Friends

In the year 1977 my Mum started her FYBSc in chemistry where she had met some people and a small group of 10 people including guys and girls were created by the year 1978.

Zoom into future year 2008, that 10 people group is a now a massive gang of 40 people including spouse and kids. And they meet each other once in 2 months with all family members for a outdoor trip or a meeting at someone's place. If i think of such thing happening at today's time i find it very difficult to forsee it...

I have seen them fighting...bitching...but they kinda patch up without anyone saying sorry or forgiving.....in the end friends are friends....they are our second family.

Why am i writing this...friday aunt called us and said to come to their place as she has organised a get-together...and i am the one who never lets the chance pass by for meeting them. The reason for the get-together was that her daughter is gonna get engaged and we all are into inviting the guy into our group...first one....

It was 9 pm when the guy reached the place with the girl and group of kids were the cheerleaders into inviting him. So we had to hold a placard of his name and WELCOME into our group. He was dazed, bamboozled and other terms related to both. After that there was a small reception where the uncles, aunties and kids introducing themselves to the guy.....

Later the guy introduced himself to the whole lot of 40 people on what he does and how they met...it was an interview session. Later the uncles and aunts met him for some one on one or normal chit chat....

When i say my friends that i am going to meet my mom's gang and they say no way.....that is not possible...how are they connected to each other...what i have seen is that they don't interfere in each other's life. No grudges....plain fun....tease....pull legs....and there is one kind of atmosphere which is happy happy (thats the best way I can describe it) everyone laughing and also small arguments which keep on going from meet to meet....

Hoping this friendship never ends!!!! (touch wood)



Technorati Tags fun,happy,welcome,Friends,forever

16 day Trek to Singalila starting from 15th May 2008

Hi,
We at Ulysses 360 Degrees are organising a expedition to Singalila National Park in West Bengal. The expedition will start on 15th May 2008 and will span for 16 days.It will be conducted from Mumbai and will terminate in Mumbai. It is a good trek for beginners as it is not very treacherous. The entire expedition will be covered @ 17500/- Rs. per person. People interested in the trek can contact me for further details.

Some of the highlights of the trek are as follows:

• This route is the only place in the world that offers a view of the world’s five highest mountains – Everest, Kangchendzonga, Lhotse and Makalu, amongst many others. The peaks are at a handshaking distance from Phalut.
• You can gaze in awe at the ethereal beauty of Kangchendzonga dominating the entire horizon from Sandakphu.
• Mount Siniolchu in the Kangchendzonga range has been officially declared by UNESCO as the most beautiful peak in the world – due to its near symmetrical shape. Mount Fuji of Japan comes a close second in this category.
• It is one of the highest Alpine national parks of the country.
• During late spring in April, the Rhododendrons and Magnolias flowers are in bloom, and the hillsides are covered with red, pink, yellow and white blooms.
• Being primarily a ‘ridge walk’, there are views on all sides especially towards Nepal. An interesting sight is watching the cars at night, lit up like pinpricks on the distant Darjeeling hillside, their lights moving slowly against the black background many miles away to the south.
• Walking through the Darjeeling mountain trails, is an unparalleled experience – for the sense of history that it evokes, considering organized trekking in India first began somewhere in these hills more than 80 Years ago, and the varied terrain that is covered.
• Beginning in Buddhist Sherpa inhabited Manebhanjang where one catches a view of the near vertical trekking route, to the dense rhododendron forests, wildflower covered hillsides, sleepy hamlets lost in time, thick bamboo glades, vast farmlands and a breathtaking mountain view of Khangchendzonga – you get it all.
• The most beautiful stretch is the one from Sandkphu (3,600m) to Phalut, that trails through burned silver fir forests.
• In an international magazine Sandakphu trek featured in the Top 10 adventure holidays of the world. It was at No. 7
• The expedition will include accomodation in Trekker's hut and tent's to give you a real outdoor experience.

DARJEELING – THE QUEEN STILL RULES

We have also included Darjeeling in our itinerary, some of the highlights of this place are as follows:

• LEBONG RACE CORSE (in Darjeeling) is the highest in the world.

• The station at GHOOM ( also spelt GHUM) is the second highest station in the world and is the highest one to be reached by team engine. The famous ‘Toy Train’ of Darjeeling makes a stop at the station.

• While traveling from Mumbai to Kolkatta – the train will pass through Kharagpur junction in West Bengal. This station at 1072 Mt's.is the longest station in the world.

• The Snow Leapord Breeding Center in Pdmaja Naidu Zoological park, Darjeeling) is the only place in the world where breeding of Snow Leopards in captivity has been successful. This zoological park also houses the only Siberian Tiger in the country.

• The tea produced in Darjeeling district is indisputably best in the world. Tea estates of the region have over the years competed with each other for producing the finest and resultant, the costliest tea in the world. “CASTLETON” currently holds the record for getting the highest price in the world. We will be passing this estate while we are on our way to Ghoom.
• Another attraction of this place are the HARDY’S. These are vintage Land Rover Taxis. They have been in the hills since 1950’s, but thanks to their Aluminum construction they have shown. No signs of deterioration. This is the only mode of transport which is capable of taking ON this sort of terrain.

The alluring beauty of these hills have attracted some of the great souls of mankind. Viz. Mark Twain, Rabindranath Tagore, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Deshbandhu Chittranjan Das (Who died in the bungalow named “ STEP – ASIDE”), in Darjeeling.

Itenarary for Singalila Trek
Day 1 ----Boarding train from Mumbai
Day 2 ----Train journey
Day 3 ---- reaching New Jalpaiguri (NJP) and then Siliguri. Jeep journey from Siliguri to Manehbhanjan via Ghoom.
Day 4 ----Rest day at Manehbhanjan for acclimatisation.
Day 5 ---- Manebhanjan to Toonglu/ Jaubari. We will stay in Trekkers hut or camp in tents depending on availability.
Day 6 ---- Jaubari to Sandakphu. Stay at Sandakphu overnight in trekker’s hut or in tents.
Day 7 ---- Stay at Sandakphu and view the beautiful Sunrise there. At Sandakphu a decision to go to Darjeeling or Phalut will be made depending on prevailing weather conditions. If conditions are favourable we proceed to Phalut.
Day 8 ---- Sandakphu to Sabarkhum/ Molley. Accomodation in trekker’s hut or Tents.
Day 9 ---- Sabarkhum to Phaluk.
Day 10 ---- Rest day at Phaluk
Day 11 ---- Phaluk to Gorkhey.
Day 12 ---- Gorkhey to Ramam.
Day 13 ---- Ramam to Rimbik.
Day 14 ---- Rimbik to NJP.
Day 15 ---- Train journey back to Mumbai.
Day 16 ---- Mumbai.

Note: Trek will be organized if we have a stipulated number of people

Contact info:

Gautam: 9819788356

Email: gautamdseth@gmail.com

Rucksack/Sleeping bags/Tents

Ok guys we have started a small firm called Ulysses 360 Degrees which sells rucksacks, sleeping bag, tents etc etc. Check out the products below and also click on this link to know about rucksack and types of rucksack

====================================================================

I'm glad to inform you that have got into manufacturing of trekking equipments. along with the internationally famous brand Alpine.

After years of experience in preparing equipment for Himalayan expeditions we are launching a set of well tested products (for Himalayas and Sahyadris) for the first time in Mumbai.

Rucksack 60L – Rs. 2500 ( Ever-Rest- Basic)

Pack and Play. You don’t have to worry about the balance. This self-balancing bag is designed for comfort. No more back aches & shoulder strains. Great for beginners to get addicted!

Rucksack 55L – Rs. 3000 (Ever-Rest - Advanced)

For the more discerning trekkers. So comfortable, you will want to carry it with you everywhere. Self –balancing and designed for the rough and tough conditions.

Rucksack 40L – Rs. 2300 (Trek Star - Shorty)
Our special creation- ideal for short treks. Sahyadris, Adventure tours, Picnics – it fits in so perfectly, you will wonder how did you ever manage it without it!!!

Rucksack cover – Rs. 900

So you want to trek in the rains but don’t want to soil your precious rucksack ? Our Rucksack covers protect your bags and keep them brand new. No more mishandling, soiling or staining- our guarantee.

Sleeping bag (double fly) – Rs. 2500

Its freezing -4°C outside but you are as comfortable as a baby !!.. Where most sleeping bags gives you aches in the mornings, our sleeping bags promise warmth to those tired muscles, and a refreshing sleep so that you are fit for the next day’s adventure.

Sleeping bag (triple fly) – Rs. 3000

Take it to the Himalayas. Take it to the Sahyadris. Take it anywhere. Be it 40°C or -20°C : you are guaranteed comfort and safety . Your all- weather sleeping bag will handle the widest temperatures and promises great comfort.

Poncho – Rs. 1250

Often the most critical equipment after the rucksack, the poncho is a must for every trekker. We have fabricated our ponchos with the best raw materials to ensure an all-weather, all-terrain top performance. No more rainwater, dust, snow, gravel, sand, or soil worries.

What’s more, we have added more to the poncho so that it doubles up as a one-man tent during emergencies that often accompany expeditions.

Dome Tent – Rs. 18500

Every Trekker’s dream come true- Our specially fabricated Multipurpose, weather-proof dome tent with super light -weight aluminum poles. This all- terrain tent has been tested in the wildest rains, and the hottest desert sands.

We took it to the Himalayas and toughed it up in the cold winds and thunderous rains. This is your safest bet against the nature’s elements

Easy to carry, and easy to set-up- less than 2 minutes!

Ridge Tent – Rs. 17500

For those who like the tried and tested!.. We took the same materials of the Dome tent and made the conventional professional trekker’s choice – the A-shaped ridge tent.

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Photos will be up soon...if interested you can contact Gautam on 9819788356

Marriage

Just came back from a cousin wedding and i must say meeting up with relatives is so much fun. I have lots of brothers and almost all of them are married, their wives (ie my Bhabhis) always are pestering me to be next one who will walk on the isle soon. When we meet, i am kind of surrounded by them and asked questions on "when you gonna get married?", "are you seeing anyone?", "what kind of girl do you like?", "send me your biodata" but it is so much fun answering them and getting a reply back. (also love the fact that i am centre of attraction)
There is one indian term, "Marriage is like a sweet, those who eat it suffer and those who don't eat it suffer"
Well for my defence which i haven't told them yet is....i am a commitment phobiac dunno but hate to give out promises. And to be with someone for your whole life you have to take that deep plunge, there was a good comment from a guy who i went to do my tattoo from "Marriage in India is just a certificate, you never know what goes behind the doors"
I would not mind going for a live in relationship for a while just to know how things go on for a while. If i am into something, I love to give 100% of myself and don't expect half measures from people i am working with.
Just talking my Uncle said what are you going to do for your marriage and then we started making grand plans. Well i would love to go for a court marriage and then take my baarat (the people i know near and dear) to Goa, have a 2 day fest where it will be all informal with dance on the beach and fun in the casino.
At the end of the day everyone laughed and went back home.

Inhibitions...more to it

Out of the blue i got a call from the girl i like while i was chatting with Pri. Well just took some updates and said the "dreaded 5 words" as she had a call coming up.
Went back chatting with Pri and she has being saying...you know the happiness from your face has being disappeared. You dont have that happy face which was there in school. I guess there are lots of contributing factors to it, first work, then no girlfriend (that is secondary), etc etc etc. I have being such way for a very long time, i also hate it but i dont know what to do to get out the rut.
It is like a quick sand pulling me inside on how hard i try to come out of it. I am kinda fighting against myself, and i am losing.
Pri is one person who i know for a long time but it is being lately where she has opened up and i like talking her more than i used to do during school times. While in our conversation she said that she received a flying kiss from a female..which made me laugh but she gave her a flying kiss back made it more interesting. In India people raise their eyebrows when ladies do such a thing...but i guess if you have the right attitude you take it in the right spirit.

Hand Book

"Hey, get down this is first class" (यह फर्स्ट क्लास हैं) you listen to these words often when someone gets into first class and by the looks and dressing people just tell them about it. By the time it is already too late train has started moving out of the platform and if the guy is unlucky a Ticket Collector (TC) pops of nowhere.

Almost once guys with second class ticket enter first class compartment as it always looks empty (during non-peak hours).

I suggest the railways to make a hand book for newcomers to Mumbai about Railways system and how to identify first class coach and other stuffs so that they are not caught because they came to Mumbai for the first time. (I guarantee that it is going to be the best seller if put in multiple languages)

On a platform, lots of people are standing where first class coach comes and then suddenly they look confused seeing a second class coach passing by them, they run frantically up and down the platform to get into the train. If only they had the "Hand Book" they knew where to stand on a platform to get into the train.

This might not be informative to others but if a railway senior guy reads this i guess he is going to agree.

Bam Lahiri

Now this is one song which could be converted into a Shiva Mantra soon in the future. The song tells about Shiva and her devotee...got lots of different meaning to it.

Click here or on the title to see the video. It is so full of energy and will make you go " bagad bam, babam bam babam bam"

Jai Bholenath.....

BAM LAHIRI

haath jodd ke boli kawarja,
haath jodd ke boli kawarja,
teeno lok basaye basti mein,
teeno lok basaye basti mein,
aap basein veerane mein ji,
aafatein veerane mein,
aji ram bhajo ji, ram bhajo ji,
ram bhajo ji, ram bhajo ji,
shiv ka vandan kiya karo,
aji shiv ka vandan kiya karo ji,
bagad bam, babam bam babam bam bamlehri,
bagad bam, babam bam babam bam bamlehri,
bagad bam, babam bam babam bam bamlehri,
bagad bam, babam bam babam bam bamlehriii!

meri ek suno antaryami,
meri ek suno bholeswami,
mai to dasi janam-janam ki,
mai to dasi janam-janam ki,
bali umar se bhakti karti,
bali umar se bhakti karti,
tumhe chodke kahi na jaoo,
tumhe chodke kahi na jaoo,
raat-diwas tere charan dabau,
raat-diwas tere charan dabau,
tumhe jo choddu to mar jaoo,
tumhe jo choddu to mar jaoo,
bagad bam, babam bam babam bam bamlehri,
bagad bam, babam bam babam bam bamlehri,
bagad bam, babam bam babam bam bamlehri,
bagad bam, babam bam babam bam bamlehriii!

ek suno na mere bholenathji,
ek suno na mere dinanathji,
din bhar main teri bhung ragdungi,
din bhar main teri bhung ragdungi,
bhung ragdu, tera ragdu dhatura,
bhung ragdu, tera ragdu dhatura,
taj karungi tera pura,
hukam bajaoo tera pura,
tujhe pilaoo tiragnatiya,
tujhe pilaoo tiragnati,
aur jo bach jave main pilungi,
jo bach jave main pilungi,
amrit jaan samajh pilungi,
amrit jaan samajh pilungi,
sharan mein le lo bholenath,
mohe apni bana lo dinanathji,
bagad bam, babam bam babam bam bamlehri,
bagad bam, babam bam babam bam bamlehri,
bagad bam, babam bam babam bam bamlehri,
bagad bam, babam bam babam bam bamlehriii!

ek suno ji parvati,
meri ek suno gora-rani,
iss jungle mein tu kya pavegi,
kanjdi ban-ban mar javegi,
hathi, chitaude, sher dahaude,
hathi, chitaude, sher dahaude,
asam ramau, dhuni ramau,
tandav kar-kar damru bajau,
gufa-bich mera hai derari,
abhi samajh ja hey gorari,
abhi maan ja hey gora,
mere bhoot ki mala gale pad,
meri khakkad mala gale padi,
unko dekh iss darr javegi,
mere sang tu kya pave,
koi acha kuwar raja ko dhundh,
koi roop kuwar raja ko dhundh,
tu rani banke baith mahal,
tu rani banke baith mahal,
ari samajh ja hey gorari,
maha maan jaa hey gorari.
bagad bam, babam bam babam bam bamlehri,
bagad bam, babam bam babam bam bamlehri,
bagad bam, babam bam babam bam bamlehri,
bagad bam, babam bam babam bam bamlehriii!

ROYKSOPP - Remind Me

I liked this song for the visuals, the animation is so cool and it seamlessly merges into one another. This shows what we are doing in our day to day life.

Lyrics of the song (click on the song name and artist to see the song on youtube):

ROYKSOPP
Remind Me

(chorus)
Will remind, will remind, will remind me,
Will remind, will remind, will remind me,
Will remind, will remind, will remind me,
Will remind, will remind, will remind me.

It's only been a week,
The rush of being home in rapid fading.
Prevailing to recall
What I was missing, all that time in England

Has sent me aimlessly,
On foot or by the help of transportation,
To knock on windows where
A friend no longer live, I had forgotten.

(chorus)

And everywhere I go,
There's always something to remind me
Of another place and time
Where love that travelled far had found me.

We stayed outside til two,
Waiting for the light to come back,
But hid in talk I knew,
Until you asked what I was thinking.

(chorus)

Brave men tell the truth,
A wise man's tools are analogies and puzzles,
A woman holds her tongue,
Knowing silence will speak for her.

So now I'll never know,
As you will only sleep beside me,
And everywhere I go...

(chorus)
(repeat)

It's only been a week,
(Will remind, will remind, will remind me,)
The rush of being home in rapid fading.
(Will remind, will remind, will remind me,)
Prevailing to recall
(Will remind, will remind, will remind me,)
What I was missing all that time in England
(Will remind, will remind, will remind me.)

Has sent me aimlessly
(Will remind, will remind, will remind me,)
On foot or by the help of transportation,
(Will remind, will remind, will remind me,)
To knock on windows where
(Will remind, will remind, will remind me,)
A friend no longer live, I had forgotten.
(Will remind, will remind, will remind me.)

(chorus)

Types of Rucksacks/backpacks

Backpack designs
Backpacks in general fall into one of three categories: frameless, external frame, and internal frame. A pack frame, when present, serves to support the pack and distribute the weight of its contents across the body more easily (generally by transferring much of the weight to the hips and legs), so most of the weight does not rest on the shoulders, restricting range of motion and possibly causing damage from pressure on the straps. Most are capable of being closed with either a buckle mechanism or a zipper, though a few models use a drawstring for the main compartment.

Frameless
The simplest backpack design is a bag attached to a set of shoulder straps. Such packs are used for general transportation of goods, particularly by students, and have variable capacity. The simplest designs have one main pocket combined with webbing or cordage straps; more sophisticated models add extra pockets, waist straps, padded shoulder straps, padded backs, and sometimes even reflective materials for added safety when the wearer is out at night. Such packs can be made inexpensively.
Some outdoors packs, particularly those sold for day hikes, ultralight backpacking and mountaineering are sometimes frameless as well.

External frame packs
The more traditional type of frame pack uses a rigid external frame which is strapped on the back and in turn carries and supports a cloth or leather sack and potential strapped on items. External frames were traditionally used to carry heavy loads (20 kg / 40 lbs and more), giving the wearer more support and protection and better weight distribution than a simple, frameless strapped bag. Wooden pack frames have been used for centuries around the world (Ötzi the Iceman may have used one in Copper Age Alpine Italy though some archaeologists believe the frame found with the body was part of a snowshoe), and such gear was common in military and mountaineering applications right up to the 20th century metal versions first appeared in the mid-20th century, and plastic designs towards the turn of the 21st. Modern pack frames are usually made from lightweight metal tubes, generally aluminium but sometimes also using titanium or scandium alloys. The frame typically has a system of straps and pads to keep the sack and the frame from contacting the body. The open structure has the added benefit of improved ventilation and decreased sweatiness. The fabric part of the pack occupies part of the frame's length, but the frame typically protrudes above and below. These areas of the frame allow bulky items (such tents, sleeping bags, and thermal pads) to be strapped on. Thus the main compartment is smaller than that of an internal-frame pack, because bulky items (tents, sleeping bags, thermal pads) are strapped to the parts of the frame not occupied by the main compartment itself. This may result in a less smooth load (annoying in dense forest) and less control over the movement of the center of gravity of the pack. While less popular than internal-frame gear, some manufacturers (such as Kelty, Jansport, and Coleman) continue to produce external packs, and military packs are often external-frame designs as well.

Internal frame packs
An internal-frame pack has a large cloth section in which a small frame is integrated. This frame generally consists of strips of either metal or plastic that mold to one's back to provide a good fit, sometimes with additional metal stays to reinforce the frame. Usually a complex series of straps works with the frame to distribute the weight and hold it in place. The close fitting of the back section to the wearer's back allows the pack to be closely attached to the body, and gives a predictable movement of the load; on the downside, the tight fit reduces ventilation, so these type of packs tend to be more sweaty compared to external frame packs. The internal construction also allows for a large storage compartment. Internal-frame packs may provide a few lash points (including webbing loops and straps for sleeping bags and other large items), but as the frame is fully integrated and not available on the outside, it is difficult to lash a large, heavy item so that it stays fixed and does not bounce, so most cargo must fit inside. Internal-frame packs originally suffered from smaller load capacity and less comfortable fit during steady walking, but newer models have improved greatly in these respects. In addition, because of their snug fit, they ride better in activities that involve upper-body movement such as scrambling over rocky surfaces and skiing. The improved internal frame models have largely replaced external frame backpacks for many activities.

RuckSacks/Backpacks

Backpacks are sometimes used as luggage, particularly as carry-on bags for airplane travel.
Backpacks form an essential part of the gear of the outdoor trekker and the urban backpacker, allowing more mobility and compactness than would be available to someone carrying most of their gear and clothing in a suitcase.
In addition to their use in outdoors pursuits, backpacks are sometimes used in other sports as well. Hydration packs, sometimes used by runners and bicyclists, carry water (in either a bladder or a rigid bottle) and have a tube connected to them from which the wearer can drink without removing the pack; this feature is also included in some more general-purpose hiking backpacks. Backpacks that carry skateboards have also become more popular in the youth culture.

Backpacks for outdoor activities

Large internal-frame backpack
One common special type of backpack (sometimes referred to as a "technical pack" or "frame pack") is designed for backpacking and other outdoors activities. These type of packs are more complex than most other backpacks. Compared to backpacks used for more day-to-day purposes such as schoolbooks, such packs are designed to carry substantially heavier loads, and as a result most such packs attach not only at the shoulders but at the hips, using a padded hip belt to distribute the majority of the weight of the pack to the legs and not the back. The often heavily padded and sometimes semi-rigid shoulder straps are mainly for balancing the weight. They usually (except for those used in ultralight backpacking) have a metal or plastic frame to support and distribute the weight of the pack. Larger packs of this type tend to have a subdivided main compartment. These trekking packs often have several pockets on the outside; they may also have lash points on the exterior (either directly attached to the frame or webbing loops), so that bulky items may be strapped on, although depending on the pack design and type of trek most backpackers will try to stuff everything into the pack. Multiday packs typically have a content between 60 and 100 liters (and are about 3ft /1 meter tall). Smaller packs with similar features are available for shorter trips.
The most common materials for such packs are canvas and nylon, either ripstop fabric for lightweight packs or heavier fabric such as cordura for more typical usage. Most such packs are purpose-designed for the outdoors market; however, it is not uncommon for military surplus packing gear to be sold to outdoorspeople as well for the same purpose. The cheaper versions of the outdoor packs are often favoured by city trekkers; as they have a large volume and still carry relatively easily.
Outdoors packs, in addition to the distinction between external-frame and internal-frame, can be further subdivided based on the duration of trip a pack might be expected to be used on; daypacks hold supplies for a single day's hiking (size about 20-30 litres), while "weekender" bags can hold two to three day's worth of gear and supplies (sizes about 40-50 litres). Larger packs generally have no specific names but are designed to distribute the weight of increased numbers of gear and supplies for longer-duration trips (60-100 litres); such packs often include complex ergonomic support features to simplify the carrying of large amounts of weight. A third type with little or no frame at all, similar to the bookbags used by students and made of light fabric (often nylon ripstop, as mentioned above), is used in ultralight backpacking to eliminate the weight of the frame and heavy fabric used in more typical outdoors packs. Despite (or perhaps because of) their lesser weight, such packs are seldom less expensive than more typical, regular-weight packs.

Mobile Game Tester - Real Story

With a sparkle in their eyes and they starring at me, saying "Cool, so you are a game tester".
Me shrugging my shoulder.."yeah"

Smiling back..."dude you know i would kill for this kind of job...play whole day and then get paid"
Me Smiling..."that is for sure but this is not easy as it sounds like"
These are the few lines which i always encounter when I meet someone for the first time and we exchange pleasantries.

Today I am going to say what a game tester has to go thru...I have being doing this for past 3 years and let me tell you it is not fun when you have to play the same level for over 200 times in 1 month. First of all we have to play on mobile phones and the fucking buttons are small. Then the screen is not that big where you have to look all around.....I would say it is a cool job and it is fun if you reach a level where you have to play a new game.

I have got request from a probable PHD that "give me your mail id, i want to get a job in your company"

Dude....you would have to put in long hours and play the same game over and over and over and over again so it looks cool from outside but it has its own story.

Let me tell you a day of a mobile game tester....a game is waiting for him which he downloads it on a mobile phone. Then he starts to play the game...a mobile game can go over from an hour to six hours.
There are casual games, arcade games, action games....similar to the ones in PC but on a smaller screen and lots of things cut off. Tester will play the game once to check if there are any issues which a normal user can detect. Then he has to check the game differently...do something what a normal user wont do with a game. That is where the fun is...when you get some big bug after such sequence...your head is held high...and you show the sequence to the developer. The developer will fix the bug and send it back for testing...the tester has to play the whole game again and check whether the developer has solved all the given bugs and not added any more bugs.

The tester will have to do the same thing for a period of month or more....so when one says cool you are a game tester...I hope, I sit with them and tell them the whole story.

Random Things

Manchester United thru to the semis in Champions League and will face Barcelona. Was talking to my neighbour and he said it will be the match to watch and i woundnt agree with him more.

Going home late at night can be a really expensive affair when you are supposed to travel from Vashi to Goregaon. After a birthday party, lotsa drinking and discussions, we left at around 12:40 am from the club. We hoped to get a call centre car till Goregaon, luckily a Sumo was going to Saki Naka which was a good option at least it would get us nearer to our home. Getting down at Saki Naka and hailing an Indica near to my place costing me Rs. 100 for 3 people which is atleast 3 times less than i would have paid if gone by Taxi or Rickshaw.

TIPS: Dont be too stubborn that Taxi should make you reach your place. If you get a lift somewhere near your area get in.

Having a mixed feeling overall not happy neither sad just in the mode where you feel that just do what you like and dont talk to anyone.

Planning to learn a new language or a new dance form soon after the appraisal. Might give me something new to think about.

Also Alphonso season is on...so everyday one full alphonso Mango either in Aamras or with Milk.




Technorati Tags     Mango,Mang,Alphonso,Taxi,Manchester,Barcelona

What Else Is There?

Royksopp - What Else Is There?

It was me on that road
But you couldn`t see me
Too many lights out, but nowhere near here

It was me on that road
Still you couldn`t see me
And then flashlights and explosions

Roads and getting nearer
We cover distance but not together
I am the storm, I am the wonder
And the flashlights, nigthmares
And sudden explosions

I don't know what more to ask for
I was given just one wish

It's about you and the sun
A morning run
The story of my maker
What I have and what I ache for

I`ve got a golden ear
I cut and I spear
And What else is there?
Roads and getting nearer
We cover distance still not together

If I am the storm if I am the wonder
Will I have flashlights, nightmares and sudden explosions

There is no room where I can go and
You`ve got secrets too

I don`t know what more to ask for
I was given just one wish

A norwegian group which creates electronic music, has got some real beat and thump in this song.

Also the video looks really awesome. Click on the name to see the video.

Call you back in sometime

These 5 dreaded words have being haunting me for a hell lotsa time. Everytime i chat up with a girl or a friend...they get some work and i get these 5 words. And if someone says that i am guarandamnteed that i would not get call back.

It is almost with all the female friends of mine i have this issue....and few i know for a while have made a habit but me being kinda nice and patience being my good point....i always forgive her. She laughs about it but who can complain.

Guys n gals...what should be done when i get these dreaded 5 words?



Technorati Tags     call

(Blank)

The topic is named Blank as i dont know what to term it as...

It was a saturday afternoon, called up a friend of mine and asked him whats his plan for the evening. He said why dont you come over i am going for a party with few friends of mine. Party...i havent being to one for a very long time.

At around 9 pm i reached home and his friends were getting ready, introduced myself and shook hands. After half an hour got going to a big 5 star hotel and entered the club after a nice rickshaw ride. At first everyone was a bit tight not wanting to dance but just see each other face. I kinda got into the groove and dancing on my own....one of the girls joined me in and we did some sleak moves together. Dancing for around 2 hours time to head back home.

Got in the rickshaw and the girl said i want to see Mumbai at night....i said sure why not we shall go for a walk. Walking up and down the same street talking about dreams, people, and other random stuff. Got to see some rats which scared the girl but i laughed over the issue.

Few weeks later...chatting on GTalk came to know that the girl started to like me and if it was not for the rats....i would have got a kiss from her. I knew it was coming but i did not know it was coming that early. Talking to her is fun...she can play with words and know how to induce someone into helping her....i kinda liked the style.

I am still smiling knowing that someone likes me....and thinks about me.

Technorati Tags     Love,dance,Blank,party

Inhibitions

"You know you still are like a 20 year old whom i met for the first time" these were the words spoken to me by friends of mine who i respect. And also they are spoken at different time. It kind of makes me feel happy and sad at the same time, happy bcoz i am still in my early teens and sad they dont make me feel that i have grown into adulthood.
Met Kar after an year or so, discussing things here and there life and as we were about to enter a party his words were "You have to LOSE YOUR INHIBITIONS".
The above sentence has got me thinking........will need to meet Kar a few more times to know what exactly he meant.
I have being sulking, arguing and doing nothing personally for past 1 year to make myself happy or satisfied.
As Pri also said to me....you need to search for a mentor and i think Kar would be the perfect person for the same....he is dynamic, visionary, bold and can talk sense. One whom i trust not blindly but as a person on what he says.
Time is 10:25pm Date 7th April

Watch this space for more....

Technorati Tags trust,inhibitions

End of the Week

7th April, just reached home and took bath after fighting my way out of the train. Sitting with just my towel on, listening to anykind of music right now. Feeling so different from last week first of all happy that HR did a goof up in the holiday list, that 7th April was a Gudi Padva but instead it was 6th April, so i am doing one thing for the first time in my life.....THANK YOU HR PEOPLE..

7th April..woke up at around 9:30 pm to the sound of Full House in our D1 room of Anand Resort in Bordi Beach...3 hours drive from Mumbai towards Dahanu. When i was about 10 or 12 years old was there for the first time and being there on the 5th the place is the same but only a swimming pool and a new hotel at the end of the park are different. It was so good to see the whole damn thing same again. We then watched some old skool shows and had Kanda Poha for breakfast and some chai. Cleaned up the whole place keeping out the stuffs which was not ours. Packed up our bags and left the hotel. Started our way to dahanu decided to halt at a bakery and buy some breads and biscuits. And my word Agnees Bakery had the most softest Mawa Cake ever had for a long time. I had 2 of those, then buying some butter bread made our way out of Dahanu. Then halting to Sawe Farm in Gholwad buying some dry chikoo, chikoo achar a blue carry bag for my sister. I hope she likes it. Reached Highway and went to Atithi Hotel eating some Parsee food like Chicken Dhansak, Egg Akuri and Salli Botti, saw a juke box which was of i guess around 30 years old. You have to press 2 buttons at a time to select a song of your choice.

6th April: Waking up at again 9:30 am, with sound of "Utho Utho" and then ordering some Upma and chai....planning to go to the beach. Everyone getting in their shorts first going to hotel Gajanan for Misal Pav and drinking tea the Indian way...with saucer, went to the beach and as i was the first who entered the water it was all mud and sand. You could see the brown waves coming on...towards you and you think hell get out of it, i said wtf enjoy the sun and water...you dont generally go to the beach too often. Went as far as i could feeling the water and seeing my white shirt turning brown. At the end of it we raced till the beach from deep inside the water and guys if you want to increase your stamina run in the water.....it took our breath out only after 20 steps while we walked all the way out. I decided to roll on the water while i was shot and a video was taken...water going inside my mouth.....gave a blooper kind of shot. Walked our way into the hotel and went for a dip in the pool...swam for 15 minutes...to clean up from the mud and sand before entering the room to take bath. Took bath...and hotel guys prepared a gujurathi thali and i kind of hogged on it..it was due to swim in the sea and then the pool i must have hogged in around 10 rotlis and topped it off with Chaas...it was so filling...went upstairs and thought of sleeping but ended up staring at the TV till the race started....seeing the BMW in the pole. But Massa winning the race was a good end...i kinda slept inbetween a power nap. Fresh up and decided to go and buy some food for the night and we have MTDC hotel which serves non veg food. Went in search for some alcohol and ciggies. Headed for Shiv Pani Puri place which is one place always crowded at night time...ordered 70 puris and had them all. Went back to the room and started our drinking session. Watched GAGS show which made people fool by doing some tricks on them, really laughed our guts out when seeing some of the crazy things what they could do. Then slept....

6th April: Was awaken by Pravin who stays at Mulund...he hosted me for the nite to sleep as my colleagues to pick me up from Thane but i changed the location to Mulund...on the highway. Had a good chat with Pravin and his family members so helpful to a person who just came to their for the first time and taking care of me. I thank them again....

Got picked up from Mulund highway at 11 am and having a hangover, reached Fountain...ate onion uttappa and Sweet lime soda just to cool down my stomach. Listening to some odd music at times reaching Bordi at 2:30 pm. Checked in our room and planned to have some smirnoff, just to give it a start. Played cards and then went off to sleep. Went to see a sun set but were suggested to go to a mountain and see it...and it was surely so cool...did a race by running backwards. Ending the night by playing cards and drinking.....

2nd April: As we had a 3 day off, decided to go to someplace out of mumbai and decided on going to bordi beach and final list after calling and planning was Vishwas, Prasad, Bawa (Kaiwan) and Olly (Alwyn).

And story ends...

Technorati Tags     fun,Bordi,drinks,run,eat,race

Weekend

Another week another day just got over..there are so many things to do so little time to do. To prioritise or to just go with the flow is the thing what one looks out for. There are people who radiate negativity and some radiate positivity.

Had read Shantaram and one sentence is which always rings my mind is "The truth is that there are no good men, or bad men,' he said, 'It is the deeds that have goodness or badness in them. There are good deeds and there are bad deeds. Men are just men —it is what they do, or refuse to do, that links them to good or evil."

It is so true, that people judged other people and giving their views for everything. I just so hate it when some are so strong headed or i must say crazy that they don't agree with other people view.

That is for today..wait for more.
 

Technorati Tags     good,people,Shantaram,deeds

Dinner

Left office at dot 6 pm and reached home at 8 pm (which was a record), hanging out from Andheri was a cool experience (although doing it for past 7 years).

At Vashi messaged Tal on whether she would be free for dinner and to my surprise she said yes. After few messages here and there decided to go to Pop Tates. But as always got a messaged when i reached Khar that she had cousins coming at her place so had to drop the plan. Reached home, mom and dad were watching TV and came to know that mom also had reached home at around 7:30 pm. Decided to go to "Flag Restaurant", after concensus. As we have being to this place umpteen number of times kind of know what is there in the menu, at times we never open up the menu card to place the order.

As dad likes Indian style food we ordered Crunchy vegetables and Blama Vegetable. Crunchy vegetable was small veg pieces cooked in chinese sauce. Blama Vegetable was a mix of vegetables made in a roll and cooked in garlic sauce. Tried them long time before but really loved it. Main course was Veg Tawa Bhuna, it is a dry vegetable with mushrooms, baby corn, capsicum to top it off with sauted onions. The best thing about this place is you get some off the hook Indian vegetables.

Day in office was bit ok, reached before time and seeing Prasad already there working on his MAC. Checked mails some websites and then went on to play Bioshock. Bioshock is one of those shooter games which i am no good at but hell it is so much fun and always there is WTF moment. Collecting guns and upgrading weapons were not fun before this game.

Weekend will be fun (hopefully) going for a terrace party and then will go with colleagues to Dahanu for the weekend.

Things learned: Never plan things on the same day!!!!

Technorati Tags     cancel,Flags,Bioshock

Talk

This sunday i had called up Pri after meeting up with Tal. And this was the first time we actually talked sense and she was really really truthful regarding what i am thinking.

First thing was that i was a acting like a 20 year old that i dont know what i have to do and feeling confused which is so true...and also the zing in your eyes is missing..i checked my eyes in the mirror and sure something felt wrong. There was also a chat about me liking a girl but we only talk on phone and met only once. Dont know what to do and how to do this thing is making me more confused..should i go for it or should i not?

I might not be a sexiest one around but surely i need someone who can match my wavelength not sync but there should be some overlap with her. She kinda gave me a insight on what a girl thinks when she is meeting a guy or kinda liking a guy that they should make the first move. The fact is i have never made a move might be coz of getting a negative answer and me sulking laterz. I am not the one who will analyse things after they are done, which is not a good thing but i hate pondering over stuffs. Things happen as they are supposed to happen.

On the lighter note...went to IIT Powai for Barcamp Mumbai Istyle last saturday....it is one of the events where people and companies come with their ideas and share it with people. And after the event, went for Cocktail Gurukul done by Tulleeho at Tendulkars. This was my first visit to Tendulkars and i was surprised by a beautiful decor and blue and white feel. The only problem was the sofas it just takes you inside once you sit on it. It was supposed to be 2.5 hour event but ended up being 1.5 hour event. We made cocktails made out of Belvedre Vodka...and 5 guys one girl. Girl was from other table as they did not have place to sit, they made her sit with us and I think she had fun. After lotsa of drinking and fun we went to Alps for some sizzler and beer.

So a mixed week overall...good talks...and lotsa fun and eyeopeners.


Technorati Tags     Love

Beat Box - Bauchklang

Listen to these guys sing (oops i mean Beat Box) their way...into people hearts. I was supposed to go their show but then it turned out to be show was going on and i was sitting in office playing games (testing games).

Bauchklang are an European group where these guys don't have any instruments..just their microphones...looking into the mail from Blue Frog i just went on youtube to check what they do and they do some fine performances.

I hope they shall be back in Mumbai soon and perform on Sundays....i hate it when they plan to do things during the week.

Enjoy the song....