My Publicized Life

One of the few things I've spent a whole lot of time thinking about. Not something you can help, really, when this is one topic that seems universal to humanity. Pops up all over the place....when I see my grandmom fervently putting her palms together each time she passes a temple, when I glance across at my colleague who's got this huge tilak on his forehead, in most books I read, in art, films, everyday life....you name it, and there it is....devotion to God, faith in God, fear of facing 'His' wrath, etc etc. A few minutes ago, chanced upon an interesting post by another guy called Kaushik on the same topic. I liked the way he categorized people into various classes based on their beliefs in God. In fact, thats what got me thinking about posting my own views on the subject. Coincidence? Definitely. Divine coincidence, perhaps??.....Naah!! What I always wonder about when I come across a piece of literature on God, is how the subject is always so....intellectualized...f...

Several visits to the mech later, the Bullet was in much better condition. Apart from a few minor issues, more of irritants actually, was running quite well. As usual, a combination of my laziness and 6-day working week had resulted in my not budging anywhere, to the point where I had an overwhelming urge to get out of town. Had a 2 day weekend on April 31st, so decided to do a solo trip to Chennai. Most everybody I mentioned this to advised against it, given that it was my first long ride on an Enfield....that too a 10 yr old one I wasn't entirely used to yet. I was, however, set on doing it. my boss, incidentally, has this philosophy "Its better to do something thats not entirely right and regret it, than to not do it at all". I'm not sure about the efficacy, but it can be very convenient to follow at times! So, set off bright and early...actually dark and early, in the interests of accuracy...at 5am. Now I know most Bangaloreans will find this difficult to believe,...

So the inevitable's finally occured. I've got myself a Royal Enfield - a classic Bullet Standard 350. Well....technically I haven't entirely got possession yet as the papers are with the mechanic, but short of him closing shop and running off somewhere, I can safely say the bike's mine, mine....all Miiiinne!!! Thanks to my colleague Robin, who's a bike/racing enthusiast and his neighbour Darren who's also passionate about Bullets for their help in ferrying me around the city looking at prospective candidates, riding the bikes and giving me their expert opinions while I stood by and gawked. On the flip side...if I find the bike is not to my satisfaction....I know who to kill!! Ok, now that the mand atory vote of thanks (read boring stuff) is over, onto more exciting details. As mentioned earlier, this is a Standard 350, 1996 model, complete with the classic thumping sound, right side gears, contact points ignition with ammeter, decomp lever etc. Not one of the ne...

Planning for this trip happened immediately after the previous trip to Muthaya Maduvu. Met Nimish the same evening, and while plying him with the details, found out he was very interested in doing this sort of thing as well. I'd always wanted to go on another ride to Savandurga, after the fun we'd had on the first trip, so suggested it and he was game. Decided to make it next Saturday, 14th Jan 2006, as I had a rare Saturday off for Sankranti. Landed up outside Koshy's at 9am. Decided to fuel the bike while waiting for Nimish. While at the petrol bunk, noticed a Royal Enfield zooming past, thump-thumping away to glory. Resolved for the 100th time to get me one of those, no matter what. By the way, not sure which model it was. Looked like a Thunderbird but was bigger...and noisier, as well. Anyways, drooled all over my li'l Splendor and filled it up (with fuel, not my drool). We started out after a great breakfast of bacon omelette and ham and egg sandwiches. P.S : Perso...

It had been a while since our last outing, and I was itching to get out of the city for a while, probably go off on a small road trip. So when my colleague Venu approached me asking if we could organize something, jumped at the idea. My first idea was to go rafting, but was unable to find something that didn't involve a 2-day trip atleast ( travails of a a 6-day working week! ). We'd practically settled on going to Tipu's Summer Palace, approx 60km away, when Venu heard of this place called Muthyala Maduvu, 40km from Bangalore, a sort of tourist spot with woods and a waterfall. Planned to meet up at 8.30am Sunday, 8th Jan, so in true Indian style, left home at 8.30 and reached Venu's place by 9.00. Turned out none of the guys were ready yet, with most of them watching TV, and a couple of them fussing over a huge bowl of lime rice. Turned out they had news there was no food available at the place, so decided to take adequate precautions. 5 of us finally left, after break...