could make out how thin frail malnourished it was. I could feel its ribs with hardly any flesh on it... It was only too anxious to enter the house, probably to get some food and warmth. To made sure the entry to other rooms be restricted to this lil kitty we were just about to close the other door that leads inside the house. Just then Nits walked into the room from inside, wondering where the frantic calls were comin from... He was only delighted to see the kitten I held in my hands.
The two guys decided to get the kitty something to eat. One got some bread... That kitten didn't even taste the bread. That was definitely not his meal. The other got some milk... Just as soon as the bowl of milk was laid in front of it, it was more than happy to see his all time favourite meal. It didnt waste a single moment, n started licking on it instantly, only to stop right there after a couple of licks. We were all surprised to c tht ... But since I was still holding on to it I realised the poor lil thing was shivering! Ahh!!! the milk!! It was right out the fridge! hahaha .... Nits took it bak in to heat it a lil.
The kitty a relieved now, the frantic calls had stopped... But it just could not stay put. It just sooo wanted to move around ... It was enjoying the warmth from my hands around it and as I was enjoying caressing it, I did realise it was enjoying it more! Awww! I was nicely playing around with it ... picked it up an
d finally got it inside the room ... We knew it as a "he". heheheh Then as the warm milk was in, we decided to let him lose, closed the door to the inner rooms and I released him from my hands. There! The kitty started dancing all over the room, lookin hither tither for ... dunno wat! We laid the bowl of the lukewark milk on the floor, and there! the kitty started lickin onto it instantly finishing most of it - all in one go..... That was a pleasure to see. :)
Once pleased with the delicious meal n a full stomach, the brat started playin again. The milk wasnt finished but we just let that be... Our anxious eyes were only following the kitty n the anxious kitty was discovering the place for himself .... He was just running around, jumping n playing with watever he saw... When he spotted the computer table and went in behind it, I was afraid it would get entangled in the hoard of wires there... I just had to pull him out of there... N he went right back in again. N again i picked him up n got it out. That was it .... He didnt go in der again through the evening ... How smart can this canine be!!!
Then again he started roaming around to find the next intertesting place ... We have a round center table covered with a thick cloth. He went in there n seems to have liked the place. After a few times of in and out, he continued its search for the next place to play... In the mean time since it was now comfortable inside, we decided to close the main door that was still lay open. Instantaneously, the kitty leapt to the door and started mewing. He just didnt want us to "trap" him inside. So we let the door be ... But think about the quick wit of the kitty ... It wants the ease and comfort in here and at the same time wants the security of not being trapped in and freedom to go around whereever he likes.
Once he was sure he was safe, he was back in full swing to continue its search for fun place. He finally laid his eyes on this side table n leaped up. First he looked around everything he could find on that table, the phone on one side - played wid its winding chord, then on a pile of papers n books on the other side - This scene was so cute - The lil kitty was as if liking the touch n tickles the papers gave him... After a while of playin with the papers he laid his eyes on the sheft beyond that pile. This shelf had lots of place for him to run around and also many
chotu-motu sovineers that we didnt want him to meddle with. So I made sure he doesnt get up der by blockin the entry point...
Those sharp eyes got the clue n he settled atop a small rug on that side table and sat cozyly on that rug. It was just enough for it to lay on ... He was definitely feeling very cozy in der, and he lay der lickin himself clean (...dunno how much he dirtied that rug in the process ...)
Just then Dee thot of a shoe-lace lying in a corner... As soon as the kitten lay its eyes on that long thin "thing" moving in the air, he left his comfort and showed his sporty side. He leaped from the side table to reach the lace hanging (from Dees hands). He jumped to hold the lace n pull it down. It was a sight! Cho chweet .... He got the
lower end of the lace in its mouth and then it tried to snatch it with its hands. We had a gala time playin with the kitty.... Then after some time, Dee just left the lace n let it fall to the ground. That for the kitty was something unusual... Something that was moving n hanging suddenly lay still on the ground. His expression was that of surprise n anxiety. After a moment, with a lot of strength n courage, he slowly tried to touch it with his paw. Then as it still lay der on the ground, he tried again with his paws n then again with his mouth. It was very sweet and surprising to see the reaction of a naive kitty to a thing he had never seen before. Shows how the kitty was cautious, adventurous n yet very careful. He made sure he was safe n secure before taking on anything.
Every now and then I picked up the kitty and put him in front of the milk he had left behind. The kitty would lick a coupla times and then go back to its games. After a long while of these games n fun, the kitty seems to have liked to call it 
a day. The kitty went below our round center table. In the dark n cool in there, he made himself comfortable cleaning himself and finally lay there as if to sleep. But we didnt let it ... opening the cover way n again curious to see wat hes upto... Finally knowin that we would not let him sleep, the kitty came out of that table n went on to our carpet folded in a side. There again it felt its warmth n laid down as if tired from its play.
We realized that it was past an hour that we were playing with the kitty and was past 1 AM in the morning. So we decided we should let the kitty go and hit our beds. But how do we let that sweet a thing go? I was completely for keeping him as a pet. But the guys made me understand that there wouldnt be anyone to look after him when we were all away at work.... N I had to agree to that! So we packed the remaining milk into a small plastic container and along with the lace, took the kitten down to leave him. We hoped to see him more often in the days to come ... Well we found a nice cozy corner in the parking lot and put the milk and lace down. I soooo didnt want to let him go. But I finally did and the guys were laughing at me as I said my sorries to kitty to leave him alone in the cold dark night. After all he was a small baby... I put him down and as I started to walk away, the kitty followed me with those ohh so beautiful sad eyes. I knew that this way by the time I reach home the kitty would definitely come back. So I asked the guys to move ahead n keep the door open for me. I sat there for a while and then turnedthe kitty and ran up as fast as I could. The kitten was not behind me! Once home I was talkin to guys how much I would like to have a cat for a pet. Some day... :) About 15 mins must have passed and we heard the familiar mew outside the door again. But we had to leave it to itself and we hit our beds. Next morning one aunty told me that she saw a small white kitty at out doorstep at 6 AM. Can you imagine? The poor thing was there all night... Poor lil sweet kitty. Awww!!
Now its been a coupla weeks but I keep lookin for it everytime I step down. Wonder where it is ... n how!! I wish that kitty well. It gave me lots in that one hour. Now I understand the attachment people have with their pets...
As soon as we opened the main door, it jsut leapt in ...... The poor thing ... probably too hungry, starving for wonder how long ... Initially I wasnt too sure if I should just let it in. So i just held it at the doorstep on the floor. With my hands around its body, I could make out how thin frail malnourished it was. I could feel its ribs with hardly any flesh on it... It was only too anxious to enter the house, probably to get some food and warmth. To made sure the entry to other rooms be restricted to this lil kitty we were just about to close the other door that leads inside the house. Just then Nits walked into the room from inside, wondering where the frantic calls were comin from... He was only delighted to see the kitten I held in my hands.
The two guys decided to get the kitty something to eat. One got some bread... That kitten didn't even taste the bread. That was definitely not his meal. The other got some milk... Just as soon as the bowl of milk was laid in front of it, it was more than happy to see his all time favourite meal. It didnt waste a single moment, n started licking on it instantly, only to stop right there after a couple of licks. We were all surprised to c tht ... But since I was still holding on to it I realised the poor lil thing was shivering! Ahh!!! the milk!! It was right out the fridge! hahaha .... Nits took it bak in to heat it a lil.
The kitty a relieved now, the frantic calls had stopped... But it just could not stay put. It just sooo wanted to move around ... It was enjoying the warmth from my hands around it and as I was enjoying caressing it, I did realise it was enjoying it more! Awww! I was nicely playing around with it ... picked it up an
d finally got it inside the room ... We knew it as a "he". heheheh Then as the warm milk was in, we decided to let him lose, closed the door to the inner rooms and I released him from my hands. There! The kitty started dancing all over the room, lookin hither tither for ... dunno wat! We laid the bowl of the lukewark milk on the floor, and there! the kitty started lickin onto it instantly finishing most of it - all in one go..... That was a pleasure to see. :)Once pleased with the delicious meal n a full stomach, the brat started playin again. The milk wasnt finished but we just let that be... Our anxious eyes were only following the kitty n the anxious kitty was discovering the place for himself .... He was just running around, jumping n playing with watever he saw... When he spotted the computer table and went in behind it, I was afraid it would get entangled in the hoard of wires there... I just had to pull him out of there... N he went right back in again. N again i picked him up n got it out. That was it .... He didnt go in der again through the evening ... How smart can this canine be!!!
Then again he started roaming around to find the next intertesting place ... We have a round center table covered with a thick cloth. He went in there n seems to have liked the place. After a few times of in and out, he continued its search for the next place to play... In the mean time since it was now comfortable inside, we decided to close the main door that was still lay open. Instantaneously, the kitty leapt to the door and started mewing. He just didnt want us to "trap" him inside. So we let the door be ... But think about the quick wit of the kitty ... It wants the ease and comfort in here and at the same time wants the security of not being trapped in and freedom to go around whereever he likes.
Once he was sure he was safe, he was back in full swing to continue its search for fun place. He finally laid his eyes on this side table n leaped up. First he looked around everything he could find on that table, the phone on one side - played wid its winding chord, then on a pile of papers n books on the other side - This scene was so cute - The lil kitty was as if liking the touch n tickles the papers gave him... After a while of playin with the papers he laid his eyes on the sheft beyond that pile. This shelf had lots of place for him to run around and also many
chotu-motu sovineers that we didnt want him to meddle with. So I made sure he doesnt get up der by blockin the entry point...Those sharp eyes got the clue n he settled atop a small rug on that side table and sat cozyly on that rug. It was just enough for it to lay on ... He was definitely feeling very cozy in der, and he lay der lickin himself clean (...dunno how much he dirtied that rug in the process ...)
Just then Dee thot of a shoe-lace lying in a corner... As soon as the kitten lay its eyes on that long thin "thing" moving in the air, he left his comfort and showed his sporty side. He leaped from the side table to reach the lace hanging (from Dees hands). He jumped to hold the lace n pull it down. It was a sight! Cho chweet .... He got the
lower end of the lace in its mouth and then it tried to snatch it with its hands. We had a gala time playin with the kitty.... Then after some time, Dee just left the lace n let it fall to the ground. That for the kitty was something unusual... Something that was moving n hanging suddenly lay still on the ground. His expression was that of surprise n anxiety. After a moment, with a lot of strength n courage, he slowly tried to touch it with his paw. Then as it still lay der on the ground, he tried again with his paws n then again with his mouth. It was very sweet and surprising to see the reaction of a naive kitty to a thing he had never seen before. Shows how the kitty was cautious, adventurous n yet very careful. He made sure he was safe n secure before taking on anything.
Every now and then I picked up the kitty and put him in front of the milk he had left behind. The kitty would lick a coupla times and then go back to its games. After a long while of these games n fun, the kitty seems to have liked to call it 
a day. The kitty went below our round center table. In the dark n cool in there, he made himself comfortable cleaning himself and finally lay there as if to sleep. But we didnt let it ... opening the cover way n again curious to see wat hes upto... Finally knowin that we would not let him sleep, the kitty came out of that table n went on to our carpet folded in a side. There again it felt its warmth n laid down as if tired from its play.We realized that it was past an hour that we were playing with the kitty and was past 1 AM in the morning. So we decided we should let the kitty go and hit our beds. But how do we let that sweet a thing go? I was completely for keeping him as a pet. But the guys made me understand that there wouldnt be anyone to look after him when we were all away at work.... N I had to agree to that! So we packed the remaining milk into a small plastic container and along with the lace, took the kitten down to leave him. We hoped to see him more often in the days to come ... Well we found a nice cozy corner in the parking lot and put the milk and lace down. I soooo didnt want to let him go. But I finally did and the guys were laughing at me as I said my sorries to kitty to leave him alone in the cold dark night. After all he was a small baby... I put him down and as I started to walk away, the kitty followed me with those ohh so beautiful sad eyes. I knew that this way by the time I reach home the kitty would definitely come back. So I asked the guys to move ahead n keep the door open for me. I sat there for a while and then turnedthe kitty and ran up as fast as I could. The kitten was not behind me! Once home I was talkin to guys how much I would like to have a cat for a pet. Some day... :) About 15 mins must have passed and we heard the familiar mew outside the door again. But we had to leave it to itself and we hit our beds. Next morning one aunty told me that she saw a small white kitty at out doorstep at 6 AM. Can you imagine? The poor thing was there all night... Poor lil sweet kitty. Awww!!
Now its been a coupla weeks but I keep lookin for it everytime I step down. Wonder where it is ... n how!! I wish that kitty well. It gave me lots in that one hour. Now I understand the attachment people have with their pets...
Monday, September 22, 2008
SaptRangi
I was enjoying a ride on a 2-wheeler on a beautiful evening on a sunday, happy on the way back after shopping for my rider.... It was cool non-rainy evening at the end of the monsoons. I suddenly felt cold at a spot on my hand then on my forehead only to realize drops of rain were happily sayin hi-hello to us earthlings. I just raised my head to enoy the slight showers when Lo! Someone up der had painted the most beautiful rainbow I had ever seen in person! It went from the extreme left of the sky that I could lay my eyes on to the extreme right... It was just so breath-taking I couldnt take my eyes off it. I was speachless for a while.
Each of the 7 colors were so very distinct, it could be used to actually teach wat a rainbow
looks like to someone unaware of this natural phenominon. I could so distinctly make out the Violet from the Indigo from the Blue from the Green from the Yellow from the Orange from the Red. I have mostly seen rainbows which are all blurred into a violetish-bluish shade merging in to a lemon yellow following into an orange tint... If what we generally see is a spray-painted rainbow each color smudging into its neighbour, this time it was a very effortful painting first sketched and then filled in with colors restricted to der own space... and the effort consistent from this corner to that very end. The beautiful evening blue sky crowned with this tiara....
As the evening progressed to sun-down nearing 7 PM, the rainbow slowly started blending into the sky, loosing its sharpness. I could see the clouds behindthe rainbow through it. Wat a sight ...
colorful clouds along a rainbow.... something very novel for me.
As the sky darkened further, the rainbow lost itself in the evening, leaving behind golden clouds adorning the sky towards the west. This time the clouds had a golden lining.
I was sooo yearning for my camera during the ride, I couldnt click any pics to share but this has been left etched in my mind for a looong long time to come. Also I noticed one thing ... We have a lot of beauty around us, Just that we dont always notice it in our busy life, our heads full of thoughts restricted to us alone!
Each of the 7 colors were so very distinct, it could be used to actually teach wat a rainbow
looks like to someone unaware of this natural phenominon. I could so distinctly make out the Violet from the Indigo from the Blue from the Green from the Yellow from the Orange from the Red. I have mostly seen rainbows which are all blurred into a violetish-bluish shade merging in to a lemon yellow following into an orange tint... If what we generally see is a spray-painted rainbow each color smudging into its neighbour, this time it was a very effortful painting first sketched and then filled in with colors restricted to der own space... and the effort consistent from this corner to that very end. The beautiful evening blue sky crowned with this tiara....As the evening progressed to sun-down nearing 7 PM, the rainbow slowly started blending into the sky, loosing its sharpness. I could see the clouds behindthe rainbow through it. Wat a sight ...
colorful clouds along a rainbow.... something very novel for me.As the sky darkened further, the rainbow lost itself in the evening, leaving behind golden clouds adorning the sky towards the west. This time the clouds had a golden lining.
I was sooo yearning for my camera during the ride, I couldnt click any pics to share but this has been left etched in my mind for a looong long time to come. Also I noticed one thing ... We have a lot of beauty around us, Just that we dont always notice it in our busy life, our heads full of thoughts restricted to us alone!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Strength
I was waiting for the train on the Dadar fast train platform - busy with people bustling, minding their own business, running around into their own world.... Just then this small girl catches my attention. She was descending the slope off the foot over bridge - a pack of deflated and folded cardboard boxes on her head, balancing with her hands. Must have been just 3 years or so... I noticed a man alongside her with much bigger bags full in both his hands. As they were approaching the platform, the lil girl slipped or lost her balance and suddenly fell to the ground. To my surprise, she aint crying, she doesnt even look hurt or sad. She just got up matter-of-factly, up on her feet. Tidied herself up and reached for her luggage. Picked it up and went to the man she was accompanying to hug his leg - thts where she could reach him. The man just gave her a pat on her back and then picked up for her luggage, adding it to the already full bags he was carrying. They they walked along ahead on their way...
I thought the girl would cry, show some discomfort, atleast crinkle her nose, twitch her face - but there was none. She just got up to her feet calmly and carried on. How strong! was my next reaction. The man, possibly her father or perhaps a caretaker - very lucky - he didnt have to calm her down or pick her up. But shes so young, so tiny, so delicate... how can she be so strong? Is the world around her so cruel to make such a small girl so strong?......
I thought the girl would cry, show some discomfort, atleast crinkle her nose, twitch her face - but there was none. She just got up to her feet calmly and carried on. How strong! was my next reaction. The man, possibly her father or perhaps a caretaker - very lucky - he didnt have to calm her down or pick her up. But shes so young, so tiny, so delicate... how can she be so strong? Is the world around her so cruel to make such a small girl so strong?......
Friday, May 16, 2008
I woke up.. a Pirate!
Early morning, the koyal singing its tunes wakes me up. With only 1 eye open, I tear apart the morning scene around me ... The sun is already up the surroundings bright and happy. The palms in front of me sway with the wind. Birds chirp. Its a bright beautiful morning. Then i turn around to see myself in front of me ... in the mirror .. ahh alas i woke up to face the reality ... I was in my room n my right eye was swollen n stuck up due to heat ... There goes adventure for a toss!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Poor lil flying creature
I was traveling to office in a regular 2nd class ladies compartment of the Mumbai local. Happy to have got a comfortable seat I opened up my novel and started reading it. In a while, I noticed sum ‘hulchul’ in the compartment. Wat do I see… The women near the door were all looking down at the floor of the compartment. Somebody must have dropped something. But their focal point kept shifting as if something was moving. And no1 wanted to reach for it. Instead they were all moving away! There were hush and heys all over. I realized in a while there was a biiig bug in the compartment. Must have flown in through the door and landed on the floor. It started walkin in seeing that there is quiet some place in the compartment this morning. Probably was looking for a window seat as in continued its trail inside… Ladies started makin way for the creature, being cautious that it does not land on them or they don’t land on it … Thankfully no 1 yet had tried to kill it or stamp it. As it neared me, I saw it was walkin at ease not hurrying through the compartment, as if not wanting to make any1 conscious. It was similar to a cockroach, though much bigger in size… say 3 to 4 inches in addition to its 1 –2 inches long antennae. Wat struck me the most is that the creature had 2 wings in 2 different colors! 1 was a shade of gray. The other had beautiful patterns in green-blue. May be it was injured or sumthing… how else can u explain 2 wings so very different?? This might be just the reason why it came in to rest. It was not even flying. Just walking peacefully… hmmm. While all these things were going on in my mind, the bug continued its tour of the compartment; unaware to the scare it had spread to its co-passengers… There were girls that gave up their seat so that the uninvited guest does not harm them. I just kept my feet up staying put at my seat. Among all the ladies, then came this smart young Samaritan. She asked others to calm down and pleaded not to kill the unusual commuter. She got a paper she had in her bag to try pick up the bug so she can put it out. But alas the paper was too small n light. Lookin at that another woman was carrying a wedding invitation. She promptly gave the thick envelop to the lady. As she stood there calculating her next move, another aunty came in, took the envelop and opened it up to hold it near the bug such that it could just walk into the cover. The bug, when it saw this big white bright corner in front of it, initially hesitated. It just put 1 foot inside to check on the cover. All of its senses mighta been in action to assess whether it should walk in or not. It then found it safe and happily walked in without any push or external force. The envelp was big enough to keep the bug in safely. All of this was goin on in the last corner of the compartment. By this time many women had moved to the door to avoid any interaction wid the bug. Aunty then carried the cover towards the door and again the women there were going helter skelter to avoid contact now even with the aunty … Fear - it makes otherwise sane people behave in such wonderous ways… Aunty just poured the bug out of the envelope, out of the train and returned the envelope back to the owner. Wonder if she hung on to it or threw it out right at that moment. This brought back peace in the compartment. And people then resumed their journey. Aunty got a place to sit and was definitely thanking the bug as only it had emptied the seats. I hope the bug had found a safe place to land. Hope it didn’t hurt itself further. Hope its now healing and off to a healthy life ahead. I wonder if it were a female bug to get into the ladies compartment in broad daylight :) hehe Happy journey everyone.
- May 2008
Wat can I say ... I came across another similar incident today ... 2 years after the initial incident. This time i was armed with my cell cam to capture what had made the otherwise calm ladies in the compartment go helter-skelter - a praying mantis. Looks like these bug(gers) can get the same reactions out of ladies every single time :D Take a look at the star of the journey today :)
- July 2010
- May 2008
Wat can I say ... I came across another similar incident today ... 2 years after the initial incident. This time i was armed with my cell cam to capture what had made the otherwise calm ladies in the compartment go helter-skelter - a praying mantis. Looks like these bug(gers) can get the same reactions out of ladies every single time :D Take a look at the star of the journey today :)
- July 2010
Monday, April 28, 2008
Peace on the roads
The rickshaws declared the strike... Man! .. The first thing that came to my mind - now that sooo many people are sooo dependant on these rickies it will complete havok on the roads! What will poeple do?? In fact, I myself get into these situations sometimes, 
when i have to reach my pick up point and I am late. N guess what .. it happened exactly the day of the strike - I had to literally run to the stop... But what do i see on the roads? It was so peaceful- no traffic, no honking, no drrrrrr sounds of the noisy riks! It was so lovely and you could actually see the roads raher than jush the traffic moving at a snail pace. Reach office and most people have the same opinion .. Much peaceful travel to work... Reached so soon... N most importantly .. less pollution! U didnt need an oxygen mask on the roads that day! Wow!! Hurray to the rickshaw strike! :) Even people depending on the public transport were happy. One of them said "Lets support the Rickshaw Walla strike for whatever the cause; something good has come out of it."
I know Rickshaws are required. We cant do completely without them. But the amount of rikkies on the roads in the city today has gone up too high I realized that day. N we can easily do without that big a number grrrrring on our roads, making it difficult for us to breath. I think the authorities need to take another look at this. What say guys?
when i have to reach my pick up point and I am late. N guess what .. it happened exactly the day of the strike - I had to literally run to the stop... But what do i see on the roads? It was so peaceful- no traffic, no honking, no drrrrrr sounds of the noisy riks! It was so lovely and you could actually see the roads raher than jush the traffic moving at a snail pace. Reach office and most people have the same opinion .. Much peaceful travel to work... Reached so soon... N most importantly .. less pollution! U didnt need an oxygen mask on the roads that day! Wow!! Hurray to the rickshaw strike! :) Even people depending on the public transport were happy. One of them said "Lets support the Rickshaw Walla strike for whatever the cause; something good has come out of it."I know Rickshaws are required. We cant do completely without them. But the amount of rikkies on the roads in the city today has gone up too high I realized that day. N we can easily do without that big a number grrrrring on our roads, making it difficult for us to breath. I think the authorities need to take another look at this. What say guys?
Bring on the color!
We had a painting competition in our office. Very excited, I gave my name, thinking I cud revisit those fun times – not that I excel in painting… wait … excel?? Do I even know painting? Yup … wats in painting… All u need is a paper, a brush n sum fun colors n u r done :) Dip the brush in the paint n get it on the paper in the pattern u desire… hehe Well when the workloads not too much I think tryin ur hands at some things new is definitely the way to go…. :) Never know … u might get a hidden treasure within u … Hidden talent … that’s wat I found der that afternoon … not in me as such but in all the wonderful people that I spend my day with….
A handful of us gathered in r recreation room – normally called the TT room … very often the meeting venue of r company … It’s the BIIG room of r office that easily camouflages the way we want it too. :)
The TT table served as r desks… A collection of pencils, erasers, sharpeners, brushes of various sizes, wide range of water colors– tubes n bottles, palates, water n tissues sat together comfortably. Each of us was provided with a sheet as we entered the room. All of us enthusiasts took r places to start. At that moment, my mind went as blank as the sheet… Wat do I draw?? People were all prepared! They instantly started with their pencil work. Some drew beautiful Disney characters. Some others started sketching beautiful nature on their sheets. As I sat there, I remembered the pillow cover my mum had made for me when I was a kid. It had a beautiful phrase surrounded with colorful flowers that wud get me ready for the day. I decided to do the same here on my sheet of paper. Not that it was the best thing to do for a painting competition but I was der to have fun :)
Having done with the lettering with the pencil, it was time to start with colors. But looking around I found out that people had already reached too far … n I had a long way to go… As I took the brush in my hands, I realized how long it had been I had dun this… Well let’s begin with the base color for the pillow color. I chose a light shade of orange. Dabbing the wet sheet with a tissue gave it a beautiful pattern. Sumthing unplanned gave such a nice effect. Wow! I was already
enjoying this so much. I shud b doin this more often yaar! Being a computer professional, it’s so difficult to just write some words on a piece of paper neatly and beautifully. Now doin the same with a paintbrush!! oooohh. But I managed. It didn’t turn out very uniform but nonetheless, very colorful n readable :) hehe. Now all I needed to do was to adorn it wid flowers. So wat pattern, size? Ahh just chuck it… all I did was take the brush, dip it in the color n place the brush hair horizontally on the paper in a circular pattern. 4-6 petals made a beautiful smiling flower :) wow. Now these beauties went all over the sheet in different colors. N voila! I was done. Satisfied, I submitted my entry.
In the meantime, the people who had started with me were also either all done or almost done, giving it their final touch. Cinderella running away leaving behind a shoe as the clock struck XII... A happy yellow tweety flying over some bright beautiful flowers... A branch of a fully bloomed red hibiscus... The outside of a house with amazing rose pots n other creepers... Butterflies flooding over blooms... A pigeon carrying the message of peace on the earth... Great! The afternoon really turned out to be really colorful n imaginative! I shud b doing this more often. Art brings out so much…
Now n again, the room was filled with all r anxious colleagues to check wat v had been up to… Some of them, unable to contain themselves, took up a sheet themselves n started painting. Wow! Onlookers who were now participating … That’s just great. Trapped in art... thts wat id say ;) One just simply started directly with a brush n made a beautiful scene. I wud just love to sit there under the shade of that tree on the cool green lawn on the bright day. Then there was an appu among green trees... There were more flowers and birds… There was a nice twilight scene with pink sea n palm trees n a couple of boats away from the shore… A modern day tiranga like on the cover of A R Rehman’s Vande Mataram. Wow man!
While all this was happening, I just cudnt keep quiet or go away from that fun zone. I took up a small sheet of paper, folded it right in the center and used the tube colors to get the mirror image like outcome. It was a hot favourite during school times. N fun to do even now.
Finally it was time to end the session. The judging would soon start. I had no tensions no expectations … but definitely wanted to get to know the results. Vande Mataram was the winner, with other nature scenes n Disney characters to follow.
The colorful event is over but has given me sumthing to look forward to when I have sum time to spare n some batteries to recharge... hehe Happy Painting…
A handful of us gathered in r recreation room – normally called the TT room … very often the meeting venue of r company … It’s the BIIG room of r office that easily camouflages the way we want it too. :)
The TT table served as r desks… A collection of pencils, erasers, sharpeners, brushes of various sizes, wide range of water colors– tubes n bottles, palates, water n tissues sat together comfortably. Each of us was provided with a sheet as we entered the room. All of us enthusiasts took r places to start. At that moment, my mind went as blank as the sheet… Wat do I draw?? People were all prepared! They instantly started with their pencil work. Some drew beautiful Disney characters. Some others started sketching beautiful nature on their sheets. As I sat there, I remembered the pillow cover my mum had made for me when I was a kid. It had a beautiful phrase surrounded with colorful flowers that wud get me ready for the day. I decided to do the same here on my sheet of paper. Not that it was the best thing to do for a painting competition but I was der to have fun :)
Having done with the lettering with the pencil, it was time to start with colors. But looking around I found out that people had already reached too far … n I had a long way to go… As I took the brush in my hands, I realized how long it had been I had dun this… Well let’s begin with the base color for the pillow color. I chose a light shade of orange. Dabbing the wet sheet with a tissue gave it a beautiful pattern. Sumthing unplanned gave such a nice effect. Wow! I was already
enjoying this so much. I shud b doin this more often yaar! Being a computer professional, it’s so difficult to just write some words on a piece of paper neatly and beautifully. Now doin the same with a paintbrush!! oooohh. But I managed. It didn’t turn out very uniform but nonetheless, very colorful n readable :) hehe. Now all I needed to do was to adorn it wid flowers. So wat pattern, size? Ahh just chuck it… all I did was take the brush, dip it in the color n place the brush hair horizontally on the paper in a circular pattern. 4-6 petals made a beautiful smiling flower :) wow. Now these beauties went all over the sheet in different colors. N voila! I was done. Satisfied, I submitted my entry.In the meantime, the people who had started with me were also either all done or almost done, giving it their final touch. Cinderella running away leaving behind a shoe as the clock struck XII... A happy yellow tweety flying over some bright beautiful flowers... A branch of a fully bloomed red hibiscus... The outside of a house with amazing rose pots n other creepers... Butterflies flooding over blooms... A pigeon carrying the message of peace on the earth... Great! The afternoon really turned out to be really colorful n imaginative! I shud b doing this more often. Art brings out so much…
Now n again, the room was filled with all r anxious colleagues to check wat v had been up to… Some of them, unable to contain themselves, took up a sheet themselves n started painting. Wow! Onlookers who were now participating … That’s just great. Trapped in art... thts wat id say ;) One just simply started directly with a brush n made a beautiful scene. I wud just love to sit there under the shade of that tree on the cool green lawn on the bright day. Then there was an appu among green trees... There were more flowers and birds… There was a nice twilight scene with pink sea n palm trees n a couple of boats away from the shore… A modern day tiranga like on the cover of A R Rehman’s Vande Mataram. Wow man!
While all this was happening, I just cudnt keep quiet or go away from that fun zone. I took up a small sheet of paper, folded it right in the center and used the tube colors to get the mirror image like outcome. It was a hot favourite during school times. N fun to do even now.
Finally it was time to end the session. The judging would soon start. I had no tensions no expectations … but definitely wanted to get to know the results. Vande Mataram was the winner, with other nature scenes n Disney characters to follow.
The colorful event is over but has given me sumthing to look forward to when I have sum time to spare n some batteries to recharge... hehe Happy Painting…
Romance the majestic moon
My friend was dropping me home at night on his bike. We were on the eastern express highway. Smooth traffic God weather (As can be in Mumbai in the hot and humid month of April!). It was so cool. I just took my eyes off the road to look around. Instantly, I wished I had a cam! On my right up in the dimly lit sky, the moon was as if hiding behind a veil of clouds fluttering in the air. A strong ray of light from that majestic light emitting body came down to meet the city lights. Very close to being full, the moon was all big, round and bright. Whatever of it was out of the veil was clearly visible. The makeup with the craters, the shades… it was all just too romantic. Just like no common man is allowed to go close to the Majesty, there were no stars in that part of the sky. All u need at a tome like this is a pro cam wid a tripod to get a great shot of the heavenly body OR the love of ur life next to you holding ur hand! I was just lucky to have seen that beautiful scene…
Friday, April 25, 2008
Power of Love
A friend of mine had just had a registered wedding the other day n we were invited for the pooja in the evening the next day. It was beautiful ... the way they had put up the whole thing .. the very beautifully decorated house the 2 of them had bought on their own. Actually the parents of the guy were against it for years. But the love birds persisted. Having found your soul mate n knowing you are made for each other has a power that can evn bend an iron rod. Nothing then can come in your way. Well, finally, the two had gotten together "legally". N guess what... their parents had accompanied them! Yes parents of both. Aint that neat!
I sometimes wonder in this modern age n generation, how parents can disagree to let their children spend the rest of their lives with the person who just completes them so naturally! Well in the end love wins... there is nothing in this world that is stronger than the power of love. Togetherness. Strength. Sharing and caring... 2 people who are so much made for one another to be complete. To make a world of their own – more beautiful than anything that can be described in words. This world should be given space to grow n nurture. To flower – the world wud only benefit from it .. it only spreads smiles n happiness.
So many love marriages happening these days .. n its a good thing to c ... multi caste, multi cultural, multi religion ...... We'll be a 1 caste 1 culture 1 religion, 1 big community with the positives from all.
The world will come closer like this and vll live in a world of luv and peace.
I sometimes wonder in this modern age n generation, how parents can disagree to let their children spend the rest of their lives with the person who just completes them so naturally! Well in the end love wins... there is nothing in this world that is stronger than the power of love. Togetherness. Strength. Sharing and caring... 2 people who are so much made for one another to be complete. To make a world of their own – more beautiful than anything that can be described in words. This world should be given space to grow n nurture. To flower – the world wud only benefit from it .. it only spreads smiles n happiness.
So many love marriages happening these days .. n its a good thing to c ... multi caste, multi cultural, multi religion ...... We'll be a 1 caste 1 culture 1 religion, 1 big community with the positives from all.
The world will come closer like this and vll live in a world of luv and peace.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Beautiful VIBGYOR
V were sitting in the pantry on a lazy workin day to refresh ourselves with a cup of hot coffee or tea as the day was half over. Our pantry being up on the tarrace, has glass on 2 sides, giving us the view of the beauty outside. Most evenings during sunset time there are beautiful hues of pinks oranges blues and grays which is most often more refreshing than the tea/coffee that the vending machine vomits out into r cups. Often v try r photography skills on these.Well, just last week v had a special sight der just for us... It was a gray cloudy day. The sun just about peeping very few times and for hardly few seconds. The sight that blew us over was as below...The clouds were racing around the wide open sky, aware that the sun was right behind... In this running around de just decided to play ring-a-ring-a-roses formin a circle. They got the sun to join in and encircled him. This suddenly brought round a bright swaying light around where v sat.. capcturing our attention.. Thanks to the weather, the moisture and the sun rays formed a vibrant rainbow on the clouds. V hence had the circular rainbow with the sun in the center of it. Wat a beautiul sight .. v were compelled to leave whatever it was v were discussing n having to fall pray to this beautiful sight that v were blessed to encounter... N before even we could think of clicking a picture in our handy cell cams the clouds went back to playing helter skelter and the beautiful sight was cleared within a second. But the memory remains.... The picture stuck in r heads n hearts for a long time to cum... Later googling on it I realized I didnt even know that a phenomenon as a "Circular Rainbow" exists. Having experianced it just idlying around in the pantry makes it even more exciting. May v live to experiance more and more chamatkar that mother nature has to offer....
Green spots on a backgound of gray
Green spots on a backgound of gray... Swaying happily beautifully ... calling out to the clouds to pour out sum more ... So de can dance in the rain accompnying the peacocks... Tho this goes unnoticed at most times, de still continue .. De make hay in the absence of the sun With cool breeze brushing up against them, flirting with them trying to get the most rythm ouuta them and then the refreshing rain drops cooling them further... More energy More rythm The dance continues........
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Ladies & Harleys!
Until a couple of years ago, I used to think tht bikes are not for me .. I was least interested in any kind of 2-wheelers. Can you imagine bearing the sun on you direct... all the smoke, the pollution, nothing to shield you from it all! No No! No Thank You!
But in the past years, thanks to my friends I have had n number of bike rides, long and short ... to top it all, really enjoyed them to the level that Im addicted now! I love takin rides with my friends, accompanying them as their pillion. Though riding bikes myself is still a NO! Im very content sitting behind the my friend who takes on the road, myself feeling the breeze on my face, enjoying the view and chatting away. Not much of a speed freak!
In the weekend gone past, I was idling @ home, watching sum television. Travel & Living, 1 of the few channels I find worth a watch, had a feature on this group of 6 ladies who meet up n go for a cross country ride on der Harley Davidsons.
It was an eye-opener! The scenes I got to see were simply breath-taking. But even more amazing was the feel the women themselves gave me! Just totally free as a bird, each 1 of them, with all their worldly worries at bay! Its not like they just bike! But each one had her own family, carreer, life. They had each just taken a couple of days off that routine, just for herself, free from everything. Just she and her bike!.. n this gang of gals :)
The women met up one fine morning- her companions all stranger to her! The gang had never met before! Very coolly they said their hi-hellos and started off on the road. It just didnt matter who was accompanying them. The journey was wat mattered!
As they drove they learnt about each other. The way they bonded was great. They helped each other in a lot of things .. mostly on riding, the roads, the journey... It was awesum! Some of them were new to this cross country biking Some veterans. They shared their knowledge. Took care of each other and most of all had fun!
As the roads opened up this whole new world, the beauty mother nature had to offer engulfed them... The Grand Canyon as the background.... Wo!!
I wish i was der too ... Now Im actually considering to learn biking .. n i have frnds n family more than ready to teach. some even more anxious than me actually! haha Will add that to my talent pool soon and then rrrrr..rrr..rrr..rr Come wind cum rain .. ill be der to take it on n enjoy!!
But in the past years, thanks to my friends I have had n number of bike rides, long and short ... to top it all, really enjoyed them to the level that Im addicted now! I love takin rides with my friends, accompanying them as their pillion. Though riding bikes myself is still a NO! Im very content sitting behind the my friend who takes on the road, myself feeling the breeze on my face, enjoying the view and chatting away. Not much of a speed freak!
In the weekend gone past, I was idling @ home, watching sum television. Travel & Living, 1 of the few channels I find worth a watch, had a feature on this group of 6 ladies who meet up n go for a cross country ride on der Harley Davidsons.
It was an eye-opener! The scenes I got to see were simply breath-taking. But even more amazing was the feel the women themselves gave me! Just totally free as a bird, each 1 of them, with all their worldly worries at bay! Its not like they just bike! But each one had her own family, carreer, life. They had each just taken a couple of days off that routine, just for herself, free from everything. Just she and her bike!.. n this gang of gals :)
The women met up one fine morning- her companions all stranger to her! The gang had never met before! Very coolly they said their hi-hellos and started off on the road. It just didnt matter who was accompanying them. The journey was wat mattered!
As they drove they learnt about each other. The way they bonded was great. They helped each other in a lot of things .. mostly on riding, the roads, the journey... It was awesum! Some of them were new to this cross country biking Some veterans. They shared their knowledge. Took care of each other and most of all had fun!
As the roads opened up this whole new world, the beauty mother nature had to offer engulfed them... The Grand Canyon as the background.... Wo!!
I wish i was der too ... Now Im actually considering to learn biking .. n i have frnds n family more than ready to teach. some even more anxious than me actually! haha Will add that to my talent pool soon and then rrrrr..rrr..rrr..rr Come wind cum rain .. ill be der to take it on n enjoy!!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
My shadow on the mountain...
I was workin on a normal weekday in office, when all of a sudden as if from nowhere a friend asked me if I wud like to go Paragliding! This was enough for my horses to gallop (in the imaginary fields of) thru the adventure the sport has to offer... The next thing I know, my friend has already planned it all up!
So early morning on the 19th of November 2006, our gang of wild adventure junkies set from the heart of Pune city, some on their bikes and the rest in the Qualis v hired, towards Kamshet, 60 kms from the city on the old Pune-Mumbai highway. On the way I heard scary exaggerated 2nd hand versions of stories of people who had tried their hand at this sport... how v have to run real fast n jump off the cliff along with the Pilot in perfect sync so as to 'take-off'. I was preparing myself for the adventure! Also, it seems just the day before, half the people had to return back wid only disappointment due to lack of proper wind conditions :(
V reached the site at around 10.30 following some adventure- A couple on one of r bikes had had a fall at a steep curve in their enthusiasm of photography. That just proves it - 'No pains, no gains' ;) No1 was hurt and it was a laugh laugh situation :D .. but 1 from which to learn a lesson. 'Jan hai to jahan hai!'
V saw a small crowd of enthusiasts already set to fly wid! But no1 yet in the air above us other than birds and bees. V then heard the wind conditions werent gud enough yet and this gave us a slight setback. But that did not stop us from admiring the beauty around us. V were all playin in the lap of Mother Nature. V had already had a mini collection of photos by then and v didnot stop there.
Finally after an hour of playin around, the pilots called us for instructions and demo of the experience that awaited us. Awright!! So we were finally all set to go! Fly like a bird high in the space up above the earth reaching for the sky :)
The coordinator for us that day, Anita called us 1 by 1, the parameter for the call being our weight! :O :-? Well v had 2 gliders ready for us: for the 2 weight ranges v were in, the divider being around the number 70. V were going in for "Tandem Flight". This is where the "Pilot" has all the controls and v tag along for a joy-ride. These gliders are designed to fly like aeroplanes with the pilot maneouring them. They can go right n left n up n down with even the speed controls in the hands of the pilot. Of course the winds have a share in the controls too. :D But thts where the pilots' experience & talent comes into picture.
My friend who had planned it all got the righteous first chance to go - he was the heaviest among all of us :p As he got ready to fly, v saw with anxious eyes from a distance. Of course the paparazzi were all set - all cams out n clicking! :) The harness was more like a beanbag. Yes! It was like v were goin to be seated in r royal easy chairs as the pilot would take us thru the ride v were der for. Alongside the stage was being set for the take-off. The glider was unfolded and (laid down open) spread open on the ground. Over a hundred thin strings came out of tht glider making me admire the technology n mechanism that those Xtream thin strings had a life of approx 300 hours of flight with 2 savaris! The Pilot got all strapped in and so was my friend. I was surprised to c that the glider took off just as soon as it was raised by 2 people. The wind was enough to give it the necessary kick. There was no need for the run!! V saw him zoom in the sky go in furious half-circles like a pendulum. V were all so excited, whistling and clapping. But soon (well within 10 mins) his time in the air was done. It was time for him to get back to the earth. As he landed again v were all ready to capture the moment in pics/vids. His feet touched the ground and the glider followed behind him as if the sumbody just left a long piece of cloth from atop a building. It came down artistically just as they show in bollywood song sequences. :D
Slowly n steadily v started flying depending on the number called out by the pilots. Lookin at the weight range being called out I thot it would be my chance next. But suddenly the pilot called a very low number : n i continued waiting. Only lookin at the colorful birds above my head, spining, spreadin their wings to capture the space. The birds after settling back down on the ground were raving about the experience.
Then there were solo rider as well. Some of them had a tough time takin-off. Thats when I realised its the skill that our pilots showed in that smooth take-off my gang was having.
Finally after more than half of us were done, mera number agaya. I got all strapped up and ready to fly with the helmet losely fit on my head. As I took-off, I expected some fear, some butterflies in my stomach... but wait - there was none! This was awesumly smooth! Just put my head down and wat do I c.. Everybody else was smaller than ants! I must have been around 1200-1500 ft above ground level. The flight site itself was @ a height of 700 ft n I was almost another 500-700 ft above that. That was some sight. The green valley with small patches of brown soil looked lovely. The fields in different shades of green further ahead filled in my sight. I was totally takin it all in! My pilot Avi, is an ex-Air Force pilot. V started a conversation with introductions and then general information about what I was just doing. :) That just enriched my experience up der in the sky. Shortly into my flight Avi gave me instructions to sit even more royally.. as in to put my 1 leg over the other as he would shout out the direction v have to take. So on 'Left' I had to put my right leg on the left and this action combined with him pulling the string controls would take a high speed left turn. Wo!! this was completely awesum! V did these Lefts n Rights continuously for a while to gimme enuf thrills. But ye dil mange more! Next he pulled the strings in both his hands down to take us low. V went right below the take-off site into the valley close enuf that I could c some shadows down in the greens. As I realized tht 1 down there was indeed mine! I said out loud "My shadow on the Mountain!" Avi said that very much sounded like a title to an article. This is wat gave me an idea to write about this exhilarating experiance. :) V continued r flight next following a birdie as it went straight up and right n then disappeared in the distance.Avi was almost about to take me bak to the floor when I was wondering if I could get the controls in my hands. So sweet of him to actually agree. I tried my hands at glider n tasted wat is flying in the true sense :) Well after all that it was time for me to cum bak to reality. To walk on the ground. :D I approached my gang below and flew over their heads to the side of the site where v landed. My friends better have a great video of it ;)
Before it was 4, all 14 of us finally finished r short sequences of flights. This definitely called for a pic of the entire gang with the co-ordinator Anita, pilots Avi n Tanaji, n Ajay n Dhawal, the guys that helped with the gliders. That done v started back towards r vehicles, envying the solo pilots who were still floating around in the sky. V all promised to be back soon, probably to go thru the couse. Yey! :D
So early morning on the 19th of November 2006, our gang of wild adventure junkies set from the heart of Pune city, some on their bikes and the rest in the Qualis v hired, towards Kamshet, 60 kms from the city on the old Pune-Mumbai highway. On the way I heard scary exaggerated 2nd hand versions of stories of people who had tried their hand at this sport... how v have to run real fast n jump off the cliff along with the Pilot in perfect sync so as to 'take-off'. I was preparing myself for the adventure! Also, it seems just the day before, half the people had to return back wid only disappointment due to lack of proper wind conditions :(
V reached the site at around 10.30 following some adventure- A couple on one of r bikes had had a fall at a steep curve in their enthusiasm of photography. That just proves it - 'No pains, no gains' ;) No1 was hurt and it was a laugh laugh situation :D .. but 1 from which to learn a lesson. 'Jan hai to jahan hai!'
V saw a small crowd of enthusiasts already set to fly wid! But no1 yet in the air above us other than birds and bees. V then heard the wind conditions werent gud enough yet and this gave us a slight setback. But that did not stop us from admiring the beauty around us. V were all playin in the lap of Mother Nature. V had already had a mini collection of photos by then and v didnot stop there.
Finally after an hour of playin around, the pilots called us for instructions and demo of the experience that awaited us. Awright!! So we were finally all set to go! Fly like a bird high in the space up above the earth reaching for the sky :)
The coordinator for us that day, Anita called us 1 by 1, the parameter for the call being our weight! :O :-? Well v had 2 gliders ready for us: for the 2 weight ranges v were in, the divider being around the number 70. V were going in for "Tandem Flight". This is where the "Pilot" has all the controls and v tag along for a joy-ride. These gliders are designed to fly like aeroplanes with the pilot maneouring them. They can go right n left n up n down with even the speed controls in the hands of the pilot. Of course the winds have a share in the controls too. :D But thts where the pilots' experience & talent comes into picture.
My friend who had planned it all got the righteous first chance to go - he was the heaviest among all of us :p As he got ready to fly, v saw with anxious eyes from a distance. Of course the paparazzi were all set - all cams out n clicking! :) The harness was more like a beanbag. Yes! It was like v were goin to be seated in r royal easy chairs as the pilot would take us thru the ride v were der for. Alongside the stage was being set for the take-off. The glider was unfolded and (laid down open) spread open on the ground. Over a hundred thin strings came out of tht glider making me admire the technology n mechanism that those Xtream thin strings had a life of approx 300 hours of flight with 2 savaris! The Pilot got all strapped in and so was my friend. I was surprised to c that the glider took off just as soon as it was raised by 2 people. The wind was enough to give it the necessary kick. There was no need for the run!! V saw him zoom in the sky go in furious half-circles like a pendulum. V were all so excited, whistling and clapping. But soon (well within 10 mins) his time in the air was done. It was time for him to get back to the earth. As he landed again v were all ready to capture the moment in pics/vids. His feet touched the ground and the glider followed behind him as if the sumbody just left a long piece of cloth from atop a building. It came down artistically just as they show in bollywood song sequences. :D
Slowly n steadily v started flying depending on the number called out by the pilots. Lookin at the weight range being called out I thot it would be my chance next. But suddenly the pilot called a very low number : n i continued waiting. Only lookin at the colorful birds above my head, spining, spreadin their wings to capture the space. The birds after settling back down on the ground were raving about the experience.
Then there were solo rider as well. Some of them had a tough time takin-off. Thats when I realised its the skill that our pilots showed in that smooth take-off my gang was having.
Finally after more than half of us were done, mera number agaya. I got all strapped up and ready to fly with the helmet losely fit on my head. As I took-off, I expected some fear, some butterflies in my stomach... but wait - there was none! This was awesumly smooth! Just put my head down and wat do I c.. Everybody else was smaller than ants! I must have been around 1200-1500 ft above ground level. The flight site itself was @ a height of 700 ft n I was almost another 500-700 ft above that. That was some sight. The green valley with small patches of brown soil looked lovely. The fields in different shades of green further ahead filled in my sight. I was totally takin it all in! My pilot Avi, is an ex-Air Force pilot. V started a conversation with introductions and then general information about what I was just doing. :) That just enriched my experience up der in the sky. Shortly into my flight Avi gave me instructions to sit even more royally.. as in to put my 1 leg over the other as he would shout out the direction v have to take. So on 'Left' I had to put my right leg on the left and this action combined with him pulling the string controls would take a high speed left turn. Wo!! this was completely awesum! V did these Lefts n Rights continuously for a while to gimme enuf thrills. But ye dil mange more! Next he pulled the strings in both his hands down to take us low. V went right below the take-off site into the valley close enuf that I could c some shadows down in the greens. As I realized tht 1 down there was indeed mine! I said out loud "My shadow on the Mountain!" Avi said that very much sounded like a title to an article. This is wat gave me an idea to write about this exhilarating experiance. :) V continued r flight next following a birdie as it went straight up and right n then disappeared in the distance.Avi was almost about to take me bak to the floor when I was wondering if I could get the controls in my hands. So sweet of him to actually agree. I tried my hands at glider n tasted wat is flying in the true sense :) Well after all that it was time for me to cum bak to reality. To walk on the ground. :D I approached my gang below and flew over their heads to the side of the site where v landed. My friends better have a great video of it ;)
Before it was 4, all 14 of us finally finished r short sequences of flights. This definitely called for a pic of the entire gang with the co-ordinator Anita, pilots Avi n Tanaji, n Ajay n Dhawal, the guys that helped with the gliders. That done v started back towards r vehicles, envying the solo pilots who were still floating around in the sky. V all promised to be back soon, probably to go thru the couse. Yey! :D
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