It was the day before Christmas – Chennai was decked up, carols and Santas everywhere…the bus stopped at a signal and I saw this Santa in front of a shop – complete with a mask and an obviously artificial bulging belly.
I couldn’t help but wonder what was running through the mind of the man dressed up as Santa. Dressed as Santa – standing in front of a shop, doing the dance quite monotonously, waving at the passers by, watching the world around on a shopping spree… what was on his mind? Did he celebrate Christmas? Does he have enough to shop for himself and his loved ones? Does he see the number of people coming to shop and wish he could too? Does he wish he was as happy as the mask he was wearing?
Doesn’t it hurt to do that monotonous dance and wave all evening? Doesn’t it hurt to stand there and have people ignore you? Does it hurt to stand there and watch the world go by?
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Bhongir Fort
A long weekend and I was raring to go someplace. I managed to convince my friend to get out on Saturday. When we found that the Bhongir Fort is just about 50 kms from Hyderabad, we decided to take our cameras out and go for a ride. We set out around 10am and after Uppal, it was a drive along the Warangal road – quite a pleasant ride with the rail lines along the road. It was quite a sunny day – though there were a few clouds.
We reached Bhongir and tried to find the entrance to the fort. If you reach a spot that doesn’t have the tell-tale fort walls, you’ve reached the entrance! We crossed the road, and started climbing this huge, single rock in front of us. After a distance, you’d find the steps! My friend was already cursing me for suggesting this place. Here and there, we’d find a shady spot – a welcome relief from the sun – and we’d sit down for a while to rest there. Once you’re up there, you can see the entire town – the bus stand, the railway station, the surrounding fields, and hills to the distance. It was quite a beautiful day – I’ve always loved watching the shadows of the moving clouds and that day was a treat for me.
While we rested half way up, we began to wonder if we should even go further. There was nothing up there – at least, nothing to indicate the presence of a huge fort – and, in front of us, was this huge hill (rock?) to climb! Yes, set your expectations right – this is no big fort. Especially, if you’re an outsider (like me) and you’ve been to Golconda, don’t imagine a similar fort. This one is more like a little outpost! We finally decided to climb the hill.
A few feet away, the rock had flattened out and there were these little structures here and there. We also found a cannon – and took a few pictures there. Further up, you’d find steps carved into the rock – makes walking a li’l bit easier. However, there are places where there are no steps and you are on your own. Finally, we reached the top – and, well, there wasn’t anything impressive. Other than a tower, a few remaining walls, and a newly built building, there isn’t much out there. So, after walking around for a while, we decided to get back.
On our way down, we stopped for a while near those walls – one of those walls was high enough to block out the sun – seated there shaded from the sun, watching the clouds go by, and watching a few other people who had come to visit this place…I got all those pretty blue sky pictures.
There is “Danger” written in quite small letters (in my opinion, not at all attention grabbing). If you are not careful, you could walk over a patch of grass to find yourself standing at the edge of the rock – with nothing to stop your fall. Though, you’d have to go out of your way to stand at the edge :)
After relaxing there for a while, we got back. An hour later, we were back in Hyd :)
Finally... Be prepared to climb this huge rock – without steps at places
Carry enough food and water
And you’ll find nothing but a view from up above.
A great place to get away and relax – nothing more, nothing less.
How to reach (Google Map): It is about an hour from Uppal X Road, Hyderabad. As you ride along the Warangal High Road, you can’t miss the fort. Of course, the town is named Bhongir (also known as Bhuvanagiri)
We reached Bhongir and tried to find the entrance to the fort. If you reach a spot that doesn’t have the tell-tale fort walls, you’ve reached the entrance! We crossed the road, and started climbing this huge, single rock in front of us. After a distance, you’d find the steps! My friend was already cursing me for suggesting this place. Here and there, we’d find a shady spot – a welcome relief from the sun – and we’d sit down for a while to rest there. Once you’re up there, you can see the entire town – the bus stand, the railway station, the surrounding fields, and hills to the distance. It was quite a beautiful day – I’ve always loved watching the shadows of the moving clouds and that day was a treat for me.While we rested half way up, we began to wonder if we should even go further. There was nothing up there – at least, nothing to indicate the presence of a huge fort – and, in front of us, was this huge hill (rock?) to climb! Yes, set your expectations right – this is no big fort. Especially, if you’re an outsider (like me) and you’ve been to Golconda, don’t imagine a similar fort. This one is more like a little outpost! We finally decided to climb the hill.A few feet away, the rock had flattened out and there were these little structures here and there. We also found a cannon – and took a few pictures there. Further up, you’d find steps carved into the rock – makes walking a li’l bit easier. However, there are places where there are no steps and you are on your own. Finally, we reached the top – and, well, there wasn’t anything impressive. Other than a tower, a few remaining walls, and a newly built building, there isn’t much out there. So, after walking around for a while, we decided to get back. On our way down, we stopped for a while near those walls – one of those walls was high enough to block out the sun – seated there shaded from the sun, watching the clouds go by, and watching a few other people who had come to visit this place…I got all those pretty blue sky pictures.
There is “Danger” written in quite small letters (in my opinion, not at all attention grabbing). If you are not careful, you could walk over a patch of grass to find yourself standing at the edge of the rock – with nothing to stop your fall. Though, you’d have to go out of your way to stand at the edge :)After relaxing there for a while, we got back. An hour later, we were back in Hyd :)
Finally... Be prepared to climb this huge rock – without steps at places
Carry enough food and water
And you’ll find nothing but a view from up above.
A great place to get away and relax – nothing more, nothing less.
How to reach (Google Map): It is about an hour from Uppal X Road, Hyderabad. As you ride along the Warangal High Road, you can’t miss the fort. Of course, the town is named Bhongir (also known as Bhuvanagiri)
| From Bhongir |
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Right and Wrong!
"I went over just about every argument that we'd had. I had said he was careless, he said I made simple problems have difficult solutions. I said he never planned, he said I obsessed to the point of killing all spontaneity. I said he was selfish, he said I worried over him to the point of suffocation....and may be we were both right and that was why we were wrong for each other."
-- The Bonesetter's Daughter, Amy Tan
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Pichavaram - The Mangrove and The Beach
September 16, 2007
After a few days of uncertainty and some last-minute planning, we were off to Pichavaram, a mangrove near Chidambaram (Click here for Map) - 250 km from Chennai,
a place featured in The Road Less Travelled.
We started on Saturday afternoon – to Chidambaram. It was a typical Chennai afternoon - hot and humid. After a not-so-easy journey of 6 hours in the bus, we got off at Chidambaram around 9pm. Oh ya, we did play bluff and I wasn’t good at it (well, I get to say that I am not good at bluffing!).
It was a rainy night and we had to walk to a couple of hotels to find a place. Finally, we got a place, a li’l away from the bus stand (Thanks to Simon’s call to one of the hotels earlier that day). The next morning, we walked down the road to one of those small hotels, had a quick breakfast, and then, we waited for a bus that would take us to Pichavaram.
Once we were out of Chidambaram, it was a typical rural scene – fields that stretch afar, a narrow road, few people walking by, children playing... soon, we were at Pichavaram. Quite a small place and all that you can do is go boating and get atop the tower that serves as a viewpoint.
First we went on the boat ride – into the mangroves. It was good – but could have been better. It looks like a lot of research happens there – you’d find the botanical names of trees written on small boards.
It was over too soon and we were left wondering where to go. Though the article in Hindu mentions a ban on photography, we were allowed to take cameras and were even given a ticket for the camera (Rs. 50 for a camera).
We asked the people at Pichavaram for other places to visit and got the way to the nearest beach – get off at the next village and, about 4 kms from there, we’ll have to take a boat across the backwaters to get to the beach.
At Killai, we were wondering - Should we walk? After the walking we did in Yelagiri, I was sure it would be interesting. There are things you can see and observe only when you walk – you can stop and talk to the people, walk around and observe as they go about their day…But then, Amit didn’t want to walk! So, we got two cycles for rent (no questions asked, no security deposits!) – and I got a free ride :)
And, there we were, cycling along the village road towards the backwaters – wondering if we should step into someone’s house and ask for a meal! Soon enough, we reached the backwaters – and there was this guy waiting in the shelter nearby who offered to drop us on the other side for 20 bucks each. We left the cycles there, and off we went – with no idea of what was awaiting us on the other side of the backwaters.
We were told that people used to live there before the tsunami, but no one lives there anymore – and the place did look like it was hit pretty bad in the tsunami (2004) – even a board that said, let’s grow more trees and reduce the impact of the tsunami; warning signs saying do not let the animals graze here or do not chop these trees – a grim reminder to what these people faced a couple of years ago.
Soon we were on the other side of the backwaters – our boatman left us there saying, get back to this spot and I will come and pick you up. So, there we were, on this island, not another soul other than the three of us, and no way to get back other than wait for our boatman!
With what seemed to be like a grove was on our left and an endless stretch of sand to our right – we walked towards the sea. If you ever visit Chidambaram and love being on a quiet beach, you should visit this place. Am lost for words to describe the moment when we came upon the sea – as a Chennaiite, I’ve been on the beach quite often – but the Chennai beaches are crowded – and can be dirty too! Here we were, on
a quiet, lonely place – clean and calm… it was simply beautiful….It was a mid-day siesta out there – right below the mid-day sun, we were out there at the beach. Thankfully, it was a cloudy day and we weren’t at the mercy of the sun.
Soon, it was time to get back – to go to the other side of the island and wait for our boatman. While we were walking along the grove, we decided to explore – we thought we’d find someone living there – or at least a locked house. What we found was a grim reminder of the tsunami that hit this region a couple of years ago. There was this house standing in the middle of that grove – more like an outhouse – windows and doors stripped, yet heavy things like the grinding stone remain – well, not so long ago, it was someone’s front yard.
Time to return – our boatman coming to get us back to mainland. We returned the cycles and walked around a bit before we took the bus to Chidambaram. After lunching at a crowded restaurant, we got back to the room and we left around 2pm. Plan was to take the 3pm bus to Chennai – which would not happen. Thanks to the weekend crowd, something we forgot about, all buses were full. So, if you are planning a weekend visit, and traveling by bus, one, you’d be better off getting into one at Chidambaram, and two, you better leave a little earlier. If not, book your return tickets at the earliest and do not wait till you get out to board a bus.
In short, a great weekend getaway – especially if you want to get away from the crowded beaches of Chennai and want to explore the countryside. Just remember to book those return tickets!
After a few days of uncertainty and some last-minute planning, we were off to Pichavaram, a mangrove near Chidambaram (Click here for Map) - 250 km from Chennai, a place featured in The Road Less Travelled.We started on Saturday afternoon – to Chidambaram. It was a typical Chennai afternoon - hot and humid. After a not-so-easy journey of 6 hours in the bus, we got off at Chidambaram around 9pm. Oh ya, we did play bluff and I wasn’t good at it (well, I get to say that I am not good at bluffing!).
It was a rainy night and we had to walk to a couple of hotels to find a place. Finally, we got a place, a li’l away from the bus stand (Thanks to Simon’s call to one of the hotels earlier that day). The next morning, we walked down the road to one of those small hotels, had a quick breakfast, and then, we waited for a bus that would take us to Pichavaram.
Once we were out of Chidambaram, it was a typical rural scene – fields that stretch afar, a narrow road, few people walking by, children playing... soon, we were at Pichavaram. Quite a small place and all that you can do is go boating and get atop the tower that serves as a viewpoint.
First we went on the boat ride – into the mangroves. It was good – but could have been better. It looks like a lot of research happens there – you’d find the botanical names of trees written on small boards. It was over too soon and we were left wondering where to go. Though the article in Hindu mentions a ban on photography, we were allowed to take cameras and were even given a ticket for the camera (Rs. 50 for a camera).We asked the people at Pichavaram for other places to visit and got the way to the nearest beach – get off at the next village and, about 4 kms from there, we’ll have to take a boat across the backwaters to get to the beach.
At Killai, we were wondering - Should we walk? After the walking we did in Yelagiri, I was sure it would be interesting. There are things you can see and observe only when you walk – you can stop and talk to the people, walk around and observe as they go about their day…But then, Amit didn’t want to walk! So, we got two cycles for rent (no questions asked, no security deposits!) – and I got a free ride :)
And, there we were, cycling along the village road towards the backwaters – wondering if we should step into someone’s house and ask for a meal! Soon enough, we reached the backwaters – and there was this guy waiting in the shelter nearby who offered to drop us on the other side for 20 bucks each. We left the cycles there, and off we went – with no idea of what was awaiting us on the other side of the backwaters.
We were told that people used to live there before the tsunami, but no one lives there anymore – and the place did look like it was hit pretty bad in the tsunami (2004) – even a board that said, let’s grow more trees and reduce the impact of the tsunami; warning signs saying do not let the animals graze here or do not chop these trees – a grim reminder to what these people faced a couple of years ago. Soon we were on the other side of the backwaters – our boatman left us there saying, get back to this spot and I will come and pick you up. So, there we were, on this island, not another soul other than the three of us, and no way to get back other than wait for our boatman!With what seemed to be like a grove was on our left and an endless stretch of sand to our right – we walked towards the sea. If you ever visit Chidambaram and love being on a quiet beach, you should visit this place. Am lost for words to describe the moment when we came upon the sea – as a Chennaiite, I’ve been on the beach quite often – but the Chennai beaches are crowded – and can be dirty too! Here we were, on
a quiet, lonely place – clean and calm… it was simply beautiful….It was a mid-day siesta out there – right below the mid-day sun, we were out there at the beach. Thankfully, it was a cloudy day and we weren’t at the mercy of the sun.Soon, it was time to get back – to go to the other side of the island and wait for our boatman. While we were walking along the grove, we decided to explore – we thought we’d find someone living there – or at least a locked house. What we found was a grim reminder of the tsunami that hit this region a couple of years ago. There was this house standing in the middle of that grove – more like an outhouse – windows and doors stripped, yet heavy things like the grinding stone remain – well, not so long ago, it was someone’s front yard.
Time to return – our boatman coming to get us back to mainland. We returned the cycles and walked around a bit before we took the bus to Chidambaram. After lunching at a crowded restaurant, we got back to the room and we left around 2pm. Plan was to take the 3pm bus to Chennai – which would not happen. Thanks to the weekend crowd, something we forgot about, all buses were full. So, if you are planning a weekend visit, and traveling by bus, one, you’d be better off getting into one at Chidambaram, and two, you better leave a little earlier. If not, book your return tickets at the earliest and do not wait till you get out to board a bus.
In short, a great weekend getaway – especially if you want to get away from the crowded beaches of Chennai and want to explore the countryside. Just remember to book those return tickets!
| From Pictures from Pichavaram |
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
The Conversation
The lady came by and said, 'Sister, do you know how to reach Parrys from here?' [For those who don't know, it is a locality in Chennai]
'Am not sure which bus stop, but most 7 series would take you there.' said the girl.
She said, 'No sister, I want to know how to walk there.'
When the girl said 'Oh, you can't walk that far - it is quite far from here,'
the lady said 'I have to meet my brother-in-law and I don't have money for the bus, so I have to walk...'
So, the girl gave her money for the bus fare...
The lady was thanking her - 'That's ok' the girl said and the lady thanked her again and started walking faster.
A couple of steps ahead, the lady said 'Don't mind, sister? I am going to meet my friends first. I'll then go to my brother-in-law's place... don't be angry, huh?'
Of course the girl wasn't angry - just that she wonders every now and then, why this lady said that - just being honest?
'Am not sure which bus stop, but most 7 series would take you there.' said the girl.
She said, 'No sister, I want to know how to walk there.'
When the girl said 'Oh, you can't walk that far - it is quite far from here,'
the lady said 'I have to meet my brother-in-law and I don't have money for the bus, so I have to walk...'
So, the girl gave her money for the bus fare...
The lady was thanking her - 'That's ok' the girl said and the lady thanked her again and started walking faster.
A couple of steps ahead, the lady said 'Don't mind, sister? I am going to meet my friends first. I'll then go to my brother-in-law's place... don't be angry, huh?'
Of course the girl wasn't angry - just that she wonders every now and then, why this lady said that - just being honest?
Monday, September 24, 2007
My First Google Map
That's right... I created my first map ... So, now you know where is Pichavaram :)
[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=100271555603318388215.00043ab796abc8157135d&t=h&ll=12.200524,79.977722&spn=1.634829,0.598755&output=embed&s=AARTsJrxWB4SJb1L8gXutIxog_ErOX_gFA&w=425&h=350]
[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=100271555603318388215.00043ab796abc8157135d&t=h&ll=12.200524,79.977722&spn=1.634829,0.598755&output=embed&s=AARTsJrxWB4SJb1L8gXutIxog_ErOX_gFA&w=425&h=350]
Monday, September 10, 2007
And I survived…
“… And I survived, while other men around me died. They were better men than I am, most of them: better men whose lives were crunched up in mistakes, and thrown away by the wrong second of someone else’s hate, or love, or indifference. And I buried them, too many of those men, and grieved their stories and their lives into my own.”
-- Shantaram
This is how it feels – to be in Hyderabad!
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
A Mirage!
Like the water in a desert,
Like the dry spot in a rainstorm,
Like the warmth of a cold winter,
Like the cool breeze in summer,
Like the sane thought in an insane mind,
Like the quiet moment in rush hour,
Like the hope of the lost hope,
Like the peace of a troubled mind,
You are...
Like the dry spot in a rainstorm,
Like the warmth of a cold winter,
Like the cool breeze in summer,
Like the sane thought in an insane mind,
Like the quiet moment in rush hour,
Like the hope of the lost hope,
Like the peace of a troubled mind,
You are...
Saturday, September 1, 2007
One Art by Elizabeth Bishop
Last Friday, I watched this movie, "In her Shoes" on TV. And there were two nice poems in that movie. The first one, this one below, is the one Maggie reads to the bed-ridden professor who helps her to address her reading disorder.
One Art by Elizabeth Bishop
The art of losing isn't hard to master;
so many things seem filled with the intent
to be lost that their loss is no disaster.
Lose something every day. Accept the fluster
of lost door keys, the hour badly spent.
The art of losing isn't hard to master.
Then practice losing farther, losing faster:
places, and names, and where it was you meant to travel.
None of these will bring disaster.
I lost my mother's watch. And look! my last, or
next-to-last, of three loved houses went.
The art of losing isn't hard to master.
I lost two cities, lovely ones. And, vaster,
some realms I owned, two rivers, a continent.
I miss them, but it wasn't a disaster.
--Even losing you (the joking voice, a gesture
I love) I shan't have lied. It's evident
the art of losing's not too hard to master
though it may look like (Write it!) like disaster.
One Art by Elizabeth Bishop
The art of losing isn't hard to master;
so many things seem filled with the intent
to be lost that their loss is no disaster.
Lose something every day. Accept the fluster
of lost door keys, the hour badly spent.
The art of losing isn't hard to master.
Then practice losing farther, losing faster:
places, and names, and where it was you meant to travel.
None of these will bring disaster.
I lost my mother's watch. And look! my last, or
next-to-last, of three loved houses went.
The art of losing isn't hard to master.
I lost two cities, lovely ones. And, vaster,
some realms I owned, two rivers, a continent.
I miss them, but it wasn't a disaster.
--Even losing you (the joking voice, a gesture
I love) I shan't have lied. It's evident
the art of losing's not too hard to master
though it may look like (Write it!) like disaster.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Yelagiri
December 15 - 17, 2006
This time, almost a year ago, we were thinking of how to meet, where to meet and places to visit. Ya, a long time online buddy was coming to Chennai - home visit - and wanted to go for a short trip. And ya, I wanted to go for a trip too - it had been quite some time since I travelled long distance.
We settled on Yelagiri for a weekend trip. This place is between Bangalore and Chennai - about 170 km from Bangalore and 210 km from Chennai (Madras). So, on December 15, I met my long-time online buddy and his friend at Chennai Central Railway Station. We took a train to Jolarpet - and I learnt to play Bluff (I hope I got the name right!) along the way. From Jolarpet, it was a bus ride to Yelagiri.
The bus filled with baskets and gunny bags - which Was a handy extra seat or stumbling block, depending on how you look at it. Late in the evening, we reached Yelagiri - we were dropped off at what seemed to be a marketplace. Within a few minutes, we had a couple of people promoting their lodges. For the first time, I went to a place without booking a place in advance and checked out places before we checked in one of the lodges right there on the main road.
After a quick wash and settling down, we went out to have dinner. After dinner at the hotel near the lodge, we decided to walk around. At about 9pm, the place was deserted. Nothing new for a village! So, we walked in pitch darkness - no streetlights, no vehicles, no lights from houses - just us and a little torch shining bright :) After walking around, we got back and the two school buddies started the who's-doing-what-these-days talk. For me, it was time to sleep!
The next day, we woke up early, had a good breakfast, and headed out into the forest. We were planning to walk all the way - but then, we were told we'd be better off if we go in an auto to a village nearby and then start our trek. So, we got an auto to drop us at the next village.
As we were getting off, there was this old man with his two cows walking by. Simon and Amit asked him how far is the waterfalls and if he'd take us through the forest. He looked at the three of us, and asked "Really??" Well, he had to be assured more than once that we were capable of walking long distance. Once he was convinced, he said he'd take us. Before that, he had to leave the cows at home. This elderly man, left his towel nearby, asked us to stay there and went back saying he'd return soon!
And true to his word, he was back in a little while - off we went along the narrow path that took us into the forest. And a couple of meters in, he said that his wife told him to ask for 100Rs - for taking us around. He seemed to be that innocent villager - even inviting us to stay over at his place. And then, even as we were resting in the shade of a tree, he asked if I don't have to go to school! He thought I had run away from home :(
We walked through the forest, and reached this waterfall almost at the bottom of the hill - the Jalagamparai Falls. It isn't about the waterfall as much as it is about the walk down there - one of those places where you can say the path matters more than the destination.
All the way, we were treated to folklore and songs by 'thatha' (meaning 'grandfather') as called him. He sang to us, advised us to study well, said I remind him of his granddaughter, wanted to know if our parents knew where we were...
After that long walk through the forest, we reached the waterfalls and the temple nearby. As I said earlier, it isn't a very spectacular falls. By the time we reached the waterfalls, it was afternoon. After a short break at the falls, we walked around to the nearest shops right outside. After biscuits, snacks, and water, we realised that the next bus would reach this place a couple of hours later [:O]
Do we wait? Well, we decided to walk along the road instead of waiting there for the bus. So, we went off again - walking on the road - hoping to see a bus on the other side. We walked and we walked - it is one of the unforgettable experiences in my life - walking around the rural areas, with no concern for time. So, we walked and walked and walked - until thatha got tired.
We walked by a couple of villages, roads lined on either side by sugarcane and cotton fields, the tar road used for drying bagasse. We came across a place where they were making jaggery - those huge pots over a big fire with a just a small opening for them to push the bagasse into the fire! And then, there were these two kids who wanted me to take a picture of their little brother. 
Finally, we sat down under a huge banyan tree which was supposed to be the bus stop. As we waited, the people nearby came to enquire about us - where we are from and so on. When I set the camera on timer and took a picture, they were amazed at the camera that takes a picture of it's own and one of them was in awe of the mind that created this :)
And the bus came a little later - we went to Thirupathur, had a late lunch, and then boarded the bus to Yelagiri - once more, we went up the hill. After dinner, we walked along those quiet roads - not a single horn, no TV blaring in someone's house... the only sound you could hear were of the insects and frogs. I think it was closer to new moon, 'coz it was a starlit night - I don't remember seeing the moon - all that I can remember are the stars, the dark roads, and the sounds of the insects.
When we got back, we started Bluff again - until it was really really late. The next morning, we went boating in the lake out there, spent some time wal
ki
ng around and then returned to the cottage.
The boat ride was real fun - it was quite a long ride and was real fun go that far! When we got back to the cottage, we walked around the garden, took a lot of pictures, played in the swing... and soon, it was time to leave.
As we were walking to the bus stop, we saw the bus to Jolarpet start off. Simon, the sprinter, ran and got the bus to stop - and we got the last seat of the bus - we sat there eating crispies and sweets we used to have when we were kids.... And we were on our way back - to our work, each in a different location...
This time, almost a year ago, we were thinking of how to meet, where to meet and places to visit. Ya, a long time online buddy was coming to Chennai - home visit - and wanted to go for a short trip. And ya, I wanted to go for a trip too - it had been quite some time since I travelled long distance.
We settled on Yelagiri for a weekend trip. This place is between Bangalore and Chennai - about 170 km from Bangalore and 210 km from Chennai (Madras). So, on December 15, I met my long-time online buddy and his friend at Chennai Central Railway Station. We took a train to Jolarpet - and I learnt to play Bluff (I hope I got the name right!) along the way. From Jolarpet, it was a bus ride to Yelagiri.The bus filled with baskets and gunny bags - which Was a handy extra seat or stumbling block, depending on how you look at it. Late in the evening, we reached Yelagiri - we were dropped off at what seemed to be a marketplace. Within a few minutes, we had a couple of people promoting their lodges. For the first time, I went to a place without booking a place in advance and checked out places before we checked in one of the lodges right there on the main road.
After a quick wash and settling down, we went out to have dinner. After dinner at the hotel near the lodge, we decided to walk around. At about 9pm, the place was deserted. Nothing new for a village! So, we walked in pitch darkness - no streetlights, no vehicles, no lights from houses - just us and a little torch shining bright :) After walking around, we got back and the two school buddies started the who's-doing-what-these-days talk. For me, it was time to sleep!
The next day, we woke up early, had a good breakfast, and headed out into the forest. We were planning to walk all the way - but then, we were told we'd be better off if we go in an auto to a village nearby and then start our trek. So, we got an auto to drop us at the next village. As we were getting off, there was this old man with his two cows walking by. Simon and Amit asked him how far is the waterfalls and if he'd take us through the forest. He looked at the three of us, and asked "Really??" Well, he had to be assured more than once that we were capable of walking long distance. Once he was convinced, he said he'd take us. Before that, he had to leave the cows at home. This elderly man, left his towel nearby, asked us to stay there and went back saying he'd return soon!
And true to his word, he was back in a little while - off we went along the narrow path that took us into the forest. And a couple of meters in, he said that his wife told him to ask for 100Rs - for taking us around. He seemed to be that innocent villager - even inviting us to stay over at his place. And then, even as we were resting in the shade of a tree, he asked if I don't have to go to school! He thought I had run away from home :(
We walked through the forest, and reached this waterfall almost at the bottom of the hill - the Jalagamparai Falls. It isn't about the waterfall as much as it is about the walk down there - one of those places where you can say the path matters more than the destination.All the way, we were treated to folklore and songs by 'thatha' (meaning 'grandfather') as called him. He sang to us, advised us to study well, said I remind him of his granddaughter, wanted to know if our parents knew where we were...
After that long walk through the forest, we reached the waterfalls and the temple nearby. As I said earlier, it isn't a very spectacular falls. By the time we reached the waterfalls, it was afternoon. After a short break at the falls, we walked around to the nearest shops right outside. After biscuits, snacks, and water, we realised that the next bus would reach this place a couple of hours later [:O]Do we wait? Well, we decided to walk along the road instead of waiting there for the bus. So, we went off again - walking on the road - hoping to see a bus on the other side. We walked and we walked - it is one of the unforgettable experiences in my life - walking around the rural areas, with no concern for time. So, we walked and walked and walked - until thatha got tired.We walked by a couple of villages, roads lined on either side by sugarcane and cotton fields, the tar road used for drying bagasse. We came across a place where they were making jaggery - those huge pots over a big fire with a just a small opening for them to push the bagasse into the fire! And then, there were these two kids who wanted me to take a picture of their little brother. Finally, we sat down under a huge banyan tree which was supposed to be the bus stop. As we waited, the people nearby came to enquire about us - where we are from and so on. When I set the camera on timer and took a picture, they were amazed at the camera that takes a picture of it's own and one of them was in awe of the mind that created this :)
And the bus came a little later - we went to Thirupathur, had a late lunch, and then boarded the bus to Yelagiri - once more, we went up the hill. After dinner, we walked along those quiet roads - not a single horn, no TV blaring in someone's house... the only sound you could hear were of the insects and frogs. I think it was closer to new moon, 'coz it was a starlit night - I don't remember seeing the moon - all that I can remember are the stars, the dark roads, and the sounds of the insects.
When we got back, we started Bluff again - until it was really really late. The next morning, we went boating in the lake out there, spent some time walki
ng around and then returned to the cottage.
The boat ride was real fun - it was quite a long ride and was real fun go that far! When we got back to the cottage, we walked around the garden, took a lot of pictures, played in the swing... and soon, it was time to leave.As we were walking to the bus stop, we saw the bus to Jolarpet start off. Simon, the sprinter, ran and got the bus to stop - and we got the last seat of the bus - we sat there eating crispies and sweets we used to have when we were kids.... And we were on our way back - to our work, each in a different location...
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| For more Pictures, go to Yelagiri |
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Desk Doodles
This is the state of my desk :) Ya, I know, it looks more like a whiteboard ...my secret pastime... Normally, I don't take pictures - I don't think they are great enough to be pictures - 'coz most of they are scribbles so bad, the house keeping guys don't miss a chance to clean my desk :P So, took a pic of this one by chance - sent it to a friend, and he liked it! So, here it is for all to see? Any comments?
Srisailam
It started in a conversation that was going anywhere and nowhere...yes, I was chatting with Llewellyn ....and then, he asked what's up for the weekend and I said ...nothing...
In the next few minutes, we had zeroed on Srisailam - pending our 'illustrious' Imtiaz Bhai's confirmation... After that, I scourged through the net for all that I can find on Srisailam and ran home.... I had plans ...but dozed off.... until I heard 'your 20 minutes start now' ....well, it was Llewellyn’s call….all I could manage was ‘make it 30 minutes’ and rushed to get ready…
Half an hour later, at 11:15pm, we were on our way and reached Mannanur at 2.40 am….. we had to wait till 6am – coz vehicles aren’t allowed in the night…. So, we parked and went to sleep….
I got up around 5:40….the place was filled with vehicles of all sizes….small carriers, lorries and trucks, cars and so on…not the quiet place we had reached earlier that night. And people were pretty casual….only until they heard the vehicle at the beginning of the line start – a lorry –…. At the sound of that engine everyone hurried to their own vehicle and started…and soon that place was like a starting line of a race…. Everyone testing their engine ….and raring to go….
The moment the gate was opened, it was a free for all…blaring horns, noisy engines, and flying dust replaced the quiet and serene environ…wish I had a video of that few mins…the change from the calm and quiet morning to the blaring horns….
We let everyone go by,….and started off at the end of the line….as we went by, we found peacocks grazing…we stopped by the road to watch the sun rise below the sizzling power lines….after a few more stops, we reached the first view point…went through the bridge and then up to Srisailam….
After breakfast at the Punnani restaurant, we were hoping to get on the ropeway and the go to the dam…unfortunately, ropeway wasn’t working ….quite a disappointment…so we walked down to the dam – the 650 steps, at least that is what they said - went boating and by the time we got back, we were quite tired…. And since Imtiaz Bhai had refused to come with us…we told him there were a max of 350 steps….to which he asked ‘one way or both together’!!!!!
I got to say it was quite a sunny day….not a day where you can stand out in the sun for long…in spite of all the water around, the place was dry and hot….so, we started on our way back…. A lot slower because of the umpteen stops….
At one place, we went beyond a gate at the viewpoint…and got some wonderful pics of rocks and the dam…all the close-up shots of those rocks and trees growing from them are from this place…
Then we stopped along the bridge….and again it was a good place for some pictures…and ya, some of these pictures show you vast land – the kind of vastness you don’t expect to find all that often…
Another great place was this dam on our way back…it was post-lunch…after a lunch where I couldn’t help laugh at some of Imtiaz Bhai’s gyan to that hotelier….and the way he did it…
After we got out, we came across this kinda dam we had crossed in the middle of the night when we were going to Srisailam…while the two of us wanted to go up and check the dam on the other side, Imtiaz Bhai wasn’t all that enthusiastic…. I don’t knw why….but he refused to do any climbing or walking that day….
So, he stopped and asked an old man who said there is no water at all….but then, we found steps leading to the top,….insisted he stop and went up….and was it beautiful…it was wonderful…and I wont forget the way this guy got on a plank and went all the way, paddling with his hands….it was amazing…time and again, makes me wonder, how big is man? Often, we tend to forget that man is like a small speck on the face of earth…. So let me end that gyan now….
From there it was a series of stops and we reached Hyd after 6….by the time we came to the other end to our homes, it was close to 9…. And that was the end of yet another traveling weekend...
In the next few minutes, we had zeroed on Srisailam - pending our 'illustrious' Imtiaz Bhai's confirmation... After that, I scourged through the net for all that I can find on Srisailam and ran home.... I had plans ...but dozed off.... until I heard 'your 20 minutes start now' ....well, it was Llewellyn’s call….all I could manage was ‘make it 30 minutes’ and rushed to get ready…
Half an hour later, at 11:15pm, we were on our way and reached Mannanur at 2.40 am….. we had to wait till 6am – coz vehicles aren’t allowed in the night…. So, we parked and went to sleep….
I got up around 5:40….the place was filled with vehicles of all sizes….small carriers, lorries and trucks, cars and so on…not the quiet place we had reached earlier that night. And people were pretty casual….only until they heard the vehicle at the beginning of the line start – a lorry –…. At the sound of that engine everyone hurried to their own vehicle and started…and soon that place was like a starting line of a race…. Everyone testing their engine ….and raring to go….The moment the gate was opened, it was a free for all…blaring horns, noisy engines, and flying dust replaced the quiet and serene environ…wish I had a video of that few mins…the change from the calm and quiet morning to the blaring horns….
We let everyone go by,….and started off at the end of the line….as we went by, we found peacocks grazing…we stopped by the road to watch the sun rise below the sizzling power lines….after a few more stops, we reached the first view point…went through the bridge and then up to Srisailam….
After breakfast at the Punnani restaurant, we were hoping to get on the ropeway and the go to the dam…unfortunately, ropeway wasn’t working ….quite a disappointment…so we walked down to the dam – the 650 steps, at least that is what they said - went boating and by the time we got back, we were quite tired…. And since Imtiaz Bhai had refused to come with us…we told him there were a max of 350 steps….to which he asked ‘one way or both together’!!!!!
I got to say it was quite a sunny day….not a day where you can stand out in the sun for long…in spite of all the water around, the place was dry and hot….so, we started on our way back…. A lot slower because of the umpteen stops….
At one place, we went beyond a gate at the viewpoint…and got some wonderful pics of rocks and the dam…all the close-up shots of those rocks and trees growing from them are from this place…
Then we stopped along the bridge….and again it was a good place for some pictures…and ya, some of these pictures show you vast land – the kind of vastness you don’t expect to find all that often…
Another great place was this dam on our way back…it was post-lunch…after a lunch where I couldn’t help laugh at some of Imtiaz Bhai’s gyan to that hotelier….and the way he did it…
After we got out, we came across this kinda dam we had crossed in the middle of the night when we were going to Srisailam…while the two of us wanted to go up and check the dam on the other side, Imtiaz Bhai wasn’t all that enthusiastic…. I don’t knw why….but he refused to do any climbing or walking that day….
So, he stopped and asked an old man who said there is no water at all….but then, we found steps leading to the top,….insisted he stop and went up….and was it beautiful…it was wonderful…and I wont forget the way this guy got on a plank and went all the way, paddling with his hands….it was amazing…time and again, makes me wonder, how big is man? Often, we tend to forget that man is like a small speck on the face of earth…. So let me end that gyan now….
From there it was a series of stops and we reached Hyd after 6….by the time we came to the other end to our homes, it was close to 9…. And that was the end of yet another traveling weekend...
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Hampi
July 12, 2007
Finally, the day came to travel - to pick up my bag and do some traveling. It was serious travel after quite some time and was looking forward to this day. From Hyderabad, it was just the two of us, me and my friend, going to Hospet. We reached Hospet around 6:30 am - almost an hour behind schedule. But then, it didn’t really matter because we were waiting for another two to join us - Amir and his friend.
Hampi
As we were getting off the bus at Hampi, we were swamped by tourist operators and guides. It took some effort to get out of that crowd offering guides, hotels, and even books about Hampi. That was the first minute in Hampi.
Setting out and setbacks!
Soon we set off to see the ruins in and around Hampi. We walked to the nearest ruins - three temples. We walked around, went in - all the while clicking away with our digital cameras - thanks to the unlimited (almost) storage space! We came back to the entrance and my buddy began to set his tripod for his medium format camera - and there came the watchman saying we should have prior permission to use tripods. He said we can get permission from the Archeological Society. So, off we went to get the permission, only to be told there that they do not have the authority and we have to get the permission in Bangalore! However, they also said that we should be able to use the tripod in most of the places.
Going around Hampi
At the end of the day, we came to the river. Need to say, the steps aren’t the cleanest. I was wondering if the buffaloes and elephants use the steps to the river!
The Mango Tree and dinner
Having heard a lot about The Mango Tree from people who’d already been to Hampi, I was quite curious to check it out. It wasn’t just about the food - I was told that the ambience and the view is great too. And, I wasn’t disappointed. If you really want to wind down when you are at Hampi, you should go to this place. And remember to sit outside (on the floor) under the tree - overlooking the river. You get an awesome view from that place of the river and the hills.
So, it was at Mango Tree that we spent more than 2 hours there - chatting, joking, getting to know each other, and, of course, relishing the food. It was the first time I mixed lime soda for myself! And not surprisingly, it bubbled over :) after which I learnt to be careful mixing lime, salt and soda. For me, that evening is filled with a lot of memories - plenty of little things… like Prathibha reacting to a cat as if it were a monster (am sure she’s not gonna like this:), Amir making us sit still for 30 seconds coz of the low shutter speed, sharing the food, trying to figure out if that white thing they served was mayonnaise or chutney, ….
Finally, the day came to travel - to pick up my bag and do some traveling. It was serious travel after quite some time and was looking forward to this day. From Hyderabad, it was just the two of us, me and my friend, going to Hospet. We reached Hospet around 6:30 am - almost an hour behind schedule. But then, it didn’t really matter because we were waiting for another two to join us - Amir and his friend.Hampi
As we were getting off the bus at Hampi, we were swamped by tourist operators and guides. It took some effort to get out of that crowd offering guides, hotels, and even books about Hampi. That was the first minute in Hampi.
Setting out and setbacks!
Soon we set off to see the ruins in and around Hampi. We walked to the nearest ruins - three temples. We walked around, went in - all the while clicking away with our digital cameras - thanks to the unlimited (almost) storage space! We came back to the entrance and my buddy began to set his tripod for his medium format camera - and there came the watchman saying we should have prior permission to use tripods. He said we can get permission from the Archeological Society. So, off we went to get the permission, only to be told there that they do not have the authority and we have to get the permission in Bangalore! However, they also said that we should be able to use the tripod in most of the places.Going around HampiAt the end of the day, we came to the river. Need to say, the steps aren’t the cleanest. I was wondering if the buffaloes and elephants use the steps to the river!
The Mango Tree and dinner
Having heard a lot about The Mango Tree from people who’d already been to Hampi, I was quite curious to check it out. It wasn’t just about the food - I was told that the ambience and the view is great too. And, I wasn’t disappointed. If you really want to wind down when you are at Hampi, you should go to this place. And remember to sit outside (on the floor) under the tree - overlooking the river. You get an awesome view from that place of the river and the hills.So, it was at Mango Tree that we spent more than 2 hours there - chatting, joking, getting to know each other, and, of course, relishing the food. It was the first time I mixed lime soda for myself! And not surprisingly, it bubbled over :) after which I learnt to be careful mixing lime, salt and soda. For me, that evening is filled with a lot of memories - plenty of little things… like Prathibha reacting to a cat as if it were a monster (am sure she’s not gonna like this:), Amir making us sit still for 30 seconds coz of the low shutter speed, sharing the food, trying to figure out if that white thing they served was mayonnaise or chutney, ….
| Click here, for more Pictures of Hampi |
Monday, August 20, 2007
I went on a trip…
Me and my friend, we are traveling together – happily walking around the streets of this exotic locale. It is more of those historic locales (not ruins!) – exquisite houses and beautiful lanes, cheerful people, and so on. As we stand there talking to someone, we hear the drum beats – not that incessant loud ones – but more like the marching kinds. We stand there listening for a min – if we were dogs, you could see our ears prick up – and there we hear it again.
All of a sudden, our friend pushes us inside the house nearby! My friend rushes in and I try to get in behind her. Fear and danger is in the air. You can feel it everywhere – in the air you breathe, in the eyes of the strangers and friends. I've hardly gotten my entire self inside, those people came and asked for us. They protected us – they lied to those people. We were saved – albeit for a while.
We sit there chatting, my protector and I, about the little things in life. It's night time and everyone’s going to sleep.
Soon, someone comes running in - out of breath – and says we were seen by those people. Those people had seen us in the neighboring street and are bound to search the houses in the neighborhood. That panic finds its home in us.
Where do we hide? The big question for the moment – we need some place for the two of us. I look up and see the things piled up in the attic – old boxes, unused things. We’d hide behind those things. So, up goes my friend and I give her our bags and shoes and climb up. We lie down, hoping they don’t bring dogs.
Soon, those people come and search the house – and leave without finding us. Once they’ve left, we get down, bring those bags and shoes down too. Oh, I can’t find one of my shoes, and there it is in that corner.
Oh, look at that man staring at us – time to find another safe place. Get ready fast, let’s go…
Did we find a safe place? Did they find us? I don’t know…I woke up – my alarm’s ringing…time to get up and get started with the day!
All of a sudden, our friend pushes us inside the house nearby! My friend rushes in and I try to get in behind her. Fear and danger is in the air. You can feel it everywhere – in the air you breathe, in the eyes of the strangers and friends. I've hardly gotten my entire self inside, those people came and asked for us. They protected us – they lied to those people. We were saved – albeit for a while.
We sit there chatting, my protector and I, about the little things in life. It's night time and everyone’s going to sleep.
Soon, someone comes running in - out of breath – and says we were seen by those people. Those people had seen us in the neighboring street and are bound to search the houses in the neighborhood. That panic finds its home in us.
Where do we hide? The big question for the moment – we need some place for the two of us. I look up and see the things piled up in the attic – old boxes, unused things. We’d hide behind those things. So, up goes my friend and I give her our bags and shoes and climb up. We lie down, hoping they don’t bring dogs.
Soon, those people come and search the house – and leave without finding us. Once they’ve left, we get down, bring those bags and shoes down too. Oh, I can’t find one of my shoes, and there it is in that corner.
Oh, look at that man staring at us – time to find another safe place. Get ready fast, let’s go…
Did we find a safe place? Did they find us? I don’t know…I woke up – my alarm’s ringing…time to get up and get started with the day!
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Mysore Zoo
My recent visit to Mysore Zoo was as unplanned as the visit to Mysore itself. I had planned to spend my weekend in Bangalore and ended up traveling to Mysore instead!
May be, that raised the expectations - seeing those huge animals wandering around in that enclosed space - so close I began to wonder if they could reach out and bite!
And then, there were all the birds in enclosures so small, you feel sorry for them. Especially, it was quite a pathetic sight to see the bigger birds in such small enclosures. And, then, we came upon a peacock, showing off his feathers - though behind a fine mesh. I could think of nothing other than beauty behind bars!
There were so many birds - I only wish they were in larger enclosures and not-so-fine mesh cages!
Just as we were walking along the tiger's enclosure, we came upon
a large group of travelers. Well, there was some political conference in Mysore and a lot of people had come from other states. This group, I presume, was one of those groups come for the conference - with the tell-tale white-n-white of political parties, they stood out wherever they went. Among them, were these two men with big turbans. I couldn't resist a couple of pictures of them. They went together all the time, pointing at animals, talking to each other, watching the crowd. I wonder if they were aware of the fact that they were turning quite a few heads!
There was this gorilla which was showing off - was seated on a tree like he owns the place, watching over the rest and was yawning every few minutes! And, there was the contemplative Rhino hiding away all that strength and looking like one of the docile creatures you'd ever see.
After the usual fare of zebras, deers, and baboons, we were heading towards the elephants. There were a lot of school children walking around with drawing boards and color pens. When one of those kids came and asked where the elephants are, we guessed there must be some competition out there. So, we also headed off towards the elephants. Along the way, we came across this very noisy tree - now, the tree wasn't noisy; just that, we had to walk a li'l further and get to the other side to see the bats on the tree.
There were quite a few elephants out there - frolicking in the open space. Of all animals, they seemed to have the most freedom. In fact, you could walk into the enclosure -if you could ignore the 'Do not cross this point' board placed there. While elephants were wandering about, this side of the fence, children were immersed in their paintings.
After spending a li'l longer, watching the elephants, it was time to get back. On our way back, we came across another enclosure full of baboons - one naughty little one was so active, we just stood there watching him play :)
And, that was the morning at the zoo! Well, in some instances, I thought the Hyderabad Zoo a lot better - more space for the animals, not very far from our viewpoints, well maintained. My gripes about the Hyd Zoo remains though! How can I forget the way people behaved - growling and barking at the animals!!! Well, that is another story... another day...
For more pictures of my visit, visit my album
So, after wandering the streets all evening, the next morning we headed to the Zoo. We were welcomed by none other than the giraffes -- I don't remember seeing another giraffe so close - so tall and huge!
May be, that raised the expectations - seeing those huge animals wandering around in that enclosed space - so close I began to wonder if they could reach out and bite!
And then, there were all the birds in enclosures so small, you feel sorry for them. Especially, it was quite a pathetic sight to see the bigger birds in such small enclosures. And, then, we came upon a peacock, showing off his feathers - though behind a fine mesh. I could think of nothing other than beauty behind bars!There were so many birds - I only wish they were in larger enclosures and not-so-fine mesh cages!
Just as we were walking along the tiger's enclosure, we came upon
a large group of travelers. Well, there was some political conference in Mysore and a lot of people had come from other states. This group, I presume, was one of those groups come for the conference - with the tell-tale white-n-white of political parties, they stood out wherever they went. Among them, were these two men with big turbans. I couldn't resist a couple of pictures of them. They went together all the time, pointing at animals, talking to each other, watching the crowd. I wonder if they were aware of the fact that they were turning quite a few heads!
There was this gorilla which was showing off - was seated on a tree like he owns the place, watching over the rest and was yawning every few minutes! And, there was the contemplative Rhino hiding away all that strength and looking like one of the docile creatures you'd ever see.
After the usual fare of zebras, deers, and baboons, we were heading towards the elephants. There were a lot of school children walking around with drawing boards and color pens. When one of those kids came and asked where the elephants are, we guessed there must be some competition out there. So, we also headed off towards the elephants. Along the way, we came across this very noisy tree - now, the tree wasn't noisy; just that, we had to walk a li'l further and get to the other side to see the bats on the tree.
There were quite a few elephants out there - frolicking in the open space. Of all animals, they seemed to have the most freedom. In fact, you could walk into the enclosure -if you could ignore the 'Do not cross this point' board placed there. While elephants were wandering about, this side of the fence, children were immersed in their paintings.
After spending a li'l longer, watching the elephants, it was time to get back. On our way back, we came across another enclosure full of baboons - one naughty little one was so active, we just stood there watching him play :)
And, that was the morning at the zoo! Well, in some instances, I thought the Hyderabad Zoo a lot better - more space for the animals, not very far from our viewpoints, well maintained. My gripes about the Hyd Zoo remains though! How can I forget the way people behaved - growling and barking at the animals!!! Well, that is another story... another day...
For more pictures of my visit, visit my album
Monday, August 13, 2007
All About a Cubie
If you’ve worked for a while where I do, you’d be used to desk moves. You move within the team, you move to another team-same product, you can even move to a new team-new product. And when you move, your desk moves with you – computer, telephone, all your stuff ranging from teddies to post-its.
I had moved within the team a couple of times - and, of course, one of the first things you do is to look up your neighbours. In one such move, my desk was right in front of my manager. I moved wondering why. Before I could find the answer, I had to move again. This time, it was next to this bubbly, chirpy character in our team -- in short, kinda my opposite. You can hear her in office - you just can't hear me when am working! Add to this, I put on my headset without fail - so, even if I am not listening to anything, people around assume I am listening to something, and don't disturb. And ya, I really needed a quiet environ to work.
And then, I moved! I was hoping I'd be able to work without complaining - and guess what? I was totally wrong about a few things. Yes, she remained loud and I remain quiet. But then, there are times when you bond with someone and you just can't figure out why or how it happened... this was something like that. Soon, we were ganging up together - our fave pastime was Abhijeet Bashing... If you aren't in Rock, you just don't know what this means :D
We'd discuss about every little thing we could think of - and, I realized that I could work even with a boisterous cubie.
Soon, it was time to move again - this time, I moved out of the team. And before that, we enjoyed a great offsite - my last Rock offsite, a very memorable one.
And now, she's moved too - a different workplace. I can't walk by and leave notes anymore - well, now I do in Facebook, but then, I guess, my space has become a lot quieter...
That's for you Indirap!
I had moved within the team a couple of times - and, of course, one of the first things you do is to look up your neighbours. In one such move, my desk was right in front of my manager. I moved wondering why. Before I could find the answer, I had to move again. This time, it was next to this bubbly, chirpy character in our team -- in short, kinda my opposite. You can hear her in office - you just can't hear me when am working! Add to this, I put on my headset without fail - so, even if I am not listening to anything, people around assume I am listening to something, and don't disturb. And ya, I really needed a quiet environ to work.
And then, I moved! I was hoping I'd be able to work without complaining - and guess what? I was totally wrong about a few things. Yes, she remained loud and I remain quiet. But then, there are times when you bond with someone and you just can't figure out why or how it happened... this was something like that. Soon, we were ganging up together - our fave pastime was Abhijeet Bashing... If you aren't in Rock, you just don't know what this means :D
We'd discuss about every little thing we could think of - and, I realized that I could work even with a boisterous cubie.
Soon, it was time to move again - this time, I moved out of the team. And before that, we enjoyed a great offsite - my last Rock offsite, a very memorable one.
And now, she's moved too - a different workplace. I can't walk by and leave notes anymore - well, now I do in Facebook, but then, I guess, my space has become a lot quieter...
That's for you Indirap!
Sunday, August 12, 2007
The Freedom and The Poll
We are approaching the 60th Independence Day celebrations and lots of things are happening – polls, events; a lots of questions asked; a lots of retrospection. I happened to come across one of those polls, done by NDTV, called the ‘India at 60’ poll – some predictable questions and similar answers too.
The categories
1. India's Greatest Icon
None other than Mahatma Gandhi got the highest percentage of votes as India’s greatest icon. His ideals of non-violence and his role in the fight for freedom seems to have given him a place in the minds of most Indians – including those who weren’t around at the same time, thanks to those history lessons.
While other industrialists and politicians received single percentage votes, the only other person to receive two-digit votes was Mother Teresa – another person who advocated non-violence and is remembered for her compassion and, more so, for her works of compassion.
2. India's Greatest Pride
The old and the new – Democracy and the IT industry – feature in the top 5. Unmistakably, and quite rightly so, democracy comes right on top, followed by secularism and IT industry. While, the nation’s pride in its democracy and secularism is not a surprise, the presence of IT industry with the Armed Forces, is quite interesting. Should we say, it is the recognition of our brain power?
3. India's Greatest/Worst Shame
It’s all about money (bribery, dowry) and the divided society (untouchability, poverty, hunger). And, money comes on top – ya, people are more concerned about bribery than about hunger or untouchability. Is it because bribery hits us all while the other two don’t? Is it because, we see ourselves as the victims in the case of bribery? Which is, more than often, not the case with hunger and poverty? Should we be a li’l more concerned about the widening gap between the rich and the poor?
4. One Event that Changed India
IT revolution and Liberalisation hold the court here – together accounting for 69% of the votes. Looks like the IT industry has a good mind share among Indians.
5. India's Greatest Political Blot
The political blots are nothing but a list of riots – looking at the answers, the question could have been about riots and nothing else. Anti Sikh Riots, riots after partition, Babri Masjid, Emergency, and the Gujarat riots – these are the ones featured in the list of political blots. Quite unfortunately, politics is so very mixed up in riots – handling and mis-handling them. At the end of it all, it affects the people and among them, those who have the least.
6. India's Greatest Sportsperson
One more predictable response – Sachin Tendulkar. Given the cricket craze in this country, it isn’t surprising to find Sachin in the top spot.
7. India's Greatest Film
As for movies, Mother India and Sholay are the top two. As I am not one of those regular movie goers and haven’t watched either of these, I’m not the right person to comment on movies.
8. India's Greatest Song
Same goes for the songs as they are also from the movies. After all those patriotic talks about references to Pakistan in our National Anthem, I wonder why the National Anthem or any other patriotic song is not on this list.
9. What Best Describes India Abroad
Brain power is the top most entry – after all those talk about IT revolution, this is not all that surprising. Yoga, Bollywood, Curry and Gurus complete the top 5. No surprises there.
On the whole, not very surprising to see that most Indians (at least, among those who voted) see this country as the knowledge superpower, take pride in that fact, and are worried about giving bribes. By the way, the category that got the highest number of votes was “India's Greatest Political Blot” (Total Sample - 12792 votes)
The categories
1. India's Greatest Icon
None other than Mahatma Gandhi got the highest percentage of votes as India’s greatest icon. His ideals of non-violence and his role in the fight for freedom seems to have given him a place in the minds of most Indians – including those who weren’t around at the same time, thanks to those history lessons.
While other industrialists and politicians received single percentage votes, the only other person to receive two-digit votes was Mother Teresa – another person who advocated non-violence and is remembered for her compassion and, more so, for her works of compassion.
2. India's Greatest Pride
The old and the new – Democracy and the IT industry – feature in the top 5. Unmistakably, and quite rightly so, democracy comes right on top, followed by secularism and IT industry. While, the nation’s pride in its democracy and secularism is not a surprise, the presence of IT industry with the Armed Forces, is quite interesting. Should we say, it is the recognition of our brain power?
3. India's Greatest/Worst Shame
It’s all about money (bribery, dowry) and the divided society (untouchability, poverty, hunger). And, money comes on top – ya, people are more concerned about bribery than about hunger or untouchability. Is it because bribery hits us all while the other two don’t? Is it because, we see ourselves as the victims in the case of bribery? Which is, more than often, not the case with hunger and poverty? Should we be a li’l more concerned about the widening gap between the rich and the poor?
4. One Event that Changed India
IT revolution and Liberalisation hold the court here – together accounting for 69% of the votes. Looks like the IT industry has a good mind share among Indians.
5. India's Greatest Political Blot
The political blots are nothing but a list of riots – looking at the answers, the question could have been about riots and nothing else. Anti Sikh Riots, riots after partition, Babri Masjid, Emergency, and the Gujarat riots – these are the ones featured in the list of political blots. Quite unfortunately, politics is so very mixed up in riots – handling and mis-handling them. At the end of it all, it affects the people and among them, those who have the least.
6. India's Greatest Sportsperson
One more predictable response – Sachin Tendulkar. Given the cricket craze in this country, it isn’t surprising to find Sachin in the top spot.
7. India's Greatest Film
As for movies, Mother India and Sholay are the top two. As I am not one of those regular movie goers and haven’t watched either of these, I’m not the right person to comment on movies.
8. India's Greatest Song
Same goes for the songs as they are also from the movies. After all those patriotic talks about references to Pakistan in our National Anthem, I wonder why the National Anthem or any other patriotic song is not on this list.
9. What Best Describes India Abroad
Brain power is the top most entry – after all those talk about IT revolution, this is not all that surprising. Yoga, Bollywood, Curry and Gurus complete the top 5. No surprises there.
On the whole, not very surprising to see that most Indians (at least, among those who voted) see this country as the knowledge superpower, take pride in that fact, and are worried about giving bribes. By the way, the category that got the highest number of votes was “India's Greatest Political Blot” (Total Sample - 12792 votes)
VAT and What not….
I picked up the newspaper, and while I was scanning through, something caught my eye - there was this news article that hotels were charging VAT for liquor while they should not be doing so. Apparently, liquor is exempted from VAT.
"Products including petrol, diesel, aviation turbine fuel, liquor and lottery tickets will be exempted from VAT." (Source: news.bbc.co.uk)
Somehow, I don't get the logic of taxing food and exempting liquor! Any ideas?
"Products including petrol, diesel, aviation turbine fuel, liquor and lottery tickets will be exempted from VAT." (Source: news.bbc.co.uk)
Somehow, I don't get the logic of taxing food and exempting liquor! Any ideas?
Friday, July 20, 2007
The Three Wishes
1. to be able to switch identities - ie, to be able to move arnd without worrying abt the baggage am carrying (am not talking abt my backpack!)
2. to be able to stay still - in my mind - and enjoy every moment as it comes
3. the strength to trust ppl i should trust, the courage to move away from ppl i shouldnt, and the wisdom to knw the difference
2. to be able to stay still - in my mind - and enjoy every moment as it comes
3. the strength to trust ppl i should trust, the courage to move away from ppl i shouldnt, and the wisdom to knw the difference
Friday, June 29, 2007
The Namesake
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri -- I happened to pick up this book when I was in Chennai last weekend and finished it yesterday. Quite an interesting book, I should say.
Talk about identity, allegiance, and what the little things mean...they are all a part of this book... well, it isn't a complicated story -- a simple story about a family. However, there are touching moments, moments of realization, moments of fear....everything you'd find in real life.
I really have no idea why I picked that book - when I bought it, I didn't know the story, the outline, that it was made into a movie, that the author also wrote 'Interpreter of Maladies.'
Talk about identity, allegiance, and what the little things mean...they are all a part of this book... well, it isn't a complicated story -- a simple story about a family. However, there are touching moments, moments of realization, moments of fear....everything you'd find in real life.
I really have no idea why I picked that book - when I bought it, I didn't know the story, the outline, that it was made into a movie, that the author also wrote 'Interpreter of Maladies.'
Then And Now!
Have you ever revisited your old emails? old posts? old letters? old diary entries?
Basically, something you had written long so long ago.... At times, I stumble across these.... given the fact, that I save everything (The only time I've deleted all emails from someone is when I'd rather not remember that correspondence... and I do that very rarely) ... this happens almost everytime i search for something or the other...
Today, I stumbled across a couple of emails in Yahoo.... and I am still wondering who I was talking about in those emails....feels kinda funny to read those emails...I dont knw about whom.... but I know this person was really important to me at that time... and all that i use to refer to him in all those emails is 'he'!! Not very helpful...right?
So, that is how life is....life goes on.... people walk in and out...and I sit here wondering who had walked in that long ago...
Basically, something you had written long so long ago.... At times, I stumble across these.... given the fact, that I save everything (The only time I've deleted all emails from someone is when I'd rather not remember that correspondence... and I do that very rarely) ... this happens almost everytime i search for something or the other...
Today, I stumbled across a couple of emails in Yahoo.... and I am still wondering who I was talking about in those emails....feels kinda funny to read those emails...I dont knw about whom.... but I know this person was really important to me at that time... and all that i use to refer to him in all those emails is 'he'!! Not very helpful...right?
So, that is how life is....life goes on.... people walk in and out...and I sit here wondering who had walked in that long ago...
Thursday, May 17, 2007
About me? Like you didn’t knw already!!
According to YouThink.com, I am a dog. Well, not really! The answer to 'What animal would best suit your personality?' is 'A Dog.' Am I more like a dog or is a dog more like me!!! You can find the full text here.And now, I've come across something called a Johari Window. Joe Luft and Harry Ingham were researching human personality at the University of California in the 1950's when they devised their Johari Window. Using a form of word derivation normally reserved for suburban house names, they based the title on their two first names. Rather than measuring personality, the Window offers a way of looking at how personality is expressed. (Ref: www.chimaeraconsulting.com)
And, mine can be found here. The results should be quite interesting....so, let's see what people think about me...
Friday, April 27, 2007
A DOG - That is what I am
What animal would best suit your personality?
A DOG.
You are one of the best friends that someone could ever ask for. A very loyal, compassionate person who is always there for close friends and family members who are in a tough time. You are someone who can be counted on time and time again and never let small grudges get in the way of a good friendship. But unfortunately, you are very dependant, and every now and then someone will take advantage of your loyalty, and it is most often not until you end up hurt that you realised your foolishness.
This is what I found after answering a few questions at YouThink.com. It is for me to read and for you to comment... :) so, what do you think?
A DOG.
You are one of the best friends that someone could ever ask for. A very loyal, compassionate person who is always there for close friends and family members who are in a tough time. You are someone who can be counted on time and time again and never let small grudges get in the way of a good friendship. But unfortunately, you are very dependant, and every now and then someone will take advantage of your loyalty, and it is most often not until you end up hurt that you realised your foolishness.
This is what I found after answering a few questions at YouThink.com. It is for me to read and for you to comment... :) so, what do you think?
Two Wolves
A nice story -- it's been quite some time since I read something and found a great message in a simple story. This is one of those.
-----
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all.
One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
-----
Think about it... the next time you are boiling with anger about something that happened some time ago, think about it....
btw, am not preaching - this is more of a reminder from I to me :)
-----
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all.
One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
-----
Think about it... the next time you are boiling with anger about something that happened some time ago, think about it....
btw, am not preaching - this is more of a reminder from I to me :)
Thursday, April 26, 2007
one more….
Don’t ask for my heart, because I am tearing it out and breaking it into little bits and throwing it away so I will be heartless but you will not know it because I will be the perfect counterfeit of a loving woman and you will receive from me a perfect forgery of love.
So there were two unspoken clauses in the understanding, one regarding the giving of love and the other concerning the withholding of it, codicils that were sharply at odds with each other and impossible to reconcile.
So there were two unspoken clauses in the understanding, one regarding the giving of love and the other concerning the withholding of it, codicils that were sharply at odds with each other and impossible to reconcile.
Shalimar, the Clown
“When you pray for what you want most in the world,” he said, “its opposite comes along with it. I was given a woman whom I truly loved and who truly loved me. The opposite side of such a love is the pain of its loss. I can only feel such pain today because until yesterday I knew that love, and that is surely a thing for which to thank whoever or whatever you like, the goddess, the fate, or just my lucky stars.”
Friday, April 20, 2007
Where do you want to go?
This was the question that caused a rather cryptic outburst of ‘none of your business.’
Last Sunday, I was at the bus stand after service. It was past 8 pm and I was trying to find a bus to get home as fast as I can. Now, Secunderabad isn’t the best place to board a bus if you which bus stops at which bus stand. In this city, there are very few bus stands that have boards with the bus numbers stopping there. Where I come from, that is quite common and I know if am at the right bus stop or not. ‘Ask someone,’ I hear you say. Well, you should try doing that near the Sec’bad railway station where every other soul is as clueless as you are and to make things worse, the bus stands are spread over a large area.
Btw, am not new to Sec’bad – been going there almost every weekend for service. I do know the bus stand to get home. Last Sunday, I thought I’d try a different route and went to the other bus stop. I was standing there for a while, and then realized I’d be better off going home the usual way.
So, I started walking towards the other bus stop. Just then, this guy came up to me and asked where am going. Well, truly ‘tis none of his business. I don’t like people poking their nose in the pretext of helping - Not in the state this world is in. And I did tell him that it was none of his business. Not the nicest of responses – but there are times I cant help myself being curt. I just say it and then go ‘oops! Did I hear that??!!!’ So, that was how it was – and he said, ‘ yes, I know it is none of my business… but there are some people behind you…you got to be careful!’ So, I had to turn around and tell him that he did sound like one of them and hope he’d understand why I gave that rude a response. He said he did understand and walked away.
Oh ya, so, probably (so very probably!), he really wanted to help. However, as much as I might try to believe that – I just can’t get myself to. Something was wrong – so, if someone was ‘behind’ me, why ask me where am going. I don’t understand – probably, that was the first thing he could think of… who knows…
All that he did was to freak me out – in a place where I don’t speak either of the major languages, it can be quite freaky. I took the first bus that went anywhere near home and got out of that place!
Last Sunday, I was at the bus stand after service. It was past 8 pm and I was trying to find a bus to get home as fast as I can. Now, Secunderabad isn’t the best place to board a bus if you which bus stops at which bus stand. In this city, there are very few bus stands that have boards with the bus numbers stopping there. Where I come from, that is quite common and I know if am at the right bus stop or not. ‘Ask someone,’ I hear you say. Well, you should try doing that near the Sec’bad railway station where every other soul is as clueless as you are and to make things worse, the bus stands are spread over a large area.
Btw, am not new to Sec’bad – been going there almost every weekend for service. I do know the bus stand to get home. Last Sunday, I thought I’d try a different route and went to the other bus stop. I was standing there for a while, and then realized I’d be better off going home the usual way.
So, I started walking towards the other bus stop. Just then, this guy came up to me and asked where am going. Well, truly ‘tis none of his business. I don’t like people poking their nose in the pretext of helping - Not in the state this world is in. And I did tell him that it was none of his business. Not the nicest of responses – but there are times I cant help myself being curt. I just say it and then go ‘oops! Did I hear that??!!!’ So, that was how it was – and he said, ‘ yes, I know it is none of my business… but there are some people behind you…you got to be careful!’ So, I had to turn around and tell him that he did sound like one of them and hope he’d understand why I gave that rude a response. He said he did understand and walked away.
Oh ya, so, probably (so very probably!), he really wanted to help. However, as much as I might try to believe that – I just can’t get myself to. Something was wrong – so, if someone was ‘behind’ me, why ask me where am going. I don’t understand – probably, that was the first thing he could think of… who knows…
All that he did was to freak me out – in a place where I don’t speak either of the major languages, it can be quite freaky. I took the first bus that went anywhere near home and got out of that place!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
The Success Formula
We are always hunting for that elusive success formula, aren’t we? I came across this article, in the McKinsey Quarterly, on how executives search for that success formula for a runaway success.I’ve included a few thoughts here (You can find the full article here – registration required). When I read the article, some of the points made were quite obvious.
For example, success and failure depend not only on a company’s actions but also on those of its rivals. Where did we lose that insight we gain right from kindergarten – your rank doesn’t depend only on the marks you score. I guess, in our quest to find that easy answer to the puzzle, we often fail to realize that there can be a few puzzles that have a different answer each time. Instead we expect the puzzle to end at the same point – which is not the case in a competitive environment.
There were other thoughts that were business-centric – but if you take a closer look, you’d realize they are true in other spheres of life as well. Consider this one: “Suggesting that companies can follow a blueprint and achieve lasting success may be appealing, but is not supported by the evidence.” Like the books that deal with the success formula for business executives, there are umpteen books out there that talk about how to deal with your own life – how to win, how to be successful, how to be a good listener and so on. At the end of the day, these books tend to reduce life into a set of formulas you live by. But, life isn’t about following someone else’s path; life isn’t about living within the safety zone. Life is all about stretching your boundaries, accomplishing what you considered impossible, and, most importantly, living your life your way.
In the business world, success is a result of decisions made under conditions of uncertainty and shaped in part by factors outside our control. In your life, what you do and who you are depend on your decisions in your day-to-day life. You cannot simulate your life and your choices to reflect someone else’s. There is no perfect choice, there is no dead-end – you can always start again and your best attempts may not be good enough. That is life – but then, for all the uncertainty, I won’t want life to be any other way.
A reliable path to high performance – does not exist.
In the business world, success is a result of decisions made under conditions of uncertainty and shaped in part by factors outside our control.
The task of strategic leadership is not to follow a blueprint but to gather and evaluate relevant information, and make choices that provide the best chance for the company to succeed, all the while recognizing the business uncertainty.
Success and failure depend not only on a company’s actions but also on those of its rivals.
High performance com6es from doing things better than rivals can, which means the managers have to take risks.
Lasting success is largely a delusion, a statistical anomaly. There is a strong tendency for extreme performance to be followed by less extreme performance in the next.
Suggesting that companies can follow a blueprint and achieve lasting success may be appealing, but is not supported by the evidence.
No formula can guarantee a company’s success, at least not in a competitive business environment.
For example, success and failure depend not only on a company’s actions but also on those of its rivals. Where did we lose that insight we gain right from kindergarten – your rank doesn’t depend only on the marks you score. I guess, in our quest to find that easy answer to the puzzle, we often fail to realize that there can be a few puzzles that have a different answer each time. Instead we expect the puzzle to end at the same point – which is not the case in a competitive environment.
There were other thoughts that were business-centric – but if you take a closer look, you’d realize they are true in other spheres of life as well. Consider this one: “Suggesting that companies can follow a blueprint and achieve lasting success may be appealing, but is not supported by the evidence.” Like the books that deal with the success formula for business executives, there are umpteen books out there that talk about how to deal with your own life – how to win, how to be successful, how to be a good listener and so on. At the end of the day, these books tend to reduce life into a set of formulas you live by. But, life isn’t about following someone else’s path; life isn’t about living within the safety zone. Life is all about stretching your boundaries, accomplishing what you considered impossible, and, most importantly, living your life your way.
In the business world, success is a result of decisions made under conditions of uncertainty and shaped in part by factors outside our control. In your life, what you do and who you are depend on your decisions in your day-to-day life. You cannot simulate your life and your choices to reflect someone else’s. There is no perfect choice, there is no dead-end – you can always start again and your best attempts may not be good enough. That is life – but then, for all the uncertainty, I won’t want life to be any other way.
Here are some of the very interesting and valid points:
A reliable path to high performance – does not exist.
In the business world, success is a result of decisions made under conditions of uncertainty and shaped in part by factors outside our control.
The task of strategic leadership is not to follow a blueprint but to gather and evaluate relevant information, and make choices that provide the best chance for the company to succeed, all the while recognizing the business uncertainty.
The delusion of absolute performance
Success and failure depend not only on a company’s actions but also on those of its rivals.
High performance com6es from doing things better than rivals can, which means the managers have to take risks.
The delusion of lasting success
Lasting success is largely a delusion, a statistical anomaly. There is a strong tendency for extreme performance to be followed by less extreme performance in the next.
Suggesting that companies can follow a blueprint and achieve lasting success may be appealing, but is not supported by the evidence.
No formula can guarantee a company’s success, at least not in a competitive business environment.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Great Places To Work
You can view the Business World Survey here.
The Insights:
Insight 1: High employee engagement levels
Insight 2: Larger responsibilities with more flexibility
Insight 3: Love for fun
Insight 4: Effectiveness of profit sharing process
Insight 5: Loyalty does not translate to life long commitment
Insight 6: More credible actions from leaders expected
The Insights:
Insight 1: High employee engagement levels
Insight 2: Larger responsibilities with more flexibility
Insight 3: Love for fun
Insight 4: Effectiveness of profit sharing process
Insight 5: Loyalty does not translate to life long commitment
Insight 6: More credible actions from leaders expected
Thursday, April 12, 2007
I’ve been wondering….
Lured at last - Yes, been hearing about WordPress from a very good friend of mine (You can find his blog here)... and even when he moved from Blogger to WordPress, I really didn't bother. Unlike him, I would continue to use Blogger - I like Blogger, Picasa and a lot of other Google stuff. They are good. So, what am I doing here at WordPress? Yesterday, another friend pinged me his blog and ya, it was WordPress. I succumbed to temptation - I thought I'd create a new blog to see how things are out here .... and then sat for a li'l over a day wondering what the purpose of this blog should be. (I should mention, I have a tendency to create accounts on every other site) I have blogs for my pictures, I have a web album on Picasa too; I also have two blogs I write: one for myself, one for the world to see. And now, I've created this third one.What should I do with this one? I am thinking of writing about the world around me - my other blogs have been around my life...so, here is my attempt to talk about the world at large...
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Shantaram
I picked up this heavy book a couple of weeks ago - at my regular book shop in Chennai. Quite an interesting book - yes, a life of someone who escaped prison and was willing to live in Mumbai's slums and then work for mafia dons.... has to be interesting, right?
One of the few books that have humour and profound thoughts in equal measure - complimenting each other.....
http://www.shantaram.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shantaram_(novel)
One of the few books that have humour and profound thoughts in equal measure - complimenting each other.....
http://www.shantaram.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shantaram_(novel)
Monday, March 26, 2007
What would you do?
What would you do what would you do if Jesus came to spend some time with you
If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two
If he came unexpectedly I wonder what you'd do
When you saw him comin' would you meet him at the door
With arms outstretched and welcome to your heavenly visitor
Or would you need to change some things before you'd let him in
Like to burn some magazines and put the Bible where they'd been
Oh I know you'd give your nicest room to such an honored guest
And all the food you'd serve to him would be the very best
But what about your family conversation would it keep up its normal pace
And would you find it hard each meal to say a table grace
Would you be glad to have him meet your very closest friends
Or hope that maybe they'd stay away until his visit ends
Would you be glad to have him stay forever on and on
Or sigh of great relief when finally he'd gone
You know it might be interesting to know the things you'd do
If Jesus came in person to spend some time with you
What would you do what would you do if Jesus came to spend some time with you
If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two
If he came unexpectedly I wonder what you'd do
When you saw him comin' would you meet him at the door
With arms outstretched and welcome to your heavenly visitor
Or would you need to change some things before you'd let him in
Like to burn some magazines and put the Bible where they'd been
Oh I know you'd give your nicest room to such an honored guest
And all the food you'd serve to him would be the very best
But what about your family conversation would it keep up its normal pace
And would you find it hard each meal to say a table grace
Would you be glad to have him meet your very closest friends
Or hope that maybe they'd stay away until his visit ends
Would you be glad to have him stay forever on and on
Or sigh of great relief when finally he'd gone
You know it might be interesting to know the things you'd do
If Jesus came in person to spend some time with you
What would you do what would you do if Jesus came to spend some time with you
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
My old-fashioned notebook
13.3.
It was there in my goody bag – spiral bound, logo at the bottom of every page – looking real neat. Ya, that’s the notebook am talking about. I got it the day I joined Google and it has been with me ever since…. I’ve written, scribbled, and loaded it with a bunch of papers – brochures, prints, write ups… in fact, there are so many papers, the notebook is double its size…it’s been with me to umpteen meetings, training sessions… it’s been with me each time I visited Chennai…each time I traveled some place…
Whenever I researched something online or heard about something I wanted to research….well, you know where you’d find them…
…and I lost it this morning…
I walked in with the notebook in hand because I didn’t want to forget what I wanted to do, walked into the café on my way up, and left my notebook there. It was about 2 hours before I realized what I’ve done, and I’ve been searching since then. Haven’t found it yet… been asking the security guards all day…no luck so far….
Will I ever see it again?
14.3
Yaayyyyyy.... I found it... :)
God only knows how much I've missed it!
It was there in my goody bag – spiral bound, logo at the bottom of every page – looking real neat. Ya, that’s the notebook am talking about. I got it the day I joined Google and it has been with me ever since…. I’ve written, scribbled, and loaded it with a bunch of papers – brochures, prints, write ups… in fact, there are so many papers, the notebook is double its size…it’s been with me to umpteen meetings, training sessions… it’s been with me each time I visited Chennai…each time I traveled some place…
Whenever I researched something online or heard about something I wanted to research….well, you know where you’d find them…
…and I lost it this morning…
I walked in with the notebook in hand because I didn’t want to forget what I wanted to do, walked into the café on my way up, and left my notebook there. It was about 2 hours before I realized what I’ve done, and I’ve been searching since then. Haven’t found it yet… been asking the security guards all day…no luck so far….
Will I ever see it again?
14.3
Yaayyyyyy.... I found it... :)
God only knows how much I've missed it!
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Have you ever….
Well, it has been ages since I had the urge to post something …but something changed this week…it is that feeling you have when the statistics becomes a gruesome reality…when that one more accident on the road happens too close home that it is not a statistic anymore….
This week began on a pretty good note – a lot of people were celebrating the valentine’s day; I was asked by umpteen people about my boyfriend (the one am yet to find), the number of roses I got (which was zero!) and so on. But for me, it was just another Monday.
After such a Monday, I woke on Tuesday to find a freaky accident in the newspaper – it was about a lorry that had hit and killed a couple (who had incidentally got their daughter engaged the previous day and were on the way to book a wedding hall), the police had got another driver take this vehicle to the nearby police station after the driver had fled. But, on the way to the police station, the driver had lost control, hit another vehicle and fatally wounded another.
I read this with a sad heart, but then it was time for me to get ready to work, so got myself going. But then, at 10am when the cab should have come home to pick me up, the travels guy calls up and says there has been an accident, you take an auto and get to work.
I presumed that it would be a minor accident and got to work. I reach Tidel and even before I get to the office, I meet one of my friends and he asks “did you know about the accident?” and then I get the details.
The vehicle, in which I had traveled till the previous night and the same one that should have been at my place that morning, had met with a nasty accident that morning en route to our place to drop another colleague…the driver had rammed into a stationary lorry and both of them were taken to GH and then shifted to Apollo. The driver was unconscious till that afternoon and was supposed to be in a critical situation but thankfully started to recover in the evening.
I did not realize the intensity of the accident till I saw the crashed vehicle myself. The Ambassador, supposed to be one of the sturdiest on Indian roads was reduced to a crumpled mess. The entire front portion was smashed, and the top was completely gone. All that remained was that back, every other part of the car was a mess.
Seeing the car I realized that they were really lucky to get alive out of that car.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Srisailam
It started in a conversation that was going anywhere and nowhere...yes, I was chatting with Llewellyn ....and then, he asked what's up for the weekend and I said ...nothing...
In the next few minutes, we had zeroed on Srisailam - pending our 'illustrious' Imtiaz Bhai's confirmation... After that, I scourged through the net for all that I can find on Srisailam and ran home.... I had plans ...but dozed off.... until I heard 'your 20 minutes start now' ....well, it was Llewellyn’s call….all I could manage was ‘make it 30 minutes’ and rushed to get ready…
Half an hour later, I was at the KPHB main road…I was 11.15 pm and we set off towards Golconda where Imtiaz Bhai joined us…we were on our way and reached Mannanur at 2.40 am….. we had to wait till 6am – coz vehicles aren’t allowed in the night…. So, we parked and went to sleep….not without joking about Imtiaz Bhai’s polyphonic snoring (a lil later I got to know what that meant!) ….
I got up around 5:40….the place was filled with vehicles of all sizes….small carriers, lorries and trucks, cars and so on…. And people were pretty casual….only until they heard the vehicle at the beginning of the line start – a lorry –…. At the sound of that engine everyone hurried to their own vehicle and started…and soon that place was like a starting line of a race…. Everyone testing their engine ….and raring to go….
The moment the gate was opened, it was a free for all…blaring horns, noisy engines, and flying dust replaced the quiet and serene environ…wish I had a video of that few mins…the change from the calm and quiet morning to the blaring horns….
We let everyone go by,….and started off at the end of the line….as we went by, we found peacocks grazing…we stopped by the road to watch the sun rise below the sizzling power lines….after a few more stops, we reached the first view point…went through the bridge and then up to Srisailam….
After breakfast at the Punnani restaurant, we were hoping to get on the ropeway and the go to the dam…unfortunately, ropeway wasn’t working ….quite a disappointment…so we walked down to the dam – the 650 steps, at least that is what they said - went boating and by the time we got back, we were quite tired…. And since Imtiaz Bhai had refused to come with us…we told him there were a max of 350 steps….to which he asked ‘one way or both together’!!!!!
I got to say it was quite a sunny day….not a day where you can stand out in the sun for long…in spite of all the water around, the place was dry and hot….so, we started on our way back…. A lot slower because of the umpteen stops….
At one place, we went beyond a gate at the viewpoint…and got some wonderful pics of rocks and the dam…all the close-up shots of those rocks and trees growing from them are from this place…
Then we stopped along the bridge….and again it was a good place for some pictures…and ya, some of these pictures show you vast land – the kind of vastness you don’t expect to find all that often…
Another great place was this dam on our way back…it was post-lunch…after a lunch where I couldn’t help laugh at some of Imtiaz Bhai’s gyan to that hotelier….and the way he did it…
After we got out, we came across this kinda dam we had crossed in the middle of the night when we were going to Srisailam…while the two of us wanted to go up and check the dam on the other side, Imtiaz Bhai wasn’t all that enthusiastic…. I don’t knw why….but he refused to do any climbing or walking that day….
So, he stopped and asked an old man who said there is no water at all….but then, we found steps leading to the top,….insisted he stop and went up….and was it beautiful…it was wonderful…and I wont forget the way this guy got on a plank and went all the way, paddling with his hands….it was amazing…time and again, makes me wonder, how big is man? Often, we tend to forget that man is like a small speck on the face of earth…. So let me end that gyan now….
From there it was a series of stops and we reached Hyd after 6….by the time we came to the other end to our homes, it was close to 9…. And that was the end of yet another traveling weekend...
For pictures, please visit http://picasaweb.google.com/christelle1804/Srisailam
In the next few minutes, we had zeroed on Srisailam - pending our 'illustrious' Imtiaz Bhai's confirmation... After that, I scourged through the net for all that I can find on Srisailam and ran home.... I had plans ...but dozed off.... until I heard 'your 20 minutes start now' ....well, it was Llewellyn’s call….all I could manage was ‘make it 30 minutes’ and rushed to get ready…
Half an hour later, I was at the KPHB main road…I was 11.15 pm and we set off towards Golconda where Imtiaz Bhai joined us…we were on our way and reached Mannanur at 2.40 am….. we had to wait till 6am – coz vehicles aren’t allowed in the night…. So, we parked and went to sleep….not without joking about Imtiaz Bhai’s polyphonic snoring (a lil later I got to know what that meant!) ….
I got up around 5:40….the place was filled with vehicles of all sizes….small carriers, lorries and trucks, cars and so on…. And people were pretty casual….only until they heard the vehicle at the beginning of the line start – a lorry –…. At the sound of that engine everyone hurried to their own vehicle and started…and soon that place was like a starting line of a race…. Everyone testing their engine ….and raring to go….
The moment the gate was opened, it was a free for all…blaring horns, noisy engines, and flying dust replaced the quiet and serene environ…wish I had a video of that few mins…the change from the calm and quiet morning to the blaring horns….
We let everyone go by,….and started off at the end of the line….as we went by, we found peacocks grazing…we stopped by the road to watch the sun rise below the sizzling power lines….after a few more stops, we reached the first view point…went through the bridge and then up to Srisailam….
After breakfast at the Punnani restaurant, we were hoping to get on the ropeway and the go to the dam…unfortunately, ropeway wasn’t working ….quite a disappointment…so we walked down to the dam – the 650 steps, at least that is what they said - went boating and by the time we got back, we were quite tired…. And since Imtiaz Bhai had refused to come with us…we told him there were a max of 350 steps….to which he asked ‘one way or both together’!!!!!
I got to say it was quite a sunny day….not a day where you can stand out in the sun for long…in spite of all the water around, the place was dry and hot….so, we started on our way back…. A lot slower because of the umpteen stops….
At one place, we went beyond a gate at the viewpoint…and got some wonderful pics of rocks and the dam…all the close-up shots of those rocks and trees growing from them are from this place…
Then we stopped along the bridge….and again it was a good place for some pictures…and ya, some of these pictures show you vast land – the kind of vastness you don’t expect to find all that often…
Another great place was this dam on our way back…it was post-lunch…after a lunch where I couldn’t help laugh at some of Imtiaz Bhai’s gyan to that hotelier….and the way he did it…
After we got out, we came across this kinda dam we had crossed in the middle of the night when we were going to Srisailam…while the two of us wanted to go up and check the dam on the other side, Imtiaz Bhai wasn’t all that enthusiastic…. I don’t knw why….but he refused to do any climbing or walking that day….
So, he stopped and asked an old man who said there is no water at all….but then, we found steps leading to the top,….insisted he stop and went up….and was it beautiful…it was wonderful…and I wont forget the way this guy got on a plank and went all the way, paddling with his hands….it was amazing…time and again, makes me wonder, how big is man? Often, we tend to forget that man is like a small speck on the face of earth…. So let me end that gyan now….
From there it was a series of stops and we reached Hyd after 6….by the time we came to the other end to our homes, it was close to 9…. And that was the end of yet another traveling weekend...
For pictures, please visit http://picasaweb.google.com/christelle1804/Srisailam
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
CHRIS REA - "Tell Me There’s A Heaven"
The little girl she said to me
What are these things that I can see
Each night when I come home from school
And mama calls me in for tea
Oh every night a baby dies
And every night a mama cries
What makes those men do what they do
To make that person black and blue
Grandpa says their happy now
They sit with God in paradise
With angels' wings and still somehow
It makes me feel like ice
Tell me there's a heaven
Tell me that it's true
Tell me there's a reason
Why I'm seeing what I do
Tell me there's a heaven
Where all those people go
Tell me they're all happy now
Papa tell me that it's so
So do I tell her that it's true
That there's a place for me and you
Where hungry children smile and say
We wouldn't have no other way
That every painful crack of bones
Is a step along the way
Every wrong done is a game plan
To that great and joyful day
And I'm looking at the father and the son
And I'm looking at the mother and the daughter
And I'm watching them in tears of pain
And I'm watching them suffer
Don't tell that little girl
Tell me
Tell me there's a heaven
Tell me that it's true
Tell me there's a reason
Why I'm seeing what I do
Tell me there's a heaven
Where all those people go
Tell me they're all happy now
Papa tell me that it's so
What are these things that I can see
Each night when I come home from school
And mama calls me in for tea
Oh every night a baby dies
And every night a mama cries
What makes those men do what they do
To make that person black and blue
Grandpa says their happy now
They sit with God in paradise
With angels' wings and still somehow
It makes me feel like ice
Tell me there's a heaven
Tell me that it's true
Tell me there's a reason
Why I'm seeing what I do
Tell me there's a heaven
Where all those people go
Tell me they're all happy now
Papa tell me that it's so
So do I tell her that it's true
That there's a place for me and you
Where hungry children smile and say
We wouldn't have no other way
That every painful crack of bones
Is a step along the way
Every wrong done is a game plan
To that great and joyful day
And I'm looking at the father and the son
And I'm looking at the mother and the daughter
And I'm watching them in tears of pain
And I'm watching them suffer
Don't tell that little girl
Tell me
Tell me there's a heaven
Tell me that it's true
Tell me there's a reason
Why I'm seeing what I do
Tell me there's a heaven
Where all those people go
Tell me they're all happy now
Papa tell me that it's so
The weekend that went by – January 26-29
This has been one of the best (if not the best) weekends in Hyderabad. (Click here for pictures) I've been in Hyderabad for about a year and I've never traveled to so many places in a single weekend. At last, I find someone who walk, talk and travel as much as I would. Well, I think he has traveled a lot more… but, it was a pleasant surprise coz I'd almost given up trying to find someone willing to explore the places around Hyderabad.
With the long weekend approaching, I was raring to go someplace….and we (Llewellyn and myself) started off with the Parade Grounds, Secundarabad. For what? Well, it was Republic Day and we went to see how it is celebrated Hyderabadi style. We walked to the grounds after parking nearby, clicked a few pictures, watched the parade, watched the crowd,… then Vishal joined us and we headed towards Shamirpet lake. By the time we reached the lake, it was mid-morning – it was a sunny day – not the best time to be walking around the lake…after a few pictures, we made a move …. It was a nice and quiet place…wish there was some shade…
We went further down the road hoping to come across some interesting place…we were out of luck…so, we turned around and returned to Hyderabad, finished our lunch at Secundarabad and went to Durgam Cheruvu – a nice lake near Hitec city with a restaurant named 'Something Fishy.'… wonder if they catch the fish from the lake!!! It is a great place to relax – to just sit back and watch the birds, the duck colony (the Quackers family!), and the patterns on the water left by the frolicking fishes… Quite unfortunately, AP Tourism allows motor boats – which left quite a jarring note in the otherwise peaceful place…and ya, how can I forget to mention the family that turned up a little later – they either wanted the whole world to know their story or they considered each other deaf!
In spite of these, I did enjoy the afternoon there – thanks to the birds. As we were leaving, I fould a little boy fishing…and were they getting hooked!!! I didn't have to stay long to see his catch!
That was the end of day 1 – January 26
The next day, I left around 6am and we headed towards ICRISAT, missed it, and found it on our way back. The place was beautiful…a lovely place – with mist rolling in…it was a wonderful early morning walk – feeling the warmth of the sun chase away the chillness of the morning…
After breakfast, we went towards Golconda, where Imtiaz Bhai joined us, and then we headed to Warangal. I would rather call him the 'illustrious' Imtiaz Bhai…oh my, I'd never forget his running commentary…thanks to the fact that he grew up Warangal, we got to know all the places en route – and also, the places you'd reach if you had turned left or right, instead of heading straight to Warangal! Even after all the stories I'd heard from Llewellyn, he didn't fail to amuse me… in fact, by the end of the day, I was finding it hard to listen to him with a straight face. Once we reached Warangal, we got to know all the colleges, theaters, hospitals…and how can I forget the excitement in his voice when he took us by the hospital where he was born! I really wonder what would it be like…and how will I react if I go there after more than 2 decades…will I be excited and thrilled, the way he was….I don't know….I don't even know if I would ever get to that place again…
After a sumptuous lunch – now, if I could eat 4 pooris and rice with all the curries, curd, and sweet that came along, you got to agree …it was a good meal…. – we visited the Thousand-pillared Temple. Though I didn't find so many pillars…with quite a few on the ground marked with numbers that seemed to fit a puzzle….'Renovation,' said Imtiaz Bhai…
From there, we went to the Warangal Fort….a lot of ruins…and as if they weren't ruined enough, one could see them ruined by the people. It was quite disheartening to see the lack of maintenance, to see the carvings chipped away…
By the time we left Warangal, it was 8pm… and it was past 11pm when I reached home… exhausted but excited…excited about the way I'd spent this weekend…instead of sleeping through my weekend….
With the long weekend approaching, I was raring to go someplace….and we (Llewellyn and myself) started off with the Parade Grounds, Secundarabad. For what? Well, it was Republic Day and we went to see how it is celebrated Hyderabadi style. We walked to the grounds after parking nearby, clicked a few pictures, watched the parade, watched the crowd,… then Vishal joined us and we headed towards Shamirpet lake. By the time we reached the lake, it was mid-morning – it was a sunny day – not the best time to be walking around the lake…after a few pictures, we made a move …. It was a nice and quiet place…wish there was some shade…
We went further down the road hoping to come across some interesting place…we were out of luck…so, we turned around and returned to Hyderabad, finished our lunch at Secundarabad and went to Durgam Cheruvu – a nice lake near Hitec city with a restaurant named 'Something Fishy.'… wonder if they catch the fish from the lake!!! It is a great place to relax – to just sit back and watch the birds, the duck colony (the Quackers family!), and the patterns on the water left by the frolicking fishes… Quite unfortunately, AP Tourism allows motor boats – which left quite a jarring note in the otherwise peaceful place…and ya, how can I forget to mention the family that turned up a little later – they either wanted the whole world to know their story or they considered each other deaf!
In spite of these, I did enjoy the afternoon there – thanks to the birds. As we were leaving, I fould a little boy fishing…and were they getting hooked!!! I didn't have to stay long to see his catch!
That was the end of day 1 – January 26
The next day, I left around 6am and we headed towards ICRISAT, missed it, and found it on our way back. The place was beautiful…a lovely place – with mist rolling in…it was a wonderful early morning walk – feeling the warmth of the sun chase away the chillness of the morning…
After breakfast, we went towards Golconda, where Imtiaz Bhai joined us, and then we headed to Warangal. I would rather call him the 'illustrious' Imtiaz Bhai…oh my, I'd never forget his running commentary…thanks to the fact that he grew up Warangal, we got to know all the places en route – and also, the places you'd reach if you had turned left or right, instead of heading straight to Warangal! Even after all the stories I'd heard from Llewellyn, he didn't fail to amuse me… in fact, by the end of the day, I was finding it hard to listen to him with a straight face. Once we reached Warangal, we got to know all the colleges, theaters, hospitals…and how can I forget the excitement in his voice when he took us by the hospital where he was born! I really wonder what would it be like…and how will I react if I go there after more than 2 decades…will I be excited and thrilled, the way he was….I don't know….I don't even know if I would ever get to that place again…
After a sumptuous lunch – now, if I could eat 4 pooris and rice with all the curries, curd, and sweet that came along, you got to agree …it was a good meal…. – we visited the Thousand-pillared Temple. Though I didn't find so many pillars…with quite a few on the ground marked with numbers that seemed to fit a puzzle….'Renovation,' said Imtiaz Bhai…
From there, we went to the Warangal Fort….a lot of ruins…and as if they weren't ruined enough, one could see them ruined by the people. It was quite disheartening to see the lack of maintenance, to see the carvings chipped away…
By the time we left Warangal, it was 8pm… and it was past 11pm when I reached home… exhausted but excited…excited about the way I'd spent this weekend…instead of sleeping through my weekend….
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Nazarébaddoor
People started squinting at Nazarébaddoor with that mixture of suspicion and admiration which human beings reserve for those who can foretell the future. The path to her cottage began to be well trodden, by lovers asking if their sweethearts would return their love, by gamblers wondering if they would win at cards, by the curious and the cynical, the gullible and the hard-hearted. More than once there was a campaign against her in the village by people whose reaction to abnormality was to drive it away from their doorstep. She was saved by her discretion, by her refusal to speak if she didn’t know the answer, because the visionary indolence which allowed her to push the future in the required direction could not be conjured up; it came when it pleased, and her own will seemed to have little to do with it. Only when she was sure of her ability to ensure a happy outcome would she gently murmur the good news into a supplicant’s ear.
As she grew into womanhood, her power began to filler her with doubts. The gift of affecting the course of events positively, of being able to change the world, but only for the best, ought to have been a source of joy. Nazarébaddoor was cursed with a philosophical cast of mind, however, and as a result, even her innate good nature could not avoid being infected by a strain of melancholy. Difficult questions began to nag her. Was it always a good thing to make things better? Didn’t human beings need pain and suffering to learn and grow? Would a world in which only good things happened be a good world, a paradise, or would it, in fact, be an intolerable place whose denizens, excused from danger, failure, catastrophe, and misery, turned into insufferably big-headed, overconfident bores? Was she damaging people by helping them? Should she get her big nose out of everyone else’s business and let destiny take whatever course it chose? Yes, happiness was a thing of great, bright value, and she believed herself to be promoting it; but might not unhappiness be as important? Was she doing God’s work or the devil’s? There were no answers to such questions, but the questions themselves felt, from time to time, like answers of a sort.
In spite of her reservations, Nazarébaddoor continued to employ her gifts, unable to believe that she would have been given such powers if it wasn’t okay to use them. But her fears remained. Outwardly, she continued to behave with happy, outspoken, flatulent ease, but the unhappiness inside her grew; slowly, it’s true, but it grew. Her greatest fear, which she shared with nobody, was that all the misfortune she was averting was piling up somewhere \, that she was recklessly pouring out Pachigam’s supply of good luck while the bad luck accumulated like water behind a dam, and one day the floodgates would open and the flood of misery would be unleashed and everyone would drown. This was why the pot war affected her so badly. He worst nightmare had begun to come true.
Have you ever wondered about the need for pain and sorrow? Have you been 'cursed' with a philosophical cast of mind? A mind that can't help but wonder about the greater cause in life, a mind that can't help but look beyond the obvious.... God’s work or the devil’s? have you thought about all the thoughts that race across your mind?
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Shalimar The Clown - Part 1
I read this book and it had quite a few interesting passages. The story itself - one that deals with the repercussion of one's actions in the lives of people around them - is quite interesting. Yes, there are times when I felt the narration is complicated, but the rest of the book quite easily makes up for it. Here is one such passage, something I found really, really interesting...
And when you’ve made it ... you must persuade the skeptical crowd – the envious, impotent crowd! – that you have returned with everything you wanted. If you don’t, you’ll be marked as a failure forever. -- this is one of those sentences that quite simply states what life is all about. Have you ever wondered how often everyone needs to convince everyone else around that they are doing what they wanna do, get what they want and so on?
Here is the passage for you:
And when you’ve made it ... you must persuade the skeptical crowd – the envious, impotent crowd! – that you have returned with everything you wanted. If you don’t, you’ll be marked as a failure forever. -- this is one of those sentences that quite simply states what life is all about. Have you ever wondered how often everyone needs to convince everyone else around that they are doing what they wanna do, get what they want and so on?
Here is the passage for you:
His bedtime stories, told on those unpredictable occasions when he had been at her childhood bedside, were not stories exactly. They were homilies such as Sun Tzu, the philosopher of war, might have delivered to his offspring. “The palace of power is a labyrinth of interconnecting rooms,” Max once said to his sleepy child. She imagined it into being, walked towards it, half-dreaming, half-awake. “It’s windowless,” Max said, “and there is no visible door. Your first task is to find out how to get in. when you’ve solved that riddle, when you come as a supplicant into the first anteroom of power, you will find in it a man with the head of a jackal, who will try to chase you out again, if you stay, he will try to gobble you up. If you can trick your way past him, you will enter a second room, guarded this time by a man with the head of a rabid dog, and in the room after that you’ll face a man with the head of a hungry bear, and so on. In the last room but one there’s a man with the head of a fox. This man will not try to keep you away from the last room, in which the man of true power sits. Rather, he will try to convince you that you are already in that room and that he himself is that man.”
“If you succeed in seeing through the fox-man’s tricks, and if you get past him, you will find yourself in the room of the power. The room of power is unimpressive and in it the man of power faces you across an empty desk. He looks small, insignificant, fearful; for now that you have penetrated his defenses, he must give you your heart’s desire. That’s the rule. But on the way out, the fox-man, the bear-man, the dog-man, and the jackal-man are no longer there. Instead, the rooms are full of half-human flying monsters, winged men with the heads of birds, eagle-men and vulture-men, man-gannets and hawk-men. They swoop down on you and rip at your treasure. Each of them claws back a little piece of it. How much of it will you manage to bring out of the house of power? You beat at them, you shield the treasure with your body. They rake at your back with gleaming blue-white claws. And when you’ve made it and are outside again, squinting painfully in the bright light and clutching your poor, torn remnant, you must persuade the skeptical crowd – the envious, impotent crowd! – that you have returned with everything you wanted. If you don’t, you’ll be marked as a failure forever.”
“Such is the nature of power,” he told her as she slipped towards sleep, “and these are the questions it asks. The man who chooses to enter its halls does well to escape with his life. The answer to the questions of power, by the way,” he added as an afterthought, “is this: Do not enter that labyrinth as a supplicant. Come with meat and a sword. Give the first guardian the meat he craves, for he is always hungry, and cut off his head while he eats: pof! Then offer the severed head to the guardian in the next room, and when he begins to devour it, behead him too. Baf! Et ainsi de suite. When the man of power agrees to grant your demands, however, you must not cut off his head. Be sure you don’t. The decapitation of rulers is an extreme measure, hardly ever required, never recommended. It sets a bad precedent. Make sure, instead, that you ask not only for what you want but for a sack of meat as well. With the fresh meat supply, you will lure the bird-men to their doom. Off with their head! Snick-snack! Chop, chop, until you’re free. Freedom is not a tea part, India, Freedom is a war.”
Friday, January 19, 2007
Aren’t we like is?
 |
| From Nature |
fragile and surrounded by the unseen....and we go along...spinning the web of life...
At times, we are happy about the way life goes...happy in the web we've spun around us...
At times, life freaks us out and we run around like crazy....only to realize we are stuck in our own web....
At times, we leave the web and venture out on a solid wall.... to realize there's much happening beyond our boudaries... we might find another web - just like us, we might find others, willing or unwilling to talk to us.... to invite us in....
At times, we find our friends vanish overnight... did they really care all the while? or was that your assumption? You may wonder and never know the truth....
At times, we find that with one sudden, clean swipe the world around us is shattered and gone forever...
At times, we find that we can create a new web all over again...
until.... the end of our web brings our life to an end ....
Friday, January 12, 2007
Mark Lowry
I was watching a Mark Lowry video last night. There were a few thoughts I thought were worth pondering....
"Even if you don't see a miracle, you can choose to believe"
"My faith is a flickering light - I just have to remember what I saw in the light and keep walking."
There were some songs witn interesting lyrics...and here are some I could find...
Some things never change...
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-XSgfzwlag">
Home where I belong...
"Even if you don't see a miracle, you can choose to believe"
"My faith is a flickering light - I just have to remember what I saw in the light and keep walking."
There were some songs witn interesting lyrics...and here are some I could find...
Some things never change...
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-XSgfzwlag">
Home where I belong...
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Image in real life….
For the past few days, this thought has been at the back of my mind... and last night, well it was 3am this morning...when I lay down in bed, I could not sleep ...wrote it down before I went to sleep...
The comparison of what I am today with what kinda person I wanted to be when I was a kid.
When you were a kid, did you ever create an image of yourself - the person you'd like to be when you grow up? I am not talking about your professional life, we all do that when we are kids...I am talking about the personal life. Have you ever thought of the values you'd hold close to your heart, the principles you'd live by, and the kind of person you'd be at the end of the day? If you did think about these things, what do you see now? Are you living up to that childhood image of yourself? Are you better or worse?
I used to think about this when I was a kid and I had this strong image of the person I'd be - a person of strong heart, living by my values and principles, seeing the world in black and white, changing the world one day at a time, living the kinda life that inspires people, adopting children, and stuff like that.
Now, when I look back, I find that I have achieved some of these, gone wayward in some others, and yet to try some others. Honestly, I don't think I would be a perfect fit anymore. For better or worse, I don't think I can ever be the person I thought I would be.
What about you?
The comparison of what I am today with what kinda person I wanted to be when I was a kid.
When you were a kid, did you ever create an image of yourself - the person you'd like to be when you grow up? I am not talking about your professional life, we all do that when we are kids...I am talking about the personal life. Have you ever thought of the values you'd hold close to your heart, the principles you'd live by, and the kind of person you'd be at the end of the day? If you did think about these things, what do you see now? Are you living up to that childhood image of yourself? Are you better or worse?
I used to think about this when I was a kid and I had this strong image of the person I'd be - a person of strong heart, living by my values and principles, seeing the world in black and white, changing the world one day at a time, living the kinda life that inspires people, adopting children, and stuff like that.
Now, when I look back, I find that I have achieved some of these, gone wayward in some others, and yet to try some others. Honestly, I don't think I would be a perfect fit anymore. For better or worse, I don't think I can ever be the person I thought I would be.
What about you?
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