Pixelated Moments

We all have a cross to bear

2007-05-07T17:40:00.000-07:00

Another one of my play with GIMP.

Pixelated at: Home, Bangalore

A Play with GIMP

2007-04-17T10:24:00.000-07:00

I know this is not just a photo. I was playing with GIMP software and I liked the way this one turned out. Hope you guys like it.

Ofcourse I snapped moon from my house.

Pixelated at: Home, Bangalore

View of Niagara Falls

2007-03-11T17:04:00.000-07:00

Pixelated at: Skylon Towers, Niagara

Stranger's Friend

2007-03-06T19:56:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Town Inn Suites, Toronto, Canada

Frozen Airport!

2007-02-06T03:13:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: From CN Tower, Toronto, Canada

Park in the Harbour Front

2007-02-01T03:18:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Toronto, Canada

CN Tower

2007-01-31T03:59:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: CN Tower, Toronto, Canada

On top of the world

2007-01-30T03:04:00.000-08:00

I'm in Toronto, Canada for a short business trip. Over the weekend, I went to CN Tower - the tallest building in the world. This is a picture from the glass floor in the higher floor of CN Tower. Apparently it can hold 14 hippos! I am only one.

First it was scary to stand on the glass floor. But then once you realise it is safe, it goes ok.

Pixelated at: CN Tower, Toronto, Canada

Bylakuppe Temple

2007-01-12T08:07:00.000-08:00

About 30 min drive from Madikeri is a huge Tibetian settlement in the village of Bylakuppe. The serenity of the place is great. A nice place to visit.

Pixelated at: Bylakuppe, Near Madikeri

Nisargadhama Bridge

2007-01-07T08:59:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Nisargadhama, on the way to Madikeri, Karnataka

On the way to Madikeri

2007-01-03T00:06:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Kamat Restaurant. Superb food.

Lovely toy

2006-12-28T03:10:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Sister's House, Bangalore

Destruction

2006-11-11T08:00:00.000-08:00

When we grew-up, we used to go often to a nearby place called 'Muyal Thivu' (Hare Island). When I visited home last time, I made a point to go there. I was sad that it was not properly maintained. Will post couple of photos from there.

Pixelated at: Hare Island, Tuticorin

Lonely Tree

2006-11-09T19:16:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Tuticorin

Flower

2006-11-07T18:42:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Lalbagh, Bangalore

Broken

2006-11-06T18:07:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Tuticorin

Lighthouse

2006-11-05T22:20:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Kaup Beach, Karnataka

Home Church

2006-11-04T02:45:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Tuticorin

Team event

2006-07-08T23:29:00.000-07:00

All work and no play make any one dull. Add the stress that prevails in current market, you end up with a bunch of maniacs! To prevent such a terrible scenario, every organization arranges team events. This not only de-stress the employees but provides a chance for the management to absolve their sins of killing their juniors on the job (not literally though).

We (I'm in that guilty group), decided it was time to dip in holy waters. Thus came our team event. The whole event was creative. One that I enjoyed was this 'quickie fashion event'. Teams were formed of 3 members. They were given newspapers, color powders and few other similar items. They have to decorate one of the members who should do a cat-walk. This team and especially this guy did an amazing job. Here you see him basking in happiness of being a winner.

Pixelated at: Office, Bangalore

Moon

2006-06-17T04:03:00.000-07:00

Ever since I got a DSLR, I've been trying to do this. Almost on every full moon day, I would go to the terrace and click. But I didn't seem to get a picture as I see in magazines. Then finally one day, I made it.

Pixelated at: Home, Bangalore

Happy girls

2006-05-25T18:18:00.000-07:00

Pixelated at: Hampi, Karnataka

Carvings everywhere

2006-05-25T18:00:00.000-07:00

Pixelated at: Hampi, Karnataka

Monolithic Sivalingam

2006-05-11T21:07:00.000-07:00

Pixelated at: Hampi, Karnataka

Hampi Temple

2006-05-10T10:20:00.000-07:00

Pixelated at: Hampi, Karnataka

Sunset

2006-05-01T01:25:00.000-07:00

Pixelated at: Hampi, Karnataka

Let me rest a while

2006-04-18T07:43:00.000-07:00

Pixelated at: Hampi, Karnataka

Ancestors at play

2006-04-14T19:21:00.000-07:00

Pixelated at: Badami, Karnataka

Badami Lake

2006-04-14T19:15:00.000-07:00

Pixelated at: Badami, Karnataka

Excellent guides

2006-04-13T04:53:00.000-07:00

Not only these guides are knowledgeable, they are polite too. They narrate history, correlate present with past and use all their skills to make us understand. Here one such guide explains how with 9 pair of hands all steps of the folk dance can be mimicked.

I wonder if they do same in Ajanta caves too!

Pixelated at: Badami, Karnataka

Badami Rock-cut temples

2006-04-07T19:51:00.000-07:00

Badami is another historical site. It is a home to huge rock-cut temples. Each temple shows the excellence and skill of the ancient architects. The precision and patience is extra-ordinary.

Pixelated at: Badami, Karnataka

Sun flower garden

2006-04-06T06:05:00.000-07:00

Pixelated at: On the way to Badami

Sun flower

2006-04-05T05:42:00.000-07:00

We took a break from Hampi and went to Badami - a 3 hrs drive from Hampi. We stopped on the way to shoot this flower.

Pixelated at: On the way to Badami, Karnataka

On top of the world

2006-04-01T18:41:00.000-08:00

We made it! BIL enjoying the sunset.

Pixelated at: Sunset point, Hampi, Karnataka

Canadian ladies on the rock

2006-04-01T18:37:00.000-08:00

The last leg of the rock climbing is dangerous. These ladies were content sitting there enjoying the sunset. We (BIL & I) moved past them only to realize there is another risky climb. We didn't do it.

Pixelated at: Sunset point, Hampi, Karnataka

Shadow on the rock

2006-03-31T23:58:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Sunset point, Hampi, Karnataka

Panoramic view of Hampi

2006-03-31T23:42:00.000-08:00

It was one of the toughest climb I ever did. But it was worth it. This is a view from sunset point in Hampi.

Pixelated at: Sunset point, Hampi, Karnataka

A dress shop in Hampi Market

2006-03-29T00:09:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Hampi, Karnataka

Hampi Market

2006-03-28T17:42:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Hampi, Karnataka

Quenching thirst with masala soda

2006-03-19T19:46:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Hampi, Karnataka

Elephant staple

2006-03-17T06:34:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Hampi, Karnataka

Queen's Bath

2006-03-16T03:46:00.000-08:00

An extensive structure for queen(s) to bathe! Look at the trough to bring water into the pool and the arrangements of the steps. It is not difficult to imagine how gorgeous it would've been at those days.

Pixelated at: Hampi, Karnataka

King's balance

2006-03-15T19:43:00.000-08:00

It was a practice for kings to donate gold and similar riches on their birthdays and special days. There could've been many reasons behind such a practice - some genuine and some not-so-genuine. Well, here you see a frame where such a balance hung.

Even now a similar practice happens. Only reversed. The common man donates (bribe is illegal in India) all his money to those in power to get anything and everything from birth certificate to death certificate.

Pixelated at: Hampi, Karnataka

Ravana

2006-03-07T17:17:00.000-08:00

Ramayana is carved in temples of Hampi. Most of them are still in a good form. Here you see the villain of the epic.

Pixelated at: Hampi, Karnataka

Musician

2006-03-03T10:21:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Hampi, Karnataka

Musical pillars

2006-02-23T06:38:00.000-08:00

One thing that surprised me beyond measure and displayed the ingenuity of Vijayanagar Empire is the musical pillars. Small length pillars of 4 are built and arranged in such a manner to produce different music - not only of instruments, but even that of horse and so on. The guide informed us that when all the pillars where functioning, the music could be heard up to a kilometre!

Pixelated at: Hampi, Karnataka

Chariot

2006-02-20T17:26:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Vittala Temple, Hampi, Karnataka

Vittala Temple

2006-02-12T03:17:00.000-08:00

The state of Karnataka has good number of historic sites. Unlike its southern counterpart, Tamilnadu, Karnataka provides all possible tourism facilities.

Of all the historic sites in the state, Hampi is world known. It has to be! The rocks, temples, and the village itself takes you through history. It is good that ASI (Archaeological society of India) plays a prominent role in preserving these historic monuments.

Pixelated at: Vittala Temple, Hampi, Karnataka

Quench your thirst

2006-02-10T19:43:00.000-08:00

If you are not familiar, this is tender coconut.

Pixelated at: Farm on the way back to Bangalore

A lonely traveller

2006-02-10T03:59:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: On the way back from Malpi

Let us dance now...

2006-02-09T08:05:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Paradise Isle Beach resort, Malpi

Start the fire

2006-02-07T17:06:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Paradise Isle Beach resort, Malpi

Gazing the sun

2006-02-07T04:17:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Kaup Beach

We won

2006-02-06T18:06:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Kaup Beach

Fun on the beach

2006-02-01T22:49:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Kaup Beach, Malpi

Kaup beach

2006-01-31T08:05:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Kaup beach, Malpi

Father & Son

2006-01-30T03:25:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Kaup Beach, Malpi

Building a dream-house

2006-01-24T07:42:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Kaup Beach, Malpi

Sea Shell

2006-01-23T07:37:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Kaup Beach, Malpi

Darling of the crowd

2006-01-22T19:39:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: St Mary's Island, Malpi

On the rock

2006-01-18T18:35:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: St Mary's Island, Malpi

St Mary's Island

2006-01-16T22:01:00.000-08:00

Our first stop was St. Mary's island. History tells us that Vasco da gamma landed in one of these islands. Island is filled with hexagonal shaped basalt rocks and also with coconut groove.

Pixelated at: St Mary's Island, Malpi

Beach resort

2006-01-10T17:44:00.000-08:00

This is where we stayed. Wouldn't call it 'so-great-a-resort', but it wasn't bad. Rooms were clean, but outside was not cleaned; plants were not watered. Probably because we went during off-season.

Pixelated at: Malpe, Bangalore

Team trip

2006-01-10T02:26:00.000-08:00

Last weekend, as a team, we went to Malpe beach. You'll see photos from the trip in the next few days.

This photo was taken from inside the bus. Since I had to snap quickly the photo was not framed properly. Yet I think it is a good one.

Pixelated at: On the way to Malpe

Democracy extended

2006-01-08T20:37:00.000-08:00

If anyone has any doubt about fullness of Indian democracy, they should adapt their version once in Indian roads

Pixelated at: Airport Road, Bangalore

Traditional New Year dinner

2006-01-04T18:46:00.000-08:00

As long as I can remember, bread with chicken curry has been our dinner for both Christmas and New Year. Small family, sitting around the table, we enjoy chatting while having the dinner.

Pixelated at: Home, Tuticorin

From home garden

2006-01-04T03:18:00.000-08:00

Life is beautiful;
Discover it.

Pixelated at: Home, Tuticorin

A good way to start the year

2006-01-03T03:48:00.000-08:00

Looking at the photo, one might mistake me to have a hidden agenda of preaching. No, definitely not.

At least once-a-year, we try to go to church as a family. (As a matter of fact, that is the only time, I go to church). Over the years, I've gone from having 'absolute faith' to 'absolutely no faith'. Yet, every year, I go for either XMas mass or New Year mass, depending on when I am in my parent's home.

It makes my mother happy that we go to church as a family and it makes me happy that I can make her happy. I don't think there is a better way to tell of my love to her. And what is a better way to start the year than to be with the family!

Pixelated at: Parish Church, Tuticorin Harbour

Happy New Year

2005-12-29T18:50:00.000-08:00

May the New Year bring cheers and joy and continue to bring them throughout the year.

Pixelated at: The Forum, Bangalore

Lighted glass house

2005-12-26T08:49:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Lalbaugh botanical gardens, Bangalore

Another lighting

2005-12-26T08:44:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Lalbaugh botanical gardens, Bangalore

Garden lighting

2005-12-26T08:26:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Lalbaugh botanical gardens, Bangalore

Rare flower

2005-12-26T08:20:00.000-08:00

Lalbaugh happened to host a flower show which exhibited rare flowers. This was one.

Pixelated at: Lalbaugh botanical gardens, Bangalore

Casual intro to Garden city

2005-12-26T08:16:00.000-08:00

Before Bangalore became an international IT hub, it used to be known as 'Garden city'. We wanted to catch a glimpse and headed to Lalbaugh botanical gardens. It turned out to be a pleasant stroll.

Pixelated at: Lalbaugh botanical gardens, Bangalore

Waterfalls

2005-12-25T21:40:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Banargatta national park, Bangalore

Chameleon

2005-12-25T21:35:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Banargatta national park, Bangalore

A closer investigation

2005-12-25T21:29:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Banargatta national park, Bangalore

A wild Christmas

2005-12-25T09:25:00.000-08:00

Instead of being conventional we decided to 'go wild'. So we went to Banargatta national park. Well, there was nothing wild. No I am lying. The road to the park was wild - with all its potholes and then there were few ill-fed tigers, lions and panthers, which I couldn't snap because I wasn't smart enough to bribe the driver. Still I managed to get few good pictures.

Though it wasn't as expected, this Christmas was indeed wild. We won't forget it.

Pixelated at: Banargatta national park, Bangalore

Joy to the world; Santa is here

2005-12-24T08:07:00.000-08:00

I wish the readers a merry Christmas season.

Pixelated at: Forum, Bangalore

Good luck gal

2005-12-22T20:50:00.000-08:00

You see the gal with specs. Well, she is leaving to Florida for higher studies. She gave us lunch treat in Spice Garden and then we moved to near by 'Corner House' for deserts.

I seem to have brought in the lucky charm of packing one person from every team that I associate with to the US.

Pixelated at: Corner House, Bangalore

Thy kingdom is everywhere

2005-12-18T18:43:00.000-08:00

It is absolutely amazing, how a simple bus conductor filled with passion, came to seize the hearts of millions and hold it so for many years, just with his style.

If Hollywood is a land of dreams, its south Indian counterpart is nothing less. Regan and Schwarzenegger are there, so do MGR, N T Ramarao and Jayalalitha here. But I don't know of any parallel to the story of Rajinikanth! He is a lucky super star.

Pixelated at: Airport road, Bangalore

Pollution

2005-12-13T02:17:00.000-08:00

Compared to Chennai, Bangalore is a small city. But the quantum of growth in the past decade is enormous. The city is not able to cope with the growth. With construction everywhere, pollution is at a peak level. It is estimated that 16% of Bangalore children suffer from Asthma.

I too got sick. For the past few weeks, I've been having cold/fever/wheezing.

Pixelated at: Bangalore

Roadside resting

2005-12-09T04:13:00.000-08:00

Pixelated at: Airport road, Bangalore

This crazy...

2005-12-06T06:37:00.000-08:00

I told you about the inter-departmental cricket matches, right? Here is the team manager, being happy for the wicket. Did I tell you he is also the project manager, reporting to Vice President?

Pixelated at: The firm, Bangalore

Smart kids

2005-12-05T02:58:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend, I visited my cousin's house. We had great laugh and good food. I was impressed by the smartness of their kids, as always. In general, the current generation is way above ours!

Pixelated at: Bangalore

Atlast...

2005-12-02T08:12:00.000-08:00

I found a flat near my office. Over last weekend, I moved all of my stuff. But I've been working so much that I didn't find time to arrange everything. For the weekend, I am at my sister's house. Hopefully nextweek, I'll find time to arrange.

Pixelated at: Sister's Home, Bangalore

Unifying madness

2005-11-29T19:04:00.000-08:00

In the past decade or so, Cricket has come up as an unifying thread for all Indians - poor and rich, politicians and sane, gals and boys and old and young. Most of Indians (and most of the world) mistake Cricket to be our national game. If one is not Cricket-crazy, he or she is crazy!

Here, in the new firm I joined, inter-departmental cricket match is going on. So far our unit won two matches.

Pixelated at: Cricket grounds, The firm, Bangalore

Still settling down

2005-11-17T21:24:00.000-08:00

It has been almost half a month since I came to Bangalore and still I'm in the process of getting this or that. I sense a bit of arrogance in service folks, like for mobile connection. Unlike in Chennai, here the attitude is take it or leave it.

I got an apartment near the office. Here you see me checking Geyser connection, essential in this cold weather and sadly it wasn't there. Eventually the owner did make it.

In the process, I got sick with all the pollution and cold weather.

Pixelated at: Home, Bangalore

Construction everywhere

2005-11-16T23:48:00.000-08:00

Bangalore is growing in leaps. Companies think that having Bangalore in their list of offices is a status symbol. Being a small city, it is not able to cope with this growth. Infrastructure is going down; rains damage whatever minimal infrastructure that exists; government and corporate blame each other for the mess. With all of this, the city is highly polluted (with dust/smoke). I feel warmly welcome!

Pixelated at: Domlur, Bangalore

Wonderful experience

2005-10-30T08:47:00.000-08:00

Amidst all the chaos that politicians bring in, they do few good things for which they should be appreciated. One such is the well laid long roads. Man, they are awesome, built with international standards. Of course it needs to be seen how these roads withstand severe weather conditions. Also, people needs to be educated for the proper use. There were couple of places where cyclists came in the wrong direction and had the risk of being ran over

Pixelated at: On way to Bangalore

Here I come, Garden city

2005-10-30T08:41:00.000-08:00

We started at around 06h00 today. The surroundings were idyllic, the roads un-crowded which made the drive pleasant. We reached in 6 hrs. I still cannot believe I drove such a long distance in India.

Pixelated at: On way to Bangalore

I'll miss you guys

2005-10-28T08:02:00.000-07:00

Today being my last day, the team organized a farewell party. In fact they organized one yesterday, but due to rain it got spoiled. I brought in this culture and I enjoyed organizing one treat after the other. They were also cooperative in sponsoring these treats. I didn't expect that it will end so soon. They gifted me souvenirs as well. Thank you folks. I will miss you.

Pixelated at: The firm, Chennai

Good bye Chennai

2005-10-28T07:42:00.000-07:00

After 11 long years of association, it is time to say good-bye. I started working here in 94. I'd my good, bad and ugly days. However, I am going out as a satisfied and a content man. I'll cherish all these days dearly. Good bye Chennai.

BTW, I really enjoyed doing this photoblog. It gave me a renewed enthusiasm. I want to thank the visitors and those who commented constantly. It will be a while (best case a week, worst case a month) before I start to post here. If you are using a feedreader like Bloglines, it'll be easier to know whenever I post here. However, due to photoblog settings that I've, it shows only one photo even if I post more than one photo in a given day.

Be with you all soon.

Pixelated at: Home, Chennai

Normality returns

2005-10-27T18:53:00.000-07:00

Pixelated at: Pallavakkam, Chennai

Rains

2005-10-27T03:03:00.000-07:00

It all started yesterday evening around 18h00 and it is still going on strong. May be, the rain water harvesting program initiated by 'Amma' is working well. But the government is ill equipped to handle such a natural blessing! Govt should've done enough for proper drainage facility. Instead of reactive measures, they should concentrate on proactive measures. Why not lay roads properly in the first place? Why give in to bribery and lay third-rated roads? Even the so called national highways are so full of pot holes! That is no good for an upcoming economic super-power!

Today most of the shops are closed, educational institutions are closed, and even few IT companies are closed (what happens to business continuity plan?).

This is the best of the route that I could take. Even in this route, in few places water was up to knee level. Other routes were closed! Heard that parts of Trichy is completely under water.

Rain and heavy winds show no sign of slowing down. Has govt learnt from Mumbai crisis and can handle this one? Probably govt officials are lurking around plotting to butcher! Like in other developed countries, tax payers should raise up to question the govt.

Pixelated at: Near Music academy, Chennai

Rain gods turn to Chennai

2005-10-26T18:02:00.000-07:00

I've not seen such rain in my life time here. May be all the bad people have left the city or because good people like me are plenty (Ok, Shiv I read from your blog that it is raining in CA too, so you are exempted!). Major roads are flooded. Weather forecast is that it will continue like this for next 48 hrs. Is Chennai becoming next Mumbai?

Most of the drivers acted abnormally sensible except for Qualis and Auto drivers. Stupid as they ever are, they cause irritation to soar high!

I came early to office to beat the traffic and guess what? They declared holiday! That bad is the situation!

Pixelated at: Home, Chennai

Auto

2005-10-26T05:17:00.000-07:00

Isn't it a wonderful site to look at? This is the vehicle that is seen ubiquitous in Chennai roads. It is only during a festivity period that an auto is decorated like this. One might wonder the view for the driver, especially with all these decorations on the front window. We don't worry, because even without all these they are known to drive blindly (really). It is a well known fact in Chennai that passengers feel closer to their gods while traveling in these 'divine-ships-on-road' than going to their respective worship places. That is why present chief minister is taking steps to increase the number of autos in the city.

Pixelated at: Vadapalani, Chennai

Teddy bear

2005-10-25T07:49:00.000-07:00

Tell me what is with teddy bears that make them so attractive to women. Honestly, what is it? Why do women are crazy about it? I know quite a number of gals who are like this. Take example my sister, whatever be the occasion - Christmas, New year, birthday, wedding anniversary - she wants a teddy bear. Her request goes something like this:

(Saree OR Churidhar OR Jewels) AND Teddy bear

A software gal she is, she talks like this. Actually now it is better; before marriage she used to start her sentences with BEGIN, punctuate each sentence with semicolon (;) and finish with END. My BIL, ignored anything and everything between BEGIN & END!

Anyway, coming back to Teddy, is it because, they can yell, kiss, hug, kick and yet get the same solid response? I guess so.

Pixelated at: Home, Chennai

AVM Studios

2005-10-24T04:32:00.000-07:00

Well known studio in South Asia; made many celebrities out of common men.

Pixelated at: Vadapalani, Chennai

Statue

2005-10-23T07:57:00.000-07:00

Pixelated at: Anna Salai, Chennai

Me!

2005-10-22T05:41:00.000-07:00

Pixelated at: Home, Chennai