Inglorious Basterds 2009

QT is finally back with the much awaited "Inglorious Basterds". Coming this Fall !
If you've seen all the QT movies then this is the one my boys ! Check out the stylish trailer below.



Notice the change in spelling of the B word.
QT - Quentin Tarantino !

There Goes my Vote

There I go for the first time ever. Finally as a citizen of India I've voted and exercised my franchise.



Feels good !
(Pic Courtesy: Rampee)

FIND THE MAN AMONG THE COFFEE BEANS

Just another FWD from a pal but a nice brain workout !

THE TRICK IS TO FIND THE MAN AMONG THE COFFEE BEANS:
This is bizarre - after you find the guy - it's so obvious. Once you find him - it's embarrassing, and you think, why didn't I see him immediately?




Doctors have concluded that if you find the man in the coffee beans in 3 seconds, the right half of your brain is better developed than most people. If you find the man between 3 seconds and 1 minute, the right half of the brain is developed normally. If you find the man between 1 minute and 3 minutes, then the right half of your brain is functioning slowly and you need to eat more proteins. If you do not find the man after 3 minutes, the advice is to look for more of these type of exercises to make that part of the brain stronger!!!

And, yes, the man is really there!!!

I must rephrase. Look for a man's face !

Team Asha Ananya Run and Karate

So we are going right on track with the training for the Sunfeast 10K even though most of the kids have gone home for vacation. We have given them schedules and have asked them to follow the training program to their best of abilities.

Karate Update:

Sensei Ni Rei (bow to the Sensei)
Dojo Ni Rei (Bow to the class/training hall)

We also learned lot of new moves in Karate over the last few weeks, thanks to Sensei Manjula. We've imbibed the first "Kata", the simulated fight.

We have learned the three punches (Tsuki) (Gedan, chudan and nidan), three front kicks (Ma Giri), one side kick (Yoko Giri) and one back fist punch(Uraken)

Couple of blocking techniques as well.
As it goes we are now ready for the first belt, the "yellow" belt !

Santosh and I had a talk with Sashi on future activity for Ananya kids and Sashi taught us something wonderful about "Möbius strip". Interesting, do read about it in the Wiki below and also about its unique properties.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%B6bius_strip

Until then keep running !

Kancheepuram (Tamil)

Every year Tamil cinema churns out this occassional beauty and Kancheepuram is one such. It is the story about weavers plight in and around kancheepuram just around the time of independence.

I must say that this movie is just amazing and its out and out Prakash Raj and some good support from Shreya Reddy. Its a class on its own and you'll actually understand some strong under statements (oxymoron?) made referring to the way we adopted British legacy.

Directed by Priyadarshan !

Do watch it if you can catch hold of the DVD !

Pic Courtesy: Gallata.com

Tour De Gandipet

Wow, what a run it was. I've been in Hyderabad for almost 24 years and I could have never thought of running a distance wherein the APSRTC actually operates a bus service. Yes, we in fact out ran the bus number 120 (Mehdipatanam to Gandipet). Tomorrow if someone asks me to run till Samshabad airport I might actually end up running if I've got a bunch of runners like the Hyderabad Runners.

After my Knee injury I've never run a comfortable 20K run for some time now. All the cross training and ankle weight exercises have helped. After yesterdays run things have fallen back in proper shape. I was out with Team Asha Tee as everyone gathered at the starting spot.


The run was for 22K and began at the Film nagar entrance from KBR park and started at 5.24AM. We were five of us running (Vasu, Satish, Amey, Rajesh and I) and Prasad was there to help us out with mobile logistics.

We started all the way from KBR, went towards Whisper Valley and then downwards towards Darga and then turned left towards Narayanama College and then went past Sheikpet and Tolichowki. Finally at Nanal Nagar cross roads we took a right towards Andhra Floor Mills and then towards Langar House. Then proceeded towards Vasavi College, Taramati, passing beyond CBIT and then finally hitting Gandipet (Osman Sagar).


It took us 2 hours and 15 minutes for 22KMs. We ran in pairs most of the time. Vasu and Rajesh and Myself, Satish and Amey. The route from Nanal Nagar was almost like a trip down memory lane I was brought in this area and I've was like giving a live "Tour De Langar House". There was some traffic near Tolichowki and Langar house but it was manageable.


We had Prasad who was there almost every 2KM ahead ready with supplies. He also had a huge stock of water just to make sure we don't run out of it. Its really tough for a runner to do logistics and resist the temptation of running, especially when you see your pals running in front of you.


All in all we manged to finish the run neatly and after some quick stretches we headed towards Golkonda Resorts for breakfast and ended having a pretty decent buffet breakfast. The menu was loaded with some heavy duty stuff and at least I gained back all the calories that I'd burnt :-)

Thanks again to Prasad for dropping us all back to KBR !

To quote from one of the Hyderabad Runner, Satish.

We finally did it. Here is the route : http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2721968

We (Rajesh, Vasu, Amey, Balu and Myself) started at 5:20am near BVB
gate KBR park. Prasad was gracious enough to accompany us in the SAG
car (couldn't have done it without him). We ran down the Whisper
valley, then turned left onto the old mumbai highway and finally
hopped onto the road to Gandipet at Nanal nagar. The traffic on the
road was a little bad even that early in the morning. To add to that
it was the IIT entrance day at CBIT and all along the way while
running we were giving directions to the IIT aspirants. We finally
finished our run at Gandipet at 7:30am. We stretched and snacked on
biscuits and dates and finally piled onto the breakfast bar at
Golkonda resorts. After that there was no telling. By the time we were
done, each of us were atleast a kgs heavier and 250 bucks lighter.
Gandipet is a great destination for running long distances. The final
few kms one can just think of the breakfast and finish the run. Balu
had taken quite a few pics, hoping for a nice blog from him.

Gopi where are you man? Anirudh ....

I have already planned for the route for the next long run as per
Prasad's suggestion (This guy know Hyd in the back of his mind) :
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2721980 - HCU to Gandipet ....

Some running related pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/balsubu/HYD22KRunApril12_2009#

As you can see these guys are already planning another Gandipet Run. If you are in Hyderabad around April 26 catch them up folks ! Its all the worth.

Until then, keep miling !

Tribal Health Initiative (THI)

As a series of covering NGO initiatives, this week we feature Tribal Health Initiative (THI) located in Sittilingi, Tamil Nadu.


Their Vision:

Our vision is that the people of Sittilingi valley lead a better quality of life.

* To attain the highest possible level of physical, mental and social health
* To enhance their socio-economic status while retaining their pride, self-respect and self-reliance and ensuring their active participation in programs meant for their welfare
* To create an atmosphere highly conducive for the growth and development of local cultures and customs

Checkout their webpage: http://www.tribalhealth.org/

You can read more about them in their blog: "http://tribalhealthinitiative.wordpress.com/"


Recently Anita, a Team Asha Runner, introduced me to a range of organic products from Svad which is part of THI. I've a personal liking to millets and recently bought their produce like millets, jaggery, turmeric, horse gram and other lentils. My mom likes their fox millet and mixed millet.

You can also order organic products from them directly and they will get it delivered to you (bare minimum transportation charges).

I'm planning to visit them in the near future and probably will have a detailed post on them then.

Sittilingi also has another Asha supported project "Thulir". I'll feature them next.

Bungee Jumping in Bangalore

Yes, Care india is organising Bungee jumping from April 10 - 12 , 2009 at Banerghetta.

Priced at 750 bucks.

Check out their website. careindia.in

Pic Courtesy: From CareIndia website

This is in my TODO list for a long time now but next time I'll give it a try !

Update: This event went horribly wrong as the cable snapped for a young chap from Chennai and passed away.

Trees for Free

This is an amazing initiative from Trees For Free NGO.
Check out their website or click the above image to see in full size.

http://www.treesforfree.org/

Autorickshaw

This is an amazing band and I've listened to their "So the journey goes" and "Four Higher" albums. Jazz and Indian karnatic. Must listen and soothing to ears!

Real Heroes

Nice Wonderful pogaram from CNN-IBN. Must See. There are 12 parts to it so do all of them:


Actual Link: http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/88328/03_2009/realhero_award1/real-heroes-honouring-the-extraordinary-indian.html

Sunfeast world 10k Bangalore 2009

This is an email from Procam folks

Dear Sir / Ma’am,

After last year’s successful launch the Sunfeast World 10K Bangalore, the World’s Premier 10K Run is back with its 2nd edition on Sunday, May 31st, 2009.

The Sunfeast World 10K Bangalore will provide a platform wherein an individual can test his fitness. It also gives an opportunity to the participant to raise monies for charities of their choice. The event is all set to attract everyone, from senior citizens to school going kids, from a sports person to an office professional, from a celebrity to a bus driver. It’s a common stage for everyone to run together for their own set of goals with exuberance.

Registrations for the event have begun and will close on May 9, 2009 or until running places are full, whichever is earlier.

What’s more, the Sunfeast World 10K Bangalore participants can look forward to the following:

· Goodie bag (products and goodies from a host of brands)
· Attractive offers from the event partners & sponsors
· Marathon photos at attractive prices: check your race day photos after the Run
· Kingfisher best costume prizes on race day (individual and group)
· Timing certificate: Time your run in Open 10K
· Participation certificate for Open 10K runners.
· Live telecast on CNBC TV 18 / IBN 7 on 31st May.

Please find attached the entry form. For basic event and registration related information, please login to www.sunfeastworld10k.indiatimes.com. You can also call on our helpline no.: +91 80 42593131 or email your query at sunfeastworld10k@procamintl.com. You can use the photocopy of the entry form for submitting more than one entry.

Best Regards,
Registration Team
+91 80 42593131 (Event Helpline Number): Monday to Saturday (10am to 7pm).

sunfeastworld10k@procamintl.com
www.sunfeastworld10k.indiatimes.com

Run Bangalore Run !