SilverLining

7

2012-01-05T18:20:00.001+05:30

'11 - A wonderful year it had been, a most memorable one of my life. There are lot of events which I need to pen down. A year of most important learnings of my life.

The year started off with myriad interests in arts, music, long working outs in gym, sports, travel and a lot more... There were times when I was extremely low and good friends who always cheered me up like here and here.

I attended a lot of stage events: L Subramanian's Concerts, Kadri Gopalnath, Kailash Kher, Lalgudi Krishnan and ViswaMohan Bhatt. Shubendra and Saskia Rao, Sapta Sitar.

Indiblogger blogger meet at ISKCON and a fairwell bloggers meet at Infy, DanceJathre, Chitra Santhe, Ananya Bengaluru dance events, Gudi Sambhrama, Bengaluru Habba, volunteering at Ellu Bella celebrations.

A wedding photoshoot of a close friend in Mylapore, Chennai. Visiting Dakshina Chitra, Besant Nagar beach, masala dosa at Saravana Bhavan.

I always had a flair learning Veena, the most divine stringed instrument in South India. Having trained in carnatic music for 3 years while I was at school, I finally managed to find a Veena teacher in Feb. After attending a couple of classes, bought home a miniature Veena and a Tanjavur concert Veena on Mar 11.

Exhibiting my photographs at Infy along with fellow SLRBB photographers. Most awaited KR Market photoshoot-one of the most crowded market areas in Bangalore; a place where you name it and you find it. :)

Clicked the Supermoon in March. Saw Moon and rings surrounding Jupiter in April for the first time through a telescope at Infy campus and the same day completed 10 km cycling in 32 mins. yaay!

Then came the twist, wp to Ausland. Don't ask how excited I was andthe dilemma I had. The last visit to Commercial Street roaming around each and every galli until my knees ached. Sipped lemon tea at Transit for the last time in Bangalore.

First international flight to Melb. Landed here on my birthday, the best gift I could get. :)

---In Melbourne---
This is the first time I am away from parents and home for such a long time. A great learning experience living with roomies, Cooking experiments and whole lot of responsibilities at work as well.

First ride in City Circle tram, then a train, ferry to Sorrento...left is helicopter ride..

My visit to Mt. Buller on the first weekend in Australia and holding the snow was an awesome experience which I cannot express in words. :) Lovely sun kissed beaches with the crystal clear waters, cool breeze blowing @ Wilsoms prom.

View of the city from the 88th floor of the tallest building Eureka in Southern hemisphere.

Posing with a sleepy koala in my arms at Gold Cost.

Dressed as a European Lady nineteenth century in Ballarat.

Bought myself a the famous German Cuckoo clock from Tamborine.

My passion for music drives me crazy and I managed to find a piccolo teacher. Why piccolo? It is easy to carry while travelling unlike Veena or a Sitar. The silvered coated piccolo comes in a cute pencil box case. Now I own it too!

The last week of the year is indeed a special one to me. I did so many activities which I had seen only the bravos on Discovery Channel and hero in the movie shot abroad. Yes, I did sky, scuba diving with a wide smile.. naah I wasn't afraid at all. Along with snorkeling, jet skiing, parasailing, bumber tube, river rafting, hot air ballooning.

June 5th 2011 - Jan 5th 2012. Seven months in Australia. In love with Melbourne. ;)

A wonderful new year eve and fireworks in Melbourne. :)

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Flights of Fantasy

2011-10-23T19:23:00.001+05:30

Awesome violin by Ganesh and Kumaresh.

Raag Mand

2011-10-23T18:31:00.004+05:30

Noted Veena player Jayanthi Kumaresh playing Raag Mand of Hindustaani music. One of my favourite composition. :)

Mysore Dasara

2011-10-02T16:46:00.001+05:30

Dasara Goluvu is celebrated with the at home with the traditional wooden Pattada Bombe couple dolls which is widely available in Tirupati. The usual collection is Dashavathara, Krishna and Gopikas and a huge variety of dolls made of clay and oil painted.

I did not want to miss the tradition and bought these miniature dolls sold at Victoria Market. :)

Bottom Row: L->R 2 Boomerangs in background, Kittens in the basket. 5 crystal elephants, tiny gal with 2 plaits, kitten in basket.
First Row: L->R Japanese Kimmi doll, Guitar, Violin, Guitar, Japanese Kimmi doll
Second Row: L->R Australian Wildlife (Kangaroo and Koala), Didgeridoo, Places in Australia.

Mysore Dasara or rather call Melbourne Dasara or Souvenir Dasara? :)

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

See you soon!

2011-09-04T19:39:00.001+05:30

A few days before of my Melbourne trip got confirmed, a colleague of mine, S~, who is also a good friend got engaged. Initially, we were cubicle mates and in turn became close friends, having breakfast, lunch and snacks together. In fact, we did the shopping together for my trip. Don't ask how many shops and malls we roamed around! Even before she found Mr Nice, she would ask, "Would you turn up for my wedding?" I would pull her leg, "If I don't, who would bless you." ;) S~ got married while I missed the chance of wishing her for new phase of her life and capturing the beautiful moments. While we chat, we speak of meeting each other once we are in Bangalore. But both are sure its just a hope to meet in person. :)

Looking back at my old posts written a couple of years ago, I have hardly met or not met people who were so close to me at office, school or college or even a cousin of mine. We always speak.. if we meet.. we should meet.. when we meet... But when do we meet?

N~, a very good friend during school and who are admired by all of us at school and college passed away. While her little son still thinks she is asleep beneath the ground. It was an 2.8 years ago, I last saw her as a bride, the beautiful innocent face ever since we were in the primary school. Too young to die.

You will be remembered, RIP.

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Celebrating Ganesh Chathurthi in my own way

2011-09-03T20:50:00.000+05:30

Celebrating any festival is now easy.

Don't you worry if you haven't got an idol to worship; for all you have is a wallpaper to be downloaded to your phone or laptop.

1. Downloaded best of Lord Ganesha's wallpaper from Google images.
2. Prepared Hayagreeva adding jaggery, cashew nuts, raisins.
3. Kept only two varieties of fruit and two fruits as an offering.
4. Chanted few sloks and mantras.

The Pooja is over. The fruits and sweet is all yours in the lords name. ;)

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Life without a friend is like death without a witness

2011-09-03T19:05:00.000+05:30

Drafted on 22nd Feb 2011

There were times when I was extremely low. Near and dear ones would try their best to make me smile. Oh, smile! You have even faded away!

Like S~ would crack a joke on how his date was. Others would divert my attention saying...

feeling low..

at what depth?
below sea level?

at ocean level

thats plain.. not low

below ocean level

how are the fish, corals,

are you making fun on me?

below sea there are more creatures than on land.. did you know?
the blue sea... jet blue..
large whales...
beautifully shaped hued fish...
heavenly patterns of corals...
.............

"Lean on me, when you're not strong, and I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on, for it won't be long, 'til I'm going to need somebody to lean on."
- "Lean On Me"

Looking back at times when all near and dear ones stood by me.

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Bangalore to Melbourne

2011-08-26T19:18:00.003+05:30

Susceptible to boredom during my travel in the flight. I had my camera in my hand and clicked few pics. Though, not great, but still are memoirs of the journey from Bengaluru-Malaysia-Melbourne. :)

Finally reached on June 5th. Can't believe its been three months here and I am loving it. ;)

The busy street

2011-08-14T16:24:00.003+05:30

Its been exactly six weeks I arrived here in Melbourne. As I walk alone on Swanston St, not alone, along with iPhone ;)

There are signals for pedestrians too. Cross the road only when signal is Green or else you will be fined. :)

Trams everywhere

Beethovan Festival ;)

Tonga types, tram behind

China town. Aah, you find them everywhere. ;)

Musicians singing and playing guitar roadside.

State Library. You find interesting books here.

Flower shop.

Symmetry

Waiting for the tram

2011-07-10T14:32:00.000+05:30

I had boarded only the buses and auto rickshaws as a means of transport while at Bangalore. This is the first time I boarded a tram which I used to admire watching the English movies. :) The experience was good. One would find a tram at the Melbourne CBD area every now and then. Unlike, in Bangalore, there are no conductors who would issue a ticket. There are ticket vending machines. You insert a coin or a note. The ticket is generated and you insert them into another machine to validate the ticket and then the timestamp is printed.

Based on the frequency of commuting, one can choose monthly pass, or recharge coupon. Here goes few pics of the tram.

First post from Melbourne

2011-07-02T14:05:00.001+05:30

Here goes my first blog post from Melbourne. Its exactly a month, June 4th, that I left my hometown Bangalore.

Melbourne, a place that I had heard of only during the cricket match. Australia, a country of adventures. A place which I just dreamed of, never thought I would be here someday and type a blog post from here. ;)
As I walk on the lane the chill breeze hitting my face, I see some of the oldest buuldings of the city which reminds me of St. Marks Road in Bangalore. Have I been in Bangalore, I had never worn a sweater so far. People would wrap themselves in woollen clothes and relax at home sipping hot tea along with chilli bondas/bhajjis during evenings. But here in Melbourne, you see people wearing variety of woolleen designer clothes right from woolleen clothes, scarf, jacket, long leather boots (I bought one, too ;) )

2 years with Vaio :D

2011-05-15T22:47:00.001+05:30

Two years I own a Vaio lappy. Feels great when people appreciate, "wow!! It looks NeW :D" . Looking at the yesteryear pictures and the one I clicked today, it looks very much NEW indeed.

Miniature Veena

2011-05-08T15:17:00.001+05:30

Miniature Veena. New addendum to the Dasara Dolls. :)

Veena is one of the most divine Carnatic music instruments.

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Taye Yoshada

2011-05-06T22:39:00.001+05:30

I have been listening to this sing Taye Yoshada as a Comtemporary music. Beautifully sung by Carnatic Vocalist Sudha Raghunathan as a playback singer from the movie Morning Raga.

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

The Japanese Wife

2011-04-17T20:25:00.003+05:30

The Japanese Wife, a movie in English, Bengali and Hindi directed by Aparna Sen.

Snehamoy Chatterjee (Rahul Bose) lives in a remote village at the banks of river Matla along with his aunt whom he calls Mashi [Ma-shi means mother's sister in Bengali]. He had never expressed himself before Miyage, his unseen Japanese pen friend. Miyage could never spell his name and would practice to pronounce his name everyday. In his letter, he explains the meaning of his name "Sneha" means "affectionate" and "moy" means "full of", Snehamoy being affectionate.

Sneh is an Arithmetic teacher at a school. He would refer to the Bengali-English dictionary while framing sentences, he would also confess that he doesn't have a good command on English since its not his native language. Sneh and Miyage would pen down the minute happenings in their lives though they were distant apart. Sneh writes that he was caught with Malaria and survived three times; he was taking tuition classes to pay the postal charges. Miyage runs a store at her home and looks after her ill mother. She sends a polaroid camera requesting him to send a picture of his Mashi and himself.

Mashi asks for beautiful Sandhya's (Raima Sen) hand for Sneh when she is visited by her friend. Mashi is called Shoi-Ma by Sandhya. All his efforts to see shy Sandhya's face go vain. When Sneh admits this to Miyage, she offers herself as a bride. She sends him a silver wedding band with her name embossed in Japanese while Sneh sends her a packet of vermillion to be applied at the parting of her hair and a pair of conch shell bangles commonly called as Shaankha; both of them are worn by Bengali women signifying the marriage. Sneh expresses that he wouldn't be able to visit Japan since he can't afford for a ticket while Miyage wouldn't visit until her mother is fine.

Years pass by exchanging the letters. The young Sandhya, a widow, comes to stay along with them with her eight year old son, Poltu. She is always clad in a white border-less saree and pallu covering her head.

On their fifteen wedding anniversary, she sends him the beautiful colorful kites. Sneh and Poltu participate in the kite flying competition and lose.

Miyage falls sick and moves to stay with her brother. While on telephonic call, both are not able to understand each other's English. Sneh applies a long leave and visits Ayurveda, Unani, Homeopathy and Allopathy doctors at Calcutta to find best medicine to cure her. He learns that doctors can't help much without her being here.

Sneh remains a faithful husband to his unseen Japanese wife.

Rahul Bose is always at his best. ;)

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Mehendi

2011-03-20T12:41:00.000+05:30

Any wedding is incomplete without the bride adorned with Mehendi. Apart from the gold jewellery and costumes; Mehendi, flowers form an integral part of the bride's makeup.

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Celestial Beauty

2011-03-20T02:39:00.001+05:30

Supermoon: The full moon came closest to the earth in 18 years, becoming the biggest and brightest full moon of the year.

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

26 11

2011-03-06T11:27:00.000+05:30

Ani, now, started a blog. Please visit his blog of poems: http://smilewithani.blogspot.com and do leave a comment.

Author: SmileWithAni

The calendar showed 26 11,
there entered the dirty seven,
once they hit the shore,
they thought they could rise to the fore.

The ruthlessly entered the Taj,
in their minds they were on Haj.
Viciously they struck at eight,
Indian Police needed to set them straight.

Initially some did shy,
in all 175 did die.
Throwing to the terrorists a word of caution,
Indian fought with valour and passion.

The encounter lasted 3 days,
for all the RED, who pays?
They murdered all in a plunder,
Pakistan! you did a blunder!

Two years it has been now,
Mumbai is safe as a holy cow.
The calendar shows again 26 11,
and Mumbai is already a heaven

Hope this will be remembered, the incident,
and never will repeat, even by accident,
for till the years yet to come,
as a tribute I write this poem.

© SmileWithAni. All rights reserved.

Inception - The poem!

2011-03-05T21:18:00.001+05:30

Inception - The poem!
Author: SmileWithAni

Thought I should've been dead,
Thoughts just came into my head,
Please don't say so she said,
That's when I woke up from my bed.

Bed next to me was empty,
I'd been dreaming again of humpty-dumpty,
These are the kinds of dreams oh pity!
Telling them is only my duty.

Wish such dreams got fewer,
My brain was going down the sewer,
I touched my head and I had fever,
These thoughts were all newer.

I realized I dreamt in a dream,
My head was battered like whipped cream,
I was flowing down-stream,
Finally I woke up with a loud scream.

Then I realized it was inception,
I was already late for the reception,
I told myself its only a deception,
Inception, is a nice conception.

© SmileWithAni. All rights reserved.

Yahoo! Big Thinkers Event

2011-02-21T17:25:00.003+05:30

Drafted on: 28th Jan 2011

Yahoo! Big Thinkers Event is organised every quarter and this time on Jan 28th.

The Abstract:
More and more social interactions are migrating online. In this talk we study patterns of such interactions in social applications including email, newsgroups, instant messaging, and microblogging. We address the data mining, modeling, and algorithmic challenges that arise as part of the study.

The speaker explained Interaction and Structural networks.

Interaction Networks are more interesting to study.
Edge exists if two users interact in some manner.

Twitter, facebook describes Structural network which is based on the followers.
Structural network is based on the objects of interest.

The algorithms were necessary for user conversations such as mailing list, forums, comments, twitter, facebook. Each conversation snippet has an Author, timestamp, content which would attract more users to re-tweet.
The event focussed more on the algorithms used in the social networking sites such as Reply Time Based Model etc..

Like Sneo said here, people were more interested in grabbing the snacks than algorithms which is worth a study.
© Manasa. All rights reserved.

The Kite Runner

2011-02-20T18:55:00.004+05:30

Drafted on: June 21st '09

Title: The Kite Runner

Author: Khaled Hosseini

ISBN: 1-57322-245-3

Pages: 324

I read this book by Khaled Hosseini after watching the movie, The Kite Runner and also impressed reading his other book, A Thousand Splendid Suns. The story is of two friends, Amir and Hassan, in Kabul, Afghanistan. Amir is the son of rich, whose father has built schools, hospitals in the city while his mother died during his childbirth. She was a professor at a college and a poet too. Hassan, a Hazara boy, is the son of his servant, Ali, who is very close to Amir and would sacrifice himself to protect his master, Amir. Inspired, by his mother's poetry which Amir would read from his own library, would write down short stories and poems. He would read them to his father's close friend, Rahim Khan, who would appreciate but was never appreciated by his father. Yet, "Children aren't coloring books. You don't get to fill them with your favorite colors", Rahim Khan would would comment.

It was a dark little tale about a man who found a magic cup and learned tat if he wept into the cup, his tears turned into pearls. But even though he had always been poor, he had always been poor, he was a happy man and rarely shed a tear. So he found ways to make himself sad so that his tears could make him rich. As the pearls piled up, so did his greed grow.

The story ended with the man sitting on a mountain of pearls, knife in a hand, weeping helplessly into the cup with his beloved wife's slain body in his arms.

The beautiful story written by Amir to which Hassan replies: "Couldn't he have just smelled an onion?"

Amir's father being an atheist, would always advise him that the biggest sin is to steal, one doesn't become great by following religion. Amir had never done Namaz(prayer).

Hassan had always protected Amir and has been loved equally by his father. His father would buy him same clothes or toys as he would buy for Amir without any discrimination. Hassan could read Amir's mind and know his needs and limitations than himself. Though, he never went to school, could hardly read, his suggestions and advises were remarkable. They would play together. Words were carved on the tree trunk of pomegranate tree with a kitchen knife, " Amit and Hassan: The Sultans of Kabul".

Kite running festival celebrated in Kabul for which Hassan is a kite runner and Amir would always win. Amir is the winner and the kite is cut. Hassan who is also a sling shot expert, brings the kite facing odds from another notorious boy who always hated them. Amir realizes that he is a coward who has always been guarded by Hassan and begins to keep him at a distant!

The war begins with Soviets in Afghanistan, Amir and his father fly to America handing over their ancestral house to Hassan's father to take care. As years pass by, Amir excels in his poetry, marries Soraya. They learn that they can never have children, yet lead a happy marriage.

Soraya's encouragement makes Amir a successful novelist.

One fine day, Amir receives a letter from Rahim Khan who is almost his father's age dying from illness. He wants to meet Amir before he dies. Rahim Khan reveals enduring truth that Hassan was killed along with his wife and he was his father's son; his half-brother. Rahim Khan requests reluctant Amir to rescue Hassan's only son, Sohrab, who was in an orphanage in Kabul where he is made to dance dressed in a women's clothes.

"Thank you very match (much)" says Sohrab when he was rescued by Amir from the orphanage.

The guilt that, Amir couldn't stand for Hassan while he was always protected by him. How he had blamed Hassan for stealing money and wrist watch which he had never stole. Only time his father had cried, pleading Hassan's father not to leave the house for the suspecting Hassan of stealing. He realizes that he had given terrible pain to Hassan. But he was sure that all this would get over soon and he wouldn't have to suffer like this throughout.

Depressed by the fact that he will have to stay in an orphanage run by missionary and betrayal of trust by Amir that he wouldn't fulfill his promise of growing up with them in America, Sohrab cuts his wrist. For the first time after fifteen years, Amir does Namaz hoping to see Sohrab alive. But the little boy remains numb in spite of learning that he would no longer be in an orphanage. Amir tries to convince Sohrab that he would take him to US and he could stay along with them.

Each time, Amir looked at the Hassan's photo and at Sohrab, it reminded him the way he had ill treated him, the truth being Hassan inherited good qualities of their father.

This book made me cry as I finished reading. Khaled Hosseini has written the emotions, grievances, bondage of friendship. True friends always protect at worse times.

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

The Decent Proposal!

2011-02-14T22:41:00.001+05:30

A poet-friend of mine who goes by the screen name "SmileWithAni" (Smile with Ani) has written lovely poems and wished I would publish them on my blog on his behalf.

She sat at the table eating an oat,
Speaking words warm as coat,
About her, I can't stop thinking,
Eternity I can see, no blinking.

Thinking of her made me write,
Being with her is ought to be right,
I need to express to her my Love,
But I ask myself, How oh How?

I mayn't show what I write here,
I'm sure one day her heart will hear,
The day will come when I have no fear,
Hope she's not gone but near.

I know it doesn't end with poem,
I need her to build my sweet home,
Truly she is an inspiration,
She made me write in her adoration.

Every time she asks me wazzup?
My eyes go wide like a li'l pup,
I dint write this after a pile,
But hope this makes her for once smile.

Telling this runs the chill thru the spine,
But if she accepts all will be fine,
If she does, we'll wine and dine,
And then forever she'll be mine 'n' me thine.

© SmileWithAni. All rights reserved.

Sapta Sitar

2011-02-14T22:12:00.001+05:30

Ustad Bale Khan Memorial Trust and Antara Arts organised mesmerizing Sapta Sitar On Sunday, Feb 13th at JSS Auditorium. Musicians playing Sitar are from the Khan family. Sitar was introduced to South India by the Khan family.

The photo clicked above got published in Deccan Herald. Though, no photo credit was mentioned.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/137965/soothing-sounds-sitar.html

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Layatharanga

2011-02-03T00:15:00.001+05:30

Singer M.D. Pallavi along with Layatharanga mesmerizing concert during Kannada Rajyotsava celebrated on November 22nd, at office.

Below: Singer M.D. Pallavi

Below: Arun Kumar on Drums

Below: Pramath Kiran

Below: Udupa on Ghatam and Jayachandra Rao on Mridangam

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Chitrasanthe

2011-02-02T01:48:00.001+05:30

ChitraSanthe - Art for All, an event organized on January 30th, Sunday, by Chitrakala Parishat, Kumara Krupa Road, Bengaluru.

Chitra means picture and Santhe means market.

Artists come from all over India, with their creativity captured on canvas, pencil sketches, Tanjore paintings, glass paintings, clay molds which are for sale. You name it, they had it. There are more than 300 stalls. The colorful paintings were indeed a bliss to watch. The event was from 9am to 7pm.

Below: Inside Chitrakala Parishat

Below: Paintings for sale

Below: Radha Krishna on the swing made of chalk

Below: Maniature bike made of chalk

Below: The Artist explained that it took 2 glorious years to finish the

Mantap made of chalk. Each piece of chalk has a carving.

Below: Kirigami, an art of folding paper

Below: Various forms of Indian Classical dance

Below: Pencil sketching

More photos on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_collections/sets/72157625947877360/

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Hope

2011-01-04T00:22:00.001+05:30

I visit you uninvited. Enter into everyones lives without even knocking at your door nor asking for your permission. As I kiss you, you stop smiling forever, forget when you smiled the last time. Just a cheerful person once you were, but gloomy now. You think of those pieces as you look yourself at the mirror. Cry, cry, .. tears.. I lead you to the confused path which was never your destination. I am hopelessness.

I enter your lives and you are joyous, smiley, calm and a composed person. You love yourself, no matter who you're and how you're. Success is your dream. I hold you while you step on thorns so you can reach your goal. Nothing can harm you. You're lively. I am Hope. :)

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Mysooru Mallige

2011-01-02T23:01:00.000+05:30

Mysooru Mallige, a popular book by K.S. Narasimha Swamy in the year 1942, which is much popular as a Kannada movie directed by T.S. Nagabharana in the year 1991, which every Kannadiga savours the beautiful songs written by the poet.

BaLegaara(Seller of bangles) Chennaiah visits Naviluru, with bunches of bangles made of glass hung to the shoulders. Naviluru is an imaginary town by the author. As Chennaiah visits Naviluru, he learns that todays women are without the bangles and men wearing earrings, steel bangle and long hair.

He enters the house of the poet, narrates the story to the present generation who are the grand children of the poet. The house where the young couple, the poet and his wife Sitamma lived since they were wed. During each visit, the lady of the house, Sitamma, would get him a pinch of jaggery along with water so that Chennaiah could quench his thirst from a long walk. But the present, great grand daughter gets him a bottle of pepsi which he is taken aback when he requests for water. He denies pepsi and requests for water with a pinch of jaggery.

The play consists of all the songs and has been performed very well by the artists. Directed by Dr B.V. Rajaram and Screenplay by Rajendra Karanth, the baLegaara: narrator of the story.

The poet, being a loyal and a humble man undergoes suffering as a young man of twenties, middle aged man, old man neglected by his children. His wife being a tolerant and patient woman supports him during odd times; scarcity of food, clothing and money!

In a way, the story depicts, if there is no pain, no feeling, you cannot write good poems or songs. The poet who is loyal without urge to mint money invites suffering to himself.

Few songs I hunted on youtube after watching the play.
Balegara Chennaya bagilige bandhihenu

Ondhirulu kanasinali nannavala kelidhenu

Premada Pariya Naanariye Kanakangi

Rayaru bandharu maavana manege

Deepavu ninnade gaaliyu ninnade

Mysooru Mallige, as title suggests, Mysore is famous for Mallige(Jasmine) flower.

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

2011 e-book reading challenge

2010-12-31T23:40:00.001+05:30

Signing up yet another e-book reading challenge for this year. :) I have loads of e-books stored of which I have hardly read one or two. Reading an e-book is a major challenge than just reading the paper books. ;)

One of the rules of the challenge:

There are four levels:

-- Curious – Read 3 e-books.

-- Fascinated – Read 6 e-books.

-- Addicted – Read 12 e-books.

-- Obsessed – Read 20 e-books.

Up and running

2010-12-09T12:59:00.000+05:30

Every morning in Africa, a deer wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the lion or it will be killed.

Every morning, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest deer or it will starve to death.

It doesn't matter if you're a lion or a deer. When the sun comes up, you'd better be running.

I was waiting at the doctor's clinic yesterday evening while my attention was caught by this poster.

The challenge it is..

2010-12-06T22:29:00.000+05:30

I have been lazy to read the books for not some but a long time now. :) Signed up the 2011 South Asian Challenge at S Krishnan's blog. Off late, I have been reading the books written by South Asian authors.

FAQ's of the book reading challenge can be found here.

Hoping to meet the minimum criteria. :)

Jawa nanna jeeva

2010-11-30T22:25:00.001+05:30

I was a naive about bikes until a friend started giving gyaan on the cruisers when he bought his black beauty, Royal Thunderbird, which he dreamed of day and night.

A variety of Jawa and Yezdi bike models assembled seen from all parts of the state at International Jawa Yezdi Day in the month of July '10. Later followed by the wheel burning, award ceremony and biker rally.

I was amused to see so many vintage bikes which I had hardly noticed on the roads!

A Jawa biker with "Jawa nanna jeeva" (meaning in Kannada: Jawa is my life)

More pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/my_collections/sets/72157625344167221/show/

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Bokeh..with 50mm

2010-11-18T22:15:00.002+05:30

It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds.

2010-11-16T21:32:00.003+05:30

"It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds."
~Aesop

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

...

2010-11-15T21:31:00.001+05:30

Childhood is a short season

2010-11-14T22:03:00.001+05:30

These toys remind me of sweet childhood days. When, we, as kids, used to gather at aunt's house or granny's house during the summer vacation; if one had a balloon or a small toy, a doll or even a tricycle. How we would quarrel among other kids to grab and play with it. ;)

Childhood is a short season. ~Helen Hayes

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

same2same

2010-11-11T21:22:00.000+05:30

With headphones on my ears, as I listen to a song on iPod which is the ringtone of my mobile phone. At the same time, I search my phone, which is now missing...

Oops, where is my phone? I search for a while here, there. With an expression of, "I lost this one too at the pantry".

Hey, I ring up to my mobile number, thankfully, the person who has, answers.

The person had mistaken it to be his phone when he showed the phone with same color. :)

Too many people owning the same model phone n so the confusion ;)

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Wonderful Wizard

2010-11-02T22:50:00.001+05:30

I have been told
not by one but two of my lovers
that I've got a heart of gold
but I'm unable to share it with others
They call me a poet who'll never have a poem
a tiger with no taste for bone
I'm the wonderful, wonderful wizard of waltzing alone

- The Guggenheim Grotto

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Completed five

2010-10-27T07:39:00.000+05:30

Five years of happiness, joy, sorrow, hope, cribbing, brooding, bragging here...

Meeting wonderful blog-mates who patiently read, commented ... and many who are silent readers. ;)

Happy birthday to my baby! Hope you grow taller. :)

Life forms illogical patterns

2010-10-23T23:00:00.001+05:30

"Life forms illogical patterns"

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Kadala Podrathu

2010-10-21T20:18:00.001+05:30

"Hi da, good morning. How was your weekend?" while I ping a friend who is pucca Chennaiite .

"It was good da. Very sleepy, though."

"Full day roaming huh?"

"ille da"

"pinne"

"kalada pothindirukka da.. was talking till 5am!"

"what does it mean da??? I don't understand Tam slangs so well"

"Dei, ask someone next to you."

"why can't you tell what it means."

"dei......"

"Hmmm... okay."

In Tamil, Kadala means peanuts, Podrathu means throwing. Kadala Pothratu means Flirting. :P
During olden days, when there were hardly any restaurants, theaters, bowling or water parks, young couple used to buy the peanuts sold at the beach, chit-chat for hours together. Hence, the origin. :)

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

...

2010-10-19T23:53:00.000+05:30

Dance like it hurts,
Love like you need money,
Work when people are watching.

~Scott Adams

Dolls Museum

2010-10-17T17:07:00.001+05:30

Dasara or Dolls Museum, is what I call, is celebrated arranging the dolls . :) I wish the doll collection grows in the coming years.

The Kalasa, Saraswati Pooja and Ayudha Pooja

The main attraction is the Pattada Gombe. The Pattada Gombe is a Man and Wife made of wood, without which Dasara is incomplete.

A day without Google

2010-10-03T14:33:00.001+05:30

Google and its related sites were not accessible the yesterday, while the other pages including facebook or twitter were loading successfully. Google, gtalk, gmail, reader... were totally out of service to the BSNL broadband users. I could neither google to find out a solution for this. ;)

C:\>ping google.com

Pinging google.com [64.95.64.197] with 32 bytes of data:
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.

Ping statistics for 64.95.64.197:

Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 0, Lost = 4 (100% loss),

C:\>tracert google.com
Tracing route to google.com [64.95.64.197]
over a maximum of 30 hops:
1 1 ms 1 ms 1 ms MyDslModem.local.lan [192.168.1.1]
2 * * * Request timed out.
3 * * * Request timed out.

If you're a BSNL customer and facing the same issue, try this:
1. Go to 192.168.1.1; system info and chk the attenuation and SNR value.SNR should be about 12 it seems.

2. Then change ip address in the internet settings from automatic to manual.

Thanks to Suyog for providing the solution.

A day without google is living in stone-age!

The conquest and the inquest

2010-10-01T21:40:00.000+05:30

"Wow, lovely wedding photographs kane." A message popped up.

She complimented as she browsed the facebook album.

"Thanks, kaNe.If you were here, you would have enjoyed the wedding and the food, too."

"aiyo, bidu." (leave it)

"You know, you should come here, to the US. You would make a good moolah clicking at the weddings."

"oh.. howda?" (Oh, is it?)

"Yes. People here splurge on weddings. Most interesting.. is that the divorces happen more frequently than the marriages!"

"Thats true. Splurging on weddings and later on lawyers. ;)"

During the yesteryears, either the husband or the wife compromised. Then, if one shouted, the other kept calm. Now, if one shouts, the other at a higher pitch. When I meet old couples who are married for 30-40 years, both educated and working; how both would support at times high and low. Recalling one of the incidents, my aunt narrated how less her husband's salary was, and how well she managed the home with the little income and the family of five. She comments, marriages these days have become mere business where you get rid of a person signing papers once you find nothing else than the faults in the other rather than compliment the goodness. Earlier, divorces were considered a taboo and happened only in the West.

Does the young generation lack patience or is it one's ego?

Is it "Two imperfect people make a perfect living" or vis a vis?

"Love, the quest; marriage, the conquest; divorce, the inquest."
~Helen Rowland

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

If I were... I'd be...

2010-09-19T23:39:00.001+05:30

Anu tagged me in May '10.

If I were a month, I’d be December!

If I were a day of the week, I’d be Sunday!

If I were a time of day, I’d be Dawn!

If I were a season, I’d be the rainy season !

If I were a planet, I’d be Sun!

If I were an animal, I’d be the lion!

If I were a direction, I'd be the South!

If I were a piece of furniture, I’d be a Treasure Box!

If I were a liquid, I’d be Water!

If I were a tree, I’d be a Coconut!

If I were a tool, I’d be scissors!

If I were an element, I’d be Platinum!

If I were a gemstone, I’d be Ruby!

If I were a musical instrument, I’d be Veena!

If I were a color, I’d be Red!

If I were an emotion, I’d be Hope !

If I were a fruit, I’d be a Pomegranate!

If I were a sound, I’d be the song of the nightingale !

If I were a car, I’d be BMW!

If I were food, I’d be Bisibelebath!

If I were a taste, I’d be sweet!

If I were a scent, I’d be fragrance of Rose!

If I were a pair of shoes, I'd be tall and confident!

If I were a bird, I’d be a Ashy Prinia!

If I were a Fast bowler, I’d be the ....!

If I were a Batsman, I’d be the ...!

I tag:

Sneha
Reema
Monika
Renu
Preeti
Vishesh
Sounak
Swaram
Scorpria
Sakhi

Vinnaithandi Varuvaya

2010-09-18T22:49:00.001+05:30

Uyire unnai unnai yendhan,
Vaazhkai thunayaaga,
Yerkindren yerkindren..
Inimel puyal, veyil, mazhai,
Paalai, solai ivai,
Ondraaga kadappomey..

I have listen to this lovely song from Tami movie, Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa meaning Will you Cross the Skies for Me?, at least one thousand times composed by the music lord himself. If you've not listened, please do. ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn7DCX1SNsE

Similar song, Manasa malli malli choosa, from Telugu movie Ye Maaya Chesave.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5VsdrNKZnk

I am sure you would beat my record after listening to these wonderful songs. :D

Staying calm without listening, mudiyaathe mudiyaathe. ;)

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Caricaturist in mE

2010-09-12T21:39:00.006+05:30

Sandur: April 1999

The summer of 1999 was a get together with cousins of my age. I had spent a fortnight at my uncle's house who was a doctor. My cousins, K~ and S~ excelled in paintings. The duo whould spend hours together projecting the best talent using brushes, canvas and fevicryl. And I would sit watching them even without a blink with my chin on my palm. :)

"Why don't you try this?" K~ suggested.
"No. I am not good at all these like you both," I replied.
"Unless you try, how can you say you are not good at it", S~ motivated.
"I can draw only an AMOEBA," holding a brush and dipping it in one the colors.

Here is what I did after I returned from summer vacation. It has been more than a decade and I smile when I look at these caricatures I made. The pages have turned "yellow". I have to preserve them!

My farmland

2010-09-06T20:04:00.001+05:30

I began sowing on a tiny piece of land which I never dreamed of.

I bought the seeds which grew fast, in a day or two and sowed them.

I planted Trees which bore fruits.

I even started the Chicken Farm and the Cow shed.

To make my task easier I invested on the Tractors for seeding, ploughing and harvesting made my work easier.

After which I seeded Grapes and my neighbours would add fertilizer to the crop.

Capsicum

Pine apples

Red hot chillies ;)

I wish I own a farm someday. :D

20,000 Bloggers for a Billion Hearts

2010-08-29T00:19:00.000+05:30

The devotee

2010-08-25T23:56:00.001+05:30

It was a rainy day and P~ was back to from Horanadu that morning, still tired. Horanadu is 100 kms south-west of Chickmagalur district in Karnataka state. The holy place is known for Goddess Annapoorneshwari who is an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. In Kannada language, "Anna" means rice; "poorna" means full. Hence, Annapoorna known to be feeding without one being hungry until your tummy is full. :)

My friend, P~, narrated the hospitality one could receive at the Annapoorna Temple, the way the premises are maintained, lunch and breakfast served with hot steaming coffee, sleeping mats and blankets provided in the night, one would never want to come back. The crystal clear water at the hola (river) where visitors would bathe during the dawn.

The temple is never short of devotees coming from various parts of the state. Some pray with offerings they promised to the goddess when their mannat( or wish) come true.

Unlike, other holy place in the whole of India, "photography is prohibited" here, too. Huge boards in Kannada and English are hung in temple premises reminding - "You are not supposed to click here. Be it with a mobile phone or a soap box camera. You would never know the consequences." P~ narrated one such incidence which stunned me. A well-educated guy just came out of the sanctum, took his mobile phone, zoomed in and click!.
A security personnel, in his mid forties, noticed and came to him, "show me your mobile phone."
Guy: "huh? why?"
Security:"It looks good. I wanna see it once."
**Security sees the photo of the idol.**
"Sir, photography is prohibited here. You look well-educated, can't you read Kannada or English?"
Guy: Looks shocked.
"I was checking some sms on my mobile phone, it was clicked by mistake."
Security: Grabs the mobile phone from him and drops it into the huge HUNDI. ;)

The best offering the goddess would have received. :D

Now, guess who the loyal devotee is! ;)

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Avatar

2010-08-01T23:38:00.002+05:30

Drafted : 16th April 2010

If you love fantasies, you would love Avatar, the best 3D I have ever seen with amazing effects. A perfect 162 min entertainer.

If you're bored watching the romantic love stories where the heroine breathes her last and the hero sulks in her memory, you would like watching Avatar.

I wish I would live in A.D. 2154 in the planet of Pandora where I can connect the heartbeat to that of an animal and take an easy ride, play around the mother goddess tree, Eywa. The diseases would be cured easily and relax in peace. Trust and faith are merely not two "words" and aliens show faith in you. ;)

A ray of hope that you could save the planet with mere faith in you....

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

I don't wanna goto office

2010-07-31T00:24:00.003+05:30

Today, I complete four golden years of my career. A couple of months, I wasn't motivated to goto office. It was a boring routine. Though, it was a different situation during the initial years of work.

My status message on Facebook and the response I received. ;)

~me~ i dont wanna goto office....................!!!!
January 28 at 9:31pm · Comment · Like
1 person likes this.

1. bunk dear... bunk... :P
January 28 at 9:46pm · Like ·

2. call in sick :D
January 28 at 10:01pm · Like ·

3. work from home :) :)
January 28 at 10:09pm · Like ·

4. Hire someone to set the office on fire!
January 28 at 11:21pm · Like ·

5. Good one!! Can u see fb at work??
January 29 at 5:01am · Like ·

6. aaahhh great....we're closed today...snow-day! why cant we have something lik this in B'lore - pollution day or traffic jam day haha!
January 29 at 8:01pm · Like ·

7. i must say...ur friends have IDEAS!!! hahaha :D
January 29 at 10:12pm · Like ·

8. ~me~ Thx for all your wonderful responses ;) feeling much better after hearing all this :P
January 30 at 8:10pm · Like ·

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

The Zoya Factor

2010-07-21T22:17:00.003+05:30

Drafted 12/08/2009

The IPL Cricket match commenced as I finished reading "The Zoya Factor" by first time author Anuja Chauhan with Hinglish(usage of both Hindi and English words) usage here and there. A young gal becomes the boon to the Indian Cricket Team with her presence making the team every match.

Zoya Singh Solanki, born exactly during the time of World Cup when India won the cricket match in 1983. A happy go lucky gal enjoying her profession as an advertising professional is satisfied shooting with Shah Rukh Khan than the cricketers. Considered to be a "lucky charm" by her sibling brother, who would always drag her to the matches he played, though he would dislike her personally, for the sake of victory. :) Soon the media catches her attention and Ms. Zoya is forced to date and even sign up a couple of advertisements, travel the countries and have breakfast with the cricket team to make sure they win every match. Though, she visits the countries like Australia without spending a penny, has a liberty bungee jumping; yet hates being a personality, she is left with no other choice. Every time, she refuses to have breakfast, India loses the match!

The lucky charm is disliked by the captain who believes only in hard work, determination and dedication and not pure luck. Zoya falls in love with him who gifts her a beautiful gold bracelet with a tiny sheep bought specially for her from New Zealand, though both hate each other at times and it is stupidity of others to rely on her for success.

The finals, ........ and Zoya doesn't turn up at the breakfast.

Does India win or lose? Does she find her lost love?

A complete juicy book I enjoyed reading. Kudos to you, Anuja!

Rating: 4/5

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Sony Service Station

2010-07-13T22:56:00.001+05:30

Having experienced frequent shut downs on my laptop which I described earlier, formatting Windows Vista and installing Windows 7 did not help. I decided to visit a Sony Service station who thoroughly did a root cause analysis and found that the processor fan was not functional any more.

Here is a list of Sony Service Stations in Karnataka, I found on their website:

Bangalore
Belgaum
Davangere
Hubli
Mangalore
Mysore
Shimoga
Udupi

In Bangalore:

SONY SERVICE CENTRE

743. SRI KRISHNA TEMPLE ROAD INDIRA NAGAR 1ST STAGE INDIRA NAGAR BANGALORE - 560038
T:25211050
**Phone no does not exist

SONY SERVICE CENTRE
NO.S-1760/G DR. RAJKUMAR ROAD RAJAJI NAGAR 2ND STAGE 2ND BLOCK RAJAJI NAGAR BANGALORE - 560010
T:25211050
**Phone no does not exist

AUTHORISED SERVICE CENTRE

PENTAGON SERVICES
64 MISSION ROAD SATHI COMPLEX BANGALORE - 560027
T:(080) 22234570

RMS TECHNOLOGIES PVT. LTD.
NO.13 11TH MAIN 5TH BLOCK JAYANAGAR BANGALORE - 560041
T:(080) 41301816-18

BENCHMARK INFOTECH
NO.5 10TH CROSS CBI ROAD GANGANAGAR BANGALORE - 560024
T:(080) 23331173

SAIRAM SERVICE
534/A DR. RAJKUMAR ROAD RAJAJINAGAR SECOND STAGE (OPP. ST. THERESA HOSPITAL) BANGALORE - 560010
T:(080) 65584958

VIGNESWAR SERVICES
NO:659 GROUND FLOOR 17TH D MAIN OPP. KORAMANGALA CLUB 6TH BLOCK KORAMANGALA BANGALORE - 650095
T:080 25525400

R.L. PROPERTIES; INVESTMENTS
606 80 FEET ROAD 4TH BLOCK KORAMANGALA BANGALORE - 560034
T:080 25505132

PENTAGON SERVICES
NO. 443 15TH MAIN ROAD 1ST BLOCK III STAGE BASAVESH BANGALORE - 560079
T:(080) 3228567

I am, now, installing the drivers for Windows 7.

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Flowers are without hope

2010-07-10T22:52:00.002+05:30

Experimenting with my new Canon 50mm prime lens... Just another random click.

"Flowers are without hope. Because hope is tomorrow and flowers have no tomorrow."
~Antonio Porchia, Voces, 1943, translated from Spanish by W.S. Merwin

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

I learned the way a monkey learns ;)

2010-07-08T22:36:00.001+05:30

Having clicked many pics of a monkey with my earlier camera. With my new DSLR, I decided to shoot this pic with monkey in the foreground. ;)

Couldn't think of a better title. :D

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

On the greener side of 50 ;)

2010-07-03T13:39:00.001+05:30

Drafted May 29th '10

If you are thinking I am 50, no I am not! Then what does the title relate to? :)

Like I said here, three years ago, how I begun to click owning Canon S3 IS. I pestered my teammates to pose for me and they were generous enough who always had a cheerful smile. :)

For more than an year, I was sketching to upgrade to a DSLR. After much confusion and hesitation to decide on the camera and lens. Finally, became a proud owner of Canon 50D, today. Thanks to peevee and A~ who accompanied to Foto Circle and spend hours together at the ever crowded shop.

Now, again like a fresher I am waiting for my salary to be credited after an account clean sweep. ;) ***cough cough***

Yet, on the greener side of 50. :D

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

y2k

2010-06-29T23:45:00.001+05:30

Y2k is a very special and a memorable year. The reason being:

I stepped out of the school with flying colors and entered a PU college. I also got an opportunity to fight with my dad that I would not take up *PCM"B" as an optional since I had hated and even now hate Di-section/killing cock roaches. You shouldn't blame or even scold me if I flunk in Biology. :D And landed into a *PCM"Cs" class learning "What is a computer, PASCAL ....." :) I still have the notes!

I got a chance to create my first email id using rediff.com which offered 2MB Inbox storage. A cousin who was newly wed and flew to US would send loads of photos often which I would store in a 1.44MB floppy disk and clear the inbox from flooding. ;) I still use rediffmail.

You should start preparing for II PU exams, book for tuitions and CET exams when you are still in I PU. The whole class would accompany you in bunking during II PU classes which eases the lectures job. You would study the tuition notes religiously without even bothering to check the text books. Language classes like English, Sanskrit are taken for granted unless your English faculty is a good looking lady with an excellent command. ;)

Last but not the least, I miss summer vacations. :(

*PCMB => Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology.

*PCMCs => Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science.

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Safe mode with networking

2010-06-27T23:17:00.002+05:30

It has been a month that my dear laptop with whom I spend wonderful moments of connecting to you all is going on continuous shutdown, forcing me to login Safe mode with networking with minimal features.

Initially, I guessed it was a problem with Microsoft Vista operating system I came across a discussion on this forum.

Today, installed Windows 7 Operating system and yet my laptop shuts down after half an hour.

RAM is perfect. I am clueless, what to do! :(

Edited on 29th June:

Thanks for all your valuable inputs. My lappie is perfectly working. The issue was dust accumulation. :)

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Continuous Shutdown - Need pointers

2010-06-14T21:48:00.000+05:30

My laptop is going for continuous shut down. I find the following messages in the Application Log. Current Operating System is Windows Vista.

Any pointers to this issue would help.

Activation context generation failed for "C:\Windows\Installer\{67E03279-F703-408F-B4BF-46B5FC8D70CD}\WksWP.exe". Dependent Assembly msadctls,processorArchitecture="x86",type="win32",version="1.0.1801.0" could not be found. Please use sxstrace.exe for detailed diagnosis.

Event filter with query "SELECT * FROM __InstanceModificationEvent WITHIN 60 WHERE TargetInstance ISA "Win32_Processor" AND TargetInstance.LoadPercentage > 99" could not be reactivated in namespace "//./root/CIMV2" because of error 0x80041003. Events cannot be delivered through this filter until the problem is corrected.

The COM+ Event System detected a bad return code during its internal processing. HRESULT was 8007043c from line 45 of d:\vistasp1_gdr\com\complus\src\events\tier1\eventsystemobj.cpp. Please contact Microsoft Product Support Services to report this error.

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Holasuru

2010-06-13T22:20:00.001+05:30

It has been close to four years that I have been commuting to Electronics City via Hosur Road. Initially, even before joining the company, the message on orkut was "Ready to rock n roll at ... ". Now I feel, it is the other way, "Rolling over the rocks", due to the time taken to reach the office, spending long hours at office. I, sometimes, wonder when the place Bangalore can be changed to Bengaluru then why not change Hosur to Holasuru ?

For those who are not aware of Hosur Road or never commuted, please do visit once a lifetime. It would make your journey to office, a memorable one indeed!

PS: Holasu in Kannada means "dirty", ooru means "city". :)

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Flickr to Facebook

2010-05-11T01:05:00.001+05:30

April 8, 2008:
Bought myself a 1 year Flickr Pro Account for unlimited photo upload. Being photography obsessed, uploaded every possible photo I clicked, be it good or bad. I, constantly, submitted few snaps to various groups on flickr and received positive feedback and a great scope for improvement.

April 8, 2009:
No longer photo enthusiastic. Lost in my own world of work! Damn. Flickr pro account expires and I don't care to renew it either.

April 8, 2010:
Slow migration from flickr to facebook pages. It is much easier to maintain a photo set at a single site and have a huge fan followers. ;)

I am lost thinking I would upgrade my gear to a DSLR; visit new places and revisit the old ones, click 'em with a brand new lens as never before. How I wish I would get back to flickr!!!

Do visit my facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/manasa-photography/241583639839

My photo-blog: http://colorful-moments.blogspot.com/ Not updated any more.

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Seat belt

2010-04-26T22:56:00.000+05:30

A beautiful ad on Youtube. Must watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-8PBx7isoM

Red-Amber-Green

2010-04-16T19:52:00.004+05:30

Ever seen all the three traffic lights glowing at a time? Confused what to do? What would you do? Please comment.

Shot at Banashankari Bus Terminus on 14th April during heavy evening rain from my mobile phone.

Vishu

2010-04-16T08:15:00.002+05:30

Beautiful flower rangoli drawn at office celebrating Vishu, Tamil New Year and Bengali New Year.

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Philately Club

2010-04-15T22:03:00.002+05:30

Philately grew as a hobby since my childhood inspired by my father who has a huge collection of both the Indian and foreign stamps. I have always admired the Indian stamps with dance forms, Michelangelo, freedom fighters, some stamps from Singapore with birds, Britain stamps with Queen, to name a few. At home, when I am bored watching TV or reading a book, I gaze at the beautiful stamp collections by my father. One of the biggest asset indeed.

In a decade, I have hardly contributed to the collection since no one sends a greeting card nor a hand written letter smelling fresh ink. It is hard to see stamps these days. Of late, I learned that the Post Office also delivers the new released stamps when subscribed to the philately club member ship for Rs 200/-.

Thus, keeping my philately collection alive. ;)

Have a look at the stamp released of yesteryear: 2009, 2008, 2007.

Here is a list of Philately offices: http://www.indiapost.gov.in/Philately/

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Tuesdays with Morrie

2010-04-05T22:14:00.002+05:30

Drafted 15-Mar-09

Author Mitch Albom

Pages 192

ISBN 9780767905923

Category Non-fiction

Few teachers not only teach you the lesson prescribed in the syllabus but also teach the secrets of leading a better life.

Morrie Schwartz was a professor at a college where Mitch Albom, the author of this book graduated. Morrie, affected by disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerasis(ALS) is well aware of the fact that his counting days are near and he would live for a short duration of another five years. He wants to make best utilization of the time. Morrie also organizes a "living" funeral inviting his close friends and mourns for himself. Strange, isn't it?

In the book, Mitch has interviewed several grieving family members, attended funerals. But he had never seen as Morrie cried. The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love and let it come in. We are so much indulged in work that we forget how small things matter.
Mitch soon realizes that he has everything in life but something is missing. While eating, he had never realized how the food tasted - if it was good or bad.

Mitch unexpectedly meets Morrie whose lower body had been paralysed. Morrie, though, survives with the help of others is full of life and one could never make out the fear of death from his expression. Morrie prepares himself strong to face death. The professor and the student decide to meet every Tuesday. They spend time discussing the secret behind the happiness.

On first Tuesday, they talk about the world.

On second Tuesday, they speak about feeling sorry for yourself.

On third Tuesday, they talk about teachers.

On fourth Tuesday, they talk about death.

On fifth Tuesday, they talk about family.

On sixth Tuesday, they talk about emotions.

On seventh Tuesday, they talk about the fear of aging.

On eighth Tuesday, they talk about money.

On ninth Tuesday, they talk about love.

On tenth Tuesday, they talk about marriage.

On eleventh Tuesday, they talk about culture.

On twelfth Tuesday, they talk about forgiveness.

On thirteenth Tuesday, they talk about the perfect day.

On fourteen Tuesday, they bid good-bye.

Yet they continue to meet on every Tuesday. Death ends a life, not a relationship.

"A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops." - Henry Adams.

My rating: 4/5
© Manasa. All rights reserved.

April fool

2010-04-01T21:04:00.001+05:30

April 1 is called fools day after Steve April.

He was born on 1-Apr-1579; he did 125 businesses in his life time and lost all of his father’s assets.

Everyone started calling him “Father of Fool”.

At his age of 19 he married a 61 year old woman and she divorced him after a year because of his foolishness…

Steve April was so frustrated with life that he decided to make a fool of everybody…

Steve April used to tell all sort of fake stories to people and make them a FOOL
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Exactly like this story being told to You….

APRIL FOOL

PS: If you think you are fooled, don't worry. You are not alone. :P

Why me?

2010-03-29T23:41:00.000+05:30

When bad happens, we are frustrated, sad, helpless and alone. We question, "Why does bad thing happen only to ME?"

When good happens, we are happy and never question, "Why mE?"

A beautiful forward by my friend, when I too questioned, "Why me?" :)

God: Hello. Did you call me?

Me: Called you? No. Who is this?

God: This is GOD. I heard your prayers. So I thought I will chat.

Me: I do pray. Just makes me feel good. I am actually busy now. I am in the
midst of something.

God: What are you busy at? Ants are busy too.

Me: Don't know. But I can't find free time. Life has become hectic. It's
rush hour all the time.

God: Sure. Activity gets you busy. But productivity gets you results.
Activity consumes time. Productivity frees it.

Me: I understand. But I still can't figure out. By the way, I was not
expecting YOU to buzz me on instant messaging chat.

God: Well, I wanted to resolve your fight for time, by giving you some
clarity. In this net era, I wanted to reach you through the medium you are
comfortable with.

Me: Tell me, why has life become complicated now?

God: Stop analysing life. Just lives it. Analysis is what makes it
complicated.

Me: Why are we then constantly unhappy?

God: Your today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday. You are
worrying because you are analysing. Worrying has become your habit. That's
why you are not happy.

Me: But how can we not worry when there is so much uncertainty?

God: Uncertainty is inevitable, but worrying is optional.

Me: But then, there is so much pain due to uncertainty...

God: Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.

Me: If suffering is optional, why do good people always suffer?

God: Diamond cannot be polished without friction. Gold cannot be purified
without fire. Good people go through trials, but don't suffer. With that
experience their life become better, not bitter.

Me: You mean to say such experience is useful?

God: Yes. In every term, Experience is a hard teacher. She gives the test
first and the lessons afterwards.

Me: But still, why should we go through such tests? Why can't we be free
from problems?

God: Problems are
Purposeful
Roadblocks
Offering
Beneficial
Lessons to
Enhance
Mental
Strength.
Inner strength comes from struggle and endurance, not when you are free from
problems.

Me: Frankly in the midst of so many problems, we don't know where we are
heading...

God: If you look outside you will not know where you are heading. Look
inside.
Looking outside, you dream.
Looking inside, you awaken.
Eyes provide sight.
Heart provides insight.

Me: Sometimes not succeeding fast seems to hurt more than moving in the
right direction. What should I do?

God: Success is a measure as decided by others. Satisfaction is a measure as
decided by you.
Knowing the road ahead is more satisfying than knowing you rode ahead.
You work with the compass.
Let others work with the clock.

Me: In tough times, how do you stay motivated?

God: Always look at how far you have come rather than how far you have to
go.
Always count your blessing, not what you are missing.

Me: What surprises you about people?

God: When they suffer they ask, "why me?"
When they prosper, they never ask "Why me?"
Everyone wishes to have truth on their side, but few want to be on the side
of the truth.

Me: Sometimes I ask, who am I, why am I here. I can't get the answer.
God: Seek not to find who you are, but to determine who you want to be.
Stop looking for a purpose as to why you are here.
Create it.
Life is not a process of discovery,
but a process of creation.

Me: How can I get the best out of life?

God: Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence.
Prepare for the future without fear.

Me: One last question. Sometimes I feel my prayers are not answered.

God: There are no unanswered prayers.
At times the answer is NO.

Me: Thank you for this wonderful chat. I am so happy to start the New Day
with a new sense of inspiration.

God: Well.
Keep the faith and drop the fear.
Don't believe your doubts and doubt your beliefs.
Life is a mystery to solve, not a problem to resolve.
Trust me.
Life is wonderful if you know how to live.

Say, Hi

2010-03-25T22:05:00.000+05:30

I felt that I should revisit to fulfill my blog's only wishlist (which I had ignored all the while) which hoped that some day its host would get back as usual and make its home lively, bring back its sunshine days..... and now it is indeed a silver lining! :)

Just wanted to greet "Hi". Do you still visit me? Then say "Hello". Cheer me up!

Hugs!

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Little ducks

2010-03-07T23:39:00.000+05:30

Rangoli in front of my house on Sankrathi '10.

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Good luck

2010-03-07T22:26:00.000+05:30

I was browsing through google images and found this. It is said to be a symbol of Chinese good luck.

I wish this year at least, brings a good luck to me. :)

Bloggie camera

2010-02-20T19:43:00.000+05:30

If you love blogging, you would admire Sony's new Bloggie camera, too. ;)

Sony MHS-CM5 bloggie HD Video Camera 5 mega pixel with 2.4" LCD.
Cost $ 199.99 ;)

Sony MHS-PM5 bloggie HD Video Camera 5mp with 4x digital zoom.
cost $ 169.

I am yet to try one of these. :D

Butterfly Award

2010-01-27T20:04:00.002+05:30

The Butterfly Award

I received Butterfly award from Sneha and Apar during Nov and Dec 2008

...and I award it to all the bloggers who are currently read this post now. Copy and upload this award on your blogs too. :)

Dollar Bahu

2010-01-25T23:09:00.003+05:30

Dollar Bahu

A story of a middle-class family of well-respected Sanskrit school teacher and a simple man, Shamanna and his wife who is a home maker and a mother of three. Gouramma, very fond of reaching sky high forgets her boundary limits and day dreams of visiting the US of A if her kids settle down in an foreign country such that she could show off the richness of a Dollar against the Rupee. Meanwhile, she forgets that money can only buy materialistic comforts and also cause bitterness in relationships.

Their eldest son fulfills her dream settling down in the US and being an NRI, contributes the major finances to the family, while their younger son, a clerk at a bank, is married to a school teacher, Vinutha. Their second daughter-in-law, though not from an affluent family respects and takes cares of the family by supporting them financially and doing the household chores. Though, Vinu never says NO to Gouramma, she had always found fault in Vinu to make her feel inferior. The situation goes beyond control after the arrival of the eldest daughter-in-law from a very rich family. The gifts bought in "dollars" meant a lot more than the affection and love. Vinu, who had a golden voice had stopped singing since no one would ever appreciate.

Gouramma, who had always been longing eagerly to visit the US gets an opportunity to stay there for any year to look after the to-be-mother, her elder DIL.

She learns the lifestyle was entirely different though they hail from same country. How people change once they leave home and homeland. There was good and bad about the US. She meets most of her acquaintances from Bangalore, now well established in a foreign land, inviting her for lunch and dinner. While few narrate their journey so far was a pain, few express that the country had given them joy and success than the past.

The book is a must read if you are a mother-in-law.

Dollar Bahu was also produced as an Indian Television serial http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010930/spectrum/main5.htm that gained a huge popularity.

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

How I taught my grandmother to read and other stories

2010-01-23T21:10:00.003+05:30

Drafted on 9th Jan 2009

Sudha Murty shares her real life experiences as a teacher, a social worker, a mother and a wife. The book is a collection of short stories she records. When her grandmother requests her to teach how to read since she was very much fascinated by a weekly column in a magazine.

The author also writes the various incidents when people donate, they give away all their stuff which are not in a usable condition or unwanted.

Whenever you want to give something to somebody, give the best in you, never the second best. That is the best I have learned in life. God is not there in temple, mosque or church. He is with the people. If you serve them with whatever you have, you have served God.

Donate with kind words,
Donate with happiness,
Donate only to the needy,
Donate without expectation because it is not a gift. It is duty.
Donate with your wife's consent.
Donate to the other people without making your dependents helpless.
Donate without caring for caste, creed and religion.
Donate so that the receiver prospers.

What we preach, we should practice.

She also shares few of her personal incidents as how she reacted when her husband decides to start a company of his own and the money she saved was useful. The letter written to Tatas that their company did not want to employ women in a technical field.

Each incident is a valuable lesson. The book has been written in a simple, free flow language and with utmost honesty. :)

My Rating: 3.5/5

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Sennheiser service

2010-01-20T21:24:00.001+05:30

Just a couple of months I enjoy listening to music collection my iPod everyday traveling in the bus to office-home, I lost the ear cushions of my Sennheiser headphones. After an endless search to find a spare ear cushion, I learned that Sennheiser service was not available in Bangalore, none of the showrooms including Imagine or the shops at SP Road had. :(

I shot an email to the concerned person on their website and soon I was communicated that the spare ear cushions for the head phone model I own was available and that they would send it through courier on the receipt of an AT PAR cheque.

New ear cushions

My head phones unusable

Head phones with new ear cushions

I was happy to see the quick service by Sennheiser. Now, I enjoy listening to the music again!

For any issues, they can be contacted at:

http://www.sennheiserindia.com/india/home_en.nsf/root/contact

Address:
Sennheiser Electronics India Pvt Ltd
Office No. 503, Midas Buliding,
Sahar Plaza Complex,
Andheri Kurla Road, Andheri-East,
Mumbai - 400 0059

PS: This has been second experience after the Vodafone Recharge.

Times have really changed for good.

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Kreativ Blogger Award

2010-01-17T22:02:00.001+05:30

Blogger Sneha has awarded me "The Kreativ Blogger Award". I am honoured to receive this award. :D

Edited to add:
...and I award it to all the bloggers who are currently read this post now. Copy and upload this award on your blogs too. :)

Anil Kumble: from my camera!

2010-01-16T21:30:00.001+05:30

I got an opportunity to capture the famous Indian Cricketer Anil Kumble on my camera last January amidst the huge at the am phi theatre at office. The pics were taken with full zoom of my camera. :)

On the podium, Kumble spoke of highs and lows in his career. His speech was great to listen. Off the field, Kumble is a photographer too.

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Hey, what does your name mean?

2010-01-12T20:53:00.000+05:30

Drafted in July 2007

The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
I completed reading this novel a couple of months back. The title is self explanatory: its all about a name.

Many may be named after our ancestors that sounds to be obsolete when heard of the modern names. Some named after favourite deities of their parents, some named after the popular actors, musicians, role-model, sports person or even an author.

I had written about my name here and here.

Most of us may know the meaning of our name. Isn't it? The meaning might be a smile, beautiful, youthful, energetic.... What if my name has no meaning at all? When someone asks, "What does your name mean?", "Why were you named so?" And the worst thing that: we don't don't what it really means! Or we were just named after grandparents which the modern youth don't understand.

The Bengali couple, Ashoke Ganguli and Ashima, blessed with a baby boy in the US are not aware that the infants are named at the time of their birth unlike in India where the infants are named after a couple of months after their birth. Without a birth certificate, the hospital wouldn't discharge Ashima and the new born. Meanwhile, Ashoke names his son, "Gogol", a Russian author Nikolaoi Gogol, his all time favourite author whose novel had saved his life. Ashoke was always grateful to Gogol. Gogol becomes a "good" name instead of a pet name.

Ashima and Ashoke decide to change their son's name to Nikhil but the young brat loves being called Gogol and the couple continue calling him as per the child's wish. On a fine day, during school excursion to a cemetery, kids roam across gazing at the graves along with their names and the life span of each person. Gogol realizes that his name was obsolete just like the dead person's name who lived during the 18th or 19th century. "A child's mind is like a clay". A clay retains the shape we give. Learning that his name has no meaning and obsolete, his heart is filled with mere hatred to his parents and regrets living with them.

Jhumpa Lahiri describes the lives of Indians abroad, their solitude and being selfish, how children desert aged parents once they settled down in life, children's attitude towards their parents when they attain teenage.

The author, Jhumpa Lahiri, is also called Nilanjana Sudeshna, which is her good name.

The identity of a person is not by his "name", by his deeds.

I rate: 4.5/5

2009

2010-01-03T21:15:00.001+05:30

I had been longing to write this post on my progress during the year 2009. There wasn't much I could achieve as the year brought in more frustrations.

Switching to two different entirely domains in Jan and July. I cribbing become intolerable during the last 3-4 months. Now I am back to the domain I worked earlier. :)

I could read only 8 books this year though I had a target of completing at least 25.

My resolution for 2009 was to quit eating the cake containing cake was accomplished. Even if you get a black forest which was my favorite, I wouldn't even touch it nor my mouth would water. ;)

Travelling was zero. Didn't get any chance to step out of concrete jungle. :((

Watched loads of plays at RangaShankara and movies at Malls.

Visited Amoeba for bowling with team and Blossoms Book House for the very first time. :D

Few of school and college friends married, few had new ones entering their families.

Haven't clicked a single good photograph but got on opportunity to showcase my photo at CKP. :)

Learned to drive a car though I don't own any.

Lost my old phone and bought a laptop.

At last, didn't blog nor read others blog religiously.

Oh, yeah... made loads of friends :D

I too had a love story

2009-12-30T22:13:00.001+05:30

I picked up the book: "I too had a love story" by Ravinder Singh. I am not fond of reading the love stories but was recommended by many avid readers. Having borrowed the book from a friend, finished reading this book at the earliest. :)

As many of us find jobs through networking sites like naukri.com and freshersworld.com, few of us do online transactions, making friends online through chatting, blogging or orkut, then why not find a life partner through matrimonial sites? The story kicks off with Ravinder registering for a mtrimonial site and his endless "show interests" on the gals profile he likes. One fine day, Khushi rings up and both chat for more than an hour. They share common interests and soon become close to each other in a short time though they haven't not seen each other. Two bodies and a single soul. Love has made them inseparable.

The author has written beautifully the emotions, respect for each other, the sense of caring and how they would long to see each other, how small things become so important, the silliest information they share... The last few pages brought tears and I couldn't stop myself from crying. A must read book.

I would rate : 4.5/5

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

2012

2009-12-28T21:06:00.002+05:30

Amazing effects. Shown that the life would end either by earth quakes or Tsunami waves and only spaceship could few human beings. :| I am wondering, how couldn't they find any other reasons for the end of life like comet hitting the Earth at a single sweep. :P

Watch this movie on a big screen and feel the shiver with chill pepsi in your hand. ;)

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Click card

2009-12-24T21:07:00.001+05:30

Chocolates, cakes, cookies and toffees become an integral part of snacks as kids though we hate eating lunch or dinner on time. Once we see the neighboring kid sticking out his tongue on an ice cream, "I want the same ice cream", we cry. More than a decade ago, Cofitos, a toffee which gave away the "Click Cards" on purchasing a pack of 10 cofitos. A classmate of mine bought it and started playing with the click card with others placing thumb on the tiny magnetic hearts on the card. The tiny heart changed the color for few seconds and we would turn the card to check what the color match meant. Soon, the whole class bought the cofitos just for the sake of click card and playing around. :D

Vodafone Recharge

2009-12-21T21:11:00.001+05:30

Online prepaid recharges have made life easy allowing prepaid mobile users to recharge for a denomination via internet banking without the necessity of going to the nearest shop and tendering exact changes. On Nov 27th, 10pm, for the first time I glanced the latest vodafone website to recharge my friend's mobile. After the transaction was successful, I recharged my mother prepaid mobile for Rs 251. Having received an email for recharge completion, I was longing for an sms on the phone. At 11pm, I hadn't received any sms. I checked the screenshot of the transaction and to my surprise the last three digits were interchanged! Typo... I wrote an email to the customer care immediately stating the transaction number and reference number obliging them to revert back the recharge amount to the correct number.

I called up the customer care at 11pm. To my disappointment, I was told that the money couldn't be reverted back since it was done online. It could have been reverted if I had recharged through a dealer. The next day, I called up the "wrong no" several times thinking if the person is good, he/she would recharge my phone for the same amount. But their phone was switched off for almost five days. On the sixth day, I didn't call them thinking that it was no use calling up again. To my surprise, I received an email from Vodafone customer care stating that the money has been reverted back to the correct number. As transaction fee, Rs 26 was charged. I was happy to see the email and yes, the money was credited.

Vodafone, thanks for your service. :)

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Wedding Photography

2009-12-15T22:26:00.001+05:30

Ever since I have bought my camera, I have always been addicted to shutter clicks. Initially, I was not much into people or portrait photography. But now, I am more inclined to street, portrait and wedding photography. Family functions, school and college get together, team outings at office: these are the times I never miss my camera to capture few wonderful lifetime moments. Few photographs with smiling faces have horns behind too. ;) Wedding in the traditional way of friends/cousins are the moments which have loads of rituals and can be documented. Most of the rituals and chantings are the same in Hindu weddings.

Here are few snaps I clicked during my friends wedding. The photos of couples have not been uploaded. :)

Traditional Mangalorian wedding: Bride's palms

Traditional Gujarati Wedding: Bride's parents washing brides feet.

2 guys wedding

2009-12-11T20:35:00.003+05:30

October and November were great seasons for celebration. Be it festival or wedding or a house warming ceremony. Two of my close friends (guys) got married whom I have known for decade. Choosing gifts especially if your friend is a guy is a difficult task. I had to ask many of my other friends what to gift a guy during a wedding.

Me: hey... 2 of my close friends (both guys) are marrying next week. What do I gift them?
He: Is it legal?
Me: What? *Confused*
Argh... I meant 2 guys are marrying 2 different gals... not each other.
He: :)

I realized how wrong I was while communicating to them. The two guys were marrying gals. Next time you hear two guys are marrying, don't think that they're marrying each other. :P

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Butterfly Park

2009-12-08T21:37:00.001+05:30

A visit to Butterfly Park located near Banngerghatta National Park in June 2008 along with fellow photographers.
Always tender exact changes while at the ticket counter. Photography fee extra.

Common Lime Butterfly

Common Castors

I couldn't find many other butterflies.

I couldn't find many other butterflies.

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

Old Age

2009-10-24T22:37:00.000+05:30

Thanks to all those who were able to make it to the Frames of Mind Photo exhibition organised by BPC. This was the first time I got few of the frames printed and even more excited to see a frame on the walls of Chitra Kala Parishat. :) I got an opportunity to meet many people behind the camera and flickr, too...

For those who couldn't make it, here's the photo which was selected.

An old lady was begging at the staircase of a temple on hilltop near Banngerghatta National Park. My attention was caught by her and I still feel her expression has a story to tell. This pic was captured more than an year ago. Not sure where is she now.
I am thankful to her for posing which in turn made to the exhibition.

Below: Vistors at CKP

My Frame :D

Well, I maintained suspense of not disclosing the foto selected until the exhibition was concluded, or else no one would've walked till CKP. ;)

Photo Courtesy: Deepak Girdher.

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

IndiRank

2009-10-12T01:10:00.001+05:30

An year ago, I had submitted my blog to Indiblogger where I found wonderful blogs. A couple of days ago, I received an email stating my blog ranking.

IndiBlogger.in to me Sep 18

Dear Manasa,

We're happy to announce that IndiRank has been updated. The new rank for your blog Silverlining is now 67.

It was hard for me to re-collect my password and login for widget. Well, not a bad ranking though I haven't been active for quiet a long time!

Dasara at home

2009-10-03T20:53:00.000+05:30

Dasara at my home. The dolls arrangement is incomplete without the two wooden couple dolls along with kalasha.

Cool Readers

2009-09-19T22:25:00.000+05:30

After Sony and Amazon launched ebook reader or rather say "eReader": a replacement for paper books; CoolReader also launched eReader.

The availability in various colors imitates iPod Nano.

Though, all the three eReaders have quoted the same price. $ 250 is quite much for coolreader.

Invitation for Frames of Mind '09

2009-08-24T22:42:00.001+05:30

Dear friend,

I wish to invite you to "Frames of Mind 2009" - "BPC's fourth annual photography exhibition" where I shall be exhibiting one of the photograph for the first time along with several well-known photographers.

Start Time: Friday, August 28 at 12:00pm
End Time: Sunday, August 30 at 7:00pm
Where: Chitrakala Parishat
click on the image to enlarge

New York

2009-08-09T20:55:00.000+05:30

Sadness is always the legacy of the past; regrets are pains of the memory

2009-08-04T20:59:00.002+05:30

In continuation with my previous post.... An incident occurred at my workplace that made most of them giggle. One of my teammate is always a scapegoat. :)

V~ was undergoing initial training and flunked his exam couple of times. Since this was the first time he ever flunked, he was frustrated and depressed. Another R~, tried to console V~ in this regard suggested him to drink to come out of sadness. Reluctant V~, for the first time tasted alcohol which was also the last time he ever touched.

V~ had asked R~: "baada povalante em chayaali" (in Telugu: "what do you do when you're sad?").

Hence, this survey was done! Most of them drink when they're sad, few listen to music, few cry, sleep.....

Till date, all of us tease V~: "What did you do this time?" :)

Tobacco and alcohol, delicious fathers of abiding friendships and fertile reveries.
~Luis Buñuel

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

What do you do when you're sad?

2009-07-11T23:04:00.000+05:30

The gal on the train

2009-06-28T18:56:00.002+05:30

Many years ago, I met a gal on the train. Due to our amicable nature, both of us were soon involved in casual conversation like studies, where we stayed and the current trends, so on and so forth... After hours of conversation, she opened a pack containing 8 cards (not the gambling cards ;)) which were filled with random numbers on one side in the square boxes on each card; which I had never seen before. These were called Mosaic cards where one person asks the other to choose a number ranging from 1-99 without revealing the number. Later on, each of the six card is shown if the chosen number is present or not. Based on the numbers present in no of cards, the exact number is computed. And this seemed to be fascinating and made me curious to learn how it was done.

I reached my destination before her. It was time for me to bid a good bye to my new found friend. As a memory, she gave me these cards along with a note signed, which I still preserve. :)

Advice given by right people!

2009-06-27T21:44:00.001+05:30

After I published this post, I emailed both my friend and his mother, who is also a good friend of mine. Though, my friend was unaware of the fact that I had emailed it to his mother and she also liked it. ;) Most of the people who read this not only loved it but also acknowledged that its the same case with them, too.

Here goes the conversation with my friends mother who also liked it. :)

me: hello aunty

She: Hi Manasa
I was just reading your blog

me: :)
any guesses whom I was chatting to? ;)

She: Probably my son

me: hehhe
yeah :)

She: I can guess his lopsided answers
though I havent read the whole of it

me: you know, he asked me to find a gal for him

She: Are u doing so?

me: am trying my best, aunty

She: Hope all your endeavour fructifies

me: even you must be finding a gal for him

She: :)

me: what did he say ?

She: Yea frantically

me: :)
so what kinda gal does he want ?

She: He is still waiting to meet the right person personally before giving his consent

me: mm
and when will that day come ?

She: Why dont u ask him?

me: aunty, did you read the whole post ?

She: not yet

me: i have been asking him... every time he says--you search for me
aakhir tu meri kab kaam aayegi

She: :)
and why should the search not be mutual, for each other?

me: mmm

She: Now I wish to read the whole post before I go for other works

me: sure aunty

She: ok then All the best

me: all the best for what ?

She: for the anticipated effort to be put in by both of you regarding the search.

me: heheheh

She: I shall read the whole of it and let u know later.

me: aunty, read it now
please

She: ok
Shall get back to you

She: Oh Manasa You have simply reproduced all the basic chats between us-- mother & son

me: is it ?

She: Probably the with mother & son; daughter as well

me: but its the common thing which all parents advice their kids

She: Yes right
and when you grow up I'm sure your sentiments will not be very different
unless you are ultra modern & believe in giving full freedom to children without parents inter fering in matters of matrimony

me: :)
how did you like this post ?

She: wonderful!
when we speak we never realise we sound so nagging/dominating/irritating.
:)

me: mmm
but when I imagine myself in my parents position

She: but caring no doubt

me: I do sometimes feel that after they're gone
there would be no one bothering to ask us if we ate at proper time
no one to bother

She: True . It is our love and bondage that makes relationships so meaningful andcompulsive

me: yeah..
now we are young
parents will care
after a decade
even to have a cup of coffee alone
its too boring

I mean you hardly find anyone who wants to share your emotions and sentiments

She: It is the vaccum created by parents that can be filled up by the spouse

me: exactly
and thats what parents try to convince us
which we find "IRRITATING"

She: and later your idea may change and you might not find it irritating any more

me: heheh
now a days
I no longer find the marriage topic irritating

She: :)

me: aunty, can I publish our chat on my blog ?

She: You sure can.

me: am glad you liked that post :)

She: :)

© Manasa. All rights reserved.

iBook

2009-06-20T14:43:00.001+05:30

After exploring all the features like music, movie, games, contacts except podcasts, on my iPod Classic which I own with pride for the past 1.6 years and despite weird experience at Apple Showroom; I have begun to use my iPod extensively day-to-day after discovering a new feature of reading ebooks on the tiny screen. :) This post was lying as a draft past an year, until I realised that I should publish it; having seen the Amazon Kindle 2. iPod is none the less.

If you belong to this category of reader who finds hard to carry bulky 1000 page novel or who tends to lose books after lending them; then iPod Notes serves you the best.

Notes folder allows the user to save any text file of the size 4kb only. If you store any text file (.txt extension) more than 4kb, then the remaining text is lost. Hence, you ought to divide the ebook into several files of 4kb and save them in a subdirectory under the Notes folder.

If the file size of the ebook: Freakonomics is 311kb, then it is divided in such a way that each file does not exceed 4kb. The website: ebookhood does the process of dividing each ebook into 4kb with suitable ordered numbering.

Upload an ebook to ebookhood.
Download .zip file to your HDD.
Extract all the .zip files to Notes folder in your iPod.

Snapshot is shown below: Click on the image to enlarge.

And.. enjoy reading. The other advantages is bookmarking since each file is numbered and easier to carry iPod while travelling.

Advices at right age!

2009-06-17T22:21:00.002+05:30

"The only thing to do with good advice is pass it on. It is never any use to oneself."
~Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900)

Advices are given for free at all time by everyone (even without you demanding!!!) especially if you attain a marriageable age! People who had forgotten your existence are suddenly reminded of you once you are of "right age". Most All parents express their concern and try to convince sons/daughters esp if you're of "right age". ;)

A conversion with a friend 'bout how parents crib when children attain marriageable age. I want to publish apart of our conversation here. My friends identity has been maintained anonymous. Few translations are given in [ ]

..............;
me: sure
but you'll have to walk down here :)

He: theek hai.. but once I come to B'lore, you owe me a big treat
deal?

me: deal :)
meri shaadi ke liye aa jaao [ You walk down for my wedding]
u get pucca south indian khana to eat :)

He: yeah that is a time I wish to be there
but let me know when the dates are planned
I'll try to drop by

me: hehe
sure
pehle ladke ko dhoond na hai [ First, the groom has be searched ]
:)

He: err... you might try looking for a girl as well ;)

me: girl? :-?
:-/
i should be searching a gal for u :P

He: yeah you're welcome to do that

me: thats what u asked me to do :P
arre, par apni list to do! [ First, give me your list ]
ladki mein kya qualities honi chahiye [ What qualities do you expect in a gal? ]

He: I think I already gave you, remember?
that post called zaroorat hai

me: accha [ ok ]
phir se pad loongi :) [ I shall read again ]
but what did aunty say?

He: heheh... the usual

me: arre, wohi to bataao :) [ Tell that ]

He: tell me... what do you think she might have told me

me: arre, this is the right age beta
shaadi kar le [ Get married ]
ghar mein biwi aayegi to, tumhe acche khana khilayegi [ If your marry, your wife will prepare good food for you ]
aur, tum bhi kitne dino tak akhele pret atma ki thara har jagah ghoomoge [ How long will you roam alone like this? ]
many guys of ur age are almost married and having kids too
tu kab shadi karage? [ When will you marry? ]
hamare kandonka bhoj bhi halka ho jayega [ Our burden will also reduce ]
she must've told you all these, right? ;)

He: ossum... looks like all women think alike
besides, there was a very important question you missed
what kind of a girl do you want

me: ummm
i know
u must've given all ur specs
later they try to convince u
u will not get the gal with 100% qualities u expect... etc...
life mein adjust karni padti hai [ You gotcha adjust in life ]
arre bhai, my mom n dad also tell me the same
not only my mom n dad, guess when children attain marriable age, they behave the same -- cribbing
when gals don't get married by 24 or 25, they feel we're getting aged

He: :)

me: guess, aunty might have told the same--right age for wedding ;)

He: yep

"Never advise anyone to go to war or to marry."
~Spanish Proverb.

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