tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129894962024-03-16T09:19:23.151-07:00Random MusingsA peek into a muddled mindPrashanthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02103053883289120428noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989496.post-17424094865986081452011-12-26T02:17:00.000-08:002011-12-26T02:29:22.358-08:00The original Don 2 and Hawa HawaNow that Don 2 is released, this reminds me of the original Don 2.<br />Yes, just like there was an original Don starring Amitabh that SRK's Don was based on, there is also an original Don 2, but SRK's Don 2 is mostly not based on that.<br />People who were of the time when Doordarshan was the only channel around and Wednesday's Chitrahaar was religiously watched and not missed, might remember. There was even a song that became famous from this Don 2. And that song is...believe it or not...<br /><br />Hawa Hawa.<br /><br />Yes, the same dhin-chak number which is a strong favorite of mine even now! It used to get the pride of place during the assembly and classroom discussions after the week's Chitrahaar was aired.<br /><br />Well, the story supposedly goes like this. It seems they wanted to release Hasan Jahangir's hit songs, including the iconic Hawa Hawa, and so made a direct-to-video cheesy movie titled Don 2 starring Jeet Upendra. He's the guy who's in the video of the song dancing around the Bandra seaface. I remember him from the serial 'Ajnabee' starring Danny Denzongpa that used to air on DD.<br /><br />Also, see if you can spot SRK's Mannat during the song before it was bought and renovated by SRK. It is a 3:33 in the video.<br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/psYgmvgTJuw" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe><br /><br />Hawa Hawa itself has multiple copies. Bappi Lahiri lifted the tune for Govinda's Java Java.<br />And well, Hawa Hawa was not Hasan Jahangir's original as well. He lifted it from an old Iranian song titled Havar Havar. Listen to that below.<br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-fNW8OrEsn0" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe>Prashanthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02103053883289120428noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989496.post-50423345208790427622011-12-19T22:23:00.000-08:002011-12-19T22:28:46.761-08:00Rajanikanth typed "Let it snow" in Google and...By now, all of you must have tried out typing "Let it snow" in Google search and seeing the effects.<br />Some told Rajanikanth also to try it. He wanted to check it and typed that and....<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJ3IOZTAWMpyvJjLRvKNFrZdsrtzVZW1XbXmNes8GhOCcifGcx5z374Zvk3DeYVem7pIZol0ImlT0tz-ZhF1vgsjumVijqxoGqTdFfdWDBwvi1h7tWBVReKHDkMyCWBsNlu_axw/s1600/google_snow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJ3IOZTAWMpyvJjLRvKNFrZdsrtzVZW1XbXmNes8GhOCcifGcx5z374Zvk3DeYVem7pIZol0ImlT0tz-ZhF1vgsjumVijqxoGqTdFfdWDBwvi1h7tWBVReKHDkMyCWBsNlu_axw/s400/google_snow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688092984435350690" border="0" /></a>(Photo original link: https://plus.google.com/106517092226488584705/posts/RqSaTEfFkQW)<br /><br />P.S: Also check out "Do a barrel roll" on Google Search. Cool Easter eggs.Prashanthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02103053883289120428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989496.post-54119825159240003252011-04-19T03:41:00.000-07:002011-04-19T03:42:53.916-07:00Bangalore-Mangalore driveNH48 connecting Bangalore to Mangalore has not been in a better condition in a long, long time than it is now. We traveled on this route on 8th April and it was an easy trip.<br />The condition of the main culprit, the Shiradi Ghat between Sakleshpura and Uppinangady has been repaired recently. All the potholes have been patched up, the curves are concretized and generally the drive is a smooth one. So until the rains come puring in, if you have travel plans towards Mangalore, surely take the Shiradi Ghat route. Also<br />Also with the Goraguntepalya-Nelamangala flyover operational which lets you cover the stretch within 20-30 minutes, has led me to avoid the Magadi route which is slightly dangerous (due to the private bus traffic as well as the curvy TG Halli stretch where I've had one nasty experience already) and bad (you got to search for the road among the potholes in the 5Km stretch within Magadi town).<br />The Nelamangala-Kunigal highway is also smooth and the earlier jarring speed breakers/humps have been removed.<br />So except for the Kunigal-Yediyur stretch which passes through Kunigal town, the rest of the route is nice and smooth. Once they complete the laning work on this stretch, it should be even better.<br />Additionally we got an elephant herd sighting near the Kemp Hole. There were 4 of them, 2 baby and 2 bigger ones, standing on the side of the road, we let them be and passed by.<br /><br />Because of the good road condition we made quick time and were able to reach the destination for the yakshagana and puja that night.<br /><br />16:15 -> Leave Bangalore<br />20:30 -> Reach Sakleshpura and stop for picking up an uncle<br />21:55 -> Reach Puttur via Uppinangady<br />22:20 -> Reach Vitla and stop to meet a couple of relatives<br />23:15 -> Reach destination Bayar, Kasargod<br /><br />Here is a map of the route:<br /><iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.co.in/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Outer+Ring+Road&daddr=12.78251,75.20814+to:12.74978,75.1587+to:12.7445094,75.0505345+to:12.667517,74.978566&geocode=FQkPxgAd5syeBA%3BFa4LwwAdzJV7BCm9M0fFpb2kOzFx4i-y-uSrqg%3BFdSLwgAdrNR6BCn7ThLmVb2kOzFhoU3ynkciiA%3BFT13wgAdJi55BClN4MZr_aGkOzFGn36D_U_-mw%3BFX1KwQAdBhV4BA&hl=en&mra=dpe&mrsp=3&sz=14&via=1,2,3&sll=12.728261,75.068722&sspn=0.043284,0.055189&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=13.165074,76.327515&spn=2.567217,3.515625&z=8&output=embed" frameborder="0" height="480" scrolling="no" width="640"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.co.in/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Outer+Ring+Road&daddr=12.78251,75.20814+to:12.74978,75.1587+to:12.7445094,75.0505345+to:12.667517,74.978566&geocode=FQkPxgAd5syeBA%3BFa4LwwAdzJV7BCm9M0fFpb2kOzFx4i-y-uSrqg%3BFdSLwgAdrNR6BCn7ThLmVb2kOzFhoU3ynkciiA%3BFT13wgAdJi55BClN4MZr_aGkOzFGn36D_U_-mw%3BFX1KwQAdBhV4BA&hl=en&mra=dpe&mrsp=3&sz=14&via=1,2,3&sll=12.728261,75.068722&sspn=0.043284,0.055189&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=13.165074,76.327515&spn=2.567217,3.515625&z=8" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>Prashanthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02103053883289120428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989496.post-19306019417026830412010-09-14T00:50:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:40:28.101-08:00K-Tea!K-Tea - This might just be the most different tea I've ever tasted. And tasted very good as well, right up with the best.<br />The place this is available at is a small nondescript hotel, Sri Lakshmi Nivasa on the Bangalore Mangalore highway at Kalladka, about 35km before entering Mangalore.<br />The specialty of this K-tea (Kalladka tea) is its double color. Usually, you might have seen your tea with a white creamy layer on top of the browny tea layer. But in K-Tea, this is reverse. The brown tea layer is at the top while the milk is at the bottom. Looks totally cool!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqNoinVNnVMrehV1ZOvUa3AeMdVDwyv-v1Ron_njHLnEPKgiEWY-TMLnNBvM026TYuUo0BCmwr-N3ng1o0Z6ia7e3WhzYvD_mpiAmpfOwT5tFPQtOeLmszUOeMjRpp9JtqYJZgg/s1600/13092010148.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqNoinVNnVMrehV1ZOvUa3AeMdVDwyv-v1Ron_njHLnEPKgiEWY-TMLnNBvM026TYuUo0BCmwr-N3ng1o0Z6ia7e3WhzYvD_mpiAmpfOwT5tFPQtOeLmszUOeMjRpp9JtqYJZgg/s320/13092010148.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516716661427208818" border="0" /></a><br />Anyone who is passing by, should definitely have this,a long with the dosa and goli-baje. Anyone who's not passing by should have it in their itinerary to check this out :-)Prashanthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02103053883289120428noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989496.post-73910511432993488022010-04-19T08:37:00.000-07:002010-09-22T03:40:43.075-07:00IPHellThe IPL has redefined cricket. And anything cricket related.<br />Isme ab cricket hai, Bollywood hai, politics hai aur underworld bhi. We just wait for some religious type to be a part team owner and then we would have all required elements that the public savors.<br /><br />Finally, the commentary team comes into its own during this IPL.<br />Until now, commentary was always an invisible parameter during a match. Kind of like a background score in a movie. You would not notice it unless it was really awesome or really banal.<br />The rest were all in between who managed rare insights (by rare I mean once in a while :)) to the game.<br />And then IPL came along. Along came its DLF maximums, and Citi moments of successes and Karbonn kamaal catches. Commentators must have their commissions linked to how much they use the brand names, the way they have been doing it all this while now. And each of them is unique in their style.<br />Let's start with Mpulelo Mbangwa (imagine if the other commentators had to introduce him with his actual name. No wonder he turned into the more easier Pommie Mbangwa). He actually speaks well, has good insights. But it all goes for a toss (literally!) when a player hits a six. It seems the ball actually travelled all the way to the commentary box, irrespective of the direction it was hit, and thudded into Pommie's umm...errr...box. He lets out a "Aaaaaaarrrrrgggggghhhhhhh.....", which sounds eerily similar to the Hindi rapist villain's exclamations when the heroine knees him one in the box. Just listen for it next time around.<br /><br />Then there is L Sivaramakrishnan. His commentary is as sing-song as the effort required to say his name. Complete with the thaala and the introductory pallavi. "¶¶It's got the elevation¶¶... ¶¶and gone the distance¶¶¶". And some of the words he uses "Whatacatch. He's got lovely hands". <br />And Ravi Shastri with his tracer bullets. "Once he hits them, they stay hit". What about the rest? Once they hit them, it turns into water and flows away? Or dissolves into the atmosphere? <br /><br />His commentary is usually made of screaming the player's name or the expression, like the Bollywood heroes do when searching for the villain in their lair. Just compare "YUVRAJ!! SIX!!" to "BALWANT RAI!!!BAAHAR NIKAL!"<br /><br />Now coming to the other IPL highlights. I was wondering why there was no MRF blimps during the Kings XI matches. Then I realised MRF had stuck their logos on Ramesh Powar and Yuvraj Singh!<br />Talking of Yuvraj, he's really put on so much weight that the IPL committee is planning to make a rule that umpires point to Yuvraj when signalling a wide. And he could sponsor the wide. So next we can hear the commentators admonishing a Yuvraj Singh wide bowled by bowlers.<br />On the same lines, Lalit Modi is coming up with a new idea to make even more money by planning to approach the cricketers themselves to sponsor some of the happenings. After the Yuvraj Singh wide, <br />John Buchanan wide - Wide which goes high over the batsman's head, much like Buchanan's theories,<br />Kumar Sangakkara appeal - Appeal by the bowler/keeper when the batsman is no where out,<br />Kevin Pietersen tantrum - Glares/shouts by the batsman at his mate who's just got him run out,<br />Inzamam ul Haq runout - Batsman setting of for a easy single and somehow running himself out,<br />Badrinath shower - A heavy downpour disrupting the game, much like Badri's sweating,<br />Venkatesh Prasad slower ball - Bowler delivers a slower ball slower than his actual run up,<br />Glenn McGrath corridor ball - One in the corridor of uncertainty,<br />Robin Uthappa Six - Six that should actually be a 12 because of the distance it traverses,<br />Kamran Akmal drop - Simple catch (a.k.a dolly) fluffed by the keeper/fielder.<br />Shoaib Malik catch - To complement the Karbonn kamaal catch where one fielder drops the catch but another fielder manages to hold on to the rebound.<br />Harbhajan Singh celebration - Wicket taking bowler shouting like Tarzan and running all round the ground like a headless chicken.<br />Andrew Symonds no ball - Well, because he has no baal (as in hair)...hehehehe. <br /><br />Speaking of bald players, insiders tell me that Modi has already plans to tattoo up some more logos on the bald pates of Symonds, Sehwag, etc. There could even be a new rule in place by IPL4 for all players to turn up with shaven heads so that sponsor logos can be displayed on the heads.<br />Next is what? Imagine :)<br /><br />Negotiations are on with the players to check how much money are they willing to pay to have their names chanted by commentators whenever these events happen.<br /><br />Also, Rupa Vests and Briefs has tied up with IPL to sponsor the toilet break for the players. So now, whenever a fielder or bowler or even the umpire goes to take a leak, they would be going for the Rupa Vest and Briefs Toilet Break - Yeh Andar ki baat hai!Prashanthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02103053883289120428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989496.post-6607442486404027532009-06-01T22:35:00.001-07:002010-09-22T03:41:28.651-07:00Funny jokeNot my own, but this joke cracked me up :-D<br /><br />PATIENT: "Doctor, I've got a strawberry stuck up my bum." <br />DOCTOR: "I've got some cream for that."<br /><br /><br />HehehehehePrashanthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02103053883289120428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989496.post-846130128931266552008-01-10T22:01:00.000-08:002010-09-22T03:42:34.086-07:00Mobiking to Mysore and aroundLong pending blog to be published. Procrastination rules! :(<br />The last weekend of November was good with a long pending bike trip done. A total of 550km in 2 days was great fun. My stressed back wouldn't share the same opinion, I guess :)<br /><br />So late Friday night we decided to go to Mysore. We set out pretty early on the Saturday morning. There were three bikes - my brother on an Enticer, my cousin on a Unicorn and myself on a Pulsar. The other 2 were already long trip experts after doing a Bangalore-Mangalore trip few months back. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcDTRdTJbmPOaVJQg8-yuEC1VZgKNH7RfbygIQJstj1LvUPqIsNVh3ksvd8FNwj3Xzqo0hAZFqLU0ybezqrK5YvgqqOjerke8uK1LdQtyxvW0UKTFUD8dnRrTeqthmtl2U83dcg/s1600-h/BikeTrip1+004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcDTRdTJbmPOaVJQg8-yuEC1VZgKNH7RfbygIQJstj1LvUPqIsNVh3ksvd8FNwj3Xzqo0hAZFqLU0ybezqrK5YvgqqOjerke8uK1LdQtyxvW0UKTFUD8dnRrTeqthmtl2U83dcg/s320/BikeTrip1+004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158197988184931122" /></a><br /><br />After topping the tank, we quickly reached Mysore Road and started roaring on the highway. The road were unusually empty, for it being a weekend, there are usually lots of holiday travelers going to all the scenic places between Bangalore and Mysore. We kept up speeds up to 90kmph easily on all the 3 bikes. Soon reached Ramnagaram and decided to check out the hillock and temple nearby. This was the location where the movie Sholay, arguably the best Indian movie, was shot. Climbing the stone steps up to the temple literally took my breath away. Been sometime since I did any sort of strenuous work, and this wasn't even that difficult. But the sedentary lifestyle does take its toll during such times. We went past the temple and there was an elevated place that gave a good panoramic view of the surroundings. The wind was pretty strong up there. A specialty of this hill is that there are no crows around! Think about that. Do crows have vertigo?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHee4lTWWcCp7PcWccJJC2q12XawLoboImakCIHIT6DslEqrE0qRumrYNEyLHEEa75KZjCgqME4iFl-IHboAl4UeI7gs6EUW0DG7hsiwklQvmffrPXoYXewqRs7CEpTKPAbjwug/s1600-h/BikeTrip+025.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHee4lTWWcCp7PcWccJJC2q12XawLoboImakCIHIT6DslEqrE0qRumrYNEyLHEEa75KZjCgqME4iFl-IHboAl4UeI7gs6EUW0DG7hsiwklQvmffrPXoYXewqRs7CEpTKPAbjwug/s320/BikeTrip+025.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158195797751610034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuypKB5A_AX1X7mHClOXXjx2WhxJ_uyczJa4YbmS8e0BNYzM6IpZLrfuzcMI1Ln96sP1iGX71dkJ3_ey8OWAyg2XdJAmT1FWrQKMgdXw1SL4KFr_nCHVvplKCRINQCu4PNi53c3g/s1600-h/BikeTrip+030.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuypKB5A_AX1X7mHClOXXjx2WhxJ_uyczJa4YbmS8e0BNYzM6IpZLrfuzcMI1Ln96sP1iGX71dkJ3_ey8OWAyg2XdJAmT1FWrQKMgdXw1SL4KFr_nCHVvplKCRINQCu4PNi53c3g/s320/BikeTrip+030.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158195810636511938" /></a><br /><br />After resting there for sometime, we headed out and stopped at Mandya for lunch. After a pretty ordinary lunch, we were on our way again. The stretch between Mandya and Mysore is really good with long straight roads with good visibility and all of us did 100+ with ease, though the engine started to purr in a complaining tone.<br />We deviated into the historical Srirangapatna that was once the capital of Tipu Sultan. We checked out the different monuments like the temple, obelisk, jail and the not-anymore palace. <br />From there, we decided to go to Ranganthittu to pass time before going to KRS/Brindavan Gardens for the evening musical fountain show.<br />Ranganthittu was a disappointment as we did not get to see any variety in birds. The only thing interesting were the crocodiles lolling around after having their rich feast of different fishes of the Cauvery river. They are so full of fish food that they find it difficult to even move around. One of them gave us a good pose with its mouth wide open baring it's razor sharp dental set.<br />We had some refreshments nearby and then headed off to KRS. The Brindavan Gardens built next to the KRS dam is a pretty amazing place with different kinds of fountains competing for eye space from the viewers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNOSljbpoONVsLpZRzmkW8gCNqU43Xq86euhbrPanE356eMeilUV4j6pEBB0X8PeBfKKoJWYy9fu5wtecn-CKfcUHP1dyn5rN4ko030z3D7o5MI1OJgMMU8RbwEY7fc8hb2jJHw/s1600-h/BikeTrip+090.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNOSljbpoONVsLpZRzmkW8gCNqU43Xq86euhbrPanE356eMeilUV4j6pEBB0X8PeBfKKoJWYy9fu5wtecn-CKfcUHP1dyn5rN4ko030z3D7o5MI1OJgMMU8RbwEY7fc8hb2jJHw/s320/BikeTrip+090.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158195823521413842" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfAOwLAszJ0K9xLkko7M_SQ8ZccUr780_2m_UHiKO2ZeJaMEtZjJOfR0EFFG3Dd7febCNf6kE6rE-WoYEIYEcnuCY4WADZnQh7VqUR8xBIEsYsJa5I8zw5wcNPBdoWdHU6xuUkA/s1600-h/BikeTrip+118.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfAOwLAszJ0K9xLkko7M_SQ8ZccUr780_2m_UHiKO2ZeJaMEtZjJOfR0EFFG3Dd7febCNf6kE6rE-WoYEIYEcnuCY4WADZnQh7VqUR8xBIEsYsJa5I8zw5wcNPBdoWdHU6xuUkA/s320/BikeTrip+118.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158195836406315746" /></a><br /><br />The musical fountain show attracts hordes of people and the place resembles any rush day at Tirupati. Huge crowds throng to view the albeit short 15minute spectacle of the fountain dancing to nationalistic and regional songs. The different colors the fountain takes on is a treat to watch though.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmSAmIHWmrmJd2pDoE76KQXFIcFHvXkPoUVvBG49sU0QflFhJ50GoeB7avBuFG0iIoSyQyofLjbUrKkz2zW444UxdB5rm_T1w9UzlSGcII9LeJBotnze-YaHonm9KKTJbxcQDLQ/s1600-h/BikeTrip+184.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmSAmIHWmrmJd2pDoE76KQXFIcFHvXkPoUVvBG49sU0QflFhJ50GoeB7avBuFG0iIoSyQyofLjbUrKkz2zW444UxdB5rm_T1w9UzlSGcII9LeJBotnze-YaHonm9KKTJbxcQDLQ/s320/BikeTrip+184.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158195844996250354" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPd3-zEGGoV4wWKtPW0eaVe-7w9EJKq4DoMGejjhz__y9trkjQPByLxTu4onjKpX39AMyznIoyKTmz0NAxXh2IrI3FVFMpQzjKXVfdrQPiFd-aEdraqTGAY5h8Q99LvrZ0AawtQ/s1600-h/BikeTrip+194.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPd3-zEGGoV4wWKtPW0eaVe-7w9EJKq4DoMGejjhz__y9trkjQPByLxTu4onjKpX39AMyznIoyKTmz0NAxXh2IrI3FVFMpQzjKXVfdrQPiFd-aEdraqTGAY5h8Q99LvrZ0AawtQ/s320/BikeTrip+194.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158197979594996482" /></a><br /><br />Then we headed to Mysore, visited one of the pubs in town, Opium, which had pretty good popular rock numbers playing.<br />We hit the sack in a cousin's place and prepared to the next day's journey to Himvad Gopalaswamy Betta (Hills). We started off at 9AM. The road between Mysore and Nanjangud was pretty treacherous with potholes and private buses competing with each other to be first. Though, all of us safely negotiated the mad traffic. Once past Nanjangud, the roads became better and emptier and we were again free to talk to the wind at 90-100kmph. <br />Finally reached the hilltop at 1130AM which was a wrong time as the usually enchanting mist (hence the name Himvad) had lifted off and the top was bare in the afternoon sun. But still, there was a chill there and you can actually touch the mist inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Gopalaswamy temple. The priest actually wipes off the mist off the ceiling and sprinkles over you.<br />We then took a short hike onto one the hills nearby and just lazed there till we were bored and hungry. Finally, around 2, we were back on our way to Mysore. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMu5tgWg_Y42oHjPloAHZ7V4zt9eAkX636SNTlevY_ehEjmpGvUoCPg2kxtYA8Kb1sag6HdyGY5iczg4CwstCC-WSDgBizPMKe4QEsNGoMqZQiD_AK_1-Mx24iKSVYErvrVuBiww/s1600-h/BikeTrip+209.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMu5tgWg_Y42oHjPloAHZ7V4zt9eAkX636SNTlevY_ehEjmpGvUoCPg2kxtYA8Kb1sag6HdyGY5iczg4CwstCC-WSDgBizPMKe4QEsNGoMqZQiD_AK_1-Mx24iKSVYErvrVuBiww/s320/BikeTrip+209.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158197979594996498" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQnwTble4qhpCAOLttDbZdSnDhG30i7fBEsQidzO8Ga1uI_eGmQSuNYN5aaTXsoZxWGZjOwQbH7jtnEJLncbTrQKXS7dm0pikQcjIx3DnpsnzBxiDcfBUfFtZUYOJKILayVzPWA/s1600-h/BikeTrip+233.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQnwTble4qhpCAOLttDbZdSnDhG30i7fBEsQidzO8Ga1uI_eGmQSuNYN5aaTXsoZxWGZjOwQbH7jtnEJLncbTrQKXS7dm0pikQcjIx3DnpsnzBxiDcfBUfFtZUYOJKILayVzPWA/s320/BikeTrip+233.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158197983889963810" /></a><br /><br />Rested a lot more at my cousin's place and then finally were on our way back to Bangalore by 830pm. The weather was pretty chill and 2 shirts and a jacket with a cap along with a helmet couldn't stop me from shivering in the chilling winds. My attire could have given a complex to an Eskimo.<br />After some snacks at Maddur, somehow me and the other 2 bikes got separated and I was left to myself (and couldn't reach my bro on the phone as well). So I just took off and rode at 100+ speeds. A bit dangerous, people might say, but it wasn't really that bad. Except for the oddball driver who would drive crazily, most of the other drivers on the road were pretty cool and could be trusted not to make any surprise moves with their vehicles.<br />I was in Kengeri by 11 which was pretty good time, 2hours of riding between Mysore and Kengeri. Reached home and just crashed on my bed in the warm comforts of my thick blanket.<br /><br /><br />Here is a summary for any of you interested in planning any trip to Mysore for 2 days.<br />Saturday: Bangalore - Ramnagara Sholay hills (if interested) - breakfast at Kamat Lokaruchi - Visit Janapada Loka - Stop at Maddur Coffee Day (just for the experience) - Lunch at any place between Maddur and Srirangapatna - Visit Sriragapatna - Visit Ranganthittu - Musical fountain show at KRS Bridavan gardens at 630pm - Overnight stop at Mysore - Hit the hangouts in Mysore <br />Sunday: Off to Gopalaswamy Betta (better leave by 6 to reach there by 9 to see the early morning splendor) - Back to Mysore - Chill out - Visit the Mysore palace - Stay for palace lighting between 7-8pm on Sunday - Back to Bangalore - Pit stop at Maddur Coffee Day again!Prashanthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02103053883289120428noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989496.post-34512817051830574872007-12-21T00:58:00.000-08:002010-09-22T03:44:04.719-07:00PJ time...?When was the last time I posted a PJ. I myself don't remember :)<br /><br />Tom and Jim were good friends. One day, while Tom was visiting Jim's house, they decide to cut vegetables for lunch. While doing so, Tom cuts his finger and blood starts falling on the new rug Jim had put in his living room.<br /><br />As soon as this happened, Tom and Jim looked at each other and realized they were long lost brothers and hug each other in happiness.<br /><br />How did they figure out they are brothers?<br /><br /><br /><br />Kyunki Jim ge RUG mein Tom ka khoon bah raha hai!Prashanthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02103053883289120428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989496.post-7121871569756778992007-12-10T05:44:00.000-08:002007-12-10T05:52:19.955-08:00Ironic...Was an ironical incident last weekend.<br />I was on my way to participate in a Walk for the Disabled at the Kanteerava stadium and ended up being temporarily disabled after meeting with a minor accident. <br />A few kms down and suddenly found myself flat on the road after being thrown off from the bike. There was some mud and stones collected in a pit-like thing on the road, and the tyres just skidded off. <br />Got some injuries on my knee, wrist, chest and cheek. But for the helmet, my face would have been smashed as my head had a pretty hard impact onto the ground, which left me momentarily stunned. No broken bones or ribs, luckily.<br />So, here's hoping to get to full fitness soon and start jumping around again!Prashanthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02103053883289120428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989496.post-90904013053496831562007-11-02T06:06:00.000-07:002007-11-02T06:07:24.417-07:00Passive-aggressive notes - COOL with a capital K :)This is fun. I am hooked onto it now :)<br /><br />Passive-aggressive notes from roommates, neighbors, coworkers and strangers<br />http://www.passiveaggressivenotes.com/Prashanthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02103053883289120428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989496.post-64547288322452455942007-10-26T03:24:00.000-07:002007-10-26T03:27:09.153-07:00Back in Bengaluru!Phew. Am back in Bangalore. Feels good to be back. <br />I had started to miss the typical Bengaluru stuff. Like gaadi chaat :-D <br />I used to love eating chaat at the roadside pushcart vendors. The pani-puris and masala puris. Yumm. Mouth-watering. I need to get my fix of chaat soon.<br />Also was missing the anarchy on the roads. Took out my car to office and bam, there is no escaping the helter skelter flow of vehicles. It just hits you square. No let up. Though, I felt it wasn't too bad from the time I left. Only thing is that number of vehicles has increased. And with it, so has the number of bad drivers (who should not be allowed to operate a Hot Wheels car, let alone a full blown Tata Indica!)<br />The travel back was pretty uneventful except for a few stray pain points. Had to pay a fine for excess baggage. Can't believe chocolates can weigh that much! But didn;t want to dump any stuff back there so just paid the $50 fine and got on with it. <br />Took the Delta+Air France flight from Memphis-Atlanta-Paris-Bangalore. I had read too much about the irritations in Paris airport but was lucky to not encounter any problems. I had anyways learnt a little French to help me cope - "Parlez vous Anglais? Si. Merci." :-D Reminds me of the "Kannada gothilla" line alien people soon learn out here in Bangalore.<br />The funny thing was the Delta flight between Atlanta and Paris had a good collection of Hindi movies. I wondered if there was a sizeable desi population that traveled on that route. The movies included Partner, Shootout at..., Life in a Metro. I watched Life... on that leg along with Shrek3 and Knocked Up. <br />Life in a Metro is a definite recommendation. Very nice character definitions and portrayal by all the actors, except Shilpa Shetty. She just shrieked her way through the movie. Which was all the more irritating that she was given huge poster space on the movie sleeve cover.<br />Shiney Ahuja, Konkona, Irrfan(who was the best, according to me). Kangna Ranaut was good in patches. She was good as long as she didn't have to speak a lot. Her voice just grates on my nerves.Something like scratching a nail on a blackboard. Awfully irritating.<br />Food on the plane was good as was the wine and champagne. On the Paris-Bangalore leg, I got the aisle seat on the 4-seater central line, and the 2 seats next to me were empty. So had a nice stretchy time. Slept most of the flight. Post landing at Bangalore was another crazy time. 3 international flights landed at the same time and there was a line at the security check that was as long as the queue for a FDFS of an SRK movie! There was just one security screening counter and the line almost reached past the immigration check counter. And then the baggage. It was a mad rush with people pushing trolleys all over the place searching for the baggage.<br />My baggage took more than an hour to find it's way onto the baggage carousel. Finally wound my way out of all the commotion and came out of the airport to find my parents waiting patiently near the gate. <br />Finally dumped all the stuff in the car and was back on the potholes, humps and pits that were waiting for me with arms wide open. Some things never change :)Prashanthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02103053883289120428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989496.post-59090659596865997372007-10-11T01:42:00.000-07:002007-10-13T19:17:31.958-07:00Fun weekends on the East CoastThe last 2 weekends have been pretty eventful and fun. Had been visiting the East Coast - Boston and New York, where I have quite a few good old friends stationed.<br />First weekend was spent loafing in New York and the second weekend spent admiring the fall colors in New Hampshire up north of Massachusetts. <br />Will be a detailed update later. For now, check out the pics from the New Hampshire trip:<br /><br /><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/prashanth_ak">My Flickr page</a><br /><br />and here:<br /><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="288" height="192" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fprashanthk%2Falbumid%2F5119977348008617649%3Fkind%3Dphoto%26alt%3Drss" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><br /><br />Adios.Prashanthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02103053883289120428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989496.post-36757431915913514892007-08-27T23:08:00.000-07:002007-08-28T23:57:21.344-07:00Skydiving - Fly like a bird!Well, finally I did it. Fulfilled a long-standing dream that I had. When I first used to think about it, I used to wonder if I would ever be able to do it. Lots of questions swirled through my mind. Would I be able to take the plunge? Would it be like others have recounted? Adrenalin rush in the beginning, calmness in between, and then back on terra firma with all it's usual stark realities and finally ends with a pain in your neck, b*tt or whichever organ you highly prefer?<br />Sounds like how many people describe marriage..or love.<br /><br />Hahahaha, I found that funny!<br /><br />What I really did was an equally, if not more, crazy nutcase thing.<br />I SKYDIVED!!<br />skydived? Now, is that a word? Isn't it skydove? That sounds more like some low-cost airline! Kingfisher, Indigo, Skydove...fits perfect, what say?<br />Who cares. I just got sucked into 14500 feet of blood-pumping gravity. And wasn't it amazing. No, incredible. No, awesome. Well, I can't find a word to describe it (though if you ask my mom and dad, they would easily describe it a "perfectly idiotic suicide attempt"). No prizes for guessing if I asked their permission before taking the plunge! :D<br /><br />It all started off with me checking out random skydiving videos on youtube. And on an impulse, started checking on skydiving near Memphis. Generally, Memphis has very little to offer to a person like me. So wanted to try something different. Found a place called West Tennessee Skydiving, rated one of the best in the country run by a person called Mike Mullins. I threw the idea across the table to my two colleagues who also showed as much enthusiasm as me (and one of them was even married, which I found all the more amazing!).<br />We called up the drop zone and fixed up Sunday morning for the daredevilry. So on the bright and sunny Sunday morning we set off to test how far our hearts would jump up the windpipe and reach the mouth. Incidentally, on the way, we passed the biggest Indian temple in Memphis. So we stopped there and prayed to the God of Skydiving, Hanuman, for his blessings and continued to Somerville to the drop zone.<br /><br /><table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1"><tbody><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg82NPNaMk3bl2BGZ4Ho9WhnrzmRSiCkzuPoTgddbrEcZ6F0lu-DUX4lUDry72_-HopdlKxfsvOsGvzH4pgDlMnklpp5U_QNaum0kipN2YN1QfClxLg9r02eQDLCtg7ke2C1WRyg/s1600-h/IMG_7313.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg82NPNaMk3bl2BGZ4Ho9WhnrzmRSiCkzuPoTgddbrEcZ6F0lu-DUX4lUDry72_-HopdlKxfsvOsGvzH4pgDlMnklpp5U_QNaum0kipN2YN1QfClxLg9r02eQDLCtg7ke2C1WRyg/s200/IMG_7313.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5104009331013698306" /></a></td><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxugi9smpGqOK_pyUUdziZ4ZrqRRbxxYqL5h1Rh3wy1kSTuA-fX_a2SPACH61RXv2CYbhuMJ5LykPWbozAvDnaHB3JYuogukWQJRoLoA7xKYYAmo4WN8rRfryePU_plxhVYm8Ig/s1600-h/FromArun+0171.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxugi9smpGqOK_pyUUdziZ4ZrqRRbxxYqL5h1Rh3wy1kSTuA-fX_a2SPACH61RXv2CYbhuMJ5LykPWbozAvDnaHB3JYuogukWQJRoLoA7xKYYAmo4WN8rRfryePU_plxhVYm8Ig/s200/FromArun+0171.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5104009335308665618" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><center>Free...free falling!</center></td><td><center>That says it all!</center></td></tr></tbody></table><br />(click on the thumbnails for bigger images)<br />We reached at almost noon. The sun was blazing hot but we knew that the weather up above the clouds would be much colder than that. So we met up with Mike who led us to a room with a small TV and handed us legal forms that we needed to fill. The video was basically an explanation of the risks involved with skydiving and ensuring that we understood the risks before deciding on it. The video had a very uncanny resemblance to the Dharma Initiative videos (LOST series fans will know what I'm talking about :-D) with a long-bearded lawyer giving a discourse.<br /><br /><table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1"><tbody><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QCAqUeGFD1a-2FAhBl0EPuCq5sJwA3NnR1-W-rdAhjGHqQBoT2egOn2R-2SjCknbw2BjqdbuZX6lNliWb0TbyTgKTCW6M7_B-bA6PyE1wTNV0E_69VK0E4S8MSQjRTGoh1p5sw/s1600-h/FromArun+0411.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QCAqUeGFD1a-2FAhBl0EPuCq5sJwA3NnR1-W-rdAhjGHqQBoT2egOn2R-2SjCknbw2BjqdbuZX6lNliWb0TbyTgKTCW6M7_B-bA6PyE1wTNV0E_69VK0E4S8MSQjRTGoh1p5sw/s200/FromArun+0411.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5104009339603632930" /></a></td><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZvxPQDh9gVtTCbpXzcVmpfK9kvZbOqduRxNchW-AmIahpisihhYO78FvrNXTa-CWvrqSBbAcrjtmvvcZbTSXeey0_MC1HcagDo9mOi9B3xqmkVY9TNq3yOtvkLBVe1T9mUU42g/s1600-h/FromArun+013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZvxPQDh9gVtTCbpXzcVmpfK9kvZbOqduRxNchW-AmIahpisihhYO78FvrNXTa-CWvrqSBbAcrjtmvvcZbTSXeey0_MC1HcagDo9mOi9B3xqmkVY9TNq3yOtvkLBVe1T9mUU42g/s200/FromArun+013.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5104009343898600242" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><center>Terminal Velocity! Gonna be my speed :)</center></td><td><center>The legal video :O</center></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The forms basically stated that I am solely responsible for this suicidal mission and no one but me is responsible if anything untoward happens. I guess signing the forms itself psyches out most people. There are like some 25 places we need to put our initials stating agreement to various clauses. And a place for emergency contact in case of accident! So finally, after wading through the signatures, we paid the fees (heh heh, reminds me of the one liner - Free fall is no way near free! It costs the sky!)<br />I opted for the video and still snaps shooting which I later was glad I took. I was the only one shot with a Digital Rebel XTi, while other had to do with still cameras :D<br />Yeah yeah, I know, I was geeky enough to notice the camera model through all the excitement and nervousness.<br />My jump instructor was Mark Gerlach, an affable, chilled out Aussie. So he was the one whom I was entrusting my life with for the next half hour. He, as expected, tried to make light of it and keep us in good cheer. And succeeded at it with me as well. I immediately felt completely safe hading over my safety into his hands.<br />He ran us through the arch mechanism, stepping of the plane process. It was a general fun atmosphere in the hangar where all the jump instructors were hanging out joking and ribbing each other.<br /><br /><table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1"><tbody><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqpDSOcdRc2Ig4aV0UO6rSr_7CWlXrbKOr6Pl28D0LwqWXBc59XrH0x3bShnkWH4IJKk8N6-HrYR0H_vBbr34VWu3u0DS2AoyLN81gZxNVg22N3z1-M-Jtzs_vavlHRBHL_fRcg/s1600-h/My_skydive+021_0001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqpDSOcdRc2Ig4aV0UO6rSr_7CWlXrbKOr6Pl28D0LwqWXBc59XrH0x3bShnkWH4IJKk8N6-HrYR0H_vBbr34VWu3u0DS2AoyLN81gZxNVg22N3z1-M-Jtzs_vavlHRBHL_fRcg/s200/My_skydive+021_0001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5104009343898600258" /></a></td><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBALV1DxqyzUgT-xMOL3miPxpH2o8edWRyj-Knombv2Rx2icjWFDoz1-c_nJdv4bDeMaOaCVXsg3VtUiyY4Mx-VlKw6T_m6eFqGMi-vWwPQ4liXlUWyFff0D8UAnxmseenX2rzQ/s1600-h/IMG_7233.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBALV1DxqyzUgT-xMOL3miPxpH2o8edWRyj-Knombv2Rx2icjWFDoz1-c_nJdv4bDeMaOaCVXsg3VtUiyY4Mx-VlKw6T_m6eFqGMi-vWwPQ4liXlUWyFff0D8UAnxmseenX2rzQ/s200/IMG_7233.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5104011207914406738" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><center>Sajnaaaa hai mujheyyy..udne ke liye :))</center></td><td><center>Goin' up, baby!</center></td></tr></tbody></table><br />We were given out jumpsuits which, at first, looked like factory overalls (the blue reminded me of our Ramaiah workshop uniform :-D), but once the harness equipment was provided, we looked like characters straight out of Top Gun, minus the helmets! Was a good feeling.<br />Joe was my camera buddy who was going to film and snap me throughout my jump and we took some customary interviews prior to the flight. Both Mark and Joe immediately put me at ease with the whole jump thing. Strangely, as expected, I didn't feel any nervousness once I was all decked up.<br /><br />So we all filed into the small Cessna plane piloted by Mike himself. As we took off and the foliage on dear earth became tinier and tinier, I wondered my usual wonder "WTH am I setting out to do?". But the constant chatter from Mark kept me in sane spirits still. <br /><br /><table BORDER CELLSPACING="1" CELLPADDING="2"><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktbOHK1pQflOkhaOHG1pppGiXFDCGn-eS5E5ZO2K9ujIeC__0M-fqwe0jwygtAsVboV5K0-9o_nL3o-AfEz5mY1kEISkny3nX19awmPessTQ12Zz9XMcManOMei-ZRWNxuVdC3A/s1600-h/IMG_7237.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktbOHK1pQflOkhaOHG1pppGiXFDCGn-eS5E5ZO2K9ujIeC__0M-fqwe0jwygtAsVboV5K0-9o_nL3o-AfEz5mY1kEISkny3nX19awmPessTQ12Zz9XMcManOMei-ZRWNxuVdC3A/s200/IMG_7237.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5104011212209374050" /></a></td><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6orEdZqGnV54Onebw7GtPEIvXVciEkd03rSADGvxYBr7q7eNqCqe6qmRq2KXuEvOTQQbDS_sacP7Qel_axEqfYbMTdC8KXJ7Vbb7pSwYx9nWv4TpgfQDBv7VFGywk0Stt-ZnaXA/s1600-h/IMG_7239.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6orEdZqGnV54Onebw7GtPEIvXVciEkd03rSADGvxYBr7q7eNqCqe6qmRq2KXuEvOTQQbDS_sacP7Qel_axEqfYbMTdC8KXJ7Vbb7pSwYx9nWv4TpgfQDBv7VFGywk0Stt-ZnaXA/s200/IMG_7239.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5104011212209374066" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><center>No Fear!?!</center></td><td><center>14500 feet, and we're there!</center></td></tr></table><br />At 14500 feet, about 3miles up from the ground (just realised 14500 feet is 4419 metres! half the height of Mount Everest! whoooo!), we were way above fluffy clouds which were laid out below us like huge cotton puffs inviting to lay comfortably on it. But the mood was anything but comfort inside of the plane. The plane suddenly jolted and stood still, and we were almost floating inside of the plane. First, few solo jumpers took off. From our group, the order was Arun, Deepak and finally, myself.<br />Finally, it was my turn. When I stepped on the ledge, looking down to the green earth far, far below, my WTH turned into a full WTF. If someone connected a turbine to my heart at that moment, it would have been enough to provide electricity for Bangalore for a day. But there was no going back now. I gave a huge whoop of joy posing to the camera and set off. The first few seconds.....INCREDIBLE. Any trace of fear or nervousness just vanished. It was just pure rush at terminal velocity!<br /><br /><table BORDER CELLSPACING="1" CELLPADDING="2"><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgY_pHS7ytKMlrSueJa_iR8xYJdgAojBgk7tR3ukIpYDf_iJrG-uMB5DbaWV0IgV-IQD7s23-NSBzLRnDGS9OR8KYVTsnFDesAGbYv6vRc1g2BnWpoBoHGlNLJVz9qz9_uPFrqA/s1600-h/My_skydive+021_0002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgY_pHS7ytKMlrSueJa_iR8xYJdgAojBgk7tR3ukIpYDf_iJrG-uMB5DbaWV0IgV-IQD7s23-NSBzLRnDGS9OR8KYVTsnFDesAGbYv6vRc1g2BnWpoBoHGlNLJVz9qz9_uPFrqA/s200/My_skydive+021_0002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5104011216504341378" /></a></td><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLf1aIWz7KEy93c9aPAbrrJiqluLz37iWrc3W6qMrsiUWQPapFQCV_lxqAaKHhJ901yc_h4_NfTpeOJFNGAbuKHgxrjebacY5tf-g42Z987o-wpWKrZhD6hFDC9g2fwzznhqE9g/s1600-h/My_skydive+021_0003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLf1aIWz7KEy93c9aPAbrrJiqluLz37iWrc3W6qMrsiUWQPapFQCV_lxqAaKHhJ901yc_h4_NfTpeOJFNGAbuKHgxrjebacY5tf-g42Z987o-wpWKrZhD6hFDC9g2fwzznhqE9g/s200/My_skydive+021_0003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5104011216504341394" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><center>Here we go, NOW! Suuiiciide!</center></td><td><center>The first few seconds. Time stops still!</center></td></tr></table><br />We just kept hurtling down, all submitted to sucky gravity. We kept going and going, the best being going right through the clouds. No feeling of comfort pillows anymore. The misty coldness of the clouds felt so damn fresh! The freshest air I could breathe. It was pure adrenalin! The wind was making my cheek jowls flail around and I was having a hard time trying to put up a grin for Joe who was right in front of me with the cameras.<br />And was I loving it!! I was a bird! Now I know why birds sing. Cause, they can fly! And right now, I was flying too. As someone said, if sitting in an airplane is flying, then sitting in a boat is swimming!! One has to sky dive to know what flying means.<br /><br /><table BORDER CELLSPACING="1" CELLPADDING="2"><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXm8QJi2b_GSlkyI-FW0d-vKoRHdBEiDuvPDeHU22O-52cANa_KLRqQ7f70guYt-zvB_x5X81RIQVtVcUGDBKqD8Zyjg8_nq2oAIslQ07jwVm3gBnVRSRfYwWomYFVo9XwnB0uwQ/s1600-h/IMG_7246.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXm8QJi2b_GSlkyI-FW0d-vKoRHdBEiDuvPDeHU22O-52cANa_KLRqQ7f70guYt-zvB_x5X81RIQVtVcUGDBKqD8Zyjg8_nq2oAIslQ07jwVm3gBnVRSRfYwWomYFVo9XwnB0uwQ/s200/IMG_7246.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5104012427685118882" /></a></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByyQr-pENl4djwg0Fye83gBgxzmAnjHLkG8XSwGp0XsS0pgm5Y49dn6LM-sYm3yz8a60wGuZ1xUlmquvZgx34jsXiYNMLuS7XLDAPaLwzv0SjCZBKi0hZ5CVgWdtnFWrh83FHYg/s1600-h/IMG_7284.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByyQr-pENl4djwg0Fye83gBgxzmAnjHLkG8XSwGp0XsS0pgm5Y49dn6LM-sYm3yz8a60wGuZ1xUlmquvZgx34jsXiYNMLuS7XLDAPaLwzv0SjCZBKi0hZ5CVgWdtnFWrh83FHYg/s200/IMG_7284.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5104012431980086194" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><center>Across the clouds I see my shadow fly...</center></td><td><center>Inside Cloud Number 9 :D</center></td></tr></table><br />After a minute of exhilarating free fall, Mark yanked the ripcord and we were violently jerked up when the parachute opened up. Mark very sweetly whispered into my ear (Actually he was shouting full throttle, but at 15mph winds 2 miles up in the sky, everything sounds like sweet nothings) that the parachute thankfully looked good and let me control the parachute all round the place. We floated for quite some time taking in the beautiful scenery from a bird's eye view. He told me I was his 4999th jump. That's a pretty cool number.<br /><br /><table BORDER CELLSPACING="1" CELLPADDING="2"><tr><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRmNKNhg02MERr2gRCFfQx7zTsOFtnQyKePwUrDdyRSpfwFyUjvwqsRDe4ZvcK63vM9olnw03POrnOzOIEP39fiNWpYP9hLLlqNYDy8S7wcy8kVIhal9RzSKNxhgHp0DXcOYAIw/s1600-h/IMG_7298.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRmNKNhg02MERr2gRCFfQx7zTsOFtnQyKePwUrDdyRSpfwFyUjvwqsRDe4ZvcK63vM9olnw03POrnOzOIEP39fiNWpYP9hLLlqNYDy8S7wcy8kVIhal9RzSKNxhgHp0DXcOYAIw/s200/IMG_7298.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5104012431980086210" /></a></td><td><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDYfrYSPwEhRphiyJDajJl-2-SqwPyXDTRRXmw1Br27_FRAVVpdfydoHMUEKG9aPxjB5sbXasuhG9XI3uhRFtcZVbgrV3VxpHZt4OFR2GpJlJfREK4Q7vhiUKH7m3JrXdlGE-GA/s1600-h/IMG_7299.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDYfrYSPwEhRphiyJDajJl-2-SqwPyXDTRRXmw1Br27_FRAVVpdfydoHMUEKG9aPxjB5sbXasuhG9XI3uhRFtcZVbgrV3VxpHZt4OFR2GpJlJfREK4Q7vhiUKH7m3JrXdlGE-GA/s200/IMG_7299.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5104012436275053522" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><center>I believe I can fly!</center></td><td><center>60 seconds of free fall and 2 thumbs up!</center></td></tr></table><br />Then it was time to land. Mark made an almost perfect landing. And finally back on terra firma. But the adrenalin rush was still intact.<br /><br />Now this seems something which I would really love to do again, maybe go solo sometime and check out the feeling! Wonder when that's gonna happen. I cross my fingers for that.<br /><br />For those around Tennessee, check out skydivekingair.com. They were great, cordial, friendly people willing to answer any question you may have and keep you at ease.<br /><br />And finally, here's the video of the jump. Can rival any action movie for all the thrills! :D<br /><br />"Gravity isn't just a good idea. It's the LAW!"<br />"Football, baseball..most sports require one ball to play. Skydiving needs both!"<br /> -- seen on a cotton tshirt, West Tennessee skydiving, circa 2007<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/88hjmfGfv1Q"> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/88hjmfGfv1Q" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="350" width="425"></embed> </object>Prashanthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02103053883289120428noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989496.post-24291278893644657792007-07-26T23:39:00.000-07:002007-07-27T00:17:44.290-07:00Drive me crazyWell, a favorite topic of anyone who has traveled westwards from India is the traffic and ease of driving.<br />I have my own take on that. I actually like driving in India more. Driving in the US is monotonous, almost soporific. Follow lanes, no sudden stops, no maniacal turnings. Boring. Like the assemblies we used to have back at school. Everyone stand in line and follow each other. Curbs our independence.<br />Driving back home is an altogether different thing. Its excitement every kilometer, you need to be alert guessing if the old man would walk across your path right when you are too close. Keeps the reflexes well oiled.No way can you switch on the music and have a relaxing drive. Except maybe at 2 in the night. But not anymore in Bangalore. The call center cab drivers make sure you relax only after the car's safely parked in the garage (well, whoever can afford having a garage, else it's just the public road with all the alarms on high alert).<br />Drivers in America drive like the American do (always on the right). While back home, half the drivers drive like Indians should, on the left and the other half drive the American way, on the right. <br />You miss a turn in India, just turn around on the same side and merrily merge into the oncoming traffic to find your way back. And if your bike or car is upto it, just drive it right over the divider and across. Other drivers will generally understand. You must be in a hurry to get somewhere. Though some drivers might think you are really in a hurry to meet Him up there.<br /><br />And you really get a good brushing up of your vocabulary on the road. Either directed at you or you directing at someone. While in America, everyone gets along with a wave of the finger. <br />It is like an nationally approved signal. Can imagine air hostesses showing the finger while welcoming you into the country. Can imagine AirIndia's Maharaja proudly showing off the finger instead of the famous bow. Hehehe.<br /><br />A pedestrian crossing a busy street in Bangalore is really testing in the ancient scriptures of the belief in karma. Every time I have to cross a road, I say to myself "God, if I have been good through my life, let me reach the other side safely".<br /><br />Why did the chicken cross the road in Bangalore?<br />It didn't. It just chickened out.<br /><br />I have had quite a few incidents on the road myself. Once, I ran across after my friend and got hit by a bike. Nothing much except bruised elbow and knee skin. Another time, I jumped off a bus and chipped off my front tooth. Stupid driver didn't stop at the busstop. <br />Every time I look in the mirror, it's a grim reminder of what could have happened. I was lying face down on the road, arms flayed. Any vehicle coming behind the bus, and they would have had to scrape me off with a spatula off the road. Heh heh. shouldn't make fun. that could have been much more serious :(<br /><br />Here's a nice time lapse video of the traffic in India. Funny to watch all the chaos. But what the heck, I revel in it. trying to sleep now. Maybe I should go for a drive. That should do the trick.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GJkF63GsjCI"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GJkF63GsjCI" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>Prashanthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02103053883289120428noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989496.post-47462646031781534882007-06-24T22:06:00.000-07:002007-06-25T08:01:46.844-07:00Another funny sign I came across...Was strolling in downtown Memphis, and found this on Beale Street. Nice sense of humor, the artist has :)<br />I should have got my portrait just for the humor put in by the artist, but then I knew I wasn't up for the discount!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ82aeZAElEgDOgJclsvcgNi7GTMsCo9w3Vr0RtaQIQ0klkSIny1RDLqKOKI2xmECV8PFtF5qBpZiLbhS8_s9vklBLBI4M7QYK-DllCPz_33FRaCiwHE0vEa__ACg1fLneQc87xw/s1600-h/MemphisDarshan+056.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ82aeZAElEgDOgJclsvcgNi7GTMsCo9w3Vr0RtaQIQ0klkSIny1RDLqKOKI2xmECV8PFtF5qBpZiLbhS8_s9vklBLBI4M7QYK-DllCPz_33FRaCiwHE0vEa__ACg1fLneQc87xw/s640/MemphisDarshan+056.jpg" border="0" width=450 alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079865051334088338" /></a><br /><br /><br />Watched 2 good Bollywood movies over the weekend - Pyar ke Side effects and Khosla ka Ghosla. <br />PKSE was a fun movie - Rahul Bose in a role tailor made for him (he seems to be getting slotted, though), Mallika showing enough character (and enough of the character, if I may add! :D) in a very unlike-her role and Ranvir in a typical over-the-top performance. The dialogue on superheroes and marriage was a ROTFL-er! <br />KkG was another well made movie - on the land sharks and grabbing, which anyone in an Indian metro would be aware of. <br />Ranvir was the common link in both movies - I always enjoyed watching his antics right from his MTV days with Vinay, and more recently, the GretIndianComedyShow. His mimicking of Amitabh is especially howlarious on the show!<br /><br />Also watched Cheeni Kum last week. A sweet movie. The dialogues are really great throughout. I heard they are making a 3-part series for this?<br />Cheeni Kum, Cheeni See, Cheeni Conquer!<br /><br />And the Chinese are flocking to see it - the title welcomes them! <br />Hehe, I can think of much more poor jokes - but then, they would need to carry a censor rating :D<br /><br />P.S: My Yosemite update still is to happen, but then a grand place deserves a grand scale. Any description of that place would run into pages. Needs some time :)<br />So keep waiting (if you are!).Prashanthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02103053883289120428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989496.post-67823019135127053682007-06-05T17:13:00.000-07:002007-06-06T10:04:08.141-07:00Yo San Francisco!The long weekend for Memorial Day was a welcome one with a well-deserved vacation. This was the first weekend that I was traveling out of Memphis after coming to the United States. <br />After much deliberation, we had zero-ed in on San Francisco with a 2 day visit to the Yosemite National Park, the oldest national park in the United States. Sups and Mitesh agreed to be our gracious hosts :-)<br />After initial hiccups, with everyone having last minute speed breakers, we met up on the morning of Friday. It was good meeting Vikas after a long time. But unfortunately, my baggage got delayed which led to a day of inconveniences (am still fighting with the airlines for that). Had to get new sets of clothes, chargers, etc. But then, the charm of SJ and SFO went a long way in lessening the pain of the delayed baggage. <br />After a sumptuous breakfast of dosas and biryani, thanks to the ladies cooking (a special mention for the yummy Harissa, thanks Sups), Mitesh took me shopping for emergency clothes. Finally, by afternoon, we were freshened up and ready to hit the town. First stop was the Indian cafe, <a href="http://www.amber-india.com/cafe/cafe.swf">Amber</a>, where we had some tasty kaati rolls and veg frankies, which satisfied out palate with great Indian taste. Next was the visit to the world-famous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Gate_Bridge">Golden Gate bridge</a>. We first stopped at a Sunset Point outside Mountain View and then drove through the Pacific Highway Coast on the way. We stopped at one of the ocean shores to take in the might of the Pacific. We reached Vista point to see the bridge shrouded in a thick fog. It was impressive, nevertheless. We decided to return when the lights were switched on at the bridge. We visited Sausulito, a sleepy town with a good view of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcatraz">Alcatraz - The Rock</a>, the famous prison from where there is no escape. It was tough to get a clear view of it in the encompassing clouds.<br /><center><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prashanth_ak/532743185/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1095/532743185_b71d67c457_o.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Golden Gate" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prashanth_ak/527156955/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1146/527156955_2e400716d8_o.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Lonely farer" /></a><br /></center><br /><br />You can see the outline of Alcatraz just to the left of the boat, way back blurred in the fog.<br />After having some hot coffee at a quaint little cafe, we shopped for souvenirs. I picked up some fridge magnets and an Alcatraz t shirt.<br />By then it was past dusk and we drove up to a higher point to get a view of the bridge from top. It was so windy out there that the cameras left alone, could have flown off. And mind you, the S1 IS with 4 batteries, is no ballet dancer! But the views were amazing. A fully lit Golden Gate really lives up to its name. Covered in swathes of golden light and the ensuing fog added to the magic effect. Thought not too good for photography. But who cares. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, not some Carl-Zeiss lens :-D<br /><br />It was time for dinner and Mitesh had arbitrarily picked a Greek restaurant, <a href="http://mezessf.com/">Mezes</a> in SFO. And what a good choice it was. To say that the food was great, would be a gross understatement. Each and every dish we ordered was something special. And the wine did help in adding its bit of taste. I surely recommend it to anyone who's in that part of the town to try it out. You wouldn't be disappointed.<br />After dinner, we drove down the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lombard_Street,_San_Francisco">Lombard Street</a>, the crookedest street in the world. I had seen videos of this street earlier, and the experience was just as good.<br />Finally, reached and and everyone crashed expecting the early start to Yosemite the next morning. I stayed up still trying to locate my baggage from a pretty customer-unfriendly service at Aloha Airlines. They didn't have the courtesy of calling me with updates all through the day. I had to keep calling them to check for updates. Finally, slept thinking the baggage was a goner for ever.<br />Woke up pretty early next morning and got the news that my baggage was found. Had to make a change in the travel plan to drive to the airport to pick up the baggage. Had breakfast at the highly recommended iHop, which we found on the way. It was true to the recommendation. The omelettes and pancakes were really some tasty stuff. Finally, we were on our way, stomachs filled with food and hearts filled with anticipation :)<br /><br />Wait for PartII for the Yosemite update!<br /><br />Until then, check out the pics at www.flickr.com/photos/prashanth_ak<br /><br />Also, this kept us in splits -> http://www.makkadman.com<br />Especially the background score! Man, was it awesome!! Complete ROTFL material!!Prashanthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02103053883289120428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989496.post-56968907255398744872007-05-21T22:30:00.000-07:002007-05-21T22:46:17.009-07:00Insane Ramblings...Just came across this piece of poetry that circulated among our Jundk group (people in the slideshow up above at the top of the page) with each one contributing. Just started off as a harmless reply to fun mail...and boy, did it snowball into a poetic free-for-all! We rock! 'Twas fun! And I thought I should post it here. <a href="http://www.luciferian.blogspot.com">Vikas</a> even put it up on the <a href="http://www.ndtv.com/ent/bookspoetrycorner.asp?frmarchives=yes&id=1041">NDTV poetry site</a> :D<br /><br /><center><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Insane Ramblings</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">- Jundk</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Unknown:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">In the confines of cubicles by artificial light,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Sipping coffee from the machines day and night.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Speaking on phones , in meetings we sit.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Staring the monitor, the keyboard(s) we hit.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Far away from loved ones whom for days we do not meet.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Remembering them, working, on our seat.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">This is life for us,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Working away from homes and loved ones in places afar.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">What a life, techies we are.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Prashanth, Software Engineer echoes his heart:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">What you say is true, my friend</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Sitting on the revolving chair, the misery never seems to end</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">But there are the plus points too, you bet</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Which include free phone, email and Internet</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">But when the month reaches its last day</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And the bank accounts are credited with your pay</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">One's joy knows no bound</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Because ultimately, its money that makes the world go round.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Friend, Vidya asks</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Did you just write that??</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Prashanth replies:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Yes, I did write that now</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">But even I wonder how</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Coz with so much work to do</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The insides of my head feels like a zoo</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">To tell you, for writing things like this</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">For a brief while, I can afford to give the work a miss</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Suprada an MS Student from Arizona State Univ adds:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And there are us student too</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">With deadlines to meet and profs to greet</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Day or nite means nothing to us</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Slog all the time..Thats our curse</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">We speak to the comp, our best pal</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And Everybody thinks we're slightly off</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">All we want are no deadlines</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And then its Partytime!</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A frustrated sleep deprived Vybhav,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Onsite support bemoans;</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And then there are blokes like me,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">That wake up in the hours of wee.....</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Just to receive some stupid phone call.....</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Only wishing it was some cool gal</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">But there alas, goes the system crash .....</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Here it is, the same old trash .......</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">There are phone calls from everywhere , left , right and centre ...</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Away then from your TL , you want to canter ...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Sorry life it is of a software engineer</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Away from everything you want to meander.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Suprada continues in a blaze:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">For some its day, for the others, nite</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">But similar is our plight</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">This misery we share...</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Of the comp and its stupid software</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ah how nice it would be, to sit and chill</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">As once we all did!</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Gone are those days...</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">All's left is my mind in a daze!</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Vikas Pitches in shyly:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Are you guys good or what !!</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Thought would try my hand too, in that</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Be it Student Be it Engineer</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">All of us have the same veneer</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Of taking on the world and making a Difference</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Of deciphering this thing called Life and making some sense</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">To write such stuff and give ur work a miss is no crime</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Hey, know what? I can also rhyme :)</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Another Novice Sathwick says "NOW EAT THIS":</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And then there are other folk,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Who sit all day looking ard for work,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And when it comes there is hardly any,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Surf and chat, happily,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Plan for the weekend,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And thus week ends</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">By painting the town RED... !!</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Grateful Prash:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Thanks for collating the poems Charlie</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Tis really wonderful to see</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">All you people writing ode upon better ode</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Which is really better than looking at ____ing software code</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And for all you students</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">There is no reason to get tense</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Coz JundK is always there</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">In times of joy, to share</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And in times of strife, to care</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">That is what makes each one of you, a friend rare!</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Vidya says ruefully:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Well, well, well,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">All this hullabaloo rings a bell</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I was a Software Engineer</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Only to move from the pan to the fire!</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I fear</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Now that I'm here</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I'm no longer free,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The best of my life is now behind me</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">:-(</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">And Rashmi has a valid Point:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I feel sorry for all u'r plights</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Being a S/W engineer's wife is my plight</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">S/W Engineer's work is never ending</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And their wives frustrations beginning.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Only the four walls of my house is my sight</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Which is making me lose my insight</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Atleast You guys get a better bait.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Hope to see a "coming home early" side of my mate..</span><br /><br /></center>Prashanthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02103053883289120428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989496.post-20955334447563930892007-05-14T14:21:00.000-07:002007-05-14T14:23:02.401-07:00Cool Firefox extensionsCool Firefox Extensions:<br /><br />For all those who are Firefox fans, here are some cool, funky extensions.<br />There are guaranteed to make heads turn towards your monitor (even if you are not having a page with Pamela Anderson photos all over it!)<br />Beware, these may not be the best in terms of memory utilization and all the geeky stuff. So if you are one who cringes at the task manager turning Matrix-like green, then this might not be your cup of tea. But they are kinda fun to have.<br /><br />Tab Effect - <br />One of my favorites. But a resource hog. It makes a cool 3D transition when changing tabs. Its like a whole cube moving around to the next tab. It does take a second to do it, considerably slower than the normal tab shifting. But its fun.<br /><br />https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/4258<br /><br />Firesomething - <br />A timepass funny add-on. It has a cache of different names and changes your browser name (on the top left of the browser screen) from Firefox to random names - I have had names ranging from ThunderElephant to SuperPorcupine to FireUnicorn..it guarantees you some humor whenever you notice the names. But you might need to do some fix for it to work on Firefox 2.0<br />https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/31<br /><br /><br />Dictionary Tooltip - <br />A pretty useful add-on. When on a webpage, double click on any word and see its meaning in the accompanying slide-out window. No more opening dictionary.com and keying in a word to find out its meaning. Gives you dictionary, thesaurus, synonyms and antonyms as well!<br />https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1171<br /><br />Galleropa -<br />Again an useful tool rather than a cosmetic one. You can load your frequently used webpage links into galleries and use it as the default page when Firefox loads up. If there are a host of sites you log into each morning regularly, save them in the gallery and make it your Firefox default. So you have easy access to the links to each of this pages. And get to it without much navigation.<br />https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3374<br /><br />VideoDownloader - <br />Use this download any video file from youtube, google videos, metacafe, etc. This saves the file as a flv file which then needs an FLV player to playback the clips.<br />https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2390<br /><br />Other cool tools<br /><br />ATNotes - <br />A very, simple Post-It notes software. You can configure colors, sizes, etc. You can even send each note to a different computer connected on the network.<br />Looks like I am not able to find the link to it. Google and find out yourselves.<br /><br />Process Explorer - <br />Its an advanced version og your Windows task manager with lot more advanced features. One use I used to put it to is to find where the downloaded youtube/metacafe files are being stored by IE. And fine details of unknown processes that somehow appear.<br />http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/Security/ProcessExplorer.mspx<br /><br />BGInfo - <br />It gives information about you hostname, MAC Id, ip address, free space, memory used and available and can be displayed on the desktop. It gives an easy snapshot of the system at any given time (not real time though. You need to update/restart it every time you need to exact current information). But good, all the same.<br />http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/utilities/BgInfo.mspxPrashanthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02103053883289120428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989496.post-39051722548698604272007-04-28T22:54:00.000-07:002007-04-28T23:40:27.704-07:00Funny signs...Signs (the road-signs kind, not the spooky Manoj-Night-Shyamalan kinds), slogans (like the ones on tshirts. There was a phase where I only bought tshirts with slogans printed on them) have long piqued my curiosity. And there is never a dearth of signs that are amusing - either due to spelling mistakes or the thoughts they express. So I try to capture the funny ones and have had a collection from quite some time. Here are a few that I really found funny.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3WYfeKaSjpsf5KbdP4BASMjCuUdNsyGyoOcauroOWPEVjn7nt1j77XJO2HWl-oCtz8e-nwRxt_MijltbGgCIWnEI9YNjLE3yNGOQfVNS11BUEb_qt4EDezay7IZdBaFFK00njQ/s1600-h/SupportStaff+009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3WYfeKaSjpsf5KbdP4BASMjCuUdNsyGyoOcauroOWPEVjn7nt1j77XJO2HWl-oCtz8e-nwRxt_MijltbGgCIWnEI9YNjLE3yNGOQfVNS11BUEb_qt4EDezay7IZdBaFFK00njQ/s400/SupportStaff+009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058726616236084194" /></a><br />This was on the road right next to the state secretariat. Talks true about much of the development happening here. Never "In Progress". Always "Under Progress". They might never reach par or over progress :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-8vVmzpxXk6xEmAeqXiXDyduZ7Z0QxNlggTDmkzw4JrDUEBZSHF6reFo-y0mr6FzYl9xZ2ATJhMsnrUgpM-Y2YDvGSquAmstA66X0bmUr0Ue11UTB_Dr4cotv9Tb_BGkmCixSw/s1600-h/Pune+094.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-8vVmzpxXk6xEmAeqXiXDyduZ7Z0QxNlggTDmkzw4JrDUEBZSHF6reFo-y0mr6FzYl9xZ2ATJhMsnrUgpM-Y2YDvGSquAmstA66X0bmUr0Ue11UTB_Dr4cotv9Tb_BGkmCixSw/s400/Pune+094.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058726616236084210" /></a><br />At the Pune zoo. Molest? Tantalise animals? I can imagine Rakhi Sawant doing an item number in front of them to tantalise them! Or an eve teaser behind the female chimp! And what about the poor badger. Please don't badger the badger!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuXQJ6L58wjUivo6xceVaeToGvyYE9d_NHMVMj0Zg04z0xzeb6c1ET6RJPuVsqm0u-iPV4o-Kv956nOM2OmnyOOLqEveqM8wYEFc0DOuGgORm7WUljiumF8lfdVSxyNvhYd5FFQ/s1600-h/Pune+089.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuXQJ6L58wjUivo6xceVaeToGvyYE9d_NHMVMj0Zg04z0xzeb6c1ET6RJPuVsqm0u-iPV4o-Kv956nOM2OmnyOOLqEveqM8wYEFc0DOuGgORm7WUljiumF8lfdVSxyNvhYd5FFQ/s400/Pune+089.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058726616236084226" /></a><br />At a bird sancutary outside Pune. Complete family harmony at a jinks joint? And I didnt get the camel in the pic.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9b9aAfVdt-9cp1QcyWzg409tbLjLHLts89TjwNBT_l1g4W8-HbUDibkpcq7KIDfVMvoUngHxprCGKOnU9ZJFlBxXO_OshtsSdkKAFnWElyuW34d_OEn2k5n0hNz8-UHhb_Fc8w/s1600-h/Pune+002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9b9aAfVdt-9cp1QcyWzg409tbLjLHLts89TjwNBT_l1g4W8-HbUDibkpcq7KIDfVMvoUngHxprCGKOnU9ZJFlBxXO_OshtsSdkKAFnWElyuW34d_OEn2k5n0hNz8-UHhb_Fc8w/s400/Pune+002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058726620531051538" /></a><br />At a roadside intersection at Pune. Passed out? That must have been lot of casualties! Well, that shows the quality of teaching.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkAlCdjpXjTvLdDiyQTy5r1GVDHMnV67Lb8scx78ms3goQkN0qGyTrx9Gvd3zFEknlF_Rm8nbxgG8nqon7ssybu6eDjk5FIjNf2rEq0lgPG_8GB7j4eGwjboBIBli9tZKWwWpBg/s1600-h/PondyMahabalipuram+513.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkAlCdjpXjTvLdDiyQTy5r1GVDHMnV67Lb8scx78ms3goQkN0qGyTrx9Gvd3zFEknlF_Rm8nbxgG8nqon7ssybu6eDjk5FIjNf2rEq0lgPG_8GB7j4eGwjboBIBli9tZKWwWpBg/s400/PondyMahabalipuram+513.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058726624826018850" /></a><br />At Mahabalipuram. Teach "male-to-male and female-to-female"? I'm getting doubts about this. And 20-year experians. Are they different from Aquarians or Saggitarians?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRsXCU4MHZVVzdGRzwaTezJS6zOgu83TuG_Gf4NL0pjtlmqJ0rIlV-rFF37Qg9G2q1zHUTAyhq6XNL1Z2g8hJQTOyAmpF3SUcYL7kFX6xahy2hm2k-FpIYVEQ6n7Fg6-hE1OMmA/s1600-h/PondyMahabalipuram+450.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRsXCU4MHZVVzdGRzwaTezJS6zOgu83TuG_Gf4NL0pjtlmqJ0rIlV-rFF37Qg9G2q1zHUTAyhq6XNL1Z2g8hJQTOyAmpF3SUcYL7kFX6xahy2hm2k-FpIYVEQ6n7Fg6-hE1OMmA/s400/PondyMahabalipuram+450.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058727110157323314" /></a><br />At Mahabalipuram. B****, m****, Sutta na milaaa? No way! Check this out, dude.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWirhVHiI4ubH2P38uhZ_pxIjD8Vb1OigviE-rgpylYsUGLXZwxKxuk8CJtg2M2jb8Ey81LSBHCJCJuRR3ZrNcZFgK_uhHnsYtEPMB_-52DtY5_HRFcgWfZT3h35wsgWJbweuhWA/s1600-h/PondyMahabalipuram+282.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWirhVHiI4ubH2P38uhZ_pxIjD8Vb1OigviE-rgpylYsUGLXZwxKxuk8CJtg2M2jb8Ey81LSBHCJCJuRR3ZrNcZFgK_uhHnsYtEPMB_-52DtY5_HRFcgWfZT3h35wsgWJbweuhWA/s400/PondyMahabalipuram+282.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058727114452290626" /></a><br />At Pondicherry. I just loved this clay Maaama and Maami at a shop!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLo0yMboym-SjT-qbRay6yltjgE_vSKn3y5mhvZrnfUBAH42VwTx6C1D2AfqYvYI8vWaX6HjFV_evlndxAtqznwZNDHPhoWeCDEXYDZbfGIHj8BgmcuhbLnixEvnsqtgpeUAk-fw/s1600-h/PondyMahabalipuram+147.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLo0yMboym-SjT-qbRay6yltjgE_vSKn3y5mhvZrnfUBAH42VwTx6C1D2AfqYvYI8vWaX6HjFV_evlndxAtqznwZNDHPhoWeCDEXYDZbfGIHj8BgmcuhbLnixEvnsqtgpeUAk-fw/s400/PondyMahabalipuram+147.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058727114452290642" /></a><br />At Pondicherry. Never seen such a thing earlier. Would you be comfortable in it? What if it goes over a hump? Hmm...never mind! (But nonetheless, a great way to keep the city clean)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gH0Zkl1fuIbX5OpF0zy0MKSycQj_AfC5fqcunJ8RT41a-7ZJKWSIwyZVG7AjBMiPqYmfPPKOhyl7yojUg80Ma4CFJHmOkfu4st09Q4gYC60lLjKTjE7cdWn5dB7wxaq4J5aLPQ/s1600-h/PondyMahabalipuram+054.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gH0Zkl1fuIbX5OpF0zy0MKSycQj_AfC5fqcunJ8RT41a-7ZJKWSIwyZVG7AjBMiPqYmfPPKOhyl7yojUg80Ma4CFJHmOkfu4st09Q4gYC60lLjKTjE7cdWn5dB7wxaq4J5aLPQ/s400/PondyMahabalipuram+054.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058727118747257954" /></a><br />At Pondicherry again. Some menu, this. And Chutnet? Misspelling it once it fine, but twice over?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamWkwH69hYHKOUArSmMqmSVNoSg_uHUjtHwTGzaZQbz3hwpaaF3Ubf_CGMK2a1DBd__4847kB6lMIS2LdDNpstNK20gJxI4SPtcx99YfIManD16z4787COfV1JUG2cdiBtt9smg/s1600-h/PondyMahabalipuram+028.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamWkwH69hYHKOUArSmMqmSVNoSg_uHUjtHwTGzaZQbz3hwpaaF3Ubf_CGMK2a1DBd__4847kB6lMIS2LdDNpstNK20gJxI4SPtcx99YfIManD16z4787COfV1JUG2cdiBtt9smg/s400/PondyMahabalipuram+028.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058727118747257970" /></a><br />At Pondicherry. Nothing funny about this. Just was impressed by the idea of communal integration coming through simple calendar placements.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvEbDVekxln1Z5Rih8YsUDPmOrkHxumYcZQ_3URZr6H3cbH4A0A5ILZtWzyYIIbUxqfN-5dyvEv4HzjYJkFiizXOYA2rhHNuwKMw2Lzx1Yu8WS1Rgh-LkPT_p6F9hpFaNX18fsQ/s1600-h/DSC00259.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvEbDVekxln1Z5Rih8YsUDPmOrkHxumYcZQ_3URZr6H3cbH4A0A5ILZtWzyYIIbUxqfN-5dyvEv4HzjYJkFiizXOYA2rhHNuwKMw2Lzx1Yu8WS1Rgh-LkPT_p6F9hpFaNX18fsQ/s400/DSC00259.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058727805942025426" /></a><br />Back of a car somewhere in Bangalore. Literal translation from Kannada reads <br />"You only come. <br />Who?<br />Not you.<br />He...?"<br />If anyone could decipher this code, leave it as a comment!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZlYONFXW7lYHkCkUUwuyfo6ncx532SeucA3Eg_jJwDp5p5lUB4vT0tU657hP-pruMNjNM338KM-eVxB-yJFNG1ZOsr4FDKaYRCJZiOWRQ8exaepzKRXVnUu-phz5xkkxZDGUVA/s1600-h/Office_Shivanasamudra+108.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZlYONFXW7lYHkCkUUwuyfo6ncx532SeucA3Eg_jJwDp5p5lUB4vT0tU657hP-pruMNjNM338KM-eVxB-yJFNG1ZOsr4FDKaYRCJZiOWRQ8exaepzKRXVnUu-phz5xkkxZDGUVA/s400/Office_Shivanasamudra+108.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058727595488627842" /></a><br />On the Bangalore-Mysore highway. Big Banian tree! What about Big Underwear tree? :)) (Brought to you by Rupa Underwear and Banian! Thanks Rupa)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdExlY_zqSmc4-rg2e0rtFC1MThhbrs0ZLyjw40q0EJu9-Syp8G3jd2BQgqDHnQhiQ-YH9VLru-JzYaM1Fz20730vOMxBiB2lyGhCX5A3lU-FiCJJDoE3lcZjiD1e4axSW_5y33g/s1600-h/NandiHills+101.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdExlY_zqSmc4-rg2e0rtFC1MThhbrs0ZLyjw40q0EJu9-Syp8G3jd2BQgqDHnQhiQ-YH9VLru-JzYaM1Fz20730vOMxBiB2lyGhCX5A3lU-FiCJJDoE3lcZjiD1e4axSW_5y33g/s400/NandiHills+101.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058727595488627858" /></a><br />At Nandi Hills. It's a warning, Amrutha and Sarovara. Both of you don't get into them. But into what?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOY3GTDWNKZCOlkbkrFLZPuxt9lfBFefiisPHwwpn0mv88vqG-5HD2I3P_ENgphrmvHWPVjivZxld90ynvUBuX57m0Jg_7nl6VXdhf6KAboYNgow5ZSGbWWZS4dTvO1rHsjdJMw/s1600-h/NandiHills+086.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOY3GTDWNKZCOlkbkrFLZPuxt9lfBFefiisPHwwpn0mv88vqG-5HD2I3P_ENgphrmvHWPVjivZxld90ynvUBuX57m0Jg_7nl6VXdhf6KAboYNgow5ZSGbWWZS4dTvO1rHsjdJMw/s400/NandiHills+086.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058727599783595170" /></a><br />At Nandi Hills again. This sign is at the edge of the cliff. Getitng there needs Hanuman-ish caliber. Looks like the painter didn't heed to his own sign!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKk8fiYdebBoIZdlunuSPZty3FXfjobqmz9Qh582Bu_zD3UffHhDv1ZTrUGByWYRcsJBk_M8cVGdJ23uvYq3hLyJSPTg956X7VkyhWEYbE3BSv4GIDXtwDwu3KwosGoqHpmMyjOQ/s1600-h/Hampi_161206+209.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKk8fiYdebBoIZdlunuSPZty3FXfjobqmz9Qh582Bu_zD3UffHhDv1ZTrUGByWYRcsJBk_M8cVGdJ23uvYq3hLyJSPTg956X7VkyhWEYbE3BSv4GIDXtwDwu3KwosGoqHpmMyjOQ/s400/Hampi_161206+209.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058727599783595186" /></a><br />This was at Hampi from a moving auto. The line in red at the bottom read 'South Africa'. Was the sign really exported from SA? Or maybe a promotion of free parking in SA? Can't park in India? Please visit SA and park your vehicles for free there!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8LdpuDp0IVtdmCoD7R-4yF3kqw3aMWOWf-bna3PWVuACbJyQzoCATRjs7BGDnRbinUgcwjkIFP30enCX8NLDICrIDs4Kzbu9bGGTxTMUrK6lFF2rej6gLmRmo44mKnkIYiOPyg/s1600-h/GoGoa+010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8LdpuDp0IVtdmCoD7R-4yF3kqw3aMWOWf-bna3PWVuACbJyQzoCATRjs7BGDnRbinUgcwjkIFP30enCX8NLDICrIDs4Kzbu9bGGTxTMUrK6lFF2rej6gLmRmo44mKnkIYiOPyg/s400/GoGoa+010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058727599783595202" /></a><br />In a bus in Goa. Sealing? Maybe 29 can be cramped and sealed into one!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgT-GgAOeZ69Xkg3TU7w3AQlRyJWGeqnHyuP6KJsSZv1pcoSdL4SVMFooWiCmR_zjbN3G4FuW1M41bkDTGUkoDdJzyrGZUJX24CDil9xeFUdAbvBFnwV6kTAaUcIqsYouYHGKiQ/s1600-h/Chennai-Kolar+074.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgT-GgAOeZ69Xkg3TU7w3AQlRyJWGeqnHyuP6KJsSZv1pcoSdL4SVMFooWiCmR_zjbN3G4FuW1M41bkDTGUkoDdJzyrGZUJX24CDil9xeFUdAbvBFnwV6kTAaUcIqsYouYHGKiQ/s400/Chennai-Kolar+074.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058727805942025442" /></a><br />At a tourist spot outside Bangalore. Do they mean the art gallery is inside the...?Prashanthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02103053883289120428noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989496.post-80168511432398091162007-04-25T10:18:00.001-07:002007-04-25T10:18:47.558-07:00Night Rider...An attempt at being funny, that I had tried a long time ago...found it in my archives. Thought will put it up here. WTH, anything in the name of creativity. That's what blogs are there for, right :-D<br /><br /><br />The stars were shining, the moon was bright <br />And I didn't sleep a wink last night <br /><br />Neither she slept, neither let me sleep <br />Slowly and softly, up on me she would creep <br /><br />Hiding in the shadows, she harassed me <br />How she was, I could not see <br /><br />After a long time, I caught her sight <br />And finally clasped her tight <br /><br />I can never forget the time we had <br />Thinking of it makes me go mad <br /><br />Who it was, I am sure you would want to know <br />What can I say? She was a female Anopheles mosquito!Prashanthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02103053883289120428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989496.post-64301498973225985122007-04-18T13:57:00.000-07:002007-04-18T16:06:59.269-07:00In top GereWell, Shilpa Shetty is in the news again. And the title matches perfectly for her. She has made it a habit now to be in the news. Quite a newsmaker now - step aside, Amar Singh, who must be busy making arrangements for the other Mangalore gal. Abhi toh woh Aish kar rahi hai, Rai-ght?<br />Coming back to Shilpa, this seems such a no-brainer. From what I have heard and pics I have seen, it seemed a harmless kiss on the cheek. Much less controversial than the stuff she or any of the other actresses do on-screen, from time immemorial. Remember the Aamir-Karisma canoodle in Raja Hindustani. Or Madhuri-Vinod Khanna in Dayavan. Or more recently, one which I was wide-eyed, Madhavan and Vidya Balan in Guru (I gave all the info for any of my voyueristic readers who will go rushing back to youtube or the friendly neighborhood CD guy. But come to think of it, I doubt if I have any readers, let alone voyueristic ones ;-D)<br />Now there are people demanding apologies from both the parties. Maybe Richard can apologize by saying - hum to appke apne hain, koi Gere nahin! Maine koi Gere-oni harkat nahi kiya...<br />And hope he doesn't get arrested for Gere-kanooni acts of pecking our actresses who epitomise the sabhya nari image. Well, that is the bastion of the one-and-only Emraan Hashmi. And Mika :))<br /><br />What did Mika sing after kissing Rakhi?<br />Sawan-t mein lag gayi aag, dil meraa.......<br />(Surprising I never heard or came up with this earlier!!)<br /><br />As I read someplace else, most of the protest must be by people who are just envious that they couldn't get the chance which Gere did with so much ease. He showed us hum kiss-ise kam nahi.<br /><br />Sidetracking, the cricket World Cup seems to have lost its charm. The Ozzies look like the only true team and we do not have the two short-fused teams - India and Pak - to provide the uncertainites and twists. So long to that.<br /><br />The Formula One season also seems to be pretty interesting this year. What with Kimi in a Ferrari. At last, he gets a stable set of wheels under him. Until now, he must have been the unluckiest guy around.<br />But somehow, the Ferrari colors don't suit him. He looked the Iceman part in the silver flannels of McLaren. The red just doesn't jell with his outlook. Red is more flashy and suited Schumi best. More for the jumpy-jumpy types. Not the brooding, Kimi types!Prashanthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02103053883289120428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989496.post-83930793340230514352007-04-12T21:34:00.000-07:002007-04-12T21:41:11.934-07:00Want to be a millionaire?How many of you have received email notifications informing you that you have won obscene amounts of money through some online lottery business promotion? <br />Or that there is a vast sum lying in an unattended account in some remote unknown city in Africa -ever heard of Ougandongou something?- where the account owner was killed in a plane crash or a dictator who fled during some coup. I have got mails from people ranging from Nigeria to SAfrica to Congo.<br />Other common ones are UK National lottery and Microsoft lottery. The funniest thing is is the Microsoft winning notification is always sent to my GMail account. Could it BE anymore <br />If I claimed all the amount that was promised in each mail I have received till now, by now I would have had more money than the GDP of any G-8 nation. Heh heh.<br />Coming back to the topic, the accounts which receive these sort of the mails are the ones that are exposed on the Internet. And its almost a daily phenomenon.<br />Wonder how many people really fall for these scams. I should sometime reply to one of them and see where it goes. Maybe one of them is really true!<br /><br />Went to a basketball game at the FedEx Forum couple of weeks back. It was an awesome experience. It was a match between the home team, the Memphis Grizzlies and the Chicago Bulls. The Grizzlies won by a solitary point in the last 4 seconds, so that was really a great match to watch. And we had court side seats where we got a good view of the proceedings. The mid-game entertainment events were fun as well - the cheerleaders, the band and the very flexible acrobats. It was St Patrick's Day as well. And I got a first hand experience of the celebrations at the Irish pub in downtown Memphis. IT is basically an Irish festival where people wear green and drink their hearts out - in true Irish tradition. Saw it all - beer guzzling, boisterous, crowd with a fair mix of the fairer sex :) It was originally a religious festival which has become a community celebration over time and American influence. I went with my colleagues - one of them an American of German-British descent who gave me quite an insight about the festival. You can find the photos on my Webshots page.<br /><br />Lucifer finally convinced me to overcome my procrastination and set up my Flickr account for putting up snaps online. Thank you! It is a very interesting thing. Improves perspective, for me. Check it out from the link in the sidebar.Prashanthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02103053883289120428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989496.post-63028036735752261342007-04-02T22:42:00.000-07:002007-04-05T20:04:17.928-07:00Onsite diary..initial days!After the welcome surprise of the first class seat in BA, I finally landed in Memphis on 19th Feb. <br />I did not have any trace of jet lag though (I know all you jealous buggers would say it was due to the first class seat. But then, I pride myself in my body adjusting to different clocks easily)<br />Right now am nicely settled out here. The company had a brand new apartment ready for occupation. And completely furnished to go with it. With cable and DVD as well. <br />First thing in the US, get a car. At least in Memphis. Public transport is as common as an empty road at 9 AM in Bengaluru. That should give you an idea. Cabs have to be always dialed for and buses are like 2 in a day. The roads are practically deserted during non-peak hours. Though, a reason for this might be the distance from Memphis downtown. But I like the area. Quaint houses giving an impression of a old-time township. My apartment has a gym, tennis court and swimming pool as well, to boot. Planning on being regular to at least 2 of the 3 of them. The cold weather's not been to kind to make any plans until now. It also has a nice lake for a leisurely walk with your wife or girlfriend around. But then, I have to make to with walking hand in hand with my camera.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://image53.webshots.com/753/3/48/39/2483348390060220543FxbWWf_ph.jpg?track_pagetag=/page/photo/travel/tennessee&track_action=/Shortcuts/FullSize"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://image53.webshots.com/753/3/48/39/2483348390060220543FxbWWf_ph.jpg?track_pagetag=/page/photo/travel/tennessee&track_action=/Shortcuts/FullSize" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />The variety in food is also amazing. I've tried almost every kind of cuisine - American (obviously, duh!), Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Mexican, Thai, Vietnamese, lots of Indian too. Of them, found Vietnamese pretty close to Indian food, at least in spiciness. But I liked Japanese among all, their sushi was really nice. And at another place, they cook the whole meal right in front of you at your table. The cook was a juggler with all is cutlery as well. Was entertaining to watch him cook. But once in a while wondered what if the butcher's knife he was juggling around just missed the mark and flew towards one of the patrons happily dining (that's so much Calvin-like thinking).<br />Heh heh. Would make a good headline in the papers the next day - <br /><br />JUGGLER GOES FOR THE JUGULAR<br /><br />Hahahaha. I found that pun damn funny.<br /><br />Rented my first car as well. Since I am alone, didn't feel the need for a big car anyways. So went for a compact for now. It a cute little Chrysler PT Cruiser. I am sure some of you will hate the look and some will like it. At the beginning, I hated the look. Looks like a lovechild of the Ambassador and the Swift. But it kind of grows on you gradually. The interiors are really spacious with some really cool designs. Its inspired by the retro cars of the 60s or 70s. The door handles are the button press and pull type - you might remember them from the good ol' sturdy Ambassador cars back home. anyways, enjoying driving around here. didn't take too long to adjust to the left-hand driving out here. I guess, this is better for a left hander, somehow. Just perception, I guess.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://image59.webshots.com/459/8/98/0/2908898000060220543TaLkBD_ph.jpg?track_pagetag=/page/photo/travel/tennessee&track_action=/Shortcuts/FullSize"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://image59.webshots.com/459/8/98/0/2908898000060220543TaLkBD_ph.jpg?track_pagetag=/page/photo/travel/tennessee&track_action=/Shortcuts/FullSize" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Been watching a lot of movies as well. Watched 300 at a theater recently. Pretty nice - the comic book style of picturisation. But I felt there was too much blood and gore all around. And man, did Xerxes really look like that man-giant, bathed in gold ornaments?<br />Also watched Babel today. Brad Pitt if just amazing in this movie. A thoroughly restrained performance. Had just watched Fight Club a few days back. 2 entirely different characters. And he did justice to both. <br />Seems like too many movie reviews, heh heh. That's because of the sheer number of movies that I have watched in the last 3 weeks. Easily 2 movies a day on average. <br />More for another day.<br /><br />See more snaps at http://travel.webshots.com/album/558394527zfTdMv?start=0Prashanthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02103053883289120428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989496.post-87741768936854675862007-03-26T15:29:00.000-07:002007-03-26T15:31:04.963-07:00The Kiterunner...On the way to the US, all through my flight, I was engrossed in reading 'The Kiterunner' by Khalid Hosseini. It had been long since I had got down to reading any book, and this book was a welcome return to book reading. Picked it up in Pune on an impulse, during one of my umpteen rounds on FC Road during my 2 week stay in Pune.<br />What a rivetting book it was. Beautifully written, I could almost feel the angst coming through the literature.<br />The book is set in Afghanistan of the 70's-80's when the Taliban was just finding their foothold in the country's larger spectrum and come into power. It traces the life of 2 friends - Amir and Hassan - the loyalty, sacrifice, jealousy and redemption. And written so realistically - it cannot fail to make you feel for the protagonists. Though the ending was a bit Bollywood-esque. Still left me with a good feeling at the end of it.<br />I was so engrossed in the book that I couldn't keep it down even while in the queues for checking in and boarding the flights. A must-read, really.<br />And looks like its on its way into being made into a movie (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0419887/). Guess it should be a good watch. <br />But then again, looking at past movie adaptations of acclaimed books, one can never be sure of how the movie will turn out to be.<br />But it would surely make a good Bollywood movie, for sure.Prashanthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02103053883289120428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12989496.post-70851524688334514892007-03-16T17:14:00.000-07:002007-03-16T17:24:39.504-07:00The best Rube Goldberg I've seen...Remember the Honda commercial everyone was raving about sometime back...see this as well!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://embed.break.com/MjMzMTkx"></param><embed src="http://embed.break.com/MjMzMTkx" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br><font size="1"><a href="http://www.break.com/">Click Here for more great videos and pictures!</a></font><br /><br />About Rube Goldberg:<br />Reuben Garret L. Goldberg (July 4, 1883 - December 7, 1970) was a cofounder and president of the American National Cartoonists Society. He is one of the most famous cartoonists in history, who earned lasting fame for his Rube Goldberg machines (exceedingly complex devices that perform simple tasks in very indirect and convoluted ways). (more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rube_Goldberg)Prashanthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02103053883289120428noreply@blogger.com1