Marathon in Bangalore

Talk about running and I recently found out that there's going to be a marathon in Bangalore on May, 15th. There are 3 categories: Full-marathon (26 miles), Half-marathon and Celebration run(7K). Since I wouldnt be able to get in shape and get fit for even the half marathon, I ve decided to go for the 7K run for starters. After the success of an International marathon in Mumbai, the bangalore one is expected to be a big success. Lets hope so!!!

How terribly strange to be seventy !!!

Have you ever wondered, what it feels like when you are old (well..its still a long way to go for me, I am just 26..duh..) , sitting and talking about your past memories to your friend(s)!!! I cant even imagine how it will be! Will I ever live till 70 and even if I do, I definitely can't tell how it would feel like, zimbly bcos I dont even want to think about getting older.... But my friends, Paul Simon wrote a poem, even composed a wonderful tune for that, about two old friends meeting at a park, which I can listen any number of times and anytime of the day...
Why not.. I zimbly loeve the songs of Simon & Garfunkel... All Hail 'Tom and Jerry'.. yes.. they were called 'Tom and Jerry' for their love-hate relationship :-o) .. They split up 20 yrs back and recently they joined forces and performed at Grammy's and they do some occasional tours.. tickets are so damn expensive that you can forget about buying them.

Coming back to getting old.. this is da song.. that Paul Simon wrote about two old friends....

Old Friends (2:35) P. Simon, 1968

Old friends, Old friends
Sat on their park bench
Like bookends
A newspaper blown through the grass
Falls on the round toes
Of the high shoes Of the old friends

Old friends
Winter companions, The old men
Lost in their overcoats
Waiting for the sunset
The sounds of the city Sifting through the trees
Settle like dust
On the shoulders Of the old friends

Can you imagine us years from today
Sharing a park bench quietly?
How terribly strange to be seventy
Old friends
Memory brushes the same years
Silently sharing the same fear...

and follow it up with ....

Bookends Theme (1:23) P. Simon, 1968

Time it was, and what a time it was, it was
A time of innocence, a time of confidences
Long ago, it must be, I have a photograph
Preserve your memories; They're all that's left you

I highly recommend that you hear this song. Its the song from their album titled 'Bookends'. Its just a beautiful song that will bring immense joy as well as sorrow (bcos you will be 70 one day.. :-o))..

Papal Elections

With the passing away of the pope, the world is waiting for a new pontiff to be elected. The conclave starts in few days and already there are rumours that power may shift to the east.

Thanks to Dan Brown, I gathered lot of information on Vatican and Papal elections. It is pretty interesting how the some good authors do an excellent background research before writing books. For instance, Michael Crichton usually comes up with fantastic material for his books. I loved his Congo, Jurassic Park, Airframe and Lost World. These books are just full of information. Sort of encyclopedia on the respective topics, if you may.

Well, anyways, coming back to the topic... Are pontiffs, in any religion, just the religious and spiritual leader or more of a politician who controls the religious activities and also responsible to spread the idealogies of that religion?

In early 90's when Beauty Pageants from India went on to bag the coveted Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Asia Pacific titles when no Indian had ever won it before, rumour was rife that it was deliberate act to promote big fashion labels in India, a growing market. It definitely did increase the interest in fashion and fashion designing in our country and also there is huge demand for fashion labels now. The purpose was acheived one way or other and whether or not the rumour was true.

Though its a very loose connection, like the above mentioned phenomenon are we going to see a new pope from asia or africa, where Christianity is not so prevelant? Will this move, if it happens, lead to the spread of christianity in Asia and Africa by converting people?? We will have to wait and see. Its a strange world - In one part of the world they are waiting for a new leader who will lead them in the future and elsewhere one pontiff, supposed to be the religious and spiritual guru, is accused of murder charges and involved in scandals. Is it the test of the religion or religion and spirituality beyond all these ?
The ultimate reality is "Truth shall set us all Free" (Sathyameva Jayate!)
Oh.. Woww.. what a punch line.. Take that fellas... who thought I can never comeup with a punchline (though it sucks)

Disclaimer: The author doesnt intend hurt the religious feelings of anybody and its just a theory based on loose connections.

Running - Feel good exercise

Its been a long time since I ran. So I decided to start jogging/running to get back to shape and coincidentally a new club, called Runners club, started here mainly for running enthusiasts. I went for the kick off meeting and lo! I became of the co-ordinators straight away. It felt good to be among health freaks and I found out that one of the guys had completeted 2 full marathons incl. the recently held Bombay marathon and another guy finished the half-marathon at Bombay. So there, I can get some real good advice on how to practice for long distance running from these guys. Also the center medical doctor was involved to make sure we get good health tips to avoid injuries. After talking to one of the guys, I went ahead to buy a really expensive footwear(by my standards)-Reebok premier Road plus, to avoid more expensive medical treatments in future due to possible foot/ankle/knee injuries because of not wearing proper shoes.
Its like, God made these shoes specially for me. They are so damn good and no wonder they are expensive. I have used it for 5-6 short runs so far and I now realize why u need really good shoes for running. They are so soft and very easy on your foot and knees. I highly recommend these shoes for starters. Another good option could be Adidas-Supernova Control. You get these babies in Wide foot option called 'M 2E'. While I was shopping for shoes, I went by a Adidas apparel and they had a free foot scan done for me and suggested these shoes. They were also very good, but I prefered road plus to these.
Hopefully I should be able to participate in any of 5K and 10K runs in the coming months and maybe give it a shot for the Mumbai marathon next year. lets see!.
Some tips for starters -
1. Wear good footwear. Makes all the difference in the world. Saves you lot of bucks in future and also reduces the possiblities of knee and hip pains later on.
2. W-S-A-C-S - The golden rule of any activity.
Warm up - stretch - activity - cool down - stretch
Stretching is very important before and after running, especially the ham strings, calf muscles, quadriceps and lower back. Check this link http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesArticle/id-448.html
3. When you feel very tired, take a deep breath in through your nose and breathe out slowly through your mouth for sometime. You will feel better. This is only from my experience.

Happy Running Folks! and wish me good luck to sustain this passion.

Lamenting Lara's demise

This is about the loss of Our Pet dog, Lara (M), who died of kidney problems 3 weeks back.

Last I saw him was a day before his passing away, when I left for Bangalore, after spending the weekend at chennai. He was having some problems and clearly not his usual self. Before I left, I had to sit down, put him in my lap and pet him for long time before I left, only hoping that I will see him next time I come to Chennai. But he passed away the very next day. We were all sad for a week or so, but his memory lives on. You just cannot forget the sweet and loyal - four legged friend, who has been there through the best and worst and who would still remember you even after a long gap of 2 years.

I went back to Chennai to celebrate Ugadi with my parents. I realized there was something Odd when I entered the house as there was no Lara to receive me, barking and wagging his tail. There are so many things that brought back the memories of Lara. First the complete silence in the house, then there was no one sitting near your leg while we were having lunch and dinner, noone to take for walk and then those empty corners where you will usually find lara, peacefully sleeping without any worries in the world. Guess my parents miss him the most, my dad who takes him for long walks in the morning and night and my mom who walks him in the evenings. Guess we just have to move on.

I read this nice article on 'The Hindu' - Sunday columns, about 'How to cope with your Pet's loss'. It made more sense and touched our hearts esp having lost our dear one who was there for the past 11 years. May his Soul rest in peace!

Lost in Translation

Today I used the google language tool. Try translating something from English to any other language (lets say German) and take that and do vicecersa. Hence the phrase 'Lost in Translation'. Every language has its own flavor and structure. But I have no way of knowing what that means, until I translate it back to the language I know. Lesson learnt, when you want to translate from English to any foreign language, confirm that by translating it back to English.

Primo blog

Why should I blog? Is it because everybody else is blogging or is it bcos I want to stake my claim on the domain name of my choice, before somebody else wants it or is it because I am so jobless or is it because I want to show this world how poor my english writing skills are? I guess its a combination of all this ... or is it not? Who cares, watever...