Saturday, August 16, 2008

Golden Eyes

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.


Saturday, August 9, 2008

Kulfi

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.. :-)

Sunday, August 3, 2008

1000 miles


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. :-)


Sunday, July 27, 2008

25 mi or 40 km!

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:

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Toys

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.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Déjà vu

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?

Thursday, June 5, 2008

1203

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 :-)