Life in Singapore

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2010-03-07T20:46:00.000-08:00

The blog posts are getting messed up when template changes are made. So had to create a new template. CLICK HERE FOR LATEST POSTS

F1 weekend (2009)

2009-09-28T05:07:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Singapore's had its second season of Formula 1 final race. Got the Singapore flyer corporate ticket which included boat ride to flyer from clarke quay, a ride in the flyer and entry to F1 viewing ground. I've boarded the flyer minutes before the race and could have amazing view of the start of race from pole position, a major part of track was visible with good view of the race. After the flyer ride watched the race to the end sitting near an open air bar.

The cars were moving fast enough that a still couldn't be captured. A video did help.

Cambodia Trip

2009-07-05T04:58:00.000-07:00

Click here to view my trip to Siem Reap

Birthday Bash

2009-05-17T05:11:00.000-07:00

Thanks to No5 staff and all drinking buddies for the birthday treat. Victor got this tower on fire drink (dunno its name) which I had to had without wasting a drop. This almost knocked me off.

From left Augustine, me, Heather, Victor, Sashi.

Lisa birthday falls on next day and she had her celebration aswell.

Drunk Donald took the pictures, I found 128 pics in my camera most of it being people feet, butts and other body parts. Check the below video for more pictures.

Jas's Innovations

2009-05-09T02:52:00.001-07:00

Jas(left) launched an amazing breath thermometer called x-halo that predicts respiratory problems such as asthma, click here for more information. People with respiratory problems can analyse their condition in advance and take preventive measures.

Not just with business he also gets creative in the bar that lead to a new vodka, soda and a lime recipe which got popular as 'jas drink'.

My Birth Place

2009-01-03T00:11:00.000-08:00

Thanks to whoever wrote this article on Wikimapia with google earth view exactly locating my grandfather's home (his name shown in the yellow box in the pic) where I was born. Click here to read more.

Jakarta Uppercover

2008-09-10T23:47:00.000-07:00

I have arrived Jakarta,Indonesia last saturday for a week official visit. Large crowds, heavy traffic, pollution seemingly like yet an other Indian city confined majority of my time to hotel and office. The pool side bar on seventh floor of hotel (Hotel Ciputra) was a welcoming relief serving local Bintang beer and food.

Iam now in love with Indonesian food. This was my first lunch on the right called 'Soto ambengan sate' combo, that came with few chicken sate sticks, rice and chicken soup that appeared to be like a bowl of vomit. The menu has long indonesian names and if lucky carries an english description, Example : "Campuran sayuran rebus rasa kari dengan tahu jepang dan disajikan dengan nasi putih", meaning "mixed vegetables and tofu curry with rice".

Sarah and I met last night for an after office drinks at a cozy joint called Bricks at Plaza Semanggi, she now lives in Jakarta and started up with a business. We couldn't do our usual Singapore kind binge and had to retire soon as both had a tired day at work and today being a working day too.

Indian Premier League - Cricket

2008-05-05T01:24:00.000-07:00

Now can watch IPL cricket on Cricket Extra channel in Singapore (Channel 111). This has been so addictive that keeps me awake till 2am in the morning. IPL Twenty20cricket is a new format of cricket in India played with eight teams each representing a major city in India. The team combination comprises of Indian and foreign players (to a max of four). Since I hail from Hyderabad, Iam cheering for Hyderabad Deccan Chargers, but sadly things aren't yet going well for them.

Olive Tatham...

2008-05-05T00:15:00.000-07:00

Congrats to Phil and Sandy on birth of their baby girl 'Olive'. Olive was born on 22nd April, Click Here to visit Phil's new website for more baby pics...

Going to the Moon - Rising to new heights

2008-05-04T23:29:00.000-07:00

Sorry it just my name. NASA is launching Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter which lets people have their names on a microchip embedded in the spacecraft that would orbit moon for years to come. Click Here if you would like to join, and what does this get me : Well just to say hello to the alien beings or let NASA know that Iam a fan of their projects.

bar blogging

2008-04-19T05:56:00.000-07:00

This really is a test,

am using a cool jailbroken unlocked iPhone gifted by Hema, orchard now has a free wifi and this is a test blog after queing up few bloody Mary's at no5 emerald hill bar, my local hangout at Singapore. Huh upload image doesn't work and the phone hangs up once a while and I got had hard time recovering it.

Ashok - The Dad...

2007-10-01T02:01:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Ashok and Anita on birth of their baby girl Anushka. Click here for more snaps of Anushka.

Fray's Video

2007-08-12T19:27:00.000-07:00

Clipping of Fray (introduced below)

Fray

2007-07-29T19:21:00.000-07:00

Hema adopts Fray who is now eight months old and is a Labrador bitch. Fray's takes pride at its body to be both black and white as it prevents her from any racist slur in the US. She is now a busy host to my dad who is on visit to Hema's home. Labrador Retriever breed is known to be exceptionally affable, intelligent, energetic and good natured making them excellent companions and working dogs if properly trained. They are also known to enjoy water as historically they were trained to be used in water fowl hunting. They respond well to praise and positive attention.
One of the Labs in England earned significant news coverage for rescuing its unconscious owner by placing him in recovery position and thrusting the cell phone to call emergency services without any prior training. They are also good guide and helping dogs and I wish I had one when I was in crutches and immobile on bed.

Update : Canine expert Phil raised doubts on Fray being a pure lab as labs come in yellow, brown and black. Hema was unsure too and said the seller said its lab whereas the doctor report reads it as mixed spaniel. After some research on the web I found out its a cross between Labrador Retriever and American Cocker Spaniel which is common across US.Click here to find Fray's look-alikes (scroll down), these are also known as Spanadors.

Mobile GPS Locator

2007-07-11T21:36:00.000-07:00

Really Really amazing...There is no escape...If one needs to hide then only way is to switch off their mobile...
Paid a handful to have this cool facility by which you can locate a person by his mobile number, the accuracy is very close to plus or minus 50 metres. Just select the country where you expect the person to be (Doesn't work if the mobile is not on roaming and the person is in another country). Enter the area code where the mobile orginates (Ex : 65 for singapore), the mobile number and click on "Start Searching". Please hold "ctrl" key if you have a popup blocker as the results are shown in a new window. Also this facility is now available only in few countries and it would be extended later. If for some reason the window doesn't open wait for few minutes, click refresh and try again.

Start Tracking Here

Bar Fridge...

2007-07-11T05:22:00.000-07:00

Unable to withstand the stink and overload of the two big in-house refrigerators, was compelled to buy this smaller ones that is ideal to fit my room and store stuff in small quantities.It has a Can server to hold few cans of beers that can give my room a smoke filled pub atmosphere. Its required as pubs now smell like roses with smoking ban..As an inaugural use its just stuffed with soya juice, diet-coke, yogurt for hangover cure, milk and apples.

Celebrity Look Alikes...

2007-07-02T23:45:00.000-07:00

Found this feature offered from a website on sarah's blog..seems total crappy algorithm that matches facial features...anyway no harm to try for a laugh...

http://www.myheritage.com

my look alikes - Silvister Stallone (54%), Jean-Luc Godard (54%),Ritche Valens(50%), Tommy Lee Jones (48%)..

http://www.myheritage.com

Phil's look alikes - Adam Sandler (67%), Luke Wilson (59%), Paul Hindemith (55%),
Gerald Butler (53%)

http://www.myheritage.com

Sandy's matches look better..matched mostly to oriental celebrities...Kim Hee Sun(62%),Portia (78%), Song Hye Koo (78%), Sammi Cheng(68%)

http://www.myheritage.com

Kevin Kline(61%), Giovanni Fulcone(64%), Tom Sizemore(61%), Albert Einstein(59) - Did it match to Einstein's brain too??
Tried Andy's pic as well but the software errored out saying cannot recognise facial features in his picture...used the one "drunk with mustaches" on Phil's blog.

Hema's Home

2007-07-02T21:49:00.001-07:00

Hema's house pics at NewJersy, the google earth view is seen in one of the below posts.

The front door...looks similar to 10 downing street, except for the colour.

view of the house with the pool.

Usually the pool is emptied and dried before she steps in for a swim. Heard the deepest point is 9ft and its just 6ft at the public swimming pool I go over at Topayoh(Singapore)...who cares as long as you can swim
A chandelier perhaps in the hall.

One of the bed rooms.

Kitchen where no chicken is scared off..well only veggies are cooked here...

A lawn on the side.

A river in the front (guess its named South River)..not sure if you can go fishing or take a yacht. It merges at the ocean on US east coast as seen on google earth.

Livestock and Fowl Catastrophe

2007-07-02T20:35:00.001-07:00

Alarmed with the ecological imbalance caused by the reduction of livestock and fowl,it was suspected the cause could be bird flu or mad cow disease. Surprisingly, the carcasses of the animals was also missing, The authorities then decided to survey the earth with help of NASA satellites and finally found the missing livestock.The above picture is bird eye view of the reason of missing live stock and fowl,click here to view this year plus of kitchen diaries and pictures of missing live stock...Also the recent raise in GST is attributable to the fact of this increased demand..Lucky Iam mostly vegetarian and can substitute potato for pork, beans for beef etc and use my buddies recipes..However this is good news for livestock and poultry farmers across the globe and they are so happy to honour this man with the title "Mr.Epicure".

Darshen's and Jaggu's Wedding

2007-06-25T20:20:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Darshen and Jaggu on their marriage. Darshen weds Jaggu last month in Malaysia and moved to Hongkong.Click here for the wedding blog.The sword is given to the groom to defend against the wife...

Google Earth

2007-06-25T00:05:00.001-07:00

My present home, just jump on the top and climb down three floors, you would find me there. The green right side of it is where my neighbour, the president of Singapore lives(offical home called Istana). Well, by now my repute would have gone up as his neighbour.

Present home at Hyderabad..

School days home, almost spent 13 years..The ground before it is where I used to play cricket, gilli danda, marbles and kabbadi.

Well we lived in suburbs and it doesn't seem dense, this is how a part of Hyderabad looks like...more populated to Singapore.

Hema's home at New Jersy..I've never been here but figured out by her directions over phone...genius me...

A coastal region of Andhra Pradesh where I was born in a village which is not possible to locate. Perhaps google just mapped to towns and cities and haven't gone much extent.

Dad's side ancestors lived here. The place on pic 'Tangtur' is where our centuries back ancestral home. Well a castle to our standards, I remember being able to view it 5kms apart travelling in a bullock cart..perhaps wrong as I can't validate my childhood memories. I used to visit a village (where our farms are located)during summer vacation and stayed in ancestral dwelling (looks like hut) sarrounded with green fields and hills. With absence of electricity at home slept outside on a charpoy with loud orchestra of mosquitoes, losing quite a bit of blood by the morning. My initial swimming lesson was in a farmwell by a farmer and guess what was my floating device??...a dried pumpkin chorded with some kind of weeds tied to my waist...Should have been safer to a swimming pool tube..and sometimes I had to enter the water with just a rope tied to the waist with a guy holding the other end standing on steps..great crude way to be trained..

Caught in the clutches of crutches

2007-06-13T06:08:00.001-07:00

We had a team outing with lunch at Marche (Vivocity) followed by Cricket at Sentosa Island. Huh!! what an idea to play cricket on sand where a ball doesn't rise. A collegue planted stumps on the beach and the fifteen years back bowler in me rose up and hurled to fast bowl resulting in twisting my right leg followed with a great fall. I barely could stand after that and was in pain, I was lifted by the Beach Patrol in their buggy given first aid and later my boss dropped me at Alexandra hospital. Lucky there weren't any bone fractures seen in the X-Ray, its only the muscle sprain and was put on crutches and medication. Hope to get well for the weekend binge.

Update : Its been 10days now and Iam happy I don't need the crutches but still got stiffness and soreness in the knee. The doc who diognised didn't say anything about rehabilitation. I had to google and find out more about it, I figured out its the lateral collateral ligament tear and found some excersises for faster recovery.
Painful experiences - The pedestrain traffic light countdown ends and Iam just half way through, thanks to Singaporean drivers who wait for me to pass...A cab waiting nearby and Iam not quick enough to catch...eating mostly home deliveries...cute gals offer help at the bar and I feel myself wimpy n limpy with crutches and pain...had to be extremely careful to enter the bath tub for a shower...while in the mall a caution sign saying "wet floor" sends shivers up my spine...boredom and fatigue due to too much rest...

And watched this motivational video...

Cinco De Mayo Dance Fiesta

2007-05-05T22:34:00.000-07:00

Started to blog again after hibernating for months. May 5th marks this mexican celebration, heard its a minor holiday in Mexico but used as a major event to promote Mexican stuff in other countries.

Had sauza shots..that tasted like cough medicine and I remember I dropped one shooter and a bottle of beer on the ground...

Later in the night the percussionists arrive followed by dance..It lasted just for five minutes for hours of drinking.

SEP-OCT Highlights..

2006-10-27T00:46:00.000-07:00

OCT
Theatre
ZEE Nite : Indian musical and dance show organised by zee tv at esplanade.
Movies
The Departed, World trade center
Bike driving license
Now can ride a bike in singapore, just got converted using indian ones.
SEP
Theatre
Dance me to the end of love, Joyce took me to this show which is a play cum dance based on novel Siddartha (by Herman Hesse) and songs by Leonard Cohen. (15th sep)
Movies
Devil wears Prada

Anna's Farewell...

2006-10-26T20:51:00.000-07:00

Andy struggling to fight a 24year old at cablecar.

Phil, Anna, Me and Yuli at Subzero Eski bar with Anna emptying stocks of Singapore sling.

A sozzled me accompanying her to airport for a safe flight.

Oyster Feast

2006-09-22T20:53:00.000-07:00

With flatmates Anna and Uyuli at Maple leaf on upper Bukit Timah road. The bar serves free flow of oysters every tuesday. Me being a chicki-terian confined myself to french fries.

Both the ladies greedily ate few dozen oysters and fell sick.

August 08 Highlights..

2006-08-14T19:49:00.000-07:00

Movies Watched
Click Another comedy of Adam Sandler whoz life takes several twists after he acquires a universal remote control.
The fast and the furious - Tokyo Drift An adrenaline inducing car racing movie built on speed.
Hot Candy A psychological thriller showing a teenage girl trapping her captive pheodophile who meet on an internet chat room.
My Super Ex GirlfriendA comedy where Luke Wilson's life becomes miserable due to his overly possesive newly found girl friend (Uma thurman as G-girl) who has special powers.

Landmark Forum

2006-07-27T20:59:00.000-07:00

My blog attracted couple of hits from users who were searching for landmark forum and thought I would voice out my opinions about it. I have been to the course for the basic and advanced and giving up part way during the seminar series. The stuff they teach sounds good but not practical and has got no change in me nor I think would have made anyone extraordinary. I was cunning enough to do few tests on others who believes/trained in it and sadly everything turned negative. The reaction what I saw in them is a natural reflex coming from their fundamental assumptions and beliefs and not of a extraordinary person which landmark claims to transform.

On a positive side Its good to know the stuff to distinguish the reality of life we live in, but humanbeigns are so hardwired to change from the past. I heard some had breakthroughs, god knows if its true or faked. Some probably really had breakthroughs but some just come forward to say it just for the heck of saying it. The greatest joke is a woman who finished the course few years back came to me and was saying that it has got breakthrough in her relationship with her husband and after few hours I hear her cribbing about him with few other people. And Iam not wrong in what I have seen and compared. Perhaps people actual persona and social behaviour (mostly a pretense) tends to be different.

I feel there are a couple of reasons people get attracted to it and its something that spreads like an epidemic, The emotions and feelings during the lecture was momentary and I did not see it to be permanent. Emotions are universal bonding mechanism, it spreads very fast, especially in females. People mainly get motivated when the leader talks about the emotional stuff and that's something drags people closer. The company constantly pesters people to enroll others (their version of enrollment is sharing) and inspire them, which ultimately leads in bringing in people to register. Its goes on like an chain reaction. Their claim is that its an aim to transform the society around us, god knows then why their fee is so expensive? There has been great philosophists in the world whose aim was to trasform society but they lived on donations and not charging big bucks. There are people in hundreds who attend this spending thousands of bucks and here in singapore they have five employees and fifty assistants (previous participants) who work for free. Huh!!..I wish I could do something like that too. Apart from these they also get us to sign few agreements, offer early bird promotions etc...just like any other money making business, And a poor guy just can't afford it. The point is I don't see
any honesty when they talk about transformation of mankind. I believe they don't advertise cause that should include a guarantee of what participants get and since their concept is unproven they can be sued - safe bet.

And at the end of the course I hear from the leader "What all we tought is not true", WTF?? I spend my time and money on something which isn't true and has no evidence whatsoever. It defys what all you have learned from when being a kid. But
if someone believes in it blindly, yes their life would be great something similar to believing in any religion. If you are a guy who can give up your point of view (they ask for this) and just listen, get inspired without any thoughts in
mind, would not contradict anything then it coult be great for you. In short be a robot and follow the stuff then you may be extraordinary. These are my 2 cents worth opinion and not trying to hurt or blame anyone. I come from a point of view
whose world is in science and technology and doing R&D kind of work. On their website they claim that 96% of participants had breakthroughs, perhaps Iam the remaining 4% lucky or unlucky participant. The intro begins with something like they
would teach us the stuff "what we don't know that we don't know", I don't think I got atleast a bit of it. They also claim create anything from nothing...huh man!! atleast to dump a piece of shit, you gotta eat something..You can't create it from
nothing (just my anology)...

July 08 Highlights..

2006-07-22T21:38:00.000-07:00

Movies Watched
Basic Instinct 2, The pirates of the carribean - dead man's chest, Nacho Libre, How much do you love me (A crap french movie), Now and forever (Korean)

Theatre
The Dresser : Ming and I went to this play wherein Catch stage powerhouses Adrian Pang and Michael Corbidge celebrates the universal themes of true friendship and unwavering loyalty.

Landmark Forum
Attended the three day advanced landmark forum course.

Sports
In cricket India wins the test series against Westindies by 1-0. The soccer worldcup comes to an end with Italy winning the cup.

New Home...

2006-07-08T22:04:00.000-07:00

Moved to new home start of july, its much spacious and more comfortable.

TV and wardrobe on the right corner and an aircon to keep me cool.

A queen side bed without a queen. Got pale yellow coloured curtains and matching bed sheets. The blanket on the bed is one I brought a year back and has a top side made of leather, need it as I turn my aircon and fan on to experience syberian chillness.

A bathtub to have a relaxing dip for few hours with beer and music. The whole bathroom is dark blue and has a window on the right for peeping babes in neighbouring highrise apartments.

Crash

2006-06-30T20:41:00.000-07:00

Hema crashes her mercedes onto another speeding car and was awarded a ticket by the police. After the crash the safety bag on the passenger side got activated and not on her side, wonder how it works. The insurance company covers all damages and the pic above is from their website.

June 06 Highlights

2006-06-29T19:48:00.000-07:00

Movies watched
She is the man, Slither (bloody growse), Road to Guantanamo, Love my luck

Landmark Forum
Attended the three day landmark forum course (9-11th) about living extraordinary lives, Though the course was from morning to midnight, It was the best weekend I felt I ever had. I see many having breakdowns and breakthroughs, not me though - tough guy..I have also signed up for the seminar series and also advanced course next month.

Sports
Its football worldcup season and the battle is still on. Though I have no one to cheer for, I like the spirit of the game.
In cricket India seemed to have come back after a bad defeat in ODI's by performing well in the test matches, three out of four were drawn (couldn't win 2nd one due to rain).

Driving License
Hahaha..could get Singapore driving license with such a ease, just had to clear a theory test and immediately got the license. The whole process took less than an hour. So cleared my first step for my future travel plans and long drives.

Grandma's Love

2006-06-29T19:43:00.000-07:00

Yet another poem, perhaps worth the story line but not poetic skills..written on 15th May 2006

Grandma's Love

In her eighties night when the stars still twinkle
The bright moon light shines up her wrinkles
The life is fading fast as sweet memories awaken
Its her only treasure that can never be taken..

The little girl lies aside resting her head on her lap
Finding abundance of warmth as she takes a nap
She wakes up to ask to ease her anguish
The matters of heart that caused pain and languish

She looks deep in her eyes with love and smile
speaking in a kind voice recalling moments of youth during that while
Her heart wavering if it was melting for the right soul
and tells her to trust her heart even if the mind takes a toll

A young man failing to find a way to my heart
conveys his feelings to throw his misery miles apart
thats when I felt he is the one who deserved my love
when my heart and mind surrendered to its power all above

Have I given up my sweet little girl
thoughts caught in pool of whirl
We wouldn't have been talking about love, my lad
cause that young man is none other but your grand dad.

Pirates of the Carribean...

2006-06-25T22:12:00.000-07:00

The Curse Of the Burning Bum

Ashok navigating the yacht in his new role as a pirate. He sets on voyage over seas, looting treasure and fighting.

During one of the wars the enemies fire blazing arrows at him and his arse catches fire. But a courageous Ashok still smiles as he soothes his bum on a ice block.

After having acquired treasure in his voyage he now hides in a cave with his wife Anita and has a Lion as guard.

MAY - Pastime...

2006-05-31T00:17:00.000-07:00

Having in mind a blog depicts what on with your life, it does seem its stagnating if there are no new posts. So thought of writing a monthly leisure activities list..The one in May follows..

Movies Watched
---------------
Mission Impossible - 3, Posiedon, Da-Vinci-Code, Grandma's Boy.

Theatre
--------
Krishnan's Diary - A one man show by Jacob kept us spellbound with his great skill of playing different characters by switching masks. One just can't feel that its one person performing.

Seminar
--------
On Ming's invitatoin I have attended a introduction by landmark forum about living extraordinary lives, I was touched after hearing some of the older participants speak in how it improved their quality of life. Though its expensive enough (S$700), I have signed up for the course of 9,10,11 June.

Books
-----
Though I have been occupied with my technical books till now, I suddenly took a twist to read some non-fiction stuff...will be more regular now on..

a) Men are from mars women are from venus
Written by John Gray a relationship expert shows amazing differences in how men and women are different, the reason for conflicts arising between them and overall how a relationship can be improved between the two opposite sexes.

b) Richard Branson autobiography
Thanks to Joyce for this B'day gift, Its such a great great book about life of Richard Branson. Its inspiring to read his balloon adventures and how he has rose as a top entrepreneur in his venture for virgin group of companies.

Sports
------
Not a good news!! India lost a cricket ODI series to WestIndies, seems the team just couldn't handle pitches different from sub-continent. Its not possible to watch matches over TV here in Singapore, only way is to follow score on internet.

School Buddies

2006-05-25T05:55:00.000-07:00

I registered myself on batchmates.com and had a reply from Pravin my classmate and friend in school. He is a psycrastrist based at Sydney at present.

Thanks to Pravin for sending the picture of class X (1988), St.Anthony's High School, Hyderabad. I had difficulty in recognising myself. Email me if you could recognise.

Pravin is the third from left, the second being Ganesh,its sad that I heard on national TV a decade back that he was murdered under mysterious circumstances in his university at Coimbatore.

Birthday Celebrations..

2006-05-19T22:01:00.000-07:00

This year party was at Holland Village starting with drinks at Wala Wala, then dinner at Kinara and finally few shots at freezing sub-zero bar.

Dinner with Joyce, Phil, Claudia, Andy and Sandy..

Gifts..Thanks a lot to Joyce for Richard Branson autobiography and note book, Phil and Sandy for nice shirt and choclates (ate it the same night), Andy and Claudia for the massager.

Bali Trip

2006-05-13T20:39:00.000-07:00

Joyce and I flew to Bali on labour day long weekend. The trip included site seeing on saturday and water sports on sunday. I was amazed seeing the hindu culture though seems to be of a slightly different taste from India.

Sculpture spotted over a stopover at a temple. We had to wear sarong kind of cloth (looks funny though) to enter the temple.

At Goa Guhah (Elephant Cave), the three water taps depicting the three scared indian rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswathi..

These are the fallen Buddhist temple remains. Its amazing to see a hindu and buddhist temple together.

Happy looking Joyce.

Carving in the stone.

Nandi (cow which is regarded sacred Hindus) at TanahLot. We reached TanahLot to view the sunset.

Great view of sunset, was bit cloudy though.

Wondering where Iam missing, ok here Iam.

Getting ready for the diving, We were given specific instructions by the dive master and then taken to deep sea in a boat. We spend around 30 minutes under water and dived to a depth of 8meters. There was pain in ears due to pressure. Though we were tensed initially got used to it quickly and had great fun with the fish.

I had a crab like creature trying to attack my hand when I rest my hand on a rock.
It did scare the hell out of me.

FlyFish a new sport where we had to balance ourselves lying on the back and holding handles, the inflatable is tied to the boat which when sped raises high in the air above water.

At last a dream come true, was planning for a parasaling since ages and now I could do it.

Nutrition and Supplements.

2006-04-26T19:57:00.000-07:00

P.S.: Iam not a medical professional and not giving any kind of advise to anyone. Please don't blindly follow and sue me :-)

Most people ignore this part and think just physical training is the crux of fitness, the fact is its not, my first six months of training has proven this. Proper nutrition contributes around 80% no matter your goal is to reduce fat or build muscle. The training contributes a mere 20%. I have researched around various diets in this process which I would list down below.

The nutrients can be classified as macro and micro. The macro nutrients consists of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. The micro nutrients consists of vitamins and minerals. Iam not going to list down the sources of these nutrients, please do your own research.

I have followed different kind of diets normal diet, atkins style and ketogenic diet.
Normal diet I split carbs, protein, fat in the ratio 40:40:20. In order to reduce fat percentage I had to bring the carbs down and increase protein intake. This didnt reap much benefits. I then switched over to atkins style where carbs where minimum and protein was the major source of fuel. This diet didnt prove good to me as when Iam on cutting (eating less calories below maintenance) the body switches to muscle to compensate, hence losing muscle. Then I switched to ketogenic diet (not for weak hearts) where the C:P:F ratio was 5:25:70, yeah you saw it right I take 70% of fat on this diet. If you haven't fainted listening this, this diet is really superb and believe me its not fat what makes you fat its the carbs what make you fat. When this much of fat is consumed and Iam cutting the body uses fat as main source of fuel and switches to body fat when it encounters a deficit. The diet used to be something like for first five and half days Iam totally on ketogenic diet (70% fat, 25% protein), then I do a weekend carb load for one and half days, this period allows me to take few beers too... read stuff on c-k-d.com.

I only take two kinds of supplements whey protein and multivitamin capsules. No matter how much veggi you have a day you wouldn't get all necessary vitamins, so there is no harm to have multivits. Along with all the above its necessary to drink atleast a gallon of water to keep you well hydrated.

Computing daily calorie intake :
A simple formula is body weight in pounds x 15 for men.. and body wt in pounds x 12 for women and split calories as 40:40:20 (C:P:F) in case of normal diet and 70:25:5(F:P:C) in case of ketogenic diet.

Fitness

2006-04-20T22:23:00.000-07:00

P.S.: This section would take time to take shape and I intend to publish loads of information..

It's almost been a year since I started going to gym (California Fitness Center at Orchard Road), had been quite regular throughout except for major 10-15 days breaks in May05, July05, Nov05, Mar/April06. I have vowed to be regular again and continuously make improvements/refinements in my training.

Apr 05 - Oct 05 : This was the toughest period, being a lethargic guy who never excersised earlier, getting my bum out of bed at 5am in the morning and rushing to gym was painful. I forced and motiviated myself and soon got used to it, soon it turned to be that If I miss a day in gym that day goes gloomy.

I started of with both aerobic and anerobic excersises with basic resistance/weight training and cardio. The following was the routine..
Mon - Biceps/triceps, abs
Tue - Chest
Wed - Legs
Thu - Repeat Monday
Fri - Repeat Tuesday

The cardio part was going on 30-45 minutes walk/slow jog on treadmill, I used to rotate this with cross trainer.

There wasn't significant progress as to physique due to mistakes I made in nutrition but it definitely helped me in increasing strength/endurance and mainly getting used to the gym, learning new excersises and above all feeling good about it.

Nov 05 - Mar 06

I have started a total new routine during this period and started using free weights since Jan06. I do a 5 to 6 day split with one or two rest days. The tentative routine is as follows
Monday - Biceps/Forearms/Abs
Barbell curls, dumbell curls, ab crunches
Threadmill
Tuesday - Pectorials(Chest)
Flat bench press, inclined bench press, pectorial fly
Threadmill
Wednesday - Legs (Hamstrings, Qaudraceps, Glutes) { Most painful day }
Squats, Dead lifts, Calf presses
Crosstrainer
Thursday - Biceps/Back/Abs
Barbell curls, Cable curls, ab crunches,pullups or latpull
Threadmill
Friday - Chest, Shoulder, Tricpes
Declined bench press, tricep pushdown, shoulder presses
Saturday - Just confine to cardio on treadmill or use it if I missed any excersise during the week

The progress during this period was satisfactory, lost good amount of fat (36% to 29%) and increase in muscle tone. My waist went down from 36.5 to 32.5 inches, the lean mass has gone up (don't have figures at present). I can lift weights almost twice heavy compared to the first period I mentioned. Iam still on a cutting diet and feel thats the reason Iam unable to develop much muscle, soon I intend to go on a bulk diet when my fat percentage comes below 25%.

Christmas Celebration

2006-03-29T23:16:00.000-08:00

Christmas eve (2003) Celebration in Justin's bar. Though these are old pics thought worth to be on record.

The chubby me, Phil and John. Now am aint chubby anymore cause
of my workouts since last year.

Don't quite remember whose hand is it :-)

An attempt to poetry..

2006-03-29T07:18:00.000-08:00

Though Iam not a great fan of writing poems, I did attempt few times..Herez one of those written on 6th Aug 2004 to drive away some kind of blues...

My Realization

When I was young it all started
Feelings of being heavy-hearted
Thinking all unusual things
Sadness is what all it brings
…

Years passed by and I had no clue
Why my days are so blue?
And it went on and on
Bad days have come and gone
….

Alas I found the devil in me
I wonder how to let it flee
I’ll do my best to cast a spell
In me it dare not dwell
….

I can now see good hope in life
And end all my inner strife
Happier me, I can foresee
Having loads of beer and let it pee.
….

Hema's Wedding...

2006-03-29T01:36:00.000-08:00

Hema got married to Nandan on Nov10th 2005, Its been a first major cermony in the family. Nandan is a business development manager in a US based software firm. The wedding was performed in a south indian traditional style with rich cultural rituals.

After wedding shez back to US and got into a job as pharmacist, she intends to launch her official site soon .. http://www.pharmazest.com

Beer Buddies

2006-03-27T22:58:00.000-08:00

Thought of kick starting my first blog about my socializing in Singapore.. Got a couple of interesting friends I meet up at the bars..

Phil (left) is a pub-licker(empties all beer in pubs till last drop) sorry publisher of erotic and non-fiction books, he owns monsoonbooks and made a good progress within a short span. The T-Shirt he is wearing is a birthday gift but does indicate whats always on his mind... Phil is married to Sandy (below) whoz a producer in an advertising firm.

Sandy's adventures include bungy jumping in NewZealand.

Andy runs his own accounting firm and is busy minting money.. Hez got great ability to relate anything under the sun to erotic stuff, he is married to Claudia and has got two kids.
The pic above is of usually drunk Andy and his caring wife Claudia.

Justin used to run a bar where we all used to meet, he shut it down last year and now launching a new bar in south of thailand. He is a avid reader and takes interest in antiques, coins collection.
Binny(Binu) is a Indian British pal who I recently met in the bar. He loves playing cricket and still available(single) for any interesed females who visit my site.
The pic above has Justin, me(facing back), Phil and Binny.

Holly(Phil's sis), Phil and Sandy..looking at the sky and singing.."God rain beer..God rain beer..with every sip we have we feel so near and dear"

Darshan (right) is the first person I met in Singapore, I remember my first week wandering on the road hit by culture shock it was welcoming to see someone Indian (just by looks, infact shez Malaysian of Indian origin) and talk to. She moved to Australia for studies few months back. Her april 1st prank was that I conked off which got her really upset..hahaha..

Haven't limited to just the above will keep expanding this post.