The Blue Mountains

It was vacation time again, and we the cousins were all brooding over the places to visit.

From Hampi to Bijapura, from YaaNa to Dandeli, from Yercaud to Waynad we took a virtual tour [:D] and were not able to materialize on any one place mainly because the interest, the energy level, and the vacation time varied from individual to individual!!!

Least did I know that this discussion would conspire in achieving my long-time aspiration to drive through the hill station, until one among my cousins mentioned OOTY while the other mooted the topic of driving to Ooty!!!

Within a flash of a second we all had unanimously agreed upon this destination. And how could I ever say NO to a place where I could drive past the hairpin curves, capture some wonderful picturesque, and spend some time in nature!!!!

It was probably after this discussion, I could empathize Paul Coehlo's quote "When you really want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it!!!" ;) :D

The black beauty was all set to walk on the ramp of the blue hills, and I was mentally preparing myself for a happy and safe drive!

The D-day arrived and I was all fascinated about the 36 hair pin curves!!!  We passed through the Bandipur forest area and reached Masinagudi, the foot hill of the Nilgiris. 

While we were enjoying the climate, the lush greenery, the chirping of birds, and the classic songs being played in the background, there came the first hair pin curve. With all the hooting and cheering, the black beauty took off its first curve! :)

Driving through each hair pin curve was enthralling and enticing.   At the end of the 36th curve, my mind was mulling over the next ghat-section that I must drive! :p ;)

I must say, this was one of the most memorable drive!!! By the time we entered the ooty-city,  I was on cloud nine and elated! ;)

After fulfilling my desire to drive in altitude, it would definitely be a wrong attitude if I do not express my gratitude to: [;)]

1. Amma, who reluctantly granted me the permission to drive to the hill station![...and spent sleepless nights until we returned!!!]
2. My brother-in-law for convincing my mother!
3. All my clan who accompanied me; and for having immense faith in me and my driving skills! 

PS: After coming back from Ooty, the black beauty is no more apprehensive about the traffic jam on the city flyovers!!! ;) :D

Black Beauty Turns ONE!

I was in a deep slumber...Someone tickled me and I was awakened! Voila!!! Thatz my passionate possessor...  She turns the ignition key and here I whizz along!

Today seems to be some special day.. She has a mirthful smile! Ohh here I recall - I turn one!!! I wonder how time flies  by and it has been an year since I know her...

If you are still wondering who I am, click here!!! :) 

 LIKES n DISLIKES while driving:

• She likes to drive in NICE road [Don't be surprised if the toll keeper recognizes her :P]
• She likes when her parents go flashback; when her niece talk about her school and friends; when she fights with her talkative sister ;)
• She likes swapping radio stations[BTW, her cousins hates her song collections :D]
• She likes the fact that she can survive a dog-chase, unlike riding :D
• She dislikes when her mother keeps an eye on the speedometer, but she would love to watch her mother's expression in the rear view mirror :D
• She dislikes when her cousins binges, or clicks 'N' number of photos [you see, she cant be a part of it while driving!! :D]

PS: Can anyone tell-what does the below image symbolize? ;)

Vacation Time!!!

Keep guessing the place...!!!

Being Obsessed...

It's kind of strange how something can preoccupy your thoughts completely and how it impacts your actions!!!

I was strolling in a park. A few elderly ladies were walking in a slow tempo... I thought, I need to overtake them. As this thought was ignited, I felt like looking at the right mirror before over taking them!! Ahh!!! Am I obsessed with driving??? I laughed at myself! :D

I walked a few steps further, a bird chirped... I checked my mobile to see if I had received any message! [Too much, I know!!!" :D]

And, I accept the fact that I am terribly obsessed with GOOGLE. I always wish there is a search engine to search the misplaced article/item at home. [In-fact, all mothers are THE BEST at handling the search engine role ;)]

Though I laughed at these instances, it made me think- why people fall into obsession? Is being obsessed good or bad??

Well, everyone will have obsessions...but what we need to question ourselves is that "Is our obsession healthy/unhealthy?? "

A healthy obsession helps you to remain focused, identify your own potential, and it brings in some positive change in you!

An obsession can turn unhealthy when they start ruling your life!

So, as long as your obsession is healthy, and you are open to accept the changes as well, enjoy your obsessions without thinking too much! ;)

PS:

I wanted to post this blog, but I wasn't able to login to blogger.com. I later realized that, I was logging in with my office credential!!! :P

Does that mean I am obsessed with office work???  ;) :D

The Helmet...

Way back in 2006, when HELMET was made compulsory in Bangalore, I cribbed and cursed. It was like imposing a compulsory attendance rule for a student who is least bothered to attend the classes! :P I really felt that I would look like an alien. Slowly this thought of mine began to vanish as I saw many such aliens on road... :D I had also felt my head was inside a kiln, and it was a torture to bear additional weight! :D

In course of time, I began to enjoy the positive aspect of wearing the helmet. No doubt it protects from head injuries. But what I like the most is the privacy it offers! :) I could pull down the visor and laugh out loud at the RJ's sense of humor; sing and ride; talk over phone; and most importantly it would protect from all unwanted stares!
And of-course it protects one from sun, rain, wind and dust. I now cannot imagine myself traversing in the dusty outer ring road without a helmet...!

After extensively using helmet for almost six years, these crazy innovative ideas did flash me!

1. I wish there would be a sensor that beeps if you haven't fastened the helmet! ;) Something like, a sensor which make use of solar energy!!
2. What if the visor is fitted with a small wiper... sounds funny?? But will it not be of great help when itz raining??? LOL :D
3. A helmet with an inbuilt blue-tooth headset ;) I am sure most of us would go for it! We can pair it with our mobiles isn't?? :D
4. I know its too annoying when your talkative pillion rider's voice is not audible amidst the buzzing traffic...!I wish there is some wireless connectivity between two helmets so that the communication between the pillion rider and the rider is crystal clear! ;)

As of now the list ends, and I'm sure you may have some additions to it! ;)

Pyramid Valley

Meeting old friends is always exciting and eliciting. After a huge round of where and when discussions, we finally decided to visit "The Pyramid Valley". Thanks to Google for letting us know about the existence of pyramid in Namma BengaLooru!!! (Life without Google is really difficult, isn't it??? :P)


I must say we all met on time with just a delay of half-an-hour :P. As we drove ahead our thoughts swept through the good old college days, making the drive more pleasurable.


The pyramid valley is located around 30 km from Banashankari. The roads are great only after you cross the inner ring road-kanakapura junction and Thalaghattapura area. Look out for the sign boards just to ensure that you are on track. Once you take a left turn from NH-209 the road narrows, and test one's driving skill :P The situation worsens when a bullock cart/tractor approaches from the opposite side!!! :D

The pyramid valley is open from 6.00am to 10.00pm. The entry is free of cost. To my surprise, parking the black beauty did not seem to be a herculean task this time!! ;) Its not that I have mastered the art of parking, but, it's just that the parking space is abundant!!!:D


As you spot the pyramid amongst the lush greenery, you may not be awed, but still you will be curious enough to know whats within the pyramid.


You enter the pyramid, after a brief explanation about the meditation technique by one of the valley's volunteer. As you step inside, all of a sudden you feel someone has hit the mute button, and there you stand inside an unfathomed, sober, and super cool pyramid!!!


The base area of the pyramid is about 160ft x160ft and right at the center you see a spiral staircase which leads to the kings chamber. The kings chamber is said to be the most energetic spot of the pyramid and stands at a height of 34ft from the base area. The kings chamber is so silent that even your heartbeat seems to be annoying !!!:P


Photography is strictly prohibited and children below six years are not allowed inside the pyramid.


Upon exit, all that was in my mind was "The quieter you become, the more you can hear!" - one of the Zen principles!!

On an hindsight, "If you adore silence you ought to visit Pyramid Valley!!!"

Black Beauty...

Should I desire for DZIRE, or should I opt an OPTRA? 
Should I be a wagoner of a WagonR, or should I swiftly buy a SWIFT? 
Should I alter my dreams to ALTO, or should I eye on i20?
Though my heart clings to a black Santro Xing, my mind clung to a black i10!! ;)  

From months to weeks, weeks to days, days to hours, the wait was finally over...The D-Day had arrived!!! And there were only few hours left for me to meet my new buddy...  

As soon as I entered the showroom, I could see the Black Beauty being decked up, and all set for its go ahead. ;) And I guess, she was also waiting for her possessor! :P

With all the formalities being done, I took on the key and pressed the unlock button to introduce myself to the Black Beauty!:P With a blissful smile, I opened the door for my parents. My riant mother, reluctantly boarded the car...I could sense the anxiety in her as she knew that I will be driving in the next few minutes... :p

I stepped-in, started off, and held my hand gently on the gear. As I started releasing the clutch... the Black Beauty took off smoothly...Before the wheels completed its 4th rotation, my anxious amma started yelling "ರೇಖಾ... ನಿಧಾನ...!!!!!"  and I did stop and handed over the key to my brother-in-law. :D While he started traversing in the terrific traffic, I began to enjoy the drive and the song that was being aired on the radio... ;)

My special thanks to all my clans who withstood my obsession. Specially my younger cousin, for bearing my annoyance. Each time we spotted an i10, we used to exchange a big smile and say "i10 ಅಲ್ವಾ!!":))

With days passing by, I am getting to understand my Black Beauty better and better...and I must say am truly Mesmerized and SMITTEN!! :)

The vantages of riding!

It all started when the travel time consumption was 12.5% of a day!! I had strongly made up my mind not to depend on the company transport any more... With a strong opposition, I started commuting to office in my new " black scooty streak" [yeah right, if not a black santro, let me at least own a black scooty streak :P]

People always drop their jaw when thy come to know that i am riding from one extreme end of the city to an other extreme end. But, its also true that when you really like doing certain things, neither the complexities involved nor the disadvantages appear to be prominent.

Apart from the flexibility it offers, here are few thing that I would like to share about the vantages of riding ....

1. Firstly, let me say something about the "riding survey", yes, thatz how I decided to buy scooty streak :P . The signal at junction is the right place for performing a riding survey... If the person next to you owns a vehicle of your choice, why not conduct a survey??? Inquire about the mileage, performance... etc etc
2. Evoke you hobbies:

• Am i sounding crazy?? not really ... Following are some photos that I captured while riding :)

• Also, listen to the music of your choice, it makes your ride more pleasurable :) hmm... how about giving a bit of work to your vocal chords??? wow...Juz like a bath-room singer you can be entitled to the "riding singer" title too...

3.Time management while riding:

• Plan the work that has to be done for the day, It could be a reminder mail, a meeting invite, MOM whatever!!! In a way, riding keeps you more organized.
• "Is your after office hours discussion (office politics/gossip :P) consuming the quality time that you spend at your home? If yes," Talk when you ride" hahaha, an inverse ideology of "Walk when you talk" !!!
  Disclaimer: " Talk when you ride" concept is subjected to risk, please be aware of the risk before you follow ''

4. Psst...Riding is also a platform to vent out your frustration!!
5. Interaction with unknowns: A waving kid in a school bus, or an old man who transforms to a traffic police to cross the road...will always leave a smile amidst the tension. :)

6. Over and above, you can judge a person based on how he rides/drives!!! Juz give a thought about it :D