A day in June

June - the month of south-west monsoon. Surprisingly, it set in early this season. I think we should find a new author to re-write "Rain rain go away" rhyme; because children enjoy playing in the rain these days! Hyderabad experienced good showers until now. Yesterday and today had been dramatic. We had heavy showers last night; water gushing down the road. The roots of many trees gave up and the branches of many lowered causing disruption to the electric lines. Yeah, we had the power go down. The rain stopped only after 3:00 AM today.

Being Saturday, my house mates and I were all at home. Every minute seemed like an hour without power and our computer down. I think this is the only time in 6 months the desktop rested for more than 8 hours. When we were all sitting and discussing about world peace, global warming and several other important issues we heard a commotion down the road.This started at 8:00 AM.

A dead tree right opposite to our house has completely rested on the main electric wires. That's the reason we had no power. It is Marredpally municipal's call to take the tree down without breaking the lines.

All characters depicted below are non-fictional. Any resemblance to persons sleeping or awake or dreaming is purely and completely coincidental.

This is just another witness about Indian Management.

First, there came 5 people ( 4 supervisors and 1 labor man with a saw ). They all stood together and analyzed how to bring the tree down for about an hour. The labor guy went up the tree and cut a small branch just above the electric lines. That took about 20 minutes and when he came down, hot tea was served for all. It was almost 10:00 AM

We were getting ready to go out for breakfast. My house mate Anish challenged me that they will bring down the tree only after a crowd of 50 people gather in the place. I didn't dare to challenge him back because I know that's exactly how it's gonna end.

After the tea break and few more people adding to the present crowd, 12 - 15 approximately; they seemed to wait for something. One among the many supervisors has made a deft move in calling for extra help. We were back from having our breakfast when the cherry picker arrived - "the-extra-help". The sole labor guy was put in the cabin and lifted high only to saw another small branch off the tree.

They tried out different moves with the cherry picker to bring the tree down. All they needed was another round of tea before they could work/think further. The supervisors were in deep discussions when few more work-men arrived. They tried tying the tree to the back of the cherry picker and pulling the tree in the opposite direction. But, nothing seemed to work. It was almost lunch time by then.

When we came back after our lunch, we were surprised to see a crane arriving the site to assist the cherry picker - another deft move after 5 hours.


Finally, they tied the tree to the crane and uprooted it - that moment was awesome. Anish was right, we had a huge crowd.



The tree was uprooted vertically and then lowered.


I, an odd man out, clicking snaps around, clapped in exaltation as the tree came down. The guy standing beside was gawking at me. Seeing him, I know that he is one among the supervisor. I returned him a broad smile, but his expression worsened. I knew right then, it is not safe for me to stay there anymore and rushed back home. It was 2:00 PM.

The power came back at 2:30PM

Homie!

I knew him not before I was five;
Playing alone and see the roses bloom.
Oh yeah he grew up in Granny's hive;
Until my parents brought him home.

Momma told he was my brother;
Joining a new school in grade six.
Was harder to get along, I didn't bother;
Kept playing alone, that was my fix.

We grew up, things didn't change much;
Always fought and kicked with our boots.
Deep in our hearts, weren't enemies as such;
Now and then brotherly love shoots.

We departed to pursue higher studies;
Gap that formed, strengthened our bond.
Days passed, we became better buddies;
Hi and hello didn't seem that long.

Little did I realize this day would come;
Starting a new chapter in his book called life.
Oh he's getting married; one to sum;
May the Lord bless him and his wife.

It's still on demand we communicate;
But no more fight against one another.
This is the day we all celebrate;
Deep in our hearts we love each other.

Wishing You
a
HAPPY BLESSED MARRIED LIFE
ICY ANNA and JONES ANNI!

A day in May

After a short interval, I'm trying to keep my blog alive. Its just the second day of the month and it seems to have started with a good tone. It's been a pleasant day today with the mercury touching 32 points. I'd bet this is gonna be the coolest day of the month. I just went out to the music store to buy a new set of strings for my guitar and returned. The sky has already turned dark and is windy. I'm expecting rain anytime. I've never had such a pleasant evening for quiet some time and I didn't want to miss the opportunity to record this moment. I know this month is gonna be a special one and I've already started experiencing it. Standing in the balcony, I have no idea of getting into my house yet. All that is filled in my mind is to capture this moment. This would also be my first post through my iPhone.


The road down my house has been blocked for about 3 months now. Minister Geetha Reddy lives in the next block and to tighten the "security" - which was in demand during the Telengana agitation, several CRPF men were deployed day and night. This evening has been different. With barricades down the road, people living in the adjacent apartments have turned the once-busy-road into a play field. With a beautiful weather added, guys have already started playing cricket. There's another group playing shuttle and throw-ball. I'm enjoying my evening today.

Road no 04 Cricket team

The house you see in the left is where I live ( 1st Floor ).

This is the throw-ball team. They are having a little break. The multi-colored jeep in the left is one of Minister Geetha Reddy's campaigning vehicle. There's a dog that took shelter under the jeep and gave birth to 6 puppies a month ago. It's still in there but with only 2 puppies left. The rest are gone :-(. If you pay attention to the pic, there are 2 guys sitting beside the car in the right. One among them sells tea to the watchmen and drivers in every apartment. He is taking a break and enjoying the game too.

I might go to the park later for a while and spend some time there. I wish all the days in May go like this. As I always keep telling myself - "Hope for the best, plan for the worst".

Kotagiri - 2009

Over the year end, I happened to visit the place where I grew up. I captured few snaps too.


The Ghat road that leads to the house:

The tea gardens:


The house where I grew up - the portico is completely changed and my little garden is no more.




House - from down the hill:



The ever fresh tea gardens.




A guest house in the neighborhood:

Adieu 2009

Gone is another year;
October, November and December.
Joyous seasons with Christmas cheer;
Wonderful people so dear and near.

Instance that we hire;
Diligently lost in work the mire.
Few minutes we shed some tear;
Thanking Him for the gone year.

Gone is another year;
Moments happy and some dire.
For one thing it's very sure; the
Hope of welcoming another New Year.

Happy TWENTY TEN

Yes, I am back!

5 AM Struggle

I don't know how do you call 5:00 AM as. For many, it is midnight I say; please stay away from these people. There is a good possibility for them turning into out-of-earth-creature if you ever try to wake them up from their sleep. For some, 5:00 AM is when they're cozily tucked up in the bed and is sound asleep. They never wanted to be disturbed for heaven's sake. For some, there is no such thing called 5:00 AM in existence. They would have never seen a sunrise in their life. For some, it's always dark like this.

Waking up with the blanket over the head and then giving a big sigh "huh.. still dark"? and going back to sleep again.

I wish I could have slept for 5 more minutes, (and you never know how long 5 minutes is :-D ). My dad would never allow me to be in the bed after 6:30 AM. No, not even a single minute. If I don't move out of the bed, I know my consequences - one of my ear would be red that morning. So was I brought up. During exams, my mom would wake me up at 5:00 AM. I've never seen her using a alarm clock, but she always knew when the clock strikes five. I used to sit upright in the bed, propped up by pillows and study. You must experience the joy of sleeping in this position with a book on your lap. It's nice until this happens. A sharp pain would bring me back alive, my ear will red again. Yeah, my mother would keep an eye on me such that I don't sleep. If I ever, I end up having several nail marks in my ear. It was always water off the ducks back.

The worst part is during holidays/vacation. Either be it a bright day or rainy or foggy or biting cold, no excuses. Out-of-the-bed at 6:30AM was my dad's rule. I know how irritating it would be when you're disturbed in the early hours while you really wanna snuggle down into the quilt and sleep for just *five* more minutes. But, there was no exception in dad's rule.

Well, today I reap the reward of what was sowed years back. All the time when I have to be at office at 6:00 AM, I never feel the difficulty in waking up at 5:00 AM. Most of the time I'm awake even before my alarm goes off. 5 AM is no struggle anymore. All credit goes to my dad and mom. Thank you folks!

I manage to get myself 5 hours of continuous sleep before which I could start my day!

Want me to wake you up at 5:00AM ?

Please be my Valentine!

Oh how I cherish the sweet moments I spent in Bishop Heber College on this particular day. The Chapel Prayer Fellowship would organize a big event under the title "Valda" Please be my valentine! The best speaker we ever had for "Valda" was Vestry school Principal, Dr. Relton James. He used to speak very practically and one area of which he warned us about is "Sexual fantasy"; that was a big hit. We codenamed it as "SF". We had singing sessions too. I still remember the day when we sang "Some one to love me" leaving the audience in utter bewilderment until we reached the last stanza of the song. This song became so popular from then on. Exactly a year ago, I was there in my college enjoying this program seated as one among the audience. I've written that experience here. That night, when all of us were back in the room, we discussed about what really valentines day meant. Many questions were unanswered before we all fell asleep.

14th Feburary 2009 - Today!

Saturdays - the best thing ever that I could enjoy in Hyderabad on a Saturday is "Youth Alive" - a youth fellowship in AG chuch. I would never take a chance to miss "Youth Alive" and this has been my biggest source of spiritual nourishment until today. This is where I get my cup filled. "Valentine's Day" falling on a Saturday made Youth Alive more special. We had a bigger event organized by the "Youth Alive" crew this day. Wonder what is it? Here we go; Four different couples who came across this thing called "Love Marriage" were brought up the dais and we were allowed to ask any/many question related to love-relationship and sex.

This has been my second best valentines day sermon I've ever heard and participated. All questions were answered with respect to experience and Bible as baseline. I got most of the answers for the questions I posted a year back. I was very very satisfied with them. It is very desperate for all of us to get to know about these things when we are young so that we may not spoil it. Nevertheless, it is impossible to preach/teach such sermon in a regular church service and not all preachers can talk on it. Days like these serve this purpose.

One great saying one of the couples brought forth is, your prayer should be like "Lord, make me right; so that I may know when the right one comes." - I love this. 45 minutes went just like a rapid fire round. Now, I can't stay still without finding who my real valentine is. Buckle up!

Well, I leave a open request here, "will you please please pleeeeeeeeeaassse be my valentine?"

Few amazing love lines that very young minds (under 7 years of age) can think answered few of my questions. I found them really interesting and hence I'm posting them here. Enjoy reading

“Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.”

“Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.”

“If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend whom you hate.”

“Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.”

“My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don’t see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.”

“Love is when mommy gives daddy the best piece of chicken.”

“Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.”

“I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.”

“You really shouldn’t say ‘I love you’ unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.”

“When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth.”