holiday time

Home for the holidays. A much awaited break for all of us. Looking forward to some relaxing. Actually, lots of relaxing, catching up with friends and family, eating out, sleeping in, doing nothing at all, doing lots of things, shopping, and so on.

almost like a rite of passage

Who hasn't loved heavy metal music at some point of their lives or another! It's like a rite of passage, part of becoming your own person, making choices, and discovering who you are. And really, nothing is quite as expressive as heavy metal music, isn't it! It's a celebration of music, of life. Yeah sure, it's loud, but when you're in college, loud is good! It's a good idea to have a compilation of cd's that are a celebration of heavy metal that celebrates every single note of music, highlights by the incredible guitars that really make the music so memorable.

photo-taking-shaking

My journey with photography has been so full of fun and discovery. I didn't know I would ever have this much fun, just by taking photos. Never in a million years. I started off on taking photos of my daily life in 2008 and since then I've not got bored with it at all. So whether its just a cup of tea or something grander than that, I've enjoyed every moment of it.

oh dear, time for those gifts again!

We're heading down that road again....towards Christmas! Already, you say! Yes, already. The year has gone by so fast and the rest of it is going to go by in a second or two as well! So it's time for planning presents for the friends and family and for us it's even earlier than normal, since we're heading out early, so that means gift shopping earlier than usual. I really don't think that's a bad thing, since I'd like to get it done with before it's maddening, like it always becomes. I'm also going to do many gifts online, since you can get anything from macanudo cigars to original artwork online on the internet. So, that's quite a painless way to go about it isn't it!

and suddenly I have time!!

With E spending time at school, I suddenly find that I have some very precious time to myself. Although I don't always get to sit back and relax, I do get some time to do it while she is away and don't have to be "on" alert all the time. That I find is key to my relaxation. Just to be and not worry about what she's doing, or have to suddenly run to see what she's up to. It's nice to just be.

learning the value of money

Since E started school, I've been thinking so much more about the finances of raising a child, of schooling costs, which are exorbitant in my part of the world, but also of educating her about the value of money and how not to take it for granted. I came across an article that spoke about getting a debit cards for minors, and even though I'm many, many years away from that scenario, I still wonder if it would be right. So much of who they are is picked up subconsciously by our behavior, so I suppose the education has already started. I just hope she's learning the right stuff.

a little garden craving

Isn't there absolutely something charming about having a little fountain in your garden at home! I'd love to have something like a small wall fountain, the kind one sees in Italy. I think it gives a really nice touch to a garden, especially if you have a small space but want to make an impact. The idea of having outdoor garden fountains is nothing new, it's been done down the ages, but now I find that the smaller pieces are becoming so much more interesting and do-able for people living in cities, people with tiny slivers of "gardens", which may be nothing more than the path leading to the door!

On working from home

I've been working from home since July 2005 and simply love everything about it. While to some it might almost seem as not working at all, working at home requires more discipline than most people think. It's not all about sitting at the computer in your pajamas, which I make it a point never to do. I started freelance writing for a Bangalore based company quite by accident, which grew to doing more formal business writing for them and then research and analysis for a local Bombay based company that I worked as a consultant. I make sure to organize my day just as I would if I were in office and although it's hard to avoid interruptions from neighbors, couriers, etc, it only means one has to be more efficient in doing one's work. While there are tons of work at home business opportunities these days, one has to work hard at being successful from home, just as one works from the office.

a concert a day!

We recently upgraded our cable connection to a better package and to the dvr system and since then have been able to watch all our favorite shows instead of watching whatever was on, usually something that one didn't want to see all that much. So, lately, I have caught up with many of my old favorites new seasons and movies, with several still waiting for us to see. Interestingly, one of the things that I enjoyed most of all was the different concert series of live performances of artists from around the world performing right here in our city. I loved watching how these bands are able to set up their systems where ever they are and make it look so effortless. Yes, they have great teams who put it all together, but it's also thanks to equipment such as on stage stands musicians friend that make all the difference. Everything from single brace stands to tripod mike stands to heavy duty keyboard stands travel with these bands a cross the globe making them look really professional, even if they're a new and unknown band. Next time you go to a concert, notice how detailed and specific they are to each instrument!

a uniform year!

And here starts another school session, and this time it feels so close to me, since E will probably join next year this time around. It seems so soon, too soon, although sometimes not soon enough! Now that I have a child, I notice things like kids wearing school uniforms much more than I did earlier. Most of the schools here have great uniforms, and actually even nurse uniforms in hospitals are nicer than other places. Ever since the tv show scrubs started, there have become so much more recognizable and used in even the smaller clinics etc instead of the usual coats.

Webcity funds tree plantation drive

One of Australia's biggest web hosting and domain name registration companies, Webcity is leading the way for companies to be environmentally friendly. The company is funding a movement to plant trees to offset carbon emissions, a move that is sure to be followed by other environment-aware firms. Webcity Web Hosting Australia was founded in 1997 and has served over 20,000 customers since then.

what's on your mind?

Everyone says I'm a diplomatic person, but then every once in a while I say something so blunt that it upsets someone or the other. Does that happen to you too? I hate to hurt people on purpose, just to make them feel bad, but sometimes what one thinks is ok to say, the other person might take offense and get hurt. Oh well, it has to happen once in a while. After all, I get hurt by what people say too. That say, I don't wear my heart on my sleeve, or emotions or feelings like people who wear customized t-shirts to say their mind.

summer dressing

Every summer, I plan to overhaul my wardrobe, to buy a trendy piece or two, some classic summer dresses or pieces, a few new pairs of shoes, and most of all, some new fun jewelry to dress up the clothes. With the way our summers are, I really like to dress simply, in light airy clothes and so some simple beads is the way to go, they dress up even a little singlet, maybe with large hole gemstone beads that make all the difference. Summer dressing is fun, and finding a new look is always a fun way to experiment with one's style.

Sharing your information

I love writing about new forms of technology and communication, things that make it easier and faster to get information and share this information on your own blog. Box.net has come up with a flash player where you can upload information, files, photos, music, videos, podcasts etc and put it up on your space in the form of a widget. All you have to do is to upload the files you want to share, create an account or sign in to your account and voila, you're done! To make it even better, they are offering to host upto 1gb of file for free for you.

an aptitude for music

For some people, music just connects with them from the word go and while with others it's something learned. Like with my daughter, she just gets the music and rhythm instantaneously, regardless of what it is. As adults, we are conditioned to notice and appreciate songs, but she loves music and will start to dance even with a passing siren or even the fire alarm. It's the beat that she understands and moves to immediately.

I'm betting that I'll be needing to invest a lot of time, effort and money in letting her understand and study music and music making, maybe investing in things like Furman power conditioners and meters, surge protectors and so on to encourage her to immerse herself in music. When we were growing up, music might not have been a valid career choice, but now I see just how technical things are, I mean, just look at how specific Furman products are, each one is been created just for musicians and is primed to perform to it's maximum. Musical instruments and their supporting products are increasingly technical and so it makes sense to stick to tried and tested companies such as Furman, who know what they are doing. Plus, since they have the full range of backup products from power conditioners to uninterrupted power suppliers, it makes sense to stick with them.

for lounging around

When it comes to relaxing, for me there's just no comparison to putting my feet up at the end of a long day. I love divans and day beds for this reason and we've always managed to have some sort of arrangement where we can really kick back and relax. We've never had a beanbag although I've used them many times, but when we were out looking at some furniture earlier this week, I was quite intrigued at the thought of getting one. I mean, bean bags are really quite comfortable to sit on, in the way they just ensconce themselves around you, although getting up can sometimes be a bother, but I suppose if you do it often enough, you get the hang of how to do it gracefully!

buying and selling images online

Which is now called Pictures and Box! I've only recently piqued my interest in taking photographs of subjects other than family and friends, but now that I have, I am completely immersed in this new world of finding and clicking interesting images. If you're not that keen on taking pictures, you might want to consider that you can now sell them online. Pictures and Box uses the world's largest stock image bank to help image buyers find the right images and image owners to sell them, by facilitating payments and archiving licenses. With great features such as multiple parameter search where you can put negative keywords to come up with results appropriate to what you are searching for. Test the process with this sample search for "flowers purple". Previous searches can be saved and you can install lightbox grids and slide shows to publicize your images. To learn more about how it works, you can sign up for a free account and test the process by selecting the type of results you are looking for and installing a lightbox.

gifting for babies

Doesn't it happen to you that all of a sudden everyone around you is having babies? Two of my friends are due in the next 4-5 months and I've been busy trying to find some really nice special gifts for them and the babies. I'm really keen on personalizing a gift or finding unique baby gifts, something that stands out and is memorable.

I think something like making it something like a handprint/footprint gift set, where the paint and canvas comes in a set and you just have to paint the baby's palm/foot and place it on the canvas. I had got one of them for my daughter, and I simply adore her footprints canvas. This kind of gift involves the parents and the child, which I feel is a nice thing to do. I'm also keen on personalized books, like a fairy tale book which is created using the child's name. It's such a cool idea and I wish I had seen them when my little one was littler. Although, really, no harm in getting one for her now, since she loves to go through her books!

skipping summer!

Summer's here nice and proper, and all I can think of is how the next 5 months will go by, since it just gets so unbearably hot outside. Well, actually, 4 months is the tough time, from June to September, since by October it'll be countdown time to good weather again, and one can feel the occasional cool breeze blowing in from the sea. And before you know it, it's going to be time for the holidays again and we'll be sending out Photo Christmas Cards and so on! Yes, if you think about it like that, the whole year just zoomed by didn't it! But it would be nice to skip some of the hotter summer months, wouldn't it! Reminds me of the book and movie Skipping Christmas!

night time lights

Night time lights. When the work is done, and I turn off the main lights, switching to softer lights and candles. It's a good transition time for me and so peaceful to look at the flickering flame of the candles in the air conditioning draft. The weekend was good in a busy kind of way, got a good amount of things sorted out, and put away, although some are still pending. Did some baking, which is always a good thing! Hope you had a good weekend!

summer is here!

Weary, weary, weary! That's what I feel like these days. As it's getting hotter and more humid by the second, it feels like I'm melting, wilting, fading. So, I'm trying all the old tricks that make you handle the heat better, like eating thanda foods, drinking lassi and lemonade, cool showers after the evening walk and playground visit, simple food for dinners like salads and fish. What makes the immediate difference is having a cool bath after the mugginess of outside, but having something extra like sea salt that purifies as it cleanses and exfoliates, is an added bonus. And it does make you feel so fresh, that squeaky clean feeling, when you suddenly are invigorated and feel that you can conquer the world. Ok, maybe I went a little overboard with that last one, but you get the point, right.

back and on track!

It's nice to be back home and get back to the old routine. I do enjoy reading our local paper, instead of looking it up online when I was away! One of the articles I read was about how businesses are picking up again and commercial rents are on the rise. The main emphasis of the article was the importance of getting your basics right when you're starting your own business, such as getting the right kind of protection if things take longer to pick up or if business slows down again, so getting some business insurance is a very important part of running your own business. It's not something that one should defer to a later date, but count it just like one puts money aside for rent.

Building traffic to your site

Having a blog means that you spend a lot of time, not only writing entries but also finding ways to promote your blog. I find it quite interesting to spend time doing research on building traffic to my blog and finding new sites that offer tips and help in promoting the site. On Gather Success, a blog that delves into the Internet's secrets, I read a post on how a new blog received 3,300 visitors on the 6th day of his blog. Now, it doesn't just happen by chance, it's all marketing and promotion actually.

To build traffic, you have to get noticed and to get noticed in the web world you have to buy links from high profile bloggers or sites who will be able to direct some traffic to your site. It just goes to show how easily rankings can be manipulated by savvy marketeers. While I haven't paid for any links to my site, I am not averse to linking to blogs that deal with similar subjects to mine and in that regard I did find lots of useful information on Gather Success, including one on a link to Gather Success itself!

the romance of fans

I love this lovely spring weather we've been having lately. It had got so warm, even hot for a while, and then the rains came and for the past week, it's been just wonderfully pleasant. There is something so relaxing to sleep under a fan isn't there. I simply love it. I find that one just sleeps so much nicer and the tropical ceiling fans are such a wonderful way to ward off the heat and stillness of the summer aren't they! To me, they remind me of being on a beach vacation, of lazy days, of slumberous afternoons and tall cool drinks! In my mind, I'm already back at the beach!

mind over physique

These days all everyone seems to be talking about is sports. Everywhere I go, it's all about football, cricket, ipl, wrestling, boxing and so on. And with it all, is usually the discussion about how sports has changed in general. At one time, most sports-people looked like ordinary people, but now with such emphasis on fitness and exercise, they stand out from the crowd. So along with the talk about sports is the talk about how effective testosterone boosters are and how many sportsmen or general people are using them. Apart from the physical difference they can make, I think the edge often comes from the mental state of mind of the person taking them, as if you feel in your mind that you can do it and are the best, then you often can, regardless of any supplement or not. It's all in the mind!

the place for cell phones

Did you know that Wirefly is the leading seller for cell phones as well as cell phone plans? I have been reading up and researching quite a bit in the past few days on cell phones and cell phone service providers, since I will be traveling for work and need a cell phone so I can be accessible at all times. When it comes to being connected, I think a cell phone is really the ultimate gadget, right? Besides using a cell phone for talking and messaging, new cell phones have tons of other options that can help you manage your work from just about anywhere. It's such features that really make these phones such great buys, and at Wirefly you can get a great deal on it too along with a huge choice of cell phones, colors and accessories.

for one's peace of mind

Planning for the future in terms of life insurance is one of those things that many people just don't like to deal with. It really should make you queasy or anything of the sort, it's just basic planning for your family's security and future. These days, it's so easy and quite painless to get yourself some good coverage, but still people ask why get life insurance when I am still young and so on and so forth. It's not a question of age or good health, it's just a good investment, that's all. And peace of mind. Don't you think so!

avoiding that back pain

At the grocery store the other day, I saw this young girl doing some pretty heavy lifting as she stocked the shelves. I wondered how she managed to do it without even wearing any back supports, which are not very bulky these days and fit a variety of body shapes, definitely the petite one included. I've had some minor back pain, mostly sprains actually, on and off, and it's not something that I would want to mess around with, since it always ends up coming back.

Chocoholics beware

I love chocolate. I am, however, extremely particular about the type of chocolate I like. Not just any old kind of chocolate will do. My favorite type of chocolate is medium dark with almonds or hazelnuts. If its too dark and bitter, I don't like it. Or if it has cashew nuts, I don't like it. I also don't like chocolate that sets too hard and is too compacted, so when you take it out of the fridge you can't eat it immediately. I also have a preference for sizes of chocolates, bite size is the best and if it's going to be larger then it has to be of a softer consistency. I always, always, always have a box of my favorite chocolates in the house, so I can snack on them all the time. In fact, right now too, as I write this. I have a box of roasted almond rock chocolates from a delightful little store called Hang Out in the Lokhandwala market. Similar chocolates can be found in most Taj Hotels and at Wenger's in Cannaught Place in Delhi. Wenger's rock chocolates were the ones that got me started on my chocolate addiction. I'm not too keen on chocolate and fruit concoctions, like chocolate and strawberries. Mint thins are a delightful after dinner snack though. I came across a site on chocolate called Mrs. Cavanaugh's Chocolates, which seems to have quite a storehouse of chocolates, candies, truffles, fudge and cherry cordials of all kinds. Mrs. Cavanaugh's Chocolates have a large assortment of boxed chocolates of which I would have to say my selection would be a box of traditional chocolates, which have a variety of cavaliers, nut clusters, crèmes, chews, caramels and truffles. Check it out if you want a chocolate rush yourself or send a box to someone else.

the gold that never loses it's shine

Everyone says gold is the best investment one can buy, no matter what the price of gold is. Even if it's a high price, it's always going to go up. And up. And up. One just has to see at what level one can afford to buy some gold and how much one can buy, then just hold on to it and wait for it to rise! The sales of gold bars has been rising constantly, so if one were to buy gold bars at Golden Eagle, then one could be assured that it would be a good investment. The only thing is that it's a very long term investment, not one to be en-cashed at a short notice. Think it over and plan for the future.

a new approach to photos

These days I've been enjoying doing a bit of different kind of photography. I've taken photos of things I normally would not even think of, but they all seem to intrigue me lately. Things like flooring tiles, marble slabs, flooring chips, paving stones and even the odd coolant pump or two. It's such a different kind of subject for me. Harsh, rigid and flat, so I try to get the textures to show, to get some kind of depth on them, to make them more interesting. Today, finally, I got to take some pics of the beautiful sprouting leaves all around. Springtime is beautiful, isn't it!

getting closer to pool season

Everyone always wants to have a pool of their own at home, don't they! And now that we're heading into summer, it's one everyone's mind! It is a great idea if you're a family of swimmers and also great for having barbecues and backyard parties, I suppose. Nowadays, one is seeing more and more smaller pools since they are much more usable than the larger ones, which can often be so hard to maintain, along with all the expensive accessories and extras, maybe like some new pool steps to make sure that your pool is up to scratch for the little ones who come to play. Pool safety is a big issue and one just cannot have any shortcuts on it.

happy to have my camera back!

Loving having my camera back from being repaired. It's funny how one gets attached to things, but I love my camera. Really, really love it. Love being able to record the little things, of E, of our lives. These days I'm also using it to compare stuff....this shoe to that one....when deciding to make a purchase! It's a handy tool, and always brings a smile to the salesmen!

An Easter gift

I'm a big fan of personalized gifts. They really stand out from all the other gifts, since they show that you've made a special effort to make them personal for the recipient. I know some of my favorite gifts have been the ones that make me feel that some thought was put into it and that it was selected just for me. But what makes them all the more special is when you find something as special as having rosary bead gifts delivered just in time for Easter. The timing is so important with gifts and since Easter is here, it's just the perfect time for such a gift.

are you musically inclined

I'm on a roll about music and guitars, aren't I! Maybe it's because I can see just how much my little girl responds to it and how much she enjoys listening to and dancing with the music. Rhythm is something you're born with and if you have it, then it shouldn't be wasted. And as a mother, you want to encourage your kids to try everything, to be their best at whatever they are interested in. And I really think that my little girl is going to be interested in music. So, I've been thinking that it's time that I do a little work myself, learn an instrument or two maybe, taking some singing lessons maybe...oh boy, that would be really embarrassing to do. But really, what appeals the most to me is to learn how to play the guitar, maybe something as beautiful as Schecter Guitars, which are a work of art in themselves. Maybe, then I can inspire her to follow her heart...into music or whatever it is that will drive her.

noticing the little things

The best part of photography for me, is that I get to notice the little things which I otherwise might not have seen. It's funny, how one just starts to notice the light, the angles, the perspectives that will make a good photo, the ones that will create your look, that it becomes part of you. I don't even think of it now, it's just ingrained. A handy comparison would be like changing gears in a car without even noticing, one just does it, as one talks, steers and so, not even giving it a second thought!

don't you want to learn to play the guitar!

Haven't you wanted to learn to play the guitar? At some point or the other, we all want to learn to play this most versatile of instruments, don't we! I certainly do, but I wonder when it will happen. I'm really not that musically inclined, especially when it comes to instruments, or well, singing too, but I do love to hum along with the music. But what appeals to me about learning to play the guitar is the whole atmosphere about it. I can imagine sitting by a bonfire, out on a camping trip, and spending a relaxing evening playing some hofner electric bass something awesome like Club Bass 500/2, one of the most classic of bass guitars. Created by Walter Hofner in 1956, as a semi-acoustic bass guitar, it has a warm and woody amplified tone that is the sweetest of sounds a guitar can make. It's not an easy feat to accomplish, to be a classic and be easy to play too, which is why it's such a best seller, always in demand.

remembering the old hiking days

I've always loved to go for a good hike. Growing up in and close to the mountains made it easy for us. It was where we went for picnics, for holidays, and for hikes and treks. It's a part of my life that I really do miss a lot since we now live in the desert. Now, the kind of treks one does, doesn't require any of the high funda zamberlan boots that were such a rage amongst my friends. They raved about them, saying that's what saved the trek for them, when they got lost on the trail and it started snowing. That's exactly whey one must buy the best kind of equipment, so that when you put it to the test, it comes up right on top, even better than you thought it would do! So, here's to my old hiking days!

Jazzing up your computer

I'm always amazed at the specialization of products and services that has occurred on the Internet. It is now possible to get as detailed and specific as one can possibly get for a variety of products. I was browsing around and found a site that sells amazingly unique computer cases and case mods. Catering mostly to gamers across the world and has a huge variety of cases, in clear, aluminum, window and even custom cases. I think that one of the best things that the Internet has created, is the niche products that are not usually available in stores are now readily available on the Internet. Don't you think so too?

a couple of step stools

We've been thinking of adding some cupboards to increase storage space in the kitchen and pantry and to take advantage of the high ceilings. I mean, all one would need is a nice step stools with handles so one could reach the higher shelves, that's all. Talking about stepstools, I've been looking for a nice one for e to use when she washes her hands and brushes her teeth. I want something a little inventive, maybe like a fire engine painted step stool, instead of just the usual stuff. Sometimes, one has to use all the ammunition one has to get kids to do the things you want them to do!

a helmet as a cap!

I'm fascinated at the way babies and little kids view the world. They are not held back by pre-defined answers, they say it as they see it and boy oh boy I love their creativity. Lately, whenever e sees people wearing any kind of motorcycle helmet, she waves at them and calls them caps. I just find it so sweet, and so inventive. I only hope I can remember some of these sweet things she does over the years so I can tell her all the stories! Writing about them on the blog or even in an email to family and friends, will make it easier to remember though, I suppose.

The best source for tech news

If you are a modified technology buff like me, then you're going to love this tip. The best place to go to for news on the latest technology trends, new gadgets and gizmos, software and tech related companies is The Tech Planet. I call myself a 'modified' technology buff, since I am curious about technology but not always able to understand the high falutin ways of the technology world. The Tech Planet on the other hand, writes in a manner that I can understand and even manages to draw me in further. The articles cover a wide variety of topics to please both tech and non-tech readers. I especially liked the article on United's new First Class services. Now this is something that just about everyone would be interested in knowing and with the amount of traveling I've done this year, it should be something that I'll be saving for my next trip.

a rustic retreat

I'm still on vacation, but since I'm on at extended stay at home, decided to get back to blogging a bit, especially since I have a good amount of time on my hands. All our trips out have been great, we've been to the beach, to a jungle retreat, to the hills and to a wonderful little farmstay. That was the best part of it all, and I loved the rustic decor in all the rooms, which made it feel so much more authentic having log furniture in the rooms as well as in the sit outs right outside the rooms. It was such a change from all the usual resorts. A wonderful place. I'll be posting photos of the farm and our stay later on.