- 1 - Man with a plan

I was beginning to feel that I stand a better chance of giving birth to triplets than writing a few lines in my blog. Getting to that frame of mind where ideas flow effortlessly was not happening at all. Since I am not the only person in history to experience this, I’ll just stop whining and write about some interesting turn of events.

A couple of days back I was at work reading an online feature on ‘Chandrayaan-1’, India’s first mission to the moon. I have to admit that even though space exploration is one of my favorite subjects, I wasn’t really keeping a track of this particular launch. Then I learned from Google maps that the launch site, Sriharikota was less than 100 Km from Chennai and 300+ Km distance between Bangalore and Chennai didn’t sound too much. That was when it struck me, maybe I could witness the launch LIVE!!

Then there was a sudden rush of adrenalin, an insatiable desire to be there when history will be written. If there is one wish I have now, then it’s to experience the deafening sound and feel the ground vibrating while the rocket thunders away to the sky.

From office I went straight to my friend’s place, the first thing I said as I saw him was

"Do I look like a man with a plan?!"

(I have no idea how that popped out, but I am sure I’ll regret saying that)

“Huh??” He couldn’t make out whether that was a question or a statement.

“I am going to Sriharikota to watch the rocket launch…”

“Huh??” again, this time totally lost.

I needed moral support, so I explained for half an hour how exciting it would be to witness the rocket blast off. I must say I had some success even though I have a feeling that the term ‘man with a plan’ will pop up in many get togethers we will have in the future.

Since the blast off is scheduled on the 22^nd, a Wednesday, there is no point trying to persuade any of my friends to tag along, also I don’t think anyone would be interested in traveling all the way to witness something that would, in the best case scenario, barely a minute.

So am all set, and will update my plans in the next post.

its raining in the sea

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I have taken a few days leave from work and now am at home in Kerala. It's been nearly a month since my last visit and I was looking forward for a break. I had thought of coming when the Monsoon is in full swing; but then its Monsoon, you can't predict anything.

It's been drizzling non stop for days and the place is so green and the air so fresh, I don't feel like going back to Bangalore.


* This is how our backyard looks like* There are muddy pools all around, frogs croaking throughout the night, really huge millipedes and other creepy creatures inside your house... its total fun.

In the evening I went to Payyambalam beach with friends, its 40km from my place. I visit this beach almost every time I come home. It was raining when we reached, and the beach was empty. Nothing gives me more pleasure than watching it rain in the sea.


We walked along the beach and met someone special, a sea snake. It must have been washed ashore in a wave, and the creature must have missed the trip back. It was struggling hard to move in the sand and I used a piece of wood to take it back to the sea.


* In the excitement, I didn't notice the shoot mode in my camera, Phil Mclight, and the picture turned out bad*


Later I felt stupid for not picking it with my hand, you don't get too many chances to hold a sea snake. I knew it wasn't a poisonous one, if thats what you are wondering. All sea snakes with fancy colors and designs are dangerous, it would be wise to stay away from them and this one was a normal one.

The snake had a tough time swimming against the strong waves and it kept coming back to the sand, then there was one smooth wave that came a long was into the shore. I believe the sea held its breath, it skipped the next wave and the snake disappeared into the deep.

I had met other interesting sea creatures on other beaches before, once it was a dead puffer fish. I wasn't carrying a camera then, so no pictures taken. Another time, it was a dead whale, a mighty 30 footer. I have the pictures in my Orkut profile.

Cheers to life
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