DOOM!! One month of horror....

Bangalore. The one city which has been like a getaway for people who suffered different types of natural fury. Now, under the rule of our new CM, it has been a disaster. The main cause of all this? One month of continued torrential rain. Headlights on at 4 PM, crowded bus stations, crowded service stations, frantic phone calls pouring into BMP authorities and 87mm of rainfall was what Bangalore experienced on 25th Oct '05.

Well, Torrential rain? Don't be surprised with this phrase. Torrential rains are supposed to occur around the Brazil and other tropical countries like that right? I am having a very strange feeling that I can confirm what some geologists said after the Tsunami that the earth has changed its inclination. WEll, yes, maybe bangalore is now exposed to that region. Maybe thats the cause of all the low pressure regions and depressions.

Yesterday (25th Oct' 05) has been a day in Bangy, quite similar to 9/11 situations. As usual, the BMP, Fire personnel and other rescue teams were under prepared. Water all over the place. WE could see cars stalling anywhere and everywhere. Bikers had the toughest time. Roads collapsing, let alone the buildings. Low lying areas are grid-locked in water.

Our New CM is one real piece of crap. There no more exist any roads in Bangalore. Well, maybe a handful still exist!! :o. Shocking but true. MGs, Brigades and Airport road are some to name some. All other roads are ever growing grave-yards. Poor lighting, poor drainage and inadequate planning all add up to citizens' woes. MEG, RAF and other Army services have been called upon.

Now, the climax of this whole movie is yet to be expected. Touch-wood, there are no epidemic outbursts as of now. But this is the one major sword hanging above the heads of all of us (Bangy's citizens). One corner of our mind says that its OK and we will be safe once it stops raining. But even as I am wrapping up this post, concerns are rising high and the atmosphere is more than tense. When I started this post, it was sunny and bright, bringing hope to all of us. Now it is dark, like the twilight hour!!. The met dept. also has strange confidence in their prediction that this sorta weather will continue for another couple of days at least.

Will keep you all Bangy folks outta there updated with another post in the next few days.

Todays Song: Jeevan Se Bhari Teri Aankhen (Kishore Kumar)

Tag Time Again.....

Tag 23.5: The 23 Post in my Blog; Select the 5th Sentence and put it out here:

Even more shocking is the indifference of some of the city policemen who shrug away complaints from women

Before you wonder what

1. Delve into your blog archive
2. Find your 23rd post (or closest to)
3. Find the fifth sentence (or closest to)
4. Post the text of the sentence in your blog along with these instructions
5. Tag five people to do the same

People tagged for this: Vasu, Kishore, Retesh, Ragya, Mental

Try This Song: Zindagi Ek Safar (Safar, Kishore Kumar)

Good Old Days...A Flashback

This post is about all the discussions I had with my friends over the past 2 days. A discussion about how we are oriented so much to automobiles, though I am a System Administrator. And the credit of this particular post goes to Akshay's blog post of the day.

Ever since I am born, I am a person genuinely very fond of automobiles, strangely fascinated about the technology and drive fed into them by man.

Late 80's to Early 90's:

Keep drawing or trying to draw whatever I happened to see on road.

1991-92:

Start playing around with cycle/moped tyres. That was a trend. Amazing game. Take a stick for all guiding forces (Turning, Accelaration, Braking)

1992-94:

Push around a cycle as I didn't know how to ride one. The scene looks like a pet animal running with its master :P

1994-97:

Street-Hawk is the most gripping series of all times and really instigates me to drive similarly. I learn riding a moped and I try one street-hawk stunt and face the ground. The roads taste blood from the left half of my body.

1997-98:

First ride on a geared vehicle. The Bajaj 4S champion owned by my dad. The beginning of a new revolution. The racing era.

1998:

Psychological aversion to the moped. I happen to fall off a moped and consequently, co-incidentally though I fall sick with Jaundice, followed by Chicken Pox. That fall meant I never again touch the moped (at least till now).

2002:

The racing era gains momentum with a more powerful Hero Honda -CBZ

2004:

The worst yet stunning ever endurance ride. This may sound like foolishness, but our trip to Shirdi was accomplished in 62 hours, which includes 12 hours of rest at Shirdi. 2000 odd Kms. in 50 Hours!!! :o

Early 2005:

I have started off on one of the dream projects in automobiles line. My favorite. I just hope that this project clicks. This project has been in my minds for quite some time now. I expect that to be realised by 8 years down the lane

Late 2005:

Beginning of a four wheeler era. 2 Fast 2 Furious gets real into me. I now own what was once a real sport car on Indian roads, a Maruti Zen.

Driving in India..A Crash Course

For all of you who want to visit India and dare driving here, this blog is all about driving India. Read very carefully and if you feel like laughing, laugh before you take the wheel!!

Indian road rules operate within the domain of Karma (Do ur best and leave the rest to the insurance company) Some of the tips/ hints are as follows:

Left or Right?? - Answer is "BOTH". Start from left if the left lane is free. Then move right if right is free. This is more like chess...move to the next free spot on the road. Only trust your instincts

Pedestrians - Dont stop at pedestrian crossings just because some fools want to cross the road. You'll easily be bumped at the back. Pedestrians are strictly instructed to cross the road only when traffic is slow moving.

Horns - Blowing your horn is not a sign of protest as in some countries. We honk to express joy, resentment, frustration, romance and bare lust. Sometimes to mobilize a cow dozing in the middle of the road.

Night Driving - An Exhilarating experience. U will never know which drivers are loaded. What looks like a premature dawn on the horizon turns out to be a truck attempting a speed record. On encountering it, just pull into the adjoining field till the phenomenon passes. Our roads don't have shoulders. Boulders? Yes of course. Blinking headlights expecting reciprocation is sheer stupidity. The only dim thing in the truck is the driver, with a peg of arrack at the last stop. His cerebral functions could all add up to a little more than naught

Truckies - James Bonds of India (License to kill). A single powerful beam of light six feet above the ground... Not a super bike. Instead a truck with only one light on. Usually the left one. Dont get too close to investigate. Your point may only be proved "Posthumously". Of course, this is only at night. During days, trucks are more visible. Except that the drivers wont pass any signals. Only at times the cleaner projects his hand and waves frantically, to beat the heat.
Occasionally you may see what appears to be a UFO with blinking colored lights and wierd sounds emanating from within. This is an illuminated bus, full of happy piligrims singing Bhajans. They go at break-neck speed, seeking contact with the Almighty, often succesfully.

Autos - Collision b/w automobiles and rickshaws (Auto Rickshaw). The triangular vehicle runs on ext. combustion engine. Fuel - Mix of Kerosene and Creosote. IT can carry iron rods, gas cylinders or even passengers. After calculations, children are folded and packed into these autos until some in the periphery are not in contact with the vehicle at all. Then their school bags are pushed into the microscopic gaps all around. These drivers follow rules depicted in the movie BEN HUR and are licensed to irritate.

Mopeds - Oil Tin on wheels and make noise like an electric shaver. They run 30 miles on a Tea spoon of petrol and travel on break bottom speed. As the sides of the roads are too rugged, these drivers always drive in the middle of the road at a max speed of 20 Kmph. They are often "mopped" off the road by bigger, heavier vehicles.

One final aspect that could be added apart from other normal occurances like Leaning tower of passes (people hanging outta buses by 3 passenger widths) and one ways, is the speed breaker technology; one per two houses. This mound, incidentally, covers the water and drainage pipes for that residence and left untarred for the authorities to identify easily, should they want to recover the pipe for year-end accounting.

After reading all this, if you still want to learn driving in India, you are welcome from 8 PM to 11 AM, when the cops have gone home, to enjoy the "Freedom of Speed".

Try This Music - Aaja meri gaadi mein bhait jaa

One more Krazee Tag - from Akshay

I don't know how things go on from now on. All I have to do, is be creative enuf in writing a Luv story in 55 words. I haven't considered a's and I's as a word.

So, here goes.... Presenting the shortest love story (55 words):
-----------------------------------------------------------

A skinny punk always observed only women in his shop. He didn't match neither's height nor build, quite opposite to his!!

So, he let his parents choose his bride. But his parents were to choose a similar girl well known to them.

Once she met him and smiled lovingly. He fell in love and married her.

Hmmm... now, I pass this on to Vasu, Kishore. Lets c if anyone else is intersted in picking the tag on their own...

Try This Muzik: Mai Shaayar to Nahee (Mohd. Rafi)

I'm a Superior Nerd!!!!

I just picked this one up from Akshay's blog. Could've been a little more better though. Anyways, it was a good TP. Well, you can also go ahead and try and beat me. This is really disappointing that I am almost a supreme 'NERD'... :-o

Try This Song: Last Resort (Papa Roach)

Ashes for the Brits!!

After 16 long years of strangle hold on the coveted Ashes, it is now high time that the Aussies humbly pass it on to the English. It may have been some time now for me since I stopped following the whole game of Cricket. But this news has brought some fresh life into the Cricketing world.

Now, you may be wondering how the English managed to recover from 34/1 in their second innings with just 6 runs lead to start off with. Thank the Aussies who dropped (yes. Thats no typo) Pieterson who mercilessly punished them for their drops by scoring all the way upto 158. Thanks to that, even though Pieterson was the eighth man out, England had amassed 335 for the Aussies to get further over-confident.

The World Champions who came down to bat, only to go down 4/0 before they accepted an offer of bad-light and hence the historic, long awaited defeat. Now, England has the Ashes just for them.

Try This Song: No Leaf Clover (Metallica)

Tenaliram's Wit......

The following is one of those incidents involving Tenaliram and Raja Krishnadevaraya where-in the undisputed winner was obviously Tenaliram.

The Sage:

Once the village where Tenaliram lived had a severe drought. There was no water left even for drinking. During this period, when the drought was at its peak, a Sage arrived in the village by-chance from elsewhere. As the sage entered the village, the villagers experienced sudden torrential rains. By default, the villagers thanked the sage for his superstitious entry into the village.

At this, Tenaliram went up to the sage and said, "Sage, please, hope you know about the old date tree...". In return, the sage just smiled. The other villagers present there were quite perplexed. One of them asked Tenaliram, "Dear Tenaliram, we couldn't comprehend the meaning of your sentence..."

Tenaliram narrated the story quite mockingly, "Once a crow sat on an old date tree, and the dates in that tree fell on the people below. So, the people declared the crow is the culprit."

The people realised what Tenaliram meant. He had appealed to the people that co-incidence is not a miracle. And the people praised him too for that. Tenaliram had easily cleared the people's mind of all their superstitious views!!!

Try This Music: Are Deewano Mujhe Pehchano (Don, Kishore Kumar)

Help Me...Help My Boss!!!

I really love this picture. I guess it says it all. All the employees, this message is for you. All Bosses. for your own well-being, please forward it to all your employees.

Try This Song: Alla Ke Bande (Aankhen)

Unique Lovers' Style....

A young teenage college guy send a love letter (in Q/A format) to his classmate.

My Dear Reshma,
Please answer the following questionnaire. For Options (a)10 marks, (b) 5 marksand (c) 3 marks.

If you have scored more than 40, then you are loving me. Don't delay inexpressing it. If you have scored between 30 and 40, love is budding in your heart and it's getting ready to bloom. If you have scored less than 30, you are in confusion whether to love me or not.

1) Whenever you enter the class room, your sight always falls on me because:

(a) of love
(b) you couldn't control seeing me
(c) really ... am I doing it

2) Whenever professor cracks joke, you laugh and turn and look at me because:

(a) you always like to see me smiling
(b) you are testing whether I like jokes
(c) you are attracted by my smile

3) When you were singing in the class, I entered and immediately you stopped singing because:
(a) you are so coy to sing before me
(b) my presence influenced you
(c) you feared that whether I'll like your song

4) When you were showing your child photo, when I asked for it, you hid it because:
(a) you felt ashamed
(b) you felt uneasy
(c) you don't know

5) During trekking, myself and my friend gave you hand for lifting you and youtook only my friend's because:
(a) you enjoyed my disappointment
(b) you won't feel leaving my hand after grabbing
(c) you don't know

6) You were waiting yesterday for bus and didn't get into your bus...
(a) you were waiting for me
(b) you were dreaming about me and didn't notice the bus
(c) that bus was crowded

7) You introduced me to your parents when they came to college because:
(a) I am going to be your groom
(b) you just want to know what your parents think about me
(c) just you felt like introducing me to them

8) I told that I like girls wearing roses. Next day, you came with a rose onyour head because:
(a) to fulfill my wish
(b) you like roses
(c) by chance you got a rose

9) On that day, it was my birthday. you too came to temple early at 6:00 AM because:
(a) you want to pray along with me
(b) you want to meet me before any one could meet on my birthday
(c) you want to wish me at temple because you are spiritual

Eagerly awaiting your reply..love,
Aakash

Reshma's reply letter was also in Q/A format........

Aakash,

Please answer the following Yes/No questionnaire.

1) If somebody sits in the first row, normally people entering the class, sees them.

(a) Yes (b) No

2) If a girls laughs and sees anyone, is it love?

(a) Yes (b) No

3) While singing, if somebody forgets lines of the songs, will he/she stop singing or not ?

(a) Yes (b) No

4) I was showing to my friends (who are all girls) my childhood photo. You poked your nose inside..... right?

(a) Yes (b) No

5) I avoided to hold your hand during trekking. Couldn't you understand yet?

(a) Yes (b) No

6) Should I not wait for my best friend (Anjali) at the bus stand?

(a) Yes (b) No

7) Shouldn't I introduce you to my parents as a friend?

(a) Yes (b) No

8) You have said you also like Lotus, cauliflower, banana's flower. Is it true ?

(a) Yes (b) No

9) Oh was that your birthday. That's why I could see you in temple. I come daily to Temple. Do you know ?

(a) Yes (b) No

If you have answered "Yes" to any of the question, then I am not loving you.
If you have answered "No", then you don't know the meaning of Love.

Hope everything is clear to you.
Reshma

Try This Song: Pyar Mein Kabhi Kabhi Aisa Ho Jaata Hai

Indian IT Law SUCKS!!!!

Yet another new budget, yet another set of critics. And this time, I'm one of them. It is really an unnecessary post if people are already acclimatized to the Indian IT. But, let me help those of you who want to find a new job. I suggest, you all open up your own business rather than becoming an employee.

P. Chidambaram, the mastermind crimi, err.... I mean finance minister for India, has so cleverly brought out some rules in the Indian Budget that was recently pulled out. It really has spelt a clear cut end to all the possible tax evasions from direct salary. Any possible savings can be done on the income which the person doesn't show on his tax declarations.

All PAN holders are eligible for only Rs. 2 Lakh per annum as a Non taxable amount in his remunaration. That provided the person saves Rs. 1 Lakh per annum in some of the Govt. recognised savings schemes. Overall, the person should be literally dead for the period of his savings until they give back the returns. Why am I saying dead? Just keeping ourselves alive with Rs. 1 Lakh in a Metro like Bangalore would certainly mean that ther person literally has one decent meal.

Calculating all the tax components would also be done on the Flexible Allowance Basket that most companies should promote like House Rent Allowance etc. Finally, even though the savings are done for ourselves, we can't eat immediately. It is like, give the govt. 30% of your food unless you can save some of it for tomorrow. Either way, you are the immediate loser. Maybe people can really enjoy in the future. But what about now?

So dudes, just go out and open your own enterprise. Just make sure that you have a decent accountant who can guide you ways of saving money.

Try This Song: Meri Marzi (Gambler [new])

A Prayer to God...... (U/A rated post)

The following picture is the photograph of one of those really unlucky and sorrowful kids on earth who probably doesn't even realise that from the moment he was born, his parents are counting his days for him.

I really feel that the vast efforts that their parents are putting in trying to save the kid is all going down the drain. I must really be thankful to God that I am healthy enough to be one of those who can help this boy's recovery.

Here's how to save the kid: The parents need money to get him operated. But they're apparently poor. So, they have approached AOL. AOL has a simple plan. They send out an e-mail to a few people. Each person recieving this mail and forwarding to three people further, would be donating a few cents through AOL.

Now here's the sorry state. Worldwide, there are a millions of users. Many are heartless, many timeless. But mostly, people won't prefer helping such mails which at times turn out to be hoaxes. But I guess that the following photograph will say what all this blog is about.

Try This Song: Zindagi Ka Safar (Kishore Kumar)

Readers' Digest Article....

There is no egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple... English muffins were not invented in England or French fries in France. Sweetmeats are candies, while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat.

We take English for granted. But if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square, and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.

And why is it that writers write, but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce, and hammers don't ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth beeth? One goose, 2 geese. So, one moose, 2 meese? One index, two indices? Is cheese the plural of choose? If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught?

If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? In what language do people recite at a play, and play at a recital? Ship by truck, and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell? Park on driveways and drive on parkways?

How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? How can the weather be hot as hell one day and cold as hell another?

When a house burns up, it burns down. You fill in a form by filling it out, and an alarm clock goes off by going on.When the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible.

And why, when I wind up my watch, I start it

But when I wind up this essay, I end it?

Try This Song: My Name is Anthony Gonzalves (Amar Akbar Anthony, Kishore Kumar)

Enjoy India... But Not Now!!!

India seems to be at its glorious best this time around. Especially the southern and south-western parts of our glamourous country seems to be adding more and more glamour by the day. Reason: It is rainy season at its fullest for the past week.

But one thing that has become very unfortunate is that the rains are reaching a state of "Ati Vrishti" as they call it. This means that there is no respite from rains continously for a long period of time. There was a time when people claimed that Bangalore is renowned to maintain its temparature at moderate. No extremes. Well This is gone. Bangalore is probable moving away from the equator!! Each day when it rains, the temperature drops further down. Last week, we had a few spells of shower which brought the temperature to as low as 25 Degrees C.

Today, when I had a meeting with my manager who currently is touring Folsom, US, he said that the nights there are scorching at 30 degrees C. I said, "well then come down to Bangalore. You will be greeted with Canadian weather! Heavily overcast, 15-18 degrees C and regular rains". He was shocked of what he heard.

Nowadays, Bangalore is nowhere in the news. Famine and drought affected areas like Gulbarga, Hubli-Dharwad etc. etc. are enjoying FLASH FLOODS. Now what can be said about the sudden change? The Krishna Raja Sagar dam or the famous KRS as it is known, rose by 6 ft. in a matter of 2 days! It stands now at 107 ft against 125 ft. Tunga and Bhadra rivers are flowing already at their maximum levels. These will overflow any time now.

Another such affected area. On our way to Kudremukh, the divine hill station, we start our uphill journey from a place called Kalasa. These days, Kalasa itself is isolated owing to floods which have left roads drowned and telephone and electricity disrupted. To add to woes, Hornadu is a place wholly situated on the other side of the river, which has to be crossed using 2 low-lying bridges. For sure these would already be hidden under-water.

Finally, Mumbai is experiencing unimaginable spate of rain and floods have brought normal life to a standstill. Intel (our office there) has announced emergency holidays and that employees need not come until further notice. Telephone services are disrupted. Adding woe to injury is that no cellular service is currently working there. Bangalore on the other hand has lot improved in such situations when compared to yester-years. No power failure, no drainage overflowing, no casualties, no disease outbreak, no loss of BSNL phones communication and no mobile service outage. Namma bengaluru is a city worth a visit now. British weather? or Canadian Weather? Visit Bangalore and decide for urself. For now, I'm going out to eat a benne Masala Dosa, and a cuppa Kaapi, followed by Mini Meals for the afternoon !!

Try This Song: Hegide Nam Desha (America America)

A team dinner....

For the first time in my life I just experienced what the IT boom is all about!! Just yesterday, I attended my first ever Team Dinner with our team here at Intel. The party itself being organised at a restaurant called Zero-G, it was a dinner with our senior manager.

There were a bunch of Americans who had flown in for some official purposes. Obviously, these guys were here just to have an overview of how we're doing in his absence! Well, there were many other obvious reasons for which they were here. Well, the experience that I managed to share with these kool people was something sort of memorable.

First off, the party was in no way a glum one where people come dressed in a royal suit and sit about with a glass of coke or whatever soft drink. There was Rum, Vodka, Beer etc. etc. for all those who aspired to drink that particular night. And many did!!

Next, the Americans were no guests to us. What I mean to convey in this context is that though I'm seeing them for the first time and some of them were visiting India for the first time, they were a game among all. They discussed about their locality and neighborhood. We discussed our counterparts.

And there was one really funny incident. Three of us (my local partner, an American {am} and me) were eating together at a table. As usual, it was a buffet. And the regular things flew by. "howz the weather there?"; "How d'ya like b'lore". The Am said that he was born & brought up in Los Angeles. He works now in Oregon. So, my team mate asked "are there kya-scene-o's there?". The Am said, what "Kya-scene-o's?". Then I had to intervene saying "My friend here meant to ask about a CASINO".

That was just one of the very light moments we had that evening. All in all, this is just the beginning of more such hilarious nights to come!!!

Try This Music: Mambo No. 5 (Lou Bega)

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.......

The good old cowboy standout has occured again in the Formula 1 scene. Or Maybe even, it has not ended ever since the in-famous US -GP of 2005. Let us set out the scene:

The Good: The F1 Drivers who are struggling because of the fiasco that occured during the US GP. These guys are sandwitched many ways. The FIA, The Team management, The Tire Manufacturer and Their own sponsors.

The Bad: The FIA who denied any alterations, albeit temporary, to the existing Indianapolis race track. This forced the 7 teams using Michelin rubber to withdraw from the US GP.

The Ugly: The Michelin team who unfortunately got it all wrong for the first time this season (2005). This forced a 11th hour meeting b/w the teams, Michelin and the FIA for temporary chicanes or pit-lane running etc. to cut down the speed.

Now, FIA is sure to face a mammoth of a task. Michelin though, has already begun repaying the money to all the fans who were booing in the US GP after the farce...err... race began. Also, Michelin has promised 20,000 tickets of the US GP, 2006 if it is included in the 2006 calendar. Right, if Michelin is clearing of its "DEBTS", then what is FIA scared of? The teams?

Well, the teams have a legal binding with their tire supplier that they agree with the decision made by the tire supplier if they have to get the legal safety guarantee by the tire manufacturers. So, the teams were forced to withdraw and hence, the FIA has also cleared the Teams of any possible penalty.

Well, that leaves us with the drivers. So, the answer to FIA's worries is the word - 'Drivers'. The 20 super-license holders on the F1 grid have threatened that the second half of the 2005 season could turn out to be a nightmare worse than the farcial US GP. These drivers who are already concerned about their safety during the testing as the tires they use should last a whole race and tires are not to be changed during the race pit stops, are posing a threat to the organisers of the F1. Kimi nearly injured himself enduring the race win on badly flat-spotted tires in the European GP.

And worst of all, this threat is headed by none other than the great Michael Schumacher, 7 times world champion. FIA is really on their toes.

Try This Song: F1 2002, Schumacher

Die Another Day...

This is a phrase which certainly has a lot of meaning. If you are counting years left on the planet, think again. You may have to count all over again! Scientists claim to have discovered the gene responsible in the ageing process and also to have successfully reversed the process in fruit fly and mice! ‘Super’ fruit flies that have a doubled and healthy lifespan, mice that regenerate damaged parts of their bodies and maybe soon humans who may live forever...

Using what is called a synthetic catalytic scavenger which is an antioxidant that destroys free radicals that cause ageing, scientists could double the lifespan of nematodes and increase the lifespan of mice. The next step will be humans.The studies came about when they were looking into the causes of a rare condition in children who age unnaturally and die young.

Scientifically ageing happens when cells slow down the process of dividing till they die. A piece of DNA called a telemere when controlled called a halt to the division. The telomere keeps getting shorter after each cell division but also prevents the DNA from fraying each time. But eventually it is too short to help! And the cell dies.

Believe it or not, scientists claim to have reversed the process in the lab by genetically creating an enzyme which can rebuild telomeres. This enzyme is found only in sperm and egg cells. If this can be introduced into cells, it should mean a halt to cell death. The big question is how does one insert genes into a cell?

Time will tell.

Prefer Education, Not Punishment

I think this sentence is what is running in the minds of each person driving a vehicle on the Indian roads. This, I think, is the only way forward if we need good cultured and well mannered "Drivers" in Indian Roads

To support this statement, I guess I have sufficient proof in the means of the story I wish to explain here. One evening when I was returning from office, I happened to be running near the yellow line (in the middle of the road) and luckily, saw a cop from the newly introduced COBRA team. He stood there and hinted to me as if to say, you better not cross the yellow line and I promptly obeyed. Behind me, a Pulsar who was faster than me, crossed the line and somehow cuddled himself up in such a way that his tyres were both inside the yellow line.

Now, the real guts of Military people tried to make itself prominent. 2 Army men riding on a Honda Dio scooter invaded the lane of on-coming traffic. This COP intervened, stopped these Nincompoops and asked them to go back to the beginning of the yellow line and join the queue there. This man had nothing else to do but to join the queue at a place even far behind than he could've probably been.

Now, these men did heed to the words of the cop and also, there was no loss in terms of money as a fine / penalty. So I feel, that this mode of "EDUCATION" works far better than the "PENALTY" mode. And moreover, these COBRA cops (blue uniform) are not irritants as the other pot-bellies who are clad in white shirts and khakhi trousers. And these COBRAs are also mild mannered and soft spoken people who appear like Public Relation Officers.

Try This: Dhoom Machaale (Dhoom, Tata Young)

Akshay's Musik Tag

My Gurus of Muzik are:

Kishore Da (Inevitable Winner)
Yesudas
Guru Kiran
SPB (But Of Course)
A R Rehman
Balamurali Krishna
U. Srinivas (Mandolin Pundit)

Last Album I Bought:

Metallica (Symphony & Metallica, 2 CD Collection)

Next Album(s) I want to buy:

Some Soothing Jazz
Kishore Da's "Naughty" Songs

Last Song I Downloaded:

Metallica - No Leaf Clover

Last Song I Heard Before This Post:

Judas Priest (Metal Works) - Breaking the Law

All Time Favorite Bands:

Metallica
Linkin Park
Scorpions
Euphoria

All Time Fav. Songs (No Order):

Jeevan Se Bhari, Manzilein Apni Jagah, Jahan Teri Yeh etc..... Kishore Da
Kahi Door Jab Din Dhal, Kabhie Kabhie, Kahi Karti Hogi etc......Mukhesh
Nothing Else Matters, Sad But True, One etc.......................Metallica.
Mujhe Tumse (With Shaan), Aao Naa, Jaadu Hai Nashaa etc...Saadhna Sargam/Shreya Ghoshal
Bhool Ja, Tanha Dil, Mujhe Tumse, Socha Nahi Tha, Subah Ho Gayi, etc.. Shaan
All Songs from ApthaMitra, Jogi, PremaLoka, Excuse Me, Dil Chahta Hai & most of Sunidhi Chauhan's songs. Phew!! This is really a test...

All Time favorite (lead) singers:

Male:

Kishore Da
Hari Haran
Shankar Mahadevan
Sonu Nigam
Udit Narayan
Kumar Sanu
Shaan

Female:

Sunidhi Chauhan
Alka Yagnik
Shreya Ghoshal
Kavita Krishnamurty
Asha Bhosle

Total songs I have in my HDD (Comp):

One Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty (1250) :( The rest of my huge collection, I lost when I migrated to my new 80 GB HDD.

Total Music CDs I've Burnt:

Approximately around thirty five.

I pass this on to: Vasu, Kishore & Retesh

The Day's Song: I'm Blue (Eiffel 65)

The best ever ad....

Today I happened to watch a simple yet really heart-touching advertisement after a long time in Indian television history. This just projects the mother-offspring relationship in a really sentimental manner.

Now, the ad is Brooke Bond Red-Label Tea. First I thought it is yet another of those late night studies projected and this is some sort of humor projected. Now, after I saw the whole ad, I realised that it is so much filled with emotions.

A girl is studying late in the night and the lady of the house sees this and prepares tea for the girl. When she gives the cup of tea, the girl is shocked and says: "Memsaab, aap??". Here I thought that the girl is playing with her mom. Then, I realised that the girl is supposed to be the lady's maid. Then she is lost in memories of her mother. The lady says, even I'm like your mother. The script maybe a lot like just a swan-song. But the director has the credit for the best ad movie.

Try This Song: Heluvanu Oravan (Jogi)

To Sir - With Love...

It has been hanging around in my mind for the past 3 years but now I am really experiencing it. No pleez.. We don't like missing those days with our beloved Professor, OUR HOD.

He's been the God-father of the Heaven of our College called as the Department of CS/IS. He was solely responsible in the mega results spree in our college. The best department under him has been ours and the best batch under him will only be ours. How am I so confident about my words? He is now taking leave of us, flying off to the US. The reason I would not like to publicize. But, he remains one of the few people in my books who will get all my support/gratitude until my memory remains. He has won many a hearts with his greatest skill, LEADERSHIP.

He has always supported us like a big brother should, talked to us like a close friend should and even punished us like our parents do. For our gang of 5-6 boys, this is the experience we never like to feel. It has always been that in my life, the one thing that remains dear to me for quite some time vanishes all of a sudden. Maybe I can consider that as my mis-fortune, but have to live with it. That is the bitter fact. To support it, I have never got a chance to go back and physically thank my teachers who have helped shape my career, because they move away so far that I cant even reach for them. And to affirm it, our HOD now is bidding us all a sentimental good-bye. I can't bear to think that he gets added to that list. Because at this juncture in our life, he gets the HIGHEST respect in our life and I will still wait for showing him my Gratitude.

We only managed to gift him a meagre watch for the near perfect man. That is the snap put up above. That was done in an emotional send off party to the final year students by the college management at the Le Meridian. His presence is so felt that even our secretary steps back to make an opportunity for him to be with us. The only thing that remains now is the final dinner- party we have decided to give him this friday.
We Love you Sir... We won't, can't, shan't forget you!!
Try This Song - Zindagi Ke Safar (Aap Ki Kasam, Kishore Kumar)

Father Son Moment....

I really have no idea as to how to react to this picture that I managed to get from one of those circulatory mails. But you know what? This is one of those really touching photographs. :P

Try This: Papa Kehte Hain (Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak)

Something Touching!!

One of my friends sent me one really touching sms which really has a lot to learn from:

"I cried because I had no shoes till I saw a man with no feet!"

Life is full of blessings. Sometimes we're just too blind to see them. I feel very sorry for that feeling I developed towards the poor after reading this very logical message. But remember one thing, I really feel that we should only be content with what we have. Only something, that we should really expect something more which is realistic for Growth.

Try This Song: Socha Nahin Tha (Kaante, Shaan)

Nice Quiz!!

Akshay really has me to take this quiz. Maybe, I'll put down frank things frankly...

Names You Go By:

Nitin
SB
Bharadwaj
Big Ben
Dhadiya
Ghataa

Three Screen Names You Have Had:

Nitin
West Big Ben
Mika Hakkinen
Troubleshooter

Three Physical Things You Like About Yourself:

Broad Body Structure
French Beard
Strong Calf Muscles

Three Physical Things You Don't Like About Yourself:

Improportionte Height to my Width
Little Fingers against larger Palm
Cracked Feet (At all times)

Three Parts Of Your Heritage:

Locational

Kannada-Bengaluru
Mantralaya
Tirumala-Tirupati

Characteristic

Respectful
Controlled Aggression
Result Oriented

Three Things That Scare You:

Unusual Sentiments
Dogs Barks (Esp. Higher dB noises)
Ever Rising Petrol Rates in Bangalore

Three Of Your Everyday Essentials:

2 Cups of Tea (1+1)
A ride on my Silver Arrows (CBZ)
A Clean Siesta after gr8 lunch

Three Things You Are Wearing Right Now:

An "Adidas" Bermuda
A Lacoste T-Shirt
A Timex Watch

Three Things You Want In A Relationship:

Great Understanding
U Lead ur life, I lead mine to some extent
Mostly, Love me like u really should & I'll love u more than expected

Three statements that are not all true or all false:

I hate sleeping for long hours
I want to own a Mercedes-Benz
I haven't experienced true love so far in Life (This is apart from the obvious love of parents and nature)

Three Physical Things About the Opposite Sex That Appeal To You:

Long Black Hairs
Great Driving Ability
Humourous Attitude

Three Things You Want To Do Really Badly Right Now:

Go to the Western Ghats for a week long Drive
Get an Appointment Order with Intel
Eat A great Buffet at IndyJoe in Airport Road

Three Careers You Are Considering:

Systems Administrator
Aerodynamics Engineer/ Race Strategist
Racing Driver

Three Places You Want To Go On Vacation:

Bermuda Triangle (Curious to know about it)
Kemmangundi (Tallest peak in Karnataka)
New Zealand (Kool Snow capped mountains)
Paris, France (Romantic Motor Freaky people)

Three Kids Name You Like:

Dheeraj
Saurabh
Shwetha
Smitha

Three Things You Want To Do Before You Die:

Clear some mysteries that have arisen in my life
Race for a weekend in a Formula 1 GP
Talk with love to my loved one (if Any) for one whole day and give her all she wants
Some dreams are to be fulfilled which I prefer keeping to myself

Three People Who Have To Take The Quiz Now:

Vasudev
Retesh
Ragya

Try This: Idhar Chala Main (Koi Mil Gaya, Udit Narayan)

Disaster at F1; Narain Enjoys!!!

This was a never before and hopefully never again sort of race that took place in USA on the 19th June 2005. 3 out of 10 teams only took part in the US Grand Prix held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The reason? For the first time in 2005, Bridgestone got things right and Michelin got it all wrong. Thats why. The Result? Narain Scored 5 points after finishing 4th. Jordan (A Backmarker) on the Podium.

How did it all start? Friday in free practice, Ralf Schumacher's Toyota went spinning on the final infamous turn on the banked part of the F-1 Track which is derived from the high speed oval used for Indy-car racing. The toyota lost a tyre due to unusual pressure created on the rear left and went spinnning backwards into the concrete wall at speeds nearing 200 Mph. This looked a carbon copy of his shunt in the same corner during the race. Only that time, it was a Williams - BMW car. Schumacher was out for 6 races last season. Luckily, this time, he will be back into the Toyota in 2 weeks time.

Now, the problem. Michelin, the dominating tyre manufacturer in F1 at the moment investigated it and realised that their tyres were coming under unusual but highly intense pressure which could mean disaster when the cars run for as long as 73 laps on one set of tyres (Under current rules, teams cannot change tyres during pit-stop unless it is really critical. So, only 1 set of tyres for the whole race which has to be decided before qualifying and used in qualifying itself).

As a result of the investigation, Micheling proposed 2 ideas for the rest of the weekend. First, the FIA permits Michelin to fly in a new batch of tyres only for the race only. The FIA rejected as this is against the rules that tyres cannot be changed between qualifying and race unless deemed unsafe. Second, some sort of alteration be done at the final high speed turn to curb the speeds so that the tyres dont buckle and collapse under constant loading. F1 Boss and Ferrari teams clubbed together and decline this one as well. As a result, Michelin suggested to all its teams to not race as Michelin cannot guarantee the durability of its tyres and hence, the teams may risk their drivers.

As a result, the above fotograph depicts only Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, Jordan Toyota and Minardi Cosworth on the starting grid while seven other teams viz., West McLaren Mercedes, Mild Seven Renault, Williams BMW, Red Bull Racing, Sauber Petronas, Lucky Strike BAR Honda and Panasonic Toyota Racing opted safety over money and returned to the pits at the end of the Warm up lap which spelt a huge Disaster to the GP of US. Not only for the 2005 Season but also for the seasons to come. Very Unfortunate to realise that the F1 committee were unable to flex up the rules and use it to the benefit of Loads of Fans and in the interest of F1 as a Major sport.

Photo Courtesy: Racing-Live.com

Today's Music: Forget About Dre (Dr. Dre, Eminem)

Hindu Mythology: Flawless??!!

I just returned this morning from Mantralaya. There, I was struggling a lot in the heat for some time while a thought just ran through my mind. The thought seems to be the most toughest query that our elders may also find it difficult to answer. Surely, my parents couldn't answer this question. Now, before coming to the actual question, I might as well ask: "How Flawless is the Hindu Mythology??".

The actual question is here now. We know that God is the Almighty and immortal. Fine. But we seem to be unaware if God is immune to aging! If no God has any sort of End, then why does he experience aging? If Aging is not there, why are Gods like Brahma, Raghavendra Swamy and Shirdi Sai Baba portrayed as aged?? If Aging is present, then why aren't Gods like Ganesha, Subrahmanya and Ayyappa Swamy growing up at all?

I have no problem with aging. But the question arose suddenly when I realised that Gods like Krishna and Rama both got aged before leaving this mortal world for the eternal, back to where they belong. But still they are projected as in their middle ages. While Ganesha etc. are still in their boyhoods. But poor old Brahma etc. are in a stage of wrinkled skins.

The only convincing point which though I can't accept as an answer to the whole confusion is Lord Anjaneya (Hanuman) is mixed up in this Dimension. He is young at places, age old elsewhere. Try answering my thoughts. I'm left totally perplexed after one whole day's thought.

Try This Song: Haalallaadaru Haaku ... Raghavendra (Annavru)

We are Engineers!!; Are We???!!

Finally, the fortnight long blogging-break came to a sad end and I'm Back to blogging times...

Ahh!! The four year long B.E. marathon has come to an end. But this was not the style which one would have expected from the God Damn ultimate exams. I would rather mention this examiner's name and make him infamous the world over. But I always like to fight like a Man and accept whatever comes my way and act maturely.

Well, for people who have had a cakewalk of an exam everytime from 5th Semester by just studying around 15 days for 5 subjects, the theory paper this time was a nightmare considering the fact that we studied harder. 1 Subject - 1 week. The theory paper proved its name. Purely theory. What could've been a combination of 3 sub-questions per question, was bot to be. And how long do you expect to keep writing?

Forgetting the theory paper. Who does not know that the lab exam is a sheer work of the internal guide. It is intended at boosting the student's marks to a much more acceptable range. Well if you all accept this, then we are friends; At the wrong side of assumption. The external examiner we had was a real pain in the ass. He was hot as a Red Chilli. He started asking ambiguous questions. Ambiguous in the sense, questions for which VTU has not mentioned any written standards. Nor has our college responded to.

First error he eyed: Name of the external guide on the cover sheet of the report is missing. Well, my answer to that, I used the general template which was given to us by our College authorities. Blame them, not me!! He already rose in his temper.

Next error he felt: No Address of Intel in the certificate. Well... that is nothing valid. Intel has around 7 sites in and around Bangalore city. So they'd just mentioned Intel, Bangalore, India. This fool of an ass examiner tried to scare me by laying down my Report and saying "Im rejecting your project..". All this happened when our internal examiner was out for Lunch. When he came back, I didn't hesitate to complain to him. He just in turn told the external " Please look into his project.." and the external made no fuss of my internal examiner's words. I am assured that I will get at least 80/100. Hopefully, that is sufficient. As of now, I am satisfied that I am an Engineer and will be working in Computing environments.

Try This Song: Koi Humse...Chale Chalo (Lagaan)

My Rides : Trip-IV; Malavalli

Where: Kurigaavlu, Malavalli, Mandya

Total Distance: 300 Kms. (150 Kms. one way)

Vehicles: 9 Vehicles - 5 Bajaj Pulsars, 1 Hero Honda CBZ, 2 Hero Honda Splendors & 1 Bajaj Boxer

Total Expenditure: Rs. 6000/- (Rs. 350/- Approx. per head)

Travel Duration: May 25 (Evening) to May 26 (Evening) 2005 (24 Hours)

Reason for Trip: Friend's Brother's marriage

Route Map: BEL Circle - Kengeri - Bidadi - Ramnagar - Channapattana - Maddur - Malavalli - Doddi - Kurigavlu.

Travel Team: 17 members (Class Mates)

Pilots: Nitin, Bhuvan, Sunil, Raghu, Harish, Kiran, Mahesh, Praveen, Narendra, Sandeep, Channe Gowda, Roopesh, Prashanth, Rajeeva, Sunil Babu, Kupendra and Shashi

Tour Diary:

Wednesday: We start off from Bhuvan's house near BEL Circle. Initially, only 7 bikes and 14 members start off. The other 2 bikes and 3 members start off next day. We are off at 6 PM. The plan of course was to start off at 2 PM. Forgetting that, we set Kengeri ORR (Outer Ring Road) Junction as the rendezvous point for a team of 2 boys who were taking the mysore road route instead of taking our ORR route. We meet them by 6:30 PM. Then by 9 PM we are in Maddur. We reach Harish's house. There we have Tea and Maddur Vadas. We leave from there and about 5 KMs from there, it starts raining heavily. We manage to Reach Doddi. It is around 10:15 PM now. There we have a small break to heaten up our bodies with Tea. The last warmth for us until we reach Kempe's house. We ride almost all the way till Kirugavlu under intense rain and misty conditions. The only major Joke till then was Kupendra's actions. We stopped a KM away from Kempe's house under utter confusion. It is around 12 AM now. Kupendra started answering the nature's call there in front of a house. Unfortunately for him the lights of the house went up and the owner came out hearing to the commotion created by 14 people. We reached Kempe's house soon. We had dinner and went to sleep.

Thursday: Bhuvan & I wake up early and go for a small trek before our routine chores. We are ready by 9:30 AM. Our gang of 6 have our breakfast. We are the first batch. We eat Chitraa anna and finish it off. Leaving only Uppittu for the remaining members of our tour batch. They eat it up, cursing us. Finally, at around 10:30 AM, we leave for Somnathpura. My I am really proud to have visited such an amazing temple. That is one real art work which can be compared to the likes of Belur-Halebidu. We finish our Lunch by 2 PM. We bid Kempe farewell by 3 PM. We are joined by 3 more members this time of course (2 bikes). The overall strength going up to 17 on 9 bikes. We have many near miss incidents on our way back to Bangalore. We are in Bangalore by 7 PM. after a 1 hour break in Harish's house for tea. But by the time we reach home, we have reached 10 PM due to heavy rain. Awesome? Aweful?

Try This Song : Kannada Naadina Veerara (Naagarahaavu Old)

My Rides : Trip -III; Shirdi

Where: Shirdi

Total Distance: 2000 Kms (1000 Kms One way)

Vehicles: 1 Yamaha RX-135 (2000 Model), 1 Hero Honda CBZ (2002 Model)

Total Expenditure: Rs. 7500/- (Rs. 1875/- Per Head)

Travel Duration: Mar 19 (Evening) to Mar 22 (Morning), 2005 (62 Hours)

Route Map: Nelamangala - Tumkur - Chitradurga - Bellary - Ilkal - Bijapur - Jhalki - Sholapur - Ahmednagar - Shirdi

Travel Team: 4 members

Pilots: Nitin S. Bharadwaj, Shashidhar Inamdar (Shashi), Raghavendra Kulkarni(Ragya), Sumanth G.(Sumthae)

Tour Diary:

Friday:- Hmmm. The very feeling of continuous travelling planned by our senior Shashi gave us a nervous feeling but also a totally hidden excitement that a dream of a hardcore endurance was becoming a reality. We reached Yeshwantpur by 4 PM. Shashi later told us that his bike was missing the ignition and handle lock keys.The keys had jumped off the ignition switch somewhere. What we did was took the bike to a key maker. He brought out a key and in less than 5 minutes, he had filed up our key for us. No doubt you outta be safe while parking. We left there and reached the Nelamangala toll gate for the Tumkur 4-Laner. We, Shashi & I being the key drivers, thought we'll take rest for the night long ride to come. So our other two pilots took over. We slept for the good 40 odd Kms. stretch. We reached Sira and had some light tea-time snack. From there, we reached Chitradurga and made out our route map. On the way to Bellary, Ragya and I have a near miss by a load-less trucker overtaking us at nearly 120 Kph (Too fast for Indian Highways at night). We reached Bellary and again the key riders went back to sleep.

Saturday:- Morning by 5, we were near Bijapur. We stop at a roadside Dhaba. We get some tea, wash our faces and we have 3 Jolada Rottis each. Then we have some more tea and set off to the toughest part of our journey. Making out the exact route to Shirdi from Bijapur. We refuel in a bunk and ask him what the route is. He is unaware. We reach Jhalki. From there, we are supposed to go to Sholapur. Or Kolhapur? Or Pandarapur? We somehow lure some locals to tell us the exact route. We go to Sholapur and from there continue. The worst shock of our lives was that every time we reach a new city, people still keep telling that we have more than 350 Kms. to go. Somehow, we reached Ahmednagar. 70 Kms. off Shirdi and Shashi is complaining that I drive too slow. Then, I take over the bike and Shashi is lost behind me. We wait for them at a place and without our awareness, we are overtaken and they are waiting for us ahead of us. Finally, at around 5 PM. SHIRDI!! We really made it. Amazing. We book a room for ourselves. A huge room with 4 large beds. And have a bath. Go for Darshan. We buy eye drops and put it in our eyes before going to sleep. Ahh! What a sleep we are going to enjoy now....

Sunday:- Morning we are up by 7:30. We clear the room and leave back towards Bangalore. We again have Shashi fading away in my rare-view mirrors until we reach Ahmednagar. We barely fill our breakfast with Samosa and Coffee. We again leave and begin our true race-pace towards Bangalore. Sumthae is almost riding the wheels off that yamaha. We continue our ride for a long time until we are just around 70 Kms. off Sholapur, where Shashi is desperate to visit the loo. We stop and have tea. Now, our stints are growing longer and longer still. We are covering minimum of 140-150 Kms. per pit-stop. We reach Bijapur and eat some snacks. The bill soars up to around Rs.120/-. We continue and reach Bellary by midnight. There again we eat some dinner. Or maybe late supper. Three people eat around 12 rotis and 2 Tomato masalas. Then we have 4 half-tea. The bill.. Guess!! Just Rs. 30/-!! Yes.. this is no typo-error. It was that cheap. Then no breaks till Chitradurga

Monday:- We reach Chitradurga by 4:30 AM. There Shashi and I are looking at the dog-tired Sumthae and Ragya as they sleep and we are making fun of them. They are in a deep trance like sleep. For one hour, they snore like hell while we have tea after tea, little by little. We also find a shop for eatables like Nippat and Chakkli (Indian Brownies). Then I say to Shashi, we are running too less on cash and we need to save them. So I'll come slow. Shashi says OK but he has to leave early as he needs to go to office. He rips off after we divide the remaining amount of Rs. 400 amongst ourselves. Rs. 200/- for each bike. Then near Sira, we find Shashi's bike but only Sumthae is there. We find out that his bike ran out of gearbox oil and they almost nearly missed a siezed engine. Phew!! Then, Shashi returns in a truck with 1 Ltr. oil. Then we leave, again with Shashi belting the roads heavily. Ragya & I are cruising away until I realise that I'm short of Engine Oil. We use Rs. 50/- for fuel and Rs. 100/- for Oil. We top up the engine and make our way back to Bangalore. We are there at 9 AM sharp and with only as little as Rs.30/- in our pockets.

Well, God is Great to have helped us reach Bangalore without a single extra pie expenditure. But finally, we all made it. To go to Shirdi and come back to Bangalore in 62 Hours is no child's play. As far as it is concerned, even Volvo bus drivers were astonished at the way we were pacing ourselves on the trip. The most important factor to note was the air temperatures which rose to 40 degrees C. The roads had molten tar due to extremely high track temperature. During the days in Maharashtra, our bikes could go no better than 70 Kmph. While during the nights in Karnataka, we could do well beyond the 100 Kmph. After all this, we can easily say:

"This stunt is/was performed by professionals. Kindly do not try this at home!!"

Try This Song: Aa Tayar Ho Ja (Asoka, Sunidhi Chauhan)

My Rides : Trip -II; Sahyaadris

Where - Western Ghats

Total Distance - 1600 Kms. (Round trip)

Vehicles - 2 Kawasaki Bajaj Calibers (2000 model), 1 Hero Honda CBZ (2002 Model)

Total Expenditure - Rs. 12500/- (Rs. 1700/- per head)

Travel Duration - Aug 5 to Aug 11, 2003 (7 days)

Route Map - Nelamangala - Halebidu - Belur - Sakleshpura - Hanbal - Devrunda - Wajige - Kukke - Dharmastala - Agumbe - Shringeri - Koppa - Teerthahalli - Jog - Honnavar - Gokarna - Sirsi - Shimoga - Bhadravati - Tarikere - Tiptur - Tumkur - Bangalore

Travel Team - 6 members (start), 5 members (end)!!

Pilots - Nitin S. Bharadwaj, Retesh Gowda G., Sunil Kumar T.S., Raghuveeran K., Kiran C., Nirmal Kimar.(Returned Mid way)

Tour Diary:

Day 1:- Ahh!! What a thrilling start to our longest bike journey so far. Longest in terms of time, not distance though. Started off at Bangalore at 8 AM. 8:15 AM, pit stop for fuel. 8:45 AM, we are near Kunigal cross at nelamangala. Kiran is found changing to a loose Track pant against his ever tight jeans. 10 AM we are near A dhaba at yediyur. Too slow to start off. We eat our brunch and move off towards Hassan. Kiran takes Sunil's bike for a scary ride over and above the foot-path, back onto the road. Crash Lands safely. Nirmal is fear stricken already. Finish Belur and Halebid. Another scary incident for Retesh. Almost crashes into a moped who darted into the highway. Ate Masala Dosa at Sakleshpur and reached Retesh's uncle's farm house at 9 PM in Wajige. What a spooky Place.... BBrrrr!! But what pollution free..!! What calmness!! It is raining like hell now.!!

Day 2:- We wake up at 9 am. Retesh and I are only ones left to go to the forest for Loo. We go there, finish everything and comeback after bath. We have rice Rottis with great banana sambar. Then retesh finds his ass leaking blood!! Yes of course!! A deadly Leech monster!! We go for a trek in their plantations. Then we come back by 7 PM and have some great chilled beer. Some people also have rum and local liquor. End the day with good Omlettes and Bamboo Saaru. Amazing!!

Day 3:- We visit the local oora-devaru in a hill-top. Another amazing trek. Then we leave for Kukke by 1. We visit Tipu's Manzarabad Fort on the way. The Ghats were too good for our bike. With rain and water falls all along the road, our ears are clogged. We leave Kukke at 4.30 PM. The road is so dark. Amazing. We again top up our fuel tanks in a BP bunk. We reach a Mallu hotel on the cross from Gundya which forks to Dharmasthala and Mangalore. We eat parathas and some also get to feast on Fish. We are delayed and start off again at 7 PM. The rains begin to lash heavily and the roads are flooded. Not with rain water but with Pot-holes. We have a horrible time wading to Dharmastala. We book rooms and stay in the Nethravathi Guest House. We have a time in trying to find places where we can hang wet clothes.

Day 4:- We leave Dharmasthala after darshan. This time, Nirmal couldn't bear the fear of the dangerous drive we had on the way from Kukke to Dharmasthala. He takes a bus back to bangalore. We carry on and Sunil's bike dicky nut has fallen off. We take time off to get it repaired, 20 Kms from Dharmastala. We keep driving and reach the most amazing places of all. Agumbe ghats. We are required to cover a distance of 30 Kms. from one Forest Security post to the other in 1 Hour (For bikers). We drive through the thickest canopy sections of South Karnataka. We reach Shringeri by 4 PM. We leave there by 6 PM after a good walk. Take the Koppa route to Teerthahalli. We stop there in a Udupi Brahmin's hotel. Have lunch and retire in a lodge. Another chilled beer among 5 people.

Day 5:- We pack up and leave towards Jog Falls. Another drive through some bad roads. We are helped out by a Sumo who manages to take us through the roads, avoiding pot-holes to the maximum extent. At Sagar, we refuel again. We reach Jog by 12 PM. We enjoy there and leave there by 3 PM. Raghu and I quarrel like kids for Maggi Noodles. He's upset with the same. Next we leave towards Honnavar. At honnavar, raghu drops my dad's helmet and a furious me again blast upon him. His mood is totally down. Kiran has a near miss in the highway after a blazing truck almost brushed past him. Kiran's mistake. Then Sunil's bike is out with Electrical problems. Spark plug re-conditioned twice within 10 Kms. We manage to reach Gokarna. Sunil has a small doze of brandy as he feels cold. We have food and cool-drinks.

Day 6:- We bathe and take a visit in the temple before leaving to the beach for some fun. We are never daring to enter the shallow beaches. Somehow, we have some fun. We fill each one's undies with wet sand. Raghu falls down in a huge wave, hurts his own ass. We pack our baggage and leave. 1 Km away, Sunil's bike is back in Electrical problems. This time we make sure the repair will hold off till Bangalore. We somehow reach Shimoga before Sunil's dicky screws fall off. We eat Bonda Bajji in the cold for Rs. 15/- each. Raghu develops an aversion towards Braking!! We halt in Bhadravathi after 3/5 riders are out tired.

Day 7:- We leave for Bangalore at 10 AM and reach Bangalore by 4 PM.

That was really tiring. Tiring not only physically, but also mentally. All that adrenaline, all the excitement certainly had the heart beat like hell. But this was a week of damn good memories. And also great experience of riding. 5/7 days, we were in the thick of the rains and that certainly improved our riding abilities.

Next Trip: Kurigavlu (Malavalli, Mandya)

Try This: Manavanaagi Huttidamele Yenyen kandee?? (Annavara haadu)

My Rides : Trip -I; Tirupati

Ahem! Who doesn't like to go for long drives. Of course not many like to go for long rides (on Motorcycles that is). But I like to share my experience with many people here who would be interested in long rides. As far as drives are concerned, that series will be a separate one. My first drive was a one-bike-two-riders trip. This series - "My Rides" are those sweet memories of my bike trips.

Where - Tirupati and Back

Total Distance - 600 Kms. (300 Kms. one way)

Vehicle - Kawasaki Bajaj Caliber (2000 model)

Total Expenditure - Rs. 2200/- (Rs. 1100/- per head)

Travel Duration - Aug 15 to Aug 17, 2002 (3 days)

Route Map - Yelahanka - Vijaypura - Vemagal - H-Cross - Kolar - Mulbagal - Nangali - Palamner - Chittoor - Tirupati - Alipiri - Tirumala.

Eat outs - Deepika Dhaba, Bheema's Hotel, Annapoorneshwari, Bheema's Deluxe.

Pilots - Nitin S. Bharadwaj, Retesh Gowda G.

Tour Diary:

Day 1:- On the Indian Independance Day, we left Yelahanka, Bangalore for our very first long ride expedition. The thrill was so much that we stopped near our college, 7 Kms. from Yelahanka. We went to our usual adda, "Uncle Angadi" as we call it. There we collected some batteries and a head-band to keep our ear-phones in place under our helmets. Then we started off from there along with a route map to Tirupati, the Temple Town. Lots of Breaks went all the way upto Mulbagal, 100 Kms. off Bangalore. After Mulbagal, near the Karnataka - Andhra border, we managed to find ourselves a suitable Dhaba at Noon. We stopped there and after 1 hour of pigging, we managed to pile a bill of Rs. 85/- including 2 phone calls. We reached Tirupati at around 5 PM. Too late after starting off at 8 AM. We booked a hotel room at Rs. 150/- per 24 Hours. We unloaded all our luggages and went for tiffin. Again another round of shameless hogging. This time, at Bheema's Hotel(Not the deluxe one in basement), the bill was around Rs. 160/-. Next, we called up home and took a 2 Ltr. Fanta bottle to spend our night.

Day 2:- We woke up very early; at around 10 AM. We managed to do our usual routine of morning chores. Listen to music, dig our ears and nose. Finally, at around 10:30, brushed our teeth and left for breakfast. A very mean city, Tirupati couldn't cope with our never-ending hunger. At Rs. 80/- bill, our stomach was in no-way touched by breakfast. We had a cuppa tea in our usual moosh-wala tea bunker. Went back and took bath at 1 PM. Then went to Bheema's Deluxe hotel and again literally stuffed our tummies for nearly 3600 seconds. We went back and slept, knowing that Darshan is at 8 PM. Woke up at 6:45 PM. 22 Kilometers of Ghat Roads separate us from the 7 PM queue. I rode like a lunatic to reach Hill-top Tirumala at 7:10 PM. With our disgusting Telugu, we compromised with a Cop and parked in the temple authorities' parking lot. Entered the queue at 7:25. We were out at 9:30 after a 20 minute Darshan behind some handicapped. Thank them and God Bless them! We set out at 10 PM back to Tirupati and again, 20 minutes was all it took to reach foot-hills, of course with the smoking brakes of the bikes. Phew!! Some riding that was...No Dinner as we still had the Bheema's food working in our tummies. Settled with 1 Laddu.

Day 3:- Committed to start back to Bangalore by 5 AM. Hence woke up early again. This time at 9:30 AM. Packed up the baggage and again, started off for Bangalore, at 10 PM. Another zippy ride. We rode and rode until the same Dhaba reminded us that we hadn't eaten a decent meal for 24 Hours now. Stopped again in the Dhaba at 1 PM and made a bill of Rs. 85/- only for food. We regained our journey and reached Bangalore at 4 PM. Some improvement in terms of Race-pace...errr... Journey duration compared to onward journey. We can never forget this journey in our life-time. This being the start of a biker maniac's adventure life.

Next Trip: The Sahyaadris

Try This: Aaja Meri Gaadi Mein (Apache Indian)

Trust Love; Trust God...??!!

What is going on in India is that people are becoming more aware of criminal activities and their results. Thank the government to be a little stringent or strict in making or at least trying to make the country a safer place to live in. Nowadays, the criminals are getting punishments which maybe harsh but fair enough.

The above photo depicts the daughters of Shakereh Khaleeli who was murdered for gain by one fake person who calls himself "Swami Shraddhananda". Now why do people have to cheat in the name of God? Can we call God as the root criminal? I'm sorry to say that these people have made things a lot worse for people who believe that God's followers are the only people other than God himself who can guide them to some divine light.

Fine. For those who don't know what happened, here's the story. A gruelling incident which destroys all ideas of love and lovers' purity. The lady (the victim) was the grand daughter of the once renowned Sir Mirza Ismail, from the Royal Family of Mysore. This creepy criminal who once visited her, started developing relations with her. Soon, they both wed and one day (in 1991) this man did a shocking act. Buried the woman alive!! The victim's daughters Sabah and Esmath managed to lodge a complaint with Ashoknagar police only 11 months later...

The police managed to trace out this man and all his activities by some help with one of the servants of "Shree Swamy Shraddhananda". Very unfortunately, the man so famous for his cool and calm composure, was pronounced a death sentence "May he be hanged by neck until death". Now, what remains to be seen is whether the justice that has prevailed so far remains or will the culprit challenge the hearing in the high court and win for injustice. I hate putting up such blogs but this is a decision well taken by the sessions court.

Try This: St. Anger (St. Anger, Metallica)

What a Birthday....Sick!!

This is no way to celebrate a birthday. I certainly have no idea what has happened to me in the last 2 days. Things aren't the way they were before. Usually, on my birthday, I manage to take my friends out for a treat. Not this time though. None of us are in a mood for a party. I just returned from college, dog tired like I was on a trip; To shirdi and back in 62 hours. That's an endurance test. Well, come down to Bangalore and you'll know what I mean by the phrase "Endurance Test".

Ever been to places like Hyderabad or Bellary in the peak summer? No need for a special mention of the heat there. Mid 40's. But in Bangalore, for people who observe the Thermometer, things will appear a lot cooler. But for the people of Bangalore, life has all of a sudden become as miserable as eating bread without anything else. Now, the problem which has for long loomed large around Bangalore has been the Humidity. The rains are expected to fall. But nope. Not a hint. And adding salt to injury is the fact that even if it rained, it has not happened where I am.

Now, another "-" in this year's birthday has been my elimination in one of the campus interviews which needed people to have 70% aggregate (In BE) till date and many people without this result attended the campus interview.

This is how the things went for me on my birthday:

• I wake up in the morning only to find myself so very exhausted that I forgot my birthday and cursed the day like hell
• I didn't have sufficient time to eat the sweet prepared by my mother as I was already late for college
• I manage to reach college only 45 minutes late and I felt it hard to ride my bike with my illness
• I attend the Final Internals of my B.E. educational career with utmost difficulty in remembering things. Luckily I am gifted 25 /25
• Time doesn't permit me to present my long pending Project Seminar. I feel sick of having postponed the same now for weeks
• I realise that Yesterday was the last day to collect my Aptitude test's Hall ticket and had to drive in the scorching sun all the way from north to south of Bangalore
• I take my Friend Sunil with me who was sicker than I am. He was feeling dizzy and unable to sit. He's out with a mild doze of fever
• I find out that I have to present a Power Point Show to my HOD today, SO I also have to go to Office for the same
• When I finish my work, I go to my friend's room and swallow a tablet which is supposed to induce drowsiness. With Apthamitra playing on the system, the long needed sleep is not yet in me

I am not happy with the way things went for me on my birthday. This makes it 1 of 22. I hope the second number increases and the first remains 1.

Try This: In the End (Linkin Park)

Don't Mess with a Child...

A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales. The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small. The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale. Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible. The little girl said, "When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah". The teacher asked, " What if Jonah went to hell?" The little girl replied, "then you ask him".

A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work. As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was. The girl replied, "I'm drawing God." The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like." Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, "They will in a minute."

A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to "honor" thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?" Without missing a beat one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, "Thou shall not kill."

One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head. She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, "Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?" Her mother replied, "Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white." The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, "Momma, how come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?"

The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture. "Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer,' or 'That's Michael, He's a doctor.' A small voice at the back of the room rang out, "And there's the teacher, She's dead. "

A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of the blood. Trying to make the matter clearer, she said, "Now, class, if I stood on my head, the blood, as you know, would run into it, and I would turn red in the face.." "Yes," the class said. "Then why is it that while I am standing upright in the ordinary position the blood doesn't run into my feet?" A little fellow shouted, "Cause your feet ain't empty."

The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray: "Take only ONE. God is watching." Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples.

Try This: Chota Bachha Samajhke Hum Ko (Film not known)

Ah...What a Dream!!!

Today on a wednesday just near the eve of the commencement of my 22nd year on this holy planet "Earth", well what more could I have expected from Nature? Nothing could be this frustrating. I may be well awake but have realised that whatever I experienced for the past "X" minutes or even hours probably was just the dream which I had craved for a couple of years now. But now that I have dreamt it, I want more of it. Hopefully, when I get more of it, I'll even experience that in stark reality.

For those who are confused of what I am telling, this is the holy, and most amazing part of life. Love. I don't know who the dream girl is or will be. But I am sure that one day, she'll be mine. Or I'll be hers. For me, this is quite new. But for those who experienced this, let me do all the learning, the hard way. This morning at 7:45 when My cab-mate started giving me the routine missed calls (hint that the cab is approaching my place) I really felt my tempers soar, the mercury rise like never before. That's because, He had shattered the climax of my....Fairy tale .... I only had to exchange the rings while this stupid call woke me up. (#$%!$%#$@@....)

But, At least I realised that this is certainly my kinda girl. Soft spoken but logically strong, traditional and well cultured, not too orthodox and of course, beautiful (in my words, no matter what the world thinks of the word). I know I can consider her my friend for company, mother to get back while going astray, daughter to play with and wife to share my gains (hope not losses) in any circumstantial necessities. I am certainly here putting up this blog hoping that someday (maybe today) I'll meet this friend who has for long hidden from me. The sun is beating down the road, but still I'm lost in the darkness of this thought. My heart still thumping as hard as ever. The picture of the gal, though only a blur image, still fresh in my mind. Things are a lot like a tsunami in my minds. Gods!! pacify my mind with the proper medication at the earliest.....

Try This : Jab kisi ki taraf (pyaar to hona hi thaa)

Laugh, laugh, laugh....

Well, some real fun is all what I needed and this is what I managed from my friend. First time, I really felt it humurous. Try it.....

Wife : Do you want dinner?
Husband: Sure, what are my choices?
Wife : Yes and no.

---

Man : How old is your father?
Boy : As old as me.
Man : How can that be?
Boy : He became a father only when I was born.

---

Teacher : Correct the sentence, "A bull and a cow is grazing in the
field"
Student : A cow and a bull is grazing in the field
Teacher : How?
Student : Ladies first.

---

Waiter : I've stewed liver, boiled tongue and frog's leg.
Customer : Don't tell me your problems. Give the menu card.

---

Customer : Waiter, do you serve crabs?
Waiter : Please sit down sir, we serve everyone.

---

Teacher : Peter, why are you late for school again?
Peter : Well, Miss, I dreamed that I was playing football and the
game went into extra time.

---

Customer : If I post this letter tonight, will it get to Delhi in two days time?
Post Master : Yes sir, it definitely will.
Customer : I bet you, it won't.
Post Master : Why not?
Customer : It's addressed to Mumbai.

---

1st thief : Oh ! The police is here. Quick! Jump out of the
window!
2nd thief : But this is the 13th floor.
1st thief : Hurry! this is no time for superstitions.

---

And Last but not the least, Water has been discovered on mars!!!

Back to Logic...

Sitting in my cube, this is the most boring moment of my Intel career so far. No TL around, no job to do. Finished all what I could do in leisure. Finished all jobs. Blog is the only thing pending. Now, even that is being fulfilled.

• If your father is a poor man,it is your fate but,if your father-in-law is a poor man,it's your stupidity!!
• I was born intelligent -education ruined me!
• Practice makes perfect.....But nobody's perfect......so why practice?
• If it's true that we are here to help others, then what exactly are the others here for?
• Since light travels faster than sound, people appear bright until you hear them speak.
• How come "abbreviated" is such a long word?!
• Money is not everything. There's Mastercard & Visa!
• One should love animals. They are so tasty!
• Behind every successful man, there is a woman and behind every unsuccessful man, there are two!!
• Every man should marry. After all, happiness is not the only thing in life!!
• The wise never marry; and when they marry they become otherwise!!
• Success is a relative term. It brings so many relatives!!
• Never put off the work till tomorrow what you can put off today!!
• "Your future depends on your dreams". So go to sleep!!
• There should be a better way to start a day than waking up every morning!
• "Hard work never killed anybody"But why take the risk?!
• "Work fascinates me"I can look at it for hours!!!
• God made relatives;Thank God we can choose our friends...
• The more you learn, the more you know; the more you know, the more you forget; the more you forget, the less you know! So.. why learn??
• A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station....what more can I say........!!

Try This: Kya Kare Ke Na (Rangeela)

Me and my Englees; Err...English

Your Linguistic Profile:

40% General American English

35% Yankee

15% Dixie

10% Upper Midwestern

0% Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Phew!! It is phun to realyse dat my inglis is bettr thann wat oders takk owt der....

Well. Understood anything? Guess not because my language is a frantic mix of many different linguistic profiles. Try the link above and see what you can do. Found it in Akshay's blog.

Try This: Apne To Aise Jaise (Laawaris, Kishore Kumar)

Insane Workers.......

It is now at least 2 months since i joined Intel Technologies as an intern and it is now evident that the people here need to get the pay many think as an exaggeration. Always, people start working from late in the day and go all the way upto late in the night and maybe upto the wee hours of the next day. It is almost a double of the call-center job. No condemning the call-centers who are always there to support people.

But many a times we manage to see gents and ladies here working upto late in the night, minimum of 9 PM. It even extends to something like 3 AM. Intel most certainly deserves all the laurels which some one may give to the best work environment. People should and will never feel the necessity of any thing. Sometimes, instead of complaining, people take pleasure in working that long in this A/C office which is nothing next to a 5-* hotel. Frankly, I'm one of them.

Whenever I manage to see my team leader early, consider one fact. He's free! Usually I can see his long drooling eyes which appear something like that of an Addict! Not of a drug addict, but that of a super geek. One who's addicted to working for long hours. And why not. Intel makes sure you get everything to work. People can even make arrangements to login to the Intel network from home and yet work from home.

Now, a question may arise as to why all the people need to work out at the office when they can work from home?! I'd say, people here are also trained to cut down costs. Only those people who carry out net meetings and the like on a regular basis do that. Others would prefer working from office. That actually makes a serious impressions on our managers as well.

Now, Intel also makes arrangements for pick-up and drop at any insane hours which of course would be risk free. One can find people taking a lift back home at around 6 AM. The only thing missing here is what are known as BUNKERS in call centers where people can take time out and go to sleep for a few hours. With that, I am sure those insane workers (maybe including me) would be loitering here all night and more.

Try This: Khit Khit Khit Kare [Kishore Kumar, Film I have no idea about]