Saturday, August 22, 2009

Powerful FM radio is POWERFM



You must all have known of individuals with dual lifestyle. I have met one. He is Anthony and he my team mate and friend. I initially though he was another techie like me but I was wrong and I am so happy that he has his own thing going on. He is a part time DJ. He is part of Dublin's best online radio station. I asked him, if I could join him to see how an Online station works. On a fine saturday evening headed out to his place, took a short bus ride to powerfm's station. Its's a few passionate individuals who are keeping such a skill alive and pen for others to come in and learn as well. He even alowed me to switch a song. He's a pro at techno music DJ'ing. I met three other DJ's as well. I request my friends to take a look at powerfm.org to enjoy good music.You can send in your requests to studio@powerfm.org.
POWEFM you have one more loyal listener!!

Saturday, August 15, 2009

My First Marathon

Call me "crazy" and I will thank you, because that is what I do the most and enjoy even more. Just a few days ago I noticed in the tabloids that there is a 10 mile marathon in Pheonix park. even without thinking if I will be able to do it or not, I decided I want to go. Some of them said I wont be able to do it because I have not trained. That wedesday evening I ran for 6kms and my legs hurt like hell. I was limping for the next two days. Yet I wanted to go, but found out that the tickets are sold out. But on my favorite Bulletin board I found one person giving away the ticket. Woohoo!!! Bought myself a pair of shorts, asked my Gurus Chris and Mihir, how to prepare and they gave me a few tips. Then off i began. There were seven thousand of them. In all shapes, sizes, colours and textures. It was drizziling, but not enough to kill our entusiasm. Found two other Indians there, but me carrying a heavy ego did no acknowledge them. They did the same. At 10 we started. I was number 1452. while at the 4 mile mark, noticed garda paving way from some one. I thought it must be the minister of sports. but it was the marathon leaders doing their 8th mile!! Holy cow!! Thats what professional runners are. I was glad to see the 6th mile marker, but my energy level was not down, it was my legs screaming " are you friggin, Crazy" . I walked for half a mile to give them a break. Water was supplied well and many old folks gathered just to cheer us up. Just a clap, or "your are nearly there, keep going" was enough for the extra two steps. The last mile was grueling, but made it just under two hours. Got a T and a lunch box. laid down on the grass and had them. After my suscessful completion on my return to Mr.Silver, I met those Indians again and this time we smiled and spoke,and wished each other "happy Independence day". The thoughts pondered in my head on my way back, and what I realised is events like this unite people, make them come out of the virtual shells they have created for them selves. Strangers patting out back, applauding us, lending water.Some of the girls even came close to me and teased me saying, 'catch me if you can' !! Sixteen kilometers was hard, but the results are more than just finishing the race.
Note: Enter 1452 in race number to see my time

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Visit to Wicklow,Wexford


The third of August was a bank holiday,Hence it was a long weekend. Since the past one year in Dublin I have never wasted a single bank holiday.But tis time I decided to sit at home and waste it away.I wanted to go to Belfast, but due to some one's concern for me fearing that I would contract swine flu I stayed back. But my true desires were like prayers answered and on late friday evening my collogue called up to tell me that he has rented a car and free ride is the offer. I asked my other room mate to join me. We headed to the powercourt waterfalls first. Its Irelands highiest (128 ft) and then to the gardens. It was not cheap to visit this place costed each one of us 15€. From there we headed to the Glendalough. Its' the birth place for Christianity in Ireland. There was a 900 year old Monastary and the picturesque lake. On the way back we headed to the highest attitude pub, its' the Jonny Foxes pub,which is 200 years old. Every thing about it was old fashioned. I found it hard to gulp the food down, because it was authentic Irish food. We had to find our accomodation, which is an old BnB which came into existance in 1840. Its called the 'Old Coach House' which is by the side of a river and the location is called 'Meeting of the Rivers'. How 'novel ish' can it get!! Next day we went to the Motte stone, which was a large boulder atop a hill. Fom there we headed to wexford. We visited the Jhonstown castle which was really fantstic. The place was full of beautiful peacocks.Saw the gardens and the moved towards the duncannon castle which was rather disapointing. We were restricted from seeing anything. But then decided to drive down on a needle shaped peice of land extending into the sea. It was the Hooks ring. We reached an ancient 600 year old light house.The sea clashing agaist jagged rocks had a level of beauty.
We headed back to our BnB, rested and the next day we took a beautiful, scenic drive along the Wicklow mountains. It was three day spent well and returned with a lifetime full of memories. For more pictures, click on the link below

Friday, July 31, 2009

Noreen leaving drinks


Noreen belongs to the Ab Initio testing team.Her contracts ends this month hence she found herself a much more better job.For many months I was not interacting with the testing team, but since the past few months Paula, Noreen and I became very good friends. There was a drinks party arranged by AIB on thursday and Noreen thought its the best time to have her leaving drinks party as well.We all headed to Cullens the nearest pub and then the fun began. People are so very different when they are under the influence.They are more emotional and more talkative. But trust me,you can only fit into the group if you are accepted. I noticed that as the drinking began groups were formed and some were so very much ignored that they had to leave. When drunk, people want to talk to whom they absolutely want to talk to. I was the only guy sober there but every one was talking to me.I was the last Indian standing in the group! .The pub closes at 1, but the party goers wanted it to continue and we all went to Flannery's another pub. There was music and the dancing began, I was so sleepy that i would catch a few winks and then Noreen would wake me up and pull me back to the dance floor. We had a group photo taken and embossed into a key ring.My friend Mihir and Paula were fantastic on the dance floor. I simply had to stand back and watch them. I sometimes regret why I did not take to drinking because it looks like so much fun.Then my values kick and balance restored. This was the most memorable night out for me and I did this all for a key ring!!

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Adventure starts when the thinking stops




On a fine Sunday morning, i decided what I will "NOT" do(sit at home). That gives me the option to think about what i "CAN" do. Thought what I would like to see. A mountain came to my mind. Google up for the nearest mountain. Its the "Sugar Loaf Mountain" 501m above sea level. Distance 24 kms. Put it on my GPS on phone and started at 10 am. Mr Silver and Miss Niki always ever ready for me. On the way, Silver stopped at a forest and Nikki took a few snaps. The moved on, adn realised that 24 kms is to the mountain, to get to an access point to the mountain then its further more. Finally got to the top of the mountain. It was a spectaculaor view. It was a total distance of 32kms and trust me, I pushed my self to my physical limits by the time i got back home. At 5:30pm. totaly a adventerous adventure.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Visit to Cork



Yet another trip planned near the water cooler at work. Right next to it sits Shane Khellar who is the most approachable person ever. He is from Co Cork and he agreed to give me a ride to his native place. There , the destination is fixed, but what will I do there beacuse he was leaving in another 4 hours. To my rescue came a very nice friend of mine.Noreen helped me out in telling me places to vist and printing out bus schedules and booking a BnB for me.Absolutely fantastic she is, because she is from Cork. Started out the 260kms journey by 7pm got to the accomodation. As per instructions, I did go to Kinsale first.A small fishing village where i walked around quite a bit and visited Fort Charles. That small town defines the phrase ' Cute little town'. Headed back to Cork and from there went to Fota. Its' an amzing wild life park where some animals roam out in the open.
I went to the Shannon church, and i dont know if i can prefix the word Cool with Church, if yes, then it was one. They allowed Visitors to ring the bells. The following day headed out to Blarney castle. I kissed the stone of Elequoence, which i beleive improve 'did the my english much very'. Though it was drizziling it was the best that could happen beacuse the gardens there came alive with such lush green splendor. Beleive me or not, I once reached the exit gate and I changed my mind and went back in to the gardens.Its the Rock Close garden, absolutely impressive. Finaly headed back to Cork and hooked up with Shane and Ean, headed back to my home away from home. Honestly folks I had undermined Cork before I got there;now withdrawn.
For more Cork pictures click the link below

Monday, June 29, 2009

Visit to Howth

I have two new characters to introduce to you all. His name is Mr.Silverfix a.k.a Silver and Her name is Miss.Nikon a.k.a Nikki. They both have a good friend Mr.Badri a.k.a badri. Silver and Niki wanted to explore the north side of dublin and along with badri they went out for a long ride.22kms one way. There was 10 kms of very good cycle track. First stop was the ancient Howth castle. A private property in the middle of a golf course. Then they stopped at the Howth Piers. Its a small fishing town. Niki was lucky to spot a quite a few Manatees. At the near by gardens many school teams were practicing music. I bet it they were preparing for some competition. Back in the city they spotted a giant Cruice shipe. THe Crown Princess.950 feet in length and 16 storeys high. "Massive". It was a fun sunday for all three of them.