Near the Equator

Watch your step. Buckle ’em.


Those are formal wear not for cycling.

Darwin Asked for Window Seat

Tip to street photography

When you look at a bunch, call out “Aye”
You’ve got their attention?
Perhaps not all of them and they’re moving away…
Be quick. Call out again “Aye” and with one hand wave at them, smile and click.
That simple.

Just kidding. 😀

On a serious note, Darwin came to India. Yes, he did. Trust me. We were briefly together. You’ll find out.

Now he was told, when in India, don’t trust the locals. Be very clear and emphatic. He included me too. Everyone loves to hurt a poet, doubt his writings, his intentions. Moreover they say if you’re a street photographer, you’re doomed unless you live in New York, date a curator. Don’t laugh. I’ve seen it in movies. A double jeopardy and I’ve got a beer belly.

Coming back to the story.

“BOOK….Me…A…Window….Seat” Darwin did as told.

The local guy diligently responds “Aye! done, sir”

No flights to the city he wanted to go. Poor Darwin. He should have first asked “Is…There…A…Flight…To…xxxxx”
(Destination details are withheld on request)
He’s on the tractor in the picture below. You won’t spot him. He’s on the other side and he strictly told me “No pictures. My reputation is screwed if the paparazzi finds out”

I told him, trust me, the paparazzi doesn’t care for you. But my drinking habits and love for friends on WP…Noway he was going to believe me. He’s a smart guy, no denying that.

He survived. Lucky old man. He had to. Look at the picture. One guys slips, takes a few along, chain reaction. So you ain’t just taking support but holding the other guy, making sure he doesn’t fall off.

That night with a broken back, he wrote the obvious.

When he narrated the incident to a techie friend, showed him my pictures, was a Eureka moment. Alright, not Eureka exactly, “Show me the money” moment. The Techie guy had a revolving belly (Running naked was out of the question) and traits of an Indian. (Happens if you’re working in Silicon Valley)

“Hands free” initiated a small but significant advancement in mobile technology.

Now here’s the catch. Darwin became famous for his discovery but discovery is stating the obvious. You surely get credit for the discovery but no money. Why? It was always around. You broke your back on that trip, discovered. laws of nature, physical phenomena and abstract ideas are not considered patentable..No monies, sir!

However, a practical product or process based on the discovery can be patented.

The techie, yes sir..made it big!

Me?! I’m not as dumb as Darwin. I told the techie “I deserve money for the pictures”

He raised his hands “I ain’t buying your pictures. I just had a look at them. No monies for you. Try Etsy”

What has the world come to? No one cares about morality. High time. I request bloggers who write about inspirational stuff to take up the issue of morality. No money, sir but do it.

On a really serious note. Take a breath. Forget everything I’ve said. Look at the pictures again. Look at their smiles, their undying spirit.
I think of the time, I clicked those moment, priceless and every time I look at these pictures, they put a smile on my face, gives me a reason to go out again, call out “Aye”.

This is it. Eventually….
Moment of joy is, when you create art. Before and after is commerce.
I’ve got a camera and a pen and this is my passion and all I know is this.
Not many care for what I do but who do, are a reason enough.

The Ideal Brain Tonic

Do what you like. Express-Explore-Consume-Innovate.
A few decades from now, our time will be termed as the Golden Era of a digital world – Swami

Good Night- A Poem by Swami

She scratches her nose
Rubs her face
And turns away
When I caress my princess in her sleep

White horses with wings
Chase a lone cloud on a cliff is
Her frequent dream

I wait with longing eyes
But soon it becomes unbearable…
I gently tap her hand a few times
She babbles, I don’t know what?!
I frown for as long!
Finally, she turns back
Throws her arm across me
Grin runs across her face
When I snuggle her tight
Good night 🙂

* In case you don’t who Swami is, he’s my friend, a very dear friend and a ace blogger. After much persuasion he agreed to do a guest post on my blog. Your likes and comments are much appreciated.
What’s below? Ahem! 😀

For centuries, scientists strictly indulged in gravity, space, locomotive, energy…
Only with advent of capitalism, focus was evened out with emphasis also on tooth brush design, stain removers, instant noodles…
However, the most noteworthy evolution has been with brassiere. Just a few decades ago they were miserably dull, over protective and discouraging.

Good Morning

It’s time
Sun is on standby
Good morning
Another morning
Empty roads trigger into a freshly drawn battlefield
Honking, marching, pacing, racing
Locomotives chase
The invisible Ferrari of happiness
Red-marked lipid profiles
Crop up on the streets
Brisk walking to survive another day
Reporting rapists, murderers, filthy politicians
News bundle lands on my courtyard
It’s time…
Electrifying red transcends upon the sky
Devours the stars
I pull in the curtains dark
My eyes droopy, exhausted
Good night

I’m damned

A life less dead

There’s no unrest around me

For freedom, peace or brotherhood

No pain, no endeavor

No mate, no love

Youth stained

The worldly-wise hail “Greed is good”

The trouble makers chant “Hare Rama Hare Krishna”

Capitalism will always find its way
War or stimulus, either way
Red flag nation is the destination

Mergers and acquisitions
You bet, that’s the game

Warren Buffett, Bill gates are best sellers
Good book pale decays

I’m damned
Dead burdened by installments
Taxes and dry days

The money lenders
Then, were well-behaved
Now, the recovery agent knocks me down
When I fail

That’s not all
NGOs and Politicians wise up after sun sets

Gandhi features on funky t-shirts
Where does it all end?!
“Care for a drag?”
🙂
I’m damned
So damn
damned

Reporting from Kodak Theatre

Stars don’t shine
Like how you’ve been told
They’re mere bulbs
Star-shaped, lit up
What a waste!

Poor sun out-does them every morning
They appear the moment
He retires for the day

At the local bar every night
We shoot them down, random
Fools make a wish
They say it’s lucky omen
Disgrace

That’s not all!
They flaunt on the red carpet
In Armani, Gucci
Brands need Brands
To make fumbling speeches
Sob sob

Hold on –

Walks in the dude
Daniel Day-Lewis
Hear the applause
Watch him talk
And Meryl smiles…
Oh yes
Oh no
Oh yes

I’m such a waste!

Stoned

Twirling under the stone
Marked years
I consumed
I wonder
It’s been awhile
She caressed
Young marine’s marble

She’d visit often
Though she never acknowledged me
Just a passing glance
My oh my!

Later when she’d go
Marine would cry
Give me sleepless nights
Prayed, she finds another guy

I was jolted awake
Sound of gunshots
When the marine and I became neighbors
I noticed her for the first time
Just like the last time…

A long time gone past
And I wonder
It’s been awhile…

Reporting Valentine’s Day

Only two casualties to report. Their dates didn’t turn up.

For Love

Dumb bells

Reporting from Bollywood

Stunt Drivers in Kill Bill costume

Reference picture for costume dept.

Source : Who cares?

Back to stunt unit. No need to refer Kill Bill. Low on budget.

Not bad, after all