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Friday night

~ bjcharles ~ 2 Comments

It’s Friday night, a day of redemption from the work and the chaotic life. My usual sortiies on Friday night takes me to some popular joints around Koramnagala. The pub that I frequent are Purple Haze or Legends of Rock or I drive all the way to “Tavern “at Church street.

While at these joints, I have the usual cup of barley water and sync with the music of the house. Purple haze is more vibrant with young group and I stand near the DJ and watch the song tracks in their flat screens. These folks go by the regular set of numbers.

The songs that I like to hear on a Friday night from Purple Haze are: Janis Joplin ” Mercedes Benz“, Queen | I Want To Break Free, R.e.m. – Loosing My Religion, THE DOORS – L.A. WOMAN .

Tavern Inn
One good thing of “Tavern” pub is about the crowd and ambiance. From my regular visits I know couple of folks here and I get some consideration as a regular. A friendly nod and good service : ). From what I infer about regulars in Purple Haze, I get a feeling that most of the freaks are into some creative job like mine…

Smoking and women – Pub breeds in Bangalore
The fairer sex who land in Tavern with their cowboy’s tend to look more matured. I liked them most when they smoke. Before the ban on smoking came, Tavern was a heaven for smokers. In my visits to Tavern, I stand next to the bar counter and watch how the ladies puff the smoke out of their system.

I’m one of the kind of a kinky voyeur when it comes to watching women while they smoke. Yes, I do like to see women smoke. Sometimes I wonder if they are making a bold statement or just they are just copy cats!! Very few of my female friends smoke and I don’t have a smoking partner to go for a pub date. Bad. I wish I had one!!

Time is hovering around 11:00 and I’m too late to hit any pubs. Thanks to the 11:00 deadline imposed by our elected and idotic politicians.

Now it’s time to take off from work and head for my home, sweet home. It’s the only place I know of, that can take care of my aching body and tired soul.

I look forward to a fruitful weekend.

weekend fun

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“Laughter is an instant vacation!” Milton Berle

It’s Friday and a fleeeting though of the looming weekend makes me yarn. I’m stepping towards this weekend with no agenda, no blind date , no freaking pub hopping – looks like I’ll cuddle in my pit and dream alone with numerous coffee, tea and wine.

Ever had a Biriyani at coffee house?

~ bjcharles ~ 2 Comments

Have you ever had a Biriyani or mutton biriyani from any of the Indian Coffee houses from Kerala. Seeing this pic, I get homesick and I feel I’m so far away from a well made kerala Biriayani.

Sitting in Bangalore, I’m thinking if I ever had any of these heavy weights. I’ve taken umpteen cups of coffee and tea but no recollection of biriyani.

Out of the blue I get a feeling and longing for a mutton biriyani, esp the ones you get Azad or even a Coffee house Biriyanni . If Wishes were Horses ……

Currently at a home away from home, a distance of 500 miles separate me from savoring a good looking biriyani.

Fish curry in the making

~ bjcharles ~ 1 Comment

Another milestone in my cooking. This time I’ve made fishy curry with coconut . No small feat, considering the fact that most of the guys’ wouldn’t dare such attempts, neither they would inclined to commit time and effort.

My love for fish curry is the primary motivating factor and second I’m left alone to fend for myself. With no other go, I’ve decided to break the convention and went ahead to make fish curry instead of the usual fish fry.

My regular fish is Sardine, which Docs says is very good. It cost Rs 40/- a kg and around 20 nos of Sardine comes in a Killo.

Fish vendors in Domlur

There are two fish stalls near to Domlur. One is NLP fish stall and the other Anand fish stall. NLP fish stall folks don’t clean the scaly Sardines but Anand fellow does. For this reason I frequent this place.

After an exhausting cooking, it was time to have a sip of white wine in the background of some rocking music. What a day it was and I hope I have such adventurous cuisine trips in future.

I’ll put my recipe in the coming blogs. Men rise from the couch, use from recipe and surprise your spouse with your culinary skills.

Trip to Kallar – Revisited memories in green

~ bjcharles ~ 2 Comments

This pic taken near the drivers seat from the KSRTC bus which took us to Kallar, Trivandrum. For those not familiar with this place, “Kallar”, I can give a brief from Wiki.

Kallar is a quiet little town on way to Ponmudi. Kallar is 45 km from Trivandrum. Ponmudi is a further 15km from here. The majestic Vamanapuram River with crystal clear water flows thru this place. Exercise caution while bathing in this river . Torrential rain can raise the level of the river and sweep the things which comes in its way. Kallar is a photographers’ paradise. Now Kallar is under the scheme for eco-tourism and offers a wonderful retreat for citizen craving for a close tryst with nature.

It was after a long gap that we all “Good Earth” members got together for a day’s trip to the woods. This bus took us to Kallar and after alighting we took breakfast from Ashokan’s tea shop. He is the local point where we get guides to take us more interiors and also a place where we can pack some food for our trek.

The day in the forest was well spent and within a hours walk we were in the depths of this lush ever green forest. Lot’s of clear water, a good place to swim and dip is more than what our tired body longed for.

We all ( six of us ) had a good time and now I wonder when will our next trip materialize. Each trip brings with it soothing moments spend in the green green lush patch. This is one big event I miss in Bangalore.

Moment well spend is more than what we longed for and for that I’m happy to have a great day out in the woods.

Too young to die – Balandur lake

~ bjcharles ~ 2 Comments

It’s a all familiar ugly side of Bangalore’s at Balandur lake. This wide expanse of water which seemingly look very serene is teeming with all known toxic waste. The lake flows out at two points and at these two side bore the tell tale signs of the level of pollution.

Every day on my way to work and back, our cab cross this route to avoid the traffic at Marathahalli. It’s at the crossing we get to know the stench emanating from this lake. Two things are evident; the foul odor and the frothy water.

At one side of the bridge where it flows out, the water looks as if someone has sprayed detergent. There is white lather at the sides of the water. I wonder how it comes like this

What went wrong? Why has this beautiful looking lake turned out to an urban dump yard of sewage? A lake so large, it can be used for recreation for the citizens but for the unregulated sewage gushing in to.

Blame game can fall on residents and factories run by people like you and me. Bangalore has swelled in size, in population, in prosperity and rampant corruption. No one cares to clean up the waste and it finds its way to such unregulated spots. While many authorities has stake in this mess, everyone will have ample reason to stay away from the blame.

Small wish

My only wish is to see a clean Balandur lake, where ordinary citizens can spend some quite moments with family and friends and cherish the beauty as they ride along in life.

Go Tatkal –

~ bjcharles ~ 2 Comments



Finally another successful Tatkal ticket booking. Today I reached Indira Nagar BDA office by 6:20. When I climbed the stairs leading to the booking office my heart sang a little when I saw the line of around 25 people. I stood at the tail end and the fellow in front of me gave me a friendly grin….

The shutter here open around 7: 00 and all the people get a chance to be in the booking hall around that time. Probably there are around 30 seats and all folks sit in waiting for the 8:00 on the clock.

The railway official in charge of these counter are seen very punctual and open the curtains at the strike of 8:00. Today 4 counters were open, and as the first set of people move in, people sitting in the chairs move forward…. It’s funny to see this happening. Sometimes I stand and wait instead of sitting down and again moving few seats ….

This time I have reserved for Kochuveli Train and I got the middle berth. The lower berth got over. Luckly got in the counter which accepts credit card and happily paid on credit.

I’m happy to travel by train, with those endless coffees instead of sitting tight in a bus with a faceless stranger. In train people are more friendly, talk more, share more and I get to see how India is changing. This time I’m armed with my new Canon S5IS.

Holiday time travel- B’lore to Tvm

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It’s just few more days for Deepavali . As always I made up my mind in the last minute to visit Trivandrum. Weekend and a Deepavali holidy means all pvt buses towards Kerala will be filled up very early. I called up the usual places, Kalada, KPN, and few others for tickets. It didn’t surprise me to get cold No from these high flying Gods.

Called ABT Travels for a ticket to Nagercoil. Again the reply was Friday, Saturday & Sunday booked. Too bad..

My hope of geting a Talkal railway ticket too dashed when I reached the BDA counter by 6:30 .. only to find a long winding queue. Thought I can try booking Tatkal through net. A big No for any one thinking of such foolish adventure. When the booking starts by 8:00 don’t ever think of getting a steady connection to the sit.. No amount of refresh made me through the first page….

FYI

ABT Travels ,
MAS Residency Compound,
Hosur Main Road
Phone ( 080) 65305672
Mobile 994569311

http://www.abtxtravels.com

Sleepy thoughts

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Time is past midnight, and I’m weary. The weekend had unfolded new events and for which I’m happy. Yes, experiences maketh a life and each little dots in the life take on to make the complete impression.

I’m leaving for my bed, to dream, to labor on the thoughts of today.. Goodnight friends…

words maketh a sale?

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For those who live by communicating with words, words takes a larger than role in life. Yes, I’m talking of folks like me why wrestle with words to express those thoughts.

Reading, writing and it’s endless maze all comes in throes to guild a writer as a master story teller. It’s painfully slow and I wonder how many seasons it will take for me to get to that wonderful horizon.