Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Bond with this gel for immortality, Grandpa

James Bond prepares to shoot in Darya Ganj while Gaddafi has a new born granddaughter and ancient Egyptians used hair gel as a new star is found close to earth, London's O2 arena will have a night club for the hearing impaired as China tycoon buys part of Iceland.

Bond with this gel for immortality, Grandpa

James Bond prepares to shoot in Darya Ganj while Gaddafi has a new born granddaughter and ancient Egyptians used hair gel as a new star is found close to earth, London's O2 arena will have a night club for the hearing impaired as China tycoon buys part of Iceland.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

No name calling please, he's our 6th- shaken and stirred.

Japan gets its 6th PM in 5 years as a small Italian town Filettino prints its own money in protest at government austerity cuts while Indian Railways says no to Bond film for shooting on tracks, Om Puri faces 15 days of prison for calling politicians illiterates and incompetent.

No name calling please, he's our 6th- shaken and stirred.

Japan gets its 6th PM in 5 years as a small Italian town Filettino prints its own money in protest at government austerity cuts while Indian Railways says no to Bond film for shooting on tracks, Om Puri faces 15 days of prison for calling politicians illiterates and incompetent.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Stop the dribbling, break that fast.

Anna Hazare's 12 fast ends as China cracks down on local versions of Twitter that spreads 'rumors' while aliens walk around Siberia after UFO crash, Bhaichung Bhutia hangs up his boots and savings in India have dropped below 10% of GDP for the first time in 13 years.

Stop the dribbling, break that fast.

Anna Hazare's 12 fast ends as China cracks down on local versions of Twitter that spreads 'rumors' while aliens walk around Siberia after UFO crash, Bhaichung Bhutia hangs up his boots and savings in India have dropped below 10% of GDP for the first time in 13 years.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Fret over this now, worthless diamond next!

US alleges that Gibson guitars are made from illegally imported wood from India as women waste 50 billion litres of water shaving their legs and the first F1 Grand Prix in Noida / Delhi hikes up hotel rates to Rs.40000 a day, a planet made of diamonds is discovered and a 6000 km long river runs under the Amazon.

Fret over this now, worthless diamond next!

US alleges that Gibson guitars are made from illegally imported wood from India as women waste 50 billion litres of water shaving their legs and the first F1 Grand Prix in Noida / Delhi hikes up hotel rates to Rs.40000 a day, a planet made of diamonds is discovered and a 6000 km long river runs under the Amazon.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Ten random travel tips

I have been traveling a bit in the last two weeks across the length and breadth of India. Sundry experiences popped in to cook up this top ten list, which could save your life or avoid an infection! Some interesting travelling tips-


1. Avoid rubbing your face too hard with hotel towels. Nuf said.


2. If you find the local women beautiful, keep your opinion to yourself. Your self-assumed innocent, aesthetic senses and evolved, refined eye could nevertheless get you a black eye.


3. If you know very little of the local language, do not experiment with questions unless you are sure you will understand the answers. It can be quite embarrassing to ask for the answers to be repeated in English or end up with sign language.


4. Research your food before getting adventurous with new cuisine at a restaurant. You don't want to look surprised and make faces when the dish arrives.


5. If the last (or first) names are hard to pronounce, do not create your own 'short and cool' versions. It may not be received well. Stick to the easier first (or last) name when referring to or speaking with the person.


6. If it's a road trip, do not depend too much on Google maps for directions. It is not at it's best at all times. I have ended up with longer routes. Stop the damn car and ask for directions.


7. Do not lie about your location on phone calls. Goddamn tech is way too smart these days.


8. On a serious note- do ask for packaged water.


9. Go easy on the quantity of food you eat in a new location. Let your insides get used to the climate and stuff.


10. Smile and be nice to locals. If people like you, you may get help or tips before you get into trouble. If you are rude, locals will just become silent on pending trouble (for you). Silence from people who know better is the worst weapon that can be used against you.


Hey on second thought, the hell with this list. Pack your bags, leave, do your own thing. But that last tip holds.

Ten random travel tips

I have been traveling a bit in the last two weeks across the length and breadth of India. Sundry experiences popped in to cook up this top ten list, which could save your life or avoid an infection! Some interesting travelling tips-

1. Avoid rubbing your face too hard with hotel towels. Nuf said.

2. If you find the local women beautiful, keep your opinion to yourself. Your self-assumed innocent, aesthetic senses and evolved, refined eye could nevertheless get you a black eye.

3. If you know very little of the local language, do not experiment with questions unless you are sure you will understand the answers. It can be quite embarrassing to ask for the answers to be repeated in English or end up with sign language.

4. Research your food before getting adventurous with new cuisine at a restaurant. You don't want to look surprised and make faces when the dish arrives.

5. If the last (or first) names are hard to pronounce, do not create your own 'short and cool' versions. It may not be received well. Stick to the easier first (or last) name when referring to or speaking with the person.

6. If it's a road trip, do not depend too much on Google maps for directions. It is not at it's best at all times. I have ended up with longer routes. Stop the damn car and ask for directions.

7. Do not lie about your location on phone calls. Goddamn tech is way too smart these days.

8. On a serious note- do ask for packaged water.

9. Go easy on the quantity of food you eat in a new location. Let your insides get used to the climate and stuff.

10. Smile and be nice to locals. If people like you, you may get help or tips before you get into trouble. If you are rude, locals will just become silent on pending trouble (for you). Silence from people who know better is the worst weapon that can be used against you.

Hey on second thought, the hell with this list. Pack your bags, leave, do your own thing. But that last tip holds.

Have power, use it or lose it.

The maverick CEO of Apple steps down as Sonia Gandhi becomes the world's 7th most powerful woman in the world while the Lokpal bill enters Parliament and China bans 100 songs besides a black hole ripping apart a star and Warren Buffett investing $5 billion in Bank of America.

Have power, use it or lose it.

The maverick CEO of Apple steps down as Sonia Gandhi becomes the world's 7th most powerful woman in the world while the Lokpal bill enters Parliament and China bans 100 songs besides a black hole ripping apart a star and Warren Buffett investing $5 billion in Bank of America.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

More Tamron 18-270mm

Some more experiments with the Tamron 18-270mm. My camera is a Canon 500d. In South India- Kochi and Tamil Nadu.




More Tamron 18-270mm

Some more experiments with the Tamron 18-270mm. My camera is a Canon 500d. In South India- Kochi and Tamil Nadu.


What?! Hey I'm a footballer not an ex-telecom minister!

Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel's father's kidnappers have demanded a ransom of $4billion as one autorickshaw driver gives free rides to Ramlila maidan, 5.6 quake hits Washington and NY and two women are forced to marry in Banda Aceh, Indonesia besides Liz Taylor topping the photogenic star list.

What?! Hey I'm a footballer not an ex-telecom minister!

Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel's father's kidnappers have demanded a ransom of $4billion as one autorickshaw driver gives free rides to Ramlila maidan, 5.6 quake hits Washington and NY and two women are forced to marry in Banda Aceh, Indonesia besides Liz Taylor topping the photogenic star list.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Research for Reality

Deven Sharma will quit Standard & Poor while petrol prices in India are costlier than in US as the average American spend on stuff Made in China is less than 3% and Anna search is ranked 320 besides Americans not being very keen on Indian and Chinese cars.

Research for Reality

Deven Sharma will quit Standard & Poor while petrol prices in India are costlier than in US as the average American spend on stuff Made in China is less than 3% and Anna search is ranked 320 besides Americans not being very keen on Indian and Chinese cars.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Changing world in progress; do more, talk less.

Brand 'Anna' enters management classes and one IIT grad receives his degree in Gandhi cap while rebels take Tripoli ending Gaddafi era and Syrians tell Bashar al-Assad it's his turn next as Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi win the Cincinnati Open as PM says economy will grow at 8% and mobile tariffs will see 17% hike.

Changing world in progress; do more, talk less.

Brand 'Anna' enters management classes and one IIT grad receives his degree in Gandhi cap while rebels take Tripoli ending Gaddafi era and Syrians tell Bashar al-Assad it's his turn next as Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi win the Cincinnati Open as PM says economy will grow at 8% and mobile tariffs will see 17% hike.

Monday, August 22, 2011

My house, new rules.

100,000 throng Ramlila ground to support Anna Hazare, Rahul Dravid makes 135 not out in a forgettable tour as the Harry Potter binocular is now a reality while wives lose right to property after divorce in a new ruling in China and an old fossil hints at life on Mars.

My house, new rules.

100,000 throng Ramlila ground to support Anna Hazare, Rahul Dravid makes 135 not out in a forgettable tour as the Harry Potter binocular is now a reality while wives lose right to property after divorce in a new ruling in China and an old fossil hints at life on Mars.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Rats and money we can't handle!

Middle order batsman Ian Bell scores a double ton in the 4th cricket test against India as Bollywood splurges 100s of crores on property while Gujaratis head for Vegas on Janmastami, Kerala CM lashes out at Padmanabhaswamy temple's royal family and China raises a cat army to tackle rat menace.

Rats and money we can't handle!

Middle order batsman Ian Bell scores a double ton in the 4th cricket test against India as Bollywood splurges 100s of crores on property while Gujaratis head for Vegas on Janmastami, Kerala CM lashes out at Padmanabhaswamy temple's royal family and China raises a cat army to tackle rat menace.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Testing the Tamron 18-270mm VC PZD

After much procrastination, I finally picked up the Tamron 18-270mm VC PZD. This only means I don't have to juggle around with my lenses anymore. Take a look at pictures in three stages, at 18mm, zoomed in at 270mm and then a crop at 100% of the image at 15 megapixels. We are in Kilarasampet, Vellore, Tamil Nadu.

In Kilarasampet, Vellore, Tamil Nadu with the Tamron 18-270mm VC PZD



One way to get any degree of collaboration underway is to understand the way people are, accept it and find ways to work around that. The wrong thing to do is express shock and disgust at the way people talk, behave and go about doing what they do. Inclusiveness has a lot to do with taking that firsts step and mixing with the people you want to achieve things with.

This would be a good time to keep aside your personal views and tastes, and do what the Romans do, albeit different from your methods. So become adventurous, be a world citizen, drop the colloquial garb and venture out a bit. If you want inroads into the garrison, the guards have to like you.

Another random thought- nobody cares what camera or lens you carry. When was the last time you saw a captivating photo and said- 'Wow, I wonder if that's a Canon or a Nikon?' Its not about what you have, but what you do with it, and the moment.

Testing the Tamron 18-270mm VC PZD

After much procrastination, I finally picked up the Tamron 18-270mm VC PZD. This only means I don't have to juggle around with my lenses anymore. Take a look at pictures in three stages, at 18mm, zoomed in at 270mm and then a crop at 100% of the image at 15 megapixels. We are in Kilarasampet, Vellore, Tamil Nadu.
In Kilarasampet, Vellore, Tamil Nadu with the Tamron 18-270mm VC PZD


One way to get any degree of collaboration underway is to understand the way people are, accept it and find ways to work around that. The wrong thing to do is express shock and disgust at the way people talk, behave and go about doing what they do. Inclusiveness has a lot to do with taking that firsts step and mixing with the people you want to achieve things with.
This would be a good time to keep aside your personal views and tastes, and do what the Romans do, albeit different from your methods. So become adventurous, be a world citizen, drop the colloquial garb and venture out a bit. If you want inroads into the garrison, the guards have to like you.
Another random thought- nobody cares what camera or lens you carry. When was the last time you saw a captivating photo and said- 'Wow, I wonder if that's a Canon or a Nikon?' Its not about what you have, but what you do with it, and the moment.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

David vs. Goliath, or mouse vs. plane, march on.

A medical post-grad seat goes for Rs.1.7cr, Coal India topples RIL as India's most valued firm at $55.3 billion while a mouse gets on board and stalls a SAS flight, it took 9 months to arrest Kalmadi compared to 3 minutes for Anna Hazare besides MP CM suggesting Sachin should shun IPL if he wants a Bharat Ratna.

David vs. Goliath, or mouse vs. plane, march on.

A medical post-grad seat goes for Rs.1.7cr, Coal India topples RIL as India's most valued firm at $55.3 billion while a mouse gets on board and stalls a SAS flight, it took 9 months to arrest Kalmadi compared to 3 minutes for Anna Hazare besides MP CM suggesting Sachin should shun IPL if he wants a Bharat Ratna.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Stock swing sway shock!

As gold becomes costlier than platinum, the nation boils over the arrest of Anna Hazare while DLF is fined Rs. 600 cr, print ad volumes grow by 16% in H1 with newspapers bagging 96%, NIIT buys Spanish firm for $7 million and the Yamuna may cross the danger mark alongside stocks dipping to 14-month low.

Stock swing sway shock!

As gold becomes costlier than platinum, the nation boils over the arrest of Anna Hazare while DLF is fined Rs. 600 cr, print ad volumes grow by 16% in H1 with newspapers bagging 96%, NIIT buys Spanish firm for $7 million and the Yamuna may cross the danger mark alongside stocks dipping to 14-month low.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Rumor has it...

As Anna Hazare meditates at Rajghat and Google buys off Motorola mobility for $12.5 billion, 'Malegaon ka Superman' goes for an early release while women gossip for 5 hours a day and UK had hormone plan to turn Hitler into a woman.

Rumor has it...

As Anna Hazare meditates at Rajghat and Google buys off Motorola mobility for $12.5 billion, 'Malegaon ka Superman' goes for an early release while women gossip for 5 hours a day and UK had hormone plan to turn Hitler into a woman.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Kasauli 2011

From Kasauli 2011


Now this is the Delhiite thing to do- hit the hills or Wagah border around the weekend- more so on 15 August, clog up the place, shop around like you're doing the locals a favor, make a damn mess and return with blaring horns. So here we were driving up to Kasauli, trying to make the most of the natural beauty (whatever’s left of it) and avoiding people. It’s been a while since I was there in 2003.

From Kasauli 2011


As we reached Chandigarh, we decided to use Google maps to find our way towards Kasauli. Bad move. We ended up driving through a slum to reach the main highway- just because Google maps had calculated the shortest path. Lesson 1 on traveling with tech- sometimes, just roll down the damn window and ask for directions, talk to people. As we reached the nice open stretch towards Pinjore, the euphoria ended. The worst part of the drive was the stretch from Chandigarh through Pinjore and Kalka. We inched our way up till the toll in Kalka. Another 50 km and we were in Garkhal, 3 km off Kasauli main. We also made the colossal mistake of landing up here without a booking or reservation. Nothing was available and we went driving around in the fog looking for a place to crash. The traffic cop at Sai Baba mandir crossing must have thought we’re nuts. Later a hotel manager we met earlier tipped us towards a desolate new resort, a little further away from the main village, temporarily christened Forest camp. This was one bad drive – a deviation from the main road connecting Gharkal an Dharampur.

From Kasauli 2011


Newly built with 6 cottages, we stayed for a night. The place was so new that the door handles weren't hammered in yet! The approach was not yet paved, so my car did a bit of what it saw in Baralach La pass. Perfect. The path was slush, and the car lost traction at places- all the more reason to get out of this area before any rain caught up with us.

Since this was the weekend before Independence day (whatever that means anymore), the very thought of maddening traffic on the way back home was ruining our quality time. Anyways, we trekked up Manki point. What you may miss, is the macro life along the way. There's a whole ecosystem along the road but you just wouldn't stop to notice.

Heading back home, the spanking new 6-lane highway connecting Delhi and Chandigarh was an absolute pleasure, barring some work going on at Kurukshetra that slowed things down. Else, the 8-year-old Maruti 800 hit 110 kmph twice on this stretch. We took a u-turn at Murthal to stop at Gulshan and Ahuja dhaba for food. Rs 270 bucks for 4 rotis, 2 subjis, 2 cups of chai and jalebi taste great if you’re really hungry.

Trying out macro photography here. Hate firing the flash in instances like this, but had to since these guys were hiding under leaves and it was a cloudy day to boot. For more steady shots, carry a tripod- such a must for macro.

From Kasauli 2011


From Kasauli 2011


From Kasauli 2011


From Kasauli 2011


Creative caterpillar making facing on leaves-

From Kasauli 2011


From Kasauli 2011


Kasauli 2011

From Kasauli 2011

Now this is the Delhiite thing to do- hit the hills or Wagah border around the weekend- more so on 15 August, clog up the place, shop around like you're doing the locals a favor, make a damn mess and return with blaring horns. So here we were driving up to Kasauli, trying to make the most of the natural beauty (whatever’s left of it) and avoiding people. It’s been a while since I was there in 2003.
From Kasauli 2011

As we reached Chandigarh, we decided to use Google maps to find our way towards Kasauli. Bad move. We ended up driving through a slum to reach the main highway- just because Google maps had calculated the shortest path. Lesson 1 on traveling with tech- sometimes, just roll down the damn window and ask for directions, talk to people. As we reached the nice open stretch towards Pinjore, the euphoria ended. The worst part of the drive was the stretch from Chandigarh through Pinjore and Kalka. We inched our way up till the toll in Kalka. Another 50 km and we were in Garkhal, 3 km off Kasauli main. We also made the colossal mistake of landing up here without a booking or reservation. Nothing was available and we went driving around in the fog looking for a place to crash. The traffic cop at Sai Baba mandir crossing must have thought we’re nuts. Later a hotel manager we met earlier tipped us towards a desolate new resort, a little further away from the main village, temporarily christened Forest camp. This was one bad drive – a deviation from the main road connecting Gharkal an Dharampur.
From Kasauli 2011

Newly built with 6 cottages, we stayed for a night. The place was so new that the door handles weren't hammered in yet! The approach was not yet paved, so my car did a bit of what it saw in Baralach La pass. Perfect. The path was slush, and the car lost traction at places- all the more reason to get out of this area before any rain caught up with us.
Since this was the weekend before Independence day (whatever that means anymore), the very thought of maddening traffic on the way back home was ruining our quality time. Anyways, we trekked up Manki point. What you may miss, is the macro life along the way. There's a whole ecosystem along the road but you just wouldn't stop to notice.
Heading back home, the spanking new 6-lane highway connecting Delhi and Chandigarh was an absolute pleasure, barring some work going on at Kurukshetra that slowed things down. Else, the 8-year-old Maruti 800 hit 110 kmph twice on this stretch. We took a u-turn at Murthal to stop at Gulshan and Ahuja dhaba for food. Rs 270 bucks for 4 rotis, 2 subjis, 2 cups of chai and jalebi taste great if you’re really hungry.
Trying out macro photography here. Hate firing the flash in instances like this, but had to since these guys were hiding under leaves and it was a cloudy day to boot. For more steady shots, carry a tripod- such a must for macro.
From Kasauli 2011

From Kasauli 2011

From Kasauli 2011

From Kasauli 2011

Creative caterpillar making facing on leaves-
From Kasauli 2011

From Kasauli 2011

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Bloody mind-blasting, innit?!

As Indians beat Brits at their own language in TOEFL, Sensex recovers from a 6-day losing streak while the DOW plunges further with gold rising, China's mistress market booms as Ajay Piramal buys 5.5% in Vodafone besides fake iPhone5 made available for Rs.1300.

Bloody mind-blasting, innit?!

As Indians beat Brits at their own language in TOEFL, Sensex recovers from a 6-day losing streak while the DOW plunges further with gold rising, China's mistress market booms as Ajay Piramal buys 5.5% in Vodafone besides fake iPhone5 made available for Rs.1300.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Ride with pride, hell's angel.

Mahindra Satyam clocks Rs. 225 cr profit in Q1 as Hero MotoCorp splits ways with Honda while gold soars at Rs.26000 and crude oil tanks below $76 besides Apple, Microsoft and Nortel ganging up against Google and Harley Davidson launches Fat Boy Special in Delhi At Rs.19 lacs.

Ride with pride, hell's angel.

Mahindra Satyam clocks Rs. 225 cr profit in Q1 as Hero MotoCorp splits ways with Honda while gold soars at Rs.26000 and crude oil tanks below $76 besides Apple, Microsoft and Nortel ganging up against Google and Harley Davidson launches Fat Boy Special in Delhi At Rs.19 lacs.

Thursday, August 04, 2011

Down but not out.

Airtel reports 28% fall in net profits as sensex ends below 18000 while loss making Twitter valued at $8billion, Wockhardt shares fall after Danone deal and Stanchart India profit slips 39%.

Down but not out.

Airtel reports 28% fall in net profits as sensex ends below 18000 while loss making Twitter valued at $8billion, Wockhardt shares fall after Danone deal and Stanchart India profit slips 39%.

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Now don't you forget these numbers, patient.

As the sensex touches 18,314 and gold reaches Rs.23480, the last Potter flick hits $1 billion, women spend £100,000 on makeup in a lifetime, car sales see red in 30 months, Delhi Transport Corp. Earns Rs.100 cr and Kalmadi waits for 5 hours for a bed at AIIMS.

Now don't you forget these numbers, patient.

As the sensex touches 18,314 and gold reaches Rs.23480, the last Potter flick hits $1 billion, women spend £100,000 on makeup in a lifetime, car sales see red in 30 months, Delhi Transport Corp. Earns Rs.100 cr and Kalmadi waits for 5 hours for a bed at AIIMS.

Monday, August 01, 2011

Serve up that Maths course, junior.

Spain's El Bulli, the world's best restaurant serves its last supper, hundreds marched in Dellhi's first slutwalk as a baby survives blue baby syndrome in Apollo while Anand 'Super30' coaches Bachchan and Saif and one farmer was found to have fully developed female reproductive organs.

Serve up that Maths course, junior.

Spain's El Bulli, the world's best restaurant serves its last supper, hundreds marched in Dellhi's first slutwalk as a baby survives blue baby syndrome in Apollo while Anand 'Super30' coaches Bachchan and Saif and one farmer was found to have fully developed female reproductive organs.

Wordpress it is!

I have moved to Wordpress. After much introspection and discussion on what Blogger and Wordpress are capable of, I figured a one-stop shop...