It's my birthday again.

 Ok this is the last 4x one.

Birthdays always feel special. No matter what. The whole world appears magical. The creator knows you so deeply.

The clock ticked 12:00 Dec 8, and there was I waiting for it :) Like almost always.

I had a walk in the daytime. Most amazing one. Since it is my birthday, the Sun had to come out despite the beginning of the day being so cold, and wintery. By afternoon it was so bright, and I loved it.

I ate a banana and chai, namkeen rice, and peanut butter toast. So amazing. Listened to Krishna Das "Sri Ram Chalisa". Jai Siya Ram, my favorite part in the end, where I always close my eyes, because there is something so deep in there and I always lose myself.

Took a lot of pictures as I walked, roses, winter flowers, scattered leaves, colorful trees (yellow, and bright orange red), had a close look at all the Christmas decorations, people have so lovely put outside their houses. One particular thing that caught my attention was big ornaments hanging from real trees! What a neat idea. 

I have been loving my new o jacket. Reminds me of hanuman ji so dearly. And I feel so great - its cozy and colors me orange! And my shoes are a perfect fit after a long time. Thanks to all my family who shopped for me. 

I gave myself time. I looked again carefully at everything that I never look. Found so much. Little things, big things, things of no particular importance. Life slowed down, when I attended to it. God knows how so many years passed so much quickly. Where was I lost, and what was I doing?

As it turned to late afternoon, I decided to go for a walk in nature. A walk by the bay - where there are salt marshes, and tall grasses and spotless flats of salt water surrounding small islands where seagulls abode. Lots of them. There was just 50 mins to close so I walked fast. The beautiful skies, pink light blue took my breath away. I tried to capture the moment in pictures and videos, but was trying to do the impossible mindlessly. Soaked myself by looking and finding nature is abundantly beautiful, always there, realized I just had to look, be present to it. The sun move across and down slowly dropping into the hills behind and I smiled to it. Thanked for being there for me.

Lots of people called to wish, and messaged. Made me happy! The wishes do feel special.

Called my dad, and brother and was happy to hear their voice. My dad congratulated me like always :) He has been so nice always.

I did my yoga and kriya and took a selfie with Gurudev ;)  for he is there everywhere. Felt like he is there.

I do have more plans as my birthday is still going on. All my favorite things to eat and do! Driving long distance and doing a lot of adventure.

I decide to take a lot of action to do something, anything, than think in the coming year. Not that I do not act, but just do more of it, and talk to more people, do whatever I can to help everyone around. And work like mad scientists do, which I am beginning to understand now...there is some hidden magic in there.

Until next birthday...

For my Mom

Life goes on.
But some moments stay with you forever.

I remember my mom today. There could be no one like her in this world. She loved me so much — and loved all of us, her children — making each of us feel special in countless ways.

As a child, I would constantly ask her to make this or that to eat, get me a toy, take me to the market with her, or answer my endless stream of trivial and not-so-trivial questions.I have no idea how she managed to keep up with all her responsibilities. I always saw her working hard. She gave everything to her family — always eating last, sleeping last, and always thinking about others. I took her for granted all the time, never realizing that every moment of my life was lived within her zone of care.

I remember all the things she did, almost imprinted in my mind: making sweets like gujiya and snacks like saank and mathri on Holi, Janmashtami, Diwali, and Rakshabandhan. She made the best Aloo Tamatar, Poori, and Kachori — I could eat until my tummy hurt! And she always made sure everyone ate hot food.

She performed elaborate pooja rituals — singing Ganeshji aarti, making chowk designs with flour on the floor, telling stories on Bhai Dooj, and even feeding sadhus who passed by asking for food.

I remember her making aloo chips in the summer heat of April and May. I was her helper — cleaning, cutting, spreading them out to dry, and collecting them later. The food she fed me set my taste buds (hot food always!), shaped my preferences, and influenced so many of my choices. The discipline and training she gave me formed the foundation of all my successes in life.

She worked tirelessly and never stopped. She was kind above all — and extremely brave. I cherish and value the traits she passed on to me.

She is no longer in this world — today marks the seventh year without my mom. But she lives on in me. She often appears in my dreams, just to make sure I’m okay. I know she’s still there, just invisibly present.

I wish you to be my mom eternally. Wherever you are, I wish you peace, happiness, and liberation. I know you’re watching from up there.

To my mom

I remember my mom today. She passed away one day, and one day I will too. But remembering my mom will continue.

I miss my mom.

She brought me to this world. And loved me so much. For all I am, is her work. 

I remember being little and she'd give me hot water baths, and make ready. So that I can just play. 

She lived a really simple life. Her heart was vast. She would give me everything when I cried. For as far as I can remember.

She would make sure I ate well. Had tidy clothes. Made me all the goodies on festival, which I ate being the little one in the house.

I was her little helper. For that's how I learnt many things - get stuff from market, wash my clothes, wash myself, clean up, have manners, say the right things, learn how to do pooja, aarti (ganesh ji, hanuman chalisa) and so on.

I miss all the things she did. That cannot be replicated in my life now. 

The food my mom made set my tastes forever. To this day I like my food hot. All because of her.

She made me ready for School. Made my lunch box. Cleaned up after me. Gazillion of times.

She created the home in me, that I left behind.  

When I left home, I didn't know I would never get a chance to be living with my mom in home again. Where she'd wake me up. And give me food. And worry about me.

I thank her for all the things she did, that I didn't even know. So that I can exist.

All the times I was sick, cranky, when she cared no end for me.

All the values she instilled in me helped me navigate life. To first offer to others what you have. Being kind. And being brave to stand up for yourself.

And all the things she sacrificed so that I can have good life.

I regret all the moments she lived without me when I grew up to be independent. She might have needed me a lot, but I wasn't there. 

The good life I have now I give to her wherever she is.

For in my heart I know she'd have enjoyed playing with grand kids, loved going to new places. And loved doing lot of things. That didn't happen in her life time.

I wish her to be my mom again, for this feels incomplete. 

I see her in me many times, inevitably, when I interact with my own kids. Many dear words I use come straight from her. Like "o lala", "aa gaye babuji" 

I see her in my dreams, for I know she looks around me invisibly.

I love you my mom! 

It is my birthday

 A year went by. Full 364 days. And we meet again!

Birthdays are magical. Don't know why. Same me, but not the same. On this day. Something inside of me says, it is my day. And I feel es-special :)

I am blessed to have lot of friends, and family who made my day wonderful. Messaged me, called me, and wished my happy birthday.

A lot happened since last birthday. But I won't list down all that went by. Just common stuff. 

Ate good food, travelled a bit, met new people, took on some new challenges, made sure I stayed close to my friends and families, even though I liked being myself.

Most of all I started enjoying long walks with my headphones. Sun or rain, it doesn't matter. I go and go.

Listened to mystics, and realized there is a way to the infinite. It begins with silence. In silence you come to face the present moment. And there it is. The undefinable. The source of all. 

Thought about what I want to do next. And ART came to my mind. Yes I plan making some paintings soon. And well, plans don't always work. But I would go where my heart takes me. I've learnt from wise folks, do more often what you like to do, those are the moments where you really lived.

My birthday

 Today is my birthday. Special day it is!

I feel something is different on my birthday every year. But again I wonder every day is same. So something must be from inside of me that makes me feel different. And I wonder why I can't feel this every other day.

I am thankful to all my family and friends who wished me Happy Birthday! Some called me. Some messaged me. In different words phrases, they all wished me smiles, good year ahead, inquired about how i am celebrating, my plans etc. Felt good. Attention feels good! And it feels good to have family and friends. For this day fore sure. 

Birthdays remind me sadly of some day that I'd be no more, and before my birthday I was not even there. So I am here for tiny small window. And gosh I've been thinking that I have lot of time. So flawed. When I look back the years after I finished my studies went by so fast. 20 years in a zip. Nothing much changed inside of me. Except gray hairs of course and I have doubts if I gotten any wiser.  

Birthdays are again reminders, clock is ticking! Are you making most of it? Having fun? Or you losing it?

To be realistic, I'd say I don't know if I am having fun. May be. Life situations decide. Life is a mystery. And it throws lot of stuff at you constantly. Not having fun is easy. Being caught up is easy. In worries, competitions, self set purposes, attachments etc. Losing lot of time is easy. But I've realized that having fun is not easy. One must seek fun in any situation that comes. With some conscious effort. And one must be thankful that things are good, and not complaining they aren't better, when they could have been worse. Try hard to not let situations defeat you. Seek fun come what may. 

Another thing I feel, is one must be brave. Take some risks. Without risks, without unknowns being part of the equation, life doesn't have chance to keep you fresh and blooming. In the aftermath, I've realized risks  have made life fun. Otherwise it is boring. What would you do with all the things you can have in the world securely set for you? Element of chance, change, unexpected stuff gives the roller coaster effect. It may be scary. But brings out joy. The jolts are necessary for extraction of joy.

Lastly, I feel life demands patience. Not everything you'd want happens right-away. Everything thing takes its own time and due course. Developing habit of patience gives peace. I realize I can have fun waiting...

And most important I feel one must be kind. In all interactions with others. Nothing beats it. It's always possible to be kind. And when you do, life is full of peace. Any act of un-kindness is actually against oneself. And all acts of kindness are for yourself. Life is again full of magic....

 

Never in my dreams I would know how it feels when mom is no more.

When she was alive, she had a presence in my life that I did not know. When she is no more, the absence feels vast. I wish I knew she is so integrated in my life.

A mom's bond to her child is not easily erasable by boundaries of life and death. Some things are transcendental. You'd know it.

I see my mom in my dreams often. Smiling, or silent, but around me. Sometimes I see her happy and sometimes in painful situations. I do not know what to do. Dreams are dreams, and when one is in it, that's the reality. I always end up being happy to see my mom. And I do remember in my dreams that she is no more. So I always ask her, have you come back? She says yeah now I am back. And dreams are illogical, everything can happen. So why not this? I have accepted this always that she can come back :)

From what I have known she might still be around. Looking over me! Or it might be just my imagination playing me in my dreams. Could be that my deeper self still wants my mom back. So my mind makes it up for me.

Today is her 2nd year of death anniversary. So I decided to write this up.

Lot of things I remember....

1. My mom was the best cook in the whole world. She gave me hot food, and made sure I had eaten enough and was never hungry. 

2. Whenever I was in pain or I was in trouble I'd run to my mom. She was the center of my world.

3. She always made sure I had a proper hair cut. She would always check that my hairs are short over the ears. And if they were not, she would tell my dad, you didn't pay attention when his hairs were getting cut?

4. She would always greet me so nicely when I came back from School. And I was like I have done nothing special. 

5. She was the first one from whom I learned to be brave and not afraid. And that everything is possible. You just have to make up your mind to do it.

6.Many times she fed Sadhu baba's that came to our house. With full devotion. And pandits on special occasions.

7. She'd prepare yummy Gujiya, Ladoo, Namak Pare, Halwa (lapsi) around festivals. And I would find all those containers where she would hide things away from me. As I would eat all the namkeen & sweets she made - 10 times than allowed.

8. She'd give me chores to do that I enjoyed. And then she would teach me to do it right. As I got most of them wrong. She strived for perfection in what she chose to do. Whether it was washing clothes or making food.

9. I would always insist to tag along with her when she went shopping. 

10. She would let me sleep in the mornings. Never woke me up early.

Carly Rae Jepsen - Call Me Maybe

Refreshing!

Allah o Akbar

There is a mosque near where I live. And I can hear and feel the Azaan from Mosque every time it is called.

Though knew this for ages, but never so closely...feels like something new and it just hit me!

The voice resounds in my apartment, and outside and touches my soul every time deeply. There is a dedicated person usually to give the Azaan at a mosque and is called the ‘Mu’azzin’.

Not to mention the amazing discipline in carrying it out 5 times a day. Here it is.

the Azaan... (or the Call for Prayer)

Allahu Akbar (recited 4 times)
Ash-hadu al La ilaha illallah (recited 2 times)
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar rasoolullah (recited 2 times)
Hayya’ala-salaah (recited 2 times)
Hayya’alal-falaah (recited 2 times)
Allahu Akbar (recited 2 times)
La ilaha illallah (recited once)

Translation...

“God is great” (recited 4 times)
"I bear witness that there is none worthy of being worshipped except Allah(God)”(recited 2 times)
"I bear witness that Muhammad is the Apostle of Allah(God)." (recited 2 times)
"Come to prayer." (recited 2 times)
"Come to Success." (recited 2 times)
“God is great” (recited 2 times)
"There is no other object of worship except Allah(God)." (recited once)


The following phrase is added after "Hayya 'alal-falah" in the Azaan of the early morning prayers:

"As-salatu khairum minannaum" ( recited two times)
"Prayer is better than sleep" (recited two times)

The Good Part :)

Asking the way out...

There isn't need of GPS when there is so much fun asking directions in a slow moving traffic from folks walking by, or gossipping autorickshaw drivers, when they are more than happy to tell what next turn to take, or what shortcut to make.

Tropical..

A classic tropical abode! Dust follows you everywhere. Sunlight is yellowish and not too penetrating. Haven't seen the rains yet, but heard this is some fun time.

You can get cheap help..

While a lot of things can take away your time, you can save a lot of it by off loading all your daily chores to a maid/driver/washerman and hire massagists, and be productive, and focus on what you want.

Everybody comes together to share common resources..

Regardless of state of infrastructure, people have adapted well, evolved with it to optimally use it. One lane roads serve two lanes. No footpath, no problem, everybody shares the road including cows and dogs, peddlars, cars, big trucks and buses. It does slow down things, but what the heck hurry is for? Plus road side hawkers keep things interesting.

Lack of rules..

There are no rules or guidelines to what you can do, or cannot do. This is on one hand not good, but lets people be creative especially when they want to do micro-enterprenueral things.

Back home in India

All I can feel is at Home!

We moved back here, and trying to settle in Pune. Weather is great here, given it is winters.

Here are some experiences so far:

1. When people say I'll call you in 10 minutes, they really mean that it may take up to 1 hour, and or never. If you follow up after 1 hour and they haven't called, they will politely say hang on, I'll call you in 10 minutes, ed infinitum.

People don't really mean what they say

2. When someone commits that they will starting working with you/ for you on a certain date/time, they may never show up or retract on contract they verbally agreed or even signed.

There is no value for written or verbal contracts. Expect surprises.

3. If you are on phone or busy in conversation with a friend and ordered few Paans on a Paan shop, and gave Rs 20 and didn't exactly know how much the Pann costs, the Paanwala may just not return the change at all if you don't ask. And if you ask, he may either return it, or simply say this is the total cost when in fact he might have summed incorrectly.

People are not honest at fundamental level.

4. In most instances, sellers almost always keep the prices inflated expecting buyers to bargain it down. There is no true price, but always a bargain price.

If you don't bargain you are probably paying too much. Bargain, bargain, and bargain...and make it a habit.

5. There is lack of professionalism and sophistication in service based businesses in the way they operate. Most often that not, they'd try to sell you something that you don't want, instead of focussing on gathering what you really want. They don't optimize their resources/efforts accordingly. This makes them inefficient, and time consuming. In addition, they'd not follow up with customers on a promised time for a promised task b/c they are dealing with so many other customers at the same time so that they can make more money. They don't know what is their optimal capacity.

If you need to get something done, explain clearly several times what you want, and don't expect some services you hired to followup on time even though you are paying them. You need to follow up until the thing gets done.

Chicago Pizza, Santa Clara, CA

Found a really great restaurent, and after a long long time!

Somthings I can't forget:

1. Funny menu with a story behind each pizza type for e.g. Jake Joliet: Jake dicovered this pizza delicacy on his trip to mushroom gods.
2. Deep dish style pizza, customize anything you want to.
3. Laid back, out of shape waitresses, but very friendly and would carefully serve the pizza to you, mentioning it is hot.
4. No glasses, you drink out of jar type bottles. So COOL!
6. Chicago ambience, Michigan Blvd, Bears, Bulls, framed popular news out of news papers.
7. T-shirts with Graffiti, posted on walls.
8. "Blame it on competitor's pizza" funny wall posting :) how bad things happened to people because they ate their competitor's pizza.
9. Two guys drinking beer along with their kid daughters drinking pink soda, and having happy banter.
10. Dating couples trying new things.
11. Comfortable sofas.

A must go place if you are in bay area.

Holi Bay Area 2009

Celebrated Holi in the Sunnyvale Hindu Temple ....

Incredibly enthusiastic crowd, throwing colors in the air, and smearing the GULAL on each others faces, clothes and hairs and with feet dancing to bollywood music and throats gulping the elixir like thandai :))

Here are some pics:

Catching up on some great movies in the plane

Writing this from the Hong Kong Airport. Free wi-fi is great!

The only time I watch consecutive movies is in the airplane, like a discipline!

This time I watched:

300 (again),
The Love Guru (loved it),
My Father Romulus (loved it too),
Sarkar (awesome),
Forgetting Sarah..(nice)

Stuffed in the non-aisle middle seats of the Cathay Pacific Aircraft. Along with some great Indian food. Slept a little in the middle. Relishing the journey on the way home!

Ecstasy, more than I could have imagined..

I found through Zune mp3 player! the 120gb one :)

All the songs I loved are on my finger tips, anywhere. The zune interface feels great, inituitive, and effortless. Like flying through collection of artists, albums, songs, genres...

Right now I am breezing through songs I always loved. Bringing to my forefront all packed memories, flashbacks, and sending me into alternate state of mind.

I feel technology if applied right, can really creating a BIG difference in lives of users.

Some of my favorites Artists, Songs, Albums:

The Beattles
Michael Jackson
Shakira
Madonna
Norah Jones
Brittney Spears
Avril Lavigne
Elvis Presley
Bryan Adams
Bee Gees
Aquarium Aqua
The chemical Brothers
Shania Twain
Macy Gray
Nelley Furtado
Ricky Martin
Sugababes
Spice Girls
The Carpenters
Mariah Carey
Kishore Kumar
Mohammad Rafi
Mozart
Beethoven

Strange Dream!

Today morning I had a strange dream!

There was water flooded all around my house in Ghaziabad, after a huge downpour. I had a magic cross in my hand, which will make me fly in the air in the direction I pointed it in...

I found myself flying over flooded waters, up and down, here and there, effortlessly..

Perched myself on a raised peiece of land by a corner house and watched it for a moment. There was no one in the house.

Then I found myself in Nairobi, Kenya (where I really wanted to go).

Not sure how I landed there. I was in the midst of the city with Shikha. The place we have to go is by bus and it is 7 hours away. And I didn't know where the bus stand was. I had this eerie feeling that I have no cash with me. Tensed up with what I am going to do.

Then in this hustle and bustle, I found myself in a mansion, inhabited by ghosts and spirits. I had to take a bath. I was bit afraid to be alone in there. Everything was hi-tech. There was half the TV on the wall, but if I just waived by hand at it in a certain direction, it expaned in that directions. Like someone was listening to what my heart had to say.

Then all of sudden we had to vacate the spendid mansion...if I recall for catching the bus. And we all (there was some never before seen friends with us) left the place. And oooh half way out I forgot I left my purse back in there...I was too afraid to go back alone.

And before we left, there were some African folks mud houses below the mansion.

We went and mingled with them...it seemed they were having fun....

And my dream ended!

Seven Monkeys

Seven naughty monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell down, and bumped his head!
Mommy called the doctor, and doctor said,
No more jumping on the bed!

Six naughty monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell down, and bumped his head!
Mommy called the doctor, and doctor said,
No more jumping on the bed!

Five naughty monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell down, and bumped his head!
Mommy called the doctor, and doctor said,
No more jumping on the bed!

Lao Tz Quotes

• A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.
• A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.
• A scholar who cherishes the love of comfort is not fit to be deemed a scholar.
• All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy, and great things in that which is small.
• Ambition has one heel nailed in well, though she stretch her fingers to touch the heavens.
• An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox.
• Anticipate the difficult by managing the easy.
• At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.
• Be Content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.
• Be the chief but never the lord.
• Because of a great love, one is courageous.
• Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
• Born to be wild - live to outgrow it.
• By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond the winning.
• Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.
• Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt.
• From caring comes courage.
• From wonder into wonder existence opens.
• Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
• Govern a great nation as you would cook a small fish. Do not overdo it.
• Governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish - too much handling will spoil it.
• Great acts are made up of small deeds.
• Great indeed is the sublimity of the Creative, to which all beings owe their beginning and which permeates all heaven.
• He who conquers others is strong; He who conquers himself is mighty.
• He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.
• He who does not trust enough, Will not be trusted.
• He who is contented is rich.
• He who knows himself is enlightened.
• He who knows others is clever; He who knows himself has discernment.
• He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened.
• He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.
• He who knows, does not speak. He who speaks, does not know.
• He who obtains has little. He who scatters has much.
• He who talks more is sooner exhausted.
• Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy.
• How could man rejoice in victory and delight in the slaughter of men?
• I do not concern myself with gods and spirits either good or evil nor do I serve any.
• I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion.
• These three are your greatest treasures.
• If the Great Way perishes there will morality and duty. When cleverness and knowledge arise great lies will flourish. When relatives fall out with one another there will be filial duty and love. When states are in confusion there will be faithful servants.
• If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.
• If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. If you are not afraid of dying, there is nothing you cannot achieve.
• If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence.
• In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don't try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present.
• In the world there is nothing more submissive and weak than water. Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong nothing can surpass it.
• It is better to do one's own duty, however defective it may be, than to follow the duty of another, however well one may perform it. He who does his duty as his own nature reveals it, never sins.
• Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.
• Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.
• Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment.
• Life and death are one thread, the same line viewed from different sides.
• Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.
• Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart and the senses.
• Man's enemies are not demons, but human beings like himself.
• Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires.
• Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.
• Music in the soul can be heard by the universe.
• Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.
• Nature is not human hearted.
• Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it.
• Of all that is good, sublimity is supreme. Succeeding is the coming together of all that is beautiful. Furtherance is the agreement of all that is just. Perseverance is the foundation of all actions.
• One can not reflect in streaming water. Only those who know internal peace can give it to others.
• One who is too insistent on his own views, finds few to agree with him.
• People in their handlings of affairs often fail when they are about to succeed. If one remains as careful at the end as he was at the beginning, there will be no failure.
• Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment.
• Silence is a source of great strength.
• Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline; simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength.
• The career of a sage is of two kinds: He is either honored by all in the world, Like a flower waving its head, Or else he disappears into the silent forest.
• The higher the sun ariseth, the less shadow doth he cast; even so the greater is the goodness, the less doth it covet praise; yet cannot avoid its rewards in honours.
• The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.
• The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness.
• The more laws and order are made prominent, the more thieves and robbers there will be.
• The people are hungry: It is because those in authority eat up too much in taxes.
• The power of intuitive understanding will protect you from harm until the end of your days.
• The sage does not hoard. Having bestowed all he has on others, he has yet more; having given all he has to others, he is richer still.
• The sage does not hoard. The more he helps others, the more he benefits himself, The more he gives to others, the more he gets himself. The Way of Heaven does one good but never does one harm. The Way of the sage is to act but not to compete.
• The softest things in the world overcome the hardest things in the world.
• The wicked leader is he who the people despise. The good leader is he who the people revere. The great leader is he who the people say, 'We did it ourselves.'
• The wise man does not lay up his own treasures. The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own.
• The words of truth are always paradoxical.
• Those who have knowledge, don't predict. Those who predict, don't have knowledge.
• To know yet to think that one does not know is best; Not to know yet to think that one knows will lead to difficulty.
• To lead people walk behind them.
• To love someone deeply gives you strength. Being loved by someone deeply gives you courage.
• To realize that you do not understand is a virtue; Not to realize that you do not understand is a defect.
• To see things in the seed, that is genius.
• To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.
• Treat those who are good with goodness, and also treat those who are not good with goodness. Thus goodness is attained. Be honest to those who are honest, and be also honest to those who are not honest. Thus honesty is attained.
• Truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good.
• Violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself.
• When a nation is filled with strife, then do patriots flourish.
• When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.
• When the best leader's work is done the people say, "We did it ourselves."
• When virtue is lost, benevolence appears, when benevolence is lost right conduct appears, when right conduct is lost, expedience appears. Expediency is the mere shadow of right and truth; it is the beginning of disorder.
• When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you.
• Without stirring abroad, One can know the whole world; Without looking out of the window One can see the way of heaven. The further one goes The less one knows.

Summer Fun

Heat of the summer, and nothing to do. Inside the homes was boring for creative and expressive young children. Playing in the little garden outside the home was so ecstasic. There was a Guava tree to provide shade, and fresh fruit. And thirsty birds, restless squirrels, busy insects, diligent ants and annoying flies made it perfect.

There was loose mud in the garden. Bits of broken bricks. Some rose plants.

We would make complicated mud-and-brick structures.

These structures would withstand heavy rains. And animal attacks.

The Canal

Off the road side ran a 24-7 busy canal, flowing vigorously, and carrying in it tons of city garbage. The stench was overwhelming. Decayed, rotting, toxic blackened unidentifiable matter in turmoil. All rolling into it, and off to Yamuna shores, for lack of better waste disposal system.

The depth from roadside was sufficient to give a clear view. The canal was always a mysterious attraction to us as children. We would manage to pull ourselves up on the roadside walls, and watch it for sometime before going to Victoria Park, every now and then. And would wonder what if someone fell into this shit? Where is this coming from? How come it is flowing so rapidly? How did it turn black? Why is it smelling so bad? Does it ever stop? Why it is going to Yamuna, our sacred River? All these unknowns would haunt us.

Even as we grew up into adolescence, we never lost the charm of watching the flow of the canal. And breathing some toxic air above it.

Haseena, the Maid

She came like a storm into our home. She chewed tobacco, and kept a little tobacco tin box with her. Lean and thin, she would usually come in her favorite green dress. With her head covered in chunni.

Her task was to clean the utensils, kitchen, and wash part of the room. Her only condition was that someone would listen to what she had to say. And she had to say a lot of things non stop.

She would be usually tensed up by something that already happened to her in the day. Either her son Iqbal didn't listen to her. Or her husband who lived far away. But she would be happy after she had talked out what she had in mind.

Mom would sit by her side when she cleaned up the utensils. And would also enjoy the happy banter. Sometime mom would prepare tea for her, or share some food.

Haseena would do diligently work on the dishes.

She had a proud tone, and would talk in high pitched voice. She would say she is saving money to send to her son who needs. It seemed she never spent any money on herself except for basic necessities.

Patwari the Painter

Patwari would be called on to paint our house. Railways amenity that we enjoyed.

He had an attitude, and a working style. Certain things must be pre-arranged. Like a tall stool, right kind of brushes, some buckets for mixing paint, and some old clothes.

Things would start by Dad and Patwari going to painters shop. Kalai and Neel for whitewash were #1 on the list. Then several cans of colored paints for rooms either light blue, green, pink. White plastic paints for doors. Varnish for windows. Whitewash brushes, paint brushes, and several other small items - wall pit fillers, various grades of sand papers, among other things. All of this would be loaded on a tricycle rickshaw and transported to our home.

All corners of the house were cleaned up in the process. Of them we had most fun in cleaning up the attics. Lots of antique utensils, books, coal iron, an old bed showed up.

Patwari would move from room to room as he finished up. He'd take frequent breaks smoking bidis, gossiping with fellow helper about his stories of work at Railways, expressing what's going on in his personal life and at times take a quick nap. Then would be energetically back on work.

Patwari was accustomed to be indifferent to paint spots all over his body and clothes. Sometimes these were hard to remove spots. But he wouldn't care, and feel just at home if some spots remained at the end of the day.

Watching the Plumbers at Work

There was an occasional visit of plumber to our home. For fixing a leaking tap, installing a tap upstairs in summers, installing wash basin in the back home, constructing cement water tank, setting a ball bearing connection in tank, enlarging the drain pipe in front, fixing a cranky toilet chain, setting up water motor and so on.

Dad would go to call the Railway plumber Kabool. He would show up on his cycle with his Rinch, with a shy smile on his face. He had a long moustache, and spoke softly.

As he worked things up unscrewing taps, cutting pipes, adding grooves, putting the white thread around the tap ends and completing the connections flawlessly, I watched him patiently and curiously. Sometimes he'd poke hole in the wall and a suprise pipe would show up. Then he'd open it up at an appropriate joint and make some new connections.

Sometime his visits lasted for the day. He'd be working until late in the night in light of bulbs or candles if the light went away. He'd woudn't eat or drink in between. But continued to work. Taking a break only when we gave him tea or water.

He'd be sweating and working hard.

The area where he'd be working would be strewn with pipe pieces, elbows, connectors, cement-sand mixture, brick pieces. I'd have lot of fun with them after he was gone. Trying to connect one into another.

We'd collect them and put them in a white tin for later re-use.

Then days went by. Kabool came sometimes and re-fixed his plumbings what he didn't get right at first. He became sort of our family plumber.

When Dad got retired, the plumber amenity from Railways no longer remained. However Kabool would still come if Dad went to his home/or to his supervisor to call him.

We didn't like anyone else as a plumber if Kabool didn't or couldn't come. Gradually he got older too. But to this day he still is same old handy hard working plumber inside, and Dad still calls him, even if he can't come or can't fix things right.

Washerman at college

Chewing paan Rajjan would knock at my door with big a smile. You have clothes for laundary? I'd have already dumped some in the corner of my room. I'd quickly keep them outside as I left for my afternoon class.

He would duly count all the clothes before taking them away, making a bag of clothes wraping them in my sleeping sheet. He had already tagged all my clothes with my room # so that they don't get mixed with other boys. And then in 3-4 days he'd be back. With all clothes cleaned, ironed and stacked perfectly. Wow what a feeling I can't describe to see my dirty clothes transform. I used to love it.

I didn't have much clothes. 4/5 shirts, 2/3 pants, and 2 towels, occasional sheets and pillow covers. That's it. Life was simple. He didn't charge much for his services. As students we couldn't afford to pay much either.

He'd always say to all boys in awe. Now you don't have money, but you will have lots soon. Will you remember me? Looking back I sometimes wonder how hard it must have been for him to make ends meet, even after working so hard...

Stormy Rainy Days

Come the months of June, July I found myself awaiting the dust storms. Usually precedded by several days of continous and unberable heat, the storms were a pleasant surprise.

All of a sudden the sun disappeared. The winds went crazy. Flipping tinned roofs, shaking trees to the roots, blinding birds, animals, humans with swarm of dust partciles, and making them confused and flee for shelter in all wrong places. There was no sky above but flying bits of papers, plastic bags, twigs, leaves, torn pieces of unidentfieable things.

The heart swayed up and down as the winds became more aggressive. The whole areas was filled with high pitched rushing sounds with every bit of loose inanimate matter now dancing madly, as if suddenly it had life. I would go to the roof, and stand in an open corner witnessing all this.

Minutes later rumblings could be heard in the skies. And then lightning. This would go on for sometime. Then came the first drops of rain. These first drops were big in size, and forceful. As they fell on land, indescribable was the smell that came. Extremely refreshing to the soul. No perfume in the world can compare to it..

As the drops gained speed, it quickly took the form of downpour. Everything was wet in minutes. Little ponds form on the road whereever water got blocked. After the rains stopped I would make paper boats and float them in these little ponds. Sometimes when mom wasn't around I would just go and play in the rain filled ponds.

At night there would be trrr trrr trrr of frogs who came to life, now restless, and playful. And not to mention a large variety of rain insect flies that flooded our houses, and kept loosing their wings, and making a mess.

Counting Train Wagons

Our house was the last one in a row of houses, with rail tracks 3 lanes behind our row. Freight trains, Passenger trains, Lone Engines, (Lone Wagons sometimes!) would passby frequently. As soon as I heard the train whistle or the ground shake, I would run outside, and watch the passing train. Since the tracks were not electrified, only coal and diesel engines ran. The coal engine would blacken the sky with bouts of black/gray smoke, and spread the smell of hot burning coal around. This excited me a lot. At time I wish I could watch from a bit closer to see how the mighty engine is functioning with all the exposed moving parts. The piston driven by the hot white steam that periodically leaked out making a large hissing sound that penetrated the environment around and sent chills through my body. I could also see from a distance the heap of coal in the back compartment of the engine. And workers within the engine with shovels shoving the coal in the engine. In my imagination as a small child I wondered how the engine works. I would stand in all attention sometimes. Many times counting the wagons that followed. For passengers trains there were only 10-15 boggies, and the spectacle ended fast. For freight trains it was more amusing. The count would go upto 90-120 wagons. And oh there were all different type of wagons. Some were oil, some plain, some short, some long, some red colored, some green, some new, some very old. And sometimes there were open wagons carrying myriads of things. And lastly there was the guard compartment which had its own shape. And if I ever saw the guard waving green flag I would feel hugely elated, not sure why.

Hanuman Chalisa

Shri Guru Charan Saroj Raj
After cleansing the mirror of my mind with the pollen

Nij mane mukure sudhar
dust of holy Guru's Lotus feet. I Profess the pure,

Varnao Raghuvar Vimal Jasu
untainted glory of Shri Raghuvar which bestows the four-

Jo dayaku phal char
fold fruits of life.(Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha).

Budhi Hin Tanu Janike
Fully aware of the deficiency of my intelligence, I

Sumirau Pavan Kumar
concentrate my attention on Pavan Kumar and humbly

Bal budhi Vidya dehu mohe
ask for strength, intelligence and true knowledge to

Harahu Kalesa Vikar
relieve me of all blemishes, causing pain.

Jai Hanuman gyan gun sagar
Victory to thee, O'Hanuman! Ocean of Wisdom-All

Jai Kapis tihun lok ujagar
hail to you O'Kapisa! (fountain-head of power, wisdom and Shiva-Shakti) You illuminate all the three worlds (Entire cosmos) with your glory.

Ram doot atulit bal dhama
You are the divine messenger of Shri Ram. The

Anjani-putra Pavan sut nama
repository of immeasurable strength, though known only as Son of Pavan (Wind), born of Anjani.

Mahavir Vikram Bajrangi
With Limbs as sturdy as Vajra (The mace of God Indra)

Kumati nivar sumati Ke sangi
you are valiant and brave. On you attends good Sense and Wisdom. You dispel the darkness of evil thoughts.

Kanchan varan viraj subesa
Your physique is beautiful golden coloured and your dress

Kanan Kundal Kunchit Kesa
is pretty. You wear ear rings and have long curly hair.

Hath Vajra Aur Dhuvaje Viraje
You carry in your hand a lightening bolt along with a victory

Kandhe moonj janehu sajai
(kesari) flag and wear the sacred thread on your shoulder.

Sankar suvan kesri Nandan
As a descendant of Lord Sankar, you are a comfort and pride

Tej pratap maha jag vandan
of Shri Kesari. With the lustre of your Vast Sway, you are propitiated all over the universe.

Vidyavan guni ati chatur
You are the repository of learning, virtuous and fully accom-

Ram kaj karibe ko aatur
plished, always keen to carry out the behest's of Shri Ram.

Prabu charitra sunibe ko rasiya
You are an ardent listener, always so keen to listen to the

Ram Lakhan Sita man Basiya
narration of Shri Ram's Life Stories. Your heart is filled with what Shri Ram stood for. You therefore always dwell in the hearts of Shri Ram, Lakshman and Sita.

Sukshma roop dhari Siyahi dikhava
You appeared before Sita in a Diminutive form and spoke to

Vikat roop dhari lanka jarava
her in humility. You assumed an awesome form and struck terror by setting Lanka on fire.

Bhima roop dhari asur sanghare
With over-whelming might you destroyed the Asuras

Ramachandra ke kaj sanvare
(demons) and performed all tasks assigned to you by Shri Ram with great skill.

Laye Sanjivan Lakhan Jiyaye
You brought Sanjivan (A herb that revives life) and restored

Shri Raghuvir Harashi ur laye
Lakshman back to life, Shri Raghuvir (Shri Ram) cheerfully embraced you with his heart full of joy.

Raghupati Kinhi bahut badai
Shri Raghupati (Shri Ram) lustily extolled your excellence and

Tum mam priye Bharat-hi sam bhai
said: "You are as dear to me as my own brother Bharat."

Sahas badan tumharo yash gaave
Thousands of living beings are chanting hymns of your glories;

Us kahi Shripati kanth lagaave
saying thus, Shri Ram warmly hugged him (Shri Hanuman).

Sankadik Brahmadi Muneesa
When prophets like Sanka, even the Sage like Lord Brahma,

Narad Sarad sahit Aheesa
the great hermit Narad himself, Goddess Saraswati and Ahisha (one of immeasurable dimensions).

Yam Kuber Digpal Jahan te
Even Yamraj (God of Death) Kuber (God of Wealth) and the

Kavi kovid kahi sake kahan te
Digpals (deputies guarding the four corners of the Universe) have been vying with one another in offering homage to your glories. How then, can a mere poet give adequate expression of your super excellence.

Tum upkar Sugreevahin keenha
You rendered a great service to Sugriv. You united him with

Ram milaye rajpad deenha
Shri Ram and he installed him on the Royal Throne. By heeding

Tumharo mantra Vibheeshan mana
your advice, Vibhishan became Lord of Lanka. This is known

Lankeshwar Bhaye Sub jag jana
all over the Universe.

Yug sahastra jojan par Bhanu
On your own you dashed upon the Sun, which is at a fabulous

Leelyo tahi madhur phal janu
distance of thousands of miles, thinking it to be a sweet luscious fruit.

Prabhu mudrika meli mukh mahee
Carrying the Lord's Signet Ring in your mouth, there is

Jaladhi langhi gaye achraj nahee
hardly any wonder that you easily leapt across the ocean.

Durgaam kaj jagat ke jete
The burden of all difficult tasks of the world become light

Sugam anugraha tumhre tete
with your kind grace.

Ram dware tum rakhvare,
You are the sentry at the door of Shri Ram's Divine Abode.

Hoat na agya binu paisare
No one can enter it without your permission,

Sub sukh lahai tumhari sarna
All comforts of the world lie at your feet. The devotees enjoy all

Tum rakshak kahu ko dar na
divine pleasures and feel fearless under your benign Protection.

Aapan tej samharo aapai
You alone are befitted to carry your own splendid valour. All the

Teenhon lok hank te kanpai
three worlds (entire universe) tremor at your thunderous call.

Bhoot pisach Nikat nahin aavai
All the ghosts, demons and evil forces keep away, with the

Mahavir jab naam sunavai
sheer mention of your great name, O'Mahaveer!!

Nase rog harai sab peera
All diseases, pain and suffering disappear on reciting regularly

Japat nirantar Hanumant beera
Shri Hanuman's holy name.

Sankat se Hanuman chudavai
Those who remember Shri Hanuman in thought, words and deeds

Man Karam Vachan dyan jo lavai
with Sincerity and Faith, are rescued from all crises in life.

Sub par Ram tapasvee raja
All who hail, worship and have faith in Shri Ram as the Supreme

Tin ke kaj sakal Tum saja
Lord and the king of penance. You make all their difficult tasks very easy.

Aur manorath jo koi lavai
Whosoever comes to you for fulfillment of any desire with faith

Sohi amit jeevan phal pavai
and sincerity, Will he alone secure the imperishable fruit of human life.

Charon Yug partap tumhara
All through the four ages your magnificent glory is acclaimed far

Hai persidh jagat ujiyara
and wide. Your fame is Radiantly acclaimed all over the Cosmos.

Sadhu Sant ke tum Rakhware
You are Saviour and the guardian angel of Saints and Sages and

Asur nikandan Ram dulhare
destroy all Demons. You are the angelic darling of Shri Ram.

Ashta sidhi nav nidhi ke dhata
You can grant to any one, any yogic power of Eight Siddhis

Us var deen Janki mata
(power to become light and heavy at will) and Nine Nidhis(Riches,comfort,power,prestige,fame,sweet relationship etc.) This boon has been conferred upon you by Mother Janki.

Ram rasayan tumhare pasa
You possess the power of devotion to Shri Ram. In all rebirths

Sada raho Raghupati ke dasa
you will always remain Shri Raghupati's most dedicated disciple.

Tumhare bhajan Ram ko pavai
Through hymns sung in devotion to you, one can find Shri Ram

Janam janam ke dukh bisravai
and become free from sufferings of several births.

Anth kaal Raghuvir pur jayee
If at the time of death one enters the Divine Abode of Shri Ram,

Jahan janam Hari-Bakht Kahayee
thereafter in all future births he is born as the Lord's devotee.

Aur Devta Chit na dharehi
One need not entertain any other deity for Propitiation, as

Hanumanth se hi sarve sukh karehi
devotion of Shri Hanuman alone can give all happiness.

Sankat kate mite sab peera
One is freed from all the sufferings and ill fated contingencies of

Jo sumirai Hanumat Balbeera
rebirths in the world. One who adores and remembers Shri Hanuman.

Jai Jai Jai Hanuman Gosahin
Hail, Hail, Hail, Shri Hanuman, Lord of senses. Let your victory

Kripa Karahu Gurudev ki nyahin
over the evil be firm and final. Bless me in the capacity as my supreme guru (teacher).

Jo sat bar path kare kohi
One who recites Chalisa one hundred times, becomes free from the

Chutehi bandhi maha sukh hohi
bondage of life and death and enjoys the highest bliss at last.

Jo yah padhe Hanuman Chalisa
All those who recite Hanuman Chalisa (The forty Chaupais)

Hoye siddhi sakhi Gaureesa
regularly are sure to be benedicted. Such is the evidence of no less a witness as Bhagwan Sankar.

Tulsidas sada hari chera
Tulsidas as a bonded slave of the Divine Master, stays perpetually at

Keejai Naath Hrdaye mein dera
his feet, he prays "Oh Lord! You enshrine within my heart & soul."

Pavantnai sankat haran,
Oh! conqueror of the Wind, Destroyer of all miseries, you are a

Mangal murti roop.
symbol of Auspiciousness.

Ram Lakhan Sita sahit,
Along with Shri Ram, Lakshman and Sita, reside in my heart.

Hrdaye basahu sur bhoop.
Oh! King of Gods.

California, May 16th!

May 16, 08

California

So we are in california!

The sun is liberating. It feels like India here.

Dust, birds, heat, and the taste of water! oh I love it.

There is just lot of light peeking into the aparment rooms, bathrooms, kitchen.

Lots of Indian junta around. Today morning a cat brushed against me. Saw a fairy tale house.
A little humming bird trying to drink water. Stopped and watched it for a moment. Then hit an old canal.
There was no water in it. while walking I could see yellowed grass and dusted dropped dried leave fragments.

I stood up before the sun rise. Felt tingling sensation. Looked up into it. Amazing feeling.

Took a picture of small pigeon whose voice I love the most, who was sitting atop electric wire.

I sometime feel alone in all my admirations. But so be it.

Haven't posted in a while!

We are coming to India, and so there is super excitement every day. We'll leave on 22nd via Asiana (damn same airline this time as well), and reach Delhi on 23rd. The plan is pretty elborate one. Have to meet lots of family and friends, and do tons of things.  I have been missing India, my own Ghaziabad very much.

 

Top of the list:

Trip to Nainital on our Wedding Anniversary. Yes its been a year, but we still consider ourselves newly weds.

Going to Agra, to see everyone in my Mom's Family. I have lots of cousin brothers and sisters.

Going to Kanhan(Nagpur), never been there.  If you didn't know Shikha my sweetheart, is from Kanhan.

Going to Mumbai to meet my sister, choti didi. And Chotu and Jatin.

Going to Alwar, Rajasthan, never been there again.

And more to come!

Sitting on Coal Engine...(Cascade Loop, WA)

I wasn't camera ready, and busy chewing the gum, and shot the got taken! Anyway I liked the picture very much, so here it is...Shikha and Me..

Checking out the nose...

This naughtly little fella is my sister's son.... very naughty indeed!

A kodak moment that I enjoyed a lot. Looks like something got in the nose, accumulated dirt may be, or may be poking nose feels good when there is nothing to do but hanging in mom's godi.

Mirza Ghalib

Thought of the day....

We come to love not by finding a perfect person but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.

-Sam Keen

Brooklyn Flavour of Life

Life is what our character makes it...
We fashion it as a snail does his shell.

--Jules Renard

Goodness is only investment that never fails.

--Henry David Thoreau

When written in chinese, the word "crisis" is composed of two characters, one represents danger and the other represents opportunity.

--John F. Kennedy

The important thing in life is not where you stand, but in what direction you are moving.

--Oliver Wendell Holmes

Remember, the task ahead of you is never as great as the power behind you.

--Alocoholic Anonymous

Tough times do not last, Tough people don't last either, Strong people do.

Eagles fly highest against the wind, not with it.

There is no such a thing as best in a world of individuals.

--Hugh Prather

Fire is test of Gold, adversity of strong men.

Beleive it, in all the world there is no such thing as a stranger.

What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others

--Confucius

Money should always kept in circulation. If you hoard it for a rainy day, you'll end up spending on an ark.

The key to motivation is to look at how far you have come rather than how far you have to go.

-Hugh Prather

The greatest truth are simple. And so are greatest men.

Character is what you do when you think no one's looking.

Faith is the bird feels the light and sings while the dawn is still dark.

Always forgive your enemies. Nothing annoys them so much.

--Oscar Wilde

Destiny is not a matter of chance. It is a matter of choice.

--William Jennings Bryan

The only thing that ever sat its way to success was a hen.

When one door of happiness closes, another door opens but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.

--Helen Keller

You can fool all the people some of the time, you can even fool some people all of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time,'

--Abraham Lincoln

When a dream inspires you, God has hit the ball in your court. Now you have to hit it back with commitment.

--Robert Schuller

I kept this book all this long with me. Sometimes in my wallet. Sometimes deep in the pile of papers. I discovered it recent while moving. And re-read the quotes. Felt like it has some truths touched.

My Mirror Getting Erased.........

Straight A .......
One Direction
more more more
P P P!

System Overload!

One Way ~~~~~~
Its not the way I want it,
Its just the way I need it \/\/\/\/
Day after Day

Stand with me Forever
Take me to the limit...
Never let me go
Call my name
And I will be there
Don't Cry......

I just loved these songs from C89.5

Changing Apartments....

Today I feel sad and happy.

I was wishing that I could change my apartment for long, and then I gave up, because rules didn't allow me per new manager in the apartment office. They said to give a strong reason to change. I said I have none, and I don't want to create one honestly. I just want to change. And I was blocked by my lease until June next year....

Disappointed, I thought to myself, why not make my aparment like new?

I cleaned the carpets. If you know what RUG Doctor is. It does great cleaning.

Then ohhh the Walls.....I thought I could paint them too. But that's too much painting. Consulted the painters, and damn they just gave me very unreasonable estimates...

So I took some paint from the apartmentat maintenance guys, and got myself a painting kit, and started to paint. I felt great to do some real manual labour.

I had only painted my living room, barring the ceileing....and had to stop because the work week got started.

On Diwali, I returned home from work. And I had picture of Lakshmi Ganesh printed out for Diwali pooja. But I realized I had fogotten them in my car, as I was ready to do pooja.

So I walked down to my car, and bumped into our old apartment manager Tracy. How is it going? Are you still moving? I told her I am not moving, I am painting.

She said, give it shot again, the new manager got fired today and you might have a good chance changing apartments.

So I talked again, and WOW they agreed, rules changed, I got the new aparment I wanted, at the right floor, and in the right price...

How could it happen? Now I beleive, that when you try your best honestly, there is someone out there who listens...

Now I am feeling Happy to get to new aparment.

But sad because of all good memories of my old aparment....I did a lot of my paintings in this aparment I am leaving....

BumberShoot Fair, Psycotic Pineapple

Vibrant with the spirit of Seattle.....

Pure white flowers, Green leaves

I feel happy when i see them.
Don't know why.

Monroe Fair, Labor Day Weekend...

Blue Red jars.. Throw in a ball, and get a golden fish!

Today I went to the Monroe Evergreen State Fair.

Fairs are chance best to watch local art, culture, music here.

Lots of native indian art, and musical instruments.

Art on black steel - Horses, Animals, Farmers, Huts, this was unique!

Karoke contest store.
Circus of fools.

Lots of games for children:

Bursting balloons by pointed arrowheads.
Banking a ball and winning big toy dogs.
Dropping a ball in an array of blue-red jars. If you do, you get a golden fish. I tried this and lost all my 8 chances..
Big wheels. Big rotating bears with children inside.
Hoop it up.
Ponys to ride for children,
Crazy birds

Lots of eating stalls. Melon madness, Fried Onions, Cotton candy, Curly fries, German sausage.

Farmers stalls.

Some pictures....

Crazy Birds..



Art on black steel!

Orange !

Sunset or Sunrise?

Latest Painting...

Its always about 3 things.....

Why is 3 the MAGIC number?

My favorite bird

Orange beak,
Light brown feathers,
Black and White neck top,
Sharp tail,
Long yellow legs,

And most of all I am fascinated by its relentless chirping in the mornings,
And its temper and attitude.

Name of this bird? Anyone?

My elder sister loved the playful squirrels, so here is a picture for her



And the pigeon redenvu point..

June Sunrise at Ghaziabad

Some pictures I took from our home roof top at my home town in Ghaziabad, India.

Everyday new day
Everyday new us
Everyday new beginning............

Sunrise Chemical

I want to wake up early in day. And experience the fresh ORANGE light falling on me.

I feel like I never rose early except when urgently needed. And I missed on the beautiful sunlight all this time.

O Sun God, help me rise early in day. Wake me up.

Happy Birthday August 31st!

Happy B'day to my niece Isha.

I hope you celebrated the day! Many many happy return of day Aug 31 2005.

sandeep mama

Truth sets you free

You may hurt someone by truth. But they will appreciate it later on.
You may think you are vulnerable by speaking truth, but universe will protect you.

Speaking truth invites powers we can't even imagine.

Shiva

Had painted this on shiv ratri occasion this year.

My home in my imagination...

NO PLACE IS LIKE HOME.

Now I know, it still lives with me in my memories. Only in ghaziabad, india.

The guava tree, and guavas,
The birds sitting on the electric wires chirping all day,
Some bricks piled up randomly in front of home,
Water splashed on our ramp,
Two sleepers by the ramp,
A small diya burning besides the guava tree on diwali,
The med around the guava tree,
Some candles left over from the diwali still standing on canopy,
The wired fences,
The anteena and its wire,
The flickering tube light on the pole,
A small hut by the side of our house,
The grill on the roof,
The cooler for small room,
The beaten path in vast empty ground in front of home....

Relishing evening sky paintings of nature...

Moonlight Inspiration

Full moon between tall pine trees, awestruck me a couple of days ago, as I returned from health club late night.

The moon was blue from the tinted windshield of my car. It was breathtaking.

Did my best to capture the effect. Below is my painting.

Everybody is doing something

....

Some horses working in a tower. Peeking outside.
A frog at top of tower overwhelmed. Jump or not to jump.
A rat who believes that food can be anywhere. Leave no tower unexplored.
A tortoise ascending the holy arch without fear of fall. I have a backup, no worries.
A blue bird pushes the tower back and flies off. Life is good.
A squirrel circling the arch. Dizzy feels good!
A dog wishing he could climb too. Feeling left out.
A lizard in line on holy grail. Right on.
An ant from ant family wants to hit the sweet coke on arch.
A caterpillar on arch saving himself from a free fall..
A green bird thinks "wow, life is in the water over there"
A bee finds the mud pot leaves tacked on the arch. Still no flowers!
A bull who is determined to shake the tower off. He got his strong tail and hoofs for this day.
Crocrodiles and Hippos feeling "there is nothing like going downstream effortlessly"

My first Oil!

BLUE STORMS...taking the leaves one by one

Some recent paintings....

Sometimes life is .....

Innocencent, and Ignorant ! Blissful it is, and you don't need to do anything.

If you haven't seen...

Nature knows it, and it comes in pink color.

Chaotic Art

Attempt a description?

Bed of FLUFFY clouds, and roof of BLUE sky

Who is driving the show?

At the core, what it is?

National Geographic

Recently watched startling programs on NG.

INSIDE 9/11

Really a black day in history of America...How this was planned and executed? Down to meticulous details....Radical islam provoking Jihad. How could those terrormist men die knowingly and with conviction?

The Chi OR The Life Giving Energy OR Prana

How you can channel engery of universe into you? Mystic Sufis, Saints dive into some sixth sense to tap into it?

INSIDE Earth's Core

Earth's magnetic field sustains all life on earth. Protecting us from the harmful cosmic radiations. Is there a nuclear reactor inside the core? How is this magnetic field produced?

Dost

I installed Google's sidebar, and it indexed my PC and started displaying some random images..

Posting some memorable ones...



rashi-mukul and me on the waterfront board walk...




along with a tantric baba who visited us from california...(currently known as Hirdu)



mukul-rashi! in their best form...

Life in short sentences

Called my friend, because I remembered him.

At office, and at work...

Feeling like if I could paint the sky..

Its interesting to talk to people about what they love to do.

Being patient

But I can't stop REACTING, just doing it slowly.

I have a million tons of balance in TIME bank.

Cashing on it!

Set up a ART stall!

Killed all my inhibitions flat. And took road to exhibiting my work.

Despite rainy weather my spirits zoomed in. The stall was to be setup in redmond town center. Annie with the management office told me someone cancelled, so you are in. Lucky me!

I had to get a tent canopy, without which I was afraid any drizzle would spoil my paintings. Rushed to Fred Meyer (FM), called Amit for ideas. FM didn't have it. Amit suggested Target.

First paid $15 to Annie by check - the stall space fee. Lest it went away.

Then found a green canopy of right size for $30, at Target.

Had to digress to our division party for half an hour at VASA park. Missed all the Kayaking JetSkiing. No going in cold water. Orders from above. I still have my cold.

Then I was at the town center. Setting up my green canopy...

I had brought a chair and a table. And I put them in center and my paintings against them.

Rest later....

Independence Day Painting!

Idea came from Harshit.

Made this painting at hi-priority today evening after coming from work.

Here is the description:

3 fluttering tricolor flags ...

One growing out of Surahi.
One carried by a pink flying bird in her beak.
One lifting up in sky by 3 helium ballons.

(I will destroy the beauty by any explanation ...its all metaphorical)

In the background is a jail, out of which is growing out a tree breaking the jail....

That's it! I will post the painting shortly..

Explored north west pottery workshop!

Check it out....

http://www.potterynorthwest.org/

I was there for my tax appointment, and I stopped in this gallery to ask directions.

Then when I returned from appointment, my curiosity pushed me to have a look at the gallery.

It was artists work in action. I am tempted to do some pottery.

Howard Mandville Gallery!

This is where I went today, in downtown Kirkland, and talked long with David Gray and Douglas Fryer about their works. It was GREAT!

http://www.howardmandville.com/
http://www.howardmandville.com/Pages/shows.html
All paintings are in the website, you can have a look.

By talking I could associate with their thoughts, and feelings, techniques, and emotions while they painted.

"The painting itself talks" said Douglas. There is a constant battle, play, between what you want to paint, and what painting wants to get painted.

"I did this at 1 am"
"From details to abstraction"

"I think how God must have created this?" said David. When he said he connected with God when he looked at things.

"Being a family man I just can't paint anything, because it has to sell, amateurs are the best, as they have no pressure"

"This is my first big show. Small steps at a time"

David was holding is little son all the time.

Besides I loved the metal sculptures, those aren't the website.

I wish I have my work displayed at this gallery!

A summer Wednesday in Redmond...

Struck by hunger at 5pm, and hate for monotonic intake of subway sandwich, I decided I would eat something different today. No patience for self-preparation. Yellow curry fried rice at Thai restaurant today? Only good Thai place I knew is at Redmond town center, the Thai Ginger. So I drove there inspite of 5pm traffic. And ordered my favorite TomKha soup and YC friend rice. I would never go alone to eat, but something drove me today.

Delicious food! And I togoed the remaining.

Then I observed some kind of summer festival is going on in the town center. I had to check it out.

There were many artists stalls out there. Doing water color, oil color, acrylic, Chinese water color, glass blowing art, metallic art, art on clothes, OMG!

Then, there was live musicians playing god knows what.

It was less of festival and more of art gallery on the road. Watching works of artists was really breathtaking. The artworks were ecstasic and evoking. Reflecting the beauty of human mind.

I talked to several artists, and introduced myself, and my art. They encouraged me to put up my stall next Wednesday. Yessss!

Then there was a chiropracters stall, a popcorn stall, ice cream, a summer footwear stall etc....

I was really glad that I got in touch with artists. I am amazed that I never knew of this festival, but I reached there at right time, because I just followed my heart....

Feelings in words, faint attempt!

Brain hurts, and Body hurts. Blue Fire, Purple Fields, Bright Red leaves.
Sounds of drums, making me mad...yet i like them. Yellow light, and feeling hot.

Ignorance is Power!!

The Swift Reader Stories?

If anyone knows about this book, that we used to have in class II.

I REALLY REALLY want this book.

The horse who went crazy

Hubla was the white beauty of the entire stable. And would easily be spotted if he dared to escape. Hubla was not a typical horse. He was very emotionally responsive. Big black eyes. An elegant gait. Filled with curiosity. But what was his life? Confined to stable and no venture here and there. The owner's children used to sit on him for an occasional ride. 1 day Hubla ate blue straw berries out of a bush. Little did he knew that it was the pot fruit that inverts the vision. Now all the world went upside for him. He returned to his stable, wondering why rest of his horse mates are hanging upside down.

He kept wondering, and is still wondering.....

The blue bird's story, which touched my heart

My brother used to study in the engineering college at Roorkee University. I was a little child then, 4-5 years old. I had only seen him coming to home from university once every 6 months. And it was very exciting to see him. There were all sorts of fantasies associated with what he does, and where he goes or comes from.

Nights I would sleep near him. And would ask him to tell me a story. So one day he told me a story about a blue bird.

There used to live a sparrow with his two sparrow-kids on the tree top. One day the sparrow flew flew flew and far far away in search of food. Day was dry. It was almost a nearby town, where some painters were painting the wall blue. The sparrow was thirsty, and feeling hot. Nobody nobody nobody was around. The blue paint almost looked blue water, and little did sparrow know about it. After drinking some, a refreshing bath was tempting. So the sparrow jumped into it. And then she was all blue blue blue.

She came home flying back. Into her nest. But her two little ones won't eat the insects she brought. It wasn't there mom. Its some blue bird...NONONO.

What should be done? Flying round and round the sparrow thought. What happened to her she didn't know. Only if there was a mirror!

The soaring heat in the jungle invited the rains. And it showered heavily that evening. All paint was gone!

She flew back to her little birds with fresh out of the ground rainy insects. And yesss, it was their mom this time.

~~~~~~~
Yesterday, while going through a seattle's gift shop, I saw a cute blue singing bird. And I bought it immediately :)

I am thinking of bird watching, and bird photography......

Check out
http://www.kolkatabirds.com/

Latest Painting

Is all the news I have.

Here is the description:

There are fishes growing on a tree branch.
A crow is putting leaves in a clock which is happens to be an open bowl. This bowl is getting heated by an oil lamp below.

The leaves that the bird is putting are blowing into colorful balloons by time vapourizing out of the heated clock.

There is time strip which starts from where the clock is.
The balloons are standing up (like helium balloons) attached to the strip in a line, waiting to be bursted...

Some balloons are bursting, with surprises out of them...

Explanation:
Every leaf of life tree is like an event in our life, either happy or sad, but is colorful anyway, and it bursts us into it, before we know...and into yet another balloon.

The fishes are no different than fruits. Just like events are no different than a time balloon.

Month of July

Is passing by.

With it all the July events of life. And July heat. And July rains.

Birthdays, Anniversaries, Visits, Picnics, Pool Parties....and some some days spent at HOME, with my folks. Crows, and Rainier Cherries, and Colorful balloons.

Marking 4th of July in my calendar forever.

Exercise is THE most important thing

Routine medical check brought me the NEWs.

The ZIST: If you don't exercise daily you are dooomed. I have high level of bad cholestrol. And that is taking a toll on me.

To me I have been eating close to minimal. And even in this minimality, it seems I am eating too much according to my tests or in other words I am not channeling it into useful manual work.

My LDL (bad cholestrol)is 150 which is ok, but it should be ~100. This is what I need to improve on.

And my HDL (good cholestrol) is 46 which is ok but it should be ~ 50.

No fatty foods at all.
Have food with Olive Oil.
No junk food.
Food with proper proteins.
And daily exercise.

It pays off in long run.

Presentation Fever

is attacking me. because i need to give a presentation. i wish i didn't have to.

it need not be techinical, it can be anything, it shd be fun for listeners but not for me.

so here is list of ideas i m exploring.

Ideas:

a. evolution theory
b. string theory
c. business of life
d. technical
e. dreams, interpretation, creativity
f. drama.

Effect shd be:

Motivational, Inspirational, Informational, Captivating, Interactive, Possessing......

Help?

Doctrate Dreams

In my dream this morning I was all set to start a PhD in Physical Chemistry. In some university in south america. Far away from home. Strange chemical formulas dangled in front of me.

I had mixed feelings. I was reminded of the time when I first left home for hostel. Painful it was.

I remembered all times when my father would be so much supporting. He will do anything for me.

Don't know where it leads me.

A story

Growing up or Growing old
==========================

The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know.

I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being.

She said, "Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?"

I laughed and enthusiastically responded, "Of course you may!" and she gave me a giant squeeze.

"Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?" I asked. She jokingly replied, "I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, have a couple of children, and then retire and travel."

"No seriously," I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age.

"I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!" she told me.

After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake. We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop.

I was always mesmerized listening to this "time machine" as she shared her wisdom and experience with me.

Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up.

At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor.

Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said "I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know." As we laughed she cleared her throat and began:

"We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing. There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success. "You have to laugh and find humor everyday. "You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die.

"We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it!"

"There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up. If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight. Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability.

"The idea is to grow up by always finding the opportunity in change."

"Have no regrets. The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets."

She concluded her speech by courageously singing "The Rose." She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives.

At the years end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those years ago. One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep.

Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be.