To all readers
Dr. Randy Pausch, the legendary Virtual Reality expert passed away on Friday, July 25th,08.
Express my true heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.
Read more:
A page at thanksgiving.com
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Signs of Monsoon
Rain, rain go away come again another day!... goes the rhyme..
Its been about a month since Monsoons have started in Kerala and yet the downpour has been on a drastically low scale. The cold mornings of July n Aug are yet to come it seems!
The first rain brings with it the eruption of numerous cute little towers in and around, fondly called mushrooms. Well, frankly I hadn't been able to sight even a single mush till today, this season.
Today was the lucky day, I guess.
The pics show a large group of tiny mushrooms I found near steps to my friends' hostel. These looked real cute and were quite fluffy to touch!
Don't know why, but sometimes the smallest and the least significant things make us feel good, and makes one feel and admire the diversity the One above has bestowed on the planet. I don't know how many of you share these thoughts, but I, for one, somehow felt quite cheerful seeing those new lives taking shape abiding the law of nature.Imagery of clear guilt that came to my mind was how we, humans, were destroying this perfect harmony and balance between life and still...
Message: When thoughts haunt you, and mind succumbs to waves of depressing gusts, look around you for the tiniest form of life- something that strives to make others happy, something that perishes in moments yet does what its purpose of living was... to enchant those who can feel the pain, and the joy imbibed in every pain, the ones who could still laugh after every sad moment and those who could carry a gleam of hope resident in the most depressing of moments... seeking out to let the good happen...
Buzzing off
Its been about a month since Monsoons have started in Kerala and yet the downpour has been on a drastically low scale. The cold mornings of July n Aug are yet to come it seems!
The first rain brings with it the eruption of numerous cute little towers in and around, fondly called mushrooms. Well, frankly I hadn't been able to sight even a single mush till today, this season.
Today was the lucky day, I guess.
The pics show a large group of tiny mushrooms I found near steps to my friends' hostel. These looked real cute and were quite fluffy to touch!
Don't know why, but sometimes the smallest and the least significant things make us feel good, and makes one feel and admire the diversity the One above has bestowed on the planet. I don't know how many of you share these thoughts, but I, for one, somehow felt quite cheerful seeing those new lives taking shape abiding the law of nature.Imagery of clear guilt that came to my mind was how we, humans, were destroying this perfect harmony and balance between life and still...
Message: When thoughts haunt you, and mind succumbs to waves of depressing gusts, look around you for the tiniest form of life- something that strives to make others happy, something that perishes in moments yet does what its purpose of living was... to enchant those who can feel the pain, and the joy imbibed in every pain, the ones who could still laugh after every sad moment and those who could carry a gleam of hope resident in the most depressing of moments... seeking out to let the good happen...
Buzzing off
Friday, July 11, 2008
Red Ribbon Express: A Welcoming Initiative
The day began with all the noises of daily chores. In case you've forgotten, I've my parents and family living with me now! But does that mean I am gonna change what I've been for the last two years? Nah!
Ready and reached college for the news that classes have been suspended. And the reason was the arrival of Red Ribbon Express at Shornur Railway Station, about 40 km from Thrissur.The Red Ribbon Express was launched by the ministries of Health and Railway to travel across the nation and throw light on the causes and treatment for HIV and AIDS.
We reached Shornur Railway terminal by 12 noon. And whoa! The queue of visitors to the train was about a km long - twisting, turning and spiraling across the entire platform. The patient wait began as we were determined to see the train and the stuff inside after having travel over 40kms just for it.
At about 1p.m our end of the queue reached entry doors. There were volunteers from various non-profit organizations ,devoted to the treatment of AIDS, distributing pamphlets and stickers on general awareness about the most dreaded disease of this century.
What amused me was the street play by some professional artists who were also volunteers for the cause. Presented with a gist of humor, the play highlighted ignorance of our society regarding safe sexual practices and birth control. The play went on to female foeticides and I could see some faces surprised to hear that foeticide is an criminal offense punishable under law.
The train was totally Malayalified(all writings and explanations were being done in Malayalam). There were illustrious banners and posters on contraceptives, family planning and birth control. While one section dealt with the importance of checking quality of blood while undergoing a transfusion, another was about the safety of disposable syringes.
A map of our nation with red, white and green LEDs on it indicated the concentration of HIV/AIDS patients in various regions. The map was a clear indication of how education is related to health conditions and social outlook about a disease, that could be prevented if necessary precautions were taken.
Also under display were some medical specimen a glimpse of which i leave here.
Blessed are those souls(like mine!) who aren't doctors!
The train was definitely a new experience, and a look at the crowd could easily make one comprehend the results of such an initiative. kudos to the Railways and the Ministry of Health for this venture..
Ready and reached college for the news that classes have been suspended. And the reason was the arrival of Red Ribbon Express at Shornur Railway Station, about 40 km from Thrissur.The Red Ribbon Express was launched by the ministries of Health and Railway to travel across the nation and throw light on the causes and treatment for HIV and AIDS.
We reached Shornur Railway terminal by 12 noon. And whoa! The queue of visitors to the train was about a km long - twisting, turning and spiraling across the entire platform. The patient wait began as we were determined to see the train and the stuff inside after having travel over 40kms just for it.
At about 1p.m our end of the queue reached entry doors. There were volunteers from various non-profit organizations ,devoted to the treatment of AIDS, distributing pamphlets and stickers on general awareness about the most dreaded disease of this century.
What amused me was the street play by some professional artists who were also volunteers for the cause. Presented with a gist of humor, the play highlighted ignorance of our society regarding safe sexual practices and birth control. The play went on to female foeticides and I could see some faces surprised to hear that foeticide is an criminal offense punishable under law.
The train was totally Malayalified(all writings and explanations were being done in Malayalam). There were illustrious banners and posters on contraceptives, family planning and birth control. While one section dealt with the importance of checking quality of blood while undergoing a transfusion, another was about the safety of disposable syringes.
A map of our nation with red, white and green LEDs on it indicated the concentration of HIV/AIDS patients in various regions. The map was a clear indication of how education is related to health conditions and social outlook about a disease, that could be prevented if necessary precautions were taken.
Also under display were some medical specimen a glimpse of which i leave here.
Blessed are those souls(like mine!) who aren't doctors!The train was definitely a new experience, and a look at the crowd could easily make one comprehend the results of such an initiative. kudos to the Railways and the Ministry of Health for this venture..
Saturday, June 21, 2008
The Duck Tales
Set for the leap..It had always been among my simpler dreams to rear a paddle of ducks. Its something of a wish that you tend to procure wacthing all those lush green fields and ducks swarming into water pools in unison, often a sight from some movie. A few days ago, the day after my lab exams to be precise, I had a chance to be with such a paddle.
A rather peaceful lotThe ducks were reared through a feet deep muddy fields, now water-logged owing to the monsoon rains. I stepped off my bike and went with the paddle for about a kilometre or so. It was pure fun, making the ducks run one way to the other, always doing so in a group. Two men on both flanks assured that the gaggle always moved in single general direction despite their helter-skelter runs.
Can you see the other end??Upon being asked how they could manage to cage every single duck everyday, the men confessed that its damn tough to get near ducks if you are a stranger, but not so once they know you. Ducks have a tendency to follow the one in the front, and hence, marching the leader in the direction the men decide gets the others humming to the same tune as well!!! Interesting, isn't it??!!
Just another view, nothing big!!There were about 200+ ducks in the swarm. The men walk with them everyday from noon till twilight before closing them in the pen. It was a remarkably unique experience and a bouquet of everlasting freshness..
One Dream fulfilled...
Many to go...
Buzzing Off...
P.S: being a stranger to the ducks, I couldn't get close enough to take better pics.The above pics are good when seen in zoom mode.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Au Revoir...
And finally its here.... My mom has been transferred back to Thrissur, our native, after an eternal waiting for 15 years. The feeling of joy is inexpressible, undefinable in words.And its time to look back into the past for a quick glimpse.
The year was 1994 when she bade farewell to Thrissur, when I was in my first year of schooling and my brother still in kindergarten. Time flew by, and came the year of the dreaded Y2K virus. As per the rules of her firm, a transfer could be expected after minimum of four years at a place and we were into our seventh year at Thiruvananthapuram, where I completed my studies till 7th from Kendriya Vidyalaya Pangode. Obscure memories are what remain in my mind about that place. I gained back a few of those forgotten friends from the online friends network of Orkut.
The first transfer from TVPM was to the exotic hills of Kodaikanal, which she refused much to our dismay. The reason was the absence of a K.V there. The transfer to Mysore( or Mysooru) soon followed which she was obliged to take up and proceed with. We were "transshipped" to K.V Mysore, a school with a brief history and modest academic background compared to the giant from which I left.
It was really hard to adapt to the new circumstances ab initio. The major trouble was with communication. Though K.Vians are taught Hindi and English from primary classes, the medium of communication was often the local language among the students. As a result, we were more fluent in Malayalam than all the school's Kannadiga students combined!!
The next trouble was with food, and it really pisses you off, I swear! Though Malayali cuisine is liked universally, I could not somehow adjust with the Carnatic counterpart. It became traumatic during lunch breaks when everyone shared their tiffins. I was reluctant and this offended many!! Hey, what else could have I done??!!
The troubles ended almost as soon as they had come. I started learning Kannada and my first words ( other than swears) were " Nanige Kannada Baralla!!" (I don't know Kannada!). This single connected string helped me to hustle through the trouble of conversing with local Sabji vendors( called "tarkaariwaala") and shopkeepers who would soon switch to their version of English or Hindi, two languages that were known to almost all of them.
The Carnatic cuisine, on the other hand, turned out to be equally delicious as anything and I'm sure of missing the Bisibele-bath and Mosaranna among other delicacies.
If asked what I liked the most in the years I spent in Mysore the answer would be the beauty of this Royal City. The clutches of Urbanisation were defenceless against the expertise of the city planners in keeping the reminiscence of royal splendour exist in perfect harmony with the demands of the present. I haven't been to Paris or Kashmir, but would definitely dare to make the statement that 'here, is the heaven on earth'.
Every child's dream is a bicycle of his own. I got my "Hero Devil" as soon as we reached here. The cycle was sold later to make way for yet another hot entry in the market- The All-New Hercules Top-Gear :). Cycling through the wide roads which were once traversed by the kings themselves, exploring places and new hangouts had a special fervour of their own.
Its hard to digest the realisation of this moment to bid farewell to this city, the city which manured my childish dreams, my ambitions and my "firsts" in many matters.Hoping to return back here once again, after a brief period, alike M. Mukundan's return to Haridwar, to cherish these golden, nopes, priceless memories.
Adios Mio Splendido Paradiso......................................
The year was 1994 when she bade farewell to Thrissur, when I was in my first year of schooling and my brother still in kindergarten. Time flew by, and came the year of the dreaded Y2K virus. As per the rules of her firm, a transfer could be expected after minimum of four years at a place and we were into our seventh year at Thiruvananthapuram, where I completed my studies till 7th from Kendriya Vidyalaya Pangode. Obscure memories are what remain in my mind about that place. I gained back a few of those forgotten friends from the online friends network of Orkut.
The first transfer from TVPM was to the exotic hills of Kodaikanal, which she refused much to our dismay. The reason was the absence of a K.V there. The transfer to Mysore( or Mysooru) soon followed which she was obliged to take up and proceed with. We were "transshipped" to K.V Mysore, a school with a brief history and modest academic background compared to the giant from which I left.
It was really hard to adapt to the new circumstances ab initio. The major trouble was with communication. Though K.Vians are taught Hindi and English from primary classes, the medium of communication was often the local language among the students. As a result, we were more fluent in Malayalam than all the school's Kannadiga students combined!!
The next trouble was with food, and it really pisses you off, I swear! Though Malayali cuisine is liked universally, I could not somehow adjust with the Carnatic counterpart. It became traumatic during lunch breaks when everyone shared their tiffins. I was reluctant and this offended many!! Hey, what else could have I done??!!
The troubles ended almost as soon as they had come. I started learning Kannada and my first words ( other than swears) were " Nanige Kannada Baralla!!" (I don't know Kannada!). This single connected string helped me to hustle through the trouble of conversing with local Sabji vendors( called "tarkaariwaala") and shopkeepers who would soon switch to their version of English or Hindi, two languages that were known to almost all of them.
The Carnatic cuisine, on the other hand, turned out to be equally delicious as anything and I'm sure of missing the Bisibele-bath and Mosaranna among other delicacies.
If asked what I liked the most in the years I spent in Mysore the answer would be the beauty of this Royal City. The clutches of Urbanisation were defenceless against the expertise of the city planners in keeping the reminiscence of royal splendour exist in perfect harmony with the demands of the present. I haven't been to Paris or Kashmir, but would definitely dare to make the statement that 'here, is the heaven on earth'.
Every child's dream is a bicycle of his own. I got my "Hero Devil" as soon as we reached here. The cycle was sold later to make way for yet another hot entry in the market- The All-New Hercules Top-Gear :). Cycling through the wide roads which were once traversed by the kings themselves, exploring places and new hangouts had a special fervour of their own.
Its hard to digest the realisation of this moment to bid farewell to this city, the city which manured my childish dreams, my ambitions and my "firsts" in many matters.Hoping to return back here once again, after a brief period, alike M. Mukundan's return to Haridwar, to cherish these golden, nopes, priceless memories.
Adios Mio Splendido Paradiso......................................
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Svarito Fotografia...
Since the moment I received my Sony Ericsson K550i Cybershot Mobile, I've been taking snaps of anything and everything that I felt like capturing. Nature is the theme here though this post also showcases other miscellaneous photos( svarito fotografia!)
Do post your comments about the deficiencies or proficiencies...
Exhibit 1:
The beginning of a new day...
Exhibit 2:
An evening @ Kuttimukk fields, with sunlight glimmering in the canal below..
Exhibit 3:
Sunset through the trees...
Exhibit 4:
Raindrops resisting the fall to sodden earth..
Exhibit 5:
From Nelliampathy with Love....
Exhibit 6:
Remains of a glorious past... Location: Karalam Fields, Irinjalakuda.
Exhibit 7:
Flowers on sale at a Bud nursery en route Palakkad
Exhibit 8:
Miles to go before I sleep...
Exhibit 9:
The Hills beckon you..
**********************************************
Now for some pics which caught my amusement!
Exhibit 10:
The picture is from the streets of Mysore. These hawkers are trying to sell what apparently is a Pain balm. Humongous crowd gathered but buyers were not many..
Exhibit 11:
Rays of Hope...
Exhibit 12:
The final Showdown.. Interzone '08
Exhibit 13:
Dedicated to my GEC Comrades...
Exhibit 15:
Its time to celebrate...
Exhibit 16:
Bleeding Hearts, Aching Minds...
from an Anti-Chinese Protest in Mysore..
Here I met people, people like us, flesh and blood, fighting for their rights, fighting for their homeland, fighting for what is rightfully theirs...
*******The Beginning*******
Do post your comments about the deficiencies or proficiencies...
Exhibit 1:
The beginning of a new day...Exhibit 2:
An evening @ Kuttimukk fields, with sunlight glimmering in the canal below..Exhibit 3:
Sunset through the trees...Exhibit 4:
Raindrops resisting the fall to sodden earth.. Exhibit 5:
From Nelliampathy with Love....Exhibit 6:
Remains of a glorious past... Location: Karalam Fields, Irinjalakuda.Exhibit 7:
Flowers on sale at a Bud nursery en route PalakkadExhibit 8:
Miles to go before I sleep...Exhibit 9:
The Hills beckon you..**********************************************
Now for some pics which caught my amusement!
Exhibit 10:
The picture is from the streets of Mysore. These hawkers are trying to sell what apparently is a Pain balm. Humongous crowd gathered but buyers were not many..Exhibit 11:
Rays of Hope...Exhibit 12:
The final Showdown.. Interzone '08Exhibit 13:
Dedicated to my GEC Comrades...Exhibit 15:
Its time to celebrate...Exhibit 16:
Bleeding Hearts, Aching Minds...
from an Anti-Chinese Protest in Mysore..
Here I met people, people like us, flesh and blood, fighting for their rights, fighting for their homeland, fighting for what is rightfully theirs...
*******The Beginning*******
Friday, May 9, 2008
Adithyan: Man in Making
The name is Adithyan. Came onto this world on December 10, 2007. Many of you may still be remembering him from my post dated the same.
He is five months old now. But these five months have brought with them dramatic changes in the baby's appearance. He now has a face, one that bears resemblance to mother. The bright skin has given way to a slight brown tan-like color, thus ensuring him being a typical Asian! There are long strands of hair, indicating immediate attention by a barber, and from being a description-less one-in-a-million, the baby is on his path to obtain his identity, some thing that will belong to him, just him.
The deficiency shows up only in the vacancies between his upper and lower jaws- the teeth! :) Still his juvenile efforts to smile at every face brings cheers, and at the least, a return nod. Quite pleasant during the day, he turns to tormenting parents by staying awake all night, and the usual choir of changing diapers and breast feeding. My cousin sister, the victim, could be found with swollen eyes from lack of sleep, taking a quick nap when his sonny sleeps by 6 or 7 in the morning.
Take good care of your teeth. Its a difficult world without them.I had the curiosity to taste babyfood the other day. Sneaking into kitchen I took a spoonful of it and yuch!! a sugary paste with no flavor whatsoever. I pity all the babies of the world for having been forced to eat this. It would have been less of a punishment had he been born with tooth and was ready to bite into something solid and masala-fied. No wonder kids start puking and spitting it out once the process of feeding starts!
Five months are pretty enough for a kid realize his kith and kin. I had seen a documentary on Discovery( yup, I do watch channels like these!) related to the "vision development stages" in a baby. The sight of a baby clears up completely by his first birthday or so. till then he identifies his parents and close ones by the size of the shadowy figure and smell. amazing isn't it??! Adithyan or Appu, as he'll be called at his home now on, identifies fairly everyone. He is pretty clear in understanding when I'm around and doesn't wait a second in breaking the dams and crying out! A lil devil he sure is!
I guess that's what I wanted to tell ya all after this brief period of isolation from the blogosphere...
buzzing off
dd
He is five months old now. But these five months have brought with them dramatic changes in the baby's appearance. He now has a face, one that bears resemblance to mother. The bright skin has given way to a slight brown tan-like color, thus ensuring him being a typical Asian! There are long strands of hair, indicating immediate attention by a barber, and from being a description-less one-in-a-million, the baby is on his path to obtain his identity, some thing that will belong to him, just him.
The deficiency shows up only in the vacancies between his upper and lower jaws- the teeth! :) Still his juvenile efforts to smile at every face brings cheers, and at the least, a return nod. Quite pleasant during the day, he turns to tormenting parents by staying awake all night, and the usual choir of changing diapers and breast feeding. My cousin sister, the victim, could be found with swollen eyes from lack of sleep, taking a quick nap when his sonny sleeps by 6 or 7 in the morning.
Take good care of your teeth. Its a difficult world without them.I had the curiosity to taste babyfood the other day. Sneaking into kitchen I took a spoonful of it and yuch!! a sugary paste with no flavor whatsoever. I pity all the babies of the world for having been forced to eat this. It would have been less of a punishment had he been born with tooth and was ready to bite into something solid and masala-fied. No wonder kids start puking and spitting it out once the process of feeding starts!
Five months are pretty enough for a kid realize his kith and kin. I had seen a documentary on Discovery( yup, I do watch channels like these!) related to the "vision development stages" in a baby. The sight of a baby clears up completely by his first birthday or so. till then he identifies his parents and close ones by the size of the shadowy figure and smell. amazing isn't it??! Adithyan or Appu, as he'll be called at his home now on, identifies fairly everyone. He is pretty clear in understanding when I'm around and doesn't wait a second in breaking the dams and crying out! A lil devil he sure is!
I guess that's what I wanted to tell ya all after this brief period of isolation from the blogosphere...
buzzing off
dd
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