Getting Library Membership


Yesterday I confirmed my temporary membership at the Carrollton Public Library, Texas. I am simply floored by this wonderful county library and the simplicity with which one can become a member and borrow learning resources from here.


Before I go on I would like to write a little about Carrollton, a little suburb of Dallas which sprawls across an area of 37 sq. miles and hosts a population of 120,150 (January 2007). It has about 1,200 acres of officially notified green spaces and parks. One thing impressive about the city is its vast open spaces and its sustainable development. The natural landscape and formations have been preserved very well... the creeks and springs still flow (some have drainage flowing into them), almost all roads are lined by green lawns. Minimum width of the road would be approximately about 60'. There are two public libraries and membership to one automatically provides acess to resources in the other.

Now coming back to the membership process to the Carrollton Public Library. About two weeks ago I walked in to check out some magazines and also to verify the claim of several people who had said that internet browsing is free in public libraries in US and most EU countries. Yes this library and several others in the country provide free internet access (1 hr at a time) to members. And how does one become a member? No lengthy forms to fill up, no need to get your character and identity attested or endorsed by a gazetted officer of the federal government... nothing of that sort.


Just fill in a simple form and provide an identity and local address proof and bingo, you will get an impressive looking barcoded plastic card which will give you access to the phenomenal amount of resources the library offers. Since I didn't have a local address proof on my first visit they gave me a temporary membership which allowed me internet access and reading books and other resources in the library. The library also organises regular book reading sessions, book club meetings and other activities to promote reading and learning activities among students and youth. These activities are open for general public too.


The library has a collection of 250,000 books and other resources including magazines, journals, project reports, CD-ROMs, DVDs, VHS tapes, audio tapes. A member can borrow upto 45 resources at a time and keep it for over 2 weeks without having to pay a penny. Apart from these, the library offers private study rooms which have to be booked in advance, a childrens play room, a reference section, a research center and mentoring section. Awesome, this library is free, but it is better than even the British Trade Office library in Bangalore. I don't know whether India has even one library of this standard and which offers all these facilities yet.


In India getting a library membership is a herculean task, one has to fill in forms and then get it attested by a Gazetted officer of the state or central government and then wait for our identity and antecedents to be verified before we are granted membership. And after that one can borrow only 2-3 books only from the library. The other concepts, like private study, a children's play area, etc are unheard of in India. Internet access is still alien in most government offices, and 99% of the public libraries are owned and managed by the government. When will India become like here, with over 450 million youth in the country if we don't give them access to knowlege which is available in books, we are doing them a great disservice. If you want to do charity, don't give money to poor people, buy them books.


Think about it.

Hiking Trails and a Mustang museum

Last week we were scouting where to go in flat as pancake Dallas. Wondering what to do. We decided to check out some hiking trail in Las Colinas town about 15 miles from Lewisville. Thinking it would be some interesting wilderness and tough hiking we started driving towards Las Colinas.

The Mustangs of Las Colinas is nothing but a large courtyard in front of a building where life like bronze sculptures of mustand horses have been installed. These mustangs appear as if they are running through a stream of water (fountain) and are pretty interesting. The sculptures are executed well and look realistic.

The hiking trail was nothing but a paved path through some countryside. Dallas has a lot of creeks and springs which flow throughout the year. Some of them are also fed by the city's drainage while the others are fairly clean. But the one good thing about these creeks is that there is no trash visible, there maybe drainage but it is only water, not plastics, paper or anything else. Moreover on both sides of the creek, the are is landscaped with good lawns and these are maintained pretty well. I don't know how the city's administration raises budgets for this, especially when the state government does't levy any income tax on its 4 million citizens (a few millions lesser than Bangalore's population) but Texas is several times larger than Bangalore. That perhaps explains the low real estate value and sparse population in the state. One can buy an excellent, fully furnished home for about $250,000 (Rs.1 crore) with a nice garden, sited in one of the better residential localities in suburban Dallas. But in Bangalore getting a piece of land for that price is difficult.

Coming back to the hiking trail it is just a paved path for people to walk/ bike (bicycle) and children to skate. The path passes through a nice green forest and grassland, this is what it is all about. We opted out of walking the trail and just drove back to Mary's home.

Roaming in Dallas

Have been leading quite a stagnant life since the past nearly two weeks. In Dallas, the flat-as-pancake state of US. Have been browsing about various places around here and visiting the city's main and interesting localities. There are hoardes of Spanish speaking people here. Many a time I have been mistaken to be Hispanic and addressed to in Spanish :).


One thing in the cities I have visited, I haven't seen any newspaper shops. The little shop selling odds and ends along with newspapers and magazines which is so common in Indian towns and cities is absent here. Magazines sell in all super markets while daily newspapers are sold through machines. Yes machines sell newspapers, much like the coin telephones in India. There are machines to sell water, coke and newspaper too. Here is the picture of couple of vending machines installed on pavement in a strategic location in downtown Dallas.



Last week my good friend George Dailey took me aroud downtown Dallas showing me how spaces have changed and are being managed by the city administration. George also treated me to a nice Tex-Mex lunch of cheese enchilada and rice at a cool restaurant in downtown known as Meanies. After the meal we made a beeline to Dallas downtown. Among the several landmarks we breezed past was the Dallas Museum of Art.



For the first time since entering US, I saw a railway level crossing where a train was passing through. Surprising thing is that though there is no gates like in India, fast cars, super fast bikes and even walkers and cyclists waited patiently for about 15 minutes before the train actually arrived and crossed over after it had passed. And another surprise, the train didn't blow any whistle. This was a great experience of the discipline that is followed here.




George showed me the major landmarks of Dallas including the place where former US president the flamboyant Kennedy was assasinated, the old museum, the 6th floor museum, the neighbourhood where Dick Cheney lived etc etc. One thing I noticed in US which is very similar to India, polluting creeks and rivers with drainage. There is this water stream known as Turtle Creek which flows right through the town. Authorities have made the surrounding landscape beautiful by planting lawns and builiding walkaways on either sides of the creek but then there are places where I saw huge drain pipes emptying all kinds of water into the creek. I expected better here. At leasts the water should have been treated before being let into the creek....

Anyway a unique feature of this creek is the round dam.. what is this? George said that he would show me a dam that I would have never seen anything similar in my life. I was intrigued and curious. Then he pulled over and showed me this unique well-like round shaped dam. What they have done is to make the creek accumulate at one point and then flow under a bridge they have built a wall and made a lake kind of feature. Then in the middle is a round well like contruction which leads across the bridge into the creek. A unique dam never seen such a feature anywhere during my travels.


Then we went back to downtown where we visited the giant cowboy sculpture. In the middle of a park near the Dallas Convention Center, is installed a life size bronze sculpture series of a herd of cattle being herded by two horse borne cowboys. The sculptures are so well executed and life like it makes a pleasant picture of how life in Texas was before development and industry came into fore.


Here are some pictures of the cowboy memorial.

Pictures of the Boss Hoss demo
Some network problems I couldn't upload the pictures. Here are the pictures I have been able to upload. Enjoy and feel envious... I am one of the few Indians who have ridden this monster on two wheels or rather on three wheels... :).

Riding the Boss

Yesterday I had one of the best experiences in relation with motorcycles in the US. I not only rode my dream machine, the legendary Harley Davidson, but also the biggest motorcycle ever made in the world - a Boss Hoss. This is a 5700 cc, V-8 motorcycle which churns out 400 HP of sheer power and can go from 0 - 60 miles in just 2 seconds.

Boss Hoss specifications
V8, 355 HorsePower @ 5250 rpm,
103" long and 28" wide

Transmission:
Floor gear 5 speed automatic that can be switched to Manual.

Participating in the Boss Hoss demo was a unique experience. I read about the demonstration and availability of the bike for trial runs in the local newspaper Dallas Times last weekend. I immediately decided that I would go for the demo ride and if they allow me would take a spin on the machine.

More information about the demo ride

Afteer a chain of mails, Keerthi Jayasimha of Cramster Club put me in touch with Avatar Singh a Dallas-based member of the club who owned a Harley Davidson. I proposed to Avatar the idea of going to the demo and he agreed. Further Avatar also agreed to let me take a spin on his Anniversary specialedition HD.

Me and Padma drove to Avatar's home in Plano on Saturday morning and after introductions I went down to the garage and took a look at his gleaming bike which was being further shined by Avtar. Once we got ready I took a spin on the HD and then we took directions from Google Maps.

I must say here that it is impossible to get around without the software map powered directions in the US. There are so many roads, exits, entries, turnpikes (mega fly over), bridges, interstates, toll ways, etc etc. Miss a turn/ exit and you will be forced to drive another 50 miles to come back to the point where you missed the turn.

Armed with directions to the Boss Hoss showroom in Grand Prairie where where the demo was happening, we started off Avatar and me, two-up on the Harley while Padma followed us in the car. It was a noisy and swift 25 minute ride to Grand Prairie during which we touched speeds of 70 miles per hour on the Harley. Anyway as we pulled in front of the Boss Hoss showroom I was amazed to the see the size of the bikes and the engine's deep-throated drone.

The first demo ride of ten bikes and three trikes was just starting and the pilot gave an indication and all the automotives started with their deep throated roars. With every rev the sound sent shivers of thrill down my spine. I wanted to be there sitting on the bike and revving it and not just stand and watch. Anyway soon Padma pulled in and parked the car. We went into the showroom and I checked whether my India-issued international driving permit was accepted. The showroom people just said "As long as you are above 30 years of age and don't have a Canadian license you can ride the bike". We both filled in the forms which was basically an indemnity bond and took Trike card and helmets and went out to get onto the Trikes. Weighing 650 lbs (300 kg) the Boss is heavy.... so we decided to ride the trike aka the three wheeled Boss Hoss which is built like the old Delhi Phat Phatiya, front like a motorcycle and rear like a car.

Anyway we took our positions on the bike me riding and Padma seated on the wide seat constantly warning me to be careful. The pilots came and gave me a quick run through on the controls of the trike. It is an automatic with a reverse gear, can be converted to manual with 5 speed. "Ride this like an ATV. Take long turns" said the pilot. I turned the ignition and the Boss roared to life. The sound was mesmerising, as I revved once with foot firmly on the brakes, I realised the awesome power I had at my fingertips.

We rolled out in a single file formation onto the road and then the bikes just vroomed off into oblivion... a few seconds later I see only the taillights of Avatar's trike and the bikes had virtually disappeared. Then I revved and caught up with Avatar and the others who, seemed as if were miles ahead of me. Not used to riding on the right side of the road and sticking to lane driving was a definite disadvantage. So I decided not to speed up too much and stick to comfortable speeds around 30-40 mph. The first turn came and it seemed as if I was coaxing a reluctant elephant to change direction of motion.

After clearing the first turn the pilot rider behind me rode up and told me to take long turns and rev up to catch up with others. But at the next red light, everyone else cleared but me and another rider. So we waited and then revved up again and after couple of more turns we reached back to the Boss Hoss showroom. Whew... was I relieved to get off the bike... you bet I was... Next time once I get used to riding in the American way I will participate again and it will be a bike then...

On retrospect I was thinking how little I knew about bikes. I had always thought HD was a big bike ... but HD looked puny in front of the Boss Hoss. Truly Boss Hoss is the Boss... it has amazing power... 400 HP... and other tech specs are equally awe inspiring. Powered by 8 cylinder V style engines these bikes available in two categories (Bike and Trike) and several variants, possess raw power and to ride one on a regular basis is as good as inviting death. The power gives a rush of adrenaline... which isequvivalent to none... the pickup of the bike issimply great... 0-60 miles in 2 secs...

Here are some pictures of the bike and me riding the Boss Hoss Trike - a three wheeled version of the same. Avatar and me are perhaps the only Indians who have ever ridden a Boss Hoss.

12 days and 2500 miles in the US

You all know about my travels upto Flagstaff, the base point for several interesting places in Arizona state of US. This is one of the desert states and there are national parks, canyons, American-Indian reservations, ruins of old (10,000 years plus) habitations. Large numbers of the original inhabitants the red-Indians aka American-Indians very virtually massacred and killed by the whites as they started settling in this continent.

But today American establishment and society is slowly, reluctantly and grudgingly recognising the fact that there were original residents and societies in the continent which were destroyed by the invasion of whites. In a bid to make up for their old mistakes the government is doing quite a bit in the form of perservation of old ruins, establishing reservations and offering special privileges to American-Indians.

Anyway let us come back to where we went and what we saw. We stayed three days in Flagstaff going in and out and north and south of the city visiting various places of interest. Our first stop was the Grand Canyo, one of the natural wonders of the world. The drive to Grand Canyon was through vast expanses of pine forests, we saw several signs warning us to drive slow and not to hit wild life such as deer, elks etc but didn't see any wildlife at all. The drive was highly soothing, it was the first time in America that I had passed through such long distances of desolate, uninhabited and quiet regions. It is quite unlike India where finding a 5 km stretch of road without any human intervention is rare.

We passed about 80 miles of forest and reached the entrance of Grand Canyon National Park, sited at the Grand Canyon village. Entry fee per vehicle is $25, the pass is valid for one week (7 days) and the fee remains the same irrespective of the number of passengers inside. It is amazing how much value the National Parks Service, wing of US government has created for visitors inside the park. Every cent of the $25 is worth it when we consider the facilities and features of the park. Once we pay the entry fee there is no further fee, yes expenses will be there like if you wish to buy stuff, there are several souvenir shops which sell Chinese made Grand Canyon souvenirs such as pictures, fridge magnets, key chains, crystal desk pieces, and what not, the array is simply amazing. One can easily blow up $500 on these trinkets and souvenirs. There are shops selling food, cafetarias for food and water, swank hotels and restaurants and virtually everything a tourist could ask for.

One major difference I noticed between Indian tourist attractions say Jog Falls and Grand Canyon is the cleanliness and the courtesy of the staff. In India the noise and clutter and ubiquitous trash gets to our heads. On other hand the ultra polite NPS staff; squeaky clean trails, paths, roads; quiet ambiance enables us to spend a quite moment amidst nature.

We went to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and walked the Rim Trail which took us along the rim for about 3 miles. The views of the canyon is simply fantastic. The Yavapai Museum is sited bang on the trail and it contains some interesting information about how the canyon was formed. Telescopes placed in the museum help visitors to view within and across the canyon, which is about 477 miles long and average width is about 10 miles. I was surprised to know the width was 10 miles, when we stand and look from south rim, the north rim appears as if one can just reach out and touch it. Definitely not 10 miles wide, but the fact is that it is.

Grand Canyon is best enjoyed hiking the numerous trails, we were not prepared and time was not on our side, hence we decided to just look around and return another day to hike the canyon. Camp at the Phantom ranch in the heart of the canyon, visit the Yavapai falls, walk on the 442 ft hanging rope bridge builit across the river Colorado, take a boat ride down the river etc... so many things to do and so little time...

The Grand Canyon
The Canyon Beckons with open arms
I want to go there and roam and explore its charms
Walk on trails,
Explore the thrills
examine the unique formations
marvel at the intricate undulations.

Oh the grand canyon's grandeur,
Is a wonder to every wanderer
who seeks adventure
and is willing to risk going yonder
Take your bags and come hither
to escape the mundane office theatre

For here is something
which makes life worth living
and career worth making
for without money
nothing is possible honey!

I sign off with this for now... will talk about other things I saw around Grand Canyon before we returned to Flagstaff in my next post.

For now help me get better by leaving your comments here!

Grand Canyon Picture Gallery

First Long drive on American Highways

We started off yesterday morning from Pasadena towards Grand Canyon, speeding in the overloaded Saturn on I-210 (interstate highway 210). The traffic was pretty high but the wind was higher. We had barely crossed 50 miles when we saw the sky overcast with dark clouds and the wind pushing the car towards right. Wondering what was happening we forged ahead and before we reached Barstow (70 miles) we had seen three large long haul trucks toppled beside the road. Reason: heavy winds.

Apprehensive we stopped at a fuel station for refilling and enquired about the conditions ahead. The lady said it was ok up the mountain but bad in the valley, since we were headed out onto the mountains, it was ok for us. We just surged ahead switching to I-40 and heading towards Kingman, Williams where we were supposed to take a detour on I-86 towards Grand Canyon.

At Kingman we stopped for lunch and visited a quaint museum (entry $ 4) which displayed exhibits about old Indian settlements in the region. The museum was undergoing renovation and hence a small area was closed but otherwise the maintenance is impeccable. Clean carpeted floors, airconditioned interiors, well lit exhibits and more than everything very very courteous staff.

We conversed with the staff who were too willing to give us more information about exhibits and the American-Indian settlements, reservations and how things worked way back a 100 years ago and how they work now. It is amazing... I had always wondered about how such a young country had grown so well and achieved economic prosperity so quickly. It is primarily due to the attitude of its people. They want to please every client. We were one of the few visitors to the museum and the staff were only too happy to talk to us and explain about the various facets of the exhibits and the history of the small town. Kingman is a town which is not even as big as a C class city in India, but the people are well educated (I don't mean academic degrees but have received a solid foundation in their primary and secondary schooling), speak good English, are very courteous.

I could write a lot more about what we saw and how we missed an exit and ended up in Flagstaff instead of Williams. An experience of buying a car in US and the foot massage in Singapore Airport etc etc. Unique experiences just working in my mind. Will write them up soon. For now see these pictures and enjoy.

Two days in America

It is over 48 hrs since I set foot in this continent sized country which comprises of 52 states and is 5 times the size of India. I am truly amazed by the sheer size of everything in this country. Everything is big here except perhaps the population (about 301 million). Big roads have big cars, buses, trucks and bikes travelling at high speeds on them. For example one can buy small, regular or big coffee and a small coffee is about 250 ml. I wonder what a big coffee will be like. It is sheer indulence and consumerism that drives USA. When the whole world is reeling under oil shortage and oil price increases, Americans drive around in big cars and super big SUVs. It is amazing how the economy is managed.

Super markets and their parking lots are bigger than airports in India and everything is maintained clean. Though for the nit-picking one can find traces of dirt, litter on the lawns and sidewalks. Though enormous amounts of trash... both bio-degradable and non-biodegradable is generated in this country (perhaps 10 time the volume that is generated in India) the waste management is impeccable and we don't get to see trash on the road. If this management were to be introduced India, our country would be cleaner than US but are we interested? we are not, we Indians seem to have an ideological objection about keeping our country clean.

Anyway, I have gone around Pasadena city and yesterday we drove to El Monte, a predominantly Hispanic and South-East Asian population dominated neighbourhood full of used car markets and not-so-prosperous blocks. As I walked in and looked around at couple of used car markets, the sales men there thought I was a Mexican and addressed me in Spanish. One of the sales guys was so aggressive, he said 'No license, no social seurity number, Buy the car I will give it to you' it was difficult to extricate myself from there anyway finally I thanked him for showing me the cars and walked out.

As we drove towards El Monte we passed a procession of vintage cars, these Fords, Morris, and other brands were lovingly maintained and restored, seemed as if they were rolling out of the showroom. Their gleaming bodies and strange but beautiful shapes was a treat to the eye. I have seen vintage car rallies in Bangalore, India. But the cars are not as well restored and maintained as the ones I saw yesterday. These are just like showroom cars. But the cars in rallies in India are just not that well maintained. Everything these people do has a distinct quality conciousness around it, a quest for perfection, a striving to achieving excellence, which is one thing I think most Indians lack. We have this "Chalta Hai" attitude which is good in some ways but bad in most others.

One thing that strikes me here is the absence of traffic cops in any of the traffic intersections/ lights but I am yet to see someone break the rule, jump the signal or commit any violation. As I waited in the car in one of the red lights I remembered my motorcycle tour of South Asia earlier this year when in Lucknow (UP) we had stopped at a redlight and people behind us were honking badly asking us to go. When we pointed out that there was a red light they just abused us and overtook us and went off jumping the signal while the cops beside the road looked on disinterested and unconcerned. This is the difference between the attitudes of the two populations. Another thing in the past two days I have heard only one or two people honking otherwise, drivers here just drive on without a squeak.

I wonder when we will become law abiding and make things easy for ourselves.

Finally in USA

After a long and arduous journey on Cathay Pacific's air bus we landed in Los Angeles airport at 9.00 pm. The immigration officials were very courteous, helpful and friendly. Though I was one of the last visitors in the serpentine queue, the visa officer spoke to me patiently and joked about how every visitor from India is an expert in computers. On knowing that I am a travel writer he said "You need time to stay in America if you have to write about our country. I will give you six months visa so you can see the entire country. Enjoy your stay."

All the sordid stories I had heard about the visa process, getting immigration clearances etc were repeatedly proved false. American visa officials are sticky about rules, documents etc but I have found them to be very friendly and well mannered. This basic courtesy is absent in most government officials who interact with public back home in India.

Once out of the airport, the superwide roads, big cars etc flabbergasted me. This city is really big and has been planned well. Though the government can sit back and enjoy the setting, they are continuously working/ commissioning new works to improve road and other infrastructure. I noticed at least three places where one or two lanes had been closed and work going on in a hectic pace. This is what I admire about western societies and culture. It is high time our politicians learn about sharing wealth and making life easier for people and not themselves.

I am going to sign off now... will try to update the blog as frequently as possible. Meanwhile you guys enjoy yourselves wherever you are.

Hi everybody,
This is me in Singapore's Changi airport sitting around without anything to do.
We went on a FREE (yes free) but and boat tour of Singapore. The super short (3 hrs) tour conducted for transit passengers by the Singapore Tourism Board is pretty occupying. They offer three different types of tours "Cultural tour", "Colonial tour" and the "City tour". Basically to entice air travellers transiting the city state to return to the city and spend money in the swank hotels, shopping malls etc.

We took the 'Colonial Tour' which introduced to the Singapore built by the British. The victorian style buildings including the Asian Museum, Victoria Memorial Hall, Old Church, The City Hall etc, capped by a boat ride on the Serene but very very dirty Singapore river. I had heard about Singapore being a clean and green city which prides itself in maintaining clean water bodies, parks and roads etc. But the river was a disappointment. It was greenish in colour like our very own Ulsoor lake. The boats which are used on the river are old kerosene engine boats which create lots of noise and air and water pollution. I wish the tourism board and government takes cognisance of this and changes systems.

But coming back to the tour per se, it was capped by a boat ride/ cruise on the Singapore river which was a good thing. It gave us a birds or should I say fish eye view of the colonial part of the city. There is another tour which will take visitors through 'little India', 'China Town' and another area I don't remember... reportedly older parts of the city state.

Interestning city and highly developed thanks to the patriotic politicians and highly conforming citizenery who love their country and want to keep it neat and clean. I wish Indians could become like that.

Changi airport is a city in itself, large and fully airconditioned, carpeted and what not. No Indian airport will come anywhere near this. I wonder if India will ever have an airport like the Changi or at least 50 percent of the standards..... :) Think about it friends.

I am starting the day in front of the computer. This is how I have been starting my new days over the past couple of months. I won't go into poetics today like couple of days ago when I was.

My first book is more or less ready. Tentatively titled "Concise Guide to Educative Holidays", the book will be released by early December. The 468 page full-colour volume contains 43 essays on destinations in India, neighbouring countries and four travelogues. Once it is out you could place orders with EducationWorld Books for the same. Watch this space for updates on the book launch. If you want more details about the book feel free to e-mail me. The title and the cover page of the book will be modified/ redesigned to suit the theme better.


Well that is all for today. I need to get cracking and working. Check this space for more updates.

It is a brand new day
and I am ready to in my own way
To face the sway of work
and the pressures of home
I am sure I will emerge a better person
at the end of the day
like it is said
there is always light at the end of the tunnel
the way every day turns out it at your disposal
you can choose to be grouchy
and the entire day you will remain grumpy
you can choose to be cheerful and happy
and your day will be positive and productive
it is often said that the most powerful will win
but in the real world the winner is the one who thinks he can
no amount of power, strength and intelligent can help the one
who thinks he can't...
Start the day with a smile
the world will smile with you
Nobody likes a person with a frown on his face
everybody is affable to the one with a smile
Don't put on a false smile because your eyes will give away your deceit
Smile genuinely, wish heartfully,

Ok ok... that is enough of my attempt to be poet banter....
let met get up and go out into the world...
like a knight ventures on his steed with his lance to conquer
I venture out on my iron horse with my pen to do business
and add value to my clients projects

Praying to the lord almighty to bless the world on this day like he always does day in and day out...

hi friends,

The long weekend came and it is almost over now and I didn't stir out of my home during the whole of Sunday and Tuesday. Was out at work on Saturday and Monday trying put our magazine EducationWorld to print.

As I was holed up at home doing some writing work and managing my blog etc was on my priorities. I was also casually browsing the internet to find if there are any paid blogging sites i.e. sites where I could blog and they pay me for blogging. And Yes I did find one such site. Pay-per-post-dot-com promises lot$ of money to bloggers who write/ discuss about their client(s) products and services and provide online links. Amounts start from US$5 (not much anyway) and rise up to US$50 and higher (there you are talking some $$$$).

I decided to sign on and see if I can make a few extra bucks which could come handy in paying my bills. The website claims that over 50,000 bloggers are already signed up and earning lots of money. "Join over 50,000 other bloggers who have started a new blogging revolution! PayPerPost is an incredible new self-service marketplace that allows you to get paid to blog about the products, services and websites you love. You can easily earn $500 per month or more with your current blog!" says the site. Video testimonials of successful bloggers are displayed prominently and it seems too good. So I am trying this out and let us see how much richer I will be thanks to http://www.payperpost.com.

For now I am back to work on the comp. All of you enjoy your week of work. Will catch you later with other posts.

It has been long since I updated the blog. Have been travelling hectically on work and for personal reasons. Had been to some amazing places including Coutrallam Falls, Sri Villipuththur and Madurai in Tamil Nadu.

Was looking through some old pictures of my travels and found this one and felt that I must share it with all of you who visit my blog. This was shot more than a year ago at Devarayanadurga hills about 80 km from Bangalore.

Weekend plans - June 24
This sunday we are planning a day trip to Y.G. Gudda Dam about 80 km from Blr... off Ramanagar... This is a hidden dam flanked by rugged rocky hills on one side... lush green countryside and a small village on one... and fields on the other two sides...


It is a beautiful place and we will have loads of fun on the rocks and in the water.. I have been there twice and enjoyed myself amazingly.... view of sunset from there is quite good... and not to mention the quiet and tranquility that pervades the place... So get your hiking shoes out and get ready to move... looking forward to having all of you on the outing...

Rakesh can you get the car??? or should I get mine??? please advise. Only 5 people (including the driver... ME) can fit into my van... and the ride will be definitely bumpy... both because of my rash driving and bad roads...

Tentative schedule of events for Sunday:
6.00 am: Meet up at a pre-determined place on Sunday Morning 6.00 am (latest 6.30 am). If getting up early is going to be a pain, we could go on Saturday night and camp by the lakeside and early morning head to the hills. But then if it rains we have had it....
6.30 am: Start drive to Bidadi... have breakfast of Thatte Idlys and then reach YG Gudda dam at about 9.00 am if we leave Bangalore at 6.30 am.
9.30 am: we start trekking, climbing and exploring the hills around the dam.
1.30 pm: Return to the dam and break for lunch.
2.30 pm: Get into water and have a great swim
4.00 pm: Start drive back to Bangalore so we can avoid peak hour traffic OR
6.30 pm: Watch sunset and start return drive...
8.00 pm: Reach the city and debrief.


Things to carry (MUST):
1. Water bottle (preferably 2 litres or 1 litre two)
2. Food (lots of it) - because everyone will feel deadly hungry after trekking - Note last time everybody ditched in this area... make sure nobody ditches this time... prepare well... I don't want to be hungry... and after swimming I will feel all the more hungry....
3. Towel to wipe off
4. Change of clothes for those who plan to swim (ME) --- Note guys... the water is very very deep and there is only a small area of shallow water... so whoever gets into water HAS TO KNOW SWIMMING otherwise wear the life jacket.
5. LIFE JACKET FOR JYOTHI :) because I will push her in water...

Optional
1. Camera
2. Knife
3. Binoculors (it is a good place to do birdwatching (feathered variety).

See you enroute Y.G. Gudda

Plans for the forthcoming Weekend (May 27)
We are planning to trek up the Bilikal Rangaswamy Betta:


A hill overlooking the town of Kanakapura. It is one of the tallest hills in the area. Known as Bilikal betta due to the whitish rocks near the summit that is visible from a long distance. At the apex is a small temple and a house where the pujari lives. The pujari's house has an elephant skull which is quite interesting for the first time visitor. However, the temple is very popular with local villagers and it would be best to avoid visiting the place on a festival day if one is looking for a quite day out.

The vegetation is quite thick especially post monsoon season . The adjoining forests are known to harbour elephants and other wildlife endemic to the area.

Approaching the base is a good experience. We need to cross a village, lush green fields, now brown maybe due to summer and a gurgling stream... hopefully the stream will have water even now....

The view from the top is very picturesque as one can see the hillocks from the surrounding Kanakapura range.


Tentative schedule of events for Sunday:
5.00 am: Meet up at a pre-determined place on Sunday Morning 5.00 am (latest 5.30 am). If getting up early is going to be a pain, we could go on Saturday night and camp by the lakeside and early morning head to the hills.
5.30 am: Drive to Koonalu Doddi (base of Bilikal Rangaswamy Betta) - we will reach there at about 7.00 am if we leave Bangalore at 5.30 am. A section of the road is really bad after we turn off from Harohalli so we must leave early. We could stop for breakfast enroute or carry and eat breakfast in the car.
7.00 am: Reach the village and park cars and start walking towards hill
7.30 am: we start trekking through the thick forests towards the summit of Bilikal Rangaswamy Betta
12.30-1.00 pm: Reach the top of the hill and spend time (eating, talking and walking).
3.00 pm: Start descending down.
4.00-4.30 pm: Reach down and start driving back to Bangalore.
6.00 pm: Reach the city and debrief.

Things to carry (MUST):
1. Water bottle (preferably 2 litres or 1 litre two)
2. Food (lots of it) - because everyone will feel deadly hungry after the hard climb
3. Towel to wipe sweat off

Optional
1. Camera
2. Knife
3. Binoculors (it is a good place to do birdwatching (feathered variety).

Hope to see you guys on Sunday. If you need any clarifications do mail me @ srinidhilv@gmail.com or call on 98455 27011 (Srinidhi).

Our Ultra Mobile PC - fantastic technology partner

We have been on the road riding our bikes across South Asia for the past 120 days. One of the major concerns we had before we left Bangalore on December 3, 2006 ASUS R2H Ultra-Mobile PC our technology tool which has given us the best in Mobile Computing.

The Asus R2H Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC), one of the first to be launched, is a result of combining Intel's low power technology leadership with Asus' expertise in delivering innovative platform solutions. The first generation of this exciting category - a PC companion that allow users to communicate, access information, be entertained and stay productive on the go.


The R2H is the first UMPC from ASUS and has a stylus, which should be used together with Microsoft’s Touch Pack software. This unit recognises handwriting and converts what is written on screen into text.

It’s 7-inch LCD touch screen with handwritten input support and solid security protection, the UMPC has been very useful for basically three things: internet-based communication, website design and computing our expenses.

Launched in Taipei, Taiwan on August 25, 2006 by ASUSTeK Computer Inc. (ASUS), one of the world’s leading providers of high-performance notebook computers, the latest R2H Ultra-Mobile PC has everything that a modern-day on-the-move high-profile executive would possibly want. Its features include a built-in high-resolution (1.3 MP) webcam, global positioning system (GPS), biometric fingerprint authentication, handwriting and voice recognition capabilities. This ultra compact PC is perhaps one of the best things to happen in mobile computing area. It’s possibly the first all-in-one mobile device that enables users to stay connected, productive and their data secure wherever they are in the world.

One of the unique security features of the R2H is total data protection with both software and hardware solutions including fingerprint authentication which scans fingerprint pattern from the live layer of the skin, bypassing any common skin surface conditions.

The R2H runs on Windows ® XP Tablet PC Edition and is preloaded with Touch Pack software and ergonomic hardware interface complete with function keys laid out on both sides of the front panel, for ease of including a full set of control keys, mouse, scroll buttons, hot keys as well as on-screen keypad.

The UMPC is packed with computing, multimedia and connectivity functions such as built-in Bluetooth 2.0 EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), wireless lan and a RJ 45 interface for wired lan.

Additional features include a satellite GPS provides a comprehensive travel guide eliminating the use of paper maps or ask for directions! The foldable GPS antenna facilitates convenient storage. Summing up the UMPC is a must use tool for anybody on the move who wants to be in touch while on the move even if he is in some remote corner of the world.

R2H Specifications
Processor: Intel® Celeron® M ULV Processor (900MHz)
Operating System: Windows® XP Tablet PC Edition
Memory: Onboard 256MB, DDRII 533, 1x SoDimm socket for expansion up to 768MB DDRII 667 DRAM support
Monitor: 7" WXGA touch screen LCD, ASUS Splendid Video Intelligent Engine
Hard disk drive: PATA 1.8" HDD 4200PRM 20/30/40/60 GB
Communication facilities: Bluetooth® V2.0 + EDR, 3 USB ports, 1 SD Card-Reader
1 GPS
1 Finger Print Reader
Physical dimensions: 23.4 x 13.3 x 2.8cm, 830g

Looks and feels really sturdy and after having traveled nearly 10,000 km in the tank bag of my motorcycle through all kinds of roads ranging from super highways, state roads, potholed field like trails, trek routes I can say that it is indeed strong as steel. The look and feel is simply great with its brushed metal finish and easy to use neatly laid out buttons and highly responsive and easy to operate controls.

Rocky hill near Chittor

Rocky hill near Chittor
Originally uploaded by srinidhilv.

This rugged rocky hill appears to the right side of the road on the Chittor Bypass. Every time I go to Tirupathi I see this hill and wonder when I am going to climb the hill but still haven't gotten around to climb the hill. Hopefully Will do it someday soon. Winter would be the ideal time to climb the hill as the weather will be congenial and not too sultry. Summers can dehydrate you and it can be traumatic to climb this hill.

Hiking, Trekking and Rock climbing enthusiasts... are you listening???

Chandragiri Palace

Chandragiri Palace
Originally uploaded by srinidhilv.

The fort and headquarter of the erstwhile rulers of Andhra Pradesh and the dynasty most responsible for the British East India Company to acquire and establish the modern day city of Chennai (Fort St. Geroge).
Sited barely 20 km from Tirupathi, Chandragiri hosts a massive rocky hill at the base of which is built this beautiful palace and several other monuments. Currently being lovingly restored and protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, the Chandragiri fort also presents a sound and light show every evening at 7.00 pm (Telugu) and 8.00 pm (English). Entry fee costs Rs.30 per person but the show is worth every penny you pay for.
I had the opportunity to see the sound and light show this time and was thrilled.
This palace also houses a museum, which displays objects d' art and treasures and trinkets of a bygone era.

Chandragiri fort ruins

Chandragiri fort ruins
Originally uploaded by srinidhilv.

One of the well preserved buildings in the vicinity of the palace in Chandragiri fort. Need to visit again and explore more of this fort. Chandragiri has so many attractions which will educate, entertain and make you feel proud of being in this country.
But sadly like most other historical places this also suffers under promotion and lack of awareness. Millions visit Tirupathi temple, but only a few hundred visit Chandragiri. Isn't it time we changed this status and start visiting interesting and historical locales like these and try to understand and appreciate our history and heritage???
Think it over.....

Temple in Chandragiri fort

Temple in Chandragiri fort
Originally uploaded by srinidhilv.

Over the weekend (May 4-5) I rode down to Tirupathi with a few friends. Enroute since I had sometime I decided to check out Chandragiri fort, a venue which I had wanted to visit since several years. A beautiful hill-fort built at the base and along the face of the rugged cliffs, Chandragiri has several heritage monuments currently in the vicinity.
The Archaeological Survey of India is currently doing a great job restoring the monuments. I hope soon this site will also be granted a World Heritage Status, akin to the SriRangapatna and Pattadkal in Karnataka which were granted UNWHS status today.
This ancient temple is being restored. This is a great example of Vijayanagara style of architecture. Quaint but beautiful the stone temple is a delight to everyone who likes art and sculpture.