Sunday, January 15, 2012

Miscellaneous Shots

GC_Sunset

Miscellaneous Shots, a set on Flickr.

2012 Resolution - To cut down inertia and get the butt moving !! here it goes.. my first step towards few random clicks..

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Madison Square Park - Rescue, Remedy and Relaxation



The word "relative" rings probably 1000 bells in my head. The object of focus remains the same, but the ways in which it is perceived is countless. Let the object be a subject or an action, it gains attention with the amount of relativity that tops the charts. Flipping out of the abstract mode, i am referring to a serene patch of land amidst concrete adventure in NYC. (Drift in my view from Concrete mass to Concrete adventure sounds like i am liking the place more !!) This post is dedicated to this place which served as go-to destination to relax with friends, a remedy for the stressful work and lifestyle  and a rescue from the tremors two days go. Thanks to the hussle and bussle of tectonic plates, I have had my first experience of an earth quake. Being on 17th floor, as the floor under my feet trembled and swayed, only one thought raced through my mind - "Have i gone nuts !*&^#@$". So much for the suppressed fear and anguish with a plastic coating of composed smiles, all is well. Thank God !!

Retracing my thoughts back to track, Madison Square is formed by the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Broadway at 23rd Street in the New York City borough of Manhattan. The square was named for James Madison, fourth President of the United States. Its famous for the public sculptures by renowned artists from far away lands like Barcelona. Echo, as shown in the picture shows the face of a thoughtful nine-year old Greek child molded into a contemporary sculpture. Many such wonderful creations have been enticing local folks to grab lunch in Shake Shack, a cool fast food outlet in the park. Obese Squirrels with the sumptuous food, dogs with their revering owners, chirping pigeons and chattering crowd keep the park alive. Anyone cannot avoid but notice the flat iron building and the majestic empire state building when they lay down on the fresh grass lawn.

My point is that this park remained the same but how different people relate to this place makes it more special. Enjoying such wonderful conversations with people from the land of rising sun, i can relate to this place with multiple memories. Signing off remembering a quote from Path train mini display - " When you look around in gratitude, abundance overrules scarcity".

Monday, June 27, 2011

NewYork !!


  I totally attribute such an outrageous delay in posting a blog entry to my eternal laziness, which i assume to have overcome on daily basis :P So here i come with some updates on facts and thoughts that kept me busy in the past few months. Being landed in a job in dream city where irrespective of the busiest schedules, human race takes time to smile at strangers, put on make-up in domestic trains, read books while standing in subways, ignore the traffic lights as if they never existed, maintain the "shop till you drop" funda all throughout the day. Folks, Welcome to New york city, land of food and fashion. A couple of years ago, i visited the same city wondering at the numerous sky rise buildings, elegant monuments, grand museums and lively streets. As a tourist, i loved the place and cherished each and every day of my stay in this financial capital. But always wondered if i would fit in such avfast-paced lifestyle. well, here am i in the process of becoming a Newyorker.
    Life has been a roller-coaster ride, fun and scary in its own way. As senseless as it sounds, i enjoy standing in the mid-road on Broadway and stare at the NY architecture, tall and elegant. A walk after the lunch on the nyc streets remind of how diverse the mankind is and how this difference blends into a lively enthusiastic sect. Old and young working on caricatures, lip-smacking smell of mixed nuts, hip-hop dancers with a show-off of muscle and talent and the welcoming fragrance from farmer's market - these are filling my memory book these days. In the process of knowing more about this fabulous place, my weekends go in learning about the city, tasting various cuisines, reading history books and appreciating art of every form. Signing off with a mental note to blog every other weekend about my experiences and apprehensions in this new world. Chao !!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Alison Wright - Privileged to know what a profound writer she is


I once read that we have about sixty six thousand thoughts a day and that two-thirds of them are fear based. We are taught to be afraid of what we can't control. Fear can be a good emotion for self-protection; if the danger is physical it leads us in one of the two directions: fight or flight. But so often we create a narrative around it in our own minds, and it's getting caught up in this fabrication that paralyzes us.

Faith is the other side of the story - it's what enables us, despite our fears, to fully engage with the unknown. This trust in ourselves, the world around us, or a higher power, requires us to question and examine our lives and define our own inner truths; and it makes us willing to explore. Unlike beliefs, which are something we obtain from the outside and are ingrained in us via our traditions or heritage, faith is something that resides within us. It's what gives us the courage to move forward.

Alison Wright who suffered shocking and potentially disabling injury in a road accident displays a remarkable courage and inspires the world with her climb to Mt Kilimanjaro, kayaking in Alaska and diving in the Indian ocean. Anyone who gets a chance to read this post of mine, please take time to read "Learning to Breathe", one woman's journey of spirit and survival. You will experience a life of exploration, devotion, transformation and the fierce flame of inspiration. 

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Lost in Coke Studio


Song Lyrics:

Paimona Bideh Ki Khumaar Astam..
Paimona Bideh Ki Khumaar Astam..
Man Aashiq-e Chashm-e Mast-e-Yarastam..
Man Aashiq-e Chashm-e Mast-e-Ya...rastam..
Bidee Bidee Ki Khumoor Astam..
Paimona Bideh Ki Khumaar Astam..

Chasmat Ke Bagh e Khutan Mein Mula..
Royat Mu Khula Phai Chaman Mein Mula...
Gul Robae Kunay Tharak Warak Muay Khunay
Mulalaay Zaray Bay Watan Miyayarat.......

Paimona Bideh Ki Khumaar Astam
Paimona Bideh Ki Khumaar Astam..
Man Aashiq-e Chashm-e Mast-e-Yarastam
Man Aashiq-e Chashm-e Mast-e-Ya...rastam
Bideh Bideh Ki Khumaar Astam....
Paimona Bideh Ki Khumaar Astam....

Azumadanay Tagar Khabar Mein Dashtan...
Peshae Ka Damat Kocha Ragul Mein Khushthan...
Tol May Khushtam Gul e Gulaab Mein Khushtan..
Khakay Ka Damat Khaday Gamay Wadashatan...
Paimona Bideh...

Paimona Bideh...
Paimona Bideh... Ki Khumaar Astam
Paimona Bideh Ki Khumaar Astam..
Man Aashiq-e Chashm-e Mast-e-Yarastam
Man Aashiq-e Chashm-e Mast-e-Ya....rastam
Bideh Bideh... Wang Wang
Bideh Bideh... Why.. Why Why
Bideh Bideh Ki Khumoor Astam
Paimona Bideh Ki Khumaar....... Astam

English Translation:

Bring me the glass so I may lose myself
Bring me the glass so I may lose myself
I am in love with my beloved's intoxicating eyes
I am in love with my beloved's intoxicating eyes
Bring, bring so i may lose myself
Bring me the glass so I may lose myself

Your eyes light up the garden of Khutan
Your face lights up the roses in the gardens
Face like a flower, it gives petals their fragrance
The Land of my beloved is Lalazar

Bring me the glass so I may lose myself
Bring me the glass so I may lose myself
I am in love with my beloved's intoxicating eyes
I am in love with my beloved's intoxicating eyes
Bring, bring so i may lose myself
Bring me the glass so I may lose myself

If I hear of your arrival
I will spread a carpet of flowers under your feet
Spread flowers, spread rose flowers
I will sacrifice myself at the dust of your feet
Bring the glass...

Bring the glass...

Bring me the glass so I may lose myself
I am in love with my beloved's intoxicating eyes
I am in love with my beloved's intoxicating eyes
Bring, bring..
Bring, bring..
Bring, bring so i may lose myself
Bring me the glass so I may lose myself

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Wow Factor !!!


When i wonder what keeps people go on with zeal, happiness, being inspired enjoying day to day activities, i felt certainly "wow-factor" places a vital role. Whether its about learning something new in technology or in the field of our interest or about the filmy gossip or about the politics and science, this wow-factor certainly boosts our spirits. So, here am i, penning down some of the did you know(s) that made me say wow in past few days.

Scarification is a process of superficially etching words, pictures or patterns on the skin.
Did you know that scarification releases endorphins that can induce a euphoric state !!

Woomera is an Australian aboriginal spear-throwing device which enables a spear to travel much further than by arm strength alone.


Did you know that Linguistic exogamy is a form of cultural exogamy in which marriage occurs only between speakers of different languages. The custom is common among indigenous groups in the northwest Amazon, such as the Tucano tribes !! Wow !!

Did you know that every part of lotus lily is edible !! The stalk tastes like asparagus and the lily seeds like raw peas !!

Did you know that Australians eat green ants and they are citrus in taste !!

Did you know that crocodile eggs are the staple food for nauiyu nambiyu community in Australia !!

Did you know that termite mounds are used as a cure for intestinal problems !!

Did you know that  crocodiles can die by eating certain poisonous toads !! Yes, saltwater and freshwater crocodiles eat cane toads but quickly die from the poison contained in the amphibians' skin.

Did you know that africans reside in Gujarat and northern parts of Karnataka in India ?? These are called as Siddis and are believed to be the descendants of slaves, sailors, servants and merchants from the Bantu-speaking parts of East Africa who arrived and became resident in the Indian subcontinent during the 1200-1900. A large influx of Siddis to the region occurred in the 17th century when Portuguese slave traders sold a number of them to local princes. The Siddi population is currently estimated to be 20,000–55,000.

Film : Razia Sultan (1983), an Indian Urdu film directed by Kamal Amrohi, is based on the life of Razia Sultan (played by Hema Malini) (1205–1240), the only female Sultan of Delhi (1236–1240), and her speculated love affair with the Abyssinian slave Jamal-ud-Din Yakut (played by Dharmendra). He was referred to in the movie as a Siddi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCo78Jthymo&feature=related