tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34953045231767131152024-03-19T12:23:39.646+00:00Gautam Prakash : The Un-natural ActThe blog of Gautam Prakash, where he jots down random stuff.GPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18114257862613705166noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495304523176713115.post-35199487380209452522011-05-01T19:18:00.002+01:002011-05-01T19:18:48.909+01:00<span class="fullpost"> <br />
<h2><a href="http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=1069247">Transpennine Trail - North Sea to Irish Sea!</a></h2><object width="400" height="300" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/swflash.cab"><param name="movie" value="http://www.everytrail.com/swf/widget.swf"/><param name="FlashVars" value="units=metric&mode=0&key=ABQIAAAA_7wvFEi7gGngCZrOfos63hSN1xyBy-BzBD--25ZLXpVi3GfbehTQlZCXdpUFII2A5CGeExVTCyX1ow&tripId=1069247&startLat=53.91153286&startLon=-0.16283646&mapType=Hybrid&"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.everytrail.com/swf/widget.swf" quality="high" width="400" height="300" FlashVars="units=metric&mode=0&key=ABQIAAAA_7wvFEi7gGngCZrOfos63hSN1xyBy-BzBD--25ZLXpVi3GfbehTQlZCXdpUFII2A5CGeExVTCyX1ow&tripId=1069247&startLat=53.91153286&startLon=-0.16283646&mapType=Hybrid&" play="true" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed></object><br/>EveryTrail - Find the <a href="http://www.everytrail.com/best/hiking-california">best hikes in California</a> and beyond<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.everytrail.com/trip/widgetimpression?trip_id=1069247"></script><br />
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</span>GPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18114257862613705166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495304523176713115.post-50391002291200716932009-03-08T23:27:00.002+00:002009-03-26T00:16:43.602+00:00Roll On!*<span class="capitalFont"><span style="font-size:78%;">*DISCLAIMER: This blog entry is not to promote smoking or to inspire anyone to do so. Your life is your responsibility. </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />Let it roll, baby, roll.<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Let it roll, baby, roll.<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Let it roll, baby, roll.<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Let it roll, all night long.</span><br /><br />Or so 'The Doors' sang a few decades back. Back, when there were no severe duties on tobacco products and smoking was not something looked down upon. As we know, those were the days!<br /><br />Coming to UK, I was hit most by the cigarette prices, from the Park Street, Kolkata, WIN fags for INR 20 (</span>£ 0.25) to a packet here for £6 (~INR 400) has been quite a dent in my wallet. Till I can source some duty-free tobacco, I thought about rolling my own. Now, I have tried this earlier and never been any good at this. And, so enters <span style="font-style: italic;">_drums roll_</span> the 'Rolling Machine'<span style="font-style: italic;"></span>. This blog is a step-by-step instruction to using one. So, read on if you wanna roll your own!<br /><br /><span id=”fullpost”><br /><div><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Step 1</span></span><span class="capitalFont"><br /></span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/3339740940/" title="IMGP4066 by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3311/3339740940_0966067153.jpg" alt="IMGP4066" width="500" height="315" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">TOC.</span></span><br /><br />What you need to get started:<br /><ul><li>Tobacco: I bought DRUM on Kiran's recommendation</li><li>Cigarette Paper: I got Rizla Kings but it won't fit this roller, so I am using the ones I got free with the machine.</li><li>Filter Tips: You don't want to miss out on the filter, do you?</li><li>The machine: Of Course.<br /></li></ul><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Step 2</span></span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/3338910813/" title="IMGP4068 by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3382/3338910813_d7f202317d.jpg" alt="IMGP4068" width="500" height="294" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Open.</span></span><br /><br />The roller has two positions - open and close. In this photo, the roller is in the 'open' position, ie. you can put in the tobacco. You will understand the difference when you see the 'close' position. The red lever allows you to roll Ultra Slims if you so want!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Step 3</span></span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/3338911031/" title="IMGP4070 by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3576/3338911031_2ac72857e4.jpg" alt="IMGP4070" width="500" height="299" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tambaku.</span></span><br /><br />Time to get the tobacco out. I wouldn't recommend DRUM as this is the only one I have tried. It's not as mild as I would have liked it to be.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Step 4</span></span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/3339739650/" title="IMGP4072 by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3608/3339739650_6bb3b6a082.jpg" alt="IMGP4072" width="500" height="357" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tipped.</span></span><br /><br />Take out a filter tip from the packet. There are loads (120 to be exact) to last you a few weeks.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Step 5</span></span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/3339739922/" title="IMGP4073 by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3392/3339739922_d80457a012.jpg" alt="IMGP4073" width="500" height="335" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Layoff.</span></span><br /><br />Just spread the tobacco on the roller with the filter tip at one end. Be careful not to put in too much tobacco. I did that the first time, and the tobacco didn't burn easily.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Step 6</span></span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/3339740046/" title="IMGP4075 by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3631/3339740046_99d24527d4.jpg" alt="IMGP4075" width="500" height="355" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Close.</span></span><br /><br />This is what is called the 'Close' position. Just slide one of the arms close to the other one. The arms fixes into a slot and is ready to be 'rolled'.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Step 7</span></span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/3338911821/" title="IMGP4078 by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3378/3338911821_0fb2474460.jpg" alt="IMGP4078" width="500" height="334" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Intruder.</span></span><br /><br />Slide the paper in the crease with the sticky side up and begin to roll the paper into the machine.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Step 8</span></span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/3338912427/" title="SDC11510 by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3378/3338912427_46eb55e5bd.jpg" alt="SDC11510" width="500" height="378" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Licked.</span></span><br /><br />Lick the sticky part, continue rolling. Holla.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Step 9</span></span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/3339740394/" title="IMGP4080 by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3576/3339740394_8572d6c62e.jpg" alt="IMGP4080" width="500" height="388" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Reddy.</span></span><br /><br />Separate the two arms. Lo and Behold! Your cigarette is ready to smoke.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Step 10</span></span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/3338912209/" title="IMGP4086 by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3298/3338912209_d6e38d8fc4.jpg" alt="IMGP4086" width="500" height="341" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rush.</span></span><br /><br />Now, either go out to the balcony or as some of my friends suggest, turn off the smoke detector - light up and enjoy! :)<br /><br /><br />All images are protected under:<br /><a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/in/"><br /><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width: 0pt;" src="http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/2.5/in/88x31.png" /><br /></a><br /><span dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" href="http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage" property="dc:title" rel="dc:type">The Rolling Machine</span> by<br /><span cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#" property="cc:attributionName">Gautam Prakash</span> is licensed under a<br /><a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/in/">Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India License</a>.</div><br /><br /></span>GPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18114257862613705166noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495304523176713115.post-77414463217370992952009-03-02T20:30:00.000+00:002009-03-26T00:13:43.969+00:00Come Up The YearsNo deeper meaning, just a song I like!<br /><br />Come Up The Years - Jefferson Airplane<br /><br /><object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZoSTenJC6yY&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZoSTenJC6yY&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object><br /><br />I ought to get going<br />I shouldn't stay here and love you<br />More than I do<br />Cause you're so much younger than I am<br />Come up the years, come up the years<br />And love me, love me love me<br /><br />A younger girl keeps hanging around<br />One of the loveliest I've ever found<br />Blowin' my mind, stealin' my heart<br />Somebody help me 'fore I fall apart.<br /><br />I ought to get going<br />I shouldn't stay here and love you<br />More than I do<br />Cause you're so much younger than I am<br />Come up the years, come up the years<br />And love me, love me love me<br /><br />The things she's doing keep turning me on<br />And I've been happy to go right along<br />I know it's time that I said goodbye<br />I know I can't leave no matter how hard I try.<br /><br />I ought to get going<br />I shouldn't stay here and love you<br />More than I do<br />Cause you're so much younger than I am<br />Come up the years, come up the years<br />And love me, love me love meGPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18114257862613705166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495304523176713115.post-91866789467780977732009-02-23T00:06:00.000+00:002009-03-26T00:13:43.969+00:00Free as a Bird?<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7PENBU3lrpE&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7PENBU3lrpE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />If I leave here tomorrow<br />Would you still remember me?<br />For I must be travelling on, now,<br />cause theres too many places Ive got to see.<br /><br />But, if I stayed here with you, girl,<br />Things just couldnt be the same.<br />cause Im as free as a bird now,<br />And this bird you can not change.<br />Lord knows, I cant change.<br /><br />Bye, bye, its been a sweet love.<br />Though this feeling I cant change.<br />But please dont take it badly,<br />cause lord knows Im to blame.<br /><br />But, if I stayed here with you girl,<br />Things just couldnt be the same.<br />Cause Im as free as a bird now,<br />And this bird youll never change.<br />And this bird you can not change.<br />Lord knows, I cant change.<br />Lord help me, I cant change.<br /><br />PS: I just love this song, and it means a LOT to me.<br /><br />Cheers guys!GPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18114257862613705166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495304523176713115.post-70972624336658305662009-02-07T19:13:00.000+00:002009-03-26T00:16:04.459+00:00Kitchen Love!<span style="font-weight: bold;">*WARNING*</span><br />This post is not a recipe for Matar Paneer. If you are looking for that, please use <a href="http://www.google.com/">Google</a>. Well, yes, you will end up with an amazing meal but you will have to follow each instruction, so if you don't like beer or '<a href="http://www.thewho.com/">The Who</a>' playing live for hundreds of thousands of 'freaks', my apologies!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Step 1:</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/3261230376/" title="Life. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3311/3261230376_4bbedc5563.jpg" alt="Life." width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Life.</span><br /><br />Food is all about living, so is music! No music collection is ever complete without the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodstock_Festival">Woodstock</a> album. The first step, therefore, is to plonk in the DVD. No pirated copies on your laptop please, Woodstock deserves better!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Step 2:</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/3261190954/" title="Matar Paneer. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3299/3261190954_590f06e317.jpg" alt="Matar Paneer." width="500" height="318" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Matar Paneer.</span><br /><br />Matar Paneer's on the menu tonight. If it's not to your taste, too bad it is the only one on the list. Frozen Peas and Paneer works just fine. Keep them out of the refrigerator before you begin. You won't have to struggle with the ice later.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Step 3:</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/3261190642/" title="Tears. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3525/3261190642_b7f78de92d.jpg" alt="Tears." width="500" height="330" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Reds.</span><br /><br />Onions! The more, the merrier. Ideally, I would like to chop in at least one red onion per person. Too bad I had only one to cook with!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Step 4:</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/3260361109/" title="Reds. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3264/3260361109_3e81f6b0aa.jpg" alt="Reds." width="500" height="295" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Tears.</span><br /><br />Chop the onion as small as you can. If you have a blender or a mixer, even better. Churn it into a paste.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Step 5:</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/3261189274/" title="Chop Chop. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3335/3261189274_0245e03a61.jpg" alt="Chop Chop." width="395" height="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Chop Chop.</span><br /><br />Also, chop a small piece of ginger. You can always use ginger-garlic paste. But nothing beats the aroma and flavour of fresh cut ginger and garlic. If you are putting your onions into a mixer/blender, put in the ginger and garlic as well. This is checkpoint 1 - you get a beer!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Step 6:</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/3260361513/" title="Fry. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3330/3260361513_2ba09ac20c.jpg" alt="Fry." width="500" height="370" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Fry.</span><br /><br />Time to get cooking. Heat some oil in a pressure cooker and put in the chopped onions/onion paste. Fry till onion is fried brown. Put in the chopped garlic and ginger. Fry for a few more seconds.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Step 7:</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/3260361749/" title="Spicy. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3525/3260361749_6e4f8ce2f3.jpg" alt="Spicy." width="500" height="349" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Spicy.</span><br /><br />Now's the time things start getting hot. Time for some spices:<br />Coriander (Dhaniya) Powder: 2 tsp<br />Garam Masala: 1 tsp<br />Red Chilli Powder: 1 tsp<br />Turmeric (Haldi) Powder: 1/2 tsp<br /><br />Cook them with the onions. Also put in a 1/4 glass of water. Cook for a few minutes till the oil starts separating.<br />In the meanwhile, quickly chop a tomato into small pieces and put them in the cooker. Squash them with all your might! <span style="font-weight: bold;">Add salt!</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Step 8:</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/3260362069/" title="Deforestation. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3373/3260362069_ac1acefe55.jpg" alt="Deforestation." width="500" height="334" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Deforestation.</span><br /><br />Once the tomatoes are squashed and cooked (you would know when you can't recognize one thing from another), put in the green peas and cook for around two minutes. Add around two cups of water or as you wish. Once done, close the cooker and let it heat on full heat.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Step 9:</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/3261189768/" title="Cubes. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3493/3261189768_690fc08ae2.jpg" alt="Cubes." width="500" height="334" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Cubes.</span><br /><br />While the curry is cooking, it is time to get the paneer out of the packing and chop it into small cubes.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Step 10:</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/3260362497/" title="Yummy. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3323/3260362497_3587523146.jpg" alt="Yummy." width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Yummy.</span><br /><br />I always love the paneer a wee bit fried in Matar Paneer, and believe me, it's worth the extra effort. Just put in a little oil on the pan and saute the paneer cubes in it.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Step 11:</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/3261190060/" title="Belly. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3350/3261190060_fdfc726bd2.jpg" alt="Belly." width="500" height="295" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Belly.</span><br /><br />Make sure the food is not the only thing adding to your belly. Have some beer.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Step 12:</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/3261191664/" title="Bhaat. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3383/3261191664_0e50c30b74.jpg" alt="Bhaat." width="500" height="334" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Bhaat.</span><br /><br />Optimize the cooking time. Put in the rice to cook in the microwave. This is the easiest bit for people who don't know.<br /><ul><li>Wash the rice. </li><li>Put in twice the water.</li><li>Microwave 15 mins.</li><li>Open another beer.</li></ul><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Step 13:</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/3260363313/" title="Curry. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3297/3260363313_9c147ca3da.jpg" alt="Curry." width="500" height="334" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Curry.</span><br /><br />Once the cooker whistles, lower the heat and let it cook for a minute. Release the pressure after this and put in the fried paneer pieces into the curry. Cook it on medium heat.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Step 14:</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/3261191406/" title="Roti Sabzi. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3531/3261191406_7c5e13f47e.jpg" alt="Roti Sabzi." width="500" height="340" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Roti Sabzi.</span><br /><br />Finally, an optional step. No north indian meal is complete without roti. To add a mexican flavour, (just being lazy) heat some tortilla wraps/frozen chapati on the pan. Let the matar paneer cook on medium heat in the meanwhile.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Step 15:</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/3260360859/" title="Finally. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3418/3260360859_64cbe9ea1a.jpg" alt="Finally." width="500" height="334" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Finally.</span><br /><br />Comment on the amazing instructions and enjoy the meal!<br /><br />PS: Sorry for the shortcomings in any of the pictures. I am still getting used to not putting my DSLR on the stove!<br /><br /><br />All images are protected under:<br /><a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/in/"><br /><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width: 0pt;" src="http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/2.5/in/88x31.png" /><br /></a><br /><span dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" href="http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage" property="dc:title" rel="dc:type">Kitchen Love!</span> by<br /><span cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#" property="cc:attributionName">Gautam Prakash</span> is licensed under a<br /><a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/in/">Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India License</a>.GPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18114257862613705166noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495304523176713115.post-40496739105786815882008-08-27T07:07:00.000+01:002009-03-26T00:16:04.460+00:00Breakfast At Flury's - The Experience<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2795709578/" title="Circled. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/2795709578_c78daff7f8.jpg" alt="Circled." width="500" height="487" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Circled.</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Quote</span>:<br />Holly Golightly: He's all right! Aren't you, cat? Poor cat! Poor slob! Poor slob without a name! The way I see it I haven't got the right to give him one. We don't belong to each other. We just took up one day by the river. <span style="font-style: italic;">I don't want to own anything until I find a place where me and things go together. I'm not sure where that is but I know what it is like. It's like Tiffany's. </span><br /><br />Paul Varjak: Tiffany's? You mean the jewelry store.<br /><br />Holly Golightly: That's right. <span style="font-style: italic;">I'm just CRAZY about Tiffany's!</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Unquote</span><br /><br />Just like Holly Golightly (played by the mesmerizing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audrey_Hepburn">Audrey Hepburn</a> in the 1961 flick, ‘<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054698/">Breakfast at Tiffany’s</a>’) was crazy about Tiffany’s, I am mad about food. Most people would agree with me when I say that. For the rest, all the food pictures in my album and the last few posts should suffice. This isn’t the Pad Thai post, so don’t get your heartbeats faster. It’s the next one, I promise.<br /><br />This Sunday morning, August 24, I and my colleagues decided to check out the famed breakfast at <a href="http://www.flurysindia.com/">Flury’s on Park Street, Kolkata</a>. So we are up in the morning, and finally leave by around 10.30 am. Wondering if we‘ll get ‘The Breakfast’ post-11 am, we somehow manage to reach the place. Park Street is an experience in itself. The way the place changes it colors through a day is mind-boggling – Work Center during the day, roadside market and hangout place in the evenings followed by, of course, the amazing nightlife!<br /><br />On the sleepy sunday, we alight at Flury’s. Most would find this hard to believe but this was the first time I entered the famous place in the umpteen years, though in bits and pieces, I have been in Kolkata. Typical of any Park Street eatery, the first thing that strikes you when you enter is the age of the place. The second thing is that the whole place is still functioning at that age. Flury’s does stand out as an elite place. I haven’t felt that at the other famous restaurants on Park Street. The third thing, of course, is the amazing smell in the place. You can’t blame your stomach if it starts growling as soon as you enter!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2795709402/" title="Flurys. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3146/2795709402_28e3d12d42.jpg" alt="Flurys." width="500" height="334" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Flurys.</span></span><br /><br />The restaurant has a smoking and a non-smoking section. We were seated in the non-smoking area, not that I mind. People-watching, you see an amalgamation of people here – the party crowd after a whole night out partying, the family out for a nice, healthy breakfast, the tourist who’s attracted by the fame of the place, the regulars who are here for their cup of tea. On one side of the restaurant is the brightly lit confectionery corner where you get all sorts of freshly baked breads, cakes, pastries and so on. The walls are decorated with sepia print photographs, the ceilings are old and endowed with colonial fans and chandeliers. You immediately feel relaxed and hungry.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2794862747/" title="Sepia. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3167/2794862747_f6585ed637.jpg" alt="Sepia." width="500" height="297" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sepia.</span></span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2795710266/" title="Antique. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3108/2795710266_78fc4169a1.jpg" alt="Antique." width="500" height="334" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Antique.</span></span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2795710664/" title="Calories. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3089/2795710664_636207551a.jpg" alt="Calories." width="500" height="339" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Calories.</span></span><br /><br />We are given the menus and I am shocked to see the prices. This place is insanely expensive. Now, I have been a breakfast man. I may not have it very often but when I have the time, I thoroughly enjoy the meal. So it may not come as a surprise that I have had breakfast at a number of places. Be it the vast spread at the breakfast buffet in Residency Towers, Chennai (INR 175) or the innumerous English breakfast joints in Goa (INR 100-150). Trust me! I know my breakfast and I hate to admit that this was the most expensive breakfast I have had. Just to give you an idea, an omelet costs INR 180, a milk shake INR 120 and an all day breakfast INR 310!! Rub your eyes and read the previous sentence again. Anyways, let’s leave this out of the discussion and continue with the breakfast.<br /><br />We order two all day breakfasts, a masala omelet and a milk shake. The service is not the very best. But then, there’s no reason why anyone would want to hurry through a Sunday morning breakfast. This is an experience to be enjoyed. There are large windows which overlook the main street. You see the hustle bustle outside while listening to Amy Winehouse in the background and chatting with your friends. The waiter arrives with the orange juice and the milk shake.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2795711414/" title="Juiced. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3040/2795711414_da0b9c4f23.jpg" alt="Juiced." width="334" height="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Juiced.</span><br /><br />The orange juice is thick and fresh – not canned but fresh. My friend says the milkshake’s yummy too. Now, I am hungry – enough of the experience BS to convince myself. I think the waiter heard my tummy roar because he arrives with the breakfast and the omlette.<br /><br />Let’s get down to business. The breakfast includes an orange juice, a fried egg, three sausages, a hash brown, bacon, tomato, brown/white bread and a choice of tea or coffee.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2795711716/" title="Wholesome. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3133/2795711716_1c9bd61681.jpg" alt="Wholesome." width="500" height="401" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wholesome.</span></span><br /><br />The fried egg was well done – nothing fantastic about it but not messed up either. The hash brown was unhealthily tasty but then, fried potato is something I can devour.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2794865357/" title="Breakfast. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3110/2794865357_5516bc2a5c.jpg" alt="Breakfast." width="500" height="279" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Breakfast.</span></span><br /><br />The tomato was a tomato. The bacon was funny because the first piece I had was very soft and sumptuous but the other one was dry and I literally had to tear up pieces to have them. The least they could do was provide a sharp-toothed steak knife. The sausages were out of this world. No frozen crap but fresh out of a butchery. Very soft and tasted amazing.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2795711986/" title="Sausages. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3280/2795711986_6b323e4aa1.jpg" alt="Sausages." width="500" height="356" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sausages.</span></span><br /><br />I have a small piece of the omlette too.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2795708696/" title="Omlette. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3051/2795708696_034bc96410.jpg" alt="Omlette." width="500" height="310" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Omlette.</span><br /><br />Although I do not want to mention how over priced the place is, I just have to when it comes to the omlette. I have had as good an omlette at Hi-Look near the IIT Madras main gate at 2 in the morning for 10 bucks.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2794863953/" title="View. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3029/2794863953_ac88c7862e.jpg" alt="View." width="334" height="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Timeless.</span></span><br /><br />Finishing off the breakfast with some nice tea the proper British style, we sit back and enjoy this beautiful Sunday morning. I am in a time machine, I am in the ‘30s. This is how life should be. This is how life is meant to be. To relax and not worry about a thing in the world. To not think about the daily mundane life. To lose yourself in a place which has lost itself in time.<br /></div><br /><br /><br />All images are protected under:<br /><a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/in/"><br /><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width: 0pt;" src="http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/2.5/in/88x31.png" /><br /></a><br /><span dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" href="http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage" property="dc:title" rel="dc:type">Breakfast At Flury's - The Experience</span> by<br /><span cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#" property="cc:attributionName">Gautam Prakash</span> is licensed under a<br /><a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/in/">Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India License</a>.GPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18114257862613705166noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495304523176713115.post-2872755484000865872008-08-22T13:40:00.000+01:002009-03-26T00:17:31.145+00:00The Five Most Happening Days of My Life...Yet!<div style="text-align: justify;">The year 2008 will be etched in my memory forever. It has been a rollercoaster without seatbelts – downs and ups. But I ‘ll have to admit that the 5 days starting the 13th of August marked that uppermost crest; that exact spot where you cannot see anything in front of you and your turning stomach tells you for sure that the rollercoaster is not on the tracks anymore! Yea, now you know what I am talking about.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >August 13, 2008</span><br />“Should I? Shouldn’t I?” or “Should I just worry about THE exam tomorrow?” Lots of questions marked Day 1. I had been planning a month long trip to the Southeast Asia, backpacking to Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Philippines and the rest for a long time now. Not seeing it happening any time soon, I just bit the bait and decided that “I should”! And, that was the point of no-return. I booked a return flight to Bangkok for Friday morning. Oh yes! Wondering about the exam? Hold your horses, it happens the next day.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >August 14, 2008</span><br />The D-Day arrives. “What’s all the fuss about?” I say when I wake up at 11 in the morning. A couple of messages and missed calls waiting to wish me luck. No offence to my well-wishers but I like to be left alone before an exam. Except of course for my parents! I have a good brunch, shaved after eternity, wore a nice clean set of clothes, rechecked the passport and appointment printout and left for the center. First impression of the center: it’s shabby! Looking worse than a cyber café, the place has creaky chairs and a talkative examiner. Who cares? I sit there for 4 hours, taking my breaks, doing the things I was supposed to do. Voila! 770 of 800!!<br /><br /><a href="http://img164.imageshack.us/my.php?image=resultfr0.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="width: 550px; height: 62px;" src="http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/4175/resultfr0.jpg" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I was ecstatic! Cloud number 9! On top of the world! Spellbound!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >August 15, 2008</span><br />Independence Day? Hell yeah!! Amidst chaos of lost debit cards and no foreign currency, I make it to the airport in time. Finally checked in and after facing some stupid questions by the immigration and customs guys, I finally board the flight. You would be surprised to see your co-passengers on a Bangkok flight. The language most spoken: Bhojpuri. The flight is half-filled with storeowners just going to smuggle stuff back in. Isn’t it obvious looking out for such people?! But after the <a href="http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/19/stories/2008081960271100.htm">Haywood case</a>, I wouldn’t be surprised if it is not.<br />I arrive in Bangkok! Visa on arrival and immigration formalities done, I am out of the airport. Thanks to Sam, I knew exactly where to land up and that was – no surprises – <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Bangkok/Sukhumvit">Sukumvit</a>! I get a cab, admiring the nice roads and the beautiful skyline, and reach the chaotic place of all – Sukumvit.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2782749001/" title="Swadee Bangkok! by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3024/2782749001_6185324ea9.jpg" alt="Swadee Bangkok!" height="218" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2783602932/" title="Blue Bangkok by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3065/2783602932_2688f1e533.jpg" alt="Blue Bangkok" height="334" width="500" /></a><br /><br />The best thing about this place is that EVERYthing is at your arm’s reach. Whatever you want to do – party, eat, drink, girls, travel – it’s all here.<br />I check into <a href="http://suncitybangkok.com/">Suncity Hotel</a> for a 1000 bahts a night. Nice clean room, though a tad bit small, will serve my purpose of needing a place to crash for the three nights I am going to be here. The first night, I go and check out the Sukumvit area. The nightlife is just unbelievable. The whole atmosphere is so electric. I completely lost track of time and hopped from one bar to another. Chatted up with a few girls here and there.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2783605846/" title="Nitelife at Sukumvit by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3260/2783605846_f9a00a276f.jpg" alt="Nitelife at Sukumvit" height="334" width="500" /></a><br /><br />I got a much-needed thai massage. Wanting to be relaxed and rejuvenated for Saturday, I call it an early night and hit the bed.<br /><br />PS: Wanting to try out the exotic food in Thailand, I somehow manage to have a deep-fried grasshopper and some sumptuous Phad Thai (Wait for images and recipe in the next post)<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2782752653/" title="Umm...Fried Grasshopper by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3197/2782752653_b4f61680fb.jpg" alt="Umm...Fried Grasshopper" height="334" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >August 16, 2008</span><br />Fresh and hungry! I wake up starving and cursing myself for not taking the [breakfast + room] combo. A quick shower later, I realize it’s time for shopping!! A phone call to a friend asking for shopping tips in Bangkok, I leave for MBK, one of the largest malls in Bangkok. I take the <a href="http://www.bts.co.th/en/index.asp">BTS</a> from Nana station. One of the biggest plusses of staying in Sukumvit is that it’s very well connected using the BTS and the MRTS train lines. There are scores of cabs and ‘tuk-tuk’s also available if you don’t like the trains. A very helpful attendant at the change counter helped me out and I got off at Siam station. Just to give you an idea how huge MBK is, let me just tell you that it has entrances from two separate train stations!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2782753389/" title="MBK Mall by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3112/2782753389_53948b7857.jpg" alt="MBK Mall" height="500" width="334" /></a><br /><br />And what a crazy time I had shopping – left, right and center! I did not even realize it was already evening by the time I came out of the center. Followed by a yummy burger combo at Dairy Queen (DQ) and the sight of a full rainbow, I checked out Siam Paragon mall and an Amazing Thailand Tourism promo show at the mall.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2782754449/" title="'Amazing Thailand' Show by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3123/2782754449_1baef3b217.jpg" alt="'Amazing Thailand' Show" height="352" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Later in the evening, I met up with some friends after a long time. Some nice family and friend time later, I am hungry for some nice Thai food again! A yummy dinner and another bar hopping later, I sleep off with plans for sightseeing the next day.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >August 17, 2008</span><br />My last day in Bangkok! I am a good boy today. I got up at 8am, have a nice full English breakfast (reminds me of Goa days) and get on the MTS again to ‘Saphan Taksin’. From the central pier, I hop onto one of the tourist boats on the ‘Chao Phraya’ river. The river ride is simply beautiful. Lots of colorful boats around (causing a lot of pollution too!) and a skyline to die for. I go snapping at the camera – Click Click!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2783609370/" title="Chao Phraya River Boat Ride by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3215/2783609370_bca5e73493.jpg" alt="Chao Phraya River Boat Ride" height="318" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2783610024/" title="Chao Phraya River Boat Ride by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3217/2783610024_a99d5534f8.jpg" alt="Chao Phraya River Boat Ride" height="317" width="500" /></a><br /><br />After putting up with the tour guide’s pathetic jokes, I get off at ‘Memorial Bridge’ pier. Somehow I loved walking in Bangkok, I arrive at the Grand Palace. It’s so unlike any tourist place in India. The first thing that struck me was the cleanliness. There were touts, footpath salesmen, hordes of tourists but the place is sparkling clean. I am ecstatic and go berserk with my camera again. I will let the next few images speak for themselves.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2783610432/" title="really Grand Palace by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3156/2783610432_8ce23c216f.jpg" alt="really Grand Palace" height="333" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2783611496/" title="The Upper Terrace by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/2783611496_eeaae57101.jpg" alt="The Upper Terrace" height="500" width="334" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2783614078/" title="The Chapel Royal of The Emerald Buddha by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3273/2783614078_e2809c359f.jpg" alt="The Chapel Royal of The Emerald Buddha " height="334" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2783615454/" title="Chakri Maha Prasat Hall by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3271/2783615454_c243016265.jpg" alt="Chakri Maha Prasat Hall" height="386" width="500" /></a><br /><br />I take the boat again to Banglumpoo and go walking again in search of Khao San road. I have never been lost like this. I don’t want to walk anymore! Circling twice around the whole area, I finally locate the road, wondering how I could have missed it out in the first place. This area is TOTALLY rocking. Lots of foreigners, restaurants, markets, tattoo parlours! It was literally love in first sight. (I would still stay in Sukumvit the next time though) Spent some good time here eating and drinking, it’s time to go back to the hotel. The boat ride and sky train ride again, I reach Sukumvit in around an hour’s time.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2783608608/" title="Chao Phraya River Boat Ride by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3238/2783608608_a6439ce820.jpg" alt="Chao Phraya River Boat Ride" height="294" width="500" /></a><br /><br />A quick nap is well-deserved and I am out again, my last night in Bangkok. Tonight, I check out the infamous Patpong area. The less said the better *wink* but this is a must-see if you are do visit Bangkok.<br /><br />The next day, I am back in Kolkata and head to work with a heavy heart. The ‘Land of Smiles’ really left a deep imprint in my heart. I am sure going to be back again, SOON!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Moral of the story</span>: </span>The kid ALWAYS smiles at the end of a rollercoaster ride.<br /><br />You can find rest of the Images here:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/sets/1752132/">Flickr - Bangkok Set</a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/gautam.prakash/Bangkok/">Picasa - Bangkok Album</a></div><br /><br /><br />All images are protected under:<br /><a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/in/"><br /><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width: 0pt;" src="http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/2.5/in/88x31.png" /><br /></a><br /><span dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" href="http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage" property="dc:title" rel="dc:type">The Five Most Happening Days of My Life...Yet!</span> by<br /><span cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#" property="cc:attributionName">Gautam Prakash</span> is licensed under a<br /><a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/in/">Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India License</a>.GPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18114257862613705166noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495304523176713115.post-69200827434367593222008-07-27T21:21:00.000+01:002009-03-26T00:16:43.602+00:00HTC Mogul - My latest gadget!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2707036701/" title="Mogul. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3239/2707036701_c849e78fd4.jpg" alt="Mogul." width="334" height="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mogul.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2707034091/" title="Ported. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/2707034091_0d9046fe4e.jpg" alt="Ported." width="500" height="338" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ported.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2707854032/" title="Rolling. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3029/2707854032_3fc7eb0402.jpg" alt="Rolling." width="334" height="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rolling.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2707040753/" title="Butt. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3081/2707040753_b0147d6068.jpg" alt="Butt." width="301" height="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Butt.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2707032781/" title="HTC. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3049/2707032781_cbf8c4bb47.jpg" alt="HTC." width="500" height="385" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">HTC.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2707858914/" title="QWERTY. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3233/2707858914_b7ba3fd771.jpg" alt="QWERTY." width="500" height="383" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">QWERTY.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2707863094/" title="Color. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3115/2707863094_9ed6a0ae45.jpg" alt="Color." width="334" height="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Color.<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />PS: Guys, this is a really mean machine. A good long blog post is absolutely deserved by it. Am working on it. Till then, a glimpse of the GPS in action!<br /><br /><br /></span></span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2709798156/" title="gps test by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3122/2709798156_da703fea3a.jpg" width="500" height="255" alt="gps test" /></a><br /><br /><a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/in/"><br /><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/2.5/in/88x31.png" /><br /></a><br /><br /><br /><span xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" href="http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage" property="dc:title" rel="dc:type">HTC</span> by <br /><span xmlns:cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#" property="cc:attributionName">Gautam Prakash</span> is licensed under a <br /><a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/in/">Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India License</a>.GPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18114257862613705166noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495304523176713115.post-1297671921410126342008-07-18T12:37:00.000+01:002009-03-26T00:16:04.462+00:00DIY Macro Studio<span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2678924895/" title="Light. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3262/2678924895_67161d8fb5.jpg" alt="Light." height="274" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Light.</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2678924807/" title="Orgy. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3095/2678924807_07d74bc6cf.jpg" alt="Orgy." height="334" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Orgy.</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2678924415/" title="Brand. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3027/2678924415_97a2a17e74.jpg" alt="Brand." height="333" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Brand.</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2678924487/" title="Protein. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3135/2678924487_7fab0750be.jpg" alt="Protein." height="334" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Protein.</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2678924673/" title="Citrus. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/2678924673_9ea1848373.jpg" alt="Citrus." height="334" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Citrus.</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2678924747/" title="Odd. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/2678924747_eb0834ef2a.jpg" alt="Odd." height="334" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Odd.</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2679744122/" title="Pair. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3165/2679744122_3f36e6fa62.jpg" alt="Pair." height="347" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pair.</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2678923997/" title="Cut. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/2678923997_93f600b75c.jpg" alt="Cut." height="334" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cut.</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2678923759/" title="T-Rex. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/2678923759_f07cb32e33.jpg" alt="T-Rex." height="334" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">T-Rex.</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2679743328/" title="Time. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3070/2679743328_05dba91038.jpg" alt="Time." height="334" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Time.</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2679743134/" title="Espirit. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3018/2679743134_d9122fb651.jpg" alt="Espirit." height="385" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Espirit.</span><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br />UPDATE:<br />The macro setup which allowed me to come up with the fantastic pics in this post and the previous one:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2678923293/" title="Setup. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/2678923293_6c1a4dfae4.jpg" alt="Setup." height="334" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Thanks to the Strobist.<br />http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/07/how-to-diy-10-macro-photo-studio.html<br /><br /><a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/in/"><br /><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/2.5/in/88x31.png" /><br /></a><br /><br /><br /><span xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" href="http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage" property="dc:title" rel="dc:type">DIY Macro Studio Photoset</span> by <br /><span xmlns:cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#" property="cc:attributionName">Gautam Prakash</span> is licensed under a <br /><a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/in/">Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India License</a>.GPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18114257862613705166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495304523176713115.post-40286555193390585122008-07-18T12:17:00.000+01:002009-03-26T00:16:04.462+00:00The War Of The Pills.<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2679742542/" title="Live. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3204/2679742542_e1305bf3d2_o.jpg" alt="Live." height="634" width="475" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Live.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2679744494/" title="Alone. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3257/2679744494_69cd44c927.jpg" alt="Alone." height="454" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Alone.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2679742132/" title="Reds. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3018/2679742132_ed14961ae4.jpg" alt="Reds." height="447" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Reds.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2678925253/" title="Red. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2019/2678925253_4c4e6bc02f.jpg" alt="Red." height="299" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Red.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2678925185/" title="Dotted. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3285/2678925185_4df1b05a60.jpg" alt="Dotted." height="303" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dotted.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2678925091/" title="One. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2051/2678925091_9710a47d58.jpg" alt="One." height="334" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Intruder.</span></span><br /><br /><a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/in/"><br /><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/2.5/in/88x31.png" /><br /></a><br /><br /><br /><span xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" href="http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage" property="dc:title" rel="dc:type">The War Of The Pills Photoset</span> by <br /><span xmlns:cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#" property="cc:attributionName">Gautam Prakash</span> is licensed under a <br /><a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/in/">Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India License</a>.GPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18114257862613705166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495304523176713115.post-4697805279152153912008-07-17T12:45:00.000+01:002009-03-26T00:16:04.463+00:00Random Macros..<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2676254791/" title="End. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3047/2676254791_075d6a5964.jpg" alt="End." width="500" height="334" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >End.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2676254969/" title="Lights. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3153/2676254969_4c122ae4da.jpg" alt="Lights." width="500" height="334" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">Lights.</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2676255159/" title="Nicotine. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3027/2676255159_2a4a09ef03.jpg" alt="Nicotine." width="500" height="334" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><span>Nicotine.</span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2677071274/" title="Pod. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3192/2677071274_287fe88751.jpg" alt="Pod." width="500" height="334" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">Pod.</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2676253991/" title="Scratched. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3076/2676253991_9d443f72d8.jpg" alt="Scratched." width="500" height="334" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Scratched.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2677072356/" title="Control. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/2677072356_d94143b0b2.jpg" alt="Control." width="500" height="334" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Control.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fatal_error/2677071662/" title="Dial. by fatal_error, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3037/2677071662_2a85340401.jpg" alt="Dial." width="500" height="334" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span>Dial.</span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">A couple of random macro shots I took the other day..Enjoy!</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/in/"><br /><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/2.5/in/88x31.png" /><br /></a><br /><br /><br /><span xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" href="http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage" property="dc:title" rel="dc:type">Random Macros Photoset</span> by <br /><span xmlns:cc="http://creativecommons.org/ns#" property="cc:attributionName">Gautam Prakash</span> is licensed under a <br /><a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/in/">Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India License</a>.GPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18114257862613705166noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495304523176713115.post-65596739950109870622008-05-21T20:07:00.000+01:002009-03-26T00:13:43.970+00:00So I dub thee unforgiven...For those who have loved this song, respect! Enjoy it once again!<br />For those who haven't, please get a life!<br /><br /><br />Lay beside me, tell me what they've done<br />Speak the words I want to hear, to make my demons run<br />The door is locked now, but it's open if you're true<br />If you can understand the me, than I can understand the you.<br /><br />Lay beside me, under wicked sky<br />Through black of day, dark of night, we share this pair of lives<br />The door cracks open, but there's no sun shining through<br />Black heart scarring darker still, but there's no sun shining through<br />No, there's no sun shining through<br />No, there's no sun shining<br /><br />What I've felt, what I've known<br />Turn the pages, turn the stone<br />Behind the door, should I open it for you?<br /><br />What I've felt, what I've known<br />Sick and tired, I stand alone<br />Could you be there?, 'cause I'm the one who waits for you<br />Or are you unforgiven too?<br /><br />Come lay beside me, this won't hurt I swear<br />She loves me not, she loves me still, but she'll never love again<br />She lay beside me, but she'll be there when I'm gone<br />Black heart scarring darker still, yes she'll be there when I'm gone<br />Yes, she'll be there when I'm gone<br />Dead sure she'll be there!<br /><br />What I've felt, what I've known<br />Turn the pages, turn the stone<br />Behind the door, should I open it for you?<br /><br />What I've felt, what I've known<br />Sick and tired, I stand alone<br />Could you be there?, 'cause I'm the one who waits for you<br />Or are you unforgiven too?<br />(Solo)<br /><br />Lay beside me, tell me what I've done<br />The door is closed, so are your eyes<br />But now I see the sun, now I see the sun<br />Yes now I see it!<br /><br />What I've felt, what I've known<br />Turn the pages, turn the stone<br />Behind the door, should I open it for you?<br /><br />What I've felt, what I've known<br />So sick and tired, I stand alone<br />Could you be there?, 'cause I'm the one who waits,<br />The one who waits for you<br /><br />Oh what I've felt, what I've known<br />Turn the pages, turn the stone<br />Behind the door, should I open it for you?<br />(So I dub thee unforgiven)<br /><br />Oh, what I've felt<br />Oh, what I've known!<br />I take this key (never free)<br />And I bury it (never me) in you<br />Because you're unforgiven too<br /><br />Never free<br />Never me<br />'Cause you're unforgiven too!<br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/w1mgEQTMVB8&hl=en"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/w1mgEQTMVB8&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>GPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18114257862613705166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495304523176713115.post-84003499719451929712008-05-18T21:28:00.001+01:002009-03-26T00:13:43.971+00:00Summer Calling...Rules:<br />1. Put your music player on shuffle<br />2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.<br />3. You must write the name of the song no matter what. No cheating!<br /><br /><br /><br />IF SOMEONE SAYS “IS THIS OKAY?” YOU SAY?<br />"Soona Man Ka Aangan" - Parineeta ("Naach na jaane, Aangan Teda!!")<br /><br />WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?<br />Standing in the Shadows - The Four Tops (I think that's pretty close)<br /><br />WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?<br />Monkey - George Michael (Umm..show me your monkey! Whatever that is! :P)<br /><br />HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?<br />See You Again - ATB (I 'll tell u tomorrow)<br /><br />WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?<br />The Man Who Sold The World - David Bowie (Muahahahahaha!! Beware! you have a special price on you)<br /><br />WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?<br />Confessing the Blues - BB King (I can do this umpteen times!! I confess Father!)<br /><br />WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?<br />Elvis ate America - U2 (Wee, I do have an appetite! But America?)<br /><br />WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS?<br />Star 69 - Fatboy Slim (They know wat is wat but they dont know wat is wat..they just strut..wtf!)<br /><br />WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?<br />Instrumental Piece - Miles Davis (Is this the background music when I am thinking. No lyrics?)<br /><br />WHAT IS 2+2?<br />Son of a Gun - JX (Thy shall not ask such questions to the 'Son of the Gun')<br /><br />WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?<br />In the City - The Eagles (Well, I guess he/she lives in a city! Duh!)<br /><br />WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?<br />New Age (Injection Remix) - D.N.A (I am too high on *stuff*. What was that again?)<br /><br />WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?<br />Trouble - Coldplay (How true :|)<br /><br />WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?<br />Got To Hurry - The Yardbirds (Am I not grown up yet? I better hurry.)<br /><br />WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?<br />Sathington Willoby - Primus (Basically, nothing)<br /><br />WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?<br />Don't Stay - Linkin Park (=))<br /><br />WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?<br />Bad Moon Rising - Creedence Clearwater Revival (Not a very good sign, is it?)<br /><br />WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?<br />Come Undone - Duran Duran (High Time I did)<br /><br />WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?<br />Soul Kitchen - The Doors (Ummm...The "Lizard King" Kebab anyone?)<br /><br />WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?<br />Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight and the Pips (Now, don't ask me who stays in Georgia. My lips are sealed)<br /><br />WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?<br />Party Girl - U2 (Most like to party hard but girls? I don't see many!)<br /><br />WHAT SHOULD YOU POST THIS AS?<br />Summer Calling (Josh Gabriel Mix) - Andain (Right song for this time of the year!)<br /><br />Adios folks!GPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18114257862613705166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495304523176713115.post-12633466866508983712008-05-16T14:49:00.000+01:002009-03-26T00:13:43.972+00:00Wanting to Learn(ing) how to fly<p>I have never related to this song more than NOW:</p><br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cE5q9kst-Zc&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cE5q9kst-Zc&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br /><p> </p><p>Chalo ek baar phir se, ajnabi ban jaye ham dono -2</p><p>Na main tumse koi ummeed rakhoon dilnavaazi ki</p><p>Na tum meri taraf dekho galat andaaz nazaron se</p><p>Na mere dil ki dhadkan ladkhadaaye meri baaton mein</p><p>Na zaahir ho tumhaari kashm-kash ka raaz nazaron se</p><p>Chalo ek baar phir se..</p><p> </p><p>Tumhen bhi koi uljhan rokti hai peshkadmi se</p><p>Mujhe bhi log kehte hain, ki yeh jalve paraaye hain</p><p>Mere hamraah bhi rusvaaiyaan hain mere maajhi ki -2</p><p>Tumhaare saath bhi guzri hui raaton ke saaye hain</p><p>Chalo ek baar phir se..</p><p> </p><p>Taarruf rog ho jaaye to usko bhoolnaa behtar</p><p>Taalluk bojh ban jaaye to usko todnaa achchha</p><p>Voh afsaana jise anjaam tak laana na ho mumkin -2</p><p>Use ek khoobsoorat mod dekar chhodna achchha</p><p>Chalo ek baar phir se..</p><p> </p><p> </p><br /><br />Later guys!GPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18114257862613705166noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495304523176713115.post-21371541807970320312008-05-09T09:52:00.000+01:002009-03-26T00:16:43.603+00:00ICE ICE Baby!<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYE3h1ztoOkLmUFyVhp-2uLzoAZ_VVlIcN_FL3yI7d4ugPV1MonXNuIrbOnA5z3DqtRrJg1zu2Rc0Reffg6LTvNgqBd6Pa3yU3r9Z7jk1jGSBiI3GPEWHoIk4Qj_vm594EC3J7YUxOsKw/s1600-h/P9230060.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198369188774204050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 142px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="173" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYE3h1ztoOkLmUFyVhp-2uLzoAZ_VVlIcN_FL3yI7d4ugPV1MonXNuIrbOnA5z3DqtRrJg1zu2Rc0Reffg6LTvNgqBd6Pa3yU3r9Z7jk1jGSBiI3GPEWHoIk4Qj_vm594EC3J7YUxOsKw/s200/P9230060.JPG" width="242" border="0" /></a><br />Music, Music and more Music! I may not be an audiophile, I may not remember the lyrics to the songs, I may not even recall the names of songs I know; but believe it or not, I love my music. Brought up in a house where we always had the best music affordable. Growing up listening to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliff_Richard">Cliff Richard</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABBA">Abba</a>, on LPs and later, tapes, I have always been close to music since time immemorial. Later in hostel, it would be my walkman with the new taste of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nu_metal">nu-metal</a> band <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limp_Bizkit">Limp Bizkit</a> and the spanish rhythms of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enrique_Iglesias">Enrique Iglesias</a>, and then when I finally reached IIT, the doors to beautiful world of music were actually opened to me. Maturing from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backstreet_Boys">Backstreet Boys</a> to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink_Floyd">Pink Floyd</a> in the first year, to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallica">Metallica</a> in the second, back to Floyd in the third and finally, the world of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blues">Blues</a>, 'stoned immaculate'! This thirst for good music kept on with time, enjoying genre after another, with the latest milestone being House and Trance.<br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">As promised in the last post, today I write about the In Car Entertainment (ICE) in, obviously, my car. The hunt for beautiful music in my car began even before I bought my car. Now, I come from a backgraound where spending anything more than INR 5000 on a car audio system was a luxury and believe me or not, we have a had a tape player in the car for INR 250!! As long as you enjoy it, it is worth it, that's what I believe. With no specific budget in mind, I started looking online for options, primarily on <a href="http://www.team-bhp.com/">Team-BHP</a>, which has an exclusive ICE section. Well, to put it mildly, I was aghast when I saw the setups. The budget for most would start from INR 10000 and going up to lacs. Now, this is something I had to hear before I could believe it. To be honest, I had never heard anything close to this expensive in a car before.</div><br />So, there it began, as with everything, my Excel was opened and a table comparing each and every component across some of the members' setups and the price of each was jotted down to make a quick compare. My ICE vocabulary before this started with Pioneer and ended with Sony, with JBL more of an exclamation mark! Now, I heard of names I never knew existed, brands like 'Illusion Audio', 'Ground Zero', 'Infinity', 'Image Dynamics', 'Hertz' and what not! I just didn't know what to expect from which brand; the only image I had of these brands was from hearsay. On the forum, the most popular seemed to be JBL, and lots of cars being JBLifyed on the "<a href="http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/sound-off-show-off/">Sound Off and Show Off</a>" section. Surprisingly, one thing I noticed was that amongst the Pune TBhp members, Illusion Audio was a popular brand. After this extensive research on the forum, now it was time for an audition!<br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">In the meanwhile, based on some more discussions on the forum, I had already ordered the Alpine 9883 from Crutchfield and a friend was picking it for me to India. Also, the rear coaxials, not as important as the front components, were bought secondhand from another member in Bangalore.</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">So I meet Kiran, Suhail, Shrivz and Karl for the first time at Shisha Cafe, ABC Farms in Pune. Have a beer and a quick bite. I won't hesitate to say that I was anxious to check out the ICE in their cars. So later, we head to Shrivz' house, where parked are his Baleno, Kiran's Palio and Suhail's ex-Zen. I couldn't audition Shrivz' JBL ICE setup as there was some problem with his Head Unit (HU). The next turn in Kiran's car and my decision is final in 20 mins flat. This music was mindblowing. I had never heard music this good. The bass was very tight, the sound perfect, not too shrill but not too laidback either. I knew this had to be it!</div><br /><div align="justify">So there it was: </div><div align="justify">My <em>final ICE setup</em> decided with the help of Kiran:</div><div align="justify">Head Unit: Alpine 9883 (Already bought)</div><div align="justify">Front Components: Illusion Audio EL 6.1</div><div align="justify">Rear Coaxials: Alpine Type-S SPS-690A (Already bought)</div><div align="justify">Subwoofer Ground Zero GZTW 30T</div><div align="justify">Amplifier for Comps and Rear Coax: Ground Zero GZTA4.120MK2</div><div align="justify">Amplifier for Subwoofer: Panasonic CY-PA2003U</div><div align="justify">Wiring: Ichibahn IKIT8 + Ground Zero RCA</div><div align="justify">Damping: Noise Kill</div><br /><div align="justify">A rough estimate for the above ran upto to INR 53850! *gulp* </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">The first thought was do it in 2 stages, as and when the finances allow. But on the other hand, I am not really the one to wait for something like this. Lady luck shines on me, and I meet Amey for the first time the same evening. He is planning to upgrade to Illusion Lucents and GZ Radioactive Subwoofer. Hallelujah! The deal is struck immediately and I am the owner of a 2 month old Illusion Electra 6.1 and Ground Zero (GZ) GZTW 30T Sub, and at a nice price too! Sorry Suhail! So, finally, a few calls are made to B&T (Ajay) and a fine saturday was reserved for the Pune guys at Boom, Bandra (Bombay) - my install, Amey's upgrade and the instantaneous Suhail upgrade! The plans for the Panasonic Amp is shelved as of now.<br /></div><div align="justify">So we drive down to Bombay early in the morning on the fateful day; I am too excited not to show! :) After the 3 hour drive, work finally begins on the car around noon. The workers at Boom were very professional, with excellent workmanship and tiny things given all the attention to minute details. Excellent. After a long day and lots of hard work, the ICE setup is ready finally! </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">How does it sound? A description I had written on the forum:</div><div align="justify">"Now, coming to the music, to be honest, before my install, the only setups I had heard of were Kiran's and Amey's. The song I heard on Kiran's install was "Hotel California". So, this had to be the first song on mine too.When the song begins, you realise that the Electras are beautiful, very clear, very precise. The clarity is mindblowing. You can hear every instrument separately. The guitars, the "chik-chik"..and then the drums roll in. Till now, you wouldn't acknowledge about the presence of the sub but then, the bass hits you. Tight bass,not messing with the clarity of the components, rather gelling very well with them. There are no rattles or any erroneous noises coming in from anywhere. The music is awesome. In simple words, I feel I have never heard music this good!"</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Good enough for you? Not for me. Remember the Sub amp we left out? </div><div align="justify">Fastforward couple of months: I get a better deal on the Kenwood KCA-7203 2-channel amp belting out 500W RMS. Now we are talking! A long story cut short, the amp is installed some 3 months after it was bought, and tuned another month later (Day before!). </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">My ICE setup is complete. Well, I am greedy and I am already thinking about an HU upgrade to Alpine 9887 and maybe an EL12 Sub when it comes out and the rears to Illusion EL693s! My, why am I like this? Don't I like seeing my bank account burgeoning? Naaah! I like my music better! :)</div></div>GPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18114257862613705166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495304523176713115.post-78388460645630385452008-05-06T07:52:00.000+01:002009-03-26T00:16:43.603+00:00Gadget Binge: Pentax K200D<div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197214006764717890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMPzb63I4x84CafpBg589o1HZK6VEiCm7dIq2H_10TUc3DNulNEJZ98XGd0cN9GLBygPZULShxImHg6ZTzEHubxab5VWuYqmFY5aLaC89OqW0DQAazMkxtuXkL9UAyrGxKgrGtX511edS/s400/images.jpg" border="0" /><u>The thought process behind the purchase</u>:<br /><br />Most people who have been in the loop of my camera buying spree know that it has been going on for eternity. Close to a year back, I finally decided to upgrade from my puny Olympus P&S C-370 to a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_single_lens_reflex_cameras">DSLR</a>. I still remember the excitement when I had laid hands on it; taking pictures of every Tom, Dick and Harry. (Most of the times, these would be names of insects on my wall) And some of them came out really <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/road2sikkim/163765343/">well</a>). And then, there were times when I would feel restricted by the Oly and wanted something which would give me complete freedom in taking my photographs. There was only one way ahead...the DSLR way.<br /><br />Spoilt for choices. That's how you feel when you are out buying a DSLR. Sometimes, I really envy people who don't feel the urge to research extensively before buying something. It's so simple. Go to a <a href="http://www.dpreview.com/">Camera Review Site</a>, click on the link "Popular Cameras", and order the one with the maximum ratings. Well, this works for many but not for me. I cannot buy something like this impulsively. I am confused even after going through hundreds of threads, reviews, news, deals and what-not.<br /><br />I would segregate the DSLR options in the market as follows:<br /><br /><ul><li>The popular Giants - Canon, Nikon - These are the mammoths in the market. The ones with the largest fan followings, the most variety of lenses, and the superlative for every other thing except, perhaps, the camera itself.</li><br /><li>The Underdogs - Pentax, Olympus, Sony - They are the small time players which are overlooked by most people as 'nobody's! But believe me you, the innovation is happening here! Most of the new features in the DSLR segment are being brought out by these camermakers, be it Live-View, In-Body Image Stabilization, Lens Dust Cleaning Mechanism, etc, and at amazing prices too.<br /></li></ul><p>With dreams of making a career shift to photography over the following years and how a lens I 'll buy now should be usable even when I move on to $3000 monsters, as this was something which was discussed again and again in most of the forum posts, favouring Canon/Nikon. If you are looking at a career later, go for on of these. It was around this time last year that Pentax launched the Pentax K100D.<br /></p><p>A quick run through on the <a href="http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Pentax/pentax_k100dsuper.asp">specifications</a> shows it is a decent 6mp DSLR with IS inbuilt into the body. This was the biggest attraction - IS in the body! Now, this is something which would save you lots of money later into your photography career. None of the Canon/Nikon fans enlightened me of this. And along with the 18-55mm kit lens, an additional 50-200 mm lens thrown in, the camera at ~$600 after the mail-in rebate was a steal.<br /></p><p>The plans got shelved for a few months as I bought <a href="http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indiancarpicture-1154.html">my car</a>, and spent a fortune on the <a href="http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/sound-off-show-off/29373-esteem-iced-work-begins.html">In-Car Entertainment</a>. So, a couple of months later, on <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/gautam.prakash/USTrip">my visit to The USA</a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/gautam.prakash/USTrip"><span style="font-size:78%;">[1]</span></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> </span><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/gautam.prakash/USTrip2ndUpload"><span style="font-size:78%;">[2]</span></a>, the quest for the DSLR began again. By this time, Olympus had just come out with the new DSLR <a href="http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Olympus/oly_e510.asp">Olympus E-510</a>. I was introduced to it at BestBuy during one of the evenings, killing time. And I was blown away. For $650, you were getting a 10mp DSLR with features such as Live-View and IS. The memories of the 6mp Pentax K100D were quickly erased, and this was the camera to buy. No doubts about it! Many of you would be wondering why I never considered the biggies such as a Canon 400D or a Nikon D80. Well, for one, I am really not the one to pay $200 more and miss out on some of the features being provided on the Olympus or the Pentax. And IS is a must-have for me. Apart from the initial higher costs, which I can still live with, I was thinking of the money I will be saving on each lens I buy - hundreds of dollars! Just compare a $100 <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/351693-REG/Pentax_21547_SMCP_DA_18_55mm_f_3_5_5_6_AL.html">Pentax 18-55 mm Kit Lens</a> to a $175 <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/519475-USA/Canon_2042B002_EF_S_18_55mm_f_3_5_5_6_IS.html">Canon 18-55mm IS Kit Lens</a>. Not for me! But alas, my photographic stars weren't in focus and thanks to Mr. Santa Claus, this camera was nowhere to be found. A waiting period beyond my stay in US killed it all.<br /></p><p>A few months later, after being close to bankrupt, paying taxes and clearing up debts, yours truly receives his annual variable compensation and is, of course, ecstatic. Add to that the news that a close friend is coming from the US and there he is dreaming DSLR again. Just about to order the Olympus E-510, I come across a lot of talk about the new DSLRs launched by Pentax. A quick search on the forums revealed that the lens variety is far greater for Pentax than Oly. That gave Pentax a one-up. So, there it was, the Pentax K200D. 10 mp, weatherproof, inbuilt IS, the acclaimed sensor of K10D, but at a higher price. Comparing it with the Olympus E-510, I was losing out on the Live-View (not that I care about it much) and paying close to $200 more. This was going to require more research. What finally closed the deal were the rave reviews about the <a href="http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/pentax_18-55_3p5-5p6_p15/">Pentax DA 13-55mm AL kit lens</a>. So, a quick order was made, along with a Transcend 8GB SDHC CARD (SD 2.0 SPD Class 6), and a pack of 4 Eneloop Ni-MH AA batteries (Works on AA. Yay!). After a few nail-biting days and hoping desperately, that the order is delivered before the 5th of May, when my friend leaves, i get news that it's delivered. </p><p>A long post after a long time, I am waiting to get my hands on this beauty and will be updating the blog realy quick with the first few shots!</p><p>Coming Up: A post about the In-Car Entertainment mentioned above.</p></div>GPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18114257862613705166noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495304523176713115.post-8100158344394462102007-07-11T10:37:00.000+01:002009-03-26T00:16:04.463+00:00<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-X1vG_16tb3ZPlHsAd35CYUN0ngNfkyr4umgDXAweewKb_iXs_9lXX6xQX38bc8PelYWxsdp3TpQh1NMe4-gLxVCeunZPMMJ7ZTlvr1KuRltdzcoThw_rRhPLMMJOE5L966qrVWjRzKu/s1600-h/P7060036.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-X1vG_16tb3ZPlHsAd35CYUN0ngNfkyr4umgDXAweewKb_iXs_9lXX6xQX38bc8PelYWxsdp3TpQh1NMe4-gLxVCeunZPMMJ7ZTlvr1KuRltdzcoThw_rRhPLMMJOE5L966qrVWjRzKu/s320/P7060036.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>GPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18114257862613705166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495304523176713115.post-82473669883573914982007-07-09T10:36:00.000+01:002009-03-26T00:13:43.973+00:00never make you cry...claptonhey ppl!<br /><br />just came across this beautiful song...posting the lyrics here..do check it out when u can!<br /><br />It's so easy loving you<br />With everything I feel inside,<br />And holding me the way you do,<br />It's here I'm staying all of my life.<br /><br />I'll never ever make you cry.<br />I'll never ever say goodbye.<br />Can't you see it in my eyes?<br />I'm yours until the day I die.<br /><br />I'll watch you fall asleep at night,<br />I'll smile and kiss you, hold you tight,<br />I'll hold your hand and close my eyes,<br />It's here I'm staying all of my life.<hints id="hah_hints"></hints>GPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18114257862613705166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3495304523176713115.post-75345168388469217182007-07-09T10:25:00.000+01:002007-07-09T10:36:10.824+01:00hola!!hey guys, girls and countrymen...(and not my countrymen too!!)<br /><br />welcome me back to the blogworld...this time im gonna be writing about things (things mind you...no ppl) i love..im really passionate about...be it technology..food..music..books..photography...so get set for a rollercoaster ride (ok fine..an indian auto rickshaw will do!) with me!!<br /><br />all da best! :)<hints id="hah_hints"></hints>GPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18114257862613705166noreply@blogger.com1