tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25960866032436422702024-03-12T22:27:04.325-07:00Vishwas Mysore™Randomness in thought; After all, did'nt the scientists tell us that the randomness of the universe has been increasing ever since "The Big Bang" happened?
For my random old regular/irregular readers, I have moved from where I was earlier.
For my new readers, I was earlier here!
http://vishwas-mn.livejournal.com/Sthiramathi aka Seizonshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02561897718595832987noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2596086603243642270.post-10180565163406225632022-12-04T03:56:00.005-08:002022-12-04T10:44:43.772-08:00Trekking through the Agumbe rainforests upto Narasimha Parvata!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9FFLJpHIS5ifX3WbtZ7_CWIWm5Ntcyg8wKh7L0O4KqyiNsPeN3bePXZMK2TpVRbg36fYktcy8kfWYc7QKSz8h_6nb_pqhPGUOEa65-_QiL4IPIVISCuoQibN-2u8QXs5m3ZNZg0uBlr8JiYE_Mz7M5-Wswj9WFWW5UbE0QoihqAaak_WSqTk5JAiyw/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-12-03%20at%2011.40.08%20PM%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9FFLJpHIS5ifX3WbtZ7_CWIWm5Ntcyg8wKh7L0O4KqyiNsPeN3bePXZMK2TpVRbg36fYktcy8kfWYc7QKSz8h_6nb_pqhPGUOEa65-_QiL4IPIVISCuoQibN-2u8QXs5m3ZNZg0uBlr8JiYE_Mz7M5-Wswj9WFWW5UbE0QoihqAaak_WSqTk5JAiyw/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-12-03%20at%2011.40.08%20PM%20(1).jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Agumbe, in Shivamogga, Karnataka is known to bring to mind</p><p>a) Rajkumar's Agumbeya Prema Sanjaya song if you grew up in the 90s Karnataka</p><p>b) That it's also called the Cherapunji of South India - the Agumbe rainforests receive high annual rainfall</p><p>Agumbe is as classic Malnad as you can get!</p><p>MalenaDu defined by its idyllic culture, especially food and scintillating views is because of its Males i.e., hills.</p><p>The Agumbe Circuit Trek conducted by Incredible Karnataka with permission from the Forest department was promising, exciting and challenging, simultaneously and right from the start.</p><p>Given the trek is only open 3 months in a year added to the exotic quotient.</p><p>The 19 km circuit trek starts in Malandur and proceeds towards Narasimha Parvata passing by: rainforests, grasslands, the snout of Barkana falls where the Seetha River plunges from a height of about 850 feet, being among the top 10 waterfalls by height and named after the shy Barka mouse-deer, the peak(multiple peaks), Narasimha Parvata being the highest point in Agumbe at a height of 3700 feet above sea level!</p><p>That's one eighth the Mount Everest for perspective!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbuEmV6ehiXR1DHz9SUe6p1kDpUioGZrfHf8tnkf0_A8pYhWzEkl_sqSEWa1Fb1HgAI2Lai3uJa1sm1bv2Xn8IBwhGz1_27awbvkpkuwPuDIO6qa7IfOH6GLg_VzBRxewjCaTzGP4bh8R0u-yy5HNlO-h49XzXoi8kBgaF17s5NflYRjNCz0QbyFgAA/s1280/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-12-03%20at%2011.36.43%20PM.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbuEmV6ehiXR1DHz9SUe6p1kDpUioGZrfHf8tnkf0_A8pYhWzEkl_sqSEWa1Fb1HgAI2Lai3uJa1sm1bv2Xn8IBwhGz1_27awbvkpkuwPuDIO6qa7IfOH6GLg_VzBRxewjCaTzGP4bh8R0u-yy5HNlO-h49XzXoi8kBgaF17s5NflYRjNCz0QbyFgAA/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-12-03%20at%2011.36.43%20PM.jpeg" width="256" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_FCebMTaER62by7rZrbk5wu7_SlW_iDKqtAF5DDGcU-0rzfZDfl1A5ZMT6MngYJeZmw1Bt-kLDOYbCvZdtSL9muwuH_sjj4zqNdswDZPiwznp4K2rqYMrm3-WnbGzfP7Xkad42my1IxRNuP_WlOxcTCWo20z0AKMLcjRxXazHHdY_vNkwH2yPMcQJw/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-12-03%20at%2011.40.11%20PM%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_FCebMTaER62by7rZrbk5wu7_SlW_iDKqtAF5DDGcU-0rzfZDfl1A5ZMT6MngYJeZmw1Bt-kLDOYbCvZdtSL9muwuH_sjj4zqNdswDZPiwznp4K2rqYMrm3-WnbGzfP7Xkad42my1IxRNuP_WlOxcTCWo20z0AKMLcjRxXazHHdY_vNkwH2yPMcQJw/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-12-03%20at%2011.40.11%20PM%20(1).jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u>More perspectives:</u></span></h3><p>Being a circuit trek it starts at Malandur and the climb down is via the Kigga route. </p><p>Circuit treks have different start and finish points - much like Life itself!</p><p>For one, there is no going back :)</p><p>One may stay back, but that's being left behind.</p><p>And then course completion is the objective, and much like Life, the journey is beautiful, what we see and experience are the essence of the trek. The finish point hardly excites :)</p><p>The group was fun, the realisation growing along the trek and after, rather than even a few minutes before the trek started.</p><p>Except for a group of 5-6 ppl within the group of 25, people knew each other better as we climbed, alerting each other about leeches apart from slippery points, lending a helping hand and equally seeking one when needed!</p><p>Life is probably like that - we meet people along the way and sometimes connect during the journey and regardless of being connected beyond, those moments of fraternity, camaraderie and overcoming and enjoying as a group stay with one - Man is indeed a social animal.</p><p>Mountains cannot be conquered by man, let's not fool ourselves. But they can be climbed and enjoyably so in good company and with much needed guidance!</p><p>Kumar or Incredible Karnataka was the guide, but the local guides Devendra and Manjunath were like the guardian angels of the group - from carrying the backpack of one of the members of the group to sharing their stories apart from helping us with a locally made balm that kept leeches away and helping people with climbing up and down where needed!</p><p>Just a nudge, just a word of encouragement, just holding someone's hand so they can overcome and surmount a challenge themselves is an underrated leadership skill perhaps!</p><p>Bimba and I had trekked up to Tiger's Nest in Bhutan by ourselves a few years ago - about 10,000 feet above sea level. And I kept recalling how 1+1>2. The power of company helping every person do more than they would otherwise alone - this is no Zen moment here, but something trekkers will definitely agree as obvious.</p><p>Back to Narasimha Parvata - the break at Barkana falls did help. We had lunch at a place that had a small spring - free mineral water in the most natural and eco friendly containers - one's cupped palms!</p><p>Just before we reached The Peak (yes, there were quite a few peaks before the final one) it rained a bit - somewhat between a moist breeze and a spray. </p><p>And it did seem like a reward: much like Life itself, expecting the unexpected is not only about challenges and problems but also about pleasant surprises! About the optimism being the reward itself!</p><p>The group rested for a bit at the Narasimha Parvata peak.</p><p>Our group held up the Indian flag while another group held up the Karnataka flag.</p><p>The climb down to Kigga, felt psychologically easier initially.</p><p>But towards the end, being closer to 18-19 kms, one wasn't sure if it was their knees or heels feeling the fatigue or was it also the fatigue of the mind game. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><u>Takeaway:</u></h3><p>Hiking through rainforests, look out for the leeches!</p><p>Trekking is fun though life lessons though life lessons it teaches!</p><p>Our mind perhaps has the power to Zoom out or Zoom in much like camera lenses - just being aware that a problem or pain can feel bigger than it actually is sometimes helps. Atleast until the actual pain and muscle fatigue that sets in usually the morning after a Trek!</p><p>But then, every trek, every hike,</p><p>Call it whatever name you like,</p><p>Spirit of adventure - it strikes</p><p>For there may be a few yikes,</p><p>But adventures give us kicks,</p><p>With welcome tips and tricks,</p><p>Not every game has scripts,</p><p>Like in life, it's slips vs grips.</p><p>-Seizonsha </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05k7ARnmHW4pWv8LopP7u4mya0npZt-p7ljbX9iV4-cxg530hhGQf7DSG6hmbMg6Npek1uvWbce4Vn-XF7oHcPyGzYys0jFOgx9nJRxNdJGTDa2O_iwKbQJjhPsBU6REFYo2nXOxp01wCXukZprK-ZsTnUi8zb-i3CUCUBqhGEiMDCsLU47G7AQzbFQ/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-12-03%20at%2011.40.03%20PM%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05k7ARnmHW4pWv8LopP7u4mya0npZt-p7ljbX9iV4-cxg530hhGQf7DSG6hmbMg6Npek1uvWbce4Vn-XF7oHcPyGzYys0jFOgx9nJRxNdJGTDa2O_iwKbQJjhPsBU6REFYo2nXOxp01wCXukZprK-ZsTnUi8zb-i3CUCUBqhGEiMDCsLU47G7AQzbFQ/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-12-03%20at%2011.40.03%20PM%20(1).jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlLsGT5VCg23th1vBIUcY4wbFRdslz47YYdcCe2WSp5DpG5xk3H1_cHbGwlcTARDSNRxJ4MPZLlDWJU1_AbMQo4bRQaTUYgXvTNkywYYo63YvYCvpu_K3ty8DtWRcjnFLW6B0g5xNXG4Lj5K85-j86YDKartlN9hzPSizi24ZAuxt3pLTXIZC5GjPuA/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-12-03%20at%2011.40.03%20PM.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlLsGT5VCg23th1vBIUcY4wbFRdslz47YYdcCe2WSp5DpG5xk3H1_cHbGwlcTARDSNRxJ4MPZLlDWJU1_AbMQo4bRQaTUYgXvTNkywYYo63YvYCvpu_K3ty8DtWRcjnFLW6B0g5xNXG4Lj5K85-j86YDKartlN9hzPSizi24ZAuxt3pLTXIZC5GjPuA/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-12-03%20at%2011.40.03%20PM.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilveHUGqPpAbBiBCskHo7eblhpgQaC2Xadg5tkmnn9PdyWoyjHFcfjzFQs_Iyz2alvyVC_m-ol-_ZikG5tRxFJqXK1M4dgbH1aXatMY6lFKxK5a-6FLYZgDtthAg73xXJWdk6sE8rdMd_mK8aPInoilGZ37Qpzuo0719wtDZG5V-EpPG5nNspOju3NLA/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-12-03%20at%2011.40.08%20PM.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilveHUGqPpAbBiBCskHo7eblhpgQaC2Xadg5tkmnn9PdyWoyjHFcfjzFQs_Iyz2alvyVC_m-ol-_ZikG5tRxFJqXK1M4dgbH1aXatMY6lFKxK5a-6FLYZgDtthAg73xXJWdk6sE8rdMd_mK8aPInoilGZ37Qpzuo0719wtDZG5V-EpPG5nNspOju3NLA/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-12-03%20at%2011.40.08%20PM.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3c9Sk92w2XTNy9pQHxHqJhZSQ3CGR17gdeSvPYLYFoeE4I_aF1yowuMMViyURDk0gYWmkgzwUymZkaDSw34_Hr2iKY65ATZAfkWj9DOBJG-mqHY82821vInkosT2wrI4fjGlJ7WipcT18I6_JPhQnmTLf64sgDWWD22rPXFlz4wKjlwHvgzJJH13Ww/s1600/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-12-03%20at%2011.40.11%20PM.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3c9Sk92w2XTNy9pQHxHqJhZSQ3CGR17gdeSvPYLYFoeE4I_aF1yowuMMViyURDk0gYWmkgzwUymZkaDSw34_Hr2iKY65ATZAfkWj9DOBJG-mqHY82821vInkosT2wrI4fjGlJ7WipcT18I6_JPhQnmTLf64sgDWWD22rPXFlz4wKjlwHvgzJJH13Ww/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-12-03%20at%2011.40.11%20PM.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Sthiramathi aka Seizonshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02561897718595832987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2596086603243642270.post-52108795560222154492020-12-09T04:47:00.003-08:002020-12-09T04:47:20.111-08:00Limit tending to Quixotism but not too far from Pragmatism (Realised I hadnt blogged all of 2020, so here goes)<p><span style="font-size: x-small;"> I just realised I hadnt blogged all of 2020. Well, what a year it has been!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">As we wind the year up and look forward to the year ahead, here is a poem I wrote about 2020.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p><b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Limit
tending to Quixotism but not too far from Pragmatism.</span></u></b></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2020 is no doubt coming to end on a sombre note, but life
probably is about the inevitability of hope.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">While we wait to say to Covid-19 our good-byes, and give to
a safer world, our high spirited hi-fi’s,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Quixotism somewhat describes our cautious wait for the “old
normal”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">While we continue to look forward, there is no doubt we
also need to look back in the journal,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For this year has definitely presented many an opportunity
to think and also re-think.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The vaccine may well be for the scientists and experts to
solve,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But changing our mindless and wasteful ways of the “old
normal” could be our collective resolve.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Howsoever hopefully we wait for the world to be safer again
soon so we can welcome and celebrate the new,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We cannot forget that this year has presented many of us
more time to embrace family, friends and new found hobbies to pursue<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There have been many misses and losses; A few hits and
happy moments hopefully make up for the gloomy forgettables.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Dreams that came true, and nightmares that turned horribly
true too.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But, all hope is not lost as we prepare to carry forward
those yet-to-turn-true (not so!) few.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Frustrations, disappointments, anger, disgust - they were
undoubtedly all there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But then, to look forward to a better life, if not
returning to the “old normal”, is only fair.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The New Year brings with it, Hope and Promise. Of a life,
better.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A message of happiness and success in spirit and letter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As we set sail on yet another journey towards a better
future on the days after tomorrow,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We do have a few more wonderful moments of this year from
which our “Future Nostalgia” will borrow.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The direction of the wind, in or against which, we choose
to set sail,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Cannot weaken the Hope for Hope, for it is the Dream of a
Better tomorrow that we trail.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The sea breeze and its occasional sweet whisper,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Makes those Dreams and Desires a tad bit crisper.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The sea waves rushing away and returning,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Like they were signaling in a way, something.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At the shores, the waters and their oft unobserved persistence,
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And so is the virus as of now; Though like to many such
harms, we continue to build resistance;<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Thoughts go back to the serenity of the Sea at night.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Probably Reminding one of Destiny's or Nature’s might.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The perils of the sea for which I, a sailor in my own
right, mentally prepare,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The effects of the defects in my life, which I attempt and
endeavor to repair.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Eternal Optimist in me does not understandably like to
imagine despair.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I feel like the Stoic yet cautious sailor; a skilled and
alert master of sea-fare.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I feel like a Captain of a regiment trained in war-fare.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Setting sail, hopeful of an accomplished home-coming filled
with fan-fare.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Looking forward to coming back to something really nice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For when the world feels safe and makes us happy, we don’t
think of Paradise.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Quixotic
Seizonsha<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Sthiramathi aka Seizonshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02561897718595832987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2596086603243642270.post-10895137102670411712019-10-10T09:08:00.001-07:002019-10-10T09:10:39.761-07:00Goaaaaaa! (Come back post!)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
First, a disclaimer - returning to my named blog after 6 years! A lot has changed since my previous post - Marriage and all that has happened. Life has been kind, and, of late, very, very busy!<br />
So, Goa was a welcome break from the madness! Here goes...<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sunday mornings are indeed early if it is still morning. So, to put it right, really, in fact brutally early at 5 30 am on Sunday morning, wifey and yours truly took the short 50 minute flight to Goa and landed at Dabolim airport Sunday 29 Sep</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well my first trip to Goa was, believe it or not, a school organised annual trip in the last millennium and then I had done 2 more trips with college and work gangs, but even the last trip was around 12 years ago.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As regards the missus, rather strange that she hadn't been to Goa until now, whatay blasphemy I tell you. And the fact that yours truly had taken her to Maldives and Krabi would not take away the fact that a Goa trip had not been checked off the list of places to explore in one's lifetime, the earlier the better.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Enough poking some innocent jovial spirited fun at the wife, atleast for now.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, sleep starved as we were, we resumed our sleep in the prepaid taxi to Calangute, North Goa.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We had referred to a few blogs and curated reviews from a few friends to decide that our stay would be split 40:60 to North and South, although it is North Goa that is the Haven for party animals.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We checked in at the Le Meridian at Calangute and although check in was 3 pm and it was only 10 am then, the folks at the reception and lounge helped us with our breakfast and we must say it was sumptuous to say the least.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">They had a few maps of the city and while we waited for our room to be ready, we planned our North Goa out!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We knew we would rent a bike and go out to Ashwem, Sinquerim, Aguada, Baga, Anjuna and target at least one, if not both of the recommended night clubs, Tito's and LPK (Love Passion Karma, as I would later learn)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hate to say that even September-October is quite hot and humid, unbearably so especially for the AC imprisoned Bangalorean, in the corporate IT set up or yesteryear conditioning courtesy a thoroughly enviable weather that is fast disappearing.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Coming back to Goa, thanks to it being off season and the shack policy being in a limbo, we could enjoy the beaches and the scintillating sea views that Goa continues to offer.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And to compare the experience of getting around, I must say that one doesn't need to feel like he or she has stolen a bike since rent a bike and rent a car is legit, with yellow on black number plate and all.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">300 bucks a day is quite reasonable and while petrol bunks are far and few, petrol for the bike is available aplenty, in Bisleri bottles at the markup of 20 rupees from bunk price to the litre.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Convenience, am sure, but for the corrupt government as well, if you allow to place on record without deviating too much.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So yes, Sinquerim fort and beach and then Aguada fort are definitely worth a visit. Aguada fort has a few boards up providing good info on the forts of Goa.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is interesting to refresh our history of how the spice trade and Ottoman Turk Monopoly over it lead to the exploration and discovery of the sea route to India, starting with Vasco Da Gama on the Malabar coast.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The hot sun and a delightful lunch at a boutique hotel, Tuscany Gardens was enough to lull us into a late noon siesta only to wake up in time for Tito's since LPK was farther from Calangute.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tito's was where I had been to on the after college trip to Goa and I remember Tito's and Pecos where be had been back then and Club Cabana which was open back then, but was out of reach since we were all stags and could barely afford the cover on our first job pay cheques</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So yeah, from what I remember, Tito's is definitely a run down, but always a great feeling to let one's hair down, even if there isn't much to let down, and shake a leg when one has two right feet.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We surprised ourselves by stealing time at the Baga beach front for a quick taste of Feni, the local drink before we hit Tito's.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Le Meridian is a really nice place to stay and wifey and I had a memorable stay there - great food and with time to play carrom, table tennis, air hockey, Jenga (yes!) and snooker, which I was trying out for the first time as well!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thanks to some nudging and a lot of pushing, some quite literally, I can safely say I am beginning to be comfortable in a swimming pool, at the shallow ends, to be sure.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well, dipping oneself and letting go of oneself, howsoever briefly and floating whatsoever small distance counts for a beginning, doesn't it?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank you Bimba - I only hope I gather some will and a lot of time to further this!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If evening of Day 1 Calangute was a night club, Day 2 evening was Ashwem beach, where we caught the sunset, and although it was cloudy and we couldn't really see the orange red ball of fire go down over the sea horizon, the colours of the sky were heavenly to say the least. What a treat to the eyes! The crimson red hues just soothe one's eyes and mind. Nature doesn't cease to amaze! And remind us of our artificial sense of superiority. Nature rules Supreme. And without making it a contest or making a hue and cry of it. Sunsets are pretty much an everyday affair for Nature, but to the Traveller, places like Ashwem are an everyday party with all invited.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">On our bike ride back to Le Meridian we stopped over at The Karma Collection near Ashwem - they have a rather interesting collection of antique and antique like stuff.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">One thing that struck me at Ashwem is the number of sign boards in Russian.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Amusing how a city is so much like home to people of a different country, and intriguing how a city like Goa welcomes and embraces the Russians.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Early next morning, as if to race against the Sun and how sunny it can get, we rode upto Anjuna beach, where if we had collected just a few more pebbles, we could have been prosecuted for illegal pebble mining ;)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But, more seriously, absolutely precious stones these pebbles are. One can't care for gems and jewellery if one just as much as holds up and feels some of these smooth and shiny pebbles!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was difficult to believe that this was our third day in North Goa and it was time to check out of the lovely hotel that Le Meridian is and say goodbye to the happening North Goa!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The only place we couldn't do more of or enough of was Ashwem and the only place we couldn't do at all was LPK, or Love Passion Karma.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Must do on our next trip may be!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We hired a taxi to South Goa. 2000 bucks to South Goa from North Goa!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And here is another tip - we later hired a car in South Goa on reaching there, and realised we could have saved money and covered more places if we had hired a car on Day 1, delivered to us right at the airport and to be dropped off on the day of the return flight!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, we did not know what beautiful resort the Radisson Blu resort at Cavelossim would be until we got there!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We got a Tika, arti and gong welcome! Just wow!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And the rooms...they are villas - we had a balcony room, so it was on the first floor and spacious, luxurious property and rooms!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The resort opens into the Cavelossim beach where we caught the sunset in the evening.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Goan sunsets are just priceless! Each, beautiful but no doubt some more than the other!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We got our car delivered to the hotel in the evening - after all we had a plan worked out for Wednesday and Thursday in South Goa and some places at Old Goa on Friday morning before we caught our afternoon return flight!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I need to call out Manjunaths Rent a car - excellent service, they delivered the car at Cavelossim and would take return delivery at the airport - reasonable rent tariffs and a nice new car - the Hyundai i20 was in great condition and I had absolutely no issues whatsoever!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So Wednesday we did Mobor beach in the morning and then fueled up for the longer drive in the evening.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">South Goa is sleepy and many shops were not open for most part of the day!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, our evening drive to Colva was smooth. Wife and I did Parasailing at Colva!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well it so happened that the missus had done Parasailing earlier at Murudeshwar, well before our marriage, and as she later realised, the Parasailing at Murudeshwar was not to the height one reached at Colva!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So yes, back to the Parasailing story - the guy told us that we needed to do it separately, each of us accompanied by the professional. So, looking at the height, the wife promptly told me she would do it only if I went first. And there, I decided to go only because if I didn't, the missus would miss it :P</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Man, I felt uncomfortably close to God for the most part of the ride, and given that I don't know swimming, it was certainly adventure exponential to a logarithmic scale at that kinda height with just the Arabian Sea below me. I am sure if I were to fall, the life jacket would probably explode before I calm myself down to float, and then there were thoughts of drowning due to getting entangled and stuck under the chute.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Of course, the hysteria did fade and make way to some delight and feeling of satisfying adventure and as I got lowered, I spotted Bimba and waved and smiled to her, and declared victory, showing her a V with my own hand that I took off the harness for a bit ;)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A must this Parasailing for anyone who can gather the guts :P</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And then wifey went up for it,and shrieked on her way up in a manner that is so typical of girls. Not men. You see, we hide our fears quite well ;)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">After the Parasailing and sitting down at the beach to trade notes on the experience, we decided to go to Utorda beach to catch the Sunset since Colva was a little crowded and the hawkers were a little disturbing.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We could have gone to Sunset Beach or Betalbatim beach, both of which were closer to Colva, but decided to go a little further to Utorda, based on a recommendation/review from my wife's friend.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Again, another scintillating sunset, as you can see in the pictures. The colours are just unbelievable! No filters were used, which some find hard to believe!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dinners at the Radisson - we tried Lucio's their Goan and Portuguese cuisine and the Upper deck which is their 24/7 restaurant and coffee shop.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Next morning we had a lazy breakfast followed by some more lazing at the pool at Radisson. A great pool they have, what with varying depths. But I do wish they enforced the discipline and basic hygiene of showering before entering the pool. Firangs and Desis alike were entering the pool without showering and thus rendering the pool dirty. What a shame, some people don't have basic common sense or sense of keeping places clean!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anyway, we didn't spend as much time we otherwise could have in the pool. So, we had an early start to the afternoon long drive. We stopped over at Agonda beach first, which again is not very crowded. Having waded into the beach there and satisfied our feet and soul with the waters, we left from there by 4 to reach Palolem by about 4 30. Good, they have parking close to the beach!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We had run out of cash, but could get cash at a money point using the debit card, albeit for a small fee. A coupla hundreds for the convenience.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, Palolem has boat rides and we got onto a boat just in time because it would be an hour's boat ride and there would be very few boat tours starting after 6 if at all.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The boat took us deeper into the waters so we could catch glimpses of jelly fish and dolphins and then to "Honey moon island", so named because it is not very deep at the beach and since it is only accessible by boat from Palolem, it is not crowded, therefore offering the perfect opportunity for honeymoon photos if not the honeymoon itself ;)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Since we had the option of stopping over only at one beach, the other family Bimba and I shared the boat with - together we decided to stop over at the Butterfly beach instead. The waters run very deep with a sharp plummet at the beach, but the beautiful shape of the island and the huge rocks at the shore offer picturesque views, and better picture opportunities as well as you can see for yourself;)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">On our way back to Palolem on the boat, they took us past Monkey Island and also narrated the story about this Rock pub, which quite literally was only a huge rock, called Sundowner.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">After a thoroughly fulfiling boat island tour, we enjoyed the Sunset at Palolem with a game of frisbee on the beach!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And then, Bimba went around the shops at Palolem, didn't shop for too much but I can safely conclude that her soul was content having looked at all the stuff in those shops!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well, we drove back to the resort with a heavy heart since we didn't have any more sunsets left at Goa, and had only skyscrapers and smog ,and that's if one had enough time or ventured out for a sunset back in Bangalore! But yes, Bangalore is in our DNA, so, doesn't make much sense to crib about one's DNA does it!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">On the last day, we had a quick breakfast - by now I had tried the Madurai Malli and Tanjore Dosa apart from the regular Ghee Masala Dosa at the live Dosa counter at Radisson.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We drove to Old Goa, and went straight to the Bom Basilica, the Church that the Portuguese built in,wait for it, 1605! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We prayed at the altar after a quick guided tour of the Basilica. The tour includes the story of the miracle of the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We then walked across to the Se Cathedral which is also built in the 17th century, in 1665 to be precise, by the Portuguese. This latter church didn't have any service going on and seemed to be under restoration.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What a fine, peaceful and heartwarming finish to our Goa trip we thought as we drove to the airport where we would drop the car off.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sunset @ Ashwem</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bimba enjoying at Anjuna Beach...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Us at Mobor Beach</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Local Church and School at Cavelossim</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPCfFpS8iSHwiMWhGO-oZztoPN5HuID-1KViHOksXdeebkayP-BR_sOsWNpmgTmCQ76EHiUFk6OtGQbv5tjMMzjOJkAMTgiAs7wwjTGKGWQyafUfh-BwVnBDJnLjGC_oY2BMDKAHZ5L22/s1600/IMG-20191002-WA0148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPCfFpS8iSHwiMWhGO-oZztoPN5HuID-1KViHOksXdeebkayP-BR_sOsWNpmgTmCQ76EHiUFk6OtGQbv5tjMMzjOJkAMTgiAs7wwjTGKGWQyafUfh-BwVnBDJnLjGC_oY2BMDKAHZ5L22/s320/IMG-20191002-WA0148.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Beautiful sunset @Cavelossim Beach</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0fHIav-2vz3_yAQhSaoKyhcgr2CvlSlw61e1FZlTUZ7JYPKba9lymFhdkw5VY1WgjWPJiG9N6joxPm3cL_-X8S-2qnc-kc9NoN3opJpdqBhMQVRJHKPbvghTnd0W3w5t16VwgQQYg2Wt/s1600/IMG-20191004-WA0036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="774" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0fHIav-2vz3_yAQhSaoKyhcgr2CvlSlw61e1FZlTUZ7JYPKba9lymFhdkw5VY1WgjWPJiG9N6joxPm3cL_-X8S-2qnc-kc9NoN3opJpdqBhMQVRJHKPbvghTnd0W3w5t16VwgQQYg2Wt/s320/IMG-20191004-WA0036.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Stopover at Butterfly Beach - Posing for Nirvana</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXuF4toS-Vzi-pRJSBJpdBW1IpDmB_tuhKpzpzcxd6o3Ba5XEYrB8EZhiMgz3er-rEc_NGdZnQERvrc_BwFalswi0SleweepWUuvh6YNA0mhXtpdZ8hiEql7s6L4sZnB6HvEH_HsNyiKDp/s1600/IMG-20191004-WA0169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="774" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXuF4toS-Vzi-pRJSBJpdBW1IpDmB_tuhKpzpzcxd6o3Ba5XEYrB8EZhiMgz3er-rEc_NGdZnQERvrc_BwFalswi0SleweepWUuvh6YNA0mhXtpdZ8hiEql7s6L4sZnB6HvEH_HsNyiKDp/s320/IMG-20191004-WA0169.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sunset @Utorda Beach</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As wife would later say on Instagram, Go, Goa Gone!</span></div>
Sthiramathi aka Seizonshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02561897718595832987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2596086603243642270.post-84793684399563911912013-03-12T21:43:00.000-07:002013-03-12T21:43:35.521-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><u>A tryst with an Image on a Cloud.</u></b><br />
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The beautiful bright nine clouds that Summer Saturday morning.<br />
Bright at once, spawning dreams, kindling desires, igniting passion.<br />
That the Ninth Cloud would bring forth a wonderful Image, was beyond imagination.<br />
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What a bright day it was, the brilliance would be everlasting and precious.<br />
The scale of the Celestial Conspiracy would even seem a tad bit fictitious.<br />
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Waking up every morning, to the sweet reality of a new life, feeling fresh, rejuvenated;<br />
Despite elusive sleep; For of the precious new find - the Image, I am unstoppably fascinated.<br />
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And so the Ninth Cloud, the most benevolent of all, has extended an invitation.<br />
Setting foot on the ground is no longer an option when you're experiencing levitation!<br />
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--<b><i>Serendipitous Seizonsha</i></b><br />
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Sthiramathi aka Seizonshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02561897718595832987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2596086603243642270.post-13365912452153524112012-04-22T12:17:00.001-07:002012-04-22T12:17:19.301-07:00Getting the Maximum out of the Maximum City.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
First, the things I'd planned to do, <b><u>but didn't manage to do.</u></b><br />
a) Go on any of the Mumbai Walks. Too bad, they take only corporate bookings now. Someone needs to tell them that they just need to manage the online booking better and not be pricey. Now, how many corporate bookings will they get? Should I be the someone who tells them that? Probably yes ;)<br />
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b) A visit to Haji Ali. Guess I will do it on my next visit to the city. Not sure when though!<br />
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And now, here's a list of things planned/unplanned and I'm happy I did.<br />
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a) Keep the running coming along...Did 3 runs of 10kms with the last one under 70 mins. I should be happy if I manage an early 60's for the TCS 10K back in Bangalore next month.<br />
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b) Mumbai Darshan - the local sight-seeing trip. It had been about 20 years since I'd done this last. This time around I was alone, but the memories of the previous Bombay sight-seeing with Appa, Amma and sis came rushing back. I must have been in class 2 or 3 then!<br />
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c) Visiting Matunga. Man, I should have done this back in 2009 or 2011. Wonder how I failed doing this on both occasions. It could have had a bearing on certain decisions ;)<br />
More seriously, a "South Indian" will feel at home here in Matunga and will never feel like he's left home to work here in a faraway land.<br />
(the term "South Indian" here being used more for convenience rather than to imply agreement with the stereotyping or generalisation of people originally from the South of the Vindhyas!)<br />
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d) A leisurely visit to Kala Ghoda.<br />
In all I spent about 4 hours across the art galleries in the Jehangir Art Gallery and the National Gallery of Modern Arts.<br />
It had been almost 4 years since I spent so much time at art galleries. I was reminded of my regular visits to the Visual Arts Gallery at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. I liked the art works on display at the galleries here in Mumbai. But the Delhi visits still have a strong influence on me. Maybe because I used to visit almost every weekly art exhibition atleast once a week for almost 6 months.<br />
It's a pity I haven't visited any such galleries back at home. Something I should do when I return later this week.<br />
Just looked up Chitrakala Parishat online. I never knew they had so many galleries there!<br />
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e) A play at the NCPA.<br />
The plays looked interesting. But I didn't think thrice before shelling out 500 bucks for Vir Das' stand-up called "History of India - Vir written".<br />
Man, is he good! I probably much better. But he was definitely good alright ! My first stand-up experience and I totally loved it!<br />
Apparently the guy has done some 25 shows at the Tata Theatre at the NCPA and all of them have been sold out. In fact, this evening Mumbai Indians were playing in Mumbai and Vir Das' was sold out..with 850+ seats.<br />
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Returning home to the Optimum City (yes, that's a new name I have coined for Bangalore!) later this week.<br />
A lot of things on my To Do when back in Bangalore. Long-term, short-term, completing WIP n unfinished businesses and taking up new activities...plans shall remain plans until executed. So, fingers crossed and mind set!<br />
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Optimum City - so what the name may be influenced by a positive bias. I definitely feel its an apt one!<br />
See ya soon!<br />
<br />
Seizonsha<br />
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<br /></div>Sthiramathi aka Seizonshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02561897718595832987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2596086603243642270.post-7345356582245056392012-03-02T02:10:00.003-08:002012-03-03T20:33:04.450-08:00Nemesis.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-HQvmI3OCa6o5c8rVtQ_065tf6KCAFnmjCnMSgCECYzxhilOW7_nbb6rXLX_wK4ejrAdxQtl-1VGuIv-o3HGk4_2ecsMt9iOj4la1ml4cwMzHsF_F6S1ZqWiOqTGkJ04L5wZNWRCD5m3/s1600/100_9872.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-HQvmI3OCa6o5c8rVtQ_065tf6KCAFnmjCnMSgCECYzxhilOW7_nbb6rXLX_wK4ejrAdxQtl-1VGuIv-o3HGk4_2ecsMt9iOj4la1ml4cwMzHsF_F6S1ZqWiOqTGkJ04L5wZNWRCD5m3/s400/100_9872.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715895279456628722" /></a><br /><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">That summer morning when he woke up, he wanted to unremember.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">He wanted to unremember the Dream that had turned nightmare.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">A nightmare that surpassed dawn and clouded him until the morning sun shone.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">He realised that he had met his Nemesis.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">The date on his watch read " 30 THU ". The time had come.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">An invalid date could not have signaled a more valid message.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Running would not be enough. That very morning, he would have to run away. </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">He had always banked on Einstein's quote about Reality being a function of time.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">The Reality however, as he Realised that morning, was that it was time.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Time for him to set himself up for a pilgrimage.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Seek answers to questions that had been making his head spin in several multiples of 360 degrees over the past days that had spilled into a few weeks and then a couple of months.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">The innocent fella he was, he was not going to leave any debts behind for me to repay. As in, no monetary debts</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">But what an arrogant fella I tell ya, he was talking about Indebtedness; about how his life resembled an unbalanced sheet now, reflecting the bordering mental and sentimental imbalance he thought he was going through.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Sometimes, he takes things into his head. That egg shaped head I too inherited from him.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Whoever told him that Life was Fair! </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Anyways, before your head starts spinning, let me declutter things up.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Breathe easy. Breathe in slowly. Breathe out quickly.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Now that you are ready, let me break this piece of news to you. </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><em><strong>Vishwas Mysore has met with his Nemesis. He has chosen to leave all of us. He has run away. Away from all that was troubling him.</strong></em> </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Who am I then, you may ask. </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">I am his alter ego.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">I know all his dark and bright secrets. Well, almost all.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> He has left somethings behind for me to deal with. Like for example, his job. And the pay that comes with it. Luckily, he didnt owe any money to anyone. But then, his assets are apparently mine only so long as I don't try to sell them off. Smart fucker. Super-power of attorney it seems! Superior joke. Only that the joke is on me. His Alter Ego. Whatay fucker! He apparently reserves the right to claim just in case he feels like returning into our midst. Irresponsible fella ! He has run away from problems and wants to come back if he feels like. Especially if all problems have been solved. And if he can be assured that there shall be no more problems.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">That last bit about wanting to have no problems.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Like it's gonna happen. Jackass! For all his self-proclaimed knowledge and useless education. Anyways.I am his alter ego. So, I cant belittle him beyond a point. </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">But he was a nice fella in his own way. Well meaning and well intentioned. I only wish him well. I'm not too sure if I'm gonna miss him. Not any more than he's gonna miss me. </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">His parting words to me were on the lines of Him wanting to put his mind over matter.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">I felt like throwing some batter on him. That could have cured him of his mental ailment.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Mind over batter would have baked some nice biscuits to munch on. Given the heat inside his already half-baked mind.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">There I go again. I apologise. I mean no disrespect. <em><strong>But then, I have now taken over.</strong></em></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">He and I are a lot similar. Yet so different. I dont have any emotional baggage though.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><em><strong>It is now my turn. Huhuhaahah (Roars of laughter).</strong></em></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><em><strong>--Seizonsha aka Sthiramathi (that naive guy - Vishwas Mysore's alter-ego)</strong></em></p>Sthiramathi aka Seizonshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02561897718595832987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2596086603243642270.post-71294817229291373532012-02-02T09:45:00.000-08:002012-02-02T09:51:55.217-08:00Of Hopes, Dreams and Desires.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tGmYKZxg048K1yusXhYHM4rrVaPzH5J8ca98HhdK4obCt0A0Mq0M5UMoNe6uKC9doC_9_blJCPEBXFAxWzWOBwCJfXyVQR_vw7WELQuaJKGMsbnTCEjZ-I1If-gj6LX3fXu62UYCjAYG/s1600/Dante_and_beatrice.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tGmYKZxg048K1yusXhYHM4rrVaPzH5J8ca98HhdK4obCt0A0Mq0M5UMoNe6uKC9doC_9_blJCPEBXFAxWzWOBwCJfXyVQR_vw7WELQuaJKGMsbnTCEjZ-I1If-gj6LX3fXu62UYCjAYG/s320/Dante_and_beatrice.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704597178219879522" /></a><br /><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >As I set sail on yet another journey on the days after tomorrow,</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >A few more wonderful moments I wish I could borrow.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >Whom from you may ask, dear Friend. Don't you very well know?</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span > </span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >For although every long journey away from home is bitter-sweet,</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >Every such moment hurts when eyes and minds don't meet.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span > </span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >The direction of the wind is in which I set sail.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >For how does it matter when it is that Deam I trail.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span > </span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >The sea-breeze and its occasional sweet whisper,</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >Makes those Dreams and Desires a tad bit crisper.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >The sea waves rushing away and returning,</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >Like they were signalling in a way, something.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span > </span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >The waters and their persistence, </span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >Against life's harms, helping build resistance;</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >The serenity of the Sea at night.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >Reminding you of Destiny's might.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span > </span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >The perils of the sea for which I mentally prepare,</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >The effects of the defects which I attempt to repair.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >The optimist in me does not like to imagine despair.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >I feel like the stoic sailor; a master of sea-fare.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span > </span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >I feel like a captain of a regiment trained in war-fare.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >Setting sail, hopeful of a home-coming filled with fan-fare.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >Looking forward to coming back to something really really nice.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >For home, family and friends give me a feeling unbeatable by Paradise.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> </p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 16px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><i><b><span >- OptiMystic Seizonsha.</span></b></i></p>Sthiramathi aka Seizonshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02561897718595832987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2596086603243642270.post-57134481062000063622012-01-28T08:15:00.000-08:002012-01-28T08:32:42.565-08:00Of minds and workshops.Samiksha,<div>I has been a month since I have been at home. And although it has been rather hectic on the work front, what with late hours, work creeping into after and before office and weekends. But, no, this is no crib.</div><div>Guess this has been quite a cure. When the mind has enough to occupy itself, stray / unwelcome / unpleasant thoughts don't bother loitering around. </div><div>And although I have not been running as much as I would like to, I am happy I have rediscovered the reading habit.</div><div>Come to think of it, over the last 1 month, despite the hectic work schedule, I feel proud to have gone back to my earlier levels of time and mind management. The sheer variety of activities / breakways has been - well, satisfying yet encouraging. Guess it will only get better when I come back home in April for long.</div><div>So, here's what I have been upto just to keep my mind continuously occupied.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>2 exams (hope I clear both!)</i></b></div><div><b><i>1 music concert</i></b></div><div><b><i>2 books - each as un-put-downable as the other but (and no offense here Sidin!), liked the Kannada one more than English!</i></b></div><div><b><i>8 movies - yes, all on the big screen with a good mix across language, genre and company dimensions. Sherlock Holmes was no doubt the best!</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>All the comforting and feel-good moments can never be counted!</div><div><br /></div><div>Guess (and touchwood!) it has been a great start for 2012.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hope to read (minds as much as books) and run (races as much as rat-races) much more through the year!</div><div><br /></div><div>So long,</div><div><br /></div><div>Keep running!</div><div><br /></div><div>P.S: The movies will happen even without elaborate planning!</div>Sthiramathi aka Seizonshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02561897718595832987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2596086603243642270.post-61978166950295394012012-01-16T09:55:00.000-08:002012-01-16T10:18:11.976-08:00To Run or Run away is - not the question. On False-starts, Head-starts, Perfect and not-so-perfect starts.<div>Often times in life, one encounters false-starts.</div><div>Just when one thinks something has begun, one realises that he has jumped the gun.</div><div>That the Head-start was only in his own delusion-afflicted head subjected to Illusion.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not that all good starts are false-starts.</div><div>Nor is it the case that most head-starts are false or imagined.</div><div>The fact of the matter, if you really do ponder - is that we fail to imagine head-starts and false-starts almost equally well.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, false-starts end up making us look stupid. Or nervous.</div><div>But then, that hardly is enough reason to stop thinking about possible head-starts.</div><div><br /></div><div>For Life, my dear (diary) Samiksha, is sometimes (in fact quite often!) a race.</div><div>Possible futures, possible head-starts. </div><div>I promise, I shall never give up to be fondly, in fact almost apologetically romantically fantasize about them.</div><div><br /></div><div>If I were to be shaken into being practical ; be forced to avoid false-starts, I would still say that we need to make a start.</div><div>Make a start somewhere.</div><div>Aim for that head-start.</div><div>If it is worth it, pledge his heart.</div><div>Till Death does the Pursuit and him apart.</div><div><br /></div><div>For until one makes a beginning,</div><div>Life shall have no real meaning.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> - Seizonsha</div><div><br /></div><div>P.S: - A part of this was a result of a half-thought crystallised during the 10km run this Sunday on Sankranthi.</div><div>The other half - the idea of the "False-Start" was spawned by the not too recent false-start that yours truly was reminded of just as he was beginning to forget it.</div><div>He shall promptly and fondly go back to remembering the possible futures now.</div><div>After all, the Sthiramathi is supposed to weigh memorably imaginable futures and forgettable pasts alike.</div><div><br /></div>Sthiramathi aka Seizonshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02561897718595832987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2596086603243642270.post-82076102291048345262011-12-30T06:21:00.000-08:002011-12-30T06:26:50.655-08:00Waiting to meet you. Waiting for you; waiting for myself. (2012)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwZyLdavBhFzkUOb2zGV9fjhQq-SFjLEYqFzPD3o_3k-qvkzW3qUEJufTfHUp8HIu-V0Fp59TS5pbKi-HUieaKbaxevfHW6w4mW1fcGDWLX4TdTi4DuiwUl0zz-SZUt8_-w8wZ0Snh5Y4/s1600/IMAG0072.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwZyLdavBhFzkUOb2zGV9fjhQq-SFjLEYqFzPD3o_3k-qvkzW3qUEJufTfHUp8HIu-V0Fp59TS5pbKi-HUieaKbaxevfHW6w4mW1fcGDWLX4TdTi4DuiwUl0zz-SZUt8_-w8wZ0Snh5Y4/s320/IMAG0072.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691926904851314386" border="0"></a><br />A few disappointments; yet many other memorable, cherishable appointments.<br />Uncomfortably forgettable, yet several other unforgettably comfortable moments.<br />Good times, bad times, horrible times, bland times, in-times, out-times.<br /><br />Moments of silence. Moments of extreme patience, perseverance for deliverance. Resilience.<br />10km sprints. Running. Chasing. And some running away. As if to save my life.<br />Running into. People, ideas, places. Running into myself. Rediscovering life.<br /><br />Thank you for all the lessons taught, dear 2011.<br />Some sweet; some others learnt the hard way.<br />No hard feelings though. Guess, you could'nt help but teach.<br />Goodbye to you pal. I'm gonna miss the good times we shared.<br />Especially for all the moments when you showed that you really cared.<br /><br />On many an ocassion this year, you seemed like a dead end.<br />Dead ends are forgettable nightmares forgotten when awakened.<br />Thank God Almighty for the strength to walk past, move ahead, unhurt, unhurting.<br />Dead ends are what we move beyond, move on from, unfazed; Thoughtful, yetunblinking.<br /><br /><br />Let's put the past behind us though, mate.<br />Right now, for the promise of 2012, I cant wait!<br />She's gonna be my fantasy. My year. My time.<br />My moment. The turning point. Am sure she'll turn out well !<br /><br /><br />It has been a while. I have been waiting to meet you.<br />Waiting to meet myself. Waiting to be myself. With you.<br /><br />-Seizonsha<br /><br />P.S Made a few important corrections to the earlier spontaneous rote I wrote.<br />A few grammatical ; some others tactical yet somewhat practical.<br /><br />Dead ends are forgettable nightmares forgotten when awakened.<br />Sthiramathi aka Seizonshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02561897718595832987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2596086603243642270.post-17831569240783554282011-12-18T05:12:00.000-08:002011-12-18T05:25:44.810-08:00Sthiramathi.The 12th chapter of the Bhagavat Gita again.<br />"Again" is probably some kind of a "for-the-want-of-a-better-word" kinda word.<br />Because, the concept of the Sthiramathi, probably, never left me.<br />In the true spirit of the word, it should not leave one; the Sthiramathi holds onto the spirit of the word and the entire Bhaktiyoga (the 12th chapter of the Bhagavat Gita is called the Bhaktiyoga).<br /><br />Now that I have reached a stage where I can rightly presume that I have treated ups and downs, good and bad alike and have been stoic in spirit, unshaken when shook and unmoved despite circumstances tempting my mind to be carried away, I shall return to my business of life.<br />A business I have been running ever since my adolescence, and presumably reasonably well !<br /><br />Bitterness is easy and probably natural when one is faced with situations undesirable and seemingly unfavourable. The trick then, is to withhold it, analyse its correctness and watch oneself respond responsibly to it.<br /><br />Near and dear ones - Family and friends form a fortunate cushion that help you absorb the hard things in life without getting hurt much.<br /><br />This post is to thank my family and friends for being with me.<br />This post is to thank God Almightly to have watched over me.<br />Alright, I am supposed to be an agnostic. But then, Faith, is as important as food at times.<br />So, thank you all, for being around.<br /><br />And wish me luck for the rest of our times together.<br />I promise to strive to keep you happy, just the way I always have.<br />I promise to be the good boy I have always been.Sthiramathi aka Seizonshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02561897718595832987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2596086603243642270.post-65599620657487496622009-02-01T05:04:00.000-08:002009-02-01T19:44:49.974-08:00Weekends over weak ends - Orissa getaways - Chandipur, Devkund via Shimlipal.<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Recovering from a bug bite (the travel bug of course!) is often something that involves sound sleep. Some sounds affect that elusive sound sleep, but then, recent delusion and disillusion(ment) meant that elusion - of sleep or anything else will just have to be put up with.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Mohalla tripped to Chandipur via Balasore and then went to Shimlipal/Devkund before returning to Hijli.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 1</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Balasore is where you train to for about 2.5 hours from Hijli and then you hit the road to Chandipur, about 16 kilometres away. Mahindra Autos and SUVs - take your pick/pic depending on wallet and group sizes.<br /><br />The ride from Balasore to Chandipur is somewhat like that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_Rash">Roadrash</a> road - countryside. And look up Roadrash if you never once played it when you should have...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Aah...That Balasore is actually a degradation of Baleshwar is what you will realise when you get outta the Balasore/Baleshwar railway station...<br /><br />We missed the sunset at the Chandipur beach, but walked for a total of about 1.5 hours (to and fro) in the dark, wanting to see the water that weirdly recedes 5 kilometres every now and then...Orissa tourism says that <a href="http://www.orissatourism.gov.in/bechandi.html">Chandipur</a> is that beach where the visitors wait for the waters instead of the other way round..</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The moon (crescent) and Venus looked good during the walk, letting one think or dream of anyone else in another part of the world, near or far, distance and otherwise, who could potentially be looking at it at the same time and plausibly remembering or forgetting you.<br /><br />Food at Shubham Hotel's Swagath restaurant was good, and while yours truly appreciated the Paneer Capsicum and the Egg pudding, others of the Mohalla fedback about the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomfret">Pomfrets</a></span> <span style="font-size:85%;">and prawns. The feedback was that the latter dishes were "amazing!!" !! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 2</span><br /><br />T<span style="font-size:85%;">he drive from Chandipur to Balasore is best undertaken in a commercial vehicle like a Jeep or an SUV and we did accordingly.<br />We didn't really spot tigers at the Shimlipal Tiger reserve. May be that was because we really only wanted to get to this place called Devakunda and Shimlipal was the means.<br />Not wanting to get into the debate of what amongst {ends, means} is superior morally or otherwise, let me move on to <a href="http://www.devakunda.com/pk.htm">Devakunda</a> that was certainly our means to enjoyment. "Getaway" is the one word that captures the feeling, personally. Trek up the hill, stop points with a temple thrown in. And water of course! We got to see water at three outta the five points there are..</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Whatta trek! And what an "Escape" from all kinda thoughts that one gets and originates...Philosophy definitely has its origins in the hills. Things become as crystal clear as the water that flows down the hills. Even a pseudo-thinker and pseudo-psychological ( I always thought I was only being an amateur and original, building up on what I had learnt through reading and listening...but then, no one wants to be pseudo-anything, so, I should just get over this taunt anyway!)<br /><br /><br />Hope the prayers at the temple work. Injuries of all kinds seem to be happening in spite of prayers to all kinds of Gods.<br />Even the Nimishamba temple near Mysore has ignored similar prayers.<br />And idiots like me always get away lucky to enjoy everything. Pressures, elementary or alimentary don't really come in the way of the "enjoyment".<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">"Escape" if I can insist.</span><br /><br />Looking forward to Hijli Break. For reasons of feeling good and bad. Good about the past and the possible future. Bad because of the lost future and the present which will soon be lost...<br />88 days...at once seems too few and too many...</span>Sthiramathi aka Seizonshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02561897718595832987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2596086603243642270.post-82348717345299713332009-01-25T00:07:00.000-08:002009-01-26T19:26:19.590-08:00Movie Review: Slumdog MillionaireAfter a few address changes (blog URLs) and about 50 movies, the itch to talk about a movie brings me back here...I may or may not have been missed around, and people may or may not be wanting to read what I have to say..But then, this is my blog and I can say what I want :P<br /><br />And then, if people can read what Shobha De has to say, they can read me with a feeling of moral superiority...Afterall, I watched the movie in a multiplex paying 190 bucks and didn't watch it on a pirated DVD like how this celebrity columnist did...Somehow Shobha De somehow always reminds me of that Oscar Wilde remark about some people who are famous for being famous ;-)<br /><br />Well...I wont get down to a movie review in the traditional sense...(The post title is to that extent misleading, since the real intention of calling it a movie review is one of driving traffic towards the blog...Search string likelihood to be factored in you see!)<br /><br />You watch this movie and realise what an Oscar nomination for screenplay is all about!<br />I mean...three different time-slices in the lives of the lead characters woven beautifully together keeps you absorbed for the entire duration of the movie...<br />After all that has been said and written about this movie and the music, there is no point in trying to review either the movie or the music except maybe understand Oscar nominations backwards... (most of life itself is understood backwards anyway!)<br /><br />That all the three different actors who play the role of the lead character Jamaal Mallik seem to make a perfect fit is beyond doubt.. Its tough to not fall in love with any of the three actors who play Jamaal Mallik....and before you start thinking otherwise, let me assert my orientation in admitting to finding Freida Pinto to be "refreshingly beautiful"...as refreshing, and I am extremely apolegetic to both for this comparison...Freida Pinto is as refreshingly beautiful as Prachi Desai who debuted in "Rock On!" last year...<br />After watching people like Prachi Desai and Freida Pinto, or Dev Patel and Farhaan Akhtar for that matter, the average movie goers have to reassure themselves that life is not all that boringly cruel, and not all the time!<br /><br />Wokay...so...no movie reviewing or spoiling here...Except that I have to (in the interest of anyone accidentally or incidentally reading this post!) say that<br /><br />1. Fame Cinemas, South City Mall Kolkata has great leg-space: one reason to watch movies there!<br />2. Please watch the English version - no heavy Brit or American accents, so no worries for the average Indian English speaking "junta"...<br />3. Moviemarks (extending Bookmarks, and hullo! this is my original idea which dawned upon me when travelling in the rickety buses of Kolkata) -<br />Moviemarks (personal of course!) are -<br /><br />a) "Dont worry about her, she will be fine. " - This line is actually in Hindi - "Woh theek rahengi"..Beautiful piece of advice to anyone in a situation like that!<br />b) "So what?" This one shocked my system enough to change from slouch to sit up. I hope you don't miss this line, although I am sure you will miss it if you don't empathise with Jamaal or Latika...<br />c) " I thought we will meet only in..." Man! Touching...Hope all love stories end happily despite such thoughts!...<br /><br />I am reasonably sure that the post in general and the Moviemarks in particular dint spoil it for you! If I am wrong, do tell me I spoilt it for you and we can watch this movie again and revisit all the thought-points of the movie and compare notes ;-)<br /><br />Oh yeah! Forgot to mention this..You come outta the movie hall and then you realise that there was unnecessary newsprint and TV talk about India being portrayed in a particular manner..Its a movie after all man!Sthiramathi aka Seizonshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02561897718595832987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2596086603243642270.post-6176354131780312772008-08-05T12:02:00.000-07:002009-01-26T19:29:34.738-08:00On mental, sentimental and other such Balances.Balance.<br /><br />That one word, has so much in it. An average (if you insist!) kid growing up in the 80's and 90's would have probably been introduced to the idea and word in a "General Science" class talking about physical balances in a chapter titled "Measurement" or something of the sort.<br />And then, may be, subsequently, the idea must have really been talked about at length in a Biology class in the context of "Balanced Diets".<br /><br />But, a week of Mc Donald's for lunch will help you realise that the Mc Veggie burger with cheese helps you achieve a Balance in a triple whammy of sorts.<br />Firstly, it helps you maintain a fine balance between health and hygiene. If you are in an expensive locality, you do have dirty dhabas and other dirtier, cheaper options just as you have more expensive options.<br />Secondly, the Mc Veggie burger helps you maintain a balanced diet. It's got vegetables in it you see - greens, peas, potatoes, onions and possibly others not easily identifiable. As long as there is balance, why bother eh?<br />Thirdly, it helps you maintain a fine mental balance. Unfortunately, elaboration is uncomfortably convincing, much as it is open to imagination and interpretation.<br /><br />Yeah. Coming back to balance.<br />Kids these days. How are they introduced to the idea of Balance?<br /><br />Cellphone service talktime.<br /><br />Growing up, you do invariably encounter, and in some cases are "encountered by"<br /><br />1. Work-life balance.<br />2. Bank balance.<br /><br />Somewhere along the line, even without thinking about balance, you might be losing your mental and sentimental balance. But, if you lose your balance, mental/sentimental/physical while thinking about Balance in the larger context and canvass of life, you can hold only yourself responsible.<br /><br />Responsible....Hmmm...<br />Let me end this post with a few questions.<br /><br />1. Do you have Balance?<br />2. Are you a "Balanced Person"?<br />3. Who is "Responsible" ? Who is responsible?<br />4. Are you responsible?<br />5. Are you a "Responsible person" ?<br />6. If you are responsible for <span style="font-style: italic;">something <span style="font-weight: bold;">gone</span> wrong</span>, are you a still a "Responsible person" ? Or have you morphed into an "Irresponsible person" by virtue of eventually being responsible for the wrong? ;-)<br /><br />Cheers!<br />VishwasSthiramathi aka Seizonshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02561897718595832987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2596086603243642270.post-83110800845273025002008-05-25T04:49:00.000-07:002008-05-25T04:59:53.616-07:00The Capital Account.The last I heard was that given the vote bank politics our Cabinet and the Parliament without exception plays all the time, India is quite far from Capital Account Convertibility.<br /><br />But yeah, if you never were interested in all that crap about politics and economics, let me share with you an admission that I too dont, and the name <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Capital Account" </span>could not have been more appropriate for a blog from New Delhi.<br /><br />But, certain "feelings" stem from the bottom of one's heart. In my case, they would spring from the left, right and center of my heart as well. So, the new theme, and a new blog.<br /><br /><a href="http://krutakahridaya.blogspot.com/">http://krutakahridaya.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />Cheers,<br />VishwasSthiramathi aka Seizonshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02561897718595832987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2596086603243642270.post-74299305142613847852008-03-29T02:50:00.000-07:002009-01-26T19:30:17.241-08:00Craftwork...Destined to dwell in Nostalgia!Hi Samiksha,<br /><br />Before I get started on another looooong story marrying the future and the present, let me tell you about one of my best friends who is here with me on a vacation. He's taken a break of sorts from everything, including blogging..<br />For reasons obviously known to you, me and a few others, we'll call him <span style="font-weight: bold;">"TheNamesake"<br /><br /></span>Now, he really does not want to be the talk of the town, or for that matter TheVillage; So, we shall give him some rest in terms of Time and Space...those two celestial/galactic dimensions on which the world, the universe itself, as we know, depends.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Craftwork<br /><br /></span>Coming back to what really got me here this night/dawn to talk to you was this...<br />Staying in this village, seemingly simple things like the weather can be quite amusing, as I discovered this Saturday evening, and my "loomie" and I had been to one of the Halls of Residences here, and Vidyasagar Hall, known for its Pakodas and other snacks, was our ideal eatout place on a Saturday evening since our Mess, being the complete mess it is, doesn't serve Saturday snacks and dinner..<br />So....VS Hall was playing Kraftwerk...I was <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">transported.</span></span><br />They were playing "We are the robots" and..that was enough to transport me into Nostalgia mode...<br />There was a self proclaimed "Sweet Innocent Child's" dinner treat that separated me from downloading all of Kraftwerk I could get on "D See Plus Plus"..<br /><br />I am gonna abruptly put an end to this random blabbering right here, and leave you with the lyrics of one of Kraftwerk's songs I used to like then, and like now alike! :D<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Model </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">She's a model and she's looking good</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I'd like to take her home that's understood</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">She plays hard to get, she smiles from time to time</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">It only takes a camera to change her mind</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">She's going out tonight whilst drinking just champagne</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">And she has been checking nearly all the men</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">She's playing her game and you can hear them say</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">She's looking good for beauty we will pay</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">She's posing for consumer products now and then</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For every camera she gives the best she can</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I saw her on the cover of a magazine</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Now she's a big success I want to meet her again..<br /><br /></span>By the way..Craftwork, Kraftwerk...whats the connection you ask?<br />I dont know what Designs my fate had on me this evening, that I was destined to be <span style="font-weight: bold;">Transported...</span>As if it were some Craftwork of sorts to remind me of Kraftwerk...<br /><br />AzziBoy and me used to be hooked onto the only magnetic tape we had of Kraftwerk back in Class 9..<br />And Azzi Boy is in for a surprise ( I am not quite sure if he has enough time to read blogs, apart from Philosophy!)<br /><br />For now, I ll call it a day Samiksha...Its daybreak anyway! :)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>Sthiramathi aka Seizonshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02561897718595832987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2596086603243642270.post-38275367408769404802008-03-24T17:12:00.000-07:002009-01-26T19:31:04.018-08:00Characters...Characters...Yes, we meet so many characters in our life, that somehow, the derogatory sense in which the word is often used can also be ignored...<br />So, over the last few days, while doing what many others apart from me normally do, I have ended up discussing so many characters that finally a good friend, an Unparallelled bibliophile, at the risk of seeming to be indulging in flattery, suggested that I revive my "Normal blog" by posting about characters...<br /><br />Works well for me, since I had lost hopes of people being interested in the "normal blog"..where people talk about themselves, their opinions, no holds barred...Without ever feeling the need for disguising/encrypting their thoughts and dreams...<br /><br />So, here it goes..And I am suggesting fellow blogger friends to do this to their blogs...A neat idea for a blog topic when you either<br />1. Don't have much else to say<br /> OR<br />2. Don't wanna say much (especially if you have decided to take a break from depending on a blog!)<br /><br />Without wasting any more time/space, lets get to the act..<br />Although I have read very less fiction, I have taken this up..<br />I am gonna talk about 5 fictional characters who have influenced me, my thoughts and possibly my personality and life..<br />Here goes..<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">1. Sri Krishna/Sthiramathi/Disciple</span><br /><br />Growing up, studying in Chinmaya Vidyalaya, a school where you are expected to memorise Samskirt verses as part of a course in the curriculum, you are bound to encounter some verses from the Bhagavad Gita...And the 12th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, called Bhakti Yoga, is where Sri Krishna describes the ideal qualities and virtues of a disciple..Some of these verses which most of us only memorised back then and only later understood the full import when in our teens; they have an insurmountable philosophical value; insurmountable because one just cant get over them once they enlightened about the meaning of some of the Bhakti Yoga's verses...<br />Sthiramathi, the ideal disciple, easily ranks number 1. (Although I have mentioned Sri Krishna, The Lord, above for purely religious reasons! - The disciple is never supposedly spiritually superior after all!)<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">2. Sherlock Holmes</span><br /><br />For his "singular" style of analysis and thought process.<br />What one admires is often what one also aspires for, it is said, and it is definitely true in my case...<br />Sharpness, presence of mind, superior mental acumen and a subtle disposition symbolising elegance and simultaneous effortless modesty...any one can be carried away..<br />And a light head like me is no exception!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">3. Phaedrus</span><br /><br />Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance - A book by Robert M Pirsig was something that TheOriginalVishwas suggested to me... ;-)<br />A book recommendation from someone who reads Philosophy and Programming alike was irresistible for even a magazine/newspaper happy reader like me..<br />ZMM was a very, very good read, marrying fiction with philosophy, and every bike riding guy should read it (girls and non bikers are also welcome!)<br />Phaedrus, at first appears to be your average biker, riding across towns and villages...until he starts talking about life, philosophy and especially about the human obsession with taxonomy, classification, stereotyping and judgment-making.<br />I really don't know why I could associate myself so much with him and agreed with most if not all of what he said....to the extent that his opinions became mine...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">4. Howard Roark</span><br /><br />The Fountainhead, another recommendation from TheOriginalVishwas, was also well received...probably because it was not "fiction" of the regular variety and had some of Ayn Rand's "Philosophy" blended into the "plot".<br />No double quotes would be required in mentioning the character development, since there were characters one would love to hate as well..<br />But, Howard Roark can influence a reader and then throw him/her into a weird state.<br />You appreciate Howard Roark and want to be like Howard Roark..and there lies the paradox...If you really like Howard Roark, or are actually in someways like Howard Roark, you would never be in a state where you want to be like someone else, or emulate another person...<br />Influencing, nevertheless! Thought provoking to say the least!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">5. Richard</span><br /><br />Richard Bach, in his book "The Bridge Across Forever", develops ideas and dreams around this character by his very name.<br />Apart from the fact that Richard is a pilot, what personally got me "hooked" onto him and the book was the fact that I had decided to consciously guard myself against attachment of any kind before I started reading the book.<br />I started reading the book on the train from TheCity to TheVillage, and completed reading the book only a coupla weeks after setting myself up in TheVillage...<br />This also explains why I said "hooked" with a double quote...Reading this book, the romantic idiot I can be at times, I would be carried away into the land of dreams before I encounter hard realities of distance from the past and the future, and resume reading again..<br />The book was my dope, and I imagined myself to be Richard at times, especially because the idea of a soulmate was as elusive to me as to him during the initial parts of the book....<br />I guess I am still hooked to some dreams produced as a by-product of reading the book, and if I cant fly planes like Richard, I can still dream of finding a soulmate like he did, in the later parts of the book...<br />Unfortunately, I am in this Bschool <a href="javascript:void(0)" tabindex="10" onclick="return false;"><span></span></a>on an educational loan, apart from a zero percent interest "home loan" for working capital, and what with flying being expensive, including fuel, and air traffic in Bharat being what it is, I can cofortably blame it on "lack of infrastructure" inside, outside and above this B school ;-)Sthiramathi aka Seizonshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02561897718595832987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2596086603243642270.post-1229651110796427842008-03-23T23:27:00.000-07:002008-03-24T03:53:47.946-07:00Getting back...Getting back to blogging after getting back to The Village...I have been really busy ever since I posted last, what with meeting people, friends and relatives almost as if I were a celebrity;<br />Being invited for breakfast, lunch and dinner at times, can be really embarassing...<br />I was reminded of what Richard Bach had wrote about Celebrities..<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">“It’s exciting, at first. You think at first that you’re different, that you have something special to offer, and that can even be true. Then you remember you’re the same person you’ve always been; the only change is that suddenly your picture is everywhere and columns are being written about who you are and what you’ve said and where you’re going next and people are stopping to look at you. And you’re a celebrity. More accurately, you’re a curiosity. And you say to yourself, I don’t deserve all this attention!” - Richard Bach</span><br /><br />Well, I am not implying that I had become a celebrity only after a semester, what with being neither here, nor there..<br />Thrown somewhere into the middle end, I was not going to be a famous 5 pointer no matter how hard I tried to improve my writing; After all no professor's daughter who needs driving classes. Nobody needs cycling classes either ;-)<br />I was nt the topper either, as I found out not so much to my dismay that afternoon during the vacation...<br />So, I am only reminded of what Richard Bach had to say about celebrities. I definitely am not one, not just yet; what with being a management student in a school more famous for being part of an engineering school.<br /><br />I am only looking forward to people banking on me, almost as if I were banking on banking.<br /><br />Having toured the City of Joy and The Village with family, seeing them off at the airport almost reminded me of Taare Zameen Par especially because the security guard would not let non-passengers inside without "papers". I wish I could give him a newspaper....What difference would it have made anyway ;-)<br /><br />Back here, it has been an eternal tussle between being really busy and busy being Idle ;-)<br /><br />It feels awkward now, but on "popular" request, this blog is being revived.<br />A request from a good friend who is reasonably popular passes as popular alright!<br /><br />So, here is getting back to posting on this blog...I have never promised to be anything but boring.<br />So please don't blame me for being infectiously boring! ;-)Sthiramathi aka Seizonshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02561897718595832987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2596086603243642270.post-45881307889262536662007-12-10T23:02:00.000-08:002007-12-10T19:04:05.873-08:00All play and no work makes any Krack a sick boy...So, no excuses..an hour of running...same old place..Same old company...Maya..a different song on repeat ;-)<br />half an hour of staring into the wildnerness..alone on a lonelier rock...Even I wud look like a philosopher!<br />And Krack can go and play everyday...but Jack took a break from playing today...He got some work done...no matter how shoddily...he got some work done!<br />Not bad for a Monday! ;-) Nostalgic charms (of working hard on a Monday)....they just don't seem to leave me..<br />Haunted! Life is almost haunted by nostalgia!Sthiramathi aka Seizonshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02561897718595832987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2596086603243642270.post-7603057070673508372007-12-09T23:00:00.000-08:002009-01-26T19:32:44.140-08:00Super Sunday - "Happy Days" (Telugu; no review)This Sunday should have been exhausting really...But it wasnt exhausting one bit! Dont get me wrong.,It wasnt a lazy Sunday...A sunday when you leave home at 9 am and return at 10 30 pm is anything but lazy!<br />Come to think of it...this was the first time we were all having Buffet breakfast at this restaurant..We ve been living here all these years and never been to this restaurant for the buffet breakfast although we were only 3 kms away! I guess Better late than never ...And better here for breakfast than wherever!<br />You have all the SOuth Indian delicacies for breakfast..Idli, vada, Pongal, Khaara baath, Kesari baath, Shavige(noodles), Masala and other dosas, Rotti, fruits, juice...and all of this for only Rs. 60...Man! Why dont we have more Sundays in a week? ;-) Or why does Kamath Bugle Rock have buffet breakfast only on SUndays???<br />Later this morning...I meet this kid..He is a kid alrite! Anyone who is 8 years younger is..if he isnt a kid, you're probably a kid yourself! ;-)<br />So..the only thing I have in common with this kid is my name ;-)<br />Sharp...sharp is an understatement...I know I wud be making a note of his email Id in the very first minute of talking to him...After all..this next generation..I need to know how they think...and man! they think..I first need to know how to think...and then try and know how they think what they think ;-)<br /><br />So...with more driving around town with a younger cousin around..he is also a kid alrite! With more driving around town and checking out houses and people, I thought I would be closing the day with this movie in the evening..<br />Happy Days..a Telugu movie..neat, sweet college story...More than anything else, a clean Telugu family movie!<br />Definitely a must watch if you know Telugu...After all you dont get to, often...<br />We all return, and just when I was about to retire, I get a call from 2 others who missed out on the dinner last evening..These guys actually kinda knew me more/better/worse (take your pick!)<br />So, we chat away for 1.5 hours or so...A CCD after 4.5 months! They ve even changed the menu...They no longer have the Ethiopian Qahwah or the Columbian Quest...I settle for an "Aztec"...Thank god, with some friends you can philosophise even over coffee...I mean...all sober and still philosophise!<br />One of us comes across as less emotional...Not too many other apparent/noticeable changes...I am not sure if I should thank God..One has to thank someone only when one knows whom to thank and why, if at all!<br />So...."come across"...and "noticeable changes"..Remember! Lifes not too unkind...the truth...the plain and simple truth..never really simple..and almost never plain! But then, dont we all change...every moment? Howsoever little? ;-) :-DSthiramathi aka Seizonshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02561897718595832987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2596086603243642270.post-18369302275044642052007-12-08T22:57:00.000-08:002007-12-10T19:00:28.757-08:00High school friends giving up an evening's high!5 of us... high school friends met up this evening...And almost as if it were magical, we changed our plans..We changed our mind and instead of the going to our regular hang out, we went out to only a restaurant...A Saturday evening for most IT professionals is an opportunity to "feel good"...<br />And high school friends went without a high...For me? Undeservingly if at all? Hmm...not sure...not sure either way...if it was for me...or for me and undeservingly so...<br />But there is one thing I have never forgotten..That it should have always been easy for these guys to not count me in...I was not really one of them...I studied in this school for only two years...They all grew up together...But never once did I feel like an outsider...They ve always made me feel like I was one amongst them...And its definitely not to do with me....Not completely atleast! May be I shouldnt over analyse some things...Things like friendship...what friends can do for you...its as puzzling as much as it is comforting...and sometimes you always wonder if you have actually really interacted or met these guys everyday for only two years...But then there is something about school friends...They always remind you of your past...They know what you really are :-)<br />So...Thames in Jayanagar 39th cross it was...for dinner...A looooong time since I had spent 250 bucks for dinner :-D<br />A funny feeling really..pinches your pocket coz ur no longer earning...But then you used to do it every weekend if not more often...So, it has some nostalgic value as well..<br />Luckily for me...I ve been undeservingly lucky this evening...Lucky pig!<br />We find a gelato place...and all of us have gelato...What a Saturday evening!...Man! I should go away and come back more often ;-)Sthiramathi aka Seizonshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02561897718595832987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2596086603243642270.post-58593789909604015932007-12-07T23:45:00.000-08:002009-01-26T19:37:13.262-08:00Movie review : Dus Kahaaniyaa.<span style="font-weight: bold;">Rating: Lies somewhere between Watchable and Good </span><br />(Scale = Avoidable/Watchable/Good/Very Good/Must Watch)<br /><br />This is not your regular Bollywood flick.<br />Watching a movie on the day of the release, without waiting to hear or read reviews is an experiment no less.<br />And when the movie is in itself an experiment (10 stories and 6 directors), expectations did not bias my movie watching experience.<br /><br />I don't want to compare the movie with Darna Manaa Hain or more recently, Life in a Metro...The former had 6 horror stories, some of them rather comical...and the latter was more like a compressed K serial telecast on Star Plus (I particularly associate this teleserial "Swaabhimaan" with this latter one).<br /><br />Why I really don't want to compare Dus Kahaaniya with the previous two, is that, in my opinion, Dus Kahaaniya is really going to be enjoyable for those amongst us who have a short attention span. For those amongst who have little or no patience for the song and dance routines of the typical Bollywood flick, Dus Kahaaniya seems to cater to our tastes - a movie should be more about the plots or stories or even acting, rather than revolving around mistaken and nonsensical notions of romance etc.,<br /><br />Barring 2-3 stories, Dus Kahaaniya is really worth watching, of course with the consideration that this is a movie experiment...<br />The stories are good..not really gripping or thrilling, but they do manage to hold your attention for the entire length..howsoever short..<br /><br />The movie has probably failed to fully capitalise on great actors like Nana Patekar, Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, Sanjay Datt, Manoj Bajpai, and 6 directors!<br />But having said that, some consideration should also be given to the fact that each story plays out for about 10 minutes on an average, and it is really difficult for both the directors and actors to pack in really powerful performances, irrespective of their potential.<br /><br />Given that my last watched movie was "Dhan dhana dhan goal" , I might be tempted to rate this as "Very Good"...but then, in a conscious and conscientious effort towards being objective about an opinion, I guess I will have to rate this movie as being between "Watchable" and "Good"...and if allowed to take sides, suggest that the movie is much more than just "Watchable" and closer to "Good"..<br /><br />And given that I was watching the movie at a single screen 5 minutes away from home;and that 3 tickets cost as much one normally pays for a single ticket at a multiplex, I am certainly not doing a "cost-benefit" analysis...After all..what are holidays for! :-)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">P.S: I have consciously avoided giving any of the plots or details away in this review. So, please don't review my movie review saying that I really haven't told you much about the movie! </span>Sthiramathi aka Seizonshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02561897718595832987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2596086603243642270.post-67988860734833080002007-12-06T20:23:00.000-08:002009-01-26T19:38:30.620-08:00Bisi Bele Bath @Ballal, the company of books and a bibliophile...Ballal Residency off Residency Road serves good Bisi Bele Baath, which in my opinion is a must have for Bangaloreans and visitors alike...Bonda Rasam and Masala Dosas are also good there....but Bisi Bele Baath being a Bangalore speciality, one just cannot afford to miss the opportunity of having it!<br />Crossword Bookstores, still has its charm for me, and this time around, I realised that it has more charm now than the building complex it is housed in ;-)<br />Books...for whatever little I have read them...( I have read more of books than books themselves I realised!) along with the company of a bibliophile can just make your day! Even if it were to be less than a third of the day!<br />The Jayanagar Ganapathi temple was a must visit, having remotely prayed, it was time for payback ;-)<br />And yeah...almost forgot this...Death by chocolate is still as good as it used to be at Corner House, and what more could ask for apart from ice creams and good company...books or bibliophiles..or better still...both!<br />Finally, I get to lay my hands on Maister's two books..Yet to find a good bargain on an old "Trusted advisor" copy...Hope to get lucky sometime...for now, there is enough and more to read!<br />In all, a good day! A very good day indeed :-)Sthiramathi aka Seizonshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02561897718595832987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2596086603243642270.post-39027007154719095502007-12-05T23:39:00.000-08:002009-01-26T19:39:39.419-08:00Aloo Parathas, Bangalore's traffic, the uber rich; South Indian marriagesBreakfast = 5 Aloo Parathas (my personal best is 7, but today I could not afford to be drunk on food!)<br /><br />Interview = 1 hour<br />(think about what happens before South Indian arranged and rearranged marriages...I wish I could write as well my Guruji Sidin Vadukut...but, I am still an amateur, and an immature one at that...So, I will give you a link to know what kind of an interview I am talking about...) I can tell you only this much..I was not the interview candidate! I was on the panel ;-)<br /><br />Link??? Link!!!!<br />http://www.whatay.com/2007/09/17/marriages-are-made-in-thrissur/<br /><br />So....if that was a good way to start the day, the rest of the day was no bad either!<br />Driving Mom and Dad around was in itself a voluntary undertaking...Yana and I have been away for too long...And long distance relationships need a lot of intense bonding for the periods when people meet...So...I just wanted to drive, drive and drive!<br />And driving mom and dad to the uber rich was more than satisfying for the senses...Materialism is something that is as worthy of appreciation as art of any other form ;-)<br /><br />5 pm : Masala Dosa at Vidyarthi Bhavan...<br />Well...if you haven't heard about this place...here is what Wikipedia says under "Basavangudi"...<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Vidyarthi Bhavan, a quaint little restaurant located in the heart of Gandhi bazaar makes the best Masala Dosa in the world. The aroma wafting through the air is a good enough indication that you are in the vicinity of this gastronomic heaven. This awesome restaurant is perennially jam-packed and still the most sought after hotel in the town.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span>I close the day with a wedding reception...Enough for a hectic day eh? You bet!<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span>Sthiramathi aka Seizonshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02561897718595832987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2596086603243642270.post-28784438044076736592007-12-04T23:55:00.000-08:002009-01-26T19:40:11.960-08:00Movie review: Goal."Dhan dhana dhan goal".Actually, I don't even want to review this movie!<br />I am doing it for exactly some of the 'reverse justification" rationale I use for blogging...<br /><br />So...here goes:<br /><br />Rating : Between "avoidable" and "go ahead, watch it you moron!" ;-)<br /><br />I don't know why I watched the movie really....Little Sister only asked me if I would come along..with her friends to watch the movie...I wouldn't even have to bother about the tickets..<br />And given that it was a multiplex located close to ReallyNice, my old office (name disguised for obvious reasons!)...I agreed....I could negotiate to leave early and spend some time at the consulting office where I had worked for 22 months!<br /><br />Why am I not talking about the movie?<br /><br />Coz, I didn't like it one bit...I could have spent more time at the office, with people continuing to gape and look at me with awe, about how I have lost a lot of weight and some hair!<br />Man! I felt like a celebrity! I guess this was the closest to being a celebrity I will ever be ;-)Sthiramathi aka Seizonshahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02561897718595832987noreply@blogger.com0