acquired monk syndrome

More than often i’ve ended up watching cheesy comedy / horror/ thriller flicks.. Its almost one year since the release of Blood Diamond and I’m still watching it.. Not because i ran out of movies at home.. The way the movie is made, the characters, the shots, the scenarios and ofcourse the music are way too brilliant.. The location where Archer dies is a place I’d love to sit all day with my Guitar! I cant just describe this movie anymore.. If anyone hasnt seen this yet, GO WATCH IT!

United Nations along with these guys will donate 10 Grains of Rice for every word you guess right.. This is a litte game where you learn and you also help eliminate world hunger.. Click on the banner on the right side(little below) and try it out for yourself.. If you have a blog, you can use the banner and the link to promote the same.. (I can help you set it up)

Well.. Been really really busy with a LOT of stuff lately..  Most of which i cant even mention without getting shot in the head!

Anyways, I got a laptop.. Makes work simpler.. Its an Acer Aspire with hell lot of features for a cheap 29k..

I’ve not had the time to process the Nandi Snaps yet.. Will do that sometime this week..

I’ve teamed up with Utsav[Bugger from Mumbai] to help him with 8 shows over three months in Bangalore.. Quite busy with those arrangements..

I was home sick since Monday.. Suspected Viral fever and evident Sore Throat.. Celebrated Sandy’s birthday in that condition itself..

Save Nanda Road - is on the rails now.. Picking up speed.. We’re definately getting busy with that very very soon..

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..

Yeah.. Get Jealous…

I’m heading out to Nandi tomorrow with Amogh Hope to get some decent shots there..
I’ve not had the time to write about the previous trip.. Will do that once i get back tomorrow..

I’ll be heading out to Muthodi with Amogh and gang this weekend.. This will be my first trip to the Bhadra Sanctuary.. Hoping to get some good shots this time around!

As a Bangalorean, i find it very easy to travel so many places in and around.. With this in mind, i think its good justice to start a travel diary here.. It should and will act as a source of information and inspiration to others to just pack their bags and head out on a shoestring budget!

To start with :

I had been to Talakaveri and Bettagiri forests the previous weekend.. Total trip < 1k With Food, Acoomodation, Transport and Certain other expenses..

We took a private bus from Bangalore to Madikeri on Friday, reached early morning.. Had just about enough time for a cup of Coorg’s Coffee before we got on to our bus to Bagamandala.. Since the expedition involved stay at the forest, we had to go thru the Dept for permissions, guidance and encouragement.. We stopped by the Dept Office just to freshen up and for out Watcher to get ready.. Meanwhile just walking around the place shot some photos of Oriole and White Cheeked Barbet(Pictures Posted).. Then the long trek up began.. With some three idlis in our stomach.. The trek up was scenic and full of wildlife.. We spotted some Crested hawk Eagles, Couple of Serpant Eagles and The Every famous Black Drongos.. The trek was peaceful with slight drizzles and little streams all around..

Talakaveri does not have any hotels except one on the way.. A decent South Indian meal is available for Rs 20. Moving on to Stay, there is no accomodation except for the Forest Dept guest house.. The evening was filled with rains and a warm fire in the fireplace..

The next day , after the mists cleared, we embarked on our trek ahead into the Forests.. The place is much more scenic and unexplored.. There is no access to this place for general public.. We sighted a gang of elephants there, which is pretty rare in the ghats.. The trek ended in Bettagiri Watch Tower.. Where we practically didnt see anything.. Cause of the mist.. The return was pretty much the usual.. Talking about experiences.. Some humour, Checking our cameras if we got some good shots, etc.. Thanks Lavanya and Anush!

Anushsh’s Version : http://anushsh.livejournal.com/49800.html

Four Bands were to set the stage on fire on Saturday at Cosmos Mall on ITPL Road.. The gig started quite late (5:30 PM) with Theorized taking stage.. They played a tight set including a cover of Metallica(The Four Horsemen).. Next up was stond with three songs.. Inner Sanctum came in next with a powerful setlist consisting of Crystal Mountain - Death, Qurantine, One Arch Enemy Song and an Instrumental..

Vibrant(My Band) took stage.. We started off with a cover of Allman Brothers Band - In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed.. Next up we played a Blues Instrumental, followed by a Funk Instrumental.. After three bands of Metal, Our Music sure was chilled out and got crowd approval.. I enjoyed playing on stage throughy, and so did the others considering we were a day old band.. And well, we made it to the papers as well..

(Article Courtesy : Mid Day (03-Sept-2007)

Well.. My Fusion/Jazz/Funk band Vibrant is playing tomorrow at Cosmos Mall.. With Sound and Lighting costing around 1.5Lakhs..

Band Lineup :
Shalini - Bass
Sudhakar - Drums
Jayanth - Guitars
Dheeru - Keyboards

Also playing are : Inner Sanctum, Pushtin Tin, Stond, Theorized..

Time : 1:00 PM

Come off! Free Entry..

An Impish Expression of a Rock Agama, captured at Maarigundi during Elephant Census..