I use a Canon 1000d body, with the following lenses - Canon F 3.5-5.6 18-55mm IS (kit lens), Canon 50 mm F1.8, Sigma 70-300mm (the cheapest one - forget its model no).
I also use a Nokia 808 Pureview, as phone and camera.
Some of the early images were shot with a canon 610 IS.
As needed, software used on DSLR images -
1) Adobe Photoshop Elements - for RAW editor, cropping, sharpening and adjusting levels.
2) Irfanview - for Save for Web function.
Mostly photographs, and some travel thoughts - click on individual post heading to see and make comments.
I have been taking snaps in north India with the Nokia 808 Pureview for the last 3 months while it is being used as my primary phone.
All photos below had a slight amount of sharpening/levels adjustment - as much as I would do for any photographs taken with an DSLR.
For anyone considering this phone - summary of the experience is that if you need a camera phone - get this. If you need a smartphone, get the android. It will do most things as well as android/iphone, but it won't make feel happy enough or flashy enough as a smartphone user. As a cameraphone user, you are on top of the world.
Camera Review - still getting used to it.
--------------------------------------------------
The good parts to the camera can be seen in the images below. The two major cons to the camera are:
1) Not having shutter speed control sucks. Big time. I end up not using the creative mode at all. Manual ND control is no substitute.
2) Red eye is present in every flash photograph. And as you would know, removing the red eye away in a flash photograph makes the eyes look white eyes.
3) Distortion due to size of lens is visible in landscape photographs.
Phone Review
-------------------
SMS - Ok. MMS - not used. NFC- not used.
Pros-
1) Calls are good and do not drop. Loud and clear.
2) Loudspeaker is good.
3) Bluetooth pairing with Laptop - good.
4) Battery - Lasts me a 24+ hours with no 3g usage.
5) FM transmitter - beat that android/iphone. No need of aux wire in car/home. seriously, nokia, you have been washing away a gold mine.
6) Nokia Internet Radio - awesome app.
Cons-
1) WIFI - keeps dropping, even with home network. Use mostly for Whatsapp, and Internet radio.
2) Mail - have been trying to sync 2 gmail ids, via Nokia mail - still not successful. Mail app is quite bad, almost unusable.
3) No automatic switching to Wifi, when available.
4) Nokia Drive while being very good, doesn't allow custom waypoints.
Third Party Apps
------
Most used -
1) Facinate - Works well on Wifi but not on 2g network. Limited but good functionality.
2) Opera Mini - lifesaver app. Only grouse is that one has to manually change the Internet Access settings when moving from Wifi to network.
3) Whatsapp - works awesomely. No need of any other msging app for me.
This post is updated from time to time.
For anyone considering this phone - summary of the experience is that if you need a camera phone - get this. If you need a smartphone, get the android. It will do most things as well as android/iphone, but it won't make feel happy enough or flashy enough as a smartphone user. As a cameraphone user, you are on top of the world.
Camera Review - still getting used to it.
--------------------------------------------------
The good parts to the camera can be seen in the images below. The two major cons to the camera are:
1) Not having shutter speed control sucks. Big time. I end up not using the creative mode at all. Manual ND control is no substitute.
2) Red eye is present in every flash photograph. And as you would know, removing the red eye away in a flash photograph makes the eyes look white eyes.
3) Distortion due to size of lens is visible in landscape photographs.
Phone Review
-------------------SMS - Ok. MMS - not used. NFC- not used.
Pros-
1) Calls are good and do not drop. Loud and clear.
2) Loudspeaker is good.
3) Bluetooth pairing with Laptop - good.
4) Battery - Lasts me a 24+ hours with no 3g usage.
5) FM transmitter - beat that android/iphone. No need of aux wire in car/home. seriously, nokia, you have been washing away a gold mine.
6) Nokia Internet Radio - awesome app.
Cons-
1) WIFI - keeps dropping, even with home network. Use mostly for Whatsapp, and Internet radio.
2) Mail - have been trying to sync 2 gmail ids, via Nokia mail - still not successful. Mail app is quite bad, almost unusable.
3) No automatic switching to Wifi, when available.
4) Nokia Drive while being very good, doesn't allow custom waypoints.
Third Party Apps
------
Most used -
1) Facinate - Works well on Wifi but not on 2g network. Limited but good functionality.
2) Opera Mini - lifesaver app. Only grouse is that one has to manually change the Internet Access settings when moving from Wifi to network.
3) Whatsapp - works awesomely. No need of any other msging app for me.
This post is updated from time to time.
Food recommendations in Hazrat Nizamuddin, New Delhi
In Nizamuddin, which is a lot closer for me, and is an easy diversion on the way back from office, there are a few favourites -
1) Ap ki khatir - on the main lodhi road facing side, a unmarked shop - will have lots of people sitting in cars parked right outside it and eating away. For Kakori/Gilawati/burra kebabs. See Sab ki Khatir review as well on this thread for similar food, in a better location.
2) Nasir Iqbal - in the main dargah lane. For gravy items - standard all round restaurant, with proper spacious seating.
3) Karims - I prefer this branch to the old delhi branch. Not only does this seem neater, cleaner and spacious, the food seems to me to be better prepared here. Around the corner from Nasir Iqbal. Ask anyone in the dargah lane.
4) Moradabadi biryani - In the food lane just before Ap ki Khatir (and it really can't be classified as any thing else - its a lane with 40 restaurants packed next to each other) walk down around 50m and on the left you will see a restaurant called Moradabad ke Masoor Biryani - thats my favourite for Bade ka biryani. Ask him to get a plate of Bheja masala and nihari, and have them with the biryani - the bheja goes perfectly with it.
5) Ghalib kebab corner - For buff sheekh kebabs and mutton sheekh kebabs with Korma and rotis. This is in the lane which shoots off to the left from the food lane when you just enter it.
1) Ap ki khatir - on the main lodhi road facing side, a unmarked shop - will have lots of people sitting in cars parked right outside it and eating away. For Kakori/Gilawati/burra kebabs. See Sab ki Khatir review as well on this thread for similar food, in a better location.
2) Nasir Iqbal - in the main dargah lane. For gravy items - standard all round restaurant, with proper spacious seating.
3) Karims - I prefer this branch to the old delhi branch. Not only does this seem neater, cleaner and spacious, the food seems to me to be better prepared here. Around the corner from Nasir Iqbal. Ask anyone in the dargah lane.
4) Moradabadi biryani - In the food lane just before Ap ki Khatir (and it really can't be classified as any thing else - its a lane with 40 restaurants packed next to each other) walk down around 50m and on the left you will see a restaurant called Moradabad ke Masoor Biryani - thats my favourite for Bade ka biryani. Ask him to get a plate of Bheja masala and nihari, and have them with the biryani - the bheja goes perfectly with it.
5) Ghalib kebab corner - For buff sheekh kebabs and mutton sheekh kebabs with Korma and rotis. This is in the lane which shoots off to the left from the food lane when you just enter it.
Clouds! dance!
A short time spent back home, as I grew more and more confused [about what I had thought/ about how I had thought] ___ .
Jama Masjid
I had started this blog with some snaps of Jama Masjid. So many years later I had a chance to visit it again; this time up the minaret, barefoot, at noon in Delhi's hot summer.
Restaurant Delhi Index
List of restaurants in Delhi that I have eaten at or from (all this eating has happened in the last two years) - this is a fairly disgusting exercise, but that is the point: I have now decided to keep track.
Update- the list now around 95% complete (note: to add the Mal food joint in gautam nagar, and INA market, mal place in NFC); including the regular coffee shops.
Aap Ki Khatir, Nizamuddin
Aap Ki Khatir, Khan Market (now shut)
Aap Ki Khatir, G.K.1
Al Bake, New Friends Colony
Al Kauser, near Assam Bhawan, Chanakyapuri
Al Kauser, Munirka
Al Zoya, East of Kailash
American Diner, India Habitat Centre
Amici, Khan Market
Amici, Hauz Khas Village
Amour, Hauz Khas Village
Andhra Bhawan Canteen, Madhav Rao Scindhia Marg
Angreze Dhaba, G.K.2
Annapurna Sweets, C.R. Park
Arza Bibi Kebabs, Khan Market
Azure Cafe and Kitchen, Hauz Khas Village
Baba Nagpal Chole Bhature, Lajpat Nagar 4
Bagels Cafe, Meherchand Market
Banga Bhawan, Barakhamba Road
Bengali Sweets House, Bengali Market
Big Chill, Khan Market
Big Chill, Kailash Colony Market
Blanco's, Khan Market
Boheme, Hauz Khas Village
Cafe Bikaner, Bikaner House, Pandara Road, India Gate
Cafe Coffee Day, East of Kailash
Cafe Coffee Day, Green Park
Cafe Coffee Day, Hauz Khas
Cafe Coffee Day, Meherchand Market
Cafe Mocha, G.K.1
Cafe Mocha, Defence Colony
Cafe Oz and Bar, G.K.1
Cafe Oz and Bar, Khan Market (now shut)
Cafe Turtle, Nizamuddin
Cafe Turtle, Khan Market
Cafe Turtle, G.K. 1
Cafe 27, Kailash Colony market
Ca Va, Defence Colony
Chonas, Khan Market
City of Joy, Alaknanda
Coco Berry, G.K.1
Colonel's Kebabs, Defence Colony
Costa Coffee, G.K.2
Costa Coffee, Green Park
Costa Coffee, Connaught Place
Costa Coffee, Bengali Market
Culinare, G.K.2
CYMK Cafe, Meherchand Market
Deez's Biryani, Connaught Place
Diva Piccola, Hauz Khas Village
Dunkin Donuts, G.K.1
Ego Thai, New Friends Colony
El Dorado, Rajdoot Hotel, Nizamuddin
Elma's Bakery, Haux Khas Village
Eutopia, India Habitat Centre
Fez Dining and Bar, Malcha Marg Market
Flavours, Defence Colony
Flavours P'tit Bar, Defence Colony
Fresco, Connaught Place
Ghalib Kebabs, Nizamuddin
Goa Sadan, Chanyakapuri
Golconda Bowl, Hauz Khas Village
Golden Dragon, Panchsheel Park
Golden Fiesta, East of Kailash
Govinda's, ISKON temple, East of Kailash
Great Kebab Factory, Gurgaon
Gulati, Pandara Road
Gunpowder, Hauz Khas Village
Haldirams, Connaught Place
Haldirams, Lajpat Nagar
Haldirams, Gurgaon
IIFT dhaba, opposite IIFT main entrance
Italia, DLF Promenade Mall, Vasant Kunj
Kake da Dhaba, Connaught Place
Kamal dhaba, Sundar Nagar
Kareems', Jama Masjid
Kareems', Nizamuddin
Kareems', Aurobindo Market
Karnataka restaurant, Yusuf Sarai
KFC, G.K.1
KFC, Outer Circle, Connaught Place
Khan Chacha, Khan Market
Khan Chacha, Connaught Place
Kwality, Connaught Place
Latitude, Good Earth, Khan Market
Lodi - the Garden Restaurant, Lodhi Road
Maa Tara, C.R.Park
Market Cafe, Khan Market
Mammagrotto, Khan Market
Mammagrotto, Select Citywalk, Saket
Mannekin, G.K.1
MI Meat Shop, Meherchand Market
Mrs. Kaur's Crepes, Khan Market (now shut)
Nagaland Kitchen, near Uphaar Cinema, Yusuf Sarai
Naivedyam, Hauz Khas Village
Naivedyam, Kalkaji
Nasir Iqbal, Nizamuddin
Nathu's Sweets, New Friends Colony
Nathu's Sweets, Bengali Market
Navanda's, Sunder Nagar
Nawabs - the Taste of Lucknow, Alaknanda
Nirula's, Sapna cinema comples, East of Kailash
Nirula's, Masjid Moth, G.K. 2
Not Just Parathas, G.K. 2
Novelty Food Corner, C Block, East of Kailash
Oh! Calcutta, Nehru Place
Olive, Mehrauli
Open Oven, G.K. 2 (not in last 2 years)
Orissa Niwas Canteen, Orissa Niwas, Chanakyapuri
Out of the Box, Hauz Khas Village
Park Balluchi, Deer Park, Hauz Khas
Pebble Street, New Friends Colony
Qureshi's Kebabs, G.K. 2
Rajinder Dhaba, Sardarjung
Rara Avis, G.K.2
Revv Cafe, G.K.1
Route 04, Khan Market
Royal Kathi, Sapna Cinema, East of Kailash
Ruby Tuesday, Satyam Cinema, Nehru Place
Ruby Tuesday, G.K.2
Sab Ki Khatir, Lodhi Road
Sagar Ratna, Defence Colony
Saleems, Kailash Colony Market
San Churro, G.K.2
Shack, Defence Colony
Shalom, G.K.1
Shikara, G.K.1/Pamposh
Sidewok, Khan Market
Sidewok, Connaught Place
Smokehouse Grill, G.K.2
Souza Lobo, G.K.2
Soy Kitchen, Khan Market
Spice Water Trails, G.K.1
Stone, Defence Colony
Subway, G.K. 1
Subway, G.K. 2
Subway, Satyam Cinemas, Nehru Place
Subway, Khan Market
Swagath, G.K.2
Swagath, Defence Colony
Taipan, Oberoi
Tamura, New Friends Colony
Tarami, Hauz Khas Village
The Gray Garden, Hauz Khas Village
The Living Room (TLR), Hauz Khas Village
The Yellow Jar, Hauz Khas
The 70's Cafe, Hauz Khas Village
TK's Oriental Grill, Hyatt Regency, Bikaji Cama Place
Toro, Khan Market
Triveni, Triveni Art Gallery, Bengali Market
Tunday Kebabi, Lajpat Nagar 4
Underdoggs Sports Bar, Vasant Kunj
Urban Cafe, Khan Market
Viva o Viva, Goa Niwas, Chanakyapuri
Whipped, G.K.2
Wimpy's, Aurobindo Market
Wimpy's, Connaught Place (now shut)
Yellow Brick Road, Ambassador Hotel, next to Khan Market
Yeti kitchen, Hauz Khas Village
Yo! China, G.K. 1
Yum Yum Tree, New Friends Colony
Zambar, Ambience Mall, Gurgaon
Ziro Cafe, Hauz Khas Village
4S, Defence Colony
Update- the list now around 95% complete (note: to add the Mal food joint in gautam nagar, and INA market, mal place in NFC); including the regular coffee shops.
Aap Ki Khatir, Nizamuddin
Aap Ki Khatir, Khan Market (now shut)
Aap Ki Khatir, G.K.1
Al Bake, New Friends Colony
Al Kauser, near Assam Bhawan, Chanakyapuri
Al Kauser, Munirka
Al Zoya, East of Kailash
American Diner, India Habitat Centre
Amici, Khan Market
Amici, Hauz Khas Village
Amour, Hauz Khas Village
Andhra Bhawan Canteen, Madhav Rao Scindhia Marg
Angreze Dhaba, G.K.2
Annapurna Sweets, C.R. Park
Arza Bibi Kebabs, Khan Market
Azure Cafe and Kitchen, Hauz Khas Village
Baba Nagpal Chole Bhature, Lajpat Nagar 4
Bagels Cafe, Meherchand Market
Banga Bhawan, Barakhamba Road
Bengali Sweets House, Bengali Market
Big Chill, Khan Market
Big Chill, Kailash Colony Market
Blanco's, Khan Market
Boheme, Hauz Khas Village
Cafe Bikaner, Bikaner House, Pandara Road, India Gate
Cafe Coffee Day, East of Kailash
Cafe Coffee Day, Green Park
Cafe Coffee Day, Hauz Khas
Cafe Coffee Day, Meherchand Market
Cafe Mocha, G.K.1
Cafe Mocha, Defence Colony
Cafe Oz and Bar, G.K.1
Cafe Oz and Bar, Khan Market (now shut)
Cafe Turtle, Nizamuddin
Cafe Turtle, Khan Market
Cafe Turtle, G.K. 1
Cafe 27, Kailash Colony market
Ca Va, Defence Colony
Chonas, Khan Market
City of Joy, Alaknanda
Coco Berry, G.K.1
Colonel's Kebabs, Defence Colony
Costa Coffee, G.K.2
Costa Coffee, Green Park
Costa Coffee, Connaught Place
Costa Coffee, Bengali Market
Culinare, G.K.2
CYMK Cafe, Meherchand Market
Deez's Biryani, Connaught Place
Diva Piccola, Hauz Khas Village
Dunkin Donuts, G.K.1
Ego Thai, New Friends Colony
El Dorado, Rajdoot Hotel, Nizamuddin
Elma's Bakery, Haux Khas Village
Eutopia, India Habitat Centre
Fez Dining and Bar, Malcha Marg Market
Flavours, Defence Colony
Flavours P'tit Bar, Defence Colony
Fresco, Connaught Place
Ghalib Kebabs, Nizamuddin
Goa Sadan, Chanyakapuri
Golconda Bowl, Hauz Khas Village
Golden Dragon, Panchsheel Park
Golden Fiesta, East of Kailash
Govinda's, ISKON temple, East of Kailash
Great Kebab Factory, Gurgaon
Gulati, Pandara Road
Gunpowder, Hauz Khas Village
Haldirams, Connaught Place
Haldirams, Lajpat Nagar
Haldirams, Gurgaon
IIFT dhaba, opposite IIFT main entrance
Italia, DLF Promenade Mall, Vasant Kunj
Kake da Dhaba, Connaught Place
Kamal dhaba, Sundar Nagar
Kareems', Jama Masjid
Kareems', Nizamuddin
Kareems', Aurobindo Market
Karnataka restaurant, Yusuf Sarai
KFC, G.K.1
KFC, Outer Circle, Connaught Place
Khan Chacha, Khan Market
Khan Chacha, Connaught Place
Kwality, Connaught Place
Latitude, Good Earth, Khan Market
Lodi - the Garden Restaurant, Lodhi Road
Maa Tara, C.R.Park
Market Cafe, Khan Market
Mammagrotto, Khan Market
Mammagrotto, Select Citywalk, Saket
Mannekin, G.K.1
MI Meat Shop, Meherchand Market
Mrs. Kaur's Crepes, Khan Market (now shut)
Nagaland Kitchen, near Uphaar Cinema, Yusuf Sarai
Naivedyam, Hauz Khas Village
Naivedyam, Kalkaji
Nasir Iqbal, Nizamuddin
Nathu's Sweets, New Friends Colony
Nathu's Sweets, Bengali Market
Navanda's, Sunder Nagar
Nawabs - the Taste of Lucknow, Alaknanda
Nirula's, Sapna cinema comples, East of Kailash
Nirula's, Masjid Moth, G.K. 2
Not Just Parathas, G.K. 2
Novelty Food Corner, C Block, East of Kailash
Oh! Calcutta, Nehru Place
Olive, Mehrauli
Open Oven, G.K. 2 (not in last 2 years)
Orissa Niwas Canteen, Orissa Niwas, Chanakyapuri
Out of the Box, Hauz Khas Village
Park Balluchi, Deer Park, Hauz Khas
Pebble Street, New Friends Colony
Qureshi's Kebabs, G.K. 2
Rajinder Dhaba, Sardarjung
Rara Avis, G.K.2
Revv Cafe, G.K.1
Route 04, Khan Market
Royal Kathi, Sapna Cinema, East of Kailash
Ruby Tuesday, Satyam Cinema, Nehru Place
Ruby Tuesday, G.K.2
Sab Ki Khatir, Lodhi Road
Sagar Ratna, Defence Colony
Saleems, Kailash Colony Market
San Churro, G.K.2
Shack, Defence Colony
Shalom, G.K.1
Shikara, G.K.1/Pamposh
Sidewok, Khan Market
Sidewok, Connaught Place
Smokehouse Grill, G.K.2
Souza Lobo, G.K.2
Soy Kitchen, Khan Market
Spice Water Trails, G.K.1
Stone, Defence Colony
Subway, G.K. 1
Subway, G.K. 2
Subway, Satyam Cinemas, Nehru Place
Subway, Khan Market
Swagath, G.K.2
Swagath, Defence Colony
Taipan, Oberoi
Tamura, New Friends Colony
Tarami, Hauz Khas Village
The Gray Garden, Hauz Khas Village
The Living Room (TLR), Hauz Khas Village
The Yellow Jar, Hauz Khas
The 70's Cafe, Hauz Khas Village
TK's Oriental Grill, Hyatt Regency, Bikaji Cama Place
Toro, Khan Market
Triveni, Triveni Art Gallery, Bengali Market
Tunday Kebabi, Lajpat Nagar 4
Underdoggs Sports Bar, Vasant Kunj
Urban Cafe, Khan Market
Viva o Viva, Goa Niwas, Chanakyapuri
Whipped, G.K.2
Wimpy's, Aurobindo Market
Wimpy's, Connaught Place (now shut)
Yellow Brick Road, Ambassador Hotel, next to Khan Market
Yeti kitchen, Hauz Khas Village
Yo! China, G.K. 1
Yum Yum Tree, New Friends Colony
Zambar, Ambience Mall, Gurgaon
Ziro Cafe, Hauz Khas Village
4S, Defence Colony
Why Dhoni should remain captain.
I just have a couple of pointers, that I will articulate for the sake of my sanity (which is, I guess, behind every fan's passionate discussion about their team) - (i) a team cannot be fully dropped, as then there is no transition process and learning process, which everyone agrees, is massively needed in the jump from domestic to international cricket; (ii) still people have to be dropped based on performance, otherwise work-reward culture is not established; so basically people have to be dropped so long as they are not affecting the need set out in (i); (iii) a captain, a senior bowler and a senior batsman are best people to hand down the lessons learn't; (iv) a captain is as good as his bowlers, and to a lesser extent, his batsmen. When does a captain fail - when the players fail, or when he fails to motivate the players. I believe that a captain can never motivate the players to change from zero to hero. And in our case, all players (apart from kohli and pujara now) have been a zero for the last 2 years. So its unfair and irresponsible to first change the Captain (keeping in mind point (i) and (iii)), before changing the non-performing batsmen and bowlers. (v) There is one other situation when a captain might fail - when he fails to hold his own place, and that causes a problem to the team, which is a situation which has happened to Ganguly. Dhoni is still a very effective wicketkeeper. Dhoni has not performed as a Batsman in tests - but no worse than the other batsmen. Keeping in mind that he is the captain, and wicketkeeper, and definitely has batting talent if not the scores in the recent past, and keeping in mind the points mentioned before regarding the learning process, he should be kept in the team till the other batting and bowling issues are sorted.
Heading on 30
December 2, 2012
By 30, a man is supposed to have completed his apprenticeship for the rest of life. Obviously professional apprenticeship counts first, but having worked for 5 years, I think I can tick of that.
So what else does one need to know, which are skills useful for the rest of life, which are mostly, skills of leisure. What are, in my eyes, the skills I need to learn before I become 30 in Jan 2014, in 1 year and 2 months -
1) Become a P1 paragliding pilot. In case I need to make a quick escape from the top of a mountain.
Paragliding has to be done before the rains start so that gives us a timeframe till monsoons next year.
2) Hold a PADI scuba diving openwater license. For all those Waterworld doomsday scenarios.
Scuba diving can be done any time of the year in South East Asia.
3) Run a marathon - men were hunter gatherers once, and can be again.
Aim to be running half marathon distances by Feb, and then pick up again aiming winter next year for the full marathorn.
4) Cycle a 100km ride once.
Cycling is the easiest of the aims. Should be done before this year is over.
5) Swim an olympic length.
Will have to start in summer months, and slowly build it up. Will use to substitute running/cycling in the summer months.
6) Learn a western musical instrument well enough that I can hold an audience of 3 people - that is, the eventual wife and the irritating kid. Eastern musical instrument cannot be done in 1 year. Saxophone? Flute? Something which can be carried easily.
7) Climb a 6000m peak. Stok Kangri? Chamser Kangri?
Has to be done between June-September in Ladakh.
8) Learn how to ski properly.
Skiing can only be done in the month of Feb and Mar of 2013, in India in Gulmarg. 2-3 weekends in Gulmarg.
9) To have written a book, published or not.
Has to be started now. Otherwise it is not happening.
10) Learning some basic martial arts/self defence.
The easiest way is to start learning krav maga - short courses, and probably most effective. To end up in Eskrima after that, if it is possible to learn that in Delhi/wherever I am. Earlier bad experiences in shotokan karate notwithstanding.
Some of these require a lot of money. Some require a lot of leave. Most require a lot of commitment, and overall this plan requires discipline. But as I see it, these are the crucial months.
This, of course, requires a soundtrack.
By 30, a man is supposed to have completed his apprenticeship for the rest of life. Obviously professional apprenticeship counts first, but having worked for 5 years, I think I can tick of that.
So what else does one need to know, which are skills useful for the rest of life, which are mostly, skills of leisure. What are, in my eyes, the skills I need to learn before I become 30 in Jan 2014, in 1 year and 2 months -
1) Become a P1 paragliding pilot. In case I need to make a quick escape from the top of a mountain.
Paragliding has to be done before the rains start so that gives us a timeframe till monsoons next year.
2) Hold a PADI scuba diving openwater license. For all those Waterworld doomsday scenarios.
Scuba diving can be done any time of the year in South East Asia.
3) Run a marathon - men were hunter gatherers once, and can be again.
Aim to be running half marathon distances by Feb, and then pick up again aiming winter next year for the full marathorn.
4) Cycle a 100km ride once.
Cycling is the easiest of the aims. Should be done before this year is over.
5) Swim an olympic length.
Will have to start in summer months, and slowly build it up. Will use to substitute running/cycling in the summer months.
6) Learn a western musical instrument well enough that I can hold an audience of 3 people - that is, the eventual wife and the irritating kid. Eastern musical instrument cannot be done in 1 year. Saxophone? Flute? Something which can be carried easily.
7) Climb a 6000m peak. Stok Kangri? Chamser Kangri?
Has to be done between June-September in Ladakh.
8) Learn how to ski properly.
Skiing can only be done in the month of Feb and Mar of 2013, in India in Gulmarg. 2-3 weekends in Gulmarg.
9) To have written a book, published or not.
Has to be started now. Otherwise it is not happening.
10) Learning some basic martial arts/self defence.
The easiest way is to start learning krav maga - short courses, and probably most effective. To end up in Eskrima after that, if it is possible to learn that in Delhi/wherever I am. Earlier bad experiences in shotokan karate notwithstanding.
Some of these require a lot of money. Some require a lot of leave. Most require a lot of commitment, and overall this plan requires discipline. But as I see it, these are the crucial months.
This, of course, requires a soundtrack.
Bull in the Heather - Sonic Youth
Some amatuerish videos I have taken by the Nokia 808. Nokia rich recording produces awesome sound.
Indian Ocean - Bandeh at NH7 Weekender in New Delhi Oct, 2012 on the Dewarists stage.
Bandeh was originally made for the soundtrack of the anurag kashyap movie Black Friday.
Megadeth was performing simultaneously on the other stage (very badly I must say- i had actually gone to see them - ran away after hearing the horrible unclear tones, very unlike their studio stuff). and thank god for megadeth, because i ended up at this stage and Indian Ocean were rocking it, with a fairly large and encouraging crowd who didn't give two hoots about the metal mania happening on the other arena.
The audio is good. The focussing is a little hazy at times because I haven't figured out how to keep it constant in this phone.
Indian Ocean - Bandeh at NH7 Weekender in New Delhi Oct, 2012 on the Dewarists stage.
Bandeh was originally made for the soundtrack of the anurag kashyap movie Black Friday.
Megadeth was performing simultaneously on the other stage (very badly I must say- i had actually gone to see them - ran away after hearing the horrible unclear tones, very unlike their studio stuff). and thank god for megadeth, because i ended up at this stage and Indian Ocean were rocking it, with a fairly large and encouraging crowd who didn't give two hoots about the metal mania happening on the other arena.
The audio is good. The focussing is a little hazy at times because I haven't figured out how to keep it constant in this phone.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)