Fishing!!! Fishing???

Over the month we ( friends from the church) have been oor-suthi-fying all around Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Sunday's after the church service we set ourselves out on a diversified adventure. We had been on fishing for 2 weeks and (shameless) haven't managed to catch even a single fish. :-( . But, otherwise, we had a good time roaming around and seeing places.

I did buy a new camera for myself when I had been to US the last time - a NIKON DSLR - D5000 with an extra 200mm zoom lens. Here are few nice pics that I shot while out. All untouched.

This was taken in Cherlapally lake

When a dragonfly turns into a helicopter

Sharply chiseled rocks in Shamirpet Lake

Paddy crop

The legendary Medak Church. Most remarkable one.

Medak Church - from afar.

All in the AIR

Dusk - in Manjira Dam

I love this pic - It gives me a feeling of fulfillment.

Manjira Dam. 4 gates were open.

@1050

Recording LIVE. This moment goes down in my history, though I'm not making history. A moment to be captured, a moment to be enjoyed, a moment so special, a moment to be embraced, a moment which I don't know if it'll ever come back, a moment that I'll cherish for my life time.

When was the last time that you felt being knocked off your legs by the winds?

This is the highest point that I've ever been on earth in a free standing structure. Yes, standing on the observatory bay in the 86th floor of the "Empire State Building", NY; at 1050 feet above the ground level, I look back on what made me come so so far. Being pressed by the heavy winds this high, gazing at the vastness of the earth that He created and several such sky scrapers built by man all around which just dwarfs down when compared to the majestic structure that I'm standing on; together forming a closely knit concrete jungle down this small strip of land, embraced by river and seas around; New York city takes my breath away.

The building stands 381 meters (1,250 ft) tall with a total of 102 stories. I'm in the observation deck on the 86th floor. There's a second observation deck on the 102nd  floor and it costs $20 more to get there. One thing to be noted is, the building has its own ZIP code. Amazing, ain't it?

I had been to NY same time last year but haven't had a chance to get on top of the Empire State Building. This year, I didn't wanna miss it and here I am.

I took few pics with my iPhone and here I post them.

East - Far east is the JFK airport.

East View

South - Wall street empire and far south is the Statue of Liberty.

South View

West - Hudson River.

West View

North - Manhattan and the Central Park.

North View

Soaring high into the dark sky.

Mooring Mast

 I caught a dove so high. This is one of the amazing shot that I ever took with my iPhone. It embellishes the city.

Is this called a bird's eye view?

I also did send "Greetings from NY" sms to few of my most loved ones from here to mark this moment. AT&T did a good job delivering them.

Mangoes Galore!

Rs 35 - Written on a slate is what you see in the barrow full of mangoes all around Marredpally, Secunderabad. This season has seen an unprecedented supply of Mangoes. Secunderabad is one place where you get all fruits in abundance. Be it grapes, chikoos, guavas or mangoes; there are places where farmers directly put up their makeshift stalls and sell. There are plenty of vineyards in the proximity of 20 KM from the city. This should tell you how much more we are supplied with fresh grapes.

Though there are plenty of mango sellers out there in the street, not all mangoes are nature ripen. The usage of calcium carbide stones to ripen them has grown over limits. Over the month, I've developed the skill in identifying the good ones. Never be taken away by it's color is the thumb rule.

Prices vary according to the locality. It was Rs 40 per kg this morning in the street where my house is located. It is Rs.30 per kg where the farmers have put up their roadside market.

Yeah, it's lunch time!

Kids in my neighborhood love mangoes and we always have a nice time eating together. Our objective is to turn the seed white.



Shambhavi still fighting with the seed!!

Yesterday I bet on Brazil with my niece for 3 mangoes. It was a tough match against Portugal. They had 5 players in defense. Brazil, with Kaka, Elano and Robinho would have put a great show with their unique "Beautiful Game" style. On the other hand, Ronaldo made amazing attempts to kick the ball into the nets but all in vain. It was a draw; how disappointing it is to lose mangoes :-(. We finally agreed on 2 mangoes each!

Shambhavi and myself happened to go on a camel ride this afternoon.

Did I know that sitting on the camel's hump will make it run wild?

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!