Staying Slim - My way

I have been marinating 60 - 62 kgs with a waist of 30-31 inches for atleast 10 years. I used to be lower before that. Big deal, yes I can easily put on 2-3 kgs in 2 weeks if I eat out of control or stop physical activity. I can come back to normal in a matter 4 -5 weeks. I have not tested my limits beyond that. I am afraid to risk. I start seeing the sagging waistline that it is time to get back to normalcy. BTW I love eating; I eat when I am bored.

Strategy I follow to stay thin is combination of consciousness, exercise and diet

1. 20-30 mins of exercise 6 days a week. Includes stretching, skipping, a combination aerobics I picked up from TV, sit-ups. I should feel my body has put in effort at burning calories.

2. Being conscious of calories. Identify foods which are of high calorific value, eating those will itself make me feel guilty when I overdo things. I eat what I like the most and keep away from others.
I Love chocolates, and 365 days you can find it in my fridge. I have eaten chocolates for breakfast, lunch and dinner when in Switzerland. Can’t imagine doing it now. But I have small pieces every time I feel like. Eat fried foods, sweets and ice creams (my mouth water at the thought of Hot chocolate fudge and death by chocolate in Corner house) occasionally varying from once a week to once a month.

3. Eat often; I don’t give myself a chance to be very hungry. This helps me avoid heavy meals. So I fix my eating time 8 AM, 12:30 PM, 5 PM and 9 PM.

4. Picked up eating Ragi muddae (balls) for last 4 year. This has helped cut down on rice for dinner.

5. Indulge less often may be once a month.

6. NEVER use lifts, always use stairs even if it 10 floors.

7. Try to walk if the distances are small.

8. Doing small things at home which involves getting up from sofa or bed as often.

9. Read material and identify what will work for me.

10. Helps to have parents who are on thinner side.

I find it a challenge to control my waistline during Dasara, Deepavali season and in March, April when there birthday treats and Ugadi.

Bottom line is to be conscious that I have to stay thin and discipline oneself.

Next I am wondering how to build a little muscle without going to Gym. ;-)

Trip to Himavad Gopalaswami temple

This temple is about 15 kms from Bandipura forest. The uniqueness of this temple is that there will be water droplets falling on the idol around the year, due to condensation. I remember seeing that when I had been there 7-8 yrs back.
Starved of entertainment we were dancing in the bus, suddenly at the check post somebody suggested that we climb to roof. Yo the driver agreed, not many drivers take this risk. It was the first time I got onto the top of bus and it was fun when it was moving. The sights while climbing the hills where magnificent. The boys who were with me stated smoking, decided I tried fagging after many many years. I still don't like it, but took a photo of me smoking. Avoiding branches was fun at time
dangerous. My nose almost got torn off, luckily escaped with a bruise. The cool breeze in December made it even more wonderful. The climb was for about 11 kms.

When we reached the top of the hill what struck me was the smallness of the temple and beautiful backdrop. When we entered the temple, it floor was so cold it felt like I was walking on ice for a few seconds. I din’t get a glimpse of the idol this
time. By the time I went back too many people were there and statue was covered with screen. I surprised see 2 nuns visiting the temple.

We decided to trek to the next peak which was about a kms. All of us started. Almost of all of us reached and majority were exhaused. Now that I had tasted the pleasure of trekking after quite a few years, I decided to go to another peak which looked like it was the highest around. That was about 3-4 kms. It was almost close to 12 PM. We had come back for lunch and I was already hungry. I was determined to go for it. Few boys and girls wanted to join me, all first timers. I simply ran down the hill and I go lost in tall grass about 6-7 feet high. We managed to get of it and find a path. We could hear elephant trumpet from the valley below. We were all the more excited now. I just climbed with even looking for others. I was wearing
Brazilian football shirt. I quickly moved. One of the girls later described it as yellow flag which was drifting further away when ever they looked. As I got closer to the peak I started climbing faster and I realized that I was running out of breath. Guess climbing couple of Kms was not as easy as climbing the stairs on office. Paused took some deep breaths and continued and reached the top. There is a nice rock on the peak. It looked like an 7 feet erection. Sat on it relishing
sights and the cool breeze. Slowly after 10 min Prasanna the hyper active guy in the group with 2 girls Pallavi and Surabhi came up to the peak. They were all so excited. We were joined by another girl Veda. The girls were even more excited because there were 3 girls and 2 males. Not bad I thought. After seeing the girls reach the top 4 more guys decided to turn back and climb up. Finally the guys with cameras reached, fell exhausted. Surprisingly I hardly sweated in spite of climbing in afternoon under clear blue skies.Must be a combination of cool December breeze and the T-Shirt. Took lots of photos and started back.

We went back to the temple refreshed in ice cool bore well water in front of the temple.

Climbed on to the bus top. Initially while going back I was scared a bit looking down the valley, don’t know why, I am normally
thrilled. Got used to it and made ot back lying down in sun. Next 2 days skin on my face started peeling off.

Can Bandipur be popular with tourists?

I had been to Bandipura last weekend. I was excited about going to Bandipur after pretty long time. We landed in MC resorts late in the evening.
It was pretty basic with some cottages. It clean and freshly painted felt comfortable. Guess it was OK for the price they charged about Rs 700 for a double bed room.
The resort provided food which was not bad being far away from Mysuru or Bengalooru. We had asked for camp fire and music. Camp fire was ok with a basic portable player.
We were told that we will be going on a Safari for 1 1/2 hrs whereas govt rides was only for 45 mins. Wow I thought hoping to catch a glimpse of a tiger (Even though I knew that was unlikely in this season) and an elephant herd.
We started at 6:30 AM. We saw a peacock this raised my hopes and couple of deer and then it was nothing for another half hour. We managed to see a Indian Gaur herd. That was it. Finally after roaming for 1 15 mins we saw lots of deer and few more peacock. Well I almost fell asleep in between. What the hell I find sleeping so difficult these days and I almost dozed off, wildlife and nature interests me. It was good to drive in forest but for how long?

The point is in this season you don’t see animals. How would tourists spent time? Of course there is Himavath Goplaswami temple close by. A visit would take about 2-3 hours. Then what? The place can keep you occupied for 1 day max. If tourists are to come they need to be entertained. I saw 3 other resorts. Jungle lodges, Nilgiris resorts and Govt. guest house. All of them are similar providing a place to sleep and sit. How long can anybody sit after going on a safari during dawn and dusk? Sleep I guess. These private resorts which are outside forest reserve can have some facilities like other resorts to keep guest engaged. More people coming and spending more time means more bucks.
Trekking is a good option but no sign of it being encouraged anywhere.
I also see good business opportunity.

Or have I got it all wrong. Is it intentionally restricted? or are there better places which I am not aware of?

What’s wrong with Arsenal?

I got seduced by Henry and company about 3 years back and became a fan of Arsenal FC. The smooth flowing passing game with deadly acceleration towards the box and the orgasmic finish wowed me. Have been following these guys since then. The unbeaten run of 49 matches to retain premier league was great. Last season was a dampner and this only wrong way.
What’s gone wrong, losing to Fulham, West ham, CSKA, etc Bolton W have always been a pain. Well have not read what experts have to say. Here is my take. Lack of experience, earlier team was built around Henry, Viera, Bergkamp, Gilberto, Campbell/Cole (last 2 doubtful?). I was astonished when Viera and Cole were let go last season. Replaced by youngsters like Van Persie, Fabergas, Sendros (why hasn't he come back?), etc. These guys are extremely good. I have watched only 3-4 games this season one against ManU, liverpool, West Ham and Hotspurs. This team is pretty good but they lack the killer touch. They seem to lack confidence and arrogance of earlier team. The ability pierce open defense easily seems to have gone. Chelsea I find it does it most easily. They seem to lack the physical edge. Passion seems to have gone down (wonder if this is to do with lack of English players). Wenger almost never points to mistake of his team in public. Nice fella I guess.

Commentators mentioned that Wenger is building this team with future in mind. They would be a great team in 2-3 years. Hopefully it would, I was convinced in the match against Hotspurs. The board and fans must be pretty patient compare this Indian cricket team coach Chappel's attempt to build a team of future with youngsters.

I hope Arsenal will bounce back soon. There still hope in Champions league and FA cup (Liverpool is next). I miss their beautiful game. Will wait for it.

Oh, I miss Malleshwaram

This blog was done at 2:45 AM. I am hit by bloody insomnia these days. Daughter woke up to answer nature call at 1:30 AM. I am watching champions league match between Barcelona vs W Bremen. With Barca leading 2-0 early, Ronaldino & co look pretty comfortable and it boring for me. So decided to blog.

Being born and living in Malleshwaram/Seshadripuram for 34 years the decision to move to Sanjaynagar after buying house there I thought would be difficult. But surprisingly it was easier than I thought. Even my mother who lived in Malleshwaram for 40+ years adjusted surprisingly well. Sometimes I wonder why. The push factor was high than the pull factor. Listing out why we moved.
1. After the birth of my twins the 2 BHK house we lived became too small and the size of the rooms were pretty small.
2. Traffic and pollution on South End road became unbearable. It was risk for children who have started walking. With vehicle starting to move on footpath we decided to scoot.
3. Wanted to move to an independent house. Well we shared the building with aunties and cousins.
4. The heat in the summers. The house had large windows facing west which meant the house became an Owen in summers.

The area where we moved in to is Sanjaynagar, AECS layout. It has access from in one direction only, which meant very few vehicles on road away from pollution and relatively safe for kids. It also means they may not be traffic savvy. The house we moved is very cool, almost cold in winter. Well it is like old Bangalore.
This meant adjusting was easy.

I start missing Malleshwaram /Seshadripuram when I pass through the area, I feel like very uncomfortable and there is a knot in my stomach. So though I will try to put down what I miss, not necessarily in the order.
1. Watching people standing in the balcony, we could do it from 5 AM to 10:30 PM.
2. The number of banks and ATM which we close. I had account in 3 banks within 1/2 kms. Citbank had 4 ATMs within a radius of 1 kms from home.
3. The CTR hotel on 7t cross and Margosa road junction with it is delicious crispy bennae masales (the best masalae dosae you get). Only place where I could eat 2 of them.
4. Dil pasand and bennae biscuit from Brahmin's bakery on Link road, opposite to that the varieties of chow chows from misae angadi.
5. Good old Shetty angadis. I learnt shopping from there. Knew them well.
6. The Reddy petrol bunk at Nehru circle Seshadripuram, where we could be assured that we will not be cheated. i still go there for petrol sometimes.
7. The video tape to VCD conversion (this is a pretty new addiction)
8. Chandru who used to wash my car every day.
9. The hallimane and new krishna Bhavan.
10. Ganesh medicals with its friendly owner Ramesh.
11. The route South End Road, link Road, sehsdripuram which I have been taking from II standard till the day we left the place.
12. Off course, how easy it was to go to Sridhar's house in (kumara park) to meet my friends. Now it seems a looong drive.
13. Any part of Bangalore was about 15-20 Kms. Autos rarely refused any destination. Bus stop was 100 feet (though I never used it).
14. It shops of all sizes and you get almost any you wanted.


Well I guess I will get used to Sanjaynagar pretty soon. But somethings I have to live without. I hope to go back to old place after re-building. May be not, I can’t imagine myself staying in a flat.

Growing up the twins -2 Daughter makes my week

I have this routine of going out with friends on weekends specifically dinner on saturday nights. It has been almost 17 years since I started meeting them. During my college and early on career it used to be daily about 10 years back it has been on Saturdays. We rarely miss this outing. Possible max 5
times in a year. We all are married now 6 of us. Intially there were objections or discomfort expressed by most wives, well they have come to accept it that we have to meet. Some join us.

Last weekend was one such weekend. I got call my wife saying that my daughter was asking for me (appa) at 10:15 PM. I spoke to her (the little one 2yrs 4 months) she in her own language spoke to me understood some bit of it. She is attached to her mom more than me. This was 2 or 3 time she asked for me before sleeping. BTW The couple with daughter sleep in one room and son with grandmom in another. We normally go to sleep at around 10 PM.

I returned home at around 11:15 PM, sneeked into the bedroom without switching on the light. I suddenly saw a movement ahoy my daughter sat up. off course my wife is always sleeping. I asked to sleep and went of to brush and wash and came back after 10 min, my daughter is standing on the floor as if she was waiting foe me. I put her on bed and lay beside her. She started kissing me. She kissed me may be 15-20 times. In another couple of minutes she was fast asleep.

Wow!! I could not belive it, she was waiting for me come home?? It was a wonderful feeling. She normally doesnt show so much affection. I fell asleep feeling great. It was one of the best weekend i have ever had.

Conversation with Auto Robert

My Car broke down late in the evening, planned to take an auto, well i was getting in after a long time.
Many auto refused to come from airport road to Sanjaynagar. Finally one old chap agreed, but I was to pay 10 bucks extra. For a moment i wanted to say no. Inspite of 10 bucks not being much.
Once I got in he started the conversation. he was trying to justify why he nobody would come to North Bangalore (rather start of North Bangalore.
I remembered an article by a Chinese MBA who had written about logic used by Taxi driver for picking passengers and picking the route of their choice I felt Bangalore auto drivers have always being doing it.
Well this was a chance for me to hear from the horse's mouth. Started off with his name, Guess he felt good that somebody was asking his name, Told me it was Robert with pride. "My mother tongue is English, I am an Anglo Indian", he said beaming. I was surprised that an Anglo Indian would be driving a rick. Also thought, Anglo Indian, English mother tongue so what and why are you driving a rick? After I asked his name he felt good and also slightly guilty. he said it was not fair on his part to ask me for extra money. It was after all my hard earned money. He was right. But I thought he asked an amount that was very minute and was probably big for him and he feels guilty about.

Asked him I wanted to understand reasons for not taking the passengers to required destination. Some of them were obvious and some new.
1. It had to be in the direction of home if it was evenings.
2. They prefer taking customer on long distances. They could earn a lot in a single trip with less wait time. Mentally for them it was better. But disadvantage was that he may not find customer if he wanted to comeback.
3. Lot of minimum fare is most profitable. Some preferred that.
4. Some guys who had other sources of income like rents will go to areas of their choice as this was not primary source. They work for sake of their wife and in laws.

Was wondering why after 29 years he still doesn’t own an auto. Got the answer soon.

he took the conversation to is personal life. He took up driving from a very young age 19yrs since he had to support his family. He had 4 brother and 2 were handicapped and could not work (I could not get my self to ask him what). He was a widower with a school going son. He has admitted him to a reputed school of course English medium. He has hired another auto rick to pick up and drop his son from home.

He was working for the same auto owner for all the 29 yrs and he used borrow money often and it had to return it back. Owner has promised him that he would gift the auto in after 30 years. I just hope he keeps his words.

He says he earns Rs 500-600 in a day after subtracting fuel and rental (Rs 150). Thats decent earning even for Bangalore. He says many drivers drink, gamble and womanize and that’s the reason they seem to be poor.

he also told me that near his place some North Indian boys had bought flats for 10 - 12 lakhs near his house. He described the arrogance and meanness of the those hindi speaking fellas. I totally agree with this. In his younger days it seems he was a part time rowdy ad used to cut people up. He says he is refined and believes in God.
Poor chap in the area he lives it would be 3 times the amount. Bangalore has left the poor and grown too fast.

He dropped 1 1/2 kms from home near the main road as agreed. He wanted to shake my hands of course which I did.

Wonder if any customer ever talks to him. I normally hear music on FM, but the conversation made me feel good. I felt this made him feel happy and I had good insight into life of a auto driver which we dont normally care too.

I decided to walk home instead of taking another auto. I just hope he will get the promised gift. More than that his would do well in the Bangalore boom which his father seems to have missed.

Growing up the twins - 1

Bringing up kids are always a challege to parents. I always thought I could bring up the way I want and had great plans to so. Well I found thoughts and actions are 2 different things.

I have 2 kids who are twins a boy and a girl. Girl being older by 3 minutes. They are 2 yrs and 3 months. First year was full of curisosity for me since it was almost 10yrs since I had seen a baby closely and was very very exicted about it.

Before that general comment from 90% of people whom I meet is "lucky you, you have childern of both sexes in one shot you dont have to worry anymore". My standard response is "We palnned for 1 and got another as bonus".
Another question they ask is are they identical?
Well depending on who questions I used to respond.
If it was somebody close and had completed eduction fairly recently, I explain about they coming out of 2 differnt eggs and they being like sister and brother born in different years. For Others I say no.
Next question inevitably be do they behave similar. My stock reply "They have nothing in common except parents and birthday". Which to some extent is true.

I have tried to capture the differences between them in the first year.

When I first saw them in hospital. Son was sleeping and daughter was looking around. This was probably my happiest moment of my life. What a joy.....
Daughter was lighter by 100 gms. After that it was daughter who sleeping most of the time and son active. We could already see lot difference in their behoviour. Son always used to scream for milk. she never bothered to. She was very small and soft, i used to sometime wonder if she had bones at all. She had long hairs. He hardly any.
Even the voices very different she soft and he rough one, so was the skin. He had such rough skin it was almost like leather.

Son was sarted reconizing people much ealier. She was quiet and contended to be with mom. Son wanted to be carried, she dint want to be bothered. Fist year diff in weights went on increasing.
Sone resisted the change to solid food and missed his milk. Daughter it dint matter. She was always in her world and was not bothered by anything.

We named them Rishica and Rishabh meaning Saintly and second note of clasical music Re respectively.
Her grand father (mom's father) always used she was an angel his favourite. She would prove him how wrong he was in matter few months
Then they moved from Mom's parents house to my house.
Mom started to work when they were 5 months old. Grandparents (particularly mother) took care of them.
Daughter missed her mom. For her feeding was mom or grad mom. Son it din't matter as long as it was on time. My aunts were my neighbours it was a great help they being so close.
Soon daughter started a dislike for milk feeding her was a big challenge. Her movements were very quick. We used be surprised by force with which she used knock of the milk bottle and glass. The lack of mass, she made up with acceleration.
I bought a handycam to record all this and now the blog.
Son had a face which was a round, so the obvious choice of pet name was Gunda. A happy baby ready to smile at people. Eager to drink milk. I remember when he was about 3-4 months, I used to take is bottle near him and he used to open his mouth and when could not get it he used to start crying.
My son turned over at 5 months and daughter it was almost a week or 2 later. But moving forward she took so long I took her to doctor. Doc told me she was the weaker twin. Normally 1 twin takes in more nutrients than the other and hence she was lack stength in her legs and hips. She did sit and walk almost 2 months after the son did.
We left them with Grand parents and went out on a trip to BR hills in midst of forest for couple of days when they were 7 months. We get a call after one day that daughter has sever dysentry problem. 160 kms it tool about 8 hrs to reach home. By that time she had recivered. She scared the lights out of us and made us feel very very guilty for leaving them. It took another 2 year for next trip.
Rishabh without support walked 2 days before his first birhtday. Rishca took couple months more.
He started talking with 2 letter (in Kannada) words like Amma, appa, etc by 1 year. She still had to start off.

Well it is an intersting experince how children different even they are born and brought in smiilar conditions.
The differences only increased as they grew up.

Admission to pre-Nursery School

This has been a hot topic in recent times, with Supreme court of India giving good directives on criteria for admission. I thought it was logical. I was following this up with great interest because my kids were in line for admission for next June.

All the schools started the admission process in October 06 for classes starting in Jun 07.
Applications submitted and to my horror the kids and of course had to undergo an interview before admission. What about the Supreme Court’s order. Was told, "Sir that is only for Delhi schools".
I had no choice it was same with all 4 schools I had short listed.

Next step prepare the kids for an Interview :-( (some of them call it interaction). Well with twins a boy and a girl I was competing for 2 seats. My twins have nothing in common except for parent and birthday. My son the 3 minutes younger is a quick learner and fairly obedient fellow. My daughter the Akka (That’s how my son addresses her) is moody. She does everything her own way including learning. She probably is as smart but learns anything if it interests her. At 2 years 3 months, they have just started forming sentences and half the words are incomprehensive for us, for others it is at least 75%.

Well I was sure my son could somehow manage these interviews. I was worried about my daughter's responses.

First School Presidency:
One child with one parent and 2 teachers interviewing the family. Father-daughter and mother-son combination waiting nervously for questions.

Teacher: What is your name?
Father (thinking): praying please respond
Daughter: (Even before I could finish praying) Rikaka.
Wow I could feel myself almost jumping in joy.
She was given rings and asked to put it on a pole (Hanoi's tower?). Wells she started...
Teacher picked up a yellow ring and asked what color. She said geeeen. That’s the only response she has for any question on color.
Teacher: good girl sing a rhymes
Daugher : din don bel.......... of course only the family can understand the rest.

Just turned around to see how son was doing. He refused to open his mouth or respond.
Teacher: Which colour is this?
Son: No response (preferred to look at his sister. BTW he can recognize 4 colors).
Teacher: Ring the pole.
Walks towards is sister.
Parents: helpless

Finally he was shown some pictures, parents ask him what? Aeroplane and ship interests him and he tells that.
Parents are mightily relived.

Judgment time. Sons teacher: "You daughter is smarter and more friendly". Well I am outraged, how can she pass judgment like that in 5-10 mins?
Well I told her "my son is much friendlier and know much more and he probably is shy”. She just said they are through with interview. Next is principal.

Verdict "selected and then pay up donation and fees.

Point is kids can be themselves when they are comfortable.
They need to time to familiarize with new faces and surrounding.
When he/she gets questioned they do not even know they have to respond.
They are interested in some other things around than what is given to them.
They learn something new every hour/day. Interviewing 9 months in advance…
Is there any criteria for selecting or rejecting? (It’s a secret)

Main thing is whether it is right to make a decision on a 5-10 minute interaction.

Teachers being professionals teaching kids do they not understand this much? It is probably understood but don’t have choice when it comes to other business matters.

About being selected, I always thought they had selected based on parents education, professional and salary. These are in application.

No playground, cramped space within school, but a huge donation. Decided my kids won’t go to that school.

Blogging on what?

Blogging is hot. Me too.
What should I blog on? I could find almost anything and everything written on.
May be I am a very late starter.
Thinking of starting a blog took 4 months. To decide on a name took a week.
What am I blogging for? Others? myself? To attract advetising? To see how how many hits I get?
Finally decided it has to be for myself. Its probably going to be my diary on thoughts.
Had so many ideas including one on capturing allideas. Which will still do when it is well thought of.

Finally started with whatever came to my mind first.
17-Nov_06 1:48 PM