The latest book I finished reading

With nothing much to do, all that I have been doing is reading and writing. Reading books from the fantastic public library nearby, the Dallas Morning News newspaper which gets delivered every day, books which are at home. And we definitely have a real good collection. Well being a roadie it is hardly surprising that my first choice would be books related to two wheels or to the road. And this is one book which I had read earlier when I was in India and now I thought I'd read it again and hence downloaded a softcopy from the internet and devoured it within a few days.

Here is an abridged version or rather should I say version written with better understanding of the wide and long roads of America. The original review was published in EducationWorld way back in August 2007.

One thing I have noticed in America, unlike India where motorcycle is the major mode of transport, here it is a tool of indulgence and entertainment. It is easier to get a license to drive a car than ride a motorcycle. Perils of motorcycle riding are much more on American highways than on Indian roads. Then the extreme weather conditions of this large country make it almost impossible to ride motorcycles throughout the year. Hence motorcycles are largely a mode of entertainment, fun and enjoyment. People ride motorcycles because they LOVE TO RIDE and not because they can't afford a car.

In such a scenario a book like the AMA's Ride Guide to America (RGA) is very vital for motorcycle afficionados of this country. Americans are very much accustomed to travelling with high-tech gadgetry, including maps, GPS receivers, two-way radios, etc. And this book rightly features over 200 pages of information about best motorcycling trails in the the world's largest motorcycling nation. From California to New England, Rocky Mountain High to Texas, RGA informs readers about the most rider-friendly roads and highways in a country whose population has worked hard and put in place what is perhaps the world's best road networks.

One of the best features of this compilation is its detailed maps and point-to-point outlines for each of the 36 excursions recommended. These proposed rides across the US offer bikers challenging trails along scenic shorelines, mountainous terrain and into deep valleys and deserts. All excursions are illustrated with high-quality, full-colour photographs. RGA's 40 detailed, topographic road maps are a great boon to riders as their steeds run across the recommended routes. The riders can plan and anticipate the terrain they'll encounter in the Pacific Northwest, California, Rocky Mountains and the Southwest, Texas, the Appalachians and the mid-Atlantic, and New England.

Admittedly RGA is of limited utility considering its geographical coverage limitation. But perhaps the most exotic roads and rides of America are hidden in these states featured in the RGA. This book is definitely one that entices wannabe road warriors to saddle up and experience America's amazing highways. The chapters titled 'Loaded for the Road: How to carry stuff on your motorcycle' and 'Ride smart: Tips for street survival' are particularly recommended for bikers who should look into safety measures before embarking on a road trip especially on the highways of America. These chapters discuss and differentiate various types of backpacks, tank bags, rear-seat bags, saddle bags and other motorcycle paraphernalia useful for long distance, cross country bikers everywhere. Neatly sub-divided into six sections based on the regions of the US, RGA also contains a compilation of travel articles published in the American Motorcyclist, written by experienced bikers for bikers.

My favourite in the book is the section on a biking excursion on the Big Sur Highway through the rugged Rocky Mountains and down into Texas hill country. The route like all others in the book, is brought to life with attractive colour photographs and evocative descriptions. Currently in Texas I hope to make it to this highway in summer, if not on a bike, at least in our trusty Saturn 4-wheeled elephant.

But for now, I have finished reading the book and also sharing my views on this, hopefully, if any bikers are reading this they will leave some comments about the review.

An attempt at creating animations

With nothing much to do I have been fiddling with various things on the computer. Earlier I had uploaded a video presentation of the pictures I have shot here. Now here is an animation promoting my blog which I plan to submit to other websites.

Here is another smaller version.
Some pictures I use as banners for my blog.

The Hudson View – A bold venture

With the advent of internet and television it is difficult enough for publishers to market prose and yet here is a bold venture to publish poetry.

I am the member of the online poetry group “Gloroiustimes” where it is the custom of the group to encourage its members to write, critique their creations, and help improve them. Published poets are promoted aggressively by members in their own way, first and foremost on the group itself, and then outside the group. If people are interested in doing something for the publication, they do it.

While I am no poet, as a member of the group, I have been trying to contribute in my own small way by writing prose and putting it up for critique from time to time. The latest book under promotion is A Hudson View, a new journal/ magazine/ periodical dedicated to poetry from around the world.

I am surprised, inspired and awed at the same time by the daring of Amitabh Mitra and Victoria Valentine, who have put their money where their mouth is and ventured into the highly competitive world of publishing, at a time when internet and digital technologies have overtaken print by leaps and bounds. In the words of Glory Sasikala Franklin, the moderator of Glorioustimes, this is a “publish or perish” venture.

But I am pretty sure this is not a venture that is going to perish. For in my personal opinion poetry is something immortal. Don’t we all hear ourselves hum to the evergreen classics from centuries ago? The great poet Kalidasa's works of poetry such as Abhignana Shakuntalam, Megha Sandesha and others, though originally written in Sanskrit, have been translated into several languages and continue to be cherished. Similarly Shakesphere’s verses continue to be the lingo of English poetry aficionados across the world.

Amitabh Mitra and Victoria Valentine have brought together chosen works from poets from around the world in this inaugural edition of A Hudson View. Published by Skyline Publications, NY, USA and edited by Amitabh Mitra, A Hudson View Poet Digest has been printed at The Poet's Printery, South Africa.

Skyline Publications doesn’t limit itself to this volume. They welcome writers of all genres to send in their work for view and review by thousands of readers on the Internet and in their print digests. The bold publication company has launched many a talented writer and artist in their quest for perfection and expression of their feelings.

Indeed it is a great opportunity for budding poets to get published and use Skyline as a platform to expose their talents to the world.

For myself I must say that I shall look forward to the next edition of A Hudson View and perhaps if I can string two lines together may attempt contributing to the volume too. When I thought about writing poems I could write the following lines... read on and if you don't enjoy please tell me how bad it is!

The Hudson View
provides innate glimpse into
the deepest thoughts and feelings
which the words flow through
on our blogs, sites and articles

Each one Teach one
says the literacy slogan,
But in book promotion I sing
Each one reach one
and we will ensure the whole world is WON
thanks to Glory's inspiration
and all our perspiration!