One of those days when you have so much on your mind, you want to type it all out, but you hit a writer's block. Thoughts criss-crossing each other and bursting into nothingness. Music, conversations, strangers...hope they all come back someday.
Oh, well.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Gobi Manchurian
Ever since I saw the recipe for "Gobi Manchurian" posted here, I've been craving to make it. Well, I finally did! It was as yummy as it looks (all credit to the recipe!) :)
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Snow hiking on the A.T.
The "A.T", as it's popularly called, is the Appalachian Trail which extends from Maine to Georgia. This was a new kind of hike in two ways - meeting up with a completely new group of hikers for the event, and SNOW hiking!! I was really looking forward to this, as a jump start to a more active year than the last one. So far so good!! :-)
We drove up to Hampton, TN on Friday night and met with the rest of the hiking group at Kincora hiking hostel. This place is an adorable little hostel with bunk beds, a few old sofas and a kitchen. It's ceiling and walls are filled with old photographs sent by hikers who stayed at Kincora, and looking at the photos was like sharing all their memories - "I MADE IT!!" photos from Katahdin, Maine, where the AT starts in the north, to photos from Georgia, and "Thank you!" photos/ post cards from eveery where in between. The owner of the hostel is a great old chap called Bob Peoples, who was an absolutely adorable "grandpa" with great stories to share.
Anyway, we were expecting a nice, cozy place to sleep in, but as it turned out, the owner wasn't expecting us until the next day, apparently, so he hadn't turned the heating on. Well, these things happen and one can't really dwell too much about if's and but's! Anyway, the heating equipment was just one sole fire place for the entire place (2 floors). This particular night happened to be the coldest day in the hostel in 45 YEARS !!! WOW!!! What a way to start!! We were, in fact, two of the luckier people, because by the time we joined the group, they had at least started the fire place. The fireplace there takes quite a bit of time getting cranked up, and so most of the evening/night was spent huddling together in our comforters and putting on ALL the layers we'd brought! My toes were literally numb to the touch, and it took a few hours to get any sensation back in them ( by which time it was time for the hike the next day! :) ).
The hiking group was really a fantastic group of people, most of them being experienced hikers. They were warm and friendly, and a LOT of fun! :) There was a group of 3 ladies who got got lost on the way to the hostel, and they only turned up at midnight, and even after that, the whole group was up until 2 AM laughing and talking, mostly avoiding the thought of sleeping in the cold, cold beds. They were really sweet to us newbies by giving us the "Executive suite" :), which was a separate room with a bed. Brrrr...was it cold, or WAS IT COLD!!! I've never gone to bed with so many layers on, or in a sleeping bed on top of a real bed - it was crazy :). Nonetheles, it was easy to get excited about the hike the next day amidst all the chatter and laughter.
We started the next day pretty late, and had a lesisurely breakfast and started the hike at noon. It was a point-to-point hike of 9 miles in mountainous, snow-filled terrain. Owing to the weather, we started with 5 or 6 layers of clothes on us, and as we progressed, shed some of those layers - coined "Layer Management" by a fellow hiker :) - to avoid sweating too much (Sweating makes your body cold again, so it's best to have only enough clothes to keep you sufficiently warm, but not too much - one of the great tips I learnt for winter hiking! :) ). The trail had a lot of switch backs and had a lot of snow on it - so we had to be really careful not to slip. It was great fun, though, and by the time we made it to the top of Pond Mountain, we were hungry enough for a lunch break, which again had to be managed carefully, not to get too cold standing in one place! :) The apple that I had taken had almost frozen - biting into reminded me of those old chaps from a Vicco Vajradanti toothpowder ad biting into a sugarcane :D. The trail is abound with Rhododendron shrubs, the leaves of which get curled up in Winter. One of the titbits that was shared by a hiker was that in the good old times, the A.T. veterans would tell how cold it was by looking at the Rhododenron leaves. Hmm, interesting! I'm sure this trail would be beautiful in June with the Rhodies in full bloom - should go back there!
The hike down was a little dangerous, especially a few parts of the trail which had gotten icy and slippery. I managed with the hiking poles that were borrowed from the hostel - I realized those are real life savers in such treks. There were a few slips (albeit with graceful landings :) ). After a few hours of trekking along switch backs (and an almost frozen river) came the spectacular view of a frozen waterfall - Laurel Falls. It was a beatiful sight!! Unfortunately, we couldn't spend too much time photographing it, as it was starting to get a little dark. The climb up from the base of the falls back to the hostel was excrutiangly BRUTAL. It had a high elevation gain in a span of 1 mile, and were we glad when it was done or what!!! (My legs are still sore! )
Saturday night at the hostel was laughter, laughter and more laughter!!! We had all taken a dish for a potluck dinner, and there was some great hot soup, and a varied cuisine. I'd taken Chole masala, which turned out to be quite a hit. I had made it a little bland, to be safe, but was surprised to know that most of the group liked Indian SPICY curry a lot!! :) Well...next time! The conversation was about this and that, hiking, constantly returning to how warm the hostel was that night versus the previous one(Bob had taken care of the heating while we were out hiking), and another hilarious topic, which I can't quite mention here! LOL !! :D There were a couple of belated and advance birthday celebrations, and a delicious to-die-for Chocolate cake made by one of the hiker's daughters.
We had a choice of doing a 4-miler or 9-miler on Sunday, but the weather had gotten pretty bad, so we had to abandon all hiking plans, and just get back home. The hostel is atop a mountain itself, and the road had become icy, so we waited for an hour or two before starting down. Since the drive was a little dangerous, especially for those of us without a 4WD, the whole group met up at the base for a "WE MADE IT!!" photo :-)
All in all, this was such an amazing group of people and such a great hike that I can't wait for the next one!!!
We drove up to Hampton, TN on Friday night and met with the rest of the hiking group at Kincora hiking hostel. This place is an adorable little hostel with bunk beds, a few old sofas and a kitchen. It's ceiling and walls are filled with old photographs sent by hikers who stayed at Kincora, and looking at the photos was like sharing all their memories - "I MADE IT!!" photos from Katahdin, Maine, where the AT starts in the north, to photos from Georgia, and "Thank you!" photos/ post cards from eveery where in between. The owner of the hostel is a great old chap called Bob Peoples, who was an absolutely adorable "grandpa" with great stories to share.
Anyway, we were expecting a nice, cozy place to sleep in, but as it turned out, the owner wasn't expecting us until the next day, apparently, so he hadn't turned the heating on. Well, these things happen and one can't really dwell too much about if's and but's! Anyway, the heating equipment was just one sole fire place for the entire place (2 floors). This particular night happened to be the coldest day in the hostel in 45 YEARS !!! WOW!!! What a way to start!! We were, in fact, two of the luckier people, because by the time we joined the group, they had at least started the fire place. The fireplace there takes quite a bit of time getting cranked up, and so most of the evening/night was spent huddling together in our comforters and putting on ALL the layers we'd brought! My toes were literally numb to the touch, and it took a few hours to get any sensation back in them ( by which time it was time for the hike the next day! :) ).
The hiking group was really a fantastic group of people, most of them being experienced hikers. They were warm and friendly, and a LOT of fun! :) There was a group of 3 ladies who got got lost on the way to the hostel, and they only turned up at midnight, and even after that, the whole group was up until 2 AM laughing and talking, mostly avoiding the thought of sleeping in the cold, cold beds. They were really sweet to us newbies by giving us the "Executive suite" :), which was a separate room with a bed. Brrrr...was it cold, or WAS IT COLD!!! I've never gone to bed with so many layers on, or in a sleeping bed on top of a real bed - it was crazy :). Nonetheles, it was easy to get excited about the hike the next day amidst all the chatter and laughter.
We started the next day pretty late, and had a lesisurely breakfast and started the hike at noon. It was a point-to-point hike of 9 miles in mountainous, snow-filled terrain. Owing to the weather, we started with 5 or 6 layers of clothes on us, and as we progressed, shed some of those layers - coined "Layer Management" by a fellow hiker :) - to avoid sweating too much (Sweating makes your body cold again, so it's best to have only enough clothes to keep you sufficiently warm, but not too much - one of the great tips I learnt for winter hiking! :) ). The trail had a lot of switch backs and had a lot of snow on it - so we had to be really careful not to slip. It was great fun, though, and by the time we made it to the top of Pond Mountain, we were hungry enough for a lunch break, which again had to be managed carefully, not to get too cold standing in one place! :) The apple that I had taken had almost frozen - biting into reminded me of those old chaps from a Vicco Vajradanti toothpowder ad biting into a sugarcane :D. The trail is abound with Rhododendron shrubs, the leaves of which get curled up in Winter. One of the titbits that was shared by a hiker was that in the good old times, the A.T. veterans would tell how cold it was by looking at the Rhododenron leaves. Hmm, interesting! I'm sure this trail would be beautiful in June with the Rhodies in full bloom - should go back there!
The hike down was a little dangerous, especially a few parts of the trail which had gotten icy and slippery. I managed with the hiking poles that were borrowed from the hostel - I realized those are real life savers in such treks. There were a few slips (albeit with graceful landings :) ). After a few hours of trekking along switch backs (and an almost frozen river) came the spectacular view of a frozen waterfall - Laurel Falls. It was a beatiful sight!! Unfortunately, we couldn't spend too much time photographing it, as it was starting to get a little dark. The climb up from the base of the falls back to the hostel was excrutiangly BRUTAL. It had a high elevation gain in a span of 1 mile, and were we glad when it was done or what!!! (My legs are still sore! )
Saturday night at the hostel was laughter, laughter and more laughter!!! We had all taken a dish for a potluck dinner, and there was some great hot soup, and a varied cuisine. I'd taken Chole masala, which turned out to be quite a hit. I had made it a little bland, to be safe, but was surprised to know that most of the group liked Indian SPICY curry a lot!! :) Well...next time! The conversation was about this and that, hiking, constantly returning to how warm the hostel was that night versus the previous one(Bob had taken care of the heating while we were out hiking), and another hilarious topic, which I can't quite mention here! LOL !! :D There were a couple of belated and advance birthday celebrations, and a delicious to-die-for Chocolate cake made by one of the hiker's daughters.
We had a choice of doing a 4-miler or 9-miler on Sunday, but the weather had gotten pretty bad, so we had to abandon all hiking plans, and just get back home. The hostel is atop a mountain itself, and the road had become icy, so we waited for an hour or two before starting down. Since the drive was a little dangerous, especially for those of us without a 4WD, the whole group met up at the base for a "WE MADE IT!!" photo :-)
All in all, this was such an amazing group of people and such a great hike that I can't wait for the next one!!!
Thursday, January 01, 2009
It's a brand new year..
..and unlike the last few years, I'm actually making resolutions.
This year, I WILL
Get healthier and fitter.
Read more books.
Get more involved in my community.
Spend my time wisely.
Continue to laugh at myself.
Continue to dream, but not get lost in them.
Keep in touch with the people I love and care for.
Be more confident and less critical of myself.
Challenge my perceived limitations.
Happy New Year 2009!
This year, I WILL
Get healthier and fitter.
Read more books.
Get more involved in my community.
Spend my time wisely.
Continue to laugh at myself.
Continue to dream, but not get lost in them.
Keep in touch with the people I love and care for.
Be more confident and less critical of myself.
Challenge my perceived limitations.
Happy New Year 2009!
Saturday, December 06, 2008
The next blockbuster?
Wired has this fascinating tale about how the Internet DNS mechanism has been flawed and how Dan Kaminsky found it.
Dan Kaminsky has his own story here.
Good read!
Dan Kaminsky has his own story here.
Good read!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
"Sahib Teri Bandi"
Derek Trucks is in town tomorrow!!! I just can't wait to hear him play!!
After Maiden, I don't think I've been that crazy about an artist until I listened to Derek Trucks. He's just awesome! To hear him play his slide guitar is to get lost in a world you don't want to leave. My most favourite song is "Sahib Teri Bandi" originally sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. I really really hope he plays this one tomorrow (or on Saturday - coz we're mostly likely going to the concert both days).
After Maiden, I don't think I've been that crazy about an artist until I listened to Derek Trucks. He's just awesome! To hear him play his slide guitar is to get lost in a world you don't want to leave. My most favourite song is "Sahib Teri Bandi" originally sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. I really really hope he plays this one tomorrow (or on Saturday - coz we're mostly likely going to the concert both days).
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Sometimes..
Found this wonderful poem by Sheenagh Pugh, thought I'd pass it along.
Sometimes
Sometimes things don't go, after all,
from bad to worse. Some years, muscadel
faces down frost; green thrives; the crops don't fail.
Sometimes a man aims high, and all goes well.
A people sometimes will step back from war,
elect an honest man, decide they care
enough, that they can't leave some stranger poor.
Some men become what they were born for.
Sometimes our best intentions do not go
amiss; sometimes we do as we meant to.
The sun will sometimes melt a field of sorrow
that seemed hard frozen; may it happen for you.
Sometimes
Sometimes things don't go, after all,
from bad to worse. Some years, muscadel
faces down frost; green thrives; the crops don't fail.
Sometimes a man aims high, and all goes well.
A people sometimes will step back from war,
elect an honest man, decide they care
enough, that they can't leave some stranger poor.
Some men become what they were born for.
Sometimes our best intentions do not go
amiss; sometimes we do as we meant to.
The sun will sometimes melt a field of sorrow
that seemed hard frozen; may it happen for you.
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