a window to my world

Ridiculous....

2011-12-13T19:46:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-7ybrDcsrY&feature=related

I have not blogged for a while... just heard from dad, about lali di mom being among the 90 people who died in the above fire... How are these private hospitals even being allowed to operate without ensure basic safety of the people coming there for a treatment..

Life in India, at times feels so hopelessly HOPELESSS...that the world around feels so dark..

I was with another school friend of mine on Friday. We all spent our childhood together.. and grew up together.. I don't know how the family members are dealing with her loss..

Can it be forgotten as accident or is it pure negligence?

How do make up for such a massacre?

Life IS uncertain..but the uncertainty increases when you live around irresponsible, unreliable societies.. And unfortunately, we/I am part of that society..

Black and White

2011-09-25T22:30:00.000-07:00

Life isn't black and white!
It's "GREEN" :)

White Pine Lake

2011-08-23T22:40:00.000-07:00

by Motorola Cliq XT ! I think my small eye did a pretty good job ! Another Alpine lake in Little Cottonwood Canyon at 10,000 ft. The hike was llllooooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnggggggg and tiring. Totally worth it! 5 hrs of walking and walking ..

Foodie Me

2011-06-27T21:35:00.000-07:00

Summer is here and am away in the mountains.. streams.. river.. hardly been home to make update anything here. It has been great so far. Few new things for this summer :

@back to tennis,

@ Gardening

@Biking long distance

@ TANGO - yuppp... learning it finally... "whatever Lola wants"

Happie Me... Thank You Life..

Really ?

2011-05-26T20:51:00.000-07:00

Did it really happen ?
..
.....
had to cancel my memorial day trip. its going to snow.. and rain..
lost my "thai basil"... despite the start the end seemed..brighter..

nothing much.. I guess its for the very best.. I am absorbing...

The cancelled "Memorial Day Weekend" ... that became memorable..

Ganges - the source of life

2011-05-15T22:14:00.000-07:00

The river...

The flow..

Source of life..

The pollutant..

The River - Pollutant Fight..

The struggle to flow through ..

Leaving the pollutant behind..

Face to face with the dark matter...

Played to the Ananda Shanker's tune..eventually losing to the mighty pollutant..

A Lost Battle!

14th May was a wonderful weekend. I got the opportunity to go back on stage and participate in the above Dance Drama.

INVICTUS

2011-05-10T21:59:00.000-07:00

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

I finally had the time to watch this movie. I am not into poems, but the last two paragraphs caught my heart. Morgan Freeman and Matt Daemon were as usual "brilliant". Despite the "Hollywood extravaganza" it was truely inspirational. LOVED IT. BRILLIANT.

Enlightenned !

2011-04-27T21:02:00.000-07:00

Time to wake up from the meditating crush or infatuation.
Enligthened by the grace of ignorance, dishonesty, and jealousy.
I am glad that the cupid, is GONE!
Cheers, :)

Little YellowStone..

2011-04-21T20:44:00.000-07:00

within 1 hr of drive from SLC. This shot summarizes all the possible reason's why I love UT.
Thanks LIFE for these wonderful days.

UpSide Down !

2011-04-06T21:43:00.000-07:00

My life was flipped 'UpSide Down' this Monday!

I know its not a permanent set back..but for now it seems so. Life indeed is full of surprises. You never know how or when it might just fall apart or just fall in place. Wish it was the later. Back to the grind, stress management, focus, To Do List : Personal, Professional, Emotional.

Phew ! I guess life has decided not to give me a break ever !

Trying to appreciate the upside down view for now..

It shall be over soon !

Living Traditions 2010

2011-04-02T08:01:00.000-07:00

Memoir's from Last year.. when mommy was here.. we went to the "Living Traditions" festival.

She liked the the "Chinese Dance"....

But I liked the stuff(s) from Peru -

Until I visit Peru myself... this will be my boxed summary of Peru's diversity

These plaster dolls...are given the shape, color and inserted inside

a Pistachio shell

Or even a Match Box..

The Man who was doing it..

Basket's in the making.. Will make it to Real Peru, very soon.

Whatever Lola Wants...

2011-03-31T20:56:00.000-07:00

A day in a Bishnoi village near Jodhpur.. .

2011-03-27T07:21:00.000-07:00

Jodhpur is mostly famous for places and forts. However, I wanted to see and meet the local people. We got lucky. The Haveli we stayed in, organised a trip to a nearby Bishnoi village.

"A Bishnoi Hut". Bishnoi community is known for their dedication towards conservation. Somewhere in the 18th century, the "Construction Minister" of king of Jodhpur needed wood for some construction project. Back then it was not an organised community, but 100 villagers stood up and tied themselves to the trees, stopping the Minister to continue with his plans. The Bishnoi's believe in conservation and respect for other animals and plants. They do not support the idea of destroying (killing) life for satisfying human needs. About 50 people were also killed. This incident got the attention of the King, and since then the village and its surrounding area was protected or marked out from any future extraction.

Pottery is not unquie to Rajasthan, but this is the first time, I actual witnessed the whole process outside a TV.

The pile of freshly made pots after it has been burnt for few days.

I was quite impressed to see the variety of things they end up making with just that spinning wheel! The variation in color comes from the duration of heat and water used in the soil.

The Master and His Wheel with few curious tourist's.

Yes, totally touristic ...

It felt like baking a cake with hand. Something between funny and interesting feeling for the hands.

Ghungat ke aarh se (Behind the veil). The Veil Culture of Rajasthan. Women are not allowed to show their faces to anyone but their husband and children. I don't know how they can carry out with such exclusive creative work behind those veils. If it was me, I am confident that I would have made a mess of things around.

Jodhpur is also famous for 'Darri/Rug'. To put it in simple words, a "Rug" made of sheep or camel hair, dyed and weaved into beautiful pattern. It can be used on either side and folded back into a small size. Its mostly used as a spread on the floor, table or wall, depending on your necessity.

I am pathetic and hopelessly drawn to such stuff. I am using them as my mouse pad :)

Now, right there we have '5 Camels'. The brown ball held in mom's hand. Camel hair from 5 camels. Coarse, hard but very warm. It's hard to dye camel hair. Hence camel rugs are mostly very dull in color. It's mostly used by the locals and does not seem to have a market outside Rajasthan.

Dal Bati Churma - traditional food from Rajasthan. Had Bhakri (the local bread) for the first time. We could not find the same dal or bhakri, anywhere else for the next 7 days!!!

Pigs and Piglets eating :)

Any guesses on what that man is holding.....????

That was "Opium". Five grains or produce from Rajasthan (Jodhpur). Mustard, Cumin, Opium, and Sangri (the only vegetable, its like beans). Cannot remember the other ones. Unlike other places where opium is smoked, here its drunk. A Bishnoi (the local community around Jodhpur) practice or ritual in the evenings.

Crack the fruit to extract the seeds. Crush them with a pestle. Clean or filter it through water couple of times. Then drink the water from those oval bowls, if you are a man, :)

The Opium Factory

"Asta la Vista". Time to say bye to the family who shared their home with us for a day. I don't think I will see them again in my life. But their warmth, gesture, affection and welcoming attitude will remind be of the beautiful people of "Rural India". Something, that I really miss, since I completed my PhD and have settled down for an urban life!

Our guide and his Land Rover. Must mention he had a "Black Beery "!

So, that was Jodhpur. We head north west from here (Jaisalmer and Bikaner) into the Desert.

View Larger Map

The Green Rajasthan (East) that we are about to say Bye

The West, where we are headed for next 6 days..

The Landscape that comes to our mind, when we think of Rajasthan.

Back with Columbus... !

2011-03-16T01:18:00.000-07:00

After 2 years.. it feels wonderful..as if I am home... Thanks Mateee..

View BikeRoute2 - Jordan River Trail in a larger map

Time is running short...

2011-03-10T22:47:00.000-08:00

Daughter's grow up faster than their dad want them to...

Unlike, photography where you can take care of back logs over time, child care does not provide such a possibility. We need to keep up with our hyper-energetic duracell children :). I am sure some parents badly seek a charger for themselves to keep up. I know my parents badly seeked for one!

R.a.j.a.s.t.h.a.n - a dream destiantion

2011-03-10T22:29:00.000-08:00

After years of dreaming I was finally able to visit Rajsthan, this Feb. It was a very hectic but wonderful trip. We spent a week in the camel country roaming aroung the palaces and forts, like the Kings and Queens in the past. And I clicked almost 800 pictures. Satiated for now, would love to go back again. Here is a brief review of the first day at Jodhpur.

The Haveli we stayed. Yes, the sight of this place at 6 am was just amazing. Despite her knee problem my mom was all enthusiastic about climbing those stairs and exploring the place.

Anu, peeking out from our window..

The Haveli's dining area...

Despite the hard life and dryness, Rajasthan is a place of color. I cannot think of another equally colorful place visited till date..

The Haveli - from inside..

View from the window. These are old traditional houses (~500 years old), mostly used by the owner to entice tourists like us. :)

Even the camels are colorful !

Jodhpur is mainly famous for Mehengarh Fort and Jaswant Thada. We were lucky to be able to see both along with a quick visit to the Bishnoi Village too. The following snaps take us back to the Fort and the Old city sprawling around it.

Entrance of the Mehengarh Fort

Painting on the Fort wall. In the past they used natural colors. Today they are maintained by chemical colors. The Fort and Palaces in the past used to have 10 -12 painter's to keep up with such intricacies. Art and culture was at its prime during our princely era. The story is little different today.

"Tradition and Modernism Hand-in-Hand"

Inside the Mehengarh Fort

View from the top..

Jodhpur the "Blue City"

Jaipuri Juti - the most colorful shoes you can find anywhere in the world.. Did I tell I have a things for shoes!

Yup, so that's my **th, pair :P

Instead of a CD or MP3 player, real people were playing music in the Palace..It was amazing..

Family is all about making fun of each other and laughing at each other. Human's and Ape's together :) ...

Happy Woman's Day !

2011-03-08T21:55:00.000-08:00

The one who inspires me the most...

Central America - P. A. N. A. M. A

2011-01-27T20:36:00.000-08:00

Yup, so that's where I spent my last days of the year 2010. Walking through tropical dense ever green forest with howler monkeys and the rain, was possibly the best way I could have thanked the year 2010. We (Me and Divya) pretty much forgot about this trip until 20th Dec, a week before the departure when we realized that traveling to a country where English is not the first language is going to be challenging. But the excitement of meeting Maya, Cata and Samraat after 10 years overthrew the concern in the back ground. So, 28th Dec we took off from two sides of the continent to meet way south in the Isthmus - Panama.

Unlike Div who took the more interesting path from Airport to Gamboa by herself in bus, taxi and bi-pedal, I just took a cab to Super 99. Cata and Div picked me up from Albrook as my flight came in at mid-night.

"Donde esta puedo Taxi Albrook?"

- was my first and last Spanish line read from my Panama guide book! First for obvious reasons. Last because I left it in the cab itself! Thanks to my excitement of speaking Spanish by myself :)

Cata, I met for the first time, Samraat - it was reunion after a decade, and Div - after a year. The next 7 days just disappeared some where. Its only on the return flight to Atlanata, I was reminded of my blog, the snow and work at 8 AM :) the next day. It was a wonderful trip packed with diversity of experiences from Nature to People. A brief summary of my trip follows next, as seen through my eyes:

The Forest - the invaders and the residents!

"Old Panama City - Cathedral Plaza and The Rain"

"The People - Embera and the Kuuna Indians displaying their art to a Native Indian" :)

"The History"

And its ruins....

The Pacific and The Caribbean !

"The Canal and the ride along the Canal"

The Committed Worker & The Committed Traveler as noticed by Div ;)

A cup of Panamanian Coffee in the train

And company of my beautiful friends at home...

Happy New Year Life. Thanks for all the wonderful journeys so far...

Shore to Sky!

2010-12-15T21:58:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, I am Lost.

Sometimes, I am confused.

Sometimes, I am in Joy.

Sometimes, I am amused.

Sometimes, I am alone.

Sometimes, I am with you.

Sometimes, I am in the sky.

Sometimes, I am at the shore.

Wondering... If, I ever really met you !

Lost. Love. Life. Laugh. Lots.

Wondering, how real is love?

Wondering, what is love?

A Silence that says it all?

Or, a word, that conveys it all ?

Far away ...

2010-12-01T22:00:00.000-08:00

in the horizon, lies the answer. Just pay attention to the road and the drive for now...

East Coast

2010-11-30T21:18:00.000-08:00

I am coming !

Snow White

2010-11-28T20:09:00.000-08:00

Today morning at 7 am - went back to sleep!

10 am - finally got out of bed still snowing outside..

11 am - having tea and enjoying the view outside my balcony. This was last week.

This is today..

Now, tonight... still snowing

Notice the white dump next to the boa and along the wall

So, I guess this IS the real snow storm. What was all the alarm about one week back?? It has been snowing whole day today, we have about 13" snow may be. It is going to be fun going to work tomorrow!

Bye Bye 'Fall" ...

2010-11-20T21:11:00.000-08:00

See you in April 2011

"Snowwhite" is here...

Time for some Indoor moments... In honor of the "First" snow fall of 2010 in SLC

Just Keep Walking ...

2010-11-19T21:09:00.000-08:00

As L.I.F.E got narrower

Walking became difficult !

Seemed like a 'Dead End'.

With only a crack as wide as you are willing to try..

Try it hard !

Explore all possible options.........

Soon you'll notice many around you doing the same.

'ahh... so am not the only one squabbling, nice :) !!!"

Might end up having the best journey, you could have dream about...

So, "Just keep (swimming) walking; Just keep (swimming) walking

"Enjoy the ride"

From one of the best trips of 2010.
Slot Canyons, Capitol Reef National Park, UT

Holding-ON to Faith because...

2010-11-18T20:55:00.000-08:00

You are in "Focus". Please be there..

Missed You !

2010-11-17T21:22:00.000-08:00

I gave my laptop to a friend for few weeks, as hers was stolen. Got it back tonight. Feels so good to have it(him) back. Felt like years I have not seen these snaps.. and may more.. so nice to have you back... muuuuuuuuuuuuaaaa

Flowers of Alta

2010-10-29T21:24:00.000-07:00

Want to thank the summer that just passed by. It was very colorful, sunny, fun and bright. It came with its own surprises and warmth. A hike in Alta on a beautiful Sunday morning.

"Painted" - Alta, which is soon going to be burried under snow for next 6 months was painted with these flowers during summer.

"A wild flower walk into the mountains"

"Little Red Riding Hood"

"Indian Paint Brush" - my fav. color

"The Rocky outcrop" - whenever I have a garden, I will have this rocky landscape in my mind.

"Yin and Yang"

"Soft and Tender"

I am violet!

Hi Beautiful :) !

"Let's hang out here.. "

First Time!

2010-10-25T21:11:00.000-07:00

So, this was my first hike in Salt Lake City. I was planning on meeting a hiking group..but could not find them.. Pondered for a while, whether to go ahead on my own, without any maps or just go back... after some thoughts I choose the former.. and what I gained is at the end of this trip, was awesome :)

I gained altitude pretty fast.. mainly because I think I was scraping or walking on deer/dog trails !

"Transition" - that's the only constant

"First view of the valley from atop"

Opps.. winter is not over!

Now what Do I do? I HAD to turn back...:(( as at the top of the mountain close to Grandeur peak I was in knee deep snow.... though its unlike of me to accept, but I was scared and I was not wearing anything warm!!!

I had gone up on my feet but came down on my butt, just slide down.. with few tumbles here and there..I survived.. with few blue bruises, here and there..

And the best reward was the next shot..Just when I landed down.. I was just relaxing.. taking a break.. soaking myself with the sight infront of me, came three really handsome guys..

In addition, I was introduced to Zumba.. :)

Moral of the story : Always go up on your feet, but come down on your butt. The pain and trouble will always be worth it with few bruises here and there..

Valley of colors!

2010-10-21T21:02:00.000-07:00

Went for a hike couple of days back into one of the canyon's around the city. Witnessed some spectacular display of sunlight and the fall colors.. Memoir's from the hike..

"Moon Rise and the vibrant colors"

"The colorful city around"

"Glowing under sunlight"

"Freckles of color"

"The setting sun across the city and Antelope Island"

"Jesus Christ"

"Red Indian"

When work is fun!

2010-10-20T21:24:00.000-07:00

As October brings a reminder to the end of year 2010, I realized I haven't kept a track of some of the most beautiful moments from this year. I apologize for not updating those moments here, a space that has been a constant companion for all these years in US; that stood by silently during my highs and lows of a 6 years relationship with "my" PhiD.

I feel guilty, as if I forgot a friend! I am sincerely sorry, and I think I am going to make up for it before 31st Dec hits the clock!

Thanks to a friend of mine who during a conversation reminded me, that I have a blog too!

So, here is my first post since this realization.. "When work in fun!"

Yes, I finally did get a job that lets me travel and work in some of the most beautiful places on earth. In this case it is Custer National Forest, Montana visited in August.

The Team Members

We went there for developing a methodology to map and monitor rare landscape elements : "woody draw and deciduous component". This include various deciduous tree species like Aspen, Cottonwood, Birch etc. found along the valley bottoms or mountain slopes.

A typical woody draw and deciduous component within this landscape

"Discussion, Planning and Decision Making" - rule sets to successful complete the project (or progress in life)!

"Remotely sensing" stuff in sometimes helps in getting an insight ahead of time. Here where they (deciduous component) occur and why?

While it was a trip for business, I must it was a beautiful business ! And here are the memories of it...

"Stars on the ground!"

"Sego Lily"

"Who is here?"

'Oh no! some humans again!!! '

"Time for some grub"

"The Beartooth mountain range"

"My first stay in a small US town with 300 people - Tipperary"

"Native Red Cows like Red Indians!"

Me and the Frog (my real "Ginkobiloba")

"Lets get that fella (frog)!"

"When 1 + 1 is more than 2 it's called beautiful "

"Drag queen! "

"What's beautiful stays beautiful : from top or below"

" A real Oil drill in Montana" we saw lots of them..

"Wondering whether to or not to cross the boundary !"

Slims Butte - the landscape

Slims Butte - the history

The ski town called 'Red Lodge' - very colorful and bright but made up of really old buildings.

The Beginning of a travelogue

I think this is the end, of all single post shots on this blog. I had started my photoblog many years back under the DP Challenge of "One Picture a day". I think its time to move on to something new, and enjoying the joy of sharing. Thanks to life and some of my blog friends, if they are still around, for being a witness to my journey so far. I hope you enjoy the rest as well.

Truly
yours 'bakwaas'

Fire in the sky!

2010-10-01T19:09:00.000-07:00

after long time..

2010-07-30T21:58:00.000-07:00

I had not clicked anything inspiring enough for sometime to archive it here.. I loved this shot. Had never clicked anything like this before. From the recent field trip in Custer National Forest, MT. Another not so, striking but gives the context of the landscape is

What is this ?

2010-04-10T08:08:00.000-07:00

It is a board game called 'Civilization' where you lend/borrow money (tokens, cards, coins) to different country and trade to expand your civilization. Gives us a very clear insight on why some countries had the most advanced civilization while others failed. I came across a real version of this board game called 'KIVA'. The only difference is, instead of contry it's real people you lend money to run a business. If they successed they repay the loan (you get your money back), they flourish and expand, they get more loans, you reinvest or close your case. Simple. I had heard about it in NPR but never got the time to go through the details until this morning.

I am happy. Now I know friends (from USU) and locals (KIVA) from Africa, my dream continent.

I was disappointed to not find any chapters/projects for India. I hope someone here takes the time to visit their site and gives it a thought. I am counting on Anjuli, Reeta, Humble Devil... or others whom I don't know. Will apprecaite if you can pass this along.

Thanks and Cheer's

Dumm Dummak Dummak...

2010-04-02T22:38:00.000-07:00

With dhol.. dhun and sur = bliss :)

Apollo 11

2010-03-30T21:39:00.000-07:00

From landing on the Moon in 1969 to success of the Hadron Collider replicating the Big Bang today, was a long and very proud journey made by the human race. Einstine would have been thrilled to see that we are about to solve the last piece of his unsolved puzzle about the connection between Time, Gravity, and Universe. I have very limited understanding of particle/quantum physics, but cannot wait to see what the experts have to say from today's success on the great and unique beginning. When and how did it all start? And Why?

Click here for more information. And definately read Brief History of Time, to understand where it all began..

I am Missing...

2010-03-29T20:11:00.000-07:00

the Date's with myself...from one such lovely moment..in 2009
Miss Me.. :)

Di ...

2010-03-18T22:07:00.000-07:00

always by the little one... protecting her from the brat..
Happy sister's day :)

Turqoise and Mustang !!

2010-03-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

Colorful, Prideful and Cheerful :)
Bye bye... ..

Ready for summer and farmer's market..

2010-03-14T09:33:00.000-07:00

I just figured out last night what I want to do, with some of my free time :)
I am excited... and can't wait to estart it :)

Mera juta hai Japanii !

2010-03-05T23:30:00.000-08:00

:) on the go .... finally walking my dream..

Manas : homesick !

2010-02-08T22:05:00.000-08:00

Finally reached the end... and to a new beginning....
So far, so good..

String Theory : parallel universe

2010-01-27T00:06:00.000-08:00

That is LOVE

2010-01-16T12:12:00.000-08:00

when you have grown together, stood by
each other in hard times, and learned to hold on to
each other.....

God Bless!

Sky IS the limit...

2010-01-06T22:26:00.000-08:00

Change your perspective, you might just feel stepping out of heaven!
CHANGE is the g.o.a.l for 2010.

change of state
change of status
change of visa
change of country
change of mind
change of field
change of job
change of place
change of responsibility
change of 'Me' :)

Happy New Year to All

The day has come !!!!!!!!!

2009-12-10T14:28:00.000-08:00

Meooooooowwwwwww !!

Happy Thanks Giving ...

2009-11-26T00:38:00.000-08:00

To ALL who stop by..

Hope you take the time to thank your family, friends, and love that you have to share the turkey, tart and pie, :)

HAPPY THANKS GIVING ..

no 26/11 !

In an Ideal World !

2009-10-29T09:38:00.000-07:00

Who stays, who goes, who leaves, who moves on does not really matter!
But in a emotional world, everything matters. Therefore, it is called, a journey.

L . I . F . E .

"Live It to Fully Enjoy"

.................

2009-10-27T21:52:00.000-07:00

What one feels at times, might be
pointless , unexplained, and thoughtless,
To Me, and, To Others!
Yet you feel, What you feel !

When time heals, the burnt
When the storm, has passed by
When the river, has calmed

You sit by the shore,
Looking into the horizon,
Feeling the breeze that just dried, a misty eye
Reminding you of a moment you enjoyed...
A thought, A smile, A feeling, An attachment, A bonding -
That left with the storm, with the rain, with the sunrise..

You wonder why?
Yet, you feel, What you feel !
Pointless and Unexplained,
You again, let it pass by!
The Good, and the Bad times.

To Be By Your Side - Nick Cave

2009-10-13T12:07:00.000-07:00

Came across this video on FB, loved the camera work, music and the song... Here it is for you guys..

Johny Johny Yes Papa..

2009-10-12T01:08:00.000-07:00

Open your mouth 'Ha ha ha...'

A challenging but best way to let out my anger, :)

Bhikshaang Dehi !!!

2009-09-29T02:27:00.000-07:00

These days, am always begging from the lord!!!

Phew!

Happy Dushera and Subha Bijoy Dashmi to all

Greatest love of all...

2009-09-18T00:13:00.000-07:00

is happening to me...sung by Whitney Huston, Here

As much self obsessed I might sound, but loving onself is indeed the greatest love of all. Only when we love ourself, we can love others, know who loves us and respect the one who loves us too..

My fav. lines are -

I decided long ago, never to
walk in anyone's shadows
If I fail, if I succeed
At least I'll live as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can't take away my dignity
Because the greatest love of all Is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me
The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all
.
.
.
.
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be
And if by chance, that special place
That you've been dreaming of Leads you to a lonely place
Find your strength in love

We Rock!

2009-09-10T13:17:00.000-07:00

Yes, we do ! For the beautiful, most unique friendship and connection we share inspite of never meeting or seeing each other.

How many people do you know who can make you laugh, smile and happy - anytime, anywhere ?

A VERY FEW. A handful. The real friends and family I believe.

And how many times can those people be someone you have never met ?

NONE, unless you are fortunate like us.

Most of my very good friends are the people whom I have grown or lived it. But here is an exception to it. And I am talking here about real and honest Friendship, no hidden goals, agenda's involved. No Boy Friend - Girl Friend angle either.

Absolute Honesty, Care, Love and Trust made it happen I guess.

Thanks to Life.
WE ROCK!

He Makes Me HAAPI....

2009-09-08T23:41:00.000-07:00

Girls...

2009-09-04T09:41:00.000-07:00

...Can I play with you ?

It's fun to watch young boy's gathering the courage of asking them to let him be their friend.

Mere Yaar ki Shaadi hai !

2009-09-01T20:55:00.000-07:00

For a good friend, who is going to get married soon. So Mr. HIM I know you are happy, very happy and am very happy for you too.
For the time being this is your engagement gift and a reminder to appreciate all the colors of life and never let go the brighter ones :)

ALL THE BEST, Dear
Tanu

The Beginning or The End ?

2009-08-29T18:51:00.000-07:00

I guess it's only a matter of our perspective, when in reality, an End is always the Beginning of something new!

So, enjoy and cherish, The Beginning of something NEW, no matter what it signifies, as it's bound to lead into another new beginning very soon.

Peace...

2009-08-22T02:38:00.000-07:00

When you know he is there even though you cannot see him.. hence it's love, hence it's god.. I love them both...

"There was a certain peace in my heart and mind. Irrespective of where we land up in lives, always remember that I wish for the best to come to you!"

A wonderful feeling which had to be archived. Thanks,

From Summer 2006, Logan, UT.

When Love gets united...

2009-08-18T21:28:00.000-07:00

you smile from within... from Shikorina's wedding..

Prince Dance Group

2009-08-12T12:48:00.000-07:00

I AM SPEECHLESS, SHOCKED, NUMB, TOUCHED... YET PROUD............

INDIA HAS GOT TALENT.. I PRAY THAT THEY MAKE IT TO THE FINALS...

Do follow their other performances...as well..

...............

2009-08-03T16:24:00.000-07:00

A wonderful song in a bakwaas movie, truely said by some noble people, "Kichaad mein hi Kamaal Khilta hai":)

Gujaarish - Ghajani -

Mai Jahaan Rahoon

2009-07-30T09:23:00.000-07:00

The song from Namaste London played on my music list.. and all of a sudden I was sad.. and wanted to go back home..right away
NOSTALGIC.. :( :( !!!

If there is one regret I have then that is, why was I not born in North East India. I so wish that I had the oppurtunity to tell that I belong to North East India, or Arunachal Pradesh. I just love the NE more than main India I think :)

Thank's though that I can still claim over it being an Indian.. but nothing like, belonging to that state.. I some how do not have that connection or such emotions for Bengal. I deeply fear though that someday, we might just loose the region to the neighboring coutnries !

Until THEN, Main Jahaan Rahoon Teri Yaad Saath Rahe.. I just love it from the inner most ventricle of my heart..

Happy Cake Day !

2009-07-27T22:14:00.000-07:00

Some body is going to get surprised tomorrow :)
A snippet from Surprise part -III

A sandwich between Chocolate Cake and Carrot cake. Cake gets frosted naturally in color's :)
Do not miss out the slimy fish on the cake :)
It has the gooey and sticky feeling when you touch it. I LOVED IT.

Hence it's on the way too :)

The Ugly Truth

2009-07-25T12:55:00.000-07:00

About heart is that it can love more than one person at time. It clearly has four chambers dude!
It can break and be re-made :). Heart muscle is elastic
And the most important, women and men have it in different places :)

Watched the movie "The Ugly Truth" yesterday. A total knock out. Totally subsribes to my hormonal view of life. If 'He is NOT that into you' was good, this is ON THE DOT. Had a wonderful evening yesterday starting with this movie. I recommend people, watching it, specially women :).

And Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler were just great on screen..

From my hormonal view of life or my bit of ugly truth -
Men and Women are different. Men are simple, Women are complex. Thanks to our respective biology. Neither of them are bad. Like men are helpless when they see'a hot babe, women are helpless when they get cranky. So learn the science behind it, and enjoy the crankiness in each other together :)

Pick Me, Click Me, Stick To Me...

2009-07-21T23:57:00.000-07:00

then Educate Me, if time permits !!

Was talking to one of my very best friend when I ended framing this new pick up line to flirt :)

Shared it with Kshitiz immediately :) as it is totally inspired by his Child Welfare Project, brutally modified by me for self explanatory cheesy reasons :)

Thought I would put it here too.. The snap is clicked by bro - Ronodip

your's faithfully,
Toadally Bakwaas

Off to the shore...

2009-07-19T15:02:00.000-07:00

Jet Skiing, 4th July weekend at Bearlake..

welcome home...

2009-07-15T21:54:00.000-07:00

My Half Blood Prince :)

The BEST* one till date..

what say Skeety ? :)

WOW...

2009-07-09T14:35:00.000-07:00

to the Sunset and Science..

Sunset for letting us appreciate beautiful nature is, and
Science for explaining and understanding nature by creating the first human sperm, from stem cell. We have made brain cells in the past and now sperm cells.. WOW. What next ?

Science has created life.. what does the church have to say about life now?
And where/how does GOD figure out in this history of procreation?

Are we close to solving the mystry of life and our origin?

The first human sperm cell was created on 8th July 2009 in Newcastle, UK !!!
WOW !!

Here are the links to the news report .. incase you have missed (don't miss out the articles on the side pannel)...

1. Telegraph, UK

2. BBC, Health

Mirror Mirror..

2009-07-09T10:31:00.000-07:00

On the wall.. who is the fairest of all ?

Farmer's Market, Logan, July 2009

Together

2009-07-03T12:29:00.000-07:00

Boys will be Boys...

2009-07-01T11:07:00.000-07:00

And girls will be girls... wherever you go...
Playing bows arrows;
Gossiping and catching up;

Malibu camp ground, Logan, UT 2009

My First....

2009-06-29T00:58:00.000-07:00

Hike... with George and Prithu..

Took K and M's daughter into the canyon for her first hike :)

Following Daddy ....

A Pot of Rasogolla...

2009-06-26T13:11:00.000-07:00

for a Sweetie Pie :) who gave what I needed....
love you for this..

Cheers

Collecting Beads....

2009-06-22T09:56:00.000-07:00

Let the colors spread and bring smiles around...

Happy Friday ....

2009-06-20T01:10:00.000-07:00

I REALLY had a HAPPY FRIDAY after long... good food.
good wine. good fun. good laugh. good people.. all IN lots...

Except for few most were new.. and all had one thing in common.

BINDAAAASS... CHILL... ENJOY.....

Am really thankful for today....

Happy Singh :) Thanks Uncle God...

Count On Me...

2009-06-18T13:43:00.000-07:00

I love this song.. played on Pandora few mins ago. Reminded of people who stood by and still stand beside...me.. thanks to everyone... And 'Waiting to Exhale' is a wonderful movie too...

On the Heels...

2009-06-08T23:23:00.000-07:00

Bridesmaid trials....My best shot of the day..

I love ...

2009-06-05T12:23:00.000-07:00

Zuchini :) , :P

And I love observing or studying patterns .. so much so that my pHD deals with Pattern Analysis too.. :)
Hence Zuchini in pattern is ICING on the cake..

I love it... and almost every week cook Zuchini dish. So much so that my mom stopped eating Zuchini for ever .. so did my roomate :)
But I still continue loyal to my Zuchini ....

I am assuming they stopped eating Zuchini coz they got bored and not because of my cooking :)

But coming to think of I wonder I like Zuchini so much because it yellow or because its yellow I like it so much ..
Either way.. it gets into my stomach every day :)

Enjoy my Non-Sensical Paradox...
These are my stress releaser from pursuing head damage, pHD
Anyway... looking forward to the weekend break...

Yaaa Khuda ....

2009-06-04T15:29:00.000-07:00

They say when you ask for something from within you are bound to get it. I BELIEVE in It.

So speak from within as if each cell or the nucleus of each cell in your body, ok may be just the cell of your heart muscles or neuro-cell, wants it :)

The number of times you ask for it, the closer it gets to you :)
Likwise the number of times you doubt your ability to get it, if gets farther from you :)

So watch it ... Cheer's

'सोचोगे नहीं तो मिलेगा भी नहीं और सोचोगे तोह कुछ भी हो सकता है' Inspired from Whitney Huston's song, 'When you believe' one of my fav.

Yellow Yellow....

2009-06-02T11:45:00.000-07:00

Mujhe Jhelo :)

This is a normal post processed shot. I did not really click it this way. But this presentation looks awesome I think :)
Well the main reason I posted this shot was to share few of my new realization on lot of things.

1. Liking someone a lot is lot more important than loving that person
2. Love can be rekindled but liking cannot, so take care of the important one.
3. We humans are dillusioned a lot about lot of things and that's entirely due to our 'hormones'
4. The three gods in hindu mythology (Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwar) should be replaced by PET
5. PET stands for the hormones - Progesterone, Estrogen and Testosterone (the Creator, Maintainer and Destroyer)
6. The one who created us, our essence, our identity, and defines who we are !
7. A bit unrelated but all men who thought ahead of their time where treated as superhumans in that age and as God in the following age. E.g., Christ, Krishna, Leonadro Da Vinci, Galileo, Einstein (the later three are potential gods for the future age to come). I wonder these days why it is always men ? I have a theory towards it. Will expand on that later. (Do correct me if you know of women who have made impacts at the same scale in our current society)
8. There is an overacrching universal phenomenon defined by PET that helps us see and realize who we are, where we come from and solves the mystry of life, which is hidden in an unknown 'Black Box' called Brain !
9. The more you understand your Brain and its driver 'THE PINEAL' gland, also called the Master Gland, you tend to resolve the mystry called Life :)
10. The color yellow and its shade is very important to me. It signifies the presence of an unknown. And as long as I have it, I have everything.

Yes, so that's why I said 'Yellow Yellow Mujhe Jhelo' :)

I have strated writing about PET for real and someday I will share it with the world. These are the snippets that I had to let out for now.
Cheer's Everybody.

The Ring

2009-05-31T22:36:00.001-07:00

Shona, Gold, Old... all lasts through time..

According to Calvin...

2009-05-27T12:22:00.000-07:00

The best thing to do with 'Bad Mood' is 'SPREAD IT' .... :)
Talk/Chat/Call at your own risk !!

I hold lord 'Calvin' responsible for all my actions today !

Amen !

Trying to discolor my blues !!

Aila !

2009-05-25T17:41:00.000-07:00

That's exactly what I said, when I saw her .. and decided to click..
This is exactly what snapped back in my mind, when I heard the name of the 'Hurricane' that hit kolkata yesterday..

A perfecto Logan Summer Saturday...

2009-05-24T00:37:00.000-07:00

Yup, Farmer's market is back.. with food, people, music, veggies, earings*, heena, crafts, and lots of fun.
I love to hang around here on saturday mornings if I manage to wake up in time :)
Thankfully today was such a PERFECTO DAY.. met old friends, took bunch of pictures...

And did a new thing.. made 'Earings'...

Thanks to Trips for inspiring me.... I shall wait for your comment or email on the earing :)
(I repaired most, but made - Green, Red and Blue)

See You Soon..

Happy Sunday Everybody..
Hopefully I can conc. on work now since I had my share of fun :)

Want to visit ...

2009-05-21T11:05:00.000-07:00

the City of Joy during this Durga Puja ........

When You Love Some One, Learn To Stay

2009-05-19T18:00:00.000-07:00

Posted it somewhere else few days backs but then felt like posting it here today-'The Art to Stay'

We all have differences, opinions, experiences, moments, sadness, pain, worries, responsibilities, uncertainties, commitments but the winner are those who learn the art to 'STAY'. Moving on is easy in today's date. Everybody is strong, independent and confident but at the end of the day who stayed and whom you stayed for, matters the most.

I am thankful to God for, having people who stayed and the people I could stay back for...as the learning on the 'Art to Stay' continues...

Thanks Life
Peace

Green Green Beauty Queen !

2009-05-19T08:53:00.000-07:00

that's for green veggies..

And Yellow Yellow - dirty fellow, that's for turmeric.
I have nothing against Indian spices, but I don't like the yellowing effect that Turmeric does..
I love to eat veggetables and I like to be able to see the original color of my food :)

"Balsamic vinegar, Pine nuts, Onion powder, Salt, Pepper and Maple syrup" made the above greeny just awesome :)

Faith and Him...

2009-05-18T08:20:00.000-07:00

I rarely click early morning.. but today after I woke I felt something and I needed to re-bond with my faith..my believe. Coming from an Atheist background, I realized, having faith in god, helped me to have greater faith on life, on myself, on people, on everything. It just helped me to remain who I am. I would be nothing without him or this faith.

I don't know why I am feeling the way I am.. but as long as I have him, my faith in life and everything else around me will continue to survive. Just wanted to convey my gratitude toward life and faith that I believe IN.

Life Is With Me
because He is With Me,
because Faith is With Me,
because Love is with Me,
because Patience is with Me,
because Time is with Me,
because Trust is with Me,
because Smile is with Me,
because Peace is with Me,
because Passion is with Me,
because Honesty is with Me,
because Home is with Me,
because Hope is with Me,
because Work is with Me,
because Universe is with Me,
because Dream is with Me,
because Happiness is with Me,
because She is with Me,
Above all,
because God is with Me...

God Bless.. Be there for everyone..and Be there for Me too..

When you love someone..

2009-05-17T12:53:00.000-07:00

You look forward to seeing HiM/HeR
And am toh a primate,
Sundar Sushil Samajhdaar Sa(gha)deelu :),:D, :P Third Chimpanzee, human
GENDA PYAR, JWLS(2006)

LISTEN LISTEN - Nandan Nilekani's Vision

2009-05-15T15:45:00.001-07:00

Could not Embed the Video...

but here is the LINK

BANG ON THE PROBLEMS and HOW TO RESOLVE THEM !!
10 More Nandan Nilekani and we will be a changed country...

Sharing.....

2009-05-09T02:11:00.000-07:00

I have been contesting a lot these days on sharing and caring...
are they mutally exclusive?
are they important?
Can one do without them?

bla bla...

I don't know about others but in a recent conversation with a friend, I realized, to me sharing is fun, sharing is life.

We possibly cannot share everything going in our head with anyone! It will be a in-human torture for the receiving soul ! But I think at the end of the day we all want to confide to someone, share those significant painful and happy moments we have kept away from most. Some accept it, some contest it, like me :)

We wish to share, not because we want them to understand but may be just listen. Just to let go or cherish something important to us. Sharing need not mean or translate to understanding always. If it does, great infact a bliss, but nobody can possibly understand or experience the same joy or pain as you did at that moment...

So, Is sharing important? Is having the expectation to share natural? Or, is it another misnomer for expectation?

To me sharing is equivalent to caring. Be it Tea, mangoes, love, laughter, or even a prank, I definitley enjoy them better with someone around. But am sure it differs from people to people....

Share. Care. Dare. Fare. Don't just Stare.... (had to add my 2cents of bakwaas at the end, :))

ps - Om I hope you did not mind me borrowing your pic from 30ON30 for this post. Thanks.

Swadesh ki Khoj 2009 Application

2009-04-28T13:45:00.000-07:00

Jack and Tanu

2009-04-23T13:50:00.000-07:00

All work (thinking) and NO Play makes Jack (Tanu) a DULL person !! :((

30 on 30 : Gift a Smile

2009-03-31T19:51:00.000-07:00

I have been quite busy lately and have deadlines catching up on me... hence been away :)

In the mean while a WONDERFUL INITIATIVE has been taken up by a Blog friend, :) soon to be turning 30 a.k.a 'Prashant Bhardwaj' : Om

So wanted to let my visitors know about the same.

It's simple.
Buy a moment that you can relate to in just $25 and give a child a life, a smile..
To Find out more... do click here ...

My best wishes for the effort. I have a feeling it will raise way more than you have set the target... :)

G.O.O.D L.U.C.K

Vagueness....

2009-03-23T00:33:00.000-07:00

Oflate I have more questions than answers hence a blurred vision ...

hope this passes over with the least damage... !

Zindagi !!

2009-03-14T11:28:00.000-07:00

I was looking up for Round Lake..when it seemed that this shot represents life in summary; Red line, Yellow line, Blue line criss crossing each other at different points and places; or taking you into or out of life...with a FUN PASS :) and not just to commute !!

I think I really liked this shot... Don't remember what I had in mind when I clicked it... but abhii toh yeh pura.. perfecto shot hai :)

c.h.e.e.r.s

I had posted this shot earlier in a diff context 'here'

Holi-day time...

2009-03-14T11:08:00.000-07:00

Spring break just passed by and I could not gather many fun or travel moments !! Hence recharging myself with by gone days :)

Coronado Beach, San Diego, Jan 2009

Theory of Relativity in USE again

2009-03-08T12:02:00.000-07:00

Good and Bad;
Fun and Boring;
.
.
IS so relative!

We watched 'Masakali' this weekend, and I thought 'Gajhni' was a great movie !!

Cheer's to Einstein's Theory of Relativity. Everything in life makes perfect sense with it.

From the Jackson Square in Chicago. Wonder how my next trip to Chicago will be?

US Foreign policy and Emigration issue !!

2009-03-04T08:39:00.000-08:00

My morning started today by talking about visiting NE again :) Thanks to Kshitiz,
followed by more news articles that I was/am sure of happenning sooner than I have thought of...

To my US friends here, incase you have missed.. here is the link to the articles on

America's loss and Worlds Gain
Business Week

IANS

cheer's
Tanu

Pehechaan Kaun ?

2009-03-02T19:26:00.000-08:00

Am very happy today for all the surprises ...and randomness... :) So the small small things that happened -
1. Went for paying the internet bill, but ended up a buying scent :) ($5.00)
2. Went for groceries, which I hate, and amrita got me choclates, :)
3. Came to school, saw a lovely note from mical and waffer, :), :D, we don't get to meet much after she got engaged, I was missing and remembering her and I come to office to find her note :) HOW NICE CAN THAT BE :)? I am really really blessed
4. Another surprise note from Silvia, she is visiting from Portugal. She was a significant part of grad school fun :)
5. Was missing Shyam and about to call him, when he pings me, :). He is in India, still manages time with shamu around to remember me when I remember him, CAN IT GET any better ? I guess NO :)
6. Trip's pings, and we start our usual chatpata talks :)

Today IS a nice day, Either I woke up to something nice, or I slept yesterday to something nice :)

The snap and the post are not related. I choose it that way as randomness makes more sense than boring usual daily chores. It gives and leaves room for surprises and reason to be happy with small small things. I absolutely LOVE surprises. My friends and family knows about 'surprise' track records :) Anyway so that's my 2 cents on randomness and me :) and my celebration of surprises :). Thanks Guys.

On the shot - From old memory lane, this was during my mama's wedding. My little bro, rawnie, discoverd it this time at grandma's place. I was totally into bollywood those days, :). Any guess on who I am trying to imitate :). Me, Rawnie, Trips, Madan, Shyama, ALL had a laugh of our time when I sent this shot to them :) "NAUTANKI Professionalized"

Anyway, so you guys enjoy while I start work.

Cheers