Our childhood heroes are born again !!! It is time to bring home the real heroes
Monday, February 06, 2012
Monday, January 10, 2011
Beat the Heat with Naadha Vaibhavam
Be a part of History, treat your senses to some soul stirring heritage music - NAADHA VAIBHAVAM. In what can also be a great escape from Bangalore winter to " India's very own city where the SUN shines", coupled with Divine music in presence of the DIVINE.
Yes!+ Bangalore travels to land of SUPER KINGS on the 29th and 30th of January to be witness to this unique spectacle. Picture this, 5000 carnatic vocalists, from maestro's to budding maestro's on one stage in presence of Guruji, an evening just cant get better. The event entry is FREE, but rich souls can always donate :)
Travel : 29th morning on rails, morning @ 6 30am
Garnish your experience with visual treats of Chennai Beaches ( those of us who might want to flood Facebook albums can also visit Mahabalipuram ) on Saturday evening. All those who wish to get tanned may also beat the heat in the streets of T Nagar shopping !!!
Sunday serene @ the venue, helping the organizing team with event preps. All roads lead to Naadha Vaibhavam in Guruji's presence on Sunday evening.
IRCTC tells us that Sunday night return tickets are all filled, but we can head back on road, right in time for work/college on Monday. Those who have the luxury of time can head back seated on rails on 31st ( Monday afternoon ). Guruji s in Chennai on Monday, so we might get a few more treats !!!
Message/Call/Ping me real soon if you are in for the dive :) .. max by wed 12th Jan evening 7pm
Tentative costs ---- Rs.200 for travel ( 2nd class train tickets ) + Food + Shopping
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Date with the Divine
The car neared the BIAL departure gate and the Mad devotee (MD for ease) got down, agreeing that she would wait there with the passes before we park the car and get back. A peep behind showed red strobe lights and for a second I thought " Has GURUJI come ?? ".
We moved into the premier parking and someone shouted " Sir 30 min 80 Rs, other parking 2 hrs 60 Rs only ". With some confusion where economics crossed my mind hard, but with the strobe lights getting brighter, this was the least we were bothered "
In a long dash at the departure gates, my footwear snapped, but again, failed to slow us down. We watched (with a thick sheet of glass in between), GURUJI with just 4 people around. Oh did we miss it. MD was at the Police Counter at the other end, and her gestures did not give a healthy sign. But with the Divine in front, thoughts took a halt and we did a parallel walk until he disappeared below the stairs. We continued the walk to where MD was, and soon pocketed the pass. WooHoo !!!!
And guess what .. We had a pass for 5 and we were just 4. But our prior agreement said that we act super diplomatic and walk away for probable threats on the pass. Hands waved "Hi" with the mind focused on the doors. MD was mad, so to remove any stains of guilt on the mission, we discreetly passed the message that we had space for 1. After a mini argument, the winner in the crowd walked to the gates, but destiny had not written her name on the pass. She did not enter the glass house.
With guilt out of the way, the four of us were in, with all due permissions set
right, we were in search of the VIP lounge. The fact that GURUJI disappeared behind the stairs helped. Here we were in front of the lounge doors, a peep declared
GURUJI was having dinner. For once I wanted to be a VIP, travel business class and all the more reason to do that MBA program. Unnamed volunteer (from now on UV) marched into the room, and we followed suit. Hiding at the corner, we waited for GURUJI to finish his meal before we go to HIM. Few minutes there and another volunteer Anil served us spoons from GURUJI's plate as prasad.
UV came to us saying " GURUJI ne kaha hain, yahan bheed math karo, you can wait outside on the chairs, and can see HIM when HE walks up to board the aircraft"
MD's airport days were coming back into her and she would in no way believe UV's story. We prayed to GURUJI to free UV from this glass house ( airport .. I mean ). Unfortunately that did not work.
But something super better ....... super COOL happened ...
"What news ??" in a super childish gesture with both HIS hands swinging in question. It took a good couple of seconds to sink in.
GURUJI was marching towards us.
Time froze and when it de-froze to find 8 limbs rushing towards HIM. And
for the first time ever in my life - I spoke into his eyes - " GURUJI onkale paaka vanderukkom ". MD shouted its English translation - " We have come to see you " and added the obvious ".. Love you GURUJI ".
GURUJI : But how did you come in ? ( with still a question in HIS eyes, as if HE did not know )
and here we were proving a point as if to a nursery teacher, " We have a PASS GURUJI ". GURUJI inspects the pass, validates it ( Another show off, as if HE had no idea ).
Putting the curious eyes to rest,it was time for the right hand to gently tap all our heads in sequence ( beginning mine :) ), sending shivers all over.
And now time to move on to the next question - " Where have you come from ? ". Again MD and I answered in sync " Indiranagar ... GURUJI ".
GURUJI : " Oh it is too far, and it is already late ( which another gesture lifting his arms up showing his watch, or wherever the watch is supposed to be ). You have seen ME and now you must go home "
Later in the car, we had an argument that this was directed only at MD. When GURUJI stuck to his stance after repeated pleading to stay, we agreed ( as if we had a choice ). But it would not get over soon. That too with MD around.
In another signature MD move, she asks " GURUJI can we click pictures with you ".
GURUJI obliged and had already embarked on another Guru story in malayalam. He was naming a baby "Achaman venda, vere enthu peruvekkum, Anirudh ...." and it continued.
MD passes her classy accessory a E series NOKIA to UV and passes another command " Ache se lena photo "
In the next few seconds that passed the mini sensor on the Nokia captured for eternity the moments of the eventful November night.
GURUJI waved at us and unwillingly we made our way towards the exit gate. Defying the Master was not on the cards, but MD wanted to go back again just in case the photos were not clear. For lack of a better argument, I literally dragged her to the exit gates.
All of us wanted the night to stretch to eternity. One felt sleepy, one was super crazily happy ( all of us were ), I was sweating out of hapiness in front of the AC vent ( khushi ke paseenen :) ), and MD even shouted out her wish-list. She posted her matrimonial ad
" Wanted groom with anytime access to Ganga Kutir + one spare access card for the bride "
...another MD sentence to add to it
" Aapne aaj mere saare baatein sunli hain, yeh bhi sun lo".
to which I commented
"That must be easy. Shortlist is not at all that long "
We moved into the premier parking and someone shouted " Sir 30 min 80 Rs, other parking 2 hrs 60 Rs only ". With some confusion where economics crossed my mind hard, but with the strobe lights getting brighter, this was the least we were bothered "
In a long dash at the departure gates, my footwear snapped, but again, failed to slow us down. We watched (with a thick sheet of glass in between), GURUJI with just 4 people around. Oh did we miss it. MD was at the Police Counter at the other end, and her gestures did not give a healthy sign. But with the Divine in front, thoughts took a halt and we did a parallel walk until he disappeared below the stairs. We continued the walk to where MD was, and soon pocketed the pass. WooHoo !!!!
And guess what .. We had a pass for 5 and we were just 4. But our prior agreement said that we act super diplomatic and walk away for probable threats on the pass. Hands waved "Hi" with the mind focused on the doors. MD was mad, so to remove any stains of guilt on the mission, we discreetly passed the message that we had space for 1. After a mini argument, the winner in the crowd walked to the gates, but destiny had not written her name on the pass. She did not enter the glass house.
With guilt out of the way, the four of us were in, with all due permissions set
right, we were in search of the VIP lounge. The fact that GURUJI disappeared behind the stairs helped. Here we were in front of the lounge doors, a peep declared
GURUJI was having dinner. For once I wanted to be a VIP, travel business class and all the more reason to do that MBA program. Unnamed volunteer (from now on UV) marched into the room, and we followed suit. Hiding at the corner, we waited for GURUJI to finish his meal before we go to HIM. Few minutes there and another volunteer Anil served us spoons from GURUJI's plate as prasad.
UV came to us saying " GURUJI ne kaha hain, yahan bheed math karo, you can wait outside on the chairs, and can see HIM when HE walks up to board the aircraft"
MD's airport days were coming back into her and she would in no way believe UV's story. We prayed to GURUJI to free UV from this glass house ( airport .. I mean ). Unfortunately that did not work.
But something super better ....... super COOL happened ...
"What news ??" in a super childish gesture with both HIS hands swinging in question. It took a good couple of seconds to sink in.
GURUJI was marching towards us.
Time froze and when it de-froze to find 8 limbs rushing towards HIM. And
for the first time ever in my life - I spoke into his eyes - " GURUJI onkale paaka vanderukkom ". MD shouted its English translation - " We have come to see you " and added the obvious ".. Love you GURUJI ".
GURUJI : But how did you come in ? ( with still a question in HIS eyes, as if HE did not know )
and here we were proving a point as if to a nursery teacher, " We have a PASS GURUJI ". GURUJI inspects the pass, validates it ( Another show off, as if HE had no idea ).
Putting the curious eyes to rest,it was time for the right hand to gently tap all our heads in sequence ( beginning mine :) ), sending shivers all over.
And now time to move on to the next question - " Where have you come from ? ". Again MD and I answered in sync " Indiranagar ... GURUJI ".
GURUJI : " Oh it is too far, and it is already late ( which another gesture lifting his arms up showing his watch, or wherever the watch is supposed to be ). You have seen ME and now you must go home "
Later in the car, we had an argument that this was directed only at MD. When GURUJI stuck to his stance after repeated pleading to stay, we agreed ( as if we had a choice ). But it would not get over soon. That too with MD around.
In another signature MD move, she asks " GURUJI can we click pictures with you ".
GURUJI obliged and had already embarked on another Guru story in malayalam. He was naming a baby "Achaman venda, vere enthu peruvekkum, Anirudh ...." and it continued.
MD passes her classy accessory a E series NOKIA to UV and passes another command " Ache se lena photo "
In the next few seconds that passed the mini sensor on the Nokia captured for eternity the moments of the eventful November night.
GURUJI waved at us and unwillingly we made our way towards the exit gate. Defying the Master was not on the cards, but MD wanted to go back again just in case the photos were not clear. For lack of a better argument, I literally dragged her to the exit gates.
All of us wanted the night to stretch to eternity. One felt sleepy, one was super crazily happy ( all of us were ), I was sweating out of hapiness in front of the AC vent ( khushi ke paseenen :) ), and MD even shouted out her wish-list. She posted her matrimonial ad
" Wanted groom with anytime access to Ganga Kutir + one spare access card for the bride "
...another MD sentence to add to it
" Aapne aaj mere saare baatein sunli hain, yeh bhi sun lo".
to which I commented
"That must be easy. Shortlist is not at all that long "
Monday, October 25, 2010
Endhiran - a ONE TIME WATCH
What started as an honest attempt on a sci-fi movie for the Indian audience, the director did succumb to the demands of whistle blowers and the cliche RAJINI fans. The super-star appeal did carry masses to the cinema halls, but I am skeptic if an ardent RAJINI walked out with a SHIVAJI feel after this one.
The movie Rajini'ses the likes of Terminator and i-robot, but songs that appear out of no where de-terminates the movie.
Super critique analysis :
The fire fighting scene animation was comparable to cartoon shows on Door-darshan we watched as kids. Revenue re-allocation from the songs sounds a good idea to me, but I am no man to step into the likes of super ardent RAJINI fans who flanked the cinema halls.
I guess Shankar ran short of money this time to hire PIXAR studio's to rejuvenate RAJINI. He looks rather old, and the screen would have looked better with just Aishwarya. It is difficult to imagine that Shivaji rolled out just a few years back. I must admit however that Ash looks super hot. Having an old counterpart seems to have got Ash to show-off,(with no Hrithik Roshan to steal) and she looks super stunning, especially in casuals in the first half.
"Just for the song" scenarios such as the ones with Kalabhavan Mani did maximum damage to the sci-fi tag of this movie. If someone attended to nature's call during these 10 odd minutes would get himself enlisted on the list of lucky men.
The last 20 odd minutes of animation was another page from the Kodak theater fames.
All said and done, the movie did top box office and with crores floated, I believe the Indian industry has enough smart analysts to check what sells.
Definitely not a MUST WATCH, but I would ask someone to watch with no RAJINI RAJINI gaga, you might walk out disappointed :) .. what say KK :)
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Bhakti - an evening of music n wisdom
Don't Miss the next one in your city
And if you are in Bangalore grab your passes for the next concert on 8th Aug
Call me for passes !!!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Save the planet .. Join us
Yes Plus Bangalore has taken up the task of planting saplings at all the Bangalore BBMP parks. We would need support from all of you and would invite you to join us in this venture. All of interested leave ur email/contact number as a comment to this post and we will post the details across
Date : June 5 - World Environment Day
Watch this space for details
Monday, March 29, 2010
Friends+IPL+....................
Sunday evening
+
Friends
+
IPL
+
Your own Cheese burst Pizza
+
Friends
+
IPL
+
Your own Cheese burst Pizza
DON'T
Google on how to do it
(Some super geek asked us to soak the base for a softer pizza and we had to have lasagna )
Use normal tomato's to the topping
(Unless you want a reddened pizza)
DO
Butter the base super generously
Disclaimer
Google on how to do it
(Some super geek asked us to soak the base for a softer pizza and we had to have lasagna )
Use normal tomato's to the topping
(Unless you want a reddened pizza)
DO
Butter the base super generously
Disclaimer
Please ensure all emergency measures are in place before you venture. It helps to have the nearest Dominos/Pizza hut number handy.
Yes people did eat it :D (Suddu boy with the first slice)Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Avatar rejects make it to Rocket Singh
Done with a modest Sethji dinner, and the night still young, we decided to give the much hyped AVATAR a shot. Intelligence gathered during the day gave conclusive evidence to show that PVR shows were sold out. Even Swati's run to the ticket counter did not help win us a convert to AVATAR, it had sent too many calls and not many seats to offer (:-)). Even the 2D mode was sold out, and we decided to settle in for RocketSingh ( for the first few times, I just could not get the name, I kept saying Rocketman ).
Charismatic first half, fun filled, with Ranbir doing complete justice to Shimit Amin's calls. The very first scene showing 37.82 % on the website, where Ranbir gives us a glimpse of what we were in, for the next 150 odd minutes. The only filmi thing was the sheer ease with which a slogger workaholic manages to woo a girl, and that too in no time. The good thing however was that this Romeo-Juliet affair was never given any extra-time, kept the movie going on the main-theme.
Post popcorn moments however were more than predictable, fun now replaced with a flow of emotions. The villain gets his foothold, probably giving Ranbir a chance to show-case his non Romeo skills. Altogether, a good watch, we walked out of INOX, with no great regrets of being AVATAR rejects :D
Charismatic first half, fun filled, with Ranbir doing complete justice to Shimit Amin's calls. The very first scene showing 37.82 % on the website, where Ranbir gives us a glimpse of what we were in, for the next 150 odd minutes. The only filmi thing was the sheer ease with which a slogger workaholic manages to woo a girl, and that too in no time. The good thing however was that this Romeo-Juliet affair was never given any extra-time, kept the movie going on the main-theme.
Post popcorn moments however were more than predictable, fun now replaced with a flow of emotions. The villain gets his foothold, probably giving Ranbir a chance to show-case his non Romeo skills. Altogether, a good watch, we walked out of INOX, with no great regrets of being AVATAR rejects :D
Monday, November 16, 2009
A two months old scribbling
Found this one on my iphone's notes application, something that I scribbled 2 months back, found it nice so here it is
Atlanta international airport ,Georgia 6 am
My eyes are red, the free coffee from Airtran did not help big time into waking me up ,, may be couple of cappuccino s from the next door Starbucks might do the job but I doubt ..
It's been 3 &1/2 days of the trans-American trip now drawing to a close . . What starting off as a late night plan on my early nights at Pittsburgh has now materialized and is over .. Adding 3 more states to this great American pilgrimage spanning 10 or 11 ( I m still confused ) states over 89 days
5$ gambled at vegas . . Onam. Special lunch @ LA , homage to Micheal Jackson at his Beverly hills residence,, the super scenic drive along the pacific coast . . Crossing over to the it hub of silicon valley . Then sneaking on through the golden gate into the crooked streets of San Francisco . . The city that does not need a Disneyland to give the roller coaster experience & sadly flying off from SF back to Pittsburgh . . I never thought I would ever be sad boarding a flight to Pittsburgh . . Been days of rewinding memories back to the good old Bhavans days (thanks to RV) & a run down the alleys of the ever green NITC days ( Thomas n Matt guiding the tour ). The all awaited west coast trip is over and I am back 3 hours towards india
The sky is beginning to wake up to a lazy day after the Labour day weekend . It's time to get back to work and leave the west coast tales all treasured only to make sure that I do all that I can to get back to Hotel of California.
P S : I am yet to edit the pile of images from the US .. guess they should begin their journey through copper cables some time early december
Atlanta international airport ,Georgia 6 am
My eyes are red, the free coffee from Airtran did not help big time into waking me up ,, may be couple of cappuccino s from the next door Starbucks might do the job but I doubt ..
It's been 3 &1/2 days of the trans-American trip now drawing to a close . . What starting off as a late night plan on my early nights at Pittsburgh has now materialized and is over .. Adding 3 more states to this great American pilgrimage spanning 10 or 11 ( I m still confused ) states over 89 days
5$ gambled at vegas . . Onam. Special lunch @ LA , homage to Micheal Jackson at his Beverly hills residence,, the super scenic drive along the pacific coast . . Crossing over to the it hub of silicon valley . Then sneaking on through the golden gate into the crooked streets of San Francisco . . The city that does not need a Disneyland to give the roller coaster experience & sadly flying off from SF back to Pittsburgh . . I never thought I would ever be sad boarding a flight to Pittsburgh . . Been days of rewinding memories back to the good old Bhavans days (thanks to RV) & a run down the alleys of the ever green NITC days ( Thomas n Matt guiding the tour ). The all awaited west coast trip is over and I am back 3 hours towards india
The sky is beginning to wake up to a lazy day after the Labour day weekend . It's time to get back to work and leave the west coast tales all treasured only to make sure that I do all that I can to get back to Hotel of California.
P S : I am yet to edit the pile of images from the US .. guess they should begin their journey through copper cables some time early december
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Times Square NYC
704, Hotel Affinia, 7th Avenue,31st St. that is where this post is being keyed in. 400m off the picturesque TIMES SQUARE. The party here never ends, we were there till 2 am and it was just picking up. What has been the significant difference that this city had from the other cities that i visited here is the energy that you get to see here. Life is 'hip n happening' with everyone having the feeling that they are on the 7th heaven, everyone happy and lost in their own world.
I did manage to capture a few of these moments on my 350D but not really happy with the shots i got, some of them are nice though. Was all set to take a panorama of the times square when a cop came in and asked - "Sir, do you have a permit to use this, the tripod, If not, please fold it up and get going, you can take hand-held shots though.". After being scared already on the "TOP OF THE ROCK" for opening up the tripod, I did not attempt it again.
This city really personifies PASSION,AMBITION,ENTHUSIASM and so on. One thing I would have loved to have in NYC is air-conditioning of the subway stations, they literally burn. Another detailed post on NYC, its attractions, how to do a quick and tiring tour of NYC :)
This is Srikanth signing off @ TIMES SQ. NEW YORK CITY
I did manage to capture a few of these moments on my 350D but not really happy with the shots i got, some of them are nice though. Was all set to take a panorama of the times square when a cop came in and asked - "Sir, do you have a permit to use this, the tripod, If not, please fold it up and get going, you can take hand-held shots though.". After being scared already on the "TOP OF THE ROCK" for opening up the tripod, I did not attempt it again.
This city really personifies PASSION,AMBITION,ENTHUSIASM and so on. One thing I would have loved to have in NYC is air-conditioning of the subway stations, they literally burn. Another detailed post on NYC, its attractions, how to do a quick and tiring tour of NYC :)
This is Srikanth signing off @ TIMES SQ. NEW YORK CITY
Friday, August 21, 2009
Blackwater falls - in the lap of mother nature - how much longer
I am reading "Hot, Flat & Crowded" .. the fact that the world is through a critical climate era is slowly sinking in. We are in great need of the single big quality - COMMITMENT, know that it is a lot to ask for but the ask is at a time where we can do something to alter it. Any time later, we can only brood.
We drove down to this super serene landscape at West Virginia ( the states coined - WILD n WONDERFUL .. it truly was ). Had some great time with the camera, doing decently well on the 30 sec shots ,, got one lovely shot of Elekala falls .. bottom line had oodles of FUN. Here is another entry to my list of MUST VISIT AGAIN
PS : will finish the book and write on it soon and going to NYC tmrw :)
We drove down to this super serene landscape at West Virginia ( the states coined - WILD n WONDERFUL .. it truly was ). Had some great time with the camera, doing decently well on the 30 sec shots ,, got one lovely shot of Elekala falls .. bottom line had oodles of FUN. Here is another entry to my list of MUST VISIT AGAIN
PS : will finish the book and write on it soon and going to NYC tmrw :)
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Do you watch TV in the US ?? you better don't..
a real busy show showing which pant goes well with which TOP :)
I was all excited when my colleagues told me about a 32" samsung LCD TV, thats going to be my time pass machine during my stay here. I had pictured myself watching HEROES, LOST, RUSELL PETERS and what not..I did not know that all this comes if you are paying 2 $ odd a month for each channel. If you don't pay that ...what are you left with ,, read it for yourself
--> Shoppers Quest :
A channel that plays product advertisements all day ,, and I have even heard ads that say - " Shoppers Quest helps me choose products for my weekend shopping ". (Shopping , friends is a full time hobby, another post just on that ). " What to do if you don't want your eggs to get over cooked ? "(common sense : switch off the stove on time), you got it wrong. The answer is " #$@#@()#)_ on time egg cooker " just for 50$ .. wonder ppl pay 2500Rs to cook eggs ( thank god I am a vegetarian ).
Tell me a product that is discounted on the " BACK TO SCHOOL " sale. For ppl who guessed everything from Erasers to school bags to laptops, you guys got it wrong again. The right option is " Instant pizza " - so that mom can cook it in time for school :) ,,, Can you believe that ,, pizza on " BACK TO SCHOOL " sale. Wonder if the Pizza was a pass out of the last academic year yet to get placed :)
--> Cops TV
The other day found an ad on Facebook that said that the AMERICAN POLICE is hiring. Also heard a comment from someone around that " COPS " here look handsome. The reason : They all act on a 24X7 channel that has exclusive shows filmed on COP CHASES. What happens if there is no LIVE COP CHASE happening .. ( they let some one loose and chase him down :) ) ,, and yeah, had my roommate watch that for hours ,, he must have voted for AAJ TAK as his favorite channel.
--> DETECTIVE TV
This is a made up name ( forgot the real one ), dont worry naam main kuch nahin hain, asli maal main sab kuch hain. Guess Tehelka got inspired by this channel. All they do day in and day out is to carry out projects to help the police catch fodgeries ( not the million dollar ones, but ones from 3$-1000$ ones). Here's something that I was tortured to see while having dinner. Kamaljeet Singh is an innocent seedha saadha Punjabi kid doing a clerical job at a cramped looking foul smelling Indian store ( that is how Indian stores in the US are.. have one here where ppl lovingly call it the ANTIQUE shop, attributed to the manufacturing dates on the ATTA packets :) ).. lets get back to Kamaljeet. So here is the punjabi munda (punjabi for a boy), and suddenly the cops rush in, handcuff him. Now the reel stops ,, SUSPENSE ,, this is a show on cracking down all the store clerks who refrain from paying the lottery winner the prize amount but keep the ticket saying it din win. I heard my room mate saying - PAKDA GAYA SAALA, two hours after I finished dinner. In India we could run a 24X7 show on this, an attempt to crack down such clerks :).
NOTE : ALL THESE ARE REALITY SHOWS - meaning you can still find KAMALJEET in some Californian store ,, no offense to any state or community, I am just quoting the channel.
Guess this is good enough for some channel to sue me ( they ll make a show on how the cracked down some one who abused TV channels :) ), but yeah so when u come to the US, carry enough music and videos on ur computer IPOD and what not.
One last one - this one s a fact : A Boston student was sued $ 7500 * 22 for the 22 songs that he got through file sharing. So cant download here :)
Saturday, August 01, 2009
What's for lunch ??
Who said cooking for yourself s boring
well it did not evevtually end up that way though :)
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Niagra Falls
This post must have come after 2 other posts that are almost ready but could not stop
sharing the excitement. Niagra falls !!!
International border - literally at a stones throw from Canada
3 named falls - The magnificient wide HORSE SHOE falls
The majestic American falls
and the smallest of the three - Bridal veil
2 famous rides - Maid of the Mist
Cave of the wind
Facts and stories can last pages but being there is just an experience beyond words.
You could go on searching the dictionary for synonyms to breath-taking, spell bound and all
that but the feeling of being right in the center with 168000 cubic meters of water falling
in from all 3 sides is literary imagination. (Maid of the Mist). The splurge that involved standing right below the bridal falls where you can easily mistake water falling on your head for tiny boulders :) (Cave of the Wind).
A weekend drive planned on a lazy friday afternoon of what was a rather tiring week of work, the gang of 2 cars sped by sporty Tarun & hunky Sushil (Sushil gave up on the spirit of racing as he watched Tarun speed off just like that). The drive highlighted by food, some nice ARR songs,
Shreya s pep talk and Smari s fact files we go to Niagra by around 12 ish on Saturday.
Time raced off soon ( I wanted it to snail ) and we were all treated royally by Nature.
Nature's royal treat !!!
Thank you all for taking me there !!!
(PS : Smari, this Thank you is before I heard last week's knowledge sheet, I hope you got it )
PPS : For many more Niagra pictures ,, click on the American Falls picture above :)
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Heavy pourdown of Angels
I was all excited about coming to the US, a dream every engineer has when he fills up the application for his passport. A dream, that every parent cherishes. But the whole process also brings in a slow sense of pain, a pain that was soon to be non-existent.
Blessed to have a great gang in Banglaore, further adds to the pain ( fear of eating the result of my own cooking for 3 months also scared me). But there is this Guru who knows it all. HE puts angels to take care of things everywhere.
So here I am, half way round the globe, helping pack ( supposedly ) Pooja di to the Bangalore Ashram. She will represent this serene n scenic township of Pittsburgh at the Teachers Training Course commencing later this month. A bubbly, caring and lovely person, (characteristic to any AOL volunteer, cant find better words sorry :( ), but can always add that superlative so that makes it super-bubbly, super caring and lovely person (now cooking lunch for us :-) ). Having blossomed under the aegis of Rajesh Jagasiya and our own lovely Bau, Pooja di can literally turn any potentially violent situation into a joke ( vice versa .. I dont know :-) ).
Pooja di : Have a Great time back in Bangalore and tell Bangalore that I miss everything about it
The story does not go complete without the better half :). Dinesh Nath - dineshda, young dynamic & smart, all set to make his mark on the plethora of Organic Chemistry, and also to articulate the Master's thoughts on this really cool city ( Factfile : Pittsburgh was where the zipper was invented ). A master chef - you name the cuisine and he would have it done the perfectionists do (secret of Poojadi's perennial source of energy). Dineshda is some one who can talk and settle everyone down, someone who can cool a fireball with his words, soothing to the bottom of your heart
So Dineshda (soon Dr.Dinesh Nath) we have got two and a half months right now in Pittsburgh to
break ice ( i wonder that ever happens in art of living) and get the ball rolling.
The beauty of the master comes to you in varied forms - he literally bestows you with angels around and I heard myself tell my logical and super sensible colleague - hum o aise hi hain ,, agar pakistan ya alaska mein bhi IBM hamen dalega na, vahan bhi log aa jayenge :) - friends isn't that true ??
Jai Guru Deva
Srikanth
Blessed to have a great gang in Banglaore, further adds to the pain ( fear of eating the result of my own cooking for 3 months also scared me). But there is this Guru who knows it all. HE puts angels to take care of things everywhere.
So here I am, half way round the globe, helping pack ( supposedly ) Pooja di to the Bangalore Ashram. She will represent this serene n scenic township of Pittsburgh at the Teachers Training Course commencing later this month. A bubbly, caring and lovely person, (characteristic to any AOL volunteer, cant find better words sorry :( ), but can always add that superlative so that makes it super-bubbly, super caring and lovely person (now cooking lunch for us :-) ). Having blossomed under the aegis of Rajesh Jagasiya and our own lovely Bau, Pooja di can literally turn any potentially violent situation into a joke ( vice versa .. I dont know :-) ).
Pooja di : Have a Great time back in Bangalore and tell Bangalore that I miss everything about it
The story does not go complete without the better half :). Dinesh Nath - dineshda, young dynamic & smart, all set to make his mark on the plethora of Organic Chemistry, and also to articulate the Master's thoughts on this really cool city ( Factfile : Pittsburgh was where the zipper was invented ). A master chef - you name the cuisine and he would have it done the perfectionists do (secret of Poojadi's perennial source of energy). Dineshda is some one who can talk and settle everyone down, someone who can cool a fireball with his words, soothing to the bottom of your heart
So Dineshda (soon Dr.Dinesh Nath) we have got two and a half months right now in Pittsburgh to
break ice ( i wonder that ever happens in art of living) and get the ball rolling.
The beauty of the master comes to you in varied forms - he literally bestows you with angels around and I heard myself tell my logical and super sensible colleague - hum o aise hi hain ,, agar pakistan ya alaska mein bhi IBM hamen dalega na, vahan bhi log aa jayenge :) - friends isn't that true ??
Jai Guru Deva
Srikanth
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Tera Mai Video
It was a long day and I was fooling around showing off my photos on the big screen LCD TV to everyone around. Pooja di n Dinesh da pointed out one to say that I had not taken a specific photo. . . I was like this is one of my best ones .. only then did I know the reason behind ... the picture ( and couple more in the same video ) were used in this really wonderful video :)
Whoever made this video .. thanks a lot :) ,, you made my day
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Guruji @ Chicago
@
How I got there ?? & What had I done to be there ? ? .. The answer to the first one can wait till the next post and the answer to the second one I am still on the lookout for it. But for now, over to Guruji @ The Hilton,720, South Michigan Avenue,Chicago.
On a Sunday evening, of what was by any standard a long day for organizers, participants (a one day event called the YOGATHON just concluded ), and also for people like me who were lurking around the streets of Chicago (and getting back just on time for Guruji's sessions :) ), Guruji gave us a treat.
Bhagavat Gita - Chapter 4
"Awareness dawns when mind becomes calm
Desire is like a river, it keeps flowing while awareness is like a lake. Our mind runs in the direction of desire. When the mind is calm, brilliance dawns, great ideas spring up. When your mind is feverish, it is far from wisdom.
Music helps. It helps kindle emotions. It helps calm the mind of worries and thinking to a level of feeling. These days there is background music during classroom exercises as well to make the learning process easier. A movie without background music is of no effect. It serves the purpose of kindling emotions. It helps calm the mind. To invoke wisdom it is important to calm yourself down. Similarly crying can also help cut down the worry.
When awareness dawns, the fire of awareness burns away the seeds of karma. Every mistake is done due to lack of awareness. The very moment that you become aware, that burns away the karma. When wisdom is awaken, you become pure and free of mistakes. In the present moment, we are reborn.
However sinful the past has been, the fire of knowledge (wisdom,awareness) burns away all the karma. In this world there is nothing more purifying than knowledge. KNOWLEDGE PURIFIES YOU. Knowledge is like detergent, can wash off all the karma.
But if you keep the knowledge to yourself, it is like letting the soap stay on you :-). Awareness cannot be taken for granted. If arrogance steps in it means that the person still has the soap on :-). For this you have to perfect in YOGA.
People ask - Guruji, how long should we meditate to get enlightened.
There is no end. We cannot ask for the sunlight to get into the room,our duty is to keep the windows open, similarly our duty is to meditate. For this you need Shradda - ( roughly translated as FAITH ), it is the willingness to accept or love or know the UNKNOWN. The unknown that we have not experienced through the senses. We have never seen an atom, but we still know or accept that atoms exist. We should have a say over our senses.
Meditation is withdrawing the mind from all the senses to the center. When it is going all here and there, that just is the lack of say over your senses. People who have doubt as their very existence can never get anywhere. It is okay to have a spirit of enquiry, quest, curiosity. But doubt above this is like a disease. And Krishna says - samashayaatma vinashyati - One who has doubt as the very existence, will not be save neither in this world nor the next.
The Universe has a RHYTHM. The very core of our existence -a wave function. When we study vedanta, it has the same thing to say what quantum physics has to offer (not classical physics). The universe is a wave function - full of consciousness, and it has a mind of its own. Now every small mind is a part of this big mind. This big mind is responsive, reciprocative and very powerful. Through YOGA, you can become centered, bring it to the core of the existence and being centered, you can burn all the doubts. Such a seeker will not be bound by any action.
Through wisdom, we can get rid ignorance and get in touch with the very being in the center of our heart. Krishna says Arjuna, I am your friend, wake up from the doubts. When you are in doubt you only trust your friends or your own self. And again you doubt only the possitive. You even believe when people comment as a joke. You expect people to be always happy with you but you have to have all the freedom. Words fly out of your mouth :)
Just let go of all intentions --> awareness would dawn --> intuition gives the knowledge and then it burns away the karma.
SO MUCH to DO :) - Just Relax :) Let go
Imagine Krishna is telling all this to a sick and tired Arjuna. A good teacher does not convince you but confuses you.And every time you get confused, you move a step ahead. And then he says - You do all this but only Time will get you :) where it has to :)
Gita is highly confusing, the very reason why it was not as popular as Buddha s teaching. Buddha said the world has misery - if you want to get rid of them there is this way.
Krishna also told the same but it was like HIGHER MATHEMATICS :). It remained amongst the intellectuals. Einstein appreciated the Gita & Vedanta.
And yeah Wisdom is not information. When knowledge gets integrated into life it is wisdom. All this must happen effortlessly. Coming to this ballroom from your room requires effort. You have to lock your room, wait for the elevator, but once you are here, there is no effort required.Similarly to catch a train, you have to get to the platform, find the coach and get in on time. But once you are in, then you just have to relax and let go. The same is the case on the spiritual path as well. You would need to do action to get on to the path, but once that is done, it is just about relaxing :). You do all the yoga, and breathing and then you are asked to relax :).
Since these scriptures carry contradicting instructions they were instructed at close proximity - Upa (close) nishad (sitting at the proper place). These contradicting instructions are the ones that makes the Gita so complete. The Result for sure is ASSURED to be GREAT :)"
Tell you what,when GURUJI speaks here, there is so much of attention, like as if time freezes and there is nothing at all happening. Can now get the flavour of how it might have been for people who heard Patanjali and Narada Bhakti Sutra from GURUJI live. I am on a super blissed state now. Stayed at the same hotel where GURUJI is staying. Had a ball of a time at Chicago as well. Will post more on Chicago the city in the coming days.
HAVE A GREAT GURU POORNIMA .. now cant say I miss Bangalore, after what I have been treated to here, but yeah miss the gang though :) .. Have fun. We should all charter a flight and come down to a place like this and just spend time in the elevators (to rush to the kitchen and who knows like some of them here were lucky the door opens and GURUJIs there outside waiting to get on to the elevator) and also waiting in front of GURUJI's suite. - WORTH EVERY THING THAT YOU MISS OUT ON.
Jai Guru Deva
Friday, July 03, 2009
Super Eventful June
Been a month since I posted .. with every word i type in .. I can sense the air of anger for not having posted the photos for the many times i shot .. ( Can definitely pull out a few names, but
will keep that for later.
What is happening with me ?? .. Well lots ,, and in loads ...
Big news first .. this is my first post off the shores of Bharat .. I am now at Pittsburgh, PA,USA
A series of prelude events .. a nice dinner out at Little Italy .. ( Madhuri knew all that we had to order ,,we orderly paid the bill and yeah of course ate it all ). Click on the sundae below to get into the complete picasa gallery for the evening.
Things were happening a little too soon .. I went and got my VISA done at Chennai .. Gosh .. take it from me ,, Bangalore is heaven .. and the sun in chennai has an amplifier in between ,, they hit u hard ,, the 20 min that I had to wait for my turn at the consulate was enough for the amplified system to praise the existence of Bangalore, a thousand times loud. But for sure had some super cool time with my little nephew - Vishnu ,, he was just too good.-->
You crib at the Sun and the water gods came gushing in Bangalore ( looks like they have teamed up now ). My 18th D Main ground floor house flood with thigh high water ,. books .. lots of dresses and many more things lost into memory lanes ,, no pictures here as well.
The D day for travel neared and amidst course organization and venue clean up ,, the party set foot at our new place ( what was to follow was some crazy times with the house owner also joining the show uninvited .. almost kicking us out ) .. Thanks a lot guys .. It was just amazing to have you all there ,,We ll also get one done when I come back ( of course Advance course estyle :) ) The next day I found myself already missing India ( still @ #2,Airport Road Bangalore ). I found myself telling people- when will I get to have dosa next, I will miss asianet , I will miss Bangalore.
26th June - With mom dad n kuttu around, and a last minute briefing at office, we rushed to the airport only to wait after the formalities for a couple o hours before I took AI 621 to Mumbai. With a short transit at Mumbai, thanks to the late arrival of AI 621, we boarded AI 141 - the huge boeing 777 ( 9 seats in a row)to John F Kennedy, New York. 16 hour long ordeal that had excitement, food, numb legs (my own),aunties for air-hostess's all fitted into place. To top all that I chose the window seat ( I want to kill whoever who got me to believe that I would get good shots above Europe , all I could see was bright sky ).
Hours later, the wheels touched down at the worlds largest airport (a huge mess with people sitting on the floor,awaiting to board their DELTA - the cheapest US airline I guess - apna deccan types ). We then ( Sharad my colleague n roomie for the next 3 months ) boarded the chotu flight, flew over Manhattan - ( yes I did see Manhattan from above and will go there soon ) and hit down Pittsbrgh 30 minutes before time and home @ 3 30 local time .. Saturday 27th June. .. Sunday and the days to follow at Pittsburgh in the next post.
(this is my new office - Floor 19 overlooking river Monongahela - it is summer here and there are mini cruise boats below and couple of bridges to the right and left of the window :) .. Pittsburgh pictures on the next post )
WATCH OUT FOR : Pictures from Chicago early next week :). Yes - GURUJIs there
will keep that for later.
What is happening with me ?? .. Well lots ,, and in loads ...
Big news first .. this is my first post off the shores of Bharat .. I am now at Pittsburgh, PA,USA
A series of prelude events .. a nice dinner out at Little Italy .. ( Madhuri knew all that we had to order ,,we orderly paid the bill and yeah of course ate it all ). Click on the sundae below to get into the complete picasa gallery for the evening.
You crib at the Sun and the water gods came gushing in Bangalore ( looks like they have teamed up now ). My 18th D Main ground floor house flood with thigh high water ,. books .. lots of dresses and many more things lost into memory lanes ,, no pictures here as well.
The D day for travel neared and amidst course organization and venue clean up ,, the party set foot at our new place ( what was to follow was some crazy times with the house owner also joining the show uninvited .. almost kicking us out ) .. Thanks a lot guys .. It was just amazing to have you all there ,,We ll also get one done when I come back ( of course Advance course estyle :) ) The next day I found myself already missing India ( still @ #2,Airport Road Bangalore ). I found myself telling people- when will I get to have dosa next, I will miss asianet , I will miss Bangalore.
Hours later, the wheels touched down at the worlds largest airport (a huge mess with people sitting on the floor,awaiting to board their DELTA - the cheapest US airline I guess - apna deccan types ). We then ( Sharad my colleague n roomie for the next 3 months ) boarded the chotu flight, flew over Manhattan - ( yes I did see Manhattan from above and will go there soon ) and hit down Pittsbrgh 30 minutes before time and home @ 3 30 local time .. Saturday 27th June. .. Sunday and the days to follow at Pittsburgh in the next post.
WATCH OUT FOR : Pictures from Chicago early next week :). Yes - GURUJIs there
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