Vacation plans, Getting my wind back and Talk with us

1. We all sit over tea to discuss Kashmir plans - how we are travelling, what all we should carry. There's plenty to be thought of and as always before a vacation, there's that feeling of excitement and anticipation.
2. I go for a long walk with mom and dad and I'm so thrilled that I'm not tired later on. Its a sure sign of recovery and the feeling of energy is so welcome.
3. I'm on the phone for a long time. Finally dad says "Oh c'mon! You'll meet him tomorrow. Talk with us now."

That'll shut you up, vroom and the gang

1. A colleague is always teasing me and pulling my leg at the slightest opportunity (or even when there's none!). The best way to shut him up is to start teasing him about his wife. It's effective because he got married only last month.
2. A friend has been using my bike for the past couple of months. It's a pleasure to press the electric start button and have it spur into life immediately.
3. Friday is a holiday. There's only one more day of work between me and the long weekend. Anticipation runs high, because the gang is going to be here by tomorrow evening to kickstart the weekend. Gullu has promised that he has some masala news to tell, but won't say what it is unless everyone is present. Jui, Pallu & Tanmoy are coming, Shenoy's joining in and Patty, who I haven't seen in years, might come too. Let me sleep so that tomorrow comes early!

Earned gift, uploaded and time to go!

1. The set of strolley bags I ordered to redeem the points earned on my credit card arrive almost a week earlier than I expected them. And they arrive in a huge parcel at work and cause plenty of excitement. The bags are nice and stylish, but also look quite sturdy and convenient. Now I can take one of them on my vacation... yay yay!
2. After much procrastination and many taunts and pestering from friends, I finally upload the pictures I had taken during the past couple of weeks or so. I end up surprised when I see them, for I had forgotten clicking many of them and some have come out beautifully I think.
3. As the day progresses, I am barely able to contain my excitement enough to sit still and concentrate on work that must be completed before I leave for the vacation tomorrow. And because there are six others at work who are accompanying me, the buzz is heady. Comparing checklists, checking weather forecasts for all the places we're going to visit, making phonecalls to check on details... there's so much going on, it's hard to forget for even a moment that its going to be one fun holiday for the next 5 days!

Charged, traffic update and connected

1. There's a slight electricity in the air - we're planning a trip again, and though its a month away, the spring in my step is unmistakable.
2. Kris calls up to say that he's stuck in a traffic jam for more than an hour and I should avoid that particular route home. I'm so grateful he called, because I was actually planning to go home that way.
3. My internet is working. They have finally renewed it for the correct monthly plan.

Hitting the high road, li'l bro and I can do it

1. A car, two chilled out people and a highway that stretches ahead. Off we zoom, Ro and I, sometimes singing, sometimes talking... we're in no hurry to get home, so we take our time, taking small detours to click pictures, to see an old fort on the way, to have chai at a roadside dhaba... it's a good way to be...
2. As a younger brother, Ro is good company - he's chilled out, practical, looooves to eat, is always ready for some fun and adventure and you can rely on him. What I like the most about him is the fact he doesn't come with a 'handle with care' tag attached, so he's a zero stress person to have around... not to mention his vast capacity for nonstop nonsense! I hardly feel the 6 year age gap to be a barrier in having fun...
3. The enormous feeling of confidence that comes along with completing a long road-trip (approx 550 kms)... I no longer doubt my ability to handle my car... and the car is wonderful - it gives an unexpectedly high mileage on the highway.

Flying away from the Earth, with the fear of a long peace video

I received a stringent order to write the BTs till the owner is back. So here it goes.

1. Peace on Earth

With my roomies gone (most of the time) I use the house to satisfy my own whims and fancies. Movies I like, Music I like and food I like. Not a bad change at all (for 3 days).

2. Longford

Finally I get to see the movie I had bought a month back. Not disappointing at all. I have always been fascinated by bizarre things and behavior. I remember having a fascination with the concept of death ever since I was a teenager. Anyway, this movie was not about death. It is a biopic of Lord Longford, a British campaigner trying to help a convict- Myra Hindley. What makes his campaign both shocking and ruthless is the fact that, Myra was found guilty of being accomplice to Ian Brady in the killing (and sexual assault) of five children between the age of 10 and 17. His respect and career is at stake when he tries to help Myra Hindley despite public outrage. A movie well presented. There is an underlying current about all real life portrayals which makes the movies intense, but never the less, they have to be crafted with care as there are a lot of passionate and possibly concerned eyes scrutinizing the product.

3. Cape Fear

I never thought this was close to being Scorsese's best. But what was impressive was the way the scenes were shot on the boat towards the end. I loved it. There is so much randomness in the action scenes in his movies, that not even for a second would you feel let down. And off course, when there is Robert De Niro in it, I had to watch it. I meant to watch it long ago, but somehow never got the chance.

4. Pearl Jam: Single Video Theory

What can a crazy fan say about a documentary video shot on his favorite band? I guess there is only one word to express the right feeling - Ecstasy. It is a video shot at a time when Pearl Jam was making 'Yield'.

5. Given to Fly

Since we are talking about Yield - lets talk about the best song on it. The song which gives me goosebumps everytime I hear it. I don't know if it has been posted here before. But what the hell, even if it has been- this is one song which deserves to be here more than once. I just Love it !!!!

Here is an interesting YouTube version.

And here are the lyrics...

He could've tuned in, tuned in
But he tuned out
A bad time, nothing could save him
Alone in a corridor, waiting, locked out
He got up outta there, ran for hundreds of miles
He made it to the ocean, had a smoke in a tree
The wind rose up, set him down on his knee

A wave came crashing like a fist to the jaw
Delivered him wings, "Hey, look at me now"
Arms wide open with the sea as his floor
Oh, power, oh

He's.. flying
Whole
High.. wide, oh

He floated back down 'cause he wanted to share
His key to the locks on the chains he saw everywhere
But first he was stripped and then he was stabbed
By faceless men, well, fuckers
He still stands

And he still gives his love, he just gives it away
The love he receives is the love that is saved
And sometimes is seen a strange spot in the sky
A human being that was given to fly

High.. flying
Oh, oh
High.. flying
Oh, oh
He's flying
Oh, oh

No time to breathe!

Participants:- Abhinav Pathak, Shreerang Dixit, Aditi Sodhi, Tanmoy Roy

Saturday

1. Times Sq and NY Public Library

These are not one of my fav places to go - but then as per the 'Click lots of pics' tourist manual of the state of NY- these are some of the places to visit (along with Liberty aunty and Empire State). Since we didn't have enough time to squeeze out in our time table - Time Sq during the day. Although as per the manual - it needs to be visited with awe and surprise in the eyes during the night, we could only manage to stare foolishly and consequently look happy during the day.

2. LITTLE FLOWER OF EAST ORANGE

I am no expert but I have a faint idea about excellence, at least most of the times. With a star cast which had well established Hollywood actors and even boasted of academy award winners (among various others) – it was a high 'expectancy event'. The production managers and the director (remember Capote from the movie by the same name?) were also widely respected Hollywood entities. I remember one of my friends gasping – how did you get the tickets?

The play surrounded a distressed situation of an alcohol and drugs addicted family and still proved to be a laughing riot on more than one occasion. It took turns in invoking pity, empathy, sympathy, hatred, disgust … I am running out of words. It lead to happiness for the people sitting there as they felt richer by the end of it. Highly recommended for people visiting NY!

http://theater2.nytimes.com/2008/04/07/theater/reviews/07bran.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

3. Strands Book Store

Before the next show began we had a couple of hours for snacks and visit to what they claim is the World's biggest bookstore. Supposedly 18 miles of books!! I couldn't even check out one section. My friends gave me enough inferiority-complex by discussing literature, I had no clue about.

http://www.strandbooks.com/

4. Fuerzabruta (meaning Brute Force)

This was the surprise package. I mean, we had an idea that it should turn out to be crazy and whacky. The only thing which we had no idea on was – the extent of craziness. Well it was again, worth every penny spent. I mean this is the closest you can get to understand the effects of cocaine, without actually taking any. Not often do you see, women floating in the sky full of water, or running around on the walls, or men falling off a conveyer belt, or getting hit by doors and walls (I skip the rest, to refrain from sounding 'amusingly' bored).

http://theater2.nytimes.com/2007/10/25/theater/reviews/25fuer.html

5. RACHELLE GARNIEZ & THE FORTUNATE FEW

We ended the day with a live contemporary Jazz performance by a 'tight' and successful band. What I missed out on the website was a small highlighted notice about the need to call separately (apart from buying the ticket) to reserve a table. As dumb as it can sound- I obviously didn't imagine that I will have to call even after paying for the tickets 3 days in advance. Anyway, as we arrived there – we were told to 'stand by the bar' and enjoy the show. On normal days this wouldn't have been a problem, but given the amount of exhaustion we had undergone- our knees couldn't even withstand our weight for 20 mins. So I used my shameless skills to embarrass the manager till he gave us a table. All well that ends J

http://www.joespub.com/

http://www.joespub.com/component/option,com_shows/task,view/Itemid,40/id,3807

Sunday

1. Brooklyn Art Museum

We couldn't cover much here as one of the morons had to leave that day. We did cover African and Japanese sections among a few others.

www.brooklynmuseum.org

2. Roadside vendors/Wall St.

You can't go back from NY without eating at the road side vendors (alas, one of us did). Even though it was chilly – we sat outside and ate. A 'Starbucks hour' had to be undertaken, to kill the chill that had gotten under the skin.

For people coming for the first time to NY- Wall St. and NYSE is a must visit; more so for people belonging to the Finance domain (whatever that means). So we spend some time to look at the old buildings and click pictures (like so many others on the same street), after which it is time to move to Brooklyn bridge.

3. Brooklyn Bridge

As the sun is about to set – we start walking on the Brooklyn bridge. Looking at the activity and the energy on the bridge – it fills us with excitement. One of my friends is interested in a lot of 'solo' snaps. He has his wished fulfilled.

4. Pier 17

This is a Pier near the bridge which attracts a lot of people. A place to sit in the open air, sip wine, shop, listen to music and talk, while the river passes by. With a few more pictures of Brooklyn bridge we come back home.

5. More Books!

Close to our crashing ground, there happens to be a book shop. My friends buy me some (five actually) books as a part of the birthday present treaty. One of them happens to be Ullysses. Now that I have been presented, there is no escape. I will have to finish it.

Monday

1. Gravid Water- Experimental Theater

The rains prevented us from going out as per our original plan of visiting the 'typical tourist spots' as per the manual. So finally in the evening, we decided to brave the rains and go watch an interesting form of theater. The concept is to enact specific scenes from various plays using regular actors and some improvisers. The actors have prepared the scenes like they would normally do, but the improvisers, like the audience, have no idea about what the scene will be. They just land up at the scene and start acting. This confusion leads to extremely funny situations as the actors are expected to stick to their original dialogues, as far possible.

http://www.newyorkcity.com/events/Gravid_Water.662880/editorial.aspx

Hey You...we moved on...

1. Resolve to have a resolution!

This time - for the first time I have a resolution!

2. Ball drop

There is a craze in NY about the Ball drop at the last minute of the year. We decide - it is too cold and crowded, to watch it Live. We did catch it on the TV though. It is a shining ball falling and touching its base at the exact last second of the year. I hear some 2000 tonns of confetti are blown up in the air - along with dazzling fire works. We watch all of that from one of our friend's apartment - mostly on television. We do catch a share of the firecrackers being lit from a cruise on the hudson river.

3. Talk, yap, wish, trouble, chatter, fight, tease...

Old friends connect and it is the same insane stuff we talk all over again...In fact the signs are that it will reach new heights of rubbishness this year! As the new year wishes flew in - contacts were renewed and we did all the silly little things (even if it was over the phone) - yet again :-)

4. Hey You

I think it is appropriate to start the New Year with a song from a band - which has had more influence on me than any teacher, book, music, friend, movie and just about anything apart from my parents.

This song was just chosen on a random basis - from a huge list of their ---don't know what to call it ---some sort of musical psychedelic art--- which changed me as a person and the way I look at things. I see them as a separate category as far as my inclination towards Arts is concerned. I think George used to sing it in the First year of Engg. It never occured to me then, they will become a like Bible for me in the years to come.

Ray is actually the person who is responsible for hours and days and years I have spent in complete awe and shock in trying to understand them.

I remember the sacrilege committed by me long back.

'I hate their music! They never seem to be in a hurry to sing. It feels like a movie to me. A background sound and some theme, without any start or end to it. I mean, where are the songs? It seems like a weird movement of music without any intention what so ever'

I will reserve more words, as they will be appearing numerous times on the Blog. And I think I will never run out of topics for this Band.

The video is a little 'brutal', and may have a turbulent effect on the heart. So, if you just want to listen to the music without getting 'hit'- I suggest you minimise the window and listen to it.

The lyrics will suggest you the kind of profundity expressed by them in their 'work' (dare I call them songs). The music just kicks the shit out of your psyche. Here it goes...

Floyd to kick start 2008 for me...

YouTube Video




Hey you, out there in the cold
Getting lonely, getting old
Can you feel me?
Hey you, standing in the aisles
With itchy feet and fading smiles
Can you feel me?
Hey you, dont help them to bury the light
Dont give in without a fight.

Hey you, out there on your own
Sitting naked by the phone
Would you touch me?
Hey you, with your ear against the wall
Waiting for someone to call out
Would you touch me?
Hey you, would you help me to carry the stone?
Open your heart, Im coming home.

But it was only fantasy.
The wall was too high,
As you can see.
No matter how he tried,
He could not break free.
And the worms ate into his brain.

Hey you, standing in the road
Always doing what youre told,
Can you help me?
Hey you, out there beyond the wall,
Breaking bottles in the hall,
Can you help me?
Hey you, dont tell me theres no hope at all
Together we stand, divided we fall.

[click of tv being turned on]
Well, only got an hour of daylight left. better get started
Isnt it unsafe to travel at night?
Itll be a lot less safe to stay here. youre fathers gunna pick up our trail before long
Can loca ride?
Yeah, I can ride... magaret, time to go! maigret, thank you for everything
Goodbye chenga
Goodbye miss ...
Ill be back

Hurray hurray its a holi holiday!

1. The Code is broken... :-)

A long awaited communication channel has opened up. It works better than any instant energy drink.

2. Books, music and movies...

NJ public library is not one of the best libraries in the world, but it is right next to my house. coming from India - the facility of borrowing twenty books for a month and seven CDs, at a time for a week - for free is a luxury.

3. Virginia waale aaye hain

Patty and Co. have arrived. They will be staying here for the new years. They don't have much of a plan, as usual. So we will have to figure out ...as we go ahead...

4. Like Old times

Sridevi's house is full of people. Some sleeping on the bed, some on the couch, some on the carpet... it is looking like a hostel room now. I don't mind the carpet, that much :)

5. Ethiopia

I get to eat in a famous Ethiopian restaurant in NYC. Somehow, we get there on time and place is very small and cozy. It is highly rated by Zagat. I have no idea about where is the country placed on the map. Meskerem is the name of the restaurant.

6. Here comes the Sun

This is a song which gave me the goosebumps, quite literally. I had liked it always, but when I 'saw' it getting 'created' in front of me in LOVE by Cirque du Soleil, I didn't have words to describe my emotions.

It was like one of the most beautiful moments ever. I have been to quite a number of musicals and shows (mostly in India), but this has to be the best. Yes, it being based on the music of The Beatles has created that bias in me, but still it was out of the world. Highly recommended to anyone visiting Vegas. This Intro will give you a glimpse (may be), into how it would feel to be sitting live and breathing, while such magnificent visuals are getting displayed in front of you.

The preview starts with 'Here comes the Sun'. The hearts starts to beat faster as soon as you see the chain of lights enter the stage. The acoustic guitar starts strumming and then comes the Sun - full of lights and drama.

The YouTube video might show you Lennon, but then he didn't contribute to it. He was recovering from an accident when Harrison wrote it. Harrison was quite disturbed and busy those days - with a number of issues. One day, during that tough phase, when he was relatively relaxed - he had visited his then good friend Clapton's house. While strumming on Clapton's acoustic guitar in his garden- he wrote the song. It came in their muti platinum album - 'Abbey Road'




Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
and I say it's all right

Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
and I say it's all right

Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
and I say it's all right

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...

Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
and I say it's all right
It's all right