Various passions!

Back finally

2011-12-26T08:15:00.000-08:00

After more than a year's enforced break, i'm finally back on my blog. The break was a stupid sentimental resolution to have the next blog putup about my life long dream coming true - namely my own apartment in Mumbai. It seemed all was set, the payments had been made, the building was ready and I'd have got it in few days. However as it turns out, it took more then a year to get the place after all. On hindsight ofcourse it seems a bad idea to stop blogging since I lost a year full of memories/musings which I could have saved for posterity, however at the time it did seem like I would get the apartment in no time at all.

Now that mandarins at Cidco and MSEB have cleared the row between them, the building has been granted the final OC and I hope we can have possession beginning next year and
Flat no. 601, Yash Apartments in Kharghar shall be all mine. All 1435 sq ft of it, although it is ofcourse bloated up figure as is case in Mumbai. The real amount of usable space, namely carpet area should be some measly portion of the above.

Hope to put up some pics of the place in this space soon :)

I wont let you go - by Rabindranath Tagore

2010-11-05T07:05:00.000-07:00

I travel.. and I hate to travel, leaving the town a sad melancholy feel pervades my soul. I wonder at it. How do others do it? So, again a coincidence, that the first poem that I read from Tagore's compilation was this touching, sad one. The start is of him preparing to leave. I am noting down from the mid part:

Beside the door, wrapped in her thoughts, there sat
My daughter, four years old. On other days
She'd have had her bath before this, and her eyes,
Before she'd swallowed scarce two mouthfuls of
Her mid-day rice, been shut in sleep. Today
Her mother had not seen to her: even now
She had not bathed or eaten, but like a shadow
Hugged my steps all this time, watching each move
With mute unblinking eyes. Worn out at last,
She now sat silently beside the door
With who knows what intent: and when I said
'I'm leaving,little mother,' with sad eyes
And pale look answered, 'I won't let you go.'
She sat where she was, neither clutched my hand
Norshut the door; only declared the right
Born of her heart's love: 'I won't let you go.'
Yet the time came to an end, and she, alas,
Could not but let me
O my foolish girl,
Who are you? Where could you have drawn such strength
To say so boldly, 'I won't let you go'?
Whom in this universe, O arrogant one,
Will you hold back with two small arms, with whom
Grapple, sitting beside the homestead door
With that tired tiny body, ony the store
Of that little love-filled breast? Here on this earth
It befits the wounded spirit, with fear and shame,
Only to utter it's heart's prayer to say
'I do not want to let you go.' Who'll say
'I will not'? Hearing from your infant lips
Your love's proud vaunt, the world, taken with mirth,
Snatched me away; only you, vanquished, sat
Like a painted figure tearfully by the door.
I saw and left, dabbing at my own eyes.

OTT

2010-10-05T13:29:00.000-07:00

I have avoided directly blogging about any thing to do with my business and technologies so far. But today I believe I'm at the vortex of technology that shall soon change the way world perceives and enjoys entertainment/information. Borderless news, information and programming. Finally a reality. So this entry is necciated. For posterities sake. To say ~ I was here :)

OTT -~ Over the TOP. It basically means Video/Audio stream carried over the top of the Internet. Sort of unassuming term we'd say. But it is important.

Consider this - In Iran Satellite dishes are illegal. You can't put up a dish to get programming. Only government sponsored bullshit over Terrestrial networks. In Dubai I can't setup dish in my building. Only can get signals from dish setup and allowed by the building. So I can't get Dishtv~ Tatasky, nor can I get porn channels on hotbird ( yucks!!!)

In India situation is even worse..all content is heavily sensored, and aside from political sensorship, there is huge cultural sensorship. Fashion tv buffs know how it was forced to go off air for certain 'mid night hot videos'

Be it political or cultural or any other sort. Good or bad. I'm not a judge here. All I can say is OTT will change the way content is delivered. Internet knows no geographical boundries. And my new OTT box which Vishal from Nextbit developed at my suggestion so magnificiently and with amazing technological perceptivity that it makes me proud to finally be working with Indian company for a change.

Some of the things we shall enable:
Setup ur own TV channel from your house in few mins.. play music videos - create your reality TV soap opera or just give news and views your own style!
Watch any content anywhere. In US watch asianet or malyali channels. In New Zealand watch Pinoy content. Go anywhere watch anything!
Settop box is finally your media center.. Internet surfing, Video Phone, Youtube, TV, Pictures and others.. everything in between.. Even remote PC client so you can access ur office from home TV!

The box in question arrived just 2 days back, after having gone through CID checks and passed them, in Dubai. Was delayed and hence ended up delaying my India trip as well. However it surpassed my expectations. Google TV, Apple TV and others are now buz words for the next generation of content delivery. Its nice to know we Indians finally moved from being workers for MNCs and developed our own product right in time. I'm International Marketing Director for Nextbit. It is my job to ensure that this box finds its right place in the world market. But associated with Nextbit or not.. I'm firedup with the idea of OTT. I love the concept. Its liberating experiance. And I'm bang in middle of the action :)

Enjoying the work and the challenge once more :) Though this is not all that I've done this week.. Also new is new L band project which will enable palm sized dish to receive TV content... Some action happening on tech transfer for some Chinese companies.. Turkey heating up.. Europe becoming interesting finally :) Lots lots happening !!!! Fun Fun Fun

Run like a dog, if you eat like a hog !

2010-10-03T11:12:00.000-07:00

Thats what I tell myself when pushing myself to keep jogging... 'Run like a dog, if you eat like a hog' , helps! Also another one is 'You lose or I die' .. both are pep talks to myself. Keep me going, when my body protests and threatens to shutdown on me. Considering that I do eat like a hog and am in danger of beginning to look like one too helps :)

Physical sports or activities were never something I was ever exceptionally good at. However the need for putting in some physical stress to my lazy bums is obvious - if i'm to get through my thirties looking like anything more than a lump of lard!

So here goes the written record of my progress in 1 - 1/2 weeks.. its not much but I hope to cringe at how little I accomplished if I give up in between and go right back at it - hence putting it in writing!

started at 1.5 KM per 20 mins on machine.. went onto 2.5KM in 25 mins again on machine and today did 4.2 KM free run in 30 mins

Yes far cry from 45mins 10KM which is my dream.. and 60mins 10KM which is the least I feel I should do... So this blog shall be my nemisis.. remind me that this is one thing that is on my wishlist thats yet to be done... its an update blog entry.. will keep updating in due course... hopefully

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6 Oct 2010

5.380 KM in 55 Mins today basically 4 rounds of 1.345 KM track... I do the rounds without stop at steady pace. Wonder if I should be increasing the pace and taking breaks inbetween... Needs experimenting with I guess

-------------------------------------
Zero Dignity, little Pride!

7th Oct 2010

So I find myself back the next day in the park on the track. Today sans Naqiyah, as she is back at Umaima's house.

It seems not a good day for running (is it ever?), warm , humid ~ about 8:25 PM

I've had a redbull and imagine adernaline coursing through my viens. Start of with a bang.. thump thump thump.. I'm the cheetah, I'm the bird.. hell I'm the wind! I start pounding the track rubber. Nice.

About half way into the track ~ 600 meters mark, I'm panting... Cheetah's dying.. the bird's crying.. need a breather... slowing down I continue.. but not much.. seems strange I'm tired already..wasn't I the one who did more than 4KM yesterday. 55mins? what's it been just now.. just 4~5 mins! tired.. impossible.. My legs say otherwise.. my gasping breath says otherwise.. but I refuse to believe. I go on, complete the round .. 1345 meters.. about 8 mins I guess.. panting, I slow down this time. Time to get back on earth. Redbull doesn't work as advertised..want desperately to stop, take a breather.. but find myself going on.. across the short no mans land, between 1345meter Finish mark, and about 10 meters later a - 0 Start line... Once I cross the start line there is no stopping. Thats the rule!

Second round is worse.. my body is groaning.. seems jogging doesn't appeal to it.. unfortunately my body leaves a lot wanting in terms of appeal to me.. so pushed it shall be ~ let it groan! I continue

Somehow get through the second round, huffing and puffing all the way.. Need to stop. I stop! Mercifully I think to myself. Couldn't have gone on. There's always another day to come back to track and all.. take a small walk to the pond in middle of the track. Think I'll let my heart settle and then head off to the car. Few sips of warm tepid water from my bottle.. Look around.

Then, find myself off..third round it is.. cursing myself.. but after yesterday's 4 rounds, it seems i simply can't accept being defeated by only 2 ! have to go on.

Third one is uneventful, by uneventful, I mean I don't remember any event of the round. How I got through it I don't know.. promised myself several times I'd stop at that one. My legs are killing me.. I've suddenly discovered that some tiny muscle connects front of my knees to my shin bone.. That muscle was never noticed before.. Didn't know it existed.. Now its crying out for attention.. most important muscle in my body it seems to me currently.. or atleast the most annoying.. ah well, every dog has its day, as they say. Also the little toe between my littlest toe and the middle toe. For some reason the middle toe seems to be squeezing it into pulp. Its resenting this treatment, and relentless pounding I'm giving it. Third round is lost contemplating misery of my various parts of body.. Pathetic guys cummon! my head says.. my legs ask it to take over the job of running, and get down from its high horse.. head smartly demurs, but promises that its the absolute last round. No more.. until tommorow. Today's deed is done.. well done and all that.

Finish line approaches.. with relief I almost limp over the line.. look at the time, its a little less than 30 mins...I sigh, thats ok for the day I guess.. Need a break, rest between runs and all. After all I'm not a professional runner.. not even an ameture.. wonder, even wether would fit in the definition of runner at all, I checked.. over 12 mins a mile doesn't qualify as running.. I'm did 16 mins a mile yesterday.. wonder if its even jogging.. they should have another category - slogging... thts what it feels like!

Lots of thoughts,lost in them, I see myself off to one more round! This time I must be a pathetic sight indeed. Drenched in sweat, my feet trying to keep up with my body. Suddenly weight of the 250ml small sized half full bottle of water is all important. My right hand pushes it to the left. Its been carrying it too long. Some guy passing in opposite direction says some encouraging words in my direction. Must have noticed me going to pieces. Suddenly I don't remember if its the 3rd round or the 4rth, or heavens help me the 2nd one. My body is retaliating against the brain. Shutting down the blood supply I guess. Dizzy wizzy I go on, 300mtrs, 400mtrs, 500mtrs.. each line both a hope for distance already travelled and curse of the distance yet to be achieved.. Trugged on, without any Dignity I guess, but with a little pride, I was on my 4th round finally doesn't matter how I look, how I feel!

Meanwhile there are walkers, some of them quite brisk.. seems like it takes ages for me to overtake them. Sometimes some real runners.. 2 young guys.. teenagers maybe.. wizz by me.. fast..I wonder at their age, their innocence.. sure enough at 700mark , there they are loitering along, stopped.. When jogging you can't start running, odds are you'll have to stop.

Not so for the black guy. Not just any black guys.. although, there are always a few. This one somehow caught my attention during second or the first round. Not very tall. Wearing white and bright orange leotard. Strange angle to his body, chest and stomach jutting forward, ass pushed back... like a duckling..but running! At a smooth pace as if it was easiest thing in the world. At that time I marvelled at the sight. However again, during this, my ultimate round, when I was almost trashed, he wizzed by me. Thump, thump, thump, thump.. like an engine, unstoppable.

No wonder Indian's cannot be great atheletes I thought. Look at the guy go! And look at me! The thought angered me. Firstly I'm no athlete, and shouldn't be commenting on Indian athletes, atleast not comparing their endeavors with my pathetic performance. However my pride was hurt.. 900 mtr mark, I started running. He was already 50 meters ahead of me.. My body had almost shut down, resigned to thrudge accross to 1345 meters mark and stop. But here I was.. a burst of adernaline. Deep whooping breaths and running! I began following the guy. Began closing the distance. Step by step by step. Thump, thump, thump... Now my lungs were protesting. Not enough oxygen it seemed. I was close to collasping. Throwing up. Could feel the stomach lurching.. But I wanted it bad. I wanted to catchup to that guy!

200 meters to go, I'd was closing the gap! Now it was almost 25meters between us. His pace was relentless, I was at the end of my energy level. But I kept on trying. At 1345 meters, I was still 25 meters behind him.. Had not overtaken him, surely I didn't have that in me.. but there was something else that struck me... I'd kept up with him, almost closed in on him! It was great!!!!! And I finished my fourth round. Equalled up to my day before's performance. 43 mins... Much faster than the last time. Hurray.. Time to go home with pride.

Nd then I saw myself passing the start line again! A min break later I was off! Can't ever do 10KM if I stop at 5KM everytime can I? So here I was, ready to see if I'd finally break the rule. Once off the start line cannot stop, thats the rule. I thought, it was gonna break. But Last round is always the best one. Specially if you're breaking new ground. I was passing 5KM limit for the first time. Was tired but happy.. Finished off the 5th one rather uneventfully. 6.725KM in 55mins... 1.345 KM more then the day before, in the same time! Actually wanted to try the 6th one. But didn't wanna do permanent damage to my poor legs. Need them for another day and all. Remember reading about joint problems et al that do the athletes in. Stopped. Off to the gym for some recreational weightlifting. Gym seems almost like play area after the JOG :)

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9-10-2010

Hip Hip Hurray ~ Here we have a 10K

So here goes the cribbing.. heat , humidity, sore throat, slight fever and lack of sleep. Was at hospital with Naqiyah last night and reached home at 5:30.. then some irritating emails kept me awake setting things right with my chinese collegues. Sleepless morn due to sore throat that I myself had, and was surprised to not be hungry the whole day. Could hardly eat inspite of my gymming..

Well so cribbing aside... I had a big big day. I made a breakthrough in work ~ engaged with a company that many can only dream working with. An enigma, a giant in its category.. Met the big Boss via a cold call, had a great meeting and things off to a great start :)

Back home, wanted to not jog tonight. Too hot, too humid, too tired, too ill.. But have decided to leave for India at the earliest. Probably tommorrow. Means a huge break from Jogging. If I didn't do it tonight I may never achieve 10 KM run... I know myself.. breaks are bad for this sort of things.

Something helped. It was Naqiyah's IPOD touch. Umaima had given it to me to download some applications to it. On a hunch I took it along.

Then it started - a constant thump thump thump at relaxed pace for 7 and a half rounds ~ 85 min. Last 500 meters on a free run of my life.. full throttle. No stops, no breaks no walks!!!! I had 10.115 KM under my belt. First time I laxed the rule. Stopped at 700 meters on 8th Round.. No way to carry on!

But a dream achieved.. now to work on the timing.. 10KM I have you tamed!!!

What I think about myself

2010-09-27T12:53:00.000-07:00

Just made a profile on some website. Asked me to describe myself... I tried to have a honest go at it:

Passionate about ideas. Not a funny guy... do get humor but unfortunately humor doesn't get me :) Would be a nerd, but am gregarious. Not really a rock and roll partyboy(love to read too much to party all the time and am passionate about my work).. But not quite a bookworm either ~ never have been one to pass up a chance to rock and roll when the music takes control.. treking, travelling, fun and adventures beckon my soul but am not a vagabound either, being a responsible father, brother, son, friend is important for me. Relaxed but get around. Do business but am not a blood hound. Absolutely average. Your basic down to earth Omega guy with all the cares in the world, who manages to find free time to live inspite of those cares ~ fully!

Death a taboo for 5 and half year old?

2010-09-21T15:15:00.000-07:00

Some people misundertand me sometimes.. which is fine. But some do so all the time. I don't like voilence in cartoons, films. The kind that trivialises death. Good guys killing bad guys all the time. As if that is ok. Thats what I don't like.

I personally don't watch television. Atleast not if I can help it. Not because all TV is bad. But i think it extracts a price, in terms of my time. My time is pretty limited with all the things that call for my attention. Also I do think with TV it will be all too easy to park Naqiyah in front of TV and do my work. I think easy way is not always the right way.

However today on FM, while driving - News came up - 9 soldiers of NATO died in Afghanistan in Helicopter crash. 29 injured in Delhi in foot overbridge crash. Bridge being made in preparation for commonwealth etc etc.

Naqiyah was with me, asked me about it. I explained to her, that some good soldiers died in air crash. And some guys got injured when bridge collasped. She understood.. Asked me where Aghanistan was. What commonwealth games were etc etc. I explained the best I could. End of discussion.

Later at night, saw a missed call from Umaima's home. Was too late.. Found her online and asked her about it, since if Naqiyah calls, she ususally leaves a Voice Message. Umaima was upset. Said Naqiyah was talking about how 9 good soilders died. Some builders died etc.

I asked her if Naqiyah seemed traumatised? upset? sad? I was infact quite taken aback.Worried. But no, Naqiyah just was talking about it casually. Not upset, but definitely it was something she remembered. And made it a point to tell her mom.

Umaima feels I did wrong thing. To explain to her the news item. I should have changed the subject. Ignored it or something.

I think I did the right thing. Death is fact of life. It has not to be trivialised. But nither it has to be made a taboo. By hiding it, avoiding discussing it, u are leaving the child raw. Unprepared for it. But death can come at any time. Any instance, in any form. Sure shoving it in her face is also wrong. I would want my daughter to have nice, innocent, happy childhood. Not a morbid one full of thoughts of death and dying.

So I did some searching. Found lots of resources on internet which address this very issue. Many people are concerned about their children's coping with, or questions about death. Some are unlucky. Their children have had someone near and dear who died. And they seem to not be able to know, how to help their children cope. Others just have children like my Child.. curious. Wanting to know more.

I was concerned. However lot of reading seemed to come up with unnanimous opinion. Hiding, changhing subject, avoiding or making it a taboo does not mean children don't know about death. They know it.. They just get mixed and wrong information about it. Get feeling that we are upset by talking about death and dying. Understand that this topic is bad.. a taboo. Hence get feeling that death is bad, to be feared. This will inevitably mean, they will be more obsessed and scared with death. Unable to deal with the issue.

On contrary if you discuss it in dispassionate manner. Explain the questions when they arise. You calm them. They take it as one more fact of life. Not something to rejoice in, but something which is true. Like fire burns or germs are bad for u. Facts of life. By hiding it we don't avoid the fact! Similarly by refusing to talk about death we don't avoid it.

Ofcourse Umaima feels I always find a way to make 'Internet' agree with me, and i'm wrong. She feels it quite strongly too. She thinks 5 1/2 is too young to answer Naqiyah's question about what it means that helicopter crashed and 9 soilders died. If you dear reader have got your two bits about it. I'm quite keen to know. Is there any right age for letting kids know that people do die ( by the way Naqiyah already is quite aware that people die, this news item was not the breaking of innocence in the matter)

Happenstances

2010-09-17T14:05:00.000-07:00

Ladies, Gents and countrymen.... life is not about living. It is about experiencing. That is what I'm wont to do. I experience, indulge, inculcate, imbibe, aquaint, apply. Rather voluptuosly so. I immerse myself daily in the stream of happenstance.

Yes, happenstance, that's what I feel, my hour to next hour is guided by. A friend happens to call, we happen to meet, we happen to go to a mall, we happen to make a plan to setup some businesses and companies.. Plans present, plans for future. Read, write, plan, argue, think, play, cook, drink, chat, learn, earn, love... life! That's today.

I go to dentist for Naqiyah, it happens to be in a new mall which I don't know about, I happen to visit Daiso ~ a Japanese chain super store, and happen to come across myriad thinga-ma-jigs and stuff which I didn't even know I ever wanted.. and buy, buy and buy.. indulge in orgy of consumer.. Happenstance. I use those things today.. create a case for why a canvas & and easel would make perfect gifting idea for BMW.. why Chinese style top, which is tossed in air rather than on ground, is perfect gift idea for banks and companies wanting to showcase excellence and performance and create an impromptu presentation and case for corporate gifting company that world is waiting for. Happenstance. From Japanese style kite, to solid steel soap, to train set that is my childhood dream come true. Possesed. Exhibited. Used. Applied. Happenstances all!

From a day to the next.. from moment to next, I live by happenstance. I amuse myself wondering what I will be doing next. Because as things are at present, I actually don't usually know.

That's why I take Siesta from the blogging. Not because I've nothing to say. People who know me, know painfully all too well... I always have something to say!

So to give them all a break ~ and make the blog seem less like puke or garbage dump of daily happenstances and incidences..I resist the urge...

Eat Love Pray

2010-09-09T19:03:00.000-07:00

I gave my copy of Eat Love Pray to someone. I was reading it, and someone asked me for any good books for movie script, I suggested that this would make a great movie. This is about 1 and half years back. Had always nagged me that I never did read the last chapter.

Today grabbed a new copy again, to complete the last chapter which had been unfinished. Suddenly realised that now its indeed a movie - starring Juliet Roberts.

Wow!

Stuffed to my heart's content

2010-09-09T18:59:00.000-07:00

I've loved Hotpot since Alvin a friend of my introduced me to Little Sheep Hotpot in Shenzhen on my first trip to China. Its my absolute favorite cusine ( as against the dish which happens to be Nian Yue - spicy cooked catfish).

Having authentic chinese hotpot available to me in Dubai is something I have always wished for , but Dubai hotpot restaurants somehow weren't the same flavor. Finally I got my wish fullfilled yesterday nd than again today.. here's how it came about.

I was damn happy with myself, having spent Eid night stuffing a 40foot container in oppressive heat, and gasping for breath at the lack of oxygen, pulling, pushing and shoving plastic gunny bags filled with clothes, to go to Pakistan for the flood victims. Lost my original bb hands free amongst the bags ( as against the duplicate one I bought hence), got a cracking back ache... spoilt my favorite Sun'n Sand shirt.. but am extremely satisfied. This came about due to initiative by VolunteerinDubai website which I came accross via a Facebook 'Like' by a friend, who volunteers as a photographer for them. I shall be doing quite a lot more of volunteering in future I guess.. gives me a good feeling, and I hope to make like minded friends.

So, about 11 pm, when it was done, I was hot, drenched in sweat after 3 hours of manual labour, and hungry (no food whole day). These are the times, when I can't settle for next best thing. I wanted to try and find Sichuan Pepper, so that I could make Catfish (Nian Yue) as I mentioned above. Went to Dragon mart (cutting the story short, as one friend complained , my blogs are absolutely too long and boring), couldn't find what i was looking for, went to chinese cluster of international city, found some groceries but not what i wanted, finally found one grocery who did not have the pepper , but the owner became a friend (a chinese gentleman) and introduced me to lots of sauces and stuff to make HOTPOT at home. Rest as they say is History!!!!
Meanwhile also found URUMUQI restaurant ( My third best chinese chinese cuisine) although visit to it turned out to be dud as they did not have Kababs or Hand grab rice ( Pulao Xinjiang style) and I did not want to eat anything else.
So... almost 1 am... on the way back, was not satisfied that I did not have the actual hotpot, and just the ingrediants, still hungry and a lot more tired..went to mirdiff city center to try carefour. Entered at 1:30 almost at cuttoff time for entry, and 20 mins from the time they closed completely. Found the last remaining hotpot in their stock, and reached back home at 2:30 ( had parked at south entrace, carefour was at north entrace ---- bad GPS Bindi, u're right)

Went home and brewed an absolutely delicious hotpot by about 3:30 ( washed, put away the shopping, cutup the spring onions and toffu etc, setup the hotpot etc etc.. took time!!)....

Heat up the sauce (ready made satchet) in water, add raw meat and vegetables, remove and dip in soy sauce, eat! Fantastic

Yesterday the hotpot I cooked using the flame gel.. but wasn't very strong and took too long. Today decided to do it directly in Kitchen. Same thing, just better!! Bindi - My kitchen is spacious enough.. see I can even eat in it... if a kitchen can be used for dining, I can't complain!!

Welcome Mohammed & Zara

2010-09-09T18:33:00.000-07:00

Just got two new additions to my Family. Mohammed & Zara ( so christened by Naqiyah)

They are baby turtles I bought for Naqiyah as an Eid present. She's absolutely thrilled with them :) I'm glad.. she was jumping with joy at having her own pets. Nd they are just like her! Shy - kept trying to dig under each other, until i put up a shell in such a way that they could go under it and have a roof over their head sort of. Also as yet they don't eat! I don't know, since yesterday am intermittently trying to give them turtle food, some vegetables etc. Hope they start eating soon!

Also for turtles about 30 deg centigrade is preferred temp. Since my house is completely central AC, I'm worried they shall be cold.. Outside in Balcony, temp shall go upto 40 degrees by day.. have to keep them out in evenings, and inside by day or something...

I know, its a bit of a doing, but Naqiyah is thrilled and so am I. I just wish I could get a cat or a dog, but its not possible, given my travelling habit, no one to take care of them in my absense. Turtles, atleast, I can send over to Umaima's place ~ they are pretty good at making themselves scarce, wont scare her, or get in her way. Nway, Naqiyah will take care of them... I think!

yeh buziness nahi aasan

2010-09-01T03:33:00.001-07:00

Yeh business nahi aasan

Mar mar ke karte hai

Customer se ladte hai

Supplier se jhagad te hai

Zaroorat padne par

Dono ke paav bhi padte hai

Product specs ko deekhte hai,

Licensing aur contracts ko jhel te hai,

Timelines ki line lagate hai,

Roadmaps ke nakshe banate hai,

Pipeline bhi to chalwate hai,

Kya pakav cheezo me dimag khapate hai,

Yeh business nahi aasan

Mar mar ke karte hai

Customer se ladte hai

Supplier se jhagad te hai

Zaroorat padne par

Dono ke paav bhi padte hai

Chand sikko ki to baat hai

Eek gaadi aur bangle ki aas hai

Salana foreign holiday ki chaah hai

Iphone, blackberry ka rivaj hai,

Shayad thode 5 star dinners ki talash hai

Bas itni si to baat hai

Yeh business nahi aasan

Mar mar ke karte hai

Customer se ladte hai

Supplier se jhagad te hai

Zaroorat padne par

Dono ke paav bhi padte hai

Yeh dilse nikli baat hai,

Bakwas bizness ka rivaj hai,

Ek inheritance ki aas hai,

Ya lottery ki talaash hai

Battle for space

2010-08-25T15:52:00.000-07:00

Got upto reorganizing my place again. Seems possessions have a way of piling up and creeping up on one. Since I shifted to my new place about six months before ( I've forgotten already if it was feb or march!), I've been trying to live a minimalist lifestyle. Beginning from guarding against having too much furniture, onto being ever vigilant about not letting things get out of hand wherein new stuff coming into the house is concerned. However I seem to be losing the battle.

I think what turned out to be very difficult initially was the kitchen. My kitchen wasn't big enough, and cooking being a newfound hobby, kitchen utensils and equipment started fascinating me. I would get inadvertently drawn to kitchen section of Ikea - drooling over the clever organizing ideas, seeing the ultra curved ladle, and clever sieve that seemed just must have for my place. Buying plates, spoons, dinner sets by dozens it seemed. A set of 12 piece stainless steel utensils breathlessly picked up in a mad rush at Dragon mart because the supermarket was past closing time (never used except, after I realized, we can only boil stuff in stainless steel stuff, cooking in it is literally impossible as food sticks and burns on the surface). I literally went mad shopping. Of course that is not the best way to go about equipping a kitchen and even today, I live with a fridge that seems a bit too small, and washing machine that I've splurged on, but that eats my clothes, chews them over in its maw like there is no tomorrow, and almost refuses to be done with them. Lots of utensils that I'd over indulged in have been thankfully passed over to hapless family, and others I tend to furtively overlook as they seem balefully to stare at me, due to my lack of use. I have idli maker, appam chetti, pizza tray, cake creamer, juicers, mixers in multiples.. list goes on and on. I also don't have some basic stuff which I would tend to find at my mom's kitchen, and those things I miss the most (khandni dasta, rotti patla etc). However situation has gotten so bad, that I was left with no place for anything new in kitchen and have to stop buying.

Well, I'm sure, all of you agree, that kitchen is a bitch to organize. But although it seems bad enough, its not what caught me by the blind side. I've got Naqiyah's stuff after all. Toys, books, clothes, cycles, floats even a boat! And every venture out to a Mall, every trip out of town, every outing to a new places or to old one at new time, is opportunity to buy more stuff. Yeah seems bad.. still not the worst. My sweet child, is the most considerate one on earth. On countless of occasion, we've walked into a toy store, or a supermarket, or a mall and walked out with nary a thing bought and she never complains. If ever there is something bought for her, its at my insistence. Mostly its she who's telling me, forget it papa, this is not so important. Specially if she elicted mild interest in something, and I started trying to buy it, whereas she was just checking it out. So yes, toys do take up some space, but they don't creep up on me, and getting rid of excess toys by giving them off to some other child in family is in fact is a rewarding experiance. Besides a lot of her toys tend to disappear as she keeps taking them from my place to Umaima's and boy am I happy about that! I guiltily encourage the toy migration sort of :)... So getting rid of toys doesn't pinch my concience too much ( specially giving away part) and toys don't create a problem wherein clutter is concerned. I mean they do contribute to it, but in a managable way.

Then there is clothes. Naqiyah's clothes which are every increasing in volume. Thankfully again, many of them I try to push off to Umaima's place and rest get old and can get happily discarded. So although infact she has more outfits then she can possibly do justice to, it is not a key problem. I personally don't seem to have bought clothes for myself in what seems like ages. Although my old clothes from Umaima's house are still landing up like a tide relentlessly washing-up debris onto the shore, to my house and I'm wondering why I have a polar weather collection of Jackets and winter stuff, I am happy enough ridding myself of any and all old outfits which I don't wear. Clothes are difficult but not impossible to control.

I have more major lurking problem. Something that’s piling on me by the days. Its the paperwork. Everything generates paperwork in this world it seems. Banks just love to inundate me with messages, letters, statements, offers and their favorite ~ Bills!... Then I seem to have phone bills which Etisalat seems to keep sending , and I don't understand how can I have more bills then the number of months that I've got the phone! Electricity bills, business related documents, company documents, contracts and legal stuff, old documents which Umaima's sending over from old house, the list is endless. Then I have invoices of daily spending, shopping bills, laundry bills, bills for every purchase made every day, warranty documents and credit card receipts and what not. Its endless. Also getting rid of each bit of paper of course requires careful scrutiny to ensure its not something important which I'll regret doing away with at the later date. Paperwork is currently my most pressing problem. I simply can't organize it right, and its every increasing quantity is bogging me down.

Second problem that is quite unmanageable is test samples. I inevitably get at least 4-5 couriers from China a month with settopboxes and other items. Sometimes in multiples per courier. Sometimes whole cartons full of stuff. Keeping this stuff (mostly its valuable, and generally even sending them across to me costs the factory atleast 150 ~ 200 USD which at times I pay for) after its checked is a pain. Most of them are checked but not done with. Others are samples of my productions which I'm doing for some customer or another and I would like to have a test box myself. I even have Naqisat boxes named after my daughter, which I'd had no samples for, and actually bought the sample from the market!. So receivers are work in process, some are work finished, but like a baby, full of memories, most of them have cash value which is not possible to recoup. Throwing them away seems like a criminal waste. Keeping them is impossible!

Lastly ofcourse a problem that will eventually be much worse then above two and which historically has got me every time. Its Books. In India I used to be able to buy second hand books cheap, while I was growing up. So I had ever increasing piles of books, which I horded like treasure. From mags, to comics, to paperbacks both fiction and nonfiction stuff and some hardcover as well. I think it was always a challenge for my parents to find space for my ever increasing volumes, although I don't remember them complaining too much. Considering that upto 18 years of my life, I've stayed 5 of us (my parents, my 2 younger bros, and myself) in 150 square feet single room studio - which upgraded to 100 feet single room studio for another 5-7 years after our old place fell down and we shifted to a smaller rented place, crunch for space has been single factor why I still don't have all those tomes. But giving up books used to be most difficult thing for me to do. Painful even. However on shifting to Dubai, need to fend for bare necessities of life. And the cost of books ( second hand were unavailable), meant that economically it was impossible for me to buy books. However since I've shifted to my new place, I’ve got sort of independence to indulge. And indulging I am!.. Hell I have started picking up hardcover copies of books which I've already read (Dune for instance). I'm much more discerning about which books I do read. This is simple result of having wide choice of books available to buy since I'm buying new ones ( for second hand books, the choice is limited to what is available after all). Now add all the books that I keep picking up (simply must have, have to etc) for Naqiyah ( just the other day I was all excited to show her latest stuff I bought for her, and she innocently asked me - whats so important about books?), and I know that books are going to be one serious problem for me in future.

So here I find myself back in Ikea. Shopping for furniture. After having promised myself to keep the walls bare, and floor empty. Living space that one could breath in. Having lived in confined space for a big part of my life, open empty space seems like a luxury that I love to indulge in. Problem is not even existing stuff which I have horded, rather the problem is that uncoincously it seems I've decided to allocate 2 of existing Cabinets in my house to books, current and future. I understand now, as I'm writing this blog, that books are what forced me into Ikea again. I also understand that open space is a luxury I can't afford to give up. I can't stop buying books. Can't stop reading. But I simply have to stop keeping them! I've just got to learn to give away books that I've read.

Honestly, considering that now I'm infact into collecting all books of authors that I like, and often find myself eyeing even books which I have ebooks of, and which I've already read (catch22, Asimov's foundation series, Life of pi, Tolkiens trilogy.. etc etc) to name a few as happened just on my current visit to Kunokinya (as I said, I actually pickedup Dune hardcover, even though i've read it already maybe 3 times)... I find it hard to imagine how I'll resolve this one!

Colored objects - friends

2010-08-21T16:31:00.000-07:00

Just had a two hour Chat with Bindi, 3 am my time.. should make it between 2:30 and 4:30 am her time.. Deep night..the time when the world is sleeping and moon reigns over her silent domain. In depth of the night where we recoup and recuperate our energies, lost to the world, in touch with our deepest feelings and desires, communing and communicating with our souls, were us.. me and bindi, awake.. interacting.. sacrificing the ethereal, to fulfill the calling of the bond.. that is very real.

Maybe she was a bit tired.. did make some noises , Gym, housework, outing for a movie, drinking with friends over at her place.. the usual stuff.. nd really I did not expect her to keep her promise to be online after she’d be back from her movie. But she was, and she did. Nd I realized I hated the word friend. Its too generic, too general. As I told her.. calling her a friend, is like calling referring to a rainbow and a rock in the same way, yeah, the rainbow is a colored object you see in sky, and yeah a rock.. that’s a colored object too.. All colored objects.. rainbows , rocks, flowers and trees, birds and bees,…. All colored objects, all friends.. so where’s the differentiation. Hope you know what I mean.

This colored object stayedup at night to chat with me, far far away, but yet so close maybe because she sensed, that I was a bit lonely and needed her… and for me, for the lack of any other words, I’d say.. she’s a friend.. a good one at that for sure.. but a friend.

Talking about colored objects, I was pleasantly surprised this week by 2 more.. One of whom found me after maybe 20+ years of having lost touch. Zahabia touched my life for a short time, but made a deep impression, when we were mere teens.. still growing, in Malad at my grandmom’s place where we happened to meet. 20+ years hence she connected with me, mother of twins, staying inexplicably in Dubai, just as I am, on facebook and I don’t know what to talk to her!

Second one is Zebun, whom I happened to trace. My memories 15 years past, of a philosophy student, bubbling with theories and ideas, standing at bus stop or sitting in canteen, or even at her place in colaba, or visiting Jehangir art gallery together.. We shared an eclectic tastes. Nerds is the word that comes to my mind. She used to refer to my theory of human existence as ‘theory of Man as Chemico Physio being devoid of a soul – perhaps’ . But we shared a bond. A deep bond. Then she moved off to Andoman Nicobar of all places, and we lost touch. I remember a letter, painstakingly typed out on a type writer which I’d gotten hold of in Malad, never posted – perhaps. I found her on FB. Mother of two children. A teacher, Again I don’t know what to say to her…

So these objects come in various hues and shades, dark or bright, lasting or about to wear off at first wash, deep and somber or gray and light.. and ofcourse these colored objects.. of various hues and intensity , of myriad flavors, the reds, the blues, violets and the grays, the blacks and the whites, the pinks and the magentas , the earthy browns, and the sky blues… we sweep them all into one term.. friends..

Sounds inexplicable to me.. is human language , is english language, at such a loss for word sounds?

Working again!

2010-08-21T14:14:00.000-07:00

Wow ! its like getting my Mojo back. Me working again.. Seems like a long time since I didn't work seriously. Today I'm back, plotting and planning and strategizing. A clarification to those who think, i'm just a lay-a-bout.. who at the rest of the times is wasting time in myraid pursuits which amount to nothing - you're right !...

Most of the time that i do mundane repetative things, to me it feels like they amount to nothing. Even if those things constitute important part of initiatives that are already on the go, and need to betaken to their logical conclusions. New is exciting. Old is .. well.. its old ain't it? Why should I even wonder what it is.. its gone, past, finito, bye bye.

So here I am .. geared up, excited again. Thinking of new projects, initiatives. Strategies to revamp current businesses. Researching techniques and technologies ( fancy way of saying, studying stuff that I ought to know already) to update and upgrade myself to be back in the groove..

Feeling good....

Peepli Live and Predators back to back

2010-08-20T16:17:00.000-07:00

Watched Predators at dubai mall. Entertaining film but then I have sweet spot for Sci-fi Fantasy type films. Does justice to the original Predator film, and I believe shall be start of a successful franchise. I watched Alien versus Predators too, but it was like virgin mary, as compared to drinking bloody mary this time. Not the same thing. In my opinion, Predators is excellently made movie and I would rate it at 3.5 out of 5. I liked Adrian Brody - although 'The thin red line' and 'The Pianist' did him more justice, Alice Braga was not believable as a hardend super soldier ~ I'd seen her earlier in 'I am the Legend', but other Cast - specially Laurence fishburne were simply awesome. I think the action sequences and story could have been done a bit tighter as overall the sense of being preyed upon and the urgency and the horror of it is missing in this one. It wins on concept, storyline, special effects and awesome cast.

One of the memorable scenes which really floored me was the image of the sky with multiple planets hovering around the skyline. Awesome. Reminded me of 'Nightfall' an Issac Asimov short story that had impressed me a long time ago. Later I was to learn, that it had been voted best Science Fiction Story ever written by American Sci-Fi writers in 1968. Now a days I often find myself searching for the likes of Asimov, Herbert and Tolkiens. When I walk into a book store usually I despair at the available fare in Sci-fi section.

Peepli Live is more of a downer. Excellent idea for a movie and important one at that. But I think the movie was in shambles. Story was all over the place and director failed to create an emotional connect between Natha and the audience. The plight of the farmer, the gravity of loss of land and livelihood all were paid lip service to, but the message was verbal rather then an emotional one. I think the writer and director couldn't decide what would draw in the audiences - Farmer suicide issue, Media circus issue, the Political issue or just some funny parts and hence tried to capitalise on all aspects and delivered non particularly well. Yes performance of Omkar Das was excellent, Raghuvir Yadav shined as he did not over act as sometimes I feel he does, and even other casts like Shalini Vatsa as Natha's wife, and Farrukh Jaffer as Amma (my favorite), and Nowaz as Rakesh were excellent. However inspite of Aamir's production, good concept and excellent cast I came away feeling that the film was an excellent opportunity wasted. It has Aamir's name attached to it, but not much of his magic. Nasuruddin Shah was wasted in the movie. If he is caricature of some politician that they wanted to portray, its all well and good, but for me he added no value. A huge loss I believe when I think of Ishqiya and 'Dil to baccha hai ji'. I'd give it 3 at the most, entirely due to good show by cast. I am saddened by the lost potential of this important issue, that could have made such a great film!

Wu Liang Shou Jiang - Amitsayu Buddha Sutra

2010-08-20T07:21:00.000-07:00

Yeah right.. thats what I was looking for! 1 hour long sutras in chinese to make my day.. Who'd have imagined, I'd be listening to those today. So how did it happen - eh... Its like I'm finally organising my music - I really don't know how to make sense of Window's Media Player still.. nd organising music is sooo difficult for me, never got around to doing it right all these years. But now today, doing it right. What I want to listen to - love - I keep.. others I delete.. Simpler way.. no ambiguities. Like is not good enough. 5 stars or the bin.. thats simpler way to do it.

Nyway I am going through songs.. enjoying.. from J'lo and Beyonce, to Motzart and Beethovan, Bally sagoo, to abhijeet, rehman and others... Awesome time.. Some surprises were to be expected.. but believe me, no way I had factored in 1 hour of sutras into the picture.

Nyway I just finished listening to Ohayoo Ohio - Pink martini from Splendor in the grass on my playlist lineup ~ just trumpet and instrumentals.. When up comes this bell ringing like the cycle bell tingling.. and starts Wu Shang Shan Wu Liang wa................ accompanied with light tapping on a drum in the background keeping beat. Beat keeps increasing in tempo steadily, as does the recitation. Recitation it is obvious is not repetiative. Rather it undulates, navigating through smooth rythmic syllables, words seemingly of same lenght and structure, but different sounding. And it meanders through your senses, rising and falling ,like a tide.. tempo steadily increasing until it reaches fever pitch at which stage it starts decreasing again.

What, Why and how this came about I cannot imagine. Never had heard of it before now, and now ofcourse me being me, I have far too much information about it. Its the sutra of Pure Land Buddhism. Practise of Buddhism via chanting, visualisation and meditation with 3 basic approaches - Hui- Yuan practise of the contemplating Buddha or Master San- Dao's sect with belief of vows and mercy in heart to beseech rebirth into Amitaba Buddha Land, Master Hui-Jih's idea to combine both practise of contemplation and practise of beseeching.

In english its called Visualisation sutra, as Wu Liang Sou Jiang contains within a subset Guan Wu Liang Sou Jiang, Guan which is meant to pertain to Visualisation, although we'd rather consider it to be referring to Dhyan in indian context which has much deeper meaning then just Visualisation.

So to cut a very long story short ( and long long story it is) Wu Liang Shou Jiang is story of Sakhyamuni Buddha's preachings to Vaidehi regarding attaining rebirth to Amitabha Land via power of visualisation.

He describes in detail the technique for visualisations about 15 steps culminating in the person achieving enlightned status and being ensured rebirth into pure land.

Crazy thing about it is, having heard it once already, here I'm listening to it again, twice in a row on the same day.. this thing is like a bug.. catches u and difficult to shake off!!

Harry Potter the doom and gloom

2010-08-19T17:40:00.000-07:00

So Umaima called up at my place today. Naqiyah being with me last 2-3 days. She had ticks for Harry Potter - The order of Phoenix 3D. Wanted Naqiyah to go with her. Naqiyah said she didn't want to go, and being in one of her pertinacious moods stuck to her guns. Umaima asked me to try and tell her the story and see if she'd get interested to watch the flick.

I started to tell Naqiyah about Harry Potter, the poster child for children's books and beloved of many, when I said to myself. Harry Potter is not for Naqiyah. I was surprised at this assertion. Why should the very mascot of for the Children tales not be for a child I asked. But seems I was also in stubborn mood, and put myself down with ~ morbid tale dealing with death, prejudices and guilt.

Now I knew I had a point. Harry potter's tale is tale of death of his parents and Harry's guilt ( at having been maybe the reason for the same), prejudice held against him by likes of Snape, Rita Skeeter, Umbridge etc etc. List is endless. Starting with cruel treatment by Uncle's family at the very start, all the books have death and darkness as central theme. As the series evolves, it just gets worse and worse.

The books do star children and have them as central character. This and the fact that the language is lucid, the tale is fantastic and magical, seems to have deluded many into mislabeling the series as children's tales!

I disagree strongly. Maybe for teenagers and above these books may be interesting. Yes indeed the magical implements and concept of flying broomsticks, magic wands, giants and dragons etc are fascinating to even younger lot. But on the whole, I've read much much better children's books ( so to say appropriate for children) then these. Same way as Cinderella was a tale about stepmother and cruel sisters.. and at its time may have been appropriate and ringa ringa roses is poem about kids falling down from small pox, and almost all nursery rhymes of Victorian era have similar dark themes .. I believe we are a little more civilized now, and children don't need desensitization towards hurt, cruelty and bad behavior.

Last Airbender comes to mind, just about now. Yes it has its part of violence, but atleast Avatar the boy is told by spirits ' It is not your role to hurt others - avatar is for all and should protect all' and the underlying theme of the movie is that he sets out to win 'hearts and minds'. As tongue in cheek and cynical it may be (referring to US hearts and mind campaign in Iraq and Afghanistan) however our younger generation deserves education on responsible application of power, and abhorrence of violence.

The Brown Bunny

2010-08-19T16:38:00.000-07:00

What is Genius I wonder. Are the genius's only so, if world acknowledges them to be so? Is it a people vote and popularity that counts?

Vincent Gallo ~ writer, director, producer, actor of The Brown Bunny. A tragedy with a buildup that is so poetic in its presentation and simple in style that left me breathless - literally. Again like Murakami, he'd shock you... not for faint of heart to see this. A tragedy, the pain, the anguish of loss.. the story of love and remorse.. of an unfair reality of our existence.. make a mistake and time marches on.. no way to recoup, no way to recover the loss. Time may heal some wounds, and that my friend is questionable, but certainly scar shall always remain!

For Vincent ~ someone who I never knew, never sought out, the movie which I'd never heard of and happened to watch as an unlikeliest of chance.. to have rewarded me with such profound experience.. I'm thankful and grateful.

So as I said.. what is genius... does it need the world to say he's a genius for me to acknowledge him as such? Or is the work a piece of Genius and he just happened to be the one who delivered it. I don't know. But I think he is!!!!

- A note of caution. I read up on this movie today a bit. 90% of audience walked out of the movie before the end. It has been trashed badly and called Worst movie to feature in the HISTORY OF CANNES festival.. and a celebrated critic wrote that he'd rather enjoy video of his colonoscopy more.

But having said that.. the fact is also, that some reviewers on rotten tomatoes (my fav review site) seem to have got the same feeling I have, with at least one of them using the same term that I used forVincent - Genius'

Tu-tu-tu-tuuuuu, tu-tu-tu-tuuuuuu

2010-08-19T16:21:00.000-07:00

Give the man a chance and he'll happily be a monkey. So says me.. today a wiser fool... To mock the Big Bee - nd I don't mean our Bacchan, was a foolhardy act. He trashed me with Egmonte. Then showed me the way with King Stephen's. Played with my spirits, soaring them at times.. higher and higher, as in above - the famous 5th Symphony motif and boy did I fly.

I've just scratched the surface of the great master's works yet. Mostly overtures. Many a times impatient with his softer more rythmic pieces 'Leonore's ' for instance, he always manages to reignite the passions with more vivid, more exultant and far more heroic compositions - ofcourse the 5th comes to the mind.

To be honest though, many of them did leave me unmoved.. Leonore, Creatures of Prometheous and some of them awoked interest only in parts - The ruins of athens for instance.

Finally its also a happy coincidence that one of the first beautiful melodies I learnt on Guitar - Ode to joy , is part of Beethoven's 9th symphony. Having played it, now listening to it as I write this I feel the joy that the original poem by Scheiller that Beethoven set to music evokes. Peom's the part of Symphony in vocals. Its in German, but an interesting part of it goes like this (starts with joy as daughter of Elysium etc etc.. but this part is more interesting to me) (by the way this piece of music is now European national anthem) :

May he who has had the fortune
To gain a true friend
And he who has won a noble wife
Join in our jubilation!

Yes, even if he calls but one soul
His own in all the world.
But he who has failed in this
Must steal away alone and in tears.

Some interesting tit bits about big Bee
Went deaf in late 20s.
Composed 9 symphonies ~ by contrast Motzart and Schubert combined composed 150!
Was impetous and did not like to eat with servants in Princes court, would at times throw dishes and break plates in distress at this insult ( Musicians, even composers like Beethoven were of category equal to servants)
Was great great believer in personal freedom and liberty
His 9th Symphony first concert received 5 standing ovations. Even imperial couples would receive only 3 during their apperances, and hence police broke the ovations as this was considered disrespectful!
As expected he lived a heroic, larger then life, but a troubled existance !

Coriolanus

2010-08-18T17:07:00.000-07:00

Ludwig van Beethoven - mickey mouse, donald duck, charlie chaplin shall I say... Strange I hear Beethoven and cartoon films roll out in my mind. With flow of music.. For example listening to Overture to Coriolanus just now... Angry Tom after Jerry.... on C minor, all high and mighty.. charged up.. up for a fight...then the mellow sounds.. E flat... soothing music.. cinderella .. dancing with the prince... soft, mellow, soothing.. again Tom going after Jerry with Gusto.. and final closure... Jerry's sad demise... Thats overture to coriolanus for me.. Beethoven.. Don't know what people see in the guy.. I think he's a laugh riot!

Famous Last words :)

2010-08-18T15:35:00.000-07:00

I read my last post - vah reh vah lifey.. nd can't help smiling.. How twisted life can get. Unbelievably next day morn the factory refused to produce the product. Some shit reason. No sense. Just curt refusal. after 2-3 years of development - non transferable !!!!

Ha ha ha.. I got saved by the post actually. Now come to think of it. If not for that post, the irony of it would have escaped me. Instead of putting a hand on my heart and saying 'All is well' I'd have exploded. These guys I know. They've dropped bombshells on me before. They were so capable of doing it again ! But it was ironic. I couldn't help but laugh. Cummon.. Crowning acheivement and all .. ha ha ha.. Brought me back to earth !

Nyway I think my cool saved the day. I called up right people. Diplomacy, reason, logic, persuasion. Worked. I called in all the favors ever. Worked. Project on fast track now...

Vah re vah lifey

2010-08-16T13:56:00.000-07:00

So how does one feel when they're working on a project with no precedents for success accross multiple continents for three years, and it comes to conclusion? They feel as I do... Vah re Vah !... Disbelievers were legion. The small voice at the back of my voice the worst of them. Faith, trust, instinct and rational were my guiding lights. From guy in Tunisia, to Paris, to Bulgaria, to Ukraine, India to China to South Africa to Australia, Jordan to Dubai to Qatar to Egypt to Saudi... many were involved, are involved sometimes fleetingly... sometimes showing the way, sometimes throwing light onsome thing missed, sometimes burning midnight oil in pursuit of accomplishing the technical challenge.. and mostly out of pure commercial interest. I've funded it, nourished it, nurtured it, incubated it, instigated it, concieved it... its my baby. I never doubted it was possible. Only problem was whether it was possible by me or not. Maybe i'd giveup in sight of myraid issues that seemed inexplicably to come up out of the blue. To giveup at when faced with roadblock of egos, prejudices, cajolings, threats and worst of all, snide laughter, comment here and a comment there telling me 'man you're going at it for x years now.. forget it, its never gonna happen'.

To be fair I did not make it happen single handedly. I trusted blindly, people who were otherwise not trustworthy, who'd proved on upteen occasions to be untrustworthy. Thats what I did. I trusted even when trust was not deserved. I paid when even the payment was not warranted. I gifted where there was no gifting due. I did what was always above and beyond the call of duty. This resulted in magic. People reciprocated. They supported me. Often times reluctantly surprised maybe at their own actions. Many a times some went back on their words and needed to be cajoled. At other's I took care of their perceived needs and interests. Varied needs. Varied interests. Exotic vacations, pleasures - done. Expensive electronics - done. Ego boosting - done. Exciting future prospects~dreams of grandure to be shown - done. Even threats and angry posturing - done! I was generous mostly, hard sometimes. However I doggedly pursued it.

Not to say its over. But can certainly say its a start. I got first order 2000 pcs for the product that took this long to bring to fruitation. I learnt something. I learnt a lot. 2000 pcs can never makeup for my efforts, time invested, costs... sure! But I don't care... 2000 pcs is vindication of my baby being born to the world. Whether I recover the costs or not, the baby's been born, the development cycle has been fruitful, the concept has been concieved, executed and completed. This is a big victory for me.

I'm a man with the ideas. I'm the man without a plan. I know what to do. I know always what to do. I just don't know how to go about it in optimum dispassionate, take it or leave it way. For me, my way or the highway never works. I'm the guy who calls the guy who he's lending money to, a friend in far way country, calls the guy to ensure the guy confirms and gives details of his bank account so I can transfer the sum. I just did. Me... lets just say I can understand why I'm unbearable, I don't march with the band. My steps are always random. So I can't dance with a partner. Alone, I'd dance away to glory. Jive, move to the music, groove.. I can feel the rythm, but keep step, repeat step, not so easy. Not to say i'm not accomodating. I'm just exasperating. I know why mine chose to not be mine. Its obvious.

I am most reasonable guy who never does a sensible thing. How dumb is that!

But that aside, today I'm happy. Not that i'm jumping with glee or anything. Its true that baby being born is culmination of all the efforts invested in the baby, but there is no gurantee that baby will survive to produce fruitful returns on investment. For me today is triumph of having stood ground. Not taken no for an answer. For once I believed in my own hunch, created that which I concieved and never, never gave up!

I made egg curry andhra style (tarmarind being key ingrediant of the curry) tonight. Small celebration. some ingrediants were missing, dhana powder, curry leaves, green chillies( these I simply forgot to add), but all in all turned out delicious. I undercooked the eggs, over cooked the mustard seeds, undercooked the onions, over did the pinch of sugar.. but it seems it all balanced itself out. It turned out ok. Delicious. Got my bloody mary, nd the egg curry, nd made a delicious night out of it.

I still do have a problem. It takes me 2 hrs on an average to put togather a dish or dishes. Atleast 2 or sometimes 3 hrs. Never less. Am slow. I know. But don't know how to resolve it. I am forgetful. Meticulous while washing things. Concentious when cutting things. Open the drawer and forget what I'm looking for. Open the fridge for tomato juice for bloody mary and close it after grabbing a bite of cheese. Keep going back to the computer to see my fav vah chef reexplain the ingrediants and order in which to cook them, and after seeing it upteen time, do it wrong...

My friend Ali used to say, I'm glitchy. I always used to leave a bug in his system when I used to maintain computers for a living. My ex-wife used to say, I leave bugs so that I can be back to her place again ' this is when we'd just met'. Jinxed, glicthy or just forgetful. Guilty as charged.

Today did one more thing that needed doing, and was not happening. A deal, business deal was not going through. 8 months of negotiations. Back and forth between two parties. Me in the middle. Not going through. Today I think I culminated it. Power of persuasion. If I may say so, I impressed myself. its an important deal. Will add horizontally to my business. Give my company longetivity and options when considering that just now I'm fixed to a niche. Good deal. I pushed hard. Pushed intelligently. Showed the way. Created options, and was diplomatic. When two parties are involed and me in the middle, I'm never one doing anything. I suggest but suggestions are not mine. My ideas I plant. Compulsions I sow. I work not for the glory but the goal. Today did just that... Happy!

Also today someone told me they learnt an important lesson from me. A dogged seemingly thickheaded guy who's been source of much problems for me. After busting him in coordination with my client in turkey for about an hour, at the end of which he was pleading that we better just hand him the knife and he'll kill himself its better. Soon after he said one more dumb thing. I complained about quality issues. Reminded him it was not acceptable. His response ' They are still trying to see how to address these in such a low cost product'.. I trashed him completely. No product is low or high cost. Low they can't make money, high we can't buy. Product is always right priced in keeping with its demand, market scenario, current features and volume etc. You wouldn't go to Mcdonalds if they gave one burgure out of ten a bad one, and said, its alright, we give you really cheap burgers after all!.. Surprisingly he got it. He said so himself. Thanked me even. Said I showed him light about a new way of thinking about products. He will no longer excuse low cost as reason for low quality. Surprised. I was surprised. Not like him to accept defeat in such a gentlemanly manner. Surely I'm having second thoughts about him. He's bad for sure. But maybe not immune to change after all!

Seems today was a busy busy day. Morn woke up 8 am. No time for even brushing my teeth. A very worrying SMS. Hit the comp straight. Issue after issue, problem after problem. All urgent. All clamoring for attention. Alif cheered me up a bit. Rest was work work work. Had a bath and brushed my teeth at 2 pm. Glass of milk and was off to a meeting. Thats where I did the above culmunation of 3 party deal. Was happy, treated myself to a movie. Last airbender. Nice one. I liked the effects. The guy from slumdog millionair was one of the key casts. Good role. M night shyamlan.. this time he's done his homework. Qudos. Back home, back to work, invitation from a friend to visit him. Preferably with some girlfriends, he was home alone for few days. I have non. Sad. Informed him asmuch. Didn't believe me. What to do. Its the truth. He didn't like it, it seems, when I was ready to go, he told me he'd got an urgent call, plans had changed. Relieved. I'm not a social creature. Happier on my PC. Cooking. Surfing. Reading. Listened to AArash's Donya.. also cross fade and others.. awesome.

Vahchef on Youtube. Check it out. The guys too good. Smiling always. Genuinely explaining every step of the receipe and why he does what he does. I've tried some of them. Non has turned out as intended, as expected. But I don't care. He's cool. I love him. Continue watching and apeing him.

Calledup my friend in paris. 12:00 am dubai time. Congratulated him on finishing the project. Then calledup my friend in Ukraine. Needed someone to talk to. Was feeling lonely. Don't have any friends in dubai I can just talk to. Sad.

Nostalgia? Love?

2010-08-15T14:51:00.000-07:00

Excrepts from Murakami Novel

' I want to reach out and see if I can actually touch her. But I can't. I just stand there drinking her in. I listen to sounds she makes as she bustles around in the kitchen.
She ladles ot stew on to a plain white plate and carries to the table. There's a bowl of salad too, tomatoes and lettuce, and a large loaf of bread. There's potatoes and carrots in the stew. The fragrance brings back fond memories. I breathe it all in deeply and realise I'm starving'.....

After some more paragraphs in the book.....

'To be with her is to feel a pain, like a frozen knife in my chest. An awful pain, but funny thing is I'm thankful for it. It's as though that frozen pain and my existence are one. The pain is an anchor mooring me here. She stands up to boil some water and make tea. While I'm sitting at the table drinking it, she carries dirty dishes over to the sink and starts washing them. I watch her do all this. I want to say something, but when I'm with her words no longer function as they're supposed to. Or maybe the meaning that ties them together has vanished?"....

I read this above passage now. 1:30 am in morn... fantastic cream dorry fried fish and beef mince madras curry with pilsburry atta rotis nd garlic pickle.. black bacardi white rum (limited edition as listed on bottle) in hand ( i froze the tomato juice last night in freezer by mistake.. bloody mary is not happening tonight). I sit with 'Kafka on the shore' by Haruki Murakmi. I come across this passage and I know why I love Murakami... his stories resonate with me, with my soul, touch some nerve, unveil deep longings, deeper truths..

The above passage.. I've been that guy. I've had that experience.

By the way I researched Franz Kafka and even read his The Trial and its dissertion and its analysis and various opinions on it today. Sadly I read the Trial first. Depressed me. Utterly operessive. My soul cried at the inadequecies of the character 'K Franz' in the novel. At his utter desperate situation and the clear compulsive repetative misguided misinformed pattern of his behavior. Sure Kafka is trying to drive home the point about how unable we may be trapped under our ego, delusional about our abilities and smartness, and completely incompetent to understand machanisations and working of authoritative, ubiquitious, controlling, omnipotent big brother. He turned out to be precient. He wrote the book about yr 1915 if I remember. Later he was proved to be so right. But hell I don't need him to make me feel inadequet. I do a pretty good job of it myself. Not for me to read Kafka.

I had pretty long chat with Lee's wife in Juzhaigo about similar issue. She's doctaral student studying Hemmingway if I remember.. ' To kill a mocking bird' If my memory serves me right. 3 years of studying and disecting one work, by one author. Seems pointless to me. What a waste. I asked her what else she'd read.. We discussed at lenght the fact ( me doing most of the talking and persuading) that seems her definition and by same reason, definition of her curriculum, of the term 'literature' was by default - a body of text that was morbid, sad, tragic. I told her literature need not always be tragic. Nd if the text is longworded, complicated, requiring her to refer to dictionary to merely understand it.. then it was not a contemprary lingustical tome and at best should be relegated to niche status and could not qualify as literature, since literature needs to be study of living language with defining mass appeal qualities.. not just elitiest tragedies. Recommended Catch 22 and several other reads for her nd persuaded her to even checkup Dune (frank herbert ones) to really see what I meant. Hope she does it.

Meanwhile .. I drink because I can read the above passage and relive the same feeling, the same pain.. the same satisfaction. I dont drink usually. Thats because I'm a creature of un-habit. Its a phrase I coined for myself. I have analysed myself. One thing I certainly do, is I simply don't do one thing. Be it very very basic things like lets say have tea. I have tea every day every chance I get. But I also don't have tea for long periods of time just for heck of it. I know many a tea drinkers. If you're hooked, ur hooked. I am hooked unhooked. Same with coffee, same with smoking, same with drinking, same with eating.. same with reading, writing, playing guitar or even working. I get hooked and i get unhooked and i go back to being hooked. I can't be in one state for any lenght of time. Strange but true. I wonder if this holds true about love for me too?

2010-08-14T06:58:00.000-07:00

Back from an awesome trip from HK with Naqiyah. Have been thinking about significance of life and events more and more deeply of late. And its leading me to inexplicable events and happenings which feels like fate is playing games teasing me with clues while lining up events to its own end.

Consider this:

Nathan road has suddenly got meaning for me. We stayed at Eaton Hotel, Nathan road in HK. Nathan being one of the key shopping / tourist roads in HK. On last day Naqiyah was playing with the Map.. she surprised me by showing me Kowloon express station, and then saying Eaton, Nathan road while pointing to our hotel address. Means she remembers Nathan road distinctly as well. For me this road has now tons of memories of time spent with Naqiyah, shopping or staying, or just traversing through HK. Our first impressions of the City togather.

Later in the flight I had pickedup quite a few books for me and Naqiyah to read togather. So had no intention of watching TV. I even offered the airhostess to take my headset when she seemed to be unable to help a passenger in front seat with his, and he was complaining. So I was quite clear that I didn't want to watch anything at all. However by 3AM and after completing quite a few chapters of our first novel togather I put Naqiyah to sleep inspite of her protests. She was hooked to the story :). Once she was asleep, I put on the TV and watched Joneses and then a 'Wimpy kid movie' - wimpy kid novel being just seen by me in book store for first time that evening . Joneses was interesting concept movie but cast and depth was missing, and Wimpy kid movie was pure drivel. Still some time to go, i was itching for some good cinema when came accross Madona's documentry on Malawi. I had often come accross some titbits of headlines about Madona's adoption contraversy in Africa, and thought of it kinda like a media circus around a new celebrity adoption Fad from hollywood (wat with Angelina and Brad showing the way). However something prompted me to see the movie. And I was moved!!! Madona's just produced the movie and has deliberately taken back seat in the narrative. It was irritating that subtitles were missing in africaan language the kids and locals were speaking. However the documentary was gripping and i was deeply deeply moved. Not by the tragedy ~ tragedy is everywhere, proverty is everywhere... the interesting part was to get thinking to address the issues. To forget our apathy, and irritation and sense of hopelessness at general despair that human existance sometimes seems to be, and to look at root causes and try to analyse possibility of change. To look at active components behind the drama and search intelligently, scientifically for the solutions. Philosophy, culture, anthropology, consumption, politics and human ability .. all are intervened to direct us to our fate. After seeing disasters unfold over generations, of epic propotions, to see misery propogated on children, seemingly out of their own volition, it obvious that 'i am because we are' the african culture and philosophy is on display although on its more terrifying corollary of 'i am not because we are not'. For the children in africa, for the generation who got aids because they never had a chance to know what it was, and how to protect against it, for the world because we may be in similar cycle of consumption, erosion, destruction as malawi is in microcosm. 'I am not because we are not' ~ i do not conserve because we do not conserve. I will perish , because we are programmed for destruction. I will as we will. Seems to me the documentary holds up a mirror to me, as much as it talks about specific issues in Malawi. What am I because of what we are?. What paths, practises, events are setting me up to be in a chain of self serving delusion, which I am not aware of. What am I because we all are?... Also Desmond Tutu's pearl of african wisdom ' My humanity is bound up in yours.. because we can only be human's togather', Madona's narrative (in my own words) resilence is not unique, it is a life quality, natural. We all have it within us. Needed are tools too excels... All hit home one after another. Like arrows, deep into my conciousness.. altering my thinking. Changing my life path. Guiding my future train of thoughts, action, being and becoming consequences of my future fate. Now get this ~ I obviously paid close attention to the titles.. Cast and the creators..people who had contributed to bring this experiance to me. The first name that flashed on the screen ~ Nathan Rissman ~ an un-likeliest of directors to say the least... he's husband of Madonna's Nanny! Thats why he got the job!!! My point is its Nathan right, same like Nathan road.. the same Nathan the word which was not in my conciousness has now 2 very distinct important places.. same time frame..

And then, I decide to google synchronicity, and turn up a paper on deliberations on coincidence and intution .. written by who else but a Ms. Nathan Hannah a philosophy fellow, who was very keen on proving that one Mr. Bedke about self defeating premise over cosmic coincidence and intution are wrong!

One more Nathan? Is it just me or is Nathan pervasively common name all around and I just happened not to notice before now?????

2. I always tell Naqiyah that stories are important. Hell, I've blogged about that too. I make up stories and they are tools for me to teach her stuff, to excite her, challenge her, stimulate her, connect with her and hey entertain her too! So guess what happens when I pickup our first Novel to read togather - titled ' Where the Mountain meets the Moon' by Grace Lin...?

We sit in the plane and start reading.. starts off with a description of brown dull hazy village, below a fruitless mountain, next to a dark cold river, a place which fortune has abandoned and seems to be full of despair. All is brown, the villagers toil through the day, until the night in muddy waters to grow sparce amounts of rice barely enough to fill their bellies meal a day. Mud from the water which needs to be flooded in rice field seeps into the land, the houses, the faces, the ground, the clothes.. All seem brown, dull and sad. Amongst this sad,sombre existance is a girl Minli. She's bright, eyes are like dark shining black pools filled with excitement and questions, cheeks are pink flushed with toil, but face is alive.

Why amongst all the villagers, only this girl is happy, excited, alive? Because her Ba (father) everynight at dinner time tells her Stories!.... her mom at times scoffs at this, saying they are impractical, make believe fantasies which will lead her astray, at others is happy to see the genuine smile on the child's face.. but at all times her father, with his stories, poor, hardworking, toiling peasent though he is ~ is epitome of patience, understanding. Nd at all times he tells his wife ~ stories may not do her good, but certainly dont' cost anything , and don't harm her.. so why not let me tell them!

This is the first novel I pickedup which Naqiyah got hooked too.. I did not read or know the content, just the fact that its story of a girl who goes in search of Old Man on the Moon, with a Dragon. Hence there is no way for me to have known it will underline my core belief in stories to Naqiyah in such an abject fashion... Coincidence? Synchronicity? or am I searching for meaning in ordinary events?????

3. Tinkerbell.... I've never read tinkerbell story.. Never been particularly facinated with her, nor really knew what she was all about. But when I made up 3 characters out of the blue for Naqiyah's stories .. they were - Naqiyah, Nanina (elf) and Tinkerbell... Now guess what out of all the princesses and fairies in Disney's considerable collection.. it seems Tinkerbell is the one one with most character.. We recently saw Tinkerbell's movie, and now one more is on the way, soon to be released. We sat in Disney train to go to Disneyland and when we had multitude of possiblities ~ Snowwhite/Jasmine/Sleeping beauties et al, Mickey and gang, Lion kings and myraid disney characters.. Guess which statue was in the train right next to the sofa where we sat... Tinkerbell! This is important because this train was the entry into disney world. Before we stepped into this train, we were just going there, but tinkerbell was not on our mind at all!...

Nd Naqiyah wanted a tatoo at ocean park.. only one disney or even any other recognisable character that was there amongst many dragons, ghastly gangster designs, and many many other creatures in 3 books full of tatoos was Tinkerbell! And the tatoo was awesome... red and black... still is.. looks great on her arm.. will stay for atleast a week the tatoo guy said said.

But these can be by design things.. yes I selected tinkerbell tatoo for her, yes i bought a very nice tinkerbell locket for her.. but what was not by design is that tinkerbell is that now that i've given it a thought, the only fairy with lasting legacy IMO. Has charm and character, is angsty and naughty sometimes fun, sometimes sad, with very human passions and frailities. Not like pretty perfect disney fairies. What I mean is, I did not know this! Naqiyah liked snowwhite, jasmine, or even ariel.. I used Tinkerbell for the stories without a clue as to what exactly Tinkerbell was..So for me its just a lucky lucky coincidence that somehow tinkerbell seems to be the right character for her to match with, grow with and love!

More coincidences have passed.. and many more to follow. I still doubt if any or all of them mean anything beyond just happentences. Trying to find meaning in them will lead me astray from living naturally. So I shan't.. But listing them makes me feel that maybe there are connections which are a bit beyond my reach to fathom, but are beckoning me to ruminate on them.

Meanwhile i push on, like an elephant in the perfume shop, crushing vials of precious fluids without a clue at their nature or importance maybe.. marching to his own drummer.. unaware.. unable to be aware

Oh! precious swallow's spit

2010-07-15T13:07:00.001-07:00

Find myself in Hongkong once more, loitering around in winglok street as I often land up doing. Hongkong is one of the most pedestrian friendly cities I know. Climate is benign with occaisional showers this time of the year, however I certainly didn't mind the drenched welcome that the skys showered me with, having missed Mumbai rains. Walking along some shops kept seeing round white sev type bowls selling by the dozens nicely packed in transparent boxes sort of what we'd use for gifting sweetmeats. I guessed them to be birds's nests on being asked about them by a friend. However since there were so many shops dedicated to selling only these, that too in one of very central districts of HK, I was surprised. Couldn't figure out how they could be selling so many birds nests, considering they are harvested only twice a year in Indonesia and I would expect them to be a rare delicacy. For uninformed let me tell you birds nest look like white or brown sev (what muslims have at end of ramadan for eid a sweet delicacy), with round bowl like nest shape. They're made by birds (Swallows) I think secreting saliva and weaving them. In order to maintain sustainable bird population there r neccesarily restrictions on harvesting in the wild, although I'm sure some people might have found a way to make domestic farms for them aswell. In any case my confusion about seeming profusion of availiblity and hence implied casuality nd non rarity of buying it was quickly resolved when I went in a shop and asked price for a pack. 45000 hkd for a pack about 1kg. That would be about 7000USD per KG!

Making of a cake!

2010-07-13T15:24:00.000-07:00

Chocolate, Sugar added to butter
S Delicious liquid, flowing nectar

Flour, choco powder sieved to savor

Whipped up eggs smoothen the flavor

Baked to satisfaction, succulent creation

Icing on the cake delicious perfection

Naqiyah's Songs

2010-07-09T02:57:00.000-07:00

As mentioned in previous blogs, Naqiyah loves to make up impromptu songs and poems. I consider this a creatively liberating experience when one can break into a song without nary a thought of whether it is appreciated by others or not.. totally unselfconscious.

On her grandfather's birthday when she suggested some things that she can buy for him, I told her that things are easy to buy and anyway not appropriate or special enough gift for someone she loves. Instead asked her to come up with something else.

Here's what she did:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QprpXDt3XHA

One more chocolate cake

2010-07-07T09:57:00.000-07:00

Making a chocolate mud cake now:

Ingredients

250g butter, chopped

200g dark chocolate, chopped

2 cups caster sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup self-raising flour, sifted
1 1/2 cups plain flour, sifted
1/4 cup cocoa powder, sifted
1/4 cup water
----
Also Chocolate Ganache :

2/3rd cup condensed milk

200 Gms chocolate

-------------------

Not sure how it will turn out since 70% chocolate was recommended, but when i tasted the final batter before putting in oven it tasted bitter. Will know in about 30 Mins

---------------------

Success.. didn't have the cake yesterday, rather just finished cooling it and put on the icing etc. It was too late about 11:30 pm and Naqiyah was already sleepy.
However we cut the cake today and its awesome! Pure delight. Not too sweet, not too bitter, chewy, just the right creamyness from the iceing.. its pure evil.. Only downside is makes it feel like a sin to have such pure chuncks of Cocoa and Chocolate going into the tummy!!! All care about paunches has to be forgotten when having this one !

Satisfied.. Highly Satisfied :)

Best toy ever!

2010-07-07T07:53:00.001-07:00

Had a ball of a time today with Naqiyah playing with balls! A big rubber bouncing ball, a bare room with walls and floor empty to do as we wish.. kicking, punching, heading, bouncing, catching, passing...endless fun. Took some small rubber balls and more fun. Balls indeed are best and cheapest source of fun known to us, imagine so many games that are popular and we love are all variation on the same theme!

Add a stick and we have Cricket, Baseball, Tennis, TT, Golf, Squash, Hockey a long list
Add legs and we have soccer, football
Water and we have water polo,volley ball etc
Hands and ofcourse we got basketball, handball
List goes on.

Meanwhile oldest known game played with Rubber ball is ULAMA

And most basic ball game is to keep hitting the ball without allowing to bounce twice, and of course playing catch with the ball.

PIGS ~ PIGS ~ PIGS

2010-07-07T07:48:00.000-07:00

Came across ATMA website ( Action for tribal movement association) http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3024047926213070694 while connecting to Rahul Gandhi's twitter.

An interesting article on Piggery promotion will list a small part of it about advantages of eating and farming pigs which I didn't know:

1. WHY DO PIG FARMING?

The challenges faced by our country in securing the food as well as nutritional security to fast growing population need an integrated approach for livestock farming. Among the various livestock species, piggery is most potential source of meat production and more efficient feed converters after the broiler. Apart from providing meat, it is also a source of bristles and manure. Pig farming will provide employment opportunities to seasonally employed rural farmers and supplementary income to improve their living standards. The advantages of the pig farming are :
1. The pig has got highest feed conversion efficiency i.e. they produce more live weight gain from a given weight of feed than any other class of meat producing animals except broilers.
2. The pig can utilise wide variety of feed stuffs viz. grains, forages, damaged feeds and garbage and convert them into valuable nutritious meat. However, feeding of damaged grains, garbage and other unbalanced rations may result in lower feed efficiency.
3. They are prolific with shorter generation interval. A sow can be bred as early as 8-9 months of age and can farrow twice in a year. They produce 6-12 piglets in each farrowing.
4. Pig farming requires small investment on buildings and equipments
5. Pigs are known for their meat yield, which in terms of dressing percentage ranges from 65 - 80 in comparison to other livestock species whose dressing yields may not exceed 65%.
6. Pork is most nutritious with high fat and low water content and has got better energy value than that of other meats. It is rich in vitamins like thiamin, Niacin and riboflavin.
7. Pigs manure is widely used as fertilizer for agriculture farms and fish ponds.
8. Pigs store fat rapidly for which there is an increasing demand from poultry feed, soap, paints and other chemical industries.
9. Pig farming provides quick returns since the marketable weight of fatteners can be achieved with in a period of 6-8 months.
10. There is good demand from domestic as well as export market for pig products such as pork, bacon, ham, sausages, lard etc.

Success ?

2010-07-06T14:00:00.000-07:00

Success is a credo that all respect. But who's to judge what constitutes success. A friend has posted on his facebook that he's finally achieved it all. I know him well. I see that from a point of view he has.. money, fame, recognition.. yes could be defined as success.

For me success seems to have a different flavor. Consider my day yesterday, I'm sitting lonely nary a sip of tea or bite of food .. through the day. Wrote a short essay on nature. Enjoyed the new realisation regarding Man's relationship with nature ~ vis-a-vis Parasitic as against Symbiotic.. Success?
Worked on a proposal for another friend, he said it should be such that it makes it a no brainer and his plan gets approved immediately. I submitted it to him.. he took his time, then reverted to me.. yes it was as he expected, requested me to forgo any credit for the plan.. he'd submit it under his name ~ sure I agreed.. another favor done, a satisfied friend, fullfilled relationship.. success?
Started working on plan for my dream project for the nth time. Had been promising my partner that I was working on it since 15 days. Hadn't written a word. Quite unlike me. The deadlock was due to the fact that I'd done one version of it already. It was deemed not quite ok. I knew the idea's were fresh. The concept was genuine. It was not getting rejected on substance rather on the presentation. However to have ones idea's disconsidered. To have the substance overlooked hurts. To redo it was difficult. Was hitting a writers block everytime I tried it. I could do everything but that it seemed. Lemme spend hours writing million other proposals, it was absolutely no problem. But that one thing which I had to simply do at any cost.. was not happening. Finally started on it again. Opened a fresh document. Started writing. Liked what I came up with. A pradigm shift to approach of our industry. A new way of looking at things leading to obvious conclusions for future action. Executive summary done I decided to reward myself. Was already 9pm. Decided to cook chicken biryani. Tandoori chicken. Even barbequed the chicken rather then baking in oven. Went whole hog. 1 AM. Food was delicious. Executive Summary had showed me the way. Success?

Success takes many forms. Many people yearn for it as a goal. A mission to accomplish. This is one way of looking at it. I hope to look at it a bit different. Day at a time. Task at a time.

Today's success ~ woke up late. Naqiyah's piano lesson in 3 hours. Attacked the project plan again. Finished off 30 pages in 3 hours. Looked good. Success! With Naqiyah to music school, she played happy birthday tune first two lines, more importantly enjoyed the Teacher's rendition of 'Give me some sunshine', I believe finally fully appreciated what magic performing, playing music can be.. Success! Went swimming, she surprised me by swimming whole lenght of the pool, unaided, unexpected... she can swim now ! Success!!! Turned around and asked me "IMPRESSED?" I was too taken aback to answer.. such maturity from 5 year old was unexpected.. my little baby is growing up fast and I'm around to capture and record the moments! Success!! Had to reward her. She'd been looking forward to a story in which Naqiyah gets trapped in Killer Whales stomach.. Had reminded me many many times. I had to make it good. Pressure is not good when i'm making up impromptue stories. Made her laugh. Many times.. She enjoyed it. Truely satisfied. SUCCESS!!!

Lessons from the Nature

2010-07-06T13:50:00.000-07:00

Bindi requested me to write short speech for her niece. Got me thinking.. here's my take on it:

Lessons Learnt from the Nature
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loss of lively hood of the fishermen due to Oil spill in Gulf of Mexico. Thousands died in Bhopal Gas tragedy. Hundreds of thousands in Latur earth quake and the Tsunami.

The events of gloom and doom, when faced with Natures fury remind me of famous lines from a poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson’s

Who trusted God was love indeed
And love Creation's final law
Tho' Nature, red in tooth and claw
With ravine, shriek'd against his creed

The above events denote our dependence on our environment. When we corrupt our environment we pay a price. When we don’t pay heed to it, or don’t understand and respect its power, we also pay a price. Nature looks good but can easily be wild and furious. We have to respect it!

Be it for resources or shelter. We can't survive or sustain without bounty that is provided free to us by the Nature. We can learn from it, or not, but its there and we are dependent on it. Now and again, we see it in its awesome force, when Nature decides to teach us a lesson or two. Its sort of a cliche to say we have to learn from Nature, and more often its misused by propagators of homegrown remedies rather than to look into deeper existential state which we find ourselves in.

Let me see what I think nature teaches us. It certainly is not just a Mr.Fixit offering sundry cures for small time ailments and cute alternatives for frequently used manmade tools.

Care for and about the environment : First thing nature tries to teach us is we share this planet. We are dependent on the ecosystem. If we tamper with it, if we don’t care about environment, when we take it for granted, we shall be in trouble. We are product of nature ourselves. No less natural then anything else we see around us. We have evolved in this environment but not so far evolved that we can dis-consider precocious condition that we live it. Droughts, famines, floods and storms are also reminders. They tell us that our food sources, our living environment, our entire existence and sustenance is dependent on our ECOSYSTEM. When one link fails it can start a chain of cascading events which can be catastrophic.

Nature shows us the past, so that we can be careful in future also that life is fragile and precious, once gone cannot be brought back: Nature also lets us glimpse of ages gone by. Species and organisms that ruled the earth. Mammoths, Dinosaures, Saber toothed tigers.. strong powerful creatures who were wiped out most possibly due to climate change. Changes in environment. It is reminder of what can be, if we are not careful. It also shows us that life is fragile and once we lose a species we have lost it for ever. Biodiversity has hidden within solutions to many problems that plaque the mankind. From antibiotics to anti malaria tablets, to finding ways to dispose of waste in ecofriendly manner, to new techniques and technologies for generating energy, to even learning deeper lessons about sustainability of species and need to control our predatory all consuming behavior. Within biodiversity we shall find answers.

Nature tells us to Learn and evolve, the power of the POSSIBLE: All is not grime though. Nature shows us other aspect. Of Nurture. Of caring for the whole. It sustains and cares for millions of species of life. It shows us life’s longing for itself. Life wants To Be. Strength, survival, evolution, we find it in nature. From the way birds evolved and learnt to fly, to the way fishes adapted to live on land. From tiny bacteria who can survive even on hot sulfur outlets in depth of the sea, we see the continuous evolution for survival. There is a very very important lesson in this. Lesson is EVOLVE. LEARN. We are where we are today, as the prime predator on this planet because of evolution. Because of our constant yearning to learn. Certainly nature shows us that learning is good. It is function of growth. Look around us, examples are bountiful and abundant.

Finally all it takes is a press of a button on a nuclear warhead to destroy all, or an oil spill to corrupt all. We need to understand that we have had privileged existence. We have used abundant resources provided by Nature and our behavior has become consumerist and parasitic. It is time to take note of the damage done. To go from having parasitic to symbiotic relation with our environment. To strive to protect that which remains. To nurture and grow for future generations. We have to do it ourselves, else Nature will teach us how, and Nature’s lessons are not always pleasant, although they are memorable and important.

iRiver - Books here I come

2010-07-02T10:42:00.000-07:00

I have been faced with a dilemma of late. I have stopped liking books I used to like.. Seems my tastes and perspective has changed. However a book in dubai generally costs upward of 80 AED onwards. So I can't go about picking up books at random trying to find out whats new and good. Most of the books on bestseller shelves don't seem to have much appeal and i'm seriously struggling. I have been consistantly making do with Non-Fiction since past few years.. but my joy and appreciation of reading did not emerge from Non-Fiction. I have been an avid, ASIMOV fan, a Dunes (Frank Herbert) enthusiast, beginning from Noddy and Famous Five, to Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew to legion of Marvel and DC comics and Archie/Richie Rich and others.. I've been facinated and inducted into the pleasures of reading by fiction. So it is sad and i feel a sense of loss that I can't find anything to read! I do pickup and read some novels now and again while at airport, in malls also in India etc from Aziz, but have been on the whole disappointed.

One way to overcome this issue was to download books online and read them. This way I could get access to books which otherwise I couldn't buy or didn't want to buy, and I could buy those that I really liked for my collection. However I suffer from dry eyes syndrom and sitting and reading on computer for any lenght of time is not easy for me. Epaper seemed like a good answer, and Kindle by Amazon a step in right direction. However Kindle has AMAZON DRM and can't accept any other books. Seemed like all the other ebook devices using epaper had same issue. I even have a project ongoing with a development house in Beijing after I convinced their CEO that developing a cheap ebook alternative that will not lock readers into particular drm format is a good option.

So imagine my delight when browsing through a sale with a friend in Sharaf DG I came accross iRiver's Story (Ebook Reader).. It has Absolutely no information on the packaging about what it was all about and what it could do. Strange, strange.. The sales guy told me, it was the first time he saw that device in their shelves (seems they must have recieved the shipment but due to lack of interest, shelved it and only now in the sale they had taken out the dead stock.) So I checked out the reviews on my BB. Surprisingly i saw that although a bit old device launched about end of 2009 (old by fast tech standards I'm sure there are many new ones better ones on the way or on a shelf somewhere), it did support open format pdf / doc! Also with a price tag of 1130 AED, it was expensive but would not make me cry if I saw tommorow a much better version at cheaper price ~ specially since it really is something I have wanted all along. So I made instant happy decision and bought the piece.

At home now, and inexplicably even the device after opening has no user manual or ny other info. Considering that i've always been irritated by tons of paper companies waste printing user manuals in 10 different languages I think, on the whole this is not such a bad thing specially since I generally never tend to read one. I have connected it now to the PC using USB and shows me its charging battery. I have no idea as to how long it will continue doing so etc etc... But one thing is for sure - It looks and feels awesome, the build quality and the design is very similar to kindle and I'm happy. Just waiting for it to finish charging ( I think it may give me some indication when it does) and to fire it up :)

World of reading .. I'm back !!!! :)

Atkan matkan dahi chatakan - Rajneeti

2010-07-02T10:35:00.001-07:00

Awesome is getting lost in the melody of this beautiful song from Rajneeti. Love the female singer's voice Antara Mitra I think. The movie itself ofcourse had non of the redeeming values, and did no justice to awesome cast it boasted. Voilent, sensless , drivel! Nothing anyone can take away from it.. The movie propogates hate.. it throw mud at the Glass house , much reviled, much abused, and much underappreciated that is Indian politics. India is a democracy of 1.3 Billion people folks.. you hate what others are doing, do it yourself. If you have particular point to make about particular instances of bad governance make those points. This movie is nothing but sensless hate mongering.. Sad!

Magic!!!

2010-07-02T10:00:00.000-07:00

Much of my conversations with Naqiyah revovle around and evolve from stories. We at times discuss intricacies of why Popla ( a japanese kid who's always scared of tiniest things) finally joins Naqiyah/Tinkerbell Nani on adventures and how Naqiyah manages to send Storm Dragon ( an increadibly powerful being who by accident lands up in our space time from past) back to time and saves the world as we know it!

Now considering that all adventures have multitude of characters all with amazing fantastic abilities, magic and power, it is finally Naqiyah who's crowned Princess of the Jungle. Princess of a Jungle being ultimate crown that gives her domain and control over all things alive and wild.

Why does this happen.. why a human , a child at that, like Naqiyah is more powerful then the magical fairies, elves, dragons and dwarfs ?

Because being a human she has the most powerful magic of all! "Difficult things become Easy" Magic. Basically she possess an ability to try and solve difficult problems , tasks and issues by abilities and answers which she does not already have. She can try and try and try until she can solve the problem. Eventually the most difficult problems will become EASY to solve because she'll try, practise and be patient. All other creatures dont have this magic. They shall either be able to do something or not! Naqiyah intrinsically being non-magical uses the most powerful magic of all to solve any and all problems.. magic of work, patience and trying something until it becomes easy to accomplish!!

Basically ofcourse this Magic is really there for all humans to use. Only some of us realise this. And many of us realise it later then we ought to. I realised this late. I would think i'm good at things and try to do things in first shot. Be happy with whatever good/bad/ugly result i got, compare myself with fellow beings who similarly approched the task as a beginner and be done with it! It is only shortly I've realised that no matter whether I can do something ok, or well, or not so well.. important is only if i've done it a few times and after having given it a through go, can I really sit back and look at my efforts and judge them. Initial efforts without trying and without applying the "MAGIC" have no value. They shall pale in comparision to the final output!!

Now I'm teaching Naqiyah training her similarly. For example, if she makes a drawing .. she'll excitedly want to show me. Although i'd appreciate it, i do remind her that I would be even more happy when she has tried this sort of drawing a few times and showed me result of her efforts. Particularly satisfying is seeing her eyes shine when she put in an hour trying to play a piece of melody and finally gets it, or joy in her voice after we try many attempts at playing around with " I love u, u love me, we are a happy family"- making a parody of it, she comes up with a version "I love u, u love me, we are a magic family, we can try everything , we can do everything, and practice shall make things easy" which satisfies both of us. Ofcourse her version goes on quite a bit longer and once she's with me i'll probably note it down. It also changes quite a bit at each recital since she sings impromptue.

I think we humans really forget what we have. Ask any of us to learn a new language - we'll say its difficult to do..! but really it is not so. A baby learns to speak few words and understand from very very young age.. by 2 ~ 2and half Asma talks and makes herself understood quite well. She's already learnt gujarati. We can too but with half as much effort learn to learn a new language. We forget that we can and imagine that we were better at doing it when we are kids. I beg to differ, and think it is not so, it is only that as a kid we put in a lot of effort. Now we can't find time for even a small part of that effort and hence we fail, but given even a part of similar effort, we'd accomplish much more now. Also other things.. like balancing and walking.. We learn when we're so young.. But does anyone notice how much effort a baby takes to do this.. How much practice and how much time.. Also for each word to learn? Repitations, and practices? Immersive environment? How about for me or you to learn ice skating (lets say) or Juggling etc.. many a times we'd think its too difficult and not try. We forget what we have, and give up on ultimate magic we possess. I believe we humans can do more .. much more than we give ourselves credit for.. All it needs is use of our intrinsic magic !

Incredible Life

2010-06-29T06:55:00.001-07:00

Having a beautiful time chatting and finishing some work online while Naqiyah is dancing on a nice song and showing off to me.. Ideallic isnt it!

Same time my friend in Jo'berg is telling me this:

@hotmail.com says (5:46 PM):

salaam, man please inform keean that i am unable to work this week on the project as i am in hospital

Moiz says (5:46 PM):

oh!

what happened man!

@hotmail.com says (5:47 PM):

i got shot my 3 fucking black man in my arm

they hijacked my red horse

Moiz says (5:47 PM):

what?

shit!!

how come u r online man

@hotmail.com says (5:47 PM):

2 got killed on the spot, and 1 escapefd

Moiz says (5:48 PM):

who got killed

the hijackers?

@hotmail.com says (5:48 PM):

Moiz says (5:48 PM):

is it serious ur injury?

Moiz says (5:49 PM):

who killed them? which arm?

@hotmail.com says (5:49 PM):

i shot 2 dead, 6bullets each

i fucked them up like a dog,

the 1 who escaped i know him

Moiz says (5:49 PM):

shit man! ur serious?

@hotmail.com says (5:50 PM):

in hospital, im ok, alhamdullilah

im fine

Moiz says (5:50 PM):

its like a film story ! unbelievable !!!!

like bollywood movies

where u got hurt? bullet loaged deep or just cut ur arm?

@hotmail.com says (5:51 PM):

man, i used my pump action and fucking blew the piece of worthless trash up, into pieces

bullet in arm

i have experienced this b4

Moiz says (5:51 PM):

how did it appen

where were u?

in the car? at a signal?

@hotmail.com says (5:51 PM):

they are wortless, *** or *** has more value as them

Moiz says (5:51 PM):

how did u manage to reach the gun so quickly?

@hotmail.com says (5:58 PM):

as they hijacked me, and ask me to get out, as i climed out under my ferrari driver seat was my gun, i pulled it out and start shooting wild

@hotmail.com says (5:59 PM):

2 d*** died instanlty, the driver was also injured but he manged to get away with the car

Moiz says (6:00 PM):

who shot u?

@hotmail.com says (6:00 PM):

as i started shooting them, they shot back at me

Moiz says (6:00 PM):

driver of ur car u mean? they jumped into ur car?

@hotmail.com says (6:00 PM):

so in the crossfire 1 bullet got me

jumped into my car

Moiz says (6:00 PM):

　wat about ur car now?

@hotmail.com says (6:01 PM):

the CID told me they have the GPS location but will let them use the car for 2 days, then trap them

the ferrari has GPS

Moiz says (6:01 PM):

so why let them use the car

wat crazy guys yaar.. they may fuckup the car isn't it?

@hotmail.com says (6:01 PM):

fuck it, let the worlthless d*** use it, my CID is tracking them

Moiz says (6:02 PM):

　wat about the two who died? they were in the car or CID got them?

@hotmail.com says (6:02 PM):

i got them same time

@hotmail.com says (6:03 PM):

these are not INSAAN , they are worst then animal

Moiz says (6:03 PM):

seems not a safe place ur jo'berg man!

@hotmail.com says (6:04 PM):

already the fifa report , is hidden away from the world, more than 12000 foreigners robbed in SA during soccer

560 killed

Moiz says (6:05 PM):

impossible!

how can they hide 560 people killed

========================

Wouldn't like to put up rest of the chat as some seriously strong language, strong racial bias etc...

But makes me wonder.. how life can be so many different things to different people.. Wat is value of life? of a Car? of people who shall be ready to kill or be killed! I know my friend.. he's a close friend.. its surely not just the car.. its sheer frustration with Crime.. I've been to Africa, one overbearing feeling is lack of security, voilence every where.. no value for blood. I believe strongly so , this is single mitigating factor for backwardness and poverty there. Africa is in pits because of crime. Lack of human rights, respect for them and lack of respect for human values. Only when we learn to value Human lives we can progress..

Hoping for a change.. sincerly seriously hope things change!

Prestine Innocence

2010-06-25T14:56:00.000-07:00

Went to drop off Naqiyah to her summer camp a day before. Parked and gave a cursory hug and said good bye to her. She protested that she could not quite hug me properly while I was still in the car, strapped to driving seat. I duly got out and picked her up in my arms and hugged her. She clung to me and after a few moments said ' Mane nai khabar mane badha itlu kem love kare che".... innocent, sweet, pure.. just like her name. My heart goes out to this child! She's selfless and loving all the time. Gosh! How much I love her :).. It's nice to know she feels loved and has got loving and caring environment around her.. what more could a father want !

Catharsis a path to change?

2010-06-25T13:52:00.000-07:00

Things progress.. days go on. But my life seems to somehow be standing still while I seem to have changed and changing .. if that sounds like i'm contradicting myself, let me give u a visual.. it seems like i'm running, changing, evolving, emerging, demerging devolving basically changing all the while rooted to one spot while all around me is same.. same ... same...!

Most imp change I feel is the loss of driving urge that made me work with intensity that people would find disctracting and sometimes even threatening. Now days flow as if in a dream. Doing what I want, when I want, if I want..like lets take today for instance:

Woke up late in the morn, after having slept at the day break busy playing command & conquer simply called red aleart 3. Unimaginative name and under worked game. Some nice graphics and unit controls but all in all a too similar to past versions. Anyway I could have spent the day finishing long pending accounts, working on several loose ends on endless projects i'm involved in and many of which are on hot plate, sorting out my bro's marketing strategy and working on the promotion material etc (He was at my place with rehana and kids) etc etc.. Considering that tue-wed Naqiyah being with me means its an unofficial holiday for me on those days (Beginning monday night, up until Thu morn), a fri spent constructively would'nt have been so bad.

Atleast those were my initial thoughts when I woke up. Oh well, just a small initial thought that barely registered a protest at what I finally knew I'd do. Afterall Friday's a weekend... who the hell works on the weekends anyway right :)... So here's what I did -

Rushed off to Supermarkets for milk before they would close during Namaz time. Walking into carefoure express is ofcourse an open invite for shopping, and I was not to let them down. I spent liesurely 20~30 mins grocery shopping to my heart's content ( This after Thus night shopping spree in Carefoure at Mirdiff). Went back home and informed Rehana of the plans for lunch. Initial plans were to make Hakka noodles but i realised i did not have oyster sauce and shezwan sauce, so change of plan entailed. I'd got fresh lamb ribs and neck. Decided to make a day out of some authentic mom's style meal. Gave a call to mom, took the receipe and cooked lamb ribs stew with curd and billista(fried onions). By the time I finished it was quite late about 4pm, when I realised that it would not do to have such a beautiful dish without mumbai naan ( not the naan which you get in restaurants, this is lamba pav or naan from suleman usman bakery at mohammedali road), I searched the net but couldn't find any mention of this naan which I wanted.. All the receipes were for the other naan. So I decided to do it myself. Happy coincidence of my mixing up Wheat flour for Maida meant that I landed up with truely authentic suleman bakery naan, same soft but chewy dough, same aroma, same color .. awesome. Then setting up the new toy i'd bought the night before, A printer/scanner/fax which had wireless access so that could be used from any laptop etc, and later off swimming with bro and niece. Back refreshed and rehana made excellent Lamb neck with minimal preparation ( only meat, tamarind, green chilly and salt - no other ingrediants) Lip smackingly good... We gorged on that and now they left and its about 1:15 am already. And here I am, working on thunderbird to solve my Gmail out of space problem (someone challenged me that it's impossible to run out of space on gmail unless i'm receiving and saving forwards and junk emails - i beg to differ, I have 3 more gmail accounts besides primary one, to which I have earlier pushed off tons of my emails in order to bring the primary account to 85~90% but always it gets full!).. Also solved sound muting problem in my comp.. so now finally listening to Pink Matini "And than you're gone" and other songs from their album Splendor in the Grass(2009)... awesome listening, me a big fan!

Back to the raison d'etre of the blog. Cooking, music (listening but even more so practicing guitar or piano), computer games, swimming, story time with Naqiyah are Cathartic endeavors on my part. I wonder what I'm upto sometimes. Maybe running towards something or running away from something, but i'm changing. In this process of change, seems i'm reinventing myself. The issue is why do i feel i need this reinvention, and whats wrong with just being me as I was.. Considering these questions of pesky existential kind which don't neccesarily have any answers which shall satisfy me.. and since these questions are always plauging me as are uncertainities as to what I am doing, ought to be doing and what will work, it sort of figures that I lose myself in these activities.
( Just talking to a friend on MSN and realised that I am infact uncertain, ambigous and maybe pessimistic about future. Too much at stake, too many responsibilities. So I'm maybe simply turning away from practicle realities of life.. into a world as I would envision it, full of creative , fun and nice things.. its withdrawal rather than growth!)

On the flip side there is an advantage that a more balanced mind, and a relaxed mental state results in better output even though the time devoted in actual WORK per se is less. Atleast in my case it seems to be working out like that for a while. Long term effect of this attitude cannot be deduced yet .. will know soon enough I guess :)

A note of caution

2010-06-18T13:37:00.000-07:00

While the earlier post is all positive.. there is some realization that has burdened my heart with fear of doom and gloom since morn.

World is getting more and extremely polarised. World realpolitik is becoming ever murkier and I think bodes not well for future. Consider the following recent news and alliances -

US has openly warned Turkey to stop pushing for holding Isreal to account Isreal's attack on Gaza Aid ships and their killings of activists in international sea! This after Barak having stated he was sorry for the attack. US infact has told Turkey that Turkey has never aligned with western interests inspite of being part of Nato ( I would very much like to know how western insterests are aligned with Isreal's actions) Considering that Isreal's a non NPT nuclear state. Is a radical state with religion and ethnicity for its foundation and as part of its constitution, a constitution that supports not human rights and equality rather religion and superiority of a group of people over others based on their belief system. This bodes very very badly for future. Turkey is not a weak nation. It is a resurgent nation which is one Islamic country which has stayed consistantly on a secular path. US is acting irresponsibly.

Similarly China is acting worse than so. Their support for Pakistan's nuclear program - the one country where nuclear trigger is in hands of army rather than in the hands of Civilian elected authority is beyond belief. India is ofcourse concerned and should be. China's action are self limiting. India and China togather can create enough momentum to change the future equation of wealth distribution and inequality world over. Apart and at logger heads, two of the most populous countries in the world are making the world a worse place for our children to inherit. Pakistan currently is a nation in turmoil. Its religious identity and constitution is its undoing. Ahmedi commuity's mosque was brutally attacked recently with scores killed in random killing by some Gunmen. I was at a pakistani client's place. And the mention came up of this incident. Immediately his first comment was "Ahmedi's are not muslims ofcourse"... this statement shows the core of his belief. People are who they say they are. But for this guy muslim is who he agrees is a muslim. Hence Ahmedi's , bahai's and tons of minorities are repressed in Pakistan. It can never be a proper nation with this kind of fundamentalist thinking. China supporting Pakistan may be some sort of stupid strategic role play and games by some bureaucrats. In reality it is worst thing for the future of even China ( Consider Xinjiang and recent Urmuqi unrest). Fundamentalists can never be anyone's friends... China should know that by now!

Russia came out openly critical of the Europe and US over sanctions against Iran. Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy is moot question here. The issue at stake is its lack of transparency and unclear intentions. Issue is its stated goal of wanting to ELIMINATE ISREAL from face of the earth. Issue is its despotic religious regime who very much suppress their own people as well. Iranian's are lovely people with modern outlook and winning ways. Iran is a prison state where its own people have no freedom to express themselves as they wish. Russian support in its favor is Oil & Gas politics. Ahmedinajad infact openly warned Russia not to support sanctions against it. Seems Russian's chose cowards way of self interest and short term short sighted world view. After all hawks everywhere tend to be the same! and Russia is in hands of hawks so is Iran and Pakistan and Isreal. Russia also refused to use its considerable influence and force for acting assistance in Khyrgystan even after the govt. itself requested it. In past they had been the ones who had stopped ethinic conflict here. Their influence is not inconsiderable. They can do so again! Think of 100,000 already displaced and hundreds killed and more being slaughtered. ( Since this blog i've come to realise that Russia infact sided with UN sactions but is against unilateral additional sanctions advocated by EU and US.. I fully comprehend and agree with Russian stance.. we are going towards same path of attack on Iraq with this. UN Sec Council should be adequete and sufficiant means towards dealing with all issues. Russian actions in this case are to be applauded no matter what their motives, I stand corrected)

Also continuing Chinese support of North Korea is questionable. They forget that their political goals have human costs.. millions of starving, humans living in slave conditions .. an entire nation bent to the will of one despot.. this is the result of their support. Same so for India's support of Burma... Needless to mention Europe and US's support for Isreali blockade of Gaza.

Things seemed to be looking up a while back. Resurgent confident China proving as an engine of prosperity and growth in spite of huge population. India with stable economic outlook and seemingly sensible party at the helm with statesmen like Manmohan Singh, Chidambaram etc Obama the shining light of murky US politics winning the post of worlds most powerful Man.. Turkey looking east as well after decades of looking westwards and proving to be a catalyst to stability in region (take kurdistan, armenia, iran et al)

But I think humans have base need for conflict. Prosperity without control and power doesn't appeal to lot of humans. Idea of one truth above others still holds the sway. This idea has to be given up. Else future looks bleak as of now. I fear for me and mine.

Drunk on life!

2010-06-18T12:33:00.000-07:00

Home alone pouring myself a chilled Pepsi along with awesome leftover Mandi (Chicken and Rice an arabic dish) mixed with boiled lamb (boiled with hint of garlic ~ginger). Thought crossed my mind to pour myself a shot of brandy. It was soon dismissed though. Lots of highs today.. no need for one more

For a start crossed my barrier of 50laps and managed 55 laps in the pool. Not being a guy with any particular affinity to water this change has of course been brought about by as always ... you guessed it right - Naqiyah!.. She takes to water completely and twice this week she's even swum in morn in the pool at her summer camp and than again swam with me in the evening in our pool. And i'm always the one who has to insist we finally leave the pool. Infact the one promise i'd made to her when i was moving into a separate apartment is that it would have a pool. Am so glad I managed to keep it. Anyway with all the time I spend in the pool with her, I've also at times gotten around to taking few laps whenever I get a chance ( not very often since with her in the pool, i simply have to stick by her). Also on and off, I prod myself to swim, when she's off to Umaima's place. All of it has added up to my technique getting more streamlined and I actually myself swimming faster, and effortlessly. I can simply swim more than i ever could earlier. A downside that I've noticed is, that it doesn't seem to have much affect on my weight which has been on steady increase and the outlook still is positive!

Another awesome first today was - my guitar Sang!! thats the only way I can describe the melody.. Guitar is obviously a lovely piece of instrument, and i am sort of enthralled by mine (Its a beautiful Yamaha, will post a pic soon).. even visually it looks sleek and elegant, full of possibilities. However unfortunately I was trying to study playing guitar via internet tutorials and the one I am following (http://www.justinguitar.com/) starts off with chords and than move on to playing chord based songs after much practice. Again due to the fact that I'd gone and got Piano for Naqiyah (again a Yamaha) I finally found a music class in Qusais near my place and on enrolling her ~ at the same time enrolled myself for Guitar. So we have a joint class where she's supposed to learn piano and me guitar. However our first class to-gather was more of the instructor instructing me ,to show her how to play piano and me helping her practice the notes (CDEFG). This was lovely fun and it seems i'll by default be learning to play piano if only to teach Naqiyah. Meanwhile good part of the institute turned out to be that they train students for appearing in Trinity college London exams. So the course book I got needs me to follow sheet music based studies wherein I have to read and play music rather than just learn chords and try to memorise songs. Luckily this also meant that the book starts of with notes rather than directly with chords ( I often used to wonder why all the sweet sounding notes were never supposed to be used while playing guitar because seemed to me only focus was on chords). Anyways today played a song while following the music sheet and the sound was awesome.. I kept getting distracted by how lovely the music was sounding (if I may say so myself) :).. It was truly enlightening to experience first hand how the musicians must feel ! Needless to say I'm hooked. I only made myself stop after about an hour as I don't want to create impossible expectations and targets for myself for my music practice... 30mins to 60 min is max I hope to practice about 2~3 times a week. More than that will be bonus but certainly not a commitment that I make.

Also happened to be Naqiyah's Nana's birthday. So since Umaima was coming to pick Naqiyah up from my place, I brainstormed with Naqiyah what she'd like to give her Nana as a gift. Initially after explaining to her that she can't buy clothes etc for her Nana as she's a kid, she decided writing some songs was a good idea. So she came up with impromptu songs while playing the piano which I took a video of. Unfortunately for some dumb reason windows movie maker doesn't work with the file that my Cam creates and hence I couldn't upload it yet. But have promised her, that I shall do so, so that she can show it to her Nana. Also I tried to print lyrics of two more songs which she sang onto back of her picture which I printed out so that she could gift it to her nana, unfortunately my photo printer didn't quite print on the back side of photopaper well and it was smudged. In any case seeing her makeup and play songs made my day!

Also yesterday was a special nite. Being a weekend evening, first time ever I and Naqiyah watched a whole movie togather. The movie I wanted to see with her was Alice in wonderland. Unfortunately its print was bad and hence while browsing through dvds, started up a film Donkey Xote. Turned out to be dubbing of Spanish cartoon in english and was quite a strange movie. But Naqiyah insisted on seeing it, and we enjoyed the show with her constant questions as to what was going on.

In morn we invented a new game. Having by some chance woken up at same time (Usually she wakes up earlier) we just lazed around and started talking. She asked me if (knight) in the last nights movie was night.. I explained to her it was knight with a k . As we were discussing spellings ofcourse night and knight both came up. Knight being mighty - might came up. Slowly words evolved into more and more words that rhyme, like light, fight, height, right(again confusion of right as in direction and right as in correct) etc.. With each additional word added we'd try to make a sentence using all the previous words, and the sentence would follow an earlier one forming a story.. I feel I have stumbled upon a great tool to get her interested in spellings of the words and meanings and a way to add to her vocabulary. As usual incentive is story telling.. She just loves stories, and I love to put all sorts of info into stories that I think she can deal with. For instance she now knows what Sirens are, the mythical ones are.. she infact knows most mythical creatures like elves, sirens, witches, goblins, gomes,unicorns and others, some sorts of ramdom information she collects while listening to stories are things like boats and their masts, deck,captain, sails and bow etc whirlpools and tornadoes (similarities and differences also experimentation in the pool to create a whirlpool)..basic geography like China(some provinces), Africa/egypt , european countries etc etc... basically anything and everything I think would get her become a more open, curious and well informed person, i make a story out so that she gets it naturally. Ofcourse she's still quite too young but I figure if in any case she's going to be listening to stories from me, why not add some value.

Anyway also got around to organising some of thousands of pictures i've clicked since I got my dslr.. and even finally used my photo printer to print them out!..

Work.. yes.. I did some work too.. but as usual seems like I anyway don't do enough, so yes.. a lot of it is pending :)

Best part is, my friend Bindi is gonna become a blogger. Gives me incentive to get back to blogging too.. so here I AM.

FINE = GOOD ?

2009-01-26T12:11:00.001-08:00

A really funny incident happened recently. I was parking the car in reverse in Reef Mall parking lot, where I was taking Naqiyah while her mom went for Slum Dog Millionair. Seeing the obvious attention that I was paying to parking the car properly she commented:

Be careful how you park the car. If you park wrongly policeman will give you a fine.(Thats fine, however she immediately repeated) - If you don't park properly policeman will give you a Good!:)

Ofcourse explaining to her that a good is not a fine, although fine means good was not so easily done :)

Amnesty 100 days campaign

2009-01-24T05:21:00.001-08:00

Obmama represents hope.. never more so evident as during my recent trip in Africa.. there you can see people selling Obmama portraits.. calling Kenyan Airlines - Obama Airlines, and surprise surprise Nigerian Foreign minister saying this shows that African people have to stop blaming the world for their woe's and backwardness and start taking their future in their own hands (One of the titles in Kenyan airport shop - 'How Europe kept Africa backward').

Besides these ofcourse we have middle east, global economy and many other things.. but close to my heart and for which Obama already has gotten thumbs up and brownie points from me is human rights.. Obmana has made a good start by many of his pr0nouncement for closure of Gautanamo Bay.. Checkout this wishlist for more that we hope is done:

You have something for me ?

2009-01-18T13:22:00.000-08:00

Nigeria.. crossing the border is quite an experiance as recounted by friend of his first experiance. Luckily for him, now since he's a Member of Parliment of neighbouring Country (cant give specifics and his name, to protect his identity, he still has to visit Nigeria from time to time), from now on he only travels by his friend Nigerian Ambassador's official vehical when he needs to cross to visit Nigeria.. nyway story is relevant cause i'm in process of trying to cross over by land to visit Lagos ( foolhardy some say..) tommorow will know the final result.. seems some chinese crossed over from benin and decided to stay there ( God knows why!) and hence the difficulties to get visa are compounded..

My friend's experiance:

Guard : Welcome.. Hope you are fine
My friend: (thinking.. wow such friendly people) Bonjour!( Speaks french generally)
Guard : Passport please.
My friend hands it over...

Guard : You have something for me?

My friend: Doesn't quite understand and says no...

Guard: Keeps the passport aside.. now my friend is in one corner, parked to the side.. waiting..

after half an hour...

My friend: Sir.. my passport..? is it checked?

Guard: You have something for me?

My friend : No , Sir!

Guard: We need to do security check.. step into that room please..

My friend having clean concience goes into the room..

Guard: Starts searching him... You have something for me?

My friend.. obstinate as ever.. no sir! (Guards in question are young kids who generally we'd not take seriously)

Guard materialises a packet of Cocain from his own pocket..

Guard: What is this.. you are trying to smuggle cocain into my country!!!!...You have something for me??

My friend now sweating : No , No, Thats not mine...!!! I did not have that!

Guard: No! It was with you, You are trying to smuggle drugs into my country!!

Guard starts to file an official report of the drug catch...

My friend: What you want.. take , here 100 USD(removes from his shoes - cause most people going to Nigeria tend to tuck away money in different supposedly inaccessible places)

Guard: Thats not enough... 1000 USD....

My friend : What ??? 1000 USD for what!!!!

Guard continues writing the report till my friend has litereally stripped himself and given all he has...

Guard finally convinced that he's taken all stamps my friends passport and tell's him to go ahead.

My friend: No, No, I want to go back to my country... Now I have no money, no need to go to lagos..

Guard: No! You have to go, finish your business and come!!!

Ofcourse Guard doesn't accept my friend to go back to Benin.. finally my friend goes ahead and takes a long u-turn ahead to Benin border...

At the border crossing to cross over to Benin on the Nigerian side, to get an exit stamp...

Guard : You have something for me ?????

Too Busy!!!!

2008-06-03T15:47:00.000-07:00

I come across day in and day out with people unwilling to do the needful. They claim they're busy. Kind of frustrating for me. I feel only time one is too busy to do something, is when one doesn't want to do it badly enough. Its question of priorities.

Accordingly if I don't want to do something, or don't do it, I generally try and avoid saying that I'm too busy. I know in my heart that I either forgot about it or really didn't just want to do it.

Surprisingly most of the time its not me complaining that I'm busy. Its people telling me that I'm doing too many things. As if that makes the value of each individual piece of work, project or task any less inspired and well done. They kind of figure that they can disconsider my contribution because I'm anyway contributing for so many things. One credit stolen, withheld or discounted for from me isn't going to harm me is it!...

Well it does, not me.. it harms them. I am less inclined to put the task which they would need done in my list of to do tasks. They are more likely to hear the word which I so want to avoid using, from me. I'm more likely next time to tell them .. i'm too busy :)

Innocence beyond belief

2008-06-03T15:43:00.000-07:00

Life is good. Beautiful. Joyous.

Naqiyah changes my perspective on life. Being with her. Looking at her smiling face when I come home. Justifies the reason for my existence.

All of the above is obvious. All parents feel the same. I’m just putting it there so I remember the feeling. She’s not with me just now. But I can’t let go of the feeling I get when she’s there. The thought of her can inspire those same feelings back. Feeling that life is glorious!

Specially poignant and memorable is one thing she does. Its so innocent and beautiful that my throat chokes and I give out that chortle of laugh that I generally do when I’m embarrassed at my feelings having overwhelmed me and am about to cry having a lump in my throat.

What she does is .. she turns round and round in circle with her arms spread out the way kids tend to do, or she makes me pick her up and turn her around. After a few twirls and whirls when she’s still again she says ‘ Papa be careful.. the room is moving’.

2008-06-03T15:25:00.000-07:00

Music Fusion

2008-06-03T14:40:00.001-07:00

Listening to A R RAHMAN my all time favorite composer at 2 am in morning and blogging away! Talk about luxery. This sort of luxery is only afforded to me due to a small chance happening of Umaima being away to Mumbai while I happen to be in Dubai. Surprisingly given the fact that she's been going to India atleast 3 - 4 times a year its testimony to my vagabond existance that this is first time this has happend.. Normally its surely the other way around where, I'm travelling and she's in Dubai.

Today while driving like a maniac, listening to music, I was just thinking back about music I like. I started also considering the fact that music induces euphoria in me. Specially when I am driving. Inevibtably my foot is pumping on the accelerator, and with my clapping and gesturing in tune with the music, I guess in my instance its more dangerous to listen to music in Car while driving as compared to talking on the phone while doing the same!

Back to the music though and my title of fusion, in the car I was listening to sweedish group ARASH.. (Disk gifted by Oleg, check them out at http://www.arash.com/.. fusion of russian, bollywood , raggae and some persian.. his sounds really know no boundry) .. track bora bora (russian number) got back memory of long 700 KM night drive from Dniprederzhinsk to Ternopil from central to western Ukraine, which I'd undertaken in old depliated manual Nissan Sunny at night, while Oleg and Yuri (my friends who I'd met first time on that first trip to Ukraine) dozzed. Aaah, nostalgia!

Just before that with a chinese friend Limming happend to come accross a pleasent surprise. He'd just come down from beijing today, and being of the timid cautious nature that normally chinese engineers tend to be, he turned down my offer for taking him out to an Indian dinner. So instead I offered to take him for a Hot Pot. However traffic outside my showroom and near my car park wavered my resolve and I told him instead we'd go to another Chinese restaurant which was walking distance from my house. It so turned out that this restaurant happened to have been converted into Sichuan Hotpot joint. Last that I'd been to this place was 4 years back, when I and Umaima had entered it on an impulse. When we went in, and didn't realise that being a authentic chinese place the waitress wouldn't really speak english (what goes by the name of chinese in India and most other places around the world really is an alien taste to most of my chinese friends)!... Well we found out soon enough. With some gesturing we asked for menu. However and I write this with a smile , we took one look at the menu, saw the dish pricing at 30 to 40 AED per dish and walked right out :).. Anyway , with Limming, I saw that the place had been renauvated into a Ho Go ( hotpot restaurant - my fillipina friends use some other term, have to confirm what they say). I was happy that my promise of hotpot to Limming would be fulfilled however he seemed to have another idea. Sichuan hotpot tends to be one of the spiciest kind of food you'd ever have. He said it was too hot for the weather (we'd just had a 20 mins walk in 35 deg evening time temp outside). I told the waitress to give laad and bu laad combo pot ( half hot and half plain soup, I was not about to pass up opportunity to get spicedup). Although the food was not so special ( this was my second experiance with Dubai hotpot and both the times i've been disappointed) however i was treated to 'Yo Mayo Iga Yaanshuba' ( or something to that effect). One of my personal favorite songs in Chinese along with 'Kuba Kuba' ( a man may not cry - which Li sings so well). Again accompanied by a lot of nostalgia, memories of my numerous evenings in KTVs in China, and/or travelling around in someone friends car etc ( interesting point being that in most cases Car is the place where I most listen to music).

So, Chinese, Iranian, Russian, Hindi and English in an evening. Normal enough for my average day, and reflection of fusion of cultures and tastes in my life.

Ukraine food

2007-10-13T11:16:00.000-07:00

Just back from one more trip to Ukraine. Relaxing in Dubai over eid holidays. Was just downloading songs to make a proper collection for songs that I've come to love over years. Want them all in one place... While searching for some, I came accross an old Oct '2006 email sent to Umaima about food in Ukraine. It was second time I had been to Ukraine. Will search for the other writeups that I've done about Ukrainian food later. Meanwhile decided to put up this email verbatim:

Hi,
I was 2 days in Kieve and now in Ternopil. During this time i've come to enjoy whole new way of eating. Precisely food where no cooking is required only presense of hot water - may be! This is because i have constantly been avoiding restraunts due to high cost and hence foraging the supermarkets "magazine" (as they are called in Ukraine) for ways to improvise. But i can certainly tell you one thing, I've done much better than we ever managed in Europe (in reference to my euro trip in2005). For instance check out my meal yesterday night -

-Doodhi pickled ' salad' - Kabachki ***** ( 5 stars.. loved it)
- Eggplant pickled 'salad' - Baklazhaney ***** ( 5 stars .. loved it)
- Sea cabbage pickled (from the ocean) - Morskaya Capusta ** (nutricious but fishy taste so i didn't like so much)
- Home made sausage from market ukranian style - made sandwich with bread and butter with sausage slices in between also ate raw *****
- frozen boiled piece of beef from market - ate slices of it raw *****
-Champagne ( From Donetsk which had been kept 3 years 700 meters underground) ***** by the way champagne is simply a sparkling wine. Also while drinking it i realised the difference between drinking in dubai and in ukrain.. In Ukraine even Vodka or any of the drinks they simply drink raw. They never seem to make cocktails or bother about mixing with soda/cola etc
-Coneac - learnt the correct way of drinking coneac. it should be drunk in very small wide shallow glasses. Smelt, taken the whole drink in one gulp, let it swivle around in the mouth to absorb the sensation and then swallow. ***** Coneac is fantastic for arteries and recommended for heart patients - Live beer from one of the finer breweries in Georgia. Live beer means unstrained beer without any preservatives. It has to be drunk within few days of production and has a very low shelf life.
- Olives by the way i just love olives. I've had them pickled with raw fish, red pepperoni etc. I love them in all forms.*****
- Chips... Lays still is my favorite. I had forgotten but oleg reminded me that I had specifically bought lays last time I came here. This time I did the same.***
-Voda (water in Ukrainian but always like soda, if you need water without Gas need to search for it)-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Breakfast today Tea without milk or sugar ( didn't have either available). However the tea is Earl Grey by Ahmed made in England.
ExcellentMade some noodle soup from a packet with pieces of bread in it. Took a slice of bread and used can opener to spread butter on it. Had bread dipped in soup for breakfast. Good enough to sustain me for the day.

Lunch today Had lunch near Sergiy's office in Ternopil. By the way i'm living in volochisk in a sanatorium cum health resort. Picturesque place but lots of oldies around. Breakfast / lunch and dinner is very precise timing 8 / 1 / 6 respectively. I'll describe some of my sanatorium lunch and breakfast later. Ternopil is around an hour from Volochisk where Sergiy's one of main offices is. well Lunch was
- Buck wheat with egg steak ( buck wheat is something like weath but is brown and looks like boiled barley. Egg steak oleg tells me had chicken in it with egg wrapped around it and fried or boiled. I did not taste any chicken but was good anyways.) ****
- Traditional Ukrainian Borsch ( Beet root, Cabbage, Potato, Onion little carrot boiled with sourcream to top it off) *****
- Carrot Salad by korean style ( Pickled in a specific Korean style ) ****
- Tomato Sok ( Totmato juice generally in Ukraine this is favorite juice and I love it too. the moment i board the flight for Ukraine, I'm on to drinking Tomato Juice ) *****
- Plum Juice ***
-Drink made of medical Shavli grass - Looks like a big glass of Tea without milk. But much different tasting. *** is supposed to cure huge number diseases I don't remember the exact details of sanatorium lunches etc now but all were quite interesting and will tell you if i recall them.

Moiz

Tikona Fort - 28~29th July

2007-07-29T15:34:00.000-07:00

Tikona

One more week one more trek. Gosh life was never so good! I owe this one to Rahul who pulled through on special request from me to have a trek which was never planned to begin with. However I do admit after the fun I had in Rajmachi and Naneghat/Jeevdhan trip, I was a bit apprehensive about how great this one would be. Rahul had said its an easy trek and the group was smaller with most of the regulars not present. Now I know I shouldn’t have had an iota doubt that with a group like Moronz there could ever be a dull trip.. It was fun/games and adventure all the way.

Start:

Meetup at Dadar, soon made apparent that this time atleast the crowd was much smaller. Around 12 of us, Amol, Saurabh, Sunil, Kajal, Raksha, Kern, Bertram, Niel, Prema, Pam, Rahul and myself metup at dadar, to get the ‘slowest train in the world’ – Pandharpur ‘fast’ passenger. Kajal a hobby Skier who’s been to Himalayas and Gulmarg for Skiing trips was very amused that Rahul had told her on the phone, to ‘not carry her handbag’ (I assume to mean her vanity kit ;-) ) She was quick to point out, that Rahul missed telling her not to wear high heel sandals! With Kerns wallet lost and soon found, my much awaited upgrade to Lamp post category complete we finally caught the train.

Train Ride:

Thanks to people sleeping at every occupied portion of the floor and seats, our climbing practice started immediately in simply trying to meander our way around the train and to reach the upper rack and settle ourselves-in albeit with due protests from my bums, on wooden racks. However the journey was sans songs this time, since Rahul didn’t have much company amongst us for singing. Mallik / Kalpesh and the rest of moronic warbler’s presence was sourly missed. Even Jhanki’s sad song radio would have been warmly welcomed in this situation J . However Rahul did have some tales that sent chill up our spine. Rest of you guys should remind him to tell you about some of the supernatural encounters he’s had. Also his work in rescue team and number of accidents he’s witnessed was a subduing thought. Caution guys, we go for treks to have fun, hope Moronz don’t ever entertain any show off / over confident behavior!

My first and last Rajakhaini-

Amol was explaining Tobacco Masala pudi with lime that someone had hung on the fan. My curiosity piqued, when later I was alone sitting at the door of the train, a guy came asking me about whether Karjat, had passed or not. Having satisfied his query, I started up conversation in my broken down, almost non-existent Marathi with him Soon out came his Rajakhaini and Lime and he started mixing it with typical thumb on palm motion. How was I to pass off such glorious opportunity. I immediately asked for a fix myself. Learning how to mix Lime paste and Rajakhaini ( should be 1:2 proportion, I made a mistake of making it 1:1) I soon had what seemed lime mouthful logged between my cheek and teeth. YUCKS! The taste was too strong. The tobacco very very bitter. Within no time I was hiccupping like crazy. Not to lose face and seem like a novice I tried to continue chewing away while chatting with him like nothing was wrong. But my face must have made the story very clear, because that guy was soon telling me “thukun taka” spit it out, in Marathi. I gladly complied, but already was feeling completely light headed, with stomach performing acrobatics that I’m sure its not supposed to. I do wonder at all the glorious gutka chewing generations in India. Wonder how they manage it!

5 star accommodation:

Khamset arrival was finally at around 3~3:30 in morning, exactly as Rahul had predicted. You gotta hand it out to him for knowing his business, about timing he’s more often than not on the dot. Soon he pointed out our five star accommodation on the platform. Nice benches laid out to serve as our beds. Of course we had Bats and occasional high speed trains making all the rukus in the world as company. Soon settled down I decided to introduce our 20 questions game to Amol, Kajal, Pam, Saurabh, Sunil and Rahul. It helped us while away time what with PAM coming up with interesting answers to our questions. She’d thought of Tinkerbell as a challenge. Having said yes to my query about whether it was an animal she’d thought of, I asked her if it was a mamal and she said yes. Than we asked her whether it could be domesticated and again a MAYBE!!! Having set us on such an interesting tangent to her challenge, she proceeded to demand a cracker from each of us if we don’t get the answer. Finally after much fighting and amusement at her answers, we disqualified her clue. Demands to disqualify the challenges and the answers due to varying reasons soon became very much part of the game as we played it.

To Tikona:

Early morn 5 o’clock we setoff for point in Khamset where we were to get the Jeep. By around 6:00 one of the shops opened and just as we had ordered the breakfast, jeep arrived. We had to cancel the breakfast, and Rahul promised us that on the way to Tikona we’d have it. Indeed after some time we had halted at last rest stop I think it was Kale Colony, on the way to Tikona. Initially it seemed that none of the cafeteria could serve us anything this early in morning. However luckily we managed to find one who made fresh Gol Bhajiya for us and than potato Wadas with fresh pav, dry red chatni and freshly fried green chillies… yumm!. Although the place was swarming with mosquitoes we stayed on for sake of the breakfast. Interestingly gals were unsuccessful in finding a suitable Loo and it seemed the need was dire. I managed to bribe one boy in a shop with attached house and a dish tv dish with 10 rs. to let them use the bathroom. Initially even this guy said they didn’t have a toilet, but an old man who’d been sitting in his shop had already let the cat out of the bag. Money may not be everything, but it does open doors to many a Loo was my lesson for the day!

Tikona-

Back to the jeep and soon by 9:30 I think we were at start point. The dirt track leading to the base of the mountain was heavily muddy and reminded me of much deeper muck we faced at night on the way to Rajmachi. Climb to Tikona was surprisingly smooth and fast, although on last patch it’s a bit of an effort. In this climate the underbrush was thick and brimming with vegetation. Sort of reminded me of discovery channel shots of Amazonian expeditions. Kajal mentioned leeches, than said Tikona is not supposed to be Leech territory like Matheran. Like Matheran! I was wondering to myself. Next time I’d better be careful when I go to Matheran. Initially just the height seemed daunting but it’s a straight vertical climb all the way through thick underbrush. By the time you emerge out in light in about half an hour you are way high and wondering how you reached there. The view was glorious. Clouds drifting around the peak heads all around us, it was that fulfilling and enriching part of the climb that makes all the effort, travelling and climbing really worth it. Soon we were at the cave that Rahul had originally mentioned in one of his stories. Now part of it has been converted into a temple by an enterprising old priest, who started doing pooja, and setting up fire outside in havan etc, obviously for our benefit. The break gave Rahul a chance to open his Chai ki tapdi. We had great tea, and so did some of the other trekers who chanced upon us and partook of Rahul’s generosity. Again we started climbing, and were startled to realize that the fort that we had thought we’d already reached was just an embankment. The real top was much much higher up.

On the way up, we reached one of those slippery set of, seemingly of a questionable value steps that seem to crop up everywhere in these forts. One terrifying incident had my heart thumping. As we were climbing there was a bit of shouting and a huge thud and a ‘lookout’ cry from higher up. We were on the stairs, and Kern etc were leading. There was much back and forth are you okey’s before we realized that a big stone at edge was dislodged when Kern must have tried to lean or step on it to see the view down. Luckily no one was directly below the stone’s path, although Rahul and Saurabh had not yet begun climbing and given a slightly different landscape would have been in huge potential danger. Moral of the story “Loose stone pose huge danger to rest of the group following you on way up, or guys ahead of you on the way down. It is not only for own personal safety, but also as a responsibility towards the rest of the group that we ought to be careful to the point of being paranoid. Rather safe than sorry guys, things happen in flicker of a second and that loud thud and shouts were not pleasant at all to hear”

Tikona around 3580 ft high, seems to have 2 layer fort on top. First one is the cave and some embankments. The cave has a small pond near it, which the priest says is for his drinking water, so although we can have water for drinking, he’d rather not, that we use it for washing and stuff. The higher part is through some high steps and the peak has nice plateau with view of Tung a magnificent peak just across the Lake, and Lohgad and Visapur towads the north. There are also around 2~3 gates and a Shiva temple on top. Rahul said there are some snakes in a pond near Shiva temple, but at that time we couldn’t find any. Infact he even went searching for snakes at Khamset station but luckily for us, we didn’t come across any.

Dangerous Down –

We started back at around 10:30 since Our jeep was going to come and pick us up at 12:30 at the base. We had taken circuitous route up from the other side of the mountain. Way down Rahul decided to take us through a more direct incline, which would take us directly to the base point. However he’d warned us to be extremely careful. The downwards journey was a bit of a problem since it was drizzling on and off and route was extremely slippery. The steps itself were a challenge for some of us, Rahul asked the gals to follow him first. At the risk of preaching and without naming names, I’d like to point out that there were some in the group who simply wouldn’t listen to him. Firstly they weren’t able to climb down and were slipping too much posing a grave danger to themselves. Than they refused to take position as per Rahul’s instructions and insisted on following way behind. Since I was asked to bringup the middle and Amol the rear, we both indicated to him that it wasn’t possible for us to do, if someone simply wanted to lag behind and follow on their own. He was quite pissed and even said that he will have to make it a point in future to not allow such attitude, since he was responsible for everyone’s safety. Infact early on we had one more huge shock. We were climbing down, when Prema suddenly missed a step and fell forward. It happened right below in full view of us all and danger was apparent for all of us to see.. Luckily there was enough space for her to right herself, but we were on a climb down and that fall was a dangerous one. Initially we thought , she may have sprained her ankle, luckily it was not so. But that was again a very very disturbing incident. Guys trekking is fun, but falling would NEVER be fun. Lots of people take slipping for granted. My take on it is, I never intend to slip if I can help it, and falling is not an option.

A bit of a way down back near the temple, we came across a group who’d just come up the way we were planning to go down. Seemingly newbies, they were extremely critical of our decision to go down that way. They said its not possible to negotiate it in the rain. Ofcourse we put our faith in Rahuls ability and knowledge of terrain, and at retrospect, I can safely say, hike would not have been half as fun if we’d taken the safer path.

As Robert Frost said it so eloquently

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence
Two roads diverged in a wood
And I took the one less traveled by
And that has made all the difference

Or as I would like to put it in my not as eloquent and profound words:

The journey of life begins now,
The path we take defines how,
Better live it to the fullest we can,
For, better or worse, it’s soon gonna end.

Anyway the path was sufficiently steep to merit Rahul, to go ahead first with Kajal and Pam since, Prema was still following behind. He made us wait, until he first reached Kajal and Pam to a safer spot and left his bag there and was aback to escort Prema and Raksha ( who I certainly don’t think needed any guidance. She’s more nimble than many of us). Soon we guys were following, and with Niel also slipping multiple times and Prema having similar problems the route was indeed a challenge for us. But again as a group we all pulled through. The hold that Jet group treker had shown Sneha ( I’d observed), while climbing Jeevdhan, which was palm wrapped against the wrist to wrist hand hold rather than palm to palm came in quite handy when I was guiding Prema down across some of the more slippery parts. The route was a mix between slippery slopes of Rajmachi, and rocky climb down Jeevdhan. There were rock patches to be negotiated with a bit of rock climbing too. Not as bad as Jeevdhan but challenging nevertheless, specially since it had been drizzling throughout the day, although it didn’t begin to rain till we reached down.

When we finally made it to the ridge we were elated. Rahul kept asking us whether we could see the flag on Tikona. I looked back and couldn’t see.. It was after a while we realized that what we were looking at was infact just one plateau on the way top to Tikona. And that the fort was actually way up somewhere… There were cries of sheer amazement and disbelief at this realization. We couldn’t believe it, how much we’d climbed down. I was surprised to know that it was already around 11:50 and we’d taken almost 1:30 hours to get down. The time passed so fast, in all the excitement, it really felt like just half an hour.

Beyond the ridge again there was challenging route through really sleeky slippery mud of around 15~20 mins till we reached the flat track back to jeep. Kajal’s shoes seemed to have mind of their own on the muddy slipper part and we had an amusing and exciting way back. My new Action floaters were blessing and a bane throughout the trek. Although they were giving me nice grip on the ground, Sole of my feet simply would slide towards the front at every step due to sleeky mud that would coat the inside part of the floaters. So although they were allowing me a grip on the ground, the grip of the floaters itself was too big a challenge and I probably would advice anyone buying floaters to buy ones with ridges on top side also. Also my experiment with a big umbrella instead of windcheeter has a mixed bag reaction. Although carrying around a huge umbrella is fun in the beginning while negotiating rocky parts it becomes quite a pain since it tiesup one of your hand. Also during rain its usefulness is questionable because on slopes etc you can’t open it, while on the trek after some time of opening it your hands get tired. All in all for an easy trek like Tikona, an umbrella wasn’t so bad, but on more difficult ones, I’d prefer to have a windcheeter handy, and if at all umbrella is needed, a smaller one, able to fit into the bag would be better. Problem with windcheeter is that even with it you tend to get quite wet and if you’re not going to get a chance to change clothes like it happened in rajmachi and naneghat to me, being wet and cold throughout the night is a nightmare.

Back to Mumbai-

We had nice lunch at Rangoli on the highway. We ordered Paneer Masala, Veg Kohlapuri, Dal Tadka and Mutter masala. And while the waiting for food, finished off plates of Onions, papad, and I was down to licking salt, while Amol was sucking Limbus, when food arrived. But after the trek food seemed heaven sent and we tucked in with Gusto.

Although initial plan had been to take a local train back to lonavala and than an Asiad back to Mumbai, luckily Rahul had a much better idea. Knowing that both Local and Asiad would be crowded, he decided to try our luck at highway with a Tempo or a bus etc. Soon enough the moment we went onto the highway we got a nice tempo which gave us a very comfortable ride back home.

‘Teen tigdi, Kam bigdi’
Tikona did indeed round off nicely my third weekend with Moronz and three treks. Hence I think there is indeed some rich symbolism in the name of the chosen destination for the last trek, Tikona meaning 3 sides, since the peak is triangular, and my going for this one almost seems like a Destiny.
Ofcourse these treks have ignited a passion for trekking in me, and I hope to be able to keep coming back for more and more treks with the Moronz. Meanwhile I’ll be missing all my Moronic friends and following all the latest updates on the site.

Seven Wonders Hype!!! Vote for TAJ donate to Swiss!

2007-06-25T02:37:00.001-07:00

Voting for TAJ is USELESS!!!

How easily we get taken in for gimmicks.. Here people are actually being taken for a ride and media's the one who's fully supporting and part of the HYPE! In this instance they are clear culprits in the game because the hype is created by them without due investigation or information to their viewers, if you were to see any of the 24/7 Indian news channels, you'd appreciate what I mean...

What am I ranting and raving about you may wonder.. how can this guy be against Voting to make our beloved Taj, our pride and pleasure, the dimple on the cheek of Indian tourism, the 'aakho ka tara' so to speak for us true blue Indians, you may protest! Well, well, let me have my say.. freedom of speech and all you know.. Lets start with facts... than we'll analyse them..

First of all when we talk about Voting for Seven Wonders.. the question is who's calculating the votes, who's gonna do the honors of crowning the winner, and most importantly 'BY WHAT AUTHORITY ?'

'New Seven Wonders of the world' is something like 'Miss World' of Wonders... means if there is 'Miss World' than there can be 'Miss Universe', 'Miss Galaxy' etc also, hence similarly there already exists more recent, USA TODAY's 'Seven Wonders' and more popular Wilman's Tourist Travel Seven Wonders which are as follows:

Great Pyramids of Giza
Great Wall of China
Taj Mahal
Serengeti Migration
Galápagos Islands
Grand Canyon
Machu Picchu

Which fortunately includes Taj Mahal.

So now along comes Mr. Bernard Weber who decides to make some money out of this wonders game. He sets up a corporation, New Open World Corporation (NOWC) which could as well have been named 'Donate some money for cheap piece of paper and some hype.com' for all I care. It's a FOR PROFIT corporation out to make some money by creating a hype about 'New Seven Wonders'... So far so good.. whats there to gripe about than... Lets see :

a. It is a competition that encourages rigging.. infact its in the rules.. you pay you give a vote.. more you pay , more votes you have!! Checkout the site if you don't believe me.
b. They take your validated details and email address and leave out the bit about not selling the database to spamming groups for commercial purpose. Not that bad too eh?
c. Make u sms the votes and make money out of that.

but all this really doesn't rankle.. after all given that its a commercial competition, lets all of us patriotic, Taj loving Indians, put money where our mouth is and pay up to be on top.. So what if it means donating to some rich Swiss guys! Anything for Amchi TAJ... but no.. that's not it at all..
The problem is as follows:

NOWC "reserves the right at its absolute discretion to exclude [any] votes" that are cast for the competition. This is part of their terms and conditions....

What does this mean.. it means regardless of how many people around the world vote for which wonder, in the end, NOWC will use these same commercial interests to make a list of their CHOOSING!!!
FOLKS WAKE UP!!

Your votes are of no USE.. Of no consequence.. If they want the Taj on their list of wonders, because lets face it, 'it really is a wonder after all!' than its gonna be there regardless.. And why would they want it ? because if they have it there, than their associated tourist tie ups, branding and souvenirs make money!!... Lets face it.. there are more Indians than most other people around the world.. So how can they not have TAJ there !

The flip side? Wanna see how right I am? Checkout the status of Pyramids of Giza.. Egyptians strongly protested the competition saying that Pyramids at Giza were no doubt a wonder and this guy was out to exploit wonders of world, and was looking to out Pyramids from the list. The result, Pyramids of Giza is permanent special listing for the competition. A default wonder.

So folks, we're not voting for Seven Wonders, as the competition says, we're infact voting for Six!!!!

Amnesty International

2007-06-23T15:02:00.000-07:00

Guys.. Do checkout Amnesty International site. Along all my musings, worries, concerns and heartaches.. after various long and short, sensible and explosive arguments with friends and others, I've come to a conclusion that the real essense of my feeling is distilled and extolled by this Organisation. My rantings against nationalism, religious fanaticism, racism and utter rejection of any differentiantion in the way we humans ought to treat each other boils down to this very basic, much bandied but seldom paid heed to term ' Human Rights'.

Today I tried to join Amnesty but found that the only way people other than from select few countries (Residents of these few countries can become members online) can become members is by contacting them on a postal address based in UK! I sure do have a word or two to say about this gross injustice. They could alteast have provided an email link to send in an application!

However I hope that Amnesty will be the medium which will give me a platform to make my voice heard, and atleast put my heart at rest, at having done a bit more than paid mere lip service to Human cause. Hence my effort to join it will continue. If in the end I have worked towards making life a little better, a little safer for a single individual on this earth, if my experiance with Amnesty allows me a bit of a solace, that I have atleast realised an obligation towards not only fellow humans, but also my dear Naqiyah whom I've born to this less than perfect and oh so cruel world, I will feel satisfied ( I hope).

On and on it goes!

2007-06-20T13:40:00.000-07:00

On and on it goes! Life I mean. It seems so curel at times. Pitting us against uncertainities daily. In seconds changing destinies, and smashing dreams. Depressing beyond all comprehension. Cruelty that men are capable of far suprasses stuff that can be imagined in books, films or even dreams. Am reading Robert Fisk, Conquest of Middle East. Insightful, informative yes... but also dark and depressing. Not because he writes in such a manner. But the catalogue of events he's collected over the years about Middle East are such.. Self interest, political expidency, greed for money, power or maybe just pure religious fanatic madness, all are displayed by powers that be, and powers that wanna be. Catalogue of events reads like a horror tale. Robert brilliantly highlights the bad, the ugly and the unnamable of all the major world powers whose deed indeed is darker than the dark despots because its done in broad daylight hoodwinking the world, like US, USSR, UK, Europe and of course all the despotic, desperate, deranged regimes with which middle eastern countries have been afflicted with over the ages, may it be Taliban, who were out to recreate whole of Afghanistan into slums of their refugee camps in Pakistan, Saddam, Osama, Various Iranian regimes, Saudi Royalty, et. al. The deaper vien of the book lies not in just cataloging the history but rather bringing out futility of it all. The tragedy of war, the hatred that does dwell within humans, the depravity that is so evident in behaviour of so called developed and democratic nations, and of course fate of the innocents.

Read it and you will never sleep sound again. The story of Saddam's secret police, shooting a 9 year old boy, than 7 year old girl, than bashing the head of a babby against the wall, before letting the mother go since she had no information to give about her husband, have become my memory. The fact that Britain very well chose to bomb Iraq villages with mustard gas in 1920s the kind of bombing ment to scare civilian population into submission .. similar to the kind of bombing that Americans find expeditious today is also no less nerve wrangling.

How strange it is, that when we have an account of deliberate murder of a baby, head bashed against the wall, blood curdles... How many of us pass over mention of civilian cassualties or even wonder about any that may have been there, when we read accounts of bombing or 'advance' on villages in remote places like Iraq. Don't we know that in this case thousands of babies are being killed, countless more deprived of food, clothing and shelther and maybe even parents a fate probably worse than death? Why do we have this ability to turn blind eye to crulty if its spun into glorious sounding aims and words like WAR, Fight against terrorism, Fight for freedom etc. Death is death, inflicting death is cruel.. conciously promising to bring death, preparing weapons to use for killing and murder, specially weapons which kill enmass like rockets and missels is the worst thing humans can do. They don't even have passion of a murder who atleast feels the pain and gravity of his deed when he kills with his own hand. How dispassionate a hand that pushes a button to launch a missle. Does that person realise the suffering he/she bestows... NO... nither do we.. We feel more for 1 murder than 1000s killed. Thats just the way things seem to me... And I wonder why?

All in all a worthwhile read. I went through Contemporary history of Africa before I picked Robert's book. It was dispassionate, narration like account of forming of nations throughout africa, and their contemporary situation. However it had non of the spunk that is present in Roberts book. I don't even remember the name, and will post it later. Read Maximum City by Suketu Metha before that one.. Now thats a book on Mumbai that deserves a whole post on its on... Its got fantastic style, and is thoroughly researched. Bringing mumbai alive in its pages, I thank Suketu, for bestowing upon us such a masterpiece, and my friend Bindi for making me buy and read it!

The 5 Restraunt

2007-06-15T14:03:00.000-07:00

Had to take some friends dinner, I had spied a restruant called '5 the restraunt' near Yoko's at Santacruz (W), SV road. I decided to take them there. The ambience was laid back but stylish. Not overtly ornate, but oozing with class. A small place with seating for maybe 15~20 at the max, it was like a boutique restraunt with signature dishes. The dishes didn't disappoint either. The menu listing was very factual, with straight forward names of the dishes like Chicken clear soup - which we had 2 by 4, Appetizers : Stuffed mushrooms, ???? Prawns ( don't remember exact which ones) , main dish: Pasta, Assorted vegetables with couchou ( some sort of rava or samolina kinda stuff) and Pot Chicken Roasted. However style of preparation, service, serving style all was par excellence. And the food was something different altogather. Each dish was uniquely created, nothing like what we are accustomed to eating. Chicken soup seemed home made, Stuffed mushrooms had been backed just so that the mushroom juice has seeped into the cheese stuffing, suffusing it with mushroom flavor (I remembered my experiance in Korean restraunt in Beijing, where I had mushroom on hot plate and i tried to use it as a cup, and would drink liquid inside once the cup filled up due to heat), Prawns were delightful luckily adnan doesn't eat prawns so i grabbed extra helping, they were roasted, with peppery black masala and there was absolutely no fishy taste to it. Pasta was great and garnishing of sweet corn was delicious even though i'd had heavy butter chicken / tandoori chicken lunch in persian darbar near Bandra and was really full. Assorted vegetables had some peach in it, and a nice touch of couchou instead of rice to have it with. They offered freshly baked bread basket at start of dinner with assorted buns, wheat bread, etc, along with self made garlic butter to have it with. We all fell completely in love with the place and I got to tell Adnan how he was wrong to insist on going to Dynasty (chinese restraunt opp. Irshad's place, which I did not want to go to since i'd beent here 2 times already). I had dragged all three of them down near Yoko's to find out if this place was good and if it was open ( it was 11:30 p.m. already). Nyways things turned out beautifully and our friends was very happy, impressed and really pressed me and adnan to visit soon to Chennai so he can take us to show us around Chennai as well as Pondicherry. Specially Pondicherry there is this Auraville habitate an autonomous village where anyone can live and no need for visa's for even foreigners to visit.
Nyway guys, now when ur looking for a good place in western suburbs to have a chow you know just the right place.

Gujjars did us all a favor !!!

2007-06-15T13:59:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking about this, and coming accross a network on orkut, against reservation gave me a chance to formulate my thoughts:

Has anyone really been happy with Gujjar's uprising. I feel they did us all a huge big favor. All people who believe in equality should be applauding their action. Consider this, they've shown us the major chink in the armour of reservation policy. Why did they make reservation policy ? For upliftment of backward classes? not really, by providing country with undeserving, doctors, engineers and beuraucrates they are not really uplifting anyone. Moreover, underserving candidates getting through, means deserving ones are being left behind. Again a creation of a chaotic society which will regress into a downward sprial. In fact we are all being dragged down to lowest minimum level, the majorities, the minorities, the backward classes, et. al.. So what was it for. To create vote banks ofcourse. To pander to populist, emotions and insecurities of poor, backward, forgotten masses and try and loot them even, of one thing that politicians can still loot from the poorest of poor, their vote! Now imagine their horror when the pandora's box that they opened has finally started fulfilling its promise. Forget anti reservationists, the repressed voices of deserving achievers, being denied their rightful places! How about various majorities who needfully have to be left unreserved, so that cake of reservation still has some sweetness to it? What happens when while catering to vote banks with promise of reservations, other votebanks start going against politicians, due to absence of it. We see panic and knee jerk reactions that was shown by Rajasthan politicians. So what am I going on all about. Why am I so happy. Simple, every community having any clout will start demanding reservations. After all it is easier to motivate people by greed, than by righteousness. So easy to give statistics of any one community and show they are left behind. What happens when all communities want piece of same pie. Lets have equality my friends! If there needs to be reservation, lets all get reserved!!!!!

New things on the block

2007-06-03T02:18:00.000-07:00

'You live you learn'. So the saying goes. Couldn't be better said. I have come across a few new activities in recently. New and wonderous and addictive. Stuff that becomes part of ones life.

Youtube for one. It all started when I wanted to show dinosaures to Naqiyah. The picture book had a picture or two, but I decided to try and show her some more pictures online. So we sat at laptop and I fired up google searching for dinosaures. Ofcourse found a lot many pictures, but non were very satisfactory. If you've sat with a 2 year old and tried to browse the net, than you realise how painfully slow the process is. She kept fidgiting and it was difficult for me to find sites which would actually have names of the dinausers so that it would be learning experiance for both of us. In a while though, clicked on a link for dinosaures video, hosted on youtube. The immersive experiance for Naqiyah of watching Dinosaures, Monkeys, Lions and any and every animal we could think of visually with sound was priceless. Now on we can spend hours with a computer just looking at cats, or other various animals or even listing to nursery rhymes by other kids captured by dotting parents on Youtube. There have been times that Umaima gets annoyed at me and insists that its past Naqiyah's sleeping time, and we have to stop surfing :)
Naqiyah showing me 'Cat' and 'Dolphin'

Another nifty thing I started using was PGP. Although I'd known about public and private key encryption a long time hence. However I'd never used it before. Requirement was posed by Irdeto to send them my public keys to enable them to send me the lib files. I started looking and found a nifty program GNU PGP, sponsored by German Goverment, on Zimmerman's PGP code. PGP public/private key encryption really puts a whole new twist to sharing confidential data. Should become a life long habit now.

Second Life is something I came accross just today. An online virtual reality world where you can make aavtar, buy/sell things, make dwellings etc etc. Its even a place where now a days people haev online confrences, radio programs, product launches etc etc.

More on these later!

Mumbai trains, Mumbai rains

2007-06-03T01:09:00.001-07:00

In India since a week or more. So much I look forward to coming here. So much more I feel like going back !

First comes the whirlwind phone calls, and meetings with various friends. Getting upto speed on what they're doing. Happy to just be around, amazed at the fact, that distance, and time seem to have changed nothing, but nothing is the same either. Same familiar face, similar talks, but different issues, and different lives.

Heat got me this time. Although Dubai temperature is higher, I don't really have to bear it. The whole place is one big A/c. In Bombay though, when its hot, its hot. You live with it. Man it does get oh so hot and humid. . Wonder how I've stayed 25 years of my life without being aware of the acute summers here. I don't ever remember being overtly concerned about temperatures before. Not even of oppressive sweaty, meat packed state of local train where people are on the edge of their patience and ready to burst into violence on moments notice.

Had one such incident yesterday. Mumbai train's general compartment has benches for 3 persons to sit on. However it is regular and expected for fourth guy to fit it. Usually the first three guys will scrunch in, to allow fourth one to park his butt on the seat. However yesterday I boarded the train from Nerul to go to VT. As expected compartment was full but not packed. I went to the first seat where I found only three guys seated. However the third guy instead of shifting in, moved a bit out to allow me to sit between him and the second one. I was on the phone, and had book in other hand. Distracted I simply sat down between the two expecting them to make place. However they didn't and i had to lean forward and sit in a very awkward position. After I finished phone call, I tried to sit upright, and leaned back. Obviously the guys on my either side were pressed too. Suddenly the second guy on my left started hitting out at me. Sort of like how a girl hits you know, hitting on my shoulder like a petulant child.. Shouting why you pushed me!... Now he was a puny sort of a middle aged guy, maybe around 45~50 and immediately as he started doing this, his wife sitting across him tried to calm him down. He even managed to startle me and my mobile flew out of my hand, luckily just onto the third guys lap. However I had already noticed that he had a girl and a boy both teenaged sitting on either side of his wife. I retrieved my mobile and asked him in Hindi why he's so upset. I didn't mean to push him. That stopped him hitting me. But his shouting continued. I was really amused. He simply had started and wasn't sure how to stop ....! Luckily for me, I somehow felt too confident, and unaffected, all the while being acutely aware that that guy's kids were with him. So I simply patted him on his shoulder and said.. "sorry man, didn't mean to push you". The best part is in 5 mins the third guy got up and we had more than enough place for all three of us. Strange why we'd have fought for few mins of convenience. However the amount of satisfaction I derived from not having fought back, was much much greater than any I could have by fighting. And the big smile on my face, at his outburst, would teach him a lesson too. Finally I was happy, that I had wits enough to realise that his kids were with him. It would never do to insult some kids father. Would hurt them more than would have hurt him.

Oh yes, monsoons started bang on 31st. Was out with college friends Khozema, Sharad, Murtaza and bhai Taher as well as Adnan too for dinner at Bagdadi. Bagdadi by the way, near colaba, is one of the best restraunts for fried chicken in mumbai that I know of. It has been an integral part of my college days in Mumbai. All the guys were same as I'd known them in College days.. Murtaza however was smart, and his bearing, intelligence, all made me realise why he was my best buddy all through the college years. Hardly had we finished dinner that it started pouring. I suggested I keep my laptop bag in Murtaza's car, but everyone suggested it simply wasn't safe. A locked car is not really inaccessible in Mumbai it seems. We went to Gateway of India for a walk. The sight of thunderstorm was as awe inspiring as ever. A small boat had even turned upside down, moored off the gateway wall. Crazy trashing waves, lashing rains, thunderstorm, and soon some guys started jumping into the water. The height of the walls around gateway to the sea is quite a lot. Still one after another some guys started jumping into water to try and turn the overturned boat. It was a sight to see.. Unfortunately I couldn't record it due to constant rains. Learnt of a new place, next to radio club, which serves excellent masala milk. A worth visit, for all mumbaikars.

The rains have been coming on and going in spurts. It offers some solace from the oppressive heat while it lasts. Than the heat wave resumes with evermore vigour. Its crazy. But the romance of the cloudy sky, thunder, sudden gloom and gusts of wind, foretelling an oncoming downpour is absolutely a must experience event. Nothing in world comes close to the feeling of joy, when the heavens are about to pour. Some of my best memories of life are associated with rain. The sound of rain on the Cement roof of my 5th floor roof top abode, where I grew up, is still the most soothing music to my ears.

Mumbai experience is indeed magical. No matter how much I curse the heat, or the littering and unhygenic gutters, lining the road. It still evokes passion that cannot leave one unaffected. I have noticed I was very very reluctant to come to mumbai this time. However although anxious to leave, i know i will leave with strings, attached, gently tugging my heart, counting time, till i'm back again.

Sharjah Zoo

2007-05-17T00:38:00.000-07:00

Visited Sharjah's "Breeding Center for Endangered Arabian Wildlife". Although a research center, and sactuary for Arabian wild life, its more of a modern day zoo too! The enclosures are superbly designed. Non of the sad, claustrophobic feeling you get when you see animals trapped and caged in other Zoos. I've been to Dubai and Mumbai Zoos. Believe me they are the worst. I'm really glad the Mumbai one is closed for Renovation. Hope they do something sensible with it this time.

In Sharjah Zoo, which has a animal farm for children and a musuem too, the the Aviary and Carnivor sections are specially well designed. Aviary is walk through with birds flying all around you. The Carnivor section has you inside an enclosure with animals out in open. Although the variety of animals is limited, its still a good place to have an outing with family. Our friends Adnan & Fatema, accompanied us with their daughter Mariya who's just a month and a half younger than Naqiyah. Naqiyah & Mariya surely had a great time, although at times Mariya seemed more interested in Tura rum pam pam's songs, rather than animals :)

Also was fun to watch the two kids bonding and getting to know their way around each other. Completely different personalities both.. its amazing how at such young age, they both seem to be so unique and well defined in their behaviour. Naqiyah is a shy child who opens up only around people she knows very well. She's specially aware of presence of any strangers and will immediately mind even me, or Umaima talking to others. Mariya simply couldn't care less about whos, doing what. She's happy enough in her own world!

Naqiyah!

2007-05-10T16:32:00.000-07:00

Hello world! (all programming language training texts tended to start with 'Hello World' prg. Wonder whether this is still the case.. )

Was thinking of having a blog since a long time. Got around to it a bit late though. Since I'm creating the blog with my passions as the theme, it ofcourse starts with the most important one.

My daughter Naqiyah, a wish I couldn't have dared wish for, and having come true, my life has truely become more meaningful wonderful place. She just turned two and to celebrate her birthday my life and my dear wife Umaima as usual keeping with her style wanted to do something special and different. First we considered doing a chinese buffet in a restraunt with KTV. But although interesting, we felt, it stll lacked spunk.. Umaima, came accross this brand new Burger King hall that was to open in Cinestar, in Citicenter and we decided to keep the location secret and have a treasure hunt. After all the hall was brand new too and our party day would, be the day that they inaugarated it.

Our invitation card read as follows:

I'd like to invite you,
Friends, family, well wishers all,
To celebrate my birthday, my parents and me,
Are having a small party!

To get to this place you need to play,
A little game of Treasure hunt,
Like the olden days,
To begin, I present here the first clue,
Please read with patience and you'll know its easy to do!

CLUE
Hickery dickery dock,
Mouse ran up the clock,
And we cross the sea, southward bound,
To the north at this place on with your back to the sea,
Is doorway for people, in Baku to be..

Find this place and sms to my folks,
I'll direct you to the next place to be,
Seven such places when you complete,
Surely you'll be a winner, rightly to be crowned!

Best of luck to all my guests,Hope you enjoy our little quest!

For those staying in Dubai - If you haven't guessed the answer is Azerbaijan Airlines office at Clock Tower round about! Since this clue was given with the invite, guests had time to think about it, and reach the place by 11:30 am on Friday which was the start day and time.

On Friday they were to sms me or my wife the answer, on receipt of which we started providing them with the next clues and so on, as follows :

Second Clue
Go back up south, towards the sea
Right on the corner you'll find me,
It’s a land of Aden and Sanaa too
Till now by far it’s the easiest clue!
Answer: Yemen Airways office at Clock round about

Third Clue
For lovers of football, this channel is a must
As also for the politics of the arab world
If you got the channel than u know the place
Its door way too is your next base

So easy is this place to find
My dad's office building is just behind
Also its opposite, where nation's telco is found

Answer: Qatar Airways office opp. Etisalat

Fourth Clue
Look around here about
You'll find a place that’s related to my birth place
About this place u let me know
Incredibly, easy enough, just have a go

Answer: Incredible India office opp. Etisalat

Fifth Clue
A institution from land of Alps
But actually from Jinnah's nation
Look for me
Behind Abra station

Answer: Habib Bank AG Zurich branch at Nasser Square

Sixth Clue
Four is this function of my age
And so is sixteen a function of four
Since its this where you are now anyway
Do guess this, just remember it’s a place

Answer : Nasser Square

Seventh Clue
Back towards city off you go
On a signal before the same just let me know
A gateway to all lands, near and far
But at rates that are cheapest by far!

Answer : Air Arabia office near City Center

Final Clue the best one!

Since seven clues u already got
First character of each, make a slot
Jumble it around to make a pronoun
Dial this one, just du it, du it, du it Now!

Answer: First Characters of the answers are A,Y,Q,I,H,N,A its easy to see that it would form NAQIYAH .. dial this one means dial NAQIYAH on your mobile phone - du it , du it refers to the operartor DU which is the new operator in Dubai besides Etisalat.

Needless to say, the winner had to dial 055-Naqiyah and got informed of the destination of the party which was the new hall in Cinestar Cinemas in City Center. Most of the people who participated enjoyed the game thoroughly, specially since I'd selected the locations in easy reach of one another and it being friday morning there was absolutely no traffic on the road.

Party was fun, although the Karaoke system although sporting huge collection of Hindi numbers, refused to work!

Thinking of which, its amazing how long it took someone to come up with a proper Karaoke with Hindi numbers. In China I can't do business without socialising in KTVs. I was always wondering why KTV or atleast the Karaoke wasn't as popular in India. Kudos to Mediacom (although they are our competitiors ) for having comeup with this option. I'm sure it will be a hit!

More on this and much more to come. Now wee hours of morning already, and have to prepare a briefing for a newly joined CEO of one of the biggest DTH Broadcasters in India so that he can look informed regarding STB when he talks to his team ;-) Have been putting it off whole night, and its already morning now. Think will have to do it now or never!