ooh.. feels good

Oh.. it felt so good to have cooked and invited friends over. It's been such a long time since I last cooked. I guess I should do it more often.

In the process, attempted a new dish -- beetroot paneer!! :) It turned out pretty good too, I guess the paneer does it to all dishes?

Made pulusu, beerakaya pachchadi, cabbage appetizer, beetroot raita in addition to the curry.

Now I am all set for Christmas, waiting for mom & sister and family..

Mile-time-trial

Went to volunteer at the TeamAsha Mile Time Trial at the Palo Alto high school. Oh boy, what tracks they were... excellent surface. The kids here are pampered, I say!! Went there with my flip flops.. and couldn't resist running on the tracks, so, ran barefoot. It was great fun cheering runners on and pacing them - truth be said, running barefoot was so awesome (felt so light.. and more importantly the legs felt good). I was egging folks on, and just helping around, as we had sufficient volunteers for other stuff. And once everyone finished, the vols went for their time trials. I wasn't planning to do mine (first, I am not training with TeamAsha this year) but didn't mind running on that surface at all.. and if someone wants to time you and pamper you, grab it with both hands.. err.. legs. So I did that. And got a great kick out of it!

I ended up shaving about 21 seconds from my previous best to do a 6:36 mile. That means a sub-4hr marathon under ideal conditions. So, those hopes still stay alive.

After all, it looks like the legs are doing alright, with all the stretching and stuff. I have a 10k coming up in 2 weeks. Want to hit that in 55min. Let's see how that goes.. 

Playing to a gallery

It was a fun participating in the hole-in-one competition at Deep Cliff Golf Course. This is an annual event organized by the Rotary Club of Cupertino -- they hold qualifiers for ~3 weeks and winner from every day qualifies for the event. The proceeds of the qualifiers went to a different non profit association every day. I qualified on Asha for Educations's qualifier with a distance of 4ft to the hole.

Including sponsors and organizers, a total of 30 people teed off on this 165 yard par-3 hole. Every one got just one shot at it, and out of 30 people, just two made it on to the green! It is quite a tough hole with two bunkers and narrow fairway. The first one to get on the green was eventually the winner for the consolation prize for 'closest to pin' -- he got 3.5ft away from the hole. 3.5ft was the distance between him and a Mercedes SUV!!

It was my first experience of playing to the gallery, obviously.. and it was lot of fun!!

on the run again..

3 weeks back, to date, I had gone for a run -- this after a prolonged absence. Maybe even as far as October 2007 when I ran the Marine Corps Marathon. Picked up a hip/ITB injury during my training, and basically was taking a long break. I worked with a physiotherapist (not sure if it was during or after the marathon) but I basically refrained from going out running. I was out playing ping-pong and basketball once in a while but I was putting off running until I got myself a pair of sneakers. Finally, did that and ventured out to the gym.

It feels good be running again. I limit my running to only two days of a week though, don't want to stress out my ailing body too much. Thanks to my sneakers, I have ramped up the workout at the gym as well... and all of a sudden, just like that, it's gotten busy. At least it's not like the time when I signed up for TeamAsha training. Then, it was super busy! Mar - Oct seems to be the crunch time for projects around here at work, so, TA training coincides with that perfectly. So, that's some respite that I am on my own without commitments to programs like marathon training or Stanford courses or swimming classes.. just one commitment is the Asha SV chapter meetings & stewarding one project. At this point, that is pretty much what I can handle.

Oh, yeah! I am on the run again.. but I am not sprinting this time!

interesting rating I found on yelp..

Indian Buffet Rankings:
1) Turmeric, Sunnyvale
2) Passage to India, Mountain View
3) Priya, Berkeley
4) Bombay Garden, Sunnyvale
5) Mehak, Berkeley
6) Sargam, Walnut Creek
7) Madhuban, Sunnyvale
8) Rangoli, San Jose
9) Maharaja?, Mtn View --- on Castro St., can't remember name but it's not Sue's, maybe Godavari?
10) Tandoori Mahal, San Francisco
11) Mayuri, Santa Clara
12) Khana Peena, Berkeley
13) Sahib, Richmond
14) Taj, Sunnyvale
15) Swarna,Walnut Creek
16) INDIA GATE, SANTA CLARA
17) Mezbaan, Santa Clara
18) Grand Indian Buffet, Sunnyvale
19) Tandoori Bites, San Jose
20) India Palace, Berkeley
21) Raj, Oakland
22) Nawab, San Mateo
23) Udupi Palace, Sunnyvale

Dr. Strangelove?

Disclaimer: Movie plot & some details included.

'Dr. Strangelove or: How I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb' -- that's the most ridiculous name that I had ever come across while playing charades.  Upon hearing it first, I thought it was some thing like an Austin Powers movie.

Then, I watched it. It was a B/W movie. It was a war movie.. well, at least something about US carrying out an attach on Russia. I won't reveal much, but by the end of it, I wasn't sure what the movie was about. Maybe I should have read about the movie before watching it - I probably could have appreciated it more.

This is a userreview on imdb:

Stanley Kubrick's first and only comedic masterpiece is still the finest ever made. I love everything in the movie: the brilliant acting, sensational script, flawless direction, and even those quirky visual effects. Not only was this film hilarious, it was a breakthrough for the entire film industry when first released.

In the end, 'Dr. Strangelove: or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb' is the best comedy. It's also another milestone in film making and another reason to be astonished when looking at the work of Stanley Kubrick.

Sure, there was satire in the movie that I had recognized, but I wasn't even ready for it & failed to have a good laugh. I thought it was supposed to be a serious movie! What amazed me (post-movie research) was that Dr. Strangelove, the President and Captain Mandrake were all the same actor!! I sure missed that.

It was another Kubrick movie that had failed to impress me - Clockwork Orange, The Shining, Dr. Strangelove. Maybe I don't get him. I heard Full Metal Jacket (another Stanley Kubrick movie) was the best war movie ever made. Now, I have to judge that myself! Maybe, read a user review first.

ekla cholo re

Beautiful lyrics:
Jodi tor đak shune keu na ashe tôbe êkla chôlo re

"If they answer not to thy call walk alone "

A very nice harmonica rendering:


Complete translation:
If they answer not to thy call walk alone,
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou of evil luck,
open thy mind and speak out alone.

If they turn away, and desert you when crossing the wilderness,
O thou of evil luck,
trample the thorns under thy tread,
and along the blood-lined track travel alone.

If they do not hold up the light when the night is troubled with storm,
O thou of evil luck,
with the thunder flame of pain ignite thy own heart
and let it burn alone.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ekla_Chalo_Re

Oscar night (feb 22)

That was an eventful weekend for me. Got my weekly dose of basketball on Saturday and gotta play Scrabble with the big guys. And I had a flop-show in making double-ka-meetha for Oscar night party at Manju's place. Manju threw a party to cheer for Slumdog Millionaire at her place. She cooks great food, and in great quantities - biryani, bagara baingan (all the good stuff from Hyd) - and it was delicious as usual.

We were about 15 people watching Oscars and rooting for Slumdog, and it was almost a slam for Slumdog! Kudos to Rahman and Resul. I thought it would have been blasphemous if the award for original music score went to the other person instead of Rahman - somehow when they performed live at the Oscars, it didn't seem like any competition at all. AR Rahman has made some great music over the decades, and I guess it was high time he won the Academy award for music. We also had our own entertainment in the form of Oscar trivia from Manju and some charades.

There is always a hoopla (and a bit of going overboard) with everything (every success, and much the same damning with every failure) in India -- ranging from wild celebrations to wild media coverage debating how and why we should celebrate it. After all, it was a movie.. made by a British director with Indian cast, and it won some awards. That's about it . I guess the movie was a good one, even though it might not be a great one but surely worth celebrating the success of Indians who won the Oscars. It is surely a matter of pride that Resul and Rahman have won, and it surely opens up some opportunities for future collaborations. Let not celebrations mean putting people on a pedestal, only to plunge them from their heights when they fail to live up to the unfair expectations that we build upon them! I believe people should lead their lives on their own terms.

There is an interesting debate on NDTV (The Big Fight: Slumdog reality): http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/Ndtv-Show-Special.aspx?ID=11

I thought Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri was very negative about the movie and was surprised to look him up to find this profile. Having such a negative take from 'a management guru, philosopher and economist' was kind of surprising to me! I saw the movie, and didn't feel anything negative about the main story (about how Jamaal rises from his circumstances to lead a life of dignity) - sure Anil Kapoor's character was obnoxious, but I felt that was beside the main theme of the movie. I was more interested in what Jamaal eventually achieves rather than all the people and factors trying to undermine him. Other debaters had some very valid points.

I could go on.. but I don't see a big issue celebrating the success of Slumdog! I liked the movie. I did think it was over-hyped, but hey, what the hell.. sometimes movies are. I was particularly delighted for the kids from the movie.

First-time skiing (@ Sierra) - feb16

Went to Tahoe with Pande & Mrudula -- we took the bay area ski bus, so, it was a pretty jampacked day. I spent the night playing casual chess with PC & Sridhar, and had to be at the pickup area by 4am. After boarding, I was 'out' in no time -- missed the breakfast and all the goodies on the bus, but when I opened my eyes.. it was like I came to a just a whole new different world!! I think that was the best part of the trip - realizing where you are. I hadn't seen so much snow in my life, it was a treat and so beautiful. Soon, it started snowing as well.

I heard horror stories from some of my friends, and when I bought expensive ski gear as part of last-minute shopping I had my own misgivings. I heard that one either loves it or hates it. For me though it was more of love. I had experience skating and ice-skating before, so, I was hoping I would be okay skiing. Hey, at least the shoes were comfortable -- much more than the ones you get at skating rinks. M&P took me first time on the lift -- it was quite difficult to stay still. :) Pande gave me the first lessons on how to stop - Pizza slice (have the ski blades like a pizza slice, tapering in the front) and knees inward. What this basically does is it reduces the area of the ski blade exposed to snow and hence you won't zoom forward. That was my first lesson -- but I guess it was the foundation.

I took the rental + lift + lesson package and after coming down the first slope (very slowly), I went and joined the lesson. I think the toughest part of that lesson was walking uphill (it was very very low incline, but still) sideways and trying not to slide down. It totally sapped me!! :)

The lesson was very useful - learnt about the equipment (jacket, boots, skis, etc.), correct skiing posture (all the weight is basically supported by the boot and the shin), how to fall properly, how to get up after a fall, walking with the skis, hopping with the skis, balance, and when we got on to the snow -- how to turn and how to slow. The lesson did not teach us how to stop, but without that initial lesson from Pande I think I would be dead scared :) -- not knowing how to stop. I also learnt how to get off the chair.

I fell lifting off the chair every time for the first 3-4 times and learnt how to get up correctly from the instructor. I also took down Mrudula once (she was the most accomplished skier of the three of us). The lesson was 2.5hr long and as the day wore on I realized its worth. It was totally worth it, and the next time I will take a lesson as well (intermediate this time). You learn so much faster with a lesson. Pande & Mrudula had gone on this big trail when I was at the lesson, but post-lunch.. we were all together at the same trail. What I liked best about my time on the slopes was my fall. Sure, I learnt how to fall in the lesson, but I felt I was mastering it on the slopes ;). The snow was so fresh that it probably felt nice falling - it definitely did not hurt.

As I started negotiating turns initially, I always used to end up in a pizza. As I saw Mrudula do her turns, I started imitating her a bit and my turns got better. I was still not able to control my speed though. I could still control myself and come to a stop, but I could not slow down while coming down. I was taking the flattest portion of the hill as much as possible and doing my 'S'es for as long as I could without gaining speed. I was too afraid to start out on the steepest part of the slope. Only in the last couple of lifts, I attempted and finally negotiated the steepest part. Much more to learn.. but it was a fun experience. Adventurous! Each time I trust others (on the planning part), I enjoy an adventure. :)

Overall, the experience was awesome. We got back to bay area only at 1030pm but the trip was total paisa vasool!

PC gets engaged.. (Feb 13th 2009)

We had our first long weekend for 2009 (Presidents Day, Feb 16), and it was lot of fun. Pavan (my best friend from high school) got engaged during the Valentine's day weekend -- and I had a bunch of friends visiting from San Diego. Hari, Mallika, Pande, Mrudula & Sridhar accompanied Pavan as the couple exchanged rings here in the bay area. Rupa works in Arizona and her siblings and mom live in SF bay area, so, we had a small get-together on Sunday, Feb 15, at Rupa's elder sister's place.

All of my friends were put up at my place, and they were practically my first guests (ignoring the fact that Pande & Mrudula stayed over at my place a bunch of times). Whole of 2008 was scattered with trips to San Diego (my project was still there), and during all those times, I stayed at Pavan's place and caught up with the rest of the gang. So, it was nice to finally host old friends at new place!

Sridhar (there, in the picture with the 'Victory' sign) and I indulged in a best-of-3 chess tournament. The prize was '2001 American Open' trophy that Sridhar lost to me long back in an arbitrary one-off match. He had won it in LA in 2001 and it decorated my closet for a good number of years. Sridhar, I let you go easily this time.. next time I am in San Diego, I will win my coveted possession back! Enjoy it while it lasts.. and have fun with the teaching.

Pande are Mrudula are connoisseurs of good food (all my San Diego friends are quite excited at the number of desi places around in the area.. and rightly so I believe - I felt the same when I moved.) So, whenever they are around, I take them to some new place they hadn't been to. We covered Dosa Place, Amber Cafe & Temptations this time around. It was fun.

It was funny how many Qualcommers we were bumping into -- more from San Diego than Santa Clara!!

Apart from just hanging out, watching movies and chilling at home when we weren't out eating, I went out shopping and discovered some new stores, thanks to Mallika's brother for that. I also found a track pant!! Can you believe that?! We had to pretty much check out all stores at Great Mall before we found one, just when the mall was closing.. and in the last place we were planning to look before giving up. There is hope.

Sridhar, Pavan, Hari & Mallika drove back on Monday while Pande & Mrudula flew ou Tuesday morning.

So-long 2008!

Didn't know how the last 3 quarters of 2008 went by -- they just flew, and I am happy to put them behind. It was quite hectic and I am relieved to have some spare time.

Went to India in December for a long break, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I landed in a new house in a quiet location away from the center of the city, had Mom & Dad's shashtipoorti celebrations over there couple of weeks after landing and met most of my relatives. It was a nice break! (I still need to upload the pics.)

2009 was a great beginning.. met a friend at Arun's birthday party & through him I found a basketball crowd, and surprisingly they play just a few blocks from my place. Basketball was dearly missed in the 6 months since we moved to our new office campus in Santa Clara (we were deprived of a basketball court). And I found a good balance for the local Scrabble tournaments as well -- I play once a month. 6 hrs/month, that's it. I think that works out well. So.. like that.. activities are all set.

And that's how 2009 started.. and brimming with a bunch of resolutions as well!