Lazy Sunday Photo-It Has Been Raining Birds

A Bird in Flight (Pied Myna)

A Bee Eating Bird

Today I saw so many birds, some agreed to get photographed but most of them gave me a miss. I am already drooling for a more powerful zoom lens.

Lazy Sunday Photo-Team Huddle!

Squirrels in a Team Huddle

Lazy Sunday Photo- Purple Sunbird

Purple Sunbird in the Backyard

While the little bird at home was asleep I was making tea. I suddenly noticed this bird from the window. I ran to get the camera and remembered that it was lying somewhere else. Found it after a while and ran out. I thought it had gone away. Then I saw the Purple Sunbird sitting at this pole at the next house. I clicked in sports mode twice and then decided to try the manual mode. By that time it decided enough is enough and ran away.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Sorry We are Closed

Coffee Shop Yet to Open, Gurgaon

Clicked it in the morning when I was walking out after parking my car.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Talk to my Handst

Roadside Henna Stall in Noida

Lazy Sunday Photo- Spiti

The Sound of Silence, Spiti, Himachal Pradesh

Lazy Sunday Photo- Orchha

Gateways and Smaller Palaces behind the Jahangir Mahal, Orchha

Lazy Sunday Photo- Asleep at Chandigarh Railway Station

When the Sleep Calls- Railway Station Chandigarh

Lazy Sunday Photo- Railway Station, Chandigarh

Chandigarh Railway Station

The sculptures at the entrance seem to be inspired by the famous Rock Garden of Chandigarh.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Red Wattled Lapwing at Nawal Sarag, Bundi

Red Wattled Lapwing at Nawal Sarag, Bundi

Lazy Sunday Photo- Tower Bridge, London

Tower Bridge, London on a Cloudy Day (November, 2007)

Lazy Sunday Photo- Kirkgate Market, Leeds, UK

Kirkgate Market, Leeds UK

Another Picture of the Kirkgate Market, Leeds UK

Lazy Sunday Photo- Rajasthani Turban

Man in a Rajasthani Turban, Bundi, Rajasthan

Lazy Sunday Photo- Iffley Meadows, Thames Walk

A Horse at the Iffley Meadows, Thames Walk, Oxford, UK

Lazy Sunday Photo- Dove in the Backyard

Dove in the Backyard, Gurgaon

Lazy Sunday Photo- A River at Spiti

A River at Spiti

Lazy Sunday Photo- Ferrari Store, Regent Street, London

Ferrari Store, Regent Street, London

No I didn't go in, just took a peek from the door and clicked a few pictures.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Butterflies at Orchha

Butterflies at Orchha (Madhya Pradesh)

We are just back from Orchha (Madhya Pradesh) after a pleasant rain filled trip. It will take me sometime to upload the pictures but I thought I would share this one of the butterflies. They were utterly beautiful and these big black ones would not run away from the camera!

Lazy Sunday Photo- Paintings on St. Mary's Church, Oxford, UK

The Walls of the St Mary's Church, Oxford

Lazy Sunday Photo- Gurgaon Roads

Overloaded Tractor

What are they Holding to?

Goats on the Road, Gurgaon

Lazy Sunday Photo- Thanda Matlab Coca Cola!

Thanda Matlab Coca Cola!

(Difficult to translate but would sound like, if it has to be a cold drink then it has to be Coca Cola)

Though not for me, I do not like any fizzy cold drinks. I took this picture at Barog Station in Himachal Pradesh when the oty train to Shmila made a scheduled stop.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Taking a Closer Look

Taking a Closer Look- Geese at Thames, Oxford UK

Lazy Sunday Photo- Boats at Naini Lake, Nainital

Boats at Naini Lake, Nainital

Lazy Sunday Photo- Trafford Center, Manchester, UK

Trafford Center, Manchester, UK

Trafford Center is a shopping Mall in Manchester and I have to admit I am not very fond of shopping malls. But this place is so huge and for a first time visitor so colorful that I have clicked pictures every two meters probably.

I was roaming around with my school friend (I met her after 20 years) and she picked up a map of the center. She passed one to me too. As I have said earlier, maps always seem like unsolvable puzzles to me. So, after pretending to master it for a while, I tossed it in a bin. And went back to photography. My friend was so amused with it that she told everyone what I do with maps!

Lazy Sunday Photo- Malabar Pied Hornbill at Kanha National Park

Malabar Pied Hornbill at Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh

I came back from Kanha National Park in the state of Madhya Pradesh today. And no I didn't get to see the tiger. But as they say in the jungles- "So what of you didn't see the tiger, be happy that the tiger saw you."

Stayed with the Taj Safari's Banjaar Tola Camp, and as I said before the trip was organized by Gonomad for me.

I feel all my three trips are now getting mixed with one another, so I need to get down to blogging and sort them out.

Of course a lot more pictures and a post for Gonomad will follow.

And I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Just the thing I needed before I start a new job tomorrow.

Lazy Sunday Photo- St. Mary's Church, Oxford

St. Mary's Church, Oxford

This is a picture I clicked in 2009. I have posted a picture of St. Mary's Church before. Now that I have changed my job, wonder if I will ever go to Oxford again. The place I was working at was associated with Oxford Brookes University hence so many visits. I went there for three years in a row and I have to say I consider it my favorite city abroad.

Lazy Sunday Photo- An Ariel View of the Hindukush Mountains

An Ariel View of the Hindukush Mountains

I clicked this picture on 5 May 2009 from a window seat of the Flight VS 301 from New Delhi to London. See that is why I like taking window seats even in a flight. Many thought I would overgrow this habit and start looking for an aisle seat after a few years. I am glad to say that I still sulk when I get anything but the window seat.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Sunset at Snowline above Triund, Himachal Pradesh

Sunset at Snowline (also known as Ilaka), above 9000 feet, near Triund, Himachal Pradesh

I am back at Gurgaon, at last and I think I would have liked to have a few more days of hills! This is our tent (Sesha is in picture too) at sunset against part of the Dhauladhar Ranges. I have walked so much on uneven terrian that it feels strange to walk on the even floor! My feet are protesting and missing the uneven turf!

Lazy Sunday Photo- Big Ben, London

Big Ben, Picture taken Near Westminster Underground Station (May, 2009)

I like walking out of the Westminster Underground Station. As you walk you are looking at enclosed walls and then when you are out, suddenly this huge and magnificent structure stares in your face. I had done the same in 2007 and being November I remember the cold blast that greeted me along with the grand structure as well! You can see in the picture that even in May it was Grey, cloudy and a little wet and along with a thin sweater I had borrowed my friend's jacket too!

This time I found using the underground a little easier. I realized that if I quickly scan the Victoria line and the Jubilee Line I would be fine. I need not even look at the others. But I learned a new fact about the underground. Even if you have a valid ticket sometimes the entry/exit gates would not open. Then I had to approach an officer in the green vest and after looking at my ticket they would give me one of their own and viola the gates would open again.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Where did the Time Go?

Clock at Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, UK

I had anything but a lazy Sunday. Too caught up with some deadlines that got messed up because of running around for the passport. 

I don't think I will be able to put a few auto posts this time but I will try. 

Lazy Sunday Photo- Lights and Shadows at the Labyrinth, Bara Imambara, Lucknow

Lights and Shadows at the Labyrinth, Bara Imambara, Lucknow

I have been visiting Lucknow since childhood and yet this was the first time I managed to explore the city. The conference organizers had booked a bus for us along with a guide. And what a flying Lucknowman he turned out to be. He would not let us pause for a moment anywhere! All the pictures I took was in auto mode on my camera. I would not place the entire lame on him though, some of us also had travel plans and wanted to cam as much as possible. But quite a few among us commented that it is a general tendency of Indian guides to make you run through a city! I have to go back to Lucknow again! But let us see when.

PS. Still no passport, if I don't get it by Tuesday in all probability my trip to Oxford in May is gone!

Lazy Sunday Photo- People Around Taj Mahal, Agra

Photographers, Photographers, Everywhere- Taj Mahal Agra

As I have said before it is very easy to include people in your shots at the Taj Mahal than to exclude them. For a few hours I tried to find isolate spots but then gave up and started looking for interesting shots of people.

Back to the Taj Mahal- A Couple Looking at Yamuna, at Sunset

I am wondering while I am posting all these pictures, if I too would end up at some corner of the internet as a part of the crowd in someone elses shots! And if I would ever stumble upon it?

Lazy Sunday Photo- Taj Mahal with the Ramp, The Stephen Hawking Connection

Taj Mahal (Agra) with a Ramp- The Stephen Hawking Connection

When my brother-in-law saw this picture of the Taj Mahal, he told the ramp was erected at Taj Mahal after a visit by Professor Stephen Hawking. Now if Amrit said it, I had to believe it but I searched for the Stephen Hawking connection with the ramp and the Taj Mahal. And sure enough it is true. Frontline carried the story in 2001-

There is heartening news for thousands of physically challenged persons across the country. The Archaeological Survey of India has decided to make its monuments including the Taj and Khajuraho accessible to them by providing ramps.

As a direct consequence of this decision, temporary wooden ramps provided by the ASI during the recent visit of eminent physicist Stephen Hawking would now be a permanent feature at the Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb and Qutab Minar.

I wonder why should it take a Stephen Hawking to get a ramp at something like the Taj Mahal. Is that the kind of vision we have?

Lazy Sunday Photo- Taj Mahal as Seen from Agra Fort Window

Taj Mahal- As Seen from Agra Fort Window

Lazy Sunday Photo- Agra Fort, UNESCO World Heritage Site

Agra Fort, UNESCO World Heritage Site

Lazy Sunday Photo- Pictures from Two Monuments

Royal Armouries Leeds, UK

Peacock Green Colors at the City Palace Jaipur

Lazy Sunday Photo- Sunny Spring Day

Park Bench on a Sunny Spring Day

I was interested in taking this picture because of the blue bird sitting in the right hand corner of the bench. Once again I am reminded of the fact that the zoom of my cameras is pretty poor. And I have yet to manage to buy a good zoom lens.

This picture was also taken at the Jamia Millia Islamia University campus.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Fishermen Mending Fishing Net at Surathkal

Fishermen Mending Fishing Net at Surathkal Beach

This picture was taken on the post lunch walk at the Surathkal Beach. I was turning back towards the lighthouse and saw these men. I am quite hesitant to click people. But they asked me if I would like to take their picture! What more could I ask for? I miss not having a zoom lens in my camera. I am still taking all the pictures with the wide angle lens.

And with ankle sprain looks like February will remain travel free. What a pity.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Digging up from Old London Photos

The Red Sightseeing Bus- London

I have taken a tour on the Red Bus in Oxford but not in London. I must say it is a nice concept but why take a bus when you can walk? I have walked a lot around Oxford and a little around London. And if I was ever to do it again, I would like to walk even more.

I have slogged and slogged in January, and went to Gwalior for work. Let us see how I fare in February, I have no complaints with slogging but I wish I will be able to pull of a weekend trip this month.

Lazy Sunday Photos- ITM Gwalior

I was at Gwalior on Friday and Saturday taking a few sessions at ITM Gwalior.

ITM Gwalior, SOM (School of Management) Building

When I crossed the area (see picture above) I was reminded of my IIT Kanpur (Ph.D.) days. Bee Hives were quite a common site around the Faculty Building (or Fac B as it was called). The only thing that puzzled me was that this hive was quite close to people. Whereas if I understood bees from IITK correctly they do not like such close proximity nor do we humans feel too comfortable, after all they sting! Anyway I went inside to take a session which was in a class room quite close to this area. It was only later when I came out of the class that I realized what it was.

The Ghungroos (metallic bells used in some forms of Indian dances) from Which this Hive was Built

I knew I could be quite oblivious of my surroundings but never thought I was this bad! But then a lot of credit to the artist who made this bee-hive.

Another Art Installation at ITM Gwalior

This was another curious thing I saw! Some use of a discarded car, motorbike petrol tank and you have something like above!

The Open Air Amphitheater at ITM Gwalior

This was an impressive open air amphitheater with a lot of art work on the outside and Bose speakers inside!

Lazy Sunday Photo- Sea at Surathkal

Sea at Surathkal Beach, Mangalore, South India

You know things are hectic when I am unable to reply to the comments that I love to get. I wonder when do I get to walk by the sea again!For the past 15 days it was quite hectic, I was often missing on sleep. I thought I would not do much this week but then the way things turned out, it is going to be more of missing on sleep at least for the coming week too!

Lazy Sunday Video from Youtube- Hotel Kerelafonia

There is only one way to describe Hotel Kerelafonia, hilaroious! I just stumbled upon it while I was on Youtube. Maybe one needs to know a little bit about Kerela but even without that you are going to like it. Give it a try.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Flower Shop Owner with an Attitude!

Flower Shop, Bangalore

I am very hesitant to photograph people for the fear of giving them offense. So I was clicking pictures of the flowers at the shop (Gandhi Bazaar, Bangalore) when we noticed that the gentleman had taken out a 1000 rupee note and was pointing it to my camera. I, of course, was very happy to oblige!

Lazy Sunday Photo- At the Footboard of the Karnataka Express Train

At the Footboard of the Karnataka Express Train

All these years I wonder how come I never traveled near the door of a train. It is a very common practice in India, however no one is thrilled at my adventure at home! And before you think it is not a common practice, have a look below.

A Young Lad at the Other Door of Karnataka Express Train

Lazy Sunday Photo- Looking Out of Amber Fort, Jaipur, Rajasthan

Amber Fort, Japipur, Rajasthan

Loved the color of the sari the woman looking out is wearing and hence included her and the girl in this picture taken at Amber Fort, Jaipur (Rajasthan). I am quite reluctant to photograph people for the fear of offending them.

But yesterday an interesting incident happened in the market. I had gone to Gandhi Bazaar with family in the afternoon and I was clicking pictures of flowers sold on the roadside with my smaller point and shoot camera. The shop owner posed on his own for me showing a 1000 rupee note! I gladly took his picture but the only problem is that my camera is not talking with this computer hence that picture has to wait.

Lazy Sunday Photo- On a Rainy Day Somewhere in UK

Rains on the Street- Through a Bus Window, Somewhere in UK

I borrowed this picture from Anil (I am posting it with his permission) as he had borrowed my camera for his recent trip to UK. Now I think that is a fair bargain!

Lazy Sunday Photo- Eggs and Egg Crates on a Bicycle

Eggs and Egg Crates on a Bicycle

I was doing some grocery shopping for my sister in Noida. So I bought aalo, tamater, seb, etc. (potatoes, tomatoes, apples) and was walking towards home. The shop is nearby and I deliberately did not take the car. The various vegetables and other stuff weighed around 7-8 kg and the walk is between 700 mts to 1km. The guard at the shop gate was quite sympathetic after looking at my load.

Why do I do this? As I say again and again I love to walk and if I can generate the feeling of a backpack too, then nothing like it! So, I had a bag slung over my left shoulder and another bag in my right hand. My cell phone was in the left pocket of my jeans. When I saw these people loading the eggs and egg crates on this bicycle, I took the cell phone out , switched the camera on and quickly took a picture all with one hand. Now that is why I like to have a camera in the cell phone.

More Flowers- Lazy Sunday Photo

Red Roses in a Bunch, What Lovely Flowers!

I know some people who like flowers more on the plants rather than in a bunch but when I find them already in a bunch I love clicking them. About myself, I do not mind occasionally holding them in my hands too, but yes they look much better on the plants.

Flowers at Covered Market, Oxford

And once again I do not know the name of the flower above. I had clicked both the pictures at Oxford in June. In fact two of my colleagues are heading to UK today and I wonder what pictures they would capture of the winter there. In fact, I took so much time clicking pictures of the flowers kept outside the flower shop that I was afraid that someone would come out and ask me to go away! It has never happened though till now though.

Lazy Sunday Video- Gaitore Ki Chhatariyan, Jaipur

Gaitore Ki Chhatariyan, Jaipur, Rajasthan

In all my previous visits to Jaipur I never heard of Gaitore Ki Chhatariyan. It is a beautiful structure, our auto driver said it is popular with tourists but when we went there in the afternoon we had it almost entirely to our self.

PS. No, I have not forgotten Mumbai but if people are willing to travel to India and Mumbai, I am willing to blog about travel.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Teddy Bear Hanging High to Dry

Teddy Bear, High and Dry!

My niece's teddy bear after a was caught my eye while it was hanging high in the balcony to dry. She is the typical kid who likes to pay with grown up stuff (read cell phones, handicams, laptops, computers and musical instruments) rather than toys!

Lazy Sunday Photo- Thames Walk, Oxford, UK

Iffley Meadow at the Thames Walk, Oxford, UK

Another Lazy Sunday Photo- Accessories for a Lazy Sunday Afternoon

Tea, TV Remote, Namkeen and Newspaper for a Lazy Sunday

Lazy Sunday Photo- Christ Church College, Oxford, UK

The Christ Church College, Oxford, UK

I took this photograph at the sunset. There is actually an entrance fee to visit the Christ Church College (but not the Christ Church Meadows) premises in Oxford. But there is a roped off area just in front of the entry gate up to where you can walk and take a peak at this magnificent building. This picture was taken from the roped off area. I immediately looked at the picture on the display of the camera and went wide eyed as the reddish glow was all the more prominent on the smaller camera display screen. The guard in front of the building gave me a smile looking at my wide eyed expression. I am sure he must be watching countless wide eyed tourists like me in the course of the day!

Lazy Sunday Photo- Lady with a Load, Uttrakhand

A Lady in a Village in Uttrakhand Coming Home with her Load either for Fire or Feed for Animals (Picture taken by Sesha)

Lazy Sunday Photo- Roopkund, Uttrakhand

Trekking to Roopkund, Uttrakhand

This picture was taken by Sesha on his way to Roopkund, a trek that I had to miss because of the viral fever I got. I think I will be able to pursuade him to do a trek report again at my blog.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Sunset on Thames, Oxford, UK

Sunset on Thames, Oxford, UK, June 2008

This was the day when I walked for 4 hours and covered 11km on the Thames River Walk. And that is all I have hiked this year till date. There are tentative plans to trek in Darjeeling along with my younger nephew through YHAI. I hope we are able to pull it off.

Sesha just came back today after trekking to Roopkund (and completed it too!) and has no leaves left. So it has to be just me and my nephew in December. But I am quite tempted.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Forbidden Berries and Fall Colors Oxford, UK

A Lovely Tree in Oxford

As my last trip has been to Oxford, UK I keep thinking about it. The tree in the picture was full of red berries and this is from my October-November stay. I loved the fall colors. And I was given strict instructions not to eat the berries!

Lazy Sunday Photo- Another Bird's Nest in the Backyard

Dove's eggs in a Nest

I was picking up basil leaves to add to my tea when suddenly a dove fluttered and flew away. A little investigation (without disturbing any leaves or branches) revealed these two eggs in the nest. This is the second time I found a bird's nest in my backyard.

Lazy Sunday Photo- A Little Bit of London

Trafalgar Square, London

Tower of London

Millennium Bridge and St. Paul's Cathedral, London

The London Eye at Night

Hyde Park, London

The Marble Arch, London

The Gates to Buckingham Palace, London

Butler's Wharf, London

Lazy Sunday Photo- Birds Nest

The Dove in its nest in my backyard

The Young Chicks

Lazy Sunday Photo- Harewood Garden Walk, Leeds, UK

Harewood Garden Walk, Leeds, UK

It seems like ages since I walked for 10-12 kilometers and I am missing it.

Lazy Sunday Video- My Games, The BBC Interactive Olympics Program

I appeared on the BBC show 'My Games' yesterday at around 6.15 pm our time (India). The focus of the program is on the Beijing Olympics. They invites fans to join them via a webcam and for a while the video of the show is available at the BBC site.

How Did the Show Happened- I am a regular reader of the BBC website, so one day late at night I saw a news story where they were inviting reader's comments on how we view the Olympics. I don't know what did it but I talked about the time when I used to train as an athlete, a time I really do not like to talk about. Here is a slightly edited version of what I wrote that night-

I used to be a middle distance runner in India, represented my state in the school games. I was a natural at high jump but could never learn Fosbury Flop as there were only sand pits in the small town stadium I used to practice.

The camp prior to the nationals, it was run by a colonel who had no understanding of sports! He would have a weird schedule and would not let me practice according to what my coach prescribed! The food at the camp was appalling. Still at the trials I gave good timings in both 800m and was decent at high jump. However, I peaked too early and performed miserably in the nationals. I was only 16 then. Now I am ... with a Ph.D. from ... and very happy my academic career.

However, recently a student of mine has started training for middle distance and even now 20 years later our stories are the same. He can afford a personal trainer (thanks to the pockets of prosperity in the country now) but he says nothing much have changed with the camps, the food is still appalling. I think we have money in India but no system or vision.

Even then there are some very good athletes within India, product of their individual efforts. I would be watching Mahesh Bhupati and Leander Paes in Tennis and Rajyavardhan Rathore in shooting. Also I hope the young badminton player Saina Nehwal does well! ...

Rather a long rant I must say! Well after some days I heard from the BBC team again and they asked me if I had a webcam and more about my views, the stories that I find interesting and Olympics in general. I remembered a webcam lying somewhere, so I said yes. That is when the fun began!

Before the Show- If you managed to watch the video, you really cannot imagine the trouble I gave the BBC technology team! My contact with the BBC was with the most wonderful and really really patient Carolyn Rice. So a few days before the show, on her insistence, I got my webcam out. It was 8.00 or so at night, I had come back from work a while ago and my husband Sesha (who is the technology person at home) gave me the webcam and the installation CD and went back to playing violin. I installed the software (with occasional grunts from Sesha coming my way as support and encouragement) and saw the output of the webcam. My heart sank, the video was so grainy. I immediately wrote to Carolyn that I have a very lousy webcam and I am sorry, that's it! (not in so many words but definitely to that effect). But she is one lady who does not gets deterred by mere mortals like me.

By the time I appeared on the show we had exchanged around 40 emails (written by both of us combined, still sitting in my gmail) and I had three phone calls from the BBC studios! That is the amount of trouble they took to get me on show.

The first stumbling block we faced was with the link Carolyn sent me to join the web conference. It required some plugin downloads. I did everything and got a message in the end 'the plugin is not compatible with Firefox version 3.0.1.' I was ready to give up but not Carolyn! She send me another link, I got the same error again. I offered her to use Internet Explorer and yes, things started working.

Later Sesha asks me to change the focus of the webcam but added that the output has always been bad whenever he used it. And the output could be better on his PC rather than my five year old almost dead laptop. I installed everything again on his PC, all this while shooting many of those 40 mails we exchanged to Carolyn with problems real and imagined.

At one point she asked if she could come in and work with my desktop! My jaw drops in amazement but I of course said yes. So here I am sitting with my hands off the keyboards and the mouse is moving on its own! When I tell this excitedly to Sesha, he gives me that look and says, yeah they do it everyday at work! So much so for my wonder.

Anyway, we move ahead, I adjust the webcam lens and Carolyn says the picture is quite good, though a bit dark, can I get some extra light? Wonder of all wonders, we do not have a table lamp at home! So, I ask my younger nephew to ask one of his friends, if he has one. I get to know that he has and of course I can have it. Next logical step was to check the sound but we cannot check the sound as the headphones I was using, its microphone was broken. I offer tentatively to get a new one tomorrow, thinking she would run out of patience. But Carolyn is patient, she tells me not to worry, we can of course do the sound test the next day.

The next day (that is Friday and the show is on Saturday) it has been raining like anything and I ask Sesha to get the microphones and he agrees. So sometime after 8.00 pm we sit down again and try the sound. Well, the PC has a loose contact with the audio ports, tells Sesha. I ask Carolyn if I should try my laptop? The ever patient person she is, she agrees. I start my laptop (that takes ages to boot and the semicolon key doesn't work, among many other quirks) move the webcam and the mike and connect to the web conference again. Things are working fine, only that extra light remains. During the day, I somehow forgot about the extra light! She says we will do a mock run again tomorrow, the day of the show, at 2.30 pm my time and I can get the extra light then! I agree.

The D Day- I wake up late (around 11.00 am India time) on Saturday and after a cup of tea, switch on the laptop. The keyboard is working but the mouse pad is not! Whatever tricks my nephew and I try, the laptop would not budge. Sesha is away at his music school. I of course panic. My nephew says let us try using the laptop via the keyboard but I find it too cumbersome. I go back to the PC and ask my nephew to go and get that table lamp. The sound at PC won't work! The keyboard at the laptop won't work and the friend's table lamp has the shades that will cast the light downward only.

I finally decide to give up. It is 1.00 pm and I write another of those 40 mails to Carolyn, this time apologising a lot and basically trying to tell her it is all over. She has other ideas. Within a few minutes of writing that mail there is a call on my cell and yes it is Carolyn on the line. She tells me not to worry about the audio, they would get me on phone if it did not work on the PC! I promise her to try again. I also tell her that we had no power since the last two hours and our power backup (inverter as we all know here) may conk. I am sure that must have made her wonder for a while too! But we decide to test the device at 2.30pm as agreed.

Within a few minutes again, I get a phone call from Beijing and this time it is Adnan Nawaz, the presenter of the show on the line. And I mean he too was so nice on the phone (this will be another blog post) that I was really feeling guilty by now. When I told him about the power cut, he of course understood what type of disaster it meant.

I finally decide to put my limited tech skills to work. I get the external mouse out of Sesha's laptop bag (it is his office laptop, so I do not go anywhere near it) and attached it to mine! Miraculously it worked! Now only the extra source of light remained. It was 1.45 already and I tell my nephew, lets go to the market and get the kind of table lamp we need. I wrote to Carolyn, saying I am out of the house and to give me till 3.00 pm to get online again.

So a little before 3.00, I sit with my laptop, with the external mouse working and the lamp (which we got after looking in at least 5 shops) throwing a lot of light at my face. Carolyn also comes online and says it is perfect! By 6.15, I go on the show live. And rest of course you can watch on the video!

Could you have ever imagined the real story of how I got on the show? Without the support from Carolyn, I would have given up long ago. And talking to Adnan and having the same South East Aisan heritage also did the trick. But as I said, that would be another post.

So, thank you so much Carolyn for finally getting me on the show. Was I your most difficult viewer? I guess so!

Lazy Sunday Photo- Glass Structure at Thames

I rarely click modern structures but I liked this one near the Tower Bridge in London. Unfortunately I do not know the name of the building (can see Norton Rose written in front) but this one is quite close to Thames River.

Update- As Sunil has pointed it out in the comment section, this seems to be part of More London. Thanks Sunil.

Lazy Sunday Photo- More People who Read Books Needed in This World?

More People with Books rather than Bombs are Needed in This World!

Lazy Sunday Photo- Vegetable and Fruit Stalls, Chamba

Oranges,and Lemons- On Vacation I click Pictures rather than Haggle for Price, where I Always Loose to the Vendor

Lazy Sunday Photo- Cycles Will Be Removed, A Common Sign In Oxford

Cycles Will Be Removed, A Common Sign In Oxford

Lazy Sunday Photo- Staying with Colors

I took these pictures in the covered market in Oxford. It is a old (established 1774!) place that is quite charming. I was drawn to this fish stall because the colors were eye catching, otherwise I do not eat fish and I have no interest in looking at it in a market. I was taking these with the point and shoot camera so you can see the flash getting reflected in these pictures.

Colorful Fish in the Covered Market, Oxford, UK

I was also going through a lot of pictures on Picasa that belonged to someone I know. I was quite amazed to see the way people approach places and photograph them. I mean in an entire trip I may take 500 to 600 pictures (I delete many later) but you would not find me in more than 5 to 6. The camera does not love me when I am in front of it, it is kinder when I am behind it, or so I think. I also almost completely ignore the modern stores even though they are very colorful at times. I am sure I am not going to get in the front of the camera too often but for variety I can try to capture some of the modern stuff too.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Inkfruit T Shirt

Inkfruit T Shirt

Remember the Inkfruit website? I got the promised T Shirt and I must say I liked it. Thank you Inkfruit. And apologies for no taking a better picture, with the weather being what it is many of my folks are taking turns to fall sick! Let us see if I too join the queue.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Komik, Spiti

Komik, Spiti

Lazy Sunday Photo- Thames Walk, Oxford to Sandford

The Path, Thames Walk, Oxford to Sandford

Lazy Sunday Photo- Taj Mahal from Agra Fort

Taj Mahal from Agra Fort

I wonder how my two nephews agreed to stand for this picture. Well, in those days I had no SLR and the my first digital camera, the Nikon Coolpix 3200 gave me this kind of a hazy zoom. Even with the SLR I have a wide angle lens. Hopefully, things will change this week. I plan to head to Chandni Chowk and buy a new lens for my SLR that will give me a better zoom.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Sugar Cane Stall, Near Abby Falls Coorg

Sugar Cane Stall, Near Abby Falls Coorg

Lazy Sunday Photo- Being Silly!

Being Silly- Jumping Down a Pile of Bricks

I really like the picture above, my nephew and his friend jumping from a pile of bricks (when they are a little too old for this!) and my elder nephew clicked this picture. I mean when do we grow up so much that there is no time left for silly things?

Trafalgar Square, London

You know why I say this? I remember walking past this stone lion in Trafalgar Square and I actually wanted to go and sit there but then didn't risk it for the fear of being too silly. Next time, I am going to act silly at least 3 out of 10 times when I feel like doing so.

Lazy Sunday Photo- The Millennium Bridge (Nicknamed Wibbly Wobbly), London

The Millennium Bridge, London (Also Nicknamed Wibbly Wobbly Bridge)

I crossed the Millennium Bridge (though I didn't know its name while crossing) after roaming around the St. Paul's Cathedral area. In the background one can see the Tate Modern (at that time I didn't know that the entry is free). And as I was reading these lines again, I can see what a well researched traveler I am!

Anyway, it was later on Sunday when I took the cruise on Thames (I like to think of it as a boat ride rather than a cruise) that I came to know that this is the Millennium Bridge. The excellent commentary we had on the boat, we were told "this is the Wibbly Wobbly Bridge, also known as the Millennium Bridge. As soon as it opened it vibrated so bad that it had to be closed down, so we like to call it the Wibbly Wobbly Bridge."

Lazy Sunday Photo- Aloo Pakoda (Potato Snack)

Aloo Pakoda (Potato Based Indian Snack)

I am not at all fond of fried stuff and Aloo Pakoda is one fried stuff, but on certain days they do look tempting. And today somehow happens to be one of those days. But then I am to going to make it. Feeling just too lazy to take the trouble.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Oxford City Again

Oxford City, UK

There is a high chance that I will visit the city of Oxford for a week again in June. If it happens, it would be the first time I manage to visit a foreign place twice. Of course the trip would be related to work. But I hope the summer would be a better time to take pictures!

Lazy Sunday Photo- Oxford City Center

Oxford City Center, UK

For the week that I stayed in Oxford, dinner was mostly taken around the city center on all occassions. Never visited the Burger King or any such chain while there, but it is interesting to see these fast food joints jostling for space with really really old structures, like the structure on the left to the Burger King and the tower further left to the old building.

Lazy Sunday Photo- CP, New Delhi

Pavements of Connaught Place, CP, New Delhi

I had not planned to take a break from blogging but by just taking the Monday off for the Lansdowne trip, the work got piled on and could not manage to post anything. So, I thought I would start with the usual lazy Sunday photo.

Lazy Sunday Photo- The Chang Story

Chang- The Local Home Brewed Beer from Spiti

Once again, I decided to write about food or rather drinks, this time. I generally do not like alcoholic drinks and stay away from them. Given a choice I like soup over alcohol any day. And both tend to cost a ton in restaurants! I know it is strange comparison but that is how it is.

This changed a little when I discovered chang in Spiti. The locally brewed beer tastes nothing like a Foster brewed in Aurangabad or some such place. I mean I can't stand Foster or Kingfisher. They have such a nasty stink (or so I feel and I know I am alone in this) that after one sip I do not try another. Chang has no nasty sting about it and I liked both the barley and the rice versions.

Then on the trip to Oxford last year we had a dinner hosted by the university (no and this is not the Oxford I am referring to) at a Thai restaurant called Chiang Mai. There were four of us, my colleague from India and two of my colleagues from UK. So when we started ordering soon the question came, "What would you like to drink?" I gave the default option, "Nothing." Then I browsed the beer list anyway and discovered Chang on the list. Not thinking too much, I changed my mind and decided to order Chang. It of course turned out to be a popular beer from Thailand but minus the stink. It was not the Chang I wanted but it was quite OK. The end result was that I ended up trying a lot of beers in UK and now I have to say, once in a blue moon I may pick them up over soup.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Ice Cream on London Streets

Ice Cream Van- Near Tower Bridge, London

No, no, I didn't even think of eating an ice cream in the November cold in London but I liked the scene. And to put it on record I do not like cold weather and it is cold right now in and around Delhi. I envy people who go about unconcerned in the cold weather and it does not bother them in the least. Like my nephew, he is sitting in two warm shirts, while I have packed myself up, sitting in front of TV waiting for Australian Open Men's final to begin.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Two of the Most Beautiful College Buildings in Oxford

Christ Church College- Oxford

All Souls College, Oxford

Lazy Sunday Photo- Mountain Flowers

I must say I am crazy about flowers. Well, I am used to the ones which we can find in the city. But when we go trekking I try to click every new flower that I see. The flower images below are from our trek to Kuari Pass.

Flowers from the Mountain- Blue iris

I do know the name of this flower (the blue Iris) but unfortunately I am really not good with the names of the other beauties that I see.

Mountain Flowers

But as I said I bend down every time I see a new flower and take a picture.

Blue Flowers from the Mountains

One week into the semester and I already feel desperate to travel! Though February is not a good time for flowers really.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Flower from Sikkim

Flower (Taken in Sikkim)

Long time since I posted a picture of a flower. I just love flowers. I know I have a very dull approach to clicking a flower, but I still like these pictures!

Lazy Sunday Photo- Langza to Komik, Spiti

Anjan (our co-guide) on the way from Langza to Komik, Spiti Trek, 2007

Afternoon Siesta at the Kuari Pass Trek, 2006

This is what happens to us on many treks! I remember crashing on the lunch point from Komik to Demul walk. Only the others never took any picture :) But that is the only time I can remember. I am not a big fan of afternoon siestas but with a big cold and a sore throat that has almost chocked my voice, the images look very tempting.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Near Sojha, Himachal Pradesh

Walk Near Sojha, February 2007

After a gap of many years I find my self in warm Bangalore in December instead of freezing in some part of the Himalayas. I can't make up my mind which one I like better.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Omkareshwar Temple Coorg

Omkareshwar Temple, Coorg

Lazy Sunday Photo- Garlic Fields in Shringi

Garlic Fields, Shringi, Himachal Pradesh

I was sitting with the laptop and looking at all my pictures uploaded at Picasa. I have uploaded seven albums (Spiti, Prashar Lake, UK, Coorg, Shringi 1, 2 and Nainital).

I did manage to visit a few places in 2007. But it may not be possible in 2008 as I have 3 day teaching as opposed to 2 day teaching in the January semester this time. But then I am not complaining. I was saying to Sesha, "We will make it up by taking a lot of weekend trips."

Lazy Sunday Photo- London Underground, Mind the Gap!

Mind the Gap, London Underground, UK

The phrase 'Please Mind the Gap' grew upon me slowly when I used the London Underground and the National Rail for two days. As a station would approach, the announcement system on the train would go crazy, announcing "please mind the gap" again and again. Once or twice it felt OK, then it became amusing. When I went into a souvenir shop later, I saw a mug with the same slogan, "Mind the Gap." Of course, I bought it.

Later, I googled and found this interesting stuff about Mind the Gap on the BBC-

The Recorded Announcement (Male)

The stern, shouting, male voice announcement for 'Mind the Gap' is being phased out. Fortunately, you can download Peter Lodge's 'performance' - and numerous other train announcements - from this Sound File site. As the webmaster of the site says:

His barked orders to cowering passengers continue to ring out in a recording which is already an historical document³.

The Recorded Announcement (Female)

The female voice for the recorded announcement of 'Mind the Gap' is nicknamed 'Sonia' by tube drivers. Why? Because her voice 'gets on yer nerves', they collectively reply.

Apparently 'Sonia' is thought to be a bit too posh in some circles. In recent tests somebody mimicking the voice of Marilyn Monroe proved to be a favourite.

Mind the Gap on the National Rail, Somewhere Between Victoria and Sutton

Lazy Sunday Photo- Lady Guide at Saltaire, UK

The Charming Lady Guide at Saltaire, UK

The trip to Saltaire, a world heritage site near Leeds was organized by the good people at the conference that I attended. The trip was wonderful and a detailed account would come a little later.

The charming lady in the picture guided our group for the part of the way. Later, we met near the church for cakes and tea/coffee and I managed to chat with her. She said her pictures are already on the web and I told her I too would be putting up one. It is such a pity that I could not catch her name.

While we were standing outside and chatting, it was overcast, windy and cold. Still, very little can keep me indoors. So, I was chatting with her and feeling guilty all the time that I was keeping her out of doors. She said her family long back lived in India and she comes to the South every year.

Later, she held my hands and said, "Oh dear, you are so cold, why on earth are you standing outside?" I told her I love being out of doors but I would certainly not keep her standing in the cold.

And she has not been a resident of Saltaire since birth (as I had assumed) but she has lived in various countries, including the Caribbean and she came to Saltaire just seven years back.

Lazy Sunday Photo- The London Oxford Route

Oxford London Route in Fall 2007

Took this one on a moving bus, from Oxfrod to London. Loved the colors of fall and as there is no fall in the northern India, loved them all the more. And I am not yet home. Tomorrow, I should be back.

Lazy Sunday Photo- Shy Kid

Lazy Sunday Photo- Stairway to Heaven

Swargrohini- Har Ki Doon

This mountain range in Uttranchal 9saw it on our Har-Ki-Doon trek) is called Swargrohini, or Stairway to Heaven. What an apt name.

Lazy Sunday Photo- The Chaos We Create

This happens at least once in a month on the way to office!

Lazy Sunday Photo- Bug Me Not

I took this picture a long time back, with my first digital camera (Nikon Coolpix 3200). I still remember I was opening the car and about to go to the college when I noticed this insect. Of course, I took out the camera from the purse and clicked it. These days I somehow do not carry a camera in my purse (though I have an eye on any good 5 mega pixel camera phone, are the Sony ones good?) nd I have not touched the DSLR in the past 3 weeks. Another thing that I have noticed is that I used to take better close ups with this basic camera rather than with my Canon 350 D. Guess I need more practice with the DSLR.

Lazy Sunday Photos- Flowers on the Street, Bangalore

Lazy Sunday Photo- Taken at Best Western Resort, Manesar

Both were not impressed by my antics with the camera!

Lazy Sunday Photo- Chocho Khang Nilda, Langza, Spiti

Another View of Chocho Khang Nilda at sunset from Langza, Spiti

Lazy Sunday Photo- Hikkim Village, Spiti, India

A View of Hikkim Village, Spiti, India

Lazy Sunday Photo- Flowers

Flowers on the Roadside- Bangalore

Lazy Sunday Photo- Another Noida Sunset

May 6 2007, Sunset at Noida