Down by the Bay

Photography - Everywhere I go

2011-12-11T22:02:00.000-08:00

Groggily, I opened my eyes. It was 545 in the morning. I had finally been asleep, but, the world was not ready to let me enjoy it for long. Sirens blared outside the window. Fumbling for my glasses, I got up, and went looking for my camera. There were four fire trucks driving past on the street outside. That was enough to let the shutter loose, and I took about 15 photos before the trucks were gone. Its a different matter that, being in such a somnolent state, only one picture was worth looking at later.
Narrating this incident to a friend later, I was asked a very simple, yet rather profound question.

"Why does everything you see need to have a photo go with it? Why can't you just let things go by and relish the moment?"

The question really hit home. Photography had become almost second nature to me. It was so much a part of me, that there were now types of pictures that defined me. This doesn't answer the question, however. What was it that drew me to my third eye, an eye which can be changed at will, depending on the need? It had reached a point where just calling it a hobby may not be enough. Just yesterday I woke up at 445 in the morning, to get to the coast to capture the total lunar eclipse over the Golden Gate Bridge.

No, there had to be something more. Lately, I chased pictures with a passion that I rarely felt for anything else anymore. There is some sort of thrill involved in being in the same place and time as so many other people, but just seeing things differently from everyone else. But thats not all it is. Like everything I had evolved in my photography. Now, I am the only person around. I seek out new places, lonely as they may be, just so I can see what treasures lay hidden around me. Once done, I dont lock myself away either. I relish sharing them. There is quite a sense of satisfaction in that. Sharing knows no bounds - friends and then strangers. And, every picture has a story to go with it. After all, we are visual beings; it helps to have art to describe a story.

…[pictures are] a poor excuse, I know. But it helps me remember... I need to remember... Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world, I feel like I can't take it, and my heart is just going to cave in.

Out of sight, out of mind

2011-03-31T22:26:00.000-07:00

There really is no excuse. I've been thinking of one, but nothing convincing comes to mind. Sure, one can always argue one way or the other, but then every story can have two faces.

Like a city under a flood, we all seem to be inundated these days. Like toddlers, we are distracted by the latest thing to catch our eye. Sometimes, even that is not enough. I guess I'm just old fashioned in that when I ask a question, I'd like to hear an answer, even if its not immediately.

True, in today's world, we're inundated with inputs from all avenues of our life. Email, Twitter, Facebook, text messaging are some of the ways the world floods our senses. We've gotten so used to the distractions, ADD is almost part and parcel of who we all are now. If its not in grabbing our attention, its out of our mind. And with all that rushes in, its hard for anything to grab our attention.

I guess that's why to some, email is dead, to others so are texts. The new wave? Face-to-face-attention-grabbing-conversation?

All he ever wanted….

2011-02-14T21:43:00.000-08:00

Sunday began with a purpose. Most Sundays don't, so this one was clearly different. He woke up, and looked out the window from where he lay. The golden rays were just beginning to climb over the tops of the buildings he could see from his vantage point. Today would be a good day. Something in him just "clicked".

Filled with this drive he tackled the morning with a gusto one normally reserves for Thursdays or Fridays, days when the weekend is almost upon us. By 10 am, he was all set to head out to the Conservatory. He had managed to convince a friend to join him, under the ruse of teaching him how to use his newly acquired camera. All set, he walked out the door, and headed to the car. Reaching the car, he realized he left the all important Theia at home. Already late, he rushed back home. That's when the Sunday dipped.

He opened the door and hurried towards the camera bag. In his haste, he failed to completely pull the key out of its lock, but continuing in stride, eventually the key came loose. Bag in hand, he walked out, and closed the door behind him. Proceeding to lock the door, he looked at the keys in his hand. He had successfully bent the tip of the key 90 degrees, and now unable to let himself back into the apartment.

A call to the friend waiting for him, and another to the friend with the spare. He was off to get the spare, to ensure he could let himself in. The thing about spare keys, however, once you make them, you should verify they work. As it turns out, 1 out of the 3 keys duplicated were unable to open their locks. Given the day that it was, this was the one key needed.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. He called the landlord of the building, asking for a recommended locksmith, or a spare. Nice guy that he is, he kept a few for when tenants manage to do something like this. Things were looking up, this morning might actually be salvageable. One catch, the landlord lived 25 minutes away. The morning was dead.

An hour later, he walked back home, and opened the door to his apartment. Relieved, he had some water, and picked up the headphones that would lead him into the world of Pandora, as he exercised Theia's muscles. Finally, he made his way down to the conservatory of flowers, to capture the exhibit, in the early afternoon light.

Quite a start to a Sunday, and all he ever wanted to do, was take pictures.

The Eye and the Mind

2010-11-11T09:04:00.000-08:00

He sat at the keyboard, listless. He'd been trying to write. Again. It'd been a while since he was able to put his thoughts down. It wasn't so much that there was nothing to say. There was just a confusion of thoughts, swarming around each fighting with the other to be allowed to escape. In the chaos, the door remained closed, and the swarming ideas kept at each other. Lately, he'd been having quite a roller-coaster of a ride. There had been crests and troughs, sweeping in and out with the regularity of the tides. But that's all part of the normal flow of things. He looked at his screen. Nothing.

Frustrated, he got up, and decided to get some fresh air. Hopefully that would clear his mind, and something worth writing would come out. Just as he left, he stopped to pick up something that had now become an integral part of life. He slung the backpack on his shoulder, and went to relish in the world.

"There's so much beauty in the world."

It takes going out and looking to finally see it. With his new passion, he would go out often, sometimes alone, sometimes with company. There were always new places to see, new things to see being done. There was a new drive, to look at things in ways that most people would think crazy. He would contort his body just for that perfect angle. He felt it was worth it. Some people laughed, but many grew to understand. A few even began to appreciate - if not the process, then definitely the end result. Slowly, it consumed him. He had a new hobby, one that he really enjoyed.

The city consumed him. On any given day there were so many options. So many new things. Some would last for days, some would be gone in the blink of an eye. The vista near his home gave him plenty of practice. He seemed to be able to like the night. The calm and the darkness that shrouds the world, can be easily exposed if you wait long enough. Sometimes it just shows you how pacific things can be.

He set himself goals. He wanted to stretch himself beyond the colors and the madness that is the metropolis around him. There was always so much to learn. He used to capture the many moods of the people around him, but one day that desire stopped completely. It is returning now. Slowly. This time as a challenge, rather than a documentary. It's not only expressions that seem to drive him, but actions too. If he's lucky he might even catch a ladybug in action.

He sat at the keyboard. Relaxed. He'd just been out with his camera. Again.

Six Years

2010-08-08T23:33:00.000-07:00

A long walk down memory lane, and things just continue from where they left off. In fact, things improve from where they were. Four random people, ten years ago, made a decision that entwined their paths for four years. Six years ago, the paths diverged, one would think, never to meet again. This past weekend, and the four paths, having traveled various parts of the globe, met again, if only for a brief moment. One was just passing through, the other three, we can only hope will move relatively closely for sometime to come.

A lot can change in six years. A lot would be expected to have changed in that time. Somehow, no matter how much things change, they always remain the same. Here's to the times at KJSCE, and a wonderful evening catching up with old friends.

Pittsburgh!!

2010-04-20T09:01:00.000-07:00

A city is defined, in part, by the people you knew in it, the people you know in it, and the memories you share. Who'd have thought that the steel city, the city of champions, the city of bridges, the city of first meetings, the city of sleepless nights, of intense rivalries, and amazing bonding, would one day, so soon, add one more fun filled memory to its cap?

Spring carnival is always a huge event on campus. Even as students, we would always find time to soak in the festivities, and just have an all out fun time. This year will be a hard one to follow up. Maybe not for the spring carnival itself, but for the added alumni celebration that drew us to the city after almost 2 years of being away.

Friday April 16
Landing in Pittsburgh always provides some amazing views of the three rivers, downtown and Heinz field. This time, however, the lack of sleep catching up to me, I was forced to miss the circle around Pittsburgh before we finally hit the tarmac. I woke up with a jolt, and the sound of the flight attendant welcoming me to Pittsburgh.

Walking past the familiar Steeler and the T-Rex at the gates brought back memories of the first time I touch Pittsburgh, tired, lost, and with the company of a very friendly Pittsburgher who guided me to baggage claim. This time, having lived there for two years, only two years ago, I marched down familiar territory and like always, stood in line for the arterial airport shuttle, the 28X. A change of route in the bus was a bit disheartening, as it skipped the Robinson Shopping center on its way to the university.

We had managed to get ourselves a hotel right in the heart of Oakland, next to the Cathedral of Learning. By the time I had reached, a couple of people had already checked in. This was the start of all the hellos throughout the weekend. As I freshened up from the flight, a fourth member of the early arrivals reached our room.

It was a beautiful day, the sun smiling down his warmth upon the visitors. While the girls got ready, we decided to go up the Cathedral, and capture all of CMU from an aerial vantage point. The garish new building marred the view for the most part, but it was nice to get a view of the buildings that housed our classes, and friends.

What followed was a series of "we have to go here." Lunch was from the kitchen at Salem's and quickly disappeared outside Pitt campus on Forbes. A stop at INI to absorb the changes, meet the staff, and of course to play some pool and we were off to the UC.

Pittsburgh weather showed us her fickle nature here. A clear bright sunny day, suddenly turned dark and grey, and before we knew it, a quick downpour followed. This was what was called rain, not the "drizzle" we get out here in California, that seems to freak everyone out. As the rain seemed to die out, we decided to head back to our hotel and get ready for the game. A quick duck into PHI to pre-game, and we were set.

As for the game, all I can say is "Lets go Pens." Crosby's awesome stick-play in the third period sealed the intense, yet low scoring game.

Joe Mama's and then a long night of catching up over drinks, and we were already well on our way into Saturday.

Saturday April 17
Its never easy to wake up early after a long night, but this was Pittsburgh, alarm clocks drove us for two years here. Getting ready we were joined by a few more friends who couldn't take the previous day off. It is amazing how rarely one meets people in spite of them being so close, yet it takes a trip to the other side of the country to reconnect.

Lunch was where we finally got to see almost everybody. Hugs and hellos greeted us all as we caught up with familiar and were introduced to the unfamiliar faces. We found a table and sat down to lunch, catching up on missed times. What followed was a panel discussion by alumni talking about their experiences in the world, and how their time at school shaped their lives. In the midst of this all, I acquired and then lost Scotty, and we got a formal introduction of new relationships.

About 15 of us just walked around the university, remembering times as we strolled past the various buildings we had come to know. CIC, Wean, Doherty, Hamerschlag, the Cut, the Fence, Warner Hall, UC, the tennis courts, and the INI. One can never talk about the INI and not talk about the pool table. A few of us congregated there, a few of us sat in our first year clusters. Memories drove the various sets of roommates to have pictures taken in front of their respective buildings in the area.

Soon it was dinner time, and we were off to the Carnegie Museum Cafe. A lot of mingling with the crowd, catching up on old times, discussing new ideas. While talking to a bunch of the alums, and a few of the students here from Greece, I even got a chance to talk to the photographer for the night. Cameras were discussed and possible ideas of pictures too.

As the night wore on, there was a need for an after party, and the alums all headed out to Doc's Place on Walnut Street. The night only began there, and moved onto Zen, before we headed out to Duquesne Incline and then Mt Washington for a burst of late night photography.

Four am, and hungry we headed out to Eat'n'Park to be greeted by some amazing "breakfast". Back in bed at 530 in the morning, and we were done with Day 2 of Pittsburgh.

Sunday April 18
Sunday was our final day in the city. There was still so much we hadn't done. Yet, we still had the important matter of checking out of the hotel to do as well. Getting that wrapped up allowed people some leeway as they went to their haunts, and others went to walk in awe along Devonshire St once again.

We headed out to Pamela's for brunch that became lunch and gorged on the hotcakes. A short walk around the Strip District, an area we never saw as students, had us feeling like we were in a quaint old town. I tried looking for Steelers and Penguins merchandise, but apparently Sunday afternoon is not the best time to shop in the area.

Soon it was time for farewells. The New Yorkers, the Texan and a Californian took a cab to the airport, the locals headed back home. That left the four of us on one flight out later in the evening. Two were reminiscing their days together, while two of us, decided to head out to Point State Park. It is incredible, having lived so close to the park, and having actually been in the area several times, we never actually ventured to the park. This was soon corrected.

While still under construction, the park provided some nice vistas of the city. A stroll through the park, and then across a bridge, and we were soon right outside Heinz Field. To be at the home ground of the most successful team in the country, the capital of Steeler Nation, was a memory I shall treasure. Until, of course, I watch a game there!

Finally, we had to bid adieu to the city. We drove out to the airport, but there was more to be done. Meeting old friends is always something that manages to rekindle lost memories. Meeting someone you've known since kindergarten takes that one level further. We caught up at the airport, for an hour, just before my flight out. The Campion bond holds strong.

Through security, and off to the gate, we discover, that Pittsburgh had a surprise in store for us. Due to delayed planes, we could not leave the city. We were given one extra night in the area, to just soak it all in, and in the Hyatt no less. Dinner at the Hyatt, watching my 2nd Pens game in 3 days, was a beautiful cap to the entire weekend. Of course, the Pens won!

Thanks to all the staff at the INI for all the hard work involved in putting this thing together. Its been only two years since I left, but if two years can cause such happiness, and a perfect reunion amongst friends scattered across the country, one can only imagine what time will do. The event was simply superb, and was a lovely way to get us all together. Great job, and look forward to the next one!

Powerless...

2010-02-26T21:22:00.001-08:00

What do you do when things you take for granted suddenly disappear on you? I'm not talking people, but things that everyone in a "developed" world takes for granted. Today, for half my day, I got to see such a world, and, well, I'm not sure how I feel.

This afternoon, there was a power outage at work. With no power, and no idea when it would return, a few of us collected in the cafeteria and played some table tennis. It was fun seeing and interacting with colleagues in a new manner. You get to see a new side of people, that you don't really expect of them. After a couple of hours, I decided to head home and catch some much needed R&R.

Reached home, and, thankfully, the blackout had not affected my apartment. What it had done, however, was knock out my cable and internet connection. Now thats something you don't see everyday, and more importantly its not something one expects.

Now if there's a blackout, you obviously cant really do anything sitting at home. This, however, is like a tease. You have electricity, but you cant watch TV, or get online. Everything we do, seems to revolve around this. (I should add, I couldn't go out because of the heavy downpour that was at play. ) I probably should have caught up on my reading, or played with my camera, instead, I pulled out the dvd player, dusty and unused, and cleaned out my netflix queue.

Four hours with no connection to the outside world (yes, I restricted use of the iPhone), and yet, somehow I manage to revolve around some form of technology. Is it an addiction, or just a force of habit, that drives this? I wonder… but I know, today I relived a time when this was natural, and it felt so very unnatural.

And the earth rumbles...

2010-01-07T21:29:00.000-08:00

Just a day,
Just an ordinary day.
Just trying to get by.
And the earth came alive.

For all the beauty that is this place, one often forgets the frailty of the land we live and work on. Today, in one slight jolt, many of us were woken up to this. It didn't last very long, but it was enough to shake the ground we stood on. On the second floor, where I was, it felt like the floor decided to go dancing, and created its own bass in accompaniment.

I wrote about an earlier such incident last year. Standing as the ground beneath you tries to throw you down, while scary to some, felt different. It felt like an experience, one to be remembered, and shared, maybe not fondly, but nostalgically.

People reacted differently. A new mother ran upstairs to her 5 month old baby, to find her fast asleep unawares to the world. A newly engaged man, ran down the four floors of his office building to safety. A close friend insisted I procure an earthquake survival kit. And me? I went back to my desk, and said hello to the world.

Phone numbers

2009-11-07T12:09:00.000-08:00

We all have them. Some of us have multiple. Services have come up to consolidate them. Yet, the question remains, do we still need them?

If you look at it historically, these numbers were assigned based on locality. It was like an address, where numbers which were close in proximity would invariably link up houses which near each other as well. In fact, they originally began not as the pure numeric codes we see today, but as alpha-numeric combinations where the lead alphabets would mention the city in which the number existed. This made sense when phones were tied down to the house.

Today's world, is very different. Cell phones outnumber land lines in most countries around the world. Cell phones have no geographic distinctions. A number just has to be unique across a country, with country codes obscuring the fact for internationally unique numbers. This still leaves us with often hard to remember convoluted combinations of digits. As humans, remembering seemingly unrelated numbers in one series, can be quite a challenge. This leads us to my original question.

Some of you may argue, that there is no need to remember phone numbers anymore. Every phone has sufficient memory to store and remember all the contacts you will ever need. To me, that is solving the wrong problem. In a world where everything is now moving away from the circuit switched networks that defined the archaic telephone system, to an IP based, packet switched networks, surely we can come up with a better way of addressing the myriad of devices out there. With the arrival of LTE, every phone will always have an IP address, that will globally distinguish its peers.

IP addresses bring us back to numbers. That is a problem that has been solved, however. Something along the lines of a URL or even like our email addresses would be a good choice. This is something, that most of us are used to, and will be relatively easy to remember should we every lose our phones.

An example could be something like phone://home.zoxcleb or phone://work.zoxcleb
phone: is just the protocol identifier, like FTP or HTTP. If you have multiple people at one house, you could update it to phone://personA.home.zoxcleb where zoxcleb is basically like the family domain for all phones. What do you do if you move out, and need your own "domain"? Obtain one and then update the address to forward your requests out for some time until you can update all your contacts. The address will also be service provider independent, just like today's websites are agnostic of the hosting service. This makes address portability a breeze.

Todays phone numbers may just be the status quo, but as the number of devices go up, we will eventually reach the threshold that 10 digits can support. Before we do, and have to add yet another digit, it might be worthwhile considering a change in the way we do things.

2009-07-06T23:46:00.000-07:00

Its always the little things that count. Life is a journey so long, so convoluted, that as we unravel its mysteries, we are often left in awe of what it opens up to us. Moving along this path, sometimes at leisure, sometimes at a bustling pace, its not often we get to stop and have a look around. What we need is a pause button.

That's exactly what old friends are for. The people you knew when growing up are like bridges to worlds long lost in labyrinths of time. Sitting over dinner with people one has known for more than three-fourths of your life can be quite an experience. Especially if you haven't really spent much time with them in the last quarter. The stories that are told, the incidents remembered, the changes in people, the things people have gone through. In all this, the common thread is the people and the tiny quirks that we all manifested.

There's a reason its called the formative years. The bonds made then, are very different from ones thereafter. The experiences from then, really do (as much as Calvin would hate it) build character. No matter what you say, those days are the building blocks of what we all are today, and what we stand to be. We may change over time and not be recognizable to others who we grew up with, but its all a cumulative experience from day 1, and the effect, I feel, decreases over time.

Happy Birthday Rosette

2009-06-28T20:59:00.000-07:00

Roads go ever ever on,
 Over rock and under tree, 
By caves where never sun has shone, 
By streams that never find the sea: 
Over rain by winter sown, 
And through the merry flowers of June,
 Over grass and over stone, 
And under mountains in the moon.

One year. They say one travels far in one year. Who would have guessed, it would have been ten thousand miles! Today marks the first birthday. The first of many more to come. Together, we've roamed the country side, and visited cities. We've spent hours together, alone, and in the company of friends. Life in itself became a lot easier to live once we got to be friends. A small bump along the road, but a few days and all was forgotten. Today, I say Happy Birthday.

A very Happy Birthday Rosette!

The long and winding road
That leads from your door
Will never disappear

The Connected Professional

2009-06-18T07:27:00.000-07:00

We live in a world surrounded by the ever present network. No matter where you go, the network is there to keep you company. At work, one is always tethered to the network, wireless though it may be. There is always the flow of emails, calls, online discussions, meetings, and calendar alerts. Sometimes, however, one wonders if we take it too far.

Just the other day, a guy standing in the urinal stall next to me, was doing his business, and his business. He was on a conference call. I just hope he remembered to keep it on mute! I've also seen a guy come out of the closed stalls to wash his hands, while holding his laptop.

Are we so used to being connected that even when when we have to go, we still cant let go? Or is there something more disturbing going on? For now, I just hope for a new policy.

The Bombay Connection

2009-06-14T23:09:00.000-07:00

Its a city which boasts a population of 20 million people. That's about 2 thousandths of the world's total populace. Twenty million faces to choose from in nearly 7 billion. Yet, no matter where you go, you always see someone familiar. Its a little unnerving if you think about it.

The connections can be astounding. The more time spent dwelling on the intertwining threads and the more bewildered one can become. Just the other day, I met a person who went to high school with my friend from grad school, a friend of his from undergrad, was my classmate at school, and he works with a classmate of mine from grad school. All from Bombay!

What is it about this city? I've heard so many people complain that we Bombay folk are everywhere. At every turn, you'll meet someone from some part of the city. Its like a tie that binds, and draws us together.

If Music be the Food of Life....

2009-06-07T02:06:00.000-07:00

.... then rock on

It all started quite simply over dinner. A conversation of upcoming events and things to do. That's when I learned of the BFD.

The Saturday began like any weekend should, slow and relaxed. After a few basic chores, it was time to get ready and head out to Shoreline Amphitheater. A quick stop at a friend's place, meet her friends, and we head out to grab a bite before the concert.

Eating brunch, a text arrives from another friend, who announces that parking is hell, and the Airborne Toxic Event will go on very very soon. A mad rush to finish, and then a final dash as we reach the amphitheater, allowed us to just make the start of the ATE. What followed next was a day full of live music.

Before I get into the lineup, one band that I will always remember. Mute Math. The last part of their set involved the drummer just taking the lead. All the bands music was centered around the drummer. He even got up and climbed part of the stage to play the "drums" on the metal poles that held up the stage. He then jumped into a mosh pit with his drum, and was well supported by the crowd as he played his drums. That drummer really stole the show :-)

As for the lineup of what I heard...
• Airborne Toxic Event
• Mute Math
• Metric
• Rebelution
• Alkaline Trio
• Taking Back Sunday
• Dead Confederate
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs
• 311 &
• The Offspring

Some of the music of these artists can be found here. All lovely music. Most of which I had never heard before, but will be sure to hear again.

2009-05-12T11:30:00.000-07:00

Sitting in the bay, one is often made to forget where you actually are. All around, one sees shops, restaurants and people who will conveniently make it appear that you are back in India. The grocery stores, the chaat houses, the fusion restaurants, the floating languages, the constant cricket, everywhere you look there is something to remind u of India.

But this is not India. It takes a trip to India to figure that out. It takes a trip to Bombay to realize what you remember is not India, its Bombay. The smell of salt. Humidity which makes u sweat as soon as you shower. The walks by the sea. Watching the sun disappear into the vast expanse of blue.

Then there are the delicacies. The Chinese food here is simply amazing. In spite of the gazillion south Indian restaurants in the bay, one always misses Spring Dosa! Fresh lime soda, is another treat yet to be exported.

Sitting here and looking there, at the bay, one wonders, what is it that I reminisce about. Is it India, or is it the city that I came from?

Sunset and the Sea

2009-05-11T21:27:00.000-07:00

He would always visit whenever he could. Every evening, he would steal out of the house, and make his way to her. He would walk besides her, silently. Sometimes he would listen to his music, other times it was just her crashing into the world around. He was always in awe. The moon had a crazy influence on her. Depending on the time, there would be a steady breeze as they walked, or there would be a deep calm in the air.

It's been a while since he walked next to her. Yesterday he sat and just watched. Finally, after two years he saw a complete sunset. The sun slowly reached down to her surface, and she swallowed him whole in a span of minutes.

Disenfranchised

2009-05-02T00:42:00.000-07:00

It is considered to be one of the biggest undertakings in the world. Seven hundred million people come together to make a decision. A decision that drives one of the greatest gatherings of humans on this planet. Five days spread across a month, resulting in a select few people chosen to rule and govern the second most populous country here on Earth.

It has been five years since the last such exercise. Five years in which a jumble of people with mixed ideologies, and different sets of promises fought together for their way of doing things. Given recent scenarios, five years, although the stipulated term, was indeed a long time.

Normally, such events pass by the average person, as he looks on with apathy at the state of affairs, and has no hope of inducing change. Normally, the choice is between a rock and a hard place. Normally, this choice just doesn't make sense. This time around, there was a drive. A desire. Something had shaken the people, and there was a determination in participating in this electoral ballet.

I too had decided to help in making this decision. This being the second time in casting the ballot, and the first one having gone smoothly, I expected no trouble at all. As usual, this country decided to surprise me. Much to my dismay, and frustration, my name had been deleted from the voter's list. More so, I was not the only one who suffered such a shock. Half the buildings in the colony where I live, suffered this same fate. Don't get me wrong. My name was present on the annexure, but, it was also graced by a mark in red, deleted. A reason could not be determined. A complaint was lodged to the overseer of the elections in the area, no less. Yet there was nothing to be done. Reading a news report later, it seems this will be rectified in time for the local elections in a few months time.

A day after this exercise, the media is afloat with shock and dismay. "The city which was angry at its treatment, sleeps when it matters", they say. "A long weekend, coupled with a heat wave, keeps city slickers away", says another. When rural India sends 60% of its population to the polls, there is no excuse that a city as educated as this one, should send only 40%. Even the celebrities were in a state of shock. They had flown back to the city to cast their ballots, and yet the common man had let them down.

If only, there were a voice stronger than the individual common man. This voice would let it be known, that an interesting play with lists of names could very well be the cause of a low turnout.

The Hunt

2009-04-05T18:13:00.000-07:00

It happens to us all. One day it happened to him. Sitting alone on his sofa, enjoying the weather, sipping a glass of cold coffee and curled up with a book, the idea jumped up and bit him like a sly snake in the grasses. Like venom which slowly passes through the system taking over the body, this idea had been planted, and now no matter what he tried, he could not shake it.

The thought of this need now firmly in his mind, he decided to act on it. It was time to proactively go out and begin the hunt. This was a mission, and he would call on all his abilities to see it through to the fabulous end. It was a unique task, no doubt, but something he did not see as beyond his grasp.

After a few weeks of trying the usual hangouts, he was getting frustrated. The task at hand, hadn't seemed as complicated at first. Yet, with every passing day, it seemed to get ever more daunting. He had been to all the usual places, and there was not a trace of what he was looking for. He even began to try visiting newer places, but still came up empty handed. Its been nearly 2 months since that day, and he is still unsuccessful in his bid.

Even now, however, he has not given up and the hunt continues. So, if anyone happens to know where in the bay area he can get his hands on some baby corn, do drop him a note.

Rocking Monday

2009-03-30T22:12:00.000-07:00

Somehow they always have a bad reputation about themselves. There is something about them, the attitude they wear, the way they carry themselves. Smug, and indifferent, they just march on with no respect of those whose shadows in which they tread. This Monday morning was no different. It came in and shook the house. Literally.

To paraphrase a friend, try starting your week with an Earthquake, things can only stabilize after that. I felt my 2nd ever earthquake this morning while sitting at my desk at work. At first, it felt innocuously like someone was running in the hallways, but slowly it dawned on me, and the people around me that we were in the midst of a grinding slip in the ground below us.

Someone asked me if it was scary. I wouldn't describe it as scary, however. It was an interesting feeling, the kind you get when you are half asleep and you try to stand on your wobbly legs. Only, you are still sitting down.

Chocolate

2009-03-22T16:47:00.000-07:00

The world is in love with chocolate. Its a simple bean, ground, and mixed with some things, (for the pure of heart) some more, for the more adventurous. It was this love that I was chasing down, as I drove for nearly an hour to get to a warehouse filled with stalls of chocolate. Thirty thousand square feet of space and about 40 stalls of chocolate vendors. Many people would describe this as heaven.

The place itself was huge, and geeks that we were, we looked around and noticed how it would be an interesting place to detect location, especially with the crowd moving around as it did. (Never mind, don't try, you may not get it). A slow amble around the place, was soon replaced by a quick determination. We were on a mission. There was chocolate in the room, and we were here to taste it all.

There were Belgian chocolates, Swiss chocolates, truffles, caramels, fruity ones, and nutty ones. Some were pure, some were baked, some were roasted, some were powdered. There were flakes, and there were chunks. And there was a crowd trying to get at it all.

I had never come across such a variety, and it was indeed quite fun. Some flavors that still linger on my mind? Well the list isn't that long.

Orange-mandarin.
Guava.
Red Cayenne Pepper.
Ginger root and ginger oil.

For the more traditional,

100% dark cocoa.
Sage.
Rosemary.
Tea.
Chamomile and Honey.

Even more traditional

Milk.
Hazelnut.
Almond.
Peanut
50%, 70%

Swiss chocolate, world renowned as it is, proved itself once more. The cup of hot cocoa that they served has etched itself in my memory, and may prevent me from ordering hot chocolate ever again. There was something in the lingering after taste that my brain cant process, and that puzzles the tongue.

Towards the end, we reached a point, that, and yes, I am ashamed to admit it, we could not get ourselves to have another sample. It was just too much for the system to handle. With that feeling, slightly light headed on cocoa and sugar, we headed out to the ocean.

Spring Wonder

2009-03-15T19:41:00.000-07:00

He woke with a start. Was that the birds he could hear? Birds chirping? Could that mean... could it really... was spring actually here?

Would this spring bring with it something new, something fresh?

Sometimes its just time to wonder.

Exploited.. Threatened... In Duress..

2009-03-08T23:43:00.000-07:00

Sensationalism. Something the media seems to pine for. Today's news is no longer about accurate, honest reporting about the facts. Its more than that. Only the facts that would cause people to think, or protest, or just listen in awe are the ones being broadcast by the media. If its not sensational its not newsworthy. If something changed and the story lost its sensational attributes, silently drop it. Maybe nobody will notice. In most cases nobody does.

The world is in a crisis today. There is a systemic failure, and its mainly been caused by greed and laziness. Greed in New York, where bankers saw a quick way to make money, and pass the buck on to someone else who could repackage the bad, into something good and keep up the chain. Laziness in Detroit where the auto manufacturers refused to innovate, and improve their cars because they had the unions to hold them up. Cue the failure of NY, and the money disappears, this causes less spending, which then chokes the entire system. People start losing jobs, and the cycle continues. Someone needs to break the cycle, but nobody is brave enough, or has the resources to do so. The government may be trying, but there's only so much it can do. If you let capitalism rule the roost, add expect the fit to survive, you'll end up in a monopolistic world with the few guys smart enough to have planned for this surviving. One can argue, good for them, they had back ups and they knew how to make it through the worst of it. I agree with them, but its hard to voice such an opinion with the media adding its own spin, bias and lack of information to it all.

Recently, a comedy host, one of my best sources for news these days, exposed the way a reputed news channel squandered away every opportunity it had to be a good reporter, and one which would have been respected and honored all over the world. Its all about the feel good factor, one would say. If you really want to spread the feel good factor, don't call it news, call it a soap opera, or a drama. Going by the ignorance is bliss philosophy doesn't really help, and now there are a whole lot of people with really messed up investments, and a lot of lost money, just because they followed the trusted sources that the anchors had. Have a look at the story:

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

CNBC Gives Financial Advice

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things With Demetri Martin

Political Humor
Joke of the Day

Another favorite topic of the media, is the visa situation. A certain class of employees are hired from overseas under a temporary worker program. In most cases, such people are talented and highly educated. The argument being put forth by most people here is that such people take away the now scarce jobs from the locals. Its reached a point that some senators have issued letters to companies asking them to eliminate the foreigners before the locals. This might make sense, if you decide to ignore the macroeconomic scenarios. These foreigners are mainly Indians and Chinese. These guys [1] will work no end to make sure work gets done. They will make sure they pay off all their loans. They will save. They will spend as needed. They will make sure that the credit crunch doesn't hit credit cards. We'll let it slide that this was ignored.

This "request" by the senators got picked up by the Indian media, and immediately caused an outpouring of complaints by companies that work as consultants to send people to work the same jobs at less than half the cost. The ones that really exploit this program. They complained the loudest, and their voices were heard. The government also issued a statement that this was unjust and discriminatory. When, finally, one of the companies here, to whom this letter was written, refused to comply with the senators request, the story mysteriously disappeared from the news. Not one blog/news channel/website in India reported it, and left people thinking that there was an undue bias out there.

Why is it that we have such a powerful organ in the media, that works so unchecked, and wantonly creates stories out of nothing, with no concern for correcting false impressions that their stories create? Why can the media just go about and do this? Are we that gullible? Are we so inundated with the boredom of life that we need to have something sensational happen for us to pay attention? Where are the days of news being reported because its news, not because its a story? These are some of the many points that I ponder about when I accidentally reach a news channel these days.

2009-02-21T17:36:00.000-08:00

Nine pm on a Friday night, and who would have thought it possible; especially as widespread as this? All hours, and spread across "cities." Who would have thought it possible at all? It was day one, but it still is hard to fathom. A Hindi movie sold out both in Santa Clara, and Fremont. Delhi-6 sure seemed popular. And I thought, it would be strange not to bump into someone we knew.

Slightly more than 12 hours later, we did get to see the movie. Standing outside the theater, after the show, I met three friends, and had I looked around I would have seen at least 2 more, I am assured.

*****

Sometimes, he just acted on impulse. Standing out on a limb, with nothing to prove, but just the impulse to go on. Maybe someday this impulse would generate a response. Someday soon, before everything is sold out.

Lady Snow

2009-02-16T00:01:00.000-08:00

Its a different feeling, when, living in the rain and sun, you embark on a journey to see the snow. Waking up early in the morning, to take a bus in order to do this, adds to the effect. Going to sleep in the rain, and waking up surrounded by snow, almost makes it magical.

Throw snowboarding into the mix. All the while, the snow just kept cascading down. The snow coupled with the winds, and, me, constantly tumbling around in it, was a lovely feeling altogether. Add to this the fact that my moustache froze over completely. Lunch time, and i was combing off icicles.

Tumbles and falls later, a quick change, some hydration, and back in the bus for the ride home. By now the snow was almost pounding down, as if sad to see us go. Not to worry, lady snow, for we shall return.

2009-02-14T02:57:00.000-08:00

Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. This beholder has seen a lot of beauty today. Rain drops which float to the ground masquerading as snowflakes. Blue skies with a patch of black and that black causes ice to come crashing down. The soft cotton look of clouds coating the hills in the distance.

*****

It is often safer to be in chains than be free. But then what's life all about? To stay secure and safe and not take a leap? That's not living, that's existing. Think different, be different. Be the change you want to see in yourself.

*****

And once again its a small world. A party for a friend's roommate's girlfriend, at a friend's house and whom do i meet? The roommate of the guy i met for dinner prior to the party. A whole bunch of people who work for the company in the area. A few more familiar faces with no names attached. And of course, a very good friend's very good friend, who in fact, at one point faked knowing me.

Next?

2009-02-11T23:33:00.000-08:00

And so it happens. A casual conversation. I was glad, of course. But it took a while to sink in, to register.

People have been looking to me. Its not like I don't know, its just that I take too long. When the brain decides to listen, its already too late. Of course, there are also the million restrictions that the world decides to enforce.

Why Care?

2009-02-08T20:00:00.000-08:00

He looked dazed. Maybe he was thinking. Or was he day dreaming? One couldn't tell by looking at him. He just sat there with a sloppy grin on his face, and looked at the people who passed him. Only he would know what was going on in his mind. So I moved on.

*****

I looked at him. He stared at me wondering what I was doing. Thats when I realized I had a stupid smirk on my face. Before I could wipe it off, he had walked on. I had been too deep in thought to worry about my face.

Why care so much? The world around is a mess. The people are a mess. They think too much of themselves (me included). You take time to cultivate a bond, a friendship, and you get blown off at any opportune moment. You strive hard to attain the impossible, and the impossible moves on, leaving you with outdated goals. Update your goals, and you move too fast, don't, and you go extinct. People live nomadic existences. Where you are isn't as important as who you are, or what you do. We move from one lush pasture to another. Degrading everything as we go. A line from the movie Matrix, comes to mind, but its been too often thought about, and will not be quoted here. Greed is rampant. Its every being for themselves. Selfishness seems to be the way of the world.

In such a world, why care? Cut the throat of the competition and get ahead. Make your own mark. Ignore everyone. Ignore everything. Its me and I time. Say it. "Why do I deserve it? Why not him? Or her?"

But then, is this how we work? No. Its one big intertwined mess. A tangle of threads that the sisters of fate have made a mess of. The tapestry that is us, started out well, and then went from patchwork to just a knotted mass of twine.

So, again. Why care so much? Is it just our nature. Is our "evolved" brain doing this for some benefit, or it some outdated characteristic of ours that forgot to go the way of our appendix?

It was a complex thought process. And I wondered, why DID I care? What chemical imbalance did I have that others didn't have to suffer through. They could move on untouched, and unharmed, while I just had to stop and think.

qahwat al-būnn

2009-02-07T20:58:00.000-08:00

Its what drives this country. Or so it seems. Every morning, as you reach work, you are greeted with the smell of this bean. From giving goats the ability to dance after having a snack during grazing, to becoming a staple in many an American's breakfast, this drink has indeed come a long way.

Today, this drink has become more than just a drink. Its become a symbol. Walk into work early in the morning, and the elevator has its fragrance lingering. Look around you, and you see why. Everyone has a cup in hand. Its become a way of talking to people. Enter a place, and talk while you sip. Its a way of actually just getting to know someone, and of course, the ever famous not-quite-a-date. A cup of coffee is all it takes to keep the social circles spinning over time.

And to think it was just the wine of a bean.

Ships

2009-02-03T21:31:00.000-08:00

Growing up by the sea, one always had a view of those magnificent vessels floating in the distance. There was something about them, as they seemed to cling to the horizon. Always beyond reach, always just there.

Even now, living close to the ocean, the fascination for ships, ships of all kinds, continues.

Black and Gold

2009-02-02T22:46:00.000-08:00

A city with a legacy. A city with a franchise. A city with its own charms, with bridges to everywhere. A city which brings together three ever flowing streams. A city know for its grit, and a little bit of sauce. A city made of steel. And the city which bleeds black and gold. The city is Pittsburgh, home of Steeler Nation.

This one is for the other thumb!

XXVI

2008-12-29T13:21:00.001-08:00

And there was cake. Hanging out with friends. Old and new. Watching movies. Eating good food. Receiving gifts. Playing monopoly. Just hanging out. Relaxing. A drive. Serenity. Noise. Talking on the phone. Catching up. Just talking. Lego. Cards. Pictures. Enjoyable!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T09:46:00.000-08:00

He turned, and opened his eyes. The air outside looked dark and gloomy. He smiled. Was it possible? Here, after all these years, was it really possible? He got out of bed, and opened the blinds. The sky seemed to have turned a dark gray. He forgot where he was, and just waited. Maybe, just maybe, it would happen today.

And then the sky burst. Pellets of water came rushing to the ground. The chatter they made as they hit the garage roof played a melodious tune in his mind. He looked away, a little dismayed. He had hoped for a white Christmas, like he had read about, like this one.

Instead, he got a rainy Christmas. If it were a little colder, he thought, it'd be snowing. That thought in mind, and the gorgeous rain brought a smile on his face. Two years, he thought, two years and it didn't snow anywhere near this day, anywhere near him. Today all the lands that he'd left are covered in snow, and all he can think of is how the rain takes him to an even further time, and a farther place.

He looked at his tree, and thought, "Now that's a gift to remember."
Merry Christmas everyone!

2008-12-23T15:54:00.000-08:00

He paused. He could hear a rumble in the distance. This wasn't the first time. This time he was sure it was not his imagination playing tricks with him. The rumble grew louder, and a dust cloud appeared. It was time.

The world had been steadily changing, yet he managed to maintain his stride. This time, however, it would be different. He knew, this time there was no escape. The rumble approached, and the cloud engulfed him.

He looked to his side, and smiled. There was hope. He would survive, but whether he would come out of it alone would remain a mystery.

Recipe of ...

2008-12-07T19:59:00.000-08:00

He opened the door. Inside, a yellow light let its tiny presence felt. The frigid space, unresponsive to the feeble power of the light, stood out in a defiant white. It was barren in there, and there was nothing to be found. Unperturbed, he closed the door.

He opened the second door. It was as if this was what the first world would become if left untouched. The power of the chill seemed to have overpowered the light, and frost had managed to coat the surfaces that were visible. A few lumps lay here and there, as reminders of what may have once been something of importance, or even use to him. Now this was just a cold and barren icy world. He closed the door.

He decided to step out. He walked towards another door. This one opened itself. Inside he could see the difference. This world was bright and lively. It was teeming with color. There were greens, yellows, reds, and even purples all around him. This stark contrast to what he had just seen stunned him. He was left confused. There were too many options, and he had no idea where to start.

He wanted to bring some of this life from the grocery store back to his fridge at home, but had run out of recipes to cook.

Responsibility (n)

2008-11-29T12:35:00.000-08:00

The state, quality, or fact of being characterized by good judgment or sound thinking.

A simple word, one which we all talk about, and one which is expected of everyone, especially those who have the power of influence. It is also a word that just could not be used without flinching this past week. This has been one quality that has been shown in such poor light recently.

Look at the media. They have been a complete failure. They know the power that they wield. A single line mentioned on the news, can lead to panic running through everybody's mind. Yet, they failed in the most basic of rules of the media. Verify your sources, and confirm your story before broadcasting. A retraction, or an apology, no matter how soon after the remark, will not have the impact as the damage will already have been done. But these news channels, all they cared about was ratings.

A shocking part of these days was the lack of thought by reporters. No matter what the situation, applying common sense always helps. I can't imagine what they were thinking when they openly narrated military strategy for all the viewers. Don't you think, the very people who are being targeted watch TV, or have access to people who do? What were you thinking? In the drive to "make the public aware", a line was crossed. There is such a thing as too much information. Responsible journalism knows where that line gets drawn, and will never cross it. This was just dumb and irresponsible. But the media, all it cared about was ratings.

These tragic series of events have brought many things to the forefront of people's thoughts. The call for change, the desire for cleansing, the anger of actions. But one of these doesn't get as much coverage, it cant. We need to work on the immaturity of our journalists. They need to know how to act responsibly.

2008-11-27T12:32:00.000-08:00

It was a night just like any other.
Then it stood alone.

There's been so much coverage about the gun battles, the grenades, the hostages, but there's been no talk about the impact. All they say is, this is the city that never sleeps. The city with a spirit that cant be broken. The resilience of its people is paraded to the world. Disaster upon disaster strikes the city, and yet the city continues to live, to breathe, and move on.

Why? Not because she can, but because she has to. Its not like she has a choice. A city as bustling as this one, if it stops, its as good as time standing still. And time cant stand still, especially not here. How long can this continue? The people tire, the city bleeds, and lies in a mess.

The tv talks about the spirit. The politicians talk about coming together. The people are just tired, and angry. Talking to friends, I can see their blood boil. The biggest question is "WHY? What do they want? And how do they achieve it by doing this?"

I dont see any sense in trying to ratioalise it, however. Their thought process is just different. They can justify it based on their ideas. To them, like many others, the ends justify the means. There is no real way to see what runs in their mind. There is not much we can do.

No, I'm not saying we just give up and just absorb this. We cant. It will destroy us all. I dont have the answers, I just know anger is what they want, and it serves no purpose.

It was a night just like any other.
Then it stood alone.

Runaway Train

2008-11-23T16:12:00.000-08:00

Seems like I should be getting somewhere
Somehow I'm neither here nor there

The train hurtled on down the track. He just sat there, looking out the glass window, watching the scenery rush past. Station after station, the train just steamed on. There hadn't been a stop for sometime now, and he was just enamored by the various views that he was privy to in this journey.

A thought struck him. He decided to get off at the next station. The train just kept moving. The sun rose, the sun set, but the train wouldn't stop. Finally, he just pulled the chain, and the train screeched to a halt.

He opened the door, and stepped out. He should listen more often.

Disconnected

2008-11-18T21:34:00.000-08:00

There's been a lot of talk these days of a man who strove for change, who now has to change. A drive that culminates in being cut off from the world, in a way. The argument is that his new role would demand unfiltered information, and all his decrees would have to be made public.

Its been only five years since I entered that bandwagon. From a basic connection, to one with a camera, to the best selling piece this year. I wonder, would I be able to give it up, even for a day? Its already one of the things that I check for before I close the door at home. Is it just me?

Have we become so reliant on the network we have? I hate the irony of using the phrase, "the human network," but is that what we've become? Its already well accepted that we are a social species, and technology seems to have made it easier to be social while being anti-social all the same. "Connecting" with others through our hand-held devices, laptops, while sitting at home or at work. That's evolution!

Don't hang up on me, cause
I'm hung up on you

Haunting times

2008-11-16T21:50:00.000-08:00

There used to be an aura of invincibility in the air. No wrong could be done, and nothing could ever have an impact. Yet, time has a nasty way of healing some things, yet cracking others. Under the constant beat of time, even a rock weathers into sand...

BUT

..this sand can do so much more. It drives the world, and causes happiness.

Respect

2008-11-11T14:11:00.000-08:00

Money and power, they amount to nothing, unless we have respect. Respect, its the one thing humans chase after. In the struggle to gain it, we can do all sorts of things. Some pander to the masses, sparking the already heated dry leaves that make the populace. Others pander to the masses, soothing the rash that has become the world. In their own way, they try to bring "good" and strive towards excellence in what they do. After all, its all about being respected.

"Respect is the ultimate currency." - The Inside Man.

What do u say?

2008-11-10T22:38:00.000-08:00

You have that ideal in your head. One you aspire to. A perfect reunion. A perfect gathering. That one idea, in that one place, at that specific time. The one you plan for in all your dreams.

Then it happens, and you are left speechless. What do you really want to say?

Experience

2008-11-09T19:07:00.000-08:00

Personal knowledge from participation, or the actual act of participation? Noun or verb? What strikes your fancy?

An interesting ride, in recent history. From farewells, to introductions. Reconnection seems to be a theme of the year, with so many conversations continuing from their previous pause. A rose. A dance. Some drives. Amazing performances, and them some hard luck. Preparations, and then a big leap. Into the unknown? With a guide?

It is from these experiences that we build our experience.

... and what else?

2008-11-02T21:23:00.000-08:00

They just sat there. It didn't matter between whom the conversation transpired, or under what circumstances. After a while they just sat there. Everything just dried up, and one couldn't guess why. Normally loquacious, people just lost their train of thoughts. Maybe it had to happen. Constant contact could lead to a famine. There also existed the possibility that some things aren't meant to be shared. Not with that person. Or maybe you just want to know. And then you have those words "... and what else?"

Here She Comes

2008-10-30T22:24:00.000-07:00

The sky was a dull grey this morning. A fog breathed around the world, and many houses used internal lights to prepare themselves for the long day ahead. There was a smell in the air, a smell that could only mean one thing. She was on her way. She hadn't been seen for a long time now. Yet, with a silence that somehow defied her mere existence, she slowly made an entrance.

She finally made her appearance late in the day. And then she made herself comfortable. Her scent lingered wherever she went, a scent that is unquestionably unique, and that nobody else dare mimic. She dared us to come out and play. Some of us did. Some of us even ran around with her. (No, not around trees)

And just like every new arrival, she caused panic in some. Cynosure that she is, will she cause traffic problems? What will happen to airports? Will she just spite us and cut electricity?

That's right, the rains are here, and the scent of the first persistent rainfall on dry mud, lingers in the air as i write this. What surprises me is that even here, in California, with 1 inch of rain, people worry about power cuts, and traffic jams! What has the world come to......

A Rant

2008-10-21T19:25:00.000-07:00

The world is always in a constant state of change. Through the years of their existence, humans have "tamed" the world around them. In the early days they had to rely on the environment to help them survive. Soon they learned the art of making tools. Stones became cutting instruments. They could make fire. They sharpened them, got better, and soon they learned of metals. Metals provided better instruments to help them survive. To defend themselves, to live, to conquer. In time, humans had the wheel, and slowly power. They created electricity, the telegraph, the telephone. The industrial age saw a host of new inventions, all making life easier, more comfortable, and quickening the pace of life.

One can say that all this increased the quality of life, to make humans live longer, fuller and happier lives. But look around. All this innovation, technological marvels we call them, are they really that good? The quantity of life around us has grown, but what can we say about the quality? Is this age of technological revolution really all its made out to be? The world is suffering around us, and the few that are lucky, are enjoying what they can of Gaea, before the greed and selfishness that is our primal nature destroy everything around us.

We survived one ice age, which saw a lot of the earth subdued. Now we are triggering a heat wave. A heat wave that is slowly snowballing into something that can have dire consequences. Are we really that cocky a race? Or is it the case with all the creatures here? The privileged few, rule over the powerless masses. A strong argument against my stand is that not everyone dominates in this manner. We have many people who reach out, and try to bring the world closer together, to better the people who suffer. But, how many, I ask? Out of the billion who can, a few million, help? Is that enough?

What can we do? If this is not enough? Baby steps is the way, but soon the baby must walk, and run. Baby steps cant keep going on forever. Education is always seen as the most important thing to impart. Once a person knows what is happening, he/she can always react to it better themselves.

The world is getting too interconnected for countries to stand idly by, and watch others destroy themselves. It is also too connected for countries to impart their belief system on others which are surviving. What we probably need is a dawn of realization. We need to learn to cooperate. We need to look at life without thinking internal bickering, or politics. Yet, I wonder, how can a social animal like humans ever lift oneself up from this petty behaviour? Well, we need to find a way, or else our days are numbered.

Hole

2008-10-20T18:17:00.001-07:00

He looked all around him. He wasn't sure what it was. He just felt this gaping void. Unsure what it was, he got up, and looked ahead. The road was empty. He looked behind; the wind had dusted away his footprints. There was no trace of him, or his journey. By his sides, he saw the people he had made his journey with. Some were soldiering on with him, most were taking their diversions. There were roughly the same number of people now, as there had been at the start. Some of the faces had changed, however.

It had been quite an interesting journey, so far. Lately, the road hadn't changed much. There was no scenery in sight, and the sky was always a dull grey. Nothing like the beginning, where the terrain kept changing, and the skies would turn from bright blue to black with streaks at a moment's notice.

Maybe it was this monotony that had triggered it. Maybe a distraction was needed. Maybe, he just wanted to add to the scenery.

Whatever it was, there was just this hole, and all he could do was walk on.

Dominoes

2008-10-06T22:22:00.000-07:00

They sat around the room, and admired their handiwork. It hadn't been easy. A lot of hard work had gone into what they now had magnificently spread across the room. Small bricks, in themselves quite ordinary, now lined up, in a twisting, intermingling manner. Together, they formed an intricate piece of art. Beauty personified, and intensely inter-linked. They were quite pleased.

All it took was a sneeze. That triggered 1 fall, the rest just followed.

Similar to whats happening around us today, only this wasn't just one sneeze, it was a prolonged infection of the flu, clouding the vision, and blurring the judgement of everyone at the reigns.

Small World

2008-10-01T09:31:00.000-07:00

There is just one moon and one golden sun
And a smile means friendship to everyone.
Though the mountains divide
And the oceans are wide
It's a small small world

Half way across the world, he looked around him. Who would have guessed that this would have been the situation? In a country that the world aspires to be associated with. The country in turmoil slowly bringing every other country tumbling down economically. The interlinking was strong, but now the world begins to unravel the knots that weigh them down.

He looked closer. Reunions were taking place. Classmates for 10 years, out of contact for the next 10, and now living about 20 miles apart. Friends last seen 8 years ago, now in the same building at work. Classmates for 2 years, then for 2 more. Colleagues for 2 years, then 2 years of school, and now colleagues again.

Time really knows how to bridge the gap.

It's a world of laughter, a world or tears
Its a world of hopes, its a world of fear
Theres so much that we share
That its time we're aware
Its a small world after all

...and the world came tumbling down

2008-09-16T08:08:00.000-07:00

Just a day,
Just an ordinary day.
Just trying to get by.

The world, today, rocks in turmoil. Crisis after crisis plague the many corners of the planet. Its not enough that we live in a world where not everyone is lucky enough to get the basic necessities, like food, water, and medicine. Its not enough that those who do get such amenities don't think twice about it. These people then go ahead and burn some of the rare resources that we still have. Oil, very important in today's context, yet not really something we can live without. Creating oil, is a process thousands of years in the making, but with the deforestation in the world, there are no trees to shed leaves to help in creating such natural resources. If there are trees, they wont be there for long.

And then you have the human crisis. The population is ballooning to never before proportions. One may not think it fair to compare us to microbes, which just keep expanding as they constantly divide, but a little thought shows the analogy to be quite fair. There are, as always, two perspectives to it. Either we are the virus that plagues the planet, concentrating on the major organs (cities) of society, as said in the Matrix, or we are the antibodies that hover around the diseased zones (cities), and ignore the safe, and healthier (rural) areas of the world. The population distribution that we see today works in both ways. With large populations, you have a large variety of ideologies, some of which are bound to conflict with one another. And as the number of people increases, the responses that people have can vary a significant amount. Where someone would just turn a blind eye, someone else might respond with a slap in the face.

And now, you have greed. One of the seven deadly sins. Greed has now overtaken the marketplace of the world. The desire to earn more barter-able goods in a quicker fashion, allowed for us to enter the state we are in. In today's world, more money means more power, and more power is always good. Finance across the world depends on finance in one city. The traders of the world reside in one place where slight problems got ignored in the hope that time could tide over the problems. As is always the case in such a situation, Murphy stirred, and the world came tumbling down.

But what can I do? I'm just the stupid common man.

Just a boy,
Just an ordinary boy.
And he was looking to the stars.

Golden Eyes

2008-08-16T01:08:00.000-07:00

With golden eyes
And though I hardly know them
I let them in my veins
And lay trust with every sight.

Its been 9 months since his retirement. He did come out of retirement for a short while, but the load seemed too much for him, and he served only for the rare special occasions.

He has finally been put to rest.

Junior finally arrived today. Small, pocket sized, and power packed. Sure, it will take a while to adjust, but times change.

Here's to many years of scenes, people and clicks in general.

Kulfi

2008-08-09T22:25:00.001-07:00

Milk, and sugar frozen solid. No, this isn't ice cream. Its in an entire league all by itself. With flavours like pistachio, mango, elaichi, kesar, and malai, every bite tingles every taste bud.

Its amazing, how its the little things like this that count. Talk to anyone been here for a while, and the list of things missed will never be something big, its always something taken for granted. Like kulfi.. :-)

1000 miles

2008-08-03T00:14:00.000-07:00

Making my way downtown
Walking fast
Faces passed
And I'm home bound

Staring blankly ahead
Just making my way
Making my way
Through the crowd

But I would drive five hundred miles
And I would drive five hundred more
Just to be the man who drove a thousand miles
To fall down at your door

You know I'd drive
A thousand miles
If I could
Just see you
Tonight

Five weeks, and 1000 miles. :-)

25 mi or 40 km!

2008-07-27T10:26:00.000-07:00

Bright and early on Saturday morning, when the world slept, 5 troopers began their long trek. It was going to be a challenge, especially for a couple of us newbies to the world of treks. My biggest, prior to this was about 16 km, and I took a whole day to do that :-)

We began the trek at about 645 am, and started out quite well. We were making good time, doing about 3 miles every hour, and with a break every hour for a power bar, we maintained that pace. Along the way, we came across Berry Creek Falls.

Further in, about 5 miles to our destination we started seeing runners on the trail heading towards us. After many attempts to read their t-shirts as they ran to us, we figured out that they were part of the Nike Team in Training troop, practicing for an upcoming half marathon. I was aware of this foundation through a friend, who is preparing for the marathon with them.

The highlight of the trip out was the midway point. Waddell beach. There's nothing better after a 4 hr hike than to soak your feet in the ice cold water of the Pacific, and then lie down and bask in the warm sunshine.

One hour later, it was time to go back. The return trip started just as well, with us maintaining the 3 mile/hr rate. Soon, as the feet began to give in, and the strain began to show, we dropped in pace. We made the return trip in about 5 hours, still quite commendable I think.

Once we hit the asphalt of the park's head office, walking became a severe strain. The feet had blisters, but the exhilaration of having just walked 40 km (it sounds bigger in kilometres) was enough to stave off that feeling for later.

At home, the first thing I did was to soak myself for 45 minutes in hot water. That really helped relax the body, and allowed for a wonderful 12 hr long night's sleep.

All in all a great experience, that really tests the endurance of the body, and a whole lot of fun!

The trail, from Big Basin Website:

Skyline to the Sea Trail to Waddell Beach

One Way.

What to see: Spectacular views!

Location: The Whole Park, Mid Park areas, Pacific Ocean.

Length: ~12.5 miles~20 kms

Time: ~6 hours

Elevation: ~+/-1000'

The journey, even if u were to drive:

Toys

2008-07-22T20:34:00.000-07:00

About a year ago, I wrote about being technologically challenged. I wrote about being in a world where technology is because it can be, not because it is really needed. Looking back, I can see a change. The change in itself is quite interesting. From being in a place where such things would be conversation stoppers for lack of knowledge, they are now part and parcel of everyday life.

Just recently I obtained a new set of toys. Gadgets, if you will. Living in this country for just shy of two years, and living on a budget that would be make many a man cringe, the sudden freedom of getting back to corporate life is mind numbing.

I've been here just under two months now. I live on my own in a 1 bedroom apartment. I own my own car. Whats a car in this country without a navigation system? Yes, I have a GPS receiver for the car (it really is mighty useful). Daily chores can be quite a task. The apartment has a dishwasher, and I now have my own Roomba. (Whats a Roomba? In simple terms, its a robotic vacuum cleaner. That's right, just switch it on, and it cleans the house. When its done, it goes and recharges itself. )

One year can make all the change. From being lost not knowing about a world of technology, I'm now lost in the world of technology.

Déjà vu

2008-07-03T22:16:00.000-07:00

New places, new people, new feelings, new times. Yet something just feels the same.

Eight years ago, life expanded from a world in a 10 mile radius, to one that covered the city. It went from a perspective of town, to one which had the suburbs. It went from high school to college. And soon, that was the norm.

Four years ago, the world went from one city, to two, and then to three. I went from the boy at home, to the person who worked. The traveller of the south.

Two years ago, life turned on its head. It spanned continents, but restricted itself to a portion of the new land. I went back to school, and learned what it was to learn again.

School makes way for work, and today, I've spanned the entire continent. I have gone full circle.

Yet some things remain the same. The person adapts, and moves on, but does he change?

1203

2008-06-05T09:18:00.000-07:00

Hello, and welcome to my new abode. Its still a work in progress, after all, shifting bases is not that easy. Its been two weeks since I graduated. Almost as long since I shifted base. Yup, that's right, I've moved across the continent, to warmer climes, and blue skies.

After moving into my new place, it was quite a challenge to get it setup. Luckily I had all the help I could need, and a few trips to the usual house-setup-shops resulted in a house turning into a home of sorts.

After two years of being in this country, I finally have a dining table, and a marvelous bed. :-) Heck, I've also learned to drive, and am on my way to being a licensed driver! Not bad, you say, for someone only two weeks into the Sunny Valley.

Now, the short vacation is coming to a close. Soon the time will come, when I re-enter the corporate world, and make something of myself. And all the while, I'll always have 1203 to come home to every night :-)