FINALLY!!!!!!

What better way to kick off 2009? This is a something that I've waited and waited to post. God-willing, the time has come. I can almost not believe that I am finally doing this.

For days, weeks, months and years now, I'd been planning on getting a guitar rig. I just didn't want to compromise on any count, and so the process of evaluation and selection was becoming tediously long. Add to that the numerous times the plan got cancelled/postponed, and you might begin to appreciate why I can't believe that I've finally done it. As of now, I can proudly say, that sans the amp, I've finally got what I was looking for. In a long pre-planned display of self indulgence, I got the following during the last few weeks that I was away from the blog.

First came the processor, the LINE 6 POD X3Live :



And then the axe, the IBANEZ RG-420EG-SBK :

I was actually planning to brag about my brand-new equipment, but I'm feeling unusually modest and humble. It can probably be attributed to what a wise man once said :
"With great power comes great responsibility."

So I'll just close with yet another quote I live my life by:
"My tastes are very simple. I like the very best."

Luv-n-Luck,
Av

P.S. - Happy New Year people! May this year be the healthiest, wealthiest, most peaceful year of your life.. yet. :D

Cyclic Expressionism contd...

Thoughts from today morning:

"Child is the Father of Man"
"Father is the Man of Child"
"Man is the Child of Father"
"Child is the Man of Father"
"Father is the Child of Man"
"Man is the Father of Child"

All of these seem to make sense too!!!
Alright, no more.. this is getting weird..
:D

Necessity is the mother of invention..

"Mothers are the Necessity of Invention"
I had used this corollary of the famous quote while referring to birth-control measures, en-route to winning a debate competition a coupla months back. Quite a few people got that one after they went home. :D

It got me thinking of all the other corollaries..

1) "Mother is the Invention of Necessity"
2) "Invention is the Necessity of Mother"
3) "Necessity is the Invention of Mother"
4) "Invention is the Mother of Necessity"

All of them seem logical in some context or the other! Funny isn't it??
Cyclic Expressionism!

RIP Mumbai

Through a curious turn of events, I was right on Nepean Sea Road, South Mumbai when the two blasts occurred in the vicinity of the area last night. For the first time in my life, I actually heard the "boom" of two bombs going off. The first blast was a moment which escapes definition by me. In one split second, for the first time in my life, I felt first-hand, what terror feels like and how it can cause cataclysmic disturbances in the peaceful life of people far removed from the actual cause; physically, mentally and opinion-wise. More importantly, I could realize how the horror is not even remotely close or even similar to the "harbinger-of-doom" phrases used by our idiotic media to grab eyeballs. They just dont "get it".

Case in point, an instance where somebody trapped inside the TAJ hotel (in which the militants had held up hostages) gave one of the News Channels a direct call. The poor soul was repeatedly saying in English that they need help and that the commandos should rapidly advance to the higher floors. At this point of time, the News anchor was stupid enough to utter,"Kya aa hamaare darshakon ko HINDI (sic) me bataa sakte hain ki wahaan ki sthiti kya hai??"
I rest my case.

On the other hand, big-time respect to all the army/police/commando officers who rose to the call of duty and did not flinch to lay down their lives in the process. The nation, even though shaken, stands proud. Peace to you.

What really got to me was the after-thought that the people in terror-affected areas around the country (and indeed, around the world) live in this dark shadow all of their lives. 24X7. And still manage to smile. Kudos to them all, in the wake of the realization that sitting inside an AC room/office, one can never "get it". No amount of News Channel coverage can ever hope to make you feel it. You have to experience the clutching feeling in your own chest. Your dreams, your aspirations, your memories, your grudges, your plans, your vision, your abilities, your very existence suddenly gasping for breath. The sudden realization of how easily and unpredictably it might all come to an end for no reason or cause, for you or against you.

On a optimistic note, as I made my way back to Pune this morning, I saw Mumbai trying to creep back to normalcy, even though the crisis was not yet over. Just one word came to my mind. Resilience. Salaam Mumbai..

But the events of the past 24 hours have triggered a chain reaction inside me, which forces me to re-think, re-consider, re-define and re-arrange the priority order of my life. I think it should indeed be a periodic exercise to examine if the things that we give the greatest part of our time, energy and our very lives are really worth it.

I want to close this post with a quote that I hold very close to my heart:
"The true measure of a man's wealth is what he has invested in eternity."

Peace to the departed souls,
Av

Quote of the day...

“Some scientists claim that hydrogen, because it is so plentiful, is the basic building block of the universe. I dispute that. I say there is more stupidity than hydrogen, and that is the basic building block of the universe.”
- Frank Zappa

"Not only is stupidity the most abundant element, it is also the lightest. It seems to make people rise up in an organizational hierarchy faster than anything else."
- Av's corollary
(derived through experience in the corporate world)

Av

Glimpses from Sinhagad

Hi Everyone!

Incase you are wondering where I got that lovely snap from the last post, let me tell you I have taken the shot myself! On an otherwise would-be non-descript friday, I had gone biking up Sinhagad with a few of my KPIT cronies!

Presenting, the gang!

The moon reflected in the waters of the Khadakwasla Dam, en-route to Sinhagad!


The mesmerizing view from atop..


Some random photography..






When life and dreams collide!


And finally, as you can see, I have an almost unhealthy penchant for shooting bugs!

It was fantastic to take some time out and slow down for a while. I was feeling all relaxed even after two days! I guess the little trip really soothed everyone's nerves a bit.
It was a pretty creative time. While I was running around taking snaps, "shighra-kavi" Sudip composed a poem! Even I composed half a poem, but was too taken up by things begging to be photographed to complete it. I did have a good conversation with a certain Mr Tanaji Malusare, though!

All in all, it was a great time! Even though we had to ride straight back into office after that!

Luv-n-Luck,
Av

Stand in my Shadow

Stand here in my shadow,
Stay safe under my wing,
Fear not the many struggles
That tomorrow shall bring;

Take some time to introspect
Just a moment's silent repose,
Learn to smile under the rain,
If you aspire for the rainbows;

Take life along where you go
Be dragged not in life's wake,
All that your life will ever be
Is what you decided to make;

Leave behind all your regrets
Break free of your every guilt,
Brick by brick, hope by hope
Is how your life shall be built;

Live each moment to its fullest
Heed the old words of the wise,
Whether you be tiny or be huge
Remember to live life king-size!

Av