acquired monk syndrome

What a Day!

Started off with the usual frenzy of setup and frantic calls to get everyone together and get everything in place..
Nolan and I reached the venue at about 11:00, and there was nothing there except the Shelter guys and Generator..

What surprised us the most was that the crowd had started coming in already.. There were about 20 people there for the gig at 11:00.. [I apologize to you guys for the miscommunication]..

Things started falling into place with lots more people coming in, and the crowd too.. We expected to start off by 2:00 but there was a slight delay with the setup.. We did start at about 2:40, the first band took stage..

Eccentric Pendulum, our opening act, helped us with the last minute sound adjustments and setup.. They were ready to go and I got the second surprise.. One announcement and the crowd just stood up and went up front to support the band.. Bear in mind it was bloody hot and the stage was right out in the sun..

Bands that followed were Kaashmora, Venator, Abandoned Agony, Catalyst, Corrode, Inner Sanctum, Culminant, Theorized.. All the bands put in their best and the crowds response was just amazing band after band..

While i acknowledge the bands for being on the stage and performing, I must say that the crowd was just excellent.. They moshed and moshed and moshed till their heads dropped.. A true Headbangers Ball.. I’ve not witnessed such enthusiasm and response for the last two years.. I also like to thank you for preserving the values and rules and restrictions that the venue put forward by not smoking and making a mess out there..

The Headlining Acts took stage quite late and they acknowledged the time factor[limit].. They were extremely professional in setting up on stage, getting the sound right, performing and clearing out..

Slain, have been around for sometime and have made their mark by sweeping competitions like anything.. They have worked their way up to being what they are today, a truly remarkable, enjoyable band..

Kryptos, A perfect ending to a even more perfect day.. They were simply awesome and well supported by the crowd.. A band who got to support Iron Maiden[Who happen to be one of their long time inspirations], can put on an inexplicable performance, and this was one..

I would like to thank Nolan, for putting up with me, for keeping this brainchild of ours alive, all the beer, all the learning, all the ideas, etc etc..

I would also like to thank a whole bunch of people who helped make this gig a huge success - Samik, Prasad, Salman, Yamini, Vibha, Adarsh, Nachi, Suraj, Donald, Jaywanth, Hazel, Rohit, Ryan, Addy, Goldy, Siddharth, Harsha, Benji, Ashwin, Pranay, Deep, Bharadvaj, Danny, Ooma, Amar, Akshaya, ChaMundi, Nikhila, Mudith, Harsha, Siva, Sachin, Nikhil, Arun, Ashish, Vibhas, Chintan, Michael, Rajeev, Abhinav, Gaurav, Rajesh, Hitesh, Shreyas, Sruthi, Ashu, Suneil, Vinly, Nisha, Vishnu, Sankalp,Charan, Yash, Ankit, Manek, Judah, Brydon, Naresh, Jared, Jonathan for making this a HUGE success..

Last but not the least, I think Sound Ace did and incredible job by supporting us.. This gig wouldnt have been possible without them.. And thanks to Furtados for giving us the Drum Kit..

A Truly Epic Gig!

One last thing, Corrode were just awesome to give me that opportunity to perform with them one last time.. Good Fun ras..

Yes, Its almost that time of the year when all of us start running around trying to put in place the Biggest Tech/Social Meet ever.. BCB, Short for BarCamp Bangalore.. BarCamp Bangalore will be taking place on April 19th/20th at IIMB(Home to BCB3-5).. Register your Talks, Talk Ideas, etc Here..

I will be having a small session on Setting up Compiz and Configuring the same to Enhance your experience on Ubuntu Gusty/Hardy.. Watch this space and I’ll post the Pre-Requisites for this session.. Also watch out for some Un-Jams and Un-Band action if we decide to have it this time around

It almost seems like the BBMP wants to mess around with the eco-system, without reasoning..

I cant really say WITHOUT reasoning, The basis for it is quite silly.. The Entire CMH road stood up for the Metro Rail not to pass thru that street cause business will be affected for a loong time(Considering Turn Around time of Flyover/Public Constructions).. They live with the experiences of the{readmore}Airport road/ Ring Road Junction Flyover which almost took a decade.. A matter of humour in our living rooms, but for people experiencing it , its horrible..

A similar such plan would have caused more revolt in Jayanagar.. Taking the Metro Rail through the streets of 4th Block(Near the Ever So Famous Shopping Complex) would have resulted in a harsh response from shops and businesses.. I am totally inline with their concern(The TurnAround Time).. But its logical, in terms of Route to take the Metro Rail through that road.. It has logitivity and also scalability in terms of newer routes..

Coming to the matter of concern..

The Metro Rail has now been sacntioned to go through 4th Main(Popularly Called the Nanda Road).. For us South Bangaloreans its not just a road.. Its a Bouvlevard.. Its an avenue.. The Last remaining one at that.. South Bangalore being the symbol of OLD BANGALORE, People are extremely fanatic about this Road.. It has served many a purpose, for people of all shapes, ages and sizes! As a little kid, i remember cycling on that road.. From tuitions, it was a route i would take to reach college.. I would see innumerous couples sitting and talking around the park benches.. I’ve seen dogs being taken for a walk here in the mornings.. Last but not the least, Our very respectable elders(Senior Citizens) made this road their Adda for Old Times Talk and Morning Walk..

To say this road SHOULD live forever.. I can safely say WE would not want to lose something as precious to us as this Tree Laden Road..

With a high rise in polution levels, concern of global warming, and just a little humanity in mind, we’ve put together this little symbolic act www.savenandaroad.com to Save the Roads of Bangalore from becoming arid deserts of cement and concrete.

Try and Support us in anyway you can, even registering on the wiki would help..

As a Bangalorean, I’m very very proud of the fact that Mr. Anil Kumble got his first century against England(away) in a series where so far no batsman hit the Triple Figures.. Thats not all this century of his includes Sixteen 4s and One 6!

Picture Courtesy : Hindu

For the first time ever, I cycled to office today.. Got tired[Obviously].. But was good fun.. Firstly, its really difficult to cycle on the main roads cause of no mirrors.. Secondly, the terrain is awesome.. I think all in all i should be able to cycle ONCE a week at least to office..